John Alford
@jalford1964.bsky.social
Interested in philosophy and science. Lover of music, film and a good book. Software Quality Assurance professional.
Reposted by John Alford
New papers in Science provide evidence for the convergent development and evolution of neurons and their connections in the bird and mammalian pallia, highlighting the need for multiple perspectives in brain comparative studies.
Learn more in a new #SciencePerspective: scim.ag/41xuqjl
Learn more in a new #SciencePerspective: scim.ag/41xuqjl
Constrained roads to complex brains
Neural development and brain circuit evolution converged in birds and mammals
scim.ag
February 25, 2025 at 8:51 PM
New papers in Science provide evidence for the convergent development and evolution of neurons and their connections in the bird and mammalian pallia, highlighting the need for multiple perspectives in brain comparative studies.
Learn more in a new #SciencePerspective: scim.ag/41xuqjl
Learn more in a new #SciencePerspective: scim.ag/41xuqjl
Reposted by John Alford
The 'feeling' that X under Musk is a different place than before is quantified in this new study titled 'Substantial Hate'
1️⃣ hate speech up to 50% higher;
2️⃣ hate speech increase persistent;
3️⃣ no reduction in inauthentic accounts
#commsky @polcomm.bsky.social
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
1️⃣ hate speech up to 50% higher;
2️⃣ hate speech increase persistent;
3️⃣ no reduction in inauthentic accounts
#commsky @polcomm.bsky.social
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
X under Musk’s leadership: Substantial hate and no reduction in inauthentic activity
Numerous studies have reported an increase in hate speech on X (formerly Twitter) in the months immediately following Elon Musk’s acquisition of the platform on October 27th, 2022; relatedly, despite ...
journals.plos.org
February 13, 2025 at 9:44 AM
The 'feeling' that X under Musk is a different place than before is quantified in this new study titled 'Substantial Hate'
1️⃣ hate speech up to 50% higher;
2️⃣ hate speech increase persistent;
3️⃣ no reduction in inauthentic accounts
#commsky @polcomm.bsky.social
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
1️⃣ hate speech up to 50% higher;
2️⃣ hate speech increase persistent;
3️⃣ no reduction in inauthentic accounts
#commsky @polcomm.bsky.social
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Reposted by John Alford
Ted Cruz’s “woke” science list contains a lot of basic, fundamental research that got flagged for simply addressing broader impacts (as Congress requires).
As absurd as the list seems, it’s making scientists uneasy.
My latest:
www.npr.org/2025/02/13/n...
As absurd as the list seems, it’s making scientists uneasy.
My latest:
www.npr.org/2025/02/13/n...
Sen. Ted Cruz's list of "woke" science includes self-driving cars, solar eclipses
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, says the National Science Foundation has given money to thousands of "Woke DEI" studies. Researchers say that's misrepresenting science and disparaging important research.
www.npr.org
February 13, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Ted Cruz’s “woke” science list contains a lot of basic, fundamental research that got flagged for simply addressing broader impacts (as Congress requires).
As absurd as the list seems, it’s making scientists uneasy.
My latest:
www.npr.org/2025/02/13/n...
As absurd as the list seems, it’s making scientists uneasy.
My latest:
www.npr.org/2025/02/13/n...
Reposted by John Alford
Even though CDC recently allowed to resume publication of its weekly morbidity & mortality report, THREE studies on bird flu that had been scheduled to run in the journal are still being suppressed. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
CDC scientific report resumes publication after unprecedented pause
But three studies about bird flu remain on hold even as the outbreak spreads.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 12, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Even though CDC recently allowed to resume publication of its weekly morbidity & mortality report, THREE studies on bird flu that had been scheduled to run in the journal are still being suppressed. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Reposted by John Alford
Hubble image of Arp 288, also known as NGC 5221.
In 2016, a supernova appeared in the galaxy's long tidal tail to the right, about 260 thousand light years from the galactic center.
Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI, J. Dalcanton, Judy Schmidt
Source
In 2016, a supernova appeared in the galaxy's long tidal tail to the right, about 260 thousand light years from the galactic center.
Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI, J. Dalcanton, Judy Schmidt
Source
February 13, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Hubble image of Arp 288, also known as NGC 5221.
In 2016, a supernova appeared in the galaxy's long tidal tail to the right, about 260 thousand light years from the galactic center.
Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI, J. Dalcanton, Judy Schmidt
Source
In 2016, a supernova appeared in the galaxy's long tidal tail to the right, about 260 thousand light years from the galactic center.
Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI, J. Dalcanton, Judy Schmidt
Source
Reposted by John Alford
Trump & Musk have given Democrats a mission they can’t duck: Defending constitutional democracy & the rule of law and fighting oligarchy
Would appreciate your sharing
Read my latest essay without hitting the paywall for 14 days using this link. All you need to do is put in your email
wapo.st/3CITxpy
Would appreciate your sharing
Read my latest essay without hitting the paywall for 14 days using this link. All you need to do is put in your email
wapo.st/3CITxpy
Opinion | Democrats, Trump has given you a mission. Accept all of it.
The republic is under siege. What can be done?
wapo.st
February 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Trump & Musk have given Democrats a mission they can’t duck: Defending constitutional democracy & the rule of law and fighting oligarchy
Would appreciate your sharing
Read my latest essay without hitting the paywall for 14 days using this link. All you need to do is put in your email
wapo.st/3CITxpy
Would appreciate your sharing
Read my latest essay without hitting the paywall for 14 days using this link. All you need to do is put in your email
wapo.st/3CITxpy
Reposted by John Alford
Reposted by John Alford
Academics and researchers are receiving emails from their higher-ups, explaining that rules are changing and their institutions are carefully monitoring the situation.
Have any university higher-ups sent emails saying "We continue to be unwavering in our support for the rights of all human beings?"
Have any university higher-ups sent emails saying "We continue to be unwavering in our support for the rights of all human beings?"
February 3, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Academics and researchers are receiving emails from their higher-ups, explaining that rules are changing and their institutions are carefully monitoring the situation.
Have any university higher-ups sent emails saying "We continue to be unwavering in our support for the rights of all human beings?"
Have any university higher-ups sent emails saying "We continue to be unwavering in our support for the rights of all human beings?"
Reposted by John Alford
Screen-reader compatible list.
"Words flagged in search of current NSF Awards. May be incomplete. This is a cull from 1/10th of the awards flagged"
activism
activists
advocacy
advocate
advocates
barrier
barriers
biased
biased toward
biases
biases towards
bipoc
black and latinx
community diversity
"Words flagged in search of current NSF Awards. May be incomplete. This is a cull from 1/10th of the awards flagged"
activism
activists
advocacy
advocate
advocates
barrier
barriers
biased
biased toward
biases
biases towards
bipoc
black and latinx
community diversity
🚨BREAKING. From a program officer at the National Science Foundation, a list of keywords that can cause a grant to be pulled. I will be sharing screenshots of these keywords along with a decision tree. Please share widely. This is a crisis for academic freedom & science.
February 4, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Screen-reader compatible list.
"Words flagged in search of current NSF Awards. May be incomplete. This is a cull from 1/10th of the awards flagged"
activism
activists
advocacy
advocate
advocates
barrier
barriers
biased
biased toward
biases
biases towards
bipoc
black and latinx
community diversity
"Words flagged in search of current NSF Awards. May be incomplete. This is a cull from 1/10th of the awards flagged"
activism
activists
advocacy
advocate
advocates
barrier
barriers
biased
biased toward
biases
biases towards
bipoc
black and latinx
community diversity
Reposted by John Alford
This map shows how much NIH funding goes to your state. I used the info on my state when I called officials to ask them to push back against the freeze. And if I can do it when my senators are Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville...well, I mean...
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...
NIH In Your State - United For Medical Research
Select a state on the map to see the impact of NIH funding across America.
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org
January 23, 2025 at 3:55 AM
This map shows how much NIH funding goes to your state. I used the info on my state when I called officials to ask them to push back against the freeze. And if I can do it when my senators are Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville...well, I mean...
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...
Reposted by John Alford
Reposted by John Alford
Reposted by John Alford
Wow, what are the odds?!
January 5, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Wow, what are the odds?!
Reposted by John Alford
European robin (Erithacus rubecula), Aberdeen
"Red in a sea of White"
Fujifilm X-Pro1 XF 55-200mm lens
1/125 • f/4.8 • 200mm • 500 ISO
#birds #robin #wildlife #photography #fujifilm #wildlifephotography #snow #snowphotography #nature #forest #scotland #bluesky
"Red in a sea of White"
Fujifilm X-Pro1 XF 55-200mm lens
1/125 • f/4.8 • 200mm • 500 ISO
#birds #robin #wildlife #photography #fujifilm #wildlifephotography #snow #snowphotography #nature #forest #scotland #bluesky
January 3, 2025 at 3:53 PM
European robin (Erithacus rubecula), Aberdeen
"Red in a sea of White"
Fujifilm X-Pro1 XF 55-200mm lens
1/125 • f/4.8 • 200mm • 500 ISO
#birds #robin #wildlife #photography #fujifilm #wildlifephotography #snow #snowphotography #nature #forest #scotland #bluesky
"Red in a sea of White"
Fujifilm X-Pro1 XF 55-200mm lens
1/125 • f/4.8 • 200mm • 500 ISO
#birds #robin #wildlife #photography #fujifilm #wildlifephotography #snow #snowphotography #nature #forest #scotland #bluesky
Reposted by John Alford
Two #WorldLogicDay events:
@saraluckelman.bsky.social on the History of Logic: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K1D...
@saraluckelman.bsky.social on Why Logics Matter: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMSJ...
@saraluckelman.bsky.social on the History of Logic: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K1D...
@saraluckelman.bsky.social on Why Logics Matter: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMSJ...
Public Lecture : World Logic Day 2025
YouTube video by Filsafat UGM
www.youtube.com
January 7, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Two #WorldLogicDay events:
@saraluckelman.bsky.social on the History of Logic: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K1D...
@saraluckelman.bsky.social on Why Logics Matter: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMSJ...
@saraluckelman.bsky.social on the History of Logic: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K1D...
@saraluckelman.bsky.social on Why Logics Matter: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMSJ...
Reposted by John Alford
NASA JPL chief Laurie Leshin says that over 150 staffers at the research center have lost their homes in the LA fires; the lab has set up a relief fund to help them out, which you can support here: caltech.imodules.com/controls/ema...
caltech.imodules.com
January 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
NASA JPL chief Laurie Leshin says that over 150 staffers at the research center have lost their homes in the LA fires; the lab has set up a relief fund to help them out, which you can support here: caltech.imodules.com/controls/ema...
Reposted by John Alford
As @scottjshapiro.bsky.social and I explained in our book, the U.S. has championed the prohibition on territorial conquest for close to a century. This commitment has led to a more peaceful and prosperous world.
Trump is now threatening to throw that all away.
www.amazon.com/Internationa...
Trump is now threatening to throw that all away.
www.amazon.com/Internationa...
The Internationalists: How a Radical Plan to Outlaw War Remade the World
The Internationalists: How a Radical Plan to Outlaw War Remade the World [Hathaway, Oona A., Shapiro, Scott J.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Internationalists: How a Radical Plan to Outlaw War Remade the World
www.amazon.com
January 7, 2025 at 7:23 PM
As @scottjshapiro.bsky.social and I explained in our book, the U.S. has championed the prohibition on territorial conquest for close to a century. This commitment has led to a more peaceful and prosperous world.
Trump is now threatening to throw that all away.
www.amazon.com/Internationa...
Trump is now threatening to throw that all away.
www.amazon.com/Internationa...
Reposted by John Alford
Fact-checking wasn’t “biased” against conservatives. Conservatives just shared more false content. If there’s a sportsball game and one team fouls four times as much, it’s not “biased” for the ref to call four times as many fouls against that team.
🚨In Nature🚨
Meta is dropping fact-checking to avoid anti-conservative bias- but is there actually evidence of bias?
We this test empirically & find that conservatives
* ARE suspended more
* BUT share more misinfo
So suspension isn't necessarily evidence of bias www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Meta is dropping fact-checking to avoid anti-conservative bias- but is there actually evidence of bias?
We this test empirically & find that conservatives
* ARE suspended more
* BUT share more misinfo
So suspension isn't necessarily evidence of bias www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Differences in misinformation sharing can lead to politically asymmetric sanctions - Nature
We find that conservatives tend to share more low-quality news through social media than liberals, and so even if technology companies enact politically neutral anti-misinformation policies, political...
www.nature.com
January 7, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Fact-checking wasn’t “biased” against conservatives. Conservatives just shared more false content. If there’s a sportsball game and one team fouls four times as much, it’s not “biased” for the ref to call four times as many fouls against that team.
Reposted by John Alford
Great piece by @kakape.bsky.social about BlueSky and the growth of its academic community
Feat. @lorenzspreen.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com @jbakcoleman.bsky.social and others, as well as my efforts to monitor and analyze the network out of the equilibrium regime 👇
www.science.org/content/arti...
Feat. @lorenzspreen.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com @jbakcoleman.bsky.social and others, as well as my efforts to monitor and analyze the network out of the equilibrium regime 👇
www.science.org/content/arti...
As academic Bluesky grows, researchers find strengths—and shortcomings
Platform fosters collegial interactions among scientists, but potentially limits interactions beyond the academic community
www.science.org
January 7, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Great piece by @kakape.bsky.social about BlueSky and the growth of its academic community
Feat. @lorenzspreen.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com @jbakcoleman.bsky.social and others, as well as my efforts to monitor and analyze the network out of the equilibrium regime 👇
www.science.org/content/arti...
Feat. @lorenzspreen.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com @jbakcoleman.bsky.social and others, as well as my efforts to monitor and analyze the network out of the equilibrium regime 👇
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by John Alford
Brilliant BBC animated report by ecologist David Goulson on the vital role of insects in our ecosystems and the real threats of declining populations
Why insects are so crucial to life on Earth - BBC Ideas
Watch the "Why insects are so crucial to life on Earth" video at BBC Ideas. Explore other related content via our curated "Nature and us" playlist.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 4, 2023 at 2:08 PM
Brilliant BBC animated report by ecologist David Goulson on the vital role of insects in our ecosystems and the real threats of declining populations
Reposted by John Alford
Reposted by John Alford
BBC News - Bee-harming pesticides' emergency approvals to end
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Bee-harming pesticides' emergency approval will end, vows Defra
Planned legal changes will see three neonicotinoid pesticides completely banned from any future use.
www.bbc.com
December 24, 2024 at 5:13 PM
BBC News - Bee-harming pesticides' emergency approvals to end
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by John Alford
None of this needs to happen www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Ontario reports spike in measles cases; 37 linked to an exposure in New Brunswick | CBC News
Public Health Ontario says all but 2 cases were in people who weren't immunized against the disease. The agency says between 2013 and 2023, the province didn't record more than 22 cases in any one yea...
www.cbc.ca
December 24, 2024 at 5:18 PM
None of this needs to happen www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by John Alford
My choice of the best philosophy books of 2024 @five_books fivebooks.com/best-books/b...
The Best Philosophy Books of 2024
Philosopher Nigel Warburton selects the best philosophy books of 2024, including a study of animal sentience and an introduction to Marx
fivebooks.com
December 12, 2024 at 7:57 PM
My choice of the best philosophy books of 2024 @five_books fivebooks.com/best-books/b...