Dr Dave Clements

Dr Dave Clements

@davecl.bsky.social

Astrophysicist at Imperial College. Extragalactic astronomy, observational cosmology, astrobiology. Writes science fiction. Not speaking for anybody. Science for Fiction podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/7HzQoyNyNI115W3kgqZAku?si=jK0XQYAyS1ubvzD76spbEg

1.6K followers690 following3.2K posts

Dr Dave Clements reposted

#ShareGoodNews - science is giving new hope in so many ways to so many people. #FollowTheScience

Ada Palmer@adapalmer.bsky.social

Last week’s Nobel for optogenetics is already giving some sight back. Retinitis pigmentosa kills the eye’s light-detecting cells but leaves the nerve cells behind them intact. Researchers injected nerve cells with a gene for a light-sensitive protein. buff.ly/AGkscua #ShareGoodNewsToo

Dr Dave Clements reposted

Abolish the Home Office

Politics.co.uk@politics.co.uk

“Alongside fellow MPs, I have received reports of applications being refused because of convictions linked to the 2019-2020 pro-democracy protests”, writes @bobbywdean.bsky.social 🗣️ Britain cannot shut the door on Hongkongers persecuted for defending democracy www.politics.co.uk/2026/10/brit...

Dr Dave Clements reposted

A recent hike to Waylands Smithy along the ridgeway in Oxfordshire. The buzzard sat opposite the entrance like a guardian of the tomb. He stayed for the duration of our stay oblivious of our dogs and greatly enhancing the ambiance of the site. Visited 22September. #tombtuesday

Dr Dave Clements reposted

Cambridge academics still enjoy something like tenure: statutory protection against redundancy that most UK academics lack This is now under threat. This distinctive job security could go next Another tornado is heading for storm-tossed Cambridge 21percent.org?p=4743

Dr Dave Clements reposted

Students should get compensation if universities are not able to deliver teaching Financial accountability should follow failure to deliver It's only way to get senior leadership to listen to students ... and staff www.theguardian.com/education/20...

theguardian.comGoldsmiths fine art students call for compensation over record tutor strikeWith industrial action over job cuts heading into its 21st week, students at famed London college are unhappy

Dr Dave Clements reposted

My pal Danielle Koenig shared that her father Walter Koenig passed away last night at age 90. A performer whose kindness and warmth shone through the screen. He will be well remembered.

Dr Dave Clements reposted

"AI does not understand accountability, trust, culture, unwritten rules, ethical trade-offs or fairness, all of which shape reputational risk and ultimately drive revenue growth and profit margins.”

Dr Dave Clements reposted

The Government™ has made an ad about all these protests happening around the world, and it’s surprisingly honest and informative.

Dr Dave Clements reposted

We don’t know how this election will end. But every single vote will matter. American citizens, please vote while you still can. 🗳️🇺🇸

Outspoken™️@out5p0ken.bsky.social

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was driving his construction crew to work when an ICE officer shot and killed him in Houston. He wasn’t even the person ICE was looking for. Now Texas voters are leaving their “I Voted” stickers at his memorial. #BlueWaveIn10Days

Dr Dave Clements reposted

Anti-trans Democrats are spreading poison when we can least afford it, during elections in this ongoing fascist takeover. As a strategy, it’s a recipe for failure. As a moral stand, it’s reprehensible. PS I’m the father of young trans woman and I’ll never forgive anyone who makes her life harder.

Dr Dave Clements reposted

Is AI one of the first examples of preshittification? Stay away, folks. The fuckers who are designing this stuff do not care about anyone - possibly not even themselves.

The Lever@levernews.com

You asked AI for the cheapest flight. It dug through your emails, decided you could afford more, and suggested a ticket costing $100–$200 extra. Lindsay Owens explains ⬇️

Dr Dave Clements reposted

We acknowledge that no one has the bandwidth for this, but if it helps: -It’s ‘sleight of hand’ -It’s ‘bated breath’ -It’s ‘lo and behold’ -It's 'buck naked' -It’s ‘brass tacks’ -It’s ‘free rein’ -It’s ‘toe the line'

Dr Dave Clements reposted

JUST POSTED: Today at The NYT we are publishing a major investigation into how President Trump used his executive powers to expose millions of Americans to greater cancer risks. A six month-long investigation built on more than 10,000 pages of FOIA records. Read it www.nytimes.com/2026/10/24/c...

nytimes.comHow Trump Gave the Worst Polluters a Free Pass (Gift Article)The president temporarily waived clean-air rules for industrial facilities that spew cancer-causing gases. Then his appointees worked to gut the regulations altogether.

Dr Dave Clements reposted

VERY interesting as we head into poppy month

Leicester Gazette@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

Dr Dave Clements reposted

A lot of people told the government - repeatedly and at length - that this wouldn't work The government decided they knew better and pressed on anyway It turns out: it doesn't work No lessons will be learned from this

videah θΔ@videah.net

Ofcom published a report today that pretty much declares the Online Safety Act a complete failure

Dr Dave Clements reposted

Again, it’s important to understand that the transgender terror did not arise organically from the public. It was imposed from above, by the world’s most hateful and poisonous media class.

Leicester Gazette@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

Dr Dave Clements reposted

His Faculty of Divinity webpage is down. www.divinity.cam.ac.uk/directory/dr...

divinity.cam.ac.ukdivinity.cam.ac.uk
Henry Mance@henrymance.ft.com

James Orr - Reform UK's ex policy chief - has stepped down from management roles at Cambridge university following media scrutiny The FT reported last month about complaints from two students. Orr has denied any wrongdoing and said his decision was voluntary as.ft.com/r/adb55c2d-2...

Dr Dave Clements reposted

Trump is working extra hard to bring financial benefits to Russia.

Eric Lipton NYT@ericlipton.nytimes.com

JUST POSTED: A Russian energy giant has secretly moved to acquire a position in a massive Alaska gas project. Its part of talks between Witkoff/Kushner & Putin. But CEO of US company resigns after learning of Russian money in the project. A wowzer of a story. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/23/u...

Dr Dave Clements reposted

Dr Dave Clements reposted

JUST POSTED: A Russian energy giant has secretly moved to acquire a position in a massive Alaska gas project. Its part of talks between Witkoff/Kushner & Putin. But CEO of US company resigns after learning of Russian money in the project. A wowzer of a story. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/23/u...

nytimes.comIn U.S. Gas Talks With Kremlin, Hidden Financing for Alaska Project EmergesInterviews and documents show a Russian energy giant secretly funded a U.S. firm. The deal has been discussed in talks to end the war in Ukraine.

Dr Dave Clements reposted

A punch in the face for Musk.

Team Talarico@teamtalaricohq.bsky.social

NEW AD: Have you seen these anti-Talarico attack ads? Elon Musk paid for nearly all of them. The world's first trillionaire knows if he drags the most corrupt politician in Texas across the finish line, Ken Paxton will owe him everything. Elon Musk: Texas is not for sale.

Dr Dave Clements reposted

Princes and Thieves, a book by investigative journalist Matthew Cole, says Dutch intelligence hacked the phone of Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner and watched him access a Dubai bank account holding hundreds of millions of dollars that came from a bank in Azerbaijan, Vanity Fair reports.

Dr Dave Clements reposted

Ohio gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Amy Acton was molested by her stepfather who was arrested & indicted. Her opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy is using the mother who abandoned her & ran off with her molester as a campaign surrogate. Where are all the angry women/allies? VOTE! GET ANGRY & RAGE VOLUNTEER!

Dr Dave Clements reposted

In just five days, Uganda vaccinated 8.3 million children against measles and rubella. The nationwide drive, which ended on 5 October, covered every child aged nine months to five years, whatever their vaccine history. The Cooperator buff.ly/7VnZOYR #ShareGoodNewsToo

buff.lyUganda vaccinates over 8.2mln children against measles, rubella - The Cooperator NewsUganda has vaccinated 8,285,835 children against measles and rubella during a nationwide five-day campaign that ended on October 5, 2026

Dr Dave Clements reposted

🚨“Had poultry been infected, the playbook would have been clear: The strain is so virulent that if a single chicken tests positive, the US govt requires farmers to kill the whole flock to protect other farms as well as public health...But there are no federal rules for how to deal with sick mink.”🚨

ProPublica@propublica.org

NEW: A bird flu outbreak has been raging uncontrolled on a Utah mink farm for two months. Flu experts fear it could spark a devastating human pandemic. But officials haven’t acted — instead prioritizing the financial interests of the fur trade.

Dr Dave Clements reposted

What most people don't know: when you fill up a petrol car most of the energy never moves it. Petrol car: 13–21% of the crude oil's energy reaches wheels. Electric car on today's UK grid: 43–45%. Electric car on wind+solar: 77–80%. That's why we don't need to replace fossil energy one for one.

Dr Dave Clements reposted

“We had no defense against the drones.” Most powerful military in history, and they were “sitting ducks” against Iran, because of boneheaded mismanagement.

Laleh Khalili@lalehkhalili.bsky.social

Man, Hegseth's Department of War is even more buffoonish than everything else. Kinda amazed how the US military didn't just have some basic war plans they could activate. Their lack of preparedness is astonishing. meidasnews.com/news/so-much...

Dr Dave Clements reposted

A junior academic at Cambridge disclosed a past suicide attempt The response? No follow-up. No investigation Meanwhile, the University continues to fund legal costs defending the Professor who bullied the academic Cambridge talks of change. Where is it? No surprises 21percent.org?p=4729