Victoria Ling 🌱 🎓 🪐📚
@vrling.bsky.social
Recovering academic (archaeology/evolution).
Author of King Street Run, a fantasy-satire set in Cambridge: https://books2read.com/King-Street-Run
No DMs.
Classic ghost story writers, Old buildings, Old books, Gothic everything, Vegans, Classic Who
Author of King Street Run, a fantasy-satire set in Cambridge: https://books2read.com/King-Street-Run
No DMs.
Classic ghost story writers, Old buildings, Old books, Gothic everything, Vegans, Classic Who
Pinned
Victoria Ling 🌱 🎓 🪐📚
@vrling.bsky.social
· Nov 21
📚💙 For those who like their sci-fi laced with satire and dark humour, my new novel "Paradox Lost" will be unleashed by @elsewhen.press in 2026. Please form an orderly queue at your nearest book shop and always remember to heed the crush barriers 😜
Reposted by Victoria Ling 🌱 🎓 🪐📚
No offense but I think we underestimate how many of our current problems, both cultural and political, are downstream of the decline in reading, the decline in learning and the loss of interest in the humanities.
December 1, 2025 at 8:59 PM
No offense but I think we underestimate how many of our current problems, both cultural and political, are downstream of the decline in reading, the decline in learning and the loss of interest in the humanities.
I’m not an expert but I think it’s what happens when the demon outgrows its human host.
Lips riddled with needle marks in an attempt to achieve "Mar-a-Lago face" in order to please her pedophile führer, this is the face of evil Nazi propagandist Karoline Leavitt. 😳👇
January 16, 2026 at 6:23 PM
I’m not an expert but I think it’s what happens when the demon outgrows its human host.
If, like me, you love anything to do with space and physics (and many other fascinating subjects) then you'll love this podcast. Features two very likeable hosts and special episodes dedicated to answering listener questions.
A new listener questions episode is up! Daniel and Kelly answer questions about tornadoes, water purification, and massive moons in the sky.
www.iheart.com/podcast/105-...
www.iheart.com/podcast/105-...
January 16, 2026 at 1:47 PM
If, like me, you love anything to do with space and physics (and many other fascinating subjects) then you'll love this podcast. Features two very likeable hosts and special episodes dedicated to answering listener questions.
He’s a disgrace.
The Royal Society, once graced by the likes of Thomas Huxley, Michael Faraday, and Charles Darwin now stands as an insult to their legacy. Nurse approves the membership of second rate conmen like M*sk into the ranks. Neither are fit to lace the shoes of those who went before.
The Royal Society, once graced by the likes of Thomas Huxley, Michael Faraday, and Charles Darwin now stands as an insult to their legacy. Nurse approves the membership of second rate conmen like M*sk into the ranks. Neither are fit to lace the shoes of those who went before.
Great scientist … shocking interview
“I’m old, I’m white, I’m a man, so everything’s against me” is clumsy start
Worse is refusal to see bullying & sexual harassment as corruption of science
Paul Nurse presided over institutions notorious for poor culture
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
“I’m old, I’m white, I’m a man, so everything’s against me” is clumsy start
Worse is refusal to see bullying & sexual harassment as corruption of science
Paul Nurse presided over institutions notorious for poor culture
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
‘Lots of people don’t want to do it’: Paul Nurse on his controversial second term as Royal Society president
The Nobel prize winner discusses claims of a ‘boys’ club’, Elon Musk’s fellowship and rightwing attacks on science
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:04 AM
He’s a disgrace.
The Royal Society, once graced by the likes of Thomas Huxley, Michael Faraday, and Charles Darwin now stands as an insult to their legacy. Nurse approves the membership of second rate conmen like M*sk into the ranks. Neither are fit to lace the shoes of those who went before.
The Royal Society, once graced by the likes of Thomas Huxley, Michael Faraday, and Charles Darwin now stands as an insult to their legacy. Nurse approves the membership of second rate conmen like M*sk into the ranks. Neither are fit to lace the shoes of those who went before.
“Mrs. Bittarcy rustled ominously, holding her peace meanwhile. She feared long words she did not understand. Beelzebub lay hid among too many syllables.”
- Algernon Blackwood, The Man Whom The Trees Loved (1912)
- Algernon Blackwood, The Man Whom The Trees Loved (1912)
January 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM
“Mrs. Bittarcy rustled ominously, holding her peace meanwhile. She feared long words she did not understand. Beelzebub lay hid among too many syllables.”
- Algernon Blackwood, The Man Whom The Trees Loved (1912)
- Algernon Blackwood, The Man Whom The Trees Loved (1912)
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies as they bomb us.”
January 9, 2026 at 6:34 PM
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies as they bomb us.”
"Promises were of no use to him; his bank account couldn’t use ‘em. A business man he called himself, but most folk called him something else.”
- H.A. Manhood "Death of a Balloon" (1935)
- H.A. Manhood "Death of a Balloon" (1935)
"There have obviously been financial mistakes, they couldn't keep up with the upkeep - it was falling apart"
What happened to Vice Chancellor & Chief Financial Officer who pushed University of Nottingham over the cliff?
They moved onwards & upwards🤮
www.nottinghampost.com/news/notting...
What happened to Vice Chancellor & Chief Financial Officer who pushed University of Nottingham over the cliff?
They moved onwards & upwards🤮
www.nottinghampost.com/news/notting...
'University's cuts will stop geniuses like my Nobel Prize-winning grandad'
His grandchild has said he would be concerned by the direction of the university
www.nottinghampost.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:17 PM
"Promises were of no use to him; his bank account couldn’t use ‘em. A business man he called himself, but most folk called him something else.”
- H.A. Manhood "Death of a Balloon" (1935)
- H.A. Manhood "Death of a Balloon" (1935)
“His voice had little more body that the tearing of a cobweb.”
- C. L. Ray (Cynthia Asquith), The Corner Shop (1926)
- C. L. Ray (Cynthia Asquith), The Corner Shop (1926)
January 7, 2026 at 3:12 PM
“His voice had little more body that the tearing of a cobweb.”
- C. L. Ray (Cynthia Asquith), The Corner Shop (1926)
- C. L. Ray (Cynthia Asquith), The Corner Shop (1926)
A first class new year to you too, Katy!
And thank you very much ☺️
And thank you very much ☺️
January 5, 2026 at 2:26 PM
A first class new year to you too, Katy!
And thank you very much ☺️
And thank you very much ☺️
I second this. If you enjoy short stories that look at the world through a different, often other-worldly lens, then "An Orchid in My Belly Button" by @sylphsea.bsky.social will see you through the current cold snap admirably.
#Booksky
#Booksky
"An Orchid in my Belly Button" is a collection of short stories by Katy Whimhurst @sylphsea.bsky.social
suffused with magical realism, these stories are often dark and reflective of modern life, while also infusing kindness, wonder, and an offbeat sense of humor
suffused with magical realism, these stories are often dark and reflective of modern life, while also infusing kindness, wonder, and an offbeat sense of humor
January 5, 2026 at 1:32 PM
I second this. If you enjoy short stories that look at the world through a different, often other-worldly lens, then "An Orchid in My Belly Button" by @sylphsea.bsky.social will see you through the current cold snap admirably.
#Booksky
#Booksky
Reposted by Victoria Ling 🌱 🎓 🪐📚
January 1, 2026 at 8:00 AM
January 3, 2026 at 9:22 PM
“Dishonest men concurred in making honest laws, each recognising that while it was for his own benefit he should be latently dishonest, it was equally for his own benefit that others should be honest.”
- The Curse of Intellect by Machiavelli Colin Clout (Frank Challice Constable) (1895)
- The Curse of Intellect by Machiavelli Colin Clout (Frank Challice Constable) (1895)
January 3, 2026 at 3:21 PM
“Dishonest men concurred in making honest laws, each recognising that while it was for his own benefit he should be latently dishonest, it was equally for his own benefit that others should be honest.”
- The Curse of Intellect by Machiavelli Colin Clout (Frank Challice Constable) (1895)
- The Curse of Intellect by Machiavelli Colin Clout (Frank Challice Constable) (1895)
“… a cold heart brought contentment with a useless life…”
- Colin Clout, The Curse of Intellect (1895)
- Colin Clout, The Curse of Intellect (1895)
Presumably, a list is maintained of the most dislikable & undeserving people in UK Higher Education ...
... and forwarded to the Honours Committee
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/new-yea...
... and forwarded to the Honours Committee
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/new-yea...
New Year Honours 2026: knighthood for Leicester vice-chancellor
Professors from UCL and Plymouth Marjon University receive damehoods, while four vice-chancellors commended
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:42 AM
“… a cold heart brought contentment with a useless life…”
- Colin Clout, The Curse of Intellect (1895)
- Colin Clout, The Curse of Intellect (1895)
“The more I see of the moneyed classes, the more I understand the guillotine.”
- George Bernard Shaw (letter to Edward Rose, 1899)
- George Bernard Shaw (letter to Edward Rose, 1899)
January 2, 2026 at 5:50 PM
“The more I see of the moneyed classes, the more I understand the guillotine.”
- George Bernard Shaw (letter to Edward Rose, 1899)
- George Bernard Shaw (letter to Edward Rose, 1899)
3/3 Ultimately the story ponders the hypocrisies and superficiality of human society, especially the English class system. It has an element of Gulliver’s Travels with humans being seen as ‘Yahoos’. A wonderful read. Certainly a must-read for anyone who knows who Koko was.
January 1, 2026 at 2:15 PM
3/3 Ultimately the story ponders the hypocrisies and superficiality of human society, especially the English class system. It has an element of Gulliver’s Travels with humans being seen as ‘Yahoos’. A wonderful read. Certainly a must-read for anyone who knows who Koko was.
2/3 It describes how a large monkey (probably they meant an ape, likely a gorilla) is taught to think and speak, and is introduced into London Society. The second part tells the story from the creature’s point of view.
January 1, 2026 at 2:15 PM
2/3 It describes how a large monkey (probably they meant an ape, likely a gorilla) is taught to think and speak, and is introduced into London Society. The second part tells the story from the creature’s point of view.
1/3 A book all palaeoanthropologists should seek out. “The Curse of Intellect” is an unusual but insightful fantasy from 1895. The first half of the story purports to be written by 'Machiavelli Colin Clout' (a pseudonym of Frank Challice Constable).
#Booksky #AcademicSky
#Booksky #AcademicSky
January 1, 2026 at 2:14 PM
1/3 A book all palaeoanthropologists should seek out. “The Curse of Intellect” is an unusual but insightful fantasy from 1895. The first half of the story purports to be written by 'Machiavelli Colin Clout' (a pseudonym of Frank Challice Constable).
#Booksky #AcademicSky
#Booksky #AcademicSky
Annie is very talented… imagine if she could do that again but with Doctor Whos 😁
January 1, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Annie is very talented… imagine if she could do that again but with Doctor Whos 😁
“Perhaps the reason why second-class men attain the highest, most coveted world positions is, that the greatest are commonly unmoved by ambition or love of applause.”
- The Curse of Intellect, Colin Clout (Frank Challice Constable), 1895
- The Curse of Intellect, Colin Clout (Frank Challice Constable), 1895
Top trolling
A knighthood is given to Vice Chancellor Canagarajah for advancing "inclusivity" while Leicester University reels from soaring executive pay, successive scandals and governance chaos
Medals for optics 🤮
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/new-yea...
A knighthood is given to Vice Chancellor Canagarajah for advancing "inclusivity" while Leicester University reels from soaring executive pay, successive scandals and governance chaos
Medals for optics 🤮
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/new-yea...
New Year Honours 2026: knighthood for Leicester vice-chancellor
Professors from UCL and Plymouth Marjon University receive damehoods, while four vice-chancellors commended
www.timeshighereducation.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:34 PM
“Perhaps the reason why second-class men attain the highest, most coveted world positions is, that the greatest are commonly unmoved by ambition or love of applause.”
- The Curse of Intellect, Colin Clout (Frank Challice Constable), 1895
- The Curse of Intellect, Colin Clout (Frank Challice Constable), 1895
Reposted by Victoria Ling 🌱 🎓 🪐📚
December 31, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Stanford map from 1930. Note the insidious “British Mandate” on Palestine.
December 30, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Stanford map from 1930. Note the insidious “British Mandate” on Palestine.
“First he sent.. a flood lasting several weeks, in consequence of which that portion of the population which could neither swim nor climb trees was drowned. The fittest, however, who, to his mind, were also the most objectionable, naturally survived.”
- The Sorrows of Jupiter by Julius (1904)
- The Sorrows of Jupiter by Julius (1904)
December 29, 2025 at 6:34 PM
“First he sent.. a flood lasting several weeks, in consequence of which that portion of the population which could neither swim nor climb trees was drowned. The fittest, however, who, to his mind, were also the most objectionable, naturally survived.”
- The Sorrows of Jupiter by Julius (1904)
- The Sorrows of Jupiter by Julius (1904)