Reposted by Iwan Rhys MorusAlan Richardson @alanrichardson.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Anthropic has designed a product that regularly produces automated hacks of other entities, including governments. That’s not “going rogue.” It is either a terrible design problem or what they intended. 0198
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 25/09/2026The photograph's a composite, of course. Not even Tesla took that much of a risk for his showmanship! 1215
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Right now, at the Science and Media Museum: it’s @amandarees.bsky.social talking about Close Encounters on its 30th birthday. 031
Reposted by Iwan Rhys MorusIwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Just completed the last chapter of Empire of the Eye, coming soon from @reaktionbooks.bsky.social. Now all I need to do is write the introduction and epilogue, fix the footnotes and sort out the images. 182
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Just completed the last chapter of Empire of the Eye, coming soon from @reaktionbooks.bsky.social. Now all I need to do is write the introduction and epilogue, fix the footnotes and sort out the images. 182
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 14/09/2026There seems to be a lot of ‘I believe in faries/we must stop fairies getting too powerful’ discourse around AI at the moment. 020
Reposted by Iwan Rhys MorusPhilip Ball @philipcball.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Christ almighty. I have considered Stuart Russell one of the sounder voices on AU safety. But what the heck is going on here? /1 observer.co.uk/news/nationa...observer.co.ukThe AI whistleblowers are right – its threat has been dis...As more researchers come forward to warn of the existential danger posed by the technology, governments must act now to ensure humanity maintains the upper hand 3386
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 13/09/2026I’m ‘genuinely frightened’ too: of a future where more and more scarce resources are consumed by bigger and bigger data centres generating more and more slop for ever and ever.bbc.co.ukAI staff 'genuinely frightened' for humanity's future, ex-Anthropic researcher tells BBCIt comes as the AI firm's boss has called for the technology's development to be slowed down, citing "serious" risks. 1224
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Your last chance to submit an abstract for what’s going to be a fascinating conference. So do it! 001
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Penblwydd Hapus Star Trek! 60 years of Star Trekking to the future.theguardian.com‘I suggested maybe a lighter touch’: William Shatner on Star Trek at 60The actor and others involved with the phenomenon speak about the legacy and progressivism of a much-loved science fiction TV series as it reaches an important milestone 020
Reposted by Iwan Rhys MorusAlex Winter @alexwinter.com · 08/09/2026RT if you've never had a tab of ChatGPT open, period. 2315721124
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Get writing those abstracts. I’ve submitted mine! 011
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 07/09/2026They're just like that bloody battery bunny: they keep going, and going, and .... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukOpenAI chief scientist warns no one is prepared for consequences of AIThe post comes as the firm releases GPT-6 Astra, which it says is its most powerful product yet. 020
Reposted by Iwan Rhys MorusDr Emily Vincent @dremilyvincent.bsky.social · 04/09/2026As spooky season approaches, I’ll be giving a very fitting online talk on ‘Séances, Spectres & Ghost Stories’ for the equally fitting College of Psychic Studies on Tuesday 20th October 2026: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm (UK) Tickets here: www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/talks/esoter... #occult #psychic #lit👻collegeofpsychicstudies.co.ukThe College of Psychic Studies : Talks : Esoteric : Seances spectres ghost storiesJoin Dr Emily Vincent for an online livestream talk exploring Victorian Spiritualism, séances and the ghost stories they inspired. Spaces limited – book now. 0217
Reposted by Iwan Rhys MorusAmanda Rees @amandarees.bsky.social · 01/09/2026What does #speculative fiction #SF tell us about #spirituality and #faith? How important are philosophy & #theology when building #alternativeworlds & possible #futures? Come and discuss with us York in November! @eclasproject.bsky.social @uoy-sociology.bsky.social www.york.ac.uk/sociology/ab...york.ac.uk'Science - Fictions, Faiths and Futures' Conference: Call For SubmissionsColleagues are invited to submit their proposals for the 'Science - Fictions, Faiths and Futures' Conference which will be held at the University of York, 4-6 November 2026. 045
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 26/08/2026I’ve signed. I strongly recommend that you should, too. 042
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 24/08/2026I'm told this is now out. It will also be available shortly as open access, so watch this space. www.brepols.net/products/IS-...brepols.netBrepols - Performing Science, Mediating KnowledgeBrepols is an international academic publisher of works in the humanities, with a particular focus in history, archaeology, history of the arts, language and literature, and critical editions of histo... 020
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 22/08/2026Um. A robot can’t beat Usain Bolt’s record, any more than a car could.bbc.co.ukWatch: Moment robot attempts to beat Usain Bolt's 100m recordAn android at China's World Humanoid Robot Games ran faster than Bolt's world record, smartphone maker Honor says. 061
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 18/08/2026Just found out that this with @naomialderman.bsky.social replayed on BBC Radio 4 a few days ago. So if (like me!) you missed it: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...bbc.co.ukHuman Intelligence - Recluses - Nikola Tesla - BBC SoundsIs the mind of Nikola Tesla worthy of such an extensive legacy? 031
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Letters from the Planets, Wladislaw Somerville Lach-Szyrma. 050
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Here's something for all your diaries. You have until 10 September to submit your paper proposals. www.york.ac.uk/sociology/ab...york.ac.uk'Science - Fictions, Faiths and Futures' Conference: Call For SubmissionsColleagues are invited to submit their proposals for the 'Science - Fictions, Faiths and Futures' Conference which will be held at the University of York, 4-6 November 2026. 022
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 15/08/2026We need to show rightwing newspapers that actions have consequences. Add your name: goodlawproject.org/s/abb8a1goodlawproject.orgJason Arday: Demand a public inquiry now | Good Law ProjectCommission an immediate public inquiry into how to ensure a responsible press given its contribution to Dr Arday’s tragic death. 140
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Look closely and you can see birds coming to roost on the cathedral tower as the eclipse approaches its maximum. 031
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Eating pizza in Tyddewi, and watching the eclipse. 050
Reposted by Iwan Rhys MorusThe Magic Lantern Society @magiclanternsoc.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Celebrating today's partial eclipse (pr total eclipse for our lucky friends in and around Spain), a splendid demonstration of how it all works, Victorian-style. #MagicLantern 042
Reposted by Iwan Rhys MorusPaul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 07/08/2026No, the riots in Thetford aren't a reasonable protest that sadly escalated into violence. The violence was the point from the start. The reasons for the 'protest' were not reasonable, fair or valid. Stop making racist violence seem 'OK'. Just stop. 10450119
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Fellow Victorianists: anybody with easy access to the Wellesley Index? I’m looking for the author of the review of Mary Somerville’s Connexion in the Edinburgh Review 1834, vol. 59. 201
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 03/08/2026I didn't know about these amazing images - but more evidence of How The Victorians Took Us To The Moon! www.iconbooks.com/ib-title/how...iconbooks.comHow the Victorians Took Us to the Moon – Icon Books 121
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 30/07/2026I’m sitting on top of Glastonbury Tor. And it’s raining. 1100
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 22/07/2026Not what we usually see roaming the lane outside Chateau Morus 030
Reposted by Iwan Rhys MorusIwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 21/07/2026The descriptions of windmills on every roof generating power, and producing electricity from the waves, are very seductive, but it's important to remember that what turned on Astor and his ilk was the prospect of limitless energy, not renewable energy. 293
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 21/07/2026The descriptions of windmills on every roof generating power, and producing electricity from the waves, are very seductive, but it's important to remember that what turned on Astor and his ilk was the prospect of limitless energy, not renewable energy. 293
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 19/07/2026No. And no actual experts believe so. There are many ethical concerns around AI, but this really isn’t one of them. I do have ethical concerns about the hucksters trying to sell us on AI consciousness, though. 1014244
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 18/07/2026Decided to try growing fennel this year. I think it worked! 2140
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 15/07/2026What a clown.theguardian.comGeorge Lucas likens AI sceptics to luddites clinging to horses and cartsThe Star Wars director has called AI technology ‘the future’ of film-making and advised ‘there’s nothing you can do about it’ 321
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 15/07/2026This is a must read: aeon.co/essays/silic...aeon.co 143
Reposted by Iwan Rhys MorusDr Emily Vincent @dremilyvincent.bsky.social · 14/07/2026Looking forward to presenting on ‘Scriptotherapy and Spiritualism’ from my forthcoming CUP monograph at the ESHS/HSS History of Science conference in Edinburgh. We’re on at 9.15am tomorrow on a #ESHS spiritualism panel with @dreframss.bsky.social @emmamerkling.bsky.social @irmorus.bsky.social 👻 ✍️ 📚 181
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 14/07/2026On my way for a brief visit to #eshs-hss. I hope to see some of you at my paper tomorrow morning! convention2.allacademic.com/one/hss/hss2...convention2.allacademic.comESHS/HSS Annual Meeting 2026Content is hosted by All Academic Inc, a leading provider of online hosting and software solutions for academic conferences supporting submission, peer review, scheduling, invitaions, volunteers, sche... 030
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 13/07/2026Spotted in the wild @chanda.blacksky.app ! York Waterstones. 1512
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 08/07/2026I am currently reading this by @carrievaughnco.bsky.social. As a historian of Victorian science I fully endorse this book! 060
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 08/07/2026@stephensackur.bsky.social's Hard Talk was easily one of the best things on BBC News. It asked questions that mattered rather than the usual 'it's all a game really' nonsense. 051
Iwan Rhys Morus @irmorus.bsky.social · 02/07/2026Personally, I think Thony deserves a PhD for his blog alone! 291
Reposted by Iwan Rhys MorusMaddie Stone @themadstone.bsky.social · 25/06/2026I’ve spent more than a year reporting on how the fossil fuel industry has infiltrated academia over the last 30 years, shaping fundamental paradigms on how to address climate change. My first story in the new @propublica.org and @drilledmedia.bsky.social series, “Carbon Captured”, is out today. 21828391
Reposted by Iwan Rhys MorusStephen Sackur @stephensackur.bsky.social · 24/06/2026PERSONAL NEWS! 🗞️ I’m thrilled to be able to share the cover of my soon-to-be-published book… #HARDtruth Thanks to @HeadlinePress1 for supporting a project that seems more important now than ever. Courageous journalism keeps democracy alive 2135
