Mathew Nicolson
@eyjarskeggi.bsky.social
Recovering from doing a PhD in the history of Scottish island political & constitutional history.
Can be found doing things at:
@EuropeElects.bsky.social
@ShetlandElects.bsky.social
@HistoryofElections.bsky.social
@ScotHistNetwork.bsky.social
Can be found doing things at:
@EuropeElects.bsky.social
@ShetlandElects.bsky.social
@HistoryofElections.bsky.social
@ScotHistNetwork.bsky.social
Pinned
Reposted by Mathew Nicolson
Was reminded of my very favorite tweet of all time today:
December 2, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Was reminded of my very favorite tweet of all time today:
There was so much rain in my local area over November that it amounted to more mm than the next two wettest months of the past year combined - and 10x as much rain as last November!
December 2, 2025 at 10:31 PM
There was so much rain in my local area over November that it amounted to more mm than the next two wettest months of the past year combined - and 10x as much rain as last November!
Had fun over the past month reading The Bridge... On The Bridge. Didn't enjoy it quite as much as when I read it as a teenager, though I understood it better - both in literary terms and by picking up on more of the Edinburgh/Fife references.
December 2, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Had fun over the past month reading The Bridge... On The Bridge. Didn't enjoy it quite as much as when I read it as a teenager, though I understood it better - both in literary terms and by picking up on more of the Edinburgh/Fife references.
A day without some health anxiety fixation, is that too much to ask for? (Apparently yes)
December 2, 2025 at 8:46 AM
A day without some health anxiety fixation, is that too much to ask for? (Apparently yes)
There's something about new words that exist only in corporate adverts that make me shudder - e.g. "unputdownable"
December 1, 2025 at 9:53 PM
There's something about new words that exist only in corporate adverts that make me shudder - e.g. "unputdownable"
Reposted by Mathew Nicolson
Hesitated pressing publish.
Did it anyway.
Did it anyway.
Suicide: The Not Quites and the Nearly Somethings
I suppose I’ve always wondered: what counts? If we fall in between, where do we land?
medium.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Hesitated pressing publish.
Did it anyway.
Did it anyway.
Reposted by Mathew Nicolson
I was diagnosed with #HIV in 1998, when I was 30.
Many of my friends had died of AIDS. I did not expect to live to 50.
I’m 58 now.
HIV treatment works.
Treatment also makes it impossible for me to pass HIV on during sex.
Ensure HIV treatment for all.
End HIV stigma.
#WorldAIDSDay
Many of my friends had died of AIDS. I did not expect to live to 50.
I’m 58 now.
HIV treatment works.
Treatment also makes it impossible for me to pass HIV on during sex.
Ensure HIV treatment for all.
End HIV stigma.
#WorldAIDSDay
December 1, 2025 at 8:46 AM
I was diagnosed with #HIV in 1998, when I was 30.
Many of my friends had died of AIDS. I did not expect to live to 50.
I’m 58 now.
HIV treatment works.
Treatment also makes it impossible for me to pass HIV on during sex.
Ensure HIV treatment for all.
End HIV stigma.
#WorldAIDSDay
Many of my friends had died of AIDS. I did not expect to live to 50.
I’m 58 now.
HIV treatment works.
Treatment also makes it impossible for me to pass HIV on during sex.
Ensure HIV treatment for all.
End HIV stigma.
#WorldAIDSDay
Reposted by Mathew Nicolson
Malaysia (Sabah regional parliament) election, final result:
Seats by party
WARISAN (Liberal): 25 (+2)
GAGASAN (Regionalist): 23 (new)
PBS (Regionalist): 6 (-1)
UMNO (Conservative): 5 (-9)
Ind.-*: 5 (+2)
UPKO (Regionalist): 3 (+2)
STAR (Regionalist): 2 (-4)
...
+/- vs. 2020 election
Seats by party
WARISAN (Liberal): 25 (+2)
GAGASAN (Regionalist): 23 (new)
PBS (Regionalist): 6 (-1)
UMNO (Conservative): 5 (-9)
Ind.-*: 5 (+2)
UPKO (Regionalist): 3 (+2)
STAR (Regionalist): 2 (-4)
...
+/- vs. 2020 election
November 29, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Malaysia (Sabah regional parliament) election, final result:
Seats by party
WARISAN (Liberal): 25 (+2)
GAGASAN (Regionalist): 23 (new)
PBS (Regionalist): 6 (-1)
UMNO (Conservative): 5 (-9)
Ind.-*: 5 (+2)
UPKO (Regionalist): 3 (+2)
STAR (Regionalist): 2 (-4)
...
+/- vs. 2020 election
Seats by party
WARISAN (Liberal): 25 (+2)
GAGASAN (Regionalist): 23 (new)
PBS (Regionalist): 6 (-1)
UMNO (Conservative): 5 (-9)
Ind.-*: 5 (+2)
UPKO (Regionalist): 3 (+2)
STAR (Regionalist): 2 (-4)
...
+/- vs. 2020 election
Reposted by Mathew Nicolson
Malaysia (Sabah regional parliament), ILHAM Centre poll:
Seat projection
GRS (Regionalist|Conservative): 26 (+19)
WARISAN (Liberal): 14 (-9)
BN (Conservative): 9 (-5)
...
+/- vs. 2020 election
Fieldwork: 15-27 November 2025
Sample size: 1,500
Seat projection
GRS (Regionalist|Conservative): 26 (+19)
WARISAN (Liberal): 14 (-9)
BN (Conservative): 9 (-5)
...
+/- vs. 2020 election
Fieldwork: 15-27 November 2025
Sample size: 1,500
November 28, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Malaysia (Sabah regional parliament), ILHAM Centre poll:
Seat projection
GRS (Regionalist|Conservative): 26 (+19)
WARISAN (Liberal): 14 (-9)
BN (Conservative): 9 (-5)
...
+/- vs. 2020 election
Fieldwork: 15-27 November 2025
Sample size: 1,500
Seat projection
GRS (Regionalist|Conservative): 26 (+19)
WARISAN (Liberal): 14 (-9)
BN (Conservative): 9 (-5)
...
+/- vs. 2020 election
Fieldwork: 15-27 November 2025
Sample size: 1,500
Reposted by Mathew Nicolson
Revised net migration projection based on yesterday’s data, the new ILR policy and an expected gradual decline in dependant numbers (Currently dependant applications are double main applicant applications for work visas but this won’t last).
Yes it is negative in 2026. Roughly -110,000 to -10,000.
Yes it is negative in 2026. Roughly -110,000 to -10,000.
November 28, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Revised net migration projection based on yesterday’s data, the new ILR policy and an expected gradual decline in dependant numbers (Currently dependant applications are double main applicant applications for work visas but this won’t last).
Yes it is negative in 2026. Roughly -110,000 to -10,000.
Yes it is negative in 2026. Roughly -110,000 to -10,000.
Love that the plot of Death's End features gravitational waves a good decade or so before the first one was even detected. It's great to read contemporary sci-fi that can still anticipate scientific discoveries.
November 25, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Love that the plot of Death's End features gravitational waves a good decade or so before the first one was even detected. It's great to read contemporary sci-fi that can still anticipate scientific discoveries.
Reposted by Mathew Nicolson
NEW WEBSITE FEATURE: Westminster Voting Intention Polling Dashboard
🌈 Current Weighted Polling Average
📅 Latest Poll from Each Pollster
📊 Smoothed Weighted-Average Chart
📈 Sortable Table of all Polls since GE2024
electionmaps.uk/polling/vi
🌈 Current Weighted Polling Average
📅 Latest Poll from Each Pollster
📊 Smoothed Weighted-Average Chart
📈 Sortable Table of all Polls since GE2024
electionmaps.uk/polling/vi
November 24, 2025 at 11:19 PM
NEW WEBSITE FEATURE: Westminster Voting Intention Polling Dashboard
🌈 Current Weighted Polling Average
📅 Latest Poll from Each Pollster
📊 Smoothed Weighted-Average Chart
📈 Sortable Table of all Polls since GE2024
electionmaps.uk/polling/vi
🌈 Current Weighted Polling Average
📅 Latest Poll from Each Pollster
📊 Smoothed Weighted-Average Chart
📈 Sortable Table of all Polls since GE2024
electionmaps.uk/polling/vi
I see the Faroese owners of the subsea cables to Shetland have downplayed the suggestion that Russian vessels have been responsible for several recent damages - instead, it's largely fishing vessels with their automatic identification signals switched off www.shetnews.co.uk/2025/11/21/c...
‘It’s not a capacity issue; it’s an issue of cost’ – resilience forum the start of a long process to improve connectivity
A MEETING looking at improving telecom resilience in the isles has been described as a first step in the right direction - although no tangible results have so...
www.shetnews.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 1:25 PM
I see the Faroese owners of the subsea cables to Shetland have downplayed the suggestion that Russian vessels have been responsible for several recent damages - instead, it's largely fishing vessels with their automatic identification signals switched off www.shetnews.co.uk/2025/11/21/c...
Reposted by Mathew Nicolson
Turns out interest in Metaverse had about a ~9 month half life.
November 23, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Turns out interest in Metaverse had about a ~9 month half life.
Reposted by Mathew Nicolson
In a significant public health achievement, Cabo Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles have eliminated measles and rubella, becoming the first sub-Saharan countries to attain this milestone.
Cabo Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles eliminate measles and rubella
In a significant public health achievement, Cabo Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles have eliminated measles and rubella, becoming the first sub-Saharan countries to attain this milestone.
www.afro.who.int
November 23, 2025 at 4:18 PM
In a significant public health achievement, Cabo Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles have eliminated measles and rubella, becoming the first sub-Saharan countries to attain this milestone.
!!
November 23, 2025 at 6:39 PM
!!
Reposted by Mathew Nicolson
Not only are generations fake, they’re also something we basically invented a few decades ago. Compare when generations occurred (shaded areas) with when we settled on their names.
From this week’s newsletter: www.howtoreadthisch.art/ample-exampl...
From this week’s newsletter: www.howtoreadthisch.art/ample-exampl...
November 22, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Not only are generations fake, they’re also something we basically invented a few decades ago. Compare when generations occurred (shaded areas) with when we settled on their names.
From this week’s newsletter: www.howtoreadthisch.art/ample-exampl...
From this week’s newsletter: www.howtoreadthisch.art/ample-exampl...
Just downloaded my antivirus software update, although I gather it takes 1-2 weeks to fully install.
November 22, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Just downloaded my antivirus software update, although I gather it takes 1-2 weeks to fully install.
Reposted by Mathew Nicolson
Yep, NASA just basically* swung a Mars orbiter round to snap a comet passing by.
*Basically massively technical switcheroo to pull off in the middle of space because, you know, science
*Basically massively technical switcheroo to pull off in the middle of space because, you know, science
NASA's pix of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS are now up science.nasa.gov/solar-system...
This is the HiRISE/MRO image ⬇️
This is the HiRISE/MRO image ⬇️
November 19, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Yep, NASA just basically* swung a Mars orbiter round to snap a comet passing by.
*Basically massively technical switcheroo to pull off in the middle of space because, you know, science
*Basically massively technical switcheroo to pull off in the middle of space because, you know, science
This video of a neighbourly land dispute animated in the style of a YouTube war mapping video is amazing and bonkers www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CQh...
My Grandparents' Border Dispute with Neighbors: Every Day
YouTube video by 2nome
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:10 PM
This video of a neighbourly land dispute animated in the style of a YouTube war mapping video is amazing and bonkers www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CQh...
This is something that probably only annoys me but I really don't like when news stories use words like "vile" or "despicable" in their crime reports. The crimes may objectively be such, but the role of news should be to inform, not whip up emotional responses. (But that gets fewer clicks, so)
November 19, 2025 at 8:36 AM
This is something that probably only annoys me but I really don't like when news stories use words like "vile" or "despicable" in their crime reports. The crimes may objectively be such, but the role of news should be to inform, not whip up emotional responses. (But that gets fewer clicks, so)
I think Chile is the only country (islands aside) that I see cartographers regularly give up trying to present whole and just snap in half
November 17, 2025 at 9:08 PM
I think Chile is the only country (islands aside) that I see cartographers regularly give up trying to present whole and just snap in half
Steam reviews are an artform onto themselves
November 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Steam reviews are an artform onto themselves
Reposted by Mathew Nicolson
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH
November 17, 2025 at 11:11 AM
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH