Rick Cowling
@rickcowling.bsky.social
Aging geek. Anime fan. SF fan. Comic fan. Photography enthusiast.
Getting old. And now I’m older still.
Lefty, anti-authoritarian, living 'oop Nooarth' on the edge of Sheffield in the UK.
Getting old. And now I’m older still.
Lefty, anti-authoritarian, living 'oop Nooarth' on the edge of Sheffield in the UK.
Reposted by Rick Cowling
International research team explores a new use for ancient Japanese papercraft techniques in disaster aid delivery. It turns out that careful design and accurate cutting is the key to precision delivery of small but essential disaster aid items such as bottled water.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Parachute inspired by traditional Japanese paper art could assist in humanitarian aid - The Mainichi
TOKYO -- A parachute devised using techniques from Japan's traditional paper art
mainichi.jp
November 17, 2025 at 7:51 AM
International research team explores a new use for ancient Japanese papercraft techniques in disaster aid delivery. It turns out that careful design and accurate cutting is the key to precision delivery of small but essential disaster aid items such as bottled water.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Reposted by Rick Cowling
The lack of young Japanese workers is forcing many hitherto conservative industries to reconsider their hiring and HR policies. Either we change or circumstance changes us ...
www.japantimes.co.jp/business/202...
www.japantimes.co.jp/business/202...
More Japanese firms relax rules in tussle for workers
The country's labor shortage has led companies to ease up on various aspects, such as hair and nail polish color, to secure enough part-timers.
www.japantimes.co.jp
November 17, 2025 at 8:13 AM
The lack of young Japanese workers is forcing many hitherto conservative industries to reconsider their hiring and HR policies. Either we change or circumstance changes us ...
www.japantimes.co.jp/business/202...
www.japantimes.co.jp/business/202...
Reposted by Rick Cowling
You never know when you might need the Japanese for horse mackerel, kitchen knife or hand signal. The Mainichi's easy Japanese-English translation feature is here to help. mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Easy Japanese news in translation: Children try feeding seal at aquarium in Mie Prefecture - The Mainichi
An event to experience local company jobs was held in the city of Ise, Mie Prefecture. Among these jobs, at the Ise Sea Paradise aquarium, elementary
mainichi.jp
November 17, 2025 at 7:46 AM
You never know when you might need the Japanese for horse mackerel, kitchen knife or hand signal. The Mainichi's easy Japanese-English translation feature is here to help. mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Reposted by Rick Cowling
The AI bubble may be about to bust.
Peter Thiel has sold all of his Nvidia stock.
We all need to say this very clearly:
NO BAILOUTS FOR THEFT-TECH!
Expropriate their asses instead.
They stole from all of us and fully plan to burn the planet.
They owe us - not the other way around. 1/3
Peter Thiel has sold all of his Nvidia stock.
We all need to say this very clearly:
NO BAILOUTS FOR THEFT-TECH!
Expropriate their asses instead.
They stole from all of us and fully plan to burn the planet.
They owe us - not the other way around. 1/3
November 17, 2025 at 6:37 AM
The AI bubble may be about to bust.
Peter Thiel has sold all of his Nvidia stock.
We all need to say this very clearly:
NO BAILOUTS FOR THEFT-TECH!
Expropriate their asses instead.
They stole from all of us and fully plan to burn the planet.
They owe us - not the other way around. 1/3
Peter Thiel has sold all of his Nvidia stock.
We all need to say this very clearly:
NO BAILOUTS FOR THEFT-TECH!
Expropriate their asses instead.
They stole from all of us and fully plan to burn the planet.
They owe us - not the other way around. 1/3
Reposted by Rick Cowling
The smart money is dumping #AI stock and Tesla. So what is the UK Govt. doing? Getting public money out of the reach of AI techbros? Well, that would be the intelligent choice, so take a guess.
uk.investing.com/news/stock-m...
uk.investing.com/news/stock-m...
Peter Thiel dumps entire Nvidia stake, slashes Tesla holdings amid bubble fears By Investing.com
Peter Thiel dumps entire Nvidia stake, slashes Tesla holdings amid bubble fears
uk.investing.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:21 AM
The smart money is dumping #AI stock and Tesla. So what is the UK Govt. doing? Getting public money out of the reach of AI techbros? Well, that would be the intelligent choice, so take a guess.
uk.investing.com/news/stock-m...
uk.investing.com/news/stock-m...
Reposted by Rick Cowling
Jefferson raped Sally Hemings and tried denying it. It is rumored that Hemings had several lighter children believed to be Jefferson’s. So Ivanka using this as an example, really?
November 13, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Jefferson raped Sally Hemings and tried denying it. It is rumored that Hemings had several lighter children believed to be Jefferson’s. So Ivanka using this as an example, really?
😡😡😡
The horse should have thrown his dumb ass right off!!
This is Richard Smith of the South Durham Hunt and he thinks it’s ok to hit a horse over the head. Make this ‘man’ famous.
Filmed by North East Hunt Monitors on 08/11/25
Filmed by North East Hunt Monitors on 08/11/25
November 16, 2025 at 9:37 PM
😡😡😡
Reposted by Rick Cowling
Manga Jiman #19 is now open for entries! Any resident of the UK can create a comic - any size from four panels to eight pages - and be considered for one of three awards. The competition is sponsored by the Embassy of Japan in the U.K.. Deadline 5 January 2026. downthetubes.net/manga-jiman-...
Manga Jiman Challenge returns – are you ready?
The annual competition is back, deadline early January
downthetubes.net
November 16, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Manga Jiman #19 is now open for entries! Any resident of the UK can create a comic - any size from four panels to eight pages - and be considered for one of three awards. The competition is sponsored by the Embassy of Japan in the U.K.. Deadline 5 January 2026. downthetubes.net/manga-jiman-...
Reposted by Rick Cowling
You can see a cute animation about the 19th Manga Jiman competition explaining the categories, and how the theme of this year's contest was chosen, here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BgY...
The 19th Manga Jiman Competition
YouTube video by Embassy of Japan in the UK
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:14 AM
You can see a cute animation about the 19th Manga Jiman competition explaining the categories, and how the theme of this year's contest was chosen, here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BgY...
Reposted by Rick Cowling
The Kings College London Manga and Anime Society has a special event devoted to Manga Jiman on 27 Nov - non-members of the Society who want to find out more about Manga Jiman can check their Insta post to find out how to attend.
November 16, 2025 at 11:25 AM
The Kings College London Manga and Anime Society has a special event devoted to Manga Jiman on 27 Nov - non-members of the Society who want to find out more about Manga Jiman can check their Insta post to find out how to attend.
Reposted by Rick Cowling
Yoji Yamada is a true titan. He's 94 years old and his 91st film, 'Tokyo Taxi', screened at this year's Tokyo International Film Festival. Mark Schilling evaluates what a veteran director can do to weave a remake into his own canon. www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025...
‘Tokyo Taxi’: A simple fare becomes a voyage through time
With heart and humor, veteran director Yoji Yamada’s 91st film may be his most moving yet.
www.japantimes.co.jp
November 16, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Yoji Yamada is a true titan. He's 94 years old and his 91st film, 'Tokyo Taxi', screened at this year's Tokyo International Film Festival. Mark Schilling evaluates what a veteran director can do to weave a remake into his own canon. www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025...
Reposted by Rick Cowling
Inside Kyoto's newest immersive art experience - 'Biovortex', a permanent installation by global art collective teamLab. It looks astonishing and I really want to be part of it. www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025...
Kyoto gets its own teamLab, largest in Japan
Biovortex, which opened on Oct. 7, presents more than 50 immersive digital artworks spanning 10,000 square meters.
www.japantimes.co.jp
November 16, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Inside Kyoto's newest immersive art experience - 'Biovortex', a permanent installation by global art collective teamLab. It looks astonishing and I really want to be part of it. www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025...
Reposted by Rick Cowling
Frederik L. Schodt, founding scholar of American manga studies, recommended Mattt's YouTube history of manga in the US, so I had to check it out. It's so good I put the link on my website at helenmccarthy.net Take a look
helenmccarthy.ne
November 16, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Frederik L. Schodt, founding scholar of American manga studies, recommended Mattt's YouTube history of manga in the US, so I had to check it out. It's so good I put the link on my website at helenmccarthy.net Take a look
Reposted by Rick Cowling
What a photograph.
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
November 15, 2025 at 1:51 PM
What a photograph.
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
“Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protested outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago…”
Arrested large amounts of peaceful clergy face first on pavement is a pretty good sign you’re not the good guys in the story. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Reposted by Rick Cowling
If the government really intends to seize jewellery and other valuables from refugees,
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
No 10 tells Labour MPs it expects support for tough new asylum policies
Some backbenchers already opposing planned immigration crackdown seen as ‘economically and culturally illiterate’
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:41 AM
If the government really intends to seize jewellery and other valuables from refugees,
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Rick Cowling
These are all people I work with whole livelihoods are being threatened by AI. They’re all amazing, and as far as I’m concerned, irreplaceable.
No 1: Laura Grandi, my Italian translator…
No 1: Laura Grandi, my Italian translator…
November 15, 2025 at 4:43 PM
These are all people I work with whole livelihoods are being threatened by AI. They’re all amazing, and as far as I’m concerned, irreplaceable.
No 1: Laura Grandi, my Italian translator…
No 1: Laura Grandi, my Italian translator…
Reposted by Rick Cowling
According to Fox News, if you are a racist Young Republican you are still a "kid" when you are 34, but if you are an Epstein victim, you are an adult when you're 15.
November 15, 2025 at 5:25 PM
According to Fox News, if you are a racist Young Republican you are still a "kid" when you are 34, but if you are an Epstein victim, you are an adult when you're 15.
Reposted by Rick Cowling
“Parents who, after consulting with a doctor and a psychologist, allow their 15-year-old child to transition commit child abuse. The child is too young to consent!”
--Megyn R. Kelly
“Grown men who have sex with your 15-year-old? Big whoop! It’s not like she’s 8. LOL!”
--Also Megyn R. Kelly
--Megyn R. Kelly
“Grown men who have sex with your 15-year-old? Big whoop! It’s not like she’s 8. LOL!”
--Also Megyn R. Kelly
November 15, 2025 at 3:22 PM
“Parents who, after consulting with a doctor and a psychologist, allow their 15-year-old child to transition commit child abuse. The child is too young to consent!”
--Megyn R. Kelly
“Grown men who have sex with your 15-year-old? Big whoop! It’s not like she’s 8. LOL!”
--Also Megyn R. Kelly
--Megyn R. Kelly
“Grown men who have sex with your 15-year-old? Big whoop! It’s not like she’s 8. LOL!”
--Also Megyn R. Kelly
Reposted by Rick Cowling
The Awaji Puppet Theatre has performed traditional shows on Awaji Island since 1964. To keep this ancient art form fresh and attract new audiences, they update their music and choreography and explore social media, new ideas supporting their rich tradition. japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/features/jap...
Hyogo: Traditional Puppet Theater Company on Awaji Island Creates Buzz Online with Innovative Shows, Puppet Dance Videos
<p>MINAMI-AWAJI, Hyogo — A puppet theater company which performs traditional shows on Awaji Island is looking to social media and updating their performances to the modern day in a bid to win the atte...
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
November 15, 2025 at 10:14 AM
The Awaji Puppet Theatre has performed traditional shows on Awaji Island since 1964. To keep this ancient art form fresh and attract new audiences, they update their music and choreography and explore social media, new ideas supporting their rich tradition. japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/features/jap...
Reposted by Rick Cowling
Bando Tsumasaburo, aka Bantsuma, died in 1953 aged just 51. His career as an actor and producer/studio head tracked the survival of Japanese cinema through the upheavals of the pre-war and wartime era, name changes, mergers, dissolutions and foreign deals.
cinema-retro.kyoto/en/chanbara/...
cinema-retro.kyoto/en/chanbara/...
Tsumasaburo Bando | Original Chanbara (Sword Fighting) Archives | NIPPON CINEMA RETRO KYOTO
NIPPON CINEMA RETRO KYOTO
cinema-retro.kyoto
November 15, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Bando Tsumasaburo, aka Bantsuma, died in 1953 aged just 51. His career as an actor and producer/studio head tracked the survival of Japanese cinema through the upheavals of the pre-war and wartime era, name changes, mergers, dissolutions and foreign deals.
cinema-retro.kyoto/en/chanbara/...
cinema-retro.kyoto/en/chanbara/...
Well the weather up ‘ere in Sheffield is still pretty grotty. 😕 But at least it’s not as heavy as yesterday. Stay safe everyone.
November 15, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Well the weather up ‘ere in Sheffield is still pretty grotty. 😕 But at least it’s not as heavy as yesterday. Stay safe everyone.
Reposted by Rick Cowling
Film-making at TOEI Kyoto Studio Park, formerly Toei Uzumasa Studio, dates back to 1926 when actor Bando Tsumasaburo founded his own studio there and formed a distribution partnership with America's Universal Pictures. It could be considered the spiritual home of chambara and jidaigeki.
If you visit Toei Kyoto Studio Park by November 30, you can experience ‘The Kaikai YOKAI Festival,’ an event that brings the mysterious world of Japanese yokai — supernatural creatures, spirits, and monsters from folklore — to life. More on www.hey-japan.com/event/kaikai....
November 15, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Film-making at TOEI Kyoto Studio Park, formerly Toei Uzumasa Studio, dates back to 1926 when actor Bando Tsumasaburo founded his own studio there and formed a distribution partnership with America's Universal Pictures. It could be considered the spiritual home of chambara and jidaigeki.
Reposted by Rick Cowling
Can confirm, I did say this, over on Threads. I stand by it here as well. And everywhere else!
“Re ‘There are a lot of people on your side who will be in the Epstein Files too!’: No there aren't, my side is the ‘People Who Don't Fuck Children’ side, anyone not on this side can get all the way into the bin, what side are YOU on, exactly?” — John Scalzi
November 14, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Can confirm, I did say this, over on Threads. I stand by it here as well. And everywhere else!
Reposted by Rick Cowling
Reposted by Rick Cowling
Odd that the DoJ is opening an investigation into the Epstein files since they said in July that there was no client list and nothing to release.
November 15, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Odd that the DoJ is opening an investigation into the Epstein files since they said in July that there was no client list and nothing to release.