Dr B Mikus
@melancholerical.bsky.social
D.Phil Oxon in German language&literature; feminism, nerdiness, puns. Also, book: The Political Woman in Print:
https://www.peterlang.com/document/1053307
🌈💗💜💙
🌈🖤🤍💜🩶
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3439-5130
https://www.peterlang.com/document/1053307
🌈💗💜💙
🌈🖤🤍💜🩶
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3439-5130
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
The courts have ruled multiple times that AI output isn't copyrightable because it has no author meaning:
1) AI writing is public domain. You don't own any of it.
2) You can't be sure that the writing in your piece isn't stolen, because authorship be damned, you are responsible for what you sell.
1) AI writing is public domain. You don't own any of it.
2) You can't be sure that the writing in your piece isn't stolen, because authorship be damned, you are responsible for what you sell.
I can't understand how "writing is my dream job" and "ugh, can't the robot do it?" coexist comfortably inside the same skull, but a lot of people live in cognitive dissonance.
December 20, 2025 at 10:15 PM
The courts have ruled multiple times that AI output isn't copyrightable because it has no author meaning:
1) AI writing is public domain. You don't own any of it.
2) You can't be sure that the writing in your piece isn't stolen, because authorship be damned, you are responsible for what you sell.
1) AI writing is public domain. You don't own any of it.
2) You can't be sure that the writing in your piece isn't stolen, because authorship be damned, you are responsible for what you sell.
Stunning! 😍
THREAD.
My parents' cat Bridget vanished. As the weeks dragged on they became ever more worried, so to distract himself my dad began to paint Bridget's adventures, imagining her travelling through time and popping up at some of art & music's most important moments.
I've collected his work here...
My parents' cat Bridget vanished. As the weeks dragged on they became ever more worried, so to distract himself my dad began to paint Bridget's adventures, imagining her travelling through time and popping up at some of art & music's most important moments.
I've collected his work here...
December 20, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Stunning! 😍
Off work now for three weeks. Might spend most of them sleeping. Have ordered Chinese food 🍛🥢😋😴😴😴
December 19, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Off work now for three weeks. Might spend most of them sleeping. Have ordered Chinese food 🍛🥢😋😴😴😴
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
HEY AUTHORS: It's the last weekend before Christmas and/or the end of Hanukkah, so people are going to be looking for last minute holiday gifts, which books are perfect for, so use this thread to tell everyone here at Bluesky about your book so they can go find it at their local bookseller. GO!
December 19, 2025 at 5:40 PM
HEY AUTHORS: It's the last weekend before Christmas and/or the end of Hanukkah, so people are going to be looking for last minute holiday gifts, which books are perfect for, so use this thread to tell everyone here at Bluesky about your book so they can go find it at their local bookseller. GO!
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
Just gonna drop this here. Amazon is forcing a new AI feature on authors whose books are available on Kindle. This is a petition to give us the choice to opt out, because currently, we cannot.
c.org/SrJxqbKp4F
c.org/SrJxqbKp4F
Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?
Change the new AI feature Ask this Book
c.org
December 16, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Just gonna drop this here. Amazon is forcing a new AI feature on authors whose books are available on Kindle. This is a petition to give us the choice to opt out, because currently, we cannot.
c.org/SrJxqbKp4F
c.org/SrJxqbKp4F
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
Finally some some good UK HE news! UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme
Exclusive: British students will be able to participate in EU-wide scheme from January 2027, sources say
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Finally some some good UK HE news! UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
It gets lost in all of this nonsense every time, but it is worth pointing out that it's not illegal to use any toilet you like. Toilets aren't legally restricted places and never have been, for very obvious reasons. This whole thing is based on an absurd fiction about who can and can't go where.
It's not illegal to use the right toilets and no one should adhere to Mary-Ann Stephenson's headmistressly call to "follow rules" that serve no good purpose, breach the UK's human rights obligations, will be bad for all women, and debase trans dignity. Make her appoint her sodding toilet police.
December 14, 2025 at 9:54 AM
It gets lost in all of this nonsense every time, but it is worth pointing out that it's not illegal to use any toilet you like. Toilets aren't legally restricted places and never have been, for very obvious reasons. This whole thing is based on an absurd fiction about who can and can't go where.
Sometimes I wish I'd gone into industrial design... 😄
December 13, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Sometimes I wish I'd gone into industrial design... 😄
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
I hate how much I enjoyed this
BIG NERD DESIGN ENERGY 🫦
BIG NERD DESIGN ENERGY 🫦
December 13, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I hate how much I enjoyed this
BIG NERD DESIGN ENERGY 🫦
BIG NERD DESIGN ENERGY 🫦
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
"Hello. My name is Charles Philip Arthur George Windsor. You killed my mother. Prepare to die."
December 11, 2025 at 8:35 PM
"Hello. My name is Charles Philip Arthur George Windsor. You killed my mother. Prepare to die."
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
A brief return of the Murderbot Humble Bundle! The charity is still World Central Kitchen.
Unlock and upgrade in the Return to Metroidvania rebundle, read up on exciting Sci-Fi with Matha Wells’ Murderbot & more, and add character to your game environments with the Best of Synty 4 Game Dev Assets rebundles! https://bit.ly/4oxXmjd
December 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
A brief return of the Murderbot Humble Bundle! The charity is still World Central Kitchen.
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
Martha Wells Book Bundle returns for 2 days only! Benefits World Central Kitchen.
www.humblebundle.com/books/martha...
www.humblebundle.com/books/martha...
Humble Book Bundle: Martha Wells' Murderbot and More by TOR ENCORE
Pay what you want for <<<product>>> and support a charity of your choice!
www.humblebundle.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Martha Wells Book Bundle returns for 2 days only! Benefits World Central Kitchen.
www.humblebundle.com/books/martha...
www.humblebundle.com/books/martha...
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
“I am so bored by AI. One of the things I love about the theatre is AI can’t do it.”
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
December 9, 2025 at 8:36 PM
“I am so bored by AI. One of the things I love about the theatre is AI can’t do it.”
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Movie you've watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Stars, LOTR, or Marvel.
December 7, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Movie you've watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Stars, LOTR, or Marvel.
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
Advance Booktempting next year in the form of the re-issued gorgeous The Dominion of the Fallen trilogy by Aliette de Bodard www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2025/12...
Cover Reveal - The Dominion of The Fallen by Aliette de Bodard<br/> — Runalong The Shelves
Hellooo!!! Today a treat for you regular readers will know that I always enjoy reading and tempting the work of Aliette de Bodard and next year we have a very welcome re-issue to celebrate the t...
www.runalongtheshelves.net
December 7, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Advance Booktempting next year in the form of the re-issued gorgeous The Dominion of the Fallen trilogy by Aliette de Bodard www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2025/12...
This, same here.
I started my PhD in 2009 just as the first big waves of austerity were hitting the higher ed sector from the Recession, and at no point in my career have I seen the trend tending in the other direction.
December 7, 2025 at 1:13 PM
This, same here.
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
The Tolkien Society is hosting an auction of books and collectibles!
The items were donated to the Society in a member's will. Some we have retained, but the rest will hopefully make someone's Christmas! All money raised will go back in the Society.
Please share! charityauction.bid/tolkiensociety
The items were donated to the Society in a member's will. Some we have retained, but the rest will hopefully make someone's Christmas! All money raised will go back in the Society.
Please share! charityauction.bid/tolkiensociety
Auctria
charityauction.bid
December 6, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The Tolkien Society is hosting an auction of books and collectibles!
The items were donated to the Society in a member's will. Some we have retained, but the rest will hopefully make someone's Christmas! All money raised will go back in the Society.
Please share! charityauction.bid/tolkiensociety
The items were donated to the Society in a member's will. Some we have retained, but the rest will hopefully make someone's Christmas! All money raised will go back in the Society.
Please share! charityauction.bid/tolkiensociety
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
it might seem surprising that the people who said “look, let trans people live their lives, but i have Reasonable Concerns about sports and toilets” aren’t up in arms about this, but what you have to remember is that those people who said that are liars who were lying
December 6, 2025 at 12:40 PM
it might seem surprising that the people who said “look, let trans people live their lives, but i have Reasonable Concerns about sports and toilets” aren’t up in arms about this, but what you have to remember is that those people who said that are liars who were lying
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
It’s weird that news organizations like the BBC are covering this as if it’s a real thing with a real process behind it—and not clearly some nakedly invented “participation trophy” by a corrupt organization to curry favor with a corrupt and easily manipulated man-child. www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
Donald Trump: US president named inaugural Fifa Peace Prize winner
US President Donald Trump receives the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize before the draw for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
www.bbc.com
December 6, 2025 at 10:23 AM
It’s weird that news organizations like the BBC are covering this as if it’s a real thing with a real process behind it—and not clearly some nakedly invented “participation trophy” by a corrupt organization to curry favor with a corrupt and easily manipulated man-child. www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
I'm relaunching Dominion of the Fallen in the US with @awfulagent.bsky.social
Magnificent covers by @fringe-element.net
Deliciously gothic atmosphere, queer characters from across the world, and high intrigue--in a Paris wrecked by magical cataclysms
March 10th, 2026!
awfulagent.com/ebooks/the-h...
Magnificent covers by @fringe-element.net
Deliciously gothic atmosphere, queer characters from across the world, and high intrigue--in a Paris wrecked by magical cataclysms
March 10th, 2026!
awfulagent.com/ebooks/the-h...
December 3, 2025 at 8:18 PM
I'm relaunching Dominion of the Fallen in the US with @awfulagent.bsky.social
Magnificent covers by @fringe-element.net
Deliciously gothic atmosphere, queer characters from across the world, and high intrigue--in a Paris wrecked by magical cataclysms
March 10th, 2026!
awfulagent.com/ebooks/the-h...
Magnificent covers by @fringe-element.net
Deliciously gothic atmosphere, queer characters from across the world, and high intrigue--in a Paris wrecked by magical cataclysms
March 10th, 2026!
awfulagent.com/ebooks/the-h...
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
Contact us if you have been affected by the policy changes of Girl Guiding or the Women's Institute. This could be as an individual, or because you lead a local Brownie group who don't want this policy change. We want to help protect trans inclusion.
goodlawproject.org/about/contact/
goodlawproject.org/about/contact/
December 3, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Contact us if you have been affected by the policy changes of Girl Guiding or the Women's Institute. This could be as an individual, or because you lead a local Brownie group who don't want this policy change. We want to help protect trans inclusion.
goodlawproject.org/about/contact/
goodlawproject.org/about/contact/
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
Every dollar JK Rowling makes from Harry Potter is going into bankrolling an extortion racket issuing legal threats to organizations across the UK to purge themselves of trans people or face ruinous lawfare.
i hope every single person who still buys harry potter merch or engages with that franchise is happy that they're literally making girl guides cry
girl guides uk have been forced very much against their will to exclude trans girls. full statement is here: www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-...
girl guides uk have been forced very much against their will to exclude trans girls. full statement is here: www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-...
December 2, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Every dollar JK Rowling makes from Harry Potter is going into bankrolling an extortion racket issuing legal threats to organizations across the UK to purge themselves of trans people or face ruinous lawfare.
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
RFK Jr: "Two weeks ago we ended, under your leadership, a twenty year war on women".
Three out of five men in this shot have been accused of sexual misconduct, harassment or abusive behaviour towards women. A fourth signed into law a near-total abortion ban in his state as governor.
Three out of five men in this shot have been accused of sexual misconduct, harassment or abusive behaviour towards women. A fourth signed into law a near-total abortion ban in his state as governor.
December 2, 2025 at 6:46 PM
RFK Jr: "Two weeks ago we ended, under your leadership, a twenty year war on women".
Three out of five men in this shot have been accused of sexual misconduct, harassment or abusive behaviour towards women. A fourth signed into law a near-total abortion ban in his state as governor.
Three out of five men in this shot have been accused of sexual misconduct, harassment or abusive behaviour towards women. A fourth signed into law a near-total abortion ban in his state as governor.
Reposted by Dr B Mikus
I've said it already but sadly this erasure is only going to continue until Parliament votes to undo FWS and restore the original meaning of the Equality Act. We need much more public pressure and unequivocal demands for this restoration from minor parties and supportive MPs. Nothing less
December 2, 2025 at 6:41 PM
I've said it already but sadly this erasure is only going to continue until Parliament votes to undo FWS and restore the original meaning of the Equality Act. We need much more public pressure and unequivocal demands for this restoration from minor parties and supportive MPs. Nothing less