iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Japan. (In the 1930s the Depression is a big part of the story, but struggles for college grads in the 1920s is an interesting point to mention even in passing.)

Excerpt from Bordwell's Ozu and the Poetics of Cinema: 'Nowadays you have to have knowledge to get ahead' was already anachronistic in 1923. By the early 1930s, there was a huge oversupply of college graduates, and in 1936, 44 per cent of graduates could not get jobs. Typically the major companies recruited their staffs from only a few prestigious schools.

011

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The only person who specifically should not have a drink on their desk in the workplace is Emilia Clark in that one Game of Thrones scene.

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The actor who spoke the first words in Ozu's first talkie THE ONLY SON (we're not counting a documentary short) was this kid who went on to appear in IKIRU as an adult. (I just removed a tag claiming "This article about a living person..." since he died in 1959.) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinich...

en.wikipedia.org

Shinichi Himori - Wikipedia

010

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

In Ozu's AN INN IN TOKYO (1935), two boys leave their father's parcel in the road, and when they come back for it it's gone. Not to worry, it's Japan, probably just at the train station office. Oh right, it's Japan during the Great Depression. So a different homeless family probably took it.

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Where is our "At long last have you no decency?" moment? Where are the voices of reason within the government, who can seize a platform and use their position to lean into what is already a popular opinion that the president is engaged in a violent, inhumane abuse of power?

110232

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Where There's a Will, There's a Weyoun: Understanding Agency Among Vorta Clones Before and During the Dominion War If you have any questions, why don't you go ask Worf

010

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This is not to minimize the reality of Japanese-style fascism or the dangers if being a political dissident in wartime Japan, but it is true that Japan's WWII project was much less centered in individuals like Tojo & Hirohito than Americans knew. Japan's constitution and party politics were durable.

1325

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Just submitted my 'Doctor Who' tender bid

Several women in silver costumes around a raised, shirtless man, all surrounded by artificial smoke, spheres suspended in the background - it is a still from the music video for "Starship Trooper" by Sarah Brightman

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Europe should not have to stand alone, but we've let them dangle in the cold wind before. Maybe after November we'll be ready to help.

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

What bothers me most about this, in the wake of my recent Clarke binge, is that Clarke was a queer expat from the global north to the global south, and he admiringly wrote the "traditional" culture of the latter into his futures. A Bizarro Musk and NOT a likely Musk ally at the present stage.

193

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I've always been very analog and controlling about my devices. Screensavers are off, there are no sleep timers, I choose where new files save to every time, I write my citations by "hand," I turn off autoformatting, I ignore spellcheck... I guess this is partly why AI just has no use case for me.

010

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

8:00am was too early to see my first horribly tacky print tee of the day. At long last there is no decency.

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I guess this sounds like a Boomer complaint or something, but really, customer service and front-desk competence has cratered across all industries since AI metastasized. When it comes to the medical field and medical appointments, this is an unfolding public health crisis, not just an annoyance.

110

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Benedict Arnold gets a bad rap. He was one of the great heroes of the Revolution and a key part of why it was won. That he married a Loyalist and bailed should be an afterthought; he'd been out of the fight by then. Most people who get compared to him never did anything worthwhile to begin with.

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

The word "scale," especially as a verb or as the very airy abstraction "at scale," has become the same red flag of bullshit that "synergy" once was. Just a glaring warning that some nefarious company is trying to sell you a nothing.

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

No, but replace the on ovi with illy oel and yes.

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Welcome to Bluesky. Please familiarize yourself with the following accounts to understand the range of opinions it is acceptable to express.

Crayon illustration of MegaMan 2 stage select screen

010

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Guitarist I've seen the most times in concert is Rich Brotherton. For years he was guitarist for a legend I've followed since I was a kid, Robert Earl Keen, so I saw them about 5 times. He also played in a Celtic duo with Austin-based Scottish folkie Ed Miller; saw them two, three times. (cont)

100

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I didn't know praying mantises came in tree bark colors. I thought they were only green.

010

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

And one of my all-time favorites, an annual watch for my family, OVER THE GARDEN WALL in which he has an absolutely brilliant performance, barely post-stroke, as "Auntie Whispers." Creepy to downright scary to tear-jerking in the space of about 3 minutes of animated screentime. Only Tim Curry could.

010

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Don't forget that Dolly Parton starred in one of the best movies of the 80s, and one that still feels bold today. Today A&M would try to sue it into oblivion. Here's Dolly: youtu.be/6yDIF53sU7o?...

youtu.be

Sneakin' Around | The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas | TUNE

YouTube video by TUNE - Musical Moments

041

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Exactly right, but the value that admin sees is that AI might one day allow them to fire most adjuncts, TAs, and staff. Most admin I've encountered see their job as a financial one, not anything grander.

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Pie-in-the-sky, won't-happen-until-after-the-fall, but I think what needs to happen is this: * Disentangle public Us from state legislatures. They can fund if they choose, blue states will, but no funding-in-exchange-for-requirements * Elected faculty councils set policy - no policymaking trustees

020

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Watched a couple of projects from Coppola kids (Sofia, Roman, Jason S.), and saw a bad Godfather take (people who didn't like the sex in the book), which has had the effect of making me crave a Godfather rewatch. I worked through that era in my teens and 20s, but I guess the time has come again!

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Unpopular movie opinion: Sullivan's Travels doesn't work. Attempts at realism derail into paranoia. Attempts at melodrama derail into cliche. Racial inclusion derails into whataboutism. Strong train sequence deployed for gruesome notion of morality. Internally contradictory thesis. A Sturges miss.

001

Reposted by David A. Conrad, Ph.D.

Dr. Nyri A. Bakkalian @riversidewings.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

We are 54% of the way to funded, and with 20 days left till my top surgery payment is due. Insurance and credit have failed me, but you're saving my ass. Thank you for helping me access lifesaving healthcare. 💙 buff.ly/OelXI69

ko-fi.com

Buy Dr. Nyri A. Bakkalian a Coffee

Become a supporter of Dr. Nyri A. Bakkalian today!

0813

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

On the one hand, yes, ban polymarkets and sport betting, they're manifestly bad. On the other hand, 10 years ago it was crypto, six years ago it was dudes telling you how to buy on the dip, and three years ago it was round two of crypto. There's always something for people who want to be scammed.

100

Reposted by David A. Conrad, Ph.D.

Txnewsprincess @txnewsprincess.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

My son, who is on the spectrum and has ADHD, was assigned a book last summer that he was really having trouble with. We didn't do this. We just formed a family book club and read the book and them came together to discuss it, and I recorded our conversations and he turned those into his notes.

1763616

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

There's sanewashing going on that says Trump is worried about being Hoover, because he says he is. But he doesn't know anything about Hoover, it's just a name he heard. If he did know anything, he'd know that the tariff passed under Hoover exacerbated the economic crisis that brought Hoover down.

011

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

While I'm Lightfootmaxxing, I might at well point out his contribution to a popular phrase. "What's the story, morning glory?" is a line from Bye Bye Birdie. It's also repeated in this Lightfoot track. And then, lastly, Oasis used it. open.spotify.com/track/5D2f58...

open.spotify.com

Morning Glory

Gordon Lightfoot · East of Midnight · Song · 1986

011

Reposted by David A. Conrad, Ph.D.

Matt Seybold @mattseybold.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

So, I really hope I get to tell this story in longer form in the near future, but it it’s burning a hole inside me. Most of it comes from an interview with Bob Hirst this weekend. Bob has been Exec Editor of the Mark Twain Project for 47 years, before which he was part of its staff for ~15. 1/16

214856

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

All I'm saying is, if you want a song about parents who support their offbeat child, and about the value of education and expertise, look no further than the 1956 novelty country song "The Auctioneer," as interpreted by a sarcastic Chicagoan and a horny Canadian poet.

100

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

I did not know until doing a full discography listen that Gordon Lightfoot covered Leroy van Dyke's "The Auctioneer." I always thought it had to be done fast, like van Dyke and Steve Goodman did it, but actually Gordon nails a slow, lyrical cover. Of course he does. open.spotify.com/track/44OZyA...

open.spotify.com

The Auctioneer

Gordon Lightfoot · Dream Street Rose · Song · 1980

110

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

I don't think Google's nominally educated employees even notice the gulf between "what these Pompeii ruins looked like" and "a bustling, colorful street scene." Was it bustling and colorful? Sure. Is it what it looked like? No, it's a drawing, & we already have those and they're real ones by humans.

1215

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

"I suffer in this car of coffee smells." - 7yo

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

When the kids don't have the patience for fuse beads, but I do.

Fuse beads of the flag from Seven Samurai alongside a small figurine of Akira Kurosawa

020

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

My hot take is that the halftime show was good, but instead of a halftime show there should be an opening and closing ceremony like the Olympics. Let those choreographers and artists run wild, let the host country show off, etc. That way it's not so "American" but we still get the spectacle.

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

When my kids get into something for more than a week or so, I tend to draw it. Especially if it's something I was into at their age, too! My crayon Mega Man 2 menu turned out pretty well, I think. Crayon is unforgiving, and the shading on these guys is more elaborate than I expected for 8 bit.

Crayon drawing of Mega Man surrounded by Mega Man 2 bosses

100

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

I don't think there are a lot of places in the US where the biggest framed picture is of Douglas MacArthur, but this (excellent) Filipino restaurant is one. Given how much I've written about him (in the context of occupied Japan), it's actually pretty cool to see.

Portrait of Douglas MacArthur on an interior brick wall of a restaurant

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Movie rec: ONE HAND DON'T CLAP (1986), a music and concert doc that could have been content to spotlight Lord Kitchener and Calypso Rose, arguably the two biggest legends of the genre, but that subtly expands to include the past and future of calypso as well as the culture of Trinidad & Tobago.

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Robot phone trees should be required to say "over" when they're finished talking, like a walkie talkie.

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

NPR: Nearly 60% do not know the main purpose of the U.S. Constitution is to limit government power Maybe because that would be the Bill of Rights. The purpose of the Constitution was to strengthen government power relative to the Articles of Confederation. But yes, people don't know things.

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Tearing down the east wing was a start, but now the admin will try to finish the job the British started in 1814 and burn the whole city.

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Was just asked "Do you want a receipt or ketchup?" and boy that froze me.

000

David A. Conrad, Ph.D. @davidaconrad.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Finally got around to setting my homepage to noai.duckduckgo.com and my default search engine to duckduckgo with the AI turned off in the settings (easy to do, will last as long as the cookies last). Highly recommend.

100

Reposted by David A. Conrad, Ph.D.

Bryn Donovan @bryndonovan.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

I’m an writer and I don’t use AI because, as you might recall my mentioning earlier, I’m a writer.

453278661