Simon Jones
@simonrjones.net
Founder of digital agency Studio 24, UX design and technology. Believes in creating an accessible web for everyone. Web tech, PHP, content and accessibility. Trustee Cambridge Film Festival. https://www.simonrjones.net/links/
Reposted by Simon Jones
While independent bookstores are giving out free whistles, hosting protest sign making events, and donating proceeds to mutual aid, Amazon is *checks notes* providing technology that assists ICE in their terrorizing of communities.
Independent bookstores deserve your support. Amazon does not.
Independent bookstores deserve your support. Amazon does not.
January 27, 2026 at 5:07 PM
While independent bookstores are giving out free whistles, hosting protest sign making events, and donating proceeds to mutual aid, Amazon is *checks notes* providing technology that assists ICE in their terrorizing of communities.
Independent bookstores deserve your support. Amazon does not.
Independent bookstores deserve your support. Amazon does not.
Reposted by Simon Jones
It’s been my good fortune to work with and befriend many deeply gifted people.
Almost without exception, I’ve found them to be humble.
They’ve all taken pleasure in sharing what they know.
They’ve all cared more about craft than cash, fame, or position.
They’ve all wrestled with self-doubt.
Almost without exception, I’ve found them to be humble.
They’ve all taken pleasure in sharing what they know.
They’ve all cared more about craft than cash, fame, or position.
They’ve all wrestled with self-doubt.
January 26, 2026 at 5:42 PM
It’s been my good fortune to work with and befriend many deeply gifted people.
Almost without exception, I’ve found them to be humble.
They’ve all taken pleasure in sharing what they know.
They’ve all cared more about craft than cash, fame, or position.
They’ve all wrestled with self-doubt.
Almost without exception, I’ve found them to be humble.
They’ve all taken pleasure in sharing what they know.
They’ve all cared more about craft than cash, fame, or position.
They’ve all wrestled with self-doubt.
Up for a writing challenge? Join me in the 20th annual Short Story Challenge by @nycmidnight.bsky.social on January 23rd! Learn more at nycmidnight.com/ssc
The Short Story Challenge — nycmidnight
The Short Story Challenge is an annual creative writing competition that challenges writers around the world to create short stories based on genre, subject, and character assignments in as little as ...
nycmidnight.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Up for a writing challenge? Join me in the 20th annual Short Story Challenge by @nycmidnight.bsky.social on January 23rd! Learn more at nycmidnight.com/ssc
Reposted by Simon Jones
Reminder! Tomorrow 20 January 2026
18:00 UK-Time, 19:00 CET
Register here 👇
18:00 UK-Time, 19:00 CET
Register here 👇
Join us for our virtual #HolocaustMemorialDay 2026 event co-organised with @wienerlibrary.bsky.social & @igdjhh.bsky.social on 20 Jan, 6-7pm UK time, with @drhannahw.bsky.social, Deborah Jaffé and @svenjabethke.bsky.social Details and registration👇 wienerholocaustlibrary.org/event/holoca...
Online Holocaust Memorial Lecture 2026 - What Remains: Personal Objects and the Memory of the Holocaust - The Wiener Holocaust Library
The Institute for the History of the German Jews in Hamburg, the Wiener Holocaust Library London and the Stanley Burton Centre for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the University of Leicester are ple...
wienerholocaustlibrary.org
January 19, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Reminder! Tomorrow 20 January 2026
18:00 UK-Time, 19:00 CET
Register here 👇
18:00 UK-Time, 19:00 CET
Register here 👇
Reposted by Simon Jones
Wonderful show. Amazing films.🎥 Touring UK venues from February. You must catch this joy filled experience in the expert musical 🎵 hands of @neilkbrand.bsky.social
A perfect Sunday awaits celebrating 100 Years of Laurel and Hardy with @neilkbrand.bsky.social.
January 11, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Wonderful show. Amazing films.🎥 Touring UK venues from February. You must catch this joy filled experience in the expert musical 🎵 hands of @neilkbrand.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Jones
"The media has largely let [tech companies] set the terms of the debate, right down to the terminology used in any discussion of these systems."
From @nannainie.bsky.social & me in @techpolicypress.bsky.social on how to spot and resist anthropomorphizing language about so-called "AI".
From @nannainie.bsky.social & me in @techpolicypress.bsky.social on how to spot and resist anthropomorphizing language about so-called "AI".
We Need to Talk About How We Talk About 'AI' | TechPolicy.Press
We share a responsibility to create and use empowering metaphors rather than misleading language, write Emily M. Bender and Nanna Inie.
www.techpolicy.press
January 9, 2026 at 1:31 PM
"The media has largely let [tech companies] set the terms of the debate, right down to the terminology used in any discussion of these systems."
From @nannainie.bsky.social & me in @techpolicypress.bsky.social on how to spot and resist anthropomorphizing language about so-called "AI".
From @nannainie.bsky.social & me in @techpolicypress.bsky.social on how to spot and resist anthropomorphizing language about so-called "AI".
Reposted by Simon Jones
This is an absolute banger of a story from @petergeoghegan.bsky.social about former UK PM Tony Blair’s think tank trying to become an AI infrastructure company - Palantblair anyone? Reminder too of Larry Ellison’s role in this effort
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Blair bids to build own AI tools to rival Palantir
TBI insiders warn of “'insane” plan to transform think tank into a tech company
democracyforsale.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:02 PM
This is an absolute banger of a story from @petergeoghegan.bsky.social about former UK PM Tony Blair’s think tank trying to become an AI infrastructure company - Palantblair anyone? Reminder too of Larry Ellison’s role in this effort
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/blair-bids...
Finished The Rose Field last night, the last book in Philip Pullman’s evocative world of Lyra Silvertongue. A wonderful read and very welcome fantasy at this time when the world seems to be tearing itself apart.
January 8, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Finished The Rose Field last night, the last book in Philip Pullman’s evocative world of Lyra Silvertongue. A wonderful read and very welcome fantasy at this time when the world seems to be tearing itself apart.
Reposted by Simon Jones
"The Minister of State with responsibility for Artificial Intelligence [in The Republic of Ireland] Niamh Smyth has said that both Irish and EU laws have been broken..." www.rte.ie/news/ireland... - will increase pressure on UK Govt & OfCom
Irish, EU laws broken on AI child abuse images - minister
The Minister of State with responsibility for Artificial Intelligence Niamh Smyth has said that both Irish and EU laws have been broken in relation to AI generated child abuse images.
www.rte.ie
January 8, 2026 at 9:14 PM
"The Minister of State with responsibility for Artificial Intelligence [in The Republic of Ireland] Niamh Smyth has said that both Irish and EU laws have been broken..." www.rte.ie/news/ireland... - will increase pressure on UK Govt & OfCom
Reposted by Simon Jones
I'm launching my Laurel and Hardy Centenary show at the BFI on Sunday in advance of the jaw-dropping 51-date tour that traverses the UK from February to March - details of that are at www.laurelandhardypresentedbyneilbrand.co.uk
and tickets for the BFI at whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/defau...
and tickets for the BFI at whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/defau...
Buy cinema tickets for Celebrating 100 Years of Laurel and Hardy with Neil Brand | BFI Southbank
whatson.bfi.org.uk
January 5, 2026 at 4:31 PM
I'm launching my Laurel and Hardy Centenary show at the BFI on Sunday in advance of the jaw-dropping 51-date tour that traverses the UK from February to March - details of that are at www.laurelandhardypresentedbyneilbrand.co.uk
and tickets for the BFI at whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/defau...
and tickets for the BFI at whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/defau...
Just watched Sentimental Value by Joachim Trier. A brilliant film with fabulous performances by Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård and others. A family drama with emotional heft that has theatre, filmmaking and history at its core. Well worth watching at the cinema.
January 5, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Just watched Sentimental Value by Joachim Trier. A brilliant film with fabulous performances by Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård and others. A family drama with emotional heft that has theatre, filmmaking and history at its core. Well worth watching at the cinema.
Reposted by Simon Jones
Given the lack of posters on the future of #Cambridge, for this month at every place I stop for a drink at, I’m going to put this up on my table with a few A3 printouts. See how many people stop by. (Am expecting *very few* but you never know…)
January 4, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Given the lack of posters on the future of #Cambridge, for this month at every place I stop for a drink at, I’m going to put this up on my table with a few A3 printouts. See how many people stop by. (Am expecting *very few* but you never know…)
Reposted by Simon Jones
Fancy meeting up on a free trip to Pompeii (UK folks only)? If you pre-order my new "Talking Classics" book (in which Pompeii features) from @Waterstones, you get to enter a prize draw for exactly that. Details, T&Cs here: www.waterstones.com/win/talking-...
Talking Classics Prize Draw | Waterstones
Discover our full range of books, gifts, toys, stationery and audiobooks at Waterstones.com. Click & Collect within 2 hours or buy online with Free UK Delivery on Orders Over £25.
www.waterstones.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Fancy meeting up on a free trip to Pompeii (UK folks only)? If you pre-order my new "Talking Classics" book (in which Pompeii features) from @Waterstones, you get to enter a prize draw for exactly that. Details, T&Cs here: www.waterstones.com/win/talking-...
Reposted by Simon Jones
Tonight's Comedy Store Players improv show is sold out. Line-ups for 10 newly-announced shows in London and beyond in March have just been posted on www.comedystoreplayers.com/events
Shows | The Comedy Store Players
The Comedy Store Players have been wowing audiences for 40 years with their improvisational skills, creating unique shows every week in the heart of London’s West End.
www.comedystoreplayers.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Tonight's Comedy Store Players improv show is sold out. Line-ups for 10 newly-announced shows in London and beyond in March have just been posted on www.comedystoreplayers.com/events
It is 2nd January. What should not be in this photo. #cambridge
January 2, 2026 at 5:57 PM
It is 2nd January. What should not be in this photo. #cambridge
Reposted by Simon Jones
Open up this picture fully.
Then look at the surface of Mars.
Then look up to the top right.
Spot Mars' moon Phobos high in the sky.
Then notice the bright spot beside Phobos.
That's Earth.
Then look at the surface of Mars.
Then look up to the top right.
Spot Mars' moon Phobos high in the sky.
Then notice the bright spot beside Phobos.
That's Earth.
December 30, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Open up this picture fully.
Then look at the surface of Mars.
Then look up to the top right.
Spot Mars' moon Phobos high in the sky.
Then notice the bright spot beside Phobos.
That's Earth.
Then look at the surface of Mars.
Then look up to the top right.
Spot Mars' moon Phobos high in the sky.
Then notice the bright spot beside Phobos.
That's Earth.
Reposted by Simon Jones
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, @dracos.co.uk battles with a nest of confused sign-in screens
Pro tip: no yes/no questions
www.effortmark.co.uk/no-yes-no-qu...
Pro tip: no yes/no questions
www.effortmark.co.uk/no-yes-no-qu...
December 30, 2025 at 10:36 AM
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, @dracos.co.uk battles with a nest of confused sign-in screens
Pro tip: no yes/no questions
www.effortmark.co.uk/no-yes-no-qu...
Pro tip: no yes/no questions
www.effortmark.co.uk/no-yes-no-qu...
@annaleen.bsky.social just read your excellent article in New Scientist about how not to misread sci-fi.
We Will Rise Again sounds great, is it published in the UK? I can only find e-book editions.
We Will Rise Again sounds great, is it published in the UK? I can only find e-book editions.
December 29, 2025 at 10:56 PM
@annaleen.bsky.social just read your excellent article in New Scientist about how not to misread sci-fi.
We Will Rise Again sounds great, is it published in the UK? I can only find e-book editions.
We Will Rise Again sounds great, is it published in the UK? I can only find e-book editions.
Reposted by Simon Jones
Reposted by Simon Jones
AMR: DYING TO CHANGE THE WORLD is a striking documentary narrated by Brian Cox, tackling an urgent global crisis: antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Director Alex Tweddle sat down with Duru Usanmaz to discuss risks behind personifying a microbe and how filmmaking can inspire change: buff.ly/RGGkqPb
Alex Tweddle & AMR: Dying to Change the World | TAKE ONE | Interviews
In conversation with Duru Usanmaz, director Alex Tweddle’s passion for purposeful filmmaking feels unmistakable. AMR: DYING TO CHANGE THE WORLD is more than a documentary; it’s a call to awareness,…
takeonecinema.net
December 18, 2025 at 4:13 PM
AMR: DYING TO CHANGE THE WORLD is a striking documentary narrated by Brian Cox, tackling an urgent global crisis: antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Director Alex Tweddle sat down with Duru Usanmaz to discuss risks behind personifying a microbe and how filmmaking can inspire change: buff.ly/RGGkqPb
Reposted by Simon Jones
Fantastic news!
I wish I had known about this when I was a student.
Such a great opportunity.
Well done to all who negotiated to bring it back after Brexiters binned it.
I wish I had known about this when I was a student.
Such a great opportunity.
Well done to all who negotiated to bring it back after Brexiters binned it.
December 16, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Fantastic news!
I wish I had known about this when I was a student.
Such a great opportunity.
Well done to all who negotiated to bring it back after Brexiters binned it.
I wish I had known about this when I was a student.
Such a great opportunity.
Well done to all who negotiated to bring it back after Brexiters binned it.
Just read the awful news from Australia and was reminded of the extensive security I saw at the Jewish museum in Frankfurt earlier in the year. It’s terrible this is needed, we seem to live in very polarised times.
My thoughts go to the Jewish community.
My thoughts go to the Jewish community.
December 14, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Just read the awful news from Australia and was reminded of the extensive security I saw at the Jewish museum in Frankfurt earlier in the year. It’s terrible this is needed, we seem to live in very polarised times.
My thoughts go to the Jewish community.
My thoughts go to the Jewish community.
Reposted by Simon Jones
We are devastated to learn of an antisemitic attack that has targeted Chanukah celebrations in Sydney. Our thoughts are with the Australian Jewish community and all those affected by this horrific event...
December 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
We are devastated to learn of an antisemitic attack that has targeted Chanukah celebrations in Sydney. Our thoughts are with the Australian Jewish community and all those affected by this horrific event...
Reposted by Simon Jones
I wrote this, a long analysis of a single line of Shakespeare and what it’s doing. How good writing is an ethical practice. And my continuing attempts to work out what it is that I’m spotting when I look at a piece of text and go “oh that was written by AI.”
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
a single line of Shakespeare contains an ethical universe
on what we get from individual word choice, what good writing is, plus: what I put in my ChatGPT settings to make it helpful
open.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 8:49 AM
I wrote this, a long analysis of a single line of Shakespeare and what it’s doing. How good writing is an ethical practice. And my continuing attempts to work out what it is that I’m spotting when I look at a piece of text and go “oh that was written by AI.”
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
Reposted by Simon Jones
I thoroughly recommend reading all of Cory Doctorow's recent speech on AI skepticism, it's crammed with new arguments and interesting new ways of thinking about these problems https://pluralistic.net/2025/12/05/pop-that-bubble/#u-washington
December 7, 2025 at 10:22 PM
I thoroughly recommend reading all of Cory Doctorow's recent speech on AI skepticism, it's crammed with new arguments and interesting new ways of thinking about these problems https://pluralistic.net/2025/12/05/pop-that-bubble/#u-washington