Daniel S Helman, PhD
@helmandaniel.bsky.social
I'm an artist who turned tail and became a geoscientist, working in mineralogy, sustainability and nonviolence.
https://osf.io/3zd68/
https://osf.io/3zd68/
Pinned
If you are in another country and want to help with US:
Set up trade deals with co-operatives in the US. This will help create more co-ops in the US, and offset the influence of the horrible corporate culture here. Current US politics are an extension of their corporate culture.
Set up trade deals with co-operatives in the US. This will help create more co-ops in the US, and offset the influence of the horrible corporate culture here. Current US politics are an extension of their corporate culture.
Check out my latest travel writing about Mexico City, Anahuacalli, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and academic life.
danielhelman.medium.com/mexico-city-...
danielhelman.medium.com/mexico-city-...
Mexico City Respite
The Sun streams in and onto the leaves of fifty plants filling the kitchen with high ceilings and railings painted green. It is a split…
danielhelman.medium.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Check out my latest travel writing about Mexico City, Anahuacalli, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and academic life.
danielhelman.medium.com/mexico-city-...
danielhelman.medium.com/mexico-city-...
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
A very quick check to see if a book's idea of plate tectonics is outdated:
-Does it say upwelling causes spreading centers?
-Does it say that slabs, in any way, melt?
-Does it say hotspots cause continent break up?
-Does it say upwelling causes spreading centers?
-Does it say that slabs, in any way, melt?
-Does it say hotspots cause continent break up?
November 20, 2025 at 10:13 PM
A very quick check to see if a book's idea of plate tectonics is outdated:
-Does it say upwelling causes spreading centers?
-Does it say that slabs, in any way, melt?
-Does it say hotspots cause continent break up?
-Does it say upwelling causes spreading centers?
-Does it say that slabs, in any way, melt?
-Does it say hotspots cause continent break up?
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
UC San Diego is discovering shocking grade inflation at many Cali high schools, to the point that a large minority of kids with a 4.0 average in math are at 6th grade or below in mathematical ability.
In response, they’re resorting to semi-blacklisting schools with especially bad grade inflation.
In response, they’re resorting to semi-blacklisting schools with especially bad grade inflation.
senate.ucsd.edu
November 19, 2025 at 5:59 PM
UC San Diego is discovering shocking grade inflation at many Cali high schools, to the point that a large minority of kids with a 4.0 average in math are at 6th grade or below in mathematical ability.
In response, they’re resorting to semi-blacklisting schools with especially bad grade inflation.
In response, they’re resorting to semi-blacklisting schools with especially bad grade inflation.
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
AI academic research hub alphaXiv, which lets users comment on, annotate, and discuss arXiv papers, raised a $7M seed co-led by Menlo Ventures and Haystack (Mike Wheatley/SiliconANGLE)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
November 20, 2025 at 4:41 AM
AI academic research hub alphaXiv, which lets users comment on, annotate, and discuss arXiv papers, raised a $7M seed co-led by Menlo Ventures and Haystack (Mike Wheatley/SiliconANGLE)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
All of my writing successes are because this magazine took a chance on my weird stories. They have done the same for countless other authors. Neil has won the Hugo Award for Best Short Form Editor multiple years in a row.
Hundreds of people need to subscribe for him to keep his health insurance!
Hundreds of people need to subscribe for him to keep his health insurance!
In light of the astronomical increases for my health insurance next year, I thought it would be a good time to encourage people to subscribe. (A few hundred should cover it. Sigh.)
clarkesworldmagazine.com/subscribe/
clarkesworldmagazine.com/subscribe/
November 19, 2025 at 1:24 AM
All of my writing successes are because this magazine took a chance on my weird stories. They have done the same for countless other authors. Neil has won the Hugo Award for Best Short Form Editor multiple years in a row.
Hundreds of people need to subscribe for him to keep his health insurance!
Hundreds of people need to subscribe for him to keep his health insurance!
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
I'm seeing people wonder why ICE is going after Charlotte.
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
“When the 8 African American sheriffs took over the largest counties in North Carolina, it became a threat to the good ol’ boy system,” says the sheriff of Charlotte. These new sheriffs broke ties with ICE.
But GOP lawmakers cracked down this week, overbidding the governor’s veto to adopt this law:
But GOP lawmakers cracked down this week, overbidding the governor’s veto to adopt this law:
North Carolina GOP Is Cracking Down on the Black Sheriffs Who Stood Up to ICE
Boosted by new supermajorities, Republicans are closing in on legislation to mandate more collaboration with ICE and preempt local policies hard-won by immigrants’ rights advocates.
boltsmag.org
November 15, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I'm seeing people wonder why ICE is going after Charlotte.
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Virginia Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025. Her memoir Nobody's Girl was published posthumously in October 2025. HALF WAY THRU IT; I FIND IT VERY WELL WRTTEN AND HER WHOLE IFE WAS ETCHED IN ACID...
November 16, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Virginia Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025. Her memoir Nobody's Girl was published posthumously in October 2025. HALF WAY THRU IT; I FIND IT VERY WELL WRTTEN AND HER WHOLE IFE WAS ETCHED IN ACID...
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
"Historically, [ponderosa pine] trees have been able to defend themselves by turning rain into resin that pushes out bark beetles. But because of prolonged drought exacerbated by climate change, beetles have been able to move thru trees at a rapid pace." 🌎 kiowacountypress.net/content/dead...
Deadly beetles now infesting lower-elevation ponderosa pines | KiowaCountyPress.net
Most of Colorado’s trees lost to mountain pine beetle infestations were lodgepole pines at higher elevations until 2023.
kiowacountypress.net
November 15, 2025 at 4:10 PM
"Historically, [ponderosa pine] trees have been able to defend themselves by turning rain into resin that pushes out bark beetles. But because of prolonged drought exacerbated by climate change, beetles have been able to move thru trees at a rapid pace." 🌎 kiowacountypress.net/content/dead...
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
BREAKING: Twenty-four survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s crimes have issued an emotional and urgent appeal to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, demanding that Congress vote to release the long-awaited Epstein files. meidasnews.com/news/survivo...
meidasnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:39 PM
BREAKING: Twenty-four survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s crimes have issued an emotional and urgent appeal to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, demanding that Congress vote to release the long-awaited Epstein files. meidasnews.com/news/survivo...
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Do you want to see the best takedown of Megyn Kelly? Watch an actual 14 year old give an open message to Megyn about how horrible she is. www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMTpjmpn/
Here’s a reminder from an actual 14 year old about what a child even IS. If adults are out here debating the “acceptable age” of abuse, then kids aren’t the ones who need to grow up. ✨sources✨ https:/...
TikTok video by eloise
www.tiktok.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Do you want to see the best takedown of Megyn Kelly? Watch an actual 14 year old give an open message to Megyn about how horrible she is. www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMTpjmpn/
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
my website is getting a lot of hits, maybe from angry men but in any case: if you’re there please skip the CV & read this piece I wrote, parts of which are published in @bostonglobe.com & @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social :
aliciaandrzejewskiphd.com/memoir
aliciaandrzejewskiphd.com/memoir
the monk, the cobra, and me — Alicia Andrzejewski
We must all bow to what we are scared of. It is the only way it will let us pass.
aliciaandrzejewskiphd.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:03 AM
my website is getting a lot of hits, maybe from angry men but in any case: if you’re there please skip the CV & read this piece I wrote, parts of which are published in @bostonglobe.com & @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social :
aliciaandrzejewskiphd.com/memoir
aliciaandrzejewskiphd.com/memoir
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
FFmpeg to Google: Fund us or stop sending bugs | Discussion
FFmpeg to Google: Fund Us or Stop Sending Bugs
A lively discussion about open source, security, and who pays the bills has erupted on Twitter.
thenewstack.io
November 12, 2025 at 2:20 AM
FFmpeg to Google: Fund us or stop sending bugs | Discussion
If you don't know him, I will recommend the very beautiful, haunting poetry by Wilfred Owen on this Veteran's Day. Glad to see others have an interest in him as well!!
I always think about my favorite poet on Veteran’s Day—Wilfred Owen, a soldier who died in combat, who saw terrible things & transformed them into urgent, horrific, & beautiful words.
because it is not “sweet & beautiful” to die for your country.
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46560/...
because it is not “sweet & beautiful” to die for your country.
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46560/...
November 12, 2025 at 2:27 AM
If you don't know him, I will recommend the very beautiful, haunting poetry by Wilfred Owen on this Veteran's Day. Glad to see others have an interest in him as well!!
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Oh look, it is possible to massive offshore deployments of seismometers after all!
Would *never* know it from how the US has been (not) instrumenting Alaska and Cascadia.
It's kind of like green energy: the US has behaved lackadaisically for 20+ years while other countries actually improve.
Would *never* know it from how the US has been (not) instrumenting Alaska and Cascadia.
It's kind of like green energy: the US has behaved lackadaisically for 20+ years while other countries actually improve.
The underwater seismometer network is so great, as evidenced from yesterday's EQ off-Tohoku.
Reposting unofficial visualization by x.com/kotoho76/sta...
Reposting unofficial visualization by x.com/kotoho76/sta...
November 10, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Oh look, it is possible to massive offshore deployments of seismometers after all!
Would *never* know it from how the US has been (not) instrumenting Alaska and Cascadia.
It's kind of like green energy: the US has behaved lackadaisically for 20+ years while other countries actually improve.
Would *never* know it from how the US has been (not) instrumenting Alaska and Cascadia.
It's kind of like green energy: the US has behaved lackadaisically for 20+ years while other countries actually improve.
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Kudos to the @seattletimes.com for spelling with diacritical marks used in the Hawaiian language, the ʻokina and the kahakō.
A few years ago, when I asked the NY Times to spell my affiliation as University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, they refused because it went against their style guide.
A few years ago, when I asked the NY Times to spell my affiliation as University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, they refused because it went against their style guide.
Why we're using this spelling of Hawaiʻi
You may notice a change in how we spell Hawaiʻi and other Native Hawaiian words at The Seattle Times. Here's why.
www.seattletimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Kudos to the @seattletimes.com for spelling with diacritical marks used in the Hawaiian language, the ʻokina and the kahakō.
A few years ago, when I asked the NY Times to spell my affiliation as University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, they refused because it went against their style guide.
A few years ago, when I asked the NY Times to spell my affiliation as University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, they refused because it went against their style guide.
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Regions where >36% of precip derives from local terrestrial sources (i.e. evap from soils and vegetation)—like Midwestern US—are more prone to episodic agricultural drought. >40% of global maize & 60% of winter wheat is grown in such regions.
timesofsandiego.com/business/202...
timesofsandiego.com/business/202...
Where rain comes from determines drought risk for farmers, UCSD study finds
The source of a region's rainfall can be a key indicator of how vulnerable local crops are to climate change.
timesofsandiego.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Regions where >36% of precip derives from local terrestrial sources (i.e. evap from soils and vegetation)—like Midwestern US—are more prone to episodic agricultural drought. >40% of global maize & 60% of winter wheat is grown in such regions.
timesofsandiego.com/business/202...
timesofsandiego.com/business/202...
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Space Bluesky, I'm looking for a dark energy expert who is currently awake that could comment on an upcoming paper for me.
If that's you, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
If that's you, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
November 4, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Space Bluesky, I'm looking for a dark energy expert who is currently awake that could comment on an upcoming paper for me.
If that's you, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
If that's you, do let me know. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks!
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
US citizen shot from behind as he warned ICE agents children would be coming to get bus, lawyers say
U.S. citizen shot from behind as he warned ICE agents about children gathering at bus stop, lawyers say
Lawyers for Carlos Jimenez said he was in fear after an agent threatened him with chemical spray, then pointed a gun at him.
www.latimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:25 PM
US citizen shot from behind as he warned ICE agents children would be coming to get bus, lawyers say
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Here’s a list of restaurants around the Tampa Bay Area providing free meals with the loss of SNAP benefits
www.wfla.com/news/local-n...
www.wfla.com/news/local-n...
www.wfla.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Here’s a list of restaurants around the Tampa Bay Area providing free meals with the loss of SNAP benefits
www.wfla.com/news/local-n...
www.wfla.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
أنا اسمي زهران ممدان وعم رشّح حالي لأكون العمدة الجديد في مدينة نيويورك
November 1, 2025 at 8:54 PM
أنا اسمي زهران ممدان وعم رشّح حالي لأكون العمدة الجديد في مدينة نيويورك
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Monsoon-like climate over Europe during the warm and CO2 high Eocene inferred from a bit of modeling and a few years recoded in a shell of a giant sea snail. 🧪⚒️
⏰New paper⏰
Very excited to share our more recent paper published today in @nature.com Communications, where we show based on #clumped #isotope measurements in a giant sea #snail 🐚 that Europe experienced a monsoon-like climate during the #Eocene high-CO2 period.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Very excited to share our more recent paper published today in @nature.com Communications, where we show based on #clumped #isotope measurements in a giant sea #snail 🐚 that Europe experienced a monsoon-like climate during the #Eocene high-CO2 period.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A European monsoon-like climate in a warmhouse world - Nature Communications
Daily climate 45 million years ago is reconstructed using fossil snail shells, revealing monsoon-like conditions in Europe. The findings help predict how future warming could affect rainfall and seaso...
www.nature.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Monsoon-like climate over Europe during the warm and CO2 high Eocene inferred from a bit of modeling and a few years recoded in a shell of a giant sea snail. 🧪⚒️
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Did you know that over 1.3M active duty service members and veterans rely on SNAP benefits to feed themselves and their families?
Now you know.
Now you know.
October 26, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Did you know that over 1.3M active duty service members and veterans rely on SNAP benefits to feed themselves and their families?
Now you know.
Now you know.