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David Bretherton

@dtbretherton.bsky.social
485 followers 750 following 289 posts

“Hyper-woke academic with blue hair” (GB News) • He/him • Join a union! • Mostly dogs • Occasionally music theory, musicology & queer studies • Trade union rep

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Reposted by David Bretherton
Antonio E. Porreca 🐳 @aeporreca.org · 07/10/2026
The Association for Human Mathematics (AHM) statement on OpenAI’s October 6 release of mathematical documents just dropped! www.ahmath.org/statements
AHM Statement on OpenAI’s October 6 Release of Mathematical Documents

Yesterday, on October 6th, 2026, OpenAI – which is currently defending lawsuits against accusations of illegal plagiarism, copyright infringement, and trademark dilution – released a repository of manuscripts purporting to contain solutions to a number of high-profile problems in mathematics.

Mathematicians did not ask for this work to be done. The Advisory Group on Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence, from whom OpenAI has claimed to derive its legitimacy, opened their initial advisory statement by saying that frontier AI corporations should not test advanced mathematical problems on internal models. In ignoring the central premise of the Advisory Group’s position, OpenAI has indicated total disregard for the norms of scientific research — norms that guarantee that mathematics remains trustworthy, ethically researched, and in the public interest.

Mathematicians have a particular vision of progress that is informed by history and field-specific considerations. We reject OpenAI's assertion that this release advances our subject, and we urge mathematicians and the public to view the value of this publication model with due skepticism. 

Releasing over 700 files at once is not a demonstration of scholarship, but a demonstration of power. We urge mathematicians to discontinue their work with OpenAI and to return to a vision of science that centers human understanding.

Association for Human Mathematics
Communications Working Group
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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 07/10/2026
Goldsmiths has spent £14m on consultants since 2019. Now it's replacing striking lecturers with staff who need only "an interest in teaching". Joe Newman, Goldsmiths UCU co-president, on management's strike-breaking. 📰 @novaramedia.com
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Had the misfortune of catching 5 mins of Badenoch’s speech. The dishonesty and spin is frankly disgusting. 🚩 Scrapping employment rights act presented as “making it easier to hire” - no, it literally would make it easier to fire. 🚩 Disabled people are apparently told they cannot work. Really?!
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toilet bones @toiletbones.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Found the email I sent when I got accidentally added to the faculty listserv of an orthopedic surgery clinic and nobody would remove me so I sent this email to all faculty/staff/med students and they removed me almost immediately
Hello Bone Colleagues, 
I have invented a new type of ankle and I'm very excited to show it to you. Early raccoon trials suggest a 60% increase in scurrying speed and dramatic increases in fine motor banditry. I know we are not supposed to create super raccoons, but I think you'll change your mind and professional ethics when you see how cute they are. I believe we are on the cusp of a new era in advanced human scurrying because if medical science has taught me anything, it's that improvements in raccoons correspond 1:1 to improvements in humans. 

--
[My name]
Chief Bone Inventor
Chair, Department of Foot and Leg Innovation
Lord Mayor, Musculoskeletal Medicine 
Hartford HealthCare,
The Bone & Joint Institute at Hartford Hospital.
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Tom Walsh @tewalsh340.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
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Southampton Green Party @southamptongreens.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Short video about yesterday's demos in Southampton. Happy outcome, no violence and no arrests.
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Ted-E-Bear @ted-e-bear.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Cheesy omelette for the 2nd brekkie win 😉😋💙🐾
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
“Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo, was refused bail. The father of four, described as a professional roofer, was seen dabbing his eyes with a tissue at one point during the hearing.” www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Daniel Thomas pleads not guilty after alleged dinghy slashing in Channel
Far-right activist who was filmed appearing to slash boat with blade is refused bail as he denies charges
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Mark Thompson @markreckons.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Just seen Danny Tommo referred to as "Captain Thugwash" and seriously, that's excellent work.
static.klipy.com
Amy Poehler's Perfect Chef's Kiss
ALT: Amy Poehler's Perfect Chef's Kiss
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Oscar is unscathed.
Black Labrador running with a red frisbee.
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In Common @incommon.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Near miss for Southampton couple when tree falls in city centre park in-common.co.uk/2026/09/20/n...
in-common.co.uk
Near miss for Southampton couple when tree falls in city centre park - In-Common - Southampton
Photos by David Bretherton. A Southampton man has spoken of his horror when a tree fell in a city-centre park, narrowly missing him.  Sharing photos of the fallen tree on social media platform Bluesky...
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
So basically a watch tower to further suppress DC?
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Literally seconds after walking under this tree in Palmerston park #Southampton, if crashed down. Large enough to kill somoeone. Quite shaken up. Reported it to the council. Real Health and Safety concerns about this incident.
Fallen tree base. Fallen tree across public footpath.
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
My dog has a busier social life than I do.
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Tristan Grayford @tristangrayford.scot · 15/09/2026
The TUC, congress of all the UK's trade unions, have voted to condemn the EHRC guidance and backed self-ID. Good luck finding reporting on it, you'll struggle to find it, even as the papers report on plenty of other things the TUC has voted on, and speeches. leftfootforward.org/2026/09/tuc-...
leftfootforward.org
TUC votes to condemn EHRC code of practice and back self-ID for trans people
Delegates backed a motion branding the EHRC guidance 'discriminatory and unworkable'
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Saul Staniforth @saulstaniforth.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
"The new EHRC is discriminatory & excludes trans, non-binary & gender diverse people from swathes of public life, including their working lives. The law must be changed. The EHRC guidance is unworkable, is absurd & it is cruel" Maria from the @cwunews.bsky.social at #TUC26
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
A gem from the University of Brighton VC’s bio: “Her focus has been on creating equitable university communities that ensure progressive change.” Solidarity to Brighton UCU for their demonstration tomorrow, against de-recognition and the erosion of employment conditions. @ucu.org.uk #ucu #tuc
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Appalling behaviour by the University of Brighton management team #UCU
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Daniel C. Blight @danielcblight.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
***URGENT PLEASE SHARE*** University of Brighton management have announced today that they ‘give notice of termination of all collective agreements’. This is a fundamental erasure of workers' rights. Management have announced the termination of all contractual documents, which includes:
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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 14/09/2026
UCU members at Brighton University face the threat of derecognition. We have called an emergency rally tomorrow at 1:15pm. It would be amazing to see as many #TUC26 delegates as possible in attendance. 58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0JY
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Dee Lomas @deelomas.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The RNLI volunteer has told us that donations usually run at £20,000 per day. Currently running at £100,000 per day! Bloody brilliant!
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
“It is also disappointing that the review missed the opportunity to engage with the University of Sussex when their lack of engagement was roundly criticised by the high court.” Sussex VC Prof. Roseneil 🔥 www.theguardian.com/education/20...
theguardian.com
Higher education regulator apologises for imposing £585,000 fine on university
Office for Students made decision to punish University of Sussex last year after claiming it breached free speech regulations
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I mean, it takes some brass neck for Reform to criticise Verbatim for being ‘foreign-funded’!
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Spot the difference: BBC headline: “Farage senior aide filmed suggesting way to avoid donations law” C4 headline: “Exclusive: Nigel Farage filmed undercover celebrating secret new foreign donations”
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Chris Mason looks devastated on #Newsnight 😂
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Jay Zedbee @jayzedbee.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Channel 4 reporter: Hello. I am Mr. Alias and this is my extremely suspicious comically large donation that i can only make in the form of a bag of money with a dollar sign on it. every other reform guy: seems legit! let me tell you every single way in which i and my boss have broken the law
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Don’t worry about your plumb Cambridge job, James, I’m sure all those ‘grassroots’ free speech & academic freedom lobby groups will be drafting their open letters as we speak.
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Alex Prichard @profalexp.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
A victory of sorts. We may have lost around 100 colleagues, who left ‘voluntarily’, but no one was sacked, our ballot closes on Wednesday and not all our conditions have been met (eg workloads), and we are in a very different place as staff and Union. Time to #ReclaimExeterUni @ucu.org.uk
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Dean Hochlaf @dhochlaf.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Can't believe we got some of the nations best journalism and worst journalism all in one day
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Josiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Re the Channel 4 investigation: We said James Orr was up to something... @bylinetimes.bsky.social bylinetimes.com/2026/07/09/p...
bylinetimes.com
Palantir Co-Founder Peter Thiel and Reform UK's Cambridge University Recruitment Pipeline Project Revealed
The world-renowned academic institution has nothing to say in response to a six-month investigation by Byline Times raising serious concerns about the safeguarding of students and foreign influence at...
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Meanwhile, over at the BBC: #ReformScandal #BBCBias #C4News
Screenshot of BBC News Homepage snowing no mention of Reform donation scandal c.90 minutes after it broke…Screenshot of BBC News Politics page snowing no mention of Reform donation scandal c.90 minutes after it broke…
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
@channel4news.bsky.social just ruined Chris Mason’s week. 😂
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Excellent news. Management backed down before the strike ballot even closed. Congratulations to Exeter UCU. This is why union membership and solidarity is so important. #UCU
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Exeter UCU @exeterucu.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
The University of Exeter has confirmed that it won’t proceed with compulsory redundancies “at this time”. This means colleagues do not need to complete the pro forma, and there will be no selection process.
NO COMPULSORY REDUNDANCIES photo of Nicole Kidman looking incredibly joyful and free after her divorce from Tom Cruise was finalised
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Elle Cordova @ellecordova.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Rough Draft vs Final Draft
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James Baker @jwbaker.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I hope those attending DH Congress have a good week. I was scheduled to give one of the keynotes, but then withdrew due to the UCU boycott. You can learn more about the boycott here www.ucu.org.uk/article/1453... and donate to @sheffielducu.bsky.social here ucu.group.shef.ac.uk/hardship-fund/.
ucu.org.uk
Global academic boycott imposed on University of Sheffield over job cuts & pay docking
The University of Sheffield has just been hit with the ultimate sanction of a global academic boycott by the biggest higher education union in the UK.
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The Great Pumpkinsquatch - Scott Kelley Ernest 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @mxscottkernest.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Someone has died after a relentless press campaign. The very least the public is entitled to is an investigation into the press’ role in these events and an independent body to review complaints against the press in the future. www.hackedoff.org/blog-posts/p...
hackedoff.org
Defensive, evasive & hypocritical: The press reaction to the death of Jason Arday
The reaction of national newspapers to the death of Professor Jason Arday has exposed a brittle defensiveness at the heart of the press, and a determination to remain outside any meaningful accountabi...
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Mark C @thelablablab.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
We are at Pride Southampton, come say hi 🫛 🫘 @sotonbiosciences.bsky.social #uosroadshow
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Happy #SouthamptonPride ! ❤️
Four very important VIPs at Pride in front of the stage!
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Rick @rickylongthread.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Lake America
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Off to #SouthamptonPride 🌈 ☔️
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Southampton UCU @southamptonucu.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
🌈 Happy Southampton Pride 🌈 Solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ #SouthamptonPride
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AGC @agc1985.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
One Southampton MP calls criticisms of Labour's LGBT+ record "ludicrous and exaggerated hyperbole" and did not sign EDM 240, yet will show probably show up to Pride and claim to be an ally. Ahead of #SouthamptonPride, my piece on gaslighting by Labour MPs.
in-common.co.uk
Reader's opinion: 'Southampton’s MPs are still failing the LGBT+ community' - In-Common - Southampton
By Andrew Godfrey-Collins. Ahead of last year’s Pride, I wrote for In Common about the current Labour government’s frankly abysmal LGBT+ record. Under then Prime Minister Keir Starmer, it had become t...
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In Common @incommon.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
"If queer people merely wanted to be listened to, they could call the LGBT+ Switchboard. When they speak to MPs, they want them to actually do something" Opinion piece, ahead of Southampton Pride: 'Southampton’s MPs are still failing the LGBT+ community' www.in-common.co.uk/2026/08/25/r...
in-common.co.uk
Reader's opinion: 'Southampton’s MPs are still failing the LGBT+ community' - In-Common - Southampton
By Andrew Godfrey-Collins. Ahead of last year’s Pride, I wrote for In Common about the current Labour government’s frankly abysmal LGBT+ record. Under then Prime Minister Keir Starmer, it had become t...
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Charlotte Clymer @charlotteclymer.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Y'all... the Band of the Coldstream Guards performed "9 to 5" in front of Buckingham Palace in honor of Dolly Parton.
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Amadi Lovelace @amaditalks.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Remember that if you got the Moderna Covid vaccine, you have Dolly Parton to thank, she gave the largest individual contribution toward their research to make it possible.
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Some colleagues received 5 minutes notice for their online at risk meeting and had not yet received their letter informing them they were at risk. Executive staff did not bother to turn up to the meeting. This is the true face of executive leadership at the University of Dundee.
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Emma Monk @monkemma.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
One of the first "outrageous" claims I saw as Jason Arday's media hounding unfolded was that he ran 30 marathons in 35 days! Wow! What a thing to claim! And the newspapers all suggested there was no evidence he actually did it. Well, they clearly didn't look very hard 🙄 🧵 1/26
Photo after Jason's final marathon taken from his archived blog showing Jason surrounded by supporters in orange charity t-shirts
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David Bretherton @dtbretherton.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Please consider donating if you can afford to do so. gofund.me/c851efdf0
gofund.me
Donate to In Memory of Professor Jason Atta Kwei Arday, organized by Sir Patrick Vernon OBE
Help us support the family of Professor Jason Arday with funeral a… Sir Patrick Vernon OBE needs your support for In Memory of Professor Jason Atta Kwei Arday
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