Michael Hoffman
@michaelhoffman.bsky.social
Chair, Computational BIology and Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network.
Associate Professor, Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto.
Disclosures: https://github.com/michaelmhoffman/disclosure/
Associate Professor, Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto.
Disclosures: https://github.com/michaelmhoffman/disclosure/
Pinned
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
You, a pleb: I will ask ChatGPT
Me, a genius: I will engineer a prompt
Me, a genius: I will engineer a prompt
November 29, 2025 at 5:57 PM
You, a pleb: I will ask ChatGPT
Me, a genius: I will engineer a prompt
Me, a genius: I will engineer a prompt
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
is Microsoft Excel a feminist? Is Gemini a queer ally? Is this graphing calculator my friend
November 28, 2025 at 9:57 PM
is Microsoft Excel a feminist? Is Gemini a queer ally? Is this graphing calculator my friend
I never noticed Google Calendar had "Black Friday" in their Holidays in United States calendar.
I found people talking about it seven years ago, though.
I found people talking about it seven years ago, though.
November 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I never noticed Google Calendar had "Black Friday" in their Holidays in United States calendar.
I found people talking about it seven years ago, though.
I found people talking about it seven years ago, though.
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
so our government made a big deal about banning speed cameras but one city left theirs running to see what difference the ban would make and you are not going to believe this
November 28, 2025 at 12:56 AM
so our government made a big deal about banning speed cameras but one city left theirs running to see what difference the ban would make and you are not going to believe this
Tired: gravy train
Wired: three-level, 20-metre diameter, 55-kilometre GRAVY TUNNEL under the 401
Wired: three-level, 20-metre diameter, 55-kilometre GRAVY TUNNEL under the 401
Company given $2M from Skills Development Fund run by Ford family dentist: sources
Company given $2M from Skills Development Fund run by Ford family dentist: sources
The company’s CEO also worked closely with the wife of the minister in charge of the grant program at the time
dlvr.it
November 27, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Tired: gravy train
Wired: three-level, 20-metre diameter, 55-kilometre GRAVY TUNNEL under the 401
Wired: three-level, 20-metre diameter, 55-kilometre GRAVY TUNNEL under the 401
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
This is why OpenAI is selling so aggressively to education at all levels—they want to create entire generations of users incapable of reading, writing and thinking without ChatGPT to hold their hands
And teachers and professors should call this out for what it actually is
And teachers and professors should call this out for what it actually is
To bear out this rosy projection, HSBC assumes that OpenAI will become "as ubiquitous [...] as Microsoft 365" (345mm users worldwide) while bringing in 10x the number of users (3bn).
November 25, 2025 at 11:11 PM
This is why OpenAI is selling so aggressively to education at all levels—they want to create entire generations of users incapable of reading, writing and thinking without ChatGPT to hold their hands
And teachers and professors should call this out for what it actually is
And teachers and professors should call this out for what it actually is
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
"Runctitiononal features"? "Medical fymblal"? "1 Tol Line storee"? This gets worse the longer you look at it. But it's got to be good, because it was published in Nature Scientific Reports last week: www.nature.com/articles/s41... h/t @asa.tsbalans.se
November 27, 2025 at 9:30 AM
"Runctitiononal features"? "Medical fymblal"? "1 Tol Line storee"? This gets worse the longer you look at it. But it's got to be good, because it was published in Nature Scientific Reports last week: www.nature.com/articles/s41... h/t @asa.tsbalans.se
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
"Actually, you harmed us by using our chatbot in a way that made us look bad" is straight out of the abuser's handbook
ChatGPT firm blames boy’s suicide on ‘misuse’ of its technology
OpenAI responds to lawsuit claiming its chatbot encouraged California teenager to kill himself
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:54 PM
"Actually, you harmed us by using our chatbot in a way that made us look bad" is straight out of the abuser's handbook
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Google at its peak was basically the best information retrieval system in human history and they and every competitor decided going from there to “you didn’t want answers you wanted half-assed auto-complete 80%-wrong hallucinations” in a few years was the right idea
November 25, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Google at its peak was basically the best information retrieval system in human history and they and every competitor decided going from there to “you didn’t want answers you wanted half-assed auto-complete 80%-wrong hallucinations” in a few years was the right idea
With Doug Ford PC corruption in the news this week, I started to think about the RCMP's Greenbelt investigation. Turns out it's been going on for more than two years!
Serious question: what are they doing that this is taking so long? Do they have like one Mountie working on it?
Serious question: what are they doing that this is taking so long? Do they have like one Mountie working on it?
November 25, 2025 at 10:07 PM
With Doug Ford PC corruption in the news this week, I started to think about the RCMP's Greenbelt investigation. Turns out it's been going on for more than two years!
Serious question: what are they doing that this is taking so long? Do they have like one Mountie working on it?
Serious question: what are they doing that this is taking so long? Do they have like one Mountie working on it?
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
November 25, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
A package hasn't "shipped" if you've only "created the label"
November 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
A package hasn't "shipped" if you've only "created the label"
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
(A) stop feeling pressure to be perfect;
(B) normalize asking questions, because that is normalizing learning;
(C) do not ask AI if your turkey is done; ask a meat thermometer
(B) normalize asking questions, because that is normalizing learning;
(C) do not ask AI if your turkey is done; ask a meat thermometer
This is so soulless, I can't stand it. We have BRAINS. We can USE THEM.
November 25, 2025 at 5:56 PM
(A) stop feeling pressure to be perfect;
(B) normalize asking questions, because that is normalizing learning;
(C) do not ask AI if your turkey is done; ask a meat thermometer
(B) normalize asking questions, because that is normalizing learning;
(C) do not ask AI if your turkey is done; ask a meat thermometer
@swanboatsteve.bsky.social Would a transit signal priority system that extended green lights when transit vehicle was behind expected headway after last one and didn't when they were before it work?
November 25, 2025 at 5:54 PM
@swanboatsteve.bsky.social Would a transit signal priority system that extended green lights when transit vehicle was behind expected headway after last one and didn't when they were before it work?
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Most of the people I've interviewed or hired are in group 2.
I never interview or hire people in group 3.
I never interview or hire people in group 3.
November 25, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Most of the people I've interviewed or hired are in group 2.
I never interview or hire people in group 3.
I never interview or hire people in group 3.
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Be authentic.
1/Articulated, coherent explanation of why you're interested in that lab's particular focus: extra points. This is rare.
2/Statement that you're just interested in the general area: no extra points but plenty get hired with just this.
3/Word salad that looks like BS: negative points
1/Articulated, coherent explanation of why you're interested in that lab's particular focus: extra points. This is rare.
2/Statement that you're just interested in the general area: no extra points but plenty get hired with just this.
3/Word salad that looks like BS: negative points
November 25, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Be authentic.
1/Articulated, coherent explanation of why you're interested in that lab's particular focus: extra points. This is rare.
2/Statement that you're just interested in the general area: no extra points but plenty get hired with just this.
3/Word salad that looks like BS: negative points
1/Articulated, coherent explanation of why you're interested in that lab's particular focus: extra points. This is rare.
2/Statement that you're just interested in the general area: no extra points but plenty get hired with just this.
3/Word salad that looks like BS: negative points
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Students applying for grad school, or reaching out to professors. I have an important piece of advice for you: STOP DOING THIS 👇 (a thread) #STEM #PhD #gradschool #academictips
November 21, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Students applying for grad school, or reaching out to professors. I have an important piece of advice for you: STOP DOING THIS 👇 (a thread) #STEM #PhD #gradschool #academictips
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Writing "careful diet" about a guy who literally eats roadkill is proof positive that so long as you look thin, your diet will be praised as sensible and healthy.
It's all about portion control with rotting meat from the side of the road, I guess. 🫠
It's all about portion control with rotting meat from the side of the road, I guess. 🫠
November 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Writing "careful diet" about a guy who literally eats roadkill is proof positive that so long as you look thin, your diet will be praised as sensible and healthy.
It's all about portion control with rotting meat from the side of the road, I guess. 🫠
It's all about portion control with rotting meat from the side of the road, I guess. 🫠
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
In more AI bubble news, major insurers are declining to insure risks from AI chatbots & agents, saying AI models are too unpredictable & error-prone with no one clearly liable when things go wrong. Firms & universities better consider this in their rush to adopt AI.
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
Insurers retreat from AI cover as risk of multibillion-dollar claims mounts
AIG, Great American and WR Berkley seek permission to limit liability from AI agents and chatbots
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:56 AM
In more AI bubble news, major insurers are declining to insure risks from AI chatbots & agents, saying AI models are too unpredictable & error-prone with no one clearly liable when things go wrong. Firms & universities better consider this in their rush to adopt AI.
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Mel Lastman told councillor David Miller that "you will never be mayor of this city."
Of course, the next mayor of the city of Toronto was David Miller.
Of course, the next mayor of the city of Toronto was David Miller.
When @maritstilesndp.bsky.social says "at least my lemonade stand was legal" is she referring to the Globe and Mail investigation claiming he was a drug dealer? Or something else? toronto.citynews.ca/video/2025/1...
'You'll never be premier!': Ford and Stiles have heated exchange at Queen's Park
Premier Doug Ford and Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles had a heated exchange at Queen's Park during question period after the opposition brought up the skills-development fund controversary.
toronto.citynews.ca
November 24, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Mel Lastman told councillor David Miller that "you will never be mayor of this city."
Of course, the next mayor of the city of Toronto was David Miller.
Of course, the next mayor of the city of Toronto was David Miller.
I like Marit. I don't know if she can win next time, but at least she vigorously contests the corrupt Doug Ford PCs.
When @maritstilesndp.bsky.social says "at least my lemonade stand was legal" is she referring to the Globe and Mail investigation claiming he was a drug dealer? Or something else? toronto.citynews.ca/video/2025/1...
'You'll never be premier!': Ford and Stiles have heated exchange at Queen's Park
Premier Doug Ford and Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles had a heated exchange at Queen's Park during question period after the opposition brought up the skills-development fund controversary.
toronto.citynews.ca
November 24, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I like Marit. I don't know if she can win next time, but at least she vigorously contests the corrupt Doug Ford PCs.
When @maritstilesndp.bsky.social says "at least my lemonade stand was legal" is she referring to the Globe and Mail investigation claiming he was a drug dealer? Or something else? toronto.citynews.ca/video/2025/1...
'You'll never be premier!': Ford and Stiles have heated exchange at Queen's Park
Premier Doug Ford and Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles had a heated exchange at Queen's Park during question period after the opposition brought up the skills-development fund controversary.
toronto.citynews.ca
November 24, 2025 at 9:21 PM
When @maritstilesndp.bsky.social says "at least my lemonade stand was legal" is she referring to the Globe and Mail investigation claiming he was a drug dealer? Or something else? toronto.citynews.ca/video/2025/1...
What a juxtaposition from @citynewstoronto.bsky.social:
- 5 killed in rental home where city officials allege an absentee landlord wasn't following by-laws
- Doug Ford changes the law to make it easier for landlords to evict tenants raising health and safety issues
- 5 killed in rental home where city officials allege an absentee landlord wasn't following by-laws
- Doug Ford changes the law to make it easier for landlords to evict tenants raising health and safety issues
November 24, 2025 at 9:06 PM
What a juxtaposition from @citynewstoronto.bsky.social:
- 5 killed in rental home where city officials allege an absentee landlord wasn't following by-laws
- Doug Ford changes the law to make it easier for landlords to evict tenants raising health and safety issues
- 5 killed in rental home where city officials allege an absentee landlord wasn't following by-laws
- Doug Ford changes the law to make it easier for landlords to evict tenants raising health and safety issues
And another thing: we're not enron. please dont put in the newspaper that we're like enron
In the memo, “Nvidia also responds to claims that the ‘current situation is analogous to historical accounting frauds (Enron, WorldCom, Lucent) that featured vendor financing and SPVs [special purpose vehicles.)’”
@barrons.com $NVDA
@firstadopter.bsky.social
www.barrons.com/articles/nvi...
@barrons.com $NVDA
@firstadopter.bsky.social
www.barrons.com/articles/nvi...
November 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
And another thing: we're not enron. please dont put in the newspaper that we're like enron