Sam Littlefair
@littlefair.ca
building @vowel.cc · documenting #storyblok · shooting #35mm · living #yhz
*posts reflect my views, not my employer’s
*posts reflect my views, not my employer’s
Pinned
Sam Littlefair
@littlefair.ca
· Nov 12
I'm excited to see that there is a lively film photography community on Bluesky. To introduce myself, here are some of my favorite shots. 🧵 #believeinfilm
I asked the scorpion if it will sting me! Here’s what it said…
November 10, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I asked the scorpion if it will sting me! Here’s what it said…
Just remembered this banger from Inspector Gadget (1999).
November 5, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Just remembered this banger from Inspector Gadget (1999).
Progress on @vowel.cc:
I started writing a Unified.js plugin to process the Markdown input. I was planning to write all of my templates as string literals, but — to my surprise — I realized I can probably do it all with Unified.
I started writing a Unified.js plugin to process the Markdown input. I was planning to write all of my templates as string literals, but — to my surprise — I realized I can probably do it all with Unified.
November 3, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Progress on @vowel.cc:
I started writing a Unified.js plugin to process the Markdown input. I was planning to write all of my templates as string literals, but — to my surprise — I realized I can probably do it all with Unified.
I started writing a Unified.js plugin to process the Markdown input. I was planning to write all of my templates as string literals, but — to my surprise — I realized I can probably do it all with Unified.
How do we feel about this as a tagline?
Vowel: Very Obvious WEb Language
Vowel: Very Obvious WEb Language
Progress on @vowel.cc: I have one dependency (Remark). On execution, Vowel reads your markdown files and writes basic HTML to an output folder.
I'm using node:sqlite for the cache and I'm working on a plugin system for handling different file types (images, fonts, styles).
I'm using node:sqlite for the cache and I'm working on a plugin system for handling different file types (images, fonts, styles).
October 31, 2025 at 12:20 AM
How do we feel about this as a tagline?
Vowel: Very Obvious WEb Language
Vowel: Very Obvious WEb Language
Progress on @vowel.cc: I have one dependency (Remark). On execution, Vowel reads your markdown files and writes basic HTML to an output folder.
I'm using node:sqlite for the cache and I'm working on a plugin system for handling different file types (images, fonts, styles).
I'm using node:sqlite for the cache and I'm working on a plugin system for handling different file types (images, fonts, styles).
October 31, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Progress on @vowel.cc: I have one dependency (Remark). On execution, Vowel reads your markdown files and writes basic HTML to an output folder.
I'm using node:sqlite for the cache and I'm working on a plugin system for handling different file types (images, fonts, styles).
I'm using node:sqlite for the cache and I'm working on a plugin system for handling different file types (images, fonts, styles).
I carved a pumpkin inspired by my greatest fears.
October 20, 2025 at 12:24 PM
I carved a pumpkin inspired by my greatest fears.
I don't really have any problem with people choosing vibe coding, but..... today I'm learning a new coding language and writing some code by hand, and it is just so enjoyable.
Sure, it might be slow and laborious, but goddamn if it isn't satisfying.
Sure, it might be slow and laborious, but goddamn if it isn't satisfying.
October 17, 2025 at 2:35 PM
I don't really have any problem with people choosing vibe coding, but..... today I'm learning a new coding language and writing some code by hand, and it is just so enjoyable.
Sure, it might be slow and laborious, but goddamn if it isn't satisfying.
Sure, it might be slow and laborious, but goddamn if it isn't satisfying.
Getting back to work on @vowel.cc this morning. First order of business: set up caching logic with node:sqlite.
I have no idea how Node has built a database wrapper that can read and write with using a promise or a callback, but damn it's cool.
I have no idea how Node has built a database wrapper that can read and write with using a promise or a callback, but damn it's cool.
October 16, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Getting back to work on @vowel.cc this morning. First order of business: set up caching logic with node:sqlite.
I have no idea how Node has built a database wrapper that can read and write with using a promise or a callback, but damn it's cool.
I have no idea how Node has built a database wrapper that can read and write with using a promise or a callback, but damn it's cool.
I went down a deep #TechnicalWriting rabbit hole yesterday.
When describing a tab or subpage, it's common to use an angle bracket, like `Configuration > Privacy`. And typically you would bold the words. But should you bold the angle bracket?
1/4
When describing a tab or subpage, it's common to use an angle bracket, like `Configuration > Privacy`. And typically you would bold the words. But should you bold the angle bracket?
1/4
October 10, 2025 at 2:59 PM
I went down a deep #TechnicalWriting rabbit hole yesterday.
When describing a tab or subpage, it's common to use an angle bracket, like `Configuration > Privacy`. And typically you would bold the words. But should you bold the angle bracket?
1/4
When describing a tab or subpage, it's common to use an angle bracket, like `Configuration > Privacy`. And typically you would bold the words. But should you bold the angle bracket?
1/4
Just reflecting on the fact that the hallmark of intelligence is the ability to learn, but LLMs can never learn. The model is frozen.
In that way, our understanding of AI has stepped backwards: machine learning is simulated intelligence; but chatbots are just the output of that process.
In that way, our understanding of AI has stepped backwards: machine learning is simulated intelligence; but chatbots are just the output of that process.
October 8, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Just reflecting on the fact that the hallmark of intelligence is the ability to learn, but LLMs can never learn. The model is frozen.
In that way, our understanding of AI has stepped backwards: machine learning is simulated intelligence; but chatbots are just the output of that process.
In that way, our understanding of AI has stepped backwards: machine learning is simulated intelligence; but chatbots are just the output of that process.
I just realized that Google Workspace doesn't include a text editor by default, and that seems tyrannical.
October 7, 2025 at 5:15 PM
I just realized that Google Workspace doesn't include a text editor by default, and that seems tyrannical.
Vim-style commands in Chrome ~
Create a JavaScript bookmarklet in Chrome to execute a little action (e.g. "click_save"), then in Vimium (assuming its already installed) map `:` to open the bookmarks Vomnibar. Type `:click_save` to run your JavaScript 🔥
Create a JavaScript bookmarklet in Chrome to execute a little action (e.g. "click_save"), then in Vimium (assuming its already installed) map `:` to open the bookmarks Vomnibar. Type `:click_save` to run your JavaScript 🔥
October 6, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Vim-style commands in Chrome ~
Create a JavaScript bookmarklet in Chrome to execute a little action (e.g. "click_save"), then in Vimium (assuming its already installed) map `:` to open the bookmarks Vomnibar. Type `:click_save` to run your JavaScript 🔥
Create a JavaScript bookmarklet in Chrome to execute a little action (e.g. "click_save"), then in Vimium (assuming its already installed) map `:` to open the bookmarks Vomnibar. Type `:click_save` to run your JavaScript 🔥
Woahh Helix Editor now has a built-in file explorer.
(If you're used to normal computer interfaces, this post seems like it comes out of the 1970s. If you've ever tried to set up Vim, this feels like a utopian future.)
(If you're used to normal computer interfaces, this post seems like it comes out of the 1970s. If you've ever tried to set up Vim, this feels like a utopian future.)
October 1, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Woahh Helix Editor now has a built-in file explorer.
(If you're used to normal computer interfaces, this post seems like it comes out of the 1970s. If you've ever tried to set up Vim, this feels like a utopian future.)
(If you're used to normal computer interfaces, this post seems like it comes out of the 1970s. If you've ever tried to set up Vim, this feels like a utopian future.)
My hot take is that if you can get something for free or cheap from an evil corporation you should milk it for all it’s worth. Eventually they’ll realize they’re losing money and change strategy. Abandon ship at that point, when they’re really desperate.
I get it, it sucks that open source projects get a lot of funding from this. But if there is one good thing to come out of this, it's funding for FLOSS.
I can only speak about Svelte here, which is an independent project. We get funding from Vercel, but they don't control it.
I can only speak about Svelte here, which is an independent project. We get funding from Vercel, but they don't control it.
fuck vercel, fuck Next.js, fuck Svelte, fuck Turborepo, fuck SWR, fuck SWC
Posing with the architect of a genocide for sales leads is an insane and deeply immoral stance
these projects cannot separate themselves from the CEO of the company who funds them
Posing with the architect of a genocide for sales leads is an insane and deeply immoral stance
these projects cannot separate themselves from the CEO of the company who funds them
September 30, 2025 at 6:32 PM
My hot take is that if you can get something for free or cheap from an evil corporation you should milk it for all it’s worth. Eventually they’ll realize they’re losing money and change strategy. Abandon ship at that point, when they’re really desperate.
Update on this saga:
I complained to the CCTS. They said my complaint (improper treatment) was valid and told Bell to offer redress. Bell refused. The CCTS doubled down. Bell acquiesced, apologized, audited the interaction, and offered me a $32/month discount permanently.
I complained to the CCTS. They said my complaint (improper treatment) was valid and told Bell to offer redress. Bell refused. The CCTS doubled down. Bell acquiesced, apologized, audited the interaction, and offered me a $32/month discount permanently.
I just got yet another phone call from the collections department at Bell threatening to disconnect my service.
I told them (for the third time) that they haven't received payment yet because the account belonged to my mom who died in April.
I took over the account a week ago.
I told them (for the third time) that they haven't received payment yet because the account belonged to my mom who died in April.
I took over the account a week ago.
September 25, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Update on this saga:
I complained to the CCTS. They said my complaint (improper treatment) was valid and told Bell to offer redress. Bell refused. The CCTS doubled down. Bell acquiesced, apologized, audited the interaction, and offered me a $32/month discount permanently.
I complained to the CCTS. They said my complaint (improper treatment) was valid and told Bell to offer redress. Bell refused. The CCTS doubled down. Bell acquiesced, apologized, audited the interaction, and offered me a $32/month discount permanently.
Exciting hardware upgrade: I ordered an original FireWire charger for my 4th-generation iPod, and it charges way faster than a USB charger. I can finally reliably charge my iPod, which is great because I use this thing friggin constantly.
September 25, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Exciting hardware upgrade: I ordered an original FireWire charger for my 4th-generation iPod, and it charges way faster than a USB charger. I can finally reliably charge my iPod, which is great because I use this thing friggin constantly.
Medical researchers: “Any amount of alcohol consumption is harmful to your health.”
Evolutionary biologists: “We evolved to be booze hounds.”
theconversation.com/chimpanzees-...
Evolutionary biologists: “We evolved to be booze hounds.”
theconversation.com/chimpanzees-...
Chimpanzees ingest more than the equivalent of one alcoholic drink a day – new research
Alcohol consumption is common across human societies, but do animals other than humans regularly drink alcohol?
theconversation.com
September 25, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Medical researchers: “Any amount of alcohol consumption is harmful to your health.”
Evolutionary biologists: “We evolved to be booze hounds.”
theconversation.com/chimpanzees-...
Evolutionary biologists: “We evolved to be booze hounds.”
theconversation.com/chimpanzees-...
CBC reports on the mental health consequences of the unregulated chatbot industry: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
I have a feeling that chatbots will be the cigarettes of the 21st century.
I have a feeling that chatbots will be the cigarettes of the 21st century.
Long talks with chatbots left these men with 'AI psychosis' | CBC News
Reports of delusions fuelled by conversations with AI chatbots have been growing, with some cases involving psychotic breaks, hospital stays and even violence. Two Canadians have launched an online su...
www.cbc.ca
September 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
CBC reports on the mental health consequences of the unregulated chatbot industry: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
I have a feeling that chatbots will be the cigarettes of the 21st century.
I have a feeling that chatbots will be the cigarettes of the 21st century.
A peaceful Mi’kmaq blockade of clear-cutting in the Cape Breton Highlands has worked and the logging company has started removing equipment. The RCMP said that blocking the roadway was illegal but it sounds like they haven’t interfered with the protest. www.cbc.ca/news/indigen...
Paper company suspends logging in Cape Breton Highlands amid Mi'kmaw blockade | CBC News
A company responsible for logging in an area on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia has temporarily suspended its operations after a group of Mi'kmaq blocked the road into the forest, according to a new...
www.cbc.ca
September 14, 2025 at 3:38 PM
A peaceful Mi’kmaq blockade of clear-cutting in the Cape Breton Highlands has worked and the logging company has started removing equipment. The RCMP said that blocking the roadway was illegal but it sounds like they haven’t interfered with the protest. www.cbc.ca/news/indigen...
I just downloaded Bluesky from the App Store and instead Apple installed TikTok on my phone. For real. No joke. TikTok downloaded.
September 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I just downloaded Bluesky from the App Store and instead Apple installed TikTok on my phone. For real. No joke. TikTok downloaded.
Wow. The hallucinations are the feature. Users want confident wrong answers. No one wants to hear "I can't do that Dave." theconversation.com/why-openais-...
Why OpenAI’s solution to AI hallucinations would kill ChatGPT tomorrow
The cure is likely to be worse than the disease.
theconversation.com
September 13, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Wow. The hallucinations are the feature. Users want confident wrong answers. No one wants to hear "I can't do that Dave." theconversation.com/why-openais-...
Recent side quest has been organizing my music library with beets.io, and it has really been a delight.
At some point I'll share some deets on how I set up a custom nested navigation menus on my iPod.
At some point I'll share some deets on how I set up a custom nested navigation menus on my iPod.
September 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Recent side quest has been organizing my music library with beets.io, and it has really been a delight.
At some point I'll share some deets on how I set up a custom nested navigation menus on my iPod.
At some point I'll share some deets on how I set up a custom nested navigation menus on my iPod.
Just learned that there's been a huge explosion in flimsy studies that make wild claims like "eggs cause dementia." This meta-analysis found three per year in the 2010s and then *two hundred* last year. 😟 journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
September 8, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Just learned that there's been a huge explosion in flimsy studies that make wild claims like "eggs cause dementia." This meta-analysis found three per year in the 2010s and then *two hundred* last year. 😟 journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Scientists found a species of ant that gives birth to a completely different species of ant. (A first in the entire animal kingdom.) www.nature.com/articles/s41...
One mother for two species via obligate cross-species cloning in ants - Nature
In a case of obligate cross-species cloning, female ants of Messor ibericus need to clone males of Messor structor to obtain sperm for producing the worker caste, resulting in males from the same moth...
www.nature.com
September 8, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Scientists found a species of ant that gives birth to a completely different species of ant. (A first in the entire animal kingdom.) www.nature.com/articles/s41...
I just got yet another phone call from the collections department at Bell threatening to disconnect my service.
I told them (for the third time) that they haven't received payment yet because the account belonged to my mom who died in April.
I took over the account a week ago.
I told them (for the third time) that they haven't received payment yet because the account belonged to my mom who died in April.
I took over the account a week ago.
September 3, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I just got yet another phone call from the collections department at Bell threatening to disconnect my service.
I told them (for the third time) that they haven't received payment yet because the account belonged to my mom who died in April.
I took over the account a week ago.
I told them (for the third time) that they haven't received payment yet because the account belonged to my mom who died in April.
I took over the account a week ago.