Daniel S Helman, PhD
@helmandaniel.bsky.social
I'm an artist who turned tail and became a geoscientist, working in mineralogy, sustainability and nonviolence.
https://osf.io/3zd68/
https://osf.io/3zd68/
Pinned
If you are in another country and want to help with US:
Set up trade deals with co-operatives in the US. This will help create more co-ops in the US, and offset the influence of the horrible corporate culture here. Current US politics are an extension of their corporate culture.
Set up trade deals with co-operatives in the US. This will help create more co-ops in the US, and offset the influence of the horrible corporate culture here. Current US politics are an extension of their corporate culture.
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
BREAKING: The DOJ has filed its opposition to my motion for expedited processing of the EPSTEIN TRAINING VIDEOS. They're arguing that there's NO WIDESPREAD PUBLIC INTEREST. My latest: www.muellershewrote.com/p/new-doj-re...
NEW: DOJ Responded to Our Epstein Training Materials Motion, Arguing There's No Public Interest
They also argue that the existence of the training videos doesn't raise any questions about government integrity!
www.muellershewrote.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:54 AM
BREAKING: The DOJ has filed its opposition to my motion for expedited processing of the EPSTEIN TRAINING VIDEOS. They're arguing that there's NO WIDESPREAD PUBLIC INTEREST. My latest: www.muellershewrote.com/p/new-doj-re...
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
♥️ “ICE looked at that school, saw a community standing up for families, and decided it wasn’t worth it.”
December 8, 2025 at 5:28 PM
♥️ “ICE looked at that school, saw a community standing up for families, and decided it wasn’t worth it.”
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Hey folks 👋 I'm the reporter who revealed immigration agents detained 170+ citizens this year
My fellowship w/ProPublica has been incredible, but it wraps January. I'm looking for my next gig. Please reach out to share leads & opportunities! [email protected]
www.propublica.org/people/nicol...
My fellowship w/ProPublica has been incredible, but it wraps January. I'm looking for my next gig. Please reach out to share leads & opportunities! [email protected]
www.propublica.org/people/nicol...
Nicole Foy
ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.
www.propublica.org
December 8, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Hey folks 👋 I'm the reporter who revealed immigration agents detained 170+ citizens this year
My fellowship w/ProPublica has been incredible, but it wraps January. I'm looking for my next gig. Please reach out to share leads & opportunities! [email protected]
www.propublica.org/people/nicol...
My fellowship w/ProPublica has been incredible, but it wraps January. I'm looking for my next gig. Please reach out to share leads & opportunities! [email protected]
www.propublica.org/people/nicol...
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
They're using the confinement box, one of the most horrific methods of CIA torture in the post-9/11 black sites, against migrants now. This is the direct result of the lack of consequences for the architects of the torture program. Either there will be criminal penalties for this or it will expand.
Torture Techniques from CIA Black Sites Were Used at Alligator Alcatraz
Amnesty International, interviewing migrant detainees, identifies use of the confinement box. There can be no denying it is a torture prison
www.forever-wars.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:40 PM
They're using the confinement box, one of the most horrific methods of CIA torture in the post-9/11 black sites, against migrants now. This is the direct result of the lack of consequences for the architects of the torture program. Either there will be criminal penalties for this or it will expand.
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Is Bluesky a place to pitch my books?
"Is That a Big Number?" How we all struggle to grasp the scale of numbers that become very large.
Reviewers: "An enjoyable useful book"; "Wide-ranging and highly accessible"; "Chock-full of fascinating nuggets"; "Excellent read".
www.amazon.com/dp/0198821220
"Is That a Big Number?" How we all struggle to grasp the scale of numbers that become very large.
Reviewers: "An enjoyable useful book"; "Wide-ranging and highly accessible"; "Chock-full of fascinating nuggets"; "Excellent read".
www.amazon.com/dp/0198821220
December 8, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Is Bluesky a place to pitch my books?
"Is That a Big Number?" How we all struggle to grasp the scale of numbers that become very large.
Reviewers: "An enjoyable useful book"; "Wide-ranging and highly accessible"; "Chock-full of fascinating nuggets"; "Excellent read".
www.amazon.com/dp/0198821220
"Is That a Big Number?" How we all struggle to grasp the scale of numbers that become very large.
Reviewers: "An enjoyable useful book"; "Wide-ranging and highly accessible"; "Chock-full of fascinating nuggets"; "Excellent read".
www.amazon.com/dp/0198821220
Be of love
a little more careful
than of anything
a little more careful
than of anything
Which lines of poetry live rent-free in your head?
December 8, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Be of love
a little more careful
than of anything
a little more careful
than of anything
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
I could always go back and adjunct a class just to see how quickly I could get fired for teaching my old syllabi. They weren't even particularly provocative, I just never shied away from the fact that racism undergirds U.S. foreign policy.
December 7, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I could always go back and adjunct a class just to see how quickly I could get fired for teaching my old syllabi. They weren't even particularly provocative, I just never shied away from the fact that racism undergirds U.S. foreign policy.
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
HUGE: In a letter to Congress, more than 140 solar companies detail how the Trump permitting freeze on renewables is worse than imagined and hitting copious projects on private lands
They’re asking Congress to intervene and say “bipartisan permitting reform” won’t help without forcing Trump’s hand
They’re asking Congress to intervene and say “bipartisan permitting reform” won’t help without forcing Trump’s hand
Solar Industry Group Describes Trump’s ‘Complete Moratorium on Permitting’
A letter from the Solar Energy Industries Association asks for Congress’ help to reverse the administration’s effective permitting ban.
heatmap.news
December 4, 2025 at 10:52 PM
HUGE: In a letter to Congress, more than 140 solar companies detail how the Trump permitting freeze on renewables is worse than imagined and hitting copious projects on private lands
They’re asking Congress to intervene and say “bipartisan permitting reform” won’t help without forcing Trump’s hand
They’re asking Congress to intervene and say “bipartisan permitting reform” won’t help without forcing Trump’s hand
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
I hope someone draws this wonderful story about Tom Stoppard's Arcadia and the power of the arts to help us see things differently, to the attention of our Education Secretary. Do read it, it will lift your spirits.
December 2, 2025 at 10:59 AM
I hope someone draws this wonderful story about Tom Stoppard's Arcadia and the power of the arts to help us see things differently, to the attention of our Education Secretary. Do read it, it will lift your spirits.
Check out my latest travel writing about Mexico City, Anahuacalli, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and academic life.
danielhelman.medium.com/mexico-city-...
danielhelman.medium.com/mexico-city-...
Mexico City Respite
The Sun streams in and onto the leaves of fifty plants filling the kitchen with high ceilings and railings painted green. It is a split…
danielhelman.medium.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Check out my latest travel writing about Mexico City, Anahuacalli, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and academic life.
danielhelman.medium.com/mexico-city-...
danielhelman.medium.com/mexico-city-...
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
A very quick check to see if a book's idea of plate tectonics is outdated:
-Does it say upwelling causes spreading centers?
-Does it say that slabs, in any way, melt?
-Does it say hotspots cause continent break up?
-Does it say upwelling causes spreading centers?
-Does it say that slabs, in any way, melt?
-Does it say hotspots cause continent break up?
November 20, 2025 at 10:13 PM
A very quick check to see if a book's idea of plate tectonics is outdated:
-Does it say upwelling causes spreading centers?
-Does it say that slabs, in any way, melt?
-Does it say hotspots cause continent break up?
-Does it say upwelling causes spreading centers?
-Does it say that slabs, in any way, melt?
-Does it say hotspots cause continent break up?
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
UC San Diego is discovering shocking grade inflation at many Cali high schools, to the point that a large minority of kids with a 4.0 average in math are at 6th grade or below in mathematical ability.
In response, they’re resorting to semi-blacklisting schools with especially bad grade inflation.
In response, they’re resorting to semi-blacklisting schools with especially bad grade inflation.
senate.ucsd.edu
November 19, 2025 at 5:59 PM
UC San Diego is discovering shocking grade inflation at many Cali high schools, to the point that a large minority of kids with a 4.0 average in math are at 6th grade or below in mathematical ability.
In response, they’re resorting to semi-blacklisting schools with especially bad grade inflation.
In response, they’re resorting to semi-blacklisting schools with especially bad grade inflation.
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
AI academic research hub alphaXiv, which lets users comment on, annotate, and discuss arXiv papers, raised a $7M seed co-led by Menlo Ventures and Haystack (Mike Wheatley/SiliconANGLE)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
November 20, 2025 at 4:41 AM
AI academic research hub alphaXiv, which lets users comment on, annotate, and discuss arXiv papers, raised a $7M seed co-led by Menlo Ventures and Haystack (Mike Wheatley/SiliconANGLE)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
All of my writing successes are because this magazine took a chance on my weird stories. They have done the same for countless other authors. Neil has won the Hugo Award for Best Short Form Editor multiple years in a row.
Hundreds of people need to subscribe for him to keep his health insurance!
Hundreds of people need to subscribe for him to keep his health insurance!
In light of the astronomical increases for my health insurance next year, I thought it would be a good time to encourage people to subscribe. (A few hundred should cover it. Sigh.)
clarkesworldmagazine.com/subscribe/
clarkesworldmagazine.com/subscribe/
November 19, 2025 at 1:24 AM
All of my writing successes are because this magazine took a chance on my weird stories. They have done the same for countless other authors. Neil has won the Hugo Award for Best Short Form Editor multiple years in a row.
Hundreds of people need to subscribe for him to keep his health insurance!
Hundreds of people need to subscribe for him to keep his health insurance!
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
I'm seeing people wonder why ICE is going after Charlotte.
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
“When the 8 African American sheriffs took over the largest counties in North Carolina, it became a threat to the good ol’ boy system,” says the sheriff of Charlotte. These new sheriffs broke ties with ICE.
But GOP lawmakers cracked down this week, overbidding the governor’s veto to adopt this law:
But GOP lawmakers cracked down this week, overbidding the governor’s veto to adopt this law:
North Carolina GOP Is Cracking Down on the Black Sheriffs Who Stood Up to ICE
Boosted by new supermajorities, Republicans are closing in on legislation to mandate more collaboration with ICE and preempt local policies hard-won by immigrants’ rights advocates.
boltsmag.org
November 15, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I'm seeing people wonder why ICE is going after Charlotte.
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Virginia Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025. Her memoir Nobody's Girl was published posthumously in October 2025. HALF WAY THRU IT; I FIND IT VERY WELL WRTTEN AND HER WHOLE IFE WAS ETCHED IN ACID...
November 16, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Virginia Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025. Her memoir Nobody's Girl was published posthumously in October 2025. HALF WAY THRU IT; I FIND IT VERY WELL WRTTEN AND HER WHOLE IFE WAS ETCHED IN ACID...
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
"Historically, [ponderosa pine] trees have been able to defend themselves by turning rain into resin that pushes out bark beetles. But because of prolonged drought exacerbated by climate change, beetles have been able to move thru trees at a rapid pace." 🌎 kiowacountypress.net/content/dead...
Deadly beetles now infesting lower-elevation ponderosa pines | KiowaCountyPress.net
Most of Colorado’s trees lost to mountain pine beetle infestations were lodgepole pines at higher elevations until 2023.
kiowacountypress.net
November 15, 2025 at 4:10 PM
"Historically, [ponderosa pine] trees have been able to defend themselves by turning rain into resin that pushes out bark beetles. But because of prolonged drought exacerbated by climate change, beetles have been able to move thru trees at a rapid pace." 🌎 kiowacountypress.net/content/dead...
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
BREAKING: Twenty-four survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s crimes have issued an emotional and urgent appeal to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, demanding that Congress vote to release the long-awaited Epstein files. meidasnews.com/news/survivo...
meidasnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:39 PM
BREAKING: Twenty-four survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s crimes have issued an emotional and urgent appeal to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, demanding that Congress vote to release the long-awaited Epstein files. meidasnews.com/news/survivo...
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Do you want to see the best takedown of Megyn Kelly? Watch an actual 14 year old give an open message to Megyn about how horrible she is. www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMTpjmpn/
Here’s a reminder from an actual 14 year old about what a child even IS. If adults are out here debating the “acceptable age” of abuse, then kids aren’t the ones who need to grow up. ✨sources✨ https:/...
TikTok video by eloise
www.tiktok.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Do you want to see the best takedown of Megyn Kelly? Watch an actual 14 year old give an open message to Megyn about how horrible she is. www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMTpjmpn/
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
my website is getting a lot of hits, maybe from angry men but in any case: if you’re there please skip the CV & read this piece I wrote, parts of which are published in @bostonglobe.com & @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social :
aliciaandrzejewskiphd.com/memoir
aliciaandrzejewskiphd.com/memoir
the monk, the cobra, and me — Alicia Andrzejewski
We must all bow to what we are scared of. It is the only way it will let us pass.
aliciaandrzejewskiphd.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:03 AM
my website is getting a lot of hits, maybe from angry men but in any case: if you’re there please skip the CV & read this piece I wrote, parts of which are published in @bostonglobe.com & @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social :
aliciaandrzejewskiphd.com/memoir
aliciaandrzejewskiphd.com/memoir
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
FFmpeg to Google: Fund us or stop sending bugs | Discussion
FFmpeg to Google: Fund Us or Stop Sending Bugs
A lively discussion about open source, security, and who pays the bills has erupted on Twitter.
thenewstack.io
November 12, 2025 at 2:20 AM
FFmpeg to Google: Fund us or stop sending bugs | Discussion
If you don't know him, I will recommend the very beautiful, haunting poetry by Wilfred Owen on this Veteran's Day. Glad to see others have an interest in him as well!!
I always think about my favorite poet on Veteran’s Day—Wilfred Owen, a soldier who died in combat, who saw terrible things & transformed them into urgent, horrific, & beautiful words.
because it is not “sweet & beautiful” to die for your country.
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46560/...
because it is not “sweet & beautiful” to die for your country.
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46560/...
November 12, 2025 at 2:27 AM
If you don't know him, I will recommend the very beautiful, haunting poetry by Wilfred Owen on this Veteran's Day. Glad to see others have an interest in him as well!!
Reposted by Daniel S Helman, PhD
Oh look, it is possible to massive offshore deployments of seismometers after all!
Would *never* know it from how the US has been (not) instrumenting Alaska and Cascadia.
It's kind of like green energy: the US has behaved lackadaisically for 20+ years while other countries actually improve.
Would *never* know it from how the US has been (not) instrumenting Alaska and Cascadia.
It's kind of like green energy: the US has behaved lackadaisically for 20+ years while other countries actually improve.
The underwater seismometer network is so great, as evidenced from yesterday's EQ off-Tohoku.
Reposting unofficial visualization by x.com/kotoho76/sta...
Reposting unofficial visualization by x.com/kotoho76/sta...
November 10, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Oh look, it is possible to massive offshore deployments of seismometers after all!
Would *never* know it from how the US has been (not) instrumenting Alaska and Cascadia.
It's kind of like green energy: the US has behaved lackadaisically for 20+ years while other countries actually improve.
Would *never* know it from how the US has been (not) instrumenting Alaska and Cascadia.
It's kind of like green energy: the US has behaved lackadaisically for 20+ years while other countries actually improve.