Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · Sep 8

It was a great honour to present the Toyama International Philosophy seminar @ Waseda University in Tokyo.
Spoke on Linguistic Relativity, LLMs, & Cognition. Excellent discussion after at the home of the first ever robot WABOT-1! #Philsky #AI

5

Reposted by Ryan M. Nefdt

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · Jul 25

Get it while it's hot (and free)! cup.org/46WiElu This book tells a story of what if the philosophy of science didn't start with the study of atoms or the cosmos but human language. #philsky #booksky

The Philosophy of Linguistics

Cambridge Core - Philosophy of Science - The Philosophy of Linguistics

cup.org

12 41

Reposted by Ryan M. Nefdt

Joe Slater @drjoeslater.bsky.social · Jul 25

Like philosophy of linguistics and free stuff? Then boy do I have an opportunity for you!
This book - by my friend @ryannefdt.bsky.social - is available for download for free for the next two weeks. Get on it!
#PhilSky #Linguistics

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · Jul 25

Get it while it's hot (and free)! cup.org/46WiElu This book tells a story of what if the philosophy of science didn't start with the study of atoms or the cosmos but human language. #philsky #booksky

The Philosophy of Linguistics

Cambridge Core - Philosophy of Science - The Philosophy of Linguistics

cup.org

1 5 15

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · Jul 25

All good my friend! Thank you so much for the post!

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · Jul 25

Get it while it's hot (and free)! cup.org/46WiElu This book tells a story of what if the philosophy of science didn't start with the study of atoms or the cosmos but human language. #philsky #booksky

The Philosophy of Linguistics

Cambridge Core - Philosophy of Science - The Philosophy of Linguistics

cup.org

12 41

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · Jul 25

Hey Joe! It's this one that's free access for 2 weeks but happy if people check out the other one too :) cup.org/46WiElu

The Philosophy of Linguistics

Cambridge Core - Philosophy of Science - The Philosophy of Linguistics

cup.org

1

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · Jul 21

Be sure to check our symposium on non-human language (from all angles!) at @ishpssb2025.bsky.social #ISHPSSB2025 #philsci virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/event/73530/...

OA Virtual conferences

virtual.oxfordabstracts.com

1 5

Reposted by Ryan M. Nefdt

Cambridge University Press - Linguistics @cambup-linguistics.cambridge.org · Apr 29

Covering a wide range of fields and theoretical perspectives, this book provides a novel philosophical account of theoretical linguistics.

The Philosophy of Theoretical Linguistics by @ryannefdt.bsky.social

#LangSky #Philosophy 💙📚 #Linguistiics

cup.org/3YKingP

The Philosophy of Theoretical Linguistics

Cambridge Core - Grammar and Syntax - The Philosophy of Theoretical Linguistics

cup.org

1 11

Reposted by Ryan M. Nefdt

Adam Becker @adambecker.bsky.social · Jun 3

See you tomorrow, San Diego!

Adam Becker @adambecker.bsky.social · Jun 1

See you at the library on Wednesday, San Diego! 7PM, RSVP (free!) below. #booksky #MoreEverythingForever
libraryfoundationsd.org/events/becker

Adam Becker on Silicon Valley’s Quest for Control

libraryfoundationsd.org

1 2 15

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · May 23

I see your point. I think some structure of could be captured with textual compression. It might not directly map onto a competence grammar but for predictive purposes (Dennett's initial idea behind real patterns) performance is a guide

1 1

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · May 23

This one outlines the original idea: arxiv.org/abs/2405.07987. Really makes me more confident that there are real patterns and ML systems can track them to a certain extent. Of course industry practices and tools also add to the potential converges

The Platonic Representation Hypothesis

We argue that representations in AI models, particularly deep networks, are converging. First, we survey many examples of convergence in the literature: over time and across multiple domains, the ways...

arxiv.org

2 3

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · May 20

If anyone is in the Edmonton area tomorrow, Jeff Pelletier and I will be chatting about our new book academic.oup.com/book/59889?l... @oupphilosophy.bsky.social at Edmonton's oldest bookstore Audrey's: audreys.ca/events. Do stop by! @audreysbooksyeg.bsky.social

Linguistic Relativity: An Essential Guide to Past Debates and Future Prospects

Abstract. Does your language distinguish between dark and light blues? Do your verbs require a report on where and how you got your information? Can you ea

https://academic.oup.com/book/59889?login=false#login-purchase#login-purchase

3

Reposted by Ryan M. Nefdt

Adele Goldberg @adelegoldberg.bsky.social · Apr 21

Thanks to Evan Kidd, @mcxfrank.bsky.social & @asifamajid.bsky.social (Eds) for organizing the awesome *Open* Encyc. of Cog. Sci. and entrusting me with/ the honor of penning the entry on "Language" (in < 3500 words, so do see other entries for much, MUCH more!)
oecs.mit.edu/pub/ho9e9c80...

Language

oecs.mit.edu

3 20 64

Reposted by Ryan M. Nefdt

Franz Berto @franzberto.bsky.social · Apr 21

Philosophers: spread the word!! Full-time research postdoc, 3 year job in St Andrews-Arché within the Leverhulme-funded WIKI project:

www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...

Apply by clicking the link above, *check* the Further Particulars attachment there for details. Deadline: May 2.

2 34 48

Reposted by Ryan M. Nefdt

Open Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science bot @oecs-bot.bsky.social · Apr 16

Compositionality by Ryan M. Nefdt: https://doi.org/10.21428/e2759450.494deacd

1 4

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · Apr 18

New book with the amazing cog scientist Jeff Pelletier just dropped with @oupphilosophy.bsky.social: academic.oup.com/book/59889?l.... We discuss the issue of language and thought, LLMs, linguistics, and the history and future of an utterly indefatigable idea!

Linguistic Relativity: An Essential Guide to Past Debates and Future Prospects

Abstract. Does your language distinguish between dark and light blues? Do your verbs require a report on where and how you got your information? Can you ea

https://academic.oup.com/book/59889?login=false#login-purchase#login-purchase

1 3

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · Apr 11

I'd definitely go Dummett for breakfast, Strawson for lunch and Quine for a hearty supper!

1 1

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · Apr 10

Had a wonderful chat with Carrie Figdor on my @cambridgeup.bsky.social book the Philosophy of Theoretical Linguistics on the @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social! Link here: shorturl.at/BA8Mt

Ryan M. Nefdt, "The Philosophy of Theoretical Linguistics: A Contemporary Outlook" (Cambridge UP, 2024) - New Books Network

shorturl.at

3 4

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · Mar 30

I'll be there. Would be great to see you!

1

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · Mar 28

Looks great! OUP made us adopt a stock cover for ours :(

1

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · Mar 28

Done! She needs 2 walks and 5 cuddles a day.

3

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · Mar 28

SAJP? Interesting choice for a venue. When you gonna visit us down here?

1 2

Ryan M. Nefdt @ryannefdt.bsky.social · Mar 18

Gotta say Dan Dennett for me. Clarity of thought, daring to take on controversial positions AND incorporation of humorous writing into dense phil debates!

1 7

Reposted by Ryan M. Nefdt

Rachael Brown @rachaelbrown.bsky.social · Feb 28

So, I was appointed Editor-in-Chief at Biology & Philosophy in January. It is a huge honour and I am really proud to be the first philosopHer in the role. Thank you to Michael Weisberg, out going EiC, for all his hard work for the journal over many years - they are big shoes to fill.

11 10 92