iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 4h

B.I. is in many ways the antidote to A.I.

Reposted by James Cummings

Jacqueline Murray @jacquelinemurray.bsky.social · 6h

Greetings early medievalists. I am wondering if there is an English translation of Gregory of Tours History of the Franks that has superseded Thorpe's Penguin version and is easily/widely available? Many thanks. #medievalsky

1108

Reposted by James Cummings

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 12h

New Digital Showcase now online: Robinson Bequest Student Hannah Reynolds explores the life and influential works of Scottish surgeons John and Charles Bell. The works evidence developments in surgical theory and practice of the era. Explore online here: digitalshowcase.ncl.ac.uk/showcases/sc...

Title page of The Principles of Surgery in Two Volumes, by John Bell.

011

Reposted by James Cummings

Chaucer Doth Tweet @levostregc.bsky.social · 20h

summa potestas diversitas est

0425

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 19h

Don't be a meat proxy! I had a colleague do exactly this the other day. It was disappointing.

140

Reposted by James Cummings

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

And just like that, September is nearly done. 🍂 A little bit of nineteenth-century ephemera from CollectionsCaptured to mark the last day of the month. Goodbye, September — see you next year. cdm21051.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/coll...

011

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I used to think that most AI detectors were a load of rubbish, because in the early days they were. But with research like this, and the development of word choice watermarking, I feel like detecting LLM usage reliably might be back on the cards eventually.

000

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

An example of how the NHS is already privatised and why it always leads to worse service. If I was this irresponsible in my job, I would be rightly fired. I hate this culture of not penalising or cancelling contracts with 3rd party suppliers when they are routinely unperforming.

0145

Reposted by James Cummings

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

@newcastleuni.bsky.social students take to the dance floor in the Students’ Union in 1965 – proving that some parts of student life haven’t changed too much in 60 years @nclalumni Explore the original photograph: collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll...

021

Reposted by James Cummings

Chaucer Doth Tweet @levostregc.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Those who lyve well, who helpe, who make art, who do goode thinges -- thei lyve on yn all of the people ynspired by them. We honor by rememberinge, & by strivinge to imitate as much as we kan. Greate heartes nevir fade awaye. The love thei gave doth move the worlde righte now.

211121

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

A man who doesn't know his own address, zip code, or phone number says it doesn't matter if we lose some 'fine intellectual dexterity'. These are not the people who should be deciding the fate of humanity's intellectual capabilities.

270

Reposted by James Cummings

Melissa Terras @melissaterras.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

UKRI is using AI for grant reviewing. Alternatively, they could have modernised the grant review process by paying human reviewers for their labour, ensuring a wider pool and speedy turnaround. Using AI here is likely a race to the bottom: uniqueness is at risk of being ironed out. What a world.

22010

Reposted by James Cummings

Vivek Nityananda @viveknityananda.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

My friends and family are literally laughing about this decision. What were the leadership thinking? It's just embarrassing. www.theguardian.com/education/20...

theguardian.com

Backlash as Indian oil heir made professor of sustainability by Newcastle University

Role for Anant Ambani, son of India’s richest person, who also runs a controversial mega-zoo, met with incredulity

2121

Reposted by James Cummings

Beth DeBold @elizaaudacis.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

It’s actually shocking that @newcastleuni.bsky.social would try to dress up granting academic legitimacy in exchange for what is doubtless an enormous financial kickback as a recognition of this politically corrupt oligarch’s “contributions” to “conservation.” www.theguardian.com/education/20...

theguardian.com

Backlash as Indian oil heir made professor of sustainability by Newcastle University

Role for Anant Ambani, son of India’s richest person, who also runs a controversial mega-zoo, met with incredulity

061

Reposted by James Cummings

Lucienne Cummings @lucimcummings.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Watching the live stream of 45/47's UN speech. I swear there are bots trying to out-insult each other in the chat. It's hilarious. Less toe-curling than the speech anyway.

011

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Three things I always notice on returning to the UK from Canada, a thread. 1. The stated price is the price, tax is usually included in the advertised price, why as a society of consumers wouldn't you want this? 🙄

110

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Aer Lingus gets us all boarded and then there is mechanical failure and they make us move planes. Hope I get to work commitment on time! (We have been sat staring at the plane we are to move to for 10 minutes from the bus.)

Plane we seem not to be allowed to board yet.

120

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

At YYZ and I use one of those QR code things on the table to order some lunch. It tells me my name is invalid on payment page. After a few tries I realise it doesn't like middle initials even though that initial is on my payment card. Very weird.

111

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Or indeed that these courses don't need removal but that the slimlining isn't for pedagogical or even financial reasons but misguided ideological zealotry that has taken hold of a lot of UKHE.

131

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Senator proposing AI "kill switch" bill clearly does not understand what an Artificial Super Intelligence would be capable of. (And I don't believe we are there, yet, nor do I think legislation will really help prevent this.)

030

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

My hotel view has changed for the better in one day.

View of air conditioning vent and car park

120

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Oh thanks Marriott Bonvoy, 5000 meaningless points in compensation, not useful if I'm not going to stay with you again! 06:30 f'ing AM they started with the hammer-drilling and hammering this morning. I mean, WTF!? That seems intentional cruel and malicious because people have complained. See Alt.

A screenshot of my customer service chat with the Toronto Airport Marriott hotel, showing an insulting and completely inadequate response to three consecutive mornings of agonising noise disruption.

The chat log visible begins with a staff message sent at 6:58 AM falsely claiming they told builders to stop the drilling and hammering because it was too early for sleeping guests. Below it, an automated-sounding apology message follows, offering a measly 5,000 Marriott bonus points, worth almost nothing, as a "small gesture" compensation for destroying the my stay.
The screenshot highlights the corporate malice of a hotel chain that permitted heavy construction workers to start hammer-drilling and hammering in adjacent rooms between 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM—blatantly ignoring early morning complaints and intentionally worsening the noise the next day to get back at those who complained. This pathetic gesture of some meaningless points is completely useless, as I will never step foot in this terrible hotel chain again; all I wanted was a peaceful lie-in. Standard earplugs stood no chance against the deafening, structural vibration, exposing an unhelpful, greedy organisation that will receive a barrage of well-deserved, terrible reviews across every major site.

100

Reposted by James Cummings

Prof. Liz Oakley-Brown @earlymodlancs.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Fantastic programme of speakers - including my wonderful colleague Clare Egan and the equally wonderful @callanjd.bsky.social Online registration available 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 @reedproject.bsky.social REED 50th Anniversary Colloquium / September 19- 20, 2026 share.google/rkecbO66ktGE...

share.google

Records of Early English Drama 50th Anniversary Colloquium - Centre for Renaissance and Reformation Studies

Location Emmanuel College, Room 119 75 Queen’s Park Cres E, Toronto, ON M5S 1K5 September 19–20, 2026University of Toronto Applying REED to Reality: Pedagogy, Performance and Data Futures The internat...

01610

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I don't know how people in TO manage it, the area around the TIFF is crammed. But luckily I had eaten some nice Ethiopian food before going to look at some red carpets. (This being one of the empty ones, I couldn't get near the others.)

An overhead, slightly angled shot shows a large circular platter of Ethiopian food served on a piece of injera (a spongy, fermented flatbread) at a dark red table inside Ethiopia House in Toronto.
The main components of the meal are arranged on top of the large injera base:

* Gomen: A pile of dark green, finely chopped simmered collard greens sits at the bottom foreground of the platter.
* Tibs: A savory stew featuring chunks of sautéed meat, sliced onions, and tomatoes rests on the left side.
* Kitfo or Key Wat: A portion of finely minced, spiced reddish beef stew or minced meat sits on the right side.
* Salad and Ayib: In the center, a fresh salad of shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes is topped with crumbled white fresh cheese (ayib).

The platter itself is lined with additional rolls of folded injera along its outer edges. In the background, a colorful placemat features an illustration of people in traditional Ethiopian clothing carrying baskets. A glass of water, a red Coca-Cola can, and a green Sprite can are scattered around the top edges of the frame.

Alt Text:
A traditional Ethiopian food cover, known as a mesob, rests on a table at Ethiopia House in Toronto. The conical cover is finely hand-woven from light beige straw, tapering up to a small, pointed handle at the top. Vibrant teal and red geometric patterns are woven into its surface, creating eye-catching floral or leaf-like shapes. The cover sits slightly tilted over a large serving platter, revealing a hint of the soft, spongy injera flatbread underneath.
The mesob is positioned on a glossy reddish-brown table. In the background, a colorful place mat featuring illustrations of people in traditional clothing is partially visible, alongside a glass of water, a red soda can, a green Sprite can, and white paper napkins.

040

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

@marriott-bonvoy.bsky.social I don't know if this is a real account, and I get that hotel renovations have to happen, but workmen hammering and drilling in an adjacent room everyday at an airport hotel (Toronto) where people might be trying to sleep past 7am is really really annoying. 🙄

110

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I've occasionally been watching the ads for AI-generated (from Chinese translation?) dramas with undercover CEOs, pantomime villains, and disturbingly easy violence and in this case additional false praise for America's prenatal care being _too_ good thus resulting in bad people surviving?! bizarre!

A chaotic screenshot from a vertical short-form drama showing the peak of auto-translation absurdity. Two heavily glammed-up women stand under dramatic indoor lighting, locked in what is clearly meant to be a tense, high-stakes confrontation involving secret identities or betrayal. On the left, a blonde woman in an elegant lace-and-navy evening gown looks visibly distressed, clutching her arm as if processing a profound betrayal. On the right, a brunette in a sheer mesh jacket grabs her arm, aggressively delivering a line of dialogue. Breaking all dramatic tension, the wildly butchered English subtitles at the bottom read: "is because America's prenatal", transforming a serious melodramatic moment into unintentional comedic nonsense about America's good prenatal care resulting in too many bad people surviving!

010

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

For the first time in many visits, I happen to be in Toronto on the third Tuesday evening of the month. Free entry to the ROM!

A low-angle interior view of the Royal Ontario Museum's entry hall during a busy free Tuesday evening event, where a historic tan brick facade meets sharp, geometric modern white walls. Centered in the spacious hall is a colossal sauropod dinosaur skeleton cast, spectacularly illuminated from below with vibrant blue and purple lighting as visitors walk around its base.

040

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I understand the attraction but it is like cheat codes in video games. Yes, you can just give yourself the BFG (dated reference!) but if part of the point of the game is to overcome adversity and learn to get something yourself then the cheat code is cheating yourself. AI is modern day cheat codes.

130

Reposted by James Cummings

sam blickhan @snblickhan.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Today we launch our new @zooniverse.bsky.social AI Ethics Framework: www.zooniverse.org/about/ai-eth... It includes Key Principles, Internal Actions taken by Zooniverse, and Recommendations for Project Teams that will guide the use of AI/ML on the platform moving forward.

zooniverse.org

Zooniverse AI Ethics Framework | Zooniverse

Projects on Zooniverse that engage with artificial intelligence and/or machine learning

1138

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Fewer instances in the end as I ignored editorial <note> elements. If you are interested in Medieval or Early-Modern Abbreviations (as expanded by the @reedproject.bsky.social) then have a look at this very rough draft of a dataTable: blushingbunny.net/REED/abbr.html Comments welcome.

041

Reposted by James Cummings

Martin Paul Eve @eve.gd · 05/09/2026

Not now, ancient sheep virus found hiding in medieval parchment! [I am currently on a social media break (and am hospitalized). I am still writing, working, and posting, but am not caught up on reading at the moment.] eve.gd/2026/09/05/n...

eve.gd

Not now, ancient sheep virus found hiding in medieval parchment!

2101

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

So far not impressed with my first use of Flixbus. 50 minute delay.

A FlixBus mobile app itinerary screen shows a departure delayed from 18:50 to 19:40 from Toronto Pearson Airport Terminal 1, affecting a trip to Kitchener. The bus is Route 2701 bound for the Detroit Bus Station (with a stop in Kitchener), operated by SM Transnational Ltd. (DBA Skyway Coach Lines). The text specifies that the bus will stop on the Ground Level at Terminal 1. It also shows assigned seat 6D and a delayed arrival time at the next stop, changed from 19:50 to 20:40.

120

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Travelling NCL - DUB - YYZ today. When I arrived at NCL at far-to-early-in-the-morning, of course the Geordies were having pints of beer with their early breakfasts as usual... 🙄

340

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Popular media looking at Digital Humanities but quoting excellent people like @ponteineptique.bsky.social and Ariane Pinche. The article does try to counteract the misconception of LLMs that may be introduced for some audiences by the 'AI' in the headline. 😉 www.earth.com/science/3276...

earth.com

AI transcribed 32,763 medieval manuscripts in just four months, accomplishing work that previously would have taken years

French researchers used AI to transcribe 32,763 medieval manuscripts in just four months. Browse and download the complete collection online.

162

Reposted by James Cummings

Hannah Alpert-Abrams @halperta.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

(whispers) the university, higher ed, and the humanities are not in crisis

1193

Reposted by James Cummings

mia ridge @miaout.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Thank you, yes! 'Offering people opportunities to engage with primary sources and one another can foster literacy, community, and civic engagement, which are all vital to resisting the attacks on democracy, GLAMs, K–12, and higher education that we are witnessing around the world'

032

Reposted by James Cummings

Melissa Terras @melissaterras.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

New solo-authored paper from me - first in a while. "Digitization, Conflict, and Crisis: Institutional Urgency and Digital Cultural Heritage". Jan 26 I sat and wrote about the relationship between heritage digitisation and climate crisis. Then watched the world burn. muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/articl...

muse.jhu.edu

Project MUSE -- Verification required!

14218

Reposted by James Cummings

Thomas Flynn @nebulousflynn.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I am proud to share the UK 3D Heritage Data at Risk project final report with you! 🔗 Link at the end of this thread.

1129

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

In spite of Met Office warnings of thunderstorms all day, we enjoyed a nice sunny walk up the coast with a full breakfast, bird watching, finding hermit crabs in the rock pools and seal watching from our local lighthouse, followed by ice cream. We only put our coats on as we were returning home.

A Fox Breakfast and Veggie Breakfast from Fox and Finch.

AI: A high-angle, close-up shot shows a wooden table set with two full English breakfast plates and a cup of coffee [No, it is Chai Latte Tea]. The plate in the foreground is piled with two sausages, [3] slices of bacon, two hash browns, a slice of black pudding, two poached eggs, grilled tomato slices, two large grilled mushrooms, triangles of toasted bread, and a small metal pot of baked beans topped with microgreens. A similar plate [with a veggie version] and a grey ceramic mug with a frothy latte [chai latte tea] sit slightly blurred in the background.

A seal at St Mary's

AI: A light tan harbor seal rests on a seaweed-covered rock surrounded by ocean water. The seal is lying on its stomach, looking toward the camera with its tail flippers slightly raised. Gentle waves wash over the rocks in the background.

A cormorant.

AI: A wide shot shows two cormorants perched on a weathered concrete pillar rising out of the sea near St Mary's Island. One bird on the left stands with its wings spread wide to dry, while the second bird sits calmly beside it on the right. In the background, a small black flag marker bobbles in the choppy, light-blue water.

Whitley Bay Beach

AI:
A wide-angle, scenic daytime photograph of the sandy shoreline at Whitley Bay Beach in Tyne and Wear, England. On the right side, a tall, curved concrete sea wall separates the sandy beach from the elevated seaside promenade. The golden sand stretches out toward gentle ocean waves coming in from the left under a partly cloudy sky. A few scattered people are visible walking along the wide, open coastline, while the town's seaside properties and buildings frame the distant headland curve.

051

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Today I wrote some XSLT3 taking abbreviated words in @reedproject.bsky.social collections and creating a multilingual TEI dictionary of abbreviations with links to the edited records on the ereed.org website. 52427 abbreviated word instances, 12307 distinct, over 5 languages, from 10 collections.

121

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Distracting lovely wife from something, I pick a random late 1920s book off the shelf and suggest she find something that hasn't aged well (is now inappropriate). Well, the frontispiece before the title page was as far as she needed to go. Highly, highly inappropriate. (Content warning: racism)

An older, off-white book title page with black text and a small emblem in the center.
Title: "LUCY IN LION LAND" in a large, capitalized serif font at the top.
Author: "BY NOEL HOPE" centered below the title.
Contributors: "Preface by COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM" followed by "Illustrated by W. J. GIBBS".
Emblem: A small circular crest featuring a crown, a star, and the text "THE SALVATION ARMY".
Publisher: "SALVATIONIST PUBLISHING AND SUPPLIES, LIMITED KING’S CROSS, LONDON, W.C. 1." printed at the bottom.

An archival black-and-white illustration shows a group of Black children playing outdoors in a village setting.

Key Details
Foreground: Several children sit in a semi-circle on the ground, interacting and watching a companion.
Central Figure: A young child stands holding a small doll high in one hand, wearing a grass-like skirt.
Background: Two traditional round huts with thatched roofs sit beneath a sparse tree.
Caption: Text printed below reads: "Real 'pretend' games, like those of white children. (See page 75.)"

100

Reposted by James Cummings

Dr Alison Ray @liber-ray.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

A fantastic Cambridge research trip yesterday to @theul.bsky.social and @trincolllibcam.bsky.social + a sneak peek at an amazing new @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social exhibition that medievalists will love! 📜🤩

1214

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Sadly, Tim Curry couldn't live in a world without Dolly. "Because I've seen blue skies, through the tears in my eyes. And I realize... I'm going home." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Tim Curry: The Rocky Horror Picture Show star dies at 80

Curry was best known for playing the outlandish Frank-N-Furter in cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

030

Reposted by James Cummings

Thibault Clérice @ponteineptique.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

I would love it if #DH2027 could plan / cooperate with local associations for some (young) children activities. So taking the chance to put that out there... :)

142

James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Can confirm the products of this bakery were definitely worth sampling. Maybe not worth standing in line for hours, but they were, ya'know, pretty good. #DH2026

052