Jeff Watson
@lifeat78rpm.com
Professor, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Gonzaga University. Dodgers fan, father, music lover, writer. All opinions mine, not my employer’s. Biochemist (enzyme structure-function-regulation-evolution, microbial metabolism, astrobiology)
Reposted by Jeff Watson
Did u know that when we blocked assholes instead of arguing with them Bluesky was cool and awesome and fewer people saw the assholes’ posts? now u know
you are not going to convince them or make them feel bad and there’s no scoreboard
You’re just smearing shit on the camera lens
you are not going to convince them or make them feel bad and there’s no scoreboard
You’re just smearing shit on the camera lens
July 6, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Did u know that when we blocked assholes instead of arguing with them Bluesky was cool and awesome and fewer people saw the assholes’ posts? now u know
you are not going to convince them or make them feel bad and there’s no scoreboard
You’re just smearing shit on the camera lens
you are not going to convince them or make them feel bad and there’s no scoreboard
You’re just smearing shit on the camera lens
Reposted by Jeff Watson
There is only one possible ending to this story, and sports aren't the last chapter. I guarantee that if you haven't lost five decades of rights in two weeks, you have no idea what this feels like, so I'm begging you: protect trans kids right now with everything you've got.
July 3, 2025 at 2:18 PM
There is only one possible ending to this story, and sports aren't the last chapter. I guarantee that if you haven't lost five decades of rights in two weeks, you have no idea what this feels like, so I'm begging you: protect trans kids right now with everything you've got.
Reposted by Jeff Watson
Science didn't turn partisan! It's been politicized & partisanized by conservatives whose cruel, theocratic, destructive policies (banning books, forced birth, climate denialism, gender essentialism) are all directly contradicted by scientific evidence.
An exchange on X; Marcia McNutt is president of the National Academy of Sciences. Incredible to me that anyone would construe defending science against attack by the government as "partisan politics." It would be equally worth defending no matter which party was in power.
July 2, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Science didn't turn partisan! It's been politicized & partisanized by conservatives whose cruel, theocratic, destructive policies (banning books, forced birth, climate denialism, gender essentialism) are all directly contradicted by scientific evidence.
Reposted by Jeff Watson
In light of the news on my first day of sabbatical: gender is a social construct, trans women are women, no amount of complying with authoritarians who pretend they will only strip some people but not you of rights will keep you safe. And in 2025 university administrators should know all of that.
July 1, 2025 at 10:07 PM
In light of the news on my first day of sabbatical: gender is a social construct, trans women are women, no amount of complying with authoritarians who pretend they will only strip some people but not you of rights will keep you safe. And in 2025 university administrators should know all of that.
Reposted by Jeff Watson
For the 1st time since slavery, people born in the US can be denied citizenship. And the states which will deny that citizenship are exactly the states with the worst history of genocide, slavery & apartheid.
June 27, 2025 at 11:12 PM
For the 1st time since slavery, people born in the US can be denied citizenship. And the states which will deny that citizenship are exactly the states with the worst history of genocide, slavery & apartheid.
Reposted by Jeff Watson
If you're a member of the Democratic gerontocracy, the chances of you catching a primary challenger just went up 1000%.
June 25, 2025 at 1:55 AM
If you're a member of the Democratic gerontocracy, the chances of you catching a primary challenger just went up 1000%.
Reposted by Jeff Watson
"Learn to code" was always bad advice, unless you actually like to code. College students have the best chance of professional success if they major in topics that interest them. Today in @startribune.com. Please tell high school students and parents.
www.startribune.com/what-should-...
www.startribune.com/what-should-...
Opinion: College students, go ahead and major in what you love
"The lesson here is simple: Major in what you love, not what you think will get you a job," David M. Perry writes.
www.startribune.com
June 25, 2025 at 2:24 PM
"Learn to code" was always bad advice, unless you actually like to code. College students have the best chance of professional success if they major in topics that interest them. Today in @startribune.com. Please tell high school students and parents.
www.startribune.com/what-should-...
www.startribune.com/what-should-...
Reposted by Jeff Watson
M Gessen, knocking it out of the park. Again. Fuck, they’re brilliant. And breaking my heart. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/19/o...
Opinion | The Supreme Court’s Blindness to Transgender Reality
www.nytimes.com
June 20, 2025 at 1:53 AM
M Gessen, knocking it out of the park. Again. Fuck, they’re brilliant. And breaking my heart. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/19/o...
Reposted by Jeff Watson
BEGGING LIBERALS TO READ THIS
Research from 2022 that every Democrat apologist should chew on:
“We do not find any evidence that accommodative strategies reduce radical right support. If anything, our results suggest that they lead to more voters defecting to the radical right.“
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
“We do not find any evidence that accommodative strategies reduce radical right support. If anything, our results suggest that they lead to more voters defecting to the radical right.“
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Does accommodation work? Mainstream party strategies and the success of radical right parties | Political Science Research and Methods | Cambridge Core
Does accommodation work? Mainstream party strategies and the success of radical right parties - Volume 11 Issue 1
www.cambridge.org
June 11, 2025 at 12:22 PM
BEGGING LIBERALS TO READ THIS
Reposted by Jeff Watson
Some people believe this because demagogues have blamed immigrants for taking their jobs and leeching public benefits when in fact the reason people struggle to get by in the US is capitalism and an utter lack of a social safety net
what people seem to believe is that there is a large number of criminal, layabout immigrants who can be easily found and deported. they support doing so snd are dismayed by the deportation of otherwise law abiding people. the problem is that the criminal group is imaginary!
Wow. New CBS poll finds majority (55%) supports the *general goal* of deportations, but a bigger majority (56%) dislikes how Trump is carrying them out. And 63% want due process.
Again, we need a better discourse around public opinion on immigration, as I've argued:
newrepublic.com/article/1961...
Again, we need a better discourse around public opinion on immigration, as I've argued:
newrepublic.com/article/1961...
June 10, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Some people believe this because demagogues have blamed immigrants for taking their jobs and leeching public benefits when in fact the reason people struggle to get by in the US is capitalism and an utter lack of a social safety net
Reposted by Jeff Watson
We've hit 7K followers, so how about a book bundle giveaway to celebrate?!
Open to US, CAN, UK & IE. Follow, like & repost to enter! Closes 9th June.
Feat: @natania.bsky.social @aptshadow.bsky.social @emmanewman.bsky.social @premeemohamed.com & more!
Inc. an early ARC of THE DOOR ON THE SEA!
Open to US, CAN, UK & IE. Follow, like & repost to enter! Closes 9th June.
Feat: @natania.bsky.social @aptshadow.bsky.social @emmanewman.bsky.social @premeemohamed.com & more!
Inc. an early ARC of THE DOOR ON THE SEA!
June 6, 2025 at 6:03 PM
We've hit 7K followers, so how about a book bundle giveaway to celebrate?!
Open to US, CAN, UK & IE. Follow, like & repost to enter! Closes 9th June.
Feat: @natania.bsky.social @aptshadow.bsky.social @emmanewman.bsky.social @premeemohamed.com & more!
Inc. an early ARC of THE DOOR ON THE SEA!
Open to US, CAN, UK & IE. Follow, like & repost to enter! Closes 9th June.
Feat: @natania.bsky.social @aptshadow.bsky.social @emmanewman.bsky.social @premeemohamed.com & more!
Inc. an early ARC of THE DOOR ON THE SEA!
Reposted by Jeff Watson
THE POTENCY OF UNGOVERNABLE IMPULSES comes out in TWO (2)! WEEKS! 🚄🪐🫖 🔍💞 🎓trains, tea, mysteries, romance, and academia on Jupiter, tons of lovely reviews, two previous books in the series please read them first, PRE-ORDERS = 💖 us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
May 27, 2025 at 1:30 PM
THE POTENCY OF UNGOVERNABLE IMPULSES comes out in TWO (2)! WEEKS! 🚄🪐🫖 🔍💞 🎓trains, tea, mysteries, romance, and academia on Jupiter, tons of lovely reviews, two previous books in the series please read them first, PRE-ORDERS = 💖 us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
Reposted by Jeff Watson
When I was a student: existence of exoplanets was conjecture & I heard jokes that Dan Goldin (then-NASA Admin) wanted NASA to take images of beachfront property on exoplanets. The idea of a *photo* of an exoplanet was *absurd.*
And here we are. No beachfront property yet, but we're making progress.
And here we are. No beachfront property yet, but we're making progress.
These are real images of exoplanets.
Four super-Jupiters, imaged 10 times over 12 years around a star 133 lightyears away.
These are real, giant worlds, out there in the dark.
And we can see them.
Four super-Jupiters, imaged 10 times over 12 years around a star 133 lightyears away.
These are real, giant worlds, out there in the dark.
And we can see them.
May 8, 2025 at 12:09 AM
When I was a student: existence of exoplanets was conjecture & I heard jokes that Dan Goldin (then-NASA Admin) wanted NASA to take images of beachfront property on exoplanets. The idea of a *photo* of an exoplanet was *absurd.*
And here we are. No beachfront property yet, but we're making progress.
And here we are. No beachfront property yet, but we're making progress.
Reposted by Jeff Watson
I will continue the List as long as I am able, and I will do my best to support chemistry faculty job seekers in this small manner. Thanks for reading.
April 14, 2025 at 8:41 PM
I will continue the List as long as I am able, and I will do my best to support chemistry faculty job seekers in this small manner. Thanks for reading.
Reposted by Jeff Watson
One attitude driving MAGA policy is the failure to accept the reality of interdependence. Slapping tariffs, shunning NATO, cutting USAID rely on disbelieving that we're connected across nations. Cutting FEMA, Dept of Ed, etc: we're connected across states. SocSec: we're connected across generations.
April 4, 2025 at 1:54 PM
One attitude driving MAGA policy is the failure to accept the reality of interdependence. Slapping tariffs, shunning NATO, cutting USAID rely on disbelieving that we're connected across nations. Cutting FEMA, Dept of Ed, etc: we're connected across states. SocSec: we're connected across generations.
Reposted by Jeff Watson
Not being allowed to hand water to people in line to vote no matter who they are voting for, while being allowed to hand people million dollar checks to get their vote, is the most American thing ever.
March 31, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Not being allowed to hand water to people in line to vote no matter who they are voting for, while being allowed to hand people million dollar checks to get their vote, is the most American thing ever.
Reposted by Jeff Watson
Folks, exactly 5 years ago today I made this offer, & I'll do it again.
Many graduate students are in danger of losing their one field season for collecting data- in March 2020 because of the pandemic, now because of Musk-Trump BS. This means that many won't be able to finish graduate school. 🧪🧵
Many graduate students are in danger of losing their one field season for collecting data- in March 2020 because of the pandemic, now because of Musk-Trump BS. This means that many won't be able to finish graduate school. 🧪🧵
March 19, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Folks, exactly 5 years ago today I made this offer, & I'll do it again.
Many graduate students are in danger of losing their one field season for collecting data- in March 2020 because of the pandemic, now because of Musk-Trump BS. This means that many won't be able to finish graduate school. 🧪🧵
Many graduate students are in danger of losing their one field season for collecting data- in March 2020 because of the pandemic, now because of Musk-Trump BS. This means that many won't be able to finish graduate school. 🧪🧵
Reposted by Jeff Watson
This whole country wants bad things for others more than they want good things for themselves.
February 27, 2025 at 5:03 PM
This whole country wants bad things for others more than they want good things for themselves.
Reposted by Jeff Watson
This is why they're attacking science and education: if you can only win with disinformation, data become a threat.
February 8, 2025 at 11:49 PM
This is why they're attacking science and education: if you can only win with disinformation, data become a threat.
There’s a brand new SFF bookstore in town, so of course I had to visit. Limited myself to just one book but I think I chose well with @melissacaruso.bsky.social and The Last Hour Between Worlds.
February 8, 2025 at 10:38 PM
There’s a brand new SFF bookstore in town, so of course I had to visit. Limited myself to just one book but I think I chose well with @melissacaruso.bsky.social and The Last Hour Between Worlds.
Reposted by Jeff Watson
The labor movement and antitrust movements were both fundamentally correct: the size and amoral character of modern corporations make them a threat to democracy.
somebody asked me the other week why business leaders are falling over themselves to pledge fealty when it’s so obviously self-defeating and short-sighted, and I think the answer is “people are stupid”
Jfc do not trade the fucking First Amendment for a goddamn merger www.nytimes.com/2025/01/30/b...
January 31, 2025 at 3:43 AM
The labor movement and antitrust movements were both fundamentally correct: the size and amoral character of modern corporations make them a threat to democracy.
Reposted by Jeff Watson
I cannot wrap my head around the fact that there were apparently many people out there whose greatest desire in life, barely containable, was not to provide for their kids or have a good life but to…be able to say out loud they hate Black people and women and gay and trans people and disabled people
January 30, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I cannot wrap my head around the fact that there were apparently many people out there whose greatest desire in life, barely containable, was not to provide for their kids or have a good life but to…be able to say out loud they hate Black people and women and gay and trans people and disabled people
Reposted by Jeff Watson
If you have students who are trans no you don’t. If you have students of color who may be affected by ICE no you don’t. If anyone asks you gender or racial the makeup of your class you don’t have to tell them.
Protect your class and protect your students by not complying in advance. They trust you.
Protect your class and protect your students by not complying in advance. They trust you.
1. Breaking News: Donald Trump has signed an executive order targeting trans youth and teachers in schools who teach for them.
It goes after "social transition" and threatens arrests.
I will go through line by line, as I have the last 3 nights.
Find the EO here:
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
It goes after "social transition" and threatens arrests.
I will go through line by line, as I have the last 3 nights.
Find the EO here:
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling – The White House
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose and
www.whitehouse.gov
January 30, 2025 at 5:34 PM
If you have students who are trans no you don’t. If you have students of color who may be affected by ICE no you don’t. If anyone asks you gender or racial the makeup of your class you don’t have to tell them.
Protect your class and protect your students by not complying in advance. They trust you.
Protect your class and protect your students by not complying in advance. They trust you.
Reposted by Jeff Watson
Nucleic Acids Research has arrived on Bluesky! Follow them for the latest on biology and biochemistry of nucleic acids and proteins with which they interact. Run by scientists for scientists and a pioneer in Open Access. @narjournal.bsky.social
January 30, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Nucleic Acids Research has arrived on Bluesky! Follow them for the latest on biology and biochemistry of nucleic acids and proteins with which they interact. Run by scientists for scientists and a pioneer in Open Access. @narjournal.bsky.social
Reposted by Jeff Watson
why did nobody tell me that reading is actually very calming and relaxing compared to infinitely doomscrolling? there's something to this whole "books" thing. people should read more
love to remember what life was like before the internet because my wifi is out and damn i can just Read. they should advertise books like this
January 29, 2025 at 3:10 AM
why did nobody tell me that reading is actually very calming and relaxing compared to infinitely doomscrolling? there's something to this whole "books" thing. people should read more