Joe Vaughan
@joevaughan.net
Social media/content lead at The Museum of English Rural Life. Co-host & producer of Absolute Units.
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
little-flying-robots.ghost.io/rejecting-re...
We live in an age where the Internet and LLMs are encouraging ever more people to reject reality entirely.
Here's my thoughts on why this is happening, and why the Terminally Online turn amongst the powerful is so dangerous.
We live in an age where the Internet and LLMs are encouraging ever more people to reject reality entirely.
Here's my thoughts on why this is happening, and why the Terminally Online turn amongst the powerful is so dangerous.
Rejecting Reality in the Age of AI
The Internet and AI are encouraging more and more people to deny reality itself. Here's why that's bad.
little-flying-robots.ghost.io
January 6, 2026 at 6:52 PM
little-flying-robots.ghost.io/rejecting-re...
We live in an age where the Internet and LLMs are encouraging ever more people to reject reality entirely.
Here's my thoughts on why this is happening, and why the Terminally Online turn amongst the powerful is so dangerous.
We live in an age where the Internet and LLMs are encouraging ever more people to reject reality entirely.
Here's my thoughts on why this is happening, and why the Terminally Online turn amongst the powerful is so dangerous.
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
Are you a PhD student interested in using museum collections in your research?
Our next free doctoral training webinar takes place next Wednesday. Join us for guidance and examples of uncovering marginalised and minoritised stories in collections.
collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/doc...
Our next free doctoral training webinar takes place next Wednesday. Join us for guidance and examples of uncovering marginalised and minoritised stories in collections.
collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/doc...
Doctoral Training Programme: What's Not There? Absences in Collections | Museums and Collections
Explore techniques to research 'against the grain' and uncover marginalised stories.
collections.reading.ac.uk
January 7, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Are you a PhD student interested in using museum collections in your research?
Our next free doctoral training webinar takes place next Wednesday. Join us for guidance and examples of uncovering marginalised and minoritised stories in collections.
collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/doc...
Our next free doctoral training webinar takes place next Wednesday. Join us for guidance and examples of uncovering marginalised and minoritised stories in collections.
collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/doc...
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
Doing some cute calligraphy
December 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Doing some cute calligraphy
Beginning 2026 as I mean to continue: by turning off all notifications on all electronic devices. If you notified me, no you didn't
January 5, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Beginning 2026 as I mean to continue: by turning off all notifications on all electronic devices. If you notified me, no you didn't
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
Not one word of condemnation by our government of Trump's illegal act of war in Venezuela.
Not one word.
Not one word.
January 5, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Not one word of condemnation by our government of Trump's illegal act of war in Venezuela.
Not one word.
Not one word.
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
Tell me we should trust AI to give us the facts. Tell me it's a future we can put our faith in. Come at me. I'm right here, waiting.
January 4, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Tell me we should trust AI to give us the facts. Tell me it's a future we can put our faith in. Come at me. I'm right here, waiting.
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
Ban this sick filth.
also, as is tradition, we will be soliciting some unsolicited solicited duck pics on Tues 6 Jan for next year's #InternationalUnsolicitedDuckPicDay. so, see you then. if you give a duck
December 20, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Ban this sick filth.
Love love love everything about this. Adrian and the Marshians are doing absolutely extraordinary work, and would highly recommend anyone going along for some wonderful stomping and community (does it get better than that?)
Near Reading? Celebrate the winter solstice this Sunday morning by joining the Fobney Marshians on a massive marsh stomp, improving the habitat for local wildlife!
Wear wellies, dress warm, and find out more on the Fobney Marshians' website:
ruralreading.com
Wear wellies, dress warm, and find out more on the Fobney Marshians' website:
ruralreading.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Love love love everything about this. Adrian and the Marshians are doing absolutely extraordinary work, and would highly recommend anyone going along for some wonderful stomping and community (does it get better than that?)
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
New Absolute Units episode is here!
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Absolute Units podcast - The Museum of English Rural Life
Come for the big sheep. Stay for the history of rural England and its people.
merl.reading.ac.uk
December 16, 2025 at 12:27 PM
New Absolute Units episode is here!
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Our last podcast of 2025! Enjoy <3 <3
New Absolute Units episode is here!
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
We’re back with Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL), with a bonus episode marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Absolute Units podcast - The Museum of English Rural Life
Come for the big sheep. Stay for the history of rural England and its people.
merl.reading.ac.uk
December 16, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Our last podcast of 2025! Enjoy <3 <3
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
remember when AI slop was good
"mr blobby undertaking a psychogeographic drift through the liminal spaces of east london" (@entschwindet.bsky.social, 2022)
December 12, 2025 at 11:33 AM
remember when AI slop was good
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
An episode of our @themerl.bsky.social pod in which I confess to not having read much Austen. Then, for some utterly harebrained reason, I recite my own poetry after discussing one of the world’s most celebrated writers! Thankfully @joevaughan.net edits me to sound less stupid than I clearly am!
Our newest episode of Absolute Units is here!
Join us and special guests Prof Paddy Bullard (Uni of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL) as we explore Jane Austen, farming, breeding, and wrong'uns.
Also, not one but two poems get read in this episode!
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Join us and special guests Prof Paddy Bullard (Uni of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL) as we explore Jane Austen, farming, breeding, and wrong'uns.
Also, not one but two poems get read in this episode!
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Absolute Units podcast - The Museum of English Rural Life
Come for the big sheep. Stay for the history of rural England and its people.
merl.reading.ac.uk
December 11, 2025 at 7:32 PM
An episode of our @themerl.bsky.social pod in which I confess to not having read much Austen. Then, for some utterly harebrained reason, I recite my own poetry after discussing one of the world’s most celebrated writers! Thankfully @joevaughan.net edits me to sound less stupid than I clearly am!
new pod, with lots of sound design
Our newest episode of Absolute Units is here!
Join us and special guests Prof Paddy Bullard (Uni of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL) as we explore Jane Austen, farming, breeding, and wrong'uns.
Also, not one but two poems get read in this episode!
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Join us and special guests Prof Paddy Bullard (Uni of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (The MERL) as we explore Jane Austen, farming, breeding, and wrong'uns.
Also, not one but two poems get read in this episode!
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Absolute Units podcast - The Museum of English Rural Life
Come for the big sheep. Stay for the history of rural England and its people.
merl.reading.ac.uk
December 11, 2025 at 12:02 PM
new pod, with lots of sound design
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
The only AI podcast we would launch would be about Artificial Insemination
December 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The only AI podcast we would launch would be about Artificial Insemination
in your 20s you are going to work in a museum and everyone's going to say 'should we join TikTok' and 5 years later you will say 'yes'
Fun fact: we have a new team member, and we're starting to make TikToks!
If you're a TikTok-head, here's one we made earlier with the delightful Professor Paddy Bullard (Uni of Reading, international Jane Austen expert).
www.tiktok.com/@the.merl/vi...
If you're a TikTok-head, here's one we made earlier with the delightful Professor Paddy Bullard (Uni of Reading, international Jane Austen expert).
www.tiktok.com/@the.merl/vi...
Jane Austen was a farmer's daughter! it'd be a dereliction of duty if we didn't highlight this ahead of her 250th birthday
TikTok video by Museum of English Rural Life
www.tiktok.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:13 PM
in your 20s you are going to work in a museum and everyone's going to say 'should we join TikTok' and 5 years later you will say 'yes'
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
Santa Claus is coming to town but first he's coming to The Museum of English Rural Life to learn about the history of rural England, research repairs for his sleigh, and have an out-of-body experience buying a tote bag
December 10, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Santa Claus is coming to town but first he's coming to The Museum of English Rural Life to learn about the history of rural England, research repairs for his sleigh, and have an out-of-body experience buying a tote bag
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
evergreen reminder: please do not drive in the galleries. our interpretation was not designed for vehicles and we can't guarantee them a quality vehicular experience
December 10, 2025 at 9:47 AM
evergreen reminder: please do not drive in the galleries. our interpretation was not designed for vehicles and we can't guarantee them a quality vehicular experience
working title is: 'How to Spot a Wrong'un with Jane Austen'
Absolute Units returns this Thursday!
This time we're chatting to the wonderful Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (Associate Director, The MERL) about Jane Austen, ahead of the 250th anniversary of Austen's birth next Tuesday.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
This time we're chatting to the wonderful Professor Paddy Bullard (University of Reading) and Isabel Hughes (Associate Director, The MERL) about Jane Austen, ahead of the 250th anniversary of Austen's birth next Tuesday.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Absolute Units podcast - The Museum of English Rural Life
Come for the big sheep. Stay for the history of rural England and its people.
merl.reading.ac.uk
December 9, 2025 at 4:14 PM
working title is: 'How to Spot a Wrong'un with Jane Austen'
I'm writing some reflections on Museums Computer Group conf
(don't know when I'll share this, but it's nice writing long-form)
(don't know when I'll share this, but it's nice writing long-form)
December 7, 2025 at 12:45 PM
I'm writing some reflections on Museums Computer Group conf
(don't know when I'll share this, but it's nice writing long-form)
(don't know when I'll share this, but it's nice writing long-form)
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
Life after X: @joevaughan.net from @themerl.bsky.social on absolute units and leaving Elon Musk's Twitter for a new home in Bluesky #MuseTech25
December 5, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Life after X: @joevaughan.net from @themerl.bsky.social on absolute units and leaving Elon Musk's Twitter for a new home in Bluesky #MuseTech25
I'm speaking at this today - about your friend and mine, @themerl.bsky.social Bluesky
#MuseTech25 is this Friday! For those who can't make it to Birmingham we have a £30 livestream option.
See the full programme and book your tickets:
museumscomputergroup.org.uk/events/mcg-m...
See the full programme and book your tickets:
museumscomputergroup.org.uk/events/mcg-m...
December 5, 2025 at 7:23 AM
I'm speaking at this today - about your friend and mine, @themerl.bsky.social Bluesky
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
5. We're looking to expand our board. So if you think you're a good fit for one of our non-executive director roles, do please apply here: www.earthroverprogram.org/job-opportun...
The Earth Rover Program
Explore career opportunities with the Earth Rover Program. Join our team to contribute to innovative soil research, sustainable agriculture, and global ecosystem restoration.
www.earthroverprogram.org
December 5, 2025 at 7:03 AM
5. We're looking to expand our board. So if you think you're a good fit for one of our non-executive director roles, do please apply here: www.earthroverprogram.org/job-opportun...
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
🎵 On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me /
A mouse with a lobster taxi 🎵
Shop the world's most sophisticated merch this Christmas: merl-shop.co.uk/shop/curiosi...
A mouse with a lobster taxi 🎵
Shop the world's most sophisticated merch this Christmas: merl-shop.co.uk/shop/curiosi...
December 1, 2025 at 3:19 PM
🎵 On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me /
A mouse with a lobster taxi 🎵
Shop the world's most sophisticated merch this Christmas: merl-shop.co.uk/shop/curiosi...
A mouse with a lobster taxi 🎵
Shop the world's most sophisticated merch this Christmas: merl-shop.co.uk/shop/curiosi...
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
POV: you're a museum that just threw a party.
Huge thanks to everyone who joined us at last month's LATE! Hope you had as much fun as we did ❤️
Huge thanks to everyone who joined us at last month's LATE! Hope you had as much fun as we did ❤️
December 1, 2025 at 12:32 PM
POV: you're a museum that just threw a party.
Huge thanks to everyone who joined us at last month's LATE! Hope you had as much fun as we did ❤️
Huge thanks to everyone who joined us at last month's LATE! Hope you had as much fun as we did ❤️
Reposted by Joe Vaughan
Both episodes of this with @georgemonbiot.bsky.social were excellent. Made me think a lot. Podcasts from @themerl.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
Contested Countryside (with George Monbiot), pt. 1
Podcast Episode · Absolute Units · 13/11/2025 · 34m
podcasts.apple.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Both episodes of this with @georgemonbiot.bsky.social were excellent. Made me think a lot. Podcasts from @themerl.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...