James of Seattle
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jamesofseattle.bsky.social
James of Seattle
@jamesofseattle.bsky.social
83 followers 140 following 310 posts
Observer on the world, trying to keep things straight.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by James of Seattle
petemandik.bsky.social
Guess what? youtu.be/zpXvEhl2YXE?...
14 Beauty
YouTube video by Pete Mandik
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
xkcd.com
What if ALL the sun's power was focused in one place?

What the latest What If? video in collaboration with
@minuteearth.bsky.social!

youtu.be/qu8nx1qUwEU
What if ALL the sun’s power was focused in one place?
YouTube video by xkcd's What If?
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
erikhoel.blogsky.venki.dev
John von Neumann Shot Lightning From His Arse
John von Neumann Shot Lightning From His Arse
www.theintrinsicperspective.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
selfawarepatterns.bsky.social
Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus

After watching the new Frankenstein movie this weekend, I decided to correct something. I'd never read the original novel by Mary Shelley. I was familiar with the overall story, but I think it came from reading a comic book adaptation at some point decades…
Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus
After watching the new Frankenstein movie this weekend, I decided to correct something. I'd never read the original novel by Mary Shelley. I was familiar with the overall story, but I think it came from reading a comic book adaptation at some point decades ago, one I knew was heavily abridged. A key question upfront was which version to read: the…
selfawarepatterns.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
edgibney.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

I’m a fan of this opinion. It’s another reason billionaires shouldn’t exist and drive our culture.
Investors’ ‘dumb transhumanist ideas’ setting back neurotech progress, say experts
Fascination of investors such as Elon Musk with uploading their brains to computers is hindering progress in curing disease, say scientists
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
philipgoff.bsky.social
Can you having feelings you're not aware of? My latest Substack post on "Unconscious Consciousness."
philipgoff.substack.com/p/unconsciou...
Unconscious Consciousness
Photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash
philipgoff.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
bobathon.bsky.social
The sparky, disorderly, collaborative flow of progress.

We've come a long way in understanding the deep physical structure of everything, but humans realising things is always a messy business.

Wonderfully clear short presentation by @seanmcarroll.bsky.social

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT7D...
Sean Carroll: Einstein’s most radical thought
YouTube video by Big Think
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
selfawarepatterns.bsky.social
Frankenstein and other TV notes

Last night I watched Guillermo del Toro's new version of Frankenstein. As I frequently point out on this blog, I'm not a big horror fan, but I've frequently been impressed with del Toro's work, and Frankenstein is a classic. And it strikes me as more of an…
Frankenstein and other TV notes
Last night I watched Guillermo del Toro's new version of Frankenstein. As I frequently point out on this blog, I'm not a big horror fan, but I've frequently been impressed with del Toro's work, and Frankenstein is a classic. And it strikes me as more of an existential exploration than one invoking horror just for horror's sake. We all know the story.
selfawarepatterns.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
keithfrankish.com
The Persuaders have been reading Jonathan Birch's The Edge of Sentience, and they will be asking which animals are conscious and what policies we should adopt to minimize animal suffering. Live tomorrow (Tuesday) at 1pm EST, 6pm GMT!
www.youtube.com/live/J9ueoVk...
@petemandik.bsky.social
5: Animal consciousness
What is like to be a bat, a rat, or a cat in a hat? Another case for The Persuaders! Keith and Pete have been reading Jonathan Birch's 2024 book The Edge of Sentience, and they will be asking which an...
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
lesjfrie.bsky.social
Canada's NICE agent greeting Americans disembarking cruise ships is how we mock Trump's dystopianism while making you all feel welcome.
October 25, 2025 at 11:45 PM
jamesofseattle.bsky.social
I’ve mentioned that we are *in* the singularity. This is what I’m talking about. (H/T @adamfrank4.bsky.social )
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5k7...
Why 2025 is the single most pivotal year in our lifetime | Peter Leyden
YouTube video by Big Think
www.youtube.com
October 26, 2025 at 11:43 PM
jamesofseattle.bsky.social
For anyone interested in the idea that pattern recognition is the basis of consciousness [Psychule Theory!], this video w/ @drmichaellevin.bsky.social will be a useful discussion of the role of patterns in nature and intelligence:
youtu.be/imTnPhE20YQ?...
The Hidden Realm of Patterns Animating Life & The Universe | Dr. Michael Levin
YouTube video by Jack Roycroft-Sherry
youtu.be
October 26, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
fliglman.bsky.social
sure, if you enjoy the horrifying limits of human perception
drgbuckingham.bsky.social Gavin Buckingham @drgbuckingham.bsky.social · 22d
For your enjoyment (by @jagarikin)
October 25, 2025 at 12:22 PM
jamesofseattle.bsky.social
This is a really good discussion, and now I can never watch a video with Chalmers without thinking “Math Guy” …
October 24, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
seanmcarroll.bsky.social
Videos from the Natural Philosophy Symposium are coming online at last! We start with the opening plenary by David Chalmers @davidchalmers.bsky.social: Can There Be a Mathematical Theory of Consciousness? Commentary by Ryan Smith.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsve...
David Chalmers, Can There Be a Mathematical Theory of Consciousness? | Natural Philosophy Symposium
YouTube video by Hopkins Natural Philosophy Forum
www.youtube.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
keithfrankish.com
Listen to @petemandik.bsky.social and me talking persuasively about consciousness www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ow4...
5: Our weird beliefs about consciousness
YouTube video by Keith Frankish
www.youtube.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
oh-my-oh-my.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/angr...
angrywaterman.bsky.social Jack Cousteau ⚓️ @angrywaterman.bsky.social · 28d
Seattle No Kings from the monorail
October 19, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Reposted by James of Seattle
selfawarepatterns.bsky.social
The Dragons of Marrow and Hammerwing

I've done a couple of posts on Robert Reed's Greatship series, about a giant spherical Uranus-sized megastructure moving through space at a third the speed of light. It's discovered in intergalactic space and claimed by humans, who then invite anyone who can…
The Dragons of Marrow and Hammerwing
I've done a couple of posts on Robert Reed's Greatship series, about a giant spherical Uranus-sized megastructure moving through space at a third the speed of light. It's discovered in intergalactic space and claimed by humans, who then invite anyone who can pay in some manner (resources, technology, science, or even just interesting stories) to join on a cruise around the Milky Way.
selfawarepatterns.com
October 18, 2025 at 1:36 PM
jamesofseattle.bsky.social
Yeah baby!
cajunblue.bsky.social CajunBlue 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 @cajunblue.bsky.social · Oct 12
🚨🚨🚨WA Governor Bob Ferguson responds to a letter he received from AG Pam Bondi in which she threatened to place him in jail. 🧯He is on fire! 1/2
October 13, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Reposted by James of Seattle
selfawarepatterns.bsky.social
Does consciousness require biology?

Ned Block has a new paper out, for which he shared a time limited link on Bluesky. He argues in the paper that the “meat neutral” computational functionalism inherent in many theories of consciousness neglect what he sees...
selfawarepatterns.com/2025/10/12/d...
Does consciousness require biology?
Ned Block has a new paper out, for which he shared a time limited link on Bluesky. He argues in the paper that the “meat neutral” computational functionalism inherent in many theories o…
selfawarepatterns.com
October 12, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
selfawarepatterns.bsky.social
Alien: Earth, and other TV notes

I've noted on this blog many times that I'm not much of a horror fan. But the Alien franchise has always been kind of an exception. Space horror might be a little better than the garden variety, just because it's space. But mostly I just enjoy the sci-fi…
Alien: Earth, and other TV notes
I've noted on this blog many times that I'm not much of a horror fan. But the Alien franchise has always been kind of an exception. Space horror might be a little better than the garden variety, just because it's space. But mostly I just enjoy the sci-fi worldbuilding, usually in the early stages of each movie. I'm less enthusiastic about the parts where we watch people die one by one, although the…
selfawarepatterns.com
October 11, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
davembmd.bsky.social
This is the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time. @aptshadow.bsky.social @abraham.bsky.social
October 8, 2025 at 4:34 PM
jamesofseattle.bsky.social
Will you thank in print using a pseudonym? Asking for a friend.

*
[ :) ]
eschwitz.bsky.social Eric Schwitzgebel @eschwitz.bsky.social · Oct 8
New book in draft: AI and Consciousness [link in thread]
This book is a skeptical overview of the literature on AI and consciousness.
Anyone who emails me comments on the entire manuscript will be thanked in print and receive an appreciatively signed hard copy.
AI and Consciousness title page
October 8, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
selfawarepatterns.bsky.social
Marrow and The Well of Stars

A few weeks ago, I talked about Robert Reed's story collection, The Greatship. It's about a spherical Uranus-sized megastructure moving through space at a third the speed of light. Humans manage to reach it first and claim it, and then decide to take it on a tour of…
Marrow and The Well of Stars
A few weeks ago, I talked about Robert Reed's story collection, The Greatship. It's about a spherical Uranus-sized megastructure moving through space at a third the speed of light. Humans manage to reach it first and claim it, and then decide to take it on a tour of the galaxy, offering passage to anyone who can rendezvous and offer payment of some kind.
selfawarepatterns.com
October 5, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Reposted by James of Seattle
philipcball.bsky.social
Wow this is good.
drlindseyfitz.bsky.social Dr Lindsey Fitzharris @drlindseyfitz.bsky.social · Oct 4
Memphis writer Dan Conaway, who helped found the @dailymemphian.bsky.social & comes from a century of local journalism, has just been censored by his own publication.

Here’s the column they wouldn't run.

Please consider writing:
barnes@dailymemphian.com
mcashiola@dailymemphian.com

Stand with Dan.
"Family and friends," he said, "then home – where you live, your neighborhood, your town, your city – then your state, then your region, then your country." My father was explaining to me when I was 11 or 12 why he went to war when he didn't have to. He was driving me to Boy Scout camp, and we had some time to talk. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, he was an engineer, and his company had government contracts that could keep him here. At almost 33, he was also getting long in the tooth for war. My mother would also have me tell you he also had two small children, my brothers, one eight months, and the other five. He joined the Navy a week after Pearl Harbor. "Those are the priorities in the order of priority," he continued. "But if your country is threatened, really threatened, everything flips. If your country, this country, falls, everything in that lineup falls, everything in that lineup is at mortal risk." "So, I'll know when it's country first?" "You'll know," he answered. Last week, I shared the mayor's plan for peacefully enduring, if not gaining, from the National Guard presence in our city. That was last week. This week changed everything. This week, the president called an extraordinary meeting. He and the secretary of defense addressed a room of some 800 generals and admirals called from their command posts around the world to hear the president's words in Virginia. He told our country's top brass their attention would soon be turned inward. That they would be commanding military operations in our cities against the "enemy within." Further, he said that they should hold military training exercises in our cities. Never mind what Secretary Hegseth told them. His message was as empty as his suit. He basically told them they had to shave and lose weight. The Commander in Chief told them their enemies are Americans, and that their field of battle would be Democratic cities. The great power and might of America's military would be turned toward its own. Toward here, people. Not here in general terms, here in very specific terms. Memphis is an official battlefield. "Family and friends," he said, "then home – where you live, your neighborhood, your town, your city ..." As the rest of the world rages, the president told his top military leaders that we will disengage from the protection of our interests and those of our allies and attack the political enemies of our president, root out the "radical left," crush "the woke," seal our borders against mighty Venezuela, and reduce blue cities and states to whimpering vassals of the federal government. The president who would be king. Before this week, he commanded the justice department to intimidate and threaten, even indite, his political enemies including a former director of the FBI, and DA's in Georgia and New York. A president can't do that. Not just because it's blatantly personal and political. Not just because it's abuse of power, petty, and childish. Because most if not all of what he's doing is straight-up, in-your-face, unconstitutional. It is, in fact, just the latest additions to the long list of unconstitutional that defines the dangerous actions of this man. You know this is wrong. No what-about this or that. You know this is wrong. No bemoaning the awful state of something or somewhere. You know this is wrong. Nothing excuses this. Nothing. Now, he has openly told the military that anyone in America that challenges him is the enemy, and where they live the new front. The National Guard deployed here will be unarmed and have no power to arrest. They are a camo-covered smokescreen, eye candy for the cameras disguising what will really be going on, click bait for the internet. We now know that Trump and his minions are sending hundreds of ICE agents and FBI agents to Memphis, not to mention a small army of Justice Department prosecutors and investigators. The mission is to arrest, prosecute, incarcerate/deport as many people as possible. Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General, was here this week to tell us that, along with Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, and Stephen Miller, Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff. Not to mention, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, looking very much like he was waiting to be told wat to do, bless his heart. Here, ready to rumble. Who wasn't here or invited was Steve Cohen, the duly elected Democratic representative in Congress of all the people who will be in that rumble. Republicans should be every bit as alarmed as Democrats – every American should – because every time Trump stomps on the Constitution, he leaves that boot print on every one of us. Or, as the very first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, famously put it, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Due process and habeas corpus are becoming quaint reminders of a once proud nation of constitutional laws and justice. What happened in that room in Virginia this week, and what happened out at Shelby Farms give us more than a hint of what could follow the National Guard to Memphis. "So, I'll know when it's country first?" "You'll know," he answered. One man has put 340 million people at risk of losing this democracy. Just as surely as he's made the Oval Office look like a bad imitation of royal chambers at Versailles, just as surely as he's made the majority of both house of Congress look like lackeys waiting to empty the king's chamber pot, just as surely as he's turning the Constitution into a Mara-a-Lago doormat, just as surely, he's coming for us. You're right, Dad. I know. I'm a Memphian, soon under siege. (Lt. Frank E. Conaway Sr., 1943)
October 4, 2025 at 7:16 PM