Christine Harold

Pranksters vs. Autocrats by Srdja Popovic and Sophia A. McClennen | eBook | Cornell University Press The Lawrence and Lynne Brown Democracy Medal, presented by the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State, recognizes outstanding individuals, groups, and organizations that produce innovations....

Pranksters vs. autocrats, for the win!

Right now, you can download a free copy of this book from the Cornell University Press website:

www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...

Many thanks to @cornellupress.bsky.social

In Defense of ‘Silly’ Science Basic research and the value of curiosity.

"We are witnessing the dismantling of a system that once made space for pure curiosity. But if we lose our commitment to basic research, we risk stalling the very engine of innovation that has propelled us forward for generations." www.chronicle.com/article/in-d...

📌Thanks!

Me too! The aesthetic is 60s but the message is evergreen.

Clip from “Chromophobia,” by Raul Servais (1966). On reclaiming creativity and hope from those who aim to drain it from you.

Via @an.i.mat.tion (IG)

Agreed! He’s got others, too. All great!

He’s got a bunch of them. All good!

It really says a lot with very little.

War(s) on terror
by @raphaelerba.bsky.social

Judge orders release of UW lab tech from ICE custody An immigration judge ordered Lewelyn Dixon's release from ICE custody on Thursday.

Lewelyn Dixon has been released!

The University of Washington lab technician was held in ICE custody since Feb. 28.

“Welcome, members of the Class of 2025… from down the street, across the country, and around the world. Around the world, just as it should be.”

Trump administration cancels plans to develop a bird flu vaccine The Department of Health and Human Services is ending a $766 million contract with the vaccine company Moderna to develop an mRNA vaccine for flu strains with pandemic potential, including bird flu.

22 years ago I pivoted from working on antibiotic resistance to pandemic viruses.

Since then, I've argued that if we care about saving US lives in expectation, advance capacity for producing bird flu vaccine offers by far the greatest expected return on investment.

...

We were so goddamn close.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has undertaken a review of its award portfolio. Each award was carefully and individually reviewed, and the agency has determined that termination of certain awards is necessary because they are not in alignment with current NSF priorities. Effective immediately, the following are terminated: NSF AWARD ID: 2120496 NSF is issuing this termination to protect the interests of the government pursuant to NSF Grant General Conditions (GC-1) term and condition entitled 'Termination and Enforcement,' on the basis that they no longer effectuate the program goals or agency priorities. This is the final agency decision and not subject to appeal. Costs incurred as a result of this termination may be reimbursed, provided such costs would otherwise be allowable under the terms of the award and the governing cost principles. In accordance with your award terms and conditions, you have 30 days from the termination date to furnish an itemized accounting of allowable costs incurred prior to the termination date. Sincerely, Jamie H. French, Division Director Office of Budget Finance and Award Management (BFA) Division of Grants and Agreements (DGA)

Today, we received notice that our team’s last remaining NSF grant was terminated. For the first time since 2009, when I received an NSF Fellowship for Graduate Research, I have no active NSF grants.

George Carlin ;)

I’ll listen for sure. Thanks, Fern!

Although fair use exceptions to copyright include satire, Conan O’Brien was denied fair use of both the melody and lyrics to the Sound of Music when his new travel show went to Salzburg.

His response:

Btw, @theforestjar.bsky.social has a bunch of really cute animations, mostly on unions, private property, and working class politics. (More on IG) ❤️

On the “tragedy of the commons” as an alibi for the privatization of our common wealth.

🙏🏼 @theforestjar.bsky.social

@scottdirects.bsky.social ❤️

YouTube video by Harvard Online In We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy

youtu.be/O5ng6BVBIkQ?...

I definitely plan to!

Harvard launches FREE, self-paced courses focused on democratic principles, understanding the constitution, and crafting your civic voice.

“We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy”

#AcademicSky
#MomSky

America cannot long remain free, nor first among nations, if it becomes the kind of place where universities are dismantled because they don't align politically with the current head of the government.

YouTube video by Steve Cutts Happiness

Here’s the full version (4 min) is on YouTube.

Well put!

Of course!

I found it on Instagram. I think it’s slightly edited for time. There’s a full version on YouTube. 🐀❤️

I was nearly 8 when this happened, too, and living in western Washington. I love your takeaway. Science, sound public policy, and first responders are everything in times like this. Public safety is (should be) a non-partisan value.