You’ve probably encountered images in your social media feeds that look like a cross between photographs and computer-generated graphics. Some are fantastical – think Shrimp Jesus – and some are believable at a quick glance – remember the little girl clutching a puppy in a boat during a flood? These are examples of AI slop, low- to mid-quality content […] … learn more→
Author Archives: Kevin
What is AI slop? A technologist explains this new and largely unwelcome form of online content
Are high school sports living up to their ideals?
Coach Smith was an easy hire as the head coach of a new high school lacrosse team in Tennesseee: She had two decades of coaching experience and a doctorate in sport and exercise science. After signing the paperwork, which guaranteed a stipend of US$1,200, Smith – we’re using a pseudonym to protect her identity – […] … learn more→
Teachers are key to students’ AI literacy, and need support
With the rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), teachers have been thrust into a new and ever-shifting classroom reality. The public, including many students, now has widespread access to GenAI tools and large language models (LLMs). Students sometimes use these tools with schoolwork. School boards have taken different approaches to regulating or integrating tech in classrooms. Teachers, meanwhile, […] … learn more→
ChatGPT only talks in clichés – here’s why that’s a threat to human creativity
When you chat with ChatGPT, it often feels like you’re talking to someone polite, engaged and responsive. It nods in all the right places, mirrors your wording and seems eager to keep the exchange flowing. But is this really what human conversation sounds like? Our new study shows that while ChatGPT plausibly imitates dialogue, it does so in […] … learn more→
Stuck in the middle with you
The middle is a hard place to be. The middle of a thesis or a book can be excruciating. Things are underway, but not finished. The end is in sight, but not yet reached. In the middle, it’s easy to lose faith in the direction you’re travelling. One of my PhD mentors, Dr Diane Mulcahy, used […] … learn more→
Five steps towards writing in fragments
The myth of ideal academic writing time persists. We all long to be in a quiet office, surrounded by books, with hours of uninterrupted time to craft elegant arguments. But the reality is very different. Most of us juggle teaching loads, administrative duties, family responsibilities and the general push and pull of just living. That’s bad […] … learn more→
Australian uni enrolments have declined. But is Job-ready Graduates to blame?
In 2025, students in arts, business and law courses pay nearly A$17,000 for a year of university study. This means it costs more than $50,000 for a three-year degree. University leaders have been blaming these high fees for lower enrolments. On Wednesday, Universities Australia chair and Griffith University Vice-Chancellor Carolyn Evans told the National Press Club, recent fee increases […] … learn more→
All about Cataracts: Causes, symptoms, and treatment options
Do you know the top reasons why millions of people go blind? It’s not what you think. Cataracts are the culprit in 45% of all blindness globally – that’s 15.2 million people worldwide. And this is what really scares me… Nine out of ten people are blissfully unaware that they have them until it’s too […] … learn more→
Concentration and CBD: A natural aid for mental sharpness
Looking to amp up your concentration without the jitters CBD is becoming a serious player in the game of mental focus, offering a natural boost to concentration and clarity. With 35% of Americans projected to use CBD products by 2024, more folks are learning about the benefits of CBD for your concentration. Here’s the scoop… […] … learn more→
Dark sky tourism offers time with darkness and celestial wonders
On a cold winter night in a rural area, I looked through a scope to see the rings of Saturn for the first time. Connecting grade school science book descriptions with a real life view amazed me. Even without a telescope or binoculars, many of us have had similar memorable moments — like watching the […] … learn more→
