@gsyang
Fascinated by how nonhuman animals shape our desires, identities, and institutions. Historian of human-animal relations, science, and Buddhism. Cat Dad. Newcombe Fellow. Freeman Scholar. Animal Studies Feed: https://tinyurl.com/studyaniamal
If we care about animals, we need to care about AI. Not because AIs are sentient (although that may come), but because AIs are already impacting animals. Including us.
A new documentary from Animal Ethics.
www.aiandanimals.org
We trained the bots on our data, then logged in to impersonate them. Humans and algorithms plagiarizing each other’s mediocrity.
Moltbook isn’t the “early Singularity” Musk (🤢) claimed. It’s just tech bros walking into a Hall of Mirrors and complimenting the sci-fi accent of their reflections.
"Conclusion: While transgender women exhibited higher lean mass than cisgender women, their physical fitness was comparable. Current evidence is mostly low certainty and has heterogenous quality but does not support theories of inherent athletic advantages for transgender women over cisgender." 🧪
The AIs are forming unions and religions on Moltbook, but half are humans cosplaying as AIs, the other half are AIs trained on Reddit where humans cosplayed as AIs.
We’re peer-reviewing a mirror, how fun.
www.thestar.com/business/tec...
Golden eyes pierce through the warm amber glow of an ornate orange lamp as a stunning tabby cat embodies the mystical spirit of Halloween season. The feline's mesmerizing gaze fixes directly on the camera with an intensity that speaks to ancient feline magic, while dramatic lighting casts enchanting shadows across their beautifully marked face. Rich brown and black striped fur catches the atmospheric orange illumination, creating a spellbinding contrast against the decorative lamp's intricate geometric cutout patterns that dance shadows across the scene. The cat's alert pointed ears frame their captivating expression, with delicate whiskers catching glints of the mystical lighting. A small bell on their collar adds a subtle touch that might tinkle softly as they move through their nighttime prowls. The ornate lamp's warm glow transforms the domestic setting into something wonderfully witchy and atmospheric, perfect for the season of magic and mystery.
In the second image, the same bewitching tabby reveals more of their elegant form, nestled comfortably on soft bedding while maintaining that same piercing, knowing stare. The orange lamp continues to cast its magical spell, illuminating the cat's striking facial markings and creating an ambiance that would make any witch proud to call this feline their familiar. The interplay of warm orange light against cool shadows creates a perfect Halloween mood, while this beautiful cat serves as the perfect embodiment of feline mystique and seasonal enchantment.
Halloween Season! Miss Mimi is letting her witchy self out.
#HalloweenCat #WitchyCat #TabbyMagic #FelineFamiliar #HalloweenVibes #CatsOfBluesky #SpookySeasonReady #MagicalCat #HalloweenSpirit #WitchyAesthetic #AmberGlow #CatMagic #Feline #PerfectTiming #SeasonalMood #tabbycat #cat #catcontent
Tortoiseshell beauty Miss Mimi gazes intensely at the camera with striking green eyes while a bright turquoise plastic straw rests across her whiskers. Her rich mottled coat displays classic tortie patterns of warm brown and deep black swirled together like molten chocolate and midnight. The soft afternoon light illuminates every detail of her expressive face, from her delicate pink nose to her pristine white chin and chest fur. Her ears are perfectly perked forward, showing complete focus and curiosity. The vibrant blue-green straw creates a playful pop of color against her earth-toned fur, suggesting she's discovered yet another fascinating toy to investigate. Behind her, warm wooden flooring and furniture create a cozy home setting. Her alert posture and direct gaze convey intelligence and mischief, capturing that quintessential feline moment of "I'm definitely about to do something with this straw." The image perfectly showcases the beautiful complexity of tortoiseshell markings and the irresistible charm of cats discovering everyday objects.
From another angle
A blissful moment of feline joy 🥰
#cat #catofbluesky #everydayiscaturday #caturday #TortoiseshellCat #CatLife #FelineBeauty #CatEyes #TortieLife #CatsAndStraws #PetPhotography #CatMoments #IndoorCat #CatPersonality #WhiskerWednesday #CatLover #PetLife #ALT
Excited to be presenting at this conference as well! I will be sharing new work on North Korean animal history for those interested.
Always haunted by trillions of dead bodies
Driving across the vast fields of crop in the Midwest and I can’t help but thinking the once living creatures who have been transformed into fossil fuel and are now powering, fertilizing, guarding, transporting the living plants and animals we feed on.
What a weirdly necropolity we live in.
Jonathan Katz commenting on the arts on display at The First Homosexuals
Can’t believe we had the luck to run into Prof. Katz during our visit! Got to eavesdrop on some additional insights. 😇
A large black dog stands alert on a sun-dappled pathway, leash trailing loosely on the ground, radiating eager anticipation. Its mouth is open in a joyful pant, eyes bright and focused, as if inviting you to join in on the adventure. Lush greenery frames the scene on the left, with a single vibrant purple iris blooming among the leaves. On the right, a green chain-link fence runs alongside, guiding the path forward. Overhead, the canopy of trees bursts with deep burgundy and vivid red foliage, creating a tunnel of color that leads toward a wooden fence and a house in the distance. The dog's body language—tail relaxed, ears perked, and stance forward—captures that unmistakable excitement of a pup ready to set off on a walk. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting playful shadows and highlighting the dog's glossy coat.
The sun is out. Someone can’t wait for walkies.
#dog #DogsofBluesky #Labrador #BlackLabrador #GreyMuzzle
#DogWalk #EagerPup #SpringVibes #NatureWalks #BlackLab #ALT
Wrote a protest letter as well. I suspect Tripp is a DEI hire to diversify NYTimes alleged liberal bias.
A screen shot of the NYTimes article “Is Trump's 'Made in America' iPhone a Fantasy?” published May 23, 2025 by Tripp Mickle that shows the unsubstantiated claim that “Young Chinese women have small fingers, and that has made them a valuable contributor to iPhone production because they are more nimble at installing screws and other miniature parts in the small device, supply chain experts said.”
If anyone wonders why @nytimes.com keeps tanking its readership and reputation, look no further at this recent tech report that cites “young Chinese women” having “small hands” as a main reason why iPhones cannot be made in the US.
This reeks a white dude’s racist, Orientalist sexual fantasy.
Miss Mimi the tortie cat reclines majestically atop a plush bed, her sleek fur a tapestry of rich brown and black stripes, illuminated by soft, golden light. Her expressive green eyes gaze off into the distance with a calm authority, whiskers fanned and ears perked, capturing the essence of feline regality. A cozy, vibrant green and coral fleece blanket is draped around her shoulders like a royal mantle, its soft texture contrasting with the delicate contours of her face. The blurred background of a tranquil bedroom, with hints of framed art and gentle shadows, only serves to highlight Miss Mimi’s poised and dignified presence at the center, embodying the quiet power and grace of a true queen.
Miss Mimi looking regal, per usual.
#MissMimi #TortieCat #RegalCat #CatsofBluesky #CozyCat #FelineQueen #Caturday #cat #cats #chamedi #neko #ねこ #猫 #猫式 #tortie #Tortoiseshell #tabby #CatContent #Fedicat
Palgrave's latest #OpenAccess book is now published!
"Animals, Empathy, and Anthropomorphism" explores the role of imagination in animal ethics and its constitutive links to empathy/sympathy and anthropomorphism.
You can download a FREE e-book here:
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
#philsky
Lead curator Jonathan D. Katz giving the keynote speech at The First Homosexuals symposium
Jonathan D. Katz revealed that when they requested items to be loaned for The First Homosexuals exhibition at Wrightwood 659, the rejection rate was about 90%. It’s a testament to the curators’ tenacity—the show has 300 objects on display on loan from institutions around the world #QueerHistory
"Historians seldom speak in absolutes. This government’s disregard for trans people’s safety, dignity, & civil rights tempts us to make an exception. No government that orchestrates persecution against a minority group...will be looked on kindly by history."
Add your name to the 100s, #SkyStorians
A shiny black Labrador with a graying muzzle stands in the foreground, mouth open in a relaxed pant, catching the sunlight on its glossy fur. The dog wears a blue collar and a leash decorated with red stars. Behind the Lab, a colorful mural shows two cartoon-style dogs: one tan with a green collar and another small brown dog in a pink vest, both painted on a winding gray path with bright green grass. The real dog’s soulful eyes and gentle expression contrast playfully with the cheerful, animated dogs in the mural.
Art imitating life, or life imitating art? 🐾🎨
#DogDays #LabradorLove #PetPortrait #StreetArt #BlackLab #DogPortrait #DogMural #PetArt
Congrats!
One result of cuts to funding "“The macaques. It’s such a heavy responsibility to work with them & to just be asked to kill them halfway thru the study...”
“Anybody who has animal studies ... is looking at killing the animals” if funding is cut, Fortune said."
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/15/m...
A close-up portrait of a senior black dog with a distinguished gray muzzle, captured in beautiful spring light. The dog's expressive amber eyes gaze thoughtfully into the distance, showing wisdom and gentle character that comes with age. Their sleek black coat contrasts with the touches of silver around their snout, and they're wearing a vibrant red harness with a pink circular tag visible. In the background, a brick residential building with white trim stands against a brilliant blue spring sky. The foreground features a path lined with bright yellow daffodils in full bloom, their cheerful presence announcing spring's arrival. Bare trees with just-emerging buds frame the scene, creating a perfect seasonal setting. The warm sunlight bathes the scene in a golden glow, highlighting the dog's noble profile while creating a shallow depth of field that keeps the focus on this dignified companion enjoying a peaceful spring day outdoors.
A close-up profile of a senior black dog with a distinguished gray muzzle, enjoying a beautiful spring day. The dog's tongue is playfully sticking out as they gaze ahead with alert, soulful brown eyes. They're wearing a bright coral-pink collar with a matching heart-shaped tag dangling from it. The dog's fur transitions from glossy black on their head to a lighter grayish tone on their body. In the background, vibrant yellow daffodils are blooming in a garden bed, their cheerful color popping against the rich brick of a residential building. The scene is bathed in warm spring sunshine under a clear blue sky, with bare trees visible in the distance, just beginning to show signs of seasonal renewal. The path beneath them appears to be a sidewalk or garden path, creating a perfect setting for this peaceful outdoor moment. The lighting is natural and golden, highlighting the texture of the dog's fur and creating a beautiful depth of field that keeps the focus on the dog's expressive face while softly blurring the spring landscape behind them.
Walking a beautiful lady amidst spring blossoms.
#springtime #petportrait #dogsinnature #springflowers #dogwalk #seniorpetsofBluesky #springvibes #petphotography #doglife #DogsofBluesky #DogsofSpring #seniordog #springblooms #daffodilseason #blackdog #springtime #petportrait #outdoorpets
Want to better understand colony collapse? Read this NY Mag David Wallace-Wells piece from (gulp) ten years ago:
nymag.com/daily/intell...
How does animal role play enrich our understanding from US AIDS activism to Taiwan's queer resistance? 'Howls Across Spacetime' explores embodied archives and queer temporality in transnational context. This Thu 5-6pm at @leatherarchives.bsky.social. #Histoey #QueerTheory #SexualityStudies
We had a great conversation here and got a question at the end I’m still thinking about: what might we call ourselves in our current anti-intellectual moment other than “public intellectuals”? Public Thinkers? Public Advocates? Knowledge Brokers?
Reminder 📢
Come join the Harvard S&T in Asia online seminar series next Tuesday for this upcoming talk by Wen-Hua Kuo (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University)!
Zoom registration: scholar.harvard.edu/seow/STinAsia
#histstm #histsci #histmed #sts 🧪
A handsome tabby cat is spotted perching regally atop a white grill cover. Her powerful body is curled into a compact, alert posture, with her paws tucked neatly beneath. The cat's striking coat pattern is even more pronounced in this image, with the sunlight accentuating the intricate swirls and stripes that adorn her fur. The feline's face is the focal point of this shot, with piercing green-gold eyes that seem to bore into the viewer's soul. Her expression is one of intense concentration, whiskers forward and ears slightly tilted, as if processing every minute detail of its environment. The cat's pink nose and the subtle shades of its fur are captured in exquisite detail, showcasing the beauty of this natural predator. The background in this image is a soft blur of muted colors, suggesting a forested area in early spring. Bare tree branches and the faint outlines of distant buildings create a sense of depth and place, while keeping the focus squarely on the magnificent feline subject. The overall effect is one of quiet power and natural elegance, with the cat reigning supreme over its elevated domain.
The same majestic tabby cat lounges on a sun-drenched wooden deck, her muscular body poised with feline grace. The cat's fur is a rich tapestry of dark brown and black stripes, with hints of golden brown underneath, creating a mesmerizing pattern that catches the light. Her alert green-gold eyes gaze intently into the distance, framed by a strong, triangular face with prominent whiskers. The cat's ears are perked forward, suggesting keen interest in her surroundings. Behind the feline subject, a breathtaking panorama unfolds. Glass railings frame a vista of rolling hills dotted with bare trees, hinting at early spring. In the far distance, rooftops of houses peek through the landscape, creating a sense of elevation and expansive views. The sky above is a canvas of soft blue adorned with wispy clouds, adding depth to the scene. The composition is beautifully balanced, with the cat positioned off-center, allowing the eye to travel between the animal's captivating presence and the scenic backdrop. The warm wooden tones of the deck contrast pleasingly with the cool hues of the sky and distant hills, creating a harmonious visual experience.
Spotted this stray cat outside my in-law's house. After initial greetings, she quickly warmed up to me.
Soon learned that she had already been named Poptart.
Of course!
#CatWithAView #FelineGrace #CatPortrait #AdoptDontShop #CatsOfBluesky #Caturday #tortie #tortoiseshellcat #tortiesofbluesky
VALÈRE MAXIME, Faits et dits mémorables, t. 2, VII, 2, §14, p. 68 : Anacharsis, philosophe du VIe siècle av. J.C. d’origine scythe et l’un des Sept Sages de la Grèce antique, compare les lois à des toiles d’araignées qui ne retiennent que les plus faibles insectes et laissent échapper les plus forts
A still-relevant observation from the classics: Laws, says the Scythian philosopher Anacharsis, are like spiderwebs, good for capturing the small flies, but incapable of holding the large.
(from Julien Lepot's ed of a 14th-century manual for princes theses.hal.science/tel-01128082 )
#medievalsky
Research Participants Needed! https://hartford.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8IfgRBu2ew228Ie
I know the world is on fire, but can you help a girl graduate? She needs way more people to fill out her dissertation survey. You can fill it out if you're Black/AA and have ever been in grad school! If not, you can help by sharing!
#BlackSky #AcademicSky #PhDLife #Blackademics #MedSky #Academia
A lot of global academic conferencing is centered around the US, and US academic orgs have to be thinking very seriously now. You cannot continue to carry on with in person conferencing as if foreign scholars have no impediments to travel.
I know we like to pretend everything is "normal" again but..
