Elena Kazamia
@drkazzie.bsky.social
scientist, writer
regular contributor to Nautilus magazine
writing a book about algae
regular contributor to Nautilus magazine
writing a book about algae
I saw this rose on my walk today, and it was so obnoxiously beautiful, I decided it should live on forever in the metaverse. If AI is going to slop up all our writing and images on the internet, let the bots feast on this! And know that they could never even come close.
November 14, 2025 at 11:29 PM
I saw this rose on my walk today, and it was so obnoxiously beautiful, I decided it should live on forever in the metaverse. If AI is going to slop up all our writing and images on the internet, let the bots feast on this! And know that they could never even come close.
Reposted by Elena Kazamia
Can I share this curious bit of Faroese art factoid. The first Faroese artist Díðrikur á Skarvanesi died in obscurity, but his illustration of Faroese breeding birds (approx 1830s) is truly unique and (mayb biased) but I think this great skua is particularly beautiful 🌍🧪
#ornithology #teamskua #art
#ornithology #teamskua #art
October 26, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Can I share this curious bit of Faroese art factoid. The first Faroese artist Díðrikur á Skarvanesi died in obscurity, but his illustration of Faroese breeding birds (approx 1830s) is truly unique and (mayb biased) but I think this great skua is particularly beautiful 🌍🧪
#ornithology #teamskua #art
#ornithology #teamskua #art
So excited to receive my copy of 'The lives of lichen' after visiting Professor Toby Spribille's lab at the University of Alberta. Lichen have been challenging biologists for 100+ years now, repeatedly pushing us to reconsider much of what we think we know about life.
"Lichen is a song"...
"Lichen is a song"...
October 23, 2025 at 2:23 AM
So excited to receive my copy of 'The lives of lichen' after visiting Professor Toby Spribille's lab at the University of Alberta. Lichen have been challenging biologists for 100+ years now, repeatedly pushing us to reconsider much of what we think we know about life.
"Lichen is a song"...
"Lichen is a song"...
Reposted by Elena Kazamia
Salmon reach headwaters for first time in a century after California dam removal www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
Salmon reach headwaters for first time in a century after California dam removal
Chinook salmon on the Klamath River made it all the way to the river’s headwaters in southern Oregon some 300 miles from the Pacific for the first time in over a century.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 20, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Salmon reach headwaters for first time in a century after California dam removal www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
This morning I joined the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN): www.garn.org I am excited to hear about the work of local hubs, and especially the legal teams who are working towards building and enforcing legal protections for our ecosystems. ✌️💙
Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN)
GARN is a network of organizations and individuals committed to the implementation of legal systems that respect and enforce Rights of Nature.
www.garn.org
October 17, 2025 at 6:43 PM
This morning I joined the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN): www.garn.org I am excited to hear about the work of local hubs, and especially the legal teams who are working towards building and enforcing legal protections for our ecosystems. ✌️💙
Reposted by Elena Kazamia
International eyes needed on Ecuador rn, where an organised assault on constitutional integrity, land- & water-defenders, the rights of nature & Indigenous rights is currently in full swing, as directed by the newly elected president Noboa.
Excellent piece here:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Excellent piece here:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Indigenous and environmental leaders in Ecuador say they are facing state intimidation
Critics say referendum on rewriting country’s eco-friendly constitution is president’s latest pro-extractivist move
www.theguardian.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:07 PM
International eyes needed on Ecuador rn, where an organised assault on constitutional integrity, land- & water-defenders, the rights of nature & Indigenous rights is currently in full swing, as directed by the newly elected president Noboa.
Excellent piece here:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Excellent piece here:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Elena Kazamia
New in my photoblog: "Ode to Lichens" with 18 images.
Yes, I'm celebrating lichens after finding them growing... on our solar panels... 🤔 😅
www.alex-kunz.com/ode-to-liche...
#PhotoBlog #LichenSubscribe #NaturePhotography #CloseUp #Lichen #BlogPost #Gallery
Yes, I'm celebrating lichens after finding them growing... on our solar panels... 🤔 😅
www.alex-kunz.com/ode-to-liche...
#PhotoBlog #LichenSubscribe #NaturePhotography #CloseUp #Lichen #BlogPost #Gallery
Ode to Lichens
The first “wet season” storm for the 2025/2026 water year is in the forecast — quite early, but no complaints! It will mostly impact areas north of San Diego, but in preparation, I climbed onto the…
www.alex-kunz.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:43 PM
New in my photoblog: "Ode to Lichens" with 18 images.
Yes, I'm celebrating lichens after finding them growing... on our solar panels... 🤔 😅
www.alex-kunz.com/ode-to-liche...
#PhotoBlog #LichenSubscribe #NaturePhotography #CloseUp #Lichen #BlogPost #Gallery
Yes, I'm celebrating lichens after finding them growing... on our solar panels... 🤔 😅
www.alex-kunz.com/ode-to-liche...
#PhotoBlog #LichenSubscribe #NaturePhotography #CloseUp #Lichen #BlogPost #Gallery
One of my favorite books to have on hand while writing is Werner's 'Nomenclature of Colors'. Legend has it that Darwin used to travel with a copy as well. Today I have been staring at the 'Purples' page and trying to decide which shade best describes the Pacific ocean at noon. Far far from land...
September 9, 2025 at 10:49 PM
One of my favorite books to have on hand while writing is Werner's 'Nomenclature of Colors'. Legend has it that Darwin used to travel with a copy as well. Today I have been staring at the 'Purples' page and trying to decide which shade best describes the Pacific ocean at noon. Far far from land...
Reposted by Elena Kazamia
The newest issue of Nautilus is here, and we're covering all things animals! Rhinos, mice, and you. Yes, even you.
Subscribe today and get your copy of The Animal Issue: nautil.us/join/
Subscribe today and get your copy of The Animal Issue: nautil.us/join/
April 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
The newest issue of Nautilus is here, and we're covering all things animals! Rhinos, mice, and you. Yes, even you.
Subscribe today and get your copy of The Animal Issue: nautil.us/join/
Subscribe today and get your copy of The Animal Issue: nautil.us/join/
A short piece I wrote on recent research into cats understanding human language
Cats are adept at deciphering human communication. Cats can differentiate between their own name and similar-sounding nouns, follow human pointing, and can tell when their owner is angry or happy. 🧪
Your Cat Is Listening to You
Felines may be able to learn human words.
nautil.us
April 25, 2025 at 8:12 PM
A short piece I wrote on recent research into cats understanding human language
Reposted by Elena Kazamia
(1/5)
On a distant savannah, two rhinos move like ancient stones under the sun. Najin and Fatu, the last of their kind, carry 10 million years on their backs. Their story asks: Can we outwit extinction—or just learn how to say goodbye?
🔗 nautil.us/the-last-of-...
@drkazzie.bsky.social
@nautil.us
On a distant savannah, two rhinos move like ancient stones under the sun. Najin and Fatu, the last of their kind, carry 10 million years on their backs. Their story asks: Can we outwit extinction—or just learn how to say goodbye?
🔗 nautil.us/the-last-of-...
@drkazzie.bsky.social
@nautil.us
The Last of Their Kind
Are efforts to resurrect the northern white rhino more technological hubris than genuine conservation?
nautil.us
April 25, 2025 at 6:19 PM
(1/5)
On a distant savannah, two rhinos move like ancient stones under the sun. Najin and Fatu, the last of their kind, carry 10 million years on their backs. Their story asks: Can we outwit extinction—or just learn how to say goodbye?
🔗 nautil.us/the-last-of-...
@drkazzie.bsky.social
@nautil.us
On a distant savannah, two rhinos move like ancient stones under the sun. Najin and Fatu, the last of their kind, carry 10 million years on their backs. Their story asks: Can we outwit extinction—or just learn how to say goodbye?
🔗 nautil.us/the-last-of-...
@drkazzie.bsky.social
@nautil.us
The Last of Their Kind longreads.com/2025/04/24/n...
The Last of Their Kind - Longreads
"Are efforts to resurrect the northern white rhino more technological hubris than genuine conservation?"
longreads.com
April 24, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The Last of Their Kind longreads.com/2025/04/24/n...
My latest piece for @nautil.us on efforts to bring back the northern white rhino from the brink of extinction.
This took six months of reporting, reading and trying to better understand the nuance of the debates around conservation.
With my respect to all the voices, I invite you to read it!
This took six months of reporting, reading and trying to better understand the nuance of the debates around conservation.
With my respect to all the voices, I invite you to read it!
The last two Northern white rhinos, Najin and Fatu, have been put through a lot by the scientists trying to save their species. It begs the question: are efforts to resurrect extinct animals genuine conservation, or technological hubris? 🧪
The Last of Their Kind
Are efforts to resurrect the northern white rhino more technological hubris than genuine conservation?
nautil.us
April 21, 2025 at 10:34 PM
My latest piece for @nautil.us on efforts to bring back the northern white rhino from the brink of extinction.
This took six months of reporting, reading and trying to better understand the nuance of the debates around conservation.
With my respect to all the voices, I invite you to read it!
This took six months of reporting, reading and trying to better understand the nuance of the debates around conservation.
With my respect to all the voices, I invite you to read it!
Reposted by Elena Kazamia
in case you're wondering, "what's the harm in claiming an extinct species has been brought back from the dead" when it most certainly has not, our interior secretary is already using it to justify taking animals off the endangered species list
April 8, 2025 at 7:59 PM
in case you're wondering, "what's the harm in claiming an extinct species has been brought back from the dead" when it most certainly has not, our interior secretary is already using it to justify taking animals off the endangered species list
Reposted by Elena Kazamia
It's not a dire wolf. It's a gray wolf clone with 20 dire-wolf gene edits, and with some dire wolf traits. And here's my story! Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/s...
April 7, 2025 at 4:38 PM
It's not a dire wolf. It's a gray wolf clone with 20 dire-wolf gene edits, and with some dire wolf traits. And here's my story! Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/s...
For the love of blue 💙 and searching hard for that which is always there, a connection to the past
A Mexican artist rediscovered a pigment of blue used 1,000 years ago by his Mayan ancestors to decorate objects as well as to cover the skin of people and animals during rituals. 🧪
Reviving Mayan Blue
A Mexican artist rediscovers a lost color sacred to his ancestors.
nautil.us
March 18, 2025 at 5:10 AM
For the love of blue 💙 and searching hard for that which is always there, a connection to the past
I wrote a piece on ancient tattoos! Incredible what laser aging can reveal, and strange to think that my own tattoo of a koi fish might long outlive me
Laser analysis of a South American mummy's tattoos reveals stunning precision and artistry, with lines three times finer than a modern standard tattoo needle. 🧪
This Mummy's Tattoos Are Better Than Yours
Lasers reveal hidden details of ancient body ink
nautil.us
January 31, 2025 at 10:41 PM
I wrote a piece on ancient tattoos! Incredible what laser aging can reveal, and strange to think that my own tattoo of a koi fish might long outlive me
I wrote about swamps in film, and had a ball with the lede 💚 (also, time it is, for a Yoda emoji, me thinks)
Swamps tend to be portrayed in media as pretty unhappy places. This portrayal does a disservice to wetlands, critical resources of biodiversity and in desperate need of conservation. 🧪
The Trouble with the Swamp
Wetlands in film are overwhelmingly associated with discomfort, misery, and death
nautil.us
January 16, 2025 at 8:58 PM
I wrote about swamps in film, and had a ball with the lede 💚 (also, time it is, for a Yoda emoji, me thinks)
An incredible story of tragedy and resilience, and the personhood of a wave. I especially loved the ending, a gem.
After a devastating ecological disaster, locals passed a law to recognize the waves at the mouth of the Rio Doce in Brazil as a living being with intrinsic rights to existence, regeneration, and restoration.
This Ocean Wave Has Rights
The true meaning of legal protection for nature.
nautil.us
December 18, 2024 at 3:46 AM
An incredible story of tragedy and resilience, and the personhood of a wave. I especially loved the ending, a gem.
This was one of the best reads of the year - such a thoughtful conversation between a philosopher and a deep thinker about AI, and the kinship (none!) between human and machine minds
“We’re not going to deal with the climate emergency or the fracturing of the foundations of democracy unless we can reassert a confidence in human thinking and judgment. And everything in the AI world is working against that.”
@philipcball.bsky.social speaks to @shannonvallor.bsky.social on AI
@philipcball.bsky.social speaks to @shannonvallor.bsky.social on AI
AI Is the Black Mirror
Why the kinship between artificial intelligence and the human mind is terrifying.
nautil.us
December 13, 2024 at 7:06 PM
This was one of the best reads of the year - such a thoughtful conversation between a philosopher and a deep thinker about AI, and the kinship (none!) between human and machine minds
Reposted by Elena Kazamia
We've made a starter pack of Nautilus contributors! A great way to jumpstart your Bluesky experience with great science minds. go.bsky.app/RbETK5c
December 9, 2024 at 6:59 PM
We've made a starter pack of Nautilus contributors! A great way to jumpstart your Bluesky experience with great science minds. go.bsky.app/RbETK5c
I met @jenniferraff.bsky.social a year ago today, almost to the day. I have spent much of the time since thinking about her work and the ethical questions it raises.
My profile of Jennifer Raff, with much thanks to the editors, is now up with @nautil.us! Comments welcome
nautil.us/an-archaeolo...
My profile of Jennifer Raff, with much thanks to the editors, is now up with @nautil.us! Comments welcome
nautil.us/an-archaeolo...
An Archaeological Reckoning
Jennifer Raff is on a mission to rewrite the history of human origins in the Americas.
nautil.us
December 5, 2024 at 6:58 PM
I met @jenniferraff.bsky.social a year ago today, almost to the day. I have spent much of the time since thinking about her work and the ethical questions it raises.
My profile of Jennifer Raff, with much thanks to the editors, is now up with @nautil.us! Comments welcome
nautil.us/an-archaeolo...
My profile of Jennifer Raff, with much thanks to the editors, is now up with @nautil.us! Comments welcome
nautil.us/an-archaeolo...
Reposted by Elena Kazamia
Archaeologists have long plundered Native American remains without consent or care for descendant communities. Anthropologist @jenniferraff.bsky.social is on a mission to make archaeology more ethical.
"I can’t atone for the abuses of the past, but I can try to make the field better."
"I can’t atone for the abuses of the past, but I can try to make the field better."
An Archaeological Reckoning
Jennifer Raff is on a mission to rewrite the history of human origins in the Americas.
nautil.us
December 5, 2024 at 5:01 PM
Archaeologists have long plundered Native American remains without consent or care for descendant communities. Anthropologist @jenniferraff.bsky.social is on a mission to make archaeology more ethical.
"I can’t atone for the abuses of the past, but I can try to make the field better."
"I can’t atone for the abuses of the past, but I can try to make the field better."
Reposted by Elena Kazamia
#ThrowbackThursday to this story on the Copenhagen's ice library:
🧊🧊👶
hakaimagazine.com/features/the...
🧊🧊👶
hakaimagazine.com/features/the...
The Coolest Library on Earth | Hakai Magazine
At the University of Copenhagen, researchers store ice cores that hold the keys to Earth’s climate past and future.
hakaimagazine.com
December 5, 2024 at 6:43 PM
#ThrowbackThursday to this story on the Copenhagen's ice library:
🧊🧊👶
hakaimagazine.com/features/the...
🧊🧊👶
hakaimagazine.com/features/the...
Reposted by Elena Kazamia
The Light Eaters is one of the @newyorker.com's Essential Reads for 2024. What unbelievably cool company to be in. Honored as hell. www.newyorker.com/best-books-2...
The Best Books of 2024
The New Yorker’s editors and critics choose this year’s essential reads in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.
www.newyorker.com
December 5, 2024 at 6:47 PM
The Light Eaters is one of the @newyorker.com's Essential Reads for 2024. What unbelievably cool company to be in. Honored as hell. www.newyorker.com/best-books-2...