John Mashey
@johnmashey.bsky.social
Semi-retired computer scientist, ancient UNIXer, "Big Data"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mashey
Last 20 yrs: chasing anti-science disinfo, esp. on climate or tobacco, helping defend scientists.
Supporter of UCSF, CSLDF, NCSE, CSI, member AAAS, AGU.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mashey
Last 20 yrs: chasing anti-science disinfo, esp. on climate or tobacco, helping defend scientists.
Supporter of UCSF, CSLDF, NCSE, CSI, member AAAS, AGU.
Pinned
John Mashey
@johnmashey.bsky.social
· Oct 11
Merchants of Doubt (2014) with Naomi Oreskes, Jamy Ian Swiss, Frederick Singer Movie
YouTube video by hos Ben
www.youtube.com
1/ Given CDC evisceration, attacks on climate science, NASA... here's a short tale of worrisome prescience from 2014.
I attended an early showing in San Francisco of the fine film "Merchants of Doubt". It has book's foci of climate denial/tobacco, but adds more.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRWE...
I attended an early showing in San Francisco of the fine film "Merchants of Doubt". It has book's foci of climate denial/tobacco, but adds more.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRWE...
Reposted by John Mashey
It’s not about information, it’s about identity.
It’s not “misinformation”, it’s propaganda.
The bullshit machine is well-funded & understands the value of networked amplification.
As long as there’s no personal cost to lying or holding false belief, they will.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/c...
It’s not “misinformation”, it’s propaganda.
The bullshit machine is well-funded & understands the value of networked amplification.
As long as there’s no personal cost to lying or holding false belief, they will.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/c...
Many Fighting Climate Change Worry They Are Losing the Information War
www.nytimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:19 AM
It’s not about information, it’s about identity.
It’s not “misinformation”, it’s propaganda.
The bullshit machine is well-funded & understands the value of networked amplification.
As long as there’s no personal cost to lying or holding false belief, they will.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/c...
It’s not “misinformation”, it’s propaganda.
The bullshit machine is well-funded & understands the value of networked amplification.
As long as there’s no personal cost to lying or holding false belief, they will.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/c...
Reposted by John Mashey
There was 0 data about the pediatric vaccine at the time.
Journalists, please remind your readers that Prasad was always against the covid vaccine for kids.
Always.
Journalists, please remind your readers that Prasad was always against the covid vaccine for kids.
Always.
December 1, 2025 at 12:10 AM
There was 0 data about the pediatric vaccine at the time.
Journalists, please remind your readers that Prasad was always against the covid vaccine for kids.
Always.
Journalists, please remind your readers that Prasad was always against the covid vaccine for kids.
Always.
Reposted by John Mashey
This article didn't get the attention it deserved:
Where ideology meets private interest: the three-part composition of climate obstruction in the United States
doi.org/10.1088/2515...
via @ioppublishing.bsky.social
Where ideology meets private interest: the three-part composition of climate obstruction in the United States
doi.org/10.1088/2515...
via @ioppublishing.bsky.social
December 1, 2025 at 1:16 AM
This article didn't get the attention it deserved:
Where ideology meets private interest: the three-part composition of climate obstruction in the United States
doi.org/10.1088/2515...
via @ioppublishing.bsky.social
Where ideology meets private interest: the three-part composition of climate obstruction in the United States
doi.org/10.1088/2515...
via @ioppublishing.bsky.social
Reposted by John Mashey
My interpretation of the "unsure" folks is that many of them really aren't sure or confident in their knowledge; they are open to conspiracism though not convinced. This was an anonymous online survey so there's no interviewer they might want to impress, or hide their views from.
December 1, 2025 at 12:04 AM
My interpretation of the "unsure" folks is that many of them really aren't sure or confident in their knowledge; they are open to conspiracism though not convinced. This was an anonymous online survey so there's no interviewer they might want to impress, or hide their views from.
Reposted by John Mashey
If you’d like to hear Ben Santer talking about this “arc of history” from the IPCC’s discernible influence finding 30 years ago to the present, then his talk at CRU’s 50th anniversary is a nice intro to climate fingerprinting youtu.be/ZinW-m2GDvU?...
December 1, 2025 at 12:04 AM
If you’d like to hear Ben Santer talking about this “arc of history” from the IPCC’s discernible influence finding 30 years ago to the present, then his talk at CRU’s 50th anniversary is a nice intro to climate fingerprinting youtu.be/ZinW-m2GDvU?...
Reposted by John Mashey
To reject science findings about fossil fuels it was necessary to fold science rejection into conservative identity. Opened a Pandora's box of conspiracism next directed against covid & public health, now so much else. E.g. 23% believe in chemtrails, 34% unsure.
Source: scholars.unh.edu/carsey/560/
Source: scholars.unh.edu/carsey/560/
November 21, 2025 at 1:07 PM
To reject science findings about fossil fuels it was necessary to fold science rejection into conservative identity. Opened a Pandora's box of conspiracism next directed against covid & public health, now so much else. E.g. 23% believe in chemtrails, 34% unsure.
Source: scholars.unh.edu/carsey/560/
Source: scholars.unh.edu/carsey/560/
Reposted by John Mashey
this headline, and much of the reporting, is the result of believing that the key to good journalism is never taking a position
NEW: The F.D.A. announced in an internal memo that 10 children died "because of" the Covid shot. Other experts want to see proof.
“This is a profound revelation,” Dr. Prasad's memo said. “For the first time, the U.S. F.D.A. will acknowledge that Covid-19 vaccines have killed American children.”
“This is a profound revelation,” Dr. Prasad's memo said. “For the first time, the U.S. F.D.A. will acknowledge that Covid-19 vaccines have killed American children.”
F.D.A. Attributes 10 Children’s Deaths to Covid Vaccines
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 4:53 PM
this headline, and much of the reporting, is the result of believing that the key to good journalism is never taking a position
Reposted by John Mashey
A climate scientist reflects on 30 years fighting the ‘forces of unreason’
thebulletin.org/2025/11/a-cl...
"the claim of a “discernible human influence” on climate was a first"
"I’m profoundly grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to use my voice. To speak science to power."
thebulletin.org/2025/11/a-cl...
"the claim of a “discernible human influence” on climate was a first"
"I’m profoundly grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to use my voice. To speak science to power."
A climate scientist reflects on 30 years fighting the 'forces of unreason'
Thirty years ago, the IPCC agreed on a historic finding: “The balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate.”
thebulletin.org
November 30, 2025 at 5:58 PM
A climate scientist reflects on 30 years fighting the ‘forces of unreason’
thebulletin.org/2025/11/a-cl...
"the claim of a “discernible human influence” on climate was a first"
"I’m profoundly grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to use my voice. To speak science to power."
thebulletin.org/2025/11/a-cl...
"the claim of a “discernible human influence” on climate was a first"
"I’m profoundly grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to use my voice. To speak science to power."
Reposted by John Mashey
Many, many unpaid labour-hours will be required for the ICLR authors and organizers to sort this mess out, and the conference will be worse for it. A perfect case study on why AI productivity gains are largely a mirage.
November 30, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Many, many unpaid labour-hours will be required for the ICLR authors and organizers to sort this mess out, and the conference will be worse for it. A perfect case study on why AI productivity gains are largely a mirage.
Reposted by John Mashey
FDA's big change to how vaccines will get approved is, essentially, a way to delay and refuse approval with little justification, by @ddiamond.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/dandiamo...
FDA's big change to how vaccines will get approved
We obtained an internal email laying out the planned shift in strategy.
open.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 6:25 PM
FDA's big change to how vaccines will get approved is, essentially, a way to delay and refuse approval with little justification, by @ddiamond.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/dandiamo...
Reposted by John Mashey
Vaccines don't cause autism, by @enirenberg.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/deplatfo...
The CDC: A Requiem
Vaccines, autism, and a very simplified look at causal inference.
open.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Vaccines don't cause autism, by @enirenberg.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/deplatfo...
Reposted by John Mashey
Finally got around to reading Prasad's actual memo about the purported deaths in children from COVID-19 vaccines, and it's kind of amazing in the worst ways possible.
At one point, he says (regarding rare adverse events):
"Causality is easy to assess in a randomized trial..."
At one point, he says (regarding rare adverse events):
"Causality is easy to assess in a randomized trial..."
November 30, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Finally got around to reading Prasad's actual memo about the purported deaths in children from COVID-19 vaccines, and it's kind of amazing in the worst ways possible.
At one point, he says (regarding rare adverse events):
"Causality is easy to assess in a randomized trial..."
At one point, he says (regarding rare adverse events):
"Causality is easy to assess in a randomized trial..."
Reposted by John Mashey
We are supposed to believe that FDA paused and removed the J&J vaccine immediately after 6 cases of clotting, but they hid 10 kids dying from the mRNA vaccines until Prasad and Hoeg, who were always antivaxx, revealed the truth.
Checks out.
Checks out.
November 29, 2025 at 9:14 PM
We are supposed to believe that FDA paused and removed the J&J vaccine immediately after 6 cases of clotting, but they hid 10 kids dying from the mRNA vaccines until Prasad and Hoeg, who were always antivaxx, revealed the truth.
Checks out.
Checks out.
Reposted by John Mashey
These COVID vax death claims & policy by Vinay Prasad are unsurprising given his long problematic contrarian crusade. If only his BS cld've waited until after the holiday. If past VAERS data claims are indicators, there will be much to scrutinize abt this--& now he's making policy off it. 🛟 😷 medsky
November 29, 2025 at 9:57 PM
These COVID vax death claims & policy by Vinay Prasad are unsurprising given his long problematic contrarian crusade. If only his BS cld've waited until after the holiday. If past VAERS data claims are indicators, there will be much to scrutinize abt this--& now he's making policy off it. 🛟 😷 medsky
Reposted by John Mashey
Recall when pharma did "publication by press release" for COVID vaccines & hit business news channels as stock market opened? This is a variant of that move.
Prasad's memo
-no public
-no details of claims
-findings unpublished in a peer-reviewed sci journal
-released bf next wk’s CDC’s ACIP mtg
🛟😷
Prasad's memo
-no public
-no details of claims
-findings unpublished in a peer-reviewed sci journal
-released bf next wk’s CDC’s ACIP mtg
🛟😷
F.D.A. Seeks More Oversight of Vaccine Trials and Approvals
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Recall when pharma did "publication by press release" for COVID vaccines & hit business news channels as stock market opened? This is a variant of that move.
Prasad's memo
-no public
-no details of claims
-findings unpublished in a peer-reviewed sci journal
-released bf next wk’s CDC’s ACIP mtg
🛟😷
Prasad's memo
-no public
-no details of claims
-findings unpublished in a peer-reviewed sci journal
-released bf next wk’s CDC’s ACIP mtg
🛟😷
Reposted by John Mashey
Forensics: Science. How 3M Execs Convinced a Scientist the Forever Chemicals She Found in Human Blood Were Safe. 🧪
www.propublica.org/article/3m-forever-chemicals-pfas-pfos-inside-story
www.propublica.org/article/3m-forever-chemicals-pfas-pfos-inside-story
Toxic Gaslighting: How 3M Executives Convinced a Scientist the Forever Chemicals She Found in Human Blood Were Safe
Decades ago, Kris Hansen showed 3M that its PFAS chemicals were in people’s bodies. Her bosses halted her work. As the EPA now forces the removal of the chemicals from drinking water, she wrestles wit...
www.propublica.org
November 30, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Forensics: Science. How 3M Execs Convinced a Scientist the Forever Chemicals She Found in Human Blood Were Safe. 🧪
www.propublica.org/article/3m-forever-chemicals-pfas-pfos-inside-story
www.propublica.org/article/3m-forever-chemicals-pfas-pfos-inside-story
Reposted by John Mashey
Media need to report on this as they report on other baseless claims of the antivax movement, bc the lunatics are running the asylum at the FDA.
The institution is compromised. Make it clear who made this decision and how little work they showed *in the headline*. Don’t confuse the public further.
The institution is compromised. Make it clear who made this decision and how little work they showed *in the headline*. Don’t confuse the public further.
News media has to do better with headlines that present false and unverified public health claims.
November 30, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Media need to report on this as they report on other baseless claims of the antivax movement, bc the lunatics are running the asylum at the FDA.
The institution is compromised. Make it clear who made this decision and how little work they showed *in the headline*. Don’t confuse the public further.
The institution is compromised. Make it clear who made this decision and how little work they showed *in the headline*. Don’t confuse the public further.
Reposted by John Mashey
"Never spread the lie in the headline" should be a hard rule of 21st century journalism.
Research shows that repeating lies helps to spread them, and people read headlines more than they read stories.
Research shows that repeating lies helps to spread them, and people read headlines more than they read stories.
News media has to do better with headlines that present false and unverified public health claims.
November 30, 2025 at 1:10 AM
"Never spread the lie in the headline" should be a hard rule of 21st century journalism.
Research shows that repeating lies helps to spread them, and people read headlines more than they read stories.
Research shows that repeating lies helps to spread them, and people read headlines more than they read stories.
Reposted by John Mashey
Experts say strict new FDA protocol for vaccine approval is ‘dangerous and irresponsible’
Lead FDA vaccine regulator announced new approval process after claiming Covid vaccine had killed 10 children (without showing evidence) www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Lead FDA vaccine regulator announced new approval process after claiming Covid vaccine had killed 10 children (without showing evidence) www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Experts say strict new FDA protocol for vaccine approval is ‘dangerous and irresponsible’
Lead FDA vaccine regulator announced new approval process after claiming Covid vaccine had killed 10 children
www.theguardian.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Experts say strict new FDA protocol for vaccine approval is ‘dangerous and irresponsible’
Lead FDA vaccine regulator announced new approval process after claiming Covid vaccine had killed 10 children (without showing evidence) www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Lead FDA vaccine regulator announced new approval process after claiming Covid vaccine had killed 10 children (without showing evidence) www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by John Mashey
A🧵
This is profoundly irresponsible by AGSulzberger’s NYT, @by-cjewett.bsky.social +eds.
The normalization, “view-from-nowhere”, “born-yesterday”, stenography, “both-sides”, irresponsible headline are disgraceful.
THE story is the CDC&FDA are being destroyed by antiscience & Americans will die.
1/n
This is profoundly irresponsible by AGSulzberger’s NYT, @by-cjewett.bsky.social +eds.
The normalization, “view-from-nowhere”, “born-yesterday”, stenography, “both-sides”, irresponsible headline are disgraceful.
THE story is the CDC&FDA are being destroyed by antiscience & Americans will die.
1/n
November 29, 2025 at 5:40 PM
A🧵
This is profoundly irresponsible by AGSulzberger’s NYT, @by-cjewett.bsky.social +eds.
The normalization, “view-from-nowhere”, “born-yesterday”, stenography, “both-sides”, irresponsible headline are disgraceful.
THE story is the CDC&FDA are being destroyed by antiscience & Americans will die.
1/n
This is profoundly irresponsible by AGSulzberger’s NYT, @by-cjewett.bsky.social +eds.
The normalization, “view-from-nowhere”, “born-yesterday”, stenography, “both-sides”, irresponsible headline are disgraceful.
THE story is the CDC&FDA are being destroyed by antiscience & Americans will die.
1/n
Reposted by John Mashey
Canada, abortion rights are under attack. The forced birthers are using the same strategies that worked in the U.S. open.substack.com/pub/vajenda/...
Abortion Rights in Canada are Under Attack
Forced-birth groups are testing their strategy
open.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Canada, abortion rights are under attack. The forced birthers are using the same strategies that worked in the U.S. open.substack.com/pub/vajenda/...
Reposted by John Mashey
Demolishing the East Wing of the White House before finalizing plans for what will be built above its ruins is a near-perfect metaphor for Trump's approach to economic policy. The only difference is the wrecking crew doesn’t claim the rubble is evidence of unprecedented growth.
November 29, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Demolishing the East Wing of the White House before finalizing plans for what will be built above its ruins is a near-perfect metaphor for Trump's approach to economic policy. The only difference is the wrecking crew doesn’t claim the rubble is evidence of unprecedented growth.
Reposted by John Mashey
Former US military lawyers speak out:
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
November 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Former US military lawyers speak out:
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
Reposted by John Mashey
And i guess this is why Hoeg and Prasad didn’t publish their 10 cases in a medical journal- no one at the FDA would out their name on it.
Here’s how FDA staffers, the ones we can trust, reacted to Hoeg and Prasad data 2 weeks ago.
Per @lizzylawrence.bsky.social
Per @lizzylawrence.bsky.social
November 29, 2025 at 8:27 PM
And i guess this is why Hoeg and Prasad didn’t publish their 10 cases in a medical journal- no one at the FDA would out their name on it.
Reposted by John Mashey
Let's conduct an uncontrolled global experiment to counteract our other bigger uncontrolled global experiment! What could go wrong? These people need to be stopped.
"Stardust solutions" is a huge Israeli-US company (with massive investment from techno-fascist silicon valley funds) that seems to be frantically racing to deploy geoengineering for profit
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
November 29, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Let's conduct an uncontrolled global experiment to counteract our other bigger uncontrolled global experiment! What could go wrong? These people need to be stopped.