BoxOfRain
@aboxofrain.bsky.social
Cyclist, meadow walker, music enthusiast. Deadhead.
Interested in the environments we make for ourselves.
Drinker of coffee & sometimes beer. Often tired these days.
Work involves identity, assurance & distributed scientific computing.
Work involves identity, assurance & distributed scientific computing.
Reposted by BoxOfRain
So apparently white Americans in Minneapolis are putting Mexican flags on their cars so ICE agents waste time pulling them over. They call it ICE fishing. 🤣😂
February 7, 2026 at 5:21 PM
So apparently white Americans in Minneapolis are putting Mexican flags on their cars so ICE agents waste time pulling them over. They call it ICE fishing. 🤣😂
Reposted by BoxOfRain
"Dooring" is a hazard that cyclists face all the time, normally when passing parked cars.
The "Dutch reach" is a way of opening a car door that forces you to look behind - you reach with your non-door hand, turning your shoulders. You should *never* open a car door without checking behind you.
The "Dutch reach" is a way of opening a car door that forces you to look behind - you reach with your non-door hand, turning your shoulders. You should *never* open a car door without checking behind you.
February 11, 2026 at 11:16 AM
"Dooring" is a hazard that cyclists face all the time, normally when passing parked cars.
The "Dutch reach" is a way of opening a car door that forces you to look behind - you reach with your non-door hand, turning your shoulders. You should *never* open a car door without checking behind you.
The "Dutch reach" is a way of opening a car door that forces you to look behind - you reach with your non-door hand, turning your shoulders. You should *never* open a car door without checking behind you.
Reposted by BoxOfRain
Additional advisory, if you are a UK or Irish citizen but also a citizen of another country, you must use a UK paper to travel to the UK.
Public service email to everyone heading into the UK at the end of this month who isn't a UK or Irish citizen. The ETA requirement for UK entry is coming and isn't receiving enough advanced coverage. Don't get caught in the ensuing chaos:
homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/electronic-t...
homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/electronic-t...
February 11, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Additional advisory, if you are a UK or Irish citizen but also a citizen of another country, you must use a UK paper to travel to the UK.
Reposted by BoxOfRain
"Yes, when Mandelson was a minister in Brown’s government, he betrayed the national interest. But this is what, by other means, he was appointed to do. His treachery, while it went way beyond his official mandate, was not a bug, but a feature. The corrosion of democratic values was institutional."
February 10, 2026 at 6:28 PM
"Yes, when Mandelson was a minister in Brown’s government, he betrayed the national interest. But this is what, by other means, he was appointed to do. His treachery, while it went way beyond his official mandate, was not a bug, but a feature. The corrosion of democratic values was institutional."
Reposted by BoxOfRain
The book is the result of “work for hire by the US government,” which means it is not eligible for copyright and can be freely distributed.
There are many sites that host pdf scans of the book if you’d like a copy of your own to keep on hand. (6/n)
personal.math.ubc.ca/~cbm/aands/
There are many sites that host pdf scans of the book if you’d like a copy of your own to keep on hand. (6/n)
personal.math.ubc.ca/~cbm/aands/
Abramowitz and Stegun: Handbook of Mathematical Functions
personal.math.ubc.ca
February 9, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The book is the result of “work for hire by the US government,” which means it is not eligible for copyright and can be freely distributed.
There are many sites that host pdf scans of the book if you’d like a copy of your own to keep on hand. (6/n)
personal.math.ubc.ca/~cbm/aands/
There are many sites that host pdf scans of the book if you’d like a copy of your own to keep on hand. (6/n)
personal.math.ubc.ca/~cbm/aands/
Reposted by BoxOfRain
Milton Abramowitz, Stegun’s co-editor on the project, died of a heart attack in 1958. That was after the book was underway but well before it was finished. Stegun took over and saw the project through to its publication in 1964.
"Stegun and Abramowitz" is probably a more appropriate name. (3/n)
"Stegun and Abramowitz" is probably a more appropriate name. (3/n)
February 9, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Milton Abramowitz, Stegun’s co-editor on the project, died of a heart attack in 1958. That was after the book was underway but well before it was finished. Stegun took over and saw the project through to its publication in 1964.
"Stegun and Abramowitz" is probably a more appropriate name. (3/n)
"Stegun and Abramowitz" is probably a more appropriate name. (3/n)
Reposted by BoxOfRain
Did you know that a famous math reference – most physicists have owned a copy at some point – is the result of a New Deal project to employ scientists and mathematicians?
Thread incoming.
Thread incoming.
February 9, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Did you know that a famous math reference – most physicists have owned a copy at some point – is the result of a New Deal project to employ scientists and mathematicians?
Thread incoming.
Thread incoming.
Reposted by BoxOfRain
Reposted by BoxOfRain
Just found this photo of my dog during lockdown
February 10, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Just found this photo of my dog during lockdown
Reposted by BoxOfRain
4. Your final point of "just promote in person alternatives" is both incredibly condescending and ignores real world situations for many. Also, I know of no one saying "kids should only spend time online, not in person" so it's also a total non sequitur to this conversation.
February 10, 2026 at 6:04 PM
4. Your final point of "just promote in person alternatives" is both incredibly condescending and ignores real world situations for many. Also, I know of no one saying "kids should only spend time online, not in person" so it's also a total non sequitur to this conversation.
Reposted by BoxOfRain
Important 🧵
The Discord age verification discourse focuses on adults losing access to communities they have a right to access. That's important.
I'm also worried, though, about the kids. They seem to be an afterthought in these conversations. They have much to lose too. 🧵 www.theverge.com/tech/875309/...
I'm also worried, though, about the kids. They seem to be an afterthought in these conversations. They have much to lose too. 🧵 www.theverge.com/tech/875309/...
Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access next month
Age verification for all.
www.theverge.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Important 🧵
Reposted by BoxOfRain
Rep. LaMonica McIver, for New Jersey’s 10th.
Yielded back just after saying, “and that’s why I support abolishing ICE.”
Yielded back just after saying, “and that’s why I support abolishing ICE.”
McIVER: Do you consider yourself a religious man?
LYONS: Yes mam
McIVER: How do you think judgment day will work for you with so much blood on your hands?
LYONS: I'm not going to entertain that question
McIVER: Do you think you're going to hell, Mr Lyons?
LYONS: Yes mam
McIVER: How do you think judgment day will work for you with so much blood on your hands?
LYONS: I'm not going to entertain that question
McIVER: Do you think you're going to hell, Mr Lyons?
February 10, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Rep. LaMonica McIver, for New Jersey’s 10th.
Yielded back just after saying, “and that’s why I support abolishing ICE.”
Yielded back just after saying, “and that’s why I support abolishing ICE.”
Reposted by BoxOfRain
If someone has held a job with real government influence or power and used that time to do evil while repeatedly lying to the public, you don't actually have to listen to their punditry when they're eventually out of power.
You just don't have to do it!
You just don't have to do it!
February 10, 2026 at 3:37 PM
If someone has held a job with real government influence or power and used that time to do evil while repeatedly lying to the public, you don't actually have to listen to their punditry when they're eventually out of power.
You just don't have to do it!
You just don't have to do it!
Reposted by BoxOfRain
It is so fundamentally obscene and offensive that any data centre developer feels brave enough to tout "jobs created" as selling point when the core selling point of the product they offer is to explicitly cut as many jobs as possible
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Telstra to axe more than 200 jobs amid AI rollout
Some jobs will be moved offshore in wake of telco’s $700m joint venture with tech consultancy Accenture
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:15 PM
It is so fundamentally obscene and offensive that any data centre developer feels brave enough to tout "jobs created" as selling point when the core selling point of the product they offer is to explicitly cut as many jobs as possible
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Another data point in why Starmer is so amazingly unpopular.
The UK's continues to approve new oil and gas exploration on nature reserves, where pollution is already at alarming levels.
Protected areas oil exploration 'shocking, irresponsible'
Britain is world’s worst offender for letting fossil fuel companies drill in protected areas.
theecologist.org
February 10, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Another data point in why Starmer is so amazingly unpopular.
Reposted by BoxOfRain
The UK's continues to approve new oil and gas exploration on nature reserves, where pollution is already at alarming levels.
Protected areas oil exploration 'shocking, irresponsible'
Britain is world’s worst offender for letting fossil fuel companies drill in protected areas.
theecologist.org
February 10, 2026 at 12:05 PM
The UK's continues to approve new oil and gas exploration on nature reserves, where pollution is already at alarming levels.
Reposted by BoxOfRain
me when i shit myself in public but the next day i successfully do it all in the toilet
February 10, 2026 at 11:55 AM
me when i shit myself in public but the next day i successfully do it all in the toilet
Reposted by BoxOfRain
Labour making a £6billion policy announcement and it’s hardly getting any coverage
I know it’s quite niche, but this change will ensure the survival of numerous councils of all political persuasions
Not many people will see it & even fewer will care, despite the scale of the financial commitment
I know it’s quite niche, but this change will ensure the survival of numerous councils of all political persuasions
Not many people will see it & even fewer will care, despite the scale of the financial commitment
Great story from @samanthajbooth.bsky.social
This is the multi-billion pound financial black hole left by the Tories & being sorted by Labour
Its hard to understate the importance of this decision
Councils would be going bankrupt without government intervention
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-t...
This is the multi-billion pound financial black hole left by the Tories & being sorted by Labour
Its hard to understate the importance of this decision
Councils would be going bankrupt without government intervention
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-t...
Government to write of 90% of councils' SEND deficits
Local authorities will get a grant to cover all but 10% of deficits accrued by the end of 2025-26
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Labour making a £6billion policy announcement and it’s hardly getting any coverage
I know it’s quite niche, but this change will ensure the survival of numerous councils of all political persuasions
Not many people will see it & even fewer will care, despite the scale of the financial commitment
I know it’s quite niche, but this change will ensure the survival of numerous councils of all political persuasions
Not many people will see it & even fewer will care, despite the scale of the financial commitment
Reposted by BoxOfRain
h... how much poison is supposed to be in baby food?
February 10, 2026 at 4:29 AM
h... how much poison is supposed to be in baby food?
Reposted by BoxOfRain
Something compelled me to make this
February 10, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Something compelled me to make this
Reposted by BoxOfRain
Reposted by BoxOfRain
1. Many here seem bemused by the anger and disappointment this government attracts. Please bear with me while I try to explain it.
Let’s begin with Gaza. Starmer’s complicity is one of the major reasons so many people are disillusioned.
rethinkingsecurityorguk.wpcomstaging.com/2025/10/07/i...
🧵
Let’s begin with Gaza. Starmer’s complicity is one of the major reasons so many people are disillusioned.
rethinkingsecurityorguk.wpcomstaging.com/2025/10/07/i...
🧵
Is our Government Complicit in Genocide?
The Genocide Convention imposes obligations on states and individuals not just to punish the crime of genocide but to actively prevent it. Two years into the war in Gaza and over 20 months since th…
rethinkingsecurityorguk.wpcomstaging.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:31 AM
1. Many here seem bemused by the anger and disappointment this government attracts. Please bear with me while I try to explain it.
Let’s begin with Gaza. Starmer’s complicity is one of the major reasons so many people are disillusioned.
rethinkingsecurityorguk.wpcomstaging.com/2025/10/07/i...
🧵
Let’s begin with Gaza. Starmer’s complicity is one of the major reasons so many people are disillusioned.
rethinkingsecurityorguk.wpcomstaging.com/2025/10/07/i...
🧵
Reposted by BoxOfRain
My belief: The work of ALL authors of literary fiction - no matter how experienced - benefits from a good editor.
My simultaneous belief: The work of authors of literary fiction NEVER benefits from creative decisions being led by a focus on sales and marketing.
My simultaneous belief: The work of authors of literary fiction NEVER benefits from creative decisions being led by a focus on sales and marketing.
February 9, 2026 at 10:33 AM
My belief: The work of ALL authors of literary fiction - no matter how experienced - benefits from a good editor.
My simultaneous belief: The work of authors of literary fiction NEVER benefits from creative decisions being led by a focus on sales and marketing.
My simultaneous belief: The work of authors of literary fiction NEVER benefits from creative decisions being led by a focus on sales and marketing.
Reposted by BoxOfRain
I make a little cameo on this, a great look behind the scenes at the whistle goblins
This whistle fights fascists
This whistle fights fascists
I print whistles now. You can too.
buff.ly
February 9, 2026 at 1:22 PM
I make a little cameo on this, a great look behind the scenes at the whistle goblins
Reposted by BoxOfRain
Samma absoluta pisshuvud om The Odyssey-castingen:
Racist streamer Lilly Gaddis is angry about reports that Lupita Nyong'o is playing Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan's upcoming film adaptation of "The Odyssey": "If I can't pronounce your name, what are you doing here?"
February 9, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Samma absoluta pisshuvud om The Odyssey-castingen: