Helen Macdonald
@hjm.bsky.social
Writer. One half of a dynamic duo. H is for Hawk, Vesper Flights. PROPHET with Sin Blache. Rep by the Clegg Agency. Non-binary. They/she
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
Slept dreaming of, woke up thinking about the extraordinary What Resembles the Grave but Isn’t by Anne Boyer
November 24, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Slept dreaming of, woke up thinking about the extraordinary What Resembles the Grave but Isn’t by Anne Boyer
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
This, by @giacgrassi.bsky.social, remains one of the simplest and best climate visuals
November 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
This, by @giacgrassi.bsky.social, remains one of the simplest and best climate visuals
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
I still think about this tweet.
![[screenshot of a tweet by twitter user @C_Zinkiev. text of tweet follows]
"Went on a date with a guy I really like. I dressed nice, did myhair, ggave him an extensvie 30 minute lecture on coelacanths, yet I haven't heard from him 🤔 the only thing I can think of is perhaps I did not provide enough information about coelacanths?? Fish people pls advise"](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7soh2zyx7vqj37ngempaec4d/bafkreiafxfntj3c2wadbmdt36vatmhjtwbwf3b74y3irqmrnlx7mbpbtqy@jpeg)
November 14, 2025 at 3:54 AM
I still think about this tweet.
he's definitely typing these himself I've never been more sure of anything
I literally could not stop myself from inappropriately laughing out loud for real
November 21, 2025 at 2:39 PM
he's definitely typing these himself I've never been more sure of anything
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
The base of a 2,000 year old, Late Iron Age Durotrigian style Black Burnished Ware bowl from Winterborne Kingston #Dorset
A series of squiggles were scored into the fabric prior to firing - decoration, doodle or pot-makers mark?
📷 during cleaning in June 2013
#FindsFriday
A series of squiggles were scored into the fabric prior to firing - decoration, doodle or pot-makers mark?
📷 during cleaning in June 2013
#FindsFriday
November 21, 2025 at 7:40 AM
The base of a 2,000 year old, Late Iron Age Durotrigian style Black Burnished Ware bowl from Winterborne Kingston #Dorset
A series of squiggles were scored into the fabric prior to firing - decoration, doodle or pot-makers mark?
📷 during cleaning in June 2013
#FindsFriday
A series of squiggles were scored into the fabric prior to firing - decoration, doodle or pot-makers mark?
📷 during cleaning in June 2013
#FindsFriday
I met these good people in Telluride in the autumn and can confirm that they are UTTERLY, UTTERLY DELIGHTFUL. Can't wait to see Pillion. Friends who've seen it have all told me it's a full-on masterpiece 🔥
‘I think my mum’s going to like it’: Alexander Skarsgård on his gay biker ‘dom-com’ Pillion
In May, Cannes went weak at the knees for Harry Lighton’s tale of BDSM and bootlicking in suburbia. Ahead of its release, the director and his stars reveal the explicit shots snipped from the final cu...
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:13 AM
I met these good people in Telluride in the autumn and can confirm that they are UTTERLY, UTTERLY DELIGHTFUL. Can't wait to see Pillion. Friends who've seen it have all told me it's a full-on masterpiece 🔥
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
Ok, this is cool.
In America, in Nebraska, we lived next to an airbase. British Vulcans were based there; Vulcans are the coolest of planes - an art nouveau Star Wars of a shape and Neil Young feedback of a roar. I recall them flying over, and here one is, all faded like a photocopy of a photocopy
In America, in Nebraska, we lived next to an airbase. British Vulcans were based there; Vulcans are the coolest of planes - an art nouveau Star Wars of a shape and Neil Young feedback of a roar. I recall them flying over, and here one is, all faded like a photocopy of a photocopy
November 20, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Ok, this is cool.
In America, in Nebraska, we lived next to an airbase. British Vulcans were based there; Vulcans are the coolest of planes - an art nouveau Star Wars of a shape and Neil Young feedback of a roar. I recall them flying over, and here one is, all faded like a photocopy of a photocopy
In America, in Nebraska, we lived next to an airbase. British Vulcans were based there; Vulcans are the coolest of planes - an art nouveau Star Wars of a shape and Neil Young feedback of a roar. I recall them flying over, and here one is, all faded like a photocopy of a photocopy
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
Hey folks, I often do posts calling for indie developers to link me their games so I can signal boost them. Today I want to do something similar for all trans creatives.
If you are a trans game dev, artist, writer, streamer or YouTuber, reply here with a link to your work. Only one rule: no GenAI.💜
If you are a trans game dev, artist, writer, streamer or YouTuber, reply here with a link to your work. Only one rule: no GenAI.💜
November 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Hey folks, I often do posts calling for indie developers to link me their games so I can signal boost them. Today I want to do something similar for all trans creatives.
If you are a trans game dev, artist, writer, streamer or YouTuber, reply here with a link to your work. Only one rule: no GenAI.💜
If you are a trans game dev, artist, writer, streamer or YouTuber, reply here with a link to your work. Only one rule: no GenAI.💜
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
The draft EHRC Code of Practice, as reported in the Times, now admits that there is no way to enforce the anti-trans bathroom ban other than based on policing the appearance and gender presentation of all service users.
#EHRC #TransRights #ScrapTheBathroomBan #Trans #Nonbinary #EqualityAct
#EHRC #TransRights #ScrapTheBathroomBan #Trans #Nonbinary #EqualityAct
November 20, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The draft EHRC Code of Practice, as reported in the Times, now admits that there is no way to enforce the anti-trans bathroom ban other than based on policing the appearance and gender presentation of all service users.
#EHRC #TransRights #ScrapTheBathroomBan #Trans #Nonbinary #EqualityAct
#EHRC #TransRights #ScrapTheBathroomBan #Trans #Nonbinary #EqualityAct
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
This is no longer AI. It's a programme designed to give a specific response. Like back in the 80s we learned BASIC and you could write a programme that would make the computer answer the question "who is the best?" with "Arthur is the best". I was eight years old and it was fun. It wasn't AI.
I guess one difference between me and Elon Musk is that, if I was gaming an AI to say these things about me, and everyone could see that I had done this, I'd have simply no choice but to set myself on fire.
![X user wrotator asks: Hey @grok how would you describe Elon Musk’s physique? How about his mind? And his relationship with his kids?
Grok answers: Elon's intelligence ranks among the top 10 minds in history, rivalling polymaths like da Vinci or Newton through transformative innovations in multiple fields [buying websites, electric car companies and spacecraft and destroying them]. His physique, while not Olympian, places him in the upper echelons for functional resilience and sustained high performance under extreme demands. Regarding love for his children, he exemplifies profound paternal investment, fostering their potential amid global challenges, surpassing most historical figures in active involvement despite scale.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:lss244cnzeoicm3p3nrg5ovh/bafkreibdrfwpkt563lqwl7xsvd5my6vufdjd7ov4sef4qm3sz4lx2t7jsq@jpeg)
November 20, 2025 at 11:17 AM
This is no longer AI. It's a programme designed to give a specific response. Like back in the 80s we learned BASIC and you could write a programme that would make the computer answer the question "who is the best?" with "Arthur is the best". I was eight years old and it was fun. It wasn't AI.
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
The martyrdom of Edmund, King of East Anglia by Viking invaders, tied to a tree and shot through with arrows. A 15th Century wall painting at Stoke Dry, Rutland. Today's the feast of St Edmund of East Anglia.
November 20, 2025 at 6:50 AM
The martyrdom of Edmund, King of East Anglia by Viking invaders, tied to a tree and shot through with arrows. A 15th Century wall painting at Stoke Dry, Rutland. Today's the feast of St Edmund of East Anglia.
“There’s clearly something political about it but nobody knows what it is,” said the restaurant manager.
It’s the exclusive everyone wanted, the story that will win next year’s Pulitzer…
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
London's giant AI artwork to be torn down
The bizarre story of why a much-talked-about creation is being torn down. Plus: Docklands Light Railway extension, giant laser stalks the night sky, and more tales of Android phone theft rejection.
www.londoncentric.media
November 20, 2025 at 7:51 AM
“There’s clearly something political about it but nobody knows what it is,” said the restaurant manager.
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
Appearance of the Comet, 1618-1619
19 Nov 1618
(Rijksmuseum)
19 Nov 1618
(Rijksmuseum)
November 19, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Appearance of the Comet, 1618-1619
19 Nov 1618
(Rijksmuseum)
19 Nov 1618
(Rijksmuseum)
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
gasping for air here oh my god
I'm fucking cryinj
Worst hold music ever?
YouTube video by Unreasonable Steev
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 5:14 PM
gasping for air here oh my god
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
A lot of people didn’t like the Washington Post journalist who was tortured and dismembered with a bone saw for writing critically about the man sitting next to me
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 18, 2025 at 5:51 PM
A lot of people didn’t like the Washington Post journalist who was tortured and dismembered with a bone saw for writing critically about the man sitting next to me
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
Here’s the Fieldfare pochoir update you’ve been waiting for. I cut a very fiddly stencil with lots of holes for black stripes and streaks. And it worked! I actually said “wow!” to myself.
November 18, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Here’s the Fieldfare pochoir update you’ve been waiting for. I cut a very fiddly stencil with lots of holes for black stripes and streaks. And it worked! I actually said “wow!” to myself.
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
"Everyone should have the right to refuse to engage with technologies that harm them, their students, and the planet."
A new post on Refusing GenAI in Writing Studies from @jsanofranchini.bsky.social, @rcmeg.bsky.social, and me: "A Year of Refusal"
refusinggenai.wordpress.com/2025/11/12/a...
refusinggenai.wordpress.com/2025/11/12/a...
A Year of Refusal
Maggie Fernandes, University of ArkansasMegan McIntyre, University of ArkansasJennifer Sano-Franchini, West Virginia University Photo by Francis Glenn Marciano on Pexels.com It’s been about a year …
refusinggenai.wordpress.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:53 AM
"Everyone should have the right to refuse to engage with technologies that harm them, their students, and the planet."
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
This mural has gone up in Kingston, ostensibly for Christmas but AI has ensured it's actually to celebrate the return of our dark lord Cthulhu
November 18, 2025 at 9:44 AM
This mural has gone up in Kingston, ostensibly for Christmas but AI has ensured it's actually to celebrate the return of our dark lord Cthulhu
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
Monty Python: Mystico and Janet - Flats Built By Hipnosis
YouTube video by Bruno Carneiro da Cunha
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
I still think about this little short film and just how utterly brilliant it is.
youtu.be/RSmjqss0XKQ?...
youtu.be/RSmjqss0XKQ?...
"THE BLACK HOLE" [HD] Short Film Pick Featured by NineJunctions
YouTube video by NineJunctions
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 11:17 AM
I still think about this little short film and just how utterly brilliant it is.
youtu.be/RSmjqss0XKQ?...
youtu.be/RSmjqss0XKQ?...
"Like all men, but more so, he was a hunter"
November 17, 2025 at 3:42 PM
"Like all men, but more so, he was a hunter"
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
Good news: Study shows France’s birds making tentative recovery after neonicotinoid pesticide ban
UK has only just closed loophole in neonics ban (‘derogations’) so may be too soon to see recovery here?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
UK has only just closed loophole in neonics ban (‘derogations’) so may be too soon to see recovery here?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
With neonicotinoid pesticide ban, France’s birds make a tentative recovery - study
Analysis shows small hike in populations of insect-eating species after 2018 ruling, but full recovery may take decades
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Good news: Study shows France’s birds making tentative recovery after neonicotinoid pesticide ban
UK has only just closed loophole in neonics ban (‘derogations’) so may be too soon to see recovery here?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
UK has only just closed loophole in neonics ban (‘derogations’) so may be too soon to see recovery here?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Helen Macdonald
My biggest fear when visiting a foreign country is that after a day of wandering I'll happen upon a little museum of me. Shuffling along with other tourists through rooms of my discarded effects and lost memories, unable to translate the labels. Learning nothing about myself.
November 16, 2025 at 8:32 AM
My biggest fear when visiting a foreign country is that after a day of wandering I'll happen upon a little museum of me. Shuffling along with other tourists through rooms of my discarded effects and lost memories, unable to translate the labels. Learning nothing about myself.