Owen Massey
@oweninoxford.bsky.social
/'əʊɪn 'mæsiː/
No longer receiving DMs
librarian・pedestrian・own views・they/them・Net Zero・Vision Zero・pro-trans・pro-trains・not my king・no gods・no masters・no borders・no statues・no heroes・❄️
No longer receiving DMs
librarian・pedestrian・own views・they/them・Net Zero・Vision Zero・pro-trans・pro-trains・not my king・no gods・no masters・no borders・no statues・no heroes・❄️
Pinned
1967: 'Three thousand publicans marched against the breath tests' for drink driving
2026: 'Pubs blast new drink-drive limit' - front page of motonormative local rag @theoxfordmail.bsky.social today
If your pub needs drink drivers to survive, your pub needs to close NOW.
2026: 'Pubs blast new drink-drive limit' - front page of motonormative local rag @theoxfordmail.bsky.social today
If your pub needs drink drivers to survive, your pub needs to close NOW.
Every librarian knows Ranganathan's first law: 'Books are for use'.
I have three heretical thoughts about books:
- Time spent browsing in bookshops is mostly wasted
- Books make for terrible gifts. Don't give books.
- There are vastly more interesting things to put on living-room shelves than books
Come at me! Add to the list!
A 🧵 for book-lovers
- Time spent browsing in bookshops is mostly wasted
- Books make for terrible gifts. Don't give books.
- There are vastly more interesting things to put on living-room shelves than books
Come at me! Add to the list!
A 🧵 for book-lovers
January 23, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Every librarian knows Ranganathan's first law: 'Books are for use'.
Reposted by Owen Massey
Your Cherokee words for today.
The top word is English followed by how it is written in the Cherokee language followed by how it is spelled in English then how to pronounce it phonetically.
The top word is English followed by how it is written in the Cherokee language followed by how it is spelled in English then how to pronounce it phonetically.
January 23, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Your Cherokee words for today.
The top word is English followed by how it is written in the Cherokee language followed by how it is spelled in English then how to pronounce it phonetically.
The top word is English followed by how it is written in the Cherokee language followed by how it is spelled in English then how to pronounce it phonetically.
Reposted by Owen Massey
Sadly suppressing such a devastating report doesn’t make the risks go away - it just makes them even harder to deal with. Facing up to the truth is the first step to coping with it - it’s beyond scandalous that ministers tried to prevent this. They need to act - and fast
January 23, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Sadly suppressing such a devastating report doesn’t make the risks go away - it just makes them even harder to deal with. Facing up to the truth is the first step to coping with it - it’s beyond scandalous that ministers tried to prevent this. They need to act - and fast
Reposted by Owen Massey
Help us make hope normal again.
Join the Green Party now.
Join the Green Party now.
January 22, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Help us make hope normal again.
Join the Green Party now.
Join the Green Party now.
Reposted by Owen Massey
It strikes me as astonishing that there is so little debate about a possible social media ban for under 16s. Almost all of the commentary assumes that those pushing for a ban have all the facts, and the moral high ground. The idea that there’s a counter perspective seems to be barely acknowledged.
January 21, 2026 at 6:06 PM
It strikes me as astonishing that there is so little debate about a possible social media ban for under 16s. Almost all of the commentary assumes that those pushing for a ban have all the facts, and the moral high ground. The idea that there’s a counter perspective seems to be barely acknowledged.
Reposted by Owen Massey
I'm glad social media exists, because watching this without other people posting would be a real "Which one of us is having a stroke?" moment.
January 21, 2026 at 2:42 PM
I'm glad social media exists, because watching this without other people posting would be a real "Which one of us is having a stroke?" moment.
Reposted by Owen Massey
The windmills are starting to turn all over Europe. We will not see them still again in our lifetimes.
January 21, 2026 at 2:03 PM
The windmills are starting to turn all over Europe. We will not see them still again in our lifetimes.
Reposted by Owen Massey
TRUMP: honk honk honk, I'm a big goose. everyone tells me whenever I enter a room, that's the biggest goose I've ever seen and I say yes. I'm a big goose. in a good way. a lot of Somalians are small stupid gooses but I'm a big goose
BBC NEWS: a disciplined Trump sticks to the script on the economy
BBC NEWS: a disciplined Trump sticks to the script on the economy
January 21, 2026 at 1:58 PM
TRUMP: honk honk honk, I'm a big goose. everyone tells me whenever I enter a room, that's the biggest goose I've ever seen and I say yes. I'm a big goose. in a good way. a lot of Somalians are small stupid gooses but I'm a big goose
BBC NEWS: a disciplined Trump sticks to the script on the economy
BBC NEWS: a disciplined Trump sticks to the script on the economy
Reposted by Owen Massey
"I'm afraid that your mother has grown increasingly enigmatic and expansive after her fall so you should consider full time care for her safety"
going to use "at my most enigmatic and expansive" to describe the next time I have a few too many wines
January 20, 2026 at 8:10 PM
"I'm afraid that your mother has grown increasingly enigmatic and expansive after her fall so you should consider full time care for her safety"
Reposted by Owen Massey
Why is it that you can order a pocket telephone from Amazon at 10 in the morning and get it delivered before 10 at night, and yet one person can destroy the international rules-based order in half an hour while posting on the lavatory?
We’re changing how public services work — to move fast and fix things and make sure they’re there when you need them most.
January 20, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Why is it that you can order a pocket telephone from Amazon at 10 in the morning and get it delivered before 10 at night, and yet one person can destroy the international rules-based order in half an hour while posting on the lavatory?
Reposted by Owen Massey
Reposted by Owen Massey
Help transcribing some 18th century English? It's a recipe for Gingerbread (YUM) but the last few lines are inscrutable to me. My attempt at transcription is in the alt text, please let me know if you can help me with the end! I want to make some 18th century gingerbread!
![Receipt to make gingerbread
To one gallon of molases one quart of
beer one pound of butter 4 oz of ginger
see that the butter and ginger be well [??]
in the flour. Dissolve 2 oz of salt of tarter (ed: now baking powder)
or pearl ash well in the beer (?) through once
or pearl ash is said to be enough make dough
[???] than cake is made
[?] should be [?] immediately after
being [?]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4jd26lsumdhgycsszym7agrw/bafkreihregu7d3riswr4wcz7zn3laeiaknq2zcbvgh7c24a3kf4jqfdq3e@jpeg)
January 20, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Help transcribing some 18th century English? It's a recipe for Gingerbread (YUM) but the last few lines are inscrutable to me. My attempt at transcription is in the alt text, please let me know if you can help me with the end! I want to make some 18th century gingerbread!
Reposted by Owen Massey
I’d say that the index photo here is all the proof we need.
Labour candidate quits claiming her ‘face doesn’t fit’ – but the party doesn’t agree
Labour candidate quits claiming her ‘face doesn’t fit’ – but the party doesn’t agree
A leading Labour member in Wigan has quit the party saying she is ‘fed up’ with their direction and that ‘her face dosesn’t fit’.
dlvr.it
January 20, 2026 at 12:23 PM
I’d say that the index photo here is all the proof we need.
Reposted by Owen Massey
Fairly sure it’s unintentional, but the end date on this mug being sold by the Smithsonian does make it sound a little like they’re saying America dies in 2026…
January 19, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Fairly sure it’s unintentional, but the end date on this mug being sold by the Smithsonian does make it sound a little like they’re saying America dies in 2026…
Reposted by Owen Massey
every day the Financial Times asks me questions i am frankly unqualified to answer
January 19, 2026 at 9:15 PM
every day the Financial Times asks me questions i am frankly unqualified to answer
Reposted by Owen Massey
Bring on the Headington LTNs!
I find the transfer between the safety of the East Oxford LTNs and Headington completely wild. SImilar streets, but Headington feels like the wild west. Drivers don't wait for cyclists, they force their way through EVEN WHEN I'M RIDING WITH KIDS. Bring on more LTNs.
I find the transfer between the safety of the East Oxford LTNs and Headington completely wild. SImilar streets, but Headington feels like the wild west. Drivers don't wait for cyclists, they force their way through EVEN WHEN I'M RIDING WITH KIDS. Bring on more LTNs.
The Cowley Low Traffic Neighbourhoods have saved 30 collisions over 3 years within the LTNs and boundary roads according to latest casualty data, analysed by @cohsat.bsky.social
The Cowley LTNs were implemented in April 2021, after sporadic coronavirus lockdowns between March 2020 and March 2021.
The Cowley LTNs were implemented in April 2021, after sporadic coronavirus lockdowns between March 2020 and March 2021.
January 19, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Bring on the Headington LTNs!
I find the transfer between the safety of the East Oxford LTNs and Headington completely wild. SImilar streets, but Headington feels like the wild west. Drivers don't wait for cyclists, they force their way through EVEN WHEN I'M RIDING WITH KIDS. Bring on more LTNs.
I find the transfer between the safety of the East Oxford LTNs and Headington completely wild. SImilar streets, but Headington feels like the wild west. Drivers don't wait for cyclists, they force their way through EVEN WHEN I'M RIDING WITH KIDS. Bring on more LTNs.
Reposted by Owen Massey
GENUINELY BAFFLED UK GOVERNMENT STRATEGIST: But how are the nazis and paedophiles supposed to find out about birds?
Major charities including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have stopped posting on social media platform X due to controversy surrounding its artificial intelligence tool’s image-creating function
www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/major-c...
www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/major-c...
Major charities leave X after AI images controversy
www.civilsociety.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 10:49 AM
GENUINELY BAFFLED UK GOVERNMENT STRATEGIST: But how are the nazis and paedophiles supposed to find out about birds?
Reposted by Owen Massey
Did you know that when you borrow a book (print/audio/ebook) from a UK library, the author gets a few pence plus a warm feeling in their heart?
Just found out people borrowed my books 1000s of times in 2025 and it's cheered me up. Please ask your library to order my books, and keep using libraries!
Just found out people borrowed my books 1000s of times in 2025 and it's cheered me up. Please ask your library to order my books, and keep using libraries!
January 19, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Did you know that when you borrow a book (print/audio/ebook) from a UK library, the author gets a few pence plus a warm feeling in their heart?
Just found out people borrowed my books 1000s of times in 2025 and it's cheered me up. Please ask your library to order my books, and keep using libraries!
Just found out people borrowed my books 1000s of times in 2025 and it's cheered me up. Please ask your library to order my books, and keep using libraries!
Reposted by Owen Massey
Three women have gone on the record to accuse an Oxford don of sexual harassment, amid questions about the university's confidentiality policy. The Times has reported allegations against Miles Hewstone, who resigned as emeritus professor at New College in November. www.thetimes.com/article/e903...
Oxford University ‘withheld information about harassment claims’
Miles Hewstone, who quit in 2019 but retained his emeritus titles for years, is accused of making unwanted advances towards students and researchers
www.thetimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 8:10 AM
Three women have gone on the record to accuse an Oxford don of sexual harassment, amid questions about the university's confidentiality policy. The Times has reported allegations against Miles Hewstone, who resigned as emeritus professor at New College in November. www.thetimes.com/article/e903...
Reposted by Owen Massey
Reform's vetting procedures:
January 18, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Reform's vetting procedures:
Reposted by Owen Massey
Social media shouldn't be banned for under-16s. Here are four reasons why ⬇️ And the fourth is the one people never talk about...
January 14, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Social media shouldn't be banned for under-16s. Here are four reasons why ⬇️ And the fourth is the one people never talk about...
Reposted by Owen Massey
Abraham. Do you sub your tweet at us, sir?
Sampson. I do sub my tweet, sir.
Abraham. Do you sub your tweet at us, sir?
Sampson. [Aside to GREGORY] Is the law of our side, if I say ay?
Gregory. No.
Sampson. No, sir, I do not sub my tweet at you, sir, but I sub my tweet, sir.
Sampson. I do sub my tweet, sir.
Abraham. Do you sub your tweet at us, sir?
Sampson. [Aside to GREGORY] Is the law of our side, if I say ay?
Gregory. No.
Sampson. No, sir, I do not sub my tweet at you, sir, but I sub my tweet, sir.
January 18, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Abraham. Do you sub your tweet at us, sir?
Sampson. I do sub my tweet, sir.
Abraham. Do you sub your tweet at us, sir?
Sampson. [Aside to GREGORY] Is the law of our side, if I say ay?
Gregory. No.
Sampson. No, sir, I do not sub my tweet at you, sir, but I sub my tweet, sir.
Sampson. I do sub my tweet, sir.
Abraham. Do you sub your tweet at us, sir?
Sampson. [Aside to GREGORY] Is the law of our side, if I say ay?
Gregory. No.
Sampson. No, sir, I do not sub my tweet at you, sir, but I sub my tweet, sir.
Reposted by Owen Massey
Knut Hamsun, Norwegian Nobel laureate in literature, sided with the Nazis so much he presented Goebbels with his Nobel medal in 1943 (which wasn't widely known until later).
Norwegians responded by mailing so many of Hamsun's books back to him that his local post office had to hire extra staff.
Norwegians responded by mailing so many of Hamsun's books back to him that his local post office had to hire extra staff.
January 17, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Knut Hamsun, Norwegian Nobel laureate in literature, sided with the Nazis so much he presented Goebbels with his Nobel medal in 1943 (which wasn't widely known until later).
Norwegians responded by mailing so many of Hamsun's books back to him that his local post office had to hire extra staff.
Norwegians responded by mailing so many of Hamsun's books back to him that his local post office had to hire extra staff.
Reposted by Owen Massey
Ladybird book in the spotlight.
The Story of Newspapers, 1969
Artist: Ron Embleton
The Story of Newspapers, 1969
Artist: Ron Embleton
January 16, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Ladybird book in the spotlight.
The Story of Newspapers, 1969
Artist: Ron Embleton
The Story of Newspapers, 1969
Artist: Ron Embleton
Reposted by Owen Massey
The Oxfordshire sport of Aunt Sally has been proposed as a contender for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage inventory. Dating from the 17th century, it involves players throwing a stick at a dolly resting on a pole, and is known in France as “jeu de massacre”.
January 15, 2026 at 12:38 PM
The Oxfordshire sport of Aunt Sally has been proposed as a contender for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage inventory. Dating from the 17th century, it involves players throwing a stick at a dolly resting on a pole, and is known in France as “jeu de massacre”.