Marc de Faoite
@marcdefaoite.bsky.social
Herbivorous open-water-swimming snowflake bookworm, b. 323.05 ppm. Irish in France. Writer/editor/translator. Work in in Honest Ulsterman, Minor Lit, Irish Times, Courrier International, Cormorant, Incubator, Eastlit, Jaggery, Mekong Review, Esquire ...
Pinned
Marc de Faoite
@marcdefaoite.bsky.social
· Oct 28
A Dubliner returning to France after 15 years away: ‘Here are some of the many changes I noticed’
A Dubliner returning to France finds smoky bars replaced by bubblegum clouds from vapes, that you no longer risk going tealess, and you can even ask directions in English
www.irishtimes.com
I wrote a piece for the @irishtimes.bsky.social about moving back to France after 15 years.
www.irishtimes.com/abroad/2024/...
www.irishtimes.com/abroad/2024/...
Renewables, then nuclear at the end.
February 10, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Renewables, then nuclear at the end.
I seem to have ring-fenced my echo-chamber with so many blocked search terms that all I see these days is news on the latest developments in strawbale construction, an interesting fiels, but not *that* interesting.
February 10, 2026 at 7:33 PM
I seem to have ring-fenced my echo-chamber with so many blocked search terms that all I see these days is news on the latest developments in strawbale construction, an interesting fiels, but not *that* interesting.
Frankie hits hard with this one. (Plus, Riz Ahmed!)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyUl...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyUl...
We used to tell stories (now we just post them on Instagram)
YouTube video by Meditations for the anxious mind
www.youtube.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Frankie hits hard with this one. (Plus, Riz Ahmed!)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyUl...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyUl...
Time to dig out the "porque no los dos" meme.
Growing up in Ireland I was schooled in English, but would move seamlessly from Irish class to French class. If there had been other languages on offer I would have tried to learn them too, not instead. #multilingual
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Growing up in Ireland I was schooled in English, but would move seamlessly from Irish class to French class. If there had been other languages on offer I would have tried to learn them too, not instead. #multilingual
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Spanish is clearly now the world’s coolest language. So why do we push children to learn French? | Gary Nunn
As Bad Bunny showed at the Super Bowl, español is the coming thing. No wonder it’s now the top GCSE language choice, says journalist Gary Nunn
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Time to dig out the "porque no los dos" meme.
Growing up in Ireland I was schooled in English, but would move seamlessly from Irish class to French class. If there had been other languages on offer I would have tried to learn them too, not instead. #multilingual
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Growing up in Ireland I was schooled in English, but would move seamlessly from Irish class to French class. If there had been other languages on offer I would have tried to learn them too, not instead. #multilingual
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Way out on the edges looking in. Stimmt.
February 9, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Way out on the edges looking in. Stimmt.
Reposted by Marc de Faoite
This technology already exists and is widely used. It doesn't involve 'government surveillance' and would not allow ICE or any other government agency to stop individual cars.
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
Speed Limiters Now Mandatory in All New EU Cars
Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) isn't an ironclad speeding prevention system, but could be just annoying enough to spark a backlash.
www.autoweek.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:16 PM
This technology already exists and is widely used. It doesn't involve 'government surveillance' and would not allow ICE or any other government agency to stop individual cars.
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
I'm old enough to remember a time when socialist politicians were part of The Left.
February 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM
I'm old enough to remember a time when socialist politicians were part of The Left.
Accessible cycling - now available in Paris
La publicité Véligo pour leur nouvelle gamme de vélos adaptés
February 9, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Accessible cycling - now available in Paris
I visited his house (his uncle's house?) in Madurai, but they wouldn't let me in to the room where it happened.
February 9, 2026 at 7:33 AM
I visited his house (his uncle's house?) in Madurai, but they wouldn't let me in to the room where it happened.
En tout cas, le Goncourt était largement mérité. Je dis ça, mais je ne suis qu'à un tiers du livre.
February 9, 2026 at 7:26 AM
En tout cas, le Goncourt était largement mérité. Je dis ça, mais je ne suis qu'à un tiers du livre.
I know there are many things I don't know, but what I don't know is how much that limits me or liberates me.
February 9, 2026 at 7:11 AM
I know there are many things I don't know, but what I don't know is how much that limits me or liberates me.
It is, but boy is it long.
February 9, 2026 at 6:58 AM
It is, but boy is it long.
Good thread. Also there are vast relatively sunny areas in the centre of France (la diagonale du vide) with almost no population (fewer than 30 people per sqkm) that would be perfect for mixed solar and wind.
France has ended up in a strange position after using some €250bn of tax-payer money to build a fleet of nuclear power stations. Wind and solar power is merrily entering the French power market at prices nuclear production can't match, resulting in huge surpluses of power.
1/
1/
Électricité : un rapport confidentiel d’EDF anticipe une explosion des coûts et des risques
« Le Point » s’est procuré le rapport interne d’EDF sur les conséquences de la modulation de son parc nucléaire pour faire place aux renouvelables. Un document explosif, alors que le gouvernement s’ap...
www.lepoint.fr
February 8, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Good thread. Also there are vast relatively sunny areas in the centre of France (la diagonale du vide) with almost no population (fewer than 30 people per sqkm) that would be perfect for mixed solar and wind.
Me - I dream of a world with pedestrian crossings.
World - Here you go.
Me - Thanks. I dream of a world where people know how pedestrian crossings work and allow pedestrians to use them safely.
World - Never fucken happy, are ye?
World - Here you go.
Me - Thanks. I dream of a world where people know how pedestrian crossings work and allow pedestrians to use them safely.
World - Never fucken happy, are ye?
February 8, 2026 at 7:16 AM
Me - I dream of a world with pedestrian crossings.
World - Here you go.
Me - Thanks. I dream of a world where people know how pedestrian crossings work and allow pedestrians to use them safely.
World - Never fucken happy, are ye?
World - Here you go.
Me - Thanks. I dream of a world where people know how pedestrian crossings work and allow pedestrians to use them safely.
World - Never fucken happy, are ye?
This is the way.
A real pleasure to meet George Clarke and hear about his experiences growing up on a council estate. We both know the positive impact social housing can have on families’ lives.
That’s why I’m determined to continue delivering more council homes as we build a fairer London for everyone.
That’s why I’m determined to continue delivering more council homes as we build a fairer London for everyone.
February 7, 2026 at 8:39 PM
This is the way.
This is, well, wholesome, but I believe they understand their audience and they make some good points.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q50p...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q50p...
3 American myths we don't believe anymore after living in Europe
YouTube video by Baguette Bound
www.youtube.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:12 PM
This is, well, wholesome, but I believe they understand their audience and they make some good points.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q50p...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q50p...
'Democracy dies in the darkness' was a mission statement, not a warning.
February 7, 2026 at 7:56 PM
'Democracy dies in the darkness' was a mission statement, not a warning.
The elevators are behind the curtains.
(It's such a Lynchian line, and I always like to treat it as such, channelling my inner Log Lady).
(It's such a Lynchian line, and I always like to treat it as such, channelling my inner Log Lady).
February 7, 2026 at 7:35 PM
The elevators are behind the curtains.
(It's such a Lynchian line, and I always like to treat it as such, channelling my inner Log Lady).
(It's such a Lynchian line, and I always like to treat it as such, channelling my inner Log Lady).
15 francs le café. J'imagine que c'étaitent des anciennes francs à l'époque, donc l'équivalent de 0,02€ (0,0228 pour être précis). Le vélo devait coûter moins cher qu'un café aujourd'hui.
February 7, 2026 at 7:27 PM
15 francs le café. J'imagine que c'étaitent des anciennes francs à l'époque, donc l'équivalent de 0,02€ (0,0228 pour être précis). Le vélo devait coûter moins cher qu'un café aujourd'hui.
Sounds like a load of horseshit. (Sorry, it was right there).
Joking aside, surely organic farmers would be delighted to get their hands on it.
Joking aside, surely organic farmers would be delighted to get their hands on it.
February 7, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Sounds like a load of horseshit. (Sorry, it was right there).
Joking aside, surely organic farmers would be delighted to get their hands on it.
Joking aside, surely organic farmers would be delighted to get their hands on it.
Reposted by Marc de Faoite
Sara Baume does it again - this is the book equivalent of a deep life affirming breath and it’s been a joy to read over the last few days. Out in July from @grantabooks.bsky.social
February 6, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Sara Baume does it again - this is the book equivalent of a deep life affirming breath and it’s been a joy to read over the last few days. Out in July from @grantabooks.bsky.social
Reposted by Marc de Faoite
The Lonely Crowd will feature a new short story by a different author each month throughout 2026. For February, we are delighted to publish a new piece by @glynedwards.bsky.social.
thelonelycrowd.org/2026/02/06/s...
thelonelycrowd.org/2026/02/06/s...
Short Story of the Month: ‘Heartwood’ by Glyn Edwards
The Lonely Crowd will feature a new short story by a different author each month throughout 2026. For February, we are delighted to publish a new piece by Glyn Edwards. There was once a boy who bec…
thelonelycrowd.org
February 6, 2026 at 8:15 PM
The Lonely Crowd will feature a new short story by a different author each month throughout 2026. For February, we are delighted to publish a new piece by @glynedwards.bsky.social.
thelonelycrowd.org/2026/02/06/s...
thelonelycrowd.org/2026/02/06/s...
"We have cleared away our natural forests, dug out peatlands, converted hills to conifer plantations, drained wetlands, compacted soil under the weight of millions of farm animals and straightened rivers to create yet more grazing land" by @whittledaway.bsky.social
www.thejournal.ie/readme/storm...
www.thejournal.ie/readme/storm...
Ireland in the storms: Flood barriers won't save us if we keep draining the land
After flooding in the past, successive governments promised protections, but instead, doubled down on dredging and delayed land-use reform, leaving communities exposed, writes Pádraic Fogarty.
www.thejournal.ie
February 6, 2026 at 8:10 PM
"We have cleared away our natural forests, dug out peatlands, converted hills to conifer plantations, drained wetlands, compacted soil under the weight of millions of farm animals and straightened rivers to create yet more grazing land" by @whittledaway.bsky.social
www.thejournal.ie/readme/storm...
www.thejournal.ie/readme/storm...