Fred Volkert
@fvolkert.bsky.social
Clinical microbiologist > virologist > yeast geneticist > med school professor & administrator. Once a scientist always a scientist. Also always a music lover. Watch the sky.
2025 has been a nasty year on the whole. I’m sorry about how it impacted you.
December 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
2025 has been a nasty year on the whole. I’m sorry about how it impacted you.
I hope you can, in better times.
December 29, 2025 at 2:03 AM
I hope you can, in better times.
I have a short Marmot parka that makes me look approximately spherical and I don’t care; it’s warm.
December 29, 2025 at 2:00 AM
I have a short Marmot parka that makes me look approximately spherical and I don’t care; it’s warm.
And it was more than another 20 years before we figured out how to clone and manipulate genes. 1970s.
December 28, 2025 at 9:34 PM
And it was more than another 20 years before we figured out how to clone and manipulate genes. 1970s.
Safe travels, Karen. May the road rise to meet you.
December 25, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Safe travels, Karen. May the road rise to meet you.
Nice list. I will not admit that it is Christmastime each year until I hear Christmas Wrapping in the wild. But equally essential to me are Fairytale of New York by the Pogues with Kirsty MacColl and Merry Christmas from the Family (live version, please) by Robert Earl Keen.
December 24, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Nice list. I will not admit that it is Christmastime each year until I hear Christmas Wrapping in the wild. But equally essential to me are Fairytale of New York by the Pogues with Kirsty MacColl and Merry Christmas from the Family (live version, please) by Robert Earl Keen.
In the same way, insurance companies don’t underwrite based on climate change denialism. The DOD also used to plan for climate impacts, because national security used to be a serious concern, like money. No more.
December 23, 2025 at 3:27 PM
In the same way, insurance companies don’t underwrite based on climate change denialism. The DOD also used to plan for climate impacts, because national security used to be a serious concern, like money. No more.
The disconnect between the WSJ’s news coverage and its editorial page has been profound for years, and I always assumed this was the reason.
December 23, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The disconnect between the WSJ’s news coverage and its editorial page has been profound for years, and I always assumed this was the reason.
I’m so sorry, Karen.
December 15, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I’m so sorry, Karen.
CBS and X. Made for each other.
December 15, 2025 at 2:07 AM
CBS and X. Made for each other.
Looks like world’s first emoji.
December 7, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Looks like world’s first emoji.
Spartan here, but I spent a bunch of time in A2 (who didn’t?) and will admit to a soft spot for the Wolverines.
December 5, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Spartan here, but I spent a bunch of time in A2 (who didn’t?) and will admit to a soft spot for the Wolverines.
The headline language says it all. They are on board.
December 5, 2025 at 2:26 AM
The headline language says it all. They are on board.
I think all Big 10 alums and other fans except from those schools are happy when someone other than OSU or UM takes the conference title.
December 5, 2025 at 1:42 AM
I think all Big 10 alums and other fans except from those schools are happy when someone other than OSU or UM takes the conference title.
Compared to her, Maggie Haberman seems like Murrow.
December 3, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Compared to her, Maggie Haberman seems like Murrow.
Also, there was a dj on a station down at the NJ shore that used to play it at the next higher speed on his turntable. If you have a turntable and vinyl you don’t mind abusing, it’s pretty funny.
November 30, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Also, there was a dj on a station down at the NJ shore that used to play it at the next higher speed on his turntable. If you have a turntable and vinyl you don’t mind abusing, it’s pretty funny.
OMG thank you for sharing this! 😂😂😂
November 30, 2025 at 3:38 PM
OMG thank you for sharing this! 😂😂😂
I just saw Vienna in NYC on Saturday.
November 27, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I just saw Vienna in NYC on Saturday.
Jefferson Airplane
Mountain
Spirit
Phil Collins
The Eagles
Mountain
Spirit
Phil Collins
The Eagles
November 27, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Jefferson Airplane
Mountain
Spirit
Phil Collins
The Eagles
Mountain
Spirit
Phil Collins
The Eagles
Is it time to seek alternatives? Google Search (the original foundation of the company) is becoming more worthless by the day. I haven’t used Chrome on a regular basis in years (a few badly coded sites require it to function normally, alas, or I’d have deleted it long ago).
November 22, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Is it time to seek alternatives? Google Search (the original foundation of the company) is becoming more worthless by the day. I haven’t used Chrome on a regular basis in years (a few badly coded sites require it to function normally, alas, or I’d have deleted it long ago).
Yeah, dark and scrunchy. Don’t like it.
November 18, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Yeah, dark and scrunchy. Don’t like it.
Maybe the next FDA chief?
November 16, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Maybe the next FDA chief?
Not a nickel for that party ever again. I’ll directly support individual candidates I trust.
November 10, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Not a nickel for that party ever again. I’ll directly support individual candidates I trust.