Dr Jo Kershaw
@mthrjo.bsky.social
Priest, mediaevalist, geek, Scot. All views personal. She/ her
Pinned
Dr Jo Kershaw
@mthrjo.bsky.social
· Jan 1
My first bird of the year 2026 is:
Wood pigeon
Wood pigeon
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
that we, surely trusting in thy defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries;
February 19, 2026 at 9:45 PM
that we, surely trusting in thy defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries;
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
Great match between Switzerland and our lads in the curling.
February 19, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Great match between Switzerland and our lads in the curling.
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
"What do I think of the Board of Peace? I think it is a colonialist operation: others deciding for the Palestinians,” said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa: www.ncronline.org/news/us-led-...
US-led Board of Peace a 'colonialist operation,' Cardinal Pizzaballa says
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, strongly criticized the U.S.-led Board of Peace, an international body chaired by President Donald Trump to oversee the governance and r...
www.ncronline.org
February 19, 2026 at 8:22 PM
"What do I think of the Board of Peace? I think it is a colonialist operation: others deciding for the Palestinians,” said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa: www.ncronline.org/news/us-led-...
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
On July 4th Leo will visit Lampedusa in Italy, one of the major migrant landing points in Europe.
"What do I think of the Board of Peace? I think it is a colonialist operation: others deciding for the Palestinians,” said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa: www.ncronline.org/news/us-led-...
US-led Board of Peace a 'colonialist operation,' Cardinal Pizzaballa says
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, strongly criticized the U.S.-led Board of Peace, an international body chaired by President Donald Trump to oversee the governance and r...
www.ncronline.org
February 19, 2026 at 8:43 PM
On July 4th Leo will visit Lampedusa in Italy, one of the major migrant landing points in Europe.
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
That someone like GRRM raises the question of "Aragorn's tax policy" betrays the shallowness of his understanding of the *limits* and *constraints* of state power in early and high medieval polities. Kings require income, primarily for warfare, secondarily to demonstrate their legitimacy.
February 18, 2026 at 3:07 PM
That someone like GRRM raises the question of "Aragorn's tax policy" betrays the shallowness of his understanding of the *limits* and *constraints* of state power in early and high medieval polities. Kings require income, primarily for warfare, secondarily to demonstrate their legitimacy.
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
This was a 2023 experiment. It shows the radicalised racialised owner is getting an ideological impact for his $$$$
In principle, those opposed to racism & Trumpism would think strategically about any options to reduce its reach over time. The UK Labour govt doesn't see that as its goal/role
In principle, those opposed to racism & Trumpism would think strategically about any options to reduce its reach over time. The UK Labour govt doesn't see that as its goal/role
A new paper shows that less than 2 months of exposure to Twitter’s algorithmic feed significantly shifts people’s political views to the right.
Moving from chronological feed to the algorithmic feed also increases engagement.
This is one of the most concerning papers I’ve read in awhile.
Moving from chronological feed to the algorithmic feed also increases engagement.
This is one of the most concerning papers I’ve read in awhile.
February 19, 2026 at 7:18 PM
This was a 2023 experiment. It shows the radicalised racialised owner is getting an ideological impact for his $$$$
In principle, those opposed to racism & Trumpism would think strategically about any options to reduce its reach over time. The UK Labour govt doesn't see that as its goal/role
In principle, those opposed to racism & Trumpism would think strategically about any options to reduce its reach over time. The UK Labour govt doesn't see that as its goal/role
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
For #AdoorableThursday this week, here's the beautiful doorway, with its welcoming inscription above, of the Robin Chapel, in Craigmillar in Edinburgh, our #ScottishChurchOfTheWeek
February 19, 2026 at 6:55 PM
For #AdoorableThursday this week, here's the beautiful doorway, with its welcoming inscription above, of the Robin Chapel, in Craigmillar in Edinburgh, our #ScottishChurchOfTheWeek
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
137. Aragorn’s tax policy and other weird shibboleths
Yesterday I found myself diverted by people on Bluesky revisiting the issue of Aragorn's tax policy that George R.R. Martin so memorably quibbled over back in 2014. The vast majority of my writing here is free to read and will remain so, but if…
Yesterday I found myself diverted by people on Bluesky revisiting the issue of Aragorn's tax policy that George R.R. Martin so memorably quibbled over back in 2014. The vast majority of my writing here is free to read and will remain so, but if…
137. Aragorn’s tax policy and other weird shibboleths
Yesterday I found myself diverted by people on Bluesky revisiting the issue of Aragorn's tax policy that George R.R. Martin so memorably quibbled over back in 2014. The vast majority of my writing here is free to read and will remain so, but if you enjoy these sorts of posts, your support on Patreon or as a paying subscriber through…
lizbourke.wordpress.com
February 19, 2026 at 4:53 PM
137. Aragorn’s tax policy and other weird shibboleths
Yesterday I found myself diverted by people on Bluesky revisiting the issue of Aragorn's tax policy that George R.R. Martin so memorably quibbled over back in 2014. The vast majority of my writing here is free to read and will remain so, but if…
Yesterday I found myself diverted by people on Bluesky revisiting the issue of Aragorn's tax policy that George R.R. Martin so memorably quibbled over back in 2014. The vast majority of my writing here is free to read and will remain so, but if…
Charles I had some very bad ideas about constitutional government.
Nonetheless, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor isn’t fit to black his boots.
Nonetheless, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor isn’t fit to black his boots.
February 19, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Charles I had some very bad ideas about constitutional government.
Nonetheless, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor isn’t fit to black his boots.
Nonetheless, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor isn’t fit to black his boots.
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
The procession has returned to the church; Fr. Fossá concludes the event alongside Archbishop Cupich by telling attendees, "may this be the mark of our Lenten journey."
February 19, 2026 at 2:17 AM
The procession has returned to the church; Fr. Fossá concludes the event alongside Archbishop Cupich by telling attendees, "may this be the mark of our Lenten journey."
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
The Ash Wednesday procession through the Chicago suburb of Melrose Park from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church - honoring immigrants, immigration detainees and those killed by ICE & Border Patrol - has begun.
Chicago Archbishop and Cardinal Blase Cupich is near the head of the march.
Chicago Archbishop and Cardinal Blase Cupich is near the head of the march.
February 19, 2026 at 1:50 AM
The Ash Wednesday procession through the Chicago suburb of Melrose Park from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church - honoring immigrants, immigration detainees and those killed by ICE & Border Patrol - has begun.
Chicago Archbishop and Cardinal Blase Cupich is near the head of the march.
Chicago Archbishop and Cardinal Blase Cupich is near the head of the march.
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
What?
The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince, maintains the spotlight on links between the government of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of Britain and Jeffrey Epstein.
Former Prince Andrew’s Ties to Epstein Keep Spotlight on UK Prime Minister Starmer
The arrest of the former prince maintains the spotlight on links between the government of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Jeffrey Epstein.
nyti.ms
February 19, 2026 at 1:43 PM
What?
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
The possibility that pre-Elon Twitter was limiting the reach of conservative tweets was the greatest story in the history of journalism, while a vast network of sex trafficking pedophiles that included billionaires, celebrities and two presidents is just a big yawn.
February 19, 2026 at 1:45 PM
The possibility that pre-Elon Twitter was limiting the reach of conservative tweets was the greatest story in the history of journalism, while a vast network of sex trafficking pedophiles that included billionaires, celebrities and two presidents is just a big yawn.
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
*throws a copy of City of God at the screen*
Leavitt accuses Pope Leo XIV of being “partisan, political, and controversial.”
February 19, 2026 at 1:04 AM
*throws a copy of City of God at the screen*
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
Okay so this is true *but* not in the way most people think. Antibiotic overuse is not “I had five ear infections in a year so I took antibiotics five times this year”
It’s
“Farmers feeding antibiotics to chicken to make them fatter and more profitable” and “labs dumping chemicals into the river”
It’s
“Farmers feeding antibiotics to chicken to make them fatter and more profitable” and “labs dumping chemicals into the river”
Although in fun news from science, in some ways antibiotics kinda are causing worsening disease as our overuse deepens resistance. There are people in hospitals right now dying of bugs which would have been treatable 20 years ago. Though something tells me this is not the point being made here
February 18, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Okay so this is true *but* not in the way most people think. Antibiotic overuse is not “I had five ear infections in a year so I took antibiotics five times this year”
It’s
“Farmers feeding antibiotics to chicken to make them fatter and more profitable” and “labs dumping chemicals into the river”
It’s
“Farmers feeding antibiotics to chicken to make them fatter and more profitable” and “labs dumping chemicals into the river”
“‘The counsel of Gandalf was not founded on foreknowledge of safety, for himself or for others,’ said Aragorn. ‘There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark.”
The Lord of the Rings, III.2z
The Lord of the Rings, III.2z
February 18, 2026 at 5:20 PM
“‘The counsel of Gandalf was not founded on foreknowledge of safety, for himself or for others,’ said Aragorn. ‘There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark.”
The Lord of the Rings, III.2z
The Lord of the Rings, III.2z
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
Andy Beshear specifically cites his faith when discussing his vetoes of anti-trans bills and that's something that a lot of people can get behind because believe it or not this country isn't by and large made up of Extremely Online Atheists
February 18, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Andy Beshear specifically cites his faith when discussing his vetoes of anti-trans bills and that's something that a lot of people can get behind because believe it or not this country isn't by and large made up of Extremely Online Atheists
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
every immigration wave follows the same basic economic pattern and every immigration wave thinks the success of the second generation is due to the unique attributes of their parental culture and I’m starting to doubt that they’re all correct
what's funny is like, they got mad at Ramaswamy for posting this about non-immigrant Americans and then you read Hillbilly Elegy and it's literally this
February 18, 2026 at 4:12 PM
every immigration wave follows the same basic economic pattern and every immigration wave thinks the success of the second generation is due to the unique attributes of their parental culture and I’m starting to doubt that they’re all correct
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
There have been many violent murders at the hands of Border Patrol agents. This is not an aberration but part of a broader federal apparatus built and refined over decades.
My Home Is Treated Like a War Zone. That Militarization Expanded to Minnesota.
There have been many violent murders at the hands of Border Patrol agents. This is not an aberration but part of a broader federal apparatus built and refined over decades.
www.texasobserver.org
February 18, 2026 at 3:04 PM
There have been many violent murders at the hands of Border Patrol agents. This is not an aberration but part of a broader federal apparatus built and refined over decades.
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
once again: much like Reform UK thinking that its base is 30 year old young workers, the city-dwelling working young mother is almost assuredly a strong democrat, even the religious one
< wrestling announcer voice >
the BIBLE'S!! OOOOOOOOOORIGINAL!!!!!WOOOOOMAANNNNN!!!!!!! < airhorns >
the BIBLE'S!! OOOOOOOOOORIGINAL!!!!!WOOOOOMAANNNNN!!!!!!! < airhorns >
February 18, 2026 at 3:44 PM
once again: much like Reform UK thinking that its base is 30 year old young workers, the city-dwelling working young mother is almost assuredly a strong democrat, even the religious one
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
It depends on what you mean by “religion in politics.” Was it a problem when hundreds of faith leaders descended on Minneapolis? We need morality in the public arena. If that comes from religion, so be it
February 18, 2026 at 3:39 PM
It depends on what you mean by “religion in politics.” Was it a problem when hundreds of faith leaders descended on Minneapolis? We need morality in the public arena. If that comes from religion, so be it
Excellent advice from the Pennsy here (though I like mine soft rather than firm)
February 18, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Excellent advice from the Pennsy here (though I like mine soft rather than firm)
Reposted by Dr Jo Kershaw
Fr Hugo Adán has initiated a Holy Communion course for Spanish speaking autistic children at St Matthews, Southwark. This is the first of its kind in London and Fr Hugo kindly spoke to us about how the initiative came about.
👉READ MORE HERE🖇️ https://ow.ly/o9uG50YhCzG
👉READ MORE HERE🖇️ https://ow.ly/o9uG50YhCzG
February 18, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Fr Hugo Adán has initiated a Holy Communion course for Spanish speaking autistic children at St Matthews, Southwark. This is the first of its kind in London and Fr Hugo kindly spoke to us about how the initiative came about.
👉READ MORE HERE🖇️ https://ow.ly/o9uG50YhCzG
👉READ MORE HERE🖇️ https://ow.ly/o9uG50YhCzG
Incidentally, terrific Evensong for Ash Wednesday from Merton Oxford on Radio 3. Well worth seeking out on the iPlayer.
February 18, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Incidentally, terrific Evensong for Ash Wednesday from Merton Oxford on Radio 3. Well worth seeking out on the iPlayer.