Alison Booth
@alidancer.bsky.social
Student of Luigi Pirandello & Eugene Ionesco. Fairy manquée. Dance, Shotokan, opera, rabbit & cheese lover. Linguist. Gardener. Book hoarder. Volunteer Clonter Opera. European
Reposted by Alison Booth
It seems like a lot of politicians are too scared to face reality
It appears that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has, within the past week, scrubbed a large amount of climate change content from its official website, as well as *removed human-caused warming* from the discussion on its "causes of climate change" page.
December 9, 2025 at 8:28 AM
It seems like a lot of politicians are too scared to face reality
Reposted by Alison Booth
Reposted by Alison Booth
AI equates repetition with truth.
What could possibly go wrong?
What could possibly go wrong?
A """funny""" thing I've noticed is that if you see a buckwild and totally made up claim on Reddit and then search that claim on Google, trying to source it, the Gemini AI summary will be like "oh, yeah, that totally happened, and my source is that three hour old Reddit thread you were just reading"
December 5, 2025 at 9:25 AM
AI equates repetition with truth.
What could possibly go wrong?
What could possibly go wrong?
Reposted by Alison Booth
Czech President Pavel warns: “If Putin wins in Ukraine, we all lose.” He compared secret U.S.-Russia talks on territorial concessions to the 1938 Munich Agreement, calling them dangerously familiar. Letting Russia emerge victorious from this war, he stressed, would be a defeat for all of Europe.
December 7, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Czech President Pavel warns: “If Putin wins in Ukraine, we all lose.” He compared secret U.S.-Russia talks on territorial concessions to the 1938 Munich Agreement, calling them dangerously familiar. Letting Russia emerge victorious from this war, he stressed, would be a defeat for all of Europe.
Reposted by Alison Booth
Winter can be especially dangerous for anyone sleeping rough outdoors.
If you spot someone who needs support on London's streets, you can notify StreetLink via this link to connect them with vital local services.
thestreetlink.org.uk
If you spot someone who needs support on London's streets, you can notify StreetLink via this link to connect them with vital local services.
thestreetlink.org.uk
December 7, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Winter can be especially dangerous for anyone sleeping rough outdoors.
If you spot someone who needs support on London's streets, you can notify StreetLink via this link to connect them with vital local services.
thestreetlink.org.uk
If you spot someone who needs support on London's streets, you can notify StreetLink via this link to connect them with vital local services.
thestreetlink.org.uk
Reposted by Alison Booth
Reposted by Alison Booth
📚🎁 Reminders for everyone looking for specific books to purchase online as gifts:
1. If you haven't called your local independently-owned book shop, try there first. (If you don't have one, try Bookshop.org)
2. Don't put it off - shipping time for Media Mail can be 12 days. Priority is 5 📦
1. If you haven't called your local independently-owned book shop, try there first. (If you don't have one, try Bookshop.org)
2. Don't put it off - shipping time for Media Mail can be 12 days. Priority is 5 📦
Bookshop.org: Buy books online. Support local bookstores.
A better way to buy books online. Every purchase financially supports local independent bookstores.
Bookshop.org
December 5, 2025 at 8:22 PM
📚🎁 Reminders for everyone looking for specific books to purchase online as gifts:
1. If you haven't called your local independently-owned book shop, try there first. (If you don't have one, try Bookshop.org)
2. Don't put it off - shipping time for Media Mail can be 12 days. Priority is 5 📦
1. If you haven't called your local independently-owned book shop, try there first. (If you don't have one, try Bookshop.org)
2. Don't put it off - shipping time for Media Mail can be 12 days. Priority is 5 📦
Reposted by Alison Booth
I’ve been caught out by a Ring doorbell — have you? on.ft.com/448v33M | opinion
I’ve been caught out by a Ring doorbell — have you?
Doorstep surveillance devices are part of modern life whether we like it or not
on.ft.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:35 AM
I’ve been caught out by a Ring doorbell — have you? on.ft.com/448v33M | opinion
Reposted by Alison Booth
"How the mighty sambusa became a Minnesota school lunch hit" -- this is wonderful
www.startribune.com/sambusa-hoyo...
www.startribune.com/sambusa-hoyo...
Yuen: How the mighty sambusa became a Minnesota school lunch hit
A Twin Cities frozen-food company created to employ refugee moms has introduced the Somali snack to a new generation.
www.startribune.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:02 PM
"How the mighty sambusa became a Minnesota school lunch hit" -- this is wonderful
www.startribune.com/sambusa-hoyo...
www.startribune.com/sambusa-hoyo...
Reposted by Alison Booth
"The thing which has truly upset me this year is not the actions of people like Musk or Trump. We already knew that there are terrible people in the world. It’s how much compliance there is from people who should damn well know better."
Thank God for Bluesky: A little love letter to the people who would not compromise with Nazis iandunt.substack.com/p/thank-god-...
Thank God for Bluesky
Yes, it's eager. Yes, it's censorious. But it has the very considerable advantage of not being fascist.
iandunt.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:12 PM
"The thing which has truly upset me this year is not the actions of people like Musk or Trump. We already knew that there are terrible people in the world. It’s how much compliance there is from people who should damn well know better."
Reposted by Alison Booth
Well done! A Massachusetts church displayed an “ICE was here” sign in its Nativity scene.
December 4, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Well done! A Massachusetts church displayed an “ICE was here” sign in its Nativity scene.
Reposted by Alison Booth
Reform’s organisational challenges are becoming harder to ignore: only 5 MPs, rapid turnover in party leadership, few councillors and a turbulent record in local councils. For a party aiming to govern, the spotlight is now much harsher.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/party-politi...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/party-politi...
Odd and incompetent: Reform hits a ceiling
Polls suggest that Reform support may have peaked, perhaps because it appeals only to a very distinctive, and noisy, minority
eastangliabylines.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Reform’s organisational challenges are becoming harder to ignore: only 5 MPs, rapid turnover in party leadership, few councillors and a turbulent record in local councils. For a party aiming to govern, the spotlight is now much harsher.
eastangliabylines.co.uk/party-politi...
eastangliabylines.co.uk/party-politi...
Reposted by Alison Booth
In a surprise to absolutely no one, the mum she’s describing is not claiming benefits as a “lifestyle choice”.
This paywalled article is full of “in my grandparents day, blah blah blah” and nasty sneery comments about latest iPhones for spoilt children🙄
🧵
1/9
This paywalled article is full of “in my grandparents day, blah blah blah” and nasty sneery comments about latest iPhones for spoilt children🙄
🧵
1/9
December 3, 2025 at 6:26 PM
In a surprise to absolutely no one, the mum she’s describing is not claiming benefits as a “lifestyle choice”.
This paywalled article is full of “in my grandparents day, blah blah blah” and nasty sneery comments about latest iPhones for spoilt children🙄
🧵
1/9
This paywalled article is full of “in my grandparents day, blah blah blah” and nasty sneery comments about latest iPhones for spoilt children🙄
🧵
1/9
Reposted by Alison Booth
If you live in the UK or Europe + want to use our map to investigate landfill, current or historic near you, it's available here:
share.google/PieVvUSOvTrP...
share.google/PieVvUSOvTrP...
Europe landfills 2 – Felt
The only cloud-native GIS platform.
share.google
December 3, 2025 at 12:12 PM
If you live in the UK or Europe + want to use our map to investigate landfill, current or historic near you, it's available here:
share.google/PieVvUSOvTrP...
share.google/PieVvUSOvTrP...
Reposted by Alison Booth
Data centres are energy hungry but what if we could use their waste heat to heat our homes?
That's exactly what happens in places like Finland: Cities are tapping the vast amounts of waste heat generated by data centres, and feeding it into district-heating networks.
That's exactly what happens in places like Finland: Cities are tapping the vast amounts of waste heat generated by data centres, and feeding it into district-heating networks.
December 3, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Data centres are energy hungry but what if we could use their waste heat to heat our homes?
That's exactly what happens in places like Finland: Cities are tapping the vast amounts of waste heat generated by data centres, and feeding it into district-heating networks.
That's exactly what happens in places like Finland: Cities are tapping the vast amounts of waste heat generated by data centres, and feeding it into district-heating networks.
Reposted by Alison Booth
Why Are Governments Racing to Implement AI Without Protecting Citizens?
I highly recommend four essential books that explain what's really happening, and why you should read them all.
Thread
I highly recommend four essential books that explain what's really happening, and why you should read them all.
Thread
December 2, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Why Are Governments Racing to Implement AI Without Protecting Citizens?
I highly recommend four essential books that explain what's really happening, and why you should read them all.
Thread
I highly recommend four essential books that explain what's really happening, and why you should read them all.
Thread
Reposted by Alison Booth
Not just a tragedy for America, but, given the central place the US occupies in the research ecosystem, a tragedy for the world.
“Thousands of very competitive projects in areas like cancer, diabetes, aging, neurological disorders and public health improvements most like went unfunded in 2025.
Similarly, at the National Science Foundation, the roughly 3,000 fewer new grants encompassed reductions to every area of science”
Similarly, at the National Science Foundation, the roughly 3,000 fewer new grants encompassed reductions to every area of science”
The U.S. Is Funding Fewer Grants in Every Area of Science and Medicine
A quiet policy change means the government is making fewer bets on long-term science.
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Not just a tragedy for America, but, given the central place the US occupies in the research ecosystem, a tragedy for the world.
Reposted by Alison Booth
For context the 'Middle England' referred to here is the 0.5% of households living in homes worth more than £2 million
November 30, 2025 at 10:27 PM
For context the 'Middle England' referred to here is the 0.5% of households living in homes worth more than £2 million
Reposted by Alison Booth
What is she even talking about? The OBR is, by design, not under the control of Rachel Reeves.
December 1, 2025 at 4:54 PM
What is she even talking about? The OBR is, by design, not under the control of Rachel Reeves.
Reposted by Alison Booth
The saving grace of the OBR is that they are the only people who are genuinely prepared to be honest with the British people about immigration
The Prime Minister and Home Secretary want to drive net migration lower than net 205k. The Chancellor could reduce borrowing £7.4 billion/year in 2029/30 using the OBR projection that it will return to net 340k later in the parliament
obr.uk/box/the-impa...
obr.uk/box/the-impa...
The impact of migration on the fiscal forecast - Office for Budget Responsibility
Following the upwards revision to our migration forecast, this box explored the implications of higher migration on our central forecasts for tax revenues, spending and borrowing. We also drew on alte...
obr.uk
December 1, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The saving grace of the OBR is that they are the only people who are genuinely prepared to be honest with the British people about immigration
Reposted by Alison Booth
Real men don’t punch down, and they especially don’t punch down at women.
This mashup of Trump’s disgusting attacks on female reporters — the same reporters who consistently show the most courage. And it’s past time for the other reporters in the room to have their backs!
This mashup of Trump’s disgusting attacks on female reporters — the same reporters who consistently show the most courage. And it’s past time for the other reporters in the room to have their backs!
November 30, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Real men don’t punch down, and they especially don’t punch down at women.
This mashup of Trump’s disgusting attacks on female reporters — the same reporters who consistently show the most courage. And it’s past time for the other reporters in the room to have their backs!
This mashup of Trump’s disgusting attacks on female reporters — the same reporters who consistently show the most courage. And it’s past time for the other reporters in the room to have their backs!
As a race, never mind as a country (UK) we're just not looking after one of the critical ingredients for life.
December 1, 2025 at 5:10 AM
As a race, never mind as a country (UK) we're just not looking after one of the critical ingredients for life.
Reposted by Alison Booth
If ReformUK get into government next time then we can kiss goodbye to:
Paid holidays
Sick pay
Safer working conditions
Human Rights
Workers Rights
Unions
NHS & healthcare
Social care
Minimum wage
Among many other things.
Every person who knows a Reformer should have the conversation!.
Paid holidays
Sick pay
Safer working conditions
Human Rights
Workers Rights
Unions
NHS & healthcare
Social care
Minimum wage
Among many other things.
Every person who knows a Reformer should have the conversation!.
November 30, 2025 at 8:08 AM
If ReformUK get into government next time then we can kiss goodbye to:
Paid holidays
Sick pay
Safer working conditions
Human Rights
Workers Rights
Unions
NHS & healthcare
Social care
Minimum wage
Among many other things.
Every person who knows a Reformer should have the conversation!.
Paid holidays
Sick pay
Safer working conditions
Human Rights
Workers Rights
Unions
NHS & healthcare
Social care
Minimum wage
Among many other things.
Every person who knows a Reformer should have the conversation!.
Reposted by Alison Booth
Does it strike anyone as weird that we have a ratings board that counts the number of times a movie says fuck or shows a boob and decides who is allowed to see it, and yet GenAI was dropped on the entire with no restrictions, no age verification, no checks, no regulation whatsoever?
November 29, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Does it strike anyone as weird that we have a ratings board that counts the number of times a movie says fuck or shows a boob and decides who is allowed to see it, and yet GenAI was dropped on the entire with no restrictions, no age verification, no checks, no regulation whatsoever?
Reposted by Alison Booth
