Elise Cutts
@elisecutts.bsky.social
Professional nerd (science journalist). USian in Austria, language geek, and collector of fine yellow zigzagged sweaters and etymology fun facts. Get my newsletter about big questions at the frontiers of science: www.reviewertoo.com 👽🌀🦋
Pinned
Pop science doesn't reach a "general audience"
Pop sci readers are wealthy, educated, and left-leaning
www.reviewertoo.com
Newsletter up. Rant incoming.
Pop sci mostly reaches educated, left-leaning, wealthy readers — including, of course, scientists and science writers.
I increasingly believe the gap between the real general audience and what's called "general audience" in scicomm is huge and worth talking about: 🧪
Pop sci mostly reaches educated, left-leaning, wealthy readers — including, of course, scientists and science writers.
I increasingly believe the gap between the real general audience and what's called "general audience" in scicomm is huge and worth talking about: 🧪
Reposted by Elise Cutts
When our daughter was at Davis we heard a lot about Cheeto the physics cat. Now we learn Cheeto has his own bio on the website of the high performance computing department. Very cute. 🧡 Check out his expertise in Box Mechanics, and his publications. 🧪
hpc.ucdavis.edu/people/cheet...
hpc.ucdavis.edu/people/cheet...
Dr. Cheeto Cat
Cheeto joined HPC@UCD as a stray scholar-in-residence and has since established himself as a permanent fixture of academic life. Although lacking a formal degree, he has consistently demonstrated exce...
hpc.ucdavis.edu
February 14, 2026 at 6:15 AM
When our daughter was at Davis we heard a lot about Cheeto the physics cat. Now we learn Cheeto has his own bio on the website of the high performance computing department. Very cute. 🧡 Check out his expertise in Box Mechanics, and his publications. 🧪
hpc.ucdavis.edu/people/cheet...
hpc.ucdavis.edu/people/cheet...
Reposted by Elise Cutts
In case you missed these, here's a compilation (for a few giggles to end the week).
1. Instagram post by NYUmed comms (oops).
bsky.app/profile/andr...
1. Instagram post by NYUmed comms (oops).
bsky.app/profile/andr...
Wow AI is so amazing we should use it for all our scientific diagrams
February 13, 2026 at 1:31 PM
In case you missed these, here's a compilation (for a few giggles to end the week).
1. Instagram post by NYUmed comms (oops).
bsky.app/profile/andr...
1. Instagram post by NYUmed comms (oops).
bsky.app/profile/andr...
Guys I need you to watch this video about this ant.
It is the best ant.
That is all.
It is the best ant.
That is all.
Jumping Ants! Gigantiops destructor
YouTube video by Ant Lab
www.youtube.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Guys I need you to watch this video about this ant.
It is the best ant.
That is all.
It is the best ant.
That is all.
I'm going to have to check if every scientist I ever interview for the rest of forever was in the Epstein files before interviewing them, aren't I? 😵💫
February 13, 2026 at 1:32 PM
I'm going to have to check if every scientist I ever interview for the rest of forever was in the Epstein files before interviewing them, aren't I? 😵💫
Reposted by Elise Cutts
Great essay on a timeless question! "The complexity of life is not pre-encoded in the genome, but emerges through development in a way that is not fully captured by the mechanical metaphors of blueprints and computer codes".
The genome isn't a blueprint. But what is it?
I originally imagined this as a reported feature on metaphors of the genome, but it ended up being an essay.
And at the end I share the metaphor I personally ended up landing on. If you want to tell me why it is wrong, you'll need to read the story ;)🧪
I originally imagined this as a reported feature on metaphors of the genome, but it ended up being an essay.
And at the end I share the metaphor I personally ended up landing on. If you want to tell me why it is wrong, you'll need to read the story ;)🧪
“Chop off a Hydra’s head, and you’ll have two new animals instead of one dead one.” @elisecutts.bsky.social on immortal freshwater polyps, and what they reveal about where complexity comes from. pioneerworks.org/broadcast/ge...
February 13, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Great essay on a timeless question! "The complexity of life is not pre-encoded in the genome, but emerges through development in a way that is not fully captured by the mechanical metaphors of blueprints and computer codes".
Reposted by Elise Cutts
Myth of the Genetic Blueprint - Life isn’t constructed along pre-drawn plans. It grows. pioneerworks.org/broadcast/ge... - Super article by the always on-point @elisecutts.bsky.social
Myth of the Genetic Blueprint | Broadcast
Life isn't constructed along pre-drawn plans. It grows.
pioneerworks.org
February 13, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Myth of the Genetic Blueprint - Life isn’t constructed along pre-drawn plans. It grows. pioneerworks.org/broadcast/ge... - Super article by the always on-point @elisecutts.bsky.social
Reposted by Elise Cutts
“If a single animal can have several different genomes at once, which one is the blueprint? This may not even be the right question to ask...” Intriguing jumping-off point for a superb piece on why our favourite metaphors fail to capture biology; @elisecutts.bsky.social in @pioneerwork.bsky.social
🧪
🧪
Myth of the Genetic Blueprint | Broadcast
Life isn't constructed along pre-drawn plans. It grows.
pioneerworks.org
February 13, 2026 at 11:01 AM
“If a single animal can have several different genomes at once, which one is the blueprint? This may not even be the right question to ask...” Intriguing jumping-off point for a superb piece on why our favourite metaphors fail to capture biology; @elisecutts.bsky.social in @pioneerwork.bsky.social
🧪
🧪
me: i hate myself
my therapist: why are you being so mean to yourself?
me: no you don't understand I'm just quoting Charles Darwin
my therapist: why are you being so mean to yourself?
me: no you don't understand I'm just quoting Charles Darwin
Happy birthday to one of my favourite haters, Charles Darwin
February 12, 2026 at 9:11 PM
me: i hate myself
my therapist: why are you being so mean to yourself?
me: no you don't understand I'm just quoting Charles Darwin
my therapist: why are you being so mean to yourself?
me: no you don't understand I'm just quoting Charles Darwin
I was planning to write about artificial life this week, but real life got in the way.
So instead, here's a little update on my newsletter and a request for feedback.
If you're not subscribed: why? It's free and good (I'm not biased at all)
If you are subscribed: tell me how you ~really~ feel
So instead, here's a little update on my newsletter and a request for feedback.
If you're not subscribed: why? It's free and good (I'm not biased at all)
If you are subscribed: tell me how you ~really~ feel
Tell me how you really feel
And by that I mean: please fill out my survey.
www.reviewertoo.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:07 PM
I was planning to write about artificial life this week, but real life got in the way.
So instead, here's a little update on my newsletter and a request for feedback.
If you're not subscribed: why? It's free and good (I'm not biased at all)
If you are subscribed: tell me how you ~really~ feel
So instead, here's a little update on my newsletter and a request for feedback.
If you're not subscribed: why? It's free and good (I'm not biased at all)
If you are subscribed: tell me how you ~really~ feel
Reposted by Elise Cutts
Life isn’t constructed along pre-drawn plans. It grows. For PW Broadcast, @elisecutts.bsky.social writes on the myth of the genetic blueprint. pioneerworks.org/broadcast/ge...
February 12, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Life isn’t constructed along pre-drawn plans. It grows. For PW Broadcast, @elisecutts.bsky.social writes on the myth of the genetic blueprint. pioneerworks.org/broadcast/ge...
The genome isn't a blueprint. But what is it?
I originally imagined this as a reported feature on metaphors of the genome, but it ended up being an essay.
And at the end I share the metaphor I personally ended up landing on. If you want to tell me why it is wrong, you'll need to read the story ;)🧪
I originally imagined this as a reported feature on metaphors of the genome, but it ended up being an essay.
And at the end I share the metaphor I personally ended up landing on. If you want to tell me why it is wrong, you'll need to read the story ;)🧪
“Chop off a Hydra’s head, and you’ll have two new animals instead of one dead one.” @elisecutts.bsky.social on immortal freshwater polyps, and what they reveal about where complexity comes from. pioneerworks.org/broadcast/ge...
Myth of the Genetic Blueprint | Broadcast
Life isn't constructed along pre-drawn plans. It grows.
pioneerworks.org
February 12, 2026 at 8:56 PM
The genome isn't a blueprint. But what is it?
I originally imagined this as a reported feature on metaphors of the genome, but it ended up being an essay.
And at the end I share the metaphor I personally ended up landing on. If you want to tell me why it is wrong, you'll need to read the story ;)🧪
I originally imagined this as a reported feature on metaphors of the genome, but it ended up being an essay.
And at the end I share the metaphor I personally ended up landing on. If you want to tell me why it is wrong, you'll need to read the story ;)🧪
The photos in this article. Just. Wow.
Live: Walz says Minnesota needs to focus on recovery after ‘damage’ of ICE surge
Border czar Tom Homan said Thursday that drawdown of the federal immigration operation will happen over the next week.
www.startribune.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:52 PM
The photos in this article. Just. Wow.
I have a new favorite animal and it is a bug and I honestly don't know how to deal with this. Bugs are not supposed to be my favorite animal.
February 12, 2026 at 5:42 PM
I have a new favorite animal and it is a bug and I honestly don't know how to deal with this. Bugs are not supposed to be my favorite animal.
Why am I so good at understanding science nonsense but absolutely completely and utterly overwhelmed by like... how to do business bookkeeping as a tiny online freelancer?
February 12, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Why am I so good at understanding science nonsense but absolutely completely and utterly overwhelmed by like... how to do business bookkeeping as a tiny online freelancer?
Imagine if getting your McDonalds order was as hard as getting literally anything from your insurance company?
February 12, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Imagine if getting your McDonalds order was as hard as getting literally anything from your insurance company?
Reposted by Elise Cutts
One of my favourite things about this figure (sketched by Charles Darwin in one of his notebooks in 1837) is the “I think” at the top. Beyond an illustration of his evolving thoughts on descent with modification, the image somehow captures the essence of scientific curiosity. #DarwinDay 2026
February 12, 2026 at 8:31 AM
One of my favourite things about this figure (sketched by Charles Darwin in one of his notebooks in 1837) is the “I think” at the top. Beyond an illustration of his evolving thoughts on descent with modification, the image somehow captures the essence of scientific curiosity. #DarwinDay 2026
Reposted by Elise Cutts
I've written two @nature.com stories this week looking at whether EU efforts to lure US scientists are working 🧪
They are: the number of US applicants wanting to take up ERC grants has doubled. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
They are: the number of US applicants wanting to take up ERC grants has doubled. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
US applications for prestigious European research grants surge
Rush for funds to relocate laboratories to Europe is latest sign of a US brain drain.
www.nature.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:04 AM
I've written two @nature.com stories this week looking at whether EU efforts to lure US scientists are working 🧪
They are: the number of US applicants wanting to take up ERC grants has doubled. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
They are: the number of US applicants wanting to take up ERC grants has doubled. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Elise Cutts
Absolutely fascinating piece by @elisecutts.bsky.social that should be required reading for all scientists and science journalists 👩🔬🧪 www.reviewertoo.com/pop-science-...
Pop science doesn't reach a "general audience"
Pop sci readers are wealthy, educated, and left-leaning
www.reviewertoo.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Absolutely fascinating piece by @elisecutts.bsky.social that should be required reading for all scientists and science journalists 👩🔬🧪 www.reviewertoo.com/pop-science-...
I used to think that news articles were beamed directly into magazines by angels or otherwise produced in a similarly divine and unknowable process
Now I know that news articles are just some lil guys and gals writing emails back and forth until going "eh good enough" and publishing one of them
Now I know that news articles are just some lil guys and gals writing emails back and forth until going "eh good enough" and publishing one of them
February 11, 2026 at 6:14 PM
I used to think that news articles were beamed directly into magazines by angels or otherwise produced in a similarly divine and unknowable process
Now I know that news articles are just some lil guys and gals writing emails back and forth until going "eh good enough" and publishing one of them
Now I know that news articles are just some lil guys and gals writing emails back and forth until going "eh good enough" and publishing one of them
Reposted by Elise Cutts
PSA: Do not end your presentations this way. Leave your conclusion slide up instead of wiping their memories with this platitide.
February 11, 2026 at 4:03 PM
PSA: Do not end your presentations this way. Leave your conclusion slide up instead of wiping their memories with this platitide.
"safety problems."
Uh huh. Because the problem with concentration camps is that there aren't enough safety regulations.
Uh huh. Because the problem with concentration camps is that there aren't enough safety regulations.
ICE plans to build mega warehouses for immigration detention spark growing concern
Sources at two government contractors told NBC News they were worried that new warehouses — and the large numbers of immigrants who would be housed in them — would present safety problems.
www.nbcnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:31 PM
"safety problems."
Uh huh. Because the problem with concentration camps is that there aren't enough safety regulations.
Uh huh. Because the problem with concentration camps is that there aren't enough safety regulations.
Guys... is the great, raging "what are sub-Neptunes" debate going to expand into a "what are normal Neptunes, though" debate?
IDK if I can handle that much planet drama
IDK if I can handle that much planet drama
Uranus and Neptune may be more rocky than icy. @physicsworld.bsky.social @iop.org 🔭 #planetaryscience
physicsworld.com/a/uranus-and...
physicsworld.com/a/uranus-and...
Uranus and Neptune may be more rocky than icy, say astrophysicists – Physics World
Novel modelling approach suggests that the traditionally ice-rich image of these planets may be skewed
physicsworld.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Guys... is the great, raging "what are sub-Neptunes" debate going to expand into a "what are normal Neptunes, though" debate?
IDK if I can handle that much planet drama
IDK if I can handle that much planet drama
Reposted by Elise Cutts
Any time I pop on over to the "discover" feed I'm like: why did I do that?
February 11, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Any time I pop on over to the "discover" feed I'm like: why did I do that?
Reposted by Elise Cutts
A region in the cerebellum is language-selective—something previously found only in the cortex, a new study suggests.
By @natmesanash.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/language/cer...
By @natmesanash.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/language/cer...
Cerebellum responds to language like cortical areas
One of four language-responsive cerebellar regions may encode meaningful information, much like the cortical language network in the left hemisphere, according to a new study.
www.thetransmitter.org
February 10, 2026 at 8:37 PM
A region in the cerebellum is language-selective—something previously found only in the cortex, a new study suggests.
By @natmesanash.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/language/cer...
By @natmesanash.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/language/cer...