Wendy Orent
@wendyorent.bsky.social
Science writer, anthropologist, Ph.D. (fieldwork in Israel), member of plague lovers' society, disease evolution nerd, author of Plague, co-author of Biowarrior, I.V. Domaradskij's memoir. Former science writing instructor at Emory.
Pet serial killers here. Two of them.
December 12, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Pet serial killers here. Two of them.
A backyard visitor. Atlanta is the Wild Kingdom for sure.
November 9, 2025 at 5:38 PM
A backyard visitor. Atlanta is the Wild Kingdom for sure.
Ok this just came out of the oven and people I am proud of it! Stoneground Bob’s whole wheat flour mixed with King Arthur bread flour. It’s vegan and it should be good!!
November 8, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Ok this just came out of the oven and people I am proud of it! Stoneground Bob’s whole wheat flour mixed with King Arthur bread flour. It’s vegan and it should be good!!
Here’s lovely wicked dear Max
October 28, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Here’s lovely wicked dear Max
Good morning! I’m at the British Museum. Always happy to hear from you, my friend. 💜
October 12, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Good morning! I’m at the British Museum. Always happy to hear from you, my friend. 💜
The Sexual Matador.
September 26, 2025 at 4:35 AM
The Sexual Matador.
![Bari Weiss pontificating on what a hard week it's begin because Charlie Kirk has been murdered: "Charlie Kirk's assassination has hit the staff of the Free Press hard...We're journalists [that's debatable, but never mind] which means we are used to reporting on horrible events, including gun violence [do you really care, Bari?] assaults, and murders. So why does this one feel different? Why is there sure to be a prolonged impact from this tragedy?"
[Because you and your fellow-travelers will make it so. I'm gutted over the kids shot the same day in Colorado, by the murders in Minnesota, by the killing of the young couple in DC by an antisemite. You? You're grief-stricken over a guy who wanted to stone gay people, thought prowling Blacks were scary, Jews own everything, and a few gun deaths every year were a worthwhile exchange for the Second Amendment. Crass? That's your middle name.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:fr7wblhzax3243dwgqa5st6j/bafkreien5gorhbxuxvo7yhqxkmox3cdo36vnws774nkgqwcasfiu4of5ni@jpeg)
Ok, all you lab leakers, I've found it - the missing link, scientist and bat.
Or rather, my friend Freek Pals in Amsterdam found it.
Look at that complacent bat face. He doesn't mind at all.
(full explanation in alt text).
Or rather, my friend Freek Pals in Amsterdam found it.
Look at that complacent bat face. He doesn't mind at all.
(full explanation in alt text).
September 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Ok, all you lab leakers, I've found it - the missing link, scientist and bat.
Or rather, my friend Freek Pals in Amsterdam found it.
Look at that complacent bat face. He doesn't mind at all.
(full explanation in alt text).
Or rather, my friend Freek Pals in Amsterdam found it.
Look at that complacent bat face. He doesn't mind at all.
(full explanation in alt text).
I hate gilt. There are few things improved by it - the term "gilding the lily" wasn't invented for nothing. But the GILT TRUMP HAS SCHMUTZED UP THE WHITE HOUSE WITH IS VULGAR AND HORRIBLE AND MAKES ME SICK.
August 18, 2025 at 6:38 PM
I hate gilt. There are few things improved by it - the term "gilding the lily" wasn't invented for nothing. But the GILT TRUMP HAS SCHMUTZED UP THE WHITE HOUSE WITH IS VULGAR AND HORRIBLE AND MAKES ME SICK.
I had a really brainless cat once but now I have two really smart ones. Problem is they know when I'm up to something, like getting out a pill for the one with IBD, or Gd forbid the carrier (vet visit).
July 27, 2025 at 10:42 PM
I had a really brainless cat once but now I have two really smart ones. Problem is they know when I'm up to something, like getting out a pill for the one with IBD, or Gd forbid the carrier (vet visit).
Saki cheers me up just by his mere sweet existence. So I’m sharing his picture.
July 20, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Saki cheers me up just by his mere sweet existence. So I’m sharing his picture.
A very low bar indeed. My cat is smarter than Jordan Peterson. You can see it in his eyes.
June 28, 2025 at 4:44 PM
A very low bar indeed. My cat is smarter than Jordan Peterson. You can see it in his eyes.
Could be. He's gotten very good at getting extra food from me. I go along because he's on the lean side and my vet suggesting sneaking him some extra food.
Why sneaking?
This is why:
Why sneaking?
This is why:
June 10, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Could be. He's gotten very good at getting extra food from me. I go along because he's on the lean side and my vet suggesting sneaking him some extra food.
Why sneaking?
This is why:
Why sneaking?
This is why:
Timeline cleanse. This is Saki. He’s doing his Saki thing and standing by my feet, staring up at me. He does this every evening. Sometimes he pats my leg.
What’s he thinking?
What’s he thinking?
June 10, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Timeline cleanse. This is Saki. He’s doing his Saki thing and standing by my feet, staring up at me. He does this every evening. Sometimes he pats my leg.
What’s he thinking?
What’s he thinking?
I think she's a lovely dilute torbie and I have one and chairs have been getting steadily smaller for her too. (She's on the right. The other cat is thin but very furry.
June 2, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I think she's a lovely dilute torbie and I have one and chairs have been getting steadily smaller for her too. (She's on the right. The other cat is thin but very furry.
I support antivaxxers because Darwin always wins.
March 18, 2025 at 11:47 AM
I support antivaxxers because Darwin always wins.
TBH, Newsom's podcast did nothing to destroy my good opinion of him, since I never had one to begin with.
Newsom must never be the Democratic Presidential candidate. He's a person of no apparent judgment whatsoever.
Newsom must never be the Democratic Presidential candidate. He's a person of no apparent judgment whatsoever.
March 15, 2025 at 10:57 PM
TBH, Newsom's podcast did nothing to destroy my good opinion of him, since I never had one to begin with.
Newsom must never be the Democratic Presidential candidate. He's a person of no apparent judgment whatsoever.
Newsom must never be the Democratic Presidential candidate. He's a person of no apparent judgment whatsoever.
Gavin Newsom is completely useless. He's a poseur. I hate to think he'd be a considered a serious Democratic presidential candidate.
March 8, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Gavin Newsom is completely useless. He's a poseur. I hate to think he'd be a considered a serious Democratic presidential candidate.
The decline and fall of a once-great paper
The decline and fall of the US.
Gd help us all.
The decline and fall of the US.
Gd help us all.
February 26, 2025 at 5:13 PM
The decline and fall of a once-great paper
The decline and fall of the US.
Gd help us all.
The decline and fall of the US.
Gd help us all.
My daughter’s ragdoll Alfie and a rose.
February 17, 2025 at 7:51 PM
My daughter’s ragdoll Alfie and a rose.
I finally got rid of the stupid Copilot AI thingie on Word, which I didn't want and loathe the thought of. But first, I asked it to write a story for me of a teapot and the tempest inside it. The Stoopid is simply unbearable.
February 7, 2025 at 4:35 PM
I finally got rid of the stupid Copilot AI thingie on Word, which I didn't want and loathe the thought of. But first, I asked it to write a story for me of a teapot and the tempest inside it. The Stoopid is simply unbearable.
Of course. While I was making pasta this morning my cat climbed up on the chair next to me and insisted I kiss her repeatedly, pushing her head up into my face when I bent over to her (couldn't pet her because, you know, fresh pasta).
She's a kiss-face too.
She's a kiss-face too.
January 29, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Of course. While I was making pasta this morning my cat climbed up on the chair next to me and insisted I kiss her repeatedly, pushing her head up into my face when I bent over to her (couldn't pet her because, you know, fresh pasta).
She's a kiss-face too.
She's a kiss-face too.
I will be in reclusion on Monday, like a member of the Chinese literati fleeing the decaying Ming empire to contemplate peace and beauty in Nature.
Explanation of the image in alt text.
Explanation of the image in alt text.
January 17, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I will be in reclusion on Monday, like a member of the Chinese literati fleeing the decaying Ming empire to contemplate peace and beauty in Nature.
Explanation of the image in alt text.
Explanation of the image in alt text.