Éibhear Ó hAnluain
@eibhear.gibiris.org
Matrix address: @eibhear:matrix.gibiris.org
Free Software user and supporter
Civil Liberties enthusiast
100% personal account
Also operating @theauldsthretch.bsky.social
Re-post policy: https://bsky.app/profile/eibhear.gibiris.org/post/3l3g3cukuru2f
Free Software user and supporter
Civil Liberties enthusiast
100% personal account
Also operating @theauldsthretch.bsky.social
Re-post policy: https://bsky.app/profile/eibhear.gibiris.org/post/3l3g3cukuru2f
Pinned
NSW Police Commissioner says stopping free speech not about stopping free speech.
It is critically important for everyone to understand that the vast majority of those in positions of authority, whether elected, appointed or usurped, see free expression as a privilege available only to those with whom they agree.
Thus, anything they say about it *must* be seen in that light.
Thus, anything they say about it *must* be seen in that light.
Reposted by Éibhear Ó hAnluain
Trump is doing to politics what biz schools taught future CEOs to do: break the social contract (e.g., the one btw mgmt & labor that once ensured steady jobs) & extract all the value stored inside.
This will have the same effect on politics as it did on the labor mkt: instability & immiseration.
This will have the same effect on politics as it did on the labor mkt: instability & immiseration.
If I was the commander in chief of the Imperial hegemon I would simply not dismantle the network of military and diplomatic alliances, favourable trade deals, and broad cultural paramountcy that had made my nation the most wealthy and powerful the world has ever seen.
January 11, 2026 at 11:28 AM
Trump is doing to politics what biz schools taught future CEOs to do: break the social contract (e.g., the one btw mgmt & labor that once ensured steady jobs) & extract all the value stored inside.
This will have the same effect on politics as it did on the labor mkt: instability & immiseration.
This will have the same effect on politics as it did on the labor mkt: instability & immiseration.
#Selfhosting upgrades today:
- #Commafeed 5.12.1 -> 6.0.0
- #Synapse-admin 0.11.1-etke50 -> 0.11.1-etke52
- #Forgejo 13.0.3 -> 13.0.4
- #Duplicati 2.2.0.102 -> 2.2.0.103
- #Commafeed 5.12.1 -> 6.0.0
- #Synapse-admin 0.11.1-etke50 -> 0.11.1-etke52
- #Forgejo 13.0.3 -> 13.0.4
- #Duplicati 2.2.0.102 -> 2.2.0.103
#Selfhosting upgrades today:
- #Matrix #Synapse 1.142.0 -> 1.144.0 (after upgrading the postgresql db from 13.7 to 18.1)
- #Matrix #Synapse 1.142.0 -> 1.144.0 (after upgrading the postgresql db from 13.7 to 18.1)
January 11, 2026 at 1:43 PM
#Selfhosting upgrades today:
- #Commafeed 5.12.1 -> 6.0.0
- #Synapse-admin 0.11.1-etke50 -> 0.11.1-etke52
- #Forgejo 13.0.3 -> 13.0.4
- #Duplicati 2.2.0.102 -> 2.2.0.103
- #Commafeed 5.12.1 -> 6.0.0
- #Synapse-admin 0.11.1-etke50 -> 0.11.1-etke52
- #Forgejo 13.0.3 -> 13.0.4
- #Duplicati 2.2.0.102 -> 2.2.0.103
Back when there was a proposal to take Amhrán na bhFiann out of the Public Domain to prevent former Kerry footballers from using it in advertising campaigns, I described it as an attempt at censorship, and I got a lot of "of course it's not!" nonsense from those who agreed with the plan.
Hurrah. We mustn't let the likes of Musk redefine censorship. It is a tool of last resort when people won't accept that there are limits on free speech. Creating and spreading illegal imagery is one example of what *should* be censored. And we shouldn't be shy about using the word appropriately.
January 10, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Back when there was a proposal to take Amhrán na bhFiann out of the Public Domain to prevent former Kerry footballers from using it in advertising campaigns, I described it as an attempt at censorship, and I got a lot of "of course it's not!" nonsense from those who agreed with the plan.
Reposted by Éibhear Ó hAnluain
Hurrah. We mustn't let the likes of Musk redefine censorship. It is a tool of last resort when people won't accept that there are limits on free speech. Creating and spreading illegal imagery is one example of what *should* be censored. And we shouldn't be shy about using the word appropriately.
January 10, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Hurrah. We mustn't let the likes of Musk redefine censorship. It is a tool of last resort when people won't accept that there are limits on free speech. Creating and spreading illegal imagery is one example of what *should* be censored. And we shouldn't be shy about using the word appropriately.
Reposted by Éibhear Ó hAnluain
I wrote about this two years ago, and asked government departments if they had any plans for official gov.ie instances
.
Presumably the idea is still under review.
faduda.net/articles/oth...
.
Presumably the idea is still under review.
faduda.net/articles/oth...
Mastodon: The Network Effect
The defining online event for journalism in 2023, and likely in 2024, is likely to be the continuing self-inflicted implosion of Elon Musk.
faduda.net
January 10, 2026 at 5:32 PM
I wrote about this two years ago, and asked government departments if they had any plans for official gov.ie instances
.
Presumably the idea is still under review.
faduda.net/articles/oth...
.
Presumably the idea is still under review.
faduda.net/articles/oth...
I agree.
It is censorship. It's responsible censorship, and should be encouraged.
Why are we so afraid to use the word?
[Narrator: he knew why. It's because so many like pretending that what they do *isn't* censorship when it is.]
It is censorship. It's responsible censorship, and should be encouraged.
Why are we so afraid to use the word?
[Narrator: he knew why. It's because so many like pretending that what they do *isn't* censorship when it is.]
Preventing the sharing of sexualised images of children is “censorship” according to Elon Musk.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Musk says X outcry is 'excuse for censorship'
The government is urging Ofcom to use all its powers – up to and including an effective ban – against X.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 5:33 PM
I agree.
It is censorship. It's responsible censorship, and should be encouraged.
Why are we so afraid to use the word?
[Narrator: he knew why. It's because so many like pretending that what they do *isn't* censorship when it is.]
It is censorship. It's responsible censorship, and should be encouraged.
Why are we so afraid to use the word?
[Narrator: he knew why. It's because so many like pretending that what they do *isn't* censorship when it is.]
a) That ludicrously raises twitter's importance; and
b) twitter doesn't restrict the abuse only to women (and children) who have active accounts on the service.
Really, can ye all stop thinking we're so fabulously stupid?!?!?
b) twitter doesn't restrict the abuse only to women (and children) who have active accounts on the service.
Really, can ye all stop thinking we're so fabulously stupid?!?!?
If women quit X because of Grok’s deepfake nudes, the predators win – so I’m staying
If women quit X because of Grok’s deepfake nudes, the predators win – so I’m staying
If women quit X because of Grok’s deepfake nudes, the predators win – so I’m staying
www.independent.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 1:49 PM
a) That ludicrously raises twitter's importance; and
b) twitter doesn't restrict the abuse only to women (and children) who have active accounts on the service.
Really, can ye all stop thinking we're so fabulously stupid?!?!?
b) twitter doesn't restrict the abuse only to women (and children) who have active accounts on the service.
Really, can ye all stop thinking we're so fabulously stupid?!?!?
I don't accept that TD's position. If she wants to be considered a leader, she should move first.
She could set up a bot that tweets every 3 hours and also replies to anyone @-ing her that she's no longer supporting the CSAM generator and where she *can* be found.
She could set up a bot that tweets every 3 hours and also replies to anyone @-ing her that she's no longer supporting the CSAM generator and where she *can* be found.
@newschambers.bsky.social doing a great job, but a lot of other Irish journos are embedded in X. I asked a TD to leave X & her response was “journalists say that they follow our views not via Insta or FB but via Twitter”. (But she plans to leave X). Media have to leave X or they support harassment.
January 10, 2026 at 1:44 PM
I don't accept that TD's position. If she wants to be considered a leader, she should move first.
She could set up a bot that tweets every 3 hours and also replies to anyone @-ing her that she's no longer supporting the CSAM generator and where she *can* be found.
She could set up a bot that tweets every 3 hours and also replies to anyone @-ing her that she's no longer supporting the CSAM generator and where she *can* be found.
That headline has too much X in it.
Limerick TD and Communications Minister quits X over Grok concerns
Limerick TD and Communications Minister quits X over Grok concerns
Patrick O'Donovan acts in wake of reports that AI tool was creating sexual and violent images of women and children
LIMERICK TD and the Minister for Communications Patrick O’Donovan has deleted his account on the social media platform X. The Fine Gael TD for Limerick County said he made the m
---
www.limerickleader.ie
January 9, 2026 at 6:50 PM
That headline has too much X in it.
Reposted by Éibhear Ó hAnluain
Had?
* looks at collection in closet *
* looks at collection in closet *
Name a record you had on cassette tape
January 9, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Had?
* looks at collection in closet *
* looks at collection in closet *
Reposted by Éibhear Ó hAnluain
On holidays at my dad’s a few years ago my kiddo found his stash of still-in-wrapper blank C90 cassette tapes.
The blissful silence for 2 days while kiddo tried to figure out what they were and what they were used for was golden.
The blissful silence for 2 days while kiddo tried to figure out what they were and what they were used for was golden.
January 9, 2026 at 11:54 AM
On holidays at my dad’s a few years ago my kiddo found his stash of still-in-wrapper blank C90 cassette tapes.
The blissful silence for 2 days while kiddo tried to figure out what they were and what they were used for was golden.
The blissful silence for 2 days while kiddo tried to figure out what they were and what they were used for was golden.
He's exercising his personal responsibility, as he has encouraged others to do, but I wait for him to exercise his administrative responsibilities.
The change in approach comes after the minister faced heavy criticism yesterday for saying that he did not believe X was responsible for the child sexual abuse materials that have been generated using the platform's technology over the last week.
jrnl.ie/6921938t
jrnl.ie/6921938t
Media Minister has deleted his X account over its digital undressing scandal
X’s European headquarters is based in Dublin, but the platform has not been forthright on engaging with the Irish Government in relation to child safety.
jrnl.ie
January 9, 2026 at 11:35 AM
He's exercising his personal responsibility, as he has encouraged others to do, but I wait for him to exercise his administrative responsibilities.
Here's the thing: if Davie said that the BBC will stop using X and lock all its accounts, and that it encourages all other media orgs to do the same, *that* would be a far more effective measure to "stem the 'flood' of global misinformation".
Tim Davie says BBC will stay on X to try to stem ‘flood’ of global misinformation
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/j...
Tim Davie says BBC will stay on X to try to stem ‘flood’ of global misinformation
Director general says BBC needs to reach young audiences online amid pressure to leave Elon Musk-owned site
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Here's the thing: if Davie said that the BBC will stop using X and lock all its accounts, and that it encourages all other media orgs to do the same, *that* would be a far more effective measure to "stem the 'flood' of global misinformation".
Reposted by Éibhear Ó hAnluain
The Palestine hunger strikers have been on hunger strike for over 60 days and are close to death.
They have not even been convicted of a crime - they are being held on remand (pre-trial) for more than twice the max time allowed, and counting…🧵
They have not even been convicted of a crime - they are being held on remand (pre-trial) for more than twice the max time allowed, and counting…🧵
January 8, 2026 at 3:30 PM
The Palestine hunger strikers have been on hunger strike for over 60 days and are close to death.
They have not even been convicted of a crime - they are being held on remand (pre-trial) for more than twice the max time allowed, and counting…🧵
They have not even been convicted of a crime - they are being held on remand (pre-trial) for more than twice the max time allowed, and counting…🧵
The train from Heuston Station was so packed took 8 hours to get to Athlone after that Mass in the Phoenix Park in September 1979.
(current running time: ~1.5-2 hours)
(current running time: ~1.5-2 hours)
Without revealing your actual age,what's something you remember that if you told a younger person they wouldn't understand?
January 9, 2026 at 11:01 AM
The train from Heuston Station was so packed took 8 hours to get to Athlone after that Mass in the Phoenix Park in September 1979.
(current running time: ~1.5-2 hours)
(current running time: ~1.5-2 hours)
Reposted by Éibhear Ó hAnluain
How many hours before we find out there’s a young Fine Gael WhatsApp group sharing Grok generated images?
January 9, 2026 at 10:32 AM
How many hours before we find out there’s a young Fine Gael WhatsApp group sharing Grok generated images?
Reposted by Éibhear Ó hAnluain
We have the worst possible media minister to meet this moment. A do-nothing jobsworth filling time till pension would be better than this headline-hungry pat-me-on-the-head gobshite.
January 9, 2026 at 10:09 AM
We have the worst possible media minister to meet this moment. A do-nothing jobsworth filling time till pension would be better than this headline-hungry pat-me-on-the-head gobshite.
Jim O'Callaghan too. Even if only because we're apurgin' and the opportunity is there.
Honestly, as (at least) Mícheál Martin, Simon Harris and Patrick O'Donovan, all of whom have responsibility here, have played down the nature and seriousness of this matter, they should be removed from their positions.
"No new laws are needed."
Every politician should have this tattoo'd to the inside of the eyelids. On the vast majority of occasions when "something must be done", that something is involves making use of the laws that are already in place.
Every politician should have this tattoo'd to the inside of the eyelids. On the vast majority of occasions when "something must be done", that something is involves making use of the laws that are already in place.
January 9, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Jim O'Callaghan too. Even if only because we're apurgin' and the opportunity is there.
Honestly, as (at least) Mícheál Martin, Simon Harris and Patrick O'Donovan, all of whom have responsibility here, have played down the nature and seriousness of this matter, they should be removed from their positions.
"No new laws are needed."
Every politician should have this tattoo'd to the inside of the eyelids. On the vast majority of occasions when "something must be done", that something is involves making use of the laws that are already in place.
Every politician should have this tattoo'd to the inside of the eyelids. On the vast majority of occasions when "something must be done", that something is involves making use of the laws that are already in place.
I write in today's @irishexaminer.bsky.social about the laws that are broken when online AI platforms facilitate the production of child sex abuse material. No new laws are needed. Companies (and their executives) are accountable as well as users.
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
January 9, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Honestly, as (at least) Mícheál Martin, Simon Harris and Patrick O'Donovan, all of whom have responsibility here, have played down the nature and seriousness of this matter, they should be removed from their positions.
"No new laws are needed."
Every politician should have this tattoo'd to the inside of the eyelids. On the vast majority of occasions when "something must be done", that something is involves making use of the laws that are already in place.
Every politician should have this tattoo'd to the inside of the eyelids. On the vast majority of occasions when "something must be done", that something is involves making use of the laws that are already in place.
I write in today's @irishexaminer.bsky.social about the laws that are broken when online AI platforms facilitate the production of child sex abuse material. No new laws are needed. Companies (and their executives) are accountable as well as users.
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
Ireland could prosecute Twitter/X for AI 'child porn' deepfakes
The horrific child sex abuse material produced every day by Grok is already banned under Irish law. The real test is if we are ready to enforce that law against large tech companies
www.irishexaminer.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:43 AM
"No new laws are needed."
Every politician should have this tattoo'd to the inside of the eyelids. On the vast majority of occasions when "something must be done", that something is involves making use of the laws that are already in place.
Every politician should have this tattoo'd to the inside of the eyelids. On the vast majority of occasions when "something must be done", that something is involves making use of the laws that are already in place.
... and not the Marc Ribot who played with Tim Waits and Gavin Friday...
Leeds, 1954, photo by Marc Riboud. Young French photographer on his first assignment for Picture Post.
January 9, 2026 at 8:40 AM
... and not the Marc Ribot who played with Tim Waits and Gavin Friday...
My *first* one was E.T., shortly after it was released for home viewing.
Name a film you saw on VHS
January 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM
My *first* one was E.T., shortly after it was released for home viewing.
I regard the "reining in big tech" messaging to be nothing more than abject bluster that suggests the speaker doesn't understand the full context.
But the Irish government's total abandonment of any course of action against a CSAM generator is truly shocking.
But the Irish government's total abandonment of any course of action against a CSAM generator is truly shocking.
This minister seems to believe that the State has no responsibility with regards to preventing a company, based here in Ireland, from providing the tools by which child sexual abuse material has been generated by its own paid subscribers. A truly bizarre thing to say.
jrnl.ie/6921190
jrnl.ie/6921190
X not responsible for child sexual abuse images, individual users are - Media Minister
The minister argued that technology is moving too fast for laws to keep pace.
jrnl.ie
January 9, 2026 at 8:00 AM
I regard the "reining in big tech" messaging to be nothing more than abject bluster that suggests the speaker doesn't understand the full context.
But the Irish government's total abandonment of any course of action against a CSAM generator is truly shocking.
But the Irish government's total abandonment of any course of action against a CSAM generator is truly shocking.
Reposted by Éibhear Ó hAnluain
Gracie’s sister Luna would travel too
January 8, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Gracie’s sister Luna would travel too
Hi #BankOfIreland, I have just one question: are you serious? Yours, etc.
January 8, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Hi #BankOfIreland, I have just one question: are you serious? Yours, etc.