John Mansfield
@johnbasil.bsky.social
my job is just LANGUAGING
Pinned
John Mansfield
@johnbasil.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Our Anthropological Linguistics group at Uni Zurich has a webpage now:
www.isle.uzh.ch/en/AnthroL.h...
www.isle.uzh.ch/en/AnthroL.h...
Reposted by John Mansfield
Excited to share that our book "History of Ideas in the Science of AI" (co-authored with Luc Steels and Ann Dooms) is now freely available as #OpenAccess!
#OpenScience, #AIResearch, #HistoryOfAI
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
#OpenScience, #AIResearch, #HistoryOfAI
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
January 12, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Excited to share that our book "History of Ideas in the Science of AI" (co-authored with Luc Steels and Ann Dooms) is now freely available as #OpenAccess!
#OpenScience, #AIResearch, #HistoryOfAI
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
#OpenScience, #AIResearch, #HistoryOfAI
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
So there will be no festival this year, but in doing this the writers have saved the reputation of the festival
January 13, 2026 at 9:32 AM
So there will be no festival this year, but in doing this the writers have saved the reputation of the festival
The majority of the writers pulled out, director resigned, festival no longer tenable this year. Great to see writers standing up for human rights and resisting authoritarian bootlickers.
Pathetic Adelaide Writers Week board trying to stop Palestinians from talking about the genocide
Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah has called for her appearance at Adelaide Writers' Week to be reinstated after it was axed, but SA's Premier has continued to back the decision, as dozens of authors cancel their appearances.
January 13, 2026 at 9:30 AM
The majority of the writers pulled out, director resigned, festival no longer tenable this year. Great to see writers standing up for human rights and resisting authoritarian bootlickers.
January 13, 2026 at 4:57 AM
A nice little „miss you too“ from Melbz
January 9, 2026 at 8:48 AM
A nice little „miss you too“ from Melbz
Pathetic Adelaide Writers Week board trying to stop Palestinians from talking about the genocide
Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah has called for her appearance at Adelaide Writers' Week to be reinstated after it was axed, but SA's Premier has continued to back the decision, as dozens of authors cancel their appearances.
Palestinian author calls for apology over Adelaide Writers' Week axing
Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah has called for her appearance at Adelaide Writers' Week to be reinstated after it was axed, but SA's Premier has continued to back the decision, as dozens of authors cancel their appearances.
www.abc.net.au
January 9, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Pathetic Adelaide Writers Week board trying to stop Palestinians from talking about the genocide
Reposted by John Mansfield
Tenure-track Assistant Professor position in computational linguistics at UNIGE / @nccrlanguage.bsky.social The application deadline is around the corner (Jan 15)- don't miss it! linguistlist.org/issues/36/37...
LINGUIST List 36.3752 Jobs: Computational Linguistics: Professor of Computational Linguistics, University of Geneva, Switzerland
The LINGUIST List, International Linguistics Community Online.
linguistlist.org
January 7, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Tenure-track Assistant Professor position in computational linguistics at UNIGE / @nccrlanguage.bsky.social The application deadline is around the corner (Jan 15)- don't miss it! linguistlist.org/issues/36/37...
details and application form here:
www.isle.uzh.ch/en/jobs/phd-...
www.isle.uzh.ch/en/jobs/phd-...
PhD in Evolutionary Semantics
www.isle.uzh.ch
January 5, 2026 at 10:56 PM
details and application form here:
www.isle.uzh.ch/en/jobs/phd-...
www.isle.uzh.ch/en/jobs/phd-...
I'm hiring! 2 x PhD positions to work at Uni Zurich with me on "Evolutionary Semantics" for an ERC-funded project. semantically curious MA grads from linguistics, cog psych, anthro encouraged to apply
evolvinglanguage.ch/studying-the...
evolvinglanguage.ch/studying-the...
Studying the Evolution of Abstract Thought - NCCR Evolving Language
In the new ERC-funded project, “Conceptual Diversity and the Evolution of Abstract Thought” (CONCEVO), Mansfield will lead a team of researchers to develop a method for reconstructing the evolution of...
evolvinglanguage.ch
January 5, 2026 at 10:55 PM
I'm hiring! 2 x PhD positions to work at Uni Zurich with me on "Evolutionary Semantics" for an ERC-funded project. semantically curious MA grads from linguistics, cog psych, anthro encouraged to apply
evolvinglanguage.ch/studying-the...
evolvinglanguage.ch/studying-the...
syntax innovation from my niece (5) who doesn't see me often:
"What are you my?"
"What are you my?"
January 5, 2026 at 10:51 PM
syntax innovation from my niece (5) who doesn't see me often:
"What are you my?"
"What are you my?"
Reposted by John Mansfield
This is an artificial mouth created by Japanese researchers. It uses artificial vocal cords, a trachea system, and a flexible silicone mouth that moves and shapes sound in real time.
It sounds so human-like!
It sounds so human-like!
December 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
This is an artificial mouth created by Japanese researchers. It uses artificial vocal cords, a trachea system, and a flexible silicone mouth that moves and shapes sound in real time.
It sounds so human-like!
It sounds so human-like!
Reposted by John Mansfield
From the superb Félix Vallotton exhibition at MCBA Lausanne, this is one of many striking and unusual landscapes: Le rayon, 1909, Private collection. Read about the show (the best we've been to this year) on our blog: art-exhibitions.blogspot.com/2025/12/thro...
December 23, 2025 at 5:24 PM
From the superb Félix Vallotton exhibition at MCBA Lausanne, this is one of many striking and unusual landscapes: Le rayon, 1909, Private collection. Read about the show (the best we've been to this year) on our blog: art-exhibitions.blogspot.com/2025/12/thro...
I'm very grateful to have been awarded grant funding from the European Research Council @erc.europa.eu . I like that this grant scheme allows for untried methods.
@johnbasil.bsky.social has received an ERC grant for the project “Conceptual Diversity and the Evolution of Abstract Thought”, to develop a method for reconstructing the evolution of abstract concepts, especially spirituality, ethics, and social relations.
evolvinglanguage.ch/studying-the...
evolvinglanguage.ch/studying-the...
Studying the Evolution of Abstract Thought - NCCR Evolving Language
In the new ERC-funded project, “Conceptual Diversity and the Evolution of Abstract Thought” (CONCEVO), Mansfield will lead a team of researchers to develop a method for reconstructing the evolution of...
evolvinglanguage.ch
December 19, 2025 at 10:55 AM
I'm very grateful to have been awarded grant funding from the European Research Council @erc.europa.eu . I like that this grant scheme allows for untried methods.
(though I never understood why it's not an album...)
December 18, 2025 at 7:36 PM
(though I never understood why it's not an album...)
biggest problem with coding is doing something quick-and-dirty just to get the process working, then you forget and it becomes part of the code... months later you find this hacky little thing spreading its corruption
December 13, 2025 at 10:31 AM
biggest problem with coding is doing something quick-and-dirty just to get the process working, then you forget and it becomes part of the code... months later you find this hacky little thing spreading its corruption
so lucky to have Jane Simpson as a PhD boss, what a great role model. She does academia with integrity and generosity; her life work is both brilliant analysis of Australian languages (with more to come), and hundreds of people she helped along the way.
researchportalplus.anu.edu.au/en/persons/j...
researchportalplus.anu.edu.au/en/persons/j...
December 12, 2025 at 8:26 AM
so lucky to have Jane Simpson as a PhD boss, what a great role model. She does academia with integrity and generosity; her life work is both brilliant analysis of Australian languages (with more to come), and hundreds of people she helped along the way.
researchportalplus.anu.edu.au/en/persons/j...
researchportalplus.anu.edu.au/en/persons/j...
Reposted by John Mansfield
I'm teaching Statistical Rethinking again starting Jan 2026. This time with live lectures, divided into Beginner and Experienced sections. Will be a lot more work for me, but I hope much better for students.
I will record lectures & all will be found at this link: github.com/rmcelreath/s...
I will record lectures & all will be found at this link: github.com/rmcelreath/s...
December 9, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I'm teaching Statistical Rethinking again starting Jan 2026. This time with live lectures, divided into Beginner and Experienced sections. Will be a lot more work for me, but I hope much better for students.
I will record lectures & all will be found at this link: github.com/rmcelreath/s...
I will record lectures & all will be found at this link: github.com/rmcelreath/s...
Reposted by John Mansfield
I wonder what the Microsoft people think "Do not ask again" means
December 4, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I wonder what the Microsoft people think "Do not ask again" means
THE DUFFER BROTHERS
December 1, 2025 at 9:31 PM
THE DUFFER BROTHERS
Reposted by John Mansfield
Reposted by John Mansfield
CogSci in Aarhus is hiring, open rank (assi, asso or full prof).
We want somebody working on and teaching computational modelling of cognitive processes and/or social processes. Students are amazing, work/life balance very satisfactory, and colleagues are nice!
international.au.dk/about/profil...
We want somebody working on and teaching computational modelling of cognitive processes and/or social processes. Students are amazing, work/life balance very satisfactory, and colleagues are nice!
international.au.dk/about/profil...
Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Full Professor of Cognitive Science - Vacancy at Aarhus University
Vacancy at School of Communication and Culture - Linguistics, Cognitive Science and Semiotics, Dept. of, Aarhus University
international.au.dk
November 26, 2025 at 11:38 AM
CogSci in Aarhus is hiring, open rank (assi, asso or full prof).
We want somebody working on and teaching computational modelling of cognitive processes and/or social processes. Students are amazing, work/life balance very satisfactory, and colleagues are nice!
international.au.dk/about/profil...
We want somebody working on and teaching computational modelling of cognitive processes and/or social processes. Students are amazing, work/life balance very satisfactory, and colleagues are nice!
international.au.dk/about/profil...
Reposted by John Mansfield
🚨NEW PUBLICATION ALERT!🚨
The 'Design Features' of Language Revisited (w/ @mperlman.bsky.social @glupyan.bsky.social Koen de Reus & @limorraviv.bsky.social)
Feature Review out now in #OpenAccess in @cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social! #language #linguistics
Paper: doi.org/10.1016/j.ti...
The 'Design Features' of Language Revisited (w/ @mperlman.bsky.social @glupyan.bsky.social Koen de Reus & @limorraviv.bsky.social)
Feature Review out now in #OpenAccess in @cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social! #language #linguistics
Paper: doi.org/10.1016/j.ti...
November 25, 2025 at 7:49 PM
🚨NEW PUBLICATION ALERT!🚨
The 'Design Features' of Language Revisited (w/ @mperlman.bsky.social @glupyan.bsky.social Koen de Reus & @limorraviv.bsky.social)
Feature Review out now in #OpenAccess in @cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social! #language #linguistics
Paper: doi.org/10.1016/j.ti...
The 'Design Features' of Language Revisited (w/ @mperlman.bsky.social @glupyan.bsky.social Koen de Reus & @limorraviv.bsky.social)
Feature Review out now in #OpenAccess in @cp-trendscognsci.bsky.social! #language #linguistics
Paper: doi.org/10.1016/j.ti...
Reposted by John Mansfield
How are we still making discoveries about the 5000-year-old ancestor to English, Latin, Czech, Hindi and many other languages?
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about figuring out Proto-Indo-European with @dannybate.bsky.social!
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about figuring out Proto-Indo-European with @dannybate.bsky.social!
110: The history of the history of Indo-European - Interview with Danny Bate
Before there was English, or Latin, or Czech, or Hindi, there was a language that they all have in common, which we call Proto-Indo-European. Linguists have long been fascinated by the quest to get a
soundcloud.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:42 AM
How are we still making discoveries about the 5000-year-old ancestor to English, Latin, Czech, Hindi and many other languages?
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about figuring out Proto-Indo-European with @dannybate.bsky.social!
In our latest episode we get enthusiastic about figuring out Proto-Indo-European with @dannybate.bsky.social!