iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 08/05/2026

Oh wow i didn’t realise the Greens were doing fitness supplements

Screenshot of bsky trending list shows 3. green gains

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Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 23/04/2026

For extra fun, the 'taller than average tandem' Gary Marcus got it to produce and label:

an impossible tandem bike where the forward seat and handle bars are as high as a penny farthing bike, but the pedals are in the usual place. Even a giant would struggle to use it. The rear handlebars are below the rear seat. The model also attempted to label the bike and there are many mistakes, including labelling the rear set 'rear handle bar' and the rear wheel rim is labelled as 'rear derailleur'

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Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 21/04/2026

FINALLY Not only good news but i get to use this actual poster graphic I actually got a real graphic designer to make for me ten years ago #milifandom

Ed Miliband with a labour rosette backdrop behind him. The image is styled in stark white and black colours that are used to evoke that che guevara tee shirt everyone student wears at some point

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Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 21/03/2026

This isn’t better?! More words, and longer to get to the point. Amazon's Alexa has had an AI upgrade. Now she's got more to say www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

"UK consumers will notice an immediate difference," she added. "Using Alexa+ is a very different experience."
For example, I asked the current Alexa whether I needed an umbrella today. It responded, "no rain is expected today".
At a UK demo of Alexa+, it responded,
"actually, you can leave the brolly at home, with sunny skies and no rain in the forecast, you'll be sorted without it".

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Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 06/03/2026

I'm really happy to have been re-elected to the #UCU NEC, although my cat has mixed feelings about my continuing to travel to London! I'm also really happy that @markpendleton.bsky.social and @suzitoole.bsky.social were elected as VPs, and @drgillhistory.bsky.social @profalexp.bsky.social to the NEC

me about to set off to London for the HEC meeting on 6 March 2026, with my tuxedo cat skulking grumpily on my backpack

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Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 19/02/2026

Thank you Lisa. And, to confirm, yes I do indeed have excellent cats

A tuxedo cat very cross with me for being out all day. She is sat on the back of an arm chair staring into my soul

A black short hair cat opening her eyes while snoozing. Her head is upside down and her arms are hiding the bottom half of her face

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Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 19/02/2026

Please make sure you fill out and post your ballots for the #ucu elections, whoever you choose to vote for. I especially support @markpendleton.bsky.social and @suzitoole.bsky.social for VP for HE and FE respectively, and myself and the other fine people in the flyer.

Me standing next to a postbox on Oxford Road, Manchester, behind me you can see the Grosvenor East building of Manchester Met. I and posting my ballot

UCU elections 2026: recommended votes. All information is available at https://ucucommons.org/election26/

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Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 31/01/2026

The #GreenParty are sending out misleading leaflets again. Had this through the door. It claims they're the anti-reform tactical vote, but if you actually work out their own numbers, it shows Greens coming third. @zackpolanski.bsky.social #HannahSpencer #GortonAndDenton

Green leaflet for gorton and denton says 'Only Greens can Stop reform' with polling data showing vote share change for gorton and denton constituency from ElectionMapsUK. The graph shows reform+13, green_11 and Labour -21 with other -2. It does not show any other contextual data

my spreadsheet comparing 2024 results for gorton and denton to the swing from the green leaflet. The result is Labour on 29.8, reform 27.1 and green 24.2

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Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 04/10/2025

Well, at least i have a good excuse not to read GEB today

A tuxedo cat sat comfortably on a copy if gödel escher bach, a large softback book

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Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 19/09/2025

As always with Peter Kyle, the context makes it worse. He’s actually talking about how British students aren’t entrepreneurial enough. What does that even mean? Everything he says really does come from ChatGPT doesn’t it.

Screenshot of the article shared below: “In Britain,” he said “if you went to a group of undergraduates, how big would that group have to be before you found someone that said their choice of going to university, and that choice of going to that specific university, was because they wanted to become a founder?

““The entrepreneurialism simply isn’t there – the drive, the vigour.”

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Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 15/09/2025

Today is probably your last safe posting day for the #UCU casual vacancy elections. If you haven't posted your ballot yet, please do so today!

me posing as I post my UCU ballot into a post box

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Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 15/09/2025

This is definitely true. Starmer has said things that suggests he knows this. He often links growth with 'feeling growth in the pocket'. (although knowing and doing something about it are different things) Quote 1: labour.org.uk/updates/pres... Quote 2: www.gov.uk/government/s...

Starmer quote: So – here in this document – the mission: secure the highest sustained growth in the G7. A measurable goal. An invitation for the British people to judge us on whether they feel better off after five years of a Labour Government.

Starmer quote: One – higher living standards in every region of the country…

As we target the fastest growth in the G7.

So working people have more money in their pocket.

The burden of the cost-of-living crisis…

No longer intruding on the joy of family life.

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Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 06/09/2025

I recommend #cats They make the void less void.

A black kitten snoozing politely on my leg

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Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 03/09/2025

I’ve just had the experience of voting for myself as UK-elected NEC representative for #UCU Thank you to everyone who has supported me by posting their ballot already. Whoever you vote for, please do make sure you post your ballot asap, especially with difficulties in the post. 1/2

Me posing by a post box mailing my ballot for myself in the UCU NEC casual vacancy election

My ballot for the ucu casual vacancy for NEC (Higher Education) voting for myself, matt barnard

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Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 25/08/2025

Our kitten is getting better at hiding…#cats

A ridiculous black kitten hiding inside an empty box of cheerios on the floor

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Dr Matt Barnard @matthewbarnard.phd · 23/08/2025

I think my cat has realised I’m going away to Dublin next week for the @thebsp.org.uk and @ucdphilosophy.bsky.social conference. She’s not happy. Maybe this use of her to demonstrate the size of my atlas tipped her off.