Frank Podmore
@frankpodmore.bsky.social
Award-winning poet published in @pwritersu.com, @stanzacannon.bsky.social, @apparitionlit.com and others; occasional opinions for @roadcc.bsky.social, @labourlist.bsky.social and Sublation Magazine
Pinned
Frank Podmore
@frankpodmore.bsky.social
· Oct 20
In Defence of Empathy
Both the MAGA-techbro and identity-political views of empathy share the idea that it can be (or is) in some way fenced off. Both share the view that humans are in some way isolated within siloes, with...
www.sublationmag.com
I wrote a piece for Sublation Magazine on why MAGA-types don't want to have empathy and why they do have it regardless:
www.sublationmag.com/post/in-defe...
www.sublationmag.com/post/in-defe...
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Vigilante far-right 'street patrols' with links to Neo-Nazis and the support of senior Reform UK figures, are falsely claiming police backing, while attempting to infiltrate school networks in order to "protect" local children.
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
The Reform-Backed Far-Right Street Patrols Coming to British School Gates
EXCLUSIVE: Nationalist vigilante groups, with links to Neo-Nazis, and the support of senior Reform figures, have been falsely claiming police backing while attempting to infiltrate local school networ...
bylinetimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Vigilante far-right 'street patrols' with links to Neo-Nazis and the support of senior Reform UK figures, are falsely claiming police backing, while attempting to infiltrate school networks in order to "protect" local children.
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/02/t...
Reposted by Frank Podmore
“AI is clearly sticking around so you have to get used to it” wrong. I don’t have to get used to shit. I am a practiced hater and I can keep this going for decades if I am required to
December 1, 2025 at 11:29 PM
“AI is clearly sticking around so you have to get used to it” wrong. I don’t have to get used to shit. I am a practiced hater and I can keep this going for decades if I am required to
Reposted by Frank Podmore
David Miles (of the OBR) at the Treasury Select Committee: Reeves’ speech was not inconsistent with the OBR’s assessment.
December 2, 2025 at 10:20 AM
David Miles (of the OBR) at the Treasury Select Committee: Reeves’ speech was not inconsistent with the OBR’s assessment.
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Interesting and measured thread looking into whether there was any substance behind the "Chatbots are killing hikers" stories earlier this year.
I was looking into whether LLMs are just killing hikers for a potential article, but there's not enough data on it and I didn't want to contribute to the misinfosphere
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
This is a heads-up about fake AI accounts which have proliferated across social media.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
December 2, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Interesting and measured thread looking into whether there was any substance behind the "Chatbots are killing hikers" stories earlier this year.
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Can I just say that *Apple Maps* took me down a dirt road today to knock on the door of a dodgy incorrect location today (car grave yard, cattle dogs, blokes in singlets on the porch): I don’t need an LLM to accidentally me when online maps are already doing their best job
I was looking into whether LLMs are just killing hikers for a potential article, but there's not enough data on it and I didn't want to contribute to the misinfosphere
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
This is a heads-up about fake AI accounts which have proliferated across social media.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
December 2, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Can I just say that *Apple Maps* took me down a dirt road today to knock on the door of a dodgy incorrect location today (car grave yard, cattle dogs, blokes in singlets on the porch): I don’t need an LLM to accidentally me when online maps are already doing their best job
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Hot (wrong) take theory: LLMs are killing hikers because LLMs have no legs and so are consumed with hiker envy
I was looking into whether LLMs are just killing hikers for a potential article, but there's not enough data on it and I didn't want to contribute to the misinfosphere
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
This is a heads-up about fake AI accounts which have proliferated across social media.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
December 2, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Hot (wrong) take theory: LLMs are killing hikers because LLMs have no legs and so are consumed with hiker envy
Reposted by Frank Podmore
In the caving and cave rescue world it has more been a problem of YouTubers promoting themselves. I'm not aware of any LLM issues yet. But it's a much less popular pastime.
December 2, 2025 at 11:11 AM
In the caving and cave rescue world it has more been a problem of YouTubers promoting themselves. I'm not aware of any LLM issues yet. But it's a much less popular pastime.
The bit when she gets on to 'the entire food production system' is just extraordinary. The last guy who tried that rather infamously ended up killing people for stuff like 'wearing glasses'
Zarah Sultana apparently wants to nationalise the entire economy including the Internet.
December 2, 2025 at 11:11 AM
The bit when she gets on to 'the entire food production system' is just extraordinary. The last guy who tried that rather infamously ended up killing people for stuff like 'wearing glasses'
Reposted by Frank Podmore
LLMs are a statistical language predictor, not a source of knowledge.
December 2, 2025 at 10:58 AM
LLMs are a statistical language predictor, not a source of knowledge.
Reposted by Frank Podmore
a sign people really want a feature and find it good is when companies make turning it off a 12 part process (firefox), require registry modifications (microsoft) or contact support to reveal the real off switch instead of their two decoy toggles (google) so they can claim people don't turn it off 📈
firefox AI and slop disablers from tumblr for the people from local hero mckitterick. Tried it on my end and the browser is significantly faster now
(copy paste-able in the alt text)
(copy paste-able in the alt text)
December 2, 2025 at 10:20 AM
a sign people really want a feature and find it good is when companies make turning it off a 12 part process (firefox), require registry modifications (microsoft) or contact support to reveal the real off switch instead of their two decoy toggles (google) so they can claim people don't turn it off 📈
I was looking into whether LLMs are just killing hikers for a potential article, but there's not enough data on it and I didn't want to contribute to the misinfosphere
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
This is a heads-up about fake AI accounts which have proliferated across social media.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
December 2, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I was looking into whether LLMs are just killing hikers for a potential article, but there's not enough data on it and I didn't want to contribute to the misinfosphere
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
Suffice to say, we need to go back to the '90s approach to internet safety: Do not trust strangers on the internet... 🧵
Reposted by Frank Podmore
This is a heads-up about fake AI accounts which have proliferated across social media.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
December 1, 2025 at 10:20 AM
This is a heads-up about fake AI accounts which have proliferated across social media.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
The screenshot is from a genuine thread asking for advice on a mountain route; there are plenty of useful, real human replies.
The attempted reply (we stopped it) looks very real - but it is from an AI bot.
Reposted by Frank Podmore
'We have historically high welfare spending.' No we don't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
November 29, 2025 at 5:08 PM
'We have historically high welfare spending.' No we don't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Bong Joon Ho hit me up for the squad you legend deadline.com/2025/11/bong...
November 29, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Bong Joon Ho hit me up for the squad you legend deadline.com/2025/11/bong...
Reposted by Frank Podmore
As I keep saying, the liberal left should be less defensive about the culture war. You're goddamn right we started the war, it's a holy war against millennia of oppression and we damn well mean to finish the job
The only major faction which does not believe it is the far right, which understands itself to be in a cultural battle for hearts and minds which is only glancingly correlated with economic anything. It’s worked out wonderfully for them
November 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
As I keep saying, the liberal left should be less defensive about the culture war. You're goddamn right we started the war, it's a holy war against millennia of oppression and we damn well mean to finish the job
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Deleted the seldom used Malarkey tiktok account. Gonna learn to code just so we can make a social media platform we won’t have to delete.
November 28, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Deleted the seldom used Malarkey tiktok account. Gonna learn to code just so we can make a social media platform we won’t have to delete.
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Kinnock voice - "I’ll tell you what happens with impossible promises. You start with far-fetched resolutions....and you end up in the grotesque chaos of a Labour government, a *Labour* government, rejecting visas for homeless 8 yr olds trying to joing their parents"
November 28, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Kinnock voice - "I’ll tell you what happens with impossible promises. You start with far-fetched resolutions....and you end up in the grotesque chaos of a Labour government, a *Labour* government, rejecting visas for homeless 8 yr olds trying to joing their parents"
Reposted by Frank Podmore
We’ve mapped the mansion tax.
You can see who's paying - which constituency, which postcode - and how many "mansions" are near you.
Full interactive map here 👇
You can see who's paying - which constituency, which postcode - and how many "mansions" are near you.
Full interactive map here 👇
November 28, 2025 at 9:34 AM
We’ve mapped the mansion tax.
You can see who's paying - which constituency, which postcode - and how many "mansions" are near you.
Full interactive map here 👇
You can see who's paying - which constituency, which postcode - and how many "mansions" are near you.
Full interactive map here 👇
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Once again; you can't moderate your way to neutralizing an issue like immigration.
It's fundamentally just racist reaction. Nothing is ever enough because what's demanded—ethnonationalist homogeneity—is completely unavailable in modern conditions. There will *always* be a basis for more demagoguery
It's fundamentally just racist reaction. Nothing is ever enough because what's demanded—ethnonationalist homogeneity—is completely unavailable in modern conditions. There will *always* be a basis for more demagoguery
YOU WANTED NET IMMIGRATION TO COME DOWN! THIS IS WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE!
November 27, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Once again; you can't moderate your way to neutralizing an issue like immigration.
It's fundamentally just racist reaction. Nothing is ever enough because what's demanded—ethnonationalist homogeneity—is completely unavailable in modern conditions. There will *always* be a basis for more demagoguery
It's fundamentally just racist reaction. Nothing is ever enough because what's demanded—ethnonationalist homogeneity—is completely unavailable in modern conditions. There will *always* be a basis for more demagoguery
Friend at uni told me: 'When the revolution comes, you'll either be the first against the wall or the guy shouting "Fire!"'
What is the best compliment you ever received? Putting aside whether or not you believed it.
November 27, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Friend at uni told me: 'When the revolution comes, you'll either be the first against the wall or the guy shouting "Fire!"'
Reposted by Frank Podmore
If you want some good news this morning, I showed my three boys the PM doing the six/seven thing and now they have all stopped doing it.
November 27, 2025 at 7:03 AM
If you want some good news this morning, I showed my three boys the PM doing the six/seven thing and now they have all stopped doing it.
Reposted by Frank Podmore
I'm fascinating by how many concepts are really markers of our ignorance. Amélie Rorty says here that 'emotion' is one, a grab bag of leftovers from supposedly clearer concepts like will & reason.
We also have chance (Darwin's Origin), freedom (Kant's Groundwork), élan vital (Bergson). #philsky
We also have chance (Darwin's Origin), freedom (Kant's Groundwork), élan vital (Bergson). #philsky
November 26, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I'm fascinating by how many concepts are really markers of our ignorance. Amélie Rorty says here that 'emotion' is one, a grab bag of leftovers from supposedly clearer concepts like will & reason.
We also have chance (Darwin's Origin), freedom (Kant's Groundwork), élan vital (Bergson). #philsky
We also have chance (Darwin's Origin), freedom (Kant's Groundwork), élan vital (Bergson). #philsky
Reposted by Frank Podmore
Lots of people sharing this clip because it's funny and cathartic but I also genuinely believe it's important.
We have to win the narrative battle between "I live in a corrupt society and that's just how it is" and "I live in a corrupt society and we are going to defeat and humiliate these ghouls."
We have to win the narrative battle between "I live in a corrupt society and that's just how it is" and "I live in a corrupt society and we are going to defeat and humiliate these ghouls."
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Lots of people sharing this clip because it's funny and cathartic but I also genuinely believe it's important.
We have to win the narrative battle between "I live in a corrupt society and that's just how it is" and "I live in a corrupt society and we are going to defeat and humiliate these ghouls."
We have to win the narrative battle between "I live in a corrupt society and that's just how it is" and "I live in a corrupt society and we are going to defeat and humiliate these ghouls."
Can't tell if Popes are good now or if the world's gotten worse while Popes have remained the same, making Popes look better merely by comparison
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Can't tell if Popes are good now or if the world's gotten worse while Popes have remained the same, making Popes look better merely by comparison