Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Alastair Gittner

@agittner.bsky.social

430 followers 420 following 1.8K posts

Now retired science teacher and school leader, after 31 years I decided to hang up my chisel point. Grandad, father, husband, cyclist, birdwatcher, foodie and baker. Still interested in all things education especially research informed practice

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 10h

Man of the people, speaks to the ordinary man in the street, one of us. www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

Nigel Farage earns over £1m from 12 'second jobs' - check how much your MP earns

The Reform UK leader's most lucrative second jobs include hosting on GB News, serving as a brand ambassador for Direct Bullion and recording videos for Cameo

www.mirror.co.uk

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 11h

For those discussions down the pub (or in form time/chemistry lessons/science lessons) this might be useful. Explaining the science behind the Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 11h

The 2025 #NobelPrize in Chemistry was awarded today for the development of metal-organic frameworks, molecular sponges with applications in gas storage, water purification and more: www.compoundchem.com/2025/10/08/2...

#ChemSky 🧪

Infographic on the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi for the development of metal-organic frameworks. The infographic explains that metal-organic frameworks are molecular sponges built up from metal ions and organic compounds that act as linkers. Small molecules such as gases can move into and out of cavities in these frameworks. The graphic highlights some of the MOFs the laureates have developed and concludes by looking at possible future uses of MOFs, including gas storage and extracting water from air.

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 11h

The trouble is that some of the reform supporters I know would see it not as a problem but as a badge of honour to know Tommy Robinson. Even though they appear to be spreading lies, and division.

Reform Party UK Exposed @reformexposed.bsky.social · 11h

Welsh Reform councillor teams up with Tommy Robinson allies in parents meeting

nation.cymru/news/welsh-r...

Welsh Reform councillor teams up with Tommy Robinson allies in parents meeting

Emily Price A Reform councillor has chaired a meeting with a far-right group and parents of young children to discuss “completely untrue” allegations about religious education at a Swansea school. Re...

nation.cymru

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 11h

They are discussing the origin of Antifa across the Atlantic this evening. I found this article interesting as I did not know about their efforts before WWII www.rosalux.de/en/news/id/4...

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 12h

......" at the end of the day?" ....🤣

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 12h

I googled it but the first 10 returns were the same joke that I don't really want to share.
A slightly better one was "I saw a badger on the way home....my sat nav said bear left, but it was definitely a badger.

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 12h

that feels like the first line of a joke, but they are always good to see.

1 1

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 12h

Is there an official # for traitors? #thetraitors #celebritytraitors

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 12h

Just remember for all they claim, the research has shown that across all the Traitor franchise programmes people were no better than random #celebritytraitor

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 12h

Charlotte church looks like some sort of gothic heroine digging in her white dress #celebritytraitors

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 12h

Having never seen any previous episodes of Traitors I thought I would watch the celebrity version. But Wossie is on it...not so sure now..... I'll give it a bit longer
#traitors

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 12h

No point banning clairvoyants as obviously they would see it coming and move to a different jurisdiction anyway.

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 13h

.....I revel in my uniquity!!

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 13h

Oh for something like this to happen to me.....ever.

1 1

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 18h

I am sure that Bernie Clifton would not approve

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 21h

they are intended to challenge you as the reader.Do you agree with the phrase "anything you get with luck isn't worth owning, Dave. I thought you knew that." Do you agree?It doesn't really matter but it makes me/ the reader think,it exposes me to new ideas.I make no apology,I love Burke's writing.

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 21h

Then there is this passage. And this is why reading whole books rather than synopses (from a previous post from @iammilliam.bsky.social ) There are ideas here that would disappear from a synpopsis as they "merely" give colour and background to the character and the plot.....

A photo of a passage from the book the new Iberian Blues page 3

1 1

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 21h

I have never smelt "dead beetles in a storm sewer" can just about imagine "lichen on a stone," but it doesn't matter, he encourages me to imagine, no he challenges me to imagine what it smells like. All this adds to his description of down town New Orleans.

A photo of a passage from the book the new Iberian Blues page 2

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 21h

he describes a shack, where "shade and a cold soda pop on the store gallery were considered luxuries." This phrase tells you so much more than it was "hot and poor." He goes on to describe the narrator's (and hero of the book Robicheaux) earlier meeting with Desmond.

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 21h

he could have just said that but no he uses the phrase "the graves of Shiloh and the cinders of aboriginal villages."He challenges me as the reader to understand his refences which gives far more colour to the idea he wants to put over.Shortly later he wants to tell us how hot and poor is the area..

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 21h

Burke starts off wanting to tell you something about one of the main characters but also give his views on the United States of America (the book came out in 2019.)He could have told us that it is a story where the conflict of the civil war is remembered as is the murder of many of the first nation

A photo of a passage from the book the new Iberian Blues page 1

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 21h

A bit of a thread. I make no apology for this, this book made me chuckle out loud with sheer pleasure at the writing. The author is a favourite of mine, and one who is often cited by other crime writers as someone who influenced them when they started. I just feel I have to share my joy.

A photos of the James Lee Burke book The new Iberian blues. and a cup of coffee

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 22h

If you read crime novels and have never read James Lee Burke, and his finest creation the Dave Robicheaux series, please give them a go. The Tin Roof Blowdown is one of the finest books on the effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans and that’s not even his best book.

A photo of James Lee Burkes book, The new Iberia blues.

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 23h

Surely if not done already he deserves a @backlisted.bsky.social episode. Possibly still too recent

Alastair Gittner @agittner.bsky.social · 23h

Oh I love James Lee Burke’s writing. No other crime writer gives you references to “the graves of Shiloh” and “Proteus blowing his horn.” In the opening paragraph.

1 1