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Carlyn Zwarenstein

@carlynzwaren.bsky.social

400 followers 370 following 350 posts

Science journalism about biology, nature & power structures. ✍🏼recently: Salon, MEE, Undark, Filter & others. 📚 On Opium (‘21, ‘23): drugs, pain, capitalism, & the consolations of literature. www.carlynzwarenstein.com Signal: carlynzwarenstein.29

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Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · Dec 5

& part 2. Every day, new horror, but this 10K wd (in 2 parts) look @ Israel’s assault on every aspect of healthcare & life in Gaza still most detailed journalistic account I’ve seen in English, w/ answer 2 the age-old Q: so IS it legal 2 bomb a hospital? Or 36 of them?
www.salon.com/2024/11/11/h...

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Reposted by Carlyn Zwarenstein

Artologica aka Michele Banks @artologica.net · 1d

ICYMI: @drskyskull.bsky.social and I wrote about the physics of iridescent art artologica.substack.com/p/the-scienc... #sciart

The Science of Shimmer

Physics, Paint, and the Art of Craig Cahoon (with help from Dr. Greg Gbur)

artologica.substack.com

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Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 13h

He actually does have skin like a peach though.

People honestly have too much money.

Reposted by Carlyn Zwarenstein

Waitman Wade Beorn, PhD, FRHistS @waitmanwbeorn.com · 16h

Ok. But are there any downsides?

The Verge @theverge.com · May 26

Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry

Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.

buff.ly

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Reposted by Carlyn Zwarenstein

Adam Sharp @adamcsharp.bsky.social · 20h

As today is World Octopus Day I’ll again mention that a Spanish equivalent to “like a fish out of water” is como un pulpo en un garaje. It means “like an octopus in a garage.”

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Reposted by Carlyn Zwarenstein

Rima I Anabtawi @rimaanabtawi.bsky.social · 16h

Omar won! He won! 🤩 So wonderful!

From Palestinian refugee to Nobel glory: Omar Yaghi’s incredible journey

Born in Amman to refugee parents, Yaghi rose from humble roots to reshape modern chemistry

gulfnews.com/world/americ...

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Reposted by Carlyn Zwarenstein

Courtney Milan @courtneymilan.com · 9d

This is absolutely heartbreaking. This man should not have been murdered. His children should still have a father. His wife should not have to tell people her trauma.

This government is committing war crimes.

Michael Paarlberg @mpaarlberg.bsky.social · 9d

I think the Trump admin assumed no one would try to find out who the people on the boats they blew up really were

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Reposted by Carlyn Zwarenstein

Elise Wang @elisewang.bsky.social · 2d

One of the more incredible stories out of LA this year has been how a taco review blog became the best on-the-ground coverage of ICE raids in the city.

They do a dispatch every day, follow-up on the kidnapped people (which almost no media outlet has done), and fact-check government claims.

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 2d

@lataco.bsky.social first began as a blog documenting local Mexican cuisine. Now, it’s an essential reporting powerhouse to the city as Trump’s mass deportation plot unfolds.

Check out the latest from our friends at Reveal: tinyurl.com/4cm2bsdr

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Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 1d

Of course. In the country where people can lose their housing due to the cost of basic medical care.

Institutionalization with denial of right to life/liberty/pursuit of happiness have long been the American answers to progressive taxation & a state that does something useful for its people.

NPR @npr.org · 1d

President Trump says one part of the answer to homelessness is civil commitment and forced medical care. Some Democrats agree.

Some Democrats share Trump's goal of forcing more homeless people into medical care

President Trump says one part of the answer to homelessness is civil commitment and forced medical care. Some Democrats agree.

n.pr

Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 6d

www.jonbatiste.com/petrichor/

Petrichor - Jon Batiste

Official Website

www.jonbatiste.com

Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 6d

Sometimes it can be fun. But yes, time to move along.

Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 6d

I hear the all beef diet has done wonders for Jordan Peterson's health and sanity.

Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 6d

this is a silly point. I'll take this moment to note that she also observed last year that what Israel is doing in Gaza was a genocide. As I explain in my obit of her, Goodall was always both smart & adaptable, evolving views in accordance with/ newly acquired knowledge & her own values.

Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 6d

I am believing very hard that David Attenborough will not let us down by failing to live forever so better hope he has not made any dietary changes ever.

Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 6d

ah this is so dang silly but kind of fun. Last reply. Many animals cannot survive on plants, so it would be bad to advocate 4 that if ur pro-animal. Omnivores like chimps can't make a reasoned decision, nor seek out balanced vegan diets & b12 or iron supplements at the local chimp health food store.

Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 6d

obviously the point is that at 91 it seems a bit silly to attribute her death to veganism, whenever she started. Do you expect she would have lived forever otherwise?

Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 6d

This seems too obvious to bother explaining but I want to, so: As Goodall knew, there are major, meaningful environmental & political as well as personal ethical reasons--beyond the scope of chimpanzee ethics but available to human reason--for omnivore humans to either reduce or stop eating meat.

Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 6d

she died at 91 you nit.

Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 6d

she's the one who first observed that they were omnivorous, not herbivorous.
www.salon.com/2025/10/01/j...

Jane Goodall's work with chimps changed how we see humanity

The renowned scientist, who died at 91, transformed our understanding of primates — and ourselves

www.salon.com

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Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 6d

Thank you. I’ve never written an obituary before but it feels like a welcome chance to honour one of the greats.

Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 6d

undark.org/2025/10/02/i...
My first essay for the wonderful Undark.

Invasion Metaphors in Conservation Biology Pose Real-World Risk

Opinion | Comparisons between invasive species and human migrants in the literature can get hijacked for political ends.

undark.org

Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 6d

I got this in the obituary I wrote for her! www.salon.com/2025/10/01/j...

Jane Goodall's work with chimps changed how we see humanity

The renowned scientist, who died at 91, transformed our understanding of primates — and ourselves

www.salon.com

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Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 7d

"& let us pray 4 the end of conflict, especially the genocide of the people of Gaza. & 4 those risking their lives to help the wounded & feed the hungry & care 4 the animals suffering as a result of human violence, cruelty and war.” Jane Goodall, 09/2024. www.salon.com/2025/10/01/j...

www.salon.com

Reposted by Carlyn Zwarenstein

Carlos Azevedo @carlosazevedo.bsky.social · 7d

I have no words left to describe Trump’s plan for Gaza, immediately endorsed by the European Union and many of its member states, which offers no accountability for the ongoing genocide carried out by Israel and is couched in pure colonial language. Just shame.

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Carlyn Zwarenstein @carlynzwaren.bsky.social · 9d

Being indoors during a good storm, esp at night, is the best. Also, isn’t it satisfying just getting to use the word petrichor?! But have you tried (smelling/using the word “geosmin”? Not yet trendy!) joyfulmicrobe.com/geosmin/

Geosmin: the smell of soil and rain - Joyful Microbe

Geosmin is the pleasant smell of soil and that earthy scent that comes with and after rain, and microbes produce it. Learn microbes make it and why?

joyfulmicrobe.com

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Reposted by Carlyn Zwarenstein

The Intercept @theintercept.com · 9d

“This is an American Israeli genocide,” says Diana Buttu. Donald Trump “could have easily ended this, but he’s choosing not to.”

What It’s Like on the Gaza-Bound Flotilla Attacked by Drones

Global Sumud Flotilla volunteer Tommy Marcus and human rights lawyer Diana Buttu speak on Israel’s aid blockade and continued bombardment on Gaza.

theintercept.com

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