Let’s Be Cautious As We Cede Reading to Machines
AI might help with the deluge of content, but there are problems when we rely on machines to think for us.
The Dea(r)th of Social Media? Assessing “Twexit”
The brave new world post-Twitter, or post-the Old Twitter, or has anything really changed? Chefs ponder the new social media.
Smorgasbord: Twitter v. Mastodon; Incentivizing Open Science; DEI v. Involution
Another “mixed bag” post from us — Is it time to leave Twitter? How can we incentivize journals and authors to take up open science practices? What is “involution” and is DEIA the solution?
Going Legit Part 2: The Continuing Path from Piracy to Partnership
An SSP Meeting Session showing the results from publisher partnerships with Researchgate suggest the company is shifting from a source of potential infringement to a distribution channel that is being folded into more and more organizations.
Reverse Engineering, the Cycle of Culture, and the Dark History of White Bread
The story of white bread’s rise and fall offers a lesson in the circular nature of manufacturing and consumer culture.
Guest Post — Can Technology in the Post-cookie World be Designed to Respect User Privacy?
Minhaj Rais looks at possible solutions for beneficial data mining activities that don’t infringe on user privacy.
Guest Post — Building the Last Mile: A Plan for Bringing the Expanding Universe of Digital Primary Sources into Classrooms
Getting digitized primary source materials into the classroom requires an open dialogue among researchers, teachers, and archivists. A workshop from historians of business shows how.
The Super Bowl Ad We Really Wanted to See
Stephen Colbert offers a Super Bowl advertisement for a local independent bookstore.
Talking About – and Maybe Even Selling – Books in a Pandemic
With their audiences in COVID-19 lockdown, publishers are testing out new marketing strategies while some authors are taking matters into their own hands.
A Font for these Uncertain Times
Uncertain times call for distressed typography.
The Common (and Bland) Language of Pandemic Era Marketing
How many advertisements have you seen from companies expressing their concern and solidarity with their customers? Can you remember any of them, or have they all blurred together? There may be a reason why…
Leaving Behind the Outrage Economy
Some thoughts about using social media in a more intentional and humane manner, and video presentation by Dan Harvey on why outrage and anger are so prevalent (and valuable) online.
Alien, the Stage Play
It’s Friday — take a break with this glorious high school stage production of a famous science fiction movie.
Guest Post — The Library is the Brand
Libraries provide vital digital services to their host institutions. If these services carry clear library identity branding, it strengthens the library’s position in the university and enables it to secure the budget and political capital necessary to do its work.
When Does Enhancement Become Deceit? Advertising Food Tricks
Think science has issues with image manipulation? Wait till you see these advertising tricks used to make food look appetizing.