Ian Rapley
@irapley.bsky.social
Historian of modern Japan, part time shepherd, clueless beekeeper, forensic cricket scorer.
If it can decode whatever that is that I wrote on the calendar for next Thursday, then we're really talking.
Nearly-perfect printed and handwritten text recognition is the most consequential technical contribution to the study of human culture of the last fifteen years, and it's not even close.
It fundamentally changes our (both lay and expert) relationship with the written past.
It fundamentally changes our (both lay and expert) relationship with the written past.
New issue of my newsletter: "The Writing Is on the Wall for Handwriting Recognition" — One of the hardest problems in digital humanities has finally been solved, and it's a good use of AI newsletter.dancohen.org/archive/the-...
November 25, 2025 at 10:34 PM
If it can decode whatever that is that I wrote on the calendar for next Thursday, then we're really talking.
The boy turned 16 today. He's off to choose his own GP, buy some liqueur chocolates, and get a job cleaning a bookies (after closing time).
November 25, 2025 at 6:56 PM
The boy turned 16 today. He's off to choose his own GP, buy some liqueur chocolates, and get a job cleaning a bookies (after closing time).
As disappointing as day two of the Perth test was, and it was really really disappointing, I think I'm not ready to throw in the towel on the #ashes just yet.
If any England team has the self belief to not capitulate 1 down in Australia, it's surely this one.
If any England team has the self belief to not capitulate 1 down in Australia, it's surely this one.
November 24, 2025 at 12:43 PM
As disappointing as day two of the Perth test was, and it was really really disappointing, I think I'm not ready to throw in the towel on the #ashes just yet.
If any England team has the self belief to not capitulate 1 down in Australia, it's surely this one.
If any England team has the self belief to not capitulate 1 down in Australia, it's surely this one.
Post a movie where you are from.
November 23, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Post a movie where you are from.
Reposted by Ian Rapley
For anyone in Perth who suspects they’ll be at a loose end over the next few days, luckily I’m the kind of person who has a rough holiday outline ready for most places in the world. Here are some suggestions:
November 22, 2025 at 6:35 AM
For anyone in Perth who suspects they’ll be at a loose end over the next few days, luckily I’m the kind of person who has a rough holiday outline ready for most places in the world. Here are some suggestions:
Who knew that Test batting was going to be one of the things destroyed by smart phones and the damage they've done to our concentration.
November 22, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Who knew that Test batting was going to be one of the things destroyed by smart phones and the damage they've done to our concentration.
Trying to unsubscribe from The Atlantic is proving one of the worst, most frustrating customer services experiences I've ever had.
November 21, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Trying to unsubscribe from The Atlantic is proving one of the worst, most frustrating customer services experiences I've ever had.
Telling myself, this England batting lineup is mercurial. They'll have their moments as surely as they'll collapse from time to time.
November 21, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Telling myself, this England batting lineup is mercurial. They'll have their moments as surely as they'll collapse from time to time.
Having watched Only Murders In The Building from end to end in the last few months, I felt that this season was a perfect place to call it complete.
November 20, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Having watched Only Murders In The Building from end to end in the last few months, I felt that this season was a perfect place to call it complete.
I won't be getting up in the night, but I am quite excited about the #ashes kicking off tonight.
England's batting will have their moments, and there is a path for the bowling to do well. Australia are favourites, but not overwhelmingly so.
England's batting will have their moments, and there is a path for the bowling to do well. Australia are favourites, but not overwhelmingly so.
November 20, 2025 at 1:31 PM
I won't be getting up in the night, but I am quite excited about the #ashes kicking off tonight.
England's batting will have their moments, and there is a path for the bowling to do well. Australia are favourites, but not overwhelmingly so.
England's batting will have their moments, and there is a path for the bowling to do well. Australia are favourites, but not overwhelmingly so.
I just took my son to a sixth form open evening. Which is strange, since he was in primary school during lockdown, which we all know was just the other day.
November 19, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I just took my son to a sixth form open evening. Which is strange, since he was in primary school during lockdown, which we all know was just the other day.
It's the hope that kills you. Australia have to be favourites, but it feels like the outcome of #theashes could be anything from 5-0 Australia through to a convincing England win.
November 16, 2025 at 6:04 PM
It's the hope that kills you. Australia have to be favourites, but it feels like the outcome of #theashes could be anything from 5-0 Australia through to a convincing England win.
New favourite podcast. Also, on a one day streak of writing every day.
New! I talked with Tyler Anbinder about his approach to writing and revising--plus, you'll learn about the person who told this celebrated historian he would never write trade book! We dug into his newest book, PLENTIFUL COUNTRY (@littlebrown.bsky.social). Listen: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...
November 11, 2025 at 4:51 PM
New favourite podcast. Also, on a one day streak of writing every day.
I listened to The Rest Is Politics for the first time in ages to listen to Michael Gove's interview. He's a fascinating mix: thoughtful reasoned ideas, very polite & urbane, and then absolute lunacy.
November 8, 2025 at 3:04 PM
I listened to The Rest Is Politics for the first time in ages to listen to Michael Gove's interview. He's a fascinating mix: thoughtful reasoned ideas, very polite & urbane, and then absolute lunacy.
We had a weekend trip to Hereford. Nice town, nice cathedral, the mappa mundi was really really fabulous. It was in such good condition, I had to double check it was actually the real one.
November 3, 2025 at 4:37 PM
We had a weekend trip to Hereford. Nice town, nice cathedral, the mappa mundi was really really fabulous. It was in such good condition, I had to double check it was actually the real one.
Reposted by Ian Rapley
Our next Exploring the Past public lecture is taking place soon. This fascinating and free talk will be online.
Title: Caribbean and West African Lives in British Ports
Date: 12.11.25
Time: 19:00
bit.ly/4hubwQH @webstermedieval.bsky.social @cuhistarchrel.bsky.social
Title: Caribbean and West African Lives in British Ports
Date: 12.11.25
Time: 19:00
bit.ly/4hubwQH @webstermedieval.bsky.social @cuhistarchrel.bsky.social
Exploring the Past/Historical Association free lecture, 12 Nov 2025, 7pm
Our next online free lecture takes place on Weds 12 Nov 2025 at 7pm. Please sign up to book a place.
bit.ly
October 27, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Our next Exploring the Past public lecture is taking place soon. This fascinating and free talk will be online.
Title: Caribbean and West African Lives in British Ports
Date: 12.11.25
Time: 19:00
bit.ly/4hubwQH @webstermedieval.bsky.social @cuhistarchrel.bsky.social
Title: Caribbean and West African Lives in British Ports
Date: 12.11.25
Time: 19:00
bit.ly/4hubwQH @webstermedieval.bsky.social @cuhistarchrel.bsky.social
Reposted by Ian Rapley
Fantasy would be a better genre if the Earthsea books were its foundational texts, not LoTR.
Tell me your most unhinged literary opinion, as a little treat
October 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Fantasy would be a better genre if the Earthsea books were its foundational texts, not LoTR.
Also, there is nothing interesting at all about 'there's a character in this novel with the author's name, who is and is not the author'
Tell me your most unhinged literary opinion, as a little treat
October 14, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Also, there is nothing interesting at all about 'there's a character in this novel with the author's name, who is and is not the author'
World war two was the final death blow to the novel as a genre, and we're still living in the shattered remains, hunting for a replacement.
Tell me your most unhinged literary opinion, as a little treat
October 14, 2025 at 8:26 AM
World war two was the final death blow to the novel as a genre, and we're still living in the shattered remains, hunting for a replacement.
Reposted by Ian Rapley
This (fascinating) audiobook thread reminding me of the hardest choices you have to make as a parent, “how many characters in this book are getting funny voices?” b/w “can I actually do the accent I am attempting?”
“May your favourite authors get big enough that their audiobooks get a cast of more than one actor.” - ancient Cockney curse.
October 13, 2025 at 10:18 AM
This (fascinating) audiobook thread reminding me of the hardest choices you have to make as a parent, “how many characters in this book are getting funny voices?” b/w “can I actually do the accent I am attempting?”
Five wickets for Kuldeep Yadav, but the West Indies mounting a rearguard action against the Indian men, plus what looks like a fascinating game in the women's world cup between India and Australia.
Plus a test in Pakistan.
In retrospect, my love of cricket always used to be quite parochial.
Plus a test in Pakistan.
In retrospect, my love of cricket always used to be quite parochial.
I want an alert whenever there's a wrist spinner bowling in international cricket.
Today: ✅
Alana King has to be one of the funnest bowlers in the world to watch. Just a shame Georgia Wareham is on the bench.
#cricket
Today: ✅
Alana King has to be one of the funnest bowlers in the world to watch. Just a shame Georgia Wareham is on the bench.
#cricket
October 12, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Five wickets for Kuldeep Yadav, but the West Indies mounting a rearguard action against the Indian men, plus what looks like a fascinating game in the women's world cup between India and Australia.
Plus a test in Pakistan.
In retrospect, my love of cricket always used to be quite parochial.
Plus a test in Pakistan.
In retrospect, my love of cricket always used to be quite parochial.
*Academic lecturing voice*: history reveals to us that many of the things we take for granted, as natural or timeless, are in fact, contingent, mutable, and have in the past been very different. Take, for example, the flap jack.
We are realizing that we have no idea what British people think a “flapjack” is.
October 11, 2025 at 7:54 AM
*Academic lecturing voice*: history reveals to us that many of the things we take for granted, as natural or timeless, are in fact, contingent, mutable, and have in the past been very different. Take, for example, the flap jack.
Reposted by Ian Rapley
Thread
We are realizing that we have no idea what British people think a “flapjack” is.
October 11, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Thread
The photographer here has clearly had an absolute whale of a time.
Charles Amos is the legalise incest guy. Insane they didn't do due diligence. www.thetimes.com/article/8c9a...
Meet the young Tories dreaming of a bright blue future
The Conservatives know they have a problem with Gen Z voters. At the party conference, The Times met a new breed of activists who are embracing the challenge
www.thetimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The photographer here has clearly had an absolute whale of a time.