William Brazelton
@wbrazelton.bsky.social
Associate Research Professor, School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah
Research Scientist, Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
Research Scientist, Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
Reposted by William Brazelton
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Reposted by William Brazelton
Abstracts submitted to LPSC 2026 are required to comply with White House (non-legally binding) executive orders forbidding mention of topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
At least USRA/LPI isn't hiding it.
But is this what our community wants? Or deserves? I don't think so.
At least USRA/LPI isn't hiding it.
But is this what our community wants? Or deserves? I don't think so.
November 17, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Abstracts submitted to LPSC 2026 are required to comply with White House (non-legally binding) executive orders forbidding mention of topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
At least USRA/LPI isn't hiding it.
But is this what our community wants? Or deserves? I don't think so.
At least USRA/LPI isn't hiding it.
But is this what our community wants? Or deserves? I don't think so.
Reposted by William Brazelton
"Things happen" sometimes, like when you walk into an embassy to apply for your marriage license while your bride-to-be waits outside, but then you get bonesawed to pieces for having exercised freedom of speech as an US-based journalist and have to be carried out in a series of suitcases.
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 18, 2025 at 11:18 PM
"Things happen" sometimes, like when you walk into an embassy to apply for your marriage license while your bride-to-be waits outside, but then you get bonesawed to pieces for having exercised freedom of speech as an US-based journalist and have to be carried out in a series of suitcases.
Reposted by William Brazelton
Sharing with alt text
My group will be boycotting LPSC and any other LPI meetings.
My group will be boycotting LPSC and any other LPI meetings.
November 17, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Sharing with alt text
My group will be boycotting LPSC and any other LPI meetings.
My group will be boycotting LPSC and any other LPI meetings.
Reposted by William Brazelton
With funding being slashed for science, my book on the history of oceanography is more relevant than ever. Thanks to #AmericanCampus for a great conversation and #science, #funding, #life.
americancampuspodcast.buzzsprout.com/2396665/epis...
americancampuspodcast.buzzsprout.com/2396665/epis...
Squids, subs, and the academic-military-industrial complex with Naomi Oreskes - American Campus Podcast
Oh my!References and suggested readings:Naomi Oreskes. 2025. Science on a Mission: How Military Funding Shaped What We Do and Don’t Know about the Ocean. University of Chicago Press. Naomi Oreske...
americancampuspodcast.buzzsprout.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:38 PM
With funding being slashed for science, my book on the history of oceanography is more relevant than ever. Thanks to #AmericanCampus for a great conversation and #science, #funding, #life.
americancampuspodcast.buzzsprout.com/2396665/epis...
americancampuspodcast.buzzsprout.com/2396665/epis...
AI could be said to find cures for these things in the same way that calculators have found cures for things
The utterly fucked thing about this is that if any of that happens it's because of basic life science research investments (currently being gutted), not because of large language models.
Dario Amodei can eat shit and then do whatever it is that Bluesky would ban me for saying
Dario Amodei can eat shit and then do whatever it is that Bluesky would ban me for saying
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei thinks AI could help find cures for most cancers, prevent Alzheimer’s, and even double the human lifespan. cbsn.ws/4oRZ8Nm
November 17, 2025 at 10:35 AM
AI could be said to find cures for these things in the same way that calculators have found cures for things
Reposted by William Brazelton
The utterly fucked thing about this is that if any of that happens it's because of basic life science research investments (currently being gutted), not because of large language models.
Dario Amodei can eat shit and then do whatever it is that Bluesky would ban me for saying
Dario Amodei can eat shit and then do whatever it is that Bluesky would ban me for saying
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei thinks AI could help find cures for most cancers, prevent Alzheimer’s, and even double the human lifespan. cbsn.ws/4oRZ8Nm
November 17, 2025 at 4:09 AM
The utterly fucked thing about this is that if any of that happens it's because of basic life science research investments (currently being gutted), not because of large language models.
Dario Amodei can eat shit and then do whatever it is that Bluesky would ban me for saying
Dario Amodei can eat shit and then do whatever it is that Bluesky would ban me for saying
Reposted by William Brazelton
Diving through the purple sulfur bacteria layer of Fayetteville Green Lake with our ROV last month. This is the most intense density of PSB that I've seen in many years!
November 8, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Diving through the purple sulfur bacteria layer of Fayetteville Green Lake with our ROV last month. This is the most intense density of PSB that I've seen in many years!
Reposted by William Brazelton
Jim Ryan's letter is not just surreal and troubling; it provides a series of deeply sobering lessons—about the perils facing public universities today; about what it means to "work with" this Department of Justice; & about what leadership does (and doesn't) entail at this especially fraught moment.
Former UVA president Jim Ryan, who resigned over the summer due to pressure from the Trump Administration, just shared this 12-page letter with the Faculty Senate, detailing his experience with the Board of Visitors and DOJ.
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
November 14, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Jim Ryan's letter is not just surreal and troubling; it provides a series of deeply sobering lessons—about the perils facing public universities today; about what it means to "work with" this Department of Justice; & about what leadership does (and doesn't) entail at this especially fraught moment.
Reposted by William Brazelton
😮😮😮
Diving through the purple sulfur bacteria layer of Fayetteville Green Lake with our ROV last month. This is the most intense density of PSB that I've seen in many years!
November 17, 2025 at 12:10 AM
😮😮😮
Reposted by William Brazelton
Kind of wild that while food assistance was withheld from millions of families, one Trump-supporting billionaire (Ellison) saw his net worth grow more this year than the entire SNAP budget. And the YTD gains of the other four richest men would’ve fully covered salaries for all 2M federal employees.
November 11, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Kind of wild that while food assistance was withheld from millions of families, one Trump-supporting billionaire (Ellison) saw his net worth grow more this year than the entire SNAP budget. And the YTD gains of the other four richest men would’ve fully covered salaries for all 2M federal employees.
Reposted by William Brazelton
Okay, here are some first reflections on Watson.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
November 8, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Okay, here are some first reflections on Watson.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Watson's life is a tragedy, really of Shakespearean proportions. He did not, as most bios will tell you, do one great thing when he was young and then collect laurels for it for the next 60 years. His career arc was unlike any in science.
Reposted by William Brazelton
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
October 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Reposted by William Brazelton
You have until Sunday SUNDAY Sunday to order a Biology is Bigger than Binaries shirt. I don't have room in my house for piles of shirts so our shirts are always time-limited.
Designed by @franzanth.bsky.social, supports @skypeascientist.bsky.social, looks cool as hell.
Get one: SquidFacts.net
Designed by @franzanth.bsky.social, supports @skypeascientist.bsky.social, looks cool as hell.
Get one: SquidFacts.net
I'm doing another print run of these "Biology is Bigger than Binaries" shirts!
Back, quite literally, by popular demand. Bullying works, sure, but so does a bunch of nice cutie patooties politely asking!
Order 'em now, I'll mail 'em in early November.
SquidFacts.net
Back, quite literally, by popular demand. Bullying works, sure, but so does a bunch of nice cutie patooties politely asking!
Order 'em now, I'll mail 'em in early November.
SquidFacts.net
October 30, 2025 at 12:59 AM
You have until Sunday SUNDAY Sunday to order a Biology is Bigger than Binaries shirt. I don't have room in my house for piles of shirts so our shirts are always time-limited.
Designed by @franzanth.bsky.social, supports @skypeascientist.bsky.social, looks cool as hell.
Get one: SquidFacts.net
Designed by @franzanth.bsky.social, supports @skypeascientist.bsky.social, looks cool as hell.
Get one: SquidFacts.net
Reposted by William Brazelton
Measles was eliminated in the US in 2000. Gone, with the exception of international travelers bringing it back in and causing small outbreaks. But now it's roaring back — it's incredibly contagious — thanks to guess who. Guess who!
Yup. Anti-vaxxers.
Yup. Anti-vaxxers.
More than 120 people have contracted measles in a community along the Arizona and Utah border, officials say. NBC News’ Erika Edwards details why the area is seeing a surge in cases — and how it’s spreading to touristy spots.
October 26, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Measles was eliminated in the US in 2000. Gone, with the exception of international travelers bringing it back in and causing small outbreaks. But now it's roaring back — it's incredibly contagious — thanks to guess who. Guess who!
Yup. Anti-vaxxers.
Yup. Anti-vaxxers.
Reposted by William Brazelton
I was recently interviewed by @drlauraguertin.bsky.social as part of her 'Tales from the Deep' series focused on the people involved in scientific ocean drilling ⚒️🧪⛴️ –– lots of great stories from many others there to check out
archive.storycorps.org/interviews/i...
archive.storycorps.org/interviews/i...
“I kept asking all these questions like, How do we know that? The other scientists [would respond] - Yeah, how do we know that?”
Virginia Tech sedimentologist Brian Romans knows how scientific ocean drilling can be a particularly good mechanism or vehicle for pivoting in a career – that’s because he has many examples to share a...
archive.storycorps.org
October 23, 2025 at 12:43 PM
I was recently interviewed by @drlauraguertin.bsky.social as part of her 'Tales from the Deep' series focused on the people involved in scientific ocean drilling ⚒️🧪⛴️ –– lots of great stories from many others there to check out
archive.storycorps.org/interviews/i...
archive.storycorps.org/interviews/i...
Reposted by William Brazelton
I still contend that >90% of the benefit of writing a review isn't the audience. It's for the author going through the literature, finding gaps in knowledge, learning how experiments are done, etc. It really isn't about writing a review. It's about doing the review yourself. AI can't do that for you
October 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM
I still contend that >90% of the benefit of writing a review isn't the audience. It's for the author going through the literature, finding gaps in knowledge, learning how experiments are done, etc. It really isn't about writing a review. It's about doing the review yourself. AI can't do that for you
Reposted by William Brazelton
this rocks. when indiana edu killed the student newspaper, Purdue stepped up, printed the forbidden issue, drove it to Bloomington and stocked the boxes.
October 18, 2025 at 6:27 PM
this rocks. when indiana edu killed the student newspaper, Purdue stepped up, printed the forbidden issue, drove it to Bloomington and stocked the boxes.
Reposted by William Brazelton
Chicago No Kings
October 19, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Chicago No Kings
Reposted by William Brazelton
Good evening. We estimate that between 4.2 and 7.6 million people turned out for the No Kings Day demonstrations held around the country on Saturday. This makes Oct 18 very likely the biggest single-day U.S. protest event since 1970. www.gelliottmorris.com/p/second-no-...
Second "No Kings Day" protests likely the largest single-day political demonstration since 1970, with 4.2-7.6 million participants
Here are the initial results from our crowdsourced crowd-counting estimates
www.gelliottmorris.com
October 19, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Good evening. We estimate that between 4.2 and 7.6 million people turned out for the No Kings Day demonstrations held around the country on Saturday. This makes Oct 18 very likely the biggest single-day U.S. protest event since 1970. www.gelliottmorris.com/p/second-no-...
Reposted by William Brazelton
Layoff notices at JPL are going out today.
About 11% of the Lab, or 550 people, are being let go.
I'm thinking of my friends and colleagues there, some of whom will still be employed after today and some of whom won't.
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this.
About 11% of the Lab, or 550 people, are being let go.
I'm thinking of my friends and colleagues there, some of whom will still be employed after today and some of whom won't.
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this.
October 14, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Layoff notices at JPL are going out today.
About 11% of the Lab, or 550 people, are being let go.
I'm thinking of my friends and colleagues there, some of whom will still be employed after today and some of whom won't.
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this.
About 11% of the Lab, or 550 people, are being let go.
I'm thinking of my friends and colleagues there, some of whom will still be employed after today and some of whom won't.
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this.
Reposted by William Brazelton
My new book, UNABRIDGED, published by @groveatlantic.bsky.social, is out! It took a long time to report and write and I'm proud of it and would be grateful if you bought it and would love to see people when I'm traveling to promote it. Consider this an official book thread
October 10, 2025 at 9:36 PM
My new book, UNABRIDGED, published by @groveatlantic.bsky.social, is out! It took a long time to report and write and I'm proud of it and would be grateful if you bought it and would love to see people when I'm traveling to promote it. Consider this an official book thread
Reposted by William Brazelton
Picture how big the Hoover Dam is. An absolute unit. The Hoover Dam has a power capacity of 2 gigawatts (GW).
The solar farm that the Admin just cancelled could have produces 6.2 GW of power. That's more than 3 Hoover Dams.
The solar farm that the Admin just cancelled could have produces 6.2 GW of power. That's more than 3 Hoover Dams.
SCOOP: The Bureau of Land Management says the largest solar project in Nevada — the Esmeralda 7 mega-farm — has been canceled
The news was quietly dropped via a sudden website update with no public word from any of the companies involved or a statement from the agency
@heatmap.news
The news was quietly dropped via a sudden website update with no public word from any of the companies involved or a statement from the agency
@heatmap.news
Esmeralda 7 Solar Project Has Been Canceled, BLM Says
It would have delivered a gargantuan 6.2 gigawatts of power.
heatmap.news
October 10, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Picture how big the Hoover Dam is. An absolute unit. The Hoover Dam has a power capacity of 2 gigawatts (GW).
The solar farm that the Admin just cancelled could have produces 6.2 GW of power. That's more than 3 Hoover Dams.
The solar farm that the Admin just cancelled could have produces 6.2 GW of power. That's more than 3 Hoover Dams.
Reposted by William Brazelton
October 8, 2025 at 9:46 PM