Scott McKinley
@scottalister.bsky.social
Random mathematician, New Orleans.
Stochastic processes; microparticle movement; movement ecology; income inequality and economic mobility.
Commonly afflicted by small sample sizes and time scales that don’t separate.
http://stochastics-lab.net
Stochastic processes; microparticle movement; movement ecology; income inequality and economic mobility.
Commonly afflicted by small sample sizes and time scales that don’t separate.
http://stochastics-lab.net
Pinned
Reposted by Scott McKinley
Did you know that if you buy my book on Amazon, Jeff Bezos makes 5 times as much as I do on each copy sold? Sharing some behind-the-scenes book math on why buying directly from presses is best for EVERYONE (except Bezos) in my newsletter today! aubreyhirsch.substack.com/p/book-math
October 14, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Did you know that if you buy my book on Amazon, Jeff Bezos makes 5 times as much as I do on each copy sold? Sharing some behind-the-scenes book math on why buying directly from presses is best for EVERYONE (except Bezos) in my newsletter today! aubreyhirsch.substack.com/p/book-math
Reposted by Scott McKinley
Powerful interview of recently fired CDC director by @maxkozlov.bsky.social . What unfolded is chilling and also sad to read in her words. The decimation of the CDC is a low point in global public health history because its impact extended beyond America.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: ex-CDC director talks about why she was fired
“I would never do that, as a scientist,” Susan Monarez says of being asked to approve changes to vaccine recommendations without knowing the details.
www.nature.com
October 2, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Powerful interview of recently fired CDC director by @maxkozlov.bsky.social . What unfolded is chilling and also sad to read in her words. The decimation of the CDC is a low point in global public health history because its impact extended beyond America.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Note to NYT mobile: Science is not broken.
Trust in science might be, in part, because of terrible communication like this.
Trust in science might be, in part, because of terrible communication like this.
September 22, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Note to NYT mobile: Science is not broken.
Trust in science might be, in part, because of terrible communication like this.
Trust in science might be, in part, because of terrible communication like this.
Reposted by Scott McKinley
Last week @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social and I put out a provocation & set of suggestions on how influence has changed and why institutions (& funders) need to change their thinking on shaping public opinion and connecting w/audiences. The old way no longer works.
carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
For Expertise to Matter, Nonpartisan Institutions Need New Communications Strategies
To avoid irrelevance when they are needed most, experts and nonpartisan analysts must rethink not just their channels of communication but also their theory of influence.
carnegieendowment.org
September 20, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Last week @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social and I put out a provocation & set of suggestions on how influence has changed and why institutions (& funders) need to change their thinking on shaping public opinion and connecting w/audiences. The old way no longer works.
carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
carnegieendowment.org/research/202...
Reposted by Scott McKinley
"the freedom to speak becomes meaningless when disconnected from the possibility of being heard".
This is a heartbreaking piece from @alondra.bsky.social on the regression of scientific progress and why she's resigning from the NSF and Library of Congress.
time.com/7285045/resi...
This is a heartbreaking piece from @alondra.bsky.social on the regression of scientific progress and why she's resigning from the NSF and Library of Congress.
time.com/7285045/resi...
Why I’m Resigning from the NSF and Library of Congress
I cannot participate in systems that require dishonesty as the price of belonging.
time.com
May 13, 2025 at 9:38 PM
"the freedom to speak becomes meaningless when disconnected from the possibility of being heard".
This is a heartbreaking piece from @alondra.bsky.social on the regression of scientific progress and why she's resigning from the NSF and Library of Congress.
time.com/7285045/resi...
This is a heartbreaking piece from @alondra.bsky.social on the regression of scientific progress and why she's resigning from the NSF and Library of Congress.
time.com/7285045/resi...
Reposted by Scott McKinley
Reposted by Scott McKinley
Twenty years ago today, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans. At approximately 5:00 AM, the levees broke, flooding 80% of our city. As a result, an estimated 1400 people lost their lives, and hundreds of thousands lost their homes. Over half of the victims were Black.
August 29, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Twenty years ago today, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans. At approximately 5:00 AM, the levees broke, flooding 80% of our city. As a result, an estimated 1400 people lost their lives, and hundreds of thousands lost their homes. Over half of the victims were Black.
Reposted by Scott McKinley
Trump admin planning to change student visas from lasting for duration of academic program to fixed 4-yr term, and then much harder to renew
Could destroy US ability to attract global talent, particularly those seeking advanced degrees in STEM. The median time to complete a PhD is 5.7 yrs per NSF.
Could destroy US ability to attract global talent, particularly those seeking advanced degrees in STEM. The median time to complete a PhD is 5.7 yrs per NSF.
Trump Deals A New Immigration Blow To International Students
Trump officials have proposed a new rule limiting international students to fixed periods of entry, making a U.S. education more precarious.
www.forbes.com
August 29, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Trump admin planning to change student visas from lasting for duration of academic program to fixed 4-yr term, and then much harder to renew
Could destroy US ability to attract global talent, particularly those seeking advanced degrees in STEM. The median time to complete a PhD is 5.7 yrs per NSF.
Could destroy US ability to attract global talent, particularly those seeking advanced degrees in STEM. The median time to complete a PhD is 5.7 yrs per NSF.
Reposted by Scott McKinley
CDC employees standing up and walking out in light of the mass shootings, firings, and *waves hands in the air* everything else.
#USAnotRFK
Lets gooooo
#USAnotRFK
Lets gooooo
August 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM
CDC employees standing up and walking out in light of the mass shootings, firings, and *waves hands in the air* everything else.
#USAnotRFK
Lets gooooo
#USAnotRFK
Lets gooooo
Reposted by Scott McKinley
AP live feed of the CDC walkout in Atlanta. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ7Q...
LIVE: CDC staff plan walkout at Atlanta HQ after Trump firings
YouTube video by Associated Press
www.youtube.com
August 28, 2025 at 7:02 PM
AP live feed of the CDC walkout in Atlanta. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ7Q...
Reposted by Scott McKinley
"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the beginning of a coordinated wind-down of its mRNA vaccine development activities...."
cc: Sen. Bill Cassidy
cc: Sen. Bill Cassidy
August 5, 2025 at 9:34 PM
"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the beginning of a coordinated wind-down of its mRNA vaccine development activities...."
cc: Sen. Bill Cassidy
cc: Sen. Bill Cassidy
Reposted by Scott McKinley
The NSF canceled all grants to UCLA- including IPAM (one of the math research centers). Terry Tao weighs in on the impact of this decision (dressed up in the language of fighting antisemitism.)
mathstodon.xyz/@tao/1149568...
mathstodon.xyz/@tao/1149568...
August 2, 2025 at 11:38 AM
The NSF canceled all grants to UCLA- including IPAM (one of the math research centers). Terry Tao weighs in on the impact of this decision (dressed up in the language of fighting antisemitism.)
mathstodon.xyz/@tao/1149568...
mathstodon.xyz/@tao/1149568...
Reposted by Scott McKinley
"Mac settings have lived a far more fascinating life than I imagined, have been redesigned many times, and can tell us a lot about the early history + the troubled upbringing of this interesting machine. Join me on a journey through the first twenty years of Mac’s control panels." (via The Browser)
Frame of preference
A story of early Mac settings told by 10 emulators.
aresluna.org
July 10, 2025 at 3:19 PM
"Mac settings have lived a far more fascinating life than I imagined, have been redesigned many times, and can tell us a lot about the early history + the troubled upbringing of this interesting machine. Join me on a journey through the first twenty years of Mac’s control panels." (via The Browser)
Growing up in Baton Rouge, I cannot overemphasize the shadow this man cast over the people of that city.
He was the first person who showed me that charisma is an almost mystical personality trait. And that its power looks absurd to anyone not subject to its sway.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/u...
He was the first person who showed me that charisma is an almost mystical personality trait. And that its power looks absurd to anyone not subject to its sway.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/u...
Jimmy Swaggart, Passionate Televangelist Ousted by Scandal, Dies at 90
www.nytimes.com
July 1, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Growing up in Baton Rouge, I cannot overemphasize the shadow this man cast over the people of that city.
He was the first person who showed me that charisma is an almost mystical personality trait. And that its power looks absurd to anyone not subject to its sway.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/u...
He was the first person who showed me that charisma is an almost mystical personality trait. And that its power looks absurd to anyone not subject to its sway.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/u...
Reposted by Scott McKinley
Reposted by Scott McKinley
A huge blow was dealt to hurricane forecasters this week as a critical tool was abruptly terminated by the Department of Defense and NOAA. The immediate discontinuation of data from three weather satellites will severely impact hurricane forecasts this season and beyond. More ⬇️
Critical Hurricane Forecast Tool Abruptly Terminated
U.S. Department of Defense announced Tuesday it would no longer process and deliver data essential to most hurricane forecasts
michaelrlowry.substack.com
June 26, 2025 at 1:17 PM
A huge blow was dealt to hurricane forecasters this week as a critical tool was abruptly terminated by the Department of Defense and NOAA. The immediate discontinuation of data from three weather satellites will severely impact hurricane forecasts this season and beyond. More ⬇️
Reposted by Scott McKinley
Bill Cassidy (R) at RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearing:
“If confirmed, he will maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) without changes”.
Today, RFK Jr. fired every single member of ACIP.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
“If confirmed, he will maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) without changes”.
Today, RFK Jr. fired every single member of ACIP.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
RFK Jr. fires entire CDC vaccine advisory panel
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ousted all 17 members of a panel that advises the CDC on the safety, efficacy and clinical needs of vaccines.
www.usatoday.com
June 10, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Bill Cassidy (R) at RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearing:
“If confirmed, he will maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) without changes”.
Today, RFK Jr. fired every single member of ACIP.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
“If confirmed, he will maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) without changes”.
Today, RFK Jr. fired every single member of ACIP.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Reposted by Scott McKinley
Another scoop from Jeff Mervis (@policyhound.bsky.social): NSF's ~1400 grant terminations have disproportionately affected PIs from groups underrepresented in science: women, racial & ethnic minorities, & those with disabilities. 1/3
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Trump officials take steps toward a radically different NSF
Efforts to shrink staff, budget, and focus have alarmed members of Congress
www.science.org
May 13, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Another scoop from Jeff Mervis (@policyhound.bsky.social): NSF's ~1400 grant terminations have disproportionately affected PIs from groups underrepresented in science: women, racial & ethnic minorities, & those with disabilities. 1/3
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Scott McKinley
Louisiana would be among the states hardest hit by the indefinite pause of funding from the National Science Foundation, with higher education leaders warning of catastrophic impacts to students and the economy. #lalege #lagov
Scientific research cuts could be ‘devastating” to Louisiana, higher ed leaders warn • Louisiana Illuminator
Louisiana would be among the states hardest hit by the indefinite pause of funding from the National Science Foundation, with higher education leaders warning of catastrophic impacts to students and t...
lailluminator.com
May 6, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Reposted by Scott McKinley
BREAKING: NSF has frozen all grant funding, as of yesterday. It's unclear when they will resume funding awards, or why the pause has been put in place. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: NSF stops awarding new grants and funding existing ones
US science funder also plans to screen grant applications for compliance with ‘agency priorities’.
www.nature.com
May 1, 2025 at 10:58 PM
BREAKING: NSF has frozen all grant funding, as of yesterday. It's unclear when they will resume funding awards, or why the pause has been put in place. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
People call lots of things “gaslighting” these days.
This is the real thing, operating at an institutional level
This is the real thing, operating at an institutional level
They started a war with Harvard BY MISTAKE. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/b...
Trump Officials Blame Mistake for Setting Off Confrontation With Harvard
An official on the administration’s antisemitism task force told the university that a letter of demands had been sent without authorization.
www.nytimes.com
April 19, 2025 at 11:16 AM
People call lots of things “gaslighting” these days.
This is the real thing, operating at an institutional level
This is the real thing, operating at an institutional level
These are not the words of someone who seeks to understand.
These are the words of someone who seeks to vilify and dehumanize.
These are the words of someone who seeks to vilify and dehumanize.
WATCH | RFK Jr claims autistic children will never go on dates or pay taxes
Read the recent CDC autism report here: www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Read the recent CDC autism report here: www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
April 17, 2025 at 12:22 AM
These are not the words of someone who seeks to understand.
These are the words of someone who seeks to vilify and dehumanize.
These are the words of someone who seeks to vilify and dehumanize.
Turns out there are more amendments than just the 2nd Amendment.
Take, for example, the 8th:
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."
Take, for example, the 8th:
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."
April 15, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Turns out there are more amendments than just the 2nd Amendment.
Take, for example, the 8th:
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."
Take, for example, the 8th:
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."
Reposted by Scott McKinley
“Kennedy’s team requested that Marks turn over data on cases of brain swelling and deaths caused by the measles vaccine—data that Marks said doesn’t exist because there have been no such confirmed cases in the U.S.” www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Exclusive | Ousted Vaccine Chief Says RFK Jr.’s Team Sought Data to Justify Anti-Science Stance
Dr. Peter Marks says the new health secretary’s team wants to show vaccines aren’t safe while promoting dangerous and unproven treatments.
www.wsj.com
April 4, 2025 at 7:42 PM
“Kennedy’s team requested that Marks turn over data on cases of brain swelling and deaths caused by the measles vaccine—data that Marks said doesn’t exist because there have been no such confirmed cases in the U.S.” www.wsj.com/health/healt...