ProfPTJ
@profptj.bsky.social
Professor of International Studies. Prog-rock fan. Whisky hound. Beer and coffee snob. Disney adult. Sci-fi&fantasy nut. Tolkienhead. Singer. Percussionist. Teacher. Jedi. Mk 4:26-29.
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?
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
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 · last yr.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
Best sign from Strongsville Ohio Hands Off protest 4/5/25
Amidst all the awfulness, it’s good to see two new books published on my Configurations series!
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."
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
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 · last yr.Sandra Harding, a philosopher well-known for her work in feminist theory, postcolonial theory, and philosophy of science, has died.
I am ashamed to be an alumnus of Columbia University. Instead of fighting back, their leadership is bowing down.
dell cameron@dell.bsky.social · last yr.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.
It’s almost as though they want to eliminate any avenue for the development of substantive, valid knowledge about anything. Oh, wait. It is exactly that.
Anton Barbashin@abarbashin.bsky.social · last yr.Trump is eliminating Wilson Center, a stellar US foreign policy study establishment. Along with it goes the Kennan Institute - one of the best Russia study institutions. I was fortunate to be a Kennan Fellow in 2017. Such a loss
Hate to say it but this observation is almost certainly accurate.
Big Ol’ Mush@chadstanton.blacksky.app · last yr.The only reason this hasn’t also been treated like an alarming constitutional crisis concerning free speech is because people in positions of influence in the media, business, and politics at least tacitly agree with the aims of this movement.
My school’s media people asked me to say a few words about Dr. Seuss and politics in honor of his birthday yesterday. Happy to oblige.
The Political Roots of Dr. Seuss
To mark Dr. Seuss Day, we spoke with SIS professor Patrick Thaddeus Jackson, to break down how Geisel’s whimsical drawings and silly rhymes reflected serious global issues that continue to resonate, e...
american.edu
On the left, “amethyst sweetbread” ube cookie (Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser recipe). On the right, same recipe except for 30g more flour. Although both are tasty, the one on the right is *much* closer to what we ate on board.
“It’s worse than you think because by the time the courts catch up the damage will already have been done. It’s worse than you think because the people running the government seem to have no higher mission than to watch it burn.”
WIRED@wired.com · last yr.Okay... we feel like we say this every week but *a lot* of stuff happened. Let's break it down, starting with @brbarrett.bsky.social on why the DOGE takeover is worse than you think... (sorry, but you gotta read this one.)
1. Background to the epochal change in German and European politics after the election. Merz, the presumed next Chancellor has said that Europe is setting out to "achieve its independence from the US, step by step." @abenewman.bsky.social and I explain the background in our book, Underground Empire
Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy
Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy [Farrell, Henry, Newman, Abraham] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy
amazon.com
Pay attention to this. Replacing JAGs with loyalists enables whatever orders Trump and Hegseth issue to be interpreted as lawful.
DEI initiatives are still legal. Universities need to stand their ground. A Friday gift to your university's General Counsel Office - courtesy of an all star lineup of civil rights lawyers and scholars. You're going to want to read this.
OGC Memo re Trump DEI and SFFA 2025 02 20.pdf | Powered by Box
app.box.com
the thing about the fuhrerprinzip in the era of Trump is that whatever he says is truth and the messianic mission of the United States to the GOP and the MAGA base
People have been saying "call it fascism" lately and I just feel the general public may not have a clear picture of what fascism IS. It's not a scare tactic to use the word; it's descriptive. www.openculture.com/2024/11/umbe...
Umberto Eco’s List of the 14 Common Features of Fascism
Creative Commons image by Rob Bogaerts, via the National Archives in Holland One of the key questions facing both journalists and loyal oppositions these days is how do we stay honest as euphemisms an...
openculture.com
The activity coming from the Trump administration is consistent with a regime shift away from democracy and toward authoritarianism. It’s important to use this label so people begin to appreciate the gravity and consequences of what’s happening. 1/3 🧵
“In DOGE we see the logic of automation—of enterprise AI—being imposed by a nascent oligarchic state….This, in short, is why Elon Musk is trying to automate the federal government.”
Brian Merchant@bcmerchant.bsky.social · last yr.This is the project, this is what's happening. It's an oligarchy acceleration project, it's a hollowing out of the state, often in the dumbest possible way. It's about control. It's a travesty. I'll say it again: It's government by Grok. www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/government...
