Jason Munshi-South
@urbanevol.bsky.social
Betz Chair of Ecology at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Urban ecology & evolution, landscape genetics, native plants, rats, lichens. Problematic political opinions all my own!
Sorry for your loss. He lived a full life and I hope his memory is a blessing.
January 2, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Sorry for your loss. He lived a full life and I hope his memory is a blessing.
Reposted by Jason Munshi-South
š„ Check out this new #AJB essay! š„
Urban #lichens as an emerging model for urban #evolution
By Ann Evankow, Jeremy Howland, James Lendemer & Jason Munshi-South
doi.org/10.1002/ajb2...
#plantscience #fungi
Urban #lichens as an emerging model for urban #evolution
By Ann Evankow, Jeremy Howland, James Lendemer & Jason Munshi-South
doi.org/10.1002/ajb2...
#plantscience #fungi
December 15, 2025 at 4:27 PM
š„ Check out this new #AJB essay! š„
Urban #lichens as an emerging model for urban #evolution
By Ann Evankow, Jeremy Howland, James Lendemer & Jason Munshi-South
doi.org/10.1002/ajb2...
#plantscience #fungi
Urban #lichens as an emerging model for urban #evolution
By Ann Evankow, Jeremy Howland, James Lendemer & Jason Munshi-South
doi.org/10.1002/ajb2...
#plantscience #fungi
Reposted by Jason Munshi-South
Yesterday I was fired by Columbia University after eight months as executive editor of the Columbia Journalism Review. This was the first time in a 25-year career that I've ever been subjected to discipline in a job ā much less terminated from one.
April 18, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Yesterday I was fired by Columbia University after eight months as executive editor of the Columbia Journalism Review. This was the first time in a 25-year career that I've ever been subjected to discipline in a job ā much less terminated from one.
Reposted by Jason Munshi-South
De-extinction is Mars colonization for biology nerds. Sorry but it is.
April 9, 2025 at 12:48 PM
De-extinction is Mars colonization for biology nerds. Sorry but it is.
Reposted by Jason Munshi-South
Promoting urban biodiversity for the benefit of people and nature
Kowarik+
doi.org/10.1038/s443...
"urban biodiversity is peopleās primary contact with nature"
"Biodiversity-sensitive and socially inclusive urban governance and urban planning are key to developing biodiverse, green cities"
Kowarik+
doi.org/10.1038/s443...
"urban biodiversity is peopleās primary contact with nature"
"Biodiversity-sensitive and socially inclusive urban governance and urban planning are key to developing biodiverse, green cities"
Promoting urban biodiversity for the benefit of people and nature - Nature Reviews Biodiversity
Urban biodiversity underpins ecosystem services in cities, but faces multiple pressures from human activities, declining engagement of urban residents with nature, and inadequate governance systems. T...
doi.org
March 27, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Promoting urban biodiversity for the benefit of people and nature
Kowarik+
doi.org/10.1038/s443...
"urban biodiversity is peopleās primary contact with nature"
"Biodiversity-sensitive and socially inclusive urban governance and urban planning are key to developing biodiverse, green cities"
Kowarik+
doi.org/10.1038/s443...
"urban biodiversity is peopleās primary contact with nature"
"Biodiversity-sensitive and socially inclusive urban governance and urban planning are key to developing biodiverse, green cities"
Reposted by Jason Munshi-South
Because Republicans are so evil, it's easy to lose sight of how bad Democrats are on public higher education. They tend to have a deeply condescending, classist view of public education as job training. Intellectual curiosity is to be reserved for those who get into private institutions.
March 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Because Republicans are so evil, it's easy to lose sight of how bad Democrats are on public higher education. They tend to have a deeply condescending, classist view of public education as job training. Intellectual curiosity is to be reserved for those who get into private institutions.
Reposted by Jason Munshi-South
I think some in the Senate have convinced themselves that the backlash to folding will be limited to āthe leftā and therefore ignorable.
Those people are deeply and profoundly misreading the moment and the stakes.
Virtually every swing district House Dem walked the plank to vote NO for a reason.
Those people are deeply and profoundly misreading the moment and the stakes.
Virtually every swing district House Dem walked the plank to vote NO for a reason.
March 14, 2025 at 2:46 AM
I think some in the Senate have convinced themselves that the backlash to folding will be limited to āthe leftā and therefore ignorable.
Those people are deeply and profoundly misreading the moment and the stakes.
Virtually every swing district House Dem walked the plank to vote NO for a reason.
Those people are deeply and profoundly misreading the moment and the stakes.
Virtually every swing district House Dem walked the plank to vote NO for a reason.
Anybody else annoyed at how universities act like their endowments are fake money? Even if only 15-20% of the funds are unrestricted, that is a lot of $$ for wealthy universities. They need to stop acting like they are Berkshire-Hathaway and protect their people and academic mission.
March 13, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Anybody else annoyed at how universities act like their endowments are fake money? Even if only 15-20% of the funds are unrestricted, that is a lot of $$ for wealthy universities. They need to stop acting like they are Berkshire-Hathaway and protect their people and academic mission.
Columbia U. has an endowment of $14 billion. They should be fighting with all they have rather than capitulating to a dictatorial regime. The federal government is trying to set up an exception to the First Amendment to benefit a single foreign country, Israel. It won't stop there.
Columbia: it's not his fault, I just make him really angry sometimes, but he loves me
March 11, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Columbia U. has an endowment of $14 billion. They should be fighting with all they have rather than capitulating to a dictatorial regime. The federal government is trying to set up an exception to the First Amendment to benefit a single foreign country, Israel. It won't stop there.
Spring peepers but only a few-not the entire chorus yet and no wood frogs
March 6, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Spring peepers but only a few-not the entire chorus yet and no wood frogs
Reposted by Jason Munshi-South
Favorite part of Star Wars was when Luke Skywalker took off his jacket and defeated Palpatine with his T-Shirt that said āResistā
March 5, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Favorite part of Star Wars was when Luke Skywalker took off his jacket and defeated Palpatine with his T-Shirt that said āResistā
It often starts with criminalizing the speech of dissidents, journalists, and academics. Recently, professors in Turkey have been jailed for not being sufficiently pro-dictatorship. We're on a speedrun to a general crisis (economic, social, etc)
This is an attempt to criminalize free speech and suppress dissent. If we donāt take a strong stand against this, itās the end of our democracy, and not just higher education. Universities are the trial balloon, but it doesnāt end here. Next, it will be employers, cities and towns, and individuals.
March 4, 2025 at 8:04 PM
It often starts with criminalizing the speech of dissidents, journalists, and academics. Recently, professors in Turkey have been jailed for not being sufficiently pro-dictatorship. We're on a speedrun to a general crisis (economic, social, etc)
Reposted by Jason Munshi-South
That was always annoying to me about the lab leak / wet market "controversy". We don't have good data supporting either scenario, but the wet market origin would not be better! That's how the first SARS emerged and China should have better regulations. Risk is risk, lab or market.
March 3, 2025 at 9:36 PM
That was always annoying to me about the lab leak / wet market "controversy". We don't have good data supporting either scenario, but the wet market origin would not be better! That's how the first SARS emerged and China should have better regulations. Risk is risk, lab or market.
Sensible Op-Ed about safety issues involved in pathogen research. The public needs to have faith that scientific institutions are not putting them at unnecessary risk: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/o...
Opinion | Recent Virus Research Should Raise Alarm
Research with pandemic potential needs the utmost precautions.
www.nytimes.com
March 3, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Sensible Op-Ed about safety issues involved in pathogen research. The public needs to have faith that scientific institutions are not putting them at unnecessary risk: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/o...
Is this true? Do it anyway. Academic freedom exists for this reason. As long as you aren't claiming to be a spokesperson for the university then it is fine.
I know many universities are asking folks not to speak to reporters on the record.
If you have need for someone who will be effing glad to speak on the record, DM me!
š
If you have need for someone who will be effing glad to speak on the record, DM me!
š
March 1, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Is this true? Do it anyway. Academic freedom exists for this reason. As long as you aren't claiming to be a spokesperson for the university then it is fine.
If you have ever dealt with a narcissistic sociopath then you understand Trump's and Vance's hysterical reactions to moderate pushback from Velensky. I still wonder a bit if Vance is acting to keep his benefactor happy but now kind of doubt it.
February 28, 2025 at 6:36 PM
If you have ever dealt with a narcissistic sociopath then you understand Trump's and Vance's hysterical reactions to moderate pushback from Velensky. I still wonder a bit if Vance is acting to keep his benefactor happy but now kind of doubt it.
Been buying these like greedy hoarders since they appeared at TJ. Remarkable
February 28, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Been buying these like greedy hoarders since they appeared at TJ. Remarkable
My spouse pointed out that we are literally losing money at the local level as people lose jobs and grants (my spouse was working on a DOE grant for 5 years that was canceled and I'm an academic...many like us!). They had no response and the Dems are doing nothing.
February 28, 2025 at 4:11 PM
My spouse pointed out that we are literally losing money at the local level as people lose jobs and grants (my spouse was working on a DOE grant for 5 years that was canceled and I'm an academic...many like us!). They had no response and the Dems are doing nothing.
My state legislators are Republicans because we're in a gerrymandered district that lumps us with ultra-wealthy towns on either side. Last night they had a town hall and a bunch of Democrats came to yell at them about everything. The Repubs acted like they didn't know what is happening at fed level!
February 28, 2025 at 4:10 PM
My state legislators are Republicans because we're in a gerrymandered district that lumps us with ultra-wealthy towns on either side. Last night they had a town hall and a bunch of Democrats came to yell at them about everything. The Repubs acted like they didn't know what is happening at fed level!
Red-winged blackbird males are back today! Over the last 7 years this about the latest they have arrived. Chipmunks are already active and have had a robin already. Usually robins show up in larger numbers later. Wood frogs and spring peepers calling should not be far behind.
February 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Red-winged blackbird males are back today! Over the last 7 years this about the latest they have arrived. Chipmunks are already active and have had a robin already. Usually robins show up in larger numbers later. Wood frogs and spring peepers calling should not be far behind.
Reposted by Jason Munshi-South
Come work with us! The New York Botanical Garden is hiring a Curator at the Assist. or Associate level. Profile: a productive and FUN Mycologist or Cryptogamic Botanist. Happy to talk to candidates about how wonderful one of the best botanical research centers is, easy.
www.nybg.org/about/work-w...
www.nybg.org/about/work-w...
Employment | New York Botanical Garden
Find out what employment opportunities are available at The New York Botanical Garden.
www.nybg.org
February 26, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Come work with us! The New York Botanical Garden is hiring a Curator at the Assist. or Associate level. Profile: a productive and FUN Mycologist or Cryptogamic Botanist. Happy to talk to candidates about how wonderful one of the best botanical research centers is, easy.
www.nybg.org/about/work-w...
www.nybg.org/about/work-w...
Hopefully this would also limit the cultural hyper-focus on Top 20 Ivies and adjacent that warp peoples' views about academia. Most universities are not elite reproduction machines. They play an important role in social mobility!
February 27, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Hopefully this would also limit the cultural hyper-focus on Top 20 Ivies and adjacent that warp peoples' views about academia. Most universities are not elite reproduction machines. They play an important role in social mobility!
Open to idea of taxing huge university endowments. Non-profit universities should not be hedge funds, health care systems, and real estate portfolios that run an education side hustle. But make it productive! Taxes go down as you serve more students, cut administrative bloat, and rein in tuition
February 27, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Open to idea of taxing huge university endowments. Non-profit universities should not be hedge funds, health care systems, and real estate portfolios that run an education side hustle. But make it productive! Taxes go down as you serve more students, cut administrative bloat, and rein in tuition