Rick
@hrrunka.bsky.social
Amateur radio & astronomy, F&SF fan, filker, furry, etc....
Also on Mastodon dot social
Also on Mastodon dot social
Pinned
Rick
@hrrunka.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Pluralistic: Bluesky and enshittification (02 Nov 2024) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
pluralistic.net
I am here, somewhat against my gut feelings. Here's a little light reading...
pluralistic.net/2024/11/02/u...
pluralistic.net/2024/11/02/u...
Reposted by Rick
One of the maddest elements of Brexit - and there are *many* - is the rewards that continue to be lavished on the blithering idiots who sold it & continue to be proved wrong about everything every day…
Ex Tory MP John Redwood has been made a peer, as Lord Redwood on 31 January, and was formally introduced in the Lords on Tuesday
February 11, 2026 at 8:34 AM
One of the maddest elements of Brexit - and there are *many* - is the rewards that continue to be lavished on the blithering idiots who sold it & continue to be proved wrong about everything every day…
Reposted by Rick
The daft thing is that with Proportional Representation there'd be no need for this self-destructive war within Labour. It could split into its component parts - left and right - and people could vote for what they wanted. It's only First-Past-the-Post that forces these irreconcilables together.
February 9, 2026 at 8:51 AM
The daft thing is that with Proportional Representation there'd be no need for this self-destructive war within Labour. It could split into its component parts - left and right - and people could vote for what they wanted. It's only First-Past-the-Post that forces these irreconcilables together.
Reposted by Rick
First stage of denial: shoot the messenger.
There's a firing squad on Bluesky, aiming at anyone stating the blinking obvious: that Starmer needs to go ASAP if Labour is to have any chance of recovery before 2029.
There's a firing squad on Bluesky, aiming at anyone stating the blinking obvious: that Starmer needs to go ASAP if Labour is to have any chance of recovery before 2029.
February 9, 2026 at 11:16 AM
First stage of denial: shoot the messenger.
There's a firing squad on Bluesky, aiming at anyone stating the blinking obvious: that Starmer needs to go ASAP if Labour is to have any chance of recovery before 2029.
There's a firing squad on Bluesky, aiming at anyone stating the blinking obvious: that Starmer needs to go ASAP if Labour is to have any chance of recovery before 2029.
Reposted by Rick
I was thinking about how ICE's anonymity affects their self-perception and realized there's a historical group with several points of similarity. The masked faces, violence, hostility toward out-groups, scapegoating, etc. So much of it fits.
en.ruyamuzesi.com/blog/underst...
en.ruyamuzesi.com/blog/underst...
Understanding the Ku Klux Klan: A Psychological Perspective
A deep dive into the psychological aspects of the Ku Klux Klan, examining the motivations, fears, and societal impacts behind this hate group.
en.ruyamuzesi.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:59 AM
I was thinking about how ICE's anonymity affects their self-perception and realized there's a historical group with several points of similarity. The masked faces, violence, hostility toward out-groups, scapegoating, etc. So much of it fits.
en.ruyamuzesi.com/blog/underst...
en.ruyamuzesi.com/blog/underst...
Reposted by Rick
Against a corrupt, exhausted, unlucky Government, which under-estimated the threat from Reform, trying for its fifth General Election in a row, Morgan McSweeney delivered 33.7% of the vote. And he then made Starmer the most unpopular PM ever. That's the measure of the man's 'genius'.
February 8, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Against a corrupt, exhausted, unlucky Government, which under-estimated the threat from Reform, trying for its fifth General Election in a row, Morgan McSweeney delivered 33.7% of the vote. And he then made Starmer the most unpopular PM ever. That's the measure of the man's 'genius'.
Reposted by Rick
These figures show trans suicides amongst minors went from 5 and 4 per annum to (at least) 22. The only explanation for the media not reporting that four or five fold surge is because it doesn't want to. And it doesn't want to because its trans panic was a cause of that surge.
One of the wickedest things Wes Streeting has ever done is push politically convenient falsehoods about suicide rates amongst young trans people. We have new data from the National Child Mortality Database that exposes the truth he tried to cover up.
New data shows surge in trans kids’ suicides following healthcare rollbacks | Good Law Project
A freedom of information request by Good Law Project has found that deaths by suicide of trans young people under 18 surged following the withdrawal of gender-affirming healthcare
goodlaw.social
February 8, 2026 at 9:40 AM
These figures show trans suicides amongst minors went from 5 and 4 per annum to (at least) 22. The only explanation for the media not reporting that four or five fold surge is because it doesn't want to. And it doesn't want to because its trans panic was a cause of that surge.
Reposted by Rick
Today I donated a brand new beginner level keyboard to the Plaistow Library.
February 6, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Today I donated a brand new beginner level keyboard to the Plaistow Library.
Reposted by Rick
Over in the EU they're doing sensible policy - eg stopping the infinite scrolling which promotes compulsive behaviour - rather than facile populist measures like banning stuff.
EU warns TikTok over addictive feeds and risks to children
Regulators say design choices that hook users could breach landmark digital rules
www.ft.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Over in the EU they're doing sensible policy - eg stopping the infinite scrolling which promotes compulsive behaviour - rather than facile populist measures like banning stuff.
Reposted by Rick
His mind is a plastic bag containing a random assortment of puzzle pieces and razor blades. I was completely unprepared for the full extent of his muddle and honestly expected something much more coherent.
February 4, 2026 at 11:21 AM
His mind is a plastic bag containing a random assortment of puzzle pieces and razor blades. I was completely unprepared for the full extent of his muddle and honestly expected something much more coherent.
Reposted by Rick
1. In 2009 I wrote this. I argued that Peter Mandelson's department “functions as a fifth column within government, working for corporations to undermine democracy and the public interest.”
This thread explains what I saw, and reaches a startling conclusion.🧵
www.monbiot.com/2009/05/04/m...
This thread explains what I saw, and reaches a startling conclusion.🧵
www.monbiot.com/2009/05/04/m...
Mandelson’s Fifth Column
The British government’s business department exists to undermine democracy.
www.monbiot.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:32 AM
1. In 2009 I wrote this. I argued that Peter Mandelson's department “functions as a fifth column within government, working for corporations to undermine democracy and the public interest.”
This thread explains what I saw, and reaches a startling conclusion.🧵
www.monbiot.com/2009/05/04/m...
This thread explains what I saw, and reaches a startling conclusion.🧵
www.monbiot.com/2009/05/04/m...
Reposted by Rick
A strong X8.1 solar flare was just detected around AR 4366 peaking at 23:57 UTC (Feb 1). More to follow. solarham.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:05 AM
A strong X8.1 solar flare was just detected around AR 4366 peaking at 23:57 UTC (Feb 1). More to follow. solarham.com
Reposted by Rick
Latest Vivaldi release surfs a wave of anti-AI sentiment
Latest Vivaldi release surfs a wave of anti-AI sentiment
'What we are finding is that people hate AI'
Interview Vivaldi has raised a middle finger to the influx of AI in the browser space with its latest version.…
dlvr.it
January 29, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Latest Vivaldi release surfs a wave of anti-AI sentiment
Reposted by Rick
Please spread this far and wide, as stories don't get much bigger than this. When the government blocks even the intelligence services from telling us we're heading for environmental catastrophe, you know we have a problem. A very big problem.
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The UK government didn't want you to see this report on ecosystem collapse. I'm not surprised | George Monbiot
It took an FOI request to bring this national security assessment to light. For ‘doomsayers’ like us, it is the ultimate vindication, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Please spread this far and wide, as stories don't get much bigger than this. When the government blocks even the intelligence services from telling us we're heading for environmental catastrophe, you know we have a problem. A very big problem.
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Rick
ICE uses extrajudicial violence and intimidation for political ends. It's unconstrained by the law, unaccountable to the public. Its crimes are endorsed at the highest levels. What does this tell us? That it's the force of paramilitary thugs all fascist movements & governments use. It is Trump’s SS.
January 25, 2026 at 12:05 PM
ICE uses extrajudicial violence and intimidation for political ends. It's unconstrained by the law, unaccountable to the public. Its crimes are endorsed at the highest levels. What does this tell us? That it's the force of paramilitary thugs all fascist movements & governments use. It is Trump’s SS.
"So stupid that only No10 would try to do that"
Well, there we go. Apparently Labour's National Executive *is* that stupid. Who'd've guessed...
Well, there we go. Apparently Labour's National Executive *is* that stupid. Who'd've guessed...
BREAKING: “He’s (Andy Burnham) got to be allowed to stand in this by-election. To block him would be stupid. So stupid that only No10 would try to do that” - Former Labour Party Political Adviser John McTernan
January 25, 2026 at 12:16 PM
"So stupid that only No10 would try to do that"
Well, there we go. Apparently Labour's National Executive *is* that stupid. Who'd've guessed...
Well, there we go. Apparently Labour's National Executive *is* that stupid. Who'd've guessed...
Reposted by Rick
The necessary post-Trump consensus www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2026/01...
The necessary post-Trump consensus
Another day, and more madness from Trump. What else can I say about his Davos appearance yesterday?
Fools appear to be celebrating that he had backed off military action, as if his word might be reli...
www.taxresearch.org.uk
January 22, 2026 at 7:51 AM
The necessary post-Trump consensus www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2026/01...
Reposted by Rick
Then the bigger picture problem: Zahawi said, through his lawyers, that he wasn't under investigation from HMRC and had fully paid his tax.
These were lies.
How can it be that someone can instruct a lawyer to lie, for personal advantage, and there are no consequences?
These were lies.
How can it be that someone can instruct a lawyer to lie, for personal advantage, and there are no consequences?
January 20, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Then the bigger picture problem: Zahawi said, through his lawyers, that he wasn't under investigation from HMRC and had fully paid his tax.
These were lies.
How can it be that someone can instruct a lawyer to lie, for personal advantage, and there are no consequences?
These were lies.
How can it be that someone can instruct a lawyer to lie, for personal advantage, and there are no consequences?
Reposted by Rick
This is a truly horrifying account of increasingly likely collapse of essential natural systems which would bring mass food shortages, price rises & global disorder. Commissioned from UK intelligence chiefs but scandalously suppressed by Govt, & sneaked out now while attention is elsewhere 👇
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
January 20, 2026 at 9:48 PM
This is a truly horrifying account of increasingly likely collapse of essential natural systems which would bring mass food shortages, price rises & global disorder. Commissioned from UK intelligence chiefs but scandalously suppressed by Govt, & sneaked out now while attention is elsewhere 👇
Reposted by Rick
Don't really have a dog in the ban-social-media-for-under-16s fight, but seems utterly irrational to demand it now. A country which is comparable to Britain has just done so. Surely, if you were remotely committed to evidence, you would take a year to see how it goes before proposing we copy them.
January 20, 2026 at 7:35 AM
Don't really have a dog in the ban-social-media-for-under-16s fight, but seems utterly irrational to demand it now. A country which is comparable to Britain has just done so. Surely, if you were remotely committed to evidence, you would take a year to see how it goes before proposing we copy them.
Reposted by Rick
Gmail allows you downvote the AI summary of your email. But of course it does not allow you to state that this is an utterly pointless, intrusive, redundant, dimwitted addition to their services.
January 19, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Gmail allows you downvote the AI summary of your email. But of course it does not allow you to state that this is an utterly pointless, intrusive, redundant, dimwitted addition to their services.
Reposted by Rick
Hydrogen and carbon capture are desperate attempts by the fossil fuel industry to stay relevant in a world that no longer sees them as the default power source for everything.
Hydrogen for the Humber?
Local businesses call on Ed Miliband to invest in creating new regional opportunities in hydrogen and carbon capture projects
By Angus Young
@angusyoung61.bsky.social
Local businesses call on Ed Miliband to invest in creating new regional opportunities in hydrogen and carbon capture projects
By Angus Young
@angusyoung61.bsky.social
Hydrogen for the Humber?
Local businesses call on Ed Miliband to invest in creating new regional opportunities in hydrogen and carbon capture projects
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
January 18, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Hydrogen and carbon capture are desperate attempts by the fossil fuel industry to stay relevant in a world that no longer sees them as the default power source for everything.
Reposted by Rick
In a move that has shocked campaigners - the Prime Minister - a former human rights lawyer - has shamelessly whipped against amendments to the Sentencing Bill which would have been a significant step towards ending the shocking #IPPscandal
🚨 ‘STATE SPONSORED TORTURE’
it’s not North Korea we’re talking about - the shocking #IPPscandal - ONE OF THE MOST CRUEL, INHUMANE AND MONUMENTAL INJUSTICES of the past half century - is being perpetrated by the Prime Minister - a former human rights lawyer, in this country
youtu.be/yo27emO72g8?...
it’s not North Korea we’re talking about - the shocking #IPPscandal - ONE OF THE MOST CRUEL, INHUMANE AND MONUMENTAL INJUSTICES of the past half century - is being perpetrated by the Prime Minister - a former human rights lawyer, in this country
youtu.be/yo27emO72g8?...
‘STATE SPONSORED TORTURE’ - the UK’s shocking IPP Scandal
YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic
youtu.be
January 17, 2026 at 5:22 PM
In a move that has shocked campaigners - the Prime Minister - a former human rights lawyer - has shamelessly whipped against amendments to the Sentencing Bill which would have been a significant step towards ending the shocking #IPPscandal
Reposted by Rick
"I'm so angry with NATO for doing what NATO was created to do, that I'm going to Make America Great Again by forcing my own citizens to pay 10% more tax. Now where's my Nobel prize!"
January 17, 2026 at 6:31 PM
"I'm so angry with NATO for doing what NATO was created to do, that I'm going to Make America Great Again by forcing my own citizens to pay 10% more tax. Now where's my Nobel prize!"
Reposted by Rick
The Government staying on X is pathetic: Ministers need to show some moral backbone inews.co.uk/opinion/the-...
January 14, 2026 at 6:43 PM
The Government staying on X is pathetic: Ministers need to show some moral backbone inews.co.uk/opinion/the-...
Reposted by Rick
I don't use LLMs. They're just stochastic parrots that deliver a string of text that looks like the most likely response to a question that a consensus-human would emit. It's not an answer, it's an answer-shaped object that's wrong 25-75% of the time. Utterly useless to me.
RT if you've never had a tab of ChatGPT open 'just to do quick research'
January 14, 2026 at 12:59 PM
I don't use LLMs. They're just stochastic parrots that deliver a string of text that looks like the most likely response to a question that a consensus-human would emit. It's not an answer, it's an answer-shaped object that's wrong 25-75% of the time. Utterly useless to me.