David Spurrett
@doctorspurt.bsky.social
Philosopher, working on evolution of mechanisms of action selection, and their variously situated subversion. https://davidspurrett.com/
Pinned
David Spurrett
@doctorspurt.bsky.social
· Oct 20
Hello new followers. I'm a philosopher of cognitive science working on a book called 'Engines of Hostility'. Recent papers that inform the book are:
(1) "Hostile Scaffolding" (Timms & Spurrett)
(2) "Fashioning Affordances" (Spurrett & Brancazio)
(3) "On Hostile and Oppressive Affective Technology."
(1) "Hostile Scaffolding" (Timms & Spurrett)
(2) "Fashioning Affordances" (Spurrett & Brancazio)
(3) "On Hostile and Oppressive Affective Technology."
Reposted by David Spurrett
Just occurred that the BBC is the most literal example of Conquest's third law in that it is actually run by a cabal of its enemies.
November 10, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Just occurred that the BBC is the most literal example of Conquest's third law in that it is actually run by a cabal of its enemies.
Reposted by David Spurrett
What has she ever done? Has she ever made the Hyperloop? You did. Has she ever invented self-driving cars? You did that. Has she ever taken humanity to Mars? That is an accomplishment you have pulled off, that she never will.
November 9, 2025 at 6:54 PM
What has she ever done? Has she ever made the Hyperloop? You did. Has she ever invented self-driving cars? You did that. Has she ever taken humanity to Mars? That is an accomplishment you have pulled off, that she never will.
Reposted by David Spurrett
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
Reposted by David Spurrett
Tech guys six months ago: haha yes we’re cutting all this WASTEFUL spending by eliminating medical research and USAID
Tech guys now: yes I think taxpayers will be excited to bailout my non consensual pornography machine
Tech guys now: yes I think taxpayers will be excited to bailout my non consensual pornography machine
November 8, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Tech guys six months ago: haha yes we’re cutting all this WASTEFUL spending by eliminating medical research and USAID
Tech guys now: yes I think taxpayers will be excited to bailout my non consensual pornography machine
Tech guys now: yes I think taxpayers will be excited to bailout my non consensual pornography machine
Reposted by David Spurrett
My old pal Pete Coviello — one of the best writers and thinkers I've ever known — wrote the piece of the moment
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:17 AM
My old pal Pete Coviello — one of the best writers and thinkers I've ever known — wrote the piece of the moment
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
Reposted by David Spurrett
I'm excited to share my piece in Los Angeles Review of Books @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social, which examines OpenAI's claims about ChatGPT's creative writing skills, Big Tech's weaponisation of grief and nostalgia, and the collapse of the academic humanities. lareviewofbooks.org/article/lite...
Literature Is Not a Vibe: On ChatGPT and the Humanities | Los Angeles Review of Books
Rachele Dini discusses OpenAI’s “A Machine-Shaped Hand” and an academic sector in crisis.
lareviewofbooks.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:11 PM
I'm excited to share my piece in Los Angeles Review of Books @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social, which examines OpenAI's claims about ChatGPT's creative writing skills, Big Tech's weaponisation of grief and nostalgia, and the collapse of the academic humanities. lareviewofbooks.org/article/lite...
Reposted by David Spurrett
Anyone in need of a soul-cleanse, the latest Rick Beato interview is with Chris Thile. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oRm...
The INSANE Musical Mind of Chris Thile
YouTube video by Rick Beato
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Anyone in need of a soul-cleanse, the latest Rick Beato interview is with Chris Thile. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oRm...
Reposted by David Spurrett
I just read and enjoyed "Blood in the Machine: : The origins of the rebellion against big tech" by @bcmerchant.bsky.social
I didn't know enough about the Luddites, and this was a good start. The parallels between industrial revolution & Silicon Valley are striking.
I didn't know enough about the Luddites, and this was a good start. The parallels between industrial revolution & Silicon Valley are striking.
November 6, 2025 at 5:28 PM
I just read and enjoyed "Blood in the Machine: : The origins of the rebellion against big tech" by @bcmerchant.bsky.social
I didn't know enough about the Luddites, and this was a good start. The parallels between industrial revolution & Silicon Valley are striking.
I didn't know enough about the Luddites, and this was a good start. The parallels between industrial revolution & Silicon Valley are striking.
Reposted by David Spurrett
What’s happened here is that, by sticking to their guns and refusing to be intimidated and shitehoused, the club and police have thankfully prevented Parliament and the press inciting rioting and running battles in the streets of a major city.
November 7, 2025 at 8:54 AM
What’s happened here is that, by sticking to their guns and refusing to be intimidated and shitehoused, the club and police have thankfully prevented Parliament and the press inciting rioting and running battles in the streets of a major city.
Reposted by David Spurrett
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.
November 7, 2025 at 7:39 AM
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.
Reposted by David Spurrett
Our special issue of Topoi on "Progress in radical embodiment" can be found here
I'll post the articles in the thread below as they are published
link.springer.com/collections/...
I'll post the articles in the thread below as they are published
link.springer.com/collections/...
Progress in Radical Embodiment
Paper submissions are invited for the special issue/collection of Topoi entitled: Progress in radical embodiment. The special issue aims to explore progress ...
link.springer.com
May 29, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Our special issue of Topoi on "Progress in radical embodiment" can be found here
I'll post the articles in the thread below as they are published
link.springer.com/collections/...
I'll post the articles in the thread below as they are published
link.springer.com/collections/...
Reposted by David Spurrett
“the documents indicate that Meta’s own research suggests its products have become a pillar of the global fraud economy. A May 2025 presentation by its safety staff estimated that the company’s platforms were involved in a third of all successful scams in the U.S.”
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Meta is earning a fortune on a deluge of fraudulent ads, documents show
Meta projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams and banned goods, and it internally estimates that its platforms show users 15 billion scam ads a day, company documents show.
www.reuters.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:26 PM
“the documents indicate that Meta’s own research suggests its products have become a pillar of the global fraud economy. A May 2025 presentation by its safety staff estimated that the company’s platforms were involved in a third of all successful scams in the U.S.”
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Reposted by David Spurrett
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.
Anyone in need of a soul-cleanse, the latest Rick Beato interview is with Chris Thile. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oRm...
The INSANE Musical Mind of Chris Thile
YouTube video by Rick Beato
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Anyone in need of a soul-cleanse, the latest Rick Beato interview is with Chris Thile. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oRm...
I just read and enjoyed "Blood in the Machine: : The origins of the rebellion against big tech" by @bcmerchant.bsky.social
I didn't know enough about the Luddites, and this was a good start. The parallels between industrial revolution & Silicon Valley are striking.
I didn't know enough about the Luddites, and this was a good start. The parallels between industrial revolution & Silicon Valley are striking.
November 6, 2025 at 5:28 PM
I just read and enjoyed "Blood in the Machine: : The origins of the rebellion against big tech" by @bcmerchant.bsky.social
I didn't know enough about the Luddites, and this was a good start. The parallels between industrial revolution & Silicon Valley are striking.
I didn't know enough about the Luddites, and this was a good start. The parallels between industrial revolution & Silicon Valley are striking.
Reposted by David Spurrett
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
Reposted by David Spurrett
This is only the latest version of a recurring pattern. In the 1930s it was ‘if they are so poor how can they afford to go to the cinema?’ The response is that poverty is revealed not in choices but the cost of choices. What do they have to sacrifice to do or have things others take for granted?
Never take seriously those who ridicule low income people for having a smartphone or laptop.
“If they’re so poor how did they buy an iPhone???”
Because they’re trying to escape poverty, not the 1700s, genius. If you think basic tech access is luxury, survive a month without it.
“If they’re so poor how did they buy an iPhone???”
Because they’re trying to escape poverty, not the 1700s, genius. If you think basic tech access is luxury, survive a month without it.
November 2, 2025 at 5:43 AM
This is only the latest version of a recurring pattern. In the 1930s it was ‘if they are so poor how can they afford to go to the cinema?’ The response is that poverty is revealed not in choices but the cost of choices. What do they have to sacrifice to do or have things others take for granted?
Reposted by David Spurrett
I installed the Wikipedia app on my phone, so for a whole range of everyday queries I can entirely bypass the slop & shilling cocktail that search has turned into. Strongly recommend giving it a try if you aren't way ahead of me.
October 31, 2025 at 4:48 PM
I installed the Wikipedia app on my phone, so for a whole range of everyday queries I can entirely bypass the slop & shilling cocktail that search has turned into. Strongly recommend giving it a try if you aren't way ahead of me.
I installed the Wikipedia app on my phone, so for a whole range of everyday queries I can entirely bypass the slop & shilling cocktail that search has turned into. Strongly recommend giving it a try if you aren't way ahead of me.
October 31, 2025 at 4:48 PM
I installed the Wikipedia app on my phone, so for a whole range of everyday queries I can entirely bypass the slop & shilling cocktail that search has turned into. Strongly recommend giving it a try if you aren't way ahead of me.
Reposted by David Spurrett
Accepting limited numbers of those fleeing from freedom and democracy. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US will limit number of refugees to 7,500 and give priority to white South Africans
Low number represents a dramatic drop after US previously allowed in hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war and persecution
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Accepting limited numbers of those fleeing from freedom and democracy. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by David Spurrett
I can answer this. I interviewed Peterson's tailor a few years ago, although the interview was never published because I fell behind on work. Here is the story of this suit. 🧵
October 31, 2025 at 2:43 AM
I can answer this. I interviewed Peterson's tailor a few years ago, although the interview was never published because I fell behind on work. Here is the story of this suit. 🧵
Reposted by David Spurrett
Before I read the caption on this photo I thought it was someone from the ugly and violent (and very, very relevant) history Pitzer is writing about here.
(PS always read @andreapitzer.bsky.social.)
(PS always read @andreapitzer.bsky.social.)
I wrote about how Border Patrol taking the lead in immigration operations mirrors a shift that happens often in concentration-camp regimes, including Nazi Germany, and some ways we can respond.
When bad things get worse
Border Patrol, ICE, and the repetition of grim history.
degenerateart.beehiiv.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Before I read the caption on this photo I thought it was someone from the ugly and violent (and very, very relevant) history Pitzer is writing about here.
(PS always read @andreapitzer.bsky.social.)
(PS always read @andreapitzer.bsky.social.)
Accepting limited numbers of those fleeing from freedom and democracy. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US will limit number of refugees to 7,500 and give priority to white South Africans
Low number represents a dramatic drop after US previously allowed in hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war and persecution
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Accepting limited numbers of those fleeing from freedom and democracy. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by David Spurrett
"It’s a scandal the U.S. is pulling back from efforts to address environmental challenges,” said Peter Gleick. “The rest of the world should ignore efforts by the US to delay progress on these problems… and I’m hopeful that other countries will continue to step up.”
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
Humanity is on path toward 'climate chaos,' scientists warn
Global use of fossil fuels rose to a new record last year, releasing even more greenhouse gases. Humanity is 'hurtling toward climate chaos,' scientists warn.
www.latimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:24 PM
"It’s a scandal the U.S. is pulling back from efforts to address environmental challenges,” said Peter Gleick. “The rest of the world should ignore efforts by the US to delay progress on these problems… and I’m hopeful that other countries will continue to step up.”
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by David Spurrett
The government of Jamaica has set up a portal for contributing to official relief efforts. I will update this thread if anything analogous opens up for Haiti, Cuba, or the DR
supportjamaica.gov.jm
supportjamaica.gov.jm
Support Jamaica
supportjamaica.gov.jm
October 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The government of Jamaica has set up a portal for contributing to official relief efforts. I will update this thread if anything analogous opens up for Haiti, Cuba, or the DR
supportjamaica.gov.jm
supportjamaica.gov.jm