Robert Vander Velde
@robvander.bsky.social
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
The peptide discussion highlights how little people know about chemistry. Peptides are such a huge group of chemicals treating them as one thing is absurd. Many peptides are perfectly safe. (Your food is full of peptides.) Others are toxic. Every peptide needs to be evaluated as its own thing.
"The growing popularity of these drugs [peptides]
shows that many people will experiment with them long before science confirms they work or are safe."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/w...
my review erictopol.substack.com/p/the-peptid...
shows that many people will experiment with them long before science confirms they work or are safe."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/w...
my review erictopol.substack.com/p/the-peptid...
The Internet Loves Peptide Therapy. Is It Really a Miracle Cure?
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The peptide discussion highlights how little people know about chemistry. Peptides are such a huge group of chemicals treating them as one thing is absurd. Many peptides are perfectly safe. (Your food is full of peptides.) Others are toxic. Every peptide needs to be evaluated as its own thing.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
This "driving concern" is actually a very rarely acknowledged major pedestrian safety concern. Drivers whipping around from behind you as you start crossing turning right on green is lethal
www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/cultur...
www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/cultur...
Is it illegal to stop before turning right at a green light?
When you’re turning right at a green light, it’s right to slow down or even stop to make sure it’s safe, expert says
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:23 AM
This "driving concern" is actually a very rarely acknowledged major pedestrian safety concern. Drivers whipping around from behind you as you start crossing turning right on green is lethal
www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/cultur...
www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/cultur...
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
95% of authors are not making a living through book publishing. The public needs to understand this.
November 25, 2025 at 2:24 AM
95% of authors are not making a living through book publishing. The public needs to understand this.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
Derpy Green Giant (Lyssomanes viridis) 💚
#EmotionalSupportSpood
#EmotionalSupportSpood
November 25, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Derpy Green Giant (Lyssomanes viridis) 💚
#EmotionalSupportSpood
#EmotionalSupportSpood
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
I want to get artists into a science conference to illustrate science. I work with a society to bring four artists in. I am *psyched*. This is going to be cool! Four artists are going to get paid and get to dig into some science. Rad.
We limit it to artists in one metro area, for a couple reasons
We limit it to artists in one metro area, for a couple reasons
November 24, 2025 at 11:45 PM
I want to get artists into a science conference to illustrate science. I work with a society to bring four artists in. I am *psyched*. This is going to be cool! Four artists are going to get paid and get to dig into some science. Rad.
We limit it to artists in one metro area, for a couple reasons
We limit it to artists in one metro area, for a couple reasons
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
The unfortunate reality of trying to create cool opportunities out of nothing, is that you inevitably fall short of being able to get everyone an opportunity who wants one, and people get upset with you. It's a bummer.
One small example
One small example
November 24, 2025 at 11:45 PM
The unfortunate reality of trying to create cool opportunities out of nothing, is that you inevitably fall short of being able to get everyone an opportunity who wants one, and people get upset with you. It's a bummer.
One small example
One small example
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
We wanted to understand how regular Americans feel about the Trump administration. So we talked to three Russia-funded content farmers at a tea house in Islamabad.
November 24, 2025 at 8:54 PM
We wanted to understand how regular Americans feel about the Trump administration. So we talked to three Russia-funded content farmers at a tea house in Islamabad.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
People who pirate books: “I just think art and literature should be FREE to everyone!”
Yes, I too would love to live in a world where art is accessible freely to all and yet artists are paid a living wage, but as this magical wagical pixie wixie land does not exist, please don’t steal from us.
Yes, I too would love to live in a world where art is accessible freely to all and yet artists are paid a living wage, but as this magical wagical pixie wixie land does not exist, please don’t steal from us.
November 24, 2025 at 4:40 PM
People who pirate books: “I just think art and literature should be FREE to everyone!”
Yes, I too would love to live in a world where art is accessible freely to all and yet artists are paid a living wage, but as this magical wagical pixie wixie land does not exist, please don’t steal from us.
Yes, I too would love to live in a world where art is accessible freely to all and yet artists are paid a living wage, but as this magical wagical pixie wixie land does not exist, please don’t steal from us.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
Oh dear
The Great Barrington Declaration argued vociferously, in their campaign of support for RFK Jr, that RFK Jr, would boost trust in vaccines
Whoever could have predicted that the GBD was talking dangerous anti-scientific nonsense?
The Great Barrington Declaration argued vociferously, in their campaign of support for RFK Jr, that RFK Jr, would boost trust in vaccines
Whoever could have predicted that the GBD was talking dangerous anti-scientific nonsense?
The CDC is lying to you about vaccines and autism. The CDC webpage about vaccines and autism now misrepresents the science and lies to the public about vaccines and autism. It’s just part of RFK Jr.'s ongoing war on vaccines. sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-cdc-is-l...
The CDC is lying to you about vaccines and autism
The CDC webpage about vaccines and autism now misrepresents the science and lies to the public about vaccines and autism. It's just part of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s continuing war on vacc
sciencebasedmedicine.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Oh dear
The Great Barrington Declaration argued vociferously, in their campaign of support for RFK Jr, that RFK Jr, would boost trust in vaccines
Whoever could have predicted that the GBD was talking dangerous anti-scientific nonsense?
The Great Barrington Declaration argued vociferously, in their campaign of support for RFK Jr, that RFK Jr, would boost trust in vaccines
Whoever could have predicted that the GBD was talking dangerous anti-scientific nonsense?
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
Swim with caution in the ponds of South Carolina
November 24, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Swim with caution in the ponds of South Carolina
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
Donald Trump is moving too quickly to embrace Zohran Mamdani.
by Chuck Schumer
by Chuck Schumer
November 23, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Donald Trump is moving too quickly to embrace Zohran Mamdani.
by Chuck Schumer
by Chuck Schumer
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
So you are saying that your irritation cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers.
November 23, 2025 at 2:22 PM
So you are saying that your irritation cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
I find it irrationally irritating when people are like "2 is the only even prime!!"
Oh really, 2 is the only prime number divisible by 2? Did you also know that 3 is the only prime number divisible by 3? And 47 is the only prime number divisible by 47?? DID YOU KNOW THAT'S WHAT PRIMES ARE
Oh really, 2 is the only prime number divisible by 2? Did you also know that 3 is the only prime number divisible by 3? And 47 is the only prime number divisible by 47?? DID YOU KNOW THAT'S WHAT PRIMES ARE
November 23, 2025 at 2:20 PM
I find it irrationally irritating when people are like "2 is the only even prime!!"
Oh really, 2 is the only prime number divisible by 2? Did you also know that 3 is the only prime number divisible by 3? And 47 is the only prime number divisible by 47?? DID YOU KNOW THAT'S WHAT PRIMES ARE
Oh really, 2 is the only prime number divisible by 2? Did you also know that 3 is the only prime number divisible by 3? And 47 is the only prime number divisible by 47?? DID YOU KNOW THAT'S WHAT PRIMES ARE
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
No they should green light my Downton Abbey Westeros show where the throne is a fading constitutional monarchy. This week, Lucy Stark dances scandalously with the ambassador from Braaveros. Meanwhile, her father is having trouble finding a new dragon mucker willing to accept servant wages.
i feel like if you understand what the ending of the show was trying to say there's no point in having any content set after it.
no new age of the world, westeros is trapped in doomed to be trapped in hellish medieval stasis for eternity. the wheel spins on forever
no new age of the world, westeros is trapped in doomed to be trapped in hellish medieval stasis for eternity. the wheel spins on forever
George R.R. Martin teases the 'Game of Thrones' universe will finally get to the world after the OG show's divisive finale.
November 23, 2025 at 12:23 AM
No they should green light my Downton Abbey Westeros show where the throne is a fading constitutional monarchy. This week, Lucy Stark dances scandalously with the ambassador from Braaveros. Meanwhile, her father is having trouble finding a new dragon mucker willing to accept servant wages.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
TREE IS A LIFESTYLE, NOT A HERITAGE.
PALM TREES ARE MORE CLOSELY RELATED TO CORN AND GRASS THAN THEY ARE TO OAKS
PALM TREES ARE MORE CLOSELY RELATED TO CORN AND GRASS THAN THEY ARE TO OAKS
November 22, 2025 at 3:26 PM
TREE IS A LIFESTYLE, NOT A HERITAGE.
PALM TREES ARE MORE CLOSELY RELATED TO CORN AND GRASS THAN THEY ARE TO OAKS
PALM TREES ARE MORE CLOSELY RELATED TO CORN AND GRASS THAN THEY ARE TO OAKS
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
New from me: I talked to CDC staffers about the new vaccines and autism page. They said things like:
“The best way I can put it is it feels like we’re on a hijacked airplane.”
“I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here.”
“The best way I can put it is it feels like we’re on a hijacked airplane.”
“I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here.”
“Embarrassing” and “horrifying”: CDC workers describe the new vaccines and autism page
"The best way I can put it is it feels like we're on a hijacked airplane."
www.motherjones.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:41 PM
New from me: I talked to CDC staffers about the new vaccines and autism page. They said things like:
“The best way I can put it is it feels like we’re on a hijacked airplane.”
“I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here.”
“The best way I can put it is it feels like we’re on a hijacked airplane.”
“I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here.”
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
What’s the most significant advice you received from a teacher?
I had a Geology prof who always said “have strong opinions, loosely held”
Be passionate, assess alternatives with conviction, take sides. But don’t fall so in love with your opinions that you can’t change them with better data.
I had a Geology prof who always said “have strong opinions, loosely held”
Be passionate, assess alternatives with conviction, take sides. But don’t fall so in love with your opinions that you can’t change them with better data.
November 21, 2025 at 12:54 AM
What’s the most significant advice you received from a teacher?
I had a Geology prof who always said “have strong opinions, loosely held”
Be passionate, assess alternatives with conviction, take sides. But don’t fall so in love with your opinions that you can’t change them with better data.
I had a Geology prof who always said “have strong opinions, loosely held”
Be passionate, assess alternatives with conviction, take sides. But don’t fall so in love with your opinions that you can’t change them with better data.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
I haven’t seen a response from Bill Cassidy on his latest humiliation at the hands of RFK Jr.
Did I miss it or is he cowering in a swamp somewhere?
Did I miss it or is he cowering in a swamp somewhere?
November 20, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I haven’t seen a response from Bill Cassidy on his latest humiliation at the hands of RFK Jr.
Did I miss it or is he cowering in a swamp somewhere?
Did I miss it or is he cowering in a swamp somewhere?
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
It doesn’t matter how much you exercise or how many veggies you eat when it comes to a pandemic.
These things will not stop it, and the shitbirds that Trump has installed in leading public health positions should be fired for even suggesting it would.
These things will not stop it, and the shitbirds that Trump has installed in leading public health positions should be fired for even suggesting it would.
RFK Jr.’s Miasma Theory of Health Is Spreading
The NIH is picking up Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s argument that a healthy immune system can keep even pandemic germs at bay.
www.theatlantic.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:03 PM
It doesn’t matter how much you exercise or how many veggies you eat when it comes to a pandemic.
These things will not stop it, and the shitbirds that Trump has installed in leading public health positions should be fired for even suggesting it would.
These things will not stop it, and the shitbirds that Trump has installed in leading public health positions should be fired for even suggesting it would.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
The archaeologist volunteers this semester at Skype a Scientist are honestly blowing me away with how much they all have stepped up this semester. I put a call out yesterday and 30 of them replied volunteering to do more classes. I'm not 100% sure this will cover all teams yet but I think it will.
November 20, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The archaeologist volunteers this semester at Skype a Scientist are honestly blowing me away with how much they all have stepped up this semester. I put a call out yesterday and 30 of them replied volunteering to do more classes. I'm not 100% sure this will cover all teams yet but I think it will.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
November 20, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
This is completely disgusting. Today, the CDC updated their vaccine safety page. It now says:
“The claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism”.
“The claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism”.
November 20, 2025 at 2:53 AM
This is completely disgusting. Today, the CDC updated their vaccine safety page. It now says:
“The claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism”.
“The claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism”.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
1. Weinstein was not fired from his job. He quit. But he also was and is an incompetent scientist and a loon.
2. Damore lied on his LinkedIn resume (and probably his job application to Google) about having received a PhD in biology from Harvard. He never earned his doctorate at all.
2. Damore lied on his LinkedIn resume (and probably his job application to Google) about having received a PhD in biology from Harvard. He never earned his doctorate at all.
The “canceled people” database listing victims of cancel culture, which includes oft-repeated cases such as Bret Weinstein (Evergreen State College) and James Damore (Google), has a little over 200 entries across 18 years.
canceledpeople.org
canceledpeople.org
New: Reuters has tallied job losses, suspensions and investigations stemming from the reaction to Charlie Kirk's Sept. 10 assassination. Its findings: More than 600 Americans have been punished, and the figure is likely to be an under-count.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
November 19, 2025 at 4:16 PM
1. Weinstein was not fired from his job. He quit. But he also was and is an incompetent scientist and a loon.
2. Damore lied on his LinkedIn resume (and probably his job application to Google) about having received a PhD in biology from Harvard. He never earned his doctorate at all.
2. Damore lied on his LinkedIn resume (and probably his job application to Google) about having received a PhD in biology from Harvard. He never earned his doctorate at all.
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
Can anyone help with an ID on this handsome hawk in Southern California? My best guess is a dark morph Red-tailed Hawk.
#birds #wildlife #photography #naturephotography
#birds #wildlife #photography #naturephotography
November 19, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Can anyone help with an ID on this handsome hawk in Southern California? My best guess is a dark morph Red-tailed Hawk.
#birds #wildlife #photography #naturephotography
#birds #wildlife #photography #naturephotography
Reposted by Robert Vander Velde
Few things bug me more than higher ed leaders saying that we lost our mission and lost the trust of the public, when we have actually been the target of a decades-long smear campaign by the right wing that worked. The moment we’re losing our mission is right now, in capitulation.
November 19, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Few things bug me more than higher ed leaders saying that we lost our mission and lost the trust of the public, when we have actually been the target of a decades-long smear campaign by the right wing that worked. The moment we’re losing our mission is right now, in capitulation.