Sally Bean
@cybersal.bsky.social
Healthy Travel Champion for Weybridge Society. Former Enterprise Architect. Interested in the human side of information, systems and complexity... and jazz. FRSA
A personally addressed postcard from Nicola Horlick landed on my mat today. She's competing to be the LibDem PPC for Runnymede and Weybridge and there's a hustings tomorrow. But why the pictures of cactuses?
November 16, 2025 at 6:55 PM
A personally addressed postcard from Nicola Horlick landed on my mat today. She's competing to be the LibDem PPC for Runnymede and Weybridge and there's a hustings tomorrow. But why the pictures of cactuses?
Reposted by Sally Bean
I'm not sure if others have noticed this, but interesting that one of the Prescott criticisms of the BBC is based on those of the 'History Reclaimed' group, which is also associated with the 'Restore Trust' group's attacks on & so far unsuccessful attempts to take control of the National Trust. 1/3
November 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I'm not sure if others have noticed this, but interesting that one of the Prescott criticisms of the BBC is based on those of the 'History Reclaimed' group, which is also associated with the 'Restore Trust' group's attacks on & so far unsuccessful attempts to take control of the National Trust. 1/3
Good News.
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 12:01 PM
Good News.
Reposted by Sally Bean
What he said: 💯 🎯
November 1, 2025 at 6:55 PM
What he said: 💯 🎯
Today is the last day to vote. Massive number of candidates on the council ballot but the recommended list looks fine to me and makes it quick and easy to do.
*Calling all members*
Get your votes in for our Annual General Meeting before it’s too late: buff.ly/reNDWPy
Voting closes midnight on 31 Oct.
Get your votes in for our Annual General Meeting before it’s too late: buff.ly/reNDWPy
Voting closes midnight on 31 Oct.
October 31, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Today is the last day to vote. Massive number of candidates on the council ballot but the recommended list looks fine to me and makes it quick and easy to do.
"The problems that face us in advancing AI are not just making the machines smarter but figuring out how to integrate them with existing systems." Indeed. There will always be jobs for people who understand how to bring together human systems, information systems, and technologies.
I had a great interaction with a customer service chatbot last week, and yet the customer service itself was no better. That left me thinking about why that was, and why making the AI better isn't the answer.
www.oreilly.com/radar/integr...
www.oreilly.com/radar/integr...
AI Integration Is the New Moat
The electrical system warning light had gone on in my Kona EV over the weekend, and all the manual said was to take it to the dealer for evaluation. I first
www.oreilly.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:23 PM
"The problems that face us in advancing AI are not just making the machines smarter but figuring out how to integrate them with existing systems." Indeed. There will always be jobs for people who understand how to bring together human systems, information systems, and technologies.
Reposted by Sally Bean
RIP Bill Torbert stream.syscoi.com/2025/10/24/r...
RIP Bill Torbert
I hear via a lovely tribute from John Watters of Bill Torbert’s death this week. I was introduce to Bill’s work by Peter Cooper, specifically the brilliant Action Inquiry, to which John also refers…
stream.syscoi.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:05 AM
RIP Bill Torbert stream.syscoi.com/2025/10/24/r...
Reposted by Sally Bean
Excellent Guardian piece on Aadhar, India's digital ID system, that captures the dilemma extremely well. Digital-by-default methods create huge convenience for some, double-down on social exclusion for others, and it is easy for their scope to rapidly expand www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
‘Your basis to live is checked at each and every step’: India’s ID system divides opinion
Keir Starmer is considering Aadhaar as model for UK, but detractors warn of ‘digital coercion’ and security breaches
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Excellent Guardian piece on Aadhar, India's digital ID system, that captures the dilemma extremely well. Digital-by-default methods create huge convenience for some, double-down on social exclusion for others, and it is easy for their scope to rapidly expand www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
I love Venn diagrams.
October 4, 2025 at 7:08 AM
I love Venn diagrams.
We saw it on Friday. There's a great intro with all the actors being interviewed.
Hadn't seen or heard it before and must admit I wondered why everyone who had went on and on about it. Saw it at the cinema yesterday. Now I know!
PS If you've never seen 'In the Heights', you're missing out!
PS If you've never seen 'In the Heights', you're missing out!
Hamilton | Official Trailer | In Theaters September 5
YouTube video by Disney
www.youtube.com
September 29, 2025 at 6:32 AM
We saw it on Friday. There's a great intro with all the actors being interviewed.
Reposted by Sally Bean
My last post about digital ID today, but reading this Independent piece (in which I'm quoted) and what is this quote from Morgan Wild at Labour Together? Using the NHS app doesn't mean "your data is online". If this is the level of digital understanding of people writing digital policy, god help us
September 26, 2025 at 5:42 PM
My last post about digital ID today, but reading this Independent piece (in which I'm quoted) and what is this quote from Morgan Wild at Labour Together? Using the NHS app doesn't mean "your data is online". If this is the level of digital understanding of people writing digital policy, god help us
He once lived just a few minutes walk away from where I live now, but sadly the house has been demolished. Campaign to save home fails - Surrey Live share.google/cK9LKvnGfwg0...
September 25, 2025 at 8:01 AM
He once lived just a few minutes walk away from where I live now, but sadly the house has been demolished. Campaign to save home fails - Surrey Live share.google/cK9LKvnGfwg0...
Looking forward to this!
🧪 I have a new TV offering: a 2-part Horizon special on BBC2 going out on 29th Sep and 6th October. It is called Secrets of the Brain. See
See www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
See www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Two - Secrets of the Brain, Series 1, Episode 1
Jim Al-Khalili reveals how the staggeringly complex human brain evolved.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Looking forward to this!
Exposition of liberalism by Cass Sunstein. Nothing to do with left v right. www.nytimes.com/2023/11/20/o...
Opinion | Why I Am a Liberal (Published 2023)
www.nytimes.com
August 18, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Exposition of liberalism by Cass Sunstein. Nothing to do with left v right. www.nytimes.com/2023/11/20/o...
Reposted by Sally Bean
What dastardly schemes will this evil council conjure up next in its mission to.... checks notes... stop people getting killed by bad drivers
August 15, 2025 at 6:29 AM
What dastardly schemes will this evil council conjure up next in its mission to.... checks notes... stop people getting killed by bad drivers
Monday morning dystopia.
open.substack.com/pub/jeffgree... This is such a terrifying tale of the capricious power of a tech giant and its AI bots to remove someone’s livelihood. And Jeff Greenwald as a fellow ’Parkie’ I feel your pain!
Terminated
There's no "U" in AI / "Open the pod bay doors, please..."
open.substack.com
August 4, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Monday morning dystopia.
"In our current moment of polarized certainties, von Foerster reminds us that we are not spectators of the world, but co-creators of it."
My latest post - The -isms of a Man Who Rejected -isms:
You are the Copernican revolution. The observer is not the center of the universe, but every observation necessarily has them at its center.
#HvF #CyberneticConstructivism
harishsnotebook.wordpress.com/2025/08/01/t...
You are the Copernican revolution. The observer is not the center of the universe, but every observation necessarily has them at its center.
#HvF #CyberneticConstructivism
harishsnotebook.wordpress.com/2025/08/01/t...
The -isms of a Man Who Rejected -isms:
In today’s post, I am exploring one of the most fascinating aspects of Heinz von Foerster’s work: his complete rejection of philosophical labels and -isms. Von Foerster, the Austrian-Am…
harishsnotebook.wordpress.com
August 2, 2025 at 6:54 AM
"In our current moment of polarized certainties, von Foerster reminds us that we are not spectators of the world, but co-creators of it."
Reposted by Sally Bean
Tremendous thread!
With Tom Lehrer's passing, I suppose this is a moment to share the story of the prank he played on the National Security Agency, and how it went undiscovered for nearly 60 years.
July 28, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Tremendous thread!
Reposted by Sally Bean
Tom Lehrer made all of his music 100% public domain so if seeing people sad about his death makes you want to check them out… it’s free. he wanted you to share them.
tomlehrersongs.com
tomlehrersongs.com
July 27, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Tom Lehrer made all of his music 100% public domain so if seeing people sad about his death makes you want to check them out… it’s free. he wanted you to share them.
tomlehrersongs.com
tomlehrersongs.com
"He added it was “disappointing” that the arresting police officers did not appear to have heard of Private Eye. “That’s really depressing, isn’t it? That’s probably the most appalling thing,” he joked." www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
July 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
"He added it was “disappointing” that the arresting police officers did not appear to have heard of Private Eye. “That’s really depressing, isn’t it? That’s probably the most appalling thing,” he joked." www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
I hated doing this quiz, some questions meaningless out of context (everyone will interpret 'system' differently) some stupidly binary (who wants to prefer their children to be curious OR good-mannered). I'm a member of the tribe that doesn't like being labelled.
Our report 'Shattered Britain' is our most comprehensive dive into British public opinion & attitudes yet. We identify the new fault lines of public opinion + how they create 7 new segments of Britain. Highlights in thread & read it all/take the quiz here t.co/BKGt22FZmP
July 18, 2025 at 8:00 AM
I hated doing this quiz, some questions meaningless out of context (everyone will interpret 'system' differently) some stupidly binary (who wants to prefer their children to be curious OR good-mannered). I'm a member of the tribe that doesn't like being labelled.
Interesting experiment on what AI does to students' brains observer.co.uk/news/science...
Does AI make us dull? Students have answered that question
An MIT experiment shows exactly what happens to the brain when writing an essay with the help of AI – and without it
observer.co.uk
June 30, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Interesting experiment on what AI does to students' brains observer.co.uk/news/science...
Raye's guitarist is a Keir look-a-like.
June 28, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Raye's guitarist is a Keir look-a-like.
Perfect for Brexit Day
I'm so sick of Goodwin and Goodheart and their stupid immigration hot takes that I've resorted to old fashioned mockery.
Meet Professor Ivor Oddgrin ...
bylinetimes.com/2025/06/23/n...
Meet Professor Ivor Oddgrin ...
bylinetimes.com/2025/06/23/n...
'Nine Years on from Brexit: And I've Had Enough of London Too!'
Inspired by the insights of Matthew Goodwin and David Goodhart, Professor Ivor Oddgrin documents the terrifying change that is happening before our eyes
bylinetimes.com
June 23, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Perfect for Brexit Day
While this is funny, it's also a vivid example of how too many people are still unready for a so-called 'digital-first' world.
In another episode of “how did I end up being a computer scientist?” my mother has just messaged me with a screenshot — a photo of a holiday cottage that says ‘sleeps 2’ and asked me for an opinion. I replied that I can’t tell, could she share a link. She says I should “go and look for it”. 😐
June 18, 2025 at 12:06 PM
While this is funny, it's also a vivid example of how too many people are still unready for a so-called 'digital-first' world.