Paul O’Brien
@ifdestroyed.bsky.social
Writes about comics at housetoastonish.com
So far as I can tell, the one opinion that genuinely unites those on both sides of the AI divide is that everyone finds Copilot useless.
Big announcement from @manchester.ac.uk today:
"The University of Manchester has announced a strategic collaboration with Microsoft, becoming the first university in the world to give Microsoft 365 Copilot access and training to every student and colleague."
#GenerativeAI #Research #Manchester
"The University of Manchester has announced a strategic collaboration with Microsoft, becoming the first university in the world to give Microsoft 365 Copilot access and training to every student and colleague."
#GenerativeAI #Research #Manchester
World-first AI partnership between The University of Manchester and Microsoft announced
The University of Manchester becomes first university in the world to provide Microsoft 365 Copilot access and training to all students and staff.65,000 staff and students will receive full Microsoft ...
www.manchester.ac.uk
January 19, 2026 at 12:51 PM
So far as I can tell, the one opinion that genuinely unites those on both sides of the AI divide is that everyone finds Copilot useless.
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
guys guys the Americans are waking up. Everyone act normal and maybe they'll follow our lead. maybe.
good morning, americans
good morning, americans
January 19, 2026 at 12:38 PM
guys guys the Americans are waking up. Everyone act normal and maybe they'll follow our lead. maybe.
good morning, americans
good morning, americans
What is fascinating to me is his obvious desperation to be respected coupled with his total inability to comprehend what that might require.
January 19, 2026 at 8:02 AM
What is fascinating to me is his obvious desperation to be respected coupled with his total inability to comprehend what that might require.
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre has now also confirmed to local media that it is genuine. www.vg.no/nyheter/i/q6...
Trump i melding til Støre: «Føler ikke lenger noen forpliktelse»
I en oppsiktsvekkende melding til statsminister Jonas Gahr Støre gjentar Donald Trump truslene om Grønland.
www.vg.no
January 19, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre has now also confirmed to local media that it is genuine. www.vg.no/nyheter/i/q6...
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
The US has a 25th Amendment and an impeachment process but because cowardice is the defining characteristic of modern right wing politics, neither of these things will be exercised, even as this is the most glaring example of their being needed.
If this text is real (no reason to think it isn’t) we have to accept that the only solution here is Congress doing its job. He cannot be a president in this deteriorating mental state. But Congress won’t act.
We’re f*cked
We’re f*cked
There are, I promise you, still serious and important people who think that Trump is playing 3D chess — putting on an act to convince his laggard NATO allies to pony up their fare share.
But stuff like this is pretty clear evidence that he's *the* immediate risk to our collective security
But stuff like this is pretty clear evidence that he's *the* immediate risk to our collective security
January 19, 2026 at 7:31 AM
The US has a 25th Amendment and an impeachment process but because cowardice is the defining characteristic of modern right wing politics, neither of these things will be exercised, even as this is the most glaring example of their being needed.
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
Didn’t believe this was true but have checked and am told it was sent to the Norwegian government yesterday.
![NEW: @potus letter to @jonasgahrstore links @NobelPrize to Greenland, reiterates threats, and is forwarded by the NSC staff to multiple European ambassadors in Washington. I obtained the text from multiple officials:
Dear Ambassador:
President Trump has asked that the following message, shared with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, be forwarded to your [named head of government/state]
“Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also. I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hbpefio3f5csc44msmbgioxz/bafkreie7itpptx3xbxhpsnlaqmwk752h7pcrion5ija2apksljtax2adx4@jpeg)
January 19, 2026 at 7:23 AM
Didn’t believe this was true but have checked and am told it was sent to the Norwegian government yesterday.
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
i feel like Americans don't get the level of eye-rolling this is getting from Europe
January 19, 2026 at 4:06 AM
i feel like Americans don't get the level of eye-rolling this is getting from Europe
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
I suspect the vast majority of those Americans assume that one day they can simply say 'reset' to us, and all will be well.
It won't be. America has never ever threatened a European democracy with invasion. Until now. We are in a new era.
It won't be. America has never ever threatened a European democracy with invasion. Until now. We are in a new era.
But Americans who want to save the alliance with Europe must have no illusions about how bad a condition this transatlantic partnership is in.
January 18, 2026 at 8:59 PM
I suspect the vast majority of those Americans assume that one day they can simply say 'reset' to us, and all will be well.
It won't be. America has never ever threatened a European democracy with invasion. Until now. We are in a new era.
It won't be. America has never ever threatened a European democracy with invasion. Until now. We are in a new era.
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
The incredibly lukewarm Democratic response on Greenland is being noticed in Europe, incidentally.
Chuck Schumer not finding a stronger word than “quixotic” for Trump’s plan to seize Greenland has been name checked to me more than once.
Chuck Schumer not finding a stronger word than “quixotic” for Trump’s plan to seize Greenland has been name checked to me more than once.
But Americans who want to save the alliance with Europe must have no illusions about how bad a condition this transatlantic partnership is in.
January 18, 2026 at 10:05 PM
The incredibly lukewarm Democratic response on Greenland is being noticed in Europe, incidentally.
Chuck Schumer not finding a stronger word than “quixotic” for Trump’s plan to seize Greenland has been name checked to me more than once.
Chuck Schumer not finding a stronger word than “quixotic” for Trump’s plan to seize Greenland has been name checked to me more than once.
What's interesting is that he would say this publicly.
Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre: every time I meet with Trump he immediately makes clear how angry he is that he didn't get the Nobel Peace Prize and demands that Norway give it to him immediately. I explain that the Nobel Committee, not the government of Norway, awards this prize.
Støre til næringslivet etter Trumps tolltrussel: – Vi skal ivareta norske interesser
Statsminister Jonas Gahr Støre sier at han forstår at varselet om straffetoll fra USAs president Donald Trump vekker bekymring i norsk næringsliv.
www.aftenbladet.no
January 18, 2026 at 10:05 PM
What's interesting is that he would say this publicly.
On House to Astonish, Daredevil Villains #69: The Cossack.
House to Astonish » Daredevil Villains #69: The Cossack
www.housetoastonish.com
January 18, 2026 at 5:22 PM
On House to Astonish, Daredevil Villains #69: The Cossack.
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
Professional wrestling: a beautiful artform in which you can clearly hear a German man pretending to be an American man pretending to be a Mexican wrestler pretending to fight a Mexican man tell the pretend referee to "tell him to be careful with my neck for fuck's sake."
January 18, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Professional wrestling: a beautiful artform in which you can clearly hear a German man pretending to be an American man pretending to be a Mexican wrestler pretending to fight a Mexican man tell the pretend referee to "tell him to be careful with my neck for fuck's sake."
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
Note that these are the usually Atlanticist pro-American centre right parties. They have given up appeasing Trump.
Appears that the most recent negotiated EU-US trade deal is dead, with Renew Europe and EPP party leadership rejecting the deal in light of Trump’s recent threats.
January 17, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Note that these are the usually Atlanticist pro-American centre right parties. They have given up appeasing Trump.
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
There goes the EU-US trade deal. Always a humiliation to the European side, and now - it seems - an intolerable one.
EPP chair Manfred Weber says EP will not approve EU US tariff deal
"The EPP is in favour of the EU–U.S. trade deal, but given Donald Trump’s threats regarding Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage. The 0% tariffs on U.S. products must be put on hold."
"The EPP is in favour of the EU–U.S. trade deal, but given Donald Trump’s threats regarding Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage. The 0% tariffs on U.S. products must be put on hold."
January 17, 2026 at 8:35 PM
There goes the EU-US trade deal. Always a humiliation to the European side, and now - it seems - an intolerable one.
But also quickly enough to suggest that this response did not come as a surprise.
Feels like a sea-change tonight about Europe's approach to the US: moving from head-shaking and shrugs to real anger
January 17, 2026 at 8:34 PM
But also quickly enough to suggest that this response did not come as a surprise.
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
FIFA would then try to punish European nations over it, which would have the bonus side effect of showing it up for what it is, too.
What Europe could do is threaten to boycott the World Cup. It won't. But that might actually work. Trump wants his big show.
January 17, 2026 at 8:18 PM
FIFA would then try to punish European nations over it, which would have the bonus side effect of showing it up for what it is, too.
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
Macron now refers to "intimidation or threat", explicitly comparing US behaviour in Greenland to Russia's approach to Ukraine. Sweden's PM says: "We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed". Much, tougher language from Europeans than we have seen before, responding to the US escalation.
January 17, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Macron now refers to "intimidation or threat", explicitly comparing US behaviour in Greenland to Russia's approach to Ukraine. Sweden's PM says: "We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed". Much, tougher language from Europeans than we have seen before, responding to the US escalation.
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
Keir Starmer often takes 2-3 days to issue very mild criticism of US actions. This is both direct and issued fast.
I think there is a serious risk that the US miscalculated quite what a big deal the Greenland thing is to Europe (and in Europe).
I think there is a serious risk that the US miscalculated quite what a big deal the Greenland thing is to Europe (and in Europe).
NEW - Starmer says US "completely wrong" in threatening tariffs over Greenland
January 17, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Keir Starmer often takes 2-3 days to issue very mild criticism of US actions. This is both direct and issued fast.
I think there is a serious risk that the US miscalculated quite what a big deal the Greenland thing is to Europe (and in Europe).
I think there is a serious risk that the US miscalculated quite what a big deal the Greenland thing is to Europe (and in Europe).
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
If there’s ever been a case for the UK imposing retaliatory tariffs it’s here. I will gladly pay 10% to defend democracy 🫡
January 17, 2026 at 4:43 PM
If there’s ever been a case for the UK imposing retaliatory tariffs it’s here. I will gladly pay 10% to defend democracy 🫡
On House to Astonish, this week's chart post.
House to Astonish » Charts – 16 January 2026
www.housetoastonish.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:24 PM
On House to Astonish, this week's chart post.
On House to Astonish, this week's X-Axis.
House to Astonish » The X-Axis – 14 January 2026
www.housetoastonish.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:16 PM
On House to Astonish, this week's X-Axis.
On House to Astonish, annotations for Uncanny X-Men #22.
House to Astonish » Uncanny X-Men #22 annotations
www.housetoastonish.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:34 PM
On House to Astonish, annotations for Uncanny X-Men #22.
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
The House To Astonish 14th annual Homies awards was really great to listen to, specifically for me, because of how many listeners said very nice things about the Power Fantasy. Hugely touched. I bet it's nice for you to listen to too.
House to Astonish » House to Astonish Episode 216
housetoastonish.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:32 PM
The House To Astonish 14th annual Homies awards was really great to listen to, specifically for me, because of how many listeners said very nice things about the Power Fantasy. Hugely touched. I bet it's nice for you to listen to too.
Reposted by Paul O’Brien
The new House to Astonish, with the results of the 2025 Homies awards, is live! Come hear @ifdestroyed.bsky.social talking about Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum, Fantastic Four and The Power Fantasy, and me talking about Assorted Crisis Events, The Phoenix and Hello Sunshine! bit.ly/astonish216
House to Astonish » House to Astonish Episode 216
bit.ly
January 12, 2026 at 5:34 PM
The new House to Astonish, with the results of the 2025 Homies awards, is live! Come hear @ifdestroyed.bsky.social talking about Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum, Fantastic Four and The Power Fantasy, and me talking about Assorted Crisis Events, The Phoenix and Hello Sunshine! bit.ly/astonish216