Russ Swan
@russs.bsky.social
Recovering journalist, universe/UK/Notts. Geek, nerd, dweeb. Fixer. Author of popular science book. Columnist @ Lab News. Motorcycles. Spaniels. Science. Engineering. Screaming into the void
SPOILER ALERT: no, they didn't.
From today's spam folder. Redacted to deny any potential for publicity.
From today's spam folder. Redacted to deny any potential for publicity.
![Headline on a press release found today in my email spam: [redacted] Announces Revolutionary Mathematical Proof of God's Existence and a Theory of the Origins of the Universe, Life, and Chemicals](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:bmtf7dohjslyo5zi457ijtzg/bafkreihmjaqcmar7mf3ke7cpeszqeao73wyubiyoj74jl65tf2kcgwelem@jpeg)
December 4, 2025 at 4:25 PM
SPOILER ALERT: no, they didn't.
From today's spam folder. Redacted to deny any potential for publicity.
From today's spam folder. Redacted to deny any potential for publicity.
Reposted by Russ Swan
The "don't have an extra kid if you can't afford it" brigade get awfully upset when you suggest they don't stay in their £2m house if they can't afford it, don't they?
November 27, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The "don't have an extra kid if you can't afford it" brigade get awfully upset when you suggest they don't stay in their £2m house if they can't afford it, don't they?
Reposted by Russ Swan
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
"... plant in well-drained, moisture-retentive soil...".
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND GARDENING
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND GARDENING
November 23, 2025 at 1:09 PM
"... plant in well-drained, moisture-retentive soil...".
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND GARDENING
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND GARDENING
Up in the gods, for Jools Holland and Imelda May
November 20, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Up in the gods, for Jools Holland and Imelda May
Reposted by Russ Swan
November 19, 2025 at 7:28 PM
November 19, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Pity the Bespoke Shutter Company, with this upstairs neighbour. Pic by me, today, at the bottom of Muswell Hill, London.
November 16, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Pity the Bespoke Shutter Company, with this upstairs neighbour. Pic by me, today, at the bottom of Muswell Hill, London.
It's nearly 50 years since the UK adopted metric measurements. Why do we still have to have these dual units, and could they not at least be accurate conversions? Basic innumeracy in this BBC weather article (and yes I'm postponing travel today, grumble grumble).
November 14, 2025 at 11:53 AM
It's nearly 50 years since the UK adopted metric measurements. Why do we still have to have these dual units, and could they not at least be accurate conversions? Basic innumeracy in this BBC weather article (and yes I'm postponing travel today, grumble grumble).
Am writing a thing (not a song) and the cadence of a section means a rhyme would be interesting.
This is what the internet suggests as rhymes for 'national'.
#rhyme #songwriting #wtf
This is what the internet suggests as rhymes for 'national'.
#rhyme #songwriting #wtf
November 12, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Am writing a thing (not a song) and the cadence of a section means a rhyme would be interesting.
This is what the internet suggests as rhymes for 'national'.
#rhyme #songwriting #wtf
This is what the internet suggests as rhymes for 'national'.
#rhyme #songwriting #wtf
Cartoon by Stephen Collins
November 10, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Cartoon by Stephen Collins
Reposted by Russ Swan
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- [email protected] or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
November 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- [email protected] or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
Well fuck you, company whose services I am in need of but who redirects me to Google for declining cookies. Looks like one of your competitors will get my business.
November 9, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Well fuck you, company whose services I am in need of but who redirects me to Google for declining cookies. Looks like one of your competitors will get my business.
Reposted by Russ Swan
More choice doesn’t always mean more freedom. Sometimes it just means more faff.
November 4, 2025 at 4:03 PM
More choice doesn’t always mean more freedom. Sometimes it just means more faff.
Anybody who has spent any time as an editor will be familiar with The Editors' Curse. That's the thing where any typo, no matter how fleeting, leaps out and demands attention. Tonight I'm watching an old episode of Andromeda, and this is on the opening credits. I'm embarrassed for Eric.
November 3, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Anybody who has spent any time as an editor will be familiar with The Editors' Curse. That's the thing where any typo, no matter how fleeting, leaps out and demands attention. Tonight I'm watching an old episode of Andromeda, and this is on the opening credits. I'm embarrassed for Eric.
Tom Daley, what the fuck are you wearing?
November 2, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Tom Daley, what the fuck are you wearing?
Reposted by Russ Swan
The poppy, remembering those who died in the wars against fascism. #remembrance #antifa
November 1, 2025 at 10:39 AM
The poppy, remembering those who died in the wars against fascism. #remembrance #antifa
The poppy, remembering those who died in the wars against fascism. #remembrance #antifa
November 1, 2025 at 10:39 AM
The poppy, remembering those who died in the wars against fascism. #remembrance #antifa
Reposted by Russ Swan
NEWS! Nigel Farage to grow toothbrush moustache for Movember newsthump.com/2025/11/01/n...
Nigel Farage to grow toothbrush moustache for Movember
Nigel Farage has been praised today after revealing he would be growing a toothbrush moustache in support of Movember. An international movement promoting awareness of men’s health issues such as …
newsthump.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:36 AM
NEWS! Nigel Farage to grow toothbrush moustache for Movember newsthump.com/2025/11/01/n...
How long before the rumour about now ex-prince's real father surface again? Brian or Bill might think that it could save the monarchy, if this wrong'un was never really 'one of us'.
But it might bring the whole house down, especially if the the other rumour about the other one also resurfaces.
But it might bring the whole house down, especially if the the other rumour about the other one also resurfaces.
October 30, 2025 at 10:51 PM
How long before the rumour about now ex-prince's real father surface again? Brian or Bill might think that it could save the monarchy, if this wrong'un was never really 'one of us'.
But it might bring the whole house down, especially if the the other rumour about the other one also resurfaces.
But it might bring the whole house down, especially if the the other rumour about the other one also resurfaces.
BBC News practically having an orgasm over another trivial misdemeanour from Rachel Reeve. Had this been Boris or any other Tory it would never have seen the light of day.
October 29, 2025 at 10:16 PM
BBC News practically having an orgasm over another trivial misdemeanour from Rachel Reeve. Had this been Boris or any other Tory it would never have seen the light of day.
Reposted by Russ Swan
I recall in the 60s, Remembrance Day was one solemn Sunday morning. That was it.
It was a moving occasion at our local memorial and attended by actual WW1 and WW2 veterans. Unlike the mawkish weeks long competition for the most tasteless display of a poppy that it's become
Often, less is more.
It was a moving occasion at our local memorial and attended by actual WW1 and WW2 veterans. Unlike the mawkish weeks long competition for the most tasteless display of a poppy that it's become
Often, less is more.
October 28, 2025 at 7:53 AM
I recall in the 60s, Remembrance Day was one solemn Sunday morning. That was it.
It was a moving occasion at our local memorial and attended by actual WW1 and WW2 veterans. Unlike the mawkish weeks long competition for the most tasteless display of a poppy that it's become
Often, less is more.
It was a moving occasion at our local memorial and attended by actual WW1 and WW2 veterans. Unlike the mawkish weeks long competition for the most tasteless display of a poppy that it's become
Often, less is more.
On National Clock Confusion Day, a visit to the meridian line within the Bromley House Library in Nottingham. When the sun, shining through the small hole at upper left of the window, falls on the line, it is noon (local noon, 4 mins 33 sec behind Greenwich). Bit cloudy today though.
October 26, 2025 at 6:01 PM
On National Clock Confusion Day, a visit to the meridian line within the Bromley House Library in Nottingham. When the sun, shining through the small hole at upper left of the window, falls on the line, it is noon (local noon, 4 mins 33 sec behind Greenwich). Bit cloudy today though.
True. I went past there just yesterday.
October 23, 2025 at 9:08 PM
True. I went past there just yesterday.