Steven Van Impe
@svanimpe.bsky.social
Book historian, rare books curator Erfgoedbibliotheek Hendrik Conscience, Antwerp. Opinions mine, I may be wrong, follow/like isn't endorsement. He/him. Caregiver for a partner with Long Covid. Used to be @RareBookLibAntw on Twitter. Profile pic by LUCID.
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
I've mentioned it before, but when I volunteered for my local library's literacy program, one of the most commonly cited reasons older adults cited for participating was to "read my medication labels."
according to a pediatric ER doctor my wife follows on Instagram they have started to see children coming in sick because their parents are asking ChatGPT what the correct dosage is on over the counter medication instead of just looking at the instructions on the bottle
One of the easiest ways to shoot down the idea that "AI" is an expert is to show how it deals with something people know about.
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
February 8, 2026 at 4:38 PM
I've mentioned it before, but when I volunteered for my local library's literacy program, one of the most commonly cited reasons older adults cited for participating was to "read my medication labels."
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
Another day another press release for an AI grifter posing as news. Thanks to my friend (redacted here) for texting me this new one.
February 8, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Another day another press release for an AI grifter posing as news. Thanks to my friend (redacted here) for texting me this new one.
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
We stan a legend, but format changes even stalwarts.
Maniculae were added by readers to their books, but were viewed as such a standard feature by c1450 that they were cast as type to include in early printed books. Yet, their positions in print were determined by the type-setter, not the reader.
Maniculae were added by readers to their books, but were viewed as such a standard feature by c1450 that they were cast as type to include in early printed books. Yet, their positions in print were determined by the type-setter, not the reader.
☞ ☞ ☞ the index finger is a pointing gesture to be found in manuscript and print traditions. It was used to draw the reader's attention to a certain part of a text or image. This slow-moving thread highlight a few of them:
February 8, 2026 at 2:46 PM
We stan a legend, but format changes even stalwarts.
Maniculae were added by readers to their books, but were viewed as such a standard feature by c1450 that they were cast as type to include in early printed books. Yet, their positions in print were determined by the type-setter, not the reader.
Maniculae were added by readers to their books, but were viewed as such a standard feature by c1450 that they were cast as type to include in early printed books. Yet, their positions in print were determined by the type-setter, not the reader.
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
This is going to be the next thing in tech: companies offering AI blockers, AI firewalls, AI free security and hosting solutions…
a whole new market, well done everybody.
a whole new market, well done everybody.
Mozilla will allow Firefox users to entirely block current and future generative AI features on the browser after user feedback revealed many who wanted an AI-free browser experience.
New Mozilla Firefox version to allow AI features to be blocked
Mozilla will allow Firefox users to entirely block current and future generative AI features on the browser.
www.siliconrepublic.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:35 PM
This is going to be the next thing in tech: companies offering AI blockers, AI firewalls, AI free security and hosting solutions…
a whole new market, well done everybody.
a whole new market, well done everybody.
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
again we do not really do a good job of explaining how wealthy people like Jeff Bezos are
his net worth is $253.2 billion.
so he could take one million dollars, and just light it on fire
and then do it again tomorrow
and again the day after that
and then do it every day for 693 years and 8 months
his net worth is $253.2 billion.
so he could take one million dollars, and just light it on fire
and then do it again tomorrow
and again the day after that
and then do it every day for 693 years and 8 months
February 4, 2026 at 5:41 PM
again we do not really do a good job of explaining how wealthy people like Jeff Bezos are
his net worth is $253.2 billion.
so he could take one million dollars, and just light it on fire
and then do it again tomorrow
and again the day after that
and then do it every day for 693 years and 8 months
his net worth is $253.2 billion.
so he could take one million dollars, and just light it on fire
and then do it again tomorrow
and again the day after that
and then do it every day for 693 years and 8 months
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
the magic of the Muppets is that there are two fourth walls. they constantly break the one that reminds the audience they are performers. they NEVER break the one that reminds the audience they are puppets. this dynamic is the key to their entire comedy style
MY KIDS: so why are there muppets in the AUDIENCE
ME: THE CONCEIT!! IS THAT THEY'RE PUTTING ON A VARIETY SHOW!!! IN A WORLD WHERE MUPPET AND HUMAN COEXIST!!! YOU ARE WATCHING A DOCUMENTARY!! FILMED!! IN REAL TIME!!!
ME: THE CONCEIT!! IS THAT THEY'RE PUTTING ON A VARIETY SHOW!!! IN A WORLD WHERE MUPPET AND HUMAN COEXIST!!! YOU ARE WATCHING A DOCUMENTARY!! FILMED!! IN REAL TIME!!!
February 8, 2026 at 6:22 AM
the magic of the Muppets is that there are two fourth walls. they constantly break the one that reminds the audience they are performers. they NEVER break the one that reminds the audience they are puppets. this dynamic is the key to their entire comedy style
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
the only kind of news I can still process without losing slivers of soul
February 8, 2026 at 7:42 AM
the only kind of news I can still process without losing slivers of soul
You May Already Be A Winner! -- Me, mailing historians who are writing history.
February 8, 2026 at 9:53 AM
You May Already Be A Winner! -- Me, mailing historians who are writing history.
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
Never forget the anniversary of King Taejong falling off his horse!
February 8, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Never forget the anniversary of King Taejong falling off his horse!
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
I converted to Catholicism a couple weeks ago. Here’s what I think Jesus got wrong.
February 7, 2026 at 7:35 PM
I converted to Catholicism a couple weeks ago. Here’s what I think Jesus got wrong.
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
This pup found a stick shaped like an old timey pipe earlier today and has already solved three mysteries. 13/10
February 4, 2026 at 9:59 PM
This pup found a stick shaped like an old timey pipe earlier today and has already solved three mysteries. 13/10
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
See also:
"Digitization is the beginning of your problems, not the end of them"
"If you really want long-term stability, print it out on acid-free paper. No, I'm not kidding"
"Fair use is a legal defense. They can still sue you"
"Have you tried turning it off and on again"
"Digitization is the beginning of your problems, not the end of them"
"If you really want long-term stability, print it out on acid-free paper. No, I'm not kidding"
"Fair use is a legal defense. They can still sue you"
"Have you tried turning it off and on again"
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
"No white gloves; clean, dry hands are all you need"
"No white gloves; clean, dry hands are all you need"
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
“Are you on campus, or using the VPN?”
“Are you on campus, or using the VPN?”
February 7, 2026 at 11:44 PM
See also:
"Digitization is the beginning of your problems, not the end of them"
"If you really want long-term stability, print it out on acid-free paper. No, I'm not kidding"
"Fair use is a legal defense. They can still sue you"
"Have you tried turning it off and on again"
"Digitization is the beginning of your problems, not the end of them"
"If you really want long-term stability, print it out on acid-free paper. No, I'm not kidding"
"Fair use is a legal defense. They can still sue you"
"Have you tried turning it off and on again"
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
the 👉 Finger of Contempt
February 8, 2026 at 1:58 AM
the 👉 Finger of Contempt
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
Beautiful Tessa trying out a new look with her little hay fascinator.
February 8, 2026 at 2:23 AM
Beautiful Tessa trying out a new look with her little hay fascinator.
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
Long COVID is ongoing. So is our commitment to visibility, prevention, and patient-led action. Let’s move into March organized, unified, and paced.
View our announcement and Preparation Guide here: bit.ly/LCA26PGE 11/
View our announcement and Preparation Guide here: bit.ly/LCA26PGE 11/
March is Long COVID Awareness Month! The COVID-19 Longhauler Advocacy Project (C19LAP), alongside other Long COVID organizations and advocates, has actions and events planned throughout the month of M...
We strongly encourage community members to begin participating in February by mailing letters to lawmakers, agencies, media outlets, and other decision-makers. These letters should then be followed up...
bit.ly
February 7, 2026 at 11:21 PM
Long COVID is ongoing. So is our commitment to visibility, prevention, and patient-led action. Let’s move into March organized, unified, and paced.
View our announcement and Preparation Guide here: bit.ly/LCA26PGE 11/
View our announcement and Preparation Guide here: bit.ly/LCA26PGE 11/
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
My hot take –
Oscar the Grouch is an archivist, with a focus on ephemera and social histories.
Grumpy, yes, but he's also devoted to ensuring preservation and community access. A truly passionate steward of monster cultural heritage.
open.spotify.com/track/2brIWd...
Oscar the Grouch is an archivist, with a focus on ephemera and social histories.
Grumpy, yes, but he's also devoted to ensuring preservation and community access. A truly passionate steward of monster cultural heritage.
open.spotify.com/track/2brIWd...
February 7, 2026 at 10:27 PM
My hot take –
Oscar the Grouch is an archivist, with a focus on ephemera and social histories.
Grumpy, yes, but he's also devoted to ensuring preservation and community access. A truly passionate steward of monster cultural heritage.
open.spotify.com/track/2brIWd...
Oscar the Grouch is an archivist, with a focus on ephemera and social histories.
Grumpy, yes, but he's also devoted to ensuring preservation and community access. A truly passionate steward of monster cultural heritage.
open.spotify.com/track/2brIWd...
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
God forbid a woman have hobbies
Nature at Work making Birds, Animals, and People on Her Anvil, circa 1405, Ms. Ludwig XV 7 (83.MR.177), fol. 121v (Getty)
February 7, 2026 at 4:58 PM
God forbid a woman have hobbies
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
My dissertation committee gave me two choices: I could defend my dissertation the normal way, or I could eat a rubber tire to the tune of "Flight of the Bumblebee". I think you know what happened next.
February 7, 2026 at 3:13 PM
My dissertation committee gave me two choices: I could defend my dissertation the normal way, or I could eat a rubber tire to the tune of "Flight of the Bumblebee". I think you know what happened next.
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
🎶It’s time to question methods
It’s time for petty fights🎶
It’s time for petty fights🎶
February 7, 2026 at 2:52 PM
🎶It’s time to question methods
It’s time for petty fights🎶
It’s time for petty fights🎶
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
I've been singing this to myself all day
February 7, 2026 at 6:39 PM
I've been singing this to myself all day
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
Alrighty TL, poking at platforms for various reasons (got a book out this year!) and need your take. I know that post-Twitter GLAM mostly went to insta bc of images. Creators too. Nobody was happy w/engagement there though. Has any of that changed?
February 7, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Alrighty TL, poking at platforms for various reasons (got a book out this year!) and need your take. I know that post-Twitter GLAM mostly went to insta bc of images. Creators too. Nobody was happy w/engagement there though. Has any of that changed?
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
bring back shame
February 7, 2026 at 7:06 PM
bring back shame
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
I'm going to say this again in case you haven't heard this one: I was a talented writer and it did *nothing whatsoever* because I hadn't put in the work, and I put in the work for ten years (subtracting the bit where I had to quit for my mental health) to write Witchmark
talent alone could *never*
talent alone could *never*
February 7, 2026 at 5:05 AM
I'm going to say this again in case you haven't heard this one: I was a talented writer and it did *nothing whatsoever* because I hadn't put in the work, and I put in the work for ten years (subtracting the bit where I had to quit for my mental health) to write Witchmark
talent alone could *never*
talent alone could *never*
Reposted by Steven Van Impe
i think we all need to step back and realize that peak art was made when neolithic pot in the shape of a pig was fired
February 6, 2026 at 7:46 PM
i think we all need to step back and realize that peak art was made when neolithic pot in the shape of a pig was fired
Uzo Aduba!
Who do you want to guest host a potential revival of The Muppet Show?
Here’s Who We Want to Guest Host ‘The Muppet Show’ If It’s Revived
February 7, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Uzo Aduba!