But Poe turns out to be Leia, and Finn turns out to be Han — and they shuffled the Force-sensitivity of those two around.

I am perpetually surprised that people don’t recognize this. I mean, the end of RotJ is a pretty transparent Vietnam allegory.

I always pedantically insist on calling these things LLMs. Ir sometimes just “algorithms.” Or even “chatbots.”

Facts and Explanations in International Studies...and beyond The politicizing of facts and factual claims has led some to abandon all talk of a meaningful distinction between a fact and a strongly held political commitment. This book argues that what we need, i...

Yep. www.routledge.com/Facts-and-Ex...

I want to organize a panel for ISA 2026 on the intersection of (international) politics and theology. Theological takes on political issues, theology as informing or shaping politics, etc. My paper will be on disenchantment, maybe (sub)titled "rescuing Weber from the Weberians." Anyone interested?

Hello academic friends and colleagues -- quick reminder that I am teaching an online philosophy of science course this summer. Yes, it's online, but features synchronous class sessions for actual discussion. Registration deadline is 13 May; here's more information: methodsnet.org/course/on-01...

This is now our reality.

Support excellent independent journalism! In the few weeks I’ve been a paid subscriber she’s already broken several important stories.

Person wearing stormtrooper armor with a sign that says "THIS EMPIRE SUCKS"

Best sign from Strongsville Ohio Hands Off protest 4/5/25

@katkusic.bsky.social

@uofmpress.bsky.social

Amidst all the awfulness, it’s good to see two new books published on my Configurations series!

American Foreign Policy Is Being Run by the Dumbest Motherfuckers Alive The fuckwittery on display right now by Trump's foreign policy team boggles the mind.

For the AM crowd: danieldrezner.substack.com/p/american-f...

Doonesbury

Doonesbury gets it.

Beat me to it.

H/T @ericbeltmann.bsky.social CC: @abradschwartz.bsky.social

Three books and dozens of my articles. Aargh.

53 works of mine — three books and dozens of articles.

53 works of mine — three books, dozens of articles.

Letter signed by members of the Columbia History Department urging resistance to the Trump Administration's efforts to dictate university policy.

"Should this control be realized, here or elsewhere, it would make any real historical scholarship, teaching, and intellectual community impossible."

When it happens and others notice it, you will have noticed it first. And that’s why I am a paid subscriber :-)

I'm going to be teaching an online course this summer through MethodsNET, entitled "Knowing and the Known: Facts and Explanations in the Social Sciences." The synchronous portion runs 30 June - 4 July. Details and registration information here: methodsnet.org/course/on-01...

I had the pleasure of engaging with Sandra several times, including a particularly memorable dinner with her and Ann Tickner during which we discussed the boundaries and politics of “science.” She also virtually visited my class on more than one occasion. A brilliant thinker and a powerful voice.

“Incompatible” migrants. JFC.

I am ashamed to be an alumnus of Columbia University. Instead of fighting back, their leadership is bowing down.

It’s almost as though they want to eliminate any avenue for the development of substantive, valid knowledge about anything. Oh, wait. It is exactly that.

Under Trump, AI Scientists Are Told to Remove ‘Ideological Bias’ From Powerful Models A directive from the National Institute of Standards and Technology eliminates mention of “AI safety” and “AI fairness.”

Good time to subscribe to @wired.com
www.wired.com/story/ai-saf...

Original story referenced in the post: bsky.app/profile/jame...

Hate to say it but this observation is almost certainly accurate.

The Political Roots of Dr. Seuss To mark Dr. Seuss Day, we spoke with SIS professor Patrick Thaddeus Jackson, to break down how Geisel’s whimsical drawings and silly rhymes reflected serious global issues that continue to resonate, e...

My school’s media people asked me to say a few words about Dr. Seuss and politics in honor of his birthday yesterday. Happy to oblige.