Malcolm Wilson
@malcolmwilson01.bsky.social
If you’d like to get in touch, my email address is my Bluesky handle at Hotmail dot com.
Pinned
Just lovely to be here.
My grandfather, p/o Joseph Unsworth DFM, flew Manchesters, the two-engine versions of the Lancaster. Pilots complained that the planes didn’t have the power to escape enemy aircraft. Joe was shot down over Belgium before the Lancaster came into
service.
service.
January 30, 2026 at 8:52 AM
My grandfather, p/o Joseph Unsworth DFM, flew Manchesters, the two-engine versions of the Lancaster. Pilots complained that the planes didn’t have the power to escape enemy aircraft. Joe was shot down over Belgium before the Lancaster came into
service.
service.
I love how open MI6 is about itself now; I kept my failure, at the Final Selection Board, to join SIS secret for years because of the warnings in all the correspondence I’d received. I’d have been a shit spook btw.
New post out:
"How MI6 works"
We interviewed Richard Moore the man who was "C" - Chief of MI6 - until September.
In part one we talked about MI6 operates - how does C work with the Prime Minister? Does he think there's a "deep state" etc...
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/h...
"How MI6 works"
We interviewed Richard Moore the man who was "C" - Chief of MI6 - until September.
In part one we talked about MI6 operates - how does C work with the Prime Minister? Does he think there's a "deep state" etc...
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/h...
How MI6 works
From 2020 until last September, Richard Moore was Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) also known as “C”.
open.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:39 AM
I love how open MI6 is about itself now; I kept my failure, at the Final Selection Board, to join SIS secret for years because of the warnings in all the correspondence I’d received. I’d have been a shit spook btw.
Reposted by Malcolm Wilson
Every year the U.K. does about 17-50% of its reforestation targets because the government makes it so f**king hard to navigate grant application process that most landowners don’t bother. We exist to solve that. We just crack on, because you donate to us and make possible. protect.earth/donate
January 29, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Every year the U.K. does about 17-50% of its reforestation targets because the government makes it so f**king hard to navigate grant application process that most landowners don’t bother. We exist to solve that. We just crack on, because you donate to us and make possible. protect.earth/donate
Not one of my favourite ballets.
Today is the 137th anniversary of the rather unpleasant Mayerling ‘incident’, when Rudolf, 30-year-old Crown Prince of Austria, shot his 17-year-old lover Baroness Mary Vetsera, and turned the gun on himself. She had been his mistress for a grand total of 16 days 🧵
January 29, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Not one of my favourite ballets.
I endorse this statement.
Still the greatest video ever made. Sorry. I don't make the rules...
January 29, 2026 at 11:00 PM
I endorse this statement.
Rocket-powered superhero Ranieri!
Jailbreak: the blessed Ranieri frees the poor from a formidable Florentine prison. Painted in 1440 by Sassetta of Siena. It's his day today.
January 29, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Rocket-powered superhero Ranieri!
Reposted by Malcolm Wilson
Instead of renting a hotel room for 2 hours I hear amorous couples are booking tickets to see MELANIA for complete privacy
January 29, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Instead of renting a hotel room for 2 hours I hear amorous couples are booking tickets to see MELANIA for complete privacy
Cineworld Hemel has sold three ‘Melania’ tickets for this evening. I won’t be joining the trio.
January 29, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Cineworld Hemel has sold three ‘Melania’ tickets for this evening. I won’t be joining the trio.
Reposted by Malcolm Wilson
Reposted by Malcolm Wilson
When we worked together on the Crossrail Bill, I was so impressed by Nathalie Lieven KC that I said I’d work with her for nothing. She’s brilliant, ferocious in conference and in committee but always friendly.
Judges do judge things without regard for who likes them, but today I like her even more.
Judges do judge things without regard for who likes them, but today I like her even more.
January 29, 2026 at 12:40 PM
When we worked together on the Crossrail Bill, I was so impressed by Nathalie Lieven KC that I said I’d work with her for nothing. She’s brilliant, ferocious in conference and in committee but always friendly.
Judges do judge things without regard for who likes them, but today I like her even more.
Judges do judge things without regard for who likes them, but today I like her even more.
This is a right-wing coprophagic ourobouros: the Tories forced Sadiq Khan to extend ULEZ as the price of bailing out TfL. Instead of protesting or pointing this out, Khan just did it effectively and rightly pointed to the health benefits.
Now right wingers are radicalised into blowing up cameras.
Now right wingers are radicalised into blowing up cameras.
Who radicalised him?
(If this article has been deleted when you see this post it’s because a sub editor woke up!)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
(If this article has been deleted when you see this post it’s because a sub editor woke up!)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sidcup man convicted aover explosive attack on Ulez camera
Kevin Rees's homemade bomb caused damage to vehicles and property including a child's bedroom.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 11:50 AM
This is a right-wing coprophagic ourobouros: the Tories forced Sadiq Khan to extend ULEZ as the price of bailing out TfL. Instead of protesting or pointing this out, Khan just did it effectively and rightly pointed to the health benefits.
Now right wingers are radicalised into blowing up cameras.
Now right wingers are radicalised into blowing up cameras.
Blaire Fleming - there’s a young human being involved in this (and I’m not throwing shade on Riki’s post).
@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Jan 29 LATimes: Dept of Ed has given San José State Univ. 10 days to comply with demands after finding that it violated a ban on trans woman by allowing one to play on its 2024 volleyball team. 4 teams forfeited matches against SJSU, including a conference semifinal.
Department of Education finds San Jose State violated Title IX regarding transgender volleyball player
The Department of Education warned that San José State risks "imminent enforcement action" if it doesn't voluntarily resolve the Title IX violations by taking action five ways.
www.latimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Blaire Fleming - there’s a young human being involved in this (and I’m not throwing shade on Riki’s post).
Agh. Teaching at UCL when I was an undergrad nearby.
Unapologetically awful.
Unapologetically awful.
My PhD students are too Young to be aware of Colin McGinn trying to say that when he asked a young woman student for a handjob he was testing her to see if she was a Genius, and the fact that she didn't realise he might have been asking for a manicure is what led him to (sadly) conclude she was not.
January 29, 2026 at 10:49 AM
Agh. Teaching at UCL when I was an undergrad nearby.
Unapologetically awful.
Unapologetically awful.
This thread is very informative.
It reminds me of the awkward conversation we had at one of the UK’s life and pensions companies about their wealth management platform on digital TV.
It took 26 click-throughs to purchase an ISA, and no one had wanted to bother. So a £50 million project was canned.
It reminds me of the awkward conversation we had at one of the UK’s life and pensions companies about their wealth management platform on digital TV.
It took 26 click-throughs to purchase an ISA, and no one had wanted to bother. So a £50 million project was canned.
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub
aiskillshub.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 10:19 AM
This thread is very informative.
It reminds me of the awkward conversation we had at one of the UK’s life and pensions companies about their wealth management platform on digital TV.
It took 26 click-throughs to purchase an ISA, and no one had wanted to bother. So a £50 million project was canned.
It reminds me of the awkward conversation we had at one of the UK’s life and pensions companies about their wealth management platform on digital TV.
It took 26 click-throughs to purchase an ISA, and no one had wanted to bother. So a £50 million project was canned.
Teachers have been doing the 9 till 9 of Grindcore (or in my case 7 till 7) forever, only fuelled with coffee and Tunnocks Teacakes.
This is the piece of the day - please enjoy the absolute insanity of Grindcore or How the Tech Bros like to work 9am to 9pm and fill the rest with workouts, Paleo diets and Chinese peptides. By @mshannahmurphy.bsky.social as.ft.com/r/6da0e29b-1...
Grindcore is the new hustle culture
[FREE TO READ] In Silicon Valley, long hours have fused with a monastic male wellness aesthetic
as.ft.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:39 AM
Teachers have been doing the 9 till 9 of Grindcore (or in my case 7 till 7) forever, only fuelled with coffee and Tunnocks Teacakes.
Can’t wait for the bobbing bums and the demented terrier wigs!
Bridgerton season four review – fear not bum fans, the sex scenes continue apace
Bridgerton season four review – fear not bum fans, the sex scenes continue apace
This period drama’s puddingy mix of clunking soap and fairytale wish-fulfilment is hard to resist. It is, however, utterly bananas
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Can’t wait for the bobbing bums and the demented terrier wigs!
1. No kidnapping
2. No torture
3. No murder
…just for starters
2. No torture
3. No murder
…just for starters
1. No running
2. No diving in the shallow end
3. No boisterous horseplay
2. No diving in the shallow end
3. No boisterous horseplay
SCHUMER says Democrats are “united” behind three DHS reforms
1/ End roving patrols; tighten the rules on warrants and require ICE to coordinate with local authorities.
2/ Enforce accountability; a uniform code of conduct.
3/ Require masks off, body cameras on, agents carry ID.
1/ End roving patrols; tighten the rules on warrants and require ICE to coordinate with local authorities.
2/ Enforce accountability; a uniform code of conduct.
3/ Require masks off, body cameras on, agents carry ID.
January 28, 2026 at 11:46 PM
1. No kidnapping
2. No torture
3. No murder
…just for starters
2. No torture
3. No murder
…just for starters
Yes. That works well.
January 28, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Yes. That works well.
SHE HAS PLUG SOCKETS OVER THE SINK. I call bullshit.
January 28, 2026 at 10:20 PM
SHE HAS PLUG SOCKETS OVER THE SINK. I call bullshit.
“Friction-maxxing” and “grindcore” suggests that someone is Doing It Wrong.
January 28, 2026 at 9:08 PM
“Friction-maxxing” and “grindcore” suggests that someone is Doing It Wrong.
Robert Jenrick looks great in black, doesn’t he?
January 28, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Robert Jenrick looks great in black, doesn’t he?
Oh for fuck’s sake don’t say that, just as I’m starting my journey into philosophy with @oxlifelonglearning.bsky.social!!!
I'm on team Philosophy Is Shit Now, but it's because I think as a tradition analytic philosophy ran out of gas sometime around Grice or Rawls and too many people are hanging too dearly onto it.
January 28, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Oh for fuck’s sake don’t say that, just as I’m starting my journey into philosophy with @oxlifelonglearning.bsky.social!!!
I met up with my colleagues from the late eighties last night. My mate Liam sent me this one of him holding me in his arms. As I’m now 16 stone, I don’t think he could do it again.
January 28, 2026 at 8:32 PM
I met up with my colleagues from the late eighties last night. My mate Liam sent me this one of him holding me in his arms. As I’m now 16 stone, I don’t think he could do it again.