iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 6h

Goodness me this is a great book, can't believe it has taken me so long to get around to it...

Shirley Jackson - We Have Always Lived in the Castle

Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

In Trier, the birthplace of Karl Marx. I'm pretty sure this tribute isn't what he would have wanted but equally I don't think he'd have been overly surprised...

A building in Trier, Germany, containing a shopping emporium called Marx Modehaus

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Not in the same class as Jason's but nevertheless #shirtcheck

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Thanks for everything Rich, and indeed everyone, it has been a huge pleasure these last few years. Signing off with these all-time classics: 1. The Sisters Of Mercy 2. Pale Saints 3. The Sundays 4. Lloyd Cole And The Commotions 5. Fontaines DC #5DebutAlbumsFinal

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I'm a Hampshire fan so 🤷‍♂️ Would love to see a miracle for Somerset but it's not going to happen is it.....

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

What better to listen to on his centenary?

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I've actually been listening to BAP a lot since you posted your list. I was as unfamiliar with them before but they are very much to my liking, so thank you! I will also be giving Fehlfarben a go...

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Good point on Closing Time, that would definitely be worth a slot. It's one of the very best albums I've discovered over the years thanks to Richard and everyone...

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Thinking of bands whose first albums were their best, I would have liked to see Culture, X-Ray Spex, The Raincoats and Redskins in there, and more from more recent times overall. But none of them would have made my 5, so it's fine, basically :)

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I'm not familiar with all of those, will investigate! I'll offer these in rough order of favouritism. Clearly Rother and Dinger feature disproportionately... Kraftwerk Neu! Can Faust Einstürzende Neubauten Harmonia Tangerine Dream Xmal Deutschland La Düsseldorf Popol Vuh

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Reposted by Andy Helliwell

weloveallthat @weloveallthat.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

My Bloody Valentine's "When You Sleep" as performed by (albeit Boston, MA-based) Mongolian throat singers? This is @erklennn on Instagram.. volume on!

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

That feeling when you beat your best #parkrun time of last year by exactly one second. Still in my prime 😂

static.klipy.com

Elderly Man's Joyful Crutches Dance

Alt: Elderly Man's Joyful Crutches Dance

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

This is a compelling statement which articulates something profound - in so much we do, the journey, process and discipline of learning, and transmission of experience, matter to civilisation as much as a given outcome. The risk over time is of AI degrading those things to our collective detriment.

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I mean, Colombia's a pretty big place...!

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I have voted for this record more than any other in Richard's polls over the years - one last time! #5DebutAlbumsFinal

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Richard - what can I say? End of an era - finding your polls during the covid years was an absolute godsend and this community is something special. Thank you for everything and enjoy the forthcoming social media break!

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Yeah, maybe Toibín, but I can't really visualise him on the list personally, I'm not sure he has a clear enough unique selling point. I've always thought Rushdie might get it but it seems likely his time has passed. I do think Margaret Atwood ticks a lot of the right boxes this year.

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Going with Anglophone, and adding the fact it has gone man-woman in turn in recent years, Marilynne Robinson seems a good bet, and yes maybe Atwood. Time for an Australian winner, so maybe Alexis Wright. Talking of Aussies, I think Richard Flanagan deserves more mention in Nobel talk then he gets.

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Evening Richard, evening everyone. I can honestly say that I could happily have voted for half of these, but going with this pretty flawless five from across the decades... 1. The Sundays 2. Lloyd Cole and the Commotions 3. Fleet Foxes 4. Curtis Mayfield 5. Nico #5DebutAlbumsSF4

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Superb effort so far, and very happy to see your appreciation of the delights of my home turf in east Hertfordshire today - very much looking forward to following the rest of the journey north!

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Number 1 for me, he adds helpfully 😀

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Just want to say that after a week or so with this song, I think it is up there with your best. Massively looking forward to the album.

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

You can never have enough Vonnegut in your life...

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Yes, I haven't kept up with them for a few years either but really impressed - only had a couple of listens so far but I think it's great. (Nothing will ever beat Trace, which is one of my all-time favourites, but it'll more than do!)

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Should've known you'd be all over it! 🙂

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Along similar lines, the new Son Volt is well worth a listen...

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

100%! On first listen there's a couple of great ones even by his standards.

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Funny you should mention the Great Barrier Reef, I had trouble with that today. Nailed St Helena though so you win some you lose some :)

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Hey @thenewworldmag.bsky.social - the person who said that isn't "unknown", you just haven't tried very hard to identify them... It was @magnets.eurosky.social on Twitter a few years back. I'm sure you'll want to credit him!

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Very much enjoying it! Small islands in big oceans are especially tricky!

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Not bad again today on this (you did better than me on MapTap, as per usual...!) HexHunt #10 — 866/1400 · top 7% 🇦🇺 🇪🇸 🇸🇭 🇵🇹 🇷🇺 🇨🇳 🇹🇴 5 first-guess · 10/21 guesses used thehexhunt.com?d=10&s=866&r...

thehexhunt.com

HexHunt #10 — 866/1400

Test your geography skills in HexHunt. Find seven locations each day by choosing the hex on the map where you think they are. How accurate and precise can you get?

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I'll let you know how tomorrow goes, not as good as that I suspect!!

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Ooh, I like that, some tactics involved. Not a bad first go, got a bit lucky on a couple... HexHunt #9 — 909/1400 · top 4% 🇦🇪 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇧🇩 🇸🇪 🇦🇺 🇸🇭 3 first-guess · 13/21 guesses used thehexhunt.com?d=9&s=909&r=...

thehexhunt.com

HexHunt #9 — 909/1400

Test your geography skills in HexHunt. Find seven locations each day by choosing the hex on the map where you think they are. How accurate and precise can you get?

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Have you listened to their new album yet Mykhaïlo? It is no 'In Spades' but it is growing on me quickly...

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

It does! As I recall, he walked all the way from Ramsgate (?) via London to see his sister, who was a teacher in Welwyn. Imagine! Would make a good film!

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I live in Hertford and was unfamiliar with this great story until I saw that mural myself!

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Loving the Herbie Hancock - for some reason I don't think I'd ever listened to Inventions And Dimensions before, so I have put that right...

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Hammer but it's the first person to assemble an IKEA wardrobe...

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Andy Helliwell @andyhelliwell.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Four in common! I don't recall ever having that before!

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