Tom Whipple
@whippletom.bsky.social
Science at The Times
My book, about the radio war: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1787634132?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_NPXKFD6KQ3B2P603N1ZN
My book, about the radio war: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1787634132?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_NPXKFD6KQ3B2P603N1ZN
I've cleared a space in my shed, and found a hedgehog. I presume its hibernating, but it doesn't have much of a nest. What should I do?
November 7, 2025 at 7:38 PM
I've cleared a space in my shed, and found a hedgehog. I presume its hibernating, but it doesn't have much of a nest. What should I do?
Reposted by Tom Whipple
He’s back. Important to remind everyone about his original misdemeanours - good for the Mail for running such an in depth piece
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
The return of Andrew Wakefield - the anti-vax 'supervillain'
To many of those gathered at this elegant stately home in Wiltshire, just one word describes the man they have come to see.
www.dailymail.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 6:33 AM
He’s back. Important to remind everyone about his original misdemeanours - good for the Mail for running such an in depth piece
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Tom Whipple
BREAKING:
CofE bishops won't give their green light for 'standalone' blessing services for gay couples, or for gay priests to have civil same-sex marriages, @thetimes.com understands
Will say both would need formal rewrite of church law
Trial of blessing ceremonies can't go ahead
CofE bishops won't give their green light for 'standalone' blessing services for gay couples, or for gay priests to have civil same-sex marriages, @thetimes.com understands
Will say both would need formal rewrite of church law
Trial of blessing ceremonies can't go ahead
October 15, 2025 at 3:32 PM
BREAKING:
CofE bishops won't give their green light for 'standalone' blessing services for gay couples, or for gay priests to have civil same-sex marriages, @thetimes.com understands
Will say both would need formal rewrite of church law
Trial of blessing ceremonies can't go ahead
CofE bishops won't give their green light for 'standalone' blessing services for gay couples, or for gay priests to have civil same-sex marriages, @thetimes.com understands
Will say both would need formal rewrite of church law
Trial of blessing ceremonies can't go ahead
Reposted by Tom Whipple
🚨 Imposter alert 🚨
Studies into everything from cancer and HIV being plagued by "fraudulent" participants
Includes people pretending to have the diseases
It's undermining the reliability of trials and potentially harming patients
Stark warning here:
www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
Studies into everything from cancer and HIV being plagued by "fraudulent" participants
Includes people pretending to have the diseases
It's undermining the reliability of trials and potentially harming patients
Stark warning here:
www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
Is this response real? Imposters are putting health studies at risk
Automated bots and people lying about their conditions risk skewing the results of medical research, Oxford academics have warned
www.thetimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:44 AM
🚨 Imposter alert 🚨
Studies into everything from cancer and HIV being plagued by "fraudulent" participants
Includes people pretending to have the diseases
It's undermining the reliability of trials and potentially harming patients
Stark warning here:
www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
Studies into everything from cancer and HIV being plagued by "fraudulent" participants
Includes people pretending to have the diseases
It's undermining the reliability of trials and potentially harming patients
Stark warning here:
www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
Reposted by Tom Whipple
98%! Only 2 in every 100 installations don’t need corrective action. Read it and weep
98% of homes with external wall insulation installed under the government’s ECO scheme require work to correct major issues that will cause problems such as damp and mould - our new @nao.org.uk report www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... (full report www.nao.org.uk/reports/ener...)
Thousands of homes with botched eco insulation 'must be fixed'
Insulation programmes costing billions of pounds have led to widespread problems with damp and mould.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 6:41 AM
98%! Only 2 in every 100 installations don’t need corrective action. Read it and weep
Reposted by Tom Whipple
“There are so many things in Britain that have deteriorated. But nothing like what’s happened to my own country. And that’s not just Trump. When I go back to Iowa and just see what’s been lost... it would be hard for me to be positive" | 🗣️ Bill Bryson
Bill Bryson: Things are bad in Britain. But America is worse
The American author and honorary Brit on the state of the world, updating his bestseller A Short History of Nearly Everything, and why it’s his last interview
www.thetimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 9:03 AM
“There are so many things in Britain that have deteriorated. But nothing like what’s happened to my own country. And that’s not just Trump. When I go back to Iowa and just see what’s been lost... it would be hard for me to be positive" | 🗣️ Bill Bryson
Sumo is coming to the Royal Albert Hall, and they've had to reinforce the backstage toilets to prepare
www.thetimes.com/article/2133...
www.thetimes.com/article/2133...
Royal Albert Hall braces for sumo’s big British comeback
The Grand Sumo Tournament is returning to the UK for the first time since 1991. Will it finally break the Japanese sport in Britain?
www.thetimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Sumo is coming to the Royal Albert Hall, and they've had to reinforce the backstage toilets to prepare
www.thetimes.com/article/2133...
www.thetimes.com/article/2133...
There is a good chance that this will be the most important economic fact in all of our lives.
October 3, 2025 at 9:03 AM
There is a good chance that this will be the most important economic fact in all of our lives.
It's amazing this stuff. Presumably the people who screenshot know that they are wilfully misleading people, but they do it anyway for lovely clout.
The world is indeed complex, and the fact that (probably) statistical confounding can produce spurious correlations is also worthy of attention.
The world is indeed complex, and the fact that (probably) statistical confounding can produce spurious correlations is also worthy of attention.
‘The truth about autism and paracetamol is complex’ is a funny way to spell ‘Trump was talking out of his arse’ from the Times….
September 29, 2025 at 10:02 PM
It's amazing this stuff. Presumably the people who screenshot know that they are wilfully misleading people, but they do it anyway for lovely clout.
The world is indeed complex, and the fact that (probably) statistical confounding can produce spurious correlations is also worthy of attention.
The world is indeed complex, and the fact that (probably) statistical confounding can produce spurious correlations is also worthy of attention.
Reposted by Tom Whipple
"You answer to God, not the commentariat or opinion polls"
"You have to earn credibility"
"If you're going to be wrong, be wrong for the right reasons"
Rowan Williams told me his advice for the next Archbishop of Canterbury, set to be named within days: www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
"You have to earn credibility"
"If you're going to be wrong, be wrong for the right reasons"
Rowan Williams told me his advice for the next Archbishop of Canterbury, set to be named within days: www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
You answer to God, not opinion polls, next archbishop told
Two former archbishops of Canterbury share advice for the Church of England’s next spiritual leader, days before the chosen candidate is revealed
www.thetimes.com
September 29, 2025 at 12:29 PM
"You answer to God, not the commentariat or opinion polls"
"You have to earn credibility"
"If you're going to be wrong, be wrong for the right reasons"
Rowan Williams told me his advice for the next Archbishop of Canterbury, set to be named within days: www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
"You have to earn credibility"
"If you're going to be wrong, be wrong for the right reasons"
Rowan Williams told me his advice for the next Archbishop of Canterbury, set to be named within days: www.thetimes.com/uk/religion/...
The most* annoying thing about social media is the pressure it brings to avoid artistry and delicacy in headlines because someone will then performatively misunderstand them and amplify them out of context.
*probably not the most
*probably not the most
September 29, 2025 at 2:23 PM
The most* annoying thing about social media is the pressure it brings to avoid artistry and delicacy in headlines because someone will then performatively misunderstand them and amplify them out of context.
*probably not the most
*probably not the most
Reposted by Tom Whipple
If you need me I’ll be screaming into a pillow
i recommend stopping what you are doing and watching the single greatest Wealth Mindset thing i have ever seen
September 12, 2025 at 3:57 PM
If you need me I’ll be screaming into a pillow
Join a distinguished club that includes my mum! Listen to my podcast!
I just plucked up the courage to listen to an episode about the leap second and was surprised to find it wasn't shit.
t.co/7qraEmRhFT
I just plucked up the courage to listen to an episode about the leap second and was surprised to find it wasn't shit.
t.co/7qraEmRhFT
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/time-lords-and-the-extra-seconds/id1818358155?i=1000721571031
t.co
September 12, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Join a distinguished club that includes my mum! Listen to my podcast!
I just plucked up the courage to listen to an episode about the leap second and was surprised to find it wasn't shit.
t.co/7qraEmRhFT
I just plucked up the courage to listen to an episode about the leap second and was surprised to find it wasn't shit.
t.co/7qraEmRhFT
Reposted by Tom Whipple
I cannot overstate how damning it is as a comment on a physician or scientist's competence/intentions that they would support RFK Jr as HHS secretary.
RFK claims scientists and doctors across the country as supporting him. Jesus fuck. #FIreRFK
September 4, 2025 at 3:31 PM
I cannot overstate how damning it is as a comment on a physician or scientist's competence/intentions that they would support RFK Jr as HHS secretary.
Reposted by Tom Whipple
My colleague @whippletom.bsky.social and I have been on The Story with @jonesluke.bsky.social talking about Hiroshima, Nagasaki, morality and what it all means 80 years after the atom bomb
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
The bomb that changed the world
Podcast Episode · The Story · 07/08/2025 · 32m
podcasts.apple.com
August 8, 2025 at 8:57 AM
My colleague @whippletom.bsky.social and I have been on The Story with @jonesluke.bsky.social talking about Hiroshima, Nagasaki, morality and what it all means 80 years after the atom bomb
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
What a way to end a 50 day streak. And that's not how you spell it.
August 3, 2025 at 6:43 PM
What a way to end a 50 day streak. And that's not how you spell it.
This is the tale of a little frog who could. That frog's name was Rosie the Ribeter. And she could jump over 2 metres. And the problem was, according to science, she shouldn't have. In a minor way, Rosie changed science. In a major way, she showed what science was about.
1/x
1/x
July 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
This is the tale of a little frog who could. That frog's name was Rosie the Ribeter. And she could jump over 2 metres. And the problem was, according to science, she shouldn't have. In a minor way, Rosie changed science. In a major way, she showed what science was about.
1/x
1/x
Oi @theguardian.com !! Less of the exclusive please, more of the "we follow up Times story three months on"
July 18, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Oi @theguardian.com !! Less of the exclusive please, more of the "we follow up Times story three months on"
Did I mention I have a podcast? There aren't enough of those.
Anyway, the advantage of mine is it's not much commitment. Each episode ten minutes long. A nice story, and hopefully you learn a bit about science too.
The latest one is about electrocuting monks.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
Anyway, the advantage of mine is it's not much commitment. Each episode ten minutes long. A nice story, and hopefully you learn a bit about science too.
The latest one is about electrocuting monks.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
Making Science with Tom Whipple
Natural Sciences Podcast · Updated weekly · What connects 200 hand-holding monks, a lump of gold hidden in a beaker, and irradiated cocktails? Welcome to Making Science with Tom Whipple, Science Edito...
podcasts.apple.com
July 4, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Did I mention I have a podcast? There aren't enough of those.
Anyway, the advantage of mine is it's not much commitment. Each episode ten minutes long. A nice story, and hopefully you learn a bit about science too.
The latest one is about electrocuting monks.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
Anyway, the advantage of mine is it's not much commitment. Each episode ten minutes long. A nice story, and hopefully you learn a bit about science too.
The latest one is about electrocuting monks.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
There's been a surprisingly strong response to my cri de coeur about the sugar tax bastards who stole my quotidian joy. Let's start the fightback.
June 20, 2025 at 10:34 AM
There's been a surprisingly strong response to my cri de coeur about the sugar tax bastards who stole my quotidian joy. Let's start the fightback.
I came to this video to see the new head of MI6 rowing. I stayed for the moment they introduced their cox "mini", speaking to the poor chap in a baby voice. I hope he has gone on to great things too.
t.co/VZuehua7Ho
t.co/VZuehua7Ho
June 17, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I came to this video to see the new head of MI6 rowing. I stayed for the moment they introduced their cox "mini", speaking to the poor chap in a baby voice. I hope he has gone on to great things too.
t.co/VZuehua7Ho
t.co/VZuehua7Ho
Reposted by Tom Whipple
OK so we've just published a whole bunch of papers on how the UK should be thinking about economic strategy. The main argument is that we should think about our deep assets and invest in those comparative advantages. Here's a synthesis paper www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications...
The British Academy’s Economic Strategy Programme
A summary of the main policy insights and conclusions from each Working Group’s discussion paper, with commentary on a cross-cutting thread that ties them together: how to invest for investment.
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
June 4, 2025 at 4:38 PM
OK so we've just published a whole bunch of papers on how the UK should be thinking about economic strategy. The main argument is that we should think about our deep assets and invest in those comparative advantages. Here's a synthesis paper www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications...
This is a tale of how the search for the death ray led to something less deadly, but equally useful.
In the 1930s, the air minister offered £1,000 to the inventor, "‘who could demonstrate the killing of a sheep at a range of 100 yards" using radio waves. 🧵
In the 1930s, the air minister offered £1,000 to the inventor, "‘who could demonstrate the killing of a sheep at a range of 100 yards" using radio waves. 🧵
June 10, 2025 at 6:44 PM
This is a tale of how the search for the death ray led to something less deadly, but equally useful.
In the 1930s, the air minister offered £1,000 to the inventor, "‘who could demonstrate the killing of a sheep at a range of 100 yards" using radio waves. 🧵
In the 1930s, the air minister offered £1,000 to the inventor, "‘who could demonstrate the killing of a sheep at a range of 100 yards" using radio waves. 🧵
Reposted by Tom Whipple
May I recommend an article we wrote based on a cut chapter? foreignpolicy.com/2024/01/21/s...
May 28, 2025 at 12:54 PM
May I recommend an article we wrote based on a cut chapter? foreignpolicy.com/2024/01/21/s...
Great moments in British railway history call for a speech. As railways return to public ownership, the guard greeted the passengers on the 05.36 from Woking.
“Due to planned engineering works,” he said, “there will be a rail replacement bus from Surbiton.”
www.thetimes.com/article/73df...
“Due to planned engineering works,” he said, “there will be a rail replacement bus from Surbiton.”
www.thetimes.com/article/73df...
All aboard the first Great British Railways trip: a replacement bus
The service was a fitting tribute both to the line’s heritage and to what Labour hopes to be a move ‘away from 30 years of inefficiency and failing passengers’
www.thetimes.com
May 25, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Great moments in British railway history call for a speech. As railways return to public ownership, the guard greeted the passengers on the 05.36 from Woking.
“Due to planned engineering works,” he said, “there will be a rail replacement bus from Surbiton.”
www.thetimes.com/article/73df...
“Due to planned engineering works,” he said, “there will be a rail replacement bus from Surbiton.”
www.thetimes.com/article/73df...