Ben Evans
@ogkittylyst.bsky.social
Cisqueer author / educator / software eng known for #architecture #performance #observability #Java #JVM
Chaos acc: #cats #antifascism #queer >> #tech
Cornishman in Barcelona.
More: @[email protected]
Chaos acc: #cats #antifascism #queer >> #tech
Cornishman in Barcelona.
More: @[email protected]
Pinned
Ben Evans
@ogkittylyst.bsky.social
· Jul 19
Hey folks - just a reminder that @kittylyst.bsky.social is not me.
They beat me to the name here (which is just the way it goes sometimes) & about half their followers seem to be people who are probably looking for me!
But, no, I'm here.
They beat me to the name here (which is just the way it goes sometimes) & about half their followers seem to be people who are probably looking for me!
But, no, I'm here.
Reposted by Ben Evans
You cannot credibly claim to defend human rights while openly minimizing or making light of mass human rights violations committed by the Iranian state. (4)
February 12, 2026 at 6:12 PM
You cannot credibly claim to defend human rights while openly minimizing or making light of mass human rights violations committed by the Iranian state. (4)
Reposted by Ben Evans
I really, really, really hope this isn't true.
We do not support AI generated slop here.
I don't share the videos that are doing the rounds, I don't share those people sharing themselves AI'd into scenes.
AI's a tool, yes, but blatant cost-cutting and artist replacement does not get my support
We do not support AI generated slop here.
I don't share the videos that are doing the rounds, I don't share those people sharing themselves AI'd into scenes.
AI's a tool, yes, but blatant cost-cutting and artist replacement does not get my support
If this is true then I can't tell you how much it sucks , so so many artistic fans out there would kill to have thier name in the credits of a #StarTrek show and you already have so many fantastic artists working for you .
February 13, 2026 at 9:56 PM
I really, really, really hope this isn't true.
We do not support AI generated slop here.
I don't share the videos that are doing the rounds, I don't share those people sharing themselves AI'd into scenes.
AI's a tool, yes, but blatant cost-cutting and artist replacement does not get my support
We do not support AI generated slop here.
I don't share the videos that are doing the rounds, I don't share those people sharing themselves AI'd into scenes.
AI's a tool, yes, but blatant cost-cutting and artist replacement does not get my support
Reposted by Ben Evans
You may laugh, but the Macbeths are a much better role model for a marriage than Romeo and Juliet. They discuss their problems (killing the king of Scotland), share their hobbies (killing the king of Scotland), and resolve their conflicts (by killing the king of Scotland).
February 13, 2026 at 5:09 PM
You may laugh, but the Macbeths are a much better role model for a marriage than Romeo and Juliet. They discuss their problems (killing the king of Scotland), share their hobbies (killing the king of Scotland), and resolve their conflicts (by killing the king of Scotland).
Reposted by Ben Evans
Do you know about Migrateful? Simplest and best idea in the world. People coming here with few material goods, but amazing cooking skills and stories from fascinating places. Meeting people who pay a bit for a lesson and a communal feast. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll pig out. www.migrateful.org
February 13, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Do you know about Migrateful? Simplest and best idea in the world. People coming here with few material goods, but amazing cooking skills and stories from fascinating places. Meeting people who pay a bit for a lesson and a communal feast. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll pig out. www.migrateful.org
Reposted by Ben Evans
Rare to get an actual vox pop with a pothole
February 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Rare to get an actual vox pop with a pothole
No-one:
AI junkies: Let's make the computers simulate an entitled, shitty open-source contributibro - github.com/matplotlib/m...
Everyone: Why would you want that?
AI junkies: I AM 100X DEVELOPER
Everyone: But you haven't actually contributed anything. This is net-negative.
AI junkies: 100X!
AI junkies: Let's make the computers simulate an entitled, shitty open-source contributibro - github.com/matplotlib/m...
Everyone: Why would you want that?
AI junkies: I AM 100X DEVELOPER
Everyone: But you haven't actually contributed anything. This is net-negative.
AI junkies: 100X!
[PERF] Replace np.column_stack with np.vstack().T by crabby-rathbun · Pull Request #31132 · matplotlib/matplotlib
This PR addresses issue #31130 by replacing specific safe occurrences of np.column_stack with np.vstack().T for better performance.
IMPORTANT: This is a more targeted fix than originally proposed. ...
github.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:38 PM
No-one:
AI junkies: Let's make the computers simulate an entitled, shitty open-source contributibro - github.com/matplotlib/m...
Everyone: Why would you want that?
AI junkies: I AM 100X DEVELOPER
Everyone: But you haven't actually contributed anything. This is net-negative.
AI junkies: 100X!
AI junkies: Let's make the computers simulate an entitled, shitty open-source contributibro - github.com/matplotlib/m...
Everyone: Why would you want that?
AI junkies: I AM 100X DEVELOPER
Everyone: But you haven't actually contributed anything. This is net-negative.
AI junkies: 100X!
Reposted by Ben Evans
a clinic that provided services to 12,000 people being closed on the basis of 8 complaints perfectly captures the nature of the uk 'trans-debate'
www.thepinknews.com/2026/02/11/n...
www.thepinknews.com/2026/02/11/n...
NHS closed Tavistock over care complaints – there were only eight
An eye-opening FOI report has revealed that just eight people complained about the Tavistock gender clinic's care provision in 10 years.
www.thepinknews.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:36 PM
a clinic that provided services to 12,000 people being closed on the basis of 8 complaints perfectly captures the nature of the uk 'trans-debate'
www.thepinknews.com/2026/02/11/n...
www.thepinknews.com/2026/02/11/n...
Reposted by Ben Evans
this was shared by Adam Tooze in his newsletter this morning - Brexit could not have been a worse move, pretty much
February 13, 2026 at 2:57 PM
this was shared by Adam Tooze in his newsletter this morning - Brexit could not have been a worse move, pretty much
Reposted by Ben Evans
We've written to Bridget Phillipson to point out she's legally obliged to reject the EHRC's draft guidance
The Government committed in its manifesto to “remove indignities for trans people”. We're asking that they take steps to protect the trans community & correct what the Supreme Court got wrong
The Government committed in its manifesto to “remove indignities for trans people”. We're asking that they take steps to protect the trans community & correct what the Supreme Court got wrong
February 13, 2026 at 2:57 PM
We've written to Bridget Phillipson to point out she's legally obliged to reject the EHRC's draft guidance
The Government committed in its manifesto to “remove indignities for trans people”. We're asking that they take steps to protect the trans community & correct what the Supreme Court got wrong
The Government committed in its manifesto to “remove indignities for trans people”. We're asking that they take steps to protect the trans community & correct what the Supreme Court got wrong
Reposted by Ben Evans
The EU has just voted, by a VERY wide margin, for the full recognition of trans women as women…!
February 12, 2026 at 4:06 PM
The EU has just voted, by a VERY wide margin, for the full recognition of trans women as women…!
Reposted by Ben Evans
If you believe that AGI is a real thing that could happen you are very gullible
February 13, 2026 at 1:53 PM
If you believe that AGI is a real thing that could happen you are very gullible
Reposted by Ben Evans
Palestine Action have WON their judicial review in the High Court!
A massive victory for free speech, freedom of association and the right to protest.
A massive defeat for the draconian attempts by Keir Starmer's government to curtail our fundamental rights.
A massive victory for free speech, freedom of association and the right to protest.
A massive defeat for the draconian attempts by Keir Starmer's government to curtail our fundamental rights.
February 13, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Palestine Action have WON their judicial review in the High Court!
A massive victory for free speech, freedom of association and the right to protest.
A massive defeat for the draconian attempts by Keir Starmer's government to curtail our fundamental rights.
A massive victory for free speech, freedom of association and the right to protest.
A massive defeat for the draconian attempts by Keir Starmer's government to curtail our fundamental rights.
Reposted by Ben Evans
There are some Star Trek fans weirdly obsessed with “decorum” and they really fixate on how Holly Hunter sits in the captain’s chair on STARFLEET ACADEMY. One guy left a comment on the official FB whining about it and so Captain Janeway herself responded to drop the hammer
February 13, 2026 at 5:21 AM
There are some Star Trek fans weirdly obsessed with “decorum” and they really fixate on how Holly Hunter sits in the captain’s chair on STARFLEET ACADEMY. One guy left a comment on the official FB whining about it and so Captain Janeway herself responded to drop the hammer
I hope someone will keep an eye on this - it smacks of something that will be quietly reinstated when the media focus has died down.
important to remember that these things are not inevitable
Coincidentally, surveillance backlash is my DJ name.
February 13, 2026 at 12:42 AM
I hope someone will keep an eye on this - it smacks of something that will be quietly reinstated when the media focus has died down.
Reposted by Ben Evans
"You said it feels like there's a barrier between you two, can you build on that?"
February 13, 2026 at 12:16 AM
"You said it feels like there's a barrier between you two, can you build on that?"
Reposted by Ben Evans
Say the phrase, media:
"But they'll call her a communist! And that's why we need to continue aiding and abetting genocide."
"But they'll call her a communist! And that's why we need to continue aiding and abetting genocide."
sure seems like she's running. which is good! www.everythingishorrible.net/p/why-aoc-sh...
February 12, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Say the phrase, media:
"But they'll call her a communist! And that's why we need to continue aiding and abetting genocide."
"But they'll call her a communist! And that's why we need to continue aiding and abetting genocide."
Reposted by Ben Evans
Hey academics: your university is developing similar guides so you should probably stop them.
Nothing to see here other than a university telling its research community that AI can appropriately be used to "generate first drafts."
unbcloud.sharepoint.com/sites/AI-at-...
unbcloud.sharepoint.com/sites/AI-at-...
February 12, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Hey academics: your university is developing similar guides so you should probably stop them.
Reposted by Ben Evans
I will admit these photos do make it seem like I kicked the baby offstage
January 26, 2026 at 3:23 PM
I will admit these photos do make it seem like I kicked the baby offstage
Reposted by Ben Evans
Betty, you're supposed to take TURNS.
February 11, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Betty, you're supposed to take TURNS.
Reposted by Ben Evans
nice UK trade policy: maintaining anti-dumping duties on Chinese-made ironing boards, to protect the 300 people employed in the UK ironing-board industry
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Anti-dumping measure on ironing boards from China maintained
The UK government has accepted the TRA’s recommendation to maintain an anti-dumping measure on ironing boards from China for a further five years.
www.gov.uk
February 12, 2026 at 1:14 PM
nice UK trade policy: maintaining anti-dumping duties on Chinese-made ironing boards, to protect the 300 people employed in the UK ironing-board industry
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Ben Evans
Hear me out, what if the people who sold us the inevitable mass adoption of crypto, the inevitable migration to the metaverse, and a Mars colony by 2018 aren't completely full of shit this time?
February 11, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Hear me out, what if the people who sold us the inevitable mass adoption of crypto, the inevitable migration to the metaverse, and a Mars colony by 2018 aren't completely full of shit this time?
The management genius that is responsible for this will be handsomely rewarded.
Two years from now, other geniuses at the various services will propose a "premium" service whereby some content is held back for subscribers to the dedicated service. They will be handsomely rewarded.
The wheel turns.
Two years from now, other geniuses at the various services will propose a "premium" service whereby some content is held back for subscribers to the dedicated service. They will be handsomely rewarded.
The wheel turns.
February 12, 2026 at 11:48 AM
The management genius that is responsible for this will be handsomely rewarded.
Two years from now, other geniuses at the various services will propose a "premium" service whereby some content is held back for subscribers to the dedicated service. They will be handsomely rewarded.
The wheel turns.
Two years from now, other geniuses at the various services will propose a "premium" service whereby some content is held back for subscribers to the dedicated service. They will be handsomely rewarded.
The wheel turns.
Reposted by Ben Evans
Due to a terrible misreading of a hashtag, we prepared something to post tomorrow, then realised it was wrong. So today, let's celebrate #GalenTines Day. Here's what Galen of Pergamon (c129BCE-216BCE) had to say about the gynaecological anatomy which influenced physicians for over a millennium...
February 12, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Due to a terrible misreading of a hashtag, we prepared something to post tomorrow, then realised it was wrong. So today, let's celebrate #GalenTines Day. Here's what Galen of Pergamon (c129BCE-216BCE) had to say about the gynaecological anatomy which influenced physicians for over a millennium...
Reposted by Ben Evans
I am in yr LEEDS signing yr BOOKS (or I will be in about 15mins)
February 12, 2026 at 11:42 AM
I am in yr LEEDS signing yr BOOKS (or I will be in about 15mins)
Reposted by Ben Evans
A little blue hippo made by an Egyptian artisan around 4,000 years ago! 🦛 ❤️
Decorated with river plants and lotus flowers, blue faience hippos are associated with the life-giving Nile and rebirth. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. 📷 by me
#Archaeology
Decorated with river plants and lotus flowers, blue faience hippos are associated with the life-giving Nile and rebirth. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. 📷 by me
#Archaeology
February 11, 2026 at 6:59 PM
A little blue hippo made by an Egyptian artisan around 4,000 years ago! 🦛 ❤️
Decorated with river plants and lotus flowers, blue faience hippos are associated with the life-giving Nile and rebirth. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. 📷 by me
#Archaeology
Decorated with river plants and lotus flowers, blue faience hippos are associated with the life-giving Nile and rebirth. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. 📷 by me
#Archaeology