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.
Well worth a read. Especially pertinent:
November 10, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Well worth a read. Especially pertinent:
It's NOT correct at all. It's ideology-driven & lazy virtue signaling. "When the legend become fact, print the legend" etc
"Crick, Watson, Franklin & Wilkins" would be historically accurate, as @matthewcobb.bsky.social & @nccomfort.bsky.social set out in this article.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
"Crick, Watson, Franklin & Wilkins" would be historically accurate, as @matthewcobb.bsky.social & @nccomfort.bsky.social set out in this article.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
November 9, 2025 at 3:22 PM
It's NOT correct at all. It's ideology-driven & lazy virtue signaling. "When the legend become fact, print the legend" etc
"Crick, Watson, Franklin & Wilkins" would be historically accurate, as @matthewcobb.bsky.social & @nccomfort.bsky.social set out in this article.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
"Crick, Watson, Franklin & Wilkins" would be historically accurate, as @matthewcobb.bsky.social & @nccomfort.bsky.social set out in this article.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
The account Cobb & Comfort set out sounds much more like what I heard from my late father, who joined the King's lab as a grad student a yr later (54), worked there til 1970, & shared a lab bench w Ray Gosling. Dad summarised this 'consensus view' in a letter to the THE after Cricks death in 2004.
November 8, 2025 at 7:07 PM
The account Cobb & Comfort set out sounds much more like what I heard from my late father, who joined the King's lab as a grad student a yr later (54), worked there til 1970, & shared a lab bench w Ray Gosling. Dad summarised this 'consensus view' in a letter to the THE after Cricks death in 2004.
Found this account online.
Can we relate it to what is good & bad about Starmer?
Starmer comes over as punctilous & diligent, keen to be across the detail & to change processes to get stuff done. A solid Minister.
But he lacks the 'public personality', antennae, & quick wit needed of a 2025 PM.
Can we relate it to what is good & bad about Starmer?
Starmer comes over as punctilous & diligent, keen to be across the detail & to change processes to get stuff done. A solid Minister.
But he lacks the 'public personality', antennae, & quick wit needed of a 2025 PM.
November 2, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Found this account online.
Can we relate it to what is good & bad about Starmer?
Starmer comes over as punctilous & diligent, keen to be across the detail & to change processes to get stuff done. A solid Minister.
But he lacks the 'public personality', antennae, & quick wit needed of a 2025 PM.
Can we relate it to what is good & bad about Starmer?
Starmer comes over as punctilous & diligent, keen to be across the detail & to change processes to get stuff done. A solid Minister.
But he lacks the 'public personality', antennae, & quick wit needed of a 2025 PM.
Lest we forget: the esteemed Doktor Joey Goebbels owed his ascent in the Nazi hierarchy to his steering of party & SA efforts in late 1920s Berlin. Dr G encouraged the Sturmabteilung to provoke violent clashes that he & the Nazis could then use for propaganda purposes. Lehren aus der Geschichte usw.
October 9, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Lest we forget: the esteemed Doktor Joey Goebbels owed his ascent in the Nazi hierarchy to his steering of party & SA efforts in late 1920s Berlin. Dr G encouraged the Sturmabteilung to provoke violent clashes that he & the Nazis could then use for propaganda purposes. Lehren aus der Geschichte usw.
Hmm. If anyone ever did try this idiocy without an accompanying c 50% pay rise, one suspects there would be a major shortage of junior hospital doctors in the UK, w UK grads esp leaving in droves.
On the upside, Australia, New Zealand & Canada would all be unable to believe their luck.
On the upside, Australia, New Zealand & Canada would all be unable to believe their luck.
October 9, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Hmm. If anyone ever did try this idiocy without an accompanying c 50% pay rise, one suspects there would be a major shortage of junior hospital doctors in the UK, w UK grads esp leaving in droves.
On the upside, Australia, New Zealand & Canada would all be unable to believe their luck.
On the upside, Australia, New Zealand & Canada would all be unable to believe their luck.
This is very good on the wider context of Charlie Kirk's assassination, and what Kirk was really about. Let's see if things cool down now the suspect appears to be an online meme-fiend gamergate type from a thoroughly white conservative bit of Utah.
September 12, 2025 at 5:06 PM
This is very good on the wider context of Charlie Kirk's assassination, and what Kirk was really about. Let's see if things cool down now the suspect appears to be an online meme-fiend gamergate type from a thoroughly white conservative bit of Utah.
Well worth a read.
September 12, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Well worth a read.
The Univ of Manchester was offered Lord M as their Chancellor back in 2015. Mandelson was talked up - even 'recommended' - by the Vice Chancellor & friends for similar 'think funding!' reasons. The staff & alumni voted for Lemn Sissay, w Mandelson finishing 3rd.
September 11, 2025 at 5:28 PM
The Univ of Manchester was offered Lord M as their Chancellor back in 2015. Mandelson was talked up - even 'recommended' - by the Vice Chancellor & friends for similar 'think funding!' reasons. The staff & alumni voted for Lemn Sissay, w Mandelson finishing 3rd.
And... who remembers this location, once a famous part of London's music & punk scene? It's changed use since back in the day...
September 7, 2025 at 11:53 AM
And... who remembers this location, once a famous part of London's music & punk scene? It's changed use since back in the day...
Pottering round my old London grad school haunts yesterday. After navigating past endless plywood hoardings, pleased to find that Drummond St nr Euston is still there. Weirdly quiet, though.
C. 25yrs ago I made it a condition of being a PhD External at UCL that they take me to Diwana's for lunch.
C. 25yrs ago I made it a condition of being a PhD External at UCL that they take me to Diwana's for lunch.
September 7, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Pottering round my old London grad school haunts yesterday. After navigating past endless plywood hoardings, pleased to find that Drummond St nr Euston is still there. Weirdly quiet, though.
C. 25yrs ago I made it a condition of being a PhD External at UCL that they take me to Diwana's for lunch.
C. 25yrs ago I made it a condition of being a PhD External at UCL that they take me to Diwana's for lunch.
Another disturbing quote from Glasman in this Labourlist piece. It's all absurd, because students now are the most apolitical I can ever remember. If Unis are 'indoctrinating' them, I've no idea how. Other than that we teach them to assess, to ask for evidence, and to respect evidenced arguments.
September 6, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Another disturbing quote from Glasman in this Labourlist piece. It's all absurd, because students now are the most apolitical I can ever remember. If Unis are 'indoctrinating' them, I've no idea how. Other than that we teach them to assess, to ask for evidence, and to respect evidenced arguments.
Given the Daily Fail's enthusiasm for messages from the hereafter, as evidenced in the latest @privateeyenews.bsky.social, I'm amazed they aren't encouraging the beleagured Kemi Badenuff to 'go to the source', and sign up their old chum Mr Hitler as an adviser.
September 5, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Given the Daily Fail's enthusiasm for messages from the hereafter, as evidenced in the latest @privateeyenews.bsky.social, I'm amazed they aren't encouraging the beleagured Kemi Badenuff to 'go to the source', and sign up their old chum Mr Hitler as an adviser.
Good article - legislation is long overdue. Like most drivers, I've had the experience multiple times of cruising along at 30mph following a (non-pedaling) food delivery rider on an 'eBike'. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
September 4, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Good article - legislation is long overdue. Like most drivers, I've had the experience multiple times of cruising along at 30mph following a (non-pedaling) food delivery rider on an 'eBike'. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Well said. I'm reminded of a hero of mine, the physiologist AV Hill, talking about 'nationalism' in his famous 1933 Huxley Lecture, delivered in the shadow of the Nazis taking power in Germany. See how Hill distinguishes positive and 'negative' nationalism - or patriotism, as we might now say.
September 3, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Well said. I'm reminded of a hero of mine, the physiologist AV Hill, talking about 'nationalism' in his famous 1933 Huxley Lecture, delivered in the shadow of the Nazis taking power in Germany. See how Hill distinguishes positive and 'negative' nationalism - or patriotism, as we might now say.
Yes, it's the Labour Day public holiday in the US today.
As some wag commented where I saw this on Fb:
"Keep making those production numbers boys, the CEO needs a new yacht! Don't worry, it will trickle down..."
As some wag commented where I saw this on Fb:
"Keep making those production numbers boys, the CEO needs a new yacht! Don't worry, it will trickle down..."
September 1, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Yes, it's the Labour Day public holiday in the US today.
As some wag commented where I saw this on Fb:
"Keep making those production numbers boys, the CEO needs a new yacht! Don't worry, it will trickle down..."
As some wag commented where I saw this on Fb:
"Keep making those production numbers boys, the CEO needs a new yacht! Don't worry, it will trickle down..."
An interesting, if depressing read. Trump is a moron, and the toddler-in-chief spreads chaos, and damages Western interests, wherever he turns his gaze.
September 1, 2025 at 9:28 AM
An interesting, if depressing read. Trump is a moron, and the toddler-in-chief spreads chaos, and damages Western interests, wherever he turns his gaze.
Tl;dr: they don't have any. Not a surprise to anyone with a brain. It's all about trumpeting Trumpist soundbites, see the final para in the quote.
The wider problem is, Reform voters don't have much of a decision process beyond 'we're f***ing fed up'. Just discontent, grievances & resentment.
The wider problem is, Reform voters don't have much of a decision process beyond 'we're f***ing fed up'. Just discontent, grievances & resentment.
August 30, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Tl;dr: they don't have any. Not a surprise to anyone with a brain. It's all about trumpeting Trumpist soundbites, see the final para in the quote.
The wider problem is, Reform voters don't have much of a decision process beyond 'we're f***ing fed up'. Just discontent, grievances & resentment.
The wider problem is, Reform voters don't have much of a decision process beyond 'we're f***ing fed up'. Just discontent, grievances & resentment.
He is an anti-science conspiracist fool.
The Guardian view on RFK Jr’s vaccine cuts: an assault on science from a politician unfit for his office | Editorial
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on RFK Jr’s vaccine cuts: an assault on science from a politician unfit for his office | Editorial
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
August 12, 2025 at 9:37 AM
He is an anti-science conspiracist fool.
The Guardian view on RFK Jr’s vaccine cuts: an assault on science from a politician unfit for his office | Editorial
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on RFK Jr’s vaccine cuts: an assault on science from a politician unfit for his office | Editorial
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This comment below @davidallengreen.bsky.social's latest blog resonated w me. My family spent 18mths in the US when I was a kid in 1968-9. We had Green Cards & could have stayed permanently. In the end 'Britishness', & the social upheaval then gripping the US, meant we didn't. 'Sliding doors' etc.
July 31, 2025 at 4:55 PM
This comment below @davidallengreen.bsky.social's latest blog resonated w me. My family spent 18mths in the US when I was a kid in 1968-9. We had Green Cards & could have stayed permanently. In the end 'Britishness', & the social upheaval then gripping the US, meant we didn't. 'Sliding doors' etc.
Like the other suggestions, though find Antonioni impossibly mannered. Think I'd replace Zabriskie Point with Vanishing Point, personally.
July 27, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Like the other suggestions, though find Antonioni impossibly mannered. Think I'd replace Zabriskie Point with Vanishing Point, personally.
Hey ho.
The seasons, years, and indeed decades come and go... but Simon Jenkins churning out absurd rose-tinted nimbyist nonsense is eternal...
The seasons, years, and indeed decades come and go... but Simon Jenkins churning out absurd rose-tinted nimbyist nonsense is eternal...
July 14, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Hey ho.
The seasons, years, and indeed decades come and go... but Simon Jenkins churning out absurd rose-tinted nimbyist nonsense is eternal...
The seasons, years, and indeed decades come and go... but Simon Jenkins churning out absurd rose-tinted nimbyist nonsense is eternal...
Yep - this. The right's suggestion that you can only be a 'patriot' if you unquestioningly regard everything we (Britain) ever did as 'good/the best', and defend it as such, is both idiotic and absurd.
July 11, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Yep - this. The right's suggestion that you can only be a 'patriot' if you unquestioningly regard everything we (Britain) ever did as 'good/the best', and defend it as such, is both idiotic and absurd.
Note that this Trumpist preference for, and noises about supporting and enabling, European far-right ethno-nationalist parties, is EXACTLY the same as Vladimir Putin's long-pursued agenda.
July 8, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Note that this Trumpist preference for, and noises about supporting and enabling, European far-right ethno-nationalist parties, is EXACTLY the same as Vladimir Putin's long-pursued agenda.
Grim. I wonder what countries Netanyahu plans to try and get Trump to pay to take 'displaced' Palestinians?
July 8, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Grim. I wonder what countries Netanyahu plans to try and get Trump to pay to take 'displaced' Palestinians?