Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Chris Baraniuk

@chrisbaraniuk.com

29K followers 1.6K following 4.6K posts

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

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · Nov 14

🚨I have a big announcement, everyone!!🚨

Today, I'm launching my newsletter: The Reengineer.

It’s about the surprising ways in which climate change is impacting technology, buildings and infrastructure – and how we can make those things more efficient, to slash emissions.

www.thereengineer.pro

The Reengineer | Chris Baraniuk | Substack

A newsletter about how climate change affects technology and infrastructure – and what we can do about it. Click to read The Reengineer, by Chris Baraniuk, a Substack publication. Launched 13 minutes ...

www.thereengineer.pro

13 47 220

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 3h

Watching Papillon via streaming with occasional ad breaks.

It is QUITE jarring during the solitary confinement scene to switch from Steve McQueen getting his already meagre rations reduced by half to this:

DID SOMEBODY SAY... JUST EAT!!?

1 13

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 3h

The Deadlines

A bit punky, no?

Or what about

Stet Threat

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 3h

A fair point! Thank you for adding your perspective. Is AI something you see as potentially helpful for you? (This is a genuine Q!)

1 1

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 4h

The truth is, technology peaked a while ago in terms of handling everyday tasks. We don't really need to go faster / more automated in many of these areas now, IMO.

And this is a big reason, though not the only one, why retro tech is so popular again.

Andrew Lawrence @ndrew.bsky.social · 10h

every single tech idea is like “soon our robots will be capable of playing catch with your kid, freeing you up to spend more time working on your employers’ spreadsheets”

2 1 10

Reposted by Chris Baraniuk

Mark Harris @markharris.bsky.social · 5h

Terribly sad news about one of the greats. Diane Keaton has died at 79.
people.com/diane-keaton...

Diane Keaton, Famed for Roles in 'Father of the Bride,' 'First Wives Club' and More, Dies at 79 (Exclusive)

Diane Keaton has died at age 79. Keaton was best known for roles in movies like 'Annie Hall,' 'The First Wives Club,' 'Something's Gotta Give' and 'The Godfather.'

people.com

650 2.2K 8.7K

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 11h

Last harvest basket of the season. Still plenty of swede, parsnip, carrot and beetroot to pull up over the next couple of months, though.

A photo of a harvest basket containing some shallots, tomatoes, red and green chillies.

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 1d

Richard Briers said about as much - though not in the same terms - about the character.

2 4

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 1d

They did well to carry on after that (correct but deflating) offside decision.

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 1d

Very fun night for Northern Ireland football fans.

Northern Ireland will next play group leader Germany in Belfast on Monday night...

Football Rankings @footrankings.bsky.social · 1d

🚨 🇩🇪 Germany back in control and up to FIRST PLACE in Group A after easy 4-0 win vs 🇱🇺 Luxembourg!

💥 Three nations now have six points in Group A, after a HUGE WIN for Northern Ireland, which defeated leader 🇸🇰 Slovakia 2-0!

1 1 2

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 1d

It was fun to watch!

1 1

Reposted by Chris Baraniuk

Jay Roszman @jayroszman.bsky.social · 1d

I could spend hours looking at digitised images from the @nlireland.bsky.social Lawrence Collection. What an incredible visual repository of 19th-c Ireland.

The Quays on the northside of Cork looking east, with the Shandon Bell in background.

Two boys, one with a cap and a barefoot leg straddling the Quay wall, the other in a bowler hat looking into the River Lee.

Entitled 'Paddys Market', in Cork. An image with many people milling about, lots of produce in the foreground, furniture, baskets.

A shawled woman looking back toward the camera with what look like mounds of cabbages stacked in the foreground and wicker baskets.

2 6 45

Reposted by Chris Baraniuk

Chris The Boatman @romanyboatman.bsky.social · 1d

A #giftlink #giftarticle 💐Why China Built 162 Square Miles of Solar Panels on the World’s Highest Plateau www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/b...

Why China Built 162 Square Miles of Solar Panels on the World’s Highest Plateau

www.nytimes.com

1 7

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 1d

ugh *it follows several cases* obviously. Typo!

E.g. www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis...

Two Wimbledon fans faint in Carlos Alcaraz semi-final with temperatures soaring

The spectators were tended to by paramedics on Centre Court, a day on from three fans fainting

www.independent.co.uk

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 1d

One competitor at Shanghai even asked an official, "Do you want a player to die on court?"

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis...

Tennis players facing the heat at Shanghai and Wuhan tournaments

After facing high temperatures on the Asian swing of the tennis tours, some players are questioning the sport's heat policies.

www.bbc.co.uk

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 1d

More: www.ubitennis.net/2025/10/atp-...

ATP Confirms Heat Policy Under ‘Active Review’ After String Of Retirements At Shanghai Masters - UBITENNIS

Tennis Hot Topics The governing body of men’s tennis says they are open to making changes to its heat policy amid a series of high-profile incidents at the Shanghai

www.ubitennis.net

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 1d

Some of the images from the Shanghai Masters have been crazy. And it follows cases of several cases of audience members fainting at Wimbledon this year.

Jeff Goodell @jeffgoodell.bsky.social · 1d

When tennis becomes a metaphor for all life on Earth.
www.wsj.com/sports/tenni...

‘Do You Want a Player to Die?’ Tennis Feels the Heat Over Extreme Conditions

Sweltering temperatures in China have pushed the sport’s stars to the limit, leaving them cramping, throwing up on court and sweating through four pairs of sneakers

www.wsj.com

2 2 9

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 1d

Hope you get some answers - just want to say this is a fascinating reference / discussion!

1 1

Reposted by Chris Baraniuk

Celine Camps @celinecamps.bsky.social · 1d

Historians of science: any thoughts on this? I'm intrigued by a "recipe" in a 1505 manuscript, which describes what appears to be the Leidenfrost effect, named after Johann Gottlob Leidenfrost, who supposedly was the first to describe the effect in the 18th century 🗃️ #HistSTM #HistSci #EarlyModern 🧪

g.j.hilton @hltn.bsky.social · 1d

The Leidenfrost effect! But wow is this ever an early description of it.

1 9 11

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 1d

💯

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 1d

You could apply that to much blogging / journalism in general but I do think people feel (probably erroneously) that they have a captive audience with a newsletter. But I think you should always try and delight / surprise either way. I do my best with mine... www.thereengineer.pro

The Reengineer | Chris Baraniuk | Substack

A newsletter about the energy transition and how climate change affects tech, buildings and infrastructure. Click to read The Reengineer, by Chris Baraniuk, a Substack publication with hundreds of sub...

www.thereengineer.pro

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 1d

I agree with you on these things, Jess! Another pet peeve of mine = newsletters that are too meandering / ponderous. OK, sometimes this makes for a nice read - but, honestly, 90% of the time I just wish they'd get to the point!

Reposted by Chris Baraniuk

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 2d

Did you know that aircraft noise has been linked to heart attacks and strokes - as well as lower performance in school among children?

www.caa.co.uk/passengers-a...

Aviation noise and health | UK Civil Aviation Authority

The effects of aviation noise

www.caa.co.uk

6 6

Reposted by Chris Baraniuk

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 2d

"Pretty much everywhere, the climb-out will get shallower, which means more people around the airport [will experience] unpleasant noise levels"

www.thereengineer.pro/p/noisier-ta...

Noisier take-offs, engine wear – planes are flying straight into climate change

Emissions-spewing aircraft are far from immune to global warming

www.thereengineer.pro

1 8 13

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 1d

It's happened fast! But recently there have been floating wind tenders in the UK; and the gov has also supported some ports that could supply such installations.

Chris Baraniuk @chrisbaraniuk.com · 1d

One gigawatt of floating wind could be coming to the Scottish coast...

share.google/aZiz5ro6V408...

Developer of 1 GW Scottish Floating Wind Farm Applies for Onshore Consent

The consortium comprising BayWa r.e., Elicio, and BW Ideol has submitted a planning application to Aberdeenshire Council for the onshore infrastructure required to connect the Buchan floating offshore...

share.google

1 6