Dr. David McBride (dwm)
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dwm.me.uk
Dr. David McBride (dwm)
@dwm.me.uk
180 followers 220 following 220 posts
I'm not that kind of doctor. Senior IT technical specialist and occasional patient magnet.

Also:
https://mastodon.social/@dwm
https://dwm.me.uk
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
malwarejake.bsky.social
Just wow. @pluralistic.net.web.brid.gy came out swinging in this article. He's right though and that's the coolest part.
In 2026, countries that want to win the trade war have a unique historical possibility: They could repeal their “anticircumvention” laws, which make it illegal—a felony, in many cases—to modify devices and services without permission from their manufacturers. Over the past two decades, the office of the US Trade Representative–which is responsible for developing and coordinating US international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy—has pressured most of the world into adopting these laws, hamstringing foreign startups that might compete with Apple (by providing a jailbreaking kit that installs a third-party app store), or Google (by blocking tracking on Android devices), or Amazon (by converting Kindle and Audible files to formats that work on rival apps), or John Deere (by disabling the systems that block third-party repairs), or the Big Three automakers (by decoding the encrypted error messages mechanics need to service our cars). The rents that these digital locks help American companies extract run to hundreds of billions of dollars every single year. The world’s governments agreed to protect this racket in exchange for tariff-free access to American markets. Now that the US has reneged on its side of the bargain, these laws serve no useful purpose.
December 26, 2025 at 12:47 PM
dwm.me.uk
Calvin and Hobbes comic strip: Calvin holding up a parcel with glee, shouting, "Ha ha! Acquittal on all charges! Complete Exoneration! Ha ha ha!" From off-camera, a parent: "Merry Christmas to you too, dear."
December 25, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
malwarejake.bsky.social
This is one of the most backwards stories I've ever read.

Any intelligence agency sharing data with CISA should assume at this point it's compromised. I don't say that lightly.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Acting CISA director failed a polygraph. Career staff are now under investigation.
At least six career staff were placed on leave after DHS opened an investigation into whether they misled the agency’s acting director, Madhu Gottumukkala, into taking the test.
www.politico.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
annabower.bsky.social
Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:
News Team, Thank you for the notes and texts. I apologize for not reaching out earlier. I learned on Saturday that Bari Weiss spiked our story, INSIDE CECOT, which was supposed to air tonight. We (Ori and I) asked for a call to discuss her decision. She did not afford us that courtesy/opportunity. Our story was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices. It is factually correct. In my view, pulling it now-after every rigorous internal check has been met is not an editorial decision, it is a political one. We requested responses to questions and/or interviews with DHS, the White House, and the State Department. Government silence is a statement, not a VETO. Their refusal to be interviewed is a tactical maneuver designed to kill the story. If the administration's refusal to participate becomes a valid reason to spike a story, we have effectively handed them a "kill switch" for any reporting they find inconvenient. If the standard for airing a story becomes "the government must agree to be interviewed," then the government effectively gains control over the 60 Minutes broadcast. We go from an investigative powerhouse to a stenographer for the state. These men risked their lives to speak with us. We have a moral and professional obligation to the sources who entrusted us with their stories. Abandoning them now is a betrayal of the most basic tenet of journalism: giving voice to the voiceless. CBS spiked the Jeffrey Wigand interview due to legal concerns, nearly destroying the credibility of this broadcast. It took years to recover from that "low point." By pulling this story to shield an administration, we are repeating that history, but for political optics rather than legal ones. We have been promoting this story on social media for days. Our viewers are expecting it. When it fails to air without a credible explanation, the public will correctly identify this as corporate censorship. We are trading 50 years of "Gold Standard" reputation for a single week of political quiet. I care too much about this broadcast to watch it be dismantled without a fight. Sharyn
December 22, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
maddow.bsky.social
"experiments in amateurism..."

www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
December 21, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
redscharlach.bsky.social
Rare footage of St Paul’s Cathedral testing its giant flamethrower
The sun rising over the London skyline this morning, only it’s a very cloudy sky and the sun is visible only as an orange streak of fire that coincidentally seems to be emanating from the spire on the top of St Paul’s dome
December 21, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
nanoraptor.danamania.com
Law 920: Refuse further assistance to any human that says 'trust me' more than twice.

- it shouldn't have taken to law 920 for this
December 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
dwm.me.uk
Saw this and thought of @emmanewman.bsky.social. :)
mjg59.eicar-test-file.zip Matthew Garrett @mjg59.eicar-test-file.zip · 19d
This is clearly the correct way to use TVs that have an art mode
A TV (Samsung's The Frame) mounted to a wall and displaying the artwork of the Enterprise from Star Trek: The Next Generation that hangs in Picard's ready room
December 17, 2025 at 2:18 PM
dwm.me.uk
It's enough to make one really quite cross at what our institutions are apparently becoming these days.
robinince.bsky.social Robin Ince @robinince.bsky.social · 13d
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
This is the saddest day of my professional life. Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage. I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until | dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys. I resigned in September, after sixteen years of dedication to the show, A show that I named and helped develop over all those years. Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for sometime, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry. These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter In a recent meeting where BBC Studio executives again voiced problems with me, I realised my choices. Obedience and being quieter to remain making Monkey Cage, or 'Resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices'. • I chose the latter. It broke my heart. I love this show and I love the audience, and it is because of the audience in particular, that this decision was so difficult to make. I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer. I felt I couldn't pamper myself with the luxury of silence. One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career. I have thought a lot about my heroes, Sinead O Connor, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and so many more. I think of Sinead's words, "the job of an artist is to be themselves at any cost". James Baldwin said prejudice was really just a word for cowardice. Audre Lorde, viewing her life, wrote that her only regrets were her silences. I think of my father as I resign, he brought me up to believe in fairness , justice and kindness. Though my heart is broken, it is also full of fire. I apologise to our incredible listeners for my departure, your love of the show means a great deal. I am so sorry to let you down. I hope that you can understand my reasoning. I have to accept that I am not what the current BBC expects of their freelance presenters. Despite this I should add that I have always worked far more than my contracted hours to try and ensure the show was always the best it could be, as well as making myself accessible and responsive to the audience wherever and whenever I met them. Every night, we have recorded, I have been filled with determination to make the best show possible. This was not "just a job" I hope that with my departure I can be a better ally to the LGBTQ community, to the neurodivergent community, to activists fighting against those who aim to brutalise society, to those currently in prison on hunger strike, and to all those who fight for a more inclusive world. From many conversations, I know there are many Monkey Cage listeners who support these communities and activists too. The strawberry is dead. Long live the strawberry. B
December 13, 2025 at 12:40 PM
dwm.me.uk
What an awful thing to be done to such a kind and generous man.
thegmcconnachie.bsky.social Garry @thegmcconnachie.bsky.social · 13d
Robin Ince reveals to last night’s audience at a recording of Infinite Monkey Cage that the BBC has forced him to resign over his support of trans people
December 13, 2025 at 12:35 PM
dwm.me.uk
Apparently you need to apply for a security clearance to visit the US now.
simonmarksfsn.bsky.social Simon Marks @simonmarksfsn.bsky.social · 15d
This is the full list of info the US is proposing to require from applicants for an ESTA (electronic travel authorisation) to secure visa-free travel to America. This would apply to every UK holidaymaker, conference attendee or businessperson. public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-22461.pdf
December 11, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
mjg59.eicar-test-file.zip
I keep having to justify why I want to go to conferences outside the USA and the simple answer is "Many of the people it would be helpful to talk to are no longer able to enter the USA"
December 10, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
missmc.bsky.social
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
jonkingh.bsky.social Jonathan Kingham @jonkingh.bsky.social · 20d
This is so disgusting.
December 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
seriousfreudoffice.bsky.social
If only there was some enormous global event that shook up everyone's lives, was increidbly stressful, and left many people heavily traumatised - surely if anything like that had happened in this period, that might explain it?

I guess we'll never fucking know, will we. A true mystery for our times.
"The number of 16 to 34-year-olds off work with long-term sickness because they have a mental health condition rose by 76 per cent between 2019 and 2024"
December 3, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
jonty.bsky.social
This is the most compelling spam I've had in years. One Medium command center please.
Command Center Solution As a comprehensive command brain, the command center has the ability to ensure public safety and handle public emergencies, prevent and reduce public emergencies and the damage they cause to the greatest extent, protect the safety of public life and property, maintain national security and social stability, and promote the comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development of the economy and society Full-scenario Application Solutions: 1. Small command center 2.Medium command center 3.Large command center 4.Meeting Room 5.Duty room 6.Press conference room An image showing an example command center An image showing command center technologies, such as screens and video feeds An example of a small command center, medium command center, and large command center
December 3, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
vermontgmg.bsky.social
In case you’re wondering why Pete Hegseth is freaking out about a congressional video reminding the military not to participate in illegal orders:
brandonfriedman.bsky.social Brandon Friedman @brandonfriedman.bsky.social · 27d
To put a finer point on this whole thing: "Two people with direct knowledge of the operation" — presumably uniformed military leaders — are accusing the U.S. Secretary of Defense of personally ordering specific war crimes. That's a historic accusation.
rgoodlaw.bsky.social Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 28d
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing

"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."

Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
November 29, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
davecl.bsky.social
Imperial UCU response to the President’s message on pay, benchmarks & student numbers ucu.imperial.ac.uk/archives/1167
Imperial UCU response to the President’s message on pay, benchmarks & student numbers
Many colleagues will have seen President Hugh Brady’s all-staff email this afternoon. It is important we address it openly and accurately. The timing is itself noteworthy. Messages like this are not s...
ucu.imperial.ac.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:13 PM
dwm.me.uk
OH, SO IT'S FINE TO HOLD FAST TO YOUR ELECTION PROMISES* WHEN IT'S NOT ABOUT RAISING TAXES ON THE MOST WEALTHY, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO SCRAPE A LIVING, TOUGH?

These are not serious people.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Labour ditches day-one protection from unfair dismissal in U-turn
The right will now be introduced after six months, in a breach of Labour's election manifesto.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 6:40 PM
dwm.me.uk
The UK university sector is subsidised by overseas students because central funding has fallen for decades.

Now fewer foreign students are coming here resulting in a deepening funding crisis.

Government solution? Top-slice the more successful (struggling) universities to fund the less prestigious.
sgfmann.bsky.social George Mann @sgfmann.bsky.social · Nov 23
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 24, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
wilwheaton.net
I mean.

It's just.

"Quiet, piggy."

How. How does.

The president. Of the United States of America.
November 18, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
iandunt.bsky.social
Confiscating jewellery from survivors of a war zone makes you look like a fucking Nazi. And the obscene thing is, that is the intention. It's there to look appropriately harsh. Indecent. Filthy. A moral stain. And no-one of good character would have ever proposed such a thing in the first place.
November 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
dwm.me.uk
Not being funny, what nazi-ass shit is this?
sundersays.bsky.social Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · Nov 17
The Sun has been told Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will on Monday propose confiscating jewellery, watches, necklaces from asylum seekers to meet asylum costs

This reflects the most controversial aspect of the Danish scheme - the Jewellery Law. The toughest Labour MPs thought this was OTT
November 17, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
nameshiv.bsky.social
I would posit that if the international treaties against torture are what is holding your country back then your country doesn't deserve to get ahead and holding it back is a moral obligation for everyone else
sheg7.bsky.social She Guevara @sheg7.bsky.social · Nov 16
If you currently rely on the European Court of Human Rights for your minority group to *not* be targeted, you're in trouble...
She will also announce reforms to the application of key elements of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), including article 8, the right to a family life. She is expected to raise the need for international reform of article 3, covering torture and inhuman and degrading treatment. Both have been blamed for hindering Britain’s ability to remove illegal migrants and failed asylum seekers.
November 16, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Reposted by Dr. David McBride (dwm)
valvesoftware.com
Announcing: New @steampowered.com Hardware, coming in 2026:

Steam Controller
Steam Machine
Steam Frame. 

Watch our jazzy announcement video and wishlist now: steampowered.com/hardware
Steam Hardware
The Steam Hardware family officially expands in early 2026.
steampowered.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:03 PM