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Jack Russell

@jackru.bsky.social
1.8K followers 3.2K following 1.2K posts

Londoner in Norn Iron | Data Communicator | Humanist | Dad of girls | Glastonbury Pilgrim | Strange Loop | Runner | ENTP Author of @believethedata.org Co-founder of @pfie.bsky.social

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Reposted by Jack Russell
Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 2h
Humanists UK mourns Dame Esther Rantzen (1940–2026) Esther was a great champion of human dignity. She approached her final years with the same fearless determination that defined her career of advocacy, using her own experience to shine a light on the suffering caused by our outdated laws.
Esther Rantzen smiling wearing a blue-and-red feathered fascinator and red coat, with headline text noting her years (1940–2026).
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Cat Neilan @catneilan.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
At Reform party conference a few weeks ago, I caught wind of a fascinating member of the team who "keeps [the top donors] happy". Katie Lewis has a super low profile - and as I started asking around about her, posts were deleted or edited to keep it that way observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk
‘Nigel loved her’: the mystery woman looking after Reform...
Former Cameo executive Katie Lewis has flown under the radar since working with the party’s crypto donors, with online posts that mention her name being swiftly deleted
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Progressive Politics NI @ppni.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Now is not the time to get despondent. We must organise together & fight for a better future. ✊🏻
SAY NO TO SECTARIANISM
SAY NO TO RACISM
SAY NO BIGOTRY

JOIN THE FIGHT BACK!

Join the PPNI Members Council

DM the page for more details
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Imbibe Coffee Roasters @imbibecoffee.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We don't use a lot of graphic design as we're a coffee roaster and we're pretty bad at marketing/Instagram etc. When we do need something designed, we use a person and not an AI. They're skilled. It's their job and I don't want to be part of the reason someone loses income. We all need to pay bills
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 29/09/2026
The Northern Ireland Assembly has voted 46–29 to back the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill at Second Stage. This is a major step towards ending harmful attempts to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
humanists.uk
Victory! Northern Ireland Conversion Practices Ban Bill passes key vote
The Northern Ireland Assembly has voted to pass the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill at Second Stage. MLAs voted 46 in favour and 29 against, with 15 abstentions. Northern Ireland…
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Sarah Kay @k-interarma.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A few days ago, I had shared a post by the Justice Minister, Naomi Long, saying that her thoughts were, at the early days of the stand-off, with the police. Not with anyone else. In this post, she appeals to the Order, claiming they are for “the greater good” (sic) and* condemns the residents*.
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Progressive Politics NI @ppni.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Every election that comes round the DUP bang the tribal drum to distract from their failures & controversies. Well they have more than ever so the drum banging needs to be louder.
A graphic showing some DUP politicians and text saying:

WHY DRUMCREE AFTER 28 YEARS?

“Convicted for sexual assaults of Children” under a pic of Jeffrey Donaldson

“Being investigated for failure to declare an interest” under a pic of Sammy Wilson

“Being investigated for potential spending breaches” under a pic of Gregory Campbell

“Criticised for appearing with masked men” under a pic of Carla Lockhart

“No confidence of MLAS over revealing location of displaced migrants”

“No confidence of MLAS over visit to Israel”

ELECTION: NEXT YEAR
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Defend Our Juries @defendourjuries.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
BREAKING: 94 year old Jewish human rights barrister, Margaret Owen arrested under the Terrorism Act outside Andy Burnham’s Labour Party conference. UK taxpayers are funding these arrests while masked men terrorise the streets in coastal towns. Lift The Ban on Palestine Action.
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Progressive Politics NI @ppni.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
We know there’s lots of attention elsewhere at the moment. But we still have an education service that needs improving. Have your say in how that can be by replying to this consultation from the Department for Education on the RE syllabus. www.education-ni.gov.uk/consultation...
education-ni.gov.uk
Consultation on the Religious Education Core Syllabus
A consultation on the draft Religious Education (RE) Core Syllabus is underway, led by the RE Drafting Group, under the chairmanship of Professor Noel Purdy. The consultation is housed on the Departme...
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Jack Russell @jackru.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Anyone who cares about how RE is taught in Northern Ireland has until Wednesday to respond to the Department of Education's consultation. @pfie.bsky.social has put together this excellent guide to responding. Please take the time to fill in a response – every voice counts! 💙
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Parents for Inclusive Education @pfie.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The DE’s public consultation on the new proposed draft RE curriculum closes in 3 days on 30th September

PFIE have compiled a short guide to the questions with some ideas on which areas you might focus on linktr.ee/parentsforin...
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The announcement of US sanctions on the International Criminal Court are deeply frustrating. We need to see the EU blocking mechanism – which would prevent these sanctions from affecting individuals – come into place. Ireland holds the EU Presidency – now is the perfect time to lead on this.
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Andrew Copson @andrewcopson.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
When will our political institutions catch up with this new reality? humanists.uk/2026/09/22/m...
humanists.uk
More 16-year-olds in Northern Ireland identify as non-religious than either Catholic or Protestant
More 16-year-olds in Northern Ireland say they have no religion than identify as either Catholic or Protestant, according to ARK’s 2026 Young Life and Times survey. Northern Ireland Humanists say the ...
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Philip O'Connor @philipoconnor.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
It's so fucking depressing and humiliating to beg and beg and beg for our country to do the right thing JUST ONCE, despite it clearly being something the vast majority of Irish people support. But no - the small people clinging to the levers of power will go their own way, to our eternal shame.
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Over the last few months these guys made me proud to be British: kind, practical, profoundly moral, a testament to this island. Now they're targeted by the very worst of us. I just gave them a bunch of money. You should too. Show those fascist clowns what's what. rnli.org/support-us/g...
rnli.org
Donate to the RNLI and help save lives at sea
Your donations really make a difference. We depend on your generosity to educate people to stay safe and prevent tragedies on and offshore. Donate here.
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Mike Galsworthy @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Keep sharing this link - even after you write to your own MP to ask them to attend the "join the EU" debate... just keep sharing to family and friends. This is a huge campaigning drive just starting up...
europeanmovement.co.uk
Ask your MP to stand up for our future in Europe
On 12 October, Parliament will debate the UK's future relationship with Europe, after a government petition got over 100,000 signatures. Will you write to your MP to ask them to attend the debate?
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Jack Russell @jackru.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Go Talarico.
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Jer Thorp @jerthorp.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Fall cohorts for my Binoculars and Binomials course start September 21st! Learn creative coding & data visualization skills, build a mindful birding practice and make some friends. 100% AI free! Registration is on a sliding scale up to 50% off. www.jerthorp.me/learning 🪶📊
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Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine @ldfpalestine.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
“Silence [on Israel] undermines our credibility”. Well said @ldfpalestine.bsky.social members Jonathan Brown & Brian Austen👇in today’s international security policy debate at the #LibDemConference. Extraordinary, embarrassing, short-sighted avoidance of the Middle East crisis! @libdems.org.uk 😔
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Jack Russell @jackru.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
No #HumanistBookshelf would be complete without at least one book (and preferably many, many books) by the truly legendary: Ursula K. Le Guin 💙 www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/produc...
worldofbooks.com
Earthsea
Buy Earthsea By Leguin Ursula K. Available in used condition with free delivery. ISBN: 9780241995693. ISBN-10: 0241995698
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Jack Bailey @jack-bailey.co.uk · 19/09/2026
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Zeteo UK @zeteo.uk · 18/09/2026
"One area where Britain could show leadership is by ending arms sales to Saudi Arabia." David Wearing examines Britain’s role in the war Yemen, continued arms sales to Saudi Arabia, and the case for reparations. Read the full article and subscribe: zeteouk.substack.com/p/liberal-zi...
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Jack Russell @jackru.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Another recommendation for the #HumanistBookshelf. Probably not the first Culture novel to read if you're new to Iain M. Banks' career-defining series, but my favourite and quite possibly the nerdiest. Excession. www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/produc...
worldofbooks.com
Excession
The fifth Culture book from the awesome imagination of Iain M. Banks, a modern master of science fiction
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Jack Russell @jackru.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
My first two nominations for the #HumanistBookshelf are both by Douglas Hofstadter. First up is his classic, Pulitzer-prize winning, Gödel, Escher, Bach (or GEB for short), wherein his brilliant mind interweaves the stories of three even more brilliant minds. www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/produc...
worldofbooks.com
Godel, Escher, Bach
'What is a self, and how can a self come out of inaminate matter?' This is the riddle that drove Hofstadter to write this extraordinary book. Linking together the music of J.S. Bach, the graph...
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 15/09/2026
Tell me again that climate change is a hoax.
Chart showing global annual temperature abnormalities between 1880 and 2024
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 15/09/2026
MLAs are debating the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill, which bans discredited, harmful practices designed to change, suppress, or ‘cure’ a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The idea that you can “pray the gay away” should be cast away forever. @eointennyson.bsky.social
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Sam Turner @renrut-mas.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Imagine if he'd actually been competent and progressive and just removed the state entirely from that process and kicked out the Lords Spiritual while he was at it.
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Jack Russell @jackru.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I'm a Humanists UK member because being good matters here and now. I trust evidence over dogma and believe everyone should be free to live, love, and think as they choose. Join too: humanists.uk/join/action/...
humanists.uk
Member to member
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Rachel Coldicutt @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
If you've read the latest post, then this from @ciaranm.bsky.social is a very sensible analysis of the cyber security situation www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-pac...
linkedin.com
AI pacing: the call and the claim
The Anthropic boss chose a very sloppy, easily dismantled example from cyber security with which to lead his call to pace the frontier. That was a mistake, but shouldn't undermine the wider force of t...
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Celtscot @khois1.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Support the rnli and help fuck up reform and farage all in one go?! Almost rude not to …
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Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
2026: 'I conveyed the strong view of the Irish people that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be accepted. .. I highlighted .. the obligations contained within Article 29 of our Constitution towards the peaceful resolution of international disputes."
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James O’Brien @mrjamesob.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
What a line! 😂
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Jack Russell @jackru.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
This is essential watching. Worth every one of the 26 minutes which explain why AI lab recklessness and disingenuous hype-scaring is the current real and present danger that needs to be addressed. How? Hold AI companies criminally liable for the actions of their systems.
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Progressive Politics NI @ppni.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Awkward for the DUP 👀
A graphic showing DUP MPs holding a Trump 2020 banner and a pic of Donald Trump smugly grinning and text saying:

Remember when the DUP campaigned for a Trump presidency?

Wonder what they think of his comments on a United Ireland?

"I'd love to see it unified. I think it would be a great feather in everybody's cap if that happened. It's going to happen eventually. You know what? The way I look at it, it's going to happen eventually. It may as well happen now."
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Alex von Tunzelmann @alexvont.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
If you feel like donating to the RNLI, here’s a link. I just have. Their minimum donation is £2: I think it might be nice for them to receive a lot of donations this week, even if they’re mostly very modest. Just so they know a lot of people out here appreciate their work. rnli.org/support-us/g...
rnli.org
Donate to the RNLI and help save lives at sea
Your donations really make a difference. We depend on your generosity to educate people to stay safe and prevent tragedies on and offshore. Donate here.
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Christopher Webb @cwebbonline.com · 12/09/2026
I absolutely LOVE this. Christian Bale spent roughly 17 years fighting to make this happen. This week, his foster-care village opened in Palmdale, California: 12 homes built specifically to help keep siblings together when they enter foster care.
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Leviathan Wilde @leviathanwilde.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I am really sad to hear the assisted dying bill has been voted down in the commons. As a disabled person with cognitive and information processing challenges, without intellectual disability and with chronic illnesses, I felt my voice & the voice of disabled people who like me supported the bill 🧵👇
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Andy Kirk @visualisingdata.com · 11/09/2026
My August newsletter is now open for all to read! visualisingdata.com/2026/09/the-...
visualisingdata.com
The August 2026 newsletter is now open to all - Data Viz Excellence, Everywhere
My August newsletter, sent out to subscribers at the end of last month, is now open for all to read. You can access this issue, as well as visit the growing catalogue of previous issues, on the Newsle...
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Progressive Politics NI @ppni.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Finally. It shouldn’t have taken this much time & effort. And proof he could do it all along. www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/norther...
belfastlive.co.uk
Education Minister's U-turn will allow girls to wear trousers to school
The Minister previously insisted that it should be up to schools to decide on uniform policy
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Reposted by Jack Russell
Lizzi Collinge MP @lizzicollinge.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Reposting this ahead of tomorrow's debate and vote. My fellow MPs have the chance to deliver something meaningful, historic, and truly theirs. No parties, no ministerial directions, just representatives of the people ensuring a little bit more autonomy for the ordinary person.
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Andrew Copson @andrewcopson.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Bishops and Archbishops have voted against: abolition of slavery, abolition of death penalty, decriminalising abortion, decriminalising gay sex, same-sex marriage. So this is just the latest in long tradition of opposition to choice and freedom. It's scandalous that they get to vote on laws at all!
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Andrew Copson @andrewcopson.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
If you’ve been reading about how Reform UK at their conference laid out their plans to reanimate the dead letter Christian parts of our state, have I got an article for you! fabians.org.uk/more-tea-les...
fabians.org.uk
More tea, less vicar | Fabian Society
Fabian Society
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Alex Selby-Boothroyd @alexselbyb.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
We're all paying for AI, whether we like it or not www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
Chart from The Economist showing the change in US prices on Amazon for flash drives, memory cards, computers, PS5s and mobile phones. Only the last has fallen over the past year
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Jack Russell @jackru.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
My latest article examines British attitudes on the death penalty and wealth inequality, following up on some @yougov.co.uk analysis that revealed my misplaced assumptions on the first topic. I'll add some key points in a 🧵 below, including several bubble plots inspired by @benansell.bsky.social
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Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 04/09/2026
Millenia ago. They abandoned their belief in the supernatural now you are asking me to sabotage that achievement - to send them back into the dark ages of superstition and ignorance and fear? NO! Captain Picard. Who watches the watchers. 1989.
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Hardeep Matharu @hardeepmatharu.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
It remains striking that Cambridge University – which has rightly found itself subject to immense scrutiny in recent days over its academic appointments process – did not answer any of Byline Times' questions re Cambridge Professor James Orr, Reform's Head of Policy, and his activities there. Why?
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Peter Jukes @peterjukes.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Just a reminder, Professor James Orr, Reform UK head of policy, teaches 'ethics' to undergraduates at Cambridge University youtu.be/aXut3s90rUI
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believe the data @believethedata.org · 28/08/2026
Thanks to Andy Kirk at @visualisingdata.com for featuring believe the data in his August newsletter today 💙 Check out previous editions of the newsletter and subscribe for early access to all the data goodies here: visualisingdata.com/newsletter/
visualisingdata.com
The Visualising Data Newsletter - Data Viz Excellence, Everywhere
The Visualising Data Newsletter Stay current in dataviz by subscribing to the Visualising Data Newsletter, chronicling the most insightful and delightful data visualisation content every month, straight to your inbox. Whether you are in the business, adjacent to it, or completely new to data viz, I’ll elevate your understanding of what’s going on with a monthly roundup of […]
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Alice Roberts @profaliceroberts.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Mehdi Hasan's open letter to Louise Haigh: "Under Article I of the Genocide Convention – which the UK acceded to back in 1970 – “contracting parties” have a duty “to prevent and to punish” genocide. It’s a “binding duty” per the UN, imposed on every state party" open.substack.com/pub/zeteouk/...
open.substack.com
You Called Gaza a Genocide Last Year, Louise Haigh. So Why Not Act Now You’re in Government?
Mehdi pens an open letter to the most powerful woman in the British government on the need for action – especially sanctions – against Israel’s ongoing genocidal crimes in Gaza.
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Ella Baron @ellabaron.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Monday's @theguardian.com cartoon #drought #climatechange #AI #datacentres
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