Ben Files
@bentfiles.bsky.social
Uncertainty communication, human-ai interaction, spatial computing, Army Research Lab, Los Angeles
Reposted by Ben Files
Please enjoy our latest God's Teeth episode S3E08: Gone Fishing.
#ttrpg #actualplay #deltagreen #GodsTeeth #GameNightGentlemen #GnG #GoneFishing
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
#ttrpg #actualplay #deltagreen #GodsTeeth #GameNightGentlemen #GnG #GoneFishing
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
December 5, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Please enjoy our latest God's Teeth episode S3E08: Gone Fishing.
#ttrpg #actualplay #deltagreen #GodsTeeth #GameNightGentlemen #GnG #GoneFishing
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
#ttrpg #actualplay #deltagreen #GodsTeeth #GameNightGentlemen #GnG #GoneFishing
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
Reposted by Ben Files
No-strings-attached, zero-means-testing, no-questions-asked cash payouts have been proven, over and over again, to be the most effective form of charity/aid going.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
An Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees a staggering reduction in homelessness. The program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years, and at the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees staggering reduction in homelessness
The state program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years. At the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
www.streetroots.org
December 3, 2025 at 7:12 AM
No-strings-attached, zero-means-testing, no-questions-asked cash payouts have been proven, over and over again, to be the most effective form of charity/aid going.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
It’s bad now, and we’re still in the ‘good to the users’ phase of enshittification.
We’ve blown, like, a trillion bucks so far between capex and training and research. That’s a trillion bucks that a lot of people expect to turn into two, three, five trillion. Under what calculation does this tech not get more expensive for users? Free to run and operate? Even then?
November 29, 2025 at 4:35 PM
It’s bad now, and we’re still in the ‘good to the users’ phase of enshittification.
Reposted by Ben Files
A chapter in Hegseth’s book is literally titled “More Lethality, Less Lawyers.”
It’s almost as if there were signs!
It’s almost as if there were signs!
November 29, 2025 at 3:02 AM
A chapter in Hegseth’s book is literally titled “More Lethality, Less Lawyers.”
It’s almost as if there were signs!
It’s almost as if there were signs!
Reposted by Ben Files
Ask yourself why there wasn’t this level of wall to wall coverage for this shooting wgme.com/news/local/i...
ICE agent who shot woman in Chicago drove Border Patrol vehicle back to Maine
An unnamed ICE agent, who shot and injured a woman in Chicago, is now back in Maine after driving the Border Patrol vehicle he was in 1,100 miles.
wgme.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Ask yourself why there wasn’t this level of wall to wall coverage for this shooting wgme.com/news/local/i...
Reposted by Ben Files
This is exactly right
November 25, 2025 at 12:40 AM
This is exactly right
Reposted by Ben Files
Delighted to find out my dear friend Greta Johnson, creator of the much missed Nerdette and even MORE missed (by me) Nerdette Recaps GoT with Peter Sagal, has a brand new podcast debuting next month!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
Introducing Happy To Be Here!
Podcast Episode · Happy To Be Here · Ep1 Trailer · 1m
podcasts.apple.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Delighted to find out my dear friend Greta Johnson, creator of the much missed Nerdette and even MORE missed (by me) Nerdette Recaps GoT with Peter Sagal, has a brand new podcast debuting next month!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
Reposted by Ben Files
I was mortified when a guy's unleashed dog stuck its nose through our fence and one of our dogs bit it on the face. But, also, like...??? That said we have not seen those people wander around the neighborhood with their dog since that incident. Your dog may be friendly! Many other dogs aren't.
So many pets deserve better humans. Like the lovely brown labrador at the park whose selfish knob of an owner lets him run offleash.
Multiple actual dog parks nearby, but this middle-aged white man has to play roulette with everyone’s life, including the poor dog’s, instead.
LEASH. YOUR. DOGS.
Multiple actual dog parks nearby, but this middle-aged white man has to play roulette with everyone’s life, including the poor dog’s, instead.
LEASH. YOUR. DOGS.
November 11, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I was mortified when a guy's unleashed dog stuck its nose through our fence and one of our dogs bit it on the face. But, also, like...??? That said we have not seen those people wander around the neighborhood with their dog since that incident. Your dog may be friendly! Many other dogs aren't.
Reposted by Ben Files
Reposted by Ben Files
I've built a socioeconomic system that depends on everyone to do useful work and act ethically except the people at the top, who get unimaginable rewards for being antisocial frauds and criminals. And I think it will stand the test of time
October 28, 2025 at 7:16 PM
I've built a socioeconomic system that depends on everyone to do useful work and act ethically except the people at the top, who get unimaginable rewards for being antisocial frauds and criminals. And I think it will stand the test of time
Reposted by Ben Files
Everyone should receive a basic income regardless of whether or not they can meet the capitalist's definition of "work."
Everyone should receive no cost healthcare at the point of service.
Demand this of your society. Don't let them shirk their responsibilities while reaping the enormous benefits.
Everyone should receive no cost healthcare at the point of service.
Demand this of your society. Don't let them shirk their responsibilities while reaping the enormous benefits.
October 28, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Everyone should receive a basic income regardless of whether or not they can meet the capitalist's definition of "work."
Everyone should receive no cost healthcare at the point of service.
Demand this of your society. Don't let them shirk their responsibilities while reaping the enormous benefits.
Everyone should receive no cost healthcare at the point of service.
Demand this of your society. Don't let them shirk their responsibilities while reaping the enormous benefits.
Reposted by Ben Files
🐾 Happy P-22 Day!
From the Hollywood Hills to the hearts of Angelenos, join us in celebratrating P-22's legacy and learn more about how his journey inspired the city to care about wildlife crossings, urban conservation, and the wild neighbors who share our home.
From the Hollywood Hills to the hearts of Angelenos, join us in celebratrating P-22's legacy and learn more about how his journey inspired the city to care about wildlife crossings, urban conservation, and the wild neighbors who share our home.
October 25, 2025 at 4:42 PM
🐾 Happy P-22 Day!
From the Hollywood Hills to the hearts of Angelenos, join us in celebratrating P-22's legacy and learn more about how his journey inspired the city to care about wildlife crossings, urban conservation, and the wild neighbors who share our home.
From the Hollywood Hills to the hearts of Angelenos, join us in celebratrating P-22's legacy and learn more about how his journey inspired the city to care about wildlife crossings, urban conservation, and the wild neighbors who share our home.
Reposted by Ben Files
I don’t think most people (including academics) realize just how screwed American universities are right now. Yes, the Trump attacks hurt. But the deeper crisis comes from the slow rot of a corporate mindset in university leadership that traded mission for growth. Let’s talk about that.
A 🧵
1/10
A 🧵
1/10
October 22, 2025 at 2:10 PM
I don’t think most people (including academics) realize just how screwed American universities are right now. Yes, the Trump attacks hurt. But the deeper crisis comes from the slow rot of a corporate mindset in university leadership that traded mission for growth. Let’s talk about that.
A 🧵
1/10
A 🧵
1/10
Reposted by Ben Files
We are back with our latest God's Teeth episode S3E01: Letters from the Dead. This is the start to the God's Law story arc! We hope you enjoy!
#ttrpg #actualplay #deltagreen #GodsTeeth #GameNightGentlemen #GnG #LettersFromTheDead
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
#ttrpg #actualplay #deltagreen #GodsTeeth #GameNightGentlemen #GnG #LettersFromTheDead
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
October 17, 2025 at 7:35 AM
We are back with our latest God's Teeth episode S3E01: Letters from the Dead. This is the start to the God's Law story arc! We hope you enjoy!
#ttrpg #actualplay #deltagreen #GodsTeeth #GameNightGentlemen #GnG #LettersFromTheDead
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
#ttrpg #actualplay #deltagreen #GodsTeeth #GameNightGentlemen #GnG #LettersFromTheDead
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
Reposted by Ben Files
The Admin’s actions have created an enormous roadblock for Congress to reach a bipartisan 2026 funding deal because lawmakers justifiably need to know that if they reach a deal that the President won’t unilaterally and unlawfully undo it.
October 10, 2025 at 7:04 PM
The Admin’s actions have created an enormous roadblock for Congress to reach a bipartisan 2026 funding deal because lawmakers justifiably need to know that if they reach a deal that the President won’t unilaterally and unlawfully undo it.
Reposted by Ben Files
Interviewing Senators/Representatives about the shutdown has zero information utility
October 14, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Interviewing Senators/Representatives about the shutdown has zero information utility
Reposted by Ben Files
Major airports are refusing to air Kristi Noem’s propaganda video blaming Democrats for the shutdown, and there’s a reason: it violates the Hatch Act
You can’t use taxpayer resources for partisan attacks. Period.
You can’t use taxpayer resources for partisan attacks. Period.
October 14, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Major airports are refusing to air Kristi Noem’s propaganda video blaming Democrats for the shutdown, and there’s a reason: it violates the Hatch Act
You can’t use taxpayer resources for partisan attacks. Period.
You can’t use taxpayer resources for partisan attacks. Period.
How do you think about driving in traffic: PvP, PvE, or Co-op?
October 14, 2025 at 2:33 PM
How do you think about driving in traffic: PvP, PvE, or Co-op?
Reposted by Ben Files
MIT Rejects the Compact!
I am so proud.
"The document also includes principles with which we disagree, including those that would restrict freedom of expression and our independence as an institution. And fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief ...
I am so proud.
"The document also includes principles with which we disagree, including those that would restrict freedom of expression and our independence as an institution. And fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief ...
October 10, 2025 at 1:35 PM
MIT Rejects the Compact!
I am so proud.
"The document also includes principles with which we disagree, including those that would restrict freedom of expression and our independence as an institution. And fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief ...
I am so proud.
"The document also includes principles with which we disagree, including those that would restrict freedom of expression and our independence as an institution. And fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief ...
Reposted by Ben Files
Making simulation environments is equivalent to creating dataset generators.
A wave of startups are creating RL environments to help AI labs train agents. It might be Silicon Valley’s next craze in the making.
Silicon Valley bets big on 'environments' to train AI agents | TechCrunch
A wave of startups are creating RL environments to help AI labs train agents. It might be Silicon Valley’s next craze in the making.
techcrunch.com
September 21, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Making simulation environments is equivalent to creating dataset generators.
Linked in thread: “Only the government is in a position to invest in research with uncertain long-term payoffs. Even high-risk venture capital funds wind down after 10 to 15 years, so any research into treatments that will hit the market after that time will draw little to no private investment.”
The VC model is the antithesis of good basic science.
Basic science is best when many labs are funded over the long-term, when many different scientists pursue their own ideas. Let a thousand flowers bloom —and support them.
VC investment is about relentless, exponential growth.
Basic science is best when many labs are funded over the long-term, when many different scientists pursue their own ideas. Let a thousand flowers bloom —and support them.
VC investment is about relentless, exponential growth.
September 21, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Linked in thread: “Only the government is in a position to invest in research with uncertain long-term payoffs. Even high-risk venture capital funds wind down after 10 to 15 years, so any research into treatments that will hit the market after that time will draw little to no private investment.”
Reposted by Ben Files
Dam been writing a book about this and she just TikToked it in 90 seconds.
September 19, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Dam been writing a book about this and she just TikToked it in 90 seconds.
Reposted by Ben Files
You know what wins real wars against peer opponents? Warehouses full of bombs and bullets and tourniquets, maintenance crew to service the vehicles that move them and "warriors" to where they need to go, and boring spreadsheets to tell you how much of everything you have. Logistics! Logistics!
Hegseth: "Maximum lethality -- not tepid legality. Violent effect, not politically correct. We're gonna raise up warriors. Not just defenders."
September 7, 2025 at 4:20 PM
You know what wins real wars against peer opponents? Warehouses full of bombs and bullets and tourniquets, maintenance crew to service the vehicles that move them and "warriors" to where they need to go, and boring spreadsheets to tell you how much of everything you have. Logistics! Logistics!
Yes! Models need to learn how to effectively convey uncertainty, but effective communication of uncertainty is uncommon (and sometimes borderline taboo)
Paper from OpenAI says hallucinations are less a problem with LLMs themselves & more an issue with training on tests that only reward right answers. That encourages guessing rather than saying “I don’t know”
If true, there is a straightforward path for more reliable AI through better training.
If true, there is a straightforward path for more reliable AI through better training.
September 6, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Yes! Models need to learn how to effectively convey uncertainty, but effective communication of uncertainty is uncommon (and sometimes borderline taboo)
Reposted by Ben Files
It’s true. If I had learned this… I dunno, 35 years ago?… I’d have had a very different writing career.
hi this is my favorite writing advice, it's from former simpsons writer john swartzwelder (i think about the crappy little elf all the time) www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
August 17, 2025 at 1:06 PM
It’s true. If I had learned this… I dunno, 35 years ago?… I’d have had a very different writing career.