Gene Tracy
@genetracy.bsky.social
Physicist, sci-fi fan, news junkie. Scribblings have appeared at Aeon, Lapham’s Q, and American Scientist. he/him. Author of The Icarus Question: Essays on Science, Technology, and the Search for Home in a Changing World.
Pinned
Gene Tracy
@genetracy.bsky.social
· Jul 21
A man should add beauty and strength to his city.
He is no citizen whatsoever
If he is tied to the ugly by fear or by pride.
— Antigone, by Sophocles, translated by Robert Bringhurst
He is no citizen whatsoever
If he is tied to the ugly by fear or by pride.
— Antigone, by Sophocles, translated by Robert Bringhurst
Just now catching up to this episode. Really excellent interview between @anneapplebaum.bsky.social and @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social. As a scientist who knew someone purged during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, the parallels in intent if not (yet) in scope here/now are deeply unsettling.
Those cuts to science, culture, medicine? They aren't just about research, they are about power.
Episode Three of Autocracy in America:
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
Episode Three of Autocracy in America:
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
Defund Science, Distort Culture, Mock Education
It’s not just about cuts to research. It’s about power.
www.theatlantic.com
February 8, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Just now catching up to this episode. Really excellent interview between @anneapplebaum.bsky.social and @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social. As a scientist who knew someone purged during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, the parallels in intent if not (yet) in scope here/now are deeply unsettling.
Reposted by Gene Tracy
NEW: Two judges on the Fifth Circuit gave Trump exactly what he wants to enact mass detentions.
In their Friday night ruling, Judges Edith Jones and Kyle Duncan split with more than 150 judges who have ruled against the Trump admin's unilateral, harsh interpretation of a 1996 law.
Law Dork:
In their Friday night ruling, Judges Edith Jones and Kyle Duncan split with more than 150 judges who have ruled against the Trump admin's unilateral, harsh interpretation of a 1996 law.
Law Dork:
Two judges on the Fifth Circuit gave Trump exactly what he wants to enact mass detentions
Judges Edith Jones and Kyle Duncan split with more than 150 judges who have ruled against the Trump admin's unilateral, new, and harsh interpretation of a 1996 law.
www.lawdork.com
February 8, 2026 at 8:33 PM
NEW: Two judges on the Fifth Circuit gave Trump exactly what he wants to enact mass detentions.
In their Friday night ruling, Judges Edith Jones and Kyle Duncan split with more than 150 judges who have ruled against the Trump admin's unilateral, harsh interpretation of a 1996 law.
Law Dork:
In their Friday night ruling, Judges Edith Jones and Kyle Duncan split with more than 150 judges who have ruled against the Trump admin's unilateral, harsh interpretation of a 1996 law.
Law Dork:
Reposted by Gene Tracy
watching lindsay vonn and internalizing the important lesson of never trying to do anything past the age of 40
February 8, 2026 at 6:59 PM
watching lindsay vonn and internalizing the important lesson of never trying to do anything past the age of 40
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Maybe there should be more content warnings. Macbeth: contains blood, violence, regicide, hubris, excessive ambition, disastrously ambiguous prophecies and the sunk cost fallacy
February 8, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Maybe there should be more content warnings. Macbeth: contains blood, violence, regicide, hubris, excessive ambition, disastrously ambiguous prophecies and the sunk cost fallacy
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Happy #SuperbOwl 🦉 Sunday to all who celebrate.
February 8, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Happy #SuperbOwl 🦉 Sunday to all who celebrate.
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Thank you Dave Matthews.
Dig deep, find the fighter in you. ✊
Dig deep, find the fighter in you. ✊
January 25, 2026 at 1:58 AM
Thank you Dave Matthews.
Dig deep, find the fighter in you. ✊
Dig deep, find the fighter in you. ✊
Reposted by Gene Tracy
February 7, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Reposted by Gene Tracy
A sweeping boycott has begun — targeting tech giants who participants believe are enabling President Trump and his immigration crackdown. n.pr/4cd0u1o
DVDs and public transit: Boycott drives people to ditch Big Tech to protest ICE
A sweeping boycott has begun — targeting tech giants who participants believe are enabling President Trump and his immigration crackdown.
n.pr
February 7, 2026 at 3:46 PM
A sweeping boycott has begun — targeting tech giants who participants believe are enabling President Trump and his immigration crackdown. n.pr/4cd0u1o
Reposted by Gene Tracy
"The Stranger's Case," William Shakespeare Sir Thomas Moore: Act II Scene 4
___
Imagine that you see the wretched strangers,
Their babies at their backs and their poor luggage,
Plodding to the ports and costs for transportation ...
___
Imagine that you see the wretched strangers,
Their babies at their backs and their poor luggage,
Plodding to the ports and costs for transportation ...
April 19, 2025 at 12:07 PM
"The Stranger's Case," William Shakespeare Sir Thomas Moore: Act II Scene 4
___
Imagine that you see the wretched strangers,
Their babies at their backs and their poor luggage,
Plodding to the ports and costs for transportation ...
___
Imagine that you see the wretched strangers,
Their babies at their backs and their poor luggage,
Plodding to the ports and costs for transportation ...
Reposted by Gene Tracy
On a day with so much awfulness just taking a moment to note with admiration a dignified leader
🇲🇩🇺🇦 Moldovan President Sandu said that she is against her nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, because there are more worthy candidates - Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Sandu emphasized that it is Ukrainians who are truly sacrificing themselves for the sake of peace and security in Ukraine and the EU.
Sandu emphasized that it is Ukrainians who are truly sacrificing themselves for the sake of peace and security in Ukraine and the EU.
February 7, 2026 at 5:18 PM
On a day with so much awfulness just taking a moment to note with admiration a dignified leader
Reposted by Gene Tracy
True art. True humanity. What the struggle is all about.
Ian McKellen performs “The Strangers’ Case” speech from “Sir Thomas More” on Colbert.
February 6, 2026 at 8:41 PM
True art. True humanity. What the struggle is all about.
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Simon Kuper: "Donald Trump. He has probably done more to unite Europe than any European ever did."
www.ft.com/content/dc9e...
www.ft.com/content/dc9e...
Trump is Europe’s best enemy yet
Lack of a common foe enfeebled Europe — but not any more
www.ft.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Simon Kuper: "Donald Trump. He has probably done more to unite Europe than any European ever did."
www.ft.com/content/dc9e...
www.ft.com/content/dc9e...
Reposted by Gene Tracy
1/ Russian forces in Ukraine are experiencing a devastating loss of connectivity as the Starlink terminals they rely upon are systematically shut off. With Russia's own Starlink alternative years away from implementation, Russian warbloggers say the army is in crisis. ⬇️
February 5, 2026 at 2:14 PM
1/ Russian forces in Ukraine are experiencing a devastating loss of connectivity as the Starlink terminals they rely upon are systematically shut off. With Russia's own Starlink alternative years away from implementation, Russian warbloggers say the army is in crisis. ⬇️
Reposted by Gene Tracy
one of my strongest beliefs is that we're in our situation right now bc some of the most prominent talking heads (e.g. joe rogan, andrew schulz) are learning about politics in their 40s and 50s, instead of their teens and early 20s, and we have to go along for the ride as they learn basic things
February 4, 2026 at 10:10 PM
one of my strongest beliefs is that we're in our situation right now bc some of the most prominent talking heads (e.g. joe rogan, andrew schulz) are learning about politics in their 40s and 50s, instead of their teens and early 20s, and we have to go along for the ride as they learn basic things
Reposted by Gene Tracy
The basic questions repeat over and over in history.
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 2:12 PM
The basic questions repeat over and over in history.
“If the elites across this country can find that same courage to speak up together for core democratic values, we can still prevent our country from descending into full-blown autocracy.” www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Why haven’t business elites stood up for Minnesota? | Daniel Altschuler
If US elites can find the courage to speak up, we can still prevent our country from descending into full-blown autocracy
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:14 PM
“If the elites across this country can find that same courage to speak up together for core democratic values, we can still prevent our country from descending into full-blown autocracy.” www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Gene Tracy
I got into a discussion with someone the other day about immigration in the US, and I insisted that there was no crisis.
The other person said that having people break the law, doing it the wrong way, was bad.
I should have responded: let's stop illegal immigration after we fix white collar crime
The other person said that having people break the law, doing it the wrong way, was bad.
I should have responded: let's stop illegal immigration after we fix white collar crime
The US immigrant population generated more in taxes than they received in benefits from all levels of government every year from 1994 to 2023.
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
February 4, 2026 at 1:27 PM
I got into a discussion with someone the other day about immigration in the US, and I insisted that there was no crisis.
The other person said that having people break the law, doing it the wrong way, was bad.
I should have responded: let's stop illegal immigration after we fix white collar crime
The other person said that having people break the law, doing it the wrong way, was bad.
I should have responded: let's stop illegal immigration after we fix white collar crime
Reposted by Gene Tracy
You run a real classy shop, Bezos.
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
February 4, 2026 at 6:39 PM
You run a real classy shop, Bezos.
Reposted by Gene Tracy
“Fewer reporters, more Melania!”
Desi Lydic & The Daily Show Win Again.
A big F Off to Bezos.
Desi Lydic & The Daily Show Win Again.
A big F Off to Bezos.
February 5, 2026 at 12:47 AM
“Fewer reporters, more Melania!”
Desi Lydic & The Daily Show Win Again.
A big F Off to Bezos.
Desi Lydic & The Daily Show Win Again.
A big F Off to Bezos.
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Whether it’s Hank Green, Khan Academy, PBS, or NPR, I think our media and educational content should be a non-profit, public good.
Going to clicks, ad revenue, and investor returns always gets in the way of the mission. And we all lose out.
Going to clicks, ad revenue, and investor returns always gets in the way of the mission. And we all lose out.
February 4, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Whether it’s Hank Green, Khan Academy, PBS, or NPR, I think our media and educational content should be a non-profit, public good.
Going to clicks, ad revenue, and investor returns always gets in the way of the mission. And we all lose out.
Going to clicks, ad revenue, and investor returns always gets in the way of the mission. And we all lose out.