Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · 11d

What constitutes "greater China"?

1

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Sep 2

Velchik & DOJ responses here:

2 5 42

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Sep 2

I was in court in July in Harvard v HHS & watched Velchik forcefully condemn his alma mater for ignoring anti-semitism. He argued the Trump admin had a duty to respond to Harvard's failings

1 6 47

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Sep 2

1 9 54

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Sep 2

the DOJ atty (& 2x Harvard grad) who suggested Harvard showed "wanton indifference to antisemitism" once wrote a paper from the perspective of Hitler & expressed admiration for Mein Kampf

stunning reporting from
@hilaryburns.bsky.social @talkopan.bsky.social

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/02/m...

A DOJ lawyer accused Harvard of ‘indifference to antisemitism.’ As a Harvard undergrad he wrote a paper from Hitler’s perspective. - The Boston Globe

Michael Velchik once also told a peer that "Mein Kampf" was among his favorite recent reads.

www.bostonglobe.com

63 590 1.8K

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 21

You had me at "The failed payoff — a wad of cash in a red envelope stuffed inside an opened bag of Herr’s Sour Cream & Onion ripple potato chips..."

Ken Schwencke @schwanksta.com · Aug 21

Oh my god www.thecity.nyc/2025/08/20/w...

Eric Adams Advisor Winnie Greco Handed a CITY Reporter Cash Stuffed in a Bag of Potato Chips

THE CITY reported the incident to law enforcement and was promptly contacted by the Brooklyn U.S. attorney’s office.

www.thecity.nyc

1 14

Reposted by Ilya Marritz

Ryan Quinn @ryanequinn.bsky.social · Aug 15

"The relationship is so meaningful to Bhattacharya that after he was nominated by President-elect Trump to lead the NIH, Bhattacharya asked [Harvard prez] Garber to introduce him at his Senate confirmation hearing, according to 2 sources" www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/11/m... via @bostonglobe.com

Alan Garber’s former student now holds the keys to Harvard’s future - The Boston Globe

Two of the frontline antagonists in the battle between Harvard and President Trump are bound by deep social ties and a shared academic interests.

www.bostonglobe.com

2 1

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 13

ICON
so many hours of enjoyment and delight
thank you, Susan Stamberg

Peter Sagal @petersagal.bsky.social · Aug 12

When I joined NPR almost 30 yrs ago as a complete outsider with no qualifications other than being a lifelong fan, nobody welcomed me more avidly and kindly than Susan. She loved what we were trying to do, and helped us do it.

www.npr.org/sections/npr...

Susan Stamberg, iconic NPR voice and broadcast journalism legend, is retiring

www.npr.org

1 9

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 13

finally, I'll take these words from @lrmayer.bsky.social

people love the unique and intimate qualities of audio serials

they'll always find an audience

in a more modest way, podcasts, I hope, are here to stay

2

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 13

Ashley's conclusion: learn video if you want to stay in the biz

I'm not so sure...if video is where the $$ is rushing in, then video is perhaps the next place to suffer podcasting's fate

1 2

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 13

this occurs at the precise moment that the producer talent factory is targeted for closure

(full disclosure: I worked in the factory for many yrs)

1

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 13

then, the retrenchment begins, the biz model doesn't hold up

EVEN, as we found out last week, for houses with tabloidy instincts like Wondery (full disclosure: a show I made was picked up by Wondery, "Will Be Wild")

1 1

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 13

"Serial" captivates millions

$$ rushes in

for a while, it looks like a boat that floats...

1

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 13

much food for thought in this @ashleycarman.bsky.social piece

www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...

Podcasting's 'Serial' Era Ends as Video Takes Over

With the rise of video-centric podcasting, the industry is poised to usher in a new wave of series and deals. Meanwhile, makers of traditional audio series are hurting.

www.bloomberg.com

2 1

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 13

it has become something like cw that scientific research has a credibility problem

what I find so powerful about Mike Damiano's reporting is how clearly it shows the incentives in high-stakes high-$$ research encourage self-deception & looking away

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/13/m...

A fraudulent cancer breakthrough, a test for the future president of MIT, and a new age of doubt in science - The Boston Globe

It seemed like Duke scientists had developed a “Holy Grail” of cancer treatment. Then the truth came out.

www.bostonglobe.com

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 12

More on Bhattacharya's journey, and connection to Harvard, here

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/11/m...

Alan Garber’s former student now holds the keys to Harvard’s future - The Boston Globe

Two of the frontline antagonists in the battle between Harvard and President Trump are bound by deep social ties and a shared academic interests.

www.bostonglobe.com

1

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 12

Jay Bhattacharya on mrna vaccines:

"I do not dispute its potential... But as a vaccine intended for broad public use, especially during a public health emergency, the platform has failed a crucial test: earning public trust."

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

Opinion | Jay Bhattacharya: Why the NIH is pivoting away from mRNA vaccines

As a vaccine for broad public use, mRNA technology has failed to earn the public’s trust.

www.washingtonpost.com

2 5

Reposted by Ilya Marritz

Alexandra Petri @petridishes.bsky.social · Aug 12

when was the last time you girded something that wasn’t a loin

26 11 240

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 12

"it’s time to create a new term for social media, one that better describes the current digital landscape. After all, no one is calling cars “horseless carriages,” and no one thinks that a porn bot on Twitter is helping you build a friend group"

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/12/o...

Social media has become an antisocial monster. It’s time to call it something else. - The Boston Globe

The early aughts brought us the innovation meant to foster connection. It’s consumed us, instead.

www.bostonglobe.com

3

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 11

favorite comment #2

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 11

favorite article comment #1

1

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 11

everyone I spoke with who knows Bhattacharya well says he is totally committed to science and research...

which may not be compatible with the job he has taken

this is from a friendly peer in the field of health economics

1 1

Reposted by Ilya Marritz

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 11

NEW:
last spring, Trump's nominee for director of the NIH, Jay Bhattacharya, asked Harvard's president, Alan Garber, to intro him in his confirmation hearings

Garber said he was willing

it never happened

now NIH is withholding big $$ from Harvard

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/11/m...

Alan Garber’s former student now holds the keys to Harvard’s future - The Boston Globe

Two of the frontline antagonists in the battle between Harvard and President Trump are bound by deep social ties and a shared academic interests.

www.bostonglobe.com

1 4 4

Reposted by Ilya Marritz

anil oza @aniloza.bsky.social · Aug 11

Alan Garber, the president of Harvard, has found himself on the opposite side of an escalating battle with the Trump administration as his former student, Jay Bhattacharya

screenshot of Boston Globe story reading "The relationship is so meaningful to Bhattacharya that after he was nominated by President-elect Trump to lead the NIH, Bhattacharya asked Garber to introduce him at his Senate confirmation hearing, according to two sources with direct knowledge. Garber indicated that he was willing to speak on Bhattacharya’s behalf. But it didn’t happen.
Days after Bhattacharya’s swearing in, the Trump administration — alleging a pattern of antisemitism and illegal race-based admissions policies at Harvard — delivered an ultimatum that would have ended the university’s independence. Harvard then sued the Trump administration to restore research funds."

1 1 1

Ilya Marritz @ilyamarritz.bsky.social · Aug 11

the men have deep history

Bhattacharya has said he "idolized" Garber

they have coauthored lots of papers

even worked jointly on an NIH grant!

1 1