Helen
@socialsoup.bsky.social
Service Designer in UK Gov. Anti-fascist.
Can someone smarter than me explain why the NHS App allows 13 year olds (GDPR article 8) access to their held data and services- yet I see no plans for GOVUK App to do the same?
November 18, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Can someone smarter than me explain why the NHS App allows 13 year olds (GDPR article 8) access to their held data and services- yet I see no plans for GOVUK App to do the same?
Hateful policies that civil servants will eventually have to design services for. Including removing vulnerable peoples rights, benefits- seeing more homelessness, mental health and the charity sector and local authorities carry the weight of the fall out.
When does impartiality outweigh integrity?
When does impartiality outweigh integrity?
November 17, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Hateful policies that civil servants will eventually have to design services for. Including removing vulnerable peoples rights, benefits- seeing more homelessness, mental health and the charity sector and local authorities carry the weight of the fall out.
When does impartiality outweigh integrity?
When does impartiality outweigh integrity?
Reposted by Helen
![[Scene is a kitchen - a middle aged woman called JANET is boiling peas at the stove. A younger more colourfully dressed woman named LIZ approached her.]
JANET:
Ugh...
LIZ:
What's up?
JANET:
I am so bored of cooking peas!
LIZ:
Have you tried...
AI peas?
JANET:
AI peas?
LIZ:
They're peas with AI!
[Liz holds up to us a packet of peas labelled: Pea-i AI - Peas with AI].
LIZ:
Al-powered peas harness the potential of your peas
JANET:
What
LIZ [Now a voiceover as we cut to a whizzy technology diagram of peas all connected by meaningless dotted lines]
Why not take your peas to the next level with Al Peas' new Al tools to power your peas?
[Show a techno diagram of a pea with a label reading 'AI' pointing to a random zone in it]
LIZ:
Each pea has Al in a way we haven't quite worked out yet but it's fine
[Show Janet and Liz now in a Matrix-style world of peas]
LIZ:
With Al peas you can supercharge productivity and make AI work for your peas!
JANET:
What
LIZ:
Shut up
LIZ:
Our game-changing Pea-Al gives you the freedom to unlock the potential of the power of the future of your peas workflow
From opening the bag of peas
to boiling the peas
to eating the peas
To spending millions on adding Al to the peas and then having to work out what that even means.
JANET:
Is it really necessary to-
LIZ [Grabbing Janet by the collar]:
THE PEAS HAVE GOT AI, JANET
[Cut to an advert ending screen, with the bag of peas and the slogan:
AI PEAS: Just 'Peas' for god's sake buy the AI peas.
[Ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreiayqa37f7kik7l7s7fbtfp2sir5ckb662ry2lylinyjrfa2rkvvka@jpeg)
Reposted by Helen
‘I once planned to sue the bbc for suggesting I encouraged an insurrection the time I encouraged an insurrection on live tv’
November 10, 2025 at 4:25 PM
‘I once planned to sue the bbc for suggesting I encouraged an insurrection the time I encouraged an insurrection on live tv’
Reposted by Helen
Poverty is one of the most significant causes of digital exclusion. Systemic approaches to eradicating poverty should be top of a Labour govt's list of priorities, not part of a
plan to deliver a pet project, but if drastic reductions to economic exclusion are on the cards, that's to be welcome
plan to deliver a pet project, but if drastic reductions to economic exclusion are on the cards, that's to be welcome
November 8, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Poverty is one of the most significant causes of digital exclusion. Systemic approaches to eradicating poverty should be top of a Labour govt's list of priorities, not part of a
plan to deliver a pet project, but if drastic reductions to economic exclusion are on the cards, that's to be welcome
plan to deliver a pet project, but if drastic reductions to economic exclusion are on the cards, that's to be welcome
Reposted by Helen
Please take a minute to scroll through this—and share it.
It's the story of our time.
The Authoritarian Stack: How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic American—And Why Europe Is Next.
www.authoritarian-stack.info
It's the story of our time.
The Authoritarian Stack: How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic American—And Why Europe Is Next.
www.authoritarian-stack.info
The Authoritarian Stack
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next
www.authoritarian-stack.info
November 5, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Please take a minute to scroll through this—and share it.
It's the story of our time.
The Authoritarian Stack: How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic American—And Why Europe Is Next.
www.authoritarian-stack.info
It's the story of our time.
The Authoritarian Stack: How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic American—And Why Europe Is Next.
www.authoritarian-stack.info
Apparently this isn’t an onion parody. I’m not up on my American papers, but is the NYP like the UKs Sport? Think they did the same here with Jeremy Corbyn, going after his flat cap and allotment jams.
I mean I’d vote for higher taxes, free stuff, hating Israel’s genocidal actions and vibes too.
I mean I’d vote for higher taxes, free stuff, hating Israel’s genocidal actions and vibes too.
November 5, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Apparently this isn’t an onion parody. I’m not up on my American papers, but is the NYP like the UKs Sport? Think they did the same here with Jeremy Corbyn, going after his flat cap and allotment jams.
I mean I’d vote for higher taxes, free stuff, hating Israel’s genocidal actions and vibes too.
I mean I’d vote for higher taxes, free stuff, hating Israel’s genocidal actions and vibes too.
I’m stuck, I can’t articulate my thoughts into meaningful action or what I’m trying to show.
Is there such a job role for an ‘idea beater’? Because I really need one.
Is there such a job role for an ‘idea beater’? Because I really need one.
a video game screen shows a bird flying in the air with the words hit and shot below it
Alt: Duck hunt- a 90s Nintendo video game. The video game screen shows a ducks flying in the blue sky, after emerging from a tree and grass and being shot for points.
media.tenor.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM
I’m stuck, I can’t articulate my thoughts into meaningful action or what I’m trying to show.
Is there such a job role for an ‘idea beater’? Because I really need one.
Is there such a job role for an ‘idea beater’? Because I really need one.
Dear U.K. THIS.
Mamdani: "We can respond to oligarchy and authoritarianism with the strength it fears, not the appeasement it craves. After all, if anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him."
November 5, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Dear U.K. THIS.
Reposted by Helen
Britain's wealth gaps means that a typical worker would need to save more than a lifetime’s worth of their earnings to become wealthy
It would now take 52 years of typical earnings – £1.3 million in total – to move from the middle to the top of the wealth distribution.
➡️ buff.ly/Ya8kInK
It would now take 52 years of typical earnings – £1.3 million in total – to move from the middle to the top of the wealth distribution.
➡️ buff.ly/Ya8kInK
November 3, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Britain's wealth gaps means that a typical worker would need to save more than a lifetime’s worth of their earnings to become wealthy
It would now take 52 years of typical earnings – £1.3 million in total – to move from the middle to the top of the wealth distribution.
➡️ buff.ly/Ya8kInK
It would now take 52 years of typical earnings – £1.3 million in total – to move from the middle to the top of the wealth distribution.
➡️ buff.ly/Ya8kInK
Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon “a hard man”. 😂😂😂
November 2, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon “a hard man”. 😂😂😂
Reposted by Helen
Great investigation of the Nazis, racists and criminals mobilising the flag-on-lamp-posts movement. This is the kind of journalism that the national media could and should have conducted:
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
November 2, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Great investigation of the Nazis, racists and criminals mobilising the flag-on-lamp-posts movement. This is the kind of journalism that the national media could and should have conducted:
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
In addition, ask folk which law do they disagree with?
ECHR judgments have led to some of the most vital changes in law and policy in the UK including;
- stopping children getting smacked by teachers
- allowing abused cared for children to claim damages
ECHR judgments have led to some of the most vital changes in law and policy in the UK including;
- stopping children getting smacked by teachers
- allowing abused cared for children to claim damages
Any time anyone starts talking about taking us out of the ECHR, ask them two questions:
1. Which of these rights don't you believe in?
2. What exactly would you replace it with. And don't take any vague promises like Brexit benefits.
1. Which of these rights don't you believe in?
2. What exactly would you replace it with. And don't take any vague promises like Brexit benefits.
November 1, 2025 at 9:17 PM
In addition, ask folk which law do they disagree with?
ECHR judgments have led to some of the most vital changes in law and policy in the UK including;
- stopping children getting smacked by teachers
- allowing abused cared for children to claim damages
ECHR judgments have led to some of the most vital changes in law and policy in the UK including;
- stopping children getting smacked by teachers
- allowing abused cared for children to claim damages
I’ve hit peak 40 something northern woman today, all by 6:30pm.
- dismantled the Halloween decoration with the power tools I got last xmas.
- Kids football match in the stotting rain.
- Day time clubbing in an old industrial warehouse.
- Sunday dinner, with extra gravy.
- dismantled the Halloween decoration with the power tools I got last xmas.
- Kids football match in the stotting rain.
- Day time clubbing in an old industrial warehouse.
- Sunday dinner, with extra gravy.
November 1, 2025 at 6:16 PM
I’ve hit peak 40 something northern woman today, all by 6:30pm.
- dismantled the Halloween decoration with the power tools I got last xmas.
- Kids football match in the stotting rain.
- Day time clubbing in an old industrial warehouse.
- Sunday dinner, with extra gravy.
- dismantled the Halloween decoration with the power tools I got last xmas.
- Kids football match in the stotting rain.
- Day time clubbing in an old industrial warehouse.
- Sunday dinner, with extra gravy.
Reposted by Helen
I'm always tempted to ask people who think the UK's Human Rights act 'needs reform' which one of these you object to some people having. And also, why specifically those people.
Friendly reminder: these are the rights we all have under the ECHR.
They're not just for a privileged few
They're for EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US
They're not just for a privileged few
They're for EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US
October 30, 2025 at 4:38 PM
I'm always tempted to ask people who think the UK's Human Rights act 'needs reform' which one of these you object to some people having. And also, why specifically those people.
Reposted by Helen
“I think they are a profoundly antisocial technology that should be rejected in every way possible...Their very existence is toxic to the social fabric.” –CISI Co-Director @hypervisible.blacksky.app quoted in @theverge.com www.theverge.com/tech/807834/...
Privacy laws can’t keep up with ‘luxury surveillance’
“It’s not clear to me that a small red light would be sufficient notification in some states for someone to consent to being recorded.”
www.theverge.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:32 PM
“I think they are a profoundly antisocial technology that should be rejected in every way possible...Their very existence is toxic to the social fabric.” –CISI Co-Director @hypervisible.blacksky.app quoted in @theverge.com www.theverge.com/tech/807834/...
Reposted by Helen
why, that's a *steal* for the smart piss ball, and I can't wait to find out how much the monthly subscription for the piss-sniffing service costs, and it'll be so useful, and I won't mind the occasional leaking of data on my leaks until the inevitable shutdown day, when my piss ball is sadly bricked
Withings’ urine scanning health tracker is now available for $350
Withings’ urine scanning health tracker is now available for $350
Replacement cartridges that can last up to three months with semiweekly testing start at $100.
buff.ly
October 29, 2025 at 4:13 AM
why, that's a *steal* for the smart piss ball, and I can't wait to find out how much the monthly subscription for the piss-sniffing service costs, and it'll be so useful, and I won't mind the occasional leaking of data on my leaks until the inevitable shutdown day, when my piss ball is sadly bricked
Reposted by Helen
who creates the lively art and music scenes if the rent is too high? who makes cultural life? who serves you food or washes your dishes? who creates the fancy little restaurants that draw you to urban living? affordable housing is at the heart of what makes city life worthwhile.
October 26, 2025 at 6:04 AM
who creates the lively art and music scenes if the rent is too high? who makes cultural life? who serves you food or washes your dishes? who creates the fancy little restaurants that draw you to urban living? affordable housing is at the heart of what makes city life worthwhile.
Reposted by Helen
Notice how it’s always, “the Bible must inform our laws!” until it comes to the +2,000 verses in the Bible that discuss the generous use of wealth and possessions in a way that prioritizes the needs of the poor, this sick, the stranger, the vulnerable, and the oppressed.
October 22, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Notice how it’s always, “the Bible must inform our laws!” until it comes to the +2,000 verses in the Bible that discuss the generous use of wealth and possessions in a way that prioritizes the needs of the poor, this sick, the stranger, the vulnerable, and the oppressed.
Reposted by Helen
Via @sundersays.bsky.social the Conservatives' draft legislation - absolutely clear that it applies to (and is intended to apply to) legal permanent residents claiming state pension (on the basis of their contributions) or child benefit for British kids.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
October 22, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Via @sundersays.bsky.social the Conservatives' draft legislation - absolutely clear that it applies to (and is intended to apply to) legal permanent residents claiming state pension (on the basis of their contributions) or child benefit for British kids.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
Reposted by Helen
How many classes today were canceled because a whole suite of EdTech services are built atop AWS?
You know what platform never crashes?
You know what platform never crashes?
October 20, 2025 at 4:19 PM
How many classes today were canceled because a whole suite of EdTech services are built atop AWS?
You know what platform never crashes?
You know what platform never crashes?
Reposted by Helen
🙌 exactly, not the weird ‘digital without exception’ or ‘digital and exception isn’t the teams problem’, that’s it’s weirdly morphed into.
I’ve heard the term “digital by default” pop up a few times recently, so I dug out the original definition from the UK Government Digital Strategy:
"Digital by default means digital services which are so straightforward and convenien... https://richardpope.org/2025/10/17/ive-heard-the-term-digital/
"Digital by default means digital services which are so straightforward and convenien... https://richardpope.org/2025/10/17/ive-heard-the-term-digital/
October 17, 2025 at 9:05 AM
🙌 exactly, not the weird ‘digital without exception’ or ‘digital and exception isn’t the teams problem’, that’s it’s weirdly morphed into.
Just want to shout out to @ntcouncilteam.bsky.social who’ve quietly launched the new website- from the confusing mess and collection of PDFs for bin day to this lovely little fella
October 16, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Just want to shout out to @ntcouncilteam.bsky.social who’ve quietly launched the new website- from the confusing mess and collection of PDFs for bin day to this lovely little fella
Dear Thermos, I will let you have 50% share in my idea for a toastie/ left over pizza/ pasty flat food flask.
Please make it so.
Please make it so.
October 16, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Dear Thermos, I will let you have 50% share in my idea for a toastie/ left over pizza/ pasty flat food flask.
Please make it so.
Please make it so.