Jim Bliss
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jimbliss.bsky.social
Jim Bliss
@jimbliss.bsky.social
200 followers 250 following 1.2K posts
Philosopher, psychoanalyst, former industrial engineer. Writes words and code.

Near Dublin (Ireland). At the intersection between anarchism, socialism, & despair.

GenX, gamer, #COYS and very left wing. He/Him. They is fine too.

"Everyone's lost but me."
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jimbliss.bsky.social
The evolution of language...
A stock photo shown at two zoom levels. First we see a close up of a man from behind and to the side clearly sitting in the driver's seat of a car. The caption reads "Back in 1941 I would have been called a Nazi collaborator". The second version of the photo is zoomed out and shows more context, the car he is driving is a Tesla. The caption on that one reads "These days I'm known as a Tesla owner".
November 8, 2025 at 10:39 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
Not wishing to drive after a few glasses of that, I realised I'd have to call a taxi...
Photograph of a taxi in Montenegro. It's a red car with the words "BUM TAXI" written prominently on the side.
October 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
Oi you...
Photograph of some kind of dessert mix on the shelf of a supermarket in Serbia. The product is called "Slag", though with an accent over the S. The pictures on the package suggest it's some kind of cream or custard, it looks for all the more like soft-serve ice-cream. There are several different flavours and brands of Slag on the shelf with the most prominent one simply labelled "Fantastico".
October 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
Just to make it clear, these three were nowhere near The Louvre on Sunday. I saw them in my local pub here in Dublin at the time of the heist. Yes, that's right, here in Dublin, honest officer.

#JewelHeist #Heist #TheLouvre
Image from the TV series Lupin featuring Omar Sy as Assane Diop (Arsène Lupin) with his friend Benjamin Férel (played by Antoine Gouy). Lupin is wearing a stylish dark blue overcoat with matching beret and holding his dog, J’Accuse. Benjamin is stood to his right, just behind him.
October 20, 2025 at 4:49 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
I think I'll probably dig it next time I read it. I've given it two shots but on neither occasion was my head in the right place I think.

The fact that it contains one of the best trip descriptions ever set to paper makes me pretty sure it was my headspace - not the book - that was the problem.
Somehow the afternoon just drifted on into the dinner hour, and Lew must've forgot to wash his hands, because next thing he knew, he was experiencing the hotel dining room in a range of colors, not to mention cultural references, which had not been there when he came in. The wallpaper in particular presented not a repeating pattern at all but a single view, in the French "panoramic" style, of a land very far away indeed, perhaps not even on our planet as currently understood, in which beings who resembled - though not compellingly - humans went about their lives - in motion, understand - beneath the gigantic looming of a nocturnal city full of towers, domes, and spidery catwalks, themselves edged by an eerie illumination proceeding not entirely from municipal sources. Presently Lew's "food" arrived and immediately caught his attention - the details of his "steak", the closer he looked at that, seeming not to suggest the animal origins a fellow might reasonably expect so much as the further... ... realms of crystallography, each section he made with his knife in fact revealing new vistas, among the intricately disposed axes and polyhedra, into the hivelike activities of a race of very small though perfectly visible inhabitants who as they seethed and bustled about, to all appearances unaware of his scrutiny, sang miniature though harmoically complex little choruses in tiny, speeded-up voices whose every word chimed out with ever-more polycrystalline luminosities of meaning - Yes we're Beavers of the Brain, Just as busy as you please Though we're frequently reported To behave like lit-tle bees Keep that Bulldog in your pocket Do not bother to complain Or you might get into trouble With the Beavers of the Brain... Exactly, puzzled Lew, a-and now what about - "Everything all right, Mr B?" Curly the waiter standing over Lew with an anxious and, it appeared to Lew, ominous look. It was Curly, of course, but in some more profound sense it was not. "You were looking at your food funny." "Well that's 'cause it is funny", Lew replied reasonably, or so he thought, until noticing everybody in the room now all frantically trying to get out the door at the same time. Was it something he'd said? done? Perhaps he should inquire... "He's insane!" screamed a woman. "Emmett, now don't let him near me!"
October 19, 2025 at 8:47 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
Define "Perfect Ending"?

I hate to be so predictable, but... "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
Still from the final scene of the film Casablanca. Humphrey Bogart (Rick Blaine) and Claude Rains (Louis Renault) are walking off into the mist together. The subtitle provides Bogart's final line, and the last line of the movie, "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
October 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
Image that appeared in the press soon after 9-11 allegedly showing a schematic of Bin Laden's Mountain Fortress. It shows an entire mountain more or less hollowed out containing munitions and fuel stores, a large area for vehicles, multiple generator rooms running a sophisticated series of power and ventilation systems, as well as enough offices, bedrooms, communal rooms to accommodate a thousand people. It's a complete fabrication which appeared in numerous media outlets and was meant to fool western audiences into supporting the war in Afghanistan by presenting Bin Laden's group as far more powerful and sophisticated than they were.
October 10, 2025 at 10:24 AM
jimbliss.bsky.social
Something that's been going on for a while now. This is Einstein writing in 1949...

monthlyreview.org/articles/why...
Paragraph from Why Socialism? by Albert Einstein. It reads: "This crippling of individuals I consider the worst evil of capitalism. Our whole educational system suffers from this evil. An exaggerated competitive attitude is inculcated into the student, who is trained to worship acquisitive success as a preparation for his future career."
October 7, 2025 at 11:57 AM
jimbliss.bsky.social
First time I saw Patti Smith play live was back in the 90s. Tonight was the 8th time. And it was honestly the best. She may age, but her music and her performances don't. From the opening words... Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine... to the final exultant chant... People have the power >>
Patti Smith and her band on stage at the 3Arena in Dublin.
October 6, 2025 at 10:03 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
An hour to go...

#PattiSmith #Horses #Music #LiveMusic #Dublin #3Arena
A small crowd stand before a stage. It's set up for Patti Smith who should be out to perform the Horses album in about an hour. A blue light bathes the arena.
October 6, 2025 at 6:03 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
Show us the last four albums you listened to.
Album Cover. Who Is The Sky? by David Byrne Album cover. Here in The Pitch by Jessica Pratt Album cover. São Paulo Confessions by Suba Album cover. Another Day on Earth by Brian Eno
October 4, 2025 at 10:13 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
Not sure if you intended it, but I read it in this voice...
Still from the film Blade Runner. A blood-stained Rutger Hauer (as the replicant Roy) looks into the distance as the rain cascades down around him. The subtitle reads, "I saw Tilly Norwood painting a St George's Cross on a mini-roundabout."
October 3, 2025 at 10:04 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
Not watched it, but it's amusing to see how wildly different the reviews are depending on which side of the Irish Sea you happen to be on.

And there are many more examples on both sides.
Screenshot of Irish Times review. The headline reads: House of Guinness on Netflix Review: Wildly unfaithful retelling is like Succession with shillelaghs. Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, shows his understanding of Ireland under colonialism is rudimentary at best. Screenshot of Irish Independent review. ‘House of Guinness’ review: clichés arrive thick and fast in boring and predictable Netflix series. Clichés and unrealistic scenes won’t stop the glossy Netflix show from reeling in the viewers. Screenshot of 5-star Guardian review. House of Guinness review – James Norton’s pheromones positively sizzle off the screen. With smarts, heart and serious sex appeal, this fine drama from Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight is an irresistible romp – like Succession, only over a booze empire. Knight has never made a better show than this/ Screenshot of London Times review. House of Guinness review — James Norton goes Irish in this rip-roaring saga. The Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s new Netflix series about the Irish brewing family is never dull
September 27, 2025 at 10:07 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
A still from the 1960s TV show, The Prisoner. Patrick McGoohan's character faces the camera. The subtitles read "I am not a number. I am a person." Below that is a photo of UK Prime Minister, Kier Starmer with a Union flag behind him. The subtitle reads "How quaint of you to think so."
September 25, 2025 at 2:33 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
New David Byrne album just arrived in the post. The reviews have all suggested it's far from a dud, but not his best.

That said, I'm personally very excited. A mid-tier David Byrne record is still going to be one of the best records of the year. He's one of our truly great artists in my view.
Album Cover. Who is The Sky? by David Byrne. David Byrne stands at the centre of the cover image wearing a multicoloured suit. An effect has been added to the photo so that the various colours in his suit swirl outwards in a psychedelic kaleidoscope effect. The words Who Is The Sky? appear in green script, one in each corner of the cover.
September 23, 2025 at 3:56 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
What I'm wearing to the Rapture.
David Byrne on stage during Stop Making Sense wearing "the Big Suit". It's a nondescript grey suit but significantly oversized, with exaggerated shoulder pads and extra wide trousers, making it more like a vertical box he is inhabiting than a suit of clothes. His head looks comically small atop this Big Suit.
September 22, 2025 at 2:49 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
Photograph of U.S. soldiers on a landing craft approaching a beach on D-Day during World War 2.
September 18, 2025 at 7:17 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
The Director's Cut of Until The End of The World (Wim Wenders, 1991) is one of my favourite films though I know I'm in a tiny minority on that.

At over 4 and a half hours, watching it is certainly an undertaking. Not one most people have the patience for. Especially as the pacing can be slow
>>
1/6
Promotional image for a film. The film title, UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD, appears above the the line "A Wim Wenders Film". The image is of a desert landscape -- the Australian outback -- with a blue sky containing some clouds above. A green oasis has an abstract series of concentric triangles superimposed above it, in neon and metal, each showing slices of landscapes within; with the inner most triangle showing a vague image of two people standing side by side.
September 16, 2025 at 11:54 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
If you see this, quote the energy you bring to Bluesky.
Still from the film "The Big Lebowski". Jeff Bridges as The Dude looks confused with a joint hanging from his lips.
September 16, 2025 at 9:23 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
"Think back to your childhood. Do you remember when the anxiety started?"
A panel from the Raymond Briggs graphic novel, When The Wind Blows. Jim Bloggs, a bald retired man looks out from the page. He wears a white shirt and brown trousers with faded green suspenders. He looks faded himself. Aside from Jim, who stands in front of a pale red wall, there is a glimpse of some green curtains to the right. Above him, a speech bubble reads, "It looks as if there's going to be a War, dear".
September 15, 2025 at 12:33 AM
jimbliss.bsky.social
News headline. It reads: "Charlie Kirk Says Gun Deaths 'Unfortunately' Worth it to Keep 2nd Amendment".
September 10, 2025 at 9:04 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
Spurs sold Son for ~20m and Gil for ~8.5m. It's hardly a lot, but if Sky can't even get that simple calculation right, what are the chances anything else on this is correct?

And to be clear, I'm going by Sky Sports own reported numbers.
Screenshot from Sky Sports News. The headline reads "Heung-Min Son transfer news: Tottenham captain joins Los Angeles FC in MLS record deal". Below that is the following text: "Heung-Min Son spent 10 years at Tottenham and is fourth on Spurs' all-time top goalscorers list; Son played his final game for Spurs in a friendly vs Newcastle in his native South Korea; the 33-year-old forward joins Los Angeles FC for MLS record fee of over £20m" Screenshot from Sky Sports Facebook Account. It reads: "BREAKING: Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal with Girona to sell Bryan Gil for around £8.65m"
September 2, 2025 at 4:35 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
Trump's presidential Library has already been constructed and will soon be open to the public on the grounds of Mar-a-Lago.
The photo shows a small magazine rack containing a number of issues of Hustler, Razzle, Playboy, and Penthouse, some Golf magazines, a copy of a Fast Food trade magazine and 'Seventeen' a fashion magazine for teenage girls. On the floor next to it is a tattered copy of Mein Kampf.
September 1, 2025 at 4:27 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
#MaryWallopers
Two stills from a scene in Casablanca where Captain Renault is closing down Rick's bar on the pretext he is shocked to discover gambling on the premises. He is interrupted by an employee of the bar handing him his winnings. In this version the caption has been altered to reflect the Victorious festival in Britain stopping Irish folk group, The Mary Wallopers from performing. The first image is captioned with Caption Renault saying "I’m shocked. SHOCKED! To hear talk of genocide, famine, occupation, and colonial violence..." In the next image, the employee says to Renault, "Your Irish folk music, sir."
August 24, 2025 at 11:02 PM
jimbliss.bsky.social
Post a non-religious photo you think of as holy
Photograph of David Bowie and his band on stage during the Ziggy Stardust era. The photo is taken side-on from the wings. Bowie, wearing a skimpy mini-dress and high-heels sings into the mic, Mick Ronson can be seen in the background and bass-player Trevor Bolder is in the foreground with his back to the camera. The audience have their arms outstretched towards the stage with one enthusiastic fan elevated above them. His hand touches Bowie's.
August 20, 2025 at 6:13 PM