Cynthia Graber
@cagraber.bsky.social
Co-host of Gastropod (entertaining podcast about food science/history). Instructor at MIT grad program in science writing. Lover of brassicas. Somervillain for life.
Please someone write this story so I can forward to friends: what Google AI has done to smaller media websites, that is, Google Zero. Anecdote: was having someone over, said I'd made a green tomato chutney w/ last of my tomatoes, she said she asked ChatGPT and it recommended a couple of cheeses. 1/
November 10, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Please someone write this story so I can forward to friends: what Google AI has done to smaller media websites, that is, Google Zero. Anecdote: was having someone over, said I'd made a green tomato chutney w/ last of my tomatoes, she said she asked ChatGPT and it recommended a couple of cheeses. 1/
I love these and I share many of these opinions (so do I fit into this same niche?)
IDK how many niche Jewish opinions I have but sure, let’s go
1 like, one niche Jewish opinion
November 7, 2025 at 3:54 PM
I love these and I share many of these opinions (so do I fit into this same niche?)
We visited the Klamath right when the dam came down (was incredibly moving to report gastropod.com/bringing-sal...), this story is both so exciting-fish made it past additional barriers to reach headwaters in just 1yr!-& depressing, w/ $millions for restoration now not showing up. Still, good news!
Chinook salmon have returned to the Klamath River in Oregon after being absent for more than a century. The announcement came roughly a year after the last of four major hydroelectric dams on the river was demolished.
A River Restoration in Oregon Gets Fast Results: The Salmon Swam Right Back
The fish had been missing from the headwaters of the Klamath River for more than a century. Just a year after the removal of a final dam, they’ve returned.
nyti.ms
October 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
We visited the Klamath right when the dam came down (was incredibly moving to report gastropod.com/bringing-sal...), this story is both so exciting-fish made it past additional barriers to reach headwaters in just 1yr!-& depressing, w/ $millions for restoration now not showing up. Still, good news!
I don't mind cold but I don't love Boston winter- it's so long, I love being outside & I love green, it's not the ideal time for either (unless you ski, I don't). So fall always feels a bit foreboding. But I have to say, Boston falls are so fking gorgeous and perfect that it almost compensates.
October 24, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I don't mind cold but I don't love Boston winter- it's so long, I love being outside & I love green, it's not the ideal time for either (unless you ski, I don't). So fall always feels a bit foreboding. But I have to say, Boston falls are so fking gorgeous and perfect that it almost compensates.
Everything's falling apart so I just decided to play hooky for one afternoon next week and got a single ticket to the final week of Hamilton here. Will I cry, a lot, even more than I did the first time I saw it? Probably. T said I'm going to come home that evening emotionally wrecked.
October 24, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Everything's falling apart so I just decided to play hooky for one afternoon next week and got a single ticket to the final week of Hamilton here. Will I cry, a lot, even more than I did the first time I saw it? Probably. T said I'm going to come home that evening emotionally wrecked.
I know in the scope and scale of what's been lost in our country are immeasurable and heartbreaking, but I can't stop thinking about the loss of the entire East Wing of the White House. I've been there! It's part of our national history! It's a building with deep historic significance!
October 23, 2025 at 8:09 PM
I know in the scope and scale of what's been lost in our country are immeasurable and heartbreaking, but I can't stop thinking about the loss of the entire East Wing of the White House. I've been there! It's part of our national history! It's a building with deep historic significance!
This is the greatest video - whenever T and I see audo ads on tv we always yell at the screen - where are all the other cars? Car commercials make it seem like it's just you, your shiny new car, and nothing else to hinder you from destroying the beautiful natural landscape you're tearing up.
October 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM
This is the greatest video - whenever T and I see audo ads on tv we always yell at the screen - where are all the other cars? Car commercials make it seem like it's just you, your shiny new car, and nothing else to hinder you from destroying the beautiful natural landscape you're tearing up.
Reposted by Cynthia Graber
NEW: We just secured a court order temporarily stopping the Trump Administration from demanding that states turn over personal, sensitive information about SNAP recipients to fuel their cruel immigration policies.
We'll keep fighting this in court as the case continues.
We'll keep fighting this in court as the case continues.
October 16, 2025 at 3:08 PM
NEW: We just secured a court order temporarily stopping the Trump Administration from demanding that states turn over personal, sensitive information about SNAP recipients to fuel their cruel immigration policies.
We'll keep fighting this in court as the case continues.
We'll keep fighting this in court as the case continues.
I don't know how many Gastropod folks are on here, but we're looking for questions for our upcoming Ask Gastropod ep! Do you have a question that you haven't been able to figure out, a food science and/or history conundrum that's left you perplexed? We're here for you - email contact@gastropod.com!
October 14, 2025 at 7:30 PM
I don't know how many Gastropod folks are on here, but we're looking for questions for our upcoming Ask Gastropod ep! Do you have a question that you haven't been able to figure out, a food science and/or history conundrum that's left you perplexed? We're here for you - email contact@gastropod.com!
Conversation at my bfast table: "I made myself a whole breakfast but I really just want to eat the kale." T: "You always just want to eat kale." "People who think kale is punishment aren't using enough olive oil."
October 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Conversation at my bfast table: "I made myself a whole breakfast but I really just want to eat the kale." T: "You always just want to eat kale." "People who think kale is punishment aren't using enough olive oil."
Done. Not much I can do from here at the moment, but I can do this.
If you're watching the situation in Chicago from afar & want to help, on the off chance you have spare $$, you can give to the Midwest Immigrant Bond Fund, which posts "bond for individuals held in the custody of ICE w ties to IL, IN, KY & WI who cannot afford to pay"
www.mibfc.org/helpusgrow
www.mibfc.org/helpusgrow
How to Help MIBFC — Midwest Immigration Bond Fund
www.mibfc.org
October 9, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Done. Not much I can do from here at the moment, but I can do this.
Everything is depressing so instead I'll talk about rain- we've had a couple of years of drought in NE and so as we've started to fill our little urban plot with native plants we wanted help watering- thus our new rain barrel. Which brings me such joy! Plus my secret joy abt the barrel:
October 8, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Everything is depressing so instead I'll talk about rain- we've had a couple of years of drought in NE and so as we've started to fill our little urban plot with native plants we wanted help watering- thus our new rain barrel. Which brings me such joy! Plus my secret joy abt the barrel:
It was a super interesting conversation from a fascinating book - listen to Gastropod and then go read the whole thing!
The latest episode of the Gastropod podcast hosted by @cagraber.bsky.social and Nicola Twilley featured @juliabelluz.bsky.social and I discussing topics from our new book "Food Intelligence". gastropod.com/everything-y...
Everything You Know About Metabolism Is Wrong - Gastropod
Does a slow metabolism really lead to weight gain, and can you speed it up, to make it easier to shed pounds. Join us this episode for the science behind metabolism myths.
gastropod.com
October 7, 2025 at 7:01 PM
It was a super interesting conversation from a fascinating book - listen to Gastropod and then go read the whole thing!
I recently spoke to a writer (doesn't cover science) who insisted that something was settled science in humans based on one mouse study - it wasn't appropriate timing, but I wish I could have sent them to TON! The tool below can help any & all journalists incorporate science & understand why/how!
Every Story is a Science Story. That’s why, with @rjionline.bsky.social, TON has been hard at work developing a free tool to make it easier for journalists on any beat to strengthen their stories by incorporating science. And today, that tool - the Science Reporting Navigator - is live! 🧪
Introducing the Science Reporting Navigator - The Open Notebook
The Science Reporting Navigator stands ready to walk you through complex reporting scenarios to integrate science into any beat. The Open Notebook and the Reynolds Journalism Institute are thrilled to...
www.theopennotebook.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:36 PM
I recently spoke to a writer (doesn't cover science) who insisted that something was settled science in humans based on one mouse study - it wasn't appropriate timing, but I wish I could have sent them to TON! The tool below can help any & all journalists incorporate science & understand why/how!
The news gets more and more alarming, but thanks to our governor (and all the wonderful scientists and public health officials and policy makers) my spouse and I just walked around the corner to CVS, without an appointment, and got our covid and flu vaccines today.
September 13, 2025 at 11:39 PM
The news gets more and more alarming, but thanks to our governor (and all the wonderful scientists and public health officials and policy makers) my spouse and I just walked around the corner to CVS, without an appointment, and got our covid and flu vaccines today.
I'm going to tag my cousin @mgraber1.bsky.social who is a literal international expert/scholar in constitutional law. Mark, @kendrawrites.com is a brilliant journalist - can you help her out?
September 11, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I'm going to tag my cousin @mgraber1.bsky.social who is a literal international expert/scholar in constitutional law. Mark, @kendrawrites.com is a brilliant journalist - can you help her out?
I just typed to some friends 'the depth of the delusion is so demoralizing and depressing.' Alliteration unintended, but I think that's my general state of being.
September 10, 2025 at 1:51 PM
I just typed to some friends 'the depth of the delusion is so demoralizing and depressing.' Alliteration unintended, but I think that's my general state of being.
I'm just going to put this out in the universe - I'm mentoring a truly delightful 1st gen college-bound senior who's had some tough times but is super smart with limitless passion and curiosity. Her *dream* school is Northeastern. Do I know anyone who knows anyone in admissions she can talk to?
September 6, 2025 at 3:08 PM
I'm just going to put this out in the universe - I'm mentoring a truly delightful 1st gen college-bound senior who's had some tough times but is super smart with limitless passion and curiosity. Her *dream* school is Northeastern. Do I know anyone who knows anyone in admissions she can talk to?
I don't think Lucy's on here (and I miss seeing her posts on the bird site), but as a fellow child of the DC area — I'm no longer a local, though Lucy moved back — I agree with this list. Especially calling the airport "Reagan." www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/cri...
Crimes I Have Witnessed as a Resident of Washington, DC
“President Donald Trump said on Monday he was deploying 800 National Guard troops to Washington and temporarily taking over the city’s police depar...
www.mcsweeneys.net
August 13, 2025 at 11:13 AM
I don't think Lucy's on here (and I miss seeing her posts on the bird site), but as a fellow child of the DC area — I'm no longer a local, though Lucy moved back — I agree with this list. Especially calling the airport "Reagan." www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/cri...
It's an odd reaction, but Billy Bragg's "There is power in a union" literally always makes me cry. (Yes, it's on right now.)
July 27, 2025 at 12:47 PM
It's an odd reaction, but Billy Bragg's "There is power in a union" literally always makes me cry. (Yes, it's on right now.)
Any of my Somerville folks see this article abt Newton? @benforward3.bsky.social? heatmap.news/energy/newto...
How Newton, Massachusetts Got National Grid to Bend on Electrification
It took a lot of scrutiny and a lot of patience, but the city council is finally making progress against natural gas infrastructure.
heatmap.news
July 23, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Any of my Somerville folks see this article abt Newton? @benforward3.bsky.social? heatmap.news/energy/newto...
I'm reading a news newsletter and it's talking about the relationship between T and Bibi and calls Huckabee 'arguably the most staunchly pro-Israel high-ranking...' and I wish there were another word for these people who love Jews bc we'll eventually, in their theology, be dead Jews. Pro-rapture?
July 22, 2025 at 11:16 AM
I'm reading a news newsletter and it's talking about the relationship between T and Bibi and calls Huckabee 'arguably the most staunchly pro-Israel high-ranking...' and I wish there were another word for these people who love Jews bc we'll eventually, in their theology, be dead Jews. Pro-rapture?
Anyone have any recommendations about tomato hornworms? I didn't even know they existed until I figured out why the upper leaves were being defoliated and then I saw one and IT IS HUGE and the image is now BURNED onto my brain.
July 21, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Anyone have any recommendations about tomato hornworms? I didn't even know they existed until I figured out why the upper leaves were being defoliated and then I saw one and IT IS HUGE and the image is now BURNED onto my brain.
@actfortransit.bsky.social I live in Somerville, Ma, grew up in Rockville-was just telling a friend (who'd been in Silver Spring) that after yrs riding a bike, now adding ebike, I feel like ebikes are the future of transport for everyone. I amended that- maybe not in 'burbs, bc of say Norbeck Rd
July 21, 2025 at 2:31 PM
@actfortransit.bsky.social I live in Somerville, Ma, grew up in Rockville-was just telling a friend (who'd been in Silver Spring) that after yrs riding a bike, now adding ebike, I feel like ebikes are the future of transport for everyone. I amended that- maybe not in 'burbs, bc of say Norbeck Rd
But it's bikes that are the problem and need to be tightly regulated and ticketed.
A cyclist and a pedestrian were killed early Saturday morning in Manhattan by a car that had jumped the curb and struck them on the sidewalk, the police said.
Cyclist and Pedestrian Killed After Vehicle Jumps Curb in Manhattan
The car had been traveling west on the Manhattan Bridge before it struck the victims at the base of the bridge in Chinatown early Saturday morning.
trib.al
July 19, 2025 at 4:35 PM
But it's bikes that are the problem and need to be tightly regulated and ticketed.