Well I am incredibly busy and that is why I have spent the last half an hour trying to find out what the Algerian word for the Algerian Nuthatch is. (Related: Google Translate is rubbish at Arabic.)

I want to sign up for a digital comics subscription. Thinking of Global Comix because I like a lot of non-Marvel/DC but disappointed they don't have any Tillie Walden. Any better options out there?

Also, how about this one? Did all alehouses have names and signs? Like, obviously the Mermaid did, but what about that bench outside the Widow Smith's single room hovel where she'd pass ale out of the window to you to take home in your own jug?

This Tumblr user summarizes something I've been feeling/doing lately. Against everything going on, it somehow feels helpful.

We're each of us alone, to be sure. What can you do but hold your hand out in the dark?

So many politicians skirt around these questions designed to make them look stupid (and end up looking stupid). Zach shows that having courage, stating fully what you believe and not falling for this cynical, click-baiting bull can turn the tables. Morgan looks like a bloviated buffoon here.

How? How can they possibly *all* be odd?

Also, how about this one? Did all alehouses have names and signs? Like, obviously the Mermaid did, but what about that bench outside the Widow Smith's single room hovel where she'd pass ale out of the window to you to take home in your own jug?

Question for a kindly early modern scholar. In an English town circa 1600, what could you buy every day, and what only on market day? Ie: townies often had no oven, so presumably the bakery was always open? And the alehouses for those who didn't brew. Anything else?

Just learned that in Elizabethan England the punishment for "spreading false news" was the pillory - where you could be nailed to a stick by your ears for people to throw stuff at you. Just putting it out there...

perfect

I'm so tired of the country being run as a result of Morgan McSweeney pointing at a poster of Britain's Biggest Cunt and insisting that getting his vote is the sole objective.

Hell. Yes. And, honestly, looking at the return figures for arts investment, (estimates are that for every £ put in, you get £1.30-1.60 back into the economy), it's essential a no-risk boost even before you get to the secondary effects of improved quality of life and education.

Imagining a parallel world in which 22 billion was injected into the UK arts industry.

On the window of the waiting room at Dorridge Station. Rather lovely, I thought.

In case you missed it earlier, the latest Patreon-only Overinvested ep is on Alfred Hitchcock's SHADOW OF A DOUBT, a brilliant 1940s psychological thriller with a teen girl protagonist. www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-...

“Research shows that trans people are over four times more likely than cisgender people to be the victim of a violent crime. We salute our colleagues across the media who are working tirelessly to make that number even higher.”

I am going to play Bridge Command today and I am ridiculously excited and I know this is a boring post but SQUEEEEEEEEEEE! ☄️🌌👾🚀🛰👨🏽‍🚀🌠🎉🪅🎊🪐🌕

Anyone know if UK trains will give you free hot water if you bring your own teabags?

My partner and I (2/4th of SNW) are both trans and attempting to leave the US (I’m also an Arab immigrant). It’s extremely expensive, so please consider buying our game/leaving it a review so that we have some sort of income when we inevitably have to make the jump and start over. Thank you.

Its more of a saxophone solo than a question really

the thing is if you have a six hour day for eight hours pay & full employment you now have time to enjoy walking your dog. to cook yourself something at leisure. to enjoy taking care of your dwelling. the answer isn't magic robots. it's unions, it's workers getting the means of production

Hello Bluesky, does anyone know a historian specialising in Early Modern British social history who would like to be asked extremely niche questions by someone (me) with an intense expression and a laptop?

The entire establishment right now is like “I’m sorry but only the bigotry we’re actively whipping up from fucking NOTHING can win elections”

Homework is basically just teaching kids to have a shitty work-life balance and to work for free outside their contracted hours.

The idea is like grass. It craves light, likes crowds, thrives on crossbreeding, grows better for being stepped on.

Women from all walks of life are joining together to say: Not in Our Name. We are a diverse group — women of faith and none, women of colour, disabled women, queer women, working-class and professional women standing up in support of the trans+ community. ✍️ Sign our letter at change.org/nion_women

Christ, the ending of my current spec is depressing.

I want to explain a few things and then it might be clearer why UK trans people are upset. In 2001 I married my wife, Sylvia. In 2005 I started medical transition. (1/13)

I have a new all-time favourite poster review.

It shows such a basic lack of political understanding that Labour didn't go straight on the attack over this. Just because most people are worried about immigration being too high it doesn't mean they're psychopaths.

@earlymodernjohn.bsky.social Hello! I'm writing a novel that starts in about 1600. Can I tempt you to a (virtual) coffee to discuss a few really specific questions I have?

Any friends on here within travel distance of SW Scotland, I am giving this talk on Friday 5th September - it would be lovely to see you. kbtfringe.com/events/05-09...

we used to build household shrines to Going On The Computer and it's no coincidence that as we abandoned these we started straying further from god's light

Me: *requests help finding extremely specific information about market town centres in 1604.* Librarian: Is this for worldbuilding? Me: *nods in wonder* Librarian: (placidly) Fantasy or Historical?

Hilda Bastians Update "A big first for next generation Covid vax! A manufacturer is accelerating a "universal coronavirus vaccine." It's set to be the first pancoronavirus vax going into phase 2 trial – & a mucosal form might be developed, too." #COVID absolutelymaybe.plos.org/2025/06/30/a...

no one ever comes back

If you're feeling hopeless and powerless about Palestine, you might find this article helpful. It lists a few charities it says are working locally to get through the blockade, and other things you can do if you don't have money. jusmedia.co.uk/riotandreaso...

Happy 15th anniversary of the peak achievement of literary criticism, to all who celebrate

93% of people working in the arts are from at least middle class backgrounds. 60% of people are working class. This could not fail to be the start of an artistic golden age by sheer numbers alone.

Hey #PortfolioDay I'm Aled, I'm a Welsh freelance illustrator and concept artist. I like to illustrate nature, wildlife and anything Welsh! ✨ I think this is the perfect opportunity to show off my new website! 🌐 aledthompson.com 📧 [email protected]

Shamelessly equating the condemnation of genocide with anti-seminism. Outrageous.

It's the last day to fill this out. It will really make a difference, so make five minutes to do it.

[reality dating show confessional] I'm not here to make friends. I am here to sell a used toyota camry that has some kind of electrical issue, but is otherwise in okay shape. do you know anyone who would buy a used toyota camry that has some kind of electrical issue, but is otherwise in okay shape

that show with the cylons

I signed. AI isn’t real, it’s stolen work mashed up by outsourced laborers paid a tiny pittance by companies so they can raise billions of dollars from their fellow idiots who are incentivized not to look behind the curtain so they can all keep getting richer lithub.com/against-ai-a...

Gender neutral word for "seamanship"?

Er, every single writer I know, literally every one, has a minimum of four comprehensively re-drafted original drama scripts on their computer. They're required as calling cards for agents and producers, so we all fit in this unpaid but essential work between commissions.

it's 2047 every single tv show and movie is written by jack thorne or russell t davies all the other screenwriters have gone feral and roam the countryside, handing copies of their scripts to cows and shouting 'set-up! payoff!' into the wind the bbc streams a 24hr reality show about nice trains