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Geoff Johnson@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social |
62 followers 270 following 425 posts
Teacher and dad. As a student once wrote of me in an evaluation, “CAN BE FUNNY AT TIMES."
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Prisonculture
@prisonculture.bsky.social
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gratitude to those who have pushed gross donations almost to $4,000 for this month! They need $10,000 and we're so much closer than a couple of days ago. Thank you so much and have a good night.
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Patrick Iber
@patrickiber.bsky.social
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Also the crowd wasn’t that big, it was a middle school gym plus an overflow room, admittedly assembled in about 48 hours. Earlier I asked for the criticism to be based in reality but the president also needs to be
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Patrick Iber
@patrickiber.bsky.social
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I watched the Strephanopolous interview and Biden asked “who could get a crowd like I did today?” and said the crowd wanted him to continue. I was in the crowd and talked to people in the line and certainly these are strong Dems but we were also talking about who would be the strongest candidate
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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Likely less so though if Biden had some sort of dukedom, perhaps in the Midwest.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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I'm gonna have to take the L for the joke I told above, since it resulted in people explaining to me how parliamentary democracies work. The only thing I hate more than parliamentary democracies are explanations about how they work. Just a dreary business all around. But again I take the blame here.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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I was being quite facetious. I do not in fact believe that, in a completely alternative timeline of US history dating back to the late 18th century, Joe Biden would currently be the leader of the United States. But I do think he would at least be a duke or something.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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No I think had that been how it went down this Biden stuff would still be happening right now.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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Probably the only good reason I've seen to be in favor of anthropogenic global warming (for me it only moves the needle a little bit though).
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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Absolutely. For me it's very much both! As a college teacher I actually want to make both arguments simultaneously at my institution--generative AI isn't good for education/critical thought (teachers certainly never asked for it) and it cooks the planet. So why are we as an institution on board?
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JK: Executive Officer In Charge of Radishes
@jkmakes.bsky.social
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Just signed up for a monthly donation. Who's next? Set it and forget it.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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Ironically the decision by Biden and his people to have an early debate was terrible for their candidate but likely good for the chance to defeat Trump in November. His inner circle may have inadvertently stumbled onto decent electoral strategy with that choice, just not in the way they hoped.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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We need collective pushback against the seeming inevitable omnipresence of Generative AI. As a teacher, I hope that all of us in education can enter the next academic year questioning AI usage, explaining why we won't/don't use it, and pointing to its harmful effects on decarbonization. 🗃️
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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I remain appalled that higher ed has largely embraced AI, or at best not taken much of a stance. The public university where I teach held a huge IT conference (with industry peeps) in the last academic year where essentially every panel was devoted to how to use AI in our classes. I did not... 🗃️
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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Borges probably would have had some stuff to say about AI.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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I've been able to have some good, honest conversations with students about it and think of some ways to avoid the issue. For now my classrooms have a no AI rule which maybe will have to change some day. I imagine we might just stop teaching writing to at least some degree eventually, which is awful.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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The only thing I could really imagine using it for personally would be quickly pulling together a list of academic sources on a specific topic. Maybe it does that well, I don't know. My students use it to write (partially or wholly) class assignments. I don't blame them for that but it still sucks.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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Yes exactly! It's concerning that this seems a common experience. At one of the panels I attended--where the presenters/profs were perfectly lovely and thoughtful--I brought up the whole "but AI actually stinks for our classrooms" and we had a quick group conversation, but that was it for the day.
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Prisonculture
@prisonculture.bsky.social
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thanks to those who have already contributed and to those who will. If you can't give money [I know times are hard for many], please consider sharing the information with others in your network who might be interested.
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Shaily Patel
@vox-magica.bsky.social
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if you feel like you need to do something, find the folks who’re doing the work and give them money. that also counts as doing something.
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Brosephine Wires
@joparkerbear.bsky.social
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[U.S. Postal Service] Me: *hands over change of address form* Clerk: Ma'am, this just says "bathtub” Me: I live there now Clerk: We can't send mail to a bathtub Me: Yay
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Tahfromslc
@tahfromslc.bsky.social
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I do the same for Utah Abortion Fund. You can too!
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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I think a huge factor is that Harris would *all of the sudden have to begin running for president*, which seems like a pretty big time commitment when you’re practically starting from zero. Kinda better if she’s not also figuring out being president at that same time. (Also all of this sucks!)
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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Donating to abortion funds like Palmetto State is one of the more meaningful forms of financial support we can offer in this moment. I’m kicking in a small monthly amount and encourage those who can to do the same (or just to amplify this call for funding). These groups need grassroots support!
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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That's fucking absurd. Canceling Disney Plus now. Kids will be crushed but I have ethics and aesthetics.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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Literally eaten by hyenas. Probably not a fun way to go—especially with all the laughing while chewing. Disney went all in on that one.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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This sounds about right, but I think with some solid radical political education and a collective “hey now! let’s think for just one minute there before we post!” promise we can whip this crew into fighting shape.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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This is a hilarious and perfectly apt analogy. Well done.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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It's nuts. "Permission to use AI on essays" is like "permission to use an app to do every math problem." It potentially short circuits basically all real learning. New tech changes how we teach, but AI was not designed as an education tool and there's been no meaningful discussion about its use.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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I teach at a CUNY school, so we're probably experiencing the same problem! I think most faculty were so blindsided by the applications of generative AI--and mainly just trying to figure out the sudden impact on instruction--that we haven't been able to push back effectively. And admins won't do it.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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I definitely see the usefulness--mainly in areas I don't know about--and am sure could find some useful applications (though for now I'd rather stay away from the whole endeavor because it's gross/has a nasty effect on decarbonization). But the lack of pushback from the education sector isn't great!
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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of the past *but also the present*--essentially poisoning future archives, in a sense--is appalling. I'm curious to know if serious conversations about the harms of AI are happening at other academic institutions, rather than the blithe acceptance of its inevitability that I've seen so far. 🗃️
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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on the wrong side, perhaps because they see tech money flowing their way if they get on board with AI. I honestly don't know what the deal is, but we need to be talking about it a lot more. As a history teacher, the idea that this mindless generative AI is already bending popular understandings... 🗃️
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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I want to do. It's antithetical to most of my pedagogical practices, since in my classes I want us to be reading, discussing, and writing--with our own brains. Why should I incorporate some tech bros' get-rich-quick-bot into my class? It's nuts and admins in higher ed are, predictably, largely... 🗃️
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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find any panel where the premise was, "hey--why in the hell would we use this crap? Do we, particularly those of us who teach in the humanities, want this at all?" I teach reading and writing skills for pre-matric students and US history. Generative AI is a curse not a gift for most of what... 🗃️
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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I remain appalled that higher ed has largely embraced AI, or at best not taken much of a stance. The public university where I teach held a huge IT conference (with industry peeps) in the last academic year where essentially every panel was devoted to how to use AI in our classes. I did not... 🗃️
5 replies 14 reposts 37 likes
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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The current leadership of the Democratic Party can for sure find a way, but we should try to prevent them pursuing such a path.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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I think the idea here is to terrify people into voting and/or other action. Maybe that works for some, but I don’t think saying “we’ll all pretty much die if we lose” is good organizing strategy. Instead set goals that will carry on past Nov and talk about how we’ll keep fighting/protect each other.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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I understand why people say things like this—it’s quite common rhetoric—and Trump II is a horrifying prospect. But referring to one electoral loss, no matter how bad, as “the end” of elections, any vague sort of democracy, etc. is defeatist and false. The fight goes on after November either way. 1/2
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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Exactly. “Fending off authoritarian regime” is a good rallying cry—but how? SCOTUS is already an authoritarian power. Now what? What does a Dem President do with 4 more years? What laws will they be pushing if voters deliver both houses for the Dems? Tell us specific goals and let’s fight for them!
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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Yeah, I’m not sure if there were will be polls that could answer my question or not. It’s just something I’m wondering about, that is the extent to which core Democratic voters at this exact moment would like to switch out of Biden or not. The answer to that is a factor in terms of electoral energy.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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Whether it’s Biden or Harris, because it is definitely one of those two, the key is to run the campaign in a way that activates a ton more people that are not activated now. Give us specific things to rally around—and by “us” I mean all potential Democratic voters/activists. “Not Trump” doesn’t win.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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Right, but that poll didn't ask the question I asked and anyway is already quite outdated given the pace of events. My question (which likely will not be externally polled) is about committed Dems, normally pretty much in step with the party, and whether they truly prefer Biden or Option B.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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That doesn't give any information about the question I'm asking. Giving money to the Dem candidate doesn't mean the person making the donation prefers Biden to Harris (really the only other option).
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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Why are you proposing an action that you concede would be a terrible idea? What is the point of this thought experiment? Everyone understands that the decision empowers a president to do evil shit (or rather more evil shit). Now we need organizing, not deus ex machina magical thinking.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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Clinton petitioning to have that expunged or something would be kinda perfect (which is to say awful) for this moment so maybe he’ll do that.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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I am curious what percentage of committed Democrats feel the same. Could see it being well over or well under half—I just have no clue. Since we don’t get a voice at this point, I hope Biden and his people actually look at polling data and take an honest approach (either way), but I kinda doubt it.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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This is an important point from Kelly. Superhero Biden smashing fascists with his John Robert’s-gifted Thorhammer or whatever is so much less likely than Biden doing nothing or doing something fucked up with said power. I get why our minds go there but no, that’s just not the way.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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I hasten to add that in no way do I think that the primary process confirming Biden as the nominee was truly democratic. One can disagree with that but that’s where I’m coming from.
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Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
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The lack of democracy within the Democratic Party is obvious but still painful in this moment. There isn’t actually a simple answer to the Biden stay/go question. But it’s a key decision we should participate in collectively in some way. Instead it will be made by a handful of not so awesome people.
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