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jimkakalios.bsky.social

@jimkakalios.bsky.social
219 followers 119 following 500 posts

Your Friendly Neighborhood Physics Professor. Condensed Matter Experimentalist and author of THE PHYSICS OF SUPERHEROES, THE AMAZING STORY OF QUANTUM MECHANICS and THE PHYSICS OF EVERYDAY THINGS.

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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Nobel Prize in Medicine for three neuroscientists who used light-gated ion channels to establish the field of optogenetics, which uses tiny lights to activate discrete groups of neurons in the brain. The Nobel Committee's bias against Thanagar means Carter Hall is once again snubbed.
Comic panle where Hawkman says: The light must be transformed into a ray that affects the amygdala in the brain, situated between the septal region and the hippocampus. Experimenal scientists have induced fear with electric shock to this part of the brain. Perhaps the light ray did it too!
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
This. Read the thread.
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
For many years now, I've lost interest in music. I listen to NPR while driving, and if the topic does not interest me, I turn off the radio and drive. Like the man said: Sometimes I sits and thinks and sometimes I just sit.
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Same. But I am able to prove, using (Bogart voice) geometric logic, that it is 100% undetectable. Even more that 100% even!
Photo of Humphrey Bogart testifying in film The Caine Mutiny
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
It was a big turning point for me when I realized that I was an outgoing introvert. I can turn it on teaching class, or giving talks, or meeting people. Left to my own devices, I'm a home body (even if the home happens to be a hotel room on the road).
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Sweet Georgia Brown!
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
As the long weekend comes to a close - I recall the Summer of Quirky Quantum Physics at the Univ. of MN! All six free lectures are available on youtube. Watching these videos will guarantee* the best Fall ever! *Results not guaranteed due to the Uncertainty Principle www.youtube.com/@UMNPhysics
youtube.com
UMN School of Physics and Astronomy
The official YouTube page of the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota.
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Geoff Bowden @geoffbowden.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
One of the biggest failures of universities is some of the lowest hanging fruit. Make the case to communities and states: do you like having doctors and teachers? Bridges and computers? Yes?You can’t have them w/o universities. Universities are for everyone, not just the people who attend them.
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
If you can stand a NYC setting
Cover of a double-novel book: Rex Stout's first two Nero Wolfe mysteries
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Bradford Pearson @bradfordpearson.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Whenever I’m down I watch this video of Dolly Parton joining Kenny Rogers during their joint 1985 tour. The crowd pop when she comes onstage mid-song is unlike anything I’ve ever heard.
m.youtube.com
We Got Tonight - Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers live 1985
YouTube video by dollyabba
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Only 1% of proton's mass is those 3 quarks. The binding energy creates a lavalamp of gluons and quark-antiquark pairs. See also Prof Aleksey Cherman's public lecture: Why Particles Don't Exist www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBAI...
Cartoon schematic of interior of proton, where a tiny superhero is bombarded with gluons and quark-antiquark pairs
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Vinson Loves Comics @vinsonlovescomics.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Art by Confounded Fowl, from Reddit

This comic by Confounded Fowl pokes fun at the massive scale of the Marvel cosmic entity Galactus by showing him straddling the globe. While the Fantastic Four confront him in New York, his legs casually land on a beach in Perth, Australia, where a local sunbather greets him with an unbothered "Ayo bro."
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Gail - Are you suggesting that they can just put something in a movie that isn't true? If that's your attitude, then I must say - Good Day, Madam. I said Good Day!
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
There's also the earlier version: [Edward G. Robinson as Odysseus] Now listen you muggs, we're going rowing past the Sirens, see. But you all are putting this wax in your ears, see, so you can't hear nuttin'. I want you muggs to tie me up, so I can hear them, but don't screwy in the head, see!
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Saturday reflections. I'm often asked which superheroes are the most scientifically plausible. Here are my top five: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6inY...
youtube.com
Top Five Most Scientifically Plausible Superheroes
YouTube video by College of Science and Engineering, UMN
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
This is what kills me over the current attacks on STEM funding for universities. The only way to train a research scientist is to have them do scientific research. You can read every book on basketball, but you won't be able to make a layup until you get on the court.
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Blocking you would be too easy, Mr. Bluesky.
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
With Spider-Man back in theaters, you no doubt are wondering - just how strong is Spidey's webbing? Fear not, True Believer! The wonders of real and Peter Parker' s webbing are explained here. Remember my last line in this short when you're watching Brand New Day! www.youtube.com/watch?v=898y...
youtube.com
Science Simplified: Spider-Man's Web Swinging
YouTube video by College of Science and Engineering, UMN
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
The @cse.umn.edu asked me about Spider-Man's wall-crawling. (Why they asked me - I'll never know! 🧐) Here's what I told them. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xt5...
youtube.com
Science Simplified: How does Spider-Man crawl up walls?
YouTube video by College of Science and Engineering, UMN
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Phil Plait @philplait.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
A black hole for Omega Centauri! Astronomers have finally found their first stellar mass black hole in the ridiculously spectacular star cluster… but there could be *ten thousand* more still waiting to be discovered. badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/a-black-ho... 🔭 🧪
badastronomy.beehiiv.com
A black hole finally found in Omega Centauri
The spectacular cluster has been the target for the search for a while now
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Just saw The Odyssey. Truly Epic. I have no words - they should have sent a poet. All seriousness aside, it was one of the most amazing films I've seen. There's an IMAX theater in MN, and this will definitely warrant the trip for a rewatch. I'd keep my eye on that Nolan kid - I think he's hot.
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Agreed. I'd buy turning humans into animals, but the cyclops is just fantasy.
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
The Twin Cities this morning has an air quality rating of > 330. Yikes.
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
In the list of heroes who do not *really* need motorized transportation, there is
Image of a toy featuring a Flash action figure riding a motorcycle
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
second to last page of FF $0 - Battle of the Baxter building. Dr. Doom throws his entire arsenal at the Thing, but he  can't stop him.
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wiredog @wiredog.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
@dandrezner.bsky.social
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
It's a tie between these two, but I think I give the edge to: Tom Sawyer, you tricked me. This is less fun than previously indicated. Let this corny slice of Americana be your tomb for all eternity.
Prof. Farnsworth, Fry and Zoidberg as the Prof. taunts: Choke on that, Causality" to 1947
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
It's a tie between this one share.google/5yLSodou9ZNU...
share.google
Google Image Result for https://media.tenor.com/Cm5B29VaAiIAAAAd/futurama-choke-on-that.gif
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Michael Virks @michaelvirks.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
If you have only got time to read 1🧵 today, this is that thread.
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Who put the Boom in the Boom-Shoo-Boom? Scientists and Engineers!
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
With Big Data comes big sorting problems. UMN Prof. Lucy Fortson and Oxford's Chris Linott founded the Zooniverse, where citizen scientists help identify images from astronomy to medicine to wildlife. Started 20 years ago, they have reached a milestone: twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/...
twin-cities.umn.edu
A milestone for Zooniverse
The University of Minnesota-connected citizen science platform logs its one billionth contribution to scientific knowledge.
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Jennifer Ouellette @jenlucpiquant.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
TIL that Weird Al Yankovic recorded this song, "Bob," with lyrics made up entirely of nonsensical palindromes. It's delightful. :) www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUQD...
youtube.com
"Weird Al" Yankovic - Bob (Official Video)
YouTube video by alyankovicVEVO
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
This Tuesday, the Summer of Quirky Quantum Physics continues at the UMN. Prof. Martin Greven, expert on Superconductors, will describe these fascinating materials, at 7 PM, June 30th at 10 Church St. (the Old Bell Museum). First the Knicks in 5, and now Free Physics! What's Next?
Headshot of Prof. Martin Greven and a high temperature superconductor exhibiting diamagnetic levitation.
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Grant Tanaka @granttanaka.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
remember to treat your daughter like a princess (marry her off to a head of state to consolidate power)
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
I'm building a team (Victor and three Doombots)
Four identical images of Dr. Doom by artist Alex Ross
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Randall Munroe @xkcd.com · 26/06/2026
Baryon Asymmetry xkcd.com/3263/
4-panel comic. (1) [Person floating near glowing black ball] PERSON: So you’re the creator of the universe? CREATOR: That’s me! So, got any questions? (2) PERSON: Oh man, so many. What’s the reason for baryon asymmetry? Why is most of the universe matter and not antimatter? (3) CREATOR: Crap. Did I forget the antimatter? One sec, let me just... (4) [explosions everywhere with “BOOM” sound effect]
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Pangea - Love it or Leave it!
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Tom Reagan’s Witch’s Hat @rufustsuperfly.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
It’s Roger Livesey’s birthday. The Life & Death of Col. Blimp is a favourite film & it’s largely due to the brilliant performances of Livesey and Anton Walbrook as lifelong friends from warring countries. This scene is sadly all too prescient about our current situation: youtu.be/vb2AlCaY_gk?...
youtu.be
Clip from "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp"
YouTube video by UrsusFox
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Met Office - weather and climate @metoffice.gov.uk · 23/06/2026
We’re proud to be celebrating International Women in Engineering Day! Engineering plays a vital role in everything we do & women are making an essential contribution, helping us deliver services that protect lives & drive progress. Read Tess’s journey: careers.metoffice.gov.uk/stories/insp...
careers.metoffice.gov.uk
Inspiring young women into engineering
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
We're doing it again! Another all-new, FREE public lecture series at the UMN! Doors open at 6 PM at the Old Bell Museum (10 Church St.). All invited and welcome for math-free explorations of Quantum Physics! Find out why we put the word Quantum in front of everything!
Poster for a free public lecture on quantum physics for the general public at the Univ. of MN
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
A proponent of the "Shut Up and Change Me!" interpretation.
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
I'll have a Galan of what he's having!
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
I hear voices in my head all the time They don't tell me nothing I don't already know.
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Doug Mack @douglasmack.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Just need everyone to know that the Belgium men's soccer team has new jerseys based on the art of Rene Magritte and this is the official photo shoot
Soccer player wearing fedora and with a green apple floating in front of his face, mimicking the Magritte painting "The Son of Man." The soccer player is wearing a jersey with a pattern of pink and blue stripes with half-visible spheres.Soccer player wearing fedora and with a green apple floating in front of his face, mimicking the Magritte painting "The Son of Man." The soccer player is wearing a jersey with a pattern of pink and blue stripes with half-visible spheres.Soccer player biting an apple. The soccer player is wearing a jersey with a pattern of pink and blue stripes with half-visible spheres.Soccer player wearing fedora and with a green apple floating in front of his face, mimicking the Magritte painting "The Son of Man." The soccer player is wearing a jersey with a pattern of pink and blue stripes with half-visible spheres.
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Shiv Ramdas Mens Rice Activist @nameshiv.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Unlike many other franchises of comparable size and longevity, there is a definitive best place to get started with Warhammer 40k and it is by making an appointment with the loan officer at your bank
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JosephScrimshaw @josephscrimshaw.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Thrilled to announce our horror film DEAD MEDIA has been picked up for distribution by the fantastic company @antennareleasing.bsky.social! There will be a theatrical roadshow this summer and down the road a streaming release AND a glorious physical media edition!
A poster for a horror film. A woman peeks over a DVD that is bursting with blue energy. The text reads: DEAD MEDIA. A new horror film written and directed by Joseph Scrimshaw. Theatrical roadshow coming this summer. Plus streaming and glorious physical media down the road. In the corner is the logo for the company, Antenna Releasing, featuring a stylized antenna emitting waves of energy
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jimkakalios.bsky.social @jimkakalios.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Wait - I thought Continental Philosophy referred to the Continental Trailways Bus Company! Oh man, I think I've been doing this wrong.
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John Maddening! @johnmaddening.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Olivia Miles is just so fun to watch. Passing, shooting, juking around defenders…she’s fast and Wiley and just looks heckin cool.
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All The Right Movies @alltherightmovies.com · 25/05/2026
ALIEN was released 47 years ago today. One of the definitive science fiction/horror movies, and among Ridley Scott’s best, the behind-the-scenes story is like the perfect organism… 1/39
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Alex Elizabeth Byrne McMillan @undeniablyalex.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
YOU’RE LISTENING TO SISYPHUS FM, THE HOME OF NON-STOP ROCK
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