Helen McCarthy
@glider.bsky.social
Glider in the night, dancer in the dark, lover of lost rivers and paths in the woods and libraries and half-open doors. Moonlights as a writer.
All images and poems mine unless credited elsewise. AI is only acceptable if it's consensual.
All images and poems mine unless credited elsewise. AI is only acceptable if it's consensual.
Bald eagles are not native to Scotland, but #AI is inherently American. So those planners are really telling you that American averaging machines have the last word on what is Scotland.
Fuck this garbage. Think of all the talented artists in Glasgow who you could have chosen from to get a payday from this gig instead of the money being handed over to a slop merchant.
NEW: Glasgow City Council has just approved a massive AI-generated mural to be painted in the city centre.
The illustration of Scottish elements inexplicably contains a bald eagle.
The planner says those upset about it are "keyboard warriors" who should "calm down"
The illustration of Scottish elements inexplicably contains a bald eagle.
The planner says those upset about it are "keyboard warriors" who should "calm down"
January 20, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Bald eagles are not native to Scotland, but #AI is inherently American. So those planners are really telling you that American averaging machines have the last word on what is Scotland.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Also crucially we get paid when libraries buy our books! There is nothing to be sorry about ever in borrowing a fave author’s books from a library! It is one of the few “everybody wins” situations in life!
Someone said to me, "I'm sorry but I got your book from a library." Nobody should ever apologise for that. You read my book! That's brilliant! I grew up hanging out in libraries and the idea of a world without them fills me with dread. Without libraries, authors, like readers, will only suffer.
January 20, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Also crucially we get paid when libraries buy our books! There is nothing to be sorry about ever in borrowing a fave author’s books from a library! It is one of the few “everybody wins” situations in life!
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Jeannie Hoffman and David Friesen - Killing Me Softly [USA, Jazz, Lounge] (1976) - Stunning, hypnotic and sublimely experimental cover of the Roberta Flack classic recorded by a stellar lounge-jazz trio at the Surfside Inn in
https://redd.it/k2b075
https://youtu.be/zhXWjM_FnzU
https://redd.it/k2b075
https://youtu.be/zhXWjM_FnzU
Jeannie Hoffman and David Friesen - Killing Me Softly [USA, Jazz, Lounge] (1976) - Stunning, hypnotic and sublimely experimental cover of the Roberta Flack classic recorded by a stellar lounge-jazz trio at the Surfside Inn in Oregon in July, 1976.
youtu.be
January 20, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Jeannie Hoffman and David Friesen - Killing Me Softly [USA, Jazz, Lounge] (1976) - Stunning, hypnotic and sublimely experimental cover of the Roberta Flack classic recorded by a stellar lounge-jazz trio at the Surfside Inn in
https://redd.it/k2b075
https://youtu.be/zhXWjM_FnzU
https://redd.it/k2b075
https://youtu.be/zhXWjM_FnzU
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
The Danish Ministry of Digital Affairs is moving away from Microsoft and switching instead to Linux and LibreOffice
www.heise.de/news/Von-Wor...
www.heise.de/news/Von-Wor...
Abschied bis Herbst: Dänisches Digitalministerium kehrt Microsoft den Rücken
Beim dänischen Digitalministerium sollen alle Angestellten ohne Microsoft auskommen. Stattdessen werde man Linux und LibreOffice nutzen, sagt die Ministerin.
www.heise.de
January 20, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Official portal as well, more towards digital stuff. Remember, it doesn't mean that everyone has to change everything. But enough people changing some will allready help #BuyEU
european-alternatives.eu
european-alternatives.eu
European Alternatives
We help you find European alternatives for digital service and products, like cloud services and SaaS products.
european-alternatives.eu
January 18, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Official portal as well, more towards digital stuff. Remember, it doesn't mean that everyone has to change everything. But enough people changing some will allready help #BuyEU
european-alternatives.eu
european-alternatives.eu
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
One way anyone one of us, can hit back at Trump is at the wallet. Try to use less US goods and services! Here's a database with European alternatives #EUtogether
www.goeuropean.org
www.goeuropean.org
Go European — Discover European products and services
Go European is a community-driven directory bringing you European products and services from across the continent.
www.goeuropean.org
January 18, 2026 at 9:03 AM
One way anyone one of us, can hit back at Trump is at the wallet. Try to use less US goods and services! Here's a database with European alternatives #EUtogether
www.goeuropean.org
www.goeuropean.org
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
The Prime Minister of Belgium speaks:
January 20, 2026 at 12:47 PM
The Prime Minister of Belgium speaks:
What Tom said.
Someone said to me, "I'm sorry but I got your book from a library." Nobody should ever apologise for that. You read my book! That's brilliant! I grew up hanging out in libraries and the idea of a world without them fills me with dread. Without libraries, authors, like readers, will only suffer.
January 20, 2026 at 12:57 PM
What Tom said.
My union @societyofauthors.bsky.social keeps on making the right choices in the best interests of its members.
We have made the decision to formally close our X social media account. Once a vibrant platform to promote the interests of authors, we feel X is no longer a trusted place for balance, community support, and reliable information.
January 20, 2026 at 12:56 PM
My union @societyofauthors.bsky.social keeps on making the right choices in the best interests of its members.
#JoinAUnion that will stand up for your interests and amplify your voice. This is my union.
2026 is a challenging time to be an author, and we remain committed to fighting for your rights and interests.
January 20, 2026 at 12:55 PM
#JoinAUnion that will stand up for your interests and amplify your voice. This is my union.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
The Shades Of Darkness - She Ain't Worth All That [US, Garage Rock] (1966)
https://redd.it/e691zf
https://youtu.be/-EPhh0adRd0
https://redd.it/e691zf
https://youtu.be/-EPhh0adRd0
The Shades Of Darkness - She Ain't Worth All That [US, Garage Rock] (1966)
youtu.be
January 20, 2026 at 12:13 PM
The Shades Of Darkness - She Ain't Worth All That [US, Garage Rock] (1966)
https://redd.it/e691zf
https://youtu.be/-EPhh0adRd0
https://redd.it/e691zf
https://youtu.be/-EPhh0adRd0
What a lovely place social media can be. Got a smile on my face from here to 3 March now.
Never have i booked a 'VIP' ticket to a thing faster. 😆
When it comes to cultural history around this, Helen is a titan of knowledge in a field that is often swimming in myth.
If you have any interest at all in the history behind Manga, this is a must buy. And it'll be a great event, I'm sure.
When it comes to cultural history around this, Helen is a titan of knowledge in a field that is often swimming in myth.
If you have any interest at all in the history behind Manga, this is a must buy. And it'll be a great event, I'm sure.
In London on 3 March? Why not book a ticket for my book launch? Hear about how - and why - the book came into being, some of the stories it contains, be among the first to get a copy, and if you like I'll sign it!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-manga-...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-manga-...
January 20, 2026 at 12:45 PM
What a lovely place social media can be. Got a smile on my face from here to 3 March now.
Thanks to everyone who's sharing the news of my book launch! Spreading the word about new books is one of the best things you can do for an author. Buying the book is great, and talking about it is great, and social media shares can add many extra sales!
January 20, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Thanks to everyone who's sharing the news of my book launch! Spreading the word about new books is one of the best things you can do for an author. Buying the book is great, and talking about it is great, and social media shares can add many extra sales!
In London on 3 March? Why not book a ticket for my book launch? Hear about how - and why - the book came into being, some of the stories it contains, be among the first to get a copy, and if you like I'll sign it!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-manga-...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-manga-...
January 20, 2026 at 10:27 AM
In London on 3 March? Why not book a ticket for my book launch? Hear about how - and why - the book came into being, some of the stories it contains, be among the first to get a copy, and if you like I'll sign it!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-manga-...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-manga-...
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
I love Marlowe and Con is so good as Tamburlaine, but it's very funny that the producers for this adaptation were like "What do scary shepherds sound like?" and the whole room replied "Northerners."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9A...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9A...
Tamburlaine - Marlowe - Con O’Neill - Oliver Ford Davis - Subtitles - 2012 - Restored 2025 - 4K
YouTube video by Shakespeare Network
www.youtube.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:20 AM
I love Marlowe and Con is so good as Tamburlaine, but it's very funny that the producers for this adaptation were like "What do scary shepherds sound like?" and the whole room replied "Northerners."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9A...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9A...
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Barbara, the gray witch - Witch’s love song [USA, Folk, Electronic, Esoteric](1968) The only song off a spoken word occult album
https://redd.it/fc99wo
https://youtu.be/5dGcZ6S4IoQ
https://redd.it/fc99wo
https://youtu.be/5dGcZ6S4IoQ
Barbara, the gray witch - Witch’s love song [USA, Folk, Electronic, Esoteric](1968) The only song off a spoken word occult album
youtu.be
January 20, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Barbara, the gray witch - Witch’s love song [USA, Folk, Electronic, Esoteric](1968) The only song off a spoken word occult album
https://redd.it/fc99wo
https://youtu.be/5dGcZ6S4IoQ
https://redd.it/fc99wo
https://youtu.be/5dGcZ6S4IoQ
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Lara Saint Paul - So [Italy / Funk - Soul - Afrobeat] (1975)
https://redd.it/f7je7j
https://youtu.be/gJ2WPNH3X_I
https://redd.it/f7je7j
https://youtu.be/gJ2WPNH3X_I
Lara Saint Paul - So [Italy / Funk - Soul - Afrobeat] (1975)
youtu.be
January 20, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Lara Saint Paul - So [Italy / Funk - Soul - Afrobeat] (1975)
https://redd.it/f7je7j
https://youtu.be/gJ2WPNH3X_I
https://redd.it/f7je7j
https://youtu.be/gJ2WPNH3X_I
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Gutted to hear about the passing of the drummer of legendary Australian band Midnight Oil.
Hirsty was the engine to powerhouse activist anthems like this one, an anti-war, anti-US imperialism banger which is more relevant in 2026 than I am wholly comfortable with
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Hirsty was the engine to powerhouse activist anthems like this one, an anti-war, anti-US imperialism banger which is more relevant in 2026 than I am wholly comfortable with
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Midnight Oil - US Forces (Official Video)
YouTube video by MidnightOilVEVO
youtu.be
January 20, 2026 at 8:26 AM
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
He wouldn't know a nuclear code from a map of Greenland, but he is surrounded by people who will tend to his every obsession and proclivity. It's his enablers who we need to worry about.
It’s 1:45 AM & the President posted 10 times this hour—calling for investigations of sitting members of Congress, threatening to jail protesters, sharing alleged diplomatic messages, and posting AI-generated images of himself conquering Greenland. This is the person with access to the nuclear codes.
January 20, 2026 at 7:23 AM
He wouldn't know a nuclear code from a map of Greenland, but he is surrounded by people who will tend to his every obsession and proclivity. It's his enablers who we need to worry about.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Star Trek Phase II Enterprise
Drydock and Starbase HQ and Matt Jefferies Space Tug design #lightwave3d #startrek
Drydock and Starbase HQ and Matt Jefferies Space Tug design #lightwave3d #startrek
January 19, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Star Trek Phase II Enterprise
Drydock and Starbase HQ and Matt Jefferies Space Tug design #lightwave3d #startrek
Drydock and Starbase HQ and Matt Jefferies Space Tug design #lightwave3d #startrek
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Incredible how men absolutely refuse to learn what mansplaining *actually is* and as a result mansplain it to us, in this way.
January 19, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Incredible how men absolutely refuse to learn what mansplaining *actually is* and as a result mansplain it to us, in this way.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Good morning! 🌱
If flowers can bloom even during grey, cold months, so can we.
Stay strong and have a terrific Tuesday! 🫶
If flowers can bloom even during grey, cold months, so can we.
Stay strong and have a terrific Tuesday! 🫶
January 20, 2026 at 8:33 AM
Good morning! 🌱
If flowers can bloom even during grey, cold months, so can we.
Stay strong and have a terrific Tuesday! 🫶
If flowers can bloom even during grey, cold months, so can we.
Stay strong and have a terrific Tuesday! 🫶
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Watch out: the guy who bombed Iran, kidnapped a foreign leader, and is currently invading a city in his own country is going to stop being so peaceful
January 20, 2026 at 1:18 AM
Watch out: the guy who bombed Iran, kidnapped a foreign leader, and is currently invading a city in his own country is going to stop being so peaceful
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Dying because you haven't enough money for care, is not choosing to die.
Just fyi. On Friday, Lord Falconer, who's shepherding the assisted dying bill through the Lords, admitted that he thought it was fine if someone chose to die because they didn't have enough money for care
If you're left wing and support the principle, I really need you to look at the bill's details
If you're left wing and support the principle, I really need you to look at the bill's details
January 19, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Dying because you haven't enough money for care, is not choosing to die.