iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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HWU Physics @hwuphysics.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Congratulations to the @heriotwattuni.bsky.social Physics graduating class of 2026! Our staff wish you all the best for the future, and please keep in touch!

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Binfire Era @binfire.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Happy Miss Congeniality Day to all who celebrate!

Screenshots from Miss Congeniality. Subtitles read "Describe your perfect date.

That's a tough one. I'd have to say April 25th. Because it's not too hot and not too cold. All you need is a light jacket."

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Lum @brokentoys.social · 13/04/2026

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Eize Basa @eizebasa.baby · 05/04/2026

“I will NOT sacrifice the Oxford comma. We've made too many compromises already; too many retreats. They assimilate the em dash and we fall back. They capture ‘not just X but y’ and we fall back. Not again. The line must be drawn here! This far, no further!”

I know the tweet is Al generated when they use " ," before and.

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Ryan Nanni @celebrityhottub.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

"Open the Strait of Hormuz. You may not receive the help of any other sovereign nation. Fastest wins."

Fern Brady wearing a camera helmet on Taskmaster and opening the task, which has a red wax seal, and reading the contents. She has a purple set of coveralls on as well, which is just fun.

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Plashing Vole @plashingvole.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

This appalling fat cat wants to shut the door on all my mature students, many of whom left school after GCSE and give up a lot to go to university. I can tell him that they’re the hungriest for education and far from being unable to graduate, they regularly get the highest grades. Hateful man.

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Jordan aka Jirdan @slclunk.com · 28/02/2026

I think about this Tony Benn speech much more than I used to

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Aparna Nair @disabilitystor1.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

what even is the fucking point

How can Einstein do all this?
Einstein has his own virtual computer with a browser, just like you do. He can navigate websites, watch videos, read documents, type in text fields, click buttons, and submit forms. Anything you can do on a computer, Einstein can do.

How does Einstein access my Canvas?
You link your Canvas account once during setup. Einstein uses your credentials to log in, view assignments, and submit work on your behalf.

Will my professor know?
Einstein submits assignments from your account just like you would. The work is original and generated per-assignment — not copied from a database.

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HWU Physics @hwuphysics.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

The application deadline of 30th January 2026 for the CDT in Applied Quantum Technologies is fast approaching. We have up to 18 fully-funded PhD places across our three themes of Quantum Measurement and Sensing, Quantum Computing and Simulation and Quantum Communications. Apply Now at aqt.ac.uk

aqt.ac.uk

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Prof Rachel Oliver @profrachelgan.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Following coverage over the weekend of Sir Paul Nurse's comments that suggested that the only reason that a Fellow should be expelled from @royalsociety.org is scientific misconduct, I have written to him to explain the risks such an attitude poses of increasing sexual harassment in STEM.

Dear Sir Paul,

Re: Royal Society Code of Conduct

I am sure that many scientists have written to you about the specific question of Elon Musk’s Fellowship and whether, under the Royal Society’s Code of Conduct, his retaining that Fellowship is appropriate. I will not rehash these issues. Instead, as a female scientist with extensive experience of activities aiming to increase equality, diversity and inclusion in the engineering and physical sciences sector, I am writing to you (in a personal capacity) to ask you to reconsider the statements you have recently made in this context to the UK press about the Royal Society’s Code of Conduct and how it is applied.

A 2018 report from the joint National Academies of the United States of America, concluded that “sexual harassment is common in academic science, engineering, and medicine” and that “greater than 50 percent of women faculty and staff and 20–50 percent of women students encounter or experience sexually harassing conduct in academia”. This report described codes of conduct that make clear that sexual harassment is unethical and will not be tolerated as a “powerful incentive for change”. The authors also noted that sexual harassment can have significant and damaging effects on the integrity of research. In my own praxis, I have found that clear and consistently-implemented codes of conduct that address these issues make female scientists and engineers safer, and allow them to focus more effectively on their research. For codes of conduct to have such a positive effect, it is vital that sanctions for actions which transgress the code are meaningful and substantial.

I was hence aghast to realise that in an interview with the Financial Times published on 9/1/26, you appear to have suggested that the Royal Society “should only expel fellows if their science proved “faulty or fraudulent or highly defective””. Moreover, in a further interview with the Guardian on 11/1/26 you suggested that the code “may need to be looked at again”, with the implication that your aim would be to remove the option of sanctions on Fellows for reasons not strictly related to faults or defects in their research.

I suggest that changing the Royal Society’s code of conduct so that the likelihood of serious sanctions for sexual harassment is reduced, would directly endanger women who interact with the Royal Society at events or otherwise, and would provide a licence to harass to the already powerful people on whom the Society bestows fellowship. The implications of your words - that under your leadership the only infringements of the code which are likely to receive the sanction of the Fellowship being removed are those related to research misconduct - already risk empowering harassers. You stated, in the Financial Times interview, that “there’s many bad people around, but they have made scientific advances”. Given this awareness of the possibility of bad actors in our scientific community, it is wholly irresponsible to suggest that the Royal Society would not act to sanction these people if they harass more vulnerable scientists.

I am hence writing to request that you retract any suggestion that the Society’s Code of Conduct should be changed so that the only reason a Fellow might be sanctioned by the removal of their Fellowship is “faulty or fraudulent or highly defective” research. This action is necessary to safeguard female scientists, a requirement placed on the Society by safeguarding legislation and UK statutory guidance.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Rachel A. Oliver.

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Laura McInerney @missmc.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’

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Richard McCracken @rmccrackenhwu.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Not sure if #icanhazPDF is still a thing, but does anyone have access to this conference paper doi.org/10.1117/12.2...?

doi.org

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Kris Straub (كريس) @krisstraub.com · 23/09/2025

been raptured for 90 mins now. lines are insane. VERY disorganized. scalpers by east entrance

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Richard McCracken @rmccrackenhwu.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

When playing video games, make sure to avoid mad turtles and mature weasels! Wonderful PSA from ESRB, @tychobrahe.bsky.social and @cwgabriel.bsky.social on this day in 2018 www.youtube.com/watch?v=fet8...

youtube.com

ESRB Conversations - Jerry & Ronia: Mad Turtle (30s)

YouTube video by ESRB

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Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · 24/07/2025

Columbia functionally returning to its original name King’s College

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Richard McCracken @rmccrackenhwu.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

What’s going on my “bosons” and, in some cases, my “fermions”?

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Heriot-Watt University @heriotwattuni.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

It is with great sadness that we share the news that our esteemed Chancellor and renowned humanitarian, Professor Emeritus Sir Geoff Palmer OBE, has died.  Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.   #HeriotWattUni

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Dr. Laci Brock 🪐 @stellerarts.com · 21/05/2025

LAST CHANCE to get a print of my balloon painting aka Scentifically Accurate Star. They disappear at midnight tonight ✨ stellerarts.com/pages/scient...

12x12” fine art print of a sun foil balloon with smiley face

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Richard McCracken @rmccrackenhwu.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

@tychobrahe.bsky.social I'm trying and failing to find a comic to share with my son - one where @cwgabriel.bsky.social doesn't put his real age in a form, he just scrolls down until he's old enough to access... whatever it is Can you help?!

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Richard McCracken @rmccrackenhwu.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

@ssnyder1835.bsky.social Just pre-ordered Absolute Batman Vol 1 from my friendly local comic book store, Little Shop of Heroes! If you’re ever in Scotland there are some folks here who would love to say hi!

Cover illustration of Absolute Batman Vol 1, showing a ripped Batman in his signature new outfit

Front of the Little Shop of Heroes comic book store in Dunfermline, Scotland. A sign on the window reads “leave reality at the door”.

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Rhianna Pratchett @rhi.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Happy birthday, Dad. Time to come back now, it’s all gone a bit rubbish without you. ❤️❤️❤️

Sir Terry Pratchett and his daughter, Rhianna, at the launch of Dodger.

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Tom Gauld @tomgauld.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

My latest @newscientist.com cartoon

Title:
SOME GRAMMATICAL VOICES FOR USE IN SCIENTIFIC WRITING

ACTIVE VOICE
e.g.
Our team collected samples and then we tested them.

CLICKBAIT VOICE
e.g.
We collected some samples...
You won't believe what happened next!

PASSIVE VOICE
e.g.
Samples were collected and tested.

HAIKU VOICE
e.g.
Quiet science lab.
Workers arrive with samples.
The testing begins.

PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE VOICE
e.g. We did all the collecting and testing.
No need to thank us.
Just doing our job.

CONSPIRACY VOICE
e.g.
Mysterious "Samples" were harvested and covertly "tested" by so-called scientists.

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Richard McCracken @rmccrackenhwu.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Searching through the Aero bars to find the one without bubbles and win £10,000 youtu.be/HWkwcB1Guf8?...

youtu.be

Gold Case | 30 Rock

YouTube video by 30 Rock Official

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pixelatedboat aka “mr bluesky” @pixelatedboat.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

They said my artisanal hand-carved semiconductor business would never be viable but who’s laughing now?

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Bantshire University @bantshireuni.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Following disappointing application numbers, the Vice-Chancellor has unveiled our new entry tariffs.

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Richard McCracken @rmccrackenhwu.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Great to hear that my PhD students Seb Robarts and Miguel Moran Coto have had talk accepted for CLEO Europe! Looking forward to visiting Munich once again in June :)

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Rob Sheridan @rob-sheridan.com · 23/02/2025

If you know any millennials who are having a baby, I offer the perfect gift. robsheridan.threadless.com/collections/... #bsnm

It is my son when he was a young baby, staring at the camera with a weirdly threatening expression that correctly acknowledges how much power he has over everyone else in the house. He's wearing a baby shirt I designed that says "YOU WOULDN'T DOWNLOAD A BABY," a reference to a now-ancient early-millennium meme about movie piracy. It's funny if you're approximately 40 years old.

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Richard McCracken @rmccrackenhwu.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Louise has a new nail varnish and so obviously I have to tag @sevenrasmussen.com because of the name

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Dave Itzkoff @ditzkoff.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Drake rn:

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LaT @latxcvi.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

“Per my last email.”

Kendrick Lamar performing during the halftime show for Super Bowl 59. He wears a blue and white leather jacket, black t-shirt, bootcut jeans, and white sneakers. He’s looking into the camera and smiling while saying “Say, Drake” during a performance of his Grammy-winning diss track, Not Like Us.

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Jody Houser ✒️🗯️🎲 @jodyhouser.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

I can't recall a single point in my life where I've been scared of a trans person. Unfortunately, I can think of many, many times that I've been scared FOR trans people.

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Kelsey Atherton @atherton.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

GEORGE LUCAS IN 1999: a trade embargo is going to spark the galactic reckoning and collapse ME IN 2025: ah, okay

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Charlotte Garden @charlottegarden.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

An embarrassment of riches

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Mike Royce @mikeroyce.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

thank you LAFD, today illustrates why a great man once said “nobody ever made a song called ‘fuck the fire department’”

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JRR Jokien (joshcarlosjosh) @www.jrrjokien.com · 08/01/2025

BREAKING: Saruman announces that the Gap of Rohan shall henceforth be referred to as the Gap of Isengard

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Richard McCracken @rmccrackenhwu.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Looking forward to meeting our first intake of students this September! Some exciting new courses delivered by true experts in the field.

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Richard McCracken @rmccrackenhwu.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Happy New Year! Looking forward to teaching some #astrophysics this semester, and adding some new #lego to my office collection 😀

A photo of the new Lego Leonardo da Vinci ornithopter

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