ksit (n) /ˈksɪt/ A list of things that control a person’s fate (kismet)

In homage to the “That’s not my <insert animal/person>” books, I’d like the Bluesky community to consider… “That’s not my Head of Department…” and make suggestions in the comments. I’ve added a couple to start (Note: this is a satirical exercise aimed at emphasising good/bad practice. Have fun!)

Is the seer who oversees the seer who oversees the seers an overseer overseer?

theonion.com/pros-and-con... with thanks to a colleague, Chris…

I have been thanked for my professionalism more times this year than in my whole professional career (31+ years). I’m beginning to think this actually is a way of saying “Please forgive me/us for our unprofessionalism.” Ditto “Understanding and patience…”

Your morning cartoon:

Solargraphs - year long pinhole camera exposures showing the track of the Sun through the southern* sky - are cool. About to see if I can actually develop and fix them; normally you can only scan the latent image with a scanner. Wish me luck!

Thinj (v): /θɪndʒ/ To ponder in a vague manner on the fringes of consciousness

Hey INTERNET please restore the ability for us to turn off GenAI in our use of technology. GenAI is utterly shit, a massive cost to the environment, and utterly shit.

Good to know my own LLM can be kept in good condition. Thanks Lidl!

scissores (n) /ˈsɪz.əz/ Plural of ‘scissor’ which is the part of a pair of scissors if it was disconnected, resulting in two scissores [Image shows three scissores. Or is it 1.5 scissors?]

Today’s word for consideration is: Apparatchik Discuss

The Chilling Effect. Self-Censorship. Intimidation intended to gag. Fear of losing your job. All these are real when a friend suggests keeping your head down. No

GROWTH VS FIXED MINDSETS Listening to the You Aren’t So Smart podcast recently – we all need to be reminded of that, every now and then – I was introduced to the concept of triggers for either a growth mindset or a fixed one… doctormikereddy.com/2025/04/02/g...

Two recent worrying reports about USW, but not worrying for the obvious reasons: www.business-live.co.uk/opinion-anal... AND nation.cymru/news/staff-u... The latter of which involved a leaked document related to the results of a recent staff survey. I’d actually asked myself if this raw data was…

Stubstiture (v) /ˈsʌb.stɪ.ˈtʃʊr/ To replace with something better

More @leightonandrews.bsky.social in the media: Wales Online: www.walesonline.co.uk/news/educati... BBC News: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... BBC Sunday Supplement www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... 15:39-25:12 “I’m not afraid to speak out, but I think there are people who are very afraid to speak out.”

Leighton Andrews on "climate of fear in [Cardiff uni] about speaking out" with staff morale " through the floor"“ “He has said the university had millions in cash and investments which could be used instead of adopting a "slash and burn programme".” www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I wonder if @leightonandrews.bsky.social is being investigated for Gross Misconduct for “bringing the university into disrepute” the way I am for attempting to criticise university executives? He argues it isn’t about individuals. How could it be? nation.cymru/opinion/how-... 1/2

If you know what is going on in my life right now, I’m taking my own medicine: Never let others fill you with fear. Never let them take your right to disagree, to criticise, to publicly shame evil deeds, especially those done with good intent. Never let them steal your words. … 1/5

alove adjective /əˈləv/ Being in a relationship where you know you are loved and love in return

UPDATE: I have been ‘invited’ to a disciplinary hearing for this post

UPDATE: I have been ‘invited’ to a disciplinary hearing for this post

Games Wales event Monday 24th 7pm Porter’s Cardiff Games Wales FB Event Page: www.facebook.com/share/1FKTmi... OR Games Wales Discord: discord.gg/2qjYhAjZ?eve... OR where to get tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talks-with... I’m talking about 16 years of the Global Game Jam!

I have been sent an “Encrypted and disabled forwarding” email, marked “Confidential - Do not forward” I am not allowed - assuming I care for such ‘requests’ - to tell you anything about the content of this email…

An open letter to my students 1/8 “My take on GenAI in learning and assessment” Hi, GenAI… it’s seen by many academics as a threat, because it overturns years (decades?) of assessment practice, making previously time-consuming tasks relatively easy. There are local, institutional, national, and…

To yesterday (v): /ˈjes.tə.deɪ/ To remember, in fits and starts, the events of the day before as if discovering them

If you are wondering why so many universities are announcing job losses at the same time, it is to attempt to dodge two things: Firstly, the ‘fish in a shoal’ protection, so no one questions individual causes of the problems in each institution, because so many other places are also doing it. 1/5

Volunteering for over 30 years has changed my life. Do consider this if you want to live history; it’s the closest most of us will ever get to a Time Machine

No. Just no

Randomly drive to a nearby secluded bridge at Midnight, then throw something into the deep water - preferably where a streetlight shows the act - just to screw with the person who might be following you

My Dad served on Christmas Islamd and he (and us, his children) were affected by genetic damage caused by radiation from the nuclear bomb tests. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Urge the Government to Address Teachers Pension Scheme's Shortcomings - Sign the Petition! chng.it/7r4bQr4Tvx

frust (v) /frʌst/ To express frustration through gesture and expression “He was so disappointed he frusted darkly.”

Oh LinkedIn, you spoil us. You have decided that, for the moment, you are not going to enable GenAI to harvest us…

My current institution has all but announced compulsory redundancies, despite a healthy reserve. I think it’ll “all be over by Christmas,” judging from previous experience. Great timing So if you hear of opportunities for someone who has worked in Academic Integrity for 30+ years, please think of me

Happy Stanislav Petrov Day! Please DON’T destroy the World!!! en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanisl... Src: www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.p...

What am I?

Mad? Bad? Or Dangerous to know? Let the die decide… Src: www.facebook.com/share/p/LjG7...

#ALTC24 For those new to the Bluesky platform, here is a handy Learning Technology and Digital Education Starter Pack. 150 folks to follow. go.bsky.app/MLDmLaM @dompates.bsky.social

Was asked to comment on the DiAngelo Plagiarism allegation: www.theguardian.com/books/articl...

Want to do a FREE SOE LARP? 12-15 September near Exeter. Four people have had to drop out. This close to the event you would have to fill an existing role, but this is a unique experience. Attend the “finishing school” of the Special Operations Executive in early April 1944!!!

Anyone else here thinking “First Men in the Moon”? “A cave discovered on the Moon opens up new opportunities for settlement by humans” theconversation.com/a-cave-disco...

If you want to know what I looked like as a young man…

Just leaving this here: stopthetories.vote

Ah, the day when so many forums and web sites you have forgotten remind you that you registered with them

Paper Trail - a game I beta tested, made by a former student (and others obvs!) is OUT NOW! *10% off Launch Discount for some!* ⚙ store.steampowered.com/app/1889740/... 🍄 www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro... ❎ www.xbox.com/games/store/... 🎮 store.playstation.com/concept/1000... 📱 bit.ly/papertrailne...

Petition: Protect the junior departments of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama from closure petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/24... Due to financial difficulties the RWCMD is forced to consider closing the Young Acting and Young Music programmes Further info: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

www.facebook.com/share/p/wCWF... Oh, the comments…