Ruth Aylett
@ruthaylett.bsky.social
(she/her) Author, poet, socialist, feminist, Heriot-Watt emeritus professor with research in AI, social robotics/agents, affective computing
All views personal; likes/shares are not support
All views personal; likes/shares are not support
Pinned
Ruth Aylett
@ruthaylett.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Living with Robots : What Every Anxious Human Needs to Know
Living with Robots : What Every Anxious Human Needs to Know (Paperback / softback) (9780262546041)
tinyurl.com
Anyone keen to see beyond robot hype and understand how much of it is pure fiction, see our popular science book Living with Robots, what every anxious human needs to know. tinyurl.com/5y3552px
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
"This entire saga has a smell hanging over it. The people of Teesside, Hartlepool and Darlington are no fools. That smell will not go away until there is a full, transparent and independent inquiry."
Teesworks scandal: a dark tale of public wealth lost and private gain
Teesworks - a story that reads like a screenplay for a dark political drama
northeastbylines.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 10:07 AM
"This entire saga has a smell hanging over it. The people of Teesside, Hartlepool and Darlington are no fools. That smell will not go away until there is a full, transparent and independent inquiry."
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
"It is as if the division of our politics... has created a kind of public bloodlust for toppling anyone who does not align exactly with our individual worldview."
Fake news: the BBC, Trump and the fight for impartiality
"We should be honest: the BBC will not report on Trump freely now. It won’t need to be told not to"
northeastbylines.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 5:12 PM
"It is as if the division of our politics... has created a kind of public bloodlust for toppling anyone who does not align exactly with our individual worldview."
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Israelis attacked Palestinian water sources over 250 times in five years, data reveals
Israelis attacked Palestinian water sources over 250 times in five years, data reveals
Armed forces and settlers used bombs, dogs, poison and machinery to attack people and infrastructure at key sites
Israeli armed forces and settlers have attacked Palestinian water sources more than 250 times in the past five years, amounting to the most sustained assault on civilian water supplies in recent years, new research reveals.
Bombs, dogs, poison and heavy machinery were among the weapons used to attack Palestinians and their infrastructure at drinking water, irrigation and sanitation sites in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip on at least 90 occasions between January 2024 and mid-2025, according to the Pacific Institute, a California-based nonpartisan thinktank tracking water conflicts. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Israelis attacked Palestinian water sources over 250 times in five years, data reveals
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Israel blocking one million syringes needed to vaccinate children in Gaza, UNICEF says - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-blocking-one-million-syringes-needed-vaccinate-children-gaza
Israel blocking one million syringes needed to vaccinate children in Gaza, UNICEF says
<article data-history-node-id="431360" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-blocking-one-million-syringes-needed-vaccinate-children-gaza" class="live-blog-update default clearfix">
<h2>
<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-blocking-one-million-syringes-needed-vaccinate-children-gaza" rel="bookmark">
<span class="field field-title">Israel blocking one million syringes needed to vaccinate children in Gaza, UNICEF says</span>
</a>
</h2>
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-field-text"><p>UNICEF said on Tuesday that Israel is blocking essential items, including 1.6 million syringes and solar-powered fridges used to store vaccine vials, from entering Gaza. The warning comes as UNICEF works to carry out a mass child vaccination campaign under the fragile ceasefire, which Israel has violated 282 times since October.</p>
<p>The syringes, along with bottles for baby formula, have been awaiting customs clearance since August, leaving thousands of children at risk as health services in the besieged Strip remain shattered after two years of Israel’s genocide.</p>
</div>
</div>
</article>
www.middleeasteye.net
November 11, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Israel blocking one million syringes needed to vaccinate children in Gaza, UNICEF says - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-blocking-one-million-syringes-needed-vaccinate-children-gaza
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
👉NEW -- Forgotten photos expose UK army abuses in Iraq
by Irfan Chowdhury
Images never-before published by British media show hooded detainees in stress positions weeks before death of Baha Mousa in 2003.
www.declassifieduk.org/forgotten-ph...
by Irfan Chowdhury
Images never-before published by British media show hooded detainees in stress positions weeks before death of Baha Mousa in 2003.
www.declassifieduk.org/forgotten-ph...
Forgotten photos expose UK army abuses in Iraq
Images never-before published by British media show hooded detainees in stress positions weeks before death of Baha Mousa in 2003
www.declassifieduk.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:26 PM
👉NEW -- Forgotten photos expose UK army abuses in Iraq
by Irfan Chowdhury
Images never-before published by British media show hooded detainees in stress positions weeks before death of Baha Mousa in 2003.
www.declassifieduk.org/forgotten-ph...
by Irfan Chowdhury
Images never-before published by British media show hooded detainees in stress positions weeks before death of Baha Mousa in 2003.
www.declassifieduk.org/forgotten-ph...
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
What you’re witnessing is a populist assault on the BBC.
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
November 10, 2025 at 10:52 AM
What you’re witnessing is a populist assault on the BBC.
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Israel blocking one million syringes needed to vaccinate children in Gaza, Unicef says - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-blocking-one-million-syringes-needed-vaccinate-children-gaza
Israel blocking one million syringes needed to vaccinate children in Gaza, Unicef says
<article data-history-node-id="431360" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-blocking-one-million-syringes-needed-vaccinate-children-gaza" class="live-blog-update default clearfix">
<h2>
<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-blocking-one-million-syringes-needed-vaccinate-children-gaza" rel="bookmark">
<span class="field field-title">Israel blocking one million syringes needed to vaccinate children in Gaza, Unicef says</span>
</a>
</h2>
<div class="content">
<div class="field field-field-text"><p>Unicef said on Tuesday that Israel is blocking essential items, including 1.6 million syringes and solar-powered fridges used to store vaccine vials, from entering Gaza.</p>
<p>The warning comes as Unicef works to carry out a mass child vaccination campaign under the fragile ceasefire, which Israel has violated 282 times since October.</p>
<p>The syringes, along with bottles for baby formula, have been awaiting customs clearance since August, leaving thousands of children at risk as health services in the besieged Strip remain shattered after two years of Israel’s genocide.</p>
</div>
</div>
</article>
www.middleeasteye.net
November 11, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Israel blocking one million syringes needed to vaccinate children in Gaza, Unicef says - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-blocking-one-million-syringes-needed-vaccinate-children-gaza
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
"Yorkshire Water was privatised in 1989 under the Water Act, launched debt-free and promoted as the start of a new, efficient era.
What followed was anything but. Today, the company carries almost £7bn in debt. Our rivers are polluted, our bills keep rising, and we’re told to pay still more..."
What followed was anything but. Today, the company carries almost £7bn in debt. Our rivers are polluted, our bills keep rising, and we’re told to pay still more..."
Yorkshire Water: it’s time to end the rip-off
Handing the company back to local people would return both control and value to those who need it most
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 1:29 PM
"Yorkshire Water was privatised in 1989 under the Water Act, launched debt-free and promoted as the start of a new, efficient era.
What followed was anything but. Today, the company carries almost £7bn in debt. Our rivers are polluted, our bills keep rising, and we’re told to pay still more..."
What followed was anything but. Today, the company carries almost £7bn in debt. Our rivers are polluted, our bills keep rising, and we’re told to pay still more..."
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Conservative Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston tells GB News that the BBC should "grovel" to Trump.
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
November 11, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Conservative Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston tells GB News that the BBC should "grovel" to Trump.
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
The International Olympic Committee is set to ban trans and intersex women from competition. This is despite the fact that for 20 years, the IOC has allowed trans athletes to compete and only 1 has ever competed and none have ever won a medal.
www.the-independent.com/sport/olympi...
www.the-independent.com/sport/olympi...
IOC set to introduce blanket ban on transgender women in female sport
The ban is reportedly expected to come into effect early next year
www.the-independent.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:23 PM
The International Olympic Committee is set to ban trans and intersex women from competition. This is despite the fact that for 20 years, the IOC has allowed trans athletes to compete and only 1 has ever competed and none have ever won a medal.
www.the-independent.com/sport/olympi...
www.the-independent.com/sport/olympi...
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
The Telegraph had to correct its multiple lies about "illegal immigrants" in London at least three separate times.
It takes an obscene amount of hubris to lecture the BBC when you have The Telegraph’s record on truth-telling.
Some of the paper’s errors this year are so bad they’re almost laughable 👇🏻
Some of the paper’s errors this year are so bad they’re almost laughable 👇🏻
The Telegraph’s BBC hypocrisy
A paper that knows a thing or two about editorial f*ck-ups...
writesbright.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:06 PM
The Telegraph had to correct its multiple lies about "illegal immigrants" in London at least three separate times.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Went on LBC News earlier to discuss the BBC shambles.
I said the BBC has kowtowed to Trump in the US and conservative outlets here - both of which want the Beeb dead.
Two of the most senior people quit over a 10-second clip using Trump’s exact words, albeit put closer together than he’d like.
I said the BBC has kowtowed to Trump in the US and conservative outlets here - both of which want the Beeb dead.
Two of the most senior people quit over a 10-second clip using Trump’s exact words, albeit put closer together than he’d like.
November 10, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Went on LBC News earlier to discuss the BBC shambles.
I said the BBC has kowtowed to Trump in the US and conservative outlets here - both of which want the Beeb dead.
Two of the most senior people quit over a 10-second clip using Trump’s exact words, albeit put closer together than he’d like.
I said the BBC has kowtowed to Trump in the US and conservative outlets here - both of which want the Beeb dead.
Two of the most senior people quit over a 10-second clip using Trump’s exact words, albeit put closer together than he’d like.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Average healthcare costs in the US:
Giving birth? $18,000
Cancer treatment? $150,000
One month ICU stay? Between 30k and 150k.
That’s not including copays, deductibles, interest and all the other hoops you have to jump through.
Cost in Canada? $0.
Cost in the UK? $0.
Cost in Australia? $0.
Giving birth? $18,000
Cancer treatment? $150,000
One month ICU stay? Between 30k and 150k.
That’s not including copays, deductibles, interest and all the other hoops you have to jump through.
Cost in Canada? $0.
Cost in the UK? $0.
Cost in Australia? $0.
November 11, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Average healthcare costs in the US:
Giving birth? $18,000
Cancer treatment? $150,000
One month ICU stay? Between 30k and 150k.
That’s not including copays, deductibles, interest and all the other hoops you have to jump through.
Cost in Canada? $0.
Cost in the UK? $0.
Cost in Australia? $0.
Giving birth? $18,000
Cancer treatment? $150,000
One month ICU stay? Between 30k and 150k.
That’s not including copays, deductibles, interest and all the other hoops you have to jump through.
Cost in Canada? $0.
Cost in the UK? $0.
Cost in Australia? $0.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Nearly two years ago, I wrote about the extraordinary influence of former Tory spin doctor Sir Robbie Gibb on the BBC. It's still a helpful backgrounder for what's going on now. New readers start here: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
How the government captured the BBC
A right-wing cabal, largely unaccountable, is waging war on the principles that made our public broadcaster great. It must not succeed
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Nearly two years ago, I wrote about the extraordinary influence of former Tory spin doctor Sir Robbie Gibb on the BBC. It's still a helpful backgrounder for what's going on now. New readers start here: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Last week we reported that Edinburgh University students were “interrogated” by police over posters featuring Palestinians killed by the Israeli military.
November 10, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Last week we reported that Edinburgh University students were “interrogated” by police over posters featuring Palestinians killed by the Israeli military.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
No 10 says "no" when asked if PM thinks BBC is institutionally biased or corrupt.
"We support a strong, independent BBC and in an age of disinformation the argument for a robust, impartial UK news service is stronger than ever, but it's important that trust is maintained and errors are corrected."
"We support a strong, independent BBC and in an age of disinformation the argument for a robust, impartial UK news service is stronger than ever, but it's important that trust is maintained and errors are corrected."
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
No 10 says "no" when asked if PM thinks BBC is institutionally biased or corrupt.
"We support a strong, independent BBC and in an age of disinformation the argument for a robust, impartial UK news service is stronger than ever, but it's important that trust is maintained and errors are corrected."
"We support a strong, independent BBC and in an age of disinformation the argument for a robust, impartial UK news service is stronger than ever, but it's important that trust is maintained and errors are corrected."
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Mick Lynch is the real deal.
November 9, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Mick Lynch is the real deal.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
'Genocide stopped only in media': Gaza endures daily bombings a month into truce - https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/genocide-stopped-only-media-gaza-endures-daily-bombings-month-truce
'Genocide stopped only in media': Gaza endures daily bombings a month into truce
Palestinians say that Israel's war continues amid daily killings, home demolitions, threatening drone broadcasts, and a ban on essential supplies
www.middleeasteye.net
November 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
'Genocide stopped only in media': Gaza endures daily bombings a month into truce - https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/genocide-stopped-only-media-gaza-endures-daily-bombings-month-truce
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Incidentally, I don't think I notice a black person at that event, other than Aurora. And this is the second time recently she gets booed at one of their pressers.
Mhari Aurora asks a pretty fair question, is booed by the crowd and told off by Dear Leader. Then Noa Hoffman, lobs a dogwhistle soft ball about making "our high streets beautiful again", not "covered in illegal migrant vape shops," to great applause.
Genuinely ugly moment. ~AA
Genuinely ugly moment. ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Incidentally, I don't think I notice a black person at that event, other than Aurora. And this is the second time recently she gets booed at one of their pressers.
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
![Cartoon by Stephen Collins for The Guardian. Script as follows:
[scene is Winston Churchill in a bbc studio, giving his 'finest hour' speech]
1
CHURCHILL:
The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us.
2
CHURCHILL:
Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war.
3
CHURCHILL:
If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free
and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sun-
BBC PRESENTER:
Thank you prime minister
4
BBC PRESENTER:
Mr hitler, your response?
5
HITLER [in the studio]:
Vell zis is hysterical woke nonsense as usual from mr Churchill
6
HITLER:
What we are proposing -
CHURCHILL:
Hang on
7
HITLER:
Let me finish - what we are proposing eez a simple power-sharing arrangement -
8
CHURCHILL:
What's he doing here
BBC PRESENTER:
It's important we hear both sides of the debate
9
CHURCHILL:
This isn't a debate
You don't debate fascists
10
HITLER:
Oh here we go with ze Godwins law!
11
HITLER:
Why must you people always compare ze things you don't like to 'fascists, Nazis, Hitler'...
CHURCHILL:
Because you are a fascist Nazi Hit-
12
HITLER [standing up, saluting]:
RAUSS!
BBC PRESENTER:
*Please* Mr Churchill let him speak
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreibw4ldc3fhslbvxgy2oqrof2oys5kpgh7zu6a5f3usmx3lf4547qm@jpeg)
Reposted by Ruth Aylett
4/ So will Lisa Nandy apologise to the police?
Here's the link to the interview with Tom Joyce
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eazr...
Here's the link to the interview with Tom Joyce
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eazr...
Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban was due to 'significant levels of hooliganism' | EXCLUSIVE
YouTube video by Sky News
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:10 AM
4/ So will Lisa Nandy apologise to the police?
Here's the link to the interview with Tom Joyce
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eazr...
Here's the link to the interview with Tom Joyce
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eazr...