Barry McMullin
@autofac.bsky.social
Stranger in a strange land - aren't we all? Engineering academic #Decarbonisation #ComplexSystems. #CarbonAbolitionist #AndACyclist he/his
Why "autofac" you say? Well ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autofac
And: http://www.eeng.dcu.ie/~mcmullin/
Why "autofac" you say? Well ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autofac
And: http://www.eeng.dcu.ie/~mcmullin/
Pinned
Barry McMullin
@autofac.bsky.social
· Nov 16
postcarbonireland.org: GE2024
www.postcarbonireland.org
Update on petition for a dedicated #IE
#GE2024 Leaders' Debate on the Climate & Biodiversity emergency:
www.postcarbonireland.org/GE2024/
#GE2024 Leaders' Debate on the Climate & Biodiversity emergency:
www.postcarbonireland.org/GE2024/
Reposted by Barry McMullin
As Bill Gates recommends a “strategic pivot” away from climate change, the Gates Foundation made record investments in fossil fuel companies in 2024, despite its 2019 pledge to divest.
No one should ever listen to Gates about climate change again.
No one should ever listen to Gates about climate change again.
January 20, 2026 at 12:27 PM
As Bill Gates recommends a “strategic pivot” away from climate change, the Gates Foundation made record investments in fossil fuel companies in 2024, despite its 2019 pledge to divest.
No one should ever listen to Gates about climate change again.
No one should ever listen to Gates about climate change again.
Reposted by Barry McMullin
In their climate policy scenario, expanding cereals/legumes by around 1% of agricultural land area (50k ha) offsets reduced beef in net protein terms, though digestible protein still falls slightly.
Beans are the way to go for climate and food security.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Beans are the way to go for climate and food security.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Associating climate change mitigation with protein security: The case of Ireland
Meeting the world’s growing population’s protein demand, while minimising the environmental impact of food production, is one of the greatest challeng…
www.sciencedirect.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:20 PM
In their climate policy scenario, expanding cereals/legumes by around 1% of agricultural land area (50k ha) offsets reduced beef in net protein terms, though digestible protein still falls slightly.
Beans are the way to go for climate and food security.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Beans are the way to go for climate and food security.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Barry McMullin
New UCC paper shows how low beef and sheep systems are for net digestible protein per hectare: they produce protein for 2–3 people per ha, versus ~23 for milk and ~40 for legumes. That’s ~15× more digestible protein per hectare from legumes than beef.
January 20, 2026 at 4:20 PM
New UCC paper shows how low beef and sheep systems are for net digestible protein per hectare: they produce protein for 2–3 people per ha, versus ~23 for milk and ~40 for legumes. That’s ~15× more digestible protein per hectare from legumes than beef.
"More State agencies leave X amid outcry over digital undressing tool" [Credit to @seai-ie.bsky.social @antaisce.bsky.social and all other IE public bodies, NGOs etc. who are taking this basic action of decency and solidarity. Hopefully the laggards will cop on!]
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
More State agencies leave X amid outcry over digital undressing tool
Green energy advice agency joins training and sports bodies in departure
www.irishtimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:21 PM
"More State agencies leave X amid outcry over digital undressing tool" [Credit to @seai-ie.bsky.social @antaisce.bsky.social and all other IE public bodies, NGOs etc. who are taking this basic action of decency and solidarity. Hopefully the laggards will cop on!]
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
Reposted by Barry McMullin
Maybe Greenland could invade us instead?
January 20, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Maybe Greenland could invade us instead?
Reposted by Barry McMullin
Only 1,096 mornings left in Trump's (formal) term of office.
I love the last line, “and it’s not even 10AM in Europe.” It’s not even 7AM in Toronto and I want to go back to bed and pull the covers over my head
January 20, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Only 1,096 mornings left in Trump's (formal) term of office.
Reposted by Barry McMullin
You should do an episode on this @fullycharged.bsky.social @volts.wtf
More here on @hannahdaly.ie's ev-battery-reuse adventure: Don’t scrap an older electric vehicle – just upgrade it
www.irishtimes.com/motors/2025/...
www.irishtimes.com/motors/2025/...
Don’t scrap an older electric vehicle – just upgrade it
Irish company Range Therapy is now offering Nissan Leaf battery swaps and upgrades
www.irishtimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:33 PM
You should do an episode on this @fullycharged.bsky.social @volts.wtf
Reposted by Barry McMullin
I genuinely think one thing that trips up folks on the left is that they can't imagine not sharing certain core values. Lemme explain. Here's an intuition pump:
Say you're in negotiations with counterparty X. And there are two possible deals on the table ...
Say you're in negotiations with counterparty X. And there are two possible deals on the table ...
August 28, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I genuinely think one thing that trips up folks on the left is that they can't imagine not sharing certain core values. Lemme explain. Here's an intuition pump:
Say you're in negotiations with counterparty X. And there are two possible deals on the table ...
Say you're in negotiations with counterparty X. And there are two possible deals on the table ...
Reposted by Barry McMullin
Was honored to get the call to be one of The Guardian’s Big Interviews in G2. A thorough and thoughtful piece that digs into the real fundaments of the AI bubble narrative.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Ed Zitron on big tech, backlash, boom and bust: ‘AI has taught us that people are excited to replace human beings’
His blunt, brash scepticism has made the podcaster and writer something of a cult figure. But as concern over large language models builds, he’s no longer the outsider he once was
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Was honored to get the call to be one of The Guardian’s Big Interviews in G2. A thorough and thoughtful piece that digs into the real fundaments of the AI bubble narrative.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Barry McMullin
Biden hid his senility, and that was a scandal. Trump broadcasts it, and it’s a virtue.
- WSJ comment section on Trump letter to Norway
- WSJ comment section on Trump letter to Norway
January 19, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Biden hid his senility, and that was a scandal. Trump broadcasts it, and it’s a virtue.
- WSJ comment section on Trump letter to Norway
- WSJ comment section on Trump letter to Norway
Reposted by Barry McMullin
I am also massively excited by this. There are not many things you can do to simultaneously cut energy bills (for me by ~€600 a year), reduce grid stress and peaker plant use, maximise renewables use and improve resilience all at once (my battery can power the house during a blackout).
January 19, 2026 at 3:21 PM
I am also massively excited by this. There are not many things you can do to simultaneously cut energy bills (for me by ~€600 a year), reduce grid stress and peaker plant use, maximise renewables use and improve resilience all at once (my battery can power the house during a blackout).
Reposted by Barry McMullin
@volts.wtf you've got to do an episode on this!
January 19, 2026 at 3:17 PM
@volts.wtf you've got to do an episode on this!
Reposted by Barry McMullin
How soon before the American's delete this from their website (very likely) — or give the Danish West Indies back (very unlikely)?
➡️ history.state.gov/historicaldo...
➡️ history.state.gov/historicaldo...
January 19, 2026 at 2:53 PM
How soon before the American's delete this from their website (very likely) — or give the Danish West Indies back (very unlikely)?
➡️ history.state.gov/historicaldo...
➡️ history.state.gov/historicaldo...
Reposted by Barry McMullin
#Trump is leaving the path of peace and throwing over the alliance with the Europeans because he is mad about not getting a nobel peace price. This is utterly crazy and dangerous. The E.U. and its member states have to effectivly deter the U.S. in order to protect itself and the international order.
January 19, 2026 at 7:13 AM
#Trump is leaving the path of peace and throwing over the alliance with the Europeans because he is mad about not getting a nobel peace price. This is utterly crazy and dangerous. The E.U. and its member states have to effectivly deter the U.S. in order to protect itself and the international order.
Reposted by Barry McMullin
'it's time for Ireland to lead'
'by doing whatever you were told by whichever American politician you most recently met?'
'by doing whatever i was told by whichever American politician I most recently met, yes'
'by doing whatever you were told by whichever American politician you most recently met?'
'by doing whatever i was told by whichever American politician I most recently met, yes'
Tánaiste Simon Harris has said AI is “no longer a concept” and is “here to stay” following a recent visit to San Francisco.
Harris said that as he travelled though San Francisco, he was “struck” by the “unavoidable reality” of how AI is “woven into daily life”.
jrnl.ie/6931204
Harris said that as he travelled though San Francisco, he was “struck” by the “unavoidable reality” of how AI is “woven into daily life”.
jrnl.ie/6931204
Simon Harris says AI 'here to stay' after California trip and pledges Ireland will host AI summit
Harris said the ‘AI moment has arrived’ and it’s ‘time for Ireland to lead’.
jrnl.ie
January 19, 2026 at 10:13 AM
'it's time for Ireland to lead'
'by doing whatever you were told by whichever American politician you most recently met?'
'by doing whatever i was told by whichever American politician I most recently met, yes'
'by doing whatever you were told by whichever American politician you most recently met?'
'by doing whatever i was told by whichever American politician I most recently met, yes'
Reposted by Barry McMullin
🚨 Fine Gael TD and barrister Barry Ward has written to Gardaí issuing a formal complaint against X and its linked companies "in the anticipation that you will investigate it fully and transmit a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions without delay.”
Full text 🔽
pastebin.com/cdEVuLqA
Full text 🔽
pastebin.com/cdEVuLqA
To:Detective Superintendent Pat RyanGarda National Cyber Crime BureauDea - Pastebin.com
Pastebin.com is the number one paste tool since 2002. Pastebin is a website where you can store text online for a set period of time.
pastebin.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:17 AM
🚨 Fine Gael TD and barrister Barry Ward has written to Gardaí issuing a formal complaint against X and its linked companies "in the anticipation that you will investigate it fully and transmit a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions without delay.”
Full text 🔽
pastebin.com/cdEVuLqA
Full text 🔽
pastebin.com/cdEVuLqA
Reposted by Barry McMullin
It was inevitable.
Amazon's Ring to partner with Flock, a network of AI cameras used by ICE, feds, and police | TechCrunch
Agencies that use Flock can request that Ring doorbell users share footage to help with "evidence collection and investigative work."
techcrunch.com
January 19, 2026 at 8:02 AM
It was inevitable.
Reposted by Barry McMullin
No matter how exhausted you are today, how outraged, how frustrated, please remember that cynicism is obedience to power.
December 4, 2024 at 8:36 PM
No matter how exhausted you are today, how outraged, how frustrated, please remember that cynicism is obedience to power.
[Media capture is a clear route to state capture. Who would have guessed?]
British media owners have made common cause with the fossil fuel industry, to the point where opposition to climate action now outweighs support among UK editorial boards.
NEW – Analysis: UK newspaper editorial opposition to climate action overtakes support for first time | @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social @sylviahayes.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/eAPkvkx
Read here: buff.ly/eAPkvkx
January 19, 2026 at 10:09 AM
[Media capture is a clear route to state capture. Who would have guessed?]
Reposted by Barry McMullin
i feel like Americans don't get the level of eye-rolling this is getting from Europe
January 19, 2026 at 4:06 AM
i feel like Americans don't get the level of eye-rolling this is getting from Europe
Reposted by Barry McMullin
We’re stepping away from X (Twitter). We’ll continue sharing updates on channels where our community is most active, including Instagram, Facebook, Threads and here on Bluesky.
Read our full statement: ow.ly/LVx950XWAlu
Read our full statement: ow.ly/LVx950XWAlu
January 14, 2026 at 11:26 AM
We’re stepping away from X (Twitter). We’ll continue sharing updates on channels where our community is most active, including Instagram, Facebook, Threads and here on Bluesky.
Read our full statement: ow.ly/LVx950XWAlu
Read our full statement: ow.ly/LVx950XWAlu
Reposted by Barry McMullin
Córy Doctorow with another verbal bullseye: pluralistic.net/2026/01/13/n...
January 18, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Córy Doctorow with another verbal bullseye: pluralistic.net/2026/01/13/n...
Reposted by Barry McMullin
I dunno, 'HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED' sounds worse.
BRENNAN: Tell me about the officer, Jonathan Ross
KRISTI NOEM: Don't say his name! I mean, for heaven's sake, we shouldn't have people continue to dox law enforcement
BRENNAN: His name is public
NOEM: I know, but that doesn't mean it should continue to be said
KRISTI NOEM: Don't say his name! I mean, for heaven's sake, we shouldn't have people continue to dox law enforcement
BRENNAN: His name is public
NOEM: I know, but that doesn't mean it should continue to be said
January 18, 2026 at 8:18 PM
I dunno, 'HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED' sounds worse.
Reposted by Barry McMullin
🇩🇰🇺🇸 More than 280,000 Danes have signed a petition to buy California from the US.
The petition promises to bring the Danish concept of “hygge” to Hollywood, bike paths to Beverly Hills, and organic Danish sandwiches “smorrebrod” to every corner.
The petition was created almost a year ago.
The petition promises to bring the Danish concept of “hygge” to Hollywood, bike paths to Beverly Hills, and organic Danish sandwiches “smorrebrod” to every corner.
The petition was created almost a year ago.
January 18, 2026 at 6:17 PM
🇩🇰🇺🇸 More than 280,000 Danes have signed a petition to buy California from the US.
The petition promises to bring the Danish concept of “hygge” to Hollywood, bike paths to Beverly Hills, and organic Danish sandwiches “smorrebrod” to every corner.
The petition was created almost a year ago.
The petition promises to bring the Danish concept of “hygge” to Hollywood, bike paths to Beverly Hills, and organic Danish sandwiches “smorrebrod” to every corner.
The petition was created almost a year ago.