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Ms Chatelaine

@theelaineg.bsky.social
3.4K followers 1.1K following 2.9K posts

She/her: Writer, Greens councillor, trans person, cancer survivor, living with fibromyalgia My novella, Unexploded Remnants, is available wherever you can buy Tor.com books elainegallagherwriter.wordpress.com

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Reposted by Ms Chatelaine
Aliette de Bodard @aliettedebodard.com · 1h
So i understand that your hope was that signing this charter would encourage publishers to also sign up to it and promote a better environment for ai I disagree with your position that AI is inevitable but I'm going to try and give you the benefit of the doubt (1/?)
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KJ Charles @kjcharleswriter.com · 2h
Well, I wrote a lengthy email to Anna Ganley / @societyofauthors.bsky.social for what it's worth. tl;dr no I do not think you can decide for your entire membership what ethical use of GenAI in publishing looks like, or that it exists and is achievable.
You start by saying "We understand generative AI to be harmful to the creative industries, to individual writers’ livelihoods ... We are clear that there can never be any truly ethical use of generative AI because of the way LLMs have been trained on copyright works without permission or payment; the detrimental environmental impacts; and the harmful effect it has on disempowered communities". I absolutely agree. Where we part company is that your proposed Charter explicitly states that ethical AI use is possible. 

I understand that you regard this as realpolitik, a 'statement of intent', a framework for how things should be and what publishers should aspire to. I think it's jawdroppingly naive. 

Publishers who are using AI in the hope of cutting staff numbers and reducing spend on creatives already know they are putting people out of work. That's literally the point. 
Anyone who cares to read the news already knows about the harms AI is doing to the environment, to workers, to people near data centres, to democracy. If they are using it it's because they don't care. 
This offers the SoA ethical imprimatur to anyone who wants to claim it. Without checks, without safeguards, without qualification or inspections or consequences, you're proposing to let publishers slap a "We're Ethical!" badge on their website and call it a day. Talk about devaluing your brand. 

No publisher is going to read this Charter and think "Wow, I should find a way to retrain the four copy editors and six marketing people I'm going to sack!" or "Gosh, I'll invest in a proprietary model with a fully paid-for training set!" or "I was going to use AI to mimic an author's voice or artist's style, rather than pay them, but now I realise that's bad." Those things will not happen. You know they won't happen. This Charter simply offers those publishers a fig leaf for their GenAI use, whereby they can claim lofty aspirations and carry on as before. ("Where viable alternatives exist, we will favour services from developers who license their training data"-- come on. Anyone can sign this and then explain sadly that the alternatives just aren't viable.)

Again, I understand your aim is to set a high behaviour standard. But voluntary codes of practice depend on the majority of people involved being ethical in the first place. Since GenAI is, as you acknowledge, fundamentally unethical, it is naive in the extreme to expect its keen adopters to have a Damascene conversion.

They need to be forced, which means we need consequences. We need the SoA facilitating a 'name and shame' for publishers using GenAI's stolen work to replace creatives, or to push slop into the workflow (which puts an additional burden on authors who have to rewrite the slop copy and fix the slop edit). We need a strong united voice saying we don't accept this. We need our union pushing for a class action suit against the book thieves, and drawing a hard line that says we must be made whole before there's any talk of publishers ethically using LLMs. We need to give publishers a really hard time on this. I'm sure the last two days have made you aware that authors are capable of giving people a hard time. 

The very existence of this Charter constitutes authors' bodies agreeing that "ethical" GenAI use is possible and acceptable. This cedes an astonishing amount of ground, and it is unconscionable that the Society of Authors should have decided to capitulate to the interests of AI companies and publishers without even consulting its members. You cannot serve two masters. 

I remain convinced this is a gross misstep, and one you had no right to take in the names of your members, and as such my resignation stands.

Yours
KJ Charles
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Ms Chatelaine @theelaineg.bsky.social · 1h
Follow the thread on how ice and glaciers crack, to reach a Mythbusters video on building boats out of Pykrete - ice mixed with wood pulp, or in their case, a laminated newspaper speedboat
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Bex @bexg93.bsky.social · 15h
Are you going to stand up for the trans, non-binary and cis gnc people who will all be deeply harmed by this? @zackpolanski.bsky.social
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Bex @bexg93.bsky.social · 15h
This is what is inevitably going to happen. Its already happening. Trans people are already dehumanised and subjected to conversion therapy by default in the NHS. This level of dehumanisation in the emergency room? At your most vulnerable? This is going to have horrific, horrific consequences.
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TransActual @transactualuk.bsky.social · 15h
NHS England’s new ‘single sex’ hospital wards policy risks relegating trans people in England to wards that do not align with our gender, causing harm, distress and increased clinical risk for trans patients.
NHS England’s ‘single sex’ wards policy “putting politics over patient care” NHS England’s new ‘single sex’ hospital wards policy risks relegating trans people in England to wards that do not align with our gender, causing harm, distress and increased clinical risk for trans patients.
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John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 14h
Your occasional reminder that polls don't mean shit, you have to show up and vote, preferably early and in person if you can
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Tristan Grayford @tristangrayford.scot · 12h
The UK, under Andy Burnham's leadership, continues on its mission to become the most anti-trans state in Europe. Hostility to trans people's existence is Labour Government policy. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Trans women no longer to be placed on female-only wards under new NHS England guidance
Rules mean single-sex wards, toilets and changing rooms will now be used by people based on their biological sex
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Robin Moira White @robinmoirawhite.bsky.social · 14h
The change in policy is barbaric / inhumane. It a breach of Article 8. There is no evidence base for this change which is brought about (as the policy explicitly makes clear) by the absurd Supreme Court judgment in FWS and the cowardice of the present government.
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Robin Moira White @robinmoirawhite.bsky.social · 14h
I need to make my personal position clear on this change of guidance. It is not a theoretical for me as I have a serious and chronic health condition which causes me to be a regular user of NHS facilities which keep me alive. www.england.nhs.uk/publication/...
england.nhs.uk
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QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 18h
🆕🚨 NHS England guidance says: 🔴 Trans people must be placed on wards "in line with their biological sex" 🔴 Trans people can be segregated to private rooms to protect the "dignity" of other patients Full explainer out in our newsletter Sat 📨 wearequeeraf.com/subscribe Here's what we know now 🧵
Date published: 15 October, 2026
Date last updated: 15 October, 2026

Privacy, dignity and safety in hospital accommodation










Publication (/publication)

Content
















Foreword
1. Purpose
2. Ensuring privacy , dignity and safety for all
3. Delivering same-sex hospital accommodation
4. Equality, protected characteristics and hospital accommodation
5. Responsibilities for same-sex hospital accommodation
6. Frequently asked questions
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Aliette de Bodard @aliettedebodard.com · 17h
Yeah no the blog post doesn't change anything "The publishing industry is going to use ai anyway" is... I mean, a position and a half But then it's followed by a toothless enforcement policy. Like how do we determine a signatory isn't following the charter? And what happens if they don't?
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Ms Chatelaine @theelaineg.bsky.social · 17h
If #Waitrose had concern for the environment they would have retained the biodegradable packaging, not sell 'reusable' bags that will end up in landfill. Alternatively the 20p per bag should be a deposit so that damaged bags are replaced or handed back for the deposit.
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Ms Chatelaine @theelaineg.bsky.social · 17h
... These bags, while reusable to an extent, are not returnable. Instead of paying a deposit, shoppers are paying a tax. To the shop. Re-using the bags also requires planning, so impulse buying is penalised. And they are not biodegradable so when worn out damaged they go to landfill for decades.
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Ms Chatelaine @theelaineg.bsky.social · 17h
Enshittification: #Waitrose no longer provide compostable bags for loose vegetables. Instead they *sell* plastic mesh drawstring bags for 20p ea. These bags are noticeably heavier and will also add marginally to the cost of each shop. Apart from the contempt shown for lower-income people ...
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Nick Harkaway @nickharkaway.com · 14/10/2026
It‘s more like sitting in your burning village drawing up a non-aggression pact for future visits, but yeah, I think they misunderstood the assignment.
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Stewart Horn he/they @thenakedpoet.bsky.social · 19h
This should be a great night, and a great book. Come along if you're near #glasgow.
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Dr Tiffani Angus @tiffaniangus.bsky.social · 19h
Jesus criminy, when will it end? Now Diana Gabaldon is kowing to the AI bots by knowingly posting some AI music (with AI images) on Fb and telling people in the comments who are upset about it that they're wrong. I guess she got hers and can just pull up the ladder behind her. Nice!
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Glasgow SF Writers' Circle @gsfwc.bsky.social · 18h
Get #Haverin for a bargain! #GSFWC40
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Dr Tiffani Angus @tiffaniangus.bsky.social · 18h
"The puppeteers are destroying something beautiful, vital, and needed. The time we spend with our hopes and dreams."
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Ms Chatelaine @theelaineg.bsky.social · 17h
Definitely. Many of my favourite books are comfort re-reads, while many of these ones I consider 'best' are challenging; I'm glad I've read them but I'll not re-read them often
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Dr Tiffani Angus @tiffaniangus.bsky.social · 17h
and This: "it aims to ensure that it is used in a responsible way, to minimise the harmful impacts on humans and the environment." Cat's kind of out of the bag there, isn't it? I mean, we KNOW it has harmful impacts on humans and the environment and our jobs! There is no responsible use of it!
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Dr Tiffani Angus @tiffaniangus.bsky.social · 17h
and This: "We will continue to fight tirelessly to obtain redress for authors whose works have been stolen by Big Tech to train their commercial LLMs" Yeah? So instead of bringing a suit you all sat and came up with this instead? Great use of energy and time. Pfffft.
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Dr Tiffani Angus @tiffaniangus.bsky.social · 17h
This: "The Charter, therefore, is intended to promote urgent discussion" Interesting because we, the members of this union, were not invited to the discussion about this charter.
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chiller @chiller.eurosky.social · 15/10/2026
At this point I can foresee a new organisation being set up: "The Society of Human Authors". And it will be against AI, and all your members will leave you and join it.
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Tristan Grayford @tristangrayford.scot · 19h
The Scottish Greens have left Twitter/X after their party council voted to ditch the platform. First major party in the UK to drop Musk's white supremacism factory. www.thenational.scot/news/2664005...
thenational.scot
Scottish Greens quit X over spreading of 'misinformation and hate'
The Scottish Greens have quit Twitter/X, accusing the platform of spreading 'misinformation and hate'
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Ms Chatelaine @theelaineg.bsky.social · 19h
So far so fortunate; my good intentions - fruit juice is good for you! - corrected quickly. What chaps me though is that all of the instructions were delivered in such a patronising way; why did I not know I was doing myself harm? Well pardon me for not studying the workings of the renal system.
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Ms Chatelaine @theelaineg.bsky.social · 19h
Such a blood glucose level also leads (apparently quite quickly) to pancreas damage, which causes lung and heart failure. I was instructed that if I get certain symptoms I should get straight to A&E, do not pass go. Immediately cut out fruit juice, honey in coffee, sugary foods; thirst disappeared
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Ms Chatelaine @theelaineg.bsky.social · 19h
It's a vicious cycle: (remaining) kidney bypasses excess glucose into excess urine; peeing like a fountain leaves me dehydrated; I drink more. I was cutting fruit juice with soda but still drinking a litre of it a day, up in the night three or four times, ferociously thirsty all the time.
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Ms Chatelaine @theelaineg.bsky.social · 19h
With disruptions and everything, I've been off my meds. Picking up with a new GP, blood tests, renewed prescriptions etc; got an *extremely concerned* call and hauled in for more tests on Tuesday. Turns out I've been quite rapidly killing myself with fruit juice, blood glucose levels far too high.
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Ms Chatelaine @theelaineg.bsky.social · 19h
My bet is that this was decided in the dinner party network, is why it won't show up in any minutes of meetings
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Steve "Of course not. You're a boy." Turnbull @taupress.com · 20h
Yeah I'm pretty this is largely about trying not to upset people (publishers in this case). Except they need to be upset. A lot.
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Ms Chatelaine @theelaineg.bsky.social · 20h
It's like any other union or workers' association saying, "We're on the side of the management and shareholders actually" I reckon they've been stampeded by publishers who want to cut staff. There's also a chattering class element in the SoA who don't give a shit about anyone else, see the TERFs.
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PS Livingstone (she/her) @pslivingstone.bsky.social · 21h
The BFS gets it.
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QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 21h
Up to 800 Trans+ patients are affected by surgery cancellations at the Welsh Gender Service, we revealed with @whatthetrans.com 
wearequeeraf.com
“Devastated”: Up to 800 Trans+ patients affected by Welsh Gender Service surgery cancellations
Questions are being raised over the evidence behind NHS Wales's decision to cancel surgeries for Welsh Gender Service patients, who tell QueerAF of their 'absolute devastation'
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Dr Tiffani Angus @tiffaniangus.bsky.social · 21h
Just emailed SoA to cancel my membership. I'm so shocked and angry that I had a hard time being eloquent or clear. all I wanted to say was WHAT THE EVERLOVING FUCK WERE YOU THINKING? In the end, there is no grey area with GenAI.
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Chris Scott (he/him) @chrisdonia.bsky.social · 21h
LLMs are never going to be reliable for facts because they're only ever hallucinating, albeit very deliberately.
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Heather Valentine @hexthervvv.bsky.social · 21h
It's less than a week until the Haverin book event at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street! Come join us on Wednesday 21st October for readings, signings and - most importantly - more of Brian Milton's homemade tablet.
waterstones.com
Celebrating 40 Years of the GSFWC | Events at Waterstones Bookshops | Waterstones
Events at Waterstones get you closer to the books and authors you admire most. Find information and tickets about Celebrating 40 Years of the GSFWC today.
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QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 23h
At least 21 trans patients died by suicide while under the care of an NHS gender clinic, our investigation reveals. Subscribe to support more investigations like this. 
wearequeeraf.com
The deadly toll of the trans healthcare crisis: 21 suicides and over 600 other deaths
QueerAF can reveal figures that show 618 people have died while under the care of an NHS gender clinic, at least 21 by suicide.
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Ian McQue @ianmcque.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Found in my mother in law’s greenhouse. Doubt there’s a more Scottish artefact than this
Campbell’s shortbread tin in the shape of a kilt. Sporran bears the legend ‘Established 1830’
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Nick Harkaway @nickharkaway.com · 15/10/2026
"I don't want my brain eaten," says 5 year old charged with terrorist sympathies over anti-zombie campaign in primary school. Minister: "It's important we try little Clara as an adult."
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QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 15/10/2026
"In an age of rising fascism, why are politicians focused on boats when they could think about changes that would change the lives of young Black queer people?" From the archive #BHM2026
wearequeeraf.com
How many more generations will be denied Black queer history before we take action?
When we understand that our history is diverse, it changes our outlook. I hope that this Black History Month, we all take the time to uncover the history lessons we were denied in school
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Paul "Princejvstin" Weimer @princejvstin.com · 15/10/2026
My next read in audio is going to be the sequel to THE SHAPE OF MONSTERS, A MILLION POINTS OF LIGHT Do YOU read @clhellisen.com ? I DO!
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Tristan Grayford @tristangrayford.scot · 14/10/2026
Any Democrat Government in waiting that doesn't have a plan to nail Musk to the wall and collapse his financial empire simply isn't taking the threat he poses seriously enough
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Naomi Klein @naomiaklein.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
When the AI bubble pops, we can’t repeat past corporate bail outs. We need to be ready with policies that protect ordinary people and hold tech execs accountable. We also need to talk about nationalizing AI companies — or maybe even abolishing them altogether… @astra.bsky.social @theguardian.com
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Ryan Vamps @ryanvance.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Glasgow City Council: St Enoch Square is so dangerous at night we must implement a curfew against gatherings of more than two people Glaswegians: how will that be enforced Glasgow City Council: funfair Glaswegians: what Glasgow City Council: funfair.
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Chris Scott (he/him) @chrisdonia.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Always important to remember this tragedy but also, compare with the illegal usage of EVERYTHING by AI companies.
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CL Hellisen @clhellisen.com · 15/10/2026
I keep forgetting part of my job is to sell my book. I wrote and edited it, I feel like my work is done, but this is not so 🤣 Here is my book. It is gothic and weird and the monster is kinda hot if you like manipulative contradictory shapeshifters. Pls buy. www.panmacmillan.com/authors/cl-h...
panmacmillan.com
The Shape of Monsters by CL Hellisen
A gripping tale of a descent into darkness as two siblings enter a world of magic, secrets and twisted loyalties – for those who loved Starling House by Alix…
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QueerAF @wearequeeraf.com · 15/10/2026
Our latest investigation revealed that while some NHS gender clinics record when their Trans+ patients die, others do not. Here’s what we know (and what we don’t) 👇 www.wearequeeraf.com/the-deadly-tol…
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Bex @bexg93.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
British Nationalists when you suggest that democracy isn't a one off event
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