Adrian Bowyer
@adrianbowyer.bsky.social
No worthwhile human achievement has ever been instigated on the basis of demonstrable cost effectiveness.
https://adrianbowyer.com
📍Europe
https://adrianbowyer.com
📍Europe
Pinned
Most areas of human thought are wrong because they assume they're right. Science is mostly right because it assumes it is wrong.
Most ways of achieving things fail because they assume they'll work. Engineering mostly works because it assumes things will go wrong.
Most ways of achieving things fail because they assume they'll work. Engineering mostly works because it assumes things will go wrong.
During WW2 the British SOE plans to assassinate Hitler, collectively called Operation Foxley, were always quashed for fear that he would be replaced by someone competent. Vance is competent.
“Vance and his hard-right janissaries have long wanted Rubio gone … It seems they outmanoeuvred him by drafting and leaking the plan behind his back, then forcing his capitulation after he denounced it.”
Wherein I do a bit of Kremlinology around the White House's chaotic Ukraine peace negotiations. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
November 25, 2025 at 2:21 PM
During WW2 the British SOE plans to assassinate Hitler, collectively called Operation Foxley, were always quashed for fear that he would be replaced by someone competent. Vance is competent.
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
We saw it with big tobacco, we saw it with the fossil fuels industry. When their own internal research showed the harm from their product, the defunded the research and attacked independent researchers coming to the very same conclusions.
#ScienceUnderSiege
#ScienceUnderSiege
Meta halted internal research that purportedly showed (young) people who stopped using Facebook became less depressed and anxious, according to an unredacted legal filing released on Friday. www.cnbc.com/2025/11/23/m...
Meta halted internal research suggesting social media harm, court filing alleges
Meta is alleged to have halted internal research suggesting social media harm, according to court documents.
www.cnbc.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:59 AM
We saw it with big tobacco, we saw it with the fossil fuels industry. When their own internal research showed the harm from their product, the defunded the research and attacked independent researchers coming to the very same conclusions.
#ScienceUnderSiege
#ScienceUnderSiege
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
a morning after pill, but for that really stupid thing you said yesterday in front of everyone
May 29, 2025 at 9:04 PM
a morning after pill, but for that really stupid thing you said yesterday in front of everyone
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Other
siepr.stanford.edu
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
“Well, here’s your problem, Marge—if you and Bob really want kids, next time try sittin’ on these little guys.”
November 3, 2025 at 11:06 PM
“Well, here’s your problem, Marge—if you and Bob really want kids, next time try sittin’ on these little guys.”
Experiment: I have just had to wait an hour in my parked EV. The outside temperature is 7 degrees and I have the car's interior set to 22. The hour's wait has knocked 10 km off the range.
There will be some variation, but I'd expect the heater in most EVs to have about the same impact.
There will be some variation, but I'd expect the heater in most EVs to have about the same impact.
November 24, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Experiment: I have just had to wait an hour in my parked EV. The outside temperature is 7 degrees and I have the car's interior set to 22. The hour's wait has knocked 10 km off the range.
There will be some variation, but I'd expect the heater in most EVs to have about the same impact.
There will be some variation, but I'd expect the heater in most EVs to have about the same impact.
"Well, he would, wouldn't he?" - Mandy Rice-Davis
Robbie Gibb says it is "deeply offensive" to suggest that he has been part of a right-wing coup at the BBC
November 24, 2025 at 6:02 PM
"Well, he would, wouldn't he?" - Mandy Rice-Davis
The basis of drama is conflict. (Aeschylus)
But close second is that the writer had twenty minutes to think what each actor will say when in real life everyone has 300 milliseconds.
But close second is that the writer had twenty minutes to think what each actor will say when in real life everyone has 300 milliseconds.
when people are like "x media is good but the dialogue is overwrought" i'm like dude my favorite show is Hannibal where in the first episode one guy asks another guy "what do you see me as" and he responds "i think you are the mongoose i want under the house when the snakes slither by"
November 24, 2025 at 3:28 PM
The basis of drama is conflict. (Aeschylus)
But close second is that the writer had twenty minutes to think what each actor will say when in real life everyone has 300 milliseconds.
But close second is that the writer had twenty minutes to think what each actor will say when in real life everyone has 300 milliseconds.
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
Unbelievable the listing says this has had “the same family ownership for 35 years” like some sort of positive, when it looks like the family were dead the whole time and a group of squatters came in and opened a crack den alongside the dead bodies
They really don't want to share any interior shots but when they do, you just know that unspeakable acts have been committed within... www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
Check out this 3 bedroom end of terrace house for sale on Rightmove
3 bedroom end of terrace house for sale in 75 Camden Mews, Camden, London, NW1 9BY, NW1 for £925,000. Marketed by Auction House London, Hampstead
www.rightmove.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Unbelievable the listing says this has had “the same family ownership for 35 years” like some sort of positive, when it looks like the family were dead the whole time and a group of squatters came in and opened a crack den alongside the dead bodies
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
There is no way you can guess how the thread that ends in this instant classic begins.
The damned in hell are not more powerful for the fact that the fires do not consume them; it is part and parcel of their torment.
November 23, 2025 at 6:54 PM
There is no way you can guess how the thread that ends in this instant classic begins.
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
Most people hear “heat pump” and think of small air-source units at home. But Germany is building one of the world’s largest heat pumps in Mannheim: a 162 MW river-source system using heat from the Rhine.
Big reminder that heat-pumps scale far beyond households — they can decarbonise whole cities.
Big reminder that heat-pumps scale far beyond households — they can decarbonise whole cities.
November 24, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Most people hear “heat pump” and think of small air-source units at home. But Germany is building one of the world’s largest heat pumps in Mannheim: a 162 MW river-source system using heat from the Rhine.
Big reminder that heat-pumps scale far beyond households — they can decarbonise whole cities.
Big reminder that heat-pumps scale far beyond households — they can decarbonise whole cities.
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
![[Scene is JESUS sat behind a boss’s desk in his office on a cloud in HEAVEN]
1
JESUS [speaking into intercom]
Hi can you send in Saint Nicholas please
2
SANTA [entering in full Santa garb]:
Hi boss
JESUS:
Hi Nick
3
JESUS:
Listen - about this ‘my birthday’ thing...
SANTA:
Ohh not this again boss
4
JESUS:
Nick, it’s out of hand. *You’ve* got out of hand.
5
JESUS:
I mean when I hired you, you was all humble, hiding under windows, lobbing in dowries…
And now you’re like…
6
JESUS [gesturing disdainfully at Santa’s clothing]:
I mean - what’s this.
7
SANTA:
This is my get up! I’ve had this since the Coca Cola deal in the 30s
JESUS:
*That’s what I mean.*
8
JESUS:
You’ve just gone too -
SANTA:
Oh no, oh no -
9
SANTA:
Sorry boss but waaay back in the Reformation, right, Martin Luther said: “why don’t we have Jesus delivering the presents?”. And when he prayed to ask you, do you remember what you said? Eh?
10
SANTA:
You said: “I ain’t going back there”
11
SANTA:
If you wanna take over -
JESUS:
Oh yeah! Kids coming downstairs to find me resurrected in their living room going "I got you an Xbox"...
12
SANTA:
You’re just feeling threatened cos I’m doing a bloody good -
JESUS:
*WATCH IT NICK*.
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreiayhglimve4fbwilzyfjedpa56xwmjq4oriqqs62atkospprs6x5y@jpeg)
"If I were to give an award for the single best idea anyone has ever had, I'd give it to Darwin..." - Daniel Dennett
'On The Origin Of Species', a book that changed the world forever, was published #onthisday, 1859. Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, contained within, didn’t just revolutionise science, it had a profound impact on how we view ourselves and our place in the natural world. What a wonderful man.
November 24, 2025 at 1:08 PM
"If I were to give an award for the single best idea anyone has ever had, I'd give it to Darwin..." - Daniel Dennett
"Spokespeople for Farage and Reform rejected the claims as completely untrue, saying the passage of time made accurate recollections impossible..."
Only one of these can be true.
Only one of these can be true.
Farage urged to explain conspiracy theories linked to antisemitism he voiced in US media
Farage urged to explain conspiracy theories linked to antisemitism he voiced in US media
Exclusive: The Reform UK leader discussed far-right talking points in web TV and radio appearances between 2009 and 2018
Nigel Farage is facing calls to explain why he repeatedly aired tropes and conspiracy theories associated with antisemitism during interviews, after claims the Reform UK leader used racist language in his teens.
In appearances on US TV shows and podcasts earlier in his political career, Farage discussed supposed plots by bankers to create a global government, citing Goldman Sachs, the Bilderberg group and the financier George Soros as threats to democracy. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:57 PM
"Spokespeople for Farage and Reform rejected the claims as completely untrue, saying the passage of time made accurate recollections impossible..."
Only one of these can be true.
Only one of these can be true.
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
In an era filled with tech dipshits who never developed emotionally past the age of 13 & use their wealth to become odious monsters ...
... listen to Steve Wozniak.
... listen to Steve Wozniak.
November 21, 2025 at 7:41 PM
In an era filled with tech dipshits who never developed emotionally past the age of 13 & use their wealth to become odious monsters ...
... listen to Steve Wozniak.
... listen to Steve Wozniak.
Laziness. At the end of my engineering PhD I applied for a job as a mathematician and got it. Every job since someone offered me*; my career chose me.
So I have only ever initiated one job application in my life.
---
* I guess 'headhunted' is the word.
So I have only ever initiated one job application in my life.
---
* I guess 'headhunted' is the word.
November 23, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Laziness. At the end of my engineering PhD I applied for a job as a mathematician and got it. Every job since someone offered me*; my career chose me.
So I have only ever initiated one job application in my life.
---
* I guess 'headhunted' is the word.
So I have only ever initiated one job application in my life.
---
* I guess 'headhunted' is the word.
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
Also, stop using "algorithm" to mean "heurisic".
November 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Also, stop using "algorithm" to mean "heurisic".
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
With the disappointing progress at Cop30, evergreen reminder it isn't "we" or "humanity" failing to address the climate crisis — oil-producing nations and fossil fuel interests are actively obstructing action, despite heroic efforts by developing nations, Indigenous peoples, and many, many others.
End of fossil fuel era inches closer as Cop30 deal agreed after bitter standoff
Wealthy countries should triple funds for countries to tackle climate impacts, but deforestation and critical minerals blocked from final deal
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:45 PM
With the disappointing progress at Cop30, evergreen reminder it isn't "we" or "humanity" failing to address the climate crisis — oil-producing nations and fossil fuel interests are actively obstructing action, despite heroic efforts by developing nations, Indigenous peoples, and many, many others.
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
When I worked at a bookstore, I quickly learned that people cannot tell the difference between Xmas music and any Baroque or Elizabethan music album that doesn't get too organ-ish. I used this to my advantage.
One customer caught on... AND THANKED ME
One customer caught on... AND THANKED ME
If we had to hear “Baby Shark” everywhere we went for two whole months out of the year we’d throw a fit, right?
And rightfully so.
So tell me, why do we put up with it when the song is “Frosty the Snowman”?
And rightfully so.
So tell me, why do we put up with it when the song is “Frosty the Snowman”?
November 22, 2025 at 3:52 AM
When I worked at a bookstore, I quickly learned that people cannot tell the difference between Xmas music and any Baroque or Elizabethan music album that doesn't get too organ-ish. I used this to my advantage.
One customer caught on... AND THANKED ME
One customer caught on... AND THANKED ME
When it comes to eating the rich, I'd start with baronets and work up...
November 22, 2025 at 2:28 PM
When it comes to eating the rich, I'd start with baronets and work up...
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
The Daily Mail buying the Telegraph is like a psychiatric hospital building an extension wing for the really hopeless cases.
November 22, 2025 at 1:29 PM
The Daily Mail buying the Telegraph is like a psychiatric hospital building an extension wing for the really hopeless cases.
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
Almost a year now since I received this absolutely classic burn from the Canadian government.
November 21, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Almost a year now since I received this absolutely classic burn from the Canadian government.
Reposted by Adrian Bowyer
227,000 deaths in the UK by the time the COVID-19 pandemic was declared "over" in 2023. Many could have been saved by a scientifically literate Cabinet.
Due to Johnson's & Hancock's clownish chaos, Lettuce Liz's utter incompetence for a month, and Sunak's glossily-signed Help Out the virus scheme.
Due to Johnson's & Hancock's clownish chaos, Lettuce Liz's utter incompetence for a month, and Sunak's glossily-signed Help Out the virus scheme.
November 22, 2025 at 9:50 AM
227,000 deaths in the UK by the time the COVID-19 pandemic was declared "over" in 2023. Many could have been saved by a scientifically literate Cabinet.
Due to Johnson's & Hancock's clownish chaos, Lettuce Liz's utter incompetence for a month, and Sunak's glossily-signed Help Out the virus scheme.
Due to Johnson's & Hancock's clownish chaos, Lettuce Liz's utter incompetence for a month, and Sunak's glossily-signed Help Out the virus scheme.
Over the years I have had to see a number of medical consultants; all, I'm grateful to say, for less than fatal conditions. They write to my GP afterwards and CC me. They always say something like, "I have seen this pleasant gentleman.." or "I have seen this friendly man about..."
🧵1/2
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November 21, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Over the years I have had to see a number of medical consultants; all, I'm grateful to say, for less than fatal conditions. They write to my GP afterwards and CC me. They always say something like, "I have seen this pleasant gentleman.." or "I have seen this friendly man about..."
🧵1/2
🧵1/2