iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

This is sad. Not the first publication I wrote for, but I did write for the Theatre section for a few years and met some terrific people, including one of my best friends. Scary times for arts coverage. www.theskinny.co.uk/music/news/t...

theskinny.co.uk

The Skinny is closing

After 20 years of independent cultural journalism and with a very heavy heart, September’s edition of The Skinny is our final issue.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Right—giving this one last shot. Facebook is now AI slop and targeted ads that push for the polar opposite of my beliefs, and Instagram is…well, it’s still Meta, isn’t it?

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

How have I not read this before!? Thanks for the share. This launched when I started uni—it was essential viewing for every student I knew. Still makes me laugh thinking of it.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

And with me and Christina’s exit from Clown Show, I’m done with this year’s Edinburgh festivals. A small one for me, but still some good shows. Bring on the autumn season!

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

To everyone involved in any way with any of the Edinburgh festivals—wishing you the very best. Break a leg—and don’t forget to pace yourself. 😀

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

I hate the concept of monarchy, but I’d gladly bend the knee to him if he did that.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Thought I was the only one who remembered that damned film. I wanted so badly to go see it, more because I loved puzzles and wanted to try to solve it. Glad my father overruled me.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

It’s not that he and his administration are corrupt, it’s that his supporters genuinely don’t care.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

No words. Just be strong and keep the fight going.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Rather heartbreaking driving into Paisley this morning and seeing the smoke from the Central Station fire. Be safe, everyone.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Really wish I could see this. I directed it at Telford College over twenty years ago—back when I was an optimistic American still learning about life in Britain. That show really opened a lot of things for me—probably more than it did for my students.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

A very interesting read—and not just for writers.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

If there’s a poll, I’d vote to keep it. Good fun.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Oh wow! Haven’t thought of that in a while. The first video box that freaked me out. Rather harmless when you look back—and when you consider some of the fronts of 80s horror films.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

I know we’re supposed to nitpick and flag up every flaw, but I had a great time with Stranger Things. Just wanted more ties with the play, but that’s the theatre critic in me.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Roughly ten minutes ago, I wrote the final word of draft one: all 198,331 words. Yes, I will be working on a second draft to get that number down. And what will happen: nothing or fame and fortune? I'll take anything in between. But I am proud to say--I've bloody gone and written a novel! 😀❤

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Confession. For over half my life, I've had a novel in my head that I've threatened to write but never made good on. It's been there longer than I've known Christina (by two years!). I made a promise recently that, come hell or high water, I was going to write the sucker.

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Reposted by Michael Cox

Alex Brown 🇵🇸 (they/them) @bookjockeyalex.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

"Academics literally cannot make genAI go away" we also can't make underage drinking go away and we're not advocating for installing bar carts in every classroom.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Might be why the BBC are broadcasting it this afternoon.

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Reposted by Michael Cox

Laurel Krause @laurelk.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

On my Substack, I've written about the #LostFootage that recently made its way to the Internet. Please watch and learn from those who were there at the May 4, 1970 #KentState massacre. bit.ly/4iVgTsA.

bit.ly

Lost Footage: Kent State's Darkest Days

Witnesses React to the May 4, 1970 Kent State Massacre

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

This is utter madness. And it’s those on the right who claim they’re being censored. The more I think about this, the more frightening it is.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Some joker played that trailer before The Muppet Movie. I can still hear the screams.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

It is scary how badly my students just want to get a high grade and not necessarily learn anything. And I’m flying the bloody white flag—I need to surrender and get trained up on this damned thing.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

With all the corruption we’ve seen over the years, football fans: explain to me like I’m a small child—why is all this junk with FIFA okay and not worthy of the boycotts called on other things?

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Actually managed to watch all of Stranger Things without any spoilers. Luck, behaved viewers or did the algorithm favour me? No idea, but I enjoyed it.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Sharing this to watch it all later—but some interesting ideas so far.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

As an American living in the UK, the difference between what broke through here vs the US is crazy. Huge hits here which were nothing; massive anthems in America that are unheard of here. The two I always mention are Status Quo and Madness.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Come on! That’s actually masterclass trolling! 🤣

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

San Diego is pretty right wing in places and proud of military presence throughout. I can see it being a way to impress idiots who get off on watching expensive artillery go ‘boom’ thinking they were owning the libs. Newsom was right to shut the freeway. Hope that all makes sense.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

probably shooting over the freeway—into land that many illegals traverse when migrating north. In my time there I’d never known that to happen. The base for Top Gun is by the other freeway going north, and you had more distractions watching plane manoeuvres when driving that stretch. All that said,

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Californian from San Diego who lives in Scotland here. 😀 The picture is slightly misleading—that’s the 5 leaving the city, but the base is nearly 40 miles north. Pendleton is right up on the freeway—as you drive pass you see the high chain fence, and the other side is empty, which is why they were

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

There is indeed hope with the next generation.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

A) For a long time I thought I was the only one who saw this, B) If they bring the character back, can we also get the ice cream flavour again?

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

I loved her in performance. I loved her in interviews. She always seemed like the smartest person in the room, and her line ‘Well la-di-da’ was a family inside joke. Oh, and if you need another reason to love her, there was also her contribution to this famous picture. RIP Diane Keaton.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

When I did the 'meet the parents' thing back in 2000, my soon to be wife's father told me he wanted to turn 100 (he was a youthful 74 at the time--you would have sworn he was in his early sixties at worst). Today, he’s pulled it off. The sincerest 'Happy Birthday' to my father-in-law, Jack Brownlee.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

An interesting read—and much to unpack.

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Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Indeed. Spoke with her as well, but an excellent point. And yes—you are sadly right, on all fronts. I’m an expat in Scotland and time and again have had to ‘explain’ the US time and again. I’m out of reasons and excuses.

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