#botslop

[Image: A screenshot of a Bluesky post from librarypunk that reads: "Every day I watch the tech industry build The Boot On the Neck Of Humanity Machine and watch universities say 'we are going to sustainably and ethically prepare our students to become innovators in The Boot On The Neck of Humanity Machine space." ]

The new botslop evangel at my institution (who has been brought in at about 200 000 a year when everyone else is being laid off) sends these weekly "feel good" emails that seem precision designed to become my villain arc. Talking about how beautiful the environment is, how lovely the day is, how everything is great. And you know what else is great? AI! Everyone loves it, and everyone wants to be involved. Don't you want to be involved?

Just as an example of this "values-based gas-lighting":

"[Husband] and I installed solar lights at home this week - a small, satisfying Earth Day project. I'm also joining the Trash Bash on May 14 if anyone wants to come along. Having spent my last two roles in sustainability tech, Earth Day carries real meaning for me. Small steps, compounded, make a big difference - and I believe that as much about innovation as I do about the environment. It also reminds me that technology and sustainability aren't in tension - they're most powerful when they're designed together. That's a belief [ill conceived and badly named AI initiative] holds too, and one I hope we keep building on."

... every week, as the layoffs, early retirements, cancelled contracts, and general infrastructural decline continues.