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Elena Kazamia

@drkazzie.bsky.social
483 followers 455 following 40 posts

scientist, writer regular contributor to Nautilus magazine writing a book about algae

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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
We reach for "symbiosis" as a shorthand for harmony or neat partnership. But from 19th-century botany to modern lichen biology, the true nature of living together is far stranger. On heartbreak, de Bary, and why a lichen is actually a song: splashofelectricink.substack.com/p/a-lichen-i...
splashofelectricink.substack.com
A lichen is a song
We treat "symbiosis" as a synonym for ideal partnership, but the true nature of lichen reveals a much stranger, fluid reality.
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Adi Khen @adlysia.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Collage of some recent seaweed pressings #SciArt
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
I had a lot of catching up to do when it comes to reading sci-fi. But one voice stood out above all others after a spring of reading quite a few books - Ted Chiang. A little review on my substack here. Don't forget to add your voice in a comment: open.substack.com/pub/splashof...
open.substack.com
My Accidental Sci-Fi Spring (And Why Richard Dawkins Is Wrong About AI)
Driven by the uncanny era of silicon minds, I read thirty sci-fi books in three months. I found a few duds, a lot of magic, and the one writer who actually understands our future.
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
A plinth for verdant thoughts
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
In my essay on 'what are corals' I might have gone slightly overboard with the metaphors. I describe coral as 'stinging flowers', 'vases', 'mythological creatures' and 'crocheted rocks'. I guess my love language is metaphors #MarineLife 🪸 Lets keep them rolling in the comments 👇
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
To complement my feature on the coral reef tipping point for @nautil.us I wrote a deep dive essay on a fundamental question: who are the corals? #addOcean #naturewriting #newnaturewriting open.substack.com/pub/splashof...
open.substack.com
THE MOST FLUID OF STONES
The hardest question in coral biology is not how to save coral, but understanding what coral is.
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
After I read this piece @nautil.us I immediately bought Tennyson's new biography. Lovely to hear the author, Richard Holmes read some poetry too, embedded in the article. Tennyson is perfect for our moment of #newnaturewriting "Words, like nature, half reveal and half conceal the soul within".
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
My piece on the coral reef tipping point, with on the ground reporting from the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is out today for @nautil.us Ask me anything in the comments. Coral Reefs Are at a Tipping Point - nautil.us/coral-reefs-...
nautil.us
Coral Reefs Are at a Tipping Point
Coral Reefs Are at a Tipping Point: My underwater dive to discover whether the beautiful ocean organisms are ever coming back
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
There is a new magazine on the block, launched by some of my favorite journalists! A piece from the first issue @nowvoyagermagazine.bsky.social If you enjoyed Robert Macfarlane's @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social Is A River Alive, try nowvoyagermag.com/reporting/th... (story by @t-mcconnell.bsky.social).
nowvoyagermag.com
The Barrister Fighting to Give English Rivers Legal Rights | Now Voyager
Paul Powlesland, River Roding, UK, rights of nature, citizen scientists, legal rights rivers and trees, eco-activism.
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
What a beautiful essay by @brandonkeim.bsky.social in @nautil.us on dreaming bumblebees and asters. It is a balm for the heavy heart. The perfect autumn read. (And such masterful writing!) nautil.us/the-dreams-o...
nautil.us
The Dreams of a Bumblebee in Autumn
The Dreams of a Bumblebee in Autumn: Yes, bees dream. We can even imagine what.
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
I saw this rose on my walk today, and it was so obnoxiously beautiful, I decided it should live on forever in the metaverse. If AI is going to slop up all our writing and images on the internet, let the bots feast on this! And know that they could never even come close.
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Dr Sjúrður Hammer @sjurdur.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
Can I share this curious bit of Faroese art factoid. The first Faroese artist Díðrikur á Skarvanesi died in obscurity, but his illustration of Faroese breeding birds (approx 1830s) is truly unique and (mayb biased) but I think this great skua is particularly beautiful 🌍🧪 #ornithology #teamskua #art
Photograph of painting by Díðrikur á Skarvanesi depicting most of the Faroese breeding birds. Painted approximately in 1830. His paintings are now on display in the national museum and were discovered long after his death.
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
So excited to receive my copy of 'The lives of lichen' after visiting Professor Toby Spribille's lab at the University of Alberta. Lichen have been challenging biologists for 100+ years now, repeatedly pushing us to reconsider much of what we think we know about life. "Lichen is a song"...
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Cyrus Farivar @cfarivar.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
Salmon reach headwaters for first time in a century after California dam removal www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
sfchronicle.com
Salmon reach headwaters for first time in a century after California dam removal
Chinook salmon on the Klamath River made it all the way to the river’s headwaters in southern Oregon some 300 miles from the Pacific for the first time in over a century.
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
This morning I joined the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN): www.garn.org I am excited to hear about the work of local hubs, and especially the legal teams who are working towards building and enforcing legal protections for our ecosystems. ✌️💙
garn.org
Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN)
GARN is a network of organizations and individuals committed to the implementation of legal systems that respect and enforce Rights of Nature.
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Robert Macfarlane @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
International eyes needed on Ecuador rn, where an organised assault on constitutional integrity, land- & water-defenders, the rights of nature & Indigenous rights is currently in full swing, as directed by the newly elected president Noboa. Excellent piece here: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
theguardian.com
Indigenous and environmental leaders in Ecuador say they are facing state intimidation
Critics say referendum on rewriting country’s eco-friendly constitution is president’s latest pro-extractivist move
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
One of my favorite books to have on hand while writing is Werner's 'Nomenclature of Colors'. Legend has it that Darwin used to travel with a copy as well. Today I have been staring at the 'Purples' page and trying to decide which shade best describes the Pacific ocean at noon. Far far from land...
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Nautilus Magazine @nautil.us · 27/04/2025
The newest issue of Nautilus is here, and we're covering all things animals! Rhinos, mice, and you. Yes, even you. Subscribe today and get your copy of The Animal Issue: nautil.us/join/
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
A short piece I wrote on recent research into cats understanding human language
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California Grief Center (CGC) @caligrief.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
(1/5) On a distant savannah, two rhinos move like ancient stones under the sun. Najin and Fatu, the last of their kind, carry 10 million years on their backs. Their story asks: Can we outwit extinction—or just learn how to say goodbye? 🔗 nautil.us/the-last-of-... @drkazzie.bsky.social @nautil.us
nautil.us
The Last of Their Kind
Are efforts to resurrect the northern white rhino more technological hubris than genuine conservation?
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
The Last of Their Kind longreads.com/2025/04/24/n...
longreads.com
The Last of Their Kind - Longreads
"Are efforts to resurrect the northern white rhino more technological hubris than genuine conservation?"
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
My latest piece for @nautil.us on efforts to bring back the northern white rhino from the brink of extinction. This took six months of reporting, reading and trying to better understand the nuance of the debates around conservation. With my respect to all the voices, I invite you to read it!
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damniel spookradski @self.agency · 08/04/2025
in case you're wondering, "what's the harm in claiming an extinct species has been brought back from the dead" when it most certainly has not, our interior secretary is already using it to justify taking animals off the endangered species list
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to work with others to “conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.”

The Department of the Interior is excited about the potential of “de-extinction” technology and how it may serve broader purposes beyond the recovery of lost species, including strengthening biodiversity protection efforts and helping endangered or at-risk species.

The Endangered Species List has become like the Hotel California: once a species enters, they never leave. In fact, 97 percent of species that are added to the endangered list remain there. This is because the status quo is focused on regulation more than innovation.

It’s time to fundamentally change how we think about species conservation. Going forward, we must celebrate removals from the endangered list - not additions. The only thing we’d like to see go extinct is the need for an endangered species list to exist. We need to continue improving recovery efforts to make that a reality, and the marvel of “de-extinction” technology can help forge a future where populations are never at risk.

Since the dawn of our nation, it has been innovation – not regulation – that has spawned American greatness. The revival of the Dire Wolf heralds the advent of a thrilling new era of scientific wonder, showcasing how the concept of “de-extinction” can serve as a bedrock for modern species conservation.

The Dire Wolf revival carries profound cultural significance as it embodies strength and courage that is deeply encoded within the DNA of American identity and tribal heritage.

Breakthroughs of this nature will inspire leading minds and future generations of innovators to chase the impossible, capture it, and unleash its potential!

The Department of the Interior looks forward to a vibrant future full of innovation that advances core missions such as wildlife conservation.
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Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 07/04/2025
It's not a dire wolf. It's a gray wolf clone with 20 dire-wolf gene edits, and with some dire wolf traits. And here's my story! Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/s...
A gray wolf clone with dire wolf DNA edits.
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
For the love of blue 💙 and searching hard for that which is always there, a connection to the past
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
I wrote a piece on ancient tattoos! Incredible what laser aging can reveal, and strange to think that my own tattoo of a koi fish might long outlive me
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
I wrote about swamps in film, and had a ball with the lede 💚 (also, time it is, for a Yoda emoji, me thinks)
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
An incredible story of tragedy and resilience, and the personhood of a wave. I especially loved the ending, a gem.
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
This was one of the best reads of the year - such a thoughtful conversation between a philosopher and a deep thinker about AI, and the kinship (none!) between human and machine minds
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Nautilus Magazine @nautil.us · 09/12/2024
We've made a starter pack of Nautilus contributors! A great way to jumpstart your Bluesky experience with great science minds. go.bsky.app/RbETK5c
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
I met @jenniferraff.bsky.social a year ago today, almost to the day. I have spent much of the time since thinking about her work and the ethical questions it raises. My profile of Jennifer Raff, with much thanks to the editors, is now up with @nautil.us! Comments welcome nautil.us/an-archaeolo...
nautil.us
An Archaeological Reckoning
Jennifer Raff is on a mission to rewrite the history of human origins in the Americas.
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Nautilus Magazine @nautil.us · 05/12/2024
Archaeologists have long plundered Native American remains without consent or care for descendant communities. Anthropologist @jenniferraff.bsky.social is on a mission to make archaeology more ethical. "I can’t atone for the abuses of the past, but I can try to make the field better."
nautil.us
An Archaeological Reckoning
Jennifer Raff is on a mission to rewrite the history of human origins in the Americas.
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bioGraphic @biographic.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
#ThrowbackThursday to this story on the Copenhagen's ice library: 🧊🧊👶 hakaimagazine.com/features/the...
hakaimagazine.com
The Coolest Library on Earth | Hakai Magazine
At the University of Copenhagen, researchers store ice cores that hold the keys to Earth’s climate past and future.
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Zoë Schlanger @zoeschlanger.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
The Light Eaters is one of the @newyorker.com's Essential Reads for 2024. What unbelievably cool company to be in. Honored as hell. www.newyorker.com/best-books-2...
newyorker.com
The Best Books of 2024
The New Yorker’s editors and critics choose this year’s essential reads in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.
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Jack El-Hai @jackelhai.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
"What 700 years of historical data can tell us." Today's article pick from Damn History, a free monthly newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to writer @drkazzie.bsky.social! Subscribe to Damn History: buff.ly/3CqxZ0z nautil.us/plagues-stor...
nautil.us
Plagues, Taxes, Storms, and the Jet Stream
What 700 years of historical data can tell us about extreme weather.
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
current #mood
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
It continues to amaze me the places scientists look to study past #climate - tree rings, medieval texts, ice cores. A recent reveal is the reconstruction of the #Jetstream going back to the 1300s. I wrote about it for #Nautilus nautil.us/plagues-stor...
nautil.us
Plagues, Taxes, Storms, and the Jet Stream
What 700 years of historical data can tell us about extreme weather.
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Plankton shifts in a changing ocean. Not hugely surprising, but wonderful to see the data come together so convincingly: rdcu.be/d0CfS
rdcu.be
Migrating is not enough for modern planktonic foraminifera in a changing ocean
Nature - Low-latitude planktonic foraminifera are coping with rapid ocean warming, acidification and nutrient shifts by migrating to deeper water-column depths or polewards, displacing...
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Elena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
A poem for Monday morning. I read it seriously the first time over, and, the second time, I pretended it was written for Siri. Louise Glück, one of the Matins: (text in comments)
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Space @redditspaceviewes.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
The Ring Nebula looks like a portal - James Webb Space Telescope
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bioGraphic @biographic.bsky.social · 08/03/2024
Each year, over 75,000 square kilometers of purse seine nets are lost at sea—an area more than three times the size of Vermont. By Elena Kazamia. hakaimagazine.com/videos-visua...
hakaimagazine.com
In Graphic Detail: Gluts of Ghost Gear | Hakai Magazine
Each year, a staggering amount of fishing gear is discarded into the ocean.
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