Shobita Parthasarathy
@shobitap.org
4.7K followers 150 following 940 posts
Science & tech politics/policy incl patents. Author: next book on politics of inclusive innovation/tech for equity. #STS scholar. Prof & Director, Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program, U of Michigan. Expert Voices columnist, Science. shobitap.org
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shobitap.org
I am a new Expert Voices columnist @science.org and my first article just came out! In it, I argue that scaling technology has a dark side, particularly when it comes to alleviating inequality and injustice. And I suggest what scientists, engineers, and policymakers can do about it.
Beware the drive to scale technology
When it comes to technology, scalability—its capacity to be standardized and then distributed en masse and across contexts—is the ultimate goal. Scientists and engineers view scalability as the route ...
www.science.org
shobitap.org
I drafted a paper about the politics of science in early June, and it is amazing how much worse things have gotten *even since then*.
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
aclu.org
ACLU @aclu.org · 5d
BREAKING: Our client Mario Guevara, an Emmy-winning journalist detained by ICE in retaliation for livestreaming law enforcement activity, will be deported tomorrow to El Salvador.

Mario and his family are being punished for his reporting. This cruelty is meant to stifle our free press.
shobitap.org
Just imagine the tour guide on the famous Chicago Architectural Cruise...

"This is, um, a new addition to the River, established in January 2025. They feature the 21st century aesthetic of masked surveillance."
aaroninchicago.bsky.social
ICE boats trawling the Chicago River. This is the DUMBEST thing I've seen in my entire life. No exaggeration. What's next? Humvees loaded with armed, masked agents patrolling Disney's Main Street U.S.A.?

#Chicago
shobitap.org
He will be announced as an ambassador imminently.
phillewis.bsky.social
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams ends his reelection campaign.
Photo of Eric Adams
shobitap.org
Now I think I understand. Kash Patel's original trauma is that he clearly never had a chance of getting into the Indian Superbowl, aka the Spelling Bee.
gwensnyder.bsky.social
"idealogical"
noturtlesoup17.bsky.social
Honest question - does Kash Patel know about court?
shobitap.org
Now I am so self-conscious about using em-dashes.
shobitap.org
Stand up. And say NO.
coleskiiiiii.bsky.social
shit ain’t over til it’s over
shobitap.org
My understanding is that this is an extortion scheme since the White House explicitly says it can waive the policy for whichever employer/individual it wants.
gergely.pragmaticengineer.com
Those on an H1B cannot return to the US from tomorrow (Sunday) unless paying $100K. This is an out-of-the blue presidential action. We’ll see software engineers stranded abroad.

One easy to predict outcome: those on US visas will travel less… for work, for conferences etc.
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
shobitap.org
I am a new Expert Voices columnist @science.org and my first article just came out! In it, I argue that scaling technology has a dark side, particularly when it comes to alleviating inequality and injustice. And I suggest what scientists, engineers, and policymakers can do about it.
Beware the drive to scale technology
When it comes to technology, scalability—its capacity to be standardized and then distributed en masse and across contexts—is the ultimate goal. Scientists and engineers view scalability as the route ...
www.science.org
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
umfordschool.bsky.social
@shobitap.org invited to serve as Expert Voices columnist in @science.org over the next two years.

Parthasarathy’s inaugural column cautions the dark sides of scaling technology and how it can perpetuate inequities, particularly in marginalized communities.

Read the column: https://myumi.ch/W6Men
To avoid such moral, social, and political harms, scientists, engineers, and policy-makers need to reconsider their assumption that scalability is the primary path to achieving equity. Instead, they should treat the drive to scale with curiosity and skepticism,” from Shobita Parthasarathy, Professor of Public Policy at the University of Michigan Ford School.
shobitap.org
Oh this is so depressing.
shobitap.org
Fair enough. I'm pretty down on US democracy at the moment.
shobitap.org
Brought to you by a better democracy. This is brilliant.
davelee.me
Dutch late night TV has its take
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
propublica.org
It's a journalist's job to ask questions of government officials, no matter which party is in power. That often means respectfully knocking on doors to get answers people deserve to know.

Tips and evidence are essential to our nonpartisan work: www.propublica.org/tips/
Screenshot of post on X from VA Secretary Doug Collins. The text reads: @ProPublica is an extreme liberal news outlet that will do anything to make the Trump Administration look bad. But this week, the far-left editors there reached a new low by sending @VernalColeman to stalk @DeptVetAffairs employees at their homes. This creepy behavior will discourage good people from coming to work at VA. @ProPublica, please do better and stop letting your hatred of the Trump Administration continue to warp your judgment.
shobitap.org
Thank you Tim!! I hope you are well!!
shobitap.org
Over the next two years (3 times a year), I will be writing about the social, political, ethical, equity, and policy dimensions of science and technology, usually with a cross-national and international perspective. If you have ideas for what I should write about, let me know! And stay tuned!
shobitap.org
Ooh, I love this!! Thank you for sharing!
shobitap.org
I am a new Expert Voices columnist @science.org and my first article just came out! In it, I argue that scaling technology has a dark side, particularly when it comes to alleviating inequality and injustice. And I suggest what scientists, engineers, and policymakers can do about it.
Beware the drive to scale technology
When it comes to technology, scalability—its capacity to be standardized and then distributed en masse and across contexts—is the ultimate goal. Scientists and engineers view scalability as the route ...
www.science.org
shobitap.org
This makes sense and follows from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine created years ago. It's also an opportunity to reimagine science for the public interest. But, it's another step in a cold civil war, it's pricey, and unlikely to serve basic or social science (or humanities) well.
leighturner.bsky.social
"Supporters of the proposal said it would effectively create a state version of the National Institutes of Health or the National Science Foundation, two of the nation’s largest institutional funders of scientific and public health research." www.nytimes.com/2025/09/13/u...
California’s $23 Billion Plan to Restore Federal Cuts to Scientific Research
www.nytimes.com
shobitap.org
This is so sad. The Chicago History Museum is a hidden gem.
jbrodefrank.bsky.social
It’s been almost two months since museum senior officials walked into the Abakanowicz Research Center, the hub of the city’s archival holdings, and announced that every staff member would be reduced to part-time hours, leaving them without health insurance and a significant portion of their incomes.
Chicago History Museum cuts hinder research, exploration
The timing couldn't have been worse. The Trump administration has slashed museum budgets, the Smithsonian is being reviewed to align with Donald Trump's vision of America and the school year just star...
chicago.suntimes.com
shobitap.org
This makes me even more inspired to spend the next academic year at the Institute for Advanced Study, where Einstein spent much of his career.
bowlerhatscience.org
Wanna know more about Einstein's anti-racist work, usually in collaboration with the great actor/singer Paul Robeson? I wrote about it for Smithsonian! (don't tell the White House) www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
bowlerhatscience.org
Wanna know more about Einstein's anti-racist work, usually in collaboration with the great actor/singer Paul Robeson? I wrote about it for Smithsonian! (don't tell the White House) www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...