smudge
@smudgethirteen.bsky.social
food markets, popups, IT / security consultancy and business concierge services
Reposted by smudge
“Over a three‑year period, across 382 public authorities in England - including local councils, NHS trusts and domestic abuse refuges - only four formal complaints were recorded regarding trans women using facilities such as toilets, hospital wards or shelters.”
Transphobic panics are manufactured.
Transphobic panics are manufactured.
New data shows only four complaints about trans women in single‑sex spaces
A major Freedom of Information investigation by advocacy group TransLucent has revealed that concerns about trans women in single‑sex spaces are vastly overstated. Over a three‑year period, across 382...
www.scenemag.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM
“Over a three‑year period, across 382 public authorities in England - including local councils, NHS trusts and domestic abuse refuges - only four formal complaints were recorded regarding trans women using facilities such as toilets, hospital wards or shelters.”
Transphobic panics are manufactured.
Transphobic panics are manufactured.
Reposted by smudge
So, today marks 10 years since the passing of Bowie.
It also marks 10 years since I put something on Twitter about it which resulted in me having to take a day off work, chase down various international media, get blocked by half of Australia, and end up the filling in a Kanye and Madonna sandwich.
It also marks 10 years since I put something on Twitter about it which resulted in me having to take a day off work, chase down various international media, get blocked by half of Australia, and end up the filling in a Kanye and Madonna sandwich.
January 10, 2026 at 10:11 AM
So, today marks 10 years since the passing of Bowie.
It also marks 10 years since I put something on Twitter about it which resulted in me having to take a day off work, chase down various international media, get blocked by half of Australia, and end up the filling in a Kanye and Madonna sandwich.
It also marks 10 years since I put something on Twitter about it which resulted in me having to take a day off work, chase down various international media, get blocked by half of Australia, and end up the filling in a Kanye and Madonna sandwich.
If you need help deciding to cancel your amazon account, maybe this will help:
“Amazon provides ICE with the digital backbone for its data and surveillance operations through Amazon Web Services.”
From www.thenation.com/article/acti...
“Amazon provides ICE with the digital backbone for its data and surveillance operations through Amazon Web Services.”
From www.thenation.com/article/acti...
Want to Stop ICE? Go After Its Corporate Collaborators.
ICE can’t function without help from the private sector. So we should force the private sector to stop helping.
www.thenation.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:06 AM
If you need help deciding to cancel your amazon account, maybe this will help:
“Amazon provides ICE with the digital backbone for its data and surveillance operations through Amazon Web Services.”
From www.thenation.com/article/acti...
“Amazon provides ICE with the digital backbone for its data and surveillance operations through Amazon Web Services.”
From www.thenation.com/article/acti...
Reposted by smudge
ICE relies on companies to help carry out its thuggery — we need to go after these private sector collaborators
Here are our suggestions for corporate targets and campaign tactics
www.thenation.com/article/acti...
Here are our suggestions for corporate targets and campaign tactics
www.thenation.com/article/acti...
Want to Stop ICE? Go After Its Corporate Collaborators
ICE can’t function without help from the private sector. So we should force the private sector to stop helping.
www.thenation.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:37 PM
ICE relies on companies to help carry out its thuggery — we need to go after these private sector collaborators
Here are our suggestions for corporate targets and campaign tactics
www.thenation.com/article/acti...
Here are our suggestions for corporate targets and campaign tactics
www.thenation.com/article/acti...
Reposted by smudge
We've removed the paywall from this guide so everyone can access it. 👇 Stay safe.
Just days into 2026, the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has sparked protests around the US.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
How to Protest Safely in the Age of Surveillance
Law enforcement has more tools than ever to track your movements and access your communications. Here’s how to protect your privacy if you plan to protest.
www.wired.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:35 PM
We've removed the paywall from this guide so everyone can access it. 👇 Stay safe.
Reposted by smudge
A fascinating thread, worth taking the 5-10 minutes.
A very long and important THREAD -
The real reason the US is invading Venezuela goes back to a deal Henry Kissinger made with Saudi Arabia in 1974.
And I'm going to explain why this is actually about the SURVIVAL of the US dollar itself.
Not drugs. Not terrorism. Not "democracy." 1/
The real reason the US is invading Venezuela goes back to a deal Henry Kissinger made with Saudi Arabia in 1974.
And I'm going to explain why this is actually about the SURVIVAL of the US dollar itself.
Not drugs. Not terrorism. Not "democracy." 1/
January 4, 2026 at 11:18 AM
A fascinating thread, worth taking the 5-10 minutes.
Reposted by smudge
This is harrowing. But please do read it. We owe more to people like Seána than can be expressed. And there were so many of them.
It’s been 6 yrs since my sister rang me about the respiratory illness that she and her colleagues in respiratory medicine, were terrified of. That’s the last time I knew that version of her, the next 18 months traumatised her forever. I know the world had to move on, but its hard to see the erasure
December 31, 2025 at 4:27 PM
This is harrowing. But please do read it. We owe more to people like Seána than can be expressed. And there were so many of them.
Reposted by smudge
In 2024, sewage was pumped into Britain's rivers for a record 3.6 million hours, making it one of the most popular outdoor activities in the UK.
In 2025, AI became pervasive in American life and the economy, with ChatGPT surging in adoption much faster than any other major technology in memory. @nytopinion.nytimes.com
December 30, 2025 at 11:47 AM
In 2024, sewage was pumped into Britain's rivers for a record 3.6 million hours, making it one of the most popular outdoor activities in the UK.
Apologies for IG crossposting, this is worth it though www.instagram.com/reel/DR_s2C_...
Wiebke Rauers on Instagram: "Hi friends,
check out the Christmas Tv spot from @intermarche .
I feel so honored to get to work with all these talented people from @illogicstudios ,
thanks for having m...
4,309 likes, 297 comments - wiebkerauers on December 8, 2025: "Hi friends,
check out the Christmas Tv spot from @intermarche .
I feel so honored to get to work with all these talented people from @il...
www.instagram.com
December 20, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Apologies for IG crossposting, this is worth it though www.instagram.com/reel/DR_s2C_...
Reposted by smudge
Absolutely nobody asked for this BUT
English Anglican cathedrals that have burned down, fallen over, and sank into the swamp: a thread.
English Anglican cathedrals that have burned down, fallen over, and sank into the swamp: a thread.
December 18, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Absolutely nobody asked for this BUT
English Anglican cathedrals that have burned down, fallen over, and sank into the swamp: a thread.
English Anglican cathedrals that have burned down, fallen over, and sank into the swamp: a thread.
Reposted by smudge
Starmer responding to months of people asking 'why are the government still on X when it supports Nazis?' by starting a Substack suggests he might actually be doing a bit
December 7, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Starmer responding to months of people asking 'why are the government still on X when it supports Nazis?' by starting a Substack suggests he might actually be doing a bit
Reposted by smudge
Wow - this guy must be really, REALLY bad with money if an extra £208 per month will “ruin” his retirement.
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
November 29, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Wow - this guy must be really, REALLY bad with money if an extra £208 per month will “ruin” his retirement.
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
Let’s take a look at his situation based on what he told the @Telegraph
Because this does NOT add up!
No, this is not a “poor pensioner” scrabbling around for pennies…
🧵1/9
Reposted by smudge
Best Christmas ad yet! Knocks John Lewis into a cocked hat.
November 25, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Best Christmas ad yet! Knocks John Lewis into a cocked hat.
Reposted by smudge
This UK rainfall map is great.
Don’t live anywhere pointy, though.
Don’t live anywhere pointy, though.
November 24, 2025 at 6:38 PM
This UK rainfall map is great.
Don’t live anywhere pointy, though.
Don’t live anywhere pointy, though.
Reposted by smudge
How to help wild birds survive in winter:
🌻 provide food: seeds, suet and peanuts
🌳 grow berry-producing trees and shrubs
❄️ offer fresh water when natural water sources are frozen
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/fee...
🌻 provide food: seeds, suet and peanuts
🌳 grow berry-producing trees and shrubs
❄️ offer fresh water when natural water sources are frozen
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/fee...
November 19, 2025 at 8:01 AM
How to help wild birds survive in winter:
🌻 provide food: seeds, suet and peanuts
🌳 grow berry-producing trees and shrubs
❄️ offer fresh water when natural water sources are frozen
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/fee...
🌻 provide food: seeds, suet and peanuts
🌳 grow berry-producing trees and shrubs
❄️ offer fresh water when natural water sources are frozen
More: littlegreenspace.org.uk/features/fee...
Reposted by smudge
Thread 🧵
Personal note: London has been home for a very, very long time, but as of today, I am also officially a Brit - that is to say, a British citizen. I feel relieved and I feel grateful - but not, perhaps, in the forelock-tugging way GB News/Starmer expect a new immigrant to be.
November 12, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Thread 🧵
Reposted by smudge
Spotify is crashing HARD because of the boycott. Their stock dropped 11% in value over the last month. Let’s keep this going!
Tell everyone you know to boycott Spotify. There are plenty of alternatives that don’t run ICE advertisements and screw over artists.
We made it easy at boycottspotify.com.
Tell everyone you know to boycott Spotify. There are plenty of alternatives that don’t run ICE advertisements and screw over artists.
We made it easy at boycottspotify.com.
November 7, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Spotify is crashing HARD because of the boycott. Their stock dropped 11% in value over the last month. Let’s keep this going!
Tell everyone you know to boycott Spotify. There are plenty of alternatives that don’t run ICE advertisements and screw over artists.
We made it easy at boycottspotify.com.
Tell everyone you know to boycott Spotify. There are plenty of alternatives that don’t run ICE advertisements and screw over artists.
We made it easy at boycottspotify.com.
Reposted by smudge
If you aren't seeing skeets from some of your fave people, they might have been labeled "Rude" by bsky mods. Idk what they are thinking, I don't need a mommy to tell me who to be buddies with. Anyway, go into Settings > moderation > bluesky moderation (advanced) and turn Rude off.
November 5, 2025 at 7:10 AM
If you aren't seeing skeets from some of your fave people, they might have been labeled "Rude" by bsky mods. Idk what they are thinking, I don't need a mommy to tell me who to be buddies with. Anyway, go into Settings > moderation > bluesky moderation (advanced) and turn Rude off.
Reposted by smudge
Extrenely useful labeller ive has access to for a few days. Strong recommend. bsky.app/profile/stec...
bsky.app
November 6, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Extrenely useful labeller ive has access to for a few days. Strong recommend. bsky.app/profile/stec...
Reposted by smudge
I love this.
If you live anywhere in the dark blue areas, you are closer to outer space (defined by the Kármán line) than you are to the nearest seashore. 🧪
If you live anywhere in the dark blue areas, you are closer to outer space (defined by the Kármán line) than you are to the nearest seashore. 🧪
Space is a lot closer than most people realise
by u/Many-Excitement3246
by u/Many-Excitement3246
October 29, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I love this.
If you live anywhere in the dark blue areas, you are closer to outer space (defined by the Kármán line) than you are to the nearest seashore. 🧪
If you live anywhere in the dark blue areas, you are closer to outer space (defined by the Kármán line) than you are to the nearest seashore. 🧪
Reposted by smudge
The main achievement of the tech industry has been increasing the flow of money from people who make or do things to people who already have more money than they could spend in a hundred lifetimes
“Average musician makes $12 a month on Spotify. The fact that they are not even able to sell a record and it’s taken from them by rich motherfuckers on streaming platforms who get paid royally by record labels,Ticketmaster, merch companies. They’re all fucking getting paid, except for the musician.”
Garbage’s Shirley Manson Speaks Out Against Music Industry Economics: “This Is An Alarm Call”
Just before they kicked off their current run of dates, the ’90s alt-rock greats Garbage announced that it would be their final North American headline tour. When the band played at Denver’s Mission B...
www.stereogum.com
October 19, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The main achievement of the tech industry has been increasing the flow of money from people who make or do things to people who already have more money than they could spend in a hundred lifetimes
Reposted by smudge
Should add really that if you're a smol newsletter bean who would dearly love to NOT be on Substack, then I will happily roll (and manage) a Ghost install for you for cost + a small maintenance fee.
I'll talk you through setting up your own mailgun and stripe. Do that and you keep ALL your revenue.
I'll talk you through setting up your own mailgun and stripe. Do that and you keep ALL your revenue.
Okay, Ghost V6 integrated with Tinybird for analytics is pretty damn filthy.
Been running @theupfront.media on Ghost for a while as part of our "No Nazi platforms" stack. Very happy with it (and with our Germany-based email hosting instead of Google Business)
The technology you use is a choice.
Been running @theupfront.media on Ghost for a while as part of our "No Nazi platforms" stack. Very happy with it (and with our Germany-based email hosting instead of Google Business)
The technology you use is a choice.
October 15, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Should add really that if you're a smol newsletter bean who would dearly love to NOT be on Substack, then I will happily roll (and manage) a Ghost install for you for cost + a small maintenance fee.
I'll talk you through setting up your own mailgun and stripe. Do that and you keep ALL your revenue.
I'll talk you through setting up your own mailgun and stripe. Do that and you keep ALL your revenue.
Reposted by smudge
I just saw someone use the abbreviation “AI;DR” and I’ll be laughing for a while.
October 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I just saw someone use the abbreviation “AI;DR” and I’ll be laughing for a while.
Reposted by smudge
Reposted by smudge
Six weeks ago, I picked up a year-old tawny owl with a broken leg off the main road near our home and dropped him off at our nearest vet.
After a few days, I received one of the most bizarre phone calls I’ve ever had, asking “So when are you coming to pick up your owl?” 🧵
After a few days, I received one of the most bizarre phone calls I’ve ever had, asking “So when are you coming to pick up your owl?” 🧵
October 5, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Six weeks ago, I picked up a year-old tawny owl with a broken leg off the main road near our home and dropped him off at our nearest vet.
After a few days, I received one of the most bizarre phone calls I’ve ever had, asking “So when are you coming to pick up your owl?” 🧵
After a few days, I received one of the most bizarre phone calls I’ve ever had, asking “So when are you coming to pick up your owl?” 🧵