Christina Laffin
@christinalaffin.bsky.social
Associate Professor in Premodern Japanese Literature and Culture, University of British Columbia. She/her.
Pinned
After 7 years of meeting weekly, collaborating with 31 contributors, editing alongside multiple translators & research assistants, seeking advice, hunting sources, rethinking, & learning, learning, learning, 2 colleagues (now bosom buds) & I sent a 1000-page manuscript to press for review today. 1/
Reposted by Christina Laffin
The #AAS2026 preliminary conference program is online ... start browsing the nearly *600 sessions*, planning your schedule, and seeing all that our gathering in Vancouver has to offer!
buff.ly/gItXtM1
buff.ly/gItXtM1
November 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The #AAS2026 preliminary conference program is online ... start browsing the nearly *600 sessions*, planning your schedule, and seeing all that our gathering in Vancouver has to offer!
buff.ly/gItXtM1
buff.ly/gItXtM1
Reposted by Christina Laffin
Rie Qudan's Sympathy Tower Tokyo is a short literary novel about architecture, language, culture wars, and LLMs. The book is intellectually demanding but also very fun, and it has Jorge Luis Borges vibes in the best possible way. #Japaneselit #booksky 📚 japaneselit.net/2025/11/22/s...
Sympathy Tower Tokyo
Rie Qudan’s short novel Sympathy Tower Tokyo, which was awarded an Akutagawa Prize in 2023, is a story about language, generative AI, and the culture war discourse surrounding the construction of a…
japaneselit.net
November 24, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Rie Qudan's Sympathy Tower Tokyo is a short literary novel about architecture, language, culture wars, and LLMs. The book is intellectually demanding but also very fun, and it has Jorge Luis Borges vibes in the best possible way. #Japaneselit #booksky 📚 japaneselit.net/2025/11/22/s...
Reposted by Christina Laffin
I will add the following: our students lack the research skills required to audit an LLM essay for errors. They don’t arrive on campus with these skills; we teach it to them over four long years. So throwing freshmen in the deep end and saying “swim your way to a shore of rectitude” is folly.
November 24, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I will add the following: our students lack the research skills required to audit an LLM essay for errors. They don’t arrive on campus with these skills; we teach it to them over four long years. So throwing freshmen in the deep end and saying “swim your way to a shore of rectitude” is folly.
Reposted by Christina Laffin
Thanks to Champagne for linking to another article of mine, which offers further justification as to why telling students to audit a ChatGPT essay for errors is also ill advised. bsky.app/profile/mich...
These assignments encourage people to become DIY detectives, exacerbating a boom in conspiracy theories. The “permission structure of doubt” normalises suspicion as a default setting and suggests that another algorithm (like Google’s search) can discover the truth.
By @sonjadrimmer.bsky.social:
By @sonjadrimmer.bsky.social:
AI-Generated Images Are Spreading Paranoia and Misinformation. Can Art Historians Help?
An art historian argues that provenance research—rather than connoisseurship—is our best tool for authentication.
www.artnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Thanks to Champagne for linking to another article of mine, which offers further justification as to why telling students to audit a ChatGPT essay for errors is also ill advised. bsky.app/profile/mich...
Reposted by Christina Laffin
This is not the way, and @cnygren.bsky.social and I lay out in detail why it isn’t in this essay here. static1.squarespace.com/static/55577...
November 24, 2025 at 1:16 PM
This is not the way, and @cnygren.bsky.social and I lay out in detail why it isn’t in this essay here. static1.squarespace.com/static/55577...
Reposted by Christina Laffin
The scale of intellectual laziness of the tech industry is only matched by its real-world harms; and oddly it only ever seems to grow the hype cycle.
November 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The scale of intellectual laziness of the tech industry is only matched by its real-world harms; and oddly it only ever seems to grow the hype cycle.
Reposted by Christina Laffin
What if I told you that LLMs aren’t learning and that they don’t deceive or engage in behaviors, and that they have as much agency as different preparations of concrete?
November 24, 2025 at 12:26 PM
What if I told you that LLMs aren’t learning and that they don’t deceive or engage in behaviors, and that they have as much agency as different preparations of concrete?
Reposted by Christina Laffin
Since this article and its perspectives are generating a bit of buzz, I'd like to dig into what I find distasteful and, frankly, disingenous about it, particularly the ethical values it proclaims. 1/8
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
I Set A Trap To Catch My Students Cheating With AI. The Results Were Shocking.
"Students are not just undermining their ability to learn, but to someday lead."
www.huffpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Since this article and its perspectives are generating a bit of buzz, I'd like to dig into what I find distasteful and, frankly, disingenous about it, particularly the ethical values it proclaims. 1/8
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
Reposted by Christina Laffin
So-called "smart" devices are pushed heavily for the holidays, but be mindful of what you're opting that gift recipient into. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Think Twice Before Giving Surveillance for the Holidays
With the holidays upon us, it's easy to default to giving the tech gifts that retailers tend to push on us this time of year: smart speakers, video doorbells, bluetooth trackers, fitness trackers,
www.eff.org
November 22, 2025 at 5:02 PM
So-called "smart" devices are pushed heavily for the holidays, but be mindful of what you're opting that gift recipient into. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Reposted by Christina Laffin
This is the 2nd time a major government report from Deloitte has been found to contain errors likely generated by AI.
First in Australia and now, as The Independent has confirmed, in a major healthcare policy paper for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador #nlpoli #AI #deloitte
First in Australia and now, as The Independent has confirmed, in a major healthcare policy paper for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador #nlpoli #AI #deloitte
A major healthcare policy paper commissioned by @govnl.bsky.social government from Deloitte at a cost of $1.6 million, cites research papers that don’t exist, making it the second major government policy paper called into question in as many months. #nlpoli #AI
theindependent.ca/news/lji/maj...
theindependent.ca/news/lji/maj...
Major N.L. healthcare report contains errors likely generated by A.I. – The Independent
$1.6 million Health Human Resources Plan from Deloitte cites research papers that don’t exist, making it the second major government policy paper called into question in as many months
theindependent.ca
November 22, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Christina Laffin
In an interview this week, Ken Sim said that he had a list of all the times he said no to the Vancouver Police Department, and said a lot of their budget increases were out of the city's control.
We got the list. We looked at the budget.
Here is a fact check.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
We got the list. We looked at the budget.
Here is a fact check.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
November 21, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Reposted by Christina Laffin
Proctorio’s lawsuit against former UBC staff member Ian Linkletter ended last week, after a five-year saga over tweets Linkletter posted that Proctorio alleged violated their copyright.
ubyssey.ca/news/proctor...
ubyssey.ca/news/proctor...
Proctorio lawsuit against former UBC staff member ends after five year saga
Proctorio’s lawsuit against former UBC staff member Ian Linkletter ended last week, after a five-year saga over tweets Linkletter posted that Proctorio alleged violated their copyright.
ubyssey.ca
November 19, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Proctorio’s lawsuit against former UBC staff member Ian Linkletter ended last week, after a five-year saga over tweets Linkletter posted that Proctorio alleged violated their copyright.
ubyssey.ca/news/proctor...
ubyssey.ca/news/proctor...
An important win against surveillance technology. Admiration and gratitude for Ian Linkletter relentlessly maintaining an ethical stance as Proctorio worked against him (and the interests of all of us dedicated to education) over the course of 1,899 days.
Proctorio’s lawsuit against former UBC staff member Ian Linkletter ended last week, after a five-year saga over tweets Linkletter posted that Proctorio alleged violated their copyright.
ubyssey.ca/news/proctor...
ubyssey.ca/news/proctor...
Proctorio lawsuit against former UBC staff member ends after five year saga
Proctorio’s lawsuit against former UBC staff member Ian Linkletter ended last week, after a five-year saga over tweets Linkletter posted that Proctorio alleged violated their copyright.
ubyssey.ca
November 21, 2025 at 6:17 PM
An important win against surveillance technology. Admiration and gratitude for Ian Linkletter relentlessly maintaining an ethical stance as Proctorio worked against him (and the interests of all of us dedicated to education) over the course of 1,899 days.
Reposted by Christina Laffin
Literary translators! Our publisher, @twolinespress.com, is currently open for submissions for animal stories in translation (from any language) & the Stevns Translation Prize (for Vietnamese translators). As always, no submissions fees.
For more info visit: www.catranslation.org/books/submit...
For more info visit: www.catranslation.org/books/submit...
November 18, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Literary translators! Our publisher, @twolinespress.com, is currently open for submissions for animal stories in translation (from any language) & the Stevns Translation Prize (for Vietnamese translators). As always, no submissions fees.
For more info visit: www.catranslation.org/books/submit...
For more info visit: www.catranslation.org/books/submit...
Reposted by Christina Laffin
Call for applications: 2026 Florence Tan Moeson Research Fellowship Program at the Library of Congress, which supports short-term travel for research in the LOC Asian Division's collections. Application deadline January 11, 2026.
Fellowship Information | About this Reading Room | Asian Reading Room | Research Centers | Library of Congress
The Asian Division at the Library of Congress invites applications for the 2026 Florence Tan Moeson Research Fellowship Program, established through the generous gift of Florence Tan Moeson, who…
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Call for applications: 2026 Florence Tan Moeson Research Fellowship Program at the Library of Congress, which supports short-term travel for research in the LOC Asian Division's collections. Application deadline January 11, 2026.
Reposted by Christina Laffin
When I was under 1, my dad was arrested in the UK. As was the standard procedure, he had the beating of his life and was left on a cell floor to reflect on the errors of his ways. He got 3 years in a max security jail. One of the men arrested with him died on hunger strike.
🐦🔎The University of British Columbia hosts talk on excavation conducted next to Israeli torture camp: Megiddo is the site of one of the largest torture camps for Palestinians; the dig is right next to the prison
sparrows4palestine.substack.com/p/ubc-hosts-...
sparrows4palestine.substack.com/p/ubc-hosts-...
UBC hosts talk on excavation conducted next to Israeli torture camp
Megiddo is the site of one of the largest torture camps for Palestinians; the dig is right next to the prison
sparrows4palestine.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:42 PM
When I was under 1, my dad was arrested in the UK. As was the standard procedure, he had the beating of his life and was left on a cell floor to reflect on the errors of his ways. He got 3 years in a max security jail. One of the men arrested with him died on hunger strike.
Reposted by Christina Laffin
🐦🔎The University of British Columbia hosts talk on excavation conducted next to Israeli torture camp: Megiddo is the site of one of the largest torture camps for Palestinians; the dig is right next to the prison
sparrows4palestine.substack.com/p/ubc-hosts-...
sparrows4palestine.substack.com/p/ubc-hosts-...
UBC hosts talk on excavation conducted next to Israeli torture camp
Megiddo is the site of one of the largest torture camps for Palestinians; the dig is right next to the prison
sparrows4palestine.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:17 PM
🐦🔎The University of British Columbia hosts talk on excavation conducted next to Israeli torture camp: Megiddo is the site of one of the largest torture camps for Palestinians; the dig is right next to the prison
sparrows4palestine.substack.com/p/ubc-hosts-...
sparrows4palestine.substack.com/p/ubc-hosts-...
Reposted by Christina Laffin
"To The World" is a comic zine by Jehad Abu Dayya and Esraa El-Banna, who wrote and drew the comic from their tents in Deir Al-Balah. Edited by Deena Mohamed, it tells the story of a fictional student named Farah, who shares her experience during the genocide in Gaza.
October 15, 2025 at 2:57 PM
"To The World" is a comic zine by Jehad Abu Dayya and Esraa El-Banna, who wrote and drew the comic from their tents in Deir Al-Balah. Edited by Deena Mohamed, it tells the story of a fictional student named Farah, who shares her experience during the genocide in Gaza.
Reposted by Christina Laffin
NEW: No Arms In The Arts launches boycott of the Scotiabank Photo Award.
70 artists, curators and photographers, including many past winners and nominees, are withdrawing their work ahead of the 2025 nominations.
boycottphotoaward.org
70 artists, curators and photographers, including many past winners and nominees, are withdrawing their work ahead of the 2025 nominations.
boycottphotoaward.org
November 10, 2025 at 1:56 PM
NEW: No Arms In The Arts launches boycott of the Scotiabank Photo Award.
70 artists, curators and photographers, including many past winners and nominees, are withdrawing their work ahead of the 2025 nominations.
boycottphotoaward.org
70 artists, curators and photographers, including many past winners and nominees, are withdrawing their work ahead of the 2025 nominations.
boycottphotoaward.org
Reposted by Christina Laffin
- Will it account for its leadership harassing pro-Palestinian authors publicly and privately?
November 17, 2025 at 11:56 PM
- Will it account for its leadership harassing pro-Palestinian authors publicly and privately?
Reposted by Christina Laffin
Questions it needs to answer:
- Who are its "anonymous funders?"
- Will the Giller finally end its partnership the Azrieli Foundation, set to renew this year?
- Will it confirm whether it has terminated its Indigo sponsorship?
- Who are its "anonymous funders?"
- Will the Giller finally end its partnership the Azrieli Foundation, set to renew this year?
- Will it confirm whether it has terminated its Indigo sponsorship?
November 17, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Questions it needs to answer:
- Who are its "anonymous funders?"
- Will the Giller finally end its partnership the Azrieli Foundation, set to renew this year?
- Will it confirm whether it has terminated its Indigo sponsorship?
- Who are its "anonymous funders?"
- Will the Giller finally end its partnership the Azrieli Foundation, set to renew this year?
- Will it confirm whether it has terminated its Indigo sponsorship?
Reposted by Christina Laffin
Right now, protesters are outside the pre-taped 2025 Giller Prize ceremony with a puppet of David Fingold (the asset manager at Scotiabank responsible for the bank's Elbit Systems investment) asking:
Who funds the Giller Prize?
Who funds the Giller Prize?
November 17, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Right now, protesters are outside the pre-taped 2025 Giller Prize ceremony with a puppet of David Fingold (the asset manager at Scotiabank responsible for the bank's Elbit Systems investment) asking:
Who funds the Giller Prize?
Who funds the Giller Prize?
Reposted by Christina Laffin
Yet again: can we accept that the current technology of generative AI is an inherently fascistic product, and should be treated as such?
Just as fascism is not inevitable, neither is the invasion of genAI into every aspect of society - especially education and academia.
Just as fascism is not inevitable, neither is the invasion of genAI into every aspect of society - especially education and academia.
“While the AI industry claims its models can “think,” “reason,” and “learn,” their supposed achievements rest on marketing hype and stolen intellectual labor. In reality, AI erodes academic freedom, weakens critical reading, and subordinates the pursuit of knowledge to corporate interests.”
AI Is Hollowing Out Higher Education
Olivia Guest & Iris van Rooij urge teachers and scholars to reject tools that commodify learning, deskill students, and promote illiteracy.
www.project-syndicate.org
November 18, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Yet again: can we accept that the current technology of generative AI is an inherently fascistic product, and should be treated as such?
Just as fascism is not inevitable, neither is the invasion of genAI into every aspect of society - especially education and academia.
Just as fascism is not inevitable, neither is the invasion of genAI into every aspect of society - especially education and academia.
Reposted by Christina Laffin
Health Care Workers Spoke Out for Their Peers in Gaza. Then Came Backlash. truthout.org/articles/the...
Health Care Workers Spoke Out for Their Peers in Gaza. Then Came Backlash.
Medical institutions are silencing their staff and impeding efforts to build solidarity with medical workers in Gaza.
truthout.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Health Care Workers Spoke Out for Their Peers in Gaza. Then Came Backlash. truthout.org/articles/the...
Reposted by Christina Laffin
Jaw dropped. Trump Administration Removes Report on Missing and Murdered Native Americans, Calling It DEI Content
Trump Administration Removes Report on Missing and Murdered Native Americans, Calling It DEI Content - Oklahoma Watch
The Trump administration removed a congressionally mandated report on missing and murdered Native Americans from the DOJ website, citing compliance with an executive order against DEI. Senators who ch...
oklahomawatch.org
November 17, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Jaw dropped. Trump Administration Removes Report on Missing and Murdered Native Americans, Calling It DEI Content