Taraxacum Runcation
@taraxaruncation.bsky.social
He/him🌻🌱🇬🇧🐸
mastodon.social/@TaraxaRuncation
Moved from twitter.com/TaraxaRuncation - no longer post
Used to perform physical Taraxacum runcation in my garden, but now I'm more enlightened.
#BloomScrolling #SlavaUkraini #Tinzo #BookClubRadio
mastodon.social/@TaraxaRuncation
Moved from twitter.com/TaraxaRuncation - no longer post
Used to perform physical Taraxacum runcation in my garden, but now I'm more enlightened.
#BloomScrolling #SlavaUkraini #Tinzo #BookClubRadio
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
"They're trying to change our habits, because all of the projections rely on people becoming truly dependent on the technology. Whether or not it's actually a good thing for society isn't considered to be a factor."
Analysis: OpenAI is a loss-making machine, how can it survive?
Don't call it a bubble! Loss-making monster OpenAI is on the hook for $1.4 trillion (with a T) in compute commitments. How can this go on?
www.windowscentral.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:30 PM
"They're trying to change our habits, because all of the projections rely on people becoming truly dependent on the technology. Whether or not it's actually a good thing for society isn't considered to be a factor."
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
On ChatGPTs and the larger world of LLMs, this paragraph (and article) is on point.
"... according to its true believers, is that it is never in its final form..."
Hence, keep sending money. Hundreds of billions, please.
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
"... according to its true believers, is that it is never in its final form..."
Hence, keep sending money. Hundreds of billions, please.
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
November 30, 2025 at 4:33 PM
On ChatGPTs and the larger world of LLMs, this paragraph (and article) is on point.
"... according to its true believers, is that it is never in its final form..."
Hence, keep sending money. Hundreds of billions, please.
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
"... according to its true believers, is that it is never in its final form..."
Hence, keep sending money. Hundreds of billions, please.
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
I understood (albeit disliked) the bank bailouts of 2008 because even though I am not a banker, I recognize the need for a functioning banking system for society.
I do not see the same need to bail out AI companies- the world will exist without the pre-written emails and fake videos 🤷🏻♂️
I do not see the same need to bail out AI companies- the world will exist without the pre-written emails and fake videos 🤷🏻♂️
No bailouts. The US should extort these companies when the crash happens so they get minimal compensation in return for nationalizing the entire panopticon industry and then destroying it once harvested for socially useful parts. It won’t happen but it should
when its definitely not a hostage situation
November 25, 2025 at 7:28 PM
I understood (albeit disliked) the bank bailouts of 2008 because even though I am not a banker, I recognize the need for a functioning banking system for society.
I do not see the same need to bail out AI companies- the world will exist without the pre-written emails and fake videos 🤷🏻♂️
I do not see the same need to bail out AI companies- the world will exist without the pre-written emails and fake videos 🤷🏻♂️
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
The link for my etsy shop is here. Discount code & photos in the post below👇🏼: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
November 22, 2025 at 9:04 AM
The link for my etsy shop is here. Discount code & photos in the post below👇🏼: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
Independent SAGE is mentioned in the report of module 2 of the UK Covid Inquiry.
"Much comment and expertise existed in the public domain, with
Independent SAGE (see below) being one of the most visible commentators."
1/4
"Much comment and expertise existed in the public domain, with
Independent SAGE (see below) being one of the most visible commentators."
1/4
November 20, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Independent SAGE is mentioned in the report of module 2 of the UK Covid Inquiry.
"Much comment and expertise existed in the public domain, with
Independent SAGE (see below) being one of the most visible commentators."
1/4
"Much comment and expertise existed in the public domain, with
Independent SAGE (see below) being one of the most visible commentators."
1/4
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
At least the 2008 crash was about a bet that housing would never decline. The next one will be about betting that six companies who sell each other magic beans would never decline
November 17, 2025 at 8:08 PM
At least the 2008 crash was about a bet that housing would never decline. The next one will be about betting that six companies who sell each other magic beans would never decline
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
I'm taking🌲etsy orders for just a few more days:
🌿Real flowers cast in silver+ tiny hand-sculpted silver wren necklaces
💐Victorian ink bottle kits to improve mental health
🗓️A very few calendars*
🪸Ltd ed'n art prints of my photos*
*Looking at them's likely to ⬇️⬇️ anxiety:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
🌿Real flowers cast in silver+ tiny hand-sculpted silver wren necklaces
💐Victorian ink bottle kits to improve mental health
🗓️A very few calendars*
🪸Ltd ed'n art prints of my photos*
*Looking at them's likely to ⬇️⬇️ anxiety:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
November 16, 2025 at 11:37 AM
I'm taking🌲etsy orders for just a few more days:
🌿Real flowers cast in silver+ tiny hand-sculpted silver wren necklaces
💐Victorian ink bottle kits to improve mental health
🗓️A very few calendars*
🪸Ltd ed'n art prints of my photos*
*Looking at them's likely to ⬇️⬇️ anxiety:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
🌿Real flowers cast in silver+ tiny hand-sculpted silver wren necklaces
💐Victorian ink bottle kits to improve mental health
🗓️A very few calendars*
🪸Ltd ed'n art prints of my photos*
*Looking at them's likely to ⬇️⬇️ anxiety:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
There are now just 6 of my single 2026 botanical calendars left & 5 of my tiny posy calendars in this print run, both designed using recent research to improve mental heath by looking at the photos.
Last chance to order is 19th November🌿:
Last chance to order is 19th November🌿:
There are still a few of my '26 calendars left in this final printrun.I create each of my 📷s using recent research into the beneficial effects on the brain of looking at plants & items arranged neatly.
Each calendar's 12 high quality frameable prints-make smashing gifts:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
Each calendar's 12 high quality frameable prints-make smashing gifts:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
November 13, 2025 at 4:17 PM
There are now just 6 of my single 2026 botanical calendars left & 5 of my tiny posy calendars in this print run, both designed using recent research to improve mental heath by looking at the photos.
Last chance to order is 19th November🌿:
Last chance to order is 19th November🌿:
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
We open on Bond dying in the explosion, the camera pans back revealing a television in a hotel room, slowly tracking to the bed revealing Pierce Fucking Brosnan.
Brosnan:
Well that was nonsense.
Cue the music.
Brosnan:
Well that was nonsense.
Cue the music.
How about he walks out of a Shower thanking God that it was all just a Dream🤷♀️
#OhNoWeKilledACashCow
#Bond
#007LicenceToPrintMoney
gizmodo.com/amazon-james...
#OhNoWeKilledACashCow
#Bond
#007LicenceToPrintMoney
gizmodo.com/amazon-james...
Report: Amazon Is Struggling to Think How to Bring James Bond Back From the Dead
Daniel Craig's permanent exit in 'No Time to Die' is apparently causing issues for the next 'Bond' film.
gizmodo.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:03 PM
We open on Bond dying in the explosion, the camera pans back revealing a television in a hotel room, slowly tracking to the bed revealing Pierce Fucking Brosnan.
Brosnan:
Well that was nonsense.
Cue the music.
Brosnan:
Well that was nonsense.
Cue the music.
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
There are still a few of my '26 calendars left in this final printrun.I create each of my 📷s using recent research into the beneficial effects on the brain of looking at plants & items arranged neatly.
Each calendar's 12 high quality frameable prints-make smashing gifts:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
Each calendar's 12 high quality frameable prints-make smashing gifts:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
November 12, 2025 at 8:30 PM
There are still a few of my '26 calendars left in this final printrun.I create each of my 📷s using recent research into the beneficial effects on the brain of looking at plants & items arranged neatly.
Each calendar's 12 high quality frameable prints-make smashing gifts:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
Each calendar's 12 high quality frameable prints-make smashing gifts:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/silv...
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
Scientists and scholars in AI and its social impacts call on von der Leyen to retract #AIHype statement.
@olivia.science
@abeba.bsky.social
@irisvanrooij.bsky.social
@alexhanna.bsky.social
@rocher.lc
@danmcquillan.bsky.social
@robin.berjon.com
& many others have signed
www.iccl.ie/press-releas...
@olivia.science
@abeba.bsky.social
@irisvanrooij.bsky.social
@alexhanna.bsky.social
@rocher.lc
@danmcquillan.bsky.social
@robin.berjon.com
& many others have signed
www.iccl.ie/press-releas...
Scientists call on the President of the European Commission to retract AI hype statement
Experts in AI call on the President of the European Commission to retract unscientific AI hype statement she made in the budget speech.
www.iccl.ie
November 10, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Scientists and scholars in AI and its social impacts call on von der Leyen to retract #AIHype statement.
@olivia.science
@abeba.bsky.social
@irisvanrooij.bsky.social
@alexhanna.bsky.social
@rocher.lc
@danmcquillan.bsky.social
@robin.berjon.com
& many others have signed
www.iccl.ie/press-releas...
@olivia.science
@abeba.bsky.social
@irisvanrooij.bsky.social
@alexhanna.bsky.social
@rocher.lc
@danmcquillan.bsky.social
@robin.berjon.com
& many others have signed
www.iccl.ie/press-releas...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Excellent as usual from Girls Don't Sync👍
Excellent as usual from Girls Don't Sync👍
Radio 1's Essential Mix - Girls Don't Sync - BBC Sounds
Girls Don't Sync take control of the Essential Mix decks.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 4:05 PM
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Excellent as usual from Girls Don't Sync👍
Excellent as usual from Girls Don't Sync👍
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
We don’t talk enough about how Operation Warp Speed saved many lives in spite of Trump, nor how many people died because of his failure of leadership. Great piece from my great colleague @maciekboni.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/maciekbo...
open.substack.com/pub/maciekbo...
COVID’s leadership failures
Two moments that were too big for us, and the unfixable chain of mistakes that was set off after November 2020
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:34 PM
We don’t talk enough about how Operation Warp Speed saved many lives in spite of Trump, nor how many people died because of his failure of leadership. Great piece from my great colleague @maciekboni.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/maciekbo...
open.substack.com/pub/maciekbo...
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
So, er, I have the main story on the front page of the @thenewworldmag.bsky.social. Not bad for a random guy with a blog that got out of hand.
Reform’s shambolic Kent experiment
The catastrophic mess at Kent County Council shows what happens when a populist party, with no idea how government works, gets into power
www.thenewworld.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 7:41 AM
So, er, I have the main story on the front page of the @thenewworldmag.bsky.social. Not bad for a random guy with a blog that got out of hand.
@slimeysmine.bsky.social This might be up your alley... (If you haven't already seen it) youtu.be/EgMIUtwzsnA
DJ Carl Cox @ Mantra in Brighton, 1991.
YouTube video by FullToTheBrim1
youtu.be
October 26, 2025 at 1:43 AM
@slimeysmine.bsky.social This might be up your alley... (If you haven't already seen it) youtu.be/EgMIUtwzsnA
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
Fractal patterns occur in many places in nature:plants & tree branches,shells,feathers,river deltas...
Looking at fractals puts our brains into a relaxed state-we recover from stress 60% more quickly (I teach about this in my classes)
Pause to take in the details of my photo-it'll help your brain
🧠
Looking at fractals puts our brains into a relaxed state-we recover from stress 60% more quickly (I teach about this in my classes)
Pause to take in the details of my photo-it'll help your brain
🧠
October 24, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Fractal patterns occur in many places in nature:plants & tree branches,shells,feathers,river deltas...
Looking at fractals puts our brains into a relaxed state-we recover from stress 60% more quickly (I teach about this in my classes)
Pause to take in the details of my photo-it'll help your brain
🧠
Looking at fractals puts our brains into a relaxed state-we recover from stress 60% more quickly (I teach about this in my classes)
Pause to take in the details of my photo-it'll help your brain
🧠
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
Sorry @theipaper.com but WHY is this guy talking to us about what will make the UK poorer? He was happy to grenade our economy twice…
Brexit and then his batshit budget with Truss.
He should be in political oblivion for the mess he made and the price we all have to pay for his party’s failures.
Brexit and then his batshit budget with Truss.
He should be in political oblivion for the mess he made and the price we all have to pay for his party’s failures.
October 24, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Sorry @theipaper.com but WHY is this guy talking to us about what will make the UK poorer? He was happy to grenade our economy twice…
Brexit and then his batshit budget with Truss.
He should be in political oblivion for the mess he made and the price we all have to pay for his party’s failures.
Brexit and then his batshit budget with Truss.
He should be in political oblivion for the mess he made and the price we all have to pay for his party’s failures.
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
If you enjoy my posts and you have a moment it would help so much if you could retweet my posts above this one about my illustration, silver jewellery and mental health workshops.
I'd so appreciate any help with putting my classes in front of a few more eyes. Thankyou so much🌿
I'd so appreciate any help with putting my classes in front of a few more eyes. Thankyou so much🌿
October 23, 2025 at 7:48 PM
If you enjoy my posts and you have a moment it would help so much if you could retweet my posts above this one about my illustration, silver jewellery and mental health workshops.
I'd so appreciate any help with putting my classes in front of a few more eyes. Thankyou so much🌿
I'd so appreciate any help with putting my classes in front of a few more eyes. Thankyou so much🌿
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
Do you know what a group of frogs is called?
AN ARMY
AN ARMY
October 18, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Do you know what a group of frogs is called?
AN ARMY
AN ARMY
Using Adobe Acrobat Pro to do an accessibility check shows how not to do software usability and responsiveness. Entire UI like wading through treacle. Old interface is barely useable. New interface is whale faeces. Glad I personally haven't paid for this, but I still have to use it. FML
October 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Using Adobe Acrobat Pro to do an accessibility check shows how not to do software usability and responsiveness. Entire UI like wading through treacle. Old interface is barely useable. New interface is whale faeces. Glad I personally haven't paid for this, but I still have to use it. FML
I was married but I'm not any more. Women don't like the vehicle.
October 16, 2025 at 4:29 PM
I was married but I'm not any more. Women don't like the vehicle.
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
everything else aside, it still surprises me how almost every highly publicized “AI” implementation could in fact be replaced by a very small shell script
“Like a smartwatch reminding you to stand up or drink water, Evergreen will notice if a student who normally visits the fitness center hasn’t done so or encourage a student to leave the library after studying for six hours…”
Dartmouth Builds Its Own AI Chatbot for Student Well-Being
The undergrad-assisted research project will draw on students’ data to provide chatbot support and personalized plans for health and wellness.
www.insidehighered.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:19 AM
everything else aside, it still surprises me how almost every highly publicized “AI” implementation could in fact be replaced by a very small shell script
Reposted by Taraxacum Runcation
important on LLMs for academics:
1️⃣ LLMs are usefully seen as lossy content-addressable systems
2️⃣ we can't automatically detect plagiarism
3️⃣ LLMs automate plagiarism & paper mills
4️⃣ we must protect literature from pollution
5️⃣ LLM use is a CoI
6️⃣ prompts do not cause output in authorial sense
1️⃣ LLMs are usefully seen as lossy content-addressable systems
2️⃣ we can't automatically detect plagiarism
3️⃣ LLMs automate plagiarism & paper mills
4️⃣ we must protect literature from pollution
5️⃣ LLM use is a CoI
6️⃣ prompts do not cause output in authorial sense
![5 Ghostwriter in the Machine
A unique selling point of these systems is conversing and writing in a human-like way. This is imminently understandable, although wrong-headed, when one realises these are systems that
essentially function as lossy2
content-addressable memory: when
input is given, the output generated by the model is text that
stochastically matches the input text. The reason text at the output looks novel is because by design the AI product performs
an automated version of what is known as mosaic or patchwork
plagiarism (Baždarić, 2013) — due to the nature of input masking and next token prediction, the output essentially uses similar words in similar orders to what it has been exposed to. This
makes the automated flagging of plagiarism unlikely, which is
also true when students or colleagues perform this type of copypaste and then thesaurus trick, and true when so-called AI plagiarism detectors falsely claim to detect AI-produced text (Edwards, 2023a). This aspect of LLM-based AI products can be
seen as an automation of plagiarism and especially of the research paper mill (Guest, 2025; Guest, Suarez, et al., 2025; van
Rooij, 2022): the “churn[ing] out [of] fake or poor-quality journal papers” (Sanderson, 2024; Committee on Publication Ethics,](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:vsyj5jtayxcq5dw5mtja4xtb/bafkreieufyngjbrn23zkmesrimcwemxkxtaf2x7d3bedjt7bg65htgtkrm@jpeg)
October 10, 2025 at 10:33 AM
important on LLMs for academics:
1️⃣ LLMs are usefully seen as lossy content-addressable systems
2️⃣ we can't automatically detect plagiarism
3️⃣ LLMs automate plagiarism & paper mills
4️⃣ we must protect literature from pollution
5️⃣ LLM use is a CoI
6️⃣ prompts do not cause output in authorial sense
1️⃣ LLMs are usefully seen as lossy content-addressable systems
2️⃣ we can't automatically detect plagiarism
3️⃣ LLMs automate plagiarism & paper mills
4️⃣ we must protect literature from pollution
5️⃣ LLM use is a CoI
6️⃣ prompts do not cause output in authorial sense