Roy Lonergan
@roylonergan.bsky.social
Reposted by Roy Lonergan
I did a Q&A with Jon Cohen at Science, talking about Watson, his partnership with Crick, and more…
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
James Watson: Titan of science with tragic flaws
Science historian Nathaniel Comfort reflects on the “most famous scientist of the 20th century, and the most infamous of the 21st”
www.science.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:02 PM
I did a Q&A with Jon Cohen at Science, talking about Watson, his partnership with Crick, and more…
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Roy Lonergan
Not everyone lives near an independent bookshop buy you can still support one by buying online from bookshop.org. You can now also buy ebooks from them.
November 10, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Not everyone lives near an independent bookshop buy you can still support one by buying online from bookshop.org. You can now also buy ebooks from them.
“The information you have is not the information you want. The information you want is not the information you need. The information you need is not the information you can obtain. The information you can obtain costs more than you want to pay”
November 10, 2025 at 1:36 PM
“The information you have is not the information you want. The information you want is not the information you need. The information you need is not the information you can obtain. The information you can obtain costs more than you want to pay”
Reposted by Roy Lonergan
I tend to give books as presents when I don’t know what else to get. I try to buy them from indie bookshops, not Amazon, because that way there’s someone else I like who benefits, instead of an actively harmful company. My favourite bookshop is @newhambookshop.bsky.social.
November 10, 2025 at 9:58 AM
I tend to give books as presents when I don’t know what else to get. I try to buy them from indie bookshops, not Amazon, because that way there’s someone else I like who benefits, instead of an actively harmful company. My favourite bookshop is @newhambookshop.bsky.social.
Really interesting obituary from Sharon Begley.
Just learnt this morning that it was Matt Ridley who introduced JDW to the Bell Curve.
(Ridley is a UK zoologist who was also chair of a bank that went bust in the lead up to the GFC and has “interesting” views on AGW).
Just learnt this morning that it was Matt Ridley who introduced JDW to the Bell Curve.
(Ridley is a UK zoologist who was also chair of a bank that went bust in the lead up to the GFC and has “interesting” views on AGW).
love this for her.
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
November 9, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Really interesting obituary from Sharon Begley.
Just learnt this morning that it was Matt Ridley who introduced JDW to the Bell Curve.
(Ridley is a UK zoologist who was also chair of a bank that went bust in the lead up to the GFC and has “interesting” views on AGW).
Just learnt this morning that it was Matt Ridley who introduced JDW to the Bell Curve.
(Ridley is a UK zoologist who was also chair of a bank that went bust in the lead up to the GFC and has “interesting” views on AGW).
Reposted by Roy Lonergan
love this for her.
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:09 AM
love this for her.
Reposted by Roy Lonergan
Race was the issue that exposed the bankruptcy of Watson's genetic determinism. In the 20th century, he made his reputation by staunchly championing the power of DNA. In the 21st, he torpedoed that reputation the same way. That is the great tragedy of James Watson.
19/n #JDWxNC
19/n #JDWxNC
November 8, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Race was the issue that exposed the bankruptcy of Watson's genetic determinism. In the 20th century, he made his reputation by staunchly championing the power of DNA. In the 21st, he torpedoed that reputation the same way. That is the great tragedy of James Watson.
19/n #JDWxNC
19/n #JDWxNC
Matt Fucking Ridley!
In 1994, Matt Ridley introduced him to The Bell Curve. It married genetic determinism about IQ, which Watson believed 100%, with racism, which he didn't interrogate. Had he read the papers cited in TBC, he would have seen that it was pseudoscience. This he did not do.
17/n #JDWxNC
17/n #JDWxNC
November 9, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Matt Fucking Ridley!
Reposted by Roy Lonergan
Today we remember all who served, including the Commonwealth soldiers whose sacrifice is too often forgotten.
They gave their tomorrows so we could have our todays.
May we honour them not only in words, but in our work for a world without war.
They gave their tomorrows so we could have our todays.
May we honour them not only in words, but in our work for a world without war.
November 9, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Today we remember all who served, including the Commonwealth soldiers whose sacrifice is too often forgotten.
They gave their tomorrows so we could have our todays.
May we honour them not only in words, but in our work for a world without war.
They gave their tomorrows so we could have our todays.
May we honour them not only in words, but in our work for a world without war.
If Russia ever hit the pipelines from the UK, how much LNG gets through? I‘m imagining that the Royal Navy would be busy and not have Irish gas as a priority. The only energy security that Ireland has is renewables.
Martin is right about LNG - we need it for security. If Russia was to attack the gas pipelines from the UK, Ireland would be knocked offline (electricity, heating, even data) for months. Would even be bad for the climate - we'd have to revert to diesel generators, coal and turf.
November 8, 2025 at 8:17 PM
If Russia ever hit the pipelines from the UK, how much LNG gets through? I‘m imagining that the Royal Navy would be busy and not have Irish gas as a priority. The only energy security that Ireland has is renewables.
Reposted by Roy Lonergan
Lithuanians and Poles Anglicising their names 1891-1901.
In an article in the West Ham news 1901 where the census enunerator complains about not being able to spell Lithuanian names, asking them to spell phonetically, and then just writing down an English or Irish name that sounds most similar.
In an article in the West Ham news 1901 where the census enunerator complains about not being able to spell Lithuanian names, asking them to spell phonetically, and then just writing down an English or Irish name that sounds most similar.
November 8, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Lithuanians and Poles Anglicising their names 1891-1901.
In an article in the West Ham news 1901 where the census enunerator complains about not being able to spell Lithuanian names, asking them to spell phonetically, and then just writing down an English or Irish name that sounds most similar.
In an article in the West Ham news 1901 where the census enunerator complains about not being able to spell Lithuanian names, asking them to spell phonetically, and then just writing down an English or Irish name that sounds most similar.
One of the ironies in the confusion of stories is that Watson‘s depiction of himself in Double Helix played a large part in creating that confusion.
You’re facing an uphill battle manoeuvering this particular cultural oil tanker, but I am so glad to see you trying!
November 8, 2025 at 10:33 AM
One of the ironies in the confusion of stories is that Watson‘s depiction of himself in Double Helix played a large part in creating that confusion.
Reposted by Roy Lonergan
Sorry, one more #politics post this week.
Labour’s obsession with immigration makes them unelectable even for life long trad Labour supporters like me.
I will never ever vote for a racist party
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Labour’s obsession with immigration makes them unelectable even for life long trad Labour supporters like me.
I will never ever vote for a racist party
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK seeks inspiration from Denmark to shake up immigration system
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is taking cues from some of the toughest migration laws in Europe.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Sorry, one more #politics post this week.
Labour’s obsession with immigration makes them unelectable even for life long trad Labour supporters like me.
I will never ever vote for a racist party
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Labour’s obsession with immigration makes them unelectable even for life long trad Labour supporters like me.
I will never ever vote for a racist party
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Roy Lonergan
Science teachers! I hope most of you will be familiar with this already, but if not, this is absolutely worth a few minutes of your time, especially if you teach Biology:
Look out for this later #histSTM
(And on Franklin, about whom lots of myths are circulating today, read this: www.nature.com/articles/d41...)
(And on Franklin, about whom lots of myths are circulating today, read this: www.nature.com/articles/d41...)
November 8, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Science teachers! I hope most of you will be familiar with this already, but if not, this is absolutely worth a few minutes of your time, especially if you teach Biology:
The Rosalind Franklin’s notes joke is fun but minimises her contribution.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:23 AM
The Rosalind Franklin’s notes joke is fun but minimises her contribution.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Is not building small homes less of a problem than not building large homes?
“Interrogating the arguments for small homes as a solution to the Irish housing crisis
“The paper critically interrogates main justifications & argues role of small homes as a potential solution to Irish housing crisis is overstated”
new research-Dr Mark Jordan www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
“The paper critically interrogates main justifications & argues role of small homes as a potential solution to Irish housing crisis is overstated”
new research-Dr Mark Jordan www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Interrogating the arguments for ‘small homes’ as a solution to the Irish housing crisis
From 2015 onwards, successive Irish governments have promoted the proliferation of smaller homes through a range of measures including reductions in minimum floor size requirements and the removal ...
www.tandfonline.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Is not building small homes less of a problem than not building large homes?
“Gove’s schools were for reading, writing, remembering and shutting up”
My verdict on the 'woke' review of England's school curriculum? It isn't radical enough | Simon Jenkins
When I heard it was dumbing down education, my heart sank. In fact, it’s outspoken about the chaos of Michael Gove’s reforms and the changes needed, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:19 AM
“Gove’s schools were for reading, writing, remembering and shutting up”
Reposted by Roy Lonergan
"China can produce almost a terawatt of renewable-energy capacity in a year. That is enough to supply as much energy as more than 300 big nuclear-power plants."
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
I love The Economist's bullishness here
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
I love The Economist's bullishness here
China’s clean-energy revolution will reshape markets and politics
The world’s biggest manufacturer now has an interest in the world decarbonising
www.economist.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:08 AM
"China can produce almost a terawatt of renewable-energy capacity in a year. That is enough to supply as much energy as more than 300 big nuclear-power plants."
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
I love The Economist's bullishness here
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
I love The Economist's bullishness here
Reposted by Roy Lonergan
People are taking the piss out of this, but I was intrigued by the Polish marking. Turns out it's an acknowledgment by the local community of three Polish squadrons who flew from a local RAF base, 22 of whom died in service and 6 of whom are buried locally. I think the mockery is uncalled for.
www.yoursouthport.com/blog/life-si...
In Flanders Fields, the crochet grows...
The "sip...bloody hell" meme isn't strong enough here.
In Flanders Fields, the crochet grows...
The "sip...bloody hell" meme isn't strong enough here.
November 6, 2025 at 10:45 AM
People are taking the piss out of this, but I was intrigued by the Polish marking. Turns out it's an acknowledgment by the local community of three Polish squadrons who flew from a local RAF base, 22 of whom died in service and 6 of whom are buried locally. I think the mockery is uncalled for.
Reposted by Roy Lonergan
I always find it interesting how the story changes when a lawyer gets to court. They can say anything they want outside of court without accountability but the rules are vastly different in court where you can get seriously penalized for lying.
November 6, 2025 at 7:28 PM
I always find it interesting how the story changes when a lawyer gets to court. They can say anything they want outside of court without accountability but the rules are vastly different in court where you can get seriously penalized for lying.
Yup. An example of the increasing meaninglessness of the capital/revenue distinction.
The dot com era infrastructure does not translate directly to AI with LLMs. Chips seem to be becoming obsolete very quickly requiring continuous upgrading.
November 7, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Yup. An example of the increasing meaninglessness of the capital/revenue distinction.
The difference is that the renewables investment has both limited downsides and upsides. This generation of AI is probably junk - but there’s a tiny chance it’s not and the AI capex pays off bigly. It’s an expensive lottery ticket.
A fun question. In 5 years time, what looks better? The US’s enormous bet & capex on AI? Or China’s equally enormous bet and capex on renewables?
China has made cheap, clean energy available in huge quantities. The world should take the win econ.st/4oqFszB
Photo: Eyevine
Photo: Eyevine
November 7, 2025 at 9:29 AM
The difference is that the renewables investment has both limited downsides and upsides. This generation of AI is probably junk - but there’s a tiny chance it’s not and the AI capex pays off bigly. It’s an expensive lottery ticket.
Reposted by Roy Lonergan
I love that python did this and so my yt channel has sponsored python. links in this thread if you want to donate.
TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...
🧵
🧵
The official home of the Python Programming Language
www.python.org
November 7, 2025 at 12:34 AM
I love that python did this and so my yt channel has sponsored python. links in this thread if you want to donate.
Reposted by Roy Lonergan
Haven’t seen this clip for a while. I just about remember watching games on pitches like this. I certainly played on a few at school. Passing/control pretty good here. The Ronnie Boyce goal (our fourth) is legendary (at West Ham).
Was the game more fun back then than now? Is slip-sliding in the mud preferable to plastic perfection?
Here’s an example from the 1969-70 season, Manchester City v West Ham United. You can play an additional game - spot the blade of grass.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=cB8C...
Here’s an example from the 1969-70 season, Manchester City v West Ham United. You can play an additional game - spot the blade of grass.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=cB8C...
Man City 1-5 West Ham (1969/1970)
YouTube video by West Ham Videos
m.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Haven’t seen this clip for a while. I just about remember watching games on pitches like this. I certainly played on a few at school. Passing/control pretty good here. The Ronnie Boyce goal (our fourth) is legendary (at West Ham).