Russ Swan
@russs.bsky.social
Recovering journalist, universe/UK/Notts. Geek, nerd, dweeb. Fixer. Author of popular science book. Columnist @ Lab News. Motorcycles. Spaniels. Science. Engineering. Screaming into the void
Am writing a thing (not a song) and the cadence of a section means a rhyme would be interesting.
This is what the internet suggests as rhymes for 'national'.
#rhyme #songwriting #wtf
This is what the internet suggests as rhymes for 'national'.
#rhyme #songwriting #wtf
November 12, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Am writing a thing (not a song) and the cadence of a section means a rhyme would be interesting.
This is what the internet suggests as rhymes for 'national'.
#rhyme #songwriting #wtf
This is what the internet suggests as rhymes for 'national'.
#rhyme #songwriting #wtf
Cartoon by Stephen Collins
November 10, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Cartoon by Stephen Collins
Reposted by Russ Swan
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- harris@slate.com or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
November 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- harris@slate.com or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
Well fuck you, company whose services I am in need of but who redirects me to Google for declining cookies. Looks like one of your competitors will get my business.
November 9, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Well fuck you, company whose services I am in need of but who redirects me to Google for declining cookies. Looks like one of your competitors will get my business.
Reposted by Russ Swan
More choice doesn’t always mean more freedom. Sometimes it just means more faff.
November 4, 2025 at 4:03 PM
More choice doesn’t always mean more freedom. Sometimes it just means more faff.
Anybody who has spent any time as an editor will be familiar with The Editors' Curse. That's the thing where any typo, no matter how fleeting, leaps out and demands attention. Tonight I'm watching an old episode of Andromeda, and this is on the opening credits. I'm embarrassed for Eric.
November 3, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Anybody who has spent any time as an editor will be familiar with The Editors' Curse. That's the thing where any typo, no matter how fleeting, leaps out and demands attention. Tonight I'm watching an old episode of Andromeda, and this is on the opening credits. I'm embarrassed for Eric.
Tom Daley, what the fuck are you wearing?
November 2, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Tom Daley, what the fuck are you wearing?
Reposted by Russ Swan
The poppy, remembering those who died in the wars against fascism. #remembrance #antifa
November 1, 2025 at 10:39 AM
The poppy, remembering those who died in the wars against fascism. #remembrance #antifa
The poppy, remembering those who died in the wars against fascism. #remembrance #antifa
November 1, 2025 at 10:39 AM
The poppy, remembering those who died in the wars against fascism. #remembrance #antifa
Reposted by Russ Swan
NEWS! Nigel Farage to grow toothbrush moustache for Movember newsthump.com/2025/11/01/n...
Nigel Farage to grow toothbrush moustache for Movember
Nigel Farage has been praised today after revealing he would be growing a toothbrush moustache in support of Movember. An international movement promoting awareness of men’s health issues such as …
newsthump.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:36 AM
NEWS! Nigel Farage to grow toothbrush moustache for Movember newsthump.com/2025/11/01/n...
How long before the rumour about now ex-prince's real father surface again? Brian or Bill might think that it could save the monarchy, if this wrong'un was never really 'one of us'.
But it might bring the whole house down, especially if the the other rumour about the other one also resurfaces.
But it might bring the whole house down, especially if the the other rumour about the other one also resurfaces.
October 30, 2025 at 10:51 PM
How long before the rumour about now ex-prince's real father surface again? Brian or Bill might think that it could save the monarchy, if this wrong'un was never really 'one of us'.
But it might bring the whole house down, especially if the the other rumour about the other one also resurfaces.
But it might bring the whole house down, especially if the the other rumour about the other one also resurfaces.
BBC News practically having an orgasm over another trivial misdemeanour from Rachel Reeve. Had this been Boris or any other Tory it would never have seen the light of day.
October 29, 2025 at 10:16 PM
BBC News practically having an orgasm over another trivial misdemeanour from Rachel Reeve. Had this been Boris or any other Tory it would never have seen the light of day.
Reposted by Russ Swan
I recall in the 60s, Remembrance Day was one solemn Sunday morning. That was it.
It was a moving occasion at our local memorial and attended by actual WW1 and WW2 veterans. Unlike the mawkish weeks long competition for the most tasteless display of a poppy that it's become
Often, less is more.
It was a moving occasion at our local memorial and attended by actual WW1 and WW2 veterans. Unlike the mawkish weeks long competition for the most tasteless display of a poppy that it's become
Often, less is more.
October 28, 2025 at 7:53 AM
I recall in the 60s, Remembrance Day was one solemn Sunday morning. That was it.
It was a moving occasion at our local memorial and attended by actual WW1 and WW2 veterans. Unlike the mawkish weeks long competition for the most tasteless display of a poppy that it's become
Often, less is more.
It was a moving occasion at our local memorial and attended by actual WW1 and WW2 veterans. Unlike the mawkish weeks long competition for the most tasteless display of a poppy that it's become
Often, less is more.
On National Clock Confusion Day, a visit to the meridian line within the Bromley House Library in Nottingham. When the sun, shining through the small hole at upper left of the window, falls on the line, it is noon (local noon, 4 mins 33 sec behind Greenwich). Bit cloudy today though.
October 26, 2025 at 6:01 PM
On National Clock Confusion Day, a visit to the meridian line within the Bromley House Library in Nottingham. When the sun, shining through the small hole at upper left of the window, falls on the line, it is noon (local noon, 4 mins 33 sec behind Greenwich). Bit cloudy today though.
True. I went past there just yesterday.
October 23, 2025 at 9:08 PM
True. I went past there just yesterday.
Reposted by Russ Swan
Experts suggest the quickest way to burn 2000 calories is to forget your brownies are in the oven.
October 21, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Experts suggest the quickest way to burn 2000 calories is to forget your brownies are in the oven.
Reposted by Russ Swan
BY THE WAY
If you've updated to Windows 11 recently, you're probably on version 25H2.
There's a new setting in Settings: Privacy & Security.
Scroll aaaaaaaalll the way to the bottom and you'll see "Text and Image Generation."
TURN IT OFF.
If you've updated to Windows 11 recently, you're probably on version 25H2.
There's a new setting in Settings: Privacy & Security.
Scroll aaaaaaaalll the way to the bottom and you'll see "Text and Image Generation."
TURN IT OFF.
October 17, 2025 at 12:58 AM
BY THE WAY
If you've updated to Windows 11 recently, you're probably on version 25H2.
There's a new setting in Settings: Privacy & Security.
Scroll aaaaaaaalll the way to the bottom and you'll see "Text and Image Generation."
TURN IT OFF.
If you've updated to Windows 11 recently, you're probably on version 25H2.
There's a new setting in Settings: Privacy & Security.
Scroll aaaaaaaalll the way to the bottom and you'll see "Text and Image Generation."
TURN IT OFF.
No ambiguity in this Halloween decoration from Lidl, none at all. Suitable for all houses of ill repute.
Pic by me.
#Halloween #Lidl #brothel
Pic by me.
#Halloween #Lidl #brothel
October 16, 2025 at 2:04 PM
No ambiguity in this Halloween decoration from Lidl, none at all. Suitable for all houses of ill repute.
Pic by me.
#Halloween #Lidl #brothel
Pic by me.
#Halloween #Lidl #brothel
Has anybody ascertained, or even asked the question, of the flavour of the chocolate inside this hilariously-bad bit of political merch? #tories #partyconference #typo
October 7, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Has anybody ascertained, or even asked the question, of the flavour of the chocolate inside this hilariously-bad bit of political merch? #tories #partyconference #typo
Hello BBC and Louise Lear. Your midnight forecast for the week ahead showed this nice pic of Cullercoats and labelled it Tynemouth. Close, but not correct. To put it in London-centric language you might understand, it's like calling Balham Clapham.
October 7, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Hello BBC and Louise Lear. Your midnight forecast for the week ahead showed this nice pic of Cullercoats and labelled it Tynemouth. Close, but not correct. To put it in London-centric language you might understand, it's like calling Balham Clapham.
Reposted by Russ Swan
The petition against digital ID cards has now reached 2.8 million. Keep sharing, it would be good to get this past 3 million by the middle of the week.
Petition: Do not introduce Digital ID cards
We demand that the UK Government immediately commits to not introducing a digital ID cards. There are reports that this is being looked at.
petition.parliament.uk
October 5, 2025 at 8:51 AM
The petition against digital ID cards has now reached 2.8 million. Keep sharing, it would be good to get this past 3 million by the middle of the week.
Reposted by Russ Swan
Oh my god.
Have I Got News For You just referred to this completely false claim as a fact!!
Have I Got News For You just referred to this completely false claim as a fact!!
October 3, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Oh my god.
Have I Got News For You just referred to this completely false claim as a fact!!
Have I Got News For You just referred to this completely false claim as a fact!!
Superabundance of sloes on this (and every other) blackthorn bush this year. Apparently it is a 'mast' year when fruits, berries, and nuts are produced in great numbers like this. Old fables say this precedes a cold winter. Only got stabbed a few times collecting some (thorns!).
September 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Superabundance of sloes on this (and every other) blackthorn bush this year. Apparently it is a 'mast' year when fruits, berries, and nuts are produced in great numbers like this. Old fables say this precedes a cold winter. Only got stabbed a few times collecting some (thorns!).