alice-makes-things

[alice-makes-things]

Oh I forgot! It’s June, here’s an obligatory Gay Books Good Books post ☺️

Last month I did my first ever stand-up set about some of these books. I have video but have yet to edit it to a size I can post on tumblr!

Anyway be gay, do crime, read books

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Guys I work in a library and if you have children you need to borrow this picture book for them

Or just borrow it for yourself I don’t make the rules

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greta thunberg, liam cunningham, rima hassan, and everyone else on that ship, thank you, and i hope you succeed. i really hope you succeed. you know what you are risking, and i wish for you to come back safely, having done what you set out to do.

[alice-makes-things]

ym.nara_mislin on ig

[alice-makes-things]

Check out @reallygoodwizard on Instagram for very excellent and silly art

[annoyed AI noises]

I am at a Bridgeton themed ball run by Into the Pages Events. We were invited to submit gossip to the society papers, which they would rewrite into the style of Lady Wistledown. As a writing exercise, I actually wrote mine myself, roasting myself in the voice of Wistledown.

I acknowledged that the writing may have been a little long and said they were welcome to edit it down.

However, reading the society papers, it is very obvious the text was just put straight through chatGPT. I am furious. I could tell immediately as it says it the same thing I said, just slightly different. All of my original puns and wordplay are gone, replaced with something less “me”. Less human. Less creative.

I immediately confronted the event organiser who immediately admitted to the use of chatGPT. She claimed to have “struggled to edit” my work, to which I responded - why not reach out to me and ask me to edit it.

If you are running a literary event, WHY 👏 ARE 👏YOU👏USING👏AI👏WHICH👏IS👏LITERALLY👏DESTROYING👏CREATIVES👏LIVELIHOODS👏AND👏THE👏PLANET👏

Sorry but I’m absolutely SEETHING. This event has been thoroughly lovely and I’m trying not to let this ruin my day (it has mostly been a delight, pictures forthcoming) but I’m so angry about this. It’s so unethical to put somebody else’s writing through an AI generator, and they will have a strongly worded complaint letter from me.

[My original text is below, please feel free to judge my writing]

“Dearest Gentle Reader,

A most peculiar ‘Young’ lady has entered our social sphere. While Miss Alice Young - a librarian of four and thirty years - possesses a keen mind for books, the novel of her romantic prospects is yet to be written.

One might wonder how such a charming woman has remained untouched by the affections of any gentleman. Perhaps she has simply been too engrossed in her beloved tomes to notice their advances - or - perhaps more likely - Miss Young simply does not have the money or prospects to engage with the Ton: living off a librarian’s meagre salary does not lend itself to funding extravagant ballgowns and attending soirees.

And yet this season, rumour has it that Miss Young has embarked upon an ambitious project: to become her own modiste. To stitch one’s own gown is a bold undertaking, particularly with limited budget and experience. Though Miss Young’s books may make her learned on many subjects, she is lacking in practical skill. And as we all know, not every tailoress is destined to thread the needle of success. One hopes her stitching is as perfect as her bookish charm.

Will this spirited seamstress complete this daring dress in time for the ball? Shall it be the talk of the Ton, or a tragic fashion faux-pas? And will it impress the eye of any discerning gentleman who might venture to glance her way?”

[alice-makes-things]

I know I sound like your mom but you kids need to stop fucking vaping

[alice-makes-things]

A group of trans women protesting outside Scottish parliament to condemn the UK Supreme Court’s bioessentialist ruling on sex, and the response of the Scottish government. All are wearing black pants, black tape across their mouths or a black KN95, and their right arms are painted red as "a mark of solidarity with anti-fascist feminists across Europe." | May 17th, 2025

“This ruling, and the subsequent EHRC guidance aims to segregate trans people from safe spaces that they have for used for decades without issue. We are demanding that the Scottish government stand up for its trans citizens by fighting this ruling and appealing to the European Court of Human Rights.”

One of the demonstrators, Sugar, described the protests as "a public act of grief, resistance and solidarity to highlight the hypocrisy of the ruling. If the Supreme Court can see these woman legally as men, then they’ll have zero issue with them going tops off.”

[alice-makes-things]

[alice-makes-things]

part of being an ally to trans men is not being a dick to cis men for their appearance btw

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Diver convince octopus to trade his plastic cup for a seashell

[alice-makes-things]

I’ve now had a quiet conversation with the owner of the company. She’s 21, very young, very inexperienced. She has apologised and thanked me for pointing out these issues. I’ve told her that if she is ever stuck or overwhelmed - seek out mentorship and advice from millennials working in the creative industries. We genuinely want the best for you guys.

[annoyed AI noises]

I am at a Bridgeton themed ball run by Into the Pages Events. We were invited to submit gossip to the society papers, which they would rewrite into the style of Lady Wistledown. As a writing exercise, I actually wrote mine myself, roasting myself in the voice of Wistledown.

I acknowledged that the writing may have been a little long and said they were welcome to edit it down.

However, reading the society papers, it is very obvious the text was just put straight through chatGPT. I am furious. I could tell immediately as it says it the same thing I said, just slightly different. All of my original puns and wordplay are gone, replaced with something less “me”. Less human. Less creative.

I immediately confronted the event organiser who immediately admitted to the use of chatGPT. She claimed to have “struggled to edit” my work, to which I responded - why not reach out to me and ask me to edit it.

If you are running a literary event, WHY 👏 ARE 👏YOU👏USING👏AI👏WHICH👏IS👏LITERALLY👏DESTROYING👏CREATIVES👏LIVELIHOODS👏AND👏THE👏PLANET👏

Sorry but I’m absolutely SEETHING. This event has been thoroughly lovely and I’m trying not to let this ruin my day (it has mostly been a delight, pictures forthcoming) but I’m so angry about this. It’s so unethical to put somebody else’s writing through an AI generator, and they will have a strongly worded complaint letter from me.

[My original text is below, please feel free to judge my writing]

“Dearest Gentle Reader,

A most peculiar ‘Young’ lady has entered our social sphere. While Miss Alice Young - a librarian of four and thirty years - possesses a keen mind for books, the novel of her romantic prospects is yet to be written.

One might wonder how such a charming woman has remained untouched by the affections of any gentleman. Perhaps she has simply been too engrossed in her beloved tomes to notice their advances - or - perhaps more likely - Miss Young simply does not have the money or prospects to engage with the Ton: living off a librarian’s meagre salary does not lend itself to funding extravagant ballgowns and attending soirees.

And yet this season, rumour has it that Miss Young has embarked upon an ambitious project: to become her own modiste. To stitch one’s own gown is a bold undertaking, particularly with limited budget and experience. Though Miss Young’s books may make her learned on many subjects, she is lacking in practical skill. And as we all know, not every tailoress is destined to thread the needle of success. One hopes her stitching is as perfect as her bookish charm.

Will this spirited seamstress complete this daring dress in time for the ball? Shall it be the talk of the Ton, or a tragic fashion faux-pas? And will it impress the eye of any discerning gentleman who might venture to glance her way?”

[alice-makes-things]

A further update: they started playing Soldier Poet King (fucking BANGER) and immediately skipped the track to ABBA’s Dancing Queen and i have decided that this is hobbitphobic of them and I might just go to bed now bc I’m spending more time snarking on tumblr than actually enjoying myself 🙃

[annoyed AI noises]

I am at a Bridgeton themed ball run by Into the Pages Events. We were invited to submit gossip to the society papers, which they would rewrite into the style of Lady Wistledown. As a writing exercise, I actually wrote mine myself, roasting myself in the voice of Wistledown.

I acknowledged that the writing may have been a little long and said they were welcome to edit it down.

However, reading the society papers, it is very obvious the text was just put straight through chatGPT. I am furious. I could tell immediately as it says it the same thing I said, just slightly different. All of my original puns and wordplay are gone, replaced with something less “me”. Less human. Less creative.

I immediately confronted the event organiser who immediately admitted to the use of chatGPT. She claimed to have “struggled to edit” my work, to which I responded - why not reach out to me and ask me to edit it.

If you are running a literary event, WHY 👏 ARE 👏YOU👏USING👏AI👏WHICH👏IS👏LITERALLY👏DESTROYING👏CREATIVES👏LIVELIHOODS👏AND👏THE👏PLANET👏

Sorry but I’m absolutely SEETHING. This event has been thoroughly lovely and I’m trying not to let this ruin my day (it has mostly been a delight, pictures forthcoming) but I’m so angry about this. It’s so unethical to put somebody else’s writing through an AI generator, and they will have a strongly worded complaint letter from me.

[My original text is below, please feel free to judge my writing]

“Dearest Gentle Reader,

A most peculiar ‘Young’ lady has entered our social sphere. While Miss Alice Young - a librarian of four and thirty years - possesses a keen mind for books, the novel of her romantic prospects is yet to be written.

One might wonder how such a charming woman has remained untouched by the affections of any gentleman. Perhaps she has simply been too engrossed in her beloved tomes to notice their advances - or - perhaps more likely - Miss Young simply does not have the money or prospects to engage with the Ton: living off a librarian’s meagre salary does not lend itself to funding extravagant ballgowns and attending soirees.

And yet this season, rumour has it that Miss Young has embarked upon an ambitious project: to become her own modiste. To stitch one’s own gown is a bold undertaking, particularly with limited budget and experience. Though Miss Young’s books may make her learned on many subjects, she is lacking in practical skill. And as we all know, not every tailoress is destined to thread the needle of success. One hopes her stitching is as perfect as her bookish charm.

Will this spirited seamstress complete this daring dress in time for the ball? Shall it be the talk of the Ton, or a tragic fashion faux-pas? And will it impress the eye of any discerning gentleman who might venture to glance her way?”

[alice-makes-things]

Update: I am on a whisper campaign to tell all members of the Ton that this story is not penned by the true Lady Wistledown but a cruel and hideous impostor. Through this campaign I found out that this LITERALLY HAPPENED LAST YEAR AS WELL 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

[annoyed AI noises]

I am at a Bridgeton themed ball run by Into the Pages Events. We were invited to submit gossip to the society papers, which they would rewrite into the style of Lady Wistledown. As a writing exercise, I actually wrote mine myself, roasting myself in the voice of Wistledown.

I acknowledged that the writing may have been a little long and said they were welcome to edit it down.

However, reading the society papers, it is very obvious the text was just put straight through chatGPT. I am furious. I could tell immediately as it says it the same thing I said, just slightly different. All of my original puns and wordplay are gone, replaced with something less “me”. Less human. Less creative.

I immediately confronted the event organiser who immediately admitted to the use of chatGPT. She claimed to have “struggled to edit” my work, to which I responded - why not reach out to me and ask me to edit it.

If you are running a literary event, WHY 👏 ARE 👏YOU👏USING👏AI👏WHICH👏IS👏LITERALLY👏DESTROYING👏CREATIVES👏LIVELIHOODS👏AND👏THE👏PLANET👏

Sorry but I’m absolutely SEETHING. This event has been thoroughly lovely and I’m trying not to let this ruin my day (it has mostly been a delight, pictures forthcoming) but I’m so angry about this. It’s so unethical to put somebody else’s writing through an AI generator, and they will have a strongly worded complaint letter from me.

[My original text is below, please feel free to judge my writing]

“Dearest Gentle Reader,

A most peculiar ‘Young’ lady has entered our social sphere. While Miss Alice Young - a librarian of four and thirty years - possesses a keen mind for books, the novel of her romantic prospects is yet to be written.

One might wonder how such a charming woman has remained untouched by the affections of any gentleman. Perhaps she has simply been too engrossed in her beloved tomes to notice their advances - or - perhaps more likely - Miss Young simply does not have the money or prospects to engage with the Ton: living off a librarian’s meagre salary does not lend itself to funding extravagant ballgowns and attending soirees.

And yet this season, rumour has it that Miss Young has embarked upon an ambitious project: to become her own modiste. To stitch one’s own gown is a bold undertaking, particularly with limited budget and experience. Though Miss Young’s books may make her learned on many subjects, she is lacking in practical skill. And as we all know, not every tailoress is destined to thread the needle of success. One hopes her stitching is as perfect as her bookish charm.

Will this spirited seamstress complete this daring dress in time for the ball? Shall it be the talk of the Ton, or a tragic fashion faux-pas? And will it impress the eye of any discerning gentleman who might venture to glance her way?”

[alice-makes-things]

[annoyed AI noises]

I am at a Bridgeton themed ball run by Into the Pages Events. We were invited to submit gossip to the society papers, which they would rewrite into the style of Lady Wistledown. As a writing exercise, I actually wrote mine myself, roasting myself in the voice of Wistledown.

I acknowledged that the writing may have been a little long and said they were welcome to edit it down.

However, reading the society papers, it is very obvious the text was just put straight through chatGPT. I am furious. I could tell immediately as it says it the same thing I said, just slightly different. All of my original puns and wordplay are gone, replaced with something less “me”. Less human. Less creative.

I immediately confronted the event organiser who immediately admitted to the use of chatGPT. She claimed to have “struggled to edit” my work, to which I responded - why not reach out to me and ask me to edit it.

If you are running a literary event, WHY 👏 ARE 👏YOU👏USING👏AI👏WHICH👏IS👏LITERALLY👏DESTROYING👏CREATIVES👏LIVELIHOODS👏AND👏THE👏PLANET👏

Sorry but I’m absolutely SEETHING. This event has been thoroughly lovely and I’m trying not to let this ruin my day (it has mostly been a delight, pictures forthcoming) but I’m so angry about this. It’s so unethical to put somebody else’s writing through an AI generator, and they will have a strongly worded complaint letter from me.

[My original text is below, please feel free to judge my writing]

“Dearest Gentle Reader,

A most peculiar ‘Young’ lady has entered our social sphere. While Miss Alice Young - a librarian of four and thirty years - possesses a keen mind for books, the novel of her romantic prospects is yet to be written.

One might wonder how such a charming woman has remained untouched by the affections of any gentleman. Perhaps she has simply been too engrossed in her beloved tomes to notice their advances - or - perhaps more likely - Miss Young simply does not have the money or prospects to engage with the Ton: living off a librarian’s meagre salary does not lend itself to funding extravagant ballgowns and attending soirees.

And yet this season, rumour has it that Miss Young has embarked upon an ambitious project: to become her own modiste. To stitch one’s own gown is a bold undertaking, particularly with limited budget and experience. Though Miss Young’s books may make her learned on many subjects, she is lacking in practical skill. And as we all know, not every tailoress is destined to thread the needle of success. One hopes her stitching is as perfect as her bookish charm.

Will this spirited seamstress complete this daring dress in time for the ball? Shall it be the talk of the Ton, or a tragic fashion faux-pas? And will it impress the eye of any discerning gentleman who might venture to glance her way?”

[alice-makes-things]

[alice-makes-things]

Reblogging my most popular post bc it’s relevant to the below

I downloaded Duolingo a couple years ago because it was the only mobile app that had a Welsh course.

Because it’s designed more like a game, it’s not the most *useful* language-learning app (three years later and I still can’t speak any Welsh, aside from telling people I’m an actor and asking them if they’re the farmer. I also can’t spell, but that’s more about the dyslexia). But I was also glad to see a platform where Celtic and other indigenous languages throughout the world were supported. (Plus who doesn’t love a fun ding ding positive noise game in their downtime?)

Anyway, sad to say that after their rather sinister “AI First” announcement I’ve now chosen to delete my account and the app. If you support work done by human translators and teachers, with real fluency, experience, and knowledge, I encourage you to do the same. Language has human nuances that are - beautifully - beyond the skills of AI. Support the livelihoods of people who can bring you that beauty.

Withnail & I (1987)

[alice-makes-things]

ok like kakapo are great and all, i love them dont get me wrong but takahē are by far the best endangered new zealand bird and quite possibly THE Best Bird?

you cant really get any better than this. criminally underrated