James Gaines
@jmgaines.bsky.social
Once a science journalist; still a science journalist. Aspiring moss-man; inspiring mothman. www.jmgaines.com
When a smuggler stuffed a monkey into a duffel bag and threw it out their car window, law enforcement called Mandy Fischer with a question: Now that we’ve saved this animal, what do we *do* with it?
My latest, for Smithsonian:
My latest, for Smithsonian:
Once Smuggled Animals Are Rescued, Law Enforcement Officers Call Her
As coordinator of the Wildlife Confiscations Network, Mandy Fischer helps match trafficked animals—from alligators to jaguars to baby monkeys—with sanctuaries and care facilities
www.smithsonianmag.com
October 9, 2025 at 11:50 PM
When a smuggler stuffed a monkey into a duffel bag and threw it out their car window, law enforcement called Mandy Fischer with a question: Now that we’ve saved this animal, what do we *do* with it?
My latest, for Smithsonian:
My latest, for Smithsonian:
@EatingWithRobert on TikTok reminds me of Anthony Bourdain. www.youtube.com/shorts/rSB0a...
Long Island’s favorite butcher since 1983
YouTube video by Rob Martinez
www.youtube.com
August 28, 2025 at 4:58 AM
@EatingWithRobert on TikTok reminds me of Anthony Bourdain. www.youtube.com/shorts/rSB0a...
Would love to know what percent of ChatGPT prompts are "this should be a simple Google search but Google sucks now".
July 30, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Would love to know what percent of ChatGPT prompts are "this should be a simple Google search but Google sucks now".
2025 Restaurant Options:
* New high-concept restaurant (will go out of business in 3 months)
* A mom-and-pop teriyaki joint that's been around since the 80's (will go out of business in a year)
* A fast-food chain whose interior design seems increasingly hostile to human comfort
* Boba
* New high-concept restaurant (will go out of business in 3 months)
* A mom-and-pop teriyaki joint that's been around since the 80's (will go out of business in a year)
* A fast-food chain whose interior design seems increasingly hostile to human comfort
* Boba
June 12, 2025 at 9:04 PM
2025 Restaurant Options:
* New high-concept restaurant (will go out of business in 3 months)
* A mom-and-pop teriyaki joint that's been around since the 80's (will go out of business in a year)
* A fast-food chain whose interior design seems increasingly hostile to human comfort
* Boba
* New high-concept restaurant (will go out of business in 3 months)
* A mom-and-pop teriyaki joint that's been around since the 80's (will go out of business in a year)
* A fast-food chain whose interior design seems increasingly hostile to human comfort
* Boba
Laid off from my job at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory yesterday.
www.denverpost.com/2025/05/05/n...
www.denverpost.com/2025/05/05/n...
National Renewable Energy Laboratory lays off 114 employees in Golden
114 employees across the laboratory, including staff from both research and operations, who were involuntarily separated.
www.denverpost.com
May 7, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Laid off from my job at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory yesterday.
www.denverpost.com/2025/05/05/n...
www.denverpost.com/2025/05/05/n...
I've been waiting a while to share this one! My latest thing for PBS Eons.
When the Amazon Flowed Backwards
YouTube video by PBS Eons
youtu.be
December 3, 2024 at 10:42 PM
I've been waiting a while to share this one! My latest thing for PBS Eons.
I was the fact-checker on this project and really happy to see it published. Thankful to the folks who gave us the time and hope we did everyone justice. Can't wait to grab a physical copy. www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-...
How Recovering the History of a Little-Known Lakota Massacre Could Heal Generational Pain
When the U.S. Army massacred a Lakota village at Blue Water, dozens of plundered artifacts ended up in the Smithsonian. The unraveling of this long-buried atrocity is forging a path toward reconciliat...
www.smithsonianmag.com
October 23, 2024 at 5:30 PM
I was the fact-checker on this project and really happy to see it published. Thankful to the folks who gave us the time and hope we did everyone justice. Can't wait to grab a physical copy. www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-...
I'm low-key fascinated/terrified of chronic wasting disease (AKA zombie deer disease), but for all the hubbub it seemed like nobody was really talking about what (if anything) could actually control the disease. Really excited to see my Q&A go out: knowablemagazine.org/content/arti...
April 4, 2024 at 5:36 PM
I'm low-key fascinated/terrified of chronic wasting disease (AKA zombie deer disease), but for all the hubbub it seemed like nobody was really talking about what (if anything) could actually control the disease. Really excited to see my Q&A go out: knowablemagazine.org/content/arti...
Found out a series I helped fact-check won a James Beard award.
October 26, 2023 at 10:37 PM
Found out a series I helped fact-check won a James Beard award.
There's being a pedant. And then there's being a "there should be a period after the 'al' in 'et al.'" pedant.
June 23, 2023 at 5:01 PM
There's being a pedant. And then there's being a "there should be a period after the 'al' in 'et al.'" pedant.
Send me a weird animal fact and I'll send one back
June 19, 2023 at 11:53 PM
Send me a weird animal fact and I'll send one back