Carlos Noreña
@carlosfnorena.bsky.social
Ancient Historian @ UC Berkeley • 🇪🇦 • politics | sports | electronic music • He/Him
I think I shall reactivate my account after a six-week hiatus.
Bereft of profound insights to share, and running empty on Dad jokes, perhaps I will simply wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving ("to all who celebrate," &c.)!
🦃 🥧 🍂
Bereft of profound insights to share, and running empty on Dad jokes, perhaps I will simply wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving ("to all who celebrate," &c.)!
🦃 🥧 🍂
November 27, 2025 at 7:02 PM
I think I shall reactivate my account after a six-week hiatus.
Bereft of profound insights to share, and running empty on Dad jokes, perhaps I will simply wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving ("to all who celebrate," &c.)!
🦃 🥧 🍂
Bereft of profound insights to share, and running empty on Dad jokes, perhaps I will simply wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving ("to all who celebrate," &c.)!
🦃 🥧 🍂
📢 New SCS Blog Post
Classicists: please take a few minutes to read this very important post, by Rachel Philbrick and Zachary Quint, presenting the results of the first SCS Census.
There's a lot to think about here. I look forward to the discussion.
Classicists: please take a few minutes to read this very important post, by Rachel Philbrick and Zachary Quint, presenting the results of the first SCS Census.
There's a lot to think about here. I look forward to the discussion.
Blog: Results from the first SCS Census | Society for Classical Studies
www.classicalstudies.org
October 17, 2025 at 4:48 PM
📢 New SCS Blog Post
Classicists: please take a few minutes to read this very important post, by Rachel Philbrick and Zachary Quint, presenting the results of the first SCS Census.
There's a lot to think about here. I look forward to the discussion.
Classicists: please take a few minutes to read this very important post, by Rachel Philbrick and Zachary Quint, presenting the results of the first SCS Census.
There's a lot to think about here. I look forward to the discussion.
Having lunch today with Jan DeVries—a *towering* figure in European economic history—who says he "wants to ask me a few questions about the Roman economy."
I might be more nervous than I was before my PhD comps. 😂
I might be more nervous than I was before my PhD comps. 😂
October 17, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Having lunch today with Jan DeVries—a *towering* figure in European economic history—who says he "wants to ask me a few questions about the Roman economy."
I might be more nervous than I was before my PhD comps. 😂
I might be more nervous than I was before my PhD comps. 😂
Writing letters of recommendation is a responsibility that I take very seriously.
But though I have my "system" for keeping on top of the many formats and scattered deadlines, I live in a constant, low-level panic that I'm going to miss one.
The current practice for academic LORs is a TRAINWRECK.
But though I have my "system" for keeping on top of the many formats and scattered deadlines, I live in a constant, low-level panic that I'm going to miss one.
The current practice for academic LORs is a TRAINWRECK.
October 16, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Writing letters of recommendation is a responsibility that I take very seriously.
But though I have my "system" for keeping on top of the many formats and scattered deadlines, I live in a constant, low-level panic that I'm going to miss one.
The current practice for academic LORs is a TRAINWRECK.
But though I have my "system" for keeping on top of the many formats and scattered deadlines, I live in a constant, low-level panic that I'm going to miss one.
The current practice for academic LORs is a TRAINWRECK.
If you want to feel better about this, have a look at "The Rise of the Charismatic Community and the Problem of Succession," pp. 246-9 in Weber's *Economy and Society* (Roth and Wittich edition, 1978).
I think any putative successor will have some trouble harnessing the MAGA movement.
Much more important, though, is that I just cannot imagine that the institutions of civil society will continue to be cowed—as they manifestly are being so cowed today—by a Vance or a Marco Rubio (lol).
Much more important, though, is that I just cannot imagine that the institutions of civil society will continue to be cowed—as they manifestly are being so cowed today—by a Vance or a Marco Rubio (lol).
October 16, 2025 at 2:43 PM
If you want to feel better about this, have a look at "The Rise of the Charismatic Community and the Problem of Succession," pp. 246-9 in Weber's *Economy and Society* (Roth and Wittich edition, 1978).
This piece repeatedly characterizes higher education primarily as a system for "information delivery."
Is that what business school instructors imagine that they're doing?? It's an honest question.
It's just so alien to my own sense of what I'm doing when I teach (even in introductory surveys).
Is that what business school instructors imagine that they're doing?? It's an honest question.
It's just so alien to my own sense of what I'm doing when I teach (even in introductory surveys).
Wow. Just wow.
"Students pay premium prices for information that AI now delivers instantly and for free. A business student can ask ChatGPT to explain supply chain optimization or generate market analysis in seconds. The traditional lecture-and-test model faces its Blockbuster moment."
"Students pay premium prices for information that AI now delivers instantly and for free. A business student can ask ChatGPT to explain supply chain optimization or generate market analysis in seconds. The traditional lecture-and-test model faces its Blockbuster moment."
When Knowledge is Free, What are Professors For?
Higher Education Must Stop Competing with AI on Information and Start Teaching What Machines Can’t Do
www.forbes.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:46 PM
This piece repeatedly characterizes higher education primarily as a system for "information delivery."
Is that what business school instructors imagine that they're doing?? It's an honest question.
It's just so alien to my own sense of what I'm doing when I teach (even in introductory surveys).
Is that what business school instructors imagine that they're doing?? It's an honest question.
It's just so alien to my own sense of what I'm doing when I teach (even in introductory surveys).
what if we kissed in the secret roman emperor passage to rome colosseum
Secret Roman Emperor passage to Rome Colosseum opens for first time in 2,000 years
Rome’s famous Colosseum is allowing visitors to walk through a hidden imperial passage, following in the footsteps where Roman emperors would have once walked to discreetly arrive at the ancient amphi...
www.indy100.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:35 AM
what if we kissed in the secret roman emperor passage to rome colosseum
When he declares that "communist policies, which is proven for thousands of years doesn't work," he reveals himself to be a sensitive reader of Rostovtzeff's *Social and Economic History of the Roman Empire* (as we always suspected, of course).
Trump and Bessent clarify that they will only help out Argentina as long as Milei is in power. Trump adds that the same thing goes with NYC, where the White House will hold up funds if Mamdani wins.
October 14, 2025 at 9:48 PM
When he declares that "communist policies, which is proven for thousands of years doesn't work," he reveals himself to be a sensitive reader of Rostovtzeff's *Social and Economic History of the Roman Empire* (as we always suspected, of course).
eerie light this evening (no filter, I promise)...
October 14, 2025 at 2:03 AM
eerie light this evening (no filter, I promise)...
Part 2 of this excellent two-part Society for Classical Studies blog post has now been posted. Happy reading!
@amynorgard.bsky.social
@jpnudell.bsky.social
@amynorgard.bsky.social
@jpnudell.bsky.social
October 13, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Part 2 of this excellent two-part Society for Classical Studies blog post has now been posted. Happy reading!
@amynorgard.bsky.social
@jpnudell.bsky.social
@amynorgard.bsky.social
@jpnudell.bsky.social
Reposted by Carlos Noreña
Online conference on Ancient Eurasia! Oct 18, Saturday, 9:30 am-1 pm. Friends, please boost and join us! 🤗 @corabeth.bsky.social @carlosfnorena.bsky.social @gregwoolf.bsky.social @sentantiq.bsky.social @wmarybeard.bsky.social @lucianixon.bsky.social @sarahbond.bsky.social
bit.ly/registration...
bit.ly/registration...
October 11, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Online conference on Ancient Eurasia! Oct 18, Saturday, 9:30 am-1 pm. Friends, please boost and join us! 🤗 @corabeth.bsky.social @carlosfnorena.bsky.social @gregwoolf.bsky.social @sentantiq.bsky.social @wmarybeard.bsky.social @lucianixon.bsky.social @sarahbond.bsky.social
bit.ly/registration...
bit.ly/registration...
A typology of major US sports fan bases, by dominant characteristic:
NO NONSENSE: New York
ENTITLED: Boston
UNHINGED: Philadelphia
WHOLESOME: Chicago
DESPERATE: Detroit
SAD: Cleveland
FAIR-WEATHERED: Miami
ARROGANT: Dallas
FLAKY: Los Angeles
SUPERIORITY COMPLEX: SF
ANNOYING: Seattle
NO NONSENSE: New York
ENTITLED: Boston
UNHINGED: Philadelphia
WHOLESOME: Chicago
DESPERATE: Detroit
SAD: Cleveland
FAIR-WEATHERED: Miami
ARROGANT: Dallas
FLAKY: Los Angeles
SUPERIORITY COMPLEX: SF
ANNOYING: Seattle
October 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
A typology of major US sports fan bases, by dominant characteristic:
NO NONSENSE: New York
ENTITLED: Boston
UNHINGED: Philadelphia
WHOLESOME: Chicago
DESPERATE: Detroit
SAD: Cleveland
FAIR-WEATHERED: Miami
ARROGANT: Dallas
FLAKY: Los Angeles
SUPERIORITY COMPLEX: SF
ANNOYING: Seattle
NO NONSENSE: New York
ENTITLED: Boston
UNHINGED: Philadelphia
WHOLESOME: Chicago
DESPERATE: Detroit
SAD: Cleveland
FAIR-WEATHERED: Miami
ARROGANT: Dallas
FLAKY: Los Angeles
SUPERIORITY COMPLEX: SF
ANNOYING: Seattle
The baseball gods are punishing me for my hubris. I'm either going to be wrong or the Dodgers are going to win (which is obviously much worse).
Five teams are capable of winning the 2025 World Series. In order:
Dodgers
Padres
Phillies
Tigers
Mets
That's it. The rest are out.
[percent chance I come to eat this post in humiliating fashion: 62%]
Dodgers
Padres
Phillies
Tigers
Mets
That's it. The rest are out.
[percent chance I come to eat this post in humiliating fashion: 62%]
October 11, 2025 at 5:15 AM
The baseball gods are punishing me for my hubris. I'm either going to be wrong or the Dodgers are going to win (which is obviously much worse).
Reposted by Carlos Noreña
📢 New SCS Blog Post
Amy Norgard and Joshua Nudell -- in the first part of a two-part series -- explore the deep roots of our thinking about the nature of human relationships with artifical companions, stretching from Hollywood to Ovid and back again.
Great reflections on classical reception here!
Amy Norgard and Joshua Nudell -- in the first part of a two-part series -- explore the deep roots of our thinking about the nature of human relationships with artifical companions, stretching from Hollywood to Ovid and back again.
Great reflections on classical reception here!
SCS Blog: Part 1 of 2: Pygmalion in the Age of AI Companions | Society for Classical Studies
www.classicalstudies.org
October 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
📢 New SCS Blog Post
Amy Norgard and Joshua Nudell -- in the first part of a two-part series -- explore the deep roots of our thinking about the nature of human relationships with artifical companions, stretching from Hollywood to Ovid and back again.
Great reflections on classical reception here!
Amy Norgard and Joshua Nudell -- in the first part of a two-part series -- explore the deep roots of our thinking about the nature of human relationships with artifical companions, stretching from Hollywood to Ovid and back again.
Great reflections on classical reception here!
📢 New SCS Blog Post
Amy Norgard and Joshua Nudell -- in the first part of a two-part series -- explore the deep roots of our thinking about the nature of human relationships with artifical companions, stretching from Hollywood to Ovid and back again.
Great reflections on classical reception here!
Amy Norgard and Joshua Nudell -- in the first part of a two-part series -- explore the deep roots of our thinking about the nature of human relationships with artifical companions, stretching from Hollywood to Ovid and back again.
Great reflections on classical reception here!
SCS Blog: Part 1 of 2: Pygmalion in the Age of AI Companions | Society for Classical Studies
www.classicalstudies.org
October 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
📢 New SCS Blog Post
Amy Norgard and Joshua Nudell -- in the first part of a two-part series -- explore the deep roots of our thinking about the nature of human relationships with artifical companions, stretching from Hollywood to Ovid and back again.
Great reflections on classical reception here!
Amy Norgard and Joshua Nudell -- in the first part of a two-part series -- explore the deep roots of our thinking about the nature of human relationships with artifical companions, stretching from Hollywood to Ovid and back again.
Great reflections on classical reception here!
🎈 Fifty-five! 🎈
Announcing some new policies, beginning today:
• driving: never above 50 MPH
• dinner: never after 5:30 PM
• my lawn: get off of it
😂
Announcing some new policies, beginning today:
• driving: never above 50 MPH
• dinner: never after 5:30 PM
• my lawn: get off of it
😂
October 9, 2025 at 4:08 PM
🎈 Fifty-five! 🎈
Announcing some new policies, beginning today:
• driving: never above 50 MPH
• dinner: never after 5:30 PM
• my lawn: get off of it
😂
Announcing some new policies, beginning today:
• driving: never above 50 MPH
• dinner: never after 5:30 PM
• my lawn: get off of it
😂
Q: Have you given any more thought to possibly suspending the principle of *lectio difficilior*?
TRUMP: Hannibal Lector?
Q: *Lectio difficilior*.
TRUMP: I don't know. I rather leave that to Kristi.
NOEM:
NOEM:
NOEM: Um, no, sir, I haven't been part of any discussions on textual criticism.
TRUMP: Hannibal Lector?
Q: *Lectio difficilior*.
TRUMP: I don't know. I rather leave that to Kristi.
NOEM:
NOEM:
NOEM: Um, no, sir, I haven't been part of any discussions on textual criticism.
Q: Have you given any more thought to possibly suspending habeas corpus?
TRUMP: Suspending who?
Q: Habeas corpus
TRUMP: I don't know. I'd rather leave that to Kristi.
TRUMP: Suspending who?
Q: Habeas corpus
TRUMP: I don't know. I'd rather leave that to Kristi.
October 9, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Q: Have you given any more thought to possibly suspending the principle of *lectio difficilior*?
TRUMP: Hannibal Lector?
Q: *Lectio difficilior*.
TRUMP: I don't know. I rather leave that to Kristi.
NOEM:
NOEM:
NOEM: Um, no, sir, I haven't been part of any discussions on textual criticism.
TRUMP: Hannibal Lector?
Q: *Lectio difficilior*.
TRUMP: I don't know. I rather leave that to Kristi.
NOEM:
NOEM:
NOEM: Um, no, sir, I haven't been part of any discussions on textual criticism.
HARVARD FINDS GETTING HIGH AND LISTENING TO THE DOORS LATE AT NIGHT PART OF CULTURE
Shocked, just shocked, by this important scoop on front page of today's NYT. /s/
Based on report that came out ... nine months ago
And behavior long predating that
("Skip a class? Perish the thought!!" Says anyone who ever worked on a college newspaper, which covers a lot of people in the media.)
Based on report that came out ... nine months ago
And behavior long predating that
("Skip a class? Perish the thought!!" Says anyone who ever worked on a college newspaper, which covers a lot of people in the media.)
October 8, 2025 at 9:38 PM
HARVARD FINDS GETTING HIGH AND LISTENING TO THE DOORS LATE AT NIGHT PART OF CULTURE
I am interested in the problem of how structure relates to agency, as a matter of social analysis, and how it relates to the event, as a matter of historical analysis.
So I am usually drawn to the topics of states, empires, and "systems" more generally in my study of the ancient world.
1/3
So I am usually drawn to the topics of states, empires, and "systems" more generally in my study of the ancient world.
1/3
October 8, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I am interested in the problem of how structure relates to agency, as a matter of social analysis, and how it relates to the event, as a matter of historical analysis.
So I am usually drawn to the topics of states, empires, and "systems" more generally in my study of the ancient world.
1/3
So I am usually drawn to the topics of states, empires, and "systems" more generally in my study of the ancient world.
1/3
Couldn't help but think of this exchange today during my survey of the ancient Mediterranean world, in which I introduced the problem of social order in premodern societies by means of an introduction to Marx, historical materialism, and class analysis (in 15 mins.!)...
Maybe I'll get reported.
Maybe I'll get reported.
2. He could not be persuaded that university professors were not indoctrinating their students in Marxism. He knew I was a Berkeley professor, and we had established a good rapport.
"Well, maybe not you, then, but I know all the other professors are doing Marxism."
The shell was impenetrable.
3/4
"Well, maybe not you, then, but I know all the other professors are doing Marxism."
The shell was impenetrable.
3/4
October 7, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Couldn't help but think of this exchange today during my survey of the ancient Mediterranean world, in which I introduced the problem of social order in premodern societies by means of an introduction to Marx, historical materialism, and class analysis (in 15 mins.!)...
Maybe I'll get reported.
Maybe I'll get reported.
La pleine lune au lever du soleil.
October 7, 2025 at 2:15 PM
La pleine lune au lever du soleil.