Anya Strangely Literal
@strangely-literal.bsky.social
scientist, narrative nerd, lapsed podcaster; tweets about story & all the -isms you love/love-to-hate (she/her)
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
🗺️🐛 mappestRisk is now on CRAN! We developed this R package to help non-expert R users create pest-risk maps based on experimental data of the thermal biology of crop-pest species.
github.com/EcologyR/map...
github.com/EcologyR/map...
GitHub - EcologyR/mappestRisk
Contribute to EcologyR/mappestRisk development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:34 PM
🗺️🐛 mappestRisk is now on CRAN! We developed this R package to help non-expert R users create pest-risk maps based on experimental data of the thermal biology of crop-pest species.
github.com/EcologyR/map...
github.com/EcologyR/map...
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
I’ve been wondering how the art would shift in opposition if the ubiquity of AI-Gen art and its plasticy, uncanny style.
I figured that we go back to analogue, old tech, but this repurposing of surveillance tech is brilliant and makes so much sense.
I figured that we go back to analogue, old tech, but this repurposing of surveillance tech is brilliant and makes so much sense.
Idk what I was expecting but this is dope.
October 19, 2025 at 5:28 PM
I’ve been wondering how the art would shift in opposition if the ubiquity of AI-Gen art and its plasticy, uncanny style.
I figured that we go back to analogue, old tech, but this repurposing of surveillance tech is brilliant and makes so much sense.
I figured that we go back to analogue, old tech, but this repurposing of surveillance tech is brilliant and makes so much sense.
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
I thought they were being paranoid; even with the interfaces you actually have to read the words, preferably all the words. Sometimes non-augmented humans don’t do that. Sometimes augmented humans don’t do it either.
October 19, 2025 at 5:55 PM
I thought they were being paranoid; even with the interfaces you actually have to read the words, preferably all the words. Sometimes non-augmented humans don’t do that. Sometimes augmented humans don’t do it either.
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
The good: it’s book one of a series.
The bad: it was only published a couple of months ago, so it’ll be a while until I get the next book.
The bad: it was only published a couple of months ago, so it’ll be a while until I get the next book.
You know when you read a book and enjoy it so thoroughly that you start rereading it from the beginning right after you finish?
a man from schitts creek is making a funny face and the word yup is above him
Alt: David from the TV show Schitts Creek is pressing his lips together and gives a small nod as he closes his eyes. The word yup is below him.
media.tenor.com
October 18, 2025 at 11:44 PM
The good: it’s book one of a series.
The bad: it was only published a couple of months ago, so it’ll be a while until I get the next book.
The bad: it was only published a couple of months ago, so it’ll be a while until I get the next book.
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
Even accepting the premise that AI produces useful writing (which no one should), using AI in education is like using a forklift at the gym. The weights do not actually need to be moved from place to place. That is not the work. The work is what happens within you.
April 15, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Even accepting the premise that AI produces useful writing (which no one should), using AI in education is like using a forklift at the gym. The weights do not actually need to be moved from place to place. That is not the work. The work is what happens within you.
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
Fully on board with dems running for office promising to reinstate fired federal employees and jail this administration’s various criminals, but let’s go ahead and add “we will seize by eminent domain any national parkland sold to developers”
April 26, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Fully on board with dems running for office promising to reinstate fired federal employees and jail this administration’s various criminals, but let’s go ahead and add “we will seize by eminent domain any national parkland sold to developers”
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
📣 For those who can't host or attend a teach-in, one of the most impactful #HandsOffUSPS actions you can take is to tell your Reps to support H.Res 70 and S.Res 147.
In brief: Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure the USPS remains independent and is not subject to privatization.
In brief: Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure the USPS remains independent and is not subject to privatization.
National P.O. Soapbox Day is in 1 week! 💌
Much love to all who signed up to host a teach-in in their community - from Laredo TX to Anchorage AK & from Baltimore to Brooklyn, Bakersfield & more!
It's not too late to sign up for May 3rd or beyond. #HandsOffUSPS resources can be used ANY time! 💌📬
Much love to all who signed up to host a teach-in in their community - from Laredo TX to Anchorage AK & from Baltimore to Brooklyn, Bakersfield & more!
It's not too late to sign up for May 3rd or beyond. #HandsOffUSPS resources can be used ANY time! 💌📬
April 26, 2025 at 5:34 PM
📣 For those who can't host or attend a teach-in, one of the most impactful #HandsOffUSPS actions you can take is to tell your Reps to support H.Res 70 and S.Res 147.
In brief: Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure the USPS remains independent and is not subject to privatization.
In brief: Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure the USPS remains independent and is not subject to privatization.
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
Jay is the lead author on a fascinating paper I was involved in, about how male mimicry by female hummingbirds provides the first example of a type of signaling system that we predicted from theoretical principles over a decade ago.
This is infuriating.
And I believe it's due to anti-trans bias.
This is infuriating.
And I believe it's due to anti-trans bias.
My NSF PRFB on the genetics of female polymorphism in hummingbirds was terminated yesterday.
I don't have much to say, I'm just sad. We've discovered so much, and could have gone so much further.
If anyone else is in the same boat, esp postdocs, please reach out, it would be good to connect.
I don't have much to say, I'm just sad. We've discovered so much, and could have gone so much further.
If anyone else is in the same boat, esp postdocs, please reach out, it would be good to connect.
April 26, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Jay is the lead author on a fascinating paper I was involved in, about how male mimicry by female hummingbirds provides the first example of a type of signaling system that we predicted from theoretical principles over a decade ago.
This is infuriating.
And I believe it's due to anti-trans bias.
This is infuriating.
And I believe it's due to anti-trans bias.
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
Me on Independent Bookstore Day
April 26, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Me on Independent Bookstore Day
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
Censoring mis/disinformation research is just the beginning. All scientific research in the US is under threat. Now is the time for scientists in all fields to act. Some small steps each of us can take:
April 26, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Censoring mis/disinformation research is just the beginning. All scientific research in the US is under threat. Now is the time for scientists in all fields to act. Some small steps each of us can take:
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
A key difference here is that while either can be incorrect, the structure of Wikipedia *creates context* and the structure of LLMs *destroys context*
Wikipedia has linked sources and an edit history showing where information came from and who added it when
An LLM just generates text
Wikipedia has linked sources and an edit history showing where information came from and who added it when
An LLM just generates text
Some of the anti-AI stuff feels a bit like when people would say "don't use Wikipedia as a source." It's just like anything else, a piece of information that you weigh against multiple sources and your own understanding of its likely failure modes
April 26, 2025 at 6:39 PM
A key difference here is that while either can be incorrect, the structure of Wikipedia *creates context* and the structure of LLMs *destroys context*
Wikipedia has linked sources and an edit history showing where information came from and who added it when
An LLM just generates text
Wikipedia has linked sources and an edit history showing where information came from and who added it when
An LLM just generates text
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
Happy Independent Bookstore Day! Read Maris's piece, then go show your local indie bookstore some love. They're so much more than places to get books--they are places to engage with ideas and others in your community. Staffed by actual humans to help you find the books you didn't know you needed!
I needed to write about something that’s giving me hope, so I wrote about Independent Bookstore Day which is this Saturday. lithub.com/something-go...
Something Good in the World: Let’s Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day This Weekend
I was going to write something else for today’s column, something complain-y but righteous that would allow me to get some stuff off my chest and maybe even get some rage clicks. Shit is bad. But I…
lithub.com
April 26, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Happy Independent Bookstore Day! Read Maris's piece, then go show your local indie bookstore some love. They're so much more than places to get books--they are places to engage with ideas and others in your community. Staffed by actual humans to help you find the books you didn't know you needed!
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
just gonna be the thousandth person to remind you all that segregationists start the open bigotry with people they feel they can target most easily but do not end there
Wow—Trump is firing and banning all trans people from the military, per DoD memo.
“Military service by members and applicants for military service who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria is incompatible with military service.”
Part of memo:
“Military service by members and applicants for military service who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria is incompatible with military service.”
Part of memo:
February 27, 2025 at 12:50 PM
just gonna be the thousandth person to remind you all that segregationists start the open bigotry with people they feel they can target most easily but do not end there
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
I’m very very saddened to hear the news about Michelle Trachtenberg. She was an always-bouncing goofy kid, a ray of sunshine. Awful loss.
February 26, 2025 at 6:30 PM
I’m very very saddened to hear the news about Michelle Trachtenberg. She was an always-bouncing goofy kid, a ray of sunshine. Awful loss.
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
We are devastated to learn of the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg. She was such a talent with a unique look and the ability to make even the most bristly characters fan favorites. 39 is way, way too young.
May she rest in peace.
May she rest in peace.
February 26, 2025 at 5:48 PM
We are devastated to learn of the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg. She was such a talent with a unique look and the ability to make even the most bristly characters fan favorites. 39 is way, way too young.
May she rest in peace.
May she rest in peace.
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
So just as an odd fun fact, the world record for sheep to sweater is 4 hours, 45 minute, and 53 seconds and the team who set that record included Miriam Tegels, the record holder for most stitches knitted in one minute.
Sometimes I am genuinely shocked at how easy it seems for scholars to reduce ancient women's labour to an afterthought.
'The peplos just isn't as important as the chryselephantine statue' - try telling that to an Athenian in the 5th century, buddy.
'The peplos just isn't as important as the chryselephantine statue' - try telling that to an Athenian in the 5th century, buddy.
December 12, 2024 at 8:20 PM
So just as an odd fun fact, the world record for sheep to sweater is 4 hours, 45 minute, and 53 seconds and the team who set that record included Miriam Tegels, the record holder for most stitches knitted in one minute.
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
If you're in the Bay Area and want to learn a new craft in community, come join Sarah Matsui for an IN-PERSON workshop on Sashiko 101, a type of Japanese embroidery used to reinforce cloth. Jan. 17 at the Ruby! Register here: www.workshops4gaza.com/calendar/sas...
Sashiko 101 — Workshops 4 Gaza
Step 1: Donate to Sameer Project here (suggested donation $60USD). Step 2: Register for “Sashiko 101” here . Want to learn to reinforce worn clothes, patch tears, stitch a wall hangin...
www.workshops4gaza.com
December 12, 2024 at 4:48 PM
If you're in the Bay Area and want to learn a new craft in community, come join Sarah Matsui for an IN-PERSON workshop on Sashiko 101, a type of Japanese embroidery used to reinforce cloth. Jan. 17 at the Ruby! Register here: www.workshops4gaza.com/calendar/sas...
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
Sashiko is tons of fun and very soothing. A great hobby and skill for these times.
If you're in the Bay Area and want to learn a new craft in community, come join Sarah Matsui for an IN-PERSON workshop on Sashiko 101, a type of Japanese embroidery used to reinforce cloth. Jan. 17 at the Ruby! Register here: www.workshops4gaza.com/calendar/sas...
Sashiko 101 — Workshops 4 Gaza
Step 1: Donate to Sameer Project here (suggested donation $60USD). Step 2: Register for “Sashiko 101” here . Want to learn to reinforce worn clothes, patch tears, stitch a wall hangin...
www.workshops4gaza.com
December 12, 2024 at 8:53 PM
Sashiko is tons of fun and very soothing. A great hobby and skill for these times.
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
Writing is thinking.
It’s not a part of the process that can be skipped; it’s the entire point.
It’s not a part of the process that can be skipped; it’s the entire point.
This is what's so baffling about so many suggestions for AI in the humanities classroom: they mistake the product for the point. Writing outlines and essays is important not because you need to make outlines and essays but because that's how you learn to think with/through complex ideas.
I'm sure many have said this before but I'm reading a student-facing document about how students might use AI in the classroom (if allowed) and one of the recs is: use AI to make an outline of your reading! But ISN'T MAKING THE OUTLINE how one actually learns?
December 12, 2024 at 3:08 PM
Writing is thinking.
It’s not a part of the process that can be skipped; it’s the entire point.
It’s not a part of the process that can be skipped; it’s the entire point.
Reposted by Anya Strangely Literal
@jessesingal.com 's first anti-trans piece in The Atlantic had a photo of a trans 22 year old for a child-transition piece that forced him to come out to his family and friends. Shrier-esque in infantilizing adult transmascs as kids/ daughters with no agency
www.poynter.org/ethics-trust...
www.poynter.org/ethics-trust...
The Atlantic tried to artistically show gender dysphoria on its cover. Instead it damaged the trust of transgender readers. - Poynter
A 2018 Atlantic cover story about families with transgender teenagers misgendered its cover model and crossed ethical boundaries in the process.
www.poynter.org
December 7, 2024 at 9:20 PM
@jessesingal.com 's first anti-trans piece in The Atlantic had a photo of a trans 22 year old for a child-transition piece that forced him to come out to his family and friends. Shrier-esque in infantilizing adult transmascs as kids/ daughters with no agency
www.poynter.org/ethics-trust...
www.poynter.org/ethics-trust...