M A Osborne
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maosbot.bsky.social
M A Osborne
@maosbot.bsky.social
23K followers 1.7K following 2.7K posts
Parent, spouse, Australian, Professor of Machine Learning in Oxford. Long Covid, trans rights, music, reggae on Fridays, AI must be good for humans, https://www.robots.ox.ac.uk/~mosb
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maosbot.bsky.social
My work is so influential that prospective PhD students are now being influenced by papers that an LLM thinks I wrote but actually did not
Your work on Gaussian processes for environmental modeling (“Active Learning of Environmental Models,” Osborne et al., 2012) and multi-objective optimization for sustainability trade-offs (“The Automation of Science,” King et al., 2009, with your contributions) directly informs my methodological approach. I propose: 1. Bayesian optimization to identify high-impact monitoring
November 12, 2025 at 2:26 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
Copenhagen, 2024
a lovely coastal scene with a red and white striped lifeguard station on a sandy beach. The foreground shows marram grass in the dunes, whilst offshore wind turbines are visible on the horizon. The dramatic cloudy sky adds atmosphere to the composition.
October 7, 2025 at 11:23 AM
maosbot.bsky.social
More than a dozen cyclists waiting at the lights ahead of me—cycling is quite big in Denmark!
This is a lovely street scene showing a group of cyclists waiting at a traffic light in what appears to be a Scandinavian or Northern European city. The image captures about 12 people on bicycles lined up on a dedicated cycle lane, with the photographer also on a bike based on the handlebar visible in the foreground. The urban setting features modern brick buildings, including one with “PWC” signage, wide streets with clear cycling infrastructure, and overhead tram or trolley lines. The cyclists are dressed casually in everyday clothing - jeans, jumpers, and casual wear - which is typical of cities where cycling is a common mode of transport for daily commutes and errands.
September 4, 2025 at 12:13 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
After nineteen years, I am living near the ocean once again, and it feels like the cancellation of a debt
This image captures a peaceful moment by the water, with sunlight dancing across the surface of the sea and creating beautiful reflections. The wooden jetty or dock extends into the calm waters, whilst the rocky shoreline in the foreground is dotted with smooth, rounded stones and patches of green vegetation. The sky shows a mix of clouds and clear patches, creating interesting patterns of light and shadow. The lens flare visible in the upper left adds a dreamy quality to the photograph.
September 3, 2025 at 5:36 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
I love these easy carrot buns!

• 200g plain flour
• 100g rolled oats
• 70g sunflower seeds
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 150g grated carrots
• 80g butter, melted
• 260ml milk
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp maple syrup

Add wet ingredients to the dry, then ladle out blobs and bake at 180°C for 20 minutes.
This looks like a homemade savoury muffin or cake with a lovely golden-orange colour and chunky texture. I can see what appears to be grated carrot throughout, giving it that vibrant orange hue, along with what look like nuts or seeds mixed in. The texture appears quite moist and dense, and it’s served on a beautiful blue and white porcelain plate with delicate floral patterns.
August 24, 2025 at 5:32 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
One of my favourite ways to relax is to sit with a big box of unsorted Lego and to just build… something
A hand holding a small LEGO build featuring a brown teddy bear minifigure in a green forest scene with foliage, flowers, and a red and white mushroom, with a box of assorted LEGO pieces visible in the background.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
August 24, 2025 at 12:37 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
As a cyclist who has never owned a car, moving to Aarhus has made such a huge difference to my quality of life: safe and beautiful bike paths everywhere have finally stopped me feeling like a second-class citizen
a cargo bike parked on a cycle path in what appears to be a Danish or Northern European neighbourhood. The bike has a large cardboard package secured in its front cargo box, and there’s a beautiful tree-lined street with characteristic red-tiled roof houses in the background. The cycle path runs parallel to the road, separated by a grass verge with mature trees providing shade.
August 23, 2025 at 11:47 AM
maosbot.bsky.social
Vote for me and I will make it illegal for the best blackberries to be just out of reach
Blackberry bush
August 21, 2025 at 3:05 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
Sustainable transport in Aarhus, Denmark: dedicated cycling lanes that connect seamlessly with light rail, nestled between forest and coastline. This is what happens when cities prioritise people over cars!
This is a lovely photograph of an Aarhus Light Rail train on what appears to be one of the suburban sections of the Letbanen system. The sleek, contemporary tram has the characteristic silver and red livery of Aarhus Light Rail and is running on overhead electric lines supported by cantenary poles. The scene shows the light rail travelling alongside a paved cycling and walking path, separated by metal railings for safety. The setting looks quite pleasant with mature trees providing green canopy on both sides, and there’s a cyclist visible on the path. In the background, you can see what appears to be a high-rise building, likely somewhere in the greater Aarhus area. This represents the modern Letbanen system that opened in 2017, connecting Aarhus city centre with surrounding municipalities like Odder and Grenaa. The infrastructure demonstrates Denmark’s excellent approach to integrating public transport with cycling and pedestrian networks - very much in keeping with Danish urban planning priorities that emphasise sustainable transport modes. This is a lovely waterfront cycling path with a dedicated bike lane running alongside a body of water. The scene shows cyclists and pedestrians enjoying what appears to be a beautiful sunny day, with a city skyline visible across the water in the distance. There are overhead power lines (likely for trams or trains) and lush green trees lining the path on one side. The infrastructure looks well-designed for active transport, with clear lane markings separating cyclists from pedestrians. The urban planning here seems to prioritise sustainable transport options whilst providing scenic routes for residents and visitors to enjoy the waterfront.
August 20, 2025 at 3:02 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
Cycling in Denmark is so rad. I rode 10km to grab a great deal on a new TV, 100% along beautiful bike paths physically separated from the road, and then I took a completely different 10km of 100% beautiful and safe bike paths back home again
a cargo bike parked on a cycle path in what appears to be a Danish or Northern European neighbourhood. The bike has a large cardboard package secured in its front cargo box, and there’s a beautiful tree-lined street with characteristic red-tiled roof houses in the background. The cycle path runs parallel to the road, separated by a grass verge with mature trees providing shade.
August 8, 2025 at 7:50 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
We live in Aarhus now. It’s amazing!
This appears to be a beautiful historic castle or manor house complex, likely from the Renaissance period based on the architectural style. The buildings feature characteristic red brick construction with decorative stone trim, steep red clay tile roofs, and multi-paned windows with dark frames. The prominent round tower with its distinctive green copper dome and weathervane is particularly striking. The cobblestone courtyard and well-maintained grounds suggest this is now likely a museum, cultural site, or perhaps a venue for events. The architectural style and building materials are very typical of Northern European castles and manor houses from the 16th-17th centuries, possibly in Denmark, Sweden, or the Netherlands. The white classical entrance portico on the right building appears to be a later addition, probably from the 18th or 19th century, showing how these historic buildings evolved and were modified over time.
August 7, 2025 at 2:54 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
Just another day in Denmark
This is a lovely view of what appears to be a traditional Danish town centre, with characteristic colourful buildings featuring red clay tile roofs. The architecture shows the classic Scandinavian style with multi-storey buildings in yellow, white, and other pastel colours lining a quiet street. The dramatic sky filled with puffy white cumulus clouds against the deep blue backdrop creates a beautiful contrast with the historic buildings below. The perspective suggests this photo was taken from an elevated position, perhaps from an upper floor window or rooftop, looking down at the charming streetscape with its mix of residential and possibly commercial buildings typical of Danish market towns.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
July 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
Rest in peace, Goldie (2023-2025)
This is a beautiful photograph of a golden retriever or similar breed dog standing in an open field during what appears to be golden hour - either sunrise or sunset. The dog is positioned in the foreground, silhouetted against the warm, golden light streaming from the sun in the background. The field is covered in short grass with visible texture and patterns, and there’s a line of bare trees along the horizon. The sky features dramatic clouds illuminated by the golden sunlight, creating a stunning contrast between the warm yellows and oranges of the light and the cooler blues of the sky. The lighting creates a beautiful rim light effect around the dog’s fur, making it glow against the landscape. The composition captures a peaceful, pastoral moment with excellent use of natural lighting and depth of field.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
July 28, 2025 at 10:22 AM
maosbot.bsky.social
I am still eating porridge every day, but now I make it vegan—with olive oil, black beans, sunflower seeds and roast vegetables
A white bowl filled with oat groat porridge, served with black beans, sunflower seeds and roast vegetables
July 22, 2025 at 10:11 AM
maosbot.bsky.social
I figured out why my baking was failing. Turns out that this helpful measuring cup (marked with 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4) that came with my rice comer does not, in fact, measure cups. It is ~180mL, close enough to fool me, but not close enough for baking
A hand holding a clear plastic measuring cup against a light-colored background. The cup appears to be cylindrical with measurement markings and has a pour spout. There are additional glass containers visible in the blurred background.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
July 20, 2025 at 1:30 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
Sunset over England
This is a breathtaking aerial photograph capturing a dramatic sunset or sunrise from high altitude, likely taken from an aircraft. The image showcases a spectacular cloudscape with layers of clouds stretching across the horizon, illuminated by warm golden and orange light from the sun, which appears as a bright orb with visible rays extending outward. The sky displays a beautiful gradient from deep blue-grey at the top to warm amber and gold near the horizon. Below the clouds, you can glimpse the Earth’s surface in the distance, appearing dark and textured. The composition emphasises the vastness of the sky and the dramatic interplay between light and shadow across the cloud formations, creating a sense of being suspended between earth and heaven. The lighting suggests this was captured during the “golden hour” when the sun is low on the horizon, producing the most spectacular atmospheric conditions for photography.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
July 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
You call that a library? This is a library
This is a breathtaking photograph of what appears to be a historic library hall. The image showcases a magnificent two-storey gallery with towering bookshelves reaching from floor to ornately decorated ceiling. The architectural details are stunning - elaborate carved and painted ceiling panels create geometric patterns overhead, whilst rows upon rows of leather-bound volumes line the walls in perfect symmetry.
July 15, 2025 at 6:40 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
plan would be implemented. 191 [12. Adams also suggested that the city use a DNA-test to catch dog owners, who fail to clean up their dogs' poop. 61 He was criticised for often missing
July 14, 2025 at 3:02 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
Standing-room-only train full of coughing strangers. Lucky I am masked (it wasn’t actually luck)
This image shows a CO₂ monitor (an Aranet4 device) displaying a reading of 1464 ppm CO₂, with a temperature of 23.1°C and 69% humidity. The device is sitting on what appears to be a train window ledge, with railway tracks visible outside through the window. The CO₂ reading of 1464 ppm is quite high - it’s in the orange/red zone on the device’s colour scale. For context, outdoor air is typically around 400-420 ppm, whilst indoor air quality guidelines suggest keeping levels below 800-1000 ppm. Levels above 1000 ppm can cause drowsiness, stuffiness, and reduced cognitive function.
July 14, 2025 at 1:09 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
Cuphead is such an amazing game—the kids and I are all totally obsessed with it. I love the rich hand-drawn art, the music, the creepiness, the weirdness, the bonkers difficulty
This is a screenshot from the indie video game “Cuphead,” showing the classic 1930s cartoon-style animation that the game is famous for. The scene depicts what appears to be a boss battle or level with several characters: • On the right side is a large, angry-looking character (likely a boss) with an exaggerated open mouth and bulging eyes • There are several small blue characters at the bottom (these look like minions or enemies) • Flying creatures that appear to be some sort of birds or bats are scattered throughout the scene • The setting appears to be a snowy, winter landscape with platforms and structures • The art style perfectly mimics the rubber hose animation technique of early Disney cartoons Cuphead is renowned for its hand-drawn animation, challenging gameplay, and authentic recreation of 1930s cartoon aesthetics. Each frame was hand-drawn and animated to capture the look and feel of golden age animation, making it quite distinctive in the gaming world.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ This is another screenshot from Cuphead, showing what appears to be a boss battle in an icy, winter-themed level. The scene features: • A large, menacing whale with an orange/brown colour scheme, wide gaping mouth full of teeth, and angry expression • The setting is clearly an ice castle or frozen fortress, with blue ice walls, icicles, and frozen architecture • There’s an audience of ghostly spectators watching from stadium-like seating areas • A purple character can be seen in the upper portion • Cuphead himself is visible on the left side of the screen, appearing to be in the middle of the boss fight • Various ice-themed enemies or projectiles are scattered throughout the scene • The bottom shows what appears to be Mugman (Cuphead’s companion) as well This maintains Cuphead’s signature 1930s animation style with its vibrant colours, exaggerated character designs, and theatrical presentation. The ice/winter theme suggests this might be from one of the game’s more challenging boss encounters, as Cuphead is known for its difficult but beautifully animated boss battles.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
July 12, 2025 at 9:10 AM
maosbot.bsky.social
What a sunset!
What a spectacular sky! This photograph captures a breathtaking sunset or sunrise with dramatic cloud formations painted in brilliant shades of coral, pink, and orange against a backdrop of grey and white clouds. The colours are absolutely stunning - ranging from deep salmon and peach tones to bright orange and yellow where the light is most intense. The scene appears to be taken from an elevated position, possibly an upper floor or rooftop, looking out over a charming European town or city. You can see traditional architecture with terracotta roof tiles, leafy trees, and what looks like a church spire silhouetted against the colourful sky. The contrast between the warm, vibrant sky and the darker silhouettes of the buildings and trees creates a lovely compositional balance. The cloud formation is particularly striking - it looks like stratocumulus clouds catching and reflecting the golden hour light, creating this magnificent natural light show. These types of dramatic skies often occur when there’s moisture in the atmosphere and the sun is at a low angle, allowing the light to scatter and create these warm, saturated colours.
July 11, 2025 at 7:54 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
If anyone else is, like us, looking for kid-friendly films to make it through the summer holidays, we watched kpop demon hunters as a family and all loved it
This is a promotional poster for “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” a Netflix animated series that premiered on 20 June. The poster features a vibrant cyberpunk aesthetic with neon purple and blue tones throughout. The image shows three main characters - young women with distinct hairstyles (blonde, pink/purple, and dark hair with fringe) displayed as large portraits in the background. In the foreground, three smaller figures wielding glowing energy weapons are positioned in dynamic action poses against a futuristic cityscape. The visual style blends K-pop culture with supernatural/fantasy elements, featuring sleek character designs and a high-tech urban setting. The Netflix branding and release date are prominently displayed at the bottom, along with production credits indicating it’s from Sony Pictures Animation. The poster effectively combines the glamorous, stylised world of K-pop with action-adventure themes, targeting audiences interested in both Korean pop culture and animate​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
July 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
These are two packages of Coon brand processed cheese slices from Australia. On the left is “Coon Tasty” (regular flavour) and on the right is “Coon Light ‘n Tasty” (reduced fat version). Both packages contain 12 natural cheese slices weighing 250g each. The packaging shows they’re made in Australia from at least 90% Australian ingredients. The cheese appears to be individually wrapped slices designed for sandwiches and general cooking use, as indicated by the sandwich imagery on the packaging.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
July 2, 2025 at 2:33 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
Danish cheese is extremely under-rated. Vesterhavsost is my favourite cheese in the whole world
This appears to be a wedge of hard cheese. The cheese has a pale golden colour with some crystalline deposits visible on the surface, which are characteristic of well-aged hard cheeses. These crystals are typically calcium lactate or tyrosine crystals that form during the aging process, giving the cheese additional texture and concentrated flavour. The cheese is wrapped in what looks like greaseproof paper or cheese paper for storage.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
July 2, 2025 at 1:45 PM
maosbot.bsky.social
Spending less time looking at Bluesky and more time looking at blue sky
This is a lovely photograph of a clear blue sky with several distinctive features. The most prominent elements are the white contrails (condensation trails) left by aircraft, creating intersecting lines across the sky. These contrails form when hot jet exhaust meets the cold air at high altitudes, typically above 8,000 metres. The sky shows beautiful wispy cirrus clouds scattered throughout, and there’s a seagull captured in flight on the right side of the frame. Below, you can see a charming European townscape with traditional red clay tile roofs, mature trees, and what appears to be a windmill in the background on the left side. The photograph captures a perfect summer day with excellent visibility and atmospheric conditions that allow the contrails to persist and spread, creating those characteristic feathery patterns against the deep blue sky. The composition nicely balances the dramatic sky with the quaint rooftop view below.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
June 29, 2025 at 10:42 AM