Your annual festive reminder that Saint Nicholas bears an uncanny resemblance to Lieutenant Worf.

This is joyous.

Today in “Dudes Rock”: A dude playing Dire Straits’s “Sultans of Swing” guitar solo on…a recorder.

Oh, I *really* hope this is real.

Louvre Thieves Given Immunity After Confirming Jewels Stolen For Purpose Of Training AI Software https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2025/10/20/louvre-thieves-given-immunity-after-confirming-jewels-stolen-for-purpose-of-training-ai-software/

It turns out this lad is quite good on stage, isn't he?

"Luke...on balance it's in my financial interest to reinstate being your father"

This is poetry.

The prospect of *actually getting paid* for some of my academic papers feels slightly alien. 🧪

Ozzy has checked out in the style you'd have hoped for, a couple of weeks after the kind of show that will appear in earthquake records and history books, and raised millions for charity. His conversation at the pearly gates should be likewise quite entertaining. Safe travels.

When does school restart, again?

The tents are packed and there's a frankly alarming volume of alcohol in the car: it must be #Glastonbury build day tomorrow!

Bags are packed for #SciComm nirvana at #Glastonbury festival next week. Swing by if you're amongst the lucky few - and come see me on the Laboratory stage at 1200 on Friday!

Truly, it's poetry.

Developing technology has taken me a number of strange places, but today I get to tick off a real #scicomm bucket-list item - I'm performing on-stage at #Glastonbury! Come and see "Can you hear me, Major Tom?" in Science Futures.🧪 www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/the-gr...

Scientists Alarmed At Rising Sea Levels Blame Increased Number Of Submerged F/A 18 Fighter Jets

I'm all in for this. A good friend of mine recently died unexpectedly, and I'm considering taking him to Glastonbury anyway, El Cid-style.

A time-lapse of some images of asteroid (52246) Donaldjohanson during the encounter by Lucy! Images taken on April 20, 2025, from a distance of 1,600 to 1,100 km. Credit: NASA/Goddard/SwRI/Johns Hopkins APL science.nasa.gov/image-articl... #PlanetSci #SciComm 🧪

I'm rapidly remembering why it is I can't be arsed with playing Hideo Kojima games. Get to the bloody point already.

Okay, I'm in. Let's do this.

I have tariffed the penguins that are on Heard Island and which you were probably assuming did not export goods forgive me they were taking advantage of us so cunning and so cold

Note to self: next time I fly to the States, pack any space free in my suitcase full of eggs. I'll get a better exchange rate. Can't see a flaw in the logic.

Jesus, Sky Stream's playlist thing is completely unusable, isn't it? They spent all the money on the ad server, and none at all on the software integration. Didn't want to watch the rugby anyway...

The apprentice is now the master.

@matteason.me I can confirm that form TF-230 worked flawlessly, and my cynical, streetwise 8-year-old son was utterly baffled by finding an envelope with his application form and a handful of coins in the letterbox this afternoon.

Here's a UK cultural export we can be genuinely proud of. [sniffs patriotic tears]

Let it begin.

In a world consumed by greedy people who only want to take, a very wholesome thing is @realdollyparton.bsky.social will send your kid a free book every month, no strings, no membership, no extra bs attached, just a nice present in the mail. iO loves this month’s book by @chriseliopoulos.bsky.social

🚨 Here it is! ✨️ This year’s line-up for the ever-amazing Field of Avalon at Glastonbury 2025! 🎉🎊

This whole thread is *marvellous*. Isn't maths great?

Today's animal distraction from The Horrors: The thing that drives beavers to build dams is a burning genetic hatred for the sound of running water.

Fame at last! Meta cared enough about my research to steal it! I'm *almost* flattered. #Meta #ThievingBastards

🔜

I have *got* to get myself one of those.

I am now full of cool hippo facts. This feels like an @ologies.bsky.social waiting to happen.

Norwich, you never fail to make me smile.

My 8-year-old son has just opened @xkcd.com's What If, and is giggling geekily about all the unusual ways the world might end. I think he's probably a future physicist. Apples, trees, etc.

[wells up with homesick pride]

"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Incel"

Well, that was an annoying finish to a largely rubbish game. The first 20 minutes were okay... #6Nations

#teslatakedown I made some protest art.

What this man says. All of it.

If you get nilled in a #Superbowl, do you have to run around the field with your boxers down like when you're playing pool in the pub? Asking for a friend.

Okay, why are the Chiefs so bad today? They're Warren-Gatland's-Wales bad, and I didn't think two teams that terrible would be playing this weekend. #Superbowl

Repost with your apocalypse skills: Poisons, explosives, medicine production, brewing. Basic blacksmithing. A dab hand with a sledgehammer, in case of zombies.

Genius.

Found when sorting an old drive. I still, very occasionally, say 'not many badgers in the House of Lords' and this is why:

I learnt a thing today.

Currently enjoying listening to Irish rugby commentators attempt to say nice things about England. Fair to say it doesn't come naturally. #6Nations

The kicker is a thing of true beauty.