@petraboynton
#Safety and #wellbeing advocate and creator of the #PEEPSS Model. Social Psychologist. #Methodologist. Sometime #AgonyAunt. Advice giving as praxis. Critical #MentalHealth. Lives by the sea. Come for a #ResearchTip, maybe ask a question, stay for cat pics
Thousands of authors, including me, have just published an empty book. It's a protest and challenge to tech companies who're currently stealing our works to train AI.
www.dontstealthisbook.com
This has been many years in the making. We wanted to do it right—not simply get it done.
Our goal was to contribute, however modestly, to an academia that genuinely strives for inclusivity.
May the AWoP—small as the step may be—help move academia toward greater inclusion. 🤝🫂🌈🍉🏳️⚧️✊⚖️♿🦮🌐
This is such a helpful video focusing on how different therapeutic support is from AI 'advice'. You have the chance to read the question and see how you'd answer before noting what ChatGPT suggests - and what a therapist recommends. Well worth discussing in pastoral care
youtube.com/shorts/7gcDK...
A DOGE staffer assigned to the National Endowment for the Humanities to flag grants for "DEI" tries to explain what "DEI" is. This deposition is part of a lawsuit by the @acls1919.bsky.social, @historians.org and @modernlanguage.bsky.social.
Honestly, I am absolutely disgusted by academics suggesting that AI can do the reading and writing for you. At a certain point, what you're bragging about is fraud. And in a broader sense, what you're contributing to is the erosion of knowledge and the destruction of trust in academic publishing.
Most accurate portrait of modern culture currently available
Great thread. Reminds us that blaming social media for things really misses how much traditional media set patterns of discourse up. And it's no good pretending it was all accidental.
I found this really frustrating to read.
Mainstream media, including the BBC, prioritised the battle of ideas/2 sides argument as a popular means of coverage. This piece suggests it happened accidentally, or even at the behest of those pushed into these scenarios /1
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's obviously written to promote his 'Don't Say A Word' programme so in itself is hyping up a situation to drive listeners. I understand the way it works, but it feels unfair to suggest it wasn't strategically manufactured while also ignoring the multiple human costs.
I found it! It's in this episode of Women's Hour. They wanted someone to argue in favour of medicalising women's sexual problems. Instead we discussed it in depth and, while broadly agreeing, had very different perspectives and listeners liked how we shared ideas.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
I'm so glad you did that!
I know some people who were invited on to Central Weekend to pretend to be gang members. They spoke in shadow and were apparently very convincing in spite of having no knowledge or experience of gangs. Few weeks later they were asked back to act the role of deadbeat dads.
It reminds me of the similar enthusiasm in some areas of science communication/skepticism/academia with 'battle of ideas' events. I never wanted to do those as complex social issues aren't often limited to two sides, they're people's lives and dignity, not a winnable debate.
The advice phone in has largely disappeared from media. It had so much value with space for people to ask for, offer and receive advice. But never as a battle or humiliation ritual. This popular and beneficial format was dropped because as fascinating as dilemmas were, they weren't gladiatorial /12
This handwringing from Campbell about how terribly polarised things have become as if this WAS NOT PART OF THE PLAN feels very hollow. Social media only amplified a model that was already there. And many of us can testify how we were, naively perhaps, part of a cynical drive to increase ratings /11
People like me who believed our role was to make things clear, share evidence and inform audiences. But were really there to bounce off the person chosen to stack up a controversial view. It didn't matter what we said, how much of a punchbag we were, or what happened after. /10
They ethics of this, of putting people into stressful and at times dangerous situations, never seemed to be an issue. It was entertainment. It got reactions. As social media took off it created the buzz all journalists wanted. It was entirely set up and often pushed to the limit. /9
This is more revealing to me with the mention of 'two self-righteous zealots'. Because when journalists ask you to join these discussions there's flattery. You're the expert. You know you might be up against a strongly opinionated random, but you're the good guy. In truth? They don't value you. /8
The polarisation Campbell complains of was BY DESIGN. It was essential to everything from chat shows to news broadcasting. It's revealed in the piece "it's long been tempting to invite two self-righteous zealots into a studio to bellow at each other. In the business it's called a "good row" /7
On one occasion Channel 4 asked me to be on a panel to discuss sex education. A charming older lady was one of the guests, kindly in the green room. On stage, in front of a large audience, she switched. Accused me and others of terrible, untrue things. She was a regular on The Big Questions, too /6
These debates felt like a set up. Because they WERE. I notice Campbell refers to 'The Big Questions'. A show I was warned against going on as it was common for experts to be pitted against the audience - and be targeted in real life afterwards as a consequence. Week on week that rolled on /5
I remember one time a programme couldn't get anyone with an opposing view so accidentally got me and a colleague who were in complete agreement on a controversial topic. But we had so much positive feedback from audiences who appreciated a detailed, focused discussion from two enthusiastic people /4
My most favourite encounters were when I discovered my opponent had a lot in common with me and we'd end up having an interesting and useful conversation. This didn't often go down well with producers, however. On occasions where they claimed I'd 'destroyed' someone, they were delighted. /3
For many years I worked closely in/with media. It was common I'd be invited onto anything from the Today Show to Women's Hour to discussion events at Channel 4 where I'd turn up and discover who I'd be sparring with. Sometimes I'd have notice, often not. Apparently it made things more interesting /2
I found this really frustrating to read.
Mainstream media, including the BBC, prioritised the battle of ideas/2 sides argument as a popular means of coverage. This piece suggests it happened accidentally, or even at the behest of those pushed into these scenarios /1
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Six in ten women say they were denied adequate care after miscarriage, new Miscarriage Association (UK) research reveals
www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/blog/six-in-...
Pacing handy hints poster, with 10 top tips to help with pacing to manage pain and fatigue
A slightly updated version of my pacing handy hints poster arrived today- making it a bit easier to read, and with a few minor tweaks to the wording. It's always a bit terrifying waiting for the printed version because what if it doesn't turn out well??! - But it's turned out well.
A rat litter is generally between 3-6 pups that remain undisturbed with mama for the first few weeks. At 4-5 weeks they open their eyes and soon after begin their #socialization and #habituation. Support our pups: bit.ly/3F0tafw
#APOPO #training #heropups #futureheroes
I thought that was EXTREMELY telling. And, again, similar to reactions I've noted from those who're actively opposed to EDI. Particularly in universities. If you push them to say why they dislike EDI they'll offer some anti-Trans or racist remarks. State all areas EDI covers? They're shocked.
I wonder how many of us have encountered similar? Those who're aggressively anti-EDI (or DEI) who, when questioned, cannot detail what parts of EDI/DEI they dislike, nor even define what they're opposing.
Very interesting line up of speakers and topics. I'd definitely be attending if I was anywhere near London!
@livingmaps.bsky.social, this might also be of interest to the counter-mapping community.
