Rhiannon Silva
@rhiannonsilva.bsky.social
Astrophysicist. Currently working on my second PhD on gravitational waves from black holes, at the Gravity Exploration Institute, Cardiff University.
They/any 🏳️🌈
They/any 🏳️🌈
Pinned
Rhiannon Silva
@rhiannonsilva.bsky.social
· Nov 12
Resharing this gravitational waves starter pack because I've added more people now. If there's anyone still missing from it, please let me know.
go.bsky.app/HrAJX35
go.bsky.app/HrAJX35
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
I still can’t believe the National Science Foundation is being forced to move out of their brand new, purpose-built building because the HUD secretary thought his building was ugly.
The Trump administration is destroying the best parts of this country, and it will take decades to rebuild.
The Trump administration is destroying the best parts of this country, and it will take decades to rebuild.
NSF
- Forced reorg
- POs down ~ 40% (DRP, most rotators not renewed, retirements)
- Forced move (and we have to pack and clean) to a building with no furniture, little to no conference space for panels, inadequate 🛜, …)
I personally love the boxes they gave us for packing.
“Details matter” 🙃
- Forced reorg
- POs down ~ 40% (DRP, most rotators not renewed, retirements)
- Forced move (and we have to pack and clean) to a building with no furniture, little to no conference space for panels, inadequate 🛜, …)
I personally love the boxes they gave us for packing.
“Details matter” 🙃
December 11, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I still can’t believe the National Science Foundation is being forced to move out of their brand new, purpose-built building because the HUD secretary thought his building was ugly.
The Trump administration is destroying the best parts of this country, and it will take decades to rebuild.
The Trump administration is destroying the best parts of this country, and it will take decades to rebuild.
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
Reckless, self-centered, and dangerous. Astrophysicists owe it to everyone to understand the implications of our words and actions on the world, and Avi Loeb is not holding up our end of the deal.
Some have argued to me strongly that even if Loeb is wrong, he’s getting people interested in 3I/ATLAS and that’s a good thing for science.
But Loeb isn't just wrong, he's recklessly following an old playbook that got 39 people killed in 1997.
sites.psu.edu/astrowright/...
But Loeb isn't just wrong, he's recklessly following an old playbook that got 39 people killed in 1997.
sites.psu.edu/astrowright/...
Loeb’s Behavior is Reckless
I’ve largely ignored Loeb for the past few weeks. When he started in on his 3I/ATLAS thing, there were plenty of mainstream media outlets willing to give his claims a wide and credulous platform, and ...
sites.psu.edu
December 8, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Reckless, self-centered, and dangerous. Astrophysicists owe it to everyone to understand the implications of our words and actions on the world, and Avi Loeb is not holding up our end of the deal.
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
Some have argued to me strongly that even if Loeb is wrong, he’s getting people interested in 3I/ATLAS and that’s a good thing for science.
But Loeb isn't just wrong, he's recklessly following an old playbook that got 39 people killed in 1997.
sites.psu.edu/astrowright/...
But Loeb isn't just wrong, he's recklessly following an old playbook that got 39 people killed in 1997.
sites.psu.edu/astrowright/...
Loeb’s Behavior is Reckless
I’ve largely ignored Loeb for the past few weeks. When he started in on his 3I/ATLAS thing, there were plenty of mainstream media outlets willing to give his claims a wide and credulous platform, and ...
sites.psu.edu
December 7, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Some have argued to me strongly that even if Loeb is wrong, he’s getting people interested in 3I/ATLAS and that’s a good thing for science.
But Loeb isn't just wrong, he's recklessly following an old playbook that got 39 people killed in 1997.
sites.psu.edu/astrowright/...
But Loeb isn't just wrong, he's recklessly following an old playbook that got 39 people killed in 1997.
sites.psu.edu/astrowright/...
Just submitted an abstract to (hopefully) give my first presentation about numerical relativity in the Welsh language. The title is "Perthnasedd Rhifiadol ar Gyfer y Genhedlaeth Nesaf".
December 8, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Just submitted an abstract to (hopefully) give my first presentation about numerical relativity in the Welsh language. The title is "Perthnasedd Rhifiadol ar Gyfer y Genhedlaeth Nesaf".
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
Okay, lets break down this image!
Background; I have a masters in architecture, and I have worked for a firm that specialized in custom built, detached family homes, which is what this is obviously supposed to be. I also worked for a firm drafting custom high end kitchens.
So lets analyze this...
Background; I have a masters in architecture, and I have worked for a firm that specialized in custom built, detached family homes, which is what this is obviously supposed to be. I also worked for a firm drafting custom high end kitchens.
So lets analyze this...
December 1, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Okay, lets break down this image!
Background; I have a masters in architecture, and I have worked for a firm that specialized in custom built, detached family homes, which is what this is obviously supposed to be. I also worked for a firm drafting custom high end kitchens.
So lets analyze this...
Background; I have a masters in architecture, and I have worked for a firm that specialized in custom built, detached family homes, which is what this is obviously supposed to be. I also worked for a firm drafting custom high end kitchens.
So lets analyze this...
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
It’s widely known (and, I think, pretty uncontroversial) that learning requires effort — specifically, if you don’t have to work at getting the knowledge, it won’t stick.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
November 21, 2025 at 12:49 PM
It’s widely known (and, I think, pretty uncontroversial) that learning requires effort — specifically, if you don’t have to work at getting the knowledge, it won’t stick.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
My visit this week to Queen Mary University of London was very productive and fun. I enjoyed the maths building and the view from the room I was working in.
November 20, 2025 at 10:54 PM
My visit this week to Queen Mary University of London was very productive and fun. I enjoyed the maths building and the view from the room I was working in.
"Biggar advances his arguments not by engaging with his opponents’ position, but by misrepresenting it." (Of course)
@lennyhenryofficial.bsky.social v Lord Nigel Biggar on reparations. Now online open access:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reparation or Disavowal? The Morals and the Politics of Slavery and Racism
www.sciencedirect.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:36 PM
"Biggar advances his arguments not by engaging with his opponents’ position, but by misrepresenting it." (Of course)
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
cc Royal Society
“whatever club he’s invited to join has been devalued by the invitation”
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 AM
cc Royal Society
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
Doing non-causal inference (and being explicit about it), yet using a causal word as second word in the title.
If you pay Nature € 10.690, they will publish this in Nature Ageing.
I can tell you what I think of that for free.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
If you pay Nature € 10.690, they will publish this in Nature Ageing.
I can tell you what I think of that for free.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Doing non-causal inference (and being explicit about it), yet using a causal word as second word in the title.
If you pay Nature € 10.690, they will publish this in Nature Ageing.
I can tell you what I think of that for free.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
If you pay Nature € 10.690, they will publish this in Nature Ageing.
I can tell you what I think of that for free.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
When you have no idea who you are replying to.
November 10, 2025 at 11:23 PM
When you have no idea who you are replying to.
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
Half the Answer #47: Caitlin and Trent check in with Daniel Harper of the "I Don't Speak German" podcast. They discuss the controversial interview between Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes, the role it seems to be playing in the far right, and various reactions (the good and the goofy).
Half the Answer #47: The Tucker Carlson–Nick Fuentes Interview Episode
Caitlin and Trent check in with Daniel Harper of the "I Don't Speak German" podcast, taking another moment to peek under the rock and discover that the creepy crawlies are making friends with each oth...
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Half the Answer #47: Caitlin and Trent check in with Daniel Harper of the "I Don't Speak German" podcast. They discuss the controversial interview between Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes, the role it seems to be playing in the far right, and various reactions (the good and the goofy).
I guess that doing eugenics pays more than just thinking and publishing about eugenics for Jonathan Anomaly.
New embryo testing company says it can predict lifespan, height and IQ of potential children
YouTube video by CBS Mornings
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 10:09 PM
I guess that doing eugenics pays more than just thinking and publishing about eugenics for Jonathan Anomaly.
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
A reminder that this anti-trans panic is 100% bullshit and exactly none of our country’s problems are related to someone expressing their gender identity and everyone who isn’t a hate-filled weirdo knows it.
November 10, 2025 at 1:16 PM
A reminder that this anti-trans panic is 100% bullshit and exactly none of our country’s problems are related to someone expressing their gender identity and everyone who isn’t a hate-filled weirdo knows it.
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
We are pleased to announce our discovery of #GW241011 and #GW241110
Both come from binary black holes where one black hole is much larger than the other. The larger black holes have large spin. Could these black holes have formed in a previous merger?
ligo.org/science-summ...
#O4IsHere 🔭🧪⚛️☄️
Both come from binary black holes where one black hole is much larger than the other. The larger black holes have large spin. Could these black holes have formed in a previous merger?
ligo.org/science-summ...
#O4IsHere 🔭🧪⚛️☄️
October 29, 2025 at 1:58 PM
We are pleased to announce our discovery of #GW241011 and #GW241110
Both come from binary black holes where one black hole is much larger than the other. The larger black holes have large spin. Could these black holes have formed in a previous merger?
ligo.org/science-summ...
#O4IsHere 🔭🧪⚛️☄️
Both come from binary black holes where one black hole is much larger than the other. The larger black holes have large spin. Could these black holes have formed in a previous merger?
ligo.org/science-summ...
#O4IsHere 🔭🧪⚛️☄️
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
‘Study after study shows that students want to develop these critical thinking skills, are not lazy, and large numbers of them would be in favor of banning ChatGPT and similar tools in universities’, says @olivia.science www.ru.nl/en/research/...
‘Opposing the inevitability of AI at universities is possible and necessary’ | Radboud University
Since the widespread release of ChatGPT in December of 2022, AI has taken over much of the world by storm – including academia. Most of this happened with very little pushback, despite a myriad of iss...
www.ru.nl
November 1, 2025 at 10:26 PM
‘Study after study shows that students want to develop these critical thinking skills, are not lazy, and large numbers of them would be in favor of banning ChatGPT and similar tools in universities’, says @olivia.science www.ru.nl/en/research/...
South Caerdydd? Is he planning a trip to Butetown?
October 30, 2025 at 5:59 PM
South Caerdydd? Is he planning a trip to Butetown?
Will someone please explain to my dog that the clocks have gone back.
October 26, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Will someone please explain to my dog that the clocks have gone back.
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
okay grandpa, let's get you to bed
October 24, 2025 at 9:36 PM
okay grandpa, let's get you to bed
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
October 22, 2025 at 7:55 AM
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
Reform voter quotes Mein Kampf on the streets of Caerphilly, and thinks butterflies turn back into caterpillars.
Man in Caerphilly quotes Hitler and says reform aren’t racist enough 👀 #ukpolitics #politics
YouTube video by PoliticsJOE
youtube.com
October 25, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Reform voter quotes Mein Kampf on the streets of Caerphilly, and thinks butterflies turn back into caterpillars.
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
I'm feeling very relieved that Reform didn't win this. I'm also curious to know how the 16 and 17 year olds voted.
Plaid Cymru defeats Reform in Welsh Parliament Caerphilly by-election
Labour came third after suffering its first parliamentary defeat in Caerphilly for 100 years.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 7:55 AM
I'm feeling very relieved that Reform didn't win this. I'm also curious to know how the 16 and 17 year olds voted.
Reposted by Rhiannon Silva
@walkerbragman.bsky.social was a delightful hang and fantastic guest!
Half the Answer #43: Trent and Caitlin talk with journalist Walker Bragman about the various crises in public health and climate change, the people who helped bring us here, and the dark money that funded it. www.liberalcurrents.com/half-the-ans...
Half the Answer #43: MAHA and the Climate Deniers: Who Are These People?!
Trent and Caitlin talk with journalist Walker Bragman about the various crises in public health and climate change, the people who helped bring us here, and the dark money that funded it. They discuss...
www.liberalcurrents.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:16 PM
@walkerbragman.bsky.social was a delightful hang and fantastic guest!