Michael Banks
@michaelbanks.bsky.social
Science writer. Books: THE SECRET SCIENCE OF BABY (2022); PHYSICS AROUND THE CLOCK (out September 2025). News Editor of @physicsworld.bsky.social. http://linktr.ee/michaelbanks
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Michael Banks
@michaelbanks.bsky.social
· Aug 24
First 📚 copies have arrived… 🚚 Out 11 September (UK). lnk.to/PhysicsAroun...
Reposted by Michael Banks
Had a lot of fun chatting on the @physicsworld.bsky.social podcast about all the physics you come across in your everyday life - from breakfast to bed.
Physics Around the Clock is out now in the UK (perfect for a Christmas present 🎁 ).
Out in the US on 7 April 2026 but available to pre-order now
Physics Around the Clock is out now in the UK (perfect for a Christmas present 🎁 ).
Out in the US on 7 April 2026 but available to pre-order now
In this podcast we chat about the physics of coffee making, ponytails, toilet flushes and much more from the book Physics Around the Clock 🧪⚛️. ow.ly/5STm50Xtv0y
Better coffee, easier parking and more: the fascinating physics of daily life – Physics World
The author of Physics Around the Clock is our podcast guest
ow.ly
November 20, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Had a lot of fun chatting on the @physicsworld.bsky.social podcast about all the physics you come across in your everyday life - from breakfast to bed.
Physics Around the Clock is out now in the UK (perfect for a Christmas present 🎁 ).
Out in the US on 7 April 2026 but available to pre-order now
Physics Around the Clock is out now in the UK (perfect for a Christmas present 🎁 ).
Out in the US on 7 April 2026 but available to pre-order now
Had a lot of fun chatting on the @physicsworld.bsky.social podcast about all the physics you come across in your everyday life - from breakfast to bed.
Physics Around the Clock is out now in the UK (perfect for a Christmas present 🎁 ).
Out in the US on 7 April 2026 but available to pre-order now
Physics Around the Clock is out now in the UK (perfect for a Christmas present 🎁 ).
Out in the US on 7 April 2026 but available to pre-order now
In this podcast we chat about the physics of coffee making, ponytails, toilet flushes and much more from the book Physics Around the Clock 🧪⚛️. ow.ly/5STm50Xtv0y
Better coffee, easier parking and more: the fascinating physics of daily life – Physics World
The author of Physics Around the Clock is our podcast guest
ow.ly
November 20, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Had a lot of fun chatting on the @physicsworld.bsky.social podcast about all the physics you come across in your everyday life - from breakfast to bed.
Physics Around the Clock is out now in the UK (perfect for a Christmas present 🎁 ).
Out in the US on 7 April 2026 but available to pre-order now
Physics Around the Clock is out now in the UK (perfect for a Christmas present 🎁 ).
Out in the US on 7 April 2026 but available to pre-order now
Reposted by Michael Banks
Interview: Science writer and news editor Michael Banks tells us why physics appealed to him, the importance of relating physics to everyday life, and where to keep your toothbrush safe from toilet flush aerosols. popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/mich... #interviews #physics #everydayscience
Michael Banks - Five Way Interview
Michael Banks is a science writer and author and is currently news editor of Physics World magazine. As well as Physics World, he has writte...
popsciencebooks.blogspot.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Interview: Science writer and news editor Michael Banks tells us why physics appealed to him, the importance of relating physics to everyday life, and where to keep your toothbrush safe from toilet flush aerosols. popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/mich... #interviews #physics #everydayscience
Reposted by Michael Banks
Writing a book is full of ups and downs, but seeing (and signing) a copy in your local bookshop is firmly in the “up” category
September 20, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Writing a book is full of ups and downs, but seeing (and signing) a copy in your local bookshop is firmly in the “up” category
Writing a book is full of ups and downs, but seeing (and signing) a copy in your local bookshop is firmly in the “up” category
September 20, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Writing a book is full of ups and downs, but seeing (and signing) a copy in your local bookshop is firmly in the “up” category
From whistling kettles to the 'wet-dog' shake, here's 10 things you (probably) don’t know about the physics of your morning routine: thehistorypress.co.uk/article/10-t...
10 things you (probably) don't know about the physics of your morning routine
Have you ever wondered how to brew the perfect cup of coffee? Discover the physics behind your morning routine.
thehistorypress.co.uk
September 18, 2025 at 2:24 PM
From whistling kettles to the 'wet-dog' shake, here's 10 things you (probably) don’t know about the physics of your morning routine: thehistorypress.co.uk/article/10-t...
I cover the acoustic roughness of infant cries and the emotional response it can foster in my first book The Secret Science of Baby, but interesting it can even cause changes in facial temperature! www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Babies’ cries can make humans physically hotter, research finds
When in distress, babies produce chaotic wails which have pronounced effects on humans, including changes in facial temperature
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I cover the acoustic roughness of infant cries and the emotional response it can foster in my first book The Secret Science of Baby, but interesting it can even cause changes in facial temperature! www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Michael Banks
Review: Physics Around the Clock: Michael Banks ***** 11 September 2025 - Makes scientific concepts approachable by tying into aspects of everyday life. While some is predictable, many surprising delights included. popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/09/phys... #bookreview #popularscience
Physics Around the Clock - Michael Banks *****
One of the easiest ways to make science accessible is to tie it to everyday life - and this is something Michael Banks does well in his expl...
popsciencebooks.blogspot.com
September 11, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Review: Physics Around the Clock: Michael Banks ***** 11 September 2025 - Makes scientific concepts approachable by tying into aspects of everyday life. While some is predictable, many surprising delights included. popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/09/phys... #bookreview #popularscience
Reposted by Michael Banks
First 📚 copies have arrived… 🚚 Out 11 September (UK). lnk.to/PhysicsAroun...
August 24, 2025 at 9:31 PM
First 📚 copies have arrived… 🚚 Out 11 September (UK). lnk.to/PhysicsAroun...
First 📚 copies have arrived… 🚚 Out 11 September (UK). lnk.to/PhysicsAroun...
August 24, 2025 at 9:31 PM
First 📚 copies have arrived… 🚚 Out 11 September (UK). lnk.to/PhysicsAroun...
Wonder how much that would retail for?
Students at the University of Manchester in the UK have created a 30,500-piece LEGO model of the iconic Lovell Telescope to mark the 80th anniversary of the Jodrell Bank Observatory ⚛️🧪 physicsworld.com/a/students-m...
Students mark Jodrell Bank anniversary with epic LEGO model of the Lovell Telescope – Physics World
The model will now go on display at the University of Manchester's Schuster Building
physicsworld.com
June 27, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Wonder how much that would retail for?
Final #proofs of PHYSICS AROUND THE CLOCK have landed.
Out in the 🇬🇧 on 11 September and the 🇺🇸 in spring 2026.
Did I say it was available to pre-order?
Out in the 🇬🇧 on 11 September and the 🇺🇸 in spring 2026.
Did I say it was available to pre-order?
June 26, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Final #proofs of PHYSICS AROUND THE CLOCK have landed.
Out in the 🇬🇧 on 11 September and the 🇺🇸 in spring 2026.
Did I say it was available to pre-order?
Out in the 🇬🇧 on 11 September and the 🇺🇸 in spring 2026.
Did I say it was available to pre-order?
Reposted by Michael Banks
Former US presidential science advisor Neal Lane fears the cuts will put people off from careers in science, even in the unlikely event that all the cuts get reversed. “That’s a loss for all Americans.” ⚛️🧪 physicsworld.com/a/us-astrono...
US astronomy facing 'extinction level' event following Trump's 2026 budget request – Physics World
US president Trump sets out his budget request for 2026, which if passed, will see science hit like never before, as Peter Gwynne reports
physicsworld.com
June 17, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Former US presidential science advisor Neal Lane fears the cuts will put people off from careers in science, even in the unlikely event that all the cuts get reversed. “That’s a loss for all Americans.” ⚛️🧪 physicsworld.com/a/us-astrono...
Trump's economic policy is certainly off the charts...
NEW 🧵
A quick thread of charts showing how Trump’s economic agenda is going so far:
1) US consumers are reacting very very negatively.
These are the worst ratings for any US government’s economic policy since records began.
A quick thread of charts showing how Trump’s economic agenda is going so far:
1) US consumers are reacting very very negatively.
These are the worst ratings for any US government’s economic policy since records began.
April 4, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Trump's economic policy is certainly off the charts...
Reposted by Michael Banks
Thank you to everyone who has signed our petition, 6,000+! Authors deserve to have a livelihood and compensation from their work, if you haven't signed do so now 👇
Sign the Petition
Protect authors’ livelihoods from the unlicensed use of their work in AI training
www.change.org
April 2, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Thank you to everyone who has signed our petition, 6,000+! Authors deserve to have a livelihood and compensation from their work, if you haven't signed do so now 👇
Reposted by Michael Banks
The three-volume feasibility study calls for the Future Circular Collider to smash together electrons with positrons to study the Higgs boson in unprecedented detail before installing a proton "discovery machine" to search for new particles ⚛️🧪 physicsworld.com/a/cern-relea...
CERN releases plans for the "most extraordinary instrument ever built" – Physics World
The Future Circular Collider would study the Higgs boson in unprecedented detail
physicsworld.com
April 2, 2025 at 12:24 PM
The three-volume feasibility study calls for the Future Circular Collider to smash together electrons with positrons to study the Higgs boson in unprecedented detail before installing a proton "discovery machine" to search for new particles ⚛️🧪 physicsworld.com/a/cern-relea...
Physicists reveal the physics behind a swing-top bottle's "pop and slosh"🧪⚛️ physicsworld.com/a/the-physic...
The physics of opening swing-top bottles revealed – Physics World
While the physics of uncorking a bottle of champagne has been well documented, less is known about the mechanisms at play when opening a swing-top bottle of beer. Physicist Max Koch from the Universit...
physicsworld.com
March 21, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Physicists reveal the physics behind a swing-top bottle's "pop and slosh"🧪⚛️ physicsworld.com/a/the-physic...
Reposted by Michael Banks
I sympathize with the fear, especially as it is evidently now not just about losing funding. But I don't think there has ever been a case historically where keeping silent ended well. As I've said repeatedly, it should be societies, institutions and professional bodies doing this, not individuals.
In 15 yrs of reporting, I've never had so many health & biomed researchers & outreach orgs tell me they're afraid to talk w/press or barred from speaking bc of new comms policies.
I understand the fear of losing funds. I don't know if silence does more harm than good. If you can speak up, pls do.
I understand the fear of losing funds. I don't know if silence does more harm than good. If you can speak up, pls do.
March 21, 2025 at 3:24 PM
I sympathize with the fear, especially as it is evidently now not just about losing funding. But I don't think there has ever been a case historically where keeping silent ended well. As I've said repeatedly, it should be societies, institutions and professional bodies doing this, not individuals.
Reposted by Michael Banks
Meta considered licensing books to train AI—but opted instead to pirate LibGen, a database that currently contains more than 7.5 million books and 81 million research papers, Alex Reisner writes.
The Unbelievable Scale of AI’s Pirated-Books Problem
Meta pirated millions of books to train its AI. Search through them here.
www.theatlantic.com
March 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Meta considered licensing books to train AI—but opted instead to pirate LibGen, a database that currently contains more than 7.5 million books and 81 million research papers, Alex Reisner writes.
Reposted by Michael Banks
Meta used at least 16 of my books, and numerous articles, to help train the AI it will use to make billions.
Authors, search your name here:
www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
Authors, search your name here:
www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
Search LibGen, the Pirated-Books Database That Meta Used to Train AI
Millions of books and scientific papers are captured in the collection’s current iteration.
www.theatlantic.com
March 20, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Meta used at least 16 of my books, and numerous articles, to help train the AI it will use to make billions.
Authors, search your name here:
www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
Authors, search your name here:
www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
Reposted by Michael Banks
My second book - PHYSICS AROUND THE CLOCK - will be published on 11 September 🥳
It’s all about the physics you encounter every day – whether when making a cup of coffee or tea, having a shave or taking the dog out for a walk in the rain.
It’s all about the physics you encounter every day – whether when making a cup of coffee or tea, having a shave or taking the dog out for a walk in the rain.
March 13, 2025 at 4:37 PM
My second book - PHYSICS AROUND THE CLOCK - will be published on 11 September 🥳
It’s all about the physics you encounter every day – whether when making a cup of coffee or tea, having a shave or taking the dog out for a walk in the rain.
It’s all about the physics you encounter every day – whether when making a cup of coffee or tea, having a shave or taking the dog out for a walk in the rain.
Reposted by Michael Banks
The secret's out! 🚀
The 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI, will be presented by Dr Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, and will be about outer space and all the scientific wonders beyond planet Earth.
We can't wait until December! Find out more: rigb.org/christmas-lectures
The 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI, will be presented by Dr Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, and will be about outer space and all the scientific wonders beyond planet Earth.
We can't wait until December! Find out more: rigb.org/christmas-lectures
March 14, 2025 at 12:56 PM
The secret's out! 🚀
The 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI, will be presented by Dr Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, and will be about outer space and all the scientific wonders beyond planet Earth.
We can't wait until December! Find out more: rigb.org/christmas-lectures
The 2025 Christmas Lectures, supported by CGI, will be presented by Dr Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, and will be about outer space and all the scientific wonders beyond planet Earth.
We can't wait until December! Find out more: rigb.org/christmas-lectures
My second book - PHYSICS AROUND THE CLOCK - will be published on 11 September 🥳
It’s all about the physics you encounter every day – whether when making a cup of coffee or tea, having a shave or taking the dog out for a walk in the rain.
It’s all about the physics you encounter every day – whether when making a cup of coffee or tea, having a shave or taking the dog out for a walk in the rain.
March 13, 2025 at 4:37 PM
My second book - PHYSICS AROUND THE CLOCK - will be published on 11 September 🥳
It’s all about the physics you encounter every day – whether when making a cup of coffee or tea, having a shave or taking the dog out for a walk in the rain.
It’s all about the physics you encounter every day – whether when making a cup of coffee or tea, having a shave or taking the dog out for a walk in the rain.
Reposted by Michael Banks
Two months into Donald Trump’s second presidency and many parts of US science – across government, academia, and industry – continue to be hit hard by the new administration’s policies 🧪 physicsworld.com/a/us-science...
US science rues ongoing demotion of research under President Trump – Physics World
US science continues to be hit hard by budget and staff cuts
physicsworld.com
March 12, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Two months into Donald Trump’s second presidency and many parts of US science – across government, academia, and industry – continue to be hit hard by the new administration’s policies 🧪 physicsworld.com/a/us-science...
Reposted by Michael Banks
Need help toilet training your child, or know someone who does? Join our research project, get help and help others. www.bigtoiletproject.org
Home - Big Toilet Project
Are you a parent or adult responsible for toilet training a child? We need your help to understand toilet training better! Get involved with the Big Toilet Project to be part of the world’s biggest...
www.bigtoiletproject.org
March 10, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Need help toilet training your child, or know someone who does? Join our research project, get help and help others. www.bigtoiletproject.org