Casstronaut
@cassidyward.bsky.social
I like stories. Author, science and entertainment writer. Let our powers combine!
Bylines @SYFYWIRE @NBC @USA @Slashgear @Observer @StarTrek @TheDailyBeast @AtlasObscura @BigShinyRobot ≈he/him≈
Bylines @SYFYWIRE @NBC @USA @Slashgear @Observer @StarTrek @TheDailyBeast @AtlasObscura @BigShinyRobot ≈he/him≈
Check out this adorably wicked bee, found in Australia and recently described by Dr. Kit Prendergast. If this little lady wanted my soul, I'd probably make the deal.
More on SYFY: www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/ne...
More on SYFY: www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/ne...
Australia’s Newly Discovered Horned “Devil” Bee Will Have You Buzzing
Dr. Kit Prendergast discovered a horned bee species dubbed Megachile lucifer in Australia's Goldfields.
www.syfy.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Check out this adorably wicked bee, found in Australia and recently described by Dr. Kit Prendergast. If this little lady wanted my soul, I'd probably make the deal.
More on SYFY: www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/ne...
More on SYFY: www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/ne...
This rules. I am hyped.
EVERYONE STOP EVERYTHING Mychal the Librarian is hosting the Reading Rainbow revival!!!
reactormag.com/reading-rain...
reactormag.com/reading-rain...
Reading Rainbow Is Back, With Mychal the Librarian Hosting! - Reactor
The butterfly is back in the sky; can’t wait to fly twice as high.
reactormag.com
September 29, 2025 at 10:02 PM
This rules. I am hyped.
New shrimpy little pachy!
New dinosaur day! Meet Zavacephale, the oldest and most-complete pachycephalosaur yet described. And it’s tiny, a beeper that only weighed about 10kg. I’ll tell you all about it at NatGeo.
Dome-headed dinosaurs are rare. Scientists just found the most remarkable one yet.
When did these blockhead dinosaurs get their domes? A new fossil is “the specimen we have all been waiting for.”
www.nationalgeographic.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:54 PM
New shrimpy little pachy!
I liked it better when being into crypto meant you wanted to smooch Bigfoot.
September 9, 2025 at 12:44 AM
I liked it better when being into crypto meant you wanted to smooch Bigfoot.
Hyperion.
I’m reading The Fall of Hyperion now and can’t wait to see what that wacky Shrike does next.
I’m reading The Fall of Hyperion now and can’t wait to see what that wacky Shrike does next.
In response to this, name the last book that you read that you would recommend.
abcnews.go.com/Health/ameri...
abcnews.go.com/Health/ameri...
Americans spend less time reading for fun and more time on screens: Study
Fewer Americans are opening a book for fun each day, with reading for pleasure in the U.S. down 40% over the past 20 years, a new study published Wednesday found.
abcnews.go.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Hyperion.
I’m reading The Fall of Hyperion now and can’t wait to see what that wacky Shrike does next.
I’m reading The Fall of Hyperion now and can’t wait to see what that wacky Shrike does next.
Reposted by Casstronaut
Oh, yes, while plugging projects that feature #freefiction,
please head over to www.chainstorycore.com
(And if you can like and share/repost, that would be incredibly helpful.)
please head over to www.chainstorycore.com
(And if you can like and share/repost, that would be incredibly helpful.)
The Chain Story
www.chainstorycore.com
July 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Oh, yes, while plugging projects that feature #freefiction,
please head over to www.chainstorycore.com
(And if you can like and share/repost, that would be incredibly helpful.)
please head over to www.chainstorycore.com
(And if you can like and share/repost, that would be incredibly helpful.)
BREAKING: Gerard, still hot.
Got a fantastic view for My Chemical Romance in Seattle tonight!
July 12, 2025 at 4:27 AM
BREAKING: Gerard, still hot.
Got a fantastic view for My Chemical Romance in Seattle tonight!
July 12, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Got a fantastic view for My Chemical Romance in Seattle tonight!
Reposted by Casstronaut
Could Tyrannosaurus rex swim like its silver screen equivalent in the new Jurassic World film?
The big carnivore was probably able to do the dino doggypaddle, but a big body full of air sacs may have been the reptile more of a "tipsy punter" than a skilled swimmer. I dig in at NatGeo. 🧪
The big carnivore was probably able to do the dino doggypaddle, but a big body full of air sacs may have been the reptile more of a "tipsy punter" than a skilled swimmer. I dig in at NatGeo. 🧪
Could T. rex swim? Kinda
Evidence suggests dinosaurs like tyrannosaurs were probably best suited to a version of the doggy paddle.
www.nationalgeographic.com
July 2, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Could Tyrannosaurus rex swim like its silver screen equivalent in the new Jurassic World film?
The big carnivore was probably able to do the dino doggypaddle, but a big body full of air sacs may have been the reptile more of a "tipsy punter" than a skilled swimmer. I dig in at NatGeo. 🧪
The big carnivore was probably able to do the dino doggypaddle, but a big body full of air sacs may have been the reptile more of a "tipsy punter" than a skilled swimmer. I dig in at NatGeo. 🧪
Reposted by Casstronaut
If the return of a certain monster franchise has you thinking about dinosaurs, check out my latest book to get acquainted with the terrible lizards as they really were. 🦖
The Shortest History of the Dinosaurs is out today! What makes my Dinos 101 book different? 🦕
- It highlights the importance of nesting and parental care to dinosaur success
- I dig into colonialism’s role in paleo and why it must be addressed
- Unique chapters on dinosaur ecology and taphonomy
- It highlights the importance of nesting and parental care to dinosaur success
- I dig into colonialism’s role in paleo and why it must be addressed
- Unique chapters on dinosaur ecology and taphonomy
The Shortest History of the Dinosaurs: The 230-Million-Year Story of Their Time on Earth
The 230-Million-Year Story of Their Time on Earth
bookshop.org
June 23, 2025 at 3:26 PM
If the return of a certain monster franchise has you thinking about dinosaurs, check out my latest book to get acquainted with the terrible lizards as they really were. 🦖
Reposted by Casstronaut
Last night, I had the privilege of delivering a keynote speech at the Locus awards. You can view the speech and read the full text here.
stone-soup.ghost.io/hammer-speech/
stone-soup.ghost.io/hammer-speech/
Hammer Speech
Last night, I got to stand up in front of the audience at the Locus Awards ceremony. I wound up presenting the Locus Award for Best Short Story (congratulations, Isabel J. Kim!) – but first, I deliver...
stone-soup.ghost.io
June 22, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Last night, I had the privilege of delivering a keynote speech at the Locus awards. You can view the speech and read the full text here.
stone-soup.ghost.io/hammer-speech/
stone-soup.ghost.io/hammer-speech/
Reposted by Casstronaut
I just updated the Workshops and Appearances tab on my website and I realize I'm teaching (online and in person) and traveling A LOT for the rest of the year. Will I see you at an event or teach you in a class? www.swankmotron.com#upcomingappe...
Bryan Young
www.swankmotron.com
June 21, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I just updated the Workshops and Appearances tab on my website and I realize I'm teaching (online and in person) and traveling A LOT for the rest of the year. Will I see you at an event or teach you in a class? www.swankmotron.com#upcomingappe...
Reposted by Casstronaut
Goddammit.
Do
Not
Comply
In
Advance
We still don't know what the Congressional budget proposal will be. Trump's shittastic budget proposal is not the final word!
Do
Not
Comply
In
Advance
We still don't know what the Congressional budget proposal will be. Trump's shittastic budget proposal is not the final word!
NASA Goddard is pushing through a 48% staff reduction!!! This could impact the upcoming Roman Space Telescope and many other future Astro missions. News coverage seems not sensational enough. Are we really going to let NASA (as we know it) die quietly? www.space.com/space-explor...
NASA begins push to slash workforce with more staff buyouts, early retirements as budget cuts loom
NASA employees have until July 25 to decide if they'll stay or go.
www.space.com
June 20, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Goddammit.
Do
Not
Comply
In
Advance
We still don't know what the Congressional budget proposal will be. Trump's shittastic budget proposal is not the final word!
Do
Not
Comply
In
Advance
We still don't know what the Congressional budget proposal will be. Trump's shittastic budget proposal is not the final word!
Also, no one can take my VHS tapes when a licensing agreement expires or modify their content without my knowledge.
For the last year or so I’ve been slowly rebuilding my physical media library and breaking away from streaming, partly for the vibes but partly because I should be able to watch Scrubs 40 times without some billionaire or some robot knowing about it.
I wonder if a movement to go analog is going to be the next trend.
Analog as a form of rebellion.
I like the idea.
Analog as a form of rebellion.
I like the idea.
June 19, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Also, no one can take my VHS tapes when a licensing agreement expires or modify their content without my knowledge.
For the last year or so I’ve been slowly rebuilding my physical media library and breaking away from streaming, partly for the vibes but partly because I should be able to watch Scrubs 40 times without some billionaire or some robot knowing about it.
I wonder if a movement to go analog is going to be the next trend.
Analog as a form of rebellion.
I like the idea.
Analog as a form of rebellion.
I like the idea.
June 19, 2025 at 7:36 AM
For the last year or so I’ve been slowly rebuilding my physical media library and breaking away from streaming, partly for the vibes but partly because I should be able to watch Scrubs 40 times without some billionaire or some robot knowing about it.
Reposted by Casstronaut
I recently got invited to a cool shark party in NYC and couldn’t go because I live in WA.
Please know that when I respond this way, what I’m really saying is “Please fly me out and put me up. I’ll write something cool about it and I want to come!”
Please know that when I respond this way, what I’m really saying is “Please fly me out and put me up. I’ll write something cool about it and I want to come!”
When people invite me to weird things in LA, I've started to respond, "OH! Unfortunately I can't make it, I'll be in Montana" because that sounds way fancier and less confrontational than, "Unfortunately I can't make it, I live in Montana" but is still technically true.
June 12, 2025 at 4:16 PM
I recently got invited to a cool shark party in NYC and couldn’t go because I live in WA.
Please know that when I respond this way, what I’m really saying is “Please fly me out and put me up. I’ll write something cool about it and I want to come!”
Please know that when I respond this way, what I’m really saying is “Please fly me out and put me up. I’ll write something cool about it and I want to come!”
Holy shit these are incredible. I want a giant version of the first one right now please.
It’s easy to make fun of out-dated paleoart but I LOVE scientifically-accurate-at-the-time reconstructions. They’re beautiful examples of merging science with art and educated imagination to fill in the blanks. Charles Knight worked at the turn of the 19th century and his paintings were cutting edge
June 12, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Holy shit these are incredible. I want a giant version of the first one right now please.
Reposted by Casstronaut
I have a new book out tomorrow! If you’ve ever thought to yourself “I wish Riley would teach me a Dinosaurs 101 course,” this one’s for you. 🦕
The Shortest History of the Dinosaurs: The 230-Million-Year Story of Their Time on Earth
The 230-Million-Year Story of Their Time on Earth
bookshop.org
June 9, 2025 at 3:17 PM
I have a new book out tomorrow! If you’ve ever thought to yourself “I wish Riley would teach me a Dinosaurs 101 course,” this one’s for you. 🦕
“You can’t put the genie back in the bottle”
You literally can just turn them off.
You literally can just turn them off.
I think China has the right of this. Maybe we should all just do this permanently for all of it.
China shuts down AI tools during nationwide college exams
June 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
“You can’t put the genie back in the bottle”
You literally can just turn them off.
You literally can just turn them off.
I cover science news in the reg and in case it wasn’t obvious, every single cool innovation, advancement, or invention comes courtesy of the University of Someplace.
You have to do some serious mental gymnastics to think funding university research programs is bad.
You have to do some serious mental gymnastics to think funding university research programs is bad.
Hot take. The government isn’t subsidizing university budgets. Universities are lending subsidized expertise to research and development that contributes to the public good. It’s called partnership.
A study finds, US based academic research institutes account for 50% of new medical drugs in the last 4 years. 🧪
www.statnews.com/2025/06/06/u...
#science #savescience #stat
www.statnews.com/2025/06/06/u...
#science #savescience #stat
June 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
I cover science news in the reg and in case it wasn’t obvious, every single cool innovation, advancement, or invention comes courtesy of the University of Someplace.
You have to do some serious mental gymnastics to think funding university research programs is bad.
You have to do some serious mental gymnastics to think funding university research programs is bad.
Get ‘em
People are dying and people will continue to die. The climate crisis is perhaps the biggest fight in the history of our species and we’re throwing all our weapons out the window.
People are dying and people will continue to die. The climate crisis is perhaps the biggest fight in the history of our species and we’re throwing all our weapons out the window.
South Florida meteorologist @johnmoralestv.bsky.social told his viewers live on air that he can no longer accurately predict hurricane season, due to federal government cuts.
June 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Get ‘em
People are dying and people will continue to die. The climate crisis is perhaps the biggest fight in the history of our species and we’re throwing all our weapons out the window.
People are dying and people will continue to die. The climate crisis is perhaps the biggest fight in the history of our species and we’re throwing all our weapons out the window.
As I understand, this author has written multiple “memoirs” filled fabrications, published as of they were true.
Generative “a.i.” might actually be a perfect replacement for him. It’s weird to admit it tho.
Generative “a.i.” might actually be a perfect replacement for him. It’s weird to admit it tho.
um, you couldn’t PAY ME to touch this book or support it. never in a thousand years. wow. ew. ick. 📚💙
June 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
As I understand, this author has written multiple “memoirs” filled fabrications, published as of they were true.
Generative “a.i.” might actually be a perfect replacement for him. It’s weird to admit it tho.
Generative “a.i.” might actually be a perfect replacement for him. It’s weird to admit it tho.
I’m not sure what the *right* weather is for packing your entire house into a truck. But 83 and sunny isn’t it.
I am become slime
I am become slime
May 30, 2025 at 7:01 PM
I’m not sure what the *right* weather is for packing your entire house into a truck. But 83 and sunny isn’t it.
I am become slime
I am become slime