Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 30/09/2026The Julienne calendar: a dessert made of thinly-sliced dates. 000
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 20/09/2026This Black Mirror episode is an allegory of AI in the workplace: shortly after you come to rely on it, the price will ↑↑ and the experience will ↓↓. It happened to AirBnB & Uber, and it's why you should NEVER build a workflow on something that's still burning VC. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_...en.wikipedia.orgCommon People (Black Mirror) - Wikipedia 0103
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Had to send individual emails to most colleagues during the closing days of the annual leave window. My replies right now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A84...youtube.comThe Group Chat When I Ask Who's Available To PlayYouTube video by Icesy 000
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonDrRelling @drrelling.dev · 08/09/2026That's a common mistake: Withnail and I is actually the first one, followed by Withnail and II, Withnail and III, and Withnail and IV 5193
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonViCEPHEC Conference @vicephec.bsky.social · 03/09/2026#ViCEPHEC27 will be in Belfast. To get email updates, fill in this form: forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/respon...forms.cloud.microsoftMicrosoft Forms 043
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonTim Hathway @timdarklighter.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Shameless plug for a cool puzzle game that uses the same critical thinking skills as structural analysis from NMR spectroscopy. (Try the ten tutorial puzzles before attempting the daily puzzle). www.multiplet.appmultiplet.appMultiplet — Daily NMR Spectrum PuzzleA daily puzzle game inspired by chemistry and NMR spectroscopy. Build a structure whose spectrum matches today's target. 12312
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Unfortunately, some of our new students are younger than the original Alan/Steve chipmunk sketch, so I will once again be instantly aging to dust and blowing away on the wind. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaPe...youtube.comFunny talking animals: Alan!.. Alan!.. Steve! | Walk on the Wild Side - BBCYouTube video by BBC 000
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Every single start of year, the urge is incredibly strong to give our students a strong Glasgow "Weclome" to Welcome Week but that sketch is now significantly older than they are. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5e1...youtube.comThe giant Still Game Weclome mat - the full storyYouTube video by BBC Scotland 000
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonDan Willingham @dtwuva.bsky.social · 20/08/2026New Substack: : Students should only use AI for things that they already know how to do well. dtwuva.substack.com/p/students-s...dtwuva.substack.comStudents should only use AI for things they already know how to do well.AI guardrails should protect important mental work 33812
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Are you a Visual, Auditory, or Kinesthetic learner and how has it influenced your own lecturing? 110
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 25/07/2026They're only manila when they'e from the Philippines, otherwise they're just sparkling envelopes. 110
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Yes, I (definitely not a hypocrite) wrote an entire paper about how important it is to make sure chemistry pre-lab videos are perfect because they only get updated once a decade, then knowingly filmed a concentrated acid handling sequence with a fuzzy camera lens. 010
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 17/06/2026Saddened to see the “anyone but England” attitude of some of my fellow Scots today. Some of the stuff I've seen nearly made me choke on my Ćevapi 110
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 19/05/2026Quick question: Is it "for fucks sake" or "for fuck sake" ? It's for a quote for a petition so has to sound professional. 200
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 01/05/2026We did another open-access thing, this time hopefully useful for schools! Paracetamol titration, and how to Not Buy The Expensive Cerium Bit You Normally Need. pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...pubs.acs.orgCost-Effective Titration Analysis of Paracetamol for SchoolsSynthesis/analysis of paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a common school or introductory synthesis project, but even the simplest known quantitative analysis (hydrolysis, followed by titration with cerium... 010
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 29/04/2026It's truly an Aprilmas miracle - this time, the ACS allowed an "outwith" to slip through the editorial process unchallenged! Attached is a screenshot of a word without a line through it, a totally normal thing to do. 110
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 13/03/2026Top tip, don't create a CHEMISTRY outreach activity where you have to solder a hundred and fifty of something. #SpectroscopyInAnEnvelope 120
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonAl Kennedy @alkennedy.bsky.social · 03/03/2026Greg: I put it to you, Pandora, that your approach to the task of literally just holding a closed box is basically that of - and I've written it down - "a baffled old grandma who can't remember where the top of the stairs is" Pandora: I did it though! Alex: We do have one more bit of footage 112922
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 18/02/2026Excellent trip up to Dingwall Academy with @sci-drscott.bsky.social to run some Science CLPL, and deliver the first round of Spectroscopy In An Envelope instruments! 011
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonJamie McKelvie @mckelvie.bsky.social · 13/02/2026The talk to your friends app and the witness the horrors app being the same app is not great for the mental health is it 983022402
Reposted by Patrick Thomsonjhuftonjr.bsky.social @jhuftonjr.bsky.social · 16/01/2026Robert Jenrick complaining that the country is broken is like Fred West complaining that his patio is uneven. 9387113
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 05/01/2026We did a thing! A depressingly-necessary message. Chemists, do as much as you can to support teachers and schools, or the student pipeline dries up and departments close. With @sci-drscott.bsky.social and colleagues. doi.org/10.1038/s415...doi.orgStrengthening school–university collaborations - Nature Reviews ChemistryChemistry is an experimental science that for many learners only comes alive in the laboratory. But specialized equipment is increasingly out of reach of school budgets. Strengthening school–universit... 154
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonStephen Collins @stephencollins.bsky.social · 31/12/2025One year since I posted this. One year since everybody treated it like a joke. One year of watching my back. Tell me: have you seen much of Harry Styles this past year? Tim Davie's gone a bit quiet too, hasn't he? 629589
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonJay Hulme @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social · 29/12/2025Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up. I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them. 420288827298
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonPaul Haine @paulhaine.bsky.social · 22/04/2024Watching THE GREEN KNIGHT again 1637091446
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 24/12/2025They missed a trick not calling a rival parcel service "Prometheus" with the slogan "We'll make sure your de-livering happens every day!" 000
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 24/12/2025Merry Christmas one and all! As always, here's Picard letting it snow and making it so. youtu.be/oiSn2JuDQSc?...youtu.beCaptain Picard sings "Let it Snow!"YouTube video by James Covenant 011
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonScott Bagley @bagphos.bsky.social · 09/12/2025Starting tomorrow- join us for the ultimate organic reaction bracket #ReactionRunoff hosted by the ACS Organic Division @organicdivision.org Round 1 from Dec 10-11 and new rounds every 2 days #ChemSky #ChemChat #AmplifyOrganicorganicdivision.org2025 Organic Reaction Championship - ACS Division of Organic Chemistry 31912
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonRoyal Society of Chemistry @rsc.org · 28/11/2025Explore our case studies on making chemistry workspaces more accessible for disabled scientists. As part of our Disability-Inclusive Laboratories in the Chemical Sciences report, the library offers 29 examples to inspire change. Read the case studies & share your own: rsc.li/486SU67 #ChemSky 0156
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonDr Stephen Hendry @drstephenhendry.bsky.social · 26/11/2025Chemistry should work for everyone. However too many chemists still face avoidable physical & cultural barriers every day The @rsc.org NEW report shares lived experiences & solutions for accessible labs #ChemSky Let’s build science for everyone #InclusiveLabsRSC Read the report rsc.li/4ijV3yN 0156
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 24/11/2025I know it's my fault for not maintaining separation of accounts, but half the time I play D&D as "Dr Patrick Thomson, Strathclyde (he/his)" and half the time I'm in work meetings as "Grognog Bloodpuncher" and honestly it works better both ways. 010
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonJoshua Bull @joshuabull.bsky.social · 21/11/2025They're also responsible for one of the best emails I've ever received, when the college office sent out a plea for sightings of Professor Biscuit while conveniently forgetting to mention that he was a cat...(I won't comment on how often a similar email might have gone out about human Professors...) 11842221
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 13/11/2025I am delighted and surprised, or as surprised as you can be when you remember putting in the paperwork! 370
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 03/11/2025"Not impacting the student experience" my arse. The IAD, like any Academic Development, compounds investment in the student experience by making researchers marginally less shit at teaching. They're also how I ended up in my current career. thetab.com/2025/10/31/e...thetab.comExcl: Edinburgh University begins compulsory layoffs with department set to be axedSeven staff in the Instute for Academic Development are set to lose their jobs when the department closes 100
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 23/10/2025Oh GREAT, the one transformation that our introductory organic teaching says we can't easily do in one step. 010
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonWe're just normal men @wejustinnocentmen.bsky.social · 20/10/2025We’re just innocent men 131957655
Reposted by Patrick Thomsonpixelatedboat aka “mr bluesky” @pixelatedboat.bsky.social · 01/10/2025Rest in peace to Jane Goodall, whose tireless advocacy for primates has brought us closer than ever to the Planet of the Apes becoming a terrifying reality 281623159
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonMarsh Davies @marshdavies.bsky.social · 19/09/2025Heartfelt thanks to the Scottish parliament for keeping its political disasters on a level I can actually tolerate. 191
Reposted by Patrick ThomsonColin Murray @colinmurray.bsky.social · 19/09/2025Right. My students working two part time jobs and/or having an hour and a half commute to uni because they have to live at home due to the cost of student accommodation lack drive and vigour. Sure thing, Peter. The UK Govt still haven't a clue about the realities of universities today. 59887260
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 19/09/2025Me, begrudgingly dressing for academic processions: www.instagram.com/reel/DNwz2nH...instagram.comLogin • InstagramWelcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world. 000
Reposted by Patrick Thomsonpixelatedboat aka “mr bluesky” @pixelatedboat.bsky.social · 15/09/2025Congratulations to all the shows that won Emmys, they sound cool, I’ll definitely check them out when I’m done watching 500 episodes of Antiques Roadshow 532035146
Patrick Thomson @patrickthomson.bsky.social · 08/09/2025Yes! I've been saying this for years, AI can at best be an accelerator for expertise; using it without any is utter folly. Teach it critically, to graduates. 020