Mollie Holmberg
@octoqueenphd.bsky.social
she/her | ♥s critters, hates capitalism | politics of EID response & One Health | Postdoc @ Balsillie School of International Affairs, WLU | phd geography | views are my own | donate to verified funds @ gazafunds.com, sudanfunds.com | MOSTLY OFFLINE 📵
Pinned
New pub with @antipodeonline.bsky.social out today! On how emerging disease science makes human and geographic difference sound natural through stories about risky wildlife contact that leave out political and economic context.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Fixing Epidemic Risk, Fixing Epidemic Spacetime? How Emerging Disease Science Writes Wild Stories About Pandemic Origins
Using the US Agency for International Development (USAID) PREDICT program as a case study, I argue that mainstream emerging disease science (re)produces Orientalist imaginaries of pandemic risk throu...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Direct quote from one of my interviewees: "Something the weather people would give their right arm to be able to [do is go] over Niger, take an action and actually change the meteorologic conditions that would prevent anything spilling out into the Atlantic..."
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
As someone on here put it, America is not how it is because Trump is President. Trump is President because America is how it is.
September 18, 2026 at 12:40 AM
As someone on here put it, America is not how it is because Trump is President. Trump is President because America is how it is.
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
I tried to explain rationalism to a philosophy major friend of mine, who scoffed and said "so they're Cartesians, but racist"
September 17, 2026 at 2:17 PM
I tried to explain rationalism to a philosophy major friend of mine, who scoffed and said "so they're Cartesians, but racist"
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
NEW: Here’s a list of Canadians who signed an open letter denying the genocide in Gaza.
It includes people associated with Canadian institutions as well, such as professors.
www.readthemaple.com/a-list-of-ga...
It includes people associated with Canadian institutions as well, such as professors.
www.readthemaple.com/a-list-of-ga...
A List Of Gaza Genocide Deniers In Canada
Thousands of people signed an open letter denying genocide in Gaza.
www.readthemaple.com
September 16, 2026 at 12:44 PM
NEW: Here’s a list of Canadians who signed an open letter denying the genocide in Gaza.
It includes people associated with Canadian institutions as well, such as professors.
www.readthemaple.com/a-list-of-ga...
It includes people associated with Canadian institutions as well, such as professors.
www.readthemaple.com/a-list-of-ga...
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
I think the celebrity jokes about sheeran are just escapism for me. Because israeli forces raided a kindergarten 2 weeks ago, and a building damaged by israeli bombs collapsed on top of families yesterday, and everything is heartbreaking.
September 16, 2026 at 1:04 PM
I think the celebrity jokes about sheeran are just escapism for me. Because israeli forces raided a kindergarten 2 weeks ago, and a building damaged by israeli bombs collapsed on top of families yesterday, and everything is heartbreaking.
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
Swipe to see some bat toe beans (including the incredible glow-in-the-dark toes of 𝘛𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴!) ✨
September 15, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Swipe to see some bat toe beans (including the incredible glow-in-the-dark toes of 𝘛𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴!) ✨
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
BREAKING: 14 civil rights & humanitarian organizations demand United Airlines stop sending weapons to Israel on passenger planes.
"Should United continue to aid and abet war crimes…we will have no choice but to pursue further action against United."
Demand led by @ampalestine.bsky.social:
"Should United continue to aid and abet war crimes…we will have no choice but to pursue further action against United."
Demand led by @ampalestine.bsky.social:
September 15, 2026 at 7:51 PM
BREAKING: 14 civil rights & humanitarian organizations demand United Airlines stop sending weapons to Israel on passenger planes.
"Should United continue to aid and abet war crimes…we will have no choice but to pursue further action against United."
Demand led by @ampalestine.bsky.social:
"Should United continue to aid and abet war crimes…we will have no choice but to pursue further action against United."
Demand led by @ampalestine.bsky.social:
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
Given all the *flails hands* you all deserve one of the most adorable pictures I took of Baby Bird Season 2026. A snowy ploverlet peeking through a little sand shrub.
Perhaps a once in a lifetime shot. 🪶 🐣
Perhaps a once in a lifetime shot. 🪶 🐣
September 15, 2026 at 4:23 AM
Given all the *flails hands* you all deserve one of the most adorable pictures I took of Baby Bird Season 2026. A snowy ploverlet peeking through a little sand shrub.
Perhaps a once in a lifetime shot. 🪶 🐣
Perhaps a once in a lifetime shot. 🪶 🐣
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
wtf kind of pets they got in there
September 14, 2026 at 3:19 AM
wtf kind of pets they got in there
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
It's not mentioned in the piece, but (in part because of my own research interests) imo also worth noting that this was staffed by a Canadian company (Garda): profits on anti-migrant violence travel translationally.
America is being run by monsters. www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
DHS watchdog finds immigrants held at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ in outdoor cages the size of phone booths
The cages, called “calming areas,” were used for detainees to “reflect on their behavior choices, manage their emotions, reduce stress and practice self-directed behavior,” according to the inspector ...
www.nbcnews.com
September 14, 2026 at 6:45 PM
It's not mentioned in the piece, but (in part because of my own research interests) imo also worth noting that this was staffed by a Canadian company (Garda): profits on anti-migrant violence travel translationally.
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
kudos to macklemore here for —right off the bat— the perspective and acknowledgment of who the real victims are
September 14, 2026 at 4:57 PM
kudos to macklemore here for —right off the bat— the perspective and acknowledgment of who the real victims are
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
why would you even care if you dog was autistic.
like, even in a world where dogtism is real why would it matter if your dog had it. he’s literally just here to vibe.
like, even in a world where dogtism is real why would it matter if your dog had it. he’s literally just here to vibe.
May I remind everyone that there is currently NO cure for rabies.
May I also remind everyone there is absolutely NO scientific proof connecting ANY vaccine that we produce today with autism.
This is true regarding vaccination in both humans AND in dogs.
Vaccinate your pets please.
May I also remind everyone there is absolutely NO scientific proof connecting ANY vaccine that we produce today with autism.
This is true regarding vaccination in both humans AND in dogs.
Vaccinate your pets please.
September 14, 2026 at 4:31 PM
why would you even care if you dog was autistic.
like, even in a world where dogtism is real why would it matter if your dog had it. he’s literally just here to vibe.
like, even in a world where dogtism is real why would it matter if your dog had it. he’s literally just here to vibe.
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
A difficult truth: if a man in your life does not demonstrate in a definitive way that he loves and respects other women in his life - and that is very different from finding women attractive - then he does not love and respect you.
September 14, 2026 at 2:50 PM
A difficult truth: if a man in your life does not demonstrate in a definitive way that he loves and respects other women in his life - and that is very different from finding women attractive - then he does not love and respect you.
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
We are not going to get out of the fascism problem by accepting just enough fascism to turn the heads of the fascism-curious.
September 14, 2026 at 1:01 AM
We are not going to get out of the fascism problem by accepting just enough fascism to turn the heads of the fascism-curious.
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
When disabled people oppose Assisted Dying, it’s almost never from a religious point of view.
It’s not because we’re anti-choice or that we want to force people to suffer.
We oppose it because society devalues disabled lives and uses these programs in an unethical manner.
They become eugenics. 🧵
It’s not because we’re anti-choice or that we want to force people to suffer.
We oppose it because society devalues disabled lives and uses these programs in an unethical manner.
They become eugenics. 🧵
September 12, 2026 at 3:16 AM
When disabled people oppose Assisted Dying, it’s almost never from a religious point of view.
It’s not because we’re anti-choice or that we want to force people to suffer.
We oppose it because society devalues disabled lives and uses these programs in an unethical manner.
They become eugenics. 🧵
It’s not because we’re anti-choice or that we want to force people to suffer.
We oppose it because society devalues disabled lives and uses these programs in an unethical manner.
They become eugenics. 🧵
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
September 12, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
One of AI’s Fiercest Critics Says All the Doom Talk Is ‘Meant to Distract Us’ - Timnit Gebru argues that AI companies are stoking fears of extinction to avoid discussing actual harms, like autonomous weapons. | WIRED www.wired.com/story/one-of...
One of AI’s Fiercest Critics Says All the Doom Talk Is ‘Meant to Distract Us’
Timnit Gebru argues that AI companies are stoking fears of extinction to avoid discussing actual harms, like autonomous weapons.
www.wired.com
September 11, 2026 at 3:39 PM
One of AI’s Fiercest Critics Says All the Doom Talk Is ‘Meant to Distract Us’ - Timnit Gebru argues that AI companies are stoking fears of extinction to avoid discussing actual harms, like autonomous weapons. | WIRED www.wired.com/story/one-of...
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
Folks this is satire. About AI.
I resigned from ExxonMobil today. I spent the last three years doing fossil fuel extraction research at both BP and ExxonMobil. Neither company is acting responsibly. They are racing to maximize extraction while the window to act closes, and gambling with our lives. More below.
September 12, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Folks this is satire. About AI.
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
After three years, today is my last day at Anthropic. They found me hiding in their bathroom's ceiling and kicked me out.
September 11, 2026 at 10:29 PM
After three years, today is my last day at Anthropic. They found me hiding in their bathroom's ceiling and kicked me out.
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
Oh my GOD
AN URGENT EXCLUSIVE: Ahmed Soliman, the 30-year-old gay man ICE expelled in April to Equatorial Guinea, a country he has no ties to, was arrested this morning and cannot be located, his attorneys say. They fear he may be in one of EG's torture prisons. prospect.org/2026/09/11/i...
Immigrant Trump Sent to African Hotel Prison Arrested After Speaking With Media, Lawyers Say - The American Prospect
Ahmed Soliman’s attorneys fear he may have been sent to one of Equatorial Guinea’s notorious torture prisons.
prospect.org
September 11, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Oh my GOD
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
Two things it’s hard to convey if you weren’t alive back then: the extremity of hysteria, nationalism and Islamophobia the attack prompted, and how efforts to capture this can inadvertently obscure how Islamophobic things already were.
September 11, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Two things it’s hard to convey if you weren’t alive back then: the extremity of hysteria, nationalism and Islamophobia the attack prompted, and how efforts to capture this can inadvertently obscure how Islamophobic things already were.
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
When I explained that folks had a right to celebrate the death of Charlie Kirk, folks called my department and demanded I be fired.
I’m still here and I regret nothing. Live shamed and die empty, you bigoted fucks.
I’m still here and I regret nothing. Live shamed and die empty, you bigoted fucks.
September 10, 2026 at 4:48 PM
When I explained that folks had a right to celebrate the death of Charlie Kirk, folks called my department and demanded I be fired.
I’m still here and I regret nothing. Live shamed and die empty, you bigoted fucks.
I’m still here and I regret nothing. Live shamed and die empty, you bigoted fucks.
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
Millennium math problem solved by OpenAI may have "regurgitated" competitors unpublished work... also they spent more than $22 million in computing power in one week to scoop them.
techcrunch.com/2026/09/08/o...
techcrunch.com/2026/09/08/o...
OpenAI fought dirty on career-making math problem, says NYU mathematician | TechCrunch
There is a $1 million bounty for the first person providing a solution to the Navier-Stokes existence and smoothness problem.
techcrunch.com
September 8, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Millennium math problem solved by OpenAI may have "regurgitated" competitors unpublished work... also they spent more than $22 million in computing power in one week to scoop them.
techcrunch.com/2026/09/08/o...
techcrunch.com/2026/09/08/o...
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
friends! i haven’t asked for you to donate to rent in awhile but i got a request in our inbox for an undocumented ecuadorian mother of two who is $850 short on her $1700 rent
you think we could raise that? maybe helping someone will make me feel less shitty
venmo @ziibiing
pp: @standwithminnesota
you think we could raise that? maybe helping someone will make me feel less shitty
venmo @ziibiing
pp: @standwithminnesota
September 9, 2026 at 12:20 AM
friends! i haven’t asked for you to donate to rent in awhile but i got a request in our inbox for an undocumented ecuadorian mother of two who is $850 short on her $1700 rent
you think we could raise that? maybe helping someone will make me feel less shitty
venmo @ziibiing
pp: @standwithminnesota
you think we could raise that? maybe helping someone will make me feel less shitty
venmo @ziibiing
pp: @standwithminnesota
Reposted by Mollie Holmberg
Accusing AI critics of not doing the reading is funny because usually it’s AI users are the most likely to have not done the reading
So what now then
So what now then
September 8, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Accusing AI critics of not doing the reading is funny because usually it’s AI users are the most likely to have not done the reading
So what now then
So what now then