Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Simon 🪗

Richard Smyth @rsmythfreelance.bsky.social · 1h

On why short stories are easy, why reading in the pub is good, and why there aren't any happy endings.

Uncertain Stories @uncertainstories.com · 2h

Here’s Richard Smyth - @rsmythfreelance.bsky.social - answering our Q&A on reading, writing, and his story ‘Chalklands’, which we’ve just published as a Little Uncertainty:

Q & A with Richard Smyth.

Richard Smyth answers some questions for us about writing, reading, and his short story 'Chalklands'.

www.uncertainstories.com

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Simon 🪗 @mzdt.bsky.social · 57m

The 'bj' pun is right there...

...well done to everyone else for rising above it :-)

Simon 🪗 @mzdt.bsky.social · 58m

It's mostly gigs, the former, and theatre shows, the latter, but not always; especially when those distinctions/content cross over a little...

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Simon 🪗 @mzdt.bsky.social · 1h

Within the industry there's a certain amount of respect for his broadcasting skills, but this doesn't ameliorate the racism.

Simon 🪗 @mzdt.bsky.social · 1h

(last bit prob a bit patronising, but it worried me how many ex colleagues didn't get this... Obviously doesn't apply to a failing iron that can't get hot enough to start with)

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Suw @suw.bsky.social · 2h

This is the first time in 15 years that I'm running Ada Lovelace Day without also putting on a big event in London, and I have to admit, it feels kinda weird.

If you have a minute, please share a story of your favourite woman in STEM with the hashtag #ALD25.

Ada Lovelace Day @adalovelaceday.bsky.social · 2h

Ada Lovelace Day has begun! As midnight arrives on Kiritimati Island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, our global celebration of women in science, technology, engineering and maths begins! Join us in celebrating by posting about your fave women in STEM #ALD25!

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Simon 🪗 @mzdt.bsky.social · 2h

(lower power irons are ok as long as you give them enough time to heat up, even between joints. The end of the iron acts as heat storage, to dump into the joint, so partly why lightweight irons are less good...)

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Simon 🪗 @mzdt.bsky.social · 2h

As they sang in Grease:

'Weller, Weller, Weller'

Their standard 50w iron (with base station) has replaceable bits of various sizes, and does me for almost everything on the workbench.

(18w Antex in the portable toolkit...)

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Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 2h

Does anyone know a number to call to get through to speak to a person at BT, not just get a text to a webchat? It's for a family member.

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Neil Miles (but spooky) @miles-online.co.uk · 14h

Here's a little something for when randoms turn up in your mentions demanding you explain what you're posting about

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Matthew Parkinson-Bennett @matthewpb.bsky.social · 4h

Returns from a chain bookshop have reduced our sales to a minus figure in the most important sales month of the year.

Please support independent bookshops this Christmas.

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John Bull @garius.bsky.social · 3h

Today's background listening while working.

Music for Resilience on 19th Century Lute - "Invitation" - Nao Sogabe

YouTube video by Music for Spirit - Nao Sogabe

www.youtube.com

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Simon 🪗 @mzdt.bsky.social · 3h

When it started and people seemed to be going there rather than here (I was on Mastodon, of course, the Betamax of social media) I thought I'd try it, but it demanded I set up an Instagram account with my phone number, which I'm not going to give to Meta, and I just gave up...

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Simon 🪗 @mzdt.bsky.social · 3h

(tbh, it still annoys me a little to see interesting posts from people who've locked replies to their mates only, but I do also understand why...)

The bottom line is always that we can post how we like, and if other people don't approve, it's their problem and never ours.

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Raider @iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social · 10h

ICE GOONS, laughing and pepper spraying Pastor after shooting him in the face with pepper balls, proceeded to gas the crowd who were trying to protect him.

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Simon 🪗 @mzdt.bsky.social · 3h

I keep wanting to say 'but it's not just US people', but all the examples are... :-)

Is it really so difficult to work out that other countries exist, and have things going on too?

We seem to cope fine here (and indeed take an interest, even if watching through fingers in horror).

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Simon 🪗 @mzdt.bsky.social · 3h

I, being a mere human, still cannot tell whether the time randomly placed on a ticket/listing is the doors open time or event starting time.

Venues/promoters could really help here, and yet...

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Max G @maximgrosky.bsky.social · 4h

The National is Scotland’s pro-independence daily based in Glasgow and the only major newspaper advocating separation from UK rule.
#Israel #USA #BDS #Famine #Trump #Netanyahu #warcriminal #zionazis #Palestine #Gaza #OccupiedWestBank #holocaust #genocide #jewishterrorists #crimesgainsthumanity

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Simon 🪗 @mzdt.bsky.social · 3h

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Jen Taub @jentaub.bsky.social · 15h

NEW

Prince Andrew to Jeff Epstein in 2011: “We are in this together”

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Simon 🪗 @mzdt.bsky.social · 3h

"your post was in the 'discover' feed so I have a right to shout at you because I don't understand it"

Signed, some random :-)

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Simon 🪗 @mzdt.bsky.social · 3h

(when doing those sound jobs, btw, it was never replacing a paid person, and I'd insist on being paid if it was)

Arts/humanities being devalued in government + education is having massive consequences, which the accountants _will_ start to notice, eventually...

Simon 🪗 @mzdt.bsky.social · 3h

I read recently that that was still the equivalent of around a million quid, though...

Anyway.

youtu.be/5pPDl3fgIe0?...

The Cottagers Reply

YouTube video by marc higgins

youtu.be

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Simon 🪗 @mzdt.bsky.social · 4h

All too universal ;-)

The things I've been asked for, both in commercial broadcast facilities and largely voluntary PA/sound gigs, and told they 'need' but 'can't' pay for...

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Suw @suw.bsky.social · 4h

"But there's no budget."

🏰meg⚔️ @Birthright Audiobook! @impavid.us · 3d

In honor of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand

I'll go first: Six page commercial lease.

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