David Quammen
@quammen.bsky.social
Author and journalist. The Song of the Dodo, Spillover, The Reluctant Mr. Darwin, The Tangled Tree, Breathless, and other books. Most recently, The Heartbeat of the Wild. Bunch of magazine work since 1981.
So, I heard about the world leader who got stuck on a sabotaged escalator at the UN. He was trapped for two hours, waiting for rescuers. Then his wife pointed out that a stuck escalator is still a stairway, and she walked away.
September 24, 2025 at 7:16 AM
So, I heard about the world leader who got stuck on a sabotaged escalator at the UN. He was trapped for two hours, waiting for rescuers. Then his wife pointed out that a stuck escalator is still a stairway, and she walked away.
Chainsaw babe sighted at Tre Cime. @betsygainesquammen.bsky.social
September 19, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Chainsaw babe sighted at Tre Cime. @betsygainesquammen.bsky.social
Chainsaw Babe, sighted in Cortina d'Ampezzo
September 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Chainsaw Babe, sighted in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Reposted by David Quammen
We do not talk enough about how much vaccines have transformed Ebola outbreaks. The country stock pile of 2000 vaccines was immediately deployed to respond to the outbreak in the DRC and 45,000 additional doses have been approved for shipment to the DRC.
www.afro.who.int/countries/de...
www.afro.who.int/countries/de...
Ebola vaccination begins in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Vaccination of frontline health workers and contacts of people infected with Ebola virus disease has begun in Bulape health zone in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kasai Province where an outbr...
www.afro.who.int
September 15, 2025 at 5:47 PM
We do not talk enough about how much vaccines have transformed Ebola outbreaks. The country stock pile of 2000 vaccines was immediately deployed to respond to the outbreak in the DRC and 45,000 additional doses have been approved for shipment to the DRC.
www.afro.who.int/countries/de...
www.afro.who.int/countries/de...
These two hombres lay claim to Dave's chair when he's on the road. Partners in crime. @betsygainesquammen.bsky.social
September 17, 2025 at 8:48 PM
These two hombres lay claim to Dave's chair when he's on the road. Partners in crime. @betsygainesquammen.bsky.social
Reposted by David Quammen
Everyone parrots the line, “They’ll just replace Trump with another figurehead.”
Bullsh*t.
Later today in my latest JHN Newsletter I’ll break down why Trump is the one irreplaceable piece of this machine.
When he’s gone...the whole thing starts to crack.
Bullsh*t.
Later today in my latest JHN Newsletter I’ll break down why Trump is the one irreplaceable piece of this machine.
When he’s gone...the whole thing starts to crack.
August 31, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Everyone parrots the line, “They’ll just replace Trump with another figurehead.”
Bullsh*t.
Later today in my latest JHN Newsletter I’ll break down why Trump is the one irreplaceable piece of this machine.
When he’s gone...the whole thing starts to crack.
Bullsh*t.
Later today in my latest JHN Newsletter I’ll break down why Trump is the one irreplaceable piece of this machine.
When he’s gone...the whole thing starts to crack.
One of the things that amazes me about the English Civil War (roughly 1642-1651), as I'm reading of it in David Hume's great history, vol. 5, is that this was essentially a ferocious, murderous, ruthless religious war—fought between Episcopalians and Presbyterians.
August 31, 2025 at 4:35 PM
One of the things that amazes me about the English Civil War (roughly 1642-1651), as I'm reading of it in David Hume's great history, vol. 5, is that this was essentially a ferocious, murderous, ruthless religious war—fought between Episcopalians and Presbyterians.
I had a fine time talking with Jacob Watson-Howland for his podcast. We went deep into the weeds of zoonotics and much else.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0wW...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0wW...
Disease Expert: I Predicted COVID in 2010! Contagious Cancer & The Next Global Pandemic
YouTube video by Jacob J. Watson-Howland
www.youtube.com
August 6, 2025 at 3:25 AM
I had a fine time talking with Jacob Watson-Howland for his podcast. We went deep into the weeds of zoonotics and much else.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0wW...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0wW...
Good job, Jaju. Let's all not serve pierogi to Dershowitz.
August 1, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Good job, Jaju. Let's all not serve pierogi to Dershowitz.
Reposted by David Quammen
Please pay attention.👇
We cannot afford to leave our democracy in the hands of a process that requires this DOJ to act in good faith. We must act now to harden our election systems. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/what...
We cannot afford to leave our democracy in the hands of a process that requires this DOJ to act in good faith. We must act now to harden our election systems. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/what...
What the DOJ Is Doing Behind the Scenes
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
July 31, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Please pay attention.👇
We cannot afford to leave our democracy in the hands of a process that requires this DOJ to act in good faith. We must act now to harden our election systems. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/what...
We cannot afford to leave our democracy in the hands of a process that requires this DOJ to act in good faith. We must act now to harden our election systems. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/what...
I love this. Who doesn't love walking-stick insects.
I've seen a huge one in New Guinea scare the bejeezus out of a local lady, on whose shoulder it alit. But, god bless and comfort her, it was harmless.
I've seen a huge one in New Guinea scare the bejeezus out of a local lady, on whose shoulder it alit. But, god bless and comfort her, it was harmless.
Scientists discover new species of stick insect
May be the heaviest insect living Down Under
www.reuters.com/business/env...
May be the heaviest insect living Down Under
www.reuters.com/business/env...
New giant stick insect species is Australia's heaviest, scientists say
In a remote rainforest in Australia, home to deadly snakes, spiders and creepy-crawlies, scientists have discovered a new species of stick insect they believe is the heaviest ever found in the country.
www.reuters.com
August 1, 2025 at 3:20 AM
I love this. Who doesn't love walking-stick insects.
I've seen a huge one in New Guinea scare the bejeezus out of a local lady, on whose shoulder it alit. But, god bless and comfort her, it was harmless.
I've seen a huge one in New Guinea scare the bejeezus out of a local lady, on whose shoulder it alit. But, god bless and comfort her, it was harmless.
Reposted by David Quammen
Our research has been engulfed by an endless torrent of lab leak conspiracy theories about the origin of the pandemic - even as the evidence for zoonosis has only grown stronger.
This fuels anti-science agendas and erodes public trust.
Now, we respond 👇
theconversation.com/how-conspira...
This fuels anti-science agendas and erodes public trust.
Now, we respond 👇
theconversation.com/how-conspira...
How conspiracy theories about COVID’s origins are hampering our ability to prevent the next pandemic
The COVID pandemic likely began when the virus jumped from animals to humans, and didn’t start in a lab. But false narratives continue to circulate.
theconversation.com
July 30, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Our research has been engulfed by an endless torrent of lab leak conspiracy theories about the origin of the pandemic - even as the evidence for zoonosis has only grown stronger.
This fuels anti-science agendas and erodes public trust.
Now, we respond 👇
theconversation.com/how-conspira...
This fuels anti-science agendas and erodes public trust.
Now, we respond 👇
theconversation.com/how-conspira...
Reposted by David Quammen
Her name was Diana. She was 23 years old and 7 months pregnant.
Russia murdered her today in an attack on the maternity hospital in Kamyanske.
Russia murdered her today in an attack on the maternity hospital in Kamyanske.
July 29, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Her name was Diana. She was 23 years old and 7 months pregnant.
Russia murdered her today in an attack on the maternity hospital in Kamyanske.
Russia murdered her today in an attack on the maternity hospital in Kamyanske.
Reposted by David Quammen
Some generations were asked to storm beaches. Ours is being asked to stay engaged. That’s not too much to ask.
I wrote this piece not just as a veteran or former congressman but as a dad. We are not the generation that lets this flame die. Not on my watch
adamkinzinger.substack.com/p/we-are-not...
I wrote this piece not just as a veteran or former congressman but as a dad. We are not the generation that lets this flame die. Not on my watch
adamkinzinger.substack.com/p/we-are-not...
We Are Not the Generation That Lets This Die
After 250 years of sacrifice, we won’t let apathy be our legacy.
adamkinzinger.substack.com
July 29, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Some generations were asked to storm beaches. Ours is being asked to stay engaged. That’s not too much to ask.
I wrote this piece not just as a veteran or former congressman but as a dad. We are not the generation that lets this flame die. Not on my watch
adamkinzinger.substack.com/p/we-are-not...
I wrote this piece not just as a veteran or former congressman but as a dad. We are not the generation that lets this flame die. Not on my watch
adamkinzinger.substack.com/p/we-are-not...
Reposted by David Quammen
When ICE agents questioned a group of 11- to 14-year-olds who’d just finished batting practice, their coach, Youman Wilder, stepped in. “I’m willing to die to make sure these kids can get home,” he recounted afterward.
ICE Agents Invade a Manhattan Little League Field
Youman Wilder has coached local kids for twenty-one years—including four who have gone pro. When masked agents tried to interrogate his players, he told them, “You don’t have more rights than they do....
www.newyorker.com
July 28, 2025 at 9:10 PM
When ICE agents questioned a group of 11- to 14-year-olds who’d just finished batting practice, their coach, Youman Wilder, stepped in. “I’m willing to die to make sure these kids can get home,” he recounted afterward.
Reposted by David Quammen
A Korean-born researcher and longtime U.S. legal permanent resident has spent the past week detained by immigration officials at the San Francisco International Airport without explanation and has been denied access to an attorney, according to his lawyer.
Scientist on green card detained for a week without explanation, lawyer says
A Korean citizen studying in Texas on a green card was detained in San Francisco after a trip overseas. His lawyer says authorities won’t give a reason.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 29, 2025 at 1:29 PM
A Korean-born researcher and longtime U.S. legal permanent resident has spent the past week detained by immigration officials at the San Francisco International Airport without explanation and has been denied access to an attorney, according to his lawyer.
As things get weirder, I keep expecting Trump's body to split open suddenly, like a character in "Men in Black," to reveal that there's nothing inside the skin but a tower of nibbling maggots. I say this with all due respect.
July 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
As things get weirder, I keep expecting Trump's body to split open suddenly, like a character in "Men in Black," to reveal that there's nothing inside the skin but a tower of nibbling maggots. I say this with all due respect.
3/2 He gets some well-deserved outside time after the cleaning of his tank, Bootsville.
July 26, 2025 at 9:57 PM
3/2 He gets some well-deserved outside time after the cleaning of his tank, Bootsville.
One guess what summer reading Boots has embraced.
1/2
1/2
July 26, 2025 at 9:52 PM
One guess what summer reading Boots has embraced.
1/2
1/2
I wrote this story as a young man in Montana, forty years ago, struggling to understand, struggling to survive, and I am very glad and grateful to see that it has legs.
We all have fathers. Mine was a wondrous man. This story is not about him. It's fiction.
Your father?
We all have fathers. Mine was a wondrous man. This story is not about him. It's fiction.
Your father?
“He wanted to beg him to reconsider. The boy had never before seen his father hopeless. He was afraid. But he was no longer afraid of his father.” —excerpt from “Walking Out” by David Quammen @quammen.bsky.social
July 26, 2025 at 1:46 AM
I wrote this story as a young man in Montana, forty years ago, struggling to understand, struggling to survive, and I am very glad and grateful to see that it has legs.
We all have fathers. Mine was a wondrous man. This story is not about him. It's fiction.
Your father?
We all have fathers. Mine was a wondrous man. This story is not about him. It's fiction.
Your father?
2/2 David Hume: I always pictured him as a sort of wiry, wry Barry Fitzgerald-type character, but Dennis Rasmussen ("The Infidel and the Professor") suggests he more closely resembled a Scottish Sydney Greenstreet.
July 15, 2025 at 12:49 AM
2/2 David Hume: I always pictured him as a sort of wiry, wry Barry Fitzgerald-type character, but Dennis Rasmussen ("The Infidel and the Professor") suggests he more closely resembled a Scottish Sydney Greenstreet.
It's very pleasant, if you have a week of down time in midsummer, to sit in the backyard in an Adirondack chair reading abt (and reading) the great David Hume. 1/2
July 15, 2025 at 12:47 AM
It's very pleasant, if you have a week of down time in midsummer, to sit in the backyard in an Adirondack chair reading abt (and reading) the great David Hume. 1/2