Dr Mike Ward
@schroedinger99.bsky.social
Retired data-modeller with background in genetics & philosophy of science. grandfather, sceptic, deracinated cosmopolitan, citizen of nowhere, & angry old man.
Pinned
Dr Mike Ward
@schroedinger99.bsky.social
· Oct 24
The Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics 1
A tree on the Greek island of Kos
michaelaward1.substack.com
michaelaward1.substack.com/p/the-inheri...
Part one of a (probably) six part series. (Three parts written thus far.)
Part one of a (probably) six part series. (Three parts written thus far.)
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
It's funny. I never thought watching a gibbering lunatic burn the world down would be so boring.
January 21, 2026 at 2:08 PM
It's funny. I never thought watching a gibbering lunatic burn the world down would be so boring.
🧪
Finally caught up with this fascinating paper from December, reporting evidence that the genesis of eukaryotes began way before the symbiotic event that created mitochondria. By the time that happened, these critters already had most of the genetic resources needed...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Dated gene duplications elucidate the evolutionary assembly of eukaryotes - Nature
Analysis of eukaryotic gene sequences using a relaxed molecular clock methodology indicate that eukaryotes emerged 3.0–2.25 billion years ago as a result of mitochondrial endosymbiosis with complex ar...
www.nature.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:50 PM
🧪
So does Kemi Badenoch believe that the Chagossians should determine the future of the Chagos Islands, or that the UK government should?
January 21, 2026 at 1:41 PM
So does Kemi Badenoch believe that the Chagossians should determine the future of the Chagos Islands, or that the UK government should?
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
Mark Carney's speech really is terrific: full text is here and very much worth your time.
The Carney doctrine
Open comment thread on the PM's Davos speech
paulwells.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Mark Carney's speech really is terrific: full text is here and very much worth your time.
1) "The prime minister is not limited by any real division of constitutional functions. Unlike the US, where the president faces an independent Congress with a monopoly on law-making powers, there is no meaningful separation of power between the executive and the legislature."
How Westminster works
How Westminster works
January 20, 2026 at 2:56 PM
1) "The prime minister is not limited by any real division of constitutional functions. Unlike the US, where the president faces an independent Congress with a monopoly on law-making powers, there is no meaningful separation of power between the executive and the legislature."
How Westminster works
How Westminster works
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-
JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS- JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS.
#Justice4ReneeNicoleGood ⚖️
JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS- JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS.
#Justice4ReneeNicoleGood ⚖️
BRENNAN: Tell me about the officer, Jonathan Ross
KRISTI NOEM: Don't say his name! I mean, for heaven's sake, we shouldn't have people continue to dox law enforcement
BRENNAN: His name is public
NOEM: I know, but that doesn't mean it should continue to be said
KRISTI NOEM: Don't say his name! I mean, for heaven's sake, we shouldn't have people continue to dox law enforcement
BRENNAN: His name is public
NOEM: I know, but that doesn't mean it should continue to be said
January 18, 2026 at 8:17 PM
JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-
JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS- JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS.
#Justice4ReneeNicoleGood ⚖️
JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS- JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS-JONATHAN ROSS.
#Justice4ReneeNicoleGood ⚖️
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
10/ No amount of frozen islands in the Atlantic or bombing runs on Mexican border cities are worth turning the world into a place where everyone is paranoid about imminent US aggression and behaving accordingly.
/end
/end
January 17, 2026 at 10:24 AM
10/ No amount of frozen islands in the Atlantic or bombing runs on Mexican border cities are worth turning the world into a place where everyone is paranoid about imminent US aggression and behaving accordingly.
/end
/end
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
Whoever got this unethical trial cancelled, you just saved some lives. Kennedy, you should be ashamed of yourself for backing it in the first place.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa is cancelled
$1.6m project drew outrage over ethical questions about withholding vaccines proven to prevent disease
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Whoever got this unethical trial cancelled, you just saved some lives. Kennedy, you should be ashamed of yourself for backing it in the first place.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
open.spotify.com/track/1qRA5B...
Just remembering this song, and thinking how much it could fit what's going on today in the USA
Just remembering this song, and thinking how much it could fit what's going on today in the USA
For What It's Worth
open.spotify.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:54 PM
open.spotify.com/track/1qRA5B...
Just remembering this song, and thinking how much it could fit what's going on today in the USA
Just remembering this song, and thinking how much it could fit what's going on today in the USA
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
Red Hats in Greenland
MAGA
“Make America Go Away”
MAGA
“Make America Go Away”
January 14, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Red Hats in Greenland
MAGA
“Make America Go Away”
MAGA
“Make America Go Away”
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
PM Starmer tells Emily Darlington MP he has been informed this morning that "X is now acting to to ensure full compliance with UK law". He welcomes this, if true,
That may/may not turn out to be true re Grok stripping women without consent.
This is demonstrably untrue on racist hate crimes on X
That may/may not turn out to be true re Grok stripping women without consent.
This is demonstrably untrue on racist hate crimes on X
January 14, 2026 at 12:44 PM
PM Starmer tells Emily Darlington MP he has been informed this morning that "X is now acting to to ensure full compliance with UK law". He welcomes this, if true,
That may/may not turn out to be true re Grok stripping women without consent.
This is demonstrably untrue on racist hate crimes on X
That may/may not turn out to be true re Grok stripping women without consent.
This is demonstrably untrue on racist hate crimes on X
Splendid piece of writing - in addition to being a spot on analysis.
"We have to deny this, for form’s sake, for domestic audiences and to reduce the chance of reprisals," the logic goes. "But we nonetheless want you to understand we did it, and that we would do it again." The purpose of a deterrent is to deter.
Why they can't even bother to come up with good lies.
Why they can't even bother to come up with good lies.
The Lies They Told
Sometimes, the implausibility is the point. Also this week: the even truer-size map; and some extremely late but mercifully-brief film reviews.
jonn.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Splendid piece of writing - in addition to being a spot on analysis.
OTOH, I rather suspect that if Renee Good had been killed by an illegal alien, the killer would have been arrested and would face the full force of the law.
Tricia McLaughlin on Renee Good: "I think if the individual was killed last week by an illegal alien, I don't think we would be seeing any protest."
January 13, 2026 at 8:54 PM
OTOH, I rather suspect that if Renee Good had been killed by an illegal alien, the killer would have been arrested and would face the full force of the law.
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
It was time to build this weekend (with LEGO).
Thanks to Ambassador Harris for the gift. Solidarity with Denmark. 🇨🇦🇩🇰
Thanks to Ambassador Harris for the gift. Solidarity with Denmark. 🇨🇦🇩🇰
January 13, 2026 at 2:41 AM
It was time to build this weekend (with LEGO).
Thanks to Ambassador Harris for the gift. Solidarity with Denmark. 🇨🇦🇩🇰
Thanks to Ambassador Harris for the gift. Solidarity with Denmark. 🇨🇦🇩🇰
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
X is breaking the law: on fakes, nudification, misogyny + failing to stop racist abuse too
While it is in the "sin bin" -maybe Lionesses, WSL stars & male counterparts should suggest a time out: suspend activity while govt & Ofcom try to bring it back within law.
Try to build healthier spaces
While it is in the "sin bin" -maybe Lionesses, WSL stars & male counterparts should suggest a time out: suspend activity while govt & Ofcom try to bring it back within law.
Try to build healthier spaces
January 13, 2026 at 6:46 PM
X is breaking the law: on fakes, nudification, misogyny + failing to stop racist abuse too
While it is in the "sin bin" -maybe Lionesses, WSL stars & male counterparts should suggest a time out: suspend activity while govt & Ofcom try to bring it back within law.
Try to build healthier spaces
While it is in the "sin bin" -maybe Lionesses, WSL stars & male counterparts should suggest a time out: suspend activity while govt & Ofcom try to bring it back within law.
Try to build healthier spaces
This is a rather interesting article. When I was little, it was (in the UK) "look and say" v "sound it out" - with the former promoted and the latter deprecated.
I genuinely think it is as simple as 'there are a lot of Americans who are of the right age to have been taught to read using the three-cueing system'.
January 13, 2026 at 10:31 AM
This is a rather interesting article. When I was little, it was (in the UK) "look and say" v "sound it out" - with the former promoted and the latter deprecated.
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
“Journeys are safer & smoother when we all work together”
Lovely common sense road rules ad from Wokingham Borough Council.
Lovely common sense road rules ad from Wokingham Borough Council.
January 12, 2026 at 7:21 AM
“Journeys are safer & smoother when we all work together”
Lovely common sense road rules ad from Wokingham Borough Council.
Lovely common sense road rules ad from Wokingham Borough Council.
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
Betteridge, he say no, Rutherford also add ‘god I hope not the weird anti-evidence wiener obsessed Wiener’
January 13, 2026 at 8:04 AM
Betteridge, he say no, Rutherford also add ‘god I hope not the weird anti-evidence wiener obsessed Wiener’
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
Ukip have submitted a new logo and slogan to the Electoral Commission, swapping the £ pound sterling symbol for a cross, that looks very much like it is modelled on the Iron Cross used by Prussia & Germany 1871-1918 and Hitler's Nazi regime from 1933-45
January 13, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Ukip have submitted a new logo and slogan to the Electoral Commission, swapping the £ pound sterling symbol for a cross, that looks very much like it is modelled on the Iron Cross used by Prussia & Germany 1871-1918 and Hitler's Nazi regime from 1933-45
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
This week’s letter to 99% members is a bit of a mythbuster.
What if what we are told about the 1970s is just plain wrong?
sh1.sendinblue.com/3g7dqf62bglp...
What if what we are told about the 1970s is just plain wrong?
sh1.sendinblue.com/3g7dqf62bglp...
January 12, 2026 at 9:45 AM
This week’s letter to 99% members is a bit of a mythbuster.
What if what we are told about the 1970s is just plain wrong?
sh1.sendinblue.com/3g7dqf62bglp...
What if what we are told about the 1970s is just plain wrong?
sh1.sendinblue.com/3g7dqf62bglp...
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
seems like a good time to repost my substack (quoted post) given latest reports
www.lbc.co.uk/article/trum...
www.lbc.co.uk/article/trum...
January 12, 2026 at 12:14 AM
seems like a good time to repost my substack (quoted post) given latest reports
www.lbc.co.uk/article/trum...
www.lbc.co.uk/article/trum...
Reposted by Dr Mike Ward
How astronomers plan to detect the signatures of alien life in the atmospheres of distant planets
theconversation.com/how-astronom...
theconversation.com/how-astronom...
How astronomers plan to detect the signatures of alien life in the atmospheres of distant planets
Observatories could identify gases potentially associated with life in the atmospheres of other worlds.
theconversation.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:07 AM
How astronomers plan to detect the signatures of alien life in the atmospheres of distant planets
theconversation.com/how-astronom...
theconversation.com/how-astronom...
1) I occasionally sell books I no longer want to keep on Amazon rather than taking them to the charity shop. I don't really make any money from this. In fact sometimes I've realized (with heavy books) I've made a loss; but I like books I've treasured to go to someone who really wants them.
January 12, 2026 at 11:10 AM
1) I occasionally sell books I no longer want to keep on Amazon rather than taking them to the charity shop. I don't really make any money from this. In fact sometimes I've realized (with heavy books) I've made a loss; but I like books I've treasured to go to someone who really wants them.