Dr. Jens Foell
@jensfoell.de
I used to scan brains, now I talk about science for a living. Science editor, science podcaster, SPIEGEL-bestselling writer. Founder of @realscientists.de and trainer at @nawik.de. Looks even worse IRL. He/him.
NEW BOOK IN MAY 2026
🔗 https://jensfoell.de
NEW BOOK IN MAY 2026
🔗 https://jensfoell.de
Pinned
Dr. Jens Foell
@jensfoell.de
· Dec 7
Mein Gehirn, das Denken und ich - Jens Foell | Droemer Knaur
Das Gehirn: Das komplexeste Werkzeug des Universums – eine Gebrauchsanweisung von Hirnforscher und Bestseller-Autor Dr. Jens Foell Man nutzt es jeden Tag, jede...
www.droemer-knaur.de
I guess my pinned post should probably be about my next book, so…
On May 4th (Star Wars Day, no less), how you think about your brain will CHANGE FOREVER!*
*actual change in thinking not guaranteed. offer of new perspectives void where prohibited.
www.droemer-knaur.de/buch/jens-fo...
On May 4th (Star Wars Day, no less), how you think about your brain will CHANGE FOREVER!*
*actual change in thinking not guaranteed. offer of new perspectives void where prohibited.
www.droemer-knaur.de/buch/jens-fo...
If you only read one post today, make it this one:
I'm convinced AI is our generation's radium - a discovery with genuinely useful applications in specific, controlled circumstances that we stupidly put in everything from kid's toys to toothpaste until we realised the harm far too late where future generations will ask if we were out of our minds.
VC, founder, dumbass
February 9, 2026 at 9:55 AM
If you only read one post today, make it this one:
Never thought about this before, but it’s 100% what makes the Muppet Show special
the magic of the Muppets is that there are two fourth walls. they constantly break the one that reminds the audience they are performers. they NEVER break the one that reminds the audience they are puppets. this dynamic is the key to their entire comedy style
MY KIDS: so why are there muppets in the AUDIENCE
ME: THE CONCEIT!! IS THAT THEY'RE PUTTING ON A VARIETY SHOW!!! IN A WORLD WHERE MUPPET AND HUMAN COEXIST!!! YOU ARE WATCHING A DOCUMENTARY!! FILMED!! IN REAL TIME!!!
ME: THE CONCEIT!! IS THAT THEY'RE PUTTING ON A VARIETY SHOW!!! IN A WORLD WHERE MUPPET AND HUMAN COEXIST!!! YOU ARE WATCHING A DOCUMENTARY!! FILMED!! IN REAL TIME!!!
February 9, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Never thought about this before, but it’s 100% what makes the Muppet Show special
Reposted by Dr. Jens Foell
Great, NOW who’s going to smash all these pumpkins?
Great, NOW who's going to Kill all of these Bikinis?
Great, NOW who’s going to take back all of these Sundays?
February 8, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Great, NOW who’s going to smash all these pumpkins?
What a fascinating musical piece without any current-day political connotations at all. Just plain good historical jazz music by Lizzy & The Triggermen (they’re not on Bsky but go find them on Insta)
February 8, 2026 at 3:14 PM
What a fascinating musical piece without any current-day political connotations at all. Just plain good historical jazz music by Lizzy & The Triggermen (they’re not on Bsky but go find them on Insta)
Reposted by Dr. Jens Foell
Bruce McCandless and Robert Stewart, mission specialists on the Space Shuttle Challenger during STS-41-B, used nitrogen-propelled maneuvering units to perform the first untethered spacewalks #OTD in 1984. 🧪 🔭 🚀
(1/n)
Images: NASA
(1/n)
Images: NASA
February 7, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Bruce McCandless and Robert Stewart, mission specialists on the Space Shuttle Challenger during STS-41-B, used nitrogen-propelled maneuvering units to perform the first untethered spacewalks #OTD in 1984. 🧪 🔭 🚀
(1/n)
Images: NASA
(1/n)
Images: NASA
“When I was out at sea, I saw a young lady sitting on a rock, and she told me in a singing voice that the function of prayer was not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”
“Ah, seems like you’ve encountered the mystical Siren Kierkegaard.”
“Ah, seems like you’ve encountered the mystical Siren Kierkegaard.”
February 7, 2026 at 11:21 PM
“When I was out at sea, I saw a young lady sitting on a rock, and she told me in a singing voice that the function of prayer was not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”
“Ah, seems like you’ve encountered the mystical Siren Kierkegaard.”
“Ah, seems like you’ve encountered the mystical Siren Kierkegaard.”
Reposted by Dr. Jens Foell
1859 was a momentous year:
The Comstock Lode discovered in Nevada.
Edwin Drake drilled 1st US oil well in Titusville, PA.
The Suez Canal begins construction.
Darwin's "Origin of Species" was published.
And the Sun exploded.
Let's talk about the Carrington Event of 1–2 September 1859.
The Comstock Lode discovered in Nevada.
Edwin Drake drilled 1st US oil well in Titusville, PA.
The Suez Canal begins construction.
Darwin's "Origin of Species" was published.
And the Sun exploded.
Let's talk about the Carrington Event of 1–2 September 1859.
Auroras likely as most active sunspot in years turns toward Earth
The sunspot region 4366 fired off dozens of powerful solar flares in 24 hours, including the single strongest flare since 2024. Auroras are possible later this week.
www.livescience.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:44 PM
1859 was a momentous year:
The Comstock Lode discovered in Nevada.
Edwin Drake drilled 1st US oil well in Titusville, PA.
The Suez Canal begins construction.
Darwin's "Origin of Species" was published.
And the Sun exploded.
Let's talk about the Carrington Event of 1–2 September 1859.
The Comstock Lode discovered in Nevada.
Edwin Drake drilled 1st US oil well in Titusville, PA.
The Suez Canal begins construction.
Darwin's "Origin of Species" was published.
And the Sun exploded.
Let's talk about the Carrington Event of 1–2 September 1859.
Reposted by Dr. Jens Foell
France’s Foreign Ministry owns Elon Musk in this response:
February 4, 2026 at 10:33 AM
France’s Foreign Ministry owns Elon Musk in this response:
Reposted by Dr. Jens Foell
Is there a urologist around? I want to ask a question about something I am writing.
February 4, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Is there a urologist around? I want to ask a question about something I am writing.
There’s absolutely zero reason to assume this, but in my mind, Sturgill Simpson‘s “Sing Along” and Ashnikko’s “Skin Cleared” are about the same couple breaking up.
February 4, 2026 at 7:20 AM
There’s absolutely zero reason to assume this, but in my mind, Sturgill Simpson‘s “Sing Along” and Ashnikko’s “Skin Cleared” are about the same couple breaking up.
I’m not kidding when I say that this is the most apt description of my current work life that I’ve seen so far.
New fuck/marry/kill list just dropped
February 4, 2026 at 6:48 AM
I’m not kidding when I say that this is the most apt description of my current work life that I’ve seen so far.
Reposted by Dr. Jens Foell
Sorry to plug German-language stuff, I swear I’ll stop, but I need y’all to know that our Nerds at Work Podcast is now also available on my colleague @christianscharun.de‘s YouTube channel (audio only). And it’s good timing too, because our current episode is pretty unique:
youtu.be/NMYOGvH9I3o?...
youtu.be/NMYOGvH9I3o?...
Die Gläserne Decke. Mit Raumfahrerin Michi Benthaus
YouTube video by Dr. Christian Scharun
youtu.be
February 1, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Sorry to plug German-language stuff, I swear I’ll stop, but I need y’all to know that our Nerds at Work Podcast is now also available on my colleague @christianscharun.de‘s YouTube channel (audio only). And it’s good timing too, because our current episode is pretty unique:
youtu.be/NMYOGvH9I3o?...
youtu.be/NMYOGvH9I3o?...
Reposted by Dr. Jens Foell
Ich erneuere mein Angebot:
hiermit biete ich meine Plattform ( @sachgrundpod.bsky.social ) für eine*n US-Wissenschaftler*in, der*die mit mir über die Lage im Land sprechen möchte. Deutschkenntnisse (müssen nicht perfekt sein) wären Voraussetzung, einzelne O-Töne auf Englisch sind ggf. möglich.
hiermit biete ich meine Plattform ( @sachgrundpod.bsky.social ) für eine*n US-Wissenschaftler*in, der*die mit mir über die Lage im Land sprechen möchte. Deutschkenntnisse (müssen nicht perfekt sein) wären Voraussetzung, einzelne O-Töne auf Englisch sind ggf. möglich.
February 1, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Ich erneuere mein Angebot:
hiermit biete ich meine Plattform ( @sachgrundpod.bsky.social ) für eine*n US-Wissenschaftler*in, der*die mit mir über die Lage im Land sprechen möchte. Deutschkenntnisse (müssen nicht perfekt sein) wären Voraussetzung, einzelne O-Töne auf Englisch sind ggf. möglich.
hiermit biete ich meine Plattform ( @sachgrundpod.bsky.social ) für eine*n US-Wissenschaftler*in, der*die mit mir über die Lage im Land sprechen möchte. Deutschkenntnisse (müssen nicht perfekt sein) wären Voraussetzung, einzelne O-Töne auf Englisch sind ggf. möglich.
Reposted by Dr. Jens Foell
Oh thank God, this poor kid and this poor family www.ksat.com/news/local/2...
Liam Conejo Ramos, 5, and father released from Dilley immigration detention center
Liam Conejo Ramos, the 5-year-old who was detained by immigration officers in Minnesota last week, and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, were released from a detention center in Dilley.
www.ksat.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Oh thank God, this poor kid and this poor family www.ksat.com/news/local/2...
Reposted by Dr. Jens Foell
It was never “don’t tread on us”, it was always “don’t tread on me”
February 1, 2026 at 3:38 PM
It was never “don’t tread on us”, it was always “don’t tread on me”
Here’s the thing — I think I can sort of understand the mindset of those gun-totin’, God-lovin’, Constitution-huggin‘ full-blooded conservative Americans, at least to a certain degree.
But by all rules of logic and ideology, they should be the ones most up in arms about this stuff. Where are they?!
But by all rules of logic and ideology, they should be the ones most up in arms about this stuff. Where are they?!
4 federal agents pull over an elderly US citizen for the suspected crime of being brown, break her car window, throw her to the ground, then drive off after they find her US Passport in her purse. The Salem Police, when called, say there’s nothing they can do. www.salemreporter.com/2026/01/31/u...
U.S. citizen injured by federal agents in Salem who demanded to see “papers,” union says - Salem Reporter
A home care worker and union worker was pulled from her car and injured by federal agents Thursday according to a statement by SEIU 503. To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the repor...
www.salemreporter.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Here’s the thing — I think I can sort of understand the mindset of those gun-totin’, God-lovin’, Constitution-huggin‘ full-blooded conservative Americans, at least to a certain degree.
But by all rules of logic and ideology, they should be the ones most up in arms about this stuff. Where are they?!
But by all rules of logic and ideology, they should be the ones most up in arms about this stuff. Where are they?!
I have relatives in the US that I haven’t spoken to in years because I know they’re Trump voters. I’m considering unblocking them on Facebook just to send them this clip alongside the words “you wanted this”
This is just insane. It’s only a matter of time before DHS kills another innocent person here.
(clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
(clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
February 1, 2026 at 12:03 AM
I have relatives in the US that I haven’t spoken to in years because I know they’re Trump voters. I’m considering unblocking them on Facebook just to send them this clip alongside the words “you wanted this”
Reposted by Dr. Jens Foell
Epstein's Academics Hall of Shame here:
Academics vying for a spot in Epstein‘s world. There are so many. I feel the need to make a thread, so I don’t keep confusing them. 1/
January 31, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Epstein's Academics Hall of Shame here:
Good. Release everyone else while you’re at it.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Judge orders US to release father and 5-year-old taken into custody during Minnesota immigration crackdown.
January 31, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Good. Release everyone else while you’re at it.
I did Nazi that coming
January 31, 2026 at 5:24 PM
I did Nazi that coming
My personal opinion: So long as it’s not overly radioactive, it can go on a burger. I’ve eaten things you people wouldn’t believe. Marshmallow burgers with beef and chocolate sauce. Burger patties that were marinated in absinthe. All those steamed hams will be lost in time, like tears in rain.
January 31, 2026 at 4:57 PM
My personal opinion: So long as it’s not overly radioactive, it can go on a burger. I’ve eaten things you people wouldn’t believe. Marshmallow burgers with beef and chocolate sauce. Burger patties that were marinated in absinthe. All those steamed hams will be lost in time, like tears in rain.
Anthropic being honest about the damage they’re doing is probably the result of them reading my popular science book which they stole.
“We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.”
Props to Anthropic for studying the effects of their creation and reporting results that are not probably what they wished for
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
Props to Anthropic for studying the effects of their creation and reporting results that are not probably what they wished for
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
How AI assistance impacts the formation of coding skills
Anthropic is an AI safety and research company that's working to build reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems.
www.anthropic.com
January 31, 2026 at 11:06 AM
Anthropic being honest about the damage they’re doing is probably the result of them reading my popular science book which they stole.
There’s discourse on German journalism Bluesky about using quotation marks around the word “documentary” when discussing the Melania movie. (Same thing happens when people write “President” Trump)
Here’s the issue with this: Your audience has no idea what the hell it means.
1/4
Here’s the issue with this: Your audience has no idea what the hell it means.
1/4
January 31, 2026 at 10:44 AM
There’s discourse on German journalism Bluesky about using quotation marks around the word “documentary” when discussing the Melania movie. (Same thing happens when people write “President” Trump)
Here’s the issue with this: Your audience has no idea what the hell it means.
1/4
Here’s the issue with this: Your audience has no idea what the hell it means.
1/4