Alex Tarr
@avatarr8.bsky.social
Lecturer in Digital Cultures, Newcastle University
he/him
Co-Author of A People's Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area
he/him
Co-Author of A People's Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area
"AIs, the models work just like us!"
"Language models cannot reliably distinguish belief from knowledge and fact"
When AI is touted as a tool in medicine and law, among other things, this speaks volumes.
#AI 🧪
When AI is touted as a tool in medicine and law, among other things, this speaks volumes.
#AI 🧪
Language models cannot reliably distinguish belief from knowledge and fact - Nature Machine Intelligence
Suzgun et al. find that current large language models cannot reliably distinguish between belief, knowledge and fact, raising concerns for their use in healthcare, law and journalism, where such disti...
www.nature.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:33 PM
"AIs, the models work just like us!"
Thinking about the early 2000s on this momentous November day, and what's really popped into my head is that, if I'm honest, my all time favourite rhyming lyric is "Candy left over from halloween, a unified theory of everything."
November 4, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Thinking about the early 2000s on this momentous November day, and what's really popped into my head is that, if I'm honest, my all time favourite rhyming lyric is "Candy left over from halloween, a unified theory of everything."
computational humanities ==! digital humanities
Is this a conversation worth trying to have in 2025?
Is this a conversation worth trying to have in 2025?
October 22, 2025 at 4:38 PM
computational humanities ==! digital humanities
Is this a conversation worth trying to have in 2025?
Is this a conversation worth trying to have in 2025?
Reposted by Alex Tarr
To follow!
While the US & Europe ramp up military spending, millions live in poverty.
Today, we launch Transition Security Project, investigating how militarisation makes us poorer and less safe amid climate crisis — and what genuine security could look like. 🧵
transitionsecurity.org
Today, we launch Transition Security Project, investigating how militarisation makes us poorer and less safe amid climate crisis — and what genuine security could look like. 🧵
transitionsecurity.org
Transition Security Project
transitionsecurity.org
October 16, 2025 at 2:39 PM
To follow!
WARNING: THIS COMPUTER MUST BE EARTHED
Top of page 1 of the 1986 BBC AIV (advanced interactive video) user guide that accompanied the BBC Domesday Project (on 2 custom laser disks), where nearly a million UK children collected data for an interactive map, photos, videos and virtual tours project?!
Top of page 1 of the 1986 BBC AIV (advanced interactive video) user guide that accompanied the BBC Domesday Project (on 2 custom laser disks), where nearly a million UK children collected data for an interactive map, photos, videos and virtual tours project?!
October 16, 2025 at 2:43 PM
WARNING: THIS COMPUTER MUST BE EARTHED
Top of page 1 of the 1986 BBC AIV (advanced interactive video) user guide that accompanied the BBC Domesday Project (on 2 custom laser disks), where nearly a million UK children collected data for an interactive map, photos, videos and virtual tours project?!
Top of page 1 of the 1986 BBC AIV (advanced interactive video) user guide that accompanied the BBC Domesday Project (on 2 custom laser disks), where nearly a million UK children collected data for an interactive map, photos, videos and virtual tours project?!
Who's writing the "From Counterculture to Cyberculture" style book on how we got from a 2000s free/remix-culture liberal dream that the Internet could break the corporate stranglehold on life to this moment of Tech Corporation actively trying to end life as we know it by seizing control of culture?
October 7, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Who's writing the "From Counterculture to Cyberculture" style book on how we got from a 2000s free/remix-culture liberal dream that the Internet could break the corporate stranglehold on life to this moment of Tech Corporation actively trying to end life as we know it by seizing control of culture?
Reposted by Alex Tarr
We’re not just planning for a digital future: we’re living in a digital present. How do we make a sustainable cultural memory?
@TJOwens.bsky.social & @ShannonMattern.bsky.social discuss in the #booktalk AFTER DISRUPTION.
🗓 Thurs Sept 25
🕖 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET
🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/1633230118...
@TJOwens.bsky.social & @ShannonMattern.bsky.social discuss in the #booktalk AFTER DISRUPTION.
🗓 Thurs Sept 25
🕖 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET
🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/1633230118...
September 24, 2025 at 7:02 PM
We’re not just planning for a digital future: we’re living in a digital present. How do we make a sustainable cultural memory?
@TJOwens.bsky.social & @ShannonMattern.bsky.social discuss in the #booktalk AFTER DISRUPTION.
🗓 Thurs Sept 25
🕖 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET
🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/1633230118...
@TJOwens.bsky.social & @ShannonMattern.bsky.social discuss in the #booktalk AFTER DISRUPTION.
🗓 Thurs Sept 25
🕖 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET
🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/1633230118...
"Cities continue to change, in response to access to and control over their energy supplies, as well as to their will to exploit and conserve. But our ability to penetrate our surroundings-to distinguish myth from reality, wish from fulfilment has only begun to cope with environmental change..." 1/2
August 4, 2025 at 8:46 AM
"Cities continue to change, in response to access to and control over their energy supplies, as well as to their will to exploit and conserve. But our ability to penetrate our surroundings-to distinguish myth from reality, wish from fulfilment has only begun to cope with environmental change..." 1/2
who writes about the origins of 'data' as something a subject possess? In something like an ontological sense- in the same way that a subject (once) possessed a soul or personality, one now *has* data. Data that is to be guarded, protected or given at will? When did "my data" enter the zeitgeist?
March 13, 2025 at 7:22 PM
who writes about the origins of 'data' as something a subject possess? In something like an ontological sense- in the same way that a subject (once) possessed a soul or personality, one now *has* data. Data that is to be guarded, protected or given at will? When did "my data" enter the zeitgeist?
Most reposting to remind fellow urbanists that you can now follow @city-journal.bsky.social on bluesky!
But, of course, also welcome more feedback on the editorial.
(come for the great art by Tom Schofield, stay for the non-sequitur, but maybe prescient, swipes at Larry Ellison and Oracle)
But, of course, also welcome more feedback on the editorial.
(come for the great art by Tom Schofield, stay for the non-sequitur, but maybe prescient, swipes at Larry Ellison and Oracle)
ICYMI: Issue 28.5-6 has been out for a bit! While we gear up for the next release, dive into our standout editorial by Alexander Tarr: "Cities, Computation, and Capitalism.
cityjournal.online/journals/cit...
cityjournal.online/journals/cit...
city: issue 28.5-6 | City Journal Online
founding editor: bob caterrall editor: city editors editorial: Cities, computation and capitalism alexander tarr … Metropolis. Great movie.
cityjournal.online
February 21, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Most reposting to remind fellow urbanists that you can now follow @city-journal.bsky.social on bluesky!
But, of course, also welcome more feedback on the editorial.
(come for the great art by Tom Schofield, stay for the non-sequitur, but maybe prescient, swipes at Larry Ellison and Oracle)
But, of course, also welcome more feedback on the editorial.
(come for the great art by Tom Schofield, stay for the non-sequitur, but maybe prescient, swipes at Larry Ellison and Oracle)
semi-annual reminder that Japancakes covered My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless" in its entirety and it is perfect.
All instrumental (the cellos and pedal steels work brilliantly) so you can put it on at your place of work today!
japancakes.bandcamp.com/album/loveless
All instrumental (the cellos and pedal steels work brilliantly) so you can put it on at your place of work today!
japancakes.bandcamp.com/album/loveless
Loveless, by Japancakes
11 track album
japancakes.bandcamp.com
February 14, 2025 at 11:38 AM
semi-annual reminder that Japancakes covered My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless" in its entirety and it is perfect.
All instrumental (the cellos and pedal steels work brilliantly) so you can put it on at your place of work today!
japancakes.bandcamp.com/album/loveless
All instrumental (the cellos and pedal steels work brilliantly) so you can put it on at your place of work today!
japancakes.bandcamp.com/album/loveless
wonder what the mood is over at the NSA this week.
February 4, 2025 at 11:29 AM
wonder what the mood is over at the NSA this week.
Reposted by Alex Tarr
Hot off the digital press, my article in @antipodeonline.bsky.social on Social Reproduction and the Housing Question onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Social Reproduction and the Housing Question
There is broad recognition today that there is a link between the crisis of social reproduction and the housing problem. But their precise relationship is not always clear. This paper is an attempt t...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
January 28, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Hot off the digital press, my article in @antipodeonline.bsky.social on Social Reproduction and the Housing Question onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
I understand why a studio went with "A Complete Unknown" as the recognisable lyric to use as a title for a Dylan biopic, but I still think they should have gone with "Short Pants Romance."
January 25, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I understand why a studio went with "A Complete Unknown" as the recognisable lyric to use as a title for a Dylan biopic, but I still think they should have gone with "Short Pants Romance."
Reposted by Alex Tarr
Looks like there's a new influx of folks here, so boosting the @cplusc.bsky.social starter pack- if you want to hear about the best new ideas in climate and economic policy in the coming dark days, this is a good place to start! bsky.app/starter-pack...
January 21, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Looks like there's a new influx of folks here, so boosting the @cplusc.bsky.social starter pack- if you want to hear about the best new ideas in climate and economic policy in the coming dark days, this is a good place to start! bsky.app/starter-pack...
The wonderful editors at City asked me to write an editorial for the latest issue. Here is what I had to say about Cities, computation and capitalism:
doi.org/10.1080/1360...
(lots of wonderful work I didn't have space to cite, but I hope it furthers a broader conversation and action)
doi.org/10.1080/1360...
(lots of wonderful work I didn't have space to cite, but I hope it furthers a broader conversation and action)
Cities, computation and capitalism
Published in City: Analysis of Urban Change, Theory, Action (Vol. 28, No. 5-6, 2024)
doi.org
December 19, 2024 at 4:17 PM
The wonderful editors at City asked me to write an editorial for the latest issue. Here is what I had to say about Cities, computation and capitalism:
doi.org/10.1080/1360...
(lots of wonderful work I didn't have space to cite, but I hope it furthers a broader conversation and action)
doi.org/10.1080/1360...
(lots of wonderful work I didn't have space to cite, but I hope it furthers a broader conversation and action)
Reposted by Alex Tarr
Israeli forces have bombed another UN-run school in southern Gaza, killing at least 20 displaced Palestinians sheltering in the building, witnesses told Al Jazeera.
🔗: aje.io/otnvl2
🔗: aje.io/otnvl2
December 16, 2024 at 8:26 AM
Israeli forces have bombed another UN-run school in southern Gaza, killing at least 20 displaced Palestinians sheltering in the building, witnesses told Al Jazeera.
🔗: aje.io/otnvl2
🔗: aje.io/otnvl2
Admittedly, I may be more excited about the "Drawing and Dreaming" version, but both look like absolute treasures.
a4kids.org/book/city/
a4kids.org/book/city/
November 19, 2024 at 9:46 PM
Admittedly, I may be more excited about the "Drawing and Dreaming" version, but both look like absolute treasures.
a4kids.org/book/city/
a4kids.org/book/city/
and just when I was starting to think tech might just save us.
Silicon Valley is seizing the levers of power, but we’re here to help you chart a course through the madness.
I’m thrilled to announce SYSTEM CRASH, a new podcast I’ll be cohosting with my pal @bcmerchant.bsky.social.
Join us as we dissect the tech dystopia. Starts Friday!
I’m thrilled to announce SYSTEM CRASH, a new podcast I’ll be cohosting with my pal @bcmerchant.bsky.social.
Join us as we dissect the tech dystopia. Starts Friday!
November 19, 2024 at 7:01 PM
and just when I was starting to think tech might just save us.
"These people looked deep within my soul... and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."
September 18, 2024 at 9:54 AM
"These people looked deep within my soul... and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."
Reposted by Alex Tarr
www.jsonline.com/story/money/... my friend Lindsay did a big long piece for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the impact of local data center development and I'm so proud of her!! Regional coverage is very important for this topic!!
Massive Microsoft data center brings new promise - and water and energy challenges - to Racine County.
The data center will have far fewer jobs than even the scaled-down Foxconn operation nearby.
www.jsonline.com
September 15, 2024 at 4:37 PM
www.jsonline.com/story/money/... my friend Lindsay did a big long piece for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the impact of local data center development and I'm so proud of her!! Regional coverage is very important for this topic!!
Reposted by Alex Tarr
🚨 New issue of Reviews in Digital Humanities! Jennifer Guiliano and I are excited to share the August issue of #ReviewsInDH: “Community-engaged Mapping.” reviewsindh.pubpub.org/v5-n8
Vol. 5, No. 8: August 2024 - Community-Engaged Mapping · Reviews in Digital Humanities
Vol. 5, No. 8 of Reviews in Digital Humanities, a peer-reviewed journal that facilitates scholarly evaluation of digital humanities work and its outputs, edited by Jennifer Guiliano (IUPUI) and Roopik...
reviewsindh.pubpub.org
August 26, 2024 at 2:17 PM
🚨 New issue of Reviews in Digital Humanities! Jennifer Guiliano and I are excited to share the August issue of #ReviewsInDH: “Community-engaged Mapping.” reviewsindh.pubpub.org/v5-n8
hearing a lot of hemming-and-hawing on UK media about why the country is behind in the tech economy, and, more generally, declining productivity.
Has any considered that at the root of the problem is that the '#' key is just in the wrong place on most British keyboards? And non-existent on others?
Has any considered that at the root of the problem is that the '#' key is just in the wrong place on most British keyboards? And non-existent on others?
March 4, 2024 at 12:36 PM
hearing a lot of hemming-and-hawing on UK media about why the country is behind in the tech economy, and, more generally, declining productivity.
Has any considered that at the root of the problem is that the '#' key is just in the wrong place on most British keyboards? And non-existent on others?
Has any considered that at the root of the problem is that the '#' key is just in the wrong place on most British keyboards? And non-existent on others?