Sign in

Ian M

@ianm70.bsky.social
468 followers 521 following 1.8K posts

computer geek, book person, Tolkien nerd, history researcher, science, occasional politics. He/Him.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Ian M
NewsThump @newsthump.com · 7h
NEWS! Nigel Farage insists police declare terrorist incident after car backfires outside mosque newsthump.com/2026/09/30/n...
newsthump.com
Nigel Farage insists police declare terrorist incident after car backfires outside mosque
Nigel Farage has demanded police declare a terrorist incident after a car backfired outside a mosque, despite officers establishing that the noise came from a car backfiring outside a mosque.
1125
Reposted by Ian M
Dr Laura Sangha @lsangha.bsky.social · 7h
The Tale of the Labourer's Wife I give & bequeath unto my Brother James one Guinea, I give & bequeath unto my Brother Richard one Guinea. I give unto my deceitful Wife Hannah Marsh only one Guinea because soon after our Marriage she eloped from me and carried off with her several things of mine.
2268
Ian M @ianm70.bsky.social · 7h
a blast from the past
a silver and black coloured pen with COMPAQ OpenVMS printed on it.
000
Reposted by Ian M
Mark Ashton @arkmashton.bsky.social · 7h
Valar Atomics. Latest entry in my list of companies run by people who read Tolkien and apparently didn’t internalize any of his values
141
Reposted by Ian M
Kate Strasdin @katestrasdin.bsky.social · 8h
The graded shading that radiates outwards from the hip has created the impression of a firework launched into the night sky in a starburst of silver. You can almost hear the crackle of the sparks as they fade. Early #1920s #PalaisGalliera #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
A flapper style 1920s evening dress of black chiffon decorated almost entirely with silver beadwork in a firework design. It centres over one hip and then burst outwards in shaded silver lines
212523
Reposted by Ian M
Zach Weinersmith @zachweinersmith.bsky.social · 7h
Is the first day of the year where little yellow leaves fall every time the wind blows. So I am pronouncing it Fall. Enjoy.
3533
Reposted by Ian M
Dr Dion Georgiou 🇨🇾❤️🇬🇾 @drdiongeorgiou.bsky.social · 8h
Hey everyone, I currently have availability for freelance writing, researching, and/or teaching work between now and the end of the calendar year. Please see this document for further details, and share with anyone else who you think might be interested.
linkedin.com
AVAILABILITY FOR WORK
Hello everyone, This is just a notice to say I'm available for freelance paid work in the following areas until the end of 2026: WRITING: Whether for academic or public-facing audiences, in the areas ...
0816
Reposted by Ian M
Megan Herbert @meganjherbert.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Ready to go. My cartoon in today's @theageaustralia.bsky.social and @sydmorningherald.bsky.social
A political cartoon by Megan Herbert showing a suburban living room on Grand Final Day (AFL or the code of your choice). The title: All Ready For Game Day. Left to right, items are shown and labelled: a television (TV), a couch (Comfy Seats), meats pies with sauce and a bowl of chips (Snacks), an ice bucket full of alcoholic drinks (Drinks), a phone (Betting Apps), an overnight bag, partially concealed under the table with a teddy bear next to it (Emergency Go Bag). Standing in the doorway, eyes on the go bag, is an anxious young mother with a baby girl on her hip and a boy holding her hand, as they wait for things to kick off.
817236
Reposted by Ian M
Eric Idle @ericidle.bsky.social · 7h
Very flattered to be defended on tv by Morning Joe from abuse by the President. We’re trying to get the clip on to Instagram and hopefully on here. Apparently Python is not funny….
3014311
Reposted by Ian M
Niall Harbison @niallharbison.bsky.social · 14h
We are trying everything to get Mr Big back on his paws. He's set off today to the big hospital where a series of tests and specialists are waiting for him. Keep him in your thoughts. We hope to have some answers tomorrow for this gentle older dog we love so much ❤️
2064475411
Reposted by Ian M
🦋Fiona McGee🦋🚫👑🐈🐈‍⬛ @judymccarthy.bsky.social · 19h
381100262464
Reposted by Ian M
Acid Rain @bearysweet.bsky.social · 13h
"Reading literature enables you to enter the depths of another human being." Han Kang recd. the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2024 for her "intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life." 1st Asian woman to win this prestigious literary award. #books
6662168
Reposted by Ian M
Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 9h
Comparison of state pension in G7 shows that the UK state pension is the least generous. Countries have wide variance in how retirement incomes are funded and how returns are calculated. Purists might want more nuanced data but this is what we have. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
813479
Reposted by Ian M
Count Binface @countbinface.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
A brief note for Nadhim Zahawi.
33687332863
Reposted by Ian M
Oxford Archaeology @oxfordarchaeology.bsky.social · 7h
Want to see these finds for yourself? tr.ee/HPvc6u
tr.ee
001
Reposted by Ian M
SMBC Comics @smbccomics.bsky.social · 7h
That whole section is unappreciated comedy gold. COMIC ◆ www.smbc-comics.com/comic/script... PATREON ◆ www.patreon.com/ZachWeinersm... STORE ◆ smbc-store.myshopify.com
Part 1/2 of a 6-panel SMBC comic update. A priest confronts a kid for falling asleep in church. The kid starts to recite Acts 20:9-11 as his explanation. He says : "And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.”Part 2/2 of a 6-panel SMBC comic update. After quoting the Bible verse, the kid explains "Paul’s preaching was so boring a kid literally fell out a third story window and had to be resurrected just to hear more sermon, and you’re mad at ME for finding you boring?" The final panel cuts to a later scene, where the priest declares "the scripture memorization prize is officially canceled. We will now be rewarding doing what I say."
716334
Reposted by Ian M
Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 16h
UK household energy bills forecast to rise 16%, or £276, in January. Household energy debt expected to hit £7bn soon. Heating v Eating dilemma. 120,000 a year die in poverty. Companies profiteer, fuelling costs, inflation, poverty. Public ownership gives govt more policy options.
bbc.co.uk
Household energy bills forecast to see biggest rise in four years
A typical household faces an annual gas and electricity bill of £1,999 from January, based on a key forecast.
18280145
Reposted by Ian M
Mar Hicks @histoftech.bsky.social · 9h
art appreciation 🖼️
A small black rabbit stands on his hind feet on top of pillows on a bed to try to look at a painting on the wall 
217217
Reposted by Ian M
The Fake History Hunter @fakehistoryhunter.net · 7h
Made another meme. Feel free to use it, the meme that is. More info: www.academia.edu/5333789/Xylo... www.jstor.org/stable/4433639 journals.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/index.php/fu... archaeologymysteries.com/2023/03/28/d... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylospo... www.reddit.com/r/badhistory...
8536
Reposted by Ian M
Sharon O'Dea @sharonodea.com · 22/09/2026
A landlord making £100,000 a month says young people have “no excuse to be poor”. Excellent. I love financial advice. Gather round, children, let's examine how he himself stopped being poor. metro.co.uk/2026/09/20/i...
metro.co.uk
I’m a landlord making £100,000 a month — young people have no excuse to be poor
Samuel bought his first home aged 17 with a 100% mortgage.
59546219
Reposted by Ian M
Oxford Archaeology @oxfordarchaeology.bsky.social · 8h
Want to see these finds for yourself? Our A66 pop-up museum is the perfect opportunity. Check out dates and locations: tr.ee/HPvc6u
tr.ee
Field Museum - Coming soon
Dig into the past! Discover the archaeology of the A66 at our free, hands-on exhibition.
011
Reposted by Ian M
Oxford Archaeology @oxfordarchaeology.bsky.social · 8h
A long road with an even longer history...and we have the archaeology to prove it. 🛣️🪏 10,000+ archaeological features. 23,580 finds. 66 hectares excavated. 6,000 samples. Dig into our latest blog post: 👉🔗 tr.ee/TWxxlR
231
Reposted by Ian M
The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 8h
"Manchester City we have decided not to deduct any points or relegate you." - Good, see our aggressive strategy worked. "We are just going to give an extra 50 points to every other team playing in the same division as you, for the next ten seasons."
712316
Reposted by Ian M
KBDraws92 @kbdraws92.bsky.social · 9h
Ok that didn't take too long! :D And I still got the back of the box to draw on too, what crimes shall I commit next? #foodart #pizza #pineapplepizza #art #oilpastels
4249
Reposted by Ian M
Jeff VanderMeer @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social · 9h
They quoted me in this New Yorker piece about AI today. www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
“Let’s say there’s a world or time line I exist in where A.I. has been subject to regulation. It is ethical. It has no footprint environmentally,” the novelist Jeff VanderMeer, a prominent critic of A.I., told me over the phone. “With those guardrails in place, would I read an A.I. book? All I can say is no. And the reason is, in part, because I want to read something coming from a particular mind.” Using A.I., he said, “feels like a betrayal of the whole point of why you’re a writer.”
10089802220
Reposted by Ian M
Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 8h
🔴 NEW Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives Ban Byline Times From Conference After Condemning Reform for Journalist Ban By Byline Times Team Read below. ↓
bylinetimes.com
Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives Ban Byline Times From Conference After Condemning Reform for Journalist Ban
The ban comes just weeks after the Conservative leader called Reform's barring of critical journalists from their conference an "authoritarian" attack on the free press
37431
Reposted by Ian M
Co-operative Party @coopparty.party.coop · 26/09/2026
🐝 We’ve been pushing for more power and ownership to be put directly into the hands of communities. Now it’s happening. Our Interim General Secretary Caitlin Prowle speaks to the Mirror about plans to back community ownership and grow co-op businesses. www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
mirror.co.uk
Boost to high streets with new £10million community-owned business fund
EXCLUSIVE: Announced by Communities Secretary Angela Rayner, the fund will help boost organisations that are owned and run by the staff, customers and the communities who use them
062
Reposted by Ian M
George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · 11h
You said, it Stephen!
comicsands.com
MAGA Account Promotes 'Best Soldier' Trump With Bizarre AI Military Photo—And Stephen King's Reaction Is All Of Us
2238649
Reposted by Ian M
Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 11h
🟡 Print Edition Nathan Cofnas and America’s Protection for Anti-Black Racism By Karam Bales The reinstatement by Ghent University of a key figure in the Jason Arday affair followed pressure from Trump’s State Department. It reveals a wider ideology of ‘injustice as illusion’. Karam Bales reports
subscribe.bylinetimes.com
Nathan Cofnas and America’s Protection for Anti-Black Racism
The reinstatement by Ghent University of a key figure in the Jason Arday affair followed pressure from Trump’s State Department. It reveals a wider ideology of ‘injustice as illusion’. Karam Bales reports
12811
Reposted by Ian M
Co-operative Party @coopparty.party.coop · 25/09/2026
🚨 NEW: The government has announced a £10 million fund to support co-ops and back high streets. The new funding will help local leaders establish co-operative businesses owned by workers and communities, giving local people a real long-term stake in their high streets.
064
Reposted by Ian M
Dr Jo Edge 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @hagenilda.bsky.social · 11h
This was published yesterday (no OA yet though, SIGH). So glad and proud to see it out after so much time and hard work, and a particular thanks to @laurenkassell.bsky.social for her exceptionally helpful comments on an early draft of my chapter. #EarlyModern www.routledge.com/Alice-Thornt...
routledge.com
Alice Thornton’s Books: Reassessing the Life Writings of a Seventeenth-Century Woman
This book is the first dedicated study of Alice Thornton (1626–1707) and her life writings, offering unprecedented insights into how one early modern woman revised and reshaped her life story over 40 ...
1288
Reposted by Ian M
NewsThump @newsthump.com · 29/09/2026
NEWS! "I needed it to be terrorism!" wails distraught Reform supporter buff.ly/V9RMTZG
buff.ly
“I needed it to be terrorism!” wails distraught Reform supporter
A Reform supporter has been left devastated after the investigation into suspicious activity near RAF Fairford failed to immediately confirm every detail of the terrorist plot Nigel Farage had led …
1197
Reposted by Ian M
NewsThump @newsthump.com · 13h
NEWS! “Someone must pay for better care for pensioners,” insists pensioner, before clarifying he meant ‘someone else’ newsthump.com/2026/09/30/s...
newsthump.com
“Someone must pay for better care for pensioners,” insists pensioner, before clarifying he meant ‘someone else’
A pensioner demanding urgent investment in social care has clarified that his support for difficult funding decisions extends exclusively to decisions that are difficult for other people.
1118
Reposted by Ian M
NewsThump @newsthump.com · 12h
NEWS! Trump administration quits European corruption group after discovering members are actually trying to ‘stop’ corruption newsthump.com/2026/09/30/t...
newsthump.com
Trump administration quits European corruption group after discovering members are actually trying to ‘stop’ corruption
The United States has withdrawn from a European corruption group after an increasingly uncomfortable meeting revealed that members viewed corruption as a problem rather than a shared professional i…
11710
Reposted by Ian M
ChronicleLive - The Chronicle @chroniclelive.co.uk · 11h
During his speech at the Labour Party conference, the Prime Minister said Brexit had done “more harm than good” and now wants to consider all options
chroniclelive.co.uk
Andy Burnham not ruling out UK rejoining EU and could go 'all the way'
During his speech at the Labour Party conference, the Prime Minister said Brexit had done “more harm than good” and now wants to consider all options
011
Reposted by Ian M
Fleet Street Fox @fleetstreetfox.bsky.social · 11h
Nuclear test veterans and widows were set to receive a £20m payout in 2009. It never arrived. Now, a former minister reveals his instructions were subverted by officials. Read my full investigation for free on What They Don't Want You To Know: whattheydontwantyoutoknow.substack.com/p/nuked-bloo...
whattheydontwantyoutoknow.substack.com
Nuked Blood: How a £20m compensation deal for nuclear veterans was silently blocked by officials
Wes Streeting is being urged to waive legal privilege and expose the cover-up
156
Reposted by Ian M
Amnesty International UK @amnestyuk.bsky.social · 11h
🚨 BREAKING: Destroyed Palestinian ambulance unveiled outside Palantir HQ this morning with NHS workers protesting against Palantir’s links to Israel’s ongoing genocide. 1/3 🧵
DESTROYED PALESTINIAN AMBULANCE UNVEILED OUTSIDE PALANTIR HQ
512673
Reposted by Ian M
Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 11h
The Great Pustaha is a large Batak magic book from North Sumatra. Written by nine generations of datu/priest, it contains spells and potions to destroy villages, kill enemies, inspire love, and heal. The cover has a carving of Naga Padoha, a giant primordial serpent of the underworld. #WyrdWednesday
Photograph of an open page of The Great Pustaha. The two large pages are made of agarwood barks, depicting a giant dragon-like creature extending on both pages. The creature is covered with symbols and surrounded by small human-like and animal-like figures, along with small texts.Photograph of The Great Pustaha when closed. The covers are made of black wood with a carving of Naga Padoha, tied with a twine to help opening the book. The back cover has four wooden "legs" that serve as the book stand and the "hooves" of Naga Padoha.
24318
Reposted by Ian M
Unofficial BBCNews (UK) Bot @bbcnews-uk-rss.bsky.social · 11h
Swinney to introduce misogyny education in every school in Scotland
bbc.co.uk
Swinney to introduce misogyny education in every school in Scotland
The first minister says he wants to challenge misogynistic behaviour in young boys and strengthen and support young girls.
194
Reposted by Ian M
Jenni Adams @jenniad.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Increasingly thinking that rather than open access (e)books, all I want are cheap paperback editions that either I or my institutions’ library can buy and actually read 📚
093
Reposted by Ian M
New Scientist @newscientist.com · 11h
The timing of the D-Day landings was key, and it all depended on the weather. Catherine de Lange thoroughly enjoyed a film that casts new light on an unexpected conflict
newscientist.com
Andrew Scott brings meteorology drama to gripping war film Pressure | New Scientist
021
Reposted by Ian M
Scarred For Life Books @scarredforlife.bsky.social · 11h
Are your shelves creaking under the weight of our huge books yet? They're crammed full of essays about the dark pop culture of the 70s and 80s. And get 10% off till midnight on Friday 2 October with the case-sensitive code BOOKBAG10! Store link in bio
022
Reposted by Ian M
Simon Davies @simonfd.bsky.social · 11h
Please come along to this if you're in/near London! There'll be three interesting talks plus a drinks reception after (well, two interesting talks and one talk by me)
063
Reposted by Ian M
Exeter Cathedral @exetercathedral.bsky.social · 12h
Announcement: A selection of The Exeter Book’s famous riddles are now on display for the first time since the opening of the Treasures Exhibition in 2025. The Exeter Book is a treasured item listed on the UK UNESCO Memory of the World Register, preserving nearly all surviving Anglo-Saxon riddles.
04623
Reposted by Ian M
Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 11h
Pensioner incomes had caught up with non-pensioner incomes BEFORE the triple lock was introduced, thanks to policies like Pension Credit. Find out more ➡️ buff.ly/FY93tV6
When the first Pensions Commission was in place, the typical pensioner had a lower income than the typical non-pensioner, but that has not been the case since 2011-12, as Figure 1 shows. And pensioners are now less likely to be in poverty than the rest of the population, and half as likely as children.
1126
Reposted by Ian M
Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons @firewalldragons.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Monday is the BIG DAY… My 500TH PODCAST!!! 🐉🎙️ 🎉 #FDSD500 Returning for his 5th “podcentennial” appearance - he was here for 100, 200, 300 & 400 - is Bruce Schneier! We’re having a fun debate about AI. 🤖 Don’t miss it! And tell your friends! 📣 firewallsdontstopdragons.com/podcast/
firewallsdontstopdragons.com
Podcast - Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
I have a weekly podcast called Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons which has over 500 episodes! The show is a mix of cybersecurity news and interviews of prominent people in the industry. But like the book, ...
012
Reposted by Ian M
Ursula K. Le Guin Bot @leguinbot.bsky.social · 12h
A rock is a good thing, too, you know. If the Isles of Earthsea were all made of diamond, we'd lead a hard life here. Enjoy the illusions, lad, and let the rocks be rocks.
0476
Reposted by Ian M
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 29/09/2026
Jack Smith: "History teaches that the rule of law is rarely destroyed all at once. It's often weakened by attacks on the institutions and the public servants sworn to uphold it. Since January 2025, we have witnessed precisely such an effort."
688276099411
Ian M @ianm70.bsky.social · 11h
"we will introduce the first ever national collective pension scheme for workers in the care sector – fair pay, fair terms and conditions, and now a proper pensions scheme.”
000
Reposted by Ian M
The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 14h
"Shall we adopt this aggressive media and legal strategy?" - No. - No. "Thank you for your media and legal advice, but we are going to do it anyway."
719632