Nooman Haque
@noomanhaque.bsky.social
Investor in life sciences & tech. Innovation policy. Fellow at Cambridge University (LCC). Married to a better economist. Cooking. Sports, but badly. ICI was the perfect company once
Reposted by Nooman Haque
Today people have been asking Grok: “do you agree with Elon’s position that [historical event] [was inevitable /might have been different if etc.]” and then asking the exact same question but with a different name, such as Bill Gates.
The responses are strikingly different.
The responses are strikingly different.
Musk's ego was mortally wounded by Joyce Carol Oates and he's been on a narcissistic supply bender since
November 21, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Today people have been asking Grok: “do you agree with Elon’s position that [historical event] [was inevitable /might have been different if etc.]” and then asking the exact same question but with a different name, such as Bill Gates.
The responses are strikingly different.
The responses are strikingly different.
No it doesn’t
'Sequencing Hitler’s DNA shines new light on his psyche. This technique is becoming ever more sophisticated and is delivering information once thought unknowable' | ✍️ The Times View
Sequencing Hitler’s DNA shines new light on his psyche
Sequencing Hitler’s DNA shines new light on his psyche
www.thetimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:30 AM
No it doesn’t
A valuable lesson on drawing behavioural inferences from genetic data
Tl;dr - don’t do it
Tl;dr - don’t do it
Right. Hitler's DNA. Brace yourselves for a deluge of misinformation and bad science.
I'm in Australia, so do get in touch if you want some expert debunking.
I'm in Australia, so do get in touch if you want some expert debunking.
November 13, 2025 at 7:06 AM
A valuable lesson on drawing behavioural inferences from genetic data
Tl;dr - don’t do it
Tl;dr - don’t do it
Reposted by Nooman Haque
“It’s time for the ‘publish more’ mindset to perish.”
Mandy Hill, writing in the Financial Times, calls for reform in academic publishing:
Read the full letter (paywall) 🔗 https://cup.org/3WRVlDm
Mandy Hill, writing in the Financial Times, calls for reform in academic publishing:
Read the full letter (paywall) 🔗 https://cup.org/3WRVlDm
November 12, 2025 at 5:08 PM
“It’s time for the ‘publish more’ mindset to perish.”
Mandy Hill, writing in the Financial Times, calls for reform in academic publishing:
Read the full letter (paywall) 🔗 https://cup.org/3WRVlDm
Mandy Hill, writing in the Financial Times, calls for reform in academic publishing:
Read the full letter (paywall) 🔗 https://cup.org/3WRVlDm
Reposted by Nooman Haque
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
Reposted by Nooman Haque
A radio programme like the Shipping Forecast but it’s called Bin Day and it just reads out every single council in the country’s bin schedule
November 10, 2025 at 11:53 PM
A radio programme like the Shipping Forecast but it’s called Bin Day and it just reads out every single council in the country’s bin schedule
Not now, 2 usually hostile to each other spider species now cooperating to create a giant web for some goal unknown to us human mortals
A pitch-black cave in the Balkans is home to what appears to be the world’s largest spider web, which researchers say is a singular work of cooperation by two usually-hostile species of spider. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/s...
November 9, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Not now, 2 usually hostile to each other spider species now cooperating to create a giant web for some goal unknown to us human mortals
Reposted by Nooman Haque
One of the most precious things about Remembrance is that it sets no political tests.
It asks only that we "remember", and that we do so in the silence of our own thoughts.
It doesn't dictate what we remember, how we remember or what lessons we draw.
That's between ourselves and our conscience.🧵
It asks only that we "remember", and that we do so in the silence of our own thoughts.
It doesn't dictate what we remember, how we remember or what lessons we draw.
That's between ourselves and our conscience.🧵
November 10, 2024 at 6:10 PM
One of the most precious things about Remembrance is that it sets no political tests.
It asks only that we "remember", and that we do so in the silence of our own thoughts.
It doesn't dictate what we remember, how we remember or what lessons we draw.
That's between ourselves and our conscience.🧵
It asks only that we "remember", and that we do so in the silence of our own thoughts.
It doesn't dictate what we remember, how we remember or what lessons we draw.
That's between ourselves and our conscience.🧵
Reposted by Nooman Haque
On the event of James Watson's death, I highly recommend this 2023 commentary from @matthewcobb.bsky.social and Nathaniel Comfort with crucial new insights into the discovery of the double helix. (And also check out Cobb's brand new biography of Francis Crick) 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 7, 2025 at 9:25 PM
On the event of James Watson's death, I highly recommend this 2023 commentary from @matthewcobb.bsky.social and Nathaniel Comfort with crucial new insights into the discovery of the double helix. (And also check out Cobb's brand new biography of Francis Crick) www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Nooman Haque
For political hacks like myself, 'put it in the curriculum' is the oldest and hattiest of old hat policy ideas.
Why do we think schools should solve all our problems? What if we thought differently about life skills and civic education?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/schools-ca...
Why do we think schools should solve all our problems? What if we thought differently about life skills and civic education?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/schools-ca...
Schools cannot solve all our problems
The limits of ‘put it in the curriculum’ politics
howtorunacountry.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:28 AM
For political hacks like myself, 'put it in the curriculum' is the oldest and hattiest of old hat policy ideas.
Why do we think schools should solve all our problems? What if we thought differently about life skills and civic education?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/schools-ca...
Why do we think schools should solve all our problems? What if we thought differently about life skills and civic education?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/schools-ca...
Reposted by Nooman Haque
James Watson, Co-Discoverer of the Structure of DNA, Is Dead at 97 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/s...
James Watson, Co-Discoverer of the Structure of DNA, Is Dead at 97
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:29 PM
James Watson, Co-Discoverer of the Structure of DNA, Is Dead at 97 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/s...
This sort of reminds me of what Alex Tabarokk (obvs from a different political spectrum) would say: if markets fail, use more markets
Don’t fight it but structure it better. Often forgot in the economic discourse
Don’t fight it but structure it better. Often forgot in the economic discourse
Advice for Mamdani, use the market, don't fight it cepr.net/publications...
Prescriptions for Mamdani: Use the Market, Don’t Fight It
What should Zohran Mamdani do as the next mayor of New York? A look back at some recommendations from his June.
cepr.net
November 7, 2025 at 7:33 PM
This sort of reminds me of what Alex Tabarokk (obvs from a different political spectrum) would say: if markets fail, use more markets
Don’t fight it but structure it better. Often forgot in the economic discourse
Don’t fight it but structure it better. Often forgot in the economic discourse
Reposted by Nooman Haque
"World's first potential trillionaire has killed 600,000 people, including 400,000 children" is the only headline that anyone should ever read about Elon Musk
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 1:33 AM
"World's first potential trillionaire has killed 600,000 people, including 400,000 children" is the only headline that anyone should ever read about Elon Musk
Reposted by Nooman Haque
IT'S HAPPENING! 💥 I'm psyched to launch the collaboration between @qedscience.bsky.social & @openrxiv.bsky.social @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social! Preprint + q.e.d = your science is out there, and anyone can appreciate it. Let's care about making discoveries, and not on “getting published” (1/3) 👇
November 6, 2025 at 2:49 PM
IT'S HAPPENING! 💥 I'm psyched to launch the collaboration between @qedscience.bsky.social & @openrxiv.bsky.social @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social! Preprint + q.e.d = your science is out there, and anyone can appreciate it. Let's care about making discoveries, and not on “getting published” (1/3) 👇
Reposted by Nooman Haque
"So a major driver of immigration becoming such a central societal and political issue is a growing concern about asylum seekers perceived as coming illegally – but this is built on an extraordinarily wrong view of their scale"
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social & @elielcohen.bsky.social write for the LSE
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social & @elielcohen.bsky.social write for the LSE
Imagined immigration is shaping our politics | British Politics and Policy at LSE
Enjoying this post? Then sign up to our newsletter and receive a weekly roundup of all our articles. Immigration has become the central issue in British politics. The public now rank it as the most im...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:23 PM
"So a major driver of immigration becoming such a central societal and political issue is a growing concern about asylum seekers perceived as coming illegally – but this is built on an extraordinarily wrong view of their scale"
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social & @elielcohen.bsky.social write for the LSE
@bobbyduffy.bsky.social & @elielcohen.bsky.social write for the LSE
Reposted by Nooman Haque
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Nooman Haque
A lifehack for turning "non-significant" results into pure gold?
(ICYMI)
statsepi.substack.com/p/one-simple...
(ICYMI)
statsepi.substack.com/p/one-simple...
One simple trick that statisticians hate
If you don't like the results, just ignore the control group
statsepi.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:29 AM
A lifehack for turning "non-significant" results into pure gold?
(ICYMI)
statsepi.substack.com/p/one-simple...
(ICYMI)
statsepi.substack.com/p/one-simple...
Reposted by Nooman Haque
The east wing of science is being demolished by the new administration.
Read my Substack about a new documentary I’ve made with Sandra Kanthal about the impact on biomedical scientists at Harvard.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Read my Substack about a new documentary I’ve made with Sandra Kanthal about the impact on biomedical scientists at Harvard.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Science under siege
A new audio documentary from The Economist
open.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The east wing of science is being demolished by the new administration.
Read my Substack about a new documentary I’ve made with Sandra Kanthal about the impact on biomedical scientists at Harvard.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Read my Substack about a new documentary I’ve made with Sandra Kanthal about the impact on biomedical scientists at Harvard.
open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Reposted by Nooman Haque
A fascinating and deeply thoughtful analysis of the different motivations for faculty diversity by @azimshariff.bsky.social --essential reading for anyone interested in this issue (either pro- or anti-DEI)
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Taking faculty diversity seriously means asking why it matters - Nature Reviews Psychology
Increasing faculty diversity is a key priority in faculty hiring across many countries, but the rationales behind it are often left undiscussed. Explicitly clarifying diversity rationales — and ensuri...
www.nature.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:17 PM
A fascinating and deeply thoughtful analysis of the different motivations for faculty diversity by @azimshariff.bsky.social --essential reading for anyone interested in this issue (either pro- or anti-DEI)
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Reposted by Nooman Haque
FYI, I've fleshed out some recent comments on Tesco bashing into a blog... 🤔✍️
julianhjessop.substack.com/p/its-time-t...
julianhjessop.substack.com/p/its-time-t...
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 AM
FYI, I've fleshed out some recent comments on Tesco bashing into a blog... 🤔✍️
julianhjessop.substack.com/p/its-time-t...
julianhjessop.substack.com/p/its-time-t...
Reposted by Nooman Haque
This surge in applications from the US comes at a time where the grant and job market in Europe is already *very* competitive.
Unless Europe invests more in science and higher education this influx of talent will put a squeeze on an already fragile system.
www.ft.com/content/cd80...
Unless Europe invests more in science and higher education this influx of talent will put a squeeze on an already fragile system.
www.ft.com/content/cd80...
Trump’s university backlash drives US researchers towards Europe
EU grant applications hit record in 2025 amid surge in interest from American academics
www.ft.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:20 AM
This surge in applications from the US comes at a time where the grant and job market in Europe is already *very* competitive.
Unless Europe invests more in science and higher education this influx of talent will put a squeeze on an already fragile system.
www.ft.com/content/cd80...
Unless Europe invests more in science and higher education this influx of talent will put a squeeze on an already fragile system.
www.ft.com/content/cd80...
Reposted by Nooman Haque
This week's @nature.com cover highlights a report of A.I.- mediated distortion
When #ChatGPT was asked to rate 40,000 résumés, it ranked the older male candidates as better quality than the younger female applicants nature.com/articles/s41...
When #ChatGPT was asked to rate 40,000 résumés, it ranked the older male candidates as better quality than the younger female applicants nature.com/articles/s41...
November 2, 2025 at 6:12 PM
This week's @nature.com cover highlights a report of A.I.- mediated distortion
When #ChatGPT was asked to rate 40,000 résumés, it ranked the older male candidates as better quality than the younger female applicants nature.com/articles/s41...
When #ChatGPT was asked to rate 40,000 résumés, it ranked the older male candidates as better quality than the younger female applicants nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Nooman Haque
This thread is adapted from my substack "Heist of the century - could a simple maths problem have foiled the Louvre robbery?"
Please check it out.
open.substack.com/pu...
9/9
Please check it out.
open.substack.com/pu...
9/9
November 1, 2025 at 8:02 AM
This thread is adapted from my substack "Heist of the century - could a simple maths problem have foiled the Louvre robbery?"
Please check it out.
open.substack.com/pu...
9/9
Please check it out.
open.substack.com/pu...
9/9
Reposted by Nooman Haque
If you're a member of the National Trust remember to vote for council members by midnight tonight.
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Log In
Welcome to the National Trust 2025 voting website, hosted by independent voting service provider Civica Election Services.
secure.cesvotes.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:19 PM
If you're a member of the National Trust remember to vote for council members by midnight tonight.
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
Nothing to disagree w/ here. In fact the idea of reducing utilities management to just making money, hemmed in by a regulator seems quite quaint and wholly ineffective now
What exactly are we paying for? The UK’s legacy of privatising utilities
All-round expertise is lacking, but urgently needed to run key public services efficiently
giftarticle.ft.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Nothing to disagree w/ here. In fact the idea of reducing utilities management to just making money, hemmed in by a regulator seems quite quaint and wholly ineffective now