iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 02/10/2026

For that reason, the Judicial Review hearings called their point unarguable. That's also why the appeal will fail. They are just delaying the inevitable.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 02/10/2026

FoSB say 'Stratfield Brake woodland, which Natural England's woodland specialist have agreed is probably ancient woodland'. The problem is that isn't NE's official position and CDC can only pay attention to their official position. It's not on the Ancient Woodland list, so for CDC, it's not Ancient.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 02/10/2026

Rather like one side of Gordon Brown's 5 tests for hoining the Euro in 1997, but just refreshed for the present day?

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 27/09/2026

I usually have very low expectations of list articles, so I was pleasantly surprised that Barry featured at all. However, if they are going to include it, they should at least put it in the top 20.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 11/09/2026

I've just voted for the recommended candidates and to keep the reactionary candidates out. If you're a member it would be great if you could consider doing the same.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 02/09/2026

I think this may be linked with the "an increasing number of young people have fewer close friends" issue. What I mean is that if you're not hanging out in illicit spaces with your friends then you may not care as much if you're tracked?

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 27/08/2026

It took too long for Oxfordshire to do this, but once the injunction was in place, the flags came down and stayed down. Other areas should do this too if they don't want this sort of divisive behaviour.

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Reposted by Alastair Wilcox

Mike Masnick @masnick.com · 20/08/2026

So I get that there's (yet again) a big debate going on about AI on Bluesky. I am turning off replies to this post because I don't want to have notifications flooded one way or the other on this one. I just want to share what I've heard multiple times in just the past two weeks.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 19/08/2026

Posting from bluesky to test editing from mu.social at 9.50 BST. Edited in mu.social at 9.51

mu.social

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 19/08/2026

Testing the editing facility from mu.social. Post created at 9.49 BST. Edited at 9.50

mu.social

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 14/08/2026

Maybe a paid for one can? I've not found a free one that does it, but I haven't tried for a few months. I'll have to give it another go.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 13/08/2026

The most annoying thing that I can't yet get AI to do is to take a video/podcast, provide a transcript and also to summarise key points. Once it can do that, we can save ourselves vast amounts of time optimising these low information density formats.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 21/07/2026

An interim cabinet to reward supporters and not upset too many incumbents? It does smack of too much personnel management and not enough plan for delivery though.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 18/07/2026

Same with text messages, email etc. If you can't be sure who's contacting you, it goes in the bin. Ironically, because there's a cost to sending paper, it retains some value because the sender needs to spend to send.

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Reposted by Alastair Wilcox

Kate Bevan @katebevan.com · 16/07/2026

This is a welcome good piece speaking to people who have actually engaged with the evidence and who push back against Haidt. Well worth a read.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 15/07/2026

Baseless scare stories about EVs, heat pumps, wind and solar have come from somewhere. Whether the are planted or originate from conservative voices who just don't like change, it's not just conspiracy theorists who wonder what's behind them and why some outlets publish them unquestioningly.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 10/07/2026

I particularly like the ones that, once you are registered, allow you to drive in, park and charge you automatically on departure. I know JustPark do this. I think others do too. Don't even have to get your phone out to pay.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 07/07/2026

It looks to me as though the accounts are up to date. It's the confirmation statement that's overdue. It still needs doing, but not as dramatic as failing to file accounts.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 03/07/2026

At the risk of being serious,the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal was part of an economic battle between Liverpool and Manchester. I think it's rational for Liverpool and surrounding areas to bear a grudge. I've never really understood why the rest of the north cares one way or the other.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 29/06/2026

I wonder who will get the additional take off and landing slots created by a new runway and if that's a factor in some airlines being sceptical about building it?

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 29/06/2026

I'm no expert, but with microwave, I'd expect you put X Joules in and get X Joules out. With a heat pump, you put X joules in and get 3X or more Joules out. Therefore, wouldn't the running costs of a microwave boiler be vastly more than a heat pump?

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Reposted by Alastair Wilcox

Rachel Coldicutt @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

I hate to say this, really I do, but in 2026 banning access to YouTube for teens is like stopping them from going to the library.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 09/06/2026

Isn't that the plot of one of the episodes of Hacks? S5E6. Are these guys using TV shows as a manual?

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 03/06/2026

Very much not a VAT expert, but when I set up my own limited company, on the advice of my accountant, I registered for the flat rate VAT scheme. It simplified VAT enormously and was initially a cost saving too. They put the flat rates up at one point which then made it essentially cost-neutral.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 24/05/2026

I keep an eye on a local Facebook group run by people who are very enthusiastic for flags. They mostly promote Reform, but probably about 1/3 of the posts supporting a political party are for Restore.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 19/05/2026

There's a sign on the grass at the base of what you might call the 'shaft' saying 'no ball games'. Not so clear on Google maps latest image, but if you look at older ones you can make it out.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 16/05/2026

Well it's definitely an improvement on what's currently available. Is there an argument for stripping likes, reposts etc from a post and allowing longer to edit?

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 11/05/2026

Would it work better if MPs only had the vote when the party was in government and the membership were involved when not?

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 26/04/2026

I live near Oxford and it's always been a tourist magnet, but has got busier with Harry Potter themed tours in the last decade or so. I tend to recommend visitors to come in September after the main tourist season, but before the students return.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 23/04/2026

I bought a colour Brother laser printer/scanner recently after my last printer died. It prints from laptops, iPads, Pi and phones without issue. It's a revelation to find a printer that you don't have to battle into submission every time you use it. Thank you for your recommendations.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 14/04/2026

If we consider planning applications, what's to stop a planning authority using AI to extract a list of relevant objections and pass that to the planning committee for consideration? Further up the chain, can't a developer anticipate objections in this way and head them off in the application?

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Reposted by Alastair Wilcox

Cyd Harrell @cydharrell.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

wow - this is actually a very big deal

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 12/03/2026

I took a bus into Oxford from the Redbridge P+R to the police station last night. It took 10 mins. My experience is that the journey times are shorter and the buses on time more often. I also drive in to drop people off at the station using a pass occasionally. Also much quicker. It's working well.👍

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 07/03/2026

"At the end of the day it goes dark." In isolation, that reads both as banal and bleak. Perfect for Morrissey.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 06/03/2026

The EPI examined the progress made by equivalent cohorts in grammar & fully comprehensive schools. They found similar progress or possibly grammar was slightly worse. So grammars don't even provide a measurable academic benefit to their students. There is no rational argument for bringing them back.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 01/03/2026

Introducing my children to The Princess Bride during one of the Covid lockdowns: Fezzik: "Why do you wear a mask?". Man in Black:" they are terribly comfortable. I think everyone will be wearing them in the future.". That raised a few laughs.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 24/02/2026

For the youngest it was planned because of fears of a repeat. That was a much calmer process. I've not looked at the data, but I'd expect planned to have much better outcomes than emergency for obvious reasons. In my family's experience C-sections are a vital tool for docs to have at their disposal.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 24/02/2026

I have seen the difference with an emergency C-section for my eldest and a planned one for my youngest. An emergency one is not done lightly and in my experience was proposed when one or both of the mother and child's life were at risk. It was roughly 30 mins from the decision to the delivery.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 17/02/2026

All lampposts to have a Union Flag or cross of St George (preferably both). Flogging for anyone removing them, flying a Union Flag upside down or flying the Union Flag below the St George's Cross.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 06/02/2026

Over 2 years on (long story) and we finally got to use our newly installed induction hob and 5 ply John Lewis stainless steel pans. Both have been a revelation. The pans are particularly good - cook evenly and clean very easily. Thank you for the recommendation.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 06/02/2026

Something like teen fiction book titles? Perhaps that's not separated out as a genre as far back as 1950, so maybe something that heavily overlaps like fantasy book titles?

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Reposted by Alastair Wilcox

Rachel Coldicutt @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Good summary of the paper on AI and productivity going round, and OH BOY I'd watch that rise in productivity in Information services like a hawk. What use is more information if it's probably subtly wrong. (Also amirite that some of those labels are missing?) giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

A chart of detrended labour data due to A.I. with transportation and warehousing and information ranking most highly in time saved

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 05/02/2026

It looks like the paper referenced below the graphic contains a full set of labels. I'd guess the problem was introduced when the FT took the data and combined two data sets. Interesting early data though that needs to be treated with caution.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 01/02/2026

I took a bus into Oxford yesterday. It used to take 25 mins+ from the Redbridge P+R to the city centre. Yesterday: less than 10 mins. It's consistently quicker now, buses run to timetable without delays and footfall in the major shopping centre is up. Only car nuts seem to have a problem with it.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 24/01/2026

So the Lords think no one under 18 should be able to do a job that requires VPN usage or access public WiFi securely or bank ATMs? www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-priv...

techradar.com

UK government targets VPNs in online safety consultation as Lords vote for ban

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall promises "evidence-led" approach to keeping children safe online

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 23/01/2026

I had a flat tyre and couldn't get the wheel off to change it, phoned the roadside assistance and explained the issue. I was passed to a call handler who said "I hear you have a problem with tight nuts".

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 20/01/2026

Oxfordshire County Council are doing this. 4000 new trees by 2028.

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Alastair Wilcox @awilcox.chalmere.com · 30/12/2025

I saw a familiar face across Trafalgar Square. Tried to catch his eye in the hope he'd recognise me and that would remind me how I knew him. He walked straight past me without acknowledgement. When I was about 20 yards beyond him, I realised it was Neil Kinnock who I've never met before or since.

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