Reposted by infowitch
Folks might not know a lot of people are getting *very* upset that the materials they request are not available in the libraries/archives they're requesting from.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
I wish a notice like this wasn't necessary.
www.icrc.org/en/article/i...
www.icrc.org/en/article/i...
Important notice: AI-generated archival references
www.icrc.org
December 8, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Folks might not know a lot of people are getting *very* upset that the materials they request are not available in the libraries/archives they're requesting from.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
Reposted by infowitch
it’s happening in public libraries too: people are walking up to reference desks with lists of fake articles and books. 📚
Folks might not know a lot of people are getting *very* upset that the materials they request are not available in the libraries/archives they're requesting from.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
I wish a notice like this wasn't necessary.
www.icrc.org/en/article/i...
www.icrc.org/en/article/i...
December 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
it’s happening in public libraries too: people are walking up to reference desks with lists of fake articles and books. 📚
Reposted by infowitch
Speaking as an archivist, the photos from the 1890s on my collection are perfectly fine. But I'm dreading the DVDs and magnetic tape media, most of which are hitting their shelf life, and I have no time, money or storage to digitize/redigitize it (which then introduces the bit rot problem).
This is a huge problem for libraries. We have the problem of “bit rot,” both as the decay of the physical carriers of digital media and as the obsolescence of software & hardware to render that media for use.
And then we have DRM and the problem of ownership.
Going digital is very expensive. 📚
And then we have DRM and the problem of ownership.
Going digital is very expensive. 📚
Physical media is actually more longlasting for posterity than digital media in so many ways. You have books written a thousand years ago carefully preserved in Timbuktu. An article published online may vanish so no one has any record of your work anymore.
December 11, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Speaking as an archivist, the photos from the 1890s on my collection are perfectly fine. But I'm dreading the DVDs and magnetic tape media, most of which are hitting their shelf life, and I have no time, money or storage to digitize/redigitize it (which then introduces the bit rot problem).
Reposted by infowitch
Based on how quiet it is at work on Fridays, I'm pretty sure we could just move to a formal 4-day workweek already.
December 5, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Based on how quiet it is at work on Fridays, I'm pretty sure we could just move to a formal 4-day workweek already.
Reposted by infowitch
hoopla is amazing. it also isn’t cheap. but the best argument we librarians can make to the purse string holders for keeping it is that people actually use it, so please use it! 📚 📺
The positive outcome of this story is that in frantically googling around trying to figure out what happened and how I could at least see the end of the episode, I discovered that the show is available at my local library and actually can be streamed thence via Hoopla 🎉
December 5, 2025 at 3:41 PM
hoopla is amazing. it also isn’t cheap. but the best argument we librarians can make to the purse string holders for keeping it is that people actually use it, so please use it! 📚 📺
Reposted by infowitch
imagine US political culture if Ford hadn't pardoned Nixon, and instead he went to jail
December 4, 2025 at 8:12 PM
imagine US political culture if Ford hadn't pardoned Nixon, and instead he went to jail
Reposted by infowitch
MEN RUIN WOMEN’S LIVES AND END THEM, in the workplace and beyond. This is the only conversation we should be having in this vicinity www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/w...
20-year-old woman killed in attack by male coworker because he said he 'did not like her': Pros.
A 20-year-old Minnesota woman was reportedly killed in an attack prosecutors said was carried out by a male coworker who said he "did not like her."
www.nbcchicago.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:04 PM
MEN RUIN WOMEN’S LIVES AND END THEM, in the workplace and beyond. This is the only conversation we should be having in this vicinity www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/w...
Reposted by infowitch
I'm a pass on card catalogues, but I am all-in on making sure our physical collections not only remain strong, but are designed to encourage browsing.
Despite what consultant-class trends in academic libraries will tell you, our patrons actually do want stacks in the library. We should listen.
Despite what consultant-class trends in academic libraries will tell you, our patrons actually do want stacks in the library. We should listen.
The one thing I really miss about the 'older world' is browsing library stacks, and card catalogues. However much I appreciate databases and retrieving what I want in moments, the serendipity of 'the book next to the one I wanted' and 'the article in the same issue' cannot be replicated. #Libraries
November 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I'm a pass on card catalogues, but I am all-in on making sure our physical collections not only remain strong, but are designed to encourage browsing.
Despite what consultant-class trends in academic libraries will tell you, our patrons actually do want stacks in the library. We should listen.
Despite what consultant-class trends in academic libraries will tell you, our patrons actually do want stacks in the library. We should listen.
Reposted by infowitch
Imagine being at a party and querying Grok to land a burn. All the insulted person needs to reply with is, "You get that sick burn from Grok, you little baby" and then the whole party laughing at you until you die from embarrassment.
November 24, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Imagine being at a party and querying Grok to land a burn. All the insulted person needs to reply with is, "You get that sick burn from Grok, you little baby" and then the whole party laughing at you until you die from embarrassment.
Reposted by infowitch
When this regime does a new horrible thing, it's not a distraction from the other horrible things they're doing. They're just doing a bunch of horrible things.
November 20, 2025 at 8:46 PM
When this regime does a new horrible thing, it's not a distraction from the other horrible things they're doing. They're just doing a bunch of horrible things.
Reposted by infowitch
"no, hosting a stuff swap is not a lot of work, and I’m gonna share my personal blueprint right in this here free post, so you can start stuff swapping wherever you are."
open.substack.com/pub/ashleepi...
open.substack.com/pub/ashleepi...
The antidote to everything? Hold a 'Stuff Swap'
From someone who's been throwing 'em for 20 years (and counting)
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:21 PM
"no, hosting a stuff swap is not a lot of work, and I’m gonna share my personal blueprint right in this here free post, so you can start stuff swapping wherever you are."
open.substack.com/pub/ashleepi...
open.substack.com/pub/ashleepi...
Reposted by infowitch
Ohioans made it clear that they don’t want political battles playing out in our schools and classrooms. This decision by our Statehouse is doing exactly that - and subjecting some of our youngest kids to charged information that directly favors an agenda that Ohioans overwhelmingly voted against.
November 20, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Ohioans made it clear that they don’t want political battles playing out in our schools and classrooms. This decision by our Statehouse is doing exactly that - and subjecting some of our youngest kids to charged information that directly favors an agenda that Ohioans overwhelmingly voted against.
Reposted by infowitch
Goddamn dude, just go ahead knock 25 percent off my 401k and get on with it, I can't take much more of this.
What if the A.I. bubble “is an inevitable part of developing and adopting a revolutionary tool that will fundamentally improve productivity and growth?” Mohamed El-Erian writes.
Opinion | A.I. Is a Bubble. Maybe That’s OK.
Investors’ excitement rightly reflects the potential transformation of the entire economy.
nyti.ms
November 20, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Goddamn dude, just go ahead knock 25 percent off my 401k and get on with it, I can't take much more of this.
Reposted by infowitch
while I’m being cranky, access journalism needs to go. When the president does his “I’m alpha because I insulted you” thing somebody needs to fall on his sword and say “what the fuck is wrong with you, old man?” on a hot mic. the hero of the wizard of Oz is Toto.
November 21, 2025 at 12:11 PM
while I’m being cranky, access journalism needs to go. When the president does his “I’m alpha because I insulted you” thing somebody needs to fall on his sword and say “what the fuck is wrong with you, old man?” on a hot mic. the hero of the wizard of Oz is Toto.
Reposted by infowitch
Fuck. I worked for another CA public library system and I cannot tell you how popular laptops and hotspots were - and our programs were largely externally funded. Esp for folks who had no access to the internet or only had 1 family smart phone. These devices were literal lifesavers.
LA County Library is shutting down its laptop loaning program on Dec. 30 after the Federal Communications Commission cut off assistance for programs meant to improve digital access.
You won’t be able to check out a free laptop from LA County Library after next month. Here’s why
The FCC voted to end e-rate discounts for digital lending programs forcing LA County Library to end its loan service.
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Fuck. I worked for another CA public library system and I cannot tell you how popular laptops and hotspots were - and our programs were largely externally funded. Esp for folks who had no access to the internet or only had 1 family smart phone. These devices were literal lifesavers.
Reposted by infowitch
To combat childhood hunger, I’ll start by implementing free breakfast and lunch in our schools. I’ll support our local food banks, work to raise the minimum wage, and invest in our local food systems.
November 19, 2025 at 10:22 PM
To combat childhood hunger, I’ll start by implementing free breakfast and lunch in our schools. I’ll support our local food banks, work to raise the minimum wage, and invest in our local food systems.
Reposted by infowitch
When Vivek Ramaswamy was asked this week how he would combat childhood hunger, he tossed aside the starving kids in our state and said that if you know how to read, you should never find yourself in poverty.
November 19, 2025 at 10:22 PM
When Vivek Ramaswamy was asked this week how he would combat childhood hunger, he tossed aside the starving kids in our state and said that if you know how to read, you should never find yourself in poverty.
Reposted by infowitch
It’s good to explain that the CDC is lying and vaccines still unequivocally do not cause autism, even if it just reaches one person on here who has doubts. But the fight is out there, not in here; and the time to let go of the information deficit model of science communication was decades ago
November 20, 2025 at 5:40 AM
It’s good to explain that the CDC is lying and vaccines still unequivocally do not cause autism, even if it just reaches one person on here who has doubts. But the fight is out there, not in here; and the time to let go of the information deficit model of science communication was decades ago
Reposted by infowitch
NEW:
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
“Ticking Time Bomb”: A Pregnant Mother Kept Getting Sicker. She Died After She Couldn’t Get an Abortion in Texas.
Walker is one of several women ProPublica found with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 11:08 AM
NEW:
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
Reposted by infowitch
Because it went so well for music companies the last time tech tried to "disrupt" everything. It's incredible as a Millennial who grew up in the Napster years to see an industry form an entire business model around punching themselves in the face.
“Klay is building a product that will offer the features of a streaming service like Spotify, amplified by AI technology that will let users remake songs in different styles.
Klay has licensed the rights to thousands of hit songs so that it can train its large language model”
Klay has licensed the rights to thousands of hit songs so that it can train its large language model”
November 20, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Because it went so well for music companies the last time tech tried to "disrupt" everything. It's incredible as a Millennial who grew up in the Napster years to see an industry form an entire business model around punching themselves in the face.
Reposted by infowitch
My most woke opinion is that the whole point of society is to collectively help each other. My taxes should be going towards housing and feeding everyone. No one should be without food or shelter. Rich people should be contributing more towards this. It shouldn't even be controversial!
November 20, 2025 at 12:58 PM
My most woke opinion is that the whole point of society is to collectively help each other. My taxes should be going towards housing and feeding everyone. No one should be without food or shelter. Rich people should be contributing more towards this. It shouldn't even be controversial!
Reposted by infowitch
This is why we say the so-called exceptions for the pregnant person’s life aren’t real. This woman had severe preeclampsia and wanted to abort the pregnancy to save her life. None of the 90 doctors she saw, 21 of whom were in ob-gyn, offered it. Her 16 yo son found her dead in their home.
I don't know how many more women need to die before the cruelty of these strict abortion laws finally dawn on us a society. This story is heartbreaking. Nothing about this is pro-life. It is anti woman and anti-life.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
“Ticking Time Bomb”: A Pregnant Mother Kept Getting Sicker. She Died After She Couldn’t Get an Abortion in Texas.
Walker is one of several women ProPublica found with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
This is why we say the so-called exceptions for the pregnant person’s life aren’t real. This woman had severe preeclampsia and wanted to abort the pregnancy to save her life. None of the 90 doctors she saw, 21 of whom were in ob-gyn, offered it. Her 16 yo son found her dead in their home.
Reposted by infowitch
Starbucks can end this today: bargain in good faith, resolve unfair labor practices, and stop the union-busting.
Until then, workers are holding the line! #NoCoffeeNoContract
Until then, workers are holding the line! #NoCoffeeNoContract
November 19, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Starbucks can end this today: bargain in good faith, resolve unfair labor practices, and stop the union-busting.
Until then, workers are holding the line! #NoCoffeeNoContract
Until then, workers are holding the line! #NoCoffeeNoContract
Reposted by infowitch
So MAGA, You see these two? One of them is your dear leader, the other is a Prince in a country where CHRISTIANITY IS BANNED. Where you can be arrested for being a CHRISTIAN, for displaying CHRISTIAN symbols and even, for having a bible.
But go ahead, tell me how much fucking MONEY he's investing.
But go ahead, tell me how much fucking MONEY he's investing.
November 19, 2025 at 9:42 PM
So MAGA, You see these two? One of them is your dear leader, the other is a Prince in a country where CHRISTIANITY IS BANNED. Where you can be arrested for being a CHRISTIAN, for displaying CHRISTIAN symbols and even, for having a bible.
But go ahead, tell me how much fucking MONEY he's investing.
But go ahead, tell me how much fucking MONEY he's investing.
Reposted by infowitch
Five corporations control 90% of the US media market.
Airlines merged from 12 major carriers in 1980 to 4 today.
Four giants control 80% of meat processing.
A handful of companies control the pharmaceutical industry.
The evidence of corporate concentration is everywhere.
Airlines merged from 12 major carriers in 1980 to 4 today.
Four giants control 80% of meat processing.
A handful of companies control the pharmaceutical industry.
The evidence of corporate concentration is everywhere.
November 19, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Five corporations control 90% of the US media market.
Airlines merged from 12 major carriers in 1980 to 4 today.
Four giants control 80% of meat processing.
A handful of companies control the pharmaceutical industry.
The evidence of corporate concentration is everywhere.
Airlines merged from 12 major carriers in 1980 to 4 today.
Four giants control 80% of meat processing.
A handful of companies control the pharmaceutical industry.
The evidence of corporate concentration is everywhere.