Phiala
@phiala.bsky.social
Science, string, science fiction… string fiction? All views my own.
Heading out to @confusionmi.bsky.social ! So excited to be science GOH!
Not actually bringing cat.
Not actually bringing cat.
January 29, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Heading out to @confusionmi.bsky.social ! So excited to be science GOH!
Not actually bringing cat.
Not actually bringing cat.
My small science agency is down 23%.
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
January 20, 2026 at 11:43 PM
My small science agency is down 23%.
Working on my Voynich manuscript talk for @confusionmi.bsky.social (mainly, I have TOO MUCH TO SAY and need to trim way back BUT IT’S ALL TOO INTERESTING) and was delighted to find a relevant story by @hntdove.bsky.social that Is missed. reactormag.com/manuscript-t...
Manuscript Tradition - Reactor
Dr. Feyrouz Hanafusa is a curator at Yale in the 23rd century. Space exploration is still ongoing, and signs of life have been discovered on a planet near TRAPPIST-1. Signs, Dr. Hanafusa realizes, tha...
reactormag.com
January 20, 2026 at 1:54 AM
Working on my Voynich manuscript talk for @confusionmi.bsky.social (mainly, I have TOO MUCH TO SAY and need to trim way back BUT IT’S ALL TOO INTERESTING) and was delighted to find a relevant story by @hntdove.bsky.social that Is missed. reactormag.com/manuscript-t...
Cleaning up my Renaissance cryptography research database. I don’t have as much time to dig in as I want: there’s so much fascinating material!
January 10, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Cleaning up my Renaissance cryptography research database. I don’t have as much time to dig in as I want: there’s so much fascinating material!
Reposted by Phiala
Aurora Forecast Update for 2026-01-01T14:50:03Z
WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected
Valid From: 2026 Jan 01 1444 UTC
Valid To: 2026 Jan 01 2359 UTC
Warning Condition: Onset
Additional Details Here.
WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected
Valid From: 2026 Jan 01 1444 UTC
Valid To: 2026 Jan 01 2359 UTC
Warning Condition: Onset
Additional Details Here.
January 1, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Aurora Forecast Update for 2026-01-01T14:50:03Z
WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected
Valid From: 2026 Jan 01 1444 UTC
Valid To: 2026 Jan 01 2359 UTC
Warning Condition: Onset
Additional Details Here.
WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected
Valid From: 2026 Jan 01 1444 UTC
Valid To: 2026 Jan 01 2359 UTC
Warning Condition: Onset
Additional Details Here.
Reposted by Phiala
Are you a writer resolving to build craft and community in 2026? Applications to the Viable Paradise workshop are now open! We’re looking for 24 writers to join us in October.
Learn more and apply: viableparadise.com
Learn more and apply: viableparadise.com
January 1, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Are you a writer resolving to build craft and community in 2026? Applications to the Viable Paradise workshop are now open! We’re looking for 24 writers to join us in October.
Learn more and apply: viableparadise.com
Learn more and apply: viableparadise.com
Reposted by Phiala
Your local librarian here to say that it’s great if you read lots of books this year, alright if you read barely anything, that audiobooks, romance and graphic novels are all valid formats and genres, and that some authors suck but we’re still not stopping you from reading them.
December 29, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Your local librarian here to say that it’s great if you read lots of books this year, alright if you read barely anything, that audiobooks, romance and graphic novels are all valid formats and genres, and that some authors suck but we’re still not stopping you from reading them.
The temperature has dropped ten degrees (F), it’s about to start snowing, and I am one or two people in my entire office building.
This prompts me to ponder existential questions like, “Why am I here?” and “Am I really expected to get anything done today?”
This prompts me to ponder existential questions like, “Why am I here?” and “Am I really expected to get anything done today?”
December 29, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The temperature has dropped ten degrees (F), it’s about to start snowing, and I am one or two people in my entire office building.
This prompts me to ponder existential questions like, “Why am I here?” and “Am I really expected to get anything done today?”
This prompts me to ponder existential questions like, “Why am I here?” and “Am I really expected to get anything done today?”
Reposted by Phiala
You don't need AI as an indie author, you need community. You need people who can help you when you're burning out (and vice versa, importantly). Trade labor with each other, beta read for one another, connect with editors and cover artists. Teach & learn. Help promote one another.
December 28, 2025 at 6:34 PM
You don't need AI as an indie author, you need community. You need people who can help you when you're burning out (and vice versa, importantly). Trade labor with each other, beta read for one another, connect with editors and cover artists. Teach & learn. Help promote one another.
@tobiasbuckell.bsky.social Any chance of you being at ConFusion this year? It’s been ages since I’ve seen you and gotten to hang out with a Famous Writer!
December 29, 2025 at 1:54 AM
@tobiasbuckell.bsky.social Any chance of you being at ConFusion this year? It’s been ages since I’ve seen you and gotten to hang out with a Famous Writer!
Reposted by Phiala
Edward Gorey
December 26, 2024 at 12:02 AM
Edward Gorey
Reposted by Phiala
Am I seeing, like, gallon-size bottles of perfume? There is A LOT of perfume.
December 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Am I seeing, like, gallon-size bottles of perfume? There is A LOT of perfume.
Looking for something amazing to do at the end of January? I am the Science Guest of Honor at @confusionmi.bsky.social and I am SO EXCITED!
I’m going to be talking about the Voynich Manuscript and why it has lured so many people into the swamp.
2026.confusionsf.org/guests-of-ho...
I’m going to be talking about the Voynich Manuscript and why it has lured so many people into the swamp.
2026.confusionsf.org/guests-of-ho...
Guests of Honor – ConFusion 2026: Magical ConFusion
2026.confusionsf.org
December 21, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Looking for something amazing to do at the end of January? I am the Science Guest of Honor at @confusionmi.bsky.social and I am SO EXCITED!
I’m going to be talking about the Voynich Manuscript and why it has lured so many people into the swamp.
2026.confusionsf.org/guests-of-ho...
I’m going to be talking about the Voynich Manuscript and why it has lured so many people into the swamp.
2026.confusionsf.org/guests-of-ho...
Reposted by Phiala
Do you need a last-minute present for the reader in your life? Here you go! Half off all of @celialake.bsky.social's catalogue! Romances with magic, outstanding worldbuilding, and zero transphobia, IYKWIM, AITYD. These books are fluffy cozy blankets. (disclaimer: we've been friends for ~20yrs)
Celia Lake
Celia Lake spends her days as a librarian in the Boston (MA) metro area, and her nights and weekends at home happily writing, reading, and researching.
Born and raised in Massachusetts to British par...
www.smashwords.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Do you need a last-minute present for the reader in your life? Here you go! Half off all of @celialake.bsky.social's catalogue! Romances with magic, outstanding worldbuilding, and zero transphobia, IYKWIM, AITYD. These books are fluffy cozy blankets. (disclaimer: we've been friends for ~20yrs)
I’m so tired, y’all. I’m fine in all material ways, unlike many of my colleagues, but I’m existentially exhausted.
I want to do my work. I want my country to be functional and kind.
I want to not be angry all the time.
I want to do my work. I want my country to be functional and kind.
I want to not be angry all the time.
November 8, 2025 at 11:16 PM
I’m so tired, y’all. I’m fine in all material ways, unlike many of my colleagues, but I’m existentially exhausted.
I want to do my work. I want my country to be functional and kind.
I want to not be angry all the time.
I want to do my work. I want my country to be functional and kind.
I want to not be angry all the time.
Reposted by Phiala
Caution: contains contains bats, black cats, cosplaying wizards, haunted houses, and Ultimate Evil kicking back with a pumpkin spice latte to watch the action go down. At #Ebooks Direct: "Not On My Patch." ebooks.direct/products/not...
October 14, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Caution: contains contains bats, black cats, cosplaying wizards, haunted houses, and Ultimate Evil kicking back with a pumpkin spice latte to watch the action go down. At #Ebooks Direct: "Not On My Patch." ebooks.direct/products/not...
Today in stress management: baking pumpkin bread; shopping for used ham radios; snuggling cats.
September 27, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Today in stress management: baking pumpkin bread; shopping for used ham radios; snuggling cats.
Libraries.
Public radio and television.
All the things that make sure everyone regardless of income and location can access news, books, all the tools that make us engaged, informed, entertained, and show us people not like us.
Gee, I wonder why they’re in trouble.
Public radio and television.
All the things that make sure everyone regardless of income and location can access news, books, all the tools that make us engaged, informed, entertained, and show us people not like us.
Gee, I wonder why they’re in trouble.
Having a library card and using your local libraries to their fullest potential is punk rock, its an act of resistance, its self care. The library has always been my safe place and right now we need those places more than ever.
September 18, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Libraries.
Public radio and television.
All the things that make sure everyone regardless of income and location can access news, books, all the tools that make us engaged, informed, entertained, and show us people not like us.
Gee, I wonder why they’re in trouble.
Public radio and television.
All the things that make sure everyone regardless of income and location can access news, books, all the tools that make us engaged, informed, entertained, and show us people not like us.
Gee, I wonder why they’re in trouble.
Boosters successfully obtained (flu and covid)! Hydrated and going to bed early (to Cawti’s great approval) to give my immune system a chance to catch up.
September 18, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Boosters successfully obtained (flu and covid)! Hydrated and going to bed early (to Cawti’s great approval) to give my immune system a chance to catch up.
Reposted by Phiala
How I know there’s not currently a dog living in my house: the leftover donut from Friday that I forgot about was still in my lunch bag.
Today is so very Monday that a stale donut is a huge improvement!
Today is so very Monday that a stale donut is a huge improvement!
September 15, 2025 at 3:05 PM
How I know there’s not currently a dog living in my house: the leftover donut from Friday that I forgot about was still in my lunch bag.
Today is so very Monday that a stale donut is a huge improvement!
Today is so very Monday that a stale donut is a huge improvement!
Reposted by Phiala
Your horoscope for today:
Be like a log in the forest - rest quietly, take on moss, and slowly decay.
Be like a log in the forest - rest quietly, take on moss, and slowly decay.
August 22, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Your horoscope for today:
Be like a log in the forest - rest quietly, take on moss, and slowly decay.
Be like a log in the forest - rest quietly, take on moss, and slowly decay.
Somehow despite everything, I’ve had nine scientific publications out so far this year, and a book chapter coming in October. That’s a LOT for the level of resources I have (no grad students, one postdoc).
I have at least two more submissions planned for 2025, but those will be 2026 papers.
I have at least two more submissions planned for 2025, but those will be 2026 papers.
September 11, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Somehow despite everything, I’ve had nine scientific publications out so far this year, and a book chapter coming in October. That’s a LOT for the level of resources I have (no grad students, one postdoc).
I have at least two more submissions planned for 2025, but those will be 2026 papers.
I have at least two more submissions planned for 2025, but those will be 2026 papers.
Reposted by Phiala
Are you really "not making enough progress" or is it just that your expectations of yourself outpace both what you'd expect of anyone else *and* the laws of physics
September 10, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Are you really "not making enough progress" or is it just that your expectations of yourself outpace both what you'd expect of anyone else *and* the laws of physics
Reposted by Phiala
Don't forget to register!
Register for the next MEE live!
Ata Kalirad joins us to talk about their recently accepted paper on Ecological Graph Theory, a method to simulate competition in structured populations 🌍 🧪
Find out more about the online workshop and register here 👇
buff.ly/axWOiyl
Ata Kalirad joins us to talk about their recently accepted paper on Ecological Graph Theory, a method to simulate competition in structured populations 🌍 🧪
Find out more about the online workshop and register here 👇
buff.ly/axWOiyl
September 10, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Don't forget to register!