This is so much my kind of thing. I wish I could be there. Have fun!

My typing fingers have started doing their own autocorrect, changing my sign-offs from "all the best," to "all the beset." Feels like a sign of the times.

Lots to enjoy reading in here. I appreciate the glimpses of the human beings driving this huge project.

I think my brain might be broken. Could someone please help me unbreak it? My kid was struggling with a math problem, and it turned out the issue was that his iPhone calculator was telling him minus 5 squared was minus 25.

Hey, does anyone happen to know what's happening with bird flu? I haven't seen an update in a while.

For me, a non-scientist and non-mathematician who spends most of his working life among scientists and mathematicians, Fourier transforms are super-cool conceptually. This is a great exploration of their power and beauty.

It's publication day in Spain for El hombre imposible: Roger Penrose y el precio de la genialidad. Thanks to Editorial Crítica for this edition. It is wonderful to see.

Thanks, science, for getting us closer to an answer to that evergreen question: Why is there something rather than nothing?

Attention UK friends: The paperback edition of The Impossible Man is out this week. If you're interested in where creative inspiration comes from, and the complicated question of who gets to be a genius, I invite you to have a look.

I did a reading at LaHave River Books last weekend. The organizers presented me with this volume of picture poems by my namesake, Kenneth Patchen. I have a few of his books but have never seen this one before. What a treasure! So weird and awesome.

What a pleasure to report on recent advances in quasicrystal research for the brilliant folks at Quanta magazine. When quasicrystals decide to tell you their secrets, you’d best pay close attention - they will not repeat themselves.

A reminder I'll be reading at LaHave River Books this afternoon at 4:00. I hope you can drop by!

Other Rivers #PeterHessler The Impossible Man @patchenbarss.bsky.social Phantom Limb #ChrisKohler

Furthest I've been: N: Haines Junction, Yukon S: Christ Church, NZ E/W: Circumnavigation (eastward)

A question for @bcdreyer.social : How new is the euphemism “passed” for “died?” Not “passed away” but just “passed.” Asking for an opinionated dinner guest.

I'm excited to be reading at LaHave River Books in Nova Scotia on Aug. 16. This is a beautiful bookstore, a few kms from where I grew up. Since everyone seems to be traveling east this summer, maybe you'll be in the neighbourhood and drop by!

This was a little delayed, but here is an obituary of quantum computing researcher Raymond Laflamme I wrote for @theglobeandmail.com. Thank you to all those who shared memories and stories with me. I am sorry for your loss.

Likes are nice, but reskeets are even better! #YA #scifi #sciencefiction #hilobooks #kidlit #booksky www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8MD9GR...

Since I'm blathering about (my own) scientific writing this morning, I'm reminded to remind you that I made a starter pack of folks who post about the history, practice, and craft of scientific writing: go.bsky.app/TwZVnjU You can get some good advice from folks on this list!

This is really great, succinct advice for experts thinking about writing a book. If I can humbly add one other question I think is worth considering: Are you prepared to talk publicly about the subject matter of your book for years after publication?

Can confirm this crowd make a lot of great puzzles and also present as a group of more than decent human beings.

This is a picture of my great great great great grandfather. See any family resemblance?

Is there a definite differentiation between aperiodicity and quasiperiodicity? Like, one doesn't repeat, and one kinda sorta repeats but not exactly. But how do you know when you've crossed from one to the other? 🧪

@jonasenander.bsky.social Hi Jonas. I just finished reading a preprint of the English version of Facing Infinity. I wanted to send a quick note of congratulations — it's a lovely book, and I very much enjoyed it.

I give you a momentary reprieve from the madness: The Vera Rubin Observatory has taken its first images of the sky, and they are *extraordinary*. Mind blowing detail, jaw dropping beauty. badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/rubin-open... 🔭 🧪

If I’d had access to courses like this in university I might have become a scientist rather than a science journalist. (For better or for worse).

I am still digesting this extensive review of The Impossible Man by Steven Shapin in the London Review of Books. Shapin's ideas are subtle and complex. "Everybody has a life; not everybody lives the life of the mind," he writes. One of many lines to mull from this essay. 🧪📚

Thanks, David, for having the patience and energy to keep making this case, and for countering bad faith with good faith. It makes a difference.

12-yr-old in the midst of miserating through a mountain of math homework, turns to me and says “I am the 4x. I speak for the threes.” Cracked me up.

Guys, there's an account one letter off from mine using my picture and info that has started reposting my posts. I reported it to BlueSky. Should I be doing anything else? Many thanks.

Amplifying and also kind of interested in the answers.

CIFAR invites applications for senior PhD and postdocs to participate in the Neuroscience of Consciousness Winter School, held in Montebello, Canada Dec 10-12, 2025. The Winter School is hosted by members of CIFAR’s Brain, Mind, and Consciousness program. Please repost. cifar.ca/next-generat... 🧠🧪

As often happens, Popova chose a subject I coincidentally have been thinking heavily about lately, and illuminated it with breadth of knowledge, depth of insight, and the height of evocative language. What a gift to have access to her writing.

This is really insightful commentary on how scientists can/should take the initiative to minimize the risk of their work being misinterpreted or misused, and maximize its chances of enhancing public discourse. Clarity does not diminish the work.

Alert for UK friends: it seems The Impossible Man kindle edition is on sale there for 99p. I’d be delighted if you gave it a read.

I look forward to the point after the new Pope is chosen when all the cardinals burst out of the chapel at once in the semicircular bulge known as a convlex.

Remover a letter, ruin a movie Mrs Attacks!

@tetzoo.bsky.social Hi, Darren. I wonder if you'd be willing to offer some counsel on a dino-related book project I have in the hopper. I'd greatly appreciate it. Feel free to send me a DM here or a note via my website if you're up for it. Nothing huge. Mainly looking for a certain expert source.

I often grapple with how much to invest in pre-reporting. This is a great analysis of the issue.

Possibly pertinent to @danfalk.bsky.social

Anyone happen to know about when the last common ancestor of human beings and coffee beans might have lived? 🧪

Do you all know the word "quiddity?" I've either never seen it before or forgotten it. It seems neat, and I might want to use it, but only if it's a real word and not some esoteric jargon.

In my original thread I forgot the link to the interview. Here it is. Very worth the read. (And there’s still a part 2 to come).

Very much enjoyed this @philipcball.bsky.social interview with Paul Nurse. But I have side questions: Nurse says the cell is "life's atom," the smallest, simplest entity that can be considered alive. But what is the atom the smallest, simplest entity of?

Endorse.

Does anyone have advice regarding literary/book festivals? I would like to go to some. People have told me authors don't typically put themselves forward or apply. Should I be pushing my publisher? Why does the process feel so mysterious? Thanks for any counsel. #books #authors #book-sky 🧪📚

Just released: my interview with Dr Gabriella Kelly-Davies, on her excellent podcast, Biographers in Conversation. Gabriella is a great interviewer and a force for good in the world of biography. Not interested in my book? Check out other episodes: I'm certain you'll find something fascinating.

New review of The Impossible Man by Pat Sheil in @sydmorningherald.bsky.social "Barss ... shows that while maths may well have an independent existence from the physical universe, it is practised by people. People with families, frustrations, triumphs and tragedies. And he does it brilliantly." 🧪📚

I’m giving a workshop today at York University on creative science communications. Anyone have an unusual sci-comm project they’ve worked on that might be of interest retest to the grad students in attendance? 🧪

Much appreciation for this insightful, considered review of The Impossible Man.