Catherine Shaffer
@cathshaffer.bsky.social
Freelance Science Journalist | SFF Writer
MSU/UM grad | Ann Arbor 🏠 | Clarion '97 | AnLab 🏅 | Obligate herbivore | Cat lover | Allergic to cats | Achoo!
MSU/UM grad | Ann Arbor 🏠 | Clarion '97 | AnLab 🏅 | Obligate herbivore | Cat lover | Allergic to cats | Achoo!
Pinned
I’m a science writer and a science fiction writer. I frequently write about AI in precision medicine, but I don’t use AI in my published work. Not a single word. I like pets, nature, books, and good TV. Pro-democracy.
And yet, the experience of being assaulted is similarly traumatic for children of both ages. This is repulsive.
in case you're wondering how the cope is going www.mediamatters.org/megyn-kelly/...
November 13, 2025 at 8:23 PM
And yet, the experience of being assaulted is similarly traumatic for children of both ages. This is repulsive.
Even after decades of writing fiction, I remain surprised every time my unconscious provides me a solution for a story problem my conscious mind could not figure out. (And that's most of the time.)
November 13, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Even after decades of writing fiction, I remain surprised every time my unconscious provides me a solution for a story problem my conscious mind could not figure out. (And that's most of the time.)
Coming from a family of math whizzes and having been one myself in school, these people are sadly misguided.
New VC flex: I’m raising a horrible, spoiled brat but it’s OK because they’re good at math.
November 12, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Coming from a family of math whizzes and having been one myself in school, these people are sadly misguided.
I have become fascinated with gigante beans. They are so huge and amusing. I want to draw little faces on them. And then eat them.
November 12, 2025 at 3:17 AM
I have become fascinated with gigante beans. They are so huge and amusing. I want to draw little faces on them. And then eat them.
I got stuck this week on my novel. Like seriously! I rewrote a chapter three times. Finally finally finally figured it out. Show up. Trust the process. Seat of pants, seat of chair.
November 12, 2025 at 2:41 AM
I got stuck this week on my novel. Like seriously! I rewrote a chapter three times. Finally finally finally figured it out. Show up. Trust the process. Seat of pants, seat of chair.
Wild guess about what’s going on in Plur1bus: the virus was sent as a way to pacify the planet and prepare its population to welcome and serve alien invaders. Problem with this is it would be a drastic tonal and thematic shift.
November 10, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Wild guess about what’s going on in Plur1bus: the virus was sent as a way to pacify the planet and prepare its population to welcome and serve alien invaders. Problem with this is it would be a drastic tonal and thematic shift.
I watched Maze Runner last night, and I have to give it up to the producers for how completely nonsensical the reveal was when we finally found out what was going on. That doesn't just happen. You have to discard a lot of logical ideas to get there. *clap*
November 9, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I watched Maze Runner last night, and I have to give it up to the producers for how completely nonsensical the reveal was when we finally found out what was going on. That doesn't just happen. You have to discard a lot of logical ideas to get there. *clap*
Matt was a republican political operative before the Trump era. If you’re a politics nerd, I think you would enjoy his unique perspective.
Thank you everyone for your support! It's been so incredible to see your generosity!
If you're new to my content, here's a representative essay about how right-wingers base their political marketing strategy on pretending to be liberals. It's critical to their support from many people.
If you're new to my content, here's a representative essay about how right-wingers base their political marketing strategy on pretending to be liberals. It's critical to their support from many people.
The ‘Intellectual Dark Web’ and the long history of right-wing rebranding
For nearly a century, Republicans have been pretending to be the ‘real liberals’
plus.flux.community
November 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Matt was a republican political operative before the Trump era. If you’re a politics nerd, I think you would enjoy his unique perspective.
What is the effective range for PB&J?
It's not in this article but the government asserts that the sandwich was thrown at "point blank range", which implies subway sandwiches have defined effective weapon ranges of varying lethality, and I would like to see the government's chart of these ranges.
Trial Begins for Man Accused of Lobbing a Sandwich at a Federal Agent www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/u...
November 4, 2025 at 12:35 AM
What is the effective range for PB&J?
Inconceivable!
On the other site, an 18-year-old Zohran canvasser described the legendary Wallace Shawn as "the actor who plays Dr. Sturgis on Young Sheldon" which is honestly adorable
November 2, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Inconceivable!
I start every interview by asking the source to introduce themself. It helps me contextualize whether they are the right person to answer the questions I prepared or if I need to pivot. If they're a political figure, I ask for an update on what they're doing lately.
October 30, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I start every interview by asking the source to introduce themself. It helps me contextualize whether they are the right person to answer the questions I prepared or if I need to pivot. If they're a political figure, I ask for an update on what they're doing lately.
Fascinating thread
🧵There's a pernicious myth that Republicans have more money than Democrats. In fact, Democrats have raised more—including so-called "dark money."
Republicans have less money but understand politics better. This is why they win.
My upcoming e-book "What Republicans Know" discusses…
Republicans have less money but understand politics better. This is why they win.
My upcoming e-book "What Republicans Know" discusses…
What Republicans Know (Full Book) | Flux Community
Get more from Flux Community on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Fascinating thread
Oh no
Zohran Mamdani's promises of free busses might sound great, but I live in Albuquerque NM where city busses have been free for five years and I'm here to tell you the truth. This is what every bus in my city looks like now. Think carefully about your choice this November.
October 27, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Oh no
I'm old enough to remember a time when, if you wanted to read the news, you had to buy a physical paper, or pay to have it delivered, and no one objected.
Sometimes we receive complaints from people who'd like to read Flytrap content for free. We understand the frustration around paywalls in an increasingly dire financial landscape for many folks, so we also want to be honest about our financials. Let's talk about what it costs to run the Flytrap.
October 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
I'm old enough to remember a time when, if you wanted to read the news, you had to buy a physical paper, or pay to have it delivered, and no one objected.
Reposted by Catherine Shaffer
Reposted by Catherine Shaffer
“No sooner does a woman show that she has genius or effective talent, than she receives the tribute of being moderately praised and severely criticized.”
—George Eliot
Via
@liliannattel.bsky.social
—George Eliot
Via
@liliannattel.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 8:55 PM
“No sooner does a woman show that she has genius or effective talent, than she receives the tribute of being moderately praised and severely criticized.”
—George Eliot
Via
@liliannattel.bsky.social
—George Eliot
Via
@liliannattel.bsky.social
Reposted by Catherine Shaffer
Thought experiment, how much of the White House could the president tear down before anyone in power did anything meaningful to stop it? Like if he just kept going?
October 21, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Thought experiment, how much of the White House could the president tear down before anyone in power did anything meaningful to stop it? Like if he just kept going?
I'm writing my fifth feature story in five days from #ESMO ...I think. It says a lot that I can't keep track of what day it is or how many stories I've written. But I'm overdue to share...so I'll be getting some of that posted here, hopefully later today.
October 21, 2025 at 3:49 PM
I'm writing my fifth feature story in five days from #ESMO ...I think. It says a lot that I can't keep track of what day it is or how many stories I've written. But I'm overdue to share...so I'll be getting some of that posted here, hopefully later today.
This looks incredibly fun!
It's Publication Day for SLAYERS OF OLD!!!
From @dawbooks.bsky.social's official description: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Golden Girls in this humorous contemporary standalone fantasy about a group of former Chosen Ones coming out of retirement to save the world one last time."
From @dawbooks.bsky.social's official description: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Golden Girls in this humorous contemporary standalone fantasy about a group of former Chosen Ones coming out of retirement to save the world one last time."
October 21, 2025 at 3:47 PM
This looks incredibly fun!
I'm remotely reporting on the European Society for Medical Oncology annual meeting. My first session this morning is early breast cancer. The early BC setting is the promised land for many innovative BC therapies that have become blockbusters in advanced cancer. #ESMO
October 17, 2025 at 12:43 PM
I'm remotely reporting on the European Society for Medical Oncology annual meeting. My first session this morning is early breast cancer. The early BC setting is the promised land for many innovative BC therapies that have become blockbusters in advanced cancer. #ESMO
I hit 15,000 words on the WIP today. By the way, how many vomit scenes should a typical fantasy novel have? Asking for a friend.
October 16, 2025 at 2:34 AM
I hit 15,000 words on the WIP today. By the way, how many vomit scenes should a typical fantasy novel have? Asking for a friend.
When I sit down at my desk, for me it is the beginning of my work day. For my cat, it is the beginning of several hours of quality time she and I spend together during which I should be focused entirely on her.
October 15, 2025 at 1:43 PM
When I sit down at my desk, for me it is the beginning of my work day. For my cat, it is the beginning of several hours of quality time she and I spend together during which I should be focused entirely on her.
I went to sleep with the seed of a new short story, but I knew it needed a twist. I woke up this morning and I had it.
October 15, 2025 at 11:02 AM
I went to sleep with the seed of a new short story, but I knew it needed a twist. I woke up this morning and I had it.
600 word novel writing sesh tonight, including an editing pass on the most recent chapter. I guess I'll take it, though I keep dreaming of hitting four digits.
October 15, 2025 at 1:28 AM
600 word novel writing sesh tonight, including an editing pass on the most recent chapter. I guess I'll take it, though I keep dreaming of hitting four digits.
In hell, they just make you sign up for something online and have the system repeatedly fail or glitch out so you have to start over.
October 8, 2025 at 8:13 PM
In hell, they just make you sign up for something online and have the system repeatedly fail or glitch out so you have to start over.