Ben Mortimer
@montimer.bsky.social
I used to write about film, then I produced movies no one watched. Now I draw things for a living.
Formerly @montimer and @paintingtinymen on Twitter.
Ben Mortimer II, III & IV on IMDb
https://www.benmortimer.com
Formerly @montimer and @paintingtinymen on Twitter.
Ben Mortimer II, III & IV on IMDb
https://www.benmortimer.com
So the show itself was pretty decent. Not the greatest play ever, but definitely worth seeing, and with a few interesting theatrical touches that I'll avoid spoiling here.
The main issue it had was pacing, where both acts felt rushed, and where moments of import lacked weight as a result...
The main issue it had was pacing, where both acts felt rushed, and where moments of import lacked weight as a result...
Watching the Hunger Games stage show this evening. Picking Canary Wharf as the location for the theatre is kind of inspired, as the whole area has always felt very wealthy, and very unwelcoming.
December 22, 2025 at 11:32 PM
So the show itself was pretty decent. Not the greatest play ever, but definitely worth seeing, and with a few interesting theatrical touches that I'll avoid spoiling here.
The main issue it had was pacing, where both acts felt rushed, and where moments of import lacked weight as a result...
The main issue it had was pacing, where both acts felt rushed, and where moments of import lacked weight as a result...
Watching the Hunger Games stage show this evening. Picking Canary Wharf as the location for the theatre is kind of inspired, as the whole area has always felt very wealthy, and very unwelcoming.
December 22, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Watching the Hunger Games stage show this evening. Picking Canary Wharf as the location for the theatre is kind of inspired, as the whole area has always felt very wealthy, and very unwelcoming.
Final christmas commission done, ready to hand off to the client tomorrow. Pretty chuffed with how it came out, and in a truly chaotic week, surprised i managed to carve out enough time to finish it.
In the new year ill put a process slideshow of this piece.
#art #illustration #dog
In the new year ill put a process slideshow of this piece.
#art #illustration #dog
December 22, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Final christmas commission done, ready to hand off to the client tomorrow. Pretty chuffed with how it came out, and in a truly chaotic week, surprised i managed to carve out enough time to finish it.
In the new year ill put a process slideshow of this piece.
#art #illustration #dog
In the new year ill put a process slideshow of this piece.
#art #illustration #dog
While this is obviously true of AI, I really wish we would also do it with humans.
Too much of my career has been spent dissuading people of their over-confident guesses, or fixing the errors caused by them, when accepting a lack of knowledge and finding the real answer would have been far easier
Too much of my career has been spent dissuading people of their over-confident guesses, or fixing the errors caused by them, when accepting a lack of knowledge and finding the real answer would have been far easier
LLM companies are open about prioritizing engagement over truthfulness. They know that if If LLMs say "I don't know" too much then ppl will stop using them.
These dynamics are absolutely toxic for research, where truthfulness is the highest priority.
www.science.org/content/arti...
These dynamics are absolutely toxic for research, where truthfulness is the highest priority.
www.science.org/content/arti...
December 21, 2025 at 4:45 PM
While this is obviously true of AI, I really wish we would also do it with humans.
Too much of my career has been spent dissuading people of their over-confident guesses, or fixing the errors caused by them, when accepting a lack of knowledge and finding the real answer would have been far easier
Too much of my career has been spent dissuading people of their over-confident guesses, or fixing the errors caused by them, when accepting a lack of knowledge and finding the real answer would have been far easier
December 17, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Reposted by Ben Mortimer
if labour had focused on helping ppl instead of jumping through hoops for columnists they'd be a popular government.
there's a massive disconnect between what columnists write and what the average person thinks.
mostly columnists are just talking amongst themselves and they're all crazy.
there's a massive disconnect between what columnists write and what the average person thinks.
mostly columnists are just talking amongst themselves and they're all crazy.
December 16, 2025 at 9:51 AM
if labour had focused on helping ppl instead of jumping through hoops for columnists they'd be a popular government.
there's a massive disconnect between what columnists write and what the average person thinks.
mostly columnists are just talking amongst themselves and they're all crazy.
there's a massive disconnect between what columnists write and what the average person thinks.
mostly columnists are just talking amongst themselves and they're all crazy.
If the BBC weren't run by cowards, they would describe Donald Trump as 'convicted fraudster and adjudicated sexual predator' in every article.
December 16, 2025 at 12:48 AM
If the BBC weren't run by cowards, they would describe Donald Trump as 'convicted fraudster and adjudicated sexual predator' in every article.
If The Church of England (and the Catholic church, for that matter) stand for anything at all, they should disavow and excommunicate all of the fascist hatemongers who are currently infesting their pews.
You can't preach hate and claim Christianity. And these evil bastards will burn in hell
You can't preach hate and claim Christianity. And these evil bastards will burn in hell
December 13, 2025 at 1:11 PM
If The Church of England (and the Catholic church, for that matter) stand for anything at all, they should disavow and excommunicate all of the fascist hatemongers who are currently infesting their pews.
You can't preach hate and claim Christianity. And these evil bastards will burn in hell
You can't preach hate and claim Christianity. And these evil bastards will burn in hell
I have thoughts on the further twists and turns of the Netflix-Paramount-Warners saga:
Netflix very clearly intend to buy a legacy film studio. Given reports they've even considered a bid for Disney, it seems they want to diversify, and a purchase is inevitable...
Netflix very clearly intend to buy a legacy film studio. Given reports they've even considered a bid for Disney, it seems they want to diversify, and a purchase is inevitable...
December 11, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I have thoughts on the further twists and turns of the Netflix-Paramount-Warners saga:
Netflix very clearly intend to buy a legacy film studio. Given reports they've even considered a bid for Disney, it seems they want to diversify, and a purchase is inevitable...
Netflix very clearly intend to buy a legacy film studio. Given reports they've even considered a bid for Disney, it seems they want to diversify, and a purchase is inevitable...
The answer to this is really simple. Most people have a subject they understand well - either from work or from hobbies and interests. Get them to ask an LLI about that subject, then watch as they realise how incorrect the bullshit machine is for themselves.
pointing out that LLMs make shit up makes the people who use them feel stupid, and some of them would prefer to be lied to by an app that tells them they’re smart
So, when a critic says, “Ah hah! That app makes shit up!” A lot of people will nod politely. And then they will think to themselves, “Well, so does the newspaper, and so does Facebook, and so do politicians, and none of those help me do this task or say nice things to me when I ask them questions.”
December 9, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The answer to this is really simple. Most people have a subject they understand well - either from work or from hobbies and interests. Get them to ask an LLI about that subject, then watch as they realise how incorrect the bullshit machine is for themselves.
I understand why the Ellisons would want to buy Warners from a 'controlling as much media as possible' point of view, but from a 'running a successful film studio' perspective it seems pointless to me...
December 8, 2025 at 6:59 PM
I understand why the Ellisons would want to buy Warners from a 'controlling as much media as possible' point of view, but from a 'running a successful film studio' perspective it seems pointless to me...
I appreciate I'm not a highly paid analyst for Barclays, but the logic for Netflix buying Warners at $80b really isn't that complicated or deep.
Netflix spent $18b in the last year on content licensing. Owning Warners' library means they can reduce that spend massively...
Netflix spent $18b in the last year on content licensing. Owning Warners' library means they can reduce that spend massively...
Top analyst says Netflix’s $72 billion bet on Warner Bros. isn’t about the ‘death of Hollywood’ at all. It’s really about Google | Fortune
“If I were Netflix,” S&P Global’s Melissa Otto told Fortune, “I would want to build a moat around my business.”
fortune.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I appreciate I'm not a highly paid analyst for Barclays, but the logic for Netflix buying Warners at $80b really isn't that complicated or deep.
Netflix spent $18b in the last year on content licensing. Owning Warners' library means they can reduce that spend massively...
Netflix spent $18b in the last year on content licensing. Owning Warners' library means they can reduce that spend massively...
Reposted by Ben Mortimer
No one needs an excuse to get a new backpack, but just in case you were looking for one, here's a load of colourful dinosaur backpacks that I'm selling.
Particularly useful if you're starting a new job, or your kids are using a backpack to take stuff to school.
benmortimer.com/product-cate...
Particularly useful if you're starting a new job, or your kids are using a backpack to take stuff to school.
benmortimer.com/product-cate...
July 22, 2025 at 3:22 PM
No one needs an excuse to get a new backpack, but just in case you were looking for one, here's a load of colourful dinosaur backpacks that I'm selling.
Particularly useful if you're starting a new job, or your kids are using a backpack to take stuff to school.
benmortimer.com/product-cate...
Particularly useful if you're starting a new job, or your kids are using a backpack to take stuff to school.
benmortimer.com/product-cate...
Reposted by Ben Mortimer
Happy Wednesday nerds. What better way to get through the middle of your week than by buying one of my fetching Project Apollo shirts. Available as both a t-shirt or a more formal button-up shirt.
Treat yourself. You know you want to.
benmortimer.com/product-cate...
Treat yourself. You know you want to.
benmortimer.com/product-cate...
July 23, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Happy Wednesday nerds. What better way to get through the middle of your week than by buying one of my fetching Project Apollo shirts. Available as both a t-shirt or a more formal button-up shirt.
Treat yourself. You know you want to.
benmortimer.com/product-cate...
Treat yourself. You know you want to.
benmortimer.com/product-cate...
Reposted by Ben Mortimer
Need stocking fillers for Christmas?
Check out the sticker section of my website
benmortimer.com/stickers-pat...
Check out the sticker section of my website
benmortimer.com/stickers-pat...
November 4, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Need stocking fillers for Christmas?
Check out the sticker section of my website
benmortimer.com/stickers-pat...
Check out the sticker section of my website
benmortimer.com/stickers-pat...
Reposted by Ben Mortimer
If you're a space nerd, I've got a range clothing on my website aimed at you. Including ludicrous 'race to the moon' shoes and trousers, and t-shirts that let you show your allegiance to either NASA or the Soviet Space Program.
Check it out here:
benmortimer.com/shop?prodfil...
Check it out here:
benmortimer.com/shop?prodfil...
November 6, 2025 at 11:45 AM
If you're a space nerd, I've got a range clothing on my website aimed at you. Including ludicrous 'race to the moon' shoes and trousers, and t-shirts that let you show your allegiance to either NASA or the Soviet Space Program.
Check it out here:
benmortimer.com/shop?prodfil...
Check it out here:
benmortimer.com/shop?prodfil...
Last call for cool clothes to arrive in time for christmas.
In case any of you fancied ordering something from my shop, last order dates to recieve in time for Christmas (for UK customers) are in the images #art #illustration benmortimer.com
December 6, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Last call for cool clothes to arrive in time for christmas.
Reposted by Ben Mortimer
The Nobel Prize committee should announce the World Cup winner tomorrow
December 6, 2025 at 4:29 AM
The Nobel Prize committee should announce the World Cup winner tomorrow
Netflix buying Warners seems like the least shitty of the possible options. Still not great, but less bad.
My guess is, rather than drag all future Warners releases directly to streaming, it will do the opposite and lead to more theatrical releases for netflix.
My guess is, rather than drag all future Warners releases directly to streaming, it will do the opposite and lead to more theatrical releases for netflix.
December 5, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Netflix buying Warners seems like the least shitty of the possible options. Still not great, but less bad.
My guess is, rather than drag all future Warners releases directly to streaming, it will do the opposite and lead to more theatrical releases for netflix.
My guess is, rather than drag all future Warners releases directly to streaming, it will do the opposite and lead to more theatrical releases for netflix.
I bet it was the 12th one. He always seemed a wrong'un
Doctor who supplied ketamine to late Friends star Matthew Perry jailed
Doctor who supplied ketamine to late Friends star Matthew Perry jailed
A doctor who pleaded guilty to supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks before the star's death has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.
news.sky.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:09 PM
I bet it was the 12th one. He always seemed a wrong'un
Reposted by Ben Mortimer
Both the WI and Girl Guiding had been steadfast in their support for trans members and in making sure every child was included. This is forced suppression. Presumably the Alliance Defending Freedom is the coffers behind this, too?
December 3, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Both the WI and Girl Guiding had been steadfast in their support for trans members and in making sure every child was included. This is forced suppression. Presumably the Alliance Defending Freedom is the coffers behind this, too?
Reposted by Ben Mortimer
A Labour government passed the Equality Act. A Labour government was in power when the Supreme Court interpreted it to not mean what ministers at the time were clear it was intended to mean. The Labour government response should have been to legislate to fix it. Not doing so was a cowardly betrayal.
December 3, 2025 at 11:23 AM
A Labour government passed the Equality Act. A Labour government was in power when the Supreme Court interpreted it to not mean what ministers at the time were clear it was intended to mean. The Labour government response should have been to legislate to fix it. Not doing so was a cowardly betrayal.
I'm not opposed to another new studio on principal, but I genuinely can't fathom why anyone would build one here now.
Ten years ago we were desperately low on studio space in the UK, but now we have so many, I can't imagine many of them are even half-full.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Ten years ago we were desperately low on studio space in the UK, but now we have so many, I can't imagine many of them are even half-full.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Ministers approve £750m Marlow Film Studios development after review
Planning permission granted for Buckinghamshire project seen as test of Labour’s drive for economic growth
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:33 PM
I'm not opposed to another new studio on principal, but I genuinely can't fathom why anyone would build one here now.
Ten years ago we were desperately low on studio space in the UK, but now we have so many, I can't imagine many of them are even half-full.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Ten years ago we were desperately low on studio space in the UK, but now we have so many, I can't imagine many of them are even half-full.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Ben Mortimer
In case any of you fancied ordering something from my shop, last order dates to recieve in time for Christmas (for UK customers) are in the images #art #illustration benmortimer.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:01 PM
In case any of you fancied ordering something from my shop, last order dates to recieve in time for Christmas (for UK customers) are in the images #art #illustration benmortimer.com
In case any of you fancied ordering something from my shop, last order dates to recieve in time for Christmas (for UK customers) are in the images #art #illustration benmortimer.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:01 PM
In case any of you fancied ordering something from my shop, last order dates to recieve in time for Christmas (for UK customers) are in the images #art #illustration benmortimer.com