iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner

Lux in the Bronx @rlux.nyc · 24/05/2025

Another big FU from Harvard… free online courses on the US government, the US constitution, civic engagement, and more. pll.harvard.edu/subject/gove...

pll.harvard.edu

Government | Harvard University

Browse the latest Government courses from Harvard University.

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Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner

Steve Potts @otispott.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

This % roughly correlates with @karenstenner.bsky.social 's research finding that appx 1/3 of people are predisposed toward authoritarianism. I can't stop wondering if there's anything we can do about it or if that figure is permanently baked in. hopenothate.org.uk/2020/11/01/a...

I generally find about a third of the populace is predisposed to authoritarianism, right across liberal democracy (see Table 1 for 2016 survey results from the EU).

This is according to a “child-rearing values” measure: a “bare bones” measure of authoritarian predisposition rather than authoritarian attitudes. The results here depend simply on asking respondents: “Which is more important for a child to have? Independence, or respect for elders? Obedience, or self-reliance? Consideration for others, or good behaviour? Curiosity, or good manners?”

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Shelley Harris @shelleyharris.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

I’m mindful that @karenstenner.bsky.social, an expert on the authoritarian mindset, says that UBI is the single most important policy for governments who wish to fend off right wing extremism.

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Scott Santens @scottsantens.com · 05/12/2024

I've been researching the idea of Unconditional Universal Basic Income since 2013. Here's a collection of findings I've compiled from various UBI experiments and studies of cash transfer programs around the world. This will be a VERY LONG and ongoing thread focused entirely on empirical evidence. 🧵

OBSERVED EFFECTS OF UBI

No significant reduction in labor supply (38 studies meta-analysis)

Increased self-employment (301%) and part-time employment (17%)

Slight decrease in alcohol and tobacco use (31 studies meta-analysis)

New mothers extend their maternity leaves

Birth weights improve due to better maternal nutrition

Graduation rates and educational outcomes improve

Hospitalization rates decline (8.5%)

Crime goes down (15%–42%) especially illegal hunting (95%)

Domestic violence decreases (30%–51%)

Trust increases (13% in politicians | 6% in other people)

Home ownership rates increase (17%–26%)

Food security increases as does consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables

Improved cognitive functioning (43%) and personality traits (31%)

Savings go up, debts go down

Source: scottsantens

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Steve Potts @otispott.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

In a democracy it's unrealistic to think we'll ever achieve a golden era of consensus. But we can bring authoritarians back into the pro-democracy fold, incrementally, by emphasizing our commonalities, and with appeals to empathy, fairness and justice. ⤵️for more. www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/31/o...

bostonglobe.com

Disinformation and the death of democracy - The Boston Globe

Societies seem to thrive when there’s a balanced mix of folks who monitor the boundaries and guard against the strange and unfamiliar, and others who seek out novelty and variety.

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Jay Rosen @jayrosen.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

This is a list I post from time to time. My answer to a reader who asked me: what could journalists do NOW to break with some of their more corrosive habits. You would think it would grow out-of-date, but...

The list reads:

Defense of democracy seen as basic to the job.

Symmetrical accounts of asymmetrical realities seen as malpractice.

“Politics as strategic game” frame seen as low quality, downmarket, amateurish— and overmatched.

Bad actors with a history of misinforming the public seen as unsuitable sources and unwelcome guests.

Internalizing of the “liberal bias” critique seen as self-crippling, a historic mistake in need of correction.

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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 13/12/2024

If we weren't at such a weird moment in history, the collapse of Assad's regime would be widely understood as a huge success for the Biden administration, which pursued sanctions on Russia and Iran as well as Syria, armed Ukraine and thus weakened Russia, and supported Syrian democrats and activists

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Steve Potts @otispott.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

"...with the right kinds of appeals and support, a significant portion of authoritarians can reject the strongman who constantly invokes chaos and disorder but who never delivers that promised second act of renewed unity and consensus." —political psychologist @karenstenner.bsky.social

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Dimitry Mak | Photographer @dimitrymakphoto.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain - James Baldwin

A black-and-white portrait of James Baldwin seated at a table with his head resting on his hand. He is in front of a bookshelf filled with books, wearing a short-sleeve shirt, a watch, and a ring, with a thoughtful expression.

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

I kind of have a "necessity is the mother of invention" attitude to this now. UBI will happen, despite all the barriers we've noted, because it HAS to happen. I can't see how we survive the coming crises without it.

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

It's a game changer! Even if we just count the avoided downstream costs of poverty re. ill health, housing & family instability, loss of productivity etc UBI pays for itself. Every1 needs to get over "but you cant give ppl something for nothing!" It helps both democ & capitalism work better, for all

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

You're very welcome. So glad you found it helpful.

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Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner

Carole Cadwalladr @carolecadwalla.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Why did Jeff Bezos appoint Rupert Murdoch's right-hand man to the top job at Washington Post? To do his bidding. And when he did journalists & readers rebelled. This week, I write about a parallel revolt inside the Guardian & Observer & why press ownership matters open.substack.com/pub/broligar...

open.substack.com

All The President's Men

Rupert Murdoch, Jeff Bezos & why press ownership matters.

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Alex Evans @alexevansuk.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

What should we think (and do) about the fact that Christians voted for Trump over Harris by two to one? alexevansuk.substack.com/p/bad-faith

alexevansuk.substack.com

Bad faith?

On Christians and Trump

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Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 02/12/2024

A key asymmetry of this era of American politics and how it’s covered is that Trump is expected to do bad and corrupt things, so when he does it barely qualifies as news. But Dems are expected to be beyond reproach, so anything that seems even slightly suspect is a huge scandal.

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Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner

Drew Harwell @drewharwell.com · 03/12/2024

"Trump suggested to Trudeau that Canada become the 51st state, which caused the prime minister and others to laugh nervously, sources told Fox News. But he continued, telling Trudeau that prime minister is a better title, though he could still be governor” www.foxnews.com/politics/tru...

foxnews.com

Trump suggests Canada become 51st state after Trudeau said tariff would kill economy: sources

President-elect Trump told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau his country should become the 51st state if it can't fix trade and immigration issues without ripping off the U.S.

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

My favorite follow on Twitter will again be my lodestone here. I cannot recommend Teri's kindness & wisdom more highly! You should definitely follow her here or on her website terikanefield.com: an absolute treasure trove of resources for how to live happily with democracy & your fellow human beings

terikanefield.com

- Teri Kanefield

I’m a former appellate defender and U.C. Berkeley law graduate. I started out teaching English at the college level while writing novels, essays, and kid’s books. Then I went to law school, represente...

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

terikanefield.com

- Teri Kanefield

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Reposted by Dr. Karen Stenner

Scott Santens @scottsantens.com · 30/11/2024

I highly recommend reading this article. I've read it dozens of times since I first read it in 2020. I've even written my own article like it in the hope of getting more people to read Stenner's book. She's an expert on authoritarianism and knows what's really going on and how to fix it. FOLLOW HER.

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Thanks Scott, so happy to find you here in the sunny place!

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

You're very welcome Elizabeth. I'm always glad to hear when people find my work helpful. And yes, it's hard to keep going sometimes. But really, we have no choice! Onward.

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Yes... ~1/3 of populations across the West have authoritarian predisposition, thus little willingness or capacity to deal with complexity -- which makes modern liberal democracy pretty intolerable to them! You might find this interview I did at BBC Radio 4 of interest: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

bbc.co.uk

The Spark - Karen Stenner and the authoritarian predisposition - BBC Sounds

Helen Lewis meets people offering radical solutions to the big problems of our times.

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Thanks for posting that podcast Stephan! Lots of people seem to have found that one helpful. Here's a related interview on authoritarianism, racism and intolerance that I did with the wonderful @HelenLewis.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

bbc.co.uk

The Spark - Karen Stenner and the authoritarian predisposition - BBC Sounds

Helen Lewis meets people offering radical solutions to the big problems of our times.

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

bbc.co.uk

The Spark - Karen Stenner and the authoritarian predisposition - BBC Sounds

Helen Lewis meets people offering radical solutions to the big problems of our times.

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Yes but you cant educate it away (1 of the West's enduring myths). So, that 1/3 of the popn incapable of living w. vast complexity must (in a democracy!) be supported & accommodated, in ways that *dont* infringe others' rights. It is a failure of both understanding & imagination that we dont do this

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

I think where we disagree Ozma is whether "they generally know why". I think that decades of disinformation operations have deliberately, completely, misled & confused ppl re. the sources of their problems, which then misdirects & confounds everyone's understanding of the range of viable solutions.

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Like all of us they want to to feel safe & secure. But rn theyre buying all the wrong solutions. We must offer them a better source of identity, meaning & belonging than racism & intolerance can deliver. My best idea? Universal Basic Income--a kind of 'oneness & sameness' many of us can get behind.

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Most ppl dont have the willingness or ability, or exist in the kinds of environments, that facilitate the learning youre hoping for. Theyre wading thru a vast wave of noise just to get thru their daily lives. If our societies & politics cant offer them greater simplicity, clarity & ease we're doomed

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Russia's collapse would suddenly expose all the craven creatures and organizations (including media) across the liberal democratic West that depend upon dirty $$ from Transnational Organized Crime. Very revealing indeed. Cannot wait for this day.

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Tom Nichols @radiofreetom.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

It’s like “Carrie,” but for rich people who have no actual superpowers

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

🎯 Simplicity is EVERYTHING. I've been saying for decades: "Liberal democracy has now exceeded many people's capacity to tolerate it". The ppl youre trying to get on side are repelled by complexity. Complexity in language. Ideas. Our politics. Our whole society. & complexity is only accelerating!

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Jared Yates Sexton @jysexton.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Authoritarianism feeds off a crisis of purpose, and capitalism has left us feeling alone, powerless, and rudderless. To defeat it, we’re going to have to make something that draws us together and finds meaning beyond consumption and greed. And we will. jaredyatessexton.substack.com/p/authoritar...

jaredyatessexton.substack.com

Authoritarianism and the Crisis of Meaning: Audio From A Collapsing State

Capitalism has left us feeling alone, powerless, and without purpose. Authoritarianism feeds off this.

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Best way to find your tolerance for fellow citizens predisposed to authoritarianism is to understand while you cant change the authoritarian's fundamental need for 'oneness & sameness', you *can* change how they go about meeting that need, with *alternative* sources of identity, meaning & belonging.

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Thanks Cynthia, I'd be delighted to be included with this awesome bunch!

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Cynthia Miller-Idriss @milleridriss.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

I created a starter pack of phenomenal scholars who are also super kind people. Necessarily incomplete— Please nominate someone for me to add! go.bsky.app/Hv3iMGV

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Well that's a very bleak take on it Eubie! But, yes. You could say "framing" rather than "manipulating" or "grooming"! Or, a constructive kind of "shepherding", if you want to stick with the husbandry theme.

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Sean’s Thumbs @seansthumbs.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

@hcrichardson.bsky.social @emptywheel.bsky.social @terikanefield.bsky.social @timothysnyder.bsky.social @karenstenner.bsky.social My historian/journalist/legal/author/authoritarianism expert “ride or dies” from Twitter 😎 Thanks, Cynthia!

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𝙴𝚞𝚋𝚒𝚎 — 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒆 @eubiedrew.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Teri is one of those quiet posters where you never want to miss a word they say. Natural born writer. No hot takes. No hype. Very few reposts. Contrary opinions explained to at least the 2nd degree. Scary knowledgeable. Responds to obscure followers like me. Every thread is a conversation. Present.

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Dr. Karen Stenner @karenstenner.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Hello friend-shaped person! 💕 So glad to find you here. 😊

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