Alondra Nelson
@alondra.bsky.social
Scholar, author, policy advisor
alondranelson.com
Science, Technology, and Social Values Lab
https://www.ias.edu/stsv-lab
alondranelson.com
Science, Technology, and Social Values Lab
https://www.ias.edu/stsv-lab
Pinned
Alondra Nelson
@alondra.bsky.social
· Sep 11
An ELSI for AI: Learning from genetics to govern algorithms
In the United States, the summer of 2025 will be remembered as artificial intelligence’s (AI’s) cruel summer—a season when the unheeded risks and dangers of AI became undeniably clear. Recent months h...
www.science.org
🧵 The summer of 2025 has been AI's "cruel summer"—wrongful deaths, dangerous therapy chatbots, medical misinformation, facial recognition failures. These aren't isolated glitches but predictable harms from systems deployed without adequate oversight. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
It's simple: either we uphold academic freedom for everyone or none of us will have it.
Consistency means no interference regardless who the speaker are. You don't like them - don't come, or come and ask questions, or stand outside with a sign. Don't cancel the event.
Consistency means no interference regardless who the speaker are. You don't like them - don't come, or come and ask questions, or stand outside with a sign. Don't cancel the event.
The LMU announces the cancellation of a seminar on the topic "the targeting of Palestinian academia". The cancellation announcement is titled "LMU as a place of pluralistic discourse". Couldn't make this up.
www.lmu.de/en/about-lmu...
www.lmu.de/en/about-lmu...
LMU as a place of pluralistic discourse
Statement on the Planned Event “The Targeting of the Palestinian Academia” at LMU Munich
www.lmu.de
November 17, 2025 at 8:54 PM
It's simple: either we uphold academic freedom for everyone or none of us will have it.
Consistency means no interference regardless who the speaker are. You don't like them - don't come, or come and ask questions, or stand outside with a sign. Don't cancel the event.
Consistency means no interference regardless who the speaker are. You don't like them - don't come, or come and ask questions, or stand outside with a sign. Don't cancel the event.
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
AI-Powered Teddy Bear Caught Talking About Sexual Fetishes and Instructing Kids How to Find Knives
gizmodo.com/ai-powered-t...
gizmodo.com/ai-powered-t...
AI-Powered Teddy Bear Caught Talking About Sexual Fetishes and Instructing Kids How to Find Knives
OpenAI blocked access for the toymaker following the incidents.
gizmodo.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:00 AM
AI-Powered Teddy Bear Caught Talking About Sexual Fetishes and Instructing Kids How to Find Knives
gizmodo.com/ai-powered-t...
gizmodo.com/ai-powered-t...
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
I don’t want to seem out of touch but I don’t actually understand the economy anymore.
November 18, 2025 at 3:23 AM
I don’t want to seem out of touch but I don’t actually understand the economy anymore.
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
I had a great conversation about this phenomenon with some sociologists at ASA once. A colleague took me to task for failing to see how they KNOW the reference. They aren’t misreading literary references — they are wielding them to demonstrate their power to shape our ethics.
The fact that he named it Project Prometheus is priceless.
Jeff Bezos Creates A.I. Start-Up Where He Will Be Co-Chief Executive
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I had a great conversation about this phenomenon with some sociologists at ASA once. A colleague took me to task for failing to see how they KNOW the reference. They aren’t misreading literary references — they are wielding them to demonstrate their power to shape our ethics.
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
THAT'S LITERALLY HOW THE SUBSIDIES & ACA EXCHANGES WORK ALREADY.
CONSUMERS ARE INFORMED BY COMPARING POLICIES ON THE ACA EXCHANGES, THEN THEY PURCHASE ONE AND THE GOVERNMENT PAYS SOME OR ALL OF THE COST OF THAT POLICY.
I'M TEARING THE LITTLE HAIR I HAVE ON MY HEAD OUT.
CONSUMERS ARE INFORMED BY COMPARING POLICIES ON THE ACA EXCHANGES, THEN THEY PURCHASE ONE AND THE GOVERNMENT PAYS SOME OR ALL OF THE COST OF THAT POLICY.
I'M TEARING THE LITTLE HAIR I HAVE ON MY HEAD OUT.
Cassidy: "The president is proposing that we take the $26b that would be going to insurance companies if we just do an extension and give it directly to the American people in which 100% of the money is used for them to purchase healthcare on their own terms. That makes them an informed consumer."
November 16, 2025 at 5:01 PM
THAT'S LITERALLY HOW THE SUBSIDIES & ACA EXCHANGES WORK ALREADY.
CONSUMERS ARE INFORMED BY COMPARING POLICIES ON THE ACA EXCHANGES, THEN THEY PURCHASE ONE AND THE GOVERNMENT PAYS SOME OR ALL OF THE COST OF THAT POLICY.
I'M TEARING THE LITTLE HAIR I HAVE ON MY HEAD OUT.
CONSUMERS ARE INFORMED BY COMPARING POLICIES ON THE ACA EXCHANGES, THEN THEY PURCHASE ONE AND THE GOVERNMENT PAYS SOME OR ALL OF THE COST OF THAT POLICY.
I'M TEARING THE LITTLE HAIR I HAVE ON MY HEAD OUT.
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
It's hard to express what it meant to watch Maurice, Natalia, Celeste, and Rhea tell their stories—in their own voices—this morning.
The segment revealed a brutal reality: homelessness at this scale isn't about personal failure. It's the result of policy choices and systems built to exploit people.
The segment revealed a brutal reality: homelessness at this scale isn't about personal failure. It's the result of policy choices and systems built to exploit people.
November 16, 2025 at 5:02 PM
It's hard to express what it meant to watch Maurice, Natalia, Celeste, and Rhea tell their stories—in their own voices—this morning.
The segment revealed a brutal reality: homelessness at this scale isn't about personal failure. It's the result of policy choices and systems built to exploit people.
The segment revealed a brutal reality: homelessness at this scale isn't about personal failure. It's the result of policy choices and systems built to exploit people.
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
Data-centers make Page One in Washington State.
“.. they cost millions if not billions to build, consume vast amounts of water and power, and generally do not employ significant numbers of people beyond the construction phase ..”
“.. they cost millions if not billions to build, consume vast amounts of water and power, and generally do not employ significant numbers of people beyond the construction phase ..”
November 16, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Data-centers make Page One in Washington State.
“.. they cost millions if not billions to build, consume vast amounts of water and power, and generally do not employ significant numbers of people beyond the construction phase ..”
“.. they cost millions if not billions to build, consume vast amounts of water and power, and generally do not employ significant numbers of people beyond the construction phase ..”
indefatigable!
November 16, 2025 at 3:46 PM
indefatigable!
How do I get my own U.S. R&D thoughtcrime mug, @jeremymberg.bsky.social?
Thank you, @jeremymberg.bsky.social and @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social . My morning tea tastes that much sweeter.
November 16, 2025 at 3:43 PM
How do I get my own U.S. R&D thoughtcrime mug, @jeremymberg.bsky.social?
This was no doubt amazing
We had the pleasure of hosting @deepseadawn.bsky.social for last week's Butler University Woods Lecture Series event!
November 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
This was no doubt amazing
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
Yes. This is another reason why public funding is what we want - why the government should support science with democratic mechanisms of oversight.
Public support means not having to beg toxic billionaires for money.
Public support means not having to beg toxic billionaires for money.
the professors in the emails being all chummy with epstein is pathetic and enraging.
There are so many professors/scientists y'all
November 16, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Yes. This is another reason why public funding is what we want - why the government should support science with democratic mechanisms of oversight.
Public support means not having to beg toxic billionaires for money.
Public support means not having to beg toxic billionaires for money.
"An obsession with the gene, of course, is not a complete explanation for why racist ideas resonated with Dr. Watson ... [for these ideas] to strike such a chord, some part of him had to already be receptive to its arguments"
gift link: James Watson Saw the True Form of DNA. Then It Blinded Him.
Opinion | James Watson Saw the True Form of DNA. Then It Blinded Him.
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:48 PM
"An obsession with the gene, of course, is not a complete explanation for why racist ideas resonated with Dr. Watson ... [for these ideas] to strike such a chord, some part of him had to already be receptive to its arguments"
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
Friends! Here is the first episode of a new podcast i'm hosting. I'm thinking of it as a way of trying to have more of the conversations I have w/ smart ppl about the internet/politics/broken attention economy in public. first guest is the great @hankgreen.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=A492...
Hank Green: It’s Going to Get Worse Before It Gets Better | Galaxy Brain
YouTube video by The Atlantic
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Friends! Here is the first episode of a new podcast i'm hosting. I'm thinking of it as a way of trying to have more of the conversations I have w/ smart ppl about the internet/politics/broken attention economy in public. first guest is the great @hankgreen.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=A492...
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
“One of the things that really gives me joy is the fact that there are so many amazing, brilliant, creative disabled people out there. But part of my rage — and it’s a very real rage — is that most people don’t really know about them.”
Obit:
Obit:
Alice Wong, Writer and Relentless Advocate for Disability Rights, Dies at 51
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:09 PM
“One of the things that really gives me joy is the fact that there are so many amazing, brilliant, creative disabled people out there. But part of my rage — and it’s a very real rage — is that most people don’t really know about them.”
Obit:
Obit:
👑
Sade releases her “Promise” LP 40 years ago today.
Of “Sweetest Taboo,” she said:
“.. It’s about a love that feels almost TOO good, the sort of feeling you don’t talk about because it makes you vulnerable. I like writing about that kind of emotion — the danger .. of loving someone that deeply.”
Of “Sweetest Taboo,” she said:
“.. It’s about a love that feels almost TOO good, the sort of feeling you don’t talk about because it makes you vulnerable. I like writing about that kind of emotion — the danger .. of loving someone that deeply.”
November 15, 2025 at 12:21 PM
👑
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
Sade releases her “Promise” LP 40 years ago today.
Of “Sweetest Taboo,” she said:
“.. It’s about a love that feels almost TOO good, the sort of feeling you don’t talk about because it makes you vulnerable. I like writing about that kind of emotion — the danger .. of loving someone that deeply.”
Of “Sweetest Taboo,” she said:
“.. It’s about a love that feels almost TOO good, the sort of feeling you don’t talk about because it makes you vulnerable. I like writing about that kind of emotion — the danger .. of loving someone that deeply.”
November 15, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Sade releases her “Promise” LP 40 years ago today.
Of “Sweetest Taboo,” she said:
“.. It’s about a love that feels almost TOO good, the sort of feeling you don’t talk about because it makes you vulnerable. I like writing about that kind of emotion — the danger .. of loving someone that deeply.”
Of “Sweetest Taboo,” she said:
“.. It’s about a love that feels almost TOO good, the sort of feeling you don’t talk about because it makes you vulnerable. I like writing about that kind of emotion — the danger .. of loving someone that deeply.”
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
Niles Spencer, City Walls, 1921/22
https://botfrens.com/collections/14377/contents/1134616
https://botfrens.com/collections/14377/contents/1134616
November 15, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Niles Spencer, City Walls, 1921/22
https://botfrens.com/collections/14377/contents/1134616
https://botfrens.com/collections/14377/contents/1134616
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
I, for one, welcome our new trash panda overlords.
But for real, fascinating science on how we might be seeing the very early stages of domestication in action in wild animals. 🧪
By @marinacoladas.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social
But for real, fascinating science on how we might be seeing the very early stages of domestication in action in wild animals. 🧪
By @marinacoladas.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social
City Raccoons Are Evolving to Look More Like Pets
City-dwelling raccoons seem to be evolving a shorter snout—a telltale feature of our pets and other domesticated animals
www.scientificamerican.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:27 PM
I, for one, welcome our new trash panda overlords.
But for real, fascinating science on how we might be seeing the very early stages of domestication in action in wild animals. 🧪
By @marinacoladas.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social
But for real, fascinating science on how we might be seeing the very early stages of domestication in action in wild animals. 🧪
By @marinacoladas.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
Open AI loses copyright case in Germany.
Judge Elke Schwager summarized the case saying that if you want to build something and need components, "then you purchase them and do not use the property of others."
Judge Elke Schwager summarized the case saying that if you want to build something and need components, "then you purchase them and do not use the property of others."
Blow for OpenAI in Germany as court rules song lyrics used illegally
A German court ruled on Tuesday that OpenAI violated copyright on nine popular songs in a lawsuit that marked another attempt to prevent the free use of artists' content online. The Munich Regional Co...
www.yahoo.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Open AI loses copyright case in Germany.
Judge Elke Schwager summarized the case saying that if you want to build something and need components, "then you purchase them and do not use the property of others."
Judge Elke Schwager summarized the case saying that if you want to build something and need components, "then you purchase them and do not use the property of others."
“Many of the women say that they were pressured to have unwanted or unnecessary gynecological procedures while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement”
"They tried to shut me up by deporting me."
www.npr.org/2020/12/22/9...
www.npr.org/2020/12/22/9...
Dozens Of Women Allege Unwanted Surgeries And Medical Abuse In ICE Custody
More women are coming forward to say they were pressured to have reproductive surgeries they did not want or understand, offering a glimpse into alleged medical abuses at an ICE detention center.
www.npr.org
November 15, 2025 at 3:11 AM
“Many of the women say that they were pressured to have unwanted or unnecessary gynecological procedures while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement”
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
BREAKING: In AAUP et al v. Trump (wall-to-wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of TItle VI to reshape the University of California system), the faculty and staff of the UC system WON!!!
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:55 PM
BREAKING: In AAUP et al v. Trump (wall-to-wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of TItle VI to reshape the University of California system), the faculty and staff of the UC system WON!!!
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
I found my new epitaph:
"I was accused more than once by some Board members and the Governor’s office of being stubborn. Perhaps I am. But stubborn and principled often look the same, especially to those who are unprincipled."
"I was accused more than once by some Board members and the Governor’s office of being stubborn. Perhaps I am. But stubborn and principled often look the same, especially to those who are unprincipled."
Former UVA president Jim Ryan, who resigned over the summer due to pressure from the Trump Administration, just shared this 12-page letter with the Faculty Senate, detailing his experience with the Board of Visitors and DOJ.
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
I found my new epitaph:
"I was accused more than once by some Board members and the Governor’s office of being stubborn. Perhaps I am. But stubborn and principled often look the same, especially to those who are unprincipled."
"I was accused more than once by some Board members and the Governor’s office of being stubborn. Perhaps I am. But stubborn and principled often look the same, especially to those who are unprincipled."
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here: