iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Andrew Francis

Jess Calarco @jessicacalarco.com · 25/09/2025

For their first project, my Kids and Society students have to create an infographic clarifying a common misconception about "kids these days." I'd prefer that they not use AI to create their projects, so I made my own infographic explaining why : )

Infographic titled "AI Isn't a Ticket To an A," explaining how chatbots work, what the data show about the prevalence of these technologies and how they're used, what we know about the quality of their output, and what we know about the impact that frequent use of these technologies has on their users and on content creators, low-wage workers, and the environment.

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Reposted by Andrew Francis

Robert "The Bobby Yaga" McNees @mcnees.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

“There is no joy more intense than that of coming upon a fact that cannot be understood in terms of currently accepted ideas." Astronomer Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, who decoded spectral lines to deduce the elemental composition of stars, was born #OTD in 1900. 🧪 🔭 ⚛️ 👩‍🔬 Image: Harvard Observatory

A black and white photo of Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin. She is sitting at her desk and looking up at the camera, which is in front of her and to her left. Payne-Gaposchkin is wearing a baggy, ribbed sweater and has a wristwatch on her right arm. A pair of glasses rests on the desk in front of her, next to open books and papers which are just visible at the bottom of the photogaph. Filing cabinets, drawers, and another desk are visible in the background. She has short, dark hair which is no longer than chin-length, pulled out of her face behind her left ear.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

I find this sort of thing quite exhausting. The same things that have been beautiful about the world are still beautiful and still valuable.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

This is my first solo paper since 2014. Quite a stretch! I find it easier to push through projects to completion when I have collaborators; gives that sense of obligation to prioritise that seems to help.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Nice to get this paper out there - been gestating for a few years but I hope the point comes across. There are lots of network classes that have been defined (including a couple by me with my collaborators), but I think the strength of normal networks (defined by Willson) is becoming clear.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

New paper out in J Theor Biol! I make the case that "normal" phylogenetic networks are the gas. #mathsky www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

sciencedirect.com

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Reposted by Andrew Francis

Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 09/04/2025

The problem with most machine-based random number generators is that they’re not TRULY random, so if you need genuine randomness it is sometimes necessary to link your code to an external random process like a physical noise source or the current rate of US tariffs on a given country.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Yes, that's possible. Good thought. I guess these days the competition is electric organs where one doesn't have to pedal!

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Awwww! It would be great to get it to you! I hope someone will love it.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

I have this beautiful old pedal organ at home in Sydney. I think my parents were given it in the late 70s while we lived in Cooma, NSW, but clearly it comes originally from Vermont. I want to offload it, but how? Who would want a pedal organ now?

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

I know that universities are talking internally about it, and I know that we are seeing applicants from the US specifically as a consequence of their government's actions.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Oh yes. And there will be real suffering as a consequence of it all.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

If we see a global realignment away from the US as the centre it'll be painful but not the worst outcome.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

Yes, life for my parents was always very frugal. Everything saved, reused, put aside, mended. It was good.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

You might also like reading Parabola magazine, full of puzzles, problems, and articles. www.parabola.unsw.edu.au

parabola.unsw.edu.au

Parabola | Parabola

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

How could we be back here again so soon??!!

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

I see, you are talking about the dough. I thought it was about feeding the starter 🤦‍♂️.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

What are the elements of those ratios? I gather the last is water - are the first two rye and white flour? I've been using 50% water and 50/50 white and rye flours, but would like a more sour taste.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

That's hilarious. The banal ignorance of the anti science, mediocrity now in charge.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

I came over earlier, but I like what you did to close it off thoroughly. I might go back to upgrade security and then properly log off.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Yes, I've done the same when I moved over here.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

It's very cool that someone who knows both your work and McCartney thinks it would be his kind of thing!

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

There's probably a Pratchett line that explains it succinctly and not too seriously.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

I'm looking for any efficient system that brings more than just a fleeting relief.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

😂. I've been actually having a break with the family, and in between reading PhD draft theses. The challenge is going to be fitting in grant writing amidst the usual duties in March, if required. The pay-off is just that the investment has a much better chance of return if you get to that stage.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

It feels like a significant shift in the researcher annual life cycle.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

I must say, this is the first summer in such a long time that I'm not working on an ARC #grant , unable to actually have down time. So hats off to the ARC for making the schedule change! #academicsky #research #mathsky #sciencesky

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

It feels like Stacks is closer to a traditional journal model with page charges, but adds more public review. While PCI is quite a new model of publishing, that also has more public review but charges nothing. Is that about right?

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

We have to live with ourselves. Staying there continues to enrich meta, and why should you? As others have said, it's not the only website on the internet.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

I see, thanks for that explanation.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

I love dogs (never had one), but there's a problem with the assumption everyone ought to love being around them. Had my toddler mauled by one years ago too. There needs to be some consideration for people with allergies, or any other reason for needing space away from them. Friendly or not.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

Holy mackerel that sounds really tough. Sorry

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

Ah. The "generous" definition of active.

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

Do you know how they define users? Active, or holding accounts?

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Yeah that's entirely plausible. Well, if it's a tarantula then that's pretty interesting!

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

But that map does stop at Sydney - do you think that's a hard boundary?

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

I know the one we found appears furry, but when it came out of its funnel, past its web, the legs appeared smooth. The other argument against tarantula might be where we are, 250km south of Sydney. Their distribution is typically further north, according to the museum 🤷‍♂️

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Andrew Francis @arkfrancis.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

OK wow - but in New South Wales? Didn't know we had them here.

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