davidrotman
@davidrotman.bsky.social
Long time technology journalist. Particular interests in economics, nanotech, and materials discovery, and inequality.
Reposted by davidrotman
Glad to share my new Substack post on the recent Nature paper by Joonyoung F. Joung and coauthors, introducing FlowER, a generative ML model that predicts reaction mechanisms while strictly conserving mass and electrons. open.substack.com/pub/bravoaba...
Predicting reaction mechanisms with electron flow matching
Understanding chemical reactivity ultimately requires understanding mechanisms.
open.substack.com
August 21, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Glad to share my new Substack post on the recent Nature paper by Joonyoung F. Joung and coauthors, introducing FlowER, a generative ML model that predicts reaction mechanisms while strictly conserving mass and electrons. open.substack.com/pub/bravoaba...
Reposted by davidrotman
“I have no intention of being bullied to step down from my position because of some questions raised in a tweet,” Cook said. www.bloomberg.com/news/article... Amen.
Fed’s Cook Says She Won’t Be Bullied Into Stepping Down
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook signaled her intention to remain at the central bank in defiance of calls for her resignation by President Donald Trump over allegations of mortgage fraud.
www.bloomberg.com
August 20, 2025 at 11:23 PM
“I have no intention of being bullied to step down from my position because of some questions raised in a tweet,” Cook said. www.bloomberg.com/news/article... Amen.
Reposted by davidrotman
You guys. The Lisa Cook story isn’t about her mortgages. Please please please stop being so credulous.
August 20, 2025 at 10:11 PM
You guys. The Lisa Cook story isn’t about her mortgages. Please please please stop being so credulous.
Reposted by davidrotman
You can see the productivity boom everywhere but in the manufacturing statistics
August 8, 2025 at 9:34 PM
You can see the productivity boom everywhere but in the manufacturing statistics
Reposted by davidrotman
Very interesting interview from @davidrotman.bsky.social, exploring how the loss of manufacturing jobs fueled US political divisions, and how we're failing to prevent the next "China shock."
MIT economist David Autor first documented the loss of millions of jobs to Chinese imports a decade ago. Now he sees an even more serious danger if the US loses the race for advanced manufacturing.
The latest threat from the rise of Chinese manufacturing
MIT economist David Autor first documented the loss of millions of jobs to Chinese imports a decade ago. Now he sees an even more serious danger if the US loses the race for advanced manufacturing.
www.technologyreview.com
July 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Very interesting interview from @davidrotman.bsky.social, exploring how the loss of manufacturing jobs fueled US political divisions, and how we're failing to prevent the next "China shock."
Reposted by davidrotman
DOE cancels $3.7 billion in demonstration projects aimed at cutting emissions — a couple big carbon capture demos, but also cement, glass, iron, chemicals projects.
Calpine and Exxon Mobil were hit, as were startups like Sublime and Brimstone. (Full list in story.) www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/c...
Calpine and Exxon Mobil were hit, as were startups like Sublime and Brimstone. (Full list in story.) www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/c...
Energy Dept. Cancels $3.7 Billion for New Technologies to Lower Emissions
www.nytimes.com
May 30, 2025 at 4:57 PM
DOE cancels $3.7 billion in demonstration projects aimed at cutting emissions — a couple big carbon capture demos, but also cement, glass, iron, chemicals projects.
Calpine and Exxon Mobil were hit, as were startups like Sublime and Brimstone. (Full list in story.) www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/c...
Calpine and Exxon Mobil were hit, as were startups like Sublime and Brimstone. (Full list in story.) www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/c...
Reposted by davidrotman
This is an essential point: For all the talk of nuclear, geothermal or maybe one day CCS, what folks are mostly building now to power AI data centers is new natural gas turbines — and they’ll be operating way past the point when the US power sector needs to hit net zero.
Something I don't think people really appreciate is that for all the talk of solar or even nuclear, when it comes to data center energy needs what is going to get us across the line is.... natural gas. And more of it.
www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/20/1...
www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/20/1...
AI could keep us dependent on natural gas for decades to come
AI data centers are driving a surge in new natural-gas power plants around the country. What does that mean for our clean-energy aspirations?
www.technologyreview.com
May 20, 2025 at 10:59 PM
This is an essential point: For all the talk of nuclear, geothermal or maybe one day CCS, what folks are mostly building now to power AI data centers is new natural gas turbines — and they’ll be operating way past the point when the US power sector needs to hit net zero.
Reposted by davidrotman
This is the deepest journalism I’ve seen yet on AI’s impact on the US power sector. I’m honored to be included w/ David Victor, Ari Peskoe, Costa Samaras, EPRI, and others. 🔌💡 www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/20/1...
May 20, 2025 at 11:50 PM
This is the deepest journalism I’ve seen yet on AI’s impact on the US power sector. I’m honored to be included w/ David Victor, Ari Peskoe, Costa Samaras, EPRI, and others. 🔌💡 www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/20/1...
Reposted by davidrotman
The Trump administration’s broad tariffs won’t bring back manufacturing, and they could stunt the US’s ability to make tomorrow's breakthroughs.
Sweeping tariffs could threaten the US manufacturing rebound
They won’t bring back manufacturing, and they could stunt our ability to make tomorrow's breakthroughs.
www.technologyreview.com
April 25, 2025 at 2:34 PM
The Trump administration’s broad tariffs won’t bring back manufacturing, and they could stunt the US’s ability to make tomorrow's breakthroughs.
Reposted by davidrotman
@davidrotman.bsky.social digs into what tariffs will mean for manufacturing:
Sweeping tariffs could threaten the US manufacturing rebound
They won’t bring back manufacturing, and they could stunt our ability to make tomorrow's breakthroughs.
www.technologyreview.com
April 25, 2025 at 6:07 PM
@davidrotman.bsky.social digs into what tariffs will mean for manufacturing:
Reposted by davidrotman
@caseycrownhart.bsky.social reports on the billions of dollars of climate tech projects that companies have halted since Trump took office.
By way of comparison, it's "more than three times the total investments cancelled over the previous 30 months."
By way of comparison, it's "more than three times the total investments cancelled over the previous 30 months."
$8 billion of US climate tech projects have been canceled so far in 2025
Battery, solar, and wind projects are getting killed in record numbers. Here’s a map of all the cancellations so far this year.
www.technologyreview.com
April 22, 2025 at 2:59 PM
@caseycrownhart.bsky.social reports on the billions of dollars of climate tech projects that companies have halted since Trump took office.
By way of comparison, it's "more than three times the total investments cancelled over the previous 30 months."
By way of comparison, it's "more than three times the total investments cancelled over the previous 30 months."
Reposted by davidrotman
It's funny that there's been a prolonged "but what about the optimal case for strategic tariffs that promote critical sectors" debate and meanwhile the actual policy in question is just aiming a rusty shotgun at the kneecaps of the entire manufacturing sector for seemingly no reason
Manufacturers in the Richmond Fed's district say they're already cutting headcount and expect to headcount further into the future
April 22, 2025 at 2:18 PM
It's funny that there's been a prolonged "but what about the optimal case for strategic tariffs that promote critical sectors" debate and meanwhile the actual policy in question is just aiming a rusty shotgun at the kneecaps of the entire manufacturing sector for seemingly no reason
Reposted by davidrotman
It's a straightforward relationship: high #inequality leads to the triumph of the far right. It will keep winning until governments deliberately seek to make societies more equal. I'm looking at you, Keir Starmer.
This week's column. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Rightwing populists will keep winning until we grasp this truth about human nature | George Monbiot
Economic inequality breeds resentment and a desire to get even. That’s what fuels support for even incompetent regimes, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
April 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
It's a straightforward relationship: high #inequality leads to the triumph of the far right. It will keep winning until governments deliberately seek to make societies more equal. I'm looking at you, Keir Starmer.
This week's column. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by davidrotman
As this @ddayen.bsky.social interview with @alexsjacquez.bsky.social demonstrates.
prospect.org/economy/2025...
The one backhanded bright side?
prospect.org/economy/2025...
The one backhanded bright side?
The Manufacturing Boom We Already Had
A Q&A with Biden industrial-policy official Alex Jacquez on the right way to boost domestic production in critical sectors
prospect.org
April 13, 2025 at 6:25 AM
As this @ddayen.bsky.social interview with @alexsjacquez.bsky.social demonstrates.
prospect.org/economy/2025...
The one backhanded bright side?
prospect.org/economy/2025...
The one backhanded bright side?
Reposted by davidrotman
Some much-needed skepticism on the "dire wolves" conversation from @antonioregalado.bsky.social
www.technologyreview.com/2025/04/08/1...
www.technologyreview.com/2025/04/08/1...
Game of clones: Colossal’s new wolves are cute, but are they dire?
Colossal Biosciences claims it has revived an extinct species, but scientists outside the company are skeptical.
www.technologyreview.com
April 8, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Some much-needed skepticism on the "dire wolves" conversation from @antonioregalado.bsky.social
www.technologyreview.com/2025/04/08/1...
www.technologyreview.com/2025/04/08/1...
Reposted by davidrotman
Some of the stats in here are really striking. Per one paper, federal investments in R&D account for at least a fifth of all productivity gains in the U.S. economy since World War II. And the societal return for every $1 invested in the sciences is *conservatively* estimated at $5.
March 31, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Some of the stats in here are really striking. Per one paper, federal investments in R&D account for at least a fifth of all productivity gains in the U.S. economy since World War II. And the societal return for every $1 invested in the sciences is *conservatively* estimated at $5.
Reposted by davidrotman
1. @alisongopnik.bsky.social, Cosma Shalizi, James Evans and myself have a new piece in Science on "AI" Large Models, pushing back against much of the collective wisdom about what they can and can't do. Official below, unpaywalled at henryfarrell.net/large-ai-mod... . So why this now?
Large AI models are cultural and social technologies
Implications draw on the history of transformative information systems from the past
www.science.org
March 14, 2025 at 12:57 PM
1. @alisongopnik.bsky.social, Cosma Shalizi, James Evans and myself have a new piece in Science on "AI" Large Models, pushing back against much of the collective wisdom about what they can and can't do. Official below, unpaywalled at henryfarrell.net/large-ai-mod... . So why this now?
Reposted by davidrotman
To the rational Yanks out there: this is tha man you need to be reading: @djrothkopf.bsky.social
He's been brilliant in seeing what was coming, in commenting on it as it was happening. And he's still brilliant in providing leadership on what to do.
davidrothkopf.substack.com/p/how-do-dem...
He's been brilliant in seeing what was coming, in commenting on it as it was happening. And he's still brilliant in providing leadership on what to do.
davidrothkopf.substack.com/p/how-do-dem...
How Do Dems Save the Country and Their Party?
A key phrase to remember could be "a little disruption"
davidrothkopf.substack.com
March 7, 2025 at 2:40 PM
To the rational Yanks out there: this is tha man you need to be reading: @djrothkopf.bsky.social
He's been brilliant in seeing what was coming, in commenting on it as it was happening. And he's still brilliant in providing leadership on what to do.
davidrothkopf.substack.com/p/how-do-dem...
He's been brilliant in seeing what was coming, in commenting on it as it was happening. And he's still brilliant in providing leadership on what to do.
davidrothkopf.substack.com/p/how-do-dem...
Reposted by davidrotman
Studies have shown that tariffs depress productivity in protected industries. U.S. steel is a case in point. (via @bennsteil.bsky.social) www.cfr.org/blog/steel-p...
Steel Productivity has Plummeted Since Trump’s 2018 Tariffs
Studies have shown that tariffs depress productivity in protected industries. U.S. steel is a case in point.
www.cfr.org
March 6, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Studies have shown that tariffs depress productivity in protected industries. U.S. steel is a case in point. (via @bennsteil.bsky.social) www.cfr.org/blog/steel-p...
Reposted by davidrotman
Taking a cue from @cantlonlab.bsky.social, I have written an op-ed for my local newspaper about the impact of the NIH funding chaos. I'd appreciate it if you read and share. #NIH #Research #Science #Worcester
www.telegram.com/story/opinio...
www.telegram.com/story/opinio...
Opinion/Guest column: Gutting NIH a disaster in the marking for research, local economy
Less research equates to less business between the university and these Worcester companies, spreading the pain far beyond campus borders.
www.telegram.com
March 2, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Taking a cue from @cantlonlab.bsky.social, I have written an op-ed for my local newspaper about the impact of the NIH funding chaos. I'd appreciate it if you read and share. #NIH #Research #Science #Worcester
www.telegram.com/story/opinio...
www.telegram.com/story/opinio...
Reposted by davidrotman
Lopatto Banger Alert (although it was my headline, give me that much) www.theverge.com/2025/1/20/24...
Welcome to the era of gangster tech regulation
Trump has offered tech a way to buy itself out of consequences.
www.theverge.com
January 20, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Lopatto Banger Alert (although it was my headline, give me that much) www.theverge.com/2025/1/20/24...
Reposted by davidrotman
@lauradtyson.bsky.social talking about the productivity implications of AI - the topic du jour #ASSA2025. @smithcollege.bsky.social
January 3, 2025 at 4:52 PM
@lauradtyson.bsky.social talking about the productivity implications of AI - the topic du jour #ASSA2025. @smithcollege.bsky.social
Reposted by davidrotman
Are we up to the moment we are about to face? Our parents and grandparents say yes we are. My latest. open.substack.com/pub/davidrot...
Are We Up to the Moment We Are About to Face?
Our Parents and Grandparents Say, "Yes, We Are."
open.substack.com
December 17, 2024 at 1:50 AM
Are we up to the moment we are about to face? Our parents and grandparents say yes we are. My latest. open.substack.com/pub/davidrot...
Reposted by davidrotman
How to build the virtual cell with artificial intelligence: Priorities and opportunities
"AI virtual cell, a multi-scale, multi-modal large-neural-network-based model that can represent and simulate the behavior of molecules, cells, and tissues across diverse states."
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
"AI virtual cell, a multi-scale, multi-modal large-neural-network-based model that can represent and simulate the behavior of molecules, cells, and tissues across diverse states."
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
December 15, 2024 at 5:51 AM
How to build the virtual cell with artificial intelligence: Priorities and opportunities
"AI virtual cell, a multi-scale, multi-modal large-neural-network-based model that can represent and simulate the behavior of molecules, cells, and tissues across diverse states."
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
"AI virtual cell, a multi-scale, multi-modal large-neural-network-based model that can represent and simulate the behavior of molecules, cells, and tissues across diverse states."
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Reposted by davidrotman
It’s an idea as popular as it is incorrect: American babies now receive too many vaccines, which overwhelm their immune systems and lead to conditions like autism.
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/14/h...
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/14/h...
Are Childhood Vaccines ‘Overloading’ the Immune System? No. (Gift Article)
Vaccines today are more efficient and contain far fewer stimulants to the immune system than some used decades ago.
www.nytimes.com
December 14, 2024 at 2:33 PM
It’s an idea as popular as it is incorrect: American babies now receive too many vaccines, which overwhelm their immune systems and lead to conditions like autism.
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/14/h...
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/14/h...