Matthew J (is) Tired
@matthewjkuiper.bsky.social
Religion Prof. Islam, South Asia, Middle East. Fascinated by religious actors & movements in modernity. Two books on Islamic da'wa (mission, propagation). Other words in sundry other places. Opinions my own; not speaking for my employer.
13.1🏃🏼♂️✅, 26.2🏃♂️✅
13.1🏃🏼♂️✅, 26.2🏃♂️✅
Pinned
We are living in a time of massive underreaction.
And/or sign up for free trial, telling oneself to cancel said trial, and then forgetting until one sees $69.99 charge on statement
TV twenty years ago: turn it on, watch something
TV now: turn it on, download app, enter PIN, hope internet works, pay per channel, wait for updates…
TV now: turn it on, download app, enter PIN, hope internet works, pay per channel, wait for updates…
November 27, 2025 at 2:25 PM
And/or sign up for free trial, telling oneself to cancel said trial, and then forgetting until one sees $69.99 charge on statement
Reposted by Matthew J (is) Tired
Paging @columnist.bsky.social. Even if it's apocryphal, it's a gem.
November 27, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Paging @columnist.bsky.social. Even if it's apocryphal, it's a gem.
New from Amnesty International:
“Today despite a reduction in scale of attacks, and some limited improvements, there has been no meaningful change in the conditions Israel is inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza and no evidence to indicate that Israel’s intent has changed.”
“Today despite a reduction in scale of attacks, and some limited improvements, there has been no meaningful change in the conditions Israel is inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza and no evidence to indicate that Israel’s intent has changed.”
Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza continues unabated despite ceasefire
More than a month after a ceasefire was announced and all living Israeli hostages were released, Israeli authorities are still committing genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip, by c...
www.amnesty.org
November 27, 2025 at 1:24 PM
New from Amnesty International:
“Today despite a reduction in scale of attacks, and some limited improvements, there has been no meaningful change in the conditions Israel is inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza and no evidence to indicate that Israel’s intent has changed.”
“Today despite a reduction in scale of attacks, and some limited improvements, there has been no meaningful change in the conditions Israel is inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza and no evidence to indicate that Israel’s intent has changed.”
This would be a small, but welcome step.
EU rethinks UAE trade deal over alleged arms sales to Sudan – DW – 11/26/2025
Members of the European Parliament demand that the EU end talks with the UAE over a trade deal. The UAE is suspected of sending arms to a Sudanese paramilitary accused of war crimes, which the Emirati...
www.dw.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:17 AM
This would be a small, but welcome step.
Reposted by Matthew J (is) Tired
My book _Traces of the Prophets: Relics and Sacred Spaces in Early Islam_ is finally coming out in a much-more-reasonably-priced paperback in December. And you can take 30% off that with this discount code. Reviewers are calling it “good” etc
edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-traces-...
edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-traces-...
November 27, 2025 at 3:07 AM
My book _Traces of the Prophets: Relics and Sacred Spaces in Early Islam_ is finally coming out in a much-more-reasonably-priced paperback in December. And you can take 30% off that with this discount code. Reviewers are calling it “good” etc
edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-traces-...
edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-traces-...
A letter to the editor with some points worth discussing. The title does not really match the content. There’s really no question of “worshipping” or not.
But if anything, the letter’s content unwittingly proves the need for robust liberal arts/humanities programs.
But if anything, the letter’s content unwittingly proves the need for robust liberal arts/humanities programs.
It’s time to stop worshipping the liberal arts | Letters
Letters: While such institutions have intrinsic value, that doesn’t mean they are entitled to be socially favoured or economically exceptional for ever, says Jianyang Geng
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:33 AM
A letter to the editor with some points worth discussing. The title does not really match the content. There’s really no question of “worshipping” or not.
But if anything, the letter’s content unwittingly proves the need for robust liberal arts/humanities programs.
But if anything, the letter’s content unwittingly proves the need for robust liberal arts/humanities programs.
“The rise of the creator economy has blurred the line between the personal and the performative.”
Really enjoyed a short piece in the recent Time magazine by @taylorcrumpton.bsky.social These opening lines on the frankly out-of-control “content creator”/“influencer” economy are excellent.
Really enjoyed a short piece in the recent Time magazine by @taylorcrumpton.bsky.social These opening lines on the frankly out-of-control “content creator”/“influencer” economy are excellent.
November 27, 2025 at 12:52 AM
“The rise of the creator economy has blurred the line between the personal and the performative.”
Really enjoyed a short piece in the recent Time magazine by @taylorcrumpton.bsky.social These opening lines on the frankly out-of-control “content creator”/“influencer” economy are excellent.
Really enjoyed a short piece in the recent Time magazine by @taylorcrumpton.bsky.social These opening lines on the frankly out-of-control “content creator”/“influencer” economy are excellent.
Because… of course they did (use it), and of course it did (undermine accuracy)
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis wrote the footnote in a 223-page opinion issued last week, noting that the practice of using ChatGPT to write use-of-force reports undermines agents’ credibility and “may explain the inaccuracy of these reports.”
Judge’s Footnote on Immigration Agents Using AI in Chicago Area Raises Accuracy and Privacy Concerns
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis wrote the footnote in a 223-page opinion issued last week, noting that the practice of using ChatGPT to write use-of-force reports undermines agents’ credibility and “ma...
news.wttw.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Because… of course they did (use it), and of course it did (undermine accuracy)
Well, good to know the Pope endorses my no-AI-for-homework (or anything else in my courses) policy. He’s not wrong.
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Well, good to know the Pope endorses my no-AI-for-homework (or anything else in my courses) policy. He’s not wrong.
Reposted by Matthew J (is) Tired
I just want everyone to know that Dove chocolate tastes way better than their soap.
November 26, 2025 at 6:31 PM
I just want everyone to know that Dove chocolate tastes way better than their soap.
Reposted by Matthew J (is) Tired
"Raúl" sent us this photo of his crew harvesting celery in Soledad, CA. "We must cut very quickly. We stay bent over is this allows us to harvest more rapidly. We need to harvest more than 1,000 boxes this day." #WeFeedYou
November 26, 2025 at 6:31 PM
"Raúl" sent us this photo of his crew harvesting celery in Soledad, CA. "We must cut very quickly. We stay bent over is this allows us to harvest more rapidly. We need to harvest more than 1,000 boxes this day." #WeFeedYou
“District Judge Sara Ellis issued a sweeping, 233-page written opinion…” noting that “federal immigration agents unleashed “indiscriminate” force… across the Chicago area… and defended the aggressive tactics by repeatedly lying, deceiving the public and making claims disproven by their own evidence”
The feds repeatedly lied and misled the public during Chicago's immigration crackdown, a federal judge ruled in a scathing opinion. blockclubchi.co/3JVoFWJ
November 26, 2025 at 2:07 PM
“District Judge Sara Ellis issued a sweeping, 233-page written opinion…” noting that “federal immigration agents unleashed “indiscriminate” force… across the Chicago area… and defended the aggressive tactics by repeatedly lying, deceiving the public and making claims disproven by their own evidence”
Reposted by Matthew J (is) Tired
The alt text. Please read the alt text.
can't believe this ancient mesopotamia shoe wearing ass said people need to dress up at the airport
November 26, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The alt text. Please read the alt text.
Reposted by Matthew J (is) Tired
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
Dismantling the Dept of Education and forcibly imposing unregulated AI on everyone and everywhere are two sides of the same coin.
November 26, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Dismantling the Dept of Education and forcibly imposing unregulated AI on everyone and everywhere are two sides of the same coin.
This. And a step further: a *single* human-produced academic monograph or translation or critical edition (or novel or work of art) is an achievement far greater and more valuable than potential ages of ages of AI-generated theft-slop.
This stupendous achievement will go up online with zero fanfare but I have to read 15 articles a week about how some chud thinks he reinvented hieroglyphics via conversation with ChatGPT
700 Years of Persian Manuscripts Now Digitized & Free Online
November 26, 2025 at 1:44 PM
This. And a step further: a *single* human-produced academic monograph or translation or critical edition (or novel or work of art) is an achievement far greater and more valuable than potential ages of ages of AI-generated theft-slop.
Correct. And the Biden admin would (and did!) do the exact same things. This is one of the areas where we really do have a massive and very ugly “both sides” problem.
The Trump admin will tear down the entire human rights system--and treat the most respected jurists like terrorists--to protect Israel's leaders from accountability for what essentially the whole world recognizes to be terrible crimes. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
November 26, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Correct. And the Biden admin would (and did!) do the exact same things. This is one of the areas where we really do have a massive and very ugly “both sides” problem.
Reposted by Matthew J (is) Tired
This stupendous achievement will go up online with zero fanfare but I have to read 15 articles a week about how some chud thinks he reinvented hieroglyphics via conversation with ChatGPT
700 Years of Persian Manuscripts Now Digitized & Free Online
700 Years of Persian Manuscripts Now Digitized & Free Online
Too often those in power lump thousands of years of Middle Eastern religion and culture into monolithic entities to be feared or persecuted. But at least one government institution is doing exactly th...
www.openculture.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:35 AM
This stupendous achievement will go up online with zero fanfare but I have to read 15 articles a week about how some chud thinks he reinvented hieroglyphics via conversation with ChatGPT
“Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to begin serving a prison term for conspiring to remain in power after losing the last election.”
Some countries have actual laws and an actual Supreme Court
Some countries have actual laws and an actual Supreme Court
Bolsonaro to Start Serving 27-Year Sentence Over Coup Plot
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:03 PM
“Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to begin serving a prison term for conspiring to remain in power after losing the last election.”
Some countries have actual laws and an actual Supreme Court
Some countries have actual laws and an actual Supreme Court
Tomorrow, with lake effect snow
💨🥶
💨🥶
November 25, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Tomorrow, with lake effect snow
💨🥶
💨🥶
Scholars & historians of Islam, ICYMI
Haven’t posted about this in a long time, but with #AARSBL & #MESA both happening, a friendly reminder that we have an Islamic Studies starter pack/list on here.
Scholars, give these folks a follow, spread the word, and let me know if you’d like to be added to the list. #IslamicStudies, #acrel, 🗃️
Scholars, give these folks a follow, spread the word, and let me know if you’d like to be added to the list. #IslamicStudies, #acrel, 🗃️
November 25, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Scholars & historians of Islam, ICYMI
Wordle 1,620 6/6
⬛⬛🟨⬛🟨
🟨🟨⬛⬛🟨
🟨🟩⬛🟨⬛
⬛🟩🟩🟩⬛
🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Close call, not my A-game today
⬛⬛🟨⬛🟨
🟨🟨⬛⬛🟨
🟨🟩⬛🟨⬛
⬛🟩🟩🟩⬛
🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Close call, not my A-game today
November 25, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Wordle 1,620 6/6
⬛⬛🟨⬛🟨
🟨🟨⬛⬛🟨
🟨🟩⬛🟨⬛
⬛🟩🟩🟩⬛
🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Close call, not my A-game today
⬛⬛🟨⬛🟨
🟨🟨⬛⬛🟨
🟨🟩⬛🟨⬛
⬛🟩🟩🟩⬛
🟩🟩⬛⬛⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Close call, not my A-game today
Reposted by Matthew J (is) Tired
they've made so much noise around stifling the legal position of refusing unconstitutional orders that you have to start suspecting that they'll be issuing unconstitutional orders... but it also points directly to their theory of sovereignty—it belongs to the Leader and not the people.
FBI reportedly seeks to interview Democrats involved in video to troops as senator calls out Trump admin ‘intimidation’
Pentagon said it was investigating AZ senator Mark Kelly for violating military law by appearing in video in which lawmakers told military members to ‘refuse illegal orders’
Pentagon said it was investigating AZ senator Mark Kelly for violating military law by appearing in video in which lawmakers told military members to ‘refuse illegal orders’
FBI reportedly seeks to interview Democrats involved in video to troops as senator calls out Trump administration ‘intimidation’ - live
Pentagon said it was investigating Arizona senator Mark Kelly for violating military law by appearing in the video, in which lawmakers told members of the military to ‘refuse illegal orders’
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:57 PM
they've made so much noise around stifling the legal position of refusing unconstitutional orders that you have to start suspecting that they'll be issuing unconstitutional orders... but it also points directly to their theory of sovereignty—it belongs to the Leader and not the people.
Assistant Prof of Religion, World Christianity, opening:
Assistant Professor of Religion - HigherEdJobs
Jobs in higher education. Faculty and administrative positions at colleges and universities. Updated daily. Free to job seekers.
www.higheredjobs.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Assistant Prof of Religion, World Christianity, opening:
MESA statement on the detention of Dr Abedini.
@mesa1966.bsky.social is one of the few academic organizations which has taken clear stands on important issues like the decimation of Gaza, tr*mpist attacks on academic freedom and administrative capitulation, and now this.
@mesa1966.bsky.social is one of the few academic organizations which has taken clear stands on important issues like the decimation of Gaza, tr*mpist attacks on academic freedom and administrative capitulation, and now this.
Middle East Studies Association
MESA has issued a statement expressing deep concern over the detention of Dr. Abedini, a MESA member.
mesana.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:57 PM
MESA statement on the detention of Dr Abedini.
@mesa1966.bsky.social is one of the few academic organizations which has taken clear stands on important issues like the decimation of Gaza, tr*mpist attacks on academic freedom and administrative capitulation, and now this.
@mesa1966.bsky.social is one of the few academic organizations which has taken clear stands on important issues like the decimation of Gaza, tr*mpist attacks on academic freedom and administrative capitulation, and now this.