Reposted by OllyPatrick Chovanec @prchovanec.bsky.social · 10/10/2026The central issue of our times is that the President of the United States is certifiably insane. Nothing else really comes close. 619845
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 09/10/2026That said, it isn't so much as sowing the seeds of destruction as planting the entire garden 000
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Though bizarrely some in education don't recognise this - I've had 'training' where someone has stood and said 'the days of students writing essays might be over' (from an obsolescence pov, not cheating!) 1270
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Said exactly this the other day - 'I'm not doing this to learn more about the Poor Law Amendment Act' 2410
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 20/09/2026This is so unbelievably true. That thing he did on R4 was utterly unlistenable. Either chatted complete guff or just recycled already well known stuff with an added layer of pomposity. 012
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Essentially - the enforced 'slowdown' becomes the thing that means AI isn't doing all the wonderful things it was meant to do (which remain perpetually just around the corner) - but do keep investing in our companies because as soon as that's sorted we'll unleash it properly. 001
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Whilst I don't doubt there are safety implications and risks, I'm sceptical of all these CEOs suddenly coming out saying 'we need to slow down'. Can't help but think 'safety risks' sounds a lot better than 'we can't keep burning capital at this rate without making good on our outlandish promises'. 100
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Hearing rumours that he might be about to deploy Lucien Mettomo and Sun Jihai to shut up shop even more fully 000
Reposted by OllyCharles Fourier @charlesfourier.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Bill Bryson’s words seem appropriate to post right now 5145171509
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 18/07/2026I've spent this morning battling Dan at Laser Quest (dad perks) but despite that bad blood, I urge you all to listen to Lucy and his' latest brilliant podcast! 010
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 15/07/2026I've watched multiple seasons of Brian Horton and Keith Alexander game management and I'd take Brian over that any day. Probably Keith too. 120
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 12/07/2026The holiday flight I accidentally booked to perfectly coincide with the WC Final looking like a dodgier investment by the day 000
Reposted by OllyWill Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 07/07/2026It will be difficult for Farage to play the anti-establishment card against a bin. 1848179
Reposted by OllyRodger Sherman @rodger.bsky.social · 02/07/2026Getting the boys together for this Austria-Spain matchup 401967339
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 02/07/2026You can't slide tackle late in the box, miss the ball, wipe out the guy and expect not to concede a penalty. It's a free kick anywhere else on the pitch without a moment's hesitation. 110
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 12/05/2026Is it an armoured train put on by the Kaiser? If not, then I'm afraid he just hasn't met the moment 000
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 03/05/2026It may surprise you to learn that 'choosing a pair of trousers' makes its way into a UK A Level exam board's guidance for 'applying criteria' in support of historical arguments. Speaks quite neatly to your point about such choices being highly contextual (as are historical judgements!) 010
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 17/04/2026And I don't have a well developed mental model for how to lead a mid ranking semi-European power in an era where your superpower ally is led by a borderline lunatic surrounded by extremists (hence my survival bias, probably) 140
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 17/04/2026I posit this without overwhelming confidence, I have to say. I still think, on balance, there is more competence in this government than the last one (even though I'm a bit squeamish about them education-wise) but that isn't a huge vote of confidence by any means. 100
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 17/04/2026Essentially - he could eat all the sewage and then someone might emerge to win the next election a la Carney (and KS would've done a valuable job in that scenario). Or we're all doomed anyway so 🤷♂️ 120
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 17/04/2026He's basically a screensaver (not even particularly negatively). I hope he survives because at the minute everything's bollocks and he's relatively decent internationally - I think the logical time for a new leader is year before the next election, especially assuming Trump combusts in '28. 130
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 06/04/2026Currently getting plenty of good evidence that the 'adults in the room' did have some kind of positive effect last time round, though admittedly suboptimal that we're only receiving that confirmation from their replacement by fully paid up fascists and cranks on this occasion. 000
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 30/03/2026Consistently make this point to my students - if we do end up in a world where most people have subcontracted out their ability to know and think, those who retain the capacity will be more in-demand, not less. 010
Reposted by OllyDuncan Weldon @duncanweldon.bsky.social · 28/03/2026www.ft.com/content/4f09... Genuinely hard to overstate how much of a strategic defeat it would be for the United States if the war ends with effective Iranian control of the Strait. 473233881
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 27/03/2026A phrase that is all too applicable in many areas currently! 110
Reposted by OllyThe Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 19/03/2026There is no surer political principle than Hubris will tend to be visited by Nemesis. 1013217
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 13/03/2026This is so true about so many things - I feel it professionally as a history teacher. Always knew Whig history was bullshit but goodness me. 010
Reposted by OllyMusa Okwonga @okwonga.bsky.social · 08/03/2026A lot of these warmongers live either outside the U.K. or inside the UK in gated communities that you could barely find on Google Maps. Quite a few of them will have stocks in defence companies. So they’re just sitting at home safe and increasingly richer, smugly smiling as human beings burn alive. 717050
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 07/03/2026This is exactly what I've been arguing - AI cannot possibly 'do' history in any meaningful sense because history is fundamentally a human endeavour. Without being able to understand and question the basis of interpretations the discipline collapses (or becomes something else entirely) 000
Reposted by OllyCarl Hendrick @carlhendrick.substack.com · 06/03/2026Reading comprehension is not a skill. It’s an outcome of what you know. Strategies plateau. Knowledge compounds. lnkd.in/e-P9uNE2 02216
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 14/02/2026I remember a university class where Ian Kershaw argued the reason Britain had never had a radical right wing party was the existence of the Conservatives (and that is something that has worried me a lot in the last 5 years, despite my dislike for the Tories). 020
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 23/01/2026I for one would simply legislate that everything should be fine 010
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 20/01/2026Could really do with Trump just, like, falling over or something - sounds daft but it'd cut through in a way that his bizarre words just don't seem to any more 000
Reposted by OllyMichael J. Steudeman @msteudeman.bsky.social · 27/12/2025Universities embracing generative AI be like: 4746219
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 20/12/2025www.northernsoul.me.uk/doves-sheffi...northernsoul.me.ukTime to stare at the skies in wonder: Doves, Sheffield OctagonTime to stare at the skies in wonder: Amy Stones sees Doves at Sheffield Octagon 000
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 09/12/2025Fond memories of the commentator on Jonah Lomu rugby shouting 'AND THAT'S A HUGE GARRYOWEN!' seventeen times a match 010
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 06/11/2025I have never seen a photo that looks more like a @coldwarsteve.bsky.social - is Cilla peeping out from behind the curtains? 000
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 18/10/2025Getting rid of Nuno to institute a more exciting style of football and six weeks later ending up with Dyche is absolutely peak football ownership 👌 000
Reposted by OllyPeter Chilvers @peterchilvers.com · 16/10/2025The BBC are accidentally running the subtitles to Mrs Marple over the Mercury Prize, and it’s rather wonderful. A few of lines could plausibly have been written by Jarvis. 5027331025
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 11/10/2025I think sometimes a lot of this is how we talk about it. It's great to be 'Aiming for 7-9' or whatnot but we should be emphasising that those numbers are never an indicator of a person's worth. Done clumsily it can actually have deleterious consequences for those doing well, too! 020
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 11/10/2025I think exams are necessary, am broadly supportive of 'high standards', 'knowledge rich' etc etc - I want him to learn as much as possible, but don't want the stuffing knocked out of him by feeling rubbish about potential grades. 110
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 11/10/2025Going through this somewhat with my lad in primary school who struggles quite a lot with the academic work (particularly maths). I'm incredibly grateful that he perseveres, enjoys the environment & attends well. Am hoping that can continue as he moves up & in turn will maximise learning. 100
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 04/10/2025Good luck in resisting this stuff mate, the rest of the civilised world is really counting on you guys 0120
Olly @oshald87.bsky.social · 21/09/2025As a teacher, surprising how often you hear this in schools (currently re AI, previously Google, probably about Encarta 95 before that...) I argue to my students that the reverse is more likely - people with substantive knowledge will be more valued as others subcontract out their ability to think. 020