John MacPherson
@johnmacpherson.bsky.social
Mostly a photographer: https://www.john-macpherson-photography.com
I sometimes write: https://www.duckrabbit.info/blog/author/j-macpherson/
Scottish Highlander, left-coast, interested in all sorts of things. I make stuff, some of it even works.
I sometimes write: https://www.duckrabbit.info/blog/author/j-macpherson/
Scottish Highlander, left-coast, interested in all sorts of things. I make stuff, some of it even works.
Pinned
I like stories. I posted this one on The Other Place and many people liked it. So I thought I'd post it here for anyone who missed it. It's about travel, but mainly it's about trust, risk & reward and a reminder that we're all strangers to others at some point. But only temporarily... 1/12
Reposted by John MacPherson
Fascinating that countries are mulling plans about what to do if the AMOC collapses. Options for Iceland: (1) live under the ice, grow microbial proteins, use geothermal energy or (2) abandon the country and attempt to migrate the entire population south
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Iceland deems possible Atlantic current collapse a security risk
Iceland has designated the potential collapse of a major Atlantic Ocean current system a national security concern and an existential threat, enabling its government to strategize for worst-case scenarios, the country's climate minister told Reuters.
www.reuters.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Fascinating that countries are mulling plans about what to do if the AMOC collapses. Options for Iceland: (1) live under the ice, grow microbial proteins, use geothermal energy or (2) abandon the country and attempt to migrate the entire population south
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Reposted by John MacPherson
Christ, this is heartbreaking. Looking around my bit of Cornwall... the sheer scale of what was thrown away... millions for farmers, hundreds of thousands for schools, more hundreds for young people and culture and...
www.myeu.uk
www.myeu.uk
myeu.uk – see what the EU has done for you
The EU invests around £5 billion a year in the UK. Search by your address or postcode to see some of the investments near you.
www.myeu.uk
November 26, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Christ, this is heartbreaking. Looking around my bit of Cornwall... the sheer scale of what was thrown away... millions for farmers, hundreds of thousands for schools, more hundreds for young people and culture and...
www.myeu.uk
www.myeu.uk
Reposted by John MacPherson
He's a school bully. What I don't understand is why everyone is tip-toeing around that. Call him what he is. This was never banter it's about power, it's always about the power dynamic. Farage may not understand the whys & hows but he's been rewarded for it.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Don’t believe Nigel Farage’s denials. He targeted me for being Jewish – and it hurt | Peter Ettedgui
Now that my former classmate has finally spoken about the allegations of his behaviour at school, I feel compelled to address his points directly, says Peter Ettedgui, a film director and producer
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:45 AM
He's a school bully. What I don't understand is why everyone is tip-toeing around that. Call him what he is. This was never banter it's about power, it's always about the power dynamic. Farage may not understand the whys & hows but he's been rewarded for it.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by John MacPherson
"It is against the TOS to be talked into suicide by our LLM" is possibly the most evil tech bro thing I've ever read
Additionally, OpenAI argues its not liable because Raine, by using ChatGPT for self-harm, broke its terms of service
November 26, 2025 at 12:29 AM
"It is against the TOS to be talked into suicide by our LLM" is possibly the most evil tech bro thing I've ever read
Reposted by John MacPherson
😍
November 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
😍
Reposted by John MacPherson
Sen. Mark Kelly on MS NOW: "I've had a missile blow up next to my airplane. I've been nearly shot down multiple times … My wife, Gabby Giffords, meeting with her constituents, shot in the head, six people killed around her … We know what political violence is. And we know what causes it, too."
November 25, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Sen. Mark Kelly on MS NOW: "I've had a missile blow up next to my airplane. I've been nearly shot down multiple times … My wife, Gabby Giffords, meeting with her constituents, shot in the head, six people killed around her … We know what political violence is. And we know what causes it, too."
Reposted by John MacPherson
'The Hands Of My Father'
What's in a picture?
Some people say: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. But the story those "thousand words" might tell often depends on the reader. And in the digital age of billions of images, finding an image that truly speaks to us is a matter of luck. 1/9
What's in a picture?
Some people say: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. But the story those "thousand words" might tell often depends on the reader. And in the digital age of billions of images, finding an image that truly speaks to us is a matter of luck. 1/9
November 25, 2025 at 9:53 AM
'The Hands Of My Father'
What's in a picture?
Some people say: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. But the story those "thousand words" might tell often depends on the reader. And in the digital age of billions of images, finding an image that truly speaks to us is a matter of luck. 1/9
What's in a picture?
Some people say: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. But the story those "thousand words" might tell often depends on the reader. And in the digital age of billions of images, finding an image that truly speaks to us is a matter of luck. 1/9
Reposted by John MacPherson
am I even awake right now?
November 24, 2025 at 10:36 PM
am I even awake right now?
'The Hands Of My Father'
What's in a picture?
Some people say: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. But the story those "thousand words" might tell often depends on the reader. And in the digital age of billions of images, finding an image that truly speaks to us is a matter of luck. 1/9
What's in a picture?
Some people say: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. But the story those "thousand words" might tell often depends on the reader. And in the digital age of billions of images, finding an image that truly speaks to us is a matter of luck. 1/9
November 25, 2025 at 9:53 AM
'The Hands Of My Father'
What's in a picture?
Some people say: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. But the story those "thousand words" might tell often depends on the reader. And in the digital age of billions of images, finding an image that truly speaks to us is a matter of luck. 1/9
What's in a picture?
Some people say: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. But the story those "thousand words" might tell often depends on the reader. And in the digital age of billions of images, finding an image that truly speaks to us is a matter of luck. 1/9
Reposted by John MacPherson
maybe i am going insane
November 24, 2025 at 6:49 PM
maybe i am going insane
Reposted by John MacPherson
Children. Teens. Pregnant women. Victims of domestic violence. Anyone from an ethic minority. Care home residents. People with disabilities. The list of overlooked vulnerable groups goes on & on.
The lesson is to build processes that include them next time.
Not to airbrush away 250,000 Covid dead.
The lesson is to build processes that include them next time.
Not to airbrush away 250,000 Covid dead.
November 23, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Children. Teens. Pregnant women. Victims of domestic violence. Anyone from an ethic minority. Care home residents. People with disabilities. The list of overlooked vulnerable groups goes on & on.
The lesson is to build processes that include them next time.
Not to airbrush away 250,000 Covid dead.
The lesson is to build processes that include them next time.
Not to airbrush away 250,000 Covid dead.
Reposted by John MacPherson
November 22, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Reposted by John MacPherson
Gaza is one of the richest archaeological landscapes on the planet, with thousands of years of continuous occupation and layer after layer of history going back to the Neolithic. The destruction of that is nothing next to the human cost, but it's still a cruel, thoughtless act of destruction.
July 29, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Gaza is one of the richest archaeological landscapes on the planet, with thousands of years of continuous occupation and layer after layer of history going back to the Neolithic. The destruction of that is nothing next to the human cost, but it's still a cruel, thoughtless act of destruction.
Reposted by John MacPherson
#PeatlandRestoration is not the most photogenic of subjects, but this blog from our partner #AssyntFoundation explains why it's important & what those diggers are doing on the heather. 👉 buff.ly/0yI3qFP Thanks PeatlandACTION. Great to see more carbon storing work happening in Assynt.
Peat Bog Restoration - Blog of photographer Chris Puddephatt - Chris Puddephatt Photos of North West Scotland - Peat Bog Restoration
Blog of photographer Chris Puddephatt
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 5:01 PM
#PeatlandRestoration is not the most photogenic of subjects, but this blog from our partner #AssyntFoundation explains why it's important & what those diggers are doing on the heather. 👉 buff.ly/0yI3qFP Thanks PeatlandACTION. Great to see more carbon storing work happening in Assynt.
Rather a splendid morning on Cairngorm yesterday, limited uplift though (so only 100 tickets) & forecast to deteriorate in the early afternoon & it did, the wind got up, temp rose, it clagged out & we called it a day having enjoyed some rather lovely soft powdery snow. Scotland doing it!
November 22, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Rather a splendid morning on Cairngorm yesterday, limited uplift though (so only 100 tickets) & forecast to deteriorate in the early afternoon & it did, the wind got up, temp rose, it clagged out & we called it a day having enjoyed some rather lovely soft powdery snow. Scotland doing it!
Reposted by John MacPherson
I'm no art critic but the very reaction to it suggests the artist has hit the mark.
Shame it's going.
Shame it's going.
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 7:41 AM
I'm no art critic but the very reaction to it suggests the artist has hit the mark.
Shame it's going.
Shame it's going.
Reposted by John MacPherson
Postcards from our Outreach team who were conducting a survey of ancient woodland on Loch Veyatie in #Assynt recently.⛵
Lots of ancient ‘graveyard/bone' tree specimens found including this 'harp' tree (as christened by Doug). Also an encouraging amount of tree regeneration appearing.🤞
Lots of ancient ‘graveyard/bone' tree specimens found including this 'harp' tree (as christened by Doug). Also an encouraging amount of tree regeneration appearing.🤞
November 19, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Postcards from our Outreach team who were conducting a survey of ancient woodland on Loch Veyatie in #Assynt recently.⛵
Lots of ancient ‘graveyard/bone' tree specimens found including this 'harp' tree (as christened by Doug). Also an encouraging amount of tree regeneration appearing.🤞
Lots of ancient ‘graveyard/bone' tree specimens found including this 'harp' tree (as christened by Doug). Also an encouraging amount of tree regeneration appearing.🤞
Reposted by John MacPherson
This graphic explains SO much about U.S. truck/SUV mania & consumer culture generally.
“As pickups transitioned from farm/ranch workhorses to lifestyle vehicles, their design shifted accordingly: Cabs expanded to accommodate more passengers, while beds shrank. The first generation of F-150s were 36% cab & 64% bed by length. By 2021, the ratio had flipped.
www.axios.com/local/housto...
www.axios.com/local/housto...
November 19, 2025 at 3:51 PM
This graphic explains SO much about U.S. truck/SUV mania & consumer culture generally.
The Unintended Art Of Others
The shipyard painters who cleaned their brushes on the shipping container they store their paint in.
Banff
Scotland
The shipyard painters who cleaned their brushes on the shipping container they store their paint in.
Banff
Scotland
November 19, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Reposted by John MacPherson
Morgan McSweeney: "OK Keir, hear ne out. We need to project a different look for the Party, now that we have an 80 seat majority."
Starmer: "Righto - brilliant. How should we be portraying ourselves Morgan...?"
McSweeney: "As utter cunts..."
#Labour #HostileEnvironment
Starmer: "Righto - brilliant. How should we be portraying ourselves Morgan...?"
McSweeney: "As utter cunts..."
#Labour #HostileEnvironment
November 19, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Morgan McSweeney: "OK Keir, hear ne out. We need to project a different look for the Party, now that we have an 80 seat majority."
Starmer: "Righto - brilliant. How should we be portraying ourselves Morgan...?"
McSweeney: "As utter cunts..."
#Labour #HostileEnvironment
Starmer: "Righto - brilliant. How should we be portraying ourselves Morgan...?"
McSweeney: "As utter cunts..."
#Labour #HostileEnvironment
Reposted by John MacPherson
My portrait of Lord Dubs will be in the immigration and asylum section of the Rebellion! exhibition along with his story and three other positive stories about people who were granted asylum.
Alf Dubs is a 92 year old man who spent his life fighting for refugees, and in particular for refugee children. He fought the Tories tooth and nail during their last three terms, only to see Labour adopt far-right policies on immigration.
“But to use children as a weapon ... I’m lost for words.”
“But to use children as a weapon ... I’m lost for words.”
Labour Peer Who Fled The Nazis Condemns His Party's Immigration Crackdown
Lord Dubs said he was "lost for words".
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 9:09 AM
My portrait of Lord Dubs will be in the immigration and asylum section of the Rebellion! exhibition along with his story and three other positive stories about people who were granted asylum.
Reposted by John MacPherson
Once again baffled how blatantly anti-enlightenment this is, "isn't it great how we can produce knowledge while being evidently clueless about the subject, isn't this just like 👼divine inspiration uuh 🪄magic uuuuh yeah ok we don't use this words any more, let's call it 🎨art"
November 19, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Once again baffled how blatantly anti-enlightenment this is, "isn't it great how we can produce knowledge while being evidently clueless about the subject, isn't this just like 👼divine inspiration uuh 🪄magic uuuuh yeah ok we don't use this words any more, let's call it 🎨art"
Reposted by John MacPherson
«Today, the artistic prompt typed into a chatbot is itself becoming a form of expression. The difference between a clunky query and an inspired one is as wide as the gap between a finger painting and a Van Gogh.»
No, it's not. At best, prompting is to artistic practice what googling is to research
No, it's not. At best, prompting is to artistic practice what googling is to research
The Prompt Engineer Is the Artist of Our Age
Just as the camera once challenged painters, AI is giving rise to a new kind of creativity.
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu
November 19, 2025 at 6:20 AM
«Today, the artistic prompt typed into a chatbot is itself becoming a form of expression. The difference between a clunky query and an inspired one is as wide as the gap between a finger painting and a Van Gogh.»
No, it's not. At best, prompting is to artistic practice what googling is to research
No, it's not. At best, prompting is to artistic practice what googling is to research
Reposted by John MacPherson
Several media outlets and political voices are in a feverish grip of deportation/remigration fantasies, that do not reflect public views.
State lacks capacity to identify, detain, remove those without legal status. Politicians/media keep adding groups of legal migrants to a deportation wishlist
State lacks capacity to identify, detain, remove those without legal status. Politicians/media keep adding groups of legal migrants to a deportation wishlist
November 19, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Several media outlets and political voices are in a feverish grip of deportation/remigration fantasies, that do not reflect public views.
State lacks capacity to identify, detain, remove those without legal status. Politicians/media keep adding groups of legal migrants to a deportation wishlist
State lacks capacity to identify, detain, remove those without legal status. Politicians/media keep adding groups of legal migrants to a deportation wishlist
There were sparklies in the stillness this last few days, only until the breezes began their demolition.
November 18, 2025 at 5:40 PM
There were sparklies in the stillness this last few days, only until the breezes began their demolition.