Martin McGrath
@martinmcgrath.bsky.social
Tries to be funny, often fails. Irish, Labour, LFC, NUJ & CIPR. Has a PhD, isn't afraid to use it. University lecturer in PR, branding & design, also sometime journalist, writer & editor. Will work for karma. "He's not angry, he always sounds like that."
There's some fella called Gareth from Castlederg on C4 News making out that there's something strange about someone from Northern Ireland doing country music and Philomena Begley, Joe Dolan and Big Tom are spinning in their grave (and Philomena Begley isn't even dead)
November 11, 2025 at 7:55 PM
There's some fella called Gareth from Castlederg on C4 News making out that there's something strange about someone from Northern Ireland doing country music and Philomena Begley, Joe Dolan and Big Tom are spinning in their grave (and Philomena Begley isn't even dead)
The edges are fraying (or maybe the Edges): they sold the cow for some magic beans but instead of a giant with a golden-egg-laying-hen their beanstalk is topped with a useless, gold-gobbling, ogre.
Microsoft’s trying a new strategy to reach Gen Z by using influencers to promote Copilot as a lifestyle tool, not just a productivity app
Microsoft Bets on Influencers Like Alix Earle to Close the Gap With ChatGPT
Microsoft Corp., eager to boost downloads of its Copilot chatbot, has recruited some of the most popular influencers in America to push a message to young consumers that might be summed up as: Our AI assistant is as cool as ChatGPT.
bloom.bg
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 AM
The edges are fraying (or maybe the Edges): they sold the cow for some magic beans but instead of a giant with a golden-egg-laying-hen their beanstalk is topped with a useless, gold-gobbling, ogre.
Trying to explain red lemonade to my daughter... Not going to try the deep-dive into brown lemonade, it might blow her mind.
November 10, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Trying to explain red lemonade to my daughter... Not going to try the deep-dive into brown lemonade, it might blow her mind.
"Pea and ham? From a chicken? Now that's clever!"
November 10, 2025 at 9:13 PM
"Pea and ham? From a chicken? Now that's clever!"
I hadn't realized BBC4 was showing JK Galbraith's The Age of Uncertainty.
Not much chance of getting today's BBC to commission a 15 hour-long documentary/ economics lecture on one man's the history of economics.
Like the book, it's a work of decency, high intellect and good intent, even when wrong
Not much chance of getting today's BBC to commission a 15 hour-long documentary/ economics lecture on one man's the history of economics.
Like the book, it's a work of decency, high intellect and good intent, even when wrong
November 10, 2025 at 12:01 AM
I hadn't realized BBC4 was showing JK Galbraith's The Age of Uncertainty.
Not much chance of getting today's BBC to commission a 15 hour-long documentary/ economics lecture on one man's the history of economics.
Like the book, it's a work of decency, high intellect and good intent, even when wrong
Not much chance of getting today's BBC to commission a 15 hour-long documentary/ economics lecture on one man's the history of economics.
Like the book, it's a work of decency, high intellect and good intent, even when wrong
This looks like an interesting idea - but those mines might also work perfectly as underground pump hydro batteries for excess solar and wind
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Flooded UK coalmines could provide low-carbon cheap heat ‘for generations’
Report says proven technology could benefit thousands in poor quality housing and help UK meet carbon reduction targets
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:50 PM
This looks like an interesting idea - but those mines might also work perfectly as underground pump hydro batteries for excess solar and wind
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Between fraud, reputation damage and the rise of cheap, rubbish, increasingly AI driven slop content, advertising is increasingly looking like a doomed business model for everyone (workers in the industry, consumers. hosts and most ad buyers), unless you are Meta and Google.
(Reuters) - Meta internally projected late last year that it would earn about 10% of its overall annual revenue – or $16 billion – from running advertising for scams and banned goods, internal company documents show.
$META @reuters.com
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
$META @reuters.com
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
November 6, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Between fraud, reputation damage and the rise of cheap, rubbish, increasingly AI driven slop content, advertising is increasingly looking like a doomed business model for everyone (workers in the industry, consumers. hosts and most ad buyers), unless you are Meta and Google.
If nothing else, some future archaeologists are going to have fun trying to work out what the hell was going on with the abandoned foundations...
November 6, 2025 at 1:23 PM
If nothing else, some future archaeologists are going to have fun trying to work out what the hell was going on with the abandoned foundations...
Pardon?
No, sorry, you need to speak up!
Eh?!?
No, sorry, you need to speak up!
Eh?!?
British military announces first delivery of Ajax armoured vehicles – eight years late
British military announces first delivery of Ajax armoured vehicles – eight years late
First 50 vehicles, costing nearly £10m each, finally ready to deploy to Nato’s eastern flank, where drones now dominate
Britain’s military has announced the first delivery of Ajax armoured vehicles, eight years behind schedule and amid questions about their relevance as cheap drones dominate the battlefields of Ukraine.
The junior defence minister Luke Pollard said the first 50 vehicles, costing nearly £10m each, were ready to deploy on Nato’s eastern flank, though he acknowledged the problems of the past when delivery deadlines of 2017, 2020 and 2021 were all missed. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Pardon?
No, sorry, you need to speak up!
Eh?!?
No, sorry, you need to speak up!
Eh?!?
I have been celebrating and I apologize in advance to the students of CDP2006 if my head is a bit fuzzy tomorrow, but as I said to my mate earliet: tonight Conor Bradley put in the best performance by an Irishman against Franco's puppets since Frank Ryan took the International Brigade to Spain. #lfc
November 5, 2025 at 12:56 AM
I have been celebrating and I apologize in advance to the students of CDP2006 if my head is a bit fuzzy tomorrow, but as I said to my mate earliet: tonight Conor Bradley put in the best performance by an Irishman against Franco's puppets since Frank Ryan took the International Brigade to Spain. #lfc
Very 1981!
The early impact of the Thatcher experiment with monetarism explains the presence of just 66% of The Goodies.
Graham Garden had been cut as part of government cost saving measures.
The early impact of the Thatcher experiment with monetarism explains the presence of just 66% of The Goodies.
Graham Garden had been cut as part of government cost saving measures.
Now THIS, John Lewis, is how to do a Christmas advert youtu.be/1m_0ENIw4os?...
Woolworth (UK): Have a Cracking Christmas: 1981
YouTube video by TheMeakers
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Very 1981!
The early impact of the Thatcher experiment with monetarism explains the presence of just 66% of The Goodies.
Graham Garden had been cut as part of government cost saving measures.
The early impact of the Thatcher experiment with monetarism explains the presence of just 66% of The Goodies.
Graham Garden had been cut as part of government cost saving measures.
I have just read the title of this story as "Time Like Gyros..." and:
1. I think I am hungry
2. I have a new theory of the universe as a big pile of stuff contained within a massive pita
3. Kebab, anyone?
1. I think I am hungry
2. I have a new theory of the universe as a big pile of stuff contained within a massive pita
3. Kebab, anyone?
Is it bad to cheat on your boyfriend with the fabric of space and time?
"Timelike Curves, Spacelike Curves" by @p-h-lee.bsky.social is out now at Reactor!
Art by Rebekka Dunlap
Edited by @malf.bsky.social
"Timelike Curves, Spacelike Curves" by @p-h-lee.bsky.social is out now at Reactor!
Art by Rebekka Dunlap
Edited by @malf.bsky.social
Timelike Curves, Spacelike Curves - Reactor
Is it bad to cheat on your boyfriend with the fabric of space and time?
reactormag.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I have just read the title of this story as "Time Like Gyros..." and:
1. I think I am hungry
2. I have a new theory of the universe as a big pile of stuff contained within a massive pita
3. Kebab, anyone?
1. I think I am hungry
2. I have a new theory of the universe as a big pile of stuff contained within a massive pita
3. Kebab, anyone?
Mild, moist and murky?
That's quite the dating app profile...
That's quite the dating app profile...
Moist southwesterlies will bring plenty of cloud, rain and mild air at first this week. Any chance of it turning a little drier later?
Check out the latest week ahead forecast with Aidan McGivern
youtu.be/sQ_rfdKaeeg
Check out the latest week ahead forecast with Aidan McGivern
youtu.be/sQ_rfdKaeeg
Week Ahead 03/11/2025 – Drier later? – Met Office weather forecast UK
YouTube video by Met Office - UK Weather
youtu.be
November 3, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Mild, moist and murky?
That's quite the dating app profile...
That's quite the dating app profile...
No lying or making yourself out to be a cool kid.
Post the first record you bought.
If you can remember the shop or circumstances add that too. Local colour appreciated.
From the 5 singles for 50p box in Gene Stewart's in Dungannon. I may have bought the Stray Cats for reasons other than music...
Post the first record you bought.
If you can remember the shop or circumstances add that too. Local colour appreciated.
From the 5 singles for 50p box in Gene Stewart's in Dungannon. I may have bought the Stray Cats for reasons other than music...
November 2, 2025 at 10:57 PM
No lying or making yourself out to be a cool kid.
Post the first record you bought.
If you can remember the shop or circumstances add that too. Local colour appreciated.
From the 5 singles for 50p box in Gene Stewart's in Dungannon. I may have bought the Stray Cats for reasons other than music...
Post the first record you bought.
If you can remember the shop or circumstances add that too. Local colour appreciated.
From the 5 singles for 50p box in Gene Stewart's in Dungannon. I may have bought the Stray Cats for reasons other than music...
Oh Jesus, Lankum have recorded the sounds as the Earth dies screaming and are pretending it's a cover of Ghost Town
Bowel-looseningly horrifying.
youtu.be/aLLnF4vxaeY?...
Bowel-looseningly horrifying.
youtu.be/aLLnF4vxaeY?...
Lankum - Ghost Town (Official Video)
YouTube video by LankumDublin
youtu.be
November 2, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Oh Jesus, Lankum have recorded the sounds as the Earth dies screaming and are pretending it's a cover of Ghost Town
Bowel-looseningly horrifying.
youtu.be/aLLnF4vxaeY?...
Bowel-looseningly horrifying.
youtu.be/aLLnF4vxaeY?...
Don't remember the bit in Tolkien where the Hobbits spent thirty-odd years blowing the shit out of The Shire and each other because of a difference of opinion over which accent their political elites should speak with...
But, sure, violence in Ireland is all down to immigrants.
But, sure, violence in Ireland is all down to immigrants.
Elon Musk, "These lovely small towns in England, Scotland and Ireland, they've been living their lives quietly. They're like hobbits"
"And so one day, 1,000 people show up in your village of 500 and start raping the kids"
"This has now happened, God knows how many times in Britain"
"And so one day, 1,000 people show up in your village of 500 and start raping the kids"
"This has now happened, God knows how many times in Britain"
November 2, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Don't remember the bit in Tolkien where the Hobbits spent thirty-odd years blowing the shit out of The Shire and each other because of a difference of opinion over which accent their political elites should speak with...
But, sure, violence in Ireland is all down to immigrants.
But, sure, violence in Ireland is all down to immigrants.
That poppy seems extravagantly large.
At what point does the rapid growth of the remembrance poppy overwhelm Britain entirely?
I predict that, at this rate, the entire nation will be buried under a single massive plastic flower by 2027.
At what point does the rapid growth of the remembrance poppy overwhelm Britain entirely?
I predict that, at this rate, the entire nation will be buried under a single massive plastic flower by 2027.
November 1, 2025 at 10:31 PM
That poppy seems extravagantly large.
At what point does the rapid growth of the remembrance poppy overwhelm Britain entirely?
I predict that, at this rate, the entire nation will be buried under a single massive plastic flower by 2027.
At what point does the rapid growth of the remembrance poppy overwhelm Britain entirely?
I predict that, at this rate, the entire nation will be buried under a single massive plastic flower by 2027.
Powerful stuff in this New Scientist piece: solar/wind surpassed coal as leading source of energy this year, solar cost dropped 90% in 15 years, silicon panels cost same as plywood (price falling as efficiency rises), the storability problem is largely solved...
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...
November 1, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Powerful stuff in this New Scientist piece: solar/wind surpassed coal as leading source of energy this year, solar cost dropped 90% in 15 years, silicon panels cost same as plywood (price falling as efficiency rises), the storability problem is largely solved...
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...
Bruce Springsteen's 1975 Hammersmith Odeon gig has been on BBC4 tonight, and watching Clarence Clemons wailing on his saxophone in that perfect white suit is a weirdly ghostly experience on Halloween.
What sounds that guy could make!
What sounds that guy could make!
November 1, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Bruce Springsteen's 1975 Hammersmith Odeon gig has been on BBC4 tonight, and watching Clarence Clemons wailing on his saxophone in that perfect white suit is a weirdly ghostly experience on Halloween.
What sounds that guy could make!
What sounds that guy could make!
The great machines of the eschaton spin faster and faster..
Exxon and Chevron boost output despite falling oil prices ft.trib.al/Rz2EPuk
Exxon and Chevron boost output despite falling oil prices
Two biggest US oil majors report rising production in third quarter amid supply glut forecasts
ft.trib.al
October 31, 2025 at 11:24 AM
The great machines of the eschaton spin faster and faster..
IT'S 5:20 AND IT'S DARK.
MONTHS OF MISERABLE DARKNESS LIE AHEAD.
WHO SAID THIS PLANET WAS HABITABLE?!?
MONTHS OF MISERABLE DARKNESS LIE AHEAD.
WHO SAID THIS PLANET WAS HABITABLE?!?
October 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
IT'S 5:20 AND IT'S DARK.
MONTHS OF MISERABLE DARKNESS LIE AHEAD.
WHO SAID THIS PLANET WAS HABITABLE?!?
MONTHS OF MISERABLE DARKNESS LIE AHEAD.
WHO SAID THIS PLANET WAS HABITABLE?!?
Even in this era of Trumpish disregard for truth, Grainne Hurst is exploring new ground here:
"Meg Hillier, then checked that she had understood Hurst’s position..: “Do you think there are any social ills associated with gambling?” The lobbyist replied: “No.”"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
"Meg Hillier, then checked that she had understood Hurst’s position..: “Do you think there are any social ills associated with gambling?” The lobbyist replied: “No.”"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Gambling does not cause any ‘social ills’, lobbyist tells incredulous MPs
Head of UK’s Betting and Gaming Council was asked to repeat claim as she spoke against increasing taxes on sector in November budget
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Even in this era of Trumpish disregard for truth, Grainne Hurst is exploring new ground here:
"Meg Hillier, then checked that she had understood Hurst’s position..: “Do you think there are any social ills associated with gambling?” The lobbyist replied: “No.”"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
"Meg Hillier, then checked that she had understood Hurst’s position..: “Do you think there are any social ills associated with gambling?” The lobbyist replied: “No.”"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
ANGE! ANGE! ANGE! ANGE!
October 27, 2025 at 10:22 PM
ANGE! ANGE! ANGE! ANGE!
October 27, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Every time Bernie Collins on Sky F1 coverage says "meejium tyre" I do a wee fist bump... g'wan ye girl ye!
October 26, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Every time Bernie Collins on Sky F1 coverage says "meejium tyre" I do a wee fist bump... g'wan ye girl ye!