Dr. Mikaila
@mmlarthur.bsky.social
Sociologist of Higher Education. Union president. Teacher. Failed repairer of broken worlds. Fresserin. RIer.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3180-4058
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3180-4058
Pinned
Dr. Mikaila
@mmlarthur.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Jumping on the reintroduction bandwagon: I am a sociologist of higher education & a faculty union president here in RI. I tend to talk about higher ed, organizing, local politics, speculative fiction, vegan food, Judaism, and disability. Glad to find you here.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
The primary reason men perpetrate sexual violence is to bond with each other.
That’s why there are so many text messages and emails. For most rapists, the satisfaction doesn’t come from the violence. It comes from the power they get after bragging about it.
That’s why there are so many text messages and emails. For most rapists, the satisfaction doesn’t come from the violence. It comes from the power they get after bragging about it.
November 12, 2025 at 4:39 PM
The primary reason men perpetrate sexual violence is to bond with each other.
That’s why there are so many text messages and emails. For most rapists, the satisfaction doesn’t come from the violence. It comes from the power they get after bragging about it.
That’s why there are so many text messages and emails. For most rapists, the satisfaction doesn’t come from the violence. It comes from the power they get after bragging about it.
Tzvetan Todorov, "Facing the Extreme: Moral Life in the Concentration Camps," on ordinary versus extraordinary virtue and vice and the importance of care for the real people around you.
November 12, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Tzvetan Todorov, "Facing the Extreme: Moral Life in the Concentration Camps," on ordinary versus extraordinary virtue and vice and the importance of care for the real people around you.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
It is hard to come up with a better analogy for whiteness than preferring the AI simulacra of your supposed authentic art form to whatever a Black woman from your art form’s cultural geography might make.
As long as it's not Beyonce country music fans are fine with this development
November 11, 2025 at 7:53 PM
It is hard to come up with a better analogy for whiteness than preferring the AI simulacra of your supposed authentic art form to whatever a Black woman from your art form’s cultural geography might make.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
I'm back! In this experiment we had 39 participants choose between 8 different PhD programs which varied in terms of region, application materials, prestige, and fees. Importantly, two of the programs had a GRE requirement and two were equivalent but did not:
November 11, 2025 at 9:34 PM
I'm back! In this experiment we had 39 participants choose between 8 different PhD programs which varied in terms of region, application materials, prestige, and fees. Importantly, two of the programs had a GRE requirement and two were equivalent but did not:
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
In Italy labor unions helped start a network of left-leaning news/music radio stations that have become some of the staples of public information in much of the country. They now run on a donation / ads model, but initial investment was from labor. I think about this often.
The AFL-CIO should start throwing some money towards labor journalism. If it was done right (i.e. with them accepting that journalists must have full editorial control over what’s published, whether or not union leaders like what they have to say) it could really have such a hugely positive impact
November 7, 2025 at 2:09 PM
In Italy labor unions helped start a network of left-leaning news/music radio stations that have become some of the staples of public information in much of the country. They now run on a donation / ads model, but initial investment was from labor. I think about this often.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
The USA has executed at least 7 veterans this year alone. around 200 are on death rows across the country. We are a country that teaches people to kill, and then executes them.
psmag.com/social-justi...
psmag.com/social-justi...
Can PTSD Be Linked to Violence?
How morally responsible can we hold Eddie Ray Routh for the death of Chris Kyle?
psmag.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
The USA has executed at least 7 veterans this year alone. around 200 are on death rows across the country. We are a country that teaches people to kill, and then executes them.
psmag.com/social-justi...
psmag.com/social-justi...
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Here's one:
If you aren't seeing skeets from some of your fave people, they might have been labeled "Rude" by bsky mods. Idk what they are thinking, I don't need a mommy to tell me who to be buddies with. Anyway, go into Settings > moderation > bluesky moderation (advanced) and turn Rude off.
November 11, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Here's one:
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
From today's Chronicle of Higher Ed briefing. I am *never* an advocate of cutting programs. But I am curious to see if there will be the same type of "students aren't majoring in this, so let's cut the program" discourse around computer science as there always is for the arts and humanities.
November 11, 2025 at 12:38 PM
From today's Chronicle of Higher Ed briefing. I am *never* an advocate of cutting programs. But I am curious to see if there will be the same type of "students aren't majoring in this, so let's cut the program" discourse around computer science as there always is for the arts and humanities.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
I can't stress this enough as a super volunteer for the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates. This should prompt you to get MORE involved, not less. Show up and use the existing infrastructure to make it work for all of us. In my neck of the woods, we've seen a ton of local victories this way.
Right, the answer isn't to abandon the party to these weasels.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
Hey, a lot of people are talking about changing affiliation from Democratic to Independent.
Let me tell you why you shouldn’t do that in Colorado.
One of the main ways to get a primary challenge candidate on a ballot is to caucus for your party. You need to be registered as a Dem to caucus.
Let me tell you why you shouldn’t do that in Colorado.
One of the main ways to get a primary challenge candidate on a ballot is to caucus for your party. You need to be registered as a Dem to caucus.
November 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I can't stress this enough as a super volunteer for the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates. This should prompt you to get MORE involved, not less. Show up and use the existing infrastructure to make it work for all of us. In my neck of the woods, we've seen a ton of local victories this way.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Investing up to $30M into research on how to incorporate AI into agriculture seems kinda ironic given AI infrastructure takes acres of farmland out of production and exacerbates the water shortages that constrain farm productivity.
Let them drink ChatGPT ...
Let them drink ChatGPT ...
November 10, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Investing up to $30M into research on how to incorporate AI into agriculture seems kinda ironic given AI infrastructure takes acres of farmland out of production and exacerbates the water shortages that constrain farm productivity.
Let them drink ChatGPT ...
Let them drink ChatGPT ...
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
"Rich folks live on Power Street, but most of us live off Hope.”
Hello! I’m Kenny Uong, and since 2022, I’ve been grateful to call Ward 3 in Providence home. I’m inspired by the people who breathe life and energy into our East Side communities. I’m excited to share that I’m exploring a run... (1/2)
Hello! I’m Kenny Uong, and since 2022, I’ve been grateful to call Ward 3 in Providence home. I’m inspired by the people who breathe life and energy into our East Side communities. I’m excited to share that I’m exploring a run... (1/2)
November 11, 2025 at 1:07 AM
"Rich folks live on Power Street, but most of us live off Hope.”
Hello! I’m Kenny Uong, and since 2022, I’ve been grateful to call Ward 3 in Providence home. I’m inspired by the people who breathe life and energy into our East Side communities. I’m excited to share that I’m exploring a run... (1/2)
Hello! I’m Kenny Uong, and since 2022, I’ve been grateful to call Ward 3 in Providence home. I’m inspired by the people who breathe life and energy into our East Side communities. I’m excited to share that I’m exploring a run... (1/2)
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
And, as @higheredcmo.bsky.social said on her most recent podcast, subject experts don't always know what they aren't experts in. Leaders can often dismiss concerns from those in other fields because they don't have the same theory of knowledge - risk management is one.
November 8, 2025 at 2:46 AM
And, as @higheredcmo.bsky.social said on her most recent podcast, subject experts don't always know what they aren't experts in. Leaders can often dismiss concerns from those in other fields because they don't have the same theory of knowledge - risk management is one.
I cannot log into my online social security account bc social security thinks my name is first middle last last but my driver's license is first middle middle last because my passport is that way. The only way to fix it is to make an appointment. You can't make an appointment without logging in.
November 8, 2025 at 1:48 AM
I cannot log into my online social security account bc social security thinks my name is first middle last last but my driver's license is first middle middle last because my passport is that way. The only way to fix it is to make an appointment. You can't make an appointment without logging in.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
It’s a historical story that comes to mind whenever I see people debating ending women’s rights.
Women have lost rights before in this country and it has almost always been in a context of men fighting for political power between themselves, seeing women as objects instead of true political actors.
Women have lost rights before in this country and it has almost always been in a context of men fighting for political power between themselves, seeing women as objects instead of true political actors.
November 6, 2025 at 3:24 PM
It’s a historical story that comes to mind whenever I see people debating ending women’s rights.
Women have lost rights before in this country and it has almost always been in a context of men fighting for political power between themselves, seeing women as objects instead of true political actors.
Women have lost rights before in this country and it has almost always been in a context of men fighting for political power between themselves, seeing women as objects instead of true political actors.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
I'm spending a lot of time thinking about the shift of students from lower-cost to higher-cost fields, further stretching institutional budgets (and something that often flies under the radar). Here is the trend for public research universities.
November 5, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I'm spending a lot of time thinking about the shift of students from lower-cost to higher-cost fields, further stretching institutional budgets (and something that often flies under the radar). Here is the trend for public research universities.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Ocean State Job Lot announced that all food in its 17 Rhode Island stores is discounted by 20 percent until the federal SNAP program is fully reinstated. That includes coffee, tea, peanut butter, jam, cooking oils, spices, and hundreds of Bob’s Red Mill products.
November 4, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Ocean State Job Lot announced that all food in its 17 Rhode Island stores is discounted by 20 percent until the federal SNAP program is fully reinstated. That includes coffee, tea, peanut butter, jam, cooking oils, spices, and hundreds of Bob’s Red Mill products.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Who is wise? One who learns from all people.
Who is a fool? One who is content with their own limited understanding of the world.
(Pirkei Avot, Ethics of our Fathers)
Who is a fool? One who is content with their own limited understanding of the world.
(Pirkei Avot, Ethics of our Fathers)
November 4, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Who is wise? One who learns from all people.
Who is a fool? One who is content with their own limited understanding of the world.
(Pirkei Avot, Ethics of our Fathers)
Who is a fool? One who is content with their own limited understanding of the world.
(Pirkei Avot, Ethics of our Fathers)
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
"Why don't people support welfare programs?"
Racism. More specifically, anti-Blackness.
White folks asked about who welfare serves overestimate the number of Black people on welfare. Not only that, but just the mere THOUGHT of who welfare supports led less white people to support it. #blacksky
Racism. More specifically, anti-Blackness.
White folks asked about who welfare serves overestimate the number of Black people on welfare. Not only that, but just the mere THOUGHT of who welfare supports led less white people to support it. #blacksky
November 3, 2025 at 12:32 AM
"Why don't people support welfare programs?"
Racism. More specifically, anti-Blackness.
White folks asked about who welfare serves overestimate the number of Black people on welfare. Not only that, but just the mere THOUGHT of who welfare supports led less white people to support it. #blacksky
Racism. More specifically, anti-Blackness.
White folks asked about who welfare serves overestimate the number of Black people on welfare. Not only that, but just the mere THOUGHT of who welfare supports led less white people to support it. #blacksky
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
It's pretty clear that many (most?) of the academic challenges facing higher education would be largely fixed if we committed to significantly smaller class sizes. But, we don't want to pay for that.
October 31, 2025 at 2:53 PM
It's pretty clear that many (most?) of the academic challenges facing higher education would be largely fixed if we committed to significantly smaller class sizes. But, we don't want to pay for that.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Attacks on trans rights are often framed as efforts to "protect women."
But the reality is that such attacks only protect the patriarchy. Because enforcing a strict sex-based gender binary makes it easier to tilt that binary into a hierarchy where women are subordinate to men.
But the reality is that such attacks only protect the patriarchy. Because enforcing a strict sex-based gender binary makes it easier to tilt that binary into a hierarchy where women are subordinate to men.
Big tech firms are shutting down programs aimed at supporting women in STEM careers. Signaling once again that the spine of corporate America is as hollow as its pockets are deep.
www.cnn.com/2025/10/23/t...
www.cnn.com/2025/10/23/t...
‘Their history is just erased’: Google drops a key program for boosting women in tech | CNN Business
Google is offloading a key career resource program for supporting women in tech, another sign the search giant is unwinding its diversity programs following political pressure over diversity, equity a...
www.cnn.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Attacks on trans rights are often framed as efforts to "protect women."
But the reality is that such attacks only protect the patriarchy. Because enforcing a strict sex-based gender binary makes it easier to tilt that binary into a hierarchy where women are subordinate to men.
But the reality is that such attacks only protect the patriarchy. Because enforcing a strict sex-based gender binary makes it easier to tilt that binary into a hierarchy where women are subordinate to men.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Who will live in your towns if you prevent children from living there?
October 28, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Who will live in your towns if you prevent children from living there?
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Does anyone have resources or can point me in the direction of any writing that's been done on preparing for a safe Halloween this year? In terms of, you know, parents wanting to give their kids a normal Halloween, but worried about federally-sponsored kidnappings?
October 27, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Does anyone have resources or can point me in the direction of any writing that's been done on preparing for a safe Halloween this year? In terms of, you know, parents wanting to give their kids a normal Halloween, but worried about federally-sponsored kidnappings?
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
I don’t think it’s productive to conflate urban Democrats responding to the power of wealthy homeowner constituents with “the left” being in control of housing policy.
Left-wingers who oppose housing are annoying sure, but the problem lies with the donating class of constituents.
Left-wingers who oppose housing are annoying sure, but the problem lies with the donating class of constituents.
October 26, 2025 at 12:14 AM
I don’t think it’s productive to conflate urban Democrats responding to the power of wealthy homeowner constituents with “the left” being in control of housing policy.
Left-wingers who oppose housing are annoying sure, but the problem lies with the donating class of constituents.
Left-wingers who oppose housing are annoying sure, but the problem lies with the donating class of constituents.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
So if you are someone who cares about people going hungry in RI, please help out Higher Ground
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Higher Ground International · Give a Gift to Higher Ground International
Thank you for joining us in supporting this important work.
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October 25, 2025 at 7:48 PM
So if you are someone who cares about people going hungry in RI, please help out Higher Ground
4/
secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/...
4/
secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/...
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
I used to teach a college level 'community organizing' class many years ago. After a class one day, a student came to me and said "it's so much work to organize. I thought change just happened." I think of that student often.
October 23, 2025 at 1:12 PM
I used to teach a college level 'community organizing' class many years ago. After a class one day, a student came to me and said "it's so much work to organize. I thought change just happened." I think of that student often.