Allan Olley
@allanolley.bsky.social
Fan of many things and over degreed and underemployed. Groucho Marxist. 🥸
Advocate of mining the Sun for helium. ⛏️🔆
Advocate of mining the Sun for helium. ⛏️🔆
I've been playing Connections trying to get purple first thanks to @hankgreen.bsky.social doing this at the end of some his videos and inculcating me with the idea you should do that. Apparently I managed to do it 100 times as of today.
November 4, 2025 at 4:11 PM
I've been playing Connections trying to get purple first thanks to @hankgreen.bsky.social doing this at the end of some his videos and inculcating me with the idea you should do that. Apparently I managed to do it 100 times as of today.
A lot of news stories etc. combat vaccine misinformation by pointing out there is no evidence they cause some bad outcome (or outcome perceived as bad). I suggest a different tack:
There is no evidence the COVID vaccine will cure your existing aches and pains allowing you to walk unassisted.
There is no evidence the COVID vaccine will cure your existing aches and pains allowing you to walk unassisted.
November 3, 2025 at 5:39 PM
A lot of news stories etc. combat vaccine misinformation by pointing out there is no evidence they cause some bad outcome (or outcome perceived as bad). I suggest a different tack:
There is no evidence the COVID vaccine will cure your existing aches and pains allowing you to walk unassisted.
There is no evidence the COVID vaccine will cure your existing aches and pains allowing you to walk unassisted.
![Two Bluesky tweets.
Jason Loo @jasonloo.bsky.social - 36m
Fuck
[6 likes]
---
Alan Richardson @alanrichardson.bsky.social 39m
Fuck
[5 likes]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6h647h3agk5rgj7qb7q7rzri/bafkreihb6cydwc2r3n6hslxnzdxwrecuiycvgerlrhhjayy4eylly47aue@jpeg)
I managed to get today's pictogram connection.
Connections
Puzzle #873
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
(My technique is figure out all the connections if possible before trying anything and then input them usually reverse the order I found them to try and get purple 1st).
Connections
Puzzle #873
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
(My technique is figure out all the connections if possible before trying anything and then input them usually reverse the order I found them to try and get purple 1st).
October 31, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I managed to get today's pictogram connection.
Connections
Puzzle #873
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
(My technique is figure out all the connections if possible before trying anything and then input them usually reverse the order I found them to try and get purple 1st).
Connections
Puzzle #873
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
(My technique is figure out all the connections if possible before trying anything and then input them usually reverse the order I found them to try and get purple 1st).
BREAKING: Two men have been arrested in connection with the heist of France's Crown Jewels from the Louvre.
October 27, 2025 at 5:42 PM
BREAKING: Two men have been arrested in connection with the heist of France's Crown Jewels from the Louvre.
I was looking at a blog post with a list of citations of the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and felt an urge to recalculate it a little. I posted the result over on Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/allanoll...
open.substack.com/pub/allanoll...
My need to recalculate lists applied to a list of citations.
I was reading a list of the most cited works in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and was moved to merge the authors cited multiple times.
open.substack.com
September 13, 2025 at 11:56 PM
I was looking at a blog post with a list of citations of the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and felt an urge to recalculate it a little. I posted the result over on Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/allanoll...
open.substack.com/pub/allanoll...
Here is the third installment of my discussion of Newcomb's problem. Here I try and work through some of the implications of betting on Newcomb's problem and what we may learn from it.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/somebo...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/somebo...
Somebody Fade Me! Betting and Newcomb's Problem
Betting on predictions As I finished up talking about last time an issue that seems key to me when talking about Newcomb's problem are things like gambling, insurance and the future's markets. These i...
www.linkedin.com
September 8, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Here is the third installment of my discussion of Newcomb's problem. Here I try and work through some of the implications of betting on Newcomb's problem and what we may learn from it.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/somebo...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/somebo...
Here is the 2nd instalment in my discussion of things related to Newcomb's problem in the philosophy of decision. I originally thought this installment would be shorter, it is probably a bit meandering hopefully it is still interesting.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/blackm...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/blackm...
Blackmail by prediction, Rats!
In my previous post I finished by talking about a scenario related to Newcomb's problem which I called a blackmail scenario (also known as the XOR blackmail scenario). A predictor sends a homeowner a ...
www.linkedin.com
August 30, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Here is the 2nd instalment in my discussion of things related to Newcomb's problem in the philosophy of decision. I originally thought this installment would be shorter, it is probably a bit meandering hopefully it is still interesting.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/blackm...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/blackm...
I am planning to broadcast my thoughts on Newcomb's problem in a series of posts. Here is the introduction of my understanding of the problem and why I am talking about it now.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/introd...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/introd...
Introducing Newcomb's Problem
In the past decade or so I have become very interested in Newcomb's Problem (it is I guess usually called a paradox, but to me there is no logical paradox as such implied although it is surprising and...
www.linkedin.com
August 23, 2025 at 9:14 PM
I am planning to broadcast my thoughts on Newcomb's problem in a series of posts. Here is the introduction of my understanding of the problem and why I am talking about it now.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/introd...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/introd...
Tom Lehrer has died.
I was introduced to Tom Lehrer by my parents as a child either they played the one album of his occasionally or sang something from it here or there.
His music was distinctive and energizing and this wonderfully leavened the streak of misanthropic dark satire in his work.
I was introduced to Tom Lehrer by my parents as a child either they played the one album of his occasionally or sang something from it here or there.
His music was distinctive and energizing and this wonderfully leavened the streak of misanthropic dark satire in his work.
Today is a sad, sad day for fans of comedy, satire, music and all combinations therein. A day we all knew was coming eventually, granted, but that doesn't make it any less sad.
Tom Lehrer, THE greatest singer-songwriter of musical satire to ever walk the earth, has left us at age 97. 🧵
Tom Lehrer, THE greatest singer-songwriter of musical satire to ever walk the earth, has left us at age 97. 🧵
July 27, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Tom Lehrer has died.
I was introduced to Tom Lehrer by my parents as a child either they played the one album of his occasionally or sang something from it here or there.
His music was distinctive and energizing and this wonderfully leavened the streak of misanthropic dark satire in his work.
I was introduced to Tom Lehrer by my parents as a child either they played the one album of his occasionally or sang something from it here or there.
His music was distinctive and energizing and this wonderfully leavened the streak of misanthropic dark satire in his work.
I've shifted my frequency of winning Wordle so that the most frequent number of guesses I win in is now 4, previously 5 dominated. I had to reduce my tendency to eliminate lots of letters before refining my guess.
July 26, 2025 at 9:16 PM
I've shifted my frequency of winning Wordle so that the most frequent number of guesses I win in is now 4, previously 5 dominated. I had to reduce my tendency to eliminate lots of letters before refining my guess.
If you see this, quote this post with a time travel movie that's not Back to the Future.
July 18, 2025 at 12:21 AM
If you see this, quote this post with a time travel movie that's not Back to the Future.
florence (@morallawwithin.bsky.social but at the other place) is doing a poll via Google forms asking people to respond to Newcomb's problem like decision theory scenarios. I'm interested in that as I try to justify my one-box views or understand two-box views.
forms.gle/cGyhWMDBebj2...
forms.gle/cGyhWMDBebj2...
Flo's Newcomblike Problem Survey
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: Below will be a series of decision problems where you have to choose from among the given options. Some of the cases are a bit intricate, so do pay attention to all details and ...
forms.gle
July 1, 2025 at 3:35 PM
florence (@morallawwithin.bsky.social but at the other place) is doing a poll via Google forms asking people to respond to Newcomb's problem like decision theory scenarios. I'm interested in that as I try to justify my one-box views or understand two-box views.
forms.gle/cGyhWMDBebj2...
forms.gle/cGyhWMDBebj2...
A good turning and turning in the widen gyre to you all on Yeats's birthday.
June 14, 2025 at 3:55 AM
A good turning and turning in the widen gyre to you all on Yeats's birthday.
I launch my 2025 Ride for Heart a little late. This year I will attempt to ride 200 km in June to raise money for heart and stroke research.
heartandstrokerideforheart.crowdchange.ca/page/allanol...
heartandstrokerideforheart.crowdchange.ca/page/allanol...
Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart
Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart
heartandstrokerideforheart.crowdchange.ca
June 6, 2025 at 4:59 PM
I launch my 2025 Ride for Heart a little late. This year I will attempt to ride 200 km in June to raise money for heart and stroke research.
heartandstrokerideforheart.crowdchange.ca/page/allanol...
heartandstrokerideforheart.crowdchange.ca/page/allanol...
Time to drop the really big bomb:
If the principle of verification is formulated as: existence of p -> it is possible to know that p, then every existent p must be known because it is not possible to know the fact p' = "no one knows that p".
Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.
If the principle of verification is formulated as: existence of p -> it is possible to know that p, then every existent p must be known because it is not possible to know the fact p' = "no one knows that p".
Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.
Time to drop the really big bomb:
Viking helmets didn't actually have horns. That's the real reason why the ones in the museums never look like how they do in movies.
Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.
Viking helmets didn't actually have horns. That's the real reason why the ones in the museums never look like how they do in movies.
Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.
Time to drop the really big bomb:
Fire is hot, and touching it burns you.
Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.
Fire is hot, and touching it burns you.
Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.
June 5, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Time to drop the really big bomb:
If the principle of verification is formulated as: existence of p -> it is possible to know that p, then every existent p must be known because it is not possible to know the fact p' = "no one knows that p".
Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.
If the principle of verification is formulated as: existence of p -> it is possible to know that p, then every existent p must be known because it is not possible to know the fact p' = "no one knows that p".
Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.
By some happy quirk (I think it was a school project) I saved a newspaper clipping from 1993 about the rise of the internet.
It contains such as gems as:
"If anything the internet is going to help us" add Brian Ek communications manager for Prodigy...
It contains such as gems as:
"If anything the internet is going to help us" add Brian Ek communications manager for Prodigy...
May 14, 2025 at 12:38 AM
By some happy quirk (I think it was a school project) I saved a newspaper clipping from 1993 about the rise of the internet.
It contains such as gems as:
"If anything the internet is going to help us" add Brian Ek communications manager for Prodigy...
It contains such as gems as:
"If anything the internet is going to help us" add Brian Ek communications manager for Prodigy...
This was a fun little survey of computing circa the late 1950s. In 9 and 1/2 minutes it touches on topics from analog computers to computer music.
Despite the title it has nothing to do with philosophy in an academic sense.
archive.org/details/Phil...
Despite the title it has nothing to do with philosophy in an academic sense.
archive.org/details/Phil...
Philosophy of Computing : University of Louisville, Speed Scientific School : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Educational film explaining digital and analog computers to a lay audience, expressing the state of computing technology in the mid-1950s with a focus on...
archive.org
May 7, 2025 at 5:10 AM
This was a fun little survey of computing circa the late 1950s. In 9 and 1/2 minutes it touches on topics from analog computers to computer music.
Despite the title it has nothing to do with philosophy in an academic sense.
archive.org/details/Phil...
Despite the title it has nothing to do with philosophy in an academic sense.
archive.org/details/Phil...
Anguis Reid, online survey asking me the important questions...
![A screen cap from an on-line survey. Words in a big white rectangle long ways horizontal.
"Do you consider a hot dog a sandwich?"
"[Check] Yes [both highlighted red]"
"[empty circle] No"
A rectangular red button at the bottom, contains the text (in white) "Next".](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6h647h3agk5rgj7qb7q7rzri/bafkreiaetcujuy5uvy3zrqify3lcq3f62f3qv6nxubd6gxok2apm2vlvc4@jpeg)
April 29, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Anguis Reid, online survey asking me the important questions...
I just voted in the Canadian federal election (Advanced poll), for maximum Canadian authenticity the polling place was an ice rink (currently deiced).
I am working at the poll on the day (April 28th). Advance polls continue until tomorrow (April 21st).
A good time to make your voice heard.🗳️
I am working at the poll on the day (April 28th). Advance polls continue until tomorrow (April 21st).
A good time to make your voice heard.🗳️
April 21, 2025 at 2:30 AM
I just voted in the Canadian federal election (Advanced poll), for maximum Canadian authenticity the polling place was an ice rink (currently deiced).
I am working at the poll on the day (April 28th). Advance polls continue until tomorrow (April 21st).
A good time to make your voice heard.🗳️
I am working at the poll on the day (April 28th). Advance polls continue until tomorrow (April 21st).
A good time to make your voice heard.🗳️
So just checking when was the last time you discussed numerical solutions to differential equations over dinner?
(Source: Faster, Faster: A Simple Description of a Giant Electronic Calculator and the Problems it Solves, Eckert & Jones, 1955, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.)
(Source: Faster, Faster: A Simple Description of a Giant Electronic Calculator and the Problems it Solves, Eckert & Jones, 1955, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.)
![Text from a book:
of a problem by numerical methods. Attempts to solve these
differential equations by other than numerical methods lead
quickly to formidable mathematical difficulties and involved
analytical developments. The numerical solution, however, is
one that appeals to amateur mathematicians and might even
afford a topic of interest for dinner conversation by serious
though non-scientific individuals.
[Source: Faster, Faster: A Simple Description of a Giant Electronic Calculator and the Problems it Solves, Eckert & Jones, 1955, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6h647h3agk5rgj7qb7q7rzri/bafkreiapptkz35a6r4wvir3e3t3ip46a7b5br35egx5lx3iqt5glnvoaa4@jpeg)
April 15, 2025 at 7:34 PM
So just checking when was the last time you discussed numerical solutions to differential equations over dinner?
(Source: Faster, Faster: A Simple Description of a Giant Electronic Calculator and the Problems it Solves, Eckert & Jones, 1955, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.)
(Source: Faster, Faster: A Simple Description of a Giant Electronic Calculator and the Problems it Solves, Eckert & Jones, 1955, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.)
My friend Donald Smith, retired book seller, polyglot and all around mensch has died.
Here is a story that contains a remembrance of him from happier days.
magazine.utoronto.ca/people/stude...
Here is a story that contains a remembrance of him from happier days.
magazine.utoronto.ca/people/stude...
A Meeting of Greek Minds | By John Allemang | Reading Ancient Greek For Fun | University of Toronto Magazine - University of Toronto Magazine
They are grad students, retired profs, a diplomat, a vet. They read Plato in ancient Greek, for fun. Deinos! Read More
magazine.utoronto.ca
April 8, 2025 at 5:01 AM
My friend Donald Smith, retired book seller, polyglot and all around mensch has died.
Here is a story that contains a remembrance of him from happier days.
magazine.utoronto.ca/people/stude...
Here is a story that contains a remembrance of him from happier days.
magazine.utoronto.ca/people/stude...
The phrase "best 10 minute YouTube summary and depiction of a 17th century science fiction story" gets thrown around a lot these days, but I think this may be the genuine article.
An interesting precis of an interesting work by an interesting philosopher.
An interesting precis of an interesting work by an interesting philosopher.
I made a 10-minute, richly illustrated summary of Margaret Cavendish's Blazing-World (1666), a very early (some say earliest) Science Fiction novel. Please have a look and share if you like it!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4zi...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4zi...
The Blazing World (1666) by Margaret Cavendish
YouTube video by Helen De Cruz
www.youtube.com
March 29, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The phrase "best 10 minute YouTube summary and depiction of a 17th century science fiction story" gets thrown around a lot these days, but I think this may be the genuine article.
An interesting precis of an interesting work by an interesting philosopher.
An interesting precis of an interesting work by an interesting philosopher.
Funnily enough they actually did bring back the House Hippo ad in 2019.
If you want to see a House Hippo using a smart phone and riding a Roomba go here:
youtu.be/5R_tOSRynZU?...
If you want to see a House Hippo using a smart phone and riding a Roomba go here:
youtu.be/5R_tOSRynZU?...
March 27, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Funnily enough they actually did bring back the House Hippo ad in 2019.
If you want to see a House Hippo using a smart phone and riding a Roomba go here:
youtu.be/5R_tOSRynZU?...
If you want to see a House Hippo using a smart phone and riding a Roomba go here:
youtu.be/5R_tOSRynZU?...