Reposted by Matthew Lucas
Modern-Day Oracles or Bullshit Machines?
Jevin West (@jevinwest.bsky.social) and I have spent the last eight months developing the course on large language models (LLMs) that we think every college freshman needs to take.
thebullshitmachines.com
Jevin West (@jevinwest.bsky.social) and I have spent the last eight months developing the course on large language models (LLMs) that we think every college freshman needs to take.
thebullshitmachines.com
INTRODUCTION
thebullshitmachines.com
February 4, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Modern-Day Oracles or Bullshit Machines?
Jevin West (@jevinwest.bsky.social) and I have spent the last eight months developing the course on large language models (LLMs) that we think every college freshman needs to take.
thebullshitmachines.com
Jevin West (@jevinwest.bsky.social) and I have spent the last eight months developing the course on large language models (LLMs) that we think every college freshman needs to take.
thebullshitmachines.com
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
Can't these tech bros read another novel besides Atlas Shrugged? As I wrote a long time ago @motherboard.bsky.social "Science Fiction is not social reality" - www.vice.com/en/article/s...
Science Fiction Is Not Social Reality
The tech industry is inspired to create our world from linear, scripted science fiction stories.
www.vice.com
February 2, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Can't these tech bros read another novel besides Atlas Shrugged? As I wrote a long time ago @motherboard.bsky.social "Science Fiction is not social reality" - www.vice.com/en/article/s...
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
WIRED has been downright exceptional in covering this carnage.
February 2, 2025 at 7:35 PM
WIRED has been downright exceptional in covering this carnage.
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
Biden bids farewell with dark warning for America – the oligarchs are coming | David Smith
Biden bids farewell with dark warning for America – the oligarchs are coming | David Smith
The president did not air grievances or dwell on the past, but sounded an alarm call about the future under Trump
There was a sting in the tail. Joe Biden’s farewell address had not seemed like a must-watch for most politics-weary Americans. Those who…
www.theguardian.com
January 16, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Biden bids farewell with dark warning for America – the oligarchs are coming | David Smith
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
It's not just Big Tech: The UK's Online Safety Act applies across the board
It's not just Big Tech: The UK's Online Safety Act applies across the board
That niche forum running for 20 years – get ready, there's work to do
Analysis A little more than two months out from its first legal deadline, the UK’s Online Safety Act is causing concern among smaller online forums caught within its reach. The…
dlvr.it
January 14, 2025 at 12:20 PM
It's not just Big Tech: The UK's Online Safety Act applies across the board
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
New by me on Computer Weekly:
'Labour's AI Action Plan - a gift to the far right'
www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Labo...
'Labour's AI Action Plan - a gift to the far right'
www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Labo...
Labour's AI Action Plan - a gift to the far right | Computer Weekly
Critical computing expert Dan McQuillan argues that, on top of the clear social and environmental harms associated with the technology, Labour's vapid fixation on AI-led growth in lieu of real change ...
www.computerweekly.com
January 14, 2025 at 12:13 PM
New by me on Computer Weekly:
'Labour's AI Action Plan - a gift to the far right'
www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Labo...
'Labour's AI Action Plan - a gift to the far right'
www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Labo...
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
"Decomputing argues that, wherever AI is proposed as 'the answer', there is a gap for the self-organisation of people who already know better what needs to be done," such as "teachers and students resisting generative AI in the classroom" or "challenging the algorithmic optimisation of workloads"
New by me on Computer Weekly:
'Labour's AI Action Plan - a gift to the far right'
www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Labo...
'Labour's AI Action Plan - a gift to the far right'
www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Labo...
Labour's AI Action Plan - a gift to the far right | Computer Weekly
Critical computing expert Dan McQuillan argues that, on top of the clear social and environmental harms associated with the technology, Labour's vapid fixation on AI-led growth in lieu of real change ...
www.computerweekly.com
January 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
"Decomputing argues that, wherever AI is proposed as 'the answer', there is a gap for the self-organisation of people who already know better what needs to be done," such as "teachers and students resisting generative AI in the classroom" or "challenging the algorithmic optimisation of workloads"
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
OpenAI quietly revises policy doc to remove reference to ‘politically unbiased’ AI
OpenAI quietly revises policy doc to remove reference to ‘politically unbiased’ AI
OpenAI has quietly removed language endorsing “politically unbiased” AI from one of its recently published policy documents. In the original draft of its “economic blueprint” for the AI industry in the U.S., OpenAI said that AI models “should aim to be…
tcrn.ch
January 14, 2025 at 5:10 PM
OpenAI quietly revises policy doc to remove reference to ‘politically unbiased’ AI
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
New essay by me – I argue that the best way to understand artificial intelligence is via the Tinkerbell Effect. This technology's existence requires us to keep channeling our psychic energy into the dreams of mega-corporations, tech billionaires, and venture capitalists: futurism.com/ai-tinkerbell
AI Is Like Tinkerbell: It Only Works If We Keep Clapping So It Doesn't Die
AI is like the fairy Tinkerbell: in the story of "Peter Pan," she only continues to exist if people believe in her and clap for her.
futurism.com
January 12, 2025 at 8:53 PM
New essay by me – I argue that the best way to understand artificial intelligence is via the Tinkerbell Effect. This technology's existence requires us to keep channeling our psychic energy into the dreams of mega-corporations, tech billionaires, and venture capitalists: futurism.com/ai-tinkerbell
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
🤖🌍 GenAI’s Hidden Costs
A new study highlights the environmental toll and social inequities of GenAI - from mining rare metals to energy-hungry data centres and underpaid labour.
🔗 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#SciComm #AI 🧪
A new study highlights the environmental toll and social inequities of GenAI - from mining rare metals to energy-hungry data centres and underpaid labour.
🔗 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#SciComm #AI 🧪
A social-environmental impact perspective of generative artificial intelligence
www.sciencedirect.com
January 12, 2025 at 9:29 PM
🤖🌍 GenAI’s Hidden Costs
A new study highlights the environmental toll and social inequities of GenAI - from mining rare metals to energy-hungry data centres and underpaid labour.
🔗 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#SciComm #AI 🧪
A new study highlights the environmental toll and social inequities of GenAI - from mining rare metals to energy-hungry data centres and underpaid labour.
🔗 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#SciComm #AI 🧪
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
With both Meta and X, as with Elon's attempts to undermine the state, the UK government needs to remember that it is actually, you know, a government of a nation and can just do things like this. We should be taking lessons from Brazil's approach.
BOOM: 💥
Brazil gives Meta 72 hours to explain new fact-checking policies
Brasília (AFP) – Brazil on Friday gave social media giant Meta 72 hours to explain its fact-checking policy for the country, and how it plans to protect "fundamental rights" on its platforms.
www.france24.com/en/live-news...
Brazil gives Meta 72 hours to explain new fact-checking policies
Brasília (AFP) – Brazil on Friday gave social media giant Meta 72 hours to explain its fact-checking policy for the country, and how it plans to protect "fundamental rights" on its platforms.
www.france24.com/en/live-news...
Brazil gives Meta 72 hours to explain new fact-checking policies
Brazil on Friday gave social media giant Meta 72 hours to explain its fact-checking policy for the country, and how it plans to protect "fundamental rights" on its platforms.
www.france24.com
January 11, 2025 at 5:23 PM
With both Meta and X, as with Elon's attempts to undermine the state, the UK government needs to remember that it is actually, you know, a government of a nation and can just do things like this. We should be taking lessons from Brazil's approach.
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
Plymouth Argyle have done it — they have pulled off the biggest upset of the FA Cup third round so far.
Morgan Whittaker's strike was enough for the Championship strugglers to beat Brentford, whose home form is faltering.
Morgan Whittaker's strike was enough for the Championship strugglers to beat Brentford, whose home form is faltering.
January 11, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Plymouth Argyle have done it — they have pulled off the biggest upset of the FA Cup third round so far.
Morgan Whittaker's strike was enough for the Championship strugglers to beat Brentford, whose home form is faltering.
Morgan Whittaker's strike was enough for the Championship strugglers to beat Brentford, whose home form is faltering.
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
4-0 win. Into the 4th round of the FA Cup. Confidence boosting goals for Rutter and Enciso. Solly March scores after 14 months injured. Welbeck returns. And we even got to see King Shane Duffy
I'd say that is a pretty bloody good day's work for Brighton #BHAFC
I'd say that is a pretty bloody good day's work for Brighton #BHAFC
January 11, 2025 at 5:03 PM
4-0 win. Into the 4th round of the FA Cup. Confidence boosting goals for Rutter and Enciso. Solly March scores after 14 months injured. Welbeck returns. And we even got to see King Shane Duffy
I'd say that is a pretty bloody good day's work for Brighton #BHAFC
I'd say that is a pretty bloody good day's work for Brighton #BHAFC
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
Delighted to say that, after a period away, I am writing again for @financialtimes.com.
In tomorrow’s print edition is a long piece on Elon Musk’s and Mark Zuckerberg’s regulatory strategies.
And why recent events show that X and Meta are weak, not strong, when faced with determined state action.
In tomorrow’s print edition is a long piece on Elon Musk’s and Mark Zuckerberg’s regulatory strategies.
And why recent events show that X and Meta are weak, not strong, when faced with determined state action.
January 10, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Delighted to say that, after a period away, I am writing again for @financialtimes.com.
In tomorrow’s print edition is a long piece on Elon Musk’s and Mark Zuckerberg’s regulatory strategies.
And why recent events show that X and Meta are weak, not strong, when faced with determined state action.
In tomorrow’s print edition is a long piece on Elon Musk’s and Mark Zuckerberg’s regulatory strategies.
And why recent events show that X and Meta are weak, not strong, when faced with determined state action.
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
I strongly encourage you to read this op-ed by Peter Thiel. He is considered the true brain of the Paypal mafia.
The incoherence, paranoia & self-absorption, the meandering, impenetrable prose, the paper-thin thesis & logic…
These are the men who want to run the world.
www.ft.com/content/a46c...
The incoherence, paranoia & self-absorption, the meandering, impenetrable prose, the paper-thin thesis & logic…
These are the men who want to run the world.
www.ft.com/content/a46c...
A time for truth and reconciliation
Trump’s return to the White House augurs the ‘apokálypsis’ of the ancien regime’s secrets
www.ft.com
January 10, 2025 at 3:52 PM
I strongly encourage you to read this op-ed by Peter Thiel. He is considered the true brain of the Paypal mafia.
The incoherence, paranoia & self-absorption, the meandering, impenetrable prose, the paper-thin thesis & logic…
These are the men who want to run the world.
www.ft.com/content/a46c...
The incoherence, paranoia & self-absorption, the meandering, impenetrable prose, the paper-thin thesis & logic…
These are the men who want to run the world.
www.ft.com/content/a46c...
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
a must listen on how big tech alters (and in this case degrades) art. a great interview from @parismarx.com with @tavlin.bsky.social on how Netflix’s “data-driven” business decisions have erased the visibility and seeming worth of creative labor and debased an artform in the process.
Netflix used to be hailed as the place to find the best film and television, but more and more it’s filled with a bunch of content slop.
This week @tavlin.bsky.social joins @parismarx.com to talk about what Netflix has done to movies.
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/258_...
This week @tavlin.bsky.social joins @parismarx.com to talk about what Netflix has done to movies.
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/258_...
January 10, 2025 at 2:59 PM
a must listen on how big tech alters (and in this case degrades) art. a great interview from @parismarx.com with @tavlin.bsky.social on how Netflix’s “data-driven” business decisions have erased the visibility and seeming worth of creative labor and debased an artform in the process.
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
To resist the climate crisis, we must resist the billionaire class | Peter Kalmus
To resist the climate crisis, we must resist the billionaire class | Peter Kalmus
To solve the climate crisis, power must flow away from the billionaire class
When I feel uncertain, I find it’s helpful to write down things I know to be true. Fossil fuels are causing irreversible planetary overheating. Overheating threatens essentially…
www.theguardian.com
January 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
To resist the climate crisis, we must resist the billionaire class | Peter Kalmus
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
AI-generated ‘slop’ is slowly killing the internet, so why is nobody trying to stop it? | Arwa Mahdawi
AI-generated ‘slop’ is slowly killing the internet, so why is nobody trying to stop it? | Arwa Mahdawi
Low-quality ‘slop’ generated by AI is crowding out genuine humans across the internet, but instead of regulating it, platforms such as Facebook are positively encouraging it. Where does this end?
How do you do, fellow humans? My name is Arwa and I am a…
www.theguardian.com
January 8, 2025 at 9:12 PM
AI-generated ‘slop’ is slowly killing the internet, so why is nobody trying to stop it? | Arwa Mahdawi
Elon Musk is amplifying far-right figures, spreading harmful disinformation, and meddling in UK politics. Let’s stop billionaire interference—join me and sign this @hopenothate.org.uk petition today: secure.hopenothate.org.uk/page/163807/...
Stop Billionaires Meddling in UK Politics ❌
Foreign billionaires like Elon Musk shouldn’t have the power to shape our democracy. Let’s change the law.
secure.hopenothate.org.uk
January 8, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Elon Musk is amplifying far-right figures, spreading harmful disinformation, and meddling in UK politics. Let’s stop billionaire interference—join me and sign this @hopenothate.org.uk petition today: secure.hopenothate.org.uk/page/163807/...
Reposted by Matthew Lucas
A DDOS attack on our minds.
It's going to be four long years of this shit. Day after day, batshit idea after batshit idea, just a Bataan Death March of the mind.
Trump says he plans to use "economic force" to make Canada a state
January 7, 2025 at 6:22 PM
A DDOS attack on our minds.