Dani Asafov (they/he)
@vagabondphysicist.bsky.social
PhD student at KU Leuven (and an ex-PhD student from Caltech) studying statmech and quantum dynamics
Traveller, gamer, poetry lover, an amateur theatre performer and a wanna-be activist
(they/he) 🏳️🌈🦄
non-binary, pansexual and poly
Traveller, gamer, poetry lover, an amateur theatre performer and a wanna-be activist
(they/he) 🏳️🌈🦄
non-binary, pansexual and poly
Pinned
I am excited to share that I am exiting the Caltech Ph.D. programme (graduating with Master's degree) in July and moving to KU Leuven to continue my Ph.D. there!
It pains me to leave Caltech (not something I expected to say a year ago), but I think it is the right decision in the current climate.
It pains me to leave Caltech (not something I expected to say a year ago), but I think it is the right decision in the current climate.
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
Hey friends, sadly, we really need money & you can help us, even if you cannot donate. 🌸
November 2, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Hey friends, sadly, we really need money & you can help us, even if you cannot donate. 🌸
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
On #GlobalEncryptionDay 🔒 we stand strong against encryption backdoors! 💪
We've just fought #ChatControl & we'll continue to fight wherever #encryption is under threat. But today we'd like to celebrate that 61% of all Tuta emails are sent end-to-end encrypted - a huge win for privacy. 🔥
We've just fought #ChatControl & we'll continue to fight wherever #encryption is under threat. But today we'd like to celebrate that 61% of all Tuta emails are sent end-to-end encrypted - a huge win for privacy. 🔥
October 21, 2025 at 7:56 AM
On #GlobalEncryptionDay 🔒 we stand strong against encryption backdoors! 💪
We've just fought #ChatControl & we'll continue to fight wherever #encryption is under threat. But today we'd like to celebrate that 61% of all Tuta emails are sent end-to-end encrypted - a huge win for privacy. 🔥
We've just fought #ChatControl & we'll continue to fight wherever #encryption is under threat. But today we'd like to celebrate that 61% of all Tuta emails are sent end-to-end encrypted - a huge win for privacy. 🔥
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
Like, comment, and share! 🫶
October 29, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Like, comment, and share! 🫶
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
reminder that you can be the gentlest, kindest person--you can dedicate your life to protecting the planet!--and still keep a little list of people you fucking hate. it's okay to be angry! anger is a symptom of giving a shit!
Earlier this year, Dr. Jane Goodall sat down for an interview for Brad Falchuk’s new Netflix series, Famous Last Words.
The premise of the series is to interview people on the condition that the interview not air until the subject has passed away.
The premise of the series is to interview people on the condition that the interview not air until the subject has passed away.
October 6, 2025 at 2:08 PM
reminder that you can be the gentlest, kindest person--you can dedicate your life to protecting the planet!--and still keep a little list of people you fucking hate. it's okay to be angry! anger is a symptom of giving a shit!
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
Solidly researched.
Evidence based.
Incontrovertible.
"An astounding 90% of autistic children consumed either breast milk or formula...ignoring potential confounders, control groups and statistical significance."
Hats off to @integralanswers.bsky.social for the fine work.
Evidence based.
Incontrovertible.
"An astounding 90% of autistic children consumed either breast milk or formula...ignoring potential confounders, control groups and statistical significance."
Hats off to @integralanswers.bsky.social for the fine work.
October 19, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Solidly researched.
Evidence based.
Incontrovertible.
"An astounding 90% of autistic children consumed either breast milk or formula...ignoring potential confounders, control groups and statistical significance."
Hats off to @integralanswers.bsky.social for the fine work.
Evidence based.
Incontrovertible.
"An astounding 90% of autistic children consumed either breast milk or formula...ignoring potential confounders, control groups and statistical significance."
Hats off to @integralanswers.bsky.social for the fine work.
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
June 8, 2025 at 1:12 PM
How We Beat The Fascists Last Time: The London History Show
YouTube video by J. Draper
www.youtube.com
September 22, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
I double dare you, MFF.
September 1, 2025 at 7:45 PM
I double dare you, MFF.
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
Discworld QOTD, from Lords and Ladies
August 28, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Discworld QOTD, from Lords and Ladies
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
This Fiona Apple narrated explainer PSA on how to film (and release footage from, not livestream) ICE arrests is exactly what we need from people with production skills right now and is worth about 3 million celebrity “imagine” covers in terms of survival utility
We Have Rights: When Documenting ICE Arrests
This is "We Have Rights: When Documenting ICE Arrests" by MediaTank on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
vimeo.com
February 2, 2025 at 1:24 PM
This Fiona Apple narrated explainer PSA on how to film (and release footage from, not livestream) ICE arrests is exactly what we need from people with production skills right now and is worth about 3 million celebrity “imagine” covers in terms of survival utility
All I want to do is:
1) do cool science and yap about it
2) meet new people, make new friends and lovers
3) travel
4) be able to visit people I love easily
5) not to be worried about my safety and the safety of human civilisation
1) do cool science and yap about it
2) meet new people, make new friends and lovers
3) travel
4) be able to visit people I love easily
5) not to be worried about my safety and the safety of human civilisation
August 23, 2025 at 9:56 PM
All I want to do is:
1) do cool science and yap about it
2) meet new people, make new friends and lovers
3) travel
4) be able to visit people I love easily
5) not to be worried about my safety and the safety of human civilisation
1) do cool science and yap about it
2) meet new people, make new friends and lovers
3) travel
4) be able to visit people I love easily
5) not to be worried about my safety and the safety of human civilisation
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
Discworld QOTD, from Going Postal
August 19, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Discworld QOTD, from Going Postal
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
Speaking as someone who has lost immigrant family to this man and his party, this is precisely the ideology and selling point. “The numbers are all fake, why should I believe anything?” is a thought I have heard articulated, verbatim, in defense of Trump. It is the nihilism of fascism distilled.
To me the striking thing here isn’t that this is not true, though it’s not, but how from job numbers to crime stats Trump says you can’t believe the facts. I think the logic is that, when you can’t really believe anything, why not believe him since he’s at least telling you that?
Trump: "You're gonna see a big change in Washington crime stats very soon. Not the stats that they gave bc they turned out to be a total fraud. The real stats. The stats went through the roof. They had a man forced to put out stats like they were doing better. Crime is the worst it's ever been"
August 14, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Speaking as someone who has lost immigrant family to this man and his party, this is precisely the ideology and selling point. “The numbers are all fake, why should I believe anything?” is a thought I have heard articulated, verbatim, in defense of Trump. It is the nihilism of fascism distilled.
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
Repost if you support trans people and think we're neato
December 23, 2023 at 12:49 AM
Repost if you support trans people and think we're neato
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
Recently, a survey of 1100 physicists found that they wildly disagree on interpreting quantum mechanics. In my column for New Scientist I try to make sense of why, the implications, and what physicists, like my first ever quantum mechanics instructor, make of it www.newscientist.com/article/2492...
Why no one can agree on what quantum physics really means
For a century, quantum theory has passed every experimental test, but physicists can’t agree on how to use it to paint a picture of our reality – or even whether that is possible
www.newscientist.com
August 14, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Recently, a survey of 1100 physicists found that they wildly disagree on interpreting quantum mechanics. In my column for New Scientist I try to make sense of why, the implications, and what physicists, like my first ever quantum mechanics instructor, make of it www.newscientist.com/article/2492...
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
but actually it's really hard to make a good and thoughtful list of an entire field, and @cxorlando.bsky.social's is also FUNNY??? this is their post script after describing The Everlasting and The Isle in the Silver Sea. 100% correct
July 15, 2025 at 4:34 PM
but actually it's really hard to make a good and thoughtful list of an entire field, and @cxorlando.bsky.social's is also FUNNY??? this is their post script after describing The Everlasting and The Isle in the Silver Sea. 100% correct
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
Oh so it does have phd level intelligence
Google Gemini doesn’t appear to be doing too well:
‘"I am a disgrace to this planet. I am a disgrace to this universe. I am a disgrace to all universes . . . I am a disgrace to all possible and impossible universes and all that is not a universe," the bot continued.’
‘"I am a disgrace to this planet. I am a disgrace to this universe. I am a disgrace to all universes . . . I am a disgrace to all possible and impossible universes and all that is not a universe," the bot continued.’
Google says it's working on a fix for Gemini's self-loathing 'I am a failure' comments
Google Gemini users said the bot is sharing self-loathing messages while attempting to solve tasks, including "I am a disgrace to this universe."
www.businessinsider.com
August 8, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Oh so it does have phd level intelligence
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
watching tv and laughing at all these pitiful struggling writers. the key to good writing is so obvious. you (a genius) saw it immediately: different geographic landscapes
Imagine walking into an established writers room with a list this vague and acting like you just saved TV.
www.yahoo.com/entertainmen...
www.yahoo.com/entertainmen...
August 6, 2025 at 9:14 PM
watching tv and laughing at all these pitiful struggling writers. the key to good writing is so obvious. you (a genius) saw it immediately: different geographic landscapes
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
i can tell already that this list is going to haunt me. a chilling distillation of the tech bro approach to art (evil, very stupid)
August 6, 2025 at 9:20 PM
i can tell already that this list is going to haunt me. a chilling distillation of the tech bro approach to art (evil, very stupid)
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
I’m part of a project near and dear to my heart, a documentary about Nancy Drew: her stories, games, & place in girls’ imaginations
Funding was cut by the fed, so it’s up to Kickstarter. Please, if you can - this is a special project that deserves to come out
www.kickstarter.com/projects/cod...
Funding was cut by the fed, so it’s up to Kickstarter. Please, if you can - this is a special project that deserves to come out
www.kickstarter.com/projects/cod...
Nancy Drew: The Case of the American Icon
Full-length documentary exploring the history and cultural impact of literature’s OG girl sleuth - Nancy Drew
www.kickstarter.com
July 29, 2025 at 6:21 PM
I’m part of a project near and dear to my heart, a documentary about Nancy Drew: her stories, games, & place in girls’ imaginations
Funding was cut by the fed, so it’s up to Kickstarter. Please, if you can - this is a special project that deserves to come out
www.kickstarter.com/projects/cod...
Funding was cut by the fed, so it’s up to Kickstarter. Please, if you can - this is a special project that deserves to come out
www.kickstarter.com/projects/cod...
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
⚛️
David Tong goes to a doctor.
David: I am not feeling too good, doc. Trying to learn a new area of physics but somehow can't get into it.
Doc: The solution is simple. There is this guy who writes the best physics lecture notes..
David Tong goes to a doctor.
David: I am not feeling too good, doc. Trying to learn a new area of physics but somehow can't get into it.
Doc: The solution is simple. There is this guy who writes the best physics lecture notes..
July 25, 2025 at 7:54 PM
⚛️
David Tong goes to a doctor.
David: I am not feeling too good, doc. Trying to learn a new area of physics but somehow can't get into it.
Doc: The solution is simple. There is this guy who writes the best physics lecture notes..
David Tong goes to a doctor.
David: I am not feeling too good, doc. Trying to learn a new area of physics but somehow can't get into it.
Doc: The solution is simple. There is this guy who writes the best physics lecture notes..
Each time an official governmental body makes unchecked or false claims about science and technology, public trust in science erodes.
With each deceptive statement, more people become
anti-vaxers, climate change deniers and flat-earthers
With each deceptive statement, more people become
anti-vaxers, climate change deniers and flat-earthers
Quantum will transform key sectors, from computing, healthcare, and cybersecurity to mobility and climate forecasting, revolutionising the solution of complex challenges.
July 6, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Each time an official governmental body makes unchecked or false claims about science and technology, public trust in science erodes.
With each deceptive statement, more people become
anti-vaxers, climate change deniers and flat-earthers
With each deceptive statement, more people become
anti-vaxers, climate change deniers and flat-earthers
I somehow ended up on a starter pack "people in quantum"
Let me clarify that my work is more of a statmech/condensed matter theory. I don't work in tech, and my knowledge of it is mostly "peripheral"
Let me clarify that my work is more of a statmech/condensed matter theory. I don't work in tech, and my knowledge of it is mostly "peripheral"
July 2, 2025 at 8:37 AM
I somehow ended up on a starter pack "people in quantum"
Let me clarify that my work is more of a statmech/condensed matter theory. I don't work in tech, and my knowledge of it is mostly "peripheral"
Let me clarify that my work is more of a statmech/condensed matter theory. I don't work in tech, and my knowledge of it is mostly "peripheral"
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
Straight-talking dude from LA.
June 9, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Straight-talking dude from LA.
Reposted by Dani Asafov (they/he)
Linda Hamilton >>> Chris Hemsworth
June 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Linda Hamilton >>> Chris Hemsworth