James Elder
@jameselder.bsky.social
Business archivist by day; rowing club archivist by night. So, quite a lot of 19th and 20th century British history, and grumbling about digital and A/V preservation.
Not the UNICEF spokesman.
Be nice, I'm trying my best.
Not the UNICEF spokesman.
Be nice, I'm trying my best.
I feel safer already!
January 3, 2026 at 10:17 AM
I feel safer already!
Reposted by James Elder
Big question for Congress as to whether they will care about their own constitutional role (or, indeed, care about anything at all)
I fear we already know the answer to that
I fear we already know the answer to that
January 3, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Big question for Congress as to whether they will care about their own constitutional role (or, indeed, care about anything at all)
I fear we already know the answer to that
I fear we already know the answer to that
Still thinking about Sentimental Value this morning.
January 2, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Still thinking about Sentimental Value this morning.
With the likes of DPD and Yodel beginning to offer locker services akin to Amazon’s, the next step surely has to be retailers’ websites integrating an option to deliver to a locker at the time of order, rather than having to go to the parcel company’s app to divert it there.
January 2, 2026 at 7:31 AM
With the likes of DPD and Yodel beginning to offer locker services akin to Amazon’s, the next step surely has to be retailers’ websites integrating an option to deliver to a locker at the time of order, rather than having to go to the parcel company’s app to divert it there.
Pleased to report that Sentimental Value includes realistic depictions of archivists working, and of the emotional impact that personal archival research can have.
January 1, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Pleased to report that Sentimental Value includes realistic depictions of archivists working, and of the emotional impact that personal archival research can have.
So weird to remember when she was appearing in the video diaries of the GB Men’s Coxless Four as she began dating James Cracknell.
A world away.
She’s another one who seems to have followed the wellness > anti-vax > far-right path.
A world away.
She’s another one who seems to have followed the wellness > anti-vax > far-right path.
Ofcom urged to investigate GB News Trump interview over inaccuracy claims
US president’s assertions climate change is ‘a hoax’ and London has police no-go areas left unchallenged, say critics
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:51 PM
So weird to remember when she was appearing in the video diaries of the GB Men’s Coxless Four as she began dating James Cracknell.
A world away.
She’s another one who seems to have followed the wellness > anti-vax > far-right path.
A world away.
She’s another one who seems to have followed the wellness > anti-vax > far-right path.
I wonder if my prediction for the final episode of Stranger Things will come to pass:
A cathartic rainstorm followed by sun, and Kate Bush’s ‘Cloudbusting’ on the soundtrack:
A cathartic rainstorm followed by sun, and Kate Bush’s ‘Cloudbusting’ on the soundtrack:
Kate Bush - Cloudbusting - Official Music Video
YouTube video by KateBushMusic
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 10:03 AM
I wonder if my prediction for the final episode of Stranger Things will come to pass:
A cathartic rainstorm followed by sun, and Kate Bush’s ‘Cloudbusting’ on the soundtrack:
A cathartic rainstorm followed by sun, and Kate Bush’s ‘Cloudbusting’ on the soundtrack:
Very much enjoyed Wake Up Dead Man, particularly the Lord of the Rings/MCU joke in absentia.
December 25, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Very much enjoyed Wake Up Dead Man, particularly the Lord of the Rings/MCU joke in absentia.
Reposted by James Elder
Unbelievably, #DuvetKnowItsChristmas generates such good will on social media that over the years we've raised somewhere approaching a quarter of a million quid for homeless charities. If you can spare a bob or two, sling some to Centrepoint, and here's the link: www.gofundme.com/f/duvet-know...
Donate to Duvet Know It's Christmas, 2025, organized by Rhodri Marsden
Unbelievably, it's the 15th year of this thing.
What is it?
Improbably, the nig… Rhodri Marsden needs your support for Duvet Know It's Christmas, 2025
www.gofundme.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Unbelievably, #DuvetKnowItsChristmas generates such good will on social media that over the years we've raised somewhere approaching a quarter of a million quid for homeless charities. If you can spare a bob or two, sling some to Centrepoint, and here's the link: www.gofundme.com/f/duvet-know...
I do find it a bit strange that so much of the coverage of the BBC Written Archives access restrictions doesn’t look at in terms of wider funding.
Archives always suffer in organisations under budgetary pressure.
Archives always suffer in organisations under budgetary pressure.
December 24, 2025 at 4:58 PM
I do find it a bit strange that so much of the coverage of the BBC Written Archives access restrictions doesn’t look at in terms of wider funding.
Archives always suffer in organisations under budgetary pressure.
Archives always suffer in organisations under budgetary pressure.
I have absolutely no problem with paywalls, but one thing that annoys me about the modern internet is its inability to take links like this, look at my subscriptions and, if I do have access, send me to the article.
I’m *pretty* sure I have access to NY Review through my London Library membership.
I’m *pretty* sure I have access to NY Review through my London Library membership.
Great 2018 piece from @hofrench.bsky.social on the various rationalizations made regarding the Middle Passage, including the now in fashion claims that the Arab slave trade somehow absolves European nations of any responsibility www.nybooks.com/articles/201...
A History of Denial | Howard W. French
All too many publications about the history of Europe’s relationship with Africa fail to sufficiently convey the damage that was done to the African economy, peoples, and political development by the ...
www.nybooks.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I have absolutely no problem with paywalls, but one thing that annoys me about the modern internet is its inability to take links like this, look at my subscriptions and, if I do have access, send me to the article.
I’m *pretty* sure I have access to NY Review through my London Library membership.
I’m *pretty* sure I have access to NY Review through my London Library membership.
Best of 2025 TV lists which do not have Andor in the top 10 at very least are frankly unserious.
December 23, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Best of 2025 TV lists which do not have Andor in the top 10 at very least are frankly unserious.
Listening again to the Hugh Grant reading of A Christmas Carol (which is vg) I am struck by how often Scrooge is portrayed in adaptations as a money-lender or landlord whereas he seems to me in the original text to be some kind of a City merchant, well known at ‘change (ie the Royal Exchange).
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Listening again to the Hugh Grant reading of A Christmas Carol (which is vg) I am struck by how often Scrooge is portrayed in adaptations as a money-lender or landlord whereas he seems to me in the original text to be some kind of a City merchant, well known at ‘change (ie the Royal Exchange).
Reposted by James Elder
Green switchers: “We don’t think Labour listens to us or cares about progressive priorities”
Labour: “Youse are just like Farage”
Also Labour: bsky.app/profile/nwyl...
Labour: “Youse are just like Farage”
Also Labour: bsky.app/profile/nwyl...
I have my criticisms of *aspects* of the employment rights package, but this is an insane proposal, both in policy and party management terms
December 20, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Green switchers: “We don’t think Labour listens to us or cares about progressive priorities”
Labour: “Youse are just like Farage”
Also Labour: bsky.app/profile/nwyl...
Labour: “Youse are just like Farage”
Also Labour: bsky.app/profile/nwyl...
Rather proud to have made it on to Bletchley Park's Christmas Card list.
December 19, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Rather proud to have made it on to Bletchley Park's Christmas Card list.
Winston Churchill should never have been allowed to serve as an MP, let alone Prime Minister, because he had an American mother and therefore his loyalties were divided.
(Am I doing this right?)
(Am I doing this right?)
December 19, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Winston Churchill should never have been allowed to serve as an MP, let alone Prime Minister, because he had an American mother and therefore his loyalties were divided.
(Am I doing this right?)
(Am I doing this right?)
Reposted by James Elder
Ok, this is nuts. Once you see it you cannot unsee it. Do you see it?
(OP @drgbuckingham.bsky.social )
(OP @drgbuckingham.bsky.social )
December 16, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Ok, this is nuts. Once you see it you cannot unsee it. Do you see it?
(OP @drgbuckingham.bsky.social )
(OP @drgbuckingham.bsky.social )
Reposted by James Elder
In all London’s demographic changes of the last 30 years, the fashion-forward South East Asian students are a reassuring constant.
December 16, 2025 at 4:28 PM
In all London’s demographic changes of the last 30 years, the fashion-forward South East Asian students are a reassuring constant.
Listening to the Kermode and Mayo podcast Christmas show.
Jason Isaacs really is a delightful, delightful man.
Jason Isaacs really is a delightful, delightful man.
December 15, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Listening to the Kermode and Mayo podcast Christmas show.
Jason Isaacs really is a delightful, delightful man.
Jason Isaacs really is a delightful, delightful man.
Reposted by James Elder
Rob Reiner's first seven films: 1. Spinal Tap. 2. The Sure Thing. 3. Stand By Me. 4. THE PRINCESS BRIDE. 5. WHEN HARRY MET SALLY. 6. Misery 7. A Few Good Men. Good lord. Even Spielberg included 1941 in his first seven.
And that was after playing Michael Stivic. I hope this news isn't true. But...
And that was after playing Michael Stivic. I hope this news isn't true. But...
December 15, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Rob Reiner's first seven films: 1. Spinal Tap. 2. The Sure Thing. 3. Stand By Me. 4. THE PRINCESS BRIDE. 5. WHEN HARRY MET SALLY. 6. Misery 7. A Few Good Men. Good lord. Even Spielberg included 1941 in his first seven.
And that was after playing Michael Stivic. I hope this news isn't true. But...
And that was after playing Michael Stivic. I hope this news isn't true. But...
I honestly don’t get how the BBC can pressure someone like Robin about his off-air opinions while presenters like, say, Michael Buerk don’t get the same treatment.
Very sad in any case.
Very sad in any case.
Robin Ince reveals to last night’s audience at a recording of Infinite Monkey Cage that the BBC has forced him to resign over his support of trans people
December 13, 2025 at 11:35 AM
I honestly don’t get how the BBC can pressure someone like Robin about his off-air opinions while presenters like, say, Michael Buerk don’t get the same treatment.
Very sad in any case.
Very sad in any case.
Reposted by James Elder
Every part of this is bonkers. The intro is bonkers. The transition to his health is bonkers. The mention that other presidents didn't need cognitive exams is bonkers. The claim that this screening test is somehow hard is bonkers. The idea that criticism of him is treason is bonkers. All of it.
December 10, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Every part of this is bonkers. The intro is bonkers. The transition to his health is bonkers. The mention that other presidents didn't need cognitive exams is bonkers. The claim that this screening test is somehow hard is bonkers. The idea that criticism of him is treason is bonkers. All of it.
Reposted by James Elder
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
December 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’