Dr_Aust_PhD
@draustphd.bsky.social
Grumpy old lab scientist (retd.), Uni teacher & centrist dad. Irked by trendy nonsense, own waistline, hair 📉 etc. NOT a medic - other ½ of NHS doctor. Long-ago 70s punk rock fan/ guitarist. 2 kids & a dog. Personal views.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
OK, I have set up a Substack and posted an article there going into much more detail about Francis Crick and the poet Michael McClure. If the link between science and art is your thing, or you just like psychedelic poetry, have a read:
The Powerful Knowledge: How the Poetry of Michael McClure Influenced the Scientist Francis Crick
In July 1959, the co-discoverer of the DNA double helix, Francis Crick, took a psychedelic trip on peyote through the power of poetry.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
OK, I have set up a Substack and posted an article there going into much more detail about Francis Crick and the poet Michael McClure. If the link between science and art is your thing, or you just like psychedelic poetry, have a read:
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Gutted by the Dems caving after the blue-wave wins of last week? Sick & tired of us snatching defeat from the jaws of victory? I hear you! Might I suggest you calm yourself, relax, take a deep, cleansing breath... then see if this photo of 2 pandas cuddling is of any help.
November 10, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Gutted by the Dems caving after the blue-wave wins of last week? Sick & tired of us snatching defeat from the jaws of victory? I hear you! Might I suggest you calm yourself, relax, take a deep, cleansing breath... then see if this photo of 2 pandas cuddling is of any help.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
OMG, this actively hurts
You and the text you need to trim in order to meet the word limit
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
OMG, this actively hurts
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
I will restate my modest proposal to save the BBC: ban the BBC from covering itself.
Every BBC scandal goes huge, because every BBC News show wants to assert its independence by covering it prominently, even if several other shows already did. So it gets blanket headlines.
Every BBC scandal goes huge, because every BBC News show wants to assert its independence by covering it prominently, even if several other shows already did. So it gets blanket headlines.
November 11, 2025 at 9:07 AM
I will restate my modest proposal to save the BBC: ban the BBC from covering itself.
Every BBC scandal goes huge, because every BBC News show wants to assert its independence by covering it prominently, even if several other shows already did. So it gets blanket headlines.
Every BBC scandal goes huge, because every BBC News show wants to assert its independence by covering it prominently, even if several other shows already did. So it gets blanket headlines.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
“The enemy is anybody who's going to get you killed, no matter which side he is on.”
Joseph Heller, "Catch-22," published on this day in 1961
Joseph Heller, "Catch-22," published on this day in 1961
November 10, 2025 at 11:02 AM
“The enemy is anybody who's going to get you killed, no matter which side he is on.”
Joseph Heller, "Catch-22," published on this day in 1961
Joseph Heller, "Catch-22," published on this day in 1961
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
When John Whittingdale was Tory Culture Secretary he changed BBC Board appointments to 25% of governors being appointed by the government to 75% - immediately giving the politicians to pack the board with people aligned with their partisan agenda
Hence Gibb-gate
Hence Gibb-gate
November 11, 2025 at 5:58 AM
When John Whittingdale was Tory Culture Secretary he changed BBC Board appointments to 25% of governors being appointed by the government to 75% - immediately giving the politicians to pack the board with people aligned with their partisan agenda
Hence Gibb-gate
Hence Gibb-gate
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
FRS
“whatever club he’s invited to join has been devalued by the invitation”
November 11, 2025 at 9:29 AM
FRS
I mean... Chris Patten was a Tory wonk, a Tory MP for 13 yrs, a Tory Minister & Chairman of the Conservative Party. He is the kind of ur-prototype technocratic establishment centrist pro-Europe Tory moderate.
'A voice from the left'... FFS.
See how this Overton Window sh*t works?
'A voice from the left'... FFS.
See how this Overton Window sh*t works?
Evan Davis described Chris Patten as a voice from the left on BBC PM tonight.
November 11, 2025 at 10:45 AM
I mean... Chris Patten was a Tory wonk, a Tory MP for 13 yrs, a Tory Minister & Chairman of the Conservative Party. He is the kind of ur-prototype technocratic establishment centrist pro-Europe Tory moderate.
'A voice from the left'... FFS.
See how this Overton Window sh*t works?
'A voice from the left'... FFS.
See how this Overton Window sh*t works?
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
You may have missed this gem yesterday. From which we learn that:
1. Betting shops are really good for the mental health of isolated people.
2. Most drug-takers are not a problem.
3. Kids put tuppence in slot machines in the hope of getting rich.
4. Farage probably has a gambling industry donor.
1. Betting shops are really good for the mental health of isolated people.
2. Most drug-takers are not a problem.
3. Kids put tuppence in slot machines in the hope of getting rich.
4. Farage probably has a gambling industry donor.
November 11, 2025 at 10:08 AM
You may have missed this gem yesterday. From which we learn that:
1. Betting shops are really good for the mental health of isolated people.
2. Most drug-takers are not a problem.
3. Kids put tuppence in slot machines in the hope of getting rich.
4. Farage probably has a gambling industry donor.
1. Betting shops are really good for the mental health of isolated people.
2. Most drug-takers are not a problem.
3. Kids put tuppence in slot machines in the hope of getting rich.
4. Farage probably has a gambling industry donor.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
agreeing to make a terrible deal while your main opponent is quite literally being boo'd on live tv by an entire stadium of people is the kind of political instinct you'd normally only find in a 3 week old dead goldfish
November 10, 2025 at 12:36 AM
agreeing to make a terrible deal while your main opponent is quite literally being boo'd on live tv by an entire stadium of people is the kind of political instinct you'd normally only find in a 3 week old dead goldfish
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Apparently, Times Higher Education has already made substantial efficency gains by having its opinion pieces written by an LLM. The next step is presumably to dispense with the services of Ian Richardson altogether.
November 11, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Apparently, Times Higher Education has already made substantial efficency gains by having its opinion pieces written by an LLM. The next step is presumably to dispense with the services of Ian Richardson altogether.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
This a big deal: "China’s carbon dioxide emissions have been flat or falling for 18 months"
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
China’s CO2 emissions have been flat or falling for past 18 months, analysis finds
World’s biggest polluter on track to hit peak emissions target early but miss goal for cutting carbon intensity
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:20 AM
This a big deal: "China’s carbon dioxide emissions have been flat or falling for 18 months"
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Seems like an appropriate time to repost this.
Bird flu is being painted as a problem wild birds are inflicting on the poultry industry, but it's precisely the reverse.
Where do they think it developed in the first place, if not in the disease incubators that are mass battery farms?
share.google/K4FBGkiuuUdc...
Where do they think it developed in the first place, if not in the disease incubators that are mass battery farms?
share.google/K4FBGkiuuUdc...
Bird flu outbreak at commercial turkey flock in Carlow
Restriction zones have been put in place around a commercial turkey farm in Co Carlow, after an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza, or bird flu was detected there.
share.google
November 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Seems like an appropriate time to repost this.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
The CURRENT sitting MP for Clacton earns £511,000 as a presenter for GB News and took £281,000 as a brand ambassador for Direct Bullion.
So maybe sit this one out, you rancid herring.
So maybe sit this one out, you rancid herring.
November 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
The CURRENT sitting MP for Clacton earns £511,000 as a presenter for GB News and took £281,000 as a brand ambassador for Direct Bullion.
So maybe sit this one out, you rancid herring.
So maybe sit this one out, you rancid herring.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Share someone who looks stylish wearing a turtleneck.
‘Come. It is time to keep your appointment with the Wicker Man.’
‘Come. It is time to keep your appointment with the Wicker Man.’
November 10, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Share someone who looks stylish wearing a turtleneck.
‘Come. It is time to keep your appointment with the Wicker Man.’
‘Come. It is time to keep your appointment with the Wicker Man.’
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
The answer to this question is that British people could discuss this question till the end of time and not be done.
Could someone explain to me what is meant when a British person refers to "the middle class" ? Like, in the US, as I hear it, it basically just means a person who makes a certain amount of money, not too far below and not wildly above the median. Seems like a complex concept when UK writers use it?
November 10, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The answer to this question is that British people could discuss this question till the end of time and not be done.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
White Afrikaners looking at Trump and saying “don’t associate us with this racist!”
That’s quite a legacy.
That’s quite a legacy.
Prominent Afrikaners are pushing back after President Trump announced no U.S. officials will attend the G20 in Johannesburg, rejecting his claims of "white persecution" in South Africa as false and politically driven.
Prominent Afrikaners refuse to be 'pawns,' and hit back at Trump's claims about South Africa
Prominent Afrikaners are pushing back after President Trump announced no U.S. officials will attend the G20 in Johannesburg, rejecting his claims of "white persecution" in South Africa as false and politically driven.
n.pr
November 11, 2025 at 2:13 AM
White Afrikaners looking at Trump and saying “don’t associate us with this racist!”
That’s quite a legacy.
That’s quite a legacy.
This was a shocker, mainly as the testimony came from Israeli soldier after Israeli soldier. "Some people in the IDF just want to kill every Arab. They're not the majority... but they're not rare, either." And the IDF command structure clearly turns a blind eye, thereby tacitly encouraging them.
November 11, 2025 at 2:52 AM
This was a shocker, mainly as the testimony came from Israeli soldier after Israeli soldier. "Some people in the IDF just want to kill every Arab. They're not the majority... but they're not rare, either." And the IDF command structure clearly turns a blind eye, thereby tacitly encouraging them.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Yep
Robbie Gibb who cancelled a BBC investigation into Farage's Leave dot EU campaign shortly before the EU Ref
Arron Banks thanked him for it
"Robbie Gibb is being quite helpful and says he’s trying to hose it down."
- @channel4news.bsky.social in 2019
Arron Banks thanked him for it
"Robbie Gibb is being quite helpful and says he’s trying to hose it down."
- @channel4news.bsky.social in 2019
Revealed: Brexit group covered up its targeting of right-wing extremists
Brexit-backer Arron Banks repeatedly denied that Leave.EU appealed to National Front supporters - in a bid to get the BBC to drop an investigation
www.channel4.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Yep
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
This analysis explains Labour’s approach too. Ageing white men must be placated at all costs in all circumstances.
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
November 10, 2025 at 1:58 PM
This analysis explains Labour’s approach too. Ageing white men must be placated at all costs in all circumstances.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
This sums up why I’m perplexed, and why I don’t understand why nobody tells him to just Foxtrot Oscar.
Yes. That's why the BBC backdown is so dangerous.
1. The fundamental question is, did Trump incite an insurrection?
2. If he did, the edit was justified.
3. If he didn't, it was not justified.
4. The Trump regime says he didn't.
5. Facts and trials say he did.
6. Who should journalists believe?
1. The fundamental question is, did Trump incite an insurrection?
2. If he did, the edit was justified.
3. If he didn't, it was not justified.
4. The Trump regime says he didn't.
5. Facts and trials say he did.
6. Who should journalists believe?
November 10, 2025 at 7:45 PM
This sums up why I’m perplexed, and why I don’t understand why nobody tells him to just Foxtrot Oscar.
And yet the far right, whose key modern tactic is making political capital out of fomenting hate against migrants, are massively in cahoots with the fossil fuel lobbies. Go figure.
November 10, 2025 at 9:05 PM
And yet the far right, whose key modern tactic is making political capital out of fomenting hate against migrants, are massively in cahoots with the fossil fuel lobbies. Go figure.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
Another accurate description of Farage ‘traitorous little bastard’. Yet he has the brass neck to sail under the Union Jack or George’s flag as a patriot, where in fact he’s the opposite.
Just wtf is this?
I can’t think of many more unifying causes than standing up for the BBC against this absurd threat from Trump.
And Farage will be on his side, snivelling along like the school-bully-errand-boy that he is. Traitorous little bastard.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/donald...
I can’t think of many more unifying causes than standing up for the BBC against this absurd threat from Trump.
And Farage will be on his side, snivelling along like the school-bully-errand-boy that he is. Traitorous little bastard.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/donald...
Donald Trump Preparing To Sue BBC For £1 Billion Over Panorama Speech Row
The US president has sent a letter to the corporation threatening legal action.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Another accurate description of Farage ‘traitorous little bastard’. Yet he has the brass neck to sail under the Union Jack or George’s flag as a patriot, where in fact he’s the opposite.
Reposted by Dr_Aust_PhD
