Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · May 10

But Poe turns out to be Leia, and Finn turns out to be Han — and they shuffled the Force-sensitivity of those two around.

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · May 10

I am perpetually surprised that people don’t recognize this. I mean, the end of RotJ is a pretty transparent Vietnam allegory.

9

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · May 7

I always pedantically insist on calling these things LLMs. Ir sometimes just “algorithms.” Or even “chatbots.”

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · May 5

Yep. www.routledge.com/Facts-and-Ex...

Facts and Explanations in International Studies...and beyond

The politicizing of facts and factual claims has led some to abandon all talk of a meaningful distinction between a fact and a strongly held political commitment. This book argues that what we need, i...

www.routledge.com

3

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · May 1

I want to organize a panel for ISA 2026 on the intersection of (international) politics and theology. Theological takes on political issues, theology as informing or shaping politics, etc. My paper will be on disenchantment, maybe (sub)titled "rescuing Weber from the Weberians." Anyone interested?

2

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · Apr 25

Hello academic friends and colleagues -- quick reminder that I am teaching an online philosophy of science course this summer. Yes, it's online, but features synchronous class sessions for actual discussion. Registration deadline is 13 May; here's more information: methodsnet.org/course/on-01...

ON-01: Knowing and the Known: Facts and Explanations in the Social Sciences – MethodsNET

methodsnet.org

1

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · Apr 25

This is now our reality.

Randall Munroe @xkcd.com · Apr 25

PhD Timeline xkcd.com/3081

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · Apr 25

Support excellent independent journalism! In the few weeks I’ve been a paid subscriber she’s already broken several important stories.

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Apr 25

if you love the handbasket and want to keep it going strong, quote post this with why you’re a paid subscriber!

i’m 200 away from a major goal. LFG.

www.thehandbasket.co/upgrade

The Handbasket

100% independent journalism by Marisa Kabas

www.thehandbasket.co

1 2

Reposted by ProfPTJ

Thomas [redacted] DO @tom.medsky.social · Apr 5

Best sign from Strongsville Ohio Hands Off protest 4/5/25

Person wearing stormtrooper armor with a sign that says "THIS EMPIRE SUCKS"

16 200 1.5K

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · Apr 2

@katkusic.bsky.social

2

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · Apr 2

@uofmpress.bsky.social

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · Apr 2

Amidst all the awfulness, it’s good to see two new books published on my Configurations series!

2 4 13

Reposted by ProfPTJ

Daniel Drezner @dandrezner.bsky.social · Mar 25

For the AM crowd: danieldrezner.substack.com/p/american-f...

American Foreign Policy Is Being Run by the Dumbest Motherfuckers Alive

The fuckwittery on display right now by Trump's foreign policy team boggles the mind.

danieldrezner.substack.com

4 38 150

Reposted by ProfPTJ

Josh Busby @busbyj2.bsky.social · Mar 23

Doonesbury gets it.

2 69 210

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · Mar 22

Beat me to it.

Reposted by ProfPTJ

Chris Yogerst @chrisyogerst.com · Mar 22

H/T @ericbeltmann.bsky.social CC: @abradschwartz.bsky.social

1 13 48

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · Mar 20

Three books and dozens of my articles. Aargh.

2

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · Mar 20

53 works of mine — three books and dozens of articles.

Michael Livingston @michaellivingston.com · Mar 20

Meta used at least 16 of my books, and numerous articles, to help train the AI it will use to make billions.

Authors, search your name here:

www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...

Search LibGen, the Pirated-Books Database That Meta Used to Train AI

Millions of books and scientific papers are captured in the collection’s current iteration.

www.theatlantic.com

3

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · Mar 20

53 works of mine — three books, dozens of articles.

1

Reposted by ProfPTJ

Karl Jacoby @karl-jacoby.bsky.social · Mar 20

Letter signed by members of the Columbia History Department urging resistance to the Trump Administration's efforts to dictate university policy.

"Should this control be realized, here or elsewhere, it would make any real historical scholarship, teaching, and intellectual community impossible."

65 1.1K 3.3K

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · Mar 18

When it happens and others notice it, you will have noticed it first. And that’s why I am a paid subscriber :-)

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · Mar 18

I'm going to be teaching an online course this summer through MethodsNET, entitled "Knowing and the Known: Facts and Explanations in the Social Sciences." The synchronous portion runs 30 June - 4 July. Details and registration information here: methodsnet.org/course/on-01...

ON-01: Knowing and the Known: Facts and Explanations in the Social Sciences – Methodsnet

Not a Member yet? Check out the long list of benefits here – Student Membership from only €33.00 and FREE for some locations! > Courses > ON-01: Knowing a

methodsnet.org

1

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · Mar 17

I had the pleasure of engaging with Sandra several times, including a particularly memorable dinner with her and Ann Tickner during which we discussed the boundaries and politics of “science.” She also virtually visited my class on more than one occasion. A brilliant thinker and a powerful voice.

Justin Weinberg @dailynous.com · Mar 17

Sandra Harding, a philosopher well-known for her work in feminist theory, postcolonial theory, and philosophy of science, has died.

Sandra Harding (1935-2025) - Daily Nous

Sandra Harding, a philosopher well-known for her work in feminist theory, postcolonial theory, and philosophy of science, has died. Professor Harding was recognized for her development of standpoint t...

dailynous.com

2 2

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · Mar 16

“Incompatible” migrants. JFC.

ProfPTJ @profptj.bsky.social · Mar 15

I am ashamed to be an alumnus of Columbia University. Instead of fighting back, their leadership is bowing down.

dell cameron @dell.bsky.social · Mar 15

ICYMI: The Trump administration is basically extorting Columbia University—or that’s what you would call it anyway, if the university wasn’t eager to comply.

Dr. Katrina Armstrong
Interim President
Columbia University
Office of the President
202 Low Library
535 W. 116 St., MC 4309
New York, NY 10027
David Greenwald
Claire Shipman
Co-Chairs
Columbia Board of Trustees
202 Low Library
535 W. 116 St. MC 4309
New York, NY 10027
Dear Dr. Armstrong:
Please consider this a formal response to the current situation on the campus of Columbia University and a follow up to our letter of March 7, 2025, informing you that the United States Government would be pausing or terminating federal funding. Since that date your counsel has asked to discuss "next steps."
U.S. taxpayers invest enormously in U.S. colleges and universities, including Columbia University, and it is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that all recipients are responsible stewards of federal funds. Columbia University, however, has fundamentally failed to protect American students and faculty from antisemitic violence and harassment in addition to other alleged violations of Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Pursuant to your request, this letter outlines immediate next steps that we regard as a precondition for formal negotiations regarding Columbia University's continued financial relationship with the United States government. Please ensure and document compliance with the following no later than the close of business on Wednesday, March 20, 2025:
• Enforce existing disciplinary policies. The University must complete disciplinary proceedings for Hamilton Hall and encampments. Meaningful discipline means expulsion or multi-year suspension.
• Primacy of the president in disciplinary matters. Abolish the University Judicial Board (UJB) and centralize all disciplinary processes under the Office of the President. And

empower the Office of the President to suspend or expel students with an appeal process through the Office of the President.
• Time, place, and manner rules. Implement permanent, comprehensive time, place, and manner rules to prevent disruption of teaching, research, and campus life.
• Mask ban. Ban masks that are intended to conceal identity or intimidate others, with exceptions for religious and health reasons. Any masked individual must wear their Columbia ID on the outside of their clothing (this is already the policy at Columbia's Irving Medical Center).
• Deliver plan to hold all student groups accountable. Recognized student groups and individuals operating as constituent members of, or providing support for, unrecognized groups engaged in violations of University policy must be held accountable through formal investigations, disciplinary proceedings, and expulsion as appropriate.
• Formalize, adopt, and promulgate a definition of antisemitism. President Trump's Executive Order 13899 uses the IHRA definition. Anti-"Zionist" discrimination against Jews in areas unrelated to Israel or Middle East must be addressed.
• Empower internal law enforcement. The University must ensure that Columbia security has full law enforcement authority, including arrest and removal of agitators who foster an unsafe or hostile work or study environment, or otherwise interfere with classroom instruction or the functioning of the university.
• MESAAS Department - Academic Receivership. Begin the process of placing the Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies department under academic receivership for a minimum of five years. The University must provide a full plan, with date certain deliverables, by the March 20, 2025, deadline.
• Deliver a plan for comprehensive admissions reform. The plan must include a strategy to reform undergraduate admissions, international recruiting, and graduate admissions practices to conform with federal law and policy.
We expect your immediate compl…

1