Ian Hall
@ian64.bsky.social
I have lovely grey hair. Which I keep in this bag.
Reposted by Ian Hall
Man tries to demonstrate what wonderful progress AI is by citing instances in which, in most cases, the AIs in question are murderous, destructive villains that kill people. Great point, mate, great point, I for one am converted
November 27, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Man tries to demonstrate what wonderful progress AI is by citing instances in which, in most cases, the AIs in question are murderous, destructive villains that kill people. Great point, mate, great point, I for one am converted
Reposted by Ian Hall
the next couple of days are going to see a hell of a lot of "the rich declare themselves poor"
November 26, 2025 at 10:26 PM
the next couple of days are going to see a hell of a lot of "the rich declare themselves poor"
Reposted by Ian Hall
newest episode of Sarah Marshall's The Devil You Know podcast is an interview with Dr. Justin Sledge from the ESOTERICA youtube channel and it's great, should anyone else enjoy this kind of thing (it's called 'Satanism 101' lol)
November 27, 2025 at 10:53 AM
newest episode of Sarah Marshall's The Devil You Know podcast is an interview with Dr. Justin Sledge from the ESOTERICA youtube channel and it's great, should anyone else enjoy this kind of thing (it's called 'Satanism 101' lol)
The public is in favour of granny-boxing, reports say. There's nothing like two septuagenarian ladies smacking the crap out of each other, says promoter Gordon Bless, the appeal of dentures flying across the canvas attracting more crowds every week.
November 27, 2025 at 11:08 AM
The public is in favour of granny-boxing, reports say. There's nothing like two septuagenarian ladies smacking the crap out of each other, says promoter Gordon Bless, the appeal of dentures flying across the canvas attracting more crowds every week.
In a shock report, most of the UK's babies are ransacking off-licences than ever before, raiding them for liquors and other items of alcohol. Glenmorangie, in particular, tends to get nicked by toddlers than most other brands, say stricken shopkeepers, traumatised by hordes of baby marauders.
November 27, 2025 at 11:04 AM
In a shock report, most of the UK's babies are ransacking off-licences than ever before, raiding them for liquors and other items of alcohol. Glenmorangie, in particular, tends to get nicked by toddlers than most other brands, say stricken shopkeepers, traumatised by hordes of baby marauders.
Reposted by Ian Hall
Timeline cleanser
Today is the 56th anniversary of the first performance of Mahna Mahna on Sesame Street. You’re familiar with it by now, of course, but... well, it never hurts to be reminded, does it?
Sesame Street - Mahna Mahna (1969)
YouTube video by Tiny Dancer
youtu.be
November 27, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Timeline cleanser
Reposted by Ian Hall
Not enough credit is given to the safety feature of switching off the lightsaber if your hand has been chopped off.
November 27, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Not enough credit is given to the safety feature of switching off the lightsaber if your hand has been chopped off.
Reposted by Ian Hall
In my second year in secondary school, our English teacher devoted so many lessons to (obviously non-syllabus) Masquerade. He was desperate to find it.
When the hare was found, he read a long newspaper report on it to us. I've never heard anyone read something out loud in such a heartbroken manner.
When the hare was found, he read a long newspaper report on it to us. I've never heard anyone read something out loud in such a heartbroken manner.
One of the most beautiful bits of english eccentricity and glorious design is coming back to Sotheby’s and should be bought by a musuem (or me) for THE NATION. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Jewelled golden hare that sparked national treasure hunt set for auction
Artist and author Kit Williams hid a golden hare with clues to its precise location given in his 1979 book
www.independent.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:33 AM
In my second year in secondary school, our English teacher devoted so many lessons to (obviously non-syllabus) Masquerade. He was desperate to find it.
When the hare was found, he read a long newspaper report on it to us. I've never heard anyone read something out loud in such a heartbroken manner.
When the hare was found, he read a long newspaper report on it to us. I've never heard anyone read something out loud in such a heartbroken manner.
Reposted by Ian Hall
these questions are just legitimate concerns
‘Is Nigel Farage a Russian asset?’
‘Are you seriously asking me that?’
@shelaghfogarty.bsky.social refuses to back down while questioning Reform’s Zia Yusuf.
‘Are you seriously asking me that?’
@shelaghfogarty.bsky.social refuses to back down while questioning Reform’s Zia Yusuf.
November 26, 2025 at 9:44 PM
these questions are just legitimate concerns
Reposted by Ian Hall
I guess it’s a good thing we were so concerned about the right to speak our opinions being outlawed by a ruling class that we guaranteed it by making it the very first amendment in our Bill of Rights when we formed the country.
November 26, 2025 at 11:55 PM
I guess it’s a good thing we were so concerned about the right to speak our opinions being outlawed by a ruling class that we guaranteed it by making it the very first amendment in our Bill of Rights when we formed the country.
Reposted by Ian Hall
By day, I'm a mild mannered, lazy, neurotic, underachieving buffoon. But by night, I'm a slightly more tired version of all those things.
November 27, 2025 at 8:35 AM
By day, I'm a mild mannered, lazy, neurotic, underachieving buffoon. But by night, I'm a slightly more tired version of all those things.
Reposted by Ian Hall
🚨🚨"Whatever the reason Witkoff is prolonging the conflict. He is not promoting peace. If this were a normal American administration, he would be fired immediately. But nothing about this negotiation, or this administration, is normal at all." @anneapplebaum.bsky.social's damning verdict on #witkoff.
November 27, 2025 at 8:50 AM
🚨🚨"Whatever the reason Witkoff is prolonging the conflict. He is not promoting peace. If this were a normal American administration, he would be fired immediately. But nothing about this negotiation, or this administration, is normal at all." @anneapplebaum.bsky.social's damning verdict on #witkoff.
'Violence has no place in America' says man in a country where it really does has a place and continually shows it.
Apologies to The Onion, but it's just one of those 'this isn't what we are, wait a minute, yes it is.' moments that's popped up again.
Apologies to The Onion, but it's just one of those 'this isn't what we are, wait a minute, yes it is.' moments that's popped up again.
November 27, 2025 at 8:56 AM
'Violence has no place in America' says man in a country where it really does has a place and continually shows it.
Apologies to The Onion, but it's just one of those 'this isn't what we are, wait a minute, yes it is.' moments that's popped up again.
Apologies to The Onion, but it's just one of those 'this isn't what we are, wait a minute, yes it is.' moments that's popped up again.
Reposted by Ian Hall
This is an unspooling thread of total joy. A slug of forgotten comedy history.
The brilliant female clowns of silent cinema. This might be the most ALIVE thing you’ll see all day.
The brilliant female clowns of silent cinema. This might be the most ALIVE thing you’ll see all day.
Since we are once again dealing with "the only silent era comedians of note were men" I feel I need to stand up for the ladies.
Marion Davies!
Marion Davies!
November 27, 2025 at 7:51 AM
This is an unspooling thread of total joy. A slug of forgotten comedy history.
The brilliant female clowns of silent cinema. This might be the most ALIVE thing you’ll see all day.
The brilliant female clowns of silent cinema. This might be the most ALIVE thing you’ll see all day.
Reposted by Ian Hall
It is IMO not possible to operate any kind of meaningful democracy when your national press is a joke and a travesty, but your mileage on that may vary. I think it’s incontestable that it is impossible to govern well and effectively, while being in hock to these pantomime clowns.
November 27, 2025 at 8:46 AM
It is IMO not possible to operate any kind of meaningful democracy when your national press is a joke and a travesty, but your mileage on that may vary. I think it’s incontestable that it is impossible to govern well and effectively, while being in hock to these pantomime clowns.
Reposted by Ian Hall
My Winter tour now includes Cork, Castleblayney and Melbourne (not their Winter). This Christmas, why not give the gift of Doddles. phlaimeaux.tumblr.com/shows
November 27, 2025 at 8:46 AM
My Winter tour now includes Cork, Castleblayney and Melbourne (not their Winter). This Christmas, why not give the gift of Doddles. phlaimeaux.tumblr.com/shows
Reposted by Ian Hall
Loved this characteristically thorough yuletide debunking by @monkemma.bsky.social
No, Tesco Hasn’t Cancelled Christmas
A myth-busting explainer on Tesco trees, ‘renamed’ cakes, and the real purpose behind these manufactured panics.
monkdebunks.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Loved this characteristically thorough yuletide debunking by @monkemma.bsky.social
Reposted by Ian Hall
Has John Cleese had a bit of work done?
November 27, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Has John Cleese had a bit of work done?
Reposted by Ian Hall
It's a story as old as time itself.
People with a £2 million house complaining they can't afford an extra £5k a year. And then you read down the article and they're also whinging that their *second property* that they rent out, might be due for extra tax too!
Cry me a river.
People with a £2 million house complaining they can't afford an extra £5k a year. And then you read down the article and they're also whinging that their *second property* that they rent out, might be due for extra tax too!
Cry me a river.
‘I don’t live in a mansion. It’s a 1930s house’: Richmond residents react to council tax rise
‘I don’t live in a mansion. It’s a 1930s house’: Richmond residents react to council tax rise
Rachel Reeves’s new council tax surcharge on homes worth £2m or more earns mixed reception in well-heeled London borough
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:43 AM
It's a story as old as time itself.
People with a £2 million house complaining they can't afford an extra £5k a year. And then you read down the article and they're also whinging that their *second property* that they rent out, might be due for extra tax too!
Cry me a river.
People with a £2 million house complaining they can't afford an extra £5k a year. And then you read down the article and they're also whinging that their *second property* that they rent out, might be due for extra tax too!
Cry me a river.
Reposted by Ian Hall
Excellent piece as usual.
This observation about constraining domestic consumption to increase investment - and the vicious politics of that - is particularly important. It is manifestly not grasped by many - including, concerningly, government ministers.
This observation about constraining domestic consumption to increase investment - and the vicious politics of that - is particularly important. It is manifestly not grasped by many - including, concerningly, government ministers.
November 27, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Excellent piece as usual.
This observation about constraining domestic consumption to increase investment - and the vicious politics of that - is particularly important. It is manifestly not grasped by many - including, concerningly, government ministers.
This observation about constraining domestic consumption to increase investment - and the vicious politics of that - is particularly important. It is manifestly not grasped by many - including, concerningly, government ministers.
Reposted by Ian Hall
The Beatles discourse reminds me of the two worst archetypes of music fandom:
The 'Beatles were everything and how DARE you suggest otherwise!' ultra-loyalist.
And 'the Beatles were shit' contrarian who will then reel of a bunch of stuff they like instead as if you don't like lots of that AS WELL.
The 'Beatles were everything and how DARE you suggest otherwise!' ultra-loyalist.
And 'the Beatles were shit' contrarian who will then reel of a bunch of stuff they like instead as if you don't like lots of that AS WELL.
November 27, 2025 at 8:48 AM
The Beatles discourse reminds me of the two worst archetypes of music fandom:
The 'Beatles were everything and how DARE you suggest otherwise!' ultra-loyalist.
And 'the Beatles were shit' contrarian who will then reel of a bunch of stuff they like instead as if you don't like lots of that AS WELL.
The 'Beatles were everything and how DARE you suggest otherwise!' ultra-loyalist.
And 'the Beatles were shit' contrarian who will then reel of a bunch of stuff they like instead as if you don't like lots of that AS WELL.
Reposted by Ian Hall
every right-wing newspaper this morning:
those Benefits Street kids are worthless scum who should never have been born...
...unless a muslim raped them in which case the police ignored it because of political correctness no other possible reason
those Benefits Street kids are worthless scum who should never have been born...
...unless a muslim raped them in which case the police ignored it because of political correctness no other possible reason
November 27, 2025 at 8:48 AM
every right-wing newspaper this morning:
those Benefits Street kids are worthless scum who should never have been born...
...unless a muslim raped them in which case the police ignored it because of political correctness no other possible reason
those Benefits Street kids are worthless scum who should never have been born...
...unless a muslim raped them in which case the police ignored it because of political correctness no other possible reason
80% of Britain's trains which enter tunnels never come out again, say experts, who posit that they go through a portal into a world where passengers become slaves under the iron hand of Lisa Tarbuck.
November 27, 2025 at 8:47 AM
80% of Britain's trains which enter tunnels never come out again, say experts, who posit that they go through a portal into a world where passengers become slaves under the iron hand of Lisa Tarbuck.
Reposted by Ian Hall
This doesn’t feel like the kind of headline the BBC should be running with
November 26, 2025 at 10:13 PM
This doesn’t feel like the kind of headline the BBC should be running with