Mark Childs
@markchilds.bsky.social
Durham University Senior Learning Designer. Co-host of Pedagodzilla. DJ on The Thursday Night Show. Posts mainly about comics, cats and kaiju. Chaotic neutral apparently.
Ben's been at the weed again.
January 7, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Ben's been at the weed again.
Just reading my news feed this morning ... excuse me but WTF is this a warning about? Are they literally trolling us?
January 7, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Just reading my news feed this morning ... excuse me but WTF is this a warning about? Are they literally trolling us?
Yep this makes a lot of sense - but what word _do_ we use? The main ideology on display is narcissism, but on a global scale. It possibly needs a new word, but then that doesn't communicate anything until the word's commonly understood.
The instinct to call Trump and his administration Fascist is sometimes overwhelming - but are we being counterproductive when doing so?
My growing concern is this:
If we keep relying on 20th century language, are we actually failing prepare for a very 21st century threat?
A rambly one today.
My growing concern is this:
If we keep relying on 20th century language, are we actually failing prepare for a very 21st century threat?
A rambly one today.
Trump Isn’t a Fascist - and That’s the Problem
Why clinging to 20th-century labels is leaving us unprepared for a very 21st-century form of power
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Yep this makes a lot of sense - but what word _do_ we use? The main ideology on display is narcissism, but on a global scale. It possibly needs a new word, but then that doesn't communicate anything until the word's commonly understood.
Starting 2026 as I mean to go on - a Stargate rewatch - at this rate I calculate it'll take me until some time in May to reach the end.
January 1, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Starting 2026 as I mean to go on - a Stargate rewatch - at this rate I calculate it'll take me until some time in May to reach the end.
Reposted by Mark Childs
So basically he's dating someone who voted for a guy who's likely to not only make him redundant but crash the entire university and she doesn't regret it? Call me picky but that would be a deal-breaker for me.
Everyone has a list of so-called "red flags" when they're dating. And for some, especially younger Americans, different political views is a relationship deal breaker.
Majority of Gen Z swipe left on dating people with opposite political views
Everyone has a list of so-called "red flags" when they're dating. And for some, especially younger Americans, different political views is a relationship deal breaker.
n.pr
December 31, 2025 at 11:17 PM
So basically he's dating someone who voted for a guy who's likely to not only make him redundant but crash the entire university and she doesn't regret it? Call me picky but that would be a deal-breaker for me.
Full story is the software they used also added false information into reports to force officers to check the drafts and make edits for accuracy. Which took so much time they didn't feel it saved them enough. I guess the worry is they'll go instead with a process that doesn't force them to check.
December 31, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Full story is the software they used also added false information into reports to force officers to check the drafts and make edits for accuracy. Which took so much time they didn't feel it saved them enough. I guess the worry is they'll go instead with a process that doesn't force them to check.
Me reading "toe the line" of course it is. Free rein "who could get that wrong?", eke out "well d'uh", sleight of hand "naturally". "Anchors aweigh" what? Really. Oops. Lesson learnt.
As soon as you lose patience with someone else's command of English, you'll show your own ignorance. That's calmer.
As soon as you lose patience with someone else's command of English, you'll show your own ignorance. That's calmer.
grateful | adjective | appreciative of benefits received : feeling or showing thanks
Thank you all for a superlative year. Here are some of our favorite posts of 2025.
Thank you all for a superlative year. Here are some of our favorite posts of 2025.
December 29, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Me reading "toe the line" of course it is. Free rein "who could get that wrong?", eke out "well d'uh", sleight of hand "naturally". "Anchors aweigh" what? Really. Oops. Lesson learnt.
As soon as you lose patience with someone else's command of English, you'll show your own ignorance. That's calmer.
As soon as you lose patience with someone else's command of English, you'll show your own ignorance. That's calmer.
There's an obvious metaphor for the extension of human capabilities through connection with technology here. No matter how sophisticated the process gets, we'll still end up using it to kick ourselves in the balls.
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
December 27, 2025 at 6:12 PM
There's an obvious metaphor for the extension of human capabilities through connection with technology here. No matter how sophisticated the process gets, we'll still end up using it to kick ourselves in the balls.
Links to recordings of my Christmas show. Two hours of songs about angels Part 1 timbre-player.sharp-stream.com/embed/item/d...
Part 2 timbre-player.sharp-stream.com/embed/item/e...
Part 2 timbre-player.sharp-stream.com/embed/item/e...
Dr Rock 2025-12-26 00:00
timbre-player.sharp-stream.com
December 26, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Links to recordings of my Christmas show. Two hours of songs about angels Part 1 timbre-player.sharp-stream.com/embed/item/d...
Part 2 timbre-player.sharp-stream.com/embed/item/e...
Part 2 timbre-player.sharp-stream.com/embed/item/e...
#1 movie when you were ten years old is how your 2026 is going to go. Oh. My. God.
December 25, 2025 at 10:56 PM
#1 movie when you were ten years old is how your 2026 is going to go. Oh. My. God.
Christmas show on ttns.uk starting at midnight. If you want a soundtrack to your boxing day.
Internet Radio Live Music Eclectic | thethursdaynightshow
Eclectic Internet Radio with online live music and art showings every Thursday Night! www.thethursdaynightshow.com
ttns.uk
December 25, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Christmas show on ttns.uk starting at midnight. If you want a soundtrack to your boxing day.
Well this was unexpectedly a punch in the feels. 🥲
December 24, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Well this was unexpectedly a punch in the feels. 🥲
Writing my transhumanism assignment for my MA. A fun subject but the first thing I've written in 19 years without a cat sitting on me, and realising how integral to the process having a furry thing purring on my lap was.
December 24, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Writing my transhumanism assignment for my MA. A fun subject but the first thing I've written in 19 years without a cat sitting on me, and realising how integral to the process having a furry thing purring on my lap was.
Reposted by Mark Childs
Labour are just Tories with a pink tie. Tories are just Reform UK rejects with a blue tie. Reform UK are just Nazis with a tie. (And so on.)
December 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Labour are just Tories with a pink tie. Tories are just Reform UK rejects with a blue tie. Reform UK are just Nazis with a tie. (And so on.)
Reposted by Mark Childs
Galaxy Quest - a perfect movie, just a wonderful love letter to actors, sci-fi, Star Trek in particular, and to fandom - really deserves a proper physical release with decent extras. Think Weaver's right that releasing a R-rated cut would be fun, too.
Sigourney Weaver Says She Wishes DreamWorks Released A Director’s Cut Of ‘Galaxy Quest,’ Reminisces On Sequel That Never Came To Pass
Sigourney Weaver reflected on cult classic Galaxy Quest and how she wishes the sci-fi satire had released an R-rated director's cut.
deadline.com
December 22, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Galaxy Quest - a perfect movie, just a wonderful love letter to actors, sci-fi, Star Trek in particular, and to fandom - really deserves a proper physical release with decent extras. Think Weaver's right that releasing a R-rated cut would be fun, too.
Make 2026 the year all these become common parlance again.
Ten archaic English slang phrases…
10. Got the morbs (sad)
9. Bumpsy (drunk)
8. Whittled as a penguin (very drunk)
8. Scandal water (tea)
7. Bitch the pot (pour the tea)
5. Sauce-box (mouth)
4. Cupid’s kettle drums (breasts)
3. Dash my wig (OMG)
2. Poked up (embarrassed)
1. Not up to dick (unwell)
10. Got the morbs (sad)
9. Bumpsy (drunk)
8. Whittled as a penguin (very drunk)
8. Scandal water (tea)
7. Bitch the pot (pour the tea)
5. Sauce-box (mouth)
4. Cupid’s kettle drums (breasts)
3. Dash my wig (OMG)
2. Poked up (embarrassed)
1. Not up to dick (unwell)
December 19, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Make 2026 the year all these become common parlance again.
Reposted by Mark Childs
🥄Grab your spoons #PlayLearn community for a jam-packed online meetup! 🎈 Thu 12 Feb 2026, 13:30–16:30 Together we'll blend ideas, share flavours & preserve the magic of play.
👉 bit.ly/PLAfeb26
@markchilds.bsky.social & I are creating the menu, let us know of any flavours you'd like to sample!🫙
👉 bit.ly/PLAfeb26
@markchilds.bsky.social & I are creating the menu, let us know of any flavours you'd like to sample!🫙
December 18, 2025 at 12:48 PM
🥄Grab your spoons #PlayLearn community for a jam-packed online meetup! 🎈 Thu 12 Feb 2026, 13:30–16:30 Together we'll blend ideas, share flavours & preserve the magic of play.
👉 bit.ly/PLAfeb26
@markchilds.bsky.social & I are creating the menu, let us know of any flavours you'd like to sample!🫙
👉 bit.ly/PLAfeb26
@markchilds.bsky.social & I are creating the menu, let us know of any flavours you'd like to sample!🫙
You will be visited by three spirits
December 15, 2025 at 4:28 PM
You will be visited by three spirits
Another show on ttns.uk based on the playlist compiled by @yamiacat.bsky.social Numbers 40 - 49 last night timbre-player.sharp-stream.com/embed/item/c... Matt's on 193 so I've got some catching up to do 😀
Internet Radio Live Music Eclectic | thethursdaynightshow
Eclectic Internet Radio with online live music and art showings every Thursday Night! www.thethursdaynightshow.com
ttns.uk
December 12, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Another show on ttns.uk based on the playlist compiled by @yamiacat.bsky.social Numbers 40 - 49 last night timbre-player.sharp-stream.com/embed/item/c... Matt's on 193 so I've got some catching up to do 😀
Are you researching digital education in HE? Want to share your work at a conference? Then maybe submit a paper to the RIDL: HE conference 2nd/3rd Sept 2026 hosting2.northumbria.ac.uk/ridlhe/ CfP at hosting2.northumbria.ac.uk/ridlhe/?page... deadline 16 Feb 2025
December 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Are you researching digital education in HE? Want to share your work at a conference? Then maybe submit a paper to the RIDL: HE conference 2nd/3rd Sept 2026 hosting2.northumbria.ac.uk/ridlhe/ CfP at hosting2.northumbria.ac.uk/ridlhe/?page... deadline 16 Feb 2025
I for one welcome our new robot .... oh maybe not.
A humanoid robot powered by artificial intelligence, believed to be one of the first in Russia, face-planted during its highly anticipated debut in Moscow on Tuesday after briefly staggering onstage. nyti.ms/49Ly3GI
November 17, 2025 at 9:19 PM
I for one welcome our new robot .... oh maybe not.
Reposted by Mark Childs
thing about autism is if you work really hard for many years, you can learn through trial-and-error how to navigate social situations and interpersonal connections SO effectively that people don't really believe you're autistic anymore and resent you for not being perfect at nonverbal communication
November 16, 2025 at 8:21 PM
thing about autism is if you work really hard for many years, you can learn through trial-and-error how to navigate social situations and interpersonal connections SO effectively that people don't really believe you're autistic anymore and resent you for not being perfect at nonverbal communication
Last Thursday's show - an hour of music about insects and then an hour of music inspired by Lou Reed's Transformer. chroniclesofdrrock.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/e...
Emperor Yes – Wire – Broadcast – Tim Buckley – Between the Buried and Me – Memphis Minnie – Misfits - Ivor Cutler and much more
Emperor Yes – Wire – Broadcast – Tim Buckley – Between the Buried and Me – Memphis Minnie – Misfits - Ivor Cutler and much more
November 16, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Last Thursday's show - an hour of music about insects and then an hour of music inspired by Lou Reed's Transformer. chroniclesofdrrock.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/e...
Emperor Yes – Wire – Broadcast – Tim Buckley – Between the Buried and Me – Memphis Minnie – Misfits - Ivor Cutler and much more
Emperor Yes – Wire – Broadcast – Tim Buckley – Between the Buried and Me – Memphis Minnie – Misfits - Ivor Cutler and much more
There _should_ be a word for this. My vote goes to "nonomatopoeia"
Discworld QOTD, from The Wee Free Men
November 16, 2025 at 8:51 PM
There _should_ be a word for this. My vote goes to "nonomatopoeia"