Benjamin Bixler
@benjaminbixler.bsky.social
Teacher at Eastern Mennonite School (AP Human Geography, Hebrew Bible, Film Studies), PhD student in Bible and Cultures at Drew Theological School, New York Knicks fan.
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
This is just going to always be my go-to response to this kind of thing anthonymoser.github.io/writing/ai/h...
December 28, 2025 at 4:39 PM
This is just going to always be my go-to response to this kind of thing anthonymoser.github.io/writing/ai/h...
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
Thread on why even using AI as a way to brainstorm a project is a horrible idea.
A big part of being a historian is being a detective! Who did this? Why? Where? Why does it matter in the grand scheme of things? You have to learn how to probe, how to uncover, how to read against the grain, how to find unusual sources, how to interpret those sources. How to piece together a puzzle
It also robs students of learning *how* to research.
December 21, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Thread on why even using AI as a way to brainstorm a project is a horrible idea.
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
banning generative AI for things like research and writing is about a lot more than just banning generative AI. it’s about fostering a positive culture of curiosity, creative thinking, integrity, and intellectual rigor that renders the very idea of using generative AI nonsensical.
This is one of the reasons I remain horrified by seeing @historians.org suggest "ways to use gAI" that included this:
December 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM
banning generative AI for things like research and writing is about a lot more than just banning generative AI. it’s about fostering a positive culture of curiosity, creative thinking, integrity, and intellectual rigor that renders the very idea of using generative AI nonsensical.
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
a big part of the issue surrounding the use of chatgpt/LLMs in academic research comes down to process vs. product. a lot of us know that the process of doing research matters because that's where intellectual work is done; but some "academics" and lots of techies only care about a fast product
December 21, 2025 at 2:49 PM
a big part of the issue surrounding the use of chatgpt/LLMs in academic research comes down to process vs. product. a lot of us know that the process of doing research matters because that's where intellectual work is done; but some "academics" and lots of techies only care about a fast product
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
We need a Generative AI Code of Conduct at the University level because it's becoming increasingly clear that my colleagues (other professors and ESPECIALLY admin) are using AI way more than my students are.
December 20, 2025 at 6:08 PM
We need a Generative AI Code of Conduct at the University level because it's becoming increasingly clear that my colleagues (other professors and ESPECIALLY admin) are using AI way more than my students are.
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
If you're not trans, I don't think I can fully explain how important this is.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
The name "Popular Science" doesn't mean we shift our coverage depending on public opinion. It means we cover relevant subjects that are rigorously researched, reliable, and grounded in reality.
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
First-of-a-kind study shows encouraging data for trans kids who socially transition
Ninety-four percent of participants in a new study stood firm in their trans identity after five years, and "detransitioning" is rare.
www.popsci.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:58 PM
If you're not trans, I don't think I can fully explain how important this is.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
AOC one of the few actually good people in American politics. Of course she demands Justice.
December 20, 2025 at 12:33 AM
AOC one of the few actually good people in American politics. Of course she demands Justice.
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
"I refuse." This is it. There's no reason we should accept a narrative of an already settled future which marginalizes humans and individual agency. No one wants this. No one asked for it.
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
December 19, 2025 at 1:21 PM
"I refuse." This is it. There's no reason we should accept a narrative of an already settled future which marginalizes humans and individual agency. No one wants this. No one asked for it.
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
December 19, 2025 at 12:24 PM
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
The next 12 months are going to be marked by extreme economic crisis and political instability. We need to put forward visions of a better world and make them as material and reproducible as possible, because we are about to enter an period of massive social rearrangement and experimentation
December 18, 2025 at 12:42 PM
The next 12 months are going to be marked by extreme economic crisis and political instability. We need to put forward visions of a better world and make them as material and reproducible as possible, because we are about to enter an period of massive social rearrangement and experimentation
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
"I want a Clippy to be my sycophantic pretend girlfriend" is a hell of a take.
If we are banning cell phones for kids we need to be talking about banning chatbots for boomers
www.persuasion.community/p/my-chatgpt...
www.persuasion.community/p/my-chatgpt...
December 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
"I want a Clippy to be my sycophantic pretend girlfriend" is a hell of a take.
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
People say AI is a magic shortcut to creativity & success. I’ll tell you the real secret and it’s voraciously reading, being interested in everything, being diligent in the pursuit of learning, paying attention to the interior lives of others & keeping a heart open to the world.
December 17, 2025 at 4:24 AM
People say AI is a magic shortcut to creativity & success. I’ll tell you the real secret and it’s voraciously reading, being interested in everything, being diligent in the pursuit of learning, paying attention to the interior lives of others & keeping a heart open to the world.
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
For anyone worried AI will replace all of us.
Courtesy of Gemini for the prompt “create an infographic of all the World Series winners since 1986”
I dare you to find 10 things that are right.
Courtesy of Gemini for the prompt “create an infographic of all the World Series winners since 1986”
I dare you to find 10 things that are right.
December 16, 2025 at 7:45 PM
For anyone worried AI will replace all of us.
Courtesy of Gemini for the prompt “create an infographic of all the World Series winners since 1986”
I dare you to find 10 things that are right.
Courtesy of Gemini for the prompt “create an infographic of all the World Series winners since 1986”
I dare you to find 10 things that are right.
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
Read this. Then read it again.
December 17, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Read this. Then read it again.
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
Nothing more than perceived wealth that doesn’t exist for the purposes of taxes, but magically does for the purposes of leverage. Meanwhile, the rest of us pay real taxes on low wages and can’t leverage shit. The game is rigged. Tax the rich.
The world’s richest person just hit another major milestone thanks to the soaring valuation of his rocket maker SpaceX.
Full story: www.forbes.com/sites/mattdu... (Photo: Kevin Winter via Getty Images)
Full story: www.forbes.com/sites/mattdu... (Photo: Kevin Winter via Getty Images)
December 16, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Nothing more than perceived wealth that doesn’t exist for the purposes of taxes, but magically does for the purposes of leverage. Meanwhile, the rest of us pay real taxes on low wages and can’t leverage shit. The game is rigged. Tax the rich.
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
As a person who has been studying extreme far right ideologies for the last decade (and did a PhD on immigration) I find the entrance of “remigration” into the mainstream American political lexicon so profoundly disturbing
December 16, 2025 at 1:03 PM
As a person who has been studying extreme far right ideologies for the last decade (and did a PhD on immigration) I find the entrance of “remigration” into the mainstream American political lexicon so profoundly disturbing
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
It is pretty interesting how both elected officials and the media generally refuse to act like reality is reality, mostly because the people whose opinions they value are in the 17%
December 16, 2025 at 2:14 PM
It is pretty interesting how both elected officials and the media generally refuse to act like reality is reality, mostly because the people whose opinions they value are in the 17%
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
This is just one example, but this story is the perfect example of why mediocre white guys are against DEI and this is the “American Dream” they’re trying to preserve. This is the “western culture” they want to protect, and anti-discrimination laws and policies destroy that.
December 16, 2025 at 2:01 PM
This is just one example, but this story is the perfect example of why mediocre white guys are against DEI and this is the “American Dream” they’re trying to preserve. This is the “western culture” they want to protect, and anti-discrimination laws and policies destroy that.
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
This NYT story failed the reader by not digging deeper. One subject dropped out of college after one year (five years ago) and lists "Windows" as his skillset. Story should be: young conservatives who blame immigrants for their personal failures and whose lives won't be improved w/ fewer immigrants
December 15, 2025 at 8:36 AM
This NYT story failed the reader by not digging deeper. One subject dropped out of college after one year (five years ago) and lists "Windows" as his skillset. Story should be: young conservatives who blame immigrants for their personal failures and whose lives won't be improved w/ fewer immigrants
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
The cultural impact of Rob Reiner cannot be understated. Legend isn't big enough a word. It goes to 11. You can't handle the truth. As you wish. I'll have what she's having. I'm your number one fan. You guys wanna see a dead body? The very idea of a bucket list. The West Wing.
All from his movies.
All from his movies.
December 15, 2025 at 3:51 AM
The cultural impact of Rob Reiner cannot be understated. Legend isn't big enough a word. It goes to 11. You can't handle the truth. As you wish. I'll have what she's having. I'm your number one fan. You guys wanna see a dead body? The very idea of a bucket list. The West Wing.
All from his movies.
All from his movies.
Reposted by Benjamin Bixler
I want to add, without spoiling, that this movie has a scene that takes place on the phone that I think is one of the best quiet scenes of the year. Beautifully shot and written and performed, and beautifully shaped as it shifts from one kind of scene to a different one.
This movie is really funny and a corker of a mystery, but it’s also really deeply felt and quite moving. And as I said on PCHH, you’re going to keep thinking, “Hmm, is this movie going to have a moment where Glenn Close utterly demolishes me?” Yes. Yes, it is.
We’re up! On NETFLIX! Please enjoy #WakeUpDeadMan at home or in theaters - we’re staying on 500 screens nationwide through next week. Theater finder link in my pinned post ☠️⏰🎄
December 13, 2025 at 3:10 AM
I want to add, without spoiling, that this movie has a scene that takes place on the phone that I think is one of the best quiet scenes of the year. Beautifully shot and written and performed, and beautifully shaped as it shifts from one kind of scene to a different one.