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Laura Stephen

@laurastephen.bsky.social
101 followers 162 following 81 posts
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Katie Hinde @mammalssuck.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
"The whole “Oh no, our models went rogue” thing … When a bridge collapses, you don’t analyze whether the bridge was ethical or sentient or why it decided to collapse. You ask, who is the person who built this bridge to be so flimsy?" www.wired.com/story/one-of...
wired.com
One of AI’s Fiercest Critics Says All the Doom Talk Is ‘Meant to Distract Us’
Timnit Gebru argues that AI companies are stoking fears of extinction to avoid discussing actual harms, like autonomous weapons.
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
“The trouble with you, Spode, is that just because you have succeeded in inducing a handful of half-wits to disfigure the London scene by going about in black shorts, you think you’re someone. You hear them shouting “Heil, Spode!” and you imagine it is the Voice of the People.” Bertie Wooster
Daniel Thomas and his Black Shorts in London today.
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Chris Terry-Enescu @cjterry.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Truly wild to have lived through moral panics about teenagers wearing hoodies and Muslim women wearing the head dress to now experience 'but is a large group of organised far right activists in balaclavas really that scary'
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Aaron Quinlan (he/him) @aaronquinlan.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
I am delighted to announce that The Department of Human Genetics at the University of Utah is continuing a multi-year recruiting initiative for multiple tenure-track faculty positions at the rank of Assistant Professor. Please share and consider applying! utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/208...
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Human Cell Atlas @humancellatlas.org · 29/07/2026
Congratulations to everyone involved in this molecular cell atlas of endocrine signaling in human neural organoids @cellpressblue.bsky.social. This reference atlas will help investigate endocrine disorders, developmental neurotoxicity, and environmental endocrine disruption.
buff.ly
A molecular cell atlas of endocrine signaling in human neural organoids
Caporale, Testa, and colleagues map how hormones shape human neurodevelopment. Using neural organoids, they show that distinct endocrine pathways converge on shared developmental programs and remodel…
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Tanja Bueltmann @tanjabueltmann.net · 20/07/2026
Unless this “honesty” involves the recognition that immigrants are *not* the root cause of the UK’s problems *but* actually a part of the solution to them, this will be completely pointless. I cannot stress this enough. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Burnham to say UK must be honest about its challenges as he prepares to become PM
Labour leader will visit king to accept role on Monday and will start making cabinet appointments that afternoon
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phyphor @phyphor.one-dash.org · 16/07/2026
The Labour Government is going to kill children and nobody seems to care
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Lizzie Dearden @lizziedearden.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Russia is inflaming the debate on immigration in Britain as part of “increasing ambitions to disrupt our way of life”, counter-terror police and experts say It has directly and indirectly paid right-wing influencers to spread messages that align with its political goals inews.co.uk/news/putin-i...
inews.co.uk
How Putin is inflaming immigration tensions to spark disorder in Britain
Counter-terror leaders reveal the tactics Russia is using to sow division in the UK
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Laura Stephen @laurastephen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
www.musee-orsay.fr/en/artworks/...
Sculpture of an artist Gerome with two gladiators from ancient Rome

Léon Gérôme
Gérôme exécutant "Les Gladiateurs". Monument à Gérôme
entre 1878 et 1909
groupe en bronze
H. 360 ; L. 182 ; P. 170 cm.
Achat après commande de l'Etat, 1909
© RMN-Grand Palais (Musée d’Orsay) / Hervé Lewandowski
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Natacha @natacha.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
This is amazing; 40 women’s organizations standing in support of trans people’s human rights against this government’s targeting of trans people against the EHRC transphobic code. Trans people and cis women’s rights are not in opposition.
docs.google.com
Women’s organisations speak up against the EHRC's Code - LIVE
I’m Women’s organisations speak up against the EHRC's updated Code of Practice   We are a collection of women's organisations, networks and community groups that work with and support women across th...
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Wolfgang Huber @wkhuber.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
EMBL's new AI unit is recruiting. We are seeking a machine learning scientist to establish their independent research group bridging innovations in machine learning/AI with modern biology. embl.wd103.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/EMBL/j...
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Annalee Newitz @annaleen.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
I am not certain, but I think this might be the greatest thread (and greatest use of alt text) of all time.
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
As @lukepiper.bsky.social has rightly mentioned in the comments. Changes to human rights applicability don't just affect those seeking asylum, but all migrants.
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Sarah E. Bond @sarahebond.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Just a reminder that this project is partially funded by Elon Musk. Where money comes from matters. Remember that DOGE fired hundreds & cancelled grants for hundreds more. I just can’t care about a carbonized scroll when it’s funded by fascism. hyperallergic.com/why-is-there...
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Buttons (Ashley) 🏴‍☠️#OFMDForLife🏴‍☠️ 🏳️‍🌈🤡 @sevensugars.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Since I did do my PhD in cyanobacteria growth and treatment optimization modeling AND work in the water treatment industry, I’m gonna share my theory as to what’s happening here and how to fix it. People are focusing on the painted bottom of the pool increasing residual heat, and while that 1/19
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Ally Lester @cogenthippo.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Look! A Good Thing!
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Wonder of Science @wonderofscience.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
A stunningly beautiful jellyfish (Crossota sp.) spotted by an ROV at a depth of 2.3 miles near the Mariana Trench. 📽️: NOAA OER
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phyphor @phyphor.one-dash.org · 03/06/2026
A Mastodon post I saw shared on Discord:
🔄 nixCraft boosted 

Dan Hon
8 hr ago • @danhon@dan.mastodon.com

Can't believe Little Bobby Tables is all grown up and has had their first kid, Ignore All Previous Instructions
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Aleksandrina @aleksandrina.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Banning books is one of the first things oppressive regimes do. Buy banned books. Gift banned books bannedbooksweek.org/slide/banned...
bannedbooksweek.org
Banned Books Week 2026 Theme and Dates | Banned Books Week
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Katy Montgomerie 🦗 @katymontgomerie.com · 26/05/2026
Could there be a better example of "the trans debate" than 98% of women supporting trans people and then one single lone person voting against them and getting their way regardless. It's all such a fucking sham
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Trish Greenhalgh @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Every summer I repost this article on how to spot drowning. Please read it and pass on. In the last few years I’ve had SIX messages from people who saved a kid’s life after clicking on the link from my feed. slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect.
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Chance the Lawyer @chancethelawyer.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
because I know y’all can’t click and read
1. "Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing.
Speech is the secondary or overlaid function.
Breathing must be fulfilled before speech occurs.
2. Drowning people's mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water. The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough for them to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. When the drowning people's mouths are above the surface, they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths start to sink below the surface of the water.
3. Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on the water's surface.
Pressing down on the surface of the water permits drowning people to leverage their bodies so they can lift their mouths out of the water to breathe.
4. Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment.
5. From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people's bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs."
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Tanja Bueltmann @tanjabueltmann.net · 22/05/2026
Most importantly: as a cis woman; a feminist; a historian - this will *never* be in my name. Then: an equalities body that chooses to exclude a specific group; chooses to limit human rights of one community - it is an equalities body that has already dismantled itself and any legitimacy with it.
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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
The reality is that because politicians won't shut up about immigration people will continue to believe it is rising and an issue. That reality is that the more governments "cut immigration" the worse of the whole country is.
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Bethany Black @bethanyblack.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Generations were a recent sociological tool, which was LITERALLY about how cohorts of people from certain places have similar opinions, experiences, and values because of the time of which they came of age, not because of when they were born. Then journalists found out, and as usual got it wrong
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Celeste Ng @pronounced-ing.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
These scams are even impersonating authors, too! Remember: - agents & publishers should not ask for $ to read your ms - agents should not ask for $ to represent you (they get a cut IF they sell your book) - you NEVER pay the publisher to publish your book!! - authors are unlikely to solicit you
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Kim Hu @kim-hu.com · 06/05/2026
finally, perspective grid knowledge will be useful irl
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Vote Reform. Or we will house *dangerous migrant centres* in your village. And if you vote Green, it will be even worse for you. It's beyond disturbing. The chill wind of threat, thuggery and menace of a kind never before seen in Britain.
Today we announce a new policy:


In order to deport all illegal migrants in
Britain, Reform will need to detain tens of
thousands at a time.


Migrants will not be able to leave these
detention centres, and each will be held
there a couple of weeks before being
deported.


So here's our promise:


A Reform government will not put any
migrant detention facilities in any
constituency with a Reform MP.


Nor will we put them where Reform
controls the council.


And of the remaining areas, we will
prioritise Green controlled parliamentary
constituencies and Green controlled
councils to locate the detention centres.


Put simply, if you vote in a Reform
council or Reform MP, we guarantee yPut simply, if you vote in a Reform
council or Reform MP, we guarantee you
won't have a detention centre near you


If you vote Green, there's a good chance
you will,


This is an important exercise in
democratic consent, not just for our
mass deportation policy, but for where
the detention centres are placed


Given @ZackPolanski openly advocates
for open borders, I look forward to their
warm embrace of this policy
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Graham Coop @gcbias.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
For my next de-extinction project I'm eyeing the kraken. Anyone want to get suckered?
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
There's no debate which is improved by the intervention of Tony Blair. This is ableism. It frames anxiety, depression and ADHD as things people just need to get on with, with no acknowledgement of how damaging that attitude is, or how hard it can be to be recognised and diagnosed in the first place.
Block people with anxiety and ADHD from claiming benefits, says Tony Blair

Claimants should have to support claims with medical evidence, says think tank


Szu Ping Chan

Economics Editor

Szu Ping Chan is The Telegraph's Economics Editor.


Published 28 April 2026 6:00am BST

Sir Tony Blair has called for a block on people with anxiety, depression and ADHD from claiming benefits, highlighting a growing rift within Labour over welfare reform.
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Sorena 😺 (COMMS OPEN) 🔜 UK Ponycon 2026 @skybluearts.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
We have a chance of removing the Online Safety Act! Any UK residents, PLEASE take the time to fill out the whole form. If we want to remove ID verification on websites that actually don't need it, we need to take action NOW!
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
L.C.Winter @lcwinter.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Next Sunday afternoon I'm talking about my book Spider, Spider at Hestia Books in Wirksworth. #derbyshire #peakdistrict #booksky #histfic hestiabooks.sumupstore.com/product/an-a...
hestiabooks.sumupstore.com
An Afternoon with L. C. Winter | EVENT TICKET
(Please select in-store pick up at the checkout as we won't send out physical tickets.)Saturday 12nd April | 2pm - 4pm | Hestia Books Join us for an eerie afternoon as L. C. Winter discusses her ...
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Zamin Iqbal @zaminiqbal.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
amazing opportunity!
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Alex Zalben @azalben.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
I honestly don't know how much this will go out the window with ICE now at airports, but here is CAIR's guide to knowing your rights while traveling (applicable to TSA and CBP), likely good to keep handy if you're planning on air travel any time soon: www.cair.com/wp-content/u...
cair.com
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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
There is a high degree of opposition to Mahmood's changes to immigration and asylum. This by Rayner will hopefully, although with Starmer backing these inhumane policies I don't have that much hope, be a serious catalyst for MPs to force them to be abandoned. #r4today www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Angela Rayner warns against 'un-British' immigration reforms
Most migrant workers will have to wait longer to qualify for permanent residence under the government's proposals.
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
They made them take down the videos because they would cause "reputational damage" to people like this young man, Nathan Cavanuagh, so definitely don't post this all over the internet with the name Nathan Cavanaugh attached, or this guy might suffer reputational damage. This guy, Nathan Cavanaugh.
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L.C.Winter @lcwinter.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
'Dozens of novels are published annually that fall into this subgenre, but this is one of the most original in recent years.' Sunday Times - Nick Rennishaw. 'Gloriously gothic' DV Bishop Links are in my bio. #histfic #booksky #gothiclit
A large pile of books with dark pink edges. On top is a book facing outwards showing the cover of Spider, Spider by LC Winter.
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Natacha @natacha.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Just to re-emphasise that Shabana Mahmoud has lied. 1. her lie, in the Guardian 2. Refugee convention, Art 34
Britain has a proud history of offering sanctuary to those fleeing danger. But today our asylum system fuels criminal gangs that profit from a vile trade in human beings. Hundreds of thousands of people have crossed by small boats. And at the end of December 2025, there were more than 100,000 individuals in receipt of asylum support, costing the taxpayer billions each year.ARTICLE 34
Naturalization
The Contracting States shall as far as
possible facilitate the assimilation and naturalization of refugees. They shall in particular
make every effort to expedite naturalization
proceedings and to reduce as far as possible
the charges and costs of such proceedings.
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Berna Devezer @devezer.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
Redi performs hundreds of trials to provide evidence against ancient beliefs about snake venom and poisoning in a stepwise fashion, all the while entertaining multiple competing explanations and not committing to any particular theory. Systematic exploratory experimentation at its purest!
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Berna Devezer @devezer.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Fontana thinking his 6000+ experiments may not have been enough to feel confident in his conclusions in the 18th century while we expect our singular experiments and their standalone replications to do wonders some 250 years later... (excerpt from the intro of Jutta Schickore's About Experiment)
Toward the end of his two-volume Treatise on the Venom of the Viper, published in 1781, the Tuscan naturalist Deluxe Fontana declared: "I have made more than 6000 experiments; I have had more than 4000 animals bit; I have employed upwards of 3000 vipers and may have been deceived; some essential circumstance may have escaped me: I may have neglected some other, not thinking it necessary; my consequences may have been too general, my experiments too few in number. In a word, I may very easily have been mistaken, and it would be almost impossible that I should never have been so in a matter so difficult, so obscure, and likewise so new."
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Mythic 🦊 @mythicalredfox.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Thinking about this quote from Persepolis creator Marjane Satrapi again.
Picture of Marjane Satrapi alongside a quote from her. The quote reads:

The world is not divided into countries. The world is not divided between East and West. You are American, I am Iranian, we don't know each other, but we talk together and we understand each other perfectly. The difference between you and your government is much bigger than the difference between you and me. And the difference between me and my government is much bigger than the difference between me and you.

And our governments are very much the same...

- Marjane Satrapi, Iranian-French graphic novelist
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Irene Gallego Romero @ee-reh-neh.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Second, this piece, which is more reflexive than our usual. I cannot claim much credit for the work @paikusuma.bsky.social writes about here, but being even just a little part has been a huge privilege. doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
doi.org
The important role of community engagement and equal collaboration in population genetic research: Lessons from Bornean contemporary hunter-gatherers
Abstract - Population and medical genetics can provide valuable information about human history and health. However, research involving Indigenous and vulnerable communities often raises ethical issue...
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Nicola Griffith SHE IS HERE out now! @nicolaz.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
It's easy to believe the world is full of hate, to feel overwhelmed and that change is impossible. But 150 yrs worth of data show it takes just 3.5% of a population—say 12 million Americans—engaged in nonviolent civil resistance to create real change—even the fall of administrations. This is doable.
nicolagriffith.com
3.5% — A Small Number With Huge Implications
Just 3.5% of a population engaged in nonviolent resistance can change everything. 150 yrs worth of data show it would take, say, 12 million Americans committed to civil resistance to create real an…
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Reposted by Laura Stephen
Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Oh wait, you mean the thing which has already been shown repeatedly to be false, not disparaging the Rachel or this study, shows what has been shown repeatedly before? Transphobes will still claim otherwise, but, as with their grasp of any other area of science, they remain wrong.
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Aliza Adi (she/her) @alizaadi.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
2008: Epstein is convicted of procuring a minor for prostitution 2018: Despite that conviction, [files indicate] he was invited by Rowling’s team - along with a guest of his choosing - to the Broadway opening of Harry Potter and the private after-party Protecting women and children, is it?
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Ally Lester @cogenthippo.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Can I do a tiny bit of advertising? I have a short gay romance that's vaguely seasonal and only 99c. It has judgemental chickens that kept inserting themselves into my plot and a hot pink cover. We are quite skint and I would really appreciate a boost 🥰 #Booksky 🌈📚 books2read.com/playingchicken
The cover of Playing Chicken by A. L. Lester. A St Dwynwen's Day Short Story. Two cartoon chickens on a background of hot pink feathers.
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naye🕸️ @naye.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
"these tools were not developed with academic standards of reliability and accountability in mind" And yet. He was using it? For ALL his academic work?? With no backups. Fantastic. I am saving this for all my lectures on proper data management. Couldn't ask for a better "don't do this" example!
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ℳatt @matttomic.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Italian voice actor Carlo Bononi was the voice of all of the characters on Pingu. A trained clown by trade, he used a theater technique called grammelot, which consists of "speaking" in a mix of babbled gibberish noises. He improvised all the voices live and unscripted.
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Kit Whitfield - fantasy writer @kitwhitfield.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Had an intriguing editorial discussion recently: how did people in the past talk about 'minutes' when they didn't have watches or standardised times? How does that affect your thinking? Come down an Elizabethan/Jacobean rabbit hole with me. 1/
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