Abby Beall
@abbybeall.bsky.social
specials editor @newscientist.com
Reposted by Abby Beall
In which I mount my argument that effective altruism is one of the worst ideas the century so far…
Podcast: the worst ideas* of the 21st century
💥Social media
💥Bitcoin
💥Carbon offsets
💥Effective altruism
💥Alternative fuels
*(in science and tech)
open.spotify.com/episode/0Kbr...
💥Social media
💥Bitcoin
💥Carbon offsets
💥Effective altruism
💥Alternative fuels
*(in science and tech)
open.spotify.com/episode/0Kbr...
The 5 worst ideas of the 21st century – and how they went wrong
Spotify video
open.spotify.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:18 AM
In which I mount my argument that effective altruism is one of the worst ideas the century so far…
Reposted by Abby Beall
The world, the universe and us is LIVE 🚨
@rowhoop.bsky.social, @abbybeall.bsky.social and the team on the 5 worst ideas of the 21st century:
📱 Social media
🪙 Bitcoin
🌳 Carbon off-sets
🙏 Effective altruism
⛽️ Biofuels
podfollow.com/the-world-th...
@rowhoop.bsky.social, @abbybeall.bsky.social and the team on the 5 worst ideas of the 21st century:
📱 Social media
🪙 Bitcoin
🌳 Carbon off-sets
🙏 Effective altruism
⛽️ Biofuels
podfollow.com/the-world-th...
The world, the universe and us
From the evolution of intelligent life, to the mysteries of consciousness; from the threat of the climate crisis to the search for dark matter, The world, the universe and us is your essential weekly ...
podfollow.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:49 PM
The world, the universe and us is LIVE 🚨
@rowhoop.bsky.social, @abbybeall.bsky.social and the team on the 5 worst ideas of the 21st century:
📱 Social media
🪙 Bitcoin
🌳 Carbon off-sets
🙏 Effective altruism
⛽️ Biofuels
podfollow.com/the-world-th...
@rowhoop.bsky.social, @abbybeall.bsky.social and the team on the 5 worst ideas of the 21st century:
📱 Social media
🪙 Bitcoin
🌳 Carbon off-sets
🙏 Effective altruism
⛽️ Biofuels
podfollow.com/the-world-th...
Reposted by Abby Beall
Podcast: the worst ideas* of the 21st century
💥Social media
💥Bitcoin
💥Carbon offsets
💥Effective altruism
💥Alternative fuels
*(in science and tech)
open.spotify.com/episode/0Kbr...
💥Social media
💥Bitcoin
💥Carbon offsets
💥Effective altruism
💥Alternative fuels
*(in science and tech)
open.spotify.com/episode/0Kbr...
The 5 worst ideas of the 21st century – and how they went wrong
Spotify video
open.spotify.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Podcast: the worst ideas* of the 21st century
💥Social media
💥Bitcoin
💥Carbon offsets
💥Effective altruism
💥Alternative fuels
*(in science and tech)
open.spotify.com/episode/0Kbr...
💥Social media
💥Bitcoin
💥Carbon offsets
💥Effective altruism
💥Alternative fuels
*(in science and tech)
open.spotify.com/episode/0Kbr...
Reposted by Abby Beall
What's the best idea of the 21st century so far? It's CRISPR, of course! 🧪
Why? It's already making farming less damaging, could save your life and will transform our kid's genomes 🧬
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
Why? It's already making farming less damaging, could save your life and will transform our kid's genomes 🧬
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
We can rewrite our genetic code: Best ideas of the century
Our genomes are filled with errors that were once impossible to correct. But in CRISPR, we finally found an extraordinarily powerful tool for treating genetic disease – and perhaps making better versi...
www.newscientist.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:01 AM
What's the best idea of the 21st century so far? It's CRISPR, of course! 🧪
Why? It's already making farming less damaging, could save your life and will transform our kid's genomes 🧬
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
Why? It's already making farming less damaging, could save your life and will transform our kid's genomes 🧬
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
Really excited to share a new story format now live on @newscientist.com for our 21 best ideas of the 21st century special - explore the full issue here www.newscientist.com/article/2511...
January 20, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Really excited to share a new story format now live on @newscientist.com for our 21 best ideas of the 21st century special - explore the full issue here www.newscientist.com/article/2511...
Reposted by Abby Beall
This is a shockingly bad piece, doing very little to actually inform readers about the current state of quantum computers. Don't let your economics editor write about cutting-edge science and technology! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Inside the sub-zero lair of the world's most powerful quantum computer
Faisal Islam gets rare access to Willow - Google's quantum computer.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 9:40 AM
This is a shockingly bad piece, doing very little to actually inform readers about the current state of quantum computers. Don't let your economics editor write about cutting-edge science and technology! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Abby Beall
Do you hate fad diets, gruelling exercise regimes and unachievable New Year's resolutions? We've found some easy changes you can make to your lifestyle that will still make a big difference to your health. And you'll actually enjoy them.
January 7, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Do you hate fad diets, gruelling exercise regimes and unachievable New Year's resolutions? We've found some easy changes you can make to your lifestyle that will still make a big difference to your health. And you'll actually enjoy them.
"It’s probably the most enjoyable health tip you could be told, but the data supporting it has – to date – remained a bizarrely well-kept secret: engage in the arts."
www.newscientist.com/article/2506...
www.newscientist.com/article/2506...
How to extend and improve your life by getting more creative
Growing evidence reveals that creativity is one of the best-kept secrets for boosting your health. From live theatre to a quick crafting break, here’s how to harness the power of art in your everyday ...
www.newscientist.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:58 AM
"It’s probably the most enjoyable health tip you could be told, but the data supporting it has – to date – remained a bizarrely well-kept secret: engage in the arts."
www.newscientist.com/article/2506...
www.newscientist.com/article/2506...
Reposted by Abby Beall
Nice to see @newscientist.com stories @mjflepage.bsky.social and I did on Colossal highlighted in this @theguardian.com long read.
Biased take, obviously, but nobody cuts through the hype and explains the facts behind new science claims as well as New Scientist.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Biased take, obviously, but nobody cuts through the hype and explains the facts behind new science claims as well as New Scientist.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘They didn’t de-extinct anything’: can Colossal’s genetically engineered animals ever be the real thing?
The bioscience startup has attracted billions in investment – and a flurry of criticism, but founder tells the Guardian plans to bring back the woolly mammoth will not be derailed
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Nice to see @newscientist.com stories @mjflepage.bsky.social and I did on Colossal highlighted in this @theguardian.com long read.
Biased take, obviously, but nobody cuts through the hype and explains the facts behind new science claims as well as New Scientist.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Biased take, obviously, but nobody cuts through the hype and explains the facts behind new science claims as well as New Scientist.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by the thought of New Year's resolutions, we at @newscientist.com have found some easy, fun and relaxing new habits you can vow to take on instead. And the good news is, they'll have a huge impact on your health.
January 6, 2026 at 9:27 AM
If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by the thought of New Year's resolutions, we at @newscientist.com have found some easy, fun and relaxing new habits you can vow to take on instead. And the good news is, they'll have a huge impact on your health.
Reposted by Abby Beall
Christmas Day Yahtzee will never be the same 😁
From machine learning to voting, the workings of the world demand randomisation, but true sources of randomness are surprisingly hard to find. Now quantum mechanics has supplied the answer - by @drmichaelbrooks.bsky.social
www.newscientist.com/article/2494...
www.newscientist.com/article/2494...
We’ve finally cracked how to make truly random numbers
From machine learning to voting, the workings of the world demand randomisation, but true sources of randomness are surprisingly hard to find. Now quantum mechanics has supplied the answer
www.newscientist.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Christmas Day Yahtzee will never be the same 😁
Reposted by Abby Beall
My end-of-year leader for 2025 is about the need to defend science against the encroaching darkness, not just because it is the best way to make sense of the world, but also because it is an endless source of wonder and whimsy www.newscientist.com/article/mg26...
Science still produced many wonders in 2025 despite being under siege
Though there were setbacks on climate change and funding for science this year, there was still plenty of amazing discoveries to marvel at
www.newscientist.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:47 AM
My end-of-year leader for 2025 is about the need to defend science against the encroaching darkness, not just because it is the best way to make sense of the world, but also because it is an endless source of wonder and whimsy www.newscientist.com/article/mg26...
Reposted by Abby Beall
Let's hope for a better 2026!
December 11, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Let's hope for a better 2026!
"Three breaths is all you need to tune into the present moment" - how small bursts of mindfulness practices lasting a minute or less can have unexpected benefits for those with busy lives, by @davidarobson.bsky.social www.newscientist.com/article/2502...
Too busy to meditate? Microdosing mindfulness has big health benefits
Small bursts of mindfulness practices lasting a minute or less can have unexpected benefits for those with busy lives - here’s how
www.newscientist.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
"Three breaths is all you need to tune into the present moment" - how small bursts of mindfulness practices lasting a minute or less can have unexpected benefits for those with busy lives, by @davidarobson.bsky.social www.newscientist.com/article/2502...
From machine learning to voting, the workings of the world demand randomisation, but true sources of randomness are surprisingly hard to find. Now quantum mechanics has supplied the answer - by @drmichaelbrooks.bsky.social
www.newscientist.com/article/2494...
www.newscientist.com/article/2494...
We’ve finally cracked how to make truly random numbers
From machine learning to voting, the workings of the world demand randomisation, but true sources of randomness are surprisingly hard to find. Now quantum mechanics has supplied the answer
www.newscientist.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:09 PM
From machine learning to voting, the workings of the world demand randomisation, but true sources of randomness are surprisingly hard to find. Now quantum mechanics has supplied the answer - by @drmichaelbrooks.bsky.social
www.newscientist.com/article/2494...
www.newscientist.com/article/2494...
this is a fascinating story by @grahamlawton.bsky.social about one of the most audacious scientific experiments ever attempted - a young physicist's quest to recreate the northern lights on the top of a mountain in northern Finland www.newscientist.com/article/2497...
The audacious quest to light up the sky with artificial auroras
How a Finnish physicist named Karl Lemström once became obsessed with recreating the aurora borealis from scratch – and may have ended up creating something even more intriguing
www.newscientist.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:06 AM
this is a fascinating story by @grahamlawton.bsky.social about one of the most audacious scientific experiments ever attempted - a young physicist's quest to recreate the northern lights on the top of a mountain in northern Finland www.newscientist.com/article/2497...
our bumper holiday double issue hits the newsstands this weekend, which means our Christmas features are starting to come out! 🎅
here's one of my favourites, about the saga of a family of interbreeding polar and grizzly bears www.newscientist.com/article/2496...
here's one of my favourites, about the saga of a family of interbreeding polar and grizzly bears www.newscientist.com/article/2496...
What the family drama of interbreeding polar and grizzly bears reveals
A hybrid grolar bear saga is unfolding in the Arctic, and the tale of this strange family has much to tell us about nature on our changing planet
www.newscientist.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:04 AM
our bumper holiday double issue hits the newsstands this weekend, which means our Christmas features are starting to come out! 🎅
here's one of my favourites, about the saga of a family of interbreeding polar and grizzly bears www.newscientist.com/article/2496...
here's one of my favourites, about the saga of a family of interbreeding polar and grizzly bears www.newscientist.com/article/2496...
I wrote a new book and here it is, out in the wild! a lovely Christmas present, perhaps, for any 7 to 12 year-olds interested in space or the stars... uk.bookshop.org/p/books/an-a...
December 10, 2025 at 8:50 AM
I wrote a new book and here it is, out in the wild! a lovely Christmas present, perhaps, for any 7 to 12 year-olds interested in space or the stars... uk.bookshop.org/p/books/an-a...
Reposted by Abby Beall
I wrote about the ocean quahog, aka the Icelandic cyprine
December 9, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I wrote about the ocean quahog, aka the Icelandic cyprine
Reposted by Abby Beall
One point to add about fake AI journalists: the people that will suffer most are young newbie journalists.
I’ve been writing for years and have an extensive footprint: no editor is going to think I’m AI.
But someone new, with few published stories, will necessarily look “less real”.
I’ve been writing for years and have an extensive footprint: no editor is going to think I’m AI.
But someone new, with few published stories, will necessarily look “less real”.
Really worrying. I now frequently receive pitches that are clearly written by AI - the worrying part will be when that stops being clear. I'm fairly confident our editorial processes and numerous rounds of edits would eventually unmask an AI writer, but you never know... thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 24, 2025 at 9:58 AM
One point to add about fake AI journalists: the people that will suffer most are young newbie journalists.
I’ve been writing for years and have an extensive footprint: no editor is going to think I’m AI.
But someone new, with few published stories, will necessarily look “less real”.
I’ve been writing for years and have an extensive footprint: no editor is going to think I’m AI.
But someone new, with few published stories, will necessarily look “less real”.
New Scientist is looking for someone to join our brilliant features team! preferably with expertise in evolution, ecology, human sciences and biology, but applicants with any science specialism are welcome www.dmgmedia.co.uk/careers/jobs...
Features Editor (beat specialist) - dmg media
Features Editor (beat specialist) Location: New Scientist Headquarters – London Position: Full-time, permanent Salary: £40,000 to £43,000, depending on experience Workplace Type: Hybrid – 3 days ...
www.dmgmedia.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 9:28 AM
New Scientist is looking for someone to join our brilliant features team! preferably with expertise in evolution, ecology, human sciences and biology, but applicants with any science specialism are welcome www.dmgmedia.co.uk/careers/jobs...
Reposted by Abby Beall
So, is the US actually going to start testing nuclear weapons? Here's what the experts tell @sparkes.bsky.social and New Scientist www.newscientist.com/article/2502...
The US is unlikely to test nuclear weapons, despite what Trump says
President Donald Trump appears to have ordered a return to nuclear testing after decades of uneasy but effective treaties banning the practice – but will it actually happen?
www.newscientist.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:12 PM
So, is the US actually going to start testing nuclear weapons? Here's what the experts tell @sparkes.bsky.social and New Scientist www.newscientist.com/article/2502...
Reposted by Abby Beall
Here is our exclusive survey asking leading climate scientists to give their views on solar geoengineering:
*66% believe we will see it attempted this century
*52% say it will probably be done by a "rogue actor"
*81% want an international treaty to manage risk
www.newscientist.com/article/2498...
*66% believe we will see it attempted this century
*52% say it will probably be done by a "rogue actor"
*81% want an international treaty to manage risk
www.newscientist.com/article/2498...
Exclusive: Climate scientists expect attempts to dim the sun by 2100
An exclusive New Scientist survey of leading scientists reveals widespread concern that schemes to tweak Earth’s atmosphere could launch within decades in a risky bid to cool the planet
www.newscientist.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Here is our exclusive survey asking leading climate scientists to give their views on solar geoengineering:
*66% believe we will see it attempted this century
*52% say it will probably be done by a "rogue actor"
*81% want an international treaty to manage risk
www.newscientist.com/article/2498...
*66% believe we will see it attempted this century
*52% say it will probably be done by a "rogue actor"
*81% want an international treaty to manage risk
www.newscientist.com/article/2498...
Reposted by Abby Beall
The future of space exploration and habitation: with first Briton in space Helen Sharman, biomedical space engineer Irene di Giulio, and BioOrbit CEO Katie King. Recorded live at the @royalsociety.org, with co-host @abbybeall.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVf_...
Space 2075: How Humans Will Live Off-Planet in 50 Years
YouTube video by New Scientist
www.youtube.com
October 13, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The future of space exploration and habitation: with first Briton in space Helen Sharman, biomedical space engineer Irene di Giulio, and BioOrbit CEO Katie King. Recorded live at the @royalsociety.org, with co-host @abbybeall.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVf_...
Reposted by Abby Beall
“The results were surprising, even for me,” says Llavero Pasquina. “I knew they were playing a very little role in the energy transition. I knew it was only for show. It was only for dressing their narrative. But I didn’t expect this low number.”
www.newscientist.com/article/2499...
www.newscientist.com/article/2499...
Top 250 oil and gas firms own just 1.5% of the world's renewable power
Despite public promises by many fossil fuel firms that they are investing in the green transition, it turns out that they have made little contribution to the growth of renewable energy
www.newscientist.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:38 AM
“The results were surprising, even for me,” says Llavero Pasquina. “I knew they were playing a very little role in the energy transition. I knew it was only for show. It was only for dressing their narrative. But I didn’t expect this low number.”
www.newscientist.com/article/2499...
www.newscientist.com/article/2499...