Mark Simmons
@markdsimmons.bsky.social
Mostly harmless. Disappointed. Be nice. He/him.
Reposted by Mark Simmons
In 8th place is coverage of one of this year's most tedious phrases: "human in the loop." As in, "if the LLM shits all over the place, the human in the loop will be there to clean up after it." This is, for some reason, perceived as a desirable way to work — even though the science proves otherwise.
You might have heard AI boosters say: "it's okay that this tech is wrong half of the time, because the human operator 'partnering' with the LLM will catch errors."
Except no they fucking won't.
The actual context in which these systems are deployed make checking the AI's "work" impossible.
Except no they fucking won't.
The actual context in which these systems are deployed make checking the AI's "work" impossible.
"Human in the loop" is a thought-terminating cliche
Without thoughtful guard rails, asking people to clean up after machines doesn't make machines better — it makes people worse.
productpicnic.beehiiv.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:33 PM
In 8th place is coverage of one of this year's most tedious phrases: "human in the loop." As in, "if the LLM shits all over the place, the human in the loop will be there to clean up after it." This is, for some reason, perceived as a desirable way to work — even though the science proves otherwise.
Reposted by Mark Simmons
I couldn't agree more. A surreal debate. And it is not healthy for a nation when the BBC broadcasts soundbytes of politicians calling him "scumbag".
He is a British citizen. To strip him of it because of some admittedly disgusting tweets is unlawful.
This shouldn't be questioned just like that.
He is a British citizen. To strip him of it because of some admittedly disgusting tweets is unlawful.
This shouldn't be questioned just like that.
I'm certainly not defending the Abd el-Fattah tweets but I really can't stomach the outrage about them from those who also insisted that Lucy Connelly was a heroic martyr for free speech and were equally outraged by her punishment.
December 29, 2025 at 6:37 PM
I couldn't agree more. A surreal debate. And it is not healthy for a nation when the BBC broadcasts soundbytes of politicians calling him "scumbag".
He is a British citizen. To strip him of it because of some admittedly disgusting tweets is unlawful.
This shouldn't be questioned just like that.
He is a British citizen. To strip him of it because of some admittedly disgusting tweets is unlawful.
This shouldn't be questioned just like that.
Reposted by Mark Simmons
After Marjorie Taylor Greene held a news conference at which she threatened to name abusers in the Epstein files, Trump called her.
Greene was in her Capitol Hill office. Everyone in the suite of rooms could hear him yelling at her.
According to Greene, Trump replied, "My friends will get hurt."
Greene was in her Capitol Hill office. Everyone in the suite of rooms could hear him yelling at her.
According to Greene, Trump replied, "My friends will get hurt."
‘I Was Just So Naïve’: Inside Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Break With Trump
www.nytimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:25 PM
After Marjorie Taylor Greene held a news conference at which she threatened to name abusers in the Epstein files, Trump called her.
Greene was in her Capitol Hill office. Everyone in the suite of rooms could hear him yelling at her.
According to Greene, Trump replied, "My friends will get hurt."
Greene was in her Capitol Hill office. Everyone in the suite of rooms could hear him yelling at her.
According to Greene, Trump replied, "My friends will get hurt."
Reposted by Mark Simmons
It's really beyond belief. Now, the "Romanians propped up UK's economy" (though I notice the Mail have now changed the headline). Then, they were taking our job/ scrounging welfare/ committing crimes. As, ofc, the Mail now says non-EU immigrants are doing.
Mail report: 70,000 more EU nationals left than arrived in the 12 months June 2024- June 2025, while somewhere around 3.5 million to 4 million EU nationals live in the UK
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Up to 1m Romanians propped up UK's economy - now they are going home
The numbers of Romanians leaving the UK are higher than for any other EU nationality, dwarfing the 25,000 Poles who left Britain to return to their low-tax homeland in the year up to last June.
www.dailymail.co.uk
December 29, 2025 at 6:47 PM
It's really beyond belief. Now, the "Romanians propped up UK's economy" (though I notice the Mail have now changed the headline). Then, they were taking our job/ scrounging welfare/ committing crimes. As, ofc, the Mail now says non-EU immigrants are doing.
Reposted by Mark Simmons
I see it's TWINZIES day at school today.
Trump still doesn't understand the difference between political asylum claims and insane asylums
December 29, 2025 at 6:52 PM
I see it's TWINZIES day at school today.
Reposted by Mark Simmons
what we're not going to do is whitewash this heinous bitch's entire career
“Our side has been trained by Donald Trump to never apologize and to never admit when you’re wrong.” Read the inside story of how Marjorie Taylor Greene went from zealous Trump cheerleader to his loudest Republican critic: nyti.ms/3Lbzi88
December 29, 2025 at 6:42 PM
what we're not going to do is whitewash this heinous bitch's entire career
Reposted by Mark Simmons
This is MTG'w bill. She personally authored. It's happening now, not in the past.
Spare me her redemption arc.
Spare me her redemption arc.
December 29, 2025 at 6:37 PM
This is MTG'w bill. She personally authored. It's happening now, not in the past.
Spare me her redemption arc.
Spare me her redemption arc.
Reposted by Mark Simmons
Reposted by Mark Simmons
Reporter: Is there any evidence?
Trump: I mean, you're saying maybe the attack didn't take place? It's possible, I guess, but President Putin told me this morning it did.
Trump: I mean, you're saying maybe the attack didn't take place? It's possible, I guess, but President Putin told me this morning it did.
December 29, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Reporter: Is there any evidence?
Trump: I mean, you're saying maybe the attack didn't take place? It's possible, I guess, but President Putin told me this morning it did.
Trump: I mean, you're saying maybe the attack didn't take place? It's possible, I guess, but President Putin told me this morning it did.
Reposted by Mark Simmons
Reporter: Are you worried that the alleged strike on Putin’s residence would scuttle the—
Trump: I don’t like it. You know who told me about it? President Putin. That’s no good. I stopped the tomahawks. I didn’t want that.
Trump: I don’t like it. You know who told me about it? President Putin. That’s no good. I stopped the tomahawks. I didn’t want that.
December 29, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Reporter: Are you worried that the alleged strike on Putin’s residence would scuttle the—
Trump: I don’t like it. You know who told me about it? President Putin. That’s no good. I stopped the tomahawks. I didn’t want that.
Trump: I don’t like it. You know who told me about it? President Putin. That’s no good. I stopped the tomahawks. I didn’t want that.
Reposted by Mark Simmons
Just would like to remind everyone a private citizen with massive foreign financial exposure was brought in to handle sensitive diplomatic negotiations and no indication anyone questioned giving him a clearance again.
Life of nepo baby Jared at its finest.
Life of nepo baby Jared at its finest.
December 29, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Just would like to remind everyone a private citizen with massive foreign financial exposure was brought in to handle sensitive diplomatic negotiations and no indication anyone questioned giving him a clearance again.
Life of nepo baby Jared at its finest.
Life of nepo baby Jared at its finest.
Reposted by Mark Simmons
Centrists will continue to be punched in the face by day to day events until they stop believing that cultivating their inner calm makes them rational.
December 29, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Centrists will continue to be punched in the face by day to day events until they stop believing that cultivating their inner calm makes them rational.
Reposted by Mark Simmons
I've been doing this as a comedy bit for years, but I do believe it; before I die, I will see the establishment of a Royal Commission on Britain's failure to attract sufficient immigration, and many of today's broadsheet ethnonationalists will be on it
December 29, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I've been doing this as a comedy bit for years, but I do believe it; before I die, I will see the establishment of a Royal Commission on Britain's failure to attract sufficient immigration, and many of today's broadsheet ethnonationalists will be on it
Reposted by Mark Simmons
This is a great letter to add to the many open academic letters ignored in the recent past
when labour started down this path, over 200 uk politics academics singed an open letter warning them it wouldn't work
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/starmer
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/starmer
December 29, 2025 at 7:40 PM
This is a great letter to add to the many open academic letters ignored in the recent past
Reposted by Mark Simmons
Sunday Taquitos #8: Never Wrong
Art by Ivan Ehlers.
Art by Ivan Ehlers.
December 28, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Sunday Taquitos #8: Never Wrong
Art by Ivan Ehlers.
Art by Ivan Ehlers.
Reposted by Mark Simmons
It was reprehensible when people mocked condom usage at the height of the AIDS pandemic.
It is just as depraved to mock those wearing masks to reduce the spread of airborne viruses today.
Whenever someone takes any kind of step to protect public health, they should be applauded, not mocked.
It is just as depraved to mock those wearing masks to reduce the spread of airborne viruses today.
Whenever someone takes any kind of step to protect public health, they should be applauded, not mocked.
December 28, 2025 at 8:46 PM
It was reprehensible when people mocked condom usage at the height of the AIDS pandemic.
It is just as depraved to mock those wearing masks to reduce the spread of airborne viruses today.
Whenever someone takes any kind of step to protect public health, they should be applauded, not mocked.
It is just as depraved to mock those wearing masks to reduce the spread of airborne viruses today.
Whenever someone takes any kind of step to protect public health, they should be applauded, not mocked.
Reposted by Mark Simmons
Trump Absent-Mindedly Snacks On Constitution
December 28, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Trump Absent-Mindedly Snacks On Constitution
Reposted by Mark Simmons
New Clearblue Test Comes With Flight Voucher In Case Result Positive https://theonion.com/new-clearblue-test-comes-with-flight-voucher-in-case-result-positive/
December 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM
New Clearblue Test Comes With Flight Voucher In Case Result Positive https://theonion.com/new-clearblue-test-comes-with-flight-voucher-in-case-result-positive/
Reposted by Mark Simmons
Amazingly, reaction times using screens while driving are worse than being drunk or high—no wonder 90 percent of drivers hate using touchscreens in cars. Finally the auto industry is coming to its senses.
Rejoice! Carmakers Are Embracing Physical Buttons Again
Amazingly, reaction times using screens while driving are worse than being drunk or high—no wonder 90 percent of drivers hate using touchscreens in cars. Finally the auto industry is coming to its…
wrd.cm
December 27, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Amazingly, reaction times using screens while driving are worse than being drunk or high—no wonder 90 percent of drivers hate using touchscreens in cars. Finally the auto industry is coming to its senses.
Reposted by Mark Simmons
“The year 2025 was a setback for humanity — and unfortunately, the United States is a reason for the retreat…for the first time in this century, the number of children worldwide dying before the age of 5 is believed to have risen, by about 200,000.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/o...
Opinion | In Which I Try Valiantly to Cheer You Up
www.nytimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:43 PM
“The year 2025 was a setback for humanity — and unfortunately, the United States is a reason for the retreat…for the first time in this century, the number of children worldwide dying before the age of 5 is believed to have risen, by about 200,000.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/o...
Reposted by Mark Simmons
„🇷🇺 Russia will support 🇨🇳 China if a 🇹🇼 Taiwan contingency flares up, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with the country’s Tass news agency, as Beijing’s tensions with Japan continue to escalate over the issue.“
~ to note: a contingency could only „flare up“ if China attacks Taiwan
~ to note: a contingency could only „flare up“ if China attacks Taiwan
Russia vows to support China if Taiwan contingency flares up: Top diplomat
China and Russia have conducted joint bomber flights repeatedly over the years. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 9:41 AM
„🇷🇺 Russia will support 🇨🇳 China if a 🇹🇼 Taiwan contingency flares up, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with the country’s Tass news agency, as Beijing’s tensions with Japan continue to escalate over the issue.“
~ to note: a contingency could only „flare up“ if China attacks Taiwan
~ to note: a contingency could only „flare up“ if China attacks Taiwan
Reposted by Mark Simmons
Russian flagged bulker Irtysh delivered stolen grain from occupied Sevastopol, for the second time, to Houthi controlled Al-Salif. Irtysh returned from Houthi controlled port of Yemen, transited Bosphorus and returned to the Black Sea. #T
We identified another Russian vessel that disabled its location data while smuggling grain from occupied Ukraine to Yemen. Learn how we used photographs, satellite imagery, and ship-tracking data, to uncover its covert voyage. www.youtube.com/shorts/OrTUa...
Going Dark:What Is This Russian Ship Hiding?
YouTube video by Bellingcat
www.youtube.com
December 28, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Russian flagged bulker Irtysh delivered stolen grain from occupied Sevastopol, for the second time, to Houthi controlled Al-Salif. Irtysh returned from Houthi controlled port of Yemen, transited Bosphorus and returned to the Black Sea. #T
Reposted by Mark Simmons
I see the Brexit-backing owner of Dyson, who offshored himself and the firm for tax reasons, is moaning about having to pay tax on the extensive farmland that he bought here as a way to avoid inheritance tax.
Hang on. I'll find my violin.
Hang on. I'll find my violin.
I rather think what has put Dyson's "family business¹" at risk is selling fucking hugely overpriced non-essential sucky-blowy machines.
¹ Does he want us to think Dyson is like some kind of local greengrocer or something? The massive splat of jizz.
¹ Does he want us to think Dyson is like some kind of local greengrocer or something? The massive splat of jizz.
December 28, 2025 at 9:49 AM
I see the Brexit-backing owner of Dyson, who offshored himself and the firm for tax reasons, is moaning about having to pay tax on the extensive farmland that he bought here as a way to avoid inheritance tax.
Hang on. I'll find my violin.
Hang on. I'll find my violin.
Reposted by Mark Simmons
No one has ever been able to adequately explain what Putin is meant to have thought NATO expansion would threaten him with, apart from limiting his expansionist ambitions.
"He was worried they'd invade Russia."
No he wasn't.
He just wasn't.
That's not a thing anyone thought might happen.
"He was worried they'd invade Russia."
No he wasn't.
He just wasn't.
That's not a thing anyone thought might happen.
this is the simple answer to people who keep saying NATO expansion matters. Sure, it matters because it presented an obstacle to Russian imperial ambitions. Putin didn't invade because he hated NATO expansion, he hated NATO expansion because he wanted to invade
December 28, 2025 at 9:51 AM
No one has ever been able to adequately explain what Putin is meant to have thought NATO expansion would threaten him with, apart from limiting his expansionist ambitions.
"He was worried they'd invade Russia."
No he wasn't.
He just wasn't.
That's not a thing anyone thought might happen.
"He was worried they'd invade Russia."
No he wasn't.
He just wasn't.
That's not a thing anyone thought might happen.
Reposted by Mark Simmons
Correct - Russian population is 14-15% Muslim - and it's a land of massive ethnic and cultural diversity.
Putin apologists don't understand it in the slightest.
Putin apologists don't understand it in the slightest.
This is not true at all.
Russia is far more Muslim than most of Europe and North America, and that has nothing to do with why people hate Russia.
People hate Russia because it is an imperialist dictatorship that invades, rapes, and commits genocide against its neighbors
Russia is far more Muslim than most of Europe and North America, and that has nothing to do with why people hate Russia.
People hate Russia because it is an imperialist dictatorship that invades, rapes, and commits genocide against its neighbors
December 28, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Correct - Russian population is 14-15% Muslim - and it's a land of massive ethnic and cultural diversity.
Putin apologists don't understand it in the slightest.
Putin apologists don't understand it in the slightest.