Frodo Podschwadek
@frodopodschwadek.co.uk
Philosopher, Programmer, Owner of an Orange-Coloured Cat of Unique Character
There's no kitchen yet and still a week's worth of parquet fitting to do but we nonetheless already moved into out new flat with our flora and fauna. So far, they seem to adjust quite well to the new environment.
December 14, 2025 at 4:49 PM
There's no kitchen yet and still a week's worth of parquet fitting to do but we nonetheless already moved into out new flat with our flora and fauna. So far, they seem to adjust quite well to the new environment.
I'm already a bit late for this one, but considering that I'm fond of both democracy as well as solitude, I'm looking forward to reading.
November 1, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I'm already a bit late for this one, but considering that I'm fond of both democracy as well as solitude, I'm looking forward to reading.
Reposted by Frodo Podschwadek
as a girl with a PhD in natural language processing and machine learning it's actually offensive to me when you say "we don't know how LLMs work so they might be conscious"
I didn't spend 10 years in mines of academia to be told ignorance is morally equal knowledge.
We know exactly how LLMs work.
I didn't spend 10 years in mines of academia to be told ignorance is morally equal knowledge.
We know exactly how LLMs work.
October 4, 2025 at 10:23 PM
as a girl with a PhD in natural language processing and machine learning it's actually offensive to me when you say "we don't know how LLMs work so they might be conscious"
I didn't spend 10 years in mines of academia to be told ignorance is morally equal knowledge.
We know exactly how LLMs work.
I didn't spend 10 years in mines of academia to be told ignorance is morally equal knowledge.
We know exactly how LLMs work.
Last talk preps for www.tagung-praktische-philosophie.org
September 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Last talk preps for www.tagung-praktische-philosophie.org
Reposted by Frodo Podschwadek
What is wrong with the UK? Economic migration is GOOD for the country and the economy, and welcoming refugees and their families is the RIGHT thing to do. Losing sight of these moral imperatives strips the country of its humanity and for what? To please a few xenophobes who will vote #Reform anyway.
September 1, 2025 at 8:43 AM
What is wrong with the UK? Economic migration is GOOD for the country and the economy, and welcoming refugees and their families is the RIGHT thing to do. Losing sight of these moral imperatives strips the country of its humanity and for what? To please a few xenophobes who will vote #Reform anyway.
Reposted by Frodo Podschwadek
"In the U.S. and Brazil,...trust in elections increased when shown examples of officials belonging to the losing side rejecting claims of voter fraud...people’s trust increased after receiving both a warning they might see election misinformation and a preemptive debunking of election fraud claims."
Trust in elections rises after ‘inoculations’ meant to preempt false fraud claims
New U.S.-Brazil study points to ways of countering election misinformation, political scientists say
www.science.org
August 30, 2025 at 4:47 PM
"In the U.S. and Brazil,...trust in elections increased when shown examples of officials belonging to the losing side rejecting claims of voter fraud...people’s trust increased after receiving both a warning they might see election misinformation and a preemptive debunking of election fraud claims."
This is a Scottish cat, no doubt.
August 27, 2025 at 6:39 PM
This is a Scottish cat, no doubt.
Many current political developments feel very much like this line from Hannah Arendt's The Origins of Totalitarianism to me: 'Nothing which was being done, no matter how stupid, now matter how many people knew and foretold the consequences, could be undone or prevented.'
August 21, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Many current political developments feel very much like this line from Hannah Arendt's The Origins of Totalitarianism to me: 'Nothing which was being done, no matter how stupid, now matter how many people knew and foretold the consequences, could be undone or prevented.'
Yesterday I had the opportunity to see Small Town Boys at the Edinburgh ZOO festival. Some great choreography and a reminder of what being gay/queer meant in Britain (and of course, elsewhere) when AIDS appeared. It's still running until Sunday.
zoofestival.co.uk/programme/sm...
zoofestival.co.uk/programme/sm...
Small Town Boys | ZOO25
A young man embarks on a thrilling journey from his small hometown to the big city, where he finds solace and joy in the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. However, his adventure takes a dramatic turn as he confro...
zoofestival.co.uk
August 14, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Yesterday I had the opportunity to see Small Town Boys at the Edinburgh ZOO festival. Some great choreography and a reminder of what being gay/queer meant in Britain (and of course, elsewhere) when AIDS appeared. It's still running until Sunday.
zoofestival.co.uk/programme/sm...
zoofestival.co.uk/programme/sm...
Currently looking (again) at Karl Loewenstein's articles on Militant Democracy; the still (or again) feel quite relevant. It appears that recent technological developments have been used more efficiently so far by authoritarian and fascist political actors than by democratic ones.
August 13, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Currently looking (again) at Karl Loewenstein's articles on Militant Democracy; the still (or again) feel quite relevant. It appears that recent technological developments have been used more efficiently so far by authoritarian and fascist political actors than by democratic ones.
Just stumbled upon this forthcoming chapter on the social and political evaluation of epistemic networks by, among others, @markalfano.bsky.social and Marc Cheong. I found this quite helpful for understanding current phenomena related to misinformation and democracy.
philarchive.org/archive/ALFE...
philarchive.org/archive/ALFE...
philarchive.org
August 1, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Just stumbled upon this forthcoming chapter on the social and political evaluation of epistemic networks by, among others, @markalfano.bsky.social and Marc Cheong. I found this quite helpful for understanding current phenomena related to misinformation and democracy.
philarchive.org/archive/ALFE...
philarchive.org/archive/ALFE...
Reposted by Frodo Podschwadek
We already have over 230 million people," [Foreign Minister] Tuggar said. "In the words of the famous U.S. rap group Public Enemy — you'll remember a line from Flavor Flav: 'Flavor Flav has problems of his own. I can't do nothing for you, man.'"
lol. lmao
www.npr.org/2025/07/11/n...
lol. lmao
www.npr.org/2025/07/11/n...
Nigeria says it won't accept deportees from U.S.: 'We have enough problems of our own'
Nigeria's government is pushing back against U.S. efforts to send the country migrants and foreign prisoners, with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar quoting Public Enemy to drive home his point.
www.npr.org
July 26, 2025 at 8:47 AM
We already have over 230 million people," [Foreign Minister] Tuggar said. "In the words of the famous U.S. rap group Public Enemy — you'll remember a line from Flavor Flav: 'Flavor Flav has problems of his own. I can't do nothing for you, man.'"
lol. lmao
www.npr.org/2025/07/11/n...
lol. lmao
www.npr.org/2025/07/11/n...
Just out: 'Virtuelle Realität und Politische Philosophie' ('Virtual Reality and Political Philosophy'), a chapter in the Companion to the Philosophy of Digitality.
In German, but in the age of automated translation that might not be much of a challenge anymore.
doi.org/10.1007/978-...
In German, but in the age of automated translation that might not be much of a challenge anymore.
doi.org/10.1007/978-...
Virtuelle Realität und Politische Philosophie
Dieses Kapitel untersucht politische Herausforderungen, die virtuelle Realität (VR) aufwirft. Diskutiert werden Themen wie distributive Gerechtigkeit beim Zugang zu virtuellen Welten und den dort...
doi.org
July 5, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Just out: 'Virtuelle Realität und Politische Philosophie' ('Virtual Reality and Political Philosophy'), a chapter in the Companion to the Philosophy of Digitality.
In German, but in the age of automated translation that might not be much of a challenge anymore.
doi.org/10.1007/978-...
In German, but in the age of automated translation that might not be much of a challenge anymore.
doi.org/10.1007/978-...
Current and future Glaswegians!
It is time for us to move on and therefore to sell our flat in the lovely East End of Glasgow.
Comes with one of the prettiest shower rooms in Scotland.
Check out the details here: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
It is time for us to move on and therefore to sell our flat in the lovely East End of Glasgow.
Comes with one of the prettiest shower rooms in Scotland.
Check out the details here: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
Check out this 2 bedroom flat for sale on Rightmove
2 bedroom flat for sale in Ingleby Drive, Dennistoun, G31 2PP, G31 for £220,000. Marketed by Keys Estate Agents, Glasgow
www.rightmove.co.uk
July 2, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Current and future Glaswegians!
It is time for us to move on and therefore to sell our flat in the lovely East End of Glasgow.
Comes with one of the prettiest shower rooms in Scotland.
Check out the details here: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
It is time for us to move on and therefore to sell our flat in the lovely East End of Glasgow.
Comes with one of the prettiest shower rooms in Scotland.
Check out the details here: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
Reposted by Frodo Podschwadek
“The tech world is reeling from revelations that Builder.ai, once hailed as a $1.5 billion 'AI' powerhouse, now faces scrutiny as its highly promoted artificial intelligence facade crumbles, revealing a human-powered operation behind the cutting-edge AI automation.“
It was 700 Indians writing code!🤣
It was 700 Indians writing code!🤣
Builder.ai Collapses: $1.5bn 'AI' Startup Exposed as 'Actually Indians' Pretending to Be Bots
Builder.ai, once a $1.5 billion 'AI' startup backed by Microsoft and QIA, is filing for bankruptcy. A lender seized $37M, crippling operations.
www.ibtimes.co.uk
June 4, 2025 at 9:42 AM
“The tech world is reeling from revelations that Builder.ai, once hailed as a $1.5 billion 'AI' powerhouse, now faces scrutiny as its highly promoted artificial intelligence facade crumbles, revealing a human-powered operation behind the cutting-edge AI automation.“
It was 700 Indians writing code!🤣
It was 700 Indians writing code!🤣
Reposted by Frodo Podschwadek
I think a lot of people don't understand that in a world where everyone uses "AI" to vomit out statistically average text, the ability to use words uniquely becomes a premium skill and a critical differentiator.
I teach a game writing class. Students have scripts, worldbuilding docs, treatments, etc due every week
About half the class used ChatGPT last semester even though I made it clear using an LLM = an F. When I asked why a studio would ever hire them if their work was just ChatGPT, they seemed stunned
About half the class used ChatGPT last semester even though I made it clear using an LLM = an F. When I asked why a studio would ever hire them if their work was just ChatGPT, they seemed stunned
This past semester was the most stressful of my academic career. I had 180 students and about half cheated at some point in the semester
They submit weekly reflections where the questions are opinion-based, graded only on effort, don't care about grammar
SO MANY students submitted ChatGPT essays
They submit weekly reflections where the questions are opinion-based, graded only on effort, don't care about grammar
SO MANY students submitted ChatGPT essays
June 4, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I think a lot of people don't understand that in a world where everyone uses "AI" to vomit out statistically average text, the ability to use words uniquely becomes a premium skill and a critical differentiator.
If anyone needs a sufficiently complex example on semantic reference in fiction for teaching or to use in a paper, I'm sure this may do the trick (plus you'll have plenty of goodwill of the Star Trek community, I'm sure). Roughly in the middle of the blog post.
ironicsans.ghost.io/proof-that-p...
ironicsans.ghost.io/proof-that-p...
Proof that Patrick Stewart exists in the Star Trek universe
And other insane Star Trek facts you didn’t know
ironicsans.ghost.io
May 29, 2025 at 2:13 PM
If anyone needs a sufficiently complex example on semantic reference in fiction for teaching or to use in a paper, I'm sure this may do the trick (plus you'll have plenty of goodwill of the Star Trek community, I'm sure). Roughly in the middle of the blog post.
ironicsans.ghost.io/proof-that-p...
ironicsans.ghost.io/proof-that-p...
Reposted by Frodo Podschwadek
NEW: Open letter by me & @alasianuti.bsky.social signed by 112 UK-based political academics & writers
Starmer's anti-immigrant policies are wrong & won't work
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/starmer
Starmer's anti-immigrant policies are wrong & won't work
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/starmer
OPEN LETTER: 100+ UK Academics & Writers to Keir Starmer
New anti-immigrant rules are bad policy & will only validate the far-right
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com
May 16, 2025 at 7:42 AM
NEW: Open letter by me & @alasianuti.bsky.social signed by 112 UK-based political academics & writers
Starmer's anti-immigrant policies are wrong & won't work
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/starmer
Starmer's anti-immigrant policies are wrong & won't work
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/starmer
Reposted by Frodo Podschwadek
I recently co-authored & circulated (with @polphilpod.bsky.social ) an open letter against Starmer’s anti-immigrant rules & rhetoric.
Over 100 of my UK-based colleagues signed it. Read the whole thing here:
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/starmer
Over 100 of my UK-based colleagues signed it. Read the whole thing here:
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/starmer
OPEN LETTER: 100+ UK Academics & Writers to Keir Starmer
New anti-immigrant rules are bad policy & will only validate the far-right
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com
May 16, 2025 at 7:10 AM
I recently co-authored & circulated (with @polphilpod.bsky.social ) an open letter against Starmer’s anti-immigrant rules & rhetoric.
Over 100 of my UK-based colleagues signed it. Read the whole thing here:
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/starmer
Over 100 of my UK-based colleagues signed it. Read the whole thing here:
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/starmer
This more or less real time documentation of the current administrative carpet bombing of UK higher education was just pointed out to me. Sometimes it helps not just to intuitively know that life's shitty but to have some numbers.
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
UK HE shrinking
a live page of all the redundancies and restructures happening across UK Higher Education. Page is updated regularly.
qmucu.org
May 8, 2025 at 2:36 PM
This more or less real time documentation of the current administrative carpet bombing of UK higher education was just pointed out to me. Sometimes it helps not just to intuitively know that life's shitty but to have some numbers.
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
Reposted by Frodo Podschwadek
TANK vs TESLA
"We've crushed fascism before and we'll crush it again"
- WW2 veteran Ken, 98, in the tank
"We've crushed fascism before and we'll crush it again"
- WW2 veteran Ken, 98, in the tank
May 7, 2025 at 4:46 PM
TANK vs TESLA
"We've crushed fascism before and we'll crush it again"
- WW2 veteran Ken, 98, in the tank
"We've crushed fascism before and we'll crush it again"
- WW2 veteran Ken, 98, in the tank
Reposted by Frodo Podschwadek
I just *profoundly* object to the framing in that article linked to in the OP: that all the students are doing it and no one cares and it's time to give up because the lazy cheating students don't actually want to learn anything.
May 7, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I just *profoundly* object to the framing in that article linked to in the OP: that all the students are doing it and no one cares and it's time to give up because the lazy cheating students don't actually want to learn anything.
Reposted by Frodo Podschwadek
Political theory/philosophy job in our Department!
Deadline 26 May.
Happy to answer questions by email.
werkenbij.uva.nl/en/vacancies...
Deadline 26 May.
Happy to answer questions by email.
werkenbij.uva.nl/en/vacancies...
Vacancy — Assistant Professor in Political Theory
The Department of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam is hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Political Theory. The successful candidate will conduct research in any area of polit...
werkenbij.uva.nl
May 6, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Political theory/philosophy job in our Department!
Deadline 26 May.
Happy to answer questions by email.
werkenbij.uva.nl/en/vacancies...
Deadline 26 May.
Happy to answer questions by email.
werkenbij.uva.nl/en/vacancies...
Dear philosophy journals, it is sort of appalling how many of you still do not offer an RSS feed to track new articles. This is, in internet terms, an ancient technology that can be implemented cheaply. Consider making life a bit easier for scholars in times of an increasing flood of publications.
April 13, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Dear philosophy journals, it is sort of appalling how many of you still do not offer an RSS feed to track new articles. This is, in internet terms, an ancient technology that can be implemented cheaply. Consider making life a bit easier for scholars in times of an increasing flood of publications.
Reposted by Frodo Podschwadek
Anthropic continues to put out solid studies of how Claude is used, this time in universities
It shows both AI perils & promise. Students are getting direct answers from Claude, making up a lot use, but there are many cases of AI supporting their learning; too. www.anthropic.com/news/anthrop...
It shows both AI perils & promise. Students are getting direct answers from Claude, making up a lot use, but there are many cases of AI supporting their learning; too. www.anthropic.com/news/anthrop...
April 12, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Anthropic continues to put out solid studies of how Claude is used, this time in universities
It shows both AI perils & promise. Students are getting direct answers from Claude, making up a lot use, but there are many cases of AI supporting their learning; too. www.anthropic.com/news/anthrop...
It shows both AI perils & promise. Students are getting direct answers from Claude, making up a lot use, but there are many cases of AI supporting their learning; too. www.anthropic.com/news/anthrop...