Thony Christie
@rmathematicus.bsky.social
Aging freak who fell in love with the history of science and now resides mostly in 16th century Nürnberg.
Reposted by Thony Christie
Re-upping for #RemembranceDay
#OTD 1867, Marie Curie was born.
During WWI, Curie created a vehicle that contained a hospital bed, a generator, an X-ray machine and photographic darkroom equipment. These “petite Curies" (below) could be driven right up to the Front. Curie also helped train 150 women as radiology technicians.
During WWI, Curie created a vehicle that contained a hospital bed, a generator, an X-ray machine and photographic darkroom equipment. These “petite Curies" (below) could be driven right up to the Front. Curie also helped train 150 women as radiology technicians.
November 11, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Re-upping for #RemembranceDay
Reposted by Thony Christie
Hello from Chicago! There is no such thing as the “Miracle Mile Shopping Center.” That is a thing that exists only in this doddering old man’s imagination.
Call in the troops to solve the commercial real estate crisis in our swanky downtown cores
You can’t make this shit up, folks
You can’t make this shit up, folks
November 11, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Hello from Chicago! There is no such thing as the “Miracle Mile Shopping Center.” That is a thing that exists only in this doddering old man’s imagination.
Reposted by Thony Christie
HISTORIAN OF THE LIFE SCIENCES position at CSHL!
I’m thrilled to announce that the CSHL Center for Humanities and the History of Modern Biology is inviting applications for this position.
This is a remarkable opportunity to join a unique, internationally recognized institution and the Center
I’m thrilled to announce that the CSHL Center for Humanities and the History of Modern Biology is inviting applications for this position.
This is a remarkable opportunity to join a unique, internationally recognized institution and the Center
Career Opportunities | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Careers
www.schooljobs.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
HISTORIAN OF THE LIFE SCIENCES position at CSHL!
I’m thrilled to announce that the CSHL Center for Humanities and the History of Modern Biology is inviting applications for this position.
This is a remarkable opportunity to join a unique, internationally recognized institution and the Center
I’m thrilled to announce that the CSHL Center for Humanities and the History of Modern Biology is inviting applications for this position.
This is a remarkable opportunity to join a unique, internationally recognized institution and the Center
Reposted by Thony Christie
💥New from me in @jacobinmagazin.bsky.social
“Monuments, museums, and cultural institutions were often created in the image of “militarist realism”—presenting colonialism as eternal. Undoing this legacy is not erasing the past but combating a pernicious ideology”
jacobin.com/2025/11/brit...
“Monuments, museums, and cultural institutions were often created in the image of “militarist realism”—presenting colonialism as eternal. Undoing this legacy is not erasing the past but combating a pernicious ideology”
jacobin.com/2025/11/brit...
One Day, Britain’s Monuments Will Fall
Monuments, museums, and cultural institutions were often created in the image of “militarist realism,” presenting colonialism and enslavement as eternal. Undoing this legacy is not erasing the past bu...
jacobin.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:47 PM
💥New from me in @jacobinmagazin.bsky.social
“Monuments, museums, and cultural institutions were often created in the image of “militarist realism”—presenting colonialism as eternal. Undoing this legacy is not erasing the past but combating a pernicious ideology”
jacobin.com/2025/11/brit...
“Monuments, museums, and cultural institutions were often created in the image of “militarist realism”—presenting colonialism as eternal. Undoing this legacy is not erasing the past but combating a pernicious ideology”
jacobin.com/2025/11/brit...
Reposted by Thony Christie
Good to see someone involved in the field describing the techbro fantasies as “bullshit”. But note the link between this nonsense and eugenicist ideas from Altman. These people are rich, stupid and influential, which = dangerous.
Investors’ ‘dumb transhumanist ideas’ setting back neurotech progress, say experts
Investors’ ‘dumb transhumanist ideas’ setting back neurotech progress, say experts
Fascination of investors such as Elon Musk with uploading their brains to computers is hindering progress in curing disease, say scientists
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Good to see someone involved in the field describing the techbro fantasies as “bullshit”. But note the link between this nonsense and eugenicist ideas from Altman. These people are rich, stupid and influential, which = dangerous.
Reposted by Thony Christie
Assistant Prof job in history of science (related to water?) at Madison. Strong program, nice town (aside from winter)
jobs.h-net.org/jobs/69456
jobs.h-net.org/jobs/69456
Professor of History | H-Net Job Guide
jobs.h-net.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Assistant Prof job in history of science (related to water?) at Madison. Strong program, nice town (aside from winter)
jobs.h-net.org/jobs/69456
jobs.h-net.org/jobs/69456
Reposted by Thony Christie
The BBC has always been remarkable in reporting on itself, and this contains some remarkable accusations about the BBC Board (with other, 'balancing', viewpoints). I wonder if its journalists will be able to continue to do this king of thing
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Katie Razzall: A seismic moment that shows rift at top of BBC
There may be more to this than meets the eye, says the BBC's culture and media editor.
www.bbc.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:11 AM
The BBC has always been remarkable in reporting on itself, and this contains some remarkable accusations about the BBC Board (with other, 'balancing', viewpoints). I wonder if its journalists will be able to continue to do this king of thing
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Thony Christie
I'm delighted that Nell Greenfieldboyce used my quote about "Corn flakes Jim" in her obituary of James Watson on @npr.org. I got that from my interview with @ewanbirney.bsky.social. Birney nobly tried to persuade Watson that the science on race + IQ did not hold up. Sadly, Watson couldn't hear it.
James Watson, who co-discovered the structure of DNA, has died at age 97
James Watson, who co-discovered the structure of DNA has died at age 97. He was a scientific superstar until he made racist remarks that made him an outcast.
www.npr.org
November 9, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I'm delighted that Nell Greenfieldboyce used my quote about "Corn flakes Jim" in her obituary of James Watson on @npr.org. I got that from my interview with @ewanbirney.bsky.social. Birney nobly tried to persuade Watson that the science on race + IQ did not hold up. Sadly, Watson couldn't hear it.
Reposted by Thony Christie
It's NOT correct at all. It's ideology-driven & lazy virtue signaling. "When the legend become fact, print the legend" etc
"Crick, Watson, Franklin & Wilkins" would be historically accurate, as @matthewcobb.bsky.social & @nccomfort.bsky.social set out in this article.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
"Crick, Watson, Franklin & Wilkins" would be historically accurate, as @matthewcobb.bsky.social & @nccomfort.bsky.social set out in this article.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
November 9, 2025 at 3:22 PM
It's NOT correct at all. It's ideology-driven & lazy virtue signaling. "When the legend become fact, print the legend" etc
"Crick, Watson, Franklin & Wilkins" would be historically accurate, as @matthewcobb.bsky.social & @nccomfort.bsky.social set out in this article.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
"Crick, Watson, Franklin & Wilkins" would be historically accurate, as @matthewcobb.bsky.social & @nccomfort.bsky.social set out in this article.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Thony Christie
Three children were killed by lawn darts in the 70’s and they were banned in the US.
ChatGPT has caused how many deaths at this point?
If corporations are people, why aren’t we holding them criminally liable?
ChatGPT has caused how many deaths at this point?
If corporations are people, why aren’t we holding them criminally liable?
November 7, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Three children were killed by lawn darts in the 70’s and they were banned in the US.
ChatGPT has caused how many deaths at this point?
If corporations are people, why aren’t we holding them criminally liable?
ChatGPT has caused how many deaths at this point?
If corporations are people, why aren’t we holding them criminally liable?
Reposted by Thony Christie
Reposted by Thony Christie
We are also currently hiring a curatorial fellow to work with the papers of Rosalind Franklin and others in the History of Molecular Biology Collection!
This is a 2-year staff position in the archive with a salary of $55k/year and full benefits:
www.sciencehistory.org/research/fel...
This is a 2-year staff position in the archive with a salary of $55k/year and full benefits:
www.sciencehistory.org/research/fel...
For those with a scholarly interest in Franklin, Watson, and other pioneering researchers in molecular biology, @sciencehistory.org has just opened our new landmark collection of their papers, and applications for research fellowships are currently open:
www.sciencehistory.org/hmbc
www.sciencehistory.org/hmbc
History of Molecular Biology Collection
This unparalleled collection includes Rosalind Franklin's historic 'Photo 51,' which revealed the double-helix structure of DNA.
www.sciencehistory.org
November 8, 2025 at 3:45 PM
We are also currently hiring a curatorial fellow to work with the papers of Rosalind Franklin and others in the History of Molecular Biology Collection!
This is a 2-year staff position in the archive with a salary of $55k/year and full benefits:
www.sciencehistory.org/research/fel...
This is a 2-year staff position in the archive with a salary of $55k/year and full benefits:
www.sciencehistory.org/research/fel...
Reposted by Thony Christie
Today's new #HoPWaG: the famous "Art of War" by Sunzi (or Sun Tzu, if you prefer), and its surprising links to Daoism!
www.historyofphilosophy.net/sunzi-art-of...
#artofwar #daoism #philsky #philosophy #podcast
www.historyofphilosophy.net/sunzi-art-of...
#artofwar #daoism #philsky #philosophy #podcast
November 9, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Today's new #HoPWaG: the famous "Art of War" by Sunzi (or Sun Tzu, if you prefer), and its surprising links to Daoism!
www.historyofphilosophy.net/sunzi-art-of...
#artofwar #daoism #philsky #philosophy #podcast
www.historyofphilosophy.net/sunzi-art-of...
#artofwar #daoism #philsky #philosophy #podcast
Reposted by Thony Christie
Okay, here are some first reflections on Watson.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
November 8, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Okay, here are some first reflections on Watson.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Reposted by Thony Christie
Today we pause for Remembrance Sunday. This year our Then & Now displays include a small tribute to Anna Guérin, sometimes called the "Poppy Lady of France". After the First World War she championed an Inter Allied Poppy Day and helped set Britain’s first Poppy Day in 1921.
November 9, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Today we pause for Remembrance Sunday. This year our Then & Now displays include a small tribute to Anna Guérin, sometimes called the "Poppy Lady of France". After the First World War she championed an Inter Allied Poppy Day and helped set Britain’s first Poppy Day in 1921.
Reposted by Thony Christie
In case your loved ones are spending their afternoons arguing with racists defending James Watson on Twitter…
Here’s a book they can and should link in their replies which is one of the best ways in to understanding what DNA is but especially what it is not!
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Here’s a book they can and should link in their replies which is one of the best ways in to understanding what DNA is but especially what it is not!
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
How Life Works
“Bold and intriguing.”—Wall Street Journal • “Penetrating. . . . Provocative and profound.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) • “Offers plenty of food for thought.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “...
press.uchicago.edu
November 8, 2025 at 3:57 PM
In case your loved ones are spending their afternoons arguing with racists defending James Watson on Twitter…
Here’s a book they can and should link in their replies which is one of the best ways in to understanding what DNA is but especially what it is not!
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Here’s a book they can and should link in their replies which is one of the best ways in to understanding what DNA is but especially what it is not!
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Reposted by Thony Christie
James Watson made some tremendous contributions to science, and expressed many grotesque views, which were racist, sexist and ignorant. These are all well documented.
November 8, 2025 at 3:24 PM
James Watson made some tremendous contributions to science, and expressed many grotesque views, which were racist, sexist and ignorant. These are all well documented.
Reposted by Thony Christie
Halley’s map, “A new & Correct SEA CHART
of the
WHOLE WORLD
Shewing the Variations of y’e COMPASS,” republished in my 1748 copy of ‘A System of Natural Philosophy’ by Thomas Rutherforth.
of the
WHOLE WORLD
Shewing the Variations of y’e COMPASS,” republished in my 1748 copy of ‘A System of Natural Philosophy’ by Thomas Rutherforth.
November 8, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Halley’s map, “A new & Correct SEA CHART
of the
WHOLE WORLD
Shewing the Variations of y’e COMPASS,” republished in my 1748 copy of ‘A System of Natural Philosophy’ by Thomas Rutherforth.
of the
WHOLE WORLD
Shewing the Variations of y’e COMPASS,” republished in my 1748 copy of ‘A System of Natural Philosophy’ by Thomas Rutherforth.
Reposted by Thony Christie
"Asked why people were not coming to the Kennedy Center as much anymore, Ms. Daravi, the head of communications, replied with two words. 'Liberal intolerance.'"
It's the Trump model: wreck something, then blame the failure on your enemies. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
It's the Trump model: wreck something, then blame the failure on your enemies. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
The Kennedy Center Crackup
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:18 PM
"Asked why people were not coming to the Kennedy Center as much anymore, Ms. Daravi, the head of communications, replied with two words. 'Liberal intolerance.'"
It's the Trump model: wreck something, then blame the failure on your enemies. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
It's the Trump model: wreck something, then blame the failure on your enemies. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
Reposted by Thony Christie
This is going to be the perfect companion to @matthewcobb.bsky.social's Crick biog.
James D. Watson is dead. Stay tuned for some thoughts, based on my research on his biography, to be published soon.
While I write that up, y'all can throw tomatoes at this if you like. But I will offer a more nuanced take.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/s...
While I write that up, y'all can throw tomatoes at this if you like. But I will offer a more nuanced take.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/s...
James Watson, Co-Discoverer of the Structure of DNA, Is Dead at 97
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:18 AM
This is going to be the perfect companion to @matthewcobb.bsky.social's Crick biog.
Reposted by Thony Christie
I’m enjoying the book and am thinking about how I can use it to de-indoctrinate first-year biologists.
My little book on Schrödinger's famous classic 'What Is Life?' is out! Offering the most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken of the book's origins, reception, impact, and legacy, it uncovers Schrödinger's motivations in writing it, and shows how it has shaped our current understanding of the cell
<i>What Is Life?</i> Revisited
Cambridge Core - Philosophy: General Interest - <i>What Is Life?</i> Revisited
www.cambridge.org
November 8, 2025 at 11:19 AM
I’m enjoying the book and am thinking about how I can use it to de-indoctrinate first-year biologists.
Reposted by Thony Christie
It is possible to recognise that Watson's treatment of Franklin was despicable and at the same time to acknowledge that Matthew is right.
If you believe either that Franklin discovered the double helix, and / or Watson and Crick stole her data, ask yourself how you know this. Then take a read of this article.
If I see one more stupid Rosalind Franklin take I'm going to lose my mind. Thank god for @matthewcobb.bsky.social and @nccomfort.bsky.social. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
November 8, 2025 at 10:25 AM
It is possible to recognise that Watson's treatment of Franklin was despicable and at the same time to acknowledge that Matthew is right.
A superb piece of narrative history
If you believe either that Franklin discovered the double helix, and / or Watson and Crick stole her data, ask yourself how you know this. Then take a read of this article.
If I see one more stupid Rosalind Franklin take I'm going to lose my mind. Thank god for @matthewcobb.bsky.social and @nccomfort.bsky.social. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
November 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM
A superb piece of narrative history
Reposted by Thony Christie
Nicolaus Copernicus at Padova #sciencehistory
Archivio di Stato di Padova / #Arqus / University of #Padova - University of #Wrocław
Archivio di Stato di Padova / #Arqus / University of #Padova - University of #Wrocław
November 8, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Nicolaus Copernicus at Padova #sciencehistory
Archivio di Stato di Padova / #Arqus / University of #Padova - University of #Wrocław
Archivio di Stato di Padova / #Arqus / University of #Padova - University of #Wrocław
Reposted by Thony Christie
My ask of any science enthusiasts who tell the story of Rosalind Franklin:
Don't make her life be about the DNA debacle. She died far too young, but she was a promising scientist in her own right, a mentor and scientific author.
Not for Watson or Crick, but for her legacy.
Don't make her life be about the DNA debacle. She died far too young, but she was a promising scientist in her own right, a mentor and scientific author.
Not for Watson or Crick, but for her legacy.
Her sister wrote my favorite essay about her. She points out that RF would have been famous even if she'd never looked at DNA
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Remembering my sister Rosalind Franklin
Rosalind Franklin died of ovarian cancer in 1958 aged 37 years. Sympathy and feminism
have combined to give us her familiar image as a downtrodden woman scientist, brilliant
but neglected, a heroine t...
www.thelancet.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:17 AM
My ask of any science enthusiasts who tell the story of Rosalind Franklin:
Don't make her life be about the DNA debacle. She died far too young, but she was a promising scientist in her own right, a mentor and scientific author.
Not for Watson or Crick, but for her legacy.
Don't make her life be about the DNA debacle. She died far too young, but she was a promising scientist in her own right, a mentor and scientific author.
Not for Watson or Crick, but for her legacy.