Matt Robertshaw
@mattjrobertshaw.bsky.social
> Historian of Haiti and the second French colonial empire
> Newspaper republisher @ Black Republic of Letters
> Video essayist @ Sleeper Hit History
> Guitar player @ The Relative Minors
> Elbows-up Canadian
> JJ & Wes's dad
> Newspaper republisher @ Black Republic of Letters
> Video essayist @ Sleeper Hit History
> Guitar player @ The Relative Minors
> Elbows-up Canadian
> JJ & Wes's dad
Pinned
Black Republic of Letters: Main
scalar.library.yorku.ca
Hello blue world. Just wading in to let you know that I'm working on an indie digital humanities project: a website & repository for La Fraternité, a Haitian🇭🇹 newspaper in Paris🇫🇷 in the 1890s.
It's still in development, but check it out if you're interested:
scalar.library.yorku.ca/black-republ...
It's still in development, but check it out if you're interested:
scalar.library.yorku.ca/black-republ...
#Haiti has qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 52 years! Check out my video to learn more about the first time they were there.
Sleeper Hit History #1: Haiti and Zaire at the 1974 World Cup
YouTube video by Sleeper Hit History
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 4:17 PM
#Haiti has qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 52 years! Check out my video to learn more about the first time they were there.
Max Scherzer is a Canadian icon.
October 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Max Scherzer is a Canadian icon.
Nice to see that the woman who's trying to bring democracy back to Venezuela won the Peace Prize and not the guy who's bombing its ships.
October 10, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Nice to see that the woman who's trying to bring democracy back to Venezuela won the Peace Prize and not the guy who's bombing its ships.
Dear tech billionaires: please put ChatGPT behind a really expensive paywall.
October 2, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Dear tech billionaires: please put ChatGPT behind a really expensive paywall.
The International Labour Organization is spelled with a U and a Z. So is it secretly Canadian?
August 20, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The International Labour Organization is spelled with a U and a Z. So is it secretly Canadian?
Reposted by Matt Robertshaw
• Benito Sylvain tackles racism in the press 👊
• Mormons abolish polygamy 💍
• A plea for the Dutch king to join the antislavery effort 🇳🇱
• An exposé on spiritism and hypnotism 🔮
• Fingerprinting technology in China 🇨🇳
• A French musician sued by an American promoter 🎻
• What's on in the theatre?🎭
• Mormons abolish polygamy 💍
• A plea for the Dutch king to join the antislavery effort 🇳🇱
• An exposé on spiritism and hypnotism 🔮
• Fingerprinting technology in China 🇨🇳
• A French musician sued by an American promoter 🎻
• What's on in the theatre?🎭
August 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
• Benito Sylvain tackles racism in the press 👊
• Mormons abolish polygamy 💍
• A plea for the Dutch king to join the antislavery effort 🇳🇱
• An exposé on spiritism and hypnotism 🔮
• Fingerprinting technology in China 🇨🇳
• A French musician sued by an American promoter 🎻
• What's on in the theatre?🎭
• Mormons abolish polygamy 💍
• A plea for the Dutch king to join the antislavery effort 🇳🇱
• An exposé on spiritism and hypnotism 🔮
• Fingerprinting technology in China 🇨🇳
• A French musician sued by an American promoter 🎻
• What's on in the theatre?🎭
Reposted by Matt Robertshaw
The 8th issue of La Fraternité (🇭🇹🗞️🇫🇷) is now available. Peruse the news from 14 October 1890.
See highlights below.
#HaitianSky #FrenchHistory #Paris1890 #YesterdaysNews
See highlights below.
#HaitianSky #FrenchHistory #Paris1890 #YesterdaysNews
Black Republic of Letters: Year 1, Issue 8 – 14 October 1890
scalar.library.yorku.ca
August 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
The 8th issue of La Fraternité (🇭🇹🗞️🇫🇷) is now available. Peruse the news from 14 October 1890.
See highlights below.
#HaitianSky #FrenchHistory #Paris1890 #YesterdaysNews
See highlights below.
#HaitianSky #FrenchHistory #Paris1890 #YesterdaysNews
The 8th issue of La Fraternité (🇭🇹🗞️🇫🇷) is now available. Peruse the news from 14 October 1890.
See highlights below.
#HaitianSky #FrenchHistory #Paris1890 #YesterdaysNews
See highlights below.
#HaitianSky #FrenchHistory #Paris1890 #YesterdaysNews
Black Republic of Letters: Year 1, Issue 8 – 14 October 1890
scalar.library.yorku.ca
August 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
The 8th issue of La Fraternité (🇭🇹🗞️🇫🇷) is now available. Peruse the news from 14 October 1890.
See highlights below.
#HaitianSky #FrenchHistory #Paris1890 #YesterdaysNews
See highlights below.
#HaitianSky #FrenchHistory #Paris1890 #YesterdaysNews
A Haitian in Paris in 1890, Benito Sylvain, tackles racism in the press.
#HaitianSky #History #Paris #YesterdaysNews
#HaitianSky #History #Paris #YesterdaysNews
Black Republic of Letters: Negrophobia
Benito Sylvain tackles racism in the press
scalar.library.yorku.ca
August 1, 2025 at 3:40 PM
A Haitian in Paris in 1890, Benito Sylvain, tackles racism in the press.
#HaitianSky #History #Paris #YesterdaysNews
#HaitianSky #History #Paris #YesterdaysNews
"Vegetarians, as their name implies, eat nothing but vegetables. They claim that, on the day when the entire universe stops eating meat, perfect happiness will reign on the earth—so much will manners be softened by the unique consumption of easily digestible foods!"
July 31, 2025 at 3:28 AM
"Vegetarians, as their name implies, eat nothing but vegetables. They claim that, on the day when the entire universe stops eating meat, perfect happiness will reign on the earth—so much will manners be softened by the unique consumption of easily digestible foods!"
The 7th issue of La Fraternité (🇭🇹🗞️🇫🇷) is now available. Peruse the news from 7 October 1890.
See highlights below.
#HaitianSky #FrenchHistory #Paris1890 #YesterdaysNews
See highlights below.
#HaitianSky #FrenchHistory #Paris1890 #YesterdaysNews
Black Republic of Letters: Year 1, Issue 7 – 7 October 1890
scalar.library.yorku.ca
July 29, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The 7th issue of La Fraternité (🇭🇹🗞️🇫🇷) is now available. Peruse the news from 7 October 1890.
See highlights below.
#HaitianSky #FrenchHistory #Paris1890 #YesterdaysNews
See highlights below.
#HaitianSky #FrenchHistory #Paris1890 #YesterdaysNews
Reposted by Matt Robertshaw
This is shattering. The Oloffson wasn't just a hotel. Not even just a landmark or historic site. It was a spiritual home for thousands of people over the years, Haitian and foreigner, including me.
Hotel Oloffson is gone. The iconic Port-au-Prince gingerbread was set alight and burned to ash last night. #Haiti
July 7, 2025 at 5:14 PM
This is shattering. The Oloffson wasn't just a hotel. Not even just a landmark or historic site. It was a spiritual home for thousands of people over the years, Haitian and foreigner, including me.
Reposted by Matt Robertshaw
Wow. It really does make you more stupid. arxiv.org/abs/2506.08872
Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task
This study explores the neural and behavioral consequences of LLM-assisted essay writing. Participants were divided into three groups: LLM, Search Engine, and Brain-only (no tools). Each completed thr...
arxiv.org
June 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Wow. It really does make you more stupid. arxiv.org/abs/2506.08872
I have two words for you (since 2008).
June 20, 2025 at 5:33 PM
I have two words for you (since 2008).
Reposted by Matt Robertshaw
🗃️ I read the article and agree with @kawulf.bsky.social. I would add a few points in support:
This article is premised on a basic misunderstanding of the historical research process. It’s important to note that, as far as I can tell, the author of the article is not a professional historian, i.e.
This article is premised on a basic misunderstanding of the historical research process. It’s important to note that, as far as I can tell, the author of the article is not a professional historian, i.e.
This piece is worth reading/ wrestling with. imho.
1. AI can't do original research and thinking; it recombines (often badly) so may be most potent for digestible popular history. That's worth worrying about separately. 1/ www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/m...
1. AI can't do original research and thinking; it recombines (often badly) so may be most potent for digestible popular history. That's worth worrying about separately. 1/ www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/m...
A.I. Is Poised to Rewrite History. Literally.
www.nytimes.com
June 16, 2025 at 3:37 PM
🗃️ I read the article and agree with @kawulf.bsky.social. I would add a few points in support:
This article is premised on a basic misunderstanding of the historical research process. It’s important to note that, as far as I can tell, the author of the article is not a professional historian, i.e.
This article is premised on a basic misunderstanding of the historical research process. It’s important to note that, as far as I can tell, the author of the article is not a professional historian, i.e.
June 15, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Is crypto a cult? It seems a bit culty.
June 12, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Is crypto a cult? It seems a bit culty.
Reposted by Matt Robertshaw
I couldn't find a list of countries that were members of the League of Nations Council so I spent three hours in the LON digital archive and made this.
(I used the modern flags because they exist as emojis)
#leagueofnations #multilateralism #unitednations
(I used the modern flags because they exist as emojis)
#leagueofnations #multilateralism #unitednations
May 30, 2025 at 7:26 PM
I couldn't find a list of countries that were members of the League of Nations Council so I spent three hours in the LON digital archive and made this.
(I used the modern flags because they exist as emojis)
#leagueofnations #multilateralism #unitednations
(I used the modern flags because they exist as emojis)
#leagueofnations #multilateralism #unitednations
I couldn't find a list of countries that were members of the League of Nations Council so I spent three hours in the LON digital archive and made this.
(I used the modern flags because they exist as emojis)
#leagueofnations #multilateralism #unitednations
(I used the modern flags because they exist as emojis)
#leagueofnations #multilateralism #unitednations
May 30, 2025 at 7:26 PM
I couldn't find a list of countries that were members of the League of Nations Council so I spent three hours in the LON digital archive and made this.
(I used the modern flags because they exist as emojis)
#leagueofnations #multilateralism #unitednations
(I used the modern flags because they exist as emojis)
#leagueofnations #multilateralism #unitednations
Reposted by Matt Robertshaw
I am so deeply uninterested in AI. Just think of all the 🤩 stories that aren't being covered by journalists, the worthy projects that aren't being funded, the institutional challenges that aren't being addressed by uni administrators — bc their 👀 are all focused on this dumb product nobody asked for
Another hour, another call for another conference about teaching with AI. I am so supremely annoyed and bored and 💔 by this reactionary obsession: what a waste of opportunity to think about infinitely more constructive, convivial, empowering, life-affirming and existentially consequential things
May 28, 2025 at 1:42 PM
I am so deeply uninterested in AI. Just think of all the 🤩 stories that aren't being covered by journalists, the worthy projects that aren't being funded, the institutional challenges that aren't being addressed by uni administrators — bc their 👀 are all focused on this dumb product nobody asked for
"Is he strong? Listen bud,
He's got radioactive blood."
(So, no.)
He's got radioactive blood."
(So, no.)
May 26, 2025 at 6:12 PM
"Is he strong? Listen bud,
He's got radioactive blood."
(So, no.)
He's got radioactive blood."
(So, no.)
Accusing South Africa of a white genocide while simultaneously taking HIV testing, treatment and prevention programs away from millions of people in Africa is peak Trump.
May 23, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Accusing South Africa of a white genocide while simultaneously taking HIV testing, treatment and prevention programs away from millions of people in Africa is peak Trump.
Why are politicians and real-estate agents the only people who plaster their faces all over town?
May 6, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Why are politicians and real-estate agents the only people who plaster their faces all over town?
Reposted by Matt Robertshaw
Wikipedia > ChatGPT
April 14, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Wikipedia > ChatGPT