Michael Hoffman
@michaelhoffman.bsky.social
Chair, Computational BIology and Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network.
Associate Professor, Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto.
Disclosures: https://github.com/michaelmhoffman/disclosure/
Associate Professor, Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto.
Disclosures: https://github.com/michaelmhoffman/disclosure/
Pinned
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Google at its peak was basically the best information retrieval system in human history and they and every competitor decided going from there to “you didn’t want answers you wanted half-assed auto-complete 80%-wrong hallucinations” in a few years was the right idea
November 25, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Google at its peak was basically the best information retrieval system in human history and they and every competitor decided going from there to “you didn’t want answers you wanted half-assed auto-complete 80%-wrong hallucinations” in a few years was the right idea
With Doug Ford PC corruption in the news this week, I started to think about the RCMP's Greenbelt investigation. Turns out it's been going on for more than two years!
Serious question: what are they doing that this is taking so long? Do they have like one Mountie working on it?
Serious question: what are they doing that this is taking so long? Do they have like one Mountie working on it?
November 25, 2025 at 10:07 PM
With Doug Ford PC corruption in the news this week, I started to think about the RCMP's Greenbelt investigation. Turns out it's been going on for more than two years!
Serious question: what are they doing that this is taking so long? Do they have like one Mountie working on it?
Serious question: what are they doing that this is taking so long? Do they have like one Mountie working on it?
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
November 25, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
A package hasn't "shipped" if you've only "created the label"
November 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
A package hasn't "shipped" if you've only "created the label"
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
(A) stop feeling pressure to be perfect;
(B) normalize asking questions, because that is normalizing learning;
(C) do not ask AI if your turkey is done; ask a meat thermometer
(B) normalize asking questions, because that is normalizing learning;
(C) do not ask AI if your turkey is done; ask a meat thermometer
This is so soulless, I can't stand it. We have BRAINS. We can USE THEM.
November 25, 2025 at 5:56 PM
(A) stop feeling pressure to be perfect;
(B) normalize asking questions, because that is normalizing learning;
(C) do not ask AI if your turkey is done; ask a meat thermometer
(B) normalize asking questions, because that is normalizing learning;
(C) do not ask AI if your turkey is done; ask a meat thermometer
@swanboatsteve.bsky.social Would a transit signal priority system that extended green lights when transit vehicle was behind expected headway after last one and didn't when they were before it work?
November 25, 2025 at 5:54 PM
@swanboatsteve.bsky.social Would a transit signal priority system that extended green lights when transit vehicle was behind expected headway after last one and didn't when they were before it work?
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Most of the people I've interviewed or hired are in group 2.
I never interview or hire people in group 3.
I never interview or hire people in group 3.
November 25, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Most of the people I've interviewed or hired are in group 2.
I never interview or hire people in group 3.
I never interview or hire people in group 3.
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Be authentic.
1/Articulated, coherent explanation of why you're interested in that lab's particular focus: extra points. This is rare.
2/Statement that you're just interested in the general area: no extra points but plenty get hired with just this.
3/Word salad that looks like BS: negative points
1/Articulated, coherent explanation of why you're interested in that lab's particular focus: extra points. This is rare.
2/Statement that you're just interested in the general area: no extra points but plenty get hired with just this.
3/Word salad that looks like BS: negative points
November 25, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Be authentic.
1/Articulated, coherent explanation of why you're interested in that lab's particular focus: extra points. This is rare.
2/Statement that you're just interested in the general area: no extra points but plenty get hired with just this.
3/Word salad that looks like BS: negative points
1/Articulated, coherent explanation of why you're interested in that lab's particular focus: extra points. This is rare.
2/Statement that you're just interested in the general area: no extra points but plenty get hired with just this.
3/Word salad that looks like BS: negative points
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Students applying for grad school, or reaching out to professors. I have an important piece of advice for you: STOP DOING THIS 👇 (a thread) #STEM #PhD #gradschool #academictips
November 21, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Students applying for grad school, or reaching out to professors. I have an important piece of advice for you: STOP DOING THIS 👇 (a thread) #STEM #PhD #gradschool #academictips
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Writing "careful diet" about a guy who literally eats roadkill is proof positive that so long as you look thin, your diet will be praised as sensible and healthy.
It's all about portion control with rotting meat from the side of the road, I guess. 🫠
It's all about portion control with rotting meat from the side of the road, I guess. 🫠
November 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Writing "careful diet" about a guy who literally eats roadkill is proof positive that so long as you look thin, your diet will be praised as sensible and healthy.
It's all about portion control with rotting meat from the side of the road, I guess. 🫠
It's all about portion control with rotting meat from the side of the road, I guess. 🫠
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
In more AI bubble news, major insurers are declining to insure risks from AI chatbots & agents, saying AI models are too unpredictable & error-prone with no one clearly liable when things go wrong. Firms & universities better consider this in their rush to adopt AI.
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
Insurers retreat from AI cover as risk of multibillion-dollar claims mounts
AIG, Great American and WR Berkley seek permission to limit liability from AI agents and chatbots
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:56 AM
In more AI bubble news, major insurers are declining to insure risks from AI chatbots & agents, saying AI models are too unpredictable & error-prone with no one clearly liable when things go wrong. Firms & universities better consider this in their rush to adopt AI.
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Mel Lastman told councillor David Miller that "you will never be mayor of this city."
Of course, the next mayor of the city of Toronto was David Miller.
Of course, the next mayor of the city of Toronto was David Miller.
When @maritstilesndp.bsky.social says "at least my lemonade stand was legal" is she referring to the Globe and Mail investigation claiming he was a drug dealer? Or something else? toronto.citynews.ca/video/2025/1...
'You'll never be premier!': Ford and Stiles have heated exchange at Queen's Park
Premier Doug Ford and Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles had a heated exchange at Queen's Park during question period after the opposition brought up the skills-development fund controversary.
toronto.citynews.ca
November 24, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Mel Lastman told councillor David Miller that "you will never be mayor of this city."
Of course, the next mayor of the city of Toronto was David Miller.
Of course, the next mayor of the city of Toronto was David Miller.
I like Marit. I don't know if she can win next time, but at least she vigorously contests the corrupt Doug Ford PCs.
When @maritstilesndp.bsky.social says "at least my lemonade stand was legal" is she referring to the Globe and Mail investigation claiming he was a drug dealer? Or something else? toronto.citynews.ca/video/2025/1...
'You'll never be premier!': Ford and Stiles have heated exchange at Queen's Park
Premier Doug Ford and Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles had a heated exchange at Queen's Park during question period after the opposition brought up the skills-development fund controversary.
toronto.citynews.ca
November 24, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I like Marit. I don't know if she can win next time, but at least she vigorously contests the corrupt Doug Ford PCs.
When @maritstilesndp.bsky.social says "at least my lemonade stand was legal" is she referring to the Globe and Mail investigation claiming he was a drug dealer? Or something else? toronto.citynews.ca/video/2025/1...
'You'll never be premier!': Ford and Stiles have heated exchange at Queen's Park
Premier Doug Ford and Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles had a heated exchange at Queen's Park during question period after the opposition brought up the skills-development fund controversary.
toronto.citynews.ca
November 24, 2025 at 9:21 PM
When @maritstilesndp.bsky.social says "at least my lemonade stand was legal" is she referring to the Globe and Mail investigation claiming he was a drug dealer? Or something else? toronto.citynews.ca/video/2025/1...
What a juxtaposition from @citynewstoronto.bsky.social:
- 5 killed in rental home where city officials allege an absentee landlord wasn't following by-laws
- Doug Ford changes the law to make it easier for landlords to evict tenants raising health and safety issues
- 5 killed in rental home where city officials allege an absentee landlord wasn't following by-laws
- Doug Ford changes the law to make it easier for landlords to evict tenants raising health and safety issues
November 24, 2025 at 9:06 PM
What a juxtaposition from @citynewstoronto.bsky.social:
- 5 killed in rental home where city officials allege an absentee landlord wasn't following by-laws
- Doug Ford changes the law to make it easier for landlords to evict tenants raising health and safety issues
- 5 killed in rental home where city officials allege an absentee landlord wasn't following by-laws
- Doug Ford changes the law to make it easier for landlords to evict tenants raising health and safety issues
And another thing: we're not enron. please dont put in the newspaper that we're like enron
In the memo, “Nvidia also responds to claims that the ‘current situation is analogous to historical accounting frauds (Enron, WorldCom, Lucent) that featured vendor financing and SPVs [special purpose vehicles.)’”
@barrons.com $NVDA
@firstadopter.bsky.social
www.barrons.com/articles/nvi...
@barrons.com $NVDA
@firstadopter.bsky.social
www.barrons.com/articles/nvi...
November 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
And another thing: we're not enron. please dont put in the newspaper that we're like enron
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Open faculty position (Assistant or Associate) in UW Medical Genetics. As you might expect, faculty often end up also interacting with Genome Sciences, so we're hoping for some great prospects! Note the clinical requirements for the position. apply.interfolio.com/176466
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Open faculty position (Assistant or Associate) in UW Medical Genetics. As you might expect, faculty often end up also interacting with Genome Sciences, so we're hoping for some great prospects! Note the clinical requirements for the position. apply.interfolio.com/176466
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
poisoning Adobe's AI assistant by having it summarize a 1968 cookbook that exclusively contains hot dog recipes
November 23, 2025 at 9:28 PM
poisoning Adobe's AI assistant by having it summarize a 1968 cookbook that exclusively contains hot dog recipes
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Really important to stress that the Crown Jewels of the US higher education system were never the Ivies or elite SLACs (other countries have equivalents of these) but the well-funded, large, cheap, and excellently staffed public state university systems bringing high quality education to the masses.
One of the bragging rights that the US ed system had in the 20th century is that we didn't have education tracks. Essentially, any kid could go to a CC or state school & major in whatever they wanted to (obviously an oversimplification). I fear this aspect of the American dream is dying.
November 23, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Really important to stress that the Crown Jewels of the US higher education system were never the Ivies or elite SLACs (other countries have equivalents of these) but the well-funded, large, cheap, and excellently staffed public state university systems bringing high quality education to the masses.
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
KPOP Demon Hunters is a movie about the importance of effective public health communication in this essay I will...
November 23, 2025 at 1:36 PM
KPOP Demon Hunters is a movie about the importance of effective public health communication in this essay I will...
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Imagine, if you will, that NASA updated its website to suggest gravity might not exist, prompting CalTech and CERN to release statements saying, "With great sadness, we can no longer recommend listening to NASA."
This is what's happening in epidemiology.
This is what's happening in epidemiology.
November 21, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Imagine, if you will, that NASA updated its website to suggest gravity might not exist, prompting CalTech and CERN to release statements saying, "With great sadness, we can no longer recommend listening to NASA."
This is what's happening in epidemiology.
This is what's happening in epidemiology.
Reposted by Michael Hoffman
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Closing Central Madrid To Cars Resulted In 9.5% Boost To Retail Spending, Finds Bank Analysis
City of Madrid significantly boosted the takings of its shops and restaurants last Christmas by banning cars from the CBD, finds an analysis by Spain's second largest bank.
www.forbes.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople