Dr John Plus Dr Mary
@revdrjohn.bsky.social
PhDs in history and theology of Jihad in Islam/Xnty in Syriac and Arabic and other topic, ex-academics, historical wargame designer and retiree. Our identities concealed due to threats and doxxing.
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
After a lot of Seven Years War/French & Indian War purchases, this one seeks to trap up the story of the French Atlantic in the subsequent era. Alan Forrest is a Revolutionary/Napoleonic Wars legend. This will be good! 📚 🇫🇷 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 #histbookchat
December 9, 2025 at 9:20 AM
After a lot of Seven Years War/French & Indian War purchases, this one seeks to trap up the story of the French Atlantic in the subsequent era. Alan Forrest is a Revolutionary/Napoleonic Wars legend. This will be good! 📚 🇫🇷 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 #histbookchat
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
Thousands upon thousands of kids in the bush are scrambling to access courses ect they could do online for free. Dance troupes that rely on YouTube live to practise together. Ect ect.
Now there are no safe regulated sites and kid rating will get removed and we are all fed to AI predators.
Now there are no safe regulated sites and kid rating will get removed and we are all fed to AI predators.
December 9, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Thousands upon thousands of kids in the bush are scrambling to access courses ect they could do online for free. Dance troupes that rely on YouTube live to practise together. Ect ect.
Now there are no safe regulated sites and kid rating will get removed and we are all fed to AI predators.
Now there are no safe regulated sites and kid rating will get removed and we are all fed to AI predators.
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
📰 Ancient Egyptian royal "pleasure boat", matching a description by the Greek historian Strabo, found off the coast of Alexandria
🏺 #ArchaeologyNews via @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
🏺 #ArchaeologyNews via @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Ancient Egyptian pleasure boat found by archaeologists off Alexandria coast
First-century luxury vessel matches description by the Greek historian Strabo, who visited city around 29-25BC
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:22 AM
📰 Ancient Egyptian royal "pleasure boat", matching a description by the Greek historian Strabo, found off the coast of Alexandria
🏺 #ArchaeologyNews via @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
🏺 #ArchaeologyNews via @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
things Copilot has tried desperately to help me with this morning: a thread
1) suggesting '10 compelling titles' for a spreadsheet I use to log student attendance
1) suggesting '10 compelling titles' for a spreadsheet I use to log student attendance
December 9, 2025 at 9:22 AM
things Copilot has tried desperately to help me with this morning: a thread
1) suggesting '10 compelling titles' for a spreadsheet I use to log student attendance
1) suggesting '10 compelling titles' for a spreadsheet I use to log student attendance
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
On my way to Bamberg...
December 9, 2025 at 10:26 AM
On my way to Bamberg...
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
I have already been quoted and referenced with hallucinated literature, and you all will be too. It’s a growing mess.
“AI models not only point some users to false sources but also cause problems for researchers and librarians, who end up wasting their time looking for requested nonexistent records…”
AI Slop Is Spurring Record Requests for Imaginary Journals
The International Committee of the Red Cross warned that artificial intelligence models are making up research papers, journals and archives
www.scientificamerican.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:28 AM
I have already been quoted and referenced with hallucinated literature, and you all will be too. It’s a growing mess.
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
Just did a face scan to verify my age on Bluesky
December 9, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Just did a face scan to verify my age on Bluesky
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
As a little treat for you, here's an #ArabicBible Advent calendar 🧵. Every day I'll post a verse from the Christmas story from one of the oldest Arabic Gospel lectionaries, Sinai ar. 72, dated 897 CE (and a few other texts in between). [2nd attempt, I won't be offended if you point out my nonsense.]
December 2, 2025 at 2:20 PM
As a little treat for you, here's an #ArabicBible Advent calendar 🧵. Every day I'll post a verse from the Christmas story from one of the oldest Arabic Gospel lectionaries, Sinai ar. 72, dated 897 CE (and a few other texts in between). [2nd attempt, I won't be offended if you point out my nonsense.]
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
A recent scientific paper explored the impact of mass SARS-CoV-2 infections on Lymphocytes (crucial to the body’s immune system).
I noticed the authors had shared the data behind their charts in the Appendix Supplementary materials, so I built a quick dataviz project to explore.
🧵
I noticed the authors had shared the data behind their charts in the Appendix Supplementary materials, so I built a quick dataviz project to explore.
🧵
December 8, 2025 at 1:44 PM
A recent scientific paper explored the impact of mass SARS-CoV-2 infections on Lymphocytes (crucial to the body’s immune system).
I noticed the authors had shared the data behind their charts in the Appendix Supplementary materials, so I built a quick dataviz project to explore.
🧵
I noticed the authors had shared the data behind their charts in the Appendix Supplementary materials, so I built a quick dataviz project to explore.
🧵
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
Students desire engaging, meaningful learning experiences, but school is often not oriented around those things. This doesn't mean we can't change, though. Rather than rushing headlong into the arms of AI we have to focus on what matters as humans. www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/john-...
More Than Words
A veteran writing teacher makes a “moving” (Rick Wormeli) argument that writing is a form of thinking and feeling and shows why it can’t be...
www.hachettebookgroup.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Students desire engaging, meaningful learning experiences, but school is often not oriented around those things. This doesn't mean we can't change, though. Rather than rushing headlong into the arms of AI we have to focus on what matters as humans. www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/john-...
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
Worth reading for lots of reasons, but particularly because it closes with something I see in my work and travels speaking on writing and AI. Many, maybe most students do not want AI-mediated schooling or lives. We can offer them something better. www.currentaffairs.org/news/ai-is-d...
AI is Destroying the University and Learning Itself
Students use AI to write papers, professors use AI to grade them, degrees become meaningless, and tech companies make fortunes. Welcome to the death of higher education.
www.currentaffairs.org
December 7, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Worth reading for lots of reasons, but particularly because it closes with something I see in my work and travels speaking on writing and AI. Many, maybe most students do not want AI-mediated schooling or lives. We can offer them something better. www.currentaffairs.org/news/ai-is-d...
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
Welcome to Itiner-e – The Digital Atlas of Ancient Roads- the most detailed open digital dataset of roads in the entire Roman Empire ... Itiner-e allows you to view, query and download roads. itiner-e.org #skystorians 🗃️#roman
itiner-e
itiner-e.org
December 6, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Welcome to Itiner-e – The Digital Atlas of Ancient Roads- the most detailed open digital dataset of roads in the entire Roman Empire ... Itiner-e allows you to view, query and download roads. itiner-e.org #skystorians 🗃️#roman
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
Our new website and brand has launched across the web! We would really appreciate some help testing the site so please let me know if you have any problems. Also claim 20% off your order with code: NEWWEBSITE
December 5, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Our new website and brand has launched across the web! We would really appreciate some help testing the site so please let me know if you have any problems. Also claim 20% off your order with code: NEWWEBSITE
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
The Avalon Hill International Kriegspiel Society was founded to provide a forum within which an internationally useable play by mail system could be utilized, encourage the spread of wargaming outside the USA, and provide members with mature opponents who would complete games promptly & fairly.
History of AHIKS – AHIKS
ahiks.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:30 AM
The Avalon Hill International Kriegspiel Society was founded to provide a forum within which an internationally useable play by mail system could be utilized, encourage the spread of wargaming outside the USA, and provide members with mature opponents who would complete games promptly & fairly.
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
This article on “smart” garage door openers could have been about hundreds of other products.
Conclusion?“Always opt for the “dumb” devices — the refrigerators, dishwashers, exercise bikes and coffee makers that lack a Wi-Fi connection or screen.”
Gift article
Conclusion?“Always opt for the “dumb” devices — the refrigerators, dishwashers, exercise bikes and coffee makers that lack a Wi-Fi connection or screen.”
Gift article
Why One Man Is Fighting for Our Right to Control Our Garage Door Openers
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:57 AM
This article on “smart” garage door openers could have been about hundreds of other products.
Conclusion?“Always opt for the “dumb” devices — the refrigerators, dishwashers, exercise bikes and coffee makers that lack a Wi-Fi connection or screen.”
Gift article
Conclusion?“Always opt for the “dumb” devices — the refrigerators, dishwashers, exercise bikes and coffee makers that lack a Wi-Fi connection or screen.”
Gift article
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
Do early medieval historians look at stories about the late 15th century and go "pfft that's practically contemporary history". (I mean it pretty much is.)
Medieval Genealogical Roll Goes Online www.medievalists.net/2025/12/medi... #medieval #medievalmanuscripts
Medieval Genealogical Roll Goes Online - Medievalists.net
A richly illustrated medieval genealogical roll of Edward IV has been digitised and translated for the first time, offering high-resolution images, annotations, and new insights into…
www.medievalists.net
December 3, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Do early medieval historians look at stories about the late 15th century and go "pfft that's practically contemporary history". (I mean it pretty much is.)
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
Sydney Water has estimated up to 250 megalitres a day will be needed to service datacentres planned by 2035, more than Canberra's entire drinking water.
Second feature with @petrastock.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Second feature with @petrastock.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Thirsty work: how the rise of massive datacentres strains Australia’s drinking water supply
The demand for use in cooling in Sydney alone is expected to exceed the volume of Canberra’s total drinking water within the next decade
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Sydney Water has estimated up to 250 megalitres a day will be needed to service datacentres planned by 2035, more than Canberra's entire drinking water.
Second feature with @petrastock.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Second feature with @petrastock.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
One of my most favourite glass vessels: A marvellous Roman vessel in the form of a pig, made of blue glass. It was used to hold ointment or perfume.
Found in a burial in Cologne. Dating late 2nd/early 3rd century AD
📷 Römisch-Germanisches Museum Köln
🏺 #archaeology
Found in a burial in Cologne. Dating late 2nd/early 3rd century AD
📷 Römisch-Germanisches Museum Köln
🏺 #archaeology
December 5, 2025 at 9:10 AM
One of my most favourite glass vessels: A marvellous Roman vessel in the form of a pig, made of blue glass. It was used to hold ointment or perfume.
Found in a burial in Cologne. Dating late 2nd/early 3rd century AD
📷 Römisch-Germanisches Museum Köln
🏺 #archaeology
Found in a burial in Cologne. Dating late 2nd/early 3rd century AD
📷 Römisch-Germanisches Museum Köln
🏺 #archaeology
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
Sweet, AI is going to try and turn an entire generation of young men into porn addicted incels, all so that we don’t get “left behind.” If only we moved to embrace any other “advancements” as fast as this - we would have green energy and women and minorities in equal places of power as white men.🤦🏻♂️
December 5, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Sweet, AI is going to try and turn an entire generation of young men into porn addicted incels, all so that we don’t get “left behind.” If only we moved to embrace any other “advancements” as fast as this - we would have green energy and women and minorities in equal places of power as white men.🤦🏻♂️
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
“The plan notably rejects the mandatory protective guardrails that were included in a standalone artificial intelligence act proposed by former industry minister Ed Husic.“
#Auspol
#Auspol
In an exclusive interview, Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres defends the National AI Plan:
“There are clear accountabilities for existing regulators and existing portfolio agencies to do their work, and the AI Safety Institute is there to support that work.”
satpa.pe/SbabIrw
“There are clear accountabilities for existing regulators and existing portfolio agencies to do their work, and the AI Safety Institute is there to support that work.”
satpa.pe/SbabIrw
Labor’s new AI plan puts faith in self-regulation
In a bid to support Australian innovation in the AI revolution, the Albanese government has stripped back layers of regulation, which critics say hands big tech too much power.
satpa.pe
December 5, 2025 at 9:24 PM
“The plan notably rejects the mandatory protective guardrails that were included in a standalone artificial intelligence act proposed by former industry minister Ed Husic.“
#Auspol
#Auspol
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
So, is this tge right time to remind Tasmanians that the AI centres courted by Launceston council require continuous, enormous water resources?
Yes. Yes it is...
#auspol #politas #priorities
Yes. Yes it is...
#auspol #politas #priorities
Sydney records highest temperature in nearly two years amid heatwave as Tasmanian bushfires threaten homes
Heatwave warnings in place for parts of New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Heatwave warnings in place for parts of New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Sydney records highest temperature in nearly two years amid heatwave as Tasmanian bushfires threaten homes
Heatwave warnings in place for parts of New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:30 PM
So, is this tge right time to remind Tasmanians that the AI centres courted by Launceston council require continuous, enormous water resources?
Yes. Yes it is...
#auspol #politas #priorities
Yes. Yes it is...
#auspol #politas #priorities
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
Datacentres – why are they so thirsty? Let’s ask a shark! | First Dog on the Moon
Datacentres – why are they so thirsty? Let’s ask a shark! | First Dog on the Moon
Do we even want or need all these datacentres? That is apparently none of your business
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www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Datacentres – why are they so thirsty? Let’s ask a shark! | First Dog on the Moon
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
🏺 Read & watch classicist Richard Janko talk about his ground-breaking research into the partially-deciphered, 4th BC Derveni Papyrus.
🔥 "This was a wacky book, sort of new-age literature."
#archaeology 🗃️ #skystorians #AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBluesky
ideasroadshow.substack.com/p/the-derven...
🔥 "This was a wacky book, sort of new-age literature."
#archaeology 🗃️ #skystorians #AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBluesky
ideasroadshow.substack.com/p/the-derven...
The Derveni Papyrus
A Conversation with Richard Janko, Professor of Classical Studies, University of Michigan
ideasroadshow.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:19 PM
🏺 Read & watch classicist Richard Janko talk about his ground-breaking research into the partially-deciphered, 4th BC Derveni Papyrus.
🔥 "This was a wacky book, sort of new-age literature."
#archaeology 🗃️ #skystorians #AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBluesky
ideasroadshow.substack.com/p/the-derven...
🔥 "This was a wacky book, sort of new-age literature."
#archaeology 🗃️ #skystorians #AncientBlueSky #ClassicsBluesky
ideasroadshow.substack.com/p/the-derven...
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
I wrote about using chess to teach about pre-modern Afroeurasian exchange. Chess is a fun way to teach about exchange routes from a global perspective. There’s lots of visual primary sources as well.
🗺️🗃️
www.liberatingnarratives.com/set-this-che...
🗺️🗃️
www.liberatingnarratives.com/set-this-che...
“Set this Chessboard and its Pieces Before Your Most Learned Men”: Teaching Chess and the Games of World History
Teaching Afroeurasian exchange using chess
www.liberatingnarratives.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:03 PM
I wrote about using chess to teach about pre-modern Afroeurasian exchange. Chess is a fun way to teach about exchange routes from a global perspective. There’s lots of visual primary sources as well.
🗺️🗃️
www.liberatingnarratives.com/set-this-che...
🗺️🗃️
www.liberatingnarratives.com/set-this-che...
Reposted by Dr John Plus Dr Mary
The first school to market itself as AI free is going to corner the market on people interested in actually learning. And I would not be surprised if rich families and the children of people creating this tech were the first movers.
My employer, Dartmouth College, today boasts it's 1st Ivy "to launch AI at an institutional scale." It is doing this by partnering--"more than a collaboration"--with Anthropic, a company that stole the books of many faculty, me included, which many of us are suing.
December 5, 2025 at 1:40 AM
The first school to market itself as AI free is going to corner the market on people interested in actually learning. And I would not be surprised if rich families and the children of people creating this tech were the first movers.