Dominicus
@themidwitcuckoo.bsky.social
I wanted to be an astronaut, then a writer, then a combination of Dorian Gray and Byron. So I've been a teacher for 20 years.
Interested in things that could not possibly make me, or anyone, money. In no order: quasars, mediaeval fabliaux, mycology...
Interested in things that could not possibly make me, or anyone, money. In no order: quasars, mediaeval fabliaux, mycology...
Dan Wooton's commitment to providing excellent follow-lists is the only thing about him worthier than the nitrogen he will one day release into the soil.
STATEMENT ON DAN WOOTON’s 50 WORST PEOPLE IN THE UK LIST.
I’m disappointed to note I’ve slipped from the top 10 in previous years to number 37. I’d like to reassure my followers that I remain committed to annoying *all* the right people and will endeavour to up my game in 2025.
I’m disappointed to note I’ve slipped from the top 10 in previous years to number 37. I’d like to reassure my followers that I remain committed to annoying *all* the right people and will endeavour to up my game in 2025.
April 9, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Dan Wooton's commitment to providing excellent follow-lists is the only thing about him worthier than the nitrogen he will one day release into the soil.
'Professional' used to be synonymous with 'autonomous'. Lawyers, bank managers, doctors, teachers: the whole idea was that these were highly-educated professionals who could be trusted. Over 30+ years, nonsense about 'post-code lotteries' and other drivers of centralisation sucked the autonomy out.
an idle thought I've had at the back of my head for a while is that a lot of white collar/middle class jobs used to be legitimately fun and/or intellectually stimulating and/or ludicrously well paid and now they're few or none of those things, and we don't talk about that at all
April 4, 2025 at 6:43 AM
'Professional' used to be synonymous with 'autonomous'. Lawyers, bank managers, doctors, teachers: the whole idea was that these were highly-educated professionals who could be trusted. Over 30+ years, nonsense about 'post-code lotteries' and other drivers of centralisation sucked the autonomy out.
My son just came out of the bathroom singing 'Another wee bites the dust', in case you were wondering what an idyllic Sunday sounds like.
March 23, 2025 at 9:02 AM
My son just came out of the bathroom singing 'Another wee bites the dust', in case you were wondering what an idyllic Sunday sounds like.
The only thing Israel could ever do to attract negative consequences from the West is the only moral thing it could ever do: become a single, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, genuinely democratic social democracy, beginning with a truly open Truth and Reconciliation committee and the Right to Return.
Israel slaughters children in Gaza as the US slaughters children in Yemen. Western Media will tell us: "targeting terrorists", our so called leaders: "in the line of defence".
The wicked West. www.middleeasteye.net/live/gaza-wa...
The wicked West. www.middleeasteye.net/live/gaza-wa...
Live: At least 232 killed as Israel ends Gaza ceasefire with brutal attacks
Israeli strikes reported in multiple locations, as Netanyahu says war resumed following failed talks
www.middleeasteye.net
March 18, 2025 at 6:06 AM
The only thing Israel could ever do to attract negative consequences from the West is the only moral thing it could ever do: become a single, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, genuinely democratic social democracy, beginning with a truly open Truth and Reconciliation committee and the Right to Return.
This is a subtweet of Almost All Media Britain.
Bar I'm in has unisex toilets, single cubicles obviously, turns out I don't feel threatened or worried about there being men weeing in the other cubicles whilst I'm in a cubicle also weeing, who knew
March 16, 2025 at 9:03 AM
This is a subtweet of Almost All Media Britain.
If calling for the US to stop arming a genocide in Palestine was naïve because 'it won't make any difference'...
Explain how poor Zelenskyy has had to come crawling to the US after ONE DAY of Trump withdrawing funding?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Explain how poor Zelenskyy has had to come crawling to the US after ONE DAY of Trump withdrawing funding?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
March 4, 2025 at 9:14 PM
If calling for the US to stop arming a genocide in Palestine was naïve because 'it won't make any difference'...
Explain how poor Zelenskyy has had to come crawling to the US after ONE DAY of Trump withdrawing funding?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Explain how poor Zelenskyy has had to come crawling to the US after ONE DAY of Trump withdrawing funding?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Liberals, looking at the world, and deciding that the REAL villain is an elderly environmentalist.
For True Blue Dems, even the worst fascist is a misguided friend, who can be brought back into the fold; meanwhile, the mildest socialist is anathema, scum, needing to be crushed utterly.
For True Blue Dems, even the worst fascist is a misguided friend, who can be brought back into the fold; meanwhile, the mildest socialist is anathema, scum, needing to be crushed utterly.
March 3, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Liberals, looking at the world, and deciding that the REAL villain is an elderly environmentalist.
For True Blue Dems, even the worst fascist is a misguided friend, who can be brought back into the fold; meanwhile, the mildest socialist is anathema, scum, needing to be crushed utterly.
For True Blue Dems, even the worst fascist is a misguided friend, who can be brought back into the fold; meanwhile, the mildest socialist is anathema, scum, needing to be crushed utterly.
Once again, for the hard of thinking Vote Blue No Matter Who Dems: this is on you, too.
The problem ISN'T Trump. Every society has had aged, reckless, violent, idiotic buffoons.
The problem is a system that allows a creature like that anywhere near power.
YOU are part of that system.
The problem ISN'T Trump. Every society has had aged, reckless, violent, idiotic buffoons.
The problem is a system that allows a creature like that anywhere near power.
YOU are part of that system.
March 1, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Once again, for the hard of thinking Vote Blue No Matter Who Dems: this is on you, too.
The problem ISN'T Trump. Every society has had aged, reckless, violent, idiotic buffoons.
The problem is a system that allows a creature like that anywhere near power.
YOU are part of that system.
The problem ISN'T Trump. Every society has had aged, reckless, violent, idiotic buffoons.
The problem is a system that allows a creature like that anywhere near power.
YOU are part of that system.
Have any of my mutuals been to the Silk Roads exhibition at the British Museum? Was thinking of going in on Wednesday.
February 15, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Have any of my mutuals been to the Silk Roads exhibition at the British Museum? Was thinking of going in on Wednesday.
Seeing this stupid take all over Bluesky yesterday and today.
No-one EXPECTS the Republicans to be anything other than cartoonishly evil. The Democrats trade on being seen as better than that.
In a duopoly, if THEY can't be decent, the politics well is poisoned for all.
No-one EXPECTS the Republicans to be anything other than cartoonishly evil. The Democrats trade on being seen as better than that.
In a duopoly, if THEY can't be decent, the politics well is poisoned for all.
February 5, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Seeing this stupid take all over Bluesky yesterday and today.
No-one EXPECTS the Republicans to be anything other than cartoonishly evil. The Democrats trade on being seen as better than that.
In a duopoly, if THEY can't be decent, the politics well is poisoned for all.
No-one EXPECTS the Republicans to be anything other than cartoonishly evil. The Democrats trade on being seen as better than that.
In a duopoly, if THEY can't be decent, the politics well is poisoned for all.
My son gave up trying to win the Indiana Jones game and is now just beating up every fascist he can find.
Honestly, what an absolute MOOD.
Honestly, what an absolute MOOD.
February 4, 2025 at 8:22 PM
My son gave up trying to win the Indiana Jones game and is now just beating up every fascist he can find.
Honestly, what an absolute MOOD.
Honestly, what an absolute MOOD.
You want to WATCH them get MARRIED?
The most intense, personal moment of their LIVES, and you want to WATCH?
I mean...OK. Don't want to yuk your yum, but...wait. They fucking INVITED you? They asked you to watch them actually...exchange their vows? Both of them?
I'm sorry but that's just sick.
The most intense, personal moment of their LIVES, and you want to WATCH?
I mean...OK. Don't want to yuk your yum, but...wait. They fucking INVITED you? They asked you to watch them actually...exchange their vows? Both of them?
I'm sorry but that's just sick.
February 3, 2025 at 3:26 AM
You want to WATCH them get MARRIED?
The most intense, personal moment of their LIVES, and you want to WATCH?
I mean...OK. Don't want to yuk your yum, but...wait. They fucking INVITED you? They asked you to watch them actually...exchange their vows? Both of them?
I'm sorry but that's just sick.
The most intense, personal moment of their LIVES, and you want to WATCH?
I mean...OK. Don't want to yuk your yum, but...wait. They fucking INVITED you? They asked you to watch them actually...exchange their vows? Both of them?
I'm sorry but that's just sick.
I need to enter a Face/Off scenario with someone in this situation. I'm the opposite: I like talking to people, but my face says 'Step away now before I burn your homestead and salt your crops.' So no-one ever approaches me.
me: why do people always want to talk to me in public even though that's basically punishable by death up here. oh right. bc i look like this
exceptional news, i found another shot from the day we took headshots for work at the cemetery
February 2, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I need to enter a Face/Off scenario with someone in this situation. I'm the opposite: I like talking to people, but my face says 'Step away now before I burn your homestead and salt your crops.' So no-one ever approaches me.
(Tentatively inserting this into The Discourse with tweezers, then sprinting away to throw myself into a ditch before it explodes along with everything else in the world, but...this looks like it *might* be Very Good News indeed.)
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
UK scientist wins prize for invention that could help avert ‘phosphogeddon’
Phosphate, key to food production, is choking waterways, but a new sponge-like material returns it to the soil for crops
www.theguardian.com
February 2, 2025 at 6:39 AM
(Tentatively inserting this into The Discourse with tweezers, then sprinting away to throw myself into a ditch before it explodes along with everything else in the world, but...this looks like it *might* be Very Good News indeed.)
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
'...if you can keep it.'
Benjamin Franklin, 17th September, 1787.
Benjamin Franklin, 17th September, 1787.
February 1, 2025 at 9:53 PM
'...if you can keep it.'
Benjamin Franklin, 17th September, 1787.
Benjamin Franklin, 17th September, 1787.
While we're doing lessons from history: was there ever before a leader who was wildly popular with millions of ordinary citizens, but who the Senate feared was becoming a dictator?
I wonder, if by any chance there was, how those Senators dealt with the problem. It's a real doozy!
I wonder, if by any chance there was, how those Senators dealt with the problem. It's a real doozy!
February 1, 2025 at 9:31 PM
While we're doing lessons from history: was there ever before a leader who was wildly popular with millions of ordinary citizens, but who the Senate feared was becoming a dictator?
I wonder, if by any chance there was, how those Senators dealt with the problem. It's a real doozy!
I wonder, if by any chance there was, how those Senators dealt with the problem. It's a real doozy!
My Y10 class discussed the impossible demands of Sonnet 116's definition of true love - I asked them to imagine having to still love your first ever crush from Y6.
1. Boy A immediately turns to look at a friend sitting behind.
2. After a pause, boy B says, quietly, 'I wouldn't mind.'
Adorable.
1. Boy A immediately turns to look at a friend sitting behind.
2. After a pause, boy B says, quietly, 'I wouldn't mind.'
Adorable.
February 1, 2025 at 8:40 PM
My Y10 class discussed the impossible demands of Sonnet 116's definition of true love - I asked them to imagine having to still love your first ever crush from Y6.
1. Boy A immediately turns to look at a friend sitting behind.
2. After a pause, boy B says, quietly, 'I wouldn't mind.'
Adorable.
1. Boy A immediately turns to look at a friend sitting behind.
2. After a pause, boy B says, quietly, 'I wouldn't mind.'
Adorable.
Average Annapurna documentary.
Climber: I've climbed every other 8,000er. I've trained for 30 years. I have every possible respect for this mountain. I am here in celebration of the Sublime, not to triumph over Nature.
Anapurna: Lmao. Lmfao. Your frozen bones will be eaten by my eternal snows.
Climber: I've climbed every other 8,000er. I've trained for 30 years. I have every possible respect for this mountain. I am here in celebration of the Sublime, not to triumph over Nature.
Anapurna: Lmao. Lmfao. Your frozen bones will be eaten by my eternal snows.
average Everest documentary
climber: we got there
c: weather was bad
c: we fought through
c: but it was all worth it
Everest: You passed the test, child
average K2 documentary:
c: getting there was a bitch
c: weather was bad
c: then it wasn't
c: On we fought
c: everyone died
K2: lmao
climber: we got there
c: weather was bad
c: we fought through
c: but it was all worth it
Everest: You passed the test, child
average K2 documentary:
c: getting there was a bitch
c: weather was bad
c: then it wasn't
c: On we fought
c: everyone died
K2: lmao
February 1, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Average Annapurna documentary.
Climber: I've climbed every other 8,000er. I've trained for 30 years. I have every possible respect for this mountain. I am here in celebration of the Sublime, not to triumph over Nature.
Anapurna: Lmao. Lmfao. Your frozen bones will be eaten by my eternal snows.
Climber: I've climbed every other 8,000er. I've trained for 30 years. I have every possible respect for this mountain. I am here in celebration of the Sublime, not to triumph over Nature.
Anapurna: Lmao. Lmfao. Your frozen bones will be eaten by my eternal snows.
The most terrifying thing about generative AI isn't how it can't do original thought, or produce beautiful art. Nor can most of us.
It's that it confirms the billionaire class in its belief that most people are replicable and replaceable. And now millions gleefully collude in their own replacement.
It's that it confirms the billionaire class in its belief that most people are replicable and replaceable. And now millions gleefully collude in their own replacement.
January 29, 2025 at 9:36 PM
The most terrifying thing about generative AI isn't how it can't do original thought, or produce beautiful art. Nor can most of us.
It's that it confirms the billionaire class in its belief that most people are replicable and replaceable. And now millions gleefully collude in their own replacement.
It's that it confirms the billionaire class in its belief that most people are replicable and replaceable. And now millions gleefully collude in their own replacement.
AI was meant to free humans from drudgery so they could make art.
Instead, the techbros designed it to free humans from making art, so that they had more time for drudgery.
Instead, the techbros designed it to free humans from making art, so that they had more time for drudgery.
It's ok to use chatbots for everyday monotony like writing your wedding vows because this frees you up to use your creative energy for what truly matters: making powerpoints for work meetings
January 29, 2025 at 9:14 PM
AI was meant to free humans from drudgery so they could make art.
Instead, the techbros designed it to free humans from making art, so that they had more time for drudgery.
Instead, the techbros designed it to free humans from making art, so that they had more time for drudgery.
January 26, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Everyone who says handwriting is an outdated irrelevance hasn't had the sheer pleasure of holding this charming letter from Professor Tolkien to a friend of my grandmother's, explaining some printing issues which delayed the publication of the last volume of LOTR.
Look at those elegant dots!
Look at those elegant dots!
January 26, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Everyone who says handwriting is an outdated irrelevance hasn't had the sheer pleasure of holding this charming letter from Professor Tolkien to a friend of my grandmother's, explaining some printing issues which delayed the publication of the last volume of LOTR.
Look at those elegant dots!
Look at those elegant dots!
How am I supposed to tell you all the things I like when I don't know myself?
When the things I would die rather than lose - the vertigo of the infinite stars on clear nights; the sudden flame of my son's smile - are so unknowably essential, that 'liking' is entirely too dilute a word?
When the things I would die rather than lose - the vertigo of the infinite stars on clear nights; the sudden flame of my son's smile - are so unknowably essential, that 'liking' is entirely too dilute a word?
January 26, 2025 at 5:08 PM
How am I supposed to tell you all the things I like when I don't know myself?
When the things I would die rather than lose - the vertigo of the infinite stars on clear nights; the sudden flame of my son's smile - are so unknowably essential, that 'liking' is entirely too dilute a word?
When the things I would die rather than lose - the vertigo of the infinite stars on clear nights; the sudden flame of my son's smile - are so unknowably essential, that 'liking' is entirely too dilute a word?
On the other hand, my beloved ex-College tutor responded to students of mine who asked his advice on a project, revealing not only that he is deep into his own exciting project (I thought he'd retired), but that I was 'one of [his] favourite ever students'.
🥹
🥹
January 26, 2025 at 2:20 PM
On the other hand, my beloved ex-College tutor responded to students of mine who asked his advice on a project, revealing not only that he is deep into his own exciting project (I thought he'd retired), but that I was 'one of [his] favourite ever students'.
🥹
🥹