David A. Markowitz

We're at the threshold of understanding intelligence itself. The convergence of neuroscience and AI has created an unprecedented opportunity — but our research ecosystem isn't built to seize it. We need a new model that matches the scale of our ambition... 🧵

Great thread about the process of developing a scalable platform for neural circuit reconstruction. Mid-execution, it felt like we were always pivoting some aspect of the approach (across the entire MICrONS program, not just at Princeton). Extraordinary work by a great team.

I don't feel limited by my I/O. I'm already overwhelmed by the deluge of information.

This week on the Core Memory pod we fix American Science and advance civilization My chat with the founders of @Convergent_FROs corememory.com/p/fixing-ameri…

1/ One year ago, we launched Renaissance Philanthropy to fuel a 21st century Renaissance by increasing the ambition of philanthropists, scientists, and innovators. Today, we’re proud to share our first annual report. Here’s what we’ve been building 🧵 🔗 renaissancephilanthropy.org/annual-report-…

Gratified by today's news of a $155M seed round for DNA data storage newco Atlas, built on technologies developed under @IARPAnews MIST program. It validates my "if we de-risk it investors will come" thesis. Also means my public service has now driven >$1B of economic activity 🙂

My rule of thumb for successful ARPA programs is "If it doesn't constantly feel like everyone is on the verge of failure and you need to troubleshoot everything, then you haven't set appropriately ambitious goals." I call it the Art of the Impossible 🙂

I've said it publicly before and I'll say it again: science awards that preferentially recognize individuals are an anachronism. This just doesn't reflect how much of today's impactful science gets done. 4/

Video thread containing the individual videos that accompanied the MICrONS paper package out last week. Not science explainer videos, more like "A trailer for a paper...Not intended to be a replacement for reading, but hopefully they make you want to: nature.com/immersive/d428…