Brian Clegg
@brianclegg.bsky.social
Science author and communicator - editor of the www.popularscience.co.uk review site.
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Brian Clegg
@brianclegg.bsky.social
· Nov 18
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As I'm newish here, I write science books (my latest is Brainjacking www.brianclegg.net/brainjacking... on the science of informing, influencing and manipulating through story) and all my online writing is available as a free weekly email - sign up here: authory.com/BrianClegg/s...
Interesting comparison of my X and Bluesky timelines. X leads on the budget. Bluesky on a traffic jam in Oslo...
November 26, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Interesting comparison of my X and Bluesky timelines. X leads on the budget. Bluesky on a traffic jam in Oslo...
In a fascinating interview, astronomy professor Jon Willis tells us about questions where the answer is 'I don't know', why a single data point can be helpful, and a discovery that has blown his mind: popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/jon-... #interviews #astronomy #astrobiology
November 26, 2025 at 9:58 AM
In a fascinating interview, astronomy professor Jon Willis tells us about questions where the answer is 'I don't know', why a single data point can be helpful, and a discovery that has blown his mind: popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/jon-... #interviews #astronomy #astrobiology
Review: Reality+ - David Chalmers *** - Embarrassingly I forgot I reviewed this book in 2022, but there I focused on its VR coverage - here I dive into the hypothesis that we live in a computer simulation. popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/real... #bookreview #popularscience #philosophy
Reality+ - David Chalmers ***
Embarrassingly, I read and reviewed this book back when it came out in 2022, but forgot I had when I wanted to read more about the simulatio...
popsciencebooks.blogspot.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Review: Reality+ - David Chalmers *** - Embarrassingly I forgot I reviewed this book in 2022, but there I focused on its VR coverage - here I dive into the hypothesis that we live in a computer simulation. popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/real... #bookreview #popularscience #philosophy
Review (horror/fantasy) - The Small Assassin: Ray Bradbury **** - In this OOP mix of fantasy and straight horror shorts, mostly from his first published book and of 1940s vintage, Bradbury displayed his trademark lyrical writing brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-... #bookreview #classichorror
The Small Assassin - Ray Bradbury ****
It's a shame that the literati picked up on Fahrenheit 451 , arguably one of Bradbury's less effective books to enthuse over, as it has got ...
brianclegg.blogspot.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Review (horror/fantasy) - The Small Assassin: Ray Bradbury **** - In this OOP mix of fantasy and straight horror shorts, mostly from his first published book and of 1940s vintage, Bradbury displayed his trademark lyrical writing brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-... #bookreview #classichorror
Review (murder mystery): Murder on Oxford Lane: Tony Bassett ** - an effective village-set plot but a combination of poor writing and the most incompetent police ever makes it less than ideal: brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/murd... #bookreview #policeprocedural #murdermystery
Murder on Oxford Lane: Tony Bassett **
This Midlands-set novel takes young police sergeant Sunita Roy and her colleagues into a satisfyingly complex mystery where a search for a m...
brianclegg.blogspot.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Review (murder mystery): Murder on Oxford Lane: Tony Bassett ** - an effective village-set plot but a combination of poor writing and the most incompetent police ever makes it less than ideal: brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/murd... #bookreview #policeprocedural #murdermystery
Distinctly unnerved by the louche reclining posture of this teddy, which was previously sitting upright. Biggest concern: that the Andrew, formerly known as Prince, has taken employment as the teddy snatcher and is toying with us prior to removal.
November 21, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Distinctly unnerved by the louche reclining posture of this teddy, which was previously sitting upright. Biggest concern: that the Andrew, formerly known as Prince, has taken employment as the teddy snatcher and is toying with us prior to removal.
Review (SF) Sleeper Beach: Nick Harkaway ****- Follow up to the brilliant Titanium Noir sees enhanced detective Cal take on a complex crime on a weird beach. Less gumshoe noir than the original and not as crafted but still good popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/slee... #bookreview #sciencefiction
Sleeper Beach (SF) - Nick Harkaway ****
After the success of Titanium Noir , it was almost inevitable that Nick Harkaway would give us another novel featuring his future noir detec...
popsciencebooks.blogspot.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Review (SF) Sleeper Beach: Nick Harkaway ****- Follow up to the brilliant Titanium Noir sees enhanced detective Cal take on a complex crime on a weird beach. Less gumshoe noir than the original and not as crafted but still good popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/slee... #bookreview #sciencefiction
Review (murder mystery): Dark Crimes: Michael Hambling *** - Reasonable police procedural where, for once, the detective doesn't have a terrible home life. Only problem is procedural aspect is probably too accurate, so a bit dull brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/dark... #bookreview #murdermystery
Dark Crimes - Michael Hambling ***
This 2016 novel is the first in a series featuring Chief Inspector Sophie Allen (Michael Hambling has gone on to write 13 more), a detective...
brianclegg.blogspot.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Review (murder mystery): Dark Crimes: Michael Hambling *** - Reasonable police procedural where, for once, the detective doesn't have a terrible home life. Only problem is procedural aspect is probably too accurate, so a bit dull brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/dark... #bookreview #murdermystery
Reposted by Brian Clegg
there was a time when a crappy study like this would not have got into a peer-reviewed journal. Now any old woo can be promoted as having evidence from a peer reviewed study
I wrote a blog post about the massive new article on "Neural and molecular changes during a mind-body reconceptualization, meditation, and open label placebo healing intervention." It was a bloodbath neurocritic.blogspot.com/2025/11/crea...
#neuroscience #neuroskyence #psychology #meditation
#neuroscience #neuroskyence #psychology #meditation
November 17, 2025 at 7:38 AM
there was a time when a crappy study like this would not have got into a peer-reviewed journal. Now any old woo can be promoted as having evidence from a peer reviewed study
Reposted by Brian Clegg
“We often assume that dog diversity emerged since the Victorian period. But no — what we found is that from the beginning, there is a huge diversity, much more than what we expected.” www.nature.com/articles/d41...
How ancient humans bred and traded the first domestic dogs
Analyses of fossils and ancient genomics reveal how early human populations bred less wolf-like companions, and might have traded them around the world.
www.nature.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:55 AM
“We often assume that dog diversity emerged since the Victorian period. But no — what we found is that from the beginning, there is a huge diversity, much more than what we expected.” www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Review (historical fiction): The Bruegel Boy: Emma Darwin ***** - A remarkable dip into sixteenth century religious fervour in the Low Countries combined with Bruegel's studio in this engaging novel: brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-... #bookreview #literaryfiction #historicalfiction
The Bruegel Boy - Emma Darwin *****
To really appreciate this novel, it helps to have an interest in the Reformation in Europe and in the art of Pieter Bruegel the elder, as it...
brianclegg.blogspot.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Review (historical fiction): The Bruegel Boy: Emma Darwin ***** - A remarkable dip into sixteenth century religious fervour in the Low Countries combined with Bruegel's studio in this engaging novel: brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-... #bookreview #literaryfiction #historicalfiction
Really interesting and thoughtful piece on the nature of broadcast journalism and why what has happened at the BBC is far more than just a couple errors of judgement: quillette.com/2025/11/14/a...
A Journalism of Deception
A former BBC journalist explains how the corporation discarded impartial journalism and why we need a news revolution.
quillette.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Really interesting and thoughtful piece on the nature of broadcast journalism and why what has happened at the BBC is far more than just a couple errors of judgement: quillette.com/2025/11/14/a...
Fancy a challenge this weekend? Try out my free fiendish 4 part Conundrum challenge. As a little taster you need to solve this: 'Village where a warlock started for Bethlehem. Down the pub: where a lost plough is replaced by a nautical vessel.' brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/crac...
Cracking Christmas Challenge
To celebrate Conundrum , my book of codes, ciphers and challenges, being given a shiny new cover I have published a new Cracking Christmas ...
brianclegg.blogspot.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Fancy a challenge this weekend? Try out my free fiendish 4 part Conundrum challenge. As a little taster you need to solve this: 'Village where a warlock started for Bethlehem. Down the pub: where a lost plough is replaced by a nautical vessel.' brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/crac...
How does AI affect authors? In part by bombarding us with AI-generated emails claiming to be from readers' groups. Spam is evolving: brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/how-... #spam #artificialintelligence
How does AI affect your job? By being irritating
As an author, I'm often asked if I now make use of AI in my work. Simple answer: no, except as a way of doing preliminary research that I wi...
brianclegg.blogspot.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:40 PM
How does AI affect authors? In part by bombarding us with AI-generated emails claiming to be from readers' groups. Spam is evolving: brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/how-... #spam #artificialintelligence
Strangely disappointed Reeves has dropped the 2p tax rise. Partly because .she's weakly giving in as she did on benefit cuts, but also because there is going to be a mess of new taxes mostly likely hitting self-employed like me who the govt don't seem to think are working people.
November 14, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Strangely disappointed Reeves has dropped the 2p tax rise. Partly because .she's weakly giving in as she did on benefit cuts, but also because there is going to be a mess of new taxes mostly likely hitting self-employed like me who the govt don't seem to think are working people.
This Facebook ad is possibly the most unnerving thing I’ve seen online (though I have led a sheltered life)
November 13, 2025 at 8:46 PM
This Facebook ad is possibly the most unnerving thing I’ve seen online (though I have led a sheltered life)
Review: The Infinite Alphabet - Cesar Hidalgo **** - Like a 1980s business book, this exploration of how an understanding of knowledge can make or break businesses and governments intrigues but lacks practical direction. popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-... #economics #knowledge
The Infinite Alphabet - Cesar Hidalgo ****
Although taking a very new approach, this book by a physicist working in economics made me nostalgic for the business books of the 1980s. Mo...
popsciencebooks.blogspot.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Review: The Infinite Alphabet - Cesar Hidalgo **** - Like a 1980s business book, this exploration of how an understanding of knowledge can make or break businesses and governments intrigues but lacks practical direction. popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-... #economics #knowledge
Senior Curator at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich Louise Devoy tells us about the many ways the observatory has contributed to science, the First Light project and the power of 100+year-old glass plates. popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/loui... #astronomy #historyofscience
Louise Devoy - Five Way Interview
Dr Louise Devoy is Senior Curator at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, UK. Louise has a background in astrophysics and the history of scienc...
popsciencebooks.blogspot.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Senior Curator at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich Louise Devoy tells us about the many ways the observatory has contributed to science, the First Light project and the power of 100+year-old glass plates. popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/loui... #astronomy #historyofscience
I look back 10 years to uncover some advice on checking a great source for lessons on how to write well: it is, of course, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/five... #stories #fictiontips #masterpiece
November 11, 2025 at 9:41 AM
I look back 10 years to uncover some advice on checking a great source for lessons on how to write well: it is, of course, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/five... #stories #fictiontips #masterpiece
Review: Ghosted: Alice Vernon **** - An entertaining read on the nature of ghost hunting, a topic that teeters on the border between science and self-deception. Would benefit from a more scientific approach, but still engaging. popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/ghos... #bookreview #ghosthunting
Ghosted - Alice Vernon ****
It might seem odd to review a book on ghost hunting as popular science, but the book's blurb says it is 'A social, historical and scientific...
popsciencebooks.blogspot.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Review: Ghosted: Alice Vernon **** - An entertaining read on the nature of ghost hunting, a topic that teeters on the border between science and self-deception. Would benefit from a more scientific approach, but still engaging. popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2025/11/ghos... #bookreview #ghosthunting
To celebrate the new look for my book Conundrum I've set up a free bonus challenge - a four part puzzle to test your mental muscles. Can you crack four Christmas-themed clues to establish the address, time and date of a secret meeting? brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/crac... #puzzles #ciphers
Cracking Christmas Challenge
To celebrate Conundrum , my book of codes, ciphers and challenges, being given a shiny new cover I have published a new Cracking Christmas ...
brianclegg.blogspot.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:10 AM
To celebrate the new look for my book Conundrum I've set up a free bonus challenge - a four part puzzle to test your mental muscles. Can you crack four Christmas-themed clues to establish the address, time and date of a secret meeting? brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/crac... #puzzles #ciphers
How not to do science example. I saw several fat squirrels on my morning walk (real data, but insignificant sample). Anecdotally, animals are good at predicting bad winters. So their feeding up tells me this winter in the UK will be harsh. #dataisnotthepluralofanecdote
November 9, 2025 at 8:54 AM
How not to do science example. I saw several fat squirrels on my morning walk (real data, but insignificant sample). Anecdotally, animals are good at predicting bad winters. So their feeding up tells me this winter in the UK will be harsh. #dataisnotthepluralofanecdote
Conundrum, my book of codes, ciphers and challenges, has been given a shiny new cover ready for the Christmas season. The ultimate trial of knowledge and cunning, Conundrum features 200 cryptic puzzles and ciphers. Find out more: brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/crac... #puzzlesolving #giftbook
Crack the Conundrum
Conundrum , my book of codes, ciphers and challenges, has been given a shiny new cover ready for the Christmas season. The ultimate trial of...
brianclegg.blogspot.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Conundrum, my book of codes, ciphers and challenges, has been given a shiny new cover ready for the Christmas season. The ultimate trial of knowledge and cunning, Conundrum features 200 cryptic puzzles and ciphers. Find out more: brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/crac... #puzzlesolving #giftbook
Graphs are really useful to help visualise what's happening to changing data - but it's always important to check what's written against the axes to make sure what you see is what you get: brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/bewa... #datavisualisation #dodgygraphs
Beware dodgy axes (on graphs, not chopping wood)
Every now and then I feel the need to remind people that whenever you see a graph you should take a look at the axes (I'm thinking of the pl...
brianclegg.blogspot.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Graphs are really useful to help visualise what's happening to changing data - but it's always important to check what's written against the axes to make sure what you see is what you get: brianclegg.blogspot.com/2025/11/bewa... #datavisualisation #dodgygraphs
Headlines are dangerous things if mishandled. I am now worried about palaeontologists suffering mating injuries. Here's the real story: www.qub.ac.uk/home/News/Al...
November 5, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Headlines are dangerous things if mishandled. I am now worried about palaeontologists suffering mating injuries. Here's the real story: www.qub.ac.uk/home/News/Al...