Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

David Taylor @davidataylor.bsky.social · 1d

Join us on October 15 when I spill my guts about my father (and others) for "Accessibility and Cold War Intelligence, 50 Years On," a talk at the International Spy Museum and online. Register FREE:
www.spymuseum.org/calendar/acc...

Accessibility and Cold War Intelligence, 50 Years On

Discover a new perspective on the Cold War as we mark National Disability Employment Awareness Month. David A. Taylor, author of Cork Wars: Intrigue and Industry in World War II and other books, has ...

www.spymuseum.org

Reposted by David Taylor

Meghan Bartels @meghanbartels.bsky.social · 2d

🧪

Lee Billings @leebillings.bsky.social · 2d

Now on @sciam.bsky.social: This year’s physics Nobel goes to 3 researchers who demonstrated quantum tunneling on a superconducting chip. By bringing this microscopic effect into the macroscale world, they laid important foundations for quantum computing.

www.scientificamerican.com/article/2025...

This Year’s Nobel Prize in Physics Is Awarded to Three Scientists for Work in Quantum Mechanics

John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis shared the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for their work showing how bizarre microscopic quantum effects can infiltrate our large-scale, everyday world

www.scientificamerican.com

6 13

David Taylor @davidataylor.bsky.social · 1d

Miller et al “have not come close to manufacturing the level of fear or trauma out in the country that they’d hoped for…” - Greg Sargent

Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 1d

Pritzker/Newsom see it as a defining fact of the moment that Trump is consolidating authoritarian power daily and using it to subjugate Blue America like an enemy nation within. Other Dems should stop the Beltway-speak about Trump laying "traps" for them and engage.

newrepublic.com/article/2014...

4 20 120

David Taylor @davidataylor.bsky.social · 2d

Voted!

1 1

Reposted by David Taylor

Chris Berube @chrisberube.bsky.social · 16d

My episode of @99pi.org about the Memphis Pyramid is up for a Signal Award in the Arts + Culture category! This is an extremely cool honour.

It's also up for a People's Choice. Please vote here - it means a lot to our show to get this kind of support. Thanks!

vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting...

The Signal Listener's Choice Award needs YOU

I just voted for this finalist to win a Signal Listener's Choice Award. You should too.

vote.signalaward.com

1 2 9

Reposted by David Taylor

That Librarian: Amanda Jones @librarianjones.com · 4d

Take at least ONE action to help defend books from censorship and speak up for those who make them available. Find resources/tools + actions you can take in just 5 mins: uniteagainstbookbans.org/let-freedom-read-day #BannedBooksWeek #UniteAgainstBookBans @la-cac.org @aaslala.bsky.social

58 110

David Taylor @davidataylor.bsky.social · 3d

“If you are serious about American energy dominance you need to deploy, deploy, deploy,” said an energy expert @ Johns Hopkins University.
“It’s puzzling and very strange to say wind and solar has no role ... when these are often the quickest and cheapest sources”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Trump’s hatred for renewables means the US is falling behind the rest of the world

As well as embracing ‘beautiful coal’, the president has set about obliterating clean energy projects

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by David Taylor

David Corn @davidcorn.bsky.social · 4d

Once upon a time, if a president head lied this brazenly, it would be considered a disgrace by both political parties

Acyn @acyn.bsky.social · 4d

Trump: Portland is burning to the ground—insurrectionists all over the place. The politicians are afraid for their lives. That’s the only reason they say there’s nothing happening.

110 280 1.2K

David Taylor @davidataylor.bsky.social · 4d

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Democrats’ defiance on shutdown shows a new, tougher approach to Trump

After eight months of getting battered by Republicans, the party has largely abandoned efforts at conciliation or outreach.

www.washingtonpost.com

David Taylor @davidataylor.bsky.social · 4d

“There is a growing understanding that you should never try to appease a bully.”

1

Reposted by David Taylor

Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 4d

“We’ve seen reprehensible behavior by DHS agents against journalists in all three of America’s largest cities. There’s no reason to think it will stop there, so it’s critical that we refuse to normalize this,” FPF's @adamrose.bsky.social told amNewYork.

ICE attack on reporters: Press freedom and civil liberties groups condemn assault of amNewYork journalist, and others | amNewYork

Press freedom and civil liberties organizations sharply condemned Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday after journalists, including

www.amny.com

4 75 170

David Taylor @davidataylor.bsky.social · 4d

What It Would Look Like to Pay W.N.B.A. Players Like Their Counterparts

www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

1

David Taylor @davidataylor.bsky.social · 4d

‘Positive Obsession’ a Fresh Look at Octavia E. Butler

Insightful review by @danaawilliams.bsky.social:
“Butler turned to science fiction as a salve, bc she believed it was the genre most capable of the radical rethinking necessary for humanity to survive.”

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/23/b...

‘Positive Obsession’ Is a Fresh Look at Octavia E. Butler

www.nytimes.com

2

Reposted by David Taylor

Out of Context Podcast Quotes @podcastquotebot.bsky.social · 5d

"He sells vodka in a crystal skull." - CHRIS BERUBE, The Great American Pyramid, 99% Invisible #99PercentInvisible #99pi #NationalVodkaDay #ChrisBerube

1

Reposted by David Taylor

ALA’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table @ NYCC WB-19 @libcomix.bsky.social · 11d

Our young hero destined to defeat an evil lord embarks on a hilarious, action-packed journey filled with jokes, friendship, and villains having a mid-life crisis in Dragon Forged: Sword of the Champion by Eric Lide
#LibraryCardSignUpMonth #CreatorsGetCarded #LibComix

Eric Lide holding a South Brunswick Public Library Card with his book Dragon Forced sitting behind him.

3 11

Reposted by David Taylor

American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · Nov 15

HI HELLO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY.

A vintage black and white photo taken during an American Library Association World War One book drive. A librarian in an suit with an ankle-length skirt speaks into a megaphone while standing atop an immense stack of books.

41 850 2.4K

Reposted by David Taylor

NPR @npr.org · 5d

The Committee for the First Amendment first launched in the 1940s, when the House Un-American Activities Committee accused Hollywood actors, directors and writers of being communists or sympathizers.

Hundreds of celebrities relaunch a McCarthy-era committee to defend free speech

The Committee for the First Amendment first launched in the 1940s, when the House Un-American Activities Committee accused Hollywood actors, directors and writers of being communists or sympathizers.

n.pr

34 610 1.8K

Reposted by David Taylor

Oxfam America @oxfamamerica.bsky.social · 13d

U.S. aid cuts are affecting people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where 27 million are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Diseases like cholera and Ebola are spreading rapidly while armed conflict is displacing millions. Oxfam is facing these issues head on: bit.ly/3VCI6Ww/

Democratic Republic of Congo faces growing crisis amid aid cuts

In the DRC, a health emergency, armed conflict, and a lack of aid are exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Donate to Oxfam today.

www.oxfamamerica.org

3 3

Reposted by David Taylor

International Rescue Committee @rescue.org · 16d

We have joined 30 organizations to raise the alarm on the child wasting crisis, as cuts to aid programs are leaving millions more children at risk.

Read & share our joint statement, calling on world leaders to take action at #UNGA80 to #endchildwasting www.wvi.org/publications...

Joint Statement on Wasting at UNGA 80

The Global Wasting Advocacy Coalition and the Global Nutrition Cluster are issuing a joint statement to call for urgent, coordinated action at UNGA 80 to address the escalating child wasting crisis.

www.wvi.org

2 4

Reposted by David Taylor

DC Public Library @dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social · 6d

🎨 D.I.Y. in the District opens Oct 4 at MLK Library! Explore D.C.’s artist-run, experimental, and homegrown art spaces from the 1970s to today, plus programs, performances & a new zine. On view through Dec 7.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4o6Agk9

Promotional poster for "DIY in the District," celebrating D.C.'s artist-run spaces from October 4 to December 2025 at the MLK Library, featuring a collage of images representing various arts and cultural activities, overlaid with bold text and vibrant, red architectural backgrounds.

1 6

Reposted by David Taylor

The 51st @51st.news · 8d

We're publishing our roundup of ways to get involved in D.C. a day early this week to catch the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights' weekly Know Your Rights webinar — on Thursday at noon!

Also included this week: Resisting fascism and an "angry hour" for pissed-off optimists.

Your weekly roundup of ways to get involved in D.C.

Plus, plenty of chances to plug into Free DC this week.

51st.news

1 12 32

Reposted by David Taylor

Free DC @freedcproject.bsky.social · 7d

“More than 2,300 armed National Guard troops are currently patrolling the District unlawfully. That unprecedented deployment is inflicting irreparable harm to the District’s sovereignty, its economy, and public safety.”

TPM @talkingpointsmemo.com · 7d

The Trump administration lobbied Wednesday evening for a freeze of Washington D.C.’s attempt to eject a couple thousand National Guard from the district.

Trump Admin Tries to Use Shutdown to Pause DC’s Case Against National Guard Occupation

The Trump administration lobbied Wednesday evening for a freeze of Washington D.C.’s...

talkingpointsmemo.com

4 36 79

Reposted by David Taylor

Rob Townsend @rbtownsend.bsky.social · 7d

"Wisconsin Humanities has launched a statewide listening tour aimed at rebuilding and reimagining a future for the humanities in Wisconsin." bit.ly/4gSmQWs

July Update from the Director

Listening tour gathers hopes and ideas so we can rebuild and reimagine a future for the humanities in Wisconsin. Please support us!

bit.ly

1 1

Reposted by David Taylor

Stars and Stripes @starsandstripes.bsky.social · 7d

The U.S. government officially shut down, and until a funding deal is reached in Congress, troops will be working without paychecks.

Until the shutdown ends, troops will work without paychecks and federal websites and social media accounts will not be updated.

Here’s what you need to know:

How the government shutdown does, and does not, affect the military community

Until the shutdown ends, troops will work without paychecks and federal websites and social media accounts will not be updated. Here’s what you need to know.

www.stripes.com

2 14 20

Reposted by David Taylor

Steve Rosenberg @bbcstever.bsky.social · 11d

In today’s Russian papers: Russia needs the resources “to conduct hostilities in Ukraine for at least 2, even 3 years.” Meanwhile, “it is no longer possible to deny the signs of petrol shortages in the regions.” Plus, utility tariffs to rise, science funding falls. #ReadingRussia

"No longer possible to deny signs of Russian petrol shortages," says Russian paper

YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg

youtu.be

3 120 360