iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Martin Lukk

Laura K. Nelson @lauraknelson.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

New preprint! A review article on Generative AI and Society, with the fantastic @thomasdavidson.bsky.social & Danny Karell (smartly not online!) osf.io/preprints/so... The lit on genAI is sprawling and mostly not in sociology. Our goal is to synthesize core themes relevant to sociologists. +

GENERATIVE AI AND SOCIETY
Laura K. Nelson,
Daniel Karell,
and Thomas Davidson

ABSTRACT
For sociologists, generative AI inherits the legacy of earlier computational technologies: it is an advancement of machine learning already adopted as a methodology, and it intervenes in a society already shaped by algorithmic systems. Yet it also has a dimension that distinguishes it from previous computational methods, and one that makes it inherently sociological: its interactivity. In this review, we conceptualize the interactivity of generative AI and introduce a framework for understanding how it operates across individual, organizational, and institutional life. Specifically, the framework specifies how generative AI expands users, functions as a proxy for society, and expresses power,
both in sociological practice and in society. We conclude by suggesting three dynamics driven by generative AI that sociology will face in the near future: the transformation of scientific practice, the reorganization of social interaction, and the acceleration of algorithmic governance.

Keywords: generative AI, interaction, computational sociology, methods, algorithms, algorithmic governance

25529

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Is AI biased against some demographic groups? 🤔 Recent LLM audits disagree, finding both ➕ and ➖ discrimination, even for the same models. In a new paper, accepted at #EMNLP2026 Findings, I show that this disagreement can arise from differences in audit format! 🧵 (1/7)

101

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

I was interviewed on CBC's Cost of Living podcast about how crowdfunding is increasingly used to cover everyday expenses like rent, groceries, and utilities. A lesson from the research is that it's especially hard to raise money this way for ongoing costs, compared to one-and-done projects.

cbc.ca

Can crowdfunding solve the cost of living crisis?

Since the start of the year, thousands of Canadians have launched GoFundMe's to help pay their rent and bills. Producer Danielle Nerman explores what that says about our country's social support syste...

000

Reposted by Martin Lukk

SocArXivBot @socarxivbot.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Cosmopolitans Are Nationalists Too: Territorial Identities in European Cleavage Politics: osf.io/qhkps

011

Reposted by Martin Lukk

Matt Polacko @mattpolacko.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

🚨New Publication🚨 Using the entire #Canadian Election Study (1965–2021), I examine voter turnout by class, education, & income over time & test whether the offerings of political parties impact these relationships. Available #OpenAccess in @cjps-rcsp.bsky.social #polisky doi.org/10.1017/S000...

14825

Reposted by Martin Lukk

John Holbein @johnholbein1.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Um, ok... This paper forthcoming at the JOP provides evidence that rent control in Germany actually made tenants MASSIVELY *less* NIMBY. This result was in the opposite direction of the authors' pre-registered expectations. And the effect sizes are, truly, massive.

12382103

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Has crowdfunding really "disrupted" philanthropy? My new article w/ @kenworthy.bsky.social, @jsnyder.bsky.social & E. Schneiderhan argues that CF's benefits are overstated. Rather than disrupting, CF reproduces old charity models, promotes misinfo & undermines public health. doi.org/10.1002/nvsm...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Disrupting Philanthropy? A Reality Check for Digital Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding promised to revolutionize philanthropy by using digital technology to make charitable giving cheaper, easier, and more accessible. Has this been realized in practice? We highlight three ...

031

Reposted by Martin Lukk

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 13/11/2025

When a man hijacked a bus in Hamilton, Ontario, on Tuesday, the potentially catastrophic scenario ended happily. It turns out he was a pretty decent bus driver. He made regular stops to pick up passengers, the police reported. At one point someone tried to board with an expired bus pass. No dice.

nyti.ms

A Man Took a Bus for a Joyride. Turns Out, He’s Not a Bad Driver.

The incident in Hamilton, Ontario, ended safely with an arrest and no injuries (and all fares paid).

2425058

Reposted by Martin Lukk

Jeremy Snyder @jsnyder.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

@martinlukk.bsky.social @kenworthy.bsky.social, Erik Schneiderhan, and I pull together threads from our recent books on donation-based crowdfunding in the Journal of Philanthropy. We argue that rather than being a disruptive new force for good, crowdfunding's benefits have been greatly overstated.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Disrupting Philanthropy? A Reality Check for Digital Crowdfunding

013

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Was just notified by U.N. Special Rapporteur Olivier De Schutter that my research features in his report on how economic insecurity has fueled far-right politics, presented to the U.N. General Assembly yesterday. Study available @sociusjournal.bsky.social journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

040

Reposted by Martin Lukk

jon ben-menachem @jbenmenachem.com · 21/10/2025

Wow. Harvard nuking its PhD programs - Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75% - Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60% - Social Sciences by 50–70% - History by 60% - Biology by 75% - The German department will lose all PhD seats - Sociology from six PhD students to zero

thecrimson.com

Harvard FAS Cuts Ph.D. Seats By More Than Half Across Next Two Admissions Cycles | News | The Harvard Crimson

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences slashed the number of Ph.D. student admissions slots for the Science division by more than 75 percent and for the Arts & Humanities division by about 60 percent for th...

1427251486

Reposted by Martin Lukk

Kohli Foundation for Sociology @kohli-sociology.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

📢𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻!📢 We’re now accepting applications for the 𝗞𝗼𝗵𝗹𝗶 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center @wzb.bsky.social Apply via our online portal: kohlifoundation.eu/programs-koh... 📆 Deadline 16 November 2025

21616

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Delighted to see findings from my book discussed in Sara Herschander's thoughtful @vox.com piece on the grim realities of digital crowdfunding and how to live with them. @stanfordpress.bsky.social www.vox.com/future-perfe...

vox.com

What to do when every crisis needs your $20

Everyone needs help on GoFundMe. So how do we give?

031

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

"Interpretations of Topbot as measuring perceived income decile or subjective social status ... are untenable, and empirical claims made on these bases should be revisited." Important intervention relevant to many ppl studying the origins of political party support.

011

Reposted by Martin Lukk

Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World @sociusjournal.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

📶 Who’s still offline in a wired world? A new #Socius data visualization by @spencerallen.bsky.social (@um-psc.bsky.social)‬ tracks #BroadbandAccess in the U.S. from 2013–2023—showing gaps by #Race, #Education & #Poverty have narrowed, but persist. Read: doi.org/10.1177/2378...

062

Reposted by Martin Lukk

Caroline Lee @carolinewlee.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Another outstanding @asapolisoc.bsky.social panel on Electoral Politics. #asa2025

172

Reposted by Martin Lukk

Zach Parolin @zparolin.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Bocconi University in Milan is hiring in sociology at any level (open rank). Ideal candidate might focus on inequality, social policy, computational, labor markets, or similar. Happy to answer questions about my time there for anyone considering applying. More details: jobmarket.unibocconi.eu

03128

Reposted by Martin Lukk

Thomas Davidson @thomasdavidson.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

I’m delighted to share that the August 2025 special issue of Sociological Methods & Research on Generative AI is out now. Along with my co-editor, Daniel Karell, we put together this issue to build on the conference we organized last year. Here's a thread on each of the ten papers:

A screenshot of the Sociological Methods & Research website showing the special issue title

37531

Reposted by Martin Lukk

Laura K. Nelson @lauraknelson.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

Attn: the special issue of SMR on Generative AI in Sociology is now online. The whole issue is fire, but the introduction by @thomasdavidson.bsky.social and Danny Karell is a must read, covering prompting, measurement, and simulations. It's a road map for soc sci research in the genAI era. +

journals.sagepub.com

Integrating Generative Artificial Intelligence into Social Science Research: Measurement, Prompting, and Simulation - Thomas Davidson, Daniel Karell, 2025

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) offers new capabilities for analyzing data, creating synthetic media, and simulating realistic social interactions. This...

28941

Reposted by Martin Lukk

rahaeli @rahaeli.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

So I don't have the energy to redo the entire thread about the papal conclave but I will redo the part about the Latin nerdery: the announcement of a new pope is always in Latin, and uses a very traditional form.

8484120

Reposted by Martin Lukk

Arpit Gupta @arpitrage.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

RCT suggests smartphones make adults dumb cc @paulgp.com @novosad.bsky.social academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...

1412229

Reposted by Martin Lukk

Airways Magazine @airwaysmag.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

OAG data shows that passenger bookings on Canada–U.S. routes are currently down by 70% compared to last year. www.airwaysmag.com/new-post/boo...

airwaysmag.com

OAG: Bookings on Canada–U.S. Air Routes Down by 70%

OAG data shows that passenger bookings on Canada–U.S. routes are currently down by 70% compared to last year.

052

Reposted by Martin Lukk

Noah Kazis @noahkazis.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Because Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson's "Abundance" is less a book than a discourse-generating machine (by design), I'm going to review the *reviews* (I also have a review of the actual book coming, I'm not a total weirdo). Roughly from worst to best:

59019

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Hello, #ESS2025! I'll be presenting tomorrow, Friday at the "From Polarization to Solidarity" mini-conference. Whittier, 4th floor @ 8AM. Come to find out what this map tells us about territorial identification in contemporary Europe!

010

Reposted by Martin Lukk

G Elliott Morris @gelliottmorris.com · 05/03/2025

As reported, the entire staff of 538 was laid off this morning. This is a severe blow to political data journalism, and I feel for my colleagues. Readers note: As we were instructed not to publish any new content, all planned updates to polls data and averages are canceled indefinitely. Huge loss :(

1663032881

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

The tech story no one is talking about #clubhouse

030

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

PSA: Grad students can sign up for a GitHub Education account and get free unlimited access to GitHub Co-Pilot. It plugs in directly to RStudio and is extremely handy. #rstats

github.com

Students - GitHub Education

GitHub is where people build software. More than 100 million people use GitHub to discover, fork, and contribute to over 420 million projects.

2198

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 26/07/2024

💰 🌨 Is your GoFundMe campaign doomed to fail? My new piece in @us.theconversation.com (with Erik Schneiderhan) discusses the unsuccesful campaigns and disappointed users the platform doesn't tell you about and what this says about the problems of for-profit philanthropy in an algorithmic age.

theconversation.com

What GoFundMe conceals: The campaigns that fail

Most people are left refreshing the page and coming up empty-handed.

140

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 20/06/2024

💡Why does income inequality matter for the success of far-right politics? My new article in Socius argues that inequality is a social status threat that consolidates group boundaries & promotes ethnonationalism, which draws voters to the far right. See journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

journals.sagepub.com

Politics of Boundary Consolidation: Income Inequality, Ethnonationalism, and Radical-Right Voting - Martin Lukk, 2024

Scholars have linked income inequality to the recent success of radical-right parties and movements. Yet research shows that inequality reduces participation am...

020

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 12/06/2024

Check out Daniela Zuzunaga Zegarra's (Queen's University) new review of my book GoFailMe: The Unfulfilled Promise of Digital Crowdfunding (@stanfordpress.bsky.social) in @hnetreviews.bsky.social! networks.h-net.org/group/review...

020

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 13/03/2024

Glad to be quoted in this story on a recent viral crowdfunding campaign in DC and the many things that can go wrong when raising money this way.

washingtonpost.com

A TikToker raised $400K for an unhoused man. Then things got messy.

It all began with a request for hot tea.

120

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 29/01/2024

Reporter: "if you didn’t have money on the line ... would you still be this optimistic [about blockchain etc]?" VC: "I don’t know. . . ." Hard to take seriously arguments about new decentralized tech benefitting the public good when the ppl arguing for it say stuff like this.

nytimes.com

Mediapocalypse Now, a16z’s Chris Dixon Defends Crypto, and HatGPT

Strangely a lot of pro wrestling in this episode.

010

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 02/11/2023

New research on unions helps us think about what this week's UAW victory means for other workers: Perron (@uoft.bsky.social) finds evidence that union presence promotes *cultural* norms that affect wage setting and ultimately reduce inequality between workers (the "moral economy" perspective).

sciencedirect.com

Unions and moral economies: An investigation into cultural pathways linking union decline to rising ...

Declines in union density explain a considerable portion of rising US inequality among unionized and non-unionized workers. However, how union density…

021

Martin Lukk @martinlukk.bsky.social · 27/09/2023

My book is OUT TODAY, Bluesky! 🥳 In GoFailMe, Erik and I look at why & how people try to raise money online for basic needs, and find that services like GoFundMe fail most of their users while touting themselves as cures to today's affordability crises. ✨ Get it 20% off @stanfordpress.bsky.social!

0163

Reposted by Martin Lukk

Claes de Vreese @claesdevreese.bsky.social · 22/09/2023

🚨Job alert 🚨 We have 2️⃣ postdoc positions in our new interdisciplinary research priority area AI & Politics. We define both AI and politics broadly. Think 'impact of AI on politics' or 'politicisation of AI'. Please share.And apply by 🗓️ October 18 polisky commsky vacatures.uva.nl/UvA/job/Two-...

03440