Jon Skeet
@jonskeet.uk
Christian, husband of @hollywebb.bsky.social father, feminist, software engineer, author, Stack Overflow contributor. He/him.
Just watched "Wicked - for good" and as well as being great as I expected, I was struck by an indictment of populism that I hadn't figured out before. Not sure if I was just missing the obvious before, or whether a new political context just makes it much clearer, but wow.
December 23, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Just watched "Wicked - for good" and as well as being great as I expected, I was struck by an indictment of populism that I hadn't figured out before. Not sure if I was just missing the obvious before, or whether a new political context just makes it much clearer, but wow.
Just on our way home from Into the Woods at the Bridge Theatre. It wasn't the absolute best production of it that I've seen (that was probably at the Menier), but it was immensely enjoyable nonetheless. Every time I watch Into the Woods I end up just grinning from ear to ear. Such fun.
December 15, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Just on our way home from Into the Woods at the Bridge Theatre. It wasn't the absolute best production of it that I've seen (that was probably at the Menier), but it was immensely enjoyable nonetheless. Every time I watch Into the Woods I end up just grinning from ear to ear. Such fun.
Just dropped @hollywebb.bsky.social and friends off at the station on their way to the protest at the new trans-exclusionary Girlguiding policy. So proud of them all. (Their signs are fab.) I gather some folks are bringing binliners for a post-protest litter-pick - the most Girlguiding thing ever.
December 13, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Just dropped @hollywebb.bsky.social and friends off at the station on their way to the protest at the new trans-exclusionary Girlguiding policy. So proud of them all. (Their signs are fab.) I gather some folks are bringing binliners for a post-protest litter-pick - the most Girlguiding thing ever.
Bingeing Traitors (UK) season two. I wonder if anyone's ever counted up how many times contestants say "100%" in any context. (Any time they say they're 100% sure of something, that seems to be a pretty good indication they're wrong.)
December 7, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Bingeing Traitors (UK) season two. I wonder if anyone's ever counted up how many times contestants say "100%" in any context. (Any time they say they're 100% sure of something, that seems to be a pretty good indication they're wrong.)
Gosh, Stack Overflow seems to be down. Let's check whether it's just me...
<heads for downdetector>
Oh.
<heads for downdetector>
Oh.
December 5, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Gosh, Stack Overflow seems to be down. Let's check whether it's just me...
<heads for downdetector>
Oh.
<heads for downdetector>
Oh.
Make no mistake, Your Party has achieved something today that I had not thought I'd see...
They've made Reform UK look disciplined.
(Admittedly that's on the basis of a) reporting on Zarah Sultana boycotting the first day and b) watching some of the live stream. Maybe the rest was better...)
They've made Reform UK look disciplined.
(Admittedly that's on the basis of a) reporting on Zarah Sultana boycotting the first day and b) watching some of the live stream. Maybe the rest was better...)
November 29, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Make no mistake, Your Party has achieved something today that I had not thought I'd see...
They've made Reform UK look disciplined.
(Admittedly that's on the basis of a) reporting on Zarah Sultana boycotting the first day and b) watching some of the live stream. Maybe the rest was better...)
They've made Reform UK look disciplined.
(Admittedly that's on the basis of a) reporting on Zarah Sultana boycotting the first day and b) watching some of the live stream. Maybe the rest was better...)
Well here's a terrifying sentence: "Heathrow Airport's plan for a third runway, which involves moving the M25 motorway, has been chosen by the government."
I'm sure that will absolutely be done without making the M25 even more of a car park than it already is at times. No disruption here, guv!
I'm sure that will absolutely be done without making the M25 even more of a car park than it already is at times. No disruption here, guv!
November 25, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Well here's a terrifying sentence: "Heathrow Airport's plan for a third runway, which involves moving the M25 motorway, has been chosen by the government."
I'm sure that will absolutely be done without making the M25 even more of a car park than it already is at times. No disruption here, guv!
I'm sure that will absolutely be done without making the M25 even more of a car park than it already is at times. No disruption here, guv!
I don't know what brought Linden Lea into my head this morning, but now it's stuck there. It's not like I'm the kind of person who would enjoy a rural life, but both the words and the music are so beautiful that I'm now yearning for an apple tree to lean down low for (or at least near) me...
November 23, 2025 at 8:43 AM
I don't know what brought Linden Lea into my head this morning, but now it's stuck there. It's not like I'm the kind of person who would enjoy a rural life, but both the words and the music are so beautiful that I'm now yearning for an apple tree to lean down low for (or at least near) me...
I suspect @ldfreedman.bsky.social is going to have a busy week. Surprised to see Russia (at least ostensibly) agreeing to the peace plan given Lawrence's analysis. I can only assume there's more going on behind the scenes - or that the supposed support is more for show/pressure than for peace.
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I suspect @ldfreedman.bsky.social is going to have a busy week. Surprised to see Russia (at least ostensibly) agreeing to the peace plan given Lawrence's analysis. I can only assume there's more going on behind the scenes - or that the supposed support is more for show/pressure than for peace.
I've just finished listening to the utterly wonderful "Don't burn anyone at the stake today" by @naomialderman.bsky.social. Thoughtful, informative, practical, hopeful (despite everything) - I can't recommend it highly enough. The audiobook is wonderful - it's "spoken" rather than "read". Amazing.
November 17, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I've just finished listening to the utterly wonderful "Don't burn anyone at the stake today" by @naomialderman.bsky.social. Thoughtful, informative, practical, hopeful (despite everything) - I can't recommend it highly enough. The audiobook is wonderful - it's "spoken" rather than "read". Amazing.
Just finished Cabaret with Reeve Carney and Eva Noblezada. Even with high expectations, we were blown away. Just wow. Ruthie Henshall was fab as well - I last saw her in Les Mis in the 90s...
November 14, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Just finished Cabaret with Reeve Carney and Eva Noblezada. Even with high expectations, we were blown away. Just wow. Ruthie Henshall was fab as well - I last saw her in Les Mis in the 90s...
@benhollebon.co.uk Not sure how active you are on here, but if you are - does your role include tech *within* churches (e.g. A/V)? Would love to have a conversation about making A/V simpler and increasing accessibility and inclusiveness of worship.
November 11, 2025 at 9:34 AM
@benhollebon.co.uk Not sure how active you are on here, but if you are - does your role include tech *within* churches (e.g. A/V)? Would love to have a conversation about making A/V simpler and increasing accessibility and inclusiveness of worship.
@mrchrisaddison.bsky.social Did you first see The Producers at the Menier? If so, would love you to check my memory. I remembered *two* giant Nazi pigeons during Springtime for Hitler, but at the Garrick there was only one - and it was earlier in the show. Is my memory duff, or has this changed?
November 8, 2025 at 10:26 PM
@mrchrisaddison.bsky.social Did you first see The Producers at the Menier? If so, would love you to check my memory. I remembered *two* giant Nazi pigeons during Springtime for Hitler, but at the Garrick there was only one - and it was earlier in the show. Is my memory duff, or has this changed?
Reposted by Jon Skeet
This needs more attention: Zohran SPLIT the straights with Cuomo. ALL of his margin was from LGBTQ+ voters. Every Dem who ever said “we should abandon the transes” needs this shoved down their fucking throat with a ramrod.
November 5, 2025 at 5:39 AM
This needs more attention: Zohran SPLIT the straights with Cuomo. ALL of his margin was from LGBTQ+ voters. Every Dem who ever said “we should abandon the transes” needs this shoved down their fucking throat with a ramrod.
So many questions. Primarily: a) Reform UK now believes if someone changes party there should be a by-election, do they? Let's apply that consistently... b) How can you stand for Reform UK - as recently as July 2025 - and *not* be aware of their anti-immigration stance?
There have been a few cases now of Reform members and this case an actual councillor quitting over their extremist position about ending ILR. As an aside both the Grauniad and Sky mention his concerns over ILR but the BBC report doesn’t…
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform councillor defects to Tories after party’s policies left him ‘uncomfortable’
Dartford representative James Buchan says ‘devastating’ immigration plans had created a lot of fear and anxiety
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:56 AM
So many questions. Primarily: a) Reform UK now believes if someone changes party there should be a by-election, do they? Let's apply that consistently... b) How can you stand for Reform UK - as recently as July 2025 - and *not* be aware of their anti-immigration stance?
Every time I've watched Apple TV (on the Google TV streamer) in the last week or so, it's forced me to sign in again, which I can only do with an Apple device, of course. (I have an iPod Nano pretty much purely for that purpose at this point.) Very frustrating.
October 31, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Every time I've watched Apple TV (on the Google TV streamer) in the last week or so, it's forced me to sign in again, which I can only do with an Apple device, of course. (I have an iPod Nano pretty much purely for that purpose at this point.) Very frustrating.
It feels to me like the Green's recent surge off the back of Zack Polanski becoming the new leader is really not what Your Party need in the run-up to their conference. If you were a disaffected left-wing voter looking for an alternative and weighing up Green vs YP, which looks more credible?
October 31, 2025 at 8:43 AM
It feels to me like the Green's recent surge off the back of Zack Polanski becoming the new leader is really not what Your Party need in the run-up to their conference. If you were a disaffected left-wing voter looking for an alternative and weighing up Green vs YP, which looks more credible?
Full marks to the BBC weather site for correctly showing the repetition of 1am in the UK this weekend. (Hopefully most other weather sites get this right too...)
October 24, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Full marks to the BBC weather site for correctly showing the repetition of 1am in the UK this weekend. (Hopefully most other weather sites get this right too...)
The Plaid win in Caerphilly, by a significant margin, with good turnout for a by-election (over 50%) is really interesting. My *guess* is that it includes quite a bit of tactical voting to keep Reform out. If that's replicated next May, it could be a slightly bizarre election.
October 24, 2025 at 4:25 AM
The Plaid win in Caerphilly, by a significant margin, with good turnout for a by-election (over 50%) is really interesting. My *guess* is that it includes quite a bit of tactical voting to keep Reform out. If that's replicated next May, it could be a slightly bizarre election.
Why do by-election results in Wales take a long time to come out? Because they count the votes so Caerphilly!
October 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Why do by-election results in Wales take a long time to come out? Because they count the votes so Caerphilly!
Reposted by Jon Skeet
Okay, for the folks who asked: here's the majority AI view, writing up the reasonable, thoughtful view on AI that the vast majority of people in tech hold, that gets overshadowed by the bluster and hype of the tycoons trying to shill their nonsense. anildash.com/2025/10/17/t... Please share!
The Majority AI View - Anil Dash
A blog about making culture. Since 1999.
anildash.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Okay, for the folks who asked: here's the majority AI view, writing up the reasonable, thoughtful view on AI that the vast majority of people in tech hold, that gets overshadowed by the bluster and hype of the tycoons trying to shill their nonsense. anildash.com/2025/10/17/t... Please share!
If you've been on the fence about subscribing to Sam's substack, just go for it. Every post is gold.
I'm keeping my current special offer open for one more day.
So click the link below to subscribe for 25% off.
bsky.app/profile/samf...
So click the link below to subscribe for 25% off.
bsky.app/profile/samf...
An odd week. Been unexpectedly stuck in hospital. But also found out I've got a contract for my second book which I'm very excited about.
It wouldn't have happened without the substack so to celebrate here's a special offer link: 25% off for your first year.
samf.substack.com/specialoffer
It wouldn't have happened without the substack so to celebrate here's a special offer link: 25% off for your first year.
samf.substack.com/specialoffer
October 19, 2025 at 8:41 AM
If you've been on the fence about subscribing to Sam's substack, just go for it. Every post is gold.
Second Hadestown poster acquired. This is now my 18th time seeing it - but it's been 2 1/2 months since my last visit and (illogically I know) that feels like an absolute age.
Looking forward to seeing Nicola Roberts as Persephone. Tough part, but everyone does it differently.
Looking forward to seeing Nicola Roberts as Persephone. Tough part, but everyone does it differently.
October 18, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Second Hadestown poster acquired. This is now my 18th time seeing it - but it's been 2 1/2 months since my last visit and (illogically I know) that feels like an absolute age.
Looking forward to seeing Nicola Roberts as Persephone. Tough part, but everyone does it differently.
Looking forward to seeing Nicola Roberts as Persephone. Tough part, but everyone does it differently.
It's very kind of US and French politicians to go to these lengths to make UK politics look normal.
October 16, 2025 at 12:06 PM
It's very kind of US and French politicians to go to these lengths to make UK politics look normal.
So, now that Your Party has an Electoral Commission ID, and is in the new ElectoralCalculus/PLMR MRP, I should add it to election2029.uk
It's unclear what colour I should use though. Maybe it'll become more obvious after their conference.
It's unclear what colour I should use though. Maybe it'll become more obvious after their conference.
UK Election 2029
election2029.uk
October 15, 2025 at 1:06 PM
So, now that Your Party has an Electoral Commission ID, and is in the new ElectoralCalculus/PLMR MRP, I should add it to election2029.uk
It's unclear what colour I should use though. Maybe it'll become more obvious after their conference.
It's unclear what colour I should use though. Maybe it'll become more obvious after their conference.