David Pollard
@dop4.bsky.social
Retired, recent (2022) escapé from Texas, living the good life in Girona, Catalunya.
(Estic aparenent català, però només parlo una mica.)
(Estic aparenent català, però només parlo una mica.)
We walked by the Unitarian Church in Dublin this morning.
May 20, 2025 at 6:40 PM
We walked by the Unitarian Church in Dublin this morning.
“The lesson of 1933 is that you get out sooner rather than later.”
-Marci Shore
(Professor of History, Yale)
-Marci Shore
(Professor of History, Yale)
May 15, 2025 at 9:23 AM
“The lesson of 1933 is that you get out sooner rather than later.”
-Marci Shore
(Professor of History, Yale)
-Marci Shore
(Professor of History, Yale)
An AI expert talks about the need to have a defense against "AI Hype."
"Technical claims need technical evidence. Real productivity is not measured in launch tweets, but in how long it takes to get actual value."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd1f...
"Technical claims need technical evidence. Real productivity is not measured in launch tweets, but in how long it takes to get actual value."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd1f...
AI Hype Requires Memetic Defense: This is AI Memetic Defense 101
YouTube video by AI News & Strategy Daily | Nate B Jones
www.youtube.com
May 13, 2025 at 8:17 AM
An AI expert talks about the need to have a defense against "AI Hype."
"Technical claims need technical evidence. Real productivity is not measured in launch tweets, but in how long it takes to get actual value."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd1f...
"Technical claims need technical evidence. Real productivity is not measured in launch tweets, but in how long it takes to get actual value."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd1f...
Rufus Wainwright played Girona last night - here's a translation of what he said, "I'm happy about the new Pope. We need an anti-Trump: someone who's from the US, but isn't evil."
«Estic molt content pel Papa, ens cal un anti-Trump, algú que vingui dels Estats Units i no sigui el mal»
Rufus Wainwright torna a l’Auditori de Girona aquest divendres amb un concert amb la GIO Symphonia
www.diaridegirona.cat
May 13, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Rufus Wainwright played Girona last night - here's a translation of what he said, "I'm happy about the new Pope. We need an anti-Trump: someone who's from the US, but isn't evil."
This week we're having the 70th Annual Temps de Flors celebration in Girona. It's particularly colorful this year, as it's the first time I've attended it that we weren't under drought restrictions.
www.catalannews.com/culture/item...
www.catalannews.com/culture/item...
Girona flourishes as flower festival preparations get underway
City’s “Temps de Flors” festival, starting on Saturday, will transform site into a sea of colors and florals
www.catalannews.com
May 12, 2025 at 9:10 PM
This week we're having the 70th Annual Temps de Flors celebration in Girona. It's particularly colorful this year, as it's the first time I've attended it that we weren't under drought restrictions.
www.catalannews.com/culture/item...
www.catalannews.com/culture/item...
Important interfaith discussion. Nice to see Parliament doing this work, not just during the official 'Parliaments'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9EW...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9EW...
Sacred Circle Conversation: Honoring Mother Earth
YouTube video by Parliament of the World's Religions
www.youtube.com
May 12, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Important interfaith discussion. Nice to see Parliament doing this work, not just during the official 'Parliaments'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9EW...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9EW...
This is a really good video I found on YouTube. As the spouse of a retired teacher, it really hit close to home.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zeb6...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zeb6...
my teacher was a youtuber
YouTube video by nobody
www.youtube.com
May 12, 2025 at 7:02 AM
This is a really good video I found on YouTube. As the spouse of a retired teacher, it really hit close to home.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zeb6...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zeb6...
Subjugating the world for Caesar. Fun for the whole family!
April 18, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Subjugating the world for Caesar. Fun for the whole family!
I realize that saying "stupid" and "Trump administration policy" in the same sentence is redundant, but here it is. If Catlans want to watch movies in Spain in their native language, then United States will apply a tax.
www.catalannews.com/politics/ite...
www.catalannews.com/politics/ite...
Trump includes policies on Catalan language cinema to justify tariffs
US administration releases 400-page 'Foreign Trade Barriers' document criticizing investment in local production
www.catalannews.com
April 7, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I realize that saying "stupid" and "Trump administration policy" in the same sentence is redundant, but here it is. If Catlans want to watch movies in Spain in their native language, then United States will apply a tax.
www.catalannews.com/politics/ite...
www.catalannews.com/politics/ite...
Reposted by David Pollard
L'extrema dreta torna a prohibir i penalitzar la dissidència política i reactiva el rearmament per generalitzar la cacera de bruixes i el control polític.
Els EUA volen cremar infidels dissidents fent servir els llibres de les biblioteques com a combustible natural.
#ForaFeixistesDelPoder
Els EUA volen cremar infidels dissidents fent servir els llibres de les biblioteques com a combustible natural.
#ForaFeixistesDelPoder
ÚLTIMA HORA | El jurado considera culpable a Greenpeace en el juicio multimillonario que pone en jaque las protestas climáticas en EEUU www.eldiario.es/sociedad/jur...
March 20, 2025 at 9:37 AM
L'extrema dreta torna a prohibir i penalitzar la dissidència política i reactiva el rearmament per generalitzar la cacera de bruixes i el control polític.
Els EUA volen cremar infidels dissidents fent servir els llibres de les biblioteques com a combustible natural.
#ForaFeixistesDelPoder
Els EUA volen cremar infidels dissidents fent servir els llibres de les biblioteques com a combustible natural.
#ForaFeixistesDelPoder
Reposted by David Pollard
As a scientist, I've been thinking about this parallel a lot recently, especially after reading SISTERS IN SCIENCE 🧪 by Olivia Campbell, about four female scientists' struggles to escape Nazi Germany. 📚💙
They had the best science program in the world, and they trashed it.
They had the best science program in the world, and they trashed it.
March 16, 2025 at 1:26 PM
As a scientist, I've been thinking about this parallel a lot recently, especially after reading SISTERS IN SCIENCE 🧪 by Olivia Campbell, about four female scientists' struggles to escape Nazi Germany. 📚💙
They had the best science program in the world, and they trashed it.
They had the best science program in the world, and they trashed it.
Reposted by David Pollard
Oldest person in the world had microbiota of an infant, according to unpublished study.
Genes she inherited allowed her cells to "feel and behave as if they were 17 years younger than they actually were".
🧪👵🏼🧬
Link to preprint below.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Genes she inherited allowed her cells to "feel and behave as if they were 17 years younger than they actually were".
🧪👵🏼🧬
Link to preprint below.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Woman who lived to age 117 had genes keeping her cells ‘younger’, study shows
Maria Branyas Morera, US-born supercentenarian who died in Spain last August, found to have microbiota of an infant
www.theguardian.com
March 13, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Oldest person in the world had microbiota of an infant, according to unpublished study.
Genes she inherited allowed her cells to "feel and behave as if they were 17 years younger than they actually were".
🧪👵🏼🧬
Link to preprint below.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Genes she inherited allowed her cells to "feel and behave as if they were 17 years younger than they actually were".
🧪👵🏼🧬
Link to preprint below.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
el meu anime preferit té un fansub català. anime.fansubs.cat (Frieren)
Anime en català | Fansubs.cat
Gaudeix de l’anime en català a Fansubs.cat, el portal que recopila tot l’anime subtitulat pels diferents fansubs en català!
anime.fansubs.cat
March 11, 2025 at 11:22 PM
el meu anime preferit té un fansub català. anime.fansubs.cat (Frieren)
In the US, does the US Constitution’s 2nd Amendment mean that US citizen have a right to own armed flying drones?
Just asking for a friend…..
Just asking for a friend…..
March 6, 2025 at 8:24 AM
In the US, does the US Constitution’s 2nd Amendment mean that US citizen have a right to own armed flying drones?
Just asking for a friend…..
Just asking for a friend…..
Reposted by David Pollard
🧪 Apropos timing: Aix Marseille University in France is launching a €15M program to support American scientists fearing censorship under Trump.
The initiative offers funding and academic freedom, echoing past exoduses from authoritarian regimes.
The initiative offers funding and academic freedom, echoing past exoduses from authoritarian regimes.
March 6, 2025 at 6:06 AM
🧪 Apropos timing: Aix Marseille University in France is launching a €15M program to support American scientists fearing censorship under Trump.
The initiative offers funding and academic freedom, echoing past exoduses from authoritarian regimes.
The initiative offers funding and academic freedom, echoing past exoduses from authoritarian regimes.
Reposted by David Pollard
We urgently need to celebrate the Spring Equinox. In a country where the government is repressive and authoritarian, the rebel celebrates the joys of life, freedom, self-expression, and the sacredness of nature.
www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...
www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...
The Urgency Of Celebrating The Spring Equinox
We urgently need to celebrate the Spring Equinox. In a country where the government is repressive and authoritarian, the rebel celebrates the joys of life, freedom, self-expression, and the sacredness...
www.patheos.com
March 2, 2025 at 1:38 PM
We urgently need to celebrate the Spring Equinox. In a country where the government is repressive and authoritarian, the rebel celebrates the joys of life, freedom, self-expression, and the sacredness of nature.
www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...
www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbe...
Imagine Salisbury Steak flavored Pringles....
It's actually pretty good. Also, Julie found Dr. Pepper Zero for sale at the same store - something she'd been missing ever since she left Texas nearly two years ago.
Store: Normal, 31 Carrer de Joan Margall, Girona
It's actually pretty good. Also, Julie found Dr. Pepper Zero for sale at the same store - something she'd been missing ever since she left Texas nearly two years ago.
Store: Normal, 31 Carrer de Joan Margall, Girona
February 23, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Imagine Salisbury Steak flavored Pringles....
It's actually pretty good. Also, Julie found Dr. Pepper Zero for sale at the same store - something she'd been missing ever since she left Texas nearly two years ago.
Store: Normal, 31 Carrer de Joan Margall, Girona
It's actually pretty good. Also, Julie found Dr. Pepper Zero for sale at the same store - something she'd been missing ever since she left Texas nearly two years ago.
Store: Normal, 31 Carrer de Joan Margall, Girona
Sorry I didn't post this last week:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_5q...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_5q...
My Funny Valentine -
YouTube video by Puddles Pity Party
www.youtube.com
February 19, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Sorry I didn't post this last week:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_5q...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_5q...
Couple nights ago I had a dream about a book:
"How to Spell: The magic of English grammar and the grammar of English magic."
Seems like too good of a title to not exist, has anybody ever heard of it? It was a thin book, kind of an occult version of Strunk & White's Elements of Style.
"How to Spell: The magic of English grammar and the grammar of English magic."
Seems like too good of a title to not exist, has anybody ever heard of it? It was a thin book, kind of an occult version of Strunk & White's Elements of Style.
February 18, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Couple nights ago I had a dream about a book:
"How to Spell: The magic of English grammar and the grammar of English magic."
Seems like too good of a title to not exist, has anybody ever heard of it? It was a thin book, kind of an occult version of Strunk & White's Elements of Style.
"How to Spell: The magic of English grammar and the grammar of English magic."
Seems like too good of a title to not exist, has anybody ever heard of it? It was a thin book, kind of an occult version of Strunk & White's Elements of Style.
Reposted by David Pollard
SHARE WIDELY.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.
With mass deportations starting today across the country, it is vitally important - for both citizens and non-citizens - to know your rights.
You have the right to remain silent. Assert it. You have the right to a lawyer. Ask for one.
(1/3)
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.
With mass deportations starting today across the country, it is vitally important - for both citizens and non-citizens - to know your rights.
You have the right to remain silent. Assert it. You have the right to a lawyer. Ask for one.
(1/3)
January 22, 2025 at 2:19 AM
SHARE WIDELY.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.
With mass deportations starting today across the country, it is vitally important - for both citizens and non-citizens - to know your rights.
You have the right to remain silent. Assert it. You have the right to a lawyer. Ask for one.
(1/3)
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.
With mass deportations starting today across the country, it is vitally important - for both citizens and non-citizens - to know your rights.
You have the right to remain silent. Assert it. You have the right to a lawyer. Ask for one.
(1/3)
Usually I'll all for government spending on science. But the new administration seems to even screw this up:
Stargate: a half a trillion dollars spent on 2023 architecture with no clear goals?
YouTube video by AI News & Strategy Daily | Nate B Jones
www.youtube.com
January 23, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Usually I'll all for government spending on science. But the new administration seems to even screw this up:
Reposted by David Pollard
.
🇺🇸 Progressive Secretary has advocated for Mr. #Peltier's release for 25 years. Today, Pres. #Biden granted him clemency. A day of distress gives us something to celebrate. #Peltier #pardon #Native #commutation
🇺🇸 Progressive Secretary has advocated for Mr. #Peltier's release for 25 years. Today, Pres. #Biden granted him clemency. A day of distress gives us something to celebrate. #Peltier #pardon #Native #commutation
Biden gives parting commutation to prominent Native activist
Leonard Peltier will not die in prison and is to be placed in home confinement.
www.motherjones.com
January 20, 2025 at 7:55 PM
.
🇺🇸 Progressive Secretary has advocated for Mr. #Peltier's release for 25 years. Today, Pres. #Biden granted him clemency. A day of distress gives us something to celebrate. #Peltier #pardon #Native #commutation
🇺🇸 Progressive Secretary has advocated for Mr. #Peltier's release for 25 years. Today, Pres. #Biden granted him clemency. A day of distress gives us something to celebrate. #Peltier #pardon #Native #commutation
I first saw this on TikTok, but then found it on YouTube so my US friends could watch it. It's just so much fun!:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7oo...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7oo...
Narwhal Eating a Bagel - Parry Gripp - Animation by The0Kid!!
YouTube video by ParryGripp
www.youtube.com
January 20, 2025 at 10:19 PM
I first saw this on TikTok, but then found it on YouTube so my US friends could watch it. It's just so much fun!:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7oo...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7oo...