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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋

@humanbyweight.bsky.social
6.5K followers 71 following 3K posts

Alie Kratzer | Engineer + Scientist + Entrepreneur + Author | 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ she/her

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Reposted by 🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋
feeb @magicmooshka.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
it’s come to my attention that my tumblr post has been crossposted to bluesky, so I’m posting it on my account here #AntiAI #GenAI
recently my friend's comics professor told her that it's acceptable to use gen AI for script-writing but not for art, since a machine can't generate meaningful artistic work. meanwhile, my sister's screenwriting professor said that they can use gen AI for concept art and visualization, but that it won't be able to generate a script that's any good. and at my job, it seems like each department says that AI can be useful in every field except the one that they know best.

It's only ever the jobs we're unfamiliar with that we assume can be replaced with automation. The more attuned we are with certain processes, crafts, and occupations, the more we realize that gen AI will never be able to provide a suitable replacement. The case for its existence relies on our ignorance of the work and skill required to do everything we don't.
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Raven Amos (Autumn Edition)🎨🐦‍⬛ @alaskanime.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I'm probably going to get muted or blocked for this, but as a fellow science communicator, using AI-generated imagery/text is really a bad look all around. It not only steals from your fellow scientists because it's all trained on stolen data, it also makes up fake science.
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
This is like the fourth consecutive night of waking up from dreams about industrial electrical wiring... I'm sure you can guess what we're doing at work this month. -w-
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Princeton finally handed off some advance copies for the 2nd Edition of my wasp book, and they look phenomenal! Thank you everyone for your exceptional patience! Go order it right now!! press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
A photo of me (a white woman with long brownish hair wearing glasses and a dark blue shirt) holding an advance copy of my book "The Social Wasps of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean: Second Edition" in front of an old wooden railing and some lush sassafras leaves. There is a big illustration of a bald-faced hornet on the cover. 

This photo is slightly misleading, since it was taken by my mom a year ago in 2025, immediately before we noticed the major printing errors in the plate series that required us to completely redo the printing from scratch. My joy is nonetheless real, and I feel justified in using this photo since I never posted it the first time around. It's all good now!
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Tim Gaedke @timgaedke.com · 26/09/2026
talent is a lie
a cartoon picture of a frog throwing a crooked looking clay vase with the words “talent is a lie, just do it anyway”
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Gen-AI models are kinda interesting from an evolutionary ecology perspective. The tech folks want to iteratively create more powerful tools, but since the models don't follow a pre-written algorithm, each iteration mostly just results in software that is more likely to be replicated.
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Video by @oddpride.com youtube.com/shorts/Zetiz...
youtube.com
"we had to destroy the village to save it" #freepalestine
YouTube video by Astrid Lundberg
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fravery.bsky.social @fravery.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"The Wind" Painting created in 1988 By Pang Maokun
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Attention Philly Families! It is critical that we show Drexel and city government that our enthusiasm for the Academy of Natural Sciences is going strong! Bring your kids, friends, & neighbors down to the parkway on Saturday from 2-6pm. It's a kid-friendly rally to support the academy!
dinosaurs and bugs happily party together at the Save the Academy family rally. Saturday September 26, 2-6pm 1900 ben Franklin parkway, come dressed as your favorite dinosaur, insect, animal, or just yourself! There's a duck billed dino, a triceratops, a brachiosaurus, a pterodactyl, a millipede, dragonfly, and beetle!
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melts @meltsmelts.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
#deltarune Heh, you know we got this
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
We have *six days* left until the Academy of Natural Sciences, North America's oldest Natural History museum, is scheduled to close it's doors. Here are *six reasons* why we cannot - and will not- let that happen.
a slide that says 6 days until the doors close -- 6 reasons we can keep them open, save-the-academy.org @savetheacademy
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
It's crazy that recreational children's sports in the US aren't co-ed by default.
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Russell Garwood @russellgarwood.co.uk · 15/09/2026
Interested in how species diversity is split between major animal groups? Here is the infographic for you! 🧪⚒️🦀🦑 #evosky
An infographic showing the number of described and estimated species for major animal groups. There are more insects than anything else. Of the remaining groups, arachnids and nematodes are the most diverse.
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
I love that part of my job is getting to answer questions from kids about bugs. That makes me think I must be doing something right. 😄
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Congratulations on the book @bittelmethis.bsky.social! I just received my copy today, and it is a work of art.
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Per a conversation with @raccoon.pizza I bet more human facial mites have been to space than any other animal
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Mike Melton @mikemelton.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Zammara smaragdina #cicada at @casabentbill.bsky.social #costaRica #nature #insects
Bright turquoise cicada with clear, veined wings perched on a moss-covered tree trunk.
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Extremely weird time in history to technically be the CEO of a tech startup
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Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 14/09/2026
Cis people do not understand how much trans people's rights have regressed in just 5 years. 5 years ago, there were none of these restrictions. 19 states banned legal recognition 21 states have bathroom bans 8 states ban gender marker changes on DLs 25 ban gender affirming care for trans youth
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franz @franzanth.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Moth 1/12 - Acherontia #Art #SciArt
Illustration of a mostly black moth with bright yellow hindwings and black-yellow striped abdomen. On the thorax is a face-like pattern with two black fake eyes surrounded in cream.
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Painting the same butterfly at age 20 and 30. Never give up on your art!
Two digital paintings of the same large yellow-and-black tiger swallowtail butterfly. The one in the upper left is labeled "2016." It has a more painterly style with some questionable proportions and anatomy. The one on the bottom right is labeled "2026" and is far more realistic, to the point it looks as though it might come to life and flit off the page at any moment. It's hard to believe I've only been a scientific illustrator for ten years, though that really was a whole lifetime ago. Thank you HRT for letting me live this long. :)
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Alex Wild @alexwild.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Find the moth.
Photo of rough tree bark
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The "trans kids shouldn't play sports" thing only works if you believe (1) women are physically inferior to men, always and without exception (2) the only point of kids playing sports is to win (3) transition isn't real so forgive me for not believing that you give a shit about feminism or fairness
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Christina Evans @christinae.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
White-footed Leafcutter Bee (Megachile albitarsis), waiting for rain to come, on the seed head of button rattlesnakemaster (Eryngium yuccifolium). #InsectThursday #invertebrates #Florida #yard #nativeplants #macro
A square image featuring a White-footed Leafcutter Bee hanging upside down on the right side of a prickly brown seed head of button rattlesnakemaster. The bee has a black abdomen and white fuzzy stripes created by white hairs which are also on his thorax and legs. He has yellow hairs on top of the head area and a light greenish eye and two black antennae. The background is very pale greenish tan colors.
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franz @franzanth.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I don't check my redbubble enough to notice sales but how did this old shitpost suddenly become one of the highest selling pieces in my entire store lmao #Art #SciArt www.redbubble.com/i/poster/THE...
A parody of Edvard Munch's the scream of a figure standing on a bridge facing the viewer, screaming, but the figure has been replaced with the close up of a cicada. The background is swirly red.
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"Angel" Breel -> furpocalypse @angelbreel.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Remember to get your shots, animals~ :3 🎨: @eyeball6300.bsky.social
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jtkindt @jtkindt.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Inspired by this post to go check some out burnweed growing nearby. (Small chance it’s actually wild lettuce…) Did not disappoint! Found lots of nice bugs! #bugsky #insects #nativeplants
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⭐crumpy!⭐ @chronocrump.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
if you ever come across a noelle, be sure to remember these essential tips so you can recognize the signals in her body language!
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
More butterflies! Plus the first record of a King Swallowtail for my town. 😊
A photo of a Red Admiral butterfly on a purple field thistle. The butterfly is mostly dark brown and black with a smattering of reds and whites. A crisp photo of a Question Mark butterfly, named for a white "?" mark on the underside of its wings (which is not visible in this image). Instead, its wings are bright orange, fading to dark red and white along the edge, ending in two little tails. Its wings are decorated with bold black spots. It is sitting on a highly invasive plant with triangular leaves but shhhhhh enjoy the butterfly. A slightly blurry photo of an Eastern King Swallowtail (a.k.a. Giant Swallowtail) butterfly on a poofy purple field thistle. The butterfly's body is yellow, and its wings are black criss-crossed with yellow markings. The hindwing marks invoke the idea of an old map of a river. King Swallowtails are "locally common," which means they're easy to find in specific parks but relatively rare to find elsewhere.
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
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...
A poster featuring the T-Rex at the cognitive natural sciences, which says save the Academy natural sciences, museum rally in front of the academy 1900 Ben Franklin Parkway, Tuesday, September 8 10 AM. The T-Rex is saying tell Drexel keep the museum open. There’s an RSVP QR code and then the logos of Philly Science Action Skype scientist In Philly on the bottom.
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Kiana Mai @kianamai.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
FULLY ANIMATED EPISODE 1 IS OUT NOWWWW 🌟 youtu.be/6_7L80WaIuU?...
youtu.be
Pretty Pretty Please I Don’t Want to be a Magical Girl (EP.01 ANIMATED)
YouTube video by Kiana Khansmith
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Ever since I learned about the native plant American Burnweed I've been paying attention to all the insects that call it home. The sheer diversity is incredible.
A photo I took yesterday of a colony of chubby gray aphids (some of which have white spots) feeding on a stem of American Burnweed. The plant looks fairly nondescript. It's tall, but its flowers don't have flashy petals. You'd walk right by it if you didn't already know what it was.
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Here's another who was slightly confused about the whole "camouflage" thing. Bless her.
A photo I took today of a bright yellow crab spider trying her best to blend in with a cluster of bright pink flowers. She's a little confused but she got the spirit.
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Late summer is a time of butterflies
A photo I took of a red-spotted admiral butterfly behind the factory. The "red-spotted" part is on the underside so is not visible in this image. Instead, the butterfly is an iridescent black with a bright blue fringe along the edge of its wings. The butterfly was extremely cooperative with my photography, which is unusual for this skittish species. Naturally, it is sitting on an invasive autumn olive with an electrical pole in the background. It's only fair.
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
This bee must really like the flower it's on. It hasn't even moved the whole time I've been watching
The bee did not enjoy the flower. This is a photograph I took of an exceptionally well-camouflaged crab spider blending in amongst a sprig of bright yellow goldenrod out behind the factory. A hapless black bee is clenched tight and motionless within its jaws.
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D. Allan Drummond @dadrummond.art · 04/09/2026
Night eyes 😎 Finally got proper pictures of this amazing phenomenon! Mantises change their eye color (and light sensitivity) at night by transporting pigments from the surface of each compound eye unit toward the deeper eye region. Same female Tenodera sinensis, two different times. #bugsky
A female Tenodera sinensis mantis with dark black eyes against a light background, seen from very close up.A female Tenodera sinensis mantis with green/brown eyes against a light background, seen from very close up to show the details of her face. The pseudopupil is clearly visible on her left eye, facing the camera.
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Does anyone know of any resources or organizations for LGBT people experiencing sudden homelessness in the Twin Cities area? Asking for a friend. 😥‼️
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
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
A dinosaur on a white background with the text SAve the academy of Natural sciences museum rally Tuesday Sept 8 10am in front of the academy 1900 ben Franklin Parkway. "Tell Drexel University "Keep the museum open!" with the logos for Philly Science Action, Skype a Scientist, and Green Philly
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Kieran @toadally.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Candygloss Fossil
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Fawnduu🐮🔜 A Big Gay Market OCT 4th @fawnduu.com · 01/09/2026
The USDA is trying to recind the Roadless Rule which currently protects 45 million acres of National Forests from logging and deforestation. We have until September 20th to comment and tell the USDA we don't want this! File your comment w/ link below: action.outdooralliance.org/a/roadless-d...
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Thank you to everyone who's ever sent me fan mail. It really means a lot!! 💛
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
😭
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Moth 🔞 @mothaus.com · 31/08/2026
It's Moth Monday! *headbutts you* squeak *headbutts you* squeak *headbutts you* squeak *headbutts you* squeak *headbutts you* squeak
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Today is a great day so far! 😄 #InverteFest
A photo (taken by Zoey) of me holding not one but TWO morning scissor-grinder cicadas. They are both facing the same direction, equally engrossed in pondering the mysteries of our universe (which is to say, not at all). They are mostly black with a green pattern on the thorax and the edge of each wing. My pink shirt is just out of focus so you can't tell that it reads "I LOVE TITTIES AND WILD NATIVE POLLINATORS" - a gift from my friend Mattie. A photo of a cicada peeping over the edge of my finger, longing for Branch.
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
It's #InverteFest! You know what that means... Shameless self-promotion!
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Matt Bertone @bertonemyia.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Here's a cute little monkey #grasshopper nymph for your Friday 🥰 😍 #Orthoptera: #Eumastacidae Costa Rica
A bright green mottled grasshopper with short antennae and legs splayed out on a white background.A bright green mottled grasshopper with short antennae and legs splayed out on a white background.
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Zen🌱 @zencryptid.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Cicada Summer ✧˖°. I've had such a blast interacting with cicadas and learning about these amazing creatures this summer. I'm sad their season is almost over, but I look forward to seeing them again next year! #invertefest #cicada #sciart
Cicada illustrationCicada illustration
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Jen C Mars @jencmars.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Magicicada, I miss you #InverteFest 🪶 🐡
Photo of a large painted stylized illustration of a periodical cicada done in a tarot card style. The cicada has a black body covered in fine yellow hairs with orange wings and legs and red eyes. The background is a high saturation splash of blue that transitions to green, with gold outlines of branches framing the image. The number 13 is written in roman numerals at the top, and the word Magicicada - the genus of periodical cicadas - is inked in gold at the bottom. A hand holding a paintbrush slathered in gold ink is visible in the foreground, adding the final touchesThe same image of a magicicada poster but this time scanned and cleaned up so you can see the whole picture clearly
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🦋 Alie of the Woods 🦋 @humanbyweight.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
cigayda
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Ainsley S @americanbeetles.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
MOMMMMMM the dipterists are stunting on me again
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