Bri B

Breaking down Plexiglas with light Chlorine radicals unmake commercial polymethacrylates under mild conditions

On really sad lab days in grad school, I'd tell my labmates they were going to make a mistake, make a serendipitous discovery, and get a Science paper out of it.

For one chemist, that happened! An accidental discovery of a new way to recycle Plexiglas! 😍

via @bribarbu.bsky.social:
🧪⚗️ #chemsky

Who’s caught by a telescope under the sea?
High! Energy! Neutrino!

A plant biology grant from my undergrad institution was flagged for gender ideology…it’s about how plant reproductive organs evolved

I have work to do but I'm distracted by watching US scientific progress & leadership being irreversibly undermined because a few unelected malcontents are penalizing researchers for following legal requirements set out by congressional orders to augment basic research with benefits to society.

Who else is tired of this whole situation and wants to do something to feel empowered

Thanks to Instagram pushing reels that friends liked, I’ve learned that another one of my cousins has taken a turn towards conservatism! Fun!

has anyone else felt that the end-of-times vibe has boosted ur courage dramatically? i'm out here pursuing everything i desire, because tf why not? what’s the worst that could happen?

Hey man sorry to hear about all your political turmoil. Would it help if I scrolled around on the computer all day and drove myself insane?

it feels incredibly goofy trying to send emails, cook dinner, do laundry, and buy groceries while everything is an absolute garbage fire

A problem with writing about this moment is that as soon as I start thinking about something in depth, 500 new things happen

genuine question: how are people getting work done when it feels like everything is a flaming garbage fire?

Has your general advice EVER CONSIDERED my BIZARRE PERSONAL BURDENS

There will be moments when you wonder if it's pointless to do the right and ethical thing; to still care about justice and helping others when it seems like the worst people are getting to rob everyone else without consequences.

Little actions still matter. Ethics still matter. Keep helping others.

I have so many stories in me that I don’t know how to tell

In this case, the thing was launching a blog to share my personal journey as a neurodivergent, queer ex-evangelical and scientist turned writer. All of which feels incredibly risky right now.

I’m so tired of spending months to years psyching myself up to do something I perceive as risky, only to have forces beyond my control rise up and make it too late just when I was on the brink of being ready for it

Blasting my anti-burnout playlist from 2019-2020