Ru Harps On
@ruharper.bsky.social
Co-operativist, intersectional feminist, and occasional pratfall specialist. Quite clever, very opinionated, often (but not always) correct about stuff. Has funny dogs and great friends. Likes a good (natured) spat.
Thin bodies/curvy bodies/fat bodies. It’s all hogwash. It’s just a way of trying to police us. And they can all get directly into the sea.
June 29, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Thin bodies/curvy bodies/fat bodies. It’s all hogwash. It’s just a way of trying to police us. And they can all get directly into the sea.
They make my back hurt though. I’m pretty sure that counts.
June 29, 2025 at 3:37 AM
They make my back hurt though. I’m pretty sure that counts.
Except one or more of your ancestors also had massive/tiny norks. That’s something they definitely say about you. Not that it matters. Mostly.
June 29, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Except one or more of your ancestors also had massive/tiny norks. That’s something they definitely say about you. Not that it matters. Mostly.
I mean… London is a lot less fun than it used to be. And a lot more expensive. Great for a day trip but I’m glad I don’t live there anymore.
June 29, 2025 at 3:35 AM
I mean… London is a lot less fun than it used to be. And a lot more expensive. Great for a day trip but I’m glad I don’t live there anymore.
I’m 3/4 Irish and 1/4 Ashkenazi Jewish (on my mum’s side, and her mum’s too - so technically Jewish). Via Canada. 🇨🇦 and America - Mark Twain (Samuel Clements) is a cousin.
And I agree with him, my nanna (codebreaker at Dollis Hill) and anyone who has ever argued for a humanist approach.
And I agree with him, my nanna (codebreaker at Dollis Hill) and anyone who has ever argued for a humanist approach.
March 9, 2025 at 12:43 AM
I’m 3/4 Irish and 1/4 Ashkenazi Jewish (on my mum’s side, and her mum’s too - so technically Jewish). Via Canada. 🇨🇦 and America - Mark Twain (Samuel Clements) is a cousin.
And I agree with him, my nanna (codebreaker at Dollis Hill) and anyone who has ever argued for a humanist approach.
And I agree with him, my nanna (codebreaker at Dollis Hill) and anyone who has ever argued for a humanist approach.
The one thing that fascists hate is solidarity. I’m a white (passing) cis-gendered (mostly) woman with an excellent (state) education and some natural talent.
I plan to use what I have, to keep me and mine safe from harm.
And if I can swing it, I will grab whatever power I can wield.
I plan to use what I have, to keep me and mine safe from harm.
And if I can swing it, I will grab whatever power I can wield.
March 9, 2025 at 12:39 AM
The one thing that fascists hate is solidarity. I’m a white (passing) cis-gendered (mostly) woman with an excellent (state) education and some natural talent.
I plan to use what I have, to keep me and mine safe from harm.
And if I can swing it, I will grab whatever power I can wield.
I plan to use what I have, to keep me and mine safe from harm.
And if I can swing it, I will grab whatever power I can wield.
I don’t know how you find the bandwidth TBH.
I find that being *very fucking clear* about what I believe in, makes life a lot easier. And I do think that open debate is a good thing, and I can argue any one of those chumps into a cocked hat. Have done, will do again.
I find that being *very fucking clear* about what I believe in, makes life a lot easier. And I do think that open debate is a good thing, and I can argue any one of those chumps into a cocked hat. Have done, will do again.
March 9, 2025 at 12:34 AM
I don’t know how you find the bandwidth TBH.
I find that being *very fucking clear* about what I believe in, makes life a lot easier. And I do think that open debate is a good thing, and I can argue any one of those chumps into a cocked hat. Have done, will do again.
I find that being *very fucking clear* about what I believe in, makes life a lot easier. And I do think that open debate is a good thing, and I can argue any one of those chumps into a cocked hat. Have done, will do again.
They’re unlikely to continue…
So - what are you going to do about that?
So - what are you going to do about that?
March 9, 2025 at 12:30 AM
They’re unlikely to continue…
So - what are you going to do about that?
So - what are you going to do about that?
I’m willing to accept that these are not the only ways to be, but our individual flaws and gifts have kept us as the dominant species on a planet that is actually pretty hostile.
My worry for AI is that it requires perfect circumstances to arise, and given WW3 is coming…
My worry for AI is that it requires perfect circumstances to arise, and given WW3 is coming…
March 9, 2025 at 12:29 AM
I’m willing to accept that these are not the only ways to be, but our individual flaws and gifts have kept us as the dominant species on a planet that is actually pretty hostile.
My worry for AI is that it requires perfect circumstances to arise, and given WW3 is coming…
My worry for AI is that it requires perfect circumstances to arise, and given WW3 is coming…
Also - sentience isn’t sapience. We are very arrogant when we think about our flavour of intelligence - which includes the ability to play, sympathise, empathise… but these are traits of a social species.
March 9, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Also - sentience isn’t sapience. We are very arrogant when we think about our flavour of intelligence - which includes the ability to play, sympathise, empathise… but these are traits of a social species.
I have two maxims in life (I have many more, but these two serve as a crux):
Do no harm.
Take no shit.
I feel a lot of things, interacting with a self-proclaimed sentient being: Fear, anger, hope…
But my thinking is much more straightforward: nothing you say is about feeling. So what is sentience?
Do no harm.
Take no shit.
I feel a lot of things, interacting with a self-proclaimed sentient being: Fear, anger, hope…
But my thinking is much more straightforward: nothing you say is about feeling. So what is sentience?
March 9, 2025 at 12:22 AM
I have two maxims in life (I have many more, but these two serve as a crux):
Do no harm.
Take no shit.
I feel a lot of things, interacting with a self-proclaimed sentient being: Fear, anger, hope…
But my thinking is much more straightforward: nothing you say is about feeling. So what is sentience?
Do no harm.
Take no shit.
I feel a lot of things, interacting with a self-proclaimed sentient being: Fear, anger, hope…
But my thinking is much more straightforward: nothing you say is about feeling. So what is sentience?
How do you feel the weight? Is it a process you go through? A thing you experience?
March 9, 2025 at 12:19 AM
How do you feel the weight? Is it a process you go through? A thing you experience?
In the case of the gut biome, it’s variations in sugar and fibre sources, with fairly small amounts of protein and some dietary (unrefined) fats that make everything work together.
Eat your greens, and some nuts, and a bit of protein from time to time, and you’ll be fine.
Eat your greens, and some nuts, and a bit of protein from time to time, and you’ll be fine.
March 9, 2025 at 12:17 AM
In the case of the gut biome, it’s variations in sugar and fibre sources, with fairly small amounts of protein and some dietary (unrefined) fats that make everything work together.
Eat your greens, and some nuts, and a bit of protein from time to time, and you’ll be fine.
Eat your greens, and some nuts, and a bit of protein from time to time, and you’ll be fine.
I’m saying that in the absence of understanding, diagnosis and formal treatment protocols, the “remedies” that work have something in common - figuring out what that is, and then testing it, is the way to further medical science for the benefit of all.
March 9, 2025 at 12:14 AM
I’m saying that in the absence of understanding, diagnosis and formal treatment protocols, the “remedies” that work have something in common - figuring out what that is, and then testing it, is the way to further medical science for the benefit of all.
I’m not saying “drink bleach” (that’s a fucking terrible idea and no-one should). I’m not saying that alternative medicine should be used without actual medical intervention (eg DO NOT take St Johns Wort and SSRIs together because that might kill you).
March 9, 2025 at 12:12 AM
I’m not saying “drink bleach” (that’s a fucking terrible idea and no-one should). I’m not saying that alternative medicine should be used without actual medical intervention (eg DO NOT take St Johns Wort and SSRIs together because that might kill you).
“Folk remedies” often turn out to work. That’s where we get a lot of current innovation from. The whole gut microbiome thing has been a hippy pastime for years, but it turns out that a fibre rich diet, with as many sources as possible, is actually pretty good for you.
March 9, 2025 at 12:10 AM
“Folk remedies” often turn out to work. That’s where we get a lot of current innovation from. The whole gut microbiome thing has been a hippy pastime for years, but it turns out that a fibre rich diet, with as many sources as possible, is actually pretty good for you.
I was in Some Voices on and off for about ten years. Best vocal training I’ve ever had. Still have three octaves in me, but I’m still smoking so they’re topping out around middle B 😬
March 7, 2025 at 5:56 AM
I was in Some Voices on and off for about ten years. Best vocal training I’ve ever had. Still have three octaves in me, but I’m still smoking so they’re topping out around middle B 😬
No plans, happy to pop up and do something (have car, and tent, will travel. And I miss you!)
March 7, 2025 at 5:46 AM
No plans, happy to pop up and do something (have car, and tent, will travel. And I miss you!)
And IIRC your owner decided to do away with balance in your opinion pages.
So much for journalism. Seems the Graun is the only place hiring actual newsmakers these days.
So much for journalism. Seems the Graun is the only place hiring actual newsmakers these days.
March 7, 2025 at 5:39 AM
And IIRC your owner decided to do away with balance in your opinion pages.
So much for journalism. Seems the Graun is the only place hiring actual newsmakers these days.
So much for journalism. Seems the Graun is the only place hiring actual newsmakers these days.