Dr. Rich B
@morphometrich.bsky.social
Chicago area Paleontologist 🦖; I dabble with dinosaurs 🦕 and morphometrics. Science Educator. Mostly teach Intro Geology 🪨. Too much baseball ⚾️sometimes. Go Cubs 🐻! Go Ducks 🦆! Go Hoosiers! He/Him. Opinions are my own
Pinned
Dr. Rich B
@morphometrich.bsky.social
· Sep 5
Well, finally made the jump and joined here. I promise 100% more paleontology, 90% less baseball and sports, and 1000% more kitties. Follow at your own risk.
Reposted by Dr. Rich B
"ICE agents suck and should be prosecuted, and ICE should have its funding cut" is now the majority sensible moderate centrist popularist abundance third way blah blah blah position.
Anyone who says otherwise—as many 'data-driven' 'liberal' pundits still do—is really just MAGA without the hat.
Anyone who says otherwise—as many 'data-driven' 'liberal' pundits still do—is really just MAGA without the hat.
This YouGov poll on ICE is really eye-opening. Public opinion has really swung against DHS/ICE and their terror regime.
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/IC...
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/IC...
January 13, 2026 at 1:38 AM
"ICE agents suck and should be prosecuted, and ICE should have its funding cut" is now the majority sensible moderate centrist popularist abundance third way blah blah blah position.
Anyone who says otherwise—as many 'data-driven' 'liberal' pundits still do—is really just MAGA without the hat.
Anyone who says otherwise—as many 'data-driven' 'liberal' pundits still do—is really just MAGA without the hat.
Everyone from Chicago who sees this
January 12, 2026 at 12:58 AM
Everyone from Chicago who sees this
Reposted by Dr. Rich B
This is a HUGE win…and one that happened because we ~collectively~ said “NO!”
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
Congress Is Reversing Trump’s Steep Budget Cuts to Science
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:09 PM
This is a HUGE win…and one that happened because we ~collectively~ said “NO!”
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
Reposted by Dr. Rich B
The reactionary centrist logic is simple: if the left does something bad it’s the left’s fault, and if the right does something bad, it’s also the left’s fault for making them do it. It’s a simple formula and once you see it every one of their arguments is the same
January 10, 2026 at 11:24 PM
The reactionary centrist logic is simple: if the left does something bad it’s the left’s fault, and if the right does something bad, it’s also the left’s fault for making them do it. It’s a simple formula and once you see it every one of their arguments is the same
Whelp... Congrats to #IU on dominant #PeachBowl. You'll have my support in the #NationalChampionship as an alum despite Pam Whitten running the school.
But it also probably means Miami will win because I'm rooting for you. Sorry.
But it also probably means Miami will win because I'm rooting for you. Sorry.
Whelp... the board is set, the pieces are moving. We come to it at last, the great battle of our time.
#GoDucks #IU #PeachBowl #CFP2026
When you're an alum and your schools are playing each other.
#GoDucks #IU #PeachBowl #CFP2026
When you're an alum and your schools are playing each other.
January 10, 2026 at 4:01 AM
Whelp... Congrats to #IU on dominant #PeachBowl. You'll have my support in the #NationalChampionship as an alum despite Pam Whitten running the school.
But it also probably means Miami will win because I'm rooting for you. Sorry.
But it also probably means Miami will win because I'm rooting for you. Sorry.
So by the same transitive property, if Clayton Kershaw offers me one of his Cy Young Awards and I accept it, does that mean I am also a Cy Young Winner MLB-caliber pitcher?
This is sad on so many levels — about something that was intended to celebrate the best in people.
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/w...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/w...
January 10, 2026 at 12:18 AM
So by the same transitive property, if Clayton Kershaw offers me one of his Cy Young Awards and I accept it, does that mean I am also a Cy Young Winner MLB-caliber pitcher?
Hey @underwood.house.gov @robinlynnekelly.bsky.social @rajaforil.bsky.social @ltgovstratton.illinois.gov @durbin.senate.gov @duckworth.senate.gov THIS is something to get behind. Do you all support measures like this?
The tragic death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year old mother fatally shot by ICE, shows that ICE can’t be reformed and must be abolished.
I’ll be introducing the Abolish ICE Act as a step toward justice, accountability, and humanity in our immigration policy.
Time to melt ICE.
I’ll be introducing the Abolish ICE Act as a step toward justice, accountability, and humanity in our immigration policy.
Time to melt ICE.
January 9, 2026 at 11:57 PM
Hey @underwood.house.gov @robinlynnekelly.bsky.social @rajaforil.bsky.social @ltgovstratton.illinois.gov @durbin.senate.gov @duckworth.senate.gov THIS is something to get behind. Do you all support measures like this?
Reposted by Dr. Rich B
ICE is claiming the shooting was because the observer tried to hit them with their car and was so justified. Every experience in Chicago suggests that is bullshit. They lied and body cams and other cameras demonstrated ICE lied consistently in situations like this.
January 7, 2026 at 5:44 PM
ICE is claiming the shooting was because the observer tried to hit them with their car and was so justified. Every experience in Chicago suggests that is bullshit. They lied and body cams and other cameras demonstrated ICE lied consistently in situations like this.
Angry rant 🧵time!
Folks who know me, know I like cheesey entertainment. One of my guilty pleasures is #cryptozoology TV. Yes it’s trash and BS, but as a scientist, sometimes it’s fun to turn your brain off and enjoy a guilty pleasure, or as I often refer to them: Jerry Springer for Zoologists… (1)
Folks who know me, know I like cheesey entertainment. One of my guilty pleasures is #cryptozoology TV. Yes it’s trash and BS, but as a scientist, sometimes it’s fun to turn your brain off and enjoy a guilty pleasure, or as I often refer to them: Jerry Springer for Zoologists… (1)
a forest filled with trees and pine needles
Alt: a forest filled with trees and pine needles with Bigfoot dancing
media.tenor.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:55 AM
Angry rant 🧵time!
Folks who know me, know I like cheesey entertainment. One of my guilty pleasures is #cryptozoology TV. Yes it’s trash and BS, but as a scientist, sometimes it’s fun to turn your brain off and enjoy a guilty pleasure, or as I often refer to them: Jerry Springer for Zoologists… (1)
Folks who know me, know I like cheesey entertainment. One of my guilty pleasures is #cryptozoology TV. Yes it’s trash and BS, but as a scientist, sometimes it’s fun to turn your brain off and enjoy a guilty pleasure, or as I often refer to them: Jerry Springer for Zoologists… (1)
Reposted by Dr. Rich B
2026 palaeontology bingo, inspired by @skyemcdavid.com's pterosaurology one
January 2, 2026 at 1:10 PM
2026 palaeontology bingo, inspired by @skyemcdavid.com's pterosaurology one
Reposted by Dr. Rich B
It's illegal for the president to relieve student loan debt. It's completely fine for the president to unilaterally decide to have the head of a foreign nation black bagged on foreign soil.
January 3, 2026 at 2:36 PM
It's illegal for the president to relieve student loan debt. It's completely fine for the president to unilaterally decide to have the head of a foreign nation black bagged on foreign soil.
WTAF are we doing? No war in my name. Remove from office NOW everyone involved and seize assets to repay damages. Don’t wait, don’t investigate. REMOVE!! @underwood.house.gov @duckworth.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov
BREAKING: Hearing reports of explosions in Caracas, Venezuela. Source with family on the ground says people advising each other to shelter in place.
January 3, 2026 at 7:47 AM
WTAF are we doing? No war in my name. Remove from office NOW everyone involved and seize assets to repay damages. Don’t wait, don’t investigate. REMOVE!! @underwood.house.gov @duckworth.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov
Reposted by Dr. Rich B
ah yes, the best way to explain and understand the world is by ignoring experts and practitioners and turning our attention to the “average American,” whatever that means
This isn't about democratizing the news. It's about elevating "vibes" and "feelings" to be on par with lived experience and subject-matter expertise.
January 3, 2026 at 12:02 AM
ah yes, the best way to explain and understand the world is by ignoring experts and practitioners and turning our attention to the “average American,” whatever that means
Whelp... the board is set, the pieces are moving. We come to it at last, the great battle of our time.
#GoDucks #IU #PeachBowl #CFP2026
When you're an alum and your schools are playing each other.
#GoDucks #IU #PeachBowl #CFP2026
When you're an alum and your schools are playing each other.
January 2, 2026 at 3:09 AM
Whelp... the board is set, the pieces are moving. We come to it at last, the great battle of our time.
#GoDucks #IU #PeachBowl #CFP2026
When you're an alum and your schools are playing each other.
#GoDucks #IU #PeachBowl #CFP2026
When you're an alum and your schools are playing each other.
#GoDucks Defense in the #OrangeBowl after all the flak they took after JMU…
a man says it became personal with me in a close up
Alt: a man says it became personal with me in a close up
media.tenor.com
January 1, 2026 at 8:12 PM
#GoDucks Defense in the #OrangeBowl after all the flak they took after JMU…
Reposted by Dr. Rich B
Australian researchers have made a trial COVID vaccine that stops COVID infection and transmission, rather than just reduce the damage done by an infection:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1654126/full
This could be life-changing for many - including me.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1654126/full
This could be life-changing for many - including me.
December 23, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Australian researchers have made a trial COVID vaccine that stops COVID infection and transmission, rather than just reduce the damage done by an infection:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1654126/full
This could be life-changing for many - including me.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1654126/full
This could be life-changing for many - including me.
This scares me because now various conservative and fossil fuel oligarchs can now “accept climate change” but will claim that since we can’t undo it, it’s not worth it to fix and we should focus on resilience and expanding access to those impacted.
Efforts to lower the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere may come too late to prevent long-term changes to the Arctic
Some Arctic warming ‘irreversible’ even if we cut atmospheric CO2
Efforts to lower the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere may come too late to prevent long-term changes to the Arctic
www.newscientist.com
December 28, 2025 at 8:42 PM
This scares me because now various conservative and fossil fuel oligarchs can now “accept climate change” but will claim that since we can’t undo it, it’s not worth it to fix and we should focus on resilience and expanding access to those impacted.
Reposted by Dr. Rich B
When the 1918 flu hit, scientists scrambled to develop a vaccine. They failed—because no one could figure out what caused it! They didn’t know it was a virus!
Kennedy is ramping up his attacks on vaccines. Conspiracy theories are central to that agenda of undermining faith in public health, medicine, and experts.
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
RFK Jr. Claims 'Vaccine Research' Likely Responsible for HIV and the Spanish Flu
Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed vaccine research was responsible for diseases like HIV, RSV, Lyme disease, and the Spanish flu.
www.rollingstone.com
December 28, 2025 at 8:27 PM
When the 1918 flu hit, scientists scrambled to develop a vaccine. They failed—because no one could figure out what caused it! They didn’t know it was a virus!
Reposted by Dr. Rich B
If this is true, it is the most impeachable offense ever.
December 27, 2025 at 6:29 PM
If this is true, it is the most impeachable offense ever.
Reposted by Dr. Rich B
A government that can officially declare that Jesus is your savior can just as easily declare the opposite.
Here’s the U.S. government being officially religious in a country with no official religion.
December 25, 2025 at 7:09 PM
A government that can officially declare that Jesus is your savior can just as easily declare the opposite.
(1) the student did not cite anything. When I write a paper, I don’t say “JVP said…” I give the actual author, year, volume, etc.
(2) this was a hit orchestrated by someone with an agenda.
(3) another faculty member agreed with the grade; but grad students are expendable.
(2) this was a hit orchestrated by someone with an agenda.
(3) another faculty member agreed with the grade; but grad students are expendable.
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.” https://cnn.it/4b6g3rd
Oklahoma instructor removed from teaching for failing a Bible-based gender essay | CNN
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.”
cnn.it
December 24, 2025 at 7:59 PM
(1) the student did not cite anything. When I write a paper, I don’t say “JVP said…” I give the actual author, year, volume, etc.
(2) this was a hit orchestrated by someone with an agenda.
(3) another faculty member agreed with the grade; but grad students are expendable.
(2) this was a hit orchestrated by someone with an agenda.
(3) another faculty member agreed with the grade; but grad students are expendable.
Reposted by Dr. Rich B
"USPS posted a *$9 billion* loss in 2025."
did the US Navy post a profit last year?
did the US Navy post a profit last year?
🚨SCOOP: Amazon is preparing to sever ties with USPS and expand its shipping network as a true coast-to-coast rival.
It could cost USPS more than *$6 billion* a year in lost revenue, and lead Amazon to dominate yet another facet of the economy.
USPS posted a *$9 billion* loss in 2025.
It could cost USPS more than *$6 billion* a year in lost revenue, and lead Amazon to dominate yet another facet of the economy.
USPS posted a *$9 billion* loss in 2025.
Amazon explores cutting ties with USPS, building its own delivery network
Amazon looks into expanding its nationwide delivery network and giving up its longstanding partnership with the U.S. Postal Service.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:02 PM
"USPS posted a *$9 billion* loss in 2025."
did the US Navy post a profit last year?
did the US Navy post a profit last year?
Let this part sink in: he didn’t get the job because he refused to turn in a complete application but blames it on not that.
JFC I don’t know what levels of entitlement and dissonance you need to be like this. My head hurts.
JFC I don’t know what levels of entitlement and dissonance you need to be like this. My head hurts.
Another incredible case of white racial grievance about the academic job market.
He reveals at the end that he wouldn’t provide the necessary application materials!
He reveals at the end that he wouldn’t provide the necessary application materials!
December 23, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Let this part sink in: he didn’t get the job because he refused to turn in a complete application but blames it on not that.
JFC I don’t know what levels of entitlement and dissonance you need to be like this. My head hurts.
JFC I don’t know what levels of entitlement and dissonance you need to be like this. My head hurts.
Reposted by Dr. Rich B
I’m sorry, but it is disgraceful to be an academic who uses this technology to conduct research. It should be prohibited in all of our scholarly institutions, including universities and journals.
December 20, 2025 at 12:35 PM
I’m sorry, but it is disgraceful to be an academic who uses this technology to conduct research. It should be prohibited in all of our scholarly institutions, including universities and journals.