Alex Wild
@alexwild.bsky.social
Pinned
Alex Wild
@alexwild.bsky.social
· Jul 9
The thing about entomology is, there are always weirder bugs than anything you could imagine on your own.
Here's Cysteodemus wislizeni, a blister beetle from west Texas.
Here's Cysteodemus wislizeni, a blister beetle from west Texas.
Do they want more Luigis? Because this is how we get more Luigis.
Starting Jan. 1, traditional Medicare recipients in Washington state will face a new hurdle to get certain procedures covered — private AI companies that get paid based on how many claims they deny. (via @kuow.org)
Thousands of Washington state Medicare users could soon have claims denied by AI
Starting Jan. 1, traditional Medicare recipients in Washington state will face a new hurdle to get certain procedures covered — private AI companies that get paid based on how many claims they deny.
n.pr
December 2, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Do they want more Luigis? Because this is how we get more Luigis.
Reposted by Alex Wild
We are not at war with Venezuela, yet. The boats are civilian craft. The U.S. criminal code does not maintain a death penalty for drug smuggling. Due process is required before conviction or sentence.
All of the 80 people killed thus far are wanton murders slain under illegal orders. All of them.
All of the 80 people killed thus far are wanton murders slain under illegal orders. All of them.
December 2, 2025 at 1:47 PM
We are not at war with Venezuela, yet. The boats are civilian craft. The U.S. criminal code does not maintain a death penalty for drug smuggling. Due process is required before conviction or sentence.
All of the 80 people killed thus far are wanton murders slain under illegal orders. All of them.
All of the 80 people killed thus far are wanton murders slain under illegal orders. All of them.
My defense of Waymo- yes! The same Waymo I have seen drive into an oncoming lane- is Have You Seen Human Drivers?
December 2, 2025 at 1:56 PM
My defense of Waymo- yes! The same Waymo I have seen drive into an oncoming lane- is Have You Seen Human Drivers?
Reposted by Alex Wild
This is insane. Any material a prof thinks is necessary but isn’t for formal licensing has to get the signoff of the chair, then dean, then provost?
This is an absolutely mockery of academic freedom.
I feel like Texas Tech HAS to lose its accreditation for this, no? It’s preposterous.
This is an absolutely mockery of academic freedom.
I feel like Texas Tech HAS to lose its accreditation for this, no? It’s preposterous.
TX Tech has a flow chat for guidance on what can be taught in the university system. Two things:
1. Very little content seems to be permitted. This is partisan control of the curriculum.
2. I would not enjoy teaching under these conditions, but I really would not want to be a Chair or Dean.
1. Very little content seems to be permitted. This is partisan control of the curriculum.
2. I would not enjoy teaching under these conditions, but I really would not want to be a Chair or Dean.
December 2, 2025 at 2:30 AM
This is insane. Any material a prof thinks is necessary but isn’t for formal licensing has to get the signoff of the chair, then dean, then provost?
This is an absolutely mockery of academic freedom.
I feel like Texas Tech HAS to lose its accreditation for this, no? It’s preposterous.
This is an absolutely mockery of academic freedom.
I feel like Texas Tech HAS to lose its accreditation for this, no? It’s preposterous.
This shirt is about a different Alex Wild. But, I'd still wear it.
Alex Wild YouTube Adult Hooded Sweatshirt
Get your alexwild Alex Wild YouTube Adult Hooded Sweatshirt! Now available from Crowdmade.
crowdmade.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:29 PM
This shirt is about a different Alex Wild. But, I'd still wear it.
I’d be extremely surprised if this actually goes through. Too many wealthy people hold multiple citizenships.
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, just introduced a bill to ban Americans from holding dual citizenship. The bill says that to “preserve the integrity of national citizenship, allegiance to the United States must be undivided.” It’s called the Exclusive Citizenship Act.
December 1, 2025 at 10:20 PM
I’d be extremely surprised if this actually goes through. Too many wealthy people hold multiple citizenships.
"Cyber Monday" sounded cutting edge three decades ago, I suppose.
December 1, 2025 at 8:55 PM
"Cyber Monday" sounded cutting edge three decades ago, I suppose.
Yes, but with a caveat that allies are less vulnerable that minority targets. Laura Ingraham and Campus Reform put me on full blast for tweeting, correctly, “Republicans want ethnic cleansing.”
Three weeks of death threats later, the whole thing disappeared, and literally nothing happened.
Three weeks of death threats later, the whole thing disappeared, and literally nothing happened.
I’ll also add that once TPUSA or its ilk has you in their sights, it’s over. if they decide they want to ruin your career it won’t matter what you did to mitigate.
December 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Yes, but with a caveat that allies are less vulnerable that minority targets. Laura Ingraham and Campus Reform put me on full blast for tweeting, correctly, “Republicans want ethnic cleansing.”
Three weeks of death threats later, the whole thing disappeared, and literally nothing happened.
Three weeks of death threats later, the whole thing disappeared, and literally nothing happened.
Very pleased to have had a small part in this new paper showing that the greater chestnut weevil is not, as feared, extinct.
"Rediscovery of the greater chestnut #weevil highlights the power of digital platforms in biodiversity research and conservation" spkl.io/63326Ad07u
@Michael A. Charles & colleagues
@currentbiology.bsky.social
@Michael A. Charles & colleagues
@currentbiology.bsky.social
December 1, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Very pleased to have had a small part in this new paper showing that the greater chestnut weevil is not, as feared, extinct.
Reposted by Alex Wild
If "meiofauna" includes everybody under 1mm, you KNOW beetles are going to be at the party
Photo collage is from our recent Martínez et al. meiofauna perspective in Communications Biology! www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Fundamental questions in meiofauna research highlight how small but ubiquitous animals can improve our understanding of Nature - Communications Biology
This paper identifies the top-50 priority questions for meiofaunal research, highlighting their critical roles in biogeochemical cycles and biodiversity. It calls for a balanced research agenda, inter...
www.nature.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:57 PM
If "meiofauna" includes everybody under 1mm, you KNOW beetles are going to be at the party
Reposted by Alex Wild
The new Ze Frank video reminded me about an adaptation found in some entomopathogenic nematodes - using both their own muscle power and static electricity, they can leap into the air and home in on their host, like an anti-insect surface-to-air missile
#Invertebrate 🧪
news.emory.edu/features/202...
#Invertebrate 🧪
news.emory.edu/features/202...
Fatal attraction: Electric charge connects jumping worm to aerial prey
A tiny worm that leaps high into the air — up to 25 times its body length — to attach to flying insects uses static electricity to perform this astounding feat, Emory physicists have found.
news.emory.edu
December 1, 2025 at 3:01 AM
The new Ze Frank video reminded me about an adaptation found in some entomopathogenic nematodes - using both their own muscle power and static electricity, they can leap into the air and home in on their host, like an anti-insect surface-to-air missile
#Invertebrate 🧪
news.emory.edu/features/202...
#Invertebrate 🧪
news.emory.edu/features/202...
Reposted by Alex Wild
One point that may have been lost: I’ve never seen this ad before.
It’s only when I searched for Mexican folk music tonight that YouTube started running it.
Google’s surveillance technology has enabled the government to selectively terrorize specific groups in service of white supremacy.
It’s only when I searched for Mexican folk music tonight that YouTube started running it.
Google’s surveillance technology has enabled the government to selectively terrorize specific groups in service of white supremacy.
Listening to Mexican folk music on Youtube and they're running this horrible ad urging people to self-deport.
Fuck you Kristi Noem, and fuck you Google for taking her money.
Fuck you Kristi Noem, and fuck you Google for taking her money.
December 1, 2025 at 12:58 PM
One point that may have been lost: I’ve never seen this ad before.
It’s only when I searched for Mexican folk music tonight that YouTube started running it.
Google’s surveillance technology has enabled the government to selectively terrorize specific groups in service of white supremacy.
It’s only when I searched for Mexican folk music tonight that YouTube started running it.
Google’s surveillance technology has enabled the government to selectively terrorize specific groups in service of white supremacy.
I named my fists Borror and Delong because they’re actually tarsi.
i named my fists Rodgers and Hammerstein cuz theyre always in my own little corner
I named my fists Gilbert and Sullivan because they are slaves to duty
December 1, 2025 at 1:37 AM
I named my fists Borror and Delong because they’re actually tarsi.
Reposted by Alex Wild
the primary thing that TPUSA provides to young conservatives is a blueprint for weaponizing the abject cowardice of university administrators against individual teachers and instructors, and university admins should take a long look in the mirror and think about what that says about them
OU has put the professor here on administrative leave:
November 30, 2025 at 8:51 PM
the primary thing that TPUSA provides to young conservatives is a blueprint for weaponizing the abject cowardice of university administrators against individual teachers and instructors, and university admins should take a long look in the mirror and think about what that says about them
If this "religious discrimination" standard passes, all students can get As by simply writing "The Bible" as an answer for any question, on any topic. God as a cheat code.
OU has put the professor here on administrative leave:
November 30, 2025 at 9:09 PM
If this "religious discrimination" standard passes, all students can get As by simply writing "The Bible" as an answer for any question, on any topic. God as a cheat code.
Reposted by Alex Wild
I’m not sure what to make of this survey, honestly? If you’re a young person in solidarity with Gaza, or against police killings, or you’re trans or queer, would you have reason to trust the news?
A lost generation of news consumers? Survey shows how teenagers dislike the news media
You don't have to tell Cat Murphy or Lily Ogburn about the attitudes of young people toward journalists.
apnews.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:08 PM
I’m not sure what to make of this survey, honestly? If you’re a young person in solidarity with Gaza, or against police killings, or you’re trans or queer, would you have reason to trust the news?
Reposted by Alex Wild
mega-accounts dunking on small accounts, blocking, image quoting, trumpeting the merits of blocking, and rallying their fans to do the same to that account … is the social media equivalent of running a leaf blower at 6am: just use a broom, man (ie block quietly and move on).
November 30, 2025 at 1:07 PM
mega-accounts dunking on small accounts, blocking, image quoting, trumpeting the merits of blocking, and rallying their fans to do the same to that account … is the social media equivalent of running a leaf blower at 6am: just use a broom, man (ie block quietly and move on).
Mosquitoes, a photo gallery:
Mosquitoes - Alex Wild
Mosquitoes comprise a large family, Culicidae, of slender, scale-covered flies found worldwide. We think of mosquitoes as voracious blood-feeders, but the primary food of adult mosquitoes is actually ...
www.alexanderwild.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Mosquitoes, a photo gallery:
Reposted by Alex Wild
As many have been saying for a while, sure seems like the “who could AI replace” question has the opposite answer to what the bosses expect
The numbers in here are hilarious.
Do you use AI on the job?
Execs: 87%
Managers: 57%
Workers: 27%
Planned investment by 2030: $5T
"Necessary" annual revenue to justify that spend: $650B
Current annual revenue: $50B
Do you use AI on the job?
Execs: 87%
Managers: 57%
Workers: 27%
Planned investment by 2030: $5T
"Necessary" annual revenue to justify that spend: $650B
Current annual revenue: $50B
Three years into the generative-AI wave, demand for the technology seems surprisingly flimsy
November 30, 2025 at 1:16 AM
As many have been saying for a while, sure seems like the “who could AI replace” question has the opposite answer to what the bosses expect
Raiders of the Lost Ark is still tremendously fun to watch. Haven’t seen it for years.
November 30, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Raiders of the Lost Ark is still tremendously fun to watch. Haven’t seen it for years.
Reposted by Alex Wild
ah yes, grandmother leavitt's famous macaroni with none cheese, great for keeping down the urges
Karoline Leavitt's Thanksgiving spread. Please dissect.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
November 29, 2025 at 8:50 PM
ah yes, grandmother leavitt's famous macaroni with none cheese, great for keeping down the urges
Trump's pardon of a drug trafficker while attacking Venezuela for "drug trafficking" seems ideologically incoherent, but the Trump regime's actions are how an organized crime syndicate would set up its own drug importation monopoly.
Build supply lines, kill the competition. It's just mob business.
Build supply lines, kill the competition. It's just mob business.
Trump to pardon ex-Honduras leader serving US sentence after drug trafficking conviction
Juan Orlando Hernandez is serving a 45-year prison sentence in the U.S. after his conviction on drug trafficking and firearms charges.
www.reuters.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Trump's pardon of a drug trafficker while attacking Venezuela for "drug trafficking" seems ideologically incoherent, but the Trump regime's actions are how an organized crime syndicate would set up its own drug importation monopoly.
Build supply lines, kill the competition. It's just mob business.
Build supply lines, kill the competition. It's just mob business.
Reposted by Alex Wild
This is the Sunburst Candy Spider from Thailand. Not AI (sucks to have to declare this). Very real and had been on my wish list for a long time.
The taxonomic placement is unclear, so we are leaving it at Cyrtarachninae.
The taxonomic placement is unclear, so we are leaving it at Cyrtarachninae.
November 29, 2025 at 3:15 PM
This is the Sunburst Candy Spider from Thailand. Not AI (sucks to have to declare this). Very real and had been on my wish list for a long time.
The taxonomic placement is unclear, so we are leaving it at Cyrtarachninae.
The taxonomic placement is unclear, so we are leaving it at Cyrtarachninae.
Reposted by Alex Wild
Sarah Beckstrom's ex-boyfriend told NBC News she dreamed of becoming an FBI special agent.
She didn't want to deploy to D.C.
"She hated it. She cried about it."
But she started visiting monuments and museums and started enjoying it.
May she rest in peace.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
She didn't want to deploy to D.C.
"She hated it. She cried about it."
But she started visiting monuments and museums and started enjoying it.
May she rest in peace.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
National Guard member killed in D.C. shooting remembered for 'heart of gold'
The slain soldier’s former boyfriend recalled her empathy and generosity. “She doesn’t even have to know you and she’ll do anything for you,” he said.
www.nbcnews.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Sarah Beckstrom's ex-boyfriend told NBC News she dreamed of becoming an FBI special agent.
She didn't want to deploy to D.C.
"She hated it. She cried about it."
But she started visiting monuments and museums and started enjoying it.
May she rest in peace.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
She didn't want to deploy to D.C.
"She hated it. She cried about it."
But she started visiting monuments and museums and started enjoying it.
May she rest in peace.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...