Bill St. Arnaud
@starnaud.bsky.social
Retired Internet engineer now focused on building “Energy Internet” using EVs to transport energy rather than electrical grid
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
Early indications (yes, from Waymo) are that self-driving cars are WAY safer than human-driven cars.
People will hate and fear them anyway, because our perception is that risks we're not in control of are scarier.
If you're driving, you think you're in control.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/o...
People will hate and fear them anyway, because our perception is that risks we're not in control of are scarier.
If you're driving, you think you're in control.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/o...
December 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Early indications (yes, from Waymo) are that self-driving cars are WAY safer than human-driven cars.
People will hate and fear them anyway, because our perception is that risks we're not in control of are scarier.
If you're driving, you think you're in control.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/o...
People will hate and fear them anyway, because our perception is that risks we're not in control of are scarier.
If you're driving, you think you're in control.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/o...
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
Department of Defense Law of War Manual, Sec. 18.3.2.1 states the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders.
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
December 1, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Department of Defense Law of War Manual, Sec. 18.3.2.1 states the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders.
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
Grifters gotta grift.
It still amazes me that the entire Republican Party is acting as a facilitator for corruption at a scale that is unprecedented in US history.
The degree to which the Republican Party is undermining American interests is simply shocking.
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
It still amazes me that the entire Republican Party is acting as a facilitator for corruption at a scale that is unprecedented in US history.
The degree to which the Republican Party is undermining American interests is simply shocking.
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine
The Kremlin pitched the White House on peace through business. To Europe’s dismay, the president and his envoy are on board.
www.wsj.com
November 30, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Grifters gotta grift.
It still amazes me that the entire Republican Party is acting as a facilitator for corruption at a scale that is unprecedented in US history.
The degree to which the Republican Party is undermining American interests is simply shocking.
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
It still amazes me that the entire Republican Party is acting as a facilitator for corruption at a scale that is unprecedented in US history.
The degree to which the Republican Party is undermining American interests is simply shocking.
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
Early Oldowan technology was largely unchanged over a 300,000 year period (2.75−2.44 Ma).
Our recent era of rapid technological change is an anomaly that our evolutionary past did not prepare us for.
Our emotional structures evolved for a very different world.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Our recent era of rapid technological change is an anomaly that our evolutionary past did not prepare us for.
Our emotional structures evolved for a very different world.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Early Oldowan technology thrived during Pliocene environmental change in the Turkana Basin, Kenya - Nature Communications
Here, the authors present archaeology of the Namorotukunan site in Kenya’s Turkana Basin that demonstrates adaptive shifts in hominin tool-making behaviour spanning 300,000 years and increasing enviro...
www.nature.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Early Oldowan technology was largely unchanged over a 300,000 year period (2.75−2.44 Ma).
Our recent era of rapid technological change is an anomaly that our evolutionary past did not prepare us for.
Our emotional structures evolved for a very different world.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Our recent era of rapid technological change is an anomaly that our evolutionary past did not prepare us for.
Our emotional structures evolved for a very different world.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
Never forget: At breakneck speed we are leaving the stable Holocene climate in which human society developed and thrived. Weather extremes are outside historical experience. Sea-level rise is accelerating. Dangerous tipping points are ahead.
Graph: ed-hawkins.github.io/climate-visu...
Graph: ed-hawkins.github.io/climate-visu...
November 13, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Never forget: At breakneck speed we are leaving the stable Holocene climate in which human society developed and thrived. Weather extremes are outside historical experience. Sea-level rise is accelerating. Dangerous tipping points are ahead.
Graph: ed-hawkins.github.io/climate-visu...
Graph: ed-hawkins.github.io/climate-visu...
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
What foods to avoid?
Yes, foods high in sat fat, sugar, and salt (for different reasons).
Also, foods that are calorie-dense (easy to overeat).
But degree of processing doesn't always correspond to badness.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
Yes, foods high in sat fat, sugar, and salt (for different reasons).
Also, foods that are calorie-dense (easy to overeat).
But degree of processing doesn't always correspond to badness.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
People want to avoid ultra-processed foods. But experts struggle to define them
The evidence that ultra-processed foods are bad for us is piling up. But efforts to reduce their role in our diets face a big hurdle: experts can't agree on what they are and which to target.
www.npr.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
What foods to avoid?
Yes, foods high in sat fat, sugar, and salt (for different reasons).
Also, foods that are calorie-dense (easy to overeat).
But degree of processing doesn't always correspond to badness.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
Yes, foods high in sat fat, sugar, and salt (for different reasons).
Also, foods that are calorie-dense (easy to overeat).
But degree of processing doesn't always correspond to badness.
www.npr.org/2025/11/10/n...
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
Turning brewery waste into sweaters!
If I had to do it all over again, I might pick materials science. It's totally fascinating what you can turn stuff into.
That, or cognitive neuroscience. Hell, either pays better than journalism!
www.chemistryworld.com/news/beer-ye...
If I had to do it all over again, I might pick materials science. It's totally fascinating what you can turn stuff into.
That, or cognitive neuroscience. Hell, either pays better than journalism!
www.chemistryworld.com/news/beer-ye...
Beer yeast leftovers spun into a promising sustainable yarn 50% stronger than wool
Brewery waste can be turned into a cheap, environmentally-friendly textile
www.chemistryworld.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Turning brewery waste into sweaters!
If I had to do it all over again, I might pick materials science. It's totally fascinating what you can turn stuff into.
That, or cognitive neuroscience. Hell, either pays better than journalism!
www.chemistryworld.com/news/beer-ye...
If I had to do it all over again, I might pick materials science. It's totally fascinating what you can turn stuff into.
That, or cognitive neuroscience. Hell, either pays better than journalism!
www.chemistryworld.com/news/beer-ye...
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
A short video that started as a bluesky post a few weeks ago. For clarity, I am actually quite optimistic about AI being useful in many areas of medicine. I’m just saying being a “diagnostic machine” really won’t move the modern healthcare needle that much
youtube.com/shorts/hRv5K...
youtube.com/shorts/hRv5K...
What everyone gets wrong about AI in medicine
YouTube video by Medlife Crisis
youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:54 PM
A short video that started as a bluesky post a few weeks ago. For clarity, I am actually quite optimistic about AI being useful in many areas of medicine. I’m just saying being a “diagnostic machine” really won’t move the modern healthcare needle that much
youtube.com/shorts/hRv5K...
youtube.com/shorts/hRv5K...
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
Opinion
Nicholas Kristof
"Trump Aid Cuts Kill More Christians Than Jihadists Do"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/o...
Nicholas Kristof
"Trump Aid Cuts Kill More Christians Than Jihadists Do"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/o...
November 9, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Opinion
Nicholas Kristof
"Trump Aid Cuts Kill More Christians Than Jihadists Do"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/o...
Nicholas Kristof
"Trump Aid Cuts Kill More Christians Than Jihadists Do"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/o...
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
The annual 10 new insights in climate science are here!
Perhaps the best way to keep up with climate science news of the past year, made for lay people, policy makers and scientists alike with its different levels of detail: from simple tiles to a journal paper.
10insightsclimate.science#explore
Perhaps the best way to keep up with climate science news of the past year, made for lay people, policy makers and scientists alike with its different levels of detail: from simple tiles to a journal paper.
10insightsclimate.science#explore
10 New Insights in Climate Science
Essential research findings to support decision-making in a critical decade.
10insightsclimate.science
October 31, 2025 at 8:52 AM
The annual 10 new insights in climate science are here!
Perhaps the best way to keep up with climate science news of the past year, made for lay people, policy makers and scientists alike with its different levels of detail: from simple tiles to a journal paper.
10insightsclimate.science#explore
Perhaps the best way to keep up with climate science news of the past year, made for lay people, policy makers and scientists alike with its different levels of detail: from simple tiles to a journal paper.
10insightsclimate.science#explore
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
This is why AI poses a threat to the medical profession. Not that it can offer anything a doctor can't (at least not right now)! www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
October 2, 2025 at 8:34 PM
This is why AI poses a threat to the medical profession. Not that it can offer anything a doctor can't (at least not right now)! www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
Got home from the Vaccine Congress to find this wonderful surprise from my friend & fierce advocate for vaccination @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social! These are hard times but I’m grateful to Peter & @michaelemann.bsky.social for having the courage to fight for science against ignorance & tyranny. ❤️🔬🦠🔥
September 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Got home from the Vaccine Congress to find this wonderful surprise from my friend & fierce advocate for vaccination @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social! These are hard times but I’m grateful to Peter & @michaelemann.bsky.social for having the courage to fight for science against ignorance & tyranny. ❤️🔬🦠🔥
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
Last week, the NIH published a plan to “drive Gold Standard Science.” The plan cunningly wraps what are obvious Lysenkoist ideological purity tests disguised as “academic freedom” and “unbiased peer review” in seemingly reasonable proposals. sciencebasedmedicine.org/jay-bhattach...
Jay Bhattacharya’s “plan to drive Gold Standard Science”: A Trojan horse for “Lysenko-izing” the NIH
Last week, the NIH published a plan to "drive Gold Standard Science." The plan cunningly wraps what are obvious Lysenkoist ideological purity tests disguised as "academic freedom" and "unbiased peer r
sciencebasedmedicine.org
August 25, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Last week, the NIH published a plan to “drive Gold Standard Science.” The plan cunningly wraps what are obvious Lysenkoist ideological purity tests disguised as “academic freedom” and “unbiased peer review” in seemingly reasonable proposals. sciencebasedmedicine.org/jay-bhattach...
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
New post about Lysenko and Bhattacharya from @angierasmussen.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/rasmusse...
open.substack.com/pub/rasmusse...
Bhattacharya is the New Lysenko
Starving the NIH through ineptitude, bitterness, and thirst for revenge
open.substack.com
August 18, 2025 at 5:11 PM
New post about Lysenko and Bhattacharya from @angierasmussen.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/rasmusse...
open.substack.com/pub/rasmusse...
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
Alternatively, if someone is familiar with creating new scenarios on the web version, maybe you could zoom with me for a few minutes and walk me through the process.
live.magicc.org
live.magicc.org
Climate Resource
live.magicc.org
August 13, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Alternatively, if someone is familiar with creating new scenarios on the web version, maybe you could zoom with me for a few minutes and walk me through the process.
live.magicc.org
live.magicc.org
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
This book title, while not about the rise of the Republican fascists in the US, is certainly relevant.
bookshop.org/p/books/one-...
bookshop.org/p/books/one-...
August 13, 2025 at 5:19 PM
This book title, while not about the rise of the Republican fascists in the US, is certainly relevant.
bookshop.org/p/books/one-...
bookshop.org/p/books/one-...
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
Given the actions of the Republicans and their enablers in industry, refraining from opening in public has become more difficult and less justifiable.
In times like these, I would be remiss if I did not voice my condemnation or our fascist regime and their enablers.
In times like these, I would be remiss if I did not voice my condemnation or our fascist regime and their enablers.
August 3, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Given the actions of the Republicans and their enablers in industry, refraining from opening in public has become more difficult and less justifiable.
In times like these, I would be remiss if I did not voice my condemnation or our fascist regime and their enablers.
In times like these, I would be remiss if I did not voice my condemnation or our fascist regime and their enablers.
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
More than 2 million people in Gaza — including some 1 million children — face desperate and worsening hunger.
Doctors and nutrition experts say the children who survive the lack of nourishment are often face a lifetime of health woes.
Doctors and nutrition experts say the children who survive the lack of nourishment are often face a lifetime of health woes.
Gazans are starving. Here’s what lack of food does to the human body.
Children suffering under severe food shortages can face lifelong consequences.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 28, 2025 at 8:31 PM
More than 2 million people in Gaza — including some 1 million children — face desperate and worsening hunger.
Doctors and nutrition experts say the children who survive the lack of nourishment are often face a lifetime of health woes.
Doctors and nutrition experts say the children who survive the lack of nourishment are often face a lifetime of health woes.
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
The instant capitulation or active support by major corporations (Apple, Google, Tesla. Amazon, etc), major media (CBS, Washington Post, etc), and major universities (Columbia, etc) was a bit of a surprise to me.
I thought there would be greater defense of democratic principles and the rule of law.
I thought there would be greater defense of democratic principles and the rule of law.
July 27, 2025 at 12:27 PM
The instant capitulation or active support by major corporations (Apple, Google, Tesla. Amazon, etc), major media (CBS, Washington Post, etc), and major universities (Columbia, etc) was a bit of a surprise to me.
I thought there would be greater defense of democratic principles and the rule of law.
I thought there would be greater defense of democratic principles and the rule of law.
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
People disagree about nearly everything in the climate space.
EXCEPT BIOFUELS.
Absolutely everybody thinks using corn & soy for fuel is a terrible idea - except the people who stand to gain from it, and the people who want those folks' votes.
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
EXCEPT BIOFUELS.
Absolutely everybody thinks using corn & soy for fuel is a terrible idea - except the people who stand to gain from it, and the people who want those folks' votes.
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Biofuel demand to soak up more than half of US soyoil production next year, USDA says
U.S. biofuel makers will consume more than half of all soybean oil produced in the United States next year as a recent flurry of federal policy moves has transformed the sector, including higher blending mandates and curbs on foreign biofuel imports and feedstocks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Friday.
www.reuters.com
July 15, 2025 at 12:22 PM
People disagree about nearly everything in the climate space.
EXCEPT BIOFUELS.
Absolutely everybody thinks using corn & soy for fuel is a terrible idea - except the people who stand to gain from it, and the people who want those folks' votes.
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
EXCEPT BIOFUELS.
Absolutely everybody thinks using corn & soy for fuel is a terrible idea - except the people who stand to gain from it, and the people who want those folks' votes.
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
It's hot dead raccoon summer so maybe we should keep an eye on these mammals
open.substack.com/pub/rasmusse...
open.substack.com/pub/rasmusse...
July 14, 2025 at 10:19 PM
It's hot dead raccoon summer so maybe we should keep an eye on these mammals
open.substack.com/pub/rasmusse...
open.substack.com/pub/rasmusse...
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
The Velvet Sundown had over 1 million monthly streams on Spotify in just over a month. Their photos were uncannily smooth, the vocals mechanically soulful.
That’s because the band was AI.
That’s because the band was AI.
A ’60s-flavored band blew up on Spotify. They’re AI.
The Velvet Sundown confirmed Saturday that its viral success is powered by artificial intelligence.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 8, 2025 at 8:59 PM
The Velvet Sundown had over 1 million monthly streams on Spotify in just over a month. Their photos were uncannily smooth, the vocals mechanically soulful.
That’s because the band was AI.
That’s because the band was AI.
Reposted by Bill St. Arnaud
A call to action from @gregggonsalves.bsky.social. We are not defeated and there are many ways we can resist as individuals and as a community.
Hot off the presses in The Lancet: Building a resistance to US assaults on public health. With Alicia Ely Yamin and Emma Joanna Lengle. www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Building a resistance to US assaults on public health
The administration of US President Donald Trump has launched a full-fledged assault
on science and public health;1 its “flood the zone” strategy created chaos and initially
overwhelmed potential oppos...
www.thelancet.com
July 3, 2025 at 8:18 AM
A call to action from @gregggonsalves.bsky.social. We are not defeated and there are many ways we can resist as individuals and as a community.