Bill Thompson
@billt.bsky.social
Hack and pundit. BBC Research & Development. Formerly Digital Planet.
What does it say about my week that I am cheered that my train goes from Platform 1 at Cambridge (near the barrier) and not Platform 8 (all the way over the bridge and back again)? Such small victories over fate.
November 13, 2025 at 7:51 AM
What does it say about my week that I am cheered that my train goes from Platform 1 at Cambridge (near the barrier) and not Platform 8 (all the way over the bridge and back again)? Such small victories over fate.
Reposted by Bill Thompson
The departure of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness means the BBC is leaderless when it needs leadership more than ever. Where are the people at the head of the BBC standing up for it?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC is facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack. With these resignations, it has given in | Jane Martinson
The corporation should have stood up to the Telegraph, Trump and the Tories. Now, its enemies know how little it takes for it to fold, says Jane Martinson, professor of financial journalism
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The departure of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness means the BBC is leaderless when it needs leadership more than ever. Where are the people at the head of the BBC standing up for it?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Internet Archive has removed 500,000 books from its Open Library. If it trained machines instead of people, like Anthropic, it might have avoided all the fuss
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Internet Archive’s legal fights are over, but its founder mourns what was lost
“We survived, but it wiped out the library,” Internet Archive’s founder says.
arstechnica.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:32 PM
The Internet Archive has removed 500,000 books from its Open Library. If it trained machines instead of people, like Anthropic, it might have avoided all the fuss
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Bill Thompson
Live your life in such a way that when you die people don't literally rise from the dead to shit on your grave.
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Live your life in such a way that when you die people don't literally rise from the dead to shit on your grave.
There is no limit to the vicious cruelty and pettiness of these people.
2/ The Dutch newspaper reports that two memorial panels installed at the NAC were removed some time earlier this year. They commemorated African-American soldiers who helped liberate Europe from German occupation during World War II.
November 9, 2025 at 11:49 AM
There is no limit to the vicious cruelty and pettiness of these people.
Reposted by Bill Thompson
The Sunday dozen
A venerable tradition returns to the re-booted Illuminations blog with a weekend selection of links
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
A venerable tradition returns to the re-booted Illuminations blog with a weekend selection of links
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
The Sunday dozen - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: As part of the overall re-boot of the blog, let’s see together whether it is interesting once again to share a dozen recommendations from my reading (mostly) and viewing (minimally)...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 7:06 AM
The Sunday dozen
A venerable tradition returns to the re-booted Illuminations blog with a weekend selection of links
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
A venerable tradition returns to the re-booted Illuminations blog with a weekend selection of links
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/the-sunday-d...
Reposted by Bill Thompson
Well done to everyone who remembered to vote.
Once again the Restore Trust group were seen off.
Let's do it all again next year.
Once again the Restore Trust group were seen off.
Let's do it all again next year.
National Trust council elections saw a defeat for the Restore Trust campaign.
35k members voted to re-elect a slate of council candidates endorsed by the nominations committee
12k - 13.5k voted for candidates on Restore Trust slate
Non-slate candidated
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...
35k members voted to re-elect a slate of council candidates endorsed by the nominations committee
12k - 13.5k voted for candidates on Restore Trust slate
Non-slate candidated
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...
Voting results from the AGM
Read about the National Trust's 2025 Annual General Meeting and the results from the day.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
November 9, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Well done to everyone who remembered to vote.
Once again the Restore Trust group were seen off.
Let's do it all again next year.
Once again the Restore Trust group were seen off.
Let's do it all again next year.
Reposted by Bill Thompson
Join us for the 2025 Public Policy Lecture with Prof Ricardo Hausmann @harvardkennedy.bsky.social on how today’s policymakers can drive growth & prosperity in an age of disruption.
Thu 20 Nov 2025 | 17:30–19:00 | Jesus College, Cambridge
Book your place www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/events/annua...
Thu 20 Nov 2025 | 17:30–19:00 | Jesus College, Cambridge
Book your place www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/events/annua...
November 5, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Join us for the 2025 Public Policy Lecture with Prof Ricardo Hausmann @harvardkennedy.bsky.social on how today’s policymakers can drive growth & prosperity in an age of disruption.
Thu 20 Nov 2025 | 17:30–19:00 | Jesus College, Cambridge
Book your place www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/events/annua...
Thu 20 Nov 2025 | 17:30–19:00 | Jesus College, Cambridge
Book your place www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/events/annua...
We seem to have collectively decided to disregard the fact that the US President, assisted by Elon Musk, is responsible for hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths, a number that will grow over time. But hey, "one trillion dollars" www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:31 PM
We seem to have collectively decided to disregard the fact that the US President, assisted by Elon Musk, is responsible for hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths, a number that will grow over time. But hey, "one trillion dollars" www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Reposted by Bill Thompson
If I see one more stupid Rosalind Franklin take I'm going to lose my mind. Thank god for @matthewcobb.bsky.social and @nccomfort.bsky.social. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:21 AM
If I see one more stupid Rosalind Franklin take I'm going to lose my mind. Thank god for @matthewcobb.bsky.social and @nccomfort.bsky.social. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Bill Thompson
James Watson was not just a scientist who was a racist. He was worse - a scientist who offered other racists the comfort of scientific authority.
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:40 PM
James Watson was not just a scientist who was a racist. He was worse - a scientist who offered other racists the comfort of scientific authority.
Reposted by Bill Thompson
"World's first potential trillionaire has killed 600,000 people, including 400,000 children" is the only headline that anyone should ever read about Elon Musk
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 1:33 AM
"World's first potential trillionaire has killed 600,000 people, including 400,000 children" is the only headline that anyone should ever read about Elon Musk
Reposted by Bill Thompson
I was busily telling a friend about a weird dream I'd had about them where they were hiding in fog, when I noticed they were wearing white loafers – very out of character for them – and then I awoke from telling them about it.
November 2, 2025 at 8:32 AM
I was busily telling a friend about a weird dream I'd had about them where they were hiding in fog, when I noticed they were wearing white loafers – very out of character for them – and then I awoke from telling them about it.
Reposted by Bill Thompson
#OtD 1 Nov 1936 the Jarrow marchers arrived in London. They had marched all the way from Jarrow in North-East England to protest hunger and unemployment as a result of the closure of the town's shipyard, which was the main employer in the area stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/8136...
November 1, 2025 at 6:55 AM
#OtD 1 Nov 1936 the Jarrow marchers arrived in London. They had marched all the way from Jarrow in North-East England to protest hunger and unemployment as a result of the closure of the town's shipyard, which was the main employer in the area stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/8136...
Reposted by Bill Thompson
Really enjoyed this thought-provoking in conversation with @profafinlayson.bsky.social renewal.org.uk/articles/the... which is very timely as we start to organise the first Society for Hopeful Technologists community events
The left (still) doesn't understand the internet
Renewal 33.2_Finlayson & JeffreyRenewal 33.2_Finlayson & Jeffrey.pdf161 KBdownload-circle
In June 2025, Nigel Farage boasted on Facebook and X that he had more TikTok subscribers than all other 649...
renewal.org.uk
November 1, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Really enjoyed this thought-provoking in conversation with @profafinlayson.bsky.social renewal.org.uk/articles/the... which is very timely as we start to organise the first Society for Hopeful Technologists community events
Reposted by Bill Thompson
I was selfish and took the milestone episode to explain why we must get off US tech, some options that are already available to us, but also why our governments need to step up.
We can’t keep allowing the US government and Silicon Valley billionaires to have so much power over us!
We can’t keep allowing the US government and Silicon Valley billionaires to have so much power over us!
Tech Won’t Save Us is celebrating 300 episodes! 🎉
This week @parismarx.com took over the show to discuss an issue that’s been motivating a lot of his work this year: the problem with our dependence on US tech and why we need digital sovereignty!
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/300_...
This week @parismarx.com took over the show to discuss an issue that’s been motivating a lot of his work this year: the problem with our dependence on US tech and why we need digital sovereignty!
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/300_...
October 31, 2025 at 12:18 PM
I was selfish and took the milestone episode to explain why we must get off US tech, some options that are already available to us, but also why our governments need to step up.
We can’t keep allowing the US government and Silicon Valley billionaires to have so much power over us!
We can’t keep allowing the US government and Silicon Valley billionaires to have so much power over us!
Reposted by Bill Thompson
We're each of us alone, to be sure. What can you do but hold your hand out in the dark?
November 1, 2025 at 4:05 AM
We're each of us alone, to be sure. What can you do but hold your hand out in the dark?
Reposted by Bill Thompson
So why does the BBC label the academic and economist Faiza Shaheen an "activist" but refuse to do the same for the former academic, turned anti-migrant activist Matt Goodwin?
October 30, 2025 at 11:06 AM
So why does the BBC label the academic and economist Faiza Shaheen an "activist" but refuse to do the same for the former academic, turned anti-migrant activist Matt Goodwin?
Reposted by Bill Thompson
“we’re explicitly not building Skynet” says man who is 100% building Skynet
There is a long interview with Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar by columnist Ross Douthat in the Times today. "We’re explicitly not building Skynet," he reassures Douthat, in a wide ranging conversation that ranges from the company's work with ICE and Israel to Sankar's appetite for pro-American movies.
Opinion | What Palantir Sees
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:49 AM
“we’re explicitly not building Skynet” says man who is 100% building Skynet
My week: "my bad.. when i said tomorrow it was tuesday and when you said tomorrow it was wednesday and I didn’t realise, and I’ve got call at 11 today (which is the tomorrow you were referring to yesterday)… could we do another time?"
October 30, 2025 at 9:11 AM
My week: "my bad.. when i said tomorrow it was tuesday and when you said tomorrow it was wednesday and I didn’t realise, and I’ve got call at 11 today (which is the tomorrow you were referring to yesterday)… could we do another time?"
Reposted by Bill Thompson
Zohran Mamdani caught lying that he understood Plato’s allegory of the cave, yet when asked to explain it, he seemed to instead explain Baudrillard’s theory of Simulacra and Simulation where reality has been replaced by symbols and signs, which seems similar to Plato’s theory but is not the same
October 29, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Zohran Mamdani caught lying that he understood Plato’s allegory of the cave, yet when asked to explain it, he seemed to instead explain Baudrillard’s theory of Simulacra and Simulation where reality has been replaced by symbols and signs, which seems similar to Plato’s theory but is not the same
Reposted by Bill Thompson
Oooo!
This is a lovely article, showing that the spirit of enquiry and the thirst for new knowledge persist in a world where stupidity is so popular.
www.quantamagazine.org/first-shape-...
www.quantamagazine.org/first-shape-...
First Shape Found That Can’t Pass Through Itself | Quanta Magazine
After more than three centuries, a geometry problem that originated with a royal bet has been solved.
www.quantamagazine.org
October 25, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Oooo!
Reposted by Bill Thompson
Reposted by Bill Thompson
this is obviously appalling - and he should lose his job - but it's also really quite shocking; I first met Calgie when he was a baby reporter in his early twenties and sure, he was always a Tory, but he was....fine and normal? right-wing radicalisation is out of control in SW1
A mainstream “journalist” calling for a British MP to be deported. Is it because I’m Muslim? Next time, just say it with your chest.
October 18, 2025 at 9:23 AM
this is obviously appalling - and he should lose his job - but it's also really quite shocking; I first met Calgie when he was a baby reporter in his early twenties and sure, he was always a Tory, but he was....fine and normal? right-wing radicalisation is out of control in SW1
Reposted by Bill Thompson
For those of you keeping score, 18-22 year-old students calling for an end to slaughter in Gaza are so racist they need to be expelled or deported, but 24-35 year-olds celebrating Hitler, rape, and, um, racism are just kids being kids so chill.
Also, racism is over so no need for Voting Right Act.
Also, racism is over so no need for Voting Right Act.
JD Vance brushes off racist texts by adults in Republican group chat as ‘what kids do’
Vice-president downplays messages such as ‘I love Hitler’ in chat by 24 to 35-year-olds to ‘stupid jokes’
www.theguardian.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:50 PM
For those of you keeping score, 18-22 year-old students calling for an end to slaughter in Gaza are so racist they need to be expelled or deported, but 24-35 year-olds celebrating Hitler, rape, and, um, racism are just kids being kids so chill.
Also, racism is over so no need for Voting Right Act.
Also, racism is over so no need for Voting Right Act.