Ian Kirk
@ianpkirk.bsky.social
The views expressed here are not necessarily my own
Watching The Black Swan documentary on iPlayer. On Episode 2.
It's gripping, but I am really having to reconsider my aversion to exposition in drama.
Criminals just describe their current and future crimes in detail along with the structure of criminal enterprises, with past crimes as context.
It's gripping, but I am really having to reconsider my aversion to exposition in drama.
Criminals just describe their current and future crimes in detail along with the structure of criminal enterprises, with past crimes as context.
November 19, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Watching The Black Swan documentary on iPlayer. On Episode 2.
It's gripping, but I am really having to reconsider my aversion to exposition in drama.
Criminals just describe their current and future crimes in detail along with the structure of criminal enterprises, with past crimes as context.
It's gripping, but I am really having to reconsider my aversion to exposition in drama.
Criminals just describe their current and future crimes in detail along with the structure of criminal enterprises, with past crimes as context.
I just tried @mikecaulfield.bsky.social's excellent SIFT framework fact-checking prompt as a Gemini Gem for Gemini 3.
It works very well. Worth considering alongside Claude, ChatGPT, and Perplexity.
I cancelled my Claude subscription so very pleased to see it working on other LLMs
Thanks Mike!
It works very well. Worth considering alongside Claude, ChatGPT, and Perplexity.
I cancelled my Claude subscription so very pleased to see it working on other LLMs
Thanks Mike!
Deep Background: A Tool That Shows a Different Way to Use LLMs
checkplease.neocities.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:17 AM
I just tried @mikecaulfield.bsky.social's excellent SIFT framework fact-checking prompt as a Gemini Gem for Gemini 3.
It works very well. Worth considering alongside Claude, ChatGPT, and Perplexity.
I cancelled my Claude subscription so very pleased to see it working on other LLMs
Thanks Mike!
It works very well. Worth considering alongside Claude, ChatGPT, and Perplexity.
I cancelled my Claude subscription so very pleased to see it working on other LLMs
Thanks Mike!
@samfr.bsky.social @stephenkb.bsky.social
May I ask a question?
Ministers are responsible for their own policy choices, of course, but is this government being given options by a civil service with views shaped by 14 years of Conservatism?
Should Labour have had more of a clear-out ?
May I ask a question?
Ministers are responsible for their own policy choices, of course, but is this government being given options by a civil service with views shaped by 14 years of Conservatism?
Should Labour have had more of a clear-out ?
November 17, 2025 at 10:04 AM
@samfr.bsky.social @stephenkb.bsky.social
May I ask a question?
Ministers are responsible for their own policy choices, of course, but is this government being given options by a civil service with views shaped by 14 years of Conservatism?
Should Labour have had more of a clear-out ?
May I ask a question?
Ministers are responsible for their own policy choices, of course, but is this government being given options by a civil service with views shaped by 14 years of Conservatism?
Should Labour have had more of a clear-out ?
Watching Pluribus. My husband, who hates sci-fi and horror, is unimpressed so far.
I find myself saying, 'Everyone loves this. Fernando, once you understand how wonderful this is...'
I find myself saying, 'Everyone loves this. Fernando, once you understand how wonderful this is...'
November 8, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Watching Pluribus. My husband, who hates sci-fi and horror, is unimpressed so far.
I find myself saying, 'Everyone loves this. Fernando, once you understand how wonderful this is...'
I find myself saying, 'Everyone loves this. Fernando, once you understand how wonderful this is...'
Reposted by Ian Kirk
If you believe either that Franklin discovered the double helix, and / or Watson and Crick stole her data, ask yourself how you know this. Then take a read of this article.
If I see one more stupid Rosalind Franklin take I'm going to lose my mind. Thank god for @matthewcobb.bsky.social and @nccomfort.bsky.social. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:32 AM
If you believe either that Franklin discovered the double helix, and / or Watson and Crick stole her data, ask yourself how you know this. Then take a read of this article.
If anyone wants it, the official Jamaican Government site to donate in support of disaster relief is this:
supportjamaica.gov.jm
There are lots of fake sites and videos on social media, so this government site is probably the best option to actually help.
supportjamaica.gov.jm
There are lots of fake sites and videos on social media, so this government site is probably the best option to actually help.
Support Jamaica
supportjamaica.gov.jm
October 28, 2025 at 3:30 PM
If anyone wants it, the official Jamaican Government site to donate in support of disaster relief is this:
supportjamaica.gov.jm
There are lots of fake sites and videos on social media, so this government site is probably the best option to actually help.
supportjamaica.gov.jm
There are lots of fake sites and videos on social media, so this government site is probably the best option to actually help.
I'm struck by how inessential so many of these services are.
People could use this opportunity to review and cancel some subscriptions
People could use this opportunity to review and cancel some subscriptions
Your favorite thing is down because DynamoDB at Amazon's AWS US-EAST-1 Regionwoke up with Main Character Syndrome.
This is the default /legacy backbone for a ton of things.
Including Amazon's own stuff.
Massive outages.
Here's what's going on & what we know 1/
This is the default /legacy backbone for a ton of things.
Including Amazon's own stuff.
Massive outages.
Here's what's going on & what we know 1/
October 20, 2025 at 10:20 AM
I'm struck by how inessential so many of these services are.
People could use this opportunity to review and cancel some subscriptions
People could use this opportunity to review and cancel some subscriptions
What it's like to vibe code with Claude Code
October 18, 2025 at 1:02 PM
What it's like to vibe code with Claude Code
Reposted by Ian Kirk
Last night I heard of another friend of a friend who has been lost to a rabbit hole of online propaganda. We need to start treating this as a serious public health concern.
October 12, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Last night I heard of another friend of a friend who has been lost to a rabbit hole of online propaganda. We need to start treating this as a serious public health concern.
Just found out that Episode 2 of Traitors aired this evening.
Very happy that BlueSky let's you mute keywords for 24 hours so I can avoid spoilers until I catch up
Very happy that BlueSky let's you mute keywords for 24 hours so I can avoid spoilers until I catch up
October 9, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Just found out that Episode 2 of Traitors aired this evening.
Very happy that BlueSky let's you mute keywords for 24 hours so I can avoid spoilers until I catch up
Very happy that BlueSky let's you mute keywords for 24 hours so I can avoid spoilers until I catch up
Five words is excessive.
I can do it in two words.
If I'm really pressed for time, I can do it in one word with fewer than 5 letters.
I can do it in two words.
If I'm really pressed for time, I can do it in one word with fewer than 5 letters.
To shut down rude behavior instantly, try a simple yet powerful five-word response.
Use this 5-word phrase when someone is rude to you—it's like 'holding up a mirror,' says public speaking expert
When we encounter a rude person, our first instinct might be to fire back with a snarky comment. But that's not the right move, says public speaking expert John Bowe. Here's the perfect response to instantly shut down rude behavior.
cnb.cx
October 5, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Five words is excessive.
I can do it in two words.
If I'm really pressed for time, I can do it in one word with fewer than 5 letters.
I can do it in two words.
If I'm really pressed for time, I can do it in one word with fewer than 5 letters.
Abelha Bo Bardi
Oscar Beemeyer
🐝
Oscar Beemeyer
🐝
The bees have discovered Brutalism
Nature is healing
September 29, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Abelha Bo Bardi
Oscar Beemeyer
🐝
Oscar Beemeyer
🐝
Reposted by Ian Kirk
I long for the day when this podcast is no longer relevant.
But if you're still trying to understand sex testing and gender in sports, I made this for you. There are transcripts on the site if you don't like listening to stuff.
But if you're still trying to understand sex testing and gender in sports, I made this for you. There are transcripts on the site if you don't like listening to stuff.
Hello new people! My latest project was a 10+ year labor of love and it would mean the world to me if you checked it out. www.tested-podcast.com
It’s a narrative, deep, complex and suspenseful story of gender, sports, science, and “fairness.”
It’s a narrative, deep, complex and suspenseful story of gender, sports, science, and “fairness.”
TESTED – A surprising history of women’s sports
www.tested-podcast.com
September 20, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I long for the day when this podcast is no longer relevant.
But if you're still trying to understand sex testing and gender in sports, I made this for you. There are transcripts on the site if you don't like listening to stuff.
But if you're still trying to understand sex testing and gender in sports, I made this for you. There are transcripts on the site if you don't like listening to stuff.
The UK really should make corruption illegal.
September 8, 2025 at 8:18 PM
The UK really should make corruption illegal.
These are all fantastic. Lucky students
At long last, I can post my team's summer project: applied modules to teach how ML/AI tools are changing social science and humanities research: ubcecon.github.io/praxis-ubc/
Highlights:
LegalBERT to analyze anti/pro-immigrant sentiment in 19th c. BC law: ubcecon.github.io/praxis-ubc/d...
🧵1
Highlights:
LegalBERT to analyze anti/pro-immigrant sentiment in 19th c. BC law: ubcecon.github.io/praxis-ubc/d...
🧵1
Praxis - Embedding Driven Text Analysis of Crease’s Stance Towards Chinese Immigrants
This notebook aims to demonstrate how machine learning can assist with historical and other humanity research.
ubcecon.github.io
September 5, 2025 at 9:46 PM
These are all fantastic. Lucky students
Just binge-watched the C4's The Jury. Amazing TV that we paused to discuss about every 15 minutes.
It's alarmingly like The Traitors - very worrying when you consider the real-life significance - but with much less duty of care towards the jurors.
Also, sadly, almost exactly like most HR meetings.
It's alarmingly like The Traitors - very worrying when you consider the real-life significance - but with much less duty of care towards the jurors.
Also, sadly, almost exactly like most HR meetings.
August 31, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Just binge-watched the C4's The Jury. Amazing TV that we paused to discuss about every 15 minutes.
It's alarmingly like The Traitors - very worrying when you consider the real-life significance - but with much less duty of care towards the jurors.
Also, sadly, almost exactly like most HR meetings.
It's alarmingly like The Traitors - very worrying when you consider the real-life significance - but with much less duty of care towards the jurors.
Also, sadly, almost exactly like most HR meetings.
Ever had a bad work day or a Zoom call that ended badly?
Imagine flying an F-35. In a scene out of Die Hard, suddenly the plane thinks it's on the ground not in the air.
You call Lockheed Martin. After 50 minutes nothing can be done. You bail, leaving the $200 million plane to crash in a fireball.
Imagine flying an F-35. In a scene out of Die Hard, suddenly the plane thinks it's on the ground not in the air.
You call Lockheed Martin. After 50 minutes nothing can be done. You bail, leaving the $200 million plane to crash in a fireball.
F-35 pilot held 50-minute airborne conference call with engineers before fighter jet crashed in Alaska | CNN
A US Air Force F-35 pilot spent 50 minutes on an airborne conference call with Lockheed Martin engineers trying to solve a problem with his fighter jet before he ejected and the plane plunged to the g...
www.cnn.com
August 29, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Ever had a bad work day or a Zoom call that ended badly?
Imagine flying an F-35. In a scene out of Die Hard, suddenly the plane thinks it's on the ground not in the air.
You call Lockheed Martin. After 50 minutes nothing can be done. You bail, leaving the $200 million plane to crash in a fireball.
Imagine flying an F-35. In a scene out of Die Hard, suddenly the plane thinks it's on the ground not in the air.
You call Lockheed Martin. After 50 minutes nothing can be done. You bail, leaving the $200 million plane to crash in a fireball.
If any news event should bring @mrjamesob.bsky.social back from holiday it's this:
A power plant providing electricity through osmosis:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
A power plant providing electricity through osmosis:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Japan has opened its first osmotic power plant – so what is it and how does it work?
The site in Fukuoka is only the second power plant of its type in the world, harnessing the power of osmosis to run a desalination plant in the city
www.theguardian.com
August 25, 2025 at 2:24 PM
If any news event should bring @mrjamesob.bsky.social back from holiday it's this:
A power plant providing electricity through osmosis:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
A power plant providing electricity through osmosis:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Saying you have to shut down and restart the Alan Turing Institute is in some ways a tribute to Alan Turing himself.
‘Shut it down and start again’: staff disquiet as Alan Turing Institute faces identity crisis
Whistleblower warns UK’s top AI research body in danger of collapse due to threats over funding and new direction
www.theguardian.com
August 18, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Saying you have to shut down and restart the Alan Turing Institute is in some ways a tribute to Alan Turing himself.
It looks like there are some quality issues with GPT5
Tried to use it properly in the last couple of days. It's very lazy, actively avoids complex tasks and just stopped work a couple of times.
Top tip: if you go to cancel a Pro account you get 50% off for a while. Maybe they'll sort out the bugs
Tried to use it properly in the last couple of days. It's very lazy, actively avoids complex tasks and just stopped work a couple of times.
Top tip: if you go to cancel a Pro account you get 50% off for a while. Maybe they'll sort out the bugs
August 14, 2025 at 8:54 AM
It looks like there are some quality issues with GPT5
Tried to use it properly in the last couple of days. It's very lazy, actively avoids complex tasks and just stopped work a couple of times.
Top tip: if you go to cancel a Pro account you get 50% off for a while. Maybe they'll sort out the bugs
Tried to use it properly in the last couple of days. It's very lazy, actively avoids complex tasks and just stopped work a couple of times.
Top tip: if you go to cancel a Pro account you get 50% off for a while. Maybe they'll sort out the bugs
Another afternoon with the world's best coding AI
August 7, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Another afternoon with the world's best coding AI
I think a new version of Claude is coming.
I just had one chat that solved a five-day programming and architecture problem in about two steps. All its code ran first time. Solutions were elegant and creative.
Then this really quite magical chat ran out of space and I went back to normal Claude 😠
I just had one chat that solved a five-day programming and architecture problem in about two steps. All its code ran first time. Solutions were elegant and creative.
Then this really quite magical chat ran out of space and I went back to normal Claude 😠
July 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
I think a new version of Claude is coming.
I just had one chat that solved a five-day programming and architecture problem in about two steps. All its code ran first time. Solutions were elegant and creative.
Then this really quite magical chat ran out of space and I went back to normal Claude 😠
I just had one chat that solved a five-day programming and architecture problem in about two steps. All its code ran first time. Solutions were elegant and creative.
Then this really quite magical chat ran out of space and I went back to normal Claude 😠
Reposted by Ian Kirk
Despite being dorkily irritared by some minor incongruities with the original that seem sloppy rather than deliberate, really enjoying Sandra Newman’s “Julia,” a retelling of Nineteen-Eighty Four from her perspective.
July 22, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Despite being dorkily irritared by some minor incongruities with the original that seem sloppy rather than deliberate, really enjoying Sandra Newman’s “Julia,” a retelling of Nineteen-Eighty Four from her perspective.
Reposted by Ian Kirk
Forests may look quite resilient to changing conditions if trees are still standing, but if they're not regenerating there'll be nothing to replace the old trees as they die. They are dying on their feet
And if they're not regenerating already, at 1.5C...
And if they're not regenerating already, at 1.5C...
In some UK woodlands, every young tree has died. What’s going wrong?
With forests under pressure from drought, heat, disease and deer, a study has found fewer trees across a range of species surviving to maturity. But scientists say there is still hope
www.theguardian.com
July 11, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Forests may look quite resilient to changing conditions if trees are still standing, but if they're not regenerating there'll be nothing to replace the old trees as they die. They are dying on their feet
And if they're not regenerating already, at 1.5C...
And if they're not regenerating already, at 1.5C...