Stephen Luntz
@sluntz.bsky.social
Science writer and (non-government) election administrator.
Pinned
Stephen Luntz
@sluntz.bsky.social
· Jan 27
The Time Jimmy Carter Probably Saved The World And Almost Nobody Noticed
Possibly the most important act of Jimmy Carter’s presidency has been almost entirely forgotten, even by his supporters.
www.iflscience.com
Being new here, maybe I should post the most significant article I have written recently, the one story on President Carter everyone else seems to have overlooked. I would argue it was the most important thing he did, perhaps with Australian bias. www.iflscience.com/the-time-jim...
I started off sceptical when I wrote about the original research, and got considerably moreso the further I got with writing the article, but it seems I was not nearly sceptical enough - amazing such bad work got published in such a respected journal.
Claims that electrical activity between spruce trees surged before the partial solar eclipse in 2022 (shown here) suggested anticipation, the epitome of "huge if true". www.iflscience.com/can-trees-pr...
February 8, 2026 at 1:12 PM
I started off sceptical when I wrote about the original research, and got considerably moreso the further I got with writing the article, but it seems I was not nearly sceptical enough - amazing such bad work got published in such a respected journal.
Much as I'd love to escape Meta, I mostly keep personal posting to FB, as it's where my friends are, but for the few here who know us; my wife, Michaela Hart was awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to archival practice and access to records
www.gg.gov.au/australia-da...
www.gg.gov.au/australia-da...
www.gg.gov.au
January 26, 2026 at 2:08 AM
Much as I'd love to escape Meta, I mostly keep personal posting to FB, as it's where my friends are, but for the few here who know us; my wife, Michaela Hart was awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to archival practice and access to records
www.gg.gov.au/australia-da...
www.gg.gov.au/australia-da...
There's so much competition, but this flag symbolizes what may end up being the most destructive of all Trump's terrible actions.
January 24, 2026 at 3:17 AM
There's so much competition, but this flag symbolizes what may end up being the most destructive of all Trump's terrible actions.
Definitely the actions of domestic terrorists </sarcasm>
Two women trained as first responders were abducted by three ICE agents. One of the agents starts seizing. The other two don’t know what to do. The women jump into action and save the agent’s life, only to be re-handcuffed and processed.
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
Detained by ICE, two women became first responders during agent’s seizure
The women say they guided agents through the emergency, later raising concerns about medical protocols, weapons safety and accountability.
www.startribune.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:08 AM
Definitely the actions of domestic terrorists </sarcasm>
Reposted by Stephen Luntz
Interesting...a new clue in the mystery of Prototaxites, the largest land organism in the Devonian period. It wasn't a fungus 🍄 OR a plant 🌱. It's a completely extinct KINGDOM! 🧪
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
reported by @sluntz.bsky.social for @iflscience.com
www.iflscience.com/the-first-gr...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
reported by @sluntz.bsky.social for @iflscience.com
www.iflscience.com/the-first-gr...
The First Great Forests Were Neither Fungus Nor Plant, But Lifeforms Without Living Descendants
Once these were the largest and most dominant living things on land, but their greatness did not ensure survival.
www.iflscience.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Interesting...a new clue in the mystery of Prototaxites, the largest land organism in the Devonian period. It wasn't a fungus 🍄 OR a plant 🌱. It's a completely extinct KINGDOM! 🧪
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
reported by @sluntz.bsky.social for @iflscience.com
www.iflscience.com/the-first-gr...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
reported by @sluntz.bsky.social for @iflscience.com
www.iflscience.com/the-first-gr...
Reposted by Stephen Luntz
I mean. I am not an expert. But when the government is like “Hey, give me a list of Jews. For uh protection reasons” it would seem like A BAD THING. apple.news/A-AXrNRgkRhm...
UPenn faculty condemn Trump administration’s demand for ‘lists of Jews’ — Guardian US
Groups say EEOC demand for names and personal details echoes dark history and threatens safety and civil rights
apple.news
January 13, 2026 at 11:28 PM
I mean. I am not an expert. But when the government is like “Hey, give me a list of Jews. For uh protection reasons” it would seem like A BAD THING. apple.news/A-AXrNRgkRhm...
I take it the 1% for questions 2-4 are all people who work for these firms. Must be gutting to Musk he couldn't get even them to be ok with making CSAM.
January 14, 2026 at 7:51 AM
I take it the 1% for questions 2-4 are all people who work for these firms. Must be gutting to Musk he couldn't get even them to be ok with making CSAM.
This study is very preliminary given the incomplete data, but it makes a significant advance in revealing the benefits of same-sex sexual behavior for many animals, and for some, such as Japanese macaques, it seems the advantages are very large indeed. www.iflscience.com/from-gorilla...
From Gorillas To Macaques, Same-Sex Sexual Behavior May Strengthen Social Bonds In Primates
Same-sex behavior is reported in 59 species of primates, though it's likely many more.
www.iflscience.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:36 AM
This study is very preliminary given the incomplete data, but it makes a significant advance in revealing the benefits of same-sex sexual behavior for many animals, and for some, such as Japanese macaques, it seems the advantages are very large indeed. www.iflscience.com/from-gorilla...
Reposted by Stephen Luntz
Netanyahu does not care about combating antisemitism. He is best friends with its biggest purveyors.
They both benefit: he makes Europe a more hostile place for Jews, who might then leave for Israel, and they get to pretend that they aren't antisemitic because they are friends with him.
They both benefit: he makes Europe a more hostile place for Jews, who might then leave for Israel, and they get to pretend that they aren't antisemitic because they are friends with him.
Yesterday, Netanyahu joined Hungarian extremist PM Viktor Orbán's re-election launch via video, alongside German & Austrian far-right parties AfD & FPÖ, which are officially boycotted by Israel over their antisemitism
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Netanyahu joins Germany's AfD, far-right Europeans in backing Orbán as campaign begins
The AfD and Austria's FPÖ Are Boycotted by Israel Over Their Antisemitic Roots and Members. Launching an Uphill Re-election Bid, Orbán Invited International Far-right Allies to His Illiberal Fidesz Pa...
www.haaretz.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:08 AM
Netanyahu does not care about combating antisemitism. He is best friends with its biggest purveyors.
They both benefit: he makes Europe a more hostile place for Jews, who might then leave for Israel, and they get to pretend that they aren't antisemitic because they are friends with him.
They both benefit: he makes Europe a more hostile place for Jews, who might then leave for Israel, and they get to pretend that they aren't antisemitic because they are friends with him.
I'm still in shock after hearing the news today. Helping get Emma elected as president of the student union was one of my prouder achievements in student politics. She was one successful candidate I never regretted, but those achievements were small compared to what she did afterwards. Devastating.
Devastating news that marine biologist, science communicator, and UniMelb VC Professor Emma Johnston has died after a short illness.
She really was an extraordinary and visionary leader, and I have no doubt she would have made a fine Chief Scientist one day.
theconversation.com/emma-johnsto...
She really was an extraordinary and visionary leader, and I have no doubt she would have made a fine Chief Scientist one day.
theconversation.com/emma-johnsto...
Emma Johnston was a visionary scientist, environmentalist and leader, with an abiding hope for humanity
The University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor, who has died aged 52, was driven by a deep love of science and a desire to safeguard the planet’s future.
theconversation.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:10 AM
I'm still in shock after hearing the news today. Helping get Emma elected as president of the student union was one of my prouder achievements in student politics. She was one successful candidate I never regretted, but those achievements were small compared to what she did afterwards. Devastating.
Dracula's Chivito is more than just a great name. It's the largest planet-forming disk we have found, and it seems a system like that comes with chaotic features we didn't expect and don't understand. www.iflscience.com/hubble-teles...
Hubble Telescope’s Bite Of Dracula’s Chivito Reveals Chaos In The Largest Known Planet-Forming Disk
There’s more to this immense nebula than just a memorable name, and Hubble leaves many questions unanswered.
www.iflscience.com
December 27, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Dracula's Chivito is more than just a great name. It's the largest planet-forming disk we have found, and it seems a system like that comes with chaotic features we didn't expect and don't understand. www.iflscience.com/hubble-teles...
I tried to check the claim that there are 2 (and only 2) places on Earth where you can walk directly on the mantle, and how that could be the case. It seems other places have legitimate claims, but those two are the best for that experience. www.iflscience.com/is-it-true-t...
Is It True There Are Two Places On Earth Where You Can Walk Directly On The Mantle?
It’s not quite as simple as these claims make it sound, but the answer is closer to yes than no.
www.iflscience.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:17 AM
I tried to check the claim that there are 2 (and only 2) places on Earth where you can walk directly on the mantle, and how that could be the case. It seems other places have legitimate claims, but those two are the best for that experience. www.iflscience.com/is-it-true-t...
We keep finding more and more examples of multiple species of hominins living in the same region and time. Here's another - a previously undescribes species that lived besides Australopithecus africanus. We don't know which are our ancestors www.iflscience.com/unidentified...
“Unidentified Human Relative”: Little Foot, One Of Most Complete Early Hominin Fossils, May Be New Species
The more we dig into human ancestry, the more complex things get.
www.iflscience.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:36 AM
We keep finding more and more examples of multiple species of hominins living in the same region and time. Here's another - a previously undescribes species that lived besides Australopithecus africanus. We don't know which are our ancestors www.iflscience.com/unidentified...
One increasingly dominant strand of Zionism demands that diaspora Jews prioritize the (claimed) interests of Jews above their own welfare, basic humanity and the health of the whole planet. But that's not enough. Now we're expected to place Netanyahu's interests over the nation's.
December 12, 2025 at 1:06 PM
One increasingly dominant strand of Zionism demands that diaspora Jews prioritize the (claimed) interests of Jews above their own welfare, basic humanity and the health of the whole planet. But that's not enough. Now we're expected to place Netanyahu's interests over the nation's.
Reposted by Stephen Luntz
This year has seen the largest number of Aboriginal deaths in custody since records began in 1980.
This is a national shame and tragedy.
How many more First Nations people will die before the federal government acts?
This is a national shame and tragedy.
How many more First Nations people will die before the federal government acts?
December 11, 2025 at 2:17 AM
This year has seen the largest number of Aboriginal deaths in custody since records began in 1980.
This is a national shame and tragedy.
How many more First Nations people will die before the federal government acts?
This is a national shame and tragedy.
How many more First Nations people will die before the federal government acts?
It's always best to not rely on a single study until it's replicated, or there is other confirmation, but if this stands up it indicates mRNA vaccines are even better than we thought. French residents 18-59 who were vaccinated had 25% lower mortality over 4 years. www.iflscience.com/enormous-new...
Enormous New Study Finds COVID-19 mRNA Shots Associated With 25 Percent Lower Risk Of Death From Any Cause
Even supporters of mRNA vaccination against COVID-19 might be surprised at just how much higher death rates are among the unvaccinated.
www.iflscience.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:36 PM
It's always best to not rely on a single study until it's replicated, or there is other confirmation, but if this stands up it indicates mRNA vaccines are even better than we thought. French residents 18-59 who were vaccinated had 25% lower mortality over 4 years. www.iflscience.com/enormous-new...
It's bad enough that LLM's tell you lies. While this is hilarious, it also shows that they deny reality even when served it on a plate. How anyone can think they are safe to use for pretty much anything is beyond me.
December 9, 2025 at 7:34 AM
It's bad enough that LLM's tell you lies. While this is hilarious, it also shows that they deny reality even when served it on a plate. How anyone can think they are safe to use for pretty much anything is beyond me.
I'm not familiar with this guy's previous work, but he's nailed this problem really well.
I haven’t seen this label used before but it seems apt. The video contains a good discussion of what “science populism” is and how it’s harmful.
youtu.be/sQnOFGWsXNM?...
youtu.be/sQnOFGWsXNM?...
Ep 0: The Rise of the Science Populists
YouTube video by Bad Boy of Science
youtu.be
December 4, 2025 at 5:49 AM
I'm not familiar with this guy's previous work, but he's nailed this problem really well.
It's wonderful another person has had their HIV eliminated through stem cell transplants, but this currently doesn't scale. However, the fact this worked when it shouldn't (unlike previous cases) suggests there's something we don't understand, and there hope lies. www.iflscience.com/7th-person-c...
7th Person Cured Of HIV After Stem Cell Donation Offers Hope Of Expanded Treatment Options
The success of a transplant from a patient with only one copy of the protective gene might be a one-off, but may also allow others to benefit.
www.iflscience.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:55 AM
It's wonderful another person has had their HIV eliminated through stem cell transplants, but this currently doesn't scale. However, the fact this worked when it shouldn't (unlike previous cases) suggests there's something we don't understand, and there hope lies. www.iflscience.com/7th-person-c...
I learned about this on Bluesky, but I don't think much media has caught on - a volcano where three plates meet has erupted for the first time in thousands of years. www.iflscience.com/an-ethiopian...
An Ethiopian Shield Volcano Has Just Erupted, For The First Time In Thousands Of Years
The ash cloud already covers large areas of surrounding countries.
www.iflscience.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I learned about this on Bluesky, but I don't think much media has caught on - a volcano where three plates meet has erupted for the first time in thousands of years. www.iflscience.com/an-ethiopian...
There's so much here. Even if you don't find something you want straight away, keep looking - odds are the right thing is there.
Are you looking for a christmas present for a creative person? Hoo boy do we have the auction for you. Hundreds of creatives from 20 countries are raising funds for people fleeing Genocide in El-Fasher, Sudan. Huge names, huge items! Bid here! app.galabid.com/creatives4su...
Art by @raafaye, insta
Art by @raafaye, insta
November 24, 2025 at 2:54 PM
There's so much here. Even if you don't find something you want straight away, keep looking - odds are the right thing is there.
On the old Twitter I followed a couple of people who, while center-left, spent a lot of time criticizing others of similar politics. They mocked warnings about the economic damage Brexit would do, saying they were too large to be credible, and would undermine the Remain case. Hmmmm.
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
Brexit Hit to UK Economy Double Official Estimate, Study Finds
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist.
bloom.bg
November 21, 2025 at 1:37 PM
On the old Twitter I followed a couple of people who, while center-left, spent a lot of time criticizing others of similar politics. They mocked warnings about the economic damage Brexit would do, saying they were too large to be credible, and would undermine the Remain case. Hmmmm.
As usual, @astrokatie.com doesn't just get to the truth, but in the last line puts it better than the rest of us have managed.
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
November 20, 2025 at 5:17 AM
As usual, @astrokatie.com doesn't just get to the truth, but in the last line puts it better than the rest of us have managed.
Yikes. Cutting more jobs than Abbott should not be something any Labor minister should be able to do and look at themself in the mirror.
The last time I wrote about this I copped the biggest whinge fest from the then (Labor) minister’s office about how they weren’t cutting the budget lol
That's more than 1,100 jobs lost at the CSIRO over the last two years.
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
November 19, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Yikes. Cutting more jobs than Abbott should not be something any Labor minister should be able to do and look at themself in the mirror.
Reposted by Stephen Luntz
🙃🙃🙃 cannot believe how short sighted this government is, honestly. Now is the time to be POURING money into research, not cutting it.
This is obscene.
The challenges facing the nation means we should be scaling up CSIRO, not cutting it to shreds.
While we are sending billions to the US for nuclear shipyards, our science and industrial base at home is falling apart for lack of funds and direction.
The challenges facing the nation means we should be scaling up CSIRO, not cutting it to shreds.
While we are sending billions to the US for nuclear shipyards, our science and industrial base at home is falling apart for lack of funds and direction.
‘Sad day for publicly funded science’: up to 350 more jobs to go at CSIRO
Australia’s national scientific agency announces more research job losses as it looks for budgetary savings
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:39 AM
🙃🙃🙃 cannot believe how short sighted this government is, honestly. Now is the time to be POURING money into research, not cutting it.