Alex Mauney
@drphysisquid.bsky.social
Physicist turned R&D Engineer at a software startup.
Swimmer, aspiring triathlete, DIY enthusiast, and obsessed with factory sims.
Computers are dumber than you think.
Swimmer, aspiring triathlete, DIY enthusiast, and obsessed with factory sims.
Computers are dumber than you think.
Reposted by Alex Mauney
And this is not just a problem for academia. Many colleagues who were NSF fellows - federally funded grad students - now work for start-ups, pharma, tech, etc.
Graduate students are current and future innovators in all spaces. Drying up training pipelines will dehydrate our industries. 🫗#SaveNSF
Graduate students are current and future innovators in all spaces. Drying up training pipelines will dehydrate our industries. 🫗#SaveNSF
After 73 years, is NSF's graduate research fellowship program circling the drain? www.science.org/content/arti...
Will NSF’s flagship training program survive under Trump?
Despite 50 Nobelists and 75,000 alumni, NSF’s graduate research fellows could be a vanishing breed
www.science.org
May 29, 2025 at 11:37 PM
And this is not just a problem for academia. Many colleagues who were NSF fellows - federally funded grad students - now work for start-ups, pharma, tech, etc.
Graduate students are current and future innovators in all spaces. Drying up training pipelines will dehydrate our industries. 🫗#SaveNSF
Graduate students are current and future innovators in all spaces. Drying up training pipelines will dehydrate our industries. 🫗#SaveNSF
Reposted by Alex Mauney
This is what is getting me about the current sweep of Musk stories. The damage "DOGE" did is astounding - he didn't fail at chain-sawing.
Was it a failure at cutting costs?
Absolutely.
Was it incredibly destructive and demoralizing in ways we will only come to terms with over years?
Absolutely.
Was it a failure at cutting costs?
Absolutely.
Was it incredibly destructive and demoralizing in ways we will only come to terms with over years?
Absolutely.
There’s a decent argument that Musk is the most destructive force the US government has seen in at least a century, but on the other hand he’s a bit sad, tough editorial decisions here
May 29, 2025 at 11:47 PM
This is what is getting me about the current sweep of Musk stories. The damage "DOGE" did is astounding - he didn't fail at chain-sawing.
Was it a failure at cutting costs?
Absolutely.
Was it incredibly destructive and demoralizing in ways we will only come to terms with over years?
Absolutely.
Was it a failure at cutting costs?
Absolutely.
Was it incredibly destructive and demoralizing in ways we will only come to terms with over years?
Absolutely.
Reposted by Alex Mauney
Since we’re in a golden age of new Star Wars tv shows, I’ll again pitch “David Attenborough style nature documentaries but of fictional Star Wars creatures.”
No empire. No Jedi. Like, what the Jedi would watch on tv to relax after a stressful mission.
No empire. No Jedi. Like, what the Jedi would watch on tv to relax after a stressful mission.
a black and white bird is standing in the grass
ALT: a black and white bird is standing in the grass
media.tenor.com
April 24, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Since we’re in a golden age of new Star Wars tv shows, I’ll again pitch “David Attenborough style nature documentaries but of fictional Star Wars creatures.”
No empire. No Jedi. Like, what the Jedi would watch on tv to relax after a stressful mission.
No empire. No Jedi. Like, what the Jedi would watch on tv to relax after a stressful mission.
Reposted by Alex Mauney
They need him to be a genius because they cannot handle what it means for them to be tricked by a fool.
February 22, 2025 at 7:56 PM
They need him to be a genius because they cannot handle what it means for them to be tricked by a fool.
Reposted by Alex Mauney
Word of the Day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet individual whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.
February 14, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Word of the Day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet individual whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.
Reposted by Alex Mauney
Congress should hold hearings on this but it’s hard when you can only ask him five questions
February 14, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Congress should hold hearings on this but it’s hard when you can only ask him five questions
Reposted by Alex Mauney
Tepid take:
Cantaloupe is a trash fruit that ruins fruit salads. If you want a melon as the largest volume, use watermelon.
Cantaloupe is a trash fruit that ruins fruit salads. If you want a melon as the largest volume, use watermelon.
January 10, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Tepid take:
Cantaloupe is a trash fruit that ruins fruit salads. If you want a melon as the largest volume, use watermelon.
Cantaloupe is a trash fruit that ruins fruit salads. If you want a melon as the largest volume, use watermelon.
Reposted by Alex Mauney
🚀DEEP SPACE DISCOUNTS🚀
Ep 1: The First Of Many is LIVE
Ep 1: The First Of Many is LIVE
January 3, 2025 at 6:29 PM
🚀DEEP SPACE DISCOUNTS🚀
Ep 1: The First Of Many is LIVE
Ep 1: The First Of Many is LIVE
Reposted by Alex Mauney
ADVENTURER: Dragon! We are here for your gold! Prepare to die!
DRAGON: My gold?
ADVENTURER: Yes! We climbed this great mountain, swam it's flooded caverns and-
DRAGON: Fair enough
ADVENTURER: Wait, what?
DRAGON: It's yours
ADVENTURER:
DRAGON: How are you carrying it out of here?
ADVENTURER: Um... /1
DRAGON: My gold?
ADVENTURER: Yes! We climbed this great mountain, swam it's flooded caverns and-
DRAGON: Fair enough
ADVENTURER: Wait, what?
DRAGON: It's yours
ADVENTURER:
DRAGON: How are you carrying it out of here?
ADVENTURER: Um... /1
December 30, 2024 at 1:50 PM
ADVENTURER: Dragon! We are here for your gold! Prepare to die!
DRAGON: My gold?
ADVENTURER: Yes! We climbed this great mountain, swam it's flooded caverns and-
DRAGON: Fair enough
ADVENTURER: Wait, what?
DRAGON: It's yours
ADVENTURER:
DRAGON: How are you carrying it out of here?
ADVENTURER: Um... /1
DRAGON: My gold?
ADVENTURER: Yes! We climbed this great mountain, swam it's flooded caverns and-
DRAGON: Fair enough
ADVENTURER: Wait, what?
DRAGON: It's yours
ADVENTURER:
DRAGON: How are you carrying it out of here?
ADVENTURER: Um... /1
Started lifting weights while waiting to get back in the pool after surgery. Felt like every lift was way harder today until I realized I’d added 15 lb instead of 5… My whole job is math…
December 12, 2024 at 12:34 PM
Started lifting weights while waiting to get back in the pool after surgery. Felt like every lift was way harder today until I realized I’d added 15 lb instead of 5… My whole job is math…
My “I don’t want to kill executives” shirt is raising a lot of questions answered by the shirt
If my company asked me to sign a pledge affirming that I don’t want to kill our executives, I’d be forced to seriously consider if there’s a reason people want to kill our executives.
Lmao they're so scared, this is deranged
December 9, 2024 at 12:38 PM
My “I don’t want to kill executives” shirt is raising a lot of questions answered by the shirt
Reposted by Alex Mauney
Happy Thanksgiving - hope you are surrounded by love this holiday.
I’m thankful for the invigorated spirit in this online science community, as cliche as it is.
I’m thankful for the invigorated spirit in this online science community, as cliche as it is.
November 28, 2024 at 8:55 PM
Happy Thanksgiving - hope you are surrounded by love this holiday.
I’m thankful for the invigorated spirit in this online science community, as cliche as it is.
I’m thankful for the invigorated spirit in this online science community, as cliche as it is.
And it’s done! My part of Thanksgiving is done. At least until it’s dish time.
November 28, 2024 at 6:08 PM
And it’s done! My part of Thanksgiving is done. At least until it’s dish time.
Reposted by Alex Mauney
Every holiday has an urbanism angle and Thanksgiving is no exception. Time to take stock of the national spare bedroom reserve!
slate.com/business/202...
slate.com/business/202...
What Thanksgiving Can Tell Us About America’s Housing Crisis
The national spare-bedroom supply could be put to better use.
slate.com
November 27, 2024 at 2:39 PM
Every holiday has an urbanism angle and Thanksgiving is no exception. Time to take stock of the national spare bedroom reserve!
slate.com/business/202...
slate.com/business/202...
Being a panthers fan means getting excited that you have any points when highlights get shown during other games.
November 24, 2024 at 7:35 PM
Being a panthers fan means getting excited that you have any points when highlights get shown during other games.
Starting prep on the turkey for the main event, Thanksgiving at my in-laws. First time we are doing the turkey so hope it goes well.
November 24, 2024 at 7:33 PM
Starting prep on the turkey for the main event, Thanksgiving at my in-laws. First time we are doing the turkey so hope it goes well.
First real turkey of the year for my wife’s lab thanksgiving!
November 23, 2024 at 10:17 PM
First real turkey of the year for my wife’s lab thanksgiving!
Another weird music day at the pool with a 60s soul playlist. “Can’t Help Myself” may be a classic wedding song but it’s terrible pump up music.
Extremely confusing day of music in public. Pool was playing some sort of commentary version of Across the Universe by the Beatles. Documentary voiceover is not good workout vibes.
Now I’m giving blood and they are playing an R&B version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. I’m so baffled
Now I’m giving blood and they are playing an R&B version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. I’m so baffled
November 15, 2024 at 12:53 PM
Another weird music day at the pool with a 60s soul playlist. “Can’t Help Myself” may be a classic wedding song but it’s terrible pump up music.
How is it that none of the "smart" devices/services I have are smart enough to be useful about holiday closures? Every M/W/F morning I get up at the same time to go to the county pool, you'd think that this morning Apple or Google could pop up a "Hey the place you are going is closed" message
November 11, 2024 at 10:57 AM
How is it that none of the "smart" devices/services I have are smart enough to be useful about holiday closures? Every M/W/F morning I get up at the same time to go to the county pool, you'd think that this morning Apple or Google could pop up a "Hey the place you are going is closed" message
Maybe the most terrifying DIY I’ve done so far due to the raised bits on the wall. Find myself tiptoeing around it while cleaning up.
October 19, 2024 at 7:05 PM
Maybe the most terrifying DIY I’ve done so far due to the raised bits on the wall. Find myself tiptoeing around it while cleaning up.
Reposted by Alex Mauney
Seeing an “Anyone But Biden” yard sign mangled to add a “2.0” really undercuts the original message.
September 10, 2024 at 3:33 PM
Seeing an “Anyone But Biden” yard sign mangled to add a “2.0” really undercuts the original message.
Reposted by Alex Mauney
nobody will remember:
- your salary
- how “busy you were”
- how many hours you worked
people will remember:
- how many squid facts you knew
- if you offered others squid facts
- how you made people feel when you told them a squid fact
- your salary
- how “busy you were”
- how many hours you worked
people will remember:
- how many squid facts you knew
- if you offered others squid facts
- how you made people feel when you told them a squid fact
August 17, 2024 at 8:54 PM
nobody will remember:
- your salary
- how “busy you were”
- how many hours you worked
people will remember:
- how many squid facts you knew
- if you offered others squid facts
- how you made people feel when you told them a squid fact
- your salary
- how “busy you were”
- how many hours you worked
people will remember:
- how many squid facts you knew
- if you offered others squid facts
- how you made people feel when you told them a squid fact
Extremely confusing day of music in public. Pool was playing some sort of commentary version of Across the Universe by the Beatles. Documentary voiceover is not good workout vibes.
Now I’m giving blood and they are playing an R&B version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. I’m so baffled
Now I’m giving blood and they are playing an R&B version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. I’m so baffled
July 12, 2024 at 11:59 AM
Extremely confusing day of music in public. Pool was playing some sort of commentary version of Across the Universe by the Beatles. Documentary voiceover is not good workout vibes.
Now I’m giving blood and they are playing an R&B version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. I’m so baffled
Now I’m giving blood and they are playing an R&B version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. I’m so baffled
Reposted by Alex Mauney
"Imagine if idling your car produced solved sudokus you could trade for heroin" THE PROPHECY IS FULFILLED
Big takeaway from the Tesla earnings call is that Elon doesn't want to do anything to shore up sales, because he'd rather try to use the idle GPUs in parked Teslas as a distributed AI supercomputer... which doesn't make sense, but even if it did, it would still be stealing from your customers.
April 24, 2024 at 12:00 AM
"Imagine if idling your car produced solved sudokus you could trade for heroin" THE PROPHECY IS FULFILLED