David Billa (in Setouchi)
@davidbilla.online
Blogger, Teacher, Father, Immigrant, Friend of Crows, Gallivants around Japan's Art Islands.
🇫🇷 🇯🇵
https://davidbilla.net
🇫🇷 🇯🇵
https://davidbilla.net
Pinned
One thing that's missing here are #introduction posts for newcomers or welcoming them. I'll start: I'm #French, settled in #Japan. I mostly post about #nature (the good and the bad), my corner of Japan (the one with the #art #islands), #crows and sometimes #English #education in the country.
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Le mot « homothétiquement » est un déplorable anglicisme traduit de l'anglais « zoochorously » ; comme l'a souligné avec justesse Vaugelas, il vaut bien mieux écrire « nuageusement ».
January 11, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Le mot « homothétiquement » est un déplorable anglicisme traduit de l'anglais « zoochorously » ; comme l'a souligné avec justesse Vaugelas, il vaut bien mieux écrire « nuageusement ».
That's it.
I deactivated my four main Twitter accounts (I used to separate language of use and topics on Twitter).
They'll be dead in exactly a month.
(I still have some old accounts that were inactive even back when I used it daily, I don't think I need to bother with those)
I deactivated my four main Twitter accounts (I used to separate language of use and topics on Twitter).
They'll be dead in exactly a month.
(I still have some old accounts that were inactive even back when I used it daily, I don't think I need to bother with those)
January 11, 2026 at 8:45 AM
That's it.
I deactivated my four main Twitter accounts (I used to separate language of use and topics on Twitter).
They'll be dead in exactly a month.
(I still have some old accounts that were inactive even back when I used it daily, I don't think I need to bother with those)
I deactivated my four main Twitter accounts (I used to separate language of use and topics on Twitter).
They'll be dead in exactly a month.
(I still have some old accounts that were inactive even back when I used it daily, I don't think I need to bother with those)
I have the feeling the results will make me cry when they're published.
The Forestry Agency will introduce a system to quantify the environmental contributions made by companies engaged in forest conservation.
Japan to quantify companies' forest conservation efforts
The agency's goal is to encourage corporate participation in forest conservation by making it easier for companies to gain recognition from customers and the market.
ebx.sh
January 11, 2026 at 8:43 AM
I have the feeling the results will make me cry when they're published.
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Romanesque architectural style of the Sham Shui Po Reservoir, in Hong Kong, opened 1904
January 11, 2026 at 2:47 AM
Romanesque architectural style of the Sham Shui Po Reservoir, in Hong Kong, opened 1904
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
I will eat my hat* if this happens.
*to hedge my bets, the hat is a nacho hat, filled with nacho cheese
*to hedge my bets, the hat is a nacho hat, filled with nacho cheese
January 11, 2026 at 4:14 AM
I will eat my hat* if this happens.
*to hedge my bets, the hat is a nacho hat, filled with nacho cheese
*to hedge my bets, the hat is a nacho hat, filled with nacho cheese
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
This morning at the Takano River in Kyoto. I came across a small herd of deer 🦌🦌🦌
📸01/11/2026
📸01/11/2026
January 11, 2026 at 3:20 AM
This morning at the Takano River in Kyoto. I came across a small herd of deer 🦌🦌🦌
📸01/11/2026
📸01/11/2026
Wow. We got the snow background in #PokemonGo today. It almost never happens.
January 11, 2026 at 5:39 AM
Wow. We got the snow background in #PokemonGo today. It almost never happens.
A quick visit to the exterior of the Berbie Palace in Albi, France.
davidbilla.net/the-berbie-p...
#France #Albi
davidbilla.net/the-berbie-p...
#France #Albi
The Berbie Palace in Albi, France
A quick visit to the exterior of the Berbie Palace in Albi, France.
davidbilla.net
January 11, 2026 at 3:39 AM
A quick visit to the exterior of the Berbie Palace in Albi, France.
davidbilla.net/the-berbie-p...
#France #Albi
davidbilla.net/the-berbie-p...
#France #Albi
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Kawagoe
At 35.9234724, 139.4831920
At 35.9234724, 139.4831920
January 11, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Kawagoe
At 35.9234724, 139.4831920
At 35.9234724, 139.4831920
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
The Norwegian Nobel Prize committee has been forced to make a statement, declaring that the prize cannot be transferred.
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
January 10, 2026 at 9:15 AM
The Norwegian Nobel Prize committee has been forced to make a statement, declaring that the prize cannot be transferred.
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
False eyes 👁️🗨️
January 10, 2026 at 2:15 PM
False eyes 👁️🗨️
A text I wrote in January 2016, a few days after David Bowie's passing.
davidbilla.net/david-bowie-...
#music #DavidBowie
davidbilla.net/david-bowie-...
#music #DavidBowie
David Bowie (1947-2016)
A text I wrote in January 2016, a few days after David Bowie's passing.
davidbilla.net
January 10, 2026 at 1:54 PM
A text I wrote in January 2016, a few days after David Bowie's passing.
davidbilla.net/david-bowie-...
#music #DavidBowie
davidbilla.net/david-bowie-...
#music #DavidBowie
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Anthropomorphizing language conceals the limitations of AI, promoting misplaced trust. @emilymbender.bsky.social & @nannainie.bsky.social suggest focusing on a system’s functionalities: instead of saying a model is “good at” something, say what it is “good for." www.techpolicy.press/we-need-to-t...
We Need to Talk About How We Talk About 'AI' | TechPolicy.Press
We share a responsibility to create and use empowering metaphors rather than misleading language, write Emily M. Bender and Nanna Inie.
www.techpolicy.press
January 8, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Anthropomorphizing language conceals the limitations of AI, promoting misplaced trust. @emilymbender.bsky.social & @nannainie.bsky.social suggest focusing on a system’s functionalities: instead of saying a model is “good at” something, say what it is “good for." www.techpolicy.press/we-need-to-t...
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Tout ça
C'est important que QUELQU'UN aie fait l'image. Qu'iel aie voulu dire quelque chose, aie pris le temps de le faire et de la façon dont iel l'a fait. Quel détail mais en valeur. Quel autre est épuré. Pourquoi et comment.
L'important dans l'art au sens large c'est que QUELQU'UN L'A FAIT.
C'est important que QUELQU'UN aie fait l'image. Qu'iel aie voulu dire quelque chose, aie pris le temps de le faire et de la façon dont iel l'a fait. Quel détail mais en valeur. Quel autre est épuré. Pourquoi et comment.
L'important dans l'art au sens large c'est que QUELQU'UN L'A FAIT.
C'est ça que les utilisateurs d'IAGen ne comprennent pas. Une image n'est pas juste une image. Un graffiti n'est pas juste "beau" ou "laid", il est un témoignage que quelqu'un, a cet endroit précis, a pris le temps et le risque de graffer.
January 10, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Tout ça
C'est important que QUELQU'UN aie fait l'image. Qu'iel aie voulu dire quelque chose, aie pris le temps de le faire et de la façon dont iel l'a fait. Quel détail mais en valeur. Quel autre est épuré. Pourquoi et comment.
L'important dans l'art au sens large c'est que QUELQU'UN L'A FAIT.
C'est important que QUELQU'UN aie fait l'image. Qu'iel aie voulu dire quelque chose, aie pris le temps de le faire et de la façon dont iel l'a fait. Quel détail mais en valeur. Quel autre est épuré. Pourquoi et comment.
L'important dans l'art au sens large c'est que QUELQU'UN L'A FAIT.
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
July 1, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Your timeline needs the cleansing energy of a video where it seems like something bad is going to happen but then it's actually just two lil friends having a nice lil time
January 10, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Your timeline needs the cleansing energy of a video where it seems like something bad is going to happen but then it's actually just two lil friends having a nice lil time
I hate, but I understand, when Americans do the US-defaultism thing. It's kinda ingrained in them. But when non-Americans do it (I mean US-defaultism)... What's wrong with you people?
January 10, 2026 at 12:27 AM
I hate, but I understand, when Americans do the US-defaultism thing. It's kinda ingrained in them. But when non-Americans do it (I mean US-defaultism)... What's wrong with you people?
It's January 10th in Japan.
You know what that means, right?
It means that it's been 10 years since our Lord and Savior, David Bowie left us.
I haven't recovered yet. The world hasn't either.
#DavidBowie
You know what that means, right?
It means that it's been 10 years since our Lord and Savior, David Bowie left us.
I haven't recovered yet. The world hasn't either.
#DavidBowie
January 9, 2026 at 3:17 PM
It's January 10th in Japan.
You know what that means, right?
It means that it's been 10 years since our Lord and Savior, David Bowie left us.
I haven't recovered yet. The world hasn't either.
#DavidBowie
You know what that means, right?
It means that it's been 10 years since our Lord and Savior, David Bowie left us.
I haven't recovered yet. The world hasn't either.
#DavidBowie
Okay, reality TV know-it-alls, which version of #TheTraitors should I watch if I want to watch a show where all contestants are there to play (as opposed to #TheTraitorsUS where most contestants don't know what they're doing)?
UK? AU? Canada? NZ?
UK? AU? Canada? NZ?
January 9, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Okay, reality TV know-it-alls, which version of #TheTraitors should I watch if I want to watch a show where all contestants are there to play (as opposed to #TheTraitorsUS where most contestants don't know what they're doing)?
UK? AU? Canada? NZ?
UK? AU? Canada? NZ?
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Rob is back on TV!!!! It's so amazing and so unreal.
It is both staggering and heartening to see Rob spend over 20 years away from reality TV and never miss a step. He even leaves Alan speechless!
T-minus 13 hours until the Return of the King #TheTraitorsUS
T-minus 13 hours until the Return of the King #TheTraitorsUS
January 8, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Rob is back on TV!!!! It's so amazing and so unreal.
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Starting tomorrow: Urban Europe: Towns and Cities in the Middle Ages medievalstudies.thinkific.com/courses/urban #history
Urban Europe: Towns and Cities in the Middle Ages
The rise of cities in the European Middle Ages in different countries and cultures. Learn about the similarities of life and struggles of ordinary townsfolk, job opportunities, everyday lives and the…
medievalstudies.thinkific.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Starting tomorrow: Urban Europe: Towns and Cities in the Middle Ages medievalstudies.thinkific.com/courses/urban #history
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
The “old/ancient/medieval” = isolated is such a tired, ignorant trope. For Japan it’s even worse because of nationalist talking points about isolation and uniqueness. When I tell students there were literally MILLIONS of immigrants into the archipelago by the 9th century it blows their minds.
Just to back up Anthony as a medievalist, that’s one of the dumbest fucking claims imaginable.
There have never NOT been people from continental Europe, Africa, and Asia moving to/ from the British Isles for 2000 years. In early modernity, this included the Americas!
There have never NOT been people from continental Europe, Africa, and Asia moving to/ from the British Isles for 2000 years. In early modernity, this included the Americas!
I just heard a law professor claim in a recording that in early modern England, there wasn’t any significant migration to the British Isles, which is just plainly wrong.
January 8, 2026 at 12:51 PM
The “old/ancient/medieval” = isolated is such a tired, ignorant trope. For Japan it’s even worse because of nationalist talking points about isolation and uniqueness. When I tell students there were literally MILLIONS of immigrants into the archipelago by the 9th century it blows their minds.
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Sapporo earlier today
January 8, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Sapporo earlier today