Elf M. Sternberg
@elfsternberg.bsky.social
Husband to a gorgeous wife, father to two great kids, greying leatherfairy, infamous furry, and world-class software engineer. If you can read this, you're running code I wrote.
Some things are just charming. For example, this 1997 classroom exercise in writing a Mandelbrot generator in Fortran 77, then re-writing in in Fortran 90, then outputting the final result to PNM greyscale:
phys.uri.edu/~nigh/HTMLHP...
phys.uri.edu/~nigh/HTMLHP...
The Mandelbrot Set - courtesy of Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre.
The Mandelbrot Set - courtesy of Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre.
phys.uri.edu
February 17, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Some things are just charming. For example, this 1997 classroom exercise in writing a Mandelbrot generator in Fortran 77, then re-writing in in Fortran 90, then outputting the final result to PNM greyscale:
phys.uri.edu/~nigh/HTMLHP...
phys.uri.edu/~nigh/HTMLHP...
Reposted by Elf M. Sternberg
One reason Republicans are so laser targeted on trans kids existing, is that trans kids existing requires accepting the bodily autonomy and consent of children.
Which is something republicans absolutely can't do, since they are pedophiles.
Their transphobia and pedophilia is them being consistent
Which is something republicans absolutely can't do, since they are pedophiles.
Their transphobia and pedophilia is them being consistent
February 16, 2026 at 11:34 PM
One reason Republicans are so laser targeted on trans kids existing, is that trans kids existing requires accepting the bodily autonomy and consent of children.
Which is something republicans absolutely can't do, since they are pedophiles.
Their transphobia and pedophilia is them being consistent
Which is something republicans absolutely can't do, since they are pedophiles.
Their transphobia and pedophilia is them being consistent
Reposted by Elf M. Sternberg
The Project 2025 author is using millions of dollars in USAID money for his own security detail.
It is estimated that 762,000 people have *already died* as a result of Elon Musk and Russell Vought’s obscene murder of USAID, including more than 500,000 children.
Vought is a mass murderer.
It is estimated that 762,000 people have *already died* as a result of Elon Musk and Russell Vought’s obscene murder of USAID, including more than 500,000 children.
Vought is a mass murderer.
Exclusive: White House uses USAID funds for budget director Vought's security, documents show
The White House budget office is using millions of dollars from the former U.S. foreign aid agency to pay for the security detail of Russell Vought, President Donald Trump's budget chief and an archit...
www.reuters.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:46 PM
The Project 2025 author is using millions of dollars in USAID money for his own security detail.
It is estimated that 762,000 people have *already died* as a result of Elon Musk and Russell Vought’s obscene murder of USAID, including more than 500,000 children.
Vought is a mass murderer.
It is estimated that 762,000 people have *already died* as a result of Elon Musk and Russell Vought’s obscene murder of USAID, including more than 500,000 children.
Vought is a mass murderer.
Reposted by Elf M. Sternberg
Has anyone in the Epstein Files who didn’t do anything wrong been punished? Maybe someone who was at a meeting Epstein was at. Never went to the island, didn’t get money from him, nor had a bunch of friendly emails.
Anyone get arrested, fired, etc.? Because moral panics feature that sort of thing.
Anyone get arrested, fired, etc.? Because moral panics feature that sort of thing.
Noah Rothman on the Epstein files: "It is a witch hunt. It‘s a moral panic."
February 17, 2026 at 1:36 AM
Has anyone in the Epstein Files who didn’t do anything wrong been punished? Maybe someone who was at a meeting Epstein was at. Never went to the island, didn’t get money from him, nor had a bunch of friendly emails.
Anyone get arrested, fired, etc.? Because moral panics feature that sort of thing.
Anyone get arrested, fired, etc.? Because moral panics feature that sort of thing.
If I'm reading this correctly, the prosecution claims that right-wing people bring guns to protests because guns are part of their culture, which is fine, but left-wing people bring guns to protests to intimidate the police and the government, which is terrorism.
Defendants form a version of “antifa” that a prosecutor in the case described as an “anti-President Trump and anti-ICE movement,” but that experts warn tips dangerously toward an attempt to prosecute based on ideology. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/guilt-b...
Guilt by Association: First ‘Antifa’ Case Sweeps Anti-Trump Activists Into One Terrorism Conspiracy
This article is part of TPM’s ongoing “Creating the Enemy Within” project,...
talkingpointsmemo.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:21 AM
If I'm reading this correctly, the prosecution claims that right-wing people bring guns to protests because guns are part of their culture, which is fine, but left-wing people bring guns to protests to intimidate the police and the government, which is terrorism.
Reposted by Elf M. Sternberg
Defendants form a version of “antifa” that a prosecutor in the case described as an “anti-President Trump and anti-ICE movement,” but that experts warn tips dangerously toward an attempt to prosecute based on ideology. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/guilt-b...
Guilt by Association: First ‘Antifa’ Case Sweeps Anti-Trump Activists Into One Terrorism Conspiracy
This article is part of TPM’s ongoing “Creating the Enemy Within” project,...
talkingpointsmemo.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Defendants form a version of “antifa” that a prosecutor in the case described as an “anti-President Trump and anti-ICE movement,” but that experts warn tips dangerously toward an attempt to prosecute based on ideology. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/guilt-b...
Today I learned a computer store near me sells "pre-configured clawdbot mini-pcs."
Clawdbot is a program you give access to an AI account (Despite the name it is not tied directly to Anthropic's "Claude" AI) and then you give it all your passwords, and it starts to run your life.
Clawdbot is a program you give access to an AI account (Despite the name it is not tied directly to Anthropic's "Claude" AI) and then you give it all your passwords, and it starts to run your life.
February 16, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Today I learned a computer store near me sells "pre-configured clawdbot mini-pcs."
Clawdbot is a program you give access to an AI account (Despite the name it is not tied directly to Anthropic's "Claude" AI) and then you give it all your passwords, and it starts to run your life.
Clawdbot is a program you give access to an AI account (Despite the name it is not tied directly to Anthropic's "Claude" AI) and then you give it all your passwords, and it starts to run your life.
I'm sorry, nothing will help Lost In Space. Visually stunning, but William Hurt phoned in his performance, the story completely falls apart in Act 3, and the only characters worth talking about, the women, are consigned to dull support roles. www.giantfreakinrobot.com/ent/scifi/lo...
1990s Sci-Fi Epic Blockbuster Flop Restored And Embraced By Fans
The Sci-fi epic was seriously panned when it first came out, but now fan demand has forced a new restoration!
www.giantfreakinrobot.com
February 16, 2026 at 9:00 PM
I'm sorry, nothing will help Lost In Space. Visually stunning, but William Hurt phoned in his performance, the story completely falls apart in Act 3, and the only characters worth talking about, the women, are consigned to dull support roles. www.giantfreakinrobot.com/ent/scifi/lo...
"NASA running out of non-biological explanations for some of the organic molecules found on Mars." www.sciencealert.com/mars-organic...
Mars Organics Are Hard to Explain Without Life, NASA-Led Study Finds
In 2025, scientists reported the discovery of long-chain organic molecules called alkanes in the ancient mudstones of Mars.
www.sciencealert.com
February 16, 2026 at 8:10 PM
"NASA running out of non-biological explanations for some of the organic molecules found on Mars." www.sciencealert.com/mars-organic...
If you ever wonder why the Epstein emails and text messages contain such absurdly bad grammar, it's because "communicating clearly" is something those with privilege don't have to do. Either you understand what they want, or it's entirely your problem.
tadaima.bearblog.dev/privilege-is...
tadaima.bearblog.dev/privilege-is...
Privilege is bad grammar
When I got my first real job, I used to get so nervous about writing emails to my boss. I would run spellcheck, triple-check the grammar, read over it again ...
tadaima.bearblog.dev
February 16, 2026 at 8:01 PM
If you ever wonder why the Epstein emails and text messages contain such absurdly bad grammar, it's because "communicating clearly" is something those with privilege don't have to do. Either you understand what they want, or it's entirely your problem.
tadaima.bearblog.dev/privilege-is...
tadaima.bearblog.dev/privilege-is...
Today I learned about "dark flow" and "junk flow," variations on the psychological state of "flow" that can cause loss or waste. Slot machines specialize in inducing this sense. www.fast.ai/posts/2026-0...
Breaking the Spell of Vibe Coding – fast.ai
Sinister variations on the positive state of flow
www.fast.ai
February 16, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Today I learned about "dark flow" and "junk flow," variations on the psychological state of "flow" that can cause loss or waste. Slot machines specialize in inducing this sense. www.fast.ai/posts/2026-0...
Okay, so, I'd never heard of this before, and since I refer to my inner voices with names like "The Stable," "The Council," and "The Spoilsport," and so on, I thought this would make sense to me.
But...
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
But...
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
One of the hottest therapy styles is scientifically shaky — so why does it seem to work?
Why everyone is obsessed with Internal Family Systems, even though its claims are dubious.
www.vox.com
February 16, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Okay, so, I'd never heard of this before, and since I refer to my inner voices with names like "The Stable," "The Council," and "The Spoilsport," and so on, I thought this would make sense to me.
But...
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
But...
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
I'm somewhat surprised RFK Jr.'s artificial doppelganger didn't include coffee in the list of "best foods you can insert into your rectum."
www.themirror.com/news/politic...
www.themirror.com/news/politic...
RFK Jr's new chatbot advises the public on 'best foods to insert into rectum'
A new dietary guideline from the Department of Health and Human services is offering advice on the best foods to insert in your backside
www.themirror.com
February 16, 2026 at 7:25 PM
I'm somewhat surprised RFK Jr.'s artificial doppelganger didn't include coffee in the list of "best foods you can insert into your rectum."
www.themirror.com/news/politic...
www.themirror.com/news/politic...
The thing that occurs to me is that, among the middle class, liberals are far more likely to have traveled outside the country that conservatives.
This scheme to make passports harder to obtain comes as Republicans are trying to make passports one of the few documents that can be presented in order to be permitted to register to vote.
State Department orders nonprofit libraries to stop processing passport applications
The State Department has ordered nonprofit public libraries to stop taking passport applications, cutting off a popular local service.
apnews.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:31 PM
The thing that occurs to me is that, among the middle class, liberals are far more likely to have traveled outside the country that conservatives.
Omaha and I went to see the Broadway tour of Spamalot! It felt... stale. The bits that were good are not very new, and the bits that are new are not very good. If you grew up watching Monty Python, it's kinda dull.
February 16, 2026 at 12:42 AM
Omaha and I went to see the Broadway tour of Spamalot! It felt... stale. The bits that were good are not very new, and the bits that are new are not very good. If you grew up watching Monty Python, it's kinda dull.
Womp, womp. The FCC determined that Bad Bunny sang the radio-sanitized versions of his songs and did not use profanity during the NFL half-time show. Republicans' complaints have been dismissed.
www.yahoo.com/entertainmen...
www.yahoo.com/entertainmen...
FCC Reaches Final Decision On Bad Bunny's Halftime Show
The FCC faced calls to "investigate" Bad Bunny's Super Bowl 60 halftime show at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. U.S. Congressman Randy Fine called for the FCC to look into and ultimately pu...
www.yahoo.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Womp, womp. The FCC determined that Bad Bunny sang the radio-sanitized versions of his songs and did not use profanity during the NFL half-time show. Republicans' complaints have been dismissed.
www.yahoo.com/entertainmen...
www.yahoo.com/entertainmen...
The only saving grace is that autocrats don't want competent people. They want loyal people. Pirro is where she is because she's incompetent. Her loyalty let her find an "alternative career advancement path."
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
‘Stunning’: Jeanine Pirro’s Failure to Indict Democrats Is a Big Deal
The U.S. attorney is stumbling in Trump’s revenge tour — and it’s a sign of more struggles to come.
www.politico.com
February 15, 2026 at 7:55 PM
The only saving grace is that autocrats don't want competent people. They want loyal people. Pirro is where she is because she's incompetent. Her loyalty let her find an "alternative career advancement path."
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Measles outbreak in South Carolina reaches 950. Conservatives say this is the price of freedom.
www.wyff4.com/article/meas...
www.wyff4.com/article/meas...
Measles outbreak in South Carolina reaches 950 cases
There are currently 186 people in quarantine and nine in isolation.
www.wyff4.com
February 15, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Measles outbreak in South Carolina reaches 950. Conservatives say this is the price of freedom.
www.wyff4.com/article/meas...
www.wyff4.com/article/meas...
Taking sildenafil (viagra) regularly may be good for your cardiovascular system. But taking it every day? That would be hard.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02...
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02...
www.telegraph.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Taking sildenafil (viagra) regularly may be good for your cardiovascular system. But taking it every day? That would be hard.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02...
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02...
Wait, WHAT!? Erika Kirk, fucking Charlie Kirk's WIDOW, the woman arranging the "Traditional White Women in Leadership" conference, is being credibly accused of grooming a fifteen year-old girl with flirtatious and salacious messages and gifts.
www.msn.com/en-us/lifest...
www.msn.com/en-us/lifest...
MSN
www.msn.com
February 15, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Wait, WHAT!? Erika Kirk, fucking Charlie Kirk's WIDOW, the woman arranging the "Traditional White Women in Leadership" conference, is being credibly accused of grooming a fifteen year-old girl with flirtatious and salacious messages and gifts.
www.msn.com/en-us/lifest...
www.msn.com/en-us/lifest...
Reposted by Elf M. Sternberg
It’s helpful to think that LLM responses that *do* appear to conform to consensus reality are due to a cognitive bias on the part of the observer
LLM responses which do not reflect consensus reality & facts are produced via the Same Process which generate responses which *Do* broadly conform to consensus reality & facts.
The Same Processes.
The Same Ones.
"Hallucination" is just a word to distance yourself from the outputs you don't like.
The Same Processes.
The Same Ones.
"Hallucination" is just a word to distance yourself from the outputs you don't like.
How many times, in how many contexts, from how many internal and external researchers, or from how many CEO's are people going to have to receive this message before they believe it:
"Hallucinations" are an inherent part of the large language model architecture.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
"Hallucinations" are an inherent part of the large language model architecture.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
September 8, 2025 at 6:26 PM
It’s helpful to think that LLM responses that *do* appear to conform to consensus reality are due to a cognitive bias on the part of the observer
Reposted by Elf M. Sternberg
I have been saying this for 3 years now; it is evident from even a theorerical understanding of these systems' operations. But ppl keep claiming it's not true or not important, or could be patched over, & so I keep hoping each time an "AI" company CEO comes out & admits will be the one that sticks
"In a landmark study, OpenAI researchers reveal that large language models will always produce plausible but false outputs, even with perfect data, due to fundamental statistical and computational limits."
www.computerworld.com/article/4059...
www.computerworld.com/article/4059...
OpenAI admits AI hallucinations are mathematically inevitable, not just engineering flaws
In a landmark study, OpenAI researchers reveal that large language models will always produce plausible but false outputs, even with perfect data, due to fundamental statistical and computational limi...
www.computerworld.com
September 21, 2025 at 8:29 PM
I have been saying this for 3 years now; it is evident from even a theorerical understanding of these systems' operations. But ppl keep claiming it's not true or not important, or could be patched over, & so I keep hoping each time an "AI" company CEO comes out & admits will be the one that sticks
At least she's not six times more likely to be shot by her husband with that gun than she is to ever use it in self-defense. That's the only hopeful aspect to this story.
More queer women are getting guns in response to MAGA violence ➡️ https://bit.ly/3MHvRXC
📷 Getty, Netflix
📷 Getty, Netflix
February 15, 2026 at 7:40 PM
At least she's not six times more likely to be shot by her husband with that gun than she is to ever use it in self-defense. That's the only hopeful aspect to this story.
It represents only 61% of American women?
February 15, 2026 at 7:27 PM
It represents only 61% of American women?
One horrifying thought that occurs to me: so many men may be embracing AI because they understand this, that AIs reduce the demand for mid-tier knowledge work, which they hope will force women into more traditional roles and stances.
Countries with falling fertility rates are those where knowledge work opened up vast opportunities for women, the economy shifted to expect their contribution, but the existing social forces also shifted to cement high patriarchy and deprive women of equal standing: www.nber.org/papers/w3331...
Babies and the Macroeconomy
Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, an...
www.nber.org
February 15, 2026 at 7:18 PM
One horrifying thought that occurs to me: so many men may be embracing AI because they understand this, that AIs reduce the demand for mid-tier knowledge work, which they hope will force women into more traditional roles and stances.