Reposted by Jon PettersJon Phillips @jowiph.bsky.social · 30/09/2026One of the most underappreciated unforeseen consequences of the smartphone/streaming/social media era is the elimination of boredom as a key driver of creativity. Without boredom, there just isn't enough impetus for most people do go out and learn and do things. 321162
Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Super useful framing of all the problems with these 'tools' and how they are foisted upon us I suppose nitroglycerin could also be a tool... Might well use this (with due credit) in next semester's data mgmt course 122
Reposted by Jon PettersKelly Hereid @kellyhereid.bsky.social · 11/09/2026AI can be a powerful and useful tool, but the point of science, math, arts, and humanities is to drive greater human creativity and understanding, not just to spit out an answer. Important letter from the world of mathematics. 0237
Reposted by Jon PettersKristin Briney @kbriney.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Many people know how much I love consistent and descriptive file naming (So Much). Yet, I think we need to recognize that it's not the best strategy for data sharing. Shorter and clearer names are better. My reasoning explained: dataabinitio.com?p=1281 #dataSharing #OpenData #fileNamingConventionsdataabinitio.comFile Naming for File Sharing » Data Ab Initio 021
Reposted by Jon PettersMatt Gabriele @profgabriele.com · 02/09/2026I am very skeptical. I mean with this error rate it makes most of this useless! 3336689
Reposted by Jon PettersJon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 21/08/2026We have a new opening for the position of Data Management and Curation Consultant here in Virginia Tech University Libraries! This position will report to me, we'll begin reviewing applications after September 16th jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/data-ma... Please share!jobs.apply.vt.eduData Management and Curation Consultant - Blacksburg, Virginia, United StatesJob Description The Data Management and Curation Consultant provides expert guidance to researchers and students on data management activities across the research enterprise at Virginia Tech. This p... 002
Reposted by Jon PettersDr. Athena Masson @weathergoddess.bsky.social · 28/08/202621 years ago today #HurricaneKatrina was approaching the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi. This was the strongly worded forecast from NWS New Orleans a day before Katrina came ashore. #wx #wxhistory 1205
Reposted by Jon PettersLibrary of Congress @librarycongress.bsky.social · 25/08/2026The Library is devastated to learn of the passing of Dolly Parton, a music legend and titan of children's literacy. Her Imagination Library program has earned multiple Library Literacy Awards and, in 2018, she visited us to donate its 100 millionth book to our collection and host a story time. 🦋❤️ 194335167164
Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 21/08/2026We have a new opening for the position of Data Management and Curation Consultant here in Virginia Tech University Libraries! This position will report to me, we'll begin reviewing applications after September 16th jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/data-ma... Please share!jobs.apply.vt.eduData Management and Curation Consultant - Blacksburg, Virginia, United StatesJob Description The Data Management and Curation Consultant provides expert guidance to researchers and students on data management activities across the research enterprise at Virginia Tech. This p... 002
Reposted by Jon PettersColin 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" 8980420
Reposted by Jon PettersHenry Farrell @himself.bsky.social · 16/08/2026Hook and squeeze: how Democratic fundraising strategies are increasingly dependent on a relatively small number of elderly donors data4democracy.substack.com/p/hook-and-s...data4democracy.substack.comHook and SqueezeHow Democratic consultants, committees, and party leaders built a fundraising spam pipeline that funnels money from a captive pool of elderly donors into their own operations. 23515
Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 15/08/2026"...you might want to first check with your institution for their recommendations. Many universities and other research facilities own or support specific infrastructure for hosting papers, preprints, datasets, and other materials. Using your institution's repository may be the best option. " 000
Reposted by Jon PettersFr. Robert Ballecer, SJ @padresj.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Pro Tip: If you don't have at least two copies, in two different locations, one of which is on storage that you own, data doesn't exist. www.tomshardware.com/software/clo...tomshardware.comPBS broadcaster loses access to 50TB of data comprising 70 years of TV history after contracted cloud storage vendor goes defunct — public TV channel sues Iron Mountain data center, which hosts archiv...This wouldn't have been an issue if the organization bought a $1,000 NAS and populated it with a few hard drives. 991787669
Reposted by Jon PettersCeleste Labedz @celestelabedz.bsky.social · 12/08/2026I wouldn't call myself a cartoonist, but I had the vision and just needed it to be on paper to the best of my ability. 653559954
Reposted by Jon PettersShannon K. Supple @mazarine.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Librarians, archivists, scholars, publishers, USians: The US House of Representatives passed a bill (HR 6028) which would move the Copyright Office from the Library of Congress/legislative branch to the executive branch. Contact your senators to vote against! www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c... 193102
Reposted by Jon PettersTanya D. || Writer || Narrative Designer @cypheroftyr.bsky.social · 05/08/2026Daaaamn. “AI is the asbestos we're shovelling into the walls of our technological society. Our descendants will spend generations digging it out again, and the longer the bubble goes on without popping, the longer it will take to repair the damage." www.thenerve.news/p/cory-docto...thenerve.newsCory Doctorow: The people who tell you ‘AI is changing everything’ are lyingIt has become impossible to tell managers mesmerised by artificial intelligence that the tools are not, in fact, helpful. So employees just play along with the fiction to keep their jobs, writes our t... 361312417
Reposted by Jon PettersStephen Francoeur @stephenfrancoeur.bsky.social · 20/07/2026Dr. Jill Lepore on the ‘Artificial State’ Today, I’m talking with Harvard professor and New Yorker staff writer Dr. Jill Lepore about her new book, The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State, which comes… ift.tt/hgcSGErtheverge.comDr. Jill Lepore on the ‘Artificial State’They went and built the Torment Nexus. 053
Reposted by Jon PettersMatthew Murray 🦇 @midnitelibrary.bsky.social · 19/07/2026The "sequel"(?) to "You Are Reviewer 2" is now available to download for free. "So You've Been Told to Publish Your Data" is a solo d6-based "game" to "learn" about Research Data Management and Data Publishing. midnitelibrary.itch.io/publish-your... 📚 13416
Reposted by Jon PettersKatie Mack @astrokatie.com · 13/07/2026There is still time to submit your comment and tell the government that you don't want US research to be completely destroyed by politicians meddling in individual grants. You can submit your comments here: www.regulations.gov/commenton/OM... 11716562
Reposted by Jon PettersSociety for Scholarly Publishing @scholarlypub.bsky.social · 23/06/2026Guest Post — Legitimate but Not Loved: What Academic Librarians Think About AI - The Scholarly Kitchenscholarlykitchen.sspnet.orgGuest Post — Legitimate but Not Loved: What Academic Librarians Think About AI - The Scholarly KitchenWhile it’s true that AI may be viewed as "legitimate," it’s far from universally loved. Understanding that distinction tells us something important about how the technology may ultimately be adopted — and governed — within academia. 043
Reposted by Jon PettersKatharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · 23/06/2026We have a new entry in the climate dictionary under “irony” 181219493
Reposted by Jon PettersNeil Lewis, Jr. @neillewisjr.bsky.social · 22/06/2026"Program managers would normally rush to inform potential and current grantees about such dramatic changes. But the memo tells program managers to keep their mouths shut. 'This information is highly confidential...Please do not communicate anything to PIs.'” www.science.org/content/arti...science.orgExclusive: NSF slashes research programs to support new tech initiative, insiders sayUnexpected shift in funds has meant sharp drop in grants this fiscal year 78474
Reposted by Jon PettersScience Magazine @science.org · 22/06/2026Exclusive: The National Science Foundation is trimming this year’s budgets for hundreds of its traditional basic science programs by roughly 20% to 30%, even though its overall budget is down just 3%. scim.ag/4xY2KCmscience.orgExclusive: NSF slashes research programs to support new tech initiative, insiders sayUnexpected shift in funds has meant sharp drop in grants this fiscal year 10345290
Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 16/06/2026Just did a reference check for one of our past wage students...something I quite enjoy the opportunity to do! However, I was clearly talking to an automated system to do so...It was as hollow an experience as you might expect 020
Reposted by Jon PettersAbigail Goben @hedgielib.bsky.social · 11/06/2026Good morning and I am hiring! I'm looking for a colleague to join me in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. 📚 uic.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...uic.csod.comInstitutional Research AnalystPosition SummaryThe Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research is seeking a research data management professional to support the university's growing ... 189
Reposted by Jon PettersJess Calarco @jessicacalarco.com · 08/06/2026NEW from me in @pnas.org on the risks of data sharing with qualitative research: "Today, confidentiality risks are amplified by social media, surveillance, and AI tools, which make ample data about people publicly available, thus making deidentification less effective" www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... 626598
Reposted by Jon PettersTrish Greenhalgh @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social · 23/05/2026Every summer I repost this article on how to spot drowning. Please read it and pass on. In the last few years I’ve had SIX messages from people who saved a kid’s life after clicking on the link from my feed. slate.com/technology/2...slate.comDrowning Doesn’t Look Like DrowningDrowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect. 253133969737
Reposted by Jon PettersEQV Analytics @eqvanalytics.bsky.social · 21/05/2026"Greetings, disgusting meat sacks of the class of 2026! You worked hard to earn your degrees and are now entering the job market, where I am doing my best to see that you are replaced by AI. Yes, you personally, Emily. I hate you. Please stop booing! I have a lot of speech to go!" 07517
Reposted by Jon PettersAbigail Goben @hedgielib.bsky.social · 20/05/2026It's NIH grant season and I'm talking to a number of researchers with questions about the new DMSP form. Let us briefly marinate in the nonsense. (1/) 154
Reposted by Jon Pettersshauna @goldengateblond.bsky.social · 17/05/2026their stunned reaction proves how utterly disconnected from reality they are. they’re talking about something that’s literally destroying the job market and they’re surprised by the boos! turns out “hey kids wanna walk into this buzz saw” isn’t terribly persuasive messaging 31868157
Reposted by Jon PettersAbigail Goben @hedgielib.bsky.social · 15/05/2026The senior faculty at my place today had a really good starting conversation about concerns/expectations as we mentor colleagues re: GenAI (and other algorithmic tools -- but that's the big one) Here's the starter thoughts I had last week about all this: hedgehoglibrarian.com/2026/05/04/w...hedgehoglibrarian.comWhat Guidance Do We Give Junior Colleagues & Peers on use of AI?In my sphere there have started being a number of new conversations about use of GenAI in the use of scholarship and how that will impact assessment for promotion and tenure. We’re having the… 133
Reposted by Jon PettersAGU Science Policy @aguscipolicy.bsky.social · 15/05/2026@agu.org's Days of Action are driving change 🏛️🧪 Read how AGU’s Emille Beller advocated on the Hill alongside scientists for policies that strengthen, protect, and grow the scientific workforce.⬇️ eos.org/editors-vox/...eos.orgThe Impact of Advocacy: American Geophysical Union’s Days of Action - EosAGU’s Days of Action participants, representing 24 states and Washington D.C., joined together to advocate for bills growing, protecting, and strengthening the scientific workforce and ecosystem. 042
Reposted by Jon PettersData Rescue Project #DataRescue @datarescueproject.org · 07/05/2026Thanks to @theguardian.com for highlighting the people involved in the effort to save and demonstrate the importance of federal public data. ❤️🛟 www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...theguardian.com‘Things were going dark left and right’: the race to save US government datasets before they’re deletedGroup has banded together to rescue data as Trump administration has removed or altered data on climate change, reproductive health, LGBTQ people and more 22413
Reposted by Jon PettersAGU (American Geophysical Union) @agu.org · 27/04/2026🌍 This #EarthDay, AGU scientists gathered on Capitol Hill to advocate for science workforce policies that drive progress. Their voices help shape stronger communities, innovation, and our planet’s future. Get involved: spklr.io/63324EKgSG @aguscipolicy.bsky.social 073
Reposted by Jon PettersKatie Mack @astrokatie.com · 23/04/2026When Einstein developed general relativity the closest thing to a practical application that could even be imagined at the time was a slightly more precise description of where to look for the planet Mercury in the sky, and yet now we’d all be literally lost without it. Anyway: fund basic research. 5362851670
Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 23/04/2026That's me in the back left. Our VA legislative staffers were very friendly and conversational folks! 010
Reposted by Jon PettersKelly Hereid @kellyhereid.bsky.social · 18/04/2026Summer research experience is a critical pathway to train the next generation of scientists. I participated in a relative of the REU program (Keck geo consortium) which was super important training to make me competitive and prepared for grad school. Eating the seed corn. 0185
Jon Petters @jonpetters.bsky.social · 15/04/2026"Publishers can support this by enabling stronger linking between articles, data, methods, and reviews, and by investing in tools and formats that facilitate synthesis across disciplines" As one running a data repository, I agree publishers can do a lot more in linking to other research objects! 032
Reposted by Jon PettersWeRateDogs @weratedogs.com · 13/04/2026This is Sadie. She was finally reunited with her human, astronaut Christina Koch, after her mom’s voyage around the moon took her the furthest any human has ever been from their dog. She can't wait to hear all about the universe. 14/10 (IG: astro_christina) 198155582705
Reposted by Jon PettersScott McGrath @smcgrath.phd · 09/04/2026The Trump administration, via the Office of Personnel Management, has proposed an unprecedented requirement for health insurers to hand over detailed, identifiable medical records for more than 8 million federal workers, retirees, and their families. #MedSkyarstechnica.comTrump admin makes sweeping request for medical records of federal workersThe unprecedented proposal would give the Trump admin access to doctors' notes. 56040
Reposted by Jon PettersCarl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 09/04/2026Our PhD student Kennedy Orwa, who studies applications of AI to health care, was hastily deported today to Kenya along with his 13-year-old son without opportunity to speak to legal counsel. King 5 reports that he held a valid visa that was rescinded without explanation.king5.comUW graduate student deported through SEA as protesters demand answersA union representing University of Washington graduate student workers says Kennedy Orwa’s student visa was rescinded without explanation. 8541372247
Reposted by Jon PettersPam Herd @pamherd.bsky.social · 07/04/2026We do now know the NSF is proceeding with dissolving the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division. Congress might reverse it, but it is now already underway. YOU CAN NO LONGER SUBMIT FUNDING PROPOSALS TO SBE. Program officers are being moved to different parts of the agency. Call your Congress member 1279146
Reposted by Jon PettersEliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 06/04/2026🧵 Democracy feels like it's in a rough state at the moment across the globe, and we hear various explanations, like polarisation, extremism, disinformation, and loss of trust. But what if those explanations are mainly symptoms and we've been trying to treat them rather than the underlying causes? 822063650