Kiona N. Smith
@kionasmith07.bsky.social
Science reporter and author. Also knitter, crocheter, cross-stitcher, tabletop gamer, Pokemon Go player, and #NAFOFella. Actually 2 goblins and a magpie in a trenchcoat. She/they. https://linktr.ee/kionasmith
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
AI Images Are Destroying History Accounts
YouTube video by Miniminuteman
youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I'm just a science reporter begging scientists and space agencies to stop capitalizing random letters in the middle of words and calling it an acronym. This heartfelt plea brought to you by the European Space maTerIal deMisability dATabasE and the letters O, H, N, and O.
December 8, 2025 at 9:09 PM
I'm just a science reporter begging scientists and space agencies to stop capitalizing random letters in the middle of words and calling it an acronym. This heartfelt plea brought to you by the European Space maTerIal deMisability dATabasE and the letters O, H, N, and O.
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
I kind of forgot how massive #earlymodern telescopes might have been. At least the one Nicolaus Copernicus is holding in his hand, looks like a tool as big as a grown man.
December 8, 2025 at 12:51 PM
I kind of forgot how massive #earlymodern telescopes might have been. At least the one Nicolaus Copernicus is holding in his hand, looks like a tool as big as a grown man.
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
Here is a #telescope in action in the 1680s. A long one, though not as big as the one from Copernicus.
December 8, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Here is a #telescope in action in the 1680s. A long one, though not as big as the one from Copernicus.
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
I am really excited to share the latest research by the International Space Station Archaeological Research Project, a study of the usage of experimental facilities on the ISS from 2009-2024. This work demonstrates how archaeology can improve future outcomes. 🏺🧵 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Facility usage on the international space station
Science experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) and in future space habitats require “facilities,” as they are known to space agencies, a…
www.sciencedirect.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:51 AM
I am really excited to share the latest research by the International Space Station Archaeological Research Project, a study of the usage of experimental facilities on the ISS from 2009-2024. This work demonstrates how archaeology can improve future outcomes. 🏺🧵 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
It's the right time of year for this, but honestly I'm such a fiend for the knitting group subplot that I don't care if it's July.
December 8, 2025 at 1:22 AM
It's the right time of year for this, but honestly I'm such a fiend for the knitting group subplot that I don't care if it's July.
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
the Saints have an offensive lineman named William Sherman and I feel like they keep him on the roster just for anti-Atlanta purposes
December 7, 2025 at 8:38 PM
the Saints have an offensive lineman named William Sherman and I feel like they keep him on the roster just for anti-Atlanta purposes
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
That one went so fast, here is another US #KindleBookGiveaway: 10 copies of @chuckwendig.bsky.social's Wanderers: A Novel, which I have, and have given out before, and people have only said very good things about. I got this set 'cause the author did his own promotion for it, so have at it!
December 7, 2025 at 7:57 PM
That one went so fast, here is another US #KindleBookGiveaway: 10 copies of @chuckwendig.bsky.social's Wanderers: A Novel, which I have, and have given out before, and people have only said very good things about. I got this set 'cause the author did his own promotion for it, so have at it!
Another good thread of advice for filtering for AI and propaganda in general.
Re: everybody getting got by an ai dog video: I want to talk about propaganda in general as well as ai in specific. We are awash in way too much stuff to pay deep attention to and that's absolutely by design.
December 7, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Another good thread of advice for filtering for AI and propaganda in general.
This is a great thread if you want to improve your odds of spotting AI slop.
I didn't see the AI dog video but in learning to up my AI radar for images and how to spot what's off (or to realize what I subconsciously picked up on when my brain flags it as fake), what I realized is, it reminds me of is a lesson from when I did a forensic psychology course several years ago.
December 7, 2025 at 5:32 PM
This is a great thread if you want to improve your odds of spotting AI slop.
Our contractor brought his puppy to work today, and you all need to see Racie.
December 7, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Our contractor brought his puppy to work today, and you all need to see Racie.
If you're struggling with The Horrors, I can't emphasize enough how much volunteering helps. Find something: a shelter, a food bank, the Red Cross, an animal rescue, or an after-school program. Start or donate to a Little Free Library or "blessing box". It'll help someone AND make you feel better.
December 7, 2025 at 1:56 AM
If you're struggling with The Horrors, I can't emphasize enough how much volunteering helps. Find something: a shelter, a food bank, the Red Cross, an animal rescue, or an after-school program. Start or donate to a Little Free Library or "blessing box". It'll help someone AND make you feel better.
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
Remember folks: if you have any small amount of artistic talent, any sex appeal, or can make your friends laugh, the richest man on earth is crying screaming throwing up because he can’t be you.
December 6, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Remember folks: if you have any small amount of artistic talent, any sex appeal, or can make your friends laugh, the richest man on earth is crying screaming throwing up because he can’t be you.
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
We're now living in a world where the Centers for Disease Control are making it more difficult to control disease.
The number of agencies that will need top-to-bottom reform when Trump leaves office is going to be a massive challenge to overcome for whoever follows him.
The number of agencies that will need top-to-bottom reform when Trump leaves office is going to be a massive challenge to overcome for whoever follows him.
Without evidence, RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel tosses hep B vaccine recommendation
There is no data supporting a delay and no evidence of harm from a birth dose.
arstechnica.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:09 PM
We're now living in a world where the Centers for Disease Control are making it more difficult to control disease.
The number of agencies that will need top-to-bottom reform when Trump leaves office is going to be a massive challenge to overcome for whoever follows him.
The number of agencies that will need top-to-bottom reform when Trump leaves office is going to be a massive challenge to overcome for whoever follows him.
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
A #PudgyHorse tribute to the Lascaux cave paintings, painted with the Strata Trio watercolours made by @thoughtsupnorth.bsky.social from Cretaceous rocks from the Albertan badlands. From 2020.
Might as well post this one as it's been stolen and sold on Australian Temu. 🙃
#ArtAdventCalendar
Might as well post this one as it's been stolen and sold on Australian Temu. 🙃
#ArtAdventCalendar
December 5, 2025 at 1:05 AM
A #PudgyHorse tribute to the Lascaux cave paintings, painted with the Strata Trio watercolours made by @thoughtsupnorth.bsky.social from Cretaceous rocks from the Albertan badlands. From 2020.
Might as well post this one as it's been stolen and sold on Australian Temu. 🙃
#ArtAdventCalendar
Might as well post this one as it's been stolen and sold on Australian Temu. 🙃
#ArtAdventCalendar
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
a lovely obituary but this in particular really got me
December 5, 2025 at 5:05 AM
a lovely obituary but this in particular really got me
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
Here's the aftermath of the Zhuque-3 landing impact.
December 4, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Here's the aftermath of the Zhuque-3 landing impact.
Pictures forthcoming, but I scribbled most of today's work notes in Apollon, which was day 2 of Colorvent (Colorverse's Mars-themed fountain pen ink advent calendar, which was such a perfect intersection of my favorite things that I had to get it). I think I'm in love with this color.
December 3, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Pictures forthcoming, but I scribbled most of today's work notes in Apollon, which was day 2 of Colorvent (Colorverse's Mars-themed fountain pen ink advent calendar, which was such a perfect intersection of my favorite things that I had to get it). I think I'm in love with this color.
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
HEY YOU. STOP DOOMSCROLLING.
Right click or press and hold this > #ArtAdventCalendar and choose "See #ArtAdventCalendar posts"
It's a portal to a beautiful place that has nothing but art made by real humans.
DO IT.
Right click or press and hold this > #ArtAdventCalendar and choose "See #ArtAdventCalendar posts"
It's a portal to a beautiful place that has nothing but art made by real humans.
DO IT.
December 3, 2025 at 4:02 AM
HEY YOU. STOP DOOMSCROLLING.
Right click or press and hold this > #ArtAdventCalendar and choose "See #ArtAdventCalendar posts"
It's a portal to a beautiful place that has nothing but art made by real humans.
DO IT.
Right click or press and hold this > #ArtAdventCalendar and choose "See #ArtAdventCalendar posts"
It's a portal to a beautiful place that has nothing but art made by real humans.
DO IT.
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
Somewhere in a Roman brickyard, around 1800 years ago, a fresh tile was drying ahead of firing - until a dog trotted straight across it.
Centuries later, the tile has made it into a museum: not because of an emperor, but thanks to one dog who accidentally walked his way into history.🧵1/2
📷me
Centuries later, the tile has made it into a museum: not because of an emperor, but thanks to one dog who accidentally walked his way into history.🧵1/2
📷me
December 2, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Somewhere in a Roman brickyard, around 1800 years ago, a fresh tile was drying ahead of firing - until a dog trotted straight across it.
Centuries later, the tile has made it into a museum: not because of an emperor, but thanks to one dog who accidentally walked his way into history.🧵1/2
📷me
Centuries later, the tile has made it into a museum: not because of an emperor, but thanks to one dog who accidentally walked his way into history.🧵1/2
📷me
Okay folks, we listen and we don't judge! I have oddly specific and weird ideas of what constitutes perfect cozy winter reading. What's the best nonfiction book on Doggerland you've ever read? Bonus points for being reasonably current.
December 1, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Okay folks, we listen and we don't judge! I have oddly specific and weird ideas of what constitutes perfect cozy winter reading. What's the best nonfiction book on Doggerland you've ever read? Bonus points for being reasonably current.
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
I have refined
The uranium
That was in
The centrifuge
And which
You were probably
Saving
For power generation
Forgive me
It was so powerful
I am
Become death
The uranium
That was in
The centrifuge
And which
You were probably
Saving
For power generation
Forgive me
It was so powerful
I am
Become death
this is quite the detail
November 30, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I have refined
The uranium
That was in
The centrifuge
And which
You were probably
Saving
For power generation
Forgive me
It was so powerful
I am
Become death
The uranium
That was in
The centrifuge
And which
You were probably
Saving
For power generation
Forgive me
It was so powerful
I am
Become death
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
2/2 There's an easy way to spot the difference- does the person trying to sell you the idea claim it will solve everything? Or is it a model trained for a narrow purpose, to solve a very specific set of problems?
November 30, 2025 at 8:14 AM
2/2 There's an easy way to spot the difference- does the person trying to sell you the idea claim it will solve everything? Or is it a model trained for a narrow purpose, to solve a very specific set of problems?
Reposted by Kiona N. Smith
1/2 I find myself having to make this point more often.
The muddying of distinction between the bullshit engine and genuinely life-saving applications of ML / AI is intentional. It allows the people trying to sell you genAI to claim noble intent and dismiss legitimate concerns.
The muddying of distinction between the bullshit engine and genuinely life-saving applications of ML / AI is intentional. It allows the people trying to sell you genAI to claim noble intent and dismiss legitimate concerns.
Having AI crammed down our throats is bullshit, but machine learning has some real uses in science. This awesome page shows experimental cyclone track forecasts from Google DeepMind and Google Research's AI weather models, along with forecasts from ECMWF. 😍
deepmind.google.com/science/weat...
deepmind.google.com/science/weat...
November 30, 2025 at 8:14 AM
1/2 I find myself having to make this point more often.
The muddying of distinction between the bullshit engine and genuinely life-saving applications of ML / AI is intentional. It allows the people trying to sell you genAI to claim noble intent and dismiss legitimate concerns.
The muddying of distinction between the bullshit engine and genuinely life-saving applications of ML / AI is intentional. It allows the people trying to sell you genAI to claim noble intent and dismiss legitimate concerns.