Nikhil
@nikhilodeon.bsky.social
History buff. Data nerd. Selectively social.
This, exactly. I call it "opportunistic conservatism". In a societal setting it plays on the basic human instincts of fear and tribalism, which can be easily exploited by populists. Julius Ceaser was one exponent, but the tale goes back far into history.
Because worry is driven by fear it is very vulnerable to hijack by self-interested populists.
So many of the unfounded concerns we share originate from societal elites trying to preserve cultural, political or economic power.
So many of the unfounded concerns we share originate from societal elites trying to preserve cultural, political or economic power.
December 3, 2025 at 3:51 PM
This, exactly. I call it "opportunistic conservatism". In a societal setting it plays on the basic human instincts of fear and tribalism, which can be easily exploited by populists. Julius Ceaser was one exponent, but the tale goes back far into history.
Incredibly interesting. A testament to how tech can be used for doing good and enriching the historical record. #history
December 2, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Incredibly interesting. A testament to how tech can be used for doing good and enriching the historical record. #history
Reposted by Nikhil
Just imagining how much better it would be if ALL news stories about vaccine-preventable illnesses were illustrated with pictures of people with the disease, not pictures of needle injections. If you must show something that people will find scary & unpleasant, make it the disease, not the cure.
I'm so tired of measles.
I'm also tired of people using needle shots on stories like this.
Show what measles looks like.
I'm also tired of people using needle shots on stories like this.
Show what measles looks like.
Gallatin Co. reports 2nd measles case, warns of exposure sites nbcmontana.com/news/local/g...
December 2, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Just imagining how much better it would be if ALL news stories about vaccine-preventable illnesses were illustrated with pictures of people with the disease, not pictures of needle injections. If you must show something that people will find scary & unpleasant, make it the disease, not the cure.
Fabulous thread 🧵
Since we are once again dealing with "the only silent era comedians of note were men" I feel I need to stand up for the ladies.
Marion Davies!
Marion Davies!
November 28, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Fabulous thread 🧵
Reposted by Nikhil
When I talk to students about public speaking or teaching, I always bring this up: Just tell people when you don't know something! It's remarkably powerful b/c it signals to your audience that you know the boundaries of your expertise and they can trust what you DO talk about.
completely outside of politics, this is so charming
November 22, 2025 at 5:18 PM
When I talk to students about public speaking or teaching, I always bring this up: Just tell people when you don't know something! It's remarkably powerful b/c it signals to your audience that you know the boundaries of your expertise and they can trust what you DO talk about.
Reposted by Nikhil
The limits of our personal experience and the value of statistics 🧵
How many people do you know by name?
One study found that the average American knows 611.
In a world of 8 billion, that’s less than 0.00001%. A 100,000th of a percent.
We can’t see much of the world through our direct experience
How many people do you know by name?
One study found that the average American knows 611.
In a world of 8 billion, that’s less than 0.00001%. A 100,000th of a percent.
We can’t see much of the world through our direct experience
November 5, 2025 at 10:26 AM
The limits of our personal experience and the value of statistics 🧵
How many people do you know by name?
One study found that the average American knows 611.
In a world of 8 billion, that’s less than 0.00001%. A 100,000th of a percent.
We can’t see much of the world through our direct experience
How many people do you know by name?
One study found that the average American knows 611.
In a world of 8 billion, that’s less than 0.00001%. A 100,000th of a percent.
We can’t see much of the world through our direct experience
Seconded. Also, the "blanket" analogy is perfect.
November 1, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Seconded. Also, the "blanket" analogy is perfect.
"Overdelivering on smaller promises is a shortcut to trust, loyalty and resilience."
A little ahead (vs. a little behind)
When we're a little behind, we borrow to catch up. Perhaps we borrow goodwill and spend less time than we might on a project. Or we need some money to pay the rent, so we borrow against a paycheck. And a good night's sleep is tempting to borrow from as well.…
When we're a little behind, we borrow to catch up. Perhaps we borrow goodwill and spend less time than we might on a project. Or we need some money to pay the rent, so we borrow against a paycheck. And a good night's sleep is tempting to borrow from as well.…
A little ahead (vs. a little behind)
When we're a little behind, we borrow to catch up. Perhaps we borrow goodwill and spend less time than we might on a project. Or we need some money to pay the rent, so we borrow against a paycheck. And a good night's sleep is tempting to borrow from as well. The borrowing compounds, with small debts turning into bigger ones.
seths.blog
October 31, 2025 at 5:50 PM
"Overdelivering on smaller promises is a shortcut to trust, loyalty and resilience."
Reposted by Nikhil
Python was awarded a funding grant, funding grant asked Python foundation to remove all diversity and inclusion initiatives they have.
Python foundation said no and rejected the grant.
If you use Python, send a few dollars to the charity to keep it going. I’m pushing a dono on behalf of ScamGuard.
Python foundation said no and rejected the grant.
If you use Python, send a few dollars to the charity to keep it going. I’m pushing a dono on behalf of ScamGuard.
Please read our statement, share it with your networks, and support us if you can. www.python.org/sponsors/app... psfmember.org/civicrm/cont...
October 27, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Python was awarded a funding grant, funding grant asked Python foundation to remove all diversity and inclusion initiatives they have.
Python foundation said no and rejected the grant.
If you use Python, send a few dollars to the charity to keep it going. I’m pushing a dono on behalf of ScamGuard.
Python foundation said no and rejected the grant.
If you use Python, send a few dollars to the charity to keep it going. I’m pushing a dono on behalf of ScamGuard.
I love historical deep dives like this. It serves as a proxy for the journey that a particular #culture has been on. #history
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
100 Years of the Motel (Gift Article)
In 1925, the first motel opened on a California highway, ushering in a new era of convenience and comfort for a nation falling in love with the open road.
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:57 PM
I love historical deep dives like this. It serves as a proxy for the journey that a particular #culture has been on. #history
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
I recently came across this YouTube channel that posts Stormtroopers doing vlogs about places and planets in the galaxy far, far away. I must admit, the force is strong on those vlogs. #StarWars
youtube.com/@stormtroope...
youtube.com/@stormtroope...
StormtrooperVlogs
Im a Stormtrooper just vlogging my daily life.
youtube.com
October 12, 2025 at 4:21 AM
I recently came across this YouTube channel that posts Stormtroopers doing vlogs about places and planets in the galaxy far, far away. I must admit, the force is strong on those vlogs. #StarWars
youtube.com/@stormtroope...
youtube.com/@stormtroope...
Russell's qualifying lap yesterday reminded me of the "perfection" that Hamilton achieved in his qualifying lap in 2018. That, and the race pace coupled with the concentration today was a top performance. He's right up there with the best. #SingaporeGP #F1
Genuinely impressive from Russell this weekend. Mega pace
October 5, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Russell's qualifying lap yesterday reminded me of the "perfection" that Hamilton achieved in his qualifying lap in 2018. That, and the race pace coupled with the concentration today was a top performance. He's right up there with the best. #SingaporeGP #F1
Reposted by Nikhil
.
Jane Goodall, 2019, The Simpsons
The World will miss her !
💔
(Pic: Everett Collection/IMAGO)
Jane Goodall, 2019, The Simpsons
The World will miss her !
💔
(Pic: Everett Collection/IMAGO)
October 2, 2025 at 9:25 AM
.
Jane Goodall, 2019, The Simpsons
The World will miss her !
💔
(Pic: Everett Collection/IMAGO)
Jane Goodall, 2019, The Simpsons
The World will miss her !
💔
(Pic: Everett Collection/IMAGO)
Dr. Jane Goodall. What a life! What a beautiful legacy to leave behind.
Reading about her and watching documentaries about her on pre-internet TV was a huge part of my childhood. She's inspired so many individuals.
#JaneGoodall
Reading about her and watching documentaries about her on pre-internet TV was a huge part of my childhood. She's inspired so many individuals.
#JaneGoodall
October 2, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Dr. Jane Goodall. What a life! What a beautiful legacy to leave behind.
Reading about her and watching documentaries about her on pre-internet TV was a huge part of my childhood. She's inspired so many individuals.
#JaneGoodall
Reading about her and watching documentaries about her on pre-internet TV was a huge part of my childhood. She's inspired so many individuals.
#JaneGoodall
Reposted by Nikhil
“Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help shall all be saved.” ~ Jane Goodall
Thank you, Ms. Goodall. Rest in peace.🤍🌎
Thank you, Ms. Goodall. Rest in peace.🤍🌎
October 2, 2025 at 1:10 AM
“Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help shall all be saved.” ~ Jane Goodall
Thank you, Ms. Goodall. Rest in peace.🤍🌎
Thank you, Ms. Goodall. Rest in peace.🤍🌎
Reposted by Nikhil
The main reason I am not on X is I know enough about this stuff to know however immune one thinks they are to information ops, propaganda, and algorithmic manipulation it has an impact on the way you see the world. Even when you think you're kicking against it, you're dancing to their tune.
September 27, 2025 at 1:50 AM
The main reason I am not on X is I know enough about this stuff to know however immune one thinks they are to information ops, propaganda, and algorithmic manipulation it has an impact on the way you see the world. Even when you think you're kicking against it, you're dancing to their tune.
What a fabulous line!
“There is no joy more intense than that of coming upon a fact that cannot be understood in terms of currently accepted ideas."
Astronomer Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, who decoded spectral lines to deduce the elemental composition of stars, was born #OTD in 1900. 🧪 🔭 ⚛️ 👩🔬
Image: Harvard Observatory
Astronomer Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, who decoded spectral lines to deduce the elemental composition of stars, was born #OTD in 1900. 🧪 🔭 ⚛️ 👩🔬
Image: Harvard Observatory
September 25, 2025 at 3:28 AM
What a fabulous line!
Good timing, Swatch!
The “WHAT IF...TARIFFS?” watch model features the '3' and '9' in switched positions on the watch face in reference to the 39% U.S. levy imposed on Swiss imports.
www.cnbc.com/2025/09/12/s...
The “WHAT IF...TARIFFS?” watch model features the '3' and '9' in switched positions on the watch face in reference to the 39% U.S. levy imposed on Swiss imports.
www.cnbc.com/2025/09/12/s...
Swatch takes a swipe at Trump’s 39% tariff with switched-up watch
President Donald Trump announced shock 39% levies on Switzerland on Aug. 1. Swatch has hit back.
www.cnbc.com
September 13, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Good timing, Swatch!
The “WHAT IF...TARIFFS?” watch model features the '3' and '9' in switched positions on the watch face in reference to the 39% U.S. levy imposed on Swiss imports.
www.cnbc.com/2025/09/12/s...
The “WHAT IF...TARIFFS?” watch model features the '3' and '9' in switched positions on the watch face in reference to the 39% U.S. levy imposed on Swiss imports.
www.cnbc.com/2025/09/12/s...
Reposted by Nikhil
Said it better than me, of course.
Gun violence on campus is always wrong. Political violence is always wrong, even when directed at those who celebrate it.
September 10, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Said it better than me, of course.
It is fascinating that there is a pattern even in how people choose 4 digit pin codes. #DataViz
informationisbeautiful.net/visualizatio...
informationisbeautiful.net/visualizatio...
Most Common PIN Codes — Information is Beautiful
How predictable is yours?
informationisbeautiful.net
September 6, 2025 at 8:21 PM
It is fascinating that there is a pattern even in how people choose 4 digit pin codes. #DataViz
informationisbeautiful.net/visualizatio...
informationisbeautiful.net/visualizatio...
Reposted by Nikhil
“The S in MCP stands for security.” — a reminder from @bmann.ca #ProtocolsForPublishers
August 21, 2025 at 7:38 PM
“The S in MCP stands for security.” — a reminder from @bmann.ca #ProtocolsForPublishers
Ever since I was a young kid, the exploits and the aura of NASA was the one thing that fascinated me about the USA. Nothing else came close. It is very sad and honestly embarrassing to see it being gutted in the current political climate.
Everything in this is true. It’s so real and hits so close to home and I hate it.
www.wired.com/story/the-de...
www.wired.com/story/the-de...
The Destruction of NASA Would Be a Blow to Our Collective Imagination
As NASA grapples with major proposed budget cuts and losing some of its most brilliant minds, America’s willingness to look outward is also at risk.
www.wired.com
August 22, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Ever since I was a young kid, the exploits and the aura of NASA was the one thing that fascinated me about the USA. Nothing else came close. It is very sad and honestly embarrassing to see it being gutted in the current political climate.
Reposted by Nikhil
This is devastating, and part of a larger move to entirely push science out of NASA's mission. It is horrific betrayal of so much work, not to mention the fact that it violates NASA's charter.
NASA’s acting chief calls for the end of Earth science at the space agency arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
NASA’s acting chief calls for the end of Earth science at the space agency
NASA’s charter clearly states the agency should study planet Earth, however.
arstechnica.com
August 15, 2025 at 9:29 PM
This is devastating, and part of a larger move to entirely push science out of NASA's mission. It is horrific betrayal of so much work, not to mention the fact that it violates NASA's charter.