Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Amber R Cederström @kilravockrose.bsky.social · 1h

The names “Aaron” and “Erin.”

(They are different names! They do not sound the same!)

Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 2h

What’s the word where you’re from that, when pronounced exactly as it looks, identifies a tourist immediately?

Reposted by Amber R Cederström

Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 3h

Elon Musk said he was going to cut spending by $2 trillion dollars, but instead spending is higher this year than we thought it would be before Trump took office. Truly incredible stuff.

Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 3h

CBO fy2025 projections for deficit/spending/etc are out

Some issues make simple comparisons apples-to-oranges, so I'll do apples-to-apples & explain in the thread

Relative to pre-Trump projections:
-Primary deficits ⬆️ $34 bn
-program spending ⬆️ $97 bn
-revenues ⬆️ $63 bn
www.cbo.gov/publication/...

2025 (January estimate, adjusted to fix issues) 2025 CBO estimate (remove student loan one-time revaluation) 2025 (adjusted for student loans) vs. 2025 projection (adjusted to fix issues)
Spending 7061 7166 105
Program spending 6108 6205 97
Interest 953 961 9
Revenue 5163 5226 63
Primary deficit 945 979 34
Total deficit 1898 1940 42

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

Dr. Damien P. Williams Wants A Better Sociotechnical Paradigm @wolvendamien.bsky.social · 3d

Preliminary results show that the current framework of "AI" makes ppl less likely to help or seek help from other humans, or to seek to soothe conflict, and that people actively prefer that framework to any others, literally serving to make them more dependent on it.

Sycophantic AI Decreases Prosocial Intentions and Promotes Dependence

Both the general public and academic communities have raised concerns about sycophancy, the phenomenon of artificial intelligence (AI) excessively agreeing with or flattering users. Yet, beyond isolat...

arxiv.org

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

Scott Horton @robertscotthorton.bsky.social · 6h

FBI agents assigned to Musk concluded he was systematically avoiding conduct standards imposed on those holding high-level clearances. FBI management concluded it could do nothing about this because of Musk's ties to Trump and the GOP.

Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 6h

JUST IN: A federal judge has granted the New York Times’ demand for a list of Elon Musk’s security clearances. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

Jeff Melnick @melnickjeffrey1.bsky.social · 22h

Please sign if appropriate.

I included my fraternity affiliation and everything so they know they are losing the bros too

Anna Kornbluh @annakornbluh.bsky.social · 1d

cornell alums sign and share and fight and then some docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Alumni in Support of Cornell’s Independence, Democracy, and Academic Freedom

Please add your name below if you agree to be a signatory of the following message to be delivered to the Cornell Board of Trustees: Dear Members of the Cornell Board of Trustees, Ongoing attacks on A...

docs.google.com

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

southpaw @nycsouthpaw.bsky.social · 6h

REI to close its soho location, the first shop that unionized. www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-new...

REI to close three stores, including NYC SoHo location

SEATTLE (BRAIN) — A week after announcing a strategic plan to employees that would involve difficult decisions to grow sales, REI Co-op said it will close three stores next year, including the New Yor...

www.bicycleretailer.com

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

Keith W. Dickinson @keithwdickinson.bsky.social · 12h

Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.

The Verge @theverge.com · May 26

Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry

Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.

buff.ly

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Amber R Cederström @kilravockrose.bsky.social · 9h

How many sea turtles will die for this?

Tombmas Spooks @thomasfuchs.at · 1d

How many trillions of dollars have been invested into this technology so far?

Google search for "austria hungary in space"

Google excitedly tells you about the 1889 orbital flight, and that by 1908 there was a Mars research output with 30 people.

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

Anthea Butler @antheabutler.bsky.social · 12h

I'm not a quoter of scripture, but this seemed appropriate for the horror that has been unleashed because of the gutting of USAID.

“Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me.” -Jesus

Starving children screaming for food as US aid cuts unleash devastation and death across Myanmar

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly said “no one has died" because of his government’s decision to gut its foreign aid program.

apnews.com

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

Julie Cohen ❌👑 @filmmakerjulie.bsky.social · 1d

Gifting this one: interesting, important read on how the USA shook off authoritarianism of 1920s. Yes cataclysm is part of it.
But bolstering the WEB Duboises & Sidney Hillmans of today?
Pushing Grand Experiments for democracy?
BRING IT ON.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/o...

Opinion | How to Save the American Experiment

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

Chris Morran @themorrancave.bsky.social · 13h

NEW: As Linda McMahon guts the Dept. of Education, she’s operated in what she calls “a parallel universe” to radically shift how future kids will learn -- seeking to dismantle the public school system in favor of private and Christian schools or homeschooling.

These Activists Want to Dismantle Public Schools. Now They Run the Education Department.

Under Trump, the Department of Education has been bringing in activists hostile to public schools. It could mean a new era of private and religious schools boosted by tax dollars — and the end of publ...

www.propublica.org

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

Melanie D’Arrigo @darrigomelanie.bsky.social · 23h

I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.

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emptywheel @emptywheel.bsky.social · 1d

RE: Republicans making false claims about Portland violence? Are there no tourism-affected business in OR who'd like to make a very big stink about the GOP attack on Oregon businesses?

@wyden.senate.gov

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Republicans post fake image of Oregon protest – using photos of South America

A federal judge had blocked Trump’s request to deploy California national guard to Portland

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

Joyce White Vance @joycewhitevance.bsky.social · 1d

Looking for one thing you can do right now to help protect the right to vote? It will only take a few minutes, and you can share it with all of your friends. joycevance.substack.com/p/a-thing-yo...

A Thing You Can Do Right Now To Help Protect The Right To Vote

The U.S.

joycevance.substack.com

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · 1d

My statement on the two year anniversary of October 7, 2023.

“Two years ago today, Hamas carried out a horrific war crime, killing more than 1,100 Israelis and kidnapping 250 more. I mourn these lives and pray for the safe return of every hostage still held and for every family whose lives were torn apart by these atrocities.

In the aftermath of that day, Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli government launched a genocidal war: adeath toll that now far exceeds 67,000; with the Israeli military bombing homes, hospitals, and schools into rubble. Every day in Gaza has become a place where grief itself has run out of language. I mourn these lives and pray for the families that have been shattered. Our government has been complicit through it all.

This must end. The occupation and apartheid must end. Peace must be pursued through diplomacy, not war crimes, and our government must act to end these atrocities and hold those responsible to account.

These last two years have demonstrated the very worst of humanity. We must answer it by modeling the very best: a relentless pursuit of our higher ideals and an unwavering commitment to universal human rights.”

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emily moonlight @threnody.bsky.social · 1d

hi, cis folks in california!

this headline leaves out that newsom has another 5 days to sign these bills into law. if you’d like to tell him he should do that to protect trans californians, you should to reach out.

he also has a phone: (916) 445-2841

want to know what to say? next post! 🧵

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Amber R Cederström @kilravockrose.bsky.social · 1d

Tetus and her emotional support rocking horse

A black-and-white cat sleeping so close to an old wooden rocking horse that both of her front legs are wedged under it

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

The University of Chicago Press @uchicagopress.bsky.social · 1d

Sidra DeKoven Ezrahi, author of FIGURING JERUSALEM, reflects on the conflict in Gaza: "For both Jews and Palestinians, it is innocent noncombatants who have paid the ultimate price for the fact that our politicians have not taken the necessary bold steps to end this brutal conflict."

She was 7 years old. She shared my name. In Gaza, she died an unthinkable death

7-year-old Sidra Hassouna's death in Gaza sparked horror across the globe. To an Israeli writer also named Sidra, it felt personal.

buff.ly

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

Eyes on the Fright 🎃 @eyesontheright.bsky.social · 1d

Look at what they have to face

Person dressed in a silly looking frog costume at a protest.

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LOLGOP ❌👑❌ @thefarce.org · 1d

The Only Way to Stop a Ghislaine Maxwell Pardon Is Political Pressure

From July.

The Only Way to Stop a Ghislaine Maxwell Pardon Is Political Pressure

YouTube video by emptywheel

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

The Frito Bandito @thefritobanditoo.bsky.social · 1d

Kristi Noem was the governor of South Dakota when Biden was President. Guess what she said regarding Biden potentially federalizing the Guard.

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

Elise Wang @elisewang.bsky.social · 1d

One of the more incredible stories out of LA this year has been how a taco review blog became the best on-the-ground coverage of ICE raids in the city.

They do a dispatch every day, follow-up on the kidnapped people (which almost no media outlet has done), and fact-check government claims.

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 1d

@lataco.bsky.social first began as a blog documenting local Mexican cuisine. Now, it’s an essential reporting powerhouse to the city as Trump’s mass deportation plot unfolds.

Check out the latest from our friends at Reveal: tinyurl.com/4cm2bsdr

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

🥀your ghoulfriend gore-igan.⚰️ @hereliescorri.bsky.social · 1d

This has to be the MOST cynical attempt to pretend individuals hold equal responsibility for climate change as corporations I've ever seen. I mean, who can say who's worse: tech billionaires draining earth's water and electricity for AI data centers or selfish people trying to breathe?

Coach Jerry (referee 🔵) @gopher33j.bsky.social · 1d

As somebody with asthma who uses inhalers - SHUT THE FUCK UP. THIS ARTICLE IS SHAMING PEOPLE WITH A CHRONIC CONDITION.

"Significantly" My ass. You know what else does? AI Data centers - corporations - cows - asphalt - THOUSANDS OF OTHERS THINGS THAT ARE NOT MEDICINE.

Fuck you - fuck you again.

Inhalers contribute significantly to global warming, study finds

Millions of Americans using inhalers for chronic lung diseases like asthma may be unknowingly contributing to global warming, according to new research.

local12.com

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

BOO-trous BOO-trous-Ghoulie @dlbowman76.com · 1d

If I were an affluent person with a production company, I would say, "Here is Robin Hobb's "Farseer Trilogy". We will give you one full series for each book. Please keep it on budget."

DiscussingFilm @discussingfilm.net · 1d

The ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel ‘A KNIGHTS OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS’ won't feature dragons or magic as it's set 50 years after the death of the last dragon

“Nobody’s thinking about magic. This could basically be 14th century Britain.”

(Source: ew.com/a-knight-of-...)

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Reposted by Amber R Cederström

Rebecca Colesworthy @rcolesworthy.bsky.social · 2d

FYI happening this Thursday—free and open to all. Just click the link to register. Featuring @dwcongdon.com, @dawnd.bsky.social, and Alyssa Napier talking all things diss to book—what’s the diff b/w them, how to find a press/approach an editor, tips for proposal writing. Join us & spread the word!

Association of University Presses @aupresses.bsky.social · 2d

All are invited to the first in Publishing with University Presses Webinar Series, "Turning Your Dissertation into a Book," Oct 9 at 1pm ET. Organized by our Faculty Outreach Committee with the Rutgers Ctr for Minority Serving Institutions.

Register here: https://buff.ly/UiOAr5M

Turning You Dissertation into a Book webinar promotional tile

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