Joumana Medlej
@majnouna.com
Artist-scholar, specialised in early Arabic (Kufi) scripts & historical/natural materials. Interest in material culture & things real. Beirut émigré in Oxford. Earth lover, plastic-free. Contemplative. Whovian/Gallifrey…
Links: https://linktr.ee/Majnouna
Links: https://linktr.ee/Majnouna
I get the sense there are no #Lebanese on bluesky, but just in case: 2 days left to register to vote from abroad in the 2026 parliamentary elections: diasporavote.mfa.gov.lb/login
تسجيل اللبنانيين غير المقيمين للاقتراع في الانتخابات النيابية 2026 | وزارة الخارجية والمغتربين
تسجيل اللبنانيين غير المقيمين على الأراضي اللبنانية للمشاركة في الانتخابات النيابية 2026
diasporavote.mfa.gov.lb
November 18, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I get the sense there are no #Lebanese on bluesky, but just in case: 2 days left to register to vote from abroad in the 2026 parliamentary elections: diasporavote.mfa.gov.lb/login
Not me lying awake at 2 am, comparing different exemplars of Umdat al-Kuttab in my mind and going "aha".
November 18, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Not me lying awake at 2 am, comparing different exemplars of Umdat al-Kuttab in my mind and going "aha".
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
1. Great, let's do this
2. Here's some useful info (from my agent). You have until March 23, 2026 and it now includes illustrators
3. Here is the Works Lookup link: secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
2. Here's some useful info (from my agent). You have until March 23, 2026 and it now includes illustrators
3. Here is the Works Lookup link: secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
November 18, 2025 at 4:45 AM
1. Great, let's do this
2. Here's some useful info (from my agent). You have until March 23, 2026 and it now includes illustrators
3. Here is the Works Lookup link: secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
2. Here's some useful info (from my agent). You have until March 23, 2026 and it now includes illustrators
3. Here is the Works Lookup link: secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
Your regular reminder that there is absolutely nothing "hard" or "tough" about targeting the poorest, most vulnerable, and least able to defend themselves groups of people on the entire planet
November 17, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Your regular reminder that there is absolutely nothing "hard" or "tough" about targeting the poorest, most vulnerable, and least able to defend themselves groups of people on the entire planet
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
Totally normal democracy. The only one in the region.
Israel’s Ben-Gvir urges killing PA officials if UN backs Palestinian state flip.it/ZCt2CA
Israel’s Ben-Gvir urges killing PA officials if UN backs Palestinian state
Key Israeli minister say Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas should also be jailed if Palestinian statehood advances.
flip.it
November 17, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Totally normal democracy. The only one in the region.
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
remember when Turn Left came out and a bunch of Doctor Who fans moaned that it was unrealistic and would never happen here?
November 17, 2025 at 1:29 PM
remember when Turn Left came out and a bunch of Doctor Who fans moaned that it was unrealistic and would never happen here?
I'm trying to keep my focus on deciphering these manuscripts, but f***ing hell the politics are just making me angry today.
November 17, 2025 at 2:24 PM
I'm trying to keep my focus on deciphering these manuscripts, but f***ing hell the politics are just making me angry today.
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
ngl but the enforced patriarcial heteronormativity that assumes that the only sort of jewellery with emotional value is a wedding ring is making me so cross this morning, on top of the whole "looting asylum seekers" grossness.
November 17, 2025 at 1:28 PM
ngl but the enforced patriarcial heteronormativity that assumes that the only sort of jewellery with emotional value is a wedding ring is making me so cross this morning, on top of the whole "looting asylum seekers" grossness.
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
Do NOT license your voice to ElevenLabs.
Their highest-paid actor made $30k last year. Sounds a lot, but that’s from 1.2 bn paid uses - $0.000025 per job. ElevenLabs charge 20 cents per 1,000 words. So they’re making at least 8,000 times what their artists are.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Their highest-paid actor made $30k last year. Sounds a lot, but that’s from 1.2 bn paid uses - $0.000025 per job. ElevenLabs charge 20 cents per 1,000 words. So they’re making at least 8,000 times what their artists are.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine sign voice deal with AI company
The voices of the Oscar-winning actors can now be used to create AI-generated versions in a new deal with ElevenLabs
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Do NOT license your voice to ElevenLabs.
Their highest-paid actor made $30k last year. Sounds a lot, but that’s from 1.2 bn paid uses - $0.000025 per job. ElevenLabs charge 20 cents per 1,000 words. So they’re making at least 8,000 times what their artists are.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Their highest-paid actor made $30k last year. Sounds a lot, but that’s from 1.2 bn paid uses - $0.000025 per job. ElevenLabs charge 20 cents per 1,000 words. So they’re making at least 8,000 times what their artists are.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Exactly. This is painfully basic and obvious "let's beat up the weakest kid to look in control because we're unable or unwilling to solve any of our real problems". Embarrassing, disgraceful, unacceptable.
This is a new low from a govt plumbing the depths of performative cruelty in hopes that the public won’t notice they have no answers to the real issues facing this country
A sensible, humane govt would focus on safe routes to prevent people making dangerous small boat crossings
A sensible, humane govt would focus on safe routes to prevent people making dangerous small boat crossings
November 17, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Exactly. This is painfully basic and obvious "let's beat up the weakest kid to look in control because we're unable or unwilling to solve any of our real problems". Embarrassing, disgraceful, unacceptable.
A wobbly one-handed video (I was filling the feeder with the other) of my morning appointment with the robin.
November 17, 2025 at 10:16 AM
A wobbly one-handed video (I was filling the feeder with the other) of my morning appointment with the robin.
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
Labour leaders seem perfectly capable of creativity as long as it involves cruelty. Ask them to adopt a fraction of this to help fix this country and they are suddenly out of ideas.
Just wilful performative cruelty that is entirely out of step with the majority of British people.
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
How many Labour MPs got into politics in order to vote for stealing jewellery off of people seeking refuge from war and persecution?
November 17, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Labour leaders seem perfectly capable of creativity as long as it involves cruelty. Ask them to adopt a fraction of this to help fix this country and they are suddenly out of ideas.
This government’s cruelty to those most vulnerable, desperate and helpless will not be forgotten.
November 17, 2025 at 8:56 AM
This government’s cruelty to those most vulnerable, desperate and helpless will not be forgotten.
Don't get me started 😬
Niche issue, but…
I’m really tired of people who lived in a monastery (Christian or Buddhist) for…like…6 months…and now are writing books, building apps and giving TEDTalks about how to use “monastic wisdom” to become CEOs.
I don’t think you were paying attention during those 6 months.
I’m really tired of people who lived in a monastery (Christian or Buddhist) for…like…6 months…and now are writing books, building apps and giving TEDTalks about how to use “monastic wisdom” to become CEOs.
I don’t think you were paying attention during those 6 months.
November 16, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Don't get me started 😬
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
My favourite year for oppressed literary masculinity was 2023 when the number of women on the Booker shortlist was smaller than the number of men named Paul
Exactly one woman has won the Booker in the past six years www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
November 16, 2025 at 3:14 PM
My favourite year for oppressed literary masculinity was 2023 when the number of women on the Booker shortlist was smaller than the number of men named Paul
Supposed to make lunch, but there’s a dozen tits in the garden tight now eating and bathing, and all I can do is stand there watching like 🥰
November 16, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Supposed to make lunch, but there’s a dozen tits in the garden tight now eating and bathing, and all I can do is stand there watching like 🥰
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
Proud to be joining this march later. Oxford is a City of Sanctuary which says no to the wave of far-right hatred soaking across our country and infiltrating government.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2561695...
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2561695...
Major march to unite community against racism and division
Oxford community march on November 16 garners support from 21 Oxford organisations to oppose racism and celebrate Oxford as City of Sanctuary.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Proud to be joining this march later. Oxford is a City of Sanctuary which says no to the wave of far-right hatred soaking across our country and infiltrating government.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2561695...
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2561695...
Oh my goodness. I'm going to find myself quoting insights on art from the Pope now. (full remarks here: deadline.com/2025/11/pope...)
November 16, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Oh my goodness. I'm going to find myself quoting insights on art from the Pope now. (full remarks here: deadline.com/2025/11/pope...)
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
THIS IS THE WAY
‘We’re proud to be pioneers’: inside Spain’s community energy revolution
From Taradell to Galicia, cooperatives are supplying cheap, clean electricity to homes and helping tackle fuel poverty
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:15 PM
THIS IS THE WAY
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
“While the AI industry claims its models can “think,” “reason,” and “learn,” their supposed achievements rest on marketing hype and stolen intellectual labor. In reality, AI erodes academic freedom, weakens critical reading, and subordinates the pursuit of knowledge to corporate interests.”
AI Is Hollowing Out Higher Education
Olivia Guest & Iris van Rooij urge teachers and scholars to reject tools that commodify learning, deskill students, and promote illiteracy.
www.project-syndicate.org
November 15, 2025 at 5:24 PM
“While the AI industry claims its models can “think,” “reason,” and “learn,” their supposed achievements rest on marketing hype and stolen intellectual labor. In reality, AI erodes academic freedom, weakens critical reading, and subordinates the pursuit of knowledge to corporate interests.”
Very random question, but does anyone with a knowledge of fashion/dress history/vintage recognise this style? I wouldn't even know what to call it.
November 15, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Very random question, but does anyone with a knowledge of fashion/dress history/vintage recognise this style? I wouldn't even know what to call it.
Bloody grim.
been awhile since I felt a literal chill down my spine but this honestly scared the shit out of me
November 15, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Bloody grim.
I've posted a public update with extra add-on rewards, and an intriguing recipe that will require some investigation: www.kickstarter.com/projects/maj...
Update 2: Funded! and more add-ons · Inks & Paints of the Middle East REVISED
Project update:Funding was reached a couple of days ago, ensuring this revision goes ahead! Thank you everyone, and feel free to continue sharing, as there are still 25 days to go. A bigger cushion ce...
www.kickstarter.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I've posted a public update with extra add-on rewards, and an intriguing recipe that will require some investigation: www.kickstarter.com/projects/maj...
Reposted by Joumana Medlej
I do not want to “Do my own research.” I want to pay trained accredited experts to do the research, trained accredited experts to report on findings, and trained accredited experts to make policy based on them.
I am busy af with my own job, I don’t need to do eight zillion more.
I am busy af with my own job, I don’t need to do eight zillion more.
November 15, 2025 at 1:11 PM
I do not want to “Do my own research.” I want to pay trained accredited experts to do the research, trained accredited experts to report on findings, and trained accredited experts to make policy based on them.
I am busy af with my own job, I don’t need to do eight zillion more.
I am busy af with my own job, I don’t need to do eight zillion more.