Chris Baraniuk
@chrisbaraniuk.com
Freelance science and technology journalist. 11+ years experience. Irish/Polish. I write for the BBC, Wired, the BMJ, The Guardian, and others!
Newsletter: thereengineer.pro
Portfolio: chrisbaraniuk.com
HQ: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Newsletter: thereengineer.pro
Portfolio: chrisbaraniuk.com
HQ: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Pinned
Chris Baraniuk
@chrisbaraniuk.com
· Nov 14
🥳 Hey everyone! It was a year ago today that I launched my newsletter The Reengineer - and it's been such fun! 🥳
thereengineer.pro
I'm getting closer to 1,000 subscribers and some have been kind enough to go for a paid subscription. THANK YOU!
🧵 Here are some highlights from the last 12 months...
thereengineer.pro
I'm getting closer to 1,000 subscribers and some have been kind enough to go for a paid subscription. THANK YOU!
🧵 Here are some highlights from the last 12 months...
I checked Tripadvisor, there's no shuttle service.
January 12, 2026 at 11:22 PM
I checked Tripadvisor, there's no shuttle service.
I've watched a lot of Rick Stein in my time (his French Odyssey series is an absolute classic) and I have to say this new one on Australia is fantastic.
Focuses heavily on how immigrants have made, and continue to make, Australian food culture what it is.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002pj2l
Focuses heavily on how immigrants have made, and continue to make, Australian food culture what it is.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002pj2l
Rick Stein's Australia - Series 1: Episode 1
Rick Stein retraces his first steps in Sydney, reconnecting with old friends and exciting new influences to explore how the culinary landscape is evolving.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 10:54 PM
I've watched a lot of Rick Stein in my time (his French Odyssey series is an absolute classic) and I have to say this new one on Australia is fantastic.
Focuses heavily on how immigrants have made, and continue to make, Australian food culture what it is.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002pj2l
Focuses heavily on how immigrants have made, and continue to make, Australian food culture what it is.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002pj2l
Reposted by Chris Baraniuk
It was a government-run experiment prompted by frightening thoughts. What would happen if somebody tried to poison London’s commuters with a toxic gas?
www.thereengineer.pro/p/the-worlds...
www.thereengineer.pro/p/the-worlds...
The world’s most potent greenhouse gas once drifted round a London Tube station
Sulphur hexafluoride has many fascinating uses – but it’s awful for the climate
www.thereengineer.pro
January 12, 2026 at 8:42 AM
It was a government-run experiment prompted by frightening thoughts. What would happen if somebody tried to poison London’s commuters with a toxic gas?
www.thereengineer.pro/p/the-worlds...
www.thereengineer.pro/p/the-worlds...
I know Liverpool Street station when I see it!
M&S might just serve up something fresh in 2026 ft.trib.al/hWQ9IsF | opinion
M&S might just serve up something fresh in 2026
Retailer’s improvements have been subtle but effective, helping it to keep up with the pack
ft.trib.al
January 12, 2026 at 3:38 PM
I know Liverpool Street station when I see it!
Reposted by Chris Baraniuk
Here's a post-war playground rhyme I've just come across in the Penguin Dictionary of Modern Quotations, 1971:
"Down in the jungle/ Living in a tent/ Better than a prefab – / No rent!"
"Down in the jungle/ Living in a tent/ Better than a prefab – / No rent!"
January 12, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Here's a post-war playground rhyme I've just come across in the Penguin Dictionary of Modern Quotations, 1971:
"Down in the jungle/ Living in a tent/ Better than a prefab – / No rent!"
"Down in the jungle/ Living in a tent/ Better than a prefab – / No rent!"
Reposted by Chris Baraniuk
The @aeon.co pitch form is currently closed, BUT I am accepting ideas from working scientists, esp in the physical sciences. Drop me a line if that could be you! I work with astronomers, geologists, physicists, mathematicians + more. Here's more about writing for Aeon: aeon.co/pitch #SciComm
January 12, 2026 at 12:15 PM
The @aeon.co pitch form is currently closed, BUT I am accepting ideas from working scientists, esp in the physical sciences. Drop me a line if that could be you! I work with astronomers, geologists, physicists, mathematicians + more. Here's more about writing for Aeon: aeon.co/pitch #SciComm
Reposted by Chris Baraniuk
‘Fear of the next deluge’: flood-scarred Britons join forces to demand help
‘Fear of the next deluge’: flood-scarred Britons join forces to demand help
As climate breakdown puts millions more people at flood risk, traumatised homeowners are finding common voice
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:22 PM
‘Fear of the next deluge’: flood-scarred Britons join forces to demand help
Woah....
"Chinese scientists have detected plastic particle clouds hovering in the air over two large cities, indicating that these potentially toxic particles are far more abundant than previously thought."
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
Scientists detect plastic clouds hovering over Chinese cities
Previous studies have underestimated amount of plastic in atmosphere, scientists say
www.independent.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Woah....
Reposted by Chris Baraniuk
The DOE did this in SLC, too, just prior to the 2002 Olympics, in preparation for possible terrorist attacks. I wrote about it here (originally published in Western Humanities Review) ... see #18 for the gas:
karriehiggins.wordpress.com/37-miracles/
karriehiggins.wordpress.com/37-miracles/
January 12, 2026 at 11:26 AM
The DOE did this in SLC, too, just prior to the 2002 Olympics, in preparation for possible terrorist attacks. I wrote about it here (originally published in Western Humanities Review) ... see #18 for the gas:
karriehiggins.wordpress.com/37-miracles/
karriehiggins.wordpress.com/37-miracles/
Reposted by Chris Baraniuk
UK communications regulator has announced it's opening an official investigation into X over non-consensual imagery. This follows it getting in touch with X last week.
It's investigating on a host of grounds: from whether X has done proper risk assessments to failing to take down illegal content
It's investigating on a host of grounds: from whether X has done proper risk assessments to failing to take down illegal content
Ofcom launches investigation into X over Grok sexualised imagery
Ofcom has today opened a formal investigation into X under the UK’s Online Safety Act, to determine whether it has complied with its duties to protect people in the UK from content that is illegal in ...
www.ofcom.org.uk
January 12, 2026 at 11:08 AM
UK communications regulator has announced it's opening an official investigation into X over non-consensual imagery. This follows it getting in touch with X last week.
It's investigating on a host of grounds: from whether X has done proper risk assessments to failing to take down illegal content
It's investigating on a host of grounds: from whether X has done proper risk assessments to failing to take down illegal content
Reposted by Chris Baraniuk
"Thriving on seams
That tiney island swell
Just hilling from the mud and rancid streams
Suiting thy nature well
For here thy bill
Suited by wisdom good
Of rude unseemly length doth delve and drill
The gelid mass for food..."
From John Clare (1793-1864) 'To the Snipe'
Clip: Isle of Barra 2017
That tiney island swell
Just hilling from the mud and rancid streams
Suiting thy nature well
For here thy bill
Suited by wisdom good
Of rude unseemly length doth delve and drill
The gelid mass for food..."
From John Clare (1793-1864) 'To the Snipe'
Clip: Isle of Barra 2017
January 12, 2026 at 8:45 AM
"Thriving on seams
That tiney island swell
Just hilling from the mud and rancid streams
Suiting thy nature well
For here thy bill
Suited by wisdom good
Of rude unseemly length doth delve and drill
The gelid mass for food..."
From John Clare (1793-1864) 'To the Snipe'
Clip: Isle of Barra 2017
That tiney island swell
Just hilling from the mud and rancid streams
Suiting thy nature well
For here thy bill
Suited by wisdom good
Of rude unseemly length doth delve and drill
The gelid mass for food..."
From John Clare (1793-1864) 'To the Snipe'
Clip: Isle of Barra 2017
It was a government-run experiment prompted by frightening thoughts. What would happen if somebody tried to poison London’s commuters with a toxic gas?
www.thereengineer.pro/p/the-worlds...
www.thereengineer.pro/p/the-worlds...
The world’s most potent greenhouse gas once drifted round a London Tube station
Sulphur hexafluoride has many fascinating uses – but it’s awful for the climate
www.thereengineer.pro
January 12, 2026 at 8:42 AM
It was a government-run experiment prompted by frightening thoughts. What would happen if somebody tried to poison London’s commuters with a toxic gas?
www.thereengineer.pro/p/the-worlds...
www.thereengineer.pro/p/the-worlds...
Reposted by Chris Baraniuk
Oof.
Frenchman fined for cracking egg on far-right leader's head
Frenchman fined for cracking egg on far-right leader's head
At Jordan Bardella's November book launch in the southern town of Moissac, a retired farmer stood in line and broke an egg on Bardella's head when he reached him. The same man was also sentenced in 2022 after throwing an egg at another far-right candidate, Eric Zemmour, during the presidential elections.
www.lemonde.fr
January 10, 2026 at 8:48 AM
Oof.
Reposted by Chris Baraniuk
‘The Americans know so little about us, yet talk so much about us’: Greenlanders
‘The Americans know so little about us, yet talk so much about us’: Greenlanders
Few in Nuuk believe Washington’s arguments that its takeover ambition is about reversing Danish neglect of regional security
www.irishtimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 6:43 AM
‘The Americans know so little about us, yet talk so much about us’: Greenlanders
Watched Gary Oldman in The Firm tonight. Outrageous performance. Stunning and deeply grim all at once.
January 9, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Watched Gary Oldman in The Firm tonight. Outrageous performance. Stunning and deeply grim all at once.
Reposted by Chris Baraniuk
Trump: "All you have to do is say to China, how many windmill areas do you have in China? So far they're not able to find any."
China:
China:
January 9, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Trump: "All you have to do is say to China, how many windmill areas do you have in China? So far they're not able to find any."
China:
China:
Reposted by Chris Baraniuk
This piece from Chris Baraniuk is, to date, the most-read article I've ever edited. I love stories about blood. As does everyone else, it seems.
www.wired.com/story/new-bl...
www.wired.com/story/new-bl...
Scientists Have Discovered a New Set of Blood Groups
The ‘Er’ grouping could help doctors identify and treat some rare cases of blood incompatibility, including between pregnant mothers and fetuses.
www.wired.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:22 AM
This piece from Chris Baraniuk is, to date, the most-read article I've ever edited. I love stories about blood. As does everyone else, it seems.
www.wired.com/story/new-bl...
www.wired.com/story/new-bl...
Reposted by Chris Baraniuk
There’s a Goldilocks flow temperature for every home. You just have to find it.
www.thereengineer.pro/p/home-truth...
www.thereengineer.pro/p/home-truth...
Home Truths #1: A really simple guide to radiators and how to get the most out of them
As the cold snap bites, it’s time to ensure your heating system is performing well
www.thereengineer.pro
January 9, 2026 at 12:35 PM
There’s a Goldilocks flow temperature for every home. You just have to find it.
www.thereengineer.pro/p/home-truth...
www.thereengineer.pro/p/home-truth...
There’s a Goldilocks flow temperature for every home. You just have to find it.
www.thereengineer.pro/p/home-truth...
www.thereengineer.pro/p/home-truth...
Home Truths #1: A really simple guide to radiators and how to get the most out of them
As the cold snap bites, it’s time to ensure your heating system is performing well
www.thereengineer.pro
January 9, 2026 at 12:35 PM
There’s a Goldilocks flow temperature for every home. You just have to find it.
www.thereengineer.pro/p/home-truth...
www.thereengineer.pro/p/home-truth...
Reposted by Chris Baraniuk
Teen Sick Of Mother Barging Into Room With Clean, Folded Clothes https://theonion.com/teen-sick-of-mother-barging-into-room-with-clean-folde-1819577305/
January 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Teen Sick Of Mother Barging Into Room With Clean, Folded Clothes https://theonion.com/teen-sick-of-mother-barging-into-room-with-clean-folde-1819577305/
"stool samples taken from patients during an [auto brewery syndrome] flare yielded significantly more ethanol than those from their healthy household partners."
"We found that gut bacteria [...] ferment sugars into ethanol in the intestine in patients"
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
"We found that gut bacteria [...] ferment sugars into ethanol in the intestine in patients"
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
Rare condition that causes body to produce its own alcohol demystified
Auto-brewery syndrome can produce enough alcohol in gut to cause noticeable intoxication and induce liver damage, cognitive impairment, digestive issues and even withdrawal symptoms
www.independent.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 9:34 AM
"stool samples taken from patients during an [auto brewery syndrome] flare yielded significantly more ethanol than those from their healthy household partners."
"We found that gut bacteria [...] ferment sugars into ethanol in the intestine in patients"
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
"We found that gut bacteria [...] ferment sugars into ethanol in the intestine in patients"
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
"It is a criminal offence to share intimate images of someone without their consent under the Sexual Offences Act in England and Wales, which includes images created by AI."
Grok AI: is it legal to produce or post undressed images of people without their consent?
Grok AI: is it legal to produce or post undressed images of people without their consent?
Deluge of ‘nudified’ images on social media platform X raises questions about regulation of use of AI technologies
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:24 AM
"It is a criminal offence to share intimate images of someone without their consent under the Sexual Offences Act in England and Wales, which includes images created by AI."
The first edition of The Reengineer Monitor in 2026 is out!! Loads of links to fascinating studies and stories about climate change-related engineering, adaptation and resilience.
www.thereengineer.pro/p/beaver-mim...
www.thereengineer.pro/p/beaver-mim...
Beaver mimicking-dams could save rivers: The Reengineer Monitor #55
Flood-detecting CubeSat, lithium price rise - and more!
www.thereengineer.pro
January 9, 2026 at 9:18 AM
The first edition of The Reengineer Monitor in 2026 is out!! Loads of links to fascinating studies and stories about climate change-related engineering, adaptation and resilience.
www.thereengineer.pro/p/beaver-mim...
www.thereengineer.pro/p/beaver-mim...
🎵 so while there's moonlight and music and love and romance...🎵
January 8, 2026 at 10:58 PM
🎵 so while there's moonlight and music and love and romance...🎵
Reposted by Chris Baraniuk
NEW: The launch of a new occasional series on The Reengineer!
Home Truths will consist of amateur-friendly explainers about reengineering / efficiency gains you can make at home.
The aim is to be topical - so I've started with heating! It's cold out there...
www.thereengineer.pro/p/home-truth...
Home Truths will consist of amateur-friendly explainers about reengineering / efficiency gains you can make at home.
The aim is to be topical - so I've started with heating! It's cold out there...
www.thereengineer.pro/p/home-truth...
Home Truths #1: A really simple guide to radiators and how to get the most out of them
As the cold snap bites, it’s time to ensure your heating system is performing well
www.thereengineer.pro
January 8, 2026 at 9:09 AM
NEW: The launch of a new occasional series on The Reengineer!
Home Truths will consist of amateur-friendly explainers about reengineering / efficiency gains you can make at home.
The aim is to be topical - so I've started with heating! It's cold out there...
www.thereengineer.pro/p/home-truth...
Home Truths will consist of amateur-friendly explainers about reengineering / efficiency gains you can make at home.
The aim is to be topical - so I've started with heating! It's cold out there...
www.thereengineer.pro/p/home-truth...