David Lang

I think waiting for big funders to do anything is a losing strategy. Just begin, even if you have to start small.

Nice. Would love to see more with big funder enthusiasm. But would much rather see *everyone* chip in.

@globalecoguy.bsky.social become the science funder you want to see in the world.

Backing Ariel’s great Patreon is a good place to start. (Proud supporter! 🙌)

What’s your certainty/confidence about both of those assumptions?

Want to Escape the Financial News? Don’t Try a Hobby. As tariffs threaten the cost of synth knobs, wine corks, specialty butters and trading card sleeves, the stuff that makes American life fun may become out of reach.

Someday we’ll discover the real American Dream isn’t homeownership—it’s being a hobbyist.

Concerning trends on that front:

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/26/b...

Preface — science better

I get that journalistic standards require a subdued enthusiasm, but that’s not my issue.

I want the story from the backyard! Give me a “science preface” that details the unexpectedness and curiosity of the ordeal:

www.scibetter.com/preface

It shouldn’t be that hard to include something like this.

New antibiotic that kills drug-resistant bacteria discovered in technician’s garden The molecule targets bacteria in a way that other drugs don’t.

Here’s a problem I have with science writing, as industry norms currently stand:

The headline is quite compelling. The research is exciting. But the story is potently lame—

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Compelling!

Trying flag posts instead of blog posts

I love everything about the Mediterranean neutrino observatory: the name, the design, the far out science.

https://www.km3net.org

I hope they write a book about it, like the one in Antarctica—The Telescope in the Ice.

It’s like they’re addicted to attention. Anytime attention dwindles they pull a crazier stunt. I’m not going to pay them any. Sad to see journalists falling for it again.

This book helps illuminate both our world *and* the development of this new technoscientific field.

We think the ideas can go even further. So I’m excited to announce the new “Biologging Innovation” grant program on Experiment, led by Ari Friedlaender:

https://experiment.com/programs/tags

One of my favorite books is WHERE THE ANIMALS GO, which highlights the questions and science enabled by new biologging technologies.

Together they paint a new picture of the natural world.

Fun question! You could probably put Whole Earth Catalog on the list (maybe already filed under the Spaceship earth category). I suspect @stewartbrand.bsky.social views the work through that lens.

Either way, “Tool Compendium” seems to be relevant genre.

A favorite of mine is Pacific Biological Laboratories: Ed Ricketts, John Steinbeck, Joseph Campbell.

Mythologized in Canary Row and other Steinbeck novels.

Beyond the Outer Shore might be the most relevant book to your research interest. Log from the Sea of Cortez is my favorite, though.

Where should one start if they’re new to his work?

I’m fascinated by this CA e-bike initiative: giving out 1,500 e-bikes around the state.

https://ebikeincentives.org/

I hope it’s being thoroughly studied. What are the economists saying?

I expect a lot of positive externalities. I wrote about a similar idea: Scibetter.com/supply

😂 glad everyone was ok!

Great listen from two of my fave people.

And you can learn more about why Tom and I started Renaissance Philanthropy.

Yes!! Congrats team

I'm also convinced we don't know the characteristics of great science funders. We don't identify or cultivate the talent, and it's likely a different skill set than being a good scientist.

More early-career and outside-the-ivory-tower folks should get a shot at it.

Details here:
https://experiment.com/programs

This fits with our ethos of "paying it forward" and finding overlooked ideas. It's a network-based model of discovery.

We're passing an important new milestone today at the Experiment Foundation:

The grantees have become the grantors.

Two new categories launched today: Plant Biology & MPA Innovation. Both Science Angels were previous (exceptional) grantees—now with programs of their own.

I have withheld from writing an essay about investor-think, which I think is becoming more common, and corrosive to the idea commons.

I hope you write it.

The carbon removal space was a surprisingly enthusiastic audience for Standards Make the World.

That arena seems poised for an opportunity like this.

Venn diagram of protocol entrepreneurs

What we’re looking for in the SoP 2024 program. Know anyone who fits? summerofprotocols.com/research/sop...

I really hope this framing takes hold. We need way more of it.

Great year!

Eager to get ahold of this.

First, I learned so much from this cohort of researchers. I’m excited for everyone to see the work.

Second, I think the Kit model is a fun “so crazy it just might work” idea in publishing. I’m excited to see how the format feels.

Another anecdote: Marconi and Tesla thought the radio waves were coming from aliens.

https://davidlang.substack.com/p/watch-the-amateurs

And great to have Maker Faire back. Technology needs more amateur enthusiasm.