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James

@thequietthinker.bsky.social
3.1K followers 1.9K following 831 posts

Historical fiction addict 📚 Roman Empire enthusiast 🏛️ AI curious 🤖 Growing things at the allotment 🌱 Reading everything I can. 24/50 books in 2026. Books, history, AI, allotment adventures and questions I’m still figuring out. Always up for a chat 👋

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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Sam Altman says we are “in the singularity” If he’s right, there’s something quite strange about living through one of the biggest technological shifts in human history while most days still feel the same I wonder if that’s what living through real historical change always feels like at the time
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Imagine being the 1st person to see this face in 1,600 years Archaeologists at Vindolanda lifted a stone from the floor of a Roman barracks & discovered a carved Roman guardian spirit hidden face-down underneath British archaeology is never boring archaeologymag.com/2026/07/roma... #RomanBritain
archaeologymag.com
1,600-year-old Roman guardian spirit relief found hidden beneath Vindolanda barracks | Archaeology News Online Magazine
A rare Roman guardian spirit relief buried for 1,600 years beneath Vindolanda barracks offers new clues about Roman Britain.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
#OnThisDay in AD 68, the Emperor Nero died by his own hand. His reported last words: “What an artist dies in me.” Even at the very end, the man could not read the room. His death ended the Julio-Claudian dynasty and kicked off the Year of the Four Emperors. #RomanEmpire #History
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Things that are underrated: a proper cup of tea, a sunny day, a cancelled meeting, being slightly early, a good pen. That’s it. That’s the post.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
#OnThisDay in 1949, George Orwell published Nineteen Eighty-Four. He gave us Big Brother, thoughtcrime, doublethink and Room 101. Also gave a certain type of person online the ability to call literally anything they dislike “Orwellian.” #BookSky
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Def a morning person!
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Wow looks amazing. Really relaxing.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Sunday should be longer. This is not an opinion. It’s a policy position
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
#OnThisDay in 1753, the British Museum was established. A genuinely brilliant institution. As someone who loves Roman history, being able to stand a few feet from artefacts nearly 2,000 years old never gets old. Also a reminder that Britain’s definition of “souvenir” was unusually broad.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Book 28. Warrior by Simon Turney 5⭐️ Roman historical fiction at its best. Real events, real figures, the Year of the Four Emperors as the backdrop. Historical notes explaining the author’s decisions are a brilliant touch. Can’t wait for book 3! Agricola back in Britannia! #BookSky #HistoricalFiction
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Looks amazing. Where is it?
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Wow that water looks beautiful. Did you have a swim too?
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Just discovered that Narnia was a real Roman town. The modern Italian town of Narni was called Narnia in Latin, and that’s where C. S. Lewis found the name for his fictional world. Some facts seem made up, but aren’t. #RomanEmpire #BookSky #Narnia
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
That’s great, will have to check that out. I want a selfie with Trajan too. He’s my fav emperor.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Can see two completely different types of weather from the same window. One side: blue skies. Other side: rain. Classic England in June. Not sure whether I should go outside or go back to bed.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
No, what?
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
I love it still!
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
This morning: spring (cool but clear). Lunchtime: autumn (rain). Train platform: summer (sun). Walk home: full winter (wind, cold). All in one day. British weather remains elite.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Recommend me something. Book, podcast, place, person to follow. Anything. Just make it good #PromoSky 📚 #BookSky
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Looks like gorgeous day wherever you are.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Why couldn’t you sleep? What’s Letterboxd?
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
That’s kind. I’m more of a tea person
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
You a coffee connoisseur?
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Ok I will! Just reserved it at the library. Thanks for the recommendation.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
I hope this is good. I’m excited by it.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Good morning, what’s in the cup?
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Not read that but did read her Welsh Princes series so maybe I’ll give it a go.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Richard III? Interesting. What brought you to him and what’s the best one you’ve read?
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Most arguments aren’t really disagreements. They’re just two people talking about different things and neither of them realising it. Sound familiar?
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
If only we could use our power for pointless information for good. Only really useful for a pub quiz
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Morning Morning. Any fun plans for your Tuesday?
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
#OnThisDay June 2nd. Statistically the day most people realise their “new year new me” has fully expired. Just me?
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
#OnThisDay in 1840, Thomas Hardy was born. Dorset lad. Turned the county into literature. If you’ve ever driven through the landscape and felt something you can’t quite name, he probably described it better than you ever could. #BookSky #Dorset
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
What’s a skill you have that has nothing to do with your job? I’ll start: I have an alarming amount of pointless general knowledge and absolutely nowhere to use it.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
If you’re into books and aren’t following @raeradford.bsky.social you’re missing out. Consistent, great taste, and genuinely fun to chat with.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Monday afternoon. Half working. Half doing the washing. Fully convincing myself this counts as multitasking. Anyone else or is it just me? 👀 #MondayVibes #WorkFromHome
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Soul peace is very important!
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Being an adult is just an endless to-do list that you never quite finish isn’t it. You tick off the doctor, the van, the declutter and somehow the list just gets longer. Nobody warned us about this. The off grid idea sounds better every day.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
What are we making?
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
#OnThisDay in 193 AD, Roman Emperor Didius Julianus was assassinated. He ruled for just nine weeks. He bought the throne by literally outbidding rivals at auction when the Praetorian Guard put it up for sale. Paid a fortune for it. Got nine weeks. Worst purchase in history? #RomanEmpire #History
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
That’s awesome. Will have to put it on my list. Look forward to seeing more of your posts.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Looks cool. Never been to Newfoundland. Looks lovely. Like it there?
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Everyone needs a bit of joy on their timeline. You keep doing it 😄🙌
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Henry VIII burns Scotland to the ground and someone writes it up as a wooing. Historians really were doing something with words back then. Mine is The Dark Ages. It wasn’t dark. We just lost the paperwork.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Bit of a Sunday evening refresh. New header, new profile pic, new bio. Does it work? Opinions welcome. Come and say hello 👋 #Bluesky #PromoSky
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
No idea how to do that.
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Wow pretty where is that?
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Sunday evening and I am absolutely refusing to think about Monday. If you’re doing the same, follow me, reply and say hello, let’s avoid it together. 👋 #SundayVibes #SundayEvening #Bluesky #PromoSky
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James @thequietthinker.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Everyone. Until the surprise happens. What’s the surprise?
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