iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by James Cummings

Chet Scoville @chesterscoville.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Every once in a while it hits me again that holy hell my profession has a giant Enemy label stuck onto it by some of the most malevolent and powerful people in the world I mean, how I’m just an English professor I teach Chaucer, fantasy, and comics

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

It has bothered me for years that the huge swathes of the BBC video archive is not just available on iPlayer. Yes, storage costs and curation and more needed, but what a boon to UK society if you could just watch any recorded BBC programmes of old. (cf learning on screen's Box of Broadcasts)

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Reposted by James Cummings

Chaucer Doth Tweet @levostregc.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Seriouslye, how fucked uppe ys that shytte?

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Chaucer Doth Tweet @levostregc.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

those who feare the mention of mutual and passionate sex but gladly broadcaste killinge are the death and plague of thys worlde

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I got a crowbar set which had a range from some smaller flatter ones to a big heavy one and several in between. Have used many times over the years.

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Well I don't think I'm in *that* much demand. But given some reductions in both my medieval and digital teaching ... one day I might be tempted, but all UKHE is a bin fire so other places aren't necessarily better.

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Someone tried to headhunt me for a post sort of like that several months ago. I said no because I didn't think I was a good fit... But maybe one day there will be something tempting enough. But moving.... ugh.

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I assumed you wouldn't _really_ need it. But it was a good read anyway. 😃

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Indeed. I asked it for advice on keeping the special secret shared key and API key secure and why my way was failing. I had a general idea of how to do this in python but wanted some additional suggestions which I then looked up on the web to make sure. So it was just a tool to find the right words.

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I found 'English Grammar for Students of Latin' useful when I was first learning Latin many many many years ago.

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

That is the 'popped out' icon. 😂 It could be that I went to get a drink or something but usually it is popping to the loo. Only I see the icons so...

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I wrote a script (with some help to diagnose errors) which uses the AbleSign API apidocs.ablesign.tv to shift one of the statuses to the top. I then use the HTTP Shortcuts app to turn these into icons to press on my phone. Now whenever wanting to change status I just press a button on my phone!

apidocs.ablesign.tv

AbleSign API Documentation

Manage your digital signage screens, playlists, and content programmatically with the AbleSign API.

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Yesterday I improved the ease-of-use of the digital noticeboard (repurposed old Android phone) where I use a ablesign.tv with 90day timeouts on display images with messages and QR code to book a meeting. But to update my status I'd need to login to the website and shift order in the playlist. So..

screenshot of a mobile phone screen displaying a widget titled "Status" with four shortcut buttons created using the HTTP Shortcuts app. The shortcuts are arranged in a two-by-two grid, each featuring a white circular icon with a specific colored graphic and a blue play symbol badge at the bottom right.
The individual shortcuts are:
• "In Offi..." (In Office): Features a green graphic of an office desk and chair.
• "On Ca..." (On Campus): Features a green graphic of a person presenting a chart.
• "Poppe..." (Popping Out): Features a yellow graphic of a toilet.
• "Off Ca..." (Off Campus): Features a pinkish-red graphic of a house.

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Metro display signs are reminding passengers that "RegentC is closed from 9pm Monday-Thursday." (Presumably for some form of upgrade.) It seems impossible for me *not* to read this as the "Regency is closed..." and picturing people in regency clothes walking around the Regent Centre.

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Our new #bird cam has #AI bird identification. Sadly in most cases it just says "Birdcam has detected bird". (If we prod it on the video recording it does do a better job.)

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Today I showed my 'Dissertation: Editing Project' students a selection of documents from my personal collection, as preparation for an @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social NCL Special Collections workshop they'll be going to on Thursday. They seemed to enjoy it.

A selection of documents including a 17thC cookbook (The Closet Opened), an early 17thC deed with the remnants of a wax seal, and a 16thC chirographic deed.

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I know there are variants which allow this, but standard chess really should allow killing your own pieces on your move. It would be more realistic to what rulers have done throughout history.

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Wow! Busy. I think there were only a handful of people standing in front of it when I was last there in 2009. I guess I randomly got a good time.

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Yeah, what's bad is they go away thinking that you agree with them. It is an act of normalisation for them. Only weird "woke leftists" online disagree with them, all the "real people" whose teeth are in their hands tacitly agree with anything and everything they think. 🙃

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

When people* I'm paying to do stuff show up and insist on spouting harmful misinformation, I'm always torn: do I try to correct them, or do I want the work done properly? *People... But of course it is always men, female tradespeople never seem to do this even if they might believe the same things.

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

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

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Reposted by James Cummings

Jacqueline Murray @jacquelinemurray.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

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

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

What's even better is the depiction of Moses throughout medieval art as horned owing to a mistranslation in St Jerome's Latin Vulgate. When I talk to my UG students about devils they think anyone with horns is a devil then I show them lots of Moses depictions. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horns_o...

en.wikipedia.org

Horns of Moses - Wikipedia

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Reposted by James Cummings

Newcastle Uni Special Collections & Archives @ncllibspeccoll.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

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.

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

This is why my signature starts: Many thanks, James -- [rest of signature]

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Yes, they are one in the same self-hating PPE grads.

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I guess it is possible, just normally dealt with more easily. There is also a strange senior senior management type who _did_ do an Arts and Humanities degree, but pissed the time away partying, then failed upwards for many years, so now think such degrees are worthless and so wish to punish them.

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Reposted by James Cummings

Chaucer Doth Tweet @levostregc.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

summa potestas diversitas est

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James Cummings @jamescummings.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

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

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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...

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

Where I lived before, some GP surgery sent me a person's entire medical records including psychiatric details, with my name on the envelope. We sent them back to that surgery since we didn't know where it should be sent otherwise.

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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.

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

Pretty sure that you could find things to say to them...

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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.

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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...

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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

3. Predictably, tipping. It has become so Americanised in Canada, and the 10% and 15% have climbed up to 18% as the lowest amount. Just pay a better wage and stop this insane tipping culture, it is ridiculously dehumanising! (And hides price.) Why, as consumers, would you want to normalise that?!

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

2. You can compare nutritional values of food stuffs (and similar) easily because they are legally required to display the information in per 100g or 100ml, whereas in Canada they can choose any denomination of their product. Crazy. Why as consumers would you not want to be able to easily compare?!

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