Chris Thomson
@cbthomson.bsky.social
Learning - technology - music - storytelling - creativity, all that good stuff...
"Life Can Only Be Understood Backwards, But It Must Be Lived Forwards" Kierkegaard (probably)
"Life Can Only Be Understood Backwards, But It Must Be Lived Forwards" Kierkegaard (probably)
Does Trump think Greenland is actually as big as the Mercator globe projection makes it look? Is that why he wants it? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercato...
Mercator projection - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
January 21, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Does Trump think Greenland is actually as big as the Mercator globe projection makes it look? Is that why he wants it? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercato...
Reposted by Chris Thomson
Chatbots and Student Wellbeing: An Emerging Challenge for FE and HE [BLOG]: inspiringlearning.jiscinvolve.org/wp/2026/01/c... #Wellbeing #DigitalWellbeing #HE #FE #Chatbots #AI #EdTech #EduSky #AmplifyFE #UKFE
Chatbots and Student Wellbeing: An Emerging Challenge for FE and HE - Inspiring learning
Scott investigates an emerging challenge for FE and HE across the UK in light of recent findings from the Mental Health UK charity. Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a future concept in mental...
inspiringlearning.jiscinvolve.org
January 21, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Chatbots and Student Wellbeing: An Emerging Challenge for FE and HE [BLOG]: inspiringlearning.jiscinvolve.org/wp/2026/01/c... #Wellbeing #DigitalWellbeing #HE #FE #Chatbots #AI #EdTech #EduSky #AmplifyFE #UKFE
Not so much a board, more of a ... what's the word? I want to say axis?
So far the "Board of Peace" is Trump, Orban, Lukaschenko and Netanyahu.
Which if you wrote in a satire would be considered too outlandish and sent back.
Which if you wrote in a satire would be considered too outlandish and sent back.
January 21, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Not so much a board, more of a ... what's the word? I want to say axis?
This is great. Not familiar with System 1 & 2 thinking but it reminded me a bit of Jerome Bruner's paradigmatic and narrative thinking modes. Data and intuition are 2 sides of the same coin, not opposite banks of a river of indecision.
Some of your worst decisions probably came from your "best" analysis.
New post on why over-optimised, purely rational decision-making can backfire – and how to bring head and body back into the process:
blog.dougbelshaw.com/decision-mak...
#DecisionMaking #SystemsThinking #Leadership
New post on why over-optimised, purely rational decision-making can backfire – and how to bring head and body back into the process:
blog.dougbelshaw.com/decision-mak...
#DecisionMaking #SystemsThinking #Leadership
Why your worst decision probably came from your best analysis
When we stop trying to choose between our head and our gut, we are more likely to bring our full intelligence to work.
blog.dougbelshaw.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:23 AM
This is great. Not familiar with System 1 & 2 thinking but it reminded me a bit of Jerome Bruner's paradigmatic and narrative thinking modes. Data and intuition are 2 sides of the same coin, not opposite banks of a river of indecision.
Reposted by Chris Thomson
Warts
Huh?
What are they good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
Huh?
What are they good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
January 20, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Warts
Huh?
What are they good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
Huh?
What are they good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
Reposted by Chris Thomson
Art Nouveau is when stuff looks like it was made by Elves.
Art Deco is when stuff looks like it was made by Dwarves.
Art Deco is when stuff looks like it was made by Dwarves.
October 9, 2024 at 12:10 AM
Art Nouveau is when stuff looks like it was made by Elves.
Art Deco is when stuff looks like it was made by Dwarves.
Art Deco is when stuff looks like it was made by Dwarves.
NEW POST: Eyes on me! Directing Attention in 360 Video bit.ly/49GCLUs - a rare chance for me to nerd out and explore ways for narrowing your viewers' focus when they can physically look in any direction. Also, pretty video of gliding!
#xr #360video #vr #gopro #digitalstorytelling #creativity
#xr #360video #vr #gopro #digitalstorytelling #creativity
Eyes on me! - Directing attention in 360 Video - Inspiring learning
It's a challenge to direct viewer attention in 360 video given the lack of frame. Chris experiments with some techniques to address this.
inspiringlearning.jiscinvolve.org
January 16, 2026 at 12:44 PM
NEW POST: Eyes on me! Directing Attention in 360 Video bit.ly/49GCLUs - a rare chance for me to nerd out and explore ways for narrowing your viewers' focus when they can physically look in any direction. Also, pretty video of gliding!
#xr #360video #vr #gopro #digitalstorytelling #creativity
#xr #360video #vr #gopro #digitalstorytelling #creativity
Guardo pic editor knows their Friends memes
January 13, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Guardo pic editor knows their Friends memes
Reposted by Chris Thomson
The Highway Code rule 112b: LED headlights
![[Cartoon strip pastiche of the Highway Code, with illustrations describing the text]
[Title panel]:
The Highway Code
Rule number 112b:
LED headlights
In recent years, many
new cars have been fitted with extra-bright LED headlights.
LED headlights increase safety by illuminating every detail of the road ahead
Including the face of the person driving a metal box towards you at a combined speed of 80mph
Whom you have just blinded with your LED headlights.
LED headlights must be fitted at eye-level on a great big murderous wall of car.
[Show a car crumpling into the front of a high-fronted SUV, bathed in light from the blinding headlamps]
They must be permanently on full beam, because you are insane.
And they should be bright enough to make other drivers think they are ascending into a blinding vortex of alien light
Like them old people in the classic Ron Howard film, Cocoon (1985).
[Show illustration of the final scene where the older people on the boat are being yoinked up into the blindingly-illuminated cloaca of the big spaceship]
So remember: you must use LED headlights
To prevent everyone from not crashing into you.
[Image shows this happening]
[Ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreidg3mni5yt6nxmwoqrv66uzimyblbekeeffqwtclshd42bl2cr4qa@jpeg)
January 12, 2026 at 11:52 AM
The Highway Code rule 112b: LED headlights
Here's our team's round up of interesting things from the last month inspiringlearning.jiscinvolve.org/wp/2026/01/d...
Digital Practice Round-Up - December 2025 - Inspiring learning
This is our monthly roundup of what the Jisc Digital Practice team have been doing and discovering over the last few weeks.
inspiringlearning.jiscinvolve.org
January 9, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Here's our team's round up of interesting things from the last month inspiringlearning.jiscinvolve.org/wp/2026/01/d...
Reposted by Chris Thomson
Connect More is running again in May 2026 and @jisc.bsky.social are looking for submissions from FE and HE practitioners on the theme of "be empowered to transform education through practitioner-led, ethical digital innovation".
Deadline is the end of January! www.jisc.ac.uk/forms/submit...
Deadline is the end of January! www.jisc.ac.uk/forms/submit...
Submit your programme session ideas for Connect More - Jisc
www.jisc.ac.uk
January 8, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Connect More is running again in May 2026 and @jisc.bsky.social are looking for submissions from FE and HE practitioners on the theme of "be empowered to transform education through practitioner-led, ethical digital innovation".
Deadline is the end of January! www.jisc.ac.uk/forms/submit...
Deadline is the end of January! www.jisc.ac.uk/forms/submit...
Reposted by Chris Thomson
Journalists need to stop writing that “Grok is spreading child pornography” or “Grok is spreading antisemitic messages.” Grok is a human creation with algorithms created by humans working for X. The technology is not responsible. The people running the company are.
January 6, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Journalists need to stop writing that “Grok is spreading child pornography” or “Grok is spreading antisemitic messages.” Grok is a human creation with algorithms created by humans working for X. The technology is not responsible. The people running the company are.
It's a competition between breaking a rib by sneezing and cracking a tooth eating Weetabix.
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 6, 2026 at 9:52 AM
It's a competition between breaking a rib by sneezing and cracking a tooth eating Weetabix.
TIL about Generative Experience Optimisation (GEO) as the next step on from SEO for online content optimisation. Then I started thinking how bad a term GEO is for SEO purposes and this is my life now.
January 2, 2026 at 11:44 AM
TIL about Generative Experience Optimisation (GEO) as the next step on from SEO for online content optimisation. Then I started thinking how bad a term GEO is for SEO purposes and this is my life now.
Reposted by Chris Thomson
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
December 29, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
Reposted by Chris Thomson
Make a band movie academic:
No Time to Mark
No Time to Mark
Make a Bond movie academic
Write another day
Write another day
Make a Bond movie academic
Dr? No, Not That Kind
Dr? No, Not That Kind
December 27, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Make a band movie academic:
No Time to Mark
No Time to Mark
Christmas in our house: I decorate the tree while youngest sits on the sofa working out a mathematical formula for optimal light distribution.
December 24, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Christmas in our house: I decorate the tree while youngest sits on the sofa working out a mathematical formula for optimal light distribution.
Reposted by Chris Thomson
Big breaking news...Coursera and Udemy have agreed to merge their online education businesses. This will mean Udemy is no more and will be subsumed under the Coursera brand, with current CEO Greg Hart continuing as the CEO of this merged entity.
investor.coursera.com/news/news-de...
investor.coursera.com/news/news-de...
Coursera to Combine with Udemy to Empower the Global Workforce with Skills for the AI Era
Highly Complementary Capabilities Will Create a Leading Technology Platform, Redefining Skills Discovery, Development, and Mastery for Learners and Organizations at Scale Unites Udemy’s Dynamic AI-Pow...
investor.coursera.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Big breaking news...Coursera and Udemy have agreed to merge their online education businesses. This will mean Udemy is no more and will be subsumed under the Coursera brand, with current CEO Greg Hart continuing as the CEO of this merged entity.
investor.coursera.com/news/news-de...
investor.coursera.com/news/news-de...
Reposted by Chris Thomson
AI tutors are often held up as an ideal, but prioritizing individualized teaching can detract from the benefits of learning in social environments.
buff.ly/sHsZiV8
buff.ly/sHsZiV8
The ‘one chatbot per child’ model for AI in classrooms conflicts with what research shows: Learning is a social process
AI tutors are often held up as an ideal, but prioritizing individualized teaching can detract from the benefits of learning in social environments.
buff.ly
December 17, 2025 at 11:48 AM
AI tutors are often held up as an ideal, but prioritizing individualized teaching can detract from the benefits of learning in social environments.
buff.ly/sHsZiV8
buff.ly/sHsZiV8
Hi @adobe.com - looks like Adobe Express is down for a few education institutions in the UK. Nothing on the status pages. Can you give an update?
December 15, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Hi @adobe.com - looks like Adobe Express is down for a few education institutions in the UK. Nothing on the status pages. Can you give an update?
12 years ago, I discovered the worst downer of a Christmas Carol ever. You're welcome.
December 12, 2025 at 10:51 AM
12 years ago, I discovered the worst downer of a Christmas Carol ever. You're welcome.
What's your daily battle rhythm?
UPDATE from Pentagon's "bespoke AI platform" rollout.
“We are pushing all of our chips in on artificial intelligence as a fighting force. The Department is tapping into America's commercial genius, and we’re embedding generative AI into our daily battle rhythm" -- Hegseth
“We are pushing all of our chips in on artificial intelligence as a fighting force. The Department is tapping into America's commercial genius, and we’re embedding generative AI into our daily battle rhythm" -- Hegseth
NVIDIA, whose stock is now a "load-bearing entity in the US stock market," "is dependent not on its customers, but on its customers’ credit ratings and financial backers." And it gets worse from there!
A fantastic, very long, highly-meandering-but-the-meandering-is-necessary @edzitron.com piece:
A fantastic, very long, highly-meandering-but-the-meandering-is-necessary @edzitron.com piece:
December 10, 2025 at 9:18 AM
What's your daily battle rhythm?
It seems to be a morning for fonts. In that vein, I present Coldstream Holiday park, where the Comic Sans is literally carved in stone.
December 10, 2025 at 9:12 AM
It seems to be a morning for fonts. In that vein, I present Coldstream Holiday park, where the Comic Sans is literally carved in stone.
Reposted by Chris Thomson
The designer of Times New Roman, Stanley Morrison, was a conscientious objector in 1916 and was imprisoned for his pacifist beliefs.
These dipshits can't even vice signal without screwing it up.
These dipshits can't even vice signal without screwing it up.
Times New Roman is an imported font, developed for London newspaper The Times in 1931. You know what American-designed font cooked up in 1994 would be perfect for this regime? Comic Sans.
Marco Rubio ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor's decision to adopt Calibri a “wasteful” diversity move
December 10, 2025 at 4:44 AM
The designer of Times New Roman, Stanley Morrison, was a conscientious objector in 1916 and was imprisoned for his pacifist beliefs.
These dipshits can't even vice signal without screwing it up.
These dipshits can't even vice signal without screwing it up.