Frank Podmore
@frankpodmore.bsky.social
Award-winning poet published in @pwritersu.com, @stanzacannon.bsky.social, @apparitionlit.com and others; occasional opinions for @roadcc.bsky.social, @labourlist.bsky.social and Sublation Magazine
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Frank Podmore
@frankpodmore.bsky.social
· Oct 20
In Defence of Empathy
Both the MAGA-techbro and identity-political views of empathy share the idea that it can be (or is) in some way fenced off. Both share the view that humans are in some way isolated within siloes, with...
www.sublationmag.com
I wrote a piece for Sublation Magazine on why MAGA-types don't want to have empathy and why they do have it regardless:
www.sublationmag.com/post/in-defe...
www.sublationmag.com/post/in-defe...
Reposted by Frank Podmore
SimCity sequel team wanted to do more realistic city layouts but couldn't because everything would basically just proportionally be parking lots
from www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
from www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
![Geoff Manaugh: While you were making those measurements of different real-world cities, did you discover any surprising patterns or spatial relationships?
Libbrande: Yes, definitely. I think the biggest one was the parking lots. When I started measuring out our local grocery store, which I don't think of as being that big, I was blown away by how much more space was parking lot rather than actual store. That was kind of a problem, because we were originally just going to model real cities, but we quickly realized there were way too many parking lots in the real world and that our game was going to be really boring if it was proportional in terms of parking lots.
Manaugh: You would be making SimParkingLot, rather than SimCity.
Libbrande: [laughs] Exactly. So what we do in the game is that we just imagine they are underground. We do have parking lots in the game, and we do try to scale them -- so, if you have a little grocery store, we'll put six or seven parking spots on the side, and, if you have a big convention center or a big pro stadium, they'll have what seem like really big lots -- but they're nowhere near what a real grocery store or pro stadium would have. We had to do the best we could do and still make the game look attractive.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wnovqylk7dhhl4otvtjp5mch/bafkreic3riickqdotxzqggpb5qqsisx3odhml3bemxtah3ndwunsr3nlpi@jpeg)
April 21, 2025 at 4:34 PM
SimCity sequel team wanted to do more realistic city layouts but couldn't because everything would basically just proportionally be parking lots
from www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
from www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
Lol, I'm such a fucking nerd
December 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Lol, I'm such a fucking nerd
Reposted by Frank Podmore
It's like the incredibly tedious "Rachel from accounts" thing. Misogyny in politics remains a powerful force.
When I was at an Oxford college whose library for some reason has a copy of Reeves’ BA thesis, I was separately approached by two different people asking for help to get hold of it. The obsession with taking down her intellectual credentials is revealing - and absolutely mental.
This is the point where the anti-Reeves stories tip into madness. Criticise her performance all you like but what the hell is this?
December 3, 2025 at 12:38 PM
It's like the incredibly tedious "Rachel from accounts" thing. Misogyny in politics remains a powerful force.
Reposted by Frank Podmore
I wonder what it is about Rachel Reeves that they hate: a woman who went to a comprehensive school, who rose from relatively humble origins to the top and who still speaks with a South London accent. I wonder why they hate her so much. It's a mystery.
December 3, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I wonder what it is about Rachel Reeves that they hate: a woman who went to a comprehensive school, who rose from relatively humble origins to the top and who still speaks with a South London accent. I wonder why they hate her so much. It's a mystery.
Reposted by Frank Podmore
The thing about immigration is that xenophobia and racism are the elite centrist position. Here's a senior fellow at Brookings, spouse of CRFP head Maya MacGuineas, explaining the mere presence of foreigners in Germany is a "problem" that someone must solve with "speed and determination."
November 30, 2025 at 3:05 PM
The thing about immigration is that xenophobia and racism are the elite centrist position. Here's a senior fellow at Brookings, spouse of CRFP head Maya MacGuineas, explaining the mere presence of foreigners in Germany is a "problem" that someone must solve with "speed and determination."
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Mechanic [sliding out from under Optimus Prime]: I think I see what the issue is. This truck is also a big guy somehow
November 18, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Mechanic [sliding out from under Optimus Prime]: I think I see what the issue is. This truck is also a big guy somehow
Possibly the dressing up is the attraction and they should don gowns and mortarboards
But Labour MPs can’t put on hi-vis and a hard hat to visit for a photo opp, so they don’t count this as work and they don’t count these as jobs with saving
Every sympathy for University of Essex (and pressures facing them) but this is very bad news for Southend.
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Essex university to cut 400 jobs as overseas student numbers plummet
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Essex university to cut 400 jobs as overseas student numbers plummet
December 3, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Possibly the dressing up is the attraction and they should don gowns and mortarboards
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Sorry to anyone who thought Wokeness was annoying but as we now know it's the price we pay for a civilized society
December 2, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Sorry to anyone who thought Wokeness was annoying but as we now know it's the price we pay for a civilized society
None of this will work because people who complain about immigration don't know or care how people get here, they're just racists
The UK has gone quite, quite mad.
It's ridiculous that we (just about) survived 14 years of the Tories, only for Labour to allow the madness to take hold and spread.
Some of the stuff in those bullets is just breath-takingly evil.
And it's not winning Labour ANY votes. Just helping Reform.
It's ridiculous that we (just about) survived 14 years of the Tories, only for Labour to allow the madness to take hold and spread.
Some of the stuff in those bullets is just breath-takingly evil.
And it's not winning Labour ANY votes. Just helping Reform.
December 3, 2025 at 10:10 AM
None of this will work because people who complain about immigration don't know or care how people get here, they're just racists
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Vigilante far-right 'street patrols' with links to Neo-Nazis and the support of senior Reform UK figures, are falsely claiming police backing, while attempting to infiltrate school networks in order to "protect" local children.
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
The Reform-Backed Far-Right Street Patrols Coming to British School Gates
EXCLUSIVE: Nationalist vigilante groups, with links to Neo-Nazis, and the support of senior Reform figures, have been falsely claiming police backing while attempting to infiltrate local school networ...
bylinetimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Vigilante far-right 'street patrols' with links to Neo-Nazis and the support of senior Reform UK figures, are falsely claiming police backing, while attempting to infiltrate school networks in order to "protect" local children.
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
Reposted by Frank Podmore
“AI is clearly sticking around so you have to get used to it” wrong. I don’t have to get used to shit. I am a practiced hater and I can keep this going for decades if I am required to
December 1, 2025 at 11:29 PM
“AI is clearly sticking around so you have to get used to it” wrong. I don’t have to get used to shit. I am a practiced hater and I can keep this going for decades if I am required to
Reposted by Frank Podmore
David Miles (of the OBR) at the Treasury Select Committee: Reeves’ speech was not inconsistent with the OBR’s assessment.
December 2, 2025 at 10:20 AM
David Miles (of the OBR) at the Treasury Select Committee: Reeves’ speech was not inconsistent with the OBR’s assessment.
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Interesting and measured thread looking into whether there was any substance behind the "Chatbots are killing hikers" stories earlier this year.
I was looking into whether LLMs are just killing hikers for a potential article, but there's not enough data on it and I didn't want to contribute to the misinfosphere
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
This is a heads-up about fake AI accounts which have proliferated across social media.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
December 2, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Interesting and measured thread looking into whether there was any substance behind the "Chatbots are killing hikers" stories earlier this year.
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Can I just say that *Apple Maps* took me down a dirt road today to knock on the door of a dodgy incorrect location today (car grave yard, cattle dogs, blokes in singlets on the porch): I don’t need an LLM to accidentally me when online maps are already doing their best job
I was looking into whether LLMs are just killing hikers for a potential article, but there's not enough data on it and I didn't want to contribute to the misinfosphere
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
This is a heads-up about fake AI accounts which have proliferated across social media.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
December 2, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Can I just say that *Apple Maps* took me down a dirt road today to knock on the door of a dodgy incorrect location today (car grave yard, cattle dogs, blokes in singlets on the porch): I don’t need an LLM to accidentally me when online maps are already doing their best job
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Hot (wrong) take theory: LLMs are killing hikers because LLMs have no legs and so are consumed with hiker envy
I was looking into whether LLMs are just killing hikers for a potential article, but there's not enough data on it and I didn't want to contribute to the misinfosphere
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
This is a heads-up about fake AI accounts which have proliferated across social media.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
December 2, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Hot (wrong) take theory: LLMs are killing hikers because LLMs have no legs and so are consumed with hiker envy
Reposted by Frank Podmore
In the caving and cave rescue world it has more been a problem of YouTubers promoting themselves. I'm not aware of any LLM issues yet. But it's a much less popular pastime.
December 2, 2025 at 11:11 AM
In the caving and cave rescue world it has more been a problem of YouTubers promoting themselves. I'm not aware of any LLM issues yet. But it's a much less popular pastime.
The bit when she gets on to 'the entire food production system' is just extraordinary. The last guy who tried that rather infamously ended up killing people for stuff like 'wearing glasses'
Zarah Sultana apparently wants to nationalise the entire economy including the Internet.
December 2, 2025 at 11:11 AM
The bit when she gets on to 'the entire food production system' is just extraordinary. The last guy who tried that rather infamously ended up killing people for stuff like 'wearing glasses'
Reposted by Frank Podmore
LLMs are a statistical language predictor, not a source of knowledge.
December 2, 2025 at 10:58 AM
LLMs are a statistical language predictor, not a source of knowledge.
Reposted by Frank Podmore
a sign people really want a feature and find it good is when companies make turning it off a 12 part process (firefox), require registry modifications (microsoft) or contact support to reveal the real off switch instead of their two decoy toggles (google) so they can claim people don't turn it off 📈
firefox AI and slop disablers from tumblr for the people from local hero mckitterick. Tried it on my end and the browser is significantly faster now
(copy paste-able in the alt text)
(copy paste-able in the alt text)
December 2, 2025 at 10:20 AM
a sign people really want a feature and find it good is when companies make turning it off a 12 part process (firefox), require registry modifications (microsoft) or contact support to reveal the real off switch instead of their two decoy toggles (google) so they can claim people don't turn it off 📈
I was looking into whether LLMs are just killing hikers for a potential article, but there's not enough data on it and I didn't want to contribute to the misinfosphere
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
This is a heads-up about fake AI accounts which have proliferated across social media.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
December 2, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I was looking into whether LLMs are just killing hikers for a potential article, but there's not enough data on it and I didn't want to contribute to the misinfosphere
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
Reposted by Frank Podmore
This is a heads-up about fake AI accounts which have proliferated across social media.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
December 1, 2025 at 10:20 AM
This is a heads-up about fake AI accounts which have proliferated across social media.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
Reposted by Frank Podmore
'We have historically high welfare spending.' No we don't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
November 29, 2025 at 5:08 PM
'We have historically high welfare spending.' No we don't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Bong Joon Ho hit me up for the squad you legend deadline.com/2025/11/bong...
November 29, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Bong Joon Ho hit me up for the squad you legend deadline.com/2025/11/bong...
Reposted by Frank Podmore
As I keep saying, the liberal left should be less defensive about the culture war. You're goddamn right we started the war, it's a holy war against millennia of oppression and we damn well mean to finish the job
The only major faction which does not believe it is the far right, which understands itself to be in a cultural battle for hearts and minds which is only glancingly correlated with economic anything. It’s worked out wonderfully for them
November 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
As I keep saying, the liberal left should be less defensive about the culture war. You're goddamn right we started the war, it's a holy war against millennia of oppression and we damn well mean to finish the job
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Deleted the seldom used Malarkey tiktok account. Gonna learn to code just so we can make a social media platform we won’t have to delete.
November 28, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Deleted the seldom used Malarkey tiktok account. Gonna learn to code just so we can make a social media platform we won’t have to delete.