Gavin Greig
@ggreig.com
Software developer wha bides i the East Neuk. He/him. Likes 28/32mm models for role-playing games, especially pulp/steampunk/scientific romance. Thinks Scotland should be a normal country - independent. http://ggreig.com, https://mastodon.scot/@ggreig
Pinned
Gavin Greig
@ggreig.com
· Nov 16
Should probably do an "introductory" thread:
I work as a software developer, now for a company in London, but I live in a village in Fife, Scotland. Technically I've been on BlueSky for a bit over a year already but have only fully committed to the move since the US elected Trump for a second time.
I work as a software developer, now for a company in London, but I live in a village in Fife, Scotland. Technically I've been on BlueSky for a bit over a year already but have only fully committed to the move since the US elected Trump for a second time.
Reposted by Gavin Greig
Even when Scotland is praised on the world stage the SNP gets no credit
Financial agencies applaud Scotland’s economy, but all we get is sneering. Govts need held to account but credit where credit is due
It shows how meaningless the quality of our debate has become
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Financial agencies applaud Scotland’s economy, but all we get is sneering. Govts need held to account but credit where credit is due
It shows how meaningless the quality of our debate has become
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Even when Scotland gets a global thumbs-up financially the SNP get zero credit
In Scotland, any news – even good news – is subjected to partisan point-scoring. It means we repeatedly fail to have the debates we really need,…
www.heraldscotland.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Even when Scotland is praised on the world stage the SNP gets no credit
Financial agencies applaud Scotland’s economy, but all we get is sneering. Govts need held to account but credit where credit is due
It shows how meaningless the quality of our debate has become
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Financial agencies applaud Scotland’s economy, but all we get is sneering. Govts need held to account but credit where credit is due
It shows how meaningless the quality of our debate has become
In @heraldscotland.bsky.social
Reposted by Gavin Greig
These floating bus stops are a nightmare for visually impaired people - which leads to avoiding bus travel to areas that have them.
And that's then seen as a 'success' by their advocates because people driven off buses dont show in their crash figures!
And that's then seen as a 'success' by their advocates because people driven off buses dont show in their crash figures!
Floating bus stops are top concern over latest active travel plans www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinbur...
Floating bus stops are top concern over latest active travel plans
Concerns about "floating" bus stops were the top issue raised at an online meeting to discuss proposed active travel improvements along Edinburgh's Dundee Street/Fountainbridge corridor.
www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:38 PM
These floating bus stops are a nightmare for visually impaired people - which leads to avoiding bus travel to areas that have them.
And that's then seen as a 'success' by their advocates because people driven off buses dont show in their crash figures!
And that's then seen as a 'success' by their advocates because people driven off buses dont show in their crash figures!
Reposted by Gavin Greig
Reform Ltd on BBC Question Time again tonight.
Tell me again how the BBC isn’t the marketing arm of Farage’s party?
Tell me again how the BBC isn’t the marketing arm of Farage’s party?
November 13, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Reform Ltd on BBC Question Time again tonight.
Tell me again how the BBC isn’t the marketing arm of Farage’s party?
Tell me again how the BBC isn’t the marketing arm of Farage’s party?
Reposted by Gavin Greig
This is *not* because they want to improve infrastructure for Scotland's benefit, but to make it even easier to send Scotland's abundant and cheap renewable power to the south of England. Don't expect it to mean fairer prices in Scotland. It won't.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
SSE to invest £33bn in upgrading Scotland's electricity grid
The company plans to spend two-thirds of that to upgrade wiring and increase high-voltage grid capacity to get power from the north to customers in the south.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 9:01 AM
This is *not* because they want to improve infrastructure for Scotland's benefit, but to make it even easier to send Scotland's abundant and cheap renewable power to the south of England. Don't expect it to mean fairer prices in Scotland. It won't.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Gavin Greig
The irony of Danny Kruger accusing the BBC of left-wing bias when Reform UK - with just 5 MPs - gets more airtime than the Liberal Democrats, who have 72 MPs.
The BBC doesn't have a left-wing bias.
The BBC doesn't have a left-wing bias.
November 14, 2025 at 11:40 AM
The irony of Danny Kruger accusing the BBC of left-wing bias when Reform UK - with just 5 MPs - gets more airtime than the Liberal Democrats, who have 72 MPs.
The BBC doesn't have a left-wing bias.
The BBC doesn't have a left-wing bias.
Reposted by Gavin Greig
At a conference today, a questioner asked about how we engage with men who are afraid of being cancelled etc
To paraphrase, the presenter said: "People being worried about coming across as an arsehole in public is a good thing, actually"
To paraphrase, the presenter said: "People being worried about coming across as an arsehole in public is a good thing, actually"
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 3:07 PM
At a conference today, a questioner asked about how we engage with men who are afraid of being cancelled etc
To paraphrase, the presenter said: "People being worried about coming across as an arsehole in public is a good thing, actually"
To paraphrase, the presenter said: "People being worried about coming across as an arsehole in public is a good thing, actually"
Reposted by Gavin Greig
Reposted as BBC Scotland again report a rail crash without telling you the Scottish Government has no responsibility for it:
talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/11/10/b...
talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/11/10/b...
BBC Scotland still hiding where the buck should have stopped for the three Stonehaven rail deaths five years ago
Sir Grant Shapps – where the buck should have stopped for the three Stonehaven rail deaths From BBC Scotland today, the above and: The inquiry into a train derailment which killed three men i…
talkingupscotlandtwo.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Reposted as BBC Scotland again report a rail crash without telling you the Scottish Government has no responsibility for it:
talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/11/10/b...
talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/11/10/b...
Reposted by Gavin Greig
NEW: The biggest union in the BBC, Bectu, has written to culture secretary Lisa Nandy and BBC chair Samir Shah, demanding the removal of Robbie Gibb from the BBC Board.
They say Gibb, a political appointee, is a “direct block to the BBC maintaining its chartered objective of independence”.
They say Gibb, a political appointee, is a “direct block to the BBC maintaining its chartered objective of independence”.
November 14, 2025 at 9:24 AM
NEW: The biggest union in the BBC, Bectu, has written to culture secretary Lisa Nandy and BBC chair Samir Shah, demanding the removal of Robbie Gibb from the BBC Board.
They say Gibb, a political appointee, is a “direct block to the BBC maintaining its chartered objective of independence”.
They say Gibb, a political appointee, is a “direct block to the BBC maintaining its chartered objective of independence”.
Reposted by Gavin Greig
1.) My sweet wife puts on a “Sleep Meditation” track narrated by some Scottish dude
2.) Proceeds to immediately fall asleep
3.) So now it’s Lachlan gently intoning *just at me* for the next 60 minutes:
”ACH NAE, YA WEE NUMPTY!!!
FALL ASLEEP YA DAFT FOOL!!!’”
2.) Proceeds to immediately fall asleep
3.) So now it’s Lachlan gently intoning *just at me* for the next 60 minutes:
”ACH NAE, YA WEE NUMPTY!!!
FALL ASLEEP YA DAFT FOOL!!!’”
November 14, 2025 at 9:36 AM
1.) My sweet wife puts on a “Sleep Meditation” track narrated by some Scottish dude
2.) Proceeds to immediately fall asleep
3.) So now it’s Lachlan gently intoning *just at me* for the next 60 minutes:
”ACH NAE, YA WEE NUMPTY!!!
FALL ASLEEP YA DAFT FOOL!!!’”
2.) Proceeds to immediately fall asleep
3.) So now it’s Lachlan gently intoning *just at me* for the next 60 minutes:
”ACH NAE, YA WEE NUMPTY!!!
FALL ASLEEP YA DAFT FOOL!!!’”
Reposted by Gavin Greig
Prohibited activities include advising Chinese graduate students. For reference, a recent Georgetown report estimated 16% of STEM graduate students in the US are Chinese nationals.
This would take out entire fields at the knees, which is perhaps the point.
This would take out entire fields at the knees, which is perhaps the point.
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations
Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students
www.science.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Prohibited activities include advising Chinese graduate students. For reference, a recent Georgetown report estimated 16% of STEM graduate students in the US are Chinese nationals.
This would take out entire fields at the knees, which is perhaps the point.
This would take out entire fields at the knees, which is perhaps the point.
Reposted by Gavin Greig
The UK currently suffers from poor quality governance and post-truth populists and an unregulated media, and US platforms undermine global and UK national security and digital sovereignty and public safety. They are a major source of disinformation and far right radicalisation.
November 13, 2025 at 10:53 AM
The UK currently suffers from poor quality governance and post-truth populists and an unregulated media, and US platforms undermine global and UK national security and digital sovereignty and public safety. They are a major source of disinformation and far right radicalisation.
Reposted by Gavin Greig
🔉What dangers does X pose to our democracy? And should the government stop using it?
Good to hear yesterday from @sundersays.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on the immense risk of X as it ignores legal obligations and its owner tries to influence UK politics.
@commonswec.parliament.uk
Good to hear yesterday from @sundersays.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on the immense risk of X as it ignores legal obligations and its owner tries to influence UK politics.
@commonswec.parliament.uk
November 13, 2025 at 10:33 AM
🔉What dangers does X pose to our democracy? And should the government stop using it?
Good to hear yesterday from @sundersays.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on the immense risk of X as it ignores legal obligations and its owner tries to influence UK politics.
@commonswec.parliament.uk
Good to hear yesterday from @sundersays.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on the immense risk of X as it ignores legal obligations and its owner tries to influence UK politics.
@commonswec.parliament.uk
Reposted by Gavin Greig
It's another episode of your favourite 1970s children's animation "The Maskwitches and the hungry dead shivering like flukes through our pine-tar souls".
I'd say I'm sorry to people frightened of the Maskwitches and the teeth stuff, but you'd know I was lying.
handiwork.games/home/the-sil...
I'd say I'm sorry to people frightened of the Maskwitches and the teeth stuff, but you'd know I was lying.
handiwork.games/home/the-sil...
November 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
It's another episode of your favourite 1970s children's animation "The Maskwitches and the hungry dead shivering like flukes through our pine-tar souls".
I'd say I'm sorry to people frightened of the Maskwitches and the teeth stuff, but you'd know I was lying.
handiwork.games/home/the-sil...
I'd say I'm sorry to people frightened of the Maskwitches and the teeth stuff, but you'd know I was lying.
handiwork.games/home/the-sil...
Reposted by Gavin Greig
Reminder that Starbucks’ CEO made 6,666x more than the company's median employee in 2024.
This was the widest CEO-to-Worker pay gap in the entire S&P 500.
And we're supposed to believe Starbucks can't afford to bargain a fair contract with its unionized workers?
This was the widest CEO-to-Worker pay gap in the entire S&P 500.
And we're supposed to believe Starbucks can't afford to bargain a fair contract with its unionized workers?
As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history.
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
November 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Reminder that Starbucks’ CEO made 6,666x more than the company's median employee in 2024.
This was the widest CEO-to-Worker pay gap in the entire S&P 500.
And we're supposed to believe Starbucks can't afford to bargain a fair contract with its unionized workers?
This was the widest CEO-to-Worker pay gap in the entire S&P 500.
And we're supposed to believe Starbucks can't afford to bargain a fair contract with its unionized workers?
Reposted by Gavin Greig
The UK Government’s decision to strike down gender reforms in Scotland shows why the country needs independence, Alan Cumming has said, as he told Westminster to 'get your boots off our necks'
UK blocking Scotland’s gender reforms proves need for independence, Alan Cumming says
www.thenational.scot
November 13, 2025 at 5:39 PM
The UK Government’s decision to strike down gender reforms in Scotland shows why the country needs independence, Alan Cumming has said, as he told Westminster to 'get your boots off our necks'
I’ve always thought if you want to operate as a national delivery service you should be required by law to deliver anywhere nationally at the same rate. Larger population centres can afford to pay a little more to improve access for areas often seen as “remote”.
How dare one not live in the southernmost portion of this union of equals?!
Disclaimer: I do. Still incandescent on behalf of those who don’t, though.
#ripoffUK
Disclaimer: I do. Still incandescent on behalf of those who don’t, though.
#ripoffUK
November 14, 2025 at 12:13 AM
I’ve always thought if you want to operate as a national delivery service you should be required by law to deliver anywhere nationally at the same rate. Larger population centres can afford to pay a little more to improve access for areas often seen as “remote”.
Reposted by Gavin Greig
and vice versa-- I remember seeing an essay, during one of SFF's MeToo flair-ups, that someone who will push women's boundaries will abuse power in financial/ethical ways too. So if you hear an accusation of sexual harassment or coercion, doublecheck any finances they are in charge of.
there's a direct line between exploiting people financially and exploiting them in other ways. the news about rich men should not surprise you.
November 13, 2025 at 7:13 PM
and vice versa-- I remember seeing an essay, during one of SFF's MeToo flair-ups, that someone who will push women's boundaries will abuse power in financial/ethical ways too. So if you hear an accusation of sexual harassment or coercion, doublecheck any finances they are in charge of.
Reposted by Gavin Greig
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Reposted by Gavin Greig
Zack Polanski on President Trump, "It's difficult to call him anything other than a fool"
"This is sociopathic behaviour"
"He is toxic, misogynistic, racist"
"I'm not a fan of Trump"
Christiane Amanpour, "It's pretty clear"
"This is sociopathic behaviour"
"He is toxic, misogynistic, racist"
"I'm not a fan of Trump"
Christiane Amanpour, "It's pretty clear"
November 13, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Zack Polanski on President Trump, "It's difficult to call him anything other than a fool"
"This is sociopathic behaviour"
"He is toxic, misogynistic, racist"
"I'm not a fan of Trump"
Christiane Amanpour, "It's pretty clear"
"This is sociopathic behaviour"
"He is toxic, misogynistic, racist"
"I'm not a fan of Trump"
Christiane Amanpour, "It's pretty clear"
Reposted by Gavin Greig
Reposted by Gavin Greig
This sums up why First Past the Post is such a shite system. The self-aggrandising shyster, Nigel Farage would likely win a landslide at a UK election while more than two thirds of the electorate oppose him.
It's insane.
It's insane.
November 7, 2025 at 9:24 AM
This sums up why First Past the Post is such a shite system. The self-aggrandising shyster, Nigel Farage would likely win a landslide at a UK election while more than two thirds of the electorate oppose him.
It's insane.
It's insane.
The place for wrong’uns seems to be in government these days.
Sickening rhetoric by Home Secretary. Denying access to human rights isn't "protecting the public". This is Labour further demonising those seeking asylum in language very reminiscent of the far right. Yes, some break the law, so should be prosecuted within the law. Removing rights is not the answer
November 13, 2025 at 10:27 PM
The place for wrong’uns seems to be in government these days.
Reposted by Gavin Greig
Today is a good day to remember, and to say, that the #MeToo movement was right, and was righteous, and has been vindicated over and over again. There was no overreach. There was no excess. There was no they-went-too-far.
So much work remains to be done.
So much work remains to be done.
November 12, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Today is a good day to remember, and to say, that the #MeToo movement was right, and was righteous, and has been vindicated over and over again. There was no overreach. There was no excess. There was no they-went-too-far.
So much work remains to be done.
So much work remains to be done.
Reposted by Gavin Greig
There is no legal requirement for any transgender person to reveal that they are transgender when questioned by the police. It is a breach of Article 8 for the police to insist on this data. 1/2
November 13, 2025 at 12:10 AM
There is no legal requirement for any transgender person to reveal that they are transgender when questioned by the police. It is a breach of Article 8 for the police to insist on this data. 1/2