I’m the Dean of the Library, Vice Provost for Information Collaboration, and Professor of History at Northeastern University. (more about me)
Recently
“The Slow Formation of Durable Software” — How a group of historians took years to imagine Zotero, the research application that would eventually be used by millions. October 6, 2026
“Reader Responses, Summer 2026” — Good thoughts, writing, and projects from the readers of this newsletter. September 18, 2026
“Scholarship Will Soon Be Much Harder to Save” — It’s not easy to be confident in a body of knowledge that has phantom limbs. September 2, 2026
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Humane Ingenuity looks in depth at technology that helps rather than hurts human understanding, and human understanding that helps us create better technology. New issues are sent to subscribers about once a month.
Of Note
“The Books of College Libraries Are Turning Into Wallpaper,” The Atlantic. University libraries around the world are seeing precipitous declines in the use of the books on their shelves. Why is this happening and what does it mean for the future of libraries? May 26, 2019
“The Narrow Passage of Gortahig” — On the rugged western coast of Ireland, a critical road is a bit too narrow, and the locals like it that way. August 26, 2018
