Bill Rider
@dogreatscience.bsky.social
Computational physicist. Writer, husband, father, hedonist and general non-conformist
Want to know how the AI program will fail? Look at what happened to supercomputing in national labs.
Same recipe:
Massive compute ✓
Demo projects ✓
No V&V ✗
No algorithmic focus ✗
No rigorous assessment ✗
We didn't learn. Here's why it matters: [link]
bill-rider.com/2026/02/15/v...
Same recipe:
Massive compute ✓
Demo projects ✓
No V&V ✗
No algorithmic focus ✗
No rigorous assessment ✗
We didn't learn. Here's why it matters: [link]
bill-rider.com/2026/02/15/v...
V&V: Past, Present and Future
Prolog The irony of this post is that the circumstances of my departure are a perfect conclusion. It was entirely consistent with the history of V&V and its present state. If peer review is uns…
bill-rider.com
February 15, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Want to know how the AI program will fail? Look at what happened to supercomputing in national labs.
Same recipe:
Massive compute ✓
Demo projects ✓
No V&V ✗
No algorithmic focus ✗
No rigorous assessment ✗
We didn't learn. Here's why it matters: [link]
bill-rider.com/2026/02/15/v...
Same recipe:
Massive compute ✓
Demo projects ✓
No V&V ✗
No algorithmic focus ✗
No rigorous assessment ✗
We didn't learn. Here's why it matters: [link]
bill-rider.com/2026/02/15/v...
We enshitified social media: started good, optimized for shareholders, became engines of rage & misinformation.
Now we're deploying AI with identical incentives. Same "maximize returns". Social media was practice. AI is the real disaster. We should be terrified:
bill-rider.com/2026/02/11/t...
Now we're deploying AI with identical incentives. Same "maximize returns". Social media was practice. AI is the real disaster. We should be terrified:
bill-rider.com/2026/02/11/t...
The Enshitification of Everything
tl;dr Enshitification is one of the most important concepts shaping the understanding of the World today. It specifically applies to something online getting worse over time as the provider of that…
bill-rider.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:37 PM
We enshitified social media: started good, optimized for shareholders, became engines of rage & misinformation.
Now we're deploying AI with identical incentives. Same "maximize returns". Social media was practice. AI is the real disaster. We should be terrified:
bill-rider.com/2026/02/11/t...
Now we're deploying AI with identical incentives. Same "maximize returns". Social media was practice. AI is the real disaster. We should be terrified:
bill-rider.com/2026/02/11/t...
I was forced out of Sandia, why?: I believed scientific integrity mattered more than money.
Spoiler: Management disagreed. Violently.
Now I'm retired and the gloves are off. What happened to me is happening everywhere.
Thread on institutional collapse: bill-rider.com/2026/02/02/t...
Spoiler: Management disagreed. Violently.
Now I'm retired and the gloves are off. What happened to me is happening everywhere.
Thread on institutional collapse: bill-rider.com/2026/02/02/t...
The Regularized Singularity Is Back!
tl;dr I stopped because of threats. “They are coming after you,” I was told. It also showed me who I worked for clearly and the necessity of distance from them. I don’t have enoug…
bill-rider.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:32 PM
I was forced out of Sandia, why?: I believed scientific integrity mattered more than money.
Spoiler: Management disagreed. Violently.
Now I'm retired and the gloves are off. What happened to me is happening everywhere.
Thread on institutional collapse: bill-rider.com/2026/02/02/t...
Spoiler: Management disagreed. Violently.
Now I'm retired and the gloves are off. What happened to me is happening everywhere.
Thread on institutional collapse: bill-rider.com/2026/02/02/t...
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/06/21/a...
Right now, there is a lot of discussion of AI job cuts on the horizon. So are other white-collar jobs. It is one of the dumbest things I can imagine. It is short-sighted in the extreme. Instead, I think AI is a bullshit job detector.
Right now, there is a lot of discussion of AI job cuts on the horizon. So are other white-collar jobs. It is one of the dumbest things I can imagine. It is short-sighted in the extreme. Instead, I think AI is a bullshit job detector.
A Unified Theory of AI and Bullshit Jobs
TL;DR Right now, there is a lot of discussion of AI job cuts on the horizon. Computer coders are at the top of the list. So are other white-collar jobs. It is one of the dumbest things I can imagin…
wjrider.wordpress.com
June 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/06/21/a...
Right now, there is a lot of discussion of AI job cuts on the horizon. So are other white-collar jobs. It is one of the dumbest things I can imagine. It is short-sighted in the extreme. Instead, I think AI is a bullshit job detector.
Right now, there is a lot of discussion of AI job cuts on the horizon. So are other white-collar jobs. It is one of the dumbest things I can imagine. It is short-sighted in the extreme. Instead, I think AI is a bullshit job detector.
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/06/15/p...
In computational science applications for solving PDEs, accuracy is essential. In a rational world, this solution accuracy would rule. It does not! The manner of considering accuracy is not connected to the reality of the method’s use. Time for this to end!
In computational science applications for solving PDEs, accuracy is essential. In a rational world, this solution accuracy would rule. It does not! The manner of considering accuracy is not connected to the reality of the method’s use. Time for this to end!
Practical Application Accuracy Is Essential
TL;DR In classical computational science applications for solving partial differential equations, discretization accuracy is essential. In a rational world, this solution accuracy would rule (other…
wjrider.wordpress.com
June 15, 2025 at 3:59 PM
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/06/15/p...
In computational science applications for solving PDEs, accuracy is essential. In a rational world, this solution accuracy would rule. It does not! The manner of considering accuracy is not connected to the reality of the method’s use. Time for this to end!
In computational science applications for solving PDEs, accuracy is essential. In a rational world, this solution accuracy would rule. It does not! The manner of considering accuracy is not connected to the reality of the method’s use. Time for this to end!
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/06/08/a...
The workshop I attended this week was excellent with amazing researchers. Thoughtful and wise people who shared their knowledge and wisdom. The workshop was “Multiphysics Algorithms for the Post Moore’s Law Era.” It was organized by Brian O’Shea from MSU.
The workshop I attended this week was excellent with amazing researchers. Thoughtful and wise people who shared their knowledge and wisdom. The workshop was “Multiphysics Algorithms for the Post Moore’s Law Era.” It was organized by Brian O’Shea from MSU.
A Great Workshop Is Inspirational
“Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes.” ― Peter Drucker Back in the day I used to write up my thoughts on conferences I went to in this blog. It was a …
wjrider.wordpress.com
June 8, 2025 at 1:35 AM
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/06/08/a...
The workshop I attended this week was excellent with amazing researchers. Thoughtful and wise people who shared their knowledge and wisdom. The workshop was “Multiphysics Algorithms for the Post Moore’s Law Era.” It was organized by Brian O’Shea from MSU.
The workshop I attended this week was excellent with amazing researchers. Thoughtful and wise people who shared their knowledge and wisdom. The workshop was “Multiphysics Algorithms for the Post Moore’s Law Era.” It was organized by Brian O’Shea from MSU.
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/06/01/w...
There is this trend I’ve noticed over my career, an increasing desire to see research as finished. Unless we are continually striving for better, knowledge and capability stagnate and then decay. The engine of mediocrity is project management.
There is this trend I’ve noticed over my career, an increasing desire to see research as finished. Unless we are continually striving for better, knowledge and capability stagnate and then decay. The engine of mediocrity is project management.
When is Research Done?
TL;DR There is this trend I’ve noticed over my career, an increasing desire to see research as finished. The results are good enough, and the effort is moved to new endeavors. Success is then…
wjrider.wordpress.com
June 1, 2025 at 1:47 PM
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/06/01/w...
There is this trend I’ve noticed over my career, an increasing desire to see research as finished. Unless we are continually striving for better, knowledge and capability stagnate and then decay. The engine of mediocrity is project management.
There is this trend I’ve noticed over my career, an increasing desire to see research as finished. Unless we are continually striving for better, knowledge and capability stagnate and then decay. The engine of mediocrity is project management.
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/27/t...
The narrative for code verification is demonstrating correctness (no bugs). It sells verification as a practice short. It has a myriad of other uses, foremost the assessment of accuracy. It can define adherence to invariants. It can define research needs.
The narrative for code verification is demonstrating correctness (no bugs). It sells verification as a practice short. It has a myriad of other uses, foremost the assessment of accuracy. It can define adherence to invariants. It can define research needs.
There’s Much More to Code Verification
TL;DR The standard narrative for code verification is demonstrating correctness, and finding bugs. While this is true, it also sells verification as a practice wildly short. Code verification has a…
wjrider.wordpress.com
May 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/27/t...
The narrative for code verification is demonstrating correctness (no bugs). It sells verification as a practice short. It has a myriad of other uses, foremost the assessment of accuracy. It can define adherence to invariants. It can define research needs.
The narrative for code verification is demonstrating correctness (no bugs). It sells verification as a practice short. It has a myriad of other uses, foremost the assessment of accuracy. It can define adherence to invariants. It can define research needs.
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/19/d...
Uncertainty quantification (UQ) is ascending while verification & validation (V&V) is declining. UQ is largely done in silico and offers results that trivially harness modern parallel computing. UQ thus parallels the appeal of AI and easy computational results.
Uncertainty quantification (UQ) is ascending while verification & validation (V&V) is declining. UQ is largely done in silico and offers results that trivially harness modern parallel computing. UQ thus parallels the appeal of AI and easy computational results.
Does Uncertainty Quantification Replace V&V?
tl;dr Uncertainty quantification (UQ) is ascending while verification & validation (V&V) is declining. UQ is largely done in silico and offers results that trivially harness modern parallel…
wjrider.wordpress.com
May 19, 2025 at 12:56 AM
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/19/d...
Uncertainty quantification (UQ) is ascending while verification & validation (V&V) is declining. UQ is largely done in silico and offers results that trivially harness modern parallel computing. UQ thus parallels the appeal of AI and easy computational results.
Uncertainty quantification (UQ) is ascending while verification & validation (V&V) is declining. UQ is largely done in silico and offers results that trivially harness modern parallel computing. UQ thus parallels the appeal of AI and easy computational results.
Reposted by Bill Rider
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/03/d...
One of the most damning aspects of the results from LLMs are hallucinations. Is this purely an artifact of LLMs, or more common than believed? I believe the answer is yes. Classical modeling and simulations can deliver confident results without credibility.
One of the most damning aspects of the results from LLMs are hallucinations. Is this purely an artifact of LLMs, or more common than believed? I believe the answer is yes. Classical modeling and simulations can deliver confident results without credibility.
Does Modeling and Simulation Hallucinate Too?
tl;dr One of the most damning aspects of the amazing results from LLMs are hallucinations. These are garbage answers delivered with complete confidence. Is this purely an artifact of LLMs, or more …
wjrider.wordpress.com
May 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/03/d...
One of the most damning aspects of the results from LLMs are hallucinations. Is this purely an artifact of LLMs, or more common than believed? I believe the answer is yes. Classical modeling and simulations can deliver confident results without credibility.
One of the most damning aspects of the results from LLMs are hallucinations. Is this purely an artifact of LLMs, or more common than believed? I believe the answer is yes. Classical modeling and simulations can deliver confident results without credibility.
Reposted by Bill Rider
Its really cool when your blog post generates a lot of feedback. Its like when you give a talk, and you get lots of questions. It is a sign that people give a fuck. No questions, is not engagement and lots of no fucks given.
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/07/e...
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/07/e...
Epilog: What if Hallucinations are Really Bullshit?
“It is impossible for someone to lie unless he thinks he knows the truth. Producing bullshit requires no such conviction.” ― Harry G. Frankfurt, On Bullshit Its really cool when your blog post gene…
wjrider.wordpress.com
May 7, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Its really cool when your blog post generates a lot of feedback. Its like when you give a talk, and you get lots of questions. It is a sign that people give a fuck. No questions, is not engagement and lots of no fucks given.
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/07/e...
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/07/e...
Reposted by Bill Rider
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/17/i...
Today’s world is ruled by extreme views and movements. In almost all things balance and moderation are a better path. The middle way leads to progress that sticks. I will discuss how this plays out in both politics and science. Peter Lax's work was balanced.
Today’s world is ruled by extreme views and movements. In almost all things balance and moderation are a better path. The middle way leads to progress that sticks. I will discuss how this plays out in both politics and science. Peter Lax's work was balanced.
In a Time of Extremes, Balance is the Answer
tl;dr Today’s world is ruled by extreme views and movements. These extremes are often a direct reaction to progress and change. People often prefer order and a well-defined direction. The cur…
wjrider.wordpress.com
May 17, 2025 at 10:55 PM
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/17/i...
Today’s world is ruled by extreme views and movements. In almost all things balance and moderation are a better path. The middle way leads to progress that sticks. I will discuss how this plays out in both politics and science. Peter Lax's work was balanced.
Today’s world is ruled by extreme views and movements. In almost all things balance and moderation are a better path. The middle way leads to progress that sticks. I will discuss how this plays out in both politics and science. Peter Lax's work was balanced.
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/17/i...
Today’s world is ruled by extreme views and movements. In almost all things balance and moderation are a better path. The middle way leads to progress that sticks. I will discuss how this plays out in both politics and science. Peter Lax's work was balanced.
Today’s world is ruled by extreme views and movements. In almost all things balance and moderation are a better path. The middle way leads to progress that sticks. I will discuss how this plays out in both politics and science. Peter Lax's work was balanced.
In a Time of Extremes, Balance is the Answer
tl;dr Today’s world is ruled by extreme views and movements. These extremes are often a direct reaction to progress and change. People often prefer order and a well-defined direction. The cur…
wjrider.wordpress.com
May 17, 2025 at 10:55 PM
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/17/i...
Today’s world is ruled by extreme views and movements. In almost all things balance and moderation are a better path. The middle way leads to progress that sticks. I will discuss how this plays out in both politics and science. Peter Lax's work was balanced.
Today’s world is ruled by extreme views and movements. In almost all things balance and moderation are a better path. The middle way leads to progress that sticks. I will discuss how this plays out in both politics and science. Peter Lax's work was balanced.
Its really cool when your blog post generates a lot of feedback. Its like when you give a talk, and you get lots of questions. It is a sign that people give a fuck. No questions, is not engagement and lots of no fucks given.
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/07/e...
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/07/e...
Epilog: What if Hallucinations are Really Bullshit?
“It is impossible for someone to lie unless he thinks he knows the truth. Producing bullshit requires no such conviction.” ― Harry G. Frankfurt, On Bullshit Its really cool when your blog post gene…
wjrider.wordpress.com
May 7, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Its really cool when your blog post generates a lot of feedback. Its like when you give a talk, and you get lots of questions. It is a sign that people give a fuck. No questions, is not engagement and lots of no fucks given.
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/07/e...
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/07/e...
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/03/d...
One of the most damning aspects of the results from LLMs are hallucinations. Is this purely an artifact of LLMs, or more common than believed? I believe the answer is yes. Classical modeling and simulations can deliver confident results without credibility.
One of the most damning aspects of the results from LLMs are hallucinations. Is this purely an artifact of LLMs, or more common than believed? I believe the answer is yes. Classical modeling and simulations can deliver confident results without credibility.
Does Modeling and Simulation Hallucinate Too?
tl;dr One of the most damning aspects of the amazing results from LLMs are hallucinations. These are garbage answers delivered with complete confidence. Is this purely an artifact of LLMs, or more …
wjrider.wordpress.com
May 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/05/03/d...
One of the most damning aspects of the results from LLMs are hallucinations. Is this purely an artifact of LLMs, or more common than believed? I believe the answer is yes. Classical modeling and simulations can deliver confident results without credibility.
One of the most damning aspects of the results from LLMs are hallucinations. Is this purely an artifact of LLMs, or more common than believed? I believe the answer is yes. Classical modeling and simulations can deliver confident results without credibility.
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/04/21/v...
The narrative of verification and validation (V&V) is mired in process. This makes V&V as exciting as a trip to the DMV. V&V would be far better served to connect itself to science. V&V is simply the scientific method applied to computational science.
The narrative of verification and validation (V&V) is mired in process. This makes V&V as exciting as a trip to the DMV. V&V would be far better served to connect itself to science. V&V is simply the scientific method applied to computational science.
V&V: Too Much Process And Not Enough Science
tl;dr The narrative of verification and validation (V&V) is mired in process. The process is in the service of V&V as a means of assessment and credibility. This makes V&V as exciting a…
wjrider.wordpress.com
April 21, 2025 at 9:05 PM
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/04/21/v...
The narrative of verification and validation (V&V) is mired in process. This makes V&V as exciting as a trip to the DMV. V&V would be far better served to connect itself to science. V&V is simply the scientific method applied to computational science.
The narrative of verification and validation (V&V) is mired in process. This makes V&V as exciting as a trip to the DMV. V&V would be far better served to connect itself to science. V&V is simply the scientific method applied to computational science.
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/04/12/s...
“Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.” ― Joseph Heller
My encounter with the sprawling mediocrity of modernity.
“Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.” ― Joseph Heller
My encounter with the sprawling mediocrity of modernity.
Stumbling Into Mediocrity
tl;dr My early adult life was marked by a vigorous pursuit of excellence. My time in Los Alamos provided the example, path, and environment for it. There I started to achieve it. At the same time, …
wjrider.wordpress.com
April 12, 2025 at 5:42 PM
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/04/12/s...
“Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.” ― Joseph Heller
My encounter with the sprawling mediocrity of modernity.
“Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.” ― Joseph Heller
My encounter with the sprawling mediocrity of modernity.
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/04/05/h...
V&V assisted my research. I encountered remarkable resistance to V&V. This is because V&V challenges expert-based gatekeeping. V&V should be transformed into something supported. This is a connection to the scientific method applied to computations.
V&V assisted my research. I encountered remarkable resistance to V&V. This is because V&V challenges expert-based gatekeeping. V&V should be transformed into something supported. This is a connection to the scientific method applied to computations.
How V&V Fits Into My Career
tl;dr My career is drawing to a close. In looking back it is obvious that V&V played a crucial role. This was never intended, but rather an outgrowth of other goals. The main driver was numeric…
wjrider.wordpress.com
April 5, 2025 at 2:55 PM
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/04/05/h...
V&V assisted my research. I encountered remarkable resistance to V&V. This is because V&V challenges expert-based gatekeeping. V&V should be transformed into something supported. This is a connection to the scientific method applied to computations.
V&V assisted my research. I encountered remarkable resistance to V&V. This is because V&V challenges expert-based gatekeeping. V&V should be transformed into something supported. This is a connection to the scientific method applied to computations.
@ezrakleinbot.bsky.social Decoding DOGE. "Accusations are admissions" is the Rosetta stone. What they accuse the left of the right will do. This is a combination of Power Grab and Heist.
March 25, 2025 at 3:47 PM
@ezrakleinbot.bsky.social Decoding DOGE. "Accusations are admissions" is the Rosetta stone. What they accuse the left of the right will do. This is a combination of Power Grab and Heist.
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/03/23/v...
The practice of verification is essential for modeling and simulation quality. Yet, verification is not a priority. It is ignored by scientific research. This is because verification is disconnected from modeling. Also, it is not a part of active research.
The practice of verification is essential for modeling and simulation quality. Yet, verification is not a priority. It is ignored by scientific research. This is because verification is disconnected from modeling. Also, it is not a part of active research.
Verification Is Essential; Verification is Broken
tl;dr The practice of verification is absolutely essential for modeling and simulation quality. Yet, verification is not a priority; quality is not a priority. It is ignored by scientific research.…
wjrider.wordpress.com
March 23, 2025 at 6:56 PM
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/03/23/v...
The practice of verification is essential for modeling and simulation quality. Yet, verification is not a priority. It is ignored by scientific research. This is because verification is disconnected from modeling. Also, it is not a part of active research.
The practice of verification is essential for modeling and simulation quality. Yet, verification is not a priority. It is ignored by scientific research. This is because verification is disconnected from modeling. Also, it is not a part of active research.
Reposted by Bill Rider
The Pitt went into mass casualty mode this week with its best episode yet. I wrote about all the ways this great show celebrates the power of people who know what they're doing:
In Praise of 'The Pitt' Episode 12 and People Who Know What They're Doing
A shooting at a music festival challenges the ED doctors to rise to the occasion — and makes for an hour of sensational, gripping television.
www.rollingstone.com
March 21, 2025 at 12:02 PM
The Pitt went into mass casualty mode this week with its best episode yet. I wrote about all the ways this great show celebrates the power of people who know what they're doing:
Reposted by Bill Rider
Had a good night's sleep and decided my essay needed a better title.
"Trust, But Verify (for Computing)"
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/03/14/a...
"Trust, But Verify (for Computing)"
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/03/14/a...
Trust, But Verify (for Computing)
tl;dr A faster computer is always a good thing. It is not the best way to get faster or better results. A better program (or method or algorithm) is as important, if not more so. A new algorithm ca…
wjrider.wordpress.com
March 14, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Had a good night's sleep and decided my essay needed a better title.
"Trust, But Verify (for Computing)"
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/03/14/a...
"Trust, But Verify (for Computing)"
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/03/14/a...
Reposted by Bill Rider
The eventual fate of the GOP
Budapest today. People are demanding that PM Orban resign.
March 16, 2025 at 1:02 AM
The eventual fate of the GOP
Had a good night's sleep and decided my essay needed a better title.
"Trust, But Verify (for Computing)"
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/03/14/a...
"Trust, But Verify (for Computing)"
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/03/14/a...
Trust, But Verify (for Computing)
tl;dr A faster computer is always a good thing. It is not the best way to get faster or better results. A better program (or method or algorithm) is as important, if not more so. A new algorithm ca…
wjrider.wordpress.com
March 14, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Had a good night's sleep and decided my essay needed a better title.
"Trust, But Verify (for Computing)"
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/03/14/a...
"Trust, But Verify (for Computing)"
wjrider.wordpress.com/2025/03/14/a...