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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 4d

Proud of my alma mater. MIT stands up for its values and rejects Trump admin “compact.” @ryanenos.bsky.social

“fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone.“

orgchart.mit.edu/letters/rega...

Screen shot of part of MIT letter to Dept of Education, rejecting the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.” Highlighted text is: “ The document also includes principles with which we disagree, including those that would restrict freedom of expression and our independence as an institution. And fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone.”

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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 5d

Will governors manage more collective action (to defend against military intervention) than universities and law firms?

Ian Carrillo @iansociologo.bsky.social · 5d

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/u...

Reposted by Archon Fung

Boston Review @bostonreview.bsky.social · 6d

TOMORROW: Join us in Chicago for the launch of our 50th anniversary issue with Cathy J. Cohen, Adom Getachew, @rickperlstein.bsky.social, and Joshua Cohen.

Register now: www.tickettailor.com/events/hayma...

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Hahrie Han @hahrie.bsky.social · 6d

Totally, completely flabbergasted. #MacFellow

hub.jhu.edu/2025/10/08/h...

Johns Hopkins political scientist Hahrie Han receives MacArthur genius grant

Han, who studies political organizing and collective action and who has led the university's SNF Agora Institute since 2019, among 22 individuals to receive coveted MacArthur Foundation recognition

hub.jhu.edu

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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 7d

If federal troops in cities continues or expands, do you expect to see:

1. No escalation (some protests, like not, but not much more)
2. Escalation in the form of peaceful protests
3. Violent resistance and low intensity conflict, ala British occupation of Northern Ireland
4. Other (describe)

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Joey Fishkin @fishkin.bsky.social · 7d

Good conversation this morning with @politicsprof.bsky.social & @stephenricher.bsky.social about the proposed Trump "compact" on their Terms of Engagement podcast. Video at the link below.

My emphasis was: ignore the lofty goals and keep your eye on the enforcement mechanism—who has what power.

The Art of the Higher Education Deal?

YouTube video by Harvard Ash Center

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Archon Fung

Jameel Jaffer @jameeljaffer.bsky.social · 7d

It was incredibly moving to hear Prof Nickel and other non-citizen professors testify in court about the ways in which the arrests and deportations of students had affected them and their colleagues. So grateful to them for their integrity and courage. www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...

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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 8d

Let’s talk about the Trump administration’s “Compact” with higher education: compromise or capitulation? @stephenricher.bsky.social, Joey Fishkin, and me on the next Terms of Engagement: Tues noon ET.

www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Terms of Engagement - YouTube

Hosted by Archon Fung and Stephen Richer, Terms of Engagement is a live conversation about the latest developments in American politics. Blending perspective...

www.youtube.com

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Ian Carrillo @iansociologo.bsky.social · 9d

www.usmayors.org/wp-content/u...

The Oklahoma City Declaration
The American experiment has endured for nearly 250 years because it is perhaps the most effective
alternative to political violence yet created. American democratic processes provide avenues for issues
of public concern to be deliberated. Compromise is compelled, resulting in outcomes that incorporate
elements of many competing viewpoints. Minority viewpoints are protected to a reasonable degree.
Disputes are resolved through a judicial process. The entire system is governed by written laws, which
can only be changed through the democratic process. Political violence is the ultimate rejection of the
experiment and it is held accountable.
The American experiment requires acceptance of:
• Pluralism – There will always be others who hold different views than you.
• Compromise – Outcomes will reflect many views. Your preferences will never be adopted
exactly as you desired.
• Persuasion – If you want maximum adoption of your views, you must convince more
people of their merit. This occurs via political arguments that change minds, not the threat
of violence.
The American experiment is an outlier in human history. It has proven so effective, however, that it has
unleashed unprecedented freedom, prosperity and innovation upon the entire world. Where there are
shortcomings, the experiment contains the means for self-improvement.
In spite of the experiment’s success, some Americans have still turned to political violence. They have
rejected the realities of pluralism, compromise and persuasion. In the wake of every major instance of
political violence, our nation has ultimately recommitted to the experiment. As America’s mayors, we
make our recommitment with this declaration.
Mayors live the American experiment like no one else. Running a city demands constant action and
results. And so, every day, mayors guide our residents through these democratic processes, respecting
pluralism, seeking compromise, and…

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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 11d

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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 12d

Suggest that the President, Vice President, and all members of White House staff refrain from "punishing, belittling, and even sparking violence against" progressive ideas for one month before requiring similar of higher education institutions.

www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/u...

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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 12d

“I swear fidelity to the King… and to the Fascist regime, and I swear to respect the [National Fascist Party’s] Statute…, and to fulfill my teacher’s and all academics’ duties … of preparing industrious and righteous citizens, patriotic and devoted to the Fascist regime”

Ryan Enos @ryanenos.bsky.social · 12d

blognostrumuva.wordpress.com/2017/04/11/t...

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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 13d

Hang in there, and I look forward to visiting the library again when you re-open.

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Encyclopaedia Britannica @britannica.com · 14d

(solemnly) You've had mail.

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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 14d

Huge kudos today to the American Association of University Professors and its Harvard chapter.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 14d

Judge Young: "This case ... squarely presents the issue whether non-citizens lawfully present here in United States actually have the same free speech rights as the rest of us. The Court answers this Constitutional question unequivocally 'yes, they do.' 'No law' means 'no law.'"

This case -– perhaps the most important ever to fall within the jurisdiction of this district court –- squarely presents the issue whether non-citizens lawfully present here in United States actually have the same free speech rights as the rest of us. The Court answers this Constitutional question unequivocally “yes, they do.” “No law” means “no law.” The First Amendment does not draw President Trump’s invidious distinction and it is not to be found in our history or jurisprudence. See Section III.A infra. No one’s freedom of speech is unlimited, of course, but these limits are the same for both citizens and non-citizens alike.

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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 14d

Do the Comey indictment and Pres Nat Security Memo 7 on domestic terrorism mark an inflection point? Join @stephenricher.bsky.social , @alexwhiting.bsky.social, and me for Terms of Engagement today at noon ET.

www.youtube.com/live/OR8jneg...

Trump Targets Domestic Terrorism, James Comey Indicted

YouTube video by Harvard Ash Center

www.youtube.com

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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 15d

That’s a lot of subscriptions!

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 15d

SCOOP / UPDATE — Disney saw more than 1.7 million total paid streaming cancelations during the period 9/17-9/23, a Disney source confirms to me. The total includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN.

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 21d

NEW — I wrote about my confirmed scoop from last night that Disney hastened Kimmel's return because of a planned Disney+ streaming price increase announcement coming on Tuesday:

Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 15d

Not left vs right, but federal vs. local:

“Recent statements by the president suggesting Portland needs federal military intervention are inaccurate and counterproductive,” said an open letter released Sunday by the Portland Metro Chamber and signed by more than 100 organizations and leaders”

The Wall Street Journal @wsj.com · 15d

Oregon political and business leaders urged President Trump to stop “perpetuating outdated narratives” about Portland and not deploy federal troops there. Trump said the city is “war ravaged.”

It’s Trump vs. Portland Again in Clash Over Federal Troops

Some Oregon business and political leaders say the president is “perpetuating outdated narratives,” about the city while federal authorities call for protection at a local ICE facility.

on.wsj.com

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Schneier on Security @schneier.com · 15d

Abusing Notion’s AI Agent for Data Theft

Notion just released version 3.0, complete with AI agents. Because the system contains Simon Willson's lethal trifecta, it's vulnerable to data theft though prompt injection. First, the trifecta: The lethal trifecta of capabilities is: Access to your…

Abusing Notion’s AI Agent for Data Theft

Notion just released version 3.0, complete with AI agents. Because the system contains Simon Willson's lethal trifecta, it's vulnerable to data theft though prompt injection. First, the trifecta: The lethal trifecta of capabilities is: Access to your private data -- one of the most common purposes of tools in the first place! Exposure to untrusted content -- any mechanism by which text (or images) controlled by a malicious attacker could become available to your LLM …

www.schneier.com

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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 16d

One standard way that universities used to deal with such controversies is to invite students and other upset affiliates in, do some deliberation to try to reach a common understanding based on good reasons, and adjust materials accordingly. I hope that happens in this case also, but alas…

Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 19d

“I want to distinguish between chickenshit and cowardice”

A good distinction in the analysis of compliance…

Adam Serwer @adamserwer.bsky.social · 19d

Kimmel’s defiant return highlights one of the most disturbing dynamics of Trump II, that so many people in positions of leadership are chickenshit frauds who would rather fold in advance than put up anything resembling a fight www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

Kimmel’s refusal to capitulate stands out because so many other well-situated people—those with the resources, platform, and power to stand up to the president, including, initially, the leaders of ABC—have surrendered, withdrawn, or become Trump sycophants themselves. One by one, American leaders supposedly committed to principles of free speech, due process, democracy, and equality have abandoned those ideals when menaced by the Trump administration. These cascading acts of cowardice from the people best positioned to resist Trump’s authoritarian power grabs have made Trump seem exponentially more powerful than he actually is, sapping strength from others who might have discovered the courage to stand up. Defending democracy requires a collective refusal to acquiesce to lawless behavior from many different sectors of society. All of these powerful people trying to save their own skin have effectively multiplied Trump’s attacks on constitutional government, by enhancing a false sense of inevitability and invincibility.

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Lee Drutman @leedrutman.bsky.social · 19d

"Campaigns that should be building movements are instead building donor databases. Political energy that could mobilize communities gets redirected into optimizing email subject lines and testing which desperate plea extracts the most dollars from exhausted supporters."
substack.com/inbox/post/1...

The Fundraising-Industrial Complex Is Eating American Politics

New data reveals campaigns burn about a third of donations raised just asking for more donations

substack.com

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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 20d

Two important decisions by left intellectuals in history. Was Bertrand Russell wrong to refuse to debate fascist Oswald Mosley? Was Noam Chomsky wrong to defend alleged holocaust denier Robert Faurisson's right to publish? Different kinds of decisions, but different intuitions too.

Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 21d

"Common decency stigmatizes people that do not participate in it—removes them from voluntary association. We indeed have to live with one another, but terms and conditions apply."

me on why Ezra Klein should be ashamed / why shame is Good Actually

www.bostonreview.net/articles/how...

How Can We Live Together? - Boston Review

Ezra Klein is wrong: shame is essential.

www.bostonreview.net

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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 21d

And “Where has all the leadership gone?” asked Eisner on X. “If not for university presidents, law firm managing partners and corporate chief executives standing up against bullies, who then will step up for the First Amendment?”

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Archon Fung @politicsprof.bsky.social · 21d

“the reversal came after Iger and television chief Dana Walden ‘got spooked by the strong reaction in the Hollywood creative community’”

Good lesson about solidarity & voice to defend democratic values.

www.ft.com/content/0b63...

Inside Disney’s decision to bring back Jimmy Kimmel

Bob Iger’s media group was pilloried for dropping the comedian after Trump administration criticism

www.ft.com

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