Zeth Lietzau
@zethlietzau.com
Public librarian with technology & software leanings
Pinned
Zeth Lietzau
@zethlietzau.com
· Jan 5
MyFlo
Your Data, Your Choice
myflo.me
People in my life want to track their cycles without having to worry about corporations or others watching them, so I created this little web app that stores the data only on your own device:
myflo.me
Anyone can use it - I won't even know if someone does unless they reach out to me with bugs...
myflo.me
Anyone can use it - I won't even know if someone does unless they reach out to me with bugs...
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
it’s for exactly this reason that my library network’s catalog system does not retain patron borrowing data, or even permit the creation of linked “family” library accounts.
the “free” in “free public library” means, among other things, “free from government interference.”
the “free” in “free public library” means, among other things, “free from government interference.”
Officials in Tennessee aren't just banning books, they're now demanding information on who checked out contested (largely LGBTQ+) books, including names, addresses, and "household composition."
A librarian who was given the directive has come forward asking for whistleblower protections.
A librarian who was given the directive has come forward asking for whistleblower protections.
Tennessee whistleblower says library board chair sought private data as part of state's book purge
A First Amendment expert told The Advocate that there are "huge" legal implications stemming from the situation.
www.advocate.com
December 20, 2025 at 3:00 AM
it’s for exactly this reason that my library network’s catalog system does not retain patron borrowing data, or even permit the creation of linked “family” library accounts.
the “free” in “free public library” means, among other things, “free from government interference.”
the “free” in “free public library” means, among other things, “free from government interference.”
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
i remember someone telling me nonprofits are so much worse because they'll look you in the eyes and tell you that you're supposed to have it worse because you're involved in a ✨mission✨ or something. you're supposed to internalize and valorize shittier working conditions
*lights cigarette*
Management at non-profits is the same as management EVERYWHERE. BASTARDS.
Management at non-profits is the same as management EVERYWHERE. BASTARDS.
1/ At bargaining yesterday, @propublica.org management said that they should have 100% discretion to replace workers with AI and would not commit to labeling future AI-generated content.
December 17, 2025 at 6:12 PM
i remember someone telling me nonprofits are so much worse because they'll look you in the eyes and tell you that you're supposed to have it worse because you're involved in a ✨mission✨ or something. you're supposed to internalize and valorize shittier working conditions
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
“I am so bored by AI. One of the things I love about the theatre is AI can’t do it.”
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
December 9, 2025 at 8:36 PM
“I am so bored by AI. One of the things I love about the theatre is AI can’t do it.”
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
DC Public Library with a friendly reminder 📚
December 6, 2025 at 12:13 PM
DC Public Library with a friendly reminder 📚
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
When you think about it, the phrase “earning a living” is really quite vile.
🔗 https://adactio.com/notes/22233
🔗 https://adactio.com/notes/22233
November 6, 2025 at 9:07 AM
When you think about it, the phrase “earning a living” is really quite vile.
🔗 https://adactio.com/notes/22233
🔗 https://adactio.com/notes/22233
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
One of the things I think the vibe coding stuff hasn't yet really come to terms with is junior developers and owners often think the key skill for developers is ability to write code, and principal developers know the /actual/ super power that distinguishes principals is their ability to debug.
November 2, 2025 at 10:42 PM
One of the things I think the vibe coding stuff hasn't yet really come to terms with is junior developers and owners often think the key skill for developers is ability to write code, and principal developers know the /actual/ super power that distinguishes principals is their ability to debug.
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
❥ "I ask you, human to human, [..] leave the AI to your quantitative tasks if you have to use it at all. Face the world with your thoughts and enrich them through real-world experience. The best thoughts are the ones that have been felt, anyway."
I don't agree with all the points being made here, but this opening sentence really hits home. 👇
blog.pabloecortez.com/its-insultin...
blog.pabloecortez.com/its-insultin...
October 31, 2025 at 1:26 PM
❥ "I ask you, human to human, [..] leave the AI to your quantitative tasks if you have to use it at all. Face the world with your thoughts and enrich them through real-world experience. The best thoughts are the ones that have been felt, anyway."
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
"You can only critically assess the output of an AI chatbot if you have the skills to do so, and you don’t develop these skills by using AI. Before you can be critical of an AI summary, you have to learn to understand a text without having it summarized by an AI tool."
Belgian AI scientists are advocating *against* the use of AI in academia. “If independent thinking is no longer encouraged at university, where would it?” apache.be/2025/10/24/b...
Belgian AI scientists resist the use of AI in academia
Several AI scientists have published an open letter calling for a ban on AI use by students.
apache.be
October 25, 2025 at 3:12 PM
"You can only critically assess the output of an AI chatbot if you have the skills to do so, and you don’t develop these skills by using AI. Before you can be critical of an AI summary, you have to learn to understand a text without having it summarized by an AI tool."
This whole post is worth the read:
"In other words, we’re some three years into the hype cycle, and LLMs haven’t met any markers of success we’d apply to, well, literally any other technology."
"In other words, we’re some three years into the hype cycle, and LLMs haven’t met any markers of success we’d apply to, well, literally any other technology."
🦊
I’ve decided it’s past time I start describing “artificial intelligence” as a failed technology, and I’d like you to join me.
ethanmarcotte.com/wrote/agains...
I’ve decided it’s past time I start describing “artificial intelligence” as a failed technology, and I’d like you to join me.
ethanmarcotte.com/wrote/agains...
Against the protection of stocking frames. — ethanmarcotte.com
“Artificial intelligence” is a failed technology. It’s time we described it that way.
ethanmarcotte.com
September 19, 2025 at 4:45 PM
This whole post is worth the read:
"In other words, we’re some three years into the hype cycle, and LLMs haven’t met any markers of success we’d apply to, well, literally any other technology."
"In other words, we’re some three years into the hype cycle, and LLMs haven’t met any markers of success we’d apply to, well, literally any other technology."
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
I considered writing a long carefully constructed argument laying out the harms and limitations of AI, but instead I wrote about being a hater. Only humans can be haters.
I Am An AI Hater
I am an AI hater. This is considered rude, but I do not care, because I am a hater.
anthonymoser.github.io
August 27, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I considered writing a long carefully constructed argument laying out the harms and limitations of AI, but instead I wrote about being a hater. Only humans can be haters.
Not the note I want to see while waiting to board
Many (most) commercial airliners take off too heavy to land safely.
Ok folks: what is your favorite fact that you share with people (maybe a bit too) eagerly?
August 24, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Not the note I want to see while waiting to board
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
ICYMI, here’s how to turn off AI in Google, restoring the search engine to its pre-AI format.
JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH! This gave me old Google back! It killed the AI results dead!
This, actually works. For me at least.
August 19, 2025 at 2:23 PM
ICYMI, here’s how to turn off AI in Google, restoring the search engine to its pre-AI format.
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
Dolly Parton has sent my daughter a new book every month for years as she does for thousands of children. She help fund the development of the Covid vaccine. She’s not a billionaire. I think as non wealthy people it’s hard to even imagine how much billionaires *could* be doing with their money.
August 13, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Dolly Parton has sent my daughter a new book every month for years as she does for thousands of children. She help fund the development of the Covid vaccine. She’s not a billionaire. I think as non wealthy people it’s hard to even imagine how much billionaires *could* be doing with their money.
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
I honestly can’t believe there are still any AI skeptics out there. This tech is obviously revolutionary
August 8, 2025 at 12:51 AM
I honestly can’t believe there are still any AI skeptics out there. This tech is obviously revolutionary
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
If I have to explain to you why it's a bad idea to use a machine that makes shit up 15-80% of the time AND destroys the environment AND contributes to rising fascism and genocide AND puts brilliant skillful creatives out of work by stealing their work, then we're already speaking different languages
August 6, 2025 at 1:01 AM
If I have to explain to you why it's a bad idea to use a machine that makes shit up 15-80% of the time AND destroys the environment AND contributes to rising fascism and genocide AND puts brilliant skillful creatives out of work by stealing their work, then we're already speaking different languages
Must be a good time to post about the app I made, which only stores data on your own device:
www.myflo.me
No cloud database means nothing to illegally collect, and your business stays your own
www.myflo.me
No cloud database means nothing to illegally collect, and your business stays your own
Meta illegally collected data from Flo period and pregnancy app, jury finds
Lawyers hail jury’s “clear message” to Big Tech; Meta will fight verdict.
arstechnica.com
August 5, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Must be a good time to post about the app I made, which only stores data on your own device:
www.myflo.me
No cloud database means nothing to illegally collect, and your business stays your own
www.myflo.me
No cloud database means nothing to illegally collect, and your business stays your own
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
“The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe; and I am beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognizing this may be incapable of morality.”
~
James Baldwin
Born OTD in 1924
~
James Baldwin
Born OTD in 1924
August 3, 2025 at 12:02 AM
“The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe; and I am beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognizing this may be incapable of morality.”
~
James Baldwin
Born OTD in 1924
~
James Baldwin
Born OTD in 1924
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
A major problem with using LLMs to learn things:
Me: "A is true, therefore B is false, right?"
LLM: "Right! Here's a ton of detail to confirm your belief."
Me: "Actually, A is false; B is true."
LLM: "Exactly right! Here's more detail to confirm that belief."
Me: "A is true, therefore B is false, right?"
LLM: "Right! Here's a ton of detail to confirm your belief."
Me: "Actually, A is false; B is true."
LLM: "Exactly right! Here's more detail to confirm that belief."
July 26, 2025 at 7:46 PM
A major problem with using LLMs to learn things:
Me: "A is true, therefore B is false, right?"
LLM: "Right! Here's a ton of detail to confirm your belief."
Me: "Actually, A is false; B is true."
LLM: "Exactly right! Here's more detail to confirm that belief."
Me: "A is true, therefore B is false, right?"
LLM: "Right! Here's a ton of detail to confirm your belief."
Me: "Actually, A is false; B is true."
LLM: "Exactly right! Here's more detail to confirm that belief."
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
I don’t know who needs to hear this but we don’t need to consume the Greenland ice shelf to organize our email
July 23, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I don’t know who needs to hear this but we don’t need to consume the Greenland ice shelf to organize our email
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
This is how insane people sound when you tell them why A.I. is bad
July 16, 2025 at 2:14 PM
This is how insane people sound when you tell them why A.I. is bad
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
July 4, 2025. I REAFFIRM:
“A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may DEFINE A TYRANT, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people"
- The Declaration of Independence
“A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may DEFINE A TYRANT, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people"
- The Declaration of Independence
July 4, 2025 at 2:38 PM
July 4, 2025. I REAFFIRM:
“A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may DEFINE A TYRANT, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people"
- The Declaration of Independence
“A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may DEFINE A TYRANT, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people"
- The Declaration of Independence
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
Now this is a library display
July 1, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Now this is a library display
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
Really a sad way to go through life www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/b...
June 27, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Really a sad way to go through life www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/b...
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
Not clicking on that but I will note, it's a great thing to have wealth and privilege and decide that redistribution needs to happen so you have less and others have more
Despite his own privileged path to power, or perhaps because of it, the son of a Columbia University professor and a movie director is campaigning as a socialist intent on redistributing New York’s wealth.
Here’s How Much New York City Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Is Worth
Despite his own privileged path to power, or perhaps because of it, the son of a Columbia University professor and a movie director is campaigning as a socialist intent on redistributing New York’s wealth.
www.forbes.com
June 25, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Not clicking on that but I will note, it's a great thing to have wealth and privilege and decide that redistribution needs to happen so you have less and others have more
Reposted by Zeth Lietzau
it turns out that embracing a multi-racial, multi-faith democracy is the best path towards peace in this chaotic world.
June 25, 2025 at 3:26 AM
it turns out that embracing a multi-racial, multi-faith democracy is the best path towards peace in this chaotic world.