Alan Boyle
@b0yle.bsky.social
Science editor / GeekWire / Universe Today / Cosmic Log / Fiction Science podcast / The Case for Pluto
Reposted by Alan Boyle
What a great headline
November 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
What a great headline
Reposted by Alan Boyle
Pope Leo XIV condemned the use of religion for justifying "war," "violence" or "fanaticism" – instead urging Catholics to mobilize their faith and unify others "regardless of ethnicity, nationality, religion or personal perspectives."
https://cnn.it/4oGo7Cp
https://cnn.it/4oGo7Cp
November 28, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Pope Leo XIV condemned the use of religion for justifying "war," "violence" or "fanaticism" – instead urging Catholics to mobilize their faith and unify others "regardless of ethnicity, nationality, religion or personal perspectives."
https://cnn.it/4oGo7Cp
https://cnn.it/4oGo7Cp
Reposted by Alan Boyle
Abraham Lincoln, 1855.
www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/spee...
www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/spee...
![I am not a Know-Nothing. That is certain. How could I be? How can any one who abhors the oppression of negroes, be in favor or degrading classes of white people? Our progress in degeneracy appears to me to be pretty rapid. As a nation, we began by declaring that "all men are created equal." We now practically read it "all men are created equal, except negroes" When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read "all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics." When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretence of loving liberty -- to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocracy [sic].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:egd33s7iuqsmwlwab6mbtrqi/bafkreiaaicjid4jg3oongeah73ukqvwsqv4vwbp75q4f755nldtcfermhi@jpeg)
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Abraham Lincoln, 1855.
www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/spee...
www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/spee...
Reposted by Alan Boyle
In other words if you don't use your brainpower you lose it
Which is like muscles really
Which is like muscles really
When people learn with ChatGPT instead of following their own searches, they end up knowing less, caring less, and producing worse advice, even when the facts are the same.
Friction is an essential ingredient for learning! Convenience makes us shallow.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Friction is an essential ingredient for learning! Convenience makes us shallow.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Experimental evidence of the effects of large language models versus web search on depth of learning
Abstract. The effects of using large language models (LLMs) versus traditional web search on depth of learning are explored. A theory is proposed that when
academic.oup.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:11 PM
In other words if you don't use your brainpower you lose it
Which is like muscles really
Which is like muscles really
Reposted by Alan Boyle
Hate to be posting this on a holiday, but there's been renewed interest in the CIA-backed Zero Units in Afghanistan. Here's a good summary of @propublica.org's 2022 reporting on the units and just some of the civilian casualties they were responsible for:
What We Know About U.S.-Backed Zero Units in Afghanistan
Deadly night raids. Faulty U.S. intelligence. A “classified” war loophole. Reporter Lynzy Billing’s investigation offers an unprecedented insight into the civilian casualties of Afghanistan’s Zero Uni...
www.propublica.org
November 28, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Hate to be posting this on a holiday, but there's been renewed interest in the CIA-backed Zero Units in Afghanistan. Here's a good summary of @propublica.org's 2022 reporting on the units and just some of the civilian casualties they were responsible for:
Reposted by Alan Boyle
I don't see how Tesla's Model 3 can survive if Benz can offer an alternative EV this cheap, with this kind of performance, on top of the 15% tariff that it's charged in the US.
Imagine what this model does to Tesla in Europe, where Benz pays no tariffs.
Imagine what this model does to Tesla in Europe, where Benz pays no tariffs.
November 26, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I don't see how Tesla's Model 3 can survive if Benz can offer an alternative EV this cheap, with this kind of performance, on top of the 15% tariff that it's charged in the US.
Imagine what this model does to Tesla in Europe, where Benz pays no tariffs.
Imagine what this model does to Tesla in Europe, where Benz pays no tariffs.
Reposted by Alan Boyle
i can not be the only person wondering about the five percent gap between bigfoot and the yeti
i mean is this where u draw the line
i mean is this where u draw the line
New polling on aliens
% of U.S. adult citizens who believe the following definitely or probably exist:
Aliens 56%
Bigfoot 28%
The Yeti 23%
The Loch Ness Monster 22%
Chupacabra 16%
today.yougov.com/health/artic...
% of U.S. adult citizens who believe the following definitely or probably exist:
Aliens 56%
Bigfoot 28%
The Yeti 23%
The Loch Ness Monster 22%
Chupacabra 16%
today.yougov.com/health/artic...
November 25, 2025 at 11:37 PM
i can not be the only person wondering about the five percent gap between bigfoot and the yeti
i mean is this where u draw the line
i mean is this where u draw the line
Reposted by Alan Boyle
This is the scandal. Trump isn’t targeting dangerous people. He’s targeting peaceful immigrants. Almost exclusively.
November 26, 2025 at 2:10 PM
This is the scandal. Trump isn’t targeting dangerous people. He’s targeting peaceful immigrants. Almost exclusively.
Reposted by Alan Boyle
"Exposure to the SNAP work requirement increased the probability of returning to prison within three years by 0.22 percentage points for non-drug offenders and 0.47 percentage points for drug offenders"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
The Effects of SNAP Work Requirement on Recidivism
Objective This paper examines the impact of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirement on recidivism among ex-offenders. Methods Using offender-level data from the Natio...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:26 PM
"Exposure to the SNAP work requirement increased the probability of returning to prison within three years by 0.22 percentage points for non-drug offenders and 0.47 percentage points for drug offenders"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
I’ve often thought someone should write a book about comeuppance. Maybe I’ll have to read it in translation from Portuguese…
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 3:21 PM
I’ve often thought someone should write a book about comeuppance. Maybe I’ll have to read it in translation from Portuguese…
Reposted by Alan Boyle
November 24, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Reposted by Alan Boyle
Fantastic work by Ariel Graykowski and our @setiinstitute.bsky.social citizen scientists.
Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) is breaking apart — and some of you caught it live. After passing 0.3 AU from the Sun, it erupted, and three days later a third appeared.
K1 is now officially in pieces.
Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) is breaking apart — and some of you caught it live. After passing 0.3 AU from the Sun, it erupted, and three days later a third appeared.
K1 is now officially in pieces.
November 25, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Fantastic work by Ariel Graykowski and our @setiinstitute.bsky.social citizen scientists.
Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) is breaking apart — and some of you caught it live. After passing 0.3 AU from the Sun, it erupted, and three days later a third appeared.
K1 is now officially in pieces.
Comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) is breaking apart — and some of you caught it live. After passing 0.3 AU from the Sun, it erupted, and three days later a third appeared.
K1 is now officially in pieces.
In a move that will heighten competition with SpaceX's Starlink network, the Amazon satellite internet project formerly known as Kuiper is shipping hardware to select customers for testing. www.geekwire.com/2025/amazon-...
Amazon Leo starts to roll out its fastest satellite internet service — and reveals just how fast it’ll be
Amazon Leo — the satellite internet service provider once known as Project Kuiper — has started shipping terminals to customers for testing.
www.geekwire.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:11 PM
In a move that will heighten competition with SpaceX's Starlink network, the Amazon satellite internet project formerly known as Kuiper is shipping hardware to select customers for testing. www.geekwire.com/2025/amazon-...
Not just New Yorkers…
New Yorkers are tired of being asked to believe in a system that has delivered little for them. They want a politics that can see the scale of the crisis, and actually start to tackle it.
November 23, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Not just New Yorkers…
Reposted by Alan Boyle
Read my scoop overnight from Kyiv, where US army secretary Dan Driscoll’s brief meeting (he was running late after calls with Vance) with European ambassadors at the US ambassador’s residence in Podil left one feeling “nauseated” and others “shocked.” W/ @henryjfoy.ft.com
on.ft.com/43GWpxI
on.ft.com/43GWpxI
Trump envoys issue ultimatum to Ukraine to sign peace deal by Thursday
Hardline message over US-Russia plan at volatile meeting in Kyiv sparks alarm among European allies
on.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Read my scoop overnight from Kyiv, where US army secretary Dan Driscoll’s brief meeting (he was running late after calls with Vance) with European ambassadors at the US ambassador’s residence in Podil left one feeling “nauseated” and others “shocked.” W/ @henryjfoy.ft.com
on.ft.com/43GWpxI
on.ft.com/43GWpxI
Reposted by Alan Boyle
The confusion around the Ukraine-Russia peace plan illustrates how broken this government is. Rogue actors represent the U.S. govt. abroad. Anyone communicates with anyone. Even our allies were shocked with what’s going on. It’s a kakistrocracy 🤦♂️
apnews.com/article/ukra...
apnews.com/article/ukra...
US senators say Rubio told them Trump’s Ukraine peace plan is Russia's 'wish list'
U.S. senators critical of President Donald Trump’s approach to ending the Russia-Ukraine war say they spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio who told them that the peace plan Trump is pushing Kyiv ...
apnews.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The confusion around the Ukraine-Russia peace plan illustrates how broken this government is. Rogue actors represent the U.S. govt. abroad. Anyone communicates with anyone. Even our allies were shocked with what’s going on. It’s a kakistrocracy 🤦♂️
apnews.com/article/ukra...
apnews.com/article/ukra...
Reposted by Alan Boyle
Take note. Turns out it can be good for government to do things that make people's lives better.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c...
Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air.
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Take note. Turns out it can be good for government to do things that make people's lives better.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c...
Reposted by Alan Boyle
you'd think the forced displacement of 10 million people from one of the oldest centres of civilisation in human history would get a little more news attention than beltway journalists writing essays on how Olivia Nuzzi is a genius because they want to bone her and you'd be wrong
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Iran president says capital move now a necessity as water crisis deepens
Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has mad...
www.iranintl.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:59 PM
you'd think the forced displacement of 10 million people from one of the oldest centres of civilisation in human history would get a little more news attention than beltway journalists writing essays on how Olivia Nuzzi is a genius because they want to bone her and you'd be wrong
Reposted by Alan Boyle
Lord knows I can't change
Lord, help me, I can't change
Lord, I can't change
Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah
Lord, help me, I can't change
Lord, I can't change
Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah
November 23, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Lord knows I can't change
Lord, help me, I can't change
Lord, I can't change
Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah
Lord, help me, I can't change
Lord, I can't change
Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah
Reposted by Alan Boyle
WTF newrepublic.com/post/203517/... This is like a Maddow fever dream circa 2018
Trump’s Ukraine Peace Deal Appears to Be Translated From Russian
Certain phrases in Trump’s proposed deal seem to be using Russian language.
newrepublic.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:50 AM
WTF newrepublic.com/post/203517/... This is like a Maddow fever dream circa 2018
Reposted by Alan Boyle
U.S. lawmakers attempted Saturday to reverse days of confusion around a leaked peace plan for Ukraine, saying Marco Rubio assured them the document does not represent the Trump administration’s position.
Lawmakers say Rubio distanced US from peace plan - NewsBreak
Members of Congress attending an international security forum said Secretary of State Marco Rubio called them to say the Americans did not instigate the pr
www.newsbreak.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:26 AM
U.S. lawmakers attempted Saturday to reverse days of confusion around a leaked peace plan for Ukraine, saying Marco Rubio assured them the document does not represent the Trump administration’s position.
Reposted by Alan Boyle
A drone shot over the bow? 🤔
Netherlands opens fire on suspicious drones near air base housing US nuclear weapons:
Netherlands opens fire on suspicious drones near air base housing US nuclear weapons:
Netherlands opens fire on suspicious drones near air base housing US nuclear weapons
The drones were spotted above the Volkel Air Base overnight, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said on Nov. 22. The drones flew away after weapons were deployed and an investigation is underway.
kyivindependent.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:25 AM
A drone shot over the bow? 🤔
Netherlands opens fire on suspicious drones near air base housing US nuclear weapons:
Netherlands opens fire on suspicious drones near air base housing US nuclear weapons:
Reposted by Alan Boyle
Fossil fuel companies have been doing this for years. grist.org/internationa...
November 22, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Fossil fuel companies have been doing this for years. grist.org/internationa...
Reposted by Alan Boyle
In a stunning development, Pope Leo XIV reveals that he uses a different starting word for Wordle every day.
November 21, 2025 at 8:27 PM
In a stunning development, Pope Leo XIV reveals that he uses a different starting word for Wordle every day.
Reposted by Alan Boyle
Oh wait! Figured out how to get rid of the garbage Gemini button in Chrome:
- Right-click
- Unpin
Gone!
- Right-click
- Unpin
Gone!
November 22, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Oh wait! Figured out how to get rid of the garbage Gemini button in Chrome:
- Right-click
- Unpin
Gone!
- Right-click
- Unpin
Gone!