Brigitte Nerlich
@bnerlich.bsky.social
Metaphor hunter, linguist, social scientist, blogger
blog: https://makingsciencepublic.com/
also sorted into categories at https://wakelet.com/@bnerlich
ORCID: 0000-0001-6617-7827
blog: https://makingsciencepublic.com/
also sorted into categories at https://wakelet.com/@bnerlich
ORCID: 0000-0001-6617-7827
Pinned
Brigitte Nerlich
@bnerlich.bsky.social
· Nov 17
So, I have created a starter pack for people interested in #metaphor. I bet I left a lot of people out. Please let me know if you want to be added. go.bsky.app/DvxejFX
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
“Immigration status becomes significant when you’re a monster but not when you’re a hero.” My @theobserveruk.bsky.social column: observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Violent crime is at a low, yet people’s experiences tell a different story | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 4:08 PM
“Immigration status becomes significant when you’re a monster but not when you’re a hero.” My @theobserveruk.bsky.social column: observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
Take a listen back to @iandunt.bsky.social and @dorianlynskey.bsky.social's epic story of the British Broadcasting Corporation — the BBC - play.megaphone.fm/s74mbfkfsnep...
#TheBBC #BBCNews #BritishBroadcastingCorporation #originstory
#TheBBC #BBCNews #BritishBroadcastingCorporation #originstory
The BBC – Part one – Inform, educate, entertain
So far this season we’ve had to deal with Russell Brand and Benjamin Netanyahu, and we’ve got the Daily Mail coming up, so we all deserve a more uplifting tale. This week we commence the epic story…
play.megaphone.fm
November 10, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Take a listen back to @iandunt.bsky.social and @dorianlynskey.bsky.social's epic story of the British Broadcasting Corporation — the BBC - play.megaphone.fm/s74mbfkfsnep...
#TheBBC #BBCNews #BritishBroadcastingCorporation #originstory
#TheBBC #BBCNews #BritishBroadcastingCorporation #originstory
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
Annette Karmiloff-Smith.
She ended every seminar/keynote I ever saw with a picture of her kids and grandkids as a note on what's important and that succesful women in academia can have a family too.
I told her the second time how inspirational I'd found that and she was absolutely lovely.
She ended every seminar/keynote I ever saw with a picture of her kids and grandkids as a note on what's important and that succesful women in academia can have a family too.
I told her the second time how inspirational I'd found that and she was absolutely lovely.
Right, enough of James Watson - who's a senior academic you've met who's been an utter delight?
I'll go first: Jocelyn Bell Burnell
I'll go first: Jocelyn Bell Burnell
November 9, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Annette Karmiloff-Smith.
She ended every seminar/keynote I ever saw with a picture of her kids and grandkids as a note on what's important and that succesful women in academia can have a family too.
I told her the second time how inspirational I'd found that and she was absolutely lovely.
She ended every seminar/keynote I ever saw with a picture of her kids and grandkids as a note on what's important and that succesful women in academia can have a family too.
I told her the second time how inspirational I'd found that and she was absolutely lovely.
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
Our 2017 @nationalacademies.org report on “Human Genome Editing: Science, Ethics, and Governance" (www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/hum...) was designed to prevent exactly this kind of rogue science. One of the many reasons why we need industry-independent regulatory frameworks for emerging tech …
Genetically Engineered Babies Are Banned. Tech Titans Are Trying to Make One Anyway.
Silicon Valley startups are pushing the boundaries of reproductive genetics, hoping to prevent diseases as well as improve chances for a high IQ and other traits.
www.wsj.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Our 2017 @nationalacademies.org report on “Human Genome Editing: Science, Ethics, and Governance" (www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/hum...) was designed to prevent exactly this kind of rogue science. One of the many reasons why we need industry-independent regulatory frameworks for emerging tech …
For weekend readers, my reflections of the ending of the BBC World Service programme 'Science in action' and the impact this has on #scicomm makingsciencepublic.com/2025/11/07/s...
‘Science in Action’ is ending. Here is why that matters
The year is coming to an end and with it a radio programme that was a staple of science communication around the world: the BBC World Service’s ‘Science in Action’. This is rather symbolic, as scie…
makingsciencepublic.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:18 AM
For weekend readers, my reflections of the ending of the BBC World Service programme 'Science in action' and the impact this has on #scicomm makingsciencepublic.com/2025/11/07/s...
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
On the event of James Watson's death, I highly recommend this 2023 commentary from @matthewcobb.bsky.social and Nathaniel Comfort with crucial new insights into the discovery of the double helix. (And also check out Cobb's brand new biography of Francis Crick) www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:25 PM
On the event of James Watson's death, I highly recommend this 2023 commentary from @matthewcobb.bsky.social and Nathaniel Comfort with crucial new insights into the discovery of the double helix. (And also check out Cobb's brand new biography of Francis Crick) www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
Very sad to hear about Jim Watson’s death. If you think he was always a racist you are wrong. He refused to support genes/IQ research in the 70s. He boycotted Greece because of the military coup in 1967 and he called for a boycott of meetings in Chicago after the police riot of 1968. 1/2
November 7, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Very sad to hear about Jim Watson’s death. If you think he was always a racist you are wrong. He refused to support genes/IQ research in the 70s. He boycotted Greece because of the military coup in 1967 and he called for a boycott of meetings in Chicago after the police riot of 1968. 1/2
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
James Watson has died.
James Watson, who helped unravel genetic blueprint for life, dies at 97
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
James Watson, who helped unravel genetic blueprint for life, dies at 97
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
November 7, 2025 at 8:04 PM
James Watson has died.
James Watson, who helped unravel genetic blueprint for life, dies at 97
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
James Watson, who helped unravel genetic blueprint for life, dies at 97
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
Utterly grim
www.cbsnews.com/news/dolphin...
www.cbsnews.com/news/dolphin...
Hundreds of dolphins found dead in Amazon lake were in water hotter than a jacuzzi, study finds
"You couldn't put your finger in the water," said the lead author of the study, which spotlights the impacts of planetary warming on aquatic ecosystems.
www.cbsnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Utterly grim
www.cbsnews.com/news/dolphin...
www.cbsnews.com/news/dolphin...
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
This weeks post is a sort of obituary for the BBC World Service Programme 'Science in Action' (@peaseroland.bsky.social) #scicomm makingsciencepublic.com/2025/11/07/s...
‘Science in Action’ is ending. Here is why that matters
The year is coming to an end and with it a radio programme that was a staple of science communication around the world: the BBC World Service’s ‘Science in Action’. This is rather symbolic, as scie…
makingsciencepublic.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:23 AM
This weeks post is a sort of obituary for the BBC World Service Programme 'Science in Action' (@peaseroland.bsky.social) #scicomm makingsciencepublic.com/2025/11/07/s...
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
1. This is a thread on freedom, and how easy it is to lose.
Over the past 2,000 years in Europe, there have been few periods and places of freedom. For much of the time we lived under highly oppressive tyrannies of various kinds, whether small or grand, local or imperial, secular or religious.🧵
Over the past 2,000 years in Europe, there have been few periods and places of freedom. For much of the time we lived under highly oppressive tyrannies of various kinds, whether small or grand, local or imperial, secular or religious.🧵
November 7, 2025 at 6:35 AM
1. This is a thread on freedom, and how easy it is to lose.
Over the past 2,000 years in Europe, there have been few periods and places of freedom. For much of the time we lived under highly oppressive tyrannies of various kinds, whether small or grand, local or imperial, secular or religious.🧵
Over the past 2,000 years in Europe, there have been few periods and places of freedom. For much of the time we lived under highly oppressive tyrannies of various kinds, whether small or grand, local or imperial, secular or religious.🧵
Visited Port Sunlight yesterday - the original source of much of my academic funding from @leverhulme.ac.uk It was so impressive to see the workers' houses, hear about all the good stuff the Levers did and to visit the Lady Lever Art Gallery - on the day that Musk got $1 trillion....
November 7, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Visited Port Sunlight yesterday - the original source of much of my academic funding from @leverhulme.ac.uk It was so impressive to see the workers' houses, hear about all the good stuff the Levers did and to visit the Lady Lever Art Gallery - on the day that Musk got $1 trillion....
This weeks post is a sort of obituary for the BBC World Service Programme 'Science in Action' (@peaseroland.bsky.social) #scicomm makingsciencepublic.com/2025/11/07/s...
‘Science in Action’ is ending. Here is why that matters
The year is coming to an end and with it a radio programme that was a staple of science communication around the world: the BBC World Service’s ‘Science in Action’. This is rather symbolic, as scie…
makingsciencepublic.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:23 AM
This weeks post is a sort of obituary for the BBC World Service Programme 'Science in Action' (@peaseroland.bsky.social) #scicomm makingsciencepublic.com/2025/11/07/s...
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
Nottingham to suspend music and modern foreign language degrees, warning international fee levy will wipe out income from domestic fee rise. Some nursing, theology, education, microbiology and agriculture degrees hit too www.timeshighereducation.com/news/notting... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Nottingham suspends music, language and nursing courses
University says financial uncertainties continue as government’s proposed student levy will ‘wipe out any benefits’ from rising tuition fees
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Nottingham to suspend music and modern foreign language degrees, warning international fee levy will wipe out income from domestic fee rise. Some nursing, theology, education, microbiology and agriculture degrees hit too www.timeshighereducation.com/news/notting... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
I am hearing that @uniofnottingham.bsky.social is suspending (i.e shutting down) *all modern language courses* in 2026-27. One of the largest departments in the UK. A shocking short sighted move that damages regional and national prospects @britishacademy.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 12:39 PM
I am hearing that @uniofnottingham.bsky.social is suspending (i.e shutting down) *all modern language courses* in 2026-27. One of the largest departments in the UK. A shocking short sighted move that damages regional and national prospects @britishacademy.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
More useful material for the @royalsociety.org’s bio of their esteemed fellow. Though I’m still struggling to understand how a society that claims to value scientific rigour continues to honour someone who spreads so much disinformation.
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:56 AM
More useful material for the @royalsociety.org’s bio of their esteemed fellow. Though I’m still struggling to understand how a society that claims to value scientific rigour continues to honour someone who spreads so much disinformation.
As the Royal Society has published a new report (royalsociety.org/news/2025/11...) on geoengineering, I repost this post on #geoengineering #metaphors between the first report and now - I haven't looked at the metaphors used in the new report!
makingsciencepublic.com/2025/05/30/g...
makingsciencepublic.com/2025/05/30/g...
Geoengineering and metaphors, 2009 to 2025: Continuity and change
Since around 2006, I have been interested in speculations about geoengineering, that is, attempts to deal with climate change by directly intervening in the planet’s atmosphere, oceans, or la…
makingsciencepublic.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:48 PM
As the Royal Society has published a new report (royalsociety.org/news/2025/11...) on geoengineering, I repost this post on #geoengineering #metaphors between the first report and now - I haven't looked at the metaphors used in the new report!
makingsciencepublic.com/2025/05/30/g...
makingsciencepublic.com/2025/05/30/g...
This should interest people in #linguistics
Recently, Gašper Beguš and his team put several large language models through a litany of tests — including having them generalize the rules of a made-up language. Most failed to match human linguistic ability. But one LLM greatly exceeded expectations. www.quantamagazine.org/in-a-first-a...
November 5, 2025 at 4:56 PM
This should interest people in #linguistics
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
🔴⚠️🌀🇯🇲In the aftermath of hurricane #Melissa, the tropical vegetation of southwestern Jamaica has been devastated by the landfall at almost 300km/h.The first #Sentinel2 images after the event show the extreme consequences on BlackRiver and the wider area. #ClimateEmergency
November 5, 2025 at 2:53 AM
🔴⚠️🌀🇯🇲In the aftermath of hurricane #Melissa, the tropical vegetation of southwestern Jamaica has been devastated by the landfall at almost 300km/h.The first #Sentinel2 images after the event show the extreme consequences on BlackRiver and the wider area. #ClimateEmergency
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
Interesting review documenting the rise in scholarship on visual misinformation, how it is more persuasive than text misinformation, and how #GenAI is both increasing visual misinformation content and being used to combat it. (!)
#PsychSciSky #AcademicSky #EduSky
doi.org/10.1080/1520...
#PsychSciSky #AcademicSky #EduSky
doi.org/10.1080/1520...
November 4, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Interesting review documenting the rise in scholarship on visual misinformation, how it is more persuasive than text misinformation, and how #GenAI is both increasing visual misinformation content and being used to combat it. (!)
#PsychSciSky #AcademicSky #EduSky
doi.org/10.1080/1520...
#PsychSciSky #AcademicSky #EduSky
doi.org/10.1080/1520...
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
My next Zoom lecture on heritable human genome editing — November 6, 2025. The plan is to provide a worldwind summary of the last 10 years ….
November 4, 2025 at 1:20 AM
My next Zoom lecture on heritable human genome editing — November 6, 2025. The plan is to provide a worldwind summary of the last 10 years ….
Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich
Anyway, we need some joy, so here's the Egyptian foreign minister being given a Lego Pyramid by the Danish foreign minister.
November 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Anyway, we need some joy, so here's the Egyptian foreign minister being given a Lego Pyramid by the Danish foreign minister.
Trying to update last year's post on metaphors in/for #AI/LLMs (which will take a while), I came across this interesting collection of articles on AI in education - worth a look if you are interested in #metaphors and, of course, education jime.open.ac.uk/collections/...
Metaphors of AI in Education: Discourses, Histories and Practices | Journal of Interactive Media in Education
jime.open.ac.uk
November 3, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Trying to update last year's post on metaphors in/for #AI/LLMs (which will take a while), I came across this interesting collection of articles on AI in education - worth a look if you are interested in #metaphors and, of course, education jime.open.ac.uk/collections/...