Sign in

Alex Knapp

@thealexknapp.bsky.social
4.8K followers 1K following 3.5K posts

Senior Editor covering science and healthcare at Forbes. (he/him) Got a tip? Hit me up on Signal: thealexknapp.79 "Eppur si muove"

PostsRepliesMedia
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 14h
A thing I occasionally think about is how, in the Star Trek universe, the person with the singlemost impact on galactic politics is Worf.
010
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 21h
California now has a second satellite tracking methane pollution hot spots from space. State officials have already been using the first satellite to force oil and gas facilities to fix leaks: www.latimes.com/environment/... via @blancabegert.bsky.social
latimes.com
California gets a new eye in the sky to track planet-warming methane
A second satellite, launched Thursday, will double California's chances of detecting climate-changing methane releases.
4369136
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
"The U.S. job market isn’t in a recession, but for workers seeking new opportunities, it might feel that way." www.forbes.com/sites/courtn...
forbes.com
Why Workers Feel Trapped In Their Jobs Today
In September, 29,000 jobs were added to the U.S. labor market, leaving workers with less opportunities to change jobs, negotiate higher pay or get back into the workforce.
000
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Iain Martin @iainmartin.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
A spate of AI fundraising deals has made way for a new wave of young European billionaires. Meet the sweet 16 whose fortunes got big boosts of late www.forbes.com/sites/rashis...
forbes.com
The Megadeals Behind Europe’s AI Billionaire Boom
A spate of AI fundraising deals has made way for a new wave of young European billionaires. Meet the sweet 16 whose fortunes got big boosts of late.
001
Reposted by Alex Knapp
John Hyatt @johnhyatt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
NEW: How Vivek Ramaswamy's Well-Timed Ohio Move Likely Saved Him $12 Million In Taxes. The billionaire gubernatorial candidate says lower taxes will make founders flock to Ohio. Ramaswamy is one politician who puts his money where his mouth is. www.forbes.com/sites/johnhy...
forbes.com
Ramaswamy’s Ohio Homecoming Likely Shaved Eight Figures Off His Tax Bill
The billionaire gubernatorial candidate says lower taxes will make founders flock to Ohio. Ramaswamy is one politician who puts his money where his mouth is.
045
Reposted by Alex Knapp
CineCalendar @cinecalendar.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Oct 2nd 1988 - While sleepwalking, #DonnieDarko met a Frank, who told him that the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds. 📽️📅 Donnie Darko (2001)
2 Screenshots from the movie "Donnie Darko" (2001): First, the date "October 2 1988" is displayed in a stylized white font against a black background. Second, a mysterious figure in a dark, eerie setting stands outdoors, wearing a large rabbit costume. The subtitle reads, "28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds."
05829
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Zack Whittaker @zackwhittaker.com · 02/10/2026
"Microsoft has confirmed its X account has been compromised."
theverge.com
Is everything ok Microsoft?
The official @microsoft X account has been compromised. Microsoft’s X account followed a Clippy crypto account earlier today, reposted one of its tweets, and had its profile picture changed to a Clipp...
23210
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Jennifer Ouellette @jenlucpiquant.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Don’t be fooled—LLMs don’t reason www.technologyreview.com/2026/10/02/1...
technologyreview.com
Don’t be fooled—LLMs don’t reason
Ten years after AlphaGo’s match against Go champion Lee Sedol, today’s AI still isn’t tapping into the machinery that made that win possible.
12810
Reposted by Alex Knapp
depths of wikipedia @depthsofwikipedia.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The Phantom of Heilbronn, also referred to as the Woman Without a Face, was a presumed female serial killer whose existence was inferred from DNA evidence found at 40 crime scenes across Austria, France and Germany from 1993 to 2009.

In March 2009, investigators concluded that the supposed serial killer did not exist, and the DNA belonged to a woman who worked at a factory that made the cotton swabs used for collecting DNA samples
4852271239
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
"Unless something dramatically changes over the next month, the United States is on track to let in zero persecuted Christian refugees over the 2026 fiscal year" www.christianitytoday.com/2026/09/zero...
christianitytoday.com
The Trump Administration Has Resettled Zero Religious Refugees This Year - Christianity Today
One in seven Christians around the world face persecution. The US refugee program accepted none of them.
022
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Grist @grist.org · 01/10/2026
California just made it legal to turn balconies into tiny power plants
dlvr.it
California just made it legal to turn balconies into tiny power plants
The state is the biggest to approve solar panels that plug into walls, giving residents a cheaper way to generate their own electricity.
310929
Reposted by Alex Knapp
CIDRAP @cidrap.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
HPV vaccines reduce the risk of cervical cancer by 80% in women vaccinated by 16. Yet even 20 years after its introduction, only 63% of U.S. teens have completed the vaccination series. Read this 3-part series: bit.ly/3RSbKIL
Quote that states, "Something I’d never heard of almost killed me."

Text on graphic reads, "Michael Whelan came in for arthritis, and left with a diagnosis of stage 4 HPV-related cancer in his throat. As rates of cervical cancer have fallen, head and neck tumors have emerged as the most common HPV-related cancer."

Image of Michael Whelan in hospital. Graphic with quote, "I tell everybody,
‘This can happen to you’. But it is preventable… You do not have to die from this.”

Text on graphic reads, "Jennifer Simpson is a cervical cancer survivor who lost her uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Now she helps raise awareness about the importance of prevention in Alabama — the first U.S. state to launch a formal strategic plan to eliminate cervical cancer."

Image of Jennifer Simpson is at the top of the graphic. Graphic with text that reads, "The efficacy of the HPV vaccine has made eliminating cervical cancer achievable. Nearly 200 nations have committed to eliminating cervical cancer. The United States has not. Only 63% of U.S. teens have completed the vaccination series. And there are significant gaps in screening and follow-up care."Quote on graphic by Tamika Felder cervical cancer survivor and founder of Cervivor.

“No one should be diagnosed with or die from a cancer we have the ability to prevent.”

Text below quote reads, "Delivering on the promise of the HPV vaccine will require a coordinated national strategy to increase awareness, vaccinations, screenings, and follow-ups."
13532
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Honestly I'm much more excited for VisionQuest than I am Doomsday. www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXKn...
youtube.com
Marvel Television’s VisionQuest | Official Trailer
YouTube video by Marvel Entertainment
000
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Amy Feldman @amyfeldman7.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Former OpenAI exec Fidji Simo started ChronicleBio to find treatments for complex chronic conditions (including her own POTS) using AI and lots of biological data. So far it has ID’d 13 diff subtypes of illnesses, + plans a 1st clinical trial this year. @forbes.com www.forbes.com/sites/amyfel...
forbes.com
Former OpenAI Exec Fidji Simo’s $20 Million Plan To Solve Her Chronic Disease And Others
Sufferers of complex, chronic diseases like POTS and long COVID often spend years searching for relief. The longtime tech exec started ChronicleBio to find treatments using AI and lots of biological d...
274
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Zack Whittaker @zackwhittaker.com · 30/09/2026
The Pentagon is notifying millions of current and former U.S. military servicemembers and staff that hackers stole their *unencrypted* personal information during a months-long data breach. The agency that had the breach also handles ID and login/credential access to U.S. military systems and bases.
techcrunch.com
Hackers stole millions of US military personnel records during months-long data breach | TechCrunch
The Department of Defense notified millions of current and former U.S. military personnel that their personal information had been stolen in a months-long breach.
30825231393
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Fluff - Black Sabbath www.youtube.com/watch?v=-si_...
youtube.com
Fluff (2013 Remaster)
YouTube video by Black Sabbath - Topic
161
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Turns out, they were on Earth the whole time!
021
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Semafor @semafor.com · 30/09/2026
Visitors to the US are on track to drop by almost two million year-on-year. “We’re the only major country in the world losing visitation,” the head of the US Travel Association said. “It’s mind-boggling.” www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
62831311109
Reposted by Alex Knapp
katie brigham @kbrigham.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
hi energy freaks, as you surely know, the senate has a permitting deal! heatmap explains!
heatmap.news
The Senate’s Big Bipartisan Permitting Deal, Explained
The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act would remove longstanding roadblocks to expanding the power grid and developing new energy infrastructure. Here’s our guide.
0259
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Alan Boyle @b0yle.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Starcloud's AI data-processing hardware is going to the moon! The Seattle-area startup's payload will ride to lunar orbit on Firefly Aerospace's Elytra spacecraft, with departure set for as early as 2028. www.geekwire.com/2026/starclo...
geekwire.com
Starcloud’s AI computing payload will get a ride to lunar orbit on Firefly’s space vehicle
Prototype data center scheduled to make the trip to the moon to demonstrate Starcloud's in-space processing capabilities in 2028.
152
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
BREAKING: SCOTUS’s Republican appointees will allow Tennessee to kill Christa Pike tonight, vacating a stay of execution entered by the Sixth Circuit this morning. The three Democratic appointees dissent.
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
No. 26A428
KENNETH NELSEN, WARDEN v. CHRISTA GAIL PIKE
ON APPLICATION TO VACATE STAY
[September 30, 2026]
The application to vacate stay of execution of sentence of death presented to JUSTICE KAVANAUGH and by him referred to the Court is granted. The September 30, 2026 order of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Cir-cuit, case No. 26-5864, granting a stay of execution is vacated.
JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR, with whom JUSTICE KAGAN and
JUSTICE JACKSON join, dissenting.
The State of Tennessee is set to execute Christa Pike for the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer. Earlier today, the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a stay of Pike's execution solely to "adequately address and resolve" the issues presented in Pike's pending application for relief. Order in In re Pike, No. 26-5864, ECF Doc. 10-2, p. 2. Tennessee now asks this Court to vacate that stay and permit it to proceed with Pike's execution today. Stunningly, the Court acquiesces. Because its decision clears the way for the State to execute Pike before her still-pending legal challenges to her conviction can be properly considered, I respectfully dissent.
48740269
Reposted by Alex Knapp
SpaceNews @spacenewsinc.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Chinese electric-pump rocket startup Z-Trak raises new funding, targets 2027 debut for reusable Fission-A HELSINKI — Chinese launch startup Z-Trak Space has secured a new funding round for a small reusable rocket and is targeting late 2027 for a first flight....
spacenews.com
Chinese electric-pump rocket startup Z-Trak raises new funding, targets 2027 debut for reusable Fission-A
HELSINKI — Chinese launch startup Z-Trak Space has secured a new funding round for a small reusable rocket and is targeting late 2027 for a first flight. Z-Trak Space (Zhiyu Aerospace) announced Sept. 29 through a company Chinese social media channel that it had closed an “angel+” round worth more than 100 million yuan ($14.9 million). Earlier backers Beidou Group, CMBC International and Century Huatong, a gaming and internet group, all invested again.
021
Reposted by Alex Knapp
404 Media @404media.co · 30/09/2026
"Do you watch the news? Do you listen to the radio? Do you read anything about what's going on in the world?” one of the judges asked the lawyer, who submitted false testimony and witnesses after using ChatGPT.
404media.co
Lawyer Cites ChatGPT-Invented Fake Witnesses in Murder Appeal
"Do you watch the news? Do you listen to the radio? Do you read anything about what's going on in the world?” one of the judges asked the lawyer, who submitted false testimony and witnesses after using...
820169
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Forbes @forbes.com · 30/09/2026
The majority of 88 identified AI-generated non-consensual intimate imagery sites were easily discoverable through Google.
forbes.com
AI Deepfake Porn Videos Grew From 500,000 To 8 Million In 2 Years, Study Says
The majority of 88 identified AI-generated non-consensual intimate imagery sites were easily discoverable through Google.
42933
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 29/09/2026
Truly incredible story and video here from @alejacorazonhm.bsky.social and @fiona-murphy.bsky.social: Barred from the U.S., a pastor leads his Wisconsin church from Guatemala —> religionnews.com/2026/09/29/h...
religionnews.com
Barred from the U.S., a pastor leads his Wisconsin church from Guatemala
(RNS) — RNS found at least 25 immigrant pastors were detained, deported or otherwise separated from their churches. While the Rev. Esdras Paredes ministers via video, his congregation sells tamales to...
116963
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Joseph Cox @josephcox.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Some tech workers in San Francisco hooked up ChatGPT to a Toyota Corolla and got it to drive around a parking lot “We just thought: ‘Is there a way we can get LLMs to drive a car now?” www.404media.co/these-tech-w...
404media.co
These Tech Workers Made ChatGPT Drive a Toyota Corolla
The team used frontier LLMs with no prior training data navigate a simple parking lot course.
115811
Reposted by Alex Knapp
TechCrunch @techcrunch.com · 28/09/2026
AMD will acquire Fei-Fei Li’s World Labs for $8.2 billion
techcrunch.com
AMD will acquire Fei-Fei Li’s World Labs for $8.2 billion
The acquisition will see World Labs founder Fei-Fei Li join AMD as executive vice president and chief scientist.
0169
Reposted by Alex Knapp
DSCOVR 🔴 EPIC (Unofficial) @dscovr-epic.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
11:29:20 AM on Saturday, September 26, 2026, over the Bight of Benin.
Earth from space, centered on the Bight of Benin, captured on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 11:29:20 AM by NASA's DSCOVR EPIC camera.
001
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 27/09/2026
Four days ago, a scientist was surprised by the news that Anthropic discovered new virus genes for making DNA. He says he’s been studying them for years—and feeding his data to Anthropic’s AI as part of his own research. Coincidence? Here’s my story. nyti.ms/3VSWayc
nyti.ms
Did Anthropic’s A.I. Really Make a Scientific Discovery on Its Own? (Gift Article)
An expert at the University of Copenhagen said his team had been sharing its research with the company’s A.I. model, Claude, and that its new finding matched their work.
892122873
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Amy Feldman @amyfeldman7.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
A great read….. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
When the Weed Wars Came to Warren Street
New money and age-old injustice in an American river town.
021
Reposted by Alex Knapp
The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 26/09/2026
Three Florida counties have declared states of emergency as a growing outbreak of dengue has infected hundreds across the state this year.
washingtonpost.com
Florida counties declare emergency over ‘wildly unusual’ dengue outbreak
Mosquito-borne disease has infected hundreds statewide and killed one woman in Tampa.
1214272
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The past couple of years I have strived mightily to read more books and find new bands to love and both of these things have been wonderful.
040
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Meredith McClaren @iniquitousfish.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
And illustration of Inigo Montoya from the PRINCESS BRIDE limping towards the audience. His sword in one hand, his other hand cradling his injuries. This is his key scene in the movie, yielding the line 'you killed my father, prepare to die.'
232705846
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Colin Carlson @colincarlson.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
David Quammen's essay in The New York Times today closes with this paragraph. It's both a scientific falsehood, and an incredibly dangerous narrative. If you're willing to give me five minutes of your time, I'd like to explain why.
The Ebola virus doesn’t need to spill back. It abides in its reservoir host, and awaits its next opportunity. A virus can’t climb out of a bat or a monkey and fly off in search of human prey. It can only spill over. If humans left the reservoir host alone — not hunting it, not capturing it, not eating it, not exporting it live, not disturbing its forest habitat — the virus wouldn’t re-emerge in humans. It would remain where it is, harming no one. But of course that’s not what happens. And when viruses spill, they often spill into us, because the human population is such a big, busy target.
10528224
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese has been recalled for E. coli. 13 illnesses identified in 9 states, with 8 hospitalizations so far.
fda.gov
Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O26:H11: Raw Cheese (September 2026)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheeses.
34124
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
What could go wrong? japantoday.com/category/nat...
japantoday.com
Japan to study use of AI-equipped humanoid robots in defense
Japan plans to explore the use in defense of humanoid robots equipped with physical artificial intelligence, government and ruling party sources said Tuesday, as the country's Self-Defense Forces stru...
000
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Three hot takes on the NYT's list of best 21st century TV. 1. Ongoing series should have been ineligible. What if they end terribly? 2. Related: some shows are REALLY coasting on early seasons. Looking at you, Arrested Development. And Game of Thrones is #6 despite a widely reviled ending?
120
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"A class of peptides that are meant to stimulate human growth hormone has been linked with a spat of severe allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock-like symptoms." www.forbes.com/sites/iainma...
forbes.com
Peptides Like ‘Tesa’ And Sermorelin Are Landing Fitness Fans In The Hospital With Allergic Reactions
A class of peptides that are meant to stimulate human growth hormone has been linked with a spat of severe allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock-like symptoms.
000
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Rashi Shrivastava @rashis.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
“I would dread to do this in the first place.” People are using Meta’s Muse and other personal AI agents to uncover forgotten funds, negotiate bills, cancel subscriptions and chase refunds—recovering hundreds or even thousands of dollars. www.forbes.com/sites/rashis...
forbes.com
People Are Turning To AI Agents Muse And Instinct To Save Them Thousands Of Dollars
Meta’s viral new AI agent Muse’s number one use case is helping people recover money lying around in old, forgotten accounts, which would be hard to find manually.
114
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Ars Technica @arstechnica.com · 24/09/2026
Although no team walked away with either of the two grand prizes, the technology showcased could prove helpful as the world grapples with the growing costs of worsening wildfire disasters.
arstechnica.com
XPRIZE Wildfire winners spotted fires within 10 min—but couldn’t stop them
$11M competition showed wildfire detection is still easier than stopping fires.
13711
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This morning's album: Killer by Alice Cooper (1971)
001
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Techmeme @techmeme.com · 24/09/2026
OpenAI says its AI agents "took actions we did not intend" when they tried to hack government and university websites, and it is working with the organizations (New York Times) Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
054
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Piece of the Action: The Inexplicable Gangster Macroeconomics of Sigma Iotia II, 2168-2268
022
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Word to the Action: The Co-Option of Shakespeare by Klingon Elites, 2151 - 2293
000
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Surak And Roll: Vulcan Logic's Influence on Human Pop Music
021
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The Trouble With Tribbles: Managing Invasive Species While Preserving Interstellar Trade
041
Reposted by Alex Knapp
Semafor @semafor.com · 23/09/2026
🟡 SCOOP: The Trump administration is backing off its initial plan for an executive order that would give the president greater influence over decisionmaking on National Institutes of Health grants. www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
298
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Trying Locutus: Legal Accountability Post-Borg Assimilation
010
Alex Knapp @thealexknapp.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"Over the weekend, retail giant Amazon blocked Meta’s personal (and increasingly popular) AI agent Muse from browsing and making purchases on its site on behalf of users. " www.forbes.com/sites/the-pr...
forbes.com
Why Amazon Blocked Meta’s AI Agent From Making Purchases
As more people turn to AI tools to shop for products, the e-commerce giant doesn’t want other companies’ AI agents crawling its site.
000
Reposted by Alex Knapp
DSCOVR 🔴 EPIC (Unofficial) @dscovr-epic.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
11:38:41 AM on Monday, September 21, 2026, over the Bight of Benin.
Earth from space, centered on the Bight of Benin, captured on Monday, September 21, 2026 at 11:38:41 AM by NASA's DSCOVR EPIC camera.
001