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
Wild fact from @billmckibben.bsky.social's latest newsletter:
"The last colder-than-average month on planet earth was in February of 1985, which means that no one under the age of forty has ever known one."
"The last colder-than-average month on planet earth was in February of 1985, which means that no one under the age of forty has ever known one."
Notes on winter
When the world turns whimsical
billmckibben.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Wild fact from @billmckibben.bsky.social's latest newsletter:
"The last colder-than-average month on planet earth was in February of 1985, which means that no one under the age of forty has ever known one."
"The last colder-than-average month on planet earth was in February of 1985, which means that no one under the age of forty has ever known one."
Reposted by Brian Tanis
I am. But there are three things at play here regarding ICE collecting private data. Quick rundown on the issue, why you should be paying attention, and what I'm doing about it:
So which politician is calling for the dismantling of the probably illegal database that ice & this government is collecting biometric data of protesters?
January 27, 2026 at 9:28 PM
I am. But there are three things at play here regarding ICE collecting private data. Quick rundown on the issue, why you should be paying attention, and what I'm doing about it:
Reposted by Brian Tanis
Divisions will be announced on Darwin Day February 12th & the full bracket drops on Feb 19th, but follow the official account @mmmletsgo.bsky.social for regular announcements and combatant clues. #2026MMM
a colorful background with the words stay tuned
Alt: a colorful background with the words "stay tuned"
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Divisions will be announced on Darwin Day February 12th & the full bracket drops on Feb 19th, but follow the official account @mmmletsgo.bsky.social for regular announcements and combatant clues. #2026MMM
Reposted by Brian Tanis
In honor of 10 tournaments of the March Mammal Madness LibGuide at ASU Library, #2026MMM Celebrates LIBRARIES!
More than books, and definitely more than admonishments to shush, libraries are incredible collections of human knowledge, information, imagination, & creativity @mmmletsgo.bsky.social
More than books, and definitely more than admonishments to shush, libraries are incredible collections of human knowledge, information, imagination, & creativity @mmmletsgo.bsky.social
The Worm Dance GIF
Alt: An awesome dancer does The Worm Dance on top of a bookshelf in the stacks of a library
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:42 PM
In honor of 10 tournaments of the March Mammal Madness LibGuide at ASU Library, #2026MMM Celebrates LIBRARIES!
More than books, and definitely more than admonishments to shush, libraries are incredible collections of human knowledge, information, imagination, & creativity @mmmletsgo.bsky.social
More than books, and definitely more than admonishments to shush, libraries are incredible collections of human knowledge, information, imagination, & creativity @mmmletsgo.bsky.social
Reposted by Brian Tanis
As per always on this most holy of mammal holidays, Groundhog's Day, March Mammal Madness launches our annual tournament page! #2026MMM @mmmletsgo.bsky.social libguides.asu.edu/MarchMammalM...
February 2, 2026 at 5:39 PM
As per always on this most holy of mammal holidays, Groundhog's Day, March Mammal Madness launches our annual tournament page! #2026MMM @mmmletsgo.bsky.social libguides.asu.edu/MarchMammalM...
Reposted by Brian Tanis
What strikes me about this is that “beating cancer” is the most universal, nonpartisan issue it feels like has ever existed.
Which side is “pro cancer” was not a question I ever expected an answer too.
The public is ignorant but every politician that has existed is like “We’re gonna beat cancer!”
Which side is “pro cancer” was not a question I ever expected an answer too.
The public is ignorant but every politician that has existed is like “We’re gonna beat cancer!”
I am hearing that RFK Jr.’s minions are going to go after HPV vaccines. I’ve got problems with these people and now you’re going to hear about them, first from a personal perspective and then from a professional one.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
January 28, 2026 at 9:52 PM
What strikes me about this is that “beating cancer” is the most universal, nonpartisan issue it feels like has ever existed.
Which side is “pro cancer” was not a question I ever expected an answer too.
The public is ignorant but every politician that has existed is like “We’re gonna beat cancer!”
Which side is “pro cancer” was not a question I ever expected an answer too.
The public is ignorant but every politician that has existed is like “We’re gonna beat cancer!”
Reposted by Brian Tanis
Of all the departures this past year at NOAA—via the fork offer, retirements, etc.— the one that stung the most was the firing of people in their probationary first year. They have more modern skills than those of us who received their PhDs in the 90s and 00s. My whole department is in its 50s now.
How many STEM Ph.D.s were lost from the U.S. federal government last year?
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...
January 27, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Of all the departures this past year at NOAA—via the fork offer, retirements, etc.— the one that stung the most was the firing of people in their probationary first year. They have more modern skills than those of us who received their PhDs in the 90s and 00s. My whole department is in its 50s now.
Reposted by Brian Tanis
Techbros seem to love Tolkien, so here's an analogy to help you understand what genAI is.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
December 17, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Techbros seem to love Tolkien, so here's an analogy to help you understand what genAI is.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
Reposted by Brian Tanis
Over the last six months the PNE have invested over $6 million to bring the iconic old Pacific Coliseum back to life — and to make it home of the PWHL’s Vancouver Goldeneyes.
I took a tour of the building ahead of Friday’s home opener for @theathletic.com
I took a tour of the building ahead of Friday’s home opener for @theathletic.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Over the last six months the PNE have invested over $6 million to bring the iconic old Pacific Coliseum back to life — and to make it home of the PWHL’s Vancouver Goldeneyes.
I took a tour of the building ahead of Friday’s home opener for @theathletic.com
I took a tour of the building ahead of Friday’s home opener for @theathletic.com
Reposted by Brian Tanis
A horrifying graphic from Pew showing the fruits of the right wing war on public health.
Only 48% of Republicans believe that vaccines prevent serious illness, while 80% of Democrats do.
This is not a difference of opinion in science. This is the result of a ruthless disinformation campaign.
Only 48% of Republicans believe that vaccines prevent serious illness, while 80% of Democrats do.
This is not a difference of opinion in science. This is the result of a ruthless disinformation campaign.
November 20, 2025 at 8:46 PM
A horrifying graphic from Pew showing the fruits of the right wing war on public health.
Only 48% of Republicans believe that vaccines prevent serious illness, while 80% of Democrats do.
This is not a difference of opinion in science. This is the result of a ruthless disinformation campaign.
Only 48% of Republicans believe that vaccines prevent serious illness, while 80% of Democrats do.
This is not a difference of opinion in science. This is the result of a ruthless disinformation campaign.
Reposted by Brian Tanis
Hey folks, as news of Watson's demise spreads, please don't set aside his weighty legacy of misogyny and racism. He was truly among the worst of us. www.vox.com/2019/1/15/18...
DNA scientist James Watson has a remarkably long history of sexist, racist public comments
“People say it would be terrible if we made all girls pretty,” he said in 2003. “I think it would be great.”
www.vox.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Hey folks, as news of Watson's demise spreads, please don't set aside his weighty legacy of misogyny and racism. He was truly among the worst of us. www.vox.com/2019/1/15/18...
Reposted by Brian Tanis
My ask of any science enthusiasts who tell the story of Rosalind Franklin:
Don't make her life be about the DNA debacle. She died far too young, but she was a promising scientist in her own right, a mentor and scientific author.
Not for Watson or Crick, but for her legacy.
Don't make her life be about the DNA debacle. She died far too young, but she was a promising scientist in her own right, a mentor and scientific author.
Not for Watson or Crick, but for her legacy.
Her sister wrote my favorite essay about her. She points out that RF would have been famous even if she'd never looked at DNA
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Remembering my sister Rosalind Franklin
Rosalind Franklin died of ovarian cancer in 1958 aged 37 years. Sympathy and feminism
have combined to give us her familiar image as a downtrodden woman scientist, brilliant
but neglected, a heroine t...
www.thelancet.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:17 AM
My ask of any science enthusiasts who tell the story of Rosalind Franklin:
Don't make her life be about the DNA debacle. She died far too young, but she was a promising scientist in her own right, a mentor and scientific author.
Not for Watson or Crick, but for her legacy.
Don't make her life be about the DNA debacle. She died far too young, but she was a promising scientist in her own right, a mentor and scientific author.
Not for Watson or Crick, but for her legacy.
Reposted by Brian Tanis
New map of the cool parts of NYC just dropped.
November 5, 2025 at 3:03 AM
New map of the cool parts of NYC just dropped.
Reposted by Brian Tanis
If you see any business owners belittling SNAP recipients for accepting government money to get through tough times, maybe look them up on @propublica.org's PPP Loan Tracker to see if they got any of the $793B in bailout money (96% of which was forgiven)
projects.propublica.org/coronavirus/...
projects.propublica.org/coronavirus/...
Tracking PPP: Search Every Company Approved for Federal Loans - ProPublica
As part of the Paycheck Protection Program, the federal government has provided hundreds of billions in financial support to banks to make low-interest loans to companies and nonprofit organizations i...
projects.propublica.org
November 2, 2025 at 5:38 PM
If you see any business owners belittling SNAP recipients for accepting government money to get through tough times, maybe look them up on @propublica.org's PPP Loan Tracker to see if they got any of the $793B in bailout money (96% of which was forgiven)
projects.propublica.org/coronavirus/...
projects.propublica.org/coronavirus/...
Reposted by Brian Tanis
What was your first rigged election? Mine was 2000 Bush v Gore.
A quarter of a century ago..
A quarter of a century ago..
October 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
What was your first rigged election? Mine was 2000 Bush v Gore.
A quarter of a century ago..
A quarter of a century ago..
Reposted by Brian Tanis
September 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Reposted by Brian Tanis
September 28, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Reposted by Brian Tanis
How about some good news?
Vaccine to curb chlamydia epidemic devastating koalas approved
Vaccine to curb chlamydia epidemic devastating koalas approved
Koala chlamydia: Australia approves vaccine to curb killer epidemic
Thousands of koalas have died from the disease, with some estimates suggesting only 50,000 remain in the wild.
www.bbc.com
September 10, 2025 at 11:05 AM
How about some good news?
Vaccine to curb chlamydia epidemic devastating koalas approved
Vaccine to curb chlamydia epidemic devastating koalas approved
Reposted by Brian Tanis
As a guy who got a cancer that was probably caused by a virus, I think we should have /more/ vaccines.
September 8, 2025 at 12:49 AM
As a guy who got a cancer that was probably caused by a virus, I think we should have /more/ vaccines.
Reposted by Brian Tanis
RFK Jr. rolled out that old chestnut again about how healthy Americans were in the 60’s, so here’s a fact check.
In 1965:
-42% of American adults smoked; it’s 11% now.
-The infant morality rate was 24.7/1000; it’s 5.6/1000 now.
-Overall life expectancy was 70 years; it's about 77 years now.
In 1965:
-42% of American adults smoked; it’s 11% now.
-The infant morality rate was 24.7/1000; it’s 5.6/1000 now.
-Overall life expectancy was 70 years; it's about 77 years now.
September 4, 2025 at 6:46 PM
RFK Jr. rolled out that old chestnut again about how healthy Americans were in the 60’s, so here’s a fact check.
In 1965:
-42% of American adults smoked; it’s 11% now.
-The infant morality rate was 24.7/1000; it’s 5.6/1000 now.
-Overall life expectancy was 70 years; it's about 77 years now.
In 1965:
-42% of American adults smoked; it’s 11% now.
-The infant morality rate was 24.7/1000; it’s 5.6/1000 now.
-Overall life expectancy was 70 years; it's about 77 years now.
Reposted by Brian Tanis
I keep saying every miserable summer, it was never this hot in the Pacific Northwest, and here's the proof.
Up til 20 yrs ago in the Seattle summer (Jun - Aug), half the time you could expect a HIGH temp cooler than 72°F. 90°F days were so rare (<2%)
Up til 10 yrs ago (2006-2015), a quarter of our summer highs became >80°F
The last 10 yrs, a third of our summer days are >80°F days, and 6% are >90°F days
Up til 10 yrs ago (2006-2015), a quarter of our summer highs became >80°F
The last 10 yrs, a third of our summer days are >80°F days, and 6% are >90°F days
August 31, 2025 at 8:04 PM
I keep saying every miserable summer, it was never this hot in the Pacific Northwest, and here's the proof.
Reposted by Brian Tanis
This is the one Labor Day graph that tells you the actual problem in America.
The problem is not that America lacks abundance.
The problem is that a handful of oligarchs are hoarding America’s abundance.
www.levernews.com/the-labor-da...
The problem is not that America lacks abundance.
The problem is that a handful of oligarchs are hoarding America’s abundance.
www.levernews.com/the-labor-da...
August 31, 2025 at 8:18 PM
This is the one Labor Day graph that tells you the actual problem in America.
The problem is not that America lacks abundance.
The problem is that a handful of oligarchs are hoarding America’s abundance.
www.levernews.com/the-labor-da...
The problem is not that America lacks abundance.
The problem is that a handful of oligarchs are hoarding America’s abundance.
www.levernews.com/the-labor-da...
Reposted by Brian Tanis
Happy Labor Day to all who celebrate, and a miserable Labor Day to those who don't, because people who hate labor don't deserve nice things.
September 1, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Happy Labor Day to all who celebrate, and a miserable Labor Day to those who don't, because people who hate labor don't deserve nice things.
Reposted by Brian Tanis
We’re only a few years removed from creatjng a vaccine to protect against a deadly airborne virus in a matter of months. Now, we have a scion fail son running the CDC into the ground not because it failed, but because its success conflicts with RFK Jr’s eugenicist ideology.
9 CDC Directors going back to 1977 speak out. What RFK Jr has done to our nation’s public health system "should alarm every American."
It "is unlike anything we have ever seen at the agency, and unlike anything our country has ever experienced." www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
It "is unlike anything we have ever seen at the agency, and unlike anything our country has ever experienced." www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
Opinion | We Ran the C.D.C.: Kennedy Is Endangering Every American’s Health
www.nytimes.com
September 1, 2025 at 12:23 PM
We’re only a few years removed from creatjng a vaccine to protect against a deadly airborne virus in a matter of months. Now, we have a scion fail son running the CDC into the ground not because it failed, but because its success conflicts with RFK Jr’s eugenicist ideology.