The Spence
@adambspencer.bsky.social
Gettin’ geeky funny stuff done one day at a time
Look at one of the purple dots
Now look at another. The dots are changing colour.
NO THEY ARE NOT
You’re brain is messing with you
NerdNews dives into the awesome neuro/visual science behind this
Subscribe (absolutely free!) here
substack.com/@adambspence...
Now look at another. The dots are changing colour.
NO THEY ARE NOT
You’re brain is messing with you
NerdNews dives into the awesome neuro/visual science behind this
Subscribe (absolutely free!) here
substack.com/@adambspence...
Your eyes are lying to you. Nine purple dots prove it.
A Harvard illusion with 9 purple dots exposes how your fovea, yellow eye-filters and brain context warp colour perception in real time.
substack.com
May 7, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Look at one of the purple dots
Now look at another. The dots are changing colour.
NO THEY ARE NOT
You’re brain is messing with you
NerdNews dives into the awesome neuro/visual science behind this
Subscribe (absolutely free!) here
substack.com/@adambspence...
Now look at another. The dots are changing colour.
NO THEY ARE NOT
You’re brain is messing with you
NerdNews dives into the awesome neuro/visual science behind this
Subscribe (absolutely free!) here
substack.com/@adambspence...
A snail is at the bottom of a 10m well climbing to get out. She climbs 3m a day but at night slips back 2m. How many days until freedom?
Best to follow me on Substack for more of this
adambspencer.substack.com
Best to follow me on Substack for more of this
adambspencer.substack.com
April 5, 2026 at 11:16 PM
A snail is at the bottom of a 10m well climbing to get out. She climbs 3m a day but at night slips back 2m. How many days until freedom?
Best to follow me on Substack for more of this
adambspencer.substack.com
Best to follow me on Substack for more of this
adambspencer.substack.com
So buzzed to be rated #32 in Rising Science after just a couple of weeks on substack.
Full disclosure, didn't know it was a thing until I saw this in my profile.
Find out what all the fuss is about - and check an awesome maths post today - at
adambspencer.substack.com
Full disclosure, didn't know it was a thing until I saw this in my profile.
Find out what all the fuss is about - and check an awesome maths post today - at
adambspencer.substack.com
February 26, 2026 at 11:00 PM
So buzzed to be rated #32 in Rising Science after just a couple of weeks on substack.
Full disclosure, didn't know it was a thing until I saw this in my profile.
Find out what all the fuss is about - and check an awesome maths post today - at
adambspencer.substack.com
Full disclosure, didn't know it was a thing until I saw this in my profile.
Find out what all the fuss is about - and check an awesome maths post today - at
adambspencer.substack.com
ICYMI I’m starting up on Substack too. So if you love brainbusters like this, regular geek chat and AI insights, subscribe (free!) at
adambspencer.substack.com
adambspencer.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:13 PM
ICYMI I’m starting up on Substack too. So if you love brainbusters like this, regular geek chat and AI insights, subscribe (free!) at
adambspencer.substack.com
adambspencer.substack.com
Austin Applebee
His family stranded at sea
To death threatening those 3
Said “You’ll have to come though me”
What an absolute fucking tough unit is Austin Applebee who swam 4km ashore to raise the alarm for his family who were stranded at sea!!!
www.smh.com.au/national/wes...
His family stranded at sea
To death threatening those 3
Said “You’ll have to come though me”
What an absolute fucking tough unit is Austin Applebee who swam 4km ashore to raise the alarm for his family who were stranded at sea!!!
www.smh.com.au/national/wes...
Teenage hero swims four kilometres to rescue family stranded in ocean off WA coast
The family had been kayaking and paddleboarding in WA’s South West when they were swept out to sea in rough conditions.
www.smh.com.au
February 3, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Austin Applebee
His family stranded at sea
To death threatening those 3
Said “You’ll have to come though me”
What an absolute fucking tough unit is Austin Applebee who swam 4km ashore to raise the alarm for his family who were stranded at sea!!!
www.smh.com.au/national/wes...
His family stranded at sea
To death threatening those 3
Said “You’ll have to come though me”
What an absolute fucking tough unit is Austin Applebee who swam 4km ashore to raise the alarm for his family who were stranded at sea!!!
www.smh.com.au/national/wes...
This week’s #NerdNews tells the amazing story of the cyberthieves who stole $50m … from the Korean cops who’d seized the loot from criminals in the first place!
Subscribe to my free #NerdNews at
adamspencer.com.au/blog
Subscribe to my free #NerdNews at
adamspencer.com.au/blog
January 28, 2026 at 2:56 AM
This week’s #NerdNews tells the amazing story of the cyberthieves who stole $50m … from the Korean cops who’d seized the loot from criminals in the first place!
Subscribe to my free #NerdNews at
adamspencer.com.au/blog
Subscribe to my free #NerdNews at
adamspencer.com.au/blog
TODAY’s DATE IS AWESOME (and incredibly rare)
However you write it 09/27/2025 or 27/09/2025, it’s a perfect square!!!
3045 x 3045 = 9,272,025
and
5205 x 5205 = 27,092,025
Yeah baby!!!
However you write it 09/27/2025 or 27/09/2025, it’s a perfect square!!!
3045 x 3045 = 9,272,025
and
5205 x 5205 = 27,092,025
Yeah baby!!!
September 27, 2025 at 2:15 AM
TODAY’s DATE IS AWESOME (and incredibly rare)
However you write it 09/27/2025 or 27/09/2025, it’s a perfect square!!!
3045 x 3045 = 9,272,025
and
5205 x 5205 = 27,092,025
Yeah baby!!!
However you write it 09/27/2025 or 27/09/2025, it’s a perfect square!!!
3045 x 3045 = 9,272,025
and
5205 x 5205 = 27,092,025
Yeah baby!!!
Today’s #NerdNews describes an AI model that is claimed to write great creative prose (by the owner of the AI!)
Read the story, read a piece written by the AI, review it & maybe win one of my (100% human written) books and subscribe to (free) #NerdNews
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/has-a-n...
Read the story, read a piece written by the AI, review it & maybe win one of my (100% human written) books and subscribe to (free) #NerdNews
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/has-a-n...
Has a new AI cracked creative writing?
As always, people are divided. Some laud its metafictional genius. Others call it pastiche garbage. Nerd News invites you to be the judge.
www.adamspencer.com.au
March 19, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Today’s #NerdNews describes an AI model that is claimed to write great creative prose (by the owner of the AI!)
Read the story, read a piece written by the AI, review it & maybe win one of my (100% human written) books and subscribe to (free) #NerdNews
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/has-a-n...
Read the story, read a piece written by the AI, review it & maybe win one of my (100% human written) books and subscribe to (free) #NerdNews
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/has-a-n...
The Maths of Monkeys!
My latest #NerdNews newsletter explores the mathematics of monkeys and typewriters
Have a read and sign up for my (free!) NerdNews for your weekly geekly hit
t.co/xkWKLmX6cX
My latest #NerdNews newsletter explores the mathematics of monkeys and typewriters
Have a read and sign up for my (free!) NerdNews for your weekly geekly hit
t.co/xkWKLmX6cX
https://www.adamspencer.com.au/post/the-monkey-of-venice
t.co
February 19, 2025 at 1:01 AM
The Maths of Monkeys!
My latest #NerdNews newsletter explores the mathematics of monkeys and typewriters
Have a read and sign up for my (free!) NerdNews for your weekly geekly hit
t.co/xkWKLmX6cX
My latest #NerdNews newsletter explores the mathematics of monkeys and typewriters
Have a read and sign up for my (free!) NerdNews for your weekly geekly hit
t.co/xkWKLmX6cX
Did you know #ValentinesDay may well have its roots in Lupercalia - a pagan purging festival that involved murdering goats, stripping naked & frocking up in their skins!
Have a read and subscribe to my (free!) #NerdNews newsletter for you weekly geek hit
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/the-mat...
Have a read and subscribe to my (free!) #NerdNews newsletter for you weekly geek hit
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/the-mat...
The mathematics and science of Valentine’s Day
Beneath the romance, there’s a hidden world - from the geometry of love to evolutionary biology.
www.adamspencer.com.au
February 13, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Did you know #ValentinesDay may well have its roots in Lupercalia - a pagan purging festival that involved murdering goats, stripping naked & frocking up in their skins!
Have a read and subscribe to my (free!) #NerdNews newsletter for you weekly geek hit
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/the-mat...
Have a read and subscribe to my (free!) #NerdNews newsletter for you weekly geek hit
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/the-mat...
Hey BlueSky
My latest (free) NerdNewsletter explains the whole DeepSeek thing
Check it out and subscribe for ongoing (free) geek-dives into the world of tech, maths, AI and all things beautifully nerdy
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/deepsee...
My latest (free) NerdNewsletter explains the whole DeepSeek thing
Check it out and subscribe for ongoing (free) geek-dives into the world of tech, maths, AI and all things beautifully nerdy
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/deepsee...
DeepSeek: Game changer or flash in the pan?
A global stock market shock caused by a Chinese AI company that didn’t exist 18 months ago...
www.adamspencer.com.au
February 5, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Hey BlueSky
My latest (free) NerdNewsletter explains the whole DeepSeek thing
Check it out and subscribe for ongoing (free) geek-dives into the world of tech, maths, AI and all things beautifully nerdy
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/deepsee...
My latest (free) NerdNewsletter explains the whole DeepSeek thing
Check it out and subscribe for ongoing (free) geek-dives into the world of tech, maths, AI and all things beautifully nerdy
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/deepsee...
My first NerdNews of 2025 is dedicated to two gorgeous numbers - 25 and 2025
Get your geek on and subscribe to my FREE!!! weekly salute to science, maths and general geekiness
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/hello-2...
Get your geek on and subscribe to my FREE!!! weekly salute to science, maths and general geekiness
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/hello-2...
Hello 2025 + a brand new year of geekery
Instead of saying, “Have a happy 2025”, why not really nerd it up and say, "Have a happy 45²!"
www.adamspencer.com.au
January 24, 2025 at 7:14 AM
My first NerdNews of 2025 is dedicated to two gorgeous numbers - 25 and 2025
Get your geek on and subscribe to my FREE!!! weekly salute to science, maths and general geekiness
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/hello-2...
Get your geek on and subscribe to my FREE!!! weekly salute to science, maths and general geekiness
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/hello-2...
3 years ago today
Happy Anniversary Leah xxx
Happy Anniversary Leah xxx
January 22, 2025 at 7:31 AM
3 years ago today
Happy Anniversary Leah xxx
Happy Anniversary Leah xxx
From todays notorious Friday cryptic in the Herald and The Age
“School’s principal station? (5,4)”
HINT; (6) = “schools” + (3) = “principal” to give (5,4) = “station”
🤞
“School’s principal station? (5,4)”
HINT; (6) = “schools” + (3) = “principal” to give (5,4) = “station”
🤞
December 20, 2024 at 1:17 AM
From todays notorious Friday cryptic in the Herald and The Age
“School’s principal station? (5,4)”
HINT; (6) = “schools” + (3) = “principal” to give (5,4) = “station”
🤞
“School’s principal station? (5,4)”
HINT; (6) = “schools” + (3) = “principal” to give (5,4) = “station”
🤞
Dropped my latest NerdNews this week on the critical issue of the insatiable energy demands of Generative AI systems
Check it out here and subscribe to my ongoing, FREE, newsletter
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/ai-insa...
Check it out here and subscribe to my ongoing, FREE, newsletter
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/ai-insa...
AI's insatiable power demands
Increasing concerns about their rapacious hunger for electricity to power them and water to stop them overheating.
www.adamspencer.com.au
November 28, 2024 at 8:42 PM
Dropped my latest NerdNews this week on the critical issue of the insatiable energy demands of Generative AI systems
Check it out here and subscribe to my ongoing, FREE, newsletter
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/ai-insa...
Check it out here and subscribe to my ongoing, FREE, newsletter
www.adamspencer.com.au/post/ai-insa...
Lovely clue from todays David Astle cryptic in the Sydney Morning Herald
“Censor tender deed (6)”
HINT; answer = “censor” and is (3) + (3) for the other two words in the clue
🤞
“Censor tender deed (6)”
HINT; answer = “censor” and is (3) + (3) for the other two words in the clue
🤞
November 28, 2024 at 8:28 PM
Lovely clue from todays David Astle cryptic in the Sydney Morning Herald
“Censor tender deed (6)”
HINT; answer = “censor” and is (3) + (3) for the other two words in the clue
🤞
“Censor tender deed (6)”
HINT; answer = “censor” and is (3) + (3) for the other two words in the clue
🤞
When they said “meet me in the dedicated car wash area” I was assuming something a bit more … how do you say …
November 28, 2024 at 8:44 AM
When they said “meet me in the dedicated car wash area” I was assuming something a bit more … how do you say …
Dr Oz … Linda McMahon … Matt Gaetz …
Like wow
Like wow
November 20, 2024 at 10:53 PM
Dr Oz … Linda McMahon … Matt Gaetz …
Like wow
Like wow
They are serving lunch at the corporate event I’m MCing and the buffet tables are flush against a wall so you can only serve from one side
Snaking long queues
Witnessing the inefficiency is hurting the mathematician in me at a cellular level
Snaking long queues
Witnessing the inefficiency is hurting the mathematician in me at a cellular level
November 18, 2024 at 1:31 AM
They are serving lunch at the corporate event I’m MCing and the buffet tables are flush against a wall so you can only serve from one side
Snaking long queues
Witnessing the inefficiency is hurting the mathematician in me at a cellular level
Snaking long queues
Witnessing the inefficiency is hurting the mathematician in me at a cellular level
And a thrill to have you included @dylanodonnell.bsky.social
Good to see you here, my favourite ex-JJJ breakfast mathematician. I’m still honoured to be in one of your books :)
November 17, 2024 at 10:00 PM
And a thrill to have you included @dylanodonnell.bsky.social
Sweet bippy we are literally cooked
Breaking News: Chris Wright, chief executive of the fracking company Liberty Energy, is President-elect Trump’s pick for energy secretary.
Trump Transition and Staffing Live Updates: Chris Wright Picked for Energy Secretary
Mr. Trump said Chris Wright would help “drive U.S. energy dominance.” He hasn’t yet announced the leaders of the Treasury, Commerce and Labor Departments, among other roles.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2024 at 10:31 AM
Sweet bippy we are literally cooked
Cheers Hino
It’s great to look out and see a few people in the crowd who clearly didn’t listen first time around - and wonder how they got here!
And great work by your mum! Classy lady with impeccable taste
It’s great to look out and see a few people in the crowd who clearly didn’t listen first time around - and wonder how they got here!
And great work by your mum! Classy lady with impeccable taste
@adambspencer.bsky.social Was lovely seeing you tonight in Adelaide. I grew up listening to clips of you and Wil my mum had saved on the computer and I finally got to see you both in action! Best of luck with the rest of the show <3
November 16, 2024 at 8:00 AM
Cheers Hino
It’s great to look out and see a few people in the crowd who clearly didn’t listen first time around - and wonder how they got here!
And great work by your mum! Classy lady with impeccable taste
It’s great to look out and see a few people in the crowd who clearly didn’t listen first time around - and wonder how they got here!
And great work by your mum! Classy lady with impeccable taste