genna
@genna.bsky.social
Creator, Pages Past, a podcast where your favourite people revisit their old favourite books. Editor, college instructor, library lurker, luddite. Opinions mine. Torontonian.
Listen: https://pod.link/1753505445
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PagesPast
Listen: https://pod.link/1753505445
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PagesPast
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genna
@genna.bsky.social
· 13d
new episode of Pages Past is out far and wide! Everybody's @newestolympian.bsky.social fave, Dr. Steven Parra, revisits The Tennis Partner by Abraham Verghese, a memoir that inspired him when he was starting out in his medical training. as always, no need to read the book! pod.link/1753505445/e...
and you know it HIT
December 1, 2025 at 3:31 AM
and you know it HIT
I know this was said in the heat of the moment, not seriously, but after seeing what happened with Covid I am skeptical about the ability of viruses to deliver education
One of the things about trust is that it is efficient. It saves you having to invest a lot of time and effort in verification, and if placed in the right places, saves you a lot of pain.
"The diseases will do the education" is what we get when we don't trust.
"The diseases will do the education" is what we get when we don't trust.
presented without comment
December 1, 2025 at 3:28 AM
I know this was said in the heat of the moment, not seriously, but after seeing what happened with Covid I am skeptical about the ability of viruses to deliver education
Reposted by genna
extremely scientific diagram for reference
November 30, 2025 at 9:08 PM
extremely scientific diagram for reference
Reposted by genna
The most precious commodity you have is your attention. You don’t have to waste it on poor-faith debates or arguments with strangers if you don’t think they’ll be productive. You can prioritize the things that matter to you and make your life richer.
November 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The most precious commodity you have is your attention. You don’t have to waste it on poor-faith debates or arguments with strangers if you don’t think they’ll be productive. You can prioritize the things that matter to you and make your life richer.
Reposted by genna
I'm very sad to share the news that our lovely @chaoticauthor.online has passed away. His ending was peaceful and surrounded with love but came far too quickly after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
I've known Matt for years. He was a warm, gentle, generous, all-weather friend. I miss him.
I've known Matt for years. He was a warm, gentle, generous, all-weather friend. I miss him.
November 28, 2025 at 6:11 PM
I'm very sad to share the news that our lovely @chaoticauthor.online has passed away. His ending was peaceful and surrounded with love but came far too quickly after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
I've known Matt for years. He was a warm, gentle, generous, all-weather friend. I miss him.
I've known Matt for years. He was a warm, gentle, generous, all-weather friend. I miss him.
I could not be prouder to contribute to funding our national yaoi. consider it a gift from us to you
Well thank you taxpayers of Canada!
(Airing on HBO in the US)
Heated Rivalry 🔥
(Airing on HBO in the US)
Heated Rivalry 🔥
November 30, 2025 at 3:43 AM
I could not be prouder to contribute to funding our national yaoi. consider it a gift from us to you
Reposted by genna
Today in I’m Very Bad at Self-Promotion, this article that I wrote about the rise of contemplative practices in contemporary Christian contemplative practices just came out. This was really fun to research and write! I could write a whole giant essay about my dude St. Benedict and his Rule.
Why today’s spiritual seekers are reviving ancient practices | Broadview Magazine
Contemplative Christianity offers calm in tumultuous times
broadview.org
November 29, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Today in I’m Very Bad at Self-Promotion, this article that I wrote about the rise of contemplative practices in contemporary Christian contemplative practices just came out. This was really fun to research and write! I could write a whole giant essay about my dude St. Benedict and his Rule.
Reposted by genna
What a weird, lazy scam - this account is tagging tons of lefty writers/academics/etc in hopes of getting visibility for this blatantly AI-generated “book”, with the end goal of getting people to spend $4.99 on an ebook full of bullshit
November 29, 2025 at 9:51 PM
What a weird, lazy scam - this account is tagging tons of lefty writers/academics/etc in hopes of getting visibility for this blatantly AI-generated “book”, with the end goal of getting people to spend $4.99 on an ebook full of bullshit
Reposted by genna
Headline: "AI can replace 11.7% of workforce"
Actual study: Anthropic paid MIT to use a "labor simulation tool" that said 11.7% of TASKS could be done by AI
Actual study: Anthropic paid MIT to use a "labor simulation tool" that said 11.7% of TASKS could be done by AI
MIT study finds AI can already replace 11.7% of U.S. workforce
Artificial intelligence can already replace 11.7% of the U.S. labor market, across finance, health care and professional services, according to MIT's study.
www.cnbc.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Headline: "AI can replace 11.7% of workforce"
Actual study: Anthropic paid MIT to use a "labor simulation tool" that said 11.7% of TASKS could be done by AI
Actual study: Anthropic paid MIT to use a "labor simulation tool" that said 11.7% of TASKS could be done by AI
just saw a youtube video that referred to gardening as "real life Stardew Valley" & personally I love how cooked we are. I think it's cute
November 29, 2025 at 5:43 PM
just saw a youtube video that referred to gardening as "real life Stardew Valley" & personally I love how cooked we are. I think it's cute
Reposted by genna
Bong Joon Ho hit me up for the squad you legend deadline.com/2025/11/bong...
November 29, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Bong Joon Ho hit me up for the squad you legend deadline.com/2025/11/bong...
don't forget it: Libraries BUY tons of books! And the more they circulate, the more they have to purchase more copies as they wear out (or the e-book checkouts expire). libraries and schools buy a huge portion of the books by new, local, and lesser-known authors. Use the library!
Yes exactly! Don't feel bad like you're not supporting authors if you use the library. You totally are & we're grateful!
Ooh, I feel that. But! The more that we use our libraries, the better funded they become, and they *do* pay for their books (including e-books!), so the author is still being paid for their work and you're supporting the librarians and excellent people who work right there in your community <3
November 29, 2025 at 4:54 PM
don't forget it: Libraries BUY tons of books! And the more they circulate, the more they have to purchase more copies as they wear out (or the e-book checkouts expire). libraries and schools buy a huge portion of the books by new, local, and lesser-known authors. Use the library!
Reposted by genna
Yes exactly! Don't feel bad like you're not supporting authors if you use the library. You totally are & we're grateful!
Ooh, I feel that. But! The more that we use our libraries, the better funded they become, and they *do* pay for their books (including e-books!), so the author is still being paid for their work and you're supporting the librarians and excellent people who work right there in your community <3
November 29, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Yes exactly! Don't feel bad like you're not supporting authors if you use the library. You totally are & we're grateful!
I have been getting repeated podcast ads for an AI tool marketed to accounting/tax firms. It opens with frustrated boss whining, "Why are my workers still using search engines? 😡😭"
I don't know Janice??? probably to look stuff up? ????
I don't know Janice??? probably to look stuff up? ????
November 29, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I have been getting repeated podcast ads for an AI tool marketed to accounting/tax firms. It opens with frustrated boss whining, "Why are my workers still using search engines? 😡😭"
I don't know Janice??? probably to look stuff up? ????
I don't know Janice??? probably to look stuff up? ????
VERY important to note here that according to NBER research, the productivity gains of LLMs specifically accrue overwhelmingly to the least skilled workers (i.e. customer service assistants who may not confidently speak/write in the language they are being asked to work in)
A study by Dayforce shows 87% of executives use AI for work, compared to 57% of managers and just 27% of employees.
I think this explains the massive disconnect we see in how CEOs talk about AI versus everyone else. It also raises the question of how useful it truly is for frontline work?
I think this explains the massive disconnect we see in how CEOs talk about AI versus everyone else. It also raises the question of how useful it truly is for frontline work?
Execs are embracing AI more than their employees are, new research suggests
Research from HR software company Dayforce suggests that executives are leaning into AI far more than their employees.
www.businessinsider.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:33 PM
VERY important to note here that according to NBER research, the productivity gains of LLMs specifically accrue overwhelmingly to the least skilled workers (i.e. customer service assistants who may not confidently speak/write in the language they are being asked to work in)
also I saw Tiny Habits recently but they were opening for Vance Joy so I had to sit through some revolting millennial moments
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen (actual music taste edition)
Dolly Parton
The Mountain Goats
Boygenius
Hozier
The 1975
Dolly Parton
The Mountain Goats
Boygenius
Hozier
The 1975
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen:
Crowded House (x2)
Hozier
Elton John
Fleetwood Mac
Blue Rodeo (x3)
Crowded House (x2)
Hozier
Elton John
Fleetwood Mac
Blue Rodeo (x3)
November 28, 2025 at 11:09 PM
also I saw Tiny Habits recently but they were opening for Vance Joy so I had to sit through some revolting millennial moments
replies to this had me googling "graphing calculator was in war on drugs???"
is Microsoft Excel a feminist? Is Gemini a queer ally? Is this graphing calculator my friend
can’t fucking catch a breath
make it stop
make it stop
November 28, 2025 at 10:37 PM
replies to this had me googling "graphing calculator was in war on drugs???"
is Microsoft Excel a feminist? Is Gemini a queer ally? Is this graphing calculator my friend
November 28, 2025 at 9:57 PM
is Microsoft Excel a feminist? Is Gemini a queer ally? Is this graphing calculator my friend
Reposted by genna
Hey, um, authors who had previously book contracts with Unbound.... does an approximately 2023-era version of the website show up for you as well? Not even sure who to tell at this point.
November 28, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Hey, um, authors who had previously book contracts with Unbound.... does an approximately 2023-era version of the website show up for you as well? Not even sure who to tell at this point.
+I really should have said humpback whale here
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you've seen in the wild:
Elk
Brown-throated sloth
Chimpanzee
Moose
+Black bear, specifically one running at top speed (nearly 50 km/h)
Elk
Brown-throated sloth
Chimpanzee
Moose
+Black bear, specifically one running at top speed (nearly 50 km/h)
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you've seen in the wild:
Caribou
Ravens
Seals
Kea
Turkeys
Caribou
Ravens
Seals
Kea
Turkeys
November 28, 2025 at 8:36 PM
+I really should have said humpback whale here
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you've seen in the wild:
Elk
Brown-throated sloth
Chimpanzee
Moose
+Black bear, specifically one running at top speed (nearly 50 km/h)
Elk
Brown-throated sloth
Chimpanzee
Moose
+Black bear, specifically one running at top speed (nearly 50 km/h)
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you've seen in the wild:
Caribou
Ravens
Seals
Kea
Turkeys
Caribou
Ravens
Seals
Kea
Turkeys
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you've seen in the wild:
Moose
Humpback whales
Giraffes
African Elephants
West African or Nile monitor lizard
Moose
Humpback whales
Giraffes
African Elephants
West African or Nile monitor lizard
November 28, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you've seen in the wild:
Elk
Brown-throated sloth
Chimpanzee
Moose
+Black bear, specifically one running at top speed (nearly 50 km/h)
Elk
Brown-throated sloth
Chimpanzee
Moose
+Black bear, specifically one running at top speed (nearly 50 km/h)
I got stuck in an infinite Shop Pay loop trying to send my mum a birthday gift. It wouldn't believe I want a different billing and shipping address. At one point I put in her address and it automatically TEXTED her for two-factor authentication. Shopify, I put a curse on you and all your descendants
November 28, 2025 at 2:14 PM
I got stuck in an infinite Shop Pay loop trying to send my mum a birthday gift. It wouldn't believe I want a different billing and shipping address. At one point I put in her address and it automatically TEXTED her for two-factor authentication. Shopify, I put a curse on you and all your descendants
Reposted by genna
I cannot emphasize enough how little I want to see AI illustrations of blog posts. Ethics aside, it is boring to look at one version of a computer's simulation of what a human might have done. I'd rather imagine it myself. I'd rather just read the text. I'd rather just stare into the void.
November 28, 2025 at 2:03 AM
I cannot emphasize enough how little I want to see AI illustrations of blog posts. Ethics aside, it is boring to look at one version of a computer's simulation of what a human might have done. I'd rather imagine it myself. I'd rather just read the text. I'd rather just stare into the void.
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen (random/unhinged edition):
Nickelback, Three Days Grace (these were on the same bill)
Mr. Dress-up Live
Hilary Duff
Billy Bragg
Ryan Malcolm, the first winner of Canadian Idol
Nickelback, Three Days Grace (these were on the same bill)
Mr. Dress-up Live
Hilary Duff
Billy Bragg
Ryan Malcolm, the first winner of Canadian Idol
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen (actual music taste edition)
Dolly Parton
The Mountain Goats
Boygenius
Hozier
The 1975
Dolly Parton
The Mountain Goats
Boygenius
Hozier
The 1975
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen:
Crowded House (x2)
Hozier
Elton John
Fleetwood Mac
Blue Rodeo (x3)
Crowded House (x2)
Hozier
Elton John
Fleetwood Mac
Blue Rodeo (x3)
November 28, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen (random/unhinged edition):
Nickelback, Three Days Grace (these were on the same bill)
Mr. Dress-up Live
Hilary Duff
Billy Bragg
Ryan Malcolm, the first winner of Canadian Idol
Nickelback, Three Days Grace (these were on the same bill)
Mr. Dress-up Live
Hilary Duff
Billy Bragg
Ryan Malcolm, the first winner of Canadian Idol
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen (actual music taste edition)
Dolly Parton
The Mountain Goats
Boygenius
Hozier
The 1975
Dolly Parton
The Mountain Goats
Boygenius
Hozier
The 1975
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen:
Crowded House (x2)
Hozier
Elton John
Fleetwood Mac
Blue Rodeo (x3)
Crowded House (x2)
Hozier
Elton John
Fleetwood Mac
Blue Rodeo (x3)
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen:
Crowded House (X3)
Don Williams
The Cranberries
The Tragically Hip
Branford Marsalis
Crowded House (X3)
Don Williams
The Cranberries
The Tragically Hip
Branford Marsalis
November 28, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen (actual music taste edition)
Dolly Parton
The Mountain Goats
Boygenius
Hozier
The 1975
Dolly Parton
The Mountain Goats
Boygenius
Hozier
The 1975