Brian Tanis
@tanisbp.bsky.social
Ecology & Evolution at big scales
All-around nature enthusiast
All-around nature enthusiast
Pinned
Brian Tanis
@tanisbp.bsky.social
· Nov 15
Been lurking here for ages, but it’s time to dive in…
I’m a biology instructor and study broad patterns of mammal ecology & evolution by measuring traits and diet!
I’m a biology instructor and study broad patterns of mammal ecology & evolution by measuring traits and diet!
Reposted by Brian Tanis
And this is why I kept telling students not to trust what LLMs tell you about archaeology, because there are so many pseudoarchaeology sites out there that quote real research and then go off on their own to incorporate aliens or whatever.
You don't know what you don't know if you're a student.
You don't know what you don't know if you're a student.
I just did the dumbest thing of my entire career to prove a much more serious point.
I tricked ChatGPT and Google, and made them tell other users I’m a competitive hot-dog-eating world champion
People are using this trick on a massive scale to make AI tell you lies. I’ll explain how I did it
I tricked ChatGPT and Google, and made them tell other users I’m a competitive hot-dog-eating world champion
People are using this trick on a massive scale to make AI tell you lies. I’ll explain how I did it
February 18, 2026 at 7:42 PM
And this is why I kept telling students not to trust what LLMs tell you about archaeology, because there are so many pseudoarchaeology sites out there that quote real research and then go off on their own to incorporate aliens or whatever.
You don't know what you don't know if you're a student.
You don't know what you don't know if you're a student.
Reposted by Brian Tanis
Olympic highlight in this house.
February 18, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Olympic highlight in this house.
Reposted by Brian Tanis
DOG AT THE OLYMPICS
FULL COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS
FULL COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS
February 18, 2026 at 1:26 PM
DOG AT THE OLYMPICS
FULL COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS
FULL COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS
Reposted by Brian Tanis
Someone has sure already made this observation but the fact they can convert all those empty warehouses into prison camps means they could have converted them into housing, community centers, job training centers or, hell, libraries or schools all along. It’s always a matter of will not resources.
February 15, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Someone has sure already made this observation but the fact they can convert all those empty warehouses into prison camps means they could have converted them into housing, community centers, job training centers or, hell, libraries or schools all along. It’s always a matter of will not resources.
Reposted by Brian Tanis
Happy Valentine’s Day, from us to you. Tag your exes. Xoxox
February 14, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Happy Valentine’s Day, from us to you. Tag your exes. Xoxox
Reposted by Brian Tanis
As I say here, there is no scientific justification to revoke the engagement finding. In fact, over the last 15+ yrs, the evidence of how climate change affects our health has only grown. Higher risk of allergies, dementia, fertility, heart disease, and death: that’s what’s on the line. @nature.org
There is No Scientific Justification to Revoke the Endangerment Finding
The U.S. EPA's decision to repeal the Endangerment Finding will limit the government's ability to regulate emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
www.nature.org
February 12, 2026 at 9:45 PM
As I say here, there is no scientific justification to revoke the engagement finding. In fact, over the last 15+ yrs, the evidence of how climate change affects our health has only grown. Higher risk of allergies, dementia, fertility, heart disease, and death: that’s what’s on the line. @nature.org
Reposted by Brian Tanis
More than 400 people, including hundreds of citizens, were “sorted” at gun point into racial and ethnic groups by 200 ICE agents who fired flash-bang grenades into cars with people inside, pointed guns at children & demanded their zip tied parents not comfort them. apple.news/Ausdx6kWtT0e...
Idaho families sue over immigration raid that swept up hundreds, including U.S. citizens — NBC News
About 400 people, including children and U.S. citizens, were detained for four hours while they were denied food and water in the raid, according to the lawsuit.
apple.news
February 12, 2026 at 1:35 AM
More than 400 people, including hundreds of citizens, were “sorted” at gun point into racial and ethnic groups by 200 ICE agents who fired flash-bang grenades into cars with people inside, pointed guns at children & demanded their zip tied parents not comfort them. apple.news/Ausdx6kWtT0e...
Reposted by Brian Tanis
We bring you... THAT'S SO METAL DIVISION! #2026MMM
a man in a blue shirt and tie is dancing in a room with hardcore written on the bottom
Alt: Michael from the office is doing "parkour" with text that says 'Hard core"
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:59 PM
We bring you... THAT'S SO METAL DIVISION! #2026MMM
Reposted by Brian Tanis
From acid spitting to carcass caping to bone crushing to chest puffing... these nightmare baddies bring the traits to unlock new levels of carnage #2026MMM
a honey badger is walking across the dirt and grass
Alt: a honey badger is walking across the dirt and grass
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:57 PM
From acid spitting to carcass caping to bone crushing to chest puffing... these nightmare baddies bring the traits to unlock new levels of carnage #2026MMM
Reposted by Brian Tanis
LAST but not LEAST are some truly astonishing beasts.
Get ready to clock their cracked attack and FAFO aura.
#2026MMM
Get ready to clock their cracked attack and FAFO aura.
a man in a red hat is holding a skateboard and talking to a group of kids .
Alt: a man in a red hat is holding a skateboard saying How do you do fellow kids?
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:54 PM
LAST but not LEAST are some truly astonishing beasts.
Get ready to clock their cracked attack and FAFO aura.
#2026MMM
Get ready to clock their cracked attack and FAFO aura.
Reposted by Brian Tanis
So we give you EXTINCTION IS FOREVER DIVISION #2026MMM
a black and white photo of a thylacine eating a snake in a room .
ALT: a black and white photo of a thylacine eating a snake in a room .
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:39 PM
So we give you EXTINCTION IS FOREVER DIVISION #2026MMM
Reposted by Brian Tanis
All individuals of a species come from the complex interactions of their genes and their environment, & the rich developmental endowment epigentically inherited from the parent.
Nothing can replace or recreate that.
In this Anthropocene, once lost, the species is lost forever.
#2026MMM
Nothing can replace or recreate that.
In this Anthropocene, once lost, the species is lost forever.
#2026MMM
February 12, 2026 at 4:38 PM
All individuals of a species come from the complex interactions of their genes and their environment, & the rich developmental endowment epigentically inherited from the parent.
Nothing can replace or recreate that.
In this Anthropocene, once lost, the species is lost forever.
#2026MMM
Nothing can replace or recreate that.
In this Anthropocene, once lost, the species is lost forever.
#2026MMM
Reposted by Brian Tanis
These words celebrate that each living species is a treasure, the result of an incredible evolutionary journey through mutation, drift, and selection. A species is a miracle of existence. #2026MMM
a polar bear and a polar bear cub are hugging each other in the snow .
Alt: a polar bear and a polar bear cub are hugging each other in the snow .
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:30 PM
These words celebrate that each living species is a treasure, the result of an incredible evolutionary journey through mutation, drift, and selection. A species is a miracle of existence. #2026MMM
Reposted by Brian Tanis
Darwin wrote in his 1859 On the Origin of Species "There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one... from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved." #2026MMM
a herd of elephants standing in a field with birds flying around them
Alt: a herd of elephants standing in a field with red birds flying around them
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Darwin wrote in his 1859 On the Origin of Species "There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one... from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved." #2026MMM
Reposted by Brian Tanis
So we give you.... LIBRARY LEGENDS!!! #2026MMM
You A Legend For That One Fam Thimothee Chalamet GIF
Alt: "You A Legend For That One Fam" Thimothee Chalamet GIF
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:27 PM
So we give you.... LIBRARY LEGENDS!!! #2026MMM
Reposted by Brian Tanis
Some libraries have relied on animals to help protect their collections, and some libraries lean into noble animal symbology, others are cheerfully tolerant of their local sympatric species. #2026MMM
a close up of an owl with a disney junior logo in the background
Alt: a close up of an owl turning it's head
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Some libraries have relied on animals to help protect their collections, and some libraries lean into noble animal symbology, others are cheerfully tolerant of their local sympatric species. #2026MMM
Reposted by Brian Tanis
#2026MMM Celebrates Libraries... and there are very noble and notable species that have been associated with Libraries!
a cat laying on top of a stack of books with the number 3 on the spine of the book
Alt: a cat laying on top of a stack of books in a library
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:21 PM
#2026MMM Celebrates Libraries... and there are very noble and notable species that have been associated with Libraries!
Reposted by Brian Tanis
Did you know that 15% of the world's currency features wildlife? #2025MMM theconversation.com/almost-1-in-...
Almost 1 in 6 of the world’s banknotes feature wildlife – and they’re not always the creatures you’d expect
What do you know about your national currency? How about the cash used overseas? We studied wildlife imagery on banknotes around the world. Here’s what we found.
theconversation.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Did you know that 15% of the world's currency features wildlife? #2025MMM theconversation.com/almost-1-in-...
Reposted by Brian Tanis
NOW for the #2026MMM DIVISIONS!
a group of soldiers are standing in a field with the words get on with it
Alt: Monty Python and the Holy Grail everyone shouting "get on with it!"
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:16 PM
NOW for the #2026MMM DIVISIONS!
Reposted by Brian Tanis
But first, let's take a moment for the #2026MMM teaser trailer premiere! youtu.be/aK8CfWSZO4A
2026 March Mammal Madness Teaser Trailer
YouTube video by Katie Hinde
youtu.be
February 12, 2026 at 4:12 PM
But first, let's take a moment for the #2026MMM teaser trailer premiere! youtu.be/aK8CfWSZO4A
Reposted by Brian Tanis
Last call for #2026MMM Division guesses right now bc IT'S DARWIN DAY DIVISION ANNOUNCEMENT TIME!
a group of people in red and white uniforms are playing brass instruments
Alt: a group of people in red and white uniforms are playing brass instruments in a trumpet fanfare
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Last call for #2026MMM Division guesses right now bc IT'S DARWIN DAY DIVISION ANNOUNCEMENT TIME!
Reposted by Brian Tanis
The #2026MMM combatants thus far revealed are: Giant Anteater, Asian Elephant, Beech Marten, Common Hippo, Grey Fox, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Eurasian Lynx, Humpback Whale, Indian Rhino, & Steller's Sea Cow!
a hippopotamus is swimming in a body of water with a pbs nature logo behind it
Alt: a hippopotamus looks forward and then submerges into a flowing river... duh dun. duh dun. duh dun.
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:07 PM
The #2026MMM combatants thus far revealed are: Giant Anteater, Asian Elephant, Beech Marten, Common Hippo, Grey Fox, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Eurasian Lynx, Humpback Whale, Indian Rhino, & Steller's Sea Cow!
Reposted by Brian Tanis
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! #2026MMM
(With a hat-tip to the Dropkick Murphys)
The season's upon us, it's that time of year!
Science & carnage, there's battles to cheer,
there's twists to these plots
and there's stings to be stung,
there's research to do
and plenty of fun!
(With a hat-tip to the Dropkick Murphys)
The season's upon us, it's that time of year!
Science & carnage, there's battles to cheer,
there's twists to these plots
and there's stings to be stung,
there's research to do
and plenty of fun!
a man wearing a feathered hat says " hear ye hear ye "
Alt: Stephen Colbert rings a bell wearing a large feathered tricorn hat shouting "Hear Ye! Hear Ye!"
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! #2026MMM
(With a hat-tip to the Dropkick Murphys)
The season's upon us, it's that time of year!
Science & carnage, there's battles to cheer,
there's twists to these plots
and there's stings to be stung,
there's research to do
and plenty of fun!
(With a hat-tip to the Dropkick Murphys)
The season's upon us, it's that time of year!
Science & carnage, there's battles to cheer,
there's twists to these plots
and there's stings to be stung,
there's research to do
and plenty of fun!
Reposted by Brian Tanis
#2026MMM Psst... in honor of Darwin Day we are announcing the Divisions, as per usual... but at 9AM Tempe Time a TEASER TRAILER will go live too (since I wasn't able to pull that together for Groundhog's Day).
a cartoon illustration of a mtv music television logo .
Alt: a cartoon illustration of a mtv music television logo that says "world premiere video"
media.tenor.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:40 PM
#2026MMM Psst... in honor of Darwin Day we are announcing the Divisions, as per usual... but at 9AM Tempe Time a TEASER TRAILER will go live too (since I wasn't able to pull that together for Groundhog's Day).
Reposted by Brian Tanis
we need to talk about that Ring Super Bowl ad
February 10, 2026 at 8:18 PM
we need to talk about that Ring Super Bowl ad