Thom Scott-Phillips
@thomscottphillips.bsky.social
Language, Psychology, Culture, Philosophy, Society, Evolution • When not doing science I dance the lindy hop
https://linktr.ee/thomscottphillips
https://linktr.ee/thomscottphillips
Pinned
How I stood on the shoulders of giants
A few years ago I experienced a rare privilege. I saw and and understood a truth about the nature of reality that no-one else had ever seen before.
thomscottphillips.substack.com
On my recent paper about linguistic intuition and the nature of language
thomscottphillips.substack.com/p/how-i-stoo...
thomscottphillips.substack.com/p/how-i-stoo...
Reposted by Thom Scott-Phillips
Here is my commentary on the forthcoming BBS paper about core perception:
** Perception at the root of language **
"..if perception is understood in the ‘rich’ or ‘sophisticated’ way argued for in the target article, then one of its domains is ostension."
osf.io/preprints/ps...
** Perception at the root of language **
"..if perception is understood in the ‘rich’ or ‘sophisticated’ way argued for in the target article, then one of its domains is ostension."
osf.io/preprints/ps...
February 11, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Here is my commentary on the forthcoming BBS paper about core perception:
** Perception at the root of language **
"..if perception is understood in the ‘rich’ or ‘sophisticated’ way argued for in the target article, then one of its domains is ostension."
osf.io/preprints/ps...
** Perception at the root of language **
"..if perception is understood in the ‘rich’ or ‘sophisticated’ way argued for in the target article, then one of its domains is ostension."
osf.io/preprints/ps...
This is disgraceful, @lkrauss1.bsky.social. The public shame you are now experiencing is a consequence of your own actions and attitudes
Lawrence Krauss being endearing again: "good news btw is that woman on conciliation committee seems like a sweetie.. she is old…. not some young metoo bitch."
February 11, 2026 at 9:28 PM
This is disgraceful, @lkrauss1.bsky.social. The public shame you are now experiencing is a consequence of your own actions and attitudes
Here is my commentary on the forthcoming BBS paper about core perception:
** Perception at the root of language **
"..if perception is understood in the ‘rich’ or ‘sophisticated’ way argued for in the target article, then one of its domains is ostension."
osf.io/preprints/ps...
** Perception at the root of language **
"..if perception is understood in the ‘rich’ or ‘sophisticated’ way argued for in the target article, then one of its domains is ostension."
osf.io/preprints/ps...
February 11, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Here is my commentary on the forthcoming BBS paper about core perception:
** Perception at the root of language **
"..if perception is understood in the ‘rich’ or ‘sophisticated’ way argued for in the target article, then one of its domains is ostension."
osf.io/preprints/ps...
** Perception at the root of language **
"..if perception is understood in the ‘rich’ or ‘sophisticated’ way argued for in the target article, then one of its domains is ostension."
osf.io/preprints/ps...
I love the Southbank! Probably my favourite place to visit when I'm in London. Now Grade II listed and rightly so
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Brutal but beautiful: Southbank Centre’s Grade II listing is the cherry on a concrete cake
As one of the longest running battles in British heritage comes to an end, the listing of the London arts complex vindicates the audacity of this sensational droogs’ paradise
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:17 PM
I love the Southbank! Probably my favourite place to visit when I'm in London. Now Grade II listed and rightly so
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Reposted by Thom Scott-Phillips
This gets to some important points. There was always something cold, even chilling, about Brockman's "Edge" culture. That feeling still pervades some scientific circles. There's a real problem here that won't go away with Epstein.
www.theverge.com/2019/9/19/20...
www.theverge.com/2019/9/19/20...
Jeffrey Epstein infiltrated science because it was ready to accommodate him
What could “nerd tunnel vision” possibly mean?
www.theverge.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:13 PM
This gets to some important points. There was always something cold, even chilling, about Brockman's "Edge" culture. That feeling still pervades some scientific circles. There's a real problem here that won't go away with Epstein.
www.theverge.com/2019/9/19/20...
www.theverge.com/2019/9/19/20...
Reposted by Thom Scott-Phillips
Academics:
If you’re trying to make sense of how people you know knew Epstein, it’s book agent John Brockman. He’s savvy enough to lay low, but we should be talking about him.
Friends don’t let friends sign with Brockman.
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/pete...
And
newrepublic.com/article/1548...
If you’re trying to make sense of how people you know knew Epstein, it’s book agent John Brockman. He’s savvy enough to lay low, but we should be talking about him.
Friends don’t let friends sign with Brockman.
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/pete...
And
newrepublic.com/article/1548...
How Jeffrey Epstein Bankrolled An Exclusive Intellectual Boys Club And Reaped The Benefits
The Edge Foundation runs what has been called the “world’s smartest website” and held annual “billionaires’ dinners.” It was also financed by Jeffrey Epstein and gave him access to elite circles in sc...
www.buzzfeednews.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Academics:
If you’re trying to make sense of how people you know knew Epstein, it’s book agent John Brockman. He’s savvy enough to lay low, but we should be talking about him.
Friends don’t let friends sign with Brockman.
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/pete...
And
newrepublic.com/article/1548...
If you’re trying to make sense of how people you know knew Epstein, it’s book agent John Brockman. He’s savvy enough to lay low, but we should be talking about him.
Friends don’t let friends sign with Brockman.
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/pete...
And
newrepublic.com/article/1548...
Reposted by Thom Scott-Phillips
Academics vying for a spot in Epstein‘s world. There are so many. I feel the need to make a thread, so I don’t keep confusing them. 1/
January 31, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Academics vying for a spot in Epstein‘s world. There are so many. I feel the need to make a thread, so I don’t keep confusing them. 1/
Reposted by Thom Scott-Phillips
This is going at the top of my 101 class. Serious.
On my recent paper about linguistic intuition and the nature of language
thomscottphillips.substack.com/p/how-i-stoo...
thomscottphillips.substack.com/p/how-i-stoo...
How I stood on the shoulders of giants
A few years ago I experienced a rare privilege. I saw and and understood a truth about the nature of reality that no-one else had ever seen before.
thomscottphillips.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:56 AM
This is going at the top of my 101 class. Serious.
Very revealing that my feeds have many, many ads for PhDs but very few for faculty positions
Some will say, yes, we are training people who go into other sectors - but if that’s the idea, a PhD is rarely the best choice
Truth is most doing PhDs would like an academic career, and most won’t get one
Some will say, yes, we are training people who go into other sectors - but if that’s the idea, a PhD is rarely the best choice
Truth is most doing PhDs would like an academic career, and most won’t get one
January 28, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Very revealing that my feeds have many, many ads for PhDs but very few for faculty positions
Some will say, yes, we are training people who go into other sectors - but if that’s the idea, a PhD is rarely the best choice
Truth is most doing PhDs would like an academic career, and most won’t get one
Some will say, yes, we are training people who go into other sectors - but if that’s the idea, a PhD is rarely the best choice
Truth is most doing PhDs would like an academic career, and most won’t get one
This observation is so plainly true that I'm saddened it needs to be made. But it seems it does need to be made
I think a lot about Parmy Olson's observation that AI companies actively push everyone to talk about existential risk, because it distracts from more prosaic current day concerns like copyright theft, conditions for data workers, energy & water use, and their financial situation
‘Humanity needs to wake up’ to dangers of AI, says Anthropic chief www.ft.com/content/c309...
January 27, 2026 at 1:05 PM
This observation is so plainly true that I'm saddened it needs to be made. But it seems it does need to be made
Reposted by Thom Scott-Phillips
On my recent paper about linguistic intuition and the nature of language
thomscottphillips.substack.com/p/how-i-stoo...
thomscottphillips.substack.com/p/how-i-stoo...
How I stood on the shoulders of giants
A few years ago I experienced a rare privilege. I saw and and understood a truth about the nature of reality that no-one else had ever seen before.
thomscottphillips.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:45 AM
On my recent paper about linguistic intuition and the nature of language
thomscottphillips.substack.com/p/how-i-stoo...
thomscottphillips.substack.com/p/how-i-stoo...
Reposted by Thom Scott-Phillips
Why does Sally’s apartment have so many penguins?
October 14, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Why does Sally’s apartment have so many penguins?
I really should learn to trust my instincts. The Green Party still has a knee-jerk opposition to development
I'm looking for a party to vote for next time. This sort of thing makes it sure it won't be them
I'm looking for a party to vote for next time. This sort of thing makes it sure it won't be them
January 27, 2026 at 11:40 AM
I really should learn to trust my instincts. The Green Party still has a knee-jerk opposition to development
I'm looking for a party to vote for next time. This sort of thing makes it sure it won't be them
I'm looking for a party to vote for next time. This sort of thing makes it sure it won't be them
On my recent paper about linguistic intuition and the nature of language
thomscottphillips.substack.com/p/how-i-stoo...
thomscottphillips.substack.com/p/how-i-stoo...
How I stood on the shoulders of giants
A few years ago I experienced a rare privilege. I saw and and understood a truth about the nature of reality that no-one else had ever seen before.
thomscottphillips.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:45 AM
On my recent paper about linguistic intuition and the nature of language
thomscottphillips.substack.com/p/how-i-stoo...
thomscottphillips.substack.com/p/how-i-stoo...
Reposted by Thom Scott-Phillips
This "conflicting accounts" narrative of the BBC's is a much bigger problem than they seem to think.
The huge issue is not false balance - it's that they're NOT reporting the biggest story of today: the fact the US Government is lying about its own forces killing a US citizen.
The huge issue is not false balance - it's that they're NOT reporting the biggest story of today: the fact the US Government is lying about its own forces killing a US citizen.
January 25, 2026 at 3:52 PM
This "conflicting accounts" narrative of the BBC's is a much bigger problem than they seem to think.
The huge issue is not false balance - it's that they're NOT reporting the biggest story of today: the fact the US Government is lying about its own forces killing a US citizen.
The huge issue is not false balance - it's that they're NOT reporting the biggest story of today: the fact the US Government is lying about its own forces killing a US citizen.
Reposted by Thom Scott-Phillips
There’s an old piece of wisdom about progress in science and ideas: you can’t fully understand what someone is saying until you know who it is they’re disagreeing with
General lesson is that even if unconscious, almost all agendas are motivated in part by (perceived) failings of previous generation
General lesson is that even if unconscious, almost all agendas are motivated in part by (perceived) failings of previous generation
January 20, 2026 at 11:39 AM
There’s an old piece of wisdom about progress in science and ideas: you can’t fully understand what someone is saying until you know who it is they’re disagreeing with
General lesson is that even if unconscious, almost all agendas are motivated in part by (perceived) failings of previous generation
General lesson is that even if unconscious, almost all agendas are motivated in part by (perceived) failings of previous generation
Reposted by Thom Scott-Phillips
arxiv.org/abs/2601.11432
I want to share an astonishing result. LLMs can "translate" Jabberwocky' texts like 'He dwushed a ghanc zawk” & even and even 'In the BLANK BLANK, BLANK BLANK has BLANK over any BLANK BLANK’s BLANK' This has profound consequence for thinking about.. 1/2
I want to share an astonishing result. LLMs can "translate" Jabberwocky' texts like 'He dwushed a ghanc zawk” & even and even 'In the BLANK BLANK, BLANK BLANK has BLANK over any BLANK BLANK’s BLANK' This has profound consequence for thinking about.. 1/2
arxiv.org
January 19, 2026 at 3:27 AM
arxiv.org/abs/2601.11432
I want to share an astonishing result. LLMs can "translate" Jabberwocky' texts like 'He dwushed a ghanc zawk” & even and even 'In the BLANK BLANK, BLANK BLANK has BLANK over any BLANK BLANK’s BLANK' This has profound consequence for thinking about.. 1/2
I want to share an astonishing result. LLMs can "translate" Jabberwocky' texts like 'He dwushed a ghanc zawk” & even and even 'In the BLANK BLANK, BLANK BLANK has BLANK over any BLANK BLANK’s BLANK' This has profound consequence for thinking about.. 1/2
Lots of talk lately about the post-literate society. The phenomenon is defo real, but I am not sure the terminology is right
Because people are still literate. It’s more post-reading. But even that doesn’t feel right because again, people are reading
Because people are still literate. It’s more post-reading. But even that doesn’t feel right because again, people are reading
January 16, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Lots of talk lately about the post-literate society. The phenomenon is defo real, but I am not sure the terminology is right
Because people are still literate. It’s more post-reading. But even that doesn’t feel right because again, people are reading
Because people are still literate. It’s more post-reading. But even that doesn’t feel right because again, people are reading
Reposted by Thom Scott-Phillips
Peer Review is broken because a generation of Editors were trained that peer review is sacrosanct. Thus we have Editors who are clerks, sending and re-sending manuscripts to reviewers until they are happy. That's not the job. Be an Editor, not a clerk. Use your skill and judgement. Make decisions.
January 14, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Peer Review is broken because a generation of Editors were trained that peer review is sacrosanct. Thus we have Editors who are clerks, sending and re-sending manuscripts to reviewers until they are happy. That's not the job. Be an Editor, not a clerk. Use your skill and judgement. Make decisions.
Reposted by Thom Scott-Phillips
You're right. @trinityhallcamb.bsky.social is damaging its own reputation and that of the wider university. Oxbridge has moved in the right direction over the past two decades, creating a positive impression to the wider sector. This news undoes that
January 7, 2026 at 9:41 PM
You're right. @trinityhallcamb.bsky.social is damaging its own reputation and that of the wider university. Oxbridge has moved in the right direction over the past two decades, creating a positive impression to the wider sector. This news undoes that
Reposted by Thom Scott-Phillips
I was a first generation university student from a working class background who went to Cambridge and have gone on to teach in State schools in areas of significant social deprivation, with a specific remit of increasing aspiration and supporting students in 1/
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Cambridge college to target elite private schools for student recruitment
Exclusive: Trinity Hall’s new policy described as a ‘slap in the face’ for state-educated students
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:13 PM
I was a first generation university student from a working class background who went to Cambridge and have gone on to teach in State schools in areas of significant social deprivation, with a specific remit of increasing aspiration and supporting students in 1/
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Thom Scott-Phillips
Dear listeners: We would like to solicit questions from our audience for upcoming episodes. If you have questions you'd like us to tackle (either with a guest, or on our own). Please ask them here in this space. Or send us an email at: epthepod@gmail.com. Happy New Year!
January 3, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Dear listeners: We would like to solicit questions from our audience for upcoming episodes. If you have questions you'd like us to tackle (either with a guest, or on our own). Please ask them here in this space. Or send us an email at: epthepod@gmail.com. Happy New Year!
Wow, Zweig is really great writing!
I have The World Of Yesterday to read after this
I have The World Of Yesterday to read after this
December 22, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Wow, Zweig is really great writing!
I have The World Of Yesterday to read after this
I have The World Of Yesterday to read after this
Reposted by Thom Scott-Phillips
I agree. The tech is only highlighting existing issues. Publishing, reviewing, citations as proxy indicators of quality: all of this is a mess and anybody paying attention knows it. LLMs are just exploiting what is already there
December 20, 2025 at 8:57 PM
I agree. The tech is only highlighting existing issues. Publishing, reviewing, citations as proxy indicators of quality: all of this is a mess and anybody paying attention knows it. LLMs are just exploiting what is already there
Excellent piece by @mmitchell.bsky.social. AI excels at predictive tasks but is poor with generative tasks
I like the predictive-generative distinction. Important but easy to lose sight of
www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/15/1...
I like the predictive-generative distinction. Important but easy to lose sight of
www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/15/1...
Generative AI hype distracts us from AI’s more important breakthroughs
It's a seductive distraction from the advances in AI that are most likely to improve or even save your life
www.technologyreview.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Excellent piece by @mmitchell.bsky.social. AI excels at predictive tasks but is poor with generative tasks
I like the predictive-generative distinction. Important but easy to lose sight of
www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/15/1...
I like the predictive-generative distinction. Important but easy to lose sight of
www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/15/1...