chasingmicrobes
@chasingmicrobes.bsky.social
All posting done on personal time, using personal device, and only reflect my personal opinions.
AI/ML is notoriously bad at edge cases, which makes sense. And "edge" cases aren't necessarily a small number of people.
Cases like this will increase if evaluation by FDA, etc is compromised.
Cases like this will increase if evaluation by FDA, etc is compromised.
Here is the deal from someone who dissected dozens of different humans during the course of medical school teaching.
What is “normal” anatomy exists within a spectrum, but there is huge variation across that spectrum.
What is the training set for the anatomy that is being used in surgeries?
What is “normal” anatomy exists within a spectrum, but there is huge variation across that spectrum.
What is the training set for the anatomy that is being used in surgeries?
When AI was added to a tool for sinus surgery: “Cerebrospinal fluid leaked from one patient’s nose. In another… a surgeon mistakenly punctured the base of a patient’s skull. In two other cases, patients suffered strokes after a major artery was accidentally injured”
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
February 10, 2026 at 11:52 AM
AI/ML is notoriously bad at edge cases, which makes sense. And "edge" cases aren't necessarily a small number of people.
Cases like this will increase if evaluation by FDA, etc is compromised.
Cases like this will increase if evaluation by FDA, etc is compromised.
The dumbest, most childish people in the room have been put in charge and close to half the country is just like "oh, lighten up, you worry too much"
February 10, 2026 at 11:41 AM
The dumbest, most childish people in the room have been put in charge and close to half the country is just like "oh, lighten up, you worry too much"
Absurd governance
Editorial: Cook County’s inspector general must give taxpayers the straight story on Tyler Technologies fiasco
Enough with the finger pointing and lack of true accountability on Cook County’s off-the-rails technology overhaul.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Absurd governance
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
It speaks of an insularity, a closed system in which the actors are only talking to themselves. 5/
February 9, 2026 at 11:47 PM
It speaks of an insularity, a closed system in which the actors are only talking to themselves. 5/
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
But even more terrifying is that most of the party is like this as is the pundit class they listen to. Weirdly disconnected from the seriousness of the moment; unable to imagine any other way of leading than what they’ve done for decades. 4/
February 9, 2026 at 11:45 PM
But even more terrifying is that most of the party is like this as is the pundit class they listen to. Weirdly disconnected from the seriousness of the moment; unable to imagine any other way of leading than what they’ve done for decades. 4/
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
The lawless killing spree at sea continues.
As usual, the "designated terrorist organization" supposedly operating the vessel is unidentified.
And based on recent history, the likelihood that the USG successfully rescues the survivor seems low.
Real killing in a make believe armed conflict.
As usual, the "designated terrorist organization" supposedly operating the vessel is unidentified.
And based on recent history, the likelihood that the USG successfully rescues the survivor seems low.
Real killing in a make believe armed conflict.
February 10, 2026 at 1:07 AM
The lawless killing spree at sea continues.
As usual, the "designated terrorist organization" supposedly operating the vessel is unidentified.
And based on recent history, the likelihood that the USG successfully rescues the survivor seems low.
Real killing in a make believe armed conflict.
As usual, the "designated terrorist organization" supposedly operating the vessel is unidentified.
And based on recent history, the likelihood that the USG successfully rescues the survivor seems low.
Real killing in a make believe armed conflict.
"World’s largest pencil maker accuses Costa Rica of misusing old factory as detention center"
Headline should make clear these were/are US deportees
Headline should make clear these were/are US deportees
World’s largest pencil maker accuses Costa Rica of misusing old factory as detention center
Faber-Castell says it was unaware its facility was being used to detain asylum seekers deported by the Trump administration
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:36 AM
"World’s largest pencil maker accuses Costa Rica of misusing old factory as detention center"
Headline should make clear these were/are US deportees
Headline should make clear these were/are US deportees
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
We are eventually going to win — tonight was a grand reminder of that — but Trump and his goons are pulling out all the stops along the way.
Tonight was wonderful, but don’t miss this —>
On Friday night, two Fifth Circuit judges gave Trump exactly what he wants to enact mass detentions. Judges Edith Jones and Kyle Duncan split with more than 150 judges who have ruled against the Trump admin's new, harsh interpretation of a 1996 law.
On Friday night, two Fifth Circuit judges gave Trump exactly what he wants to enact mass detentions. Judges Edith Jones and Kyle Duncan split with more than 150 judges who have ruled against the Trump admin's new, harsh interpretation of a 1996 law.
Two judges on the Fifth Circuit gave Trump exactly what he wants to enact mass detentions
On Friday night, Judges Edith Jones and Kyle Duncan split with more than 150 judges who have ruled against the Trump admin's unilateral, harsh interpretation of a 1996 law.
www.lawdork.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:21 AM
We are eventually going to win — tonight was a grand reminder of that — but Trump and his goons are pulling out all the stops along the way.
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
Like Kendrick, political as hell precisely because it doesn't bother to acknowledge the haters. They're irrelevant, beneath attention. And nothing is more intolerable to fascists than the thought that their enemies are cool, enjoying themselves, and not thinking about them.
February 9, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Like Kendrick, political as hell precisely because it doesn't bother to acknowledge the haters. They're irrelevant, beneath attention. And nothing is more intolerable to fascists than the thought that their enemies are cool, enjoying themselves, and not thinking about them.
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
My armchair post-game assessment of the Super Bowl halftime show is that Culture is winning the Culture War.
February 9, 2026 at 11:17 AM
My armchair post-game assessment of the Super Bowl halftime show is that Culture is winning the Culture War.
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
Opposition to President Trump’s policies abroad and at home has followed the U.S. Olympic team to Italy, forcing athletes, coaches and American fans to respond to — or sidestep — the backlash. trib.al/sKjBCfN
February 8, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Opposition to President Trump’s policies abroad and at home has followed the U.S. Olympic team to Italy, forcing athletes, coaches and American fans to respond to — or sidestep — the backlash. trib.al/sKjBCfN
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
Not at all surprised to learn that Bad Bunny has a historical adviser. His halftime show was a reminder that our history and culture are deeply intertwined with the rest of the western hemisphere. We should think of his performance as part of #America250. #SuperBowl
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
Pop star Bad Bunny needed a Puerto Rican history scholar. UW–Madison had just the one.
Bad Bunny collaborated with UW–Madison history professor Jorell Meléndez-Badillo on Puerto Rican narratives that accompany the new album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.”
news.wisc.edu
February 9, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Not at all surprised to learn that Bad Bunny has a historical adviser. His halftime show was a reminder that our history and culture are deeply intertwined with the rest of the western hemisphere. We should think of his performance as part of #America250. #SuperBowl
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
Wife (texting): Get ice cream too!
Me (thinking): But I have a good 20 minute walk, it will melt
Me (thinking twice): Oh, yeah, it's 20F, it'll be fine
Me (thinking): But I have a good 20 minute walk, it will melt
Me (thinking twice): Oh, yeah, it's 20F, it'll be fine
The one good thing about Chicago winter: zero worries about buying groceries then leaving them in the trunk of the car for like hours while running other errands, since it's well into food-safe temperatures in there anyway
February 8, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Wife (texting): Get ice cream too!
Me (thinking): But I have a good 20 minute walk, it will melt
Me (thinking twice): Oh, yeah, it's 20F, it'll be fine
Me (thinking): But I have a good 20 minute walk, it will melt
Me (thinking twice): Oh, yeah, it's 20F, it'll be fine
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
Credit to congress and research lobbyists for rebuffing the administration, but real researchers and real patients were so negatively impacted in 2025! I would be truly dismayed if any in the scientific community forget or sideline these failures because funding for basic biology research isn't cut.
February 8, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Credit to congress and research lobbyists for rebuffing the administration, but real researchers and real patients were so negatively impacted in 2025! I would be truly dismayed if any in the scientific community forget or sideline these failures because funding for basic biology research isn't cut.
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
What *about* that 5-year-old US citizen? Finish the sentence, Congressman. What does that hypothetical child have to do with Liam Ramos? Spell it out. Don’t just say “but what about our kids” and stop there. Explain your logic.
Gonzales on Liam Ramos and his family: "They're not gonna qualify for asylum. So what do you do with all the people that go through the process and do not qualify for asylum? You deport them. I understand that 5-year-old and it breaks my heart. I also think, what about that 5-year-old US citizen?"
February 8, 2026 at 4:30 PM
What *about* that 5-year-old US citizen? Finish the sentence, Congressman. What does that hypothetical child have to do with Liam Ramos? Spell it out. Don’t just say “but what about our kids” and stop there. Explain your logic.
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
Wow, NBC edited out the audience booing JD Vance at the Olympics. And this is one of the few remaining news outlets NOT owned by right-wing billionaire Trump sycophants
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
NBC appears to cut crowd’s booing of JD Vance from Winter Olympics broadcast
The US vice-president, JD Vance, was greeted by a chorus of boos during when he appeared at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan on Friday
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Wow, NBC edited out the audience booing JD Vance at the Olympics. And this is one of the few remaining news outlets NOT owned by right-wing billionaire Trump sycophants
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
It’s insane that the Trump admin wants to double the already massive US military budget in just 2 years when we are not at war. Trump’s DOD budgets are a cesspool of corruption and grift for the military industrial complex, scammers and grifters, including Donald Trump, Jr.
February 8, 2026 at 2:52 PM
It’s insane that the Trump admin wants to double the already massive US military budget in just 2 years when we are not at war. Trump’s DOD budgets are a cesspool of corruption and grift for the military industrial complex, scammers and grifters, including Donald Trump, Jr.
Spent 12 hours drying extracts. Was constantly moving, constantly tending. Let the robots have this bit...
a child is laying on the floor in front of a carousel .
ALT: a child is laying on the floor in front of a carousel .
media.tenor.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Spent 12 hours drying extracts. Was constantly moving, constantly tending. Let the robots have this bit...
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
By the way, for those of you not in MN: Homan’s strategy was to withdraw some agents, so it felt like we were in the denouement of the crisis, and then escalate hard against observers. They’re being incredibly aggressive with observers now. National media may not want to check out just yet
February 7, 2026 at 3:38 AM
By the way, for those of you not in MN: Homan’s strategy was to withdraw some agents, so it felt like we were in the denouement of the crisis, and then escalate hard against observers. They’re being incredibly aggressive with observers now. National media may not want to check out just yet
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
So you’re telling me the AI boom is driving up the cost of smartphones and new construction, and it’s stifling other innovation? AI can be very useful, but we need to be sensible. wapo.st/4qqatnA
The AI boom is so huge it’s causing shortages everywhere else
The hundreds of billions of dollars being spent by tech companies on AI projects are diverting resources from other parts of the economy.
wapo.st
February 7, 2026 at 10:32 AM
So you’re telling me the AI boom is driving up the cost of smartphones and new construction, and it’s stifling other innovation? AI can be very useful, but we need to be sensible. wapo.st/4qqatnA
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
Things have not improved. The government won't comply with court orders. Agents are behaving more aggressively. Schools are offering remote learning into April. The tapering of national media coverage has emboldened DHS.
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
February 7, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Things have not improved. The government won't comply with court orders. Agents are behaving more aggressively. Schools are offering remote learning into April. The tapering of national media coverage has emboldened DHS.
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
BREAKING: The Nebraska Legislature has approved a bill lowering Nebraska’s minimum wage from $15 an hour to $13.50 for young workers, and slowing down minimum wage increases for others.
February 7, 2026 at 3:14 AM
BREAKING: The Nebraska Legislature has approved a bill lowering Nebraska’s minimum wage from $15 an hour to $13.50 for young workers, and slowing down minimum wage increases for others.
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
It is a low bar, but a future administration should strive for better in a White House counsel.
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
When the FBI Arrested Epstein, He Called Kathryn Ruemmler
Documents show Ruemmler, now Goldman’s top lawyer, consulted Jeffrey Epstein on a relationship and potential new jobs while delivering legal and media advice.
www.wsj.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:48 AM
It is a low bar, but a future administration should strive for better in a White House counsel.
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
This decision puts even more pressure on plaintiffs and district courts outside the 5th Circuit. Unless the habeas is filed before a person is transferred to the 5th Circuit, a person may remain locked in appalling conditions, never even allowed to ask for bond.
February 7, 2026 at 3:33 AM
This decision puts even more pressure on plaintiffs and district courts outside the 5th Circuit. Unless the habeas is filed before a person is transferred to the 5th Circuit, a person may remain locked in appalling conditions, never even allowed to ask for bond.
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi are already black holes for detention. Now obtaining release will be more difficult than ever. As more and more people are locked up, ICE will increase the pressure on those who are detained to give up.
The goal is an assembly line of coercion with no day in court.
The goal is an assembly line of coercion with no day in court.
February 7, 2026 at 3:29 AM
Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi are already black holes for detention. Now obtaining release will be more difficult than ever. As more and more people are locked up, ICE will increase the pressure on those who are detained to give up.
The goal is an assembly line of coercion with no day in court.
The goal is an assembly line of coercion with no day in court.