Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 07/10/2026And SCOTUS, more or less, gave him the license to do so when they provided full to partial immunity for official acts in office. 000
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 07/10/2026"Written by Lindsay Owens and Elizabeth Pancotti, the report digs into Walmart’s patents, privacy disclosures, and technology investments to reveal how the retailer is building the infrastructure that could allow it to deploy personalized pricing at scale." 020
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 07/10/2026"Walmart’s patent portfolio goes even further. Groundwork’s research reveals Walmart has spent years developing technologies that can be used to track shoppers’ daily routines, measure customers’ heart rates & glucose levels, change prices in real-time based on what customers need most, & more."3/3 131
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 07/10/2026"Walmart updated its customer privacy policy to give itself further permission to collect everything from income and ethnicity to retinal imagery, license plate numbers, and even the exact spot where a shopper is standing inside a store." 2/3 143
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Another nugget of evidence that AI/ Big Data type technologies are doing little for consumers and simply increasing the profits of large corporations: 1/3groundworkcollaborative.orgWalmart Watchdog: New Groundwork Analysis Exposes the Doublespeak Behind Walmart’s Pricing Playbook - Groundwork Collaborative 1113
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Eliminating the future scholars of major disciplines: “The flagship [NSF] Graduate Research Fellowship Program will exclude students in the social sciences for the upcoming application cycle, and NSF’s August call for new grant proposals left out Social Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE).” 041
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Eliminating the future scholars of major disciplines: “The flagship Graduate Research Fellowship Program will exclude students in the social sciences for the upcoming application cycle, and NSF’s August call for new grant proposals left out Social Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE).” 052
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 07/10/2026In Social Behavioral & Economic “NSF spent just $95M for 2026…relative to the $247M avg between ‘21 & ’24 & awarded just 91 new grants…from its avg of abt 800…more than 30 areas—including archaeology, anthropology, & sociology, which typically make hundreds of new grants—distributed 0 new awards.” 052
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 07/10/2026In Social Behavioral & Economic “NSF spent just $95M for 2026…relative to the $247M avg between ‘21 & ’24 & awarded just 91 new grants…from its avg of abt 800…more than 30 areas—including archaeology, anthropology, & sociology, which typically make hundreds of new grants—distributed 0 new awards.” 020
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Found this morning in an infrequently used day pack. Coincidence or omen? 050
Reposted by Troy TassierAmy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 06/10/2026A breath of fresh air: @saskiapopescu.bsky.social writes about the specific threats of bioweapons AND POLICIES TO REDUCE RISK. A very real threat is distraction. Best thing I've read on this topic. www.nature.com/articles/d41...nature.comAI biohazard hype must not divert attention from the real risks we face nowTwenty-five years after the US anthrax attacks, fears around AI are distracting people from seeing what’s needed to stay safe: a strong, regulated life-sciences sector. 04219
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 06/10/2026One advantage for NY state - they don’t allow religious exemptions to vax requirements. In principle, that should help prevent some of the deep pockets of under vaccinated schools and communities. Again, that’s in principle. In practice could be another story depending on enforcement. 173
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 06/10/2026One thing ny state has as an advantage - they don’t allow religious exemptions. In principle, thst should help prevent some of the deep pockets of under vaccinated schools and communities. Again, that’s in principle, in practice could be another story depending on enforcement. 0120
Reposted by Troy TassierElizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Pennsylvania has now reported: -At least 1004 measles cases -198 hospitalizations -Five deaths Only four of the cases had been vaccinated. Sure, we’ve got some numbers here, but the damage from RFK Jr.’s malicious treachery is actually incalculable.wbaltv.comPennsylvania measles cases reach more than 1,000. Track outbreaks in your stateMeasles cases have surged in 2026, and Pennsylvania reported more than a thousand cases as of Monday. 46737341
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Cool idea. I had a professor in grad school who would play a song, usually 70s era punk, before class. He was always thrilled when someone identified the song (most of us were born in the mid 70s-early 80s and the class predated Shazam technology). It was a fun way to kick off a dense theory class! 010
Reposted by Troy TassierTroy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Read this list & don’t forget all the GOP members of congress who allowed this to happen by not standing up & doing their jobs. You may think the democratic candidates in your district or state have flaws, but there isn’t a single gop member of congress that deserves to come back to dc. Vote! 0144
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 04/10/2026For people claiming a lack of vaccination is a personal choice, please know that we all pay for your choice during an outbreak. “Researchers performed a systematic review to examine the cost of measles outbreaks …the avg cost per case was ~$43,000...” Your choice our pocketbooks and risk.publichealth.jhu.eduEstimating the Financial Costs of Measles Outbreaks | International Vaccine Access Center 0158
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 04/10/2026And for people in highly affected areas that may not be aware, the mmr shots do provide some protection even if administered AFTER a known exposure. Get your shots people! 030
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 04/10/2026I don’t know why I do it to myself but I sometimes stray over to bluesky’s evil twin. Lots of crazy **** over there today abt the current measles outbreaks being do to natural immunity’s superiority over vax immunity. To which I leave this graph. Anyone want to return to the pre-measles-vaccine era? 3134
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 04/10/2026Stating the obvious here, but it’s pretty clear how to get this under control in PA and elsewhere: “Pennsylvania’s Department of Health added Friday that all but four of its measles cases have been among people who were not fully vaccinated against the virus.”thehill.comPennsylvania nears 1,000 measles cases, state health department reportsPennsylvania’s reported measles cases are almost at 1,000 for 2026, days after its health department confirmed the figure had passed 900. “977 measles cases have been confirmed across 39 coun… 2124
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Great article. Yet I hate for some people to see this. It is almost a how to manual for the grifters of the world who do not “yet” operate in this space. It’s ridiculous how easy the fraud is especially with a simple branding of religion or culture attached to the tuition bills. 2240
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Read this list & don’t forget all the GOP members of congress who allowed this to happen by not standing up & doing their jobs. You may think the democratic candidates in your district or state have flaws, but there isn’t a single gop member of congress that deserves to come back to dc. Vote! 0144
Reposted by Troy TassierProf Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 01/10/2026When Musk AND Rubio said “not a single person” died as a result of shutting down USAID, I wanted to vomit An estimated 700,000 people died (500,000 were kids) within a year of USAID being “put in the wood-chipper” Studies by Brooke Nichols at BU and by CGD researchers estimated a similar number 510347
Reposted by Troy TassierAmy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Absolutely stunning/horrifying to see a 5th measles death in PA. This means the outbreak is probably far higher than numbers count, seeing as roughly 1-3 people die per 1,000. Many people aren't being tested. Also: I'm going to states now for info, not the CDC* app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrI... 3360151
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 01/10/2026One of the big failings of our country right now.Trump/RFK/Musk/Thiel etc have shifted the right to crackpot ideas & there is no common ground in a just world. It’s like negotiating fight between your kids & saying “don’t punch your sister so hard” instead of saying “don’t f-ing punch your sister!” 031
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 30/09/2026When I lived in Iowa City, the college bookstore sold shirts mocking those who confused the “flyover” states. They read, University of Iowa Idaho City, Ohio I’m sure they appreciate the Missouri senators new marketing suggestion of shirts reading, University of Atlanta Hawks Iowa City, Georgia 🤷♂️ 281
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 30/09/2026The same “AI” that often makes simple errors like giving me the wrong address for a restaurant? Ya, happy to trust it for life changing/ saving decisions. 🤷♂️🤔 2179
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 29/09/2026If you’re interested in Malcom Gladwell’s new book on gun violence, do yourself a favor and pick up @josiahbates.bsky.social book first. He’s spent his career studying and reporting on gun violence. It’s excellent.amazon.comIn These Streets: Reporting from the Front Lines of Inner-City Gun ViolenceIn These Streets: Reporting from the Front Lines of Inner-City Gun Violence - Kindle edition by Bates, Josiah. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading In These Streets: Reporting from the Front Lines of Inner-City Gun Violence. 171
Reposted by Troy TassierProf Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Remember RFK Jr’s MAHA food advisory panel? The one that urged us to eat more beef tallow, red meat & full fat dairy—which would worsen the public’s health? You’ll never believe this: half the panel (HALF!) had financial ties to the livestock or dairy industries MAHA is such a big gift to Big Ag! 310026
Reposted by Troy TassierErin J. Wamsley 🧠📈😴 @wamsleylab.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Yeah, that's a problem www.chronicle.com/article/high... #academicsky #edusky 34825
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Lots and lots of (under 18) HS boys are on these apps. Letting these proliferate without more oversight is a losing bet for society. 0102
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Maybe I’m naive but I hate to think most people vote only by discerning whether the costs and befits favor them and don’t think abt their neighbors and others in society. 100
Reposted by Troy TassierTroy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 24/09/2026What happens when US News adds earnings to their college rankings? They reveal the gender gap. The most prominent women’s colleges in the US all fell in the rankings. Not because they became worse educators, but because we have organized our society so that women get paid less than men. 1/2 11511
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Unfortunately, i agree, there is a lot of what you state. But I also think this article pushes the statement I quoted too far. 110
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Frustrating viewpoint: “How voters view the law depends largely on which side of the federal ledger they find themselves — recipients of tax cuts or beneficiaries of programs that have been cut.” Large swaths of people benefit from the tax cuts but also see the inhumanity of the benefit cuts.nytimes.comTrump’s Signature Tax Bill Is Starting to Bite Before the Election (Gift Article)The tax cuts in President Trump’s signature achievement were the Republicans’ answer to voters’ economic struggles, but its health care and food assistance cuts are taking a toll. 181
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 24/09/2026To be clear, I don’t think rankings like us news tell us much about the true quality of education, but this result is illuminating. Even the women who attend these elite schools, who are all supremely intelligent and driven, suffer from the gender gap in the workplace. 2/2thewellesleynews.comWellesley falls to lowest U.S. News ranking in school historyWellesley College dropped to No. 10 from No. 7 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 ranking of National Liberal Arts Colleges, the lowest since U.S. News & World Report began ranking liberal arts colleg... 073
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 24/09/2026What happens when US News adds earnings to their college rankings? They reveal the gender gap. The most prominent women’s colleges in the US all fell in the rankings. Not because they became worse educators, but because we have organized our society so that women get paid less than men. 1/2 11511
Reposted by Troy TassierProPublica @propublica.org · 22/09/2026Sen. Susan Collins helped steer millions in federal defense contracts to Navatek, whose CEO illegally funneled thousands of dollars to her campaign. The FBI sought to launch a probe and was eyeing Collins and other lawmakers. Then Trump gutted the unit in charge. THREAD 🧵 412114646113
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Jaw dropping and brazen bribery that Trump brushed away! This should be the biggest story of the election cycle.propublica.orgThe FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the WayAfter the FBI caught a defense contractor’s CEO making illegal campaign contributions, it sought to launch a sweeping political bribery probe involving Collins and others. Then the second Trump admini... 0101
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 20/09/2026MAGA appointees as arbiters of heath research. Who thinks that will make us great? “The proposed board would represent a significant escalation in the administration’s effort to exert political control over federal grant-making for health research.”politico.comTrump asked budget chief to draft order bringing health research funding under his controlThe move came after the NIH director refused Trump’s request to cut Harvard grants in an Oval Office meeting. 181
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Easy to forget how beautiful your workplace is until you catch it on a day like today! 150
Reposted by Troy TassierLuke @161bentzl.bsky.social · 18/09/2026As global researchers begin work on the next U.N. climate assessment, fears are growing that the Trump admin will mess with critical U.S. climate data. In response, scientists are preparing to transfer vast troves of that data to repositories in Germany. #Climate #Data e360.yale.edu/features/ger...e360.yale.eduWhy Germany Is Building an Ark for U.S. Climate DataAs researchers around the world begin work on the next U.N. climate assessment, fears are growing that the Trump administration could meddle with critical U.S. climate data. In response, scientists ar... 121
Reposted by Troy TassierProf Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Important thread 👇 17242
Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 17/09/2026True 👇 The US didn’t begin giving a second measles dose, as is recommended today, until 1989. A large number of people in their mid 40s and older, who think they are protected, likely are not, or they have limited immunity at best. 032