LabLit.com
@lablit.bsky.social
Web mag devoted to the culture of science in fiction and fact since 2005. We promote 'lab lit' fiction (realistic novels about scientists, not science fiction) and all things geek chic. Skeets usually by @hstiles1 http://www.lablit.com [email there]
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LabLit.com
@lablit.bsky.social
· Sep 25
Skying here in primarily from dom the obscure @hstiles1.bsky.social with very occasional quips from Dr Jenny @jennyrohn.bsky.social
You can find the email on the Lablit web pages! #booksky
You can find the email on the Lablit web pages! #booksky
Just watched 1993 X-Files Ghost in the Machine - an AI becomes conscious. "That's decades away" says Scully! Ends a bit HAL-like. Still, shows that the writers really were thinking about the possible as well as the fantastical.
“Nothing has to be true, but everything has to sound true.” Asimov
“Nothing has to be true, but everything has to sound true.” Asimov
February 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Just watched 1993 X-Files Ghost in the Machine - an AI becomes conscious. "That's decades away" says Scully! Ends a bit HAL-like. Still, shows that the writers really were thinking about the possible as well as the fantastical.
“Nothing has to be true, but everything has to sound true.” Asimov
“Nothing has to be true, but everything has to sound true.” Asimov
@matthewcobb.bsky.social Another artist unable to paint a cat!
Portrait of Guercino, his mother Elena Ghisellini, black cat, and their totally A+ Lagotto Romagnolo dog. Here we also see his troubled eye from which he got his nickname. Today is his birthday.
February 8, 2026 at 10:20 PM
@matthewcobb.bsky.social Another artist unable to paint a cat!
Reposted by LabLit.com
Here's a thing about that I came across earlier.
freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2...
freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2...
Another evolutionary biologist exposed as a jerk
Well, as more of a jerk — I think everyone already knew that Robert Trivers was a poor excuse for a human being. But he came up with all these interesting concepts in theoretical evolutionary…
freethoughtblogs.com
February 8, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Here's a thing about that I came across earlier.
freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2...
freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2...
A dearth of interesting fiction in Observer & S.Times but I must comment on some other bits... tomorrow!
February 8, 2026 at 9:58 PM
A dearth of interesting fiction in Observer & S.Times but I must comment on some other bits... tomorrow!
A friend sent me a link to an X tweet about Epstein & his connection with evolutionary biologist Robert Trivers, that said 'no one is talking about this'. In seconds I searched & found this is not the case. I learnt that Trivers has espoused some unpleasant views, & that X is filled with racist hate
February 8, 2026 at 9:57 PM
A friend sent me a link to an X tweet about Epstein & his connection with evolutionary biologist Robert Trivers, that said 'no one is talking about this'. In seconds I searched & found this is not the case. I learnt that Trivers has espoused some unpleasant views, & that X is filled with racist hate
Reposted by LabLit.com
some recs for Black history month! (and always!)
February 7, 2026 at 10:10 PM
some recs for Black history month! (and always!)
Reposted by LabLit.com
Another reminder, don't take your health advice from RFKjr or his associates. Health lies are deadly.
Newborn dies after mother drinks raw milk during pregnancy
A newborn baby has died in New Mexico from a Listeria infection that state health officials say was likely contracted from raw (unpasteurized) milk that the baby’s mother drank during pregnancy.
A newborn baby has died in New Mexico from a Listeria infection that state health officials say was likely contracted from raw (unpasteurized) milk that the baby’s mother drank during pregnancy.
Newborn dies after mother drinks raw milk during pregnancy
Raw milk is promoted by anti-vaccine Health Secretary Kennedy.
arstechnica.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Another reminder, don't take your health advice from RFKjr or his associates. Health lies are deadly.
Reposted by LabLit.com
Jumping Spiders: Your Most Asked Questions Answered
YouTube video by Jem's Jumpers UK
youtu.be
February 8, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Reposted by LabLit.com
"This is the hard truth I want to land: climate does not care what’s trending. It’s not interested in Jeffrey Epstein, Gaza, or Greenland. There is no algorithmic mercy. Physics is physics, and it is getting more abrupt."
#climatecrisis #ElNino #auspol www.lyrebirddreaming.com/post/we-are-...
#climatecrisis #ElNino #auspol www.lyrebirddreaming.com/post/we-are-...
If Epstein is Trending, Why Isn’t +1.7°C?
The news cycle has become a hall of mirrors: Epstein, Trumpism, war, outrage, retribution. A thousand scandals designed to keep us anxious, tribal, and tired. We have to hold multiple truths at once: ...
www.lyrebirddreaming.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:57 AM
"This is the hard truth I want to land: climate does not care what’s trending. It’s not interested in Jeffrey Epstein, Gaza, or Greenland. There is no algorithmic mercy. Physics is physics, and it is getting more abrupt."
#climatecrisis #ElNino #auspol www.lyrebirddreaming.com/post/we-are-...
#climatecrisis #ElNino #auspol www.lyrebirddreaming.com/post/we-are-...
Reposted by LabLit.com
Book cliffs beneath a blue sky in June, mirrored by a forage crop in the foreground. Taken from the Amtrak California Zephyr...
February 8, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Book cliffs beneath a blue sky in June, mirrored by a forage crop in the foreground. Taken from the Amtrak California Zephyr...
Reposted by LabLit.com
February 8, 2026 at 8:17 PM
February 7, 2026 at 10:02 PM
This reminds me of Mitchell & Webb's little old lady job justification tests, from their radio series -eg
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZkh...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZkh...
February 7, 2026 at 10:01 PM
This reminds me of Mitchell & Webb's little old lady job justification tests, from their radio series -eg
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZkh...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZkh...
Reposted by LabLit.com
I am going to be radical, & propose some sort of niceness & politeness test before anyone gets any public office! Fail the test & you do not get the job.
February 7, 2026 at 9:43 PM
I am going to be radical, & propose some sort of niceness & politeness test before anyone gets any public office! Fail the test & you do not get the job.
Reposted by LabLit.com
I had a go at fencing as an adult – a local FE college was offering a 10-week class so a bunch of the girls from the lab went along. Despite me not having much fitness, it was still a fantastic thing to do, we had so much fun. I wonder if 30-years-older me could still score a few hits.🤔
February 7, 2026 at 11:58 AM
I had a go at fencing as an adult – a local FE college was offering a 10-week class so a bunch of the girls from the lab went along. Despite me not having much fitness, it was still a fantastic thing to do, we had so much fun. I wonder if 30-years-older me could still score a few hits.🤔
Reposted by LabLit.com
📚⚡️Collect them all!
February 3, 2026 at 6:15 PM
📚⚡️Collect them all!
Reposted by LabLit.com
Constance Lindsay Taylor/Guy Cullingford's first book was a surprise. Murder with Relish used the familiar "wealthy old lady killed on her birthday" trope and added the family cook as detective and unusually detailed character analysis. I liked it! 📚⚡️ 📚💙 happinessisabook.com/fridays-forg...
Friday’s Forgotten Book: Murder with Relish by Guy Cullingford
Constance Lindsay Dowdy Taylor (1907-2000) began publishing stories, poems, and articles for periodicals in 1928. Her marriage put her writing career on hold for several years. In 1948 her first de…
happinessisabook.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Constance Lindsay Taylor/Guy Cullingford's first book was a surprise. Murder with Relish used the familiar "wealthy old lady killed on her birthday" trope and added the family cook as detective and unusually detailed character analysis. I liked it! 📚⚡️ 📚💙 happinessisabook.com/fridays-forg...
A second for USA's #Blackhistory month -
Transcendent Kingdom
by Yaa Gyasi
Drama: A young chemist struggles to deal with her depressive mother and memories of her addict brother while working on the science of addiction. #booksky
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaa_Gyasi
Transcendent Kingdom
by Yaa Gyasi
Drama: A young chemist struggles to deal with her depressive mother and memories of her addict brother while working on the science of addiction. #booksky
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaa_Gyasi
February 7, 2026 at 11:40 AM
A second for USA's #Blackhistory month -
Transcendent Kingdom
by Yaa Gyasi
Drama: A young chemist struggles to deal with her depressive mother and memories of her addict brother while working on the science of addiction. #booksky
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaa_Gyasi
Transcendent Kingdom
by Yaa Gyasi
Drama: A young chemist struggles to deal with her depressive mother and memories of her addict brother while working on the science of addiction. #booksky
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaa_Gyasi
Reposted by LabLit.com
I was expecting a well-plotted, atmospheric thriller from @sarahhilary.bsky.social, and wasn’t disappointed.
But I was thrilled to encounter an actually believable, authentic, and relatable autistic character in Agnes, the young woman at the heart of this novel.
Insightful and tense.
#books
💙📚⚡️
But I was thrilled to encounter an actually believable, authentic, and relatable autistic character in Agnes, the young woman at the heart of this novel.
Insightful and tense.
#books
💙📚⚡️
February 5, 2026 at 6:44 PM
I was expecting a well-plotted, atmospheric thriller from @sarahhilary.bsky.social, and wasn’t disappointed.
But I was thrilled to encounter an actually believable, authentic, and relatable autistic character in Agnes, the young woman at the heart of this novel.
Insightful and tense.
#books
💙📚⚡️
But I was thrilled to encounter an actually believable, authentic, and relatable autistic character in Agnes, the young woman at the heart of this novel.
Insightful and tense.
#books
💙📚⚡️
Reposted by LabLit.com
I'm getting more excited with every email. Just been asked to provide a detailed character description... I think someone is working on my book cover. Does anyone else get this excited about having their book published?
💙📚⚡️
💙📚⚡️
February 5, 2026 at 7:43 PM
I'm getting more excited with every email. Just been asked to provide a detailed character description... I think someone is working on my book cover. Does anyone else get this excited about having their book published?
💙📚⚡️
💙📚⚡️
Reposted by LabLit.com
Had my students play #Clue today in preparation for their Clue(re)do assignment in which they modernize the classic game featuring a setting/cast/weapons of their choice. One group marveled at the older copy I had bought at the thrift store (which is the same version I played as a kid).
💙🎲
⚡️📚
💙🎲
⚡️📚
February 6, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Had my students play #Clue today in preparation for their Clue(re)do assignment in which they modernize the classic game featuring a setting/cast/weapons of their choice. One group marveled at the older copy I had bought at the thrift store (which is the same version I played as a kid).
💙🎲
⚡️📚
💙🎲
⚡️📚
Lots of 'sportsball' games being the weekend! Footie, rugby, cricket - the three staples of English school sport (also hockey at my school in spring, instead of rugby)... I wanted to do fencing but never got the chance. My 7 yrs younger brother did... 😞
Scotland v West Indies in T20 now...🏏
Scotland v West Indies in T20 now...🏏
February 7, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Lots of 'sportsball' games being the weekend! Footie, rugby, cricket - the three staples of English school sport (also hockey at my school in spring, instead of rugby)... I wanted to do fencing but never got the chance. My 7 yrs younger brother did... 😞
Scotland v West Indies in T20 now...🏏
Scotland v West Indies in T20 now...🏏
What is interesting to me is that the bull has no hump, so is no a Zebu (either Bos indicus or Bos taurus indicus depending on your view).
See links & refs here... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebu
See links & refs here... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebu
February 4, 2026 at 11:54 PM
What is interesting to me is that the bull has no hump, so is no a Zebu (either Bos indicus or Bos taurus indicus depending on your view).
See links & refs here... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebu
See links & refs here... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebu
Reposted by LabLit.com
💙📚🪐🐉 The shelves at Out West Books featuring new science fiction and fantasy.
February 4, 2026 at 11:09 PM
💙📚🪐🐉 The shelves at Out West Books featuring new science fiction and fantasy.