We had fucking congressional hearings over Mortal Kombat.

Lovely throwback to my days writing for Custom PC, a feature about the Hitchhiker’s text adventure.

I like how the caption on this photo reads as if he's making a claim that could not be independently verified.

Aww. Rewatched Shirley Valentine recently, still remarkable. Do give it a look if you never have. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Oh for crying out loud

Here’s why it feels like your phone is listening: I just made up a silly rhyme and voicenote sang it to a friend in Whatsapp. It went like this: 🎶The grand old Duke of Wellington He had ten thousand skeleton He marched them up to the top of the hill And sucked out all their gelatin 1/2

This is occuring

I would mind the ‘no-one answers the phone anymore because everyone works from home’ culture less if the same departments actually answered emails.

I donate to this every year I can and hope some of you will too. Books change lives.

When I was a kid we used Australian phrases we’d picked up from Neighbours and Home and Away. I do not recall this being a sign of anything.

I see the London restaurant service charge story has been picked up by other outlets, do share the original by @londoncentric.media instead www.londoncentric.media/p/admin-char...

For some reason a journalist in a Times piece about the J Lew ad has decided the dad must have been 25 when he was raving to that dreadful record (rather than, say, the age his son is now as logic and storytelling might dictate) and therefore the actor playing the dad is too young.

Yes I saw this and thought ‘hey have you seen what Birmingham Council is doing lately’.

Wholesome career ad spotted on Reddit: “Want a career based on real connection? You sound like a prison officer” I suppose that’s more aspirational than “Screw —> You?”

Deliberately misunderstanding the KISS acronym as Keep It Simple [and] Stupid

I have really limited promotional energy right now, but wanted to mention that I will be at Aye Write with my absolute fav, the brilliant Kat Hill. Mitchell Library, Glasgow. 13th November, 6pm. Tickets at link below. It'll be good. www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/both...

I listened to a podcast about a year ago with two male writers talking about their writing routine. A very famous one said he slept in and then wrote during the night. The other asked if he got up with his children in the morning and he said: "No. Why would I do that?" and then they both laughed.

Peter Hall was directing Coriolanus at The National in the 70s and insisted it was pronounced Co-Rye-Olanus instead of the usual Corrio-lanus. Two cockney stagehands were overheard moving some bits of set and one said "Let's just leave it in the co-rye-odoor" (told to me by Charlie of off Casualty)

Oh wow did you hear about the mysterious fire next week

I’m not going to post anything about the attacker but I will repost this guy whenever I can

A total and utter hero

People trying on clothes at the Way In boutique at Harrods, painted by Muriel Lewis c.1968, in the art therapy studio at Netherne hospital where she was compelled to live. Her work often depicts scenes from a seemingly materially affluent life outside hospital.

This is so sad. My nan worked there til she was in her late 80s.

BBC Four repeating the #Arena about the Chelsea Hotel is as good an excuse as any to roll out the amazing fact that the last guest to leave the Chelsea Hotel was Reg Hollis from The Bill archive.nytimes.com/cityroom.blo...

This therapist is irresponsible. Having PTSD does not mean you are not a “badass”. I find this grotesque, even or especially as it was meant as a joke. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/n...

What’s it like in your head?

Hardcore this. Which is why I mentor working class creatives. I am honest with them about the reality of the finances.

it's me, unnamed critter from bosch's triptych of the temptation of anthony!

I don’t want any “content”. I want real people’s real posts in real time, chronological order. But this is a data grab for commercial exploitation, not a benefit to the end user. I shall ignore it.

I would say it’s remarkable that anyone choosing to stand for a party hasn’t done due diligence on said party but it’s not remotely remarkable. Particularly this type. But I do respect anyone who can admit they were wrong and publicly change.

On this, if you grew up watching the Christmas Lectures or watch them now or have anything to say about them, I’m taking oral histories. About 20 mins over Zoom, if you’re lucky one of the cats might join us.

In lovely science news, it is now official: I am the inaugural Writer in Residence at the Royal Institution to mark 200 years of the Christmas Lectures: www.rigb.org/explore-scie...

Does he mean a plane

Stoic cat

Handy time to re-up my piece on AI translation www.goethe.de/prj/k40/en/l...

Hey folks: Be careful out there tonight. I bought a razor blade and it had a Snickers in it.

‘Just when you thought the water you wanted to go back in might be safe’

An influx of new followers, hello. Jelly and Pig for you.

In lovely science news, it is now official: I am the inaugural Writer in Residence at the Royal Institution to mark 200 years of the Christmas Lectures: www.rigb.org/explore-scie...

“she asked if she had been contacted “because of my expertise in the subject matter or because of my reproductive organs” that is precisely why the men were always asked, historically.

I worked with Andrew once, briefly. Ask me anything.

💼 Work opportunity! We are looking for a Philanthropy Manager—an ambitious fundraiser, interested in leading on delivering growth in income from our patrons’ programme, and major gifts from individuals. Learn more + apply on our website 👇 www.rigb.org/about-us/wor...

If this is about The Pillowman, I saw her in it and she was incredible

This isn't just about race or patriotism, it's about some of the worst people in our communities being given an excuse to act out their violent fantasies to give themselves some sense of meaning and purpose in their shitty, empty little lives.

Despite the headline it’s not George RR Martin personally going for them cos he’s rich and famous. It’s all of us. The test case used his work, but it’s about the plain-as-day issue that ANY generative AI ignores and infringes copyright, by passing off. That’s a win for basic law.

I would watch this

So excited these two are finally splitting up!

In a massive win for everyone the morning after pill is now free and without prescription in England. As we slide backwards to the darker times it’s nice to have some positive news. 🫶 www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Not now, opening scenes for a horror movie