James Bell
@sarcainian.bsky.social
(he/him) @sarcain@ruby.social (Mastodon)
Web head, reader, cook, rubyist and all that.
Web head, reader, cook, rubyist and all that.
Reposted by James Bell
#Breaking Catherine Connolly has signed the Declaration of Office at St Patrick's Hall in Dublin Castle to formally become the tenth President of Ireland | Follow Live
Connolly inaugurated as 10th President of Ireland
Follow live updates as Catherine Connolly is officially sworn in as the tenth President of Ireland.
www.rte.ie
November 11, 2025 at 12:40 PM
#Breaking Catherine Connolly has signed the Declaration of Office at St Patrick's Hall in Dublin Castle to formally become the tenth President of Ireland | Follow Live
Reposted by James Bell
history will ultimately decide this but i think joyce carol oates might have just landed the most devastating burn in human history. like the death star trench run of posting
November 10, 2025 at 7:03 PM
history will ultimately decide this but i think joyce carol oates might have just landed the most devastating burn in human history. like the death star trench run of posting
Reposted by James Bell
They knew full well that slave owning was an abomination.
November 10, 2025 at 8:09 PM
They knew full well that slave owning was an abomination.
Reposted by James Bell
Tonight in 1833 was "The Night the Stars Fell”. A spectacular occurrence of the annual Leonid shower: "thousands of luminous bodies shooting across the firmament in every direction."
In Tennessee it convinced some slave owners that it was the end- they apologised to their slaves
In Tennessee it convinced some slave owners that it was the end- they apologised to their slaves
November 10, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Tonight in 1833 was "The Night the Stars Fell”. A spectacular occurrence of the annual Leonid shower: "thousands of luminous bodies shooting across the firmament in every direction."
In Tennessee it convinced some slave owners that it was the end- they apologised to their slaves
In Tennessee it convinced some slave owners that it was the end- they apologised to their slaves
Reposted by James Bell
I find academics particularly awkward about telling audiences something some people might already know, even though I've found that when someone repeats some things I already know as background it enhances my perception of their credibility
Don't fear the repetition, embrace it!
Don't fear the repetition, embrace it!
November 10, 2025 at 8:33 PM
I find academics particularly awkward about telling audiences something some people might already know, even though I've found that when someone repeats some things I already know as background it enhances my perception of their credibility
Don't fear the repetition, embrace it!
Don't fear the repetition, embrace it!
Reposted by James Bell
If you're in Europe and have FOMO because you can't attend the amazing @sfruby.bsky.social, there's another conference happening over here in Helsinki 🇫🇮at the same time 😊 helsinkiruby.fi/tinyruby/ from @helsinkiruby.fi - the line-up is great and Mochi will be attending 🐶🐾❤️It's going to be very nice!
tiny ruby #{conf}
A tiny Ruby conference in Helsinki, Finland
helsinkiruby.fi
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
If you're in Europe and have FOMO because you can't attend the amazing @sfruby.bsky.social, there's another conference happening over here in Helsinki 🇫🇮at the same time 😊 helsinkiruby.fi/tinyruby/ from @helsinkiruby.fi - the line-up is great and Mochi will be attending 🐶🐾❤️It's going to be very nice!
Reposted by James Bell
I'll be at today's London Ruby User Group meet-up, speaking about Event Sourcing, eventual consistency and durable messaging patterns. Show up if interested! lrug.org
LRUG | London Ruby User Group
The London Ruby User Group (LRUG) meets on the 2nd Monday of the month for talking and socialising (about Ruby).
lrug.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:25 AM
I'll be at today's London Ruby User Group meet-up, speaking about Event Sourcing, eventual consistency and durable messaging patterns. Show up if interested! lrug.org
Reposted by James Bell
“There will be those who will clap and cheer at the senior BBC resignations … but such elation is misconceived. For the BBC to be this weak as an institution when faced with outside (and politically motivated) criticism is not a sign of a healthy mixed polity.”
By @davidallengreen.bsky.social
By @davidallengreen.bsky.social
The BBC’s depressing lack of inherent institutional strength
10th November 2025 The BBC needs to be a robust, independent institution * The British (or Bullied) Broadcasting Corporation is suffering another kicking. Of course, the BBC is not perfect, and nor…
davidallengreen.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:23 AM
“There will be those who will clap and cheer at the senior BBC resignations … but such elation is misconceived. For the BBC to be this weak as an institution when faced with outside (and politically motivated) criticism is not a sign of a healthy mixed polity.”
By @davidallengreen.bsky.social
By @davidallengreen.bsky.social
Reposted by James Bell
As a psychologist, it's a really, really, really interesting and maddening set of problems here. Software development really exposes for me how we think about people's minds, even though it's an industry that likes to pretend it isn't thinking about people's minds at all.
But it really is.
But it really is.
November 9, 2025 at 6:19 PM
As a psychologist, it's a really, really, really interesting and maddening set of problems here. Software development really exposes for me how we think about people's minds, even though it's an industry that likes to pretend it isn't thinking about people's minds at all.
But it really is.
But it really is.
Are you ready for the Scottish Ruby User Group this week? We're to be joined by the fabulous @ismaelcelis.com to talk durable messaging, event sourcing and more! Also: you can just hang out with other Rubyists. Sign up and we'll see you on Thursday! www.meetup.com/scotrug/even...
Durable messaging and related patterns in Ruby, for fun and profit, Thu, Nov 13, 2025, 6:00 PM | Meetup
Hallowe'en is almost upon us - get ready for [the Samhuinn celebrations](https://beltane.org/about-samhuinn/) maybe carve yourself a neep as tradition suggests. And then? W
www.meetup.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Are you ready for the Scottish Ruby User Group this week? We're to be joined by the fabulous @ismaelcelis.com to talk durable messaging, event sourcing and more! Also: you can just hang out with other Rubyists. Sign up and we'll see you on Thursday! www.meetup.com/scotrug/even...
Reposted by James Bell
where my rubyists (old people) at??
November 9, 2025 at 7:10 AM
where my rubyists (old people) at??
Reposted by James Bell
The image that launched a thousand rugby memes
November 8, 2025 at 9:03 PM
The image that launched a thousand rugby memes
Reposted by James Bell
When we were shit, I was furious and now we’re balling, I feel ill. and this is my hobby
November 8, 2025 at 4:40 PM
When we were shit, I was furious and now we’re balling, I feel ill. and this is my hobby
Reposted by James Bell
Hey folks, as news of Watson's demise spreads, please don't set aside his weighty legacy of misogyny and racism. He was truly among the worst of us. www.vox.com/2019/1/15/18...
DNA scientist James Watson has a remarkably long history of sexist, racist public comments
“People say it would be terrible if we made all girls pretty,” he said in 2003. “I think it would be great.”
www.vox.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Hey folks, as news of Watson's demise spreads, please don't set aside his weighty legacy of misogyny and racism. He was truly among the worst of us. www.vox.com/2019/1/15/18...
Reposted by James Bell
“0% woke shit”
a black man with a physical disability leads an environmental terrorist cell trying to save the planet from mega-billionaires and you play as a cross dressing twink femdomed by two different women ending and the final boss against the gayest angel of all time
a black man with a physical disability leads an environmental terrorist cell trying to save the planet from mega-billionaires and you play as a cross dressing twink femdomed by two different women ending and the final boss against the gayest angel of all time
November 7, 2025 at 7:59 PM
“0% woke shit”
a black man with a physical disability leads an environmental terrorist cell trying to save the planet from mega-billionaires and you play as a cross dressing twink femdomed by two different women ending and the final boss against the gayest angel of all time
a black man with a physical disability leads an environmental terrorist cell trying to save the planet from mega-billionaires and you play as a cross dressing twink femdomed by two different women ending and the final boss against the gayest angel of all time
Reposted by James Bell
Ruby Central has opened board applications for next year: rubycentral.teamtailor.com/jobs/6723164...
I’ll be rolling off the board to have another baby and stuff, so I’d really love if you’d apply and/or share this with anyone who’s interested in being involved.
I’ll be rolling off the board to have another baby and stuff, so I’d really love if you’d apply and/or share this with anyone who’s interested in being involved.
Ruby Central Board Member - Ruby Central
About Ruby Central. Ruby Central is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the Ruby programming language and community. We steward foundational open source infrastructure su...
rubycentral.teamtailor.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Ruby Central has opened board applications for next year: rubycentral.teamtailor.com/jobs/6723164...
I’ll be rolling off the board to have another baby and stuff, so I’d really love if you’d apply and/or share this with anyone who’s interested in being involved.
I’ll be rolling off the board to have another baby and stuff, so I’d really love if you’d apply and/or share this with anyone who’s interested in being involved.
Reposted by James Bell
Reminder that if you're still not sick of me, you can go get more of me (but mostly other people) on my podcast, Dead Code. https://deadcode.website
deadcode.website
November 7, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Reminder that if you're still not sick of me, you can go get more of me (but mostly other people) on my podcast, Dead Code. https://deadcode.website
Reposted by James Bell
Things you didn't know you needed in your life
November 7, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Things you didn't know you needed in your life
Reposted by James Bell
'Dear Library, you have served me well all my life. You are magnificence, munificence. You are a book festival every day'
Dear Library by Jackie Kay - Scottish Book Trust & National Library of Scotland
Dear Library by Jackie Kay - Scottish Book Trust & National Library of Scotland
Dear Library by Jackie Kay
‘Dear Library’ by Jackie Kay was specially commissioned by Scottish Book Trust as part of the Artworks For Libraries project.
www.scottishbooktrust.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:30 AM
'Dear Library, you have served me well all my life. You are magnificence, munificence. You are a book festival every day'
Dear Library by Jackie Kay - Scottish Book Trust & National Library of Scotland
Dear Library by Jackie Kay - Scottish Book Trust & National Library of Scotland
Reposted by James Bell
Ruby 4.0 is officially official! #RubyWorld
November 7, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Ruby 4.0 is officially official! #RubyWorld
Reposted by James Bell
At this year's @lingcomm.bsky.social conference, we learned that the UK has been celebrating National Linguistics Day on November 26th, and everyone immediately went, hey, can't we make that World Linguistics Day?
Well, now it's only 20 days away, so time to get your celebration plans in order!
Well, now it's only 20 days away, so time to get your celebration plans in order!
Are you doing anything for World Linguistics Day on Nov 26th?
In our latest bonus episode, we get enthusiastic about linguistics-related celebrations, from International Mother Tongue Day to Talk Like A Pirate Day
In our latest bonus episode, we get enthusiastic about linguistics-related celebrations, from International Mother Tongue Day to Talk Like A Pirate Day
Bonus 105: World Linguistics Day | Lingthusiasm
Get more from Lingthusiasm on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:38 AM
At this year's @lingcomm.bsky.social conference, we learned that the UK has been celebrating National Linguistics Day on November 26th, and everyone immediately went, hey, can't we make that World Linguistics Day?
Well, now it's only 20 days away, so time to get your celebration plans in order!
Well, now it's only 20 days away, so time to get your celebration plans in order!
Reposted by James Bell
Here's my piece for @lawfaremedia.org on my experience covering the Sandwich Guy trial. Warning: longer than 280 characters!
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/sand...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/sand...
Sandwich Guy, Thrower of Hoagie–Or Hero?
The trial ended in an acquittal. But the proceedings felt like a strange sort of performance art—highly amusing and highly menacing at the same time.
www.lawfaremedia.org
November 6, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Here's my piece for @lawfaremedia.org on my experience covering the Sandwich Guy trial. Warning: longer than 280 characters!
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/sand...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/sand...
Reposted by James Bell
The John Lewis Christmas ad this year is beautiful. It’s so rare to see men and fathers celebrated like this, or to acknowledge the reality of men struggling with their emotions. I can’t watch it without crying my eyes out. Thanks @JohnLewisRetail www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1bR...
Where Love Lives | John Lewis & Partners | Christmas Ad 2025
YouTube video by John Lewis
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:26 AM
The John Lewis Christmas ad this year is beautiful. It’s so rare to see men and fathers celebrated like this, or to acknowledge the reality of men struggling with their emotions. I can’t watch it without crying my eyes out. Thanks @JohnLewisRetail www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1bR...
Reposted by James Bell
Another successful BelfastRuby in the books! Thank you @altabyte.bsky.social, @petr.codes for your wonderful talks! And a huge shoutout to Stora for hosting and sponsoring!! 🙌
November 5, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Another successful BelfastRuby in the books! Thank you @altabyte.bsky.social, @petr.codes for your wonderful talks! And a huge shoutout to Stora for hosting and sponsoring!! 🙌