Michael M
@mmirer.bsky.social
Political Theory PhD Student, UCLA
Reposted by Michael M
Could someone just try being honest with students and parents about job outcomes and what it means to get an education and how it affects you if your instructor is struggling to piece together a living wage by teaching 5 different classes at different colleges at the same time?
December 9, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Could someone just try being honest with students and parents about job outcomes and what it means to get an education and how it affects you if your instructor is struggling to piece together a living wage by teaching 5 different classes at different colleges at the same time?
Reposted by Michael M
Today the White House is moving to force millions of student loan borrowers to start paying again.
Borrowers on the SAVE plan will need to select a new repayment plan.
The Trump admin has just settled a case against SAVE plans brought by the state of Missouri.
Borrowers on the SAVE plan will need to select a new repayment plan.
The Trump admin has just settled a case against SAVE plans brought by the state of Missouri.
December 9, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Today the White House is moving to force millions of student loan borrowers to start paying again.
Borrowers on the SAVE plan will need to select a new repayment plan.
The Trump admin has just settled a case against SAVE plans brought by the state of Missouri.
Borrowers on the SAVE plan will need to select a new repayment plan.
The Trump admin has just settled a case against SAVE plans brought by the state of Missouri.
Reposted by Michael M
Bluesky, a lot of you are sharing this but not subscribing to the newsletter, let alone paying for it! Do your part to make sure this social media platform is a viable means to sustain independent journalism! I am Pat Spencer dropping bucket after bucket to let you know I’m that motherfucker!
December 8, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Bluesky, a lot of you are sharing this but not subscribing to the newsletter, let alone paying for it! Do your part to make sure this social media platform is a viable means to sustain independent journalism! I am Pat Spencer dropping bucket after bucket to let you know I’m that motherfucker!
Reposted by Michael M
A clear, infuriating breakdown of Instacart's AI-driven price manipulation:
EXCLUSIVE: We found that Instacart is using AI algorithms to charge customers different prices for the same items.
It's not just online. It's in physical grocery stores too.
Our months-long investigation with @consumerreports.org and @groundwork.bsky.social found it could cost families $1200/year.
It's not just online. It's in physical grocery stores too.
Our months-long investigation with @consumerreports.org and @groundwork.bsky.social found it could cost families $1200/year.
We Had 400 People Shop For Groceries. What We Found Will Shock You.
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
www.youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:20 PM
A clear, infuriating breakdown of Instacart's AI-driven price manipulation:
Reposted by Michael M
NEW — I put together a list of independent journalism subscriptions that would make great holiday gifts. From music to politics, astronomy to alcohol, tech to social justice, there’s something for [almost] everyone. Support indie media *and* surprise and delight your loved ones!
My guide:
My guide:
Giving the gift of independent journalism: a guide
The Handbasket has subscription suggestions for almost everyone on your list.
www.thehandbasket.co
December 6, 2025 at 3:38 PM
NEW — I put together a list of independent journalism subscriptions that would make great holiday gifts. From music to politics, astronomy to alcohol, tech to social justice, there’s something for [almost] everyone. Support indie media *and* surprise and delight your loved ones!
My guide:
My guide:
Reposted by Michael M
Highly recommend diving into NRDC's study on car access, which @keawilson.bsky.social wrote about here: usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/02/report-16-million-have-no-car-access-at-all
Where Nadir was killed, 14% of LA households are car-free. But the infrastructure does not match that reality
Where Nadir was killed, 14% of LA households are car-free. But the infrastructure does not match that reality
October 6, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Highly recommend diving into NRDC's study on car access, which @keawilson.bsky.social wrote about here: usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/02/report-16-million-have-no-car-access-at-all
Where Nadir was killed, 14% of LA households are car-free. But the infrastructure does not match that reality
Where Nadir was killed, 14% of LA households are car-free. But the infrastructure does not match that reality
Reposted by Michael M
“I am not interested, nor will I ever be interested. I'm 61, and I hope to be able to remain uninterested in using it at all until I croak. ... The other day, somebody wrote me an email, said, ‘What is your stance on AI?’ And my answer was very short. I said, ‘I'd rather die.’” 🫡
Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro says 'I'd rather die' than use generative AI
Del Toro's new Frankenstein adaption reimagines Mary Shelley's 1818 Gothic novel. Frankenstein was like a tech bro: "creating something without considering the consequences," he explains.
www.npr.org
October 23, 2025 at 10:08 PM
“I am not interested, nor will I ever be interested. I'm 61, and I hope to be able to remain uninterested in using it at all until I croak. ... The other day, somebody wrote me an email, said, ‘What is your stance on AI?’ And my answer was very short. I said, ‘I'd rather die.’” 🫡
Reposted by Michael M
There’s no DOJ lawyer who would be free of the conflict at play in a decision about whether to pay the president—their boss—$230 million.
Unfortunately, AG Bondi fired the DOJ ethics official back in July, meaning the department is flying blind.
Unfortunately, AG Bondi fired the DOJ ethics official back in July, meaning the department is flying blind.
Attorney General drops top ethics watchdog as DOJ purge continues
The ethics director was fired on the same day that Bondi dismissed more than 20 employees at the DOJ.
www.axios.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:35 PM
There’s no DOJ lawyer who would be free of the conflict at play in a decision about whether to pay the president—their boss—$230 million.
Unfortunately, AG Bondi fired the DOJ ethics official back in July, meaning the department is flying blind.
Unfortunately, AG Bondi fired the DOJ ethics official back in July, meaning the department is flying blind.
Reposted by Michael M
My union—the LA Times Guild—has authorized a strike with the support of 85% of our membership.
This comes after years of brutal layoffs and no cost-of-living raises since 2021.
Next up: we bargain. But if we have to strike, we will 🪧
laist.com/news/la-time...
This comes after years of brutal layoffs and no cost-of-living raises since 2021.
Next up: we bargain. But if we have to strike, we will 🪧
laist.com/news/la-time...
LA Times union votes to authorize strike for first time ever
The L.A. Times Guild has been negotiating over their contract with management for three years.
laist.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:44 PM
My union—the LA Times Guild—has authorized a strike with the support of 85% of our membership.
This comes after years of brutal layoffs and no cost-of-living raises since 2021.
Next up: we bargain. But if we have to strike, we will 🪧
laist.com/news/la-time...
This comes after years of brutal layoffs and no cost-of-living raises since 2021.
Next up: we bargain. But if we have to strike, we will 🪧
laist.com/news/la-time...
Reposted by Michael M
In about three years the entire university pivot to AI curricula and schools and programs is going to be so deeply embarrassing. We will all pretend it never happened and I will be standing there, looking at people with a mirror in my eyes. This is all so embarrassing.
October 17, 2025 at 12:16 PM
In about three years the entire university pivot to AI curricula and schools and programs is going to be so deeply embarrassing. We will all pretend it never happened and I will be standing there, looking at people with a mirror in my eyes. This is all so embarrassing.
Reposted by Michael M
“And then it came, the realization that—at least in my mind—79 years old was so young for a famous rich white woman in America like Diane Keaton and that 78 years old was practically a miracle for a black trans woman like Miss Major.”
Diane Keaton, Miss Major, D'Angelo...
Who gets to live a "long" life in America?
open.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:04 PM
“And then it came, the realization that—at least in my mind—79 years old was so young for a famous rich white woman in America like Diane Keaton and that 78 years old was practically a miracle for a black trans woman like Miss Major.”
Reposted by Michael M
‘dear rax, how can i make sure i’m ready for the day my very sick mother dies?’
www.patreon.com/posts/140925...
www.patreon.com/posts/140925...
October 10, 2025 at 7:47 PM
‘dear rax, how can i make sure i’m ready for the day my very sick mother dies?’
www.patreon.com/posts/140925...
www.patreon.com/posts/140925...
Reposted by Michael M
I have been thinking A LOT lately about the flowering of art and culture under the New Deal, when the government decided it actively wanted to invest in job creation and creativity, so it's both sad and typical of the Trump admin to destroy that legacy.
There Was a Plan to Save These New Deal Masterpieces. Then Trump Won.
A feasibility study was underway about restoring the ailing federal building that houses important Ben Shahn frescoes, Philip Guston murals, and other FDR-era artwork. But the Trump administration put...
newrepublic.com
October 3, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I have been thinking A LOT lately about the flowering of art and culture under the New Deal, when the government decided it actively wanted to invest in job creation and creativity, so it's both sad and typical of the Trump admin to destroy that legacy.
Reposted by Michael M
Hey remember when the CDC dropped 6 of the 8 foodborne illnesses from the nationwide monitoring system in July and one of them was listeria? Mentioning for no particular reason www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
September 30, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Hey remember when the CDC dropped 6 of the 8 foodborne illnesses from the nationwide monitoring system in July and one of them was listeria? Mentioning for no particular reason www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Reposted by Michael M
Join our letter-writing campaign and tell your members of Congress to support life-saving scientific research!
#science #defendhighered #research
Link below👇
#science #defendhighered #research
Link below👇
Support American science in federal funding
Our health and safety depend on scientific research. America is currently the world leader in cutting-edge medical and scientific research, and we want to keep it that way. Families need safe…
actionnetwork.org
September 27, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Join our letter-writing campaign and tell your members of Congress to support life-saving scientific research!
#science #defendhighered #research
Link below👇
#science #defendhighered #research
Link below👇
Reposted by Michael M
Lessons from Below: Learn from/with Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid (PUMA) and Build Your Own Abolitionist Network of Care
Facilitated by Ndindi Kitonga is happening on October 4 and it's really going to be great. Sliding scale from $0 to whatever. It's IN PERSON.
Facilitated by Ndindi Kitonga is happening on October 4 and it's really going to be great. Sliding scale from $0 to whatever. It's IN PERSON.
Communiversity Catalog: Lessons from Below: PUMA and Abolitionist Networks of Care — Interrupting Criminalization
www.interruptingcriminalization.com
September 21, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Lessons from Below: Learn from/with Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid (PUMA) and Build Your Own Abolitionist Network of Care
Facilitated by Ndindi Kitonga is happening on October 4 and it's really going to be great. Sliding scale from $0 to whatever. It's IN PERSON.
Facilitated by Ndindi Kitonga is happening on October 4 and it's really going to be great. Sliding scale from $0 to whatever. It's IN PERSON.
Reposted by Michael M
The de minimis rule that allowed small packages worth less than $800 to be exempt from tariffs ended on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
Postal traffic to US drops more than 80% after trade exemption rule ends, UN agency says
The de minimis rule that allowed small packages worth less than $800 to be exempt from tariffs ended on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
n.pr
September 7, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The de minimis rule that allowed small packages worth less than $800 to be exempt from tariffs ended on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
Reposted by Michael M
Amazon is really bad for the book ecosystem. It undercuts profits for publishers by selling at a loss and when publishers make less on books, authors make less and get worse advances and that affects the kinds of books that get published and what’s available to read.
September 4, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Amazon is really bad for the book ecosystem. It undercuts profits for publishers by selling at a loss and when publishers make less on books, authors make less and get worse advances and that affects the kinds of books that get published and what’s available to read.
Reposted by Michael M
Host: There are new calls this morning for RFK Jr.'s resignation, and those calls coming from inside HHS itself. More than 1,000 current and former HHS workers are making this demand in a letter released this morning. They say his leadership has "put the health of all Americans at risk"
September 3, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Host: There are new calls this morning for RFK Jr.'s resignation, and those calls coming from inside HHS itself. More than 1,000 current and former HHS workers are making this demand in a letter released this morning. They say his leadership has "put the health of all Americans at risk"
Reposted by Michael M
There is a humanitarian crisis in Chantilly, Virginia.
The immigration prisons can't keep up with the massive spike in arrests in DC, so they're overcrowding people into a Virginia office building w/ little access to food, medicine, hygiene, and legal counsel. www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/v...
The immigration prisons can't keep up with the massive spike in arrests in DC, so they're overcrowding people into a Virginia office building w/ little access to food, medicine, hygiene, and legal counsel. www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/v...
Inside a Virginia ICE office: One meal a day, 40 people in a room and no bathing for days
"The situation is getting worse by the day," warns Amy Fischer, an organizer with Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid. "It is an office; it is not intended to detain people."
www.msnbc.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:39 PM
There is a humanitarian crisis in Chantilly, Virginia.
The immigration prisons can't keep up with the massive spike in arrests in DC, so they're overcrowding people into a Virginia office building w/ little access to food, medicine, hygiene, and legal counsel. www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/v...
The immigration prisons can't keep up with the massive spike in arrests in DC, so they're overcrowding people into a Virginia office building w/ little access to food, medicine, hygiene, and legal counsel. www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/v...
Reposted by Michael M
@natashalennard.bsky.social is such an antidote for both easy platitudes and tough days ahead
July 31, 2025 at 12:39 PM
@natashalennard.bsky.social is such an antidote for both easy platitudes and tough days ahead
Reposted by Michael M
Monuments to racism license racist violence. White supremacists, for their part, know this well… @theintercept.com theintercept.com/2025/08/08/t...
Trump Is Putting Confederate Statues Back Up. Here’s Why They Must Fall Again.
Monuments to racism license racist violence. White supremacists, for their part, know this well.
theintercept.com
August 8, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Monuments to racism license racist violence. White supremacists, for their part, know this well… @theintercept.com theintercept.com/2025/08/08/t...
Reposted by Michael M
Newsom threw trans people under the bus and is so hyped about clearing homeless encampments that he's taken up the work with his own hands. You won't beat fascism with Diet Fascism.
August 17, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Newsom threw trans people under the bus and is so hyped about clearing homeless encampments that he's taken up the work with his own hands. You won't beat fascism with Diet Fascism.
Reposted by Michael M
I hustled and did a 6-hour popup yesterday but only sold 2 items. The economy is in shambles and understandably, most people aren’t buying things they don’t need. I’m trying to stay positive but I was feeling quite hopeless last night about my ability to make a living at this much longer. 😞
August 10, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I hustled and did a 6-hour popup yesterday but only sold 2 items. The economy is in shambles and understandably, most people aren’t buying things they don’t need. I’m trying to stay positive but I was feeling quite hopeless last night about my ability to make a living at this much longer. 😞