Venkat Nagaswamy
@paperweight2024.bsky.social
Work in tech. Here for AI, books, economics, dogs. www.nagaswamy.com
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
How do we speak about AI?
Here's our full Future Trends Forum conversation with Anna Mills and Nate Angell, including a text summary and extended excerpts from the chat, w/many links and concepts.
aiandacademia.substack.com/p/how-do-we-...
#FTTE
@annamillsoer.bsky.social
@xolotl.org
Here's our full Future Trends Forum conversation with Anna Mills and Nate Angell, including a text summary and extended excerpts from the chat, w/many links and concepts.
aiandacademia.substack.com/p/how-do-we-...
#FTTE
@annamillsoer.bsky.social
@xolotl.org
March 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM
How do we speak about AI?
Here's our full Future Trends Forum conversation with Anna Mills and Nate Angell, including a text summary and extended excerpts from the chat, w/many links and concepts.
aiandacademia.substack.com/p/how-do-we-...
#FTTE
@annamillsoer.bsky.social
@xolotl.org
Here's our full Future Trends Forum conversation with Anna Mills and Nate Angell, including a text summary and extended excerpts from the chat, w/many links and concepts.
aiandacademia.substack.com/p/how-do-we-...
#FTTE
@annamillsoer.bsky.social
@xolotl.org
This clearly explains my weight. arstechnica.com/science/2025...
Have we accidentally bred some dogs for obesity?
Selecting trainable dogs may have gotten us dogs that would do anything for a treat.
arstechnica.com
March 13, 2025 at 10:50 PM
This clearly explains my weight. arstechnica.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
We only rate dogs. This is a very cuddly croissant. We understand the confusion between puppies and pastries, but please only send dogs. Thank you... 12/10
March 11, 2025 at 7:11 PM
We only rate dogs. This is a very cuddly croissant. We understand the confusion between puppies and pastries, but please only send dogs. Thank you... 12/10
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
Graber’s shirt — which directly copies the style of a shirt that Zuckerberg wore onstage recently — says Mundus sine caesaribus. Or, “a world without Caesars.”
At SXSW, Bluesky CEO Jay Graber pokes fun at Mark Zuckerberg with Latin phrase T-shirt | TechCrunch
When Bluesky CEO Jay Graber walked on stage at SXSW 2025 for her keynote discussion, she wore a large black T-shirt with her hair pulled back into a bun.
techcrunch.com
March 10, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Graber’s shirt — which directly copies the style of a shirt that Zuckerberg wore onstage recently — says Mundus sine caesaribus. Or, “a world without Caesars.”
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
This is Leo. And that’s a regular-sized tennis ball. He’d like to know when he’ll be big enough to catch it. 12/10 soon, buddy
March 6, 2025 at 8:37 PM
This is Leo. And that’s a regular-sized tennis ball. He’d like to know when he’ll be big enough to catch it. 12/10 soon, buddy
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
There's still time to get one of these limited edition signed copies of the Fall of Civilizations paperback, with exclusive printed page-end designs!
We've also partnered with this beautiful independent bookshop that does international deliveries everywhere
Link: www.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/fall-...
We've also partnered with this beautiful independent bookshop that does international deliveries everywhere
Link: www.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/fall-...
March 5, 2025 at 2:28 PM
There's still time to get one of these limited edition signed copies of the Fall of Civilizations paperback, with exclusive printed page-end designs!
We've also partnered with this beautiful independent bookshop that does international deliveries everywhere
Link: www.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/fall-...
We've also partnered with this beautiful independent bookshop that does international deliveries everywhere
Link: www.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/fall-...
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
Literally extortion
Reuters reporting that the U.S. has threatened Ukraine with the “imminent” shutoff of Starlink access unless the country agrees to handover control of rare earth minerals to the United States.
www.reuters.com/business/us-...
www.reuters.com/business/us-...
Exclusive: US could cut Ukraine's access to Starlink internet services over minerals, say sources
Ukraine's access to SpaceX-owned Starlink was brought up in talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials after Ukrainian President Zelenskiy turned down an initial proposal from U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent.
www.reuters.com
February 22, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Literally extortion
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
The resistance hero Sophie Scholl was killed by the Nazis on this day in 1943. She was 21. Her story and her immortal wisdom on suffering and the deepest source of strength:
Conscience in Revolt: Sophie Scholl on Suffering, Strength, and the Deepest Wellspring of Courage
“Sympathy is often difficult and soon becomes hollow if one feels no pain oneself.”
www.themarginalian.org
February 22, 2025 at 6:01 PM
The resistance hero Sophie Scholl was killed by the Nazis on this day in 1943. She was 21. Her story and her immortal wisdom on suffering and the deepest source of strength:
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
looking back everything went to shit when Schoolhouse Rock stopped airing
February 21, 2025 at 2:16 AM
looking back everything went to shit when Schoolhouse Rock stopped airing
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
Umberto Eco put together a now-famous list of 14 attributes of fascistic states. I'm going to discuss each of them in hopes this helps ppl understand that fascism is not just a buzzword. We're going to go through these by theme, so strap in. 🧵
February 17, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Umberto Eco put together a now-famous list of 14 attributes of fascistic states. I'm going to discuss each of them in hopes this helps ppl understand that fascism is not just a buzzword. We're going to go through these by theme, so strap in. 🧵
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
The initiative reached @theguardian.com
Momentum is building 🚀
Make California Danish 😀
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...
Momentum is building 🚀
Make California Danish 😀
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...
Danes offer to buy California to spite Trump’s Greenland aims: ‘We’ll bring hygge to Hollywood’
Satirical petition from Denmark, which owns Greenland, racks up 200,000 signatures as Trump eyes Arctic island
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The initiative reached @theguardian.com
Momentum is building 🚀
Make California Danish 😀
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...
Momentum is building 🚀
Make California Danish 😀
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
This is Huxley. He hopes you're having a good day, but if not, he’s conveniently right here and an excellent listener. 14/10 (IG: hugoandursula)
February 3, 2025 at 5:21 PM
This is Huxley. He hopes you're having a good day, but if not, he’s conveniently right here and an excellent listener. 14/10 (IG: hugoandursula)
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
"Look, I’ve got nothing against Queequeg. He’s a nice guy. And he can spy a whale spout in a hurricane. And swim like a dolphin. But all those 'biggee' tattoos? Tell me they don’t scream 'diversity hire.'"
I’d Be Lead Harpooner on the Pequod If It Wasn’t For These DEI Hires
You know, I wouldn’t say this to just anyone. I’m not one to gam and gossip around the old grog-cooler. But I know you’re a good New England boy wo...
buff.ly
January 30, 2025 at 2:20 AM
"Look, I’ve got nothing against Queequeg. He’s a nice guy. And he can spy a whale spout in a hurricane. And swim like a dolphin. But all those 'biggee' tattoos? Tell me they don’t scream 'diversity hire.'"
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
One big (replicated!) finding on AI doesn’t get enough attention: existing systems like GPT-4
can alter deeply held beliefs using logic & discussion, not manipulation.
A short conversation with AI greatly reduce conspiracy theory beliefs (hard to do!) & the effects last months.
can alter deeply held beliefs using logic & discussion, not manipulation.
A short conversation with AI greatly reduce conspiracy theory beliefs (hard to do!) & the effects last months.
January 30, 2025 at 4:47 PM
One big (replicated!) finding on AI doesn’t get enough attention: existing systems like GPT-4
can alter deeply held beliefs using logic & discussion, not manipulation.
A short conversation with AI greatly reduce conspiracy theory beliefs (hard to do!) & the effects last months.
can alter deeply held beliefs using logic & discussion, not manipulation.
A short conversation with AI greatly reduce conspiracy theory beliefs (hard to do!) & the effects last months.
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
This is Fudge. She may not be the sharpest pup in the world, but more importantly, she is not a quitter. 13/10
January 29, 2025 at 12:18 AM
This is Fudge. She may not be the sharpest pup in the world, but more importantly, she is not a quitter. 13/10
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
"Tthe DeepSeek model raises questions about the unintended consequences of the American government’s trade restrictions. The controls have forced researchers in China to get creative with a wide range of tools that are freely available on the internet."
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/t...
How Chinese A.I. Start-Up DeepSeek Is Competing With OpenAI and Google
The company built a cheaper, competitive chatbot with fewer high-end computer chips than U.S. behemoths like Google and OpenAI, showing the limits of chip export control.
www.nytimes.com
January 23, 2025 at 12:36 PM
"Tthe DeepSeek model raises questions about the unintended consequences of the American government’s trade restrictions. The controls have forced researchers in China to get creative with a wide range of tools that are freely available on the internet."
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/t...
Mind blown. More than two tyoes of oarticles youtube.com/watch?v=0KdY...
youtube.com
January 22, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Mind blown. More than two tyoes of oarticles youtube.com/watch?v=0KdY...
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
Mary Shelley on the surest remedy for a sunken spirit and what makes life worth living
Mary Shelley on the Surest Remedy for a Sunken Spirit and What Makes Life Worth Living
“There is but one solution to the intricate riddle of life; to improve ourselves, and contribute to the happiness of others.”
www.themarginalian.org
January 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Mary Shelley on the surest remedy for a sunken spirit and what makes life worth living
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
Mom would have been 82 today. She died at 55. I recently realized that I am now older than she ever was, which seems like a fundamental wrongness in the universe.
I was particularly thinking about her penchant for taking a direct and vivid role in her schools’ disciplinary approaches. /1
I was particularly thinking about her penchant for taking a direct and vivid role in her schools’ disciplinary approaches. /1
January 14, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Mom would have been 82 today. She died at 55. I recently realized that I am now older than she ever was, which seems like a fundamental wrongness in the universe.
I was particularly thinking about her penchant for taking a direct and vivid role in her schools’ disciplinary approaches. /1
I was particularly thinking about her penchant for taking a direct and vivid role in her schools’ disciplinary approaches. /1
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
There's an incredibly strong connection between educational attainment and interpersonal trust.
Among people who have a graduate degree, 56% say that "people can generally be trusted."
Among those who went no further than high school, it's just 19%.
Among people who have a graduate degree, 56% say that "people can generally be trusted."
Among those who went no further than high school, it's just 19%.
January 12, 2025 at 5:09 PM
There's an incredibly strong connection between educational attainment and interpersonal trust.
Among people who have a graduate degree, 56% say that "people can generally be trusted."
Among those who went no further than high school, it's just 19%.
Among people who have a graduate degree, 56% say that "people can generally be trusted."
Among those who went no further than high school, it's just 19%.
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
This photo was blown into our yard during the Eaton Canyon fire. Anyone from Pasadena/Altadena recognize these people?
January 13, 2025 at 7:23 AM
This photo was blown into our yard during the Eaton Canyon fire. Anyone from Pasadena/Altadena recognize these people?
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
Mushrooms may ‘talk’ to one another with up to 50 words
Electrical signals could resemble conversations between fungi
www.science.org/content/arti...
Mushrooms may ‘talk’ to one another with up to 50 words
Electrical signals could resemble conversations between fungi
www.science.org
January 12, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Mushrooms may ‘talk’ to one another with up to 50 words
Electrical signals could resemble conversations between fungi
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Venkat Nagaswamy
“Make your interests gradually wider and more impersonal, until bit by bit the walls of the ego recede, and your life becomes increasingly merged in the universal life.”
Bertrand Russell on how to grow old:
Bertrand Russell on how to grow old:
How to Grow Old: Bertrand Russell on What Makes a Fulfilling Life
“Make your interests gradually wider and more impersonal, until bit by bit the walls of the ego recede, and your life becomes increasingly merged in the universal life.”
www.themarginalian.org
January 10, 2025 at 10:16 PM
“Make your interests gradually wider and more impersonal, until bit by bit the walls of the ego recede, and your life becomes increasingly merged in the universal life.”
Bertrand Russell on how to grow old:
Bertrand Russell on how to grow old: