Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 2h

I am finding I enjoy saying "I've no idea" or "I don't know, I've not read enough about it". I cram a lot into my head for work purposes but there's never going to be a point where I know a lot about most things...

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 3h

And almost no-one is now eligible for a jab, yet many are for flu jabs. Covid is not safer to contract than flu; this discrepancy is frustrating. Private jabs exist, if you have vulnerable people in your life and £80-£100 spare, consider getting one.

Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 3h

After a long pause, I've just done another England Covid & NHS update as we head into the autumn/winter season.

TLDR: we're in a significant Covid wave now, the NHS is stretched, get boosted if you're eligible.

christinapagel.substack.com/p/england-is...

England is now experiencing a significant Covid wave, after 10 months of relative quiet

The latest Covid situation in England and a look at where NHS services are as we head into winter

christinapagel.substack.com

Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 3h

If you have vulnerable people in your life, I'd say definitely. If you can/do work from home if you're ill, perhaps - as while it might be a mild dose, it might not be; I have a couple of friends still struggling with long Covid several years after catching it. It's infuriatingly expensive, but...

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 3h

When he's reading Jane Austen in public that will be peak performative male 😂

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 5h

I did only say "might" ...

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 5h

If she'd been an Independent since leaving the SNP she might have gained some respect. I'm rather hoping her constituents show her what defection earns you...

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 7h

The insanity is infuriating

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 8h

😍

Reposted by Louise Fairbairn

Anne Cater @annerandomthings.bsky.social · 8h

The Siege by John Sutherland #TheSiege @johnsutherland.bsky.social #BookReview

randomthingsthroughmyletterbox.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-...

The Siege by John Sutherland #TheSiege @policecommander @orionbooks @johnsutherland.bsky.social #BookReview

Nine hostages. Ten hours. One chance to save them all. Lee James Connor has found his purpose in life: to follow the teachings of far-righ...

randomthingsthroughmyletterbox.blogspot.com

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 8h

The emperor's new clothes, except it's millions of people not just one child who can see the truth. 🤬

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 8h

The Scottish parliament election next May will be worth a close watch. On the one hand, R isn't as popular as it is south of the border; on the other the proportional representation element could see the party win list seats. Seeing how they act as MSPs could help change minds.

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 8h

And yet at the same time entirely unsurprising, considering how much people are being forcefed the idea AI is intelligent despite the fact it's very much not...

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 21h

Bravo

Juno Rylee Schultz @junoryleejournalism.com · 1d

David Simon, creator of ‘The Wire’, being interviewed by Ari Shapiro (NPR)

SHAPIRO: OK, so you've spent your career creating television without Al, and I could imagine today you thinking, boy, I wish I had had that tool to solve those thorny problems...
SIMON: What?
SHAPIRO: ...Or saying...
SIMON: You imagine that?
SHAPIRO: ...Boy, if that had existed, it would have screwed me over.
SIMON: I don't think Al can remotely challenge what writers do at a fundamentally creative level.
SHAPIRO: But if you're trying to transition from scene five to scene six, and you're stuck with that transition, you could imagine plugging that portion of the script into an Al and say, give me 10 ideas for how to transition this.
SIMON: I'd rather put a gun in my mouth.

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 1d

Oh dear!

Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 1d

A new review, should you be interested in such things - click through for the blog link

#BookSky 📚💙

crimebookgirl @crimebookgirl.bsky.social · 1d

New review! A belated set of thoughts on Past Lying by @valmcdermid.bsky.social (thx @laurasherlock21.bsky.social) - "Past Lying is richly textured, stylishly plotted and a masterclass in balance" #BookSky

Review: Past Lying

Val McDermid - Past Lying Published by Sphere (Little, Brown), hardback £22, paperback £9.99, also available in ebook and audiobook. I received a proof copy of the novel from the publisher for review purposes. Many thanks to Laura Sherlock for facilitating this. First, the official blurb: Edinburgh, haunted by the ghosts of its many writers, is also the cold case beat of DCI Karen Pirie.

crimebookgirl.com

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 1d

@scotlandchris1.bsky.social @portybelle.bsky.social that was fun, and just challenging enough. No boards, ofc, but a wee perfect accuracy on the express.

I played squaredle.com 10/09:
59/59 words (+9 bonus words)
🎯 In the top 18% by accuracy
🔥 Solve streak: 8

Squaredle

Squaredle is a daily word building game. Swipe letters in the grid to test your vocabulary every day and rise to the top of the leaderboards!

squaredle.com

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 1d

Every little helps 😁

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 1d

I keep urging people to read it as I need to talk about it without fear of giving spoilers!

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 1d

It's the most fabulous place, isn't it - I visited with my parents years ago and we loved it.

Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 1d

I'm not one for poetry tbh, but from the first time I read the first lines of Digging I was one for Heaney. Might be a Xmas gift to myself...

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 1d

The Poems of Seamus Heaney review – collected works reveal his colossal achievement

The complete works, including previously unpublished poems and expert notes, are brought together in one volume for the first time

www.theguardian.com

Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 1d

Get your eyeballs on this one, you'll not regret it (please note, most definitely for adults only 😂)

Lesley McDowell @lesleymcdowell.bsky.social · 1d

My story of a shocking real-life Victorian woman accused of murder is on special offer on Kindle for the whole of October! 'Enthralling' The Scotsman 'Gripping...memorably disturbing' The Herald

Green and black book cover with title Love and Other Poisons

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Reposted by Louise Fairbairn

Hallie Rubenhold @hallierubenhold.bsky.social · 1d

I can’t tell you how excited I am to be at #Clivedenlitfest2025 this weekend and in conversation with Ian Rankin and Anthony Horowitz. Please join us!

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 1d

Changing Sunday trading hours wouldn't hurt while they're at it

Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 2d

Oh, perfectly put 👇

Keith W. Dickinson @keithwdickinson.bsky.social · 2d

Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.

The Verge @theverge.com · May 26

Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry

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Louise Fairbairn @scarletrix.bsky.social · 2d

I've got a box of pins if that would help things along...

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