Chris
@improbablytall.bsky.social
Airline pilot ✈️, occasional photographer, geek.
Reposted by Chris
This is just someone making “I remember the corned beef of my childhood” into a column (and approximately as accurate).
There were rolling bin strikes throughout the 70s which left the streets groaning under piles of rubbish.
November 14, 2025 at 9:51 AM
This is just someone making “I remember the corned beef of my childhood” into a column (and approximately as accurate).
Reposted by Chris
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
emptycity.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
Reposted by Chris
Zadie Smith.
November 12, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Zadie Smith.
Reposted by Chris
Jesus christ people the UK government are not banning VPNs stop getting caught out by dogshit headlines on social media sharing cards.
November 12, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Jesus christ people the UK government are not banning VPNs stop getting caught out by dogshit headlines on social media sharing cards.
Reposted by Chris
Absolutely right. I criticise BBC News, because we need it to be as good as we know it can be. People like Farage criticise the BBC, because they work for its competitors and don't want it to exist.
🎯 Davey is spot on. "We can have criticism of the BBC, but within that, we need to recognise how valuable an institution it is [and how] precious to our country. And that's one of the reasons why people like President Trump and Nigel Farage, want to undermine the BBC." 👏🏽~AA
November 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Absolutely right. I criticise BBC News, because we need it to be as good as we know it can be. People like Farage criticise the BBC, because they work for its competitors and don't want it to exist.
Reposted by Chris
I mean, what kind of legal action would this be exactly? Defamation? I would truly love to see it. 'They made it look like I instigated a coup during my very well recorded coup attempt.'
The US president has sent a letter to the corporation threatening legal action.
Donald Trump Preparing To Sue BBC Over Panorama Speech Row
The US president has sent a letter to the corporation threatening legal action.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 2:12 PM
I mean, what kind of legal action would this be exactly? Defamation? I would truly love to see it. 'They made it look like I instigated a coup during my very well recorded coup attempt.'
Reposted by Chris
I think organisations should take unsolicited, murkily-funded 'reports' from people who used to work for a rival that has made your destruction a life's mission a little more sceptically.
November 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM
I think organisations should take unsolicited, murkily-funded 'reports' from people who used to work for a rival that has made your destruction a life's mission a little more sceptically.
Reposted by Chris
I continue to think that the BBC is one of Britain’s most important institutions, and it has been an honour to occasionaly contribute to their work in recent years. It has set international standards of journalism.
The resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be an opportunity for the BBC to turn a new leaf, rebuild trust and resist those like Nigel Farage who want to destroy it
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
November 9, 2025 at 8:54 PM
I continue to think that the BBC is one of Britain’s most important institutions, and it has been an honour to occasionaly contribute to their work in recent years. It has set international standards of journalism.
Reposted by Chris
That's unfair. It's only part of who James Watson was.
He was also incredibly sexist. Proper old-fashioned male academic S-Rank level grubby sexism.
You know. Saying that Rosalind Franklin could have been pretty if she'd tried. Calling her 'Rosy' even though she never used that name. That level.
He was also incredibly sexist. Proper old-fashioned male academic S-Rank level grubby sexism.
You know. Saying that Rosalind Franklin could have been pretty if she'd tried. Calling her 'Rosy' even though she never used that name. That level.
I love this website, where “this person died” is swiftly followed up by “shame he was a racist motherfucker”
November 8, 2025 at 4:44 PM
That's unfair. It's only part of who James Watson was.
He was also incredibly sexist. Proper old-fashioned male academic S-Rank level grubby sexism.
You know. Saying that Rosalind Franklin could have been pretty if she'd tried. Calling her 'Rosy' even though she never used that name. That level.
He was also incredibly sexist. Proper old-fashioned male academic S-Rank level grubby sexism.
You know. Saying that Rosalind Franklin could have been pretty if she'd tried. Calling her 'Rosy' even though she never used that name. That level.
Reposted by Chris
Just one more hit. One more hit please man you know i'm good for it i'll pay later i swear
BREAKING: OpenAI is requesting US government support to help guarantee financing for the massive investments in AI chips and data centers it needs for expansion, per Bloomberg.
November 6, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Just one more hit. One more hit please man you know i'm good for it i'll pay later i swear
Reposted by Chris
The number of people between 16 and 34 who died or were injured in a work-related incident increased by 76% between 1939 and 1946
The number of people aged between 16 and 34 who are out of work due to long-term sickness increased by 76% between 2019 and 2024
UK ‘sliding into avoidable crisis’, major review into workplace sickness warns
The number of people aged between 16 and 34 who are out of work due to long-term sickness increased by 76% between 2019 and 2024
www.independent.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 8:50 AM
The number of people between 16 and 34 who died or were injured in a work-related incident increased by 76% between 1939 and 1946
Reposted by Chris
There’s no screening for ovarian cancer and it’s really difficult to spot: you can’t squidge your ovaries in the shower to check for lumps. Also it’s very good at masquerading at other things, like IBS and diverticulitis.
Please take a look at this list of symptoms - and share if you can.
Please take a look at this list of symptoms - and share if you can.
November 3, 2025 at 2:16 PM
There’s no screening for ovarian cancer and it’s really difficult to spot: you can’t squidge your ovaries in the shower to check for lumps. Also it’s very good at masquerading at other things, like IBS and diverticulitis.
Please take a look at this list of symptoms - and share if you can.
Please take a look at this list of symptoms - and share if you can.
Reposted by Chris
Excellent thread. There is a real honesty gap in British discourse.
It destroys representative democracy and fuels populism. And it does not resolve any problems.
It destroys representative democracy and fuels populism. And it does not resolve any problems.
The problem with diagnosing "the electorate have unreasonable expectations around tax and spend" is that those expectations did not develop in a vacuum. They are the product of decades of politicians and the media telling them they can have x services with y tax levels, or not contradicting it.
A Brexiter writes...
November 1, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Excellent thread. There is a real honesty gap in British discourse.
It destroys representative democracy and fuels populism. And it does not resolve any problems.
It destroys representative democracy and fuels populism. And it does not resolve any problems.
Reposted by Chris
Louvre Thieves Given Immunity After Confirming Jewels Stolen For Purpose Of Training AI Software https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2025/10/20/louvre-thieves-given-immunity-after-confirming-jewels-stolen-for-purpose-of-training-ai-software/
Louvre Thieves Given Immunity After Confirming Jewels Stolen For Purpose Of Training AI Software
FRENCH POLICE have immediately ended all efforts to recover priceless Napoleon-era jewellery from the Louvre taken in a daring heist after it emerged the jewels were merely stolen for the purposes of training AI software.
When …
waterfordwhispersnews.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Louvre Thieves Given Immunity After Confirming Jewels Stolen For Purpose Of Training AI Software https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2025/10/20/louvre-thieves-given-immunity-after-confirming-jewels-stolen-for-purpose-of-training-ai-software/
Reposted by Chris
Some are querying whether Andrew can renounce a dukedom without an Act of Parliament.
But you can parse a duchy and he’s left outside.
Good night.
But you can parse a duchy and he’s left outside.
Good night.
October 17, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Some are querying whether Andrew can renounce a dukedom without an Act of Parliament.
But you can parse a duchy and he’s left outside.
Good night.
But you can parse a duchy and he’s left outside.
Good night.
Reposted by Chris
In one crisp para — & the 2 charts he highlights — @chrisgiles.ft.com bursts a huge number of “welfare” myths www.ft.com/content/ee67...
October 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
In one crisp para — & the 2 charts he highlights — @chrisgiles.ft.com bursts a huge number of “welfare” myths www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Reposted by Chris
A brave Hungarian peasant girl.
Q: Have you given any more thought to possibly suspending habeas corpus?
TRUMP: Suspending who?
Q: Habeas corpus
TRUMP: I don't know. I'd rather leave that to Kristi.
TRUMP: Suspending who?
Q: Habeas corpus
TRUMP: I don't know. I'd rather leave that to Kristi.
October 8, 2025 at 9:26 PM
A brave Hungarian peasant girl.
Reposted by Chris
This is a really good discussion by a couple of people who dealt with releasing a book through Unbound as it collapsed. @alicefraser.bsky.social and @chrisskinner.bsky.social are great, Alice's book is fantastic, and it's really unfair this happened to so many great people. youtu.be/8l73x6t27U4?...
We made a hit book, and saw none of the money! Chris and Alice Unleashed!!! B'Ankruptcy Edition
YouTube video by The Bugle
youtu.be
October 9, 2025 at 12:37 AM
This is a really good discussion by a couple of people who dealt with releasing a book through Unbound as it collapsed. @alicefraser.bsky.social and @chrisskinner.bsky.social are great, Alice's book is fantastic, and it's really unfair this happened to so many great people. youtu.be/8l73x6t27U4?...
Reposted by Chris
Don‘t threaten us with a good time.
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.
buff.ly
October 8, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Don‘t threaten us with a good time.
Reposted by Chris
A lot of people don't understand how pensions (or benefits) really work.
They picture a national savings account in which their 'own' taxes are stored until they retire.
Not that they were paying for the person before them, and now someone else is doing it for them, so inflation doesn't screw them
They picture a national savings account in which their 'own' taxes are stored until they retire.
Not that they were paying for the person before them, and now someone else is doing it for them, so inflation doesn't screw them
On a bus. Fares across Worcestershire are £1 per journey every weekend in October.
Four seniors boarded. They are loudly complaining. Quote: "They shouldn't do this £1 fare. It's workshy folk getting stuff for free yet again. No-one gives us pensioners anything."
The seniors all used bus passes.
Four seniors boarded. They are loudly complaining. Quote: "They shouldn't do this £1 fare. It's workshy folk getting stuff for free yet again. No-one gives us pensioners anything."
The seniors all used bus passes.
October 4, 2025 at 8:57 AM
A lot of people don't understand how pensions (or benefits) really work.
They picture a national savings account in which their 'own' taxes are stored until they retire.
Not that they were paying for the person before them, and now someone else is doing it for them, so inflation doesn't screw them
They picture a national savings account in which their 'own' taxes are stored until they retire.
Not that they were paying for the person before them, and now someone else is doing it for them, so inflation doesn't screw them
Reposted by Chris
As a theoretical cosmologist, I'm frequently asked "what is the benefit of the work you're doing for people's lives?" Nothing I work on makes money or cures disease.
There are a few different answers one can give, at various levels of "convincing" / "actually relevant to why the work is done."
1/🧵
There are a few different answers one can give, at various levels of "convincing" / "actually relevant to why the work is done."
1/🧵
October 3, 2025 at 7:32 PM
As a theoretical cosmologist, I'm frequently asked "what is the benefit of the work you're doing for people's lives?" Nothing I work on makes money or cures disease.
There are a few different answers one can give, at various levels of "convincing" / "actually relevant to why the work is done."
1/🧵
There are a few different answers one can give, at various levels of "convincing" / "actually relevant to why the work is done."
1/🧵
Reposted by Chris
Very good stuff from Sadiq Khan at the Labour Irish society event. He said there are two reasons he loves coming to Labour Conference.
“One is the reception at the Labour Party Irish Society reception.
“The second is to get away from all the Sharia Law in London”
“One is the reception at the Labour Party Irish Society reception.
“The second is to get away from all the Sharia Law in London”
September 29, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Very good stuff from Sadiq Khan at the Labour Irish society event. He said there are two reasons he loves coming to Labour Conference.
“One is the reception at the Labour Party Irish Society reception.
“The second is to get away from all the Sharia Law in London”
“One is the reception at the Labour Party Irish Society reception.
“The second is to get away from all the Sharia Law in London”
Reposted by Chris
When I was a teenager there was a bus direct from my hometown in Germany to London - we had a British army base, and this direct bus connection was one of the benefits of that. One summer I went on that bus to go volunteer in an old people's home in Southend-on-Sea. I had just turned 18 and was... 🧵
September 29, 2025 at 12:32 PM
When I was a teenager there was a bus direct from my hometown in Germany to London - we had a British army base, and this direct bus connection was one of the benefits of that. One summer I went on that bus to go volunteer in an old people's home in Southend-on-Sea. I had just turned 18 and was... 🧵
Reposted by Chris
Dear USA
Deploying troops against civilians will not go well.
Yours
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Deploying troops against civilians will not go well.
Yours
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
June 9, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Dear USA
Deploying troops against civilians will not go well.
Yours
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Deploying troops against civilians will not go well.
Yours
Great Britain and Northern Ireland