Catherine Shaffer
@cathshaffer.bsky.social
Freelance Science Journalist | SFF Writer
MSU/UM grad | Ann Arbor 🏠 | Clarion '97 | AnLab 🏅 | Obligate herbivore | Cat lover | Allergic to cats | Achoo!
MSU/UM grad | Ann Arbor 🏠 | Clarion '97 | AnLab 🏅 | Obligate herbivore | Cat lover | Allergic to cats | Achoo!
Pinned
I’m a science writer and a science fiction writer. I frequently write about AI in precision medicine, but I don’t use AI in my published work. Not a single word. I like pets, nature, books, and good TV. Pro-democracy.
I realized a few years ago that I became anxious and grumpy when traveling, and linked it to the rich restaurant meals. Since then, I've made sure to at least get my usual breakfast of oatmeal, nuts, and fruit every day. It changed my life. Now, I pack individual servings of ...1/3
As you prepare for your holiday feast, here's something to consider. Research suggests there are certain foods that can help boost our moods and make us happier in the long-run.
What foods make you happiest? It's not what you think
As you prepare for your holiday feast, here's something to consider. Research suggests there are certain foods that can help boost our moods and make us happier in the long-run.
n.pr
November 26, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I realized a few years ago that I became anxious and grumpy when traveling, and linked it to the rich restaurant meals. Since then, I've made sure to at least get my usual breakfast of oatmeal, nuts, and fruit every day. It changed my life. Now, I pack individual servings of ...1/3
I can't really explain this, but Bluesky has disproportionate ferret content and I'm here for it
God I love the goofy way a ferret hops around instead of running when they’re really happy or excited
November 26, 2025 at 2:18 AM
I can't really explain this, but Bluesky has disproportionate ferret content and I'm here for it
This is a good deal!
Since this is the season for it, I'm doing a 10% off sale on signed books (including KITEMASTER and SLAYERS OF OLD) and direct-sale ebooks on my Payhip store.
Use coupon code: OMG2025WTF
payhip.com/jchines
Use coupon code: OMG2025WTF
payhip.com/jchines
Jim C. Hines
https://www.jimchines.com
payhip.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:17 AM
This is a good deal!
Reposted by Catherine Shaffer
The internet is closed thank you this is the final post.
It’s pronounced Christmas jifts
November 25, 2025 at 1:44 AM
The internet is closed thank you this is the final post.
Lord, hear our prayer
References in online articles should let you see the reference and open it without losing your place in the original article.
November 22, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Lord, hear our prayer
I stopped posting on Twitter when Musk took over and formally deleted my account in October 2024. Even though I wasn’t posting, it was a huge relief to fully delete.
I quit the former Twitter two years ago this week, and I am here to tell you that my online life got a lot better for having left it. In two years I've not been tempted to go back, and I haven't felt any penalty in either career or community for not being there. It's nice to be here and not there.
November 19, 2025 at 12:16 AM
I stopped posting on Twitter when Musk took over and formally deleted my account in October 2024. Even though I wasn’t posting, it was a huge relief to fully delete.
When I feel like my work is weird and cringey, I like to take a break and listen to an audiobook. Currently, I'm listening to Dune Messiah, which is perfectly reminding me that weird and cringe is the path to greatness. (I must not cringe. Cringe is the mind-killer. Cringe is the little death.)
November 16, 2025 at 5:07 PM
When I feel like my work is weird and cringey, I like to take a break and listen to an audiobook. Currently, I'm listening to Dune Messiah, which is perfectly reminding me that weird and cringe is the path to greatness. (I must not cringe. Cringe is the mind-killer. Cringe is the little death.)
I saw Inglorious Basterds for the first time last night. Somehow, I stayed unspoiled for 16 years. It’s as relevant now as then. Maybe more.
November 16, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I saw Inglorious Basterds for the first time last night. Somehow, I stayed unspoiled for 16 years. It’s as relevant now as then. Maybe more.
And yet, the experience of being assaulted is similarly traumatic for children of both ages. This is repulsive.
in case you're wondering how the cope is going www.mediamatters.org/megyn-kelly/...
November 13, 2025 at 8:23 PM
And yet, the experience of being assaulted is similarly traumatic for children of both ages. This is repulsive.
Even after decades of writing fiction, I remain surprised every time my unconscious provides me a solution for a story problem my conscious mind could not figure out. (And that's most of the time.)
November 13, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Even after decades of writing fiction, I remain surprised every time my unconscious provides me a solution for a story problem my conscious mind could not figure out. (And that's most of the time.)
Coming from a family of math whizzes and having been one myself in school, these people are sadly misguided.
New VC flex: I’m raising a horrible, spoiled brat but it’s OK because they’re good at math.
November 12, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Coming from a family of math whizzes and having been one myself in school, these people are sadly misguided.
I have become fascinated with gigante beans. They are so huge and amusing. I want to draw little faces on them. And then eat them.
November 12, 2025 at 3:17 AM
I have become fascinated with gigante beans. They are so huge and amusing. I want to draw little faces on them. And then eat them.
I got stuck this week on my novel. Like seriously! I rewrote a chapter three times. Finally finally finally figured it out. Show up. Trust the process. Seat of pants, seat of chair.
November 12, 2025 at 2:41 AM
I got stuck this week on my novel. Like seriously! I rewrote a chapter three times. Finally finally finally figured it out. Show up. Trust the process. Seat of pants, seat of chair.
Wild guess about what’s going on in Plur1bus: the virus was sent as a way to pacify the planet and prepare its population to welcome and serve alien invaders. Problem with this is it would be a drastic tonal and thematic shift.
November 10, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Wild guess about what’s going on in Plur1bus: the virus was sent as a way to pacify the planet and prepare its population to welcome and serve alien invaders. Problem with this is it would be a drastic tonal and thematic shift.
I watched Maze Runner last night, and I have to give it up to the producers for how completely nonsensical the reveal was when we finally found out what was going on. That doesn't just happen. You have to discard a lot of logical ideas to get there. *clap*
November 9, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I watched Maze Runner last night, and I have to give it up to the producers for how completely nonsensical the reveal was when we finally found out what was going on. That doesn't just happen. You have to discard a lot of logical ideas to get there. *clap*
Matt was a republican political operative before the Trump era. If you’re a politics nerd, I think you would enjoy his unique perspective.
Thank you everyone for your support! It's been so incredible to see your generosity!
If you're new to my content, here's a representative essay about how right-wingers base their political marketing strategy on pretending to be liberals. It's critical to their support from many people.
If you're new to my content, here's a representative essay about how right-wingers base their political marketing strategy on pretending to be liberals. It's critical to their support from many people.
The ‘Intellectual Dark Web’ and the long history of right-wing rebranding
For nearly a century, Republicans have been pretending to be the ‘real liberals’
plus.flux.community
November 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Matt was a republican political operative before the Trump era. If you’re a politics nerd, I think you would enjoy his unique perspective.
What is the effective range for PB&J?
It's not in this article but the government asserts that the sandwich was thrown at "point blank range", which implies subway sandwiches have defined effective weapon ranges of varying lethality, and I would like to see the government's chart of these ranges.
Trial Begins for Man Accused of Lobbing a Sandwich at a Federal Agent www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/u...
November 4, 2025 at 12:35 AM
What is the effective range for PB&J?
Inconceivable!
On the other site, an 18-year-old Zohran canvasser described the legendary Wallace Shawn as "the actor who plays Dr. Sturgis on Young Sheldon" which is honestly adorable
November 2, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Inconceivable!
I start every interview by asking the source to introduce themself. It helps me contextualize whether they are the right person to answer the questions I prepared or if I need to pivot. If they're a political figure, I ask for an update on what they're doing lately.
October 30, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I start every interview by asking the source to introduce themself. It helps me contextualize whether they are the right person to answer the questions I prepared or if I need to pivot. If they're a political figure, I ask for an update on what they're doing lately.
Fascinating thread
🧵There's a pernicious myth that Republicans have more money than Democrats. In fact, Democrats have raised more—including so-called "dark money."
Republicans have less money but understand politics better. This is why they win.
My upcoming e-book "What Republicans Know" discusses…
Republicans have less money but understand politics better. This is why they win.
My upcoming e-book "What Republicans Know" discusses…
What Republicans Know (Full Book) | Flux Community
Get more from Flux Community on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Fascinating thread
Oh no
Zohran Mamdani's promises of free busses might sound great, but I live in Albuquerque NM where city busses have been free for five years and I'm here to tell you the truth. This is what every bus in my city looks like now. Think carefully about your choice this November.
October 27, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Oh no
I'm old enough to remember a time when, if you wanted to read the news, you had to buy a physical paper, or pay to have it delivered, and no one objected.
Sometimes we receive complaints from people who'd like to read Flytrap content for free. We understand the frustration around paywalls in an increasingly dire financial landscape for many folks, so we also want to be honest about our financials. Let's talk about what it costs to run the Flytrap.
October 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
I'm old enough to remember a time when, if you wanted to read the news, you had to buy a physical paper, or pay to have it delivered, and no one objected.
Reposted by Catherine Shaffer
Reposted by Catherine Shaffer
“No sooner does a woman show that she has genius or effective talent, than she receives the tribute of being moderately praised and severely criticized.”
—George Eliot
Via
@liliannattel.bsky.social
—George Eliot
Via
@liliannattel.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 8:55 PM
“No sooner does a woman show that she has genius or effective talent, than she receives the tribute of being moderately praised and severely criticized.”
—George Eliot
Via
@liliannattel.bsky.social
—George Eliot
Via
@liliannattel.bsky.social
Reposted by Catherine Shaffer
Thought experiment, how much of the White House could the president tear down before anyone in power did anything meaningful to stop it? Like if he just kept going?
October 21, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Thought experiment, how much of the White House could the president tear down before anyone in power did anything meaningful to stop it? Like if he just kept going?