Ian M
@ianm70.bsky.social
computer geek, book person, Tolkien nerd, history researcher, science, occasional politics. He/Him.
Pinned
Ian M
@ianm70.bsky.social
· Nov 15
“Books are sufficient to themselves. They ask for nothing and they are silently patient, but they are always there for you”.’
Karl Largerfeld
Karl Largerfeld
Reposted by Ian M
The natural world is a wonderful place. This is timelapse video from a few years ago of a marine sponge sneezing. It has mucus inside that traps the sort of particles that might clog it up, and expels them in periodic contractions every 3-8 hours. Atchoo!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJqI...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJqI...
Timelapse footage shows a sea sponge sneezing
YouTube video by Guardian News
www.youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:05 PM
The natural world is a wonderful place. This is timelapse video from a few years ago of a marine sponge sneezing. It has mucus inside that traps the sort of particles that might clog it up, and expels them in periodic contractions every 3-8 hours. Atchoo!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJqI...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJqI...
Reposted by Ian M
Another edition of the Roving Ranger has just been sent to its subscribers.
Including: Isengard in Oxford; consider gifting a membership to my crowdfunding; more JTR; a disfigured moon; Black Pine Collection; one copy sold only games; and much, much more...
steady.page/en/thetolkie...
Including: Isengard in Oxford; consider gifting a membership to my crowdfunding; more JTR; a disfigured moon; Black Pine Collection; one copy sold only games; and much, much more...
steady.page/en/thetolkie...
The One hundred and sixty-eighth Roving Ranger
The Roving Ranger #168 brings you all the interesting things Tolkienian of the last week and the weeks upcoming, curated by the Tolkienist.
steady.page
December 23, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Another edition of the Roving Ranger has just been sent to its subscribers.
Including: Isengard in Oxford; consider gifting a membership to my crowdfunding; more JTR; a disfigured moon; Black Pine Collection; one copy sold only games; and much, much more...
steady.page/en/thetolkie...
Including: Isengard in Oxford; consider gifting a membership to my crowdfunding; more JTR; a disfigured moon; Black Pine Collection; one copy sold only games; and much, much more...
steady.page/en/thetolkie...
Reposted by Ian M
With warmest wishes, may your holiday feast be more lively than this bird's last meal. At least the snail got away.
December 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
With warmest wishes, may your holiday feast be more lively than this bird's last meal. At least the snail got away.
Reposted by Ian M
I see your PTO request was denied. Guess we know who's picking up all the slack this year.
December 23, 2025 at 4:20 PM
I see your PTO request was denied. Guess we know who's picking up all the slack this year.
Reposted by Ian M
Season's Greetings :-)
December 23, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Season's Greetings :-)
Reposted by Ian M
Just did a Too Good to Go surprise bag from a Romanian restaurant and got tripe soup and pork neck tougher than Arnie 🤢
#cheeseontoastfortea
#cheeseontoastfortea
December 20, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Just did a Too Good to Go surprise bag from a Romanian restaurant and got tripe soup and pork neck tougher than Arnie 🤢
#cheeseontoastfortea
#cheeseontoastfortea
Reposted by Ian M
Thank you @kerrykennedy.bsky.social for inviting us to join the celebration of the ROBERT & ETHEL KENNEDY HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER. We fully support your fight for Justice, Equality, Peace, Dignity, Diversity & Compassion for ALL.
(and we had a great time doing so!) 🙏 ♥️
(and we had a great time doing so!) 🙏 ♥️
December 21, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Thank you @kerrykennedy.bsky.social for inviting us to join the celebration of the ROBERT & ETHEL KENNEDY HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER. We fully support your fight for Justice, Equality, Peace, Dignity, Diversity & Compassion for ALL.
(and we had a great time doing so!) 🙏 ♥️
(and we had a great time doing so!) 🙏 ♥️
Reposted by Ian M
20 December 1941 | A Dutch Jewish boy, Leo Polak, was born in Amsterdam.
In July 1942, he was deported to #Auschwitz and murdered in a gas chamber with his mother Sonja after the selection.
---
📖 Jews deported from the German-occupied Netherlands to Auschwitz: http://lekcja.auschwitz.org/32_en/
In July 1942, he was deported to #Auschwitz and murdered in a gas chamber with his mother Sonja after the selection.
---
📖 Jews deported from the German-occupied Netherlands to Auschwitz: http://lekcja.auschwitz.org/32_en/
December 20, 2025 at 9:00 PM
20 December 1941 | A Dutch Jewish boy, Leo Polak, was born in Amsterdam.
In July 1942, he was deported to #Auschwitz and murdered in a gas chamber with his mother Sonja after the selection.
---
📖 Jews deported from the German-occupied Netherlands to Auschwitz: http://lekcja.auschwitz.org/32_en/
In July 1942, he was deported to #Auschwitz and murdered in a gas chamber with his mother Sonja after the selection.
---
📖 Jews deported from the German-occupied Netherlands to Auschwitz: http://lekcja.auschwitz.org/32_en/
Reposted by Ian M
21 December 1932 | A French Jewish boy, Samuel Goysenstein, was born in #Hayange. During the war, he lived in Paris.
He was deported from #Drancy to #Auschwitz where on 16 August 1942, he was murdered in a gas chamber.
He was deported from #Drancy to #Auschwitz where on 16 August 1942, he was murdered in a gas chamber.
December 21, 2025 at 6:00 AM
21 December 1932 | A French Jewish boy, Samuel Goysenstein, was born in #Hayange. During the war, he lived in Paris.
He was deported from #Drancy to #Auschwitz where on 16 August 1942, he was murdered in a gas chamber.
He was deported from #Drancy to #Auschwitz where on 16 August 1942, he was murdered in a gas chamber.
Reposted by Ian M
21 December 1910 | A Polish Jew, Pinkus Borensztajn, was born in Wodzisław. A hairdresser,
In #Auschwitz from 21 February 1942
No. 23881.
He perished in the camp on 26 March 1942.
---
🎧 Our podcast talks about the situation of Polish & Jewish prisoners in the camp: https://youtu.be/_ZaWqIsmY4U
In #Auschwitz from 21 February 1942
No. 23881.
He perished in the camp on 26 March 1942.
---
🎧 Our podcast talks about the situation of Polish & Jewish prisoners in the camp: https://youtu.be/_ZaWqIsmY4U
December 21, 2025 at 12:00 PM
21 December 1910 | A Polish Jew, Pinkus Borensztajn, was born in Wodzisław. A hairdresser,
In #Auschwitz from 21 February 1942
No. 23881.
He perished in the camp on 26 March 1942.
---
🎧 Our podcast talks about the situation of Polish & Jewish prisoners in the camp: https://youtu.be/_ZaWqIsmY4U
In #Auschwitz from 21 February 1942
No. 23881.
He perished in the camp on 26 March 1942.
---
🎧 Our podcast talks about the situation of Polish & Jewish prisoners in the camp: https://youtu.be/_ZaWqIsmY4U
Reposted by Ian M
21 December 1930 | A French Jewish girl, Irene Stern, was born in Nancy to Abraham and Victoria. During the war, she lived in Libourne.
On 30 June 1944, she was deported from #Drancy to #Auschwitz. She did not survive.
---
▶ Video about the history of Auschwitz: https://youtu.be/Fxnl5HTygrs
On 30 June 1944, she was deported from #Drancy to #Auschwitz. She did not survive.
---
▶ Video about the history of Auschwitz: https://youtu.be/Fxnl5HTygrs
December 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM
21 December 1930 | A French Jewish girl, Irene Stern, was born in Nancy to Abraham and Victoria. During the war, she lived in Libourne.
On 30 June 1944, she was deported from #Drancy to #Auschwitz. She did not survive.
---
▶ Video about the history of Auschwitz: https://youtu.be/Fxnl5HTygrs
On 30 June 1944, she was deported from #Drancy to #Auschwitz. She did not survive.
---
▶ Video about the history of Auschwitz: https://youtu.be/Fxnl5HTygrs
Reposted by Ian M
21 December 1926 | A Polish woman, Henryka Mank, was born in Warsaw. In Jan 1943 arrested in a roundup at a train station in Wolbrom where she went to buy cheaper food for her family.
In #Auschwitz from 29 Jan 1943.
No. 32367
In 1944 transferred to KL Ravensbrück. She survived.
In #Auschwitz from 29 Jan 1943.
No. 32367
In 1944 transferred to KL Ravensbrück. She survived.
December 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM
21 December 1926 | A Polish woman, Henryka Mank, was born in Warsaw. In Jan 1943 arrested in a roundup at a train station in Wolbrom where she went to buy cheaper food for her family.
In #Auschwitz from 29 Jan 1943.
No. 32367
In 1944 transferred to KL Ravensbrück. She survived.
In #Auschwitz from 29 Jan 1943.
No. 32367
In 1944 transferred to KL Ravensbrück. She survived.
Reposted by Ian M
started / going
December 18, 2025 at 12:13 AM
started / going
Reposted by Ian M
Our gut microbiome has a huge influence on our overall health, but we haven't been clear on the specific bacteria with good versus bad effects. Now, a study of more than 34,000 people is shedding light on what a healthy gut microbiome actually consists of
We may finally know what a healthy gut microbiome looks like
Our gut microbiome has a huge influence on our overall health, but we haven't been clear on the specific bacteria with good versus bad effects. Now, a study of more than 34,000 people is shedding light on what a healthy gut microbiome actually consists of
www.newscientist.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Our gut microbiome has a huge influence on our overall health, but we haven't been clear on the specific bacteria with good versus bad effects. Now, a study of more than 34,000 people is shedding light on what a healthy gut microbiome actually consists of
Reposted by Ian M
21 December 1934 | Dutch Jewish girl, Sofia Sluijter, was born in Den Helder.
She was deported to #Auschwitz from #Westerbork in April 1944. She was murdered in a gas chamber after the arrival selection.
She was deported to #Auschwitz from #Westerbork in April 1944. She was murdered in a gas chamber after the arrival selection.
December 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
21 December 1934 | Dutch Jewish girl, Sofia Sluijter, was born in Den Helder.
She was deported to #Auschwitz from #Westerbork in April 1944. She was murdered in a gas chamber after the arrival selection.
She was deported to #Auschwitz from #Westerbork in April 1944. She was murdered in a gas chamber after the arrival selection.
Reposted by Ian M
And this is what librarians spend all our time trying to facilitate. Thinking about how stuff is organised, how can we help you find what you don't even know you don't know. It's literally the joy of our profession
December 21, 2025 at 9:06 PM
And this is what librarians spend all our time trying to facilitate. Thinking about how stuff is organised, how can we help you find what you don't even know you don't know. It's literally the joy of our profession
Reposted by Ian M
The Green Grandmother of Hookland for Solstice.
December 21, 2025 at 12:18 PM
The Green Grandmother of Hookland for Solstice.
Reposted by Ian M
Supergood dystopian science fiction of the surveillance state. Hard to believe it was written in 2007 because it accurately depicts where we are now
@cstross.bsky.social
@cstross.bsky.social
December 21, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Supergood dystopian science fiction of the surveillance state. Hard to believe it was written in 2007 because it accurately depicts where we are now
@cstross.bsky.social
@cstross.bsky.social
Reposted by Ian M
Scientists were amazed to discover a 507-year-old clam that was already 100 in Shakespeare’s day, but why did it live so long and what can we learn from it?
The surprising longevity lessons from the world’s oldest animal
Scientists were amazed to discover a 507-year-old clam that was already 100 in Shakespeare’s day, but why did it live so long and what can we learn from it?
www.newscientist.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Scientists were amazed to discover a 507-year-old clam that was already 100 in Shakespeare’s day, but why did it live so long and what can we learn from it?
Reposted by Ian M
Signed prints of my Lord Of The Rings / Muppets trilogy are now up on jameshance.com ☺️❤️✨🎨 Don’t forget to use the code BUY2GET3 to get the third one for free!🎄
December 21, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Signed prints of my Lord Of The Rings / Muppets trilogy are now up on jameshance.com ☺️❤️✨🎨 Don’t forget to use the code BUY2GET3 to get the third one for free!🎄
Reposted by Ian M
Following the controversy over the edited Trump speech, the BBC has been lambasted for its negative and biased portrayal of the leader of a prominent right-wing government…
An Evening with Private Eye 2025, out now on YouTube.
An Evening with Private Eye 2025, out now on YouTube.
December 16, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Following the controversy over the edited Trump speech, the BBC has been lambasted for its negative and biased portrayal of the leader of a prominent right-wing government…
An Evening with Private Eye 2025, out now on YouTube.
An Evening with Private Eye 2025, out now on YouTube.
Reposted by Ian M
The North East Combined Authority has been asked by Northumberland County Council, to extend the Northumberland Line, which would see the line connecting south-east Northumberland to Tyneside, as far as Newbiggin-by-the-Sea | Peter Sagar
Formal bid to extend Northumberland line
The North East Combined Authority has been asked by Northumberland County Council, to extend the Northumberland Line, which would see the line connecting south-east Northumberland to Tyneside, as far as Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
northeastbylines.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 6:29 PM
The North East Combined Authority has been asked by Northumberland County Council, to extend the Northumberland Line, which would see the line connecting south-east Northumberland to Tyneside, as far as Newbiggin-by-the-Sea | Peter Sagar
Reposted by Ian M
Just watched the TV miniseries for Hogswatch (the Terry Pratchett novel). They gave Teatime an American accent, so I'm curious: does that add to the creepiness like an American show with someone who has, say a deep country accent but is monstrously capable and talented? Realized I just don't know.
December 21, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Just watched the TV miniseries for Hogswatch (the Terry Pratchett novel). They gave Teatime an American accent, so I'm curious: does that add to the creepiness like an American show with someone who has, say a deep country accent but is monstrously capable and talented? Realized I just don't know.
Reposted by Ian M
Festive. Technically, this is a dead bird card.
December 21, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Festive. Technically, this is a dead bird card.