Simon Waldman
@swaldman.bsky.social
Follow @simon-on-energy for energy, environment & academia. Stay here for anything else. All tweets in personal capacity. he/him.
Can also be found at mendeddrum.org/@swaldman
Can also be found at mendeddrum.org/@swaldman
www.reuters.com/technology/i...
Uh oh. The Roomba is the only smart appliance in my home which depends completely on the cloud for core functionality, such that I'd care if it lost thst connection.
Uh oh. The Roomba is the only smart appliance in my home which depends completely on the cloud for core functionality, such that I'd care if it lost thst connection.
December 15, 2025 at 3:38 AM
www.reuters.com/technology/i...
Uh oh. The Roomba is the only smart appliance in my home which depends completely on the cloud for core functionality, such that I'd care if it lost thst connection.
Uh oh. The Roomba is the only smart appliance in my home which depends completely on the cloud for core functionality, such that I'd care if it lost thst connection.
*blinks*
(I haven't verified, since that would entail logging into X)
(I haven't verified, since that would entail logging into X)
December 10, 2025 at 9:22 AM
*blinks*
(I haven't verified, since that would entail logging into X)
(I haven't verified, since that would entail logging into X)
Reposted by Simon Waldman
December 9, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Reposted by Simon Waldman
Five years of social media history?
Ten years of email addresses?
Looks like I won't be going to the states for a long time
Ten years of email addresses?
Looks like I won't be going to the states for a long time
December 10, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Five years of social media history?
Ten years of email addresses?
Looks like I won't be going to the states for a long time
Ten years of email addresses?
Looks like I won't be going to the states for a long time
Sans serif typefaces are woke now.
Marco Rubio ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor's decision to adopt Calibri a “wasteful” diversity move
Rubio Stages Font Coup: Times New Roman Ousts Calibri
The secretary of state called it a "wasteful" diversity move, according to an internal department cable seen by Reuters.
www.huffpost.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Sans serif typefaces are woke now.
Reposted by Simon Waldman
blessed be the henry
September 26, 2025 at 4:53 PM
blessed be the henry
Reposted by Simon Waldman
Trump says reporting on his health is "seditious, perhaps even treasonous, for The New York Times, and others, to consistently do FAKE reports in order to libel and demean 'THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.' They are true Enemies of the People, and we should do something about it."
December 10, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Trump says reporting on his health is "seditious, perhaps even treasonous, for The New York Times, and others, to consistently do FAKE reports in order to libel and demean 'THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.' They are true Enemies of the People, and we should do something about it."
Reposted by Simon Waldman
re:the NHS Fife case it's fun that the same media institutions that constantly bitch and moan about how nobody trusts them anymore will just come out and say the literal opposite of the truth. that's not institutional bias in reporting it's *just* lying
December 9, 2025 at 1:35 PM
re:the NHS Fife case it's fun that the same media institutions that constantly bitch and moan about how nobody trusts them anymore will just come out and say the literal opposite of the truth. that's not institutional bias in reporting it's *just* lying
"Tribunal rules that employers do not have to exclude trans people"
goodlawproject.org/sandie-peggi...
Not that you'd know it from the media coverage, which is almost entirely "Partial victory as Peggie wins on some procedural matters"
goodlawproject.org/sandie-peggi...
Not that you'd know it from the media coverage, which is almost entirely "Partial victory as Peggie wins on some procedural matters"
Sandie Peggie: Tribunal rules that employers do not have to exclude trans people | Good Law Project
One of the first cases that follows the Supreme Court’s decision on the definition of sex under the Equality Act has found that the court didn’t decide which changing room a trans person should use.
goodlawproject.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:54 PM
"Tribunal rules that employers do not have to exclude trans people"
goodlawproject.org/sandie-peggi...
Not that you'd know it from the media coverage, which is almost entirely "Partial victory as Peggie wins on some procedural matters"
goodlawproject.org/sandie-peggi...
Not that you'd know it from the media coverage, which is almost entirely "Partial victory as Peggie wins on some procedural matters"
Oh look, given a mix of judgements both sides claim victory. But one side has all the press.
A great example here of how it simply does not matter what happens, and how the public come to be so disastrously misinformed on more or less everything. When all our media outlets feed the public much the same shit day in, day out, then it’s no wonder Yer Da has developed Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.
Sandie Peggie's agony...
BBC News - Scotland's papers: Sandie Peggie 'agony' as NHS board 'harassed nurse'
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - Scotland's papers: Sandie Peggie 'agony' as NHS board 'harassed nurse'
www.bbc.com/news/article...
December 9, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Oh look, given a mix of judgements both sides claim victory. But one side has all the press.
Reposted by Simon Waldman
This was my instinct with it as well: it's *hard* and it takes a lot of work, but that's because the tools are shitty. Like, you can make great art with limited resources - sometimes it even helps! - but genAI is almost actively working *against* artistry because of the way it's created.
I've spoken with someone who made something similar recently and I don't think the studio are wrong in their description. Think of it closer to a digitally composite animation patched together from an unreliable generator.
McDonald's has released an AI-generated Christmas ad
The studio behind it says they 'hardly slept' for several weeks while writing AI prompts and refining the shots — 'AI didn't make this film. We did'
Comments have been turned off on YouTube
The studio behind it says they 'hardly slept' for several weeks while writing AI prompts and refining the shots — 'AI didn't make this film. We did'
Comments have been turned off on YouTube
December 9, 2025 at 11:42 AM
This was my instinct with it as well: it's *hard* and it takes a lot of work, but that's because the tools are shitty. Like, you can make great art with limited resources - sometimes it even helps! - but genAI is almost actively working *against* artistry because of the way it's created.
Reposted by Simon Waldman
HR departments countrywide need to start treating gendercrit employees as potentially hostile. As soon as you are required to interact with one, you dust off the rulebook, you dot every eye and cross every t, and you assume bad faith at every turn.
They are a threat to every organisation.
They are a threat to every organisation.
December 8, 2025 at 5:12 PM
HR departments countrywide need to start treating gendercrit employees as potentially hostile. As soon as you are required to interact with one, you dust off the rulebook, you dot every eye and cross every t, and you assume bad faith at every turn.
They are a threat to every organisation.
They are a threat to every organisation.
Reposted by Simon Waldman
They should invent a university that prioritizes teaching and research
December 2, 2025 at 8:15 PM
They should invent a university that prioritizes teaching and research
At what point in December is it acceptable to start wearing Xmas jumpers to work?
December 4, 2025 at 10:20 PM
At what point in December is it acceptable to start wearing Xmas jumpers to work?
Reposted by Simon Waldman
All of the companies that make the software I use are increasing their prices, to account for an "investment" in AI.
I'm sat here imagining how my clients would feel if I added 30% to each invoice, because I "really got into gambling".
I'm sat here imagining how my clients would feel if I added 30% to each invoice, because I "really got into gambling".
December 4, 2025 at 8:41 AM
All of the companies that make the software I use are increasing their prices, to account for an "investment" in AI.
I'm sat here imagining how my clients would feel if I added 30% to each invoice, because I "really got into gambling".
I'm sat here imagining how my clients would feel if I added 30% to each invoice, because I "really got into gambling".
Reposted by Simon Waldman
This is a Good News story. But it says so much about how the transphobes are bankrolled by "her" that it got this far - most trade unions try not to go to Tribunal now as it's so risky and expensive.
Oh, and she's going to appeal. Again, something most employees can't afford to do.
Oh, and she's going to appeal. Again, something most employees can't afford to do.
Good news for trans workers
After the Girl guiding and WI announcements, some comfort for trans workers.
A Scottish tribunal has ruled that a trans-inclusive workplace policy is NOT discriminatory against a woman with gender critical views in the workplace.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
After the Girl guiding and WI announcements, some comfort for trans workers.
A Scottish tribunal has ruled that a trans-inclusive workplace policy is NOT discriminatory against a woman with gender critical views in the workplace.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Woman loses sex discrimination case after toilet complaint - BBC News
Maria Kelly took legal action against Leonardo UK alleging harassment and discrimination after seeing a trans colleague in female toilets.
www.bbc.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:24 AM
This is a Good News story. But it says so much about how the transphobes are bankrolled by "her" that it got this far - most trade unions try not to go to Tribunal now as it's so risky and expensive.
Oh, and she's going to appeal. Again, something most employees can't afford to do.
Oh, and she's going to appeal. Again, something most employees can't afford to do.
Reposted by Simon Waldman
If you're dating lots of people but you couldn't pick them out of a crowd, that's Wallyamory
December 3, 2025 at 7:58 PM
If you're dating lots of people but you couldn't pick them out of a crowd, that's Wallyamory
Reposted by Simon Waldman
Something which feels relevant here: The grad student is a trans woman.
Not that this affected her conduct - the essay should obviously have failed, and the feedback given was really generous - but it may give some necessary context for the university's response...
Not that this affected her conduct - the essay should obviously have failed, and the feedback given was really generous - but it may give some necessary context for the university's response...
Oklahoma University has placed a grad student instructor on admin leave for failing a psychology paper on gender for citing *the Bible* as a source of empirical evidence.
In response, OU has placed on instructor on admin leave citing, get this, the FIRST AMENDMENT.
Universities are cooked.
In response, OU has placed on instructor on admin leave citing, get this, the FIRST AMENDMENT.
Universities are cooked.
December 1, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Something which feels relevant here: The grad student is a trans woman.
Not that this affected her conduct - the essay should obviously have failed, and the feedback given was really generous - but it may give some necessary context for the university's response...
Not that this affected her conduct - the essay should obviously have failed, and the feedback given was really generous - but it may give some necessary context for the university's response...
Reposted by Simon Waldman
just a reminder that *lots* of countries have universities, and (to my knowledge) none of them but the U.S. treat their universities as largely minor league sports franchises
LSU is paying its previous football coach over $50 million NOT to coach there while likely guaranteeing Kiffin something approaching double that, all while having an academic hiring freeze and budget cuts across the board. What is the purpose of a university (rhetorical)?
SOURCES: Lane Kiffin is expected to accept LSU's offer to become the Tigers next head coach. Kiffin is set to meet with his Ole Miss team this morning at 9 AM CT. As we reported yesterday morning, LSU has been very confident it was going to land Kiffin. www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
November 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
just a reminder that *lots* of countries have universities, and (to my knowledge) none of them but the U.S. treat their universities as largely minor league sports franchises
Reposted by Simon Waldman
My favourite detail from the life of Maximilian I of Mexico is that, having been tried and condemned to death, a plan was hatched to break him out of jail before his execution by bribing the guards. He refused "because he felt that shaving his beard to avoid recognition would undermine his dignity".
December 1, 2025 at 11:50 AM
My favourite detail from the life of Maximilian I of Mexico is that, having been tried and condemned to death, a plan was hatched to break him out of jail before his execution by bribing the guards. He refused "because he felt that shaving his beard to avoid recognition would undermine his dignity".
Our Party: not your party, nah nah nah.
Popular Alliance: somehow calls to mind both the French hard-right & Monty Python.
For The Many: makes me wonder who The Few are, being nobly sacrificed.
Your Party: sounds like a Win98 desktop icon, but otherwise not a bad name. I suggest they stick with it.
Popular Alliance: somehow calls to mind both the French hard-right & Monty Python.
For The Many: makes me wonder who The Few are, being nobly sacrificed.
Your Party: sounds like a Win98 desktop icon, but otherwise not a bad name. I suggest they stick with it.
Gutted, not Party McPartyface😱
Jeremy Corbyn and Zara Sultana’s Your Party reveals shortlist for official name
Leftwing party asks members to pick between Your Party, Our Party, Popular Alliance and For The Many
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Jeremy Corbyn and Zara Sultana’s Your Party reveals shortlist for official name
Leftwing party asks members to pick between Your Party, Our Party, Popular Alliance and For The Many
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Jeremy Corbyn and Zara Sultana’s Your Party reveals shortlist for official name
Leftwing party asks members to pick between Your Party, Our Party, Popular Alliance and For The Many
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Our Party: not your party, nah nah nah.
Popular Alliance: somehow calls to mind both the French hard-right & Monty Python.
For The Many: makes me wonder who The Few are, being nobly sacrificed.
Your Party: sounds like a Win98 desktop icon, but otherwise not a bad name. I suggest they stick with it.
Popular Alliance: somehow calls to mind both the French hard-right & Monty Python.
For The Many: makes me wonder who The Few are, being nobly sacrificed.
Your Party: sounds like a Win98 desktop icon, but otherwise not a bad name. I suggest they stick with it.
I will note that it might actually be "working very hard". It's just that the "working very hard" and the "to get what you have" parts do not have a causal link.
(feels like missing this is the main cause of the anger that results from these conversations)
(feels like missing this is the main cause of the anger that results from these conversations)
A controversial opinion in the UK: having a standard emails job then sitting in a house you bought for a song and watching it rise exponentially in value due to political choices that have nothing to do with you is not it fact “working very hard to get what you have”
November 29, 2025 at 10:57 AM
I will note that it might actually be "working very hard". It's just that the "working very hard" and the "to get what you have" parts do not have a causal link.
(feels like missing this is the main cause of the anger that results from these conversations)
(feels like missing this is the main cause of the anger that results from these conversations)
Reposted by Simon Waldman
FFS. I know everyone was talking about this on Wednesday, but the lifting of the two-child limit framed as solely about appeasing Labour bankbenchers by a commentator on PM just now, not about TAKING HALF A MILLION KIDS OUT OF POVERTY WHICH IS A GOOD THING IN AND OF ITSELF, just had me screaming
November 28, 2025 at 5:51 PM
FFS. I know everyone was talking about this on Wednesday, but the lifting of the two-child limit framed as solely about appeasing Labour bankbenchers by a commentator on PM just now, not about TAKING HALF A MILLION KIDS OUT OF POVERTY WHICH IS A GOOD THING IN AND OF ITSELF, just had me screaming
Reposted by Simon Waldman
UNBOUND AUTHORS: Leftover copies of your books in the UK (MacMillan) warehouse will be pulped within the next week or two. DM me for a link to the warehouse stock list and contacts.
If you have no dosh, another publisher (Wilton Sq) is willing to buy the books & distribute on a 50/50 profit split
If you have no dosh, another publisher (Wilton Sq) is willing to buy the books & distribute on a 50/50 profit split
November 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
UNBOUND AUTHORS: Leftover copies of your books in the UK (MacMillan) warehouse will be pulped within the next week or two. DM me for a link to the warehouse stock list and contacts.
If you have no dosh, another publisher (Wilton Sq) is willing to buy the books & distribute on a 50/50 profit split
If you have no dosh, another publisher (Wilton Sq) is willing to buy the books & distribute on a 50/50 profit split
Reposted by Simon Waldman
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
HAHAHAHA
But also, conference organisers now using AI to decide whether reviews were done by AI, so it's gonna get that wrong as well.
HAHAHAHA
But also, conference organisers now using AI to decide whether reviews were done by AI, so it's gonna get that wrong as well.
Major AI conference flooded with peer reviews written fully by AI
Controversy has erupted after 21% of manuscript reviews for an international AI conference were found to be generated by artificial intelligence.
www.nature.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:39 PM
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
HAHAHAHA
But also, conference organisers now using AI to decide whether reviews were done by AI, so it's gonna get that wrong as well.
HAHAHAHA
But also, conference organisers now using AI to decide whether reviews were done by AI, so it's gonna get that wrong as well.