Nick Kapur
@nickkapur.bsky.social
Historian of Japan and East Asia. I only post extremely interesting things.
Author of "Japan at the Crossroads," out now from Harvard University Press.
https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674984424
Author of "Japan at the Crossroads," out now from Harvard University Press.
https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674984424
Pinned
Nick Kapur
@nickkapur.bsky.social
· Oct 20
Thrilled to announce the publication of my article "The Invention of the Kamikaze: Dissent and Resistance in the Japanese Military" in the October issue of the Journal of Military History!
Super excited for this one!!
On December 2!
Akiko Takenaka (U of Kentucky) on her new book, "Mothers Against War: Gender, Motherhood, and Peace Activism in Cold War Japan", in conversation with Chelsea Szendi Schieder (Aoyama Gakuin U) and Sara Kang (Princeton U).
Register for Zoom here: mjha.org/event-6314073
Akiko Takenaka (U of Kentucky) on her new book, "Mothers Against War: Gender, Motherhood, and Peace Activism in Cold War Japan", in conversation with Chelsea Szendi Schieder (Aoyama Gakuin U) and Sara Kang (Princeton U).
Register for Zoom here: mjha.org/event-6314073
November 26, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Super excited for this one!!
Reposted by Nick Kapur
In one of my classes, students create a work of historical interpretation based on primary sources - can be anything: slide deck, video, comic, artwork, diorama, or pretty much anything else you can think of, or else they can do a traditional 5-page essay.
Which do you think is most popular?
1/3
Which do you think is most popular?
1/3
November 21, 2025 at 10:18 PM
In one of my classes, students create a work of historical interpretation based on primary sources - can be anything: slide deck, video, comic, artwork, diorama, or pretty much anything else you can think of, or else they can do a traditional 5-page essay.
Which do you think is most popular?
1/3
Which do you think is most popular?
1/3
In one of my classes, students create a work of historical interpretation based on primary sources - can be anything: slide deck, video, comic, artwork, diorama, or pretty much anything else you can think of, or else they can do a traditional 5-page essay.
Which do you think is most popular?
1/3
Which do you think is most popular?
1/3
November 21, 2025 at 10:18 PM
In one of my classes, students create a work of historical interpretation based on primary sources - can be anything: slide deck, video, comic, artwork, diorama, or pretty much anything else you can think of, or else they can do a traditional 5-page essay.
Which do you think is most popular?
1/3
Which do you think is most popular?
1/3
Reposted by Nick Kapur
Absolutely brutal report just out from National Association of Realtors on the utterly broken US housing market.
First-time homebuyers fell to a historic low of just 21% of all homebuyers, and their median age was an all-time high of 40 years old.
The American Dream is dead.
First-time homebuyers fell to a historic low of just 21% of all homebuyers, and their median age was an all-time high of 40 years old.
The American Dream is dead.
November 20, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Absolutely brutal report just out from National Association of Realtors on the utterly broken US housing market.
First-time homebuyers fell to a historic low of just 21% of all homebuyers, and their median age was an all-time high of 40 years old.
The American Dream is dead.
First-time homebuyers fell to a historic low of just 21% of all homebuyers, and their median age was an all-time high of 40 years old.
The American Dream is dead.
Absolutely brutal report just out from National Association of Realtors on the utterly broken US housing market.
First-time homebuyers fell to a historic low of just 21% of all homebuyers, and their median age was an all-time high of 40 years old.
The American Dream is dead.
First-time homebuyers fell to a historic low of just 21% of all homebuyers, and their median age was an all-time high of 40 years old.
The American Dream is dead.
November 20, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Absolutely brutal report just out from National Association of Realtors on the utterly broken US housing market.
First-time homebuyers fell to a historic low of just 21% of all homebuyers, and their median age was an all-time high of 40 years old.
The American Dream is dead.
First-time homebuyers fell to a historic low of just 21% of all homebuyers, and their median age was an all-time high of 40 years old.
The American Dream is dead.
Day 3 is in the books!
The Imagawa and Shimazu clans seem to be doing well so far...
Here is a map as of July 1570:
#SengokuSim
The Imagawa and Shimazu clans seem to be doing well so far...
Here is a map as of July 1570:
#SengokuSim
November 18, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Day 3 is in the books!
The Imagawa and Shimazu clans seem to be doing well so far...
Here is a map as of July 1570:
#SengokuSim
The Imagawa and Shimazu clans seem to be doing well so far...
Here is a map as of July 1570:
#SengokuSim
A number of websites with which I am affiliated keep constantly crashing because ever more malignant AI companies keep scraping them to train their LLMs and not only ignore the robots.txt file, but come up with ever more clever ways to circumvent blocks by disguising their bots as ordinary users.
November 15, 2025 at 3:09 PM
A number of websites with which I am affiliated keep constantly crashing because ever more malignant AI companies keep scraping them to train their LLMs and not only ignore the robots.txt file, but come up with ever more clever ways to circumvent blocks by disguising their bots as ordinary users.
Reposted by Nick Kapur
probably something an innocent man would do
November 12, 2025 at 7:43 PM
probably something an innocent man would do
Getting set to run another edition of the Sengoku Japan simulation in my other class.
Here is the starting map of the samurai clans selected by the students, as of April 1560:
#SengokuSim
Here is the starting map of the samurai clans selected by the students, as of April 1560:
#SengokuSim
November 11, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Getting set to run another edition of the Sengoku Japan simulation in my other class.
Here is the starting map of the samurai clans selected by the students, as of April 1560:
#SengokuSim
Here is the starting map of the samurai clans selected by the students, as of April 1560:
#SengokuSim
Reposted by Nick Kapur
You know how the existence of cars and power tools makes it necessary to have “exercise” and “manual crafts” as a deliberately chosen part of a balanced life?
We’re probably going to need something like that cognitively, for adults.
We’re probably going to need something like that cognitively, for adults.
November 6, 2025 at 4:18 AM
You know how the existence of cars and power tools makes it necessary to have “exercise” and “manual crafts” as a deliberately chosen part of a balanced life?
We’re probably going to need something like that cognitively, for adults.
We’re probably going to need something like that cognitively, for adults.
Reposted by Nick Kapur
Japan's "Mundane Halloween" costume contest is back!
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
November 2, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Japan's "Mundane Halloween" costume contest is back!
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
Reposted by Nick Kapur
Starts in one hour!!
Happening in one week!
Alicia Volk (University of Maryland) discusses her new work, "In the Shadow of Empire: Art in Occupied Japan," as part of the MJHA's New Books on Japan series.
Information and Registration:
mjha.org/event-6314068
Alicia Volk (University of Maryland) discusses her new work, "In the Shadow of Empire: Art in Occupied Japan," as part of the MJHA's New Books on Japan series.
Information and Registration:
mjha.org/event-6314068
Modern Japan History Association - New Books on Japan: "In the Shadow of Empire: Art in Occupied Japan"
mjha.org
November 4, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Starts in one hour!!
"You need to be bored. You *will* have less meaning and you *will* be more depressed, if you never are bored. The evidence couldn't be clearer."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=orQK...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=orQK...
You Need to Be Bored. Here's Why.
YouTube video by Harvard Business Review
www.youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:34 PM
"You need to be bored. You *will* have less meaning and you *will* be more depressed, if you never are bored. The evidence couldn't be clearer."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=orQK...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=orQK...
Japan's "Mundane Halloween" costume contest is back!
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
November 2, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Japan's "Mundane Halloween" costume contest is back!
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
Each year website DailyPortalZ holds a contest where people dress up as something super duper ordinary.
Here's a thread of some of my favorites from the 2025 contest!
#MundaneHalloween
Reposted by Nick Kapur
Fantastic piece about how the rapid decline of literacy is bringing about a new Dark Ages of superstition and magical thinking.
But as Noah McCormack argues, this is a societal choice and not an inevitability.
But as Noah McCormack argues, this is a societal choice and not an inevitability.
The short-form video has brought about a second age of orality. That’s partly because phones are addicting, and partly because America’s ruling class wants it that way.
We Used to Read Things in This Country | Noah McCormack
Technology changes us—and it is currently changing us for the worse.
thebaffler.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Fantastic piece about how the rapid decline of literacy is bringing about a new Dark Ages of superstition and magical thinking.
But as Noah McCormack argues, this is a societal choice and not an inevitability.
But as Noah McCormack argues, this is a societal choice and not an inevitability.
China is now requiring social media influencers discussing professional topics to prove they have a degree or certification in that subject area
www.netinfluencer.com/china-now-re...
www.netinfluencer.com/china-now-re...
China Now Requires Degrees For Influencers Discussing Professional Topics
Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) started implementing new regulations on October 25, requiring influencers discussing professional topics to hold formal qualifications in those fields. The law...
www.netinfluencer.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:20 PM
China is now requiring social media influencers discussing professional topics to prove they have a degree or certification in that subject area
www.netinfluencer.com/china-now-re...
www.netinfluencer.com/china-now-re...
A large and growing number of Americans view sports gambling as bad for both society and for sports
October 30, 2025 at 3:36 AM
A large and growing number of Americans view sports gambling as bad for both society and for sports
Fantastic piece about how the rapid decline of literacy is bringing about a new Dark Ages of superstition and magical thinking.
But as Noah McCormack argues, this is a societal choice and not an inevitability.
But as Noah McCormack argues, this is a societal choice and not an inevitability.
The short-form video has brought about a second age of orality. That’s partly because phones are addicting, and partly because America’s ruling class wants it that way.
We Used to Read Things in This Country | Noah McCormack
Technology changes us—and it is currently changing us for the worse.
thebaffler.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Fantastic piece about how the rapid decline of literacy is bringing about a new Dark Ages of superstition and magical thinking.
But as Noah McCormack argues, this is a societal choice and not an inevitability.
But as Noah McCormack argues, this is a societal choice and not an inevitability.
One of the greatest baseball games ever, on the game's biggest stage.
Wow.
Wow.
October 28, 2025 at 6:59 AM
One of the greatest baseball games ever, on the game's biggest stage.
Wow.
Wow.
Good, short video explaining how AI slop is not only threatening to destroy the internet, but all human knowledge itself:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zfN...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zfN...
AI Slop Is Destroying The Internet
YouTube video by Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell
www.youtube.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Good, short video explaining how AI slop is not only threatening to destroy the internet, but all human knowledge itself:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zfN...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zfN...
I see ppl saying "good! there is an oversupply of PhDs right now"
The second part is incontrovertible, but it should not be the richest, most prestigious universities cutting back first, but marginal programs that don't fund their PhDs and don't set them up for success.
The second part is incontrovertible, but it should not be the richest, most prestigious universities cutting back first, but marginal programs that don't fund their PhDs and don't set them up for success.
Harvard is abandoning its core mission of preparing the future of knowledge creation by slashing PhD admissions by 2/3.
The money saved will be a tiny rounding error compared to the world's largest university endowment (~$60 billion in 2025).
The money saved will be a tiny rounding error compared to the world's largest university endowment (~$60 billion in 2025).
October 22, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I see ppl saying "good! there is an oversupply of PhDs right now"
The second part is incontrovertible, but it should not be the richest, most prestigious universities cutting back first, but marginal programs that don't fund their PhDs and don't set them up for success.
The second part is incontrovertible, but it should not be the richest, most prestigious universities cutting back first, but marginal programs that don't fund their PhDs and don't set them up for success.
What is the point of a university if it slashes its core educational programs?
This will only further fuel criticisms of Harvard as a "hedge fund with an attached university" and make it easier to tax their endowment.
This will only further fuel criticisms of Harvard as a "hedge fund with an attached university" and make it easier to tax their endowment.
Harvard is abandoning its core mission of preparing the future of knowledge creation by slashing PhD admissions by 2/3.
The money saved will be a tiny rounding error compared to the world's largest university endowment (~$60 billion in 2025).
The money saved will be a tiny rounding error compared to the world's largest university endowment (~$60 billion in 2025).
October 22, 2025 at 2:08 PM
What is the point of a university if it slashes its core educational programs?
This will only further fuel criticisms of Harvard as a "hedge fund with an attached university" and make it easier to tax their endowment.
This will only further fuel criticisms of Harvard as a "hedge fund with an attached university" and make it easier to tax their endowment.
Harvard is abandoning its core mission of preparing the future of knowledge creation by slashing PhD admissions by 2/3.
The money saved will be a tiny rounding error compared to the world's largest university endowment (~$60 billion in 2025).
The money saved will be a tiny rounding error compared to the world's largest university endowment (~$60 billion in 2025).
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Harvard is abandoning its core mission of preparing the future of knowledge creation by slashing PhD admissions by 2/3.
The money saved will be a tiny rounding error compared to the world's largest university endowment (~$60 billion in 2025).
The money saved will be a tiny rounding error compared to the world's largest university endowment (~$60 billion in 2025).
Reposted by Nick Kapur
Lawless and unconstitutional, not "reprogramming"
October 22, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Lawless and unconstitutional, not "reprogramming"