Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 02/09/2026How much of the America we know today would its founders recognize, and how much would surprise them? As the U.S. turns 250, join distinguished historians for a look at how America took shape and what history can teach us about its future. Free virtual event, open to all: bit.ly/4qYVFyb 011
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 22/07/2026Museums, archives, and historic sites do more than preserve the past. They help communities understand how that past continues to shape the present. USC Dornsife historian Bill Deverell and his co-authors explain why protecting public history is essential. www.zocalopublicsquare.org/in-defense-o...zocalopublicsquare.orgIn Defense of Public History | EssayFour Scholars Refute the Attacks on the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig 042
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 15/07/2026Why is it sometimes hard to feel grateful to someone who helped you? A USC Dornsife philosopher explains how gratitude gets complicated when we question motives, take help for granted or feel conflicted about the relationship. dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...dornsife.usc.eduHow to be grateful to someone – even when you don’t want toStruggling to find your sense of gratitude? Try thinking differently about what caused the person’s actions. 021
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 09/07/2026Extreme heat makes urban shade more important than ever. A new AI tool from our spatial science researchers uses free aerial imagery to help cities map tree canopy and target investments where they’re needed most. We've made the research, code and model freely available online. bit.ly/4vhHHb9today.usc.eduUSC researchers develop AI tool to help map urban tree canopyTool uses free aerial imagery, gives cities affordable way to target planting. 021
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 03/06/2026I’m fortunate to work with brilliant people who care deeply about making a difference in the world. Getting to recognize some of them through USC Dornsife’s Communicator of the Year Awards is one of the highlights of my year. Congrats to this year’s honorees - and thank you! 010
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 28/05/2026They designed, tested, calculated, collaborated and competed — all before heading back to middle and high school. California just hosted the Science Olympiad Tournament for the first time, and @usc.edu was the stage, welcoming more than 2,000 of the nation's top young #STEM students. bit.ly/4nVgxVD 022
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 20/05/2026One of our newest economics graduates is headed to the world final of a global innovation competition. Darnell Adler was named one of three U.S. winners of Red Bull Basement for Lifeline AI, his personal safety startup. We’re cheering you on, Darnell. Fight On! ✌️ dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...dornsife.usc.eduUSC grad wins US Red Bull competition, heads to world finalDarnell Adler, who studied economics at USC Dornsife, is one of three to win Red Bull Basement, a competition for student innovators. 032
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 16/05/2026The smiles say it all. Today, we celebrated 2,700+ USC Dornsife graduates as they crossed the stage, cheered on by the people who helped them get here. Congratulations, Trojans. We’re so proud of you. Fight On! ✌️ 042
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 13/03/2026It’s Friday the 13th — how did this date get such a bad rep? Our scholars explain the mix of folklore, fear and cultural storytelling that gave it its eerie reputation. dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...dornsife.usc.eduFriday the 13th: Luck and superstition throughout the worldSuperstitions vary from culture to culture. For Friday the 13th, USC Dornsife faculty trace beliefs about what brings good and bad luck. 021
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 19/02/2026We’re finding life where we once thought nothing could survive. On Feb. 26, Dean James Bullock hosts a Dornsife Dialogues conversation with a USC Dornsife prof and a NASA JPL alum on extreme environments and the search for life beyond Earth. Save your spot: dornsife.usc.edu/dornsife-alu... 021
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 09/02/2026Officially official: James Bullock (@jbprime.bsky.social) has been installed as the 23rd dean of the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. He’s championing a “modern approach to the liberal arts” — rooted in tradition, tuned to today’s students and job market. bit.ly/4kqtMMdbit.lyJames Bullock officially installed as USC Dornsife deanUSC president calls him “the perfect person to steer Dornsife into the future.” 033
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 12/01/2026If powerful #AI systems can sometimes start behaving like sociopaths, how do we keep them aligned with human values? We explore what it might take to keep them in check — including a built-in sense of “vulnerability,” so it has something to lose by causing harm. dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...dornsife.usc.eduCan we prevent AI from acting like a sociopath?Researchers are investigating how to keep artificial intelligence aligned with human values. 022
Reposted by Jim KeyMaggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 06/01/2026Copy Editing Matters, from HHS's release on the new childhood vaccine schedule: All the diseases will still be available to anyone who wants them 882507821
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 19/12/2025As Avatar: Fire and Ash hits theaters, we’re revisiting the story behind Na’vi — a language crafted by a @usc.edu Dornsife linguistics alumnus. From phonetics to grammar, every word was built with science. dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...dornsife.usc.eduThe Science of Language (Na'vi, That Is)From harmony (meoauniaea) to brainworm (eltungawng), Paul Frommer Ph.D. ’81 creates a brand new language for the film Avatar. 011
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 25/11/2025We may be rivals on the field, but off it, @usc.edu and UCLA often team up as powerful partners — from public service projects like our @weareshadela.bsky.social coalition to breakthroughs in tech, medicine and more. today.usc.edu/usc-and-ucla...today.usc.eduUSC and UCLA: 10 ways these football rivals are partners off the fieldTrojan and Bruin faculty and students often work together to tackle societal challenges and spark discovery in medicine, technology and more. (They even play games together!) 022
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 02/10/2025“Jane Goodall’s spirit lives on in the questions we ask, the way we study, and the deep respect we hold for the natural world.” Prof. Goodall left an enduring mark on USC Dornsife and inspired generations of students and faculty. dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...dornsife.usc.eduHonoring Jane Goodall’s legacy at USC DornsifeTrailblazing primatologist Jane Goodall advanced the study of great apes at USC Dornsife, and left a lasting mark on its students and faculty 011
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 16/07/2025USC today announced ShadeLA, a bold new effort to cool Los Angeles by expanding tree canopy and shade infrastructure in key public and community spaces. ShadeLA is led by USC Dornsife Public Exchange in collaboration with UCLA @luskininnovation.bsky.social today.usc.edu/usc-teams-up... 042
Reposted by Jim KeyDarby Saxbe @darbysaxbe.bsky.social · 10/07/2025Our federal government is currently spending more money deporting childcare workers than fixing our broken, patchy childcare system. 19thnews.org/2025/07/chil...19thnews.orgAfter a child care worker is detained by ICE, a community is left reelingNicolle Orozco Forero is one of the thousands of immigrant women who provide child care for American children, and one of the few who cares for children with disabilities. Now she and her seriously il... 26623
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 07/07/2025A USC Dornsife study finds rare bipartisan unity: both parties back civic education for kids.forbes.comCivic Education As We Look To Our Nation’s 250th AnniversaryMore than seven out of 10 U.S. adults give a grade of C or worse to K-12 public schools' efforts to prepare students "to be good citizens." 011
Reposted by Jim KeyLos Angeles Times @latimes.com · 27/06/2025Trump will end crisis hotline for LGBTQ+ youth. But L.A. has options for those in needlatimes.comTrump will end crisis hotline for LGBTQ+ youth. But L.A. has options for those in needThe Trump administration is planning to slash specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 085
Reposted by Jim KeyLos Angeles Times @latimes.com · 15/05/2025Researchers call on Newsom to pay for post-fire soil testing in Los Angeles Countylatimes.comResearchers call on Newsom to pay for post-fire soil testing in Los Angeles CountyA group of environmental researchers is calling on the Newsom administration to step in and pay for soil testing at thousands of homes destroyed in the Eaton and Palisades wildfires. 0143
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 06/05/2025This little story was a particulalry fun one to turn around quickly. dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...dornsife.usc.eduUSC Dornsife’s Percival Everett Wins 2025 Pulitzer Prize for FictionThe English professor’s novel 'James' offers a searing retelling of a Mark Twain classic — and has now earned fiction’s highest honor. 030
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 21/04/2025Claude Archetype: The gentle philosopher who brings tea to debate club and apologizes for breathing too loud Three words: Thoughtful, earnest, cardigan Vibe: Writes long letters you’ll treasure forever and never quite understand 010
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 21/04/2025Gemini Archetype: The gifted kid who already has three internships and corrects your grammar for fun Three words: Polished, competitive, calculating Vibe: Google Doc in human form 100
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 21/04/2025Meta AI Archetype: The social climber who copies your notes and then filters them into a Reel Three words: Trendy, eager, repost Vibe: Still figuring out who they are — but in five apps at once 100
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 21/04/2025Perplexity Archetype: The know-it-all valedictorian who shows their work even when it’s not required Three words: Precise, caffeinated, citation-happy Vibe: Won’t say “I love you,” but will hyperlink it 100
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 21/04/2025Grok Archetype: The edgy transfer student who runs the underground zine and smokes code behind the gym Three words: Rebellious, meme-lord, libertarian Vibe: Probably got banned from Discord… again 100
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 21/04/2025Siri Archetype: The salty yearbook editor who peaked in sophomore year and knows it Three words: Sarcastic, loyal, done Vibe: Will help you, but makes you feel judged 100
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 21/04/2025Alexa Archetype: Perky overachiever who’s in every club and reminds the teacher to collect the homework Three words: Organized, cheerful, eager Vibe: Bakes cookies with QR codes for the ingredients 100
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 21/04/2025ChatGPT Archetype: The charismatic overachiever who edits the school paper and secretly writes poetry Three words: Witty, helpful, golden retriever Vibe: Everyone’s go-to for homework and heartbreak advice 100
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 21/04/2025What if Alexa, Grok, Siri, Gemini & other AIs were all in high school together? I asked ChatGPT to imagine each AI as a teen, complete with archetypes, 3 word descriptions, and yes… yearbook photos. Who would you sit with at lunch? #AIhumor #ChatGPT #Claude #Gemini #Grok #Siri #Alexa @openai 130
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 03/04/2025Federal agencies may not be testing for lead near homes hit by wildfires in Altadena and the Palisades—but USC Dornsife is. At no cost. USC Dornsife’s Public Exchange launched the CLEAN project, a free soil testing effort led by our Earth Sciences faculty. Learn how to get yours checked:bit.lyFree soil testing for lead helps L.A. residents after wildfiresThose affected by L.A. wildfires can submit soil for testing courtesy of USC Dornsife Public Exchange’s project assessing contamination 021
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 24/03/2025*CLUELESS JOE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!! *JOE’S BEEN ASLEEP & NO ONE WOKE HIM TO TELL HIM WHAT HAPPENED *WORSE THAN CROOKED HILLARY’S SERVER. ALL SHOULD BE FIRED, BUT HE’S TOO WEAK TO DO IT! 010
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 24/03/2025It’s not hard to imagine what Trump would be saying about Biden if he had claimed he “didn’t know anything about” such an egregious error during his presidency. 130
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 09/03/2025I was remade by learning how to make craft cocktails and appreciate bourbon. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...nytimes.comOpinion | How Covid Remade AmericaIt feels as if the pandemic is behind us. But we’re living in the world it made. 141
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 18/02/2025It's OK to feel like a 5-year-old when it comes to quantum computing. Want to learn? Join us Feb. 28 at noon: usc.zoom.us/webinar/regi... 031
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 13/02/2025L.A. has long turned catastrophe into opportunity, learning lessons and rebuilding in the wake of tragedy.dornsife.usc.eduLos Angeles consistently proves resilient in the face of disasterL.A. has long turned catastrophe into opportunity, learning and rebuilding in the wake of fires, floods, earthquake and civil unrest 022
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 13/02/2025Join this live discussion with quantum computing leaders at USC, who will break down the basics and discuss the incredible potential it holds for shaping our future! RSVP: usc.zoom.us/webinar/regi... 052
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 12/02/2025Feeling overwhelmed by the news coming from DC? Axios, a news source I trust more than most, has some helpful advice. www.axios.com/newsletters/...axios.comAxios Finish Line - 1 big thing: Tuning out chaos 010
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 12/02/2025“Don’t be a dick!” CNN’s Anderson Cooper has had enough. 041
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 11/02/2025Today at the White House, a wealthy monarch who takes money from the US meets with the King of Jordan. 000
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 04/02/2025Oregon coast to LA: hold my microbrew. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...usatoday.comHuge undersea volcano off the West Coast may be getting ready to eruptThe good news is that because the top of the volcano is still 4,500 feet below the ocean’s surface, it poses no danger to people. 110
Jim Key @jamesdkey.bsky.social · 01/02/2025This may not be the best time for a 10% reduction in all gov’t jobs. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/31/b...nytimes.com285 of 313 Air Traffic Control Facilities Are UnderstaffedPersistent staff shortages have raised safety concerns. At many facilities, staffing is so low that at least a quarter of the work force is missing. 020
Reposted by Jim KeyUSC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · 27/01/2025Trying to break bad habits, form good ones, or use the power of habit to reach your goals? Join our AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit with behavioral scientist and professor emeritus Wendy Wood! Tues. at 7:30 a.m. Pacific: www.reddit.com/r/DecidingTo... 021