Baldur Bjarnason
@baldurbjarnason.com
Writer, web developer and consultant based in Hveragerði, Iceland. Lapsed Interactive Media Academic. Webby Tech Stuff and webby book stuff.
https://www.baldurbjarnason.com/
https://softwarecrisis.dev/
https://www.baldurbjarnason.com/
https://softwarecrisis.dev/
Pinned
Baldur Bjarnason
@baldurbjarnason.com
· Oct 27
I figure since there's been a recent influx of people here on Bluesky, it might be worthwhile to do "highlights reels" of sorts for my newsletter, which is at www.baldurbjarnason.com
The biggest topic on my newsletter is software and web development, usually from a bit of a systemic perspective.
The biggest topic on my newsletter is software and web development, usually from a bit of a systemic perspective.
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
An old potato storage. Or, if you prefer, a hobbit lives there.
#Iceland #Reykjavik #photography #landscape #nature #naturephotography #landscapephotography #abandoned #winter #grass
#Iceland #Reykjavik #photography #landscape #nature #naturephotography #landscapephotography #abandoned #winter #grass
January 12, 2026 at 10:01 PM
An old potato storage. Or, if you prefer, a hobbit lives there.
#Iceland #Reykjavik #photography #landscape #nature #naturephotography #landscapephotography #abandoned #winter #grass
#Iceland #Reykjavik #photography #landscape #nature #naturephotography #landscapephotography #abandoned #winter #grass
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
Paul Verhoeven undefeated in creating a movie that flies right over the heads of the people it’s making fun of
Rightwing influencers are so bad at interpreting source material that they can only do it correctly by accident, when they're trying to make a joke
January 12, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Paul Verhoeven undefeated in creating a movie that flies right over the heads of the people it’s making fun of
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
⚓️ New Article: Mutual aid and asking people what they need
Mutual aid and asking people what they need
On Friday, I had just picked up my car after having some repairs done when I saw a man holding a sign that said he was homeless and needed help.
His name is Michael. I’ve talked to him before.
I never carry cash anymore I basically never have any cash on me anymore, but I still wanted to help. I pulled over, reintroduced myself, and asked…
I don’t have any cash on me right now, but I’ll happily go buy you anything you want.
gomakethings.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:23 PM
⚓️ New Article: Mutual aid and asking people what they need
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
My/my client's book is out tomorrow, I'm interested in getting reviews.
A regular email I receive.
Authors, publicists, consultants, anyone else in this space, PLEASE give yourself 6+ months to do this.
Cheers
A regular email I receive.
Authors, publicists, consultants, anyone else in this space, PLEASE give yourself 6+ months to do this.
Cheers
January 12, 2026 at 3:47 PM
My/my client's book is out tomorrow, I'm interested in getting reviews.
A regular email I receive.
Authors, publicists, consultants, anyone else in this space, PLEASE give yourself 6+ months to do this.
Cheers
A regular email I receive.
Authors, publicists, consultants, anyone else in this space, PLEASE give yourself 6+ months to do this.
Cheers
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
Did I mention that we have a Kickstarter, for a brand new six episode Immersive Audio series, set in @davidmbarnett.bsky.social's Withered Hill universe?
I did?
Sorry, all good here then.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/tom...
I did?
Sorry, all good here then.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/tom...
January 12, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Did I mention that we have a Kickstarter, for a brand new six episode Immersive Audio series, set in @davidmbarnett.bsky.social's Withered Hill universe?
I did?
Sorry, all good here then.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/tom...
I did?
Sorry, all good here then.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/tom...
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
Absolutely bewildering AI slop scam occurring on archive of our own (ao3), a fan fiction archive, of bots commenting with spam art solicitation scams.
Ah yes. Notable pillar of the wealthy internet. Writers who aren't even doing it for the money.
Ah yes. Notable pillar of the wealthy internet. Writers who aren't even doing it for the money.
January 12, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Absolutely bewildering AI slop scam occurring on archive of our own (ao3), a fan fiction archive, of bots commenting with spam art solicitation scams.
Ah yes. Notable pillar of the wealthy internet. Writers who aren't even doing it for the money.
Ah yes. Notable pillar of the wealthy internet. Writers who aren't even doing it for the money.
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
Perhaps the surest sign of AI not being super intelligent is the amount of tailored scams targeting the finances of authors, which is as rewarding as trying to mug a seagull.
January 12, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Perhaps the surest sign of AI not being super intelligent is the amount of tailored scams targeting the finances of authors, which is as rewarding as trying to mug a seagull.
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
January 10, 2026 at 9:59 PM
As a neurospicy person prone to anxiety, pretty much all of my spare time over the past week has been spent either hiking or under a weighted blanked with noise-cancelling headphones.
I think everybody's coping mechanisms are getting intensive workouts these days.
I think everybody's coping mechanisms are getting intensive workouts these days.
January 12, 2026 at 11:33 AM
As a neurospicy person prone to anxiety, pretty much all of my spare time over the past week has been spent either hiking or under a weighted blanked with noise-cancelling headphones.
I think everybody's coping mechanisms are getting intensive workouts these days.
I think everybody's coping mechanisms are getting intensive workouts these days.
My town looks okay, for now (photos): https://www.baldurbjarnason.com/notes/photos/my-town-looks-okay-for-now/
January 12, 2026 at 11:39 AM
My town looks okay, for now (photos): https://www.baldurbjarnason.com/notes/photos/my-town-looks-okay-for-now/
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
People in our industry saying AI is inevitable or will revolutionize xyz:
You need to back those statements up. Research is saying otherwise and if you can't show anything that disproves said research your opinion is just wishful or fatalistic thinking.
Trust me bro/vibes don't count. Data does.
You need to back those statements up. Research is saying otherwise and if you can't show anything that disproves said research your opinion is just wishful or fatalistic thinking.
Trust me bro/vibes don't count. Data does.
every fucker saying how much more powerful Claude is now is allergic to measurable numbers. they will literally give you graphs of vibes.
what are the measurable results, fucker. do the METR study but up to date if you don't want to accept it saying how you suck.
what are the measurable results, fucker. do the METR study but up to date if you don't want to accept it saying how you suck.
"The tools are getting better!" is a constant drumbeat in AI circles. They say, Claude is 1000x more powerful now. But practically what does that mean? It means nothing. The "insights" are just as fake as they were five years ago.
January 12, 2026 at 10:37 AM
People in our industry saying AI is inevitable or will revolutionize xyz:
You need to back those statements up. Research is saying otherwise and if you can't show anything that disproves said research your opinion is just wishful or fatalistic thinking.
Trust me bro/vibes don't count. Data does.
You need to back those statements up. Research is saying otherwise and if you can't show anything that disproves said research your opinion is just wishful or fatalistic thinking.
Trust me bro/vibes don't count. Data does.
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
New dating strategy just dropped
January 12, 2026 at 1:16 AM
New dating strategy just dropped
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
"The tools are getting better!" is a constant drumbeat in AI circles. They say, Claude is 1000x more powerful now. But practically what does that mean? It means nothing. The "insights" are just as fake as they were five years ago.
January 12, 2026 at 2:30 AM
"The tools are getting better!" is a constant drumbeat in AI circles. They say, Claude is 1000x more powerful now. But practically what does that mean? It means nothing. The "insights" are just as fake as they were five years ago.
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
All of the evidence here is from the past month. And all of it still points to degradation of comprehension, and the rising costs of cleaning up after cutting edge AI tools.
When you hear "better than nothing," ask whose responsibility the "nothing" is, and whether the "better than nothing" solution simply lets them abdicate that responsibility & check the box.
AI is the ultimate "better than nothing" technology. Don't negate this argument — reject the whole framing.
AI is the ultimate "better than nothing" technology. Don't negate this argument — reject the whole framing.
The incredible value of "nothing"
"Better than nothing" rhetoric hides the opportunity costs behind the bare minimum. Reject this framing.
productpicnic.beehiiv.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:27 AM
All of the evidence here is from the past month. And all of it still points to degradation of comprehension, and the rising costs of cleaning up after cutting edge AI tools.
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
My earliest piece of AI criticism was in 2021 when I predicted that product managers would use GPT to substitute user research.
I was right and I am still right about how dangerous this is. Unfortunately the fake research has only become more convincing, but no more effective.
I was right and I am still right about how dangerous this is. Unfortunately the fake research has only become more convincing, but no more effective.
I am actually watching someone retweet their AI criticism from 2024 right now, without realizing how silly it sounds.
January 12, 2026 at 2:21 AM
My earliest piece of AI criticism was in 2021 when I predicted that product managers would use GPT to substitute user research.
I was right and I am still right about how dangerous this is. Unfortunately the fake research has only become more convincing, but no more effective.
I was right and I am still right about how dangerous this is. Unfortunately the fake research has only become more convincing, but no more effective.
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
🧵 Important thread for writers.
Make sure to grab PDFs or whathaveyou from the online publications you've published in. Use archive.org for things that have already gone missing. Publications are removing articles that that disagree with the present US regime.
Make sure to grab PDFs or whathaveyou from the online publications you've published in. Use archive.org for things that have already gone missing. Publications are removing articles that that disagree with the present US regime.
Hello repro writers from the mid to late 20 teens - I just discovered Cosmopolitan at some point pulled almost every politics/repro story from the 5 years I wrote for them offline (except two, which they put under someone else's name and gave me "additional reporting" which it very much was not)
December 28, 2025 at 9:02 PM
🧵 Important thread for writers.
Make sure to grab PDFs or whathaveyou from the online publications you've published in. Use archive.org for things that have already gone missing. Publications are removing articles that that disagree with the present US regime.
Make sure to grab PDFs or whathaveyou from the online publications you've published in. Use archive.org for things that have already gone missing. Publications are removing articles that that disagree with the present US regime.
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
For generations Greenlanders felt protected by the US , but now with uncertainty looming, Edmund Heaphy speaks to resident's in Nuuk about what comes next.
'I don't want to leave my people' - Fear grips Greenland
For generations, Greenlanders felt protected by the US - the superpower that had helped defend them during World War II and maintained a reassuring military presence ever since. Now, with US threats a...
www.rte.ie
January 12, 2026 at 6:59 AM
For generations Greenlanders felt protected by the US , but now with uncertainty looming, Edmund Heaphy speaks to resident's in Nuuk about what comes next.
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
There used to be a tech podcast called "Should this exist?" and it is such a useful, easy litmus test. Should Grok exist? No. Do governments keep letting Elon Musk do whatever he likes? Yes. 🧐
January 12, 2026 at 8:05 AM
There used to be a tech podcast called "Should this exist?" and it is such a useful, easy litmus test. Should Grok exist? No. Do governments keep letting Elon Musk do whatever he likes? Yes. 🧐
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
In news which should be shocking to absolutely no-one with an ounce of commonsense or humanity, providing gender affirming care to trans young people reduces risks of harm.
Preventing trans young people accessing treatment has never been about "protecting children"
www.advocate.com/health/trans...
Preventing trans young people accessing treatment has never been about "protecting children"
www.advocate.com/health/trans...
Transgender youth who receive hormone therapy are less suicidal: study
"Suicidality significantly declined" among trans youth who receive hormone replacement therapy, a new study has found.
www.advocate.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:23 AM
In news which should be shocking to absolutely no-one with an ounce of commonsense or humanity, providing gender affirming care to trans young people reduces risks of harm.
Preventing trans young people accessing treatment has never been about "protecting children"
www.advocate.com/health/trans...
Preventing trans young people accessing treatment has never been about "protecting children"
www.advocate.com/health/trans...
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
extracting (huge chunks of) books (verbatim) from language models (with jailbreak prompts)
icymi @olivia.science @irisvanrooij.bsky.social @kortizart.bsky.social @emilymbender.bsky.social @alexhanna.bsky.social @victoriastrauss.com @iwriteok.bsky.social
icymi @olivia.science @irisvanrooij.bsky.social @kortizart.bsky.social @emilymbender.bsky.social @alexhanna.bsky.social @victoriastrauss.com @iwriteok.bsky.social
We extracted (parts of) 12 books in experiments with 4 frontier-lab, production LLMs.
We prompted the LLMs with a short prefix of a book and asked them to complete the rest. For Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, we extracted 95.8% of the book from jailbroken Claude 3.7 Sonnet.
We prompted the LLMs with a short prefix of a book and asked them to complete the rest. For Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, we extracted 95.8% of the book from jailbroken Claude 3.7 Sonnet.
January 12, 2026 at 4:05 AM
extracting (huge chunks of) books (verbatim) from language models (with jailbreak prompts)
icymi @olivia.science @irisvanrooij.bsky.social @kortizart.bsky.social @emilymbender.bsky.social @alexhanna.bsky.social @victoriastrauss.com @iwriteok.bsky.social
icymi @olivia.science @irisvanrooij.bsky.social @kortizart.bsky.social @emilymbender.bsky.social @alexhanna.bsky.social @victoriastrauss.com @iwriteok.bsky.social
January 11, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
"Block that search in particular" is also what Google did when the inherent racism in their image search algorithm was pointed out, in 2018.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
>>
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
>>
Google's solution to accidental algorithmic racism: ban gorillas
Google’s ‘immediate action’ over AI labelling of black people as gorillas was simply to block the word, along with chimpanzee and monkey, reports suggest
www.theguardian.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:28 PM
"Block that search in particular" is also what Google did when the inherent racism in their image search algorithm was pointed out, in 2018.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
>>
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
>>
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
And when Dr. @safiyanoble.bsky.social pointed out the racist results returned for queries like "black girls" in ~2016. See her amazing book Algorithms of Oppression
nyupress.org/978147983724...
>>
nyupress.org/978147983724...
>>
Algorithms of Oppression
A revealing look at how negative biases against women of color are embedded in search engine results and algorithms Run a Google search for “Black girls”...
nyupress.org
January 11, 2026 at 2:30 PM
And when Dr. @safiyanoble.bsky.social pointed out the racist results returned for queries like "black girls" in ~2016. See her amazing book Algorithms of Oppression
nyupress.org/978147983724...
>>
nyupress.org/978147983724...
>>
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
I've been shouting about this since Google first floated the idea of LLMs as a replacement for search in 2021. Synthetic text is not a suitable tool for information access!
buttondown.com/maiht3k/arch...
/fin (for now)
buttondown.com/maiht3k/arch...
/fin (for now)
Information literacy and chatbots as search
By Emily This post started off as a thread I wrote and posted across social media on Sunday evening. I'm reproducing the thread (lightly edited) first and...
buttondown.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:33 PM
I've been shouting about this since Google first floated the idea of LLMs as a replacement for search in 2021. Synthetic text is not a suitable tool for information access!
buttondown.com/maiht3k/arch...
/fin (for now)
buttondown.com/maiht3k/arch...
/fin (for now)
Reposted by Baldur Bjarnason
Health experts: Your synthetic text "AI" overviews are misleading, for example see this about liver function tests.
Google: Okay, we'll block "AI" overviews on that query.
The product is fundamentally flawed and cannot be "fixed" by patching query by query.
A short 🧵>>
Google: Okay, we'll block "AI" overviews on that query.
The product is fundamentally flawed and cannot be "fixed" by patching query by query.
A short 🧵>>
‘Dangerous and alarming’: Google removes some of its AI summaries after users’ health put at risk
Guardian investigation finds AI Overviews provided inaccurate and false information when queried over blood tests
www.theguardian.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Health experts: Your synthetic text "AI" overviews are misleading, for example see this about liver function tests.
Google: Okay, we'll block "AI" overviews on that query.
The product is fundamentally flawed and cannot be "fixed" by patching query by query.
A short 🧵>>
Google: Okay, we'll block "AI" overviews on that query.
The product is fundamentally flawed and cannot be "fixed" by patching query by query.
A short 🧵>>