NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
For today’s episode in the history of bad ideas David talks to philosopher @shannonvallor.bsky.social about the myth that technology can be value free. Why do we let Silicon Valley get away with the idea that it’s never the fault of the tech?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
For today’s episode in the history of bad ideas David talks to philosopher @shannonvallor.bsky.social about the myth that technology can be value free. Why do we let Silicon Valley get away with the idea that it’s never the fault of the tech?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
July 6, 2025 at 11:40 AM
August 12, 2025 at 5:06 AM
For researchers: a useful list of techniques to sharpen your googling.
h/t @alondra.bsky.social
#skystorians #histsci #histmed #histtech
h/t @alondra.bsky.social
#skystorians #histsci #histmed #histtech
This is a great list of techniques for getting real information out of a Google search and avoiding AI slop and paid results.
(One thing not included is that if you add "-ai" to a search, you block the AI summary) cardcatalogforlife.substack.com/p/google-has...
(One thing not included is that if you add "-ai" to a search, you block the AI summary) cardcatalogforlife.substack.com/p/google-has...
Google Has a Secret Reference Desk. Here's How to Use It.
40 Google features to find exactly what you need, the alternative search engines that do things Google won't, and the reference desk framework underneath all of it.
cardcatalogforlife.substack.com
March 22, 2026 at 4:31 PM
For researchers: a useful list of techniques to sharpen your googling.
h/t @alondra.bsky.social
#skystorians #histsci #histmed #histtech
h/t @alondra.bsky.social
#skystorians #histsci #histmed #histtech
And and Endowed Chair in History of Technology (nice salary) at UC Irvine, due Dec 1.
recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF09897
recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF09897
History Of Technology
University of California, Irvine is hiring. Apply now!
recruit.ap.uci.edu
October 20, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I just got to HOLD it! 🥹 I could even see the tool marks 🤯 This has made my day ❤️ #HistSci #HistTech #MedievalSky #EarlyModern 🗃️ 🔩
Medieval screw! Medieval screw! 😱❤️🔩 I almost screamed when stumbling upon it (instead I gasped so loud I nearly gave some passersby a heart attack). It’s the oldest known evidence of the constructive use of screws 🤯
#MedievalSky #EarlyModern #histsci #histtech #histSTM 🗃️
#MedievalSky #EarlyModern #histsci #histtech #histSTM 🗃️
April 11, 2025 at 10:55 AM
I just got to HOLD it! 🥹 I could even see the tool marks 🤯 This has made my day ❤️ #HistSci #HistTech #MedievalSky #EarlyModern 🗃️ 🔩
Amazing artefact, h/t @celinecamps.bsky.social. Celine's alt-text is in the comments. #HistSci #HistTech #EarlyModern 🏛️ 🗃️
February 23, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Amazing artefact, h/t @celinecamps.bsky.social. Celine's alt-text is in the comments. #HistSci #HistTech #EarlyModern 🏛️ 🗃️
Delighted to share that I'll be on @askhistorians.bsky.social to talk #ArtificialLight #LightPollution #Night #Darkness 🌌💡🌃🛰️ tomorrow, 9/22 -- the day that #TransformingNight drops! 🥳🤩
#envhist #envhum #histtech #histsci #sts #histSTM
#envhist #envhum #histtech #histsci #sts #histSTM
September 21, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Delighted to share that I'll be on @askhistorians.bsky.social to talk #ArtificialLight #LightPollution #Night #Darkness 🌌💡🌃🛰️ tomorrow, 9/22 -- the day that #TransformingNight drops! 🥳🤩
#envhist #envhum #histtech #histsci #sts #histSTM
#envhist #envhum #histtech #histsci #sts #histSTM
March 2, 2026 at 8:05 AM
Abstract submission deadline is approaching (Sep. 1) for our Ghost of Empire in the North Sea workshop. Read more below or on our website where you also find a submission link (You have to scroll down below the introduction text on the website). www.uis.no/en/research/...
August 27, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The history of the proportional compass an early analogue calculator #histsci #histtech
thonyc.wordpress.com/2026/09/16/t...
thonyc.wordpress.com/2026/09/16/t...
September 16, 2026 at 7:26 AM
The history of the proportional compass an early analogue calculator #histsci #histtech
thonyc.wordpress.com/2026/09/16/t...
thonyc.wordpress.com/2026/09/16/t...
I'm sure my fellow historians of science & technology can relate!
#histSTM #philsci
#histsci #histtech
#histSTM #philsci
#histsci #histtech
I’m so frustrated that I have to argue 20th century philosophy about whether machines are people and 18th century science about whether germs are real and fucking 15th century colonial bullshit about whether people are human beings.
June 8, 2026 at 1:20 PM
It's publication day for The Broken Machine (@mitpress.bsky.social)! The book explores the intertwined histories of breaking machines, social order, and the self in the modern Atlantic, revealing how failing technologies have also shaped our world. mitpress.mit.edu/978026255334...
#sts #histtech
#sts #histtech
May 19, 2026 at 1:57 PM
It's publication day for The Broken Machine (@mitpress.bsky.social)! The book explores the intertwined histories of breaking machines, social order, and the self in the modern Atlantic, revealing how failing technologies have also shaped our world. mitpress.mit.edu/978026255334...
#sts #histtech
#sts #histtech
Getting geared up for my trip to Berlin tomorrow to look at some #EarlyModern screws 🔩 😍 🗃️ #HistSci #HistTech #HisSTM
March 23, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Getting geared up for my trip to Berlin tomorrow to look at some #EarlyModern screws 🔩 😍 🗃️ #HistSci #HistTech #HisSTM
Hey #histtech, can we dig up some suggestions here?
@shothisttech.bsky.social Seeking a history of technology scholar on the history of shovels - any suggestions and/or recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you!
June 20, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Hey #histtech, can we dig up some suggestions here?
#TransformingNight 🌌💡🌃 🤩
#LightPollution #ArtificialLight #ALAN #Night #Darkness #LightJustice
#envhist #envhum #envjustice #histtech #histsci #sts #Anthropocene
#LightPollution #ArtificialLight #ALAN #Night #Darkness #LightJustice
#envhist #envhum #envjustice #histtech #histsci #sts #Anthropocene
February 13, 2026 at 4:33 PM
"McDonald’s, Wendy’s, White Castle, and Taco Bell have also tested or used AI in drive-thru ordering in recent years. Taco Bell quickly decided to retreat from the strategy after it found the public really liked messing with the AI by doing things like asking for '18,000 cups of water, please.'"
“A Pizza Hut franchisee claims the chain’s AI-powered delivery system, meant to optimize orders and speed up deliveries, instead backfired and cost it more than $100 million.”
May 19, 2026 at 11:29 PM
Here’s an interesting counterfactual:
What if there were multiple academic disciplines devoted to debunking overly simplistic and/or xenophobic narratives that conflate technological innovation & social progress?
#histSTM #histsci #histtech
#STS #AlternateHistory 🗃️
What if there were multiple academic disciplines devoted to debunking overly simplistic and/or xenophobic narratives that conflate technological innovation & social progress?
#histSTM #histsci #histtech
#STS #AlternateHistory 🗃️
🧵 An alternate historical novel was written by Philip Roth, THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA. Limited series by David Simon. Stephen Miller should watch it.
@audacityofdespair.bsky.social
@audacityofdespair.bsky.social
December 28, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Here’s an interesting counterfactual:
What if there were multiple academic disciplines devoted to debunking overly simplistic and/or xenophobic narratives that conflate technological innovation & social progress?
#histSTM #histsci #histtech
#STS #AlternateHistory 🗃️
What if there were multiple academic disciplines devoted to debunking overly simplistic and/or xenophobic narratives that conflate technological innovation & social progress?
#histSTM #histsci #histtech
#STS #AlternateHistory 🗃️
Let the screw-making begin! 🔩 #HistSci #HistTech #ArtHistory #MaterialCulture #HistoricalReconstruction
July 4, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Let the screw-making begin! 🔩 #HistSci #HistTech #ArtHistory #MaterialCulture #HistoricalReconstruction
December 2, 2024 at 8:17 PM
Oh my god!! I just found it featured in *all its threaded glory* in one of my favorite woodcuts of 1493. It actually existed! ❤️ #MedievalSky #EarlyModern #HistSci #HistTech 🗃️
April 22, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Oh my god!! I just found it featured in *all its threaded glory* in one of my favorite woodcuts of 1493. It actually existed! ❤️ #MedievalSky #EarlyModern #HistSci #HistTech 🗃️
June 18, 2026 at 10:24 AM
