Ray Lavoie
@proporhistorian.bsky.social
Like the handle says: Medieval history PhD. Rugby player (still playing front row in old boys matches). LARPer/TTRPG player&GM. Avid reader (fantasy/sci-fi/history/mystery/historical fiction) Accordionist. NH born. Occasional political ranter.
I flustered the chair of our AI Policy group a bit today asking how our students ed. guidelines will grapple with the ethical issues of copyright violation and disproportionate impact of data center placement on poor and minority communities.
December 9, 2025 at 2:45 AM
I flustered the chair of our AI Policy group a bit today asking how our students ed. guidelines will grapple with the ethical issues of copyright violation and disproportionate impact of data center placement on poor and minority communities.
More grist for the AI Policy Group meetings. Though I fear things are are accelerating as we try to keep pace with AI adoption by our students. My fear is the pace will leave us acting before fully considering all these problematic issues.
“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 2:36 AM
More grist for the AI Policy Group meetings. Though I fear things are are accelerating as we try to keep pace with AI adoption by our students. My fear is the pace will leave us acting before fully considering all these problematic issues.
Sharing to save for my role on my school’s AI policy group. I known the AI fans will be digging up shady research and trying to flog it as legit consideration for our work.
Oh, the shitty plagiarism machines floating on hype are attracting shitty researchers who plagiarize in order to get in on the hype? Color me shocked, shocked I say
“Farid says that he now counsels students to not go into AI research, because of the “frenzy” in the field and the large volume of low-quality work being put out by people hoping to better their career prospects”
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
December 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Sharing to save for my role on my school’s AI policy group. I known the AI fans will be digging up shady research and trying to flog it as legit consideration for our work.
I feel this ties in with right wing commentator “outrage” over liberals’ vocal disinterest in being friends with them. I’ve felt conservatives (elites at least) want liberal acceptance more than the reverse. Also gives perspective on those who run to conservatives when liberals scorn them (eg Maher)
I was told everyone was leaving.
@fortune.com #NYC
@wutangforchildren.bsky.social
fortune.com/2025/12/04/m...
@fortune.com #NYC
@wutangforchildren.bsky.social
fortune.com/2025/12/04/m...
December 5, 2025 at 6:36 PM
I feel this ties in with right wing commentator “outrage” over liberals’ vocal disinterest in being friends with them. I’ve felt conservatives (elites at least) want liberal acceptance more than the reverse. Also gives perspective on those who run to conservatives when liberals scorn them (eg Maher)
More info for the AI policy working group I’m part of at my school. I joined the group because they need some skeptical voices, and I’m it.
Again: "AI" actively harms critical thinking skills, users actively reject Less sycophantic "AI," getting increasingly hostile toward/less likely to help or be helped by humans, creating cylces of dependence on tools that Actively Harm Critical Thinking.
What better dirt for disinformation to grow?
What better dirt for disinformation to grow?
Preliminary results show that the current framework of "AI" makes ppl less likely to help or seek help from other humans, or to seek to soothe conflict, and that people actively prefer that framework to any others, literally serving to make them more dependent on it.
December 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
More info for the AI policy working group I’m part of at my school. I joined the group because they need some skeptical voices, and I’m it.
Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen:
Runrig
Andy M. Stewart and Manus Lunney
Phil and Johnny Cunningham
Flogging Molly
The Young Dubliners
Runrig
Andy M. Stewart and Manus Lunney
Phil and Johnny Cunningham
Flogging Molly
The Young Dubliners
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen:
• Beastie Boys
• Clannad
• Wagakki Band
• Nine Inch Nails
• uh... does Phantom of the Opera count?
• Beastie Boys
• Clannad
• Wagakki Band
• Nine Inch Nails
• uh... does Phantom of the Opera count?
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen:
• The Damned
• Orville Peck
• Public Enemy
• Cocteau Twins
• Madonna
• The Damned
• Orville Peck
• Public Enemy
• Cocteau Twins
• Madonna
November 27, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen:
Runrig
Andy M. Stewart and Manus Lunney
Phil and Johnny Cunningham
Flogging Molly
The Young Dubliners
Runrig
Andy M. Stewart and Manus Lunney
Phil and Johnny Cunningham
Flogging Molly
The Young Dubliners
Reposted by Ray Lavoie
This is a great resource. I'm really enjoying seeing other faculty's ideas for AI-resistant or AI-proof writing assignments, and I hope to see the selection grow as we strategize together to promote real learning against the tide of technological bullshit.
against-a-i.com/assignment-i...
against-a-i.com/assignment-i...
Assignment Ideas - AGAINST AI
Image: The Shipwreck, J.M.W. Turner
against-a-i.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:21 PM
This is a great resource. I'm really enjoying seeing other faculty's ideas for AI-resistant or AI-proof writing assignments, and I hope to see the selection grow as we strategize together to promote real learning against the tide of technological bullshit.
against-a-i.com/assignment-i...
against-a-i.com/assignment-i...
Fascinating
This story is bizarre beyond belief.
“I can see why all these people without heads wouldn’t be good for a community." www.science.org/content/arti...
November 27, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Fascinating
Sharing to save; this will be helpful for my school’s AI policy committee.
The more you know about LLMs, the worse they get
I need everyone, esp anyone working in education or tech (but really everyone) to WATCH THIS CLIP of @drtanksley.bsky.social discussing the technologies infiltrating our schools & psyches and how she is addressing it with our young people. youtu.be/5mtcSL4S3HQ
November 22, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Sharing to save; this will be helpful for my school’s AI policy committee.
I really found this article thought-provoking. I have a longer set of thoughts about how this idea of civic virtue connects with the classical Greek notion of the idiot (not the same as our modern idea!) But that’s a post for when I have a bit more time.
Josh Marshall; gift link.
Civic virtue is incredibly important. People who study crime say: most people don’t commit crimes not because they’re scared of punishment, but because you just don’t do that. Imagine how awful it would be if that weren’t true; if we couldn’t rely on people’s decency.
Civic virtue is incredibly important. People who study crime say: most people don’t commit crimes not because they’re scared of punishment, but because you just don’t do that. Imagine how awful it would be if that weren’t true; if we couldn’t rely on people’s decency.
Fear, Greed, Civic Virtue and the Fall of the Elites
Members of America’s founding generation had an ambivalent and evolving understanding of...
talkingpointsmemo.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I really found this article thought-provoking. I have a longer set of thoughts about how this idea of civic virtue connects with the classical Greek notion of the idiot (not the same as our modern idea!) But that’s a post for when I have a bit more time.
The common thread in the
destruction of architectural symbols of our nation’s greatness, whether by murderous terrorists or would-be autocrats, is a hatred of our pluralistic way of life.
destruction of architectural symbols of our nation’s greatness, whether by murderous terrorists or would-be autocrats, is a hatred of our pluralistic way of life.
October 23, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The common thread in the
destruction of architectural symbols of our nation’s greatness, whether by murderous terrorists or would-be autocrats, is a hatred of our pluralistic way of life.
destruction of architectural symbols of our nation’s greatness, whether by murderous terrorists or would-be autocrats, is a hatred of our pluralistic way of life.
I feel like there’s a thread between Trump’s appalling destruction of the White House Rose Garden and the current demolition of the East Wing. Both are legacies of well-regarded Democratic presidents (JFK and FDR) whose popular historical reputations have always been resented by conservatives.
October 21, 2025 at 6:09 PM
I feel like there’s a thread between Trump’s appalling destruction of the White House Rose Garden and the current demolition of the East Wing. Both are legacies of well-regarded Democratic presidents (JFK and FDR) whose popular historical reputations have always been resented by conservatives.
I feel like the second part of this idea often gets overlooked by many well-meaning liberal and progressive people. The arc bends because people put pressure on it, both for justice and for injustice. And there are lots of folks pushing on the unjust side. We need to be active in opposing them.
Dad said the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. But he also reminded us that it doesn’t bend on its own.
Let’s get into good trouble—peacefully, persistently, and with love as our guide.
Let’s get into good trouble—peacefully, persistently, and with love as our guide.
October 21, 2025 at 6:06 PM
I feel like the second part of this idea often gets overlooked by many well-meaning liberal and progressive people. The arc bends because people put pressure on it, both for justice and for injustice. And there are lots of folks pushing on the unjust side. We need to be active in opposing them.
Aluminum Zeppelin
Slightly diminish a band: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Old
Slightly diminish a band:
The Thompson Only Child
The Thompson Only Child
August 13, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Aluminum Zeppelin
Happy Juneteenth!
Hat-tip to @shadowlandonline.bsky.social
June 19, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Happy Juneteenth!
I made it safely home from Disney Comcert Hall downtown after my school’s graduation, luckily avoiding the menace of… *checks notes* …some lunchtime office workers, two kids on bikes, and a guy filming a TikTok video.
Sure glad we’re spending $150 million to bring in the National Guard. /sarcasm
Sure glad we’re spending $150 million to bring in the National Guard. /sarcasm
June 12, 2025 at 2:39 AM
I made it safely home from Disney Comcert Hall downtown after my school’s graduation, luckily avoiding the menace of… *checks notes* …some lunchtime office workers, two kids on bikes, and a guy filming a TikTok video.
Sure glad we’re spending $150 million to bring in the National Guard. /sarcasm
Sure glad we’re spending $150 million to bring in the National Guard. /sarcasm
Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”When he heard this, Jesus said, “Well, we’re all going to die! For heaven’s sake, folks!”
Joni 11:1,3-4
Joni 11:1,3-4
June 1, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”When he heard this, Jesus said, “Well, we’re all going to die! For heaven’s sake, folks!”
Joni 11:1,3-4
Joni 11:1,3-4
The Wire
Babylon 5
Hill Street Blues
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Taking suggestions for the fifth! Firefly is so short…
Babylon 5
Hill Street Blues
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Taking suggestions for the fifth! Firefly is so short…
Repost with the 5 shows you would be happy to rewatch over and over again for the rest of your life, as your sole TV diet
Hannibal
Burn Notice
Samurai Jack
Sherlock (Cumberbatch version)
Babylon 5
Hannibal
Burn Notice
Samurai Jack
Sherlock (Cumberbatch version)
Babylon 5
Repost with the 5 shows you would be happy to reqatch over and over again for the rest of your life, as your sole TV diet
Twin Peaks
MST3K
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Parks & Rec
Severance
Twin Peaks
MST3K
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Parks & Rec
Severance
May 26, 2025 at 3:39 AM
The Wire
Babylon 5
Hill Street Blues
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Taking suggestions for the fifth! Firefly is so short…
Babylon 5
Hill Street Blues
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Taking suggestions for the fifth! Firefly is so short…
In my defense, I spend a lot of time interacting with high school aged boys.
May 18, 2025 at 8:56 PM
In my defense, I spend a lot of time interacting with high school aged boys.
A heartwarming story to wrap up your weekend.
Thought I might share a life story from a few months ago to brighten your day. Back in March, I spotted a raccoon on the side of the interstate that had very clearly been run over. I pulled over thinking I’d have to put it out of its misery. We ended up becoming good friends.
May 18, 2025 at 8:07 PM
A heartwarming story to wrap up your weekend.
Posting to save for the future. It’s unclear whether OP teaches several 25-student classes or if 25 is his teaching load. But still a worthwhile post for Teacher Appreciation Week.
After the brutal reality of dealing with student papers in the ChatGPT era finally hit me, here are a few tactics that I've found at least somewhat effective in getting students to do their own writing: 🧵
May 7, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Posting to save for the future. It’s unclear whether OP teaches several 25-student classes or if 25 is his teaching load. But still a worthwhile post for Teacher Appreciation Week.
My wife works for a research institute at UCLA that studies Latino History. Her work on the origins of Cinco de Mayo is well worth repeating today. Threaded in the comments.
May 5, 2025 at 4:22 PM
My wife works for a research institute at UCLA that studies Latino History. Her work on the origins of Cinco de Mayo is well worth repeating today. Threaded in the comments.
This key fact is often lost in the right wing braying about privatizing the USPS - our postal service intentionally sacrifices efficiency for universal service. That’s the mission. Also overlooked: this is *constitutionally mandated*.
This message brought to
you by the son of a letter carrier.
This message brought to
you by the son of a letter carrier.
USPS’s universal service obligation means letter carriers keep every community & business in every zip code connected. Postal privatization threatens that service across America.
Tell Congress to ensure a strong, public USPS through H.Res. 70/S.Res. 147: nalc.org/action
Tell Congress to ensure a strong, public USPS through H.Res. 70/S.Res. 147: nalc.org/action
April 9, 2025 at 6:36 PM
This key fact is often lost in the right wing braying about privatizing the USPS - our postal service intentionally sacrifices efficiency for universal service. That’s the mission. Also overlooked: this is *constitutionally mandated*.
This message brought to
you by the son of a letter carrier.
This message brought to
you by the son of a letter carrier.