John Kluge 🐝

Hoping that more slots will be filled by competent folks in the above areas but not holding my breath.

Agricultural & Food Science — Friedberg touches this tangentially, but there’s no one with deep expertise in soil science, crop biology, or food systems — areas of massive federal investment

The meta-gap is arguably the most significant: this PCAST skews heavily toward deployers of technology rather than generators of fundamental knowledge. That’s a philosophical statement about what the administration values — applied innovation and commercialization over basic science.

@BarhamSalih @gbassu Newroz pîroz be. May the fires burn so bright that all may find a place to belong.

Warmest wishes on Nawroz—the ancient celebration of light over darkness and renewal with the arrival of spring. In a time of profound challenge and conflict across the region, may it bring hope, peace, and a season where life, dignity, and humanity prevail.

@jgebbia Good question. Why don’t you ask your boss?

My father bet $60M that wisdom and democracy need each other. Last night I spoke at the 25th anniversary of the @KlugeCtr @librarycongress — and told a few stories I don’t usually tell in public, including one about a “colleague” I brought to a dinner in 2015. Very much not a date. #democracy #humanities Full story on Substack: open.substack.com/pub/klugesan/p…

@EMPosts Basically, a transactional Sisyphus agency.

The Trump administration is reorganizing foreign aid at a fraction of its former size after dismantling USAID, a move critics say has cost millions of lives. State says it’s ending programs on climate and social issues and focusing on life-saving work. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

@SecRollins @USDA_NIFA How about doing something like this for nature -based approaches instead of pumping more chemicals into America’s natural resources, which the only poison our land, but also our families?

Emerging pests and diseases such as NWS can quickly devastate American agriculture if we are not prepared. These pests and diseases don't wait for the cyclical nature of competitive grants — and our response should not wait either! @USDA_NIFA launched a NEW competitive grant opportunity that is open year-round to ensure our scientists can quickly respond to develop and deploy solutions to protect American agriculture when a potential threat is identified. 💪 Farm security is national security! Learn more here: nifa.usda.gov/grants/program…

The @StateDept just set a refugee admissions cap of 7,500 — the lowest in history. Meanwhile the world has 122 million displaced people. This isn’t a policy adjustment. It’s a moral abdication. We can — and must — do better. #BankingOnBelonging #withrefugees

Ukrainian #refugees started 7% of all new businesses in Poland in 2022-23. Not a burden — a catalyst. This is the evidence base our field has been building for years. Still waiting for policy to catch up. Pre-order Banking on Belonging w @ColumbiaUP #RefugeeEconomics #ImpactInvesting cup.columbia.edu/book/banking-o…

ICYMI @BlendedValue and I wrote something about #autocracy, #impactinvesting, and #belonging. *hint the latter two combat the former: #impinv #withrefugees open.substack.com/pub/blendedval…

@MattLech There is in fact, an entire book about it, coming out this summer. cup.columbia.edu/book/banking-o…

this has in fact been proven over and over again and there has never been any serious challenge to the conclusion

@joeyonmac @SawyerMerritt I find it memorable, just in the wrong way. VLE = vile. terrible name choice for a car, especially one with such an unappealing exterior.

@SawyerMerritt Why VLE? So hard to remember. Why not call XYZ

NEWS: Mercedes has unveiled the VLE, a new all-electric van that will launch in the U.S. in 2027. • Price (estimate): $100,000+ • Up to 370 mile range • 300kW peak charging. 189 miles in 15 mins • 31" rear retractable panoramic screen (8K resolution, split-screen capable) with 8-megapixel camera for rear-space video feed • 115 kWh battery • Sensors: 10 cameras, 5 radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors • 800v architecture • 0-60 mph: As low as 6.4s • 93% battery-to-wheel efficiency • Up to 408 hp • Drag coefficient: 0.25 Cd • Rear-axle steering: Up to 7-degree steering angle • AIRMATIC air suspension with intelligent damping. Predictive height adjustment using Google Maps data • Seating capacity: Up to 8 passengers • Cargo volume with seats up: Up to 28 cubic feet • Grand Comfort Seats (includes additional pillow, wireless charging, lumbar support, massage function, calf support) • Panoramic roof: Sky View one-piece fixed-glass roof from B-pillar to rear with electric sunshade • Additional features: Folding tables, wireless charging, Bluetooth gaming controller support • Displays: 10.25" driver display, 14" central, 14" front passenger • Audio: 22 speakers and Dolby Atmos • Head-up display: Augmented reality navigation (virtual 23" image appearing ~13 feet ahead) • Systems: MB. DRIVE with Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Lane Change Assist, semi-autonomous steering on motorways Pricing will be announced later, but Mercedes said North American will only get the long wheelbase version and higher spec trims. Deliveries start in the U.S. in 2027. More photos of the Van in the thread below:

Most excellent. Would love to engage the Office of the High Commissioner on my new book coming out this summer, #BankingOnBelonging which gives the private sector and private capital a blueprint for building economies of belonging and inclusion #withrefugees cup.columbia.edu/book/banking-o…

High Commissioner @BarhamSalih met Hamdi Ulukaya, CEO of @Chobani & Founder of TENT Partnership for Refugees, to explore bold ways to expand refugee economic inclusion. They discussed scaling opportunities, engaging businesses & reducing long-term dependence on humanitarian aid.