Mindy Weisberger
@laminda.bsky.social
Science writer/editor, bylines at CNN, Live Science, SciAm. Previously at Scholastic and the American Museum of Natural History. WGAE member. She/her.
And I wrote a book! Rise of the Zombie Bugs: https://press.jhu.edu/books/title/53677/rise-zombie-bugs
And I wrote a book! Rise of the Zombie Bugs: https://press.jhu.edu/books/title/53677/rise-zombie-bugs
Pinned
As always, please check out @laminda.bsky.social's starter pack of independent journalists and media outlets for less bullshit in 2025 and beyond. go.bsky.app/2Fq4P6e
Independent, Worker-Owned and Reader-Funded Media
Join the conversation
go.bsky.app
Folks, this pack has FILLED UP, but I’m still collecting independent/worker-owned/reader-supported news sources for Starter Pack 2: Electric Boogaloo (not its actual name because too many characters, but you get the idea). Got news picks that are NOT in the original? Please send ‘em my way!
Reposted by Mindy Weisberger
those of us laid off from Teen Vogue were really fortunate to complete our fundraising goal — the laid-off staffers at VIBE deserve the same support, as Black media outlets and journalists continue to be targeted and discriminated against in “austerity” measures
It was announced on October 16, 2025 that VIBE was "joining forces" with Rolling Stone. As a result, the majority of VIBE employees were laid off. If you have the means to give, this team could use the support! www.gofundme.com/f/support-vi...
Donate to Support VIBE Staff After Sudden Layoffs, organized by Mya Abraham
It was announced on October 16, 2025 that VIBE was "joining forces" with Rolling S… Mya Abraham needs your support for Support VIBE Staff After Sudden Layoffs
www.gofundme.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:38 PM
those of us laid off from Teen Vogue were really fortunate to complete our fundraising goal — the laid-off staffers at VIBE deserve the same support, as Black media outlets and journalists continue to be targeted and discriminated against in “austerity” measures
I will name him George and I will hug him and pet him and squeeze him
Are you located in the DC-Baltimore-Philadelphia-New York corridor?
Have you always wanted to have your very own 11 foot long papier-mâché hammerhead shark?
Now available for free!
Perfect for museums, community centers, or your living room!
Save this lovely creature from imminent destruction!
Have you always wanted to have your very own 11 foot long papier-mâché hammerhead shark?
Now available for free!
Perfect for museums, community centers, or your living room!
Save this lovely creature from imminent destruction!
November 15, 2025 at 1:59 AM
I will name him George and I will hug him and pet him and squeeze him
Heckuva sunset sky out there today
November 13, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Heckuva sunset sky out there today
Calling a 15-year-old "barely legal" (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻┻
Megyn Kelly: "I know somebody very close to this case…Jeffrey Epstein, in this person's view, was not a pedophile…He was into the barely legal type, like he liked 15 year old girls…He wasn't into like 8 year olds…There's a difference between a 15 year old and a 5 year old."
November 13, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Calling a 15-year-old "barely legal" (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻┻
If you stare at seagulls, they're less likely to steal your food. That's kind of like how calling out corporations that treat workers unfairly can help turn things around for the workers, right? Anyway, here's a seagull and don't buy Starbucks during today's strike
November 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
If you stare at seagulls, they're less likely to steal your food. That's kind of like how calling out corporations that treat workers unfairly can help turn things around for the workers, right? Anyway, here's a seagull and don't buy Starbucks during today's strike
One of my favorite details from writing this was learning that there's a tool for identifying frog and toad vocalizations, developed by another team of scientists in 2021, called the repeat interval‐based bioacoustic identification tool, or RIBBIT
Live birth in toads! Is a thing! Three newly described species of tree toads give birth to toadlets, ~40 or more at a pop and each just a few millimeters long. They were previously all lumped together as Nectophrynoides viviparus, until new analysis identified them as three different species 🐸🧪
Newly identified species of Tanzanian tree toad leapfrog the tadpole stage and give birth to toadlets | CNN
Researchers have newly described three extremely rare species of toad that leapfrog over the egg-to-tadpole stage and give birth to toadlets.
www.cnn.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM
One of my favorite details from writing this was learning that there's a tool for identifying frog and toad vocalizations, developed by another team of scientists in 2021, called the repeat interval‐based bioacoustic identification tool, or RIBBIT
Live birth in toads! Is a thing! Three newly described species of tree toads give birth to toadlets, ~40 or more at a pop and each just a few millimeters long. They were previously all lumped together as Nectophrynoides viviparus, until new analysis identified them as three different species 🐸🧪
Newly identified species of Tanzanian tree toad leapfrog the tadpole stage and give birth to toadlets | CNN
Researchers have newly described three extremely rare species of toad that leapfrog over the egg-to-tadpole stage and give birth to toadlets.
www.cnn.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Live birth in toads! Is a thing! Three newly described species of tree toads give birth to toadlets, ~40 or more at a pop and each just a few millimeters long. They were previously all lumped together as Nectophrynoides viviparus, until new analysis identified them as three different species 🐸🧪
Reposted by Mindy Weisberger
I am shooting my shot.
I love writing op-eds.
@teenvogue.com was my main outlet, but if there are any others (especially independently ran) that are looking for a contributing writer on race, gender, and the economy, I'd love to work with you.
Signed,
A Black woman who writes for the public
I love writing op-eds.
@teenvogue.com was my main outlet, but if there are any others (especially independently ran) that are looking for a contributing writer on race, gender, and the economy, I'd love to work with you.
Signed,
A Black woman who writes for the public
November 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
I am shooting my shot.
I love writing op-eds.
@teenvogue.com was my main outlet, but if there are any others (especially independently ran) that are looking for a contributing writer on race, gender, and the economy, I'd love to work with you.
Signed,
A Black woman who writes for the public
I love writing op-eds.
@teenvogue.com was my main outlet, but if there are any others (especially independently ran) that are looking for a contributing writer on race, gender, and the economy, I'd love to work with you.
Signed,
A Black woman who writes for the public
Support striking Starbucks workers today by NOT going into Starbucks! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can maybe set aside what you would've spent at Starbucks today and send it to a strike fund or drop it in your local barista's tip jar when they're back on the job ☕️
BREAKING: Starbucks workers have launched a massive, nationwide strike.
Baristas in 40 cities have walked off the job on the busiest day of Starbucks' year.
Upwards of 12,000 @sbworkersunited.org members could ultimately go on strike as the union escalates.
Baristas in 40 cities have walked off the job on the busiest day of Starbucks' year.
Upwards of 12,000 @sbworkersunited.org members could ultimately go on strike as the union escalates.
November 13, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Support striking Starbucks workers today by NOT going into Starbucks! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can maybe set aside what you would've spent at Starbucks today and send it to a strike fund or drop it in your local barista's tip jar when they're back on the job ☕️
Reposted by Mindy Weisberger
Union Starbucks baristas have overwhelmingly authorized an unfair labor practice strike starting TOMORROW (Thursday, November 13th), grinding Starbucks to a halt during the company’s busiest sales day of the year.
#NoContractNoCoffee
#NoContractNoCoffee
November 13, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Union Starbucks baristas have overwhelmingly authorized an unfair labor practice strike starting TOMORROW (Thursday, November 13th), grinding Starbucks to a halt during the company’s busiest sales day of the year.
#NoContractNoCoffee
#NoContractNoCoffee
Reposted by Mindy Weisberger
The value of reading history is you know that in 1860 there were abolitionists who were so demoralized that they thought chattel slavery would be permanent. 5 years later those still alive had lived to see its end.
November 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The value of reading history is you know that in 1860 there were abolitionists who were so demoralized that they thought chattel slavery would be permanent. 5 years later those still alive had lived to see its end.
I have so many questions
There's a guy at the entomology conference who is really leaning on the chaotic side of the definition of what a "bug" is.
#entsoc25
#entsoc25
November 12, 2025 at 1:21 AM
I have so many questions
Bluesky hive mind! Do you happen to know any folk tales/fairy tales/fables where children are tricked into killing their mother? There's no shortage of wicked parents/stepparents in stories, but I've been wracking my brain & I can't think of an example where kids are hoodwinked into parental murder
November 12, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Bluesky hive mind! Do you happen to know any folk tales/fairy tales/fables where children are tricked into killing their mother? There's no shortage of wicked parents/stepparents in stories, but I've been wracking my brain & I can't think of an example where kids are hoodwinked into parental murder
I truly had no idea that goats DID NOT HAVE FRONT INCISORS and now I am shook
November 12, 2025 at 12:08 AM
I truly had no idea that goats DID NOT HAVE FRONT INCISORS and now I am shook
Please help, I've fallen down the Temu screaming goat throw pillow rabbithole
November 11, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Please help, I've fallen down the Temu screaming goat throw pillow rabbithole
Look, I know that fast fashion is terrible and I try to buy nothing new and repair what I have whenever possible. But my normal resistance to Temu ads is utterly undone by this objectively incredible item
November 11, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Look, I know that fast fashion is terrible and I try to buy nothing new and repair what I have whenever possible. But my normal resistance to Temu ads is utterly undone by this objectively incredible item
Going all-in on anti-woke
Images of Donald Trump appearing to close his eyes at an Oval Office announcement this week rocketed around social media this weekend, with the president’s opponents seizing on the footage to raise questions about Trump’s on-the-job performance.
Images of Trump appearing to close his eyes during Oval Office event spread across social media | CNN Politics
Images of Donald Trump appearing to close his eyes at an Oval Office announcement this week rocketed around social media this weekend, with the president’s opponents seizing on the footage to raise qu...
www.cnn.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Going all-in on anti-woke
Reposted by Mindy Weisberger
Black American soldiers literally dug these WWII graves. Traumatic. To acknowledge that fact at a cemetery they helped construct is something the Heritage Foundation cannot accept. As Veterans Day approaches, never forget that this country both compels and disrespects Black military service. Always.
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Black American soldiers literally dug these WWII graves. Traumatic. To acknowledge that fact at a cemetery they helped construct is something the Heritage Foundation cannot accept. As Veterans Day approaches, never forget that this country both compels and disrespects Black military service. Always.
Got some new Steve Keene art from the @wfmu.bsky.social record fair! Day Two is tomorrow, if you’re in the NYC area and love vinyl, you may want to visit Chelsea’s Metropolitan Pavilion and check out the scene. Be sure to grab some art while you’re there, they’re just $2 each wfmu.org/recordfair/
November 9, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Got some new Steve Keene art from the @wfmu.bsky.social record fair! Day Two is tomorrow, if you’re in the NYC area and love vinyl, you may want to visit Chelsea’s Metropolitan Pavilion and check out the scene. Be sure to grab some art while you’re there, they’re just $2 each wfmu.org/recordfair/
All my library holds came in at once 😱
November 7, 2025 at 10:59 PM
All my library holds came in at once 😱
Reposted by Mindy Weisberger
Aw shit, it’s that time again. In light of Link’s continued unjust banning, I am once again doing Fund Me Friday.
Drop your links below and be sure to check the previous post for unmet needs.
Also, y’all should check out other posts that take up Link’s good work.
Drop your links below and be sure to check the previous post for unmet needs.
Also, y’all should check out other posts that take up Link’s good work.
Fund Me Fridays is back!
In honor of Link, who remains unjustly banned, I will be reposting mutual aid links under this thread.
Drop your links and let’s meet some needs!
In honor of Link, who remains unjustly banned, I will be reposting mutual aid links under this thread.
Drop your links and let’s meet some needs!
November 7, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Aw shit, it’s that time again. In light of Link’s continued unjust banning, I am once again doing Fund Me Friday.
Drop your links below and be sure to check the previous post for unmet needs.
Also, y’all should check out other posts that take up Link’s good work.
Drop your links below and be sure to check the previous post for unmet needs.
Also, y’all should check out other posts that take up Link’s good work.
For #FossilFriday, please enjoy some very, VERY old evidence of parasitism, preserved in fossilized shells of brachiopods that lived ~500 million years ago in what's now southern China. These kleptoparasites—food stealers—built mineralized tubes on filter-feeding hosts & slurped up their food 🧪
Cambrian fossils show oldest example of parasites in action
Tubelike organisms clung to their hosts' shells
www.livescience.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:31 PM
For #FossilFriday, please enjoy some very, VERY old evidence of parasitism, preserved in fossilized shells of brachiopods that lived ~500 million years ago in what's now southern China. These kleptoparasites—food stealers—built mineralized tubes on filter-feeding hosts & slurped up their food 🧪
Reposted by Mindy Weisberger
Great news! Because of a recent court order, November SNAP benefits for Wisconsin recipients were made available overnight. Members should feel free to use the funds as they normally would.
November 7, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Great news! Because of a recent court order, November SNAP benefits for Wisconsin recipients were made available overnight. Members should feel free to use the funds as they normally would.
Remove “event” from the sentence and it still describes the scene pretty accurately
November 7, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Remove “event” from the sentence and it still describes the scene pretty accurately
Reposted by Mindy Weisberger
People, respect the picket line. Even if there aren’t Starbucks barista unions in your area, DON’T GO INTO STARBUCKS DURING THE STRIKE.
Solicit your local coffee shops. You can get a $7 pumpkin spice latte anywhere.
Solicit your local coffee shops. You can get a $7 pumpkin spice latte anywhere.
BREAKING: Starbucks workers have just authorized a massive strike.
Union Starbucks baristas voted to authorize the strike by 92%.
Now baristas in over 25 cities could launch an unfair labor practice strike on Thursday, November 13th.
Union Starbucks baristas voted to authorize the strike by 92%.
Now baristas in over 25 cities could launch an unfair labor practice strike on Thursday, November 13th.
November 6, 2025 at 8:42 PM
People, respect the picket line. Even if there aren’t Starbucks barista unions in your area, DON’T GO INTO STARBUCKS DURING THE STRIKE.
Solicit your local coffee shops. You can get a $7 pumpkin spice latte anywhere.
Solicit your local coffee shops. You can get a $7 pumpkin spice latte anywhere.