Dan Thornton
@danthornton.net
Self-employed writer, marketer and SEO for 20+ years, avid sim racer. Interests: sci-fi, motorcycling, classic cars, film, freelancing, tech, music and playing guitar. Co-founder: Digital People in Peterborough / Peterborough STEM Festival
It's easy to underestimate how much impact small hassles can build into.
If simple tasks become a pain, it's not long before people are ready to yeet your business into orbit.
If simple tasks become a pain, it's not long before people are ready to yeet your business into orbit.
February 3, 2026 at 4:52 PM
It's easy to underestimate how much impact small hassles can build into.
If simple tasks become a pain, it's not long before people are ready to yeet your business into orbit.
If simple tasks become a pain, it's not long before people are ready to yeet your business into orbit.
"Google Looker Studio is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something,"
a man in a black mask with the words i 'm afraid you 'll just have to wait
ALT: a man in a black mask with the words i 'm afraid you 'll just have to wait
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:27 PM
"Google Looker Studio is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something,"
This seems like a much more beneficial way to combat loneliness in teens and seniors, compared to leaving them with unregulated AI chatbots...
reasonstobecheerful.world/hamburg-comb...
reasonstobecheerful.world/hamburg-comb...
How Hamburg Combats Loneliness With 'Culture Buddies'
From symphony performances to art exhibitions, shared outings give older people and students a vital dose of social medicine.
reasonstobecheerful.world
February 1, 2026 at 5:03 PM
This seems like a much more beneficial way to combat loneliness in teens and seniors, compared to leaving them with unregulated AI chatbots...
reasonstobecheerful.world/hamburg-comb...
reasonstobecheerful.world/hamburg-comb...
Another reminder that AI tools can be useful. But you need to assume they're not private or secure - even running them locally isn't necessarily safe, let alone all the big names and apps rushing out new features etc all the time...
www.404media.co/massive-ai-c...
www.404media.co/massive-ai-c...
Massive AI Chat App Leaked Millions of Users Private Conversations
Chat & Ask AI, which claims 50 million users, exposed private chats about suicide and making meth.
www.404media.co
January 30, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Another reminder that AI tools can be useful. But you need to assume they're not private or secure - even running them locally isn't necessarily safe, let alone all the big names and apps rushing out new features etc all the time...
www.404media.co/massive-ai-c...
www.404media.co/massive-ai-c...
There's something weird about the House of Lords (average age 70-71) trying to ban under 16s from using VPNs.
I'm not suggesting that every 15 year old is just using a VPN to protect themseves on public wifi networks, but it feels very much like a sledgehammer to crack a nut...
I'm not suggesting that every 15 year old is just using a VPN to protect themseves on public wifi networks, but it feels very much like a sledgehammer to crack a nut...
January 30, 2026 at 12:25 AM
There's something weird about the House of Lords (average age 70-71) trying to ban under 16s from using VPNs.
I'm not suggesting that every 15 year old is just using a VPN to protect themseves on public wifi networks, but it feels very much like a sledgehammer to crack a nut...
I'm not suggesting that every 15 year old is just using a VPN to protect themseves on public wifi networks, but it feels very much like a sledgehammer to crack a nut...
Had to nip out to drive the family to some appointments and errands.
And being left alone for a few minutes obviously meant I came back with an armful of books from local charity shop. At a time when we're trying to clear some space in the house.
I blame the family...
And being left alone for a few minutes obviously meant I came back with an armful of books from local charity shop. At a time when we're trying to clear some space in the house.
I blame the family...
January 29, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Had to nip out to drive the family to some appointments and errands.
And being left alone for a few minutes obviously meant I came back with an armful of books from local charity shop. At a time when we're trying to clear some space in the house.
I blame the family...
And being left alone for a few minutes obviously meant I came back with an armful of books from local charity shop. At a time when we're trying to clear some space in the house.
I blame the family...
I must be too simple to understand the logic here.
My water company last announced an increased operating profit of £496.5 million, but my bill has to go up again because they spent years underinvesting in their own infrastructure?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
My water company last announced an increased operating profit of £496.5 million, but my bill has to go up again because they spent years underinvesting in their own infrastructure?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Water bills to rise again: Use our tool to find out by how much
The average annual household bill in England and Wales will increase by £33 from April.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 2:07 AM
I must be too simple to understand the logic here.
My water company last announced an increased operating profit of £496.5 million, but my bill has to go up again because they spent years underinvesting in their own infrastructure?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
My water company last announced an increased operating profit of £496.5 million, but my bill has to go up again because they spent years underinvesting in their own infrastructure?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The constant nickel and diming by SEMRush is starting to get frustrating...
I get some of the features/packages will cost extra, but even simple tasks and basic reporting gets handicapped by the constant restrictions to force upgrades...
I get some of the features/packages will cost extra, but even simple tasks and basic reporting gets handicapped by the constant restrictions to force upgrades...
January 28, 2026 at 1:17 PM
The constant nickel and diming by SEMRush is starting to get frustrating...
I get some of the features/packages will cost extra, but even simple tasks and basic reporting gets handicapped by the constant restrictions to force upgrades...
I get some of the features/packages will cost extra, but even simple tasks and basic reporting gets handicapped by the constant restrictions to force upgrades...
Finished watching S2 of A Thousand Blows, and really enjoyed it.
And typically for me, had to do some reading up on the historical characters, only to find a slight connection between Mary Carr and some of my ancestors.
And typically for me, had to do some reading up on the historical characters, only to find a slight connection between Mary Carr and some of my ancestors.
January 27, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Finished watching S2 of A Thousand Blows, and really enjoyed it.
And typically for me, had to do some reading up on the historical characters, only to find a slight connection between Mary Carr and some of my ancestors.
And typically for me, had to do some reading up on the historical characters, only to find a slight connection between Mary Carr and some of my ancestors.
Reposted by Dan Thornton
RFK Jr. appointee Kirk Milhoan has just clearly stated, out loud, that he wants to experiment on the people of the United States by seeing what happens as vaccination coverage plummets and infectious diseases spread.
January 22, 2026 at 7:47 PM
RFK Jr. appointee Kirk Milhoan has just clearly stated, out loud, that he wants to experiment on the people of the United States by seeing what happens as vaccination coverage plummets and infectious diseases spread.
Reposted by Dan Thornton
Last year, nearly one hundred people donated to ensure I could move the Ada Lovelace Day website to a new hosting platform, go to four events, and run ALD online in October.
With the arrival of a New Year, though, comes the need for a new fundraiser:
www.gofundme.com/f/ada-lovela...
With the arrival of a New Year, though, comes the need for a new fundraiser:
www.gofundme.com/f/ada-lovela...
Donate to Ada Lovelace Day 2026, organized by Suw Charman-Anderson
Support Ada Lovelace Day and women in STEM!
It's really great that Ada Lovelace Day con… Suw Charman-Anderson needs your support for Ada Lovelace Day 2026
www.gofundme.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Last year, nearly one hundred people donated to ensure I could move the Ada Lovelace Day website to a new hosting platform, go to four events, and run ALD online in October.
With the arrival of a New Year, though, comes the need for a new fundraiser:
www.gofundme.com/f/ada-lovela...
With the arrival of a New Year, though, comes the need for a new fundraiser:
www.gofundme.com/f/ada-lovela...
I see a lot of studies stating more people are starting a process with AI.
I don't see as many studies saying how many people actually manage to finish a process with AI, rather than struggling and either giving up or finally finding a way to contact an actual human.
I don't see as many studies saying how many people actually manage to finish a process with AI, rather than struggling and either giving up or finally finding a way to contact an actual human.
January 7, 2026 at 6:51 PM
I see a lot of studies stating more people are starting a process with AI.
I don't see as many studies saying how many people actually manage to finish a process with AI, rather than struggling and either giving up or finally finding a way to contact an actual human.
I don't see as many studies saying how many people actually manage to finish a process with AI, rather than struggling and either giving up or finally finding a way to contact an actual human.
I might have fallen hard for the Moza KS Pro... It feels like I need it on my sim rig, even if I never use half the buttons...
Moza has released the KS Pro and CS Pro steering wheels, with both featuring a 2.99 inch screen, flag lights, and a lot more buttons, encoders and thumb wheels than the standard models, and with both priced at a competitive £319...
www.onlineracedriver.com/2026/01/06/m...
#SimRacing #Moza #ORD
www.onlineracedriver.com/2026/01/06/m...
#SimRacing #Moza #ORD
January 6, 2026 at 5:44 PM
I might have fallen hard for the Moza KS Pro... It feels like I need it on my sim rig, even if I never use half the buttons...
I can't think of a more obviously pointless status symbol than an AI pen.
If I'm writing on paper, it's private. Or jumbled thoughts which I want to work on in the future. And my handwriting is barely legible, let alone worth 'capturing' so someone can more easily forge my identity.
If I'm writing on paper, it's private. Or jumbled thoughts which I want to work on in the future. And my handwriting is barely legible, let alone worth 'capturing' so someone can more easily forge my identity.
January 6, 2026 at 3:44 PM
I can't think of a more obviously pointless status symbol than an AI pen.
If I'm writing on paper, it's private. Or jumbled thoughts which I want to work on in the future. And my handwriting is barely legible, let alone worth 'capturing' so someone can more easily forge my identity.
If I'm writing on paper, it's private. Or jumbled thoughts which I want to work on in the future. And my handwriting is barely legible, let alone worth 'capturing' so someone can more easily forge my identity.
The more I see about impending AI-enabled gadgets, the more I'm considering turning parts of my house into a large Faraday cage, and making guests turn over any devices when they visit...
January 5, 2026 at 3:46 PM
The more I see about impending AI-enabled gadgets, the more I'm considering turning parts of my house into a large Faraday cage, and making guests turn over any devices when they visit...
Spent a couple of days not looking forward to getting back into the early morning routine...
Then got up early, had some OK appointments, did some errands, and started work full of enthusiasm.
Turns out that rising at a decent hour and getting stuff done does build some motivation. Who knew? 🤦♂️
Then got up early, had some OK appointments, did some errands, and started work full of enthusiasm.
Turns out that rising at a decent hour and getting stuff done does build some motivation. Who knew? 🤦♂️
January 5, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Spent a couple of days not looking forward to getting back into the early morning routine...
Then got up early, had some OK appointments, did some errands, and started work full of enthusiasm.
Turns out that rising at a decent hour and getting stuff done does build some motivation. Who knew? 🤦♂️
Then got up early, had some OK appointments, did some errands, and started work full of enthusiasm.
Turns out that rising at a decent hour and getting stuff done does build some motivation. Who knew? 🤦♂️
Every time I think I've settled on a cost-effective set of upgrades for the year, a new temptation appears...
Moza has teased two new sim racing wheels due for a full reveal at CES 2026 on January 6th, with both looking pretty interesting whether you prefer a round or GT-style rim...
www.onlineracedriver.com/2026/01/04/m...
#Moza #SimRacing #SimRacingWheels #CES2026 #ORD
www.onlineracedriver.com/2026/01/04/m...
#Moza #SimRacing #SimRacingWheels #CES2026 #ORD
January 4, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Every time I think I've settled on a cost-effective set of upgrades for the year, a new temptation appears...
Picked out some personal film, TV, music and gaming highlights for Disposable Media, and got it done just before the end of the year...
www.disposablemedia.co.uk/2025/12/dans...
www.disposablemedia.co.uk/2025/12/dans...
Dan's Disposable 2025 - Highlights - Disposable Media
Some of the standout film, TV, videogames and music, with Dan's Disposable 2025 - Highlights, both new and old.
www.disposablemedia.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Picked out some personal film, TV, music and gaming highlights for Disposable Media, and got it done just before the end of the year...
www.disposablemedia.co.uk/2025/12/dans...
www.disposablemedia.co.uk/2025/12/dans...
What on earth is going on at the moment? People who have had a big cultural impact on my life seem to all be leaving us at the moment...
I've spent so much time in Call of Duty and Apex Legends over the years, playing with friends old and new, and with my son...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I've spent so much time in Call of Duty and Apex Legends over the years, playing with friends old and new, and with my son...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Vince Zampella, Call of Duty co-creator, dies in California car crash
The influential video game developer died after his car crashed and caught fire on a highway in Los Angeles.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 1:07 AM
What on earth is going on at the moment? People who have had a big cultural impact on my life seem to all be leaving us at the moment...
I've spent so much time in Call of Duty and Apex Legends over the years, playing with friends old and new, and with my son...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I've spent so much time in Call of Duty and Apex Legends over the years, playing with friends old and new, and with my son...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Clio Cup SoF League | S1 2026 - Week 1 | Lime Rock Park | Split 3
YouTube video by PatrickG24
www.youtube.com
December 21, 2025 at 10:21 PM
It's weird to see posts praising the use of Gen AI as an alternative to session musicians the day after it was announced Steve Cropper has passed...
Without the Mar-Keys at Stax, and the Funk Brothers at Motown, soul music wouldn't have existed.
So many artists started out doing sessions.
Without the Mar-Keys at Stax, and the Funk Brothers at Motown, soul music wouldn't have existed.
So many artists started out doing sessions.
December 4, 2025 at 12:44 PM
It's weird to see posts praising the use of Gen AI as an alternative to session musicians the day after it was announced Steve Cropper has passed...
Without the Mar-Keys at Stax, and the Funk Brothers at Motown, soul music wouldn't have existed.
So many artists started out doing sessions.
Without the Mar-Keys at Stax, and the Funk Brothers at Motown, soul music wouldn't have existed.
So many artists started out doing sessions.
Another music legend gone...
I've probably listened to his guitar playing more than any other musician, given the amount of hits he played on...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/d...
I've probably listened to his guitar playing more than any other musician, given the amount of hits he played on...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/d...
Steve Cropper, legendary guitarist for Booker T & the MGs, dies aged 84
Prolific musician was known for work on songs like Green Onions and Otis Redding’s (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Another music legend gone...
I've probably listened to his guitar playing more than any other musician, given the amount of hits he played on...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/d...
I've probably listened to his guitar playing more than any other musician, given the amount of hits he played on...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/d...
Between MTD, IR35, NIC contributions and now an increase in dividend tax, it definitely feels like being a solo director makes less and less sense every year...
It's a way to offset the loss of holiday and sick pay, the increased risks etc. And already subject to corporation tax.
It's a way to offset the loss of holiday and sick pay, the increased risks etc. And already subject to corporation tax.
November 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Between MTD, IR35, NIC contributions and now an increase in dividend tax, it definitely feels like being a solo director makes less and less sense every year...
It's a way to offset the loss of holiday and sick pay, the increased risks etc. And already subject to corporation tax.
It's a way to offset the loss of holiday and sick pay, the increased risks etc. And already subject to corporation tax.