Michael Shaw
@mrmichaelshaw.bsky.social
Education technologist. Londoner. Former journalist. Rants here entirely personal.
Reposted by Michael Shaw
It's the national year of reading in the uk in 2026. Instead of asking "why don't kids read any more", ask "how can I help them find the stories (and non fic) they will fall in love with". Less "get off my lawn whippersnappers" and more "come, sit on the lawn, here's a comic".
January 1, 2026 at 9:47 AM
It's the national year of reading in the uk in 2026. Instead of asking "why don't kids read any more", ask "how can I help them find the stories (and non fic) they will fall in love with". Less "get off my lawn whippersnappers" and more "come, sit on the lawn, here's a comic".
Reposted by Michael Shaw
Three of the top five British grid electricity records smashed in 2025!
This is a huge success story, despite what Russian bots and U.S fossil fuel shills scream on X.
Every unit of clean domestic energy we produce means a safer future for our children…🥳
This is a huge success story, despite what Russian bots and U.S fossil fuel shills scream on X.
Every unit of clean domestic energy we produce means a safer future for our children…🥳
January 1, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Three of the top five British grid electricity records smashed in 2025!
This is a huge success story, despite what Russian bots and U.S fossil fuel shills scream on X.
Every unit of clean domestic energy we produce means a safer future for our children…🥳
This is a huge success story, despite what Russian bots and U.S fossil fuel shills scream on X.
Every unit of clean domestic energy we produce means a safer future for our children…🥳
I, for one, would happily watch The Muppets Maltese Falcon.
Bogart = Kermit
Astor = Miss Piggy
Lorre = Gonzo
MacLane = Fozzy
Greenstreet = Sam The Eagle
(Etc)
Bogart = Kermit
Astor = Miss Piggy
Lorre = Gonzo
MacLane = Fozzy
Greenstreet = Sam The Eagle
(Etc)
Welcome to the Public Domain, THE MALTESE FALCON (1930) 🦅💎
🕵️ Sam Spade is on the Case of the Disappearing Copyright as The Maltese Falcon novel joins the public domain.
Learn more ➡️ blog.archive.org/public-domai...
#PublicDomainDay #CopyrightFree
🕵️ Sam Spade is on the Case of the Disappearing Copyright as The Maltese Falcon novel joins the public domain.
Learn more ➡️ blog.archive.org/public-domai...
#PublicDomainDay #CopyrightFree
January 1, 2026 at 8:04 AM
I, for one, would happily watch The Muppets Maltese Falcon.
Bogart = Kermit
Astor = Miss Piggy
Lorre = Gonzo
MacLane = Fozzy
Greenstreet = Sam The Eagle
(Etc)
Bogart = Kermit
Astor = Miss Piggy
Lorre = Gonzo
MacLane = Fozzy
Greenstreet = Sam The Eagle
(Etc)
Reposted by Michael Shaw
Die Hard was actually appropriated from pagans
December 26, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Die Hard was actually appropriated from pagans
My brother could not have got me a more “Best TV of 2025” surprise Xmas present unless he’d obtained a lock of Rhea Seehorn’s hair.
December 25, 2025 at 5:24 PM
My brother could not have got me a more “Best TV of 2025” surprise Xmas present unless he’d obtained a lock of Rhea Seehorn’s hair.
If you're looking for a short spooky story to listen to while wrapping Christmas presents, then you'll enjoy TOND, starring @carrieq.bsky.social.
It reminded me how much I used to love the "Fear on 4" plays on Radio 4.
It reminded me how much I used to love the "Fear on 4" plays on Radio 4.
December 23, 2025 at 9:46 AM
If you're looking for a short spooky story to listen to while wrapping Christmas presents, then you'll enjoy TOND, starring @carrieq.bsky.social.
It reminded me how much I used to love the "Fear on 4" plays on Radio 4.
It reminded me how much I used to love the "Fear on 4" plays on Radio 4.
Reposted by Michael Shaw
vibing with this chat support agent
December 23, 2025 at 12:07 AM
vibing with this chat support agent
So ZipCar's exiting London. Which means you can't plan to do anything past New Year's Eve.
But it's OK! We can use @hiyacar.co.uk instead, right? Right?
Nope.
At just the perfect time they've got a bug with their app so haven't been able to process new drivers' licenses for weeks.
But it's OK! We can use @hiyacar.co.uk instead, right? Right?
Nope.
At just the perfect time they've got a bug with their app so haven't been able to process new drivers' licenses for weeks.
December 22, 2025 at 1:41 PM
So ZipCar's exiting London. Which means you can't plan to do anything past New Year's Eve.
But it's OK! We can use @hiyacar.co.uk instead, right? Right?
Nope.
At just the perfect time they've got a bug with their app so haven't been able to process new drivers' licenses for weeks.
But it's OK! We can use @hiyacar.co.uk instead, right? Right?
Nope.
At just the perfect time they've got a bug with their app so haven't been able to process new drivers' licenses for weeks.
We ended up with another kid’s Christmas artwork so have sent their family a ransom note.
December 19, 2025 at 5:37 PM
We ended up with another kid’s Christmas artwork so have sent their family a ransom note.
This kind of error annoys me.
When commentators complained in the past that pupils at a particular school “can’t speak English” (but meant spoke it as an additional language) my first action was to pull up the school’s English test scores, which were normally above the national average.
When commentators complained in the past that pupils at a particular school “can’t speak English” (but meant spoke it as an additional language) my first action was to pull up the school’s English test scores, which were normally above the national average.
This is a really appalling editorial error on BBC Question Time
"Apparently one in three children don't speak English as a first language, why does this matter?"
Chair says "have English as a second language"
Caption changes the meaning entirely
"Don't speak fluent English"
"Apparently one in three children don't speak English as a first language, why does this matter?"
Chair says "have English as a second language"
Caption changes the meaning entirely
"Don't speak fluent English"
December 16, 2025 at 3:52 PM
This kind of error annoys me.
When commentators complained in the past that pupils at a particular school “can’t speak English” (but meant spoke it as an additional language) my first action was to pull up the school’s English test scores, which were normally above the national average.
When commentators complained in the past that pupils at a particular school “can’t speak English” (but meant spoke it as an additional language) my first action was to pull up the school’s English test scores, which were normally above the national average.
Reposted by Michael Shaw
Absolutely devastated by the news about Rob Reiner. By all accounts a good man, and an incredible director. I wouldn't be who I am without his run of '80s classics - and his wife Michelle shaped those because their love story fundamentally changed When Harry Met Sally, for the better.
December 15, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Absolutely devastated by the news about Rob Reiner. By all accounts a good man, and an incredible director. I wouldn't be who I am without his run of '80s classics - and his wife Michelle shaped those because their love story fundamentally changed When Harry Met Sally, for the better.
"Post a favourite work of art from the year exactly 50 years before you were born."
a black and white photo of a man sitting in a chair surrounded by wires and glowing lights .
ALT: a black and white photo of a man sitting in a chair surrounded by wires and glowing lights .
media.tenor.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:08 PM
"Post a favourite work of art from the year exactly 50 years before you were born."
I’ve long wanted to write an angry rant about how misleading Reform / GB News / the far-right have been using per capita stats - but, helpfully, @donmcgowan.bsky.social has written a better one.
open.substack.com/pub/donmcgow...
open.substack.com/pub/donmcgow...
Per Capita Statistics
The Wrong Answer
open.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:24 PM
I’ve long wanted to write an angry rant about how misleading Reform / GB News / the far-right have been using per capita stats - but, helpfully, @donmcgowan.bsky.social has written a better one.
open.substack.com/pub/donmcgow...
open.substack.com/pub/donmcgow...
The case review of Mossbourne is balanced, but I think it really shows that the journalists who pursued the story (especially @annafazack.bsky.social for The Observer) were wholly right to do so and the concern for childrens' wellbeing was justified.
December 9, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The case review of Mossbourne is balanced, but I think it really shows that the journalists who pursued the story (especially @annafazack.bsky.social for The Observer) were wholly right to do so and the concern for childrens' wellbeing was justified.
Tried helping two kids with a story that combines their loves (one adores "Swallows & Amazons", the other "K-Pop Demon Hunters").
Suggested an earlier demon hunter iteration back in the 1920s.
Then realised that sounded like a @stephaniehans.bsky.social + @kierongillen.bsky.social #WicDiv special
Suggested an earlier demon hunter iteration back in the 1920s.
Then realised that sounded like a @stephaniehans.bsky.social + @kierongillen.bsky.social #WicDiv special
December 8, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Tried helping two kids with a story that combines their loves (one adores "Swallows & Amazons", the other "K-Pop Demon Hunters").
Suggested an earlier demon hunter iteration back in the 1920s.
Then realised that sounded like a @stephaniehans.bsky.social + @kierongillen.bsky.social #WicDiv special
Suggested an earlier demon hunter iteration back in the 1920s.
Then realised that sounded like a @stephaniehans.bsky.social + @kierongillen.bsky.social #WicDiv special
“Keep your eye clear
as the bleb of the icicle,
trust the feel of what nubbed treasure
your hands have known”
as the bleb of the icicle,
trust the feel of what nubbed treasure
your hands have known”
Which lines of poetry live rent-free in your head?
December 6, 2025 at 8:51 PM
“Keep your eye clear
as the bleb of the icicle,
trust the feel of what nubbed treasure
your hands have known”
as the bleb of the icicle,
trust the feel of what nubbed treasure
your hands have known”
“How are you doing, fellow kids?”
December 4, 2025 at 11:23 AM
“How are you doing, fellow kids?”
I already have a long list of “Transport things that Dutch cities do brilliantly and London doesn’t” but never thought I’d be adding this.
Zipcar going is a huge, huge pain in the arse for Londoners who deliberately don’t own cars (including me).
www.londoncentric.media/p/zipcar-lon...
Zipcar going is a huge, huge pain in the arse for Londoners who deliberately don’t own cars (including me).
www.londoncentric.media/p/zipcar-lon...
Why Zipcar gave up on London
The car-sharing scheme was hit by rapidly increased costs, a new congestion charge, and a lack of support from councils.
www.londoncentric.media
December 2, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I already have a long list of “Transport things that Dutch cities do brilliantly and London doesn’t” but never thought I’d be adding this.
Zipcar going is a huge, huge pain in the arse for Londoners who deliberately don’t own cars (including me).
www.londoncentric.media/p/zipcar-lon...
Zipcar going is a huge, huge pain in the arse for Londoners who deliberately don’t own cars (including me).
www.londoncentric.media/p/zipcar-lon...
My colleagues have published a kind post describing my new gig.
#weareoxfordinternational | Oxford International Education Group
Oxford International Digital Institute is delighted to welcome Michael Shaw as our new Head of Digital Assessment and Product Strategy.
Michael brings extensive experience in user-centred product des...
www.linkedin.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:14 PM
My colleagues have published a kind post describing my new gig.
Reposted by Michael Shaw
Your universe is a photocopy of a photocopy of a…
on.ft.com/4ahkNKa
on.ft.com/4ahkNKa
November 27, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Your universe is a photocopy of a photocopy of a…
on.ft.com/4ahkNKa
on.ft.com/4ahkNKa
Reposted by Michael Shaw
If you want some good news this morning, I showed my three boys the PM doing the six/seven thing and now they have all stopped doing it.
November 27, 2025 at 7:03 AM
If you want some good news this morning, I showed my three boys the PM doing the six/seven thing and now they have all stopped doing it.
Reposted by Michael Shaw
Handing back student work that’s been written by ChatGPT with a 0 followed by the comment “This essay will never stand in authentic wonder before the Beauty of God’s creation.”
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Handing back student work that’s been written by ChatGPT with a 0 followed by the comment “This essay will never stand in authentic wonder before the Beauty of God’s creation.”
Reposted by Michael Shaw
some of what they hate is globalisation, which like, what do you want me to do about that? uninvent oil tankers?
November 24, 2025 at 12:57 PM
some of what they hate is globalisation, which like, what do you want me to do about that? uninvent oil tankers?
Reposted by Michael Shaw
"We grant people different rights based on their genetic heritage and on which scrap of land they happened to be born on. That’s mad, isn’t it?"
I just think, when debating immigration and so on, that we should try not to lose sight of the fact that "nationality" is a made up thing.
I just think, when debating immigration and so on, that we should try not to lose sight of the fact that "nationality" is a made up thing.
Why does nationality matter, anyway?
Deciding someone's legal rights based on a nebulous combination of birthplace and parentage is a bit weird
www.newstatesman.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:33 AM
"We grant people different rights based on their genetic heritage and on which scrap of land they happened to be born on. That’s mad, isn’t it?"
I just think, when debating immigration and so on, that we should try not to lose sight of the fact that "nationality" is a made up thing.
I just think, when debating immigration and so on, that we should try not to lose sight of the fact that "nationality" is a made up thing.