Shobita Parthasarathy
@shobitap.org
Science & tech politics/policy incl patents. Author: next book on politics of inclusive innovation/tech for equity. #STS scholar. Prof & Director, Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program, U of Michigan. Expert Voices columnist, Science. shobitap.org
Pinned
Shobita Parthasarathy
@shobitap.org
· Sep 18
Beware the drive to scale technology
When it comes to technology, scalability—its capacity to be standardized and then distributed en masse and across contexts—is the ultimate goal. Scientists and engineers view scalability as the route ...
www.science.org
I am a new Expert Voices columnist @science.org and my first article just came out! In it, I argue that scaling technology has a dark side, particularly when it comes to alleviating inequality and injustice. And I suggest what scientists, engineers, and policymakers can do about it.
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
To learn more about The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures and social, political, and ethical implications of SMRs, join us for a webinar with the authors on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 12pm ET / 9am PT / 6pm CET. Register at myumi.ch/2rp9w.
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the web...
Announcing The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures, the fourth report from University of Michigan Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program's Technology Asses...
myumi.ch
November 18, 2025 at 9:14 PM
To learn more about The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures and social, political, and ethical implications of SMRs, join us for a webinar with the authors on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 12pm ET / 9am PT / 6pm CET. Register at myumi.ch/2rp9w.
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
We are thrilled to announce the publication of The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures, STPP's latest Technology Assessment Project report, in partnership with the University of Michigan's Fastest Path to Zero Initiative. myumi.ch/AdvancedNucl...
The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures
myumi.ch
November 18, 2025 at 9:12 PM
We are thrilled to announce the publication of The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures, STPP's latest Technology Assessment Project report, in partnership with the University of Michigan's Fastest Path to Zero Initiative. myumi.ch/AdvancedNucl...
And as a result it demonstrates the ridiculousness of using LLMs to analyze and monitor public opinion...
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 18, 2025 at 10:03 PM
And as a result it demonstrates the ridiculousness of using LLMs to analyze and monitor public opinion...
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 18, 2025 at 7:16 PM
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
I learned so much about nuclear energy and the history of an incredible assortment of technologies (dynamite! cook stoves! sewers!) working on this project, and I am so glad that it is finally out in the world.
We are thrilled to announce the publication of The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures, STPP's latest Technology Assessment Project report, in partnership with the University of Michigan's Fastest Path to Zero Initiative. myumi.ch/AdvancedNucl...
The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures
myumi.ch
November 18, 2025 at 9:52 PM
I learned so much about nuclear energy and the history of an incredible assortment of technologies (dynamite! cook stoves! sewers!) working on this project, and I am so glad that it is finally out in the world.
I am so proud of this 🚨new report🚨, and its analysis of the environmental, social, economic, and justice impacts of advanced nuclear reactors, frequently touted as simple solutions to the problems of climate change, energy needs, and data centers. Learn more at our Dec 11th webinar! myumi.ch/2rp9w
November 18, 2025 at 9:30 PM
I am so proud of this 🚨new report🚨, and its analysis of the environmental, social, economic, and justice impacts of advanced nuclear reactors, frequently touted as simple solutions to the problems of climate change, energy needs, and data centers. Learn more at our Dec 11th webinar! myumi.ch/2rp9w
Universities are paying social scientists and humanists to produce the scholarship that feeds AI, and then purchasing this AI to train students.
Not unlike what is happening to computer scientists, except that faculty were already experiencing a long decline in opportunities.
Not unlike what is happening to computer scientists, except that faculty were already experiencing a long decline in opportunities.
November 18, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Universities are paying social scientists and humanists to produce the scholarship that feeds AI, and then purchasing this AI to train students.
Not unlike what is happening to computer scientists, except that faculty were already experiencing a long decline in opportunities.
Not unlike what is happening to computer scientists, except that faculty were already experiencing a long decline in opportunities.
How dystopian. Apparently the Charlotte ICE operation is called Charlotte's Web.
November 17, 2025 at 12:31 PM
How dystopian. Apparently the Charlotte ICE operation is called Charlotte's Web.
There are about 1000 Epstein survivors. One thousand.
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 17, 2025 at 2:06 AM
There are about 1000 Epstein survivors. One thousand.
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
This is all so tragic and disgusting, but what jumped out to me was this paragraph. The adversarial legal process does not serve victims (here, and I'm also thinking about Title IX complaints).
Gift link to NYT article on Gaetz and his victim: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
Gift link to NYT article on Gaetz and his victim: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
November 13, 2025 at 7:39 PM
This is all so tragic and disgusting, but what jumped out to me was this paragraph. The adversarial legal process does not serve victims (here, and I'm also thinking about Title IX complaints).
Gift link to NYT article on Gaetz and his victim: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
Gift link to NYT article on Gaetz and his victim: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
This project was fueled by RAGE
RAGE whenever I read or heard about (another) abuse of power by faculty
RAGE whenever I was asked to discuss a paper about gender wage differentials that attributed gaps to "preferences" with no consideration of how "preferences" are formed
RAGE whenever I read or heard about (another) abuse of power by faculty
RAGE whenever I was asked to discuss a paper about gender wage differentials that attributed gaps to "preferences" with no consideration of how "preferences" are formed
📣 New NBER Working Paper out today 📣
"The Consequences of Faculty Sexual Misconduct"
Sarah Cohodes & Katherine Leu
"The Consequences of Faculty Sexual Misconduct"
Sarah Cohodes & Katherine Leu
November 11, 2025 at 2:38 PM
This project was fueled by RAGE
RAGE whenever I read or heard about (another) abuse of power by faculty
RAGE whenever I was asked to discuss a paper about gender wage differentials that attributed gaps to "preferences" with no consideration of how "preferences" are formed
RAGE whenever I read or heard about (another) abuse of power by faculty
RAGE whenever I was asked to discuss a paper about gender wage differentials that attributed gaps to "preferences" with no consideration of how "preferences" are formed
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
We're hiring in history of science at UW Madison! TT Assistant Professorship with a focus on water. Joint appointment between the History and Integrated Liberal Studies depts, and part of a university-wide hiring cluster on earth/sustainability science. jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/profess... #STS #HSMT
Professor of History - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Job Category:FacultyEmployment Type:Regula...
jobs.wisc.edu
November 6, 2025 at 7:37 PM
We're hiring in history of science at UW Madison! TT Assistant Professorship with a focus on water. Joint appointment between the History and Integrated Liberal Studies depts, and part of a university-wide hiring cluster on earth/sustainability science. jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/profess... #STS #HSMT
Dear Senators @kshaheen.bsky.social @kaine.senate.gov @cortezmasto.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov @rosen.senate.gov @fetterman.senate.gov @hassan.senate.gov @senangusking.bsky.social
a cartoon girl in a blue dress is kneeling in a field holding a bag
ALT: a cartoon girl in a blue dress is kneeling in a field holding a bag
media.tenor.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Just left messages for Peters and Slotkin.
An important point, even if your Senator is not on list:
Shaheen (D-NH), Ossoff (D-GA), Peters (D-MI), Kelly (D-AZ), Hassan (D-NH), Welch (D-VT), Baldwin (D-WI), and Slotkin (D-MI).
Retirees and bad instincts (Plus GA and AZ)
Shaheen (D-NH), Ossoff (D-GA), Peters (D-MI), Kelly (D-AZ), Hassan (D-NH), Welch (D-VT), Baldwin (D-WI), and Slotkin (D-MI).
Retirees and bad instincts (Plus GA and AZ)
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Just left messages for Peters and Slotkin.
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
We underestimate Ratatouille's influence in stimulating the US appetite for haute cuisine.
November 9, 2025 at 4:44 PM
We underestimate Ratatouille's influence in stimulating the US appetite for haute cuisine.
In between #4 and #5 I would add-
4a: Does the world REALLY need another book?
4b: Huh, there are some interesting things here. Someone should write a book about this.
4c: Terror
4d: seemingly endless loop between 4a-4c.
4a: Does the world REALLY need another book?
4b: Huh, there are some interesting things here. Someone should write a book about this.
4c: Terror
4d: seemingly endless loop between 4a-4c.
November 9, 2025 at 11:47 AM
In between #4 and #5 I would add-
4a: Does the world REALLY need another book?
4b: Huh, there are some interesting things here. Someone should write a book about this.
4c: Terror
4d: seemingly endless loop between 4a-4c.
4a: Does the world REALLY need another book?
4b: Huh, there are some interesting things here. Someone should write a book about this.
4c: Terror
4d: seemingly endless loop between 4a-4c.
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
This essay is wonderfully written, and lays bare the media’s impoverished understanding of objectivity, i.e., reporting on “both sides”—which the right manipulates to its advantage.
A charming essay by the former chair of Africana studies at Bowdoin College about the New York Times crafting elitist propaganda.
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:40 PM
This essay is wonderfully written, and lays bare the media’s impoverished understanding of objectivity, i.e., reporting on “both sides”—which the right manipulates to its advantage.
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
A charming essay by the former chair of Africana studies at Bowdoin College about the New York Times crafting elitist propaganda.
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:56 PM
A charming essay by the former chair of Africana studies at Bowdoin College about the New York Times crafting elitist propaganda.
Apparently we are MAGFW. I asked a vinery guide in France about whether the Tr#mp tariffs were affecting vineyards. He said no.
Instead, he said, US wine importers are leaving the business.
Making America Great without Foreign Wine.
Instead, he said, US wine importers are leaving the business.
Making America Great without Foreign Wine.
November 7, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Apparently we are MAGFW. I asked a vinery guide in France about whether the Tr#mp tariffs were affecting vineyards. He said no.
Instead, he said, US wine importers are leaving the business.
Making America Great without Foreign Wine.
Instead, he said, US wine importers are leaving the business.
Making America Great without Foreign Wine.
It’s getting harder to refuse facial recognition on Delta flights. If you want to do this, be sure to have your boarding pass and ID/passport ready so you don’t annoy the people behind you.
November 2, 2025 at 1:02 AM
It’s getting harder to refuse facial recognition on Delta flights. If you want to do this, be sure to have your boarding pass and ID/passport ready so you don’t annoy the people behind you.
Reposted by Shobita Parthasarathy
Eminently reasonable proposed principles for professors’ use of AI, from a student refusinggenai.wordpress.com/2025/08/29/a...
October 31, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Eminently reasonable proposed principles for professors’ use of AI, from a student refusinggenai.wordpress.com/2025/08/29/a...
If billionaires can fund the military, why can't they fund SNAP?
October 31, 2025 at 3:03 PM
If billionaires can fund the military, why can't they fund SNAP?