Robert Lawrence
@roblawrencium.bsky.social
Science Editor/Writer in the Hudson Valley | Academia | DataViz | ASD Dad | NY transplant from UT/AZ
Pinned
What's Really Happening to Butterfly Populations?
The metamorphosis of a butterfly has forever been a useful metaphor for change and growth. But in recent years, butterflies have been linked with change in less poetic ways. The […]
www.scenichudson.org
My latest story for @scenichudson.bsky.social about the decline of butterfly populations, with some focus on NY. www.scenichudson.org/viewfinder/w...
I'm roasting a chicken for Thanksgiving instead of a turkey don't try to stop me. (it's just a few of us and we don't like turkey enough to eat a whole bird for weeks to come)
November 26, 2025 at 7:00 PM
I'm roasting a chicken for Thanksgiving instead of a turkey don't try to stop me. (it's just a few of us and we don't like turkey enough to eat a whole bird for weeks to come)
My home state came up with this logo for the 2034 Olympics. Did they ask AI to generate a font that looks like Moab? Maybe. But in any case, I honestly kind of like it. It's intended to be a temporary logo to use during the planning stages, as I understand.
November 25, 2025 at 3:18 PM
My home state came up with this logo for the 2034 Olympics. Did they ask AI to generate a font that looks like Moab? Maybe. But in any case, I honestly kind of like it. It's intended to be a temporary logo to use during the planning stages, as I understand.
I'm pretty sure that if I showed up to a party and pulled out my phone then asked grok to do a vulgar roast of someone there, I would be the one who ends up getting roasted and I would deserve that.
November 24, 2025 at 6:40 PM
I'm pretty sure that if I showed up to a party and pulled out my phone then asked grok to do a vulgar roast of someone there, I would be the one who ends up getting roasted and I would deserve that.
Reposted by Robert Lawrence
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, wandered away from his mom’s fruit stand in October.
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
A Disabled Child’s Mom Reported Him Missing. He Was Locked Away by Federal Immigration Authorities for 48 Days.
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old who has an intellectual disability, walked away from his mom’s fruit stand in October. Houston Police called ICE.
thebarbedwire.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, wandered away from his mom’s fruit stand in October.
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
Reposted by Robert Lawrence
every AI advocate is like "look out specific industry, AI can now create a weird facsimile of what your specific industry makes, very poorly... looks like it's over for your industry"
May 3, 2025 at 12:49 AM
every AI advocate is like "look out specific industry, AI can now create a weird facsimile of what your specific industry makes, very poorly... looks like it's over for your industry"
Fantastic new video here from @dec.ny.gov about biodiversity in New York's Hudson Valley. As someone who writes about the local ecology in this region, I really enjoyed this. #hudsonvalley www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_2L...
The Nature of Nature: Biodiversity in the Hudson Valley
YouTube video by NYSDEC
www.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Fantastic new video here from @dec.ny.gov about biodiversity in New York's Hudson Valley. As someone who writes about the local ecology in this region, I really enjoyed this. #hudsonvalley www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_2L...
Let's make some predictions for where MTG will pop up in 2026. Here's mine: she'll team up with Kristen Sinema for a podcast. Olivia Nuzzi will be their first guest. apnews.com/article/marj...
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, former Trump loyalist, says she is resigning from Congress
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a once-loyal supporter of President Donald Trump who has become a critic, says she is resigning from Congress in January.
apnews.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Let's make some predictions for where MTG will pop up in 2026. Here's mine: she'll team up with Kristen Sinema for a podcast. Olivia Nuzzi will be their first guest. apnews.com/article/marj...
Mamdani has received mega attention, but Katie Wilson's trajectory is similarly fascinating. Fun fact: her parents are both professors at my former university in NY, studying evolution and social behavior. Didn't know them really, but very interesting people. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
What to know about Seattle's next mayor, Katie Wilson
Seattle's next mayor is a newcomer to elected office — but not new to local politics.
www.axios.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Mamdani has received mega attention, but Katie Wilson's trajectory is similarly fascinating. Fun fact: her parents are both professors at my former university in NY, studying evolution and social behavior. Didn't know them really, but very interesting people. www.axios.com/local/seattl...
Reposted by Robert Lawrence
JAMA study: NIH grant terminations disrupted 3.5% of active clinical trials, affecting over 74,000 patients and resulting in a $1.81 billion funding loss. More than 115 active cancer trials were disrupted. www.ajmc.com/view/nih-gra...
NIH Grant Terminations Disrupt 1 in 30 Clinical Trials, Impacting Over 74,000 Participants | AJMC
Infectious disease was hit hardest by funding cuts to NIH grant for clinical trials that did not align with the Trump administration's priorities.
www.ajmc.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:31 PM
JAMA study: NIH grant terminations disrupted 3.5% of active clinical trials, affecting over 74,000 patients and resulting in a $1.81 billion funding loss. More than 115 active cancer trials were disrupted. www.ajmc.com/view/nih-gra...
Would be great if everyone of Trump's posts on Truth social or whatever got flooded with "Quiet piggy" in the responses. Because objectively speaking, he does kind of have a porcine appearance.
Donald Trump told a journalist, “Quiet, piggy,” when she asked him about Epstein—continuing his pattern of demeaning women, Isabel Fattal argues in The Atlantic Daily: theatln.tc/1QFfSAvR
November 19, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Would be great if everyone of Trump's posts on Truth social or whatever got flooded with "Quiet piggy" in the responses. Because objectively speaking, he does kind of have a porcine appearance.
Reposted by Robert Lawrence
I need to build a list of online primary source databases and digitized archival collections for post-1877 Native American History. Please post your favorites in the comments.
Or, if you already have a list I can build from, please send me a message! 🗃️
Or, if you already have a list I can build from, please send me a message! 🗃️
November 19, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I need to build a list of online primary source databases and digitized archival collections for post-1877 Native American History. Please post your favorites in the comments.
Or, if you already have a list I can build from, please send me a message! 🗃️
Or, if you already have a list I can build from, please send me a message! 🗃️
Neonicotinoids are great for agriculture but not so great for the food chain because they remain in soil and waterways for decades. Europe has enforced bans with evidence now of ecological benefits, but the US has been slow to even talk about these pesticides. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
France’s birds start to show signs of recovery after bee-harming pesticide ban
Analysis shows small hike in populations of insect-eating species after 2018 ruling, but full recovery may take decades
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Neonicotinoids are great for agriculture but not so great for the food chain because they remain in soil and waterways for decades. Europe has enforced bans with evidence now of ecological benefits, but the US has been slow to even talk about these pesticides. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Robert Lawrence
In this season of mosses, bryologist (that is, moss-scientist) and storyteller Robin Wall Kimmerer on the magic of moss and how it awakens us to the wonders of life at all scales – gorgeous, gorgeous read www.themarginalian.org/2015/05/13/g...
The Magic of Moss and What It Teaches Us About the Art of Attentiveness to Life at All Scales
“Life [exists] only because of a myriad of synchronicities that bring us to this particular place at this particular moment. In return for such a gift, the only sane response is to glitter in…
www.themarginalian.org
November 17, 2025 at 4:28 PM
In this season of mosses, bryologist (that is, moss-scientist) and storyteller Robin Wall Kimmerer on the magic of moss and how it awakens us to the wonders of life at all scales – gorgeous, gorgeous read www.themarginalian.org/2015/05/13/g...
Reposted by Robert Lawrence
This is a great post:
NEW: Gregory Bovino is exactly who E.B. White — author of 'Charlotte's Web' — warned us about.
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
Tonight, at Law Dork:
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
Tonight, at Law Dork:
Gregory Bovino is exactly who E.B. White — author of 'Charlotte's Web' — warned us about
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
www.lawdork.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:57 AM
This is a great post:
Reposted by Robert Lawrence
From this minister's op-ed: "People wanting to experience God are more likely to meet the Divine trying to shut down the Broadview, Illinois, ICE facility than we ever were in church...God does not live in our houses of worship, but...with those who are bearing the brunt of cruelty in this moment."
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:38 PM
From this minister's op-ed: "People wanting to experience God are more likely to meet the Divine trying to shut down the Broadview, Illinois, ICE facility than we ever were in church...God does not live in our houses of worship, but...with those who are bearing the brunt of cruelty in this moment."
Reposted by Robert Lawrence
Well, it's a little clearer now why billionaires are so invested in technology that produces better written emails.
November 12, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Well, it's a little clearer now why billionaires are so invested in technology that produces better written emails.
Other important Epstein news yesterday: a Science journal report on how the Epstein-Barr virus causes lupus. Really great NIH-funded research. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Epstein-Barr virus reprograms autoreactive B cells as antigen-presenting cells in systemic lupus erythematosus
Epstein-Barr virus reprograms autoreactive B cells as antigen-presenting cells to promote pathogenic antinuclear T and B cell responses in lupus.
www.science.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Other important Epstein news yesterday: a Science journal report on how the Epstein-Barr virus causes lupus. Really great NIH-funded research. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
What often isn't said about Iverson's appearance is how small he was - barely 6 ft and maybe 165 lbs. That made him so much fun to watch among all the giants.
Allen Iverson refused to play by the NBA's unwritten rules. He wore cornrows, embraced hip-hop culture and spoke his mind. The 2001 Sixers represented Philadelphia's brash soul and changed basketball culture. buff.ly/ojSpmF0
Allen Iverson’s 2001 Sixers embodied Philly’s brash, gritty soul − and changed basketball culture forever
The 76ers celebrate the 25th anniversary of an iconic team that lost the championship but captured the heart of the city.
buff.ly
November 11, 2025 at 4:23 PM
What often isn't said about Iverson's appearance is how small he was - barely 6 ft and maybe 165 lbs. That made him so much fun to watch among all the giants.
Just realizing Trump is a closet juggalo and it all makes sense now.
November 10, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Just realizing Trump is a closet juggalo and it all makes sense now.
Worth noting: A film called Photograph 51 is in the works starring Natalie Portman, who will be playing Rosalind Franklin. deadline.com/2025/05/nata...
Natalie Portman To Play Pioneering DNA Scientist Rosalind Franklin In ‘Photograph 51’ For Director Tom Hooper & FilmNation — Cannes Market Hot Project
Oscar winner Natalie Portman is set to star in Photograph 51 for The King's Speech director Tom Hooper.
deadline.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Worth noting: A film called Photograph 51 is in the works starring Natalie Portman, who will be playing Rosalind Franklin. deadline.com/2025/05/nata...
Only 25 when he published the DNA structure with Crick in 1953, so he got see the impact of it over his long life. But sadly, he also lived long enough to say plenty of crazy things along the way. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/s...
James Watson, Co-Discoverer of the Structure of DNA, Is Dead at 97
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Only 25 when he published the DNA structure with Crick in 1953, so he got see the impact of it over his long life. But sadly, he also lived long enough to say plenty of crazy things along the way. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/s...
Reposted by Robert Lawrence
"There's something wrong with me and I don't want to make it right." 😍
Andrew Otazo has plucked, bagged, heaved and hauled more than 17 tons of trash from the mangroves in Florida.
Every piece of garbage he removes reclaims space for what should be there: bird nesting grounds and fish nurseries. https://wapo.st/4oS36Vx
Every piece of garbage he removes reclaims space for what should be there: bird nesting grounds and fish nurseries. https://wapo.st/4oS36Vx
November 7, 2025 at 1:06 PM
"There's something wrong with me and I don't want to make it right." 😍
The history of significant U.S. government shutdowns, updated as of today. There are other sources out there, but I based it primarily on Wikipedia data: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governm...
November 6, 2025 at 2:19 PM
The history of significant U.S. government shutdowns, updated as of today. There are other sources out there, but I based it primarily on Wikipedia data: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governm...
Reposted by Robert Lawrence
Over his two terms, the government has been shut down for about 1 out of every 24 days Trump has been president. The runner up is Bill Clinton, whose presidency saw the government shutdown for 1 out of every 108 days.
November 5, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Over his two terms, the government has been shut down for about 1 out of every 24 days Trump has been president. The runner up is Bill Clinton, whose presidency saw the government shutdown for 1 out of every 108 days.
My latest story for @scenichudson.bsky.social is about terrariums. This also happens to be one of my nerdy hobbies. www.scenichudson.org/viewfinder/w...
Why Terrariums Are Hot Again
Hudson Valley Viewfinder is a collaborative digital magazine celebrating the inspirational beauty of Hudson Valley communities and nature.
www.scenichudson.org
November 5, 2025 at 4:46 PM
My latest story for @scenichudson.bsky.social is about terrariums. This also happens to be one of my nerdy hobbies. www.scenichudson.org/viewfinder/w...