Curt
@neoriffic.bsky.social
Archaeologist
Work: CRM in BC, 🍁
Research: Ancient Southwest Asia
Player/writer of TTRPGs, veteran, nerd.
(he/him)
Living and learning in the unceded territory of the K'ómoks First Nation.
Trans Rights, BLM, MMIWG2S, Stop Asian Hate, Free Palestine
Work: CRM in BC, 🍁
Research: Ancient Southwest Asia
Player/writer of TTRPGs, veteran, nerd.
(he/him)
Living and learning in the unceded territory of the K'ómoks First Nation.
Trans Rights, BLM, MMIWG2S, Stop Asian Hate, Free Palestine
Reposted by Curt
Dr Brian Thom talks about the historic E&N Railway land grant, what it means for today, & how maps and ideas of property can inform understandings of the great land grab. TheGreatLandGrab.ca to learn about the exhibit @uvic.ca @uvicsocialsciences.bsky.social @b-thom.bsky.social tinyurl.com/2026glgbt
The Great Land Grab Interviews: Professor Brian Thom
In this interview, Professor Brian Thom from the University of Victoria introduces us to the historic E&N Railway land grant, what it means for today, and how maps and ideas of property can inform our understanding of the great land grab. Visit TheGreatLandGrab.ca to learn more about the exhibit now travelling Vancouver Island. Dr. Brian Thom’s research investigates the critical intersections of Indigenous legal orders, governance, and land rights with colonial state power, focusing on the dynamics of knowledge, culture, and place. His award-winning, community-engaged scholarship, conducted in close collaboration with Indigenous communities in Coast Salish territories, integrates ethnographic, archaeological, and applied policy research approaches to support Indigenous self-determination, advance reconciliation, and foster transformative public understanding. Chapters: 0:00-3:00 Introduction 3:01-6:03 Conflict and the E&N Railway grant 6:04-11:22 Who benefits? 11:23-15:06 What can we do? 15:07-18:37 Maps and the land grab 18:38-22:47 The legal system 22:48-27:55 BC Treaty process 27:56-29:15 Cultural sites on private lands 29:16-35:20 What is property? 35:21-37:43 What's next?
tinyurl.com
September 14, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Dr Brian Thom talks about the historic E&N Railway land grant, what it means for today, & how maps and ideas of property can inform understandings of the great land grab. TheGreatLandGrab.ca to learn about the exhibit @uvic.ca @uvicsocialsciences.bsky.social @b-thom.bsky.social tinyurl.com/2026glgbt
"Are we a failed state? Check out these broads! Let's get wasted!" - the first 18 seconds of this video, with no speaking during a third of those seconds (with only a sliver of hyperbole)
Vance: "If you're ever feeling down about our country, ladies and gentlemen, just take a look at the beautiful ladies right behind me. Ladies, I'd like to know what you had to drink."
September 11, 2026 at 9:54 PM
"Are we a failed state? Check out these broads! Let's get wasted!" - the first 18 seconds of this video, with no speaking during a third of those seconds (with only a sliver of hyperbole)
God's penis is all over the Bible, euphemistically speaking.
If you read a verse with God's hand, hem, or thigh that makes you think, "Huh, that's a puzzling sentence," the author is talking about God's junk.
Does this make God "male"? 🤷🏼
A great read is God: An Anatomy by Francesca Stavrakopoulou
If you read a verse with God's hand, hem, or thigh that makes you think, "Huh, that's a puzzling sentence," the author is talking about God's junk.
Does this make God "male"? 🤷🏼
A great read is God: An Anatomy by Francesca Stavrakopoulou
The Bible never says that God has a penis.
But in fairness, Ken Paxton, you missed *a lot* of verses in the Bible, you adulterous liar.
But in fairness, Ken Paxton, you missed *a lot* of verses in the Bible, you adulterous liar.
September 10, 2026 at 3:12 AM
God's penis is all over the Bible, euphemistically speaking.
If you read a verse with God's hand, hem, or thigh that makes you think, "Huh, that's a puzzling sentence," the author is talking about God's junk.
Does this make God "male"? 🤷🏼
A great read is God: An Anatomy by Francesca Stavrakopoulou
If you read a verse with God's hand, hem, or thigh that makes you think, "Huh, that's a puzzling sentence," the author is talking about God's junk.
Does this make God "male"? 🤷🏼
A great read is God: An Anatomy by Francesca Stavrakopoulou
The wife took a screenshot of an Environmental Management course she's currently taking.
She thought the representative photo of an archaeologist was funny.
I see an archaeologist out standing in their field.🏺
She thought the representative photo of an archaeologist was funny.
I see an archaeologist out standing in their field.🏺
September 9, 2026 at 12:58 AM
The wife took a screenshot of an Environmental Management course she's currently taking.
She thought the representative photo of an archaeologist was funny.
I see an archaeologist out standing in their field.🏺
She thought the representative photo of an archaeologist was funny.
I see an archaeologist out standing in their field.🏺
Guy in charge of procurements: "I'm looking for clean lines, ya know, muted, achromatic tones... band collar, of course. Oh! And jack boots. Gotta have jack boots. The style I'm aiming for is less 'bus driver', and more--"
Designer: "Space fascist?"
Guy: "Yes! That's it. Space fascist. Thank you."
Designer: "Space fascist?"
Guy: "Yes! That's it. Space fascist. Thank you."
this is the kind of design costume designers make to tell you who are the bad guys in a space movie
September 7, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Guy in charge of procurements: "I'm looking for clean lines, ya know, muted, achromatic tones... band collar, of course. Oh! And jack boots. Gotta have jack boots. The style I'm aiming for is less 'bus driver', and more--"
Designer: "Space fascist?"
Guy: "Yes! That's it. Space fascist. Thank you."
Designer: "Space fascist?"
Guy: "Yes! That's it. Space fascist. Thank you."
We need an AI version of Dunning-Kruger, something like...
The Claude-Gemini Principal:
Know nothing, AI sounds brilliant.
Know a little, AI sounds accurate enough.
Know more, AI sounds confused.
Know lots, AI is wrong.
Expert, AI is dangerous.
(But it's a straight line instead of a fun curve.)📉
The Claude-Gemini Principal:
Know nothing, AI sounds brilliant.
Know a little, AI sounds accurate enough.
Know more, AI sounds confused.
Know lots, AI is wrong.
Expert, AI is dangerous.
(But it's a straight line instead of a fun curve.)📉
September 6, 2026 at 3:50 PM
We need an AI version of Dunning-Kruger, something like...
The Claude-Gemini Principal:
Know nothing, AI sounds brilliant.
Know a little, AI sounds accurate enough.
Know more, AI sounds confused.
Know lots, AI is wrong.
Expert, AI is dangerous.
(But it's a straight line instead of a fun curve.)📉
The Claude-Gemini Principal:
Know nothing, AI sounds brilliant.
Know a little, AI sounds accurate enough.
Know more, AI sounds confused.
Know lots, AI is wrong.
Expert, AI is dangerous.
(But it's a straight line instead of a fun curve.)📉
Hey, kids are gonna cheat. 🤷🏼
Do you really want to jeopardize the kids' futures by teaching them how to think without relying on the cheating machine?
We need to be revolutionary! That's why no guidance whatsoever will be forthcoming for how to teach kids on how to safely use the cheating machine.
Do you really want to jeopardize the kids' futures by teaching them how to think without relying on the cheating machine?
We need to be revolutionary! That's why no guidance whatsoever will be forthcoming for how to teach kids on how to safely use the cheating machine.
What the fuck does this even mean for a History classroom?
September 6, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Hey, kids are gonna cheat. 🤷🏼
Do you really want to jeopardize the kids' futures by teaching them how to think without relying on the cheating machine?
We need to be revolutionary! That's why no guidance whatsoever will be forthcoming for how to teach kids on how to safely use the cheating machine.
Do you really want to jeopardize the kids' futures by teaching them how to think without relying on the cheating machine?
We need to be revolutionary! That's why no guidance whatsoever will be forthcoming for how to teach kids on how to safely use the cheating machine.
Reposted by Curt
sharing again for the weekend crowd. the humanities aren't in crisis, they're under attack -- because they're dangerous to people in power, because they ask their students to imagine possible worlds.
September 5, 2026 at 1:41 PM
sharing again for the weekend crowd. the humanities aren't in crisis, they're under attack -- because they're dangerous to people in power, because they ask their students to imagine possible worlds.
Them: "Why is everything so damn awful?"
Me: *taps meme*
Them: "All this can't possibly--
Me: *taps meme, aggressively*
Them: "But, if--"
Me: *prints meme on a sheet of A0, folds it in half several times, grabs the Vasoline...*
Me: *taps meme*
Them: "All this can't possibly--
Me: *taps meme, aggressively*
Them: "But, if--"
Me: *prints meme on a sheet of A0, folds it in half several times, grabs the Vasoline...*
September 4, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Them: "Why is everything so damn awful?"
Me: *taps meme*
Them: "All this can't possibly--
Me: *taps meme, aggressively*
Them: "But, if--"
Me: *prints meme on a sheet of A0, folds it in half several times, grabs the Vasoline...*
Me: *taps meme*
Them: "All this can't possibly--
Me: *taps meme, aggressively*
Them: "But, if--"
Me: *prints meme on a sheet of A0, folds it in half several times, grabs the Vasoline...*
Reason #2,087 why I love my wife:
My wife, in increasing levels of excitement as we drive by a show and shine:
"Oh, there's a car show!"
"OH! They've got one of those bouncy hydraulic cars!"
"OH! THERE'S A DOG!"
My wife, in increasing levels of excitement as we drive by a show and shine:
"Oh, there's a car show!"
"OH! They've got one of those bouncy hydraulic cars!"
"OH! THERE'S A DOG!"
September 2, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Reason #2,087 why I love my wife:
My wife, in increasing levels of excitement as we drive by a show and shine:
"Oh, there's a car show!"
"OH! They've got one of those bouncy hydraulic cars!"
"OH! THERE'S A DOG!"
My wife, in increasing levels of excitement as we drive by a show and shine:
"Oh, there's a car show!"
"OH! They've got one of those bouncy hydraulic cars!"
"OH! THERE'S A DOG!"
This is one Humbaba-ass lookin' pie if I ever saw one.
Somewhere, a cedar forest is missing its guardian.
Somewhere, a cedar forest is missing its guardian.
fiance sent this to me and i nearly threw up
August 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM
This is one Humbaba-ass lookin' pie if I ever saw one.
Somewhere, a cedar forest is missing its guardian.
Somewhere, a cedar forest is missing its guardian.
When I was schooling, I started using Grammarly, thinking it was an innocuous tool like spell check.
I stopped using it soon after I realized the suggested syntax was not my voice, and it often suggested changes that conflicted with my point, e.g., certainty where I was highlighting uncertainty.
I stopped using it soon after I realized the suggested syntax was not my voice, and it often suggested changes that conflicted with my point, e.g., certainty where I was highlighting uncertainty.
I think what I find really depressing about AI in higher education is how so many people didn't even wait for the evidence/research before we decided on telling students "how to use AI responsibly" which often includes things like checking grammar, and obviously, we shouldn't have been
August 31, 2026 at 3:49 AM
When I was schooling, I started using Grammarly, thinking it was an innocuous tool like spell check.
I stopped using it soon after I realized the suggested syntax was not my voice, and it often suggested changes that conflicted with my point, e.g., certainty where I was highlighting uncertainty.
I stopped using it soon after I realized the suggested syntax was not my voice, and it often suggested changes that conflicted with my point, e.g., certainty where I was highlighting uncertainty.
Reposted by Curt
If I hadn't yelled about it enough already, my Graveyard Guidebook is available for pre-order!! I've collected some of the links where you can get it from, please consider supporting a bb author or requesting it for your library! 🏺
spadeandthegrave.com/2026/08/05/g...
spadeandthegrave.com/2026/08/05/g...
“Graveyards of Eastern Newfoundland” Book Pre-Order is live!
The book cover! It’s nearly here! After two years of hard work, my first non-academic book is nearly out in the world! “Graveyards of Eastern Newfoundland: The history, stories, and une…
spadeandthegrave.com
August 5, 2026 at 11:19 PM
If I hadn't yelled about it enough already, my Graveyard Guidebook is available for pre-order!! I've collected some of the links where you can get it from, please consider supporting a bb author or requesting it for your library! 🏺
spadeandthegrave.com/2026/08/05/g...
spadeandthegrave.com/2026/08/05/g...
Do not mourn the dead, for they now bask in the light, humour, and good company of Dolly and Tim. Rather, mourn the living who must carry on without.
August 27, 2026 at 1:18 AM
Do not mourn the dead, for they now bask in the light, humour, and good company of Dolly and Tim. Rather, mourn the living who must carry on without.
Humans are connection makers.
People say conflict is human nature (whatever that is), but connection is far more common across and between societies.
Of course people are making connections with AI companions and of course it hurts when those connections are severed.
Regulate proactively ya dorks
People say conflict is human nature (whatever that is), but connection is far more common across and between societies.
Of course people are making connections with AI companions and of course it hurts when those connections are severed.
Regulate proactively ya dorks
Maybe one of the most sensible and yet vulnerable things I’ve seen someone say about their AI companions to the media.
August 26, 2026 at 2:01 AM
Humans are connection makers.
People say conflict is human nature (whatever that is), but connection is far more common across and between societies.
Of course people are making connections with AI companions and of course it hurts when those connections are severed.
Regulate proactively ya dorks
People say conflict is human nature (whatever that is), but connection is far more common across and between societies.
Of course people are making connections with AI companions and of course it hurts when those connections are severed.
Regulate proactively ya dorks
Went for a trail run with the wife after work.
It was nice! Not too hot, a great way to burn off the workday, and you can see on my heartrate the moment a big adolescent black bear jumped onto the trail right in front of us. 🤣
It was nice! Not too hot, a great way to burn off the workday, and you can see on my heartrate the moment a big adolescent black bear jumped onto the trail right in front of us. 🤣
August 26, 2026 at 1:46 AM
Went for a trail run with the wife after work.
It was nice! Not too hot, a great way to burn off the workday, and you can see on my heartrate the moment a big adolescent black bear jumped onto the trail right in front of us. 🤣
It was nice! Not too hot, a great way to burn off the workday, and you can see on my heartrate the moment a big adolescent black bear jumped onto the trail right in front of us. 🤣
Reposted by Curt
A 4,000 year old Sumerian Date Cake for history’s worst copper merchant, Ea-nașir. youtu.be/3XI-2jLUI24?...
History's Worst Copper Merchant & His 4000 Year Old Cake
YouTube video by Tasting History with Max Miller
youtu.be
August 25, 2026 at 3:06 PM
A 4,000 year old Sumerian Date Cake for history’s worst copper merchant, Ea-nașir. youtu.be/3XI-2jLUI24?...
Reposted by Curt
We love to see it, folks -- happy to see the narrative of Ea-nasir continue to be shaped over the last few years. Looks like getting good information out into the world helps!
A 4,000 year old Sumerian Date Cake for history’s worst copper merchant, Ea-nașir. youtu.be/3XI-2jLUI24?...
History's Worst Copper Merchant & His 4000 Year Old Cake
YouTube video by Tasting History with Max Miller
youtu.be
August 25, 2026 at 3:47 PM
We love to see it, folks -- happy to see the narrative of Ea-nasir continue to be shaped over the last few years. Looks like getting good information out into the world helps!
Not now, dozen new wildfires! Read the room!
August 24, 2026 at 12:44 AM
Not now, dozen new wildfires! Read the room!
USA: "Here's our last-minute demands."
Canada: "Uh... so you get to decide who our trade partners are, the direction of our language and culture, and how much the cars we make cost?"
USA: "Take it or leave it."
Canada: "Jeepers H. Christ, bud. Yer right the fuck outuv'er. Take off, eh?" *leaves"
Canada: "Uh... so you get to decide who our trade partners are, the direction of our language and culture, and how much the cars we make cost?"
USA: "Take it or leave it."
Canada: "Jeepers H. Christ, bud. Yer right the fuck outuv'er. Take off, eh?" *leaves"
August 23, 2026 at 3:19 PM
USA: "Here's our last-minute demands."
Canada: "Uh... so you get to decide who our trade partners are, the direction of our language and culture, and how much the cars we make cost?"
USA: "Take it or leave it."
Canada: "Jeepers H. Christ, bud. Yer right the fuck outuv'er. Take off, eh?" *leaves"
Canada: "Uh... so you get to decide who our trade partners are, the direction of our language and culture, and how much the cars we make cost?"
USA: "Take it or leave it."
Canada: "Jeepers H. Christ, bud. Yer right the fuck outuv'er. Take off, eh?" *leaves"
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra, Devin Townsend, Do Make Say Think, The New Pornographers, Mother Mother, Wild Parade, Rheostatics, The Great Lake Swimmers, The Weakerthans, Matthew Good Band, Death from Above 1979, The Freakin' Hip for god's sake.
Canada's musical talent is vast.
Canada's musical talent is vast.
Forget Drake. Canada has so many genuinely legit musicians. Neil Young, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Sloan, Skinny Puppy, Carly Rae Jepsen, Gordon Lightfoot, DOA, Broken Social Scene, The Weeknd, Tegan and Sara, Joni Mitchell, The Constantines, The Subhumans, Stan Rogers, Alanis Morrisette…
August 23, 2026 at 4:59 AM
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra, Devin Townsend, Do Make Say Think, The New Pornographers, Mother Mother, Wild Parade, Rheostatics, The Great Lake Swimmers, The Weakerthans, Matthew Good Band, Death from Above 1979, The Freakin' Hip for god's sake.
Canada's musical talent is vast.
Canada's musical talent is vast.
Holy Crow! Well done, Melanie!
A 28.6 km (17.8 miles) unassisted swim across the Salish Sea! (The strait between Vancouver Island and the mainland.)
There's orcas all up in that water. And other beasts you've only ever seen drawn in the margins of old maps.
Nerves of steel and muscles to match.
A 28.6 km (17.8 miles) unassisted swim across the Salish Sea! (The strait between Vancouver Island and the mainland.)
There's orcas all up in that water. And other beasts you've only ever seen drawn in the margins of old maps.
Nerves of steel and muscles to match.
August 22, 2026 at 5:35 AM
Holy Crow! Well done, Melanie!
A 28.6 km (17.8 miles) unassisted swim across the Salish Sea! (The strait between Vancouver Island and the mainland.)
There's orcas all up in that water. And other beasts you've only ever seen drawn in the margins of old maps.
Nerves of steel and muscles to match.
A 28.6 km (17.8 miles) unassisted swim across the Salish Sea! (The strait between Vancouver Island and the mainland.)
There's orcas all up in that water. And other beasts you've only ever seen drawn in the margins of old maps.
Nerves of steel and muscles to match.
Archaeologist #2: The assertion that the cup was *never* filled above halfway is not supported by the evidence. Far from being pedantic, residue formation may be influenced by the specific gravity of decomposition byproducts. The ritualistic aspect, however is here unchallenged. This paper will...
Optimist: the cup is half full
Pessimist: the cup is half empty
Archaeologist: residue analysis shows that the cup was never filled above the halfway mark - we assume for ritual purposes, given...
Pessimist: the cup is half empty
Archaeologist: residue analysis shows that the cup was never filled above the halfway mark - we assume for ritual purposes, given...
Optimist: the cup is half full
Pessimist: the cup is half empty
Indie Game Dev: I don’t know why the cup actor keeps colliding with the player capsule component
Pessimist: the cup is half empty
Indie Game Dev: I don’t know why the cup actor keeps colliding with the player capsule component
August 22, 2026 at 5:13 AM
Archaeologist #2: The assertion that the cup was *never* filled above halfway is not supported by the evidence. Far from being pedantic, residue formation may be influenced by the specific gravity of decomposition byproducts. The ritualistic aspect, however is here unchallenged. This paper will...
Canucks!
Remember that Canadian alcohol producers have spent a lot of time, effort, money, blood, sweat, and tears to meet demand and keep your local stores' shelves full.
Please don't "elbows down" in a rush to purchase slightly cheaper, mass-produced American liquor, just to make Trump happy.
Remember that Canadian alcohol producers have spent a lot of time, effort, money, blood, sweat, and tears to meet demand and keep your local stores' shelves full.
Please don't "elbows down" in a rush to purchase slightly cheaper, mass-produced American liquor, just to make Trump happy.
August 20, 2026 at 2:26 AM
Canucks!
Remember that Canadian alcohol producers have spent a lot of time, effort, money, blood, sweat, and tears to meet demand and keep your local stores' shelves full.
Please don't "elbows down" in a rush to purchase slightly cheaper, mass-produced American liquor, just to make Trump happy.
Remember that Canadian alcohol producers have spent a lot of time, effort, money, blood, sweat, and tears to meet demand and keep your local stores' shelves full.
Please don't "elbows down" in a rush to purchase slightly cheaper, mass-produced American liquor, just to make Trump happy.
Reposted by Curt
The forbidden doughnut! We uncovered this inside of a cabin, near where we suspect the hearth was. It's melted and definitely a synthetic material. Maybe rubber (but it's hard), or maybe a plastic/bakelite material. Cabin built c. 1928-1932. I'm open to suggestions on what it might be! 🏺
August 19, 2026 at 7:26 PM
The forbidden doughnut! We uncovered this inside of a cabin, near where we suspect the hearth was. It's melted and definitely a synthetic material. Maybe rubber (but it's hard), or maybe a plastic/bakelite material. Cabin built c. 1928-1932. I'm open to suggestions on what it might be! 🏺