Alison P
@aeparker80.bsky.social
Cats and maths. Girly swots FTW!! Was a pure mathematician now doing OR. All opinions my own. RT’s are bookmarks not endorsements.
Reposted by Alison P
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub
aiskillshub.org.uk
January 28, 2026 at 12:07 PM
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
Reposted by Alison P
Reposted by Alison P
Last term I tried an experiment: I walked into my Tech and Design Ethics class, admitted that I had *no idea* what to do about ChatGPT - so I would let them figure it out.
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
January 22, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Last term I tried an experiment: I walked into my Tech and Design Ethics class, admitted that I had *no idea* what to do about ChatGPT - so I would let them figure it out.
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
Reposted by Alison P
Fundamentally, these numbers are just silly so it is better to understand this system as a de facto graduate tax that your parents can buy your way out of.
It's not strictly accurate but it does probably lead you to a better assessment for policy making purposes.
It's not strictly accurate but it does probably lead you to a better assessment for policy making purposes.
Student loans went from 'zero' to 'not zero but largely repayable' to 'large and largely not repayable'
January 11, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Fundamentally, these numbers are just silly so it is better to understand this system as a de facto graduate tax that your parents can buy your way out of.
It's not strictly accurate but it does probably lead you to a better assessment for policy making purposes.
It's not strictly accurate but it does probably lead you to a better assessment for policy making purposes.
Reposted by Alison P
Three short paragraphs, and you've got the whole mind-bending mess that is #UKHE finance & governance neatly laid out.
This is why it's all so exhausting: our managers declare there's only one static frame, while we know their framing is part of the issue.
💡 www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/01/10/w...
This is why it's all so exhausting: our managers declare there's only one static frame, while we know their framing is part of the issue.
💡 www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/01/10/w...
January 10, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Three short paragraphs, and you've got the whole mind-bending mess that is #UKHE finance & governance neatly laid out.
This is why it's all so exhausting: our managers declare there's only one static frame, while we know their framing is part of the issue.
💡 www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/01/10/w...
This is why it's all so exhausting: our managers declare there's only one static frame, while we know their framing is part of the issue.
💡 www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/01/10/w...
Reposted by Alison P
Just published a new Kairos article, in a different style than the usual: kairos-research.org/illness-trau...
It describes my own experience with ME/CFS (a severe chronic illness) and tries to explain the strangely cruel behavior that people often display in response to visible illness.
It describes my own experience with ME/CFS (a severe chronic illness) and tries to explain the strangely cruel behavior that people often display in response to visible illness.
Illness, trauma, and cruelty
Before you engage with this essay, dear reader, please heed my warning. I have made my best attempt to show how cruelty breaks people, and how it’s embedded in the deepest of our cultural structure. I...
kairos-research.org
January 11, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Just published a new Kairos article, in a different style than the usual: kairos-research.org/illness-trau...
It describes my own experience with ME/CFS (a severe chronic illness) and tries to explain the strangely cruel behavior that people often display in response to visible illness.
It describes my own experience with ME/CFS (a severe chronic illness) and tries to explain the strangely cruel behavior that people often display in response to visible illness.
Reposted by Alison P
Reposting with alt text!
January 2, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Reposting with alt text!
I am teh oldz. Done all except for 9 (which is anti-social as noted).
November 9, 2025 at 10:30 AM
I am teh oldz. Done all except for 9 (which is anti-social as noted).
Could not have said it better. I mean I would rather live in Australia but this economic migrant needs to stay put for the moment.
I hate to pull the immigrant card, but as an immigrant, it feels awful when elected MPs say I ‘need to go home’ and propose stripping me and all other immigrants of all our legal rights to live here. No, anywhere immigrants move is their home. The UK is my home.
October 21, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Could not have said it better. I mean I would rather live in Australia but this economic migrant needs to stay put for the moment.
Reposted by Alison P
No?
It’s actually:
1. I’ve invested barely any time in learning how it actually works and I believe it’s magic wand/substitute for a human.
2. I’ve invested time learning how it actually works & see some use cases but if it looks like magic it’s bc there’s a lot of human labor behind the curtain.
It’s actually:
1. I’ve invested barely any time in learning how it actually works and I believe it’s magic wand/substitute for a human.
2. I’ve invested time learning how it actually works & see some use cases but if it looks like magic it’s bc there’s a lot of human labor behind the curtain.
There are basically only two positions in the debate about AI.
1. I’ve barely invested any time in learning how to use it effectively. AI sucks.
2. I’ve invested in learning how to use this tool. Holy cow, it’s transformational.
Position #1 has lower barriers to entry.
1. I’ve barely invested any time in learning how to use it effectively. AI sucks.
2. I’ve invested in learning how to use this tool. Holy cow, it’s transformational.
Position #1 has lower barriers to entry.
October 17, 2025 at 5:40 AM
No?
It’s actually:
1. I’ve invested barely any time in learning how it actually works and I believe it’s magic wand/substitute for a human.
2. I’ve invested time learning how it actually works & see some use cases but if it looks like magic it’s bc there’s a lot of human labor behind the curtain.
It’s actually:
1. I’ve invested barely any time in learning how it actually works and I believe it’s magic wand/substitute for a human.
2. I’ve invested time learning how it actually works & see some use cases but if it looks like magic it’s bc there’s a lot of human labor behind the curtain.
Reposted by Alison P
@catvalente.bsky.social spitting facts for generations!
October 10, 2025 at 6:54 PM
@catvalente.bsky.social spitting facts for generations!
Reposted by Alison P
I cannot understand what these people think the purpose of human life is?
It is *not* "pursue joy, deal justly, love well, try to understand as much and see as much of this beautiful world and of the deepness, richness and variety of human culture and experience as you can before you die"?
It is *not* "pursue joy, deal justly, love well, try to understand as much and see as much of this beautiful world and of the deepness, richness and variety of human culture and experience as you can before you die"?
How is this repeatedly made into a policy issue - by *all* parties - when the blunt fact of the matter is that grown adults who are obliged to pay for their own education, and relentlessly pursued to repay their loans, should be able to study whatever the fuck they want.
October 8, 2025 at 8:22 AM
I cannot understand what these people think the purpose of human life is?
It is *not* "pursue joy, deal justly, love well, try to understand as much and see as much of this beautiful world and of the deepness, richness and variety of human culture and experience as you can before you die"?
It is *not* "pursue joy, deal justly, love well, try to understand as much and see as much of this beautiful world and of the deepness, richness and variety of human culture and experience as you can before you die"?
Reposted by Alison P
"In a landmark study, OpenAI researchers reveal that large language models will always produce plausible but false outputs, even with perfect data, due to fundamental statistical and computational limits."
www.computerworld.com/article/4059...
www.computerworld.com/article/4059...
OpenAI admits AI hallucinations are mathematically inevitable, not just engineering flaws
In a landmark study, OpenAI researchers reveal that large language models will always produce plausible but false outputs, even with perfect data, due to fundamental statistical and computational limi...
www.computerworld.com
September 21, 2025 at 12:50 PM
"In a landmark study, OpenAI researchers reveal that large language models will always produce plausible but false outputs, even with perfect data, due to fundamental statistical and computational limits."
www.computerworld.com/article/4059...
www.computerworld.com/article/4059...
Reposted by Alison P
Just out - new educational animation films about Autistic Experiences that I have been working on with @thrivingautistic.bsky.social team - would love to hear your feedback!
Lightbulb Moments: Being Autistic
youtu.be/3O6hy-usIug?...
Lightbulb Moments: Being Autistic
youtu.be/3O6hy-usIug?...
Lightbulb Moments: Being Autistic
YouTube video by Thriving Autistic
youtu.be
September 20, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Just out - new educational animation films about Autistic Experiences that I have been working on with @thrivingautistic.bsky.social team - would love to hear your feedback!
Lightbulb Moments: Being Autistic
youtu.be/3O6hy-usIug?...
Lightbulb Moments: Being Autistic
youtu.be/3O6hy-usIug?...
Reposted by Alison P
In Which Nadine Amuses a Dragon and Makes Autumn Happen
August 30, 2025 at 12:37 PM
In Which Nadine Amuses a Dragon and Makes Autumn Happen
Reposted by Alison P
Their memorials are history. Ours are political. Because as always, there are two sexualities - straight, and political.
Two genders - male, and political.
Two religions - Christian, and political.
Two races - white, and political.
Two genders - male, and political.
Two religions - Christian, and political.
Two races - white, and political.
Workers under cover of night removed a rainbow crosswalk outside of the former Pulse nightclub, apparently as part of state and federal transportation officials’ aim to wipe “political banners” from public roadways. www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/21/r...
Rainbow crosswalk outside Pulse nightclub removed overnight
“We did everything according to state law, everything was compliant,” said Patty Sheehan, the city’s first openly gay elected official. “FDOT never moves that quickly with anything.R…
www.orlandosentinel.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Their memorials are history. Ours are political. Because as always, there are two sexualities - straight, and political.
Two genders - male, and political.
Two religions - Christian, and political.
Two races - white, and political.
Two genders - male, and political.
Two religions - Christian, and political.
Two races - white, and political.
Reposted by Alison P
Your semi-regular plug for Dr Nerdlove (www.doctornerdlove.com) who is *amazing* at offering compassionate, practical advice that is not shy about calling out toxic masculinity and implicit misogyny and working to decouple masculinity from both of them.
August 2, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Your semi-regular plug for Dr Nerdlove (www.doctornerdlove.com) who is *amazing* at offering compassionate, practical advice that is not shy about calling out toxic masculinity and implicit misogyny and working to decouple masculinity from both of them.
Reposted by Alison P
That's how you can tell human authors from AI.
AI will put in some em dashes, then apologise and take them out when told off.
Human authors will climb the filing cabinet, hissing, and defend their right to em dashes with a loaded stapler.
AI will put in some em dashes, then apologise and take them out when told off.
Human authors will climb the filing cabinet, hissing, and defend their right to em dashes with a loaded stapler.
Em dashes, like anything, should be used in moderation. Check first with your editor if em dashes are right for you. 😉
#WriteSky #WritingTips
#WriteSky #WritingTips
August 1, 2025 at 11:11 AM
That's how you can tell human authors from AI.
AI will put in some em dashes, then apologise and take them out when told off.
Human authors will climb the filing cabinet, hissing, and defend their right to em dashes with a loaded stapler.
AI will put in some em dashes, then apologise and take them out when told off.
Human authors will climb the filing cabinet, hissing, and defend their right to em dashes with a loaded stapler.
Reposted by Alison P
I watched this (youtu.be/TMoz3gSXBcY?...) on the abuse of LLMs & 'vibe physics' by @acollierastro.bsky.social - well worth a watch! - and I was struck by how the back 15 minutes (the 'thought train') also summed up neatly what it has been like to be a public-facing historian, even before LLMs.1/
vibe physics
YouTube video by Angela Collier
youtu.be
July 25, 2025 at 9:59 PM
I watched this (youtu.be/TMoz3gSXBcY?...) on the abuse of LLMs & 'vibe physics' by @acollierastro.bsky.social - well worth a watch! - and I was struck by how the back 15 minutes (the 'thought train') also summed up neatly what it has been like to be a public-facing historian, even before LLMs.1/
I want one!!
I’ve been out of this color for a minute but I finally found a decent dupe thanks to @mostlybree.kitrocha.com so it’s back! 🧶 #yarn #knitting #crochet
measuredandslow.studio/shop/aumyiin...
measuredandslow.studio/shop/aumyiin...
July 22, 2025 at 4:06 PM
I want one!!
Noting for good recs
Really loved Dept Q and need something else absorbing to distract me from my troubles.
What you got?
What you got?
July 10, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Noting for good recs
Reposted by Alison P
Meredith has always been a G, but it's still exceptionally weird and very refreshing hearing from a tech exec who can see through all of this AI bullshit for what it is at its foundation: a backdoor surveillance tool.
Worth a watch:
Head of Signal, Meredith Whittaker, on so-called "agentic AI" and the difference between how it's described in the marketing and what access and control it would actually require to work as advertised.
Head of Signal, Meredith Whittaker, on so-called "agentic AI" and the difference between how it's described in the marketing and what access and control it would actually require to work as advertised.
June 28, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Meredith has always been a G, but it's still exceptionally weird and very refreshing hearing from a tech exec who can see through all of this AI bullshit for what it is at its foundation: a backdoor surveillance tool.
Reposted by Alison P
As promised, here are the slides I shared with students to convince them to NOT use chatGPT and other artificial stupidity.
TL;DR? AI is evil, unsustainable and stupid, and I'd much rather they use their own brains, make their own mistakes, and actually learn something. 🪄
TL;DR? AI is evil, unsustainable and stupid, and I'd much rather they use their own brains, make their own mistakes, and actually learn something. 🪄
February 23, 2025 at 1:45 PM
As promised, here are the slides I shared with students to convince them to NOT use chatGPT and other artificial stupidity.
TL;DR? AI is evil, unsustainable and stupid, and I'd much rather they use their own brains, make their own mistakes, and actually learn something. 🪄
TL;DR? AI is evil, unsustainable and stupid, and I'd much rather they use their own brains, make their own mistakes, and actually learn something. 🪄
Reposted by Alison P
Target-rich environment, this speech.
1/n
1/n
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.
buff.ly
May 26, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Target-rich environment, this speech.
1/n
1/n
Ooh we should have done this!! But I gave up reading student comments years ago 🤷🏻♀️ (comments bear no relation to teaching quality! As noted further down the thread)
currently at the university whine & wine, where we read our student evals, do dramatic readings of the bad ones & boo people who got no bad ones
in my YA Lit class we read a book where a character killed himself for being gay
so I talked about being gay
that was apparently very inappropriate
in my YA Lit class we read a book where a character killed himself for being gay
so I talked about being gay
that was apparently very inappropriate
May 24, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Ooh we should have done this!! But I gave up reading student comments years ago 🤷🏻♀️ (comments bear no relation to teaching quality! As noted further down the thread)