Martin Locock
@mlocock.bsky.social
poet, project manager, archaeologist
Martin Amis and Kingsley Amis podcast: The Amis Papers
My posts: https://bsky.app/profile/mlocock.bsky.social/feed/myposts
Saying no to AI since Microsoft Clippy
Martin Amis and Kingsley Amis podcast: The Amis Papers
My posts: https://bsky.app/profile/mlocock.bsky.social/feed/myposts
Saying no to AI since Microsoft Clippy
I find it impossible to listen to this podcast without being reminded of the pleasures of reading and re-reading, and it has led me to explore Elizabeth Taylor, Riddley Walker, The Fortnight in September, Tove Jansson, Mr Bowling Buys a Newspaper, Louis Macneice and so many others.
Tomorrow we release the final episode of Backlisted for the foreseeable future.* After ten years, it's a very odd feeling. I am looking forward to spending more time with my books and fewer times on social media.
* Boats against the current, we beat on via Patreon.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmQK...
* Boats against the current, we beat on via Patreon.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmQK...
At Last I Am Free
YouTube video by Robert Wyatt - Topic
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:10 AM
I find it impossible to listen to this podcast without being reminded of the pleasures of reading and re-reading, and it has led me to explore Elizabeth Taylor, Riddley Walker, The Fortnight in September, Tove Jansson, Mr Bowling Buys a Newspaper, Louis Macneice and so many others.
It was bad, but not "Outlook trying to work out whether there really are any new messages" bad.
February 9, 2026 at 10:24 AM
It was bad, but not "Outlook trying to work out whether there really are any new messages" bad.
Reposted by Martin Locock
Now the King's Evil Counsellor is deposed we shall be govern'd well.
February 8, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Now the King's Evil Counsellor is deposed we shall be govern'd well.
Reposted by Martin Locock
after all why not? why shouldn't I believe it's butter?
February 9, 2026 at 5:52 AM
after all why not? why shouldn't I believe it's butter?
Reposted by Martin Locock
I have yet to see any evidence that there is a market for AI-generated books outside of people being tricked into thinking they are not AI-generated books. AKA, it is a project of scamming and deceiving people, and really should be treated as fraud
February 8, 2026 at 6:55 PM
I have yet to see any evidence that there is a market for AI-generated books outside of people being tricked into thinking they are not AI-generated books. AKA, it is a project of scamming and deceiving people, and really should be treated as fraud
Since teachers wear jackets with leather elbow patches, being 'too cool for school' is a pretty low bar.
February 5, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Since teachers wear jackets with leather elbow patches, being 'too cool for school' is a pretty low bar.
I wonder what training data was used by Grok for the creation of images of naked children?
February 3, 2026 at 8:05 PM
I wonder what training data was used by Grok for the creation of images of naked children?
Reposted by Martin Locock
“My parents took me to loads of concerts all the time when I was a kid”
“What do you feel that did for you as a person?”
“Pardon?”
“What do you feel that did for you as a person?”
“Pardon?”
February 3, 2026 at 4:54 PM
“My parents took me to loads of concerts all the time when I was a kid”
“What do you feel that did for you as a person?”
“Pardon?”
“What do you feel that did for you as a person?”
“Pardon?”
I asked Danny Glover to give a speech at a retirement party at the sewage company but he said he wouldn't know what to say.
February 2, 2026 at 3:34 PM
I asked Danny Glover to give a speech at a retirement party at the sewage company but he said he wouldn't know what to say.
The only good thing I ever heard on Peter Mandelson was the fictional story of him campaigning in Yorkshire and calling in at lunchtime at the Fish and Chip shop for working class credentials. It was going well until he pointed at the mushy peas and said "Could I have some of that guacamole?"
February 2, 2026 at 1:32 PM
The only good thing I ever heard on Peter Mandelson was the fictional story of him campaigning in Yorkshire and calling in at lunchtime at the Fish and Chip shop for working class credentials. It was going well until he pointed at the mushy peas and said "Could I have some of that guacamole?"
Reposted by Martin Locock
Thinking about whoever said that by accepting a meal from people and then arresting them ICE agents broke a cultural taboo that was invented by, like, the first humans to set up a tent
February 1, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Thinking about whoever said that by accepting a meal from people and then arresting them ICE agents broke a cultural taboo that was invented by, like, the first humans to set up a tent
Latest episode of The Amis papers podcast looks at Kingsley Amis's Bond novel Colonel Sun and his analysis of Fleming's works in The James Bond Dossier
open.spotify.com/episode/5hz8...
open.spotify.com/episode/5hz8...
Ep31 S2Ep9 Colonel Sun (1968) and The James Bond Dossier (1965)
open.spotify.com
January 31, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Latest episode of The Amis papers podcast looks at Kingsley Amis's Bond novel Colonel Sun and his analysis of Fleming's works in The James Bond Dossier
open.spotify.com/episode/5hz8...
open.spotify.com/episode/5hz8...
Reposted by Martin Locock
You can test new tech ideas using the Seinfeld Test
Would the product eliminate the plot of an episode? (Google maps, cell phones, paypal, battery packs)
Good tech.
Would the product inspire new Seinfeld plots? (NFTs, AI chatbots, crypto currency, blindboxes, metaverse land sales)
Bad tech.
Would the product eliminate the plot of an episode? (Google maps, cell phones, paypal, battery packs)
Good tech.
Would the product inspire new Seinfeld plots? (NFTs, AI chatbots, crypto currency, blindboxes, metaverse land sales)
Bad tech.
January 31, 2026 at 6:57 AM
You can test new tech ideas using the Seinfeld Test
Would the product eliminate the plot of an episode? (Google maps, cell phones, paypal, battery packs)
Good tech.
Would the product inspire new Seinfeld plots? (NFTs, AI chatbots, crypto currency, blindboxes, metaverse land sales)
Bad tech.
Would the product eliminate the plot of an episode? (Google maps, cell phones, paypal, battery packs)
Good tech.
Would the product inspire new Seinfeld plots? (NFTs, AI chatbots, crypto currency, blindboxes, metaverse land sales)
Bad tech.
Back in the 90s in the office it seemed I was always waiting for a letter to arrive: a contract or a payment, so I was always hanging around with the admin team. One of the older ones said "I don't know why you're so keen on post- there's never anything good in it!" I feel the same about my inbox.
January 30, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Back in the 90s in the office it seemed I was always waiting for a letter to arrive: a contract or a payment, so I was always hanging around with the admin team. One of the older ones said "I don't know why you're so keen on post- there's never anything good in it!" I feel the same about my inbox.
Oh No! It's Selwyn Gummer!
January 29, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Oh No! It's Selwyn Gummer!
I have not eaten the plums
that were in the ice box
because I don't live in the USA
so don't have an ice box
also
I don't like plums
that were in the ice box
because I don't live in the USA
so don't have an ice box
also
I don't like plums
January 29, 2026 at 12:11 PM
I have not eaten the plums
that were in the ice box
because I don't live in the USA
so don't have an ice box
also
I don't like plums
that were in the ice box
because I don't live in the USA
so don't have an ice box
also
I don't like plums
Reposted by Martin Locock
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub
aiskillshub.org.uk
January 28, 2026 at 12:07 PM
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
Reposted by Martin Locock
When I interviewed Steve Van Zandt a few years ago, he memorably said the only way to defeat Trump and his henchmen would be for “the tough good guys” to make a stand. I put it to you that Springsteen is doing that right now. 🫡
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 29, 2026 at 7:21 AM
When I interviewed Steve Van Zandt a few years ago, he memorably said the only way to defeat Trump and his henchmen would be for “the tough good guys” to make a stand. I put it to you that Springsteen is doing that right now. 🫡
Reposted by Martin Locock
🎶
I heard that you were talking shit
You didn't think I'd hear it
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
Few times I've been around that track
It's not just gonna happen like that
Because, guess what, I ain't no hollaback girl
Hollaback Girl, Hollaback Girl
I heard that you were talking shit
You didn't think I'd hear it
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
Few times I've been around that track
It's not just gonna happen like that
Because, guess what, I ain't no hollaback girl
Hollaback Girl, Hollaback Girl
January 28, 2026 at 8:58 PM
🎶
I heard that you were talking shit
You didn't think I'd hear it
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
Few times I've been around that track
It's not just gonna happen like that
Because, guess what, I ain't no hollaback girl
Hollaback Girl, Hollaback Girl
I heard that you were talking shit
You didn't think I'd hear it
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
Few times I've been around that track
It's not just gonna happen like that
Because, guess what, I ain't no hollaback girl
Hollaback Girl, Hollaback Girl
You can't shoot a man in Reno just to watch him die these days because of woke.
January 27, 2026 at 1:45 PM
You can't shoot a man in Reno just to watch him die these days because of woke.
Reposted by Martin Locock
Downfall Bovino Edition. You're welcome.
January 27, 2026 at 5:36 AM
Downfall Bovino Edition. You're welcome.
Seeing the rather disappointing ticket sales for the Melania documentary reminds me of the finale of Saki's forgotten alternative history novel When William Came which imagined a bloodless coup establishing the Kaiser on the British throne. A celebration parade is arranged with all the great 1/2
January 27, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Seeing the rather disappointing ticket sales for the Melania documentary reminds me of the finale of Saki's forgotten alternative history novel When William Came which imagined a bloodless coup establishing the Kaiser on the British throne. A celebration parade is arranged with all the great 1/2
They're going to do an updated version of the TV series "The Nazis: A warning from history", retitled "We told you so, you fucking fools".
January 26, 2026 at 9:07 PM
They're going to do an updated version of the TV series "The Nazis: A warning from history", retitled "We told you so, you fucking fools".
Khrushchev visited a pig farm. In the newspaper office, they discussed how to caption the picture. "Comrade Khrushchev among pigs", "Comrade Khrushchev and pigs", and "Pigs surround comrade Khrushchev" are rejected as offensive. Finally, the editor announces: "Third from left – comrade Khrushchev."
January 24, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Khrushchev visited a pig farm. In the newspaper office, they discussed how to caption the picture. "Comrade Khrushchev among pigs", "Comrade Khrushchev and pigs", and "Pigs surround comrade Khrushchev" are rejected as offensive. Finally, the editor announces: "Third from left – comrade Khrushchev."
Reposted by Martin Locock
I like how in Sunday Schools they teach kids that in the Biblical Flood that it’s a fun story about Noah saving animals in the ark and you draw half a brown circle with a giraffe head sticking out and a rainbow and the actual story is that god is murdering every person in world as punishment
January 23, 2026 at 4:21 PM
I like how in Sunday Schools they teach kids that in the Biblical Flood that it’s a fun story about Noah saving animals in the ark and you draw half a brown circle with a giraffe head sticking out and a rainbow and the actual story is that god is murdering every person in world as punishment