Martin Blessinger

Me, this weekend.

Impossible to overstate how exciting field conferences are for academics. We spend 11.95 months a year with people only understanding 5-15% of our jokes and references, but then for three glorious days 😍😍😍

Let them eat 24 Karat Gold.

In early 2025, beaver activity in the Brdy Protected Landscape Area, Czech Republic, contributed to the restoration of a wetland ecosystem. A family of beavers constructed a series of dams that coincidentally accomplished environmental goals of the Czech government, which had delayed its proposed project since 2018 for bureaucratic and financial reasons. The beaver-built dams saved the Czech government approximately US$1.2 million,

imagine if a family of beavers randomly showed up right now and finished whatever thing you've been putting off

At least on social media, one reason people are "like this" is: the internet removed even the smallest frictional costs for blurting out whatever stray neuron is in your brain.
Used to be that even to send a letter, you'd need paper, a stamp, etc, and in the time it took, the impulse would pass.

It's in no way a solution to our current problems, but try to do something nice for someone you don't know today or this week. It'll make you feel better. Just try it.

A case against book banning.

Look, people say a lot of stupid things, but this is pretty noteworthy for its stupidity.

“[Parent company] Home decor chain Kirkland’s operates more than 300 of its own stores across more than 30 states” including… drum roll… California.

Printing this out and putting it on my door.

Me on <6 hours of sleep.

Researchers Determine Coelacanth Faked Own Extinction To Escape Massive Gambling Debt

Researchers Determine Coelacanth Faked Own Extinction To Escape Massive Gambling Debt theonion.com/researc...

1. Release the Epstein files!

2. The Epstein files are sitting on my desk and I will release them very soon

3. There are no Epstein files and the case is closed

4. There are Epstein files but they are forgeries created by Obama and Hillary so if you like me you will never talk about them again

This response earns a follow.

#science

The Free Speech Administration throwing down arguably the biggest sledgehammer against free thought and association in my lifetime.

Opinion | Europe Built Trains. America Built Highways and Regret.

www.nytimes.com/2025/05/18/o...

<In a Steve Reich voice> From Chicago to the Vatican!

Person, woman, man, camera, the thing you carry the babies around in.

Reposting for myself

Oof.

Girl, same.

Brilliant.

An attempt to annotate this excellent thread of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence with recent headlines.