Seth Finnegan
@sethf.bsky.social
Marine paleobiologist & geologist @ UC Berkeley Integrative Biology & UC Museum of Paleontology
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
NEW: We cannot continue to pump CO2 into the Atmosphere without re-arranging the Biosphere. Ellen Welti and I analyze datasets from the US Long Term Ecological Research site at Konza Prairie and reveal wholesale reorganization of plant biomass and biogeochemistry, with implications for its food web.
November 24, 2025 at 8:53 PM
NEW: We cannot continue to pump CO2 into the Atmosphere without re-arranging the Biosphere. Ellen Welti and I analyze datasets from the US Long Term Ecological Research site at Konza Prairie and reveal wholesale reorganization of plant biomass and biogeochemistry, with implications for its food web.
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
“Heartbreaking scenes from Elit, Iran, where wildfire is damaging parts of the ancient Hyrcanian forests — a @unesco.org World Heritage treasure and one of Earth’s last temperate rainforests" Kaveh Madani, director of the UN University Institute for Water, Environment and Health
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Turkey sends aircraft to help battle Iran wildfires
Two Turkish firefighting planes, one helicopter and eight personnel will arrive in Iran on Saturday to help quell fires in the Hyrcanian forest in the country's north, Iranian environment chief Shina ...
www.iranintl.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:39 PM
“Heartbreaking scenes from Elit, Iran, where wildfire is damaging parts of the ancient Hyrcanian forests — a @unesco.org World Heritage treasure and one of Earth’s last temperate rainforests" Kaveh Madani, director of the UN University Institute for Water, Environment and Health
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
Don't let AI do your homework, Pope Leo tells US youth reut.rs/48tKTYY
Don't let AI do your homework, Pope Leo tells US youth
Artificial intelligence may be a useful tool for learning, but don't use it for your homework, Pope Leo told about 15,000 U.S. youth during a question-and-answer session on Friday.
reut.rs
November 21, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Don't let AI do your homework, Pope Leo tells US youth reut.rs/48tKTYY
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
Leicester's Palaeontology program has a long track record including discovery that conodonts were vertebrates, graduates who are Fellows of the Royal Society, innovative researchers, and a growing body of undergraduate students.
c.org/HJW7FVxPwv
c.org/HJW7FVxPwv
Sign the Petition
Save Geology at the University of Leicester
c.org
November 23, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Leicester's Palaeontology program has a long track record including discovery that conodonts were vertebrates, graduates who are Fellows of the Royal Society, innovative researchers, and a growing body of undergraduate students.
c.org/HJW7FVxPwv
c.org/HJW7FVxPwv
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
5 immigration judges were summarily fired in San Francisco today, the largest such firing in the city all year.
It continues a trend of the Trump admin. targeting immigration judges nationwide. In San Francisco, at least 12 have been sacked this year.
missionlocal.org/2025/11/sf-i...
It continues a trend of the Trump admin. targeting immigration judges nationwide. In San Francisco, at least 12 have been sacked this year.
missionlocal.org/2025/11/sf-i...
Friday night massacre: 5 judges fired from S.F. immigration court today
The Department of Justice fired at least five San Francisco immigration court judges on Friday in the largest cut of immigration judges in the city so far
missionlocal.org
November 22, 2025 at 12:39 AM
5 immigration judges were summarily fired in San Francisco today, the largest such firing in the city all year.
It continues a trend of the Trump admin. targeting immigration judges nationwide. In San Francisco, at least 12 have been sacked this year.
missionlocal.org/2025/11/sf-i...
It continues a trend of the Trump admin. targeting immigration judges nationwide. In San Francisco, at least 12 have been sacked this year.
missionlocal.org/2025/11/sf-i...
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
Hmmm…what USAID wasn’t bad for America…what if getting rid of it only hurt us and everyone else?
What if the richest man in the world being responsible for ending aid to the poorest people in the world will go down as one of the most bizarre and disgusting acts of the 21st century?
What if the richest man in the world being responsible for ending aid to the poorest people in the world will go down as one of the most bizarre and disgusting acts of the 21st century?
November 22, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Hmmm…what USAID wasn’t bad for America…what if getting rid of it only hurt us and everyone else?
What if the richest man in the world being responsible for ending aid to the poorest people in the world will go down as one of the most bizarre and disgusting acts of the 21st century?
What if the richest man in the world being responsible for ending aid to the poorest people in the world will go down as one of the most bizarre and disgusting acts of the 21st century?
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
It’s widely known (and, I think, pretty uncontroversial) that learning requires effort — specifically, if you don’t have to work at getting the knowledge, it won’t stick.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
November 21, 2025 at 12:49 PM
It’s widely known (and, I think, pretty uncontroversial) that learning requires effort — specifically, if you don’t have to work at getting the knowledge, it won’t stick.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
Grim reading. People buy a lot of stuff and send it back. But, it doesn't get restocked necessarily. Maybe it gets resold. But free shipping and overbuying has made people careless in their purchases. www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/r...
We Bought a 450-Pound Mystery Pallet Packed With Returned Goods From Amazon and Beyond. Here’s What We Found Inside.
Pallets of overstock, returned, and undelivered-mail packages are an indicator of just how much stuff there is in the retail ecosystem.
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Grim reading. People buy a lot of stuff and send it back. But, it doesn't get restocked necessarily. Maybe it gets resold. But free shipping and overbuying has made people careless in their purchases. www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/r...
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
An incredibly important issue. Read it
Data on race and ethnicity has put us on the cusp of breakthroughs in treating kidney failure, which disproportionately affects Black Americans. But the Trump administration has halted that data collection as part of its war on supposed "DEI." Important new story from @laylaayanna.bsky.social
The Trump Admin’s War on Data Is Compromising Major Health Advancements for Black Americans
Thanks to a 2009 medical breakthrough, researchers could be on the precipice...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:15 PM
An incredibly important issue. Read it
Just gave feedback on a student research paper draft that referred to "mixed-defects models" and I will never call them anything else from now on.
November 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Just gave feedback on a student research paper draft that referred to "mixed-defects models" and I will never call them anything else from now on.
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
One day we’ll look back on this as one of the stupidest things we’ve done.
California farms applied millions of pounds of PFAS to key crops, study finds
‘Forever chemicals’ sprayed on almonds, grapes, tomatoes and other crops as activists warn of ‘obvious problem’
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:06 PM
One day we’ll look back on this as one of the stupidest things we’ve done.
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
When California banned the sale of gas-only cars starting in 2035, Gavin Newsom called it “the most impactful step our state can take to fight climate change.”
Now CA will “rethink” the ban: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/so-much-fo...
Now CA will “rethink” the ban: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/so-much-fo...
So much for Gavin Newsom's electric vehicle mandate
California's leading the world on climate. So where's California going?
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:42 PM
When California banned the sale of gas-only cars starting in 2035, Gavin Newsom called it “the most impactful step our state can take to fight climate change.”
Now CA will “rethink” the ban: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/so-much-fo...
Now CA will “rethink” the ban: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/so-much-fo...
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
This entire administration is a national security risk
As the FBI’s deputy director, Dan Bongino receives some of the country’s most sensitive secrets, including the President’s Daily Brief. His ascent to that position without passing a standard bureau background check is unprecedented, insiders say.
FBI Director Kash Patel Waived Polygraph Security Screening for Dan Bongino, Two Other Senior Staff
As the FBI’s deputy director, Bongino receives some of the country’s most sensitive secrets, including the President’s Daily Brief. His ascent to that position without passing a standard bureau backgr...
www.propublica.org
November 15, 2025 at 2:17 AM
This entire administration is a national security risk
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
Trump's illegal murders in the Caribbean just got worse. An internal DOJ memo on the bombings says the victims are waging war on the US, but per NYT, it extensively cites the WH's *own claims* to this effect as evidence!
It gets even darker than that. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
It gets even darker than that. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
Trump Boat Bombings Take Dark, Unnerving Turn with Leaked Memo Stunner
A new Trump administration memo argues that those carrying out the boat attacks can’t be prosecuted. Why? Because the administration says so!
newrepublic.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Trump's illegal murders in the Caribbean just got worse. An internal DOJ memo on the bombings says the victims are waging war on the US, but per NYT, it extensively cites the WH's *own claims* to this effect as evidence!
It gets even darker than that. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
It gets even darker than that. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
Indiana University, which has now been subordinated to the direct control of the Indiana GOP, announces that criticism of the MAGA movement and doctrines of the GOP is forbidden. An instructor is dismissed for speaking critical words about the MAGA movement.
Indiana Professor Removed From Class Over White Supremacy Lesson
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Indiana University, which has now been subordinated to the direct control of the Indiana GOP, announces that criticism of the MAGA movement and doctrines of the GOP is forbidden. An instructor is dismissed for speaking critical words about the MAGA movement.
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
This week Open AI walked back a call for the govt to backstop financing for its trillion dollar investments in data centers. This was only the tip of the iceberg; a slow bailout for AI firms is already underway. Read more from @ambakak.bsky.social and I in @wsj.com: www.wsj.com/opinion/you-...
Opinion | You May Already Be Bailing Out the AI Business
Washington is treating the industry as if it’s too big to fail, even as the market sends lukewarm signals.
www.wsj.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:56 PM
This week Open AI walked back a call for the govt to backstop financing for its trillion dollar investments in data centers. This was only the tip of the iceberg; a slow bailout for AI firms is already underway. Read more from @ambakak.bsky.social and I in @wsj.com: www.wsj.com/opinion/you-...
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
The Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville seeks a new Invertebrate Paleontology Collection Manager! www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/nhdept/inver...
Invertebrate Paleontology Collection Manager
The Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida seeks an experienced full-time Collections Manager II or III as Director of Invertebrate Paleontology Collections within the Departme...
www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu
November 13, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville seeks a new Invertebrate Paleontology Collection Manager! www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/nhdept/inver...
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
My department at UT Austin is looking to hire an Assistant Professor in Evolutionary Biology, broadly defined. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have.
apply.interfolio.com/177547
apply.interfolio.com/177547
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:23 PM
My department at UT Austin is looking to hire an Assistant Professor in Evolutionary Biology, broadly defined. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have.
apply.interfolio.com/177547
apply.interfolio.com/177547
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
November 9, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
🔔 When Trump posted a video of budget director Russell Vought as the grim reaper, public health workers recognized a kernel of truth.
My latest piece @kffhealthnews.org couldn't be more important. Art by the incredible @oonazenda.bsky.social
🧵
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
My latest piece @kffhealthnews.org couldn't be more important. Art by the incredible @oonazenda.bsky.social
🧵
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Wielding Obscure Budget Tools, Trump’s ‘Reaper’ Vought Sows Turmoil in Public Health - KFF Health News
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly upended outbreak response, HIV treatment, and dementia care in communities across America.
kffhealthnews.org
November 7, 2025 at 1:37 PM
🔔 When Trump posted a video of budget director Russell Vought as the grim reaper, public health workers recognized a kernel of truth.
My latest piece @kffhealthnews.org couldn't be more important. Art by the incredible @oonazenda.bsky.social
🧵
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
My latest piece @kffhealthnews.org couldn't be more important. Art by the incredible @oonazenda.bsky.social
🧵
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
A PhD opportunity to work with me, @spissatella.bsky.social and our friends through CENTA - biogeography and vulnerability of exploited bivalves, with possible spin-offs about fishery sustainability and environmental economics: centa.ac.uk/studentship/...
2026-B19 Marine biodiversity and its future under environmental changes and exploitation – CENTA
centa.ac.uk
October 24, 2025 at 12:54 PM
A PhD opportunity to work with me, @spissatella.bsky.social and our friends through CENTA - biogeography and vulnerability of exploited bivalves, with possible spin-offs about fishery sustainability and environmental economics: centa.ac.uk/studentship/...
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
too big to fail speedrun
BREAKING: OpenAI is requesting US government support to help guarantee financing for the massive investments in AI chips and data centers it needs for expansion, per Bloomberg.
November 6, 2025 at 1:30 AM
too big to fail speedrun
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
A devastating set of decisions on the part of UC leadership to withdraw support from our nationally recognized postdoc program that prioritizes research excellence combined with addressing our university public service mission. www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
UC to Stop Funding Systemwide Postdoc Program
Established in 1984 to encourage women and minority Ph.D.s to pursue academia, the program has attracted right-wing criticism for prioritizing diverse candidates.
www.insidehighered.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:53 PM
A devastating set of decisions on the part of UC leadership to withdraw support from our nationally recognized postdoc program that prioritizes research excellence combined with addressing our university public service mission. www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
Trump Told CBS What to Cut From 60 Minutes Interview—And They Listened newrepublic.com/post/202618/...
Trump Told CBS What to Cut From 60 Minutes Interview—And They Listened
Donald Trump apparently feels he can now dictate CBS News’s content.
newrepublic.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Trump Told CBS What to Cut From 60 Minutes Interview—And They Listened newrepublic.com/post/202618/...
Reposted by Seth Finnegan
Our federal government is attacking the states its GOP leaders do not like. Because of the politics they do not like.
Any other framing by the media is feckless, quisling dishonesty.
Any other framing by the media is feckless, quisling dishonesty.
Some context to the viral videos:
Around 9am Friday, ICE/CBP *encircled* several square miles of a safe suburb and *stormed* it using multiple units.
They were in cars, on foot in alleys & gangways, and in helicopters. They demanded papers, threatened residents, pointed guns, kidnapped people.
Around 9am Friday, ICE/CBP *encircled* several square miles of a safe suburb and *stormed* it using multiple units.
They were in cars, on foot in alleys & gangways, and in helicopters. They demanded papers, threatened residents, pointed guns, kidnapped people.
November 2, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Our federal government is attacking the states its GOP leaders do not like. Because of the politics they do not like.
Any other framing by the media is feckless, quisling dishonesty.
Any other framing by the media is feckless, quisling dishonesty.