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Robert Fleming

@flemingrob.bsky.social
301 followers 458 following 336 posts

FRGS AMA | Principal Maps Research Specialist @ The National Archives. Historian of armies, empire, espionage, cartography & cricket. London & lutruwita/Tasmania | Born on the traditional lands of the Palawa/Pakana people.

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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
It is fair to say "Equal Earth" has elevated cartography to a higher position in news interest than usual, and I saw quite a few questions about it following my online talk "Captivating Cartography" given yesterday. Here's a good article on the topic 👇🏻 www.theguardian.com/science/ng-i...
theguardian.com
‘A map is never neutral’: meet the cartographers who took on centuries of western bias
Equal Earth projection, adopted by the UN last week, provides an alternative to 16th-century Mercator display
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
An extraordinary data visualisation cleanly showing the convergence between population, fertility and mortality over time. An excellent tool called Visquil from Sweden's Benjamin Niedermann. 🗺️👏🏻 Definitely a map clap for this. visquill.com/gallery/worl...
visquill.com
Demographic Profiles
Interactive demographic profiles for countries around the world, showing population structure, mortality, and fertility by age group. Data from the UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
www.space.com/stargazing/a...
space.com
Perseid meteors meet mesmerizing star trails over Egypt's Western Desert
Osama Fathi captured this breathtaking view of Perseids cutting through star trails from Egypt's Western Desert on Aug. 13-14.
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Covering Climate Now @coveringclimatenow.org · 08/09/2026
Is Nepal a turning point in climate coverage? Even formerly reticent news outlets are making the climate connection clear in their coverage of the deadly flooding in Nepal, where more than 1,100 are confirmed dead and an additional 4,000 are missing.
coveringclimatenow.org
Is Nepal a Turning Point in Climate Coverage? — Covering Climate Now
It’s been slow coming, but news coverage of climate change may at last be turning a corner. For years, reporting on climate-related disasters — the super-storm Hurricane Helene that blasted the southe...
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
It cannot really be 25 years since Band of Brothers was released. youtu.be/IjLg0X59fMA?...
youtu.be
Band of Brothers: Legacy Trailer | HBO Max
YouTube video by HBO Max
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
theconversation.com/gondwana-rea...
theconversation.com
Gondwana really was a supercontinent. And it helped kick-start life on Earth
The discovery of Gondwana’s buried bits helps settle the question of whether it was a supercontinent.
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The Crusader Project @crusaderproject.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
National Archives blog entry to tie in with the release of #Pressure Interesting read. @seaspitfires.com @johnlsheridan.bsky.social @flemingrob.bsky.social
nationalarchives.gov.uk
James Stagg: The weatherman who turned the tide of D-Day
The success of D-Day hinged on the accurate forecasting of weather conditions by a team of meteorologists.
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
An interesting detail from "A New and Correct map of the United States, 1785" - the first ever official map of the US...
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
An absolute pleasure to be invited by the Gallipoli Association to speak at their annual conference at the prestigious RAF club on the role of the Australian Flying Corps in Eastern theatres, and in particular on No. 1 Sqn (AFC)'s contributions to aerial photography and mapping in the Middle East.
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Brilliant Maps @brilliantmaps.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
This map shows the 8 sections of the newly opened King Charles III England Coast Path. At 2,689 miles (4,328 km) long, it is now the longest managed coastal walking route in the world. More about it: brilliantmaps.com/king-char...
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Brilliant Maps @brilliantmaps.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
All 6 of Europe’s Microstates Could Easily Fit Within London See how they compare: brilliantmaps.com/microstat...
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The Fake History Hunter @fakehistoryhunter.net · 08/09/2026
www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/2652261...
gazetteandherald.co.uk
Shock as D-Day airfield buildings demolished near Trowbridge
Buildings at an airfield that played a key part in the D-Day operations that saw Europe liberated from the Nazis have been demolished in a surprise…
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
UN votes to adopt new world map to reflect Africa's true size
The Togo-sponsored resolution was backed by 164 nations - the US the only nation to vote against it.
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Brilliant Maps @brilliantmaps.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Countries With Temperature Extremes Above 48°C and/or Below -48°C Source: moverdb.com/above-below-48/
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
The new "Home Guard" report has been published. commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
Home defence: A new 'Home Guard'?
The 2025 Strategic Defence Review recommended the government explore options to create a new Reserve-style force to protect critical national infrastructure.
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
scienceblog.com/t-mediterran...
scienceblog.com
Between 5.97 and 5.33 million years ago, the Mediterranean underwent a colossal drawdown that deposited salt layers kilometres thick—then Atlantic waters returned, with one influential model estimatin...
The Messinian Salinity Crisis and the Atlantic reconnection are written into salt, erosion and marine deposits. The famous two-year refill, however, is a modelled final phase rather than a directly da...
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
South Western Railways map—still currently displayed on trains—dates from the 2017 Firstgroup franchise/rebrand. It seems to suggest several South coast ports from where you can catch ferries AND hovercraft. The last hovercraft crossing of the channel took place on 1/10/2000.
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
This is an epic thread about an epic footnote.
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Horrendous cultural vandalism. If you can avoid Amazon and support independent booksellers, please do.
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Alan Godfrey Maps (3,900+ publications and counting!) @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
But seriously, stay safe and be responsible & respectful out there, map mates.
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Dr Susan Greaney @suegreaney.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
My uni have just withdrawn Geography, History & Geography and Politics & Geography undergrad courses run from our Penryn campus. Terrible for Cornwall. How did the staff find out? When UCAS clearing opened at 8am 😡
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Brilliant Maps @brilliantmaps.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Map of The Hippie Trail Routes of The 1960s & 1970s Do you wish it was still an option today? More about it: brilliantmaps.com/hippie-tr...
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TechCrunch @techcrunch.com · 25/07/2026
At libraries around the country, "Avoiding AI" workshops have elicited unprecedented demand.
techcrunch.com
Librarians are hosting viral 'Avoiding AI' workshops for people who are fed up with Big Tech | TechCrunch
At libraries around the country, "Avoiding AI" workshops have elicited unprecedented demand.
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
This is an unforgivable level of cultural vandalism. And it isn't done for the good of humanity but the profitability of one company.
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
youtube.com/shorts/T9bSi...
youtube.com
Almost three-quarters of England now in drought
YouTube video by Reuters
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Well this is a lot of fun! Trace your home town across 750 million years!
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Mateusz Fafinski @calthalas.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Half the planet is having a massive fight about how to correctly interpret an Ancient Greek poem but go ahead, close some more humanities departments.
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Joseph Cox @josephcox.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Update: Google just sent me a statement saying it is “rolling back” this AI feature that let anyone make completely bullshit satellite images. Comes after our demos of the tool and those from OSINT researchers. One of the worst AI tools I’ve ever seen bsky.app/profile/jose...
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
I've been quite disgusted to learn of the barbaric and unjustifiable deliberate destruction of millions of books to fuel Anthropic AI. The US lawsuit which grossly permitted flagrant theft of IP was bad enough, but now they deliberately seek out & destroy rare books. www.news.com.au/technology/o...
news.com.au
AI labs buy, scan, shred millions of rare books
If you have retreated to physical books because the internet is too full of AI slop, bad news — now they’re shredding the books to feed their AI slop machines.
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
A 150-year overdue book has been returned in New South Wales. youtu.be/TBmEAY3iMWI?...
youtu.be
Library book returned after 150 years, $28,000 fine waived | ABC NEWS
YouTube video by ABC News (Australia)
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
This... And it was more accurate than internet results these days. bsky.app/profile/sjvn...
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
theconversation.com/can-we-map-t...
theconversation.com
Can we map The Odyssey? How ancient geographers and modern researchers have traced Odysseus’s travels
Attempts to transpose the locations of The Odyssey accurately to modern maps have proved difficult.
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
‘Vanishingly rare’ copy of US Declaration of Independence found by volunteer in UK archives
One of 11 surviving copies of ‘Exeter printing’ and only one known outside US was taken from American privateer ship
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christhebarker @christhebarker.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Hey Bayeux Tapestry fans have I made the platform game for you? I’m sure someone else will have done this before but well now I have too… bayeuxgo.live
bayeuxgo.live
Bayeux Go!
Bayeux Go! Thou art Harold. Go forth and win thine battle. Jump your way to victory, avoiding arrows…
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
www.zmescience.com/science/arch...
zmescience.com
Archaeologists in France Dig Up a Jar Packed With Tens of Thousands of 1,800-Year-Old Roman Coins
Archaeologists in France found a hidden hoard of Roman coins buried beneath a village with ancient roots.
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
As you finally cool your brain, maybe relax with some Bardcore Summertime Sorrow. youtu.be/VSewYsf3uDs?...
youtu.be
Summertime Sadness (Bardcore | Medieval Style)
YouTube video by Hildegard von Blingin'
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Umm. Wow. History is all more recent that you think.
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
youtu.be/02ts2fPPSlQ?...
youtu.be
Telescope captures 60 million stars in most detailed photo ever of the Milky Way | ABC NEWS
YouTube video by ABC News (Australia)
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
UK National Archives has just opened a new exhibition entitled Revolution 250 to mark the Sestercentennial anniversary of the US declaration of Independence. It tells a story across 20 years from the high point of British power in North America to its end. www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/whats-on/exh...
nationalarchives.gov.uk
Revolution 250: America's Independence Story 1763–1783
Marking the 250th anniversary of The US Declaration of Independence, this powerful free exhibition charts the emergence of the United States of America.
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A History of Australia Podcast @ahistoryofaus.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Episode 116: Migration, Crime, and Politics in Australia's Roaring 20s | 1921 is out now! #australia #history 🗃️
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Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 23/06/2026
At the risk of igniting a public debate about the design… we prepared for days like this. There are now more than 100 water fountains all over the city, and 4,000 water refill points. Fill up. Stay hydrated.
A public drinking water refill station on a London street, topped with a large blue water droplet. The unit displays Thames Water and Mayor of London branding, with a blue bottle graphic and text reading “Enjoy tap water. Prevent plastic waste,” with parked cars and buildings visible in the background.
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Left, London worker summer 1966. Right, London worker summer 2026.
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
For 90 minutes last night London wizards were able to sustain their Globe of Invulnerability and force the first storm dragon attack around the city. However, they were asleep by 4am.
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Alanna @southlondongirl.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
A map of cool spaces in London, for anyone worried about temperatures at home. Even if you get out just for a few hours it will make a difference. Hope you find one near you. apps.london.gov.uk/cool-spaces/
apps.london.gov.uk
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Tasmania's remarkable underground Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) has opened a $100 million library Phrontisterion & includes a Shakespeare's First Folio, plus documents from David Bowie, Walt Whitman, Flaubert, Einstein, Newton, Marconi and Alexander Graham Bell. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06...
abc.net.au
Mona unveils $100m underground library packed with rare literary treasures
From Shakespeare's First Folio to neon-lit shelves to a curvy kids' section, Mona's new library, Phrontisterion, is anything but ordinary.
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
In 1919, Adelaide brothers Ross & Keith Smith won the Great Air Race—a journey of 14,350km (8,917mi) which took in 36 stops over 28 days (135 flight hours) & pioneering England to Australia flight. Now Qantas' Project Sunrise will do Sydney to London non-stop in 22 hours. 🦘✈️ tinyurl.com/mr3dwkf5
tinyurl.com
Sydney to London. Non-stop. A world first.
A journey 105 years in the making. Introducing the A350-1000ULR. A new era in air travel. Find out more: https://www.qantas.com/en-au/onboard/fleet/a350
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Present & Correct @presentcorrect.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
For Ballpoint Pen Day, the original patent filed by László Bíró (Hungarian journalist) in 1943. It was the first commercially successful design, later purchased by Marcel Bich (aka BIC) in 1950.
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Robert Fleming @flemingrob.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
I was very pleased to accept the post of @bcsmaps.bsky.social Honorary Secretary this week, and I look forward to supporting the society as best as I can in the future.
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British Cartographic Society @bcsmaps.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
#MapMonday On this day in 1992, the first World Oceans Day was celebrated. This map, ‘Many Seas Only One Ocean’ is an example of Spilhaus World Ocean Map Projection (seamless ocean depiction) with the addition of sea surface temperatures from 0°C – 25°C. Source: www.perrinremonte.com/expe-eng?ite...
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