Ben Gross
@bhgross144.bsky.social
John Merritt Associate Director for Research Services at the Harry Ransom Center; Author of The TVs of Tomorrow-How RCA's Flat-Screen Dreams Led to the First LCDs (Chicago 2018). Posting in a personal capacity.
L. Sprague de Camp, influential #scifi & #fantasy author who occasionally delved into #histSTM, was born on #OnThisDay in 1907.
Researchers can consult De Camp’s papers @ransomcenter.bsky.social: https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/research/guides/DetectiveFantasyandScienceFiction #booksky #histsci 🗃️📜
Researchers can consult De Camp’s papers @ransomcenter.bsky.social: https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/research/guides/DetectiveFantasyandScienceFiction #booksky #histsci 🗃️📜
November 27, 2025 at 4:12 PM
L. Sprague de Camp, influential #scifi & #fantasy author who occasionally delved into #histSTM, was born on #OnThisDay in 1907.
Researchers can consult De Camp’s papers @ransomcenter.bsky.social: https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/research/guides/DetectiveFantasyandScienceFiction #booksky #histsci 🗃️📜
Researchers can consult De Camp’s papers @ransomcenter.bsky.social: https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/research/guides/DetectiveFantasyandScienceFiction #booksky #histsci 🗃️📜
Reposted by Ben Gross
Roses are redde
Noble are the manatees
For a bettir future
We neede artes and humanityes
artshumanities.berkeley.edu/news/humanit...
Noble are the manatees
For a bettir future
We neede artes and humanityes
artshumanities.berkeley.edu/news/humanit...
"The humanities really are a resource — a confidence for living in our times.” Dean Sara Guyer on the modern utility of humanities degrees | Division of Arts & Humanities
artshumanities.berkeley.edu
November 27, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Roses are redde
Noble are the manatees
For a bettir future
We neede artes and humanityes
artshumanities.berkeley.edu/news/humanit...
Noble are the manatees
For a bettir future
We neede artes and humanityes
artshumanities.berkeley.edu/news/humanit...
Back in the old days, people used to hate the Phlegmatic Screen of Death...
#histmed #histSTM
#Microsoft #Windows
#histmed #histSTM
#Microsoft #Windows
November 26, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Back in the old days, people used to hate the Phlegmatic Screen of Death...
#histmed #histSTM
#Microsoft #Windows
#histmed #histSTM
#Microsoft #Windows
Question: Does this also apply to fellowship and/or grant applications?
(Asking for a friend...)
(Asking for a friend...)
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Question: Does this also apply to fellowship and/or grant applications?
(Asking for a friend...)
(Asking for a friend...)
The final sale prices for those #MuppetChristmasCarol busts.
(I'm not sure why Dante sold for less than the other three authors.)
#Muppets
(I'm not sure why Dante sold for less than the other three authors.)
#Muppets
November 26, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The final sale prices for those #MuppetChristmasCarol busts.
(I'm not sure why Dante sold for less than the other three authors.)
#Muppets
(I'm not sure why Dante sold for less than the other three authors.)
#Muppets
Imagining an alternate history where Splinter named the #TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles after major literary figures...
(Aristotle leads,
Dante does machines.
Moliere is cool but rude.
William Shakespeare is a party dude.)
#TMNT #TurtlePower
(Aristotle leads,
Dante does machines.
Moliere is cool but rude.
William Shakespeare is a party dude.)
#TMNT #TurtlePower
November 25, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Imagining an alternate history where Splinter named the #TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles after major literary figures...
(Aristotle leads,
Dante does machines.
Moliere is cool but rude.
William Shakespeare is a party dude.)
#TMNT #TurtlePower
(Aristotle leads,
Dante does machines.
Moliere is cool but rude.
William Shakespeare is a party dude.)
#TMNT #TurtlePower
The Jim Henson Company's 70th Anniversary Auction is today. If I had the funds, I would love to expand @ransomcenter.bsky.social's collection of author busts by purchasing these props from The Muppet Christmas Carol.
www.juliensauctions.com/en/auctions/...
#Muppets #JimHenson #booksky #filmsky 📚📽️
www.juliensauctions.com/en/auctions/...
#Muppets #JimHenson #booksky #filmsky 📚📽️
November 25, 2025 at 2:33 PM
The Jim Henson Company's 70th Anniversary Auction is today. If I had the funds, I would love to expand @ransomcenter.bsky.social's collection of author busts by purchasing these props from The Muppet Christmas Carol.
www.juliensauctions.com/en/auctions/...
#Muppets #JimHenson #booksky #filmsky 📚📽️
www.juliensauctions.com/en/auctions/...
#Muppets #JimHenson #booksky #filmsky 📚📽️
November 25, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Reposted by Ben Gross
I! M! L! S!
"The ruling nullifies the Administration’s actions to dismantle IMLS and permanently prohibits the Administration from taking such actions in the future. The ruling has immediate nationwide effect."
www.ala.org/news/2025/11...
"The ruling nullifies the Administration’s actions to dismantle IMLS and permanently prohibits the Administration from taking such actions in the future. The ruling has immediate nationwide effect."
www.ala.org/news/2025/11...
November 24, 2025 at 9:05 PM
I! M! L! S!
"The ruling nullifies the Administration’s actions to dismantle IMLS and permanently prohibits the Administration from taking such actions in the future. The ruling has immediate nationwide effect."
www.ala.org/news/2025/11...
"The ruling nullifies the Administration’s actions to dismantle IMLS and permanently prohibits the Administration from taking such actions in the future. The ruling has immediate nationwide effect."
www.ala.org/news/2025/11...
Pleased to see several familiar names on @wired.com's list of Great Tech Books, including @ashleyshoo.bsky.social, @margaretomara.bsky.social & @ruha9.bsky.social.
#histSTM #STS
#histtech #BigTech 🗃️📜
#histSTM #STS
#histtech #BigTech 🗃️📜
This is a surprisingly good list of tech books to gift from Wired, including some aged classics and some new work destined to be classics down the line (*cough* @ashleyshoo.bsky.social's book *cough*)
25 Great Tech Books to Gift (or Keep for Yourself)
Give the techie in your life access to the inner workings of the companies and characters shaping Big Tech.
www.wired.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Pleased to see several familiar names on @wired.com's list of Great Tech Books, including @ashleyshoo.bsky.social, @margaretomara.bsky.social & @ruha9.bsky.social.
#histSTM #STS
#histtech #BigTech 🗃️📜
#histSTM #STS
#histtech #BigTech 🗃️📜
"And if there is any hope for any of us in this giant explosion in which we inhabit, then surely that's it. Intellect and romance triumph over brute force and cynicism..."
(Happy #DoctorWhoDay, everybody!)
#DoctorWho #scifi
(Happy #DoctorWhoDay, everybody!)
#DoctorWho #scifi
Craig Ferguson - The lost "Dr. Who" cold open.
YouTube video by The Local Shredder
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 3:08 AM
"And if there is any hope for any of us in this giant explosion in which we inhabit, then surely that's it. Intellect and romance triumph over brute force and cynicism..."
(Happy #DoctorWhoDay, everybody!)
#DoctorWho #scifi
(Happy #DoctorWhoDay, everybody!)
#DoctorWho #scifi
It is a sobering thought to realize that we're watching the leaders of American universities determine whether critical thinking-- and by extension, the #humanities --are still worthwhile investments.
Who invests in critical thinking and who invests in an AI chatbot to help you think will be really telling.
November 23, 2025 at 8:45 PM
It is a sobering thought to realize that we're watching the leaders of American universities determine whether critical thinking-- and by extension, the #humanities --are still worthwhile investments.
Henry Moseley, the English physicist whose X-ray spectroscopy experiments led to a reorganization of the #PeriodicTable, was born #OnThisDay in 1887. He later died in the Battle of Gallipoli.
More via @sciencehistory.org: www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
#histSTM #physics #chemistry #WWI 🗃️📜
More via @sciencehistory.org: www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
#histSTM #physics #chemistry #WWI 🗃️📜
November 23, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Henry Moseley, the English physicist whose X-ray spectroscopy experiments led to a reorganization of the #PeriodicTable, was born #OnThisDay in 1887. He later died in the Battle of Gallipoli.
More via @sciencehistory.org: www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
#histSTM #physics #chemistry #WWI 🗃️📜
More via @sciencehistory.org: www.sciencehistory.org/stories/maga...
#histSTM #physics #chemistry #WWI 🗃️📜
"Words can be like X-rays, if you use them properly--they'll go through anything. You read and you're pierced."
Aldous Huxley, author of #BraveNewWorld, died #OnThisDay in 1963. His passing was overshadowed by JFK's assassination.
(Images HT @ransomcenter.bsky.social; info in alt-text) #booksky 🗃️📜
Aldous Huxley, author of #BraveNewWorld, died #OnThisDay in 1963. His passing was overshadowed by JFK's assassination.
(Images HT @ransomcenter.bsky.social; info in alt-text) #booksky 🗃️📜
November 22, 2025 at 5:21 PM
"Words can be like X-rays, if you use them properly--they'll go through anything. You read and you're pierced."
Aldous Huxley, author of #BraveNewWorld, died #OnThisDay in 1963. His passing was overshadowed by JFK's assassination.
(Images HT @ransomcenter.bsky.social; info in alt-text) #booksky 🗃️📜
Aldous Huxley, author of #BraveNewWorld, died #OnThisDay in 1963. His passing was overshadowed by JFK's assassination.
(Images HT @ransomcenter.bsky.social; info in alt-text) #booksky 🗃️📜
Yesterday, @ransomcenter.bsky.social hosted a reading by former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins. We also launched a new teaching guide inspired by digitized material from Collins's personal archive.
Check it out here: www.hrc.utexas.edu/teaching/bil...
#poetry #booksky #speccolls 🗃️📜
Check it out here: www.hrc.utexas.edu/teaching/bil...
#poetry #booksky #speccolls 🗃️📜
November 21, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Yesterday, @ransomcenter.bsky.social hosted a reading by former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins. We also launched a new teaching guide inspired by digitized material from Collins's personal archive.
Check it out here: www.hrc.utexas.edu/teaching/bil...
#poetry #booksky #speccolls 🗃️📜
Check it out here: www.hrc.utexas.edu/teaching/bil...
#poetry #booksky #speccolls 🗃️📜
Considering how many people I've met who work on sensory history, I'm surprised that I didn't know that New Mexico has had a "State Aroma" since 2023!
How long will it be before other states follow suit? (And what will they pick?)
How long will it be before other states follow suit? (And what will they pick?)
November 21, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Considering how many people I've met who work on sensory history, I'm surprised that I didn't know that New Mexico has had a "State Aroma" since 2023!
How long will it be before other states follow suit? (And what will they pick?)
How long will it be before other states follow suit? (And what will they pick?)
Billy Collins sharing some of the poems from his new canine-themed anthology.
(@ransomcenter.bsky.social has been the home of Collins’s archive since 2014: norman.hrc.utexas.edu/fasearch/fin...)
#booksky #poetry
#DogShow #archives 🗃️🐶
(@ransomcenter.bsky.social has been the home of Collins’s archive since 2014: norman.hrc.utexas.edu/fasearch/fin...)
#booksky #poetry
#DogShow #archives 🗃️🐶
November 21, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Billy Collins sharing some of the poems from his new canine-themed anthology.
(@ransomcenter.bsky.social has been the home of Collins’s archive since 2014: norman.hrc.utexas.edu/fasearch/fin...)
#booksky #poetry
#DogShow #archives 🗃️🐶
(@ransomcenter.bsky.social has been the home of Collins’s archive since 2014: norman.hrc.utexas.edu/fasearch/fin...)
#booksky #poetry
#DogShow #archives 🗃️🐶
"An overweening faith that our genes make us who we are is a terrifying thing."
Today's #histSTM lunchtime read: @nccomfort.bsky.social discusses James Watson's gradual embrace of genetic determinism in an essay for @nytopinion.nytimes.com.
#histbio #histsci
#eugenics #DNA 🗃️📜🧬
Today's #histSTM lunchtime read: @nccomfort.bsky.social discusses James Watson's gradual embrace of genetic determinism in an essay for @nytopinion.nytimes.com.
#histbio #histsci
#eugenics #DNA 🗃️📜🧬
Opinion | James Watson Saw the True Form of DNA. Then It Blinded Him.
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:55 PM
"An overweening faith that our genes make us who we are is a terrifying thing."
Today's #histSTM lunchtime read: @nccomfort.bsky.social discusses James Watson's gradual embrace of genetic determinism in an essay for @nytopinion.nytimes.com.
#histbio #histsci
#eugenics #DNA 🗃️📜🧬
Today's #histSTM lunchtime read: @nccomfort.bsky.social discusses James Watson's gradual embrace of genetic determinism in an essay for @nytopinion.nytimes.com.
#histbio #histsci
#eugenics #DNA 🗃️📜🧬
“That’s the neat thing about technologies. They’re what we can learn to do.”
This letterpress edition of Ursula K. Le Guin’s “A Rant About #Technology” exceeded all my expectations. Thanks to @skeuomorphpress.org for making it available during their summer fundraising drive! #STS #scifi #booksky 🗃️📜
This letterpress edition of Ursula K. Le Guin’s “A Rant About #Technology” exceeded all my expectations. Thanks to @skeuomorphpress.org for making it available during their summer fundraising drive! #STS #scifi #booksky 🗃️📜
November 20, 2025 at 1:03 AM
“That’s the neat thing about technologies. They’re what we can learn to do.”
This letterpress edition of Ursula K. Le Guin’s “A Rant About #Technology” exceeded all my expectations. Thanks to @skeuomorphpress.org for making it available during their summer fundraising drive! #STS #scifi #booksky 🗃️📜
This letterpress edition of Ursula K. Le Guin’s “A Rant About #Technology” exceeded all my expectations. Thanks to @skeuomorphpress.org for making it available during their summer fundraising drive! #STS #scifi #booksky 🗃️📜
Look who visited @ransomcenter.bsky.social while I was attending #HSS2025 in New Orleans.
(And contrary to what he told @texasstandard.bsky.social, he didn’t have to break in…)
Thanks for stopping by, @mulaney.bsky.social!
#comedy #LiveFromNewYork #SNL
(And contrary to what he told @texasstandard.bsky.social, he didn’t have to break in…)
Thanks for stopping by, @mulaney.bsky.social!
#comedy #LiveFromNewYork #SNL
November 19, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Look who visited @ransomcenter.bsky.social while I was attending #HSS2025 in New Orleans.
(And contrary to what he told @texasstandard.bsky.social, he didn’t have to break in…)
Thanks for stopping by, @mulaney.bsky.social!
#comedy #LiveFromNewYork #SNL
(And contrary to what he told @texasstandard.bsky.social, he didn’t have to break in…)
Thanks for stopping by, @mulaney.bsky.social!
#comedy #LiveFromNewYork #SNL
"So long, Pop! I'm off to check my tiger trap!"
The very first #CalvinAndHobbes strip was published forty years ago today (Nov. 18, 1985).
#comics #OnThisDay
The very first #CalvinAndHobbes strip was published forty years ago today (Nov. 18, 1985).
#comics #OnThisDay
November 18, 2025 at 7:52 PM
"So long, Pop! I'm off to check my tiger trap!"
The very first #CalvinAndHobbes strip was published forty years ago today (Nov. 18, 1985).
#comics #OnThisDay
The very first #CalvinAndHobbes strip was published forty years ago today (Nov. 18, 1985).
#comics #OnThisDay
Reposted by Ben Gross
#HSS2025 peeps (& anyone else interested), a downloadable PDF version of my "Thinking With Birds" session presentation BIRDING IN THE VISUAL ARCHIVES: THE MYSTERY OF THE “ASH-COLOURED AND RED PARROT” is now available (with notes & bonus slides!): arthistoryanimalia.com/conference-p...
#BirdsInArt
#BirdsInArt
Conferences/Publications – ART HISTORY ANIMALIA
[updated 11/2025] BIRDING IN THE VISUAL ARCHIVES: THE MYSTERY OF THE "ASH-COLOURED AND RED PARROT"Oral PresentationHistory of Science Society 2025 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, USA, 16 November 202...
arthistoryanimalia.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:43 PM
#HSS2025 peeps (& anyone else interested), a downloadable PDF version of my "Thinking With Birds" session presentation BIRDING IN THE VISUAL ARCHIVES: THE MYSTERY OF THE “ASH-COLOURED AND RED PARROT” is now available (with notes & bonus slides!): arthistoryanimalia.com/conference-p...
#BirdsInArt
#BirdsInArt
Tomorrow (Nov. 19) at noon, @ransomcenter.bsky.social is hosting another edition of our works-in-progress series, Familiar Terms. If you're in Austin, join Lily Cutler & John Pipkin for a conversation about Lady Margaret Herschel's role in the development of cyanotype printing.
#histSTM #histsci 🗃️📜
#histSTM #histsci 🗃️📜
WORKS-IN-PROGRESS: How the Universe Was Discovered Through Partnerships: Lady Margaret Herschel’s Contributions to Cyanotype
Wed 19 Nov, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM [CST]: The Harry Ransom Center’s Fellowship Program invites you to a new edition of our works-in-progress research series, Familiar Terms. This program will be held in t...
tockify.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Tomorrow (Nov. 19) at noon, @ransomcenter.bsky.social is hosting another edition of our works-in-progress series, Familiar Terms. If you're in Austin, join Lily Cutler & John Pipkin for a conversation about Lady Margaret Herschel's role in the development of cyanotype printing.
#histSTM #histsci 🗃️📜
#histSTM #histsci 🗃️📜
A little disappointed that neither raisins nor rice were referenced in @spectrum.ieee.org's special issue on scale!
spectrum.ieee.org/magazine/202...
#metrology #measurement
#electronics #innovation
spectrum.ieee.org/magazine/202...
#metrology #measurement
#electronics #innovation
November 17, 2025 at 5:19 PM
A little disappointed that neither raisins nor rice were referenced in @spectrum.ieee.org's special issue on scale!
spectrum.ieee.org/magazine/202...
#metrology #measurement
#electronics #innovation
spectrum.ieee.org/magazine/202...
#metrology #measurement
#electronics #innovation
And that's a wrap for #HSS2025! Many thanks to @historyscience.bsky.social's officers, program committee & presenters for an excellent conference.
And, of course, thanks to all of you who read these updates throughout the meeting. Hopefully I'll see some of you next year in Edinburgh for #HSS2026!
And, of course, thanks to all of you who read these updates throughout the meeting. Hopefully I'll see some of you next year in Edinburgh for #HSS2026!
a sign that says " that 's all folks " on a red background
ALT: a sign that says " that 's all folks " on a red background
media.tenor.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:46 PM
And that's a wrap for #HSS2025! Many thanks to @historyscience.bsky.social's officers, program committee & presenters for an excellent conference.
And, of course, thanks to all of you who read these updates throughout the meeting. Hopefully I'll see some of you next year in Edinburgh for #HSS2026!
And, of course, thanks to all of you who read these updates throughout the meeting. Hopefully I'll see some of you next year in Edinburgh for #HSS2026!