iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 23h

If you see this we IMPLORE you to post a picture from whatever device you’re using without an explanation.

Some geese, wandering on the grassless shore of a lake. In the foreground, a hand gesture is being made by a person.

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Today was another good day for a walk or two around the nearby park, with pleasant wildlife including swans, ducks, geese and smaller avian friends. And squirrels. So many squirrels.

A lake in a park, with trees on the other side. The sky is blue, and the trees are in full leaf.

170

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Having a wander around the bits of Hereford cathedral which are open. I know I'll be tempted to open the case between now and when I leave, in a similar manner to a "No trespassing" sign at the edge of a wood.

A sign saying "Please do not open this case".

0150

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

In Hereford Cathedral, which is heaving. The nave is closed off for a few hours for an event, so the Saturday tourists are piling in the open bits. Thankfully there's enough nooks and crannies to get respite from the masses.

060

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Going to a slightly delayed (but in my favour) Alban Elfed (Druidic autumn equinox shenanigans). It's been a while - too long, and I've gradually disconnected from some of the things fundamental to me. My kit for this evening:

A metal water bottle, opened box of 6 mince pies, hardback notebook and pen, etched slate pendant on a piece of string, and a Japanese love card, all on floorboards.

1110

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I know I shouldn't, as I'm due in the dentist's chair in less than 30 minutes BUT THIS blueberry crumble cheesecake was DEMANDING to be eaten. DEMANDING.

An isometric view of a miniature cheesecake on a plate.

An overhead view of a miniature cheesecake on a plate.

0170

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Sunday dentist was so busy I have decamped to a nearby hipster coffee place for an hour, earlier if they call. It's either that, or sit in their waiting room and listen to the muffled but unmistakable drilling ... and other, human ... noises. My latte has arrived.

Overhead view of a latte, with a pattern in the froth.

290

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

In the Jewellery Quarter; the air is thick with the ghosts of my ancestors. Processing a meeting/interview where a few were mentioned. There's a tiny market outside the Big Peg. As usual, the gusts are threatening to blow a few of the stands of artisanal goods away. The cheese tempts. Always.

180

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

One of the more delicious birthday presents so far was the white chocolate and speculoos doughnut from a major cheap food supermarket chain. Happy with that.

180

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

2026 Christmas review #4: Sainsbury's 6 Mince Pies Cost: £1.25 Best before: 17 November Professional appearance; bit crumbly. Pleasant, balanced filling, though lacking slightly in quantity. Not over-sweet. Microwaved well. Acceptable for tier 2, maybe tier 1, guests. Score: 7/10 #Food #FoodSky

A mince pie on a plate, cut open to reveal the inside.

080

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

A local kink network held their annual big event (350 or so attendees) this weekend, with workshops and various other activities. I know a few of the crew; some of the badges available to those attendees, pictured. Apparently the NO AI one was the most popular.

Seven badges, placed on a wooden floorboard.

1. "I'll go with you" in the centre bar of Trans colours, a reference to the contradictory legal situation over toilets.

2. "Probably needs supervision".

3. I <3 consent.

4. What could be a paddle or some other implement, with a heart carved into it, in the middle of text reading "Would you like to repeat that?"

5. AI, in capital letters, with a red bar through it as a traffic "NO" type sign.

6. Three tick box options: D-type, S-type, Yes-type.

7. Two tick box options, both ticked: Brat-Tamer (crossed out), TWAT.

090

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Attaching time-dependent probabilities to the multi-layer risks of AI is near-impossible (saw a model yesterday with such large "doubt" as to be meaningless). We might well be fine, this might well be our last Christmas in the world as we know it. Rolling loaded dice. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A screenshot of some text which reads:

The hardest question to answer, according to Coxon, was what an AI apocalypse would look like.

One of the risks outlined in Amodei's comments was of a swarm of bots acting like a supercomputer that could take over the internet.

Coxon said this scenario could be realistic in six months to a year.

120

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Because reasons, am rewatching Stockholm Requiem (or STHLM REQUIEM or Sthlm Rekviem) and hugely enjoying. Wishing for more than 10 episodes. Elements of interest: - the meta-retrospective in the taxi - the light on, and the curves in, and the water around, Stockholm - the strong backing cast

Three people, dressed in dark clothing, facing the camera in an outdoor picture.

220

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

2026 Christmas review #3: Lidl (Favorina) 6 Mince Pies Cost: £1.49 (hmmm) Best before: 6 November Poor appearance. Slight lack of filling. Microwaved and tasted okay. Disappointing, compared to 2025 Lidl mince pies; serve to tier 3 guests and disliked relatives. My score: 5/10 Goth score: 5.5/10

A mince pie on a satanic food chopping board, in the middle of a pentagram.

A mince pie, cut open, on a purple plate.

041

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

2026 Christmas review #2: Tesco 6 Merry Mince Pies Cost: £1.25 Best before: 19th Oct Basic mince pie. Uneven appearance but structurally sound. Juicy filling. Microwaved very well. A little too much sugar overall. Good value; serve to tier 2 guests. My score: 6/10 Goth score: 8/10 #Food #FoodSky

A box of 6 Merry Mince Pies, from a supermarket.

A standard tray of 6 mince pies. The top right one is missing, as hurriedly eaten by the person writing this.

An isometric view of a mince pie on a purple plate.

A mince pie on a plate, cut into two and showing the filling.

380

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

First Halloween stuff seen in the local shops (next to Christmas display). Check.

An old painting of people begging Jesus. The text reads "I already told you I am not turning your water into pumpkin spice latte".

190

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

3/3 However. While in the Tesco Express (petrol station) and checking out their chocolate tubs, the music system unexpectedly put on 'Last Christmas'. As I'm playing the extended version of #Whamageddon, this means I am unfortunately in Whamhalla. 2nd September.

Several small stacks of tubs of chocolates.

Wham, and a third person, in the classic picture used in the marketing of the song Last Christmas. George Michael is looking at the camera.

190

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

2/3 The Co-operative had nothing but were clearing a large aisle area, possibly for festive foods (or Halloween, or both). The M&S - garage, not food hall - had a few variations on mince pies, though at those prices perhaps not. Aware that the larger food halls have more variety. Aldi had nothing.

A box of upmarket mince pies, with the text "Brown butter pastry filled with VS cognac infused Calabrian orange peel, vine fruit and cranberry mincemeat."

240

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

1/3 Now we're properly into the Christmas Food Season (the ...ber months), checked out a few of the smaller supermarket branches this morning. Mixed results. Small Sainsbury's had a lot of festive foods out, though only one type (all butter) of mince pie. Small Tesco only had the chocolate tubs.

A supermarket display of Christmas or Festive season chocolate and sugar-laden food products.

A display of Christmas-packaged Maltesers and M&Ms.

370

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Dear Sainsbury's. About the boxes of 6 All Butter Mince Pies in your Christmas display: 1) in which universe were these originally £3.50 before the price "reduction"? 2) yes these are sealed boxes, but what are you putting in the ingredients so your mince pies are still fine to eat in January?

A price ticket for boxes of mince pies, showing a reduction from an alleged previous price of £3.50 to £1.75.

The Best Before panel on the end of a box of mince pies, giving a date of 09 JAN 27

171

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Through the drawing room window it's good to see the moon and watch the red eye planes, glinting in early morning sunshine, heading towards airports in England and Europe.

Part of a window, with a curtain and glass bauble. Beyond, a clear blue sky and the moon.

191

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Four items I take with me on journeys.

A hardback notebook (bought in Stockholm in December 2019) and three pens. The notebook has a Covid vaccination sticker on the front.

A rough pendant made of Welsh slate, with the etching of a tree. A cord attached to the pendant means it can be worn around the neck, for example at ritual.

A pencil case, with the design in the style of the old fashioned Oxford school instruments kit.

The front of an enmusubi card, showing two cat-like figures opposite each other and facing forward. There is some Japanese text on the card.

290

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

2026 Christmas mince pie review #1: Mr Kipling 6 Deep Filled Mince Pies Bought: Tesco Best before: 4th Oct "Deep Filled" is a lie. Dense, cloying top; sad amount of filling. Structural integrity poor; microwaved badly. Odd aftertaste. A terrible start to the season. Avoid. 2/10 #Food #FoodSky

An overhead view of a mince pie, with a snowflake pastry pattern, on a purple plate.

A box of 6 allegedly deep filled mince pies, on a wooden surface.

An isometric view of a mince pie on a plate.

The inside of a mince pie, sliced in two.

6262

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Empathising. At the 2024 Pershore Plum Festival, I had to go past many stalls and displays (some of zero relevance to fruit or agriculture) before finding one which sold ... plums. A more accurate event name is "Pershore Random Stands And Displays And A Few Plums Festival".

Several plastic punnets of plums on a stall display.

110

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Bodie. With the caveat that he killed Wallace early on, Bodie should have made it through; he had integrity and a soul (lacking in Marlo and Chris), hungered to learn, and knew the scene. But he didn't, because it's The Wire and no fairytales. The major arc of the show is really Bodie's story.

J. D. Williams as Preston "Bodie" Broadus in The Wire.

0190

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

11/ and most people don't see all the work - being done to protect them - and it can put a target on your back and cause short and long professional, and sometimes personal, problems. But it's essential work, so people don't have dire wages, extremely long hours, and the worst work abuses. /end

A 1980s school report book for an individual pupil, for a pupil in a secondary school.

030

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

1/ Looking at my school report and remembered Computer Studies, for which I got a (slightly disappointing) grade B at O Level. And was both self-taught (ZX81 -> 48K Spectrum), and taught well by Ms Chapman. But I was nearly barred from taking it, which sticks in the mind... My year 4 assessment:

A small section from a school report, showing I was awarded a B+ with a score of 73%, and 3rd in a class of 19, for Computer Studies. In addition, some positive comments.

160

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Best Star Trek crew, wrong answers only.

The four main characters from the US TV comedy Seinfeld, sitting at a restaurant or cafe table.

3220

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Looking at a few (not great) old pictures I took of Stockholm metro stations and remembering a side quest to visit each one worth visiting and look at the art. May do a little more one week this autumn, though it may also be time to (re)invest in a decent camera.

Näckrosen metro station in Stockholm, Sweden.

Artwork of people on the wall in a station on the Stockholm metro.

Solna Centrum metro station in Stockholm, Sweden.

T-centralen metro station in Stockholm, Sweden.

1130

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

First Christmas pudding of the season, cooked and consumed. 6/10. Had much better, but acceptable. Heavy on the sultanas. Cider taste is noticeable; the rum is not. Quite sticky. B&M, £2, 400g, 'Christmas Pudding with Sultanas, Cider and Rum'. Bought today (23 Aug 2026), best before end Jan 2028.

Two bowls of Christmas pudding, each with single cream, on a kitchen work surface.

3150

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

1/ Like it or not, the Christmas food season has begun. The local B&M has a full display of various festive and Yule biscuits, chocolates, puddings and other foods and drinks. And, of course, advent calendars.

A display of Christmas-themed chocolates.

291

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Birmingham New Street train station (or Grand Central, or whatever). Okay, the platforms are still underground hellholes, but the ground level is expansive, almost modern continental European in architecture, and a hundred times better than the old and grubby rabbit hutch station.

The ceiling of a large railway station, and the main concourse.

1201

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

First train done. Slightly annoyed I somehow forgot the "rule of Greggs" at Birmingham New Street before I ordered a latte. The rule being not to use this branch but the one two minutes walk away at the top of New Street as it is substantially cheaper.

The inside of a large Greggs bakery outlet.

2100

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

1/ Going through the various school, college and university certificates retrospectively obtained since April 2023. Feels I've finally taken this useful side project as far as I can. I guess I should "thank" the Swedish university course application system for kickstarting it, with their...

160

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Post you from a different era in your life 4th WWW Conference, Boston, 1995. l-r: me in bad waistcoat (UKOLN, Bath), Traugott Koch (Lund University, Sweden), Debra Hiom (ILRT, Bristol). From the trip report: ariadne.ac.uk/issue/1/bost...

040

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The local branch of B&M were starting to put out their Christmas food display this morning. It's time(?) #FoodSky #Yule #Seasonal #Festive

Several different Christmas themed food products, on two shelves of a store.

Several gingerbread house food products, on a shop shelf.

Milk chocolate flavour tree decorations, on a shop shelf.

Festive chocolate flavour lollipops, on a shop shelf.

0100

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Hmmm. Do I need an attractively priced 1kg/50 slice pack of Gouda? Dilemma in Lidl.

A large pack of sliced cheese, at a reduced price, being held in a hand.

15531

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Reading an old MetaFilter AskMe question about whether cats fart or not, and the answers are in the definitive.

Some text, white on an olive background, which reads:

"Oh, man, do cats ever fart. My brother brought his kittens home for Christmas, and the appropriately named Fiona Fartsalot Moore let loose silent but violent blasts of gastric malcontent like there was no tomorrow. We had to lock her in the basement during meals."

Posted by solipsophistocracy at 5:01 PM on January 15, 2009. The comment has 6 favourites.

2141

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Droplets of water, from the overnight rain, on various plants and vines around the garden.

The leaves of a grape vine. On the leaves are drops of rain water.

The red petals of a plant, on which are drops of water.

Long green fronds of a plant, on which are drops of water.

The green leaves of a plant, on which are a few drops of rainwater.

0150

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

8/ With other things going on, some related and some not, things are a lot at this inflexion point in time and humanity. Yet again I reach for the social media highpoint meme (below). I'm very glad of my best friends, core team, networks, and the aforementioned cute attaché. These are times.

A screenshot of a tweet from the account @Horse_ebooks, which reads "Everything happens so much".

151

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

5/ Getting stuck in New Street station as the (fragile) rail network in the region ground to a halt and nothing came in and out. Along with hundreds of other suddenly ex-travellers, bailing to find other routes or boltholes to stay over, and in my case getting a lift back to base.

A departure board at a train station, showing all the trains delayed.

110

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

University of Birmingham, England. Students, staff, passers by, others, congregating with glasses, pinhole cameras, cardboard, paper and other materials to see or capture the eclipse in some form.

Students and staff milling around a university campus as a solar eclipse progresses.

0130

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Grateful for well-designed university buildings, and the quietness of a campus in summer, during a heatwave. Also iced latte.

A table, on which are notebooks, a pen, glasses, and an iced latte. The table is inside a large, modern, university building.

0160

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Hunkered (bunkered?) down in the university library for another day of reading around the Planetary Boundaries framework, ironically while air con keeps me in a tiny holocene bubble as the latest heatwave builds outside. Colleague: Another reading day?! How much is there to read about it? Me:

A screenshot of a Google Scholar search on "Planetary Boundaries". The search is set to show only results from 2025 onwards, and only review articles. Even with those restrictive settings there are 1,990 results.

160

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Brief check of email, and my dentist and I seem to have a difference of opinion over what is 'exciting'.

A screenshot of the text "Exciting News - September is Dental Implant Month!"

0100

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Posting without context. You can conjure up a scenario you think this is from.

A screenshot of an individual text message from an online app. The message reads "How deep is your honk?"

580

Silversprite @silversprite.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Waiting for Lamb. (like Waiting for Godot, except the main course did turn up and it was delicious) With @waspsummer.bsky.social

A beautiful lady sits at the other side of a restaurant table, in anticipation. On the table are two tumblers of water from an open bottle, two empty main course plates, some halloumi, pitta breads and hummus.

0110