Baby octopus
@mancalledhorse.bsky.social
Cats! feed enjoyer. Distributor of likes.
(he/him)
PFP: a little baby octopus
Banner: "I'm doing my part!"
(he/him)
PFP: a little baby octopus
Banner: "I'm doing my part!"
Pinned
What's alt text? Why is it important on Bluesky? How do I write it? Where am I? What's going on?
Alt text 101 for Bluesky | Digital Philosophy by Manning Krull
Hi! You may be here because I or someone else sent you this link in response to a conversation about alt text on Bluesky. Welcome! This is a short article about alt text, its importance, and how to wr...
manningkrull.com
If I've liked your hilarious meme or beautiful picture but not reposted it, it might be because you didn't include alt text
Reposted by Baby octopus
"Claude should win the 2028 Democratic Primary."
have arrived at a Take on AI which is so incendiary it would burn this place to the ground, I will be locking it away like the cognitive superweapon it is, never to be used
February 16, 2026 at 2:25 PM
"Claude should win the 2028 Democratic Primary."
Reposted by Baby octopus
Just realised I can call my chapter on street signage and navigation "Legs and legibility". Good day's work, there. Might clock off
February 16, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Just realised I can call my chapter on street signage and navigation "Legs and legibility". Good day's work, there. Might clock off
Reposted by Baby octopus
Bluesky was literally meant to be a cryptobro social network for grifters, LinkedIn sludge, and libertarians who know way too much about age of consent laws.
Jack Dorsey *left* when instead of weird and off-putting cryptonerds, trans people started hanging out here.
Jack Dorsey *left* when instead of weird and off-putting cryptonerds, trans people started hanging out here.
Can you think of examples where people use technologies differently from what the developers intended, whether unintentionally or as an act of resistance?
February 15, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Bluesky was literally meant to be a cryptobro social network for grifters, LinkedIn sludge, and libertarians who know way too much about age of consent laws.
Jack Dorsey *left* when instead of weird and off-putting cryptonerds, trans people started hanging out here.
Jack Dorsey *left* when instead of weird and off-putting cryptonerds, trans people started hanging out here.
Reposted by Baby octopus
this is relevant again way too soon:
I swear it gets more embarrassing every time he appears
February 16, 2026 at 2:11 PM
this is relevant again way too soon:
Reposted by Baby octopus
Banning social media for under-16s is on the cards in the UK.
Age verification is the only way to do this, meaning millions will have to hand over sensitive data.
This industry lacks effective regulation. An U16s ban would multiply existing privacy risks.
www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releas...
Age verification is the only way to do this, meaning millions will have to hand over sensitive data.
This industry lacks effective regulation. An U16s ban would multiply existing privacy risks.
www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releas...
Under-16 social media ban would expand age-gating for millions and silence young people
The UK government has launched a public consultation into imposing a blanket ban on social media for under-16s.
www.openrightsgroup.org
January 20, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Banning social media for under-16s is on the cards in the UK.
Age verification is the only way to do this, meaning millions will have to hand over sensitive data.
This industry lacks effective regulation. An U16s ban would multiply existing privacy risks.
www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releas...
Age verification is the only way to do this, meaning millions will have to hand over sensitive data.
This industry lacks effective regulation. An U16s ban would multiply existing privacy risks.
www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Baby octopus
I've written something about why banning kids from social media could be a terrible idea.
paulbernal.wordpress.com/2025/12/03/b...
paulbernal.wordpress.com/2025/12/03/b...
Banning kids from social media? A very bad idea…
As the idea of banning kids from social media is spreading round the globe – the new ban of under-16s from social media in Australia comes into action in a week or so – it is worth look…
paulbernal.wordpress.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:11 AM
I've written something about why banning kids from social media could be a terrible idea.
paulbernal.wordpress.com/2025/12/03/b...
paulbernal.wordpress.com/2025/12/03/b...
Reposted by Baby octopus
this intersects badly with an economic structure built around capitalist largesse, which is what I was talking about here
Universities never told these people to stop soliciting Epstein and groveling for funds and in some cases clearly encouraged it
Universities never told these people to stop soliciting Epstein and groveling for funds and in some cases clearly encouraged it
Epstein’s economic power among academics was made possible by a capitalist system that makes higher education dependent on the charity economy rather than a public good supported by taxing the rich
February 16, 2026 at 1:42 PM
this intersects badly with an economic structure built around capitalist largesse, which is what I was talking about here
Universities never told these people to stop soliciting Epstein and groveling for funds and in some cases clearly encouraged it
Universities never told these people to stop soliciting Epstein and groveling for funds and in some cases clearly encouraged it
Reposted by Baby octopus
A British remake of Good Bye, Lenin! except it’s about Keir Starmer’s assistant of 30 years trying to prevent his boss from finding out about anything of any importance ever
February 16, 2026 at 2:04 PM
A British remake of Good Bye, Lenin! except it’s about Keir Starmer’s assistant of 30 years trying to prevent his boss from finding out about anything of any importance ever
Reposted by Baby octopus
the most pressing public health issue? throwing all the anti vaxxers and andrew wakefield into the north sea without a life jacket
February 16, 2026 at 10:32 AM
the most pressing public health issue? throwing all the anti vaxxers and andrew wakefield into the north sea without a life jacket
Reposted by Baby octopus
glasses with little cameras in them are not wearable tech they're pervert glasses
February 15, 2026 at 9:52 PM
glasses with little cameras in them are not wearable tech they're pervert glasses
Reposted by Baby octopus
A reminder - When we say trans is intentionally used by the extreme right as a “wedge issue” to achieve their desired ‘Handmaids Tale’ like existence , placing white cishet Christian males in control of everyone else - it wasn’t just about separating the T from the LGB, they’re also dividing women!
At least 12 WI groups are closing or considering closure after the organisation barred transgender women from membership.
Members say more groups are likely to close, and that the federation’s decision has opened up a toxic, traditionalist culture that will deter younger women from joining.
Members say more groups are likely to close, and that the federation’s decision has opened up a toxic, traditionalist culture that will deter younger women from joining.
‘Carnage of concern and upset’: Women’s Institute groups close after transgender ban
Members warn NFWI decision has opened up toxic culture that deters younger women from joining
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 9:19 AM
A reminder - When we say trans is intentionally used by the extreme right as a “wedge issue” to achieve their desired ‘Handmaids Tale’ like existence , placing white cishet Christian males in control of everyone else - it wasn’t just about separating the T from the LGB, they’re also dividing women!
Reposted by Baby octopus
The confusion and conflation of ‘generative ai that is built on stolen artwork’ and ‘machine learning, character behaviour modelling and proc gen’ is intentional on the part of the grifters peddling the former. They benefit from murkiness of classification, because the latter predates their bollocks
December 23, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The confusion and conflation of ‘generative ai that is built on stolen artwork’ and ‘machine learning, character behaviour modelling and proc gen’ is intentional on the part of the grifters peddling the former. They benefit from murkiness of classification, because the latter predates their bollocks
Reposted by Baby octopus
Meanwhile ORG is still waiting to hear how Ofcom expects platforms to remove PA content, a threat that remains as the government has decided to appeal.
Read our letter to Ofcom and the tech platforms here: www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releas...
Read our letter to Ofcom and the tech platforms here: www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releas...
Human rights defenders raise concerns that Online Safety Act will lead to censorship of Palestine protest
Human rights organisations, academics and experts have written to Ofcom and the tech companies, Meta, Alphabet, X and ByteDance, asking for clarification over how they will protect the right to…
www.openrightsgroup.org
February 13, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Meanwhile ORG is still waiting to hear how Ofcom expects platforms to remove PA content, a threat that remains as the government has decided to appeal.
Read our letter to Ofcom and the tech platforms here: www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releas...
Read our letter to Ofcom and the tech platforms here: www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Baby octopus
I take my pleasures where I can find them as a lawyer working on this stuff in the English courts but watching the succession of starry liberal KCs we've instructed move from '(politely) GLP has lost the plot' to 'wtaf has the court done?' has been a recurring one.
February 15, 2026 at 9:21 AM
I take my pleasures where I can find them as a lawyer working on this stuff in the English courts but watching the succession of starry liberal KCs we've instructed move from '(politely) GLP has lost the plot' to 'wtaf has the court done?' has been a recurring one.
Reposted by Baby octopus
Morgan, I just don’t understand why you’re so angry about this. Mr Forde will investigate and swiftly confirm that nothing weird happened and everything was above board, just like you say it was. Why, look at you, you’re practically vibrating. Can someone get Morgan a glass of water, please.
February 16, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Morgan, I just don’t understand why you’re so angry about this. Mr Forde will investigate and swiftly confirm that nothing weird happened and everything was above board, just like you say it was. Why, look at you, you’re practically vibrating. Can someone get Morgan a glass of water, please.
Reposted by Baby octopus
In fairness, I don’t think we can understand Sir Keir instructing the Forde investigation unless he was basically clueless about the shenanigans and just assumed they’d find little or no wrongdoing by his own staff. I could easily believe he personally is still oblivious to all this stuff.
February 16, 2026 at 11:48 AM
In fairness, I don’t think we can understand Sir Keir instructing the Forde investigation unless he was basically clueless about the shenanigans and just assumed they’d find little or no wrongdoing by his own staff. I could easily believe he personally is still oblivious to all this stuff.
Reposted by Baby octopus
Owl, carved from a Tridacna shell
Phoenician, ca. 8th century B.C.E. [Pinterest]
And another one with a human head
Tridacna squamosa shell, 630BC-580BC, British Museum
#OwlishMonday 🤍🌿🦉
Phoenician, ca. 8th century B.C.E. [Pinterest]
And another one with a human head
Tridacna squamosa shell, 630BC-580BC, British Museum
#OwlishMonday 🤍🌿🦉
February 16, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Owl, carved from a Tridacna shell
Phoenician, ca. 8th century B.C.E. [Pinterest]
And another one with a human head
Tridacna squamosa shell, 630BC-580BC, British Museum
#OwlishMonday 🤍🌿🦉
Phoenician, ca. 8th century B.C.E. [Pinterest]
And another one with a human head
Tridacna squamosa shell, 630BC-580BC, British Museum
#OwlishMonday 🤍🌿🦉
Reposted by Baby octopus
Refusing social transition is also an active intervention and one that makes children fucking miserable
February 16, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Refusing social transition is also an active intervention and one that makes children fucking miserable
Reposted by Baby octopus
I’m sorry that is a fake amount of ear to dog ratio
February 16, 2026 at 10:43 AM
I’m sorry that is a fake amount of ear to dog ratio
Reposted by Baby octopus
I’ve picked up on an interesting vibe lately that pro-OSA and child safety groups are sussing that spending five years trying to rewrite the global internet (≠ platforms), whilst labelling anyone who criticised them pro-child abuse shills for Big Tech, achieved nothing.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Starmer pledges crackdown on 'addictive elements' of social media
The government's new plans will mean no online platform will get a
www.bbc.co.uk
February 16, 2026 at 6:37 AM
I’ve picked up on an interesting vibe lately that pro-OSA and child safety groups are sussing that spending five years trying to rewrite the global internet (≠ platforms), whilst labelling anyone who criticised them pro-child abuse shills for Big Tech, achieved nothing.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Baby octopus
Anyone earning a £100k salary and "feeling poor" needs to take a good, long, hard look at themselves.
And on our latest @newstatesman1913.bsky.social You Ask Us pod, @rmcunliffe.bsky.social and I go a bit Martin Lewis and take a few questions about our listeners' personal finances, plus MPs' second jobs and, of course, student loans:
£100k salary, feeling poor – is tax killing ambition? | Daily Politics from the New Statesman
shows.acast.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Anyone earning a £100k salary and "feeling poor" needs to take a good, long, hard look at themselves.
Reposted by Baby octopus
What a phrase to decide to live with: “by removing writing from reporters’ workloads”
Thinking about the many decisions that get made when you turn your notes into a draft and what that looks like when the bot is making all of those decisions, even if you get the "final say" after the decisions have been made. www.cleveland.com/news/2026/02...
February 16, 2026 at 10:35 AM
What a phrase to decide to live with: “by removing writing from reporters’ workloads”
Reposted by Baby octopus
More snowy owls showing the sky changing color at dawn. The owl was scanning the fields for something to eat.
#birds #birdoftheday #wintersurvivors #owl #snowyowl #nature #wildlife #protectnature #EastCoastKin #photography #sunrise
#birds #birdoftheday #wintersurvivors #owl #snowyowl #nature #wildlife #protectnature #EastCoastKin #photography #sunrise
February 16, 2026 at 7:28 AM
More snowy owls showing the sky changing color at dawn. The owl was scanning the fields for something to eat.
#birds #birdoftheday #wintersurvivors #owl #snowyowl #nature #wildlife #protectnature #EastCoastKin #photography #sunrise
#birds #birdoftheday #wintersurvivors #owl #snowyowl #nature #wildlife #protectnature #EastCoastKin #photography #sunrise
Reposted by Baby octopus
GenderGP’s Helen Webberley refers Hilary Cass to the GMC for misconduct
Non-substack archive link: archive.is/zMLWR
Non-substack archive link: archive.is/zMLWR
I Have Referred Dr Hilary Cass to the GMC
Why I believe the Cass Review falls short of the professional standards expected of every registered doctor.
www.helenwebberley.com
February 16, 2026 at 9:54 AM
GenderGP’s Helen Webberley refers Hilary Cass to the GMC for misconduct
Non-substack archive link: archive.is/zMLWR
Non-substack archive link: archive.is/zMLWR
Reposted by Baby octopus
Funny kind of "Labour" party, if you ask me.
NEW from @tbij.bsky.social:
The government has rejected calls by its OWN independent Migration Advisory Committee for visa reforms to protect migrant farm workers from exploitation
Labour seems wedded to a model of immigration based on creating a subclass of exploited worker.
It's sick.
The government has rejected calls by its OWN independent Migration Advisory Committee for visa reforms to protect migrant farm workers from exploitation
Labour seems wedded to a model of immigration based on creating a subclass of exploited worker.
It's sick.
February 16, 2026 at 10:34 AM
Funny kind of "Labour" party, if you ask me.