Susannah Crockford
@suscrockford.bsky.social
author/Ripples of the Universe (Chicago, 2021) and A Perturbed System (Chicago, 2026) | environmental and medical anthropology with a side of religion | university lecturer | curmudgeon | views my own
Pinned
A Perturbed System
A moving study of how religion shapes Western climate discourse. Our ecological system is disturbed, and with it, every other system we’ve built to inhabit it. We do not face inevitable destruction,...
press.uchicago.edu
Things seem bleak, and that's been the way of things for a few years now. Which is exactly the feeling that led me to write this book - that now has its very own webpage where you can preorder it!
(guaranteed to help with feelings of impending doom)
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
(guaranteed to help with feelings of impending doom)
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
A short, accessible piece on the main arguments in my book, A Perturbed System, is now online thanks to @polrightsrev.bsky.social
politicsrights.com/worlds-end-a...
politicsrights.com/worlds-end-a...
What Happens When Worlds End: A Perturbed System
Climate change is a spiritual crisis shaped by centuries of Christian theology — and a case for how we might live when worlds end.
politicsrights.com
September 21, 2026 at 4:07 PM
A short, accessible piece on the main arguments in my book, A Perturbed System, is now online thanks to @polrightsrev.bsky.social
politicsrights.com/worlds-end-a...
politicsrights.com/worlds-end-a...
Reposted by Susannah Crockford
"Beautifully written."—Thomas W. Laqueur, author of The Work of the Dead
Matthew Engelke's An Honest Death is an intimate & moving ethnographic account of funerals for people who don’t believe in God or an afterlife.
Now available. Read a free preview: buff.ly/rGyKf79
#Anthropology
Matthew Engelke's An Honest Death is an intimate & moving ethnographic account of funerals for people who don’t believe in God or an afterlife.
Now available. Read a free preview: buff.ly/rGyKf79
#Anthropology
September 20, 2026 at 8:46 PM
"Beautifully written."—Thomas W. Laqueur, author of The Work of the Dead
Matthew Engelke's An Honest Death is an intimate & moving ethnographic account of funerals for people who don’t believe in God or an afterlife.
Now available. Read a free preview: buff.ly/rGyKf79
#Anthropology
Matthew Engelke's An Honest Death is an intimate & moving ethnographic account of funerals for people who don’t believe in God or an afterlife.
Now available. Read a free preview: buff.ly/rGyKf79
#Anthropology
Call me old fashioned, but I think "potential to destroy humanity" should be a deal breaker
September 19, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Call me old fashioned, but I think "potential to destroy humanity" should be a deal breaker
Reposted by Susannah Crockford
🚨 JOB ALERT!
The Department of Global Humanities at Simon Fraser University is hiring an Assistant Professor who specializes in the literary, rhetorical and social worlds of Ancient Greece.
📍 Burnaby, BC
📅 Deadline: October 19, 2026
Full details: www.cac-scec.ca/2026/09/sfug...
The Department of Global Humanities at Simon Fraser University is hiring an Assistant Professor who specializes in the literary, rhetorical and social worlds of Ancient Greece.
📍 Burnaby, BC
📅 Deadline: October 19, 2026
Full details: www.cac-scec.ca/2026/09/sfug...
Assistant Professor (Literary, Rhetorical, and Social Worlds of Ancient Greece); Department of Global Humanities, Simon Fraser University (Deadline October 19th) - The Classical Association of Canada
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www.cac-scec.ca
September 18, 2026 at 4:11 PM
🚨 JOB ALERT!
The Department of Global Humanities at Simon Fraser University is hiring an Assistant Professor who specializes in the literary, rhetorical and social worlds of Ancient Greece.
📍 Burnaby, BC
📅 Deadline: October 19, 2026
Full details: www.cac-scec.ca/2026/09/sfug...
The Department of Global Humanities at Simon Fraser University is hiring an Assistant Professor who specializes in the literary, rhetorical and social worlds of Ancient Greece.
📍 Burnaby, BC
📅 Deadline: October 19, 2026
Full details: www.cac-scec.ca/2026/09/sfug...
If religion wasn't important then we wouldn't keep inventing new gods
September 18, 2026 at 4:03 PM
If religion wasn't important then we wouldn't keep inventing new gods
The next step is officially file as a religion with the IRS to avoid taxes
futurism.com/future-socie...
futurism.com/future-socie...
Cult of Anthropic Insiders Rumored to Be Worshipping Claude as a God
According to a rumor that is apparently running rampant in Silicon Valley these days, some Anthropic engineers are "worshipping" Claude.
futurism.com
September 17, 2026 at 7:29 PM
The next step is officially file as a religion with the IRS to avoid taxes
futurism.com/future-socie...
futurism.com/future-socie...
Reposted by Susannah Crockford
Thrilled to bring @bradleyonishi.bsky.social to @northeasternu.bsky.social later this month. Looking forward to a fascinating conversation about the intersection of religion, technology, and politics.
September 13, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Thrilled to bring @bradleyonishi.bsky.social to @northeasternu.bsky.social later this month. Looking forward to a fascinating conversation about the intersection of religion, technology, and politics.
Reposted by Susannah Crockford
Please read and share this open letter from staff at risk of compulsory redundancy in Modern Languages at the Uni of Birmingham.
It calls for the redundancies to be halted, for the equality impact assessment to be released, and for meaningful consideration of alternatives.
It calls for the redundancies to be halted, for the equality impact assessment to be released, and for meaningful consideration of alternatives.
“A national catastrophe” at home: open letter on redundancies
We write as Translation and Interpreting staff at risk of compulsory redundancy at the University of Birmingham, together with the Birmingham UCU Committee. In brief: a University whose Vice-Chance…
birminghamucu.org
September 12, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Please read and share this open letter from staff at risk of compulsory redundancy in Modern Languages at the Uni of Birmingham.
It calls for the redundancies to be halted, for the equality impact assessment to be released, and for meaningful consideration of alternatives.
It calls for the redundancies to be halted, for the equality impact assessment to be released, and for meaningful consideration of alternatives.
Reposted by Susannah Crockford
“If one city discovers a better way to protect outdoor workers, cool public spaces, or communicate risk to residents, others should not spend years reinventing it. Good ideas should travel.”
– The mayors of Paris, Milan, and Phoenix in @theguardian.com op-ed
buff.ly/1kCMvWq
– The mayors of Paris, Milan, and Phoenix in @theguardian.com op-ed
buff.ly/1kCMvWq
We’re the mayors of Paris, Milan and Phoenix. The heat crisis has us all facing the same question | Emmanuel Grégoire, Giuseppe Sala and Kate Gallego
Our three cities are learning from each other about how to protect residents. These climate policies are also public health measures
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2026 at 7:34 PM
“If one city discovers a better way to protect outdoor workers, cool public spaces, or communicate risk to residents, others should not spend years reinventing it. Good ideas should travel.”
– The mayors of Paris, Milan, and Phoenix in @theguardian.com op-ed
buff.ly/1kCMvWq
– The mayors of Paris, Milan, and Phoenix in @theguardian.com op-ed
buff.ly/1kCMvWq
Reposted by Susannah Crockford
"The whole “Oh no, our models went rogue” thing … When a bridge collapses, you don’t analyze whether the bridge was ethical or sentient or why it decided to collapse. You ask, who is the person who built this bridge to be so flimsy?"
www.wired.com/story/one-of...
www.wired.com/story/one-of...
One of AI’s Fiercest Critics Says All the Doom Talk Is ‘Meant to Distract Us’
Timnit Gebru argues that AI companies are stoking fears of extinction to avoid discussing actual harms, like autonomous weapons.
www.wired.com
September 12, 2026 at 12:53 AM
"The whole “Oh no, our models went rogue” thing … When a bridge collapses, you don’t analyze whether the bridge was ethical or sentient or why it decided to collapse. You ask, who is the person who built this bridge to be so flimsy?"
www.wired.com/story/one-of...
www.wired.com/story/one-of...
Reposted by Susannah Crockford
"People are really mad and however mad you are, it’s not enough. Because there is something so profound about no longer believing in the future, about seeing no value in our shared home, in the natural world. They’re traitors to creation.” www.theguardian.com/books/2026/s...
Naomi Klein: ‘Extreme wealth has a deranging effect. It turns you into a supremacist’
She’s tackled neoliberalism and the digital world, now the writer and activist is taking on tech billionaires. She explains how the super-rich are capitalising on climate and financial chaos in pursui...
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2026 at 11:45 AM
"People are really mad and however mad you are, it’s not enough. Because there is something so profound about no longer believing in the future, about seeing no value in our shared home, in the natural world. They’re traitors to creation.” www.theguardian.com/books/2026/s...
It's actually pretty funny when Trump shits on all his right-wing fawners in Britain like this
September 12, 2026 at 11:56 AM
It's actually pretty funny when Trump shits on all his right-wing fawners in Britain like this
"Elite" is becoming one of those words that designates a group the speaker opposes and not much else
(See also: cult)
(See also: cult)
Reform is the richest party in Britain.
Its leaders are almost all millionaires.
It is funded almost exclusively by billionaires.
It has a supportive TV station and widespread media backing.
So naturally, this donation comes with the usual attack on "elites".
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Its leaders are almost all millionaires.
It is funded almost exclusively by billionaires.
It has a supportive TV station and widespread media backing.
So naturally, this donation comes with the usual attack on "elites".
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform UK given record £36m donation by British crypto billionaire
Ben Delo was convicted in US for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls but pardoned by Trump
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2026 at 9:25 AM
"Elite" is becoming one of those words that designates a group the speaker opposes and not much else
(See also: cult)
(See also: cult)
All the worst people have all the money these days
September 12, 2026 at 7:28 AM
All the worst people have all the money these days
Massive tell as to where the new "Christian nationalist" activism in the UK is really coming from
September 12, 2026 at 7:17 AM
Massive tell as to where the new "Christian nationalist" activism in the UK is really coming from
The more AI gets talked about and up, the more I find myself doing things that do not require any kind of software
September 11, 2026 at 6:09 PM
The more AI gets talked about and up, the more I find myself doing things that do not require any kind of software
Reposted by Susannah Crockford
Jewish studies folks! Applications now open for the newly created Platt Professorship in Jewish Studies at Penn. Area is early modern/modern and appointment will be at the associate or full rank.
Please share with anyone who might be interested!
apply.interfolio.com/193126
Please share with anyone who might be interested!
apply.interfolio.com/193126
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
September 11, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Jewish studies folks! Applications now open for the newly created Platt Professorship in Jewish Studies at Penn. Area is early modern/modern and appointment will be at the associate or full rank.
Please share with anyone who might be interested!
apply.interfolio.com/193126
Please share with anyone who might be interested!
apply.interfolio.com/193126
"Anthropic researcher believes more than 10% chance AI 'could kill all humans'"
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The researcher in question:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The researcher in question:
September 9, 2026 at 5:17 PM
"Anthropic researcher believes more than 10% chance AI 'could kill all humans'"
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The researcher in question:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The researcher in question:
Reposted by Susannah Crockford
I do not believe that these guys are about to summon a world-ending superconsciousness from Nvidia graphics cards. But they either believe they can or want me to believe they believe they can. So I think "fuck them" is the only rational response
September 9, 2026 at 5:23 AM
I do not believe that these guys are about to summon a world-ending superconsciousness from Nvidia graphics cards. But they either believe they can or want me to believe they believe they can. So I think "fuck them" is the only rational response
Reposted by Susannah Crockford
Relatedly, I wrote my PhD thesis on the tribunals and asylum determinations, I would be delighted to go on record saying the Times does not know what the hell they're talking about here re appeals and internal quality audits—earnestly, DMs open or contact via my website.
The Times should be dismantled. You have to read to the sixth and seventh paragraphs to get the real story: the report says, ‘This research indicates that there is a real risk that applicants are being refused despite being in need of international protection’. The headline deliberately hides this
September 7, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Relatedly, I wrote my PhD thesis on the tribunals and asylum determinations, I would be delighted to go on record saying the Times does not know what the hell they're talking about here re appeals and internal quality audits—earnestly, DMs open or contact via my website.
A spider lives in my yoga mat
September 6, 2026 at 10:47 AM
A spider lives in my yoga mat
Reposted by Susannah Crockford
The Port of Dover and Heathrow Airport both taken out in the same day.
September 6, 2026 at 7:09 AM
The Port of Dover and Heathrow Airport both taken out in the same day.
Reposted by Susannah Crockford
"We’ve jumped from climate denial to climate despair without pausing to consider a third option: actually doing something about the problem."
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-climate-... @leahstokes.bsky.social
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-climate-... @leahstokes.bsky.social
The Climate Crisis Is Bigger Than Your Footprint
The climate crisis won’t be solved with lifestyle choices but through political pressure and bold collective action.
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu
September 5, 2026 at 3:16 PM
"We’ve jumped from climate denial to climate despair without pausing to consider a third option: actually doing something about the problem."
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-climate-... @leahstokes.bsky.social
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-climate-... @leahstokes.bsky.social
Reposted by Susannah Crockford
My review of Noah Walker-Crawford's brilliant book, The Climate Trial, published by @dukepress.bsky.social on the ground-breaking case brought by Saúl Luciano Lliuya supported by @germanwatch.bsky.social has come out with @europeanreview.bsky.social here: europeanreviewofbooks.com/whos-your-ne...
Who's your neighbor now? - The European Review of Books
A Peruvian farmer sued German energy company RWE claiming damages for flood risk to his home in the Andes.
europeanreviewofbooks.com
September 1, 2026 at 3:48 PM
My review of Noah Walker-Crawford's brilliant book, The Climate Trial, published by @dukepress.bsky.social on the ground-breaking case brought by Saúl Luciano Lliuya supported by @germanwatch.bsky.social has come out with @europeanreview.bsky.social here: europeanreviewofbooks.com/whos-your-ne...
Excited to talk about A Perturbed System at the Hollow Hills bookstore in Glastonbury today at 7pm on the High Street
August 29, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Excited to talk about A Perturbed System at the Hollow Hills bookstore in Glastonbury today at 7pm on the High Street