Emily M. Bender
@emilymbender.bsky.social
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
Thoughtful and thought-provoking!
What makes something data? Some thoughts on that question, and how answers to it help us understand AI hype:
medium.com/@emilymenonb...
medium.com/@emilymenonb...
What makes something data?
This is a question I posted on BlueSky on Friday 11/21/25, inspired by a talk I recently attended about evaluation of “AI” systems. I think…
medium.com
November 29, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Thoughtful and thought-provoking!
What makes something data? Some thoughts on that question, and how answers to it help us understand AI hype:
medium.com/@emilymenonb...
medium.com/@emilymenonb...
What makes something data?
This is a question I posted on BlueSky on Friday 11/21/25, inspired by a talk I recently attended about evaluation of “AI” systems. I think…
medium.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:55 PM
What makes something data? Some thoughts on that question, and how answers to it help us understand AI hype:
medium.com/@emilymenonb...
medium.com/@emilymenonb...
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
AI is good for … democracy?
@alexhanna.bsky.social and I think not. But of course the hypemongers would try this angle too giving us great fodder for the next Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 livestream:
Monday, December 1, noon Pacific
twitch.tv/dair_institute
@alexhanna.bsky.social and I think not. But of course the hypemongers would try this angle too giving us great fodder for the next Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 livestream:
Monday, December 1, noon Pacific
twitch.tv/dair_institute
Twitch
Twitch is the world
twitch.tv
November 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
AI is good for … democracy?
@alexhanna.bsky.social and I think not. But of course the hypemongers would try this angle too giving us great fodder for the next Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 livestream:
Monday, December 1, noon Pacific
twitch.tv/dair_institute
@alexhanna.bsky.social and I think not. But of course the hypemongers would try this angle too giving us great fodder for the next Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 livestream:
Monday, December 1, noon Pacific
twitch.tv/dair_institute
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
New article inspired by the recent hoopla surrounding Karen Hao's book (re: water use). I argue that "no one should look to the EA community as exemplifying good habits of epistemic and moral conduct." Here's why: www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/how-effect...
How Effective Altruists Use Threats and Harassment to Silence Their Critics
How does the Effective Altruist community respond to critics? With threats and harassment. Even people who still call themselves "Effective Altruists" are afraid to openly criticize the community.
www.realtimetechpocalypse.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:26 PM
New article inspired by the recent hoopla surrounding Karen Hao's book (re: water use). I argue that "no one should look to the EA community as exemplifying good habits of epistemic and moral conduct." Here's why: www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/how-effect...
AI is good for … democracy?
@alexhanna.bsky.social and I think not. But of course the hypemongers would try this angle too giving us great fodder for the next Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 livestream:
Monday, December 1, noon Pacific
twitch.tv/dair_institute
@alexhanna.bsky.social and I think not. But of course the hypemongers would try this angle too giving us great fodder for the next Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 livestream:
Monday, December 1, noon Pacific
twitch.tv/dair_institute
Twitch
Twitch is the world
twitch.tv
November 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
AI is good for … democracy?
@alexhanna.bsky.social and I think not. But of course the hypemongers would try this angle too giving us great fodder for the next Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 livestream:
Monday, December 1, noon Pacific
twitch.tv/dair_institute
@alexhanna.bsky.social and I think not. But of course the hypemongers would try this angle too giving us great fodder for the next Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 livestream:
Monday, December 1, noon Pacific
twitch.tv/dair_institute
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
The guest @naveenasadasivam.bsky.social stated, without evidence, that "there's no stopping" the big tech push to make more and more datacenters (under the purported goal of making "AI").
That is an enormous disservice, especially in this context.
>>
That is an enormous disservice, especially in this context.
>>
November 26, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The guest @naveenasadasivam.bsky.social stated, without evidence, that "there's no stopping" the big tech push to make more and more datacenters (under the purported goal of making "AI").
That is an enormous disservice, especially in this context.
>>
That is an enormous disservice, especially in this context.
>>
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
I generally appreciate @hereandnow.bsky.social 's reporting on "AI" and other issues, but this one was a big miss:
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
🧵>>
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
🧵>>
How to make data centers less thirsty: Build them near wind and solar energy
The data centers needed to power artificial intelligence are notoriously thirsty for electricity and water to keep them from overheating. But data centers' direct water usage pales in comparison to th...
www.wbur.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I generally appreciate @hereandnow.bsky.social 's reporting on "AI" and other issues, but this one was a big miss:
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
🧵>>
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
🧵>>
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
As you’re preparing for your Thanksgiving meal, remember the skilled work it took to get that food to your grocery store.
Tell us your favorite Thanksgiving dish, and we can share some of what we know about the work behind the ingredients.
Tell us your favorite Thanksgiving dish, and we can share some of what we know about the work behind the ingredients.
November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
As you’re preparing for your Thanksgiving meal, remember the skilled work it took to get that food to your grocery store.
Tell us your favorite Thanksgiving dish, and we can share some of what we know about the work behind the ingredients.
Tell us your favorite Thanksgiving dish, and we can share some of what we know about the work behind the ingredients.
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
"If Big Tech has the budget to put data centers 400 miles above the Earth’s surface, it absolutely has the budget to adequately compensate its workers on the ground. Big Tech cannot claim to be building the future while exploiting those who keep it running."
theopinionpages.com/2025/11/the-...
theopinionpages.com/2025/11/the-...
The Human Cost of Big Tech’s Cosmic Dreams | The Opinion Pages
Imagine looking up at the night sky and noticing new constellations, only to find out they are made up of data centers. This may sound like science fiction, but Google has announced plans to make this...
theopinionpages.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:34 PM
"If Big Tech has the budget to put data centers 400 miles above the Earth’s surface, it absolutely has the budget to adequately compensate its workers on the ground. Big Tech cannot claim to be building the future while exploiting those who keep it running."
theopinionpages.com/2025/11/the-...
theopinionpages.com/2025/11/the-...
When I post threads here where the first post has an article I am reacting to in it (but also makes it clear that I am writing a response & there is a thread), there is a certain %age of bsky users who reply with a comment that is actually responding to the linked article, but w/o flagging that.
November 26, 2025 at 10:51 PM
When I post threads here where the first post has an article I am reacting to in it (but also makes it clear that I am writing a response & there is a thread), there is a certain %age of bsky users who reply with a comment that is actually responding to the linked article, but w/o flagging that.
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
Betteridge's Law of Headlines is right yet again!! 🤣
Okay, I hestitate to even share this link, because while I like NYMag I do not want to send this journalist in particular clicks, b ut:
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>
Is ChatGPT Conscious?
Many users feel they’re talking to a real person. Scientists say it’s time to consider whether they’re onto something.
nymag.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Betteridge's Law of Headlines is right yet again!! 🤣
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
Yes to everything Emily said. The thing that people are responding to emotively is not “consciousness” but validation. In the same way people tell you “the easiest way to be interesting is to be interested” or the fawn response. Chat GPT is making people feel good because it is mirroring them back.
Okay, I hestitate to even share this link, because while I like NYMag I do not want to send this journalist in particular clicks, b ut:
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>
Is ChatGPT Conscious?
Many users feel they’re talking to a real person. Scientists say it’s time to consider whether they’re onto something.
nymag.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Yes to everything Emily said. The thing that people are responding to emotively is not “consciousness” but validation. In the same way people tell you “the easiest way to be interesting is to be interested” or the fawn response. Chat GPT is making people feel good because it is mirroring them back.
So this is cool: my local NPR station, @kuow.org is broadcasting their station identification in different languages. The first one I caught was Lushootseed, and so at first I thought it was an acknowledgment of the people whose land KUOW is located on. It is that, but also more:
Why KUOW is broadcasting our Legal ID in different languages
www.kuow.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:13 PM
So this is cool: my local NPR station, @kuow.org is broadcasting their station identification in different languages. The first one I caught was Lushootseed, and so at first I thought it was an acknowledgment of the people whose land KUOW is located on. It is that, but also more:
I generally appreciate @hereandnow.bsky.social 's reporting on "AI" and other issues, but this one was a big miss:
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
🧵>>
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
🧵>>
How to make data centers less thirsty: Build them near wind and solar energy
The data centers needed to power artificial intelligence are notoriously thirsty for electricity and water to keep them from overheating. But data centers' direct water usage pales in comparison to th...
www.wbur.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I generally appreciate @hereandnow.bsky.social 's reporting on "AI" and other issues, but this one was a big miss:
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
🧵>>
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
🧵>>
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
“When teachers value the polished but anodyne text extruded from these systems over students’ authentic voices, we reinforce harmful linguistic ideologies”- @emilymbender.bsky.social
www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
Opinion Forum | How AI Is Changing Higher Education
The technology is reshaping every aspect of university life. Fifteen scholars weigh in on what happens next.
www.chronicle.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:36 PM
“When teachers value the polished but anodyne text extruded from these systems over students’ authentic voices, we reinforce harmful linguistic ideologies”- @emilymbender.bsky.social
www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
Guy who is pro-AI also sympathizing with a man who is anti-immigration because of "cultural cohesion", news at 11.
Are you still massively pro-apartheid or have you moved more towards acceptance?
November 26, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Guy who is pro-AI also sympathizing with a man who is anti-immigration because of "cultural cohesion", news at 11.
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
I think there's an interesting study of media to be done looking at who gets labeled an "expert" and who gets labeled a "skeptic". Certainly for coverage of "AI", but I wonder if there are other topics that would make interesting comparisons.
November 25, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
Okay, I hestitate to even share this link, because while I like NYMag I do not want to send this journalist in particular clicks, b ut:
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>
Is ChatGPT Conscious?
Many users feel they’re talking to a real person. Scientists say it’s time to consider whether they’re onto something.
nymag.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Okay, I hestitate to even share this link, because while I like NYMag I do not want to send this journalist in particular clicks, b ut:
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>
November 26, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
Pro tip: If the person providing a different interpretation is not speaking for Moneyed Interests and is an expert in their field, they’re an “independent scholar”—not just a “skeptic” (ffs!)
Okay, I hestitate to even share this link, because while I like NYMag I do not want to send this journalist in particular clicks, b ut:
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>
Is ChatGPT Conscious?
Many users feel they’re talking to a real person. Scientists say it’s time to consider whether they’re onto something.
nymag.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Pro tip: If the person providing a different interpretation is not speaking for Moneyed Interests and is an expert in their field, they’re an “independent scholar”—not just a “skeptic” (ffs!)
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
Christmas is coming, and the Black Friday sales signal we’re in peak gift-buying season.
When you’re picking out gifts for friends and family this year, there’s a whole slew of tech products that are better to avoid. I put together a guide to help you through it.
When you’re picking out gifts for friends and family this year, there’s a whole slew of tech products that are better to avoid. I put together a guide to help you through it.
A tech critic’s guide to holiday gift-giving
Maybe your grandma doesn’t need that Alexa smart speaker
disconnect.blog
November 25, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Christmas is coming, and the Black Friday sales signal we’re in peak gift-buying season.
When you’re picking out gifts for friends and family this year, there’s a whole slew of tech products that are better to avoid. I put together a guide to help you through it.
When you’re picking out gifts for friends and family this year, there’s a whole slew of tech products that are better to avoid. I put together a guide to help you through it.
Reposted by Emily M. Bender
Grateful to @emilymbender.bsky.social for being able to distinguish
probabilistic language generators from conscious human beings. Would that hers were the “dominant” voice - we would be at less risk of economic collapse!
probabilistic language generators from conscious human beings. Would that hers were the “dominant” voice - we would be at less risk of economic collapse!
Okay, I hestitate to even share this link, because while I like NYMag I do not want to send this journalist in particular clicks, b ut:
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>
Is ChatGPT Conscious?
Many users feel they’re talking to a real person. Scientists say it’s time to consider whether they’re onto something.
nymag.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Grateful to @emilymbender.bsky.social for being able to distinguish
probabilistic language generators from conscious human beings. Would that hers were the “dominant” voice - we would be at less risk of economic collapse!
probabilistic language generators from conscious human beings. Would that hers were the “dominant” voice - we would be at less risk of economic collapse!
Okay, I hestitate to even share this link, because while I like NYMag I do not want to send this journalist in particular clicks, b ut:
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>
Is ChatGPT Conscious?
Many users feel they’re talking to a real person. Scientists say it’s time to consider whether they’re onto something.
nymag.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Okay, I hestitate to even share this link, because while I like NYMag I do not want to send this journalist in particular clicks, b ut:
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>
If your framing is that an academic is the "dominant voice" and the underdogs are OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, maybe a fact check in is order??
>>