Mark Popinchalk
@markpopinchalk.bsky.social
1.1K followers 180 following 250 posts
Astrophysics postdoc at AMNH | writer for @astrobites.bsky.social | planetarium presenter | Likes ultimate frisbee, volleyball, and all kinds of games. He/Him
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Reposted by Mark Popinchalk
mskellymhayes.bsky.social
None of us should feel exempt or invulnerable, because if they can do this to our neighbors, they can come for us, too. That said, those of us who are not presently among those being targeted should not focus on our own fear and vulnerability. We should support those in the immediate path of harm.
markpopinchalk.bsky.social
I'm adjuncting again this semester and we've finally reached the star unit AND I'M SO EXCITED!
Reposted by Mark Popinchalk
markpopinchalk.bsky.social
the AI reporter we were forced to integrate sure is thirsty 🧪
markpopinchalk.bsky.social
new auto correct for my name just dropped
a screen shot of an autocorrected version of Mark Popinchalk that reads Merck Puppet Pack
Reposted by Mark Popinchalk
wendyxu.bsky.social
"single-use plastic of the mind" had me GAGGED
But a still graver scandal of AI— like its hydra-head sibling, cryptocurrency-is the technology's colossal wastefulness. The untold billions firehosed by investors into its development; the water-guzzling data centers draining the parched exurbs of Phoenix and Dallas; the yeti-size carbon footprint of the sector as a whole—and for what? A cankerous glut of racist memes and cardboard essays.
Not only is the ratio of Al's resource rapacity to its productive utility indefensibly and irremediably skewed, Al-made material is itself a waste product: flimsy, shoddy, disposable, a single-use plastic of the mind.
markpopinchalk.bsky.social
This was the theme of Science, TONIGHT! episode 2 - the Billionaires decided that the conversation "what to do with AI?", trying to bypass "do we want/need it?"
chanda.blacksky.app
YES! THIS on GenAI!

Please read this absolutely splendid piece of writing that had me cheering, a little bit weepy, and writing in the margins:

"An extraordinary amount of money is spent by the AI industry to ensure that acquiescence is the only plausible response. But marketing is not destiny."
Large Language Muddle | The Editors
The AI upheaval is unique in its ability to metabolize any number of dread-inducing transformations. The university is becoming more corporate, more politically oppressive, and all but hostile to the ...
www.nplusonemag.com
markpopinchalk.bsky.social
AI reporter goes off rails during science comedy talkshow 🧪
markpopinchalk.bsky.social
we had an AI reporter on our science comedy talkshow 🧪
markpopinchalk.bsky.social
We also had "photon absorption" beer pong game! Gonna try and edit a video together for it next month!
markpopinchalk.bsky.social
to be clear, I did have to use google maps to measure the distance from the equator to my "obelisk" here in NYC

so not entirely ancient tools, but definitely ancient methods!
markpopinchalk.bsky.social
Using the equinox to have my students measure the size of the Earth ala Eratosthenes.

Just did it myself and got to within 3% with my paper obelisk!
🔭🧪
A roll of paper casting a shadow with two pencils marking the length of the paper
markpopinchalk.bsky.social
This is why I follow Dave, he is so much of what I want to be. Informative, funny, and recognizes the need in this moment to take an ethical/moral stand.

Also the googly eyes are fun too
davejorgenson.bsky.social
as an independent journalist, I’m ready to double down.

(btw government if you are reading this, it’s just me, the VP … nothing to see here)
bencollins.bsky.social
Becoming increasingly clear we’re gonna have to build a parallel infrastructure for all the media we really love. The reason all of this is happening under the color of law is hyperconsolidation, dissent being traded straight up for merger approval, or fear of harassment.
Reposted by Mark Popinchalk
disabilitystor1.bsky.social
This technology is so clearly designed to profit off cheating and struggling students--its insidious. And yet universities keep announcing how they're allowing this company into its midst, to exploit and incapacitate our students even more
A photo from Jamie Keller Davis for the NYT: a color photo of a Chicago skyline showing three buildings photographed from street level. The one in the center has brown brick-like walls, and a very large poster advertising ChatGPT. The poster shows a conversation between a hypothetical student and ChatGPT: "Can you quiz me on the muscles of the leg?" "Can you build me a first time marathon training plan?" The text at the bottom of the poster reads: "ChatGPT Plus is free during finals.
Reposted by Mark Popinchalk
radleybalko.bsky.social
We're witnessing the most aggressive, fanatical crackdown on free speech in my lifetime. The speed and breadth of government censorship and private sector and nonprofit capitulation has been astonishing. As has the lack of urgency/silence from people who've long claimed to care about this stuff.
markpopinchalk.bsky.social
Let Me See Your Sagan! 🧪🔭
markpopinchalk.bsky.social
we can never match our turtleneck king, but we can try 🔭🧪
Reposted by Mark Popinchalk
adamisacson.com
Here's the video Trump just posted to Truth Social, with the claim that 11 people aboard the boat were killed.

There is zero evidence of self-defense here. Looks like a massacre of civilians at sea.

Even if they had drugs aboard, that's not a capital offense.