iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

I’m not a bot. I’m a chemist. I’m a human with a PhD trying to talk about science. My goal is simple, make people smarter, not angrier. Science, explained clearly. If you’re human too, drop a “Hi” so I know I’m not shouting into the botnet.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

The appeal to nature fallacy isn’t cute or harmless. It’s the reason people fear medicine, vaccines, GMOs, and chemistry itself. It’s not “back to nature.” It’s back to ignorance.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

What happens when farmers plant GMOs? A new study from Bangladesh shows the answer: ⬆️More yield. ⬇️Less pesticide. ⬆️Higher income. Let’s unpack the data 🧵1/

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Bad policies destroy nations. In 2021, Sri Lanka banned synthetic fertilizers and pesticides overnight - forcing the country into 100% organic farming. The result? Economic collapse, food shortages, and mass protests. Here’s what happened 🧵: 1/12

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

The solution is clear: 1. Embrace GMO cultivation with proper regulation. 2. Support farmers with tools to innovate. 3. Reduce food imports and secure Europe’s food supply. 4. Lead the world in sustainable, science-based agriculture. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

The irony: European scientists are pioneers in biotech research. • CRISPR gene-editing was co-developed here. • The labs lead in biotech innovation. But policies force these breakthroughs to be commercialized elsewhere. We’re exporting our brains - and importing our food.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

But it gets worse: By rejecting GMOs, we missed tools to address climate change: • Drought-resistant crops to conserve water. • Pest-resistant crops to reduce chemical use. • Higher yields to grow more food on less land. Instead, Europe sticks to outdated methods.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

The hypocrisy is staggering: Ban cultivation of GMOs for European farmers but import GMO crops from abroad. And here’s the kicker: • GMO bans increase costs for farmers. • Food prices in Europe are now 20-40% higher than in North America. www.europeanscientist.com/en/features/...

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

While Europe said no, others said yes: • The US and Brazil became global leaders in GMO farming. • Farmers there benefit from higher yields and fewer pesticides. Europe? Imports over 30 million tons of GM crops annually - for animal feed.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

The root of the fear: In the 1990s, media and activists fueled public panic about “Frankenfoods.” Despite overwhelming scientific consensus on GMO safety, Europe chose caution over innovation. The result?

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

First, let’s start with the facts: Europe has some of the most advanced research in plant science and agriculture. Yet, nearly all GMO cultivation is banned. Why? Because of fear - not science.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Europe made a colossal mistake: They banned genetically modified organisms (GMOs) while the rest of the world embraced them. Now we rely on imports, pay more for food, and miss out on sustainable agriculture. Here’s the story of Europe’s GMO debacle 🧵:

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Almost everything you eat has been modified genetically by humans.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

In farming, there’s a growing trend toward "mimicking nature" a strategy embraced by organic farming, regenerative agriculture, and agroecology. The assumption? Nature knows best. But is this true? Let’s dig into why this idea often falls short. 1/

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Remember hand-weeding entire fields just to grow a few vegetables? No, me neither. Because modern agriculture works.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Natural doesn’t always mean safe. Cyanide in almonds, deadly mushrooms, venomous snakes, influenza, polio and measles are all natural. Does that make them good for you? ↳ No. The word “natural” is marketing. → Not a safety or efficacy guarantee.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Chemistry saves lives. From antibiotics to clean drinking water to the plastic in your phone. Synthetic chemicals are why modern life is safe, healthy, and convenient. Fear of “man-made” chemicals ignores the incredible benefits they bring.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

Anyone else play a musical instrument? Leave your musical selfie in the comments!

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

Genetics, simplified with gummy bears. This creative diagram uses a ‘family tree’ of gummy bears to illustrate how traits are passed down through generations. The ‘parents’ at the top are red and yellow bears, and their ‘offspring’ show mixed colors, representing genetic variation.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Before anyone asks. No, I don’t work for “Big Spatula”.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Fortunately, I didn’t throw out my black plastic utensils over a mathematical error made by a group of people who know nothing about toxicology. nationalpost.com/news/canada/...

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

Photosynthesis is a molecular miracle: light becomes energy. Plants are nature's first chemists, crafting food from air and water. Without plants, there's no food chain. Plants fuel the world.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Gravity isn't pulling you down; space-time is pushing you along. Einstein's insight showed how mass warps the fabric of reality. Objects don't fall; they follow the path the universe carves.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Evolution isn't progress-it's survival. Traits that thrive are traits that persist. Natural selection rewards what works, not what's ideal. Change isn't optional in nature. It's the rule.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Energy doesn't disappear; it changes form. That's the first law of thermodynamics. Transforming energy efficiently requires design. Waste happens when systems fail. Harnessing energy is a balance between conservation and conversion.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

We are alive today because modern agriculture has harnessed innovation to grow more food, diversify diets, and meet the nutritional needs of a growing global population.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

After a heated debate, we unanimously concluded that you can’t fight fire with diluted nonsense. Homeopathy doesn’t work.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

COVID-19 vaccines saved around 20 million lives in their first year and continue to save lives today.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

France’s shift to nuclear power was one of the fastest and most efficient ways to reduce CO₂ emissions.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Humans have been modifying crops for 1000’s of years. Corn is just one of the foods that is unrecognizable from its wild ancestors, thanks to these genetic improvements. Growing more food per acre is leaving more land for nature.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

The first step for a government that truly listens to its farmers. 🚜🇫🇷 → Remove the ban on plant protection products that are already authorized across the rest of Europe.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

I am trying to make an exhaustive list of everything that is not chemistry. What did I miss?

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Crop protection saves crops, stabilizes food prices, and prevents hunger - but you rarely notice. You just go to the supermarket and buy a pack of potatoes.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Chemistry is everywhere. Everything you see, hear, taste, smell, or touch involves it - even your senses rely on chemical reactions. A lemon, for instance, contains water, sugars, amino acids, and more. Understanding chemistry helps us make sense of the world.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Your periodic reminder of the chemistry of an all natural banana.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for human health. Humans can’t produce it naturally, so it’s vital in the diet. It helps form blood vessels, cartilage, muscles, and collagen. Dissolved in water and ethanol, it forms stunning crystals under polarized light.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

In 2021, Sri Lanka's push for 100% organic farming ended in disaster, driven by emotion not evidence.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Anyone read this book? Thinking about getting it.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Fertilizers are one of the greatest scientific achievements in human history. Transforming abundant, inert raw materials into essential, plant-available nutrients. Fertilisers have sustained millions of lives.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

We live longer (and healthier) thank any other time in human history.

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Simon Maechling, PhD @simonmaechling.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Visualizing the Decline in Brand Value of X.

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