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.
I see that the Machine Elves running The Simulation have accidentally promoted the work experience lad's first Unity project into the production instance.
February 15, 2026 at 1:42 PM
I see that the Machine Elves running The Simulation have accidentally promoted the work experience lad's first Unity project into the production instance.
Reposted by Ben Evans
Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’ https://aje.news/42nx1a
February 15, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Israel approves proposal to register West Bank lands as ‘state property’ https://aje.news/42nx1a
Reposted by Ben Evans
The Swiss consider Palantir a security risk. In UK Mandelson takes Starmer to Palantir, and they hire MOD officials to hand over British intel over to the US.
p.s. Palantir sued the newspaper Republik for publishing this news.
www.republik.ch/2025/12/08/w...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/palantir-...
p.s. Palantir sued the newspaper Republik for publishing this news.
www.republik.ch/2025/12/08/w...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/palantir-...
Überwachungstechnologie: Wie hartnäckig Palantir die Schweiz umwarb
Das umstrittene Tech-Unternehmen blitzte wieder und wieder ab. Teil 1 unserer Recherche.
www.republik.ch
February 15, 2026 at 1:03 PM
The Swiss consider Palantir a security risk. In UK Mandelson takes Starmer to Palantir, and they hire MOD officials to hand over British intel over to the US.
p.s. Palantir sued the newspaper Republik for publishing this news.
www.republik.ch/2025/12/08/w...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/palantir-...
p.s. Palantir sued the newspaper Republik for publishing this news.
www.republik.ch/2025/12/08/w...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/palantir-...
Reposted by Ben Evans
Much as I like Pride & Prejudice I find it impossible to deny that this is the greatest review of it of all time. www.tom-cox.com/why-reading-...
February 14, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Much as I like Pride & Prejudice I find it impossible to deny that this is the greatest review of it of all time. www.tom-cox.com/why-reading-...
Reposted by Ben Evans
You may be cool, but you'll never be 'Nasir about to get into some shit' cool.
February 15, 2026 at 12:14 PM
You may be cool, but you'll never be 'Nasir about to get into some shit' cool.
Reposted by Ben Evans
Happy #WorldHippoDay! 🦛❤️
To celebrate here’s a lovely naturalistic painting of a hippo on a small flake of limestone. Painted by an Egyptian artist some 3,500 years ago!
📷 The Met www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
#Archaeology
To celebrate here’s a lovely naturalistic painting of a hippo on a small flake of limestone. Painted by an Egyptian artist some 3,500 years ago!
📷 The Met www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
#Archaeology
February 15, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Happy #WorldHippoDay! 🦛❤️
To celebrate here’s a lovely naturalistic painting of a hippo on a small flake of limestone. Painted by an Egyptian artist some 3,500 years ago!
📷 The Met www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
#Archaeology
To celebrate here’s a lovely naturalistic painting of a hippo on a small flake of limestone. Painted by an Egyptian artist some 3,500 years ago!
📷 The Met www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti...
#Archaeology
Reposted by Ben Evans
If you've seen the Sunday Times today you'll know Labour Together were secretly hiring people to investigate journalists.
Sadly you won't know that The National broke this story six months ago, since our work is not credited at all.
Here's the original 👇
www.thenational.scot/news/2550403...
Sadly you won't know that The National broke this story six months ago, since our work is not credited at all.
Here's the original 👇
www.thenational.scot/news/2550403...
Starmer allies hired investigators to look into author of McSweeney book
KEIR Starmer's allies hired private investigators to explore the background of an author whose book led to the resignation of the Prime Minister's…
www.thenational.scot
February 15, 2026 at 12:12 PM
If you've seen the Sunday Times today you'll know Labour Together were secretly hiring people to investigate journalists.
Sadly you won't know that The National broke this story six months ago, since our work is not credited at all.
Here's the original 👇
www.thenational.scot/news/2550403...
Sadly you won't know that The National broke this story six months ago, since our work is not credited at all.
Here's the original 👇
www.thenational.scot/news/2550403...
Reposted by Ben Evans
15 years ago today I arrived on Downing Street in a cage.
I've seen off Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss and Sunak and I'm still going strong.
Only two Prime Ministers have ever done longer stints here: William Pitt the Younger and Sir Robert Walpole.
Bill and Bob - I'm coming for you...
(Photos AP)
I've seen off Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss and Sunak and I'm still going strong.
Only two Prime Ministers have ever done longer stints here: William Pitt the Younger and Sir Robert Walpole.
Bill and Bob - I'm coming for you...
(Photos AP)
February 15, 2026 at 11:07 AM
15 years ago today I arrived on Downing Street in a cage.
I've seen off Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss and Sunak and I'm still going strong.
Only two Prime Ministers have ever done longer stints here: William Pitt the Younger and Sir Robert Walpole.
Bill and Bob - I'm coming for you...
(Photos AP)
I've seen off Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss and Sunak and I'm still going strong.
Only two Prime Ministers have ever done longer stints here: William Pitt the Younger and Sir Robert Walpole.
Bill and Bob - I'm coming for you...
(Photos AP)
Reposted by Ben Evans
Mandatory ID cards. Scrapping jury trials. Calling genocide protesters “terrorists."
There’s a strong authoritarian edge to the Labour Government. With no plan to help people, clearly thrown in the towel in Gorton & Denton.
It's Greens Vs Reform.
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...
There’s a strong authoritarian edge to the Labour Government. With no plan to help people, clearly thrown in the towel in Gorton & Denton.
It's Greens Vs Reform.
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...
Zack Polanski says Labour has 'thrown in the towel' in Gorton and Denton
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the Green Party leader believes Hannah Spencer represents 'the future' for Gorton and Denton
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
February 14, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Mandatory ID cards. Scrapping jury trials. Calling genocide protesters “terrorists."
There’s a strong authoritarian edge to the Labour Government. With no plan to help people, clearly thrown in the towel in Gorton & Denton.
It's Greens Vs Reform.
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...
There’s a strong authoritarian edge to the Labour Government. With no plan to help people, clearly thrown in the towel in Gorton & Denton.
It's Greens Vs Reform.
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater...
Reposted by Ben Evans
Hey @sarahtoddtaylor.bsky.social important
I think I’ve been scammed….My Rottweilers haven’t grown in months 😱😱
February 14, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Hey @sarahtoddtaylor.bsky.social important
Reposted by Ben Evans
Musk's main achievements: taking credit for inventing car tech that is now being surpassed; adding annoying design elements and juvenile easter eggs to said cars; gaming the stock market with lies and nonsense; filling Earth's orbit with an impenetrable field of debris that may end space exploration
February 14, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Musk's main achievements: taking credit for inventing car tech that is now being surpassed; adding annoying design elements and juvenile easter eggs to said cars; gaming the stock market with lies and nonsense; filling Earth's orbit with an impenetrable field of debris that may end space exploration
Reposted by Ben Evans
1804. Oceans are now Battlefields.
In the South China Sea a British convoy worth almost £1bn today is spotted by the French.
It should be a massacre.
Instead, Commodore Nathanial Dance is about to defeat a French battle squadron using some paint and the most overplayed hand in #navalHistory. /1 🧵
In the South China Sea a British convoy worth almost £1bn today is spotted by the French.
It should be a massacre.
Instead, Commodore Nathanial Dance is about to defeat a French battle squadron using some paint and the most overplayed hand in #navalHistory. /1 🧵
May 2, 2025 at 10:32 AM
1804. Oceans are now Battlefields.
In the South China Sea a British convoy worth almost £1bn today is spotted by the French.
It should be a massacre.
Instead, Commodore Nathanial Dance is about to defeat a French battle squadron using some paint and the most overplayed hand in #navalHistory. /1 🧵
In the South China Sea a British convoy worth almost £1bn today is spotted by the French.
It should be a massacre.
Instead, Commodore Nathanial Dance is about to defeat a French battle squadron using some paint and the most overplayed hand in #navalHistory. /1 🧵
#AGI is so over. Now we're onto AGWI - Actual, Genuine Wallet Inspector. Don't be left behind - send me your wallets today for a free check that they are fully AGWI-enabled. #ai #software #development
February 14, 2026 at 1:28 PM
#AGI is so over. Now we're onto AGWI - Actual, Genuine Wallet Inspector. Don't be left behind - send me your wallets today for a free check that they are fully AGWI-enabled. #ai #software #development
Fuck Wim Wenders, and fuck "art" that "stays out of politics".
Don't ask about Palestine at the Berlinale!
Here's my question to the jury about selective solidarity of the film festival with the people of Iran and Ukraine vs. Palestinians. Wim Wenders (jury president) actually said: "We have to stay out of politics" #Berlinale2026
Here's my question to the jury about selective solidarity of the film festival with the people of Iran and Ukraine vs. Palestinians. Wim Wenders (jury president) actually said: "We have to stay out of politics" #Berlinale2026
February 14, 2026 at 12:13 PM
Fuck Wim Wenders, and fuck "art" that "stays out of politics".
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