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Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 2d

Very upsetting news about "Crazy Horse". Best back row in an England/Tigers jersey. But rugby can't continue like this? Or is it life? Give it a rip doing what you want until something cracks? Probably. If I had a son, what would I be telling him? I don't know, but I do know this is bitter #mnd 🌹

Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 2d

If the party does these things for long enough there comes a point where it is "Labourish". Whatever the history of the party and any core values it purports to have, it is, in the end, what it does.

Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 3d

So. This is interesting to me. Thanks. Used to be confident in my analysis of lots of life things. I had a belief in a simple, linear view of cause and effect. Now I realise, except for basic things, I can never have enough "data" to plan. So much is unknowable *in principle*. Bit frightening.

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Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 3d

7 across. 9 letters. "That Saturday morning feeling". Fantastic.

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Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 4d

Agreed. Part of the problem is that the description "short black" exists at all when there is a perfectly valid term: ''espresso". You can't mess with "espresso". "Short black" just sounds like nonsense marketing, and you can put anything in that. Just as well you didn't order a Martini.

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Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 4d

Now you're talking. I wasn't going to drink tonight, but, in honour of German unity, I'll get a few down. #Einheit ✊

Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 4d

I'm still an amateur on these matters, but I cannot recommend enough @brianklaas.bsky.social's book, "Fluke". It has reshaped the inside of my head when it comes to randomness, chance, evolution, predetermination and free will. #Fluke

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Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 4d

Great! Been reading about Epicurus' idea.👏 Thanks. I wasn't thinking everything is inevitable: our free choices influence our future options ("El jardin de senderos que se bifurcan"); the choices (unknown) others make, likewise. Randomness, just pure chance, plays probably the biggest hand of all.

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Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 5d

It's a bit like #Heisenberg. I decided to post about having posted 777 times, but then, all of a sudden, I hadn't. Made me remember that everything we do changes everything. #PhilSky

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Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 6d

Love the posts and photographs, Andreas. These are very much the trips I'd like to be able to do. Thanks. 🌞

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Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 6d

The gift of a book. My beautiful 1909 edition of Thomas Mann's masterpiece, "Buddenbrooks", subtitled "Verfall einer Familie". This was gifted to me when I was in my teens by a lady from Graz. I have always treasured it. #BookSky

The cloth cover of Thomas Mann's (1875-1955) novel, "Buddenbrooks" first (published in 1901). 1909 edition. The fabric of the cover is light grey and finely mottled brown. It has the rough texture of an old wallpaper. Woven into the fabric in thin, red cotton is the depiction of the front aspect of what appears to be a fine town house. Beneath this drawing, also in red, is the title. The spine is of brown leather with gold lettering.

The first page of "Buddenbrooks", in a traditional, "gothic" typeset. I could be wrong; I'm no expert here.

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Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 6d

The reality is, whatever UK governments say about limiting requests for private data access (appropriateness of warrants, etc.), you will never know who's watching unless this gross intrusion is stopped, full stop

Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 6d

1. Companies whose offerings depend upon an encryption pledge (IM, secure email, etc.) will have to quit the UK rather than accede to govt. pressure, leaving us with inferior protection.
2. it is ethically bankrupt to expose the majority of law-abiding citizens thus because crime/threats exist.

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Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 6d

"If this new order [for access to Apple user data in the UK] isn't stopped, the UK Government will likely issue similar orders to other companies, too." Caroline Wilson Palow, legal director for Privacy International.

The new pursuit of Apple could leave every UK citizen less safe online.

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Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 7d

Working on my indefinite leave to remain.

A small pile of books on a table, stacked on their side. From bottom to top: "Fowler's (English Usage)", Roget's Thesaurus, a Collins (Compact) English dictionary, "The Approach to Latin (Part I)", "My Grammar and I" and "i before e".

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Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 8d

Appropriate the spider was forced to fast on an Ember Day.

Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 8d

To think, when Supergrass went dark for a while, we might have lost all this; well, at least, the gigs. It's been a great couple of years. #KeepMusicLive

Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 8d

Perhaps Labour should start with the BBC website. Based upon prevailing standards of grammar, spelling and punctuation there, I would suggest the new policy puts some of the site's contributors in jeopardy.

Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 9d

Absolutely amazing effort, man. I'm in awe. Completely inspiring. Well done. 🌞

Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 9d

Another thing that could save you is not to wait around in the UK for the next govt. Honestly, it's not positive whichever way you choose to slice it. I won't stay for a Reform govt., or anything like it. Never been a better time for plan B.

Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 9d

100%. And every seat deserves to be given a chance. Thanks for trying to make a difference, Tom.

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Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 10d

High point: Tom Service gives chap from Scottish Opera a big build up on national radio, asking about future projects only to receive the reply, "I can't tell you, sorry". Dealt with like a professional.

And @petroc.bsky.social's lyrical romanticism about "named trains". He's the gold standard.

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Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 11d

I'm not happy about CCTV, facial recognition or any other similar form of intrusion. Fact is this "Brit' wasn't consulted regarding their use. I trust that assuages your perplexedness. (Never too good to assume "Brits" are a homogeneous group).

Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 11d

Best of luck. I've just run the marathon in Sydney. Small beer. 😀 I hope everything goes well and it's the adventure of your life. Stay strong ✊

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Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 11d

Just realised I have failed. Will need to be more circumspect after digital ID is implemented lest I be sanctioned or blacklisted for my opinions.

Ron Manton @ronmanton.bsky.social · 12d

I'm saying nothing about state mandated digital id. I think you'll guess where I stand. #privacy

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