Mandalee
@mandalee.bsky.social
Archaeologist, serial immigrant, lover of dogs and coffee. Obstreperous AND unruly. Black is my happy colour.
Reposted by Mandalee
When people learn with ChatGPT instead of following their own searches, they end up knowing less, caring less, and producing worse advice, even when the facts are the same.
Friction is an essential ingredient for learning! Convenience makes us shallow.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Friction is an essential ingredient for learning! Convenience makes us shallow.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Experimental evidence of the effects of large language models versus web search on depth of learning
Abstract. The effects of using large language models (LLMs) versus traditional web search on depth of learning are explored. A theory is proposed that when
academic.oup.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:14 PM
When people learn with ChatGPT instead of following their own searches, they end up knowing less, caring less, and producing worse advice, even when the facts are the same.
Friction is an essential ingredient for learning! Convenience makes us shallow.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Friction is an essential ingredient for learning! Convenience makes us shallow.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Reposted by Mandalee
I heard a story about a female academic giving a paper at the IHR who, after receiving a long and aggressive question from a senior male professor, simply leaned back with her hands behind her head and replied “Oh, do fuck off.”
One of my colleagues went to a seminar at Berkeley and when someone asked a question Derrida brushed it off saying ‘what you ask may be important but it is not interesting’.
This path leads to chaos.
November 27, 2025 at 6:16 PM
I heard a story about a female academic giving a paper at the IHR who, after receiving a long and aggressive question from a senior male professor, simply leaned back with her hands behind her head and replied “Oh, do fuck off.”
Reposted by Mandalee
To begin with today, happy 117th anniversary to this entirely reasonable cat
November 28, 2025 at 9:13 AM
To begin with today, happy 117th anniversary to this entirely reasonable cat
Reposted by Mandalee
Jeff Bezos will be fine if we ignore him for one day.
This Black Friday, support a small creator.
Artists: drop your shop links below, whether you’re running a sale or not, and please repost everyone else’s.
No NSFW. No AI.
Here’s mine:
dragonsofwales.etsy.com
This Black Friday, support a small creator.
Artists: drop your shop links below, whether you’re running a sale or not, and please repost everyone else’s.
No NSFW. No AI.
Here’s mine:
dragonsofwales.etsy.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Jeff Bezos will be fine if we ignore him for one day.
This Black Friday, support a small creator.
Artists: drop your shop links below, whether you’re running a sale or not, and please repost everyone else’s.
No NSFW. No AI.
Here’s mine:
dragonsofwales.etsy.com
This Black Friday, support a small creator.
Artists: drop your shop links below, whether you’re running a sale or not, and please repost everyone else’s.
No NSFW. No AI.
Here’s mine:
dragonsofwales.etsy.com
Reposted by Mandalee
@jeremyjenkins.net I may have a new favourite @jenkinsemporium.bsky.social chocolate 😍🤤🍫 Delicious!
November 27, 2025 at 8:24 PM
@jeremyjenkins.net I may have a new favourite @jenkinsemporium.bsky.social chocolate 😍🤤🍫 Delicious!
Reposted by Mandalee
My nephew: Are you a girl or a boy?
Me: a boy, I used to look more like a girl but then I turned into a boy
Nephew: How???
Me: I went to the doctor and they gave me some medicine
Nephew: …
Nephew, bragging now: I’M a boy and I didn’t even HAVE to go to the doctor
Me: a boy, I used to look more like a girl but then I turned into a boy
Nephew: How???
Me: I went to the doctor and they gave me some medicine
Nephew: …
Nephew, bragging now: I’M a boy and I didn’t even HAVE to go to the doctor
November 27, 2025 at 3:41 PM
My nephew: Are you a girl or a boy?
Me: a boy, I used to look more like a girl but then I turned into a boy
Nephew: How???
Me: I went to the doctor and they gave me some medicine
Nephew: …
Nephew, bragging now: I’M a boy and I didn’t even HAVE to go to the doctor
Me: a boy, I used to look more like a girl but then I turned into a boy
Nephew: How???
Me: I went to the doctor and they gave me some medicine
Nephew: …
Nephew, bragging now: I’M a boy and I didn’t even HAVE to go to the doctor
Reposted by Mandalee
This is why OpenAI is selling so aggressively to education at all levels—they want to create entire generations of users incapable of reading, writing and thinking without ChatGPT to hold their hands
And teachers and professors should call this out for what it actually is
And teachers and professors should call this out for what it actually is
To bear out this rosy projection, HSBC assumes that OpenAI will become "as ubiquitous [...] as Microsoft 365" (345mm users worldwide) while bringing in 10x the number of users (3bn).
November 25, 2025 at 11:11 PM
This is why OpenAI is selling so aggressively to education at all levels—they want to create entire generations of users incapable of reading, writing and thinking without ChatGPT to hold their hands
And teachers and professors should call this out for what it actually is
And teachers and professors should call this out for what it actually is
Reposted by Mandalee
A *huge* vaccine victory. I've been writing on this for years; Australia has seen remarkable progress in cervical cancer prevention with the HPV vaccine. I love seeing science triumph like this.
Australia recorded ZERO cases of cervical cancer in women under 25 for the first time since they started tracking the cancer in the 80s.
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
newsGP - Australia set for world-first cervical cancer elimination
Vaccination programs have played a key role, and GPs remain ‘instrumental’ in boosting screening rates to reach the 2035 target.
www1.racgp.org.au
November 27, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A *huge* vaccine victory. I've been writing on this for years; Australia has seen remarkable progress in cervical cancer prevention with the HPV vaccine. I love seeing science triumph like this.
Reposted by Mandalee
Another in my series of libraries
Codrington Library, Oxford
#SomethingBeautiful #LoveLibraries #EveryLibraryMatters #Libraries #Library #LibrarySky #libsky
Codrington Library, Oxford
#SomethingBeautiful #LoveLibraries #EveryLibraryMatters #Libraries #Library #LibrarySky #libsky
November 24, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Another in my series of libraries
Codrington Library, Oxford
#SomethingBeautiful #LoveLibraries #EveryLibraryMatters #Libraries #Library #LibrarySky #libsky
Codrington Library, Oxford
#SomethingBeautiful #LoveLibraries #EveryLibraryMatters #Libraries #Library #LibrarySky #libsky
Reposted by Mandalee
They did it again! NYC subway Thanksgiving 2025, via @scootercaster.com!
November 27, 2025 at 4:19 PM
They did it again! NYC subway Thanksgiving 2025, via @scootercaster.com!
Reposted by Mandalee
tldr Poverty line is calculated as 3x a year’s food budget b/c the calculation dates to the 60s when food was 1/3 of spending. Food is now 1/16 of spending due to other costs rising hugely, so the official US poverty line for a family of 4 is $35,000 but updating the logic it should be $140,000!
We have a “poverty trap” and it’s driving the destruction of social cohesion.
The “poverty line” is’t 35,000, it’s $150,000, and making more than one, and less than the other is worse than being “poor”.
Which is why the rage.
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
The “poverty line” is’t 35,000, it’s $150,000, and making more than one, and less than the other is worse than being “poor”.
Which is why the rage.
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
Part 1: My Life Is a Lie
How a Broken Benchmark Quietly Broke America
www.yesigiveafig.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:22 PM
tldr Poverty line is calculated as 3x a year’s food budget b/c the calculation dates to the 60s when food was 1/3 of spending. Food is now 1/16 of spending due to other costs rising hugely, so the official US poverty line for a family of 4 is $35,000 but updating the logic it should be $140,000!
I respect anyone who goes down a rabbit hole this hard 🫡
I guess I now have to do a thread on shoes in ancient Mesopotamia in response to this (which happens to be from one of my favourite accounts).
I’m not an archaeologist, nor do I really know anything about shoes, but let’s go on this journey together.
I’m not an archaeologist, nor do I really know anything about shoes, but let’s go on this journey together.
can't believe this ancient mesopotamia shoe wearing ass said people need to dress up at the airport
November 26, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I respect anyone who goes down a rabbit hole this hard 🫡
Reposted by Mandalee
Whatever else this government do (and there's plenty of issues with this budget) ministers will always be able to point to this as an incredible important contribution to the country's future. Almost half a million kids taken out of poverty.
Scrapping the two-child limit in full is a monumental decision. Well done to all involved in the Child Poverty Strategy, and everyone who has made the case against the policy.
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
OBR says scrapping costs £3 billion in 2029-30 and will lift 450,000 out of poverty
November 26, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Whatever else this government do (and there's plenty of issues with this budget) ministers will always be able to point to this as an incredible important contribution to the country's future. Almost half a million kids taken out of poverty.
Reposted by Mandalee
This is an insightful but deeply upsetting article about why everyone in the US feels poor, and why the current political situation emerges as a direct result.
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
Part 1: My Life Is a Lie
How a Broken Benchmark Quietly Broke America
www.yesigiveafig.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:42 AM
This is an insightful but deeply upsetting article about why everyone in the US feels poor, and why the current political situation emerges as a direct result.
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
Reposted by Mandalee
Need help with holiday gifts?
I make some unique nerdy things!
At many price points!
I celebrate and appreciate every order I get!
Incoming gift ideas, with cats at the end if you keep reading!
This is me, the actual person you are supporting when you order with me!!
I make some unique nerdy things!
At many price points!
I celebrate and appreciate every order I get!
Incoming gift ideas, with cats at the end if you keep reading!
This is me, the actual person you are supporting when you order with me!!
November 26, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Need help with holiday gifts?
I make some unique nerdy things!
At many price points!
I celebrate and appreciate every order I get!
Incoming gift ideas, with cats at the end if you keep reading!
This is me, the actual person you are supporting when you order with me!!
I make some unique nerdy things!
At many price points!
I celebrate and appreciate every order I get!
Incoming gift ideas, with cats at the end if you keep reading!
This is me, the actual person you are supporting when you order with me!!
Trying to please everyone.
Actually pleasing basically no one.
Actually pleasing basically no one.
North Sea plan allows drilling while enabling Labour to keep ‘no new licences’ pledge
North Sea plan allows drilling while enabling Labour to keep ‘no new licences’ pledge
‘Tiebacks’ will permit small amount of new fossil fuel extraction, but campaigners want bolder strategy
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Trying to please everyone.
Actually pleasing basically no one.
Actually pleasing basically no one.
Reposted by Mandalee
Help us send 2,000 books to readers who are incarcerated this winter through our Books Not Bars program
Books Not Bars 2025 Holiday Campaign
BOOKS NOT BARS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Haymarket Books is committed to making our books available for free to people who are incarcerated.
In an effort to support those inside who are dealing with the imm...
haymarketbooks.app.neoncrm.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Help us send 2,000 books to readers who are incarcerated this winter through our Books Not Bars program
Reposted by Mandalee
new favourite New York Times term for a British thing just dropped
November 26, 2025 at 10:05 AM
new favourite New York Times term for a British thing just dropped
Reposted by Mandalee
Solidarity with @teamsters.bsky.social , who sanctioned our strike nationwide and won't be delivering food, picking up trash, or bringing packages across picket lines! ✊🔥
#NoContractNoCoffee
#NoContractNoCoffee
November 25, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Solidarity with @teamsters.bsky.social , who sanctioned our strike nationwide and won't be delivering food, picking up trash, or bringing packages across picket lines! ✊🔥
#NoContractNoCoffee
#NoContractNoCoffee
Reposted by Mandalee
incredibly funny (not the good kind) how c-suite assholes have spent years convincing people that things like unions and living wages will drive up prices. and now that wages are down and unions are weakened, they're raising prices anyway
November 26, 2025 at 5:50 PM
incredibly funny (not the good kind) how c-suite assholes have spent years convincing people that things like unions and living wages will drive up prices. and now that wages are down and unions are weakened, they're raising prices anyway
Reposted by Mandalee
Every year around this time, I ask folks to consider doing something in support of Native people. This year, please join me in supporting the Native Organizers Alliance as they build grassroots power, defend Native voting rights, and equip our people for collective struggle through skill-building.
Donate - Native Organizers Alliance
Supporting organizing and advocacy initiatives for Indigenous justice.
nativeorganizing.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Every year around this time, I ask folks to consider doing something in support of Native people. This year, please join me in supporting the Native Organizers Alliance as they build grassroots power, defend Native voting rights, and equip our people for collective struggle through skill-building.
Reposted by Mandalee
A Gen Z-led advocacy group announced a boycott campaign targeting major corporations “that enable, profit from, or directly collaborate with ICE.” Beyond the Ballot launched “Not With My Dollars: ICE Out of My Wallet” just days before Black Friday kicks off.
Boycott Campaign Targets Companies Tied to ICE Ahead of Black Friday
The Not With My Dollars campaign takes aim at Amazon, Whole Foods, Dell, Microsoft, Home Depot, Spotify, and Target.
truthout.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:38 PM
A Gen Z-led advocacy group announced a boycott campaign targeting major corporations “that enable, profit from, or directly collaborate with ICE.” Beyond the Ballot launched “Not With My Dollars: ICE Out of My Wallet” just days before Black Friday kicks off.
Reposted by Mandalee
The World’s Goodest Boy(👇) was half Pyr, and I cannot recommend the breed/mixes enough. Friendly, lazy, easy-going nature and usually great with kids (as well as other animals). If you have room in your heart and your yard - take a chance on one of these good boys/girls. You won’t find a better dog.
November 26, 2025 at 5:49 PM
The World’s Goodest Boy(👇) was half Pyr, and I cannot recommend the breed/mixes enough. Friendly, lazy, easy-going nature and usually great with kids (as well as other animals). If you have room in your heart and your yard - take a chance on one of these good boys/girls. You won’t find a better dog.
Reposted by Mandalee
It's all so supine and pathologically risk averse. A government trying to survive day to day, too scared to take the kindness of big decisive action which would repair the country and win an election. An unbelievable wasted opportunity.
November 26, 2025 at 5:57 PM
It's all so supine and pathologically risk averse. A government trying to survive day to day, too scared to take the kindness of big decisive action which would repair the country and win an election. An unbelievable wasted opportunity.
Reposted by Mandalee
GOOD NEWS! Researchers have developed a heteromultivalent nanogel capable of killing some of the most dangerous bacteria known to medicine- with over 99.9% effectiveness against P. aeruginosa. It also showed strong antibacterial effects against other major threats, including E. coli and MRSA.
November 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
GOOD NEWS! Researchers have developed a heteromultivalent nanogel capable of killing some of the most dangerous bacteria known to medicine- with over 99.9% effectiveness against P. aeruginosa. It also showed strong antibacterial effects against other major threats, including E. coli and MRSA.