Dan Falk
@danfalk.bsky.social
Hi! I write about #science for Smithsonian, Discover, Quanta, Nautilus, Undark, National Geographic, CBC Radio, & many other outlets. Books include The Science of Shakespeare and In Search of Time. Co-host of BookLab podcast. 🔭🪐⭐️⚛️
Pinned
Dan Falk
@danfalk.bsky.social
· Sep 25
Get ready for the total solar eclipses of Aug. 12, 2026 and Aug. 2, 2027!
YouTube video by danfalkscience
youtu.be
My latest video is an overview of the next two total solar eclipses -- the one on Aug. 12, 2026 (visible from Iceland & Spain) and Aug. 2, 2027 (visible from Spain & North Africa). Hopefully this will video help you as you make your plans. Cheers! #astronomy #solareclipse
youtu.be/99qmRY55iFE
youtu.be/99qmRY55iFE
1/2 "Airbus said Friday that an examination of the JetBlue incident revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls on the A320 family of aircraft." www.cbc.ca/news/world/a... (cont'd)
Airlines work to fix software glitch on A320 aircraft, causing short-term flight disruptions | CBC News
Airlines around the world reported short-term disruptions heading into the weekend as they fixed software on a widely used commercial aircraft, after an analysis found the computer code may have contr...
www.cbc.ca
December 1, 2025 at 2:29 AM
1/2 "Airbus said Friday that an examination of the JetBlue incident revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls on the A320 family of aircraft." www.cbc.ca/news/world/a... (cont'd)
The Ptolemies didn’t allow people to freely enter their kingdom. You had to pay a ptoll. 🙃
November 30, 2025 at 7:37 PM
The Ptolemies didn’t allow people to freely enter their kingdom. You had to pay a ptoll. 🙃
One weird thing about Threads is the sheer quantity of posts where I can't tell if someone is legit puzzled, or if they're just engagement-baiting. I see a bunch of posts along the lines of "If the moon landing was real, how come [such and such]"--and I worry that a lot of it is just for the clicks.
November 30, 2025 at 6:10 PM
One weird thing about Threads is the sheer quantity of posts where I can't tell if someone is legit puzzled, or if they're just engagement-baiting. I see a bunch of posts along the lines of "If the moon landing was real, how come [such and such]"--and I worry that a lot of it is just for the clicks.
A snippet from Tom Stoppard’s “Arcadia.” In act One, Scene One, Thomasina, a young girl, is learning about Fermat’s Last Theorem from her tutor, Septimus. But she is distracted because she recently overheard someone saying that they saw Mrs. Chater in “carnal embrace”:
November 30, 2025 at 4:53 PM
A snippet from Tom Stoppard’s “Arcadia.” In act One, Scene One, Thomasina, a young girl, is learning about Fermat’s Last Theorem from her tutor, Septimus. But she is distracted because she recently overheard someone saying that they saw Mrs. Chater in “carnal embrace”:
RIP Tom Stoppard, a true genius. Arcadia was a stunning achievement, IMHO. I haven’t yet had a chance to see Leopoldstadt; I hope I get the opportunity.
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
Tom Stoppard, playwright of dazzling wit and playful erudition, dies aged 88
A theatrical sensation since the 1960s, whose dramas included Arcadia, The Real Thing and Leopoldstadt, Stoppard also had huge success as a screenwriter
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:18 PM
RIP Tom Stoppard, a true genius. Arcadia was a stunning achievement, IMHO. I haven’t yet had a chance to see Leopoldstadt; I hope I get the opportunity.
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
Great episode of @theguardian.com ‘s Today in Focus podcast with the fabulous Cory Doctorow. If you don’t have time to listen to the whole thing, please at least listen for 55 seconds starting at 15:53. :) #tech #ai #enshittification www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
‘Enshittification’: how we got the internet no one asked for – podcast
Tech critic Cory Doctorow explains why for so many the internet – from Amazon to Google to Instagram – seems to be getting worse
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Great episode of @theguardian.com ‘s Today in Focus podcast with the fabulous Cory Doctorow. If you don’t have time to listen to the whole thing, please at least listen for 55 seconds starting at 15:53. :) #tech #ai #enshittification www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
Reposted by Dan Falk
Long walks are hands down my favourite public joy practice. They bring me a deep sense of rootedness, allow me to get out of my over-active head, facilitate unexpected connections with folks & connect me to beauty. Incredible & diverse list of long walks:
www.outsideonline.com/adventure-tr...
www.outsideonline.com/adventure-tr...
The 13 Most Magical Long Walks In the World
We’re not talking about big thru-hikes, but extended pathways through glorious landscapes in some of the most stunning places in the world
www.outsideonline.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Long walks are hands down my favourite public joy practice. They bring me a deep sense of rootedness, allow me to get out of my over-active head, facilitate unexpected connections with folks & connect me to beauty. Incredible & diverse list of long walks:
www.outsideonline.com/adventure-tr...
www.outsideonline.com/adventure-tr...
The number of zoom-shots in 1970s movies… holy moly…
November 28, 2025 at 1:40 PM
The number of zoom-shots in 1970s movies… holy moly…
Reposted by Dan Falk
A *huge* vaccine victory. I've been writing on this for years; Australia has seen remarkable progress in cervical cancer prevention with the HPV vaccine. I love seeing science triumph like this.
Australia recorded ZERO cases of cervical cancer in women under 25 for the first time since they started tracking the cancer in the 80s.
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
newsGP - Australia set for world-first cervical cancer elimination
Vaccination programs have played a key role, and GPs remain ‘instrumental’ in boosting screening rates to reach the 2035 target.
www1.racgp.org.au
November 27, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A *huge* vaccine victory. I've been writing on this for years; Australia has seen remarkable progress in cervical cancer prevention with the HPV vaccine. I love seeing science triumph like this.
Reposted by Dan Falk
🚨We're hiring! A tenure track position at McGill University in the area of #bioethics and / or philosophy of science, with a special focus on the ethics of medical technologies. Please share widely. #philsky #ethics #philsci philjobs.org/job/show/30402
Assistant Professor (Tenure Track), Department of Equity, Ethics, and Policy and Department of Philosophy, McGill University
- PhilJobs:JFP
Assistant Professor (Tenure Track), Department of Equity...
An international database of jobs for philosophers
philjobs.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:02 AM
🚨We're hiring! A tenure track position at McGill University in the area of #bioethics and / or philosophy of science, with a special focus on the ethics of medical technologies. Please share widely. #philsky #ethics #philsci philjobs.org/job/show/30402
Reposted by Dan Falk
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
November 25, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
The idea that AIs "think" has plenty of detractors -- "stochastic parrots" and all that. But what if it's not AI that's overblown, but rather our conception of what it means to think? A thorough and thoughtful analysis by James Somers in the @newyorker.com:
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202... #AI
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202... #AI
The Case That A.I. Is Thinking
ChatGPT does not have an inner life. Yet it seems to know what it’s talking about.
www.newyorker.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:54 AM
The idea that AIs "think" has plenty of detractors -- "stochastic parrots" and all that. But what if it's not AI that's overblown, but rather our conception of what it means to think? A thorough and thoughtful analysis by James Somers in the @newyorker.com:
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202... #AI
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202... #AI
That bit in the Patti Smith interview where she’s reminiscing about New York in the 70s, when you could walk up to the super (he was always sitting out front) and ask if there were any rooms, and he’d say yes, and the rent was $150, and two months in advance + a handshake sealed it. 🫠
November 24, 2025 at 10:52 PM
That bit in the Patti Smith interview where she’s reminiscing about New York in the 70s, when you could walk up to the super (he was always sitting out front) and ask if there were any rooms, and he’d say yes, and the rent was $150, and two months in advance + a handshake sealed it. 🫠
Darwin's groundbreaking On the Origin of Species appeared #OTD in 1859 -- even though Darwin's publisher, John Murray, didn't accept evolution. A while back I wrote about their turbulent relationship, for @smithsonianmag.bsky.social: www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu... #science #history #histsci
Charles Darwin's Publisher Didn't Believe in Evolution, but Sold His Revolutionary Book Anyway
The famed naturalist and conservative stalwart John Murray III formed an unlikely alliance in popularizing a radical idea
www.smithsonianmag.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Darwin's groundbreaking On the Origin of Species appeared #OTD in 1859 -- even though Darwin's publisher, John Murray, didn't accept evolution. A while back I wrote about their turbulent relationship, for @smithsonianmag.bsky.social: www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu... #science #history #histsci
On her deathbed, Elizabeth named King James of Scotland as her successor......... or did she? A fun episode of the History Extra podcast: www.historyextra.com/membership/w... @historyextra.bsky.social #history #Britain
Who stole the Tudor crown?
Tracy Borman shares explosive new research that challenges what we thought we knew about the end of Elizabeth I's reign
www.historyextra.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:36 AM
On her deathbed, Elizabeth named King James of Scotland as her successor......... or did she? A fun episode of the History Extra podcast: www.historyextra.com/membership/w... @historyextra.bsky.social #history #Britain
According to what I’m hearing on the radio, British people pronounce glacier as “glassier.” 🧊 (Perhaps indicative of a French influence [“glace”], dunno.)
November 16, 2025 at 7:29 AM
According to what I’m hearing on the radio, British people pronounce glacier as “glassier.” 🧊 (Perhaps indicative of a French influence [“glace”], dunno.)
More than a stepping stone: @sarahscoles.bsky.social reviews @jeffreykluger.bsky.social 's "Gemini" for @undark.org: #space #books
undark.org/2025/11/14/b...
undark.org/2025/11/14/b...
Book Review: Giving the Gemini Space Program Its Full Due
Jeffrey Kluger's "Gemini" argues that the program was more milestone than stepping stone in the 1960s space race.
undark.org
November 15, 2025 at 2:48 AM
More than a stepping stone: @sarahscoles.bsky.social reviews @jeffreykluger.bsky.social 's "Gemini" for @undark.org: #space #books
undark.org/2025/11/14/b...
undark.org/2025/11/14/b...
The annual Nova Scotia 🌲 —> Boston thing always gives me a warm feeling. :)
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Tariff tensions don't stop annual Christmas tree gift from Nova Scotia to Boston | CBC News
The annual Tree for Boston was felled Wednesday morning in Lunenburg County, N.S.
www.cbc.ca
November 13, 2025 at 11:51 PM
The annual Nova Scotia 🌲 —> Boston thing always gives me a warm feeling. :)
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Like everyone else on the Internet, I've been mesmerized by the images of spectacular aurora, these last couple of days. But powerful solar storms can cause real damage -- a subject I tackled recently for @smithsonianmag.bsky.social:
www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu... #science #physics
www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu... #science #physics
How Prepared Are We for a Rare and Powerful Solar Event?
A coronal mass ejection could knock out power and disrupt communication on Earth
www.smithsonianmag.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Like everyone else on the Internet, I've been mesmerized by the images of spectacular aurora, these last couple of days. But powerful solar storms can cause real damage -- a subject I tackled recently for @smithsonianmag.bsky.social:
www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu... #science #physics
www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu... #science #physics
Reposted by Dan Falk
Here is a great review from @leebillings.bsky.social on the actual science around 3I/Atlas. It seems like lots of folks won't care about this amazing object unless it turns out to be aliens - which it won't (though I'd be psyched too be wrong).
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
The Race to Study an Interstellar Comet from Deep Space
Astronomers are hustling to use interplanetary spacecraft to study the interstellar comet dubbed 3I/ATLAS while the sun is hiding it from Earth
www.scientificamerican.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Here is a great review from @leebillings.bsky.social on the actual science around 3I/Atlas. It seems like lots of folks won't care about this amazing object unless it turns out to be aliens - which it won't (though I'd be psyched too be wrong).
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
Reposted by Dan Falk
A little over three weeks to go to apply for MCPS' next two-year postdoctoral fellowship! Philosophy of science broadly construed. Open to applicants within five years of receiving their doctorate.
#philsci
#philsci
Postdoctoral Fellowship open for applications
The MCPS Postdoctoral Fellow is expected to undertake research on a proposed project and participate in the life of the MCPS by attending and contributing each academic term to at least one MCPS…
buff.ly
November 11, 2025 at 2:45 PM
A little over three weeks to go to apply for MCPS' next two-year postdoctoral fellowship! Philosophy of science broadly construed. Open to applicants within five years of receiving their doctorate.
#philsci
#philsci
I've been pondering the relationship between Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" and Bobby Sands' "Back Home in Derry" -- which appears to be sparking some confusion... #music
November 11, 2025 at 12:45 AM
I've been pondering the relationship between Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" and Bobby Sands' "Back Home in Derry" -- which appears to be sparking some confusion... #music
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
“...with 'Contact,' the ever-contradictory Carl Sagan—avowed nonbeliever—offered one of the most religious science-fiction tales ever written.” Carl Sagan was born #OTD in 1934. Recently, I wrote about the lasting legacy of his most beloved work for @nautil.us: nautil.us/a-surprising... #science
A Surprising Side of Carl Sagan
In Contact, the great science advocate posed a religious question about the cosmos.
nautil.us
November 9, 2025 at 6:12 PM
“...with 'Contact,' the ever-contradictory Carl Sagan—avowed nonbeliever—offered one of the most religious science-fiction tales ever written.” Carl Sagan was born #OTD in 1934. Recently, I wrote about the lasting legacy of his most beloved work for @nautil.us: nautil.us/a-surprising... #science
1/2 English astronomer, mathematician and physicist Edmond Halley was born #OTD in 1656. Pix of his house in Oxford, and the plaque in Westminster Abbey are by me from 2023. (cont'd)
November 9, 2025 at 2:00 AM
1/2 English astronomer, mathematician and physicist Edmond Halley was born #OTD in 1656. Pix of his house in Oxford, and the plaque in Westminster Abbey are by me from 2023. (cont'd)