More changes at the NSF, this time to elevate certain (often benign) conflicts-of-interest to the point of disqualifying reviewers from serving on entire panels. A nice write-up from Dan, which includes some quotes from Bluesky's 74th most popular astrophysicist.
Library Sale of amazing space/science books is ending June 30th! Everything must go! 🤩
There are still sooooo many amazing books left. Reach out for *stellar* discounts!!
#BookSky 💙📚
#ASPLibrary 🧪 📚 🔭
It's hard not to see this as a further attack on expertise. Currently, program officers scrupulously check for conflicts, double check with panelists, and reviewers aren't in the room for discussion of proposals where they're conflicted. This feels sufficient for ensuring conflicts aren't a problem.
H1B visas were historically key for postdocs and research scientists (and future PIs and professors) - and the fee threatened to totally derail that pipeline. This is good news.
ICYMI: John Oliver’s hilarious & thorough takedown of the dysfunctional “complete shit show” hostile takeover of New College of Florida that led to the most corrupt, financially inefficient public university in the state. 👀
➡️ @newcollegeoffl.bsky.social
youtu.be/jFMc07F1UUU?...
For those of you who’ve been here a while…yesterday was Bear’s 7th birthday.
Time has no meaning.
journalism is important, and it is accordingly important that the news is not controlled by billionaires.
And advice on how to share your opinion on this OMB proposal:
www.planetary.org/advocacy-act...