Dr Red
@irrediated.bsky.social
Queer particle physicist working in industry post-academia. Probably still posting work anecdotes, but you can't vote on my hair colour anymore. Trying to do a book rec a month. They/them
Pinned
Can't read DMs anymore because I don't think websites need to know things that are on my driver's license. I will be sticking to this so I guess if I don't answer DMs that's why
Reposted by Dr Red
In a study following 23 million people age 18-59 (pretty young) for 4 years…despite the fact that the ones who got the COVID vaccine were overall older and sicker at baseline, they not only had 74% lower risk of dying from COVID than the unvaccinated but 25% lower risk of dying from any other cause!
January 4, 2026 at 8:59 PM
In a study following 23 million people age 18-59 (pretty young) for 4 years…despite the fact that the ones who got the COVID vaccine were overall older and sicker at baseline, they not only had 74% lower risk of dying from COVID than the unvaccinated but 25% lower risk of dying from any other cause!
On (mathematical) intuition and the way you can build it. When intuition and calculation don't match, rather than "shut up and calculate", you can build a better intuition and imagination over time
davidbessis.substack.com/p/thinking-f...
davidbessis.substack.com/p/thinking-f...
Thinking fast, slow, and super slow
How mathematicians train their intuition
davidbessis.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 12:52 AM
On (mathematical) intuition and the way you can build it. When intuition and calculation don't match, rather than "shut up and calculate", you can build a better intuition and imagination over time
davidbessis.substack.com/p/thinking-f...
davidbessis.substack.com/p/thinking-f...
I love when my city advertises "free public transport for new year's eve!" but runs the usual timetable that ends sometime between 10pm and midnight on most routes. Thanks buddy you're so useful.
December 31, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I love when my city advertises "free public transport for new year's eve!" but runs the usual timetable that ends sometime between 10pm and midnight on most routes. Thanks buddy you're so useful.
Learning Auslan, starting with mostly fingerspelling. I can't remember having to be so aware of how words are spelled. Remembering the letters at the beginning of a word while I wait to see the end is hard work!
December 31, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Learning Auslan, starting with mostly fingerspelling. I can't remember having to be so aware of how words are spelled. Remembering the letters at the beginning of a word while I wait to see the end is hard work!
Reposted by Dr Red
Writing Genres:
First draft: Horror
Abstract: Action thriller
Hypothesis section: Fantasy
Results section: Tragedy
Limitations section: True crime
Implications section: Satire
Grant application: Science fiction
First draft: Horror
Abstract: Action thriller
Hypothesis section: Fantasy
Results section: Tragedy
Limitations section: True crime
Implications section: Satire
Grant application: Science fiction
December 22, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Writing Genres:
First draft: Horror
Abstract: Action thriller
Hypothesis section: Fantasy
Results section: Tragedy
Limitations section: True crime
Implications section: Satire
Grant application: Science fiction
First draft: Horror
Abstract: Action thriller
Hypothesis section: Fantasy
Results section: Tragedy
Limitations section: True crime
Implications section: Satire
Grant application: Science fiction
Can't read DMs anymore because I don't think websites need to know things that are on my driver's license. I will be sticking to this so I guess if I don't answer DMs that's why
December 14, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Can't read DMs anymore because I don't think websites need to know things that are on my driver's license. I will be sticking to this so I guess if I don't answer DMs that's why
Reposted by Dr Red
Reposted by Dr Red
Reposted by Dr Red
British and Australian chemists have discovered a powerful new antibiotic called pre-methylenomycin C lactone, hiding in a well-known soil bacterium. This molecule kills drug-resistant bacteria without triggering resistance. buff.ly/YlXaONo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Scientists find hidden antibiotic 100x stronger against deadly superbugs
A team of scientists discovered a hidden antibiotic 100 times stronger than existing drugs against deadly superbugs like MRSA. The molecule had been overlooked for decades in a familiar bacterium. It…
buff.ly
November 16, 2025 at 2:50 PM
British and Australian chemists have discovered a powerful new antibiotic called pre-methylenomycin C lactone, hiding in a well-known soil bacterium. This molecule kills drug-resistant bacteria without triggering resistance. buff.ly/YlXaONo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Reposted by Dr Red
People sometimes ask me for a business card, and I never have a card, but I almost always have some random assortment of science education material on me. So when a man asked me for my card earlier today I dug around in my pockets & handed him a MILF zine, horseshoe crab card, and a squid sticker 🤷🏻♀️
November 15, 2025 at 6:56 PM
People sometimes ask me for a business card, and I never have a card, but I almost always have some random assortment of science education material on me. So when a man asked me for my card earlier today I dug around in my pockets & handed him a MILF zine, horseshoe crab card, and a squid sticker 🤷🏻♀️
The terms that software people come up with always make me laugh. I'd heard about "code smell" but today I learned about "dogfooding" which is when you practice using your own product as a customer would.
August 19, 2025 at 10:57 PM
The terms that software people come up with always make me laugh. I'd heard about "code smell" but today I learned about "dogfooding" which is when you practice using your own product as a customer would.
Had a nice chat today with my bus twin John (catches the same bus as me in the morning and afternoon from the same stops). He's new to the area so I've been issuing restaurant recommendations.
July 22, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Had a nice chat today with my bus twin John (catches the same bus as me in the morning and afternoon from the same stops). He's new to the area so I've been issuing restaurant recommendations.
My team lead: you know that thing where smells can evoke memories? Well, whatever new cleaner they're using in the bathroom reminds me of when I used to play world of warcraft
July 22, 2025 at 8:42 AM
My team lead: you know that thing where smells can evoke memories? Well, whatever new cleaner they're using in the bathroom reminds me of when I used to play world of warcraft
Reposted by Dr Red
Many people got interested in this puzzle at MASA yesterday. The most fascinating thing is how many people assumed it was a trick question and looked for a solution with sticks inside or outside or on top of each other *assuming that sort of thing was the intent*.
July 17, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Many people got interested in this puzzle at MASA yesterday. The most fascinating thing is how many people assumed it was a trick question and looked for a solution with sticks inside or outside or on top of each other *assuming that sort of thing was the intent*.
Reposted by Dr Red
Reposted by Dr Red
You ready for this year's advent calendar?
We're learning about EELS!!!!!
This year's artist @ehrenenglish.bsky.social absolutely knocked it out of the park. Look at these eels!!
These facts cover both biology & history of eels.
Dive in with us here:
squidfacts.bigcartel.com/product/eel-...
We're learning about EELS!!!!!
This year's artist @ehrenenglish.bsky.social absolutely knocked it out of the park. Look at these eels!!
These facts cover both biology & history of eels.
Dive in with us here:
squidfacts.bigcartel.com/product/eel-...
July 15, 2025 at 2:03 PM
You ready for this year's advent calendar?
We're learning about EELS!!!!!
This year's artist @ehrenenglish.bsky.social absolutely knocked it out of the park. Look at these eels!!
These facts cover both biology & history of eels.
Dive in with us here:
squidfacts.bigcartel.com/product/eel-...
We're learning about EELS!!!!!
This year's artist @ehrenenglish.bsky.social absolutely knocked it out of the park. Look at these eels!!
These facts cover both biology & history of eels.
Dive in with us here:
squidfacts.bigcartel.com/product/eel-...
Have to admit the guys at work are right. Dishwashing liquid DOES clean my glasses better
July 15, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Have to admit the guys at work are right. Dishwashing liquid DOES clean my glasses better
Reposted by Dr Red
We ran a randomized controlled trial to see how much AI coding tools speed up experienced open-source developers.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
July 10, 2025 at 7:47 PM
We ran a randomized controlled trial to see how much AI coding tools speed up experienced open-source developers.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
I am forcing myaelf to finish my current project before starting geodes, but geodes are SO exciting and my anticipation is huge
July 11, 2025 at 6:45 AM
I am forcing myaelf to finish my current project before starting geodes, but geodes are SO exciting and my anticipation is huge
Reposted by Dr Red
My latest cartoon for New Scientist.
May 17, 2024 at 4:12 PM
My latest cartoon for New Scientist.
Reposted by Dr Red
Something lovely for your timeline!
Beautiful blue glass beads from the late Bronze Age.
Ploughed up by a farmer in Denmark in 1885, analysis shows the beads were made in Mesopotamia, pointing to long-distance trade in luxury goods some 3,000 years ago.
📷 National Museum of Denmark
#Archaeology
Beautiful blue glass beads from the late Bronze Age.
Ploughed up by a farmer in Denmark in 1885, analysis shows the beads were made in Mesopotamia, pointing to long-distance trade in luxury goods some 3,000 years ago.
📷 National Museum of Denmark
#Archaeology
June 25, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Something lovely for your timeline!
Beautiful blue glass beads from the late Bronze Age.
Ploughed up by a farmer in Denmark in 1885, analysis shows the beads were made in Mesopotamia, pointing to long-distance trade in luxury goods some 3,000 years ago.
📷 National Museum of Denmark
#Archaeology
Beautiful blue glass beads from the late Bronze Age.
Ploughed up by a farmer in Denmark in 1885, analysis shows the beads were made in Mesopotamia, pointing to long-distance trade in luxury goods some 3,000 years ago.
📷 National Museum of Denmark
#Archaeology
Reposted by Dr Red
learning that the tallest tree in the world has to have its location kept secret because of all the people who were going there and fucking it up has radicalised me in a way I did not expect
June 26, 2025 at 1:52 PM
learning that the tallest tree in the world has to have its location kept secret because of all the people who were going there and fucking it up has radicalised me in a way I did not expect
Masking up outside in winter is awesome actually. My face is so warm.
June 26, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Masking up outside in winter is awesome actually. My face is so warm.
Reposted by Dr Red
This thread gets at what I think is (currently, anyway) a fundamental problem with LLM chatbots: they do not (and really _can_ not) ever say "your question is bullshit; the fact that you are asking it means you have a fundamental misapprehension of facts outside of the question's direct scope."
I just saw a good example of what I was talking about with chatgpt being a crackpot generating machine.
A guy had started Wheeler's Spacetime Physics, and had a problem on page 2.
Wheeler expressed a square root as a power of 1/2.
√a = a^1/2. This is basic algebra, not physics.
A guy had started Wheeler's Spacetime Physics, and had a problem on page 2.
Wheeler expressed a square root as a power of 1/2.
√a = a^1/2. This is basic algebra, not physics.
May 25, 2025 at 3:31 PM
This thread gets at what I think is (currently, anyway) a fundamental problem with LLM chatbots: they do not (and really _can_ not) ever say "your question is bullshit; the fact that you are asking it means you have a fundamental misapprehension of facts outside of the question's direct scope."
Reposted by Dr Red
A story:
A student finished a thought with, “I need to know.”
I immediately sang the line, “🎶 I need to KNOW these ANSWERS 🎶”
She made no comment but continued her work.
Three minutes later she asked, “Was that… Barbie as the Island Princess?!”
“Yes it was.”
She looked both baffled and impressed.
A student finished a thought with, “I need to know.”
I immediately sang the line, “🎶 I need to KNOW these ANSWERS 🎶”
She made no comment but continued her work.
Three minutes later she asked, “Was that… Barbie as the Island Princess?!”
“Yes it was.”
She looked both baffled and impressed.
June 5, 2025 at 3:40 PM
A story:
A student finished a thought with, “I need to know.”
I immediately sang the line, “🎶 I need to KNOW these ANSWERS 🎶”
She made no comment but continued her work.
Three minutes later she asked, “Was that… Barbie as the Island Princess?!”
“Yes it was.”
She looked both baffled and impressed.
A student finished a thought with, “I need to know.”
I immediately sang the line, “🎶 I need to KNOW these ANSWERS 🎶”
She made no comment but continued her work.
Three minutes later she asked, “Was that… Barbie as the Island Princess?!”
“Yes it was.”
She looked both baffled and impressed.