@seanmcarroll
Physics, philosophy, complexity. @jhuartssciences.bsky.social & @sfiscience.bsky.social. Host, #MindscapePodcast. Married to @jenlucpiquant.bsky.social. Latest books: The Biggest Ideas in the Universe. https://preposterousuniverse.com/
Wait - the corner of Olympic and Cloverfield, Santa Monica? Ladies and Gentlemen, that is almost exactly the location where the old Buffy offices stood. I believe we may owe thanks for this one to the Hellmouth.
A classic of world philosophy, the Zhuangzi revolutionized ethics and ontology forever with its Dao.
Now, in our latest issue, Rose Novick brings this masterpiece to a new generation of English readers with her magisterial translation & commentary.
strangematters.coop/rose-novick-...
FL deems intro textbooks in my discipline illegal.
It's bc Sociology analyzes systems...it gives people the practical thinking tools to dismantle the master's house.
As a fmr English Lit major, Sociology is the most powerful thing I've ever learned. I see why the Temu Savonarolas are scared of it.
Can large language models *introspect*?
In a new paper, @kmahowald.bsky.social and I study the MECHANISM of introspection in big open-source models.
tldr: Models detect internal anomalies through DIRECT ACCESS, but don't know what the anomalies are.
And they love to guess “apple” 🍎
I think MWI is clearly the best of these options, but my worries about the alternatives are that they introduce ad hoc dynamics and/or extra variables that aren’t compatible with realistic physics, not that they don’t treat systems and observers as equally quantum.
Just that none of these theories (MWI, pilot wave, objective collapse) features any separation between classical and quantum. They treat systems and observers as the same kind of things. Pilot wave theories just posit that quantum ontology includes hidden variables in addition to the wave function.
It is a hidden variable theory, but both the wave function and the additional "hidden" variables (which are what actually get observed) are both quantum, and ontologically real.
Yes, objective collapse messes with Schrödinger, but idoesn't invent some ad hoc split into classical and quantum realms.
I think any “quantum-state realist” formulation would treat observers as quantum. That includes pilot-wave theories and objective collapse models. Only crypto-Copenhagen/epistemic/QBist approaches do not. (Still includes most physicists, but few philosophers.)
Did you tell yourself that? Pretty sure I told you that.
Speaking of market inefficiencies
Perfectly sensible critique of capitalism more generally. Adam Smith argued that a competitive marketplace will successfully find an equilibrium price point, not that it will select for producers who are passionate about their products.
Interior of the Bodleian Library in Oxford, showing historic wooden bookcases and a decorated ceiling. In the foreground, a sign displays the traditional Bodleian Oath, which readers must read aloud before being admitted to use the library. The oath reads: 'I hereby undertake not to remove from the Library, or to mark, deface, or injure in any way, any volume, document, or other object belonging to it or in its custody; not to bring into the Library or kindle therein any fire or flame, and not to smoke in the Library; and I promise to obey all rules of the Library'
The traditional Bodleian Oath, which every reader is required to read aloud on seeking admission to the Bodleian Libraries 📚
#WorldBookDay
📷 | @bodleian.ox.ac.uk
1. A short thread on a Bluesky phenomenon that might be described as "They are a dead-eyed cultist who must be cast out lest the heresy take root!" OP has blocked me for mocking them - I'd usually obscure their name but since they themselves were quote-dunking to demand someone else be blocked ...
Excellent idea.
We will be pluralistic about ratios and about shaking/stirring. Very forgiving, honestly.
Not sure about the Martinez. Maybe there will be a dessert menu.
No science allowed until one has had at least two martinis.
Sometimes a solo piano, sometimes accompanied by a sultry-voiced chanteuse. (Or chanteur, we don’t play favorites.)
If anyone asks or a vodka martini, they will be given the option of a Vesper or they can be escorted out.
Smoky martinis, woody martinis, citrusy martinis, so many more. Just by varying the gin, the vermouth, the garnish, and maybe a dash of bitters here and there.
Mineral water available for the teetotalers, but only served in a martini glass. 🍸
Thinking of opening a martini bar after I retire. Various nibbles will be served, but all of the drinks will be martinis. Real martinis: gin, vermouth, garnish. But there will be dozens of different versions available.
A gray shorthair cat at the moment of release upside down, with its tongue out looking derpy
A new paper on falling cat science came out and I just have to draw people's attention to this image
Congrats!
Yay!
DAY TWO of an experiment where I wake up and do a take/video without paying “the woman tax” of doing my hair and make-up. Like/follow/comment/subscribe if you’re into normalizing women looking unkept while doing political commentary.
It's okay!
uhhh, this is a thing people have proposed??
Will try to fix it!
What platform were you using?
Baltimore is here for you, artistic exiles!
Title card for Mindscape AMA podcast episode.
Mindscape Ask Me Anything | March 2026. We talk about quantum gravity and the early universe, the Umwelt of a cat, junky AI-written papers, and whether public debates serve a useful purpose. #MindscapePodcast
www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2026...