Bob Downie
@geomannie.bsky.social
Sometime geologist, fascinated by bicycles, cycling & digital map data, Twitter refugee. Lives happily on top of a drumlin, Glasgow.
I post mostly on Mastodon but can be followed directly in BSky via @geomannie.mastodon.scot.ap.brid.gy .
I post mostly on Mastodon but can be followed directly in BSky via @geomannie.mastodon.scot.ap.brid.gy .
Reposted by Bob Downie
History by Reform: “1666. A Greggs, and the City of London with it, go up in smoke when a stressed-baker drops his Lambert and Butler on a mountain of unnecessary European red tape. Nobody is certain why the fire spreads so quickly, but the answer is probably cycling lanes.”
EXCLUSIVE
Following the news that one of the first things a Nigel Farage Reform government would do is ensure that “the young are taught correctly about our history”, I have been passed these leaked pages from Reform’s proposed GCSE history textbook.
mrhenrymorris.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Following the news that one of the first things a Nigel Farage Reform government would do is ensure that “the young are taught correctly about our history”, I have been passed these leaked pages from Reform’s proposed GCSE history textbook.
mrhenrymorris.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
EXCLUSIVE - Leaked pages from Reform's proposed UK history textbook
Including Zia of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae
mrhenrymorris.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:08 AM
History by Reform: “1666. A Greggs, and the City of London with it, go up in smoke when a stressed-baker drops his Lambert and Butler on a mountain of unnecessary European red tape. Nobody is certain why the fire spreads so quickly, but the answer is probably cycling lanes.”
Reposted by Bob Downie
My niece comes to the U.S. most years from Europe to visit her grandfather.
This year she was stopped at the airport, taken into an interrogation room, accused of being a prostitute, had her phone taken and scanned, and released.
You know, in case you were wondering why tourism to the U.S. is […]
This year she was stopped at the airport, taken into an interrogation room, accused of being a prostitute, had her phone taken and scanned, and released.
You know, in case you were wondering why tourism to the U.S. is […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
January 5, 2026 at 2:03 PM
My niece comes to the U.S. most years from Europe to visit her grandfather.
This year she was stopped at the airport, taken into an interrogation room, accused of being a prostitute, had her phone taken and scanned, and released.
You know, in case you were wondering why tourism to the U.S. is […]
This year she was stopped at the airport, taken into an interrogation room, accused of being a prostitute, had her phone taken and scanned, and released.
You know, in case you were wondering why tourism to the U.S. is […]
Reposted by Bob Downie
Pro-indy SNP supporters should vote for Scottish Greens on the list vote in May if they don't want to waste their 2nd vote and want to help keep Reform down:
"The [SNP]’s likely success in [constituency contests] would mean that, despite not being awarded a single list seat, the nationalists […]
"The [SNP]’s likely success in [constituency contests] would mean that, despite not being awarded a single list seat, the nationalists […]
Original post on glasgow.social
glasgow.social
January 5, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Pro-indy SNP supporters should vote for Scottish Greens on the list vote in May if they don't want to waste their 2nd vote and want to help keep Reform down:
"The [SNP]’s likely success in [constituency contests] would mean that, despite not being awarded a single list seat, the nationalists […]
"The [SNP]’s likely success in [constituency contests] would mean that, despite not being awarded a single list seat, the nationalists […]
Reposted by Bob Downie
Great video showcasing some of Glasgow’s old, new, & potential cycling infrastructure
Such a pity that Glasgow council continue to prioritise cars over people at junctions, with 🚲 facing long wait times to cross
“Glasgow has made great progress, but like so many cities, there’s so much to do”
Such a pity that Glasgow council continue to prioritise cars over people at junctions, with 🚲 facing long wait times to cross
“Glasgow has made great progress, but like so many cities, there’s so much to do”
Enjoying the holidays with friends and family in Glasgow, but also found some time to ride around a bit.
Glasgow by Bike - Rethinking the Car-Centric City, Part Three
YouTube video by John Munro
www.youtube.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Great video showcasing some of Glasgow’s old, new, & potential cycling infrastructure
Such a pity that Glasgow council continue to prioritise cars over people at junctions, with 🚲 facing long wait times to cross
“Glasgow has made great progress, but like so many cities, there’s so much to do”
Such a pity that Glasgow council continue to prioritise cars over people at junctions, with 🚲 facing long wait times to cross
“Glasgow has made great progress, but like so many cities, there’s so much to do”
Reposted by Bob Downie
A very interesting read with a very plausible real reason behind the invasion of Venezuela. Perhaps it's the petrodollar and not oil...
A very long and important THREAD -
The real reason the US is invading Venezuela goes back to a deal Henry Kissinger made with Saudi Arabia in 1974.
And I'm going to explain why this is actually about the SURVIVAL of the US dollar itself.
Not drugs. Not terrorism. Not "democracy." 1/
The real reason the US is invading Venezuela goes back to a deal Henry Kissinger made with Saudi Arabia in 1974.
And I'm going to explain why this is actually about the SURVIVAL of the US dollar itself.
Not drugs. Not terrorism. Not "democracy." 1/
January 4, 2026 at 1:52 PM
A very interesting read with a very plausible real reason behind the invasion of Venezuela. Perhaps it's the petrodollar and not oil...
Reposted by Bob Downie
A very long and important THREAD -
The real reason the US is invading Venezuela goes back to a deal Henry Kissinger made with Saudi Arabia in 1974.
And I'm going to explain why this is actually about the SURVIVAL of the US dollar itself.
Not drugs. Not terrorism. Not "democracy." 1/
The real reason the US is invading Venezuela goes back to a deal Henry Kissinger made with Saudi Arabia in 1974.
And I'm going to explain why this is actually about the SURVIVAL of the US dollar itself.
Not drugs. Not terrorism. Not "democracy." 1/
January 4, 2026 at 9:40 AM
A very long and important THREAD -
The real reason the US is invading Venezuela goes back to a deal Henry Kissinger made with Saudi Arabia in 1974.
And I'm going to explain why this is actually about the SURVIVAL of the US dollar itself.
Not drugs. Not terrorism. Not "democracy." 1/
The real reason the US is invading Venezuela goes back to a deal Henry Kissinger made with Saudi Arabia in 1974.
And I'm going to explain why this is actually about the SURVIVAL of the US dollar itself.
Not drugs. Not terrorism. Not "democracy." 1/
Reposted by Bob Downie
Can you confirm @jessphillipsmp.bsky.social whether Labour's ban on 'nudification' apps will extend to Grok, please?
January 3, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Can you confirm @jessphillipsmp.bsky.social whether Labour's ban on 'nudification' apps will extend to Grok, please?
Reposted by Bob Downie
Does that qualify you for a special award?
January 3, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Does that qualify you for a special award?
Reposted by Bob Downie
There is, to my mind, no justification for the continued use by the UK Government of X as a platform for official comms. There hasn't been for some time, in fact, but if the latest developments around AI-generated image abuse and CSAM don't change the policy I really don't know what will.
NEW: People are using Elon Musk's chatbot, Grok, to alter images to depict real women being sexually abused, humiliated, hurt, and even killed.
futurism.com/future-socie...
futurism.com/future-socie...
Grok Is Being Used to Depict Horrific Violence Against Real Women
People are asking Elon Musk's Grok chatbot to alter images to depict women being sexually abused, humiliated, and even killed.
futurism.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:18 PM
There is, to my mind, no justification for the continued use by the UK Government of X as a platform for official comms. There hasn't been for some time, in fact, but if the latest developments around AI-generated image abuse and CSAM don't change the policy I really don't know what will.
Reposted by Bob Downie
Apparently the cold weather means our local authority has emergency measures to offer rough sleepers shelter. Or, to put it another way, we choose to let people sleep rough all of the rest of the time.
January 2, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Apparently the cold weather means our local authority has emergency measures to offer rough sleepers shelter. Or, to put it another way, we choose to let people sleep rough all of the rest of the time.
Reposted by Bob Downie
A very remarkable woman indeed. More here, including the moving "tombmates" inscription for Gurney and her partner (her word) Sarah-Maria Buxton.
(Quakers: rarely constrained by other people's ideas of what shape life should be...)
queernorfolk.com/news/anna-gu...
(Quakers: rarely constrained by other people's ideas of what shape life should be...)
queernorfolk.com/news/anna-gu...
December 31, 2025 at 10:12 AM
A very remarkable woman indeed. More here, including the moving "tombmates" inscription for Gurney and her partner (her word) Sarah-Maria Buxton.
(Quakers: rarely constrained by other people's ideas of what shape life should be...)
queernorfolk.com/news/anna-gu...
(Quakers: rarely constrained by other people's ideas of what shape life should be...)
queernorfolk.com/news/anna-gu...
Reposted by Bob Downie
A significant amount of safety research has existed for decades on Human Machine Interfaces proving exactly this. It's exhausting to watch money and effort wasted in a tech hype cycle to constantly undo and redo what we already know in safety engineering.
Amazingly, reaction times using screens while driving are worse than being drunk or high—no wonder 90 percent of drivers hate using touchscreens in cars. Finally the auto industry is coming to its senses.
Rejoice! Carmakers Are Embracing Physical Buttons Again
Amazingly, reaction times using screens while driving are worse than being drunk or high—no wonder 90 percent of drivers hate using touchscreens in cars. Finally the auto industry is coming to its…
wrd.cm
December 28, 2025 at 10:44 AM
A significant amount of safety research has existed for decades on Human Machine Interfaces proving exactly this. It's exhausting to watch money and effort wasted in a tech hype cycle to constantly undo and redo what we already know in safety engineering.
Reposted by Bob Downie
Ciaran Jenkins and I have recorded another Channel 4 News/BBC News long-distance musical collaboration for Christmas. This year we play The Coventry Carol. To all who are celebrating, wishing you a happy, peaceful Christmas.
For Christmas, a BBC/Channel 4 collaboration: The Coventry Carol
YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg
youtu.be
December 24, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Ciaran Jenkins and I have recorded another Channel 4 News/BBC News long-distance musical collaboration for Christmas. This year we play The Coventry Carol. To all who are celebrating, wishing you a happy, peaceful Christmas.
Reposted by Bob Downie
This is what we're up against... A driver of SH15ATN doing his online shopping for saws whilst driving his 1.6 tonne vehicle on busy roads. All in a country (Scotland) that has no online reporting system and little to no road policing. #DNRPoliceScotland
December 24, 2025 at 9:29 AM
This is what we're up against... A driver of SH15ATN doing his online shopping for saws whilst driving his 1.6 tonne vehicle on busy roads. All in a country (Scotland) that has no online reporting system and little to no road policing. #DNRPoliceScotland
Reposted by Bob Downie
Which one of these would be your ultimate fantasy vintage bike?
Fantasy Christmas bikes — 10 legendary bikes from yesteryear featuring Raleigh, Mercier, Legnano + more
Christmas is nearly here, and Steve has been dreaming of fantasy bikes of old; some he once rode, others he watched in awe from the roadside as a kid, some he’s never set eyes on. Here’s his Christmas...
road.cc
December 23, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Which one of these would be your ultimate fantasy vintage bike?
Reposted by Bob Downie
This is just hideous. We're speaking to specialist public and terrorism lawyers in about half an hour to see if there's anything we can do. www.thenational.scot/news/2570443...
MP vows not to leave prison protest as pro-Palestine hunger striker 'may die'
AN MP has joined a prison-gate protest, declaring she will not leave until a hunger striker alleged to be near death receives an ambulance
www.thenational.scot
December 17, 2025 at 1:04 PM
This is just hideous. We're speaking to specialist public and terrorism lawyers in about half an hour to see if there's anything we can do. www.thenational.scot/news/2570443...
Reposted by Bob Downie
“Tell me Ma, me Ma! We won't be home for tea. We're going to [an Anglo-Saxon’s called] Wemba Lee.”
Major update to our map of Anglo-Saxon London... we've now added etymologies for each place name, so you can find out what your bit of London used to be called.... and why londonist.substack.com/p/mapping-an...
Mapping Anglo-Saxon London: A Big Update
A glimpse of London, 1,000 years past.
londonist.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:03 AM
“Tell me Ma, me Ma! We won't be home for tea. We're going to [an Anglo-Saxon’s called] Wemba Lee.”
Reposted by Bob Downie
If you're calling Robin Ince "a troublemaker" then what the hell is going on at the BBC? Did he object to the Genocide in Gaza, is that it?
Will he be denounced as a terrorist by Nigel Farage and the BBC forced to fire him so Nigel isn't upset?
What the actual fuck is going on here?! […]
Will he be denounced as a terrorist by Nigel Farage and the BBC forced to fire him so Nigel isn't upset?
What the actual fuck is going on here?! […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
December 13, 2025 at 4:24 PM
If you're calling Robin Ince "a troublemaker" then what the hell is going on at the BBC? Did he object to the Genocide in Gaza, is that it?
Will he be denounced as a terrorist by Nigel Farage and the BBC forced to fire him so Nigel isn't upset?
What the actual fuck is going on here?! […]
Will he be denounced as a terrorist by Nigel Farage and the BBC forced to fire him so Nigel isn't upset?
What the actual fuck is going on here?! […]
Reposted by Bob Downie
1/ You wouldn’t know it from the coverage, but two recent employment tribunal rulings have vindicated those of us who have said from the start that the Supreme Court judgment did not require the automatic exclusion of trans people from single-sex toilets and changing rooms. 🧵
December 11, 2025 at 10:12 AM
1/ You wouldn’t know it from the coverage, but two recent employment tribunal rulings have vindicated those of us who have said from the start that the Supreme Court judgment did not require the automatic exclusion of trans people from single-sex toilets and changing rooms. 🧵
Reposted by Bob Downie
“It is a level of pettiness the council could not have reasonably anticipated”
The Ministry of Defence here, protecting the UK from… safe active travel routes to school?
The Ministry of Defence here, protecting the UK from… safe active travel routes to school?
“The path to nowhere”: Ministry of Defence accused of “pettiness” for blocking completion of new cycling and walking route to school – and threatening to fence off 15-metre section if children use it ...
The government department claims the shared-use path could have a “detrimental impact” on local families, though the MOD’s decision to reopen discussions with Fife Council has been hailed as a “return...
road.cc
December 11, 2025 at 5:21 PM
“It is a level of pettiness the council could not have reasonably anticipated”
The Ministry of Defence here, protecting the UK from… safe active travel routes to school?
The Ministry of Defence here, protecting the UK from… safe active travel routes to school?
Reposted by Bob Downie
December 10, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Reposted by Bob Downie
From someone I know on FB;
About Dr Beth Upton, who is the REAL victim here, although you wouldn't know that from looking at the media;
-the victim of transphobic court procedures,
-the victim of a viciously transphobic media
and
-the victim of a transphobic hate campaign.
About Dr Beth Upton, who is the REAL victim here, although you wouldn't know that from looking at the media;
-the victim of transphobic court procedures,
-the victim of a viciously transphobic media
and
-the victim of a transphobic hate campaign.
December 10, 2025 at 2:22 PM
From someone I know on FB;
About Dr Beth Upton, who is the REAL victim here, although you wouldn't know that from looking at the media;
-the victim of transphobic court procedures,
-the victim of a viciously transphobic media
and
-the victim of a transphobic hate campaign.
About Dr Beth Upton, who is the REAL victim here, although you wouldn't know that from looking at the media;
-the victim of transphobic court procedures,
-the victim of a viciously transphobic media
and
-the victim of a transphobic hate campaign.
Reposted by Bob Downie
RE: https://mastodon.social/@ScienceScholar/115695323486556086
An interesting article on the role of expose trichlorethylene (TCE) to the development of Parkinsons. The article gives me two pauses for thought.
1) as a young technician I regularly scrubbed equipment in baths of TCE with no […]
An interesting article on the role of expose trichlorethylene (TCE) to the development of Parkinsons. The article gives me two pauses for thought.
1) as a young technician I regularly scrubbed equipment in baths of TCE with no […]
Original post on mastodon.scot
mastodon.scot
December 10, 2025 at 2:23 PM
RE: https://mastodon.social/@ScienceScholar/115695323486556086
An interesting article on the role of expose trichlorethylene (TCE) to the development of Parkinsons. The article gives me two pauses for thought.
1) as a young technician I regularly scrubbed equipment in baths of TCE with no […]
An interesting article on the role of expose trichlorethylene (TCE) to the development of Parkinsons. The article gives me two pauses for thought.
1) as a young technician I regularly scrubbed equipment in baths of TCE with no […]
Reposted by Bob Downie
How many times do we need to point this out?
By appeasing the far right, you do not weaken it. You strengthen it.
While weakening your own position.
There's a vast amount of academic research showing this.
But Labour will not listen.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
By appeasing the far right, you do not weaken it. You strengthen it.
While weakening your own position.
There's a vast amount of academic research showing this.
But Labour will not listen.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
Starmer urges Europe’s leaders to curb ECHR to halt rise of far right
Exclusive: PM calls for members of European convention on human rights to allow tougher action to protect borders
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:56 AM
How many times do we need to point this out?
By appeasing the far right, you do not weaken it. You strengthen it.
While weakening your own position.
There's a vast amount of academic research showing this.
But Labour will not listen.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
By appeasing the far right, you do not weaken it. You strengthen it.
While weakening your own position.
There's a vast amount of academic research showing this.
But Labour will not listen.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
Reposted by Bob Downie
Not sure if anyone is interested but here is a link to an 80 page pdf "bible" on touring bikes from Thorn cycles. Seems to be a mine of information on the subject.
www.sjscycles.com/thornpdf/tho...
www.sjscycles.com/thornpdf/tho...
www.sjscycles.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Not sure if anyone is interested but here is a link to an 80 page pdf "bible" on touring bikes from Thorn cycles. Seems to be a mine of information on the subject.
www.sjscycles.com/thornpdf/tho...
www.sjscycles.com/thornpdf/tho...