David Kerstetter, Ph.D.
@fishguydave.bsky.social
730 followers 290 following 770 posts

NSU Fisheries & Avian Ecology Lab PI. Proud 3x W&M grad. Posts on non-biology topics too, especially regarding academia and enviro/ed politics. Opinions solely my own.

Environmental science 68%
Geography 17%
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

fishguydave.bsky.social
Yes, it’s a travesty, and it’s a cost she shouldn’t bear. However, discovery will be very entertaining and informative.

fishguydave.bsky.social
Someone needs to slowly, carefully explain to (checks notes, Harvard BA and UVA JD) RFK Jr the difference between “causation” and “correlation.”

fishguydave.bsky.social
Also lost in the discussion is that there’s little benefit for anyone to *do* a review, especially if that time could be spent with a proposal or something that gets counted on faculty/tenure reviews. Bean-counters are going to count.

Let’s (better) incentivize reviewers for their volunteered time.

fishguydave.bsky.social
Not going any better in Sunrise against the Cats tonight, FWIW.

fishguydave.bsky.social
For my aquatic science colleagues, an "Assistant Professor - Aquatic Biology" faculty position opening in Georgia: bit.ly/4mUpBrG

fishguydave.bsky.social
Bravo, @theoatmeal.bsky.social, and thank you.
mikeachim.bsky.social
This extended take on the value of AI "art" (incl. writing) by @theoatmeal.bsky.social is so very good, and it taps into pretty much every objection I have:

theoatmeal.com/comics/ai_art

Also, every new writer, PLEASE listen to this by Ira Glass: www.youtube.com/watch?v=91FQ...

Embrace the Gap.
Excerpt from "Let's talk about AI art" by The Oatmeal: "And by jumping to the "fun" part, you're denying yourself the process."
mikeachim.bsky.social
This extended take on the value of AI "art" (incl. writing) by @theoatmeal.bsky.social is so very good, and it taps into pretty much every objection I have:

theoatmeal.com/comics/ai_art

Also, every new writer, PLEASE listen to this by Ira Glass: www.youtube.com/watch?v=91FQ...

Embrace the Gap.
Excerpt from "Let's talk about AI art" by The Oatmeal: "And by jumping to the "fun" part, you're denying yourself the process."
amfisheriessoc.bsky.social
The American Fisheries Society extends our support to the furloughed fisheries and aquatics professionals affected by the U.S. federal government shutdown. Read our full statement on the shutdown and its impacts on natural resources here fisheries.org/2025/10/afs-...

fishguydave.bsky.social
So tired of all the ICE commercials during college and NFL football. Much like AI, the more aggressive the marketing, the worse the product.

Proudly serving in federal LE shouldn’t require hiding behind masks. I’ve hope that public sentiment is finally filtering through to their hiring shortfalls.

fishguydave.bsky.social
Not that traditions/norms or even laws provide guiderails for this cabal, but aren't there federal personnel rules against serving in multiple official capacities? Perhaps some exigency for "acting" officials?

fishguydave.bsky.social
I was enlisted NG for 6 years, and actually enjoyed my service. However, the NG shifted in the mid-90s into just another Army rotational force, even overseas -- no longer the local, "1-weekend/month" deal we'd all been sold and agreed to. I ETSed 6 months before my NG unit's rotation to Iraq, FFS.

fishguydave.bsky.social
PIs don’t make those decisions, and it’s an awful market for academia — don’t just say it’s easy to find a position elsewhere.

However, I’d be fine with any uni-level R1 and grant reporting to have an asterisk on that number for any Compact Campus.

fishguydave.bsky.social
This particular issue could finally be “the bridge too far” for the current SCOTUS… but with Robert’s, even this isn’t the legal easy call it should be.

fishguydave.bsky.social
Benjamin Franklin once said, "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

Higher Ed forgets this truism at its peril.

fishguydave.bsky.social
Best college game I’ve seen this season, and that’s a statement. Can’t remember if I’d ever seen a strategic self-safety before today, but it was brilliant.

fishguydave.bsky.social
Remember too, folks, that Congress and/or SCOTUS could shut this down anytime… and they choose not to.

fishguydave.bsky.social
I really, really don't like this timeline... RIP, Dr Goodall.
phillewis.bsky.social
Jane Goodall, ethologist and conservationist, has died. She was 91
phillewis.bsky.social
Jane Goodall, ethologist and conservationist, has died. She was 91

fishguydave.bsky.social
Well said, @sjcfishy.bsky.social.

Best thoughts to all my fed colleagues, and please reach out if there’s anything I can do to assist.
sjcfishy.bsky.social
Thinking about all of my US colleagues today that work for USGS, USFWS, US Parks Service, NOAA and the EPA. From front line environmental practitioners to scientists and policy makers, these folks ensure that waters are swimmable, fish are edible, that natural areas are accessible, etc, etc, etc.
sjcfishy.bsky.social
Thinking about all of my US colleagues today that work for USGS, USFWS, US Parks Service, NOAA and the EPA. From front line environmental practitioners to scientists and policy makers, these folks ensure that waters are swimmable, fish are edible, that natural areas are accessible, etc, etc, etc.

fishguydave.bsky.social
Yes, but with the sinking feeling that even if we (as a country) get through a temporary furlough, all the good, experienced folks we’ve nurtured for decades will be gone.

We need SCOTUS-proof — CJ Roberts-proof — federal employment agreements.
melodyschreiber.com
staying up until midnight to see if we still have a functioning government like some sort of twisted NYE
melodyschreiber.com
staying up until midnight to see if we still have a functioning government like some sort of twisted NYE

fishguydave.bsky.social
This is the point all the major media outlets are (intentionally?) missing. SCOTUS has deemed the Impoundment Act irrelevant, so what options remain?
nicholasgrossman.bsky.social
Why would any legislator vote for a budget the executive will ignore?

In that situation, a yes vote conveys one thing and nothing else: validation for the White House’s blatantly unconstitutional actions.
politico.com
The White House is canceling food research funding popular with the GOP despite budget chief Russell Vought's promise to leave that money untouched.
nicholasgrossman.bsky.social
Why would any legislator vote for a budget the executive will ignore?

In that situation, a yes vote conveys one thing and nothing else: validation for the White House’s blatantly unconstitutional actions.

fishguydave.bsky.social
"Out of the mouths of babes" comes unvarnished truth. You don't need a religion as a parent to know that's 100% on-point.

fishguydave.bsky.social
You're assuming that they're being paid to think and report critically or through logic.