Stephen Cobb
@scobb.net
I research tech risk, cybercrime, AI, ethics. MSc CISSP He/him Partner of amazing Chey. Carer. NHS volunteer. Coventrian. UK/US citizen #FBPE. Sick of male supremacy, Trump, Tories, Broligarchy. Yes to hope, love, cats Profile=Me+Lola linktr.ee/StephenCobb
Drone Irony! Just as I decide to take up drone photography, the heart of my historic city is declared off limits. Why? Because some officially-approved entity is flying a drone in the area. This restriction started before Christmas and has been extended all through January, per this NOTAM (see ALT).
![Screenshot of a NOTAM for Coventry in the UK as shown in Chrome by The Drone Map. NOTAM originally stood for Notice to Airmen, but is increasingly referred to as Notice to Air Missions. It is an essential aviation alert for time-sensitive info on hazards. In this case the hazard is a professional service flying a drone in Coventry, causing a three-mile diameter circle of restriction. This has to be approved by the Civil Aviation Authority and so is likely to be civic or industrial entity blocking this out - for over a month now.
TEMPO DANGER AREA (TDA) EGD298B
INSTALLED
Flight Restriction
VERTICAL LIMITS
Surface to 900 FT AGL
ACTIVATION
Active until 19 days, 10 hours
From: Mon 12 Jan 2026 07:00 UTC
To: Sat 31 Jan 2026 23:00 UTC
DETAILS
ID: EGGN/J40/26
Radius: 2 NM
FULL TEXT
TEMPO DANGER AREA (TDA) EGD298B
INSTALLED WI 1.35NM RADIUS OF 522429N 0013037W (COVENTRY). BEYOND VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT UAS OPS [remote drone operations] CONTAINED WHOLLY WI THE TDA. MAX HGT 400FT AGL. EMERG SERVICES ACFT MAY ENTER THE AIRSPACE IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL DECONFLICTION AGREEMENTS. FOR INFO CTC AROPS(AT) CAA. CO.UK. AR-2025-
9475/03.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ppxgjgkw7unkk7eu27lhhzlt/bafkreieo3hhzimyxard43mzcn2hunhw7qe4oogeju774o622lytgy46dem@jpeg)
January 12, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Drone Irony! Just as I decide to take up drone photography, the heart of my historic city is declared off limits. Why? Because some officially-approved entity is flying a drone in the area. This restriction started before Christmas and has been extended all through January, per this NOTAM (see ALT).
A relatively recent New Year tradition for me is to review my photos from the previous year and share a dozen or so of the better ones on Unsplash. Since 2020, my photos have been downloaded over 12,000 times: unsplash.com/@chuffed
January 11, 2026 at 3:32 PM
A relatively recent New Year tradition for me is to review my photos from the previous year and share a dozen or so of the better ones on Unsplash. Since 2020, my photos have been downloaded over 12,000 times: unsplash.com/@chuffed
Little known philosophy fact: the 17th century French thinker, René Descartes, had a dog called Mister Scratch who would sit under the table and contradict Descartes, quite wisely some might say. #Philosophy #Phenomenology #NeuroPhenomenology
January 10, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Little known philosophy fact: the 17th century French thinker, René Descartes, had a dog called Mister Scratch who would sit under the table and contradict Descartes, quite wisely some might say. #Philosophy #Phenomenology #NeuroPhenomenology
Speaking of Christmas trees. The cute little specimen on the left only took 11 years to turn into the towering beauty on the right. (According to Google Street View.)
January 10, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Speaking of Christmas trees. The cute little specimen on the left only took 11 years to turn into the towering beauty on the right. (According to Google Street View.)
Oh yes, when Cobbs hobby, they hobby in depth. My drone is properly registered and labelled. I have my CAA Remote Pilot ID. And I monitor NOTAMs. Rather ironically, there was a NOTAM in place for the middle of Coventry over Christmas and New Year due to ... commercial drone operations :-)
January 8, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Oh yes, when Cobbs hobby, they hobby in depth. My drone is properly registered and labelled. I have my CAA Remote Pilot ID. And I monitor NOTAMs. Rather ironically, there was a NOTAM in place for the middle of Coventry over Christmas and New Year due to ... commercial drone operations :-)
Today, I salute the loving friends & family who in 2025 told me I should get a hobby: "Something to help you worry less about the sad state of human affairs." So at Christmas I got a camera drone and I swear exploring this piece of kit is helping me cope. Here's the first 58 seconds, with #Gratitude
January 8, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Today, I salute the loving friends & family who in 2025 told me I should get a hobby: "Something to help you worry less about the sad state of human affairs." So at Christmas I got a camera drone and I swear exploring this piece of kit is helping me cope. Here's the first 58 seconds, with #Gratitude
Take care out there, blue sky people! The world is in a bit of a mess right now. Here’s hoping you have someone who can make you smile today.
January 8, 2026 at 11:28 AM
Take care out there, blue sky people! The world is in a bit of a mess right now. Here’s hoping you have someone who can make you smile today.
America's finest, big strong men with guns and armour faithfully enforcing the mindless edicts of Mad King Trump and his fawning acolytes, proudly bringing fear and loathing to a Minneapolis neighborhood. Plan your 2026 US vacation now, before everywhere in America looks like this all the time.
January 7, 2026 at 5:44 PM
America's finest, big strong men with guns and armour faithfully enforcing the mindless edicts of Mad King Trump and his fawning acolytes, proudly bringing fear and loathing to a Minneapolis neighborhood. Plan your 2026 US vacation now, before everywhere in America looks like this all the time.
Forget my some fascinated with orchids. This one appears to be doing quite well on a cold English windowsill. Serms to be waiting for a meal.
January 7, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Forget my some fascinated with orchids. This one appears to be doing quite well on a cold English windowsill. Serms to be waiting for a meal.
Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday blue sky people! One of the wonderful things about Willow trees is that they can look beautiful in winter as well as the other seasons. (Unedited iPhone photo.) #Trees #Photography
January 7, 2026 at 10:50 AM
Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday blue sky people! One of the wonderful things about Willow trees is that they can look beautiful in winter as well as the other seasons. (Unedited iPhone photo.) #Trees #Photography
A sign of the times? In 2026 expect the Sunday joint to come with a Radio Frequency (RF) EAS security label.
(On a personal note, I’ve decided 2026 is the year I perfect my roasting of beef.)
(On a personal note, I’ve decided 2026 is the year I perfect my roasting of beef.)
January 4, 2026 at 11:55 AM
A sign of the times? In 2026 expect the Sunday joint to come with a Radio Frequency (RF) EAS security label.
(On a personal note, I’ve decided 2026 is the year I perfect my roasting of beef.)
(On a personal note, I’ve decided 2026 is the year I perfect my roasting of beef.)
Happy Sunday blue sky people! May you have a peaceful and restorative day.
Here’s Lola and I working on a new blog post, ever grateful that we have the time and resources to do so. #Gratitude
Here’s Lola and I working on a new blog post, ever grateful that we have the time and resources to do so. #Gratitude
January 4, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Happy Sunday blue sky people! May you have a peaceful and restorative day.
Here’s Lola and I working on a new blog post, ever grateful that we have the time and resources to do so. #Gratitude
Here’s Lola and I working on a new blog post, ever grateful that we have the time and resources to do so. #Gratitude
This orchid, a Christmas gift from neighbors a few years ago, has done very well on our bathroom window sill.
That's it, that's the post. It just felt like the timeline needed a dash of natural beauty.
That's it, that's the post. It just felt like the timeline needed a dash of natural beauty.
January 3, 2026 at 10:59 PM
This orchid, a Christmas gift from neighbors a few years ago, has done very well on our bathroom window sill.
That's it, that's the post. It just felt like the timeline needed a dash of natural beauty.
That's it, that's the post. It just felt like the timeline needed a dash of natural beauty.
Happy #Caturday blue sky people! Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year, from snow speckled England to the whole wide world. FYI, Lola has resolved to continue her vigil, ready to challenge any creatures that dare to try coming over the fence.
January 3, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Happy #Caturday blue sky people! Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year, from snow speckled England to the whole wide world. FYI, Lola has resolved to continue her vigil, ready to challenge any creatures that dare to try coming over the fence.
So much crushing irony here. First of all, Trump is so stupid and incompetent that he thinks a cognitive test is designed to measure stupidity and incompetence. And "acing" a cognitive test is not a thing, and definitely NOT a measure of intelligence. (IMO Trump is not as "High IQ" as he claims.)
January 3, 2026 at 10:17 AM
So much crushing irony here. First of all, Trump is so stupid and incompetent that he thinks a cognitive test is designed to measure stupidity and incompetence. And "acing" a cognitive test is not a thing, and definitely NOT a measure of intelligence. (IMO Trump is not as "High IQ" as he claims.)
Most apt quotes of 2025? For me, it's probably Rua Williams definition of Luddite as conscientious objection to "top-down dictatorial automation of human thought and skill as a capitalist ploy for the devaluation of labor and therefore the devaluation of laborers and human life in general." #Luddite
January 1, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Most apt quotes of 2025? For me, it's probably Rua Williams definition of Luddite as conscientious objection to "top-down dictatorial automation of human thought and skill as a capitalist ploy for the devaluation of labor and therefore the devaluation of laborers and human life in general." #Luddite
And of course, we can’t forget the traditional tipping of the cap to the New Year … he said making up yet another excuse for posting a selfie on social media 😃
January 1, 2026 at 12:59 PM
And of course, we can’t forget the traditional tipping of the cap to the New Year … he said making up yet another excuse for posting a selfie on social media 😃
January 1, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Happy New Year blue sky people! May 2026 bring joy and happiness to us all. Or at least be way less distressing and disappointing than 2025.
December 31, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Happy New Year blue sky people! May 2026 bring joy and happiness to us all. Or at least be way less distressing and disappointing than 2025.
Claiming credit for fighting crime by deploying the military on city streets is a dubious strategy at best. Doing so with complete disregard for actual crime metrics is a scam. But what do I know? I've only got a masters in security and risk management from a respected School of Criminology.
December 31, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Claiming credit for fighting crime by deploying the military on city streets is a dubious strategy at best. Doing so with complete disregard for actual crime metrics is a scam. But what do I know? I've only got a masters in security and risk management from a respected School of Criminology.
Feeling waves of gratitude this New Year’s Eve, and not just because the sun came out! I’m also grateful that I am still fit enough to run outside in the freezing cold and move our trusty automobile into the warming beams of said sun. #Gratitude
December 31, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Feeling waves of gratitude this New Year’s Eve, and not just because the sun came out! I’m also grateful that I am still fit enough to run outside in the freezing cold and move our trusty automobile into the warming beams of said sun. #Gratitude
Lola: “What are you pointing at?”
December 28, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Lola: “What are you pointing at?”
Here is an unreal video of Lola. Nobody filmed this. Lola did not do this in real life. This is a moving picture made by a machine "imagining what Lola did" based on a single photo of her. #AI
December 27, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Here is an unreal video of Lola. Nobody filmed this. Lola did not do this in real life. This is a moving picture made by a machine "imagining what Lola did" based on a single photo of her. #AI
How about AI #Caturday? Lola has been exploring the way AI can alter reality. Here is a real photo of her sitting on her platform. See the first reply for what happens next.
December 27, 2025 at 3:36 PM
How about AI #Caturday? Lola has been exploring the way AI can alter reality. Here is a real photo of her sitting on her platform. See the first reply for what happens next.