Shawn Otto
@shawnotto.bsky.social
Writer, scicommer, builder, entrepresomething, nonprofit founder, campaign mgr, dad, disinfo battler, climate doer. Posting about science, politics and writing. https://shawnotto.com
New book coming soon! Hopefully fiction…
September 10, 2025 at 12:01 AM
New book coming soon! Hopefully fiction…
La Leona waterfall in Costa Rica. An intense hike and swim to get there but worth it!
February 12, 2025 at 3:36 AM
La Leona waterfall in Costa Rica. An intense hike and swim to get there but worth it!
On a train through highland tea country to Nanu Oya.
January 15, 2025 at 9:45 AM
On a train through highland tea country to Nanu Oya.
The prescient 1977 climate change memo to President Jimmy Carter that could have changed everything - but didn’t.
December 30, 2024 at 7:47 PM
The prescient 1977 climate change memo to President Jimmy Carter that could have changed everything - but didn’t.
Yes science is attacked by the right, but also by authoritarians on the left who claim all “ways of knowing” are =, science & math are tools of white patriarchy, & there’s no objective truth. Disagree & you’re an oppressor. It’s a manipulative power play. If you love justice, love science.
December 27, 2024 at 6:27 AM
Yes science is attacked by the right, but also by authoritarians on the left who claim all “ways of knowing” are =, science & math are tools of white patriarchy, & there’s no objective truth. Disagree & you’re an oppressor. It’s a manipulative power play. If you love justice, love science.
So for some reason I’ve started buying broken EGO electric lawn mowers and fixing them up then reselling them to keep them from going into landfills. The electronics are pretty easy to diagnose and fix and it’s sort of like doing a puzzle. Does this mean I’m getting old?
November 30, 2024 at 3:57 AM
So for some reason I’ve started buying broken EGO electric lawn mowers and fixing them up then reselling them to keep them from going into landfills. The electronics are pretty easy to diagnose and fix and it’s sort of like doing a puzzle. Does this mean I’m getting old?
Why did we have such high inflation? Because of supply chain disruptions driven in part by our terrible pandemic outcomes. Why did the most scientifically advanced country have the worst outcomes? Because of Trump’s mismanagement . By the time COVID hit, 1600+ scientists had left the federal govt.
November 26, 2024 at 11:40 PM
Why did we have such high inflation? Because of supply chain disruptions driven in part by our terrible pandemic outcomes. Why did the most scientifically advanced country have the worst outcomes? Because of Trump’s mismanagement . By the time COVID hit, 1600+ scientists had left the federal govt.
My 20 ton log splitter, rebuilt with a 5hp electric motor. Faster, stronger, quieter, can use in the garage, and no fossil fuels!
November 23, 2024 at 1:10 AM
My 20 ton log splitter, rebuilt with a 5hp electric motor. Faster, stronger, quieter, can use in the garage, and no fossil fuels!
How to communicate with your science-denying uncle at Thanksgiving
November 22, 2024 at 12:59 PM
How to communicate with your science-denying uncle at Thanksgiving
When an engineer with no social skills buys a social media platform: X value was down ~79% on Oct 2. Approx another 17% of US X users have moved to Bluesky since then, some not yet closing their X accounts. X value probably down another ~$3b? Good job Elon!
November 19, 2024 at 3:43 PM
When an engineer with no social skills buys a social media platform: X value was down ~79% on Oct 2. Approx another 17% of US X users have moved to Bluesky since then, some not yet closing their X accounts. X value probably down another ~$3b? Good job Elon!
Trump calls climate change a hoax. Hmmm, where have I heard that before?
November 19, 2024 at 3:38 AM
Trump calls climate change a hoax. Hmmm, where have I heard that before?
Hate to say it, America, but I told you so.
November 18, 2024 at 3:11 PM
Hate to say it, America, but I told you so.
Turns out this poll from 2021 when the COVID vaccine was first rolling out was a pretty good predictor of Trump’s reelection.
November 16, 2024 at 11:12 PM
Turns out this poll from 2021 when the COVID vaccine was first rolling out was a pretty good predictor of Trump’s reelection.
BREAKING: Maddy has convened her advisors to discuss the Trump appointments.
November 16, 2024 at 6:43 PM
BREAKING: Maddy has convened her advisors to discuss the Trump appointments.
Republicans arguing that EV tax credits should survive.
November 15, 2024 at 4:20 PM
Republicans arguing that EV tax credits should survive.
Scientists, this is a skill set you need and in a world dominated by policy debates surrounding science & tech issues. I offer evidence-based training on how to do it.
November 15, 2024 at 3:49 PM
Scientists, this is a skill set you need and in a world dominated by policy debates surrounding science & tech issues. I offer evidence-based training on how to do it.
When COVID-19 hit, the US was well-positioned to have the best health outcome in the world. Instead it had the worst. What happened?
November 15, 2024 at 5:27 AM
When COVID-19 hit, the US was well-positioned to have the best health outcome in the world. Instead it had the worst. What happened?
Trump’s pick of RFK Jr to lead HHS doesn’t bode well for Republicans. Here’s the Republican death rate before and after the COVID vaccine came out
November 15, 2024 at 5:11 AM
Trump’s pick of RFK Jr to lead HHS doesn’t bode well for Republicans. Here’s the Republican death rate before and after the COVID vaccine came out