Liz Bourke
@hawkwinglb.bsky.social
Ph.D Classics. Reviews @ Reactor Magazine (ex. Tor.com) and Locus Magazine.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hawkwing_lb
Wordpress: https://lizbourke.wordpress.com
Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@hawkwing_lb
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hawkwing_lb
Wordpress: https://lizbourke.wordpress.com
Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@hawkwing_lb
Pinned
Liz Bourke
@hawkwinglb.bsky.social
· Nov 9
κῆπος τῶν βιβλιοθηκῶν | a garden from the libraries
Liz Bourke: books, history, writing, and culture.
lizbourke.wordpress.com
Hello, new followers! I write reviews of science fiction and fantasy novels for @locusmag.bsky.social and for @reactorsff.bsky.social. On my blog lizbourke.wordpress.com/news-and-upd..., I write about the nonfiction I've been reading lately, and the occasional deeper dive on some aspect of SFF.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
The fact that the government appear to be afraid of the consequences of leaving X is in of itself justification for the government to stop using the platform.
We have ceded too much power to an unelected and openly hostile foreign entity, Elon Musk.
We have ceded too much power to an unelected and openly hostile foreign entity, Elon Musk.
This insistence on appeasement - this cowardice - is debasing, embarrassing - & - IT WILL NOT WORK
Look at Maria Machado, she bent over backwards to praise and appease these guys, and what did she get? Passed over
They got what they wanted from her & saw no obligation to return the favour
Look at Maria Machado, she bent over backwards to praise and appease these guys, and what did she get? Passed over
They got what they wanted from her & saw no obligation to return the favour
My word.
The Taoiseach, in China, says "platforms can be misused and abused or they can be used for positive reasons as well..." and says that should be considered carefully "before jumping to conclusions" on whether it's appropriate for the Government to be on X.
The Taoiseach, in China, says "platforms can be misused and abused or they can be used for positive reasons as well..." and says that should be considered carefully "before jumping to conclusions" on whether it's appropriate for the Government to be on X.
January 8, 2026 at 1:35 PM
The fact that the government appear to be afraid of the consequences of leaving X is in of itself justification for the government to stop using the platform.
We have ceded too much power to an unelected and openly hostile foreign entity, Elon Musk.
We have ceded too much power to an unelected and openly hostile foreign entity, Elon Musk.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
The Online Harassment and Harmful Communications Act as well as the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998 make it illegal to generate and distribute IBSV and CSAM, the former having sections legislating criminal responsibility for corporations involved.
This act also makes it a *criminal offence* to allow the distribution of IBSV "with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any wilful neglect" on a social media platform. With a potential two-year sentence for corporate officers, directors and secretaries.
January 8, 2026 at 12:20 PM
The Online Harassment and Harmful Communications Act as well as the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998 make it illegal to generate and distribute IBSV and CSAM, the former having sections legislating criminal responsibility for corporations involved.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
Less than 4 days ago, this same Minister said that child protection and online safety are more important than Irish citizens' human rights. Now he's saying, "Child Sexual Abuse Material what are you going to do, amrite?"
January 8, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Less than 4 days ago, this same Minister said that child protection and online safety are more important than Irish citizens' human rights. Now he's saying, "Child Sexual Abuse Material what are you going to do, amrite?"
Wrote to TDs about the govt. using the CSAM generator formerly known as X. Now I should probably go do the next necessary thing.
January 8, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Wrote to TDs about the govt. using the CSAM generator formerly known as X. Now I should probably go do the next necessary thing.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
We are really finding out in the grossest possible way where our political leaders’ priorities lie
Jfc, this looks like the gov really softening their stance on CSAM.
If the worlds richest man is okay to do it and MM is okay to continue using the site, then that sort of looks like a change in gov policy to csam
If the worlds richest man is okay to do it and MM is okay to continue using the site, then that sort of looks like a change in gov policy to csam
My word.
The Taoiseach, in China, says "platforms can be misused and abused or they can be used for positive reasons as well..." and says that should be considered carefully "before jumping to conclusions" on whether it's appropriate for the Government to be on X.
The Taoiseach, in China, says "platforms can be misused and abused or they can be used for positive reasons as well..." and says that should be considered carefully "before jumping to conclusions" on whether it's appropriate for the Government to be on X.
January 8, 2026 at 11:06 AM
We are really finding out in the grossest possible way where our political leaders’ priorities lie
Reposted by Liz Bourke
Forever intimidating: the 3.6m thick, 8m high south west wall of the late 3rd century #Roman shore fort of ANDERITVM (Pevensey) in #EastSussex
Reused as a base in September 1066 by William the Bastard on day one of the Norman invasion
📷 May 2016
#RomanFortThursday
Reused as a base in September 1066 by William the Bastard on day one of the Norman invasion
📷 May 2016
#RomanFortThursday
January 8, 2026 at 11:09 AM
Forever intimidating: the 3.6m thick, 8m high south west wall of the late 3rd century #Roman shore fort of ANDERITVM (Pevensey) in #EastSussex
Reused as a base in September 1066 by William the Bastard on day one of the Norman invasion
📷 May 2016
#RomanFortThursday
Reused as a base in September 1066 by William the Bastard on day one of the Norman invasion
📷 May 2016
#RomanFortThursday
Reposted by Liz Bourke
When the government is scared of billionaires, and that fear gives billionaires power over governments, that's called an oligarchy.
The only logical conclusion from this now is that the Government here, and governments around Europe, are absolutely terrified of being dragged into another battle with the richest man in the world who is hellbent on their removal; or with his ally in the White House over regulation.
January 8, 2026 at 10:40 AM
When the government is scared of billionaires, and that fear gives billionaires power over governments, that's called an oligarchy.
Mantra for the morning: Push the boulder up the hill. Remember what peace there may be in silence. "And thus pain... it purgeth, and maketh us to know ourselves."
All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.
All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.
January 8, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Mantra for the morning: Push the boulder up the hill. Remember what peace there may be in silence. "And thus pain... it purgeth, and maketh us to know ourselves."
All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.
All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.
If my books from Blackwell's shipped last week, hopefully they will be here by the end of the month. (I ordered some of them before the holidays. Fascinating nonfiction. I have been wanting to read them for ages.)
January 8, 2026 at 10:49 AM
If my books from Blackwell's shipped last week, hopefully they will be here by the end of the month. (I ordered some of them before the holidays. Fascinating nonfiction. I have been wanting to read them for ages.)
Reposted by Liz Bourke
Amazingly consistent performance here as previous Minister for missing Housing Targets issues update in his new role as Minister for missing Climate Targets.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Ireland will miss emissions-cut target by half, says Minister for Climate Darragh O’Brien
State will be liable for fines as high as €28 billion, as Minister for Climate says State will get only halfway to 2030 target
www.irishtimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Amazingly consistent performance here as previous Minister for missing Housing Targets issues update in his new role as Minister for missing Climate Targets.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Liz Bourke
Take a break for this glorious thing
stop what you're doing and let Amber Glenn take you to church #USPrevagenChamps #figureskating
January 8, 2026 at 4:47 AM
Take a break for this glorious thing
Reposted by Liz Bourke
Nice find from Tønsberg, Norway: “It has been 15 years since we last found a gold ring in Tønsberg, and this one is a fantastically beautiful and rare specimen.”
January 8, 2026 at 6:53 AM
Nice find from Tønsberg, Norway: “It has been 15 years since we last found a gold ring in Tønsberg, and this one is a fantastically beautiful and rare specimen.”
Reposted by Liz Bourke
The US Government have reached the “murdering poets” stage of decent.
Here’s her prize-winning poem, if anyone’s interested - it’s a gut punch ❤️
poets.org/2020-on-lear...
poets.org/2020-on-lear...
2020 Academy of American Poets Prize
On Learning to Dissect Fetal Pigs by Renée Nicole Macklin
poets.org
January 8, 2026 at 8:10 AM
The US Government have reached the “murdering poets” stage of decent.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
You could ask your kids’ schools do the same, if you liked.
My daughter’s primary school, for example, sent out a notice to say they were going to stop using their X account for comms.
It’s as simple as that. There are plenty of alternatives.
But even if there weren’t you can’t contribute to that.
It’s as simple as that. There are plenty of alternatives.
But even if there weren’t you can’t contribute to that.
January 8, 2026 at 8:12 AM
You could ask your kids’ schools do the same, if you liked.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
'My friends, my brother's surgery is in two days, and the cost is still underfunded; he needs $200. I implore you kind hearts to stand by my brother. This is the third time his surgery has been scheduled. Please help my brother Let him walk again 💔
gofund.me/394f690b
@mommunism.bsky.social '
gofund.me/394f690b
@mommunism.bsky.social '
January 8, 2026 at 8:16 AM
'My friends, my brother's surgery is in two days, and the cost is still underfunded; he needs $200. I implore you kind hearts to stand by my brother. This is the third time his surgery has been scheduled. Please help my brother Let him walk again 💔
gofund.me/394f690b
@mommunism.bsky.social '
gofund.me/394f690b
@mommunism.bsky.social '
Reposted by Liz Bourke
If a website appeared overnight that gave hundreds of millions of users the opportunity to create CSAM you'd expect governments to shut it down quickly, so the question is why X gets a pass when it's done just that?
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
AI chatbot Grok used to create child sexual abuse imagery, watchdog says
Internet Watch Foundation warns Elon Musk-owned AI risks bringing sexualised imagery of children into the mainstream
www.theguardian.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:08 AM
If a website appeared overnight that gave hundreds of millions of users the opportunity to create CSAM you'd expect governments to shut it down quickly, so the question is why X gets a pass when it's done just that?
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Liz Bourke
No donations for 4 days.
'Lama is calling you, please don't let me down, you are my hope in this life، My child Nidal is suffering from severe malnutrition, weakness, and loss of appetite. He urgently needs food, milk, and vitamins.'
'Lama is calling you, please don't let me down, you are my hope in this life، My child Nidal is suffering from severe malnutrition, weakness, and loss of appetite. He urgently needs food, milk, and vitamins.'
Donate to Help my family survive death, organized by Halima qayyum
My name is Lama, a displaced mother of three living in a small tent after war forced us … Halima qayyum needs your support for Help my family survive death
www.gofundme.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:14 AM
No donations for 4 days.
'Lama is calling you, please don't let me down, you are my hope in this life، My child Nidal is suffering from severe malnutrition, weakness, and loss of appetite. He urgently needs food, milk, and vitamins.'
'Lama is calling you, please don't let me down, you are my hope in this life، My child Nidal is suffering from severe malnutrition, weakness, and loss of appetite. He urgently needs food, milk, and vitamins.'
Reposted by Liz Bourke
Imagine all the pee you would have to collect up in one place to make a whole cesspool.
Used to be, going door to door, with a jar asking people to contribute to your cesspool. Just such hard work
Then technology arrived, on X dot Com, which allowed the creation of the largest cesspool in history
Used to be, going door to door, with a jar asking people to contribute to your cesspool. Just such hard work
Then technology arrived, on X dot Com, which allowed the creation of the largest cesspool in history
January 8, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Imagine all the pee you would have to collect up in one place to make a whole cesspool.
Used to be, going door to door, with a jar asking people to contribute to your cesspool. Just such hard work
Then technology arrived, on X dot Com, which allowed the creation of the largest cesspool in history
Used to be, going door to door, with a jar asking people to contribute to your cesspool. Just such hard work
Then technology arrived, on X dot Com, which allowed the creation of the largest cesspool in history
Reposted by Liz Bourke
“The Child Sex Abuse Material Machine might have some good uses too” is a lamentable policy position.
My word.
The Taoiseach, in China, says "platforms can be misused and abused or they can be used for positive reasons as well..." and says that should be considered carefully "before jumping to conclusions" on whether it's appropriate for the Government to be on X.
The Taoiseach, in China, says "platforms can be misused and abused or they can be used for positive reasons as well..." and says that should be considered carefully "before jumping to conclusions" on whether it's appropriate for the Government to be on X.
January 8, 2026 at 9:37 AM
“The Child Sex Abuse Material Machine might have some good uses too” is a lamentable policy position.
Just finished @sophieburnham.bsky.social's BLOODTIDE. Hell of a book. But that's definitely a middle book, isn't it? EVERYTHING JUST GOT WORSE. Cliffhanger.
I'm going to retreat back to my corner and try to put my stress feelings away.
I'm going to retreat back to my corner and try to put my stress feelings away.
January 7, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Just finished @sophieburnham.bsky.social's BLOODTIDE. Hell of a book. But that's definitely a middle book, isn't it? EVERYTHING JUST GOT WORSE. Cliffhanger.
I'm going to retreat back to my corner and try to put my stress feelings away.
I'm going to retreat back to my corner and try to put my stress feelings away.
Reposted by Liz Bourke
Splendid thread to uplift your timeline and for mental refreshment amid the ongoing everything.
It's the 3rd of January 1939, your name is professor James Smith and you are staring at a drawing of a fish. It's not a regular fish. It is a completely impossible fish.
January 7, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Splendid thread to uplift your timeline and for mental refreshment amid the ongoing everything.
Things to look forward to in 2026:
RADIANT STAR by @annleckie.com
CALL ME TRAITOR by @everinamaxwell.bsky.social
DAUGHTER OF THE HUNT by @arsenaultrivera.bsky.social
optimistically, if the "Untitled Work" listings aren't lying to me, a new book by @melissacaruso.bsky.social?
THE DUKE by Anna Cowen
RADIANT STAR by @annleckie.com
CALL ME TRAITOR by @everinamaxwell.bsky.social
DAUGHTER OF THE HUNT by @arsenaultrivera.bsky.social
optimistically, if the "Untitled Work" listings aren't lying to me, a new book by @melissacaruso.bsky.social?
THE DUKE by Anna Cowen
January 7, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Things to look forward to in 2026:
RADIANT STAR by @annleckie.com
CALL ME TRAITOR by @everinamaxwell.bsky.social
DAUGHTER OF THE HUNT by @arsenaultrivera.bsky.social
optimistically, if the "Untitled Work" listings aren't lying to me, a new book by @melissacaruso.bsky.social?
THE DUKE by Anna Cowen
RADIANT STAR by @annleckie.com
CALL ME TRAITOR by @everinamaxwell.bsky.social
DAUGHTER OF THE HUNT by @arsenaultrivera.bsky.social
optimistically, if the "Untitled Work" listings aren't lying to me, a new book by @melissacaruso.bsky.social?
THE DUKE by Anna Cowen
Reposted by Liz Bourke
This short thread is a must-read on what is happening now: Trump's regime is basically neo-royalism, use of the state to seize public goods for the tyrant and his clique. How can this be happening in our republic ?
1/Quick thoughts on Venezuela oil and what it means for world politics. Rather than a simple story of corporate oligarchy, more about Trump putting himself at the center of spoils that can be used to consolidate power i.e neo-royalism.
www.cnbc.com/2026/01/06/t...
www.cnbc.com/2026/01/06/t...
Trump says Venezuela to give up to 50 million barrels of oil to U.S.
Trump's announcement came days after U.S. forces attacked Venezuela and captured its leader, Nicolas Maduro, to be prosecuted on drug-trafficking charges.
www.cnbc.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:36 PM
This short thread is a must-read on what is happening now: Trump's regime is basically neo-royalism, use of the state to seize public goods for the tyrant and his clique. How can this be happening in our republic ?
Reposted by Liz Bourke
The fact that we have ceded such a vital piece of our global communications ecosystem to a handful of US billionaires who are either supporting Donald Trump overtly, because they want the US govt to force the EU to abandon its regulatory regime, or, in Musk's case, an open white nationalist...
Ireland is exposed as Maga right attempts to take on Big Tech regulation
Concerns are growing that EU officials regulating Big Tech could face US visa bans
www.irishtimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:46 PM
The fact that we have ceded such a vital piece of our global communications ecosystem to a handful of US billionaires who are either supporting Donald Trump overtly, because they want the US govt to force the EU to abandon its regulatory regime, or, in Musk's case, an open white nationalist...
Reposted by Liz Bourke
I honestly don't care what the Irish government uses if they leave X. Threads! Mastodon! Carrier Pigeons! Dust off fax machines!
There is no possible justification for any government body, politician, or institute continued presence on X.
There is no possible justification for any government body, politician, or institute continued presence on X.
Something that I assume you know is that Bluesky is a bit of a liberal white English speaking ghetto and that the vast majority of Arabic, Muslim and Global South accounts aren't available here and "Boycotting Twitter" means boycotting them too.
January 7, 2026 at 7:41 PM
I honestly don't care what the Irish government uses if they leave X. Threads! Mastodon! Carrier Pigeons! Dust off fax machines!
There is no possible justification for any government body, politician, or institute continued presence on X.
There is no possible justification for any government body, politician, or institute continued presence on X.