Mike Wiser
@drmikewiser.bsky.social
Evolutionary biologist, teaching-track professor (knowledge transmitter), board game and cat enthusiast, budding archer, teller of Dad jokes. Sarcasm doesn't have to be mean. Also a "damn greenblooded hobgoblin". Ursula said I'm cool. I read a lot.
🏳️🌈🧫 👨
🏳️🌈🧫 👨
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Mike Wiser
@drmikewiser.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Since I seem to suddenly have a bunch of new followers: Hello!
I'm a full time, non tenure track, teaching-focused biology faculty member. (There are some non abusive options here; it isn't all just adjuncting) My PhD is in evolutionary biology, but half the time I'm teaching molecular biology.
I'm a full time, non tenure track, teaching-focused biology faculty member. (There are some non abusive options here; it isn't all just adjuncting) My PhD is in evolutionary biology, but half the time I'm teaching molecular biology.
Reposted by Mike Wiser
a colleague in my dept has instituted a test format of a 3-min presentation and a 3-min question period from the prof. it's become evident in doing so that over half his students have no clue what they've been submitting essays on (it seems they haven't written a word of the essays)
November 24, 2025 at 3:26 AM
a colleague in my dept has instituted a test format of a 3-min presentation and a 3-min question period from the prof. it's become evident in doing so that over half his students have no clue what they've been submitting essays on (it seems they haven't written a word of the essays)
Reposted by Mike Wiser
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but a day spent reading Agatha Christie in a Scottish Highlands Cottage in front of a crackling fireplace whilst indulging in a plate of emotional support scones will indeed fix you.
Anyone who tells you otherwise is not worthy of your friendship.
Anyone who tells you otherwise is not worthy of your friendship.
November 23, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but a day spent reading Agatha Christie in a Scottish Highlands Cottage in front of a crackling fireplace whilst indulging in a plate of emotional support scones will indeed fix you.
Anyone who tells you otherwise is not worthy of your friendship.
Anyone who tells you otherwise is not worthy of your friendship.
Just a quick reminder that music doesn't have to be extremely complex to still be beautiful.
November 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Just a quick reminder that music doesn't have to be extremely complex to still be beautiful.
Reposted by Mike Wiser
I'm on the hunt for artists/illustrators that specialise in landscapes and scenery, or who love drawing nature! 🌷🏞️🌳
I'd especially love to hear from BIPOC artists, but this is an open call! Self promo welcome, please comment with examples/portfolio links if possible ☺️
#art #illustration
I'd especially love to hear from BIPOC artists, but this is an open call! Self promo welcome, please comment with examples/portfolio links if possible ☺️
#art #illustration
November 23, 2025 at 11:14 AM
I'm on the hunt for artists/illustrators that specialise in landscapes and scenery, or who love drawing nature! 🌷🏞️🌳
I'd especially love to hear from BIPOC artists, but this is an open call! Self promo welcome, please comment with examples/portfolio links if possible ☺️
#art #illustration
I'd especially love to hear from BIPOC artists, but this is an open call! Self promo welcome, please comment with examples/portfolio links if possible ☺️
#art #illustration
Reposted by Mike Wiser
Fungal friends: The University of Minnesota is hiring a tenure track medical mycologist, with emphasis on emergence of pathogens, genomics and evolution!
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
New Assistant Professor: Tenure Track - Fungal Biology/Medical Mycology - Minneapolis, Minnesota job with University of Minnesota - Medical School | 12848307
About the Job: The Department of Microbiology & Immunology and the Institute on Infectious Diseases (UMIID) at the University of Minnesota Medical ...
www.nature.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Fungal friends: The University of Minnesota is hiring a tenure track medical mycologist, with emphasis on emergence of pathogens, genomics and evolution!
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
Reposted by Mike Wiser
somebody on here suggested awhile back that a pretty compelling 2028 Democrat campaign promise would be "on day one I will deploy a WPA-scale army of forensic accountants across every square inch of the federal government" and I think about that every day
It’s crazy to think about the crimes we’re going to learn about after this regime ends.
We’re already hearing about Watergate level crimes every week. Imagine what will come out after it’s over.
We’re going to need a full accounting of all that’s been done in violation of the constitution.
We’re already hearing about Watergate level crimes every week. Imagine what will come out after it’s over.
We’re going to need a full accounting of all that’s been done in violation of the constitution.
November 23, 2025 at 12:25 AM
somebody on here suggested awhile back that a pretty compelling 2028 Democrat campaign promise would be "on day one I will deploy a WPA-scale army of forensic accountants across every square inch of the federal government" and I think about that every day
The high school subjects I enjoyed the most were AP Bio and AP Chem, so I declared a Biochemistry major, and figured I could always go to law school if it turned out I didn't want to do science long term.
I found my chem classes easier, but thought the research in bio was more interesting.
I found my chem classes easier, but thought the research in bio was more interesting.
November 23, 2025 at 12:36 AM
The high school subjects I enjoyed the most were AP Bio and AP Chem, so I declared a Biochemistry major, and figured I could always go to law school if it turned out I didn't want to do science long term.
I found my chem classes easier, but thought the research in bio was more interesting.
I found my chem classes easier, but thought the research in bio was more interesting.
This is quite the deal.
The VR headsets and programming for a full foil/epee/sabre team would eat up a huge chunk of it.
The VR headsets and programming for a full foil/epee/sabre team would eat up a huge chunk of it.
can someone give me $12,000 to set up a virtual fencing system for my flock pls
November 22, 2025 at 5:23 PM
This is quite the deal.
The VR headsets and programming for a full foil/epee/sabre team would eat up a huge chunk of it.
The VR headsets and programming for a full foil/epee/sabre team would eat up a huge chunk of it.
When (US) Thanksgiving falls as late as it does this year, it always pits my cultural programming to make a ridiculous bounty of sidedishes against the reality that I live alone and also will be traveling to see my dad over Christmas not that long afterwards.
November 22, 2025 at 5:17 PM
When (US) Thanksgiving falls as late as it does this year, it always pits my cultural programming to make a ridiculous bounty of sidedishes against the reality that I live alone and also will be traveling to see my dad over Christmas not that long afterwards.
And just accept the splash damage onto other people who share whatever characteristic you're denigrating?
That's what the problem is, IMO. Communicating to third parties your seeming contempt for someone having features they share.
That's what the problem is, IMO. Communicating to third parties your seeming contempt for someone having features they share.
i'm over this mentality. i do think there are certain things that are off limits but there are things that obviously drive bad people's insecurities and if u can use those to torment said bad people u absolutely should use them
Because it apparently bears repetition:
You do not make fun of people for things like their weight, height, voice, baldness, ancestry, etc.
Even if they are horrible people. That is not a get out of jail free card.
Pick something else. Preferably in the actions or thoughts zone.
You do not make fun of people for things like their weight, height, voice, baldness, ancestry, etc.
Even if they are horrible people. That is not a get out of jail free card.
Pick something else. Preferably in the actions or thoughts zone.
November 22, 2025 at 4:29 PM
And just accept the splash damage onto other people who share whatever characteristic you're denigrating?
That's what the problem is, IMO. Communicating to third parties your seeming contempt for someone having features they share.
That's what the problem is, IMO. Communicating to third parties your seeming contempt for someone having features they share.
OK, serious question for the folks better with computers than I am:
Is there a way for me to save an image file so that I can put in alt text in the image file and have it show up when I put that image here?
Is there a way for me to save an image file so that I can put in alt text in the image file and have it show up when I put that image here?
November 22, 2025 at 4:08 PM
OK, serious question for the folks better with computers than I am:
Is there a way for me to save an image file so that I can put in alt text in the image file and have it show up when I put that image here?
Is there a way for me to save an image file so that I can put in alt text in the image file and have it show up when I put that image here?
The problem with teaching 3 courses in the same term is that it kind of increases the activation energy for doing anything else that feels like work. Even stuff I do care about, like putting together my package as I apply for Associate Prof from my current Assistant Prof.
November 22, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The problem with teaching 3 courses in the same term is that it kind of increases the activation energy for doing anything else that feels like work. Even stuff I do care about, like putting together my package as I apply for Associate Prof from my current Assistant Prof.
Because it apparently bears repetition:
You do not make fun of people for things like their weight, height, voice, baldness, ancestry, etc.
Even if they are horrible people. That is not a get out of jail free card.
Pick something else. Preferably in the actions or thoughts zone.
You do not make fun of people for things like their weight, height, voice, baldness, ancestry, etc.
Even if they are horrible people. That is not a get out of jail free card.
Pick something else. Preferably in the actions or thoughts zone.
November 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Because it apparently bears repetition:
You do not make fun of people for things like their weight, height, voice, baldness, ancestry, etc.
Even if they are horrible people. That is not a get out of jail free card.
Pick something else. Preferably in the actions or thoughts zone.
You do not make fun of people for things like their weight, height, voice, baldness, ancestry, etc.
Even if they are horrible people. That is not a get out of jail free card.
Pick something else. Preferably in the actions or thoughts zone.
Reposted by Mike Wiser
In a bit of Old Man Yells At Cloud:
It was easier to browse SFF for a book I'd be interested when it wasn't the case that 2/3 of the books were romance books with a supernatural character.
It was easier to browse SFF for a book I'd be interested when it wasn't the case that 2/3 of the books were romance books with a supernatural character.
November 22, 2025 at 2:11 AM
In a bit of Old Man Yells At Cloud:
It was easier to browse SFF for a book I'd be interested when it wasn't the case that 2/3 of the books were romance books with a supernatural character.
It was easier to browse SFF for a book I'd be interested when it wasn't the case that 2/3 of the books were romance books with a supernatural character.
Reposted by Mike Wiser
From my brother, who works for the public housing authority in one of the biggest cities in the country:
July 4, 2025 at 4:36 PM
From my brother, who works for the public housing authority in one of the biggest cities in the country:
So. Apparently nursing is no longer considered a professional degree, but chiropractic is?
Is this administration huffing paint?
(For some reason, autocucumber wanted to turn that into “judging”)
Is this administration huffing paint?
(For some reason, autocucumber wanted to turn that into “judging”)
November 22, 2025 at 1:44 AM
So. Apparently nursing is no longer considered a professional degree, but chiropractic is?
Is this administration huffing paint?
(For some reason, autocucumber wanted to turn that into “judging”)
Is this administration huffing paint?
(For some reason, autocucumber wanted to turn that into “judging”)
Listening to one of the upper admin talk about how great AI was going to be for all of us was certainly something.
November 21, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Listening to one of the upper admin talk about how great AI was going to be for all of us was certainly something.
You might think that students would stop showing up to lab in crop tops when it's the 13th week of the term and also 40F.
You would be mistaken.
You would be mistaken.
November 21, 2025 at 5:09 PM
You might think that students would stop showing up to lab in crop tops when it's the 13th week of the term and also 40F.
You would be mistaken.
You would be mistaken.
Reposted by Mike Wiser
Thinking a lot lately about the simple fact that college allows people to spend about 15 weeks immersed in a disciplinary conversation with an expert in that field. And what a special thing that is.
November 21, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Thinking a lot lately about the simple fact that college allows people to spend about 15 weeks immersed in a disciplinary conversation with an expert in that field. And what a special thing that is.
Sign of the moment of Cat Person vibes:
Realizing that I’ve incorporated cuddle time for the cats into my morning routine.
My two have different zones in the house where they prefer human interaction, so I make sure to spend time in each before heading to campus.
Realizing that I’ve incorporated cuddle time for the cats into my morning routine.
My two have different zones in the house where they prefer human interaction, so I make sure to spend time in each before heading to campus.
November 21, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Sign of the moment of Cat Person vibes:
Realizing that I’ve incorporated cuddle time for the cats into my morning routine.
My two have different zones in the house where they prefer human interaction, so I make sure to spend time in each before heading to campus.
Realizing that I’ve incorporated cuddle time for the cats into my morning routine.
My two have different zones in the house where they prefer human interaction, so I make sure to spend time in each before heading to campus.
I think my weirdest online argument was actually on this site a few months back with a person who thought that I should have told a student with an unusual genetic result that they were adopted. In class.
The weirdest online arguments I've been in are a tie between the woman who thought you could grow enough corn in an apartment closet to feed yourself and the guy who said me and my "pack of harpies" would be crucified along I-95 by the coming fascist regime for disliking Thoreau.
Far and away the weirdest online dispute I got into was with someone who strongly disagreed with my belief that there will never be time travel because we haven’t heard of anyone doing it. If it became possible it would become so common that we would have experienced them already.
November 21, 2025 at 1:39 PM
I think my weirdest online argument was actually on this site a few months back with a person who thought that I should have told a student with an unusual genetic result that they were adopted. In class.
Reposted by Mike Wiser
Wizened Millennials sneering at Gen Alpha: I told you the old ways are best
(Gen X, petting its moldering set of the 1983 World Book Encyclopedia: Soon. Soon.)
(Gen X, petting its moldering set of the 1983 World Book Encyclopedia: Soon. Soon.)
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
November 21, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Wizened Millennials sneering at Gen Alpha: I told you the old ways are best
(Gen X, petting its moldering set of the 1983 World Book Encyclopedia: Soon. Soon.)
(Gen X, petting its moldering set of the 1983 World Book Encyclopedia: Soon. Soon.)
We all know by now the idea that whether or not you return the shopping cart to the corral says something about the type of person you are.
I'd like to offer an addendum:
Do you return a library eBook as soon as you're done reading it, so the next person gets to start?
I'd like to offer an addendum:
Do you return a library eBook as soon as you're done reading it, so the next person gets to start?
November 21, 2025 at 3:03 AM
We all know by now the idea that whether or not you return the shopping cart to the corral says something about the type of person you are.
I'd like to offer an addendum:
Do you return a library eBook as soon as you're done reading it, so the next person gets to start?
I'd like to offer an addendum:
Do you return a library eBook as soon as you're done reading it, so the next person gets to start?