Ann
@agvbergin.net
Both newts and housing, please. Scientific technical editor. Personal account, views my own.
Pinned
Ann
@agvbergin.net
· Mar 5
"What children need to learn most is empathy for others, the capacity for nurturance, cooperation, and the maintenance of social ties, which cannot be done without the strength, respect, self-discipline, and self-reliance that comes through being cared for and caring."
George Lakoff, Moral Politics
George Lakoff, Moral Politics
Reposted by Ann
And when it comes down to it, 96 cases in just a few weeks is *huge* when we know it can be zero or close to zero. There mustn’t be any shrugging of shoulders, or acceptance of these outbreaks.
We know that outbreaks are avoidable because we did avoid them – for years, and not long ago. 7/8
We know that outbreaks are avoidable because we did avoid them – for years, and not long ago. 7/8
February 17, 2026 at 3:33 PM
And when it comes down to it, 96 cases in just a few weeks is *huge* when we know it can be zero or close to zero. There mustn’t be any shrugging of shoulders, or acceptance of these outbreaks.
We know that outbreaks are avoidable because we did avoid them – for years, and not long ago. 7/8
We know that outbreaks are avoidable because we did avoid them – for years, and not long ago. 7/8
Restore Britain proposing racist policies that would wreck every single community in the UK isn't an opportunity to give a potted history on your own family history!
That's working within their racist frame. You have to call out the policy as racist and destructive.
That's working within their racist frame. You have to call out the policy as racist and destructive.
February 17, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Restore Britain proposing racist policies that would wreck every single community in the UK isn't an opportunity to give a potted history on your own family history!
That's working within their racist frame. You have to call out the policy as racist and destructive.
That's working within their racist frame. You have to call out the policy as racist and destructive.
Reposted by Ann
Mary Rambaran-Olm has reached the point of "repeatedly reposting and not backing down on the claim that (((they))) are eating Palestianians", so I do think we're well past "still citable as a moral and intellectual authority on racism"
the answer to this is that there’s a yarn supplier/medievalist that a lot of people start engaging with because she’s Black and does (important!) work around anti-racism but also she went off the deep end of antisemitism several years ago and I guess some people followed her down the rabbit hole
That's horrible, and I totally get it - it feels like you've been tricked, and they've just done a horrible, horrible 'ta-da!' reveal.
Though the mind boggles how one would move from knitting to Nazi views. But then, as a dyspraxic crocheter, the ability to use 2 needles seems like dark magic....
Though the mind boggles how one would move from knitting to Nazi views. But then, as a dyspraxic crocheter, the ability to use 2 needles seems like dark magic....
February 17, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Mary Rambaran-Olm has reached the point of "repeatedly reposting and not backing down on the claim that (((they))) are eating Palestianians", so I do think we're well past "still citable as a moral and intellectual authority on racism"
Don't forget age discrimination protections!
BREAKING 🚨 | Reform announce plans to legalise discrimination.
Plans include scrapping the Equality Act, which would legalise discrimination against a worker if they were a woman, disabled, black, pregnant or gay.
Plans include scrapping the Equality Act, which would legalise discrimination against a worker if they were a woman, disabled, black, pregnant or gay.
February 17, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Don't forget age discrimination protections!
Reposted by Ann
The ‘cancelled elections’ u-turn is a new low in government screw-ups. There might have been a technocratic case for doing it but it was always likely to be turned against the government. They’ve allowed Farage to portray himself as the defender of democracy.
February 17, 2026 at 1:20 PM
The ‘cancelled elections’ u-turn is a new low in government screw-ups. There might have been a technocratic case for doing it but it was always likely to be turned against the government. They’ve allowed Farage to portray himself as the defender of democracy.
Reposted by Ann
Keir Starmer is facing a mass resignation of Labour councillors in one of England’s poorest areas over a “betrayal” of funding for children in care.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
‘Betrayed’: 21 Hartlepool councillors threaten to quit Labour over care budget
Exclusive: Council in one of England’s poorest areas says it needs urgent help with ballooning children’s social care bill
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Keir Starmer is facing a mass resignation of Labour councillors in one of England’s poorest areas over a “betrayal” of funding for children in care.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Google ads on YouTube once again a mix of tinfoil hat medical devices plus conspiracist content on electricity meters.
February 17, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Google ads on YouTube once again a mix of tinfoil hat medical devices plus conspiracist content on electricity meters.
Reposted by Ann
Happy Shrove Tuesday, Chinese new year and night before Ramadan! Diversity at its finest.
February 17, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Happy Shrove Tuesday, Chinese new year and night before Ramadan! Diversity at its finest.
The drunk uncle theory only applies if you have >5k followers or so. Not worth getting into internet arguments for the rest of us.
February 17, 2026 at 9:07 AM
The drunk uncle theory only applies if you have >5k followers or so. Not worth getting into internet arguments for the rest of us.
Reposted by Ann
From defence, to higher education, to music, BBC World Service, arts or sport the claims of UK political leaders will not be taken seriously as long as individuals and institutions are so inadequately funded that they face existential crisis
bsky.app/profile/davi...
bsky.app/profile/davi...
All of which brings us back to the core problem of today - it isn't mostly about the state just delivering - it does huge amounts, but politicians leading, setting a framework, explaining their choices, and in particular why we aren't all doomed.
February 17, 2026 at 7:56 AM
From defence, to higher education, to music, BBC World Service, arts or sport the claims of UK political leaders will not be taken seriously as long as individuals and institutions are so inadequately funded that they face existential crisis
bsky.app/profile/davi...
bsky.app/profile/davi...
Reposted by Ann
It's difficult to celebrate UK state funding for anything when it is often so inadequate and organised in such a convoluted fashion that institutions and individuals receiving it still find themselves dependent on other sources for survival in comparison to better funded global competitors
Yesterday I was frequently told that we shouldn't celebrate state funding for UK athletics, some even denied it existed, because of so many other problems. This is of course the pathway of despair - everything is sh*t so might as well elect the sh*ts to prove it
February 17, 2026 at 7:53 AM
It's difficult to celebrate UK state funding for anything when it is often so inadequate and organised in such a convoluted fashion that institutions and individuals receiving it still find themselves dependent on other sources for survival in comparison to better funded global competitors
Reposted by Ann
You can certainly claim that the rise in solo living or spending time online has its downsides... but it's not the same thing as a loneliness epidemic, in fact, in many ways we're more connected now than ever. /end
February 17, 2026 at 7:13 AM
You can certainly claim that the rise in solo living or spending time online has its downsides... but it's not the same thing as a loneliness epidemic, in fact, in many ways we're more connected now than ever. /end
Reposted by Ann
Problem about the loneliness epidemic is, it's everywhere except in representative survey data. Let's look at where the claim comes from. 1/
Case in point, @pengzell.bsky.social just sent me 5 papers proving that there’s not actually any evidence for a loneliness epidemic. My mind is highly changed
February 17, 2026 at 7:13 AM
Problem about the loneliness epidemic is, it's everywhere except in representative survey data. Let's look at where the claim comes from. 1/
Reposted by Ann
Rail Delivery Group members called me a "vandal," claimed I'm "raking in obscene compensation by bullying," and labelled me "vexatious."
An orchestrated campaign of dismissing and drowning out anybody who doesn't kow-tow to their gaslighting accessibility narrative.
@railmag.bsky.social
An orchestrated campaign of dismissing and drowning out anybody who doesn't kow-tow to their gaslighting accessibility narrative.
@railmag.bsky.social
RDG’s Contempt for Disabled People
Doug Paulley, a wheelchair user and disability rights advocate, reveals troubling internal communications from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) that mock and undermine his efforts for accessibility in…
www.kingqueen.org.uk
February 16, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Rail Delivery Group members called me a "vandal," claimed I'm "raking in obscene compensation by bullying," and labelled me "vexatious."
An orchestrated campaign of dismissing and drowning out anybody who doesn't kow-tow to their gaslighting accessibility narrative.
@railmag.bsky.social
An orchestrated campaign of dismissing and drowning out anybody who doesn't kow-tow to their gaslighting accessibility narrative.
@railmag.bsky.social
Reposted by Ann
What gets written into the Railways Bill now will shape our rail network for decades.
Accessibility, affordable fares and accountability need to be a priority and part of the law. That's why we're urging MPs to support these amendments. Let's get GBR right from the start.
Accessibility, affordable fares and accountability need to be a priority and part of the law. That's why we're urging MPs to support these amendments. Let's get GBR right from the start.
Disabled campaigners are backing demands for major rights-based changes to the government’s railways bill that would target the poor state of accessibility across the network.
#RailwaysBill #AccessibleTransport
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/letter-from-...
#RailwaysBill #AccessibleTransport
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/letter-from-...
Letter from MP and activists demands rights and accessibility improvements to railways bill
Disabled campaigners are backing demands for major rights-based changes to the government’s railways bill that would target the poor state of accessibility across the network. Disabled-led organisa…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:42 PM
What gets written into the Railways Bill now will shape our rail network for decades.
Accessibility, affordable fares and accountability need to be a priority and part of the law. That's why we're urging MPs to support these amendments. Let's get GBR right from the start.
Accessibility, affordable fares and accountability need to be a priority and part of the law. That's why we're urging MPs to support these amendments. Let's get GBR right from the start.
Reposted by Ann
Following legal advice, the Government has withdrawn its original decision to postpone 30 local elections in May.
Providing certainty to councils about their local elections is now the most crucial thing and all local elections will now go ahead in May 2026.”
Providing certainty to councils about their local elections is now the most crucial thing and all local elections will now go ahead in May 2026.”
February 16, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Following legal advice, the Government has withdrawn its original decision to postpone 30 local elections in May.
Providing certainty to councils about their local elections is now the most crucial thing and all local elections will now go ahead in May 2026.”
Providing certainty to councils about their local elections is now the most crucial thing and all local elections will now go ahead in May 2026.”
Reposted by Ann
Breaking: UK government is confirming it’s dropped plans to delay local elections at 30 English councils
February 16, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Breaking: UK government is confirming it’s dropped plans to delay local elections at 30 English councils
Reposted by Ann
Very wet January 2026 over many UK regions with flooding & some exceptionally high river flows in eastern Scotland, Northern Ireland & southern England plus rising groundwater & reservoir stocks so elevated flood risk in @ukceh.bsky.social hydrological outlook 🌧️💦 nrfa.ceh.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
February 16, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Very wet January 2026 over many UK regions with flooding & some exceptionally high river flows in eastern Scotland, Northern Ireland & southern England plus rising groundwater & reservoir stocks so elevated flood risk in @ukceh.bsky.social hydrological outlook 🌧️💦 nrfa.ceh.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Ann
Technology discourse is so unhinged at the moment. Just zooming out, beyond specifics, the fact that there are multiple movements to "protect" kids from smartphones at the same time as there is increased pressure to AI everything all the time is bananas
February 16, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Technology discourse is so unhinged at the moment. Just zooming out, beyond specifics, the fact that there are multiple movements to "protect" kids from smartphones at the same time as there is increased pressure to AI everything all the time is bananas
Cambridge has early voting for the city council elections this year: cambridge.gov.uk/news/2026/02...
February 16, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Cambridge has early voting for the city council elections this year: cambridge.gov.uk/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Ann
The Dawlish - Teignmouth railway line feels like the absolute front line of climate adaptation in Britain (a test we are not passing so far).
And yet somehow, somehow, this article manages to go in-depth on the problems with the line without mentioning the climate once. The sea is literally higher!
And yet somehow, somehow, this article manages to go in-depth on the problems with the line without mentioning the climate once. The sea is literally higher!
Fresh fears for South West's rail link in Dawlish after storms
Taxpayer money has flowed into fixing the rail line connecting Cornwall with the rest of the UK - but the elements have other ideas.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 8:27 PM
The Dawlish - Teignmouth railway line feels like the absolute front line of climate adaptation in Britain (a test we are not passing so far).
And yet somehow, somehow, this article manages to go in-depth on the problems with the line without mentioning the climate once. The sea is literally higher!
And yet somehow, somehow, this article manages to go in-depth on the problems with the line without mentioning the climate once. The sea is literally higher!
Reposted by Ann
And it's not just FCO and the World Service.
The BBC more generally is having to make vast cuts as are the National Gallery, British Library, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company...
The list goes on.
The UK is destroying its own cultural identity as well as its soft power.
The BBC more generally is having to make vast cuts as are the National Gallery, British Library, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company...
The list goes on.
The UK is destroying its own cultural identity as well as its soft power.
Exactly. This is not a lot of money. And once destroyed you don’t get to rebuild it.
The entire UK diplomatic budget is about £1.4 billion a year. That’s pretty much precisely 0.1% of government spending.
BBC World Service is about £0.25 billion (it should be higher), or 0.02%.
These are rounding errors on rounding errors. Double each and public expenditure wouldn’t twitch.
Mad.
BBC World Service is about £0.25 billion (it should be higher), or 0.02%.
These are rounding errors on rounding errors. Double each and public expenditure wouldn’t twitch.
Mad.
February 16, 2026 at 7:47 AM
And it's not just FCO and the World Service.
The BBC more generally is having to make vast cuts as are the National Gallery, British Library, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company...
The list goes on.
The UK is destroying its own cultural identity as well as its soft power.
The BBC more generally is having to make vast cuts as are the National Gallery, British Library, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company...
The list goes on.
The UK is destroying its own cultural identity as well as its soft power.
Reposted by Ann
The first #kakapo chick for four years hatched two days ago (on Valentine’s Day for those who like to anthropomorphise!). Here’s Tiwhiri-A1-2026 in Yasmine’s nest. 📸: Deidre Vercoe. www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r... #kakapo2026 #conservation #parrots #birds
February 16, 2026 at 12:48 AM
The first #kakapo chick for four years hatched two days ago (on Valentine’s Day for those who like to anthropomorphise!). Here’s Tiwhiri-A1-2026 in Yasmine’s nest. 📸: Deidre Vercoe. www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r... #kakapo2026 #conservation #parrots #birds
Countryfile has a retrospective on the 1996 Sea Empress oil tanker disaster near to Milford Haven this evening. I remember learning about the seabirds who were washed to try and save them on Blue Peter.
February 15, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Countryfile has a retrospective on the 1996 Sea Empress oil tanker disaster near to Milford Haven this evening. I remember learning about the seabirds who were washed to try and save them on Blue Peter.