The précis of this book on human extinction is a really interesting read, and provides a framework for understanding different philosophies on extinction.

Interestingly, it made me realise another thing, not reflected, that's important to me: what we leave behind... /1

https://twitter.com/xriskology/status/1680195425834237952

In my mind, there are two parts to what we leave behind: life, and culture.

There is a big difference to me between human extinction that also wipes out all/most life on Earth (and perhaps the universe), and one that doesn't. The former is much much worse. /2

This paper on the extreme threats arising from AI frustrated me.

🧵

https://twitter.com/soundboy/status/1661728733156503555

The paper is written as if the threats come from a sentient AI entity. Perhaps that's a risk in the long term or perhaps it isn't...

But every one of those threats is definitely present right now, through human agency and activity, and is enhanced by current generative AI tools.

One of the key pieces of legislation supporting public sector #OpenData in the UK is at risk.
🧵 The public sector holds a lot of useful non-personal data, for example about transport, education, healthcare.

Access to it helps drive innovation, service efficiency, and accountability, from Citymapper to Open Prescribing.
openprescribing.net

I've been at @ODIHQ, first as Technical Director, then as CEO, and since April 2020 as Vice President and Chief Strategy Adviser for exactly nine years today! /1 … and now it's time for me to move on. Over the next few months I'll be winding down and handing things over before leaving @ODIHQ at the end of the year. /2

Last night my #autistic 15yo explained to me how they understand their #neurodivergent brain to work, in particular as relates to their ability to focus.
🧵 Imagine a bar, like a health bar in a game, that represents their total attention capacity. There are four things that can fill this bar: thoughts, sights, sounds and movement (eg fidgeting, hand flapping, chair spinning).

It's good that there are copyright exceptions for criticism, review and reporting current events, otherwise their licence would really limit visibility on this important algorithm. qcovid.org/Home/AcademicL…

https://twitter.com/rachelcoldicutt/status/1361809839832326146

Every time I see the little ® next to QCovid® it makes my blood boil. digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/ri…

Thought I'd try to find something positive, so I present to you...

## The Covid-19 England Awards ##
~~ 8th November edition ~~

First set goes to the areas in England with the lowest Covid-19 case rates: Hastings, North Norfolk, and West Suffolk Second set of awards goes to the areas that have improved most (reduced their case rate the most, proportionally) over the past week: Rushcliffe, Lancaster, and Barrow-in-Furness

Today saw the release of the UK's #GeospatialStrategy – "Unlocking the power of location" – by the Geospatial Commission. THREAD. 1/19 gov.uk/government/pub… The Geospatial Commission was announced in November 2017 alongside a commitment to open up the UK's geospatial data infrastructure. At the time, we @ODIHQ noted that changing the UK's approach to maintaining geospatial data would be difficult. 2/19 theodi.org/article/autumn…

According to this report from Wired, No10 are asking tech companies to help prevent the 111 call service from being overwhelmed. Let's talk about what that would involve 1/12 wired.co.uk/article/domini… The online 111 service already takes you through some screening questions. Currently all it really tells you is the government advice: if you have a fever or sustained cough, stay at home for 7 days. If it's debilitating, call the 111 service. 2/12 111.nhs.uk/covid-19/