Dave Blewett
@planet-daveb.bsky.social
Planetary scientist - mainly Moon, Mercury, asteroids. Opinions are my own and do not represent my employer or funding agencies. Namesake of asteroid 8997.
Educators at universities across the southern United States, which are dominated by Republican-controlled legislatures, face policing of their classes, pressure to self-censor and an undercurrent of fear and anxiety. . .. 1/4 of them say that they are actively looking for jobs outside their state.
Policed and censored: professors in the southern US feel under siege
Politics trumps salary as the main reason academics are looking for jobs in other states, a survey of university educators shows.
www.nature.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Educators at universities across the southern United States, which are dominated by Republican-controlled legislatures, face policing of their classes, pressure to self-censor and an undercurrent of fear and anxiety. . .. 1/4 of them say that they are actively looking for jobs outside their state.
Another great one from Tom Tomorrow.
Cartoon: MAGA Trek
As always, if � you find value in this work I do, please consider helping me keep it sustainable by joining my weekly newsletter, � Sparky’s List! � You can get it in your inbox or read it on ...
www.dailykos.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Another great one from Tom Tomorrow.
In Sept., the president posted an AI-generated video of a fake F*x News story in which he announces that “Medbed” hospitals will soon be available. If you're not familiar with this particular branch of the Qanon conspiracy fantasy, you might want to listen to this podcast episode (18 min).
Medbeds: Sleeping in Bunk - Skeptoid
A conspiracy theory claims the Hollywood and Deep State elitists have a magical bed that allows them to remain forever young and healthy.
skeptoid.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:58 AM
In Sept., the president posted an AI-generated video of a fake F*x News story in which he announces that “Medbed” hospitals will soon be available. If you're not familiar with this particular branch of the Qanon conspiracy fantasy, you might want to listen to this podcast episode (18 min).
DJT and RFK are making the whole world less healthy.
How science journalists worldwide are fighting White House health misinformation
“All we can do is not get pulled into the political debates and try to be fair-minded, factual, credible and authoritative,” said STAT’s founder Rick Berke.
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk
November 19, 2025 at 4:06 AM
DJT and RFK are making the whole world less healthy.
The Liar's Dictionary – a fun, low-key novel about the link between two lexicographers working for the same second-rate dictionary 100 years apart. Some funny wordplay and clever made-up words.
November 16, 2025 at 11:06 PM
The Liar's Dictionary – a fun, low-key novel about the link between two lexicographers working for the same second-rate dictionary 100 years apart. Some funny wordplay and clever made-up words.
Can I use FanDuel or DraftKings to bet on which team/sport will have the next gambling scandal?
Guardians’ Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz indicted on charges linked to illegal sports betting
Ortiz was arrested Sunday in Boston and will appear in court Monday. Clase was not in custody as of early Sunday afternoon.
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Can I use FanDuel or DraftKings to bet on which team/sport will have the next gambling scandal?
Great conversation with author of a new book about The Cars (500 pages!!).
Sound Opinions #1041: The Cars are Underrated Plus Opinions on Sprints
Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk about The Cars with Bill Janovitz, the author of a new book on the band. The book makes the case that The Cars are an underrated band. Plus, the hosts review the ...
www.soundopinions.org
November 15, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Great conversation with author of a new book about The Cars (500 pages!!).
Parallels between Mao's Cultural Revolution and the current U.S. regime: attacks on universities, expertise and competence; fanatical youth movement; continual grievance and anger; no relation between rhetoric and reality; hatred toward “the enemy within”. History doesn't repeat, but it does rhyme.
A constant bombardment of noise and information: China, 1974 to America, 2025
Geremie Barmé lived in China during the dying days of the Cultural Revolution, when every day brought a new political upheaval. It's a familiar feeling in Trump's world.
www.rhymingchaos.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Parallels between Mao's Cultural Revolution and the current U.S. regime: attacks on universities, expertise and competence; fanatical youth movement; continual grievance and anger; no relation between rhetoric and reality; hatred toward “the enemy within”. History doesn't repeat, but it does rhyme.
I enjoyed Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein". It has a different perspective than the original Shelley novel, much more from the creature's point of view. The actress who played Elizabeth is named Mia Goth (not kidding).
Frankenstein (2025 film) - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:49 AM
I enjoyed Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein". It has a different perspective than the original Shelley novel, much more from the creature's point of view. The actress who played Elizabeth is named Mia Goth (not kidding).
Whooping cough on the rise in Louisiana.
Louisiana Took Months To Sound Alarm Amid Whooping Cough Outbreak
State health officials appear to have deviated from the usual response during an outbreak after it killed two infants.
undark.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Whooping cough on the rise in Louisiana.
The same week that Texas hosted a major anti-vaxxer conference, we have this story about 4x increase in whooping cough.
Whooping cough cases skyrocket in Texas, quadrupling last year's numbers
Texas is currently seeing four times the number of whooping cough cases compared to the same time last year.
abcnews.go.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:36 AM
The same week that Texas hosted a major anti-vaxxer conference, we have this story about 4x increase in whooping cough.
Install unqualified lackeys in positions of authority and this is the predictable result.
F.B.I. Director Is Said to Have Made a Pledge to Head of MI5, Then Broken It
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Install unqualified lackeys in positions of authority and this is the predictable result.
The administration is raising cronyism to the highest levels.
JD Vance officiated the wedding of new head of NIH environmental institute
Unusual hiring process raises fears of political favoritism
www.science.org
October 30, 2025 at 12:39 AM
The administration is raising cronyism to the highest levels.
We're really living in kooky-billionaire times: This guy is touting “Christian AI” as a way to bring on the second coming and Peter Thiel is giving speeches warning about the anti-Christ.
An ex-Intel CEO’s mission to build a Christian AI: ‘hasten the coming of Christ’s return’
Patrick Gelsinger, executive chairman of Gloo, has made it his mission to advance Christian principles in Silicon Valley
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:30 AM
We're really living in kooky-billionaire times: This guy is touting “Christian AI” as a way to bring on the second coming and Peter Thiel is giving speeches warning about the anti-Christ.
Great Fresh Air conversation with Guillermo del Toro. His adaptation of Frankenstein comes to Netflix on Nov. 7. Support your local NPR station!
Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro says 'I'd rather die' than use generative AI
Del Toro's new Frankenstein adaption reimagines Mary Shelley's 1818 Gothic novel. Frankenstein was like a tech bro: "creating something without considering the consequences," he explains.
www.npr.org
October 26, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Great Fresh Air conversation with Guillermo del Toro. His adaptation of Frankenstein comes to Netflix on Nov. 7. Support your local NPR station!
Remarkable NYT photo essay.
How NASA’s Lunar Photography Brought the Heavens Down to Earth
No explorers ever traveled farther from home than the Apollo astronauts. As artists, they’re still underrated.
www.nytimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Remarkable NYT photo essay.
I enjoyed this series about an actual heist in England in 1983. The robbers expected to nab a shipment of Spanish currency, but it turned out that 3 tons of gold bullion were stored outside the vault. Support your local PBS station!
The Gold: Trailer
The Gold, inspired by the true story of the 1983 Brink’s-Mat robbery, is available now on MASTERPIECE on PBS. #TheGoldPBS
www.pbs.org
October 24, 2025 at 1:25 AM
I enjoyed this series about an actual heist in England in 1983. The robbers expected to nab a shipment of Spanish currency, but it turned out that 3 tons of gold bullion were stored outside the vault. Support your local PBS station!
Sugar have a new single and will be touring. Copper Blue is one of my fave albums.
SUGAR - New Music and Shows for 2026 - SUGAR COPPER BLUE
NEW SONG HOUSE OF DEAD MEMORIES Stream Now SHOWS
sugarcopperblue.com
October 18, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Sugar have a new single and will be touring. Copper Blue is one of my fave albums.
Good to see that Penn has joined M.I.T. and Brown in rejecting this "compact."
Penn and U.S.C. Become Latest Universities to Reject White House Deal
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Good to see that Penn has joined M.I.T. and Brown in rejecting this "compact."
Know your rights.
Know Your Rights | Protesters’ Rights | ACLU
The First Amendment protects your right to assemble and express your views through protest. However, police and other government officials are allowed to place certain narrow restrictions on the exerc...
www.aclu.org
October 18, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Know your rights.
“. . . because of the Trump cuts to science, medicine and research funding, as well as new immigration policies, fewer physicians can — or want to — come to the U.S.”
In rural America, scarce doctors battle misinformation as they practice medicine
Conspiracy theories about health fill a vacuum created by the lack of doctors in many rural communities. Meanwhile, doctors in these areas say patients have become increasingly distrustful and sometim...
www.npr.org
October 16, 2025 at 12:31 AM
“. . . because of the Trump cuts to science, medicine and research funding, as well as new immigration policies, fewer physicians can — or want to — come to the U.S.”
Some good news. The number of EV charging stations has grown considerably.
See How E.V. Road Trips Went From Impossible to Easy
There are a lot more fast chargers than there used to be. Look up what that could mean for a route near you.
www.nytimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Some good news. The number of EV charging stations has grown considerably.
I completely agree about the IPA obsession, high alcohol content, tallboys, and jokey labels.
Opinion | Wacky Labels and Silly Names Are Killing Craft Beer
www.nytimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:51 AM
I completely agree about the IPA obsession, high alcohol content, tallboys, and jokey labels.
Winter melon mania. Thanks to one of my wife's co-workers.
October 15, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Winter melon mania. Thanks to one of my wife's co-workers.