Theresa MacPhail
@theresamacphail.bsky.social
Writer. Medical anthropologist. Professor. Science nerd. Crone.
Cross-posting here, but engaging on Threads.
Author of Allergic: Our Irritated Bodies in a Changing World (Random House)
Cross-posting here, but engaging on Threads.
Author of Allergic: Our Irritated Bodies in a Changing World (Random House)
Pinned
Hi, I'm a medical anthropologist and my fun facts are never really "fun."
I can ruin a party if you ask me about my research.
I know enough about bioscience to have permanent med-student syndrome and think my every symptom is evidence of a fatal disease.
I'm here to rain on your parades.
I can ruin a party if you ask me about my research.
I know enough about bioscience to have permanent med-student syndrome and think my every symptom is evidence of a fatal disease.
I'm here to rain on your parades.
New piece on aging and exercise - with some good and bad news about Gen X and Elder Millennials.
Good news: We are exercising more than prior generations.
Bad news: Some of us take "50 is the new 30" a bit too far, and don't adapt to our aging bodies.
www.theguardian.com/wellness/202...
Good news: We are exercising more than prior generations.
Bad news: Some of us take "50 is the new 30" a bit too far, and don't adapt to our aging bodies.
www.theguardian.com/wellness/202...
You should act your age – at least when it comes to exercise. Here’s why
Adapting your fitness routine to your physical realities can help prevent injury from over-exercising
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:49 PM
New piece on aging and exercise - with some good and bad news about Gen X and Elder Millennials.
Good news: We are exercising more than prior generations.
Bad news: Some of us take "50 is the new 30" a bit too far, and don't adapt to our aging bodies.
www.theguardian.com/wellness/202...
Good news: We are exercising more than prior generations.
Bad news: Some of us take "50 is the new 30" a bit too far, and don't adapt to our aging bodies.
www.theguardian.com/wellness/202...
I guess this is what happens when we elect and appoint people who decide to believe in God but not viruses.
This is so fucking stupid.
This is so fucking stupid.
May 28, 2025 at 11:54 PM
I guess this is what happens when we elect and appoint people who decide to believe in God but not viruses.
This is so fucking stupid.
This is so fucking stupid.
I don't mind dying in a pandemic caused by a virus if we did everything we could to prevent it or stop it.
That's just nature doing its thing.
I do mind dying in a pandemic we saw coming and did little to nothing to stop.
Because that's just fucking stupidity.
That's just nature doing its thing.
I do mind dying in a pandemic we saw coming and did little to nothing to stop.
Because that's just fucking stupidity.
May 28, 2025 at 11:54 PM
I don't mind dying in a pandemic caused by a virus if we did everything we could to prevent it or stop it.
That's just nature doing its thing.
I do mind dying in a pandemic we saw coming and did little to nothing to stop.
Because that's just fucking stupidity.
That's just nature doing its thing.
I do mind dying in a pandemic we saw coming and did little to nothing to stop.
Because that's just fucking stupidity.
I feel like this site is mainly for Twitter addicts who realized the supply was tainted and needed a better dealer.
March 18, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I feel like this site is mainly for Twitter addicts who realized the supply was tainted and needed a better dealer.
I'm going to start posting the most unhinged bullshit on this account because it's like screaming into a digital pillow over here.
March 18, 2025 at 9:54 PM
I'm going to start posting the most unhinged bullshit on this account because it's like screaming into a digital pillow over here.
Is anyone else feeling their inner 13yo mean girl emerging from dormancy to do battle in the year of our Lord 2025?
Consider this fair warning, comment sections.
Consider this fair warning, comment sections.
February 14, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Is anyone else feeling their inner 13yo mean girl emerging from dormancy to do battle in the year of our Lord 2025?
Consider this fair warning, comment sections.
Consider this fair warning, comment sections.
My sanity feels like it's being held together by two pieces of scotch tape and a single staple.
February 7, 2025 at 5:26 PM
My sanity feels like it's being held together by two pieces of scotch tape and a single staple.
Y'all, it is not fun to be knocking back shots of Robitussin like you're at a frat party in 1992 whilst reading about the demise of public health and medical research.
0/10
0/10
January 24, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Y'all, it is not fun to be knocking back shots of Robitussin like you're at a frat party in 1992 whilst reading about the demise of public health and medical research.
0/10
0/10
How is my sabbatical?
Great. Fine. So good.
Great. Fine. So good.
January 22, 2025 at 6:49 PM
How is my sabbatical?
Great. Fine. So good.
Great. Fine. So good.
But how did the sans culottes organize without TikTok???!!!
How did folks organize the Montgomery bus boycotts without TikTok?!?!?
Call me crazy, but I don't think control of social media automatically equates to the total doom of democracy or the resistance.
How did folks organize the Montgomery bus boycotts without TikTok?!?!?
Call me crazy, but I don't think control of social media automatically equates to the total doom of democracy or the resistance.
January 13, 2025 at 6:09 PM
But how did the sans culottes organize without TikTok???!!!
How did folks organize the Montgomery bus boycotts without TikTok?!?!?
Call me crazy, but I don't think control of social media automatically equates to the total doom of democracy or the resistance.
How did folks organize the Montgomery bus boycotts without TikTok?!?!?
Call me crazy, but I don't think control of social media automatically equates to the total doom of democracy or the resistance.
We're on big, virtual slot machines and the whole goal of *every* single platform is to addict you, so part of me is always baffled when people are fighting over which slot machines are more ethical.
I see it as play. Maybe for some of you it's serious play, but it's hard for me to take seriously.
I see it as play. Maybe for some of you it's serious play, but it's hard for me to take seriously.
January 13, 2025 at 5:11 PM
We're on big, virtual slot machines and the whole goal of *every* single platform is to addict you, so part of me is always baffled when people are fighting over which slot machines are more ethical.
I see it as play. Maybe for some of you it's serious play, but it's hard for me to take seriously.
I see it as play. Maybe for some of you it's serious play, but it's hard for me to take seriously.
I'm on this episode explaining some of the reasons allergy diagnosis and treatment are so complicated. Give it a listen!
open.spotify.com/episode/5D5q...
open.spotify.com/episode/5D5q...
617. Are You Really Allergic to Penicillin?
Freakonomics Radio · Episode
open.spotify.com
January 10, 2025 at 8:50 PM
I'm on this episode explaining some of the reasons allergy diagnosis and treatment are so complicated. Give it a listen!
open.spotify.com/episode/5D5q...
open.spotify.com/episode/5D5q...
A friend in LA sent me a video of someone driving around a still-burning neighborhood and I had the same feeling of despair watching it that I had while seeing videos of Katrina's aftermath in New Orleans.
This is LA's Katrina.
I'm so, so sorry, Angelenos. This is absolutely devastating.
This is LA's Katrina.
I'm so, so sorry, Angelenos. This is absolutely devastating.
January 9, 2025 at 5:42 PM
A friend in LA sent me a video of someone driving around a still-burning neighborhood and I had the same feeling of despair watching it that I had while seeing videos of Katrina's aftermath in New Orleans.
This is LA's Katrina.
I'm so, so sorry, Angelenos. This is absolutely devastating.
This is LA's Katrina.
I'm so, so sorry, Angelenos. This is absolutely devastating.
I made the mistake of curating a climate science heavy feed here and now it's my most depressing social media feed.
I need to start following some funny people STAT.
I need to start following some funny people STAT.
January 9, 2025 at 12:11 AM
I made the mistake of curating a climate science heavy feed here and now it's my most depressing social media feed.
I need to start following some funny people STAT.
I need to start following some funny people STAT.
Sometimes I respect the artistry of a diss comment.
"That sounds like a room temperature IQ take."
I mean. Chef's kiss. Bravo.
"That sounds like a room temperature IQ take."
I mean. Chef's kiss. Bravo.
December 13, 2024 at 5:01 PM
Sometimes I respect the artistry of a diss comment.
"That sounds like a room temperature IQ take."
I mean. Chef's kiss. Bravo.
"That sounds like a room temperature IQ take."
I mean. Chef's kiss. Bravo.
Serious question.
If studies have shown there's a drop in reading comprehension when reading digitally versus on paper, and our reading comprehension scores are low anyway, is it even possible that textual digital spaces like this can promote better comprehension of any subject?
If studies have shown there's a drop in reading comprehension when reading digitally versus on paper, and our reading comprehension scores are low anyway, is it even possible that textual digital spaces like this can promote better comprehension of any subject?
December 9, 2024 at 10:17 PM
Serious question.
If studies have shown there's a drop in reading comprehension when reading digitally versus on paper, and our reading comprehension scores are low anyway, is it even possible that textual digital spaces like this can promote better comprehension of any subject?
If studies have shown there's a drop in reading comprehension when reading digitally versus on paper, and our reading comprehension scores are low anyway, is it even possible that textual digital spaces like this can promote better comprehension of any subject?
Some medical history:
A 1953 questionnaire sent to 444 doctors in Philadelphia showed that 69% never or usually did not inform patients they had cancer. Just 3% said they would always inform the patient.
The main reason given for not telling them was "unfavorable emotional reaction."
A 1953 questionnaire sent to 444 doctors in Philadelphia showed that 69% never or usually did not inform patients they had cancer. Just 3% said they would always inform the patient.
The main reason given for not telling them was "unfavorable emotional reaction."
November 29, 2024 at 10:36 PM
Some medical history:
A 1953 questionnaire sent to 444 doctors in Philadelphia showed that 69% never or usually did not inform patients they had cancer. Just 3% said they would always inform the patient.
The main reason given for not telling them was "unfavorable emotional reaction."
A 1953 questionnaire sent to 444 doctors in Philadelphia showed that 69% never or usually did not inform patients they had cancer. Just 3% said they would always inform the patient.
The main reason given for not telling them was "unfavorable emotional reaction."
I expect any minute to start hearing about the miraculous health benefits of bloodletting.
Venesection, baby. That's where it's at.
Venesection, baby. That's where it's at.
November 26, 2024 at 8:36 PM
I expect any minute to start hearing about the miraculous health benefits of bloodletting.
Venesection, baby. That's where it's at.
Venesection, baby. That's where it's at.
I just saw a video asking people what the absolute worst book they've ever read is, as in, would not recommend it to your worst enemy because it's absolute trash.
The first comment is: "the Bible" and it has thousands of likes.
Sometimes I love the internet.
The first comment is: "the Bible" and it has thousands of likes.
Sometimes I love the internet.
November 23, 2024 at 10:32 PM
I just saw a video asking people what the absolute worst book they've ever read is, as in, would not recommend it to your worst enemy because it's absolute trash.
The first comment is: "the Bible" and it has thousands of likes.
Sometimes I love the internet.
The first comment is: "the Bible" and it has thousands of likes.
Sometimes I love the internet.
I'm starting to think that having a president with cognitive decline is actually the perfect symbol for the USA.
November 23, 2024 at 6:01 PM
I'm starting to think that having a president with cognitive decline is actually the perfect symbol for the USA.
Barely half of most social media users actively post on any given platform. On a site like this, it's barely 1/3. On YouTube, that goes down to just 10%.
A lot of folks are in the backseat, ending up wherever the others want to go, listening to the conversations and arguments along the way.
A lot of folks are in the backseat, ending up wherever the others want to go, listening to the conversations and arguments along the way.
November 22, 2024 at 11:38 PM
Barely half of most social media users actively post on any given platform. On a site like this, it's barely 1/3. On YouTube, that goes down to just 10%.
A lot of folks are in the backseat, ending up wherever the others want to go, listening to the conversations and arguments along the way.
A lot of folks are in the backseat, ending up wherever the others want to go, listening to the conversations and arguments along the way.
The cognitive dissonance of anti-aging folks who want to live until 150-years-old and the facts facing us with climate change must be rather large.
Unless you have to traffic in toxic positivity to buy into the longevity narratives folks are spinning in the first place?
Unless you have to traffic in toxic positivity to buy into the longevity narratives folks are spinning in the first place?
November 22, 2024 at 10:44 PM
The cognitive dissonance of anti-aging folks who want to live until 150-years-old and the facts facing us with climate change must be rather large.
Unless you have to traffic in toxic positivity to buy into the longevity narratives folks are spinning in the first place?
Unless you have to traffic in toxic positivity to buy into the longevity narratives folks are spinning in the first place?
Hi, I'm a medical anthropologist and my fun facts are never really "fun."
I can ruin a party if you ask me about my research.
I know enough about bioscience to have permanent med-student syndrome and think my every symptom is evidence of a fatal disease.
I'm here to rain on your parades.
I can ruin a party if you ask me about my research.
I know enough about bioscience to have permanent med-student syndrome and think my every symptom is evidence of a fatal disease.
I'm here to rain on your parades.
November 13, 2024 at 10:22 PM
Hi, I'm a medical anthropologist and my fun facts are never really "fun."
I can ruin a party if you ask me about my research.
I know enough about bioscience to have permanent med-student syndrome and think my every symptom is evidence of a fatal disease.
I'm here to rain on your parades.
I can ruin a party if you ask me about my research.
I know enough about bioscience to have permanent med-student syndrome and think my every symptom is evidence of a fatal disease.
I'm here to rain on your parades.
I feel about starting a new social media account the way I feel about teaching right now.
November 13, 2024 at 10:20 PM
I feel about starting a new social media account the way I feel about teaching right now.
I really enjoyed this conversation with Jim Mora on Sunday Morning on Radio New Zealand. I'll be back on this Sunday with more.
Are humans allergic to the modern world?
An estimated 30-40% of the global population suffer from allergies, be they hay, peanut, lactose or something less common. That's billions of people, and the number just keeps rising. According to Med...
www.rnz.co.nz
February 14, 2024 at 8:47 PM
I really enjoyed this conversation with Jim Mora on Sunday Morning on Radio New Zealand. I'll be back on this Sunday with more.