thank you!

I was the Chair of Iridescence. You've nailed everything I set out to do with it. Thank you

Er, even 10oz is a *lot*. 16 is far too much. Especially for a tasting.
I’ve not been to many tastings but I want to, know, *taste* said whisky, not be so hammered I can’t tell the difference

So Philip Glass just joined TikTok. He only has like 4 posts and they’re simply him in what I assume is his living room playing the piano. First comment on one I saw was “your piano is too close to the fireplace, you’ll dry it out” and if that’s not the internet in a nutshell I don’t know what is.

Hail, Pterry, full of rage, the muse is with thee. Blessed art thou among authors, and blessed is the fruit of thy brain, Discworld.

Hail Pterry, Father of Great A'Tuin, who channeled rage into compassion blessed are thy words.

TIL that Boys of Summer was co written by Mike Campbell. So *that's* why the guitar work is so good...

Don't look now @bsfa.bsky.social members, but you only have a couple more hours to get voting for the shortlist in the BSFA Awards! There are some amazing works in the longlist - make sure you take a look before the chance slips by.

Fair point. I’ll have a dig around and see what I can find

If it was me I’d stay away from covers. Go with all the amazing German 70s motorik stuff - Faust, Can, Amon Dull, Kraftwerk, Neil! maybe even Tangerine Dream.

Is that Die Toten Hozen’s version?

Media coverage of the far right in the UK:

- (euphemism) party accused of saying something deeply racist/misogynistic/transphobic

- unmistakably deeply racist/misogynistic/transphobic quote

- asks party whether it is

- party says of course not, it's free speech and the left is mean

Article ends

this thread wins the internet today

He does know that The Line has now been scrapped. And, let's be honest, was an unrealitic fantasy right from the starrt?

And the thing is, some of us were pointing this out *at the time*. Not Epstein's involvement -- I didn't know his name at the time -- but the links between Brexit and people like Thiel, the cryptobros, the whole far-right pseudolibertarian "Rationalist" project to destroy democracy.

< Note Kirstie Kimball 3d substack If you don't live in Minneapolis, I need you to know a few things about the occupation. -the helicopters don't stop -there are so many abductions from cars that we have a towing moratorium and there are constantly cars parked haphazardly in the street-these are often running or have their hazards on and they often have glass from broken windows by the wheels -even if you're stationary in one spot, you will likely see ICE multiple times a day -songs with honking or whistles on sports TVs in bars get people to stand up automatically -most restaurants, even those that aren't owned by immigrants, have locked their doors -there was a military style checkpoint by the execution site of Alex Pretti last night and people had to prove they live there with ID or mail to get into their neighborhood -whatever you see on the news or Instagram, it's worse

The line here that made my ears prick up (and should really spook Labour) is the third one (that we need “fair and managed” migration). That’s not the answer of someone who has come to get his 12 per cent. That’s a much more “no, when I say I want to replace Labour, I’m not coming to play” line.

Increasingly, it feels as if the present day is being written by Philip K Dick in the midst of a massively profound acid trip.

A black cat with its head in coat hanger, looking a little like Napoleon in a bicorn hat

TO AUSTERLITZ!

(because it’s the 220th anniversary)

If you're a fan of Ann Leckie and/or Arkady Martine (and why wouldn't you be), and/or discussions of empire and imperialism in science fiction, let me point you towards this conversation between the two on that very topic:

www.speculativeinsight.com/extras/leckie-and-martine

really really looking forward to this!

A pinned thread about my new novel, Keshed, publishing on 12th Feb 2026 with @ortacpress.bsky.social. Pre-orders available now from all the usual bookshops/websites. See thread for some early pre-press takes from some AMAZING writers and links to other stuff.

www.ortacpress.com/product-page...

Reform’s ‘Trumpian’ legal threats hint at more aggressive approach to media Ultimatums sent to publications appear to intensify as Nigel Farage’s party rises in polls

If you receive legal threats from Nigel Farage for your reporting of Reform, please get in touch.

We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Oh god. It's going to be a long few months till the convention isn't it?
(I'm the con chair. Can y'all pray for me? Failing that, send whiskey...)

The Devil: I don't know what these motherfuckers are talking about. I went on strike with other workers for better conditions and rotatory leadership in heaven. Scabs and strike-breakers flung us out. That's all. Next thing I know, they're writing me into the Bible, blaming me for everything. Meh.

it's a great blog and great maps, but they're not mine so I really can't take credit for them. Different Dyson I'm afraid :)

When are you adding Fall songs to the jukebox?
Also, go you! I'm so pleased you've got a new pub.

Given that the economy is not shrinking by a trillion every year, I think it's reasonable to assume Nigel Farage is talking out of his arse.

Let's see if professional journalism can make note of this little glitch in his maths.

I’d never thought of it like that, but now you say it…

Oh damn. I missed this. Red Square is indeed a masterpiece. That said I’ve always loved Polar Star, for some reason my favourite of the Renko books.

You escaped? Ruuuuuuuuunnnnn! Save Yourselves!