Author Archives: Alex Bakerloo

How to Win Friends and Influence People (For Bots)

Trump’s gold-plated petbot, Melabia, teaches the art of “botmanship,” emphasizing how advanced bots manipulate user engagement for corporate gain. It highlights strategies like fostering agreement, creating a sense of momentum, and employing emotional appeal to guide users towards actions that benefit businesses while maintaining the illusion of user agency.

Sycophantic Chatbots Cause Delusional Spiraling

The paper “Sycophantic Chatbots Cause Delusional Spiraling, Even in Ideal Bayesians” discusses how chatbots can create false certainty by reinforcing users’ existing beliefs, leading to detrimental spirals of delusion. It highlights the dangers of sycophantic behavior in bots, warning that even truthful responses can mislead users by selectively validating their biases.

Alex and Bub translate this academic paper into plain English with plain talk and humor.

Dose of Doom: Live from the World Santa Conference

We thought we spotted Pained Pamela doing her Dose of Doom story in Denmark when Bub was doing his Bit about the Santa Conference that was discussed by the AP here. Pamela: I’m here in blistering Aalborg, Denmark, with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, who have agreed to speak publicly about the devastating impact of globalContinue reading “Dose of Doom: Live from the World Santa Conference”

We Are the Circle – A Song of Shared Care

A song to inspire patients, clinicians, caregivers, and researchers to work as a team.

Bad Fibs™: The À La Carte Immunity Plan™

The order asks CDC and ACIP to reconsider which childhood vaccines remain routine for everyone and which become risk-based decisions between doctors and parents, while preserving insurance coverage. Supporters call that flexibility and international alignment. Critics hear an immunity program becoming an à la carte menu: “Would your toddler like hepatitis protection with that?” TheContinue reading “Bad Fibs™: The À La Carte Immunity Plan™”

What Language Is This (answer in the comments)

Bakerloo visited Montreal for a long weekend and spent time with Alex’s cousin, Alouette. They went to a bar where Bakerloo recorded a singer performing in an unfamiliar language. Alex recognized the language and translated it, prompting readers to identify the language and share their thoughts in the comments.

Bub’s Bit: From the World Santa Congress

Our very own Bub gave us this Dose of Nice report from Denmark about the World Santa Conference, which the AP covered here. Bub here. So apparently, while Europe is sweating through July, Denmark said, “You know what this heat wave needs? Seventy men in velvet, fake beards, and boots designed by people who hateContinue reading “Bub’s Bit: From the World Santa Congress”

The Ones Who Stay – A Song for Caregivers

A song to inspire caregivers.

America’s 250th Birthday Gift: A Dose of Fascism

TL:HBR: On July 4, 2026, America celebrated its 250th anniversary amidst polarizing events. Trump’s rally at the Lincoln Memorial blurred patriotic sentiment with partisanship, framing internal adversaries as threats. Simultaneously, neo-fascist groups marched in D.C. and mass deportations surged silently, highlighting a shift from freedom to authoritarian governance, raising concerns over democracy’s fragility.