Niko Kontovas
@nikokontovas.bsky.social
Linguist | Digital Humanist | Subject Librarian and Curator for the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Turkey/Türkiye @bodleianlibraries.bsky.social | Lecturer in Uzbek and Chaghatay | http://www.turkolog.ist
So glad you enjoyed the exhibition! 'Invisible Treasures' was excellent. Congrats on a job well done!
July 1, 2025 at 8:37 PM
So glad you enjoyed the exhibition! 'Invisible Treasures' was excellent. Congrats on a job well done!
Estağfurullah, olur mu öyle şey? Asıl normal tepki veren sizsiniz, yarın doğum günüm diye evrene normal halime göre daha fazla sükunet ve pozitiflik saçmaya çalışıyorum -- her ne kadar zor olsa da 😂
June 30, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Estağfurullah, olur mu öyle şey? Asıl normal tepki veren sizsiniz, yarın doğum günüm diye evrene normal halime göre daha fazla sükunet ve pozitiflik saçmaya çalışıyorum -- her ne kadar zor olsa da 😂
That's unkind, but I realise this is an emotional topic.
June 30, 2025 at 12:19 PM
That's unkind, but I realise this is an emotional topic.
I think you'll find I brought the US up in response to your question of where I was from. I never held it -- or any other country -- up as less or more corrupt than the UK. I had a very specific complaint. I am sorry I didn't make myself clearer.
June 30, 2025 at 12:16 PM
I think you'll find I brought the US up in response to your question of where I was from. I never held it -- or any other country -- up as less or more corrupt than the UK. I had a very specific complaint. I am sorry I didn't make myself clearer.
2/2 but I hope you know that I wish you and the British people nothing but happiness -- regardless of their views about immigrants in general or me more specifically 🌈
June 30, 2025 at 12:14 PM
2/2 but I hope you know that I wish you and the British people nothing but happiness -- regardless of their views about immigrants in general or me more specifically 🌈
I am sorry I could not make it clearer that this is not what I said or meant. You are obviously very angry about this. I would try to convince you that that is not my position, but I fear I will only upset you more. I know it's hard to have nuanced debates without getting emotionally invested, 1/2
June 30, 2025 at 12:14 PM
I am sorry I could not make it clearer that this is not what I said or meant. You are obviously very angry about this. I would try to convince you that that is not my position, but I fear I will only upset you more. I know it's hard to have nuanced debates without getting emotionally invested, 1/2
I specifically didn't say that they were more welcoming. I said in at least 2, foreigners would be eligible for an institution-internal grant. I know that from experience. Their ineligibility in the US would depend on the funding source (federal/internal).
June 30, 2025 at 12:07 PM
I specifically didn't say that they were more welcoming. I said in at least 2, foreigners would be eligible for an institution-internal grant. I know that from experience. Their ineligibility in the US would depend on the funding source (federal/internal).
I didn't speak to Brits' overall reception of foreigners. Mine was a very specific gripe about visa issues and employment opportunities. I'm sorry if it came of as "slagging off"!
June 30, 2025 at 12:02 PM
I didn't speak to Brits' overall reception of foreigners. Mine was a very specific gripe about visa issues and employment opportunities. I'm sorry if it came of as "slagging off"!
Forgive misspellings! Lots of editing due to multitasking.
June 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Forgive misspellings! Lots of editing due to multitasking.
The USA, France, and Greece. I have also lived in the PRC, Turkey, and the Netherlands. I'd never claim that any is overall better or than the other. I only have evidence for specific things, like this Bodleian-specific grant. I explained the reason for foreigner ineligibility above.
June 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The USA, France, and Greece. I have also lived in the PRC, Turkey, and the Netherlands. I'd never claim that any is overall better or than the other. I only have evidence for specific things, like this Bodleian-specific grant. I explained the reason for foreigner ineligibility above.
But those countries can be worse in other ways. It's a trade-off. You live and learn. It was easier being a foreigner in a few other places I've lived, too. I know that now, so I'll try to be better informed about the country's laws before I accept my next international job 🌈
June 30, 2025 at 11:53 AM
But those countries can be worse in other ways. It's a trade-off. You live and learn. It was easier being a foreigner in a few other places I've lived, too. I know that now, so I'll try to be better informed about the country's laws before I accept my next international job 🌈
There are far too many metrics to take into account to make a judgement like this, especially without sufficient empirical research to back it up. I just mentioned a particular grant. In at least 2 of my countries, similar grants would be open to foreigners.
June 30, 2025 at 11:53 AM
There are far too many metrics to take into account to make a judgement like this, especially without sufficient empirical research to back it up. I just mentioned a particular grant. In at least 2 of my countries, similar grants would be open to foreigners.
Ah, okay! Thank you for clarifying 😊
June 30, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Ah, okay! Thank you for clarifying 😊
Are all countries more corrupt than the UK? Surely one needs to at least know what other countries we're comparing it with to be able to make such a judgement.
June 30, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Are all countries more corrupt than the UK? Surely one needs to at least know what other countries we're comparing it with to be able to make such a judgement.
Wait, which country are you talking about? Where do you think my three passports are from?
June 30, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Wait, which country are you talking about? Where do you think my three passports are from?
Oh, I don't take offence! I just asked you to stop. If you want me to ask @pinars.bsky.social to stop, too, I will. Pınar: Please, stop :-)
June 30, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Oh, I don't take offence! I just asked you to stop. If you want me to ask @pinars.bsky.social to stop, too, I will. Pınar: Please, stop :-)
You say "here", but you are not British. So, are you a foreigner in the UK?
June 30, 2025 at 11:42 AM
You say "here", but you are not British. So, are you a foreigner in the UK?
I don't have the right to apply for this grant. That's the only right I mentioned. I also didn't have any relatives or even acquaintances in the UK when I applied, so I'm not sure how it could be nepotism. Now I'm even more confused!
June 30, 2025 at 11:41 AM
I don't have the right to apply for this grant. That's the only right I mentioned. I also didn't have any relatives or even acquaintances in the UK when I applied, so I'm not sure how it could be nepotism. Now I'm even more confused!
I never engaged in ad hominems. I was perplexed by your style of argumentation, but I'm happy to hear more if you want to clarify. I'm sorry if I was unable to follow your logic. Do feel free to explain! But please don't call people clowns. It's not nice.
June 30, 2025 at 11:37 AM
I never engaged in ad hominems. I was perplexed by your style of argumentation, but I'm happy to hear more if you want to clarify. I'm sorry if I was unable to follow your logic. Do feel free to explain! But please don't call people clowns. It's not nice.
Oh, I'm actually fine with immigrants in my countries having the same rights as me -- especially if it's a something as simple as this. But I realise lots of people don't think like me. I find that very sad. But no worries! If people interpret my stance as ingratitude, I'll be gone soon 🌈
June 30, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Oh, I'm actually fine with immigrants in my countries having the same rights as me -- especially if it's a something as simple as this. But I realise lots of people don't think like me. I find that very sad. But no worries! If people interpret my stance as ingratitude, I'll be gone soon 🌈
Woah, I think hate is a really strong word here. I disliked a result of policy. I don't think I ever implied hating anyone. This is a weird style of argumentation. I'd be happy to continue if you address what we say and not what you think we mean.
June 30, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Woah, I think hate is a really strong word here. I disliked a result of policy. I don't think I ever implied hating anyone. This is a weird style of argumentation. I'd be happy to continue if you address what we say and not what you think we mean.