@bunchonumbers.bsky.social
🎶 give me a home among the gum trees
🎵
Bio photo credit: https://www.australianviews.com.au/botanical-prints/trees/white-gum-tree-pilbara-20593929.html
🎵
Bio photo credit: https://www.australianviews.com.au/botanical-prints/trees/white-gum-tree-pilbara-20593929.html
Reposted
I considered writing a long carefully constructed argument laying out the harms and limitations of AI, but instead I wrote about being a hater. Only humans can be haters.
I Am An AI Hater
I am an AI hater. This is considered rude, but I do not care, because I am a hater.
anthonymoser.github.io
August 27, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I considered writing a long carefully constructed argument laying out the harms and limitations of AI, but instead I wrote about being a hater. Only humans can be haters.
Reposted
Reposted
December 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Great article. Trump is a bystander in his own admin. He says “We’ll see what happens” as though he’s audience, not cast or director.
“Ask Trump for insight into … a choice or to explain a particular decision, and he’ll be at a loss for words. ... He’ll plead ignorance. “I know nothing about it””
“Ask Trump for insight into … a choice or to explain a particular decision, and he’ll be at a loss for words. ... He’ll plead ignorance. “I know nothing about it””
my latest is on the odd confluence of unitary executive theory with a president who is mostly AWOL from the business of governance (gift link)
Opinion | The White House Is a Lost Cause
www.nytimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Great article. Trump is a bystander in his own admin. He says “We’ll see what happens” as though he’s audience, not cast or director.
“Ask Trump for insight into … a choice or to explain a particular decision, and he’ll be at a loss for words. ... He’ll plead ignorance. “I know nothing about it””
“Ask Trump for insight into … a choice or to explain a particular decision, and he’ll be at a loss for words. ... He’ll plead ignorance. “I know nothing about it””
Reposted
"Generative AI is designed to create things that look real; predictive AI identifies what is real.
A misunderstanding that generative systems are retrieving things when they are actually creating them has led to grave consequences"
A misunderstanding that generative systems are retrieving things when they are actually creating them has led to grave consequences"
Was really challenging to participate in this, but I think I was able to pen something real, important, and personal to my experience in AI. Remember that GenAI is not *all* of AI nor all of what it should be.
www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/15/1...
www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/15/1...
December 17, 2025 at 1:56 PM
"Generative AI is designed to create things that look real; predictive AI identifies what is real.
A misunderstanding that generative systems are retrieving things when they are actually creating them has led to grave consequences"
A misunderstanding that generative systems are retrieving things when they are actually creating them has led to grave consequences"
The Australian, with no trace of embarrassment about the behaviour of its journalist Ms Albrechtsen, continues to misreport the earlier findings of Kaye J. Drumgold was successful in obtaining a declaration by Kaye J that a reasonable person would apprehend Sofronoff to be biased against D.
December 11, 2025 at 12:45 PM
The Australian, with no trace of embarrassment about the behaviour of its journalist Ms Albrechtsen, continues to misreport the earlier findings of Kaye J. Drumgold was successful in obtaining a declaration by Kaye J that a reasonable person would apprehend Sofronoff to be biased against D.
Reposted
eSafety highlights:
"We've published our views on whether some platforms will be age-restricted social media platforms to provide additional certainty to Australianot families and industry.
But we expect all online platforms that operate in Australia to assess their obligations under Aus'n law."
"We've published our views on whether some platforms will be age-restricted social media platforms to provide additional certainty to Australianot families and industry.
But we expect all online platforms that operate in Australia to assess their obligations under Aus'n law."
November 21, 2025 at 12:32 AM
eSafety highlights:
"We've published our views on whether some platforms will be age-restricted social media platforms to provide additional certainty to Australianot families and industry.
But we expect all online platforms that operate in Australia to assess their obligations under Aus'n law."
"We've published our views on whether some platforms will be age-restricted social media platforms to provide additional certainty to Australianot families and industry.
But we expect all online platforms that operate in Australia to assess their obligations under Aus'n law."
Reposted
My article on the social media minimum age obligation for the Alternative Law Journal is now online:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
(and open access)
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
(and open access)
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:23 AM
My article on the social media minimum age obligation for the Alternative Law Journal is now online:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
(and open access)
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
(and open access)
Lots of incorrect info online today about which platforms are included in Australia’s new social media restrictions.
The Online Safety Act has a broad definition of “age restricted social media platform“. Then Regulations provide some exemptions (e.g. primary purpose is prof networking).
The Online Safety Act has a broad definition of “age restricted social media platform“. Then Regulations provide some exemptions (e.g. primary purpose is prof networking).
December 9, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Lots of incorrect info online today about which platforms are included in Australia’s new social media restrictions.
The Online Safety Act has a broad definition of “age restricted social media platform“. Then Regulations provide some exemptions (e.g. primary purpose is prof networking).
The Online Safety Act has a broad definition of “age restricted social media platform“. Then Regulations provide some exemptions (e.g. primary purpose is prof networking).
The Australian tells us that a single person can have $972,500 in super+assets, earning $20k/yr in interest, and still receive a full pension of $30,646/yr.
The pension in that scenario is substantially offsetting living costs, and preserving assets for the estate beneficiaries.
Ridiculous.
The pension in that scenario is substantially offsetting living costs, and preserving assets for the estate beneficiaries.
Ridiculous.
December 5, 2025 at 9:11 AM
The Australian tells us that a single person can have $972,500 in super+assets, earning $20k/yr in interest, and still receive a full pension of $30,646/yr.
The pension in that scenario is substantially offsetting living costs, and preserving assets for the estate beneficiaries.
Ridiculous.
The pension in that scenario is substantially offsetting living costs, and preserving assets for the estate beneficiaries.
Ridiculous.
Reposted
We've updated our Study.
New stats (jaw-dropping imho):
1. DOJ noncompliance with court orders:
26 cases
2. Courts’ distrust of government information and representations:
Over 60 cases
3. Court findings of arbitrary and capricious government conduct:
68 cases
New stats (jaw-dropping imho):
1. DOJ noncompliance with court orders:
26 cases
2. Courts’ distrust of government information and representations:
Over 60 cases
3. Court findings of arbitrary and capricious government conduct:
68 cases
The “Presumption of Regularity” in Trump Administration Litigation
Comprehensive study of court cases involving Trump administration and the basis for courts no longer giving a "presumption of regularity."
www.justsecurity.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:07 PM
We've updated our Study.
New stats (jaw-dropping imho):
1. DOJ noncompliance with court orders:
26 cases
2. Courts’ distrust of government information and representations:
Over 60 cases
3. Court findings of arbitrary and capricious government conduct:
68 cases
New stats (jaw-dropping imho):
1. DOJ noncompliance with court orders:
26 cases
2. Courts’ distrust of government information and representations:
Over 60 cases
3. Court findings of arbitrary and capricious government conduct:
68 cases
Reposted
New information here on how Trump has turned the Department of Justice—which is supposed to work on your behalf—into his own personal law firm, punishing his enemies and rewarding his friends.
"Worse than Watergate" doesn't begin to cover it. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
"Worse than Watergate" doesn't begin to cover it. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
60 Attorneys on the Year of Chaos Inside Trump’s Justice Department (Gift Article)
Sixty former staffers describe an environment of suspicion and intimidation within the nation’s most powerful law enforcement agency.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:23 PM
New information here on how Trump has turned the Department of Justice—which is supposed to work on your behalf—into his own personal law firm, punishing his enemies and rewarding his friends.
"Worse than Watergate" doesn't begin to cover it. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
"Worse than Watergate" doesn't begin to cover it. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted
wrote about the president’s flagrant and destructive corruption in a column that references street fighter, the simpsons, machiavelli, and a host of revolutionary-era americans (gift link)
Opinion | The White House Gold Rush Is On
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:51 AM
wrote about the president’s flagrant and destructive corruption in a column that references street fighter, the simpsons, machiavelli, and a host of revolutionary-era americans (gift link)
Reposted
There have been at least 154 cases in which federal district courts have issued preliminary relief against a Trump administration policy.
Those rulings have come from 121 *different* judges appointed by seven presidents (including 15 appointed by Trump) sitting in 29 district courts in 10 circuits:
Those rulings have come from 121 *different* judges appointed by seven presidents (including 15 appointed by Trump) sitting in 29 district courts in 10 circuits:
193. The "War" on Judges
Deputy Attorney General Blanche's attack on lower courts is an impressive combination of light on substance; shamelessly hypocritical; and profoundly dangerous. More people should be condemning it.
www.stevevladeck.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:10 PM
There have been at least 154 cases in which federal district courts have issued preliminary relief against a Trump administration policy.
Those rulings have come from 121 *different* judges appointed by seven presidents (including 15 appointed by Trump) sitting in 29 district courts in 10 circuits:
Those rulings have come from 121 *different* judges appointed by seven presidents (including 15 appointed by Trump) sitting in 29 district courts in 10 circuits:
Reposted
Let them eat ballroom
Trump on SNAP: "Our country has to remain very liquid because problems, catastrophes, wars -- it could be anything. We have to remain liquid. We can't give everything away."
November 7, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Let them eat ballroom
Reposted
If each dollar in Nvidia's $5 trillion valuation was a single second of time, the total would be over 150,000 years, the time it takes The North American Tectonic Plate, and a person's fingernails, to advance 2.5 miles.
AI valuations made simple.
thenewcuriosityshop.substack.com/p/ai-analogi...
AI valuations made simple.
thenewcuriosityshop.substack.com/p/ai-analogi...
AI Analogies "R" US
Making the big numbers bite-sized, like they do in Journalism.
thenewcuriosityshop.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:15 PM
If each dollar in Nvidia's $5 trillion valuation was a single second of time, the total would be over 150,000 years, the time it takes The North American Tectonic Plate, and a person's fingernails, to advance 2.5 miles.
AI valuations made simple.
thenewcuriosityshop.substack.com/p/ai-analogi...
AI valuations made simple.
thenewcuriosityshop.substack.com/p/ai-analogi...
Reposted
The opening and conclusion of the 161-page findings of fact and rulings of law from Young — a Reagan appointee who has already made headlines — will be getting attention.
It is a response to a post card he received, apparently in response to one of his rulings (likely in the NIH funding case):
It is a response to a post card he received, apparently in response to one of his rulings (likely in the NIH funding case):
September 30, 2025 at 5:26 PM
The opening and conclusion of the 161-page findings of fact and rulings of law from Young — a Reagan appointee who has already made headlines — will be getting attention.
It is a response to a post card he received, apparently in response to one of his rulings (likely in the NIH funding case):
It is a response to a post card he received, apparently in response to one of his rulings (likely in the NIH funding case):
Reposted
This only happens to you once
September 26, 2025 at 7:39 PM
This only happens to you once
Reposted
ICYMI: Part One of my thoughts on how the “free speech culture” movement contributed to the moment of historical censorship www.popehat.com/p/how-free-s...
How "Free Speech Culture" Is Killing Free Speech: Part One
Blurring The Lines Between Official Censorship And Individual Criticism Built The Intellectual Foundation For Trump's Assault On Free Expression
www.popehat.com
September 22, 2025 at 1:31 PM
ICYMI: Part One of my thoughts on how the “free speech culture” movement contributed to the moment of historical censorship www.popehat.com/p/how-free-s...
Reposted
Yes it’s here from Orwell, 1946, on centrists and pundits: avoidance, power worship, and status quo bias (“present trends will continue”).
Which is true domestically for us too. The WelcomePAC and Blue Rose problem is they think present trends in power and wealth will continue.
Which is true domestically for us too. The WelcomePAC and Blue Rose problem is they think present trends in power and wealth will continue.
September 3, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Yes it’s here from Orwell, 1946, on centrists and pundits: avoidance, power worship, and status quo bias (“present trends will continue”).
Which is true domestically for us too. The WelcomePAC and Blue Rose problem is they think present trends in power and wealth will continue.
Which is true domestically for us too. The WelcomePAC and Blue Rose problem is they think present trends in power and wealth will continue.
“Your [blank face, long pause] … your … your leader is coming over to see me very soon”
a. He forgot Albo’s name + whether title was PM or President - they spoke 10 days ago.
b. Meeting not yet announced by either country (= not yet agreed)
c. Albo’s trip is for UNGA - not specific to see him
a. He forgot Albo’s name + whether title was PM or President - they spoke 10 days ago.
b. Meeting not yet announced by either country (= not yet agreed)
c. Albo’s trip is for UNGA - not specific to see him
REPORTER: How much wealthier are you now than when you returned to the WH?
TRUMP: The deals I made for the most part, other than what my kids are doing - they're running my business - were made before. Where are you from?
R: Australia
T: In my opinion you are hurting Australia right now. Quiet.
TRUMP: The deals I made for the most part, other than what my kids are doing - they're running my business - were made before. Where are you from?
R: Australia
T: In my opinion you are hurting Australia right now. Quiet.
September 16, 2025 at 2:57 PM
“Your [blank face, long pause] … your … your leader is coming over to see me very soon”
a. He forgot Albo’s name + whether title was PM or President - they spoke 10 days ago.
b. Meeting not yet announced by either country (= not yet agreed)
c. Albo’s trip is for UNGA - not specific to see him
a. He forgot Albo’s name + whether title was PM or President - they spoke 10 days ago.
b. Meeting not yet announced by either country (= not yet agreed)
c. Albo’s trip is for UNGA - not specific to see him
The linked research publication by Matthew Zefferman was well written. Refutes the scientific basis for ‘Greater Male Variability Hypothesis’. One factor: IQ qs were designed for males, eg “To prevent tools from rusting rub with - (sandpaper, tar, vaseline, file).” Also sex-diffs in education years.
The "Greater Male Variability Hypothesis", an observation regarding IQ test scores in men vs women that is often cited to argue against discrimination as the cause of inequity in elite academic, political, & business roles, is most likely an artifact of sex-biased test construction
osf.io
September 14, 2025 at 5:58 AM
The linked research publication by Matthew Zefferman was well written. Refutes the scientific basis for ‘Greater Male Variability Hypothesis’. One factor: IQ qs were designed for males, eg “To prevent tools from rusting rub with - (sandpaper, tar, vaseline, file).” Also sex-diffs in education years.
The WASC is shortly to hand down judgment in Reynolds v Higgins (defo) at 10am WST on 27/8. Livestream at www.supremecourt.wa.gov.au (link will be in 'Whats New').
Linda Reynolds filed at least 4 versions of her Statement of Claim. v4 is linked - no other versions have been made available.
Linda Reynolds filed at least 4 versions of her Statement of Claim. v4 is linked - no other versions have been made available.
richardackland.com.au
August 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
The WASC is shortly to hand down judgment in Reynolds v Higgins (defo) at 10am WST on 27/8. Livestream at www.supremecourt.wa.gov.au (link will be in 'Whats New').
Linda Reynolds filed at least 4 versions of her Statement of Claim. v4 is linked - no other versions have been made available.
Linda Reynolds filed at least 4 versions of her Statement of Claim. v4 is linked - no other versions have been made available.
Donald Trump’s truly unbelievable numbers, by Crikey (the folks who successfully took on Lachlan Murdoch, by way of intro)
Nice highlighting of the stock “in two weeks” response to any question.
www.crikey.com.au/2025/08/18/d...
Nice highlighting of the stock “in two weeks” response to any question.
www.crikey.com.au/2025/08/18/d...
Donald Trump's truly unbelievable numbers
Ever felt like Donald Trump is pulling numbers out of thin air? There's a reason for that...
www.crikey.com.au
August 18, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Donald Trump’s truly unbelievable numbers, by Crikey (the folks who successfully took on Lachlan Murdoch, by way of intro)
Nice highlighting of the stock “in two weeks” response to any question.
www.crikey.com.au/2025/08/18/d...
Nice highlighting of the stock “in two weeks” response to any question.
www.crikey.com.au/2025/08/18/d...