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Shannon Palus

@shanpalus.bsky.social
11K followers 362 following 427 posts

Features editor at Slate with a special interest in science and health. Writer and runner.

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Reposted by Shannon Palus
Jeremy Stahl @jeremystahl.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
This piece from @nickkeppler.bsky.social is absolutely fantastic. Demolishes the myth of the male loneliness epidemic and explains the darker truth. slate.com/life/2026/08...
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
the great Margo Howard--the original main voice of Dear Prudence--died at 86. she really was the best in the biz. slate.com/advice/2026/...
slate.com
She Was a Legend. We’ll Never Forget Some of Her Best Advice.
"Cool your jets, and perhaps find a hobby."
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
fun little piece on the people who find the algae super interesting slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
Trump’s Reflecting Pool Fiasco Is Actually Really Cool—if You Ask the Right People
There's a green lining to the mess.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
a little different from the features I usually edit—and a real fun one! by novelist Krista Diamond slate.com/life/2026/06...
slate.com
He Spent Years Calling Out Women’s “Cottage Cheese Thighs”—and Worse. He Says He’s Sorry. I Met Him to Discover the Truth.
Millennials will know what I’m talking about.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
weed is a drug! weed is a drug! slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
I Thought It Was Better Than Drinking—and Maybe Even Healthy. I Never Expected it Could Take Me to a Dark Place.
This wasn’t at all what I imagined when I first lit up.
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Reposted by Shannon Palus
Rainesford Stauffer @rainesford.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Re: Rollins saying no one has been kicked off SNAP: In this story, I spoke to Sarah, a single mom who works two jobs and lost benefits, then had them reduced for unclear reasons, & Krysten, who lost SNAP because her household technically made too much. She makes $13/hour as a home health aide.
slate.com
It Could Lead to Tens of Thousands of Deaths. In the Meantime, It’s Wreaking Havoc on Americans’ Sanity.
Imagine not being able to feed your kid because of a mistake on a piece of paperwork.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
a really interesting one to write! slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
How Long Will Donald Trump Live?
The longevity experts all agreed.
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Reposted by Shannon Palus
Amy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
I went to Utah to see what life is like in America's new reality, where vaccine-preventable diseases are common again. Utah's measles outbreak has lasted 10 months. Pediatricians teared up in interviews. Mothers were stressed. 🧵My latest @wired.com @kffhealthnews.org www.wired.com/story/anguis...
wired.com
Anguished Parents, Crying Doctors: Life Amid Utah’s Measles Outbreak
The state’s outbreak means adapting to America’s new reality, in which vaccine-preventable diseases become common again.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
glad there are finally more pain management options for getting an IUD slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
It’s a Notoriously Painful Medical Procedure That Many Women Endure. There’s a Simple Solution.
Finally, we have data to show that paracervical blocks can work.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
this is really something, oof www.nytimes.com/2026/06/07/m...
nytimes.com
Scott Pelley on the Bari Weiss Era and His Last Days at ‘60 Minutes’
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
fyi we took the paywall off this important evergreen piece from 2013! read it and you could save someone's life slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
It’s a Longreads pick 🙌 longreads.com/2026/05/28/c...
longreads.com
The Capybaras Aren’t All Right - Longreads
"The internet’s favorite animal is facing a dark fate."
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Reposted by Shannon Palus
Longreads @longreads.com · 28/05/2026
"After visiting São Paulo’s wild capybaras, I wondered if the rodents had made a mistake by moving to the big city." Erick Trickey for @slate.com: slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
They’re Giant. They’re Cuddly-Looking. I Traveled to a City Where They’ve Taken Over—and Learned the Startling Truth About What They’re Facing.
Popularity isn't always a good thing.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
"If our partners are a mirror reflecting ourselves back at us, our children are like advanced brain imaging, revealing not just our current self but all our hopes and hurts." slate.com/life/2026/05...
slate.com
I Was Devastated to Learn I Was Having a Baby Boy. I’m Far From Alone.
The real causes of gender disappointment have nothing to do with your child.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
loved editing this one slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
The Internet’s Favorite Animal Is Secretly Facing a Dark Fate. Some People Are Finally Trying to Change That.
Popularity isn't always a good thing.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
I was lucky to get a lot of extra check ins with my docs postpartum and I still feel this in my bones … the six week postpartum cliff is real www.nytimes.com/2026/05/25/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Medical System Abandons Women When They Are Most Vulnerable
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Reposted by Shannon Palus
Trish Greenhalgh @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Every 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.com
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
the feeling that you do not have enough can find you no matter your wealth, and the obscenely wealthy who admit that are doing a public service www.newyorker.com/books/page-t...
newyorker.com
What’s Missing from Belle Burden’s Best-Selling Memoir, “Strangers”
Belle Burden’s “Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage” tells the story of her divorce and resulting financial imperilment. A review of court documents complicates her narrative.
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Reposted by Shannon Palus
Christina Cauterucci @c-cauterucci.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
This story has everything: * the biggest fertility clinic scandal in U.S. history * high-rolling doctors and heroic whistleblowers * an unlikely friendship born of tragedy * a major update to the story that came years after I started reporting it * Pedro Pascal's dad slate.com/life/2026/05...
slate.com
In 1995, a Woman Got a Call That Shook Her to Her Core—and Ignited an International Scandal. It Took Almost 30 Years to Come Full Circle.
She had gone to a clinic for help getting pregnant. She got something far different.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
If you are a writer or an editor: Has AI helped you do anything faster? What?? I genuinely want to know what the use cases are here.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
would you go on a cruise? @gidmk.bsky.social might! slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
I Know Way Too Much About Infectious Diseases. Here’s Why I’m Considering Taking a Cruise With My Family Anyway.
Are they unique hotbeds of illness? Let’s look at the research.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
people keep saying "let AI automate the parts of your job that you find tedious" and truly the task that I need done for me is the spam removed from my inbox and generally a better system of organizing the emails I do need to look at. AI has not been helpful here (so far??).
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Rainesford is great to work with! If this is up your alley don't hesitate.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
sure astrology is fun but it does sometimes go too far! slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
It’s a Common Pastime That’s Often Considered Harmless Fun. One Woman’s Story Should Serve as a Warning.
Maybe it's time to stop dabbling in astrology.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
if you are afraid of AI, just try asking AI about something you know about
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
i expect everyone in my parenting group chats and online will be very chill about this piece by @gidmk.bsky.social slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
People Love Fighting About Sleep Training. The Evidence for It Is Nuanced—but Very Clear on One Point.
The upside might not be quite what you’d expect.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
i found this really interesting to edit slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
He’s a Mathematician. He’s Stuck in Prison. One Thing Stands in the Way of His Freedom.
What is the purpose of keeping Christopher Havens behind bars?
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Reposted by Shannon Palus
paola de varona @pdvarona.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
New edition of Unhinged is here, @slate.com's dating advice column—answering the question that I'm sure we might find etched into ancient cave drawings somewhere: slate.com/advice/2026/...
slate.com
Women Who Date Men Always Seem to Meet the Same Fate. I Worry I’m Next.
It seems to just be part of living life with men.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
I DID buy a Brick for my phone and it has in fact significantly moved the needle on my phone use, to the point where I now cook a lot, in part bc NYT cooking is like the only thing I can do on my phone!
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Reposted by Shannon Palus
Laura Helmuth @laurahelmuth.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
I got to be Dear Prudence for a day! The questions are about a property dispute with a neighbor, what friends owe one another, and genuine apologies.
slate.com
I Thought Everyone Had the Same Instinct When Someone They Love Is Laid Off. Our Friends Proved Me Very Wrong.
Laura Helmuth answers your questions.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
if you want to Brick your phone without paying $60 to Brick your phone ... we have a solution for you slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
How an Expired Ski Pass Finally Helped Me Break My Social Media Addiction
Finally, I can actually relax instead of just scroll.
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Lizzie O'Leary @lizzieohreally.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
If a medical provider bills you for lateness or cancellation, you should be able to do the same. Like, buddy, I got childcare for this, you owe me $150.
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Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
We're hiring editorial fellows in SF and DC. Great gig that has launched hundreds of media careers: www.motherjones.com/careers/fell...
motherjones.com
The Ben Bagdikian Fellowship Program
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Rainesford Stauffer @rainesford.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
For @slate.com & @economichardship.bsky.social, I reported on how chaos and changes surrounding SNAP benefits are taking a toll. People described endless fear and worry over feeding their kids, where their next meal will come from, and whether SNAP could become even more difficult to access.
slate.com
It Could Lead to Tens of Thousands of Deaths. In the Meantime, It’s Wreaking Havoc on Americans’ Sanity.
Imagine not being able to feed your kid because of a mistake on a piece of paperwork.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
if you’ve ever made a little mistake on a piece of paperwork … this kind of thing could happen to you. @rainesford.bsky.social on the mental toll that the broken SNAP system is taking on families / anyone who relies on it slate.com/business/202...
slate.com
It’s How Millions of Americans Afford Food. Trump Has Thrown It Into Chaos. The Toll Is Bigger Than You Realize.
Imagine not being able to feed your kid because of a mistake on a piece of paperwork.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
I've been so surprised to see "the plastic detox" on netflix being taken at face value. a doctor who works with patients dealing with infertility wrote a piece about all the problems with it for Slate! slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
There’s a Weird Myth About Plastic and Penis Size. Now It’s Made It to Netflix.
The Plastic Detox is bad science.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
my insurance company is trying to get out of paying the bill for my baby's birth and meanwhile sending me emails like —
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Tony Ho Tran @tonyhotran.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
I think I speak for all tech editors when I say that A.I. fatigue is real—and we're pretty hungry for anything else. Any A.I. pitches need to clear a pretty high bar to be assigned because we get TONS of them.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
I really think we're going to look back on this era of impossibly smooth 50, 60—80!—year olds the way we do over plucked eyebrows and skinny jeans. www.allure.com/story/denise...
allure.com
Denise Richards’ Unfiltered Facelift Photos Are a Gift to Us All
They lay bare what it actually takes for a 55-year-old to look snatched—and why Hollywood beauty standards need a major reality check.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
worth re-upping this piece from a little bit ago slate.com/technology/2...
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
nice essay by @jasonfarman.bsky.social about how usability has gone too far slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
It’s a Design Principle That Has Transformed the World and Even Saved Lives. It’s Gone Way Too Far.
It’s time to rethink usability.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
writing is a direct conversation with a reader. it happens between two (or, in the case of teams of writers and editors described in this piece, more) people. writing with AI isn’t like using an 808 to make music — it’s lip syncing. www.newyorker.com/culture/open...
newyorker.com
Is It Wrong to Write a Book with A.I.?
The horror novel “Shy Girl” was cancelled for being generated at least partly through artificial intelligence. Would we ever accept such a book as art?
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
so wild. my baby got a dose of the MMR vaccine early as a precaution for *domestic* travel.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
unfortunately I think that AI writing is going to be like Ikea furniture, human writing and human communication is going to be bespoke, rich-person stuff. look at what's happening with news, customer service, doctor's offices. anything where you talk to a human is behind a giant paywall.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
had an entire conversation with my husband this morning where we agreed to disagree about the conclusion of an NYT op Ed about Lindy West … and the reason we disagreed is because there are TWO OF THEM.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
welcome to .... UNHINGED! slate.com/advice/2026/...
slate.com
It’s One of the Most Infuriating Moves a Potential Romantic Interest Can Pull. I Talked to One Man About Why He Does It.
Here's why not everyone means what they say.
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
we have a juicy advice column launching tomorrow at Slate 👀💅
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Roxanne Khamsi @roxannekhamsi.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Can I change your mind about DNA? My first book, BEYOND INHERITANCE, descries a sea change in how we talk about our genes. It comes out in a couple weeks—preorder your copy or audiobook version (narrated by me) today: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/711682...
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
men are very into wellness and beauty — they just don’t call it that slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
It’s Taking Over the Lives of Wealthy, Elderly Men. It Could Be Coming for You Next.
It involves substances “not for human use.”
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Shannon Palus @shanpalus.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
a smart take on how Ozempic et al could be prescribed with a touch more caution slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
The Risk Too Many People Are Taking With Ozempic
It’s frustrating to watch, given my field of study.
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