Alison Atkin
@alisonatkin.bsky.social
Artist. Osteoarchaeologist. Canadian. Doing creative things with heritage in the NW (UK). Multi-passionate person. Can expect knitting, gardening, ttrpg, nerdery, and occasional hamster content. she/her
Reposted by Alison Atkin
I got a question, so just in case anyone else is wondering...
Yes! My screen-reader does read out the alt text you put on videos, TY.
Dunno why you can't read it with your eyeballs tho!
It's not like SR users are the only people using alt text. So IDK why it's visible on images but not videos?
Yes! My screen-reader does read out the alt text you put on videos, TY.
Dunno why you can't read it with your eyeballs tho!
It's not like SR users are the only people using alt text. So IDK why it's visible on images but not videos?
February 16, 2026 at 11:39 PM
I got a question, so just in case anyone else is wondering...
Yes! My screen-reader does read out the alt text you put on videos, TY.
Dunno why you can't read it with your eyeballs tho!
It's not like SR users are the only people using alt text. So IDK why it's visible on images but not videos?
Yes! My screen-reader does read out the alt text you put on videos, TY.
Dunno why you can't read it with your eyeballs tho!
It's not like SR users are the only people using alt text. So IDK why it's visible on images but not videos?
Reposted by Alison Atkin
Are your eyes feeling itchy? Nose running all the time, but you don't think you have a cold? Have you considered that it might be *seasonal allergies*? Yes! In February! Tree pollen season has begun here in the UK. Currently only moderate, but it's always earlier than you think!
Your annual reminder (I'm actually a little late this year) to consider whether the reason you feel bunged up and kind of terrible is actually because of a bug or whether it might be *seasonal allergies*! Tree pollen count is high. Yes, while it's still cold out. www.worcester.ac.uk/about/academ...
Pollen forecast and fungal spore forecast - University Of Worcester
www.worcester.ac.uk
February 16, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Are your eyes feeling itchy? Nose running all the time, but you don't think you have a cold? Have you considered that it might be *seasonal allergies*? Yes! In February! Tree pollen season has begun here in the UK. Currently only moderate, but it's always earlier than you think!
Are your eyes feeling itchy? Nose running all the time, but you don't think you have a cold? Have you considered that it might be *seasonal allergies*? Yes! In February! Tree pollen season has begun here in the UK. Currently only moderate, but it's always earlier than you think!
Your annual reminder (I'm actually a little late this year) to consider whether the reason you feel bunged up and kind of terrible is actually because of a bug or whether it might be *seasonal allergies*! Tree pollen count is high. Yes, while it's still cold out. www.worcester.ac.uk/about/academ...
Pollen forecast and fungal spore forecast - University Of Worcester
www.worcester.ac.uk
February 16, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Are your eyes feeling itchy? Nose running all the time, but you don't think you have a cold? Have you considered that it might be *seasonal allergies*? Yes! In February! Tree pollen season has begun here in the UK. Currently only moderate, but it's always earlier than you think!
Reposted by Alison Atkin
I’m going to keep sharing this PSA: although the MMR is usually given at 12 and 18 months, your baby can get a first dose as early as 6 months. They will still need the other two doses, because immunity doesn’t stick at that age, and insurance may not cover it. But it’s protection.
Measles: how does it spread and how can I protect my child?
Measles: how does it spread and how can I protect my child?
A measles outbreak among unvaccinated children in London comes amid a global increase in infections
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:17 PM
I’m going to keep sharing this PSA: although the MMR is usually given at 12 and 18 months, your baby can get a first dose as early as 6 months. They will still need the other two doses, because immunity doesn’t stick at that age, and insurance may not cover it. But it’s protection.
Reposted by Alison Atkin
If children were more politically active they would be quite pissed to be told that their screen time is “the most urgent public health issue” while the largest measles outbreak since the vaccine sweeps their schools because of conspiracies that the adults in their life believed from social media.
‘It’s the most urgent public health issue’: Dr Rangan Chatterjee on screen time, mental health – and banning social media until 18
‘It’s the most urgent public health issue’: Dr Rangan Chatterjee on screen time, mental health – and banning social media until 18
The hit podcaster, author and former GP says a failure to regulate big tech is ‘failing a generation of children’. He explains why he quit the NHS and why he wants a ban on screen-based homework
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 7:52 AM
If children were more politically active they would be quite pissed to be told that their screen time is “the most urgent public health issue” while the largest measles outbreak since the vaccine sweeps their schools because of conspiracies that the adults in their life believed from social media.
Reposted by Alison Atkin
February 16, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Reposted by Alison Atkin
Reposted by Alison Atkin
To anyone that needs clarification, "your best" is what you can accomplish without damage to your physical, mental and emotional health, not what you can accomplish by destroying them
February 1, 2026 at 6:58 PM
To anyone that needs clarification, "your best" is what you can accomplish without damage to your physical, mental and emotional health, not what you can accomplish by destroying them
Reposted by Alison Atkin
I've said it before but, in the absence of proper regulation and the licensing of metal detecting, then we must rely on the good old fashioned fairy curses attached to each and every hoard. Let the folk beyond the veil sort it out. 🏺🪙🧚🏼♂️☠️
February 15, 2026 at 10:45 AM
I've said it before but, in the absence of proper regulation and the licensing of metal detecting, then we must rely on the good old fashioned fairy curses attached to each and every hoard. Let the folk beyond the veil sort it out. 🏺🪙🧚🏼♂️☠️
Reposted by Alison Atkin
Franzi Schimmer captured this Grizzly bear in Brooks Falls, Alaska just floating along, tippy-tapping down the river, browsing the salmon.
Prior to hibernation, up to 40% of a bear's body mass is fat, which is less dense than water (~0.9 g/cm^2), so the murder-monster is also a floaty-boaty.
Prior to hibernation, up to 40% of a bear's body mass is fat, which is less dense than water (~0.9 g/cm^2), so the murder-monster is also a floaty-boaty.
February 14, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Franzi Schimmer captured this Grizzly bear in Brooks Falls, Alaska just floating along, tippy-tapping down the river, browsing the salmon.
Prior to hibernation, up to 40% of a bear's body mass is fat, which is less dense than water (~0.9 g/cm^2), so the murder-monster is also a floaty-boaty.
Prior to hibernation, up to 40% of a bear's body mass is fat, which is less dense than water (~0.9 g/cm^2), so the murder-monster is also a floaty-boaty.
Reposted by Alison Atkin
It is kind of wild that people are legally allowed a hobby that destroys a one of a kind shared cultural and historical record. Like if my hobby was collecting rare plants, I'm not allowed to go down the local SSSI and dig some up to bring home. Because they belong to everyone and they're protected.
February 15, 2026 at 8:55 AM
It is kind of wild that people are legally allowed a hobby that destroys a one of a kind shared cultural and historical record. Like if my hobby was collecting rare plants, I'm not allowed to go down the local SSSI and dig some up to bring home. Because they belong to everyone and they're protected.
trying to live every day in our society right night feels like rewatching the time knife episode of The Good Place. you try to buy almost literally anything and you do your research, probably too much research, and yet somehow you still end up doing net harm to the world and the people in it
February 15, 2026 at 9:18 AM
trying to live every day in our society right night feels like rewatching the time knife episode of The Good Place. you try to buy almost literally anything and you do your research, probably too much research, and yet somehow you still end up doing net harm to the world and the people in it
This seems like not a great partnership, given how poorly Spotify compensates artists (which presumably includes audiobook authors). I can see that Bookshop would see an increase in sales from this partnership, but is it worth it, ethically? You still have to buy/access the audiobook from Spotify.
Disappointing move by Bookshop Org. Supporting Spotify is not supporting artists. www.thebookseller.com/news/spotify...
Spotify branches into physical books through Bookshop.org partnership
Spotify has partnered with Bookshop.org to enable listeners in the US and the UK to purchase physical books via the Spotify app, connecting audiobook discovery with physical ownership.
www.thebookseller.com
February 15, 2026 at 9:15 AM
This seems like not a great partnership, given how poorly Spotify compensates artists (which presumably includes audiobook authors). I can see that Bookshop would see an increase in sales from this partnership, but is it worth it, ethically? You still have to buy/access the audiobook from Spotify.
Reposted by Alison Atkin
Anza Borrego Desert State Park is absolutely amazing rn. #Bloomscrolling
February 15, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Anza Borrego Desert State Park is absolutely amazing rn. #Bloomscrolling
To add to this, if you've immigrated to the UK and aren't certain you had the two recommended doses in your youth, the NHS will give you a booster too!
I had this done last year before travelling, as the advice from my administration at home was that my birth year might have only had one dose.
I had this done last year before travelling, as the advice from my administration at home was that my birth year might have only had one dose.
Reminder that if you were born between 1970 and 1990, you can get MMR boosters free on the NHS. Just call your GP surgery and ask, they'll get you a nurse's appointment pretty quick www.nhs.uk/vaccinations...
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Health officials are racing to contain a growing measles outbreak in London, which has struck down dozens of young children and affected 7 schools and a nursery.
UKHSA has warned an outbreak across London could see 40,000 - 160,000 cases:
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
UKHSA has warned an outbreak across London could see 40,000 - 160,000 cases:
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
February 15, 2026 at 8:42 AM
To add to this, if you've immigrated to the UK and aren't certain you had the two recommended doses in your youth, the NHS will give you a booster too!
I had this done last year before travelling, as the advice from my administration at home was that my birth year might have only had one dose.
I had this done last year before travelling, as the advice from my administration at home was that my birth year might have only had one dose.
Reposted by Alison Atkin
If the finder were an archaeologist this would be an unthinkable story, our training teaches us that artefacts represent a shared past. His training is in documents, he sees objects as something to be auctioned, a source of 'reward'
Is this an anomaly? Historian friends, how do you feel about this?
Is this an anomaly? Historian friends, how do you feel about this?
February 15, 2026 at 8:19 AM
If the finder were an archaeologist this would be an unthinkable story, our training teaches us that artefacts represent a shared past. His training is in documents, he sees objects as something to be auctioned, a source of 'reward'
Is this an anomaly? Historian friends, how do you feel about this?
Is this an anomaly? Historian friends, how do you feel about this?
Reposted by Alison Atkin
Reminder that if you were born between 1970 and 1990, you can get MMR boosters free on the NHS. Just call your GP surgery and ask, they'll get you a nurse's appointment pretty quick www.nhs.uk/vaccinations...
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Health officials are racing to contain a growing measles outbreak in London, which has struck down dozens of young children and affected 7 schools and a nursery.
UKHSA has warned an outbreak across London could see 40,000 - 160,000 cases:
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
UKHSA has warned an outbreak across London could see 40,000 - 160,000 cases:
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
London measles outbreak: more than 60 children infected
Cases are spreading between children in Enfield as the virus exploits low MMR vaccination rates, medical experts say
www.thetimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Reminder that if you were born between 1970 and 1990, you can get MMR boosters free on the NHS. Just call your GP surgery and ask, they'll get you a nurse's appointment pretty quick www.nhs.uk/vaccinations...
Reposted by Alison Atkin
Reposted by Alison Atkin
“Please enjoy the museum”:
Relooted is OUT NOW!
Please share!
Relooted is OUT NOW!
Please share!
February 10, 2026 at 3:02 PM
“Please enjoy the museum”:
Relooted is OUT NOW!
Please share!
Relooted is OUT NOW!
Please share!
Reposted by Alison Atkin
Reposted by Alison Atkin
To mark Valentine’s Day, here is what is believed to be the world’s oldest surviving love poem, written 1.5 million years ago by one of our earliest ancestors, homo unrequitus.
February 14, 2026 at 8:55 AM
To mark Valentine’s Day, here is what is believed to be the world’s oldest surviving love poem, written 1.5 million years ago by one of our earliest ancestors, homo unrequitus.
Reposted by Alison Atkin
Reposted by Alison Atkin
they should invent a type of consumption that is ethical under capitalism. just spitballing
February 13, 2026 at 9:42 PM
they should invent a type of consumption that is ethical under capitalism. just spitballing
Reposted by Alison Atkin
I'm used to increasingly dire standards of reporting in formerly reputable local media outlets but this one, from @thenorthernecho.bsky.social (which covers a large chunk of NE England), is possibly the worst attempt at a "news story" I've ever encountered
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2585134...
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2585134...
Barnard Castle mum gutted after pair of tights she's worn for 19 years gets a hole
A thrifty Barnard Castle mum has worn the same pair of tights for 19 years.
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 6:55 PM
I'm used to increasingly dire standards of reporting in formerly reputable local media outlets but this one, from @thenorthernecho.bsky.social (which covers a large chunk of NE England), is possibly the worst attempt at a "news story" I've ever encountered
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2585134...
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2585134...