Joshua Lüdtke
@joshualudtke.bsky.social
He/him. Mammalian paleontology PhD candidate paused. On Kumeyaay lands. This fall I work as an anatomy and zoology instructor and a mitigation paleontologist. The Zionist entity's settler colonial occupation of Palestine is illegal, unethical, and immoral.
Seems bad
This is the future of scientific papers.
Instead of a PDF, the paper is an AI agent that you can talk to, ask questions, run analyses.
No more digging through supplements - just ask the paper directly: "what p-value cutoff was used in Fig 3B? Re-run at 0.01."
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Instead of a PDF, the paper is an AI agent that you can talk to, ask questions, run analyses.
No more digging through supplements - just ask the paper directly: "what p-value cutoff was used in Fig 3B? Re-run at 0.01."
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reimagining research papers as interactive and reliable AI agents - Nature
Paper2Agent converts research papers into interactive artificial intelligence agents by turning manuscripts, code and data into model context protocol-based tool-invoking systems that reproduce origin...
www.nature.com
September 17, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Seems bad
A good response to the recent backpedaling being seen by the Talarico campaign. Hoping that feedback like this from likely voters helps him and his campaign to recalibrate and recommit to advocating for the rights of trans Americans.
I finally sat down and wrote an email to the Talarico campaign. Doing nothing felt untenable. I encourage other decent Texans to communicate their disappointment. If this can help you get started, feel free to use anything that works for you
September 15, 2026 at 5:57 AM
A good response to the recent backpedaling being seen by the Talarico campaign. Hoping that feedback like this from likely voters helps him and his campaign to recalibrate and recommit to advocating for the rights of trans Americans.
A few months ago when us Californians got to choose which governor candidates got to be on the November ballot, I was convinced Tom Steyer was a better choice than Xavier Becerra for several reasons, including that Mr. Becerra has been ... Inconsistent in supporting trans rights. Hope he improves.
Seems like a good time to re-up this post. It is a list of 26 Dems at the statewide/national level that have made anti-trans statements or voted anti-trans policies.
I do not advocate for abstaining from all of the ones on this list, but if the worst offenders who call us “biological men,” I do.
I do not advocate for abstaining from all of the ones on this list, but if the worst offenders who call us “biological men,” I do.
The Guide To Anti-Trans Democrats In The 2026 Elections, By State
These are the Democrats that LGBTQ+ people may wish to avoid this election cycle.
www.erininthemorning.com
September 12, 2026 at 11:37 PM
A few months ago when us Californians got to choose which governor candidates got to be on the November ballot, I was convinced Tom Steyer was a better choice than Xavier Becerra for several reasons, including that Mr. Becerra has been ... Inconsistent in supporting trans rights. Hope he improves.
An article from this week exploring and examining some of the ideas of what could happen with the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia (ANSP) if Drexel cannot be convinced to change their mind. Philadelphia: keep up the pressure! Remind Drexel that ANSP closure is really unwise!
Here's the big one: what's going to happen to the Academy's collections? Excellent and thorough reporting from the Inquirer (gift link) www.inquirer.com/arts/academy...
The Academy of Natural Sciences museum is closing, but all eyes are on its specimens — all 19 million of them
"Profound concern" over the fate of the Academy and its internationally significant collection.
www.inquirer.com
September 12, 2026 at 3:48 PM
An article from this week exploring and examining some of the ideas of what could happen with the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia (ANSP) if Drexel cannot be convinced to change their mind. Philadelphia: keep up the pressure! Remind Drexel that ANSP closure is really unwise!
Say it louder for the cowards in your party.
In Massachusetts, we have a responsibility to protect the vulnerable and stand up for those who need it. We don’t throw trans kids under the bus for political points. We protect them—and all of our neighbors—because trans rights are human rights.
September 11, 2026 at 6:18 AM
Say it louder for the cowards in your party.
Whoever is advising Talarico (and other human rights confused Democrats) to talk this way needs to be fired. Trans people are not a talking point. They are real members of American society who need protection. Throwing them under the bus like this is genocidal speech.
Talarico: "I oppose trans athletes playing in girls' sports if it endangers safety or fairness"
September 9, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Whoever is advising Talarico (and other human rights confused Democrats) to talk this way needs to be fired. Trans people are not a talking point. They are real members of American society who need protection. Throwing them under the bus like this is genocidal speech.
One of the consequences of having a popular first name is that there are so many Joshs out here acting the fool. I dunno if Hannah Goss or Josh Turek is being foolish, but Democrats need to be *strongly in favor* of trans people having human rights. Democrats don't win by abandoning human rights.
Josh Turek in Iowa now takes the strongest anti-trans stance of any Democrat yet.
“Josh opposes taxpayer-funded sex changes, and anyone who says otherwise is lying,” said Hannah Goss, a spokeswoman for the Turek campaign.
This would include Medicaid and adult care.
“Josh opposes taxpayer-funded sex changes, and anyone who says otherwise is lying,” said Hannah Goss, a spokeswoman for the Turek campaign.
This would include Medicaid and adult care.
September 9, 2026 at 5:33 PM
One of the consequences of having a popular first name is that there are so many Joshs out here acting the fool. I dunno if Hannah Goss or Josh Turek is being foolish, but Democrats need to be *strongly in favor* of trans people having human rights. Democrats don't win by abandoning human rights.
So far in my life I have not used one of the newer generation chatbots to generate text. I don't know how much longer this will be an accurate statement; the chatbot companies are really pushy about everyone using their technology. I've avoided workplace trainings that use them. So far. 😬
RT if you've never had a tab of ChatGPT open, period.
RT if you've never had a tab of ChatGPT open 'just to do quick research'
September 8, 2026 at 7:58 AM
So far in my life I have not used one of the newer generation chatbots to generate text. I don't know how much longer this will be an accurate statement; the chatbot companies are really pushy about everyone using their technology. I've avoided workplace trainings that use them. So far. 😬
This person does not understand how chatbots work. Sad, but the chatbot companies are spending a huge amount of money in telling lies to their customers about their products
This is the crux of the debate, right? Whether it's doing mimicry or reasoning. I struggle to see how you could view it as purely mimicry. It has to tie together multiple novel thoughts in a logical construction to create its responses.
September 8, 2026 at 7:51 AM
This person does not understand how chatbots work. Sad, but the chatbot companies are spending a huge amount of money in telling lies to their customers about their products
Tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow. If you're in Philadelphia or nearabouts and you can show up for science, you should.
Posters ready
Speakers lined up
See you at the rally on Tuesday at 10am in front of the academy of natural sciences.
We’re asking Drexel, the Academy Board, and the city to find a way to keep the museum open to the public.
RSVP luma.com/1qwnrqz2
Speakers lined up
See you at the rally on Tuesday at 10am in front of the academy of natural sciences.
We’re asking Drexel, the Academy Board, and the city to find a way to keep the museum open to the public.
RSVP luma.com/1qwnrqz2
September 7, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow. If you're in Philadelphia or nearabouts and you can show up for science, you should.
I was just at a gym where I heard a dubstep-type remix of Papa Roach's "Last Resort" and my new political platform is that all the songs that were released when I was in high school should be dubstepified. Dubstep Stone Temple Pilots, someone.
September 6, 2026 at 5:29 PM
I was just at a gym where I heard a dubstep-type remix of Papa Roach's "Last Resort" and my new political platform is that all the songs that were released when I was in high school should be dubstepified. Dubstep Stone Temple Pilots, someone.
Reposted by Joshua Lüdtke
you can tell Claude writes great code because every website in 2026 has an ever-increasing frequency of timeouts, blank pages, weird errors, and downtime. imagine a carpenter telling you "use this or get left behind" and they hand you a hammer that hits your hand instead of the nail 20% of the time
September 6, 2026 at 5:23 PM
you can tell Claude writes great code because every website in 2026 has an ever-increasing frequency of timeouts, blank pages, weird errors, and downtime. imagine a carpenter telling you "use this or get left behind" and they hand you a hammer that hits your hand instead of the nail 20% of the time
For people looking for further information and context on the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia (ANSP) news, here's a good link with good comments
@diplotomodon.bsky.social has substantially increased the value of this post with a lengthy comment explaining the context. This is part of a larger pattern of Philadelphia cultural institutions getting shafted, and the interests of real estate developers are clearly in play. Please give it a read.
New blog post: The Academy of Natural Sciences is closing—how we got here and what you can do. Probably nothing you haven't already heard, but increasing the signal to anyone who has missed the news. extinctmonsters.net/2026/09/05/a...
September 5, 2026 at 10:31 PM
For people looking for further information and context on the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia (ANSP) news, here's a good link with good comments
"the hard-left streamer"
Phrasing
But also there are some Left policy ideas that Piker doesn't agree with. For example he doesn't believe in prison abolition, because he believes that prison sentences are appropriate forms of justice for Trump Administration criminals. He ain't "hard-left"
Phrasing
But also there are some Left policy ideas that Piker doesn't agree with. For example he doesn't believe in prison abolition, because he believes that prison sentences are appropriate forms of justice for Trump Administration criminals. He ain't "hard-left"
Hasan Piker is the new Democratic litmus test—and many in the party aren’t happy about it, @elainegodfrey.bsky.social writes.
The Hasan Piker Question
Many Democrats would like him to go away.
bit.ly
September 5, 2026 at 2:30 PM
"the hard-left streamer"
Phrasing
But also there are some Left policy ideas that Piker doesn't agree with. For example he doesn't believe in prison abolition, because he believes that prison sentences are appropriate forms of justice for Trump Administration criminals. He ain't "hard-left"
Phrasing
But also there are some Left policy ideas that Piker doesn't agree with. For example he doesn't believe in prison abolition, because he believes that prison sentences are appropriate forms of justice for Trump Administration criminals. He ain't "hard-left"
Some action items on the topic of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia (ANSP). It's literally the oldest publicly accessible natural history museum in the US and certain individuals at Drexel University are choosing to close its exhibits. Tell them that's a silly choice 😀
Please repost!
Drexel announced that it will close the Academy of Natural Sciences public museum- the oldest nat history museum in the US.
There are 2 petitions to support the academy. Please sign both & come to our rally Tues.
actionnetwork.org/petitions/pe...
www.change.org/p/the-academ...
Drexel announced that it will close the Academy of Natural Sciences public museum- the oldest nat history museum in the US.
There are 2 petitions to support the academy. Please sign both & come to our rally Tues.
actionnetwork.org/petitions/pe...
www.change.org/p/the-academ...
September 5, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Some action items on the topic of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia (ANSP). It's literally the oldest publicly accessible natural history museum in the US and certain individuals at Drexel University are choosing to close its exhibits. Tell them that's a silly choice 😀
If the transphobes do not end up paying for their crimes then our cultures and societies will never truly heal.
i wish they would leave trans people alone, i really do
BREAKING: The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Friday that it reached an “agreement” with Mount Sinai Health System in which it will “cease providing” gender-affirming medical care to minors and dedicate $2 million to providing care to those “suffering harmful consequences” of such care.
September 5, 2026 at 2:22 PM
If the transphobes do not end up paying for their crimes then our cultures and societies will never truly heal.
Further signal boosting for events in Philadelphia intending to tell Drexel University to get the egg off their face and announce that the ANSP exhibits are not closing at the end of September
ALSO, we're hosting a poster making party at @indyhall.org on Sunday, noon to 2pm!
luma.com/567osi4m
(Shout out to @absolutely-not.bsky.social for coming up with that slogan, damn that's good)
luma.com/567osi4m
(Shout out to @absolutely-not.bsky.social for coming up with that slogan, damn that's good)
September 4, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Further signal boosting for events in Philadelphia intending to tell Drexel University to get the egg off their face and announce that the ANSP exhibits are not closing at the end of September
This is good. Even if Drexel chooses to not change their mind, their responsibility in this matter will be made abundantly clear
Attention Philadelphia!
We're hosting a rally to demand that Drexel University maintain The Academy of Natural Sciences Museum open to the public.
Join us on Tuesday morning at 10am in front of the academy. Please spread the word, we need all hands on deck!
RSVP here: luma.com/1qwnrqz2
We're hosting a rally to demand that Drexel University maintain The Academy of Natural Sciences Museum open to the public.
Join us on Tuesday morning at 10am in front of the academy. Please spread the word, we need all hands on deck!
RSVP here: luma.com/1qwnrqz2
September 4, 2026 at 7:00 AM
This is good. Even if Drexel chooses to not change their mind, their responsibility in this matter will be made abundantly clear
I've seen some comments on Instagram telling people to either send feedback to Drexel (Drexel is who is making the decision) or the government of Philadelphia (???). Drexel leadership is a better idea than city government but also just tell any billionaire you know to pay their taxes.
Was slumming it on fb and ig to see reactions to the Academy of Natural Sciences closing. It’s heartening that people are pissed. But it’s astonishing/enlightening how little understanding there is of what *any* museum is, who runs them, and how they’re funded.
🧵with dinosaur pics for attention
🧵with dinosaur pics for attention
September 4, 2026 at 12:34 AM
I've seen some comments on Instagram telling people to either send feedback to Drexel (Drexel is who is making the decision) or the government of Philadelphia (???). Drexel leadership is a better idea than city government but also just tell any billionaire you know to pay their taxes.
I like that The End of Oak Street is not part of the Jurassic Park film franchise and therefore is way more willing to make some risky choices, such as having a giant limbless tetrapod
September 2, 2026 at 9:48 PM
I like that The End of Oak Street is not part of the Jurassic Park film franchise and therefore is way more willing to make some risky choices, such as having a giant limbless tetrapod
Reposted by Joshua Lüdtke
New #artwork! "Western Leviathan", a surrealist-inspired portrait of "Max", the holotype skull of the Pacific mastodon (Mammut pacificus), collected from what is now the Diamond Valley Reservoir. On display in the "Inspired Collections" exhibit at Western Science Center. 🐡🦖🧪 #watercolor #artist
September 2, 2026 at 2:51 PM
New #artwork! "Western Leviathan", a surrealist-inspired portrait of "Max", the holotype skull of the Pacific mastodon (Mammut pacificus), collected from what is now the Diamond Valley Reservoir. On display in the "Inspired Collections" exhibit at Western Science Center. 🐡🦖🧪 #watercolor #artist
I very simply do not understand why this intellectual property is still generating income. Most fans have on because Joanne Roanne happily tells everyone she will use their money to fund hate crimes.
As a new Harry Potter trailer makes the rounds, it bears repeating that there’s no way to watch this show without supporting J.K. Rowling’s bigotry and the structural violence she’s inflicting on the trans community.
There is no ethical consumption of HBO’s Harry Potter series
You can’t without supporting Rowling’s transphobic bigotry.
www.theverge.com
September 2, 2026 at 3:55 PM
I very simply do not understand why this intellectual property is still generating income. Most fans have on because Joanne Roanne happily tells everyone she will use their money to fund hate crimes.
The only paleontology or paleontology-adjacent name I recognized on this (rather bad) petition is the paleoartist who got at least partially cancelled after her eugenics and "race science" support became more known about. She still has a postdoc, apparently.
There’s a petition signed by more than one hundred academics (& counting!) in support of Nathan Cofnas—the racist who instigated the pile on that led to J. Arday’s death—because he lost his postdoc. Apparently there’s nothing a white man can do that deserves consequences.
forbetterscience.com
August 25, 2026 at 11:08 AM
The only paleontology or paleontology-adjacent name I recognized on this (rather bad) petition is the paleoartist who got at least partially cancelled after her eugenics and "race science" support became more known about. She still has a postdoc, apparently.
A cartoonist I can't quote "tweet" said
"voters who are not Extremely Online probably have no idea who hasan piker is. I *barely* do myself, and I am in fact Extremely Online."
And the issue about being Extremely Online is that ... There are generational silos. 20 something EO is not 40 something EO
"voters who are not Extremely Online probably have no idea who hasan piker is. I *barely* do myself, and I am in fact Extremely Online."
And the issue about being Extremely Online is that ... There are generational silos. 20 something EO is not 40 something EO
August 23, 2026 at 10:16 PM
A cartoonist I can't quote "tweet" said
"voters who are not Extremely Online probably have no idea who hasan piker is. I *barely* do myself, and I am in fact Extremely Online."
And the issue about being Extremely Online is that ... There are generational silos. 20 something EO is not 40 something EO
"voters who are not Extremely Online probably have no idea who hasan piker is. I *barely* do myself, and I am in fact Extremely Online."
And the issue about being Extremely Online is that ... There are generational silos. 20 something EO is not 40 something EO
This skull was bee-yoo-tiful (but then again all horse skulls are gorgeous) and it was a delight to see it at yesterday's PaleoCon. Glad that the Western Science Center has built up this annual gathering of local (and not-local) paleontologists.
For #FossilFriday: a skull of the extinct horse Equus scotti under study in the collections at the Western Science Center in Hemet, California, US. The fossil was recently recovered from Pleistocene sediments (~ 500 ka) in Murrieta, CA, US, & will be showcased at the WSC's annual PaleoCon event. 🐎🧪
August 23, 2026 at 4:03 PM
This skull was bee-yoo-tiful (but then again all horse skulls are gorgeous) and it was a delight to see it at yesterday's PaleoCon. Glad that the Western Science Center has built up this annual gathering of local (and not-local) paleontologists.