Janet D. Stemwedel
@docfreeride.bsky.social
Academic philosopher, lapsed chemist, occasional science writer, perpetual ethics booster. All views my own. (she/her)
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
It's gotta be frustrating for journalists scraping by and doing great work to go to NY Times dot com and read a puff piece written by a nepo baby that whitewashes a journalist who had sex with a source and has now parlayed that into a new book and a job at Vanity Fair
November 14, 2025 at 6:07 PM
It's gotta be frustrating for journalists scraping by and doing great work to go to NY Times dot com and read a puff piece written by a nepo baby that whitewashes a journalist who had sex with a source and has now parlayed that into a new book and a job at Vanity Fair
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
I will no doubt read and enjoy all your very good Nuzzi jokes, but I also want to say earnestly, so many of us (myself included) are on the verge of being pushed out of this industry and it's genuinely so dispiriting to see the worst among us, ethics-wise, get such preferential treatment.
November 14, 2025 at 5:54 PM
I will no doubt read and enjoy all your very good Nuzzi jokes, but I also want to say earnestly, so many of us (myself included) are on the verge of being pushed out of this industry and it's genuinely so dispiriting to see the worst among us, ethics-wise, get such preferential treatment.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
In fact, one could and should write an entire book using @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social "Elite Capture" thesis to explain what went so terribly wrong in the top-down so-called immigrant rights "movement." How did a 2007 bipartisan consensus for reform lead to this? Spoiler: It wasn't activists' fault.
100%
One could apply exact same insight to the preposterous Cecilia Muñoz interview with David Leonhardt this week in NYT which, among other things, blamed Trumpism on anti-deportation activists who protested Obama's catastrophic deportation policy.
One could apply exact same insight to the preposterous Cecilia Muñoz interview with David Leonhardt this week in NYT which, among other things, blamed Trumpism on anti-deportation activists who protested Obama's catastrophic deportation policy.
one reason for "elite" as a category of analysis is to account for this flavor of thing. Nuzzi may not herself be a titan of industry or heiress to a ketchup fortune or whatever, but she's getting the impunity treatment because she's invited to those people's parties
November 14, 2025 at 6:21 PM
In fact, one could and should write an entire book using @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social "Elite Capture" thesis to explain what went so terribly wrong in the top-down so-called immigrant rights "movement." How did a 2007 bipartisan consensus for reform lead to this? Spoiler: It wasn't activists' fault.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
THE EUGENICIST'S GIRLFRIEND
by NORA EPHRON AND CARL BERNSTEIN'S SON
"Olivia Nuzzi loved him. She loved the eugenicist, even though she was a political reporter and he was then a presidential candidate she had written about."
THERE I FIXED IT FOR YOU, NYT
by NORA EPHRON AND CARL BERNSTEIN'S SON
"Olivia Nuzzi loved him. She loved the eugenicist, even though she was a political reporter and he was then a presidential candidate she had written about."
THERE I FIXED IT FOR YOU, NYT
November 14, 2025 at 6:16 PM
THE EUGENICIST'S GIRLFRIEND
by NORA EPHRON AND CARL BERNSTEIN'S SON
"Olivia Nuzzi loved him. She loved the eugenicist, even though she was a political reporter and he was then a presidential candidate she had written about."
THERE I FIXED IT FOR YOU, NYT
by NORA EPHRON AND CARL BERNSTEIN'S SON
"Olivia Nuzzi loved him. She loved the eugenicist, even though she was a political reporter and he was then a presidential candidate she had written about."
THERE I FIXED IT FOR YOU, NYT
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
Just in time for the meeting my school is having I’ve just learned is definitely about us incorporating AI into our workflow somehow
Finally! 🤩 Our position piece: Against the Uncritical Adoption of 'AI' Technologies in Academia:
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
November 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Just in time for the meeting my school is having I’ve just learned is definitely about us incorporating AI into our workflow somehow
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
academeblog.org/2025/11/13/t...
My colleague has captured what is currently happening at my institution. I have found the chipper rhetoric announcing it particularly depressing.
My colleague has captured what is currently happening at my institution. I have found the chipper rhetoric announcing it particularly depressing.
The Eternal Synergy of the Spotless Mind
BY ADAM RZEPKA A large public university is wiping out all of its humanities departments. It isn’t sure why. As I write this, our Interim Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS…
academeblog.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:07 PM
academeblog.org/2025/11/13/t...
My colleague has captured what is currently happening at my institution. I have found the chipper rhetoric announcing it particularly depressing.
My colleague has captured what is currently happening at my institution. I have found the chipper rhetoric announcing it particularly depressing.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
This week's Bitch Media reprint is so key to the archives we are trying to rebuild. Vanessa Willoughby writes on Black women's influence in punk culture--and the attempts to erase their influence over the years.
the-flytrap.ghost.io/loud-and-cle...
the-flytrap.ghost.io/loud-and-cle...
Loud and Clear
There is no punk without Black women.
the-flytrap.ghost.io
November 14, 2025 at 3:08 PM
This week's Bitch Media reprint is so key to the archives we are trying to rebuild. Vanessa Willoughby writes on Black women's influence in punk culture--and the attempts to erase their influence over the years.
the-flytrap.ghost.io/loud-and-cle...
the-flytrap.ghost.io/loud-and-cle...
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
It’s being reported that Greg Bovino and 250 of his goons will be leaving Chicago. But it’s also being reported that he’ll be back, in larger numbers. But Chicago is a boxer, tired but unbowed. I wrote about how we’ll be ready. dansinker.com/posts/202…
November 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
It’s being reported that Greg Bovino and 250 of his goons will be leaving Chicago. But it’s also being reported that he’ll be back, in larger numbers. But Chicago is a boxer, tired but unbowed. I wrote about how we’ll be ready. dansinker.com/posts/202…
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
And the humanities, specifically, subsidize STEM
Every dollar spent on public higher education, especially research universities, delivers far more in return. So simple. And yet it is all-but-impossible to convince politicians of either party to do the wise thing.
#edusky
kval.com/news/local/o...
#edusky
kval.com/news/local/o...
Oregon economy gets $3.7B boost from UO, contributing 1% of state's total economy
A report released in September says the University of Oregon (UO) is responsible for close to $3.7-Billion of Oregon's economy; that's roughly one-percent of Or
kval.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:08 PM
And the humanities, specifically, subsidize STEM
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
hellfire for everybody involved. sweet merciful Christ this is nightmare stuff
This is possibly the most fucked thing I've ever seen but also the bit at the end where the grandmother is straight up being tricked into providing training content for the app feels particularly revealing.
Nightmarish idea for a startup tbh
November 14, 2025 at 12:09 PM
hellfire for everybody involved. sweet merciful Christ this is nightmare stuff
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
💯 Except people skills are not rewarded nor seriously assessed in grant reviews or the tenure/promotion process. I am sick of watching this drive talented young people out of science and shatter their confidence.
November 14, 2025 at 12:03 PM
💯 Except people skills are not rewarded nor seriously assessed in grant reviews or the tenure/promotion process. I am sick of watching this drive talented young people out of science and shatter their confidence.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
The Trump administration plans to slash support for long-term housing programs and shift billions to short-term programs that impose work rules, help the police dismantle encampments, and require the homeless to accept treatment for mental health or addiction.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Trump Administration Expected to Drastically Cut Housing Grants
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:51 PM
The Trump administration plans to slash support for long-term housing programs and shift billions to short-term programs that impose work rules, help the police dismantle encampments, and require the homeless to accept treatment for mental health or addiction.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
Arguments in federal court today over the fate of @ppfa.org's Medicaid funding focused on whether Republicans illegally targeted the group.
“Congress does not get to choose public enemies and decide that they are going to target them for punishment.”
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
“Congress does not get to choose public enemies and decide that they are going to target them for punishment.”
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: Appeals court weighs fate of Planned Parenthood’s funding
The hearing comes as clinics around the country lay off staff, reduce hours, and shut their doors.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Arguments in federal court today over the fate of @ppfa.org's Medicaid funding focused on whether Republicans illegally targeted the group.
“Congress does not get to choose public enemies and decide that they are going to target them for punishment.”
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
“Congress does not get to choose public enemies and decide that they are going to target them for punishment.”
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
In fact, polling data shows over two thirds of Americans are concerned about housing costs. That number has spiked fairly dramatically in recent years. www.pewresearch.org/politics/202...
Economic ratings and concerns
Americans continue to view the economy negatively, with majorities concerned about housing, food and consumer good costs.
www.pewresearch.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:27 AM
In fact, polling data shows over two thirds of Americans are concerned about housing costs. That number has spiked fairly dramatically in recent years. www.pewresearch.org/politics/202...
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
UF researchers coauthor more papers with authors based in China than with those based in any other other country in the world. This policy would wreck US science.
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations
Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students
www.science.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:45 AM
UF researchers coauthor more papers with authors based in China than with those based in any other other country in the world. This policy would wreck US science.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
The atheist movement new Lawrence Krauss was a problem back in 2013
He threatened to sue me after I named names
Adding to the stress of my PhD, my mother dying of cancer, and other sexist atheist men harassing me... It's why I quit blogging
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/pete...
He threatened to sue me after I named names
Adding to the stress of my PhD, my mother dying of cancer, and other sexist atheist men harassing me... It's why I quit blogging
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/pete...
Celebrity Atheist Lawrence Krauss Accused Of Sexual Misconduct For Over A Decade
Lawrence Krauss is a famous atheist and liberal crusader — and, in certain whisper networks, a well-known problem. With women coming forward alleging sexual harassment, will his “skeptic” fanbase beli...
www.buzzfeednews.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM
The atheist movement new Lawrence Krauss was a problem back in 2013
He threatened to sue me after I named names
Adding to the stress of my PhD, my mother dying of cancer, and other sexist atheist men harassing me... It's why I quit blogging
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/pete...
He threatened to sue me after I named names
Adding to the stress of my PhD, my mother dying of cancer, and other sexist atheist men harassing me... It's why I quit blogging
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/pete...
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
The Epstein case against Trump is as if everyone is looking at a 500 piece puzzle with 2 pieces missing and pretending they can't make out the picture for certain.
November 14, 2025 at 1:45 AM
The Epstein case against Trump is as if everyone is looking at a 500 piece puzzle with 2 pieces missing and pretending they can't make out the picture for certain.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
I say it over and over again: when you have that much money, you want to live where you want to live and you are simply not going to relocate because of marginal tax rates
Alan Dershowitz will never leave Martha’s Vineyard and they won’t even sell him a pierogi
Alan Dershowitz will never leave Martha’s Vineyard and they won’t even sell him a pierogi
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:24 AM
I say it over and over again: when you have that much money, you want to live where you want to live and you are simply not going to relocate because of marginal tax rates
Alan Dershowitz will never leave Martha’s Vineyard and they won’t even sell him a pierogi
Alan Dershowitz will never leave Martha’s Vineyard and they won’t even sell him a pierogi
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
"What if one of YOUR favorite politicians/celebrities/etc is on the list?" Did you all not notice how quickly we dropped Neil Gaiman when we found out about the things he did? Do you know how beloved that guy used to be and how loathed he is now? I think that right there should answer your question.
November 13, 2025 at 5:58 AM
"What if one of YOUR favorite politicians/celebrities/etc is on the list?" Did you all not notice how quickly we dropped Neil Gaiman when we found out about the things he did? Do you know how beloved that guy used to be and how loathed he is now? I think that right there should answer your question.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
Behold the atmospheric river rolling into California today.. a firehose of moisture wrapped into the rotation of an extratropical cyclone. 🌀🌧️🌧️🌧️
November 13, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Behold the atmospheric river rolling into California today.. a firehose of moisture wrapped into the rotation of an extratropical cyclone. 🌀🌧️🌧️🌧️
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
This number is completely made up. There are not 30 million undocumented immigrants. The most recent estimates are around 14 million, of which roughly 8 million people have been here for over a decade.
Vance is not a fool. He knows this. DHS produces official estimates. They don’t say 30 million.
Vance is not a fool. He knows this. DHS produces official estimates. They don’t say 30 million.
JD Vance: "A lot of young people are saying housing is way too expensive. Why is that? Because we flooded the country with 30 million illegal immigrants who were taking houses that ought by right go to American citizens."
November 14, 2025 at 3:07 AM
This number is completely made up. There are not 30 million undocumented immigrants. The most recent estimates are around 14 million, of which roughly 8 million people have been here for over a decade.
Vance is not a fool. He knows this. DHS produces official estimates. They don’t say 30 million.
Vance is not a fool. He knows this. DHS produces official estimates. They don’t say 30 million.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
"According to project scientists working on NASA's next generation Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.. they were given only four days to empty a mission-critical laboratory." www.space.com/space-explor...
'This all must end now.' NASA lab closures at Goddard Space Flight Center under Congressional scrutiny
A congressional letter is putting NASA on blast.
www.space.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:17 AM
"According to project scientists working on NASA's next generation Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.. they were given only four days to empty a mission-critical laboratory." www.space.com/space-explor...
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
NEW — I spoke to DoorDash about the White House claiming the company's report shows "inflation has been tamed" and whether that's an interpretation one should make. An economist also weighed in, pointing out dictatorships use data obfuscation as a tool, and right now they're "grasping at straws."
WH claims 'inflation tamed,' per DoorDash stats. Company says that's not in its report.
It comes the same week we learned the WH would likely not release key economic reports for October.
www.thehandbasket.co
November 13, 2025 at 9:52 PM
NEW — I spoke to DoorDash about the White House claiming the company's report shows "inflation has been tamed" and whether that's an interpretation one should make. An economist also weighed in, pointing out dictatorships use data obfuscation as a tool, and right now they're "grasping at straws."
Real talk: to the extent that academics engage in anything resembling either teaching or knowledge-building, they absolutely need people skills.
November 14, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Real talk: to the extent that academics engage in anything resembling either teaching or knowledge-building, they absolutely need people skills.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
Those of us who are SA survivors are used to the mass shrug in response to even the most overt evidence of horrific behavior. Epstein's crimes and the complicity of many influential figures involved have been known for decades (’05 to be exact). It's never mustered much interest or consequence.
November 14, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Those of us who are SA survivors are used to the mass shrug in response to even the most overt evidence of horrific behavior. Epstein's crimes and the complicity of many influential figures involved have been known for decades (’05 to be exact). It's never mustered much interest or consequence.