John S. Wilkins
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jswilkins.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy
John S. Wilkins
@jswilkins.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy
HPS PhD Uni Melb. Writer of a number of non-income-producing books. Semi retired. Dad jokes and bad puns are free.

🌉 bridged from https://fediscience.org/@jswilkins on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/
mastodon.social
February 3, 2026 at 8:22 AM
RE: https://c.im/@RadicalAnthro/116001235893765894

How often does one have to say the species name is a *binomial*! Two words, the genus and the species. Capital for genus name, lowercase for species name and if you can italicise it two, do so.
February 3, 2026 at 3:07 AM
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
January 24, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
Bas van Fraassen has won the 2026 Rolf Schock Prize in Logic and Philosophy
Bas van Fraassen Wins Schock Prize - Daily Nous
Bastiaan "Bas" van Fraassen, professor emeritus of philosophy at Princeton University, has been awarded the 2026 Rolf Schock Prize in Logic and Philosophy. The Schock Prizes are bestowed by the Royal ...
dailynous.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Anyone who has a cat that is grooming shy, I found that a camelhair brush, such as a lint brush, works a treat. Noodle (my aspie cat) is now actively seeking brush attention.
January 18, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
The pessimistic meta-induction isn't just a theoretical problem for the sciences; it's part of a political problem for them. What's the response, then?
Philosophy to the Rescue of Science - Daily Nous
The pessimistic meta-induction---the argument that since past scientific theories have been shown to be false, we should expect that today's will turn out false, too---makes the New York Times. . Elay...
dailynous.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:55 PM
A name suggestion for a metal band with really old members: Iron Oxide

You're welcome.
January 2, 2026 at 6:07 AM
So SubRussia is following in Russia's footsteps and seizing things illegally

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-11/us-seizes-oil-tanker-off-coast-of-venezuela/106128382
US seizes oil tanker off coast of Venezuela, Trump says
US President Donald Trump says the tanker is "the largest one ever seized".
www.abc.net.au
December 11, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
When budget cuts and state laws end philosophy major programs, how can philosophy still have a role in the education of undergraduates?
Philosophy in College Beyond the Philosophy Major - Daily Nous
It's not just budget cuts that are leading some colleges and universities to get rid of their philosophy major programs. Sometimes its legislation. For example, as reported this summer, the state legi...
dailynous.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:44 PM
The "habits" of plants appear to have been the traits of plants that adapt to their circumstances and environment. A nineteenth century piece of botanical terminology I previously didn't know. #histsci #histbio #taxonomy
October 14, 2025 at 8:12 AM
I’m making great progress on my chapter. No more than four readings per sentence. At this rate I’ll only be two or three months past the deadline.
October 9, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
Alarming piece from @carolecadwalla.bsky.social on Blair + Murdoch + Ellison + Ellison Jr + a touch of Musk and the new world order.

www.thenerve.news/p/tony-blair...
'WHAT WILL JESUS SAY?' TONY BLAIR, BIG TECH AND THE ISRAEL CONNECTION
As Trump announces the former British PM as his choice to help govern Gaza, Carole Cadwalladr investigates the opaque workings of Blair's institute, its funding from friends of Israel – including bill...
www.thenerve.news
October 5, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
October 1, 2025 at 7:49 PM
So, I am trawling through the literature (thank you, BHL!) from the late 17th century to the mid 20th century on the development of the discipline and name of "systematics". This will become one or more papers. If anyone has suggestions other than what's found in Mayr, Cain, or Stevens, let me know.
September 22, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
Ask your local police if they will protect residents from masked marauders
September 21, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
The majority of animals do show various forms of hierarchy - but is the concept of ‚alpha‘ relevant or even real?

https://www.livescience.com/animals/are-alpha-males-real
Are alpha males real?
The term "alpha male" was coined in 1970 to describe wolves. But what does science think about the term now?
www.livescience.com
September 12, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
New research on the question of whether studying philosophy makes students better thinkers...
Studying Philosophy Makes People Better Thinkers: Further Data - Daily Nous
A new study "offers the strongest evidence to date that studying philosophy does indeed make people better thinkers." Readers may recall the previous research of Michael Prinzing (Baylor) & Michael Va...
dailynous.com
July 14, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
TYPES 2025 has been lots of fun so far—I’ve been learning heaps, and I’m seeing unexpected connections between recent work in type theory and other issues I’m curious about.

I have no idea how I (or my audience) will cope with a 20 minute timeslot straight after lunch, but my talk is more of a […]
Original post on hcommons.social
hcommons.social
June 10, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
Could they make updating the root certificate for #Eduroam any more complicated?! I did the same thing on three different devices and got different results. 🤪 #UCD
May 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
For weeks I have been telling reporters that #trump could have the power to switch off our tech in #europe. It felt a bit alarmist until I just read the #microsoft, on the behest of the #US gov has suspended the email account of Karim Khan, #ICC chief prosecutor.

One of the most important […]
Original post on eupolicy.social
eupolicy.social
May 15, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Reposted by John S. Wilkins
(Not so) controversial opinion: immigration is good actually.
May 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM