Geoff Brumfiel
@gbrumfiel.bsky.social
I'm an editor/correspondent for NPR. Mostly smart on the radio. Mostly stupid on everywhere else.
ChatGPT describes me as: "Aerospace sleuth, nuclear nerd and NPR Superfan — with a side of surreal humor."
Signal: gbrumfiel.13
https://geoffbrumfiel.net/
ChatGPT describes me as: "Aerospace sleuth, nuclear nerd and NPR Superfan — with a side of surreal humor."
Signal: gbrumfiel.13
https://geoffbrumfiel.net/
Pinned
Geoff Brumfiel
@gbrumfiel.bsky.social
· Nov 25
BTW you know who loves talking about hydronuclear testing? This guy right here…. Get in touch anytime!
NEW: The U.S. has provided fresh details of what it alleges was an explosive nuclear test carried out by China in June of 2020.
Key points:
✅ Test was observed by a remote seismic station in Kazakhstan.
✅Yield could have been in the hundreds of tons.
BUT...
www.npr.org/2026/02/17/n...
Key points:
✅ Test was observed by a remote seismic station in Kazakhstan.
✅Yield could have been in the hundreds of tons.
BUT...
www.npr.org/2026/02/17/n...
U.S. releases new details on alleged secret Chinese nuclear test
At a event in Washington D.C., A U.S. official said a remote earthquake in 2020 was caused by a Chinese nuclear test.
www.npr.org
February 17, 2026 at 7:03 PM
NEW: The U.S. has provided fresh details of what it alleges was an explosive nuclear test carried out by China in June of 2020.
Key points:
✅ Test was observed by a remote seismic station in Kazakhstan.
✅Yield could have been in the hundreds of tons.
BUT...
www.npr.org/2026/02/17/n...
Key points:
✅ Test was observed by a remote seismic station in Kazakhstan.
✅Yield could have been in the hundreds of tons.
BUT...
www.npr.org/2026/02/17/n...
BREAKING: Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Nonproliferation Christopher Yeaw has revealed new seismic data that hinted the Chinese had conducted a nuclear test and taken steps to hide it from the outside world.
This is the event:
0918 Zulu/Kazakhstan PS23/around 2.7 magnitude
This is the event:
0918 Zulu/Kazakhstan PS23/around 2.7 magnitude
February 17, 2026 at 3:28 PM
BREAKING: Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Nonproliferation Christopher Yeaw has revealed new seismic data that hinted the Chinese had conducted a nuclear test and taken steps to hide it from the outside world.
This is the event:
0918 Zulu/Kazakhstan PS23/around 2.7 magnitude
This is the event:
0918 Zulu/Kazakhstan PS23/around 2.7 magnitude
👀
I wonder if this event is the alleged China nuclear test: 22 June 2020/0 depth/41.27, 90.75/~150 km from the test site, just outside error ellipse. The P/S amplitude ratio might show if it was an explosion--need a real seismologist for that. kndc.kz/index.php/en...
February 16, 2026 at 6:51 PM
👀
“We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns,” according to the document from Meta’s Reality Labs.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:49 PM
“We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns,” according to the document from Meta’s Reality Labs.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
In lieu of this week's events in El Paso (in which Border Patrol shot a party balloon out of the sky with a laser), I'd like to re-up this story I did on the history of military ballooning.
Please take a listen. I feel this is some of my most underrated work.
www.npr.org/2023/02/17/1...
Please take a listen. I feel this is some of my most underrated work.
www.npr.org/2023/02/17/1...
Militaries have sought to use spy balloons for centuries. The real enemy is the wind
The U.S. government suspects that China's surveillance balloon may have blown off course. It wouldn't be the first time.
www.npr.org
February 12, 2026 at 2:30 PM
In lieu of this week's events in El Paso (in which Border Patrol shot a party balloon out of the sky with a laser), I'd like to re-up this story I did on the history of military ballooning.
Please take a listen. I feel this is some of my most underrated work.
www.npr.org/2023/02/17/1...
Please take a listen. I feel this is some of my most underrated work.
www.npr.org/2023/02/17/1...
February 12, 2026 at 1:13 AM
February 11, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Reposted by Geoff Brumfiel
Rep. Neguse: “The man in that video, the one…allegedly yelling 'kill em' at police officers on Jan. 6. His name is Jared Wise."
Bondi: "He does work for us."
Neguse: "This is who you choose…to hire at DOJ?"
Bondi: "I believe he was pardoned by President Trump."
Bondi: "He does work for us."
Neguse: "This is who you choose…to hire at DOJ?"
Bondi: "I believe he was pardoned by President Trump."
February 11, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Rep. Neguse: “The man in that video, the one…allegedly yelling 'kill em' at police officers on Jan. 6. His name is Jared Wise."
Bondi: "He does work for us."
Neguse: "This is who you choose…to hire at DOJ?"
Bondi: "I believe he was pardoned by President Trump."
Bondi: "He does work for us."
Neguse: "This is who you choose…to hire at DOJ?"
Bondi: "I believe he was pardoned by President Trump."
Here’s what to know about US claims of a secret Chinese nuclear test (featuring @nktpnd.bsky.social and @armscontrolwonk.bsky.social )
What to know about the U.S. claims of Chinese nuclear tests
www.npr.org/2026/02/11/n...
What to know about the U.S. claims of Chinese nuclear tests
www.npr.org/2026/02/11/n...
The U.S. claims China is conducting secret nuclear tests. Here's what that means
The allegations were leveled by U.S. officials late last week. Arms control experts worry that norms against nuclear testing are unraveling.
www.npr.org
February 11, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Here’s what to know about US claims of a secret Chinese nuclear test (featuring @nktpnd.bsky.social and @armscontrolwonk.bsky.social )
What to know about the U.S. claims of Chinese nuclear tests
www.npr.org/2026/02/11/n...
What to know about the U.S. claims of Chinese nuclear tests
www.npr.org/2026/02/11/n...
NEW: Just got a statement form the State Department on Under Secretary DiNanno's claim that China is preparing covert nuclear tests with designated yields in the hundreds of tons.
A lot depends on what is meant by "more" and "soon" but certainly interesting!
👀
A lot depends on what is meant by "more" and "soon" but certainly interesting!
👀
February 10, 2026 at 8:04 PM
NEW: Just got a statement form the State Department on Under Secretary DiNanno's claim that China is preparing covert nuclear tests with designated yields in the hundreds of tons.
A lot depends on what is meant by "more" and "soon" but certainly interesting!
👀
A lot depends on what is meant by "more" and "soon" but certainly interesting!
👀
Reposted by Geoff Brumfiel
So I just learned about the 1986 airplane hijacking attempt in #Oulu, #Finland, and now you too are going to. Because I burst out laughing in a train reading about it.
It has:
✔️beer (lots)!
✔️hijinks!
✔️weird occult Nazis!
✔️✔️✔️"HYPNOTIC-MAGNETIC GAZE!"
Why oh why this isn't a movie yet! (a THREAD.)
It has:
✔️beer (lots)!
✔️hijinks!
✔️weird occult Nazis!
✔️✔️✔️"HYPNOTIC-MAGNETIC GAZE!"
Why oh why this isn't a movie yet! (a THREAD.)
February 10, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Who's going to tell them this isn't underground and not the Operation Teapot ESS shot from 1955?
It's an airburst shot: Buster-Jangle Charlie from 1951. Ask me how I know...
It's an airburst shot: Buster-Jangle Charlie from 1951. Ask me how I know...
February 10, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Who's going to tell them this isn't underground and not the Operation Teapot ESS shot from 1955?
It's an airburst shot: Buster-Jangle Charlie from 1951. Ask me how I know...
It's an airburst shot: Buster-Jangle Charlie from 1951. Ask me how I know...
February 9, 2026 at 5:04 PM
A friend commented that this years tech ads feel particularly dystopian and I’m inclined to agree.
Anyone else miss the good old days when tech and the internet seemed… fun?
youtu.be/Muyq2kMDFoA?...
Anyone else miss the good old days when tech and the internet seemed… fun?
youtu.be/Muyq2kMDFoA?...
E*TRADE - Monkey (2000, USA)
YouTube video by The Hall of Advertising
youtu.be
February 9, 2026 at 3:23 AM
A friend commented that this years tech ads feel particularly dystopian and I’m inclined to agree.
Anyone else miss the good old days when tech and the internet seemed… fun?
youtu.be/Muyq2kMDFoA?...
Anyone else miss the good old days when tech and the internet seemed… fun?
youtu.be/Muyq2kMDFoA?...
I can’t decide which was the funniest ad of the night so far:
A) The Liquid IV ad with the singing toilets…
B) Mike Tyson talking earnestly about nutrition.
A) The Liquid IV ad with the singing toilets…
B) Mike Tyson talking earnestly about nutrition.
February 9, 2026 at 1:59 AM
I can’t decide which was the funniest ad of the night so far:
A) The Liquid IV ad with the singing toilets…
B) Mike Tyson talking earnestly about nutrition.
A) The Liquid IV ad with the singing toilets…
B) Mike Tyson talking earnestly about nutrition.
Reposted by Geoff Brumfiel
That was pretty amazing.
February 9, 2026 at 1:36 AM
That was pretty amazing.
Vanda Pharmaceuticals wins for the most unintentionally sinister ad.
February 9, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Vanda Pharmaceuticals wins for the most unintentionally sinister ad.
“The B1-b is not nuclear capable.” @oriana0214.bsky.social wherever she is.
February 8, 2026 at 11:29 PM
“The B1-b is not nuclear capable.” @oriana0214.bsky.social wherever she is.
So @armscontrolwonk.bsky.social, @wslafoy.bsky.social and @aaronstein1.bsky.social, I ASSUME the rule is also “Test a nuke, get a pod!” Right?
Just checking.
Just checking.
February 7, 2026 at 2:35 PM
So @armscontrolwonk.bsky.social, @wslafoy.bsky.social and @aaronstein1.bsky.social, I ASSUME the rule is also “Test a nuke, get a pod!” Right?
Just checking.
Just checking.
Good summary/analysis by Ankit of US accusations over Chinese nuclear testing.
I'm back on Substack with reflections on today's very interesting reveal of what appear to have been previously classified U.S. intelligence conclusions about alleged Chinese nuclear-testing activity at Lop Nur panda.substack.com/p/china-us-i...
China, U.S. Intelligence, and Nuclear Weapons Testing
Parsing out a new, specific U.S. claim.
panda.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Good summary/analysis by Ankit of US accusations over Chinese nuclear testing.
Epstein's ties to the scientific community were no joke.
Sorry for the preview pic in your feed, but we've posted a thoughtful story by @dangaristo.bsky.social that delves into the tangled web of relationships between Jeffrey Epstein and various scientists: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Epstein files reveal deeper ties to scientists than previously known
Latest batch of documents show researchers consulting the financier and sex offender on publications, visas and more.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Epstein's ties to the scientific community were no joke.
Reposted by Geoff Brumfiel
The team behind Post Reports is utterly brilliant, truly just magnificent. I've absolutely loved working with them, and I am so stunned and heartbroken to see this important, illuminating work go dark. Please listen to their farewell. Please hire them. www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/pos...
Goodbye from "Post Reports" - The Washington Post
A heartfelt thanks to our listeners from "Post Reports" host Martine Powers, and the rest of the team who made this show happen.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:30 PM
The team behind Post Reports is utterly brilliant, truly just magnificent. I've absolutely loved working with them, and I am so stunned and heartbroken to see this important, illuminating work go dark. Please listen to their farewell. Please hire them. www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/pos...
Ok, I am not one easily impressed with AI products. But I gotta say Claude Code just kind of BLEW. MY. MIND.
I used it to build a full personal website, published it, and bought a domain to host it... in less than 24 hours. 🤯
It's even got blimps.
geoffbrumfiel.net
I used it to build a full personal website, published it, and bought a domain to host it... in less than 24 hours. 🤯
It's even got blimps.
geoffbrumfiel.net
February 6, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Ok, I am not one easily impressed with AI products. But I gotta say Claude Code just kind of BLEW. MY. MIND.
I used it to build a full personal website, published it, and bought a domain to host it... in less than 24 hours. 🤯
It's even got blimps.
geoffbrumfiel.net
I used it to build a full personal website, published it, and bought a domain to host it... in less than 24 hours. 🤯
It's even got blimps.
geoffbrumfiel.net