Prof. Dr Beth Singler
@bvlsingler.bsky.social
Anthropologist/Geek thinking about how you think about AI & robots. Assistant Professor in Digital Religions at UZH. Bvlsingler.com. She/her. 🌈 https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/oa-mono/10.4324/9781003256113/religion-artificial-intelligence-beth-singler
Pinned
I will never stop banging this drum! 🥁 There 🥁 is 🥁 no 🥁 AI 🥁 in 🥁 the 🥁 predictive 🥁 policing 🥁 in 🥁 Minority 🥁 Report!
Its three psychics in a paddling pool!!
Its three psychics in a paddling pool!!
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
I can't get over this. In response to a kid committing suicide after talking to ChatGPT, OpenAI's response is literally "he prompted it wrong."
There's something profoundly broken in these people's hearts.
There's something profoundly broken in these people's hearts.
Sure sure you might say that my client's knife "caused" the victim to stop being able to pump blood to their brain, but Hume's 𝘌𝘯𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 really makes it clear that we should all have some reasonable doubt about the concept of "causation"
www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-ne...
www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-ne...
November 26, 2025 at 6:16 AM
I can't get over this. In response to a kid committing suicide after talking to ChatGPT, OpenAI's response is literally "he prompted it wrong."
There's something profoundly broken in these people's hearts.
There's something profoundly broken in these people's hearts.
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
Grateful to The Verge for publishing my essay on why large-language models are not going to achieve general intelligence nor push the scientific frontier.
www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
Is language the same as intelligence? The AI industry desperately needs it to be
The AI boom is based on a fundamental mistake.
www.theverge.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Grateful to The Verge for publishing my essay on why large-language models are not going to achieve general intelligence nor push the scientific frontier.
www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
Has no one in the BBC heard of the Streisand effect?
Did everyone think, "oh, Rutger Bregman, he'll be cool with this"?
Did everyone think, "oh, Rutger Bregman, he'll be cool with this"?
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Has no one in the BBC heard of the Streisand effect?
Did everyone think, "oh, Rutger Bregman, he'll be cool with this"?
Did everyone think, "oh, Rutger Bregman, he'll be cool with this"?
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
🔔Job Alert 🔔
Thrilled to share that @stefaniebailer.bsky.social and I have been awarded 1.5 million CHF in SNSF funding for our new project: “Electoral choice: Which role does legislators’ quality play?”
We’re recruiting 1 postdoc and 2 PhD candidates to join us in Basel and Geneva!
Thrilled to share that @stefaniebailer.bsky.social and I have been awarded 1.5 million CHF in SNSF funding for our new project: “Electoral choice: Which role does legislators’ quality play?”
We’re recruiting 1 postdoc and 2 PhD candidates to join us in Basel and Geneva!
November 25, 2025 at 9:33 AM
🔔Job Alert 🔔
Thrilled to share that @stefaniebailer.bsky.social and I have been awarded 1.5 million CHF in SNSF funding for our new project: “Electoral choice: Which role does legislators’ quality play?”
We’re recruiting 1 postdoc and 2 PhD candidates to join us in Basel and Geneva!
Thrilled to share that @stefaniebailer.bsky.social and I have been awarded 1.5 million CHF in SNSF funding for our new project: “Electoral choice: Which role does legislators’ quality play?”
We’re recruiting 1 postdoc and 2 PhD candidates to join us in Basel and Geneva!
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
We saw it with big tobacco, we saw it with the fossil fuels industry. When their own internal research showed the harm from their product, the defunded the research and attacked independent researchers coming to the very same conclusions.
#ScienceUnderSiege
#ScienceUnderSiege
Meta halted internal research that purportedly showed (young) people who stopped using Facebook became less depressed and anxious, according to an unredacted legal filing released on Friday. www.cnbc.com/2025/11/23/m...
Meta halted internal research suggesting social media harm, court filing alleges
Meta is alleged to have halted internal research suggesting social media harm, according to court documents.
www.cnbc.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:59 AM
We saw it with big tobacco, we saw it with the fossil fuels industry. When their own internal research showed the harm from their product, the defunded the research and attacked independent researchers coming to the very same conclusions.
#ScienceUnderSiege
#ScienceUnderSiege
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
If you want to feel old, we are now further from the formation of the Kenorland Supercontinent than the formation of the Kenorland Supercontinent is from the formation of the Solar System.
November 25, 2025 at 5:35 AM
If you want to feel old, we are now further from the formation of the Kenorland Supercontinent than the formation of the Kenorland Supercontinent is from the formation of the Solar System.
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
narrator: 50 years ago...
me: [nods] in 1945
narrator: in 1975...
me: what
me: [nods] in 1945
narrator: in 1975...
me: what
November 25, 2025 at 2:11 AM
narrator: 50 years ago...
me: [nods] in 1945
narrator: in 1975...
me: what
me: [nods] in 1945
narrator: in 1975...
me: what
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
I wouldn't rule out clairvoyance or telepathic contact, either.
November 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM
I wouldn't rule out clairvoyance or telepathic contact, either.
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
I took the K-12 student certification to see how it works. Sample question.
November 24, 2025 at 12:03 PM
I took the K-12 student certification to see how it works. Sample question.
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
I do not use ChatGPT because I still remember when you had to go to your local at a specific time of day to listen to someone slurring conspiracy theories with utmost confidence and I will never allow Sam Altman to take that from me
November 23, 2025 at 11:28 AM
I do not use ChatGPT because I still remember when you had to go to your local at a specific time of day to listen to someone slurring conspiracy theories with utmost confidence and I will never allow Sam Altman to take that from me
New interview in @techradar.com, after a fab chat with the lovely @beccacaddy.bsky.social:
"Why some people are treating ChatGPT like a God – and what that means for the future of faith"
www.techradar.com/ai-platforms...
"Why some people are treating ChatGPT like a God – and what that means for the future of faith"
www.techradar.com/ai-platforms...
People are using ChatGPT like a God, and religions are paying attention
AI isn’t just answering questions anymore. It’s becoming a source of comfort, meaning, and even spiritual guidance – and religions are already considering how to deal with it.
www.techradar.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:39 AM
New interview in @techradar.com, after a fab chat with the lovely @beccacaddy.bsky.social:
"Why some people are treating ChatGPT like a God – and what that means for the future of faith"
www.techradar.com/ai-platforms...
"Why some people are treating ChatGPT like a God – and what that means for the future of faith"
www.techradar.com/ai-platforms...
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
Just passed a small kid having a meltdown on the pavement and shouting, "I want to stay in my house" repeatedly, and I think we can all relate to that on a cold November morning.
November 24, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Just passed a small kid having a meltdown on the pavement and shouting, "I want to stay in my house" repeatedly, and I think we can all relate to that on a cold November morning.
🎺Self Publicity Trumpet: New Journal Article!! 🎺
“Specialists without Spirit”: GenAI Professors, Epistemic Networks, and Religious Education
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
“Specialists without Spirit”: GenAI Professors, Epistemic Networks, and Religious Education
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
“Specialists without Spirit”: GenAI Professors, Epistemic Networks, and Religious Education
Through anthropological and historical lenses, this article introduces three “GenAI professors”: fictional academics created via generative AI (GenAI) that have been shared online by people exploring ...
www.degruyterbrill.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:08 AM
🎺Self Publicity Trumpet: New Journal Article!! 🎺
“Specialists without Spirit”: GenAI Professors, Epistemic Networks, and Religious Education
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
“Specialists without Spirit”: GenAI Professors, Epistemic Networks, and Religious Education
www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
There's a version where Elmo has two cigarettes on the go, one in the mouth and one on his hand, like he's speed running lung cancer.
I've seen this image enough now that I feel like I should point out it's fake.
November 24, 2025 at 7:29 AM
There's a version where Elmo has two cigarettes on the go, one in the mouth and one on his hand, like he's speed running lung cancer.
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
It's not stranger than fiction. This is the plot of Highlander fucking 2.
A 25-person startup is developing technology to block the sun and turn down the planet’s thermostat.
The stakes are huge — and the company and its critics say regulations need to catch up.
Read more: politi.co/4iaojIc
The stakes are huge — and the company and its critics say regulations need to catch up.
Read more: politi.co/4iaojIc
November 23, 2025 at 10:05 PM
It's not stranger than fiction. This is the plot of Highlander fucking 2.
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
My 2025
How it started vs. How it’s going
How it started vs. How it’s going
November 24, 2025 at 6:59 AM
My 2025
How it started vs. How it’s going
How it started vs. How it’s going
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
I don't know what even the point of arguing with these people is anymore, but the idea that "the crime gene" had been weeded out by 19th-20th century Europe is something you have to be a genuine imbecile to believe.
November 24, 2025 at 2:39 AM
I don't know what even the point of arguing with these people is anymore, but the idea that "the crime gene" had been weeded out by 19th-20th century Europe is something you have to be a genuine imbecile to believe.
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
BREAKING: Biff Lost the Almanac
November 23, 2025 at 11:45 PM
BREAKING: Biff Lost the Almanac
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
wtf is judeo christian religion
The Ohio House voted to pass a bill that would require public schools and public universities to teach the positive impacts of Judeo-Christian religion on American history during Wednesday’s House session. ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/11/19/o...
Ohio House passes bill to mandate schools teach positive impacts of religion on American history • Ohio Capital Journal
The Ohio House voted to pass a bill that would require public schools and public universities to teach positive impacts of religion on American history during Wednesday’s House session.
ohiocapitaljournal.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:08 AM
wtf is judeo christian religion
Reposted by Prof. Dr Beth Singler
Is the Harry Potter fanfic guy a world historically important intellect? Yeah, unfortunately
November 24, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Is the Harry Potter fanfic guy a world historically important intellect? Yeah, unfortunately