Nate Ledbetter
@nhledbetter.bsky.social
ABD, Princeton, East Asian Studies. Instructor, Asian History, Rider University. Perpetually writing my dissertation (warfare in 16th C. Kyushu, Japan). He/Him/あいつ/"That Nagashino Guy." At some point I'll start posting useful stuff here. Maybe.
Pinned
Since I've got double the followers from a week ago, guess it's time for an intro thread. A post per topic I habitually post about:
I'm a PhD candidate at Princeton, very slowly working on a dissertation on 16th C. warfare in southern Japan (centered around the Shimazu family). 1/
I'm a PhD candidate at Princeton, very slowly working on a dissertation on 16th C. warfare in southern Japan (centered around the Shimazu family). 1/
Reposted by Nate Ledbetter
I don't know Simon's general views on AI so I don't want to assume this statement sees this split neutrally, but with the context above it this statement is just "if you have possessions the cons of robbery outweigh the pros for you, but if you are a thief the pros outweigh the cons"
Which
Yeah
Which
Yeah
I think that may be the core division here: if you are an author or an artist the cons of generative AI very likely outweigh the pros for you
If you are a software developer the opposite is true
If you are a software developer the opposite is true
November 26, 2025 at 6:14 PM
I don't know Simon's general views on AI so I don't want to assume this statement sees this split neutrally, but with the context above it this statement is just "if you have possessions the cons of robbery outweigh the pros for you, but if you are a thief the pros outweigh the cons"
Which
Yeah
Which
Yeah
Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
November 26, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
Especially since none of the development or marketing of LLMs is done in good faith.
I don’t owe LLMs good faith.
Wow 80% bad-faith responses, and people lecturing the creator of Flask here and the creator of Django/datasette in the comments on why AI is useless for software engineering...
November 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Especially since none of the development or marketing of LLMs is done in good faith.
Reposted by Nate Ledbetter
I truly need "AI Won't Stand in Authentic Wonder" swag sold in the Vatican gift shop. Also, I will need it on a tote and shirt.
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 3:57 PM
I truly need "AI Won't Stand in Authentic Wonder" swag sold in the Vatican gift shop. Also, I will need it on a tote and shirt.
Has it stopped making shit up?
Has it stopped being a plagiarism machine?
Are the developers crediting and compensating the artists and authors whose work they dump into it?
Did the companies involved stop marketing it to students as a way to cheat?
No? Then no.
Has it stopped being a plagiarism machine?
Are the developers crediting and compensating the artists and authors whose work they dump into it?
Did the companies involved stop marketing it to students as a way to cheat?
No? Then no.
Is this platform still massively against AI or has it moved more towards acceptance?
November 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Has it stopped making shit up?
Has it stopped being a plagiarism machine?
Are the developers crediting and compensating the artists and authors whose work they dump into it?
Did the companies involved stop marketing it to students as a way to cheat?
No? Then no.
Has it stopped being a plagiarism machine?
Are the developers crediting and compensating the artists and authors whose work they dump into it?
Did the companies involved stop marketing it to students as a way to cheat?
No? Then no.
Reposted by Nate Ledbetter
The mascot for Kyushu University's sports teams is the "Palooka" and I just thought all of you should know this.
November 26, 2025 at 3:44 PM
The mascot for Kyushu University's sports teams is the "Palooka" and I just thought all of you should know this.
Reposted by Nate Ledbetter
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
Reposted by Nate Ledbetter
Calvin gets it twice
I ever see that smug fucker Martin Luther its on sight
November 26, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Calvin gets it twice
Reposted by Nate Ledbetter
It’s sad that “soldiers shouldn’t commit crimes” is a brave position for a Republican to take.
November 25, 2025 at 11:48 PM
It’s sad that “soldiers shouldn’t commit crimes” is a brave position for a Republican to take.
"Defunct" as in no longer exists but I'd like it to: Rider University. Last played in 1951. Go Broncs.
"Defunct" as in "not and FBS winner":
Princeton ditches the other Ivies, moves to FBS, and unleashes the NIL money cannon.
"Defunct" as in "not and FBS winner":
Princeton ditches the other Ivies, moves to FBS, and unleashes the NIL money cannon.
If you could see any defunct college football team return, who would it be?
I might be cooking up something and need your help!
I might be cooking up something and need your help!
November 25, 2025 at 11:30 PM
"Defunct" as in no longer exists but I'd like it to: Rider University. Last played in 1951. Go Broncs.
"Defunct" as in "not and FBS winner":
Princeton ditches the other Ivies, moves to FBS, and unleashes the NIL money cannon.
"Defunct" as in "not and FBS winner":
Princeton ditches the other Ivies, moves to FBS, and unleashes the NIL money cannon.
There all wrong, the answer is Honolulu.
No, I did not stutter and say "Waikiki," so spare me your stories from your vacation and why you'd get "island fever.". You were not in the Honolulu people actually live in.
And Maui or the Big Island might be better, but the question says "city."
No, I did not stutter and say "Waikiki," so spare me your stories from your vacation and why you'd get "island fever.". You were not in the Honolulu people actually live in.
And Maui or the Big Island might be better, but the question says "city."
Sorry folks, city is full, moose outside shoulda told ya.
(just kidding but this shocked me)
(just kidding but this shocked me)
November 25, 2025 at 8:57 PM
There all wrong, the answer is Honolulu.
No, I did not stutter and say "Waikiki," so spare me your stories from your vacation and why you'd get "island fever.". You were not in the Honolulu people actually live in.
And Maui or the Big Island might be better, but the question says "city."
No, I did not stutter and say "Waikiki," so spare me your stories from your vacation and why you'd get "island fever.". You were not in the Honolulu people actually live in.
And Maui or the Big Island might be better, but the question says "city."
CONGRATS!
OMG look what was on my doorstep! i haven’t seen the print version yet, but it’s prettier than i expected!!
November 25, 2025 at 8:20 PM
CONGRATS!
Amen. If you do not want your students to use LLMs or your admin to push LLMs, you cannot then use them yourself.
Don’t do this! It just encourages administrators to push LLM use, and convinces students that their use of generative AI is legitimate.
About 25 percent of faculty members have used AI to save time in creating more engaging in-class activities or generating quizzes and other assessments. Yet talking about AI use is taboo in some quarters. https://chroni.cl/4rjLxQp
November 25, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Amen. If you do not want your students to use LLMs or your admin to push LLMs, you cannot then use them yourself.
Using an older cellphone instead of a new one every year is not "device hoarding"
"device hoarding" would be buying 10,000 new cellphones I would never use each new release, preventing others from access.
By not buying new phones each time, I'm doing the opposite. More are available for others.
"device hoarding" would be buying 10,000 new cellphones I would never use each new release, preventing others from access.
By not buying new phones each time, I'm doing the opposite. More are available for others.
From the people who brought you planned obsolescence and annual styling, "not shopping" has been rebranded as "device hoarding"
stupid young people, stop buying a new phone every year if you don't want to be broke. wait no, not like that.
November 25, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Using an older cellphone instead of a new one every year is not "device hoarding"
"device hoarding" would be buying 10,000 new cellphones I would never use each new release, preventing others from access.
By not buying new phones each time, I'm doing the opposite. More are available for others.
"device hoarding" would be buying 10,000 new cellphones I would never use each new release, preventing others from access.
By not buying new phones each time, I'm doing the opposite. More are available for others.
Reposted by Nate Ledbetter
What... are they gonna ask?
"Did you say they should not follow illegal orders?"
"Yep, it's right there on video"
"Did you say they should not follow illegal orders?"
"Yep, it's right there on video"
MS NOW confirms: The FBI is working with Capitol Police to schedule interviews with the six Democratic lawmakers who urged service members to refuse to comply with illegal orders.
November 25, 2025 at 7:09 PM
What... are they gonna ask?
"Did you say they should not follow illegal orders?"
"Yep, it's right there on video"
"Did you say they should not follow illegal orders?"
"Yep, it's right there on video"
Reposted by Nate Ledbetter
We regret to inform you that Ron Paul is entirely correct here.
November 25, 2025 at 7:08 PM
We regret to inform you that Ron Paul is entirely correct here.
Reposted by Nate Ledbetter
POV Xi Jinping realising he doesn't need to pay per diems to dozens of plain clothes goons stalking BBC reporters in China, he can simply threaten to sue the broadcaster for a billion dollars and cancel all negative coverage.
November 25, 2025 at 7:04 PM
POV Xi Jinping realising he doesn't need to pay per diems to dozens of plain clothes goons stalking BBC reporters in China, he can simply threaten to sue the broadcaster for a billion dollars and cancel all negative coverage.
"Hollywood" would ruin what I would want but if we say Hollywood-funded only:
1. Kagemusha remake with a realistic Nagashino instead of...that.
2. 4-5 movie series following the Shimazu family from Gempei War to Bakumatsu (800+ years)
3. 1274-1281 Mongol Invasions (Takazaki Suenaga bio-pic)
1. Kagemusha remake with a realistic Nagashino instead of...that.
2. 4-5 movie series following the Shimazu family from Gempei War to Bakumatsu (800+ years)
3. 1274-1281 Mongol Invasions (Takazaki Suenaga bio-pic)
If you were a despotic president, what movie would you force Hollywood to make? I want to see Quentin's Star Trek movie or maybe Kill Bill Vol 3.
November 25, 2025 at 7:02 PM
"Hollywood" would ruin what I would want but if we say Hollywood-funded only:
1. Kagemusha remake with a realistic Nagashino instead of...that.
2. 4-5 movie series following the Shimazu family from Gempei War to Bakumatsu (800+ years)
3. 1274-1281 Mongol Invasions (Takazaki Suenaga bio-pic)
1. Kagemusha remake with a realistic Nagashino instead of...that.
2. 4-5 movie series following the Shimazu family from Gempei War to Bakumatsu (800+ years)
3. 1274-1281 Mongol Invasions (Takazaki Suenaga bio-pic)
SU-PER WEA-PON
*clap clap clapclapclap*
SU-PER WEA-PON
*clap clap clapclapclap*
*clap clap clapclapclap*
SU-PER WEA-PON
*clap clap clapclapclap*
November 25, 2025 at 6:45 PM
SU-PER WEA-PON
*clap clap clapclapclap*
SU-PER WEA-PON
*clap clap clapclapclap*
*clap clap clapclapclap*
SU-PER WEA-PON
*clap clap clapclapclap*
hitting 50ish: I feel like garbage. Head pounding, moving sluggish. Probably shouldn't have partied** so hard last night.
**ate some crackers while I watched a nature doc while working on a syllabus shell.
**ate some crackers while I watched a nature doc while working on a syllabus shell.
November 25, 2025 at 5:40 PM
hitting 50ish: I feel like garbage. Head pounding, moving sluggish. Probably shouldn't have partied** so hard last night.
**ate some crackers while I watched a nature doc while working on a syllabus shell.
**ate some crackers while I watched a nature doc while working on a syllabus shell.
As someone born the year Mao died, I resent seeing "Post-Mao China" as a HISTORY course in a college catalog.
November 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
As someone born the year Mao died, I resent seeing "Post-Mao China" as a HISTORY course in a college catalog.
I gave my mom what I thought was a soup-themed bath bomb some years back, but it was actually soup. She had to call my dad in to get her out of the greasy tub.
November 25, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Last show I watched was a nature documentary on Japan while getting some work done last night, so in that case I have a fox, a family of tanuki, a black bear momma, a giant salamander, and a flock of cranes coming to my rescue.
You’ve been kidnapped. The characters from the last TV show you watched are trying to rescue you. Who’s coming to save you?
I’ll be fine 😀
I’ll be fine 😀
November 25, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Last show I watched was a nature documentary on Japan while getting some work done last night, so in that case I have a fox, a family of tanuki, a black bear momma, a giant salamander, and a flock of cranes coming to my rescue.