Vinny Calculus
@vinnycalculus.bsky.social
My background is in physics and math (UT Austin, UT San Antonio, U of Toronto). Currently a part-time computer science student (University of Florida). I also enjoy learning about the history of science and of computing.
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
Computer science pioneer and United States Navy rear admiral Grace Hopper was born #OTD in 1906. 🧪 👩🔬
As far as I am aware, she is the only person who has both a supercomputer and a US Navy destroyer named after her. (1/n)
Image: Computer History Museum
As far as I am aware, she is the only person who has both a supercomputer and a US Navy destroyer named after her. (1/n)
Image: Computer History Museum
December 9, 2024 at 1:49 PM
Computer science pioneer and United States Navy rear admiral Grace Hopper was born #OTD in 1906. 🧪 👩🔬
As far as I am aware, she is the only person who has both a supercomputer and a US Navy destroyer named after her. (1/n)
Image: Computer History Museum
As far as I am aware, she is the only person who has both a supercomputer and a US Navy destroyer named after her. (1/n)
Image: Computer History Museum
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
Webb breaks its own record by identifying the earliest supernova to date, a star that exploded when the Universe was only 730 million years old.
To astronomers' surprise, this early supernova looks exactly like modern supernovae based on data gathered so far 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🔭🧪
To astronomers' surprise, this early supernova looks exactly like modern supernovae based on data gathered so far 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🔭🧪
December 9, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Webb breaks its own record by identifying the earliest supernova to date, a star that exploded when the Universe was only 730 million years old.
To astronomers' surprise, this early supernova looks exactly like modern supernovae based on data gathered so far 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🔭🧪
To astronomers' surprise, this early supernova looks exactly like modern supernovae based on data gathered so far 👉 www.esa.int/Science_Expl...
🔭🧪
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
This is a video about the folks who designed the macOS Tahoe UI.
The Most Unsatisfying Video in the World ever made
YouTube video by Luksan Wunder
youtu.be
December 2, 2025 at 4:59 AM
This is a video about the folks who designed the macOS Tahoe UI.
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
The most precious commodity you have is your attention. You don’t have to waste it on poor-faith debates or arguments with strangers if you don’t think they’ll be productive. You can prioritize the things that matter to you and make your life richer.
November 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The most precious commodity you have is your attention. You don’t have to waste it on poor-faith debates or arguments with strangers if you don’t think they’ll be productive. You can prioritize the things that matter to you and make your life richer.
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
Chemist Rachel Fuller Brown was born #OTD in 1898. She co-discovered the antifungal nystatin while doing research for the New York State Department of Health, hence the name. (1/2) 🧪 👩🔬
Image: Smithsonian Institution
Image: Smithsonian Institution
November 23, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Chemist Rachel Fuller Brown was born #OTD in 1898. She co-discovered the antifungal nystatin while doing research for the New York State Department of Health, hence the name. (1/2) 🧪 👩🔬
Image: Smithsonian Institution
Image: Smithsonian Institution
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
The “17x strike” thing reads like hyperbole but I have no doubt it is a literal description of a Zuckerberg policy.
November 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The “17x strike” thing reads like hyperbole but I have no doubt it is a literal description of a Zuckerberg policy.
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
This is a good article about a subtle topic in quantum gravity.
In a theory called quadratic gravity, “ghost” particles violate physicists’ intuition of quantum fields. This made the theory unpopular for decades. Now, it’s experiencing a resurgence.
@walkingthedot.bsky.social reports: www.quantamagazine.org/old-ghost-th...
@walkingthedot.bsky.social reports: www.quantamagazine.org/old-ghost-th...
Old ‘Ghost’ Theory of Quantum Gravity Makes a Comeback | Quanta Magazine
Has the secret to understanding gravity been hiding in plain sight for nearly 50 years?
www.quantamagazine.org
November 17, 2025 at 3:44 PM
This is a good article about a subtle topic in quantum gravity.
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
Hilbert's note congratulating Einstein on his Mercury result, #OTD 1915. 🧪 ⚛️
"If I could calculate as rapidly as you, in my equations the electron would correspondingly have to capitulate, and simultaneously the hydrogen atom would have to produce its note of apology about why it does not radiate."
"If I could calculate as rapidly as you, in my equations the electron would correspondingly have to capitulate, and simultaneously the hydrogen atom would have to produce its note of apology about why it does not radiate."
Einstein presented "Explanation of the Perihelion Motion of Mercury from the General Theory of Relativity" #OTD in 1915.
He used his nearly-complete theory of general relativity to explain the 43 arc-second per century anomalous precession of Mercury. 🧪 ⚛️ 🔭
He used his nearly-complete theory of general relativity to explain the 43 arc-second per century anomalous precession of Mercury. 🧪 ⚛️ 🔭
November 19, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Hilbert's note congratulating Einstein on his Mercury result, #OTD 1915. 🧪 ⚛️
"If I could calculate as rapidly as you, in my equations the electron would correspondingly have to capitulate, and simultaneously the hydrogen atom would have to produce its note of apology about why it does not radiate."
"If I could calculate as rapidly as you, in my equations the electron would correspondingly have to capitulate, and simultaneously the hydrogen atom would have to produce its note of apology about why it does not radiate."
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
College is such a precious opportunity to do real thinking in a variety of fields. Always thrilled to see when students make an effort to take advantage of it.
November 21, 2025 at 1:59 PM
College is such a precious opportunity to do real thinking in a variety of fields. Always thrilled to see when students make an effort to take advantage of it.
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
The final paper of Einstein’s “miraculous year” and the first observation of a universal equivalence between inertia and energy. 🧪 ⚛️ 🎢
The linked papers in the thread aren’t available. It appears that @princetonupress.bsky.social has turned over their open-access archive to a for profit company.
The linked papers in the thread aren’t available. It appears that @princetonupress.bsky.social has turned over their open-access archive to a for profit company.
Einstein’s paper “Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy-Content?" appeared in Annalen der Physik #OTD in 1905.
It contains his first published statement of mass-energy equivalence, the basis for the well-known formula E = mc².
🧪 ⚛️ (1/n)
einsteinpapers.press.princeton.edu/vol2-doc/350
It contains his first published statement of mass-energy equivalence, the basis for the well-known formula E = mc².
🧪 ⚛️ (1/n)
einsteinpapers.press.princeton.edu/vol2-doc/350
November 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
The final paper of Einstein’s “miraculous year” and the first observation of a universal equivalence between inertia and energy. 🧪 ⚛️ 🎢
The linked papers in the thread aren’t available. It appears that @princetonupress.bsky.social has turned over their open-access archive to a for profit company.
The linked papers in the thread aren’t available. It appears that @princetonupress.bsky.social has turned over their open-access archive to a for profit company.
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
We spent a year investigating billionaires for @washingtonpost.com.
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
November 21, 2025 at 2:56 PM
We spent a year investigating billionaires for @washingtonpost.com.
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
For 48 years, physicists largely ignored a theory of gravity that was riddled with ghosts, nonsensical-seeming particles that have a negative probability of arising. Recent work by John Donoghue and Gabriel Menezes has helped reinvigorate the theory. www.quantamagazine.org/old-ghost-th...
November 21, 2025 at 4:46 PM
For 48 years, physicists largely ignored a theory of gravity that was riddled with ghosts, nonsensical-seeming particles that have a negative probability of arising. Recent work by John Donoghue and Gabriel Menezes has helped reinvigorate the theory. www.quantamagazine.org/old-ghost-th...
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
Happy "Lights All Askew" Day to all who celebrate! (Headline in the New York Times from Nov. 10, 1919, brings Einstein's theory of gravity, general relativity -- along with its alleged incomprehensibility -- to the public.) 🪐🔭🧠📰 #physics #science #histsci #lightsallaskew
November 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Happy "Lights All Askew" Day to all who celebrate! (Headline in the New York Times from Nov. 10, 1919, brings Einstein's theory of gravity, general relativity -- along with its alleged incomprehensibility -- to the public.) 🪐🔭🧠📰 #physics #science #histsci #lightsallaskew
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
How often do you find yourself wishing for a newsletter that covered fundamental physics in way that was accessible but not dumbed down? Pretty often, I am sure!
Well, here it is. My free newsletter--"The Spacetime Beat". Enjoy!
nirmalyakajuri.substack.com
⚛️🧪
Well, here it is. My free newsletter--"The Spacetime Beat". Enjoy!
nirmalyakajuri.substack.com
⚛️🧪
The Spacetime Beat | Nirmalya Kajuri | Substack
All the cool fundamental physics you have been missing out on. Click to read The Spacetime Beat, by Nirmalya Kajuri, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
nirmalyakajuri.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:21 PM
How often do you find yourself wishing for a newsletter that covered fundamental physics in way that was accessible but not dumbed down? Pretty often, I am sure!
Well, here it is. My free newsletter--"The Spacetime Beat". Enjoy!
nirmalyakajuri.substack.com
⚛️🧪
Well, here it is. My free newsletter--"The Spacetime Beat". Enjoy!
nirmalyakajuri.substack.com
⚛️🧪
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
Image of the Sun.
Taken at night.
Not looking up at sky but down through 8000 miles of rock to the other side of the Earth.
Not with light but neutrinos.
Taken at night.
Not looking up at sky but down through 8000 miles of rock to the other side of the Earth.
Not with light but neutrinos.
November 1, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Image of the Sun.
Taken at night.
Not looking up at sky but down through 8000 miles of rock to the other side of the Earth.
Not with light but neutrinos.
Taken at night.
Not looking up at sky but down through 8000 miles of rock to the other side of the Earth.
Not with light but neutrinos.
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
My @protectdemocracy.org colleague Hayden Johnson did an incredible job explaining the importance of the legal win against ICE in Chicago yesterday. Give it a watch and repost and/or give a reply I can send to him and the rest of the legal crew!
www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/is-the-aut...
www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/is-the-aut...
Is the authoritarian project faltering?
Trump is running out of options
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
November 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
My @protectdemocracy.org colleague Hayden Johnson did an incredible job explaining the importance of the legal win against ICE in Chicago yesterday. Give it a watch and repost and/or give a reply I can send to him and the rest of the legal crew!
www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/is-the-aut...
www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/is-the-aut...
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
“If it pleases the court… we REALLY want to starve children.”
The Trump administration tells the Supreme Court it can’t be compelled to fully fund SNAP because paying out the money would “irreparably harm” the government, while SNAP beneficiaries … *won’t* be irreparably harmed by going hungry? The balance of equities here is completely upside down.
November 8, 2025 at 2:16 AM
“If it pleases the court… we REALLY want to starve children.”
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
A frenzied last ditch effort to… deny food to children.
Breaking: A federal appeals court just denied a last-minute bid by the Trump admin to temporarily halt some SNAP funding during the shutdown.
November 7, 2025 at 11:55 PM
A frenzied last ditch effort to… deny food to children.
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
Everyone should be horrified by this, but not surprised by it. ICE and Border Patrol select for this when hiring. They look for people who revel in it.
Imo they have agents wear masks because they understand many of them would quickly be identified as known violent white supremacists.
Imo they have agents wear masks because they understand many of them would quickly be identified as known violent white supremacists.
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
November 7, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Everyone should be horrified by this, but not surprised by it. ICE and Border Patrol select for this when hiring. They look for people who revel in it.
Imo they have agents wear masks because they understand many of them would quickly be identified as known violent white supremacists.
Imo they have agents wear masks because they understand many of them would quickly be identified as known violent white supremacists.
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
No opinion about this specific claim, but I do think we need more humanities in our lives and hearts and minds. And more arts. More history, more literature, more painting, more moral philosophy, more poetry. More thinking about and cherishing what makes human life special.
I don’t know about you but I sincerely believe that Zohran Mamdani’s BA Major in Africana Studies enabled him to understand our current conjuncture & its demands of justice. Humanities shape minds & in his case for the better.
I know white tech bros disagree as they continue to collapse our worlds.
I know white tech bros disagree as they continue to collapse our worlds.
November 6, 2025 at 8:18 PM
No opinion about this specific claim, but I do think we need more humanities in our lives and hearts and minds. And more arts. More history, more literature, more painting, more moral philosophy, more poetry. More thinking about and cherishing what makes human life special.
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
I’m not an especially astute political observer, but my (admittedly amateurish) take away tonight is that people hate ghoulish weirdos trying to dismantle their country, eliminate healthcare, tank the economy, roll back civil rights, destroy democracy, and starve children.
November 5, 2025 at 2:32 AM
I’m not an especially astute political observer, but my (admittedly amateurish) take away tonight is that people hate ghoulish weirdos trying to dismantle their country, eliminate healthcare, tank the economy, roll back civil rights, destroy democracy, and starve children.
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
Parents, PLEASE check your kids’ Halloween candy this year. I just found atoms in this candy bar that were formed during BIG BANG NUCLEOSYNTHESIS, and many more that were the result of earlier generations of stars exploding as POWERFUL SUPERNOVA. Parents need to know about this dangerous trend!!
October 24, 2024 at 2:31 PM
Parents, PLEASE check your kids’ Halloween candy this year. I just found atoms in this candy bar that were formed during BIG BANG NUCLEOSYNTHESIS, and many more that were the result of earlier generations of stars exploding as POWERFUL SUPERNOVA. Parents need to know about this dangerous trend!!
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
Karl Jansky invented the field of radio astronomy OTD in 1932.
During a solar eclipse he saw no change in the faint radio hiss he'd been monitoring, ruling out the sun as a source. He soon attributed this "star noise" to large ionized gas clouds near the center of the Milky Way. 🧪 🔭
During a solar eclipse he saw no change in the faint radio hiss he'd been monitoring, ruling out the sun as a source. He soon attributed this "star noise" to large ionized gas clouds near the center of the Milky Way. 🧪 🔭
August 31, 2023 at 2:10 PM
Karl Jansky invented the field of radio astronomy OTD in 1932.
During a solar eclipse he saw no change in the faint radio hiss he'd been monitoring, ruling out the sun as a source. He soon attributed this "star noise" to large ionized gas clouds near the center of the Milky Way. 🧪 🔭
During a solar eclipse he saw no change in the faint radio hiss he'd been monitoring, ruling out the sun as a source. He soon attributed this "star noise" to large ionized gas clouds near the center of the Milky Way. 🧪 🔭
Reposted by Vinny Calculus
The effect it has on some people’s ability to independently reason and form an argument is really something to behold. It’s a quick decline that runs away with them like an addiction.
An attorney in a New York Supreme Court commercial case got caught using AI in his filings, and then got caught using AI again in the brief where he had to explain why he used AI, according to court documents filed earlier this month.
🔗 www.404media.co/lawyer-using...
🔗 www.404media.co/lawyer-using...
Lawyer Caught Using AI While Explaining to Court Why He Used AI
The attorney not only submitted AI-generated fake citations in a brief for his clients, but also included “multiple new AI-hallucinated citations and quotations” in the process of opposing a motion fo...
www.404media.co
October 14, 2025 at 10:56 PM
The effect it has on some people’s ability to independently reason and form an argument is really something to behold. It’s a quick decline that runs away with them like an addiction.