A.J. Levin (he/him)
@ajlevin.bsky.social
Freelance writer, genealogist, poet, biographer. Former C18 scholar. English, French, Norwegian, a little Spanish. Passions include music, environment, science literacy, human rights. Also: TwitterRefuG@mastodon.social
Pinned
A.J. Levin (he/him)
@ajlevin.bsky.social
· Aug 26
Thing with GenAI "art":
ADHD types like me spend all day trying to suppress The Voice that says: "Ooh, ooh, draw a mascot for a team called the Flying Skunks."
Or: "Write a troubadour-style song about rutabagas."
We just don't burn down the planet and rip everyone off while doing it.
ADHD types like me spend all day trying to suppress The Voice that says: "Ooh, ooh, draw a mascot for a team called the Flying Skunks."
Or: "Write a troubadour-style song about rutabagas."
We just don't burn down the planet and rip everyone off while doing it.
Look, sometimes I use Australian spelling, sometimes I use an obscure 18th-century Irish dictionary, and much of my fact-checking is based on a 1972 Rand McNally globe: but the important thing is, I dew it my whey.
December 9, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Look, sometimes I use Australian spelling, sometimes I use an obscure 18th-century Irish dictionary, and much of my fact-checking is based on a 1972 Rand McNally globe: but the important thing is, I dew it my whey.
Occam's cheese knife
What's more likely, that the C in E=MC² stands for "the speed of light", a term which doesn't even contain the letter c, or that it stands for "cheese", a word that is widely known for starting with c?
December 8, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Occam's cheese knife
Worth reading.
Similar techniques to the fake networks used on the Steam gaming platform to defraud people of virtual items/their accounts.
Similar techniques to the fake networks used on the Steam gaming platform to defraud people of virtual items/their accounts.
🧵 These hundreds of attractive X/Twitter "MAGA patriots" don't exist.
They use stolen photos and hacked X accounts.
A chatbot equivalent helps them to gain thousands of followers.
There are 5+ potentially-separate networks.
The location transparency feature WON'T expose many of them.
They use stolen photos and hacked X accounts.
A chatbot equivalent helps them to gain thousands of followers.
There are 5+ potentially-separate networks.
The location transparency feature WON'T expose many of them.
December 4, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Worth reading.
Similar techniques to the fake networks used on the Steam gaming platform to defraud people of virtual items/their accounts.
Similar techniques to the fake networks used on the Steam gaming platform to defraud people of virtual items/their accounts.
Reposted by A.J. Levin (he/him)
In a time where populists are using the press more effectively than mainstream policians it feels a good time to publish on proto-populists doing the same in 1806
So if you fancy a reappraisal of William Cobbett's early radical influence, this one is for you
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
So if you fancy a reappraisal of William Cobbett's early radical influence, this one is for you
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
‘Rough Work on the Hustings’: Sheridan, Cobbett, and Newspapers in the General Election of 1806
In the late early 18th and early 19th centuries the Westminster constituency became notorious for its contested elections amongst its free and radical electorate, as well as for its longstanding MPs ....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:32 PM
In a time where populists are using the press more effectively than mainstream policians it feels a good time to publish on proto-populists doing the same in 1806
So if you fancy a reappraisal of William Cobbett's early radical influence, this one is for you
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
So if you fancy a reappraisal of William Cobbett's early radical influence, this one is for you
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The existence of Pearl Jam implies the existence of Zildjian Marmalade.
December 4, 2025 at 1:19 AM
The existence of Pearl Jam implies the existence of Zildjian Marmalade.
Items/powers gated behind such low, or so many levels of, RNG that they are not in any meaningful sense available to the average player.
November 30, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Items/powers gated behind such low, or so many levels of, RNG that they are not in any meaningful sense available to the average player.
Was talking to a 20-something about how I was once in the front row at an Etta James concert and his eyes lit up. Didn't have to explain who she was.
Some of these kids are all right.
Some of these kids are all right.
November 27, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Was talking to a 20-something about how I was once in the front row at an Etta James concert and his eyes lit up. Didn't have to explain who she was.
Some of these kids are all right.
Some of these kids are all right.
@swordsjew.bsky.social This kind of looks like something you should know about.
Ten two-handed swords that had been kept in an city hall attic for years because everyone assumed they were just replicas turned out to be genuine!
historiek.net/tweehandszwa...
historiek.net/tweehandszwa...
Een ‘sensationele vondst’: tien authentieke tweehandszwaarden ontdekt op Friese zolder
Bij onderzoek in Balk zijn tien zestiende-eeuwse tweehandszwaarden teruggevonden. De authentieke wapens bieden nieuw inzicht in het gebruik van deze imposante zwaarden voorbij de latere legendes.
historiek.net
November 27, 2025 at 1:39 PM
@swordsjew.bsky.social This kind of looks like something you should know about.
Such a versatile actor. Will never forget what he brought to The Kingdom (Riget).
November 24, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Such a versatile actor. Will never forget what he brought to The Kingdom (Riget).
It appears we need a new meta-portmanteau word for misogynoir and mansplaining.
Mansplogynoir?
Mansplogynoir?
November 23, 2025 at 9:20 PM
It appears we need a new meta-portmanteau word for misogynoir and mansplaining.
Mansplogynoir?
Mansplogynoir?
The tech monopolies need to be dismantled, and some of their leaders sent to The Hague for crimes against humanity.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 1:44 PM
The tech monopolies need to be dismantled, and some of their leaders sent to The Hague for crimes against humanity.
Reposted by A.J. Levin (he/him)
Scientists should graduate ready to share what they know, effectively. Even the top science programs in our country do not require science communication and public engagement for their graduates. This is dangerous. Let's change the future. Sign the petition to make a difference: bit.ly/3LbnfHB
November 13, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Scientists should graduate ready to share what they know, effectively. Even the top science programs in our country do not require science communication and public engagement for their graduates. This is dangerous. Let's change the future. Sign the petition to make a difference: bit.ly/3LbnfHB
Reposted by A.J. Levin (he/him)
HORROR FANS WANTED!
My friend and colleague Mathias Clasen desperately needs horror fans to help with his new study. The survey below doesn't take long to complete, and your participation is appreciated by him and his collaborators.
Details 👇
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/brighton/i...
My friend and colleague Mathias Clasen desperately needs horror fans to help with his new study. The survey below doesn't take long to complete, and your participation is appreciated by him and his collaborators.
Details 👇
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/brighton/i...
Identifying the Relationship between personal concerns and enjoyment of horror films (Denmark)
Online surveys is a powerful, easy to use tool for creating online surveys. Run by Jisc, online surveys is used by over 300 different organisations in the UK...
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk
November 12, 2025 at 9:56 AM
HORROR FANS WANTED!
My friend and colleague Mathias Clasen desperately needs horror fans to help with his new study. The survey below doesn't take long to complete, and your participation is appreciated by him and his collaborators.
Details 👇
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/brighton/i...
My friend and colleague Mathias Clasen desperately needs horror fans to help with his new study. The survey below doesn't take long to complete, and your participation is appreciated by him and his collaborators.
Details 👇
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/brighton/i...
Reposted by A.J. Levin (he/him)
NEW: I had a very interesting talk with Guillermo del Toro about Frankenstein, AI, tech bros, and whether Mary Shelley really kept Percy Bysshe Shelley's charred heart after he died.
Also, GDT says he hopes to start shooting 'The Buried Giant' next year. (!!!)
www.wired.com/story/guille...
Also, GDT says he hopes to start shooting 'The Buried Giant' next year. (!!!)
www.wired.com/story/guille...
Guillermo del Toro Hopes He’s Dead Before AI Art Goes Mainstream
The “Frankenstein” director tells WIRED the real Victor Frankensteins are tyrannical politicians and Silicon Valley tech bros.
www.wired.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:44 PM
NEW: I had a very interesting talk with Guillermo del Toro about Frankenstein, AI, tech bros, and whether Mary Shelley really kept Percy Bysshe Shelley's charred heart after he died.
Also, GDT says he hopes to start shooting 'The Buried Giant' next year. (!!!)
www.wired.com/story/guille...
Also, GDT says he hopes to start shooting 'The Buried Giant' next year. (!!!)
www.wired.com/story/guille...
The existence of trombones implies the existence of tromcarapaces.
October 29, 2025 at 10:20 AM
The existence of trombones implies the existence of tromcarapaces.
Reposted by A.J. Levin (he/him)
This morning my ChatGPT quota was inexplicably exhausted.
It took a while but I pieced it together. Voice mode somehow got activated when I went to bed.
The bot then engaged in a 10 hour conversation with my snoring dog, answering questions the pup wasn’t asking and praising him for his insight.
It took a while but I pieced it together. Voice mode somehow got activated when I went to bed.
The bot then engaged in a 10 hour conversation with my snoring dog, answering questions the pup wasn’t asking and praising him for his insight.
October 18, 2025 at 9:04 AM
This morning my ChatGPT quota was inexplicably exhausted.
It took a while but I pieced it together. Voice mode somehow got activated when I went to bed.
The bot then engaged in a 10 hour conversation with my snoring dog, answering questions the pup wasn’t asking and praising him for his insight.
It took a while but I pieced it together. Voice mode somehow got activated when I went to bed.
The bot then engaged in a 10 hour conversation with my snoring dog, answering questions the pup wasn’t asking and praising him for his insight.
Making it impossible to bind the W key to anything other than an uninterruptible minute-long dance emote.
game design experiments to see how angry i can get FPS gamers mad at me, starting with "put a bunch of ammo type in game for a gun that never actually shows up"
October 18, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Making it impossible to bind the W key to anything other than an uninterruptible minute-long dance emote.
Thomas Hobbes met Galileo, and easily lived long enough that he could have bought medicines from the apothecary of the original Merck, which eventually developed into the pharmaceutical company we know by that name.
you ever think about those real weird overlaps. like tennessee williams might have listened to the ramones
October 8, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Thomas Hobbes met Galileo, and easily lived long enough that he could have bought medicines from the apothecary of the original Merck, which eventually developed into the pharmaceutical company we know by that name.
She's a knight, an archbishop, and a nurse.
Missed opportunity to go with Lawful good templar named as...
Missed opportunity to go with Lawful good templar named as...
This article manages to name her husband before it names… her.
October 3, 2025 at 3:47 PM
She's a knight, an archbishop, and a nurse.
Missed opportunity to go with Lawful good templar named as...
Missed opportunity to go with Lawful good templar named as...
I'm going to call this
Laysplaining
Laysplaining
really enjoying all the people trying to explain the bible to the pope today
October 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
I'm going to call this
Laysplaining
Laysplaining
Reposted by A.J. Levin (he/him)
His use of PCR sparked a movement that has freed thousands of wrongfully convicted people. Dr. Blake’s testing alone helped to exonerate more than 50, including several sentenced to death. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/s...
Edward T. Blake, 80, Dies; Forensic Expert Sparked Innocence Movement
www.nytimes.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:28 AM
His use of PCR sparked a movement that has freed thousands of wrongfully convicted people. Dr. Blake’s testing alone helped to exonerate more than 50, including several sentenced to death. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/s...
Not surprised that Killing Floor 3 is by most accounts a failure.
I played plenty of KF1 & 2, both enjoyable, but over the past decade there were many missteps which pointed to this being the likely outcome.
I played plenty of KF1 & 2, both enjoyable, but over the past decade there were many missteps which pointed to this being the likely outcome.
September 29, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Not surprised that Killing Floor 3 is by most accounts a failure.
I played plenty of KF1 & 2, both enjoyable, but over the past decade there were many missteps which pointed to this being the likely outcome.
I played plenty of KF1 & 2, both enjoyable, but over the past decade there were many missteps which pointed to this being the likely outcome.
Bit of a change for a transphobe to try to make everyone else obsess about _their_ genitals.
September 20, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Bit of a change for a transphobe to try to make everyone else obsess about _their_ genitals.
Astonishing how little time it took the bleak vision of regulated nationalized comedy as imagined by @veradrew22.bsky.social to become reality.
September 18, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Astonishing how little time it took the bleak vision of regulated nationalized comedy as imagined by @veradrew22.bsky.social to become reality.
Reposted by A.J. Levin (he/him)
“Anti-trans harassment and violence is all the rage. Trans people are afraid to leave the country, let alone leave their houses. The right-wing ecosystem has gladly spent years creating these conditions, while Democrats have by turns avoided saying anything about them at all” 😞
👉🏻 archive.ph/ewBhT
👉🏻 archive.ph/ewBhT
September 15, 2025 at 11:29 PM
“Anti-trans harassment and violence is all the rage. Trans people are afraid to leave the country, let alone leave their houses. The right-wing ecosystem has gladly spent years creating these conditions, while Democrats have by turns avoided saying anything about them at all” 😞
👉🏻 archive.ph/ewBhT
👉🏻 archive.ph/ewBhT