Alton B.H. Worthington
@abhw.bsky.social
Social Science Shop Teacher in the vocational training division of a sports entertainment and medical services conglomerate. Views expressed represent nobody, even myself. ∃ RPs ∉ {Endorse} ∧ ∀ Posts ⊂ {Nonsense}. PV=NRT. "Car weirdo."
Pinned
You will be visited by three spirits
December 9, 2025 at 5:53 AM
You will be visited by three spirits
oh, so NOW sweatpants are okay?
Duffy on what he's doing to improve the airport experience for travelers: "Maybe I want a workout area where people might get some blood flowing doing some pull ups or step ups in the airport."
December 9, 2025 at 3:19 AM
oh, so NOW sweatpants are okay?
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
Folks might not know a lot of people are getting *very* upset that the materials they request are not available in the libraries/archives they're requesting from.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
I wish a notice like this wasn't necessary.
www.icrc.org/en/article/i...
www.icrc.org/en/article/i...
Important notice: AI-generated archival references
www.icrc.org
December 8, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Folks might not know a lot of people are getting *very* upset that the materials they request are not available in the libraries/archives they're requesting from.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
Re-upping this in light of today's news.
Two key points from a new piece by @ilyasomin.bsky.social on the Trump administration's "deal" to get a cut of revenue on Nvidia/AMD chip sales to China:
1. It's an unconstitutional export tax
2. It's not clear who has standing and would challenge it
1. It's an unconstitutional export tax
2. It's not clear who has standing and would challenge it
Trump’s Unconstitutional Export Tax Is Probably Here to Stay
The only people who could challenge it in court probably won’t.
www.thebulwark.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Re-upping this in light of today's news.
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
The comment from the studio really drives home why so much AI generated material looks like crap. It's been sold as a magic "replace artists" machine but at the end of the day you still need humans with an eye for composition etc to actually get good output & that doesn't actually save labor/money.
McDonald's has released an AI-generated Christmas ad
The studio behind it says they 'hardly slept' for several weeks while writing AI prompts and refining the shots — 'AI didn't make this film. We did'
Comments have been turned off on YouTube
The studio behind it says they 'hardly slept' for several weeks while writing AI prompts and refining the shots — 'AI didn't make this film. We did'
Comments have been turned off on YouTube
December 8, 2025 at 11:39 PM
The comment from the studio really drives home why so much AI generated material looks like crap. It's been sold as a magic "replace artists" machine but at the end of the day you still need humans with an eye for composition etc to actually get good output & that doesn't actually save labor/money.
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
Holy CRAP.
Retired engineer takes random pics of *kids*, without consent or attribution, bins them into “autistic” or “not autistic”, and uploads that “data” for free on Kaggle.
Well over a HUNDRED papers are published, 38 in Springer Nature, 25 in IEEE, using it.
And no reviewers objected? WTF.🧪
Retired engineer takes random pics of *kids*, without consent or attribution, bins them into “autistic” or “not autistic”, and uploads that “data” for free on Kaggle.
Well over a HUNDRED papers are published, 38 in Springer Nature, 25 in IEEE, using it.
And no reviewers objected? WTF.🧪
Springer Nature retracts, removes nearly 40 publications
The dataset contains images of children’s faces downloaded from websites about autism, which sparked concerns at Springer Nature about consent and reliability.
www.thetransmitter.org
December 8, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Holy CRAP.
Retired engineer takes random pics of *kids*, without consent or attribution, bins them into “autistic” or “not autistic”, and uploads that “data” for free on Kaggle.
Well over a HUNDRED papers are published, 38 in Springer Nature, 25 in IEEE, using it.
And no reviewers objected? WTF.🧪
Retired engineer takes random pics of *kids*, without consent or attribution, bins them into “autistic” or “not autistic”, and uploads that “data” for free on Kaggle.
Well over a HUNDRED papers are published, 38 in Springer Nature, 25 in IEEE, using it.
And no reviewers objected? WTF.🧪
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
if it works it’s mechanical Turks
can't stop watching this clip of a tesla Optimus teleoperator taking his headset off before properly logging out the robot
December 8, 2025 at 2:44 PM
if it works it’s mechanical Turks
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
This thread up and down.
Also, I've been beating this drum about the danger to the information ecosystem for six and half years now. A few links below:
Also, I've been beating this drum about the danger to the information ecosystem for six and half years now. A few links below:
Here's the reality this example illustrates:
It's not even just about people blindly trusting what ChatGPT tells them. LLMs are poisoning the entire information ecosystem. You can't even necessarily trust that the citations in a published paper are real (or a search engine's descriptions of them).
It's not even just about people blindly trusting what ChatGPT tells them. LLMs are poisoning the entire information ecosystem. You can't even necessarily trust that the citations in a published paper are real (or a search engine's descriptions of them).
December 7, 2025 at 9:54 PM
This thread up and down.
Also, I've been beating this drum about the danger to the information ecosystem for six and half years now. A few links below:
Also, I've been beating this drum about the danger to the information ecosystem for six and half years now. A few links below:
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
They’re clearly plugging this dude into an IV regularly and, if this were Biden, there would be demands for weekly hour long press conferences from his doctors on his health. But that’s not how authoritarianism works so stop asking questions already.
Trump last night had the complexion of a Thanksgiving turkey that was left in the oven too long and bandages were again visible on the back of his right hand
(photos via Getty and by Aaron Schwartz and Paul Morigi)
(photos via Getty and by Aaron Schwartz and Paul Morigi)
December 7, 2025 at 9:48 PM
They’re clearly plugging this dude into an IV regularly and, if this were Biden, there would be demands for weekly hour long press conferences from his doctors on his health. But that’s not how authoritarianism works so stop asking questions already.
Turns out you can be a little cringe when you're a World Champion.
(Watched on bit of a delay this morning.)
(Watched on bit of a delay this morning.)
December 7, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Turns out you can be a little cringe when you're a World Champion.
(Watched on bit of a delay this morning.)
(Watched on bit of a delay this morning.)
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
you know how i know im a 44yo dad? how much i laughed at this shit
December 6, 2025 at 3:31 AM
you know how i know im a 44yo dad? how much i laughed at this shit
i'm a massive fan of the "large public university" model, b/c it gives space for lots of smart, motivated, interesting people to meet each other.
TIL (after *cough cough* years on campus) that my Large Public University has an amateur radio club. and they do trainings.
hell yeah public unis.
TIL (after *cough cough* years on campus) that my Large Public University has an amateur radio club. and they do trainings.
hell yeah public unis.
December 6, 2025 at 3:33 AM
i'm a massive fan of the "large public university" model, b/c it gives space for lots of smart, motivated, interesting people to meet each other.
TIL (after *cough cough* years on campus) that my Large Public University has an amateur radio club. and they do trainings.
hell yeah public unis.
TIL (after *cough cough* years on campus) that my Large Public University has an amateur radio club. and they do trainings.
hell yeah public unis.
*polite cough*
Dork Dash
Dork Dash
FBI agents now serving as Uber drivers for Kash Patel’s girlfriend’s drunk friends www.ms.now/news/kash-pa...
December 6, 2025 at 3:27 AM
*polite cough*
Dork Dash
Dork Dash
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
I'll take any opportunity to post one of my favorite images
December 6, 2025 at 3:15 AM
I'll take any opportunity to post one of my favorite images
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
I don’t know that the Meta glasses video was staged but there are three red flags:
1) The videos have two different perspectives that don’t make sense for people traveling together, suggesting an accomplice.
2) The close up of the woman and her smile at the end is a little too perfectly framed….
1) The videos have two different perspectives that don’t make sense for people traveling together, suggesting an accomplice.
2) The close up of the woman and her smile at the end is a little too perfectly framed….
I'm not going to spend the time trying to fact check this but the "woman breaks man's meta smart glasses" story reeks of being staged.
December 6, 2025 at 3:08 AM
I don’t know that the Meta glasses video was staged but there are three red flags:
1) The videos have two different perspectives that don’t make sense for people traveling together, suggesting an accomplice.
2) The close up of the woman and her smile at the end is a little too perfectly framed….
1) The videos have two different perspectives that don’t make sense for people traveling together, suggesting an accomplice.
2) The close up of the woman and her smile at the end is a little too perfectly framed….
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
It turns out that Dollar General and Family Dollar routinely overcharge people—their advertised price tags are fictions. These are the only stores in many small towns.
Scam culture. It's all scam culture. On this matter, Democrats should run on audits and serious fines for overcharging.
Scam culture. It's all scam culture. On this matter, Democrats should run on audits and serious fines for overcharging.
How the dollar-store industry overcharges cash-strapped customers while promising low prices
A Guardian investigation reveals Dollar General and Family Dollar stores often fail to honor their shelf prices – charging more at checkout for everything from frying pans to Frosted Flakes
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:52 AM
It turns out that Dollar General and Family Dollar routinely overcharge people—their advertised price tags are fictions. These are the only stores in many small towns.
Scam culture. It's all scam culture. On this matter, Democrats should run on audits and serious fines for overcharging.
Scam culture. It's all scam culture. On this matter, Democrats should run on audits and serious fines for overcharging.
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
like i said, if you wear these in public, they flag you for open world pvp
In terms of what’s understood to be socially acceptable behavior, normalizing the filming/taking pictures of people in public who are minding their own business (and putting it online) is one of the worst developments of the past 15 years.
Woman Hailed as Hero for Smashing Man's Meta Smart Glasses on Subway
A New York subway rider has accused a woman of breaking his Meta smart glasses. She was later hailed as a hero.
futurism.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:35 AM
like i said, if you wear these in public, they flag you for open world pvp
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
In terms of what’s understood to be socially acceptable behavior, normalizing the filming/taking pictures of people in public who are minding their own business (and putting it online) is one of the worst developments of the past 15 years.
Woman Hailed as Hero for Smashing Man's Meta Smart Glasses on Subway
A New York subway rider has accused a woman of breaking his Meta smart glasses. She was later hailed as a hero.
futurism.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:52 PM
In terms of what’s understood to be socially acceptable behavior, normalizing the filming/taking pictures of people in public who are minding their own business (and putting it online) is one of the worst developments of the past 15 years.
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
Idiocy. Bigotry. Cruelty.
Admiral Rachel Levine was the first transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate to serve in the federal government. Her official portrait at HHS headquarters has been altered. n.pr/48HypvT
HHS changed the name of transgender health leader on her official portrait
Admiral Rachel Levine was the first transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate to serve in the federal government. Her official portrait at HHS headquarters has been altered.
n.pr
December 6, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Idiocy. Bigotry. Cruelty.
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
I see erudite, thoughtful posts like this and I think there’s just no chance I will ever understand causal inference. An identification problem *is* a measurement problem and vice versa.
Survey experiments are both inferring and measuring causal effects, of the prime on the survey response.
Survey experiments are both inferring and measuring causal effects, of the prime on the survey response.
1000 times this. Thanks Cyrus
I’d put it almost more sharply: not always, but too often, researchers using survey experiments seem to think they’re making causal inferences when they are measuring quantities. confusion over the inquiry is v far from the spirit of the cred revolution
I’d put it almost more sharply: not always, but too often, researchers using survey experiments seem to think they’re making causal inferences when they are measuring quantities. confusion over the inquiry is v far from the spirit of the cred revolution
A blog post giving a more thorough take on survey experiments and the credibility revolution: cyrussamii.com?p=4168
December 5, 2025 at 9:32 PM
I see erudite, thoughtful posts like this and I think there’s just no chance I will ever understand causal inference. An identification problem *is* a measurement problem and vice versa.
Survey experiments are both inferring and measuring causal effects, of the prime on the survey response.
Survey experiments are both inferring and measuring causal effects, of the prime on the survey response.
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
this is your fault, Bill
personally, specifically, your fault
you could have blocked this guy, you more than anyone had the power, and you chose not to do it
you own this and I hope you choke on it
personally, specifically, your fault
you could have blocked this guy, you more than anyone had the power, and you chose not to do it
you own this and I hope you choke on it
December 5, 2025 at 4:17 PM
this is your fault, Bill
personally, specifically, your fault
you could have blocked this guy, you more than anyone had the power, and you chose not to do it
you own this and I hope you choke on it
personally, specifically, your fault
you could have blocked this guy, you more than anyone had the power, and you chose not to do it
you own this and I hope you choke on it
"my bad"
December 5, 2025 at 6:51 PM
"my bad"
Why do people still give the Times their money?
Most offensive headline yet in the New York Times www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/d...
There’s Never Been a Better Time to Quit Caffeine
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Why do people still give the Times their money?
Reposted by Alton B.H. Worthington
are zoomer pilots okay
December 5, 2025 at 6:16 PM
are zoomer pilots okay
WTF Just Happened? | The Corrupt Memory Industry & Micron
YouTube video by Gamers Nexus
www.youtube.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:12 PM