Eddie Cochrane
@cobrabay.bsky.social
Science Fiction fan, SF con-runner, CAMRA member, gaffer-taping new code onto obsolescent platforms for a living.
Cis (he/him), Human (DBDG)
Cis (he/him), Human (DBDG)
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
This survey is written in poison, misleads and directs with its questions, and drips with cruel condescension. Feel free to vent your feelings here. I did:
If, like me, this utter betrayal by Labour is making your blood boil, can I ask you let them know your feelings here www.gov.uk/government/c...
Earned settlement
The government is consulting on how the current settlement system should be reformed and how those reforms should be implemented.
www.gov.uk
November 20, 2025 at 11:22 PM
This survey is written in poison, misleads and directs with its questions, and drips with cruel condescension. Feel free to vent your feelings here. I did:
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
the nominees were
-a campaign to get lifechanging medication for extremely sick children
-a campaign to improve access to justice for victims of rape and sexual assault
-a transphobic hate campaign that managed to convince some judges to make the worst ruling in Supreme Court history*
(*winner)
-a campaign to get lifechanging medication for extremely sick children
-a campaign to improve access to justice for victims of rape and sexual assault
-a transphobic hate campaign that managed to convince some judges to make the worst ruling in Supreme Court history*
(*winner)
For Women Scotland wins Public Campaign or Campaigner of the Year at The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year Awards 2025, in association with ScottishPower
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
#politicianawards25
www.heraldscotland.com/news...
#politicianawards25
November 20, 2025 at 10:52 PM
the nominees were
-a campaign to get lifechanging medication for extremely sick children
-a campaign to improve access to justice for victims of rape and sexual assault
-a transphobic hate campaign that managed to convince some judges to make the worst ruling in Supreme Court history*
(*winner)
-a campaign to get lifechanging medication for extremely sick children
-a campaign to improve access to justice for victims of rape and sexual assault
-a transphobic hate campaign that managed to convince some judges to make the worst ruling in Supreme Court history*
(*winner)
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
Proud to be sponsoring this event next summer.
November 20, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Proud to be sponsoring this event next summer.
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
And just like that, the organization that sent American men and women to fight Nazis in World War II has spit on their sacrifice and their memories.
November 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
And just like that, the organization that sent American men and women to fight Nazis in World War II has spit on their sacrifice and their memories.
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
Discworld QOTD, from Feet of Clay, for Trans Day of Remembrance
November 20, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Yes! Bring back obscure literary allusions, writing in cod dialect, rhyming slang and deliberate malapropisms! Uzani, his army with fists open.
My advice is to become unsummarizeable.
Saw a post today that advised writers to stop writing as if a human will read it and start writing for an LLM that will be summarising.
As someone who really enjoyed trying to develop a peculiar but readable authorial voice, I find this incredibly depressing.
As someone who really enjoyed trying to develop a peculiar but readable authorial voice, I find this incredibly depressing.
November 20, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Yes! Bring back obscure literary allusions, writing in cod dialect, rhyming slang and deliberate malapropisms! Uzani, his army with fists open.
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
the only good thing about genAI is that it got me to really love seeing bad art, because I know a person put in time and effort, made themselves vulnerable by showing it to others, and is trying to improve. I value that more than anything now
November 20, 2025 at 12:51 AM
the only good thing about genAI is that it got me to really love seeing bad art, because I know a person put in time and effort, made themselves vulnerable by showing it to others, and is trying to improve. I value that more than anything now
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
Holidays are coming…
November 20, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Holidays are coming…
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
A High Court judge has forced a six-year-old girl to keep the surname of the man who raped her mother. We think this is an outrage and are putting together a legal team so D's mother can take her case to the European Court of Human Rights.
But we need your help. goodlawproject.org/crowdfunder/...
But we need your help. goodlawproject.org/crowdfunder/...
The law has failed a woman and her child – fight back
No survivor should face harm from the very system that is meant to protect them. No child should have to carry an abuser’s name. It’s time to change the system.
goodlawproject.org
November 18, 2025 at 7:45 PM
A High Court judge has forced a six-year-old girl to keep the surname of the man who raped her mother. We think this is an outrage and are putting together a legal team so D's mother can take her case to the European Court of Human Rights.
But we need your help. goodlawproject.org/crowdfunder/...
But we need your help. goodlawproject.org/crowdfunder/...
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
And in case you wanna say "no one is going to try and tell you you don't belong in a restroom", let me just point out that it happened to me JUST THREE WEEKS AGO
(but also trans people should have restroom access regardless. I'm just making noises because I'm perceived as cis and I'm semi famous).
(but also trans people should have restroom access regardless. I'm just making noises because I'm perceived as cis and I'm semi famous).
It shouldn't matter but let me point out that I was born a woman, my passport says woman, and based on how I look I have a high risk of not being let into a bathroom
(my only saving grace is being short).
(it shouldn't matter because EVERYONE should have access to restroom regarless of gender)
(my only saving grace is being short).
(it shouldn't matter because EVERYONE should have access to restroom regarless of gender)
This is what we have to see every day, while struggling for employment, healthcare, housing and being treated like human beings
November 20, 2025 at 9:54 AM
And in case you wanna say "no one is going to try and tell you you don't belong in a restroom", let me just point out that it happened to me JUST THREE WEEKS AGO
(but also trans people should have restroom access regardless. I'm just making noises because I'm perceived as cis and I'm semi famous).
(but also trans people should have restroom access regardless. I'm just making noises because I'm perceived as cis and I'm semi famous).
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
If there is a serious gap between revenues in the UK and tax paid the Inland Revenue should be given the power to refer the issue to a jury and let them decide how much tax it is reasonable for the company to pay. Companies like Starbucks need fierce rules that can't be dodged.
But if the government start taxing the likes of Starbucks & they leave, Are we seriously saying that Britain will stop drinking coffee?
£3 billion in UK sales & they don't want to pay tax?
It's time to get of the merry-go-round & use our smaller, local retailers who will pay their taxes.
£3 billion in UK sales & they don't want to pay tax?
It's time to get of the merry-go-round & use our smaller, local retailers who will pay their taxes.
November 20, 2025 at 8:19 AM
If there is a serious gap between revenues in the UK and tax paid the Inland Revenue should be given the power to refer the issue to a jury and let them decide how much tax it is reasonable for the company to pay. Companies like Starbucks need fierce rules that can't be dodged.
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
Always repost Paul Robeson singing I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill Last Night to Scottish coal miners.
Remembering Joe Hill on the 110th anniversary of his murder by the state of Utah.
Paul Robeson singing "I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill Last Night" to Scottish coal miners in 1949.
Paul Robeson singing "I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill Last Night" to Scottish coal miners in 1949.
November 19, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Always repost Paul Robeson singing I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill Last Night to Scottish coal miners.
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
It’s the exclusive everyone wanted, the story that will win next year’s Pulitzer…
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
London's giant AI artwork to be torn down
The bizarre story of why a much-talked-about creation is being torn down. Plus: Docklands Light Railway extension, giant laser stalks the night sky, and more tales of Android phone theft rejection.
www.londoncentric.media
November 20, 2025 at 7:18 AM
It’s the exclusive everyone wanted, the story that will win next year’s Pulitzer…
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
when I was young, i used to wonder how people like this would fare in life, as they didn't seem suited for gainful employment. it turns out, the internet allowed them to accumulate a massive audience of similar idiots, enriching them and turning them into a presidential advisor
November 20, 2025 at 12:58 AM
when I was young, i used to wonder how people like this would fare in life, as they didn't seem suited for gainful employment. it turns out, the internet allowed them to accumulate a massive audience of similar idiots, enriching them and turning them into a presidential advisor
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
Funnily enough I just got called Sir by the train conductor because I have short hair and was wearing a hat… so what I’m saying is that I’m sure this will all work out great.
The core aim of the Terf movement - a tiny number of newspaper columnists who melted the brains of middle aged reactionaries - was always to encourage maximum public hostility against transgender people, and give them the impunity to act upon it.
November 20, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Funnily enough I just got called Sir by the train conductor because I have short hair and was wearing a hat… so what I’m saying is that I’m sure this will all work out great.
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
Oh all right, let's commit just a little bit of nuisance, starting with an abbreviated and misleadingly selective history of Malta in the Second World War.
This here is a map of part of the Mediterranean Sea, and that tiny speck under Sicily there is Malta.
This here is a map of part of the Mediterranean Sea, and that tiny speck under Sicily there is Malta.
November 19, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Oh all right, let's commit just a little bit of nuisance, starting with an abbreviated and misleadingly selective history of Malta in the Second World War.
This here is a map of part of the Mediterranean Sea, and that tiny speck under Sicily there is Malta.
This here is a map of part of the Mediterranean Sea, and that tiny speck under Sicily there is Malta.
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
Quick cartoon. I was hoping to stay unplugged this week but I saw some news and had to take a break to draw this out. I think we all needed to see it realized.
November 18, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Quick cartoon. I was hoping to stay unplugged this week but I saw some news and had to take a break to draw this out. I think we all needed to see it realized.
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
Meanwhile, the UK government continues to use it as a main means of communication.
Revealing stuff about how Musk has boosted the accounts of far-right UK politicians and candidates while (mostly) vanishing left-wing UK voices. news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
How the world's richest man is boosting the British right
How the world's richest man is boosting the British right
news.sky.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Meanwhile, the UK government continues to use it as a main means of communication.
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
this is the British Library but y'know, even Cloudflare can forget things sometimes (or get the size a log file will grow to wrong)
There's a very good piece here (pdf) going into the detail of what happened and why - well worth reading. In short, they were in the midst of a big transformation/upgrade process and still had lots of vulnerabilities that the attackers exploited cdn.sanity.io/files/v5dwki...
cdn.sanity.io
November 18, 2025 at 6:08 PM
this is the British Library but y'know, even Cloudflare can forget things sometimes (or get the size a log file will grow to wrong)
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
PictCon 2, is October 17th 2026, Perth. Tickets are on sale now: £30, £20 concession. A science fiction and fantasy convention in Scotland, about Scotland's science fiction and fantasy.
Our guest is editor and author Neil Williamson.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1794793438...
Our guest is editor and author Neil Williamson.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1794793438...
PictCon2
A Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention for everyone who reads, writes and watches.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 1:31 PM
PictCon 2, is October 17th 2026, Perth. Tickets are on sale now: £30, £20 concession. A science fiction and fantasy convention in Scotland, about Scotland's science fiction and fantasy.
Our guest is editor and author Neil Williamson.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1794793438...
Our guest is editor and author Neil Williamson.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1794793438...
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
#3157 A helpful tutorial
November 17, 2025 at 11:40 PM
#3157 A helpful tutorial
Reposted by Eddie Cochrane
Missing alt text: a pastel drawing of the moon, that is so good it looks like a modern photograph
1797, that's astounding
1797, that's astounding
'Face of the Moon.' (1797) John Russell was the finest British pastel artist of his time. One of his sitters, the astronomer William Herschel encouraged him to buy a telescope, and with this he produced a number of remarkable pastel drawings of the moon.
November 18, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Missing alt text: a pastel drawing of the moon, that is so good it looks like a modern photograph
1797, that's astounding
1797, that's astounding