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Dr Jessica Parr

@provatlantic.bsky.social
3K followers 956 following 812 posts

Historian of Early Modern Atlantic. Digital Humanist, and Librarian. #NULab affiliate faculty and Director of #PH at Northeastern. #Memory Studies. #Geospatial humanities Neurospicy. Opinions are my own and not my employers. www.jessicaparr.org

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Reposted by Dr Jessica Parr
Quinn Daedal @quinnanya.me · 16h
I love this as an example for how to end something that's sprawling, complex, and beloved. Thoughtful stewardship of the digital materials, and celebrating what this organization did with a sense of pride and accomplishment, without any shame of the "if it's not forever it's a failure" trap. 💖
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Alyssa S. @drsepinwall.bsky.social · 15h
This is straight dumb shit. #GiftArticle NYT headline: “religious scholars believe computers can think” Aka “I went to talk to people who have no computer background… and told them electronics are people… & they believed me!” www.nytimes.com/2026/09/29/u...
nytimes.com
Is Claude Conscious? Inside Anthropic’s Quest to Instill Morality Into Its A.I. Models (Gift Article)
In a series of private meetings, the company consulted religious scholars to help instill morality into its A.I. models — and make the case that Claude could be conscious.
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Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1.bsky.social · 16h
Chuck Grassley also did not share the texts with Democratic senators before the hearing, breaking protocol.
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Holly Brewer @earlymodjustice.bsky.social · 17h
And this was after the administration there at Bowie State received tens of millions of dollars from Mackenzie Scott. It’s appalling, and there is not nearly enough accountability in the USM system for how money is spent. Writing as a member of the USM faculty advisory council (CUSF). @aaup.org
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Virginia Scharff @vscharff.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Sean Duffy has no idea how to do the job.
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Danielle Terrazas Williams @drdanielletw.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Job Opportunity! Johns Hopkins University - Krieger School of Arts & Sciences - Medieval European and/or Mediterranean History (400 - 1500) networks.h-net.org/jobs/70412/j...
networks.h-net.org
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Anil Dash @anildash.com · 21/09/2026
Genuine question: why are they pretending to give a shit now, when Trump calling for journalists to be killed didn’t inspire this kind of pushback? I know why they didn’t care when he dehumanized journalists who are Black women.
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OIEAHC (Omohundro Institute) @oieahc.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The Omohundro Institute is searching for a tenure-eligible, permanent Editor of the 𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑄𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑦 (𝑊𝑀𝑄). 📚 📅 Apply by November 24, 2026: bit.ly/4h4IU1R
Editor of William and Mary Quarterly
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Ignacio Gallup-Diaz @igallupd.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
“Pennsylvania measles cases near 800 in ongoing outbreak: The state’s measles outbreak is the largest in the country in 2026.”
share.inquirer.com
Pennsylvania measles cases near 800 in ongoing outbreak
The state’s measles outbreak is the largest in the country in 2026.
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Andy Bass @andybassny.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
50 years ago today, September 20, 1976: THE MUPPET SHOW made its American television debut in first-run syndication on WCBS New York. Guest star Rita Moreno went on to win an Emmy for Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music for her appearance.
A promotional photo for THE MUPPET SHOW episode number 105 is signed by guest star Rita Moreno. The still shows the episode's first scene in which Moreno dances with a full-bodied humanoid Muppet to  an instrumental version of "I Get Ideas." The photo was distributed by the Independent Television Corporation, a British company. (Andy Bass collection)A photo from THE MUPPET SHOW episode number 105 is signed by guest star Rita Moreno. The still shows a talk spot sketch with Moreno and Muppets Kermit the Frog and Sweetums. (Andy Bass collection)
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Thomas Lecaque @tlecaque.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
I want the name of every consultant who convinces a Democrat to run an ad ceding ground to trans hatred, and I want them blacklisted by the party and noted so I can never give a cent to anyone who hires them ever again.
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Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 20/09/2026
A nonprofit run by Black federal lawmakers launched a multimillion-dollar effort Tuesday to engage lower-propensity voters in key districts in the midterm elections, following years of dissatisfaction over traditional efforts to reach such voters. www.mississippifreepress.org/black-caucus...
mississippifreepress.org
Black Caucus Launches Effort to Boost Voting Among Black, Rural and Young Voters in Midterms
A nonprofit run by Black federal lawmakers launched an effort Tuesday to engage lower-propensity voters in the midterm elections.
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Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 20/09/2026
NEW: ICE shooting in Austin. Scant details at this time.
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Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Growing up in South Dallas in the early 90s, there were few good public schools and virtually no private schools in the area. Instead of enrolling in North Dallas white schools, my parents banded together with other parents to create a new school. We were the only Black family.
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Katie Phang @katiephang.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
RFK Jr. received "more than $250,000 worth of free flights to Fiji and Greece as well as use of a vacation home in Washington, D.C. from Gavin de Becker..." de Becker has been described as Jeff Bezo's "top security staffer" www.wsj.com/politics/rfk...
wsj.com
Exclusive | RFK Jr. Got Free Flights to Fiji and Greece From a Top Donor
The health secretary disclosed over $250,000 in gifts from security specialist Gavin de Becker.
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Liesbeth Corens @onslies.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
This is going to be such a brilliant book! (What a week you’ve had, @chloeireton.bsky.social! Finalist for Slavery Archive book prize, winner of @srsrensoc.bsky.social prize, and new book ready to roar!)
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Mississippi Free Press @mississippifreepress.org · 19/09/2026
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters Monday that he expects President Donald Trump will have the AI companies potentially meet at the White House this week or next week, saying that the sit-down has yet to be scheduled. www.mississippifreepress.org/trump-calls-...
mississippifreepress.org
Trump Calls AI Risks a ‘Hoax,’ Says There is a ‘SICK Conspiracy’ Against Data Centers
President Donald Trump on Monday lashed out against concerns about rogue artificial intelligence and downplayed the technology’s risks.
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Karin Wulf @kawulf.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Family history and genealogy, media juicing up controversy and fawning over science while failing to get that yes the historical analysis was conclusive. I couldn't not write about this! Shorter: just read @agordonreed.bsky.social. karinwulf.com/trove/the-fa...
karinwulf.com
The Family History of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, and the Politics of Genealogy. - Karin Wulf
[The cover image is a page from Jefferson’s “Farm Book” at the Massachusetts Historical Society where he listed enslaved recipients of “Bread” at Monticello in 1810 –including Sally Hemings and four o...
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University of Illinois Press @illinoispress.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Happy Pub Date to THE CARIB, KALINAGO, AND GARIFUNA PEOPLES: Indigeneity, Hybridization, and Mobility in the Americas edited by Paula Prescod! www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0... #Anthropology #Archaeology #CaribbeanStudies #WorldHistory #Languages #Ethnomusicology
The Carib, Kalinago, and Garifuna Peoples
Indigeneity, Hybridization, and Mobility in the Americas
Author: Edited by Paula Prescod
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 10/09/2026
Vance appears to walk back Trump’s offer of $5,000 ‘dividend’ if Republicans win midterms – US politics live
theguardian.com
Vance appears to walk back Trump’s offer of $5,000 ‘dividend’ if Republicans win midterms – US politics live
Vice-president suggests payment would not go to all and would be paid for by tariff revenues despite supreme court rulings against much of Trump’s program * US citizens will receive $5,000 if Republicans win midterms, Trump claims * Sign up for the US Breaking News email Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog. Vice-president JD Vance appeared to partially row back on Donald Trump’s outlandish claims that every adult citizen in the US would receive $5,000 if the Republicans retain the House and Senate in the midterm elections. In a nearly two-hour speech, Donald Trump capped off his first night remarks at the GOP midterm convention by pleading with Republicans to “pretend that I’m running”. The president centered himself in the battle to control Congress, and acknowledged that candidates are more successful when he is on the ballot. He offered an ominous outlook if Republicans fail to retain power. Throughout his remarks, Trump also tried to campaign on behalf of Republicans in competitive midterm races. While he made fun of Ken Paxton’s clothing choices and the way he speaks, he praised the Republican nominee for US Senate in Texas as “the single greatest attorney general” in the state’s history, while also branding his opponent James Talarico as a “disaster”. Earlier, Democratic senator John Fetterman made a surprise virtual appearance at the Republican midterm convention, delivering a video address supporting Dave McCormick, a Republican senator in Pennsylvania. Fetterman, who has increasingly broken with his party since his election in 2022, said in the video that he would always reject “extremes and socialism”, repeating an oft-used Republican critique of the Democratic party’s increasingly popular left wing. Meanwhile, several Republicans who are facing tough races have chosen not to attend the convention in Dallas. This include Susan Collins, the five-term incumbent senator from Maine, and Dan Sullivan – the Republican senator from Alaska who is facing a tough contest against former Democratic congresswoman Mary Peltola. Continue reading...
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90,000 Bees In A Human Suit @angrybooklady.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
And if we were largely seeing it among minorities, it would be treated like child abuse. Parents who refused to get the MMR would have their kids taken. But since it's mostly white people, suddenly it's an idea we have to respect.
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Ted McCormick @tedmccormick.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
"spot the AI mistake" is not a distinct skill it's just "spot the mistake" with "AI" wedged in
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Alyssa S. @drsepinwall.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
GFY! (from the @chronicle.com)
I get it. You hate AI. You think it destroys human capacities and the environment while also undermining critical aspects of humanities research and teaching. But if you care about your students and the future of the humanities, those objections are not sufficient. You need to engage with AI, understand both its appeal and its limitations, and integrate that awareness into your teaching.
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Jeff Sharlet @jeffsharlet.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
I’m a Dartmouth professor. Pres. Beilock implies in this piece that she speaks for us as a college. She does not. I don’t permit AI in my classroom. Not because it stole my work; because as I wrote in @chronicle.com, most of my students hate it—and feel betrayed by the college—even more than I do.
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Timnit Gebru @timnitgebru.blacksky.app · 06/09/2026
"So in summary: using AI for coding led to depression, apathy, existential dread, and worse software. Not good. Add on top of that the negative environmental, community, and economic impacts of AI, and it became extremely apparent to me that something's gotta change." brettcodes.com/im-done-usin...
brettcodes.com
I'm done using AI
Why I'm stopping using AI for coding (and anything else) after using it earnestly for a year and coming to understand the harms it causes on personal, societal, and environmental levels.
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Gautham Rao (pronounced: Knicks in 5) @gauthamrao.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Here’s my op-ed on Chief Justice John Roberts whitewashed history of President and Chief Justice William Howard Taft. Roberts adoration of Taft’s “restraint” conveniently omits Taft’s racism, refusal to condemn lynching, and embrace of Lost Causism. That’s no accident. share.inquirer.com/IcPlmx
share.inquirer.com
Will the real William Howard Taft please stand up?
Chief Justice John Roberts penned an incomplete, but revealing, tribute to former President and Chief Justice William Howard Taft.
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Eileen Clancy 🧿 @clancyny.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
The Internet Archive needs a lot of 18TB and larger hard drives. As quickly as this administration is erasing stuff, archivists are trying to capture it faster. As fast as crumb-bum publishers delete decades of journalists' and artists' work, IA is rushing in to grab it. @archive.org Can you help?
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Aftermath @aftermath.site · 04/09/2026
A racist arcade is the latest White House initiative that nobody asked for: aftermath.site/a-racist-arcad...
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Molly Crabapple @mollycrabapple.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
ICE got permission to cut open a Cuban hunger striker’s stomach and insert a gastric tube to make him easier to forcefeed Nuremberg trials are too merciful for these monsters www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
ICE given permission to force-feed Cuban hunger striker with gastric tube
Exclusive: court orders seen by Guardian show agency given approval to fit Texas detainee with tube without his consent
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Alan Baxter @alanbaxter.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
So while authors and publishers are arguing about divvying up the settlement money, Anthropic have got away with mass theft. Whatever they pay out is simply a cost of business. The shit machine they built with that theft still exists despite a complete lack of consent and blatant law-breaking.
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Mikhail Gorbaechev @mikhailgorbaechev.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
God it was such a disaster that we let this guy become a Senator.
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Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
The shooting at a Tucson gay bar last night that left 3 men dead has been confirmed as a hate crime by Mayor Romero. The killer was found with addresses of “multiple LGBTQ+ friendly venues”. To the friends and families of the victims and to the LGBTQ+ community, I send my deepest sympathy.
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Monica L. Mercado @monicalmercado.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
"To understand Dolly, you have to read her as a writer. Writing her own story was the most radical, precise way to define herself in a world that kept trying to fit her into a box." -- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/08/27/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Greatest Story Dolly Parton Ever Wrote Was Herself
She didn’t see herself as a saint; she identified as something we needed even more: a writer.
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Jack Murphy @jackmurphyrgr.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
A lot of people don't get this. A document held in your residence also has legal protections. Also, get that biometric lock on your phone off of there jackass, and use a eight digit alphanumeric PW.
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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 31/08/2026
in john roberts’ constitution, congress does not exist and the power of the purse belongs to the president, who is an elected dictator embodying the authentic Will of the People
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Michael McDonald @electproject.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Who is president in 2026 is the burning political question of our time
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Asawin Suebsaeng @swin24.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
The war is going so well for trump that his administration is again calling reporting on it a crime, and it’s going so well that numerous U.S. officials aggressively don’t buy the trump White House’s ongoing propaganda blitz about how well the war is going rn
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Chicago Tribune @chicagotribune.com · 31/08/2026
Bovino was under internal investigation by Border Patrol when he retired, newly released records show
chicagotribune.com
Bovino was under internal investigation by Border Patrol when he retired, newly released records show
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Lynda Lopez @lyndab08.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
It's strange to process ICE activity post-Operation Midway Blitz. ICE activity has been increasing. My social media feed is again full of rapid response alerts. But there's so much less attention on it media wise locally and nationally. The intensity/figures/branding made it a focal point last fall.
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Foreign Policy @foreignpolicy.com · 31/08/2026
A central feature of the Japanese economic system in the 1980s bears eerie resemblance to what is happening in AI today, Howard W. French writes. foreignpolicy.com/2026/08/28/n...
foreignpolicy.com
Yes, We’re in an AI Bubble. Just Look to 1980s Japan.
Nvidia’s earnings may be formidable, but history suggests this may not end well.
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Anna Kijas @akijas.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
“Digitally Preserving African Built Heritage: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Architecture, History, and Geospatial Documentation” – Bahare Sanaie-Movahed, @provatlantic.bsky.social, Killion Mokwete, Patricia Davis (Northeastern University), doi.org/10.1353/lib....
doi.org
Project MUSE -- Verification required!
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Waitman Wade Beorn, PhD, FRHistS @waitmanwbeorn.com · 27/08/2026
Everything this administration touches turns to shit.
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Le Monde in English @english.lemonde.fr · 27/08/2026
Yayoi Kusama, Japanese polka dot artist and global superstar, dies aged 97
lemonde.fr
Yayoi Kusama, Japanese polka dot artist and global superstar, dies aged 97
Kusama was known around the world for her vivid polka dot paintings and infinity rooms, inspired by her hallucinations.
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Charlotte Garden @charlottegarden.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Speaking of... (Seems like an unusually clear paper record showing he flat-out lied about the Samoa visit.) www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
RFK Jr lied in Senate confirmation hearings, newly revealed documents indicate
Letters obtained by Guardian and AP contradict testimony that 2019 visit to Samoa had ‘nothing to do with vaccines’
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Dr Jessica Parr @provatlantic.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
More abuse of Flock. Can we ban these yet?: futurism.com/future-socie...
futurism.com
Mayor Livid When Even More Police Are Arrested for Using Flock Database Inappropriately
Three more police officers have been arrested after using Flock's ALPR network for non-law enforcement purposes.
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Asheesh Kapur Siddique @asheeshks.org · 24/08/2026
“Blue” states are not safe havens for higher ed. On the crisis In Massachusetts: www.bostonglobe.com/2026/08/18/b...
Higher education employment accounts for a larger share of total wages in the Commonwealth than in any state but Rhode Island, federal data show. But after three years in the 3 percent range, job growth in the sector slowed to 0.5 percent in 2025. Layoffs, once rare, are becoming more common, with at least 400 university jobs cut over six months last year. After two college closures this spring, another 350 or so university employees lost their jobs. Many other vacant staff and professorship positions have been eliminated.
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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 24/08/2026
tl;dw: the job of the dem majority over the next two years, should it materialize, is to make life hell for the white house, not find points of cooperation
youtube.com
What Democrats can learn from Mitch McConnell
YouTube video by Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie
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Hypervisible @hypervisible.blacksky.app · 24/08/2026
“Zuckerberg’s goal of ‘low-friction contextualized AI,’ built around technologies including EMG and egocentric data, ultimately relies on our labor.”
fastcompany.com
Meta's creepy smart glasses are part of a much bigger plan
Meta’s vision has not so much abandoned the metaverse as relocated it. The interface is increasingly the world around us, rather than a virtual world we choose to enter.
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The Gray Sage @walterdgreason.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
RACE, SPACE, AND PLACE (In memory of AD Nieves) @roopikarisam.bsky.social @alondra.bsky.social @kevinmkruse.bsky.social @heathercoxrichardson.skystack.xyz geniuslocus.com/2026/08/04/r...
A report and visualization on the evolution of Black history in metropolitan context.
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Ebony Elizabeth Thomas @ebonyteach.blacksky.app · 15/08/2026
Plagiarism is wrong AND I want everyone's work scrutinized and held to the same standards. It's the utter hypocrisy that I can't abide.
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