Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
@zibaldoni.bsky.social
山人. 'The Notebook: a History of Thinking on Paper' is available everywhere. 'Book of the Year' pick by Waterstones, New Yorker, New Statesman, Spectator, Toronto Globe, Engelsberg Ideas, Lit Hub, Austin Kleon, Ryan Holiday, Stephen L. Carter...
Pinned
I’d not be doing social media at all if it wasn’t part of the ‘being a conscientious author’ job description. By which I mean, an author who wants to help their publisher get their book read by as many people as possible. But what’s my book about, and where did it come from?
Relatable content from Tom Gauld (again!)
November 10, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Relatable content from Tom Gauld (again!)
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
“authors & publishers who filed a lawsuit against the Sam Altman-led firm have secured access to internal Slack messages… discussing the mass deletion of a pirated books dataset… A NY district court ordered OpenAI to hand over the communications regarding data deletion”
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
OpenAI in Danger After Authors Suing It Gain Access to Its Internal Slack Messages
Authors and publishers, who are suing OpenAI, secured access to internal Slack messages and emails discussing the deletion of pirated books.
futurism.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:57 AM
“authors & publishers who filed a lawsuit against the Sam Altman-led firm have secured access to internal Slack messages… discussing the mass deletion of a pirated books dataset… A NY district court ordered OpenAI to hand over the communications regarding data deletion”
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
On 8.
November 9, 2025 at 10:13 AM
On 8.
Well this was nice to see. (Ryan runs what looks like a beautifully curated bookshop, and shouts out other authors relentlessly, and is A Good Thing)
November 6, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Well this was nice to see. (Ryan runs what looks like a beautifully curated bookshop, and shouts out other authors relentlessly, and is A Good Thing)
AI = productivity gains for computer-virus coders, yay!
New: Google says it has discovered at least 5 malware families that use AI to rewrite their code and generate new capabilities on the fly, suggesting AI-powered malware is finally starting to take off. cloud.google.com/blog/topics/...
Report also has interesting stories about state actors' AI use.
Report also has interesting stories about state actors' AI use.
November 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
AI = productivity gains for computer-virus coders, yay!
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
Oil is the most Lovecraftian thing that actually exists.
November 5, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Oil is the most Lovecraftian thing that actually exists.
Hello Oxford! That's what I'll be saying in a couple of weeks. Join me at the Ashmolean to talk notebooks on November 17th. @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social
www.ashmolean.org/event/member...
www.ashmolean.org/event/member...
HOW PUTTING PEN TO PAPER CHANGED THE WORLD
In this author talk by Roland Allen, explore the pivotal role notebooks have played – and continue to play – in shaping the creativity and ingenuity of artists, writers, scientists and thinkers of all...
www.ashmolean.org
November 3, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Hello Oxford! That's what I'll be saying in a couple of weeks. Join me at the Ashmolean to talk notebooks on November 17th. @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social
www.ashmolean.org/event/member...
www.ashmolean.org/event/member...
@ohgodwhatnow.bsky.social surprisingly poor answers to an interesting question on the Friday pod. Look up 'Turkish Businessperson Visa' (Ankara Agreement) which explains!
November 2, 2025 at 10:07 PM
@ohgodwhatnow.bsky.social surprisingly poor answers to an interesting question on the Friday pod. Look up 'Turkish Businessperson Visa' (Ankara Agreement) which explains!
@ellencph.bsky.social worth going back for a follow-up on this one to see how it worked out?
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
Why Bookshop.org is not the saviour the book world needs
The “ethical” alternative to Amazon was lauded when it arrived in the UK in November. But a number of high street booksellers and independent publishers are sceptical.
www.newstatesman.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:36 PM
@ellencph.bsky.social worth going back for a follow-up on this one to see how it worked out?
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
We The People!!
✊🏽 ✊🏻 ✊🏿 ✊🏾
✊🏽 ✊🏻 ✊🏿 ✊🏾
October 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
We The People!!
✊🏽 ✊🏻 ✊🏿 ✊🏾
✊🏽 ✊🏻 ✊🏿 ✊🏾
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
NEW: Police knew a Kremlin spy ring recruited former leader of Reform Wales at least 3 years ago.
So why was Nathan Gill not charged till Feb this year?
Pls read part 2 of @thenerve.news special investigation into Nathan Gill. And please share!
1/
So why was Nathan Gill not charged till Feb this year?
Pls read part 2 of @thenerve.news special investigation into Nathan Gill. And please share!
1/
October 18, 2025 at 8:53 AM
NEW: Police knew a Kremlin spy ring recruited former leader of Reform Wales at least 3 years ago.
So why was Nathan Gill not charged till Feb this year?
Pls read part 2 of @thenerve.news special investigation into Nathan Gill. And please share!
1/
So why was Nathan Gill not charged till Feb this year?
Pls read part 2 of @thenerve.news special investigation into Nathan Gill. And please share!
1/
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
I will use any excuse to bring up Dürer's self-portrait again when talking about his drawings.
October 17, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I will use any excuse to bring up Dürer's self-portrait again when talking about his drawings.
I don't normally like dumping on honest pros doing their job but I've just been round the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz and am disappointed to the point of fury.
October 14, 2025 at 9:43 AM
I don't normally like dumping on honest pros doing their job but I've just been round the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz and am disappointed to the point of fury.
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
A perennial favourite.
I reckon the bookshop was Galloway & Porter on Sidney Street in Cambridge. Showing my age there.
I reckon the bookshop was Galloway & Porter on Sidney Street in Cambridge. Showing my age there.
October 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
A perennial favourite.
I reckon the bookshop was Galloway & Porter on Sidney Street in Cambridge. Showing my age there.
I reckon the bookshop was Galloway & Porter on Sidney Street in Cambridge. Showing my age there.
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
Happy Bookshop Day! There are over 200 independent children's bookshops on my map so do pay your local one a visit. It's regularly updated but please let me know of any more I could add. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...
October 11, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Happy Bookshop Day! There are over 200 independent children's bookshops on my map so do pay your local one a visit. It's regularly updated but please let me know of any more I could add. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
It's Bookshop Day! Get down to your local independent bookshop and buy a book or three. No local bookshop? Snap up a book with us 10-12 October and you could WIN a £250 gift card.
EVERY sale supports indie booksellers, not billionaires. uk.bookshop.org/lists/win-a-...
EVERY sale supports indie booksellers, not billionaires. uk.bookshop.org/lists/win-a-...
October 11, 2025 at 8:42 AM
It's Bookshop Day! Get down to your local independent bookshop and buy a book or three. No local bookshop? Snap up a book with us 10-12 October and you could WIN a £250 gift card.
EVERY sale supports indie booksellers, not billionaires. uk.bookshop.org/lists/win-a-...
EVERY sale supports indie booksellers, not billionaires. uk.bookshop.org/lists/win-a-...
A thread 🧵 of pure gold 👇
We are realizing that we have no idea what British people think a “flapjack” is.
October 11, 2025 at 7:54 AM
A thread 🧵 of pure gold 👇
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
This important report reveals that increased AI use in schools:
-causes teachers and students to have more concern about AI
-makes students feel less connected to teachers
and that 71% of teachers worry AI weakens critical thinking & research skills.
-causes teachers and students to have more concern about AI
-makes students feel less connected to teachers
and that 71% of teachers worry AI weakens critical thinking & research skills.
Hand in Hand: Schools’ Embrace of AI Connected to Increased Risks to Students
Artificial intelligence (AI) has continued to alter the educational experiences of teachers, students, and parents during the 2024-25 school year. The frequency and variety of AI uses continues to gro...
cdt.org
October 8, 2025 at 11:30 AM
This important report reveals that increased AI use in schools:
-causes teachers and students to have more concern about AI
-makes students feel less connected to teachers
and that 71% of teachers worry AI weakens critical thinking & research skills.
-causes teachers and students to have more concern about AI
-makes students feel less connected to teachers
and that 71% of teachers worry AI weakens critical thinking & research skills.
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
God keep me from ever completing anything.
October 9, 2025 at 10:47 AM
God keep me from ever completing anything.
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
the usa said "let's roll shit back to the feudal era" and the vatican said "alright bitch"
October 9, 2025 at 11:51 AM
the usa said "let's roll shit back to the feudal era" and the vatican said "alright bitch"
Reposted by Roland Allen, author of 'The Notebook: a History'
TFW you paid $1400 to see Beckett’s most famous work without knowing anything about it
October 8, 2025 at 9:26 PM
TFW you paid $1400 to see Beckett’s most famous work without knowing anything about it
A moment of joy in a grim world
Osric, BAFFLED, but still hasn't delivered his message
www.english.cam.ac.uk/research/slo...
Please enjoy Osric in glorious technicolour (Peter Cushing in Olivier's 1948 film). (I sometimes have to remind myself that King Lear's Oswald is very much not Osric 2.0, but a properly nasty piece of work.)
www.english.cam.ac.uk/research/slo...
Please enjoy Osric in glorious technicolour (Peter Cushing in Olivier's 1948 film). (I sometimes have to remind myself that King Lear's Oswald is very much not Osric 2.0, but a properly nasty piece of work.)
October 9, 2025 at 9:31 AM
A moment of joy in a grim world
Kemi made me do it.
October 9, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Kemi made me do it.
This is the sort of shit that people come up with before settling down to a long evening in front of Netflix or Apple TV, watching shows made in the UK by humanities graduates, that attracting inward investment, then generate massive export revenues.
October 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
This is the sort of shit that people come up with before settling down to a long evening in front of Netflix or Apple TV, watching shows made in the UK by humanities graduates, that attracting inward investment, then generate massive export revenues.