Rob Davies
@robayedavies.bsky.social
Reads, runs, looks out for birds, teaches data analysis methods in Psychology at Lancaster University, researches individual differences in reading and language; he/him/his
Reposted by Rob Davies
Speculative fiction, one might say
I’m really into writing short fiction, mainly to-do lists.
January 1, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Speculative fiction, one might say
Reposted by Rob Davies
Some lecture notes on spatial and temporal modelling, illustrated using R - darrenjw.github.io/spatio-tempo... - #rstats #rspatial #quarto
Spatial and temporal statistics
darrenjw.github.io
January 1, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Some lecture notes on spatial and temporal modelling, illustrated using R - darrenjw.github.io/spatio-tempo... - #rstats #rspatial #quarto
Reposted by Rob Davies
Happy New Year! We love sharing these pro-book posters from the Works Projects Administration Poster Collection in the Library's Prints and Photographs Division. Of the 2,000 WPA posters known to exist, the Library of Congress's collection of more than 900 is the largest.
January 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Happy New Year! We love sharing these pro-book posters from the Works Projects Administration Poster Collection in the Library's Prints and Photographs Division. Of the 2,000 WPA posters known to exist, the Library of Congress's collection of more than 900 is the largest.
Reposted by Rob Davies
This was probably meant to be a late-night post: I spent eight months working on a stunt blog about a $200 sandwich. Or, no, I did an end-of-year post about my mental health and the federal funding crisis. I'm not sure which. Maybe you can figure it out. www.carlsonlab.bio/thoughts/epi...
Epic chicken sandwich — The Carlson Lab
Invocation to Sandwich: April 22, 2025 The madness creeps in for the first time as a Master’s student in my lab is telling me about her job hunt. Did you know that Epic – yes, that Epic, the electron...
www.carlsonlab.bio
December 31, 2025 at 4:49 AM
This was probably meant to be a late-night post: I spent eight months working on a stunt blog about a $200 sandwich. Or, no, I did an end-of-year post about my mental health and the federal funding crisis. I'm not sure which. Maybe you can figure it out. www.carlsonlab.bio/thoughts/epi...
Reposted by Rob Davies
From me today: The descent of Liz Truss and into full-on totalitarianism.
The Blob vs The Cathedral vs 1984
Liz Truss vs Curtis Yarvin vs George Orwell
williamcullernebown.substack.com
January 1, 2026 at 11:41 AM
From me today: The descent of Liz Truss and into full-on totalitarianism.
Reposted by Rob Davies
If you’re discovering (or rediscovering!) Purple Rain thanks to the Stranger Things finale, you’ll want to hear the incredible true story of how the song came to be, through 10-second glimpses over the entire epic track: anildash.com/2014/07/25/i...
I Know Times Are Changing - Anil Dash
A blog about making culture. Since 1999.
anildash.com
January 1, 2026 at 7:36 AM
If you’re discovering (or rediscovering!) Purple Rain thanks to the Stranger Things finale, you’ll want to hear the incredible true story of how the song came to be, through 10-second glimpses over the entire epic track: anildash.com/2014/07/25/i...
Reposted by Rob Davies
I wasn't going to post this rant as I'm kind of sick of this & because of this, but I'm also I guess exhausted facing this often alone at home: the sniggering at women academics who have opinions even from other women, although often non-academics, and mostly from men on the dimensions of our 1/n
November 5, 2025 at 7:56 AM
I wasn't going to post this rant as I'm kind of sick of this & because of this, but I'm also I guess exhausted facing this often alone at home: the sniggering at women academics who have opinions even from other women, although often non-academics, and mostly from men on the dimensions of our 1/n
Reposted by Rob Davies
2. While coding models is not that difficult, theory is hard, mentoring is hard. We never denied it: theory is intractable (escholarship.org/content/qt8c... by @irisvanrooij.bsky.social). Many forces combine to make us not do difficult things in our jobs, even if they are fun and important. 8/
April 7, 2024 at 10:20 AM
2. While coding models is not that difficult, theory is hard, mentoring is hard. We never denied it: theory is intractable (escholarship.org/content/qt8c... by @irisvanrooij.bsky.social). Many forces combine to make us not do difficult things in our jobs, even if they are fun and important. 8/
Reposted by Rob Davies
Light blue iris amidst grass near Spring Creek #nativeplants #FallbackFlowers #Fallback to June 28 🌿
December 28, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Light blue iris amidst grass near Spring Creek #nativeplants #FallbackFlowers #Fallback to June 28 🌿
Reposted by Rob Davies
Friends, I have now closed 100 browser tabs, from across multiple windows. I did the thing the open tab required, or downloaded/filed it, or decided I didn't need it. #TabClosed2026 is going well! Now to start a fourth thread. You're welcome to make your own!
Well, 71 browser tabs closed so far in #TabClosed2026! And I've chosen a new wallpaper, from the Giancarlo Menotti opera A Bride From Pluto. So, on to my third thread of closed tabs. Trying to stay ruthless.
December 28, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Friends, I have now closed 100 browser tabs, from across multiple windows. I did the thing the open tab required, or downloaded/filed it, or decided I didn't need it. #TabClosed2026 is going well! Now to start a fourth thread. You're welcome to make your own!
Out for a walk on Woodland above the Duddon valley: looking west towards the sea, with Black Coombe a dark mass on the horizon on the right
December 28, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Out for a walk on Woodland above the Duddon valley: looking west towards the sea, with Black Coombe a dark mass on the horizon on the right
Reposted by Rob Davies
I totally get you, I have that feeling too.
December 27, 2025 at 12:07 AM
I totally get you, I have that feeling too.
Reposted by Rob Davies
December 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Rob Davies
Validating language models as study participants: How it’s being done, why it fails, and what works instead
statmodeling.stat.columbia.edu/2025/12/19/v...
statmodeling.stat.columbia.edu/2025/12/19/v...
Validating language models as study participants: How it’s being done, why it fails, and what works instead | Statistical Modeling, Causal Inference, and Social Science
statmodeling.stat.columbia.edu
December 19, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Validating language models as study participants: How it’s being done, why it fails, and what works instead
statmodeling.stat.columbia.edu/2025/12/19/v...
statmodeling.stat.columbia.edu/2025/12/19/v...
Reposted by Rob Davies
I agree!
This is an almost shockingly wise essay. I'm glad I've finally read it.
There Is No Mary Problem in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
George’s vision of his wife without him is essential to the film, but critics continue to miss its true—and profound—meaning.
open.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:38 AM
I agree!
Reposted by Rob Davies
bsky.app/profile/pook...
The einstellung effect has been known for generations: you have a very hard time noticing you're not actually solving the problem you actually have, but a different problem.
Generative AI is the einstellung effect reified.
The einstellung effect has been known for generations: you have a very hard time noticing you're not actually solving the problem you actually have, but a different problem.
Generative AI is the einstellung effect reified.
There is a cool cognitive bias called the Einstellung effect. Basically: if you solve several problems the same way, the next problem you encounter you will try to solve the same way.
"when all you have is a hammer," basically.
"when all you have is a hammer," basically.
December 23, 2025 at 7:27 AM
bsky.app/profile/pook...
The einstellung effect has been known for generations: you have a very hard time noticing you're not actually solving the problem you actually have, but a different problem.
Generative AI is the einstellung effect reified.
The einstellung effect has been known for generations: you have a very hard time noticing you're not actually solving the problem you actually have, but a different problem.
Generative AI is the einstellung effect reified.
Reposted by Rob Davies
A recent modeling study in JAMA showed that if MMR vaccine rates drop 10% (easy to see happen with this), we’re back to 400,000-500,000 cases a year. Our current outbreak is 2,000. This turns the clock back to 1950 🚨🚨🚨
It is utterly catastrophic that RFK Jr. plans to end CDC recommendations for most childhood vaccines.
It’s a betrayal of science, ethics, compassion, and the people of the United States.
And it was also a specific goal of Project 2025 (page 254).
It’s a betrayal of science, ethics, compassion, and the people of the United States.
And it was also a specific goal of Project 2025 (page 254).
December 20, 2025 at 1:29 AM
A recent modeling study in JAMA showed that if MMR vaccine rates drop 10% (easy to see happen with this), we’re back to 400,000-500,000 cases a year. Our current outbreak is 2,000. This turns the clock back to 1950 🚨🚨🚨
Reposted by Rob Davies
Clay letters from ancient Mesopotamia are alive with idiom, sayings, and everyday language that I love.
Here are just a few random ones so you can enjoy them too.
Here are just a few random ones so you can enjoy them too.
December 17, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Clay letters from ancient Mesopotamia are alive with idiom, sayings, and everyday language that I love.
Here are just a few random ones so you can enjoy them too.
Here are just a few random ones so you can enjoy them too.
Reposted by Rob Davies
Oh my god y'all I had not seen the rest of the Vanity Fair photos holy shit. Christopher Anderson deserves a medal.
Look at this. He left the LIGHT SWITCHES in the edited photos! These assholes look like their well-meaning mom took a picture of them on their first day in a grown-up job.
Look at this. He left the LIGHT SWITCHES in the edited photos! These assholes look like their well-meaning mom took a picture of them on their first day in a grown-up job.
December 17, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Oh my god y'all I had not seen the rest of the Vanity Fair photos holy shit. Christopher Anderson deserves a medal.
Look at this. He left the LIGHT SWITCHES in the edited photos! These assholes look like their well-meaning mom took a picture of them on their first day in a grown-up job.
Look at this. He left the LIGHT SWITCHES in the edited photos! These assholes look like their well-meaning mom took a picture of them on their first day in a grown-up job.
Reposted by Rob Davies
King Charles argued on Friday that, thanks to early diagnosis, his treatment will be reduced in the New Year.
He urged people to take up cancer screening saying: “Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives.”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/a...
1/10
He urged people to take up cancer screening saying: “Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives.”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/a...
1/10
King Charles 'deeply touched' by reaction to cancer TV message, says Buckingham Palace
In a TV broadcast on Friday night, the King said an early diagnosis was key to the "good news" that his treatment is being scaled back.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 8:02 AM
King Charles argued on Friday that, thanks to early diagnosis, his treatment will be reduced in the New Year.
He urged people to take up cancer screening saying: “Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives.”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/a...
1/10
He urged people to take up cancer screening saying: “Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives.”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/a...
1/10
Reposted by Rob Davies
I wrote this, a long analysis of a single line of Shakespeare and what it’s doing. How good writing is an ethical practice. And my continuing attempts to work out what it is that I’m spotting when I look at a piece of text and go “oh that was written by AI.”
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
a single line of Shakespeare contains an ethical universe
on what we get from individual word choice, what good writing is, plus: what I put in my ChatGPT settings to make it helpful
open.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 8:49 AM
I wrote this, a long analysis of a single line of Shakespeare and what it’s doing. How good writing is an ethical practice. And my continuing attempts to work out what it is that I’m spotting when I look at a piece of text and go “oh that was written by AI.”
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
Reposted by Rob Davies
On the ethics of writing:
"Not writing which has ethics imposed on it from outside. The ethical changes that happen inside you in a lifetime of working with characters, plots, stories, language. Working with them sincerely, trying to represent the world."
"Not writing which has ethics imposed on it from outside. The ethical changes that happen inside you in a lifetime of working with characters, plots, stories, language. Working with them sincerely, trying to represent the world."
I wrote this, a long analysis of a single line of Shakespeare and what it’s doing. How good writing is an ethical practice. And my continuing attempts to work out what it is that I’m spotting when I look at a piece of text and go “oh that was written by AI.”
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
a single line of Shakespeare contains an ethical universe
on what we get from individual word choice, what good writing is, plus: what I put in my ChatGPT settings to make it helpful
open.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 4:56 PM
On the ethics of writing:
"Not writing which has ethics imposed on it from outside. The ethical changes that happen inside you in a lifetime of working with characters, plots, stories, language. Working with them sincerely, trying to represent the world."
"Not writing which has ethics imposed on it from outside. The ethical changes that happen inside you in a lifetime of working with characters, plots, stories, language. Working with them sincerely, trying to represent the world."
Reposted by Rob Davies
I tried to find a photo of Christopher Plummer riding a bike, and instead I found this photo of a guy named Chris who's a plumber, which is even better.
December 14, 2025 at 10:31 AM
I tried to find a photo of Christopher Plummer riding a bike, and instead I found this photo of a guy named Chris who's a plumber, which is even better.
Reposted by Rob Davies
It’s good to see papers start to address LLMs as structural plagiarism — provenance, more hidden than the original words or training data. www.nature.com/articles/s42...
LLM use in scholarly writing poses a provenance problem
Nature Machine Intelligence - LLM use in scholarly writing poses a provenance problem
www.nature.com
December 14, 2025 at 11:13 AM
It’s good to see papers start to address LLMs as structural plagiarism — provenance, more hidden than the original words or training data. www.nature.com/articles/s42...