Drew Steen
@drewsteen.bsky.social
I do science about the ocean, organic carbon, weird microbes and their enzymes. Associate Prof, Marine and Environmental Biology, USC. He/him.
A buddy of mine and I decided it is time for Old Man Hobbies. I’ve taken up birding, he’s now a rockhound. Highly endorse this sort of thing in these trying times.
I have spent HOURS on my grandma hobby today. I cannot recommend enough an analog grandma hobby for mental health.
January 18, 2026 at 11:39 PM
A buddy of mine and I decided it is time for Old Man Hobbies. I’ve taken up birding, he’s now a rockhound. Highly endorse this sort of thing in these trying times.
Reposted by Drew Steen
People on here will skeet anything. "A salary cap will lower ticket prices." No it won't. That isn't true.
January 16, 2026 at 11:21 PM
People on here will skeet anything. "A salary cap will lower ticket prices." No it won't. That isn't true.
I mean also because transphobic rhetoric sucks on its own terms, but also because it is definitely a leading indicator.
in case you didn't understand why transphobic rhetoric worried us so much about this guy, well it's because it's a signal that shit like this is coming next.
January 16, 2026 at 5:43 PM
I mean also because transphobic rhetoric sucks on its own terms, but also because it is definitely a leading indicator.
Reposted by Drew Steen
a non-zero number of pasty-faced ICE goons who are fully ancestry dot com-pilled about being like .0002% Irish will have their day sincerely, authentically ruined by this knowledge, and that makes it so beautiful to me
Dropkick Murphys are releasing a new song called "Citizen I.C.E."
The lyrics go: "Too scared to join the military/ Too dumb to be a cop."
consequence.net/2026/01/drop...
The lyrics go: "Too scared to join the military/ Too dumb to be a cop."
consequence.net/2026/01/drop...
Dropkick Murphys' Unveil Anti-ICE Song: "Too Scared to Join the Military, Too Dumb to Be a Cop"
Dropkick Murphys are releasing an anti-I.C.E. song, "Citizen I.C.E.," as part of their tour-only split LP with Haywire. Learn more.
consequence.net
January 15, 2026 at 9:25 PM
a non-zero number of pasty-faced ICE goons who are fully ancestry dot com-pilled about being like .0002% Irish will have their day sincerely, authentically ruined by this knowledge, and that makes it so beautiful to me
Reposted by Drew Steen
I really can't explain it much better, it just seems like a concrete truth that trans people are just trying to live their best life and a bunch of goddamn assholes hate them for it.
I just know what side I am on in that discussion, every time, for eternity.
I hope that makes sense?
end/
I just know what side I am on in that discussion, every time, for eternity.
I hope that makes sense?
end/
January 14, 2026 at 8:41 PM
I really can't explain it much better, it just seems like a concrete truth that trans people are just trying to live their best life and a bunch of goddamn assholes hate them for it.
I just know what side I am on in that discussion, every time, for eternity.
I hope that makes sense?
end/
I just know what side I am on in that discussion, every time, for eternity.
I hope that makes sense?
end/
Reposted by Drew Steen
you are probably thinking, "hey man, what's up with the timeline today, why are there no #owls?" and "has Matt ever seen a long-eared owl?" and the answers are I got you and yes 🪶🪶🪶
January 14, 2026 at 5:40 PM
you are probably thinking, "hey man, what's up with the timeline today, why are there no #owls?" and "has Matt ever seen a long-eared owl?" and the answers are I got you and yes 🪶🪶🪶
Reposted by Drew Steen
honestly, joking aside: the "man cereal" goes along with the murder of Renee Good as a sign that there are men who really really really really really really hate women, and anything "womanly" or "girly" is to be shunned if not destroyed.
January 9, 2026 at 10:36 PM
honestly, joking aside: the "man cereal" goes along with the murder of Renee Good as a sign that there are men who really really really really really really hate women, and anything "womanly" or "girly" is to be shunned if not destroyed.
Reposted by Drew Steen
This is a guy who has his dream job.
And there’s only one of those positions in the world.
Yet he’s still speaking out and risking reprisal.
Where are 90% of the others in entertainment, music, movies etc?
And there’s only one of those positions in the world.
Yet he’s still speaking out and risking reprisal.
Where are 90% of the others in entertainment, music, movies etc?
My kitchen table issue is “don’t shoot people at their kitchen tables”
January 9, 2026 at 12:42 PM
This is a guy who has his dream job.
And there’s only one of those positions in the world.
Yet he’s still speaking out and risking reprisal.
Where are 90% of the others in entertainment, music, movies etc?
And there’s only one of those positions in the world.
Yet he’s still speaking out and risking reprisal.
Where are 90% of the others in entertainment, music, movies etc?
Reposted by Drew Steen
oldhead advice from an oldhead.
every couple years, newcomers to the movement think "THIS is finally it, the moment when the dam breaks and the whole system is overthrown"
and when it doesn't happen they lose patience and get disillusioned and drop out of movement work
gotta build for long term
every couple years, newcomers to the movement think "THIS is finally it, the moment when the dam breaks and the whole system is overthrown"
and when it doesn't happen they lose patience and get disillusioned and drop out of movement work
gotta build for long term
January 8, 2026 at 7:32 AM
oldhead advice from an oldhead.
every couple years, newcomers to the movement think "THIS is finally it, the moment when the dam breaks and the whole system is overthrown"
and when it doesn't happen they lose patience and get disillusioned and drop out of movement work
gotta build for long term
every couple years, newcomers to the movement think "THIS is finally it, the moment when the dam breaks and the whole system is overthrown"
and when it doesn't happen they lose patience and get disillusioned and drop out of movement work
gotta build for long term
Reposted by Drew Steen
The party that waves the Gadsden Flag and yells about freedom is cheering the murder of a woman who did more to uphold and defend those values than they ever have.
January 8, 2026 at 12:31 AM
The party that waves the Gadsden Flag and yells about freedom is cheering the murder of a woman who did more to uphold and defend those values than they ever have.
My most boring culture opinion: the Breaking Bad finale was really good
Given that apparently the Stranger Things finale was meh (idk, didn't watch it, just the scuttlebutt) and we're not that far removed from the disastrous GOT finale that retroactively made everyone have never cared about the show:
What's the *best* ending to a show you've ever seen? Quote/reply etc
What's the *best* ending to a show you've ever seen? Quote/reply etc
January 7, 2026 at 4:04 AM
My most boring culture opinion: the Breaking Bad finale was really good
Reposted by Drew Steen
If you are submitting an NIH grant in February, you will be required to use SciENcv to prepare you biosketch.
IT IS MUCH WORSE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.
Set aside *at least* 4 hours just to transfer an existing an biosketch into SciENcv.
IT IS MUCH WORSE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.
Set aside *at least* 4 hours just to transfer an existing an biosketch into SciENcv.
January 6, 2026 at 11:29 PM
If you are submitting an NIH grant in February, you will be required to use SciENcv to prepare you biosketch.
IT IS MUCH WORSE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.
Set aside *at least* 4 hours just to transfer an existing an biosketch into SciENcv.
IT IS MUCH WORSE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.
Set aside *at least* 4 hours just to transfer an existing an biosketch into SciENcv.
Reposted by Drew Steen
The district court injunction that prevented NIH from capping indirects at 15% was upheld today on appeal!
www.reuters.com/world/trump-...
www.reuters.com/world/trump-...
Trump administration cannot slash NIH research funding, court rules
District Judge Angel Kelley last year blocked the cuts, and on Monday the appeals court agreed.
www.reuters.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:09 AM
The district court injunction that prevented NIH from capping indirects at 15% was upheld today on appeal!
www.reuters.com/world/trump-...
www.reuters.com/world/trump-...
Reposted by Drew Steen
And we may never.
I've been workshopping the term Eldritch Biodiversity to describe organisms and ecologic processes that, due to our limited ability to explore the deep seafloor, are not just unknown, but possibly unknowable.
I've been workshopping the term Eldritch Biodiversity to describe organisms and ecologic processes that, due to our limited ability to explore the deep seafloor, are not just unknown, but possibly unknowable.
January 5, 2026 at 5:45 PM
And we may never.
I've been workshopping the term Eldritch Biodiversity to describe organisms and ecologic processes that, due to our limited ability to explore the deep seafloor, are not just unknown, but possibly unknowable.
I've been workshopping the term Eldritch Biodiversity to describe organisms and ecologic processes that, due to our limited ability to explore the deep seafloor, are not just unknown, but possibly unknowable.
Reposted by Drew Steen
I cannot emphasize this enough, if you're cold-emailing me applying to my lab I would so much rather get the bulleted broken list of genuine interests than whatever letter ChatGPT spits out in its stead
If you're training with me, I'm working with you not an LLM. I want to see who you are!
If you're training with me, I'm working with you not an LLM. I want to see who you are!
January 5, 2026 at 4:25 PM
I cannot emphasize this enough, if you're cold-emailing me applying to my lab I would so much rather get the bulleted broken list of genuine interests than whatever letter ChatGPT spits out in its stead
If you're training with me, I'm working with you not an LLM. I want to see who you are!
If you're training with me, I'm working with you not an LLM. I want to see who you are!
Reposted by Drew Steen
Take-home lesson we ALL need to learn: Resistance works and capitulation doesn't!
BREAKING: After legal setbacks, President Trump says he's dropping push for the National Guard in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland for now.
Trump says he's dropping push for National Guard in Chicago, LA and Portland, Oregon, for now
President Donald Trump says he’s dropping — for now — his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon.
bit.ly
December 31, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Take-home lesson we ALL need to learn: Resistance works and capitulation doesn't!
Not the point here but I thought this was about a scientist who was, like, eight feet tall
No, the dire wolf has not been brought back from extinction – and I even got Colossal’s chief scientist to admit as much in interview with me. In response, the company put out a statement reiterating its claims 3/
www.newscientist.com/article/2481...
www.newscientist.com/article/2481...
Colossal scientist now admits they haven’t really made dire wolves
Despite a huge media fanfare in which Colossal Biosciences claimed to have resurrected the extinct dire wolf, the company's chief scientist now concedes that the animals are merely modified grey wolve...
www.newscientist.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Not the point here but I thought this was about a scientist who was, like, eight feet tall
Reposted by Drew Steen
This year I read Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series, all 20 books full of British naval intrigue and adventure and odd foods. (Spotted dog, anyone?) I finished yesterday. Retreating into the early 19th century helped me avoid doomscrolling my way through 2026. Strongly recommend. #aubreymaturin
December 31, 2025 at 11:58 AM
This year I read Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series, all 20 books full of British naval intrigue and adventure and odd foods. (Spotted dog, anyone?) I finished yesterday. Retreating into the early 19th century helped me avoid doomscrolling my way through 2026. Strongly recommend. #aubreymaturin
Reposted by Drew Steen
Every time I submit a scientific manuscript, I am confronted with the counter-intuitive fact of PAYING to publish work that I created.
December 30, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Every time I submit a scientific manuscript, I am confronted with the counter-intuitive fact of PAYING to publish work that I created.
Reposted by Drew Steen
67 Senators could remove RFK Jr. today but there aren’t 67 Senators who care about Americans’ lives, health, or wellbeing. Babies will die. Our leaders hate us.
BREAKING: RFKJr directs that the US instantly stop recommending all vaccinations for children. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Under RFK Jr., U.S. plans to stop recommending most vaccines, defer to doctors
The plan, which is not finalized, suggests children get fewer shots and shifts to a model telling parents to consult doctors to make their own vaccine choices.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 20, 2025 at 9:50 AM
67 Senators could remove RFK Jr. today but there aren’t 67 Senators who care about Americans’ lives, health, or wellbeing. Babies will die. Our leaders hate us.
Reposted by Drew Steen
Congratulations, those of you who decided to platform fringe voices and create a climate of fear and hate out of ignorance because those voices insisted a non-problem was a problem. They're now on an HHS stage trying to ruin children's lives. You will live with the harm you have done forever.
December 18, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Congratulations, those of you who decided to platform fringe voices and create a climate of fear and hate out of ignorance because those voices insisted a non-problem was a problem. They're now on an HHS stage trying to ruin children's lives. You will live with the harm you have done forever.
Reposted by Drew Steen
People who aspire to be academics: I wish to live a life of the mind
Actual academics:
Actual academics:
I have a weird question for the #bird people on here. Do you think someone could tell that a book was pooped on specifically by a sparrowhawk (or perhaps hawks generally) just from the feces? I'm looking at a 16th c. case where witnesses claim books were pooped on specifically by sparrowhawks!
December 18, 2025 at 3:34 PM
People who aspire to be academics: I wish to live a life of the mind
Actual academics:
Actual academics:
Reposted by Drew Steen
There’s a lesson to be learned by all U.S. research institutions: Even if you keep your head down and “align with the president’s priorities,” it affords you no protection. This administration will still smash your institution into atoms on the flimsiest pretense. *Do not pre-comply.* #SaveNCAR
In case there was any question Trump attempting to shutter NCAR is retaliation against Colorado for Tina Peters remaining in prison.
December 18, 2025 at 1:47 PM
There’s a lesson to be learned by all U.S. research institutions: Even if you keep your head down and “align with the president’s priorities,” it affords you no protection. This administration will still smash your institution into atoms on the flimsiest pretense. *Do not pre-comply.* #SaveNCAR
Reposted by Drew Steen
Reject any motherfucker who tells you we need to abandon a vulnerable population or person. They’re either a fascist or a fascist-in-waiting.
December 17, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Reject any motherfucker who tells you we need to abandon a vulnerable population or person. They’re either a fascist or a fascist-in-waiting.
Seriously, spend 45 seconds watching this, it’s hilarious. Even if you’re not a football fan.
This story Carl Nassib told on RC's pod about coming out in the NFL cracked me up. His delivery is so good!
December 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Seriously, spend 45 seconds watching this, it’s hilarious. Even if you’re not a football fan.