Christine
@cebythesea2.bsky.social
Former teacher, now online tutor supporting ND, SEN, EAL students across the curriculum. Cat sitter to slow travel with chronic illness. She/her
Reposted by Christine
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
December 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
Reposted by Christine
Looking Forward to trying this with a bunch of 14 year-olds next time I teach static electricity.
December 6, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Looking Forward to trying this with a bunch of 14 year-olds next time I teach static electricity.
Reposted by Christine
Okay @erinbiba.bsky.social it’s time for my second-most anticipated annual thread: Cats in Christmas Trees (and Battling Menorahs). Starting off strong with Donut.
December 3, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Okay @erinbiba.bsky.social it’s time for my second-most anticipated annual thread: Cats in Christmas Trees (and Battling Menorahs). Starting off strong with Donut.
Reposted by Christine
Currently dorking out over this graph about child mortality with my brother. Just mind boggling to take in.
December 2, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Currently dorking out over this graph about child mortality with my brother. Just mind boggling to take in.
Reposted by Christine
Zipcar's UK closure is devastating loss to shared economy, and to those of us who used it to avoid ever owning a car.
UK's low VED (annual car tax), hidden subsidies for residential parking and TfL's ambivalence to car sharing all take share of blame.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
UK's low VED (annual car tax), hidden subsidies for residential parking and TfL's ambivalence to car sharing all take share of blame.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Zipcar, world’s biggest car-sharing company, to close UK operation
Move by firm, owned by US group Avis Budget, will remove access to shared fleet across London at end of year
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Zipcar's UK closure is devastating loss to shared economy, and to those of us who used it to avoid ever owning a car.
UK's low VED (annual car tax), hidden subsidies for residential parking and TfL's ambivalence to car sharing all take share of blame.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
UK's low VED (annual car tax), hidden subsidies for residential parking and TfL's ambivalence to car sharing all take share of blame.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Christine
Is it milk?
A handy guide to measuring like a Brit.
A handy guide to measuring like a Brit.
November 18, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Is it milk?
A handy guide to measuring like a Brit.
A handy guide to measuring like a Brit.
Reposted by Christine
dystopian ass weather report
Chicago may experience less tear gas use as Operation Midway Blitz winds down. Cold and wet weather reduce effectiveness, while wind adds unpredictability.
Wind, cold temps can change the impact of tear gas and pepper balls, experts say
chicago.suntimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:40 PM
dystopian ass weather report
Saving this to read in detail later, including the discussions in the comments… the very fact research is happening is reassuring
Medical Republic: 'Fibromyalgia finally gets a genetic fingerprint'
'Additionally, certain risk loci overlapped with long covid (BPTF) and ME/CFS (OLFM4, RABGAP1L/GPR52), two poorly characterised disorders, albeit with different lead variants.'
www.medicalrepublic.com.au/fibromyalgia...
'Additionally, certain risk loci overlapped with long covid (BPTF) and ME/CFS (OLFM4, RABGAP1L/GPR52), two poorly characterised disorders, albeit with different lead variants.'
www.medicalrepublic.com.au/fibromyalgia...
Fibromyalgia finally gets a genetic fingerprint - Medical Republic
A massive global study links the chronic pain condition to 26 genes associated with brain signalling, marking a turning point in understanding its biological roots.
www.medicalrepublic.com.au
November 15, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Saving this to read in detail later, including the discussions in the comments… the very fact research is happening is reassuring
Reposted by Christine
I’ve retweeted a few posts from this but the whole thread is excellent! I remember realising how awful and prevalent the Romani racism was when I moved back to England when I was 13. And so little of that has changed!
When people say that Wuthering Heights doesn't have anything to do with race or that no film has engaged with race, what they mean is that for them Romani people do not count and they also haven't been paying attention. I'm going to share a little material from a recent talk. Content note: racism 1/
November 14, 2025 at 9:45 AM
I’ve retweeted a few posts from this but the whole thread is excellent! I remember realising how awful and prevalent the Romani racism was when I moved back to England when I was 13. And so little of that has changed!
A long read but as a UK teacher this is such a surprise to read - phonics research is ignored and the elementary school teacher says she wasn’t trained to teach reading! My 20 yr ago Primary PGCE had multiple gaps but not in teaching reading strategies or other essentials of initial learning!
how did i go so long not knowing we were literally teaching people to read wrong. i knew something wasn't right but jesus christ www.apmreports.org/episode/2019...
How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers
For decades, schools have taught children the strategies of struggling readers, using a theory about reading that cognitive scientists have repeatedly debunked. And many teachers and parents don't kno...
www.apmreports.org
November 12, 2025 at 7:42 AM
A long read but as a UK teacher this is such a surprise to read - phonics research is ignored and the elementary school teacher says she wasn’t trained to teach reading! My 20 yr ago Primary PGCE had multiple gaps but not in teaching reading strategies or other essentials of initial learning!
Reposted by Christine
Great thread. The 90s had much more violence, including terrorist attacks on a regular basis. Ten people being stabbed was still newsworthy, but just one story among many. Today, the UK is much safer and the Huntingdon stabbings stand out more.
It’s fascinating comparing the front page coverage of the Huntingdon train attack (below) with how the British press treated another case 30 years ago.
I’m referring to the 1995 Netto supermarket attack in Birmingham in which a man stabbed 10 people, killing one of them.
I’m referring to the 1995 Netto supermarket attack in Birmingham in which a man stabbed 10 people, killing one of them.
November 4, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Great thread. The 90s had much more violence, including terrorist attacks on a regular basis. Ten people being stabbed was still newsworthy, but just one story among many. Today, the UK is much safer and the Huntingdon stabbings stand out more.
Reposted by Christine
"I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain." This James Baldwin quote is hitting harder than ever.
November 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
"I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain." This James Baldwin quote is hitting harder than ever.
Reposted by Christine
This remains the funniest way to hear about an internet outage, though.
October 20, 2025 at 8:41 AM
This remains the funniest way to hear about an internet outage, though.
Well this was interesting… as were the adhd, masking and burn out screens….
With the masking scores I got it’s really no surprise that pretty much my entire life has been in burn out….
With the masking scores I got it’s really no surprise that pretty much my entire life has been in burn out….
Ppl who read about a Autistic trait often don’t have *context* & ask:
“that sounds like something everyone does, doesn’t that mean everyone’s Autistic?”
1st, having a *single* Autistic trait doesn’t mean a person is Autistic.
2nd, we recommend you take the RAADS-R test if want larger context.
“that sounds like something everyone does, doesn’t that mean everyone’s Autistic?”
1st, having a *single* Autistic trait doesn’t mean a person is Autistic.
2nd, we recommend you take the RAADS-R test if want larger context.
RAADS–R | Embrace Autism
The RAADS–R is a questionnaire designed to assist clinicians with the diagnosis of autistic adults who often “escape diagnosis” due to a subclinical level presentation.
embrace-autism.com
October 18, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Well this was interesting… as were the adhd, masking and burn out screens….
With the masking scores I got it’s really no surprise that pretty much my entire life has been in burn out….
With the masking scores I got it’s really no surprise that pretty much my entire life has been in burn out….
Reposted by Christine
There is evidence supporting this globally already. When you repeat far right framing you end up normalising it. We're seeing same thing with Labour pandering to the far right, and how they're actually helping Reform gain support with their rhetoric and policies.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
German far right setting agenda as opponents amplify its ideas, study finds
Normalisation of far-right stances likely to affect success of such parties at ballot boxes across Europe, say researchers
www.theguardian.com
October 18, 2025 at 6:30 AM
There is evidence supporting this globally already. When you repeat far right framing you end up normalising it. We're seeing same thing with Labour pandering to the far right, and how they're actually helping Reform gain support with their rhetoric and policies.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Christine
Kanchha Sherpa helped Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary summit Everest in 1953.
Kanchha Sherpa, last member of first Mount Everest expedition, dies at 92
Kanchha Sherpa helped Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary summit Everest in 1953.
bit.ly
October 17, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Kanchha Sherpa helped Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary summit Everest in 1953.
In the words of Benjamin Zephaniah:
October 16, 2025 at 8:12 PM
In the words of Benjamin Zephaniah:
Reposted by Christine
The Israelis tortured Greta Thunberg and the other flotilla activists attempting to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza during their five days of detainment. It doesnt take much to imagine how much worse the Palestinians being held in Israel are being treated www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/25...
Greta Thunberg: “They kicked me every time the flag touched my face”
– Greta Thunberg on her days in Israeli captivity Beating, kicking, and threats of being gassed in cages. Greta Thunberg and several others from the flotilla ar
www.aftonbladet.se
October 16, 2025 at 12:31 AM
The Israelis tortured Greta Thunberg and the other flotilla activists attempting to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza during their five days of detainment. It doesnt take much to imagine how much worse the Palestinians being held in Israel are being treated www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/25...
How can I be high priority for a flu vaccine but not allowed a covid one? How can it be wise on any level to remove access to covid vaccines for people defined as clinically vulnerable? The private vaccine is £100, unaffordable to many.
October 1, 2025 at 7:38 AM
How can I be high priority for a flu vaccine but not allowed a covid one? How can it be wise on any level to remove access to covid vaccines for people defined as clinically vulnerable? The private vaccine is £100, unaffordable to many.
Reposted by Christine
The even more unbelievable crime fact (which I learned relatively recently) is that burglary has fallen by more than 90% since the 1990s.
Did anyone notice? Nope. Does anyone believe it? Nope. But is is true? It is!
Did anyone notice? Nope. Does anyone believe it? Nope. But is is true? It is!
Useful reminder from Peter Kellner on the problems we refuse to acknowledge are getting better, and the politics of hopelessness that this breeds
open.substack.com/pub/kellnerp...
open.substack.com/pub/kellnerp...
September 23, 2025 at 6:53 AM
The even more unbelievable crime fact (which I learned relatively recently) is that burglary has fallen by more than 90% since the 1990s.
Did anyone notice? Nope. Does anyone believe it? Nope. But is is true? It is!
Did anyone notice? Nope. Does anyone believe it? Nope. But is is true? It is!
Reposted by Christine
The updated COVID/histamine link thread because people keep tagging me in to explain it and I keep intending to update the post from 2023 (synecdochic.dreamwidth.org/805203.html) and just not having the capacity because of my own health shit so here is a thread I can pin
Captcha Check
synecdochic.dreamwidth.org
September 21, 2025 at 9:10 PM
The updated COVID/histamine link thread because people keep tagging me in to explain it and I keep intending to update the post from 2023 (synecdochic.dreamwidth.org/805203.html) and just not having the capacity because of my own health shit so here is a thread I can pin
Reposted by Christine
Fewer than 100 signatures needed on our petition to stop airport expansion 🙌 petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
We are nearly at the 10,000 required for a government response. Thanks everyone who has signed and shared so far. Keep it going!
We are nearly at the 10,000 required for a government response. Thanks everyone who has signed and shared so far. Keep it going!
Petition: Stop airport expansion: halt all airport expansion plans across the UK
More than 20 airports across the UK have expansion plans, which will result in a combined increase of 60%+ capacity. More flights means more emissions, at a time when we should be doing everything we ...
petition.parliament.uk
September 16, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Fewer than 100 signatures needed on our petition to stop airport expansion 🙌 petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
We are nearly at the 10,000 required for a government response. Thanks everyone who has signed and shared so far. Keep it going!
We are nearly at the 10,000 required for a government response. Thanks everyone who has signed and shared so far. Keep it going!
As this article points out we’ve known this for decades - I was taught this exact scenario in my degree in the 1990s (along with the need to expect and plan for a global pandemic….). So much harm being caused by short-sighted ridiculous political choices.
This is a strong piece. Whenever we talk about immigration, we should emphasise that the economy is heading for broke without it. Rational countries at this point would be rolling out the red carpet for immigrants. Instead, we’re being ridiculous, awful, and self-sabotaging.
Labour, Tories and Reform are talking about trying to shrink the UK’s working age population by curtailing immigration. Here’s an excellent summary of why this approach is catastrophic even solely on economic grounds. www.bearlypolitics.co.uk/p/nans-not-b...
September 7, 2025 at 9:24 AM
As this article points out we’ve known this for decades - I was taught this exact scenario in my degree in the 1990s (along with the need to expect and plan for a global pandemic….). So much harm being caused by short-sighted ridiculous political choices.
Reposted by Christine
‘So Jo White, why are you 15 points behind Reform?’.. ‘so Sian Berry, why are the Greens not connecting?’ .. BECAUSE you the broadcasters are massively over platforming Reform. No one else can get a word in edgeways. Keep signing &pass on folks. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
September 1, 2025 at 9:51 PM
‘So Jo White, why are you 15 points behind Reform?’.. ‘so Sian Berry, why are the Greens not connecting?’ .. BECAUSE you the broadcasters are massively over platforming Reform. No one else can get a word in edgeways. Keep signing &pass on folks. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...