Brian Slesinsky
@skybrian.bsky.social
Retired software engineer, amateur accordionist. Other accounts:
https://mastodon.social/@skybrian
https://tildes.net/user/skybrian
https://mastodon.social/@skybrian
https://tildes.net/user/skybrian
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
starting my system prompt with a training data acknowledgement
November 28, 2025 at 9:04 PM
starting my system prompt with a training data acknowledgement
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
We clean drinking water all the time, not just in response to cholera outbreaks. To have clean air in emergencies, we need to figure out how to have clean air every day. The benefits of widespread deployment of air purifiers, far-UVC, etc are very high even before you count the biosecurity impact.
Everyday Clean Air
When the next pandemic hits our ability to stop it will depend on the infrastructure we already have in place. A key missing piece is clean indoor air. An airborne pathogen can be very hard to contain...
www.jefftk.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:52 AM
We clean drinking water all the time, not just in response to cholera outbreaks. To have clean air in emergencies, we need to figure out how to have clean air every day. The benefits of widespread deployment of air purifiers, far-UVC, etc are very high even before you count the biosecurity impact.
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
“And so our space battle be—um, enemy ship? You’re upside down.”
“No, YOU’RE upside down!”
“We are not! Now flip over, or this battle is going to look silly!”
“No, YOU flip over!”
“You!”
“YOU!”
“No, YOU’RE upside down!”
“We are not! Now flip over, or this battle is going to look silly!”
“No, YOU flip over!”
“You!”
“YOU!”
November 7, 2025 at 2:44 AM
“And so our space battle be—um, enemy ship? You’re upside down.”
“No, YOU’RE upside down!”
“We are not! Now flip over, or this battle is going to look silly!”
“No, YOU flip over!”
“You!”
“YOU!”
“No, YOU’RE upside down!”
“We are not! Now flip over, or this battle is going to look silly!”
“No, YOU flip over!”
“You!”
“YOU!”
(Not actually about baseball.)
Sharing some personal thoughts and feelings about the last weekend on the world's number one baseball app
100% cooked
Some reflections on the product design discussions from the last weekend
pfrazee.leaflet.pub
November 4, 2025 at 1:03 AM
(Not actually about baseball.)
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
When I saw the recent Atlantic article on Florida train deaths I guessed we were making a big deal over it because it was the train was big and new, and actually we're better off overall. Turns out no: Brightline is just really deadly, not just for a train, but even relative to driving.
Brightline is Actually Pretty Dangerous
Per the Atlantic's A 'Death Train' is Haunting South Florida: According to Federal Railroad Administration data, the Brightline has been involved in at least 185 fatalities, 148 of which were beli...
www.jefftk.com
October 26, 2025 at 12:43 PM
When I saw the recent Atlantic article on Florida train deaths I guessed we were making a big deal over it because it was the train was big and new, and actually we're better off overall. Turns out no: Brightline is just really deadly, not just for a train, but even relative to driving.
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
What happens when you turn a designer into an interpretability researcher? They spend hours staring at feature activations in SVG code to see if LLMs actually understand SVGs. It turns out – yes~
We found that semantic concepts transfer across text, ASCII, and SVG:
We found that semantic concepts transfer across text, ASCII, and SVG:
October 24, 2025 at 9:34 PM
What happens when you turn a designer into an interpretability researcher? They spend hours staring at feature activations in SVG code to see if LLMs actually understand SVGs. It turns out – yes~
We found that semantic concepts transfer across text, ASCII, and SVG:
We found that semantic concepts transfer across text, ASCII, and SVG:
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
Time for 2025 updates to my annual “opinions about solar” thread. If you like these, you might like the second edition of my book, Solar Power Finance Without The Jargon. A 30% discount code WSQ0437 is valid on publisher website until end of November 2025.
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
Solar Power Finance Without the Jargon
www.worldscientific.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Time for 2025 updates to my annual “opinions about solar” thread. If you like these, you might like the second edition of my book, Solar Power Finance Without The Jargon. A 30% discount code WSQ0437 is valid on publisher website until end of November 2025.
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
Top funny thing from @adapalmer.bsky.social ‘s INVENTING THE RENAISSANCE: “Filippino Lippi’s Saint Thomas Aquinas Interrupts the Annunciation to Introduce the Virgin Mary to Cardinal Carafa who paid for the painting, while patient Archangel Gabriel just has to wait.”
www.wga.hu/support/view...
www.wga.hu/support/view...
October 12, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Top funny thing from @adapalmer.bsky.social ‘s INVENTING THE RENAISSANCE: “Filippino Lippi’s Saint Thomas Aquinas Interrupts the Annunciation to Introduce the Virgin Mary to Cardinal Carafa who paid for the painting, while patient Archangel Gabriel just has to wait.”
www.wga.hu/support/view...
www.wga.hu/support/view...
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
First narrowband image: The Elephant’s Trunk Nebula.
25 hours of integration in the Hubble SHO palette using 6nm filters.
This one taught me how patient you have to be to see color in hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen — but when it works, it really works.
#Astrophotography #photography #bluesky #beer
25 hours of integration in the Hubble SHO palette using 6nm filters.
This one taught me how patient you have to be to see color in hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen — but when it works, it really works.
#Astrophotography #photography #bluesky #beer
October 13, 2025 at 12:21 AM
First narrowband image: The Elephant’s Trunk Nebula.
25 hours of integration in the Hubble SHO palette using 6nm filters.
This one taught me how patient you have to be to see color in hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen — but when it works, it really works.
#Astrophotography #photography #bluesky #beer
25 hours of integration in the Hubble SHO palette using 6nm filters.
This one taught me how patient you have to be to see color in hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen — but when it works, it really works.
#Astrophotography #photography #bluesky #beer
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
Hubert's assets, created as decorations for cyberpunk cityscapes, are used especially widely in animations that the IDF released during their strikes on Iran in June.
Ripped assets from Hubert are shown here in stills from IDF animations, with blue highlights:
Ripped assets from Hubert are shown here in stills from IDF animations, with blue highlights:
October 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Hubert's assets, created as decorations for cyberpunk cityscapes, are used especially widely in animations that the IDF released during their strikes on Iran in June.
Ripped assets from Hubert are shown here in stills from IDF animations, with blue highlights:
Ripped assets from Hubert are shown here in stills from IDF animations, with blue highlights:
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
People often ask why we don’t act on off-platform evidence when investigating reports. Here’s an example of how complex that can get. 1/9
October 6, 2025 at 8:46 PM
People often ask why we don’t act on off-platform evidence when investigating reports. Here’s an example of how complex that can get. 1/9
Jay’s feed is exhibit A in why we need a non-sequitur reply filter. Or does something like this exist already?
Topic drift is normal, but completely off-topic replies gotta go or the culture here is just going to get worse.
Topic drift is normal, but completely off-topic replies gotta go or the culture here is just going to get worse.
Too real. We’re going to try to fix this. Social media doesn’t have to be this way.
(bluesky user bursts into Waffle House) OH SO YOU HATE PANCAKES??
October 2, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Jay’s feed is exhibit A in why we need a non-sequitur reply filter. Or does something like this exist already?
Topic drift is normal, but completely off-topic replies gotta go or the culture here is just going to get worse.
Topic drift is normal, but completely off-topic replies gotta go or the culture here is just going to get worse.
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
Randomized controlled trials are a key tool to study cause and effect. Why do they matter and how do they work?
September 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Randomized controlled trials are a key tool to study cause and effect. Why do they matter and how do they work?
Forecast accurately predicting an unusual monsoon season reached 38 million farmers #ShareGoodNewsToo
Artificial intelligence is helping Indian farmers adapt to climate change—forecast accurately predicting an unusual monsoon season reached 38 million
Thirty-eight million farmers across India received forecasts this summer accurately predicting the start of the rainy season. This forecast, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), was tailored to fa...
humancenteredforecasts.climate.uchicago.edu
September 22, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Forecast accurately predicting an unusual monsoon season reached 38 million farmers #ShareGoodNewsToo
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
Alas, nope.
96% of US farms are family farms.
Most of the so-called "corporate" farms are family farms. The families that own them just happen to be wealthy & have a lot of capital.
96% of US farms are family farms.
Most of the so-called "corporate" farms are family farms. The families that own them just happen to be wealthy & have a lot of capital.
September 21, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Alas, nope.
96% of US farms are family farms.
Most of the so-called "corporate" farms are family farms. The families that own them just happen to be wealthy & have a lot of capital.
96% of US farms are family farms.
Most of the so-called "corporate" farms are family farms. The families that own them just happen to be wealthy & have a lot of capital.
Here's an in-depth article on the history and potential of cleaning indoor air using ultraviolet light. A key issue is that there's no organization that certifies the safety and effectiveness of these devices. I wonder what country will do it first?
worksinprogress.co/issue/the-de...
worksinprogress.co/issue/the-de...
The death rays that guard life - Works in Progress Magazine
We disinfect water before we drink it. Why don’t we disinfect the air before we breathe it?
worksinprogress.co
September 19, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Here's an in-depth article on the history and potential of cleaning indoor air using ultraviolet light. A key issue is that there's no organization that certifies the safety and effectiveness of these devices. I wonder what country will do it first?
worksinprogress.co/issue/the-de...
worksinprogress.co/issue/the-de...
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
🎗️ Why people embrace conspiracy theories: It's about community, not gullibility
phys.org/news/2025-08...
#psychology #socialscience #conspiracy #misinformation #community #politics #meaningmaking
phys.org/news/2025-08...
#psychology #socialscience #conspiracy #misinformation #community #politics #meaningmaking
Why people embrace conspiracy theories: It's about community, not gullibility
Psychologists have long considered how a tendency towards irrational thinking or particular personality traits might predict people's interest in conspiracies. Yet these individual factors do not expl...
phys.org
September 18, 2025 at 1:11 PM
🎗️ Why people embrace conspiracy theories: It's about community, not gullibility
phys.org/news/2025-08...
#psychology #socialscience #conspiracy #misinformation #community #politics #meaningmaking
phys.org/news/2025-08...
#psychology #socialscience #conspiracy #misinformation #community #politics #meaningmaking
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
On Lobsters an unpleasant-but-technically-correct user finally got banned, and I realized that an unpopular opinion of mine is that mods are always right.
I don't care about the letter of the CoC or about transparency, even. Moderation is the human and nuanced job that shapes a community.
I don't care about the letter of the CoC or about transparency, even. Moderation is the human and nuanced job that shapes a community.
August 31, 2025 at 1:54 PM
On Lobsters an unpleasant-but-technically-correct user finally got banned, and I realized that an unpopular opinion of mine is that mods are always right.
I don't care about the letter of the CoC or about transparency, even. Moderation is the human and nuanced job that shapes a community.
I don't care about the letter of the CoC or about transparency, even. Moderation is the human and nuanced job that shapes a community.
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
This year you can order the nasal spray flu vaccine to your house, and self-administer. I just ordered for our whole family: $18 for five people, delivered.
I expect the kids to strongly prefer this to needles, and it's much easier logistically.
I expect the kids to strongly prefer this to needles, and it's much easier logistically.
www.flumist.com
August 19, 2025 at 7:05 PM
This year you can order the nasal spray flu vaccine to your house, and self-administer. I just ordered for our whole family: $18 for five people, delivered.
I expect the kids to strongly prefer this to needles, and it's much easier logistically.
I expect the kids to strongly prefer this to needles, and it's much easier logistically.
The post Jim was replying to is gone, but this seems like good general advice. I read a lot of good stuff on Substack too.
Social networks seem quite useful for finding (and posting) *links* to more substantial articles and discussions, though?
Social networks seem quite useful for finding (and posting) *links* to more substantial articles and discussions, though?
If you seriously want to see your beliefs challenged, this is not the platform, nor is Twitter. Substack is where it is at. People actually engage in long thoughtful discussions about ideas in good faith. I am changed my mind on many things due to some great writers and thinkers there.
August 4, 2025 at 9:06 PM
The post Jim was replying to is gone, but this seems like good general advice. I read a lot of good stuff on Substack too.
Social networks seem quite useful for finding (and posting) *links* to more substantial articles and discussions, though?
Social networks seem quite useful for finding (and posting) *links* to more substantial articles and discussions, though?
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
June 24, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
Reposted by Brian Slesinsky
RAW MILK TIME
I was surprised to find most of the "raw milk cures ___" talking points from the last 20+ years come from one (1) raw milk dairy farmer in California.
Let's get to know him!
I was surprised to find most of the "raw milk cures ___" talking points from the last 20+ years come from one (1) raw milk dairy farmer in California.
Let's get to know him!
May 19, 2025 at 6:13 PM
RAW MILK TIME
I was surprised to find most of the "raw milk cures ___" talking points from the last 20+ years come from one (1) raw milk dairy farmer in California.
Let's get to know him!
I was surprised to find most of the "raw milk cures ___" talking points from the last 20+ years come from one (1) raw milk dairy farmer in California.
Let's get to know him!
Cleaning indoor air with far-UVC lights might stop pandemics due to airborne viruses. Here’s a podcast about that:
www.complexsystemspodcast.com/episodes/kil...
It’s long, so here are the most interesting bits:
tildes.net/~health/1o0w...
#faruvc #sharegoodnewstoo
www.complexsystemspodcast.com/episodes/kil...
It’s long, so here are the most interesting bits:
tildes.net/~health/1o0w...
#faruvc #sharegoodnewstoo
Killing viruses with light, with Jacob Swett
We control pathogens in food and water, but not in air. Why is that? How can we fix it?
www.complexsystemspodcast.com
May 16, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Cleaning indoor air with far-UVC lights might stop pandemics due to airborne viruses. Here’s a podcast about that:
www.complexsystemspodcast.com/episodes/kil...
It’s long, so here are the most interesting bits:
tildes.net/~health/1o0w...
#faruvc #sharegoodnewstoo
www.complexsystemspodcast.com/episodes/kil...
It’s long, so here are the most interesting bits:
tildes.net/~health/1o0w...
#faruvc #sharegoodnewstoo