Thomas Elliott
@talexe.bsky.social
Brain droppings from an ST7 Psychiatrist in East London, working in an inner London liaison service. I mostly end up talking about the news.
Pinned
Thomas Elliott
@talexe.bsky.social
· Nov 19
Hippocampal neurogenesis in adult primates: a systematic review
Molecular Psychiatry - Hippocampal neurogenesis in adult primates: a systematic review
rdcu.be
Hi PsychSky! 👋
What better way to kick off than to tell you all about my first first-author paper, just published in Molecular Psychiatry.
Read the full text: rdcu.be/d0BMX
Here, we set out to resolve a surprisingly fundamental debate: do our brains continue to make new neurons throughout life? 🧵
What better way to kick off than to tell you all about my first first-author paper, just published in Molecular Psychiatry.
Read the full text: rdcu.be/d0BMX
Here, we set out to resolve a surprisingly fundamental debate: do our brains continue to make new neurons throughout life? 🧵
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
Beebgate demonstrates two truths:
1 Right wing media hold everyone else to exacting standards of ethics and probity while holding themselves to none whatsoever.
2. You can’t curry favour with the right wing if you’re an entity they want to destroy.
1 Right wing media hold everyone else to exacting standards of ethics and probity while holding themselves to none whatsoever.
2. You can’t curry favour with the right wing if you’re an entity they want to destroy.
November 10, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Beebgate demonstrates two truths:
1 Right wing media hold everyone else to exacting standards of ethics and probity while holding themselves to none whatsoever.
2. You can’t curry favour with the right wing if you’re an entity they want to destroy.
1 Right wing media hold everyone else to exacting standards of ethics and probity while holding themselves to none whatsoever.
2. You can’t curry favour with the right wing if you’re an entity they want to destroy.
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
This looks rather meaningful.
November 10, 2025 at 9:40 AM
This looks rather meaningful.
A gripping an informative read about the Bayesian tragedy. apple.news/AR34nk51RRVy...
The Superyacht, the Billionaire, and a Wildly Improbable Disaster at Sea — WIRED
The last night of tech mogul Mike Lynch’s life has become fodder for conspiracy theories. For the first time, the whole story can be told.
apple.news
September 14, 2025 at 9:42 AM
A gripping an informative read about the Bayesian tragedy. apple.news/AR34nk51RRVy...
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
The owner of and absolute unquestionable algorithm controller of a preferred communications channel of the UK Government calling for violence and the overthrow of the Government. www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Elon Musk addresses the ‘unite the kingdom’ march crowd via video link – UK politics live
Met Police believe 110,000 people attending rally, with one group in Whitehall throwing projectiles at officers
www.theguardian.com
September 13, 2025 at 4:39 PM
The owner of and absolute unquestionable algorithm controller of a preferred communications channel of the UK Government calling for violence and the overthrow of the Government. www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
Marx and sparks
He's been radicalised in *checks notes* an electrical college
I do not understand why people don't point and laugh at these idiots
I do not understand why people don't point and laugh at these idiots
September 12, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Marx and sparks
Would love for FKA Twigs to win this year’s Mercury, having been blown away by her All Points East performance. Would be happy with CMAT too!
September 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Would love for FKA Twigs to win this year’s Mercury, having been blown away by her All Points East performance. Would be happy with CMAT too!
@jim.londoncentric.media seems like today is the real start of “commuter chaos” - much worse than yesterday for me. I wonder why that is - was Monday an inset day for some kids? WFH?
September 9, 2025 at 7:52 AM
@jim.londoncentric.media seems like today is the real start of “commuter chaos” - much worse than yesterday for me. I wonder why that is - was Monday an inset day for some kids? WFH?
What am I to make of LLMs as a Psychiatrist?
On one hand, they might make some of my admin tasks a bit easier. On the other, they amplify delusions and have been linked to psychotic murder-suicide.
On one hand, they might make some of my admin tasks a bit easier. On the other, they amplify delusions and have been linked to psychotic murder-suicide.
August 30, 2025 at 10:02 AM
What am I to make of LLMs as a Psychiatrist?
On one hand, they might make some of my admin tasks a bit easier. On the other, they amplify delusions and have been linked to psychotic murder-suicide.
On one hand, they might make some of my admin tasks a bit easier. On the other, they amplify delusions and have been linked to psychotic murder-suicide.
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
It turns out AI sycophancy is a major problem when the person’s ideas that ChatGPT is encouraging are suicide or in this case a murder-suicide.
There will need to be major changes in safety protocols across the industry and I’m curious how Open Source LLMs will address this problem.
There will need to be major changes in safety protocols across the industry and I’m curious how Open Source LLMs will address this problem.
A Troubled Man, His Chatbot and a Murder-Suicide in Old Greenwich
“Erik, you’re not crazy.” ChatGPT fueled a 56-year-old tech industry veteran’s paranoia, encouraging his suspicions that his mother was plotting against him.
www.wsj.com
August 29, 2025 at 12:52 PM
It turns out AI sycophancy is a major problem when the person’s ideas that ChatGPT is encouraging are suicide or in this case a murder-suicide.
There will need to be major changes in safety protocols across the industry and I’m curious how Open Source LLMs will address this problem.
There will need to be major changes in safety protocols across the industry and I’m curious how Open Source LLMs will address this problem.
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
I've just spent a week and several million pounds at the Edinburgh Festival. Here are a few types of comedians I think, with every respect, we have enough of now.
August 15, 2025 at 11:06 AM
I've just spent a week and several million pounds at the Edinburgh Festival. Here are a few types of comedians I think, with every respect, we have enough of now.
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
"While the number of independent schools still rose slightly over the same period, from 2,421 in January last year to 2,456 in January this year, the increase would likely have been higher were it not for the introduction of VAT on school fees ..."
The headline here should say:
"Number of private schools increases by 35 - showing fears of an exodus to be unfounded".
(The increase is mentioned way down the article.)
www.thetimes.com/article/19ef...
"Number of private schools increases by 35 - showing fears of an exodus to be unfounded".
(The increase is mentioned way down the article.)
www.thetimes.com/article/19ef...
More than fifty private schools shut since Labour put VAT on fees
Department for Education defends ending tax breaks for independent institutions, after parents lost a legal battle at the High Court this year — view map
www.thetimes.com
August 4, 2025 at 8:21 AM
"While the number of independent schools still rose slightly over the same period, from 2,421 in January last year to 2,456 in January this year, the increase would likely have been higher were it not for the introduction of VAT on school fees ..."
"According to the government, almost half of the working-age population — about 18mn people — are not saving anything for their retirement. Only one in five of the self-employed are saving into a pension, down from half in the late 1990s."
"Yikes" doesn't cover it!
"Yikes" doesn't cover it!
UK launches review into state pension age
Move announced as government also appoints commission to look at boosting retirement savings
www.ft.com
July 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
"According to the government, almost half of the working-age population — about 18mn people — are not saving anything for their retirement. Only one in five of the self-employed are saving into a pension, down from half in the late 1990s."
"Yikes" doesn't cover it!
"Yikes" doesn't cover it!
"We have to entertain the notion that Trump is a moderating influence on a movement that will become much more doctrinal once he is gone. He approaches the world through personal relations, which are malleable, not ideas, which aren’t. on.ft.com/46eU139
Trump and Maga are no longer the same thing
A summer of splits shows what post-Trump conservatism will look like
on.ft.com
July 16, 2025 at 5:21 PM
"We have to entertain the notion that Trump is a moderating influence on a movement that will become much more doctrinal once he is gone. He approaches the world through personal relations, which are malleable, not ideas, which aren’t. on.ft.com/46eU139
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
Penniless and homeless, Raynor and Moth Winn found fame with their story of their 630-mile walk to salvation. The Salt Path became a global bestseller and was adapted into a major film.
But we can reveal it wasn’t the whole truth.
@chloehadj.bsky.social
Read more:
But we can reveal it wasn’t the whole truth.
@chloehadj.bsky.social
Read more:
The real Salt Path: how the couple behind a bestseller le...
Penniless and homeless, the Winns found fame and fortune with the story of their 630-mile walk to salvation. We can reveal it was far from the truth
observer.co.uk
July 6, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Penniless and homeless, Raynor and Moth Winn found fame with their story of their 630-mile walk to salvation. The Salt Path became a global bestseller and was adapted into a major film.
But we can reveal it wasn’t the whole truth.
@chloehadj.bsky.social
Read more:
But we can reveal it wasn’t the whole truth.
@chloehadj.bsky.social
Read more:
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
This is, for me, where the Nazi/fascist parallels work best. ‘Good’ people did nothing as the awfulness escalated because they were justifiably terrified of getting their heads kicked in or killed. It’s about comparing similar points in the process as opposed to comparing end days with early ones.
You can't understand the behaviour of US elites - Democrats being too timid, Republicans debasing themselves, bureaucrats who behave like pushovers - without reference to the constant threat of political violence that has come with MAGA. Every day is January 6. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06...
June 15, 2025 at 8:14 AM
This is, for me, where the Nazi/fascist parallels work best. ‘Good’ people did nothing as the awfulness escalated because they were justifiably terrified of getting their heads kicked in or killed. It’s about comparing similar points in the process as opposed to comparing end days with early ones.
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
Every so often I remember that interest rates were below 1% for 12 years.
I realise this is not "news". Nor is it news that, during that decade-plus, we failed to use the potential of dirt-cheap borrowing to invest in infrastructure projects that we belatedly realised we desperately needed.
Hmph.
I realise this is not "news". Nor is it news that, during that decade-plus, we failed to use the potential of dirt-cheap borrowing to invest in infrastructure projects that we belatedly realised we desperately needed.
Hmph.
June 10, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Every so often I remember that interest rates were below 1% for 12 years.
I realise this is not "news". Nor is it news that, during that decade-plus, we failed to use the potential of dirt-cheap borrowing to invest in infrastructure projects that we belatedly realised we desperately needed.
Hmph.
I realise this is not "news". Nor is it news that, during that decade-plus, we failed to use the potential of dirt-cheap borrowing to invest in infrastructure projects that we belatedly realised we desperately needed.
Hmph.
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
Impressively this may well end up costing more than the original policy due to increase take up of the pension credit after the original announcement (H/T @stevewebb1.bsky.social)
BREAKING
Rachel Reeves annouces full details of restoration of winter fuel allowance to all pensioners with an income less than £35k.
Those on higher incomes will have it clawed back through tax system.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Rachel Reeves annouces full details of restoration of winter fuel allowance to all pensioners with an income less than £35k.
Those on higher incomes will have it clawed back through tax system.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
June 9, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Impressively this may well end up costing more than the original policy due to increase take up of the pension credit after the original announcement (H/T @stevewebb1.bsky.social)
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
Jeremy Bowen spells out the problem for Israel trying to deny war crimes: its own ministers have admitted to them www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
June 8, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Jeremy Bowen spells out the problem for Israel trying to deny war crimes: its own ministers have admitted to them www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What a damning indictment of the legacy of austerity, from this IFS video: all public services, except schools, were performing worse on the eve of the pandemic than they were in 2010. www.youtube.com/live/SCqRbpg...
A look ahead to the 2025 Spending Review
YouTube video by Institute for Fiscal Studies
www.youtube.com
June 3, 2025 at 2:21 PM
What a damning indictment of the legacy of austerity, from this IFS video: all public services, except schools, were performing worse on the eve of the pandemic than they were in 2010. www.youtube.com/live/SCqRbpg...
"It’s a chaotic bunfight. There’s no strategy or plan. It’s seemingly random what is getting funded."
Not a hugely reassuring vignette of the inner workings of Government... on.ft.com/43HhQ1H
Not a hugely reassuring vignette of the inner workings of Government... on.ft.com/43HhQ1H
Rayner vs the UK Treasury: the ‘chaotic bunfight’ to secure cash for vital services
Deputy PM’s push comes as multiple Whitehall departments jostle for funding ahead of Spending Review
on.ft.com
May 23, 2025 at 5:06 PM
"It’s a chaotic bunfight. There’s no strategy or plan. It’s seemingly random what is getting funded."
Not a hugely reassuring vignette of the inner workings of Government... on.ft.com/43HhQ1H
Not a hugely reassuring vignette of the inner workings of Government... on.ft.com/43HhQ1H
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
The promise of democracy for those who built it wasn't that it would make them richer.
It was that it would make power answerable to the people.
It would protect voters against tyranny, recognise the equality of all citizens, uphold human dignity and amplify the voices of ordinary people.
It was that it would make power answerable to the people.
It would protect voters against tyranny, recognise the equality of all citizens, uphold human dignity and amplify the voices of ordinary people.
May 18, 2025 at 9:47 PM
The promise of democracy for those who built it wasn't that it would make them richer.
It was that it would make power answerable to the people.
It would protect voters against tyranny, recognise the equality of all citizens, uphold human dignity and amplify the voices of ordinary people.
It was that it would make power answerable to the people.
It would protect voters against tyranny, recognise the equality of all citizens, uphold human dignity and amplify the voices of ordinary people.
Call me naïve but I think that Labour should do what they sincerely think is best for the country and after 5 years the public can tell them whether that was good enough 🤷♂️
May 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Call me naïve but I think that Labour should do what they sincerely think is best for the country and after 5 years the public can tell them whether that was good enough 🤷♂️
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
🚨🚨 Excellent piece by @chrisgiles.ft.com making a very substantial case for #brexit's failure on its own terms (it's the economy stupid!) and why this experience should be sufficient reason in itself for not following down the same path. /1
Welcome to Brexitland, US, in which waywardness is described as "strategic uncertainty", restrictions on trade boost performance and self harm is lauded....
Spoiler, it does not end happily
www.ft.com/content/342d...
Spoiler, it does not end happily
www.ft.com/content/342d...
May 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM
🚨🚨 Excellent piece by @chrisgiles.ft.com making a very substantial case for #brexit's failure on its own terms (it's the economy stupid!) and why this experience should be sufficient reason in itself for not following down the same path. /1
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
God this is endlessly sad. If you don't understand that a core aspect of friendship is someone who can choose not to be your friend, you are missing something very important in your life.
Mark Zuckerberg says Meta's chatbots will supplement your real friends: "The average American has fewer than 3 friends ... but has demand for ... 15 friends" (h/t x.com/romanhelmetg...)
May 1, 2025 at 2:49 PM
God this is endlessly sad. If you don't understand that a core aspect of friendship is someone who can choose not to be your friend, you are missing something very important in your life.
Reposted by Thomas Elliott
