Yan-Jie Schnellbach
@yjschnellbach.bsky.social
Physicist, tinkerer, general purpose nerd. Friend of pigeons. Simulates neutrinos, codes bugs, draws maps, designs shenanigans, tells stories.
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
Sir Anthony Weldon, A Cat May Look Upon a King (printed for William Roybould, at the Unicorn in Pauls Church-yard, 1652)
November 21, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Sir Anthony Weldon, A Cat May Look Upon a King (printed for William Roybould, at the Unicorn in Pauls Church-yard, 1652)
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
For this week's DOOMSDAY MACHINES, I wrote a little bit about Martin Amis' essay "Thinkability," which I think is just one of the sharpest pieces of writing on nuclear war that I am aware of... doomsdaymachines.net/p/nuclear-we...
"Nuclear weapons repel all thought, perhaps because they can end all thought"
Martin Amis on the difficulties of writing about nuclear war
doomsdaymachines.net
November 14, 2025 at 4:14 PM
For this week's DOOMSDAY MACHINES, I wrote a little bit about Martin Amis' essay "Thinkability," which I think is just one of the sharpest pieces of writing on nuclear war that I am aware of... doomsdaymachines.net/p/nuclear-we...
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
Tech companies are betting big on nuclear energy to meet AIs massive power demands and they're using that AI to speed up the construction of new nuclear power plants.
Power Companies Are Using AI To Build Nuclear Power Plants
Tech companies are betting big on nuclear energy to meet AIs massive power demands and they're using that AI to speed up the construction of new nuclear power plants.
www.404media.co
November 14, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Tech companies are betting big on nuclear energy to meet AIs massive power demands and they're using that AI to speed up the construction of new nuclear power plants.
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
Hanford's waste vitrification plant has vitrified (turned to glass) its first nuclear waste today. It's taken a LONG time to get to this point and its a huge milestone.
It also comes as I hear rumors that workers on the site are being furloughed because of the govt shutdown....
It also comes as I hear rumors that workers on the site are being furloughed because of the govt shutdown....
October 15, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Hanford's waste vitrification plant has vitrified (turned to glass) its first nuclear waste today. It's taken a LONG time to get to this point and its a huge milestone.
It also comes as I hear rumors that workers on the site are being furloughed because of the govt shutdown....
It also comes as I hear rumors that workers on the site are being furloughed because of the govt shutdown....
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
Hey everybody! @drjuliawester.bsky.social and I have a new paper!
We surveyed over 800 scientists, science communicators, and science educators who use social media.
Conclusion: Scientists no longer find Twitter useful or pleasant, and many have switched to Bluesky! 🧪🌎🦑
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...
We surveyed over 800 scientists, science communicators, and science educators who use social media.
Conclusion: Scientists no longer find Twitter useful or pleasant, and many have switched to Bluesky! 🧪🌎🦑
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...
Scientists no Longer Find Twitter Professionally Useful, and have Switched to Bluesky
Synopsis. Social media has become widely used by the scientific community for a variety of professional uses, including networking and public outreach. For
doi.org
August 19, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Hey everybody! @drjuliawester.bsky.social and I have a new paper!
We surveyed over 800 scientists, science communicators, and science educators who use social media.
Conclusion: Scientists no longer find Twitter useful or pleasant, and many have switched to Bluesky! 🧪🌎🦑
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...
We surveyed over 800 scientists, science communicators, and science educators who use social media.
Conclusion: Scientists no longer find Twitter useful or pleasant, and many have switched to Bluesky! 🧪🌎🦑
doi.org/10.1093/icb/...
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
Every reputable expert I know considers mRNA vaccine technology to be one of the most revolutionary advances in medicine in our lifetimes. Its inventors won the Nobel Prize in 2023. Shutting it down now is pointless self-harm to humanity.
Release from HHS: HHS will wind down its development of the mRNA vaccine development activities under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
August 5, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Every reputable expert I know considers mRNA vaccine technology to be one of the most revolutionary advances in medicine in our lifetimes. Its inventors won the Nobel Prize in 2023. Shutting it down now is pointless self-harm to humanity.
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
The fallacye that "higher ed degree must leade to a job wyth same name" ys deeplye harmful to present-daye societye. A philosophye major kan do businesse just as well as a businesse major. Yn some wayes perhaps even bettir. Thys fallacye ys useful onlye to those who seeke to kill higher ed.
July 28, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The fallacye that "higher ed degree must leade to a job wyth same name" ys deeplye harmful to present-daye societye. A philosophye major kan do businesse just as well as a businesse major. Yn some wayes perhaps even bettir. Thys fallacye ys useful onlye to those who seeke to kill higher ed.
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
Graph of British Rivers
July 5, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Graph of British Rivers
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
The results seem to strengthen the case that these systems rely on elaborate pattern-matching rather than the kind of systematic reasoning their marketing might suggest.
New Apple study challenges whether AI models truly “reason” through problems
Puzzle-based experiments reveal limitations of simulated reasoning, but others dispute findings.
arstechnica.com
June 13, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The results seem to strengthen the case that these systems rely on elaborate pattern-matching rather than the kind of systematic reasoning their marketing might suggest.
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
“When the system forces you to code with a hallucinating clown, eventually you stop resisting. You let him type. You let him be "productive." You check out. You surrender your brain to the noise and just float.” deplet.ing/the-copilot-...
The Copilot Delusion
Disclaimer: This post was written May 2025, and the arguments apply to AI code capabilities at this time. The arguments around lack of competence are certainly likely to become less prevalent-while th...
deplet.ing
May 26, 2025 at 4:02 PM
“When the system forces you to code with a hallucinating clown, eventually you stop resisting. You let him type. You let him be "productive." You check out. You surrender your brain to the noise and just float.” deplet.ing/the-copilot-...
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
May 18, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
do you remember
before social media
when the web was an infinite mysterious forest of things people had created, for free, for other people
like you'd just stumble on this guy's Geocities page where he'd posted the sketches he'd done of every vegetable in his garden
the web made me love humanity
before social media
when the web was an infinite mysterious forest of things people had created, for free, for other people
like you'd just stumble on this guy's Geocities page where he'd posted the sketches he'd done of every vegetable in his garden
the web made me love humanity
May 15, 2025 at 3:56 PM
do you remember
before social media
when the web was an infinite mysterious forest of things people had created, for free, for other people
like you'd just stumble on this guy's Geocities page where he'd posted the sketches he'd done of every vegetable in his garden
the web made me love humanity
before social media
when the web was an infinite mysterious forest of things people had created, for free, for other people
like you'd just stumble on this guy's Geocities page where he'd posted the sketches he'd done of every vegetable in his garden
the web made me love humanity
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
📣 CERN scientists find evidence of quantum entanglement in sheep 🐑
Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon where two particles’ states are tied to each other, no matter how far apart the particles are. These findings could now help to explain the species’ fascinating flocking behaviour.
Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon where two particles’ states are tied to each other, no matter how far apart the particles are. These findings could now help to explain the species’ fascinating flocking behaviour.
April 1, 2025 at 7:48 AM
📣 CERN scientists find evidence of quantum entanglement in sheep 🐑
Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon where two particles’ states are tied to each other, no matter how far apart the particles are. These findings could now help to explain the species’ fascinating flocking behaviour.
Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon where two particles’ states are tied to each other, no matter how far apart the particles are. These findings could now help to explain the species’ fascinating flocking behaviour.
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
Draw for the Namesake chat for #TransDayofVisibility yesterday. Support trans rights and trans artists 🎨
⭐️🩵🩷🤍🤍🩷🩵⭐️
⭐️🩵🩷🤍🤍🩷🩵⭐️
April 1, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Draw for the Namesake chat for #TransDayofVisibility yesterday. Support trans rights and trans artists 🎨
⭐️🩵🩷🤍🤍🩷🩵⭐️
⭐️🩵🩷🤍🤍🩷🩵⭐️
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
I skipped that "advice from the over 30s" QT that was going around a couple of weeks ago, but I have one now.
If there is a little sandwich place that does a sandwich that is perfect and you love it, get that sandwich whenever you feel like it, because any day that shop might shut without warning.
If there is a little sandwich place that does a sandwich that is perfect and you love it, get that sandwich whenever you feel like it, because any day that shop might shut without warning.
February 13, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I skipped that "advice from the over 30s" QT that was going around a couple of weeks ago, but I have one now.
If there is a little sandwich place that does a sandwich that is perfect and you love it, get that sandwich whenever you feel like it, because any day that shop might shut without warning.
If there is a little sandwich place that does a sandwich that is perfect and you love it, get that sandwich whenever you feel like it, because any day that shop might shut without warning.
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
The slow, then sudden decline of Stack Overflow.
Full article: blog.pragmaticengineer.com/are-llms-mak...
Full article: blog.pragmaticengineer.com/are-llms-mak...
January 21, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The slow, then sudden decline of Stack Overflow.
Full article: blog.pragmaticengineer.com/are-llms-mak...
Full article: blog.pragmaticengineer.com/are-llms-mak...
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
Hoo boy, I bet you could use a distraction today!
So how about an intense JWST image of a pair of colossal stars whizzing past each other and blasting out wave after wave of dusty shells, expanding away at a soul-freezing NINE MILLION KPH?!
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/two-coloss...
🧪🔭
So how about an intense JWST image of a pair of colossal stars whizzing past each other and blasting out wave after wave of dusty shells, expanding away at a soul-freezing NINE MILLION KPH?!
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/two-coloss...
🧪🔭
Two colossal stars send out waves of dust in an amazing JWST image
WR 140 is a terrifying star system, but it sure is beautiful. Also, announcing a new rate for the newsletter.
badastronomy.beehiiv.com
January 20, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Hoo boy, I bet you could use a distraction today!
So how about an intense JWST image of a pair of colossal stars whizzing past each other and blasting out wave after wave of dusty shells, expanding away at a soul-freezing NINE MILLION KPH?!
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/two-coloss...
🧪🔭
So how about an intense JWST image of a pair of colossal stars whizzing past each other and blasting out wave after wave of dusty shells, expanding away at a soul-freezing NINE MILLION KPH?!
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/two-coloss...
🧪🔭
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
new article. it's about what cozy and wholesome games are, why shitty people like them, and why I really liked I Was A Teenage Exocolonist.
docseuss.medium.com/i-was-a-teen...
docseuss.medium.com/i-was-a-teen...
i was a teenage exocolonist (and so can you)
I’ve realized that I’m much better at discussing broad ranging theory than individual games, just because it’s easier to find ten games…
docseuss.medium.com
December 16, 2024 at 7:23 AM
new article. it's about what cozy and wholesome games are, why shitty people like them, and why I really liked I Was A Teenage Exocolonist.
docseuss.medium.com/i-was-a-teen...
docseuss.medium.com/i-was-a-teen...
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
The John Le Carré Advent Calendar - My cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com Books. (with apologies to @realjohnlecarre.bsky.social and @harkaway.bsky.social)
November 30, 2024 at 10:10 AM
The John Le Carré Advent Calendar - My cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com Books. (with apologies to @realjohnlecarre.bsky.social and @harkaway.bsky.social)
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
The Anatomy of a Borb.
By fluffing up their feathers, they trap tiny pockets of air close to their bodies, which acts as insulation. Helping them regulate their temperature.
By fluffing up their feathers, they trap tiny pockets of air close to their bodies, which acts as insulation. Helping them regulate their temperature.
November 12, 2024 at 10:50 PM
The Anatomy of a Borb.
By fluffing up their feathers, they trap tiny pockets of air close to their bodies, which acts as insulation. Helping them regulate their temperature.
By fluffing up their feathers, they trap tiny pockets of air close to their bodies, which acts as insulation. Helping them regulate their temperature.
Spaceship names!
- Solar Serendipity
- The Falling Knife
- Point of Light
- Solar Serendipity
- The Falling Knife
- Point of Light
New Friday challenge - post three possible spaceship names that pop into your head:
- Against the Morning Star
- Curse of Time Unfolded
- Resolution Without End
- Against the Morning Star
- Curse of Time Unfolded
- Resolution Without End
Sometimes random words swim around in my head.
- thaumaturge: performer of miracles
- samsara: cycle of life, death, and rebirth
See? It's not *that* hard to name spaceships.
- thaumaturge: performer of miracles
- samsara: cycle of life, death, and rebirth
See? It's not *that* hard to name spaceships.
October 18, 2024 at 9:36 PM
Spaceship names!
- Solar Serendipity
- The Falling Knife
- Point of Light
- Solar Serendipity
- The Falling Knife
- Point of Light
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
A different perspective on the Civil War damage of 1645 to Chester’s (in origin, Roman) city walls.
These devices for imagining past events are extremely cool, and also not always accessible or long-lasting.
📸 Chester Roman Gardens, Oct’ 2023
These devices for imagining past events are extremely cool, and also not always accessible or long-lasting.
📸 Chester Roman Gardens, Oct’ 2023
October 17, 2024 at 6:10 AM
A different perspective on the Civil War damage of 1645 to Chester’s (in origin, Roman) city walls.
These devices for imagining past events are extremely cool, and also not always accessible or long-lasting.
📸 Chester Roman Gardens, Oct’ 2023
These devices for imagining past events are extremely cool, and also not always accessible or long-lasting.
📸 Chester Roman Gardens, Oct’ 2023
Reposted by Yan-Jie Schnellbach
Haha just saw a screenshot of the "Harris could have shown she was a moderate, but now she looks like an extremist, what a mistake" like, all my life Democrats have been treating things like "I think kids shouldn't starve" as damagingly extreme left positions and it made me want to chew my arm off.
August 6, 2024 at 3:57 PM
Haha just saw a screenshot of the "Harris could have shown she was a moderate, but now she looks like an extremist, what a mistake" like, all my life Democrats have been treating things like "I think kids shouldn't starve" as damagingly extreme left positions and it made me want to chew my arm off.