Jason Piper
@jv8p.bsky.social
Same mostly harmless tax nerd, cynic & petrolhead; same character-lite handle. Occasional music & cat content.
Reposted by Jason Piper
*In issues of massive permanent technological disemployment, people haven't paid enough attention to the ancient concept of "otium"
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otium
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otium
Otium - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
January 22, 2026 at 7:30 AM
*In issues of massive permanent technological disemployment, people haven't paid enough attention to the ancient concept of "otium"
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otium
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otium
Reposted by Jason Piper
I heard last week that the physics teacher of the daughter of one of my colleagues told the daughter that girls who do their nails don’t do physics. Sigh.
So, here are the nails of an internationally leading particle physics professor. My nails.
Don’t believe the gatekeepers! #womeninSTEM
So, here are the nails of an internationally leading particle physics professor. My nails.
Don’t believe the gatekeepers! #womeninSTEM
January 19, 2026 at 12:17 PM
I heard last week that the physics teacher of the daughter of one of my colleagues told the daughter that girls who do their nails don’t do physics. Sigh.
So, here are the nails of an internationally leading particle physics professor. My nails.
Don’t believe the gatekeepers! #womeninSTEM
So, here are the nails of an internationally leading particle physics professor. My nails.
Don’t believe the gatekeepers! #womeninSTEM
Reposted by Jason Piper
Reading, along with Towcaster and Bicester, was founded in 1941, as a method of spotting German spies who had snuck into the country.
This was a refinement of the original 1940 scheme, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, which had a 99.8% false-positive rate.
This was a refinement of the original 1940 scheme, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, which had a 99.8% false-positive rate.
January 21, 2026 at 8:19 AM
Reading, along with Towcaster and Bicester, was founded in 1941, as a method of spotting German spies who had snuck into the country.
This was a refinement of the original 1940 scheme, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, which had a 99.8% false-positive rate.
This was a refinement of the original 1940 scheme, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, which had a 99.8% false-positive rate.
Sitting in (virtually) on the OECD Global Mobility consultation, and cannot stress enough how undervalued Achim Pross is as a speaker. Has put a smile on my face before I'm even halfway through my first cup of coffee.
January 20, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Sitting in (virtually) on the OECD Global Mobility consultation, and cannot stress enough how undervalued Achim Pross is as a speaker. Has put a smile on my face before I'm even halfway through my first cup of coffee.
Reposted by Jason Piper
Just got my Public Lending Right statement and I'm here to remind authors of all kinds in the UK/Ireland: sign up for Public Lending Right! Not only do you get paid when people access your intellectual property (imagine that, GenAI Bros!) but you also get to see how many people borrowed your book!
January 19, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Just got my Public Lending Right statement and I'm here to remind authors of all kinds in the UK/Ireland: sign up for Public Lending Right! Not only do you get paid when people access your intellectual property (imagine that, GenAI Bros!) but you also get to see how many people borrowed your book!
I remain puzzled as to why the default sharing option for links to MS Teams documents is "not enabled for the recipient unless they're on a different list which you can't edit". The reason I clicked on the button marked "share this document" is that I wanted to share it, not taunt my colleagues.
January 19, 2026 at 10:19 AM
I remain puzzled as to why the default sharing option for links to MS Teams documents is "not enabled for the recipient unless they're on a different list which you can't edit". The reason I clicked on the button marked "share this document" is that I wanted to share it, not taunt my colleagues.
Can anyone recommend a dashcam (front & rear) for a new driver? Elder offspring will shortly be out on her own and wants the comfort of recordings in case of any incidents.
January 18, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Can anyone recommend a dashcam (front & rear) for a new driver? Elder offspring will shortly be out on her own and wants the comfort of recordings in case of any incidents.
Reposted by Jason Piper
First gig of the year last night, @bedfordesquires.bsky.social and the brilliant @ttssfu.bsky.social . Such a great sound and performance. Also decent support acts. Ugly Ozo is going places I am sure. Also liked Kate Gore and the Screamers.
January 18, 2026 at 2:25 PM
First gig of the year last night, @bedfordesquires.bsky.social and the brilliant @ttssfu.bsky.social . Such a great sound and performance. Also decent support acts. Ugly Ozo is going places I am sure. Also liked Kate Gore and the Screamers.
Mission level “get the congregation singing ‘Amazing Grace’ to the tune of ‘House of the Rising Sun’ unlocked. (That’ll teach me to joke with the organist about it…)
January 18, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Mission level “get the congregation singing ‘Amazing Grace’ to the tune of ‘House of the Rising Sun’ unlocked. (That’ll teach me to joke with the organist about it…)
Reposted by Jason Piper
Contractors:
Been paid via an umbrella company?
Later had HMRC say the scheme didn’t work? When you didn't know there *was* a scheme?
We’d love to hear from people ths has happened to.
DM me or email MYNAME @ taxpolicy .org.uk - and please share with others.
Been paid via an umbrella company?
Later had HMRC say the scheme didn’t work? When you didn't know there *was* a scheme?
We’d love to hear from people ths has happened to.
DM me or email MYNAME @ taxpolicy .org.uk - and please share with others.
January 17, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Contractors:
Been paid via an umbrella company?
Later had HMRC say the scheme didn’t work? When you didn't know there *was* a scheme?
We’d love to hear from people ths has happened to.
DM me or email MYNAME @ taxpolicy .org.uk - and please share with others.
Been paid via an umbrella company?
Later had HMRC say the scheme didn’t work? When you didn't know there *was* a scheme?
We’d love to hear from people ths has happened to.
DM me or email MYNAME @ taxpolicy .org.uk - and please share with others.
Reposted by Jason Piper
One year post-doc at University of Exeter for my project on counter-narratives about climate change, urban planning, and health policy in the southwest UK. Feel free to email me directly with any questions but application must be via link:
jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
Powered by MHR
jobs.exeter.ac.uk
January 16, 2026 at 1:02 PM
One year post-doc at University of Exeter for my project on counter-narratives about climate change, urban planning, and health policy in the southwest UK. Feel free to email me directly with any questions but application must be via link:
jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
Reposted by Jason Piper
I understand the hexachloroethane bit is an urban myth. These are just coloured smoke, being used to scare people into thinking they're more dangerous than they actually are. The smoke's not good for you but not very dangerous either.
(Strongly recommend Dan's thread where he goes through these.)
(Strongly recommend Dan's thread where he goes through these.)
Also, as some other jagoff has tried to call me on... there's a widespread belief that colored smoke grenades are zinc chloride smoke, based on hexachlorethane. No. Such grenades make white smoke, much thicker and longer burning.
January 15, 2026 at 6:26 PM
I understand the hexachloroethane bit is an urban myth. These are just coloured smoke, being used to scare people into thinking they're more dangerous than they actually are. The smoke's not good for you but not very dangerous either.
(Strongly recommend Dan's thread where he goes through these.)
(Strongly recommend Dan's thread where he goes through these.)
Reposted by Jason Piper
It's the 3rd of January 1939, your name is professor James Smith and you are staring at a drawing of a fish. It's not a regular fish. It is a completely impossible fish.
January 6, 2026 at 10:27 PM
It's the 3rd of January 1939, your name is professor James Smith and you are staring at a drawing of a fish. It's not a regular fish. It is a completely impossible fish.
Reposted by Jason Piper
My old tractor needed a new clutch. O/E parts are available but would be four-figures.
Jim Jack Services got the plate relined and the cover refurbished for £270.
They do brakes and clutches for motorbikes and classic cars too. Highly recommended #motorcycle #classiccar
www.jimjackservices.co.uk
Jim Jack Services got the plate relined and the cover refurbished for £270.
They do brakes and clutches for motorbikes and classic cars too. Highly recommended #motorcycle #classiccar
www.jimjackservices.co.uk
Industrial brake relining specialists, Jim Jack Services LTD
Jim Jack Services Ltd offer brake relining services for all kinds of brakes. Contact our workshop in Cumbernauld on 01236 725 600
www.jimjackservices.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 11:15 AM
My old tractor needed a new clutch. O/E parts are available but would be four-figures.
Jim Jack Services got the plate relined and the cover refurbished for £270.
They do brakes and clutches for motorbikes and classic cars too. Highly recommended #motorcycle #classiccar
www.jimjackservices.co.uk
Jim Jack Services got the plate relined and the cover refurbished for £270.
They do brakes and clutches for motorbikes and classic cars too. Highly recommended #motorcycle #classiccar
www.jimjackservices.co.uk
Reposted by Jason Piper
15th January 2026 07.44
January 15, 2026 at 7:49 AM
15th January 2026 07.44
Reposted by Jason Piper
I should follow more accounts on here. Who should I follow? Things I like include:
Indie Music.
Guitars.
Funny, cynical, sarcastic, sweary misanthropes who can barely keep a lid on how much the world frustrates them.
Border Collies.
Classic Cars.
Indie Music.
Guitars.
Funny, cynical, sarcastic, sweary misanthropes who can barely keep a lid on how much the world frustrates them.
Border Collies.
Classic Cars.
January 14, 2026 at 12:51 PM
I should follow more accounts on here. Who should I follow? Things I like include:
Indie Music.
Guitars.
Funny, cynical, sarcastic, sweary misanthropes who can barely keep a lid on how much the world frustrates them.
Border Collies.
Classic Cars.
Indie Music.
Guitars.
Funny, cynical, sarcastic, sweary misanthropes who can barely keep a lid on how much the world frustrates them.
Border Collies.
Classic Cars.
Reposted by Jason Piper
The UK National Health Service has very clear information on all major medical conditions.
It is browsable by all
Never EVER rely on an LLM for health advice
www.nhs.uk/conditions/
It is browsable by all
Never EVER rely on an LLM for health advice
www.nhs.uk/conditions/
January 12, 2026 at 10:04 PM
The UK National Health Service has very clear information on all major medical conditions.
It is browsable by all
Never EVER rely on an LLM for health advice
www.nhs.uk/conditions/
It is browsable by all
Never EVER rely on an LLM for health advice
www.nhs.uk/conditions/
Reposted by Jason Piper
I'm looking for people to tell me their home's ridiculous restricted covenants for a radio programme. I ideally want you to email me the restriction and a phone number so one of my team can ring you and just get you to tell them it so we can make a MONTAGE. Felicity.hannah@bbc.co.uk
a man with a scarf around his neck looks at the camera
ALT: a man with a scarf around his neck looks at the camera
media.tenor.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:45 AM
I'm looking for people to tell me their home's ridiculous restricted covenants for a radio programme. I ideally want you to email me the restriction and a phone number so one of my team can ring you and just get you to tell them it so we can make a MONTAGE. Felicity.hannah@bbc.co.uk
Reposted by Jason Piper
I'm running a popular romance course at the University of Liverpool... but only if enough people sign up!
Come and join us!
www.liverpool.ac.uk/continuing-e...
Come and join us!
www.liverpool.ac.uk/continuing-e...
January 13, 2026 at 10:33 AM
I'm running a popular romance course at the University of Liverpool... but only if enough people sign up!
Come and join us!
www.liverpool.ac.uk/continuing-e...
Come and join us!
www.liverpool.ac.uk/continuing-e...
I have a vague memory of a quote about the difference between (50/60s) Jaguar & Aston Martin being that David Brown was more interested in making cars than making money while that accusation couldn’t be levelled at William Lyons. Can anyone put me right on just how badly I’ve remembered/made it up?
January 11, 2026 at 2:44 PM
I have a vague memory of a quote about the difference between (50/60s) Jaguar & Aston Martin being that David Brown was more interested in making cars than making money while that accusation couldn’t be levelled at William Lyons. Can anyone put me right on just how badly I’ve remembered/made it up?
Going to dip my toe into the waters a bit here - have been thinking about how business forms (partnership, Ltd Co etc) affect “business thinking”, and wondering whether the rejection of established religion accounts for some of the differences between US and Euro approaches to Company law/behaviour?
January 11, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Going to dip my toe into the waters a bit here - have been thinking about how business forms (partnership, Ltd Co etc) affect “business thinking”, and wondering whether the rejection of established religion accounts for some of the differences between US and Euro approaches to Company law/behaviour?
Early start for National Youth Harp Orchestra rehearsals today, but it’ll all be worth it. (Link to tickets in quoted post)
January 11, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Early start for National Youth Harp Orchestra rehearsals today, but it’ll all be worth it. (Link to tickets in quoted post)
Reposted by Jason Piper
Happy birthday to us! Greeneville Zoo began 93 years ago today, after our founder Gavin's fourth failed attempt to chase a badger out of his dining room.
January 10, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Happy birthday to us! Greeneville Zoo began 93 years ago today, after our founder Gavin's fourth failed attempt to chase a badger out of his dining room.
Reposted by Jason Piper
Here's a good thread about the pigheadedness of too many people
Sometimes the right thing to do is help - even if you did not cause the problem!
Sometimes the right thing to do is help - even if you did not cause the problem!
I can't help but feel I experienced the world in microcosm on the way to the shop today.
I saw a queue of cars stuck trying to enter a single lane tunnel. I thought the roadworks on the other side must have caught everyone out with the different traffic lights.
Then I got closer. 1/9
I saw a queue of cars stuck trying to enter a single lane tunnel. I thought the roadworks on the other side must have caught everyone out with the different traffic lights.
Then I got closer. 1/9
January 10, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Here's a good thread about the pigheadedness of too many people
Sometimes the right thing to do is help - even if you did not cause the problem!
Sometimes the right thing to do is help - even if you did not cause the problem!
The good news is that C15’s double bass drum pedal has arrived so she can start practising in earnest for her grade 8 drums exam.
The bad news is that C15 has started practising in earnest for her grade 8 drums…
#SendEarDefenders
(I’m joking. We already have several sets)
The bad news is that C15 has started practising in earnest for her grade 8 drums…
#SendEarDefenders
(I’m joking. We already have several sets)
January 9, 2026 at 6:55 PM
The good news is that C15’s double bass drum pedal has arrived so she can start practising in earnest for her grade 8 drums exam.
The bad news is that C15 has started practising in earnest for her grade 8 drums…
#SendEarDefenders
(I’m joking. We already have several sets)
The bad news is that C15 has started practising in earnest for her grade 8 drums…
#SendEarDefenders
(I’m joking. We already have several sets)