Sarah Hörst
@planetdr.bsky.social
Professor of planetary science at Johns Hopkins. Titan’s biggest fan. Pomeranian wrangler. Runner. Love many, trust few, always paddle your own canoe. She/her. sarahhorst.com
Planetdr.26 on signal
Planetdr.26 on signal
As a general rule I try not to post about emails I receive from students but one that I got this morning really has me scratching my head.
So a question for professors- are any of y’all teaching 3 credit 400 level classes (senior undergrad/grad students) that do not have assignments?
So a question for professors- are any of y’all teaching 3 credit 400 level classes (senior undergrad/grad students) that do not have assignments?
December 31, 2025 at 3:31 PM
As a general rule I try not to post about emails I receive from students but one that I got this morning really has me scratching my head.
So a question for professors- are any of y’all teaching 3 credit 400 level classes (senior undergrad/grad students) that do not have assignments?
So a question for professors- are any of y’all teaching 3 credit 400 level classes (senior undergrad/grad students) that do not have assignments?
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
Flu numbers are high in most states and almost all cases are variants of H3N2 and the vaccine includes H3N2
Get your flu vax if you haven’t already! Even if you still get the flu, the symptoms will be easier to manage if you get vaccinated!
Get your flu vax if you haven’t already! Even if you still get the flu, the symptoms will be easier to manage if you get vaccinated!
December 31, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Flu numbers are high in most states and almost all cases are variants of H3N2 and the vaccine includes H3N2
Get your flu vax if you haven’t already! Even if you still get the flu, the symptoms will be easier to manage if you get vaccinated!
Get your flu vax if you haven’t already! Even if you still get the flu, the symptoms will be easier to manage if you get vaccinated!
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
SUPPORT SCIENCE JOURNALISM TODAY ⬇️ @theopennotebook.bsky.social
Two BIG updates on @theopennotebook.bsky.social:
1. We had a $7,500 match fund and YOU MET THE MATCH!!!
2. Inspired by you, the board is stepping up, and pledging an additional $800 match for any donations TON gets today on 12/31.
Give today: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
1. We had a $7,500 match fund and YOU MET THE MATCH!!!
2. Inspired by you, the board is stepping up, and pledging an additional $800 match for any donations TON gets today on 12/31.
Give today: www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
December 31, 2025 at 2:05 PM
SUPPORT SCIENCE JOURNALISM TODAY ⬇️ @theopennotebook.bsky.social
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
If you have an online store or prioritize buying from small businesses over Amazon, read this thread.
If you see items in a black box like this on the Amazon app (presumably similar on desktop), do NOT use Amazon to purchase. Go to the artist's site directly to see what they actually have, buy more easily, and not support this garbage concept that big corps can scrape whatever they want.
December 31, 2025 at 12:47 PM
If you have an online store or prioritize buying from small businesses over Amazon, read this thread.
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
“We’ve re-invented the oracle, except THIS time, you can buy ad space in her esoteric prophecies.”
what are we doing here guys
what are we doing here guys
“This could look like a user asking how much ibuprofen to take for a headache receiving a promoted ad for Advil in the chatbot’s response. Meanwhile, actual results on correct dosage may be brushed to the side, or buried under a mountain of ad text…”
OpenAI Reportedly Planning to Make ChatGPT "Prioritize" Advertisers in Conversation
OpenAI employees working on ChatGPT report plans to unleash sponsored advertisements above organic results.
futurism.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:38 AM
“We’ve re-invented the oracle, except THIS time, you can buy ad space in her esoteric prophecies.”
what are we doing here guys
what are we doing here guys
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
🚨 BOOK SALE 🚨
For the next few days you can preorder my book THE EDGE OF SPACE-TIME (or buy other books!!) for 10% off while supporting a queer, Black and Asian owned indie bookstore.
🚨🚨 #BookSky
Direct link my book:
loyaltybookstores.com/book/9780593...
For the next few days you can preorder my book THE EDGE OF SPACE-TIME (or buy other books!!) for 10% off while supporting a queer, Black and Asian owned indie bookstore.
🚨🚨 #BookSky
Direct link my book:
loyaltybookstores.com/book/9780593...
December 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
🚨 BOOK SALE 🚨
For the next few days you can preorder my book THE EDGE OF SPACE-TIME (or buy other books!!) for 10% off while supporting a queer, Black and Asian owned indie bookstore.
🚨🚨 #BookSky
Direct link my book:
loyaltybookstores.com/book/9780593...
For the next few days you can preorder my book THE EDGE OF SPACE-TIME (or buy other books!!) for 10% off while supporting a queer, Black and Asian owned indie bookstore.
🚨🚨 #BookSky
Direct link my book:
loyaltybookstores.com/book/9780593...
December twentyleventieth:
Started the day with coquito in my coffee and peanut butter blossoms for breakfast.
Outside the winds rage and the snow continues to fall.
Started the day with coquito in my coffee and peanut butter blossoms for breakfast.
Outside the winds rage and the snow continues to fall.
December 30, 2025 at 2:17 PM
December twentyleventieth:
Started the day with coquito in my coffee and peanut butter blossoms for breakfast.
Outside the winds rage and the snow continues to fall.
Started the day with coquito in my coffee and peanut butter blossoms for breakfast.
Outside the winds rage and the snow continues to fall.
I still mask. I’ve been sick one time in the last 6 years.
One. Time.
I think about all the time I lost sick and miserable when I could’ve been actually enjoying life. It’s a no fucking brainer to me.
One. Time.
I think about all the time I lost sick and miserable when I could’ve been actually enjoying life. It’s a no fucking brainer to me.
It’s wild we’re still talking about masks. I still mask up in grocery stores, elevators, public bathrooms, and public transit cuz I don’t like being sick and I don’t want to get my kid sick and it doesn’t have to be more complicated than not liking being sick. It’s weird anyone would question that.
December 29, 2025 at 5:46 PM
I still mask. I’ve been sick one time in the last 6 years.
One. Time.
I think about all the time I lost sick and miserable when I could’ve been actually enjoying life. It’s a no fucking brainer to me.
One. Time.
I think about all the time I lost sick and miserable when I could’ve been actually enjoying life. It’s a no fucking brainer to me.
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
Next up: Black Plague was a lab leak, dinosaur extinction was a lab leak, Big Bang was a lab leak.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated that the 1918 flu pandemic was caused by a lab virus from vaccine research, a defective influenza vaccine. Let’s analyze what a lie this is. First, in 1918, 107 years ago, virology was in its infancy
December 28, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Next up: Black Plague was a lab leak, dinosaur extinction was a lab leak, Big Bang was a lab leak.
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
All of the money that changed hands in the Teapot Dome scandal totaled less than $10 million after adjusting for inflation, and it was considered so corrupt we still teach it in high school government classes a century later.
Corruption so pungent, it wafts right off the page:
Lobbyists who do pardon deals “say their going rate is $1 million. Pardon-seekers have offered some lobbyists close to the president success fees of as much as $6 million if they can close the deal.”
Gift link www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Lobbyists who do pardon deals “say their going rate is $1 million. Pardon-seekers have offered some lobbyists close to the president success fees of as much as $6 million if they can close the deal.”
Gift link www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Inside the New Fast Track to a Presidential Pardon
Even some of the president’s closest advisers have been surprised by a number of the recent series of pardons.
www.wsj.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:24 PM
All of the money that changed hands in the Teapot Dome scandal totaled less than $10 million after adjusting for inflation, and it was considered so corrupt we still teach it in high school government classes a century later.
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
My etsy shop is having an end of year clearance sale if anyone is interested. Now till new years. Surly.etsy.com
December 25, 2025 at 10:38 PM
My etsy shop is having an end of year clearance sale if anyone is interested. Now till new years. Surly.etsy.com
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
It is EXHAUSTING not only being made responsible for coming up with new kinds of assignments for our students; it's also tedious reading op-eds that suggest the core problem is a crisis in teaching. But, as Chris and I lay out here, this isn't a crisis in teaching; it's an attack on learning.
"We envision a resistance that is...a repudiation of the efficiencies that automated algorithmic education falsely promises: a resistance comprising the collective force of small acts of friction."
"How to Resist AI in Education" by me & @cnygren.bsky.social
www.publicbooks.org/four-frictio...
"How to Resist AI in Education" by me & @cnygren.bsky.social
www.publicbooks.org/four-frictio...
Four Frictions: or, How to Resist AI in Education - Public Books
We are calling for resistance to the AI industry’s ongoing capture of higher education.
www.publicbooks.org
December 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
It is EXHAUSTING not only being made responsible for coming up with new kinds of assignments for our students; it's also tedious reading op-eds that suggest the core problem is a crisis in teaching. But, as Chris and I lay out here, this isn't a crisis in teaching; it's an attack on learning.
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
Public discourse on this subject has utterly failed to direct citizens' attention to the actual problem, which is that a commercial industry is assaulting education. So every week we get another thoughtless op-ed on blue books or the death of the college essay, etc etc.
December 24, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Public discourse on this subject has utterly failed to direct citizens' attention to the actual problem, which is that a commercial industry is assaulting education. So every week we get another thoughtless op-ed on blue books or the death of the college essay, etc etc.
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
We--educators & anyone to whom educators talk (it's Xmas, tell your families!)--need to convey that the framing that a new revolution in education is at hand, & we need to come up with new & inventive ways to police our students' honesty AND still carry out the educational mission is STUPID FRAMING.
December 24, 2025 at 7:44 PM
We--educators & anyone to whom educators talk (it's Xmas, tell your families!)--need to convey that the framing that a new revolution in education is at hand, & we need to come up with new & inventive ways to police our students' honesty AND still carry out the educational mission is STUPID FRAMING.
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
If someone says to you, "what are you doing about students' use of AI?" ask them, "do you think that this should be my problem? How good do you think my response can be? Should it not be up to legislators & administrators to defend against a commercial industry's attack on your child's education?"
December 24, 2025 at 7:47 PM
If someone says to you, "what are you doing about students' use of AI?" ask them, "do you think that this should be my problem? How good do you think my response can be? Should it not be up to legislators & administrators to defend against a commercial industry's attack on your child's education?"
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
No one says to legit business owners, "hey I see there's an underground market selling toxic knock-offs of your product: how will you incorporate the toxic product AND protect your customers against its harms?" But apparently it's fine to make this suggestion to educators with respect to AI.
December 24, 2025 at 7:56 PM
No one says to legit business owners, "hey I see there's an underground market selling toxic knock-offs of your product: how will you incorporate the toxic product AND protect your customers against its harms?" But apparently it's fine to make this suggestion to educators with respect to AI.
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
We have 526 scientists signed up for spring semester. We try to get that to about 1000 scientists before unleashing the teachers on the database. Wanna connect a class of kids with science this spring? Sign up!
Alright scientists! It's that time again!
Time to sign up for Skype a Scientist's spring semester.
Want to get matched with a classroom in 2026?
Sign up now 🥰
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Time to sign up for Skype a Scientist's spring semester.
Want to get matched with a classroom in 2026?
Sign up now 🥰
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
December 20, 2025 at 3:20 PM
We have 526 scientists signed up for spring semester. We try to get that to about 1000 scientists before unleashing the teachers on the database. Wanna connect a class of kids with science this spring? Sign up!
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
DOGE was A LOT less likely to cancel contracts from companies that donated money to Republicans than companies that donated to Democrats.
December 25, 2025 at 10:47 PM
DOGE was A LOT less likely to cancel contracts from companies that donated money to Republicans than companies that donated to Democrats.
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
"He has always been an indoor, solo cat, so we do not know how he is with other cats, dogs, or small children. We have all of his gear and toys to go along with him."
Anyone w/in 2-3 hour drive of B'More works. Spread the word? Merry christmas to all who celebrate. (2/2)
Anyone w/in 2-3 hour drive of B'More works. Spread the word? Merry christmas to all who celebrate. (2/2)
December 25, 2025 at 2:07 PM
"He has always been an indoor, solo cat, so we do not know how he is with other cats, dogs, or small children. We have all of his gear and toys to go along with him."
Anyone w/in 2-3 hour drive of B'More works. Spread the word? Merry christmas to all who celebrate. (2/2)
Anyone w/in 2-3 hour drive of B'More works. Spread the word? Merry christmas to all who celebrate. (2/2)
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
Looking for a Christmas miracle for a kitty (aging parent situation) for Baltimore pals: (1/2)
""My mom can no longer keep Angelo (alas!!!) and we are looking to rehome him. Angelo is a total sweetheart. He is 6 years old, gentle, playful, friendly, and a lovebug."
""My mom can no longer keep Angelo (alas!!!) and we are looking to rehome him. Angelo is a total sweetheart. He is 6 years old, gentle, playful, friendly, and a lovebug."
December 25, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Looking for a Christmas miracle for a kitty (aging parent situation) for Baltimore pals: (1/2)
""My mom can no longer keep Angelo (alas!!!) and we are looking to rehome him. Angelo is a total sweetheart. He is 6 years old, gentle, playful, friendly, and a lovebug."
""My mom can no longer keep Angelo (alas!!!) and we are looking to rehome him. Angelo is a total sweetheart. He is 6 years old, gentle, playful, friendly, and a lovebug."
THERE WERE POST IT NOTES IN MY STOCKING MAYBE SANTA IS REAL
December 25, 2025 at 12:46 PM
THERE WERE POST IT NOTES IN MY STOCKING MAYBE SANTA IS REAL
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
If you still for some reason post your art on Twitter - they added "edit" button to every image, which opens AI prompt letting anybody to modify it and post as their own.
December 24, 2025 at 11:44 PM
If you still for some reason post your art on Twitter - they added "edit" button to every image, which opens AI prompt letting anybody to modify it and post as their own.
Definitely bought some powerball tickets.
If I win the lottery I won’t tell anyone but there will be signs…
“Sarah sure hasn’t submitted a grant proposal recently”
If I win the lottery I won’t tell anyone but there will be signs…
“Sarah sure hasn’t submitted a grant proposal recently”
December 24, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Definitely bought some powerball tickets.
If I win the lottery I won’t tell anyone but there will be signs…
“Sarah sure hasn’t submitted a grant proposal recently”
If I win the lottery I won’t tell anyone but there will be signs…
“Sarah sure hasn’t submitted a grant proposal recently”
Reposted by Sarah Hörst
“Tried to run me over” is an extremely common cop lie after they shoot someone. And “cop lie” is the ONLY version of the story you’re going to hear right after they shoot someone. There is literally not one reason to believe this or any cop story.
ICE shooting in Glen Burnie leaves 2 people hospitalized, officials say
ICE shooting in Glen Burnie leaves 2 people hospitalized, officials say
Two people were taken to the hospital Wednesday after a federal immigration agent shot someone in Glen Burnie, Anne Arundel County officials said.
buff.ly
December 24, 2025 at 8:38 PM
“Tried to run me over” is an extremely common cop lie after they shoot someone. And “cop lie” is the ONLY version of the story you’re going to hear right after they shoot someone. There is literally not one reason to believe this or any cop story.
One of my favorite things about iOS 26 is that I started my day with a fully charged battery and it is now at 42% at 11 AM
December 24, 2025 at 4:16 PM
One of my favorite things about iOS 26 is that I started my day with a fully charged battery and it is now at 42% at 11 AM