Cathy Davidson+

We wrote "Faculties: A Dialogue on Inciting Constructive Change in Destructive T

We wrote "Faculties: A Dialogue on Inciting Constructive Change in Destructive Times" precisely to offer faculty some basic strategies in a time when the consequences for speaking out in any way can be grave. I hope this early blog is helpful. cathydavidson.com/series/facul...

#SeaScrolling #Breathe

#SeaScrolling #Breathe

Terrible. It auto-miscorrects after you hit send and don’t see the changes it m

Terrible. It auto-miscorrects after you hit send and don’t see the changes it made until the recipient does. Great. Just great.

Incredible.

Incredible.

He's been renamed Gulf of Kentucky.

He's been renamed Gulf of Kentucky.

#SeaScrolling #Breathe

#SeaScrolling #Breathe

In taping the kick-off of this year's @futuresed.bsky.social podcast, @shellyeve

In taping the kick-off of this year's @futuresed.bsky.social podcast, @shellyeversley.bsky.social asked: "How do we speak up without fear of retaliation? How can we defend and build with courage, especially when we are unsure whom to trust?" My answer today: cathydavidson.com/posts/change...

I so clearly remember @tressiemcphd.bsky.social wondrous 2021 tribute--it really

I so clearly remember @tressiemcphd.bsky.social wondrous 2021 tribute--it really is--to Dolly Parton. I went back and re-read it. Luminous. "We like Dolly Parton because we like that story about who we are." It sure is a better story than the one "we" are telling in 2026. Long live Dolly Parton!

These are times when notes of gratitude, appreciation, recognition mean far more

These are times when notes of gratitude, appreciation, recognition mean far more than they used to. (I am sad today about Dolly, for instance, and loving the outpouring of appreciation for her expressed by so many.)

Really? I LOVE it when that happens! Mutual admiration. If you plan to be at M

Really? I LOVE it when that happens! Mutual admiration. If you plan to be at MLA (I know you're no longer in academe) or in NYC, drop me a note. Maybe we can catch a coffee. I'm fascinated by your press too! Congratulations and thanks for all of it.

Big thanks to @shellyeversley.bsky.social Chair of @futuresed.bsky.social for a

Big thanks to @shellyeversley.bsky.social Chair of @futuresed.bsky.social for a stimulating, engaging interview today for "Faculties" for FI Podcast Series. It will be released in October. In the meantime, here's the link again for the free Intro: buff.ly/rx7fwx7 and the 30% discount code: E26FCLTS

I agree. Also, this is a nice chance to tell you how much I admire your handwrit

I agree. Also, this is a nice chance to tell you how much I admire your handwriting book. Being given a typewriter (I'm dyslexic) when I was about 10 or 11 changed my life (I won my first national writing competition that first year). It felt like magic. There's no one "script" for cognition.

I don't think I would have written a single article or book if I'd had to do it

I don't think I would have written a single article or book if I'd had to do it longhand--and I am a compulsive cursive note taker, scribbling lists, zoom notes, and everything else... and then throwing those preliminary exercises away to touch type (fast!) without paying attention to my hands.

What a great course!

What a great course!

That sounds like a great course!

That sounds like a great course!

Congratulations, @brandonwalsh1.bsky.social

Congratulations, @brandonwalsh1.bsky.social

Up next: Phrenology! Blood letting! Astrology! Alchemy! It's academic freedom, r

Up next: Phrenology! Blood letting! Astrology! Alchemy! It's academic freedom, right?

But wait! Weren't we told that all academics are iberals?

But wait! Weren't we told that all academics are iberals?

Pure genetic buffoonery.

Pure genetic buffoonery.

It's an unbearable cultural moment--but also a revealing one. Hypocrites exposed

It's an unbearable cultural moment--but also a revealing one. Hypocrites exposed. Quoting Baldwin (yet again): “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."

I'd like to say this is shocking but, sadly, it's predictable (and appalling).

I'd like to say this is shocking but, sadly, it's predictable (and appalling).

Sunset before a gloomy weekend. #SeaScrolling #Breathe

Sunset before a gloomy weekend. #SeaScrolling #Breathe

Well, POTUS talks about IQ all the time. (Exactly!)

Well, POTUS talks about IQ all the time. (Exactly!)

Many of us have been saying exactly this for years about (a) the circularity of

Many of us have been saying exactly this for years about (a) the circularity of IQ (best definition I heard as an undergrad: "IQ is what an IQ test measures"); (b) lack of statistically significant correlation to extrinsic factors (educational or career success). Maybe this will take hold. Finally!

Isn't that always the generational issue? It certainly was for those elders who

Isn't that always the generational issue? It certainly was for those elders who despised the improvisational, crowd sourced, game-inspired, participatory thinking of "digital youth" (sigh!) of the late 1990s.

I agree. Writing is a different form of representation than public speaking or t

I agree. Writing is a different form of representation than public speaking or than dialogue, communicating, teaching, or just thinking (or dreaming, for that matter). It's difficult for many because writing makes concrete and fixed, the beautiful areas where, in pure thinking, we can, well, fudge.

Hurray! @dukepress.bsky.social has made available for free the Intro to "Faculti

Hurray! @dukepress.bsky.social has made available for free the Intro to "Faculties"--"a call to action, a sourcebook, and a “how to” guide for academics who want to contribute to the administrative and educational decisions being made about the future of our institutions." buff.ly/rx7fwx7

#SeaScrolling #Breathe

#SeaScrolling #Breathe

Good morning! #SeaScrolling #Breathe

Good morning! #SeaScrolling #Breathe

Fog lifting. #SeaScrolling

Fog lifting. #SeaScrolling

Thank you

Thank you

The takeover of media--inc "liberal" media--is on point and newish... although w

The takeover of media--inc "liberal" media--is on point and newish... although when COINTELPRO and the Chicago police planned and carried out the assassination against Fred Hampton and other Black Panthers in 1969 Chicago papers insisted it was "shoot out" and posted bogus photos as evidence.

I'm writing an essay on the journal "American Literature" during Culture Wars of

I'm writing an essay on the journal "American Literature" during Culture Wars of the 1990s. Pundits then are mad we're not publishing on canonical authors--and talking too much ab race, class, gender, but we published on Melville, Twain, Faulkner, Stowe--who were obsessed w race, class, gender ...

Exactly.

Exactly.

Thank you

Thank you

Your comment inspired me to write a long thread about this, Mike.

Your comment inspired me to write a long thread about this, Mike.

8-What we need is a full-scale rethinking of our educational systems. I wrote ab

8-What we need is a full-scale rethinking of our educational systems. I wrote about this in pre-GenAI days in "The New Education." Our system was designed for industrialization; Taylor was a direct influence. We needed reform before AI. We need reform now. Hype isn't useful. Action is.

7-In automation theory, "centaur" is a technology that is a tool that takes away

7-In automation theory, "centaur" is a technology that is a tool that takes away some of the burden of labor so we can think more creatively and well--horse body, human head. Reverse centaur turns us into tools of the machine: we give over our mentality to AI and let it regulate us. Bad. Bad. Bad.

6-We do not yet know all the impacts AI or cell phones have on cognition. We do

6-We do not yet know all the impacts AI or cell phones have on cognition. We do know that censorship, book banning, misinformation, sycophancy, data theft, and other really harmful impacts exist and must be addressed. We also must be wary of what Cory Doctorow calls the "reverse centaur."

5-Remember when universities were banning Wikipedia? Remember when cell phones r

5-Remember when universities were banning Wikipedia? Remember when cell phones replaced tv (and before that radio and before that cheap books) as diluting literacy, destroying attention, making kids unable to read? On and on. The fears remain, even as actual effects (there are many) change.

4-After 1993, and release of the Mosaic 1.0 browser that allowed anyone w an int

4-After 1993, and release of the Mosaic 1.0 browser that allowed anyone w an internet connection to communicate to anyone else w an internet connection (w/out a publisher, editor, censor), I began collecting arguments for and against literacy for the Digital Age. I've been doing it ever since.

3-In late 18th century, elites feared that access to print wld lead to "mobocrac

3-In late 18th century, elites feared that access to print wld lead to "mobocracy." Instead of "truth" filtered through the preacher or pundit, anyone could read a book--and pretty much anyone could write it. Adams passed "Alien and Sedition Acts" partly for fear of what people wrote and read.

2-However, I also worry about the "Gen Z can't read" hype. Way back in the last

2-However, I also worry about the "Gen Z can't read" hype. Way back in the last century, I wrote Revolution and the Word and studied the hysteria around invention of mass printing that allowed middle- and working-class readers access to books for the first time in history.

1-I'll start by asserting that I'm very worried about GenAI in its current unreg

1-I'll start by asserting that I'm very worried about GenAI in its current unregulated state, launched w/out data protections, respect for copyright, environment etc. I worry ab/ educational institutions adopting AI without real, serious work in cognitive and pedagogical methods w/ and despite it.

I use the Baruch Library for research and need to get there early of if I can’t

I use the Baruch Library for research and need to get there early of if I can’t find a seat. Students reading together everywhere. Impressive.

I used to have them work in discussion teams and they would often do better and

I used to have them work in discussion teams and they would often do better and notice as much as I would—plus they push back wisely, questioning assumptions. I was always impressed. I also asked them how they read best. I learned from them.

Exactly! I wrote Revolution and the Word pre-cell phones about the hysteria abou

Exactly! I wrote Revolution and the Word pre-cell phones about the hysteria about declining oral culture in the late 18th century due to the invention of cheap, mass printing.

#SeaScrolling. 

#SeaScrolling. 

This study seems more accurate to me than the “Gen Z can’t read” hype. Reading

This study seems more accurate to me than the “Gen Z can’t read” hype. Reading differently and socially. See what you think! theconversation.com/what-the-pan...

Humanists are the Dr. Fauci of higher education, scapegoats for lots of bad fait

Humanists are the Dr. Fauci of higher education, scapegoats for lots of bad faith and bad behavior.

#SeaScrolling.

#SeaScrolling.

This is fantastic. Thank you for sharing

This is fantastic. Thank you for sharing

#SeaScrolling.

#SeaScrolling.

The pedagogical reasons are even more compelling than mental health. Exploration

The pedagogical reasons are even more compelling than mental health. Exploration . Curiosity. For students and professors in every field. Sets the intellectual horizon high without punishment #NewEducation

U of Michigan just announced all first semester courses will be Pass Fail. This

U of Michigan just announced all first semester courses will be Pass Fail. This is great for student curiosity, exploration, creativity. And that goes for the prof’s creativity and license to push boundaries and to explore too. It is useful in every field. #NewEducation

Yes it is great for student curiosity, exploration, creativity. Everything colle

Yes it is great for student curiosity, exploration, creativity. Everything college should promote. #NewEducation

#SeaScrolling #Breathe. Stay calm and fight the power.

#SeaScrolling #Breathe. Stay calm and fight the power.

It’s like having one abusive parent and another who denies or apologizes for the

It’s like having one abusive parent and another who denies or apologizes for them. No wonder voters turn out for the person who sees,condemns, and vows to stop the violence.

Today's PSA. #SeaScrolling #Breathe

Today's PSA. #SeaScrolling #Breathe

Same in my family. One beloved relative loved "There's No Business Like Show Bus

Same in my family. One beloved relative loved "There's No Business Like Show Business" and would come back to more rationality after singing it. With gusto!

Oy on the prose and the clarity but it sure is a long way from six months ago wh

Oy on the prose and the clarity but it sure is a long way from six months ago when superintelligent GenAI beings who could not be controlled by any mere mortal trillionaire were going to end work and the climate crisis and allow us all to live in balmy, fair-weather leisure forever (here or on Mars)

I'm thinking some news days may need a twice-daily PSA ...

I'm thinking some news days may need a twice-daily PSA ...

What a great reminder of Ong's argument that new forms of tech intriguingly re-u

What a great reminder of Ong's argument that new forms of tech intriguingly re-up pre-literate forms of orality. I'm thinking of ASU's Cronkite School of Journalism: new degree in Content Creation that spans reporting, writing, public speaking, graphics, design, visual culture, tech ability, ethics.

#SeaScrolling #Breathe

#SeaScrolling #Breathe

This sounds interesting. Thank you. Bookmarking.

This sounds interesting. Thank you. Bookmarking.

Sensational list!!!

Sensational list!!!

#SeaScrolling #Breathe

#SeaScrolling #Breathe

Rolodex, please!

Rolodex, please!

Thar be whales out yonder! #SeaScrolling Breathe

Thar be whales out yonder! #SeaScrolling Breathe

www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu... EXCELLENT READING!

www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu... EXCELLENT READING!

And congress and the entire GOP are accomplices.

And congress and the entire GOP are accomplices.

YAY!

YAY!

Ah, and stop the war? And return science and education? End graft and grift and

Ah, and stop the war? And return science and education? End graft and grift and corruption? Stop the war on immigrants and people of color and women of all races? And maybe propose an equitable tax system? Medicare for all? Keep your hands off our Social Security funds? On and on and on . . .

Disgraceful.

Disgraceful.

With those photos and that caption, I was (mis)lead to wonder if DuBois was secr

With those photos and that caption, I was (mis)lead to wonder if DuBois was secretly against equality--not that he debated (and won) against a white supremacist. Fortunately, I know DuBois well so wasn't fooled . . .but this is very dubious if click-baity framing.

The best!!! Everyone loves it and learns so much!

The best!!! Everyone loves it and learns so much!

Fascism.

Fascism.

Japanese pancakes may be the best food on all the earth. Just sayin'

Japanese pancakes may be the best food on all the earth. Just sayin'

I've started a new blog series for #Faculties and this is the first post, based

I've started a new blog series for #Faculties and this is the first post, based on management, communications, collaboration, and interview tips (what #Faculties is about for academics) gleaned from @mayor.nyc.gov first six months in office. He's the Maestro! cathydavidson.com/faculties-2/...

Wishing you a peaceful Friday and a weekend of delight. #SeaScrolling #Breathe

Wishing you a peaceful Friday and a weekend of delight. #SeaScrolling #Breathe

All we all are now is content providers, all day, all the time, being trained to

All we all are now is content providers, all day, all the time, being trained to be content-consumers, all day, all the time, to enrich trillionaires, all day, all the time. And that is all . . .

Asking again: Have any of those folks who expressed outrage over what they call

Asking again: Have any of those folks who expressed outrage over what they call cancel culture, political correctness, being woke, and suppression of academic freedom condemned real, actual book banning, cancelled programs, and Orwellian suppression of “woman” or “civil rights” etc? Anyone?

I keep waiting for any of those folks who express outrage over what they call ca

I keep waiting for any of those folks who express outrage over what they call cancel culture, political correctness, being woke, and suppression of academic freedom to decry real, actual book banning, cancelled programs, and Orwellian suppression of “woman” or “civil rights” etc. #Nothing.

I keep waiting for any of those folks who expressed outrage over what they calle

I keep waiting for any of those folks who expressed outrage over what they called cancel culture, political correctness, being woke, and suppression of academic freedom to decry real, actual book banning, cancelled programs, and Orwellian suppression of “woman” or “civil rights” etc. #Nothing.

This is such a major and positive outcome of educators, in this case humanists,

This is such a major and positive outcome of educators, in this case humanists, working together for a positive goal for all of higher ed. Thank you for your leadership @paulakrebs.bsky.social @modernlanguage.bsky.social @acls1919.bsky.social and AHA and others! THANK YOU!!!

I'm so proud of the faculty, staff, fellows, students, public who work together

I'm so proud of the faculty, staff, fellows, students, public who work together to "advance equity and innovation in higher ed" (and on a shoestring budget!) @futuresed.bsky.social @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social @cuny.edu. Check out FI's May newsletter--and smile w pride! mailchi.mp/gc/may-2026-...

Totally agree&sympathize about exhaustion. I also love the point that @tressiemc

Totally agree&sympathize about exhaustion. I also love the point that @tressiemcphd.bsky.social makes that nothing is more enervating than despair. Constructive action enlivens and does us good--even when it does not succeed 100% of the time (every community organizer knows this). Pls take care!

Yes!!! This Fall, Jody Greene and I will be doing several workshops (online and

Yes!!! This Fall, Jody Greene and I will be doing several workshops (online and f2f) to organize faculty (and even administrators) who do care to engage and fight. "Faculties: A Diaogue on Inciting Constructive Change in Destructive Times @dukepress.bsky.social UP bookshop.org/p/books/facu...