James
@derpjames.bsky.social
History, Homebrew, and cHristianity (but clearly not alliteration). Here to learn and explore.
I lovingly curate @headlineoftheday.bsky.social
I lovingly curate @headlineoftheday.bsky.social
Pinned
Join The Big Plastic Count
The UK’s biggest people-powered investigation into household plastic waste.
thebigplasticcount.com
The Big Plastic Count is back again - it's a great project to be part of, and really opens your eyes to how much plastic you go through in a week.
If you'd like to join me and sign up, you can do so here:
thebigplasticcount.com
If you'd like to join me and sign up, you can do so here:
thebigplasticcount.com
Reposted by James
Available here:
scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...
scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...
January 30, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Available here:
scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...
scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...
Reposted by James
It’s 30 January – the anniversary of Gandhi’s murder – so let’s bust some fake Gandhi quotes. Very much a case of trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon. Ah well.
Gandhi said neither of these things, though they are widely attributed to him online. See quoteinvestigator.com/2013/01/10/w... and paleofuture.com/nofuture/201...
7 Gandhi Quotes That Are Totally Fake — Paleofuture
We love quotes from famous dead people. Words just sound more important when they’re coming from the mouths of important historical figures . And when we need that extra dash of moral authority, Maha...
paleofuture.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:57 PM
It’s 30 January – the anniversary of Gandhi’s murder – so let’s bust some fake Gandhi quotes. Very much a case of trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon. Ah well.
Reposted by James
Life imitates Eye
L: Joke from the last issue (21 Jan 2026)
R: A tapestry of headlines this morning
L: Joke from the last issue (21 Jan 2026)
R: A tapestry of headlines this morning
January 30, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Life imitates Eye
L: Joke from the last issue (21 Jan 2026)
R: A tapestry of headlines this morning
L: Joke from the last issue (21 Jan 2026)
R: A tapestry of headlines this morning
Had a team meeting this morning where someone was singing the praises of a new AI “productivity suite” that you can upload Excel docs to and ask it questions about the data.
Lots of “oohs” and “aahs” until I asked what happens if we base critical decisions on duff analysis.
Lots of “oohs” and “aahs” until I asked what happens if we base critical decisions on duff analysis.
January 30, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Had a team meeting this morning where someone was singing the praises of a new AI “productivity suite” that you can upload Excel docs to and ask it questions about the data.
Lots of “oohs” and “aahs” until I asked what happens if we base critical decisions on duff analysis.
Lots of “oohs” and “aahs” until I asked what happens if we base critical decisions on duff analysis.
Reposted by James
Adding the first woman’s name to a list that starts at 597 AD. Does that matter? Yeah, it does.
January 29, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Adding the first woman’s name to a list that starts at 597 AD. Does that matter? Yeah, it does.
Fascinating that they mention counter-terrorism police involvement, but as James says - no mention of radicalisation leading to an act of terrorism 🤨
Who radicalised him?
(If this article has been deleted when you see this post it’s because a sub editor woke up!)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
(If this article has been deleted when you see this post it’s because a sub editor woke up!)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sidcup man convicted aover explosive attack on Ulez camera
Kevin Rees's homemade bomb caused damage to vehicles and property including a child's bedroom.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Fascinating that they mention counter-terrorism police involvement, but as James says - no mention of radicalisation leading to an act of terrorism 🤨
Reposted by James
what site do uk peeps generally buy minor tech items from these days? I'm trying to de-Amazon myself as much as possible and need a few decent MicroSDs.
January 29, 2026 at 11:06 AM
what site do uk peeps generally buy minor tech items from these days? I'm trying to de-Amazon myself as much as possible and need a few decent MicroSDs.
Reposted by James
Happy 🇬🇧 UK pub day to THE CROWN’S SILENCE—a deeply researched narrative history of the monarchy’s centuries-long entanglement with slavery. This is the new history book the far right loathes. Please buy it b/c it’s important history but—also—it will really piss them off if it does well in the UK!!😉😘
January 29, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Happy 🇬🇧 UK pub day to THE CROWN’S SILENCE—a deeply researched narrative history of the monarchy’s centuries-long entanglement with slavery. This is the new history book the far right loathes. Please buy it b/c it’s important history but—also—it will really piss them off if it does well in the UK!!😉😘
Reposted by James
UK Government drinking the Kool Aid tech bros are selling:
Andrew went through this "20 minute AI training course" so we don't have to. Just read this thread, it's fabulous. Aren't governments supposed to be less gullible than this?
Andrew went through this "20 minute AI training course" so we don't have to. Just read this thread, it's fabulous. Aren't governments supposed to be less gullible than this?
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub
aiskillshub.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 8:34 AM
UK Government drinking the Kool Aid tech bros are selling:
Andrew went through this "20 minute AI training course" so we don't have to. Just read this thread, it's fabulous. Aren't governments supposed to be less gullible than this?
Andrew went through this "20 minute AI training course" so we don't have to. Just read this thread, it's fabulous. Aren't governments supposed to be less gullible than this?
FAO #booksky - be careful out there, I’ve also seen several other posts about this today. 👇
I've seen five or six similar posts today regarding emails purporting to be from authors, agents, and publishers, along with the four I've received from nonexistent book clubs and the one from the Editorial Director of Penguin.
If you get any unsolicited book-related messaging, assume it's a scam.
If you get any unsolicited book-related messaging, assume it's a scam.
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT:
If you receive a marketing pitch from "Smart Bitches Strategic Partnerships," IT IS NOT US.
Big thanks to the Cold War historian who forwarded me the scam email he received.
AGAIN: NOT US.
If you receive a marketing pitch from "Smart Bitches Strategic Partnerships," IT IS NOT US.
Big thanks to the Cold War historian who forwarded me the scam email he received.
AGAIN: NOT US.
January 28, 2026 at 4:30 PM
FAO #booksky - be careful out there, I’ve also seen several other posts about this today. 👇
Reposted by James
I will not use AI
You can't make me
You can't make me
January 28, 2026 at 10:41 AM
I will not use AI
You can't make me
You can't make me
Reposted by James
Reposted by James
Tomorrow, at St Paul's Cathedral, Bishop Sarah legally becomes Archbishop of Canterbury at the Confirmation of Election.
But why is the confirmation happening at St Paul's? Find out below. 🧵
But why is the confirmation happening at St Paul's? Find out below. 🧵
January 27, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Tomorrow, at St Paul's Cathedral, Bishop Sarah legally becomes Archbishop of Canterbury at the Confirmation of Election.
But why is the confirmation happening at St Paul's? Find out below. 🧵
But why is the confirmation happening at St Paul's? Find out below. 🧵
Credit where credit is due, this is a really good start.
There is still a lot of work to be done to fully eradicate leasehold from all properties in England & Wales, but this shows intent and gets the ball rolling. 💪
There is still a lot of work to be done to fully eradicate leasehold from all properties in England & Wales, but this shows intent and gets the ball rolling. 💪
Really good news that the Labour Government are acting and introducing serious reforms for leaseholders.
It's an antique & out-dated system of ownership- here's what the changes will mean for leaseholders 👇
mhclgmedia.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/27/o...
It's an antique & out-dated system of ownership- here's what the changes will mean for leaseholders 👇
mhclgmedia.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/27/o...
Own a flat or looking to buy? Here’s what the new leasehold shake-up means for you 💸
Millions of homeowners – mostly flat owners – will save significant cash thanks to a new major shake‑up of the leasehold system. If you own a flat or are looking to buy one, you probably know about th...
mhclgmedia.blog.gov.uk
January 27, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Credit where credit is due, this is a really good start.
There is still a lot of work to be done to fully eradicate leasehold from all properties in England & Wales, but this shows intent and gets the ball rolling. 💪
There is still a lot of work to be done to fully eradicate leasehold from all properties in England & Wales, but this shows intent and gets the ball rolling. 💪
The Big Plastic Count is back again - it's a great project to be part of, and really opens your eyes to how much plastic you go through in a week.
If you'd like to join me and sign up, you can do so here:
thebigplasticcount.com
If you'd like to join me and sign up, you can do so here:
thebigplasticcount.com
Join The Big Plastic Count
The UK’s biggest people-powered investigation into household plastic waste.
thebigplasticcount.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:21 AM
The Big Plastic Count is back again - it's a great project to be part of, and really opens your eyes to how much plastic you go through in a week.
If you'd like to join me and sign up, you can do so here:
thebigplasticcount.com
If you'd like to join me and sign up, you can do so here:
thebigplasticcount.com
Has anyone set up a “Tory defections until Lib Dem Opposition” counter? Last I heard it was around 40, so I presume we’re starting to get close?
January 26, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Has anyone set up a “Tory defections until Lib Dem Opposition” counter? Last I heard it was around 40, so I presume we’re starting to get close?
Reposted by James
Very productive afternoon in the kitchen - three demijohns bottled, so now I have 16 bottles of wine to stash and mature.
Now relaxing by making more wine in Stardew Valley and drinking the surplus 😉
#homebrew
Now relaxing by making more wine in Stardew Valley and drinking the surplus 😉
#homebrew
January 25, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Very productive afternoon in the kitchen - three demijohns bottled, so now I have 16 bottles of wine to stash and mature.
Now relaxing by making more wine in Stardew Valley and drinking the surplus 😉
#homebrew
Now relaxing by making more wine in Stardew Valley and drinking the surplus 😉
#homebrew
I bought this a full decade ago and have only just got round to reading it, but I’m glad I did.
Some really insightful commentary on society and community, much of which has been proven right by recent events. But he doesn’t half talk some bollocks about the Ancient World. 😅
💙📚💡
Some really insightful commentary on society and community, much of which has been proven right by recent events. But he doesn’t half talk some bollocks about the Ancient World. 😅
💙📚💡
January 25, 2026 at 11:48 AM
I bought this a full decade ago and have only just got round to reading it, but I’m glad I did.
Some really insightful commentary on society and community, much of which has been proven right by recent events. But he doesn’t half talk some bollocks about the Ancient World. 😅
💙📚💡
Some really insightful commentary on society and community, much of which has been proven right by recent events. But he doesn’t half talk some bollocks about the Ancient World. 😅
💙📚💡
I love finding scribbles from previous owners in second hand books but even I draw the line at this one
Oh look. Someone has written inside the 2nd hand Bernard Cornwell I bought today.
It seems to be a list. No, no more like a diary.
Of volumes.
Liquid volumes. Going in. And... um... oh God. Out.
#BookSky #bookchallenge #readingchallenge #readingcommunity #booktok #bookish #books #AmReading
It seems to be a list. No, no more like a diary.
Of volumes.
Liquid volumes. Going in. And... um... oh God. Out.
#BookSky #bookchallenge #readingchallenge #readingcommunity #booktok #bookish #books #AmReading
January 24, 2026 at 11:39 PM
I love finding scribbles from previous owners in second hand books but even I draw the line at this one
Reposted by James
You Know When Something Just Clicks*
January 24, 2026 at 10:37 AM
You Know When Something Just Clicks*
This is such a beautiful thread
A few days ago, I stood in the graveyard of an 1100 year old church, getting damper and damper in the drizzling rain.
A woman walked into the graveyard, waved, said hello, and, as we had previously arranged, handed me a paper bag full of human bones.
The life of a churchwarden is a strange one...
A woman walked into the graveyard, waved, said hello, and, as we had previously arranged, handed me a paper bag full of human bones.
The life of a churchwarden is a strange one...
January 23, 2026 at 2:21 PM
This is such a beautiful thread
Reposted by James
Every footnote in a C19th antiquarian book:
Mainly supposition, I think. But it's a good story
January 23, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Every footnote in a C19th antiquarian book:
An important reminder that Amazon is a really bad place to browse for books 😬
📚💡💙
📚💡💙
So, part of my job is to see what people are making of the history of our Hospital.
Bethlem partly exists in the gothic, horror-adjacent end of history, and so attracts a certain kind of presentation.
Restraints, gore, electrodes, I thought I'd seen it all. Until...
...I stumbled onto this book.
Bethlem partly exists in the gothic, horror-adjacent end of history, and so attracts a certain kind of presentation.
Restraints, gore, electrodes, I thought I'd seen it all. Until...
...I stumbled onto this book.
January 22, 2026 at 9:40 PM
An important reminder that Amazon is a really bad place to browse for books 😬
📚💡💙
📚💡💙