Phoebe Cohen
@phoebefossil.bsky.social
Answering big questions with tiny fossils. Paleontologist, earth scientist, liberal arts professor, opinion holder. She/her. @makeaplanetpod.bsky.social
Pinned
Phoebe Cohen
@phoebefossil.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Hi y'all - a bit of an intro - I'm a liberal arts professor, a paleontologist / earth scientist, a photographer, a human and dog parent, and a progressive lefty, to name a few. I'm still figuring out how I want to use this account so stay tuned - but expect a mix of science and snark and sincerity.
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
Sixty days left to save the Museum of the Earth. Please donate if you can, and share.
This is not only one of the most important fossil collections in the world, it also home to the world’s best plushies: Paleozoic Pals!
www.priweb.org/mortgage-cam...
This is not only one of the most important fossil collections in the world, it also home to the world’s best plushies: Paleozoic Pals!
www.priweb.org/mortgage-cam...
November 1, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Sixty days left to save the Museum of the Earth. Please donate if you can, and share.
This is not only one of the most important fossil collections in the world, it also home to the world’s best plushies: Paleozoic Pals!
www.priweb.org/mortgage-cam...
This is not only one of the most important fossil collections in the world, it also home to the world’s best plushies: Paleozoic Pals!
www.priweb.org/mortgage-cam...
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
November 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
This right here, this exact sentence, is THE problem in American political journalism.
The IRA *was* cheap energy and good jobs! That was the whole bill! Democrats did precisely what political pundits are telling them to do and the pundits just ignore it.
The IRA *was* cheap energy and good jobs! That was the whole bill! Democrats did precisely what political pundits are telling them to do and the pundits just ignore it.
November 1, 2025 at 12:13 PM
This right here, this exact sentence, is THE problem in American political journalism.
The IRA *was* cheap energy and good jobs! That was the whole bill! Democrats did precisely what political pundits are telling them to do and the pundits just ignore it.
The IRA *was* cheap energy and good jobs! That was the whole bill! Democrats did precisely what political pundits are telling them to do and the pundits just ignore it.
Podcast interview with Warren Allmon about the financial challenges the Paleontological Research Institution / Museum of the Earth is facing and what's we're all at risk of losing: capitolpressroom.org/2025/10/31/u...
Upstate natural history museum at risk of closing
Paleontological Research Institution Director talks about the work his organization does and explains why they're in need of funding to keep their door open.
capitolpressroom.org
November 1, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Podcast interview with Warren Allmon about the financial challenges the Paleontological Research Institution / Museum of the Earth is facing and what's we're all at risk of losing: capitolpressroom.org/2025/10/31/u...
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
Not since 1935 has anyone experienced a storm like Melissa. Melissa's record wouldn't have happened without climate change, which made the hurricane's winds about 10 mph stronger, according to a rapid attribution analysis by Climate Central. yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/10/cata...
Catastrophic Hurricane Melissa hits Jamaica as the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane on record » Yale Climate Connections
At landfall in western Jamaica, Melissa’s 185 mph winds and 892 mb pressure tied with the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 in the Florida Keys as the strongest on record for the Atlantic.
yaleclimateconnections.org
October 28, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Not since 1935 has anyone experienced a storm like Melissa. Melissa's record wouldn't have happened without climate change, which made the hurricane's winds about 10 mph stronger, according to a rapid attribution analysis by Climate Central. yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/10/cata...
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
I promise we're still here, and we're still working hard! And now we're on instagram at MakeAPlanetPod. We CANNOT WAIT to share the first episodes with you...thank you all for your patience. xoxox, Jax and Phoebe
October 27, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I promise we're still here, and we're still working hard! And now we're on instagram at MakeAPlanetPod. We CANNOT WAIT to share the first episodes with you...thank you all for your patience. xoxox, Jax and Phoebe
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
I get that the news cycle is packed right now, but I just heard from a colleague at the Smithsonian that this is fully a GIANT SQUID BEING EATEN BY A SPERM WHALE and it’s possibly the first ever confirmed video according to a friend at NOAA
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
September 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I get that the news cycle is packed right now, but I just heard from a colleague at the Smithsonian that this is fully a GIANT SQUID BEING EATEN BY A SPERM WHALE and it’s possibly the first ever confirmed video according to a friend at NOAA
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
📖❤️ NEWS: You can now pre-order my book! "Unlocking Justice confronts America’s unfair legal system with data—and humanity." It's accessible, optimistic, and in the spirit of Ida B. Wells, who said “the way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” I wrote it for each of you. Also, ⬇️
Unlocking Justice: The Power of Data to Confront Inequity and Create Change|Hardcover
www.barnesandnoble.com
September 23, 2025 at 8:28 AM
📖❤️ NEWS: You can now pre-order my book! "Unlocking Justice confronts America’s unfair legal system with data—and humanity." It's accessible, optimistic, and in the spirit of Ida B. Wells, who said “the way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” I wrote it for each of you. Also, ⬇️
Boston and Camberville! See you Thursday! I am 99% done with this epic book and so excited to blather with @peterbrannen.bsky.social about it at @harvardbookstore.bsky.social
September 15, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Boston and Camberville! See you Thursday! I am 99% done with this epic book and so excited to blather with @peterbrannen.bsky.social about it at @harvardbookstore.bsky.social
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
My employer, Williams College—A PRIVATE INSTITUTION—has its flags at half-staff for Charlie Kirk. There is a MA state proclamation but it applies only to public/state/military buildings. We are not any of those.
What.
The.
Actual.
F***.
I am sick to my stomach.
www.mass.gov/info-details...
What.
The.
Actual.
F***.
I am sick to my stomach.
www.mass.gov/info-details...
Flag Status
Flag status and half-staff notifications for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
www.mass.gov
September 12, 2025 at 7:51 AM
My employer, Williams College—A PRIVATE INSTITUTION—has its flags at half-staff for Charlie Kirk. There is a MA state proclamation but it applies only to public/state/military buildings. We are not any of those.
What.
The.
Actual.
F***.
I am sick to my stomach.
www.mass.gov/info-details...
What.
The.
Actual.
F***.
I am sick to my stomach.
www.mass.gov/info-details...
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
I feel like I am taking crazy pills. Charlie Kirk’s ultimate goal, which he said time and time again, would have been the suppression, through threat of violence and the use of state power, of the rights of those he disagreed with, including freedom of expression.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/o...
Opinion | Charlie Kirk Was Practicing Politics the Right Way
www.nytimes.com
September 11, 2025 at 10:04 AM
I feel like I am taking crazy pills. Charlie Kirk’s ultimate goal, which he said time and time again, would have been the suppression, through threat of violence and the use of state power, of the rights of those he disagreed with, including freedom of expression.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/o...
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
Grateful for this thoughtful and generous review! Captures some of the admitted madness of the book
Had the great pleasure of reviewing @peterbrannen.bsky.social’s extraordinary new book (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2025/08/30/b...
An Environmental Villain, Reconsidered
www.nytimes.com
August 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Grateful for this thoughtful and generous review! Captures some of the admitted madness of the book
I am SO CLOSE to being ready to submit a paper that's been more than a decade in the making. It will be (I think) an important contribution, and was done with the help over 12+ undergrads and a bunch of collaborators over many years in the field and the lab. Sometimes, science is slow.
September 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I am SO CLOSE to being ready to submit a paper that's been more than a decade in the making. It will be (I think) an important contribution, and was done with the help over 12+ undergrads and a bunch of collaborators over many years in the field and the lab. Sometimes, science is slow.
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
I'm hoping to take 1 MSc & 1 PhD student next year in the areas of Phylogenetic, Computational, and/or Evolutionary Paleobiology. Please reach out if you are interested in joining the @oupaleobiology.bsky.social, especially if interested in working on fossil echinoderms. Link for more info below. 🧪
News
PhD and MSc positions in Phylogenetic, Computational, and/or Evolutionary Paleobiology [Posted September 2025. Deadline is January 15, 2026. See below for information about the lab, student opportu…
daveyfwright.wordpress.com
September 2, 2025 at 3:51 PM
I'm hoping to take 1 MSc & 1 PhD student next year in the areas of Phylogenetic, Computational, and/or Evolutionary Paleobiology. Please reach out if you are interested in joining the @oupaleobiology.bsky.social, especially if interested in working on fossil echinoderms. Link for more info below. 🧪
This fall I'm teaching a new mini-course for our senior thesis students and the first class is about organizing your thoughts / ideas & getting writing done - what tools & tips do you all use? I want to give them a broad array of ideas & options beyond things like outlines & scheduling writing time.
a cartoon drawing of snoopy sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper
ALT: a cartoon drawing of snoopy sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper
media.tenor.com
September 2, 2025 at 3:53 PM
This fall I'm teaching a new mini-course for our senior thesis students and the first class is about organizing your thoughts / ideas & getting writing done - what tools & tips do you all use? I want to give them a broad array of ideas & options beyond things like outlines & scheduling writing time.
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
Being on social media is fine but if it’s getting in the way of you doing deep reading and deep thinking, then your balance of how you spend your time is off
Lots of interesting threads here and none of them are a substitute for reading a good book or essay
Lots of interesting threads here and none of them are a substitute for reading a good book or essay
September 2, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Being on social media is fine but if it’s getting in the way of you doing deep reading and deep thinking, then your balance of how you spend your time is off
Lots of interesting threads here and none of them are a substitute for reading a good book or essay
Lots of interesting threads here and none of them are a substitute for reading a good book or essay
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
When you are living under a eugenicist dictatorship hell bent on disabling and killing as many people as possible, lying to get a vaccine is ONE HUNDRED PERCENT MORALLY JUSTIFIED
August 27, 2025 at 6:20 PM
When you are living under a eugenicist dictatorship hell bent on disabling and killing as many people as possible, lying to get a vaccine is ONE HUNDRED PERCENT MORALLY JUSTIFIED
Happy pub day to @peterbrannen.bsky.social and The Story of CO2 is the Story of Everything! Thanks for knowing how much this inscription would piss me off 🥰 #notboring #stillabillion
August 26, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Happy pub day to @peterbrannen.bsky.social and The Story of CO2 is the Story of Everything! Thanks for knowing how much this inscription would piss me off 🥰 #notboring #stillabillion
I've spent all morning making ggplot cross plots of confusing min/geochem on billion year old+ rocks and I have no idea what's going on but GOSH DO I LOVE DOING IT. Anyway if anyone wants to explain to me why there's an inverse relationship btwn TOC & kaolinite hit me up
@chrisjunium.bsky.social
@chrisjunium.bsky.social
August 26, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I've spent all morning making ggplot cross plots of confusing min/geochem on billion year old+ rocks and I have no idea what's going on but GOSH DO I LOVE DOING IT. Anyway if anyone wants to explain to me why there's an inverse relationship btwn TOC & kaolinite hit me up
@chrisjunium.bsky.social
@chrisjunium.bsky.social
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
Happy publication day to @peterbrannen.bsky.social !
The Story of CO2 is the Story of Everything.
And really, it is.
This book is astounding, weaving together the whole history of Earth with our modern climate predicament. If you're into science, history, politics...check it out!
The Story of CO2 is the Story of Everything.
And really, it is.
This book is astounding, weaving together the whole history of Earth with our modern climate predicament. If you're into science, history, politics...check it out!
August 26, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Happy publication day to @peterbrannen.bsky.social !
The Story of CO2 is the Story of Everything.
And really, it is.
This book is astounding, weaving together the whole history of Earth with our modern climate predicament. If you're into science, history, politics...check it out!
The Story of CO2 is the Story of Everything.
And really, it is.
This book is astounding, weaving together the whole history of Earth with our modern climate predicament. If you're into science, history, politics...check it out!
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
“Anyone who tells you they know what even 4° C of warming or more in a century will actually mean—or what that will look like on a planet gripped by ice ages for the past 3 million years—is full of shit. Especially if they’re an economist.”
Wise words from @peterbrannen.bsky.social’s great book.
Wise words from @peterbrannen.bsky.social’s great book.
Now on @sciam.bsky.social: Carbon dioxide may be the most important—and most misunderstood—molecule on Earth. @peterbrannen.bsky.social explains why in his brilliant, epic new book—and in this conversation with me. I hope you read both!
www.scientificamerican.com/article/carb...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/carb...
This is Carbon Dioxide’s World—We Just Live in It
In his latest book, science journalist Peter Brannen argues that CO2 is the most important—and most misunderstood—molecule on Earth
www.scientificamerican.com
August 22, 2025 at 3:58 PM
“Anyone who tells you they know what even 4° C of warming or more in a century will actually mean—or what that will look like on a planet gripped by ice ages for the past 3 million years—is full of shit. Especially if they’re an economist.”
Wise words from @peterbrannen.bsky.social’s great book.
Wise words from @peterbrannen.bsky.social’s great book.
OK so I've been pretty quiet on here for quite some time. I'm still trying to figure out how best to use this place in a way that is generative, sustainable, and (at least sometimes) fun.
Here's a sea lion I met last week at Carmel River Beach on a family trip to CA.
Here's a sea lion I met last week at Carmel River Beach on a family trip to CA.
August 25, 2025 at 12:53 PM
OK so I've been pretty quiet on here for quite some time. I'm still trying to figure out how best to use this place in a way that is generative, sustainable, and (at least sometimes) fun.
Here's a sea lion I met last week at Carmel River Beach on a family trip to CA.
Here's a sea lion I met last week at Carmel River Beach on a family trip to CA.
AND I'm getting to read the book early because I am prepping for this event in just a few weeks! Boston area friends - come out! @harvardbookstore.bsky.social @peterbrannen.bsky.social
And on September 18th in Cambridge, MA I'll be speaking with geologist extraordinaire @phoebefossil.bsky.social
August 22, 2025 at 8:23 PM
AND I'm getting to read the book early because I am prepping for this event in just a few weeks! Boston area friends - come out! @harvardbookstore.bsky.social @peterbrannen.bsky.social
People. This book is SO GOOD. Truly -- I am about 70% the way through and the way Peter explains and synthesizes and expands and provides fresh perspective is truly stunning.
In one week my book about carbon comes out, and here's some nice things some nice people have said about it. If you feel moved to do so, the link below provides a means of purchase. Thank you, that is all. www.harpercollins.com/products/the...
August 22, 2025 at 8:22 PM
People. This book is SO GOOD. Truly -- I am about 70% the way through and the way Peter explains and synthesizes and expands and provides fresh perspective is truly stunning.
Reposted by Phoebe Cohen
Very happy to share that @squeakybuffalo.bsky.social, with artist Anna Scime and scientist Neil Patterson J, has been selected as one of the 15 cohorts for the Open Interval Program, part of the Simons Foundation's Science, Society & Culture division. www.simonsfoundation.org/2025/05/19/n...
New Open Interval Cohort Will Explore Symmetry Through Art and Science
New Open Interval Cohort Will Explore Symmetry Through Art and Science on Simons Foundation
www.simonsfoundation.org
May 23, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Very happy to share that @squeakybuffalo.bsky.social, with artist Anna Scime and scientist Neil Patterson J, has been selected as one of the 15 cohorts for the Open Interval Program, part of the Simons Foundation's Science, Society & Culture division. www.simonsfoundation.org/2025/05/19/n...