Carl T. Bergstrom
@carlbergstrom.com
Professor, UW Biology / Santa Fe Institute
I study how information flows in biology, science, and society.
Book: *Calling Bullshit*, http://tinyurl.com/fdcuvd7b
LLM course: https://thebullshitmachines.com
Corvids: https://tinyurl.com/mr2n5ymk
he/him
I study how information flows in biology, science, and society.
Book: *Calling Bullshit*, http://tinyurl.com/fdcuvd7b
LLM course: https://thebullshitmachines.com
Corvids: https://tinyurl.com/mr2n5ymk
he/him
Pinned
Carl T. Bergstrom
@carlbergstrom.com
· Feb 4
INTRODUCTION
thebullshitmachines.com
Modern-Day Oracles or Bullshit Machines?
Jevin West (@jevinwest.bsky.social) and I have spent the last eight months developing the course on large language models (LLMs) that we think every college freshman needs to take.
thebullshitmachines.com
Jevin West (@jevinwest.bsky.social) and I have spent the last eight months developing the course on large language models (LLMs) that we think every college freshman needs to take.
thebullshitmachines.com
it’s crazy because no one knows what the aim of science is
November 9, 2025 at 1:54 AM
it’s crazy because no one knows what the aim of science is
DO NOT look away.
'Mega detention centers': ICE considers buying large warehouses to hold immigrants
The Trump administration is exploring a plan to buy warehouses designed for companies like Amazon, sources said, which would drastically increase the Trump administration’s capacity for detaining immi...
www.nbcnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:09 AM
DO NOT look away.
I understand why we shut down American airspace for a few days after 9-11 to avoid a repeat attack but imagine shutting down American airspace to avoid releasing the Epstein files.
November 7, 2025 at 11:03 PM
I understand why we shut down American airspace for a few days after 9-11 to avoid a repeat attack but imagine shutting down American airspace to avoid releasing the Epstein files.
Reposted by Carl T. Bergstrom
Excited to welcome @lmesseri.bsky.social, @cameronbuckner.bsky.social and @carlbergstrom.com to campus a week from today for the “AI and the Nature of Science: Concepts and Controversies” event. 14.11.25, 1400 - 1800.
AI and the Nature of Science
Bringing together cutting-edge perspectives and helping set an agenda for future research and application
buff.ly
November 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Excited to welcome @lmesseri.bsky.social, @cameronbuckner.bsky.social and @carlbergstrom.com to campus a week from today for the “AI and the Nature of Science: Concepts and Controversies” event. 14.11.25, 1400 - 1800.
A week after the arXiv was forced to tighten down on submissions because of overwhelming volumes of AI slop, bioRxiv is throwing the doors wide open.
disappointed that @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social is implicitly endorsing the use of LLMs to replace scientific thought
@richardsever.bsky.social this is a short-sighted move and a net negative for science
@richardsever.bsky.social this is a short-sighted move and a net negative for science
IT'S HAPPENING! 💥 I'm psyched to launch the collaboration between @qedscience.bsky.social & @openrxiv.bsky.social @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social! Preprint + q.e.d = your science is out there, and anyone can appreciate it. Let's care about making discoveries, and not on “getting published” (1/3) 👇
November 7, 2025 at 1:59 PM
A week after the arXiv was forced to tighten down on submissions because of overwhelming volumes of AI slop, bioRxiv is throwing the doors wide open.
I guess when any and all shareholders not in the cult have already cut and run….
Tesla Shareholders Approve Elon Musk’s $1 Trillion Pay Package
The unprecedented payday will go into full effect by 2035—as long as Tesla hits ambitious financial and production targets.
www.wired.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:56 PM
I guess when any and all shareholders not in the cult have already cut and run….
AI letters are flooding the medical literature. (gift link)
Thanks, Altman.
Thanks, Altman.
The Editor Got a Letter From ‘Dr. B.S.’ So Did a Lot of Other Editors.
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:10 PM
AI letters are flooding the medical literature. (gift link)
Thanks, Altman.
Thanks, Altman.
Reposted by Carl T. Bergstrom
The remains of Nottingham Looms at the abandoned Scranton Lace Company in Scranton, Pennsylvania
www.abandonedamerica.us/scranton-lac...
www.abandonedamerica.us/scranton-lac...
November 6, 2025 at 8:57 PM
The remains of Nottingham Looms at the abandoned Scranton Lace Company in Scranton, Pennsylvania
www.abandonedamerica.us/scranton-lac...
www.abandonedamerica.us/scranton-lac...
G. K. Chesterton raises his hand…
November 6, 2025 at 3:53 PM
G. K. Chesterton raises his hand…
When I joined the UW Biology department in 2001, everyone else had a nice nameplate on their office door — but I got a piece of paper with my name on it taped to the wall.
It was a newly implemented cost-saving measure, I was told.
You cheap-ass bastards, I thought.
Anyway, now I feel better.
It was a newly implemented cost-saving measure, I was told.
You cheap-ass bastards, I thought.
Anyway, now I feel better.
[P] Found a higher-quality photo; IT *IS* TAPED UP SHEETS OF PAPER!
November 6, 2025 at 4:25 AM
When I joined the UW Biology department in 2001, everyone else had a nice nameplate on their office door — but I got a piece of paper with my name on it taped to the wall.
It was a newly implemented cost-saving measure, I was told.
You cheap-ass bastards, I thought.
Anyway, now I feel better.
It was a newly implemented cost-saving measure, I was told.
You cheap-ass bastards, I thought.
Anyway, now I feel better.
Mood: just manually renewed SSL certification on my AWS-hosted website.
November 6, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Mood: just manually renewed SSL certification on my AWS-hosted website.
"Criminals posing as US immigration officers have carried out robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults in several states" according to an FBI bulletin.
Which, of course, gives ICE cover to commit the same crimes.
"It wasn't us, it was different thugs, dressing up as us."
Which, of course, gives ICE cover to commit the same crimes.
"It wasn't us, it was different thugs, dressing up as us."
FBI Warns of Criminals Posing as ICE, Urges Agents to ID Themselves
In a bulletin to law enforcement agencies, the FBI said criminal impersonators are exploiting ICE’s image and urged nationwide coordination to distinguish real operations from fakes.
www.wired.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:33 AM
"Criminals posing as US immigration officers have carried out robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults in several states" according to an FBI bulletin.
Which, of course, gives ICE cover to commit the same crimes.
"It wasn't us, it was different thugs, dressing up as us."
Which, of course, gives ICE cover to commit the same crimes.
"It wasn't us, it was different thugs, dressing up as us."
The highlight of Briarfinch's set last night.
Anyway, this one goes out to Sean Dunn tonight.
Anyway, this one goes out to Sean Dunn tonight.
The Submariner
YouTube video by Briarfinch - Topic
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 2:11 AM
The highlight of Briarfinch's set last night.
Anyway, this one goes out to Sean Dunn tonight.
Anyway, this one goes out to Sean Dunn tonight.
It’s a good night for it.
November 5, 2025 at 4:57 AM
It’s a good night for it.
Shutting the fuck up for the next two decades would a superb start, Bill.
November 5, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Shutting the fuck up for the next two decades would a superb start, Bill.
Imagine splitting open a rock and seeing this.
A paper in Scientific Reports presents the origins of vivid colours within the gemstone ammolite — a rare type of brightly coloured fossilised ammonite shell. go.nature.com/48OT5DX #Paleosky ⚒️ 🧪
November 5, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Imagine splitting open a rock and seeing this.
Excited to read the book based on Berkeley's Sense and Sensibility and Science course (sensibility.berkeley.edu/index.php?ti...).
If you enjoyed Calling Bullshit, you'll find this a real treat.
Thanks, Saul!
If you enjoyed Calling Bullshit, you'll find this a real treat.
Thanks, Saul!
November 5, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Excited to read the book based on Berkeley's Sense and Sensibility and Science course (sensibility.berkeley.edu/index.php?ti...).
If you enjoyed Calling Bullshit, you'll find this a real treat.
Thanks, Saul!
If you enjoyed Calling Bullshit, you'll find this a real treat.
Thanks, Saul!
Reposted by Carl T. Bergstrom
OK, inspired by @banditelli.org I wanted to post at least something crow. 🪶
Here they are engaging in mass vandalism just for the fun of it.
OK actually they're digging out beetle larvae that harm the lawn—you can see one in the iphone photo below—but it's pretty funny to see the mess they make.
Here they are engaging in mass vandalism just for the fun of it.
OK actually they're digging out beetle larvae that harm the lawn—you can see one in the iphone photo below—but it's pretty funny to see the mess they make.
November 4, 2025 at 5:33 AM
OK, inspired by @banditelli.org I wanted to post at least something crow. 🪶
Here they are engaging in mass vandalism just for the fun of it.
OK actually they're digging out beetle larvae that harm the lawn—you can see one in the iphone photo below—but it's pretty funny to see the mess they make.
Here they are engaging in mass vandalism just for the fun of it.
OK actually they're digging out beetle larvae that harm the lawn—you can see one in the iphone photo below—but it's pretty funny to see the mess they make.
OK, inspired by @banditelli.org I wanted to post at least something crow. 🪶
Here they are engaging in mass vandalism just for the fun of it.
OK actually they're digging out beetle larvae that harm the lawn—you can see one in the iphone photo below—but it's pretty funny to see the mess they make.
Here they are engaging in mass vandalism just for the fun of it.
OK actually they're digging out beetle larvae that harm the lawn—you can see one in the iphone photo below—but it's pretty funny to see the mess they make.
November 4, 2025 at 5:33 AM
OK, inspired by @banditelli.org I wanted to post at least something crow. 🪶
Here they are engaging in mass vandalism just for the fun of it.
OK actually they're digging out beetle larvae that harm the lawn—you can see one in the iphone photo below—but it's pretty funny to see the mess they make.
Here they are engaging in mass vandalism just for the fun of it.
OK actually they're digging out beetle larvae that harm the lawn—you can see one in the iphone photo below—but it's pretty funny to see the mess they make.
You laugh but hoagies are specifically designed to be "skip-fired" off the ground so they bounce into a target's lower body. Direct targeting allows the projectile to retain maximal kinetic injury and may cause serious mustard stains that remain visible on camouflage fabric even after dry cleaning.
NEW: Jury selection begins in the trial of sandwich guy today. The prosecutors are accusing him of "throwing a meat sandwich" at "point-blank range."
POINT-BLANK RANGE 💀 www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
POINT-BLANK RANGE 💀 www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Jury selection begins in the trial of D.C.'s 'sandwich guy'
Sean Dunn went viral this summer for throwing a salami sub at a Customs and Border Protection agent.
www.nbcnews.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:11 AM
You laugh but hoagies are specifically designed to be "skip-fired" off the ground so they bounce into a target's lower body. Direct targeting allows the projectile to retain maximal kinetic injury and may cause serious mustard stains that remain visible on camouflage fabric even after dry cleaning.
When the suspects appear to be white guys, it’s not a bombing — it’s an intentional explosion.
November 3, 2025 at 7:00 AM
When the suspects appear to be white guys, it’s not a bombing — it’s an intentional explosion.
Yeah, well, she hopes you'll stop fucking the living room furniture, but you know...
Vance Says He Hopes His Wife Embraces Christianity, Setting Off Backlash
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Yeah, well, she hopes you'll stop fucking the living room furniture, but you know...
Reposted by Carl T. Bergstrom
I'm listening to one of the better late-night albums that you've probably never heard, the stretched-out and low-simmering blues of Suzanne Langille and Loren Conners.
One track below from youtube; Tidal link here: tidal.com/album/271323...
One track below from youtube; Tidal link here: tidal.com/album/271323...
Horses Blues
YouTube video by Suzanne Langille & Loren Connors - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I'm listening to one of the better late-night albums that you've probably never heard, the stretched-out and low-simmering blues of Suzanne Langille and Loren Conners.
One track below from youtube; Tidal link here: tidal.com/album/271323...
One track below from youtube; Tidal link here: tidal.com/album/271323...
I'm listening to one of the better late-night albums that you've probably never heard, the stretched-out and low-simmering blues of Suzanne Langille and Loren Conners.
One track below from youtube; Tidal link here: tidal.com/album/271323...
One track below from youtube; Tidal link here: tidal.com/album/271323...
Horses Blues
YouTube video by Suzanne Langille & Loren Connors - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I'm listening to one of the better late-night albums that you've probably never heard, the stretched-out and low-simmering blues of Suzanne Langille and Loren Conners.
One track below from youtube; Tidal link here: tidal.com/album/271323...
One track below from youtube; Tidal link here: tidal.com/album/271323...
Reposted by Carl T. Bergstrom
Yeah, definitely! Thanks, Grok!
November 2, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Yeah, definitely! Thanks, Grok!