David Veevers

Haha. Not my specialty I'm afraid - just dipping into it in passing as I try and describe what it was like crossing the Atlantic in a 40 ton barque in January, and the things the storm-struck passengers may have worried were lurking under the waves ready to devour them!

We old fogies demand immediate answer! Our decrepit age means we might not be breathing when 'one day' comes around.

Agreed

It's interesting because on the one hand by the time I'm looking at - early C17th - intense fishing around Newfoundland and New England coasts had been underway for decades, and yet there remained a vivid imagination around 'sea-beasts' that were clearly whales or walruses or squid.

😁

It probably explains the expansion into the Malabar Coast. I’d like to know the ratio of textile to spices in terms of investment. As I mentioned about English EIC it’s about 50% for textiles and 10% for spices.

Everything that comes out of my MPs mouth makes me so proud that he represents my home town. Thank you @joshbabarinde.bsky.social for speaking up for trans rights and human rights.

Enquiring minds would like to know!

From his Wikipedia entry:

At a Berggruen Institute salon, Harari said that Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel "was kind of an epiphany in my academic career. I realised that I could actually write such books."

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That's a rare self own

That’s a MOOD!

They did. And I’ve had a pain in my neck ever since!

I massively appreciated yours and others’ input!

The life of a historian: today I've been reading and writing about krakens and mermaids. There's worse ways to spend a working day than this. It can be an intensely privileged profession - not for all, indeed for fewer and fewer. But on days like these I'm reminded why I flogged myself to get here.

Couldn’t agree more. And I hate agreeing with you Dave.

‘We could have asked ChatGPT’: students fight back over course taught by AI Staffordshire students say signs material was AI-generated included suspicious file names and rogue voiceover accent

I've said it before and I will say it again many times, people using "AI" to design and deliver 'teaching' to students, to mark their work, and in this case to (!) generate literal voice overs are risking their jobs, and frankly they *should* be at risk if they do this sort of thing:

What the actual FUCK

I bet!!

One of the things which has made this icy weather more bearable today is booking our family holiday for next summer in warmer climes 😆

Not a bad idea!

I have to say, I think my favourite kind of primary source has to be depositions. It's when all the nasty bitches come out and the gloves are off. They're highly problematic as sources but my gosh they do not disappointed on the drama.

My toes and fingers have stopped, like, living. They've given up. I'm not 100% they're still attached after dropping my eldest into school this morning.

So we're skipping autumn this year and just going straight into the frigid depths of winter ice and snow? Cool just checking.

The political centre of gravity continues to shift towards higher education sceptics Graduates and non-graduates are polarised in their views of university study. Steve O’Neil thinks through how the sector can demonstrate its value across the electorate Graduates and non-graduates are...

'Graduates are overwhelmingly positive about universities – 81 per cent say universities have a positive impact on the nation. Among non-graduates, that figure drops to just 55 per cent.' (Interesting that it's that high). 1/3

a close up of a man 's face with a slight smile on his face . ALT: a close up of a man 's face with a slight smile on his face .

Watching Moon with Sam Rockwell and forgot what a good little film this is. But it still is only the second best space film of his. We all know what the first is…

Amazing well done Ed! 🙌🏻

Happy birthday you old git!

Shaun Evans tells us about what inspired him to research the Welsh 'coming of age' celebrations that were landmark events for gentry families and local society. Read the blog > buff.ly/izSJIjH @ystadaucymru.bsky.social

PLEASE INVITE ME TO DINNER

Royal Society B cover with AI generated image of endocasts.

AI slop gracing the cover of Royal Society B. Not only in AI yellow but scientifically nonsensical. Come on. I'm certain human photographs and artworks were ignored to platform ... this.