Martin Michaelis (he/him)
@martmichaelis.bsky.social
Academic researcher working on cancer, viruses, and meta-research in the life sciences. Opinions are my own.
"Summer is not what it once was. We have been robbed of one of life’s great joys". No, we have robbed ourselves... 🧪 #EconSky #PoliSky #NotJustWeather
We launched a war on nature. Now we are in a climate warzone | Rebecca Solnit
Summer is not what it once was. We have been robbed of one of life’s great joys
theguardian.com
If a company reports higher profits when there is a shortage of goods, the only explanation is profiteering? If it just passed on the higher prices, the profits would not increase? #EconSky #PoliSky
BP profit highest since 2022 as Iran war pushes up oil price
Higher oil prices boost the energy giant's results while environmental groups accuse it of profiteering.
bbc.co.uk
You are not right, because you shout loudest, have the biggest reach, or can silence people, who you disagree with... #facts #evidence #truth #economy #democracy #capitalism #PoliSky #EconSky
In the battle of Elon Musk v the press, we can’t let truth be the loser | Jane Martinson
The trillionaire Tesla owner has called the editor of the Economist a ‘traitor to the west’ after a clash-filled interview. How should the media respond? asks Guardian columnist Jane Martinson
theguardian.com
Privatisation of essential infrastructure like the water supply is not a valid option, in particular, if it generates a monopoly. Some things should not be for profit and not for sale. #EconSky #PoliSky
Turn failing water firms into not-for-profit cooperatives, MPs and mayors tell PM
Labour politicians say mutualised model puts public in control without adding debt to government’s balance sheet
theguardian.com
"Davis says we should be particularly wary of people using the “30 plants” message to make money." Obviously. We should be sceptical of such exact numbers. How could you find out such a thing? 🧪 #MedSky #EconSky #AcademicSky
Is it true that … we should eat 30 plants a week?
A growing supplements market may be trying to capitalise on this claim, but the truth is we still don’t know what a truly healthy gut microbiome really looks like
theguardian.com
Are fossil fuel companies legally liable for 'reckless endangerment', 'widespread injury or damage', and/or 'involuntary manslaughter' for deliberately concealing the consequences of burning fossil fuels? #PoliSky #EconSky 🧪
It’s time to prosecute climate crimes – with laws that already exist | Aaron Regunberg
Some have called for Nuremberg-style trials against big oil. But there are laws already on the books to describe companies’ conduct
theguardian.com
The idea of balancing the #economy and the #climate is a straightforward logical fallacy. You can change the economy. You cannot change the laws of nature. #EconSky #PoliSky 🧪
Ben Jennings on southern Europe’s wildfires – cartoon
Firefighters in France and Spain race to contain huge wildfires before a fresh heatwave begins in the middle of the week
theguardian.com
Aspiring nations value #education. Decadent nations do only care about #money. #decadence 🧪 #AcademicSky #EconSky #PoliSky
Jodrell Bank's Lovell telescope faces axe in science cuts, BBC understands
Astronomers warn it would tear the heart out of UK science, and leave a generation untrained.
bbc.co.uk
Why? Is #health not the most important thing that we can have? #MedSky #EconSky #PoliSky 🧪
Kemi Badenoch tells PM not to raise taxes to fund social care
In a letter to the PM, the Conservative leader offers to work with him on adult social care reform.
bbc.co.uk
The efficiency myth of the private vs. the public sector. Of course, the private sector prioritises maximising profits. Providing a service is just a means to this aim. This is the incentive in our economy. #EconSky #PoliSky
Always remember how Macquarie built its millionaires on outrageous tolls and charges | John Quiggin
As Shemara Wikramanayake retires with shares worth hundreds of millions, the public is left counting the cost of high prices for utilities, roads and airports
theguardian.com
Find the logical mistake: "When asked whether Jordan or James was the "best ever", Trump said: "Michael Jordan is a guy that's a friend of mine...I think LeBron...maybe...doesn't like Trump. I don't know. I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way.""
President Donald Trump says NBA star LeBron James 'maybe a racist'
United States President Donald Trump said LeBron James might be "a racist" when asked if the basketball star is the "best ever" to play the sport.
bbc.co.uk
This is an interesting piece of evidence. Many protesters are not just concerned citizens, but have a history of (domestic) violence. #democracy #DemocracyUK #PoliSky
Most people arrested during Henry Nowak protests had been reported for domestic abuse
Exclusive: Hampshire police data reveals 22 of 37 detained had been accused or convicted of intimate partner violence
theguardian.com
It is difficult to make an unrealistic electorate happy: "...they want lower taxes and better services – a higher standard of living without paying for it. They admire Sweden...yet show little sign they would accept Swedish taxes at 42% of GDP, while ours are about 33%." #PoliSky #EconSky
So many British people have it better than they think – it’s up to Burnham to make them see that | Polly Toynbee
A new survey suggests voters are becoming more cynical and pessimistic. A few goodwill gestures from No 10 won’t change all that – but it’s a start, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
theguardian.com
Another examples of wrong incentives and a lack of accountability. If you want a better world, individuals need be rewarded for good work and not for illegal sewage spills and gaming the system. #economy #economics #capitalism #EconSky #PoliSky
Water bosses’ pay rises despite bonus ban and public fury over bills and pollution
Exclusive: Eight companies expect to be covered by the ban for 2025-26, the Guardian can reveal
theguardian.com
#Polio could have been eradicated a long time ago. The reasons why it is not are political, societal, and financial. Imagine a wold that incentivised doing the right thing instead of making money. We are not behaving like an intelligent species. 🧪 #MedSky #EconSky #PoliSky
Polio should have been eradicated by now. What’s plan B?
Amid funding cuts and political barriers, researchers are asking whether the campaign can ever succeed, and what to do next.
nature.com
Hope dies last. Many wealthy people are prepared to pay their share in the interest of the #society. A more equal, caring, and supportive society is a better society for everyone. #economy #economics #capitalism #EconSky #PoliSky
Gary Lineker among millionaires asking Andy Burnham to tax them more
A group including the former England footballer write to the new PM telling him "we can afford it".
bbc.co.uk
This happens when the aim is to make money instead of making the world a better place. We need better incentives. #economy #economics #capitalism #EconSky #PoliSky
Secret court documents reveal potential scale of illegal sewage spilling
The new analysis from a prominent water campaigner emerged after secret court documents were leaked.
bbc.co.uk
Critical infrastructure such as the water supply should not be privatised. Making money is the wrong incentive here and conflicts with the societal priority of providing water. #economy #economics #capitalism #EconSky #PoliSky
Water firms in England and Wales ‘leak five times what hosepipe ban would save’
Greenpeace UK says 2.87bn litres lost daily, a fifth of all water pumped through network
theguardian.com
#AgeOfSuperstition #AgeOfMisinformation #AgeOfBaselessClams #PoliSky
When Pauline Hanson and Tommy Robinson met, hatred was a given. More disturbing was the spectacle | Hugh Riminton
One Nation’s polling popularity is proof we live in an upside-down world which surpasses substance and vaults reason
theguardian.com
"These findings suggest that higher device-related industry payments to physicians are associated with increased utilization of corresponding devices." The ugly side of #capitalism. #MedSky #PoliSky #EconSky
Medical Device Industry Payments and Utilization of Corresponding Devices
This cross-sectional study evaluates the association between device industry payments to physicians and physician utilization of device-associated procedures across multiple specialties.
jamanetwork.com
Every time you think that it could not get more absurd... #PoliSky
Trump administration to grant $12m to groups founded by UK conservatives Jacob Rees-Mogg and Toby Young
Exclusive: Controversial grants are part of package criticised as misuse of public money to influence European politics
theguardian.com
This is a weird one. He was president at the time. If China meddled in the 2020 election, it was on his watch...
Trump alleges China meddled in 2020 election and questions voting security ahead of midterms
China said Trump's claims were fabricated and US Democrats said he was paving the way to undermine November's elections.
bbc.co.uk
Another individual who thinks that they are so exceptional that rules do not apply to them... I hope, Count Binface makes it... #PoliSky
Nigel Farage says questions over his finances are part of ‘coordinated pile-on’
Reform leader says he’s been ‘demonised’ since revelation he received £5m from billionaire before election
theguardian.com
I am all for "for escaping the “trap of growthism”". We can decide how we want to live and act accordingly, instead of clinging to ideas out of habit. The economy is not a natural power and can be changed as needed. #EconSky #PoliSky 🧪
How to end poverty and protect Earth: inside the debate tearing up economics
The idea of prosperity without growth is gaining traction among researchers. So why are many economists sceptical?
nature.com
We need to get over narrow-minded gender stereotypes. #PoliSky 🧪
Ancient DNA analysis reveals Wiltshire’s Upton Lovell Shaman was a woman
Exclusive: Analysis offers ‘smoking gun evidence’ that overturns previous assumption that bronze age individual was male
theguardian.com
The cost of not being prepared. This is an eternal fallacy. People do not want to invest into preparedness for future emergencies, because it is not clear when the investment will pay off. #PoliSky #EconSky #MedSky
PPE failures left NHS staff poorly protected and wasted £10bn, Covid inquiry finds
Healthcare staff were unable to properly protect themselves, or those in their care, from dangerous infections, says the latest inquiry report.
bbc.co.uk
Why do individuals and entities with an interest in cryptocurrencies donate to Reform and its politicians? Politicians and political should not be run on donations. #democracy #PoliSky #EconSky
Nigel Farage: The mysterious crypto firm backed by Reform's biggest donor
Tether is a giant in crytocurrency, an industry that Nigel Farage believes the UK should be embracing.
bbc.co.uk
An unsettling read. Things can move fast, if someone without an appreciation for the laws and democracy gets into power. The system of checks and balances can be easily be eroded... #democracy #PoliSky
Judge voids Donald Trump's 'improper' $1.8b IRS settlement that gave him immunity from tax audits
The judge said the suit was brought for 'improper purposes' and referred a Trump attorney for possible disciplinary action.
bbc.co.uk
