Ron Fricker
@ronfricker.bsky.social
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professor of Statistics at Virginia Tech
Reposted by Ron Fricker
In Opinion | “Marketed as conversational agents, chatbots are becoming de facto digital therapists for many teens," Ryan K. McBain writes in a guest essay. He argues that we can be proactive in shaping how A.I. supports millions of teens — but “the clock is ticking.”
Opinion | Teens Are Using Chatbots as Therapists. That’s Alarming.
We are deploying digital pseudo-therapists at an unprecedented scale, and those most at risk of negative outcomes are teens.
nyti.ms
August 25, 2025 at 8:00 PM
In Opinion | “Marketed as conversational agents, chatbots are becoming de facto digital therapists for many teens," Ryan K. McBain writes in a guest essay. He argues that we can be proactive in shaping how A.I. supports millions of teens — but “the clock is ticking.”
Reposted by Ron Fricker
On Memorial Day, we all pause to remember the servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. I’m thinking of all the families grieving a loved one today — their lives and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
May 26, 2025 at 3:32 PM
On Memorial Day, we all pause to remember the servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. I’m thinking of all the families grieving a loved one today — their lives and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Reposted by Ron Fricker
A scientist’s legacy isn’t just discoveries or awards—it also includes the students and colleagues who pass through their orbit over the years.
Author Dava Sobel joins us to discuss Marie Curie and the women she mentored.
Author Dava Sobel joins us to discuss Marie Curie and the women she mentored.
Marie Curie And The Women Scientists Who Became Her Legacy
A new book looks at the life of Marie Curie through the lens of some of the 45 women who passed through her laboratory.
buff.ly
December 6, 2024 at 7:21 PM
A scientist’s legacy isn’t just discoveries or awards—it also includes the students and colleagues who pass through their orbit over the years.
Author Dava Sobel joins us to discuss Marie Curie and the women she mentored.
Author Dava Sobel joins us to discuss Marie Curie and the women she mentored.
Reposted by Ron Fricker
so went into my local indie bookstore and saw an ad for... me!
also INTERESTINGLY, new book comes out Tuesday but i learned that HaperCollins told booksellers that if people wanted them early, they could sell the stock they have in the back. you know what to do
bookshop.org/p/books/oath...
also INTERESTINGLY, new book comes out Tuesday but i learned that HaperCollins told booksellers that if people wanted them early, they could sell the stock they have in the back. you know what to do
bookshop.org/p/books/oath...
December 6, 2024 at 8:03 PM
so went into my local indie bookstore and saw an ad for... me!
also INTERESTINGLY, new book comes out Tuesday but i learned that HaperCollins told booksellers that if people wanted them early, they could sell the stock they have in the back. you know what to do
bookshop.org/p/books/oath...
also INTERESTINGLY, new book comes out Tuesday but i learned that HaperCollins told booksellers that if people wanted them early, they could sell the stock they have in the back. you know what to do
bookshop.org/p/books/oath...
Reposted by Ron Fricker
I’m furious that businesses impacted by Helene are STILL waiting for their small business disaster assistance loans to come through.
We MUST act to refill the fund and help out Southwest Virginians hurt by this terrible tragedy.
We MUST act to refill the fund and help out Southwest Virginians hurt by this terrible tragedy.
December 6, 2024 at 9:04 PM
I’m furious that businesses impacted by Helene are STILL waiting for their small business disaster assistance loans to come through.
We MUST act to refill the fund and help out Southwest Virginians hurt by this terrible tragedy.
We MUST act to refill the fund and help out Southwest Virginians hurt by this terrible tragedy.
Reposted by Ron Fricker
If @linseymarr.bsky.social says we should take notice, we should take notice …
I hope I'm wrong, but in a meeting earlier today I remarked to Seema Lakdawala, who's quoted in the article, and Anice Lowen that H5N1 feels like a slow-moving train wreck.
This batch testing of milk for H5N1 is deeply needed - deeply overdue - and also unlikely to be sufficient.
It’s kind of like watching a train wreck in slow motion. 🛟🧪🩺
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/06/h...
It’s kind of like watching a train wreck in slow motion. 🛟🧪🩺
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/06/h...
December 6, 2024 at 9:07 PM
If @linseymarr.bsky.social says we should take notice, we should take notice …
Reposted by Ron Fricker
The best part about having an academic job is that I have a lot of control over my time.
The worst part about having an academic job is that I (specifically) have a lot of control over my time.
The worst part about having an academic job is that I (specifically) have a lot of control over my time.
December 6, 2024 at 9:57 PM
The best part about having an academic job is that I have a lot of control over my time.
The worst part about having an academic job is that I (specifically) have a lot of control over my time.
The worst part about having an academic job is that I (specifically) have a lot of control over my time.
Reposted by Ron Fricker
I discovered this Frank Lloyd Wright sculpture in a garden on Virginia Tech's campus. So lovely.
November 23, 2024 at 1:56 AM
I discovered this Frank Lloyd Wright sculpture in a garden on Virginia Tech's campus. So lovely.