Mark E. Griffin
@marvelousmarks.bsky.social
Writer for hire of science, music, food, culture, and kids. Podcaster of those things, too.
Audio producer, writer, storyteller, McSweeney's, Cap Times, Wisconsin Life, etc.
MarvelousMarks.com
Audio producer, writer, storyteller, McSweeney's, Cap Times, Wisconsin Life, etc.
MarvelousMarks.com
Pinned
I Assume All Responsibility If My Child Jams a Bic Pen into Her School-Issued Chromebook
I understand I am responsible if my child renders her Chromebook a paper weight by mercilessly and giddily jamming a Bic pen into the power jack, c...
www.mcsweeneys.net
My newest for @mcsweeneys.net, I detail the ways in which your child should definitely, absolutely, positively not destroy their school issued Chromebook: www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/i-a...
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Northern Lights
Cleveland, ND
Cleveland, ND
November 13, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Northern Lights
Cleveland, ND
Cleveland, ND
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
The wonderful writers @sn-media-guild.bsky.social have been waiting on a fair contract almost long enough to gestate a baby elephant (620 days).
They have neither a contract NOR a baby elephant.
All they want is a contract, to be paid for their amazing expertise.
They have neither a contract NOR a baby elephant.
All they want is a contract, to be paid for their amazing expertise.
🚨 STRIKE ALERT: Journalists at Science News are on strike and holding a 12-hour picket outside of the office!
After 560 days of bargaining, the Science News Media Guild (@sn-media-guild.bsky.social) is demanding and fair contract NOW!
After 560 days of bargaining, the Science News Media Guild (@sn-media-guild.bsky.social) is demanding and fair contract NOW!
November 6, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The wonderful writers @sn-media-guild.bsky.social have been waiting on a fair contract almost long enough to gestate a baby elephant (620 days).
They have neither a contract NOR a baby elephant.
All they want is a contract, to be paid for their amazing expertise.
They have neither a contract NOR a baby elephant.
All they want is a contract, to be paid for their amazing expertise.
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Looking to support our cause? Be sure to sign our petition calling for a fair contract!
actionnetwork.org/petitions/fo...
actionnetwork.org/petitions/fo...
For a Fair Contract at Science News!
Workers at Science News and Science News Explores have been bargaining their first union contract for over a year now. Despite the entire staff's proven ability to work effectively from home, manageme...
actionnetwork.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Looking to support our cause? Be sure to sign our petition calling for a fair contract!
actionnetwork.org/petitions/fo...
actionnetwork.org/petitions/fo...
@sn-media-guild.bsky.social represents Science News and Science News Explores magazine writers and editors. Coming up on the 2 year anniversary of working without a contract, they're asking supporters to sign this petition: #scicomm
Looking to support our cause? Be sure to sign our petition calling for a fair contract!
actionnetwork.org/petitions/fo...
actionnetwork.org/petitions/fo...
For a Fair Contract at Science News!
Workers at Science News and Science News Explores have been bargaining their first union contract for over a year now. Despite the entire staff's proven ability to work effectively from home, manageme...
actionnetwork.org
November 13, 2025 at 9:51 PM
@sn-media-guild.bsky.social represents Science News and Science News Explores magazine writers and editors. Coming up on the 2 year anniversary of working without a contract, they're asking supporters to sign this petition: #scicomm
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
146 awesome blossoms to go, please.
November 13, 2025 at 3:31 AM
146 awesome blossoms to go, please.
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Mavs doing an in game promo for a $1,000 gift card to Chili’s!!! I would love to attempt to spend $1,000 at a Chili’s.
November 13, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Mavs doing an in game promo for a $1,000 gift card to Chili’s!!! I would love to attempt to spend $1,000 at a Chili’s.
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Massive deployment of renewables are reducing emissions in China. Carbon emissions in China have been flat or falling for 18 months now from a peak in early 2024. 🧪🔌💡☀️💨💧🔋 www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chi...
Analysis: China’s CO2 emissions have now been flat or falling for 18 months - Carbon Brief
China’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were unchanged from a year earlier in the third quarter of 2025, extending a flat or falling trend that started in March 2024.
www.carbonbrief.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Massive deployment of renewables are reducing emissions in China. Carbon emissions in China have been flat or falling for 18 months now from a peak in early 2024. 🧪🔌💡☀️💨💧🔋 www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chi...
Bumping this - I've used Otter forever (it's also pretty inexpensive, but the AI and project management add-ons are pretty useless.) What do you all use for transcription? #journalism #interviews
Journalists, what are the best recording/transcription tools/apps you're using?
November 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Bumping this - I've used Otter forever (it's also pretty inexpensive, but the AI and project management add-ons are pretty useless.) What do you all use for transcription? #journalism #interviews
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Still processing all I took in at #SciWri25, but I know one thing: Science writers are crazy inspiring and determined people who will never stop seeking and sharing the facts. So grateful to learn from them, thanks to the huge efforts of @sciencewriters.org and @sciencewriting.bsky.social.
November 10, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Still processing all I took in at #SciWri25, but I know one thing: Science writers are crazy inspiring and determined people who will never stop seeking and sharing the facts. So grateful to learn from them, thanks to the huge efforts of @sciencewriters.org and @sciencewriting.bsky.social.
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
I still think it's neat that I can wake up in snowy Chicago, and be home in autumnal North Carolina at lunch time. Cool.
It was real, #SciWri25! Thanks to all who made the trip.
Just for kicks, have a free coloring book of arthropods.
It's fun. You deserve it.🧪
news.ncsu.edu/2021/01/arth...
It was real, #SciWri25! Thanks to all who made the trip.
Just for kicks, have a free coloring book of arthropods.
It's fun. You deserve it.🧪
news.ncsu.edu/2021/01/arth...
If You Love Insects and Other Arthropods, We Have the Coloring Book for You
Check out the free coloring book with the best name ever: "Arthropods!"
news.ncsu.edu
November 10, 2025 at 6:36 PM
I still think it's neat that I can wake up in snowy Chicago, and be home in autumnal North Carolina at lunch time. Cool.
It was real, #SciWri25! Thanks to all who made the trip.
Just for kicks, have a free coloring book of arthropods.
It's fun. You deserve it.🧪
news.ncsu.edu/2021/01/arth...
It was real, #SciWri25! Thanks to all who made the trip.
Just for kicks, have a free coloring book of arthropods.
It's fun. You deserve it.🧪
news.ncsu.edu/2021/01/arth...
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
New Note from a Hired Pen: I listened to The Wedding Scammer from The Ringer. I wasn't surprised the conman started by stiffing freelancers, nor that he used the same excuse I've heard a dozen times before jenamiller.com/notes-from-a...
Notes from a Hired Pen: Listen to the words of a man who scams freelancers - Jen A. Miller
Readers! Last week, I took a few days off to frolic in the woods of western Pennsylvania. On my drive back, I started listening to The Wedding Scammer, a 2023 podcast from the Ringer. The title is a...
jenamiller.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:58 PM
New Note from a Hired Pen: I listened to The Wedding Scammer from The Ringer. I wasn't surprised the conman started by stiffing freelancers, nor that he used the same excuse I've heard a dozen times before jenamiller.com/notes-from-a...
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
River Front Opry House
Cave-In-Rock, IL
Cave-In-Rock, IL
November 10, 2025 at 2:35 AM
River Front Opry House
Cave-In-Rock, IL
Cave-In-Rock, IL
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Wow. @jjmcdona.bsky.social of @factcheck.org says she doesn’t use the term #misinformation anymore bc it’s been politicized and become a trigger word. “It doesn’t mean anything anymore,” she said at #SciWri25. She now just says things are false or untrue.
November 9, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Wow. @jjmcdona.bsky.social of @factcheck.org says she doesn’t use the term #misinformation anymore bc it’s been politicized and become a trigger word. “It doesn’t mean anything anymore,” she said at #SciWri25. She now just says things are false or untrue.
I am bummed that I missed this one but I wonder what a philosopher might think about the premise that magical thinking is at odds with critical thinking. Can magical thinking can be extinguished by the critical kind... or is that magical thinking? 😁
How do you replace magical thinking with critical thinking? Question for our #SciWri25 plenary speaker but it really is the true challenge of our times. 🧪#ScienceSky
November 9, 2025 at 11:17 PM
I am bummed that I missed this one but I wonder what a philosopher might think about the premise that magical thinking is at odds with critical thinking. Can magical thinking can be extinguished by the critical kind... or is that magical thinking? 😁
It's me (behind the foliage)!!!
Thank you all of you who made @theopennotebook.bsky.social’s 15th birthday party at #SciWri25 so special! That was a night I’ll never forget. ❤️
November 9, 2025 at 11:09 PM
It's me (behind the foliage)!!!
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Next #SciWri25 session is all about those data centers. Will learn if they are good, bad, ugly or all 3.
I would love it if public discourse on data centers could be just a skosh more sophisticated than "data centers good vs. data centers bad."
November 9, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Next #SciWri25 session is all about those data centers. Will learn if they are good, bad, ugly or all 3.
I just donated to @theopennotebook.bsky.social tonight 1) because they threw a kickass birthday party; and 2) they are the good guys. And we need to help the good guys whenever we can. www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
The Open Notebook's 15th Anniversary - The Open Notebook
For 15 years, The Open Notebook has been the trusted home for journalists worldwide who cover science. What started as an experiment to demystify the craft of science writing has grown into a vital, g...
www.theopennotebook.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:29 AM
I just donated to @theopennotebook.bsky.social tonight 1) because they threw a kickass birthday party; and 2) they are the good guys. And we need to help the good guys whenever we can. www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
THE #scicomm resource
We’ve published our Writers’ Guidelines to help any journalist or editor prepare for an assignment, from how to source and fact-check to navigating deadlines. 🧪
The Open Notebook’s Writers’ Guidelines - The Open Notebook
Landing an assignment, especially a feature, is an exciting moment for any early-career journalist. But what happens next in the reporting, writing, and editing phases can sometimes be ambiguous. This...
www.theopennotebook.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:42 AM
THE #scicomm resource
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
As heard about at #SciWri25 “After the Pitch” session where @betsyladyzhets.bsky.social shared that @thesicktimes.org has adapted these guidelines for their writers and editors.
We’ve published our Writers’ Guidelines to help any journalist or editor prepare for an assignment, from how to source and fact-check to navigating deadlines. 🧪
The Open Notebook’s Writers’ Guidelines - The Open Notebook
Landing an assignment, especially a feature, is an exciting moment for any early-career journalist. But what happens next in the reporting, writing, and editing phases can sometimes be ambiguous. This...
www.theopennotebook.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:04 PM
As heard about at #SciWri25 “After the Pitch” session where @betsyladyzhets.bsky.social shared that @thesicktimes.org has adapted these guidelines for their writers and editors.
Great conversation between @ahahaudrey.bsky.social @kellyperil.bsky.social, Andy Fell, and Jeremy Manier about managing difficult issues on campus at #Sciwri25. Having a good relationship with researchers and media (and communicators on campus) is key.
November 8, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Great conversation between @ahahaudrey.bsky.social @kellyperil.bsky.social, Andy Fell, and Jeremy Manier about managing difficult issues on campus at #Sciwri25. Having a good relationship with researchers and media (and communicators on campus) is key.
Nailed it. Wordle puzzle created by jamesian 2/6
🟨⬛🟨⬛⬛⬛⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨⬛🟨⬛⬛⬛⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
November 8, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Nailed it. Wordle puzzle created by jamesian 2/6
🟨⬛🟨⬛⬛⬛⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨⬛🟨⬛⬛⬛⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Nancy’s Natural Healing
Parker, SD
Parker, SD
November 6, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Nancy’s Natural Healing
Parker, SD
Parker, SD
"Now, my fellow wealthy serial molesters and I have no choice but to move our ill-reputed businesses elsewhere while we find other towns full of unsuspecting women to harass." Pitch perfect, @shadesofgreaves.bsky.social!!
"Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer a city where everyday residents have to work three jobs and are under constant threat of eviction. Anything short of an excruciating existence for the working class just doesn’t cut it for me."
If New York City Is No Longer Going to Be an Unaffordable Police State Run by Crooks, I’m Taking My Hard-Earned Sex-Pest Dollars Elsewhere
“New York millionaires are plotting their exit from the city after the election of Zohran Mamdani, the socialist who plans to increase the taxes of...
buff.ly
November 6, 2025 at 8:51 PM
"Now, my fellow wealthy serial molesters and I have no choice but to move our ill-reputed businesses elsewhere while we find other towns full of unsuspecting women to harass." Pitch perfect, @shadesofgreaves.bsky.social!!