The History Master
@myhistorymaster.bsky.social
Just a historian & political analyst for East Asia with a pretentious social media handle. "Interesting times" are overrated.
Pinned
Since all the "old regulars" are doing it for newbies: Hello everyone, it's me, THM, the guy with the pretentious social media handle! I'm a historian of Western ties with East Asia currently moonlighting as a political analyst. Thanks to certain events *cough* my job is now more interesting!
Reposted by The History Master
Impossible how good reading is. You mean I just point my face at the paper for a bit and it does a whole update on my brain?
November 23, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Impossible how good reading is. You mean I just point my face at the paper for a bit and it does a whole update on my brain?
Reposted by The History Master
Hi everyone, it's new article day. 🥰
This week, we have an article by Brian Stremick that explores the rise and fall of TechTV's Anime Unleashed block, which remains a fond memory for many despite not having the same mindshare as, say, Toonami. It's a great read and we hope you enjoy it.
#anime
This week, we have an article by Brian Stremick that explores the rise and fall of TechTV's Anime Unleashed block, which remains a fond memory for many despite not having the same mindshare as, say, Toonami. It's a great read and we hope you enjoy it.
#anime
The Rise and Fall of Anime Unleashed
All that’s left of Anime Unleashed is the fond memories of its devotees and a few scattered pages that can be found using the Wayback Machine. The shows that aired, or at least some of them, can still be found on various streaming sites or on DVD and Blu-ray.
hera.fyi
November 23, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Hi everyone, it's new article day. 🥰
This week, we have an article by Brian Stremick that explores the rise and fall of TechTV's Anime Unleashed block, which remains a fond memory for many despite not having the same mindshare as, say, Toonami. It's a great read and we hope you enjoy it.
#anime
This week, we have an article by Brian Stremick that explores the rise and fall of TechTV's Anime Unleashed block, which remains a fond memory for many despite not having the same mindshare as, say, Toonami. It's a great read and we hope you enjoy it.
#anime
Reposted by The History Master
I once knew a Federal bank examiner, and one time someone asked him why we had to KEEP inspecting banks over and over. He basically said every new batch of business school grads invents bank fraud from first principles.
AirBnB CEO calling it “vibe revenue” just 👨🍳 😘
The underlying cause of every bubble - debt masquerading as financial innovation - depends on not just short financial memory & speculative neophytism, but reinventing jargon of finance, like how each generation of kids has new ways to say same things.
The underlying cause of every bubble - debt masquerading as financial innovation - depends on not just short financial memory & speculative neophytism, but reinventing jargon of finance, like how each generation of kids has new ways to say same things.
November 22, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I once knew a Federal bank examiner, and one time someone asked him why we had to KEEP inspecting banks over and over. He basically said every new batch of business school grads invents bank fraud from first principles.
Reposted by The History Master
DOH. HUGE NEWS in the tariff wars!
(Point Roberts is a tiny sliver of America you can basically only reach from Canada.)
(Point Roberts is a tiny sliver of America you can basically only reach from Canada.)
November 21, 2025 at 5:26 PM
DOH. HUGE NEWS in the tariff wars!
(Point Roberts is a tiny sliver of America you can basically only reach from Canada.)
(Point Roberts is a tiny sliver of America you can basically only reach from Canada.)
Reposted by The History Master
Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan celebrates 80 years at the forefront of press freedom @fccjapan.bsky.social www.japantimes.co.jp/community/20...
Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan celebrates 80 years at the forefront of press freedom
Since its founding in 1945, the club has been an important professional hub and played host to a startling array of political and cultural figures from around the world.
www.japantimes.co.jp
November 17, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan celebrates 80 years at the forefront of press freedom @fccjapan.bsky.social www.japantimes.co.jp/community/20...
Reposted by The History Master
Ken Burn’s new documentary, “The American Revolution,” honors the dignity and meaning of the founding’s revolutionary ideals while taking an unsparing look at the war’s cruelties and costs, Jill Lepore writes.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/11/17/what-was-the-american-revolution-for
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/11/17/what-was-the-american-revolution-for
What Was the American Revolution For?
Amid plans to mark the nation’s semiquincentennial, many are asking whether or not the people really do rule, and whether the law is still king.
www.newyorker.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Ken Burn’s new documentary, “The American Revolution,” honors the dignity and meaning of the founding’s revolutionary ideals while taking an unsparing look at the war’s cruelties and costs, Jill Lepore writes.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/11/17/what-was-the-american-revolution-for
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/11/17/what-was-the-american-revolution-for
Reposted by The History Master
Tatsuya Nakadai, the legendary Japanese actor best known for his roles in Ran, Harakiri and The Human Condition trilogy, has died. He was 92.
Tatsuya Nakadai, Legendary Japanese Actor in ‘Ran’ and ‘Harakiri,’ Dies at 92
Tatsuya Nakadai, the legendary Japanese actor best known for his roles in Ran, Harakiri and The Human Condition trilogy, has died. He was 92.
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Tatsuya Nakadai, the legendary Japanese actor best known for his roles in Ran, Harakiri and The Human Condition trilogy, has died. He was 92.
Reposted by The History Master
Thanks to @oxfordacademic.bsky.social for sharing an excerpt of Faith and Fear on how the Cold War came home.
The Cold War Comes Home
An edited excerpt from Faith and Fear by Gregory A. Daddis
medium.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Thanks to @oxfordacademic.bsky.social for sharing an excerpt of Faith and Fear on how the Cold War came home.
Reposted by The History Master
For What?
Frederick Varley
1918
Frederick Varley
1918
November 11, 2025 at 12:30 PM
For What?
Frederick Varley
1918
Frederick Varley
1918
Reposted by The History Master
'They were those like Sir Oswald Mosley who were fascinated by the spectacle of brutal power. They would like to use it themselves. They grovelled to Nazi dictatorship in order that they could make people in their turn grovel to them'
Winston Churchill, 1936
Winston Churchill, 1936
Conservative Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston tells GB News that the BBC should "grovel" to Trump.
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
November 11, 2025 at 12:23 PM
'They were those like Sir Oswald Mosley who were fascinated by the spectacle of brutal power. They would like to use it themselves. They grovelled to Nazi dictatorship in order that they could make people in their turn grovel to them'
Winston Churchill, 1936
Winston Churchill, 1936
Reposted by The History Master
Fun fact: Gordon Lightfoot wrote the song first, and then sank the Edmund Fitzgerald himself in what has come to be recognized as one of the first viral marketing stunts
November 11, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Fun fact: Gordon Lightfoot wrote the song first, and then sank the Edmund Fitzgerald himself in what has come to be recognized as one of the first viral marketing stunts
Reposted by The History Master
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
Reposted by The History Master
The widening use of exit bans marks a decisive shift in China’s governance model under Xi Jinping.
China’s Exit Bans Are Breaking a Decades-Long Social Contract
The widening use of exit bans marks a decisive shift in China’s governance model under Xi Jinping.
buff.ly
November 6, 2025 at 10:39 PM
The widening use of exit bans marks a decisive shift in China’s governance model under Xi Jinping.
Reposted by The History Master
A 34-year-old as a politician: My god he's like a baby. It's like they just elected an infant to be their mayor.
A 34-year-old as an athlete: You have to admire the bravery of him attempting that dunk, knowing full well the grim reaper is right behind him.
A 34-year-old as an athlete: You have to admire the bravery of him attempting that dunk, knowing full well the grim reaper is right behind him.
November 5, 2025 at 5:45 AM
A 34-year-old as a politician: My god he's like a baby. It's like they just elected an infant to be their mayor.
A 34-year-old as an athlete: You have to admire the bravery of him attempting that dunk, knowing full well the grim reaper is right behind him.
A 34-year-old as an athlete: You have to admire the bravery of him attempting that dunk, knowing full well the grim reaper is right behind him.
Reposted by The History Master
Also, they just love it when you bring up the subject of kamikaze pilots a propos of nothing in Japan
When he says the country, he most often just means himself
Trump on Democrats: "I think they're kamikaze pilots. I just got back from Japan, I talked about the kamikaze pilots. I think these guys are kamikaze. They'll take down the country if they have to."
November 5, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Also, they just love it when you bring up the subject of kamikaze pilots a propos of nothing in Japan
Reposted by The History Master
Abiding Influence by Giuseppe Paparella shows how presidents' nationalist beliefs can influence distinct foreign policy attitudes that have underpinned important US foreign policy decisions and turning points in the Asia Pacific
https://ow.ly/OiQU50XmeR1
https://ow.ly/OiQU50XmeR1
November 4, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Abiding Influence by Giuseppe Paparella shows how presidents' nationalist beliefs can influence distinct foreign policy attitudes that have underpinned important US foreign policy decisions and turning points in the Asia Pacific
https://ow.ly/OiQU50XmeR1
https://ow.ly/OiQU50XmeR1
Reposted by The History Master
Japan's "Mundane Halloween" costume contest is back!
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
November 2, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Japan's "Mundane Halloween" costume contest is back!
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
Share an awesome 70s movie!
The Sting (1973)
The Sting (1973)
November 3, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Share an awesome 70s movie!
The Sting (1973)
The Sting (1973)
Reposted by The History Master
These five remarkable centenarians credit their longevity to eating well, Japan’s affordable health care, exercise and family support, and something else: their work. “If I die here, in my workshop, I will be happy,” said 103-year-old Seiichi Ishii. nyti.ms/4nv7Tvf
November 1, 2025 at 9:04 PM
These five remarkable centenarians credit their longevity to eating well, Japan’s affordable health care, exercise and family support, and something else: their work. “If I die here, in my workshop, I will be happy,” said 103-year-old Seiichi Ishii. nyti.ms/4nv7Tvf
Reposted by The History Master
There’s a sort of Dunning-Kruger effect happening where people who read widely, consider various perspectives, and put in effort to understand views they disagree with worry that they don’t do that enough, while people who don’t do any of that accuse others of being in a bubble and call it a day.
November 1, 2025 at 4:29 PM
There’s a sort of Dunning-Kruger effect happening where people who read widely, consider various perspectives, and put in effort to understand views they disagree with worry that they don’t do that enough, while people who don’t do any of that accuse others of being in a bubble and call it a day.
Reposted by The History Master
New York knows how to do Halloween!
November 1, 2025 at 7:50 AM
New York knows how to do Halloween!
Reposted by The History Master
Wtf is this abomination. In the top left Windows provides a blurb identifying this as Kiyomizudera but it appears to be an AI mashup of an iconic shot of Kiyomizudera overlooking Kyoto with an iconic shot of the Chureito Pagoda overlooking Mt Fuji
November 1, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Wtf is this abomination. In the top left Windows provides a blurb identifying this as Kiyomizudera but it appears to be an AI mashup of an iconic shot of Kiyomizudera overlooking Kyoto with an iconic shot of the Chureito Pagoda overlooking Mt Fuji
Reposted by The History Master
China is now requiring social media influencers discussing professional topics to prove they have a degree or certification in that subject area
www.netinfluencer.com/china-now-re...
www.netinfluencer.com/china-now-re...
China Now Requires Degrees For Influencers Discussing Professional Topics
Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) started implementing new regulations on October 25, requiring influencers discussing professional topics to hold formal qualifications in those fields. The law...
www.netinfluencer.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:20 PM
China is now requiring social media influencers discussing professional topics to prove they have a degree or certification in that subject area
www.netinfluencer.com/china-now-re...
www.netinfluencer.com/china-now-re...
Reposted by The History Master
i've had this thought, because I personally have found zero meaningful use for LLMs for my own research and writing processes - it is simply the case that I am in fact *quite satisfied* with the speed and accuracy of my own, organic research and writing abilities.
I’ve played with LLMs a fair amount and noticed something that these studies that show using LLMs degrading intellectual performance may not be picking up: What if having pretty good critical thinking skills makes LLMs less appealing/satisfying to use in the first place?
October 28, 2025 at 3:04 PM
i've had this thought, because I personally have found zero meaningful use for LLMs for my own research and writing processes - it is simply the case that I am in fact *quite satisfied* with the speed and accuracy of my own, organic research and writing abilities.