Kush
@kksoodlaw.bsky.social
Lawyer, lecturer, still plotting my escape from the grind
Reposted by Kush
There are no quick fixes for fascism - our charge is to confront and uproot the criminalization that underlies and drives it within and beyond borders.
Democrats are suggesting reforms for ICE, but the reality is: abolition is the way forward, not reform.
Read the latest from our co-founder Andrea J. Ritchie in @thenation.com!
Read the latest from our co-founder Andrea J. Ritchie in @thenation.com!
Abolition Is Still the Only Way Out of This
Forget the useless so-called “reforms” to ICE and policing currently on offer. We need much more fundamental change.
www.thenation.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:48 PM
There are no quick fixes for fascism - our charge is to confront and uproot the criminalization that underlies and drives it within and beyond borders.
Inspired by the Windrush scandal over the pond...
When the Supreme Court allowed immigration agents to consider race during sweeps, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said that citizens shouldn’t be concerned because agents will “promptly let the individual go.”
For these Americans, that wasn’t true.
(Published Oct. 2025)
For these Americans, that wasn’t true.
(Published Oct. 2025)
More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And near...
www.propublica.org
February 13, 2026 at 6:05 AM
Inspired by the Windrush scandal over the pond...
Reposted by Kush
1 of 5 @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social picket lines @northumbriauni.bsky.social today, in the rain, unbowed, undaunted. We go again tomorrow.
February 12, 2026 at 3:51 PM
1 of 5 @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social picket lines @northumbriauni.bsky.social today, in the rain, unbowed, undaunted. We go again tomorrow.
One of the interesting things about studying and lecturing at the same time is that you can offset the gaslighting from managers with thoughtful feedback from your own lecturers!
February 11, 2026 at 2:33 PM
One of the interesting things about studying and lecturing at the same time is that you can offset the gaslighting from managers with thoughtful feedback from your own lecturers!
Reposted by Kush
UoL colleagues: please complete the Staff Experience Survey (open until the 27th).
If you have views on One University values, workplace culture or trust in leadership, this is your chance to say how things really feel. The more staff who respond, the harder the results are to ignore.
If you have views on One University values, workplace culture or trust in leadership, this is your chance to say how things really feel. The more staff who respond, the harder the results are to ignore.
February 11, 2026 at 10:31 AM
UoL colleagues: please complete the Staff Experience Survey (open until the 27th).
If you have views on One University values, workplace culture or trust in leadership, this is your chance to say how things really feel. The more staff who respond, the harder the results are to ignore.
If you have views on One University values, workplace culture or trust in leadership, this is your chance to say how things really feel. The more staff who respond, the harder the results are to ignore.
Reposted by Kush
The Real Cost of the UK’s ‘Free AI Training for All’ is Democracy
via @elinorcarmi.bsky.social and co. Thank you for writing this.
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-cos...
via @elinorcarmi.bsky.social and co. Thank you for writing this.
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-cos...
The Real Cost of the UK’s ‘Free AI Training for All’ is Democracy
Researchers argue the UK's 'AI Skills Hub' should be re-thought with input from civil society groups and public interest organizations.
www.techpolicy.press
February 10, 2026 at 6:55 PM
The Real Cost of the UK’s ‘Free AI Training for All’ is Democracy
via @elinorcarmi.bsky.social and co. Thank you for writing this.
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-cos...
via @elinorcarmi.bsky.social and co. Thank you for writing this.
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-cos...
Binged that BBC adaptation of Lord of the Flies, not because it was particularly good but more out of morbid curiosity. The kind of show where reviewers say "the real star of the show is the island itself".
February 10, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Binged that BBC adaptation of Lord of the Flies, not because it was particularly good but more out of morbid curiosity. The kind of show where reviewers say "the real star of the show is the island itself".
Reposted by Kush
It's been clear for some time that sustained use of AI for knowledge work de-motivates and de-skills. Even among academics, the last population I'd expect to allow such atrophy, folks are now reduced to playing cynical games with the language machine and justifying it via the grant hamster wheel.
NEW on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson explores the growing evidence that AI isn't just changing what students produce – it's changing what their brains are ready to do, and asks whether HE can redesign itself around a question it has been avoiding for decades buff.ly/uHtisNU
February 9, 2026 at 9:17 AM
It's been clear for some time that sustained use of AI for knowledge work de-motivates and de-skills. Even among academics, the last population I'd expect to allow such atrophy, folks are now reduced to playing cynical games with the language machine and justifying it via the grant hamster wheel.
Reposted by Kush
these men—and let’s be clear, it’s basically men—are not interested in investing in public spaces for mass good. why would they, when they can create their own bunkers and network states, without having to consider the needs or wants of anyone but themselves?
they are fundamentally antidemocratic
they are fundamentally antidemocratic
Real-Estate Shopping for the Apocalypse
Thirty-nine per cent of Americans believe that we’re living in end times, and the market for underground hideouts is heating up.
www.newyorker.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:14 PM
these men—and let’s be clear, it’s basically men—are not interested in investing in public spaces for mass good. why would they, when they can create their own bunkers and network states, without having to consider the needs or wants of anyone but themselves?
they are fundamentally antidemocratic
they are fundamentally antidemocratic
Reposted by Kush
This is honestly quite hilarious to read as an African, sir! When has “human life” ever been more the organizing principle for global politics? Do you mean White life? I'm sure that Black and Brown people would disagree.
Grigory Yavlinsky warns that the postwar order is collapsing and that human life is no longer the organizing principle of global politics.
https://bit.ly/4ahwNdc
https://bit.ly/4ahwNdc
“We Are All Passengers on the Titanic”
An interview with Grigory Yavlinsky.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 7:12 PM
This is honestly quite hilarious to read as an African, sir! When has “human life” ever been more the organizing principle for global politics? Do you mean White life? I'm sure that Black and Brown people would disagree.
Taking every ounce of my energy to watch mitchell and machines with my 9yo like a normal person, without pointing out that its white saviourism, cynical racialised casting (do you call it casting in a cartoon?) and fixation on sentient AI is harmful to society 🤓
February 7, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Taking every ounce of my energy to watch mitchell and machines with my 9yo like a normal person, without pointing out that its white saviourism, cynical racialised casting (do you call it casting in a cartoon?) and fixation on sentient AI is harmful to society 🤓
Reposted by Kush
This is bleak: Jes Staley, currently CEO of Barclays, reassuring Epstein that popular revolt against financial elites is unlikely because capitalism and pop culture have defanged social movements, leaving people more invested in consumption than justice.
February 6, 2026 at 10:23 PM
This is bleak: Jes Staley, currently CEO of Barclays, reassuring Epstein that popular revolt against financial elites is unlikely because capitalism and pop culture have defanged social movements, leaving people more invested in consumption than justice.
Reposted by Kush
"Firms deliberately operate from small cities & towns, where rents & labor costs are lower & a growing pool of 1st-gen grads are seeking jobs. Improvements in internet connectivity made it possible to plug these locations directly into global AI supply chains, w/o relocating workers to cities."
‘In the end, you feel blank’: India’s female workers watching hours of abusive content to train AI
‘In the end, you feel blank’: India’s female workers watching hours of abusive content to train AI
Women in rural communities describe trauma of moderating violent and pornographic content for global tech companies
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:24 PM
"Firms deliberately operate from small cities & towns, where rents & labor costs are lower & a growing pool of 1st-gen grads are seeking jobs. Improvements in internet connectivity made it possible to plug these locations directly into global AI supply chains, w/o relocating workers to cities."
Reposted by Kush
In the UK, exacerbated by a democratic and accountability deficit, racist policies, and a crumbling financial model.
It feels like it's been impossible to get people outside of higher ed to understand that eliminating staff/programs/majors is primarily an ideological project, whatever claims are made about finances.
What's happened at the Post is what's been happening in higher ed for ages.
What's happened at the Post is what's been happening in higher ed for ages.
February 5, 2026 at 2:49 PM
In the UK, exacerbated by a democratic and accountability deficit, racist policies, and a crumbling financial model.
Reposted by Kush
Not just a university restructure but a coastal town losing its future.
Rally tomorrow, 12–1pm, The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend (SS1 1NS).
Be there.
Rally tomorrow, 12–1pm, The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend (SS1 1NS).
Be there.
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Not just a university restructure but a coastal town losing its future.
Rally tomorrow, 12–1pm, The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend (SS1 1NS).
Be there.
Rally tomorrow, 12–1pm, The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend (SS1 1NS).
Be there.
Reposted by Kush
To our fellow health workers, and all those showing us the real meaning of community care in the USA: we stand with you because we know our struggles are the same.
www.medact.org/2026/blogs/f...
www.medact.org/2026/blogs/f...
In Solidarity – From UK Health Workers to US Health Workers Resisting ICE - Medact
In offering our grief and solidarity, we re-commit ourselves to standing with all our fellow health workers resisting fascism, from Minneapolis to Gaza.
www.medact.org
February 3, 2026 at 5:16 PM
To our fellow health workers, and all those showing us the real meaning of community care in the USA: we stand with you because we know our struggles are the same.
www.medact.org/2026/blogs/f...
www.medact.org/2026/blogs/f...
Reposted by Kush
Three anti-fascist activists have accused undercover police officer Carlo Soracchi, who spent six years infiltrating anti-fascist and leftwing groups, of attempting to incite them to firebomb a shop that was said to be a front for the far right www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Police spy tried to incite activists to firebomb shop, UK inquiry hears
Carlo Soracchi, who infiltrated anti-fascist group in early 2000s, accused of suggesting crime as he had ‘got nothing’
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Three anti-fascist activists have accused undercover police officer Carlo Soracchi, who spent six years infiltrating anti-fascist and leftwing groups, of attempting to incite them to firebomb a shop that was said to be a front for the far right www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Millers Crossing. Never been able to get one non-Dad to sit through more than 10 minutes of it.
What’s everyone’s favorite dad movie
Trying to do a daily dumb little prompt to not think about The Horrors
February 4, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Millers Crossing. Never been able to get one non-Dad to sit through more than 10 minutes of it.
Reposted by Kush
Senior managers spend almost £14,000 on attending awards dinner in Edinburgh.
The University’s senior personnel attended the Times Higher Education Awards on 13 November in Edinburgh. We wrote to the Finance Director, on 1 December seeking the full cost to the University of attendance at the event
The University’s senior personnel attended the Times Higher Education Awards on 13 November in Edinburgh. We wrote to the Finance Director, on 1 December seeking the full cost to the University of attendance at the event
February 3, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Senior managers spend almost £14,000 on attending awards dinner in Edinburgh.
The University’s senior personnel attended the Times Higher Education Awards on 13 November in Edinburgh. We wrote to the Finance Director, on 1 December seeking the full cost to the University of attendance at the event
The University’s senior personnel attended the Times Higher Education Awards on 13 November in Edinburgh. We wrote to the Finance Director, on 1 December seeking the full cost to the University of attendance at the event
Reposted by Kush
And I'm also not in charge of the university, but I also feel like maybe the people who are in charge of making financial choices for the university should be the ones who face the consequences of these horrible decisions. Not staff, not students, not faculty, not the community.
February 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
And I'm also not in charge of the university, but I also feel like maybe the people who are in charge of making financial choices for the university should be the ones who face the consequences of these horrible decisions. Not staff, not students, not faculty, not the community.
Reposted by Kush
Solidarity with staff at Sheffield who are facing similar brutalising pay deductions for ASOS to those we have experienced @qmucu.bsky.social
Punishing staff with 💯 pay deductions on days they are working but protecting their rights to take industrial action says a lot about failing uni leadership!
Punishing staff with 💯 pay deductions on days they are working but protecting their rights to take industrial action says a lot about failing uni leadership!
@sheffielducu.bsky.social accuses managers of "bullying tactics" after staff told they will face further pay deductions for not rescheduling teaching missed during industrial action www.timeshighereducation.com/news/sheffie... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Sheffield strikers lose more pay for not rearranging teaching
University accuses staff of ‘breach of contract’ for failing to reorganise lectures lost during recent industrial action
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Solidarity with staff at Sheffield who are facing similar brutalising pay deductions for ASOS to those we have experienced @qmucu.bsky.social
Punishing staff with 💯 pay deductions on days they are working but protecting their rights to take industrial action says a lot about failing uni leadership!
Punishing staff with 💯 pay deductions on days they are working but protecting their rights to take industrial action says a lot about failing uni leadership!
Reposted by Kush
Stronger together ✊
Hear from #LboroUCU members on why union membership matters and how we support each other.
Be part of it: ucu.lboro.ac.uk/join/
@ucu.org.uk #UCU #JoinAUnion
Hear from #LboroUCU members on why union membership matters and how we support each other.
Be part of it: ucu.lboro.ac.uk/join/
@ucu.org.uk #UCU #JoinAUnion
February 3, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Stronger together ✊
Hear from #LboroUCU members on why union membership matters and how we support each other.
Be part of it: ucu.lboro.ac.uk/join/
@ucu.org.uk #UCU #JoinAUnion
Hear from #LboroUCU members on why union membership matters and how we support each other.
Be part of it: ucu.lboro.ac.uk/join/
@ucu.org.uk #UCU #JoinAUnion
Reposted by Kush
@sheffielducu.bsky.social Colleagues are still locked out and receiving no pay as they continue to be involved in industrial action. Please donate and share widely where you can.🙏
www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...
www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...
Donate to Support University of Sheffield striking staff!, organized by Mark Pendleton
I'm the branch treasurer for the University of Sheffield University and… Mark Pendleton needs your support for Support University of Sheffield striking staff!
www.gofundme.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:51 PM
@sheffielducu.bsky.social Colleagues are still locked out and receiving no pay as they continue to be involved in industrial action. Please donate and share widely where you can.🙏
www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...
www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...
Reposted by Kush
and it's okay to have the desire to personify robots. just don't mistake your projection and desire for inherent qualities of a machine
This appears to be the underlying basis for most advocacy of #robotrights / personification of chatbots etc. Calling this relationalism just masks the fact that human desires / perceptions produce the effects: it is the wish-fulfilling transfer of human (or simply, living) qualities to machines.
February 2, 2026 at 6:39 PM
and it's okay to have the desire to personify robots. just don't mistake your projection and desire for inherent qualities of a machine