Gene Tracy
@genetracy.bsky.social
Physicist, sci-fi fan, news junkie. Scribblings have appeared at Aeon, Lapham’s Q, and American Scientist. he/him. Author of The Icarus Question: Essays on Science, Technology, and the Search for Home in a Changing World.
Pinned
Gene Tracy
@genetracy.bsky.social
· Jul 21
A man should add beauty and strength to his city.
He is no citizen whatsoever
If he is tied to the ugly by fear or by pride.
— Antigone, by Sophocles, translated by Robert Bringhurst
He is no citizen whatsoever
If he is tied to the ugly by fear or by pride.
— Antigone, by Sophocles, translated by Robert Bringhurst
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Incredible.
Heartbreaking stuff. And more good journalism from @charlotteobserver.com which has been a part of an incredible effort from local media to cover this past week’s attack on our city.
November 22, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Incredible.
Amid a deepening ecological crisis and acute water shortage, Tehran can no longer remain the capital of Iran, the country’s president has said.” #Water www.scientificamerican.com/article/iran...
Iran’s Capital Is Moving. The Reason Is an Ecological Catastrophe
The decision to move Iran’s capital is partly driven by climate change, but experts say decades of human error and action are also to blame
www.scientificamerican.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Amid a deepening ecological crisis and acute water shortage, Tehran can no longer remain the capital of Iran, the country’s president has said.” #Water www.scientificamerican.com/article/iran...
Important point by @georgemonbiot.bsky.social: A lack of basic public health and weather data in large parts of the world means we don’t know the true impacts of #climate_change www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
There’s a catastrophic black hole in our climate data – and it’s a gift to deniers | George Monbiot
Climate sceptics tell us that more people die of extreme cold than extreme heat. What’s the truth? asks Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Important point by @georgemonbiot.bsky.social: A lack of basic public health and weather data in large parts of the world means we don’t know the true impacts of #climate_change www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Gene Tracy
I love doing Origin Story because it feels like I’m back in education, only we set the curriculum and we don’t have to do exams. As I’m the son of two teachers, the fact it seems to help actual students (not something we actively considered when we started) is just lovely
November 19, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I love doing Origin Story because it feels like I’m back in education, only we set the curriculum and we don’t have to do exams. As I’m the son of two teachers, the fact it seems to help actual students (not something we actively considered when we started) is just lovely
Reposted by Gene Tracy
I’m just back from Ukraine for the third time. As ever so struck and in awe of the bravery, resilience & sense of humour of the people I met. The rallying around to build new organisations and initiatives that save lives and rescue victims of war. The decision to make art, music - to find joy.
November 14, 2025 at 7:45 AM
I’m just back from Ukraine for the third time. As ever so struck and in awe of the bravery, resilience & sense of humour of the people I met. The rallying around to build new organisations and initiatives that save lives and rescue victims of war. The decision to make art, music - to find joy.
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Ukraine is rejecting Trump’s plan right now at the UN Security Council.
⬇️
⬇️
November 20, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Ukraine is rejecting Trump’s plan right now at the UN Security Council.
⬇️
⬇️
Wild. Just wild. ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
End of The Line: how Saudi Arabia’s Neom dream unravelled
Mohammed bin Salman’s utopian city was undone by the laws of physics and finance
ig.ft.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Wild. Just wild. ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Timeline cleanse
French musician Plumes serenades the animals; the tiger singing along is 🤌🏻
(From plumesofficiel)
French musician Plumes serenades the animals; the tiger singing along is 🤌🏻
(From plumesofficiel)
October 15, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Timeline cleanse
French musician Plumes serenades the animals; the tiger singing along is 🤌🏻
(From plumesofficiel)
French musician Plumes serenades the animals; the tiger singing along is 🤌🏻
(From plumesofficiel)
Once had a paper rejected because it was “new but not novel”. 🤔
It's sad that AI conference reviewers use "incremental" as reason to reject a paper -- e.g., "the contribution of this paper is incremental; reject". Where do they think most progress in science comes from, and what eventually fuels big discoveries?
November 20, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Once had a paper rejected because it was “new but not novel”. 🤔
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Grammarian and Errorist are at it again! 🖊️
November 18, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Grammarian and Errorist are at it again! 🖊️
Interesting 🧵
So this ad revenue metric is indicative of such a fascinating and weird set of business decisions by Google to inexplicably kill of SEO-- and I honestly don't get how they think this is going to pay off for them in the long run.
🧵
1/
🧵
1/
Stereogum says Google's switch to AI Overviews reduced its ad revenue by *70 percent* www.theverge.com/entertainmen...
November 19, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Interesting 🧵
Reposted by Gene Tracy
This ICE flight is taking Ukrainians back to a warzone tonight. www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
November 17, 2025 at 11:34 PM
This ICE flight is taking Ukrainians back to a warzone tonight. www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Editors have a really hard job, and the good ones can make something unreadable readable, and the great ones can make something unreadable into something good. But they're basically invisible, until someone tries to write without one.
November 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Editors have a really hard job, and the good ones can make something unreadable readable, and the great ones can make something unreadable into something good. But they're basically invisible, until someone tries to write without one.
Reposted by Gene Tracy
nearly quote tweeted then realised it would have been a dickish move so, instead, a subtweet!
it is November 2025, it is no longer interesting to say "I went on Twitter and people were soooo sexist to me on it", you can either stop using the bad website or you can stop complaining about it
it is November 2025, it is no longer interesting to say "I went on Twitter and people were soooo sexist to me on it", you can either stop using the bad website or you can stop complaining about it
November 17, 2025 at 8:51 PM
nearly quote tweeted then realised it would have been a dickish move so, instead, a subtweet!
it is November 2025, it is no longer interesting to say "I went on Twitter and people were soooo sexist to me on it", you can either stop using the bad website or you can stop complaining about it
it is November 2025, it is no longer interesting to say "I went on Twitter and people were soooo sexist to me on it", you can either stop using the bad website or you can stop complaining about it
Reposted by Gene Tracy
A moving and thoughtful piece from a great legal newsletter I highly recommend!
NEW: Gregory Bovino is exactly who E.B. White — author of 'Charlotte's Web' — warned us about.
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
Tonight, at Law Dork:
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
Tonight, at Law Dork:
Gregory Bovino is exactly who E.B. White — author of 'Charlotte's Web' — warned us about
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
www.lawdork.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:09 PM
A moving and thoughtful piece from a great legal newsletter I highly recommend!
Reposted by Gene Tracy
The struggle for freedom and respect for the law is the same in the USA, Ukraine and all of Europe. You cant say you stand with Ukraine and want freedom and rule of law there, and then turn around and praise Trump and ignore his massive corruption. There is only one side--pick yours.
November 17, 2025 at 12:26 PM
The struggle for freedom and respect for the law is the same in the USA, Ukraine and all of Europe. You cant say you stand with Ukraine and want freedom and rule of law there, and then turn around and praise Trump and ignore his massive corruption. There is only one side--pick yours.
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Greg Bovino is leading a rebel cavalry terrorizing America—and it's important to recognize that it's in retreat. While the trauma and terror Bovino’s raiders instill is real and damaging, it’s remarkable to note how ineffective the force has turned out to be. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/trump-bord...
Trump, Border Patrol Retreat in Failure from Chicago
Five important lessons of the first six months of Trump’s immigration raids — and why CBP’s Greg Bovino is the Nathan Bedford Forrest of the Trump era.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
November 17, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Greg Bovino is leading a rebel cavalry terrorizing America—and it's important to recognize that it's in retreat. While the trauma and terror Bovino’s raiders instill is real and damaging, it’s remarkable to note how ineffective the force has turned out to be. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/trump-bord...
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Besides the obvious Nazi comparisons, this far more closely resembles the looting of personal property of Turks and Greeks on the wrong side of their postwar border, and of Hindus and Muslims on the wrong side of the Partition, and of Jews expelled as revenge for the loss of the 1st Arab-Israeli War
The Sun has been told Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will on Monday propose confiscating jewellery, watches, necklaces from asylum seekers to meet asylum costs
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
November 17, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Besides the obvious Nazi comparisons, this far more closely resembles the looting of personal property of Turks and Greeks on the wrong side of their postwar border, and of Hindus and Muslims on the wrong side of the Partition, and of Jews expelled as revenge for the loss of the 1st Arab-Israeli War
Reposted by Gene Tracy
The only craft docked at Tiangong space station has been damaged and “does not meet the release conditions for a safe manned return.”
A Collision with Space Debris Leaves 3 Chinese Astronauts Stranded in Orbit
The only craft docked at Tiangong space station has been damaged and “does not meet the release conditions for a safe manned return.”
wrd.cm
November 17, 2025 at 3:05 PM
The only craft docked at Tiangong space station has been damaged and “does not meet the release conditions for a safe manned return.”
Reposted by Gene Tracy
This was a really lovely treat to happen upon while sitting here at home knitting. Knitting and singing along to Neil Young! Have loved him and his music from the beginning. Happy Birthday Neil ❤️
youtu.be/USp4W2M1X-0?...
youtu.be/USp4W2M1X-0?...
2000+ voices SING for Neil Young at Toronto’s Massey Hall | Happy 80th Neil!
YouTube video by Choir! Choir! Choir!
youtu.be
November 16, 2025 at 1:11 AM
This was a really lovely treat to happen upon while sitting here at home knitting. Knitting and singing along to Neil Young! Have loved him and his music from the beginning. Happy Birthday Neil ❤️
youtu.be/USp4W2M1X-0?...
youtu.be/USp4W2M1X-0?...
Reposted by Gene Tracy
I think one of the things that makes me most sad and angry about the particular shape of these scams is that hearing from people whose work you have loved that they also love your work is one of the great things about this field, and this will make everyone necessarily more suspicious of it.
I hung out with Lois yesterday and we talked about these things. She is NEVER involved in ANYTHING like this. If you get a message or a social media DM claiming to be her, IT NEVER IS.
I've now heard from 3 authors targeted on X by a scammer impersonating Lois McMaster Bujold. Bujold impersonator refers author to "Eleanor Wood at Spectrum Literary", also an impersonation. Goal: to sell editing svcs. Scam is impersonating multiple authors & agents writerbeware.blog/2025/11/14/i...
November 16, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I think one of the things that makes me most sad and angry about the particular shape of these scams is that hearing from people whose work you have loved that they also love your work is one of the great things about this field, and this will make everyone necessarily more suspicious of it.
Reposted by Gene Tracy
I hung out with Lois yesterday and we talked about these things. She is NEVER involved in ANYTHING like this. If you get a message or a social media DM claiming to be her, IT NEVER IS.
I've now heard from 3 authors targeted on X by a scammer impersonating Lois McMaster Bujold. Bujold impersonator refers author to "Eleanor Wood at Spectrum Literary", also an impersonation. Goal: to sell editing svcs. Scam is impersonating multiple authors & agents writerbeware.blog/2025/11/14/i...
If a Famous Author Calls, Hang Up: Anatomy of an Impersonation Scam - Writer Beware
You open your email program one morning. The usual work stuff. Some spam (annoying that it got past your filters!). A couple of newsletters (maybe later). You sip your coffee, scroll down. Wait. What’...
writerbeware.blog
November 16, 2025 at 7:16 PM
I hung out with Lois yesterday and we talked about these things. She is NEVER involved in ANYTHING like this. If you get a message or a social media DM claiming to be her, IT NEVER IS.
Reposted by Gene Tracy
As a historian of the 18th c and an American, I've always known 2026 would be a critical moment. This doc is worth watching, and thinking through. Begins and ends w Indigenous contexts, conveys the horrors of a civil war wrought w racism + the ideals of liberty and equality we keep reaching for. 1/
_The American Revolution_ offers a look at how complex and violent — and also inspiring— the American founding was. Getting huge coverage, it may give folks time to digest that complexity as 2026 commences. Premieres tonight + PBS has preview clips of all episodes. www.pbs.org/show/the-ame...
The American Revolution
Thirteen colonies unite in rebellion, win their independence, and found the United States.
www.pbs.org
November 16, 2025 at 3:44 PM
As a historian of the 18th c and an American, I've always known 2026 would be a critical moment. This doc is worth watching, and thinking through. Begins and ends w Indigenous contexts, conveys the horrors of a civil war wrought w racism + the ideals of liberty and equality we keep reaching for. 1/
Reposted by Gene Tracy
"The Grift Bubble: A Political Theory of American Collapse"
"Those who work against the grifters... may be acting from love, or from law, because they know that these things are real. And so they should also know, in acting thus, that they are the patriots."
snyder.substack.com/p/the-grift-...
"Those who work against the grifters... may be acting from love, or from law, because they know that these things are real. And so they should also know, in acting thus, that they are the patriots."
snyder.substack.com/p/the-grift-...
The Grift Bubble
A Political Theory of American Collapse
snyder.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
"The Grift Bubble: A Political Theory of American Collapse"
"Those who work against the grifters... may be acting from love, or from law, because they know that these things are real. And so they should also know, in acting thus, that they are the patriots."
snyder.substack.com/p/the-grift-...
"Those who work against the grifters... may be acting from love, or from law, because they know that these things are real. And so they should also know, in acting thus, that they are the patriots."
snyder.substack.com/p/the-grift-...
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Pitch in my inbox this morning: "I’d like to pitch a deeply reported story on how local criminal justice policies and practices in [City/County] affect residents’ daily lives."
We get at least 3-5 AI-generated pitches like this a day at this point, quite exhausting.
We get at least 3-5 AI-generated pitches like this a day at this point, quite exhausting.
November 15, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Pitch in my inbox this morning: "I’d like to pitch a deeply reported story on how local criminal justice policies and practices in [City/County] affect residents’ daily lives."
We get at least 3-5 AI-generated pitches like this a day at this point, quite exhausting.
We get at least 3-5 AI-generated pitches like this a day at this point, quite exhausting.