David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 6hA fantastic thread that all male parents of sons should read. I'd add that yes, talk with your sons (not AT them), but also live the example you want them to become, with how you interact with your spouse, your mother, and your female friends and colleagues. They learn what they see. 040
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.Anita Devineni @anitadevineni.bsky.social · 29/09/2026The Emory Biology department is hiring a tenure-track ecologist at any rank. Deadline is Nov 1, link below! As I've said many times before, I couldn't ask for a more supportive department. Our faculty colleagues, dept chair, and admin staff are truly awesome ❤️ apply.interfolio.com/191783 2114139
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.Dominique Baker @bakerdphd.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Shot: "We asked 37 top academics and researchers who study education to rate a range of ideas for both effectiveness and cost, on a scale of 1 to 7." Chaser: "The panel included: Dominique Baker..." LOL y'all I read so many papers to complete this survey on k12 www.nytimes.com/2026/09/28/u...nytimes.com30 Ideas for Fixing U.S. Schools, Ranked by ExpertsMath and reading scores are in a decade-long slump. We asked three dozen experts: What could turn things around? 825752
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 26/09/2026This horrific outcome is being repeated across agencies, as outlined in Project 2025. It’s intentional. 000
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Hey @governor.pa.gov , want the easiest win of the year? Wildly popular, good policy, real impact, low cost? Help save the academy of Natural Sciences in Philly. creators.yahoo.com/lifestyle/st...creators.yahoo.comAmerica's oldest natural history museum is closing this week — but not without a fightThe oldest natural history museum in America shuts its doors this month. Here's what we're losing inside (it's big), and why City Hall is fighting back. 8859445
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 22/09/2026I’d add “restore decision-making based on science” (and “restore scientific funding”), but… priorities. This list is a great start. 010
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Semi driver filling up his tank six days ago breaks $1,000 for 155 gals: "Almost 30 years of driving trucks and that's a first." Now, imagine this scene in front of every offshore commercial fishing boat loading 2500 gals before a trip. These costs are not sustainable for most US fisheries. 010
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Then again, historians of South Florida would recognize this as *exactly* the way that Napoleon Bonaparte Broward — 19th Governor of Florida — approached “developing” South Florida. 000
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.Dominique Baker @bakerdphd.bsky.social · 21/09/2026This would align with what I pointed out in last months column: the money is a means to control over higher ed. It's not a genuine interest in funding "better science." www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...insidehighered.comThat Same Ol’ Authoritarian PlaybookThroughout history, autocrats have gone after higher ed finances to control institutions’ culture. 03010
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Anyone else miss the days when the USG used evidence-based infrastructure for decision-making? I sure do. An interesting thread 🧵 below. 020
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Seems like it would be a great opportunity for any elected official Democrat to remind voters what they stand to protect, not just what they oppose. 010
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 18/09/2026The US commercial and recreational fishing interests — which both backed him by large margins — would like a word. 020
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Wait until recreational charter boats and commercial crab/lobster boats in the Florida Keys face similar restrictions re diesel and non-ethanol gas. French and other EU countries’ fishers have blocked entire ports for less. 020
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 15/09/2026My latest turtle rescue, a large-ish native Florida red-bellied cooter, just prior to release in a nearby freshwater lake — with a release assist from my excited-to-help teenage daughter. 010
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 15/09/2026In a sane world, SCOTUS would recognize that they shouldn’t be hearing these cases, that lower courts and *adherence to existing law* would be sufficient. CJ Roberts owns all of this chaos. 000
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.Ward Q. Normal (he/him) @wardqnormal.bsky.social · 13/09/2026The cognitive dissonance of "we can't lose the technology & innovation race to China" vs. "we're gonna charge taxes and deny visas and basically make it impossible for anyone to come here to do scientific research" is astonishing, even for this administration. 08927
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.SFDB @sfdb.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Good explainer from @theatlantic.com on the impact the proposed reduction of property taxes will have on Floridians. "...property taxes are levied on people who can afford them. The typical homeowner earns twice as much as the typical renter, and has 43 times the net worth."theatlantic.comThe Property-Tax RevolutionStates can’t afford these cuts. 075
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.Craig Pittman @craigtimes.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Cheers! #Florida craft breweries launch 'Pints for Parks' initiative. www.tallahassee.com/story/news/l...tallahassee.comCheers! Florida craft breweries launch 'Pints for Parks' initiativeFlorida State Parks Foundation is partnering with eight craft breweries to release special beers for public lands. 2104
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Yes, but with a tweak: two of the three are actually just too busy on social media and their phones to notice that they could have prevented us all from being there in the first place.  000
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 10/09/2026While the article focuses on the Census Bureau, NOAA is also under Commerce, to say nothing about how this rule change could serve as a template for US scientific agencies in other departments. newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/the-senten...newsletter.platypuseconomics.comThe Sentence That Used to Protect American Statistics"Protection from inappropriate influence is a hallmark of scientific integrity." That line governed the Census Bureau and then the White House quietly disappeared it. 020
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Indeed. I grew up in PG County, Maryland taking amazing school field trips to these museums. It’s also a daily reminder that the GOP-controlled US Congress could stop this at any time… but doesn’t. 110
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.Craig Pittman @craigtimes.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Connecting the Corridor: A state-supported land conservation effort is trying to save remaining #Florida green spaces before development creeps in. www.floridatrend.com/feature/2026... via @floridatrend.bsky.socialfloridatrend.comConnecting the CorridorA state-supported land conservation effort is trying to save Florida’s remaining green spaces before development creeps in. 0196
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 01/09/2026"Under systems of intimidation and fear, seemingly impartial processes [for hiring, promotion, and recognition] will tend to reward whoever is least targeted by censorship. " - J. Nathan Matias @natematias.bsky.social Essential reading.blog.ucs.orgProtecting Science from Government IntimidationIn an era where people can easily publish ideas and find an audience online, how much damage can a travel and immigration policy actually do to the integrity of science and industry? Lots. 28329
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 29/08/2026A really good read on why our Navy is structured as it is, as well as what we’re losing under our dimwitted current (mal)Administration. 010
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.Matt Shipman (he/him) @shiplives.bsky.social · 28/08/2026“Sad” = absurd, infuriating, and tragic. 0104
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 28/08/2026The worst part of this EO (like the EO renaming the Gulf) is that otherwise bright, insightful agency employees are legally required to follow this bullshit. Most seem visibly pained when they have to explain the renaming, both during live presentations and in their written explanations in papers. 010
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 27/08/2026The most amazing cover song you'll see this week. We truly lost a national treasure. 010
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 27/08/2026An interesting take that I want to digest further. However, I certainly notice in my own college classes that women are generally more organized and more engaged. Whatever the ultimate reason, it’s an increasingly unhealthy divide for society. celestemdavis.substack.com/p/male-fligh...celestemdavis.substack.comWhy aren't we talking about the real reason male college enrollment is dropping?We would rather talk about literally everything else. 111
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 26/08/2026I’m saddened by the loss to humanity today but simultaneously reminded of the change that even one person can do with goodwill in their heart. We need to remember that take-home. Thank you and Godspeed, Dolly. 020
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Clearly, I’m not the only one who noticed. 020
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 25/08/2026We so soon forget — or never learned — that the destruction of civil service employment protections was an explicit Project 2025 goal. It’ll take a lot of assurances to get those good folks back and/or recruit new ones. 020
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.Joshua Weitz @joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 25/08/2026NSF just announced its GRFP solicitation due in October - deadline varies by field: www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo... Now for the bad news... * NSF estimates they will issue 1,500 awards, down from 2,500+ last year. * NSF removed STEM Education and Learning Research as a Major Field.nsf.govNSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) 6139169
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Competency was a liability in Trump I, which is why “the adults in the room” were all either excluded or purged in Trump II. There was never, ever even the hint of a mystery why we couldn’t “win” a war-of-choice against Iran. 020
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 24/08/2026The quote of the year. If repairable at all, the destructiveness of this (mal)Administration on the US reputation will take decades to rebuild. 000
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.net · 24/08/2026🚨WARNING🚨 Today is the LAST DAY to leave your public comment on the NSF Proposal. The Proposal implements some of Vought's Science-Destroying OMB Proposal plans in advance: zurl.co/9nywR Leave your public comment TODAY using our guide & tool: fight2win.standupforscience.net/campaign/Pro...fight2win.standupforscience.netStand up for ScienceStand up for Science 4106132
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 24/08/2026“Come from Away” is an amazing musical based on this story — we re-listen to it every September. How the US government is now choosing to demonize *Canada* is a statement. To my Canadian friends and family, please know that we are fighting this abhorrent decision as best we can. Elbows up, indeed. 100
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 23/08/2026If I’d written on a law exam simply an answer, my profs would’ve laughed at it. Given the short decision by CJ Roberts to stay the injunction that would’ve halted East Wing construction, we should put it in everyday context. If they don’t show the work, we don’t need to follow SCOTUS either. 000
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.Colin Carlson @colincarlson.bsky.social · 20/08/2026year 1: there's still grant funding, but we may need to change how we talk about our work, or what we work on year 2: the government has disappeared one billion dollars of science funding. it is unclear why they did that or where that sits within concepts like "the rule of law" 8981421
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.Matt Shipman (he/him) @shiplives.bsky.social · 18/08/2026Buying rare books so that you can feed them to a machine and then destroy them sounds like the plot of a cartoon bad guy in the 1980s. But it’s real now. These people are just total jerks. www.404media.co/we-tracked-a...404media.coWe Tracked a Shipment of Rare Books. It Ended at an Amazon AI Training FacilityWe placed a tracking device in a shipment of rare books to see which AI company was buying it, and found an Amazon facility where Amazon scans and destroys books. 082
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 16/08/2026I actually do try to moderate my language here, but as a prior service member, it’s infuriating that (a) it’s *still* happening, (b) GOP Senators and Representatives aren’t being grilled about it by the press, and (c) it’s not front-page, leading story stuff on every venue. 163
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Ten very bad, no good things the latest Trump Administration has done to the oceans – Southern Fried Sciencesouthernfriedscience.comTen very bad, no good things the latest Trump Administration has done to the oceansThe last 18 months have been an absolute nightmare for U.S. ocean and conservation policy. But here are the top ten worst things (in no particular order) this administration has done to marine cons… 02212
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 15/08/2026For those in the back, this is how peer-reviewed science dies at the hands of political missives. US science developed a mechanism for removing political influence on funding decisions; this rule change eliminates decades of work. If you’re a scientist that votes for any Republican candidate, GFY. 000
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Every local TV station and newspaper should be checking *right now* whether any of their local folks are aboard. I suspect that their family members would like a word. 000
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Another way of framing this wildly erratic and costly decision is: “Who would benefit from this order?” If your easy answer is Russia or China (ie, a Taiwan invasion), then there might be a reason for that. 000
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Another reminder that this (mal)Administration wouldn’t be able to do these regulatory changes without someone knowing specific details about these programs. Russ Vought is an easy target, but they also have some folks within these agencies that are similarly complicit. 010
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.Anonymous Potato @anonymouspotato.bsky.social · 05/08/2026EcoEvoJobs 2026-27 just opened for business and we've already got 79 faculty / permanent jobs listed. Please repost! ecoevojobs.netecoevojobs.netecoevojobs.net 2026-27 1176208
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 10/08/2026A great thread. The systematic dismantling of the administrative state was well-planned by the execrable Heritage Foundation in its Project 2025. We'll need an opposite of the similarly execrable Russ Vought to even start to rebuild it -- and the guardrails to prevent this from happening again. 020
David Kerstetter, Ph.D. @fishguydave.bsky.social · 09/08/2026Yes, I will be that one anti-AI person. Anyway, some good advice here, and same concepts apply to those students looking for MS/PhD program major advisors. We can see a list of accomplishments in your CV. Instead, tell that potential advisor how/why you’d help make their lab group better. 040
Reposted by David Kerstetter, Ph.D.Jeff (Hot Type) Jarvis @jeffjarvis.bsky.social · 05/05/2026WTF, NYer. "If we agree that college primarily serves a credentialling process that stamps select young people as worthy of work..." We do not. So much for the bastion of erudite journalism. This is sensationalism, damaging our most vital institution: education. www.newyorker.com/news/fault-l... 2403631704