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It's me, Andrew

@itsandrewrusso.bsky.social
210 followers 233 following 581 posts

I read, I write, and I learn. I also bake gluten free bread and drink too much coffee. Writing @ lecternmedia.org About me @ andrewrusso.me

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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Just published: lecternmedia.substack.com/p/the-fire-t... Individuals are asked to fund their disaster resilience. But in an age where affording simply to live is too difficult, it's a hollow ask with frightening consequences.
lecternmedia.substack.com
The Fire This Time
Individual Disaster Resilience in the Unaffordable Age
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I just published A Governance Dilemma: Anger, Assassination, and Alternatives stateofaffairs.medium.com/a-governance...
stateofaffairs.medium.com
A Governance Dilemma: Anger, Assassination, and Alternatives
Hello readers old and new. I’m Dr. Andrew Russo and this is my humble space of Medium that discusses governance, the environment, and…
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
What an amazing #blizzcon. Wonderful community, good friends, and a healthy hit of nostalgia. However, also a double edged sword. Lots of corporate speak and scripted interviews/responses. I'll be writing an article on my experience, and pitching it, this week. #gaming #warcraft #pcgaming
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
New post on #democracy #governance: lecternmedia.substack.com/p/a-governan...
lecternmedia.substack.com
A Governance Dilemma
Anger, Assassination, and Alternatives
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
My latest, and an announcement of a brief break for summer: lecternmedia.substack.com/p/who-govern...
lecternmedia.substack.com
Who Governs the Cameras? Flock and the Accountability Gap
A year ago many Americans never heard of Flock.
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Bringing my research and practical work to bear, I discuss contemporary challenges to #democracy, the #environment, and #academia without click-bait. Have a read and share: lecternmedia.substack.com
lecternmedia.substack.com
State of Affairs with Dr. Andrew Russo | Substack
Rigorous analysis of democracy, education, and the environment. Home of State of Affairs with Dr. Andrew Russo. Click to read State of Affairs with Dr. Andrew Russo, a Substack publication. Launched a...
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Year after year, we watch North America ignite. Each year sets a devastating record for heat, drought, and other extremes. Provincial and federal budgets still do not address systemic change: aggressive climate action to curb fossil fuel expansion. #Wildfire #ClimateJustice #EnvironmentalPolicy
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
I have been on and off social media, so believe me when the news of @raulpachecovega.bsky.social death just hit me when I went to lookup something on his website. Like so many other #phd students, his guidance helped me succeed. I'll always use an everything notebook. #academicsky
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
I'm looking for more old manuals, parts catalogues, and any other coffee roaster related materials. Pre 1950s, even 2nd & 3rd wave stuff is getting harder to save. Have something? Send it and I'll archive it for all. #specialtycoffee #coffeeroasting #coffee
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
It's bread baking day. A welcome respite from writing about #wildfires in #canada. I did plan to write about something else, but the discourse on climate change, politics, and education necessitated I finish up a draft.
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
A video of a freight train made the rounds in the media. Stuck near the Armstrong area of northwestern Ontario as wildfire engulfed the tracks. The crew radioed that the fire "could potentially overtake us." They survived, but the comments denied their reality.
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
I am ashamed to admit, I missed this news. hub.jhu.edu/2026/03/09/w...
hub.jhu.edu
Political scientist William E. Connolly dies at 88
The influential theorist explored a wide range of topics, including democracy, fascism, secularism, and climate
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Have a story to share about disaster resilience? Want to talk about how you prepare, recovered, and/or barriers you faced? I'm looking for folks in #Canada who would be willing to chat for an article I'm writing on individual responsibility for recovery. #BCWildfires #emergency #britishcolumbia
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Our World in Data @ourworldindata.org · 09/07/2026
Until the middle of the 20th century, few countries had political leaders that were women. These were monarchs, who rose to their positions because of their royal lineage.
Line chart of the share of current countries that have had a woman as chief executive from 1789 to 2025, showing two series: any woman chief executive and democratically-elected woman chief executive. Both series are near zero until the mid-20th century, rise modestly from about 1960 to 1990, then accelerate sharply after 1990, with any-woman exceeding 40% and democratically-elected reaching about 30% by 2025. Source: Coppedge et al. (V-Dem) 2026. License: CC BY (author Bastian Herre).
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
On June 23rd, Walt Disney World became one of the hottest places on earth. A cooling systems collapse at the resort left guests unable to escape the heat. What the event has to tell us about our future should cause pause. #disneyworld #climate #environment medium.com/@stateofaffa...
medium.com
Too Hot to Handle
In late June, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, the “city” the Walt Disney World Resort claims as its own, hit nearly 98°F.1 That’s 36°C and…
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Part I of a 3 part series on the dismantling of liberal democracy in the US. Part one covers gerrymandering from Gerry's 1812 districts to Louisiana v. Callais. The redistricting scramble is well underway. stateofaffairs.medium.com/is-the-unite... Parts II and III at lecternmedia.substack.com
stateofaffairs.medium.com
Is the United States Still a Democracy?
In the wake of Citizens United, the 2012 election suggested that the ballot box remained the great equalizer. Today, the path to victory is…
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
"Consider the rule of law a specific claim about who is bound...whether that binding holds when it becomes inconvenient for the people in power. My argument here is that the American system has shifted from a rule of law toward a rule over law." #democracy lecternmedia.substack.com/p/part-iii-f...
lecternmedia.substack.com
Part III: From the Rule of Law to the Rule Over Law
The rule of law is one of the ideals of our political morality and it refers to the ascendancy of law as such and of the institutions of the legal system in a system of governance.
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Last in the three part essay series that took us through Gerrymandering, Civil Society, and now the Rule of Law. A nice few days off before I turn to other sordid affairs, like wet bulbs and #disney without air conditioning. lecternmedia.substack.com/p/part-iii-f...
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
I am happy to report I do not attend events associated with secret societies, cabals, and *checks the Dialog agenda* cult formation in the event of WW3. Alas, some well known figures find such things stimulating, no doubt enjoying caviar and w/e else cleanses the palate of morality.
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Resilience. You've heard it every wildfire season. I'm tackling the how, why, and who behind it in a work on resource scarcity, and disaster governance in BC and the PNW. Thanks to all who've spoken with me so far! @disasterqueer.bsky.social @kschmutina.bsky.social
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Civil Society. What is it? What's it's purpose? Why is it targeted by authoritarians? For a a brief, jargon free explanation in my essay series on dismantling democracy in America, read Part II: Civil Society at Risk #politics #democracy #edusky
open.substack.com
Part II: Civil Society at Risk
Dismantling democracies through the paralysis of civil society
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
There are three truths in my universe. Death. Taxes. And me dropping everything I'm doing to get more ideas for my D&D characters from @colbypoulson.bsky.social
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
You ever just sit there and think, "wow. I've done a ton today without doing much of anything?"
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
What I'm learning about in BC and Disaster Resilience: Heat Dome event in 2021 was a catalyst for systemic changes. Access and communication gaps remain issues Lack of political will and funding = little meaningful action Emergency Managers are working really hard with the tools ($, training) given
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Hey folks in #disasters up and down the Pac NW. I'm doing some research on #emergencymanagement for a non-academic piece, an essay on individual responsibility and disaster preparedness. Would love to chat with you.
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
It's #writing day again. Finishing a first draft on leaving academia. To fuel the emotional roller coaster I ride during this task, I discovered www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xcr-... and life is, again, okay. #coffee
youtube.com
Iced Double Brew Recipe! August 2024 - Monthly Coffee Subscription with Ply - Brazil Full Bloom!
YouTube video by Rogue Wave Coffee Co
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
I've walked away from the research and service side of academics, but one quick thing. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing a PhD candidate walk out of a room with the new title of Doctor. Although he is not on BSky, just a shout out into the void for Dr. Sapkota for his amazing work in Nepal.
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
I just finished a longer post that had me combing as far back as I could access via the internet alone. There are some really interesting pieces of Gerrymandering in the Gilded Age I quote, and so much more out there that I could not include lecternmedia.substack.com/p/part-1-are...
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Natural Hazards Center @hazcenter.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
The latest Health and Extreme Weather research addresses gaps in understanding about mental health risk and resilience factors among rural volunteers impacted by disasters: bit.ly/4tOLMTw
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Why did no one tell me about this wonderful and beautiful font? My eyes and mind thank you. www.brailleinstitute.org/freefont/
brailleinstitute.org
Atkinson Hyperlegible Font - Braille Institute
Read easier with Atkinson Hyperlegible Font, crafted for low-vision readers. Download for free and enjoy clear letters and numbers on your computer!
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Hearing the BC campaigns to be resilient and pushing the same narrative of individual responsibility in the face of climate catastrophe is disheartening. To say the least. (1/2)
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Leah Stokes @leahstokes.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Thomas Edsall asked me how much Trump's fossil fuel handouts, attacks on cheap-clean-power, and reckless wars are costing the American people. So I sat down and did the math. This year alone, it's on pace to be $1508 per household. That's not going to be popular. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/12/o...
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
I wrote a thing covering #civilsociety & #democracy. A three part essay series follows. tiny.cc/2qa3101
tiny.cc
An Excessive Servitude
American Democracy Dismantled
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
I wrote a thing in late 2025. It's about kleptocracy. Turning it into a non-academic essay for pitches this week, as everyone should recognize and understand how public service is being dismantled and to what end #writing #edusky www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
Sunday Funday! Which means I'm writing something for tomorrow. Temporary headlined, "The Death throws of Democracy: Gerrymandering, Educational Collapse, and Assaults on Civil Society." It'll get there!
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Gerrymandering is a honed weapon for disenfranchisement, wielded now to keep an authoritarian in power, and then deployed as a counter measure to topple him. Some places ignore laws on it, others hamstrung by it. Does anyone read this as the death throws of a failed state? #politics #academicsky
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Much has been said on China's rise over the past 20 years. Here's my take: open.substack.com/pub/lecternm...
open.substack.com
The Dragon Ascendant: Power Vacuums, Historical Precedent, and the Coming Chinese Century
Part II Stemming from States and Social Revolutions
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
No, I do not want to join the family. I am buying a t-shirt...
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
The Dept of Education continues to harass and demean the trans community: www.ed.gov/about/news/p...
ed.gov
U.S. Department of Education Opens Title IX Investigation into All-Women's Smith College for Admitting Men
Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened an investigation into Smith College, one of the nation’s largest all-women's colleges, for admitting biological men and g...
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Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
I have successfully moved to Canada. Writing a new long form essay on public service and public servants for Lectern Media this week. Posts May 11th #canada #academicsky #edusky #writing
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Working working working on the next stage of life and career. Simplifying and getting back to my roots. WIP and ideas welcome #writing #edusky #WIP andrewwrites.neocities.org
andrewwrites.neocities.org
Andrew Russo — Writer, Scholar, Thinker
Andrew Russo is a writer, scholar, and professor based in Leiden, NL. Author of The Signal, The Coral Flyer, and more.
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
"What was favorite class to teach?" *goes on a 20 minute passionate explanation of Disaster Governance and an awesome presentation on Kudzu a student did* I think I covered it sufficiently. #edusky #academicsky #disasters
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
In moments of considerable confusion, when writing well is a struggle, I turn to @npr.org. Especially the economic powerhouse that is @planetmoney.bsky.social. Do buy their book too!
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Schrödinger's Strait at this point. #currentaffairs #news #hormuz
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
I've been writing more concerning my research, in laypersons terms, and providing commentary on current events. I've covered China's "sit and win" strategy, democratic backsliding, and the disintegration of FEMA and the implementation of the Alamo Approach lecternmedia.substack.com/p/how-americ...
lecternmedia.substack.com
How America Builds and Dismantles it's Ability to Face Disasters
From Coordination to the Alamo Approach
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
#Reading helps reset your mind and relax. Try it. Grab a book, put your phone away, and get lost in story, history, or a science tale expertly woven. On my docket today: finishing “There will be Fire” and starting a re-read of “A Farewell to Arms” #booksky #edusky
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
A humble thanks to @raulpachecovega.bsky.social for providing so many wonderful resources over the years. I've used the rhetorical precis and everything notebook since I was a new Grad Student. I use them in volunteer work, DMing in TTRPGs, and follow the same organizational practices in all things.
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Jacobin @jacobinmag.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Capitalists have succeeded in arranging the future as a calculable source of extraordinary wealth, enriching a few in the present by imposing debts on the vast majority — and undermining the environmental conditions for a better tomorrow.
jacobin.com
Capitalist Profits Depend on Stealing Our Future
Capitalists have succeeded in arranging the future as a calculable source of extraordinary wealth, enriching a few in the present by imposing debts on the vast majority — and undermining the environmental conditions for a better tomorrow.
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It's me, Andrew @itsandrewrusso.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Long day, but new essay dropping at 2200 CET: open.substack.com/pub/lecternm...
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