Ruth Aylett
@ruthaylett.bsky.social
(she/her) Author, poet, socialist, feminist, Heriot-Watt emeritus professor with research in AI, social robotics/agents, affective computing
All views personal; likes/shares are not support
All views personal; likes/shares are not support
Pinned
Ruth Aylett
@ruthaylett.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Living with Robots : What Every Anxious Human Needs to Know
Living with Robots : What Every Anxious Human Needs to Know (Paperback / softback) (9780262546041)
tinyurl.com
Anyone keen to see beyond robot hype and understand how much of it is pure fiction, see our popular science book Living with Robots, what every anxious human needs to know. tinyurl.com/5y3552px
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
NHS private finance diverts money away from healthcare, towards the pockets of private shareholders.
Cat Eccles MP’s motion can force the government to drop their NHS private finance plans from the Autumn Budget.
✉️Take 2 mins now to email your MP to sign the motion and protect patients.
Cat Eccles MP’s motion can force the government to drop their NHS private finance plans from the Autumn Budget.
✉️Take 2 mins now to email your MP to sign the motion and protect patients.
November 20, 2025 at 5:43 PM
NHS private finance diverts money away from healthcare, towards the pockets of private shareholders.
Cat Eccles MP’s motion can force the government to drop their NHS private finance plans from the Autumn Budget.
✉️Take 2 mins now to email your MP to sign the motion and protect patients.
Cat Eccles MP’s motion can force the government to drop their NHS private finance plans from the Autumn Budget.
✉️Take 2 mins now to email your MP to sign the motion and protect patients.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
This is exactly what I said would happen when I analysed the NHS 10 year plan. Clever words are hiding the reality-people are agitating to pull as many services out of hospitals as possible. Why? Because it’s a lot easier to privatise services that way🚨
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
November 25, 2025 at 7:12 AM
This is exactly what I said would happen when I analysed the NHS 10 year plan. Clever words are hiding the reality-people are agitating to pull as many services out of hospitals as possible. Why? Because it’s a lot easier to privatise services that way🚨
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Trevor Philips is now a useful idiot for the far right.
They will love the fact that a black man with a real history of knowledge in the subject is endorsing them. He is their human shield against (very legitimate) charges of racism and contempt for the rule of law.
They will love the fact that a black man with a real history of knowledge in the subject is endorsing them. He is their human shield against (very legitimate) charges of racism and contempt for the rule of law.
Trevor Philips in the Times, calling for a Trump/Miller-style of random deportations based on skin colour.
archive.ph/RlXPj
archive.ph/RlXPj
November 25, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Trevor Philips is now a useful idiot for the far right.
They will love the fact that a black man with a real history of knowledge in the subject is endorsing them. He is their human shield against (very legitimate) charges of racism and contempt for the rule of law.
They will love the fact that a black man with a real history of knowledge in the subject is endorsing them. He is their human shield against (very legitimate) charges of racism and contempt for the rule of law.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
I genuinely find it astonishing that someone of colour could advocate the random picking of potential migrants to create a climate of fear among minoritised people.
I mean... how do you think thatll work for other black British people Trevor?
I mean... how do you think thatll work for other black British people Trevor?
Trevor Philips in the Times, calling for a Trump/Miller-style of random deportations based on skin colour.
archive.ph/RlXPj
archive.ph/RlXPj
November 24, 2025 at 10:58 PM
I genuinely find it astonishing that someone of colour could advocate the random picking of potential migrants to create a climate of fear among minoritised people.
I mean... how do you think thatll work for other black British people Trevor?
I mean... how do you think thatll work for other black British people Trevor?
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
@scottishpen.bsky.social @irishpen.bsky.social @englishpen.bsky.social @penmena.bsky.social @rickyballboy.bsky.social @ruthaylett.bsky.social
Omar El Akkad spoke after winning the 2025 National Book Award for nonfiction for “One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This,” his book on the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. He accepted the award at a gala in New York City this week.
November 24, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
My infantry Bn had a really hard time parsing the gender and sexuality issues of Southern Helmand.
When people say, "you wouldn't want a 'purple haired gender studies major' in the Marines" I reply "YES we desperately needed them!" We had teams of anthropologists who published studies for us.
When people say, "you wouldn't want a 'purple haired gender studies major' in the Marines" I reply "YES we desperately needed them!" We had teams of anthropologists who published studies for us.
November 24, 2025 at 11:24 AM
My infantry Bn had a really hard time parsing the gender and sexuality issues of Southern Helmand.
When people say, "you wouldn't want a 'purple haired gender studies major' in the Marines" I reply "YES we desperately needed them!" We had teams of anthropologists who published studies for us.
When people say, "you wouldn't want a 'purple haired gender studies major' in the Marines" I reply "YES we desperately needed them!" We had teams of anthropologists who published studies for us.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Wait a minute...you mean to tell me thousands of the most beautiful women on earth didn't all randomly decide to join Twitter in 2023?????
X rolled out a new feature overnight showing where accounts are based. This network of “Trump-supporting independent women” that claimed to be “real Americans” are based in Thailand.
The photos were stolen from European models & posts pushed pro-Trump lines while targeting Islam and LGBTQ people.
The photos were stolen from European models & posts pushed pro-Trump lines while targeting Islam and LGBTQ people.
November 23, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Wait a minute...you mean to tell me thousands of the most beautiful women on earth didn't all randomly decide to join Twitter in 2023?????
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
IDK who needs to hear this, but protesting outside a synagogue because it's a synagogue is absolutely wrong, but protesting outside a synagogue because it's hosting an info session about how U.S. Jews can buy real estate in Palestinian territories is absolutely fine and good.
November 23, 2025 at 7:18 PM
IDK who needs to hear this, but protesting outside a synagogue because it's a synagogue is absolutely wrong, but protesting outside a synagogue because it's hosting an info session about how U.S. Jews can buy real estate in Palestinian territories is absolutely fine and good.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Our politics are still defined by resentment & hatred of these people.
We still believe that they can be perpetually denied all the safety & comforts that we have always taken for granted.
We dehumanise ourselves & our society by treating their lives like they're worthless.
We still believe that they can be perpetually denied all the safety & comforts that we have always taken for granted.
We dehumanise ourselves & our society by treating their lives like they're worthless.
November 24, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Our politics are still defined by resentment & hatred of these people.
We still believe that they can be perpetually denied all the safety & comforts that we have always taken for granted.
We dehumanise ourselves & our society by treating their lives like they're worthless.
We still believe that they can be perpetually denied all the safety & comforts that we have always taken for granted.
We dehumanise ourselves & our society by treating their lives like they're worthless.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
"In her telling, racism and xenophobia seem not themselves objectively bad things that must be combatted, but a natural outcome that occurs when too many rights are given to immigrants and asylum seekers." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Shabana Mahmood is an avatar of open Britain – that’s what makes her fable about immigration so seductive | Nesrine Malik
‘She is the daughter of immigrants,’ supporters of her cruel asylum policies say. ‘How can she be wrong?’ Let me put them straight, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:18 AM
"In her telling, racism and xenophobia seem not themselves objectively bad things that must be combatted, but a natural outcome that occurs when too many rights are given to immigrants and asylum seekers." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
… to (you guessed it) win a government contract to deliver a massive project for the NHS. I’m writing about this today, and the red flags are definitely waving 🚨🚨🚨
Sign up here: jujuliagrace.substack.com
Sign up here: jujuliagrace.substack.com
Call To Action | Dr Julia Grace Patterson💙 | Substack
I'm very concerned about what politicians are doing to the NHS, so I decided to write about it, along with other bits and bobs. I'll cut through the noise and deliver the important information you nee...
jujuliagrace.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:13 AM
… to (you guessed it) win a government contract to deliver a massive project for the NHS. I’m writing about this today, and the red flags are definitely waving 🚨🚨🚨
Sign up here: jujuliagrace.substack.com
Sign up here: jujuliagrace.substack.com
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
I have never seen a more embarrassing damage control in 24 hours.
1. Witkoff is an idiot and got used.
2. The Admin is completely out of the loop on what their little failsons are doing around the world.
3. They are tired of a war they aren't fighting.
What a clusterfuck
1. Witkoff is an idiot and got used.
2. The Admin is completely out of the loop on what their little failsons are doing around the world.
3. They are tired of a war they aren't fighting.
What a clusterfuck
what is going on
November 23, 2025 at 2:06 AM
I have never seen a more embarrassing damage control in 24 hours.
1. Witkoff is an idiot and got used.
2. The Admin is completely out of the loop on what their little failsons are doing around the world.
3. They are tired of a war they aren't fighting.
What a clusterfuck
1. Witkoff is an idiot and got used.
2. The Admin is completely out of the loop on what their little failsons are doing around the world.
3. They are tired of a war they aren't fighting.
What a clusterfuck
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Israel kills over 300 Palestinians in nearly 500 violations of Gaza ceasefire - https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-killed-over-300-palestinians-nearly-500-violations-gaza-ceasefire
Israel kills over 300 Palestinians in nearly 500 violations of Gaza ceasefire
Palestinian authorities in Gaza say violations have been ‘systematic’ and threaten ‘prospects for stability’
www.middleeasteye.net
November 23, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Israel kills over 300 Palestinians in nearly 500 violations of Gaza ceasefire - https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-killed-over-300-palestinians-nearly-500-violations-gaza-ceasefire
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
This is a private prosecution in Spain - does anyone know if extradition requests can still be issued in such cases?
Ryan Bridge - the driving force behind the 'Raise the Flags' campaign of a few months ago - is wanted by Spain, in connection with a holiday compensation fraud
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
Flag campaign chief praised by Tommy Robinson facing jail over ‘holiday scam’
Ryan Bridge, ringleader of the Raise the Colours movement heralded by ex-EDL leader Tommy Robinson, is being pursued for an eight-year sentence in Spain
www.mirror.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 12:15 PM
This is a private prosecution in Spain - does anyone know if extradition requests can still be issued in such cases?
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
If you are U.K. based and angered by Shabana Mahmood's latest efforts to make migrants lives even more difficult (and I know some of you will be), please do take the time to submit a response to the Home Office consultation.
Dan's advice below is excellent as a guide on how to respond.
Dan's advice below is excellent as a guide on how to respond.
I am currently, because I know how to enjoy a Saturday morning, writing some guidance for people on filling this consultation in. As I do several things are highly apparent. Before I go through them though I don't want this to put people off of filling it in. It is important to do so nonetheless. 1/
Government has today published its consultation into "earned settlement", the forward alone contains a hot mess of misrepresentation of the current system by the Home Secretary. I would strongly urge anyone affected by the current system to respond.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691edd...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691edd...
November 22, 2025 at 9:03 AM
If you are U.K. based and angered by Shabana Mahmood's latest efforts to make migrants lives even more difficult (and I know some of you will be), please do take the time to submit a response to the Home Office consultation.
Dan's advice below is excellent as a guide on how to respond.
Dan's advice below is excellent as a guide on how to respond.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
If the system worked properly and fairly, this man would have been recognised years ago, been able to bring his family here and be a British citizen. Instead, he now faces being caught up in the Home Secretary's plans to switch refugees into what seems to be a minimum 20 year route to settlement.
November 23, 2025 at 9:08 AM
If the system worked properly and fairly, this man would have been recognised years ago, been able to bring his family here and be a British citizen. Instead, he now faces being caught up in the Home Secretary's plans to switch refugees into what seems to be a minimum 20 year route to settlement.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
‘If asylum is framed as illegality, and settlement is reshaped into a privilege that must be endlessly earned, then our understanding of equal membership – the idea that those lawfully in the UK should enjoy stability and a clear path to full inclusion – is fundamentally altered.’
Asylum is not "illegal migration"
Let's start from here theconversation.com/asylum-is-no...
Let's start from here theconversation.com/asylum-is-no...
Asylum is not illegal migration – why the UK government shouldn’t conflate the two
The new proposals transform settlement into something that must be continually earned. The path has become longer, more conditional and far more easily disrupted.
theconversation.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:47 AM
‘If asylum is framed as illegality, and settlement is reshaped into a privilege that must be endlessly earned, then our understanding of equal membership – the idea that those lawfully in the UK should enjoy stability and a clear path to full inclusion – is fundamentally altered.’
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Mediocre white men with money dividing up territory like olden times. How nice.
November 23, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Mediocre white men with money dividing up territory like olden times. How nice.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Reuters has confirmed that President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and his special envoy Steve Witkoff held a private meeting in Miami with a sanctioned Kremlin proxy to help shape the new "peace plan" for Ukraine. www.reuters.com/world/europe...
www.reuters.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Reuters has confirmed that President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and his special envoy Steve Witkoff held a private meeting in Miami with a sanctioned Kremlin proxy to help shape the new "peace plan" for Ukraine. www.reuters.com/world/europe...
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
I mean it's not complicated. Twenty people who were there have confirmed that Nigel Farage said all of these things.
He's the only one denying it, which means just one thing. He is a liar
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
He's the only one denying it, which means just one thing. He is a liar
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Twenty people allege he has a racist past. He denies it. Who’s telling the truth about Farage’s schooldays?
Reform UK’s leader refuses to answer questions about his abusive behaviour, claiming there’s ‘no evidence’. We talk to victims and witnesses
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:53 AM
I mean it's not complicated. Twenty people who were there have confirmed that Nigel Farage said all of these things.
He's the only one denying it, which means just one thing. He is a liar
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
He's the only one denying it, which means just one thing. He is a liar
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
What exactly happened to Starmer's conference line about fighting racism with everything they have. That is incompatible with this government's stated policies of pandering to racism and giving in to it. All Labour are doing right now is emboldening racism rather than countering it.
The Home Secretary explaining that the rise in racist violence is, actually, the natural response to higher levels of immigration is a state of affairs that can't exist without the government having largely decided that racist violence is, if not legitimate, at least understandable.
November 22, 2025 at 11:12 AM
What exactly happened to Starmer's conference line about fighting racism with everything they have. That is incompatible with this government's stated policies of pandering to racism and giving in to it. All Labour are doing right now is emboldening racism rather than countering it.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
You can do the latter calculation for your institution by examining the accounts and pulling out "staff costs", "income" and "expenditure" headings and plotting the graph.
I did it for the sector using #HESA data in 5 minutes.
ucusolidaritymovement.org/2025/10/25/h...
I did it for the sector using #HESA data in 5 minutes.
ucusolidaritymovement.org/2025/10/25/h...
HE Ballot 2025
UCU began a formal industrial action ballot of members across the UK on Monday 20 October for 6 weeks. UCU is calling for: a pay uplift that is at least RPI + 3.5% or £2,500, whichever is the high…
ucusolidaritymovement.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:09 PM
You can do the latter calculation for your institution by examining the accounts and pulling out "staff costs", "income" and "expenditure" headings and plotting the graph.
I did it for the sector using #HESA data in 5 minutes.
ucusolidaritymovement.org/2025/10/25/h...
I did it for the sector using #HESA data in 5 minutes.
ucusolidaritymovement.org/2025/10/25/h...
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
"This is off the scale sexism and misogyny.", and racism as well. And they know it. To them it's not a bug, it's a feature.
November 20, 2025 at 9:49 AM
"This is off the scale sexism and misogyny.", and racism as well. And they know it. To them it's not a bug, it's a feature.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
The EHRC want to exclude women from femal single-sex spaces based on how "female" they look.
This is off the scale sexism and misogyny.
Millions of women will face harassment as result of this insanity.
This is off the scale sexism and misogyny.
Millions of women will face harassment as result of this insanity.
November 20, 2025 at 9:47 AM
The EHRC want to exclude women from femal single-sex spaces based on how "female" they look.
This is off the scale sexism and misogyny.
Millions of women will face harassment as result of this insanity.
This is off the scale sexism and misogyny.
Millions of women will face harassment as result of this insanity.