Katherine Firth
@katherinefirth.bsky.social
Writes about writing, especially for PhDs and researchers: poetry, music, food. Blogs at Research Degree Insider
Reposted by Katherine Firth
A Brief History of Children Today Are Growing Up Too Fast
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February 10, 2026 at 12:44 AM
A Brief History of Children Today Are Growing Up Too Fast
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Reposted by Katherine Firth
Reposted by Katherine Firth
so i talked to one of the bushes at the super bowl
www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/...
www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/...
What it was like to be a bush at Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance
The bushes on the field during the halftime show became a meme after the internet found out they were actually human performers.
www.nbcnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:30 AM
so i talked to one of the bushes at the super bowl
www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/...
www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/...
Reposted by Katherine Firth
If Bad Bunny can cover the history of Puerto Rico, colonialism, transatlantic slavery, hemispheric consciousness, as well as contemporary life and politics in under 14 minutes, you can do your 15- or 20-minute conference presentation with time to spare.
February 9, 2026 at 11:56 PM
If Bad Bunny can cover the history of Puerto Rico, colonialism, transatlantic slavery, hemispheric consciousness, as well as contemporary life and politics in under 14 minutes, you can do your 15- or 20-minute conference presentation with time to spare.
Hey, so, things that we still think are good, right?
Human rights,
the World Health Organisation,
the International Criminal Court,
science (generally),
peace,
sociology (broadly),
safe children,
art,
human endeavour,
fair play,
that time we won against the Nazis,
people being alive,
vaccines
Human rights,
the World Health Organisation,
the International Criminal Court,
science (generally),
peace,
sociology (broadly),
safe children,
art,
human endeavour,
fair play,
that time we won against the Nazis,
people being alive,
vaccines
February 9, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Hey, so, things that we still think are good, right?
Human rights,
the World Health Organisation,
the International Criminal Court,
science (generally),
peace,
sociology (broadly),
safe children,
art,
human endeavour,
fair play,
that time we won against the Nazis,
people being alive,
vaccines
Human rights,
the World Health Organisation,
the International Criminal Court,
science (generally),
peace,
sociology (broadly),
safe children,
art,
human endeavour,
fair play,
that time we won against the Nazis,
people being alive,
vaccines
Reposted by Katherine Firth
THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH A HISTORY MAJOR
Bad Bunny has a consulting historian. news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
Pop star Bad Bunny needed a Puerto Rican history scholar. UW–Madison had just the one.
Bad Bunny collaborated with UW–Madison history professor Jorell Meléndez-Badillo on Puerto Rican narratives that accompany the new album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.”
news.wisc.edu
February 9, 2026 at 5:44 AM
THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH A HISTORY MAJOR
Reposted by Katherine Firth
In 1979, Talking Heads released "I Zimbra" as the second single from their album Fear of Music.
The lyrics - a type of non-semantic sound poem - are based on the poem "Gadji beri bimba" by German Dadaist Hugo Ball.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKFn...
The lyrics - a type of non-semantic sound poem - are based on the poem "Gadji beri bimba" by German Dadaist Hugo Ball.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKFn...
I Zimbra (2005 Remaster)
YouTube video by Talking Heads - Topic
www.youtube.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:57 AM
In 1979, Talking Heads released "I Zimbra" as the second single from their album Fear of Music.
The lyrics - a type of non-semantic sound poem - are based on the poem "Gadji beri bimba" by German Dadaist Hugo Ball.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKFn...
The lyrics - a type of non-semantic sound poem - are based on the poem "Gadji beri bimba" by German Dadaist Hugo Ball.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKFn...
Reposted by Katherine Firth
Once again, it turns out “fully autonomous” means “a guy in the Philippines.”
It Turns Out Waymos Are Being Controlled by Workers in the Philippines
During a Congressional hearing, Waymo's chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, was grilled over the company's reliance on overseas workers.
futurism.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Once again, it turns out “fully autonomous” means “a guy in the Philippines.”
Reposted by Katherine Firth
The Largest Historical Dictionary of English Slang Now Free Online: Covers 500 Years of the “Vulgar Tongue”
The Largest Historical Dictionary of English Slang Now Free Online: Covers 500 Years of the “Vulgar Tongue”
'The three volumes of Green's Dictionary of Slang demonstrate the sheer scope of a lifetime of research by Jonathon Green, the leading slang lexicographer of our time. A remarkable collection of this ...
www.openculture.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:05 PM
The Largest Historical Dictionary of English Slang Now Free Online: Covers 500 Years of the “Vulgar Tongue”
Reposted by Katherine Firth
Gregor left behind strict instructions his family should follow to appease his ghost.
He didn’t require vengeance, sacrifice, or ceremony. His spirit could only be calmed by acts of self care.
For the rest of their lives, his kids would swear they heard low moaning if they didn’t drink enough water.
He didn’t require vengeance, sacrifice, or ceremony. His spirit could only be calmed by acts of self care.
For the rest of their lives, his kids would swear they heard low moaning if they didn’t drink enough water.
February 6, 2026 at 3:23 AM
Gregor left behind strict instructions his family should follow to appease his ghost.
He didn’t require vengeance, sacrifice, or ceremony. His spirit could only be calmed by acts of self care.
For the rest of their lives, his kids would swear they heard low moaning if they didn’t drink enough water.
He didn’t require vengeance, sacrifice, or ceremony. His spirit could only be calmed by acts of self care.
For the rest of their lives, his kids would swear they heard low moaning if they didn’t drink enough water.
“ I see Americans putting together a protest that is massive, even by French standards”.
A properly historiographical view from Paris
A properly historiographical view from Paris
In Minneapolis, the sounds of ICE Watch whistles echo the church bells that guided Resistance in occupied France. In my latest for @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I spoke to Minnesotans & WWII historians to explore the lessons of such parallels for the Minneapolis uprising newlinesmag.com/essays/minne...
Minneapolis Protests Sound a Lot Like the French Resistance
Minnesota is not occupied France, but historians see some parallels with the neighborhood groups and solidarity networks responding to federal operations today
newlinesmag.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:16 PM
“ I see Americans putting together a protest that is massive, even by French standards”.
A properly historiographical view from Paris
A properly historiographical view from Paris
Reposted by Katherine Firth
Fellow writers: I am deeply saddened to share that if we want the rewards of having written, we must submit to the mortifying ordeal of writing
January 29, 2026 at 11:26 PM
Fellow writers: I am deeply saddened to share that if we want the rewards of having written, we must submit to the mortifying ordeal of writing
Reposted by Katherine Firth
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub
aiskillshub.org.uk
January 28, 2026 at 12:07 PM
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
Reposted by Katherine Firth
Great post by @katherinefirth.bsky.social about "minimum viable writing". Serendipitous that it comes out so soon after I updated You Need A Writing Practice.
This is the kind of thinking that goes into a consistent practice.
researchinsiders.blog/2026/01/29/t...
This is the kind of thinking that goes into a consistent practice.
researchinsiders.blog/2026/01/29/t...
A writing tip from the Minimum Viable Run project
How Shut Up and Write (surprisingly) helped me find a way to sustainably fit running into my life long term through the Minimum Viable Run project
researchinsiders.blog
January 29, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Great post by @katherinefirth.bsky.social about "minimum viable writing". Serendipitous that it comes out so soon after I updated You Need A Writing Practice.
This is the kind of thinking that goes into a consistent practice.
researchinsiders.blog/2026/01/29/t...
This is the kind of thinking that goes into a consistent practice.
researchinsiders.blog/2026/01/29/t...
How Shut Up and Write surprisingly helped me find a way to sustainably fit running into my life long-term through the Minimum Viable Run project.
A writing tip from the Minimum Viable Run project
How Shut Up and Write (surprisingly) helped me find a way to sustainably fit running into my life long term through the Minimum Viable Run project
researchinsiders.blog
January 29, 2026 at 4:34 AM
How Shut Up and Write surprisingly helped me find a way to sustainably fit running into my life long-term through the Minimum Viable Run project.
I finally watched the cow tool video and now I want everyone to watch the cow tool video. (Animal intelligence! Happy animals! A charming message at the end! Swiss Germans speaking English—one of the best accents!)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAk4...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAk4...
Flexible use of a multi-purpose tool by a cow
YouTube video by Antonio Jose Osuna Mascaró
www.youtube.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:25 PM
I finally watched the cow tool video and now I want everyone to watch the cow tool video. (Animal intelligence! Happy animals! A charming message at the end! Swiss Germans speaking English—one of the best accents!)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAk4...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAk4...
Reposted by Katherine Firth
Blog post: Editing isn’t one giant fix-everything move. Different kinds of revision need different kinds of attention; trying to do it all at once is a great way to freeze. Choose your horizon!
silencesandsounds.blogspot.com
#writetips #AcademicWriting #Revision #Drafting #WritingLife
silencesandsounds.blogspot.com
#writetips #AcademicWriting #Revision #Drafting #WritingLife
January 24, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Blog post: Editing isn’t one giant fix-everything move. Different kinds of revision need different kinds of attention; trying to do it all at once is a great way to freeze. Choose your horizon!
silencesandsounds.blogspot.com
#writetips #AcademicWriting #Revision #Drafting #WritingLife
silencesandsounds.blogspot.com
#writetips #AcademicWriting #Revision #Drafting #WritingLife
I love the love that corpse flowers get. We have Elephant Yams/Konjac in our front garden. They flower every 2 years, a glorious deep goth purple. And they smell exactly like dead mouse.
In case anyone wanted their own domestic corpse flower experience ✨🥀
In case anyone wanted their own domestic corpse flower experience ✨🥀
Adelaide Botanic Garden is livestreaming their corpse flower. It's a beauty, lovely big tall one. Apparently it smells like cheese, but I'm too far away to travel down to see it.
#smellanie #adelaide #botany
www.youtube.com/live/Jh8BPg5...
#smellanie #adelaide #botany
www.youtube.com/live/Jh8BPg5...
Corpse Flower 'Smellanie' at Adelaide Botanic Garden
YouTube video by Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of SA
www.youtube.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:32 AM
I love the love that corpse flowers get. We have Elephant Yams/Konjac in our front garden. They flower every 2 years, a glorious deep goth purple. And they smell exactly like dead mouse.
In case anyone wanted their own domestic corpse flower experience ✨🥀
In case anyone wanted their own domestic corpse flower experience ✨🥀
My family chat is LOSING THEIR MINDS over this absolutely magical book. In case you want some joy, or have a stick-lover in your life
January 24, 2026 at 8:29 AM
My family chat is LOSING THEIR MINDS over this absolutely magical book. In case you want some joy, or have a stick-lover in your life
This is such fascinating reading, Bertrand Russell from 1933.
The stupidity and cruelty of our current moment keeps taking me by surprise. Here’s someone to think with
(Thanks @c0nc0rdance.bsky.social )
russell-j.com/0583TS.HTM
The stupidity and cruelty of our current moment keeps taking me by surprise. Here’s someone to think with
(Thanks @c0nc0rdance.bsky.social )
russell-j.com/0583TS.HTM
Bertrand Russell：The Triumph of Stupidity
One of Bertrand Russell's famous quotes : The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt
russell-j.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:14 AM
This is such fascinating reading, Bertrand Russell from 1933.
The stupidity and cruelty of our current moment keeps taking me by surprise. Here’s someone to think with
(Thanks @c0nc0rdance.bsky.social )
russell-j.com/0583TS.HTM
The stupidity and cruelty of our current moment keeps taking me by surprise. Here’s someone to think with
(Thanks @c0nc0rdance.bsky.social )
russell-j.com/0583TS.HTM
Reposted by Katherine Firth
I had no idea "freaking" (as an intensifier) was so old.
Another freaking f-word. New post for @stronglang.bsky.social about "freaking" as a euphemistic intensifier: stronglang.wordpress.com/2026/01/22/a... 🐦🐦
Another freaking f-word
I never fully adopted freaking as an intensifier, euphemistic for fucking, partly because I swear fairly freely, and maybe also because fecking was available in my Irish English dialect. But I like…
stronglang.wordpress.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:41 AM
I had no idea "freaking" (as an intensifier) was so old.
Reposted by Katherine Firth
Last term I tried an experiment: I walked into my Tech and Design Ethics class, admitted that I had *no idea* what to do about ChatGPT - so I would let them figure it out.
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
January 22, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Last term I tried an experiment: I walked into my Tech and Design Ethics class, admitted that I had *no idea* what to do about ChatGPT - so I would let them figure it out.
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
Reposted by Katherine Firth
I did once peer review a paper that conspicuously didn’t cite a recent very well regarded book on a closely related topic. In my review I wrote: “I suspect this is AUTHOR, if it is, then fine, but if not it’s really glaring not to see IMPORTANT BOOK referenced.”
It was by the person it turned out.
It was by the person it turned out.
January 22, 2026 at 11:09 PM
I did once peer review a paper that conspicuously didn’t cite a recent very well regarded book on a closely related topic. In my review I wrote: “I suspect this is AUTHOR, if it is, then fine, but if not it’s really glaring not to see IMPORTANT BOOK referenced.”
It was by the person it turned out.
It was by the person it turned out.