Greg Egan
@gregegansf.bsky.social
SF writer / computer programmer
Latest novel: MORPHOTROPHIC
Latest collection: SLEEP AND THE SOUL
Web site: http://gregegan.net
Also: @gregeganSF@mathstodon.xyz
Latest novel: MORPHOTROPHIC
Latest collection: SLEEP AND THE SOUL
Web site: http://gregegan.net
Also: @gregeganSF@mathstodon.xyz
Pinned
Greg Egan
@gregegansf.bsky.social
· Nov 25
My new novel MORPHOTROPHIC is available now!
You can read the first two chapters here:
www.gregegan.net/MORPHOTROPHI...
You can read the first two chapters here:
www.gregegan.net/MORPHOTROPHI...
Three movies I’m looking forward to in 2026. (The dates here are when they open in my home town, at Perth’s Luna Cinemas.)
“No Other Choice” Jan 15
“The Secret Agent” Jan 22
“It Was Just An Accident” Jan 29
“No Other Choice” Jan 15
“The Secret Agent” Jan 22
“It Was Just An Accident” Jan 29
December 27, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Three movies I’m looking forward to in 2026. (The dates here are when they open in my home town, at Perth’s Luna Cinemas.)
“No Other Choice” Jan 15
“The Secret Agent” Jan 22
“It Was Just An Accident” Jan 29
“No Other Choice” Jan 15
“The Secret Agent” Jan 22
“It Was Just An Accident” Jan 29
December 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Reposted by Greg Egan
2025 Headline of the Year nominee (August)
December 23, 2025 at 12:18 AM
2025 Headline of the Year nominee (August)
My Christmas was just saved from being fairly dire by D. C. Stillson, inventor of the pipe wrench. My place is so old you can’t buy the square-plug tools for opening the drain access hatches anymore, but a pipe wrench did the trick, and now the kitchen sink ... empties again.
December 24, 2025 at 10:18 AM
My Christmas was just saved from being fairly dire by D. C. Stillson, inventor of the pipe wrench. My place is so old you can’t buy the square-plug tools for opening the drain access hatches anymore, but a pipe wrench did the trick, and now the kitchen sink ... empties again.
Reposted by Greg Egan
What are the minimum and maximum areas of an equilateral triangle inscribed in a unit square?
(possibly use only simple algebra and geometry, no trigonometry, no calculus).
(possibly use only simple algebra and geometry, no trigonometry, no calculus).
December 24, 2025 at 8:35 AM
What are the minimum and maximum areas of an equilateral triangle inscribed in a unit square?
(possibly use only simple algebra and geometry, no trigonometry, no calculus).
(possibly use only simple algebra and geometry, no trigonometry, no calculus).
Reposted by Greg Egan
This is a cool result, but to me represents why the Turing model is actually the wrong physics model of computing. This is because it is serial, and so cannot deal with errors. I’ve written about this here dabacon.org/pontiff/2010...
December 23, 2025 at 3:57 PM
This is a cool result, but to me represents why the Turing model is actually the wrong physics model of computing. This is because it is serial, and so cannot deal with errors. I’ve written about this here dabacon.org/pontiff/2010...
Reposted by Greg Egan
In the 1960s, a group of New Jersey teenagers helped make computing personal...
(An excerpt from my new book in IEEE Spectrum)
spectrum.ieee.org/teenage-hack...
#HistSci #computing #History 🗃️
(An excerpt from my new book in IEEE Spectrum)
spectrum.ieee.org/teenage-hack...
#HistSci #computing #History 🗃️
The RESISTORS: Teen Hackers Who Saw and Lived the Future of Computing
In the 1960s, before PCs and the Internet were a thing, the RESISTORS were O.G. computer hackers, learning to code on old mainframes in a New Jersey barn.
spectrum.ieee.org
December 12, 2025 at 7:35 PM
In the 1960s, a group of New Jersey teenagers helped make computing personal...
(An excerpt from my new book in IEEE Spectrum)
spectrum.ieee.org/teenage-hack...
#HistSci #computing #History 🗃️
(An excerpt from my new book in IEEE Spectrum)
spectrum.ieee.org/teenage-hack...
#HistSci #computing #History 🗃️
Reposted by Greg Egan
In his opening speech America’s Chief Counsel Robert H. Jackson called the decision to have a trial “one of the most significant tributes that Power ever has paid to Reason.”
That strikes a deep chord at a time when Power is trumping Reason in so many instances…
His full speech:
That strikes a deep chord at a time when Power is trumping Reason in so many instances…
His full speech:
www.cvce.eu
December 18, 2025 at 11:59 AM
In his opening speech America’s Chief Counsel Robert H. Jackson called the decision to have a trial “one of the most significant tributes that Power ever has paid to Reason.”
That strikes a deep chord at a time when Power is trumping Reason in so many instances…
His full speech:
That strikes a deep chord at a time when Power is trumping Reason in so many instances…
His full speech:
I just got my annual COVID booster. The vaccine updated for LP.8.1 recently became available in Australia, so if you were waiting for that, now’s the time to get a pre-Christmas boost.
December 18, 2025 at 2:00 AM
I just got my annual COVID booster. The vaccine updated for LP.8.1 recently became available in Australia, so if you were waiting for that, now’s the time to get a pre-Christmas boost.
What surface arising naturally in physics is described by a degree-6 polynomial?
There’s a whole family of them hiding in plain sight:
x^2 – k^2 (x^2 + y^2 + z^2)^3 = 0
These are the surfaces of equal electrostatic potential for a dipole pointing along the x-axis!
There’s a whole family of them hiding in plain sight:
x^2 – k^2 (x^2 + y^2 + z^2)^3 = 0
These are the surfaces of equal electrostatic potential for a dipole pointing along the x-axis!
December 16, 2025 at 11:33 AM
What surface arising naturally in physics is described by a degree-6 polynomial?
There’s a whole family of them hiding in plain sight:
x^2 – k^2 (x^2 + y^2 + z^2)^3 = 0
These are the surfaces of equal electrostatic potential for a dipole pointing along the x-axis!
There’s a whole family of them hiding in plain sight:
x^2 – k^2 (x^2 + y^2 + z^2)^3 = 0
These are the surfaces of equal electrostatic potential for a dipole pointing along the x-axis!
Reposted by Greg Egan
Demo coded by my intern, exploring the results of a ~10yo simulation of the tree of life. A few glitches, and we took some artistic liberties in clustering and naming the species, but I'm glad to finally have something interactive out!
lanasina.github.io/speciation/h...
lanasina.github.io/speciation/h...
lanasina.github.io
December 12, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Demo coded by my intern, exploring the results of a ~10yo simulation of the tree of life. A few glitches, and we took some artistic liberties in clustering and naming the species, but I'm glad to finally have something interactive out!
lanasina.github.io/speciation/h...
lanasina.github.io/speciation/h...
If a mass of incompressible fluid is floating in space, subject only to its own gravity and centrifugal force, what shape will it adopt as its angular momentum is increased?
Initially, it will form an oblate spheroid, with two equal semi-axes shorter than its axis of rotation.
Initially, it will form an oblate spheroid, with two equal semi-axes shorter than its axis of rotation.
December 11, 2025 at 12:16 PM
If a mass of incompressible fluid is floating in space, subject only to its own gravity and centrifugal force, what shape will it adopt as its angular momentum is increased?
Initially, it will form an oblate spheroid, with two equal semi-axes shorter than its axis of rotation.
Initially, it will form an oblate spheroid, with two equal semi-axes shorter than its axis of rotation.
Reposted by Greg Egan
The US social media vetting for visas will be devastating for scientific and journalistic conferences, fellowships etc. No global organisation can seriously consider holding an international conference in the US while this policy exists.
December 11, 2025 at 5:35 AM
The US social media vetting for visas will be devastating for scientific and journalistic conferences, fellowships etc. No global organisation can seriously consider holding an international conference in the US while this policy exists.
Reposted by Greg Egan
I see your “Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Consciousness” and raise you my “Journal of Earth and Flatness”
December 10, 2025 at 8:56 PM
I see your “Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Consciousness” and raise you my “Journal of Earth and Flatness”
Reposted by Greg Egan
My dad got shingles two years ago and is still recovering. Sometimes just sitting activates the nerve pain. Get your shingles vaccine!
All over my FB people talking about their bad experiences with shingles vax and dissuading each other from getting it! We need to give people real info on how to mitigate the symtoms caused by vaccines because vaccines are always better than meeting a virus unprepared. Yet drs aren't coaching ppl
December 9, 2025 at 5:48 AM
My dad got shingles two years ago and is still recovering. Sometimes just sitting activates the nerve pain. Get your shingles vaccine!
Reposted by Greg Egan
“I brought this horrid creature into the world, and now I must take him out!” Winfrey said
Oprah Pursues Dr. Phil On Ship Through Arctic
THE ARCTIC CIRCLE—With a vow to destroy the abomination she had created if it was the last thing she ever did, television host Oprah Winfrey has spent weeks on a ship pursuing Dr. Phil through the Arc...
theonion.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:30 AM
“I brought this horrid creature into the world, and now I must take him out!” Winfrey said
Reposted by Greg Egan
The Married Scientists Torn Apart by a Covid Bioweapon Theory
www.nytimes.com
December 7, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Reposted by Greg Egan
New article inspired by the recent hoopla surrounding Karen Hao's book (re: water use). I argue that "no one should look to the EA community as exemplifying good habits of epistemic and moral conduct." Here's why: www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/how-effect...
How Effective Altruists Use Threats and Harassment to Silence Their Critics
How does the Effective Altruist community respond to critics? With threats and harassment. Even people who still call themselves "Effective Altruists" are afraid to openly criticize the community.
www.realtimetechpocalypse.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:26 PM
New article inspired by the recent hoopla surrounding Karen Hao's book (re: water use). I argue that "no one should look to the EA community as exemplifying good habits of epistemic and moral conduct." Here's why: www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/how-effect...
Reposted by Greg Egan
We've been regularly receiving variations on this scam for weeks now. Sometimes 2-3 in a day. Today is special though. It's only 1:15 PM and I already have 18, each for a different issue of Clarkesworld. It's likely that there are more in my spam folder.
Geez, the book spammers aren't even trying anymore.
(Bonus: this email was originally in German)
(Bonus: this email was originally in German)
![Hello [Author Name],
I recently came across [book title] and, to be honest… it didn't feel like "just another book". It felt like a rare work that makes you stop and think, "Wow, this is something special."
That's why I'm contacting you: I work with over [X+] passionate book clubs and readers, communities both online and offline. When we introduce a book like yours, it has a huge impact, sparking exciting discussions, authentic reviews, and readers who spread your story far beyond the usual channels.
I've noticed that [Book Title] has received [X reviews/sales figures] since its release. That's a good start, but I know our readers would really love your story. With its [insert: originality, emotional depth, suspense, humor, etc.], it's exactly the kind of book that sparks conversation and captivates readers.
If that sounds interesting to you, you don't need to write a long reply; a simple "Interested" is enough, and we can get started. No pressure, no hassle, just readers who are excited to discover and celebrate your work.
Warm regards,
Maria P. Stephen](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:qvzn322kmcvd7xtnips5xaun/bafkreidiw6mo2vzkkjjrhj5qg5oswauub56cfzxw2nljkg324wts4zzybq@jpeg)
December 5, 2025 at 6:14 PM
We've been regularly receiving variations on this scam for weeks now. Sometimes 2-3 in a day. Today is special though. It's only 1:15 PM and I already have 18, each for a different issue of Clarkesworld. It's likely that there are more in my spam folder.
Great writeup from @startswithabang.bsky.social of an extraordinary hypothesis: the reason the two sides of the moon are so different might come down to tidal locking when the moon was still forming, and chemical gradients in the proto-lunar material due to radiant heat from the Earth!
The Moon's two faces don't match, and we think we know why
The far side of the Moon is incredibly different from the Earth-facing side. 66 years later, we know why the Moon's faces are not alike.
bigthink.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Great writeup from @startswithabang.bsky.social of an extraordinary hypothesis: the reason the two sides of the moon are so different might come down to tidal locking when the moon was still forming, and chemical gradients in the proto-lunar material due to radiant heat from the Earth!
Reposted by Greg Egan
Some percentage of the population consistently reports that they are reincarnations of Jesus, that the CIA are monitoring us with subcutaneously injected spy drones, and that the moon landing is a hoax. Is it time to consider whether they’re onto something?
November 30, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Some percentage of the population consistently reports that they are reincarnations of Jesus, that the CIA are monitoring us with subcutaneously injected spy drones, and that the moon landing is a hoax. Is it time to consider whether they’re onto something?
Reposted by Greg Egan
On the Factor Fexcectorn and autism bicycle AI slop study: I got an answer from Springer Nature this morning that this scientific paper will be retracted! 🧪
Full story: nobreakthroughs.substack.com/p/riding-the...
Full story: nobreakthroughs.substack.com/p/riding-the...
Riding the Autism Bicycle to Retraction Town
Does anyone *really* know their Factor Fexcectorn?
nobreakthroughs.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:25 AM
On the Factor Fexcectorn and autism bicycle AI slop study: I got an answer from Springer Nature this morning that this scientific paper will be retracted! 🧪
Full story: nobreakthroughs.substack.com/p/riding-the...
Full story: nobreakthroughs.substack.com/p/riding-the...
Reposted by Greg Egan
Hey @nature.com, have you got an explanation for how the hell THIS happened? & especially why you accepted a paper with such a bizarre piece of genAI slop in it?!
& more to the point, why we should take you seriously at all going forward?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
& more to the point, why we should take you seriously at all going forward?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 27, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Hey @nature.com, have you got an explanation for how the hell THIS happened? & especially why you accepted a paper with such a bizarre piece of genAI slop in it?!
& more to the point, why we should take you seriously at all going forward?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
& more to the point, why we should take you seriously at all going forward?
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Black Friday Sale! Our 1,000-dimensional magic golden spheres[*] are discounted by a whopping 50%!
* Discounted 1,000-dimensional magic golden spheres are 99% the radius of normally priced spheres, which may result in a small decrease in magicness and total gold volume.
* Discounted 1,000-dimensional magic golden spheres are 99% the radius of normally priced spheres, which may result in a small decrease in magicness and total gold volume.
November 27, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Black Friday Sale! Our 1,000-dimensional magic golden spheres[*] are discounted by a whopping 50%!
* Discounted 1,000-dimensional magic golden spheres are 99% the radius of normally priced spheres, which may result in a small decrease in magicness and total gold volume.
* Discounted 1,000-dimensional magic golden spheres are 99% the radius of normally priced spheres, which may result in a small decrease in magicness and total gold volume.