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Reposted by The Girl Who Was Death

Angus Main @angusmain.bsky.social · 6h

As it’s Ada Lovelace day, I’m reposting this about her correctly predicting AI techbro hype

Angus Main @angusmain.bsky.social · May 12

A lesson from history about AI:

Ada Lovelace nailed the limitations and hype of generative AI when she wrote about the 1st computer - The Analytical Engine - 180 yrs ago

“It is desirable to guard against the possibility of exaggerated ideas…[It] has no pretensions whatever to *originate* anything”

It is desirable to guard against the possibility of exaggerated ideas that might arise as to the powers of the Analytical Engine. In considering any new subject, there is frequently a tendency, first, to overrate what we find to be already interesting or remarkable; and, se-condly, by a sort of natural reaction, to undervalue the true state of the case, when we do discover that our notions have surpassed those that were really tenable.
The Analytical Engine has no pretensions whatever to originate any thing. It can do whatever we know how to order it to perform. It can follow analysis; but it has no power of anticipating any analytical relations or truths. Its province is to assist us in making available what we are already acquainted with. This it is calculated to effect primarily and chiefly of course, through its executive faculties; but it is likely to exert an indirect and reciprocal infiuence on science itself in another manner.

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Kate Bevan @katebevan.com · 3h

As an aside, the Rijksmuseum has a brilliant online catalogue with absolutely loads of images in hi-res and public domain, so you can use them in publications for free. I use them a bit when I'm putting together a little local charity magazine. Absolute godsend.

John McCafferty @jdmccafferty.bsky.social · 4h

An owl (Rijksmuseum), c. 1650 - c. 1675

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Tom Nichols @radiofreetom.bsky.social · 17h

The Atlantic’s journalists will not sign the Pentagon’s press policy. Statement here from editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg:

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Steve Williams @skillagesteve.bsky.social · 17h

Still feels exciting to have written the iPlayer billings for things like this, the equivalent I suppose of writing the Radio Times billing or the TV trailer in the old days

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Steve Williams @skillagesteve.bsky.social · 17h

This is one to file alongside Danger Mouse getting 21 million viewers in 1983, as debunked by @dirtyfeed.org

Pip @pipmadeley.bsky.social · 19h

“Abigail’s Party, a single play written by Mike Leigh, was watched on BBC2 by 18 million people [in 1977] and we all talked about it the following day. Well, those days are over" - Jimmy Mulville

'Those days' being almost HALF A CENTURY AGO. And it was BBC1. And 16 million watched by most accounts.

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 1d

Last month, something unusual happened in TV - none of the main channels got a million viewers at 9pm. The bigger problem was it happened a 2nd & 3rd time soon after.

Another unwelcome landmark for linear TV & our shrinking shared TV experience.

Does it matter?

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...

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The Girl Who Was Death @bohaynowell.bsky.social · 18h

Fair enough. I do think 2005 me was hotter, but 2025 me is happier and smarter.

A smiling young white woman with tied-back red hair and a lanyard is pictured against a white background.

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archivetvmusings @archivetvmusings.bsky.social · 19h

The Basil Brush Show (13th October 1979). Peter Gilmore joins Basil for a song.

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Area Man @areamancm.bsky.social · 19h

“AI is an abomination and a crime against art produced by human beings, the pinnacle of human endeavour. Apart from the art you like which is despicable and makes me want to break things”

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Area Man @areamancm.bsky.social · 19h

Barely a day passes on here where a book, film or song I love is not described as the worst thing in history which, by all rights, should be destroyed

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Al Kitching @itsalkitching.bsky.social · 21h

Reminds me of a story a mate told, where the guy in front of him at the till needed to write a cheque. He asked the date and when the cashier said 20th April, he declared with some delight, “Oh! Hitler’s birthday.”

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Twlldun @twlldun.bsky.social · 21h

I don’t think I am on any kind of spectrum and I am way too old to think it any use in finding out, but one of my greatest personal challenges is not reacting to the price at a supermarket till by telling the cashier what happened on a marching historical date - “Seven Thirty Two? Battle of Tours”

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archivetvmusings @archivetvmusings.bsky.social · 21h

The first edition of Alexei Sayle's Stuff was originally broadcast on this day in 1988.

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Gabriel Milland @gabrielmilland.bsky.social · 1d

Nothing, but nothing, shouts "lazy PR takes advantage of lazy journalist" like demanding something be taught in schools.

Bonus lazy-points to this example for ignoring the fact that it's already in the KS1 national curriculum.

The Times & Sunday Times @thetimes.com · 1d

Kaleb Cooper, the breakout star of Clarkson’s Farm, has called for farming to be taught in schools so that children understand where their food comes from ⬇️

Teach farming in schools, says Kaleb Cooper — it saved me

The star of the TV series Clarkson’s Farm tells the Cheltenham Literature Festival that ‘everyone should know how to grow potatoes and other vegetables’

www.thetimes.com

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James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 1d

As a side point: if you do know anyone whose getting involved with 'The Yes Tribe' pull them out immediately

Particularly seem to pray on young, slightly lost women who have just moved to London

James Austin @jamesdaustin.bsky.social · 1d

The wellness path is really unexplored.

People i know used to be in something called the Yes Tribe (which I basically consider a cult around fitness/adventure) and quite a few of them have gone mental

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Fagatha Ghostie @joelnb.bsky.social · 1d

Don't make me tap the Robert Pattinson quote, Leto.

“I always say about people who do method acting, you only ever see people do the method when they’re playing an assholes,” Pattinson said in an interiew with Variety in November. “You never see someone being lovely to everyone while they’re really deep in character.”

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John J. Hoare @dirtyfeed.org · 2d

If you're bored this Sunday, you might like some of my recent Fawlty Towers writing.

The cut ending to Gourmet Night: www.dirtyfeed.org/2025/09/luck...

Fawlty Towers parodies over the years: www.dirtyfeed.org/2025/09/herr...

Behind-the-scenes of Basil the Rat: www.dirtyfeed.org/2025/10/tc8-...

Polly with a pencil in her hand, taken from The Builders

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Rob Chapman @scribblerrob.bsky.social · 2d

Who would have thought that Ron Mael not only has immaculate taste but immaculate reasoning too. This is a beaut of a read from start to finish.

The Quietus @thequietus.com · 2d

"The Who were charming to me when they were writing more situational songs. They didn’t necessarily concern world shattering issues, but instead really beautiful, miniature statements. [and] I love the artwork with the Heinz Baked Beans."

#RonMael of #Sparks on #TheWho Sell Out

buff.ly/PYTYHwd

The Who Sell Out album cover. Pete Townshend has a giant deodorant under his arm and Roger Daltrey is sat in a tub filled with baked beans whilst holding a Heinz can. He also has baked beans on his face, clearly indicating that he has been eating them.

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Michael Stipe @michaelstipe.bsky.social · 2d

and I feel fine

jamma10.bsky.social @jamma10.bsky.social · 3d

Toilet, Bristol UK circa 2015

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Count Mysterioso @mysteriosox.bsky.social · 2d

Unsolicited Rik pic

a man in a suit stands in front of a window with quirkymerky written on the bottom

ALT: a man in a suit stands in front of a window with quirkymerky written on the bottom

media.tenor.com

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John Rain🥇 @johnrain.co.uk · 2d

The moment that always springs to mind is this from Godfather 2. The heartbreak and total fear she shows without saying a word. Just perfect. What a loss.

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Justin LaLiberty @jlalibs.com · 2d

What an absolute treasure Diane Keaton was. Her wit never tired, nor did her style.

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Jason Sinclair @jsinclair.bsky.social · 2d

if you think The One Show is batshit, then consider In Town Tonight from 1955, where the guests were the leader of a Trinidadian steel band followed by an SS officer who was Hitler's personal valet. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

In Town Tonight - 29/10/1955

First transmitted in 1955, this is all that's left of this edition. It includes an interview with former SS officer Heinz Linge who was Hitler's personal attendant.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Gabby HC, but a ghost, hiding in a corner @scriblit.bsky.social · 2d

This is just to say

I have eaten
3kg
Of cola bottles

Which was
Medically
Ill advised
And bunged me up
Completely
With gelatin

Forgive me
I had a hankering
And also
Ate a carvery

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The Girl Who Was Death @bohaynowell.bsky.social · 2d

To paraphrase our dear King; “Whatever safe means”.

Jason Sinclair @jsinclair.bsky.social · 2d

I can count about seven separate red flags in this one letter of recommendation (from Peter Mandelson about Jeffrey Epstein) www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

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