Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Unsplash
Authoritarianism is rapidly spreading in the US and globally. As scientists who are deeply concerned about the onslaught of attacks on science, we must learn how to navigate a world where multiple things can be true. The US administration is expanding cuts to science funding, while masked ICE agents are grabbing people off the streets, while LGBTQ+ communities are finding ways to celebrate Pride month, despite increasing hate and violence targeting their communities. Violence happening in the US is being justified by violence happening in Gaza, an ever increasing circle of pain and suffering that will be used to expand xenophobia as policy.
While retreating into research amidst the general chaos is very appealing (especially for folks who still have their research positions), we have to find ways to continue to feel the devastation and not turn away from what is happening. And we have to continue to care for ourselves and our communities. It is no easy task to care, to keep our hearts open in the face of cruelty and chaos. But as Liz Neeley recently posted, “If the only way out is through, the only way through is together.”
So lets get into it, together.
take action
Get ready to take to the streets on June 14th for “No Kings” nationwide day of defiance, organized by Indivisible and partners
Report overdue funding to the Grant Watch database
Don’t be a bystander (a resource from Timothy Snyder)
pods in action
California 👀: The California Biodiversity Project seeks citizen scientists to collect data on your next adventure. Better yet, make it a pod activity that you can get involved in with your local crew! There are three field days currently planned that folks can join too:
Modoc National Wildlife Refuge Friday, June 13, 2025 | 12-5pm
Alturas, CA 96101
Sumner Peck Ranch Saturday, June 28, 2025 | 8-11:30am
14439 N Friant Road, Friant, CA 93626
RSVP
Sierra Valley Preserve & Nature Center
Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 9:30am-1:30pm
495 Beckwourth Calpine Rd, Beckwourth, CA 96129
RSVP
weekly wins
The Trump administration is on a massive legal losing streak - 96% loss rate in federal courts in the month of May alone!
Trump’s sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs are illegal.
Musk is out and that is a win of sorts.
Happy pride month! As attacks on LGBTQ+ communities are ramping up across America, small towns are unexpected beacons of hope.
weekly wonder
Everybody poops, but penguins release ammonia and dimethylamine in their poop, nucleating cloud condensation. Yup, penguin poop controls local weather.
check it out
A racial reckoning that wasn’t - 5 years after the murder of George Floyd, where are we?
Unbreaking, a new and incredible live resource tracking how the Trump administration is breaking the government and what it means for all of us.
The administration is trying to zero out climate science funding (paywall, MIT Tech Review).
perennial reads
Amy Westervelt’s great coverage of the media landscape, with this article Forget the “Joe Rogan of the Left”. Where’s the Rupert Murdoch?
Grappling with Systems Collapse: How social sector leaders can respond.
Can we still care about science amidst an authoritarian backslide? Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinsten talks about why we must in her most recent newsletter (read them all, while you’re at it!).
Book nook
“Cyberlibertarianism: The right-wing politics of digital technology” by George Justice - a scorcher of a book and showcases the intentional dismantling of the press by technofacsists turned billionaires.
all ears
Check out The Leap, a 10 part series profiling scientists willing to take big risks to push the boundaries of discovery. We can’t wait to listen to the latest episode on Betül Kaçar.
Listen to the How to Citizen Podcast where Baratunde Thurston reimagines the word “citizen” as a verb.
watch this
The finale of the “Handmaid’s Tale” issues a stark warning (spoilers alert!)