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
Kinda interesting who has buses on New Year's Day. We in North Yorks generally do not, and they stopped just before 9pm last night too.
January 1, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Kinda interesting who has buses on New Year's Day. We in North Yorks generally do not, and they stopped just before 9pm last night too.
Still think we should have better advice for the public for amber cold alerts.
(The most helpful thing for me is the couple of days notice or so that I get thru being signed-up for the email alerts. But the content of the alerts is for service providers.)
(The most helpful thing for me is the couple of days notice or so that I get thru being signed-up for the email alerts. But the content of the alerts is for service providers.)
January 1, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Still think we should have better advice for the public for amber cold alerts.
(The most helpful thing for me is the couple of days notice or so that I get thru being signed-up for the email alerts. But the content of the alerts is for service providers.)
(The most helpful thing for me is the couple of days notice or so that I get thru being signed-up for the email alerts. But the content of the alerts is for service providers.)
Reposted by Ann
This story specifically is a classic of quoting large, scary numbers. But in context, they don't seem unreasonable:
- 5.9m attendances in 5 years for headaches etc is <5% of attendances
- 2.2m in 2024/25 where "no abnormality detected" is 8% of attendances
- 5.9m attendances in 5 years for headaches etc is <5% of attendances
- 2.2m in 2024/25 where "no abnormality detected" is 8% of attendances
December 31, 2025 at 10:24 AM
This story specifically is a classic of quoting large, scary numbers. But in context, they don't seem unreasonable:
- 5.9m attendances in 5 years for headaches etc is <5% of attendances
- 2.2m in 2024/25 where "no abnormality detected" is 8% of attendances
- 5.9m attendances in 5 years for headaches etc is <5% of attendances
- 2.2m in 2024/25 where "no abnormality detected" is 8% of attendances
Reposted by Ann
Whatever the reason, the comms strategy is disappointing
The "superflu" messaging was a real boy who cries wolf moment, seemingly done for political reasons
The excess demand briefings show the NHS is not willing to (at least publicly) engage in actual reasons for poor performance
The "superflu" messaging was a real boy who cries wolf moment, seemingly done for political reasons
The excess demand briefings show the NHS is not willing to (at least publicly) engage in actual reasons for poor performance
December 31, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Whatever the reason, the comms strategy is disappointing
The "superflu" messaging was a real boy who cries wolf moment, seemingly done for political reasons
The excess demand briefings show the NHS is not willing to (at least publicly) engage in actual reasons for poor performance
The "superflu" messaging was a real boy who cries wolf moment, seemingly done for political reasons
The excess demand briefings show the NHS is not willing to (at least publicly) engage in actual reasons for poor performance
Reposted by Ann
Between this and "superflu" the NHS is spinning very hard this winter. Few ways to interpret this comms strategy:
1) manufacturing demand crises to shift blame
2) stick to beat the BMA
3) to bounce HMT into emergency funding
4) they actually believe high demand causes long waits
None good!
1) manufacturing demand crises to shift blame
2) stick to beat the BMA
3) to bounce HMT into emergency funding
4) they actually believe high demand causes long waits
None good!
December 31, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Between this and "superflu" the NHS is spinning very hard this winter. Few ways to interpret this comms strategy:
1) manufacturing demand crises to shift blame
2) stick to beat the BMA
3) to bounce HMT into emergency funding
4) they actually believe high demand causes long waits
None good!
1) manufacturing demand crises to shift blame
2) stick to beat the BMA
3) to bounce HMT into emergency funding
4) they actually believe high demand causes long waits
None good!
Reposted by Ann
Capybaras are fish on Fridays (a dispensation so Catholics colonising South America, and nowhere near water, could eat some form of meat on that day)
Ok folks: what is your favorite fact that you share with people (maybe a bit too) eagerly?
December 31, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Capybaras are fish on Fridays (a dispensation so Catholics colonising South America, and nowhere near water, could eat some form of meat on that day)
Trouble is that it's one (supposed) progressive guy in particular that needs to act, isn't it, and it does rather seem like he very much won't. Guy that made "island of strangers" and "tepid bath of decline" speeches is just not good enough.
www.ippr.org/articles/the...
www.ippr.org/articles/the...
Reclaiming Britain: The nation against ethno-nationalism | IPPR
Last summer, after the most widespread racist rioting since 1919, IPPR wrote it was “a testament to progress” that deporting black and brown people living
www.ippr.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Trouble is that it's one (supposed) progressive guy in particular that needs to act, isn't it, and it does rather seem like he very much won't. Guy that made "island of strangers" and "tepid bath of decline" speeches is just not good enough.
www.ippr.org/articles/the...
www.ippr.org/articles/the...
Reposted by Ann
Thread on the drivers of long A&E wait times (not a lack of AI, not a surfeit of hiccups)
as someone who splits my time between the hospital acute front door, back door and the bit in the middle, works at the interface with primary, community and social care services and spent years around the policy area in various guises, it is deeply frustrating people the lack of institutional memory
December 31, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Thread on the drivers of long A&E wait times (not a lack of AI, not a surfeit of hiccups)
Reposted by Ann
This is the plan Number 10 is surprised isn’t working: “Instead of delivering on the priorities of the people who actually voted for us, we’re going to loudly pledge to deliver for the people we feel *should’ve* voted for us, even when they’re fully offensive to our actual voting coalition”
December 31, 2025 at 10:25 AM
This is the plan Number 10 is surprised isn’t working: “Instead of delivering on the priorities of the people who actually voted for us, we’re going to loudly pledge to deliver for the people we feel *should’ve* voted for us, even when they’re fully offensive to our actual voting coalition”
Reposted by Ann
This is far from being all the government's fault, but it simply hasn't been robust enough with its political agenda and failed to push back against its political opponents and to challenge extremism. It may have the parliamentary majority of New Labour but the vibe is 1974-79 Labour...
December 31, 2025 at 10:59 AM
This is far from being all the government's fault, but it simply hasn't been robust enough with its political agenda and failed to push back against its political opponents and to challenge extremism. It may have the parliamentary majority of New Labour but the vibe is 1974-79 Labour...
Because the "island of strangers" speech and his government's planned actions on indefinite leave to remain are deeply offensive to liberal Britain and will harm the economy.
We have friends and colleagues who are affected.
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
We have friends and colleagues who are affected.
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
‘There’s a real dislike, even loathing’: why voters hate Starmer and Reeves
Allies concede the prime minister and chancellor have made mistakes yet the level of disdain towards them is still striking
giftarticle.ft.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Because the "island of strangers" speech and his government's planned actions on indefinite leave to remain are deeply offensive to liberal Britain and will harm the economy.
We have friends and colleagues who are affected.
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
We have friends and colleagues who are affected.
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by Ann
First mating of the 2026 #kakapo breeding season! True to form, it was Pearl and Boss on Whenua Hou, who mated on the night of 28th Dec. They were also the first two to mate in the last two breeding seasons. We're expecting a bumper year, so follow for updates! #conservation #parrots
December 31, 2025 at 8:56 AM
First mating of the 2026 #kakapo breeding season! True to form, it was Pearl and Boss on Whenua Hou, who mated on the night of 28th Dec. They were also the first two to mate in the last two breeding seasons. We're expecting a bumper year, so follow for updates! #conservation #parrots
Reposted by Ann
Celebrating 30 years of the Kākāpō Recovery Programme Part 2: 1995 to 2025. Art by kākāpō ranger Sarah Little (www.instagram.com/sarahmaylittle). #kakapo #conservation #parrots #birds
December 31, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Celebrating 30 years of the Kākāpō Recovery Programme Part 2: 1995 to 2025. Art by kākāpō ranger Sarah Little (www.instagram.com/sarahmaylittle). #kakapo #conservation #parrots #birds
Reposted by Ann
In 2025 we marked 30 years of the Kākāpō Recovery Programme. Kākāpō ranger and artist Sarah Little (www.instagram.com/sarahmaylittle) tells the story. Part 1 of 2: the history. #kakapo #conservation #parrots #birds
December 31, 2025 at 8:46 AM
In 2025 we marked 30 years of the Kākāpō Recovery Programme. Kākāpō ranger and artist Sarah Little (www.instagram.com/sarahmaylittle) tells the story. Part 1 of 2: the history. #kakapo #conservation #parrots #birds
Am procrastinating prior to spending (hopefully) my entire afternoon in a hospital outpatient clinic, but I think the crux of this article is "analysis of NHS data by the PA Media news agency" where the analysis isn't published.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Huge rise in number of people in England’s A&Es for coughs or hiccups
Lack of prompt access to primary care blamed for rise in hospital cases of minor ailments including blocked noses
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Am procrastinating prior to spending (hopefully) my entire afternoon in a hospital outpatient clinic, but I think the crux of this article is "analysis of NHS data by the PA Media news agency" where the analysis isn't published.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Ann
As the sun rises on the very last day of 2025, we'd like to say a huge *thank you* for all your support this year.
Your visits, memberships and donations help us to look after castles and coastlines, hill monuments and historic houses, and more!
Photo: Claydon, Buckinghamshire by John Miller
Your visits, memberships and donations help us to look after castles and coastlines, hill monuments and historic houses, and more!
Photo: Claydon, Buckinghamshire by John Miller
December 31, 2025 at 7:52 AM
As the sun rises on the very last day of 2025, we'd like to say a huge *thank you* for all your support this year.
Your visits, memberships and donations help us to look after castles and coastlines, hill monuments and historic houses, and more!
Photo: Claydon, Buckinghamshire by John Miller
Your visits, memberships and donations help us to look after castles and coastlines, hill monuments and historic houses, and more!
Photo: Claydon, Buckinghamshire by John Miller
Reposted by Ann
This is not the main cause of long waits for admission, or overcrowding and is not the fault of GPs. However, they try to spin the story
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Huge rise in number of people in England’s A&Es for coughs or hiccups
Lack of prompt access to primary care blamed for rise in hospital cases of minor ailments including blocked noses
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:08 AM
This is not the main cause of long waits for admission, or overcrowding and is not the fault of GPs. However, they try to spin the story
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Not really very happy about the media round from NHS bosses criticising the public's A&E attendance.
If I'm ever in doubt about this, I'd either ring 111 or check the NHS website, e.g. like this page for headaches that is very clear on when to go to A&E.
www.nhs.uk/symptoms/hea...
If I'm ever in doubt about this, I'd either ring 111 or check the NHS website, e.g. like this page for headaches that is very clear on when to go to A&E.
www.nhs.uk/symptoms/hea...
Headaches
Find out about headaches, including what you can do to help ease them, when to get medical advice and what the most common causes are.
www.nhs.uk
December 31, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Not really very happy about the media round from NHS bosses criticising the public's A&E attendance.
If I'm ever in doubt about this, I'd either ring 111 or check the NHS website, e.g. like this page for headaches that is very clear on when to go to A&E.
www.nhs.uk/symptoms/hea...
If I'm ever in doubt about this, I'd either ring 111 or check the NHS website, e.g. like this page for headaches that is very clear on when to go to A&E.
www.nhs.uk/symptoms/hea...
Reposted by Ann
Government is unlike anything else in society. It has unique potential to create immense value. Don’t cheap out or give up on government bc you’re hurting everyone if you do. Instead, pick *good* leaders with an appetite to invest in you and the future, bc government can when nobody else will.
Here's a tragedy of DOGE that most people will never know about, even though it has big consequences: no one is left to coordinate the transition to memory safe systems code. 🧵
"Memory Safety for Skeptics," published in the ACM Queue.
Arguing for why memory safety is worth pursuing, even amid competing priorities and limited budgets, and with or without Rust.
Arguing for why memory safety is worth pursuing, even amid competing priorities and limited budgets, and with or without Rust.
December 30, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Government is unlike anything else in society. It has unique potential to create immense value. Don’t cheap out or give up on government bc you’re hurting everyone if you do. Instead, pick *good* leaders with an appetite to invest in you and the future, bc government can when nobody else will.
Reposted by Ann
Ideally you’d sort out the electricity to gas price ratio, help everyone get heat pumps, and let them pay for solar and batteries if they want to.
That would mean lower bills and lower emissions, at a lower cost to government.
But sadly electricity prices are still too high for that
That would mean lower bills and lower emissions, at a lower cost to government.
But sadly electricity prices are still too high for that
December 30, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Ideally you’d sort out the electricity to gas price ratio, help everyone get heat pumps, and let them pay for solar and batteries if they want to.
That would mean lower bills and lower emissions, at a lower cost to government.
But sadly electricity prices are still too high for that
That would mean lower bills and lower emissions, at a lower cost to government.
But sadly electricity prices are still too high for that
Reposted by Ann
*reluctantly puts on work hat*
The Warm Homes Plan will be electrification first, which will be quite a big policy shift.
The challenge, as ever, will be money. It costs something like £25k to install solar, a battery and a heat pump in a typical home…
The Warm Homes Plan will be electrification first, which will be quite a big policy shift.
The challenge, as ever, will be money. It costs something like £25k to install solar, a battery and a heat pump in a typical home…
Sounds like the end of the 'fabric first' mantra being set out here.
Electrifying homes is the way of the future, with solar panels, batteries and heat pumps being the focus of government subsidy.
Electrifying homes is the way of the future, with solar panels, batteries and heat pumps being the focus of government subsidy.
THE TIMES: Solar grants for millions to cut home energy use #TomorrowsPapersToday
December 30, 2025 at 3:02 PM
*reluctantly puts on work hat*
The Warm Homes Plan will be electrification first, which will be quite a big policy shift.
The challenge, as ever, will be money. It costs something like £25k to install solar, a battery and a heat pump in a typical home…
The Warm Homes Plan will be electrification first, which will be quite a big policy shift.
The challenge, as ever, will be money. It costs something like £25k to install solar, a battery and a heat pump in a typical home…
Reposted by Ann
The article compares memory safety to seat belt safety, which was coordinated via government action. The author says "we do not need to wait for regulation to catch up" which is a sad statement: memory safety regulation was catching up until Musk destroyed it.
December 30, 2025 at 5:29 AM
The article compares memory safety to seat belt safety, which was coordinated via government action. The author says "we do not need to wait for regulation to catch up" which is a sad statement: memory safety regulation was catching up until Musk destroyed it.
Reposted by Ann
Lots of private companies are relying on memory-unsafe code created by open source volunteers a long time ago. It's not getting replaced because private companies mostly don't do costly things for the common public good without making money. Governments are needed to do this.
December 30, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Lots of private companies are relying on memory-unsafe code created by open source volunteers a long time ago. It's not getting replaced because private companies mostly don't do costly things for the common public good without making money. Governments are needed to do this.
Reposted by Ann
This refers to a class of weaknesses in widely-used software that is invisible to most people. These weaknesses are exploited often by nation-state hackers and organized crime.
"Memory safety" sounds pretty boring but it has big consequences for your personal privacy and for national security.
"Memory safety" sounds pretty boring but it has big consequences for your personal privacy and for national security.
December 30, 2025 at 5:04 AM
This refers to a class of weaknesses in widely-used software that is invisible to most people. These weaknesses are exploited often by nation-state hackers and organized crime.
"Memory safety" sounds pretty boring but it has big consequences for your personal privacy and for national security.
"Memory safety" sounds pretty boring but it has big consequences for your personal privacy and for national security.
Reposted by Ann
Here's a tragedy of DOGE that most people will never know about, even though it has big consequences: no one is left to coordinate the transition to memory safe systems code. 🧵
"Memory Safety for Skeptics," published in the ACM Queue.
Arguing for why memory safety is worth pursuing, even amid competing priorities and limited budgets, and with or without Rust.
Arguing for why memory safety is worth pursuing, even amid competing priorities and limited budgets, and with or without Rust.
Memory Safety for Skeptics - ACM Queue
queue.acm.org
December 30, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Here's a tragedy of DOGE that most people will never know about, even though it has big consequences: no one is left to coordinate the transition to memory safe systems code. 🧵