rik
@electronicartifacts.com
computer scientist, family man, lapsed academic, bicycle/motorcylist, open source/access/society/… zealot, music lover.
Reposted by rik
Dear Senators @schatz.bsky.social & @hirono.senate.gov, as an HI constituent, I'd like to express strong support for a change in the leadership of the Dem. Senate caucus. Senator
@schumer.senate.gov
has now demonstrated time & again that he is not equal to the task in this moment of need.
@schumer.senate.gov
has now demonstrated time & again that he is not equal to the task in this moment of need.
November 11, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Dear Senators @schatz.bsky.social & @hirono.senate.gov, as an HI constituent, I'd like to express strong support for a change in the leadership of the Dem. Senate caucus. Senator
@schumer.senate.gov
has now demonstrated time & again that he is not equal to the task in this moment of need.
@schumer.senate.gov
has now demonstrated time & again that he is not equal to the task in this moment of need.
Reposted by rik
Annette Karmiloff-Smith.
She ended every seminar/keynote I ever saw with a picture of her kids and grandkids as a note on what's important and that succesful women in academia can have a family too.
I told her the second time how inspirational I'd found that and she was absolutely lovely.
She ended every seminar/keynote I ever saw with a picture of her kids and grandkids as a note on what's important and that succesful women in academia can have a family too.
I told her the second time how inspirational I'd found that and she was absolutely lovely.
Right, enough of James Watson - who's a senior academic you've met who's been an utter delight?
I'll go first: Jocelyn Bell Burnell
I'll go first: Jocelyn Bell Burnell
November 9, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Annette Karmiloff-Smith.
She ended every seminar/keynote I ever saw with a picture of her kids and grandkids as a note on what's important and that succesful women in academia can have a family too.
I told her the second time how inspirational I'd found that and she was absolutely lovely.
She ended every seminar/keynote I ever saw with a picture of her kids and grandkids as a note on what's important and that succesful women in academia can have a family too.
I told her the second time how inspirational I'd found that and she was absolutely lovely.
this may be as close "Philosophy of Mind" and "Software Engineering" ever got
This isn't the book I was looking for, but gaze upon this amazing cover
A New Guide to Artificial Intelligence (1991)
A New Guide to Artificial Intelligence (1991)
November 9, 2025 at 8:42 PM
this may be as close "Philosophy of Mind" and "Software Engineering" ever got
Reposted by rik
I'm delighted that Nell Greenfieldboyce used my quote about "Corn flakes Jim" in her obituary of James Watson on @npr.org. I got that from my interview with @ewanbirney.bsky.social. Birney nobly tried to persuade Watson that the science on race + IQ did not hold up. Sadly, Watson couldn't hear it.
James Watson, who co-discovered the structure of DNA, has died at age 97
James Watson, who co-discovered the structure of DNA has died at age 97. He was a scientific superstar until he made racist remarks that made him an outcast.
www.npr.org
November 9, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I'm delighted that Nell Greenfieldboyce used my quote about "Corn flakes Jim" in her obituary of James Watson on @npr.org. I got that from my interview with @ewanbirney.bsky.social. Birney nobly tried to persuade Watson that the science on race + IQ did not hold up. Sadly, Watson couldn't hear it.
Reposted by rik
This is a nice article about a great @rideact.bsky.social bus experience. Fun fact: the Key System train that followed this route was *also* the F line. The E is another good transbay line for some similar reasons (was also a Key System train route!). www.sfgate.com/local/articl...
The luxury bus ride that's one of the Bay Area's best-kept secrets
Eastbound riders get a glimpse of Treasure Island's new Cityside Park.
www.sfgate.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:50 PM
This is a nice article about a great @rideact.bsky.social bus experience. Fun fact: the Key System train that followed this route was *also* the F line. The E is another good transbay line for some similar reasons (was also a Key System train route!). www.sfgate.com/local/articl...
Reposted by rik
This piece is as good as people say it is. Read it to appreciate that writing isn't just about content, but style. AI can't do this.
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 11:10 AM
This piece is as good as people say it is. Read it to appreciate that writing isn't just about content, but style. AI can't do this.
Reposted by rik
I do love that everyone is freaking out about Mamdani and free busses and people talking about raising minimum wage, but I literally lived in Emeryville city in California for eight years total that has free busses AND inflation tied minimum wage since 2007 and it was fine.
November 8, 2025 at 8:35 PM
I do love that everyone is freaking out about Mamdani and free busses and people talking about raising minimum wage, but I literally lived in Emeryville city in California for eight years total that has free busses AND inflation tied minimum wage since 2007 and it was fine.
Reposted by rik
I wanna invite Pope Leo to my Intro to Science and Technology Studies class
November 7, 2025 at 6:04 PM
I wanna invite Pope Leo to my Intro to Science and Technology Studies class
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/s...
Alan Turing is known for code breaking (1947), the "Turing Test" (1950), but too few know of his Morphogenesis work (1952). Hmm... i wonder why all these early computer scientists (also von Neumann, Ulam, Holland) so deeply interested in biological systems?
Alan Turing is known for code breaking (1947), the "Turing Test" (1950), but too few know of his Morphogenesis work (1952). Hmm... i wonder why all these early computer scientists (also von Neumann, Ulam, Holland) so deeply interested in biological systems?
Where You See a Fancy Fish, Engineers See Alan Turing’s Math
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:31 AM
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/s...
Alan Turing is known for code breaking (1947), the "Turing Test" (1950), but too few know of his Morphogenesis work (1952). Hmm... i wonder why all these early computer scientists (also von Neumann, Ulam, Holland) so deeply interested in biological systems?
Alan Turing is known for code breaking (1947), the "Turing Test" (1950), but too few know of his Morphogenesis work (1952). Hmm... i wonder why all these early computer scientists (also von Neumann, Ulam, Holland) so deeply interested in biological systems?
Reposted by rik
Former FTC chair Lina Khan was just named to NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's transition team—just one sign that his new administration will take tech matters seriously, writes Rebecca Williams. She offers a tech agenda for the new mayor to advance his campaign goals:
Mayor-Elect Mamdani Can Build a Tech Agenda for New York and a Model for the Country | TechPolicy.Press
By resisting surveillance, extraction, and exploitation, Mamdani can show how technology truly serves the people, writes Rebecca Williams.
www.techpolicy.press
November 5, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Former FTC chair Lina Khan was just named to NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's transition team—just one sign that his new administration will take tech matters seriously, writes Rebecca Williams. She offers a tech agenda for the new mayor to advance his campaign goals:
Reposted by rik
"The Riddle of Organismal Agency" is now available as a paperback version! Edited by @alejandrofabregastejeda.com, Jan Baedke, Guido Prieto and Gregory Radick, the volume puts together reflections from #HistSci and #PhilSci on the topic of organismal agency.
#HPBio
www.routledge.com/The-Riddle-o...
#HPBio
www.routledge.com/The-Riddle-o...
November 5, 2025 at 2:37 PM
"The Riddle of Organismal Agency" is now available as a paperback version! Edited by @alejandrofabregastejeda.com, Jan Baedke, Guido Prieto and Gregory Radick, the volume puts together reflections from #HistSci and #PhilSci on the topic of organismal agency.
#HPBio
www.routledge.com/The-Riddle-o...
#HPBio
www.routledge.com/The-Riddle-o...
Reposted by rik
Oh, and yeah, by the way, this is great news for the economy and innovation! www.anildash.com/2025/08/20/z...
Zohran Mamdani is the leader NYC needs for innovation and entrepreneurship - Anil Dash
A blog about making culture. Since 1999.
www.anildash.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Oh, and yeah, by the way, this is great news for the economy and innovation! www.anildash.com/2025/08/20/z...
Reposted by rik
@teenvogue.com this is gross.
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
November 4, 2025 at 3:39 AM
@teenvogue.com this is gross.
Reposted by rik
Go back a decade and tell someone that a Bill Kristol publication would say this... and they'd never believe you.
"The Sanders/Mamdani style of democratic socialism is, whatever its merits, at least compatible with America’s tradition of liberal democracy. The Trump style of national socialism is not."
Donald Trump Is a Commie
Bernie’s democratic socialism is still compatible with liberal democracy. Trump’s national socialism is not. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
www.thebulwark.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Go back a decade and tell someone that a Bill Kristol publication would say this... and they'd never believe you.
Reposted by rik
Venture capitalists Andreessen and Horowitz invest in startup that sells thousands of AI bot influencers to manipulate social media as a service, clearly violating major platform policies
www.404media.co/a16z-backed-...
www.404media.co/a16z-backed-...
a16z-Backed Startup Sells Thousands of ‘Synthetic Influencers’ to Manipulate Social Media as a Service
Andreessen Horowitz is funding a company that clearly violates the inauthentic behavior policies of every major social media platform.
www.404media.co
November 3, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Venture capitalists Andreessen and Horowitz invest in startup that sells thousands of AI bot influencers to manipulate social media as a service, clearly violating major platform policies
www.404media.co/a16z-backed-...
www.404media.co/a16z-backed-...
Reposted by rik
I am a huge Manoush Zomorodi fan, so getting to be on NPR's TED Radio Hour was a real treat. We talked about how to update the operating model of government in the service of our democracy. Take a listen!
www.npr.org/2025/10/31/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/31/n...
The tech revolution bureaucracy desperately needs
Government feels stuck on dial-up. Political advisor Jennifer Pahlka explains how smarter tech—and less red tape—could finally speed it up.
www.npr.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I am a huge Manoush Zomorodi fan, so getting to be on NPR's TED Radio Hour was a real treat. We talked about how to update the operating model of government in the service of our democracy. Take a listen!
www.npr.org/2025/10/31/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/31/n...
Reposted by rik
Second week of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge trail closure. Heck of a job, @mtcbata.bsky.social!
November 3, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Second week of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge trail closure. Heck of a job, @mtcbata.bsky.social!
Reposted by rik
Only one single person — the hero filming — took any sort of action. Everybody else just keeps walking, pretending not to see a screaming woman being dragged away. This is so incredibly Nazi Germany.
I'm shaking almost too hard to type. I entered SLC airport and heard screams and cries for help. I could see people gathered around, watching. I sped over to discover this woman face down on the floor, four grown men pushing her down, while she cried "HELP ME" and pled for her child.
October 30, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Only one single person — the hero filming — took any sort of action. Everybody else just keeps walking, pretending not to see a screaming woman being dragged away. This is so incredibly Nazi Germany.
Reposted by rik
Burglars stole more than 1,000 items, including jewelry and historic artifacts, from the Oakland Museum of California this month in a major art heist now being probed by a special FBI team.
More than 1,000 items stolen from Oakland Museum of California storage facility in huge art heist
Burglars stole more than 1,000 items, including jewelry and historic artifacts, from the Oakland Museum of California this month in a major art heist now being probed by a special FBI team.
bit.ly
October 30, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Burglars stole more than 1,000 items, including jewelry and historic artifacts, from the Oakland Museum of California this month in a major art heist now being probed by a special FBI team.
CM Jenkins and Houston are hamstringing the Commission just as Oakland needs it, to find a new Chief of Police! great reporting @hyphyrepublic.bsky.social
A lot happened while Trump was trying to invade Oakland, Council made an unprecedented move that by any measure has undermined the citizen led Police Commission; then for good measure an attempt to sneak EAP into a last minute meeting with a day's notice.
Week in Review [while Trump invaded Oakland, a lot of other stuff happened]
In this week’s review
Council Decision Leaves Oakland Police Commission with Bare Quorum, Body Unable to Meet on Thursday
EAP Would Have Come to Council in Special Meeting Monday, With One Week-day Notice, But Brown, Ramachandran Intervene
Oakland Arms Embargo Demands Port Commission Ban Weapons Cargo Transits at Oakland
oakland-observer.ghost.io
October 27, 2025 at 5:24 PM
CM Jenkins and Houston are hamstringing the Commission just as Oakland needs it, to find a new Chief of Police! great reporting @hyphyrepublic.bsky.social
Reposted by rik
Important column in @economist.com by @palfrey.org, head of MacArthur Foundation, on how foundations, NGOs, nonprofits, etc are standing up against MAGA attacks.
www.economist.com/by-invitatio...
Paywalled, but here's a sample:
www.economist.com/by-invitatio...
Paywalled, but here's a sample:
October 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Important column in @economist.com by @palfrey.org, head of MacArthur Foundation, on how foundations, NGOs, nonprofits, etc are standing up against MAGA attacks.
www.economist.com/by-invitatio...
Paywalled, but here's a sample:
www.economist.com/by-invitatio...
Paywalled, but here's a sample:
Reposted by rik
Whatever comes out the other side of this, whether we are able to restore faith, rebuild community, establish true equality, deliver justice, embrace transformative solidarity, rededicate ourselves and our country to an ever stronger common good--all I know is, it will have started in Chicago.
October 27, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Whatever comes out the other side of this, whether we are able to restore faith, rebuild community, establish true equality, deliver justice, embrace transformative solidarity, rededicate ourselves and our country to an ever stronger common good--all I know is, it will have started in Chicago.
thank you Mr. Fallows! the loud silence of the #NYTimes regarding #NoKings Oct 18 must be called out. I miss NYT's Public Editor, too.
My unexpected chance to be public-editor-for-a-day (sort of). Featuring explanations of 'No Kings' coverage from NYT spokespeople.
(Paywall at very end.)
fallows.substack.com/p/putting-th...
(Paywall at very end.)
fallows.substack.com/p/putting-th...
Putting the ‘Public’ Back in Public Editor.
When the NYT eliminated its Public Editor position, it said that ‘readers across the internet’ could do the same job, better. Here is what I learned from unexpectedly giving that system a try.
fallows.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Reposted by rik
Incredibly, the Justice Department today charged a group of alleged Cosa Nostra mobsters with using a version of the exact card shuffler hacking technique we demonstrated in the video below to rig poker games with an NBA player and coach, stealing millions. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
October 23, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Incredibly, the Justice Department today charged a group of alleged Cosa Nostra mobsters with using a version of the exact card shuffler hacking technique we demonstrated in the video below to rig poker games with an NBA player and coach, stealing millions. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by rik
The Fascinating Neuroscience of Hitting a Baseball ⚾👀🧠 www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnGl...
The Fascinating Neuroscience of Hitting a Baseball
YouTube video by Michael MacKelvie
www.youtube.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The Fascinating Neuroscience of Hitting a Baseball ⚾👀🧠 www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnGl...