Monthly Archives: April 2023


Religious authoritarianism at San Francisco State

It’s not just Hamline University. A professor at San Francisco State University is being investigated for failing to comply with the rules of some conservative branches of Islam. The Office of Equity Programs and Compliance has launched an investigation of him. 14th century Islamic art showing Muhammad receiving Quranic revelation from the angel Gabriel

San Francisco State University is, as the name implies, a government-run institution. It has no business requiring its faculty to comply with religious rules. Maybe the investigators think they can require compliance with a Muslim law because the professor was born in Tehran. It doesn’t work that way. The First Amendment protects him in the United States regardless of what country he came from or what ethnic group he belongs to.
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Signal boost: Shadiversity

Shadiversity, a YouTube channel run by Shad Brooks, was helpful in my research for The Magic Battery. It covers old weapons, buildings, and daily life. It’s having trouble staying afloat, in large part thanks to Google’s unpredictability. I support the channel through SubscribeStar, which is like Patreon but (as far as I know) hasn’t done dubious things like trying to unilaterally increase the amount supporters pay.

If you haven’t watched Shadiversity but liked my novels, you may find the channel interesting. If you’re already a fan, please consider providing some financial support.

I have no association with Shadiversity and wasn’t asked or paid for this signal boost.
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