iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Me too. As a Medieval History graduate I was really looking forward to heading down to London to see it…only to discover an Oasis style booking process “sold out” until a new release of tickets on 21st October (unless you are a tech oligarch ofc). Did they really have to do this?

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

It’s a reasonable assumption that some human bad actors would work FOR them. E.g. most people’s bank accounts drained overnight - but not these people. It could start something like that? They’d also be employed by AI to protect the data centres and sub-stations at all costs.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

This sounds similar to my mum 10 years back Gaby. We also dodged years of dementia and care homes with a mercifully short 8 week descent. It’s come to be a blessing but I’m still not sure whether I would have traded that to have some form of her present for longer x

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Why is there no serious debate challenging this arbitrary “3% rising to 3.5%“ defence commitment? Iran has held off the largest military the world has ever seen on less than a 10th of that. Navies in particular seem redundant now so why not start there?

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Indeed! Known as “visible performance”. Thankfully I have less than 4 years to go. Since the late 1990s this poison has been a feature of most places I have worked (financial services). I liken the proponents in a way to those for capital punishment that can’t see themselves as wrongly accused.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

couldn’t agree more David. I’m guessing the gilded Charlotte has never been on the wrong side of this. In my experience the people pushing this poison lack both empathy and imagination. They also have illusory cohorts of support from “high performers” allegedly crying out for this.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

“Customers are advised to stand well back from the poet”. Bravo Brian! 👏👏👏

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Brian Bilston @brianbilston.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I’m off to Edinburgh today ahead of my seven shows at this year’s Fringe. As ever, my train ‘journey’ has got off to a spectacular start.

The Poet Now Standing at Platform 3A

The poet now standing at platform 3A
is the delayed 16.40 speaker for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival,
calling at: Longwaite; Anguish; Bleakside;
Much Wallowing-in-the-Mire; Little Hope;
Hangdog Manor; High Dudgeon; Irk; Fuckham; Mope;
Doldrum Parkway; Wearyside Central; and Wits End.

We are sorry to announce this poet is delayed
by approximately one hour and fifteen minutes.
Please listen for further announcements.
We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.

The poet now standing at platform 3A
is the delayed 16.40 speaker for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Please note, this poet will now NOT be stopping at:
Great Ease; Serenity Junction; or Arrival-on-Time.

This poet has been delayed by approximately one hour
and forty-eight minutes.
Customers are advised to stand well back from the poet,
who’s on edge.
Please listen for further announcements.
We apologise for the disruption to your journey today.

The poet currently standing at platform 3A
is the delayed 16.40 speaker for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
This poet consists of nine elements:
oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, tedium, delirium,
odium, caffeine, shortbread, and despair.

A trolley service, featuring mild palpitations and a selection
of hot and cold sweats, is trundling through this poet.
This poet has been delayed by approximately two hours
and twenty-three minutes.

Please listen for further disruptions.
We apologise for the announcements to your journey today.

There has been a platform altercation.
The agony at platform 3A does not stop here.
The 16.40 speaker for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
has been disrupted.
Customers should not bore the poet at this time.

The platform now standing on poet 3A has been delayed
by approximately three hours and forty-two minutes.
We apologise for the apologies to your disruptions today.

If you hear an announcement that doesn’t sound right,
seek your stash. Or text a local dealer on 61016
to help you through this.
He’ll sort it. Seek it. Pay it. Snorted.

Please note that for your safety and comfort
this station operates a no trains policy.

The fringe now standing at festival 16.40 is the delayed
3A platform for the Edinburgh poet.
We are sorry to announce that this poet has been waylaid
by approximately four hours and twenty-two minutes.
Will passengers intending to travel on this service
make their way to the platform as the poet is now ready to jump.

Please note that longings must not be left unattended
at this station. Any hope left unattended
may be removed without warning, or destroyed.

This is a customer announcement.
The 16.40 speaker for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
has terminated here.
A bard replacement service will be in operation.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Brian Bilston

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404 Media @404media.co · 17/08/2026

SCOOP: 404 Media placed a tracking device in a shipment of rare books to see which AI company was buying it. What did we find? It ended up at an Amazon facility where Amazon scans and destroys books. Yes. This is literally the logo outside the Amazon warehouse door. Read now:

404media.co

We Tracked a Shipment of Rare Books. It Ended at an Amazon AI Training Facility

We placed a tracking device in a shipment of rare books to see which AI company was buying it, and found an Amazon facility where Amazon scans and destroys books.

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Richard Murphy @richardjmurphy.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Why pick on Chris Packham? www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2026/08... The Times has mounted an attack on Chris Packham, saying he is not autistic. Why? What do they hope to gain? And is this quite sinister?

taxresearch.org.uk

Why pick on Chris Packham?

As I have already noted today, The Times has chosen to question whether Chris Packham is really autistic, despite the fact that he has a diagnosis saying that he is. I have already discussed some aspe...

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Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

If true, we get 3 things. None good. 1. The direct negative growth/fiscal impacts of cutting immigration. 2. A Chancellor who prioritises their own personal/ideological obsessions over the UK economy. 3. A PM who through myopia or weakness chooses 1 and 2.

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Catherine Stuart @catty8.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

There's a bar chart, courtesy of: www.facebook.com/share/14hP4M...

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Surely the better move by Count Binface would be a pious statement on why he can’t possibly stand either.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Give it up Sunder. You‘ve got no chance against a half decent attack. None! 😎

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

wouldn’t surprise me. He’s a year younger than me and there is no way on earth I’m doing anything other than preparing for my retirement in 2029!

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Not only is the trade unionist completely destroying his argument, her look of utter disdain at his “white working class” bollocks is hilarious. Never more obvious the blowhard should have stuck to table tennis.

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Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Are...are they going to change this law via use of a Henry VIII clause

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Why will it take 3 years to implement PR? Its not exactly difficult. we have forms of it already in rUK..and models to choose from all over Europe. It could be done in a year if they really wanted to.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

I’ve thought for some time that there is a real prospect of a dystopian future where completely off-grid “robin hoods” battle with controlling tech barons. I imagined that around 100 years into the future though, perhaps my children will see it.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Sorry to hear that Sarah. Take the time you need and happy to keep subscribing in the meantime - love your work.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

China needs to guarantee the peace with full deterrence. i can‘t see any other way to a lasting settlement.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

One baffling thing in all the coverage I’ve read and seen is nobody is talking about Iranian capacity for resupply. If they really had been “planning for this for 47 years”, how to address stock depletion would be pretty high up the agenda.

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Katie Martin @katie0martin.ft.com · 22/03/2026

Buckle up! This is gonna cost us. Worth it tho. 💰 💵 - www.ft.com/content/4696...

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Sam Kunti @samindrakunti.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

FIFA's idea of disciplining the Israeli FA.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Isn’t this this just UK Government pre-election spin though. The great news is when anything actually happens. I’ve seen at least 3 Welsh great news stories too recently.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

This is complete nonsense. The reference to the UN is just to make the point about Int. Law in the face of extreme realpolitik. Nobody is doing anything - that’s the real message. Navies haven’t survived 21st century drone tech.

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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Tomorrow's front page 📰 Poll finds majority oppose use of Scottish airports by US to wage war on Iran

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

presumably you don’t need mines if you have underwater drones?

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Hardly anyone uses cash any more. I haven’t had any this year I think. I even transferred money directly to the window cleaner. This consultation (and its ridiculous fallout) is a complete waste of time!

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Naomi Klein @naomiaklein.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

We also need to know whether AI was used to select the target. WaPo is reporting Anthropic and Palantir tech were used to identify 1000 targets in Iran 24 hours. Who vetted those targets? Who pays for errors? It's possible they weren't involved in this strike but this we need to know.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

I may be wrong but after hearing some Iranians talk about their country there is a large echo of Ukraine In their resilience. This isn’t over quick unless its just about destroying more schools, hospitals, apartment blocks, another football stadium… and human lives ofc.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

They just bombed an international football stadium in Tehran to bits and we get this? Messi presenting a shIrt and signed football too 🤢 I’ve loved football all my life and I’m booked up for Scotland at the WC. Right now?…I couldn’t give a fuck.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

He is so impressive he won’t just win in Texas but already looks a certainty as a future President. Such a talent.

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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

I've also been struck by this. The Trump regime is normalising the decapitation of governments it dislikes by assassinating or abducting their leaders. There are good reasons why states have tended not to make this a norm.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Don’t you think we are just entering a new “Venezuela” model for much of the world? Trump (and successors) as Capo dei Capi. They just need a regime adjacent deputy who knows the score to join his Board of Peace and tributes to follow. They don’t need (or want) real regime change.

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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

The real threat to democracy doesn't come from 'family voting'. It comes from the losing side refusing go accept they've lost

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

They could be stopped tomorrow with PR. What are we waiting for?

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Wouldn’t 1997 fit with the Blair Government’s significant expansion of HE? I seem to remember a stated ambition for 50% of young people being graduates….it was nothing like that when I went to University in 1981. At a guess, perhaps only 15-20%?

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Greg Olear @gregolear.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

One of the best things I’ve read in a while:

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

No I didn’t say that - I said institutionalised bell curve “performance management” is toxic…PIPs and all. It’s a bogus performative reward of “visible performance”. People got fired in the 1980s without this.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

i’m afraid this is 100% wrong Iain. So called “performance management” is often “subjective, arbitrary, and toxic. I started work in the mid 1980s and this poison only really infected much of UK from the late 1990s. It’s time to do away with it completely - not the opposite!

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Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

The events of the last 24 hours show why it's important to build functional verification structures in public and counterpublic spaces to resist the authoritarian erosion of our democratic systems, as described in this thread.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

It crossed my mind that Labour should risk a snap referendum on ECHR - now that we are peak ICE and post Davos. I’d say they very likely win and it would be almost impossible for Ref/Tories to leave in 2029. Labour would have to want ECHR though ofc!

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

To “protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurances“. In other words…we can’t have the kids seeing the truth. How long before UK users are forced to use this version? No easy VPN workaround either apparently.

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Brian Bilston @brianbilston.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Annual reminder of how many days there are in each month.

Mnemonic

Thirty days hath September,
April, June and November.
Unless a leap year is its fate,
February hath twenty-eight.
All the rest hath three days more,
excepting January,
which hath six thousand,
one hundred and eighty-four.

Brian Bilston

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

It may sound churlish but there is a small part of me that just thinks “welcome to our world”. Society has done nothing to address the institutional neurotypical biases that have prevented so many young people contributing (and earning). Maybe some good may finally come of this. (Not optimistic).

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Paul Brand @paulbrand.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

BREAKING: Explosive new poll for ITV Cymru Wales puts Plaid Cymru surging ahead of Reform UK in May’s Welsh elections. Plaid 37% Reform 23% Greens 13% Labour 10% Tories 10% Lib Dems 5% Plaid could form majority with Greens on this basis, with Labour out of govt for first time since devolution.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

In the 90s I got the ferry from Mull to Iona with some friends Stayed inside as I was feeling delicate from the night before and didn’t realise it had docked until I was on my way back to Fionnphort sans friends The next ferry wasn’t for around 4 hours so I ended up propping up the bar on my own

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

There should have been a far bigger pushback at the time on the appalling treatment of Begum. It was always likely to be the thin edge of the wedge…and here we are.

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Mike McAndrew @mikemca.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

I’m afraid it’s quite likely the Ibrox diaspora across Scotland will herd to Reform. They aren’t close to the majority but they’ll do better than people think.

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