Kate Macdonald 📚 🧶
@kateem.bsky.social
Mover of words at peachfieldpress.uk. Latest story out now! https://fiction-fans-shop.fourthwall.com/en-gbp/products/solstitia-issue-4 Book reviews at katemacdonald.net. Recorder of🏺finds, organiser, Q clerk, knitter, academis aegis @OxfordBrookes
I wonder also if men seeing women eat might be held to accrue shame, being polluted by the sight. But thus might only be in societies where pollution was an ever-present risk, with processes in place to remove it.
February 16, 2026 at 11:53 PM
I wonder also if men seeing women eat might be held to accrue shame, being polluted by the sight. But thus might only be in societies where pollution was an ever-present risk, with processes in place to remove it.
Many different cultures worldwide had expectations that women and children ate separately and later than men. Appetite was not to be witnessed due to its impropriety? Disgust? Shame?
February 16, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Many different cultures worldwide had expectations that women and children ate separately and later than men. Appetite was not to be witnessed due to its impropriety? Disgust? Shame?
Oh I absolutely agree about female slaves being essential for textile production, their primary requirement. With breeding as a concomitant function.
February 16, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Oh I absolutely agree about female slaves being essential for textile production, their primary requirement. With breeding as a concomitant function.
You're welcome.
February 16, 2026 at 12:18 PM
You're welcome.
'So much of the Bluesky in my feed' is what you mean. There are millions of us! We don't all see the same things. I don't think I've ever noticed your posts before and yet my Bluesky experience has been delightful, normal, entertaining, informative and useful. No sweeping generalisations, thanks.
February 16, 2026 at 11:34 AM
'So much of the Bluesky in my feed' is what you mean. There are millions of us! We don't all see the same things. I don't think I've ever noticed your posts before and yet my Bluesky experience has been delightful, normal, entertaining, informative and useful. No sweeping generalisations, thanks.
Reposted by Kate Macdonald 📚 🧶
The entire UK diplomatic budget is about £1.4 billion a year. That’s pretty much precisely 0.1% of government spending.
BBC World Service is about £0.25 billion (it should be higher), or 0.02%.
These are rounding errors on rounding errors. Double each and public expenditure wouldn’t twitch.
Mad.
BBC World Service is about £0.25 billion (it should be higher), or 0.02%.
These are rounding errors on rounding errors. Double each and public expenditure wouldn’t twitch.
Mad.
February 15, 2026 at 9:23 PM
The entire UK diplomatic budget is about £1.4 billion a year. That’s pretty much precisely 0.1% of government spending.
BBC World Service is about £0.25 billion (it should be higher), or 0.02%.
These are rounding errors on rounding errors. Double each and public expenditure wouldn’t twitch.
Mad.
BBC World Service is about £0.25 billion (it should be higher), or 0.02%.
These are rounding errors on rounding errors. Double each and public expenditure wouldn’t twitch.
Mad.
Actually, no. I think Zulu and/or Yoruba cultures prized women glistening with fat as it showed their husbands could afford to feed them lavishly. But this wld need to be checked!
February 16, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Actually, no. I think Zulu and/or Yoruba cultures prized women glistening with fat as it showed their husbands could afford to feed them lavishly. But this wld need to be checked!
A greedy woman and a girl eating with gusto have never been desirable, in any culture I can think of. Universal conditioning there.
February 16, 2026 at 6:32 AM
A greedy woman and a girl eating with gusto have never been desirable, in any culture I can think of. Universal conditioning there.
And would be less likely to be a threat since not trained to arms, could be used for sex more easily, easier to discipline, and could breed more slaves. Though for the latter better rations would be needed.
February 16, 2026 at 6:30 AM
And would be less likely to be a threat since not trained to arms, could be used for sex more easily, easier to discipline, and could breed more slaves. Though for the latter better rations would be needed.
Because women didn't eat in men's company unless of the courtesan class?
February 16, 2026 at 5:23 AM
Because women didn't eat in men's company unless of the courtesan class?
Doesn't Circe feast with Odysseus?
February 16, 2026 at 5:04 AM
Doesn't Circe feast with Odysseus?
Well I'm glad of the explanation because when I saw the cartoon I thought the hoodie guy was just a generic image of a bully. And after seeing the video on mute with just subtitles I thought the brown hoodie bully was the pro ICE one.
February 15, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Well I'm glad of the explanation because when I saw the cartoon I thought the hoodie guy was just a generic image of a bully. And after seeing the video on mute with just subtitles I thought the brown hoodie bully was the pro ICE one.
Oh yes, that was a sparky one.
February 14, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Oh yes, that was a sparky one.
That is awful. You're right about the mysterious unburnt bits in a hearth fire. But a car should be more flammable, all those chemicals, fuel and electrics. Hope the fire service can advise. And if you need to have a replacement that you get a new car quick!
February 14, 2026 at 11:01 AM
That is awful. You're right about the mysterious unburnt bits in a hearth fire. But a car should be more flammable, all those chemicals, fuel and electrics. Hope the fire service can advise. And if you need to have a replacement that you get a new car quick!
You're at Dunnottar! My grandparents are buried in the kirkyard.
February 14, 2026 at 10:55 AM
You're at Dunnottar! My grandparents are buried in the kirkyard.