Leah Berman Williams
@leahwrenn.bsky.social
Mathematician (discrete geometry), U Alaska Fairbanks prof, former FNSB assembly. In Alaska since 2009. She/her/hers. @[email protected] @leahwrenn on MeFi
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
Why do you appreciate unions?
I’ll start:
Weekends off
Paid vacations
Work breaks
Sick leave
Paid holidays
No child labor
Safer working conditions
Health care and retirement benefits
I’ll start:
Weekends off
Paid vacations
Work breaks
Sick leave
Paid holidays
No child labor
Safer working conditions
Health care and retirement benefits
November 30, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Why do you appreciate unions?
I’ll start:
Weekends off
Paid vacations
Work breaks
Sick leave
Paid holidays
No child labor
Safer working conditions
Health care and retirement benefits
I’ll start:
Weekends off
Paid vacations
Work breaks
Sick leave
Paid holidays
No child labor
Safer working conditions
Health care and retirement benefits
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
(This is one of many, many ways that US expansion was essentially geological/geographical "easy mode" compared to other North or South American countries--the spine of the Rockies-Sierra Madre-Andes doesn't usually offer a convenient, literal ramp to put a rail line on.)
June 21, 2024 at 5:11 AM
(This is one of many, many ways that US expansion was essentially geological/geographical "easy mode" compared to other North or South American countries--the spine of the Rockies-Sierra Madre-Andes doesn't usually offer a convenient, literal ramp to put a rail line on.)
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
One very weird thing about the Rocky Mountains is that since the 1950s or 1960s, we've known they had to have spent most of their geologic history buried under several kilometers worth of their own eroded material until <10 million years ago.
Neat recent paper on this here:
doi.org/10.1029/2023...
Neat recent paper on this here:
doi.org/10.1029/2023...
June 21, 2024 at 4:58 AM
One very weird thing about the Rocky Mountains is that since the 1950s or 1960s, we've known they had to have spent most of their geologic history buried under several kilometers worth of their own eroded material until <10 million years ago.
Neat recent paper on this here:
doi.org/10.1029/2023...
Neat recent paper on this here:
doi.org/10.1029/2023...
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
I really appreciate that @pbsnews.org ended the interview with this graphic.
It captures, in the simplest and starkest terms, the brutal arithmetic driving this country's homelessness catastrophe.
It captures, in the simplest and starkest terms, the brutal arithmetic driving this country's homelessness catastrophe.
November 30, 2025 at 1:33 AM
I really appreciate that @pbsnews.org ended the interview with this graphic.
It captures, in the simplest and starkest terms, the brutal arithmetic driving this country's homelessness catastrophe.
It captures, in the simplest and starkest terms, the brutal arithmetic driving this country's homelessness catastrophe.
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
ENCANTO is the most fucked up Disney movie because for the first 90 minutes it’s a whimsical tale about a magical house with no discernible setting or period or any real-world context, and then the emotional climax reveals that the magic’s origin story is refugees fleeing ethnic cleansing
November 30, 2025 at 1:59 AM
ENCANTO is the most fucked up Disney movie because for the first 90 minutes it’s a whimsical tale about a magical house with no discernible setting or period or any real-world context, and then the emotional climax reveals that the magic’s origin story is refugees fleeing ethnic cleansing
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
Every accusation is a confession.
November 28, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Every accusation is a confession.
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
Saw @1184outdoors.bsky.social report the winter thieves have been heavily looting the berry bushes in a location that's not well photographed. I had to scope it out this morning. Not much luck for up close eating shots, but it was fun to watch them buzz around from a distance. #birds
November 29, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Saw @1184outdoors.bsky.social report the winter thieves have been heavily looting the berry bushes in a location that's not well photographed. I had to scope it out this morning. Not much luck for up close eating shots, but it was fun to watch them buzz around from a distance. #birds
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
Bless the youth librarians who ask your kid like two questions, peer deep into their soul, and hand them a pile of books they will love.
(Also no I don’t know why he reads like this)
(Also no I don’t know why he reads like this)
November 29, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Bless the youth librarians who ask your kid like two questions, peer deep into their soul, and hand them a pile of books they will love.
(Also no I don’t know why he reads like this)
(Also no I don’t know why he reads like this)
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
"oh, don't forget to highlight, in bright red, the two-letter word in the tagline! the two letter word that's kind of the whole point of this clever ad campaign! the two letter word that links this show to the horror movie of the same name!"
"no problem boss. i'm on it"
"no problem boss. i'm on it"
November 29, 2025 at 8:51 PM
"oh, don't forget to highlight, in bright red, the two-letter word in the tagline! the two letter word that's kind of the whole point of this clever ad campaign! the two letter word that links this show to the horror movie of the same name!"
"no problem boss. i'm on it"
"no problem boss. i'm on it"
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
Nov 29 4pm CT: Already approaching 7 inches of snow in the northern Chicago suburbs. Excellent early season event for snow lovers after the duds of the past few years.
November 29, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Nov 29 4pm CT: Already approaching 7 inches of snow in the northern Chicago suburbs. Excellent early season event for snow lovers after the duds of the past few years.
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
While Trump demands a total shutdown on immigration for poor countries, Pope Leo XIV stands in Istanbul lifting up the “little ones” — refugees, migrants, outsiders.
One calls for exclusion, the other for radical welcome.
Here’s how Leo flipped the script on American power and greatness.
One calls for exclusion, the other for radical welcome.
Here’s how Leo flipped the script on American power and greatness.
Pope Leo Defends Migrants in Istanbul as Trump-Vance Call for Total Immigration Shutdown
The first American pope uses his first overseas trip to defend migrants — even as MAGA pushes for a total shutdown of migration back home.
www.thelettersfromleo.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:56 PM
While Trump demands a total shutdown on immigration for poor countries, Pope Leo XIV stands in Istanbul lifting up the “little ones” — refugees, migrants, outsiders.
One calls for exclusion, the other for radical welcome.
Here’s how Leo flipped the script on American power and greatness.
One calls for exclusion, the other for radical welcome.
Here’s how Leo flipped the script on American power and greatness.
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
I’ll look at it in more depth later but Northwestern’s agreement seems more campus-specific than previous deals and imposes restrictions on campus conduct beyond what others ave agreed to. Northwestern seems to have surrendered autonomy to a shocking extent. www.northwestern.edu/president/do...
www.northwestern.edu
November 29, 2025 at 12:55 AM
I’ll look at it in more depth later but Northwestern’s agreement seems more campus-specific than previous deals and imposes restrictions on campus conduct beyond what others ave agreed to. Northwestern seems to have surrendered autonomy to a shocking extent. www.northwestern.edu/president/do...
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
In the Eurostar, you are not allowed to attack anyone with a spear. I think.
November 29, 2025 at 5:01 PM
In the Eurostar, you are not allowed to attack anyone with a spear. I think.
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
A new version of Saturn by JWST Space Telescope
Full size & more info: flic.kr/p/2rHUzZs 🔭🧪
Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/AndreaLuck
Instrument: NIRCAM
Target: Saturn-Centre
Time: 2023-06-24 (not a new release)
Filter: F322W2-F323N, F212 (partially reconstructed)
PI: Leigh Fletcher ID: 1247
Full size & more info: flic.kr/p/2rHUzZs 🔭🧪
Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/AndreaLuck
Instrument: NIRCAM
Target: Saturn-Centre
Time: 2023-06-24 (not a new release)
Filter: F322W2-F323N, F212 (partially reconstructed)
PI: Leigh Fletcher ID: 1247
November 28, 2025 at 4:18 PM
A new version of Saturn by JWST Space Telescope
Full size & more info: flic.kr/p/2rHUzZs 🔭🧪
Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/AndreaLuck
Instrument: NIRCAM
Target: Saturn-Centre
Time: 2023-06-24 (not a new release)
Filter: F322W2-F323N, F212 (partially reconstructed)
PI: Leigh Fletcher ID: 1247
Full size & more info: flic.kr/p/2rHUzZs 🔭🧪
Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/AndreaLuck
Instrument: NIRCAM
Target: Saturn-Centre
Time: 2023-06-24 (not a new release)
Filter: F322W2-F323N, F212 (partially reconstructed)
PI: Leigh Fletcher ID: 1247
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
I went down a rabbit hole on this once and the first recorded complaint in this genre was Socrates, who was complaining that kids these says weren’t actually learning things because they were relying on newfangled technology (writing) instead of memorization
November 29, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I went down a rabbit hole on this once and the first recorded complaint in this genre was Socrates, who was complaining that kids these says weren’t actually learning things because they were relying on newfangled technology (writing) instead of memorization
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
I just read my tenth #COVID19 research study in the past month or so that demonstrates COVID infections cause brain changes that may accelerate Alzheimer's disease, are associated with cognitive decline, and cause fatigue, memory impairment, and sleep disorders. (1/?)
July 5, 2025 at 3:17 PM
I just read my tenth #COVID19 research study in the past month or so that demonstrates COVID infections cause brain changes that may accelerate Alzheimer's disease, are associated with cognitive decline, and cause fatigue, memory impairment, and sleep disorders. (1/?)
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
I would like to see a movie theater brag about its air filtration system, cleanest air in the business!
November 29, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I would like to see a movie theater brag about its air filtration system, cleanest air in the business!
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
Meanwhile, teaching is being undermined and devlaued at our institutions in a frankly historically dangerous way, and as an underpaid contract instructor, having to spend more time and emotional energy finding ways to get through to my students for the same low pay is not sustainable. /8
November 29, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Meanwhile, teaching is being undermined and devlaued at our institutions in a frankly historically dangerous way, and as an underpaid contract instructor, having to spend more time and emotional energy finding ways to get through to my students for the same low pay is not sustainable. /8
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
One is that teaching university students *well* requires much more work (and frankly, compassion) now than it did when I started nine years ago. 2/
November 29, 2025 at 4:20 PM
One is that teaching university students *well* requires much more work (and frankly, compassion) now than it did when I started nine years ago. 2/
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
And for soldiers who feel that they are in that situation, reach out to the Orders Project. www.ordersproject.com
The Orders Project: Legal Guidance for Military Personnel
The Orders Project helps military personnel navigate legal orders with confidence. Understand your rights and options today.
www.ordersproject.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:33 PM
And for soldiers who feel that they are in that situation, reach out to the Orders Project. www.ordersproject.com
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
As the likelihood rises that soldiers will have to decide whether to obey unlawful orders, this piece is a must-read. It walks through what that sort of decision will look like in a real situation and why such a decision will never be easy. joadt.substack.com/p/0714
0714
A Story About Illegal Orders
joadt.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:33 PM
As the likelihood rises that soldiers will have to decide whether to obey unlawful orders, this piece is a must-read. It walks through what that sort of decision will look like in a real situation and why such a decision will never be easy. joadt.substack.com/p/0714
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
Each power wire out there has a certain tune to which it responds, known as a resonant frequency. In his latest column, science writer Ned Rozell delves into the mystery of dancing power wires.
Solving the mystery of the dancing power wires
Each power wire out there has a certain tune to which it responds, known as a resonant frequency.
www.adn.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Each power wire out there has a certain tune to which it responds, known as a resonant frequency. In his latest column, science writer Ned Rozell delves into the mystery of dancing power wires.
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
Omg @sirosenbaum.bsky.social bought me a Medo portable synthesizer
I've spent the last three hours getting closer and closer to playing "Jed's Other Poem" by Grandaddy on it
I'm addicted
It's so fun
I've spent the last three hours getting closer and closer to playing "Jed's Other Poem" by Grandaddy on it
I'm addicted
It's so fun
November 28, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Omg @sirosenbaum.bsky.social bought me a Medo portable synthesizer
I've spent the last three hours getting closer and closer to playing "Jed's Other Poem" by Grandaddy on it
I'm addicted
It's so fun
I've spent the last three hours getting closer and closer to playing "Jed's Other Poem" by Grandaddy on it
I'm addicted
It's so fun
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
The title of a real article published this past week reads "Arizona State’s President Is Pulling Out All the Stops to Get on Trump’s Good Side"
I don't see a lot of college presidents concerned that they're helping to destroy the union.
www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
I don't see a lot of college presidents concerned that they're helping to destroy the union.
www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
given how unpopular Trump is, it’s insane that civil society/universities/law firms are still asking themselves “how do I stay on Trump’s good side” rather than “how do I avoid facing consequences for complying with Trump’s illegal demands”
New Gallup poll shows Trump's approval hit a new low for his second term:
-36% approve
-60% disapprove
His approval among Republicans went from 91% in January to 84% in November
news.gallup.com/poll/699221/...
-36% approve
-60% disapprove
His approval among Republicans went from 91% in January to 84% in November
news.gallup.com/poll/699221/...
November 28, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The title of a real article published this past week reads "Arizona State’s President Is Pulling Out All the Stops to Get on Trump’s Good Side"
I don't see a lot of college presidents concerned that they're helping to destroy the union.
www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
I don't see a lot of college presidents concerned that they're helping to destroy the union.
www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
Reposted by Leah Berman Williams
Houston, the Apollo 11 bootprint hoodies
have landed 🧑🚀
I'm over the moon to finally have these available in my shop. They turned out so cool 🤩😭
Grab yours below and please spread the word 🙏
bit.ly/bootprint-hoodie
🔭🐡🧪🎨
have landed 🧑🚀
I'm over the moon to finally have these available in my shop. They turned out so cool 🤩😭
Grab yours below and please spread the word 🙏
bit.ly/bootprint-hoodie
🔭🐡🧪🎨
Apollo 11 Bootprint Hoodie
Inspired by the iconic Apollo 11 bootprint on the Moon, we set out to get as close to the real thing as possible. This was no small step, but we did it. Meet our lunar bootprint hoodie with a true 3D imprint you can both see and feel.
bit.ly
November 28, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Houston, the Apollo 11 bootprint hoodies
have landed 🧑🚀
I'm over the moon to finally have these available in my shop. They turned out so cool 🤩😭
Grab yours below and please spread the word 🙏
bit.ly/bootprint-hoodie
🔭🐡🧪🎨
have landed 🧑🚀
I'm over the moon to finally have these available in my shop. They turned out so cool 🤩😭
Grab yours below and please spread the word 🙏
bit.ly/bootprint-hoodie
🔭🐡🧪🎨