Robin Sampson
@householdpest.bsky.social
He/him. Archives, museums, history, running, swimming, rambling, pubs, art, music, football.
TTRPG stuff at @1stWatchStories.bsky.social
TTRPG stuff at @1stWatchStories.bsky.social
Reposted by Robin Sampson
TV show pitch: ‘Tome Team’, where a group of rare books librarians and book historians are sent to investigate an uncatalogued library for interesting incunabula, marginalia and provenances - and they have just three days to do it.
February 14, 2026 at 6:57 PM
TV show pitch: ‘Tome Team’, where a group of rare books librarians and book historians are sent to investigate an uncatalogued library for interesting incunabula, marginalia and provenances - and they have just three days to do it.
Reposted by Robin Sampson
Nadhim Zahawi thinks London is now unsafe, because the other day a tired-looking man walked past him during the morning rush hour.
February 13, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Nadhim Zahawi thinks London is now unsafe, because the other day a tired-looking man walked past him during the morning rush hour.
Reposted by Robin Sampson
I am still shocked at just how much emailing is involved in being evil
February 3, 2026 at 5:39 AM
I am still shocked at just how much emailing is involved in being evil
Reposted by Robin Sampson
staying in and working from home all day is very bad for my mental health but being out and about in this weather is very bad for my mental health also, do you see what my problem is here
January 8, 2026 at 10:07 AM
staying in and working from home all day is very bad for my mental health but being out and about in this weather is very bad for my mental health also, do you see what my problem is here
Reposted by Robin Sampson
New addition to the study - a modern reproduction of Samuel & Nathaniel Buck's 1738 view of Norwich Castle. Important illustration as it shows the site before a lot of 19th century meddling went on.
February 2, 2026 at 2:43 PM
New addition to the study - a modern reproduction of Samuel & Nathaniel Buck's 1738 view of Norwich Castle. Important illustration as it shows the site before a lot of 19th century meddling went on.
Reposted by Robin Sampson
Reposted by Robin Sampson
This thread about underrated or overrated museums is so nice because instead of sticking it to overrated places it's mainly full of so much love for the underrated ones (people seem to really like Museum of the Home) <3
reddit.com/r/AskUK/comm...
reddit.com/r/AskUK/comm...
From the AskUK community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the AskUK community
reddit.com
January 26, 2026 at 1:44 PM
This thread about underrated or overrated museums is so nice because instead of sticking it to overrated places it's mainly full of so much love for the underrated ones (people seem to really like Museum of the Home) <3
reddit.com/r/AskUK/comm...
reddit.com/r/AskUK/comm...
Reposted by Robin Sampson
This guy went to work today, put a mask on, kidnapped a 5 year old child, and then used him as bait so both he and his father could be sent behind bars
January 22, 2026 at 2:13 AM
This guy went to work today, put a mask on, kidnapped a 5 year old child, and then used him as bait so both he and his father could be sent behind bars
Reposted by Robin Sampson
I think it would be quite nice for me to be able to wake up in the morning and think about my plans for the day, and more broadly about my own little life, instead of immediately having to ponder the overnight actions of The Guy Over There
January 19, 2026 at 8:43 AM
I think it would be quite nice for me to be able to wake up in the morning and think about my plans for the day, and more broadly about my own little life, instead of immediately having to ponder the overnight actions of The Guy Over There
Reposted by Robin Sampson
This is just murder.
This is the video.
January 7, 2026 at 6:05 PM
This is just murder.
Reposted by Robin Sampson
As a rule, I don't *do* artefacts much smaller than a house... but this is Quite The Thing!
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
‘Extraordinary’ iron age war trumpet find in Britain may have Boudicca links
Bronze instrument or carnyx dug up in Norfolk in area inhabited by Celtic tribe led by warrior who fought Romans
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:19 AM
As a rule, I don't *do* artefacts much smaller than a house... but this is Quite The Thing!
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
Reposted by Robin Sampson
So far in 1066:
• Edward the Confessor has died.
• Harold Godwineson has been named king instead of Edgar Ætheling.
• Edward has been buried.
• Harold has been crowned.
It's still only 6 January.
• Edward the Confessor has died.
• Harold Godwineson has been named king instead of Edgar Ætheling.
• Edward has been buried.
• Harold has been crowned.
It's still only 6 January.
January 6, 2026 at 9:36 AM
So far in 1066:
• Edward the Confessor has died.
• Harold Godwineson has been named king instead of Edgar Ætheling.
• Edward has been buried.
• Harold has been crowned.
It's still only 6 January.
• Edward the Confessor has died.
• Harold Godwineson has been named king instead of Edgar Ætheling.
• Edward has been buried.
• Harold has been crowned.
It's still only 6 January.
Reposted by Robin Sampson
🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT!!🚨 A summary episode of #StoriesFromTheFirstWatch , recapping episodes 31 to 35, is out now! Listen at Soloroleplayersnetwork.com and on all good podcatchers! #DnD #OSR #soloGaming #AudioDrama
Solo Roleplayers Network – Come Adventure With Us
Soloroleplayersnetwork.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:28 PM
🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT!!🚨 A summary episode of #StoriesFromTheFirstWatch , recapping episodes 31 to 35, is out now! Listen at Soloroleplayersnetwork.com and on all good podcatchers! #DnD #OSR #soloGaming #AudioDrama
Reposted by Robin Sampson
🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT!! 🚨 Episode 35 of #StoriesFromTheFirstWatch is live! Listen via soloroleplayersnetwork.com and all good podcatchers! www.podbean.com/ea/pb-gjhnk-...
#TTRPG #SoloGaming #AudioDrama #OSR #DnD
#TTRPG #SoloGaming #AudioDrama #OSR #DnD
Stories From The First Watch - Episode 35
The peace of the Green Vale is brutally shattered.
www.podbean.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT!! 🚨 Episode 35 of #StoriesFromTheFirstWatch is live! Listen via soloroleplayersnetwork.com and all good podcatchers! www.podbean.com/ea/pb-gjhnk-...
#TTRPG #SoloGaming #AudioDrama #OSR #DnD
#TTRPG #SoloGaming #AudioDrama #OSR #DnD
Reposted by Robin Sampson
❗NEW EPISODE ALERT!!❗Episode 35 of #StoriesFromTheFirstWatch will be out tomorrow, if you're looking for an early Christmas present...
#TTRPG #AudioDrama #OSR #DnD #SoloGaming
#TTRPG #AudioDrama #OSR #DnD #SoloGaming
December 23, 2025 at 8:59 PM
❗NEW EPISODE ALERT!!❗Episode 35 of #StoriesFromTheFirstWatch will be out tomorrow, if you're looking for an early Christmas present...
#TTRPG #AudioDrama #OSR #DnD #SoloGaming
#TTRPG #AudioDrama #OSR #DnD #SoloGaming
Reposted by Robin Sampson
The British Library have a searchable interim Archives & Manuscripts Catalogues up & running: searcharchives.bl.uk
(posting for all the folks who, like me, had somehow managed to miss this important development)
(posting for all the folks who, like me, had somehow managed to miss this important development)
British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue
searcharchives.bl.uk
December 15, 2025 at 12:37 PM
The British Library have a searchable interim Archives & Manuscripts Catalogues up & running: searcharchives.bl.uk
(posting for all the folks who, like me, had somehow managed to miss this important development)
(posting for all the folks who, like me, had somehow managed to miss this important development)
Reposted by Robin Sampson
The Norwich Cathedral Cat, on the pulpit, drinking from the glass of water left for the Reverend.
“He lives here” we were told, as if the church had had no say in the matter and his presence pre-dated the building. “He’s named Budge because he doesn’t budge. He thinks the water is left for him”
“He lives here” we were told, as if the church had had no say in the matter and his presence pre-dated the building. “He’s named Budge because he doesn’t budge. He thinks the water is left for him”
December 14, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The Norwich Cathedral Cat, on the pulpit, drinking from the glass of water left for the Reverend.
“He lives here” we were told, as if the church had had no say in the matter and his presence pre-dated the building. “He’s named Budge because he doesn’t budge. He thinks the water is left for him”
“He lives here” we were told, as if the church had had no say in the matter and his presence pre-dated the building. “He’s named Budge because he doesn’t budge. He thinks the water is left for him”
Reposted by Robin Sampson
Oh look. They’ve actually drawn a diagram for all the people stupid enough to need a bloody diagram.
Elon Musk and his Russian friends call for the abolishment of the EU
December 6, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Oh look. They’ve actually drawn a diagram for all the people stupid enough to need a bloody diagram.
Reposted by Robin Sampson
🚨NEW BLOG POST ALERT!!🚨 The party's new friends and enemies...https://firstwatchstories.blogspot.com/2025/12/game-admin-new-friends-and-enemies.html #StoriesFromTheFirstWatch #DnD #OSR #TTRPG #AudioDrama
December 1, 2025 at 8:02 PM
🚨NEW BLOG POST ALERT!!🚨 The party's new friends and enemies...https://firstwatchstories.blogspot.com/2025/12/game-admin-new-friends-and-enemies.html #StoriesFromTheFirstWatch #DnD #OSR #TTRPG #AudioDrama
Reposted by Robin Sampson
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Robin Sampson
To “my students and to anyone who might listen, I say: Don’t surrender to AI your ability to read, write and think when others once risked their lives and died for the freedom to do so.”
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
I Set A Trap To Catch My Students Cheating With AI. The Results Were Shocking.
"Students are not just undermining their ability to learn, but to someday lead."
www.huffpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:22 AM
To “my students and to anyone who might listen, I say: Don’t surrender to AI your ability to read, write and think when others once risked their lives and died for the freedom to do so.”
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
Reposted by Robin Sampson
🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT! Episode 34 of #StoriesFromTheFirstWatch is out now! Soloroleplayersnetwork.com #OSR #DnD #TTRPG #AudioDrama #SoloGaming
Solo Roleplayers Network – Come Adventure With Us
Soloroleplayersnetwork.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:07 PM
🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT! Episode 34 of #StoriesFromTheFirstWatch is out now! Soloroleplayersnetwork.com #OSR #DnD #TTRPG #AudioDrama #SoloGaming
Reposted by Robin Sampson
ok this breakdown of AI writing indicators is incredible. Huge shout-out to the Wikipedia community for this
Wikipedia:Signs of AI writing - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
September 28, 2025 at 2:41 PM
ok this breakdown of AI writing indicators is incredible. Huge shout-out to the Wikipedia community for this
Reposted by Robin Sampson
🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT!!🚨 Episode 34 of #StoriesFromTheFirstWatch will drop this Saturday. Find it via all good podcatchers and firstwatchstories.podbean.com
#OSR #DnD #AudioDrama #ttrpgs
#OSR #DnD #AudioDrama #ttrpgs
The firstwatchstories’s Podcast | FirstWatchStories
Welcome to Stories from the First Watch.
This is both a solo roleplaying game and an experiment in audio storytelling. The story, and the characters’ actions, will unfold upon the roll of the dice. ...
firstwatchstories.podbean.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:29 PM
🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT!!🚨 Episode 34 of #StoriesFromTheFirstWatch will drop this Saturday. Find it via all good podcatchers and firstwatchstories.podbean.com
#OSR #DnD #AudioDrama #ttrpgs
#OSR #DnD #AudioDrama #ttrpgs
Reposted by Robin Sampson
Depressing that the BBC has so little inherent institutional strength, it is kicked about so easily.
This is not good sign for our polity.
This is not good sign for our polity.
November 9, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Depressing that the BBC has so little inherent institutional strength, it is kicked about so easily.
This is not good sign for our polity.
This is not good sign for our polity.