John Heyderman
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johnheyderman.bsky.social
John Heyderman
@johnheyderman.bsky.social
Living in East Dulwich, working in a research library, wondering about philosophy and Judaism.



https://philosophicalbibliotherapy.wordpress.com/
It’s all very well laughing about how ridiculous American politics is until you remember the well-attested adage that every single thing that happens in America happens in Britain five years later.
February 19, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Don't aliens get to have a say about this?
DOOCY: Barack Obama said that aliens are real. Have you seen any evidence of non-human visitors to earth?

TRUMP: Well, he gave classified information. He's not supposed to be doing that.

DOOCY: So aliens are real?

TRUMP: I don't know if they're real or not. He made a big mistake.
February 19, 2026 at 8:39 PM
If Andrew ends up in a British court. Does he have the right to trial by his peers, like members of the House of Lords? And if so, who would his peers be?
February 19, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Reposted by John Heyderman
The White Rose was a non-Jewish resistance group created by Professor Kurt Huber and his students at the University of Munich. They criticised the Nazis persecution and oppression of Jews, and called for wider resistance to Nazi rule...
February 18, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Why is there never a Bank Holiday Monday when you really need one?
February 18, 2026 at 9:24 PM
As I get towards the end of my working life, so fortunate to be working in a great team of people, people who are kind, helpful and easy to get along with.

If you are at the start of your career and you find yourself in the same situation, make the most of it. It's not to be taken for granted!
February 18, 2026 at 4:15 PM
.@jamesmcash.bsky.social

This Better Bus Southwark plan looks like it might be interesting but is completely lacking in any details, options or proposals. Will the £10m go on new buses or better infrastructure such as bus lanes? Or something else?

engage.southwark.gov.uk/en-GB/folder...
Citizen engagement platform
engage.southwark.gov.uk
February 17, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Ramadan Mubarak to all who celebrate!
February 17, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Refugee Shabbat event with HIAS + JCORE and US Chesed, at Willesden Jewish Cemetery, celebrating heritage and belonging. Will include an inspiring talk and Q&A, a guided walk through the cemetery.

www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk/events/refug...
Refugee Shabbat Event: Talk and Walk at Willesden Jewish Cemetery — Willesden Jewish Cemetery
Special event with HIAS+JCORE, celebrating heritage and belonging
www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
February 17, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Happy Pancake Day to all my readers!

bsky.app/profile/mrcw...
Julia Varley, expert flipper of pancakes, was also a suffragette and trade unionist.

She was active in the National Federation of Women Workers and the Workers' Union, serving as chief women's officer of the TGWU from 1929 to 1936. #ShroveTuesday #PancakeDay
February 17, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Did any one else grow up with the terrifying cautionary verses of Hilaire Belloc?
February 16, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Reposted by John Heyderman
There must have been, in the past, nations, empires, civilizations even, that banned philosophy and science. They just didn't survive for some reason.
February 15, 2026 at 10:48 PM
PETITION: UK Government to declare a Public Holiday on Tuesday to celebrate a day when it doesn't rain.
February 15, 2026 at 9:58 PM
There's no way to explain why I find Rothko's paintings so moving and I know they don't do it for everyone. I once took a girlfriend to the Tate and when I showed her the Rothko room, she pronounced them "crap."

So you could say it's subjective and yet, why do so many people feel the same as I do?
Untitled, 1955 #markrothko #colorfieldpainting
February 15, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Can anyone tell me anything about this song that had so many covers but doesn't seem to merit a Wikipedia Article?
There are many who will swear it's true
That brothers are we all
And yet it seems that there are very few
Who will answer a brother's call

youtu.be/n2RLwrm82kc?...
Oscar Brown Jr. - Brother where are you? (Audio)
YouTube video by danielrubiodisla01
youtu.be
February 15, 2026 at 3:53 PM
There are many who will swear it's true
That brothers are we all
And yet it seems that there are very few
Who will answer a brother's call

youtu.be/n2RLwrm82kc?...
Oscar Brown Jr. - Brother where are you? (Audio)
YouTube video by danielrubiodisla01
youtu.be
February 15, 2026 at 7:53 AM
Reposted by John Heyderman
Animals lining up to get into Noah's ark, 1565. With extra sheep, as allowed or possibly commanded by God. Also appreciate attention to Noah family pets by Jacopo Bassano, whose day is today.
February 14, 2026 at 6:39 PM
On Saturday night,
I used to turn on the news,
without hesitation,
but now, I do it
with trepidation.
February 14, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Reposted by John Heyderman
A historian colleague of mine once blew someone’s mind after he asked “can’t you just look that up online?” and she replied “who do you think finds that stuff and puts it online?”
February 12, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Looking forward to moving in to my new home in the next couple of days but not sure how it is going to go with all three sons and their wives. Not to mention the pets.

Might have to put my foot down about the doves, tbh
February 12, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Reposted by John Heyderman
Hundreds of rabbis, cantors, and Jewish leaders are gathered outside of ICE HQs in Washington, DC today at the largest protest against ICE by Jewish clergy and leaders, organized by our friends @bendthearc.bsky.social and @truahrabbis.bsky.social.
February 11, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Does anyone remember that famous exchange back in the day on Twitter:

Man: You really need this seminal article to understand this issue.
Woman: I wrote it.
February 11, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Brilliant!
In commemoration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we're featuring MS O.2.48 in which we see: 🧵👇
February 11, 2026 at 4:38 PM
I have to say that the fact that liking pictures of the #moon means that you get endless pictures of the #moon is possibly the best thing about Bluesky there is.
The predawn waning crescent #Moon. Copernicus is the prominent #crater in the middle. #astronomy
February 10, 2026 at 6:17 PM
So now I know what “Dubai” chocolate is!
All chocolate is Dubai chocolate to me cause I do buy it
February 10, 2026 at 4:29 PM