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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · 1d

Big congrats to Claudia Rowe, National Book Award Finalist!

Claudia Rowe @claudiarowe.bsky.social · 1d

What a journey. From a Seattle courtroom to the National Book Awards! An honor I would not have dared to imagine. Thank you, literary agent superstar @stephanierostan.bsky.social.
www.nationalbook.org/2025-nationa...

2025 National Book Awards Finalists Announced

Twenty-five Finalists to contend for National Book Awards in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature

www.nationalbook.org

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · 5d

If I remember it right, the key is in the timing...the cuckoo eggs get slipped into the nest just before they're ready to hatch, so they're not around long enough to learn the password.

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · 5d

Here's the one I was thinking of about increased teaching effort: royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...

royalsocietypublishing.org

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · 5d

Superb Fairy Wrens teach their young a password when they're still in the egg that hatchlings must give to prove they're not a cuckoo. That teaching intensifies if there are a lot of warning calls that cuckoos are around (can't cite the research off the top of my head).

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · 6d

To be clear, I was quoting this article, and I agree: prospect.org/politics/202...

Political Violence and the Reality Distortion Field

Sadly, we’ve always had violence in America; what’s different today is the aftermath, and the battle to define political opposition amid violence.

prospect.org

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Reposted by John Higgins

Lisa Jarvis @lisamjarvis.bsky.social · 7d

Millions of Americans--especially those who work for or own small businesses, live in rural areas, or retired early--will be forced to make tough choices if enhanced subsidies for ACA plans expire. The health of the nation will suffer for it. My latest @opinion.bloomberg.com (gift link):

This Shutdown Fight Has Life-or-Death Consequences

At the heart of the fight over the government shutdown is the fate of health insurance for millions of Americans who may soon face an impossible choice: accept a significant increase in their premiums...

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by John Higgins

Sue Biggins @suebiggins.bsky.social · 22d

Looking for your next step in fly genetics? The Rajan Lab at Fred Hutch is hiring a staff scientist + postdoc for projects on fat–brain signals, immunity, and brain aging. Stable, long-term role in a collaborative lab. Apply: careers-fhcrc.icims.com/jobs/30062/j...

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Fred Hutch is dedicated to the elimination of cancer and related diseases as causes of human suffering and death.

careers-fhcrc.icims.com

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · 22d

Woodstein!

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · 27d

"This effort to amp up your political side in times of extreme emotion, to not just condemn the individual act but to slander all your political opposition at once, is the kind of thing you see in societies in open civil warfare."

bobby @mrbobloblaw.bsky.social · 27d

this piece is really important and sharp, in my opinion. historically grounded in a way most analysis is not, and sober about the stakes. captures my feeling almost perfectly, particularly the attached two paragraphs. it is going to be very difficult to arrest this cycle

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · 28d

Neat trick, but but but ..the skin is so tasty left on the fish, fried in a cast iron pan or on a cedar plank over a grill.

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · 28d

If you're wondering about the business model that destroyed newspapers, this is (partly) it: monetize the ancient pitchforks and torches impulse for the Internet and rake in the $$$

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · 28d

AI useful tool when you need to efficiently extrapolate from a few knockouts because tissue samples are short-lived and in small quantities, but humans must still confirm with the tried-and-true toolkit.

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · Sep 6

Such an important point. Writing as diagnostic. Where it's muddled, where the tension is slack,the rhythm off, there lies the thing that is difficult to think or feel...the real gold that doesn't glitter until you put the words down.

Wayne Maddison @waynemaddison.bsky.social · Sep 5

Confused writing is usually a symptom of confused thinking. As we struggle to clarify writing, we clarify our thoughts. AI writing aids rob us of that struggle, leaving clean-looking text and thoughts still confused for lack of inspection. Writing is not just a product; it is a diagnostic tool.

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · Sep 5

Such a privilege and joy to tell some of the incredible story that is this place and these people, always striving to do hard things.

Fred Hutch @fredhutch.org · Sep 5

In just 50 years, Fred Hutch evolved from a regional cancer center into a global leader in biomedical research and clinical care, renowned for its work in molecular biology, tumor virology, infectious diseases and large-scale clinical studies. Read more: www.fredhutch.org/content/www/...

50 years of doing hard things

In just 50 years, Fred Hutch grew from a regional cancer center into a world-class biomedical research and clinical care institution known for its expertise in molecular biology, tumor virology and in...

www.fredhutch.org

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · Sep 5

You don't always have to kill your darlings!

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · Sep 4

Or is it a Next Gen X thing?

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · Sep 4

25 for us this month, too

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · Sep 3

This all day and twice on election day.

Gregg Gonsalves @gregggonsalves.bsky.social · Sep 3

Just your daily reminder that Trump voters don't deserve measles or cancer or to lose their health insurance. We all deserve a government that protects and promotes our health. Shaming and blaming, pushes people away, pushes away the people we most need to reach.

Anne Sosin @annesosin.bsky.social · Sep 3

A kind reminder that a "politics of you deserved this" (cancer, vaccine-preventable disease, natural disaster, etc) has no place in public health. We can hold bad actors to account without punching down on the groups most harmed by their actions and/or resorting to shame, blame, and stigma.

Reposted by John Higgins

Knight Science Journalism @ MIT @ksjatmit.bsky.social · Sep 3

We're glad to see this new, free resource, which curates some of @theopennotebook.bsky.social's instructive essays, features, and interviews on science journalism craft into a "101" curriculum that anyone can use — from university professors to independent journalists.

The Open Notebook @theopennotebook.bsky.social · Aug 19

Science journalists often learn the tricks of the trade by trial and error. But we firmly believe the basics of covering science, and covering it well, can also be taught. So, we’ve rounded up years of insights from The Open Notebook into an easy-to-reference sample course syllabus. And it’s free! 🧪

Presenting Our First Sample Course Syllabus: Introduction to Science Writing - The Open Notebook

We're excited to announce a new resource for journalism teachers, students, and professionals. Whether you’re officially enrolled or a student at heart, this free resource rounds up years of insights ...

www.theopennotebook.com

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Reposted by John Higgins

Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · Aug 31

This is worth sharing far and wide. Federal Employees and contractors oral history project. Im not involved in this. Just got the link, idea seems to be to create a record of the assault on the American Repuvlic after Jan 2025. www.fecohp.org

FECOHP – Federal Employees and Contractors Oral History Project

www.fecohp.org

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · Aug 22

There is little in life that isn't improved by walks with dogs.

John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · Aug 20

Moment of bliss from the Pando aspen grove near Fish Lake, Utah, The detour from I-70 was soooo worth it.

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · Aug 20

My Irish sweater and jaunty wool cap await!

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Reposted by John Higgins

Fred Hutch Office of Community Outreach & Engagement @enddisparities.bsky.social · Aug 20

The @rwjf.org Rapid Response Research funding is available to applicants who have received federal funding for their health equity research, but have had it partially or fully rescinded due to federal administrative actions. Deadline is 10/1/25. Details in the link:
www.rwjf.org/en/grants/ac...

Rapid Response: Reinvesting in Racial and Indigenous Health Equity Research

The purpose of this call for proposals is to meet the current moment by supporting timely, actionable health equity research that has been interrupted by shifts in federal funding.

www.rwjf.org

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John Higgins @jhigginswriter.bsky.social · Aug 20

This is such cool work. In a story for Hutch News last year, I likened the RBD up/down motion to a submarine's periscope - up for cell attack, down for stealthy escape from antibodies. www.fredhutch.org/content/www/...

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