Ryan Anderson
@anthropologia.bsky.social
Cultural, environmental, and economic anthropologist. All things coastal. Photography. Some baseball too.
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Ryan Anderson
@anthropologia.bsky.social
· Aug 24
Anthropology The Gathering #2 (Bundt cake and aristocratic power edition)
Some classic culinary material culture that I found in my garage this past month. Welcome back to my semi-regular roundup of anthropology-related happenings. Here’s what I have for you this t…
anthropologia.org
Ok here's my second anthro roundup. It may be the only game in town that goes from Bundt cakes and Magic the Gathering all the way to aristocratic power. But I could be wrong. anthropologia.org/2025/08/24/a... #anthropology
oh great more good news
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 18, 2025 at 10:39 PM
oh great more good news
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 18, 2025 at 7:16 PM
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
But I thought social scientists could just study LLMs now.
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 18, 2025 at 9:37 PM
But I thought social scientists could just study LLMs now.
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
*pop*
Well.
Oracle’s astonishing $300bn OpenAI deal is now valued at minus $74bn - on.ft.com/4p8LViA via @FT
Oracle’s astonishing $300bn OpenAI deal is now valued at minus $74bn - on.ft.com/4p8LViA via @FT
Oracle’s astonishing $300bn OpenAI deal is now valued at minus $74bn
And suddenly, there may be a reverse Midas at the centre of AI’s circular economy
on.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:17 PM
*pop*
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
Way back in 1947, Alan Turing had thoughts on how AI would influence the demand for skilled labor.
(via Matteo Pasquinelli 2023 _The Eye of the Master_)
(via Matteo Pasquinelli 2023 _The Eye of the Master_)
![Roughly speaking those who work in connection with the [automatic computing engine] will be divided into its masters and its servants. Its masters will plan out instruction tables for it, thinking up deeper and deeper ways of using it...The masters are liable to get replaced because as soon as any technique becomes at all stereotyped it becomes possible to devise a system of instruction tables which will enable the electronic computer to do it for itself. It may happen however that the masters will refuse to do this. They may be unwilling to let their jobs be stolen from them in this way. In that case they would surround the whole of their work with mystery and make excuses, couched in well chosen gibberish, whenever any dangerous suggestions were made.
— Alan Turing (1947) Lecture on the Automatic Computing Engine](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:tbqqvyv6pjjww44glrmycaxl/bafkreiajgzfaixqslnz2oftyxfcz2htgwbfisxfeyoospb5o6f3arqwfgu@jpeg)
November 18, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Way back in 1947, Alan Turing had thoughts on how AI would influence the demand for skilled labor.
(via Matteo Pasquinelli 2023 _The Eye of the Master_)
(via Matteo Pasquinelli 2023 _The Eye of the Master_)
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
Look, I know we're all sick of hearing "if this had happened with any other president ..." but it's absolutely true and absolutely can't be forgotten.
For some reason, this nation gives this idiotic spoiled brat a free pass from things that would destroy the administration of any other person.
For some reason, this nation gives this idiotic spoiled brat a free pass from things that would destroy the administration of any other person.
When asked if there was anything "incriminating" in Epstein's emails, Trump pointed a finger in a female reporter's face and snapped. 'Quiet. Quiet, Piggy.'
people.com/donald-trump...
people.com/donald-trump...
Donald Trump Snaps at Female Reporter Who Asks About Epstein Files: 'Quiet Piggy'
Donald Trump Says 'Quiet Piggy' to Female Reporter Asking About Epstein Files
people.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Look, I know we're all sick of hearing "if this had happened with any other president ..." but it's absolutely true and absolutely can't be forgotten.
For some reason, this nation gives this idiotic spoiled brat a free pass from things that would destroy the administration of any other person.
For some reason, this nation gives this idiotic spoiled brat a free pass from things that would destroy the administration of any other person.
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
The Department of Unsubtle Metaphors continues to exceed expectations
President Trump walking past the flag at the Whitehouse which has fallen to the ground
November 18, 2025 at 1:25 AM
The Department of Unsubtle Metaphors continues to exceed expectations
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
It is good to know about the history of Debt.
November 16, 2025 at 2:56 PM
It is good to know about the history of Debt.
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
If you're a professor at Texas A&M, you'll need to receive written authorization from the university president before discussing this incident on campus.
November 15, 2025 at 8:18 PM
If you're a professor at Texas A&M, you'll need to receive written authorization from the university president before discussing this incident on campus.
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
“We analyzed 47000 conversations that people had with ChatGPT. We’re pretty sure we don’t have consent for a lot of them. So we are reproducing screenshots here.”
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
November 15, 2025 at 7:40 PM
“We analyzed 47000 conversations that people had with ChatGPT. We’re pretty sure we don’t have consent for a lot of them. So we are reproducing screenshots here.”
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
15 years ago @jevinwest.bsky.social and I talked about how we needed a data scientists’ code of ethics like the Hippocratic oath.
We still do.
We still do.
November 15, 2025 at 7:41 PM
15 years ago @jevinwest.bsky.social and I talked about how we needed a data scientists’ code of ethics like the Hippocratic oath.
We still do.
We still do.
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
EverythingIsFine.gif
November 14, 2025 at 4:59 AM
EverythingIsFine.gif
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
BlueSky could have shared a screenshot of my tweet showing the Oct 10 timestamp and that I was using Johnny Cash lyrics to quote-tweet about an article on Johnny Cash. Instead, they made it look like I issued a random death threat and falsely claimed I posted it this week. They should apologize.
November 14, 2025 at 1:57 PM
BlueSky could have shared a screenshot of my tweet showing the Oct 10 timestamp and that I was using Johnny Cash lyrics to quote-tweet about an article on Johnny Cash. Instead, they made it look like I issued a random death threat and falsely claimed I posted it this week. They should apologize.
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
In 2017, the sitting president had Thanksgiving with his old friend who had been convicted of sex crimes with a minor.
And we’re only learning about this now?
And we’re only learning about this now?
November 13, 2025 at 12:18 PM
In 2017, the sitting president had Thanksgiving with his old friend who had been convicted of sex crimes with a minor.
And we’re only learning about this now?
And we’re only learning about this now?
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
"Federal prosecutors have not filed criminal charges against anyone who was arrested. Nor have they revealed any evidence showing that two immigrants arrested in the building belonged to the Tren de Aragua gang, or even provided their names."
In Sept, @homelandgov.bsky.social raided a Chicago complex and took dozens of immigrants — under the cover of darkness.
Officials called it a victory against terrorism.
A team @propublica.org set out to check the claims, and find and talk with the Venezuelans:
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
Officials called it a victory against terrorism.
A team @propublica.org set out to check the claims, and find and talk with the Venezuelans:
www.propublica.org/article/chic...
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:43 PM
"Federal prosecutors have not filed criminal charges against anyone who was arrested. Nor have they revealed any evidence showing that two immigrants arrested in the building belonged to the Tren de Aragua gang, or even provided their names."
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
I was asked to supply a title for my December talk at Stanford. I've settled on: "Nobody Wants This: Please Stop Ruining Everything."
November 13, 2025 at 2:06 AM
I was asked to supply a title for my December talk at Stanford. I've settled on: "Nobody Wants This: Please Stop Ruining Everything."
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
Judge rules mandatory detention of Chicago day care teacher by ICE is illegal
Judge rules mandatory detention of Chicago day care teacher by ICE is illegal
According to the ruling, Diana Santillana will be given a bond hearing in front of an immigration judge, who could order her released while her civil deportation case proceeds.
trib.al
November 12, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Judge rules mandatory detention of Chicago day care teacher by ICE is illegal
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
No, seriously, yes.
ever since I learned about three-cueing I've developed infinitely more patience for replies on social media. mfers literally do not know how to read. people are walking around conjuring random meanings into words they don't know, and they don't know a lot of words. it's crazy
November 12, 2025 at 7:18 PM
No, seriously, yes.
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
Wasn’t expecting the Epstein scandal to blow up the New York Times but sure, why not
To recap: Jeffrey Epstein offered a NY Times reporter photos taken in Epstein's kitchen of Donald Trump and girls in bikinis *and* implored the NYT reporter to put this information in the public discourse in 2015
What did the NY Times editors know about this offer?
What did the NY Times editors know about this offer?
“would you like photos of donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen?” -Jeffrey Epstein
November 12, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Wasn’t expecting the Epstein scandal to blow up the New York Times but sure, why not
Any updates about this case? How close are we getting to this threshold? I see lots of folks on here asking for explanations about what is happening and why Sarah Kendzior was banned. We're talking about a well-known writer and journalist here.
We usually do that in response to media requests once they hit that threshold. I’ll try not to weigh in here, since that’s still details of an individual case. An interesting topic for a separate write up though, without discussing case specifics.
November 12, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Any updates about this case? How close are we getting to this threshold? I see lots of folks on here asking for explanations about what is happening and why Sarah Kendzior was banned. We're talking about a well-known writer and journalist here.
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
Presumably a mistaken suspension of a journalist who is a very anodyne poster over here, @aaron.bsky.team and co. What's the best way to reach the team who can look into it?
In a rare case of Substack notes usefulness, I just learned that Sarah Kendzior (author of They Knew and a brilliant writer) got bounced from Bluesky. What the hell? new @sarahkendzior.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Presumably a mistaken suspension of a journalist who is a very anodyne poster over here, @aaron.bsky.team and co. What's the best way to reach the team who can look into it?
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
In 2006 a high school English teacher asked students to write to a famous author & ask for advice.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
November 11, 2025 at 10:39 AM
In 2006 a high school English teacher asked students to write to a famous author & ask for advice.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
In a rare case of Substack notes usefulness, I just learned that Sarah Kendzior (author of They Knew and a brilliant writer) got bounced from Bluesky. What the hell? new @sarahkendzior.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 4:09 AM
In a rare case of Substack notes usefulness, I just learned that Sarah Kendzior (author of They Knew and a brilliant writer) got bounced from Bluesky. What the hell? new @sarahkendzior.bsky.social
Reposted by Ryan Anderson
Yo, @support.bsky.team, bring back @sarahkendzior.bsky.social.
November 11, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Yo, @support.bsky.team, bring back @sarahkendzior.bsky.social.