Dave Palfrey
@01factory.bsky.social
Ex-historian of social and political thought (Cambridge, Birkbeck). Ex-Amazon (Alexa and AGI). Chief scientist at Mind Mage. LRB reader. 2025 side-mission: fighting global bias on Wikidata & Wikipedia.
"Only that which has no history can be defined"
"Only that which has no history can be defined"
Pinned
Dave Palfrey
@01factory.bsky.social
· May 2
Yay! I've reached my first #Wikidata global representation goal! Women from the countries shaded red are 25% of global population, but in Dec '24 were only 0.83% of Wikidata bios. I set a target to increase this to 1%. Four months later, with 10,000 women added, they're now 1.01% of Wikidata bios!
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
This from @lawrennd.bsky.social is pleasingly unexpected
November 18, 2025 at 9:48 AM
This from @lawrennd.bsky.social is pleasingly unexpected
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
Breaking: we release a fully synthetic generalist dataset for pretraining, SYNTH and two new SOTA reasoning models exclusively trained on it. Despite having seen only 200 billion tokens, Baguettotron is currently best-in-class in its size range. pleias.fr/blog/blogsyn...
November 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Breaking: we release a fully synthetic generalist dataset for pretraining, SYNTH and two new SOTA reasoning models exclusively trained on it. Despite having seen only 200 billion tokens, Baguettotron is currently best-in-class in its size range. pleias.fr/blog/blogsyn...
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
Fun fact: at the end of his career (and life), Malinowski was embarking on the study of the concept of 'Freedom'. He saw nationalism as the chief obstacle to human freedom. This is the tentative argument structure; pay attention to the paragraph at the bottom of the page.
November 10, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Fun fact: at the end of his career (and life), Malinowski was embarking on the study of the concept of 'Freedom'. He saw nationalism as the chief obstacle to human freedom. This is the tentative argument structure; pay attention to the paragraph at the bottom of the page.
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
'The University of Cambridge has announced it has acquired and for the first time unsealed Levy’s personal archive, including letters, draft manuscripts, photographs and diary entries. It is expected the material will inform a wealth of new scholarship on her life, work and mental health.' 1/2
‘A girl of genius’: archives unsealed of Amy Levy, queer Jewish writer admired by Oscar Wilde
Levy’s work was ‘ahead of her time’ and speaks to current debate around feminism, LGBTQ+ literature and Jewish identity, say researchers
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:59 AM
'The University of Cambridge has announced it has acquired and for the first time unsealed Levy’s personal archive, including letters, draft manuscripts, photographs and diary entries. It is expected the material will inform a wealth of new scholarship on her life, work and mental health.' 1/2
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
🧵 #OTD 12 November 1924 a meeting in a drawing room attended by leading figures in the UK's electrical world was inspired by Mrs Mabel Matthews' idea to form the Electrical Association for Women. The event was commemorated on EAW's 40th anniversary #teatowels in 1964 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electri...
November 12, 2025 at 9:42 PM
🧵 #OTD 12 November 1924 a meeting in a drawing room attended by leading figures in the UK's electrical world was inspired by Mrs Mabel Matthews' idea to form the Electrical Association for Women. The event was commemorated on EAW's 40th anniversary #teatowels in 1964 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electri...
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
BBC leadership seems like Starmer's No10: repeatedly blundering into gaffes and rows; handling these in a way that maximises damage sustained; responding to certain sorts of criticism with abasement and others with disdain; above all, failing to think seriously about what they're doing, why and how.
November 10, 2025 at 1:35 PM
BBC leadership seems like Starmer's No10: repeatedly blundering into gaffes and rows; handling these in a way that maximises damage sustained; responding to certain sorts of criticism with abasement and others with disdain; above all, failing to think seriously about what they're doing, why and how.
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
Someone put this "blue plaque" on a London Tesla showroom to mark his becoming the world's first trillionaire. “World’s first trillionaire Elon Musk. Could have solved world hunger but funded fascists instead. Bellend.”
November 9, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Someone put this "blue plaque" on a London Tesla showroom to mark his becoming the world's first trillionaire. “World’s first trillionaire Elon Musk. Could have solved world hunger but funded fascists instead. Bellend.”
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
Plato, father of philosophers, died at a symposium at 81, on 7 November, his birthday. Platonists until Porphyry and Plotinus renewed this feast each year to mark Plato's birth and death, but after Porphyry these solemn banquets were neglected for 1,200 years.
Ficino, De amore*
Ficino, De amore*
November 7, 2023 at 1:16 PM
Plato, father of philosophers, died at a symposium at 81, on 7 November, his birthday. Platonists until Porphyry and Plotinus renewed this feast each year to mark Plato's birth and death, but after Porphyry these solemn banquets were neglected for 1,200 years.
Ficino, De amore*
Ficino, De amore*
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
"NoTrillionaires Day of Action Nov 15th
Elon Musk is destroying democracy around the world, and he's using the fortune he built at Tesla to do it.
Tesla shareholders approved a trillion dollar package for Elon. But whether he gets it is up to all of us.
actionnetwork.org/event_campai...
Elon Musk is destroying democracy around the world, and he's using the fortune he built at Tesla to do it.
Tesla shareholders approved a trillion dollar package for Elon. But whether he gets it is up to all of us.
actionnetwork.org/event_campai...
#TeslaTakedown NO TRILLIONAIRES Day of Action
A TRILLION DOLLARS? Elon Musk and his stooges think they can gobble up the entire world while the rest of us starve. Join us for the NO TRILLIONAIRES Day of Action Nov. 15, 2025!
actionnetwork.org
November 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
"NoTrillionaires Day of Action Nov 15th
Elon Musk is destroying democracy around the world, and he's using the fortune he built at Tesla to do it.
Tesla shareholders approved a trillion dollar package for Elon. But whether he gets it is up to all of us.
actionnetwork.org/event_campai...
Elon Musk is destroying democracy around the world, and he's using the fortune he built at Tesla to do it.
Tesla shareholders approved a trillion dollar package for Elon. But whether he gets it is up to all of us.
actionnetwork.org/event_campai...
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
“Given the severity of the threats social media companies pose to democracy and fundamental rights, policy responses cannot merely tinker around the edges,” writes Christine Galvagna. The EU must act now—fund decentralized, public service social media to protect democracy and digital rights.
Public Service Social Media as a Democratic Safeguard | TechPolicy.Press
Christine Galvagna proposes an EU fund to support decentralized, public service focused social media networks to protect digital rights and democracy.
www.techpolicy.press
November 7, 2025 at 3:41 PM
“Given the severity of the threats social media companies pose to democracy and fundamental rights, policy responses cannot merely tinker around the edges,” writes Christine Galvagna. The EU must act now—fund decentralized, public service social media to protect democracy and digital rights.
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
Undercover police officer fabricated gun plot by animal rights activists, his managers tell inquiry
Undercover police officer fabricated gun plot by animal rights activists, his managers tell inquiry
Spycops inquiry has heard James Thomson lied to superiors and deceived two women into relationships
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Undercover police officer fabricated gun plot by animal rights activists, his managers tell inquiry
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
I wrote to my Daniel Zeichner MP who asked Darren Jones MP; "All platforms are assessed against the high standards for digital safety set out in the Government Communication Service (GCS) SAFE framework."
The last GCS assessment of X was made in April 2023.
Read it, X FAILS very quickly
The last GCS assessment of X was made in April 2023.
Read it, X FAILS very quickly
SAFE Framework: the 4 principles for HMG Brand Safety - GCS
The SAFE Framework introduces new standards for digital brand safety in HM Government advertising.
www.communications.gov.uk
October 30, 2025 at 8:10 PM
I wrote to my Daniel Zeichner MP who asked Darren Jones MP; "All platforms are assessed against the high standards for digital safety set out in the Government Communication Service (GCS) SAFE framework."
The last GCS assessment of X was made in April 2023.
Read it, X FAILS very quickly
The last GCS assessment of X was made in April 2023.
Read it, X FAILS very quickly
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
This is just very pleasing.
October 31, 2025 at 2:14 AM
This is just very pleasing.
Form a sequence by changing one word at a time.
1. The artist formerly known as Prince.
2. The pedophile formerly known as Prince.
3. The pedophile formerly known as President.
1. The artist formerly known as Prince.
2. The pedophile formerly known as Prince.
3. The pedophile formerly known as President.
October 30, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Form a sequence by changing one word at a time.
1. The artist formerly known as Prince.
2. The pedophile formerly known as Prince.
3. The pedophile formerly known as President.
1. The artist formerly known as Prince.
2. The pedophile formerly known as Prince.
3. The pedophile formerly known as President.
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
New article out today! Published on the eve of Ghanaian independence, A Wreath for Udomo fictionalises Kwame Nkrumah's struggle against imperialism and imagines a future after British rule.
hwiccanreview.substack.com/p/accra-noir...
hwiccanreview.substack.com/p/accra-noir...
Accra Noir: ‘A Wreath for Udomo’ (Peter Abrahams, 1956)
A political thriller for a nation about to exist
hwiccanreview.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:19 AM
New article out today! Published on the eve of Ghanaian independence, A Wreath for Udomo fictionalises Kwame Nkrumah's struggle against imperialism and imagines a future after British rule.
hwiccanreview.substack.com/p/accra-noir...
hwiccanreview.substack.com/p/accra-noir...
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
You need to see shocking extent of carbon inequality around the world.
A remarkable study led by Jared Starr finds that super-rich US households emit *2000 TIMES* more CO2e than average low-income country households.
How the f*ck is that even possible? The disparity never ceases to enrage me.
A remarkable study led by Jared Starr finds that super-rich US households emit *2000 TIMES* more CO2e than average low-income country households.
How the f*ck is that even possible? The disparity never ceases to enrage me.
November 30, 2024 at 7:41 PM
You need to see shocking extent of carbon inequality around the world.
A remarkable study led by Jared Starr finds that super-rich US households emit *2000 TIMES* more CO2e than average low-income country households.
How the f*ck is that even possible? The disparity never ceases to enrage me.
A remarkable study led by Jared Starr finds that super-rich US households emit *2000 TIMES* more CO2e than average low-income country households.
How the f*ck is that even possible? The disparity never ceases to enrage me.
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
Thank you for the generous donation. I'll keep saying it - this could fund *so fast* with visibility.
Writers, readers, World Fantasy community - let's do this!
Some of you have rolodexes. A boost or art donation? Send a note?
Now at $3165, no new graphics until % bump. 😛
Writers, readers, World Fantasy community - let's do this!
Some of you have rolodexes. A boost or art donation? Send a note?
Now at $3165, no new graphics until % bump. 😛
Support African Translation Project
African Translation Project, Goal 4: Fully Fund Two Translations, by 31 October, still needed: $3245, 68%, If this goal is met: Translations will be fully funded for Bengithi Lizokuna and Zvinobvinza,...
ko-fi.com
October 26, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Thank you for the generous donation. I'll keep saying it - this could fund *so fast* with visibility.
Writers, readers, World Fantasy community - let's do this!
Some of you have rolodexes. A boost or art donation? Send a note?
Now at $3165, no new graphics until % bump. 😛
Writers, readers, World Fantasy community - let's do this!
Some of you have rolodexes. A boost or art donation? Send a note?
Now at $3165, no new graphics until % bump. 😛
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
"...it is immensely moving when a mature man—no matter
whether old or young in years—is aware of a responsibility for the consequences of his conduct and really feels such responsibility with heart and soul..." - Weber, Politics as a Vocation
whether old or young in years—is aware of a responsibility for the consequences of his conduct and really feels such responsibility with heart and soul..." - Weber, Politics as a Vocation
Trump: "I don't think we're necessarily going to ask for a declaration of war, I think we're just gonna kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. We're going to kill them. They're going to be, like dead."
October 23, 2025 at 8:54 PM
"...it is immensely moving when a mature man—no matter
whether old or young in years—is aware of a responsibility for the consequences of his conduct and really feels such responsibility with heart and soul..." - Weber, Politics as a Vocation
whether old or young in years—is aware of a responsibility for the consequences of his conduct and really feels such responsibility with heart and soul..." - Weber, Politics as a Vocation
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
Well this is sure to be a blockbuster AI article... @jennarussell.bsky.social et al are kicking ass and taking names in journalism, both individuals and organizations.
"AI use in American newspapers is widespread, uneven, and rarely disclosed"
arxiv.org/abs/2510.18774
"AI use in American newspapers is widespread, uneven, and rarely disclosed"
arxiv.org/abs/2510.18774
October 23, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Well this is sure to be a blockbuster AI article... @jennarussell.bsky.social et al are kicking ass and taking names in journalism, both individuals and organizations.
"AI use in American newspapers is widespread, uneven, and rarely disclosed"
arxiv.org/abs/2510.18774
"AI use in American newspapers is widespread, uneven, and rarely disclosed"
arxiv.org/abs/2510.18774
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
NEW: @andrewdeck.bsky.social and I found the @waybackmachine.bsky.social has been archiving news homepages less frequently for the past 5 months.
The result: an 87% drop in homepage snapshots across 100 news outlets during a very newsy year. www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/the-...
The result: an 87% drop in homepage snapshots across 100 news outlets during a very newsy year. www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/the-...
The Wayback Machine’s snapshots of news homepages plummet after a “breakdown” in archiving projects
Between May and October 2025, homepage snapshots fell by 87% across 100 news publications.
www.niemanlab.org
October 22, 2025 at 3:05 PM
NEW: @andrewdeck.bsky.social and I found the @waybackmachine.bsky.social has been archiving news homepages less frequently for the past 5 months.
The result: an 87% drop in homepage snapshots across 100 news outlets during a very newsy year. www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/the-...
The result: an 87% drop in homepage snapshots across 100 news outlets during a very newsy year. www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/the-...
This by Matt Erlin, Douglas Knox, Claudia Carroll, @jeysushil.bsky.social, Tumaini Ussiri & Sadahisa Watanabe is excellent: postcolonial corpus comparison, using quantitative proxies for 'literariness' and 'cosmopolitanism'
October 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM
This by Matt Erlin, Douglas Knox, Claudia Carroll, @jeysushil.bsky.social, Tumaini Ussiri & Sadahisa Watanabe is excellent: postcolonial corpus comparison, using quantitative proxies for 'literariness' and 'cosmopolitanism'
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
The decision by Meta and Google to ban political, social and issue-based ads in the European Union, citing the EU's new Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA) regulation, is a seismic shift, writes Who Targets Me's Sam Jeffers. But there are no winners here, he writes.
Meta and Google’s Ad Ban Upends Political Campaigning in Europe | TechPolicy.Press
If the only people to truly benefit from change are the ones who present the greatest challenge to democracy, we’re in a very bad place, writes Sam Jeffers.
www.techpolicy.press
October 22, 2025 at 1:26 PM
The decision by Meta and Google to ban political, social and issue-based ads in the European Union, citing the EU's new Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA) regulation, is a seismic shift, writes Who Targets Me's Sam Jeffers. But there are no winners here, he writes.
Reposted by Dave Palfrey
Today I worked with Adam Smith's copy of Hobbes's "Leviathan" (1651)
October 22, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Today I worked with Adam Smith's copy of Hobbes's "Leviathan" (1651)