Kevin F. Quinn
@kevfquinn.bsky.social
Mostly harmless. He/him.
vi, spaces, and the Oxford comma.
GenX, born at 325ppm.
Hastings, UK.
ALT avatar: Egyptian goose
ALT banner: four Canadian Geese
vi, spaces, and the Oxford comma.
GenX, born at 325ppm.
Hastings, UK.
ALT avatar: Egyptian goose
ALT banner: four Canadian Geese
Nonsensical. Gen-AI can't "come up with ideas".
It's demeaning to all humans to believe these algorithms can.
At best it can generate new aesthetically plausible word sequences.
It's demeaning to all humans to believe these algorithms can.
At best it can generate new aesthetically plausible word sequences.
America, you have spoken loud and clear: You do not like AI. But what if AI is the way to restart the world’s idea machine?
We’re running out of good ideas. AI might be how we find new ones.
What if the best use of AI is restarting the world’s idea machine?
www.vox.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Nonsensical. Gen-AI can't "come up with ideas".
It's demeaning to all humans to believe these algorithms can.
At best it can generate new aesthetically plausible word sequences.
It's demeaning to all humans to believe these algorithms can.
At best it can generate new aesthetically plausible word sequences.
What is it with these billionaire dudes and "reversing aging"?
Same stuff with Peter Diamandis, mad as a box of frogs, as discussed here by @acollierastro.bsky.social
(do stay the course for the thorough pasting these dudes get for their utterly hollow friendless lives 🤠)
youtu.be/C179X1MkgTs
Same stuff with Peter Diamandis, mad as a box of frogs, as discussed here by @acollierastro.bsky.social
(do stay the course for the thorough pasting these dudes get for their utterly hollow friendless lives 🤠)
youtu.be/C179X1MkgTs
December 15, 2025 at 12:30 AM
What is it with these billionaire dudes and "reversing aging"?
Same stuff with Peter Diamandis, mad as a box of frogs, as discussed here by @acollierastro.bsky.social
(do stay the course for the thorough pasting these dudes get for their utterly hollow friendless lives 🤠)
youtu.be/C179X1MkgTs
Same stuff with Peter Diamandis, mad as a box of frogs, as discussed here by @acollierastro.bsky.social
(do stay the course for the thorough pasting these dudes get for their utterly hollow friendless lives 🤠)
youtu.be/C179X1MkgTs
Reposted by Kevin F. Quinn
So, Laura Kuenssberg's introduction to her interview with Mary-Ann Stephenson is just hideous.
Let me count the ways. 🧵
Let me count the ways. 🧵
December 14, 2025 at 11:35 AM
So, Laura Kuenssberg's introduction to her interview with Mary-Ann Stephenson is just hideous.
Let me count the ways. 🧵
Let me count the ways. 🧵
I was quite too young to know how the debates at the time went; this however suggests a very positive outlook.
If only that positive case had been made in the run up to 2016, instead of simply reacting to the negative case made by the xenophobes (and thus ceding the ground to them).
If only that positive case had been made in the run up to 2016, instead of simply reacting to the negative case made by the xenophobes (and thus ceding the ground to them).
Second, Heath was right when he said that Europe was always about much more than trade and, frankly, this is the case that Starmer should be making now. Wilson’s retreat from East of Suez was a recognition that we were a European power. Again that’s even truer now.
December 14, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I was quite too young to know how the debates at the time went; this however suggests a very positive outlook.
If only that positive case had been made in the run up to 2016, instead of simply reacting to the negative case made by the xenophobes (and thus ceding the ground to them).
If only that positive case had been made in the run up to 2016, instead of simply reacting to the negative case made by the xenophobes (and thus ceding the ground to them).
Folks, if you're following t, the Eshuru account posted this. Following blowback, deleted it but continues to chase clout with the video of the guy disarming one of the killers.
I, personally, would not post this after a terrorist attack that caused the death of (at least) 10 people.
December 14, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Folks, if you're following t, the Eshuru account posted this. Following blowback, deleted it but continues to chase clout with the video of the guy disarming one of the killers.
Reposted by Kevin F. Quinn
I actually know about this kind of thing. Just because LLMs squirt out text that looks human does not mean they're doing what humans do when we use language. This is basically erasure of cognitive science and my gosh I'm glad I didn't examine his PhD.
If language is what makes us human, what does it mean now that large language models have gained “metalinguistic” abilities? www.wired.com/story/in-a-f...
For the First Time, AI Analyzes Language as Well as a Human Expert
If language is what makes us human, what does it mean now that large language models have gained “metalinguistic” abilities?
www.wired.com
December 14, 2025 at 10:19 AM
I actually know about this kind of thing. Just because LLMs squirt out text that looks human does not mean they're doing what humans do when we use language. This is basically erasure of cognitive science and my gosh I'm glad I didn't examine his PhD.
Reposted by Kevin F. Quinn
How many times must we keep saying this?
Correlation does not imply cognition
www.wired.com/story/in-a-f...
Correlation does not imply cognition
www.wired.com/story/in-a-f...
December 14, 2025 at 3:32 PM
How many times must we keep saying this?
Correlation does not imply cognition
www.wired.com/story/in-a-f...
Correlation does not imply cognition
www.wired.com/story/in-a-f...
Reposted by Kevin F. Quinn
Those opposed to the ECHR will never be satisfied by tinkering, just as Brexiters were never satisfied by the many opt-outs and rebates the UK received, writes @davidallengreen.bsky.social.
The good, the bad and the ugly of ‘rebalancing’ the ECHR
Human rights law should be kept under review, but that does not mean it should be weakened
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Those opposed to the ECHR will never be satisfied by tinkering, just as Brexiters were never satisfied by the many opt-outs and rebates the UK received, writes @davidallengreen.bsky.social.
Reposted by Kevin F. Quinn
As i've said before, the renaissance was just 15th century OnlyFans.
Artists discovering rich dudes will pay big bucks for pictures of their favourite Greek god, goddess or bible figure with their bits out.
Artists discovering rich dudes will pay big bucks for pictures of their favourite Greek god, goddess or bible figure with their bits out.
"people with renaissance-level art skills don't exist anymore" yes they do their username is something like 03748218_ and they spend all their time drawing pornography so deranged it'd kill hugh hefner a second time
December 14, 2025 at 9:35 AM
As i've said before, the renaissance was just 15th century OnlyFans.
Artists discovering rich dudes will pay big bucks for pictures of their favourite Greek god, goddess or bible figure with their bits out.
Artists discovering rich dudes will pay big bucks for pictures of their favourite Greek god, goddess or bible figure with their bits out.
Reposted by Kevin F. Quinn
Word of the day, should you be feeling a little huffish, is ‘apanthropy’ (18th century): a love of solitude and the desire to be away from other people.
December 13, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Word of the day, should you be feeling a little huffish, is ‘apanthropy’ (18th century): a love of solitude and the desire to be away from other people.
Reposted by Kevin F. Quinn
The problem with a seasonal epidemic is that it's way too easy to write a sexy "flu numbers twice as bad as last year" headline, which is true but misleading, when you ought to be writing a "flu arrives a little earlier than last year" headline.
I've got to say, I'm not sure why this has become such a big media story. I might be wrong but my current view is that it's overblown. Flu arrived early, which is why it's breaking 'time of year' records, but it's only in the medium threshold and could peak lower than last year, let alone 2022-23.
December 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The problem with a seasonal epidemic is that it's way too easy to write a sexy "flu numbers twice as bad as last year" headline, which is true but misleading, when you ought to be writing a "flu arrives a little earlier than last year" headline.
Great use of a second derivative, love to see it.
In fact, disappointed they go for the third derivative, which they could say is increasing!
In fact, disappointed they go for the third derivative, which they could say is increasing!
lol wut. dropping from 42 percent approval to 36 percent approval seems pretty significant. apnews.com/article/trum...
December 11, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Great use of a second derivative, love to see it.
In fact, disappointed they go for the third derivative, which they could say is increasing!
In fact, disappointed they go for the third derivative, which they could say is increasing!
What a legacy.
December 11, 2025 at 4:19 PM
What a legacy.
Reposted by Kevin F. Quinn
Some poor, exhausted US Border agent, emerging from a fetid, windowless office six months from now:
"Who the hell is Janey Godley anyway?"
"Who the hell is Janey Godley anyway?"
December 11, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Some poor, exhausted US Border agent, emerging from a fetid, windowless office six months from now:
"Who the hell is Janey Godley anyway?"
"Who the hell is Janey Godley anyway?"
I'm sure the right-wing free-speech absolutists are leaping into the fray to challenge this censorious behaviour by Meta/Facebook!
...
...
Any moment now.
...
...
Any moment...
...
...
Any moment now.
...
...
Any moment...
I had a discussion last night about how anti-birth control content is taking over social media. And here’s the thing: I don’t think it’s that Natural Cycles etc are making better content. I think Meta is putting its thumb on the scale.
"The takedowns and restrictions began in October and targeted the Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp accounts of more than 50 organisations worldwide ... in what appears to be a growing push by Meta to limit reproductive health and queer content across its platforms."
December 11, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I'm sure the right-wing free-speech absolutists are leaping into the fray to challenge this censorious behaviour by Meta/Facebook!
...
...
Any moment now.
...
...
Any moment...
...
...
Any moment now.
...
...
Any moment...
Reposted by Kevin F. Quinn
September 25, 2025 at 10:55 AM
As expected, really, for consideration of a petition.
I note the quick, likely prepared, leap to accusing critics of anti-Semitism - that from the transcript I don't believe was justified. No-one said "elite" or "globalist" but the Minister. The earlier comments were about corporations.
I note the quick, likely prepared, leap to accusing critics of anti-Semitism - that from the transcript I don't believe was justified. No-one said "elite" or "globalist" but the Minister. The earlier comments were about corporations.
Digital ID hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025... Hansard transcript of a packed debate in the UK House of Commons yesterday
Petition petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
Government sez thanks for your input
#digitalID #govtech #techpolicy #dataprotection #masssurveillance #databasestate
Petition petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...
Government sez thanks for your input
#digitalID #govtech #techpolicy #dataprotection #masssurveillance #databasestate
December 9, 2025 at 8:08 AM
As expected, really, for consideration of a petition.
I note the quick, likely prepared, leap to accusing critics of anti-Semitism - that from the transcript I don't believe was justified. No-one said "elite" or "globalist" but the Minister. The earlier comments were about corporations.
I note the quick, likely prepared, leap to accusing critics of anti-Semitism - that from the transcript I don't believe was justified. No-one said "elite" or "globalist" but the Minister. The earlier comments were about corporations.
🤣😂 but also *ouch* 🙊
I don't need to use chatGPT because as a cis white man, I already say things with 100% confidence and 60% accuracy
December 9, 2025 at 7:16 AM
🤣😂 but also *ouch* 🙊
Reposted by Kevin F. Quinn
Decision in the Sandie Peggie case.
She was not directly or indirectly discriminated against, her claim of victimisation fails entirely, her claim of harassment fails largely and her claim against Beth Upton fails entirely. www.judiciary.uk/judgments/sa...
She was not directly or indirectly discriminated against, her claim of victimisation fails entirely, her claim of harassment fails largely and her claim against Beth Upton fails entirely. www.judiciary.uk/judgments/sa...
Sandie Peggie -v- Fife Health Board and another (judgment and summary) - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Case number: 4104864/2024 Employment Tribunal, Scotland 8 December 2025 Before: Employment Judge A KempTribunal Member L BrownTribunal Member C Russell Between: Mrs Sandie Peggie -v- Fife Health Board...
www.judiciary.uk
December 8, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Decision in the Sandie Peggie case.
She was not directly or indirectly discriminated against, her claim of victimisation fails entirely, her claim of harassment fails largely and her claim against Beth Upton fails entirely. www.judiciary.uk/judgments/sa...
She was not directly or indirectly discriminated against, her claim of victimisation fails entirely, her claim of harassment fails largely and her claim against Beth Upton fails entirely. www.judiciary.uk/judgments/sa...
Reading for pleasure.
Occurred to me a few years ago that I'd stopped reading books (novels), for no good reason - used to read voraciously.
Instead, I realised, I've been doing everything in small chunks.
It's taking some effort to get back to spending hours at a time just reading a good book.
Occurred to me a few years ago that I'd stopped reading books (novels), for no good reason - used to read voraciously.
Instead, I realised, I've been doing everything in small chunks.
It's taking some effort to get back to spending hours at a time just reading a good book.
What’s largely considered a solitary activity can improve communication skills and strengthen empathy and compassion, say experts in mental health and geriatric care.
Older adults are slowly abandoning this hobby — but the health payoff is huge
What’s largely considered a solitary activity can improve communication skills and strengthen empathy and compassion, say experts in mental health and geriatric care.
bit.ly
December 8, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Reading for pleasure.
Occurred to me a few years ago that I'd stopped reading books (novels), for no good reason - used to read voraciously.
Instead, I realised, I've been doing everything in small chunks.
It's taking some effort to get back to spending hours at a time just reading a good book.
Occurred to me a few years ago that I'd stopped reading books (novels), for no good reason - used to read voraciously.
Instead, I realised, I've been doing everything in small chunks.
It's taking some effort to get back to spending hours at a time just reading a good book.
Reposted by Kevin F. Quinn
This is your occasional reminder that, if you like Neil Gaiman's stuff, but can't bring yourself to like it anymore for justifiable reasons, Tanith Lee is the author he is credibly accused of extensively cribbing from, and her work is on Audible, and AMAZING.
December 5, 2025 at 9:49 PM
This is your occasional reminder that, if you like Neil Gaiman's stuff, but can't bring yourself to like it anymore for justifiable reasons, Tanith Lee is the author he is credibly accused of extensively cribbing from, and her work is on Audible, and AMAZING.
I check for the AI slop options in Windows 11 whenever OS updates include them* - so far it's been off because the PC doesn't have the hardware for it. Result 👍🤠
* The next one is all AI stuff, I think. We shall see.
* The next one is all AI stuff, I think. We shall see.
December 7, 2025 at 11:19 PM
I check for the AI slop options in Windows 11 whenever OS updates include them* - so far it's been off because the PC doesn't have the hardware for it. Result 👍🤠
* The next one is all AI stuff, I think. We shall see.
* The next one is all AI stuff, I think. We shall see.
Reposted by Kevin F. Quinn
TIL about a memorial ceremony in Iceland in 2019 to mark the end of a glacier, changing the place name from Okjökull to Ok (jökull = glacier). Uncompromising wording on the bronze plaque:
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
December 7, 2025 at 5:17 PM
TIL about a memorial ceremony in Iceland in 2019 to mark the end of a glacier, changing the place name from Okjökull to Ok (jökull = glacier). Uncompromising wording on the bronze plaque:
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
On the Home Office's straight-up far-right rhetoric.
December 7, 2025 at 9:08 PM
On the Home Office's straight-up far-right rhetoric.
Recommend :)
Illuminatea being a secret society, of course I won't confirm or deny being a member - I will however confirm I have the sweatshirt 🤠
Illuminatea being a secret society, of course I won't confirm or deny being a member - I will however confirm I have the sweatshirt 🤠
If you're looking for a gift for someone who likes tea, they might like the IlluminaTea! My (100% real! 😜) secret society that knows the importance of tea breaks: cakeswithfaces.co.uk/product-tag/...
December 7, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Recommend :)
Illuminatea being a secret society, of course I won't confirm or deny being a member - I will however confirm I have the sweatshirt 🤠
Illuminatea being a secret society, of course I won't confirm or deny being a member - I will however confirm I have the sweatshirt 🤠