Alan Rew
@alanrew.bsky.social
UK-based retired software developer.
Art, Photography, Science, Music, Economics, Politics, Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science, Architecture, Archaeology
I can't send/receive DMs here.
Signal: alan.285
Art, Photography, Science, Music, Economics, Politics, Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science, Architecture, Archaeology
I can't send/receive DMs here.
Signal: alan.285
Pinned
Alan Rew
@alanrew.bsky.social
· Sep 7
Apologies to anyone who's sent me a DM recently: I can't read or send DMs here. I don't trust the security of the third-party verification company. I'm looking at alternatives for private chat.
I now have a Signal account. Address in bio. Signal accounts are free: just download the app to get started.
Reposted by Alan Rew
Why was everyone in *Civilisations: Rise and Fall* dressed like they were in a 1950s Hollywood epic?
Stilicho looked like Richard Burton in *The Robe* with muscled cuirass and pointless wrist guards rather than in long sleeved tunic and big chonky brooch
Who was the historical advisor on this? 😱😱
Stilicho looked like Richard Burton in *The Robe* with muscled cuirass and pointless wrist guards rather than in long sleeved tunic and big chonky brooch
Who was the historical advisor on this? 😱😱
November 25, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Why was everyone in *Civilisations: Rise and Fall* dressed like they were in a 1950s Hollywood epic?
Stilicho looked like Richard Burton in *The Robe* with muscled cuirass and pointless wrist guards rather than in long sleeved tunic and big chonky brooch
Who was the historical advisor on this? 😱😱
Stilicho looked like Richard Burton in *The Robe* with muscled cuirass and pointless wrist guards rather than in long sleeved tunic and big chonky brooch
Who was the historical advisor on this? 😱😱
Reposted by Alan Rew
Ultimately the minimum wage is a brilliant tool, but it can’t compensate for “we haven’t built any housing”, “we have cut cash transfers to the bone” and “all the third spaces have been cut to pay for social care”.
The minimum wage is not a cure all — we’re asking too much of business
Politicians spend too much time uttering cheap rhetoric about cheap labour
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Ultimately the minimum wage is a brilliant tool, but it can’t compensate for “we haven’t built any housing”, “we have cut cash transfers to the bone” and “all the third spaces have been cut to pay for social care”.
Reposted by Alan Rew
Founders on LinkedIn still seem to be struggling with the difference between telling people about their humble beginnings and admitting to straight up committing fraud.
November 24, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Founders on LinkedIn still seem to be struggling with the difference between telling people about their humble beginnings and admitting to straight up committing fraud.
Reposted by Alan Rew
It’s great to have them on hand, but I doubt they will be very busy. Reform have quite a track record of threatening litigation but not following through.
In fact, following recent investigations of solicitors over-reaching, Reform might struggle to find their own lawyers.
In fact, following recent investigations of solicitors over-reaching, Reform might struggle to find their own lawyers.
November 25, 2025 at 8:35 AM
It’s great to have them on hand, but I doubt they will be very busy. Reform have quite a track record of threatening litigation but not following through.
In fact, following recent investigations of solicitors over-reaching, Reform might struggle to find their own lawyers.
In fact, following recent investigations of solicitors over-reaching, Reform might struggle to find their own lawyers.
Reposted by Alan Rew
If you receive legal threats from Nigel Farage for your reporting of Reform, please get in touch.
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform’s ‘Trumpian’ legal threats hint at more aggressive approach to media
Ultimatums sent to publications appear to intensify as Nigel Farage’s party rises in polls
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:29 AM
If you receive legal threats from Nigel Farage for your reporting of Reform, please get in touch.
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Alan Rew
I guess it’s a compliment that the top story on BBC London’s TV/online output today is a direct lift of a month-old London Centric story? But once again the BBC is consistently the worst news outlet for actually remembering to credit others.
November 25, 2025 at 7:52 AM
I guess it’s a compliment that the top story on BBC London’s TV/online output today is a direct lift of a month-old London Centric story? But once again the BBC is consistently the worst news outlet for actually remembering to credit others.
Reposted by Alan Rew
Labour needs to learn the lessons from putting VAT on private school fees.
A clear policy, a well argued case and faced down critics. That's the way forward not surrendering at the first smell of cordite.
Labour has a stonking majority. Use it.
A clear policy, a well argued case and faced down critics. That's the way forward not surrendering at the first smell of cordite.
Labour has a stonking majority. Use it.
November 25, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Labour needs to learn the lessons from putting VAT on private school fees.
A clear policy, a well argued case and faced down critics. That's the way forward not surrendering at the first smell of cordite.
Labour has a stonking majority. Use it.
A clear policy, a well argued case and faced down critics. That's the way forward not surrendering at the first smell of cordite.
Labour has a stonking majority. Use it.
Reposted by Alan Rew
Things online are often not as they appear.
November 24, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Things online are often not as they appear.
Reposted by Alan Rew
Colonisation, eh?
I wonder who got that started?
I wonder who got that started?
We've just recorded an interview with @lynneguist.bsky.social for the @lexispodcast.bsky.social and then this absolute whopper of a piece gets published. It's jam-packed with clichéd complaints, hoary hyperbole & xenophobic waffle.
archive.ph/2025.11.24-0...
archive.ph/2025.11.24-0...
November 24, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Colonisation, eh?
I wonder who got that started?
I wonder who got that started?
Reposted by Alan Rew
When is a drawing of a foot worth $2m? When it’s a newly discovered Michelanglo. ‘Study for the right foot of The Libyan Sibyl on the Sistine Chapel ceiling’, c.1511-12, will be sold at Christie’s NY in January.
November 24, 2025 at 10:14 PM
When is a drawing of a foot worth $2m? When it’s a newly discovered Michelanglo. ‘Study for the right foot of The Libyan Sibyl on the Sistine Chapel ceiling’, c.1511-12, will be sold at Christie’s NY in January.
Reposted by Alan Rew
It always amuses me with these things to wonder whether the identity is being concealed because Gibb would be embarrassed by association with the funder, or the funder would be embarrassed by association with Gibb.
Robbie Gibb says he was approached to join the Jewish Chronicle board by "an elderly Jewish person...funder...um philanthropist". Hasn't said his name yet. But it is a big issue as lots of progressive writers quit shortly after, saying it had become an ideological tool.
November 24, 2025 at 6:34 PM
It always amuses me with these things to wonder whether the identity is being concealed because Gibb would be embarrassed by association with the funder, or the funder would be embarrassed by association with Gibb.
Reposted by Alan Rew
I'm going insane because people constantly recommend using AI for things and it is always, ALWAYS worse than repeatedly bashing my head on a brick.
It's like you have an actual problem & all anyone recommends is "have you tried talking to my cousin? He drinks bleach & doesn't wash his pants"
It's like you have an actual problem & all anyone recommends is "have you tried talking to my cousin? He drinks bleach & doesn't wash his pants"
November 24, 2025 at 6:34 PM
I'm going insane because people constantly recommend using AI for things and it is always, ALWAYS worse than repeatedly bashing my head on a brick.
It's like you have an actual problem & all anyone recommends is "have you tried talking to my cousin? He drinks bleach & doesn't wash his pants"
It's like you have an actual problem & all anyone recommends is "have you tried talking to my cousin? He drinks bleach & doesn't wash his pants"
Reposted by Alan Rew
With its 3,200-megapixel camera, Rubin will capture billions of galaxies, stars, and transients.
Over the next 10 years, LSST will map the Universe in unprecedented detail, helping scientists unlock mysteries from dark matter to near-Earth asteroids. We're in the final stretch!🔭🧪
Over the next 10 years, LSST will map the Universe in unprecedented detail, helping scientists unlock mysteries from dark matter to near-Earth asteroids. We're in the final stretch!🔭🧪
November 24, 2025 at 10:40 PM
With its 3,200-megapixel camera, Rubin will capture billions of galaxies, stars, and transients.
Over the next 10 years, LSST will map the Universe in unprecedented detail, helping scientists unlock mysteries from dark matter to near-Earth asteroids. We're in the final stretch!🔭🧪
Over the next 10 years, LSST will map the Universe in unprecedented detail, helping scientists unlock mysteries from dark matter to near-Earth asteroids. We're in the final stretch!🔭🧪
Reposted by Alan Rew
We're getting ever-closer to starting to film the greatest cosmic movie ever made! 🎬
The Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) is the decade-long survey that NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory will carry out, scanning the southern sky in greater detail than ever before. 🔭🧪
The Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) is the decade-long survey that NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory will carry out, scanning the southern sky in greater detail than ever before. 🔭🧪
November 24, 2025 at 10:40 PM
We're getting ever-closer to starting to film the greatest cosmic movie ever made! 🎬
The Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) is the decade-long survey that NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory will carry out, scanning the southern sky in greater detail than ever before. 🔭🧪
The Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) is the decade-long survey that NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory will carry out, scanning the southern sky in greater detail than ever before. 🔭🧪
Reposted by Alan Rew
Robbie Gibb describes the BBC's Political Editor Chris Mason as the "unsung hero of covering politics" and "absolutely first rate"
November 24, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Robbie Gibb describes the BBC's Political Editor Chris Mason as the "unsung hero of covering politics" and "absolutely first rate"
Reposted by Alan Rew
Looking to protect your sensitive information from data brokers? Don’t want Big Tech monetizing your personal data? Privacy Badger is here to help! www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Online Tracking is Out of Control—Privacy Badger Can Help You Fight
Every time you browse the web, you're being tracked. That’s why EFF created Privacy Badger, a free, open source browser extension used by millions to fight corporate surveillance and take back
www.eff.org
November 25, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Looking to protect your sensitive information from data brokers? Don’t want Big Tech monetizing your personal data? Privacy Badger is here to help! www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Reposted by Alan Rew
This is an incredible image of comet 3I/ATLAS, taken by Satoru Murata ICQ Comet Observations group on 16 November 2025 from western New Mexico.
Structure within the major dust tail from the comet is clearly visible, together with two smaller jets trailing the nucleus and maybe even an anti-tail.
Structure within the major dust tail from the comet is clearly visible, together with two smaller jets trailing the nucleus and maybe even an anti-tail.
November 24, 2025 at 11:50 PM
This is an incredible image of comet 3I/ATLAS, taken by Satoru Murata ICQ Comet Observations group on 16 November 2025 from western New Mexico.
Structure within the major dust tail from the comet is clearly visible, together with two smaller jets trailing the nucleus and maybe even an anti-tail.
Structure within the major dust tail from the comet is clearly visible, together with two smaller jets trailing the nucleus and maybe even an anti-tail.
Reposted by Alan Rew
Reposted by Alan Rew
Well, at least you know it works.
November 24, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Well, at least you know it works.
Reposted by Alan Rew
Mauro Reggio • Gazometro •
November 24, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Mauro Reggio • Gazometro •
Reposted by Alan Rew
My attendance record in the European Parliament was the 4th worst out of 751 MEPs, yet I managed to turn up to vote AGAINST plans to tackle Russian misinformation.
Thankfully this is of no interest to the media.
Thankfully this is of no interest to the media.
November 24, 2025 at 9:20 PM
My attendance record in the European Parliament was the 4th worst out of 751 MEPs, yet I managed to turn up to vote AGAINST plans to tackle Russian misinformation.
Thankfully this is of no interest to the media.
Thankfully this is of no interest to the media.
Reposted by Alan Rew
I'm so tired of people telling me to have students critique LLM outputs. I'm just going to print this on little cards and hand them out
I will add the following: our students lack the research skills required to audit an LLM essay for errors. They don’t arrive on campus with these skills; we teach it to them over four long years. So throwing freshmen in the deep end and saying “swim your way to a shore of rectitude” is folly.
November 24, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I'm so tired of people telling me to have students critique LLM outputs. I'm just going to print this on little cards and hand them out
Reposted by Alan Rew
THIS is what happens as soon as he is put under any kind of journalistic pressure.
The exception seems to prove the rule.
WHERE has this pressure been in the past?
What an absolute melt.
#UKPolitics #Farage #ReformUK
The exception seems to prove the rule.
WHERE has this pressure been in the past?
What an absolute melt.
#UKPolitics #Farage #ReformUK
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
It was years ago.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not in a hurtful way.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not with intent.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not genuine abuse.
😮🫣😬😱 ~AA
It was years ago.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not in a hurtful way.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not with intent.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not genuine abuse.
😮🫣😬😱 ~AA
November 24, 2025 at 11:45 PM
THIS is what happens as soon as he is put under any kind of journalistic pressure.
The exception seems to prove the rule.
WHERE has this pressure been in the past?
What an absolute melt.
#UKPolitics #Farage #ReformUK
The exception seems to prove the rule.
WHERE has this pressure been in the past?
What an absolute melt.
#UKPolitics #Farage #ReformUK
Reposted by Alan Rew
Watching Civilisations: Rise and Fall on the BBC and we wonder why there are 1st century AD legionaries in late 4th century Rome 🤔
Ok so armour and uniforms could last a long time, but isn't this like having the 1640s Parliamentarian New Model Army defend London during the Blitz?
#AskingForAFriend
Ok so armour and uniforms could last a long time, but isn't this like having the 1640s Parliamentarian New Model Army defend London during the Blitz?
#AskingForAFriend
November 24, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Watching Civilisations: Rise and Fall on the BBC and we wonder why there are 1st century AD legionaries in late 4th century Rome 🤔
Ok so armour and uniforms could last a long time, but isn't this like having the 1640s Parliamentarian New Model Army defend London during the Blitz?
#AskingForAFriend
Ok so armour and uniforms could last a long time, but isn't this like having the 1640s Parliamentarian New Model Army defend London during the Blitz?
#AskingForAFriend
Reposted by Alan Rew
Zero vaccines are “injected directly into the bloodstream”
Approved vaccines are:
• Intramuscular
• Subcutaneous
• Intradermal
• Oral
• Intranasal
No approved vaccines are administered intravenously.
Hope that helps 🙃
Approved vaccines are:
• Intramuscular
• Subcutaneous
• Intradermal
• Oral
• Intranasal
No approved vaccines are administered intravenously.
Hope that helps 🙃
November 24, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Zero vaccines are “injected directly into the bloodstream”
Approved vaccines are:
• Intramuscular
• Subcutaneous
• Intradermal
• Oral
• Intranasal
No approved vaccines are administered intravenously.
Hope that helps 🙃
Approved vaccines are:
• Intramuscular
• Subcutaneous
• Intradermal
• Oral
• Intranasal
No approved vaccines are administered intravenously.
Hope that helps 🙃