Steve Spithray
@underthehills.net
Freelance writer and editor of repute | #pressonbook OUT NOW | http://underthehills.net | press at Mbro Gigs, KU
Pinned
Steve Spithray
@underthehills.net
· Jan 9
Just seen a cat that looked like a very small sheep
Reposted by Steve Spithray
I made a map of 3.4 million Bluesky users - see if you can find yourself!
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
Bluesky Map
Interactive map of 3.4 million Bluesky users, visualised by their follower pattern.
bluesky-map.theo.io
February 8, 2026 at 10:59 PM
I made a map of 3.4 million Bluesky users - see if you can find yourself!
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
Reposted by Steve Spithray
Every time I ponder the creeping rise of fascism, I remind myself that the Durham HQ of the British Union Of Fascists (1934) is now a pizza (Italian) and kebab (Greek/Turkish) shop (2024).
February 8, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Every time I ponder the creeping rise of fascism, I remind myself that the Durham HQ of the British Union Of Fascists (1934) is now a pizza (Italian) and kebab (Greek/Turkish) shop (2024).
Made pancakes for brunch cos why the f not. Mine was the best
February 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Made pancakes for brunch cos why the f not. Mine was the best
Good to know all the hours I’ve spent watching Perfect Chicken might have inadvertently provided me with some of the fundamental toolkit for fighting fascism…
In the greater story of Minneapolis’ resistance to ICE, one chapter absolutely belongs to the punks organizing at every level. They’re observing, fundraising, running supplies, opening their spaces, coordinating, etc.
A story for @rollingstone.com. Thanks to everyone who spoke on the record.
A story for @rollingstone.com. Thanks to everyone who spoke on the record.
Meet the Minneapolis Punks Fighting ICE
People in the DIY music scene are using the community organizing tactics they learned by putting on shows to battle ICE.
www.rollingstone.com
February 7, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Good to know all the hours I’ve spent watching Perfect Chicken might have inadvertently provided me with some of the fundamental toolkit for fighting fascism…
Listened to this today while WFH. A definite smiling forehead. Would tune in again 👍
🐳 THE WHALE POD 🐳
The first episode of our silly little podcast about a book about a fish is out now.
Listen for free on Patreon or wherever you get your podcasts.
🐳 patreon.com/thewhalepod
The first episode of our silly little podcast about a book about a fish is out now.
Listen for free on Patreon or wherever you get your podcasts.
🐳 patreon.com/thewhalepod
February 5, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Listened to this today while WFH. A definite smiling forehead. Would tune in again 👍
I’m trying to find a chapter that was edited out of my first book submitted in mid-2020 from an old laptop that no longer works. I’ve trawled 3k+ emails on gmail for the right time period but nothing. I feel like that guy with all the Bitcoins on the hard drive in the landfill 😬
February 5, 2026 at 10:05 PM
I’m trying to find a chapter that was edited out of my first book submitted in mid-2020 from an old laptop that no longer works. I’ve trawled 3k+ emails on gmail for the right time period but nothing. I feel like that guy with all the Bitcoins on the hard drive in the landfill 😬
What’s the book with witches (and possibly time travel) where the protagonist makes decisions by tossing a coin? It’s not Dice Man btw
February 4, 2026 at 3:16 PM
What’s the book with witches (and possibly time travel) where the protagonist makes decisions by tossing a coin? It’s not Dice Man btw
Reposted by Steve Spithray
I’ve come up with a few more ideas for new Reform policies:
Reduce chemotherapy provision to lower the price of cigarettes
Remove free nursery places to fund subsidies for the fox hunting industry
Tax turbans to allow for zero VAT on any item sold in Union Jack packaging.
Reduce chemotherapy provision to lower the price of cigarettes
Remove free nursery places to fund subsidies for the fox hunting industry
Tax turbans to allow for zero VAT on any item sold in Union Jack packaging.
February 4, 2026 at 9:09 AM
I’ve come up with a few more ideas for new Reform policies:
Reduce chemotherapy provision to lower the price of cigarettes
Remove free nursery places to fund subsidies for the fox hunting industry
Tax turbans to allow for zero VAT on any item sold in Union Jack packaging.
Reduce chemotherapy provision to lower the price of cigarettes
Remove free nursery places to fund subsidies for the fox hunting industry
Tax turbans to allow for zero VAT on any item sold in Union Jack packaging.
Just remembered I’m going to see Teesside’s coolest new band on Friday 💃
February 1, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Just remembered I’m going to see Teesside’s coolest new band on Friday 💃
That ‘no festival today’ Echo article reminded me of Newcastle’s Hit The North in 2019 and DMA’s unflinching refusal to step down as headliners… what a day that was on socials as the running order collapsed from 79 to 12 artists 😂 chrisontheatre.wordpress.com/2021/11/02/t...
February 1, 2026 at 11:13 AM
That ‘no festival today’ Echo article reminded me of Newcastle’s Hit The North in 2019 and DMA’s unflinching refusal to step down as headliners… what a day that was on socials as the running order collapsed from 79 to 12 artists 😂 chrisontheatre.wordpress.com/2021/11/02/t...
Thread. Been saying this stuff for ages. Musk is just a patsy - the dregs of the billionaire class - hired to take down Twitter, the greatest and most dangerous socialist platform of all time…
Ain’t I been telling you the reactionary backlash was driven by the very rich and powerful watching regular people use social media to accuse Harvey Weinstein of sex crimes, then watching him dragged sobbing to jail, unprotected by his enormous wealth? What do you think the cancel culture panic was.
January 31, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Thread. Been saying this stuff for ages. Musk is just a patsy - the dregs of the billionaire class - hired to take down Twitter, the greatest and most dangerous socialist platform of all time…
The greatest trick Thatcher ever pulled was kidding people into thinking merging the binary HE systems wouldn’t ultimately make the more exclusive institutions even more exclusive (while devaluing degrees even more for everyone else). And here we are still…
2026: Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves, "It is not right that people who don't go to university bear the cost for others to"
2020: That time Labour leader Keir Starmer said he would scrap university tuition fees
2020: That time Labour leader Keir Starmer said he would scrap university tuition fees
January 29, 2026 at 9:36 PM
The greatest trick Thatcher ever pulled was kidding people into thinking merging the binary HE systems wouldn’t ultimately make the more exclusive institutions even more exclusive (while devaluing degrees even more for everyone else). And here we are still…
Reposted by Steve Spithray
NE pals, i've got a meeting in Newcastle on Monday 1st June so using it as an excuse to do an event with my old pals @drakebookshop.bsky.social on the way back. Only sorted this today, ticket links etc coming a bit nearer the time. Be great to see some of you there.
January 26, 2026 at 6:05 PM
NE pals, i've got a meeting in Newcastle on Monday 1st June so using it as an excuse to do an event with my old pals @drakebookshop.bsky.social on the way back. Only sorted this today, ticket links etc coming a bit nearer the time. Be great to see some of you there.
Reposted by Steve Spithray
We know that famous American ideal, where the government has a right to shoot you dead because of “rhetoric.”
Bovino: "When politicians, community leaders, & some journalists engage in that heated rhetoric we keep talking about, when they make the choice to vilify law enforcement calling law enforcement 'Gestapo' or using the term 'kidnapping,' that is a choice & there are actions & consequences."
January 25, 2026 at 8:25 PM
We know that famous American ideal, where the government has a right to shoot you dead because of “rhetoric.”
Imagine being the elected leader of a failing country (for whatever reason yada) and blocking one of the best of your own party to protect your own interests. No democracy there is there
January 25, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Imagine being the elected leader of a failing country (for whatever reason yada) and blocking one of the best of your own party to protect your own interests. No democracy there is there
Crazy decision on Burnham. The closed doors of democracy
January 25, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Crazy decision on Burnham. The closed doors of democracy
Reposted by Steve Spithray
The same people who said that the mass murder of children in schools was a sad but necessary price to enable citizens to bear arms and oppose tyranny are now saying that if you carry a gun it’s your fault if you’re murdered.
January 25, 2026 at 8:52 AM
The same people who said that the mass murder of children in schools was a sad but necessary price to enable citizens to bear arms and oppose tyranny are now saying that if you carry a gun it’s your fault if you’re murdered.
Reposted by Steve Spithray
Worth remembering when looking at the horrific scenes in the US right now that both Reform and the Tories have pledged to bring in ICE-style organisations to the UK if they win power
January 24, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Worth remembering when looking at the horrific scenes in the US right now that both Reform and the Tories have pledged to bring in ICE-style organisations to the UK if they win power
Emma is going to love her Valentines scourer
January 24, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Emma is going to love her Valentines scourer
Reposted by Steve Spithray
Board of Peace - Season 1
January 24, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Board of Peace - Season 1
Trump has had a shocking week tbf. They are nearly ready to dispense with him and (been saying this for ages) what comes next will be much worse…
Stephen Miller: "You saw a masterclass. A true amazing masterclass in diplomacy, statesmanship, leadership, in Davos this week with President Trump"
January 24, 2026 at 7:56 AM
Trump has had a shocking week tbf. They are nearly ready to dispense with him and (been saying this for ages) what comes next will be much worse…
Reposted by Steve Spithray
Finally, a flag worth fighting for.
January 19, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Finally, a flag worth fighting for.
The world’s going to shit and I feel like I’m getting a chest infection but I still have a carton of custard and a quarter of a jar of jam
January 19, 2026 at 5:37 PM
The world’s going to shit and I feel like I’m getting a chest infection but I still have a carton of custard and a quarter of a jar of jam
I wouldn’t worry it’s probably just the loony left scare mongering
January 17, 2026 at 10:35 PM
I wouldn’t worry it’s probably just the loony left scare mongering