Quickies: Fighting Nazis with data, following the research on diversity trainings, and more…

It’s been a whole MONTH since I’ve posted here…. oops. If you know an educator, send them chocolate or beer or puppies or whatever makes them happy because this semester is ROUGH. Here are a few things that have grabbed my interest despite my life steeped in class prep, grading, and committee work.

• In my astronomy class, we’ve recently been discussing the Harvard computers, women who did ground breaking work in astronomy in the late 19th century for paltry wages and limited recognition. This led me to think about subtle gender biases which are still in play today, though not as obvious as the overt discrimination in the past. Business Insider discusses this in light of the recent passing or Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
• How do you fight Nazis in the 21st century? Well, one way is through data science. The Guardian speaks to one woman who filled a serious need, even though she had to leave the country for her safety.
• The list of flat out lies uttered by 45 includes the assertion that diversity training  “reinforces biases and decreases opportunities for minorities.” It turns out, the research around diversity training is complicated. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there are often positive outcomes, but it depends on the methods of education that are used. In fact, it seems need to do MORE than a few training sessions by making long-term changes. Shocking, I know. And not what our white-supremacist-in-chief wants to hear.
• On a related note, history tells us that “respectability politics” aren’t going to change the system. Unpopular, disruptive social movements change the system, rather than “making it worse” as far too many moderates have believed.
• Being the “only woman in the room” sucks sometimes. I would know; I’m in a male-dominated field. But Jennifer Epperson at Elle reminds us that Being ‘The Only Woman In The Room’ Is Not The Same As Being Black. Fellow white women: more listening is needed from us, less comparing.
• Although my city refused to recognize Indigenous Peoples’s Day this Monday, many people will be recognizing it this weekend. Here’s a short history of the movement for Indigenous Peoples’s Day. (P.S. I grew up in a very Italian-American, Catholic community. We never “celebrated our heritage through Columbus.” I call bullshit.)
• Sooooo maybe feral hogs are a problem after all? Feral Hogs Find and Destroy Cocaine Worth $22,000 Hidden in Woods. This is from last year, but it just came across my feed recently. Which takes us to Cute Animal Friday…

You don’t have to rely on me for your cute animal fix. If you join the Skepchick Discord, there’s a WHOLE channel for that, where Muscadine keeps us up on all the cuteness. Here are some of their picks!

• The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are open for votes! I’m torn between “facepalm tiger” and “facepalm polar bear.”
• Man in Malaysia loses phone, finds it later with a bunch of monkey selfies.
• Magawa the landmine detection rat given gold medal for bravery… way to go, lil buddy!
• Stink badger is cute! As long as it’s on your computer screen and not real life…
• Tasmanian devils have been reintroduced to mainland Australia. Bonus feature: the very adorable mammal named Chris Hemsworth.
• A cockatoo solving puzzles!

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