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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 6h

Pleased to see my latest paper published in Alternatives (SAGE). I examine the March 2026 US–Iran conflict through Baudrillard's concept of hyperreality, asking how political leaders can declare victory while hostilities continue. doi.org/10.1177/0304... #AcademicSky

Screen shot of published journal abstract

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Bamboo is remarkably strong for its weight and has been used this way in southern China for generations. The obvious weakness is fire, something the Hong Kong fire brought back into focus. Standing beside this, it is hard not to admire the skill involved. Bamboo, bindings, geometry and experience.

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Accepted in Alternatives: “Hyperreality, Victory, and the Temporal Structure of the March 2026 US-Iran Escalation.” How can victory be declared while war continues? The paper explores temporality, hyperreality and contemporary war. #AcademicSky Link posted as soon as published

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

#birdoftheday a selection of Egrets on WKU Campus after the Typhoon #china

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

#birdoftheday green-cheeked conure (Pyrrhura molinae) in its unnatural habitat of a Chinese cab. The driver told us he had raised it from an egg. It even pooped on command.

green-cheeked conure (Pyrrhura molinae), on a taxi drivers shoulder (it’s dad!)

green-cheeked conure (Pyrrhura molinae),tasting my wife’s arm beads

green-cheeked conure (Pyrrhura molinae) saying hello to my wife

green-cheeked conure (Pyrrhura molinae) giving me the eye

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Reposted by Rob Burton

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Computer scientist Margaret Hamilton coined the term “software engineer.” She directed the Software Engineering Division at MIT’s Instrumentation Lab & led development of the on-board flight software for NASA’s Apollo Guidance Computer. She was born #OTD in 1936 & turns 90 today! #WomenInSTEM

Two side-by-side black-and-white photographs of pioneering computer scientist Margaret Hamilton (born August 17, 1936). The left panel features a mature, close-up portrait where Hamilton gazes directly at the viewer with a serene, confident, and reflective expression, framed by her long, dark, slightly silvering hair. The right panel is a famous archival photograph showing a younger Hamilton standing indoors next to a towering stack of bound paper binders containing the Apollo Guidance Computer source code, which she led the development of at MIT. She is smiling broadly and wears a striped, long-sleeved mini dress with dark Mary Jane shoes and glasses, resting her hand proudly on top of the massive column of printed code. The overall composition contrasts her youthful triumph with her enduring legacy, capturing an optimistic, intellectually rigorous mood that highlights her monumental contributions to space exploration.

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I use Margaret and the photo of the Apollo code stack in my class on gender in a Sino/American University in China - Happy Birthday Margaret

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

#birdoftheday #redkite in Slough UK There were 3 of these birds harassing seagulls and pigeons at a large Tesco Supermarket and buildings in Slough

From ChatGPT:

That looks like a Red Kite (Milvus milvus).

The strongest clues here are the long, distinctly forked tail, long angled wings and the pale patches on the undersides of the wings. The tail shape is particularly diagnostic.

If you took this around Windsor/Slough, that makes even more sense. Red Kites are now extremely common across the Thames Valley and the Chilterns following their successful reintroduction. They can often be seen circling surprisingly low over built-up areas.

And you’ve caught a rather nice view of the forked tail in that shot.

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Cats taking shelter as the typhoon blasts through Eastern China this week #cats

Three cats take shelter under the top of a bin as a typhoon passes overhead

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

#Birdoftheday Seagull after the remains of a sandwich

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

#Birdoftheday seagull “dancing” for supper on Swansea Bay beach UK a

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Swan family in Cambridge with ducks waiting their turn - young black headed gull (I think) on the out skirts #birds #waterfowl #ducks #swans

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

A selection of water fowl is Cambridge University Botanic Garden #birds #bird #waterfowl

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

We saw Romeo and Juliet in the St John’s College Garden Cambridge tonight. (Photos were banned btw) A lovestruck Romeo sang the streets a serenade Laying everybody low with a love song that he made Finds a streetlight, steps out of the shade Says something like, "you and me, babe, how about it?"

Juliet having a 14 yr old strop Romeo being 16 ….

The play had an immediate effect…. Young lovers

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Darn it I’ve scraped my hire car in one of those stupid UK pay for underground car parks where the bays are tight and there’s bars and barriers sticking out to catch the unwary drive. Fortunately I paid for extra insurance so the financial hit might not be too bad!

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

War Is Naughty - Free Gaza- Free Palestine - Take that George - War？ What is it Good For? Absolutely Nothing! Peace - Out.

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Our 3 cats at their holiday lodging in #China as we prepare our jaunt to the UK on Thursday #cats #cat youtube.com/shorts/D1CZd...

youtube.com

Our 3 Cats Check Into Their Holiday Hotel in China! 🐱🇨🇳

YouTube video by Visions of China

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Having watched a woman who could identify birdsong on Clarkson's Farm I downloaded an app. This evening we walked around Wenzhou Kean Uni campus #China and heard some beautiful bird song and took some great photos. Check out the vid of the herons here: youtube.com/shorts/cS8O-... #birds #birding

This kingfisher has just caught and ater a bug and rested long enough for me to catch him

2 Black-crowned Night Herons resting on a Bridge

Another Black-crowned Night Heron having a rest

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Hunkering down in style waiting for Typhoon Bavi to hit around 10 tonight is around 6:30pm now and the wind is picking up - but no reason to let standards slide huh? Emergency snacks… #china #typhoonbavi

Close up of typhoon Bavi closing in on Wenzhou where we are hunkered down

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

We are hunkered down awaiting Typhoon Bavi here in Wenzhou #China. We have relocated from our 18th floor apt to student accom on WKU campus - we smuggled the #cats in. #caturday #weather #TyphoonBavi

the storm track this morning at 07:50 am

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

All the feral 🐈‍⬛ 🐈 s we feed except 1 have disappeared and now there is no one there to greet us tails up demanding food miowing loudly. They’ve been gone about 2 weeks now so it’s suspicious.This guy under the car is the bruiser who got all the girls pregnant he’s still around too. It’s 32c outside

The daddy cat is still around the girls have left

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Just watched the "Michael" (Jackson) movie gotta say the main actor killed it. And the music carries the flick. But who remembers staying up (in the UK) to watch Thriller on MTV - it was a big night.(PS My Chinese wife had never seen it) #MTV #Jackson #Thriller #Michael youtu.be/sOnqjkJTMaA?...

youtu.be

Michael Jackson - Thriller (Official 4K Video)

YouTube video by michaeljacksonVEVO

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Reposted by Rob Burton

Robyn @handcranked.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Your new art challenge cheat sheet for June 22–28 is here! See comments for host list & details #EastCoastKin #ECK #PhotographersUnited #PhotographersOfBlueSky #Photography #DailyArt #Art #Painting #Drawing #ArtChallenge #ArtPrompt #dailyart #TraditionalArt

Daily Art Prompts: June 22–28

Monday, June 22
#BlueSkyMonday (anything blue)
#MacroMonday (any macro)
#MountainMonday (mountains)
#MinimalMonday (minimalism)
#ColorADay + #PinkMon

Tuesday, June 23
#RockinTuesday (rocks)
#TidesOutTuesday
#ColorADay + #BlueTue

Wednesday, June 24
#WackyWednesdayArt
#ColorADay + #RedWed

Thursday, June 25
#HumansOfBlueSky (people)
#UrbanGaze (anything urban)
#PalacesAndGardens + #UpliftingEnergy
#ColorADay + #YellowThu

Friday, June 26
#Scape (any kind of scape)
#ForestFriday
#FlyDay (critters that fly)
#ColorADay + #BWFri

Saturday, June 27
#BNWmacro
#SmallBirdSaturday
#BlueSkyArtShow + #macro
#ColorADay + #GreenSat

Sunday, June 28
#Stunday (stunning)
#BNWmacro
#ImageAndVerse (your image + any poem)
#ColorADay + #OrangeSun

All Week Art Prompts: June 22–28

#ArtYear (any art)

#BirdOfTheDay
(See Alan H or Rob Crank for daily prompt)

#ClassicMono (monochrome)

#EastCoastKin or #ECK
(Art collective open to all. Message @rina2012
to join.)

#ECKPalette
(See WealieArts for this week’s colors)

#ShowHeart (hearts)

#Abstractia + #curls

#AlphabetChallenge + #WeekYForYonder
(subject is far away)

#MixedMedia52 + #hot

#PaintByWords + #WaterLily or #crow
(art, photos, and/or poetry)

#PostProcess + #duotone
(See ‪@rjrock for photo to edit)

#SensoryArt + #PointOfView

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Thinking of teaching in China? The game has changed for those of you in your late 50s or over 60 - you will need 3 x journal publications at Q1 or Q2 (Web of Science/JCR) to achieve Category A visa status to be able to work over 60 #China #Teaching #ESL If you need to know more ask me.

Thumbnail showing the topic and the shadow figure of a female teacher

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Reposted by Rob Burton

Robyn @handcranked.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Your new art challenge cheat sheet for June 15–21! Hope you like the new format. See comments for host list & details #EastCoastKin #ECK #PhotographersUnited #PhotographersOfBlueSky #Photography #DailyArt #Art #Painting #Drawing #ArtChallenge #ArtPrompt #dailyart #TraditionalArt

Daily Art Prompts: June 15–21

Monday, June 15
#BlueSkyMonday (anything blue)
#MacroMonday (any macro)
#MountainMonday (mountains)
#MinimalMonday (minimalism)
#ColorADay + #PinkMon

Tuesday, June 16
#RockinTuesday (rocks)
#TidesOutTuesday
#ColorADay + #BlueTue

Wednesday, June 17
#WackyWednesdayArt
#ColorADay + #RedWed

Thursday, June 18
#HumansOfBlueSky (people)
#UrbanGaze (anything urban)
#PalacesAndGardens + #WaterPlays
#ColorADay + #YellowThu

Friday, June 19
#Scape (any kind of scape)
#ForestFriday
#FoodOnFriday
#FlyDay (critters that fly)
#ColorADay + #BWFri

Saturday, June 20
#BNWmacro
#SmallBirdSaturday
#BlueSkyArtShow + #curve
#ColorADay + #GreenSat

Sunday, June 21
#Stunday (stunning)
#BNWmacro
#ImageAndVerse (your image + any poem)
#ColorADay + #OrangeSun

Compiled by @handcranked

All Week Art Prompts: June 15–21

#ArtYear (any art)

#BirdOfTheDay
(See Alan H or Rob Crank for daily prompt)

#ClassicMono (monochrome)

#EastCoastKin or #ECK
(Art collective open to all. Message Jaycee Crawford to join.)

#ECKPalette
(See WealieArts for this week’s colors)

#ShowHeart (hearts)

#Abstractia + #blood

#AlphabetChallenge + #WeekXForXyloid
(anything wood or resembling wood)

#MixedMedia52 + #solstice

#PaintByWords + #firefly or #fence
(art, photos, and/or poetry)

#PostProcess + #EmotionShift
(See ‪@bloodraynes.bsky.social‬ for photo to edit)

#SensoryArt + #portals

Compiled by @handcranked

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Semester finished on Wednesday, Thursday was professional Development Day, Friday Graduation. Today, 6 weeks of summer school starts I'm looking forward to the Quiet Life end of July. #academiclife youtu.be/xhm-EqcPta0?...

youtu.be

Japan - Quiet Life

YouTube video by JapanVEVO

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Reposted by Rob Burton

Sylvia @smc569.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Soggy Bottom Boy. Man of constant sorrow.

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

End of the university semester yesterday - Phew - Hurrah! OH NO - 6 weeks of summer school starts on Monday..... Meanwhile, Thursday - Professional Development day - Mandatory -Boooo Friday - Graduation - Ok --- I guess. #grrrr tho youtu.be/aOzF6GukQpk?...

youtu.be

I Don't Need Another Life

YouTube video by Promptgenix

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Monkey's Tail Cactus (Cleistocactus colademononis) flowering #MacroMonday could I squeeze in #ColorADay #PinkMon

Close-up of a Monkey's Tail Cactus (Cleistocactus colademononis) cascading from a terracotta pot. Its long, trailing stems are densely covered in silky, white hair-like spines, creating a soft, furry appearance. Several vivid red, tubular flower buds emerge from the hanging stems, poised to bloom. Succulent plants with rounded green leaves and pale rosette-shaped succulents fill the base of the arrangement, adding contrasting textures and colours to the composition.

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Last day of the semester today so I'll be feeling good #Music youtu.be/MRyPSOyC7_c?...

youtu.be

Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc (Animatic)

YouTube video by Gorillaz

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Reposted by Rob Burton

Robyn @handcranked.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Your art challenge cheat sheet for June 1–7! NEW: #PaintByWords (weekly changing themes) See comments for host list & details #EastCoastKin #ECK #PhotographersUnited #PhotographersOfBlueSky #Photography #DailyArt #Art #Painting #Drawing #ArtChallenge #ArtPrompt #dailyart

Art Challenges: June 1–7

Monday, June 1
#BlueSkyMonday (anything blue)
#MacroMonday (any macro)
#MountainMonday (mountains)
#MinimalMonday (minimalism)
#ColorADay (#PinkMon)

Tuesday, June 2
#AnimalArtTuesday
#RockinTuesday (rocks)
#TidesOutTuesday
#TagTuesday (graffiti/street art)
#ColorADay (#BlueTue or #CyanTue)

Wednesday, June 3
#WaterfallWednesday
#WindowsOnWednesday
#WallsOnWednesday
#WackyWednesdayArt
#ColorADay (#RedWed)

Thursday, June 4
#HumansOfBlueSky (people)
#UrbanGaze (anything urban)
#PalacesAndGardens (#FacesEverywhere)
#ColorADay (#YellowThu)

Friday, June 5
#Scape (any kind of scape)
#FishyFriday
#ForestFriday
#FoodOnFriday
#FlyDay (critters that fly)
#ColorADay (#BWFri)

Saturday, June 6
#BNWmacro
#ColorADay (#GreenSat)
#SmallBirdSaturday
#BlueSkyArtShow (#busy)

Sunday, June 7
#Stunday (stunning)
#BNWmacro
#ImageAndVerse (photos with
poems written by anyone)
#ColorADay (#OrangeSun)

ALL WEEK
#ArtYear (any art)
#BirdOfTheDay (see Alan H or Rob Crank for daily prompt)
#ClassicMono (monochrome)
#ShowHeart (hearts)
#Abstractia (#lines)
#AlphabetChallenge (#WeekVForVocal)
#ECKPalette (see WealieArts for colors)
#MixedMedia52 (#grunge)
#PaintByWords (hydrangea or door)
#PostProcess (#temperature)*
#SensoryArt (#abstract)

*Edit the photo posted by Rock

Compiled by @handcranked.bsky.social

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

The sky over the WKU campus during a lull in a thunder storm from my 18th floor apartment #scape #china

A modern university campus glows with interior lights beneath a dramatic pink and purple evening sky. Contemporary buildings spread across the foreground, while forested hills and distant mountains form a dark silhouette against the sunset clouds.

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Rob Burton @trebornotrub.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

This was one of my favourite songs when I was young 1969 - I was 15 #Music I still like it youtu.be/ULK-zbc_KMI?...

youtu.be

Peter Sarstedt where do you go

YouTube video by Skunkhead

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