Marina Bolotnikova
@mbolotnikova.bsky.social
editor for Vox thinking about factory farming & animal rights, agriculture, science & its discontents, cities, housing, transit and ✨ideas✨. [email protected]. Skeptical of epistemic authority~
Pinned
America’s fastest-growing suburbs are about to get very expensive
Sprawl made the American Sunbelt affordable. Now it’s breaking it.
www.vox.com
Suburbs are as old & varied as human civilization—it was only recently that they became synonymous with a specific, sprawl-oriented development pattern. To solve our housing crisis, Americans will have to rethink what the suburb is, & what it could become🌟
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
Vox is now on Patreon! 💛📣
We’re using Patreon’s tools to introduce great new benefits and give you even more insights into our journalism and the people who make it: exclusive videos, live conversations featuring our reporters, new community features, and more.
We’re using Patreon’s tools to introduce great new benefits and give you even more insights into our journalism and the people who make it: exclusive videos, live conversations featuring our reporters, new community features, and more.
November 17, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Vox is now on Patreon! 💛📣
We’re using Patreon’s tools to introduce great new benefits and give you even more insights into our journalism and the people who make it: exclusive videos, live conversations featuring our reporters, new community features, and more.
We’re using Patreon’s tools to introduce great new benefits and give you even more insights into our journalism and the people who make it: exclusive videos, live conversations featuring our reporters, new community features, and more.
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
Is Michael Gordin on here? Saw a good talk where he laid out how post-Soviet Russian science was kinda recovering from the chaos of the 1990s and then Putin's "foreign agents" restrictions just completely suffocated it, because science *is* global collaboration
think about that a lot nowadays
think about that a lot nowadays
“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 5:03 AM
Is Michael Gordin on here? Saw a good talk where he laid out how post-Soviet Russian science was kinda recovering from the chaos of the 1990s and then Putin's "foreign agents" restrictions just completely suffocated it, because science *is* global collaboration
think about that a lot nowadays
think about that a lot nowadays
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
Traditionally, the vast majority of fish that people consume has come from the ocean. But in 2022, humanity hit a significant milestone: Seafood companies began to raise more fish on farms than they caught from the sea.
What we’ve done to the salmon
The particular cruelty behind farming America’s favorite fish.
www.vox.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Traditionally, the vast majority of fish that people consume has come from the ocean. But in 2022, humanity hit a significant milestone: Seafood companies began to raise more fish on farms than they caught from the sea.
November 12, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
sorry but mamdani and cuomo should have worn blue and yellow hats, respectively
November 5, 2025 at 12:24 AM
sorry but mamdani and cuomo should have worn blue and yellow hats, respectively
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
> We’re taught that "a boundary…defines you as separate from others" Yet if you believe that we’re all profoundly interconnected and interdependent then that idea of boundaries may feel like it muddies more than it clarifies
Always read @sigalsamuel.bsky.social
www.vox.com/the-highligh...
Always read @sigalsamuel.bsky.social
www.vox.com/the-highligh...
You don’t need better boundaries. You need a better framework.
“Setting boundaries” is broken — but there’s a different way to think about caring for yourself and others.
www.vox.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:11 PM
> We’re taught that "a boundary…defines you as separate from others" Yet if you believe that we’re all profoundly interconnected and interdependent then that idea of boundaries may feel like it muddies more than it clarifies
Always read @sigalsamuel.bsky.social
www.vox.com/the-highligh...
Always read @sigalsamuel.bsky.social
www.vox.com/the-highligh...
Some really big news dropped in animal rights world last week that was made possible only by extremely competent activism—a top breeder of dogs for lab experimentation will shut down. So I wrote about it and what it means and says about science, etc.
gift link: www.vox.com/future-perfe...
gift link: www.vox.com/future-perfe...
The secretive dog experimentation industry is crumbling
The US experiments on tens of thousands of beagles. After a shocking case, will it come to an end?
www.vox.com
November 2, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Some really big news dropped in animal rights world last week that was made possible only by extremely competent activism—a top breeder of dogs for lab experimentation will shut down. So I wrote about it and what it means and says about science, etc.
gift link: www.vox.com/future-perfe...
gift link: www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
Myths about our ancestors' meaty diets animate modern politics and culture wars about food and identity. But the history of human diets tells a different story about food's past and lets us be more rational about its future.
@gnrosenberg.bsky.social & I for @vox.com
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
@gnrosenberg.bsky.social & I for @vox.com
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
The myth of the carnivore caveman
You are not going to like where our ancestors got their protein.
www.vox.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Myths about our ancestors' meaty diets animate modern politics and culture wars about food and identity. But the history of human diets tells a different story about food's past and lets us be more rational about its future.
@gnrosenberg.bsky.social & I for @vox.com
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
@gnrosenberg.bsky.social & I for @vox.com
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Felony conspiracy for ***taking chickens worth $24***
Jarring to assimilate this news when not 24 hours before, we learned that the 2nd biggest breeder of dogs for animal experimentation in the US will close, which represents maybe DxE's greatest achievement ever
Jarring to assimilate this news when not 24 hours before, we learned that the 2nd biggest breeder of dogs for animal experimentation in the US will close, which represents maybe DxE's greatest achievement ever
Animal rescuer Zoe Rosenberg was just found guilty of felony conspiracy and 3 misdemeanors for her rescue of four chickens from Perdue's Petaluma Poultry. Zoe was represented by Chris Carraway, of Animal Activist Legal Defense Project (@AALDP-DU.bsky.social), and attorney Kevin Little.
October 30, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Felony conspiracy for ***taking chickens worth $24***
Jarring to assimilate this news when not 24 hours before, we learned that the 2nd biggest breeder of dogs for animal experimentation in the US will close, which represents maybe DxE's greatest achievement ever
Jarring to assimilate this news when not 24 hours before, we learned that the 2nd biggest breeder of dogs for animal experimentation in the US will close, which represents maybe DxE's greatest achievement ever
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
In v2 of our preprint on "Adversarial Reanalysis," Kelsey Ichikawa, @nicolecnelson.bsky.social, & added our take on Gold Standard Science as an example of how #OpenData challenges science's existing tools for self-governance
osf.io/preprints/me... #sts #metascience
osf.io/preprints/me... #sts #metascience
October 29, 2025 at 10:30 PM
In v2 of our preprint on "Adversarial Reanalysis," Kelsey Ichikawa, @nicolecnelson.bsky.social, & added our take on Gold Standard Science as an example of how #OpenData challenges science's existing tools for self-governance
osf.io/preprints/me... #sts #metascience
osf.io/preprints/me... #sts #metascience
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
This is a kindergarten in Kharkiv. Imagine bringing your child there in the morning — and then it’s struck by russia. Imagine the children, the teachers. And know that this is real — it’s happening every single day somewhere in Ukraine.
October 22, 2025 at 12:06 PM
This is a kindergarten in Kharkiv. Imagine bringing your child there in the morning — and then it’s struck by russia. Imagine the children, the teachers. And know that this is real — it’s happening every single day somewhere in Ukraine.
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
Terrific explanation by @jandutkiewicz.bsky.social in @vox.com of why you don't have to worry about lead in your protein powder.
Setting unrealistic target levels for contaminants and then testing stuff and claiming it's unsafe has a long and storied history.
Setting unrealistic target levels for contaminants and then testing stuff and claiming it's unsafe has a long and storied history.
October 22, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Terrific explanation by @jandutkiewicz.bsky.social in @vox.com of why you don't have to worry about lead in your protein powder.
Setting unrealistic target levels for contaminants and then testing stuff and claiming it's unsafe has a long and storied history.
Setting unrealistic target levels for contaminants and then testing stuff and claiming it's unsafe has a long and storied history.
Everything you actually need to understand about the Consumer Reports protein powder report (threading a gift link!) -- plant-based protein powders are fine, and do not, ffs, allow them to push you to get whey protein
October 22, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Everything you actually need to understand about the Consumer Reports protein powder report (threading a gift link!) -- plant-based protein powders are fine, and do not, ffs, allow them to push you to get whey protein
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
A new study from U of Michigan researchers finds that the diet footprint of cities varies by 3x, primarily driven by variation in where & how beef is sourced & produced. I'm skeptical though, and think that their methods exaggerated real world variation 🧵 1/N www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Column | Your diet’s impact on the planet depends on where you live. Look up your city.
What you eat, and where you eat it, can have a big impact on how much you’re contributing to climate change, according to a study published Monday.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:46 PM
A new study from U of Michigan researchers finds that the diet footprint of cities varies by 3x, primarily driven by variation in where & how beef is sourced & produced. I'm skeptical though, and think that their methods exaggerated real world variation 🧵 1/N www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
My new NYT essay is about the essence of Trumpism: Bailing out farmers who can’t sell soybeans to China because of his tariffs, while bailing out Argentina so it can sell more soybeans to China. It’s the economic equivalent of pardoning pals and prosecuting enemies.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/o...
Opinion | They’re Small, Yellow and Round — and Show How Trump’s Tariffs Don’t Work
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:18 PM
My new NYT essay is about the essence of Trumpism: Bailing out farmers who can’t sell soybeans to China because of his tariffs, while bailing out Argentina so it can sell more soybeans to China. It’s the economic equivalent of pardoning pals and prosecuting enemies.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/o...
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
"Whether we’re feeding it to pigs and chickens or trucks and tractors... Humans use too much soy, a magnificently productive crop, for perilously unproductive purposes." @mbolotnikova.bsky.social on how we've found the worst uses for the best bean 🫛
🎁 www.vox.com/future-perfe...
🎁 www.vox.com/future-perfe...
How soybeans took over America — and the world
This technology could feed a world of 10 billion. We’re squandering it, and the trade war with China could make it worse.
www.vox.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:18 AM
"Whether we’re feeding it to pigs and chickens or trucks and tractors... Humans use too much soy, a magnificently productive crop, for perilously unproductive purposes." @mbolotnikova.bsky.social on how we've found the worst uses for the best bean 🫛
🎁 www.vox.com/future-perfe...
🎁 www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Y'all will be hearing more from me about this "feminization of society" horseshit
October 16, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Y'all will be hearing more from me about this "feminization of society" horseshit
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
Excellent soy primer by @mbolotnikova.bsky.social for @vox.com.
"Humans use too much soy, a magnificently productive crop, for perilously unproductive purposes."
Soy is an amazing crop! But it's a symptom of our meat addiction.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
"Humans use too much soy, a magnificently productive crop, for perilously unproductive purposes."
Soy is an amazing crop! But it's a symptom of our meat addiction.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
How soybeans took over America — and the world
This technology could feed a world of 10 billion. We’re squandering it, and the trade war with China could make it worse.
www.vox.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Excellent soy primer by @mbolotnikova.bsky.social for @vox.com.
"Humans use too much soy, a magnificently productive crop, for perilously unproductive purposes."
Soy is an amazing crop! But it's a symptom of our meat addiction.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
"Humans use too much soy, a magnificently productive crop, for perilously unproductive purposes."
Soy is an amazing crop! But it's a symptom of our meat addiction.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
How soy explains the world.
Great piece piece from @mbolotnikova.bsky.social that takes from the trade war, to the rainforests, to the supermarket aisle (not the aisle you're thinking of)
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Great piece piece from @mbolotnikova.bsky.social that takes from the trade war, to the rainforests, to the supermarket aisle (not the aisle you're thinking of)
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
How soybeans took over America — and the world
This technology could feed a world of 10 billion. We’re squandering it, and the trade war with China could make it worse.
www.vox.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:28 PM
How soy explains the world.
Great piece piece from @mbolotnikova.bsky.social that takes from the trade war, to the rainforests, to the supermarket aisle (not the aisle you're thinking of)
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Great piece piece from @mbolotnikova.bsky.social that takes from the trade war, to the rainforests, to the supermarket aisle (not the aisle you're thinking of)
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Just the absolute worst people in American life, and unfortunately they are the intellectual foundation, to the extent there is such a thing, of our politics now
October 16, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Just the absolute worst people in American life, and unfortunately they are the intellectual foundation, to the extent there is such a thing, of our politics now
Wrote a lot of words on SOYBEANS!🫛 I love having this job so much lol
America should have greater ambitions for the soybean—treating it not just as slop for the world’s abused livestock, but as a miracle technology with the potential to reshape world diets for the better
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
America should have greater ambitions for the soybean—treating it not just as slop for the world’s abused livestock, but as a miracle technology with the potential to reshape world diets for the better
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
How soybeans took over America — and the world
This technology could feed a world of 10 billion. We’re squandering it, and the trade war with China could make it worse.
www.vox.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Wrote a lot of words on SOYBEANS!🫛 I love having this job so much lol
America should have greater ambitions for the soybean—treating it not just as slop for the world’s abused livestock, but as a miracle technology with the potential to reshape world diets for the better
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
America should have greater ambitions for the soybean—treating it not just as slop for the world’s abused livestock, but as a miracle technology with the potential to reshape world diets for the better
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
Meat is a blind spot for people who care about climate. When I used to have dinner with my colleague Wally Broecker, the climate scientist who coined the term “global warming”, he would always order a steak.
The climate movement’s biggest weakness
What the climate movement is getting dead wrong.
www.vox.com
October 4, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Meat is a blind spot for people who care about climate. When I used to have dinner with my colleague Wally Broecker, the climate scientist who coined the term “global warming”, he would always order a steak.
Reposted by Marina Bolotnikova
"In the 1960s, when nerds like me were asking whether or not we were alone in the universe, Jane Goodall started asking people to consider whether or not we were alone on this planet"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Fz...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Fz...
Dr. Jane Goodall
YouTube video by vlogbrothers
www.youtube.com
October 3, 2025 at 12:01 AM
"In the 1960s, when nerds like me were asking whether or not we were alone in the universe, Jane Goodall started asking people to consider whether or not we were alone on this planet"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Fz...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Fz...
Goodall was such an icon because she did & said things that were heresy in the scientific community. Her work on animals' capacities represented not just an abstract finding but a practical ethic that led her to advocate for veganism &vocally oppose animal experimentation
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Jane Goodall’s most radical message was not about saving the planet
The conservationist used her stature to advocate for one of the most important, yet most unpopular, causes in the world.
www.vox.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Goodall was such an icon because she did & said things that were heresy in the scientific community. Her work on animals' capacities represented not just an abstract finding but a practical ethic that led her to advocate for veganism &vocally oppose animal experimentation
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Finally happening: i am writing a piece about how meat and car dependence prevent us from decoupling by converting energy to food and transportation extremely inefficiently. Seeking reading recs to jog my thinking!
September 25, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Finally happening: i am writing a piece about how meat and car dependence prevent us from decoupling by converting energy to food and transportation extremely inefficiently. Seeking reading recs to jog my thinking!