Neil Traft
@ntraft.bsky.social
PhD student at the Vermont Complex Systems Institute. Interested in ML, evolution, self-organization, & collective intelligence.
http://ntraft.com
https://t.co/ja3fdtRLdM
http://ntraft.com
https://t.co/ja3fdtRLdM
Happy New Year! Here's some microorganism porn. vimeo.com/1024357218
(srsly though. it's mesmerizing.)
(srsly though. it's mesmerizing.)
Portraying micro life
This video is a compilation of movies of microorganisms I've made the past decade. In 2023 it was 300 years ago that the father of microscopy Antoni van Leeuwenhoek…
vimeo.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Happy New Year! Here's some microorganism porn. vimeo.com/1024357218
(srsly though. it's mesmerizing.)
(srsly though. it's mesmerizing.)
Reposted by Neil Traft
claude code is fucking insane
i know literally NOTHING about Hegel. ZERO. and it just built me a complete system of German idealism
i know literally NOTHING about Hegel. ZERO. and it just built me a complete system of German idealism
January 5, 2026 at 6:49 PM
claude code is fucking insane
i know literally NOTHING about Hegel. ZERO. and it just built me a complete system of German idealism
i know literally NOTHING about Hegel. ZERO. and it just built me a complete system of German idealism
Fascinating story:
1. Fear-mongering about peanut allergies multiplies in the late 90s.
2. AAUP advises "no peanuts til age 3", despite NO evidence.
3. This advice CAUSES a massive spike in peanut allergies!
4. They had to do a large study just to undo the damage & convince everyone it was safe!
1. Fear-mongering about peanut allergies multiplies in the late 90s.
2. AAUP advises "no peanuts til age 3", despite NO evidence.
3. This advice CAUSES a massive spike in peanut allergies!
4. They had to do a large study just to undo the damage & convince everyone it was safe!
The LEAP RCT on peanut allergies: A randomized trial in which equipoise arose from parental anxiety, not scientific uncertainty.
The food pyramid vs the evidence pyramid
Peanut allergies, the LEAP RCT, and when experts issue guidance under pressure.
www.argmin.net
January 6, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Fascinating story:
1. Fear-mongering about peanut allergies multiplies in the late 90s.
2. AAUP advises "no peanuts til age 3", despite NO evidence.
3. This advice CAUSES a massive spike in peanut allergies!
4. They had to do a large study just to undo the damage & convince everyone it was safe!
1. Fear-mongering about peanut allergies multiplies in the late 90s.
2. AAUP advises "no peanuts til age 3", despite NO evidence.
3. This advice CAUSES a massive spike in peanut allergies!
4. They had to do a large study just to undo the damage & convince everyone it was safe!
Astonishing: the default behavior of Chrome's "Listen to this page" feature is NOT to simply read you the page, LIKE YOU WOULD EXPECT, but instead to make one of those goofy NotebookLM AI podcasts... and I had to search the Help docs to figure out how to change it. Thanks, Google.
December 29, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Astonishing: the default behavior of Chrome's "Listen to this page" feature is NOT to simply read you the page, LIKE YOU WOULD EXPECT, but instead to make one of those goofy NotebookLM AI podcasts... and I had to search the Help docs to figure out how to change it. Thanks, Google.
Reposted by Neil Traft
MAORL (Multi-Agent Olof RL)
arxiv.org/abs/2512.16705
arxiv.org/abs/2512.16705
December 24, 2025 at 7:21 AM
MAORL (Multi-Agent Olof RL)
arxiv.org/abs/2512.16705
arxiv.org/abs/2512.16705
Gov't labs can't say "climate change" in papers, "climate security" is allowed.
Maybe those planes that drop sensors into the hurricane can be "cyclone bombers", forecasting is "climate AI", and cap & trade should be called "CarbonCoin". All key tools in the "War on Climate".
Maybe those planes that drop sensors into the hurricane can be "cyclone bombers", forecasting is "climate AI", and cap & trade should be called "CarbonCoin". All key tools in the "War on Climate".
December 19, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Gov't labs can't say "climate change" in papers, "climate security" is allowed.
Maybe those planes that drop sensors into the hurricane can be "cyclone bombers", forecasting is "climate AI", and cap & trade should be called "CarbonCoin". All key tools in the "War on Climate".
Maybe those planes that drop sensors into the hurricane can be "cyclone bombers", forecasting is "climate AI", and cap & trade should be called "CarbonCoin". All key tools in the "War on Climate".
This is a travesty!!
Also I have questions... for the branches that aren't terminated, where will they move? Will they be in the same building, under a different name? In which case, will it all be functionally the same thing (but with lots of political disruption)?
Also I have questions... for the branches that aren't terminated, where will they move? Will they be in the same building, under a different name? In which case, will it all be functionally the same thing (but with lots of political disruption)?
It is hard to overstate how critical @ncar-ucar.bsky.social is to climate science in the US and around the world. It's the beating heart of our field. Generations of scientists have trained there, and almost everyone I know relies on deep collaborations with NCAR scientists. It's end is unthinkable.
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
December 19, 2025 at 4:05 AM
This is a travesty!!
Also I have questions... for the branches that aren't terminated, where will they move? Will they be in the same building, under a different name? In which case, will it all be functionally the same thing (but with lots of political disruption)?
Also I have questions... for the branches that aren't terminated, where will they move? Will they be in the same building, under a different name? In which case, will it all be functionally the same thing (but with lots of political disruption)?
Counterpoint: it's the only place where I can actually reliably see posts from people I personally know. (But this may just be due to the low volume of posts... ?)
December 16, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Counterpoint: it's the only place where I can actually reliably see posts from people I personally know. (But this may just be due to the low volume of posts... ?)
From David Krakauer's introduction to the Foundational Papers in Complexity Science. www.foundationalpapersincomplexityscience.org
Foundational Papers in Complexity Science
www.foundationalpapersincomplexityscience.org
December 16, 2025 at 2:33 AM
From David Krakauer's introduction to the Foundational Papers in Complexity Science. www.foundationalpapersincomplexityscience.org
Random observation: did you know this?!
I knew about how Einstein's general relativity is required to make GPS navigation work, but I'm not as familiar with how quantum mechanics factors into semiconductor technology. Remarkable.
I knew about how Einstein's general relativity is required to make GPS navigation work, but I'm not as familiar with how quantum mechanics factors into semiconductor technology. Remarkable.
December 16, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Random observation: did you know this?!
I knew about how Einstein's general relativity is required to make GPS navigation work, but I'm not as familiar with how quantum mechanics factors into semiconductor technology. Remarkable.
I knew about how Einstein's general relativity is required to make GPS navigation work, but I'm not as familiar with how quantum mechanics factors into semiconductor technology. Remarkable.
Excellent framing(s)! A lot to think about here.
December 12, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Excellent framing(s)! A lot to think about here.
The knowledge is actually the far more valuable product. But we have trouble funding that on its own. It piggybacks on the funding of new tech inventions. If AI can invent new tech without teaching us, we stop investing in furthering our knowledge, which will ultimately lead to stagnation.
December 11, 2025 at 9:35 PM
The knowledge is actually the far more valuable product. But we have trouble funding that on its own. It piggybacks on the funding of new tech inventions. If AI can invent new tech without teaching us, we stop investing in furthering our knowledge, which will ultimately lead to stagnation.
I think you're on the right track, but it doesn't even need to be so philosophical—
Current AI4Science is all about *prediction* without *understanding*. This erodes the implicit contract currently in place, where society pays for new products, and they get knowledge as a byproduct.
Current AI4Science is all about *prediction* without *understanding*. This erodes the implicit contract currently in place, where society pays for new products, and they get knowledge as a byproduct.
December 11, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I think you're on the right track, but it doesn't even need to be so philosophical—
Current AI4Science is all about *prediction* without *understanding*. This erodes the implicit contract currently in place, where society pays for new products, and they get knowledge as a byproduct.
Current AI4Science is all about *prediction* without *understanding*. This erodes the implicit contract currently in place, where society pays for new products, and they get knowledge as a byproduct.
That's why I appreciate @togelius.bsky.social for raising this point. It's really hard for dissenting voices to speak up in that environment. Even though his argument seems to have sown a lot of confusion.
I disagree that fully-automated solutions are superior. This is an assumption, not a given.
I disagree that fully-automated solutions are superior. This is an assumption, not a given.
December 11, 2025 at 9:19 PM
That's why I appreciate @togelius.bsky.social for raising this point. It's really hard for dissenting voices to speak up in that environment. Even though his argument seems to have sown a lot of confusion.
I disagree that fully-automated solutions are superior. This is an assumption, not a given.
I disagree that fully-automated solutions are superior. This is an assumption, not a given.
Reposted by Neil Traft
In applying AI to material science, biology, etc, capitalism is trying to shed science.
The point is to substitute the engineering of a machine that can generate what science has hitherto done, but without having people know things. Knowledge ultimately residing in private property is the dream.
The point is to substitute the engineering of a machine that can generate what science has hitherto done, but without having people know things. Knowledge ultimately residing in private property is the dream.
Jeff Bezos Creates A.I. Start-Up Where He Will Be Co-Chief Executive
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:12 PM
In applying AI to material science, biology, etc, capitalism is trying to shed science.
The point is to substitute the engineering of a machine that can generate what science has hitherto done, but without having people know things. Knowledge ultimately residing in private property is the dream.
The point is to substitute the engineering of a machine that can generate what science has hitherto done, but without having people know things. Knowledge ultimately residing in private property is the dream.
[In considering candidates] "I actually view publication volume completely negatively... I've learned, from experience, that those with a really high volume [don't have a depth of knowledge]." —@abeirami.bsky.social
#slowscience FTW
#slowscience FTW
Up next, our Mentorship Panel featuring
@abeirami.bsky.social, @sarahooker.bsky.social, and @meenakshikhosla.bsky.social moderated by @icannistraci.bsky.social.
Excited to have such inspiring leaders sharing their perspectives on the current state of the ML peer-review system! 🔍✨
@abeirami.bsky.social, @sarahooker.bsky.social, and @meenakshikhosla.bsky.social moderated by @icannistraci.bsky.social.
Excited to have such inspiring leaders sharing their perspectives on the current state of the ML peer-review system! 🔍✨
December 6, 2025 at 8:10 PM
[In considering candidates] "I actually view publication volume completely negatively... I've learned, from experience, that those with a really high volume [don't have a depth of knowledge]." —@abeirami.bsky.social
#slowscience FTW
#slowscience FTW
I thought this was a fascinating way to motivate model merging: to be able to *interpolate* between model classes, rather than be forced into discrete choices. (models trained on different datasets, models of different sizes, etc.)
"Interpolation and alignment are two sides of the same coin."
"Interpolation and alignment are two sides of the same coin."
December 6, 2025 at 6:11 PM
I thought this was a fascinating way to motivate model merging: to be able to *interpolate* between model classes, rather than be forced into discrete choices. (models trained on different datasets, models of different sizes, etc.)
"Interpolation and alignment are two sides of the same coin."
"Interpolation and alignment are two sides of the same coin."
Did you know that you could create hybrids across different neural net architectures—*without* updating the weights??
Come check out my poster at the UniReps @unireps.bsky.social workshop at 3:45pm today at #NeurIPS! (Or you can already browse the posters on the wall in 20D throughout the day.) 😃
Come check out my poster at the UniReps @unireps.bsky.social workshop at 3:45pm today at #NeurIPS! (Or you can already browse the posters on the wall in 20D throughout the day.) 😃
December 6, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Did you know that you could create hybrids across different neural net architectures—*without* updating the weights??
Come check out my poster at the UniReps @unireps.bsky.social workshop at 3:45pm today at #NeurIPS! (Or you can already browse the posters on the wall in 20D throughout the day.) 😃
Come check out my poster at the UniReps @unireps.bsky.social workshop at 3:45pm today at #NeurIPS! (Or you can already browse the posters on the wall in 20D throughout the day.) 😃
Reposted by Neil Traft
Join us this Saturday at @neuripsconf.bsky.social 2025 for the @unireps.bsky.social Workshop.
December 3, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Join us this Saturday at @neuripsconf.bsky.social 2025 for the @unireps.bsky.social Workshop.
Me, at people with #NeurIPS badges walking away from the convention center right now: "Don't they know that Rich Sutton is speaking in 10 minutes??? 😨"
December 3, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Me, at people with #NeurIPS badges walking away from the convention center right now: "Don't they know that Rich Sutton is speaking in 10 minutes??? 😨"
FWIW mine has the same ones, and I am going to both of those. 🤷🏻♂️ Also has a grad hat which presumably refers to my student registration.
December 3, 2025 at 1:34 AM
FWIW mine has the same ones, and I am going to both of those. 🤷🏻♂️ Also has a grad hat which presumably refers to my student registration.
Reposted by Neil Traft
🔵🔴 Join us for the UniReps Workshop: Unifying Representations in Neural Models at
@neuripsconf.bsky.social 2025!
📍 Ballroom 20D, San Diego Convention Center
Dec 6
Don’t forget to fill out the participation form. Joining in person or remotely? We welcome your questions for the panel.
🔗 unireps.org
@neuripsconf.bsky.social 2025!
📍 Ballroom 20D, San Diego Convention Center
Dec 6
Don’t forget to fill out the participation form. Joining in person or remotely? We welcome your questions for the panel.
🔗 unireps.org
December 1, 2025 at 6:40 PM
🔵🔴 Join us for the UniReps Workshop: Unifying Representations in Neural Models at
@neuripsconf.bsky.social 2025!
📍 Ballroom 20D, San Diego Convention Center
Dec 6
Don’t forget to fill out the participation form. Joining in person or remotely? We welcome your questions for the panel.
🔗 unireps.org
@neuripsconf.bsky.social 2025!
📍 Ballroom 20D, San Diego Convention Center
Dec 6
Don’t forget to fill out the participation form. Joining in person or remotely? We welcome your questions for the panel.
🔗 unireps.org
Link to the full paper: openreview.net/pdf?id=e4wKQ...
I think there's a lot of very interesting potential applications of "model stitching". Have a look. Plus, you get to feel like a mad scientist. IT'S ALIVE!
I think there's a lot of very interesting potential applications of "model stitching". Have a look. Plus, you get to feel like a mad scientist. IT'S ALIVE!
December 1, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Link to the full paper: openreview.net/pdf?id=e4wKQ...
I think there's a lot of very interesting potential applications of "model stitching". Have a look. Plus, you get to feel like a mad scientist. IT'S ALIVE!
I think there's a lot of very interesting potential applications of "model stitching". Have a look. Plus, you get to feel like a mad scientist. IT'S ALIVE!
I’ll have a poster at @unireps.bsky.social 🔵🔴 It’s a terrific workshop at the intersection of neuroscience and DL: across both biological and artificial NNs, how can we measure / compare / align / merge neural representations? Should be fascinating! Check it out if you're around! unireps.org/2025
December 1, 2025 at 6:20 PM
I’ll have a poster at @unireps.bsky.social 🔵🔴 It’s a terrific workshop at the intersection of neuroscience and DL: across both biological and artificial NNs, how can we measure / compare / align / merge neural representations? Should be fascinating! Check it out if you're around! unireps.org/2025