Avril Mansfield
@avrilmansfield.bsky.social
Senior Scientist at KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
I suppose Ireland is the only country where you can wear zogabongs, but hardly anyone does that anymore.
So what ARE you allowed to wear in Ireland?
November 15, 2025 at 8:27 AM
I suppose Ireland is the only country where you can wear zogabongs, but hardly anyone does that anymore.
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
It didn’t go far enough. It never went far enough.
Today is a good day to remember, and to say, that the #MeToo movement was right, and was righteous, and has been vindicated over and over again. There was no overreach. There was no excess. There was no they-went-too-far.
So much work remains to be done.
So much work remains to be done.
November 13, 2025 at 12:19 AM
It didn’t go far enough. It never went far enough.
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
November 12, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
The likelihood of a trans athlete making the Olympics is already a small fraction of that of their cis counterparts because while cis people are training, trans people are trying to get healthcare.
But let's make sure trans people can't even dream of competing.
But let's make sure trans people can't even dream of competing.
November 10, 2025 at 1:33 PM
The likelihood of a trans athlete making the Olympics is already a small fraction of that of their cis counterparts because while cis people are training, trans people are trying to get healthcare.
But let's make sure trans people can't even dream of competing.
But let's make sure trans people can't even dream of competing.
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
Today is World Vegan Day! If you are concerned about climate change, reducing meat and dairy in your diet is one of the most powerful individual actions you can take.
"The effect of our modern meat production on the environment is truly terrifying." Jane Goodall news.janegoodall.org/2017/04/28/w...
"The effect of our modern meat production on the environment is truly terrifying." Jane Goodall news.janegoodall.org/2017/04/28/w...
Why I Went Plant-Based (And Why We Should All Eat Less Meat)
Dr. Goodall went plant-based after confronting what that meat represents: pain. Since, she learned more reasons why the work to #eatmeatless is important.
news.janegoodall.org
November 1, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Today is World Vegan Day! If you are concerned about climate change, reducing meat and dairy in your diet is one of the most powerful individual actions you can take.
"The effect of our modern meat production on the environment is truly terrifying." Jane Goodall news.janegoodall.org/2017/04/28/w...
"The effect of our modern meat production on the environment is truly terrifying." Jane Goodall news.janegoodall.org/2017/04/28/w...
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
The home of the O'Donovan family is being used as a polling station in Coolmoyne, Co Tipperary. Around 250 people are eligible to vote at the house and after they cast their ballot, they will be treated to a cup of tea, a slice of apple or rhubarb tart, or a scone | More: rte.ie/b/1540324
October 24, 2025 at 10:51 AM
The home of the O'Donovan family is being used as a polling station in Coolmoyne, Co Tipperary. Around 250 people are eligible to vote at the house and after they cast their ballot, they will be treated to a cup of tea, a slice of apple or rhubarb tart, or a scone | More: rte.ie/b/1540324
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
British soldiers murdered 13 British citizens on the streets of a British city in 1972 and nobody has ever been held accountable.
"Thirteen people were shot dead on Bloody Sunday in January 1972 at a civil rights demonstration in the Bogside area of Derry.
A public inquiry, which concluded in 2010, found that none of the people who were killed posed any threat to the army."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cg...
A public inquiry, which concluded in 2010, found that none of the people who were killed posed any threat to the army."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cg...
Bloody Sunday: Soldier F found not guilty of all charges in Bloody Sunday murder trial
Soldier F - who cannot be named - was accused of murdering two people in Londonderry in 1972, plus five counts of attempted murder.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 11:50 AM
British soldiers murdered 13 British citizens on the streets of a British city in 1972 and nobody has ever been held accountable.
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
Louvre Thieves Given Immunity After Confirming Jewels Stolen For Purpose Of Training AI Software https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2025/10/20/louvre-thieves-given-immunity-after-confirming-jewels-stolen-for-purpose-of-training-ai-software/
Louvre Thieves Given Immunity After Confirming Jewels Stolen For Purpose Of Training AI Software
FRENCH POLICE have immediately ended all efforts to recover priceless Napoleon-era jewellery from the Louvre taken in a daring heist after it emerged the jewels were merely stolen for the purposes of training AI software.
When …
waterfordwhispersnews.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Louvre Thieves Given Immunity After Confirming Jewels Stolen For Purpose Of Training AI Software https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2025/10/20/louvre-thieves-given-immunity-after-confirming-jewels-stolen-for-purpose-of-training-ai-software/
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
"New Far Side comics" was definitely not on my bingo card for this week. They're not bad!
www.thefarside.com/new-stuff/
www.thefarside.com/new-stuff/
October 16, 2025 at 6:58 PM
"New Far Side comics" was definitely not on my bingo card for this week. They're not bad!
www.thefarside.com/new-stuff/
www.thefarside.com/new-stuff/
If I didn't sometimes struggle with writing, how would my house get clean??
When I struggled with something writing-wise I take a walk. And 100% of the time I end up figuring out the solution. I would never, ever, ever, ask a machine to do that for me. Wtf.
The only correct take on a fundamentally anti-human technology.
October 9, 2025 at 12:24 PM
If I didn't sometimes struggle with writing, how would my house get clean??
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
Gavin has shown himself unfit to be President. This is why we should let our current President take a third term, despite his age. Who cares what the constitution says.
October 6, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Gavin has shown himself unfit to be President. This is why we should let our current President take a third term, despite his age. Who cares what the constitution says.
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
Greta Thunberg speaks to the press after being released from illegal detainment in Israel: "I could talk for a very, very long time about our mistreatment and abuses in our imprisonment. Trust me, but that is not the story.”
October 6, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Greta Thunberg speaks to the press after being released from illegal detainment in Israel: "I could talk for a very, very long time about our mistreatment and abuses in our imprisonment. Trust me, but that is not the story.”
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
Irish detainees from the Gaza flotilla have told their lawyers they were kicked, pushed and cable tied.
Outside the notorious Ktzi’ot prison where they are currently held, Miriam Azem told me of “aggressive treatment and violence” the detainees say they received:
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
Outside the notorious Ktzi’ot prison where they are currently held, Miriam Azem told me of “aggressive treatment and violence” the detainees say they received:
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
‘Harsh treatment’: Irish aid flotilla detainees ‘kicked, cable-tied’ in Israeli custody
Volunteers trying to reach Gaza taken to notorious Ktzi’ot prison complex in Negev desert, lawyers say
www.irishtimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Irish detainees from the Gaza flotilla have told their lawyers they were kicked, pushed and cable tied.
Outside the notorious Ktzi’ot prison where they are currently held, Miriam Azem told me of “aggressive treatment and violence” the detainees say they received:
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
Outside the notorious Ktzi’ot prison where they are currently held, Miriam Azem told me of “aggressive treatment and violence” the detainees say they received:
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
The writer, broadcaster and documentary maker Manchán Magan has died at the age of 55, his family has confirmed
Broadcaster and scríbhneoir Manchán Magan dies aged 55
The writer, broadcaster and documentary maker Manchán Magan has died at the age of 55, his family has confirmed.
www.rte.ie
October 3, 2025 at 5:58 AM
The writer, broadcaster and documentary maker Manchán Magan has died at the age of 55, his family has confirmed
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
This is a problem.
September 26, 2025 at 5:59 AM
This is a problem.
I love a documentary featuring lovable weirdos that teaches me about a topic I know nothing about. This was great!
“How did you cut your finger so badly Panti?!”
“Oh I was mincing (shut up!) garlic while also *totally* engrossed in this unexpectedly engrossing and really fun documentary about two adorable stoner straight guys getting involved in the surprisingly competitive world of competitive bird watching”
“Oh I was mincing (shut up!) garlic while also *totally* engrossed in this unexpectedly engrossing and really fun documentary about two adorable stoner straight guys getting involved in the surprisingly competitive world of competitive bird watching”
LISTERS: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching
YouTube video by owen reiser
youtu.be
September 21, 2025 at 8:43 AM
I love a documentary featuring lovable weirdos that teaches me about a topic I know nothing about. This was great!
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
When ChatGPT first took off this was the use case that confused me the most. People said they “only” used it to write “first drafts.” That’s the most important draft! That’s the thinking part!
Scoop: Business Insider informed its staff this week that they are allowed to use ChatGPT to generate first drafts of their stories, while also indicating the newsroom will not disclose such A.I. use to readers.
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/business-i...
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/business-i...
Business Insider and the Bots
The Axel Springer-owned newsroom is buzzing over new ChatGPT writing guidelines—part of an aggressive A.I. strategy pushed by its German parentco and detailed in a memo obtained by Status.
www.status.news
September 17, 2025 at 3:12 AM
When ChatGPT first took off this was the use case that confused me the most. People said they “only” used it to write “first drafts.” That’s the most important draft! That’s the thinking part!
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
FINALLY.
September 13, 2025 at 1:43 AM
FINALLY.
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
Ireland will not take part in 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if participation of Israel goes ahead, RTÉ Director-General says
Ireland to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 over Israel
RTÉ has announced this lunchtime that it will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song contest "if the participation of Israel goes ahead."
www.rte.ie
September 11, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Ireland will not take part in 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if participation of Israel goes ahead, RTÉ Director-General says
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
Confused writing is usually a symptom of confused thinking. As we struggle to clarify writing, we clarify our thoughts. AI writing aids rob us of that struggle, leaving clean-looking text and thoughts still confused for lack of inspection. Writing is not just a product; it is a diagnostic tool.
September 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Confused writing is usually a symptom of confused thinking. As we struggle to clarify writing, we clarify our thoughts. AI writing aids rob us of that struggle, leaving clean-looking text and thoughts still confused for lack of inspection. Writing is not just a product; it is a diagnostic tool.
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
Someone you know IRL showing you something they used AI to make or do feels like a someone trying to impress you with a dead rodent that's been run over by a car. This is not good what do you expect me to do with it
September 6, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Someone you know IRL showing you something they used AI to make or do feels like a someone trying to impress you with a dead rodent that's been run over by a car. This is not good what do you expect me to do with it
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
Knees are a little too important for how easy it is to destroy them imo
July 7, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Knees are a little too important for how easy it is to destroy them imo
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
Determining perception thresholds of young adults to small continuous moving platform perturbations https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.21.671548v1
August 26, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Determining perception thresholds of young adults to small continuous moving platform perturbations https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.21.671548v1
Reposted by Avril Mansfield
It is astounding how much time I spent declining genAI services right now. No, I don't want you to summarize this novel for me. No, I don't want you to compose a message to my mom. No, I don't want you to create a picture for me.
Fuck. Off.
Fuck. Off.
August 25, 2025 at 4:53 AM
It is astounding how much time I spent declining genAI services right now. No, I don't want you to summarize this novel for me. No, I don't want you to compose a message to my mom. No, I don't want you to create a picture for me.
Fuck. Off.
Fuck. Off.