Ollie Douglas
@olliedouglas.bsky.social
Farm boy at @themerl.bsky.social (at Uni of Reading). Looks after old rural stuff in a big shed. On committee of British Agricultural History Society. Active in AIMA, RMN, and Folklore Society. Views own. “Iconic”.
Pinned
New Absolute Units is here!
Throughout history, people have pitted town & country against each other. Where does this dynamic come from? And how do we transcend it?
In this two-part episode, @georgemonbiot.bsky.social joins us to explore these questions & more.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Throughout history, people have pitted town & country against each other. Where does this dynamic come from? And how do we transcend it?
In this two-part episode, @georgemonbiot.bsky.social joins us to explore these questions & more.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Thanks to @georgemonbiot.bsky.social for a fascinating discussion about the past and future of rural life, food, and farming. Lots of links to @themerl.bsky.social. Here’s Part 1 of our conversation, expertly edited by my co-presenter @joevaughan.net.
Thanks to @georgemonbiot.bsky.social for a fascinating discussion about the past and future of rural life, food, and farming. Lots of links to @themerl.bsky.social. Here’s Part 1 of our conversation, expertly edited by my co-presenter @joevaughan.net.
New Absolute Units is here!
Throughout history, people have pitted town & country against each other. Where does this dynamic come from? And how do we transcend it?
In this two-part episode, @georgemonbiot.bsky.social joins us to explore these questions & more.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Throughout history, people have pitted town & country against each other. Where does this dynamic come from? And how do we transcend it?
In this two-part episode, @georgemonbiot.bsky.social joins us to explore these questions & more.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
November 13, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Thanks to @georgemonbiot.bsky.social for a fascinating discussion about the past and future of rural life, food, and farming. Lots of links to @themerl.bsky.social. Here’s Part 1 of our conversation, expertly edited by my co-presenter @joevaughan.net.
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
It was great to participate in the Rural Museums Network meeting organised by @themerl.bsky.social this afternoon. I learned a lot about a range of archiving and heritage projects across the UK on land rights and protest.
November 6, 2025 at 6:04 PM
It was great to participate in the Rural Museums Network meeting organised by @themerl.bsky.social this afternoon. I learned a lot about a range of archiving and heritage projects across the UK on land rights and protest.
It was indeed really great to talk with @georgemonbiot.bsky.social.
I don’t think we spoke about this on the pod, but he’d been reading work by historian Philip Conford, whose work on the organic movement resulted in fascinating early archives finding their way here to @themerl.bsky.social.
I don’t think we spoke about this on the pod, but he’d been reading work by historian Philip Conford, whose work on the organic movement resulted in fascinating early archives finding their way here to @themerl.bsky.social.
Absolute Units returns next Thursday with a very special guest: the author, journalist and environmentalist @georgemonbiot.bsky.social!
Join us then as we explore links between people & land, urban and rural, & connect George's work to our collections.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Join us then as we explore links between people & land, urban and rural, & connect George's work to our collections.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
November 6, 2025 at 2:42 PM
It was indeed really great to talk with @georgemonbiot.bsky.social.
I don’t think we spoke about this on the pod, but he’d been reading work by historian Philip Conford, whose work on the organic movement resulted in fascinating early archives finding their way here to @themerl.bsky.social.
I don’t think we spoke about this on the pod, but he’d been reading work by historian Philip Conford, whose work on the organic movement resulted in fascinating early archives finding their way here to @themerl.bsky.social.
The robot vacuum cleaner decided to fashion itself some fancy dress.
November 6, 2025 at 7:41 AM
The robot vacuum cleaner decided to fashion itself some fancy dress.
I have the most excellent colleagues.
in short:
if you're looking for love, get your nuts out by the fire.
if you're looking for love, get your nuts out by the fire.
November 5, 2025 at 9:39 PM
I have the most excellent colleagues.
Think is great news!
MSPs pass land reform which could force break up of huge estates www.bbc.com/news/article...
MSPs pass land reform which could force break up of huge estates www.bbc.com/news/article...
Scottish Parliament passes land reform bill
The legislation is designed to help reduce the concentration of rural land ownership among a small number of people.
www.bbc.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Think is great news!
MSPs pass land reform which could force break up of huge estates www.bbc.com/news/article...
MSPs pass land reform which could force break up of huge estates www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
1. In the wake on Mamdani’s win, we’ll see a lot more far right anti-urban sentiment. Here’s a thread on its roots and evolution.
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 7:58 AM
1. In the wake on Mamdani’s win, we’ll see a lot more far right anti-urban sentiment. Here’s a thread on its roots and evolution.
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
Fascinating text: “…it is lefs penal to feduce, defile, and abandon to Proftitution and Ruin, a thoufand Women, married or unmarried, than to feal, kill, or even malicioufly to maim or wound, an Ox or a Sheep…”
November 3, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Fascinating text: “…it is lefs penal to feduce, defile, and abandon to Proftitution and Ruin, a thoufand Women, married or unmarried, than to feal, kill, or even malicioufly to maim or wound, an Ox or a Sheep…”
Terry is an excellent speaker. This is worth going to if you can. Sadly I can’t, but highly recommended.
Not long now until the Katharine Briggs Lecture and Book Award, & we're really looking forward to it! We're delighted that this years lecturer is Professor Terry Gunnell, & after the lecture we'll announce the winner of this year's book award. Get your tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-kathar...
The Katharine Briggs Lecture and Book Award 2025
Our lecturer this year is Professor Terry Gunnell, Professor Emeritus in Folkloristics at the
University of Iceland
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Terry is an excellent speaker. This is worth going to if you can. Sadly I can’t, but highly recommended.
The horrors! Two episodes of Absolute Units in one week. And an absolute shocker this time too, all about Halloween and folklore (with done discussion if Scooby Doo). This time, @joevaughan.net and I are joined by the amazing Mark Norman, host of @folklorepod.bsky.social. Enjoy!
the bravest podcast listeners are about to meet their mightiest match, for our extremely nefarious bonus Halloween episode has arrived.
candles out, headphones on, & listen now — if you dare!*
(*wherever you get your podcasts)
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
candles out, headphones on, & listen now — if you dare!*
(*wherever you get your podcasts)
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
October 31, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The horrors! Two episodes of Absolute Units in one week. And an absolute shocker this time too, all about Halloween and folklore (with done discussion if Scooby Doo). This time, @joevaughan.net and I are joined by the amazing Mark Norman, host of @folklorepod.bsky.social. Enjoy!
Back again with the brilliant @timjerrome.bsky.social and the very finest of podcast co-presenters, @joevaughan.net. Latest episode of Absolute Units now out!
Absolute Units is back!
We continue our conversation with @timjerrome.bsky.social (University of Brighton; formerly, The MERL) about his research into queer rural life.
Discover what Tim has found in our archives to date & the research challenges he's faced.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
We continue our conversation with @timjerrome.bsky.social (University of Brighton; formerly, The MERL) about his research into queer rural life.
Discover what Tim has found in our archives to date & the research challenges he's faced.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
October 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Back again with the brilliant @timjerrome.bsky.social and the very finest of podcast co-presenters, @joevaughan.net. Latest episode of Absolute Units now out!
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
Our new study of an Australian boomerang 🪃 is out! ‘How forensic analysis & traditional knowledge reveal the story of a unique boomerang’ in The Conversation: theconversation.com/how-forensic...
And our in-depth research article in ‘Australian Archaeology’: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🏺
And our in-depth research article in ‘Australian Archaeology’: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🏺
How forensic analysis and traditional knowledge reveal the story of a unique boomerang
Grip marks, blood and fire damage hint at the fascinating history of a non-returning boomerang.
theconversation.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Our new study of an Australian boomerang 🪃 is out! ‘How forensic analysis & traditional knowledge reveal the story of a unique boomerang’ in The Conversation: theconversation.com/how-forensic...
And our in-depth research article in ‘Australian Archaeology’: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🏺
And our in-depth research article in ‘Australian Archaeology’: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🏺
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
Friends! The story of Julia, Doris, Marguerite & me is 3wks old! Would love to get their incredible, forgotten story out there & into the hands of readers. People have said wonderful & generous things, including @sallycoulthard.bsky.social …1/2 #booksky #GhostsoftheFarm Grateful for a repost! x
October 18, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Friends! The story of Julia, Doris, Marguerite & me is 3wks old! Would love to get their incredible, forgotten story out there & into the hands of readers. People have said wonderful & generous things, including @sallycoulthard.bsky.social …1/2 #booksky #GhostsoftheFarm Grateful for a repost! x
This awesome episode about queer rural history also introduces our Further Afield project, as part of which @themerl.bsky.social has been working with Rainbow Canopy (LGBTQ+ staff network of the Forestry Commission). We currently have a small display in our Community Case about this work!
Here is a brilliant new episode of Absolute Units with @timjerrome.bsky.social. Co-presented and very professionally produced by the inimitable @joevaughan.net, as always.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Absolute Units - The Museum of English Rural Life podcast
Come for the big animals. Stay for fascinating and surprising stories about England's rural past, as told by our collections.
merl.reading.ac.uk
October 16, 2025 at 3:39 PM
This awesome episode about queer rural history also introduces our Further Afield project, as part of which @themerl.bsky.social has been working with Rainbow Canopy (LGBTQ+ staff network of the Forestry Commission). We currently have a small display in our Community Case about this work!
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
Here is a brilliant new episode of Absolute Units with @timjerrome.bsky.social. Co-presented and very professionally produced by the inimitable @joevaughan.net, as always.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Absolute Units - The Museum of English Rural Life podcast
Come for the big animals. Stay for fascinating and surprising stories about England's rural past, as told by our collections.
merl.reading.ac.uk
October 16, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Here is a brilliant new episode of Absolute Units with @timjerrome.bsky.social. Co-presented and very professionally produced by the inimitable @joevaughan.net, as always.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Here is a brilliant new episode of Absolute Units with @timjerrome.bsky.social. Co-presented and very professionally produced by the inimitable @joevaughan.net, as always.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Absolute Units - The Museum of English Rural Life podcast
Come for the big animals. Stay for fascinating and surprising stories about England's rural past, as told by our collections.
merl.reading.ac.uk
October 16, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Here is a brilliant new episode of Absolute Units with @timjerrome.bsky.social. Co-presented and very professionally produced by the inimitable @joevaughan.net, as always.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Forgive my ignorance but when we talk about AI hallucinations are we not just talking about poor quality creativity? If you take a set sum of knowledge and experience and then develop something new that reaches beyond, even in a crap and unconvincing way, that’s an act of creativity.
October 14, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Forgive my ignorance but when we talk about AI hallucinations are we not just talking about poor quality creativity? If you take a set sum of knowledge and experience and then develop something new that reaches beyond, even in a crap and unconvincing way, that’s an act of creativity.
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
You know what, let's do the Annual Mister Global National Costume thread tonight after all. Usual rules apply - this is all in fun, this isn't about the contestants looks or making fun of them, it's about the costumes and appreciating them (or, you know, making fun of them...)
October 11, 2025 at 6:53 PM
You know what, let's do the Annual Mister Global National Costume thread tonight after all. Usual rules apply - this is all in fun, this isn't about the contestants looks or making fun of them, it's about the costumes and appreciating them (or, you know, making fun of them...)
Hi @cartoonkate.bsky.social. I saw George Monbiot mention your new book. I then came across your graphic novel about anti-road protest. I wanted to ask if the few copies I see are original/first editions. I’m guessing there was a print run (colour covers) and a B&W web release. Is that right?
October 9, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Hi @cartoonkate.bsky.social. I saw George Monbiot mention your new book. I then came across your graphic novel about anti-road protest. I wanted to ask if the few copies I see are original/first editions. I’m guessing there was a print run (colour covers) and a B&W web release. Is that right?
We should all read this and then read it again.
October 7, 2025 at 7:19 PM
We should all read this and then read it again.
Latest episode folks. With thanks to @katrinanavickas.bsky.social and @joevaughan.net for general awesomeness!
New Absolute Units is live!
Join us and @katrinanavickas.bsky.social as we explore resistance to enclosure in the modern era: from riots, to raves, to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Listen below, or search 'Absolute Units' wherever you get your podcasts!
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Join us and @katrinanavickas.bsky.social as we explore resistance to enclosure in the modern era: from riots, to raves, to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Listen below, or search 'Absolute Units' wherever you get your podcasts!
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
October 2, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Latest episode folks. With thanks to @katrinanavickas.bsky.social and @joevaughan.net for general awesomeness!
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
New Absolute Units is live!
Join us and @katrinanavickas.bsky.social as we explore resistance to enclosure in the modern era: from riots, to raves, to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Listen below, or search 'Absolute Units' wherever you get your podcasts!
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Join us and @katrinanavickas.bsky.social as we explore resistance to enclosure in the modern era: from riots, to raves, to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Listen below, or search 'Absolute Units' wherever you get your podcasts!
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
October 2, 2025 at 4:23 PM
New Absolute Units is live!
Join us and @katrinanavickas.bsky.social as we explore resistance to enclosure in the modern era: from riots, to raves, to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Listen below, or search 'Absolute Units' wherever you get your podcasts!
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Join us and @katrinanavickas.bsky.social as we explore resistance to enclosure in the modern era: from riots, to raves, to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Listen below, or search 'Absolute Units' wherever you get your podcasts!
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
It’s book publication day for #GhostsoftheFarm! It’s been a lifetime’s companionable & instructional haunting, & I’m thrilled to bring these women from out the shadows, honour them & raise & address my own rural ghosts. Love & thanks to @chelseagreenbooks.bsky.social & my early readers too x
September 30, 2025 at 7:05 AM
It’s book publication day for #GhostsoftheFarm! It’s been a lifetime’s companionable & instructional haunting, & I’m thrilled to bring these women from out the shadows, honour them & raise & address my own rural ghosts. Love & thanks to @chelseagreenbooks.bsky.social & my early readers too x
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
Our new season of free online art talks begins next week!
Join our friends at the University of Reading Art Collection (@unirdg-artcol.bsky.social) on the eve of Thurs 2 October for a Zoom call with Dr Henrietta Hammant.
Book online: merl.reading.ac.uk/event/conver...
Join our friends at the University of Reading Art Collection (@unirdg-artcol.bsky.social) on the eve of Thurs 2 October for a Zoom call with Dr Henrietta Hammant.
Book online: merl.reading.ac.uk/event/conver...
Closer Look: Conversations with a Curator - The Museum of English Rural Life
Join us for our second season of exciting free online talks, where you’ll get the chance to dive deep into the world of art with our expert curators, conservators and scholars. Discover the stories be...
merl.reading.ac.uk
September 26, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Our new season of free online art talks begins next week!
Join our friends at the University of Reading Art Collection (@unirdg-artcol.bsky.social) on the eve of Thurs 2 October for a Zoom call with Dr Henrietta Hammant.
Book online: merl.reading.ac.uk/event/conver...
Join our friends at the University of Reading Art Collection (@unirdg-artcol.bsky.social) on the eve of Thurs 2 October for a Zoom call with Dr Henrietta Hammant.
Book online: merl.reading.ac.uk/event/conver...
This fine point is why I will never completely discount retrospective diagnosis. But to be fair to the wise historians who criticise it, this its value is rarely in producing better histories and much more about emphasising how the past can be mobilised in the present. Or indeed weaponised.
People say "autism never used to exist" and then you go to the Natural History Museum and the exhibit has a caption like "Born in 1762, The Revd [name] was famously irascible, steadfast in his routine, and dedicated his life to collecting 25,000 rare beetle specimens".
Fundamentally, the headbanging Right doesn't believe Autism (or ADHD) exists. Or in so far as it does exist, a human conspiracy has created it.
We're back to their core outlook that 'It didn't exist back in the good old days so can't exist now.'
'It must just be some modern woke Marxist nonsense'.
We're back to their core outlook that 'It didn't exist back in the good old days so can't exist now.'
'It must just be some modern woke Marxist nonsense'.
September 23, 2025 at 7:32 AM
This fine point is why I will never completely discount retrospective diagnosis. But to be fair to the wise historians who criticise it, this its value is rarely in producing better histories and much more about emphasising how the past can be mobilised in the present. Or indeed weaponised.