James T. Harding
@empowermint.bsky.social
Liable to tweet about books (SFF), RPGs, queer politics, Edinburgh, TypeScript, and my cats. Former publisher now working as a software engineer. He/him
Reposted by James T. Harding
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
January 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
Reposted by James T. Harding
Don't be afraid to do the obvious thing. Sometimes it feels obvious because it's natural, and sometimes—in an attempt to be obvious—you end up being clever, or even better, original.
After a decade of design writing, I can honestly say this is the hardest lesson to actually learn and live by.
After a decade of design writing, I can honestly say this is the hardest lesson to actually learn and live by.
January 27, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Don't be afraid to do the obvious thing. Sometimes it feels obvious because it's natural, and sometimes—in an attempt to be obvious—you end up being clever, or even better, original.
After a decade of design writing, I can honestly say this is the hardest lesson to actually learn and live by.
After a decade of design writing, I can honestly say this is the hardest lesson to actually learn and live by.
Reposted by James T. Harding
If there is one thing I have learned about traditional publishing, it is that no matter what sort of dash you think they want used in a particular situation, you're wrong. You will always be wrong. Don't try to second guess them, it's wasted effort.
January 27, 2026 at 1:52 PM
If there is one thing I have learned about traditional publishing, it is that no matter what sort of dash you think they want used in a particular situation, you're wrong. You will always be wrong. Don't try to second guess them, it's wasted effort.
Reposted by James T. Harding
Generate podcast??? Why the fuck is Adobe even giving me this option?? The document I have open is a receipt from the printers
January 27, 2026 at 10:05 AM
Generate podcast??? Why the fuck is Adobe even giving me this option?? The document I have open is a receipt from the printers
Reposted by James T. Harding
UK PEOPLE: this is REALLY IMPORTANT. If the government bans under-16s from using VPNs, then logically they must intend to REQUIRE AGE VERIFICATION FOR ALL VPN USE. Which will affect adults too!
*Your* right to anonymous web browsing is at risk!
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/754408
*Your* right to anonymous web browsing is at risk!
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/754408
January 27, 2026 at 12:20 PM
UK PEOPLE: this is REALLY IMPORTANT. If the government bans under-16s from using VPNs, then logically they must intend to REQUIRE AGE VERIFICATION FOR ALL VPN USE. Which will affect adults too!
*Your* right to anonymous web browsing is at risk!
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/754408
*Your* right to anonymous web browsing is at risk!
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/754408
Reposted by James T. Harding
Both of these were taken in the last 24 hours. I'll let you decide which represents the future of politics in this country...
January 26, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Both of these were taken in the last 24 hours. I'll let you decide which represents the future of politics in this country...
Reposted by James T. Harding
🧵 @jburnmurdoch.ft.com is spot on about the conditions in his FT piece. Liberal democracy held it together thanks to growth, good demographics, and the promise of a better future. Those days are gone, and that’s the "why" behind the erosion. However...
Democratic politicians have, though, pursued growth in GDP at the expense of other values. One response to @jburnmurdoch.ft.com pessimistic scenario is refocus on those values, combined with egalitarianism, sufficiency and quality of life. Not "it's the economy, stupid" but "it's the the society"
Is liberal democracy in terminal decline?
The old system worked under a set of conditions that are no longer present
www.ft.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:07 AM
🧵 @jburnmurdoch.ft.com is spot on about the conditions in his FT piece. Liberal democracy held it together thanks to growth, good demographics, and the promise of a better future. Those days are gone, and that’s the "why" behind the erosion. However...
Reposted by James T. Harding
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.
January 25, 2026 at 12:28 PM
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.
Reposted by James T. Harding
Green councillors save Glasgow City Council over £4m. The power of electing people who really care about getting the basics right 💚
Crackdown on wasted gas and electricity saves city council more than £4m
Radiators being mistakenly left on in schools during holidays, as boilers are left running due to technical issues, are among the problems being dealt with.
news.stv.tv
January 23, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Green councillors save Glasgow City Council over £4m. The power of electing people who really care about getting the basics right 💚
Reposted by James T. Harding
We have been told for nearly 30 years that America needed to tolerate mass shootings because the broad availability of guns would help us defend ourselves from an overreaching federal government. That day has come. The people who said this are supporting the federal agents. Many have joined them.
January 24, 2026 at 6:02 PM
We have been told for nearly 30 years that America needed to tolerate mass shootings because the broad availability of guns would help us defend ourselves from an overreaching federal government. That day has come. The people who said this are supporting the federal agents. Many have joined them.
Reposted by James T. Harding
The Cass Review isn’t worth much as a document, but it makes a hell of a dress! 👗
New Philosophy Tube in the works and folks, it’s a big one ✨👑
See more pics on my Patreon including all the looks and the live chicken we had on set 🐓
www.patreon.com/posts/148958...
New Philosophy Tube in the works and folks, it’s a big one ✨👑
See more pics on my Patreon including all the looks and the live chicken we had on set 🐓
www.patreon.com/posts/148958...
January 24, 2026 at 12:15 PM
The Cass Review isn’t worth much as a document, but it makes a hell of a dress! 👗
New Philosophy Tube in the works and folks, it’s a big one ✨👑
See more pics on my Patreon including all the looks and the live chicken we had on set 🐓
www.patreon.com/posts/148958...
New Philosophy Tube in the works and folks, it’s a big one ✨👑
See more pics on my Patreon including all the looks and the live chicken we had on set 🐓
www.patreon.com/posts/148958...
Reposted by James T. Harding
You may’ve seen coverage of a new report on the threat to national security from environmental collapse.
A common response that’s got my goat is: “Look, it’s not just tree-hugging enviros saying this, it’s hard-nosed spooks!”
A short thread on why this framing is bad history & bad politics🧵😡😉
A common response that’s got my goat is: “Look, it’s not just tree-hugging enviros saying this, it’s hard-nosed spooks!”
A short thread on why this framing is bad history & bad politics🧵😡😉
Biodiversity collapse threatens UK security, intelligence chiefs warn
Ecosystem destruction will increase food shortages, disorder and mass migration, with effects already being felt
www.theguardian.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:42 AM
You may’ve seen coverage of a new report on the threat to national security from environmental collapse.
A common response that’s got my goat is: “Look, it’s not just tree-hugging enviros saying this, it’s hard-nosed spooks!”
A short thread on why this framing is bad history & bad politics🧵😡😉
A common response that’s got my goat is: “Look, it’s not just tree-hugging enviros saying this, it’s hard-nosed spooks!”
A short thread on why this framing is bad history & bad politics🧵😡😉
Reposted by James T. Harding
I love Stephen. The face of a doomed WW1 officer and the wardrobe of John Travolta. #thetraitors
January 23, 2026 at 9:33 PM
I love Stephen. The face of a doomed WW1 officer and the wardrobe of John Travolta. #thetraitors
Reposted by James T. Harding
Brian Eno: anyone who'd leave the UK because they have to pay a bit more tax arent the least community minded
Lord Bethell: "but they are the wealth creators"
"They're not the wealth creators. The wealth creators are the people who make things.. who keep society running"
Well said Brian!
Lord Bethell: "but they are the wealth creators"
"They're not the wealth creators. The wealth creators are the people who make things.. who keep society running"
Well said Brian!
January 22, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Brian Eno: anyone who'd leave the UK because they have to pay a bit more tax arent the least community minded
Lord Bethell: "but they are the wealth creators"
"They're not the wealth creators. The wealth creators are the people who make things.. who keep society running"
Well said Brian!
Lord Bethell: "but they are the wealth creators"
"They're not the wealth creators. The wealth creators are the people who make things.. who keep society running"
Well said Brian!
Reposted by James T. Harding
America sneezes. We catch a cold.
And the UK is overexposed.
As long as foreign tech runs our digital infrastructure, our systems can be used as leverage or disrupted on Trump's say so.
Tell your MP to support the motion for #DigitalSovereignty ⬇️
action.openrightsgroup.org/tell-governm...
And the UK is overexposed.
As long as foreign tech runs our digital infrastructure, our systems can be used as leverage or disrupted on Trump's say so.
Tell your MP to support the motion for #DigitalSovereignty ⬇️
action.openrightsgroup.org/tell-governm...
Protect Britain’s Digital Backbone — Ask Your MP to Act
Take action! What’s the problem? The UK’s digital backbone. The cloud services, data systems, and platforms that underpin government, public services, and democratic processes is dangerously reliant…
action.openrightsgroup.org
January 22, 2026 at 9:46 AM
America sneezes. We catch a cold.
And the UK is overexposed.
As long as foreign tech runs our digital infrastructure, our systems can be used as leverage or disrupted on Trump's say so.
Tell your MP to support the motion for #DigitalSovereignty ⬇️
action.openrightsgroup.org/tell-governm...
And the UK is overexposed.
As long as foreign tech runs our digital infrastructure, our systems can be used as leverage or disrupted on Trump's say so.
Tell your MP to support the motion for #DigitalSovereignty ⬇️
action.openrightsgroup.org/tell-governm...
Reposted by James T. Harding
It cannot be made clearer.
If you continue to support the Harry Potter franchise in any way, you are directly funding the removal of trans people's human rights in the UK.
If you continue to support the Harry Potter franchise in any way, you are directly funding the removal of trans people's human rights in the UK.
October 9, 2025 at 10:14 AM
It cannot be made clearer.
If you continue to support the Harry Potter franchise in any way, you are directly funding the removal of trans people's human rights in the UK.
If you continue to support the Harry Potter franchise in any way, you are directly funding the removal of trans people's human rights in the UK.
Do we know why Google is sending money to Nigel Farage?
NEW: NEW: Standards commissioner finds Nigel Farage committed seventeen breaches of MPs code of conduct.
He failed to declare £333,000 in outside interests (more than 3x MPs annual salary)…
He failed to declare £333,000 in outside interests (more than 3x MPs annual salary)…
January 21, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Do we know why Google is sending money to Nigel Farage?
Reposted by James T. Harding
Read the full transcript of Carney’s speech to World Economic Forum
Read the full transcript of Carney’s speech to World Economic Forum - National | Globalnews.ca
Prime Minister Mark Carney gave a forceful speech in Davos, Switzerland, on the 'new world order' and how middle powers like Canada can benefit by working together.
globalnews.ca
January 20, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Read the full transcript of Carney’s speech to World Economic Forum
Reposted by James T. Harding
Brianna Ghey was targeted by classmates who knew her offline. Online, she made friends and a community, and was making content to help other trans kids like her.
This is a grieving mother pushing for legislation that would have further isolated her trans child, that is supported by transphobes.
This is a grieving mother pushing for legislation that would have further isolated her trans child, that is supported by transphobes.
Mother of murdered Brianna Ghey urges Starmer to ban social media for under-16s
Mother of murdered Brianna Ghey urges Starmer to ban social media for under-16s
Esther Ghey says daughter’s eating disorder and self-harm had been exacerbated by harmful online content
The mother of the murdered teenager Brianna Ghey has urged Keir Starmer to ban social media for under-16s, adding to growing pressure on the prime minister before a crunch vote on the issue on Wednesday.
Esther Ghey wrote to Starmer on Monday explaining in detail how she felt her daughter’s eating disorder and self-harm had been exacerbated by TikTok influencers with whom she had become obsessed. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Brianna Ghey was targeted by classmates who knew her offline. Online, she made friends and a community, and was making content to help other trans kids like her.
This is a grieving mother pushing for legislation that would have further isolated her trans child, that is supported by transphobes.
This is a grieving mother pushing for legislation that would have further isolated her trans child, that is supported by transphobes.
Reposted by James T. Harding
I’ll never get tired of this ad at our local indie theater 😂
January 19, 2026 at 1:45 AM
I’ll never get tired of this ad at our local indie theater 😂
Reposted by James T. Harding
One out of 12 rams is uninterested in females. Deemed “non-procreative" by farmers, they're typically sent to slaughter. German farmer Michael Stücke rescues the gay rams. His company Rainbow Wool, sells fabulous wool products from his flock of gay sheep. rainbow-wool.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:26 PM
One out of 12 rams is uninterested in females. Deemed “non-procreative" by farmers, they're typically sent to slaughter. German farmer Michael Stücke rescues the gay rams. His company Rainbow Wool, sells fabulous wool products from his flock of gay sheep. rainbow-wool.com
Reposted by James T. Harding
This would not happen in a democracy, which is why, if we are serious about our commitment to it, we must accept we do not currently live in democracies and that moving towards such a system would require radical change rather than faith in the status quo
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
‘Brazen’ political influence of rich laid bare as wealth of billionaires reaches $18.3tn, says Oxfam
Governments opting for oligarchy while brutally repressing protests over austerity and lack of jobs, charity report says
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:34 AM
This would not happen in a democracy, which is why, if we are serious about our commitment to it, we must accept we do not currently live in democracies and that moving towards such a system would require radical change rather than faith in the status quo
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Reposted by James T. Harding
Great piece by Cory Doctorow. We were on a panel together years ago at an SFF con, and had a long chat afterwards. He was already a leading voice in tech/social issues, but we both had young daughters about the same age and we just ended talking about being dads.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
AI companies will fail. We can salvage something from the wreckage | Cory Doctorow
AI is asbestos in the walls of our tech society, stuffed there by monopolists run amok. A serious fight against it must strike at its roots
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Great piece by Cory Doctorow. We were on a panel together years ago at an SFF con, and had a long chat afterwards. He was already a leading voice in tech/social issues, but we both had young daughters about the same age and we just ended talking about being dads.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Reposted by James T. Harding
‘Roger Fuckebythenavele’ from Chester County Court Plea Rolls, 1310. He was supposed to be arrested, but could not be found. Over the next year he would be named in the records 6 more times, eventually named an outlaw.
I HAVE SO MANY Qs, ROGER FUCKBYTHENAVEL. (Best not to have answers, prolly.)
I HAVE SO MANY Qs, ROGER FUCKBYTHENAVEL. (Best not to have answers, prolly.)
January 18, 2026 at 12:34 AM
‘Roger Fuckebythenavele’ from Chester County Court Plea Rolls, 1310. He was supposed to be arrested, but could not be found. Over the next year he would be named in the records 6 more times, eventually named an outlaw.
I HAVE SO MANY Qs, ROGER FUCKBYTHENAVEL. (Best not to have answers, prolly.)
I HAVE SO MANY Qs, ROGER FUCKBYTHENAVEL. (Best not to have answers, prolly.)