In her Nobel Prize acceptance speech in 1983, the octogenarian geneticist Barbara McClintock asked the question, “What does a cell know of itself?” Forty years later, scientists are realizing that the answer might be: Much more than we thought. www.quantamagazine.org/what-can-a-c...

TORONTO/GTA FRIENDS: The government has a public consultation survey about expanding the Billy Bishop airport. Tell them this is a terrible idea that threatens all of the wildlife along the waterfront & will also be extremely disruptive for local humans tc.canada.ca/en/corporate...

Publication day! You can now get Pox on Fools wherever books are sold! As RFK Jr.'s war on vaccines progresses, this book is way too timely. your circle includes vax-hesitant folks (not the die-hards), A Pox... can help you talk to them—or help them work through their concerns directly.

Photo of the editors with the first hard copy.

Hey, I’ve got this as an ebook, but I was in my local bookstore today and though @chanda.blacksky.app might enjoy seeing this is out in the wild here in Canada.

Guys, I'm excited to be at @ilfdublin.bsky.social this year! I'm taking part in four events, focused on writing biography, the war on science, AI, and game theory. Check out the programme — so many amazing talks and events. What a thrill to be a part of it.

I too am looking forward to this conversation and to the whole festival. So many fascinating people and events. Can't wait.

Woo.

Endorse.

📣 Call for writers! Are you an early career researcher? University student? Science communicator? Know someone who is? We're always looking for new Guest Bloggers to contribute to our journal blog The Paper Trail! Have a read below, or check out our vacancies page to apply. buff.ly/7IohkLQ

This is very worth a read.

Hello #BookSky! I’m sharing details for my first two book tour stops, one of which has a virtual option 🤩 On April 6 @ 7 pm I will be in Washington, DC talking with Camonghne Felix at an event jointly put on by Lost City Books and @loyaltybooks.bsky.social! lostcitybookstore.com/event/2026-0...

Anyone have a hot take on solar geoengineering? I'm gathering perspectives.

The web-based solving platform Crosswordr is alas winding down in a few months. What platform might you like AVCX to partner with? Or if yr not sure, let us know which features you like in a solving platform.

Stellar thread.

In the vein of recent conversations about people being the ends rather than the means for doing science:

Working on a story for Science about cuts to Canada's government researchers and labs. If you are affected by this please reach out (either on here or via my website). Anonymity is an option. 🧪

Agree.

ME: I ordered the Malaysian fried noodles, and instead I got this plate of mutton! WAITER: That sounds like a ewe problem and not-a-mee problem.

This is fantastic news! Dianna is great and has really been going through it.

#NewRelease! Egypt, 58 BCE Ptolemy Princess Cleopatra grows up in a palace of wonders, delights & dangers Through peril & politics Cleopatra's fate unfolds, leading her to Egypt's throne The Last Queen $3.99 #Free #KindleUnlimited! #Histfic #Ancient #KU #booksky 📚 💙 a.co/d/clHBipm

In addition to book-club scam spam, I've started receiving AI-generated letters "from" authors I've never met, trying to strike up writerly conversations, often about my older books. Does anyone know what the endgame is here? So far, the notes have all been from women authors — is that the play?

I’ve been throttling back my consumption of sadness and outrage-producing news for the past few days, which provided me time to finish my fourth-ever woodworking project (and first wood-carving project). It’s a butternut “fish bowl” finished with coconut oil.

We're on our way to San Francisco for our first ever LIVE show. We would love to do a slide show of images that make you relaxed and sleepy! Post some in the replies (favorite tea mug? your cat or dog? secret sleep shot of spouse?) and we'll try to get them on stage. WEIRD IS FINE.

This sounds like an amazing job. I'm going to stick it out up here in Canada for the foreseeable, and so I'll just be really happy for whoever lands it.

Design created with custom code (threejs, no AI). Printed on a fabric with a linen-like texture - visible in these close-ups:

Mindscape 341 | Stewart Brand on Maintenance as an Organizing Principle. Yes, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance comes up. #MindscapePodcast www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2026...

If the “improve ventilation” and “wear respirators” messaging comes from Forbes will executives finally listen?

This book is a wonderful, synthetic and richly illustrated journey through the natural history of the vertebrate brain 🤩 A big thank you to the authors 🙏 "A major theme in the evolution of the telencephalon has been the emergence of novel pathways... 1/2

We are hiring at the Wytham Woods for the upcoming field season. 4 roles available. Please share with anyone who might be interested. #UKbirds #birdringing

Seeking scientist volunteers for the 2026 spring semester! Want to practice science communication and help author a 🌟comic🌟 about your research? Apply by 1/25. Please share widely. bit.ly/comicscollabspring2026

1/ I am truly honoured and completely delighted to have won the 2025 Berggruen Essay Prize (English), for my submission “The Mythology of Conscious AI” @berggruen.org @noemamag.com berggruen.org/eu/news/2025...

Just arrived in the post! @matthewcobb.bsky.social 🙃

My author copies of THE CROWN’S SILENCE are here!!! Please spread the word, support local bookstores, and buy a copy for every royal 👑 in your life! King Charles, I’m looking at you!! Out on 1/27 in the US 🇺🇸 and on 1/29 in the UK 🇬🇧. #booksky 📚 #slaveryarchive bookshop.org/p/books/the-...

Can’t wait to read this.

Buon anno!

I’m a little wistful that after today, I’ll never again be alive in a perfect-square year.

If you like cryptic crosswords repost this

The International Symposium on Gravitational Collapse and Other Topics in Relativistic Astrophysics met #OTD in 1963 to discuss recently discovered "quasi-stellar radio sources." But the meeting is best known for a surprising announcement about black holes. 🧪 ⚛️ 🔭 Image: Physics Today

Fun to find @philipcball.bsky.social providing colour commentary on the latest episode of Terrestrials. (My teenaged kids possibly have aged out of this podcast but I never will!) This was also a beautifully produced episode, surprisingly sweet and moving alongside all the science-y goodness.

Well, we completed the most annoying jigsaw puzzle we’ve ever done. I and my son both felt weirdly proud after.

I’m not NOT knocking on heaven’s door…

So much happening tonight, the pumpkins have to do double duty.

Toronto friends: I'm speaking this Sunday at 1:30 at the Toronto International Festival of Authors. Come out for a conversation about creativity, cosmology, and impossible objects. Moderated by Deborah Dundas. Hope to see you there!

This looks fascinating and delightful.

Fastenating.

Me and the kids got Covid and flu vaccines today. ‘Tis the season to keep yourself and your community healthy!

Hellooo new Bluesky users! If you like science, science stories, context, and journalism with accountability, you may want to follow the people in this starter pack. Enjoy! go.bsky.app/2gr4VJ5

The nice thing about getting older is my kids get older too. My 12-year-old made this card for me.