Ariel Waldman
@arielwaldman.com
Antarctic Explorer + Filmmaker.
📺 Creator + host of UNEARTHED on PBS (2026)
🚀 NatGeo Explorer + NASA advisor
🔬 Often filming tardigrades
🔗 https://arielwaldman.com
📺 Creator + host of UNEARTHED on PBS (2026)
🚀 NatGeo Explorer + NASA advisor
🔬 Often filming tardigrades
🔗 https://arielwaldman.com
Pinned
Ariel Waldman
@arielwaldman.com
· Sep 26
Hello! I’m Ariel.
I’m an Antarctic explorer + filmmaker who specializes in filming microscopic animals.
Previously, I advised NASA on advanced tech + human spaceflight. I live in San Francisco. 🧪
I’m an Antarctic explorer + filmmaker who specializes in filming microscopic animals.
Previously, I advised NASA on advanced tech + human spaceflight. I live in San Francisco. 🧪
12 months after the 2024 election:
National Science Foundation lost 29% of its staff.
NOAA lost 20%.
NASA lost 6%.
Source: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
National Science Foundation lost 29% of its staff.
NOAA lost 20%.
NASA lost 6%.
Source: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
220,000 Fewer Workers: How Trump’s Cuts Affected Every Federal Agency
New data offers the first clear view of the impact of the buyouts and firings.
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:05 PM
12 months after the 2024 election:
National Science Foundation lost 29% of its staff.
NOAA lost 20%.
NASA lost 6%.
Source: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
National Science Foundation lost 29% of its staff.
NOAA lost 20%.
NASA lost 6%.
Source: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Ariel Waldman
Saw this crowd with my own eyes at Bryant Park 💪
New York City turned OUT.
@handsoffnyc.bsky.social ✊❤️
@handsoffnyc.bsky.social ✊❤️
January 11, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Saw this crowd with my own eyes at Bryant Park 💪
January 10, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Had a dream last night where a familiar song came on and I pulled out my phone in the dream to Shazam the song, but it gave no results 😑
January 9, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Had a dream last night where a familiar song came on and I pulled out my phone in the dream to Shazam the song, but it gave no results 😑
Reposted by Ariel Waldman
In this week's newsletter we talk about things that make us feel wonderful. Not because we’re copping out, but because remembering, and holding on to things that make us feel wonderful are fuel. buttondown.com/monteiro/arc...
How to feel wonderful
New art studio taking shape! This week’s question comes to us from Kylie Gusset: What makes you feel wonderful? Ok, yeah. So… the last couple of newsletters...
buttondown.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:48 AM
In this week's newsletter we talk about things that make us feel wonderful. Not because we’re copping out, but because remembering, and holding on to things that make us feel wonderful are fuel. buttondown.com/monteiro/arc...
I’d watch the hell out of this.
January 9, 2026 at 6:07 PM
I’d watch the hell out of this.
Reposted by Ariel Waldman
The proliferation of hummingbird feeders has become a “major evolutionary force” for the Anna’s hummingbird species in the western US. “Over just a few generations, their beaks have dramatically changed in size and shape.” [science.org]
Bird feeders have caused a dramatic evolution of California hummingbirds
Beaks have grown longer and larger, and ranges have expanded to follow the feeders
www.science.org
January 7, 2026 at 2:48 PM
The proliferation of hummingbird feeders has become a “major evolutionary force” for the Anna’s hummingbird species in the western US. “Over just a few generations, their beaks have dramatically changed in size and shape.” [science.org]
Reposted by Ariel Waldman
The destruction doesn't make for a photo-op like tearing down the East Wing of the White House or bulldozing the Rose Garden, but it's every bit as bad. Generations of American children learned to spell and count, learned the Preamble to the Constitution, from watching shows produced by the CPB.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been dissolved, ending its 58 years as the primary funder for PBS, NPR and local TV and radio stations
Corporation For Public Broadcasting Is Dissolved After 58 Years Of Service
www.huffpost.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:04 PM
The destruction doesn't make for a photo-op like tearing down the East Wing of the White House or bulldozing the Rose Garden, but it's every bit as bad. Generations of American children learned to spell and count, learned the Preamble to the Constitution, from watching shows produced by the CPB.
Reposted by Ariel Waldman
The microcosmos is fun.
Ciliate I filmed today working on its juggling act.
Filmed on a Nikon E600 DIC microscope, 20x objective, using a Canon R5C. 🧪🦠
youtube.com/shorts/-uCZG...
Ciliate I filmed today working on its juggling act.
Filmed on a Nikon E600 DIC microscope, 20x objective, using a Canon R5C. 🧪🦠
youtube.com/shorts/-uCZG...
The microcosmos is fun. Ciliate working on its juggling act.
YouTube video by Ariel Waldman
youtube.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:00 AM
The microcosmos is fun.
Ciliate I filmed today working on its juggling act.
Filmed on a Nikon E600 DIC microscope, 20x objective, using a Canon R5C. 🧪🦠
youtube.com/shorts/-uCZG...
Ciliate I filmed today working on its juggling act.
Filmed on a Nikon E600 DIC microscope, 20x objective, using a Canon R5C. 🧪🦠
youtube.com/shorts/-uCZG...
The microcosmos is fun.
Ciliate I filmed today working on its juggling act.
Filmed on a Nikon E600 DIC microscope, 20x objective, using a Canon R5C. 🧪🦠
youtube.com/shorts/-uCZG...
Ciliate I filmed today working on its juggling act.
Filmed on a Nikon E600 DIC microscope, 20x objective, using a Canon R5C. 🧪🦠
youtube.com/shorts/-uCZG...
The microcosmos is fun. Ciliate working on its juggling act.
YouTube video by Ariel Waldman
youtube.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:00 AM
The microcosmos is fun.
Ciliate I filmed today working on its juggling act.
Filmed on a Nikon E600 DIC microscope, 20x objective, using a Canon R5C. 🧪🦠
youtube.com/shorts/-uCZG...
Ciliate I filmed today working on its juggling act.
Filmed on a Nikon E600 DIC microscope, 20x objective, using a Canon R5C. 🧪🦠
youtube.com/shorts/-uCZG...
A guy broke up with me and I just said "ok" and walked out.
My boss* nicknamed me "balls of steel" after telling him that story.
(*He's on Bluesky so he might see this 👋)
My boss* nicknamed me "balls of steel" after telling him that story.
(*He's on Bluesky so he might see this 👋)
Forget insults, what’s the most unhinged *compliment* you’ve ever received?
December 30, 2025 at 9:21 PM
A guy broke up with me and I just said "ok" and walked out.
My boss* nicknamed me "balls of steel" after telling him that story.
(*He's on Bluesky so he might see this 👋)
My boss* nicknamed me "balls of steel" after telling him that story.
(*He's on Bluesky so he might see this 👋)
Reposted by Ariel Waldman
Each day, we've been sending out videos showcasing each chocolatier's creation along with a little bit from me about the many amazing moons in our solar system that I curated for the calendar. It's a delightful way to treat yourself and learn something new each day.
What’s your favorite moon?
What’s your favorite moon?
December 23, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Each day, we've been sending out videos showcasing each chocolatier's creation along with a little bit from me about the many amazing moons in our solar system that I curated for the calendar. It's a delightful way to treat yourself and learn something new each day.
What’s your favorite moon?
What’s your favorite moon?
This legitimately happened to me in 2009 and so I offer my real-life runner-up:
“And what do you do?”
(I knew 🥴)
“And what do you do?”
(I knew 🥴)
December 19, 2025 at 3:30 AM
This legitimately happened to me in 2009 and so I offer my real-life runner-up:
“And what do you do?”
(I knew 🥴)
“And what do you do?”
(I knew 🥴)
This news is all over my timeline, but it might not be making its way into yours, so I’m making sure it is.
It is a very bad development for both science and maintaining a safe society.
It is a very bad development for both science and maintaining a safe society.
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 5:22 AM
This news is all over my timeline, but it might not be making its way into yours, so I’m making sure it is.
It is a very bad development for both science and maintaining a safe society.
It is a very bad development for both science and maintaining a safe society.
Reposted by Ariel Waldman
One of my good friends gave me a Dandelion Chocolate advent calendar (for the second year!) Imo, the people at Dandelion are geniuses. The calendar, itself, is gorgeous, the chocolates are delicious, and the daily astronomy lesson with @arielwaldman.com is a delight.
December 14, 2025 at 2:04 PM
One of my good friends gave me a Dandelion Chocolate advent calendar (for the second year!) Imo, the people at Dandelion are geniuses. The calendar, itself, is gorgeous, the chocolates are delicious, and the daily astronomy lesson with @arielwaldman.com is a delight.
ICYMI
I wrote about what it’s like to emerge from 10 months of documentary editing. www.patreon.com/posts/142691...
Emerging from 10 months of editing | Ariel Waldman
Get more from Ariel Waldman on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 13, 2025 at 11:55 PM
ICYMI
Reposted by Ariel Waldman
I wrote about what it’s like to emerge from 10 months of documentary editing. www.patreon.com/posts/142691...
Emerging from 10 months of editing | Ariel Waldman
Get more from Ariel Waldman on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:34 AM
I wrote about what it’s like to emerge from 10 months of documentary editing. www.patreon.com/posts/142691...
Reposted by Ariel Waldman
When the winner of the Nobel peace prize smuggled herself over the water and out of Venezuela to attend the ceremony in Oslo this week, her allies called the Pentagon to ask them not to arbitrarily murder her. www.wsj.com/world/americ...
December 11, 2025 at 2:01 PM
When the winner of the Nobel peace prize smuggled herself over the water and out of Venezuela to attend the ceremony in Oslo this week, her allies called the Pentagon to ask them not to arbitrarily murder her. www.wsj.com/world/americ...
Have stumbled into the part of Instagram that is loudly proclaiming “THIS IS NOT AI” while shlepping the same photoshop slop that has existed for decades.
December 9, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Have stumbled into the part of Instagram that is loudly proclaiming “THIS IS NOT AI” while shlepping the same photoshop slop that has existed for decades.
I wrote about what it’s like to emerge from 10 months of documentary editing. www.patreon.com/posts/142691...
Emerging from 10 months of editing | Ariel Waldman
Get more from Ariel Waldman on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:34 AM
I wrote about what it’s like to emerge from 10 months of documentary editing. www.patreon.com/posts/142691...
Reposted by Ariel Waldman
TL;DR:
✔️ Get a cool (signed!) sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here until December 7: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪
✔️ Get a cool (signed!) sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here until December 7: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪
December 7, 2025 at 9:27 PM
TL;DR:
✔️ Get a cool (signed!) sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here until December 7: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪
✔️ Get a cool (signed!) sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here until December 7: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪
TL;DR:
✔️ Get a cool (signed!) sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here until December 7: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪
✔️ Get a cool (signed!) sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here until December 7: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪
December 7, 2025 at 9:27 PM
TL;DR:
✔️ Get a cool (signed!) sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here until December 7: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪
✔️ Get a cool (signed!) sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here until December 7: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪
Reposted by Ariel Waldman
TL;DR:
✔️ Get a cool sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪
✔️ Get a cool sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪
December 5, 2025 at 4:27 AM
TL;DR:
✔️ Get a cool sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪
✔️ Get a cool sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪
Thank you so much! Excited to have you join the journey! ❤️🎉
And joined - looks amazing!
December 5, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Thank you so much! Excited to have you join the journey! ❤️🎉
TL;DR:
✔️ Get a cool sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪
✔️ Get a cool sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪
December 5, 2025 at 4:27 AM
TL;DR:
✔️ Get a cool sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪
✔️ Get a cool sci-fi book
✔️ Support public media content
✔️ Give hope to an independent filmmaker
20% off here: www.patreon.com/138950/join 🧪