David Higgins
@davidhiggins.bsky.social
Professor of Environmental Humanities at the University of Leeds, UK. Working on culture and environmental crisis. Writing a book about birds, loss, and restoration. Worried parent. Luddite. Opinions my own. Reposts ≠ endorsement.
Pinned
David Higgins
@davidhiggins.bsky.social
· Oct 17
The book I'm writing -- on bitterns, loss, and hope -- has for a while seemed impossible. Today it seems merely improbable. I'm counting that as progress!
Reposted by David Higgins
@pbresnihan.bsky.social will be coming to Edinburgh to discuss his new book From the Bog to the Cloud: Dependency and Eco-Modernity in Ireland, co-authored with Patrick Brodie. 17 February, 3.30pm. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/book-launc...
Book Launch: From the Bog to the Cloud, with Patrick Bresnihan
Patrick Bresnihan, co-author of From the Bog to the Cloud: Dependency and Eco-Modernity in Ireland, joins us to discuss his new book.
www.eventbrite.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:39 PM
@pbresnihan.bsky.social will be coming to Edinburgh to discuss his new book From the Bog to the Cloud: Dependency and Eco-Modernity in Ireland, co-authored with Patrick Brodie. 17 February, 3.30pm. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/book-launc...
Reposted by David Higgins
Leonard Nimoy was more than a colleague—he was a friend, an ally, and my political soulmate. Leonard played a half-human, half-Vulcan officer—a being caught between two worlds. Yet in his own life, he was perhaps the most profoundly human person I have ever known.
January 21, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Leonard Nimoy was more than a colleague—he was a friend, an ally, and my political soulmate. Leonard played a half-human, half-Vulcan officer—a being caught between two worlds. Yet in his own life, he was perhaps the most profoundly human person I have ever known.
In the spirit of celebrating small victories, I finished the first draft an essay today, despite many many distractions. It needs a lot of sorting out, but it has escaped from my mind and into the world and I am pleased.
January 20, 2026 at 5:21 PM
In the spirit of celebrating small victories, I finished the first draft an essay today, despite many many distractions. It needs a lot of sorting out, but it has escaped from my mind and into the world and I am pleased.
Reposted by David Higgins
Fuck this garbage. Think of all the talented artists in Glasgow who you could have chosen from to get a payday from this gig instead of the money being handed over to a slop merchant.
NEW: Glasgow City Council has just approved a massive AI-generated mural to be painted in the city centre.
The illustration of Scottish elements inexplicably contains a bald eagle.
The planner says those upset about it are "keyboard warriors" who should "calm down"
The illustration of Scottish elements inexplicably contains a bald eagle.
The planner says those upset about it are "keyboard warriors" who should "calm down"
January 20, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Fuck this garbage. Think of all the talented artists in Glasgow who you could have chosen from to get a payday from this gig instead of the money being handed over to a slop merchant.
Belgian PM not fucking about.
January 20, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Belgian PM not fucking about.
Reposted by David Higgins
Well that’s me locked out. No pay for the foreseeable future, all because I refuse to reschedule lost teaching, for which I have already lost pay as part of the strike. Please donate to support @sheffielducu.bsky.social members like me at www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...
January 19, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Well that’s me locked out. No pay for the foreseeable future, all because I refuse to reschedule lost teaching, for which I have already lost pay as part of the strike. Please donate to support @sheffielducu.bsky.social members like me at www.gofundme.com/f/heubvb-sup...
I've really got to stop going to European cities with well integrated transport systems. For an inhabitant of Leeds, it's thoroughly depressing.
January 19, 2026 at 6:59 PM
I've really got to stop going to European cities with well integrated transport systems. For an inhabitant of Leeds, it's thoroughly depressing.
Reposted by David Higgins
Fossil people! What are/were these, please?
January 18, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Fossil people! What are/were these, please?
Reposted by David Higgins
Good to see the Observer featuring new poetry. Today it's my 'Mineral'.
January 18, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Good to see the Observer featuring new poetry. Today it's my 'Mineral'.
Reposted by David Higgins
☀️ Summer School 📚
“Critical AI Literacies for Resisting and Reclaiming"
Organisers and teachers:
👉 @marentierra.bsky.social
👉 @olivia.science
👉 myself
Deadline for application:
🐦 31 March 2026 (early bird fee)
1/🧵
www.ru.nl/en/education...
“Critical AI Literacies for Resisting and Reclaiming"
Organisers and teachers:
👉 @marentierra.bsky.social
👉 @olivia.science
👉 myself
Deadline for application:
🐦 31 March 2026 (early bird fee)
1/🧵
www.ru.nl/en/education...
Critical AI Literacies for Resisting and Reclaiming | Radboud University
This course is designed to foster critical AI literacies in participants to empower them to develop ways of resisting or reclaiming AI in their own practices and social context.
www.ru.nl
January 16, 2026 at 8:36 PM
☀️ Summer School 📚
“Critical AI Literacies for Resisting and Reclaiming"
Organisers and teachers:
👉 @marentierra.bsky.social
👉 @olivia.science
👉 myself
Deadline for application:
🐦 31 March 2026 (early bird fee)
1/🧵
www.ru.nl/en/education...
“Critical AI Literacies for Resisting and Reclaiming"
Organisers and teachers:
👉 @marentierra.bsky.social
👉 @olivia.science
👉 myself
Deadline for application:
🐦 31 March 2026 (early bird fee)
1/🧵
www.ru.nl/en/education...
Reposted by David Higgins
Today was spent celebrating and sharing work relating to our research Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas at our Ambleside campus, and having some inspiring conversations with our wonderful advisory board 📚🍃
@roseoneill.bsky.social
@davidhiggins.bsky.social
@roseoneill.bsky.social
@davidhiggins.bsky.social
January 16, 2026 at 11:54 PM
Today was spent celebrating and sharing work relating to our research Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas at our Ambleside campus, and having some inspiring conversations with our wonderful advisory board 📚🍃
@roseoneill.bsky.social
@davidhiggins.bsky.social
@roseoneill.bsky.social
@davidhiggins.bsky.social
Important article on a grim topic. Yet more evidence of the utter irresponsibility of Gen AI companies (and the utter madness of universities and other institutions encouraging us to use Gen AI).
Publicly bombarding women with these images exerts control over how they present themselves online.
How AI-generated sexual images cause real harm, even though we know they are ‘fake’
Publicly bombarding women with these images exerts control over how they present themselves online.
tcnv.link
January 16, 2026 at 7:50 AM
Important article on a grim topic. Yet more evidence of the utter irresponsibility of Gen AI companies (and the utter madness of universities and other institutions encouraging us to use Gen AI).
Reposted by David Higgins
If I get one more notification about "longevity hacks" I will have to weaponize my copy of Arendt's Human Condition & secrete select quotes in packets of linseed for immortality devotees to sprinkle on their cereal.
Dudes, death & decay are the human condition.
Dudes, death & decay are the human condition.
January 15, 2026 at 6:22 PM
If I get one more notification about "longevity hacks" I will have to weaponize my copy of Arendt's Human Condition & secrete select quotes in packets of linseed for immortality devotees to sprinkle on their cereal.
Dudes, death & decay are the human condition.
Dudes, death & decay are the human condition.
In the Lake District for work (honest). Stopped off at the lovely village of Clapham en route and found a dipper on the stream — bobbing up and down on the rocks, almost as if curtsying, and splashing into the water in search of food. Always a pleasure to watch one.
January 15, 2026 at 6:19 PM
In the Lake District for work (honest). Stopped off at the lovely village of Clapham en route and found a dipper on the stream — bobbing up and down on the rocks, almost as if curtsying, and splashing into the water in search of food. Always a pleasure to watch one.
Reposted by David Higgins
The UK Government’s decision to include Berwick Bank in the Contracts for Difference scheme is a disaster for Scotland’s seabirds.
Killing tens of thousands of these incredible birds isn’t just reckless, it could push many species towards extinction.
Killing tens of thousands of these incredible birds isn’t just reckless, it could push many species towards extinction.
January 14, 2026 at 10:16 AM
The UK Government’s decision to include Berwick Bank in the Contracts for Difference scheme is a disaster for Scotland’s seabirds.
Killing tens of thousands of these incredible birds isn’t just reckless, it could push many species towards extinction.
Killing tens of thousands of these incredible birds isn’t just reckless, it could push many species towards extinction.
It's no surprise that fascists love generative AI.
It erodes critical thinking.
It makes mass disinformation easy.
And it's great for humiliating and abusing people.
These so-called 'tools' are not politically neutral and they can't be used responsibly.
It erodes critical thinking.
It makes mass disinformation easy.
And it's great for humiliating and abusing people.
These so-called 'tools' are not politically neutral and they can't be used responsibly.
January 11, 2026 at 6:30 PM
It's no surprise that fascists love generative AI.
It erodes critical thinking.
It makes mass disinformation easy.
And it's great for humiliating and abusing people.
These so-called 'tools' are not politically neutral and they can't be used responsibly.
It erodes critical thinking.
It makes mass disinformation easy.
And it's great for humiliating and abusing people.
These so-called 'tools' are not politically neutral and they can't be used responsibly.
Reposted by David Higgins
2 Bitterns on show today @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social reedbed screen both in flight and slipping around on the ice. @nybirdnews.bsky.social @northyorksbirds.bsky.social
January 10, 2026 at 9:44 PM
2 Bitterns on show today @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social reedbed screen both in flight and slipping around on the ice. @nybirdnews.bsky.social @northyorksbirds.bsky.social
Nearly finished the first draft of a personal essay on turtle doves and mortality. I think the first section is good, the second section is okay, and the final section such an embarrassing mess that I want to change my name and flee the country. Shame plays a big part in my writing process...
January 10, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Nearly finished the first draft of a personal essay on turtle doves and mortality. I think the first section is good, the second section is okay, and the final section such an embarrassing mess that I want to change my name and flee the country. Shame plays a big part in my writing process...
Reposted by David Higgins
Want to join our panel @eccb26leiden.bsky.social on "Conservation Histories and Humanities: Understanding the Present, Unearthing the Past"? We are looking for presentations exploring the histories of conservation. Email me ([email protected]) with an abstract by 9th Feb.
January 9, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Want to join our panel @eccb26leiden.bsky.social on "Conservation Histories and Humanities: Understanding the Present, Unearthing the Past"? We are looking for presentations exploring the histories of conservation. Email me ([email protected]) with an abstract by 9th Feb.
Reposted by David Higgins
somebody at UChicago is feeding preprints to LLMs without authors' consent, in a research study
they have the gall to suggest to authors they've opted-in that they volunteer to evaluate the LLMs' suggestions regarding their own work.
lol, lmao even. here is the invite and my reply
they have the gall to suggest to authors they've opted-in that they volunteer to evaluate the LLMs' suggestions regarding their own work.
lol, lmao even. here is the invite and my reply
January 5, 2026 at 10:55 PM
somebody at UChicago is feeding preprints to LLMs without authors' consent, in a research study
they have the gall to suggest to authors they've opted-in that they volunteer to evaluate the LLMs' suggestions regarding their own work.
lol, lmao even. here is the invite and my reply
they have the gall to suggest to authors they've opted-in that they volunteer to evaluate the LLMs' suggestions regarding their own work.
lol, lmao even. here is the invite and my reply
Reposted by David Higgins
Happy new year, all! Can anyone recommend good critical sources on redacted names/ blanks/ initialism in C18th lit? I'm looking for something about the various purposes of the practice, whether for real names or fictional, and my context is popular fiction in 1790s. TIA! #skystorians #c18th
January 6, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Happy new year, all! Can anyone recommend good critical sources on redacted names/ blanks/ initialism in C18th lit? I'm looking for something about the various purposes of the practice, whether for real names or fictional, and my context is popular fiction in 1790s. TIA! #skystorians #c18th
Reposted by David Higgins
Liberal England: Pedestrian deaths are increasing because of the rise of SUVs
"While SUVs are 44 per cent more likely to kill an adult pedestrian or cyclist in a crash compared with an ordinary 'sedan', for children the figure is a shocking 82 per cent." liberalengland.blogspot.com/2026/01/pede...
"While SUVs are 44 per cent more likely to kill an adult pedestrian or cyclist in a crash compared with an ordinary 'sedan', for children the figure is a shocking 82 per cent." liberalengland.blogspot.com/2026/01/pede...
Image of a boy crossing the street waiting on the green man.
Image of a boy crossing the street waiting on the green man.
www.gettyimages.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Liberal England: Pedestrian deaths are increasing because of the rise of SUVs
"While SUVs are 44 per cent more likely to kill an adult pedestrian or cyclist in a crash compared with an ordinary 'sedan', for children the figure is a shocking 82 per cent." liberalengland.blogspot.com/2026/01/pede...
"While SUVs are 44 per cent more likely to kill an adult pedestrian or cyclist in a crash compared with an ordinary 'sedan', for children the figure is a shocking 82 per cent." liberalengland.blogspot.com/2026/01/pede...
Honestly, I now look back fondly on the days of trying to decipher handwritten exam scripts. At least you knew that you were engaging with the product of a human mind, rather than something generated by a gargantuan autocomplete designed by megalomaniacs.
Just wasted 15 minutes of my life trying to find a book that seems not to exist, in all likelihood because its title was created by Gen AI. Ironic applause for all the tech geniuses and their collaborators for imposing these bullshit engines on us -- and expecting us to be thankful!
January 6, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Honestly, I now look back fondly on the days of trying to decipher handwritten exam scripts. At least you knew that you were engaging with the product of a human mind, rather than something generated by a gargantuan autocomplete designed by megalomaniacs.
Just wasted 15 minutes of my life trying to find a book that seems not to exist, in all likelihood because its title was created by Gen AI. Ironic applause for all the tech geniuses and their collaborators for imposing these bullshit engines on us -- and expecting us to be thankful!
January 6, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Just wasted 15 minutes of my life trying to find a book that seems not to exist, in all likelihood because its title was created by Gen AI. Ironic applause for all the tech geniuses and their collaborators for imposing these bullshit engines on us -- and expecting us to be thankful!
Reposted by David Higgins
this is painful, but i think important, to read.
The last year was very hard as my father was dying. It became that much harder when I discovered that AI played a role in amplifying his physical pain, and perhaps hastening the end of his life. It wasn’t easy to write about what happened, but I’ve tried.
open.substack.com/pub/buildcog...
open.substack.com/pub/buildcog...
The role of AI in the death of my father
A sad strange story
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:57 PM
this is painful, but i think important, to read.