Amanda B

Educator born and raised in the PNW 🌲
Living the Utah dream ❄️
Turning up the positive every day ✨
Masters in Administrative Leadership 🎉

[vittorio @IterIntellectus]

US fertility reached 1.57 last year, the lowest ever recorded, and the WSJ explanation is "uncertainty about finances, relationship stability, and the political climate"

my great grandma had eleven children during the second world war, in a country being bombed, in a house with no running water, on rations.
poor people have always had kids. the poorest people on earth right now still have kids and the financial excuse is a story we tell ourselves because it makes us feel good and the real one is unbearable

the real mechanism is that we got rich enough to redefine children as an expense instead of the point. somewhere in the last fifty years the cultural goal inverted and a child stopped being what life is for and became a line item competing with the lifestyle. once you frame it that way the math never works, because the math isnt supposed to work. that's the point

we are living in the richest moment in human history and we decided to use the surplus to buy ourselves out of the future. the most prosperous civilization that has ever existed is committing demographic suicide at the altar of personal optimization and comfort, and the official line is that we cant afford it

the birthrate is a lagging indicator of a civilization that forgot why it was alive

[The Prince and Princess of Wales @KensingtonRoyal]

A message from Catherine, The Princess of Wales

As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment.

The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.

The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.

With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.

This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.

Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.

I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.

Despite all that has gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life.

William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling.

To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.

🎬 by Will Warr

[Lauren Merkley @lmerkles]

I found this in my drafts folder from last summer, and it made me laugh because we are still trying to buy a house and still experiencing existential dread about it. Enjoy, maybe!

https://t.co/3End0qOU1m

[Amanda B @AmandaB14378408]

@lmerkles SUCH a fantastic read. Thank you!

[Jonathan Haidt @JonHaidt]

Major new survey from National Education Association gives very strong support for phone-free schools. Any policy that lets kids have phones BETWEEN classes disrupts what happens IN class.

Give teachers a chance. Go phone-free.

https://t.co/bjJGaHM6vl

[Spencer Cox @SpencerJCox]

If you are a parent, you have to read this book. If you are a grandparent, you have to read this book. If you have nieces or nephews or will have kids someday, you have to read this book. If you are a policymaker, educator or administrator, you have to read this book.

[jeeves @jeeveswilliams]

glad to see usher looking happy and healthy in spite of his house falling

[Amanda B @AmandaB14378408]

@ChrissieEvert Love, love, LOVE having you back in the commentator’s box!!! The best!

[James Clear @JamesClear]

Writing is one of the only ways to outlive yourself. People still read books from hundreds or even thousands of years ago. The author's physical life ended long ago, but their mental life remains alive and meaningful even today.

[Amanda B @AmandaB14378408]

@alicellemee Can you pls share your thoughts re: AI replacing Freelance writing?

[George Mack @george__mack]

What idea changed how you view the world?

Here's mine: High Agency.

The 12 best examples:

[Lauren Merkley @lmerkles]

I’m not teaching this year, but I’m always writing. I'm trying to let more writing leak out into the world.
The piece is bloated and overwritten (a 6-minute read!), but it's also honest. That is both terrifying and thrilling, but here we go.

https://t.co/cvUtrhY9nX

[Lauren Merkley @lmerkles]

I must need different hobbies because now I'm writing about the pit of despair that is jeans shopping.

https://t.co/lsXCmhfntd

[Amanda B @AmandaB14378408]

@CrumblCookies 🫴✨

[Suzanne Nossel @SuzanneNossel]

If we start down the path of trying to correct for perceived slights instead of allowing readers to receive and react to books as written, we risk distorting the work of great authors and clouding the essential lens that literature offers on society. 13/13

[Suzanne Nossel @SuzanneNossel]

At @PENamerica we are alarmed at news of "hundreds of changes" to venerated works by @roald_dahl in a purported effort to scrub the books of that which might offend someone. 1/13 https://t.co/IXOkIaXYmt

[Amanda B @AmandaB14378408]

@jordanteuscher This is such an incredible bill. There’s a reason it passed *unanimously* in the house and senate. Thank you for your leadership on this!!

[Jordan Teuscher @jordanteuscher]

Happy to sponsor HB102 that will help these refugees and asylum seekers be able to fulfill their dreams of getting a college degree. Let's get this passed. #utpol

https://t.co/5PRnwnhwhw

[Amanda B @AmandaB14378408]

@RepThomasMassie Absolutely despicable and immoral behavior which completely disgraces conservative values. President Zelensky is a hero worthy of American support.