Nice and coordinated

This is such important work - with scary conclusions. Our public bodies are at risk of undermining, manipulation or disappearing under a future government

Epic handshake for epic increase in goal achieving

The Fiji coral spawning video has dropped. Son says this is the best spawning in 8 years. Coral normally spawns in the dark of night but this happy reef is so fecund it carries on spawning in the daylight! Give it a like on YouTube if you back marine conservation! youtu.be/t4RKai4e2h0?...

The ADHD Taskforce full report is expected to land today. We already covered what we expect to see in it and how we will benchmark.

Other work by the Ladybird artists ‘Autumn scene’ Artist: Ronald Lampitt

I’m on the lookout for a new contract (preferably inside). I’ve got over a decade of experience working in the public sector, mostly in agile delivery management. Two weeks notice. Not got DMs here but Signal is zuz.1337, or LinkedIn is good. Thx :)

"Finish him!"

Another shock news item

Congratulations to Lidia Morawska, the Aussie scientist who alerted the world to the airborne nature of COVID-19. Winner of the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science. I’ve learnt so much from being a (very minor) part of Lidia’s team. Brilliant, incisive, generous. www.industry.gov.au/publications...

if there was a rich person with the will, you could build the most incredible news organization that has ever existed just from the wreckage of this year alone.

UK people, I've uncovered a scam website (orthopulse.co.uk) mis-selling healthcare products. Wish I'd looked on TrustPilot before parting with my money. Anyone know how we might get this company formally investigated? Address based in France, tat sent from China. uk.trustpilot.com/review/ortho...

Just watched this, and thought it was brilliant. A creepy, but very touching and human horror film.

If you want kids to read: -Reopen the closed libraries -Give them free books -Sponsor author visits in schools with high % pupil premium or FSM students -Work on adult literacy Then Y8s will have a chance of passing this test www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

I've written about the work we have done to make the NHS Design System fit for the future and to support the NHS 10-year plan to move from analogue to digital. Read more and be part of this change: digital.nhs.uk/blog/design-...

Watched this today and it was brilliant. A unique blending of the supernatural and the very real horrors our species is capable of.

Definitely a good idea giving the guy who wants a UK civil war access to loads of our phones.

Gutted. My daughter and I had a few books from Knights Of. They were so good. And yet I only knew about them from being very online on Twitter. Whereas parents getting books from supermarkets or WH Smith’s are just bombarded by Walliams, and the other celebs using kids books as a revenue stream.

This is extremely sad, and I'm sure a reflection on the current political climate and wider industry's apathy and lack of commitment to writers of colour.

The next time people complain that user research just slows things down, show them this towering monument of hubris. Quite staggering.

Really good Halloween films that you can watch for nowt on the iPlayer. Thread >>>

Restaurants are still putting PDFs of their menus on their websites 🫠😭

At a fundamental level, we have to accept much of silicon valley has gone insane.

My documentary on Section 28 showed me how censorship works — and how it returns in new forms. So I’m hosting a one-day conference on the rise of anti-rights movements and what we can do. 🗓️ Save the date: mailchi.mp/94450cee9bbe... Please share in your networks #Section28 #LGBTQIA #HumanRights

It’s impossible to avoid the conclusion that large parts of Westminster remaining on X - a platform that tolerates and amplifies extremism and racism - has led a great many people to normalise what previously was unacceptable.

youtube.com/watch?v=-oa_... Highlights from this month on the coral reef off Barefoot Manta island in Fiji where my son works as the resident marine biologist. Sound up, chill out, give the YouTube video a like if you appreciate it!

Python Software Foundation withdraws bid for $1.5m grant from US gov, because the terms require they do not "operate any programs that advance or promote DEI", and "it would be a betrayal of our mission and our community." Applause. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...

📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms). It’s also concerning. 1/

This is good. But it reiterates the importance of community-run online communities. I’ve been a member of a video game forum for over 20 years, with clear guidelines, a steering committee, etc etc. That is the antidote to enshittification of the megaplatforms.

Found this useful article about screen readers today via @swalt.bsky.social's newsletter. My favourite reason for using a screen reader: a research participant with a mental health disorder said the screen reader's voice drowned out other voices in her head and helped her to concentrate on text.

The 443rd Internet of Public Service jobs is out and it is a cracker! 10 great looking jobs and seven links to amazing bits of writing that I ❤️ this week - newsletter.digitalbydefault.jobs/internet-of-...

Oooh, I see that The Haunting (1960s version) is on iPlayer. One of my favourite horror films ever.

This isn't just a national issue either; it is the single biggest soft power asset we have in a globally degrading information economy.

If you’re building a digital inclusion programme — the Digital Inclusion Toolkit is a free resource to help you get started. With guides, case studies and insights to support your org’s work ✅ Take a look around 👉 digitalinclusionkit.org #GetOnlineWeek #localgov @dxw.com

Anyone know the head of UR at HMPO? Think their post passport renewal survey is broken. I’m on email number 4.

Bought my mom a Netflix subscription so she could watch Thursday Murder Club. I then recommended she watch Ted Danson’s “A Man on the Inside” as it has the right type of gentle humour for her. But that’s also set in a retirement home. I’m worried she’ll suspect a veiled threat.

(3/3) - the most radical point of the standard is that, unlike every other governance standard, it gives a voice to the real end user. Policy makers on their own, technologists on their own… are really bad at guessing what users do. User Research is the radical democratisation of service creation.

Come for the notes, stay for the excellent reading list at the end. Lots to catch up on, there.

This might be my most delayed monthnote yet: August and September, published just days before the start of November. Relive the fading days of summer 2025 at jiggott.medium.com/monthnote-au...

I don't think enough people talk about how great BBC Bitesize is. Secondary school textbooks are now vanishingly rare and Bitesize content is (a) not in a terrible app, (b) engaging and interesting and easy to understand, and importantly (c) FREE. A properly great digital public good.

UK based MySociety is looking for a business development manager to help them keep their work supporting democracy and digital transparency sustainable - UK remote - £40-50k - They seem hella nice apply.workable.com/mysociety/j/...

Question for #UserResearch How do you phrase screener questions to identify participants who might need accessibility or communication adjustments? The aim is to ensure sessions are inclusive and comfortable, without making people feel singled out. Not finding much online

Join us for our next PD Sessions event on Find Opportunities for Radical Transformation in Local Public Services - taking place in person or online on 27 November. public.digital/events/pd-se...

In today's episode of #FixTheForms, I've finished writing up the workshop on #ErrorRates and #DataQuality that I ran #SDinGOV Extra thanks to @pixlz.com for help with prep - sadly, she couldn't make it due to a family emergency www.effortmark.co.uk/garbage-in-g...

Let me fix this for you. "This government deplores these racist, divisive statements." It is that easy! Just say the bad thing is bad straightaway and move on.

Do I know anyone (or anyone who knows anyone) who has had any joy in enforcement of the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018? The Equality Advisory Advice Service (EASS) who formally accept breach reports seem to be useless. Pls boost.

Finally shredding all the paperwork from my old freelance Ltd company from the late 2000s to mid 2010s. Shredding contracts from fun little projects with @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @danhon.com @joroach.bsky.social - even a tiny project with @frankieroberto.com . Remember fun little projects?

It’s not just technology that keeps getting enshittified. I’ve long held up the humble Penguin as something that hasn’t changed (despite 8-packs being reduced to 7-packs, and going up from £1.00 to £1.75+). No more, it seems. P-p-p-piss off.

Everyday Ladybird things. Fluffy mules, 1976 (And an impressive bit of painting by artist Gerald Witcomb)