NeverFadingWood 🏴
@avantgardening.pl
Linguist/Teacher/Translator.
Language/music/politics/cats
He/him.
Owned by Marmite
Ateistyczny lewacki degenerat
#ActuallyAutistic so please be direct
Music: https://avantgardening.pl/music.html
Website: https://avantgardening.pl
Kraków, Poland
Language/music/politics/cats
He/him.
Owned by Marmite
Ateistyczny lewacki degenerat
#ActuallyAutistic so please be direct
Music: https://avantgardening.pl/music.html
Website: https://avantgardening.pl
Kraków, Poland
My gods, some people on here are just plain obnoxious. It constantly astonishes me how people can live their lives like that.
January 4, 2026 at 7:14 PM
My gods, some people on here are just plain obnoxious. It constantly astonishes me how people can live their lives like that.
Yeah. Culture shocks can be good.
Going to live in another country where you don't know the language. Then learning both the language and the culture. It makes you question almost everything you've taken for granted.
For me, it was an unmissable experience.
Going to live in another country where you don't know the language. Then learning both the language and the culture. It makes you question almost everything you've taken for granted.
For me, it was an unmissable experience.
January 4, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Yeah. Culture shocks can be good.
Going to live in another country where you don't know the language. Then learning both the language and the culture. It makes you question almost everything you've taken for granted.
For me, it was an unmissable experience.
Going to live in another country where you don't know the language. Then learning both the language and the culture. It makes you question almost everything you've taken for granted.
For me, it was an unmissable experience.
As my dear mother used to say:
Hope it chokes them.
Hope it chokes them.
... GOOD
Ironically, the same people who are anti-vax are injecting themselves with peptides made in China, with unknown constituents, purity, efficacy, and risk
January 4, 2026 at 6:52 PM
As my dear mother used to say:
Hope it chokes them.
Hope it chokes them.
That's my goose well and truly cooked, then.
Aquarius: It's time to put all the disappointments and misery of 2025 behind you and look forward to 2026, which will have lots of new disappointments and misery in store for you.
January 4, 2026 at 6:48 PM
That's my goose well and truly cooked, then.
Incidentally, four things that LLMs *can't* do.
The human brain can write symphonies and solve equations.
It can also make you feel sick on a bus and forget what you were about to do.
All this and more explained in my bestselling book The Idiot Brain.
Look it up now before you forget 😉
#PsychologyFacts
#HumanBrain
#BrainFacts
#MindScience
It can also make you feel sick on a bus and forget what you were about to do.
All this and more explained in my bestselling book The Idiot Brain.
Look it up now before you forget 😉
#PsychologyFacts
#HumanBrain
#BrainFacts
#MindScience
January 4, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Incidentally, four things that LLMs *can't* do.
Reposted by NeverFadingWood 🏴
The human brain can write symphonies and solve equations.
It can also make you feel sick on a bus and forget what you were about to do.
All this and more explained in my bestselling book The Idiot Brain.
Look it up now before you forget 😉
#PsychologyFacts
#HumanBrain
#BrainFacts
#MindScience
It can also make you feel sick on a bus and forget what you were about to do.
All this and more explained in my bestselling book The Idiot Brain.
Look it up now before you forget 😉
#PsychologyFacts
#HumanBrain
#BrainFacts
#MindScience
January 4, 2026 at 5:54 PM
The human brain can write symphonies and solve equations.
It can also make you feel sick on a bus and forget what you were about to do.
All this and more explained in my bestselling book The Idiot Brain.
Look it up now before you forget 😉
#PsychologyFacts
#HumanBrain
#BrainFacts
#MindScience
It can also make you feel sick on a bus and forget what you were about to do.
All this and more explained in my bestselling book The Idiot Brain.
Look it up now before you forget 😉
#PsychologyFacts
#HumanBrain
#BrainFacts
#MindScience
Going to give this a go. Sounds interesting.
If you’re a fan of musique concrète & ambient minimalism, I think you’ll dig the new album from composer Isobel Waller-Bridge, who is best known for scoring soundtracks to movies & her sister’s TV shows (e.g., Fleabag)
Almost devoid of melody but rich in tranquility
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Almost devoid of melody but rich in tranquility
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Objects - YouTube
youtube.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Going to give this a go. Sounds interesting.
Reposted by NeverFadingWood 🏴
This silver groat of James III of Scotland (1484-1488) was one of the 1st coins minted in Northern Europe with a realistic portrait in the Renaissance style. This example from the Lord Stewartby Collection is one of the best preserved I've ever seen.
January 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM
This silver groat of James III of Scotland (1484-1488) was one of the 1st coins minted in Northern Europe with a realistic portrait in the Renaissance style. This example from the Lord Stewartby Collection is one of the best preserved I've ever seen.
Imagine an author being so far rightwing that he thinks Mumsnet people were "left-leaning".
It almost beggars belief.
It almost beggars belief.
Searches article in vain for evidence that these people are or were “left-leaning”. Remembers that the Times is no longer a serious newspaper. Notes that Mumsnet’s Justine Roberts has “robust” views on immigration. Remembers where transphobes always end up
"Left-leaning mothers of Mumsnet are deserting Labour for Reform" [Times]
I can't stop laughing long enough to come up with something sarcastic to say about this headline.
I can't stop laughing long enough to come up with something sarcastic to say about this headline.
January 4, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Imagine an author being so far rightwing that he thinks Mumsnet people were "left-leaning".
It almost beggars belief.
It almost beggars belief.
Reposted by NeverFadingWood 🏴
The Long Neolithic persists in the now. Its stones are engines of mystery. Its stone are engines of connection to a past of dead reverence. We become lithic pilgrims. Unable to deny how they speak to our imaginations, our aching need to wonder. – Dr. K. Brophy #StandingStoneSunday
January 4, 2026 at 11:40 AM
The Long Neolithic persists in the now. Its stones are engines of mystery. Its stone are engines of connection to a past of dead reverence. We become lithic pilgrims. Unable to deny how they speak to our imaginations, our aching need to wonder. – Dr. K. Brophy #StandingStoneSunday
Reposted by NeverFadingWood 🏴
Tell me we should trust AI to give us the facts. Tell me it's a future we can put our faith in. Come at me. I'm right here, waiting.
January 4, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Tell me we should trust AI to give us the facts. Tell me it's a future we can put our faith in. Come at me. I'm right here, waiting.
An interesting thing that @joebankswriter.bsky.social said in his chat with Hepworth and Ellen.
He said there's no such thing as a casual Hammill fan. He's a love him or hate him kind of artist, I suppose.
He said there's no such thing as a casual Hammill fan. He's a love him or hate him kind of artist, I suppose.
January 4, 2026 at 5:36 PM
An interesting thing that @joebankswriter.bsky.social said in his chat with Hepworth and Ellen.
He said there's no such thing as a casual Hammill fan. He's a love him or hate him kind of artist, I suppose.
He said there's no such thing as a casual Hammill fan. He's a love him or hate him kind of artist, I suppose.
Reposted by NeverFadingWood 🏴
Has anyone else noticed how most fast food and cheaper restaurant menus are now dominated by "hot", "sizzling", "spicy", "fiery" items? It's not a change in people's preferences. It's adding chili and other hot spices to hide poor quality ingredients.
January 4, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Has anyone else noticed how most fast food and cheaper restaurant menus are now dominated by "hot", "sizzling", "spicy", "fiery" items? It's not a change in people's preferences. It's adding chili and other hot spices to hide poor quality ingredients.
Oh yes, I like that characterisation. Sarwar is definitely a chancer. And as such *totally* untrustworthy.
Watch out Scotland, here it comes again! Sarwar has the audacity to say that John Swinney has been hiding in a hedge for 2 years! This from the man who perpetually plays hide and seek!
Anas Sarwar branded 'chancer' ahead of Labour Holyrood election pitch
www.thenational.scot/news/2573802...
Anas Sarwar branded 'chancer' ahead of Labour Holyrood election pitch
www.thenational.scot/news/2573802...
Anas Sarwar branded 'chancer' ahead of Labour Holyrood election pitch to voters
ANAS Sarwar has been branded a “chancer” after the Scottish Labour leader revealed his party's tactics to attack the SNP ahead of the Holyrood…
www.thenational.scot
January 4, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Oh yes, I like that characterisation. Sarwar is definitely a chancer. And as such *totally* untrustworthy.
My only experience of British young-people-speak was at Christmas, when I was talking with my nephew (who's 24, I think).
I was talking about my Younger possibly having fallen into the manosphere, and being worried about that. Then my nephew piped up and said, "unless he's doing it ironically".
I was talking about my Younger possibly having fallen into the manosphere, and being worried about that. Then my nephew piped up and said, "unless he's doing it ironically".
January 4, 2026 at 5:12 PM
My only experience of British young-people-speak was at Christmas, when I was talking with my nephew (who's 24, I think).
I was talking about my Younger possibly having fallen into the manosphere, and being worried about that. Then my nephew piped up and said, "unless he's doing it ironically".
I was talking about my Younger possibly having fallen into the manosphere, and being worried about that. Then my nephew piped up and said, "unless he's doing it ironically".
Reposted by NeverFadingWood 🏴
New favorite CODAism is that the 6 y.o. has started saying, "question mark" at the end of his English sentences 😂
January 4, 2026 at 4:38 PM
New favorite CODAism is that the 6 y.o. has started saying, "question mark" at the end of his English sentences 😂
#NowPlaying Alain Damiens - "Dialogue de L'Ombre Double for clarinet & electronics - Pierre Boulez"
My *absolute favourite* piece of classical music.
I was fortunate enough to see Damiens perform this live. Speakers were placed all around the hall.
youtu.be/r1Yl1bkDjqs...
My *absolute favourite* piece of classical music.
I was fortunate enough to see Damiens perform this live. Speakers were placed all around the hall.
youtu.be/r1Yl1bkDjqs...
Pierre Boulez: Dialogue de l'ombre double (1982/85)
YouTube video by grinblɐt
youtu.be
January 4, 2026 at 5:05 PM
#NowPlaying Alain Damiens - "Dialogue de L'Ombre Double for clarinet & electronics - Pierre Boulez"
My *absolute favourite* piece of classical music.
I was fortunate enough to see Damiens perform this live. Speakers were placed all around the hall.
youtu.be/r1Yl1bkDjqs...
My *absolute favourite* piece of classical music.
I was fortunate enough to see Damiens perform this live. Speakers were placed all around the hall.
youtu.be/r1Yl1bkDjqs...
Stacks and tiling. Also Workspaces.
What's a browser feature you didn't know you needed until you tried it? 🤔
January 4, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Stacks and tiling. Also Workspaces.
Isn't the saxophone a woodwind instrument because it's based on the clarinet?
January 4, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Isn't the saxophone a woodwind instrument because it's based on the clarinet?
I haven't thought about this before, but I think, at least in my case, they're not the same thing.
Kids don't annoy me (I have two) - small talk does (autistic hyper-individualism, maybe?).
Kids don't annoy me (I have two) - small talk does (autistic hyper-individualism, maybe?).
The very things that annoy you about kids are the same reasons y’all get on here saying you hate small talk and don’t speak to your neighbors. It’s hyper-individualism. It’s easier to project that discomfort onto the most vulnerable rather than examine how disconnected we’ve all become.
January 4, 2026 at 4:33 PM
I haven't thought about this before, but I think, at least in my case, they're not the same thing.
Kids don't annoy me (I have two) - small talk does (autistic hyper-individualism, maybe?).
Kids don't annoy me (I have two) - small talk does (autistic hyper-individualism, maybe?).
So, yeah, not great - it could be better - but Scotland is doing a better job than Westminster.
Despite having at least one hand tied behind our backs.
Despite having at least one hand tied behind our backs.
Despite a greater challenge Scotland is providing care packages at 3 times the rate in England
talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/01/03/d...
talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/01/03/d...
Despite a greater challenge Scotland is providing care packages at 3 times the rate in England
Professor John Robertson OBA In the English Daily Express today but not shadowed by its ‘Scottish’ variant: Why might the ‘Scottish’ Daily Express have little to say on this…
talkingupscotlandtwo.com
January 4, 2026 at 4:26 PM
So, yeah, not great - it could be better - but Scotland is doing a better job than Westminster.
Despite having at least one hand tied behind our backs.
Despite having at least one hand tied behind our backs.
An excellent interview with Yann LeCun, former head of AI at Meta.
He really does have interesting things to say. Things which the AI tech bro leaders don't like.
Computer scientist Yann LeCun: ‘Intelligence really is about learning’
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
He really does have interesting things to say. Things which the AI tech bro leaders don't like.
Computer scientist Yann LeCun: ‘Intelligence really is about learning’
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Computer scientist Yann LeCun: ‘Intelligence really is about learning’
The AI pioneer on stepping down from Meta, the limits of large language models — and the launch of his new start-up
giftarticle.ft.com
January 4, 2026 at 3:13 PM
An excellent interview with Yann LeCun, former head of AI at Meta.
He really does have interesting things to say. Things which the AI tech bro leaders don't like.
Computer scientist Yann LeCun: ‘Intelligence really is about learning’
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
He really does have interesting things to say. Things which the AI tech bro leaders don't like.
Computer scientist Yann LeCun: ‘Intelligence really is about learning’
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Yeah, this is it. Loading the dice is not the answer.
The unfortunate part of being a linguist that understands how language models work is that the things people are doing to try to improve the end user experience essentially amount to shaved dice, and the shavings don't make the dice better.
January 4, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Yeah, this is it. Loading the dice is not the answer.
Yes. Very well said, Volodymyr.
Of course, we know what'll happen. Or rather, what definitely *won't* happen.
Of course, we know what'll happen. Or rather, what definitely *won't* happen.
Zelensky on Venezuela:
“About Venezuela? How should I respond to that? Well, what can I say? If… If it is possible to act with dictators like this, it means the United States knows what to do next. Thank you”
Omg I love it.
“About Venezuela? How should I respond to that? Well, what can I say? If… If it is possible to act with dictators like this, it means the United States knows what to do next. Thank you”
Omg I love it.
January 4, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Yes. Very well said, Volodymyr.
Of course, we know what'll happen. Or rather, what definitely *won't* happen.
Of course, we know what'll happen. Or rather, what definitely *won't* happen.