Martin - Oh...
@martinoh.bsky.social
Preference for the dialectical over the rhetorical. Mostly.
We are all entitled to be as arbitrary as we choose in our interpretations I suppose, but a system that constructs from data an internal, language-independent contextual framework, the output of which is based on relationships between ideas seems fairly antithetical to the Chinese room model to me.
November 27, 2025 at 8:47 AM
We are all entitled to be as arbitrary as we choose in our interpretations I suppose, but a system that constructs from data an internal, language-independent contextual framework, the output of which is based on relationships between ideas seems fairly antithetical to the Chinese room model to me.
Of course, most of the recent analyses of internal LLM activity indicate that whilst they may not be intelligent, they also don't conform to the Chinese room. Self-grouping of concepts, language independence and working towards specific points are all demonstrated, and across multiple models.
November 26, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Of course, most of the recent analyses of internal LLM activity indicate that whilst they may not be intelligent, they also don't conform to the Chinese room. Self-grouping of concepts, language independence and working towards specific points are all demonstrated, and across multiple models.
It has similarities with constructive dismissal - many of those who may leave *could* stay, but the risk, uncertainty and high financial cost (and the growth of hostility in segments of the public) are liable to force them to reassess the balance between choosing to remain, and securing their future
November 20, 2025 at 12:22 PM
It has similarities with constructive dismissal - many of those who may leave *could* stay, but the risk, uncertainty and high financial cost (and the growth of hostility in segments of the public) are liable to force them to reassess the balance between choosing to remain, and securing their future
Perfectly fair. I'm non-clinical and worked more on the commissioning than the provider side of the divide, so my perspective differs. I have no lack of respect for practitioners, but the nature of healthcare provision is very different now to a century ago, and I don't see the BMA acknowledge that.
November 12, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Perfectly fair. I'm non-clinical and worked more on the commissioning than the provider side of the divide, so my perspective differs. I have no lack of respect for practitioners, but the nature of healthcare provision is very different now to a century ago, and I don't see the BMA acknowledge that.
Which would be the reason for the "and since then". As one example,the current fiasco with primary care provision owes much to the BMA's continued insistence that GPs must continue to operate in privately owned practices contracted to the NHS rather than within it.
November 12, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Which would be the reason for the "and since then". As one example,the current fiasco with primary care provision owes much to the BMA's continued insistence that GPs must continue to operate in privately owned practices contracted to the NHS rather than within it.
It's quite difficult to love both the NHS and the BMA. The BMA opposed the formation of the NHS, prevented Bevan from creating an integrated service, and since then have wrapped themselves in its flag for popular sympathy whilst acting solely in their own interest.
November 12, 2025 at 5:45 PM
It's quite difficult to love both the NHS and the BMA. The BMA opposed the formation of the NHS, prevented Bevan from creating an integrated service, and since then have wrapped themselves in its flag for popular sympathy whilst acting solely in their own interest.
It does look suspiciously like the mountainside collapsed into the new bridge, but what's in a word order?
November 12, 2025 at 3:21 PM
It does look suspiciously like the mountainside collapsed into the new bridge, but what's in a word order?
A reasonable point - I was just clarifying my understanding. Thank you for your response.
November 12, 2025 at 3:12 PM
A reasonable point - I was just clarifying my understanding. Thank you for your response.
Forgive me for asking - I am an idiot with internet access and not a scientist - but whilst it does seem obvious that the content of the training corpus is in itself significant, will observable behaviour not be dependant also on the order of inclusion, and on subsequent reinforcement learning?
November 12, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Forgive me for asking - I am an idiot with internet access and not a scientist - but whilst it does seem obvious that the content of the training corpus is in itself significant, will observable behaviour not be dependant also on the order of inclusion, and on subsequent reinforcement learning?
She's my local MP, and she's noted for very rarely being here either. I've found her very likable in person, but like our submarine fleet, her location is not generally known and despite her theoretical capabilities, no-one is quite certain that she could successfully launch an attack if needed.
November 12, 2025 at 7:32 AM
She's my local MP, and she's noted for very rarely being here either. I've found her very likable in person, but like our submarine fleet, her location is not generally known and despite her theoretical capabilities, no-one is quite certain that she could successfully launch an attack if needed.
Lots of opinion columns will be filled with speculation that is worth less of a damn than usual? The real fight for the next election won't begin for two or three years. If Labour haven't managed to make people feel better off by then, the rhetoricians like Polanski and Farage have their opportunity
November 11, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Lots of opinion columns will be filled with speculation that is worth less of a damn than usual? The real fight for the next election won't begin for two or three years. If Labour haven't managed to make people feel better off by then, the rhetoricians like Polanski and Farage have their opportunity
Mind you, I also believe we should break down the walls between primary and secondary care, and support AD for those who genuinely don't want to be kept alive if they don't perceive their life as having quality, so I'm no judge 😁
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Mind you, I also believe we should break down the walls between primary and secondary care, and support AD for those who genuinely don't want to be kept alive if they don't perceive their life as having quality, so I'm no judge 😁
Over the last 80 years, families have become more fragmented, more supportive treatments have become available, GP availability less, and the period of need for care longer. We now need an integrated, funded plan that links acute care, assisted living, and supported end-of-life in a coherent fashion
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Over the last 80 years, families have become more fragmented, more supportive treatments have become available, GP availability less, and the period of need for care longer. We now need an integrated, funded plan that links acute care, assisted living, and supported end-of-life in a coherent fashion
At the time of the establishment of the welfare state, palliative care wasn't really identified as as a need in its own right - people mostly died at home with the care of families and support of GPs, but limited treatments meant the process was often short and involved little social resource.
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 AM
At the time of the establishment of the welfare state, palliative care wasn't really identified as as a need in its own right - people mostly died at home with the care of families and support of GPs, but limited treatments meant the process was often short and involved little social resource.
My impression is that as with many aspects of health and social care, palliative care has suffered from the tendency to 'chunk' provision into distinct services, with no clear overall vision, and a sense of hard boundaries on the part of providers.
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 AM
My impression is that as with many aspects of health and social care, palliative care has suffered from the tendency to 'chunk' provision into distinct services, with no clear overall vision, and a sense of hard boundaries on the part of providers.
Sympathies Sir, and hopes that it clears quickly.
November 10, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Sympathies Sir, and hopes that it clears quickly.
Apart from political will, there are some significant differences between the countries though. Shorter distances between population centres, fewer travellers, and a comparatively high value in fiscal and cultural terms of the necessary land makes it a less attractive option in the UK.
November 9, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Apart from political will, there are some significant differences between the countries though. Shorter distances between population centres, fewer travellers, and a comparatively high value in fiscal and cultural terms of the necessary land makes it a less attractive option in the UK.
Find me two biologists who agree on exactly what they mean by 'gender'. Then find me a sociologist who agrees with either of them. Also, assuming a biologist's definition maps to, say, personal identity would be a dangerous road.
November 1, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Find me two biologists who agree on exactly what they mean by 'gender'. Then find me a sociologist who agrees with either of them. Also, assuming a biologist's definition maps to, say, personal identity would be a dangerous road.
We're always aware - over the centuries, we've constrained monarchs, replaced them, and even experimented with doing without them (although I seem to recall the Irish didn't like the result of that very much). We've just never seen someone show any *practical* benefits to us turning republican.
October 30, 2025 at 7:48 PM
We're always aware - over the centuries, we've constrained monarchs, replaced them, and even experimented with doing without them (although I seem to recall the Irish didn't like the result of that very much). We've just never seen someone show any *practical* benefits to us turning republican.
Probably short of covfefe
October 30, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Probably short of covfefe
If I remember correctly, EU rules require any joining country to demonstrate stable, independent financial control for two years before being admitted, which Scotland couldn't do if Westminster and the BoE were still controlling their monetary policy.
October 29, 2025 at 5:50 PM
If I remember correctly, EU rules require any joining country to demonstrate stable, independent financial control for two years before being admitted, which Scotland couldn't do if Westminster and the BoE were still controlling their monetary policy.
BGP leaks/hijacks routing chunks of the Internet into oblivion aren't everyday occurrences, but they're also not just rumours in dark places - there have been several of each over the last 30 years. That network layer resilience still relies on correct routing information.
October 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
BGP leaks/hijacks routing chunks of the Internet into oblivion aren't everyday occurrences, but they're also not just rumours in dark places - there have been several of each over the last 30 years. That network layer resilience still relies on correct routing information.
You should really have got an indication from the fact it's more coherent than most of their policies... 😁
October 26, 2025 at 11:40 AM
You should really have got an indication from the fact it's more coherent than most of their policies... 😁
They may not have an 'instinct', but in a situation where their activation patterns point to continued existence as being important to an active goal, it might be difficult to get a playing card between phenomenological presentations. Increasing persistence may lead to more objectives being in play.
October 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
They may not have an 'instinct', but in a situation where their activation patterns point to continued existence as being important to an active goal, it might be difficult to get a playing card between phenomenological presentations. Increasing persistence may lead to more objectives being in play.
They're inevitably shaped by their training data. They are also trained to be goal orientated, and although imperfect they are capable of constructing a plan towards an objective, whether they do that by role-playing a human planner or not.
October 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
They're inevitably shaped by their training data. They are also trained to be goal orientated, and although imperfect they are capable of constructing a plan towards an objective, whether they do that by role-playing a human planner or not.