Dr. Ashok Karra
@akarra.bsky.social
Political philosophy and ethics. Currently working on Nietzsche, Heidegger, and problems of freedom & authenticity. I teach community college & you'll hear plenty about it.
Let me know how you are and how I can help.
https://www.ashokkarra.blog/
Let me know how you are and how I can help.
https://www.ashokkarra.blog/
Pinned
Dr. Ashok Karra
@akarra.bsky.social
· Nov 21
while we're doing introductions, i'm dr. karra. i think about how political philosophy works for us -- what do we do with words like "freedom," "authenticity," or "nobility?" i also read a lot of lyric poetry because that tends to illustrate philosophical problems in miniature. links below:
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
if anyone hears of any World AIDS Day gatherings happening to honor everyone we've lost and to protest Trump's decision not to observe it, please let me know
fuck you
the memories of a generation lost because of Reagan's homophobia will not be erased
i think we should do something in DC that would make david wojnarowicz proud tbh
the memories of a generation lost because of Reagan's homophobia will not be erased
i think we should do something in DC that would make david wojnarowicz proud tbh
November 26, 2025 at 7:29 PM
if anyone hears of any World AIDS Day gatherings happening to honor everyone we've lost and to protest Trump's decision not to observe it, please let me know
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
Important developments. The Montana Supreme Court has played a really important role in heading off far-right conservatism in the state, so of course the Republican Party is weaponizing the ethics process to attack them.
Pretty alarming that Republican lawmakers in Montana are no longer even pretending to respect the state supreme court as part of a co-equal branch of government
Montana Republicans Are Trying to Hijack the Montana Supreme Court
The state’s highest court ruled against GOP lawmakers in a few high-profile cases. GOP lawmakers are responding in kind.
ballsandstrikes.org
November 26, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Important developments. The Montana Supreme Court has played a really important role in heading off far-right conservatism in the state, so of course the Republican Party is weaponizing the ethics process to attack them.
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
Maybe quick ask your history department how capitulation to tyrants works out.
BREAKING from New York Times: Northwestern is nearing a $75 million deal with the Trump administration to free up federal funding and close out ongoing antisemitism investigations
The find would be the second largest after Columbia's $200m payment www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
The find would be the second largest after Columbia's $200m payment www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Northwestern University Nears Deal to Resolve Its Conflict With the White House
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Maybe quick ask your history department how capitulation to tyrants works out.
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
I wrote an essay for @bostonreview.bsky.social about what I learned about close reading when I taught at West Virginia University
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
The Claims of Close Reading - Boston Review
Literary studies have been starved by austerity, but their core methodology remains radical.
www.bostonreview.net
November 26, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I wrote an essay for @bostonreview.bsky.social about what I learned about close reading when I taught at West Virginia University
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
well we aren't going to do better than this
you should support liberal currents!
November 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
well we aren't going to do better than this
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
You can go to your local library exactly ONE time and get a free membership there that lets you download all kinds of ebooks, audiobooks, streaming movies, the works. Do that
November 26, 2025 at 6:22 PM
You can go to your local library exactly ONE time and get a free membership there that lets you download all kinds of ebooks, audiobooks, streaming movies, the works. Do that
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
I need about $75 today, and really before five, so I can get food
for the holiday. just kind of a putz up the last couple of days. If anyone can help, I’d be grateful. Thanks for reading.
PayPal: @MatthewStefon
Venmo: @Matt-Stefon
for the holiday. just kind of a putz up the last couple of days. If anyone can help, I’d be grateful. Thanks for reading.
PayPal: @MatthewStefon
Venmo: @Matt-Stefon
Hello:
Because my teaching jobs are near the end of the term and one is in doubt for spring, I’m preparing for some temporary hardship. I’m facing some this week: I need $200 now for bills and another $400 next week for utilities. Grateful for any help.
www.paypal.com/paypalme/Mat...
Because my teaching jobs are near the end of the term and one is in doubt for spring, I’m preparing for some temporary hardship. I’m facing some this week: I need $200 now for bills and another $400 next week for utilities. Grateful for any help.
www.paypal.com/paypalme/Mat...
Pay Matthew Stefon using PayPal.Me
Go to paypal.me/MatthewStefon and type in the amount. Since it’s PayPal, it's easy and secure. Don’t have a PayPal account? No worries.
www.paypal.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
I need about $75 today, and really before five, so I can get food
for the holiday. just kind of a putz up the last couple of days. If anyone can help, I’d be grateful. Thanks for reading.
PayPal: @MatthewStefon
Venmo: @Matt-Stefon
for the holiday. just kind of a putz up the last couple of days. If anyone can help, I’d be grateful. Thanks for reading.
PayPal: @MatthewStefon
Venmo: @Matt-Stefon
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
Big news today: Chris Duncan, who spent decades on Louisiana's death row on 'junk science' until his conviction was overturned this spring, is being released today.
You'll remember this story from a few months ago, when his conviction was overturned: boltsmag.org/chris-duncan...
You'll remember this story from a few months ago, when his conviction was overturned: boltsmag.org/chris-duncan...
November 26, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Big news today: Chris Duncan, who spent decades on Louisiana's death row on 'junk science' until his conviction was overturned this spring, is being released today.
You'll remember this story from a few months ago, when his conviction was overturned: boltsmag.org/chris-duncan...
You'll remember this story from a few months ago, when his conviction was overturned: boltsmag.org/chris-duncan...
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
There are almost as many survival fundraisers from Americans in my timeline as there are from Palestinians. I'm not saying this to shame you, I just really want Americans to understand the imperial boomerang. What they do to others they'll eventually do to you.
November 26, 2025 at 4:52 PM
There are almost as many survival fundraisers from Americans in my timeline as there are from Palestinians. I'm not saying this to shame you, I just really want Americans to understand the imperial boomerang. What they do to others they'll eventually do to you.
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
I took down the quote bc I blocked eight people and didn't want to deal with it today. But when looking for candidates to support, look for the ones brave enough to abolish ICE and break up the DHS.
From 2019: www.cnn.com/2019/07/04/o...
From 2019: www.cnn.com/2019/07/04/o...
It’s time to break up the Department of Homeland Security | CNN
David Perry says the bigotry under investigation at the Border Patrol, the overreach at Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the terrible conditions in border facilities show an DHS, it’s time to d...
www.cnn.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I took down the quote bc I blocked eight people and didn't want to deal with it today. But when looking for candidates to support, look for the ones brave enough to abolish ICE and break up the DHS.
From 2019: www.cnn.com/2019/07/04/o...
From 2019: www.cnn.com/2019/07/04/o...
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
The problem with ICE is not that it's targeting people who aren't criminals. The problem with ICE is that it's an unaccountable secret deportation police. It cannot be reformed under a better president. It can be made less terrible, but the instrument of repression remains for the next tyrant.
November 26, 2025 at 5:04 PM
The problem with ICE is not that it's targeting people who aren't criminals. The problem with ICE is that it's an unaccountable secret deportation police. It cannot be reformed under a better president. It can be made less terrible, but the instrument of repression remains for the next tyrant.
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
I repeat, RFK Jr doesn’t have to say “I’m banning vaccines” to effectively ban vaccines. Exhibit umpteen hundred and sixteen (this happened the same day they appointed the anti-vaxxing snake-oil salesman above as deputy CDC head):
The CDC has turned off its vaccine search tool.
The vaccines.gov site now gives an error when you enter a valid zip code.
They also removed text saying “Vaccines can help you stay healthy” and added a banner saying the site is being updated.
The vaccines.gov site now gives an error when you enter a valid zip code.
They also removed text saying “Vaccines can help you stay healthy” and added a banner saying the site is being updated.
November 26, 2025 at 9:39 AM
I repeat, RFK Jr doesn’t have to say “I’m banning vaccines” to effectively ban vaccines. Exhibit umpteen hundred and sixteen (this happened the same day they appointed the anti-vaxxing snake-oil salesman above as deputy CDC head):
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
*moderate* means in the pocket of the banks and NYC real estate among other things. This is not good at all.
Menin, who represents the Upper East Side, said she had the support of at least 34 current and incoming City Council members, more than the 26 votes needed to become the Council’s speaker, considered the second most powerful job in city government.
A Moderate From Manhattan Claims Enough Support to Lead City Council
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:39 PM
*moderate* means in the pocket of the banks and NYC real estate among other things. This is not good at all.
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
If you don't know who your City Council representative is, you can use this website to find out www.mygovnyc.org
Call them and tell them you do NOT want them to support Julie Menin for speaker.
Call them and tell them you do NOT want them to support Julie Menin for speaker.
November 26, 2025 at 4:47 PM
If you don't know who your City Council representative is, you can use this website to find out www.mygovnyc.org
Call them and tell them you do NOT want them to support Julie Menin for speaker.
Call them and tell them you do NOT want them to support Julie Menin for speaker.
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
the woman using the r-word in this clip, Laura Ndirangu, is now interviewing for a position on the school board in Forest Lake, Minnesota
November 26, 2025 at 3:09 PM
the woman using the r-word in this clip, Laura Ndirangu, is now interviewing for a position on the school board in Forest Lake, Minnesota
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
1/5 My 2020 interview with Alice Wong is now out and ready to be shared! You can download it here: tinyurl.com/2wke8tk6 (Note that you may not be able to view it online if you’re not signed into Google, but anyone can download it.)
November 24, 2025 at 5:36 PM
1/5 My 2020 interview with Alice Wong is now out and ready to be shared! You can download it here: tinyurl.com/2wke8tk6 (Note that you may not be able to view it online if you’re not signed into Google, but anyone can download it.)
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
The Dallas Express, a right wing "news" website that routinely quotes groups that were secretly funded by the website's publisher Monty Bennett, has been given a White House press pass under the "new media" program that also includes folks like Russian-funded podcaster Tim Pool.
November 26, 2025 at 4:49 PM
The Dallas Express, a right wing "news" website that routinely quotes groups that were secretly funded by the website's publisher Monty Bennett, has been given a White House press pass under the "new media" program that also includes folks like Russian-funded podcaster Tim Pool.
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
Police have access to massive surveillance networks that track the public whether they are suspects or not. That means probably for every 1 officer caught using the system to harass or spy on people they have feuds with, ex's, activists, journalists, there are probably 100 more we don't know about.
Georgia police chief charged with using license plate readers to stalk and harass people
A police chief in suburban Atlanta has been arrested on charges of using the city's license plate cameras to stalk and harass people.
apnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Police have access to massive surveillance networks that track the public whether they are suspects or not. That means probably for every 1 officer caught using the system to harass or spy on people they have feuds with, ex's, activists, journalists, there are probably 100 more we don't know about.
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
All of the Democrats around the U.S. proposing more pretrial detention and fighting reforms to the cash bail system should be thinking about why, across modern history, authoritarians are obsessed with increasing the power of the government to detain people before any trial.
November 26, 2025 at 3:37 PM
All of the Democrats around the U.S. proposing more pretrial detention and fighting reforms to the cash bail system should be thinking about why, across modern history, authoritarians are obsessed with increasing the power of the government to detain people before any trial.
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
We have fought for a decade some of the most depraved policies imaginable--family separation and death on a scale mainstream news consumers do not comprehend. All of it makes us less safe. This is what Democrats are joining Republicans to fight for: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKGV...
Aggressive Bail Policies Lead to Lawsuit Against Texas County | NowThis
YouTube video by NowThis Impact
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:37 PM
We have fought for a decade some of the most depraved policies imaginable--family separation and death on a scale mainstream news consumers do not comprehend. All of it makes us less safe. This is what Democrats are joining Republicans to fight for: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKGV...
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
Essential reading, again, from @prisonculture.bsky.social.
"For as much as some humans talk and think about taking courageous stances, the reality of being a person in the world is that most of us don’t want to stand apart. To stand apart risks being alone."
"For as much as some humans talk and think about taking courageous stances, the reality of being a person in the world is that most of us don’t want to stand apart. To stand apart risks being alone."
We Don’t Know Where We Will End Up…
A Year Since the 2024 Election
prisonculture.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Essential reading, again, from @prisonculture.bsky.social.
"For as much as some humans talk and think about taking courageous stances, the reality of being a person in the world is that most of us don’t want to stand apart. To stand apart risks being alone."
"For as much as some humans talk and think about taking courageous stances, the reality of being a person in the world is that most of us don’t want to stand apart. To stand apart risks being alone."
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
oh this is absolutely what i think. i think they feed him fake polls and outright AI slop
At this point, I wonder if he isn't lying when he says he has "my highest Poll Numbers, ever" since it's entirely possible that's what his aides are telling him. It's quite likely that there's an entire Potemkin village built around Trump right now.
Trump responds to a detailed report about his waning energy and propensity to sleep through on-camera events by calling the New York Times's Katie Rogers ugly
November 26, 2025 at 2:41 PM
oh this is absolutely what i think. i think they feed him fake polls and outright AI slop
Reposted by Dr. Ashok Karra
I truly need "AI Won't Stand in Authentic Wonder" swag sold in the Vatican gift shop. Also, I will need it on a tote and shirt.
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 3:57 PM
I truly need "AI Won't Stand in Authentic Wonder" swag sold in the Vatican gift shop. Also, I will need it on a tote and shirt.
A government that can’t and won’t feed its people is the definition of a failed state
November 26, 2025 at 2:14 PM
A government that can’t and won’t feed its people is the definition of a failed state