Lee Gardner

Hahahaha oh no no no nooooo

When I see you in a few weeks, remind me to tell you my Kurd story. It’s not particularly elaborate, but it stuck with me

Or at least pretend to.

I see we've arrived once again at that moment that pops up every decade or so where Americans must learn about the Kurds.

One worked at an Alcoa aluminun plant for decades. The other did too, for a while, but in truth he was mostly a n'er-do-well.

Public Colleges Are Finally Learning to Share A new wave of state-level reform tests an old idea — that “systemness” is the key to sustainability.

For our Trends issue, I wrote about a new attempt at public-college coordination that looks little like the big mergers of a decade ago. Meet systemness 2.0.

Contra Madre, by Nomad War Machine and Susan Alcorn 7 track album

The record in question.

Nomad War Machine / Susan Alcorn: Contra Madre Read H.D. Angel’s review of the album.

Well butter my ass and call me a biscuit—an album I put out got a well-written, thoughtful review in @pitchfork.com today. #susanalcornforever

Yes, they make hearing aids pretty good these days, but they cost an absolute shit-ton of money, and your insurance won’t cover a nickel of it, so protect the hearing you have. 4/4

If you must use headphones or earbuds, use the noise-canceling kind and keep the volume low. I swear the old first-gen Apple earbuds really put me over the top, tinnitus-wise. 3/

Take it from me, the Jacob Marley of tinnitus and high-frequency hearing loss: Wear earplugs at any show involving amps or a PA or drums. I recommend the foam jobbers that knock off about 30 db—most lyrics are overrated. 2/

I just learned that it’s World Hearing Day. My hearing is super important to me, which you might not know empirically given how much damage I’ve done to it with loud music, inadequate or no hearing protection, headphones and earbuds, etc. But maybe you folks can do a better job than I did! 1/

My research is on working class women and AI and the ONE consistency among all of the interviews we’ve done so far is concerns about data centers and environmental impact. We do not bring it up - they do. Every single one.

Dan is great and would be an asset to your newsroom.

Iran War Live Updates: Scattered Student Protests in U.S. as Satellite Campuses Remain Remote Military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran have upended the daily operations of American universities with campuses, programs, and students in the region.

The Chronicle has live updates for how the war in Iran is affecting higher ed. www.chronicle.com/article/iran...

Also, this White House seems not to be near as leaky as the last one.

I have to say the Post chose a hell of a moment to lay off all their foreign correspondents

Illinois Wants to Spread More State Money Around. Not So Fast, Says Its Flagship. A plan to award new funding to public colleges based on their financial need would “siphon resources” from the U. of Illinois, its president argues.

I wrote up a quick story about an interesting funding proposal for public colleges in Illinois. Not everyone is happy with it.

The image depicts a tabby and white domestic shorthair cat lying on a person’s chest in posture that suggests both repose and fight-or-flight

Relaxing weekend?

BONKERS

The ice on this morning’s windshield has the visual texture of suede and no amount of scraping will part it from the glass.

He would be 31.

I’m prepared to believe my more learned kibitzers, I’m just a little confused.

I don’t know/care that much about the business of movie studios, but for months it seemed like everyone was saying that Netflix buying WB was The Worst Possible Thing That Could Happen. And now that Paramount has knocked Nflix out of the running THAT is The Worst Possible Thing That Could Happen?

I tried some out and loved them, and then the audiologist told me how much they cost 😬

🧵

Dick was reportedly a statesman of true stature, if ya know what I mean?

Maryland sues to block planned Washington County ICE detention center The suit asks a federal judge to void the Department of Homeland Security’s purchase of a warehouse and block any further development of the property.

Maryland is suing the Department of Homeland Security to block a planned ICE detention center in Washington County, saying the federal government failed to do a required environmental impact study and public health concerns.

w/ @maddioneill.bsky.social

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

“Blue Jay Way” is my favorite Beatles song by a wide margin.

‘Like an electrical gong bath!’ The Sheffield supermarket going viral for the symphonic sound of its freezers Redditors are thrilled by the Co-op on Ecclesall Road, where a magnificent drone is reminiscent of Brian Eno’s ambient music. We take a visit to the back aisles

Late capitalism is good for something, it turns out.