Ben Allen
@evodynamics.bsky.social
Mathematical biologist studying evolution. Professor of Mathematics at Emmanuel College, MA. Queer, nonbinary (they/them). For social and ecological justice. Jewish as in Free Palestine. https://www.emmanuel.edu/emmanuel-mathematical-biology-research-embr
Pinned
Ben Allen
@evodynamics.bsky.social
· Dec 12
Validate User
academic.oup.com
Before 2025 closes out, I wanted to make a thread on my proudest recent paper! (Ok, it's from 2024, but I haven't done a bluesky thread on it before).
Allen et al. (2024) "Nonlinear social evolution and the emergence of collective action", PNAS Nexus
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Allen et al. (2024) "Nonlinear social evolution and the emergence of collective action", PNAS Nexus
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Reposted by Ben Allen
“Four of my children just evaporated,” Badran said, holding back tears. “I looked for them a million times. Not a piece was left. Where did they go?”
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
Israel used weapons in Gaza that made thousands of Palestinians evaporate
US-made thermal weapons burning at 3,500C caused 2,842 people to "evaporate" in Gaza, Al Jazeera investigation finds.
www.aljazeera.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:29 PM
“Four of my children just evaporated,” Badran said, holding back tears. “I looked for them a million times. Not a piece was left. Where did they go?”
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
Deadline for Biology and Models! Camp (June 15-19 on a farm in NC) extended to Feb 21. We're looking for applicants who want to build their modeling toolkit, especially grad students and those from non-math fields. Please share and/or apply!
February 10, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Deadline for Biology and Models! Camp (June 15-19 on a farm in NC) extended to Feb 21. We're looking for applicants who want to build their modeling toolkit, especially grad students and those from non-math fields. Please share and/or apply!
Reposted by Ben Allen
NEW: Federal judges are increasingly furious at what they see as a pattern / playbook of defiance by the Trump administration to court orders in immigration cases — in Minnesota and around the country.
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
How the Trump administration skirts — and defies — court rulings on ICE detentions
A POLITICO review of hundreds of cases brought by ICE detainees shows a pattern of noncompliance that has frustrated judges across the country.
www.politico.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:15 AM
NEW: Federal judges are increasingly furious at what they see as a pattern / playbook of defiance by the Trump administration to court orders in immigration cases — in Minnesota and around the country.
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Ben Allen
Konstanz School of Collective Behavior 2026 is one of a kind school where students delve into state of the art research on collective behavior.
Apply here: www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/kscb/applica...
Deadline: March 15th, 2026
@cbehav.bsky.social @mpi-animalbehav.bsky.social @uni-konstanz.de
Apply here: www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/kscb/applica...
Deadline: March 15th, 2026
@cbehav.bsky.social @mpi-animalbehav.bsky.social @uni-konstanz.de
We have an amazing line up for KSCB 2026
Anastasia Bizyaeva from Cornell University. Her research group uses non-linear dynamics and control theory to understand collective systems.
sites.google.com/cornell.edu/...
Anastasia Bizyaeva from Cornell University. Her research group uses non-linear dynamics and control theory to understand collective systems.
sites.google.com/cornell.edu/...
February 5, 2026 at 6:17 AM
Konstanz School of Collective Behavior 2026 is one of a kind school where students delve into state of the art research on collective behavior.
Apply here: www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/kscb/applica...
Deadline: March 15th, 2026
@cbehav.bsky.social @mpi-animalbehav.bsky.social @uni-konstanz.de
Apply here: www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/kscb/applica...
Deadline: March 15th, 2026
@cbehav.bsky.social @mpi-animalbehav.bsky.social @uni-konstanz.de
Reposted by Ben Allen
The state that brought us "Don't Say Gay" is now expanding to "Don't Say West Bank"
This is completely ludicrous.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
This is completely ludicrous.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Florida bill seeks to ban use of ‘West Bank’ in schools and state agencies
The bill would mandate use of the biblical term ‘Judea and Samaria’ after a similar effort passed in Arkansas
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:40 PM
The state that brought us "Don't Say Gay" is now expanding to "Don't Say West Bank"
This is completely ludicrous.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
This is completely ludicrous.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Ben Allen
In Boston ICE randomly pulled over this huge white Irish guy with a Mass drivers license, 20 years in the states, legal status, pending green card and have held him for 5 months, his citizen wife paid a $4k bond that was ignored(!) ICE forged his signature on deportation agreement, no appeal
Kerryman who is married, living and working legally in the United States for >20 years has been incarcerated by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) since September 2025.
Profoundly disturbing report by Karlin Lillington @klillington.bsky.social
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
Profoundly disturbing report by Karlin Lillington @klillington.bsky.social
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
‘Absolute hell’: Irish man with valid US work permit held by Ice since September
Seamus Culleton has been in a detention facility in Texas for nearly five months despite having no criminal record
www.irishtimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:42 PM
In Boston ICE randomly pulled over this huge white Irish guy with a Mass drivers license, 20 years in the states, legal status, pending green card and have held him for 5 months, his citizen wife paid a $4k bond that was ignored(!) ICE forged his signature on deportation agreement, no appeal
This is such a relatable math experience
February 9, 2026 at 1:55 AM
This is such a relatable math experience
But the hair is still 🔥
February 9, 2026 at 1:51 AM
But the hair is still 🔥
Reposted by Ben Allen
hey guys. i was incapacitated all day. please, please accept my apologies and submit your #MathCoffeeSelfie below.
February 8, 2026 at 10:59 PM
hey guys. i was incapacitated all day. please, please accept my apologies and submit your #MathCoffeeSelfie below.
Reposted by Ben Allen
Cooperation is a universal feature of complex systems, from the origins of life and microbiomes to societies. What universal patterns can be found in these systems? Here's our new @pnas.org paper. @jordipinero.bsky.social @artemyte.bsky.social @sfiscience.bsky.social www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10....
December 19, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Cooperation is a universal feature of complex systems, from the origins of life and microbiomes to societies. What universal patterns can be found in these systems? Here's our new @pnas.org paper. @jordipinero.bsky.social @artemyte.bsky.social @sfiscience.bsky.social www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10....
Reposted by Ben Allen
MA needs to ban new 287(g) collaboration agreements and terminate the only one still standing.
#mapoli
www.huffpost.com/entry/red-st...
#mapoli
www.huffpost.com/entry/red-st...
Red States Are Jumping At The Chance To Make Things Even Worse For Immigrants
Blue states are scrambling to defend against ICE. But in red states where lawmakers are happy to comply, quietly dangerous operations are also underway.
www.huffpost.com
February 8, 2026 at 1:21 PM
MA needs to ban new 287(g) collaboration agreements and terminate the only one still standing.
#mapoli
www.huffpost.com/entry/red-st...
#mapoli
www.huffpost.com/entry/red-st...
Imagine being too callous for Jeff Bezos
February 8, 2026 at 1:57 AM
Imagine being too callous for Jeff Bezos
I know, the comment wasn't directed at you. I'm just pointing out the irony of people not wanting celebrities to stick their noses into politics when that's literally how we got here
February 7, 2026 at 9:58 PM
I know, the comment wasn't directed at you. I'm just pointing out the irony of people not wanting celebrities to stick their noses into politics when that's literally how we got here
Reposted by Ben Allen
"We don't need to hear celebrities' views about the president"
By "president" you mean the former reality show host whose entry into politics was spreading racist lies about the president?
By "president" you mean the former reality show host whose entry into politics was spreading racist lies about the president?
February 7, 2026 at 5:41 PM
"We don't need to hear celebrities' views about the president"
By "president" you mean the former reality show host whose entry into politics was spreading racist lies about the president?
By "president" you mean the former reality show host whose entry into politics was spreading racist lies about the president?
"We don't need to hear celebrities' views about the president"
By "president" you mean the former reality show host whose entry into politics was spreading racist lies about the president?
By "president" you mean the former reality show host whose entry into politics was spreading racist lies about the president?
February 7, 2026 at 5:41 PM
"We don't need to hear celebrities' views about the president"
By "president" you mean the former reality show host whose entry into politics was spreading racist lies about the president?
By "president" you mean the former reality show host whose entry into politics was spreading racist lies about the president?
Reposted by Ben Allen
"A new report ...found that an administrative subpoena was also used to seek information from Google about an American retiree within hours of him after sending a critical email to Homeland Security’s lead attorney Joseph Dernbach. The retiree’s home was later visited by federal agents..."
important:
"The Department of Homeland Security has been quietly demanding tech companies turn over user information about critics of the Trump administration, according to reports...
"...[for example] Homeland Security sought the identity of an anonymous Instagram account called @montocowatch..."
"The Department of Homeland Security has been quietly demanding tech companies turn over user information about critics of the Trump administration, according to reports...
"...[for example] Homeland Security sought the identity of an anonymous Instagram account called @montocowatch..."
Homeland Security is trying to force tech companies to hand over data about Trump critics | TechCrunch
The use of administrative subpoenas, which are not subject to judicial oversight, are used to demand a wealth of information from tech companies, including the owners of anonymous online accounts docu...
techcrunch.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:27 PM
"A new report ...found that an administrative subpoena was also used to seek information from Google about an American retiree within hours of him after sending a critical email to Homeland Security’s lead attorney Joseph Dernbach. The retiree’s home was later visited by federal agents..."
Reposted by Ben Allen
Spoke with a PI whose postdoc is trapped abroad because of social media vetting. It appears the postdoc missed disclosing one account and it's unclear if they can come back… ever.
This is the country we live in now.
This is the country we live in now.
February 7, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Spoke with a PI whose postdoc is trapped abroad because of social media vetting. It appears the postdoc missed disclosing one account and it's unclear if they can come back… ever.
This is the country we live in now.
This is the country we live in now.
Reposted by Ben Allen
Boston did not clear snow from the bike lanes after the storm two weeks ago, so our community came together to do so. "We just want to get home safe and alive!" @bikeboston.bsky.social @streets.boston.gov @mayorwu.boston.gov @universalhub.com @wcvb5.bsky.social @mass.streetsblog.org
February 6, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Boston did not clear snow from the bike lanes after the storm two weeks ago, so our community came together to do so. "We just want to get home safe and alive!" @bikeboston.bsky.social @streets.boston.gov @mayorwu.boston.gov @universalhub.com @wcvb5.bsky.social @mass.streetsblog.org
Reposted by Ben Allen
/ & HERE'S THE UPDATED SNOWTOTES MAP FROM THE VIDEO
/ TBH EYE THINK BOSTON WILL BE MOAR IN THE 3-4 INCH RANGE
/ BUT WE SHALL SEE
/ SNOWBLOBS START EARL SATURMORN
/ & SHULD BE ALL FLOATED AWAY BEYE 6 PM SATUREVE
/ TBH EYE THINK BOSTON WILL BE MOAR IN THE 3-4 INCH RANGE
/ BUT WE SHALL SEE
/ SNOWBLOBS START EARL SATURMORN
/ & SHULD BE ALL FLOATED AWAY BEYE 6 PM SATUREVE
February 7, 2026 at 1:07 AM
/ & HERE'S THE UPDATED SNOWTOTES MAP FROM THE VIDEO
/ TBH EYE THINK BOSTON WILL BE MOAR IN THE 3-4 INCH RANGE
/ BUT WE SHALL SEE
/ SNOWBLOBS START EARL SATURMORN
/ & SHULD BE ALL FLOATED AWAY BEYE 6 PM SATUREVE
/ TBH EYE THINK BOSTON WILL BE MOAR IN THE 3-4 INCH RANGE
/ BUT WE SHALL SEE
/ SNOWBLOBS START EARL SATURMORN
/ & SHULD BE ALL FLOATED AWAY BEYE 6 PM SATUREVE
Thread of people being targeted by law enforcement over normal social media posts
NEWS: A Florida business owner told me today that she is weighing her legal options after Miami Beach police came to her home to question her about a Facebook post she wrote criticizing the town’s mayor.
www.advocate.com/news/miami-b...
www.advocate.com/news/miami-b...
February 7, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Thread of people being targeted by law enforcement over normal social media posts
Thank you! I had no idea they were trying to pull this
February 7, 2026 at 12:20 AM
Thank you! I had no idea they were trying to pull this
Reposted by Ben Allen
Today, I submitted this letter in opposition to the rollback of the Massachusetts rule requiring affirmation by foster parents of a child’s sexual orientation & gender identity. LGBTQ+ kids deserve safe, stable homes that respect who they are and anything less puts our most vulnerable kids at risk.
February 6, 2026 at 8:28 PM
Today, I submitted this letter in opposition to the rollback of the Massachusetts rule requiring affirmation by foster parents of a child’s sexual orientation & gender identity. LGBTQ+ kids deserve safe, stable homes that respect who they are and anything less puts our most vulnerable kids at risk.
Look, we can do this the easy way (0 ∈ ℕ) or the hard way (universal free ice cream).
Or both.
Or both.
Not taking zero as part of N is insisting we live in a fantasy world where I always have at least 1 ice cream. God i wish that were true but it’s not
February 6, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Look, we can do this the easy way (0 ∈ ℕ) or the hard way (universal free ice cream).
Or both.
Or both.
Reposted by Ben Allen
Judaism demands we resist injustice.
ICE is tearing families apart and terrorizing our communities. On Feb 11, we'll take action in front of ICE headquarters to demand an end to this violent system and show the US Jewish community stands with our neighbors.
Join us: truah.org/jewsagainstice
ICE is tearing families apart and terrorizing our communities. On Feb 11, we'll take action in front of ICE headquarters to demand an end to this violent system and show the US Jewish community stands with our neighbors.
Join us: truah.org/jewsagainstice
Jews Against ICE Protest with Bend the Arc | T'ruah
truah.org
February 6, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Judaism demands we resist injustice.
ICE is tearing families apart and terrorizing our communities. On Feb 11, we'll take action in front of ICE headquarters to demand an end to this violent system and show the US Jewish community stands with our neighbors.
Join us: truah.org/jewsagainstice
ICE is tearing families apart and terrorizing our communities. On Feb 11, we'll take action in front of ICE headquarters to demand an end to this violent system and show the US Jewish community stands with our neighbors.
Join us: truah.org/jewsagainstice