Stephen Luntz
@sluntz.bsky.social
Science writer and (non-government) election administrator.
Pinned
Stephen Luntz
@sluntz.bsky.social
· Jan 27
The Time Jimmy Carter Probably Saved The World And Almost Nobody Noticed
Possibly the most important act of Jimmy Carter’s presidency has been almost entirely forgotten, even by his supporters.
www.iflscience.com
Being new here, maybe I should post the most significant article I have written recently, the one story on President Carter everyone else seems to have overlooked. I would argue it was the most important thing he did, perhaps with Australian bias. www.iflscience.com/the-time-jim...
I learned about this on Bluesky, but I don't think much media has caught on - a volcano where three plates meet has erupted for the first time in thousands of years. www.iflscience.com/an-ethiopian...
An Ethiopian Shield Volcano Has Just Erupted, For The First Time In Thousands Of Years
The ash cloud already covers large areas of surrounding countries.
www.iflscience.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I learned about this on Bluesky, but I don't think much media has caught on - a volcano where three plates meet has erupted for the first time in thousands of years. www.iflscience.com/an-ethiopian...
There's so much here. Even if you don't find something you want straight away, keep looking - odds are the right thing is there.
Are you looking for a christmas present for a creative person? Hoo boy do we have the auction for you. Hundreds of creatives from 20 countries are raising funds for people fleeing Genocide in El-Fasher, Sudan. Huge names, huge items! Bid here! app.galabid.com/creatives4su...
Art by @raafaye, insta
Art by @raafaye, insta
November 24, 2025 at 2:54 PM
There's so much here. Even if you don't find something you want straight away, keep looking - odds are the right thing is there.
On the old Twitter I followed a couple of people who, while center-left, spent a lot of time criticizing others of similar politics. They mocked warnings about the economic damage Brexit would do, saying they were too large to be credible, and would undermine the Remain case. Hmmmm.
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
Brexit Hit to UK Economy Double Official Estimate, Study Finds
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist.
bloom.bg
November 21, 2025 at 1:37 PM
On the old Twitter I followed a couple of people who, while center-left, spent a lot of time criticizing others of similar politics. They mocked warnings about the economic damage Brexit would do, saying they were too large to be credible, and would undermine the Remain case. Hmmmm.
As usual, @astrokatie.com doesn't just get to the truth, but in the last line puts it better than the rest of us have managed.
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
November 20, 2025 at 5:17 AM
As usual, @astrokatie.com doesn't just get to the truth, but in the last line puts it better than the rest of us have managed.
Yikes. Cutting more jobs than Abbott should not be something any Labor minister should be able to do and look at themself in the mirror.
The last time I wrote about this I copped the biggest whinge fest from the then (Labor) minister’s office about how they weren’t cutting the budget lol
That's more than 1,100 jobs lost at the CSIRO over the last two years.
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
November 19, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Yikes. Cutting more jobs than Abbott should not be something any Labor minister should be able to do and look at themself in the mirror.
Reposted by Stephen Luntz
🙃🙃🙃 cannot believe how short sighted this government is, honestly. Now is the time to be POURING money into research, not cutting it.
This is obscene.
The challenges facing the nation means we should be scaling up CSIRO, not cutting it to shreds.
While we are sending billions to the US for nuclear shipyards, our science and industrial base at home is falling apart for lack of funds and direction.
The challenges facing the nation means we should be scaling up CSIRO, not cutting it to shreds.
While we are sending billions to the US for nuclear shipyards, our science and industrial base at home is falling apart for lack of funds and direction.
‘Sad day for publicly funded science’: up to 350 more jobs to go at CSIRO
Australia’s national scientific agency announces more research job losses as it looks for budgetary savings
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:39 AM
🙃🙃🙃 cannot believe how short sighted this government is, honestly. Now is the time to be POURING money into research, not cutting it.
As an English speaking country (with nice beaches to boot) for the cost of a small tax on fossil fuel exports or high incomes Australia could invest in science, recruit researchers fleeing the US and become the knowledge powerhouse of the 21st Century. Instead we're doing this.
“CSIRO has announced it will slash up to 350 jobs as the national science agency grapples with long-term financial challenges … with current funding failing to keep pace with the rising costs of running a modern science agency.”
Not “challenges”. They’re choices. 😡
Not “challenges”. They’re choices. 😡
CSIRO to cut up to 350 research jobs in major overhaul
After 440 positions were slashed last year, the CSIRO has announced more staff cuts across the country in a bid to remain financially viable.
www.abc.net.au
November 18, 2025 at 12:35 PM
As an English speaking country (with nice beaches to boot) for the cost of a small tax on fossil fuel exports or high incomes Australia could invest in science, recruit researchers fleeing the US and become the knowledge powerhouse of the 21st Century. Instead we're doing this.
Releasing the files is good. But if we just listened to the survivors about who abused them, that would tell us what we really need to know.
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 17, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Releasing the files is good. But if we just listened to the survivors about who abused them, that would tell us what we really need to know.
In normal times I would think that this was either incompetent drafting or an ambit claim, and the worst aspects would be removed before passing, but these are not normal times.
Will those who called people asking for their pronouns to be respected a war on science act? Don't hold your breath.
Will those who called people asking for their pronouns to be respected a war on science act? Don't hold your breath.
Prohibited activities include advising Chinese graduate students. For reference, a recent Georgetown report estimated 16% of STEM graduate students in the US are Chinese nationals.
This would take out entire fields at the knees, which is perhaps the point.
This would take out entire fields at the knees, which is perhaps the point.
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
November 14, 2025 at 3:24 PM
In normal times I would think that this was either incompetent drafting or an ambit claim, and the worst aspects would be removed before passing, but these are not normal times.
Will those who called people asking for their pronouns to be respected a war on science act? Don't hold your breath.
Will those who called people asking for their pronouns to be respected a war on science act? Don't hold your breath.
Think Australia's animals are weird today? For tens of millions of years we were three times as biodiverse as we are now, and that made for some amazingly strange and scary creatures.
"Drop Crocs": Australia Once Had Ancient Crocs That Climbed Trees To Jump On Their Prey
www.iflscience.com/drop-crocs-a...
www.iflscience.com/drop-crocs-a...
What’s Scarier Than Drop Bears? Drop Crocs, And Australia Had Them Once
If you think Australia’s animal life is wacky today, you should have seen it more than 4 million years ago.
www.iflscience.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Think Australia's animals are weird today? For tens of millions of years we were three times as biodiverse as we are now, and that made for some amazingly strange and scary creatures.
Few people know me here, and if friends of Tess Deveze are on here, I haven't connected with many of them. Still, I am trying to establish a health care fund for the staff at one of my favourite orgs in Tess's memory and you can contribute (or just learn) here www.classy.org/fundraiser/6...
Scarleteen Staff and Volunteer Healthcare Fund
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www.classy.org
November 11, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Few people know me here, and if friends of Tess Deveze are on here, I haven't connected with many of them. Still, I am trying to establish a health care fund for the staff at one of my favourite orgs in Tess's memory and you can contribute (or just learn) here www.classy.org/fundraiser/6...
Reposted by Stephen Luntz
40 years ago we’d have congressional hearings falsely accusing metal bands of putting backwards messages in their songs that told kids to kill themselves & now we have a planet-killing chatbot that’s all like “bet you won’t commit suicide chickenshit bitch” & the government is like here’s $5 billion
November 8, 2025 at 4:23 AM
40 years ago we’d have congressional hearings falsely accusing metal bands of putting backwards messages in their songs that told kids to kill themselves & now we have a planet-killing chatbot that’s all like “bet you won’t commit suicide chickenshit bitch” & the government is like here’s $5 billion
Reposted by Stephen Luntz
For anyone now - or 25 years ago - tempted to take Bjorn Lomborg seriously on climate change.
Since #BjornLomborg is back in the news, re-upping these:
November 7, 2025 at 1:56 PM
For anyone now - or 25 years ago - tempted to take Bjorn Lomborg seriously on climate change.
When it comes to suffering created, the cuts to USAID have been the most harmful thing Trump has done, and nothing else is close.
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 4:37 AM
When it comes to suffering created, the cuts to USAID have been the most harmful thing Trump has done, and nothing else is close.
I'm a bit skeptical that the use of (dried) mushrooms as IT storage and processing devices will ever scale, but it's fun to think about. (Including all those suddently obsolete data centers and the energy facilities built to power them). www.iflscience.com/mushrooms-co...
Mushrooms Could Beat Metal For Large-Scale Memory Storage And Processing
The difference between solving a great mystery requiring vast computing power and enduring ignorance could be one hungry intern.
www.iflscience.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:40 AM
I'm a bit skeptical that the use of (dried) mushrooms as IT storage and processing devices will ever scale, but it's fun to think about. (Including all those suddently obsolete data centers and the energy facilities built to power them). www.iflscience.com/mushrooms-co...
Besides my exclusively Jewish heritage from both parents, I'm Jewish enough when I push back against criticism of Israel I consider simplistic I cop antisemitic abuse, but when I express horror at Israel's current activities or support for progressive candidates, suddenly I'm also not a real Jew.
All my life I was told I was Jewish, I was stopped by Hasids on the streets asking me to wrap Tefillin, I was invited to Jewish holidays from strangers, etc.
The ONLY time I’ve been told I’m NOT a real Jew is when I criticize Israel.
Go fuck yourself Alex
The ONLY time I’ve been told I’m NOT a real Jew is when I criticize Israel.
Go fuck yourself Alex
October 27, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Besides my exclusively Jewish heritage from both parents, I'm Jewish enough when I push back against criticism of Israel I consider simplistic I cop antisemitic abuse, but when I express horror at Israel's current activities or support for progressive candidates, suddenly I'm also not a real Jew.
I'm sure there are a great many things that went into this, but surely one of them is that the federal LNP keep saying you can't run an electricity grid on solar, wind and batteries and South Australians are mostly aware they are about to.
#DemosAU/Ace Strategies SA (state) ALP 47 Lib 21 Green 13 others 19
2PP 66-34 to ALP.
Follows a YouGov 67-33 in May.
Insane numbers. An Opposition that should be helped by federal drag is in danger of oblivion.
#saparli
www.indailysa.com.au/news/opinion...
2PP 66-34 to ALP.
Follows a YouGov 67-33 in May.
Insane numbers. An Opposition that should be helped by federal drag is in danger of oblivion.
#saparli
www.indailysa.com.au/news/opinion...
Opinion: SA political poll tells tale of two parties with a crushing blow - News | InDaily, Inside South Australia
The team behind panini shop Aye Frank are bringing its little brother to Flinders Park, corner deli style with coffee, panini and pinball.
www.indailysa.com.au
October 21, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I'm sure there are a great many things that went into this, but surely one of them is that the federal LNP keep saying you can't run an electricity grid on solar, wind and batteries and South Australians are mostly aware they are about to.
Reposted by Stephen Luntz
It’s really something, the cognitive dissonance of watching our scientific community be dismantled while every day there’s an announcement of a new, unimaginably cool and useful discovery
This is huge news!
UBC has developed an enzyme that can convert donor organs to type O, making them universal.
Normally a using organs of the wrong blood type causes the recipient's immune system to attack the organ, leading to failure.
❤️🇨🇦⚕️
news.ubc.ca/2025/10/univ...
UBC has developed an enzyme that can convert donor organs to type O, making them universal.
Normally a using organs of the wrong blood type causes the recipient's immune system to attack the organ, leading to failure.
❤️🇨🇦⚕️
news.ubc.ca/2025/10/univ...
UBC enzyme technology clears first human test toward universal donor organs for transplantation - UBC News
UBC-developed enzymes successfully converted a kidney to universal type O for transplant, marking a major step toward faster, more compatible organ donations.
news.ubc.ca
October 15, 2025 at 2:00 AM
It’s really something, the cognitive dissonance of watching our scientific community be dismantled while every day there’s an announcement of a new, unimaginably cool and useful discovery
Anyone else reminded of John Connor escaping the Terminator? Lots of them without magic running speed, but the same vibe.
ICE Nazis in Chicago tried to kidnap a food delivery worker but my man was too fast for those slow bastards
September 29, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Anyone else reminded of John Connor escaping the Terminator? Lots of them without magic running speed, but the same vibe.
This could lead to a life-saving improvement in diagnostic imaging for many medical conditions, and an even more life-saving reduction in cost.
But my favourite aspect is that it's a spin off of solar power research. www.iflscience.com/perovskite-c...
But my favourite aspect is that it's a spin off of solar power research. www.iflscience.com/perovskite-c...
Scientists Build The First "Crystal" Camera That Can See Inside The Human Body
Finding the source of symptoms could become faster, cheaper, safer and more accurate, all as a spin-off of advances in solar energy research.
www.iflscience.com
September 23, 2025 at 3:18 AM
This could lead to a life-saving improvement in diagnostic imaging for many medical conditions, and an even more life-saving reduction in cost.
But my favourite aspect is that it's a spin off of solar power research. www.iflscience.com/perovskite-c...
But my favourite aspect is that it's a spin off of solar power research. www.iflscience.com/perovskite-c...
Reposted by Stephen Luntz
Franklin uttered the phrase on this very date (September 17), the last day of the Constitutional Convention, in 1787
"A republic, if you can keep it"
-- Benjamin Franklin
-- Benjamin Franklin
September 18, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Franklin uttered the phrase on this very date (September 17), the last day of the Constitutional Convention, in 1787
Reposted by Stephen Luntz
I just saw a TikTok like “the motivations of assassins don’t make sense anymore” but boy have they never.
Hinkley shot Reagan to impress Jodi Foster. Oswald was such a complete mess people just assume the CIA did it. Guiteau killed Garfield because no one would make him an ambassador.
Hinkley shot Reagan to impress Jodi Foster. Oswald was such a complete mess people just assume the CIA did it. Guiteau killed Garfield because no one would make him an ambassador.
September 14, 2025 at 3:43 AM
I just saw a TikTok like “the motivations of assassins don’t make sense anymore” but boy have they never.
Hinkley shot Reagan to impress Jodi Foster. Oswald was such a complete mess people just assume the CIA did it. Guiteau killed Garfield because no one would make him an ambassador.
Hinkley shot Reagan to impress Jodi Foster. Oswald was such a complete mess people just assume the CIA did it. Guiteau killed Garfield because no one would make him an ambassador.
Frydenberg, like so many others, wanted to pin the murder on the left because he regards his enemies in the culture wars on things like the environment and trans rights as worse than neo-Nazis, which is quite something when you think about it.
Bad op ed by former Deputy Liberal Leader Frydenberg here, barking up the wrong tree by blaming the left for a killing it appears to have had nothing to do with while claiming to be on the side of "civility".
September 14, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Frydenberg, like so many others, wanted to pin the murder on the left because he regards his enemies in the culture wars on things like the environment and trans rights as worse than neo-Nazis, which is quite something when you think about it.
Reposted by Stephen Luntz
The more I think about it, the more decisions like the North West Shelf indicate to me that the Feds have made a calculated - and maybe even correct? - decision that they can afford to take the piss with the goodwill the Australian electorate has for them.
The task ahead is to prove them wrong.
The task ahead is to prove them wrong.
Just a reminder that the approval of North West Shelf does *nothing* to aid transition in the domestic electricity sector, in Western Australia or elsewhere.
Fact Check: Woodside’s North West Shelf extension isn’t needed to firm the Australian grid
It does what it says on the tin.
timinclimate.medium.com
September 12, 2025 at 7:12 AM
The more I think about it, the more decisions like the North West Shelf indicate to me that the Feds have made a calculated - and maybe even correct? - decision that they can afford to take the piss with the goodwill the Australian electorate has for them.
The task ahead is to prove them wrong.
The task ahead is to prove them wrong.
Everyone talks about various things being a distraction from the Epstein files, but in a very real sense, everything else is a distraction being dragged in front of us to stop us noticing this.
There’s so much evil in the world right now. So much in your face obvious evil that this unforgivable omnicidal act by Murray Watt and the ALP probably slides below the surface. But the impact of this on countless people and species, and First Nations culture, outweighs much of the rest. Despicable.
Australia’s biggest gas project greenlit to 2070 with ‘partial’ protection for Indigenous rock art
Approval met with fury from conservation groups and the Greens, who called it a ‘betrayal’ of Australians who want climate action
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Everyone talks about various things being a distraction from the Epstein files, but in a very real sense, everything else is a distraction being dragged in front of us to stop us noticing this.