Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
@derekhennen.bsky.social
Entomologist & Myriapodologist: leaf litter critter enthusiast.
Author of Ohio Millipede Field Guide.
"Scientist & avowed Swiftie" -Rolling Stone
Richmond, VA
www.derekhennen.com
Author of Ohio Millipede Field Guide.
"Scientist & avowed Swiftie" -Rolling Stone
Richmond, VA
www.derekhennen.com
Accurate, the Nintendo DS is still great and mine works perfectly 20 years later.
I tried living like it was 2005—here’s the tech that still holds up
I knew there was a reason I held on to all this stuff.
www.howtogeek.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Accurate, the Nintendo DS is still great and mine works perfectly 20 years later.
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
American inspections of foreign food facilities — which produce everything from crawfish to cookies for the U.S. market — have plummeted to historic lows this year, a ProPublica analysis of federal data shows.
By @anniewaldman.bsky.social and @bxroberts.org
By @anniewaldman.bsky.social and @bxroberts.org
Foreign Food Safety Inspections Hit Historic Low After Trump Cuts
The dramatic shift in oversight comes at a time when the U.S. has never been more reliant on foreign food, which accounts for the vast majority of the nation’s seafood and more than half its fresh fru...
www.propublica.org
November 17, 2025 at 6:13 PM
American inspections of foreign food facilities — which produce everything from crawfish to cookies for the U.S. market — have plummeted to historic lows this year, a ProPublica analysis of federal data shows.
By @anniewaldman.bsky.social and @bxroberts.org
By @anniewaldman.bsky.social and @bxroberts.org
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
“While the AI industry claims its models can “think,” “reason,” and “learn,” their supposed achievements rest on marketing hype and stolen intellectual labor. In reality, AI erodes academic freedom, weakens critical reading, and subordinates the pursuit of knowledge to corporate interests.”
AI Is Hollowing Out Higher Education
Olivia Guest & Iris van Rooij urge teachers and scholars to reject tools that commodify learning, deskill students, and promote illiteracy.
www.project-syndicate.org
November 15, 2025 at 5:24 PM
“While the AI industry claims its models can “think,” “reason,” and “learn,” their supposed achievements rest on marketing hype and stolen intellectual labor. In reality, AI erodes academic freedom, weakens critical reading, and subordinates the pursuit of knowledge to corporate interests.”
Y'all wanna see a bot fly??? I hand collected this mothertrucker right out of the air when it was hovering at me at Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia. My first bot fly! No mouth parts cause the adults don't feed. Soooo wacky! www.inaturalist.org/observations...
November 17, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Y'all wanna see a bot fly??? I hand collected this mothertrucker right out of the air when it was hovering at me at Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia. My first bot fly! No mouth parts cause the adults don't feed. Soooo wacky! www.inaturalist.org/observations...
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
The Paleontological Research Institution in Ithaca, NY, has been in financial trouble for a while. I'm biased because I currently have my life-size giant snail and clam on display, but they're a bunch of great people doing great work.
Read how you can help here: www.priweb.org/mortgage-cam...
Read how you can help here: www.priweb.org/mortgage-cam...
November 17, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
Hello internets, there's a paleontological museum in danger of being closed. Please help.
Well it seems it is going to be to late for @lastweektonight.com to help with their hiatus. Any suggestions for a big sci com/science interested news account I should play with to help save PRI?
Tag them in the comments with your pitch for why they should help out this museum maybe
Tag them in the comments with your pitch for why they should help out this museum maybe
November 17, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Hello internets, there's a paleontological museum in danger of being closed. Please help.
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
I do think we’ll look back on this period of American history as producing - if not being exemplified by - several discrete, yet related (and maybe even mutually compounding) mass hysteriae.
Antisemitism is a lot like Qanon child abuse conspiracies in that there’s this real and bad phenomenon and, parallel to that, what can only be described as a large scale mass psychosis about a mostly fictional version of the same phenomenon
November 16, 2025 at 11:13 PM
I do think we’ll look back on this period of American history as producing - if not being exemplified by - several discrete, yet related (and maybe even mutually compounding) mass hysteriae.
Really fun blog post that shows the joy of rearing out bugs. Love the photo of the rearing set up!
After years of being curious but lazy, I finally got around to documenting what's inside the black walnuts in my yard. In the process I became obsessed with the strange wasp that hunts down the pupae of the resident flies. 🌿 #wasps #diapriidae #nature #diptera colinpurrington.com/2025/11/life...
Life inside rotting walnut husks » Colin Purrington's blog
There’s an eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra) on my neighbor’s property that rains down fruit every fall, and I finally got curious about what species might be inside. So far I’ve found four flies, ...
colinpurrington.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Really fun blog post that shows the joy of rearing out bugs. Love the photo of the rearing set up!
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
If women are underrepresented in STEM, it's at least partly because men like this offer mentoring, then embarrass themselves by assuming their mentees must be into them, then decide the best solution is to cut ties, which sends the signal to other faculty that the mentee must not be good enough.
The emails have Summers reporting to Epstein about his attempts to date a Harvard economics student & to hit on her during a seminar she was giving.
November 16, 2025 at 12:13 AM
If women are underrepresented in STEM, it's at least partly because men like this offer mentoring, then embarrass themselves by assuming their mentees must be into them, then decide the best solution is to cut ties, which sends the signal to other faculty that the mentee must not be good enough.
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
The Taxonomic Distinctiveness Hypothesis (Ricciardi & Atkinson 2004) predicts that invaders with no relatives in an area will have the largest ecological impacts.
We found evidence of this for various aquatic systems. It is also supported by terrestrial studies. Eco-evolutionary context matters!
We found evidence of this for various aquatic systems. It is also supported by terrestrial studies. Eco-evolutionary context matters!
November 16, 2025 at 12:10 AM
The Taxonomic Distinctiveness Hypothesis (Ricciardi & Atkinson 2004) predicts that invaders with no relatives in an area will have the largest ecological impacts.
We found evidence of this for various aquatic systems. It is also supported by terrestrial studies. Eco-evolutionary context matters!
We found evidence of this for various aquatic systems. It is also supported by terrestrial studies. Eco-evolutionary context matters!
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
I wanted to share probably the most important sermon I’ve given and it’s while I’m being arrested. It’s torture pure and simple what happens at #Broadview. I’m ok, though I was thrown to the ground and choked with my pectoral cross. A review of the video shows I was peaceful - did I deserve this?
November 15, 2025 at 5:57 AM
I wanted to share probably the most important sermon I’ve given and it’s while I’m being arrested. It’s torture pure and simple what happens at #Broadview. I’m ok, though I was thrown to the ground and choked with my pectoral cross. A review of the video shows I was peaceful - did I deserve this?
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
I don’t think US taxpayers should subsidize treason against the United States
NEW: The DOJ is in settlement talks with Mike Flynn for $50M. They're robbing us blind. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Michael Flynn, DOJ in Settlement Talks Over $50 Million Claim
The Justice Department has been discussing settlements with two former officials from Donald Trump’s first term who — like the president — claim they’re owed major payouts from the US government as vi...
www.bloomberg.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:24 PM
I don’t think US taxpayers should subsidize treason against the United States
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
What a photograph.
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
November 15, 2025 at 1:51 PM
What a photograph.
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
When I think about how exquisitely careful NEH staff were to be fair, impartial, and rigorous, and how much work people put into grants so small they’re pocket change…I just want to scream.
Fired Scholars and Big Grants to Favored Projects: Inside Trump’s N.E.H.
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:12 PM
When I think about how exquisitely careful NEH staff were to be fair, impartial, and rigorous, and how much work people put into grants so small they’re pocket change…I just want to scream.
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
NEW:
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules.
The judge has previously sided with UC scholars several times since June in halting Trump’s termination of science and health research funding. The latest ruling is arguably the most sweeping yet.
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules.
The judge has previously sided with UC scholars several times since June in halting Trump’s termination of science and health research funding. The latest ruling is arguably the most sweeping yet.
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules
A federal judge ruled Donald Trump cannot demand that UCLA pay a $1.2 billion settlement that would have restricted academic freedoms.
calmatters.org
November 15, 2025 at 1:18 AM
NEW:
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules.
The judge has previously sided with UC scholars several times since June in halting Trump’s termination of science and health research funding. The latest ruling is arguably the most sweeping yet.
‘Unlawful coercion’: Trump can’t withhold funds or demand payment from UC, federal judge rules.
The judge has previously sided with UC scholars several times since June in halting Trump’s termination of science and health research funding. The latest ruling is arguably the most sweeping yet.
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins plans to make all SNAP recipients reapply and prove "that they literally are vulnerable and they can’t survive without it.”
The 'genuinely disabled'
The 'literally vulnerable'
They keep moving the goalposts.
They were never going to fund SNAP. It's eugenics:
The 'genuinely disabled'
The 'literally vulnerable'
They keep moving the goalposts.
They were never going to fund SNAP. It's eugenics:
Trump administration will require SNAP participants to reapply for benefits
Food aid recipients are already required to recertify their information regularly. But the move is part of USDA chief Brooke Rollins’ effort to overhaul the program.
www.politico.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:09 PM
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins plans to make all SNAP recipients reapply and prove "that they literally are vulnerable and they can’t survive without it.”
The 'genuinely disabled'
The 'literally vulnerable'
They keep moving the goalposts.
They were never going to fund SNAP. It's eugenics:
The 'genuinely disabled'
The 'literally vulnerable'
They keep moving the goalposts.
They were never going to fund SNAP. It's eugenics:
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
This is *depraved* -- glamor shots & an exculpatory feature for a woman who shit on the key central tenets of journalism, repeatedly.
NYT is celebrating elite freedom from accountability. Actively celebrating it. You wouldn't put this in a satire, it's too ham-handed!
NYT is celebrating elite freedom from accountability. Actively celebrating it. You wouldn't put this in a satire, it's too ham-handed!
November 14, 2025 at 6:25 PM
This is *depraved* -- glamor shots & an exculpatory feature for a woman who shit on the key central tenets of journalism, repeatedly.
NYT is celebrating elite freedom from accountability. Actively celebrating it. You wouldn't put this in a satire, it's too ham-handed!
NYT is celebrating elite freedom from accountability. Actively celebrating it. You wouldn't put this in a satire, it's too ham-handed!
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
NEW: We’ve uncovered the first known example of taxpayer money flowing from DHS to businesses controlled by Kristi Noem’s allies and friends.
It’s part of a money trail that’s been shrouded in secrecy—and involves $220 million, a mysterious Delaware LLC & a horse named Gill.
It’s part of a money trail that’s been shrouded in secrecy—and involves $220 million, a mysterious Delaware LLC & a horse named Gill.
November 14, 2025 at 12:20 PM
NEW: We’ve uncovered the first known example of taxpayer money flowing from DHS to businesses controlled by Kristi Noem’s allies and friends.
It’s part of a money trail that’s been shrouded in secrecy—and involves $220 million, a mysterious Delaware LLC & a horse named Gill.
It’s part of a money trail that’s been shrouded in secrecy—and involves $220 million, a mysterious Delaware LLC & a horse named Gill.
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
Great to have @nathangrayson.bsky.social back on the show to understand how video games are part of Saudi Arabia reputation-laundering effort.
We also discussed the @aftermath.site refresh that you should definitely check out!
We also discussed the @aftermath.site refresh that you should definitely check out!
The Saudis are buying Electronic Arts in a massive $55 billion deal — but why would they want a games publisher?
This week @nathangrayson.bsky.social joins @parismarx.com to discuss how Saudi Arabia uses games to try to improve its image.
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/302_...
This week @nathangrayson.bsky.social joins @parismarx.com to discuss how Saudi Arabia uses games to try to improve its image.
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/302_...
November 14, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Great to have @nathangrayson.bsky.social back on the show to understand how video games are part of Saudi Arabia reputation-laundering effort.
We also discussed the @aftermath.site refresh that you should definitely check out!
We also discussed the @aftermath.site refresh that you should definitely check out!
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
Because international student enrollment is so often used as a cudgel in discussions about immigration, this is a good time to remind people that international students aren't taking up spaces for US students at state schools, they are paying full tuition that FUNDS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR US STUDENTS.
November 14, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Because international student enrollment is so often used as a cudgel in discussions about immigration, this is a good time to remind people that international students aren't taking up spaces for US students at state schools, they are paying full tuition that FUNDS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR US STUDENTS.
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
In June, after Jenna Norton put her name on public criticism of the NIH's direction under President Trump, Jay Bhattacharya told us: "Respectful dissent in science is productive."
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Now she says she's been placed on leave.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Now she says she's been placed on leave.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
‘We Dissent’: NIH Workers Protest Trump Policies That ‘Harm the Health of Americans’ - KFF Health News
A letter signed by more than 300 National Institutes of Health workers — some still working, others who were fired this year — is an extraordinary public rebuke of actions taken under Director Jay Bha...
kffhealthnews.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:19 PM
In June, after Jenna Norton put her name on public criticism of the NIH's direction under President Trump, Jay Bhattacharya told us: "Respectful dissent in science is productive."
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Now she says she's been placed on leave.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Now she says she's been placed on leave.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
“Housing shortage – Jews to blame," letter sticker, German Reich, 1938
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
November 14, 2025 at 2:16 AM
“Housing shortage – Jews to blame," letter sticker, German Reich, 1938
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
I say it over and over again: when you have that much money, you want to live where you want to live and you are simply not going to relocate because of marginal tax rates
Alan Dershowitz will never leave Martha’s Vineyard and they won’t even sell him a pierogi
Alan Dershowitz will never leave Martha’s Vineyard and they won’t even sell him a pierogi
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:24 AM
I say it over and over again: when you have that much money, you want to live where you want to live and you are simply not going to relocate because of marginal tax rates
Alan Dershowitz will never leave Martha’s Vineyard and they won’t even sell him a pierogi
Alan Dershowitz will never leave Martha’s Vineyard and they won’t even sell him a pierogi
Reposted by Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
Just aching for colleagues and peers and students in Texas right now.
Also they’re setting up a hotline to report faculty, I sure hope that number becomes available
Also they’re setting up a hotline to report faculty, I sure hope that number becomes available
Let me fix that for you:
Texas A&M is limiting how instructors may discuss gender identity and race in classrooms in an assault on academic freedom unseen in America since the Red Scare.
Texas A&M is limiting how instructors may discuss gender identity and race in classrooms in an assault on academic freedom unseen in America since the Red Scare.
November 14, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Just aching for colleagues and peers and students in Texas right now.
Also they’re setting up a hotline to report faculty, I sure hope that number becomes available
Also they’re setting up a hotline to report faculty, I sure hope that number becomes available
Full bore racism and xenophobia promulgated by the worst people in America
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations
Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students
www.science.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Full bore racism and xenophobia promulgated by the worst people in America