Notices by Dr. Eric J. Fielding, PhD (ericfielding@mastodon.social)

@ShiitakeToast @GottaLaff There are some federal grants that are specifically for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and many to study climate change. I don't know what is going to happen with this federal grant "pause". The collateral damage to scientific research (not to mention grants for more social work) might not be a key part of the plan, but it seems they are not worried about it either. As a recipient of federal funding for my job, I am likely to be affected.

@blogdiva My employer requires us to use Microsoft M365 for many things, but they at least they allow us to use macOS and we can install FLOSS products on our computers.

@FizzyWhiskey I think it also includes grants to state, local, and tribal governments.

@jaztrophysicist Thanks. I think the funds that I have in advance are enough to last about 4 months.

The Trump Office of Management and Budget has instructed all USA Federal agencies to stop funding all external activities, including science grants to universities and research institutes. There were people reporting NSF review panels on Monday being postponed, which was surprising, but this is everything. Archive link to Washington Post article below. #USA_politics

@peterroopnarine @michael_w_busch I am sorry to hear now that this is a new instruction for all federal agencies, including NASA that supports my work.

https://archive.ph/qeptT

@JosephAndriano @technodad @ai6yr @ingalls So YOU are the person warding off shakers for your state! Should have known😊. About 10:36 am EST

@michael_w_busch Wow, I did not hear about NSF cancelling panels. Last week, it was NIH instructed to cancel all activities with grants. NSF is supposed to be an independent agency!

@mattblaze What is going on with that pylon that seems to be bent near the bottom of the photo?

@futurebird @sbourne I did not find the baby owl photo yet, but here is an adult burrowing owl.

Guardian article: #shrew #mammals #california
The framing of the shrew: California students photograph mammal never caught on film https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/26/mount-lyell-shrew-california-photograph

@michael_w_busch @tillmanreuter @sundogplanets It is important to remember that the Tesla car is still attached to the whole second stage of the Falcon Heavy. That is why it is large enough to see easily. The second stage must have a relatively low mass for its size because they burned all the fuel, so it probably behaves somewhat differently from a rocky asteroid of the same size.

@sundogplanets I am still not sure if this is satire.

@lauren @strange_new_words I did not hesitate to vote for Harris, and I understand why she did not talk much about Gaza. It was a lose-lose situation for her to talk about it.

@strange_new_words @lauren Harris did not talk much about plans for Gaza, that I remember.

@ai6yr Can they truck some snow from New Orleans to Wisconsin? Jk

@n_dimension @ai6yr I know that Apple has a randomization feature for their WiFi MAC address on iOS to prevent tracking, but I don't think they have that for BlueTooth, yet.

@BruceMirken @inquiline I have been subscribed to The Guardian for several years. They have greatly expanded their coverage of the USA news, presumably because a lot of their subscribers are in the USA. Since I work as a contractor for federal agency, I was getting a free subscription to WaPo for many years that they gave to those with ".gov" email addresses. They ended that program in November 2024. Maybe I don't need the play-by-play coverage of Washington DC news as it is only depressing now

@jeffjarvis I switched my attention many years ago from the NYT to WaPo, but after seeing the owner of the WaPo sitting in the front row at the inauguration, I don't know where to turn.

@ai6yr I did not know that Bluetooth would have such a large range, considering so many Bluetooth devices have limited power available for transmitting.