Iain Thomson
@iainthomson.bsky.social
UK journalist in SF covering security, space, and science, and stuff that looks fun. Fond of sailing, F1, F5, the Oxford comma, and Marmite.
All views my own. Signal: iainthomson.60 if you want to talk. iainthomson on Twitter.
All views my own. Signal: iainthomson.60 if you want to talk. iainthomson on Twitter.
RIP Michael Sherrell, who taught many of us at Cal Sailing essential skills on the water.
Never happier than when he was out on the trapeze or astride a horse, he died on Christmas Day with his family around him.
Rest easy Mike, wishing you tight sheets and full sails.
Never happier than when he was out on the trapeze or astride a horse, he died on Christmas Day with his family around him.
Rest easy Mike, wishing you tight sheets and full sails.
December 29, 2025 at 3:34 AM
RIP Michael Sherrell, who taught many of us at Cal Sailing essential skills on the water.
Never happier than when he was out on the trapeze or astride a horse, he died on Christmas Day with his family around him.
Rest easy Mike, wishing you tight sheets and full sails.
Never happier than when he was out on the trapeze or astride a horse, he died on Christmas Day with his family around him.
Rest easy Mike, wishing you tight sheets and full sails.
That's it, I'm downing tools for two days and getting to work prepping tomorrow's festive lunch. Hoping everyone has a very happy break.
I leave you with the first in a monthly Letter from America column in the style of Alistair Cooke for UK readers. Fun fact: his real name was Alfred.
I leave you with the first in a monthly Letter from America column in the style of Alistair Cooke for UK readers. Fun fact: his real name was Alfred.
Letter from America: How Trump's first year has transformed the US technology scene
Donald Trump's first year has brought technology to the forefront, for better or worse. Here's one US resident's tech review of 2025
www.techfinitive.com
December 25, 2025 at 2:48 AM
That's it, I'm downing tools for two days and getting to work prepping tomorrow's festive lunch. Hoping everyone has a very happy break.
I leave you with the first in a monthly Letter from America column in the style of Alistair Cooke for UK readers. Fun fact: his real name was Alfred.
I leave you with the first in a monthly Letter from America column in the style of Alistair Cooke for UK readers. Fun fact: his real name was Alfred.
Looks like a large chunk of San Francisco is out of power at the moment.
The rest of the city should charge up devices, it looks like it's spreading. Despite a hellish crowded day of Christmas shopping I'm glad I'm not in the city. Good luck everyone.
The rest of the city should charge up devices, it looks like it's spreading. Despite a hellish crowded day of Christmas shopping I'm glad I'm not in the city. Good luck everyone.
imgur.com
Discover the magic of the internet at Imgur, a community powered entertainment destination. Lift your spirits with funny jokes, trending memes, entertaining gifs, inspiring stories, viral videos, and ...
imgur.com
December 21, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Looks like a large chunk of San Francisco is out of power at the moment.
The rest of the city should charge up devices, it looks like it's spreading. Despite a hellish crowded day of Christmas shopping I'm glad I'm not in the city. Good luck everyone.
The rest of the city should charge up devices, it looks like it's spreading. Despite a hellish crowded day of Christmas shopping I'm glad I'm not in the city. Good luck everyone.
One of the few occasions where @ianbetteridge.com's law doesn't apply.
Had a lovely weekend chewing the fat with @jasonhiner.bsky.social, Owen and @leolaporte.me, with some modest swearing.
Had a lovely weekend chewing the fat with @jasonhiner.bsky.social, Owen and @leolaporte.me, with some modest swearing.
Are small AI models the future? @leolaporte.me discusses with @iainthomson.bsky.social, Owen Thomas, & @jasonhiner.bsky.social.
This Week in Tech: The Architects of AI | TWiT.TV
Are we witnessing an AI-fueled gold rush or the early signs of an epic crash? Listen to these hard-hitting discussions on bubbles, breakthroughs, and the real impact behind
buff.ly
December 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM
One of the few occasions where @ianbetteridge.com's law doesn't apply.
Had a lovely weekend chewing the fat with @jasonhiner.bsky.social, Owen and @leolaporte.me, with some modest swearing.
Had a lovely weekend chewing the fat with @jasonhiner.bsky.social, Owen and @leolaporte.me, with some modest swearing.
What a senseless waste.
Rob Reiner, who directed such beloved Hollywood classics as 'This Is Spinal Tap,' 'Stand by Me' and 'When Harry Met Sally' after starring in the trailblazing sitcom 'All in the Family,' died Sunday along with his wife, Michele, in their Brentwood home. bit.ly/48UWXSi
December 15, 2025 at 3:49 AM
What a senseless waste.
A good night to be clear of San Francisco as it's Santacon - where people get dressed up, and usually sloppily drunk, on a pub crawl. Please tip the bar staff.
My favourite Santacon story was in 2014 - someone in costume robbed a bank then merged back into the crowd. He has never been identified.
My favourite Santacon story was in 2014 - someone in costume robbed a bank then merged back into the crowd. He has never been identified.
Pics released of Santa bandit who robbed bank during SantaCon
Pics released of Santa bandit who robbed bank during SantaCon
www.sfgate.com
December 14, 2025 at 3:54 AM
A good night to be clear of San Francisco as it's Santacon - where people get dressed up, and usually sloppily drunk, on a pub crawl. Please tip the bar staff.
My favourite Santacon story was in 2014 - someone in costume robbed a bank then merged back into the crowd. He has never been identified.
My favourite Santacon story was in 2014 - someone in costume robbed a bank then merged back into the crowd. He has never been identified.
"I do not feel your presents..."
December 11, 2025 at 5:11 AM
"I do not feel your presents..."
I'm willing to bet the Waymo PR team were high fiving each other when this news came in. Just hope they had a cleanup crew on standby.
Driverless delivery: Woman gives birth in San Francisco Waymo
Waymo detected “unusual activity” in the robotaxi and initiated a call to check on the passenger.
sfstandard.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:58 AM
I'm willing to bet the Waymo PR team were high fiving each other when this news came in. Just hope they had a cleanup crew on standby.
On this day in 1968 Douglas Engelbart gave The Mother of All Demos - showing the potential for personal computing and what was to come.
I miss the old PARC - Xerox really dropped the ball on that one. Luckily Apple and Microsoft nicked the ideas and made them work.
I miss the old PARC - Xerox really dropped the ball on that one. Luckily Apple and Microsoft nicked the ideas and made them work.
The Mother of All Demos, presented by Douglas Engelbart (1968)
YouTube video by Marcel
www.youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:42 PM
On this day in 1968 Douglas Engelbart gave The Mother of All Demos - showing the potential for personal computing and what was to come.
I miss the old PARC - Xerox really dropped the ball on that one. Luckily Apple and Microsoft nicked the ideas and made them work.
I miss the old PARC - Xerox really dropped the ball on that one. Luckily Apple and Microsoft nicked the ideas and made them work.
It's a measure of how American I've become that I now prefer this to a fry up.
December 7, 2025 at 10:34 PM
It's a measure of how American I've become that I now prefer this to a fry up.
A worthy winner of the final F1 race of the season, and the champion earned it. Just wish the deciding race of the season was on a more exciting track.
Also MBS really needs to keep his hands to himself.
Also MBS really needs to keep his hands to himself.
December 7, 2025 at 8:51 PM
A worthy winner of the final F1 race of the season, and the champion earned it. Just wish the deciding race of the season was on a more exciting track.
Also MBS really needs to keep his hands to himself.
Also MBS really needs to keep his hands to himself.
This should be hilarious viewing.
Blaming "the deep state" (aka her party) for firing - not deposing - her after crashing the economy is going to make interesting viewing.
Also calling it "The Liz Truss Show" shows a typical lack of imagination. Maybe "Lettuce talk politics?"
Blaming "the deep state" (aka her party) for firing - not deposing - her after crashing the economy is going to make interesting viewing.
Also calling it "The Liz Truss Show" shows a typical lack of imagination. Maybe "Lettuce talk politics?"
Liz Truss on X: "They tried to silence her. They failed. The Liz Truss Show — December 5th. It’s time to fight for the West. https://t.co/4sjrfkK8gK" / X
They tried to silence her. They failed. The Liz Truss Show — December 5th. It’s time to fight for the West. https://t.co/4sjrfkK8gK
x.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:19 AM
This should be hilarious viewing.
Blaming "the deep state" (aka her party) for firing - not deposing - her after crashing the economy is going to make interesting viewing.
Also calling it "The Liz Truss Show" shows a typical lack of imagination. Maybe "Lettuce talk politics?"
Blaming "the deep state" (aka her party) for firing - not deposing - her after crashing the economy is going to make interesting viewing.
Also calling it "The Liz Truss Show" shows a typical lack of imagination. Maybe "Lettuce talk politics?"
"Look, everyone knows the middle seat gets both arm rests, capeesh?"
November 29, 2025 at 6:58 PM
"Look, everyone knows the middle seat gets both arm rests, capeesh?"
Reposted by Iain Thomson
Could Starmer watch a video on his phone with volume on full blast, no headphones, on a train, next please?
If you want some good news this morning, I showed my three boys the PM doing the six/seven thing and now they have all stopped doing it.
November 27, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Could Starmer watch a video on his phone with volume on full blast, no headphones, on a train, next please?
The bird is ready for the oven! Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
November 27, 2025 at 6:48 PM
The bird is ready for the oven! Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
Rather disappointing that the most interesting thing about the Las Vegas GP occurred hours after the race ended.
Also, one of the eventual podium placers would have been too young to drink the champagne for the ceremony.
Also, one of the eventual podium placers would have been too young to drink the champagne for the ceremony.
November 23, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Rather disappointing that the most interesting thing about the Las Vegas GP occurred hours after the race ended.
Also, one of the eventual podium placers would have been too young to drink the champagne for the ceremony.
Also, one of the eventual podium placers would have been too young to drink the champagne for the ceremony.
Italian commuters are more likely to give up their seat to a pregnant passenger is there's someone dressed as Batman in the rail coach. Delightfully silly boffinry.
Unexpected events and prosocial behavior: the Batman effect - npj Mental Health Research
npj Mental Health Research - Unexpected events and prosocial behavior: the Batman effect
www.nature.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Italian commuters are more likely to give up their seat to a pregnant passenger is there's someone dressed as Batman in the rail coach. Delightfully silly boffinry.
This appears to show a Tesla Robotaxi "safety" driver falling asleep at the wheel and getting woken up by the car. Not a way to inspire confidence.
From the sanfrancisco community on Reddit: My Tesla Robotaxi “safety” driver fell asleep
Explore this post and more from the sanfrancisco community
www.reddit.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:12 AM
This appears to show a Tesla Robotaxi "safety" driver falling asleep at the wheel and getting woken up by the car. Not a way to inspire confidence.
Just past 8am and Jeff Mills is starting his set. Banging way to start the day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K7X...
SUPER DOMMUNE 2025/11/15 LIQUIDROOM + AXIS RECORDS present JEFF MILLS live at Liquid Room 2025
YouTube video by DOMMUNE
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Just past 8am and Jeff Mills is starting his set. Banging way to start the day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K7X...
Scrambled eggs on Marmite toast, teatime snack of champions.
November 15, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Scrambled eggs on Marmite toast, teatime snack of champions.
Fun fact - in SF you can adopt a drain and keep it clear in the rain. The city will give you the tools for the job if you keep drains clear and stop flooding.
The best bit is you get to name it. Respect to the keeper of a Castro drain dubbed “It’s Draining Men.”
The best bit is you get to name it. Respect to the keeper of a Castro drain dubbed “It’s Draining Men.”
Adopt-a-Drain San Francisco
You can adopt one of San Francisco's 25,000+ storm drains and pledge to help keep it clear of leaves and debris this rainy season. Lend a hand and help the City avoid flooding.
adoptadrain.sfwater.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Fun fact - in SF you can adopt a drain and keep it clear in the rain. The city will give you the tools for the job if you keep drains clear and stop flooding.
The best bit is you get to name it. Respect to the keeper of a Castro drain dubbed “It’s Draining Men.”
The best bit is you get to name it. Respect to the keeper of a Castro drain dubbed “It’s Draining Men.”
Drive safe in the Bay Area today.
So much rain after a significant dry period is making the roads very slippery. Just popped to the shops and saw a nasty accident on the way.
So much rain after a significant dry period is making the roads very slippery. Just popped to the shops and saw a nasty accident on the way.
November 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Drive safe in the Bay Area today.
So much rain after a significant dry period is making the roads very slippery. Just popped to the shops and saw a nasty accident on the way.
So much rain after a significant dry period is making the roads very slippery. Just popped to the shops and saw a nasty accident on the way.
An enormously fun episode, and and while the correct term is ferret legging the wrong trousers is always funny.
It's a bonkers legendary sport. The current record holder lasted five hours and thirty minutes with some serious bites.
Lots of good talk, and some marvelous folks to talk tech with.
It's a bonkers legendary sport. The current record holder lasted five hours and thirty minutes with some serious bites.
Lots of good talk, and some marvelous folks to talk tech with.
New Podcast Episode:
This Week in Tech: Ferret Trousering
Can Apple TV Fix the Broken World of Streaming Sports?
with @leolaporte.me, @iainthomson.bsky.social, @ashleyesqueda.com, @jank0.bsky.social
This Week in Tech: Ferret Trousering
Can Apple TV Fix the Broken World of Streaming Sports?
with @leolaporte.me, @iainthomson.bsky.social, @ashleyesqueda.com, @jank0.bsky.social
Ferret Trousering | TWiT.TV
Elon Musk’s eye-popping trillion-dollar pay package, Apple’s big F1 gamble, and Meta’s scam-friendly ad policies set the stage for a candid debate on Big Tech’s priorities and
twit.tv
November 10, 2025 at 8:11 PM
An enormously fun episode, and and while the correct term is ferret legging the wrong trousers is always funny.
It's a bonkers legendary sport. The current record holder lasted five hours and thirty minutes with some serious bites.
Lots of good talk, and some marvelous folks to talk tech with.
It's a bonkers legendary sport. The current record holder lasted five hours and thirty minutes with some serious bites.
Lots of good talk, and some marvelous folks to talk tech with.
Sadly this isn't true, the AARP's fact-checking department needs a boot up the bum. Until checking I thought I had a gold mine in the back room.
There's a market for gaming cables, and specialized connectors, but no - your SCSI cables aren't worth that much.
There's a market for gaming cables, and specialized connectors, but no - your SCSI cables aren't worth that much.
November 10, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Sadly this isn't true, the AARP's fact-checking department needs a boot up the bum. Until checking I thought I had a gold mine in the back room.
There's a market for gaming cables, and specialized connectors, but no - your SCSI cables aren't worth that much.
There's a market for gaming cables, and specialized connectors, but no - your SCSI cables aren't worth that much.
San Francisco goes all-in on Halloween, both adults and children.
This is still my favourite costume, by a British mate on the year of Brexit.
This is still my favourite costume, by a British mate on the year of Brexit.
November 1, 2025 at 12:18 AM
San Francisco goes all-in on Halloween, both adults and children.
This is still my favourite costume, by a British mate on the year of Brexit.
This is still my favourite costume, by a British mate on the year of Brexit.