Paul Ranford
@paulranford.bsky.social
UK-based independent scholar, historian of science, finance manager, business studies lecturer. Retired from paid work (apart from occasional lectures). Came to the History of Science late but picked up degrees (BA, MSc, MPhil) along the way #oddmix
He’s head of the Executive, right? So he’s essentially suing himself and can instruct the IRS & Treasury’s lawyers to settle? Easy work if you can get it 🤣🤣
January 30, 2026 at 10:43 AM
He’s head of the Executive, right? So he’s essentially suing himself and can instruct the IRS & Treasury’s lawyers to settle? Easy work if you can get it 🤣🤣
So that “with punity” then.
January 29, 2026 at 4:44 PM
So that “with punity” then.
I don’t quite follow how he is “putting American citizens first” if he is *literally shooting American citizens who pose no threat*
January 27, 2026 at 6:18 PM
I don’t quite follow how he is “putting American citizens first” if he is *literally shooting American citizens who pose no threat*
Except that there would be a slim chance of finding at least one interesting item in the DVD bin.
January 26, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Except that there would be a slim chance of finding at least one interesting item in the DVD bin.
Yes, perfectly ok 👍🏻
January 24, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Yes, perfectly ok 👍🏻
Give him time
(Edited 10:26 via @skeetsapp.com)
(Edited 10:26 via @skeetsapp.com)
January 23, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Give him time
(Edited 10:26 via @skeetsapp.com)
(Edited 10:26 via @skeetsapp.com)
Very emotional watching here in the UK. To the whistleblowers - literal and metaphorical - and to those filming, I doff my hat and bow deeply. May the God in whom I don’t believe give you the strength to carry on.
January 22, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Very emotional watching here in the UK. To the whistleblowers - literal and metaphorical - and to those filming, I doff my hat and bow deeply. May the God in whom I don’t believe give you the strength to carry on.
“Americans who travel” tend to be those who know something about the world and are generally in agreement with international responses to Trump. THEY ARE WELCOME.
January 22, 2026 at 1:54 PM
“Americans who travel” tend to be those who know something about the world and are generally in agreement with international responses to Trump. THEY ARE WELCOME.
Have to say, this sounds like an easy argument to make.
January 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Have to say, this sounds like an easy argument to make.
Just appalling and unacceptable to the point of extremity. Now, Minnesota borders Ontario and Winnipeg. Isn’t there an obvious solution available?
January 20, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Just appalling and unacceptable to the point of extremity. Now, Minnesota borders Ontario and Winnipeg. Isn’t there an obvious solution available?
In short, he’s completely off his rocker.
January 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM
In short, he’s completely off his rocker.
Well there’s no point repeating it all, so let’s leave it there. You don’t have to go into space yourself, but plenty of people have the compulsion to explore, you can leave it to them. I am, however, with you on choosing not to be included in their number 🤫
January 19, 2026 at 12:17 AM
Well there’s no point repeating it all, so let’s leave it there. You don’t have to go into space yourself, but plenty of people have the compulsion to explore, you can leave it to them. I am, however, with you on choosing not to be included in their number 🤫
1. Vulnerability of this tiny speck we call “Earth”. 2. Resources. 3. Curiosity, increasing our knowledge and understanding of what’s “out there”. 4. The human compulsion to explore “plus ultra” (further yet). So, nothing to do with vanity. What’s your counter-argument?
January 18, 2026 at 2:33 PM
1. Vulnerability of this tiny speck we call “Earth”. 2. Resources. 3. Curiosity, increasing our knowledge and understanding of what’s “out there”. 4. The human compulsion to explore “plus ultra” (further yet). So, nothing to do with vanity. What’s your counter-argument?
Desert camouflage doing a great job here.
January 18, 2026 at 12:43 PM
Desert camouflage doing a great job here.
Donation made from the UK. Not a churchgoer, but good work is good work.
January 16, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Donation made from the UK. Not a churchgoer, but good work is good work.
It’s only a monopoly of the good cheese.
January 16, 2026 at 12:51 PM
It’s only a monopoly of the good cheese.
If “what others are saying” is a wholly egregious and unsettling avalanche of lies (and worse), why would you want to bother? Serious question - I deleted my account on the other place some time ago now, and my equanimity is much improved as a result 😀
(Edited 12:44 via @skeetsapp.com)
(Edited 12:44 via @skeetsapp.com)
January 16, 2026 at 12:45 PM
If “what others are saying” is a wholly egregious and unsettling avalanche of lies (and worse), why would you want to bother? Serious question - I deleted my account on the other place some time ago now, and my equanimity is much improved as a result 😀
(Edited 12:44 via @skeetsapp.com)
(Edited 12:44 via @skeetsapp.com)
Thank you for this 🙏
January 15, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Thank you for this 🙏
NB Nothing personal meant here 😍 but you asked and so you got the reasons that that particular start to so many emails, letters, messages, whatever, grinds my gears. Stick with it if it seems good to you 👍🏻
January 15, 2026 at 10:06 AM
NB Nothing personal meant here 😍 but you asked and so you got the reasons that that particular start to so many emails, letters, messages, whatever, grinds my gears. Stick with it if it seems good to you 👍🏻
2. It’s perfunctory, therefore shallow and meaningless. It adds nothing to the communication, in fact it slows it down. If that’s how “this message” is going to respect me, I’m going no further with it.
January 15, 2026 at 10:03 AM
2. It’s perfunctory, therefore shallow and meaningless. It adds nothing to the communication, in fact it slows it down. If that’s how “this message” is going to respect me, I’m going no further with it.
Well, since you ask: 1. It’s a message, an inanimate communication, it can’t “find” anything, much less “me well”. If you really want to show concern about my wellbeing (which, lbh, you probably don’t, see 2 below) start with “I trust you’re well” or similar. Then it’s you speaking, not the message.
January 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Well, since you ask: 1. It’s a message, an inanimate communication, it can’t “find” anything, much less “me well”. If you really want to show concern about my wellbeing (which, lbh, you probably don’t, see 2 below) start with “I trust you’re well” or similar. Then it’s you speaking, not the message.
Those Chinese are tunnelling through.
January 15, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Those Chinese are tunnelling through.