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Richard Lenski

@relenski.bsky.social
6K followers 923 following 526 posts

Evolving better E. coli for 75,000 generations. Prof at MSU, but opinions my own. (Ok, I also speak for billions -- er, TRILLIONS -- of E. coli.) Website for LTEE: the-ltee.org Banner pic from NYC, shared by Darwin. (The microbiologist, not the other one.)

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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 12h
Multiple Russian data centers attacked and destroyed by Ukrainian drones. Seems like this is a big story in several respects. substack.com/@marijnmarku...
substack.com
Russian Yandex lost 𝟕𝟎% of its infrastructure because Ukraine keeps setting data centers on fire
A dire lesson to any nation building data center today
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Reposted by Richard Lenski
Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Former VP Mike Pence: “President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian fuel amidst Putin’s ongoing and brutal attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine makes no sense and is a betrayal of the legacy and leadership of the late Senator Lindsey Graham.”
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Nicholas Grossman @nicholasgrossman.bsky.social · 8h
Uh oh, did someone’s website and personal account experience a big drop in activity after Ukraine hit a Russian data center?
Elon Musk: “Zelensky has gone too far”

https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2109033017184338141
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Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · 8h
Ukraine blows up Russian data centres and immediately and mysteriously online talk about Germany’s Far Right AfD virtually disappears. Stop Putin you stop the Far Right.
Chart showing online talk about the AfD going off a cliff edge
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 12h
Multiple Russian data centers attacked and destroyed by Ukrainian drones. Seems like this is a big story in several respects. substack.com/@marijnmarku...
substack.com
Russian Yandex lost 𝟕𝟎% of its infrastructure because Ukraine keeps setting data centers on fire
A dire lesson to any nation building data center today
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Reposted by Richard Lenski
Steven Strogatz @stevenstrogatz.com · 10/10/2026
I chatted with @radiolab.bsky.social about math and AI – hope you enjoy the conversation radiolab.org/podcast/math...
radiolab.org
Math Vs Machine
Machines are answering our hardest problems. Does it matter if we don’t understand how?
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Ian Ramjohn @iramjohn.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
This should be common sense *even if* AI were sentient. Like the example of the tiger in the article, if you trained your tigers to unlock their cages, I don't see how you'd avoid liability if they unlocked their cages and mauled people. And there's no evidence that any AI actually is sentient.
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
The administration keeps telling us that ICE is in our cities to make us all feel safe, but if they're goons in plainclothes bum rushing vehicles with guns and pounding on the windows, how exactly does that make anyone feel safe?
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DC Council @councilofdc.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
This is clearly not acceptable
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pmamtraveller.bsky.social @pmamtraveller.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Octopus Mosaic in Pompeii, Italy
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Andrew Lawrence @ndrew.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
they did the thing
an october 11 2025 post from me reading: every single tech idea is like “soon our robots will be capable of playing catch with your kid, freeing you up to spend more time working on your employers’ spreadsheets”
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
#LTEE now past 83,000 generations. Keep on evolving!
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Will Ratcliff @wcratcliff.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Out today in @nature.com: our review on how single cells evolve into multicellular organisms. With Ozan Bozdag, @kaitong25.bsky.social, Peter Yunker, and @matthewherron.bsky.social. rdcu.be/9ZuiKow9twKa For an overview, check out the video below.
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Ira Zibbu @coolscootre.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
www.asimov.press/p/theory-bio...
asimov.press
On the Role of Theory in Biology
Biology is often seen as an experimental science, with theory serving to generalize patterns from empirical data. But history reveals that theory plays a more generative role in discovery itself.
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Rich Meisel @richmeisel.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
We're hiring an Assistant or Associate Professor in Evolutionary Biology in my department at the university of Houston @uh-ecoevo.bsky.social Come be my colleague careers.uh.edu/jobs/assista...
careers.uh.edu
Assistant or Associate Professor - Evolutionary Biology - Houston, Texas, United States
Department: Biology and Biochemistry Salary: Commensurate with experience Description: The Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Houston seeks to hire an evolutionary biolog...
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The Adami book is much deeper, broader, and philosophical than that sort of thing. I agree, libraries are a great source of books!
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Here's a link to @chrisadami.bsky.social 's book, which I highly recommend: press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
press.princeton.edu
The Evolution of Biological Information
Why information is the unifying principle that allows us to understand the evolution of complexity in nature
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Just wait until the AI agent signs you up for 173 subscriptions you didn't want. 😰
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Alex Merz 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇺🇦 @merz.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This. So much this! "These advances make it tempting to equate experimental cataloguing and accurate prediction with the growth of our theoretical understanding of biological processes – an equivalence we believe is ultimately misleading."
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Thanks! Had to refresh my memory of this from Darwin: "About thirty years ago there was much talk that geologists ought only to observe and not theorise; and I well remember some one saying that at this rate a man might as well go into a gravel-pit and count the pebbles and describe the colours."
darwinproject.ac.uk
To Henry Fawcett   18 September [1861] | Darwin Correspondence Project
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I think the ideas in this paper are very interesting and important when contemplating the future of #biology, especially cell and #molecular biology. Will there be grand new #theories? Or is it a giant hair ball of #chaos and #contingency?
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
"Philosophy of Biology: The power of theory in the life sciences" elifesciences.org/articles/112... @zdblount.bsky.social shared this thought-provoking paper with the lab group.
elifesciences.org
Philosophy of Biology: The power of theory in the life sciences
Theory can help address cell and molecular biology’s major challenges, particularly those arising from large omics datasets.
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
And they are "not anticipating that every piece of research equipment needs to be shut down and unplugged." So maybe every other one? Or maybe another unanticipated surprise?
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
But at least we were "encouraged"!
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
As a precaution, research personnel are encouraged to identify any unprotected sensitive equipment and safely power it down and unplug it before midnight tonight. We are not anticipating that every piece of research equipment needs to be shut down and unplugged. [Crazy lack of detail!]
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
• Power Plant personnel are working to restore normal service to MSU campus. Between midnight tonight & ~3:00 a.m. tomorrow, there is a potential power quality event or temporary service interruption that could affect equipment not protected by surge suppressor or uninterruptible power supply.
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
#MSU labs. If you haven't seen it, new warning from IPF about possible power surge sometime between midnight and 3 am. Unplug sensitive equipment if not on surge protector! I'll copy email below.
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Leslie B Vosshall PhD @leslievosshall.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Transformative opportunity for postdocs @hhmi-science.bsky.social #HannaGray Fellows competition opens 11/3/2026 but you can get started NOW: view application components, establish eligibility, and unlock example applications and other resources www.hhmi.org/programs/han...
hhmi.org
Postdoc-Faculty Transition Program | Hanna H. Gray Fellows | HHMI
The Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program supports postdoctoral scientists as they launch careers in academic science, equipping them to pursue scientific research at the highest levels and to recruit, mentor...
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Dmitri Petrov @petrovadmitri.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
We are searching for an Assistant Professor in Evolutionary Biology! Looking for colleagues asking fundamental questions relating to evolutionary processes and drivers of evolutionary patterns. If you think it is you, please do apply! And please repost. facultypositions.stanford.edu/jobs/assista...
facultypositions.stanford.edu
Assistant Professor in Evolutionary Biology - Stanford University, California, United States
The Department of Biology at Stanford University seeks applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Evolutionary Biology. A successful candidate will conduct research that asks fundamental que...
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CBS News @cbsnews.com · 15/09/2026
CBS News Exclusive: New photos reveal widespread damage at multiple U.S. positions across the Middle East caused by Iranian attacks.
cbsn.ws
New photos show widespread damage at U.S. positions caused by Iranian missile, drone attacks
The images were sent to CBS News by active service members under condition of anonymity.
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I just read that Bob Ricklefs has passed away. His "Economy of Nature" text (condensed version of his "Ecology" text) started me on my scientific journey. www.nature.com/articles/s41... A good person as well as terrific scholar. I've attached a picture of us from the 2013 SSE meeting in Snowbird.
Ricklefs and Lenski on grassy slope with snow covered mountains behind them.
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
In above reply, I'm referring to counties on the Nature map, as best I can discern the faint county lines -- not the map you shared, which is interesting.
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Hmm, ok. But then some of the counties in Michigan and Wisconsin look like they are entirely in Lake Michigan!
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
What happened to Michigan? AI map? 😂
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Hoodlum 🇺🇸 @nothoodlum.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Paul Simon pays tribute to the victims of 9/11 by performing “The Sound of Silence.”
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Graham Coop @gcbias.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I’m looking to hire an NIH funded postdoc to join our lab here at Davis (please RT). Ongoing areas of interest include: 1) polygenic signals of selection from time series, ARGs, GWAS, etc 2) The interpretation of GWAS, polygenic scores, & sources of confounding
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Jess Calarco @jessicacalarco.com · 11/09/2026
I'm thinking today of my father-in-law, who, along with other federal workers, was tasked with sifting through the towers' rubble, with the goal of returning remains and personal belongings to families who lost loved ones. He rarely talks about it, but when he does, it's clear the pain is still raw.
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Diversify Microbiology @diversifymicro.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
UNC Greensboro Department of Biology is hiring for three positions this year including one in microbiology! spartantalent.uncg.edu/postings/35918
spartantalent.uncg.edu
Assistant Professor Microbiology
The Department of Biology at UNC Greensboro (UNCG) seeks an individual with a strong record of accomplishment in microbiology broadly defined for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assista...
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Personal reminiscence of September 11 telliamedrevisited.wordpress.com
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Congratulations to Heran Darwin (@heran.bsky.social), Arturo Casadevall (acasadevall1.bsky.social), and all of the ASM awardees! asm.org/press-releas... @asm.org
asm.org
ASM Names 2027 Awards and Prize Program Honorees
ASM announces the recipients of its 2027 Awards and Prize Program. The awards recognize leading scientists and researchers in the microbial sciences for outstanding accomplishments and contributions.
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Congratulations to Heran Darwin (@heran.bsky.social), Arturo Casadevall (acasadevall1.bsky.social), and all of the ASM awardees! asm.org/press-releas... @asm.org
asm.org
ASM Names 2027 Awards and Prize Program Honorees
ASM announces the recipients of its 2027 Awards and Prize Program. The awards recognize leading scientists and researchers in the microbial sciences for outstanding accomplishments and contributions.
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NPR @npr.org · 09/09/2026
A decade after taking a knee, Colin Kaepernick has no regrets and is reflecting on his life in his new memoir, The Perilous Fight. He talks to NPR's Michel Martin about losing football, his disappointment with Jay-Z and what the protest taught him about power. n.pr/4gUJspE
n.pr
Colin Kaepernick reflects on Jay-Z 'disappointing' him, losing the NFL and finding his power
A decade after taking a knee, Colin Kaepernick has no regrets and is reflecting on his life in his new memoir, The Perilous Fight. He talks to NPR's Michel Martin about losing football, his disappointment with Jay-Z and what the protest taught him about power.
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Richard Lenski @relenski.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A nice timeline of the #LTEE in the #MSU Spartan #Science magazine: spartanscience.natsci.msu.edu/evolution-in...
spartanscience.natsci.msu.edu
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Drummond Lab @drummondlab.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
We are hiring! 🌟 Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Chicago is searching for a tenure-track assistant professor. It's a broad search: we want great colleagues doing serious biological work at the molecular scale. Join us! apply.interfolio.com/191981 bcmb.uchicago.edu
A picture of the University of Chicago campus, with downtown Chicago in the distance and Lake Michigan on the horizon. The campus's central quad is pictured, a classical collegiate quad with paths and old trees and stone architecture. It's really pretty and I love it.
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
This is what Trump did on 9/11.
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Brian D. Wade @astrobrian.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Before the Exodus? Young Scientists and the Future of US Science #academicSky #scienceSky #academia #science www.nber.org/papers/w35330
nber.org
Before the Exodus? Young Scientists and the Future of US Science
Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, an...
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Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
BLS, with revised 2Q data: “The labor share, which is the percentage of output that accrues to workers in the form of compensation, was 52.8 percent in the second quarter of 2026, the lowest level in the series, which begins in the first quarter of 1947." (via @mtkonczal.bsky.social)
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Stephen Heard @stephenbheard.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
In the Year of Our Lord 2026, I've just had a peer reviewer recommend that we change our methods from active voice to passive voice. Good thing I know something I can cite to establish why We. Are. Not. Doing. That. scientistseessquirre... 1/2
scientistseessquirrel.wordpress.com
The Scientist’s Guide to Writing
While running experiments and collecting data are important things, they don’t contribute to science unless we write up the results and share them with our colleagues and the world.  This means tha…
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I feel like I’m going to throw up
Screen shot of an Instagram post that says the academy of natural sciences is closing its museum after nearly two centuries
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Brian J. Enquist @bjenquist.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Thrilled to announce that my department - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology - at the U of Arizona will likely be hiring for a tenure-track position in "Population and Community Ecology" this fall. Watch this space for more details and official announcements coming soon ... #Ecology #EcologyJobs 🌐🌾🧪
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