melusina
@melusinagr.bsky.social
Co-founder, co-creator, co-conspirator (Codex Machina podcast, Strange Land Books). Luddite. Artist with the soul of a poet. Academic trying to help decolonize Book Studies/Book History. Loves periodicals. Addicted to art supplies. Plays #ttrpgs.
Pinned
Off we go to the #FrankfurtBookFair tomorrow! 📚🎟️
We are also commemorating Banned Books Week with a new episode tomorrow about HR 7661, an odious bill introduced in the House and Senate that aims to classify books about gender diversity as sexually explicit material, even if it’s penguins in love!
We are also commemorating Banned Books Week with a new episode tomorrow about HR 7661, an odious bill introduced in the House and Senate that aims to classify books about gender diversity as sexually explicit material, even if it’s penguins in love!
It’s Banned Books Week! 📚📖🚫 Book bans have nearly doubled in the last year, according to PEN America. We need to educate ourselves on the books being banned and why! Follow
@bannedbooksweek.bsky.social and listen to our podcasts about book bans!
@bannedbooksweek.bsky.social and listen to our podcasts about book bans!
It’s Banned Books Week! 📚📖🚫 Book bans have nearly doubled in the last year, according to PEN America. We need to educate ourselves on the books being banned and why! Follow
@bannedbooksweek.bsky.social and listen to our podcasts about book bans!
@bannedbooksweek.bsky.social and listen to our podcasts about book bans!
Off we go to the #FrankfurtBookFair tomorrow! 📚🎟️
We are also commemorating Banned Books Week with a new episode tomorrow about HR 7661, an odious bill introduced in the House and Senate that aims to classify books about gender diversity as sexually explicit material, even if it’s penguins in love!
We are also commemorating Banned Books Week with a new episode tomorrow about HR 7661, an odious bill introduced in the House and Senate that aims to classify books about gender diversity as sexually explicit material, even if it’s penguins in love!
October 5, 2026 at 10:04 PM
It’s Banned Books Week! 📚📖🚫 Book bans have nearly doubled in the last year, according to PEN America. We need to educate ourselves on the books being banned and why! Follow
@bannedbooksweek.bsky.social and listen to our podcasts about book bans!
@bannedbooksweek.bsky.social and listen to our podcasts about book bans!
Reposted by melusina
One of the great things about Volker Weidermann’s Das Buch der verbrannten Bücher, about all the different authors whose books were burned on the Opernplatz in Berlin in May 1933, is precisely this: you get your Erich Kästners and Erich Maria Remarques and Stefan Zweigs and Bertolt Brechts…
Said this before, but you could write an interesting book on the books/films/music that were huge in their time but rapidly disappeared from any collective knowledge. Only hardly anyone would read it, because they wouldn't recognise them.
This is undoubtedly true and I think a lot of companies have bet heavily on IP on the mistaken understanding that there are "forever" characters or acts, when they're subject to quite rapid decay.
September 30, 2026 at 4:06 PM
One of the great things about Volker Weidermann’s Das Buch der verbrannten Bücher, about all the different authors whose books were burned on the Opernplatz in Berlin in May 1933, is precisely this: you get your Erich Kästners and Erich Maria Remarques and Stefan Zweigs and Bertolt Brechts…
Reposted by melusina
Celestial hierarchy color scheme!
September 29th is the Feast of St Michael and All Angels. Here is depicted the company of angels: Seraphs, Cherubs, and Thrones.
BL Royal MS 6 E IX; Convenevole da Prato, Carmina regia; c1335 CE; Italy (Tuscany); f.6r @blmedieval.bsky.social
BL Royal MS 6 E IX; Convenevole da Prato, Carmina regia; c1335 CE; Italy (Tuscany); f.6r @blmedieval.bsky.social
September 28, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Celestial hierarchy color scheme!
Reposted by melusina
Roll for Learning is a compilation of 51 educational games with supporting structure to help you find the games that can work with your class/players and use it in applied settings! Check it out here!
TTRPGkids review: https://loom.ly/_60rCN4
TTRPGkids review: https://loom.ly/_60rCN4
September 28, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Roll for Learning is a compilation of 51 educational games with supporting structure to help you find the games that can work with your class/players and use it in applied settings! Check it out here!
TTRPGkids review: https://loom.ly/_60rCN4
TTRPGkids review: https://loom.ly/_60rCN4
Reposted by melusina
as a hater let me acknowledge something ai is good at: producing irritating discourse at scale
this is usually because, like "ai" itself, people are talking about different things like they are one thing
so let me disentangle, with statements numbered for easy disagreement
this is usually because, like "ai" itself, people are talking about different things like they are one thing
so let me disentangle, with statements numbered for easy disagreement
September 21, 2026 at 10:54 PM
as a hater let me acknowledge something ai is good at: producing irritating discourse at scale
this is usually because, like "ai" itself, people are talking about different things like they are one thing
so let me disentangle, with statements numbered for easy disagreement
this is usually because, like "ai" itself, people are talking about different things like they are one thing
so let me disentangle, with statements numbered for easy disagreement
Reposted by melusina
I feel like society is running on Aldous Huxley software and the government is running on George Orwell software
September 27, 2026 at 4:41 PM
I feel like society is running on Aldous Huxley software and the government is running on George Orwell software
😍
My colleague Carson Koepke has been laser-cutting different woods for printing the full deck of this late-medieval tarot set @skeuomorphpress.org
Today we tested a small plate for an upcoming event @illinoisrbml.bsky.social, printing on our Book Beetle—from @josefbeery.bsky.social—it looks great!
Today we tested a small plate for an upcoming event @illinoisrbml.bsky.social, printing on our Book Beetle—from @josefbeery.bsky.social—it looks great!
September 25, 2026 at 9:03 PM
😍
Reposted by melusina
Interesting - this ex-libris isn't pasted in, but printed on the flyleaf. Unidentified armorial ex-libris, with a chevron and three ... roadrunners?
September 21, 2026 at 1:43 PM
Interesting - this ex-libris isn't pasted in, but printed on the flyleaf. Unidentified armorial ex-libris, with a chevron and three ... roadrunners?
Reposted by melusina
Apropos of today’s discussion:
2024: 29% increase in proposals from the previous year.
2025: 64.6% increase in proposals.
2026: 26.7% increase in proposals.
Figures are published annually!
See also: marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/resources/ms...
2024: 29% increase in proposals from the previous year.
2025: 64.6% increase in proposals.
2026: 26.7% increase in proposals.
Figures are published annually!
See also: marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/resources/ms...
September 21, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Apropos of today’s discussion:
2024: 29% increase in proposals from the previous year.
2025: 64.6% increase in proposals.
2026: 26.7% increase in proposals.
Figures are published annually!
See also: marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/resources/ms...
2024: 29% increase in proposals from the previous year.
2025: 64.6% increase in proposals.
2026: 26.7% increase in proposals.
Figures are published annually!
See also: marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/resources/ms...
Reposted by melusina
My kid asked me what‘s something I teach my students and I said “That if you write what you have to say on paper then—unlike devices—no one has access to it except you and whoever else physically interacts with the paper” and you guys, it made an immediate impression
September 20, 2026 at 9:37 PM
My kid asked me what‘s something I teach my students and I said “That if you write what you have to say on paper then—unlike devices—no one has access to it except you and whoever else physically interacts with the paper” and you guys, it made an immediate impression
Reposted by melusina
As an American political historian, I can confirm that this Congress has been "almost unmatched in history" in several categories -- sad abdication of its war powers, craven surrender of the power of the purse, weird refusal to conduct meaningful oversight, and an utter failure to pass actual laws.
Mike Johnson claims that the current Congress is "probably in the top three or four of all time" and is "almost unmatched in history" 🙃
September 19, 2026 at 2:58 PM
As an American political historian, I can confirm that this Congress has been "almost unmatched in history" in several categories -- sad abdication of its war powers, craven surrender of the power of the purse, weird refusal to conduct meaningful oversight, and an utter failure to pass actual laws.
Reposted by melusina
But when we crave power over life—endless wealth, unassailable safety, immortality—then desire becomes greed. And if knowledge allies itself to that greed, then comes evil. Then the balance of the world is swayed, and ruin weighs heavy in the scale.
September 20, 2026 at 11:10 AM
But when we crave power over life—endless wealth, unassailable safety, immortality—then desire becomes greed. And if knowledge allies itself to that greed, then comes evil. Then the balance of the world is swayed, and ruin weighs heavy in the scale.
“But no, don’t you dare have an abortion, we want your baby to die of measles in NICU AFTER they are born.”
ICYMI: Possible measles exposure reported at the NICU at CHOP in Philadelphia, officials say
Possible measles exposure reported at the NICU at CHOP in Philadelphia, officials say
Health officials say that a possible measles exposure was reported in the NICU at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia last week.
trib.al
September 18, 2026 at 8:57 PM
“But no, don’t you dare have an abortion, we want your baby to die of measles in NICU AFTER they are born.”
Reposted by melusina
History of science & #BookHistory friends: What was the size of the initial print run of Hooke's Micrographia?
(I've frequently seen the 1st edition referred to as a bestseller, but haven't found a source that confirms how many copies the Royal Society commissioned...)
#HistSTM #histsci 🗃️📜🔬
(I've frequently seen the 1st edition referred to as a bestseller, but haven't found a source that confirms how many copies the Royal Society commissioned...)
#HistSTM #histsci 🗃️📜🔬
September 18, 2026 at 4:02 PM
History of science & #BookHistory friends: What was the size of the initial print run of Hooke's Micrographia?
(I've frequently seen the 1st edition referred to as a bestseller, but haven't found a source that confirms how many copies the Royal Society commissioned...)
#HistSTM #histsci 🗃️📜🔬
(I've frequently seen the 1st edition referred to as a bestseller, but haven't found a source that confirms how many copies the Royal Society commissioned...)
#HistSTM #histsci 🗃️📜🔬
Reposted by melusina
In case you missed it, librarians won on one of America's biggest stages.
A documentary about librarians standing up against book bans and defending the freedom to read was honored at the Emmys.
via @everylibrary.bsky.social
action.everylibrary.org/emmys
A documentary about librarians standing up against book bans and defending the freedom to read was honored at the Emmys.
via @everylibrary.bsky.social
action.everylibrary.org/emmys
Librarians Won the Emmys!
We need to turn this moment of recognition into a moment of action.
action.everylibrary.org
September 16, 2026 at 9:09 AM
In case you missed it, librarians won on one of America's biggest stages.
A documentary about librarians standing up against book bans and defending the freedom to read was honored at the Emmys.
via @everylibrary.bsky.social
action.everylibrary.org/emmys
A documentary about librarians standing up against book bans and defending the freedom to read was honored at the Emmys.
via @everylibrary.bsky.social
action.everylibrary.org/emmys
Reposted by melusina
Toronto #bookhistory , with a bonus on the city’s laneway culture.
#topoli Today on @spacing.bsky.social , a welcome break from the news cycle: Leora Bromberg on the rich intersection of Toronto’s laneways and the print shops that made their homes there. spacing.ca/toronto/2026... cc: @coachhousebooks.bsky.social
Intersections of print culture in Toronto's laneways - Spacing Toronto
The handprinted broadside below was one of my first and most memorable encounters with the works of Glenn Goluska (1947-2011), celebrated today as one of Canada’s most influential fine press printers....
spacing.ca
September 15, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Toronto #bookhistory , with a bonus on the city’s laneway culture.
Reposted by melusina
The press as a showman, showing off. A timeless statement of media impact on human life. The Gutenberg Galaxy's main technology, the printing press, is half-man, half-machine! Goosebumps, dear #skystorians, goosebumps.
September 14, 2026 at 12:02 PM
The press as a showman, showing off. A timeless statement of media impact on human life. The Gutenberg Galaxy's main technology, the printing press, is half-man, half-machine! Goosebumps, dear #skystorians, goosebumps.
Reposted by melusina
Gah search doesn't work any more. British and Anglophile friends, who is the cartoonist (mid-twentieth-century?) who draws squareish, indomitable, little old ladies with umbrellas? Iconic like Thelwell or Searle but not them.
September 13, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Gah search doesn't work any more. British and Anglophile friends, who is the cartoonist (mid-twentieth-century?) who draws squareish, indomitable, little old ladies with umbrellas? Iconic like Thelwell or Searle but not them.
Reposted by melusina
Reposted by melusina
Oh wow, an actual tt job in early American literature!
Assistant Professor in American Literature, Early Period to 1900
Santa Clara University www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?...
Assistant Professor in American Literature, Early Period to 1900
Santa Clara University www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?...
www.higheredjobs.com
September 12, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Oh wow, an actual tt job in early American literature!
Assistant Professor in American Literature, Early Period to 1900
Santa Clara University www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?...
Assistant Professor in American Literature, Early Period to 1900
Santa Clara University www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?...
Reposted by melusina
Very forceful statement by Terry Tao about AI and math.
terrytao.wordpress.com/2026/09/11/a...
Note, he is not claiming the models aren't real and powerful. He's talking about how that power should be used. This, I believe, is what all AI discussions should center.
terrytao.wordpress.com/2026/09/11/a...
Note, he is not claiming the models aren't real and powerful. He's talking about how that power should be used. This, I believe, is what all AI discussions should center.
A Severe Misalignment of AI in Mathematics
I am proud to be among the list of 25 initial signatories — all Fields Medallists — to the declaration below, which grew out of discussions between ourselves over the last week. We have…
terrytao.wordpress.com
September 11, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Very forceful statement by Terry Tao about AI and math.
terrytao.wordpress.com/2026/09/11/a...
Note, he is not claiming the models aren't real and powerful. He's talking about how that power should be used. This, I believe, is what all AI discussions should center.
terrytao.wordpress.com/2026/09/11/a...
Note, he is not claiming the models aren't real and powerful. He's talking about how that power should be used. This, I believe, is what all AI discussions should center.
Is it just me, or do they both look like they are doing the “mwah ha ha ha ha” evil laugh in this picture?
Party hails 'historic' result, but it is not immediately clear whether it will be able to form a government.
Far-right AfD wins vote in Germany's Saxony-Anhalt state: Exit polls
Party hails 'historic' result, but it is not immediately clear whether it will be able to form a government.
www.aljazeera.com
September 6, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Is it just me, or do they both look like they are doing the “mwah ha ha ha ha” evil laugh in this picture?
Reposted by melusina
This Finnish guy has been teaching himself Sumerian, and sent a cuneiform tablet to the British Museum to check his progress.
They just emailed him that they've sent him something in the post.
I'm now thrilled and excited for a total stranger! Clay tablet mail!
www.reddit.com/r/Cuneiform/...
They just emailed him that they've sent him something in the post.
I'm now thrilled and excited for a total stranger! Clay tablet mail!
www.reddit.com/r/Cuneiform/...
September 4, 2026 at 10:20 PM
This Finnish guy has been teaching himself Sumerian, and sent a cuneiform tablet to the British Museum to check his progress.
They just emailed him that they've sent him something in the post.
I'm now thrilled and excited for a total stranger! Clay tablet mail!
www.reddit.com/r/Cuneiform/...
They just emailed him that they've sent him something in the post.
I'm now thrilled and excited for a total stranger! Clay tablet mail!
www.reddit.com/r/Cuneiform/...
Reposted by melusina
Negativland LIVE at Internet Archive!
For more than 40 years, Negativland has turned found sound, radio & mass media into provocative art. Over The Edge: Significantly Less Deceptive brings that to San Francisco!
📅 Wed, Sept 16, 6 PM
📍 300 Funston Ave, SF
🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/negativlan...
For more than 40 years, Negativland has turned found sound, radio & mass media into provocative art. Over The Edge: Significantly Less Deceptive brings that to San Francisco!
📅 Wed, Sept 16, 6 PM
📍 300 Funston Ave, SF
🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/negativlan...
September 4, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Negativland LIVE at Internet Archive!
For more than 40 years, Negativland has turned found sound, radio & mass media into provocative art. Over The Edge: Significantly Less Deceptive brings that to San Francisco!
📅 Wed, Sept 16, 6 PM
📍 300 Funston Ave, SF
🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/negativlan...
For more than 40 years, Negativland has turned found sound, radio & mass media into provocative art. Over The Edge: Significantly Less Deceptive brings that to San Francisco!
📅 Wed, Sept 16, 6 PM
📍 300 Funston Ave, SF
🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/negativlan...
Reposted by melusina
There are only three weeks to go until the Booker Prize 2026 shortlist is revealed, so we asked the judges to share how they have made more time for reading.
Filmed at Somerset House.
Filmed at Somerset House.
September 1, 2026 at 9:16 AM
There are only three weeks to go until the Booker Prize 2026 shortlist is revealed, so we asked the judges to share how they have made more time for reading.
Filmed at Somerset House.
Filmed at Somerset House.