Sean D. Johnson
@seanjohnson.bsky.social
Extragalactic astronomer; LSA Collegiate Fellow & Assistant Professor at @michiganastro. Dog lover. Pronouns: he/him/his 🏳️🌈
So listen, I’m sure it would have turned out differently if, instead of assassinating Archduke Ferdinand, they’d just bombed Vienna and captured Archduke Ludwig.
January 3, 2026 at 2:42 PM
So listen, I’m sure it would have turned out differently if, instead of assassinating Archduke Ferdinand, they’d just bombed Vienna and captured Archduke Ludwig.
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
The FDA says tight underwear is a medical device if trans people enjoy wearing it.
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
FDA Threatens Companies Selling Binders — Assigned
The FDA sent twelve businesses threatening letters on Tuesday, demanding that they register their chest binders as medical devices with the FDA.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 24, 2025 at 6:22 PM
The FDA says tight underwear is a medical device if trans people enjoy wearing it.
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
More on the nonsense from our federal government by @alyssaur.bsky.social
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
Trans youth healthcare is based in decades of research and supported by every major medical organization in the US. Under RFK Jr, a handpicked panel produced a dodgy report claiming otherwise.
It's a clear example of Kennedy's war on science. So why aren't news organizations treating it that way?
It's a clear example of Kennedy's war on science. So why aren't news organizations treating it that way?
The Neglected Front in RFK Jr.’s War on Science — Assigned
As trans healthcare is decimated no one is standing up for the integrity of the scientific process for these patients.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 22, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Trans youth healthcare is based in decades of research and supported by every major medical organization in the US. Under RFK Jr, a handpicked panel produced a dodgy report claiming otherwise.
It's a clear example of Kennedy's war on science. So why aren't news organizations treating it that way?
It's a clear example of Kennedy's war on science. So why aren't news organizations treating it that way?
On the way back home after a week out of the country, and the number of cruel and heartrending policy decisions that directly impact my family is astounding. All expected, but still.
And also, somehow, Hunger Games???
And also, somehow, Hunger Games???
December 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
On the way back home after a week out of the country, and the number of cruel and heartrending policy decisions that directly impact my family is astounding. All expected, but still.
And also, somehow, Hunger Games???
And also, somehow, Hunger Games???
In possibly the most stereotypically Dutch manner I have ever experienced, the Captain of my KLM flight opened her pre-flight announcements
“I would like to assure you that the airplane is ok to fly. There is no major problem, we just had to turn off the avionics computer and turn it on again.”
“I would like to assure you that the airplane is ok to fly. There is no major problem, we just had to turn off the avionics computer and turn it on again.”
December 21, 2025 at 11:39 AM
In possibly the most stereotypically Dutch manner I have ever experienced, the Captain of my KLM flight opened her pre-flight announcements
“I would like to assure you that the airplane is ok to fly. There is no major problem, we just had to turn off the avionics computer and turn it on again.”
“I would like to assure you that the airplane is ok to fly. There is no major problem, we just had to turn off the avionics computer and turn it on again.”
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
This announcement alone is going to kill people and we need to prepare for that
RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz to announce moves to ban gender-affirming care for young people
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to announce a package of measures that would together ban gender-affirming care for minors. A press conference is set for 11 a.m. Thursday.
www.npr.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:53 PM
This announcement alone is going to kill people and we need to prepare for that
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
congress is voting later this week to criminalize trans care for minors and i now spend my days watching people i used to work with totally pretend like that isn’t happening
December 17, 2025 at 4:56 PM
congress is voting later this week to criminalize trans care for minors and i now spend my days watching people i used to work with totally pretend like that isn’t happening
No, the Hubble Space Telescope Cycle 34 Call for Proposals is DEFINITELY NOT SPAM
a young man in a suit and tie says incorrect
Alt: a young man in a suit and tie says incorrect. From umbrella academy
media.tenor.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:17 PM
No, the Hubble Space Telescope Cycle 34 Call for Proposals is DEFINITELY NOT SPAM
Nothing says privacy like armed men with body cams demanding government ID before allowing use of the toilet.
14 Dec 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- Armed troops outside TX Texas capitol's building women's rooms now checking ID under new bathroom ban (the ban has no ID requirement). 6W Project tested & found 2 trans women with female ID still allowed in, & no consistent enforcement mechanism.
Enforcement of Texas’ bathroom bill draws challenges
In its first week, one group’s test of the new restrictions was met with ID checks at women’s restrooms at the Capitol while the Austin City Council moved to circumvent the law's intent.
www.texastribune.org
December 14, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Nothing says privacy like armed men with body cams demanding government ID before allowing use of the toilet.
The only good news I have seen coming from FDA. I'm not sure that this is a good move for the population-level health of cis men... but there are other populations the administration certainly doesn't have in mind that will benefit immensely.
www.urologytimes.com/view/experts...
www.urologytimes.com/view/experts...
Experts urge FDA to revisit labeling for testosterone replacement therapy in men | Urology Times
In a panel meeting convened by the FDA, experts urged the agency to revise the current classification and indication for testosterone replacement therapy in men.
www.urologytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The only good news I have seen coming from FDA. I'm not sure that this is a good move for the population-level health of cis men... but there are other populations the administration certainly doesn't have in mind that will benefit immensely.
www.urologytimes.com/view/experts...
www.urologytimes.com/view/experts...
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
NSF
- Forced reorg
- POs down ~ 40% (DRP, most rotators not renewed, retirements)
- Forced move (and we have to pack and clean) to a building with no furniture, little to no conference space for panels, inadequate 🛜, …)
I personally love the boxes they gave us for packing.
“Details matter” 🙃
- Forced reorg
- POs down ~ 40% (DRP, most rotators not renewed, retirements)
- Forced move (and we have to pack and clean) to a building with no furniture, little to no conference space for panels, inadequate 🛜, …)
I personally love the boxes they gave us for packing.
“Details matter” 🙃
December 11, 2025 at 11:16 AM
NSF
- Forced reorg
- POs down ~ 40% (DRP, most rotators not renewed, retirements)
- Forced move (and we have to pack and clean) to a building with no furniture, little to no conference space for panels, inadequate 🛜, …)
I personally love the boxes they gave us for packing.
“Details matter” 🙃
- Forced reorg
- POs down ~ 40% (DRP, most rotators not renewed, retirements)
- Forced move (and we have to pack and clean) to a building with no furniture, little to no conference space for panels, inadequate 🛜, …)
I personally love the boxes they gave us for packing.
“Details matter” 🙃
Humans are great at cognitive dissonance, but AIs are next level.
Aftering Googling “HUD secretary”, their AI helpfully informed me it is Marcia Fudge.
And while that is a fantasy land I would love to be in…
A slightly different Google AI search helpfully informed me that she isn’t anymore.
Aftering Googling “HUD secretary”, their AI helpfully informed me it is Marcia Fudge.
And while that is a fantasy land I would love to be in…
A slightly different Google AI search helpfully informed me that she isn’t anymore.
December 9, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Humans are great at cognitive dissonance, but AIs are next level.
Aftering Googling “HUD secretary”, their AI helpfully informed me it is Marcia Fudge.
And while that is a fantasy land I would love to be in…
A slightly different Google AI search helpfully informed me that she isn’t anymore.
Aftering Googling “HUD secretary”, their AI helpfully informed me it is Marcia Fudge.
And while that is a fantasy land I would love to be in…
A slightly different Google AI search helpfully informed me that she isn’t anymore.
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
this week, congress has agreed to ban trans participation in sports at military academies and the opening bid to fix aca subsidies bans trans care coverage on obamacare exchanges
why does it feel like we’re not seeing a five alarm fire from the lgbtq+ advocacy groups yet
why does it feel like we’re not seeing a five alarm fire from the lgbtq+ advocacy groups yet
December 9, 2025 at 2:29 AM
this week, congress has agreed to ban trans participation in sports at military academies and the opening bid to fix aca subsidies bans trans care coverage on obamacare exchanges
why does it feel like we’re not seeing a five alarm fire from the lgbtq+ advocacy groups yet
why does it feel like we’re not seeing a five alarm fire from the lgbtq+ advocacy groups yet
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
Dear Ea-nāṣir,
The shoes you delivered to my servant Nanni were substandard as you can see in this picture of me trying to wear them.
The shoes you delivered to my servant Nanni were substandard as you can see in this picture of me trying to wear them.
can't believe this ancient mesopotamia shoe wearing ass said people need to dress up at the airport
November 26, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Dear Ea-nāṣir,
The shoes you delivered to my servant Nanni were substandard as you can see in this picture of me trying to wear them.
The shoes you delivered to my servant Nanni were substandard as you can see in this picture of me trying to wear them.
Anyone else read this and want to come to the defense of ancient Mesopotamia?
can't believe this ancient mesopotamia shoe wearing ass said people need to dress up at the airport
November 26, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Anyone else read this and want to come to the defense of ancient Mesopotamia?
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
Nov 25 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- At least four federal judges have now blocked portions of or the entirety of invasive DOJ subpoenas served on 20 health providers of gender-affirming medical care for trans minors.
Multiple judges call out DOJ's methods of defending its invasive trans care subpoenas
A trio of public rulings, including one on Friday, all side with providers. Two rulings also raised sharp questions about DOJ's moves in recent months.
www.lawdork.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Nov 25 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- At least four federal judges have now blocked portions of or the entirety of invasive DOJ subpoenas served on 20 health providers of gender-affirming medical care for trans minors.
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
Nov 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- Reps privately push ban on trans care in ACA/Obamacare as part of moving any subsidy deal forward. It was stripped from the last ACA deal. This one would hurt perhaps 500k trans ppl among the 20m who need Obamacare subsidies. Even blue states would be impacted.
Republicans Privately Pushing Anti-Trans Funding Ban For ACA Subsidy Deal After Shutdown Compromise
The proposal, which was first detailed in the Wall Street Journal, could harm transgender people even in blue states if it becomes part of the negotiated deal.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Nov 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- Reps privately push ban on trans care in ACA/Obamacare as part of moving any subsidy deal forward. It was stripped from the last ACA deal. This one would hurt perhaps 500k trans ppl among the 20m who need Obamacare subsidies. Even blue states would be impacted.
And you may look the other way
But we can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man
But we can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man
November 13, 2025 at 3:31 AM
And you may look the other way
But we can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man
But we can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man
With UM daily parking permits (saves $ if you walk/bike/bus on most days), the new parking system doesn't select your license plate by default when buying refills. So despite having 10 valid passes on the permit that let me enter the lot, they claim I owe a $75 ticket. Incompetent UI design.
November 4, 2025 at 1:08 AM
With UM daily parking permits (saves $ if you walk/bike/bus on most days), the new parking system doesn't select your license plate by default when buying refills. So despite having 10 valid passes on the permit that let me enter the lot, they claim I owe a $75 ticket. Incompetent UI design.
There are negative aspects of the LANL+UMich facility proposed in Ypsi, but it isn’t an AI data center. It is for high performance computing, mostly nuke simulations.
Nukes are very bad, but nukes+active testing is worse. Accurate sims mean DOE/DOD don’t need to explode actual bombs in tests.
Nukes are very bad, but nukes+active testing is worse. Accurate sims mean DOE/DOD don’t need to explode actual bombs in tests.
October 30, 2025 at 12:53 PM
There are negative aspects of the LANL+UMich facility proposed in Ypsi, but it isn’t an AI data center. It is for high performance computing, mostly nuke simulations.
Nukes are very bad, but nukes+active testing is worse. Accurate sims mean DOE/DOD don’t need to explode actual bombs in tests.
Nukes are very bad, but nukes+active testing is worse. Accurate sims mean DOE/DOD don’t need to explode actual bombs in tests.
Reposted by Sean D. Johnson
There has been a lot of hay made over the Kim Davis challenge against Obergefell at SCOTUS, whether or not they'll decide to take up the case. IMO, I'd pay a lot more attention to efforts like this to erode gay marriage:
NEW: On Friday, the Texas Supreme Court made a comment on the state judicial code of conduct that says judges who refuse to conduct gay weddings "on a sincerely held religious belief" won't be sanctioned. It's part of a messy legal fight over gay marriage in Texas.
www.chron.com/culture/reli...
www.chron.com/culture/reli...
Texas judges can refuse to marry gay couples without punishment, court says
The decision stems from a judge in a tiny Texas county who refuses to officiate gay weddings.
www.chron.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:18 PM
There has been a lot of hay made over the Kim Davis challenge against Obergefell at SCOTUS, whether or not they'll decide to take up the case. IMO, I'd pay a lot more attention to efforts like this to erode gay marriage:
Would be great if the NYT went on record about exactly what level of influence and resources they think Area studies departments have, cause I’d love to compare their vibes-based assertions with reality.
October 29, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Would be great if the NYT went on record about exactly what level of influence and resources they think Area studies departments have, cause I’d love to compare their vibes-based assertions with reality.
The receipts @astromonnier.bsky.social!
October 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The receipts @astromonnier.bsky.social!
Shared with a British friend who informed me that “louvre” is the correct British English spelling. So I guess my observing logs are just a bit posh?
Observing while the Louvre is in the news, and it slowly dawned on me that I’ve been misspelling “louver” for years. Literally a decade of fits files and logs with me saying things like “louvre flats at 50% open”.
October 22, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Shared with a British friend who informed me that “louvre” is the correct British English spelling. So I guess my observing logs are just a bit posh?
Observing while the Louvre is in the news, and it slowly dawned on me that I’ve been misspelling “louver” for years. Literally a decade of fits files and logs with me saying things like “louvre flats at 50% open”.
October 22, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Observing while the Louvre is in the news, and it slowly dawned on me that I’ve been misspelling “louver” for years. Literally a decade of fits files and logs with me saying things like “louvre flats at 50% open”.