Sunil

I’ve also spent a lot of time trying to get info on only moderately complex queries from a well known high street bank’s chat agent recently. By the time I phrase it in a way that gets me through to a human who might actually help me, I have wasted huge amounts of time and am pretty pissed off

A recent experience: I Googled “Trafford term dates” to see if nearby school had broken up. The AI overview confidently told me that the 2025-26 term dates were not yet available. Not what I asked, nor wanted to know… and was verifiably false on front page of the top link, Trafford Council’s website

Thanks - that’s actually where I’d ended up!

No worries - you were right I’d already found somewhere, but thanks for the suggestions! I ended up at the Cambridge Street Collective, followed by a pint at the Industry Tap. Enjoyed both! First time in the city and will definitely back to explore more!

That’s really lovely! I hadn’t realised today was #YorkshireDay - I’m just leaving Sheffield heading to Derbyshire…

Wonder how this will play with the NDAs the sane institutions often try to impose on victims of harassment and bullying employed by those institutions… or does only some free speech matter?

First time visiting Sheffield (staying the night here because for some weird reason, Derby hotel prices were through the roof this weekend… #GreatestGathering)

Any recommendations for food/drink in the city centre?

Devil knows…

Two I am familiar with incl HCI/UX (where my experience mirrors what you describe) and wider social science. Seems like there’s often a lot of vibes-based thinking (and v poor quality surveys/focus groups) run around issues like student experience - rather than work with academics who could help.

What is bonkers is how senior uni management usually ignore in-house expertise that could help them, in favour of expensive external consultants (or nothing at all). I saw it in relation to the accessibility of a building being refurbished, but it applies to a whole host of areas…

Hope it goes smoothly!

This is brilliant. What a legend.

How great was Tom Lehrer? In 2020, he moved his entire catalog into the public domain because he felt he'd made more than enough money off of it.

Enjoy every Tom Lehrer album:

tomlehrersongs.com

Photograph of Tom Lehrer

Oh no. Tom Lehrer gone. At his great age, it’s not a tragedy, I know, but it just does feel bad not having his genius in the world.

Photo of Tom Lehrer

My last living musical hero is still my hero but unfortunately no longer living. RIP to the great, great Mr. Tom Lehrer.

American musical satirist Tom Lehrer dies at 97, US media report Lehrer, a Harvard-trained mathematician, wrote darkly humorous songs, often with political connotations.

RIP Tom Lehrer. Thanks for all the laughs www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Found it.

The one-armed overarm save she made during the shootout when diving left was superb. To successfully parry a shot like that when your body and momentum is taking you much lower is incredible.

It was only an “e-bike crash” in the sense that the driver of a Landrover Discovery got upset by the e-bike lights (because he was dealing drugs in his car), chased them ONE MILE and then hit them, killing the woman who was on the back and seriously injuring the cyclist.

Come on, BBC.

I genuinely wish I could be surprised at the ways in which these institutions repeatedly cover up wrongdoing (of all sorts). But I'm not

Sigh. Another one for @the1752group.bsky.social

Many congratulations Dr!

Come and visit Manchester!

Congratulations to you both!

A lot of people, by virtue of the academic system, simply don’t get a position in an academic context that would enable them to apply for this within 3 years. If you aren’t alrestd working in a department where you’re supported and networked to develop a good proposal, it’s v difficult to apply.

Seeing this retweeted into my timeline reminds me of how restrictive the eligibility is. Only 3 years post-viva, which if you had to take unrelated employment (due to the crappy working conditions of being a PhD student) is very restrictive.

Thanks for the earworm!

Also flagged as a bit of a red herring by @jonworth.eu

ie it is largely about showing they’re doing something, even if it’s nothing special, because 1) it’s one of the few things they still have the cash to do and 2) it addresses, however poorly, the thing they’re constantly being slated in public about.

Is this an inevitable consequence of the social media-isation of local government after a decade and a half of underfunding? Decaying local infrastructure (esp roads) one of the most visible signs - daily moans on local FB groups. So when councils do something, they feel need to trumpet it…