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Alfie Kohn

@alfiekohn.bsky.social

2.9K followers 21 following 1.4K posts

author and lecturer on topics in #education, #parenting, and human #behavior.... (Personal messages more likely to be read if left on http://alfiekohn.org) He/him

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Alfie Kohn is an American author and lecturer in the areas of education, parenting, and human behavior. He is a proponent of progressive education and has offered critiques of many traditional aspects of parenting, managing, and American society more generally, drawing in each case from social science research. .. more

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Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · Aug 12

"Podcast" comes from the Latin "paudus" (meaning "to half-listen to") and "casteratum" (meaning "while preparing food"). Mine is called "KOHN'S ZONE: Challenging the Conventional Wisdom About Education & Kids." New episodes are posted on the 1st & 15th of each month: www.alfiekohn.org/podcasts/

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Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 15h

"For the same reason that a dog can go to church but a dog cannot be Catholic, an LLM can have a conversation but cannot participate in the conversation."

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Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 19h

John Oliver's show is getting attention for its extended takedown of Bari Weiss, installed by a pro-Trump billionaire to run CBS news (www.youtube.com/watch?v=gieT...), but today treat yourself as well to their 2-minute segment from years ago: "Columbus Day: How Is This Still a Thing?": ow.ly/Cv1n4

Bari Weiss: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

YouTube video by LastWeekTonight

www.youtube.com

Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 22h

Using Charlie Kirk's "knack for vigorous argument to excuse the re-emergence of unabashed bigotry in mainstream politics feels both frightening and perilous," says Nikole Hannah-Jones in this excellent piece, which you can read for free here if you haven't already seen it: tinyurl.com/3ymd47s7

And while Trump has surrounded himself with people who have said racist things and maintained ties to white and Christian nationalists, the number of Democrats and esteemed American institutions that have engaged in the mainstreaming of Charlie Kirk demonstrates that espousing open and explicit bigotry no longer relegates one to the fringe of political discourse, a phenomenon we have not witnessed since the civil rights era.

In some parts of polite society, it now holds that if many of Kirk’s views were repugnant, his willingness to calmly argue about them and his insistence that people hash out their disagreements through discourse at a time of such division made him a free-speech advocate, and an exemplar of how we should engage politically across difference. But for those who were directly targeted by Kirk’s rhetoric, this thinking seems to place the civility of Kirk’s style of argument over the incivility of what he argued. Through gossamer tributes, Kirk’s cruel condemnation of transgender people and his racist throwback views about Black Americans were no longer anathema but instead are being treated as just another political view to be respectfully debated — like a position on tax rates or health care policy.

Reposted by Steve Peers, Alfie Kohn, Matthew P. McAllister

NY Times Pitchbot @nytpitchbot.bsky.social · 23h

Opinion | It's time for corporate America to end DEI and choose its leaders on the basis of merit alone.

by Barron Trump

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Reposted by Nandita Sharma, Nicholas A. Christakis, Rosemary A. Joyce , and 4 more Nandita Sharma, Nicholas A. Christakis, Rosemary A. Joyce, Rebecca Tushnet, Aaron Sojourner, Gerald Friedman, Alfie Kohn

Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 1d

Border Patrol “attempted to arrest a plumber working inside a Logan Heights home but left empty-handed after the homeowner refused them entry.

The homeowner told agents she would not allow them inside because the warrant they presented did not include her address and lacked a judge's signature.”

Federal immigration operations target San Diego neighborhoods, sparking community resistance

Federal immigration agents conducted operations in Logan Heights and Southeast San Diego on Friday, with community members capturing footage of the enforcement actions.

www.10news.com

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Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 1d

Read this thread about Russell Vought, whose power is comparable to Stephen Miller's. He believes he's "fighting a noble war to defend his 'real America' of white Christian patriarchal rule" by "bending the entire government machine to Trump's will" - while mainstream media whitewashes his evil.

Thomas Zimmer @thomaszimmer.bsky.social · 1d

Sunday reading:

I wrote about the aggrieved extremist who is currently firing thousands of federal workers and ravaging state capacity based on conspiratorial nonsense - and about mainstream media’s infuriating tendency to sanitize Russell Vought and the regime he serves.

This week’s piece:

We need to talk about Russell Vought – But Properly

Why certain mainstream outlets insist on sanitizing Vought as a devout “small government” conservative – and what actually animates his war against pluralistic democracy

steady.page

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Reposted by Steve Peers, Juan Cole, Gernot Wagner , and 4 more Steve Peers, Juan Cole, Gernot Wagner, Adrian Daub, Brian Keegan, Alfie Kohn, Manisha Sinha

Thomas Zimmer @thomaszimmer.bsky.social · 1d

We need to talk about Russell Vought – But Properly

Why certain mainstream outlets insist on sanitizing Vought as a devout “small government” conservative – and what actually animates his war against pluralistic democracy

steady.page

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Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 1d

Fascinating: A new, comprehensive study finds that a common methodological mistake has for years led researchers to overestimate the contribution of genetics to intelligence. An adopted-away study reveals a far greater impact of environment - specifically, education - on IQ: is.gd/5WFqQk

IQ differences of identical twins reared apart are significantly influenced by educational differences

Over the last century, several large studies have been published exploring IQ differences amongst monozygotic (MZ) twins reared apart (TRA). By and la…

is.gd

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Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 2d

"When this is over, do not forget what ICE did, and what ICE is. And do not make room for them in society. Make sure they know that they are, and will continue to be, reviled and beneath contempt."
- @AriCohn.com

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Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 2d

Good thing for Trumpians that only liberals get sick
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

Mass CDC cuts hit staff dealing with measles, Ebola and disease forecasting

Another round of mass layoffs has struck CDC. The agency had already been cut during a reorganization this year, and more employees are now being shed amid the government shutdown.

www.washingtonpost.com

Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 2d

All under the direction of devout Christian nationalist Russell Vought

Reposted by Lisa W. Fazio, Will Jennings, Rosemary A. Joyce , and 12 more Lisa W. Fazio, Will Jennings, Rosemary A. Joyce, Gernot Wagner, Alan Richardson, R. M. Wilson, Michael D. McDonald, Michael Jones‐Correa, Alfie Kohn, Ann Bartow, Greg Linden, Andrew Rudalevige, Dan Immergluck, Colin Woodard, David Darmofal

David Corn @davidcorn.bsky.social · 2d

A classic case of irresponsible both-sidesism from the NYT. The story is that Trump and MAGA propagandists are lying about Portland to incite a conflict, not that there are different views of the matter.

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Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 2d

And did you know that one of the leading providers of gotcha! software to nab students who use AI now sells an AI grading tool for instructors (is.gd/B9gECU)? These companies don't care about improving teaching or learning, only about their own bottom line.

Meet Your New Study Sidekick: GPTZero Essay Grader

We’re thrilled to release Essay Grader, which helps you get instant and accurate feedback on your writing. Think of it as your new study sidekick to improve your writing in standardized exams: * Be...

is.gd

Reposted by P. L. Thomas

Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 2d

@marcwatkins.bsky.social: "It is deeply upsetting when a student turns to a chatbot to offload their learning, but to see faculty follow suit & do similarly by using AI to grade students to save time is beyond demoralizing to our profession & undermines the very principle of learning": is.gd/Y0wXDu]

The Dangers of using AI to Grade

Nobody Learns, Nobody Gains

is.gd

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Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 3d

Not for nothing. For the purpose of frightening other people from coming to the aid of immigrants being terrorized by the MAGAgestapo.

Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 3d

These guys hogtied a journalist who is probably their mom’s age for nothing.

Jacqueline Sweet @jsweetli.bsky.social · 3d

WGN, this woman’s employer, is now reporting she was not charged with any crimes and was released.

DHS said earlier she was arrested for assault for throwing objects at agents.

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Reposted by Gavin A. Schmidt, Alfie Kohn

Schooley @schooley.bsky.social · 3d

I wonder how many ICE dudes read Anne Frank’s diary in high school and thought, “I’d have gotten her sooner.”

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Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 3d

Maybe the daughter will keep a diary

Barred and Boujee aka Madiba Dennie @audrelawdamercy.bsky.social · 3d

aaand we are officially in the hide-your-neighbors stage

Sophie Sherry @sophiesherry.bsky.social · 3d

During a military-style raid on a building in Chicago’s South Shore, one resident heard a knock on his door.   It wasn’t the feds — it was a mom and her 7-year-old daughter, pleading for help.

He let them hide in his unit for the next 3 days.

chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

Reposted by Rosemary A. Joyce, Michael D. McDonald, Alfie Kohn

Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 3d

These guys hogtied a journalist who is probably their mom’s age for nothing.

Jacqueline Sweet @jsweetli.bsky.social · 3d

WGN, this woman’s employer, is now reporting she was not charged with any crimes and was released.

DHS said earlier she was arrested for assault for throwing objects at agents.

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Reposted by Lisa W. Fazio, Richard S.J. Tol, Naomi Priest , and 11 more Lisa W. Fazio, Richard S.J. Tol, Naomi Priest, Robert C. Richards, W. Andy Knight, Julia Lynch, Adrian Daub, Erin O’Donnell, Alfie Kohn, Brooke Harrington, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Dunlap, Peter Bergman

Barred and Boujee aka Madiba Dennie @audrelawdamercy.bsky.social · 3d

aaand we are officially in the hide-your-neighbors stage

Sophie Sherry @sophiesherry.bsky.social · 3d

Neighbor shielded 7-year-old during South Shore federal raid: ‘I didn’t want them to take her’

During the Sept. 30 raid one tenant protected a terrified girl and her mom. Remnants at the complex, including a detailed map of all the units, offer clues to what authorities may have known before th...

chicago.suntimes.com

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Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 3d

Is Lina Wertmüller still available?

Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 3d

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

Harvard officials have since discussed internally the possibility of seeking additional assurances from the administration that the university will not be subject to further demands once an agreement has been signed, according to two people briefed on the matter.

Lucy snatching the football away from Charlie Brown...again.

Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 3d

Scholars refer to this as "collective narcissism": research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/96...

research.gold.ac.uk

Reposted by John Horgan, Rosemary A. Joyce, Eric Goldman , and 5 more John Horgan, Rosemary A. Joyce, Eric Goldman, Valerie Mueller, David R. Miller, Robert B. Reich, Alfie Kohn, David Darmofal

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 3d

Mike Johnson: "We're so angry about it. I mean, I'm a very patient guy, but I've had it with these people. The theory we have right now -- they have a hate America rally that's scheduled for October 18 on the National Mall. It's the pro-Hamas wing and antifa people ... "

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Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 3d

When it's not working to require patriotism indoctrination, target trans students, and destroy any programs that benefit minorities, Trump's Dept. of Education is committed to uprooting public education in favor of private, religious schooling. Horrifying update from ProPublica: tinyurl.com/bddekpjz

These Activists Want to Dismantle Public Schools. Now They Run the Education Department.

Under Trump, the Department of Education has been bringing in activists hostile to public schools. It could mean a new era of private and religious schools boosted by tax dollars — and the end of publ...

tinyurl.com

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Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 4d

Nearly 300 just in the year *before* Oct. 7, for example (source: www.ochaopt.org/data/casualt...)

Reposted by Jonathan Portes, Gavin A. Schmidt, Alfie Kohn , and 2 more Jonathan Portes, Gavin A. Schmidt, Alfie Kohn, Simon Lester, Dan Immergluck

David Roberts @volts.wtf · 4d

It really can't be said enough: the goal of the "anti-woke" movement was always to destroy social norms against bigotry. And it worked. And there's a whole lot of purportedly "left" thinkers & commentators who helped it -- indeed, it couldn't have been done without them.

They should feel bad.

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Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Eric Goldman, Philip Nel , and 4 more Brendan Nyhan, Eric Goldman, Philip Nel, Joseph Schafer, Alfie Kohn, Simon Lester, Nathan P. Kalmoe

Radley Balko @radleybalko.bsky.social · 4d

Nothing remotely resembling an insurrection is happening anywhere in the country. Any violence associated with protest has been isolated, mild, and, in nearly every case, instigated by federal law enforcement. If we let Trump get away with calling dissent an insurrection, our republic is over.

BREAKING: Trump Admin 'Seriously' Considering Using the Insurrection Act, Reports NBC

President Trump is "seriously" considering invoking the Insurrection Act in order to more easily deploy National Guard troops to major cities as part of crime crackdown, NBC reported on Wednesday

www.mediaite.com

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Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 4d

It's the time of year when tech publications supposedly committed to offering readers how-to guidance and objective product reviews become full-time shills for Jeff Bezos ("Best Prime Day deals!").
What's worse than that? Education publications shilling for AI companies.

OpenAl has published Chats for High School Teachers, a new resource from ChatGPT for Education designed to show how teachers across multiple subjects use ChatGPT in daily classroom practice.

The release was shared in a LinkedIn post from ChatGPT for Education, which described the collection as “practical examples of how teachers are using ChatGPT every day”

Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 5d

Plus, these complaints are, um, not exactly new...

Report of the Committee on Raising the Standard, Harvard Univ., 1894 about alleged grade inflation

Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn.bsky.social · 5d

Plus ça change...

[first few paragraphs of 10-8-25 NYT article: Harvard Finds Skipping Class Part of Culture - for more, see https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/us/harvard-students-absenteeism.html]

Grades A and B are sometimes given too readily — Grade A for work of no very high merit, and Grade B for work not far above mediocrity. ... One of the chief obstacles to raising the standards of the degree is the readiness with which insincere students gain passable grades by sham work.

- Report of the Committee on Raising the Standard, Harvard University, 1894

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