Sign in

Bill Cullen

@billcullen.bsky.social
58 followers 221 following 106 posts

Work in the cybers. Interested in (almost) everything. Living in my own special world somewhere in Australia.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Emily M. Bender @emilymbender.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Software engineering could and should be done with the same care as any other type of engineering. This is a post in honor of Margaret Hamilton (and also a subtweet of all vibe-coders everywhere).
Screencap

"“I fought to bring the software legitimacy so that it — and those building it — would be given its due respect, and thus I began to use the term ‘software engineering’ to distinguish it from hardware and other kinds of engineering, yet treat each type of engineering as part of the overall systems engineering process,” Hamilton told El Pais in 2018. “When I first started using this phrase, it was considered to be quite amusing. It was an ongoing joke for a long time. They liked to kid me about my radical ideas. Software eventually and necessarily gained the same respect as any other discipline.”"

Source: https://news.mit.edu/2026/margaret-hamilton-computing-pioneer-dies-1007
141036324
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 06/10/2026
I attended a seminar by freshly minted Nobel Laureate Francis Halzen many years ago and something he said stuck with me, but it takes some explaining, so this will be a (short) thread. The talk was about neutrino telescopes, and he started by explaining how rarely neutrinos interact with anything.
638883
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The Spazzies had a song on that topic too
000
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Ciaran Martin @ciaranm.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I was wrong. It’s happening
222047245
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I still can’t work out how the economics of this stacks up.
100
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Have you been on a jury? Most people will try to do the right thing. That’s fine for Parliament. The question becomes who then develops policy, administers the Government, etc. How do you ensure expertise is retained when MPs might only have one fixed term.
011
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Fiona Katauskas @fionakatauskas.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Here’s me talking about my heart attack www.nine.com.au/lifestyle/he...
nine.com.au
‘I would’ve died’: A Google search told Fiona she wasn’t having a heart attack - adding one word changed everything
Fiona Katauskas’ heart attack was nothing like the dramatic heart-clutching moments you see in the movies, so when she felt breathless, dizzy and sweaty while exercising at home on a Sunday morning la...
43313112
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Mick Ryan @warinthefuture.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Exploitation of enemy weapons, tech & ideas has always been a crucial part of any nation’s warfighting strategy. It permits development of counters - or copying good enemy tech & ideas. Here, the disassembling of a jet-powered Russian Geran-4 attack drone, by @rferl.org.web.brid.gy
412632
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Alexander Martin @alexmartin.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I’m seeing the word “hack” used in a lot of coverage of Albanese’s announcement about OpenAI’s unauthorised access to an Australian government health website in June. As of now, the lack of technical details either from OpenAI or Canberra make that description hard to justify.
192
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Solomon @solomonrmissouri.com · 24/09/2026
lol lol lol lol lol lol lol
913446929
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
My point is that there are going to be a shitload of threat actors using AI to find vulnerabilities everywhere. Getting pissed at OpenAI doesn’t change the fact that there is/was a vulnerability that would likely be found by other attackers (and how do we know that it hasn’t been?).
110
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
That doesn’t change the fact that there was a vulnerability at Medicare.
120
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Doesn’t he normally complain about having to pay for the security of other NATO members?
000
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Don’t we already have robot dishwashers in the homes of many in rich countries?
101
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Simon Kuestenmacher @simongerman600.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
This animated map by @KaranD93 shows the story of human migration. Fun to watch. Still a work in progress as I understand.
44112
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
It might be interesting to see a map projection with Asia in the centre rather than Europe. It would likely better show the path of migration from Asia to the Americas.
010
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Although I’m not sure if this was a the the Up And Atom I’m citing
000
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Up and Atom has a good summary of this, including an explanation of the actual the mathematical problem @upandatom.bsky.social
100
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Jo @krugashlfc.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
😱😱😱
1441512205
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Graham Lau @cosmobiologist.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Thanks to someone who updated me through an Instagram DM, I was able to add an update on the current whereabouts of Yahoo Serious to my previous post on his life and his 1987 film Young Einstein. cosmobiota.substack.com/p/young-eins...
cosmobiota.substack.com
Young Einstein and the Tragic Life of Yahoo Serious
I was inspired to begin my journey partly by a 1980s rock comedy film from an Australian creator who may now be in the direst of straits
1189
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I think I've heard one of these on @becauselanguage.com "This is how you anger a Swedish person": www.youtube.com/shorts/EOq2y...
youtube.com
This is how you anger a Swedish person
YouTube video by Melina
010
Reposted by Bill Cullen
CosmicRami 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @rami.spaceaustralia.com · 10/09/2026
Look at this wild set up! Andrew Tan from the Astronomical Society of Singapore rigged together TWO Celestron C8s to make the ultimate binoc set up. Would love to look at the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn through this! 📸 Andrew Tan / HT Celestron Insta
A man standing next to two large telescopes strapped together in a rig with a dual eye viewing component that turns the set up into a giant binocular
3579
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Which is worse: a politician offended by flag burning wanting laws to criminalise it, or a politician who probably doesn’t give a stuff about it wanting to criminalise it to make it an issue they can exploit?
011
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Mick Ryan @warinthefuture.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
This article begins with the following proposition: “the warrior ethos is no longer useful philosophy for any military service…the warrior ethos is largely a stumbling block to the professional development of soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.” An excellent piece. www.usni.org/magazines/pr...
usni.org
Where Exactly Has the Warrior Ethos Gotten Us?
The Marine Corps should revive its traditional ethos, emphasizing professional competence, readiness, honor, courage, and commitment for the demands of modern warfare.
721252
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
That well known Moroccan business Easypark
000
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Possum @pollytics.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Can start with me if you want. My alternative hypothesis is that too many people can't accept that movement on any given thing that makes the world a better place is to be celebrated - and if it's not enough, we push for more, rather than deliberately shit on the good we've done for ego and clicks
136410
Reposted by Bill Cullen
The Onion @theonion.com · 02/09/2026
“After several difficult seasons, we wanted to give Jets fans a shade of green that lets them proudly show their support.” — Hymie Elhai, team president
theonion.com
Jets Hope To Sell More Merchandise With New ‘Philadelphia Eagles’–Themed Jerseys
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ—Hoping that imagery strongly associated with success and winning will reignite fan enthusiasm, the New York Jets unveiled a line of “Philadelphia Eagles”–themed alternate jerseys T...
1673674
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I’m all for humanity expanding beyond Earth. But why trade one gravity well for another?
110
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
It would be good to know more about the ID lock. Also how will they prevent providers from effectively forcing users to provide consent to data collection?
000
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Cristian Ramirez @cristianramirez.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
A great thread here, so I just wanted to link a supporting article by a huge law firm heavily involved in tech for anyone interested in deeper reading about the changes insurers are making. www.fenwick.com/insights/pub...
fenwick.com
The End of ‘Silent AI’? Emerging AI Exclusions, Coverage Fragmentation, and Practical Implications for Policyholders | Fenwick
27936
Reposted by Bill Cullen
InfoSecSherpa 🏔️ Lake Ontario 🚣‍♀️ @infosecsherpa.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
"In this research, we examine a vulnerability affecting the google/gemini-cli ecosystem. A WIF Of Fresh Access: How a GitHub Issue on Gemini-CLI Led to GCP Project Compromise" (by Dan Lisichkin | Pillar Security | August 18th) cybersec.pillar.security/s/a-wif-of-f...
Alt-text for image: Flowchart titled "Exploit Chain Overview: From a public GitHub issue to access in the Gemini CLI triage GCP project" detailing an 8-step attack path. Result: Editor-level access to the Gemini CLI triage GCP project from a single public issue.
041
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Reminding us that in English República Federativa do Brasil is spelt with a z
010
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Mark Histed @markhisted.org · 26/08/2026
“The American Cancer Society is now working on a national campaign to make more women and doctors aware that tube removal can help prevent most ovarian cancers.” My mother died of ovarian cancer. I’m glad to see this. And the science story here is also worth the read. 1/2 🧪
nytimes.com
Most ‘Ovarian Cancer’ Isn’t. And That Fact Can Save Lives.
The vast majority of cases begin in the fallopian tubes — and removing them can reduce the risk by nearly 80 percent.
716467
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I woke up early for a change
010
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Beware Germans bearing gifts? @becauselanguage.com
110
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Sign it for her
000
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
@becauselanguage.com wokesters and not wokers
110
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Hypocrisy is unfortunately part of the human condition, but for parts of the right, it appears to be a defining feature.
021
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Picture of a small cute dog
120
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Ao have you read The Steerswoman Series by @rosemarykirstein.bsky.social
010
Reposted by Bill Cullen
roterote @roterote.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
A lot of people are asking me how Nathan Cofnas was hired, UGent professor Bouke de Vries invited him to UGent. Bourke and Cofnas are part of the same global network to mainstream eugenics and far right academics. Of course funded by Peter Thiel and other rich far right activists.
bylinetimes.com
The Peter Thiel-Linked Race Science Network that Penetrated Cambridge University and Targeted Jason Arday
The media's coverage of the academic's life was fuelled by the campaign of an established far-right network
141484463
Reposted by Bill Cullen
John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 23/08/2026
This is a lovely story about @scottwesterfeld.bsky.social and @larbalestier.bsky.social, two of my favorite people (who also, as it happens, have a fab new novel out that they co-wrote, called "The Mortons"): www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
theguardian.com
The moment I knew: Days after September 11, we flew through turbulence – all I could say was ‘I love you’
In 2001, Scott Westerfeld travelled from New York to Sydney to see Justine Larbalestier. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, they navigated the crisis as best they could, together
524820
Reposted by Bill Cullen
David Brady @antiprofessor.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
If you take nothing else from this piece, treasure: "Up shit creek in a barbed wire canoe" "Not here to fuck spiders" "Belted from arsehole to breakfast"
67322
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Phil PlAIt @philplait.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Oh my. They can make things a lot worse. A LOT. Like, read this. This neutron star is 50,000 light-years away, halfway across the Milky Way, and it still physically affected our planet. www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/an...
syfy.com
Anniversary of a Cosmic Blast
[This post is a modified, updated version of an article I wrote a few years back. Since today is the anniversary of the event, I thought it could use an update.
1296
Reposted by Bill Cullen
Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Happy 10 year anniversary of the best mic drop on Twitter. Hard to believe it’s been so long! Congrats @astrokatie.com

Katie Mack @AstroKatie
16h
Honestly climate change scares the heck out of me and it makes me so sad to see what we're losing because of it.

Gary P Jackson (RAT) @gary4205
@AstroKatie Maybe you should learn some actual SCIENCE then, and stop listening to the criminals pushing the #GlobalWarming SCAM!

Katie Mack @AstroKatie
@gary4205 | dunno, man, I already went and got a PhD in astrophysics.
Seems like more than that would be overkill at this point.
121121342064
Reposted by Bill Cullen
CosmicRami 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @rami.spaceaustralia.com · 13/08/2026
So ........ what would YOU like to know about Neutron Stars? There's no such thing as a silly question, because neutron stars are .... well, silly objects that break brains! Tell us and we can see if we can collate articles, infographics, field specialists, historical context, or more! #NSWeek
11257
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Hey, there’s not a cloud in the sky It’s as blue as your goodbye And I thought that it would rain On a day like today… “The Day You Went Away” beautifully sung by Wendy Matthews. It’s worth listening too.
000
Bill Cullen @billcullen.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Or today’s episode
020