MichaelW
@somewise.bsky.social
Programmer/Computational biologist (microbes). COPE Trustee. GAICD. (he/him/his)
Proud Ally
"... But if I'm only for myself, what am I?
And if not now, when?"
Loves K+A.
Proud Ally
"... But if I'm only for myself, what am I?
And if not now, when?"
Loves K+A.
Reposted by MichaelW
Yes, some people's legacies are complicated. For example, Watson. After all, though he was racist, don't forget his other traits. For example, he was also sexist. And also anti-semitic. And a data / idea thief. So let's not forget all the different facets.
November 8, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Yes, some people's legacies are complicated. For example, Watson. After all, though he was racist, don't forget his other traits. For example, he was also sexist. And also anti-semitic. And a data / idea thief. So let's not forget all the different facets.
A controversial topic for your Friday 😉
Tea Room Spoons 😀
A 2005 study at Melbourne University looked at the half-life of a set of departmental tea-spoons. I've observed similar at other Australian Comp Sci depts.
10.1136/bmj.331.7531.1498
What about other countries? #anthropology
Tea Room Spoons 😀
A 2005 study at Melbourne University looked at the half-life of a set of departmental tea-spoons. I've observed similar at other Australian Comp Sci depts.
10.1136/bmj.331.7531.1498
What about other countries? #anthropology
November 7, 2025 at 2:05 AM
A controversial topic for your Friday 😉
Tea Room Spoons 😀
A 2005 study at Melbourne University looked at the half-life of a set of departmental tea-spoons. I've observed similar at other Australian Comp Sci depts.
10.1136/bmj.331.7531.1498
What about other countries? #anthropology
Tea Room Spoons 😀
A 2005 study at Melbourne University looked at the half-life of a set of departmental tea-spoons. I've observed similar at other Australian Comp Sci depts.
10.1136/bmj.331.7531.1498
What about other countries? #anthropology
Reposted by MichaelW
Baby Wolf Learns To Howl (cute video)
Baby Wolf Learns To Howl
A baby wolf gets its first lesson in life. Its mother her its two siblings were abandoned by their mother.
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Baby Wolf Learns To Howl (cute video)
Reposted by MichaelW
It seems this can't be emphasized enough. Chatbots and LLMs do not make mistakes (excepting any bugs in the code). They do not lie. They do not blackmail or cheat. They follow statistics. When the people who build these systems don't tell you this, they are either deluded or trying to mislead.
When a chatbot gets something wrong, it’s not because it made an error. It’s because on that roll of the dice, it happened to string together a group of words that, when read by a human, represents something false. But it was working entirely as designed. It was supposed to make a sentence & it did.
November 6, 2025 at 11:34 AM
It seems this can't be emphasized enough. Chatbots and LLMs do not make mistakes (excepting any bugs in the code). They do not lie. They do not blackmail or cheat. They follow statistics. When the people who build these systems don't tell you this, they are either deluded or trying to mislead.
Reposted by MichaelW
Lengthening autumnal shadows -
Easthall Manor, #Denver #Norfolk
#BluePlaque -
Captain George William Manby
Born 1765
Inventor of a portable fire extinguisher & apparatus for saving life from shipwrecks.
Manby’s mortar fired a line from the shore to a wrecked ship so people could be winched ashore.
Easthall Manor, #Denver #Norfolk
#BluePlaque -
Captain George William Manby
Born 1765
Inventor of a portable fire extinguisher & apparatus for saving life from shipwrecks.
Manby’s mortar fired a line from the shore to a wrecked ship so people could be winched ashore.
November 3, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Lengthening autumnal shadows -
Easthall Manor, #Denver #Norfolk
#BluePlaque -
Captain George William Manby
Born 1765
Inventor of a portable fire extinguisher & apparatus for saving life from shipwrecks.
Manby’s mortar fired a line from the shore to a wrecked ship so people could be winched ashore.
Easthall Manor, #Denver #Norfolk
#BluePlaque -
Captain George William Manby
Born 1765
Inventor of a portable fire extinguisher & apparatus for saving life from shipwrecks.
Manby’s mortar fired a line from the shore to a wrecked ship so people could be winched ashore.
Neat. A new system is able set a team of drones - working together and not under central coordination - the task of moving a 100kg load, including sufficient redundancy in case one drone fails. Move over helicopters!
ia.acs.org.au/article/2025...
ia.acs.org.au/article/2025...
Forget helicopters: Drone teams can now lift 100kg
World-first Aussie tech to speed disaster relief, deliveries.
ia.acs.org.au
October 30, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Neat. A new system is able set a team of drones - working together and not under central coordination - the task of moving a 100kg load, including sufficient redundancy in case one drone fails. Move over helicopters!
ia.acs.org.au/article/2025...
ia.acs.org.au/article/2025...
#ProTip. How not to create yet another boring conference/meeting presentation.
I find there's a huge mismatch between the standard advice that people give about scientific conference talks, and how people actually give talks.
So I picked out the most important pieces of advice that are most often ignored. 🧪
So I picked out the most important pieces of advice that are most often ignored. 🧪
The best scientific talk advice that gets ignored
Here are some prescriptions for a case of UCPS (Unengaging Conference Presentation Syndrome).
scienceforeveryone.science
October 29, 2025 at 1:58 PM
#ProTip. How not to create yet another boring conference/meeting presentation.
A Seasonal Poem 😉
With Halloween approaching, I thought I’d share a few spine-chilling poems.
Today’s is called ‘The Heebie Bee Gees’.
Today’s is called ‘The Heebie Bee Gees’.
October 29, 2025 at 1:48 AM
A Seasonal Poem 😉
Reposted by MichaelW
I’ve been talking about inoculation/prebunking in our trainings. The idea is that we can defang misinformation by tipping people off to it in advance. It is conceptually appealing & relatively easy to operationalize.
This is a *very* welcome analysis that I look forward to reading.
This is a *very* welcome analysis that I look forward to reading.
October 28, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I’ve been talking about inoculation/prebunking in our trainings. The idea is that we can defang misinformation by tipping people off to it in advance. It is conceptually appealing & relatively easy to operationalize.
This is a *very* welcome analysis that I look forward to reading.
This is a *very* welcome analysis that I look forward to reading.
A really nice, positive conservation biology story from Western Australia
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Inside an ambitious goal to connect two renowned national parks
A decades-long conservation project restoring vegetation between two renowned national parks could be accelerated using the carbon economy.
www.abc.net.au
October 27, 2025 at 8:30 AM
A really nice, positive conservation biology story from Western Australia
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Cute story. A young (wild) black bear broke into a zoo sited in a reserve, introduced itself to the zoo's bears and played with their toys. Cue: Bear Necessities (or a multitude of other unbearable puns) 😀
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
Bear Breaks Into California Zoo to Mingle With Other Bears
www.nytimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Cute story. A young (wild) black bear broke into a zoo sited in a reserve, introduced itself to the zoo's bears and played with their toys. Cue: Bear Necessities (or a multitude of other unbearable puns) 😀
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
Reposted by MichaelW
Could Zurich’s housing cooperatives be the solution to the rest of Europe’s housing crisis? | Peter Apps
Could Zurich’s housing cooperatives be the solution to the rest of Europe’s housing crisis? | Peter Apps
One in every five citizens in the city has bought a share in the company that built and owns their apartment block, says Inside Housing’s Peter Apps
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Could Zurich’s housing cooperatives be the solution to the rest of Europe’s housing crisis? | Peter Apps
This is one of several recent articles I've seen around the same theme: will private (ie unregulated non-bank) lending be the next collateralised debt obligation, ie trigger the next GFC
October 21, 2025 at 12:54 PM
This is one of several recent articles I've seen around the same theme: will private (ie unregulated non-bank) lending be the next collateralised debt obligation, ie trigger the next GFC
Reposted by MichaelW
What if we rebranded “pasteurization” as a cleanse for your raw milk and “fluoridation” as supplements for your water?
- Renee DiResta (@noupside.bsky.social)
- Renee DiResta (@noupside.bsky.social)
October 21, 2025 at 11:56 AM
What if we rebranded “pasteurization” as a cleanse for your raw milk and “fluoridation” as supplements for your water?
- Renee DiResta (@noupside.bsky.social)
- Renee DiResta (@noupside.bsky.social)
On this data, Canada is the most highly educated country in the world by a considerable margin. What encouraged that to happen (beyond the rigorous winters 😉)?
www.visualcapitalist.com/most-educate...
www.visualcapitalist.com/most-educate...
Ranked: The World’s Most Educated Populations, Across 45 Countries
We explore educational attainment by country, comparing the share of adults with high school or university-level educations.
www.visualcapitalist.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:32 AM
On this data, Canada is the most highly educated country in the world by a considerable margin. What encouraged that to happen (beyond the rigorous winters 😉)?
www.visualcapitalist.com/most-educate...
www.visualcapitalist.com/most-educate...
The creation of a stable new island has allowed the sequence of species is a totally new environment to be tracked. Literally ex niho. A unique laboratory, and remarkable how quickly it happened.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
A new island erupted from the sea – can it show us how nature works without human interference?
The volcanic island of Surtsey emerged in the 1960s, and scientists say studying its development offers hope for damaged ecosystems worldwide
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:00 AM
The creation of a stable new island has allowed the sequence of species is a totally new environment to be tracked. Literally ex niho. A unique laboratory, and remarkable how quickly it happened.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
A dam has been breached.😉 In times past, Halloween constrained the start of Christmas merch, but today - 12 Oct - I saw the first Christmas decorations for sale in a local shop. 👻
October 12, 2025 at 11:39 AM
A dam has been breached.😉 In times past, Halloween constrained the start of Christmas merch, but today - 12 Oct - I saw the first Christmas decorations for sale in a local shop. 👻
My wife out out Wordle in 1. The rejoicing!! 😅
October 12, 2025 at 9:58 AM
My wife out out Wordle in 1. The rejoicing!! 😅
Avoid @Menulog (at least in Perth). This is now the third time that food failed to arrive. Two different restaurants. One of these fail to pick up; two fail to deliver. And a fourth where it did arrive - but to the wrong house. Customer Disservice.
October 9, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Avoid @Menulog (at least in Perth). This is now the third time that food failed to arrive. Two different restaurants. One of these fail to pick up; two fail to deliver. And a fourth where it did arrive - but to the wrong house. Customer Disservice.
Reposted by MichaelW
I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.
October 7, 2025 at 11:29 PM
I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.
Cocoa #supplements do nothing for you. Health Nerd (X) skewers another bit of poor statistics, and publication practices
gidmk.medium.com/cocoa-supple...
gidmk.medium.com/cocoa-supple...
Cocoa Supplements Don’t Stop Aging
The dubious claims about cocoa supplements and anti-aging potential
gidmk.medium.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Cocoa #supplements do nothing for you. Health Nerd (X) skewers another bit of poor statistics, and publication practices
gidmk.medium.com/cocoa-supple...
gidmk.medium.com/cocoa-supple...
My hereo. 82yo astrophysicist to represent Australia in an international power lifting contest.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
82yo man headed to world powerlifting championships
Ravi Sood turned to the gym to help build muscle before a knee replacement. It has changed his life and led him to the World Masters Powerlifting Championships.
www.abc.net.au
October 9, 2025 at 4:40 AM
My hereo. 82yo astrophysicist to represent Australia in an international power lifting contest.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Reposted by MichaelW
My new piece.👇
Sure, Ultra-Processed Foods Are Bad. But How Does That Help Anyone? thewalrus.ca/sure-ultra-p... via @thewalrus
86% of proposed strategies to regulate UPFs focus on changing behaviour – which can lead to equity issues – rather than addressing broader food system.
Sure, Ultra-Processed Foods Are Bad. But How Does That Help Anyone? thewalrus.ca/sure-ultra-p... via @thewalrus
86% of proposed strategies to regulate UPFs focus on changing behaviour – which can lead to equity issues – rather than addressing broader food system.
Sure, Ultra-Processed Foods Are Bad. But How Does That Help Anyone? | The Walrus
Nutrition panic distracts from the policies that make healthy eating a privilege
thewalrus.ca
October 8, 2025 at 1:28 PM
My new piece.👇
Sure, Ultra-Processed Foods Are Bad. But How Does That Help Anyone? thewalrus.ca/sure-ultra-p... via @thewalrus
86% of proposed strategies to regulate UPFs focus on changing behaviour – which can lead to equity issues – rather than addressing broader food system.
Sure, Ultra-Processed Foods Are Bad. But How Does That Help Anyone? thewalrus.ca/sure-ultra-p... via @thewalrus
86% of proposed strategies to regulate UPFs focus on changing behaviour – which can lead to equity issues – rather than addressing broader food system.
Reposted by MichaelW
The HPV vaccine is doing what had been promised.
17 years after it became available, HPV infections decreased significantly in vaccinated people and unvaccinated people because of herd immunity. buff.ly/WvjQ1BS
h/t @boghuma.bsky.social
#medsky #pedsky 🛟🧪
17 years after it became available, HPV infections decreased significantly in vaccinated people and unvaccinated people because of herd immunity. buff.ly/WvjQ1BS
h/t @boghuma.bsky.social
#medsky #pedsky 🛟🧪
October 5, 2025 at 1:51 AM
The HPV vaccine is doing what had been promised.
17 years after it became available, HPV infections decreased significantly in vaccinated people and unvaccinated people because of herd immunity. buff.ly/WvjQ1BS
h/t @boghuma.bsky.social
#medsky #pedsky 🛟🧪
17 years after it became available, HPV infections decreased significantly in vaccinated people and unvaccinated people because of herd immunity. buff.ly/WvjQ1BS
h/t @boghuma.bsky.social
#medsky #pedsky 🛟🧪
Australia has among the world's most expensive internet services
www.visualcapitalist.com/internet-cos...
www.visualcapitalist.com/internet-cos...
Ranked: Internet Costs by Country in 2025
UAE has the world’s most expensive fixed internet, while Eastern Europe leads affordability.
www.visualcapitalist.com
October 4, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Australia has among the world's most expensive internet services
www.visualcapitalist.com/internet-cos...
www.visualcapitalist.com/internet-cos...