Kudos to the art director at the WSJ who chose a center-line distribution to make it look like a sperm instead of a more traditional baseline distribution, which would have looked like a normal chart. Should have used orange for the dots though. I give it a 9-out-of-10

In this week's blog post, an only-peripherally-work-related review of a uniquely awesome book. For all the current and former 28-year-old single office workers in the crowd! datasoapbox.com/book-review-...

When possible, use simple and familiar data visualization techniques. Complex data visualizations can be visually appealing, but they can also be more difficult to understand. If a visualization gets overly complex, consider alternate chart types for the sake of understanding.

What lessons from YOUR grade school days do you still use in your job? I talk about three of mine in my latest blog post: datasoapbox.com/lessons-from...

Important information about screen readers!

Over recent years, charts and graphs in data reports have improved a LOT. But graphs in academic journals are still pretty rough. Here's my take on the two ways to improve them: datasoapbox.com/quick-journa...

What's a data object, and why are they innovative as hell?! Check out today's blog post! datasoapbox.com/book-review-... Edited by @cybunk.bsky.social @tnagel.bsky.social Lora Oehlberg & Wesley Willett, featuring projects by @dietoff.bsky.social @flowingdata.com @kimsauve.bsky.social & many others!

Related to our previous post- if you had a grant terminated, Pro Publica wants to hear from you. Your work was funded because it was good, important science meant to help Americans. Reach out, and make your voice heard. www.propublica.org/getinvolved/...

OMG, did Office implement a color accessibility checker in the past week?!?!

Thanks for the feature, @boldjourney.com.web.brid.gy! boldjourney.com/meet-lori-pa...

Thanks so much to @bunsenbernerbmd.bsky.social (and Dad Guy, Jason) for having me on the latest episode of the Science Pawdcast! Check it out to learn more about some cool paint, furry strategies to prevent work rage, and science communication! bunsenbernerbmd.buzzsprout.com/413041/episo...

Chatbots — LLMs — do not know facts and are not designed to be able to accurately answer factual questions. They are designed to find and mimic patterns of words, probabilistically. When they’re “right” it’s because correct things are often written down, so those patterns are frequent. That’s all.

I am once again pitching my romantic comedy: - two academics start dating - discover they are each other's terrible reviewer - hijinks ensue Working title: Love is Double-Blind

Office assistant dozing on the job…

Among others, my 10-year-old needle-hater is going to be pissed!

Dataviz + fashion? Love!! from @reuters.com www.reuters.com/graphics/USA...

It is a little weird to me countries aren’t more aggressively, formally trying to take advantage of the U.S. science brain drain. Once in a lifetime opportunity to buy low on Non-Dumbass Americans with PhDs who just wanna look into microscopes and quietly cure ass cancer as our country eats shit.

I enjoyed workshopping with students from UNC’s Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine (CiTEM) today! Pretty sure it was my first time with a skeleton in the audience. 💀

Even accepting the premise that AI produces useful writing (which no one should), using AI in education is like using a forklift at the gym. The weights do not actually need to be moved from place to place. That is not the work. The work is what happens within you.

Sign of the day…

Despite all of the chaos in the US right now, our native mason bee cocoons are hatching, and this is one of my favorite spring events. See the cute little bee face?! We also hung my Christmas gift in our butterfly garden, a hex bee house from @crown-bees.bsky.social. #MyBeeHouse

Today’s fascinating science facts, about hippo testicles and fat/muscle:

Human brains > ChatGPT datasoapbox.com/my-job-is-sa...

Yes!! datasoapbox.com/on-my-soapbo...

Interesting take!

To all my #sciart and #scicomm and #firedfed folks - I’m working with several volunteer science artists on a series of illustrated profiles of recently dismissed fed scientists and science communicators. If you want to help here are details! www.linkedin.com/posts/fromth...

You have died of procedural norms.

Could it be?! Is NC senator Thom Tillis actually growing a conscience and a spine?! youtu.be/JBEvqjQ6axE

Nope, no one has ever done this before. www.youtube.com/shorts/YyHJZ...

Video:

Done!

Keep the international science job ads coming!

I'm so grateful that @jeffjacksonnc.bsky.social is fighting for North Carolinians...he's the only person I've heard of who is.

My latest blog post, with slide presentation tips for kids and pirate enthusiasts! :) datasoapbox.com/presentation...

Evidence-based adjudication. Chef’s kiss.

Hey, non-US universities! This is a great time to snatch up US research talent!

Effective #scicomm saves lives. people.com/a-billboard-...

Did you know the most powerful force for climate action is LOVE—for our children, their future, and the world they’ll inherit? That's right! Research shows this message moves hearts 12x more than jobs and 2x more than extreme weather. Source: potentialenergycoalition.org/guides-and-r...

I keep saying Dems need to do a daily briefing on Capitol Hill and fill the void, fact check the WH. Hire Pete Buttigeig and give him a staff to do this.

Exhibit A for anyone who thinks all white space is meant to be filled:

Today’s accessibility crime: low-contrast print on my store-brand instant oatmeal packet. @wegmansofficial.bsky.social , any chance of making changes?

Be like Robin!!!

ComSciCon is an awesome resource for graduate students! My latest blog post recaps the information and opinions I shared during our panel session: datasoapbox.com/scicomcon-25...

Today's winner for most alliterative researcher name and title goes to... appointments.childrensnational.org/provider/mar... 🙂🫘(<-- closest emoji to kidneys) Yay for helping kids!

Here's my #comicsdna!