Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
@gswrites.bsky.social
Pop science writer/editor consultant for hire, specialising in astronomy and its history. Regular nerd with @somethingwho.bsky.social
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
“After a turbulent year.”
November 15, 2025 at 12:44 PM
“After a turbulent year.”
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
every new AI application amounts to coming up with a smart sounding way to prey and profit from the most vulnerable and gullable
The app Text With Jesus uses artificial intelligence and chatbots to offer spiritual guidance to users who are looking to connect with a higher power: on.nbc10.com/7XM8xrf
People can text with Jesus on a controversial new app. How does it work?
Artificial intelligence app Text With Jesus lets users chat with biblical figures and it is raising debate over faith and technology.
on.nbc10.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:12 PM
every new AI application amounts to coming up with a smart sounding way to prey and profit from the most vulnerable and gullable
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
Research on this is clear: the uncertainty created by this policy will lead to people integrate less into British society. It is trading-off the reasonable policy goal of integration for the useless symbolism of immigration numbers. Bad policy to appease the far right.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Research on this is clear: the uncertainty created by this policy will lead to people integrate less into British society. It is trading-off the reasonable policy goal of integration for the useless symbolism of immigration numbers. Bad policy to appease the far right.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
very very good piece
and yes, like the bank of England, the BBC now needs to be totally independent from any particular government, with its own independent board to which it is accountable for upholding its own values
and yes, like the bank of England, the BBC now needs to be totally independent from any particular government, with its own independent board to which it is accountable for upholding its own values
November 15, 2025 at 10:09 AM
very very good piece
and yes, like the bank of England, the BBC now needs to be totally independent from any particular government, with its own independent board to which it is accountable for upholding its own values
and yes, like the bank of England, the BBC now needs to be totally independent from any particular government, with its own independent board to which it is accountable for upholding its own values
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
Given that no complaints were received at time of broadcast, Gibb is at least as responsible for the current mess, with the BBC threatened with legal action by a foreign head of government, as those who made the programme. How on earth can he stay in post?
November 15, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Given that no complaints were received at time of broadcast, Gibb is at least as responsible for the current mess, with the BBC threatened with legal action by a foreign head of government, as those who made the programme. How on earth can he stay in post?
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
Does not seem overly relaxing…
November 15, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Does not seem overly relaxing…
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
florence pew: thread
November 15, 2025 at 2:25 AM
florence pew: thread
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
November 14, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
THREAD. In her exclusive interview in today's Daily Telegraph Magazine, the actor, influencer and designer Philippa Islington-Smythe (pictured) discusses the price of fame, her controversial new perfume, working with Margot Robbie and how becoming a parent changed her perspective on the world...
November 14, 2025 at 12:51 PM
THREAD. In her exclusive interview in today's Daily Telegraph Magazine, the actor, influencer and designer Philippa Islington-Smythe (pictured) discusses the price of fame, her controversial new perfume, working with Margot Robbie and how becoming a parent changed her perspective on the world...
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
the ~5 tons of CO2 emitted on this hourlong flight is roughly equivalent to what the average EU citizen emits in a year
Landed in Van Nuys, California, United States. Apx. flt. time 54 min.
November 14, 2025 at 9:30 PM
the ~5 tons of CO2 emitted on this hourlong flight is roughly equivalent to what the average EU citizen emits in a year
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
a “Space Force”, if you will
November 13, 2025 at 2:27 PM
a “Space Force”, if you will
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
With current pledges, the world's on track for 2.6°C of warming in 2100 compared to preindustrial levels.
10 years ago, before the Paris agreement, it was 3.6°C
20+ years ago, we thought it would be 4-5°C
So 2.6°C is better, but the problem is that climate impacts are way worse than we predicted.
10 years ago, before the Paris agreement, it was 3.6°C
20+ years ago, we thought it would be 4-5°C
So 2.6°C is better, but the problem is that climate impacts are way worse than we predicted.
World still on track for catastrophic 2.6C temperature rise, report finds
Fossil fuel emissions have hit a record high while many nations have done too little to avert deadly global heating
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:55 PM
With current pledges, the world's on track for 2.6°C of warming in 2100 compared to preindustrial levels.
10 years ago, before the Paris agreement, it was 3.6°C
20+ years ago, we thought it would be 4-5°C
So 2.6°C is better, but the problem is that climate impacts are way worse than we predicted.
10 years ago, before the Paris agreement, it was 3.6°C
20+ years ago, we thought it would be 4-5°C
So 2.6°C is better, but the problem is that climate impacts are way worse than we predicted.
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
The last 2.5 years of Bluesky were a steady build up to "criticism of Jeffrey Epstein's writing ability is ableist." Congrats everyone, we did it.
November 13, 2025 at 2:12 AM
The last 2.5 years of Bluesky were a steady build up to "criticism of Jeffrey Epstein's writing ability is ableist." Congrats everyone, we did it.
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
One thing that the Epstein emails have taught me is that lots of supposedly superior intellects don't understand basic grammar.
November 12, 2025 at 5:11 PM
One thing that the Epstein emails have taught me is that lots of supposedly superior intellects don't understand basic grammar.
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
I've had an idea...
Someone told me that cos there are nearly 800 episodes of the Simpsons, it's possible to describe all other shows with a clip from a Simpsons episode. So with that in mind, I'm going to use a freezeframe/gif to describe every classic Dr Who serial 😁 1 season per day...
Someone told me that cos there are nearly 800 episodes of the Simpsons, it's possible to describe all other shows with a clip from a Simpsons episode. So with that in mind, I'm going to use a freezeframe/gif to describe every classic Dr Who serial 😁 1 season per day...
November 12, 2025 at 3:17 PM
I've had an idea...
Someone told me that cos there are nearly 800 episodes of the Simpsons, it's possible to describe all other shows with a clip from a Simpsons episode. So with that in mind, I'm going to use a freezeframe/gif to describe every classic Dr Who serial 😁 1 season per day...
Someone told me that cos there are nearly 800 episodes of the Simpsons, it's possible to describe all other shows with a clip from a Simpsons episode. So with that in mind, I'm going to use a freezeframe/gif to describe every classic Dr Who serial 😁 1 season per day...
Sick! (complementary)
Behold, a 3D rotating image of a probable dinosaur regurgitalite (fossil vomit) that also contains the type specimen of a newly described Cretaceous pterosaur from Brazil, Bakiribu waridza! Muito obrigado e parabéns, Prof. @alinemghilardi.bsky.social & colegas. 🧪🪨🦖🤮
You can see Bakiribu fossil in 3D! Access it here: www.morphosource.org/projects/000...
November 12, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Sick! (complementary)
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
A month ago I looked at what I called Labour's midlife crisis- an obsession with chasing socially conservative Reform-curious voters and ignoring groups of disaffected voters with social attitudes much closer to Labour voters. But some people thought there was method in their madness. Was there? 1/n
November 12, 2025 at 3:01 PM
A month ago I looked at what I called Labour's midlife crisis- an obsession with chasing socially conservative Reform-curious voters and ignoring groups of disaffected voters with social attitudes much closer to Labour voters. But some people thought there was method in their madness. Was there? 1/n
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
Left: Donald Trump’s Jan 6th quote, as presented in the dossier that brought down two BBC bosses
Right: What Donald Trump actually said.
Full story in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social: www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
Right: What Donald Trump actually said.
Full story in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social: www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
November 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Left: Donald Trump’s Jan 6th quote, as presented in the dossier that brought down two BBC bosses
Right: What Donald Trump actually said.
Full story in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social: www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
Right: What Donald Trump actually said.
Full story in @thenewworldmag.bsky.social: www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
"Please don't make me use my powers as prime minister I am just a small boy"
"Robbie Gibb should have no role in appointing the next Director General, and given the Royal Charter gives the government the power to remove him will the Prime Minister sack him now?" asks Ed Davey.
Starmer says he won't interfere in running the BBC
Starmer says he won't interfere in running the BBC
November 12, 2025 at 1:44 PM
"Please don't make me use my powers as prime minister I am just a small boy"
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
Wes Streeting vibes
Carved out of a single piece of oak, Napoleon Bonaparte is one of three imported from France in 1822.
The statue’s original purpose was to advertise snuff, a product of which Napoleon Bonaparte was a great taker, even feeding it to deer at his chateau!
The statue’s original purpose was to advertise snuff, a product of which Napoleon Bonaparte was a great taker, even feeding it to deer at his chateau!
November 12, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Wes Streeting vibes
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
Thought: Banning VPNs will have a knock-on for British creativity, since Surfshark et al seem to be the main advertising sponsor of lots of YouTubers. That’s YouTube where creatives are meant to go now the tech disruptors everyone loves have dismantled our public media infrastructure.
The British government admits it is now monitoring VPNs use by UK residents. Regulator Ofcom has contracted with an AI-powered surveillance service to detect the number of citizens using VPNs to evade the Online Safety Act.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
Exclusive: Ofcom is monitoring VPNs following Online Safety Act. Here's how
Ignoring VPNs risks creating ineffective laws, but tracking them threatens people's privacy
www.techradar.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Thought: Banning VPNs will have a knock-on for British creativity, since Surfshark et al seem to be the main advertising sponsor of lots of YouTubers. That’s YouTube where creatives are meant to go now the tech disruptors everyone loves have dismantled our public media infrastructure.
Reposted by Giles Sparrow is somewhere in the vortex
Robbie Gibb was appointed to the BBC Board by Boris Johnson, was an editorial advisor for GB News, and worked as Theresa May's Director of Comms.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Robbie Gibb was appointed to the BBC Board by Boris Johnson, was an editorial advisor for GB News, and worked as Theresa May's Director of Comms.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.
He is not impartial or neutral. The government should remove him from the Board immediately to protect the BBC's independence.