Journalist and author. Creativity, science, math, nature. Smarter Than Us available for preorder. The Impossible Man on sale. He/him.
Toronto
Joined March 2009
- Tweets4.1K
- Following418
- Followers1.5K
- Likes778
Patchen Barss retweeted
The idea of an intelligence explosion caused by recursive self improvement has been around for a long time but until very recently it did not seem imminent. Now many leading researchers think it may happen quite soon. You can read our paper about it here:
casp.ac/reports/intelligence…
Patchen Barss retweeted
Elissa Strome of @CIFAR_News spoke to @PatchenBarss ahead of the All In conference on what the future of an AI-driven Canada looks like: begiant.ca/stories/people/el…
Patchen Barss retweeted
A viral 2025 post by Toronto-based mathematician @littmath sparked a bet that by 2030, a large AI could write a paper good enough to be published in The Annals of Mathematics.
Last week, Litt conceded.
@PatchenBarss spoke to Litt to find out why: begiant.ca/stories/people/da…
Patchen Barss retweeted
⚛️ On this day in 1931, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Roger Penrose was born in Colchester, UK.
In THE IMPOSSIBLE MAN, @PatchenBarss draws on years of research and interviews to present a moving portrait of Roger Penrose the human being.
Learn more: hachettebookgroup.com/titles…
Patchen Barss retweeted
One of the best books I have recently read - and certainly ever on what we usually called "hard sums" at college - is this outstanding biography. The day his colleagues were waiting for JFK to arrive at the Dallas Trade Mart still makes my hair stand on end @Ananyo @PatchenBarss
Patchen Barss retweeted
Author @PatchenBarss will be at LaHave River Books on August 16 to talk about THE IMPOSSIBLE MAN. Join the conversation in person!. #LaHaveNS
Patchen Barss retweeted
Whenever I have pressed the case that John von Neumann should be considered the father of the modern stored-program computer ie the one that nearly everyone uses and carries around in their pockets, I've been met with hurt rebukes.
These rebukes are sometimes based on scholarship (sadly, out of date) but mostly these outraged critics base their opinions on what they read on the Internet and some fairly sloppy pop histories.
So let's lay out von Neumann's claim properly, as I have not seen it done elsewhere. The argument has three strands:
1. An idea
2. A principle
3. A machine
Patchen Barss retweeted
THE IMPOSSIBLE MAN by @PatchenBarss has made an astounding impression on reviewers! This book depicts the dazzling and painful life of Nobel Prize winner Roger Penrose in "multiple dimensions." (@nytimes)
Thank you @KirkusReviews, @Telegraph, @FinancialTimes, @globeandmail!
Patchen Barss retweeted
THE IMPOSSIBLE MAN receives a wonderful review from the @nytimes! They call @PatchenBarss' new book "a moving and intimate portrait of a figure who has expanded our understanding of the universe."
On sale NOW! Read the full review⤵️ nytimes.com/2024/11/13/books…
Patchen Barss retweeted
Happy Publication Day to THE IMPOSSIBLE MAN by @PatchenBarss! 🎉 This biography of the dazzling and painful life of Nobel Prize–winning physicist Roger Penrose is “beautifully composed and revealing” (@FinancialTimes)
🔗Learn more: bit.ly/4e1CA6j
#PhysicsGenius
Patchen Barss retweeted
Fantastic line from Roger Penrose reported by Patchen Barss in his biography: "I asked him if he considered himself a generally happy, unhappy or neutral person. With long pauses, he said, "Listen to the opening of Bach's St Matthew Passion. It's happy and sad at the same time."
Patchen Barss retweeted
🚨#Preorder @PatchenBarss's THE IMPOSSIBLE MAN with 20% OFF using code MAN20🎉 An essential resource for scholars, this is the first biography of Nobel Prize–winning physicist Roger Penrose
Learn more » bit.ly/Barss_ImpossibleMan
Valid at Basic Books until Nov. 11!
#NobelPrize
Patchen Barss retweeted
🔔PREORDER @PatchenBarss's The Impossible Man and get 20% off with code MAN20🎉 You'll also receive exclusive access to a limited-edition PDF booklet: Roger Penrose's Unfinished Business.
Learn More ➡️ bit.ly/Barss_ImpossibleMan
Valid at Basic Books until Nov 11!
#RogerPenrose – at Brooklyn, NY
Patchen Barss retweeted
Open call: any *organizations* (not individuals please) such as legal nonprofits working on seeking injunctions and/or FOIs regarding the Ontario Science Centre and looking for funding: please contact me.
vohramillerfoundation.ca/con…
Patchen Barss retweeted
Congrats to the @westernuAlumni Magazine team! The "Day One" series is nominated for Best Series of Articles. @PatchenBarss @Kfergie7 @kgkleiner @PaulFraumeni #NMAB2B24 buff.ly/3xPzG5d
Patchen Barss retweeted
Now, I need your help. Please buy the book! (You can pre-order now: bit.ly/3P7wqc3!) Please come out for one of my book talks! In June, I’ll be in NYC, DC, Baltimore, Philly and Montclair, NJ. You can register for one of the June events here: rachelswarns.com/events/
Patchen Barss retweeted
Writing the book is only part of the process. To get the book out into the world, I’ll be counting on all of you, my friends, my family and readers everywhere. The story of the GU272 was largely forgotten for more than century. We need to know their stories. Spread the word.
Patchen Barss retweeted
SCIENCE WRITING JOB OPPORTUNITY: Come join my team as a writer for MIT Lincoln Laboratory's internal newsletter! #scicommjobs
careers.ll.mit.edu/job/Lexin…
Patchen Barss retweeted
Physics, astro, and math friends: Applications for the Simons Emmy Noether Fellowship at @Perimeter are now open. Great program, please share with folks who may be interested.
perimeterinstitute.ca/emmyno…
ALT Poster: THE SIMONS EMMY NETHER VISITING FELLOWSHIP at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics Emmy Nether was a brilliant scientist whose work underpins much of modern physics.The Simons Emmy Nether Visiting Fellowship program honours her legacy by supporting and encouraging gender diversity in science. The Fellowships bring talented researchers to the Institute at a critical stage of their careers. Fellows enjoy uninterrupted research time immersed in Perimeter's collaborative environment. The flexibility of the program may include support for housing, teaching buy-outs, and childcare - which allows researchers to shape their visits in ways that enrich and accelerate their scientific careers. The Simons Emmy Noether Visiting Fellowship are held for periods of up to one year. Start time is flexible. Female faculty-level physicists at universities or equivalent at research centres are encouraged to apply. We welcome all candidates to apply online by January 9, 2023.
Patchen Barss retweeted
It's nice to sit outside and appreciate the nature's beauty. Not sure what to look for? FLOW, SPIN, GROW by @PatchenBarss, illus. by @t0ddstewart can help! Through seamless STEM lessons and gorgeous illustrations, it highlights how we are all connected to nature through patterns.
