David Huyssen
@davidhuyssen.bsky.social
Historian (political economy, class, culture), writer, editor, teacher.
https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674281400
https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674281400
Reposted by David Huyssen
I can't speak for what was said at the protests, but seeing people react to an anodyne statement like "sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law" as if it were a vicious slur is clarifying.
Zohran Mamdani chastised a Manhattan synagogue that hosted an event promoting migration to Israel and settlements in occupied territories. His stance further tested his strained relationship with pro-Israel Jews in New York.
Mamdani Response to Protest Inflames Tensions with Jewish Leaders
The mayor-elect chastised a synagogue that hosted an event promoting migration to Israel and settlements in occupied territories. His stance further tested his strained relationship with pro-Israel Jews.
nyti.ms
November 25, 2025 at 2:35 PM
I can't speak for what was said at the protests, but seeing people react to an anodyne statement like "sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law" as if it were a vicious slur is clarifying.
Reposted by David Huyssen
The special issue of New German Critique on "German Memory Politics at a Crossroads," which I co-edited with Andreas Huyssen and the late Anson Rabinbach, is finally starting to look real! It will be out in February 2026.
ngc.arts.cornell.edu/forthcoming....
ngc.arts.cornell.edu/forthcoming....
November 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
The special issue of New German Critique on "German Memory Politics at a Crossroads," which I co-edited with Andreas Huyssen and the late Anson Rabinbach, is finally starting to look real! It will be out in February 2026.
ngc.arts.cornell.edu/forthcoming....
ngc.arts.cornell.edu/forthcoming....
Reposted by David Huyssen
this is not a drag of the writer of this particular piece, which is largely sympathetic, but this line of argument makes me nuts
young people are involved in protest and organizing at several levers of power—but they're not able to show up to photo op street rallies at the same rates as retirees
young people are involved in protest and organizing at several levers of power—but they're not able to show up to photo op street rallies at the same rates as retirees
My @nytimes.com op-ed: The Boomers Are Protesting Trump. Where Is Gen Z? www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o... (gift link)
The key point: "The absence of young people from conventional protests is both a problem and a warning."
The key point: "The absence of young people from conventional protests is both a problem and a warning."
Opinion | The Boomers Are Protesting Trump. Where Is Gen Z?
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:22 PM
this is not a drag of the writer of this particular piece, which is largely sympathetic, but this line of argument makes me nuts
young people are involved in protest and organizing at several levers of power—but they're not able to show up to photo op street rallies at the same rates as retirees
young people are involved in protest and organizing at several levers of power—but they're not able to show up to photo op street rallies at the same rates as retirees
Reposted by David Huyssen
Over 1/3 of AI responses are false.
ONE THIRD.
The only job you'd survive in with that kind of record is Cabinet Minister. Or columnist. Or political "journalist"...
ONE THIRD.
The only job you'd survive in with that kind of record is Cabinet Minister. Or columnist. Or political "journalist"...
November 24, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Over 1/3 of AI responses are false.
ONE THIRD.
The only job you'd survive in with that kind of record is Cabinet Minister. Or columnist. Or political "journalist"...
ONE THIRD.
The only job you'd survive in with that kind of record is Cabinet Minister. Or columnist. Or political "journalist"...
Reposted by David Huyssen
Man, I'm really tired of being used as a bat to pound on Mamdani. It's offensive, and it paints all Jewish New Yorkers as Fox-watching racists. Those type are certainly among us, but plenty of New York Jews are confident in their selection of Mamdani and unconcerned w/his handling of antisemitism.
WELKER: What is your message to Jewish New Yorkers who feel you won't be tough enough in your response to antisemitism?
MAMDANI: That I am looking forward to being the next mayor and fulfilling the commitment I've made to Jewish New Yorkers to not only protect them but to celebrate and cherish them
MAMDANI: That I am looking forward to being the next mayor and fulfilling the commitment I've made to Jewish New Yorkers to not only protect them but to celebrate and cherish them
November 23, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Man, I'm really tired of being used as a bat to pound on Mamdani. It's offensive, and it paints all Jewish New Yorkers as Fox-watching racists. Those type are certainly among us, but plenty of New York Jews are confident in their selection of Mamdani and unconcerned w/his handling of antisemitism.
Reposted by David Huyssen
What a strange framing and characterization. How does one describe his blatantly dishonest, racist question about taxes as “press[ing] the Mayor-elect on his policy proposals”? In what way does this lying troll emerge as a “winner“?
November 24, 2025 at 11:50 AM
What a strange framing and characterization. How does one describe his blatantly dishonest, racist question about taxes as “press[ing] the Mayor-elect on his policy proposals”? In what way does this lying troll emerge as a “winner“?
Reposted by David Huyssen
Everything wrong with political journalism in one graf. This is not a policy proposal that exists but that doesn’t matter, what matters is that someone “won” by asking it bsky.app/profile/larr...
What a strange framing and characterization. How does one describe his blatantly dishonest, racist question about taxes as “press[ing] the Mayor-elect on his policy proposals”? In what way does this lying troll emerge as a “winner“?
November 24, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Everything wrong with political journalism in one graf. This is not a policy proposal that exists but that doesn’t matter, what matters is that someone “won” by asking it bsky.app/profile/larr...
Reposted by David Huyssen
The thing about DOGE is it accomplished neither its ostensible nor actual goals but did manage to cause a couple of holocausts worth of deaths internationally.
And the media finds none of those three things particularly notable.
And the media finds none of those three things particularly notable.
It remains insane to me that DOGE was treated at the time as an impressive shock and awe accomplishment - “you can’t deny he’s getting stuff done!” - and then instantly memory holed by the press once if became clear it was a total failure by every possible standard including Musk’s own
Difficult to overstate how profound a failure DOGE was. Spending in FY2025 was not only than in FY2024 – but higher than it was projected to be when Trump first took office.*
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
November 23, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The thing about DOGE is it accomplished neither its ostensible nor actual goals but did manage to cause a couple of holocausts worth of deaths internationally.
And the media finds none of those three things particularly notable.
And the media finds none of those three things particularly notable.
Reposted by David Huyssen
NYC book launch event “Fifty Years of Marxist Feminism” featuring Alyssa Battistoni, Robyn Marasco, Aaron Jaffe, & Rachel Schreiber is coming up on December 2. Register to make sure you get a spot, and tell your friends who may be interested.
November 22, 2025 at 1:09 PM
NYC book launch event “Fifty Years of Marxist Feminism” featuring Alyssa Battistoni, Robyn Marasco, Aaron Jaffe, & Rachel Schreiber is coming up on December 2. Register to make sure you get a spot, and tell your friends who may be interested.
Reposted by David Huyssen
I need everyone, esp anyone working in education or tech (but really everyone) to WATCH THIS CLIP of @drtanksley.bsky.social discussing the technologies infiltrating our schools & psyches and how she is addressing it with our young people. youtu.be/5mtcSL4S3HQ
Howard University AI Panel
YouTube video by Tiera Tanksley
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I need everyone, esp anyone working in education or tech (but really everyone) to WATCH THIS CLIP of @drtanksley.bsky.social discussing the technologies infiltrating our schools & psyches and how she is addressing it with our young people. youtu.be/5mtcSL4S3HQ
Reposted by David Huyssen
This story is not getting enough attention.
Unions affiliated with UC fought the Trump administration *and* the UC administration and WON, preserving academic freedom that was under enormous financial threat.
dailybruin.com/2025/11/14/j...
Unions affiliated with UC fought the Trump administration *and* the UC administration and WON, preserving academic freedom that was under enormous financial threat.
dailybruin.com/2025/11/14/j...
November 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
This story is not getting enough attention.
Unions affiliated with UC fought the Trump administration *and* the UC administration and WON, preserving academic freedom that was under enormous financial threat.
dailybruin.com/2025/11/14/j...
Unions affiliated with UC fought the Trump administration *and* the UC administration and WON, preserving academic freedom that was under enormous financial threat.
dailybruin.com/2025/11/14/j...
Reposted by David Huyssen
The disjunction between what typically happens at institutions of higher ed in the U.S. and so many of the dominant narratives—which depict them as “woke” sites of propaganda transmission, suffering from a lack of variety in methods and approaches, and cauldrons of hatred—is enormous.
Thinking a lot lately about the simple fact that college allows people to spend about 15 weeks immersed in a disciplinary conversation with an expert in that field. And what a special thing that is.
November 21, 2025 at 3:13 PM
The disjunction between what typically happens at institutions of higher ed in the U.S. and so many of the dominant narratives—which depict them as “woke” sites of propaganda transmission, suffering from a lack of variety in methods and approaches, and cauldrons of hatred—is enormous.
University Boards of Trustees always justify wildly outsized salaries in senior manager posts by saying they're necessary to "recruit talent."
The "talent" in question: a willingness to make bank while immiserating faculty, abetting authoritarianism, & poisoning any positive institutional legacies.
The "talent" in question: a willingness to make bank while immiserating faculty, abetting authoritarianism, & poisoning any positive institutional legacies.
worth noting that the $30.2 million deficit the school is facing can be traced to ballooning admin salaries, real estate, and admin benefits, according to the economics department's analysis. the salaries for the actual professors is in line with or *below* the school's revenue growth
November 19, 2025 at 7:29 PM
University Boards of Trustees always justify wildly outsized salaries in senior manager posts by saying they're necessary to "recruit talent."
The "talent" in question: a willingness to make bank while immiserating faculty, abetting authoritarianism, & poisoning any positive institutional legacies.
The "talent" in question: a willingness to make bank while immiserating faculty, abetting authoritarianism, & poisoning any positive institutional legacies.
Reposted by David Huyssen
Shows the thinking, leadership we need from unions representing education workers - all of us. pre-K through highered, wall to wall. Kudos and solidarity with the New School Full-time Faculty union @aaup.org. Know someone who can join? Send this link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
November 19, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Shows the thinking, leadership we need from unions representing education workers - all of us. pre-K through highered, wall to wall. Kudos and solidarity with the New School Full-time Faculty union @aaup.org. Know someone who can join? Send this link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by David Huyssen
worth noting that the $30.2 million deficit the school is facing can be traced to ballooning admin salaries, real estate, and admin benefits, according to the economics department's analysis. the salaries for the actual professors is in line with or *below* the school's revenue growth
November 19, 2025 at 4:33 PM
worth noting that the $30.2 million deficit the school is facing can be traced to ballooning admin salaries, real estate, and admin benefits, according to the economics department's analysis. the salaries for the actual professors is in line with or *below* the school's revenue growth
Reposted by David Huyssen
I agree, although whenever anyone mentions Miss Cleo I remember my friend who worked as one of her telephone psychics and told me that part of the job was knowing when to tell people to hang up and dial 911.
We need a public awareness campaign to start treating generative AI like Miss Cleo. “For entertainment purposes only.”
”Doctors agreed that long wait times for appointments were bad, yet also expressed concerns about patients turning to magic 8 balls for medical advice”
November 19, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I agree, although whenever anyone mentions Miss Cleo I remember my friend who worked as one of her telephone psychics and told me that part of the job was knowing when to tell people to hang up and dial 911.
Reposted by David Huyssen
A two-year LABOR HISTORY postdoc @brownhist.bsky.social and @watsonschoolbrown.bsky.social
Possible foci: migration/displacement/ human trafficking; automation/technology/processes of global integration; or gender/sexuality/politics of reproductive labor
Please apply!
Possible foci: migration/displacement/ human trafficking; automation/technology/processes of global integration; or gender/sexuality/politics of reproductive labor
Please apply!
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:12 PM
A two-year LABOR HISTORY postdoc @brownhist.bsky.social and @watsonschoolbrown.bsky.social
Possible foci: migration/displacement/ human trafficking; automation/technology/processes of global integration; or gender/sexuality/politics of reproductive labor
Please apply!
Possible foci: migration/displacement/ human trafficking; automation/technology/processes of global integration; or gender/sexuality/politics of reproductive labor
Please apply!
Reposted by David Huyssen
when @dan-sinnamon.bsky.social and I started working on this book, it felt excitingly ambitious to imagine it being used by students at a range of levels in literary studies
...and now we hear it's being picked up by high school teachers, historians, professors of law, and more -- I'm truly floored
...and now we hear it's being picked up by high school teachers, historians, professors of law, and more -- I'm truly floored
Am I the first law professor wanting to assign parts of this book to law students, esp. the Introduction by @johannawinant.bsky.social and @dan-sinnamon.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 8:16 PM
when @dan-sinnamon.bsky.social and I started working on this book, it felt excitingly ambitious to imagine it being used by students at a range of levels in literary studies
...and now we hear it's being picked up by high school teachers, historians, professors of law, and more -- I'm truly floored
...and now we hear it's being picked up by high school teachers, historians, professors of law, and more -- I'm truly floored
Reposted by David Huyssen
Still processing that an economic advisor to multiple administrations, business leaders, and top institutions was asking a known sex trafficker of minor age girls to be his wingman for attempting to coerce his academic mentee into a sexual relationship—years after he said that women aren’t as smart
November 18, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Still processing that an economic advisor to multiple administrations, business leaders, and top institutions was asking a known sex trafficker of minor age girls to be his wingman for attempting to coerce his academic mentee into a sexual relationship—years after he said that women aren’t as smart
Reposted by David Huyssen
When anyone asks me for a fast example of how global neoliberalism is structurally racist, I share Larry Summers’ famous memo describing Africa as “under polluted” and of “little marginal utility” as grounds for shipping toxic waste to the continent
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summers...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summers...
Summers memo - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 18, 2025 at 5:08 AM
When anyone asks me for a fast example of how global neoliberalism is structurally racist, I share Larry Summers’ famous memo describing Africa as “under polluted” and of “little marginal utility” as grounds for shipping toxic waste to the continent
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summers...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summers...
Reposted by David Huyssen
Larry Summers is on the board of OpenAI
November 18, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Larry Summers is on the board of OpenAI
This White House is not beating the "we protect sex offenders" charges, and the idea that there is no political mileage in that for Democrats—alongside a positive vision that mobilizes the Party's base—is baffling.
NEW: When Andrew Tate landed in the US, Customs & Border Protection seized his electronic devices. But @propublica.org found that a White House official told DHS to return the devices, emphasizing that the request came from the White House.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
The White House Intervened on Behalf of Accused Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation
Federal authorities were chided for seizing electronic devices from Tate and his brother, and told to return them, records and interviews show. Experts said the intervention was highly inappropriate.
www.propublica.org
November 18, 2025 at 12:45 PM
This White House is not beating the "we protect sex offenders" charges, and the idea that there is no political mileage in that for Democrats—alongside a positive vision that mobilizes the Party's base—is baffling.
Reposted by David Huyssen
we should take teaching more seriously
Larry Summers tells @theharvardcrimson.bsky.social
he’s stepping back from all public commitments in light of his messages with Epstein, saying he is “deeply ashamed” and hopes “to rebuild trust and repair relationships.”
He will continue teaching.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
he’s stepping back from all public commitments in light of his messages with Epstein, saying he is “deeply ashamed” and hopes “to rebuild trust and repair relationships.”
He will continue teaching.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
November 18, 2025 at 1:27 AM
we should take teaching more seriously
Reposted by David Huyssen
test the plausibility of this for yourself: ask "what sort of efforts would fully counteract the sociological effects of a system where people routinely sold their own children into labor camps?" and see how different your answer is from "years of open terrorism in defense of retrenching apartheid"
The south was a chattel slave empire until the 1860s and a de facto ethnic authoritarian state for the following century, which is well in living memory. I don't think we need to pretend that that hasn't left a distinctive cultural mark.
November 17, 2025 at 9:39 PM
test the plausibility of this for yourself: ask "what sort of efforts would fully counteract the sociological effects of a system where people routinely sold their own children into labor camps?" and see how different your answer is from "years of open terrorism in defense of retrenching apartheid"
Reposted by David Huyssen
Well this is very lovely - Liverpool and the Unmaking of Britain named a book of the year by the great @eriklinstrum.bsky.social for History Today!
November 17, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Well this is very lovely - Liverpool and the Unmaking of Britain named a book of the year by the great @eriklinstrum.bsky.social for History Today!