Working at the University of the Free State this week. Working on a couple of things, including a casual theory for change for the effect on vaccine #misinformation prevalence by using DMs to redirect early-stage "misfluencers" into echochambers, so they waste their time there. Very fun.

mg.co.za/thought-lead... #AI #grok4 #chatGPT #unemployment #philosophy

Genuine question: in cases where people can lose weight simply by eating healthier diets, and assuming there are no restrictions on them doing that (they just prefer not to eat healthily), are weight loss drugs an ethical use of public funds, assuming they do improve health.

Chilling. Grok spreads White genocide misinformation about South Africa. Whilst many white farmers have been murdered, the truth is, your risk of death by violent crime as a poor black person in places like the Cape Flats is much higher: archive.ph/2025.05.17-1...

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will direct federal health agencies to explore potential new treatments for measles as the U.S. faces its largest outbreak in 25 years. Experts fear the decision could have grave consequences, as studies show the existing vaccine is 97% effective in preventing infection.

In the UK and Europe, we call it "Austerity". In America they call it #DOGE, and celebrate it prancing around with a chainsaw as the world's richest man takes away 10s of thousands of middle class jobs, and destroys hundreds of health social development projects. Evil genius.

Goodness me. Is Trump planning a war in 2027/28 already? Isn't that the only circumstance under which a 3rd term is permissible?

#Trump is now officially selling a “Trump 2028” hat, in the first sign of Trump wanting to run for a 3rd term. www.trumpstore.com/product/trum...

Why are people surprised that universities are left wing spaces? When your job is not the accumulation of wealth, but to think about health, justice, humanity, and science - you care more about humanity and the just distribution of wealth than the billionaires. Being left wing is NOT an insult.

#Tesla cars are ugly (some more than others), overpriced, and the majority shareholder has tried to buy (quite successfully) control of the free world, and decimate it. There are plenty of other electric cars. Buy those. We can't bankrupt #Musk, but collectively we can hurt him a little.

My friend just paid his taxes in the US in the most sobering, but equally hilarious way. #Trump #IsraelPalestine #Genocide

I will not attend a single academic conference, workshop, or accept any invitation to any institution (except at Harvard or places that take a similar stance) in the USA whilst Donald #Trump is president. We will not holiday there, we will boycott American products and foods.

Many congratulations to #HarvardUniversity for effectively paying USD2.2bn to retain credibility as a centre of academic and social excellence. It shouldn't have been necessary, but let's hope other higher education institutions can follow their example.

Can somebody please get #RFK to watch a YouTube Video on the Dunning Kruger effect?

So... a South African/British acquaintance of mine, with permanent residency in the US, was detained, flown to Texas, and has been shackled in a warehouse for 3 weeks. He's no idea why. He was expecting his citizenship within 3 months. #Trump is a Nazi. The stories of those around him are horrific.

If you have an exposure that improves the wellbeing of millions of people, but is highly socially destructive and devastating to the health of a relative minority, should governments strive to eliminate that exposure? Does it depend on the ratios and the degree of wellbeing improvement?

#RFK is about to "start" a bunch of autism research (that's actually been going on for decades). Only, he's going to fudge the data, p-hack, and so on, until he reaches his predetermined and false conclusion that vaccines cause #autism. Which they definitely don't. It's utter madness.

This is Tymofii. Russia killed him with a cluster-loaded Iskander missile strike on Kryvyi Rih. He was only 3 years old. #Ukraine

A famous MIT professor at a South African policy conference yesterday: "it will take me 6 years to earn back what Trump singlehandedly wiped off my 401k in 48 Hours". I wonder for how many Americans this is the reality.

I’ve taken the Senate floor and will speak for as long as I’m physically able to lift the voices of Americans who are being harmed and not being heard in this moment of crisis. Watch here:

@booker.senate.gov for president. He knew it was time to stand up for democracy, for ordinary Americans, for the marginalised, for aid workers and healthcare. To stand against tyranny, authoritarianism, and the technobros. And not to sit down. For more than 24 consecutive hours. I tip my hat, sir.

yeah well we’re fed up with funding red states like yours but that’s how federal systems work, you absolute casserole

Donald #Trump is not leader of the free world. It turns out the USA is no longer a part of it.

I find the #Trump as KGB #Krasnov story ridiculous. If he were a Russian asset, the first thing he'd do would be to rationalize pulling funding from NATO, and ultimately pull USA out allowing Russia to invade. He'd threaten his NATO allies and attack their democracies. None of this happening. Right?

Dear Mssrs #Trump & #Musk. I know you struggle with this. Let me put it simply. Being the biggest kid in the class gives you the ability, but not the right, to beat up the smaller kids and steal all their sweeties. Same applies to global powers with foreign policy. #Gaza #Greenland #Panama #Ukraine

A sad, sad day. bbc.com/news/article...

Somebody very nearly took me out at the traffic lights today. This #DEI thing is out of control. #Trump #MangoMussolini

One nice thing about #Bluesky is that I feel the need to reply to stuff way less often. But in that way, it's also less fun. I guess I kinda liked being triggered (I deleted my X account). Still, it's healthier this way.

I still cannot get over how American voters chose a delusional, narcissistic, mysogynistic, convicted felon (white male), over a progressive (black female) prosecutor with a flawless history. Really makes you think about democracy. And about people. Good luck, America. #Trump #KamalaHarris

Do they have to take a sanity test before inauguration?

Donald Trump has lost his fkn mind. The man needs to be sectioned. #Trump #Greenland #Canada www.bbc.com/news/article...

When a philosopher challenges my work: "Well, if you knew a bit more about the *rips off sunglasses* empirical literature, you might think differently *YEAHHHH*" When a psychologist challenges my work: "Now see here, I am a philosopher, these things are know *sunglasses again* a priori *YEA--*"

This. Exactly this. Vaccines are like condoms. You'd be dumb to expose yourself STIs without protection, no matter how great your immune system is.

So... Truth is... #DryJanuary is turning out to be a lot harder than I thought. And I'm not really the biggest drinker. Maybe 10-20 units a week average. Best of luck to all those trying to better themselves this year.

Doing #dryjanuary this year with a buddy. The fact that I'm realising this will be difficult is all the more reason to do it.

Dear wealthy #SouthAfricans. None of your politicians, especially not the ones promising to help the poor, will help the poor. If you are remotely interested in uplifting the poor black community, stop buying Gucci and luxury cars, be charitable, and create employment.

#HappyNewYear, everyone. Wishing you all an enjoyable and productive 2025. Not everything will go right. It never does. But life without mistakes and misfortune would be pretty boring. Bring on #2025

I really miss my kitty. 5 days gone, and he's never missed a night before. And he was upset about something. Cannot find him anywhere. He hides in drains. There was a huge storm. Devastated. 😔😥 #catsky #petsky

If you think you might be able to do it, you almost certainly can. Believe it. Work for it.

New year's resolution. #poetry #writersky

My beloved #cat Alvin came in on Christmas eve meowing over and over. Obviously distressed. Very unlike him. We petted him and put him in his favourite spot. Otherwise ignored it. He was gone in the morning and we haven't seen him since. 5 days now.😔

A #Christmas lament. #Capitalism

Yup.

Do not leave your frozen birds at room temperature to defrost. It takes too long to be safe. Either in the fridge for well over 24 hours, or defrost in water.

This year we're hosting Christmas. I will quote my favourite philosopher, Dr Seuss, during my toast. "To kindness and love, the things we need most". #philosophy

The solution to loneliness is spending time with people whose company you enjoy. There is no effective, sure-effect free alternative. Wishing all those facing a lovely Christmas, many fulfilling future Christmases, and the strength to get through this one.

In 2025, I want to judge myself on my value to others. I don't aim to be Mandela. But it would be nice to be valuable to my family, colleagues and friends.

Is it just my feed, or does Bluesky for some reason really promote the eating of pizza?

Antivaxers seem to understand the importance and magic of the human immune system. If only they'd learn a little more about how magical it is.

It's hot here in South Africa. My 18 month old boy is constantly asking for Twater. Explaining to Mikey that XYZ is not available on Earth is proving tricky. Fortunately he's fooled by H20 for now. #Philosophy