Charles Arthur
@charlesarthur.bsky.social
Author “Social Warming”, about how social media inevitably polarises us all (not me or you, obviously, just everyone else). Journalist who has covered sports, technology, science, medicine. Ex-Guardian, -Independent, -New Scientist.
It's such a weird realisation that people hold unshakeable religious beliefs that don't need to be about gods and which they will still cling to in the face of completely undeniable facts contradicting it.
November 10, 2025 at 5:11 PM
It's such a weird realisation that people hold unshakeable religious beliefs that don't need to be about gods and which they will still cling to in the face of completely undeniable facts contradicting it.
In today’s @theoverspill: plans by the UK government to impose a per-mile tax on electric vehicles would exempt vans, leaks suggest.
Start Up No.2555: when Steve Jobs mulled adverts in macOS, is Musk’s $1 trillion real?, FBI subpoenas mystery archive site, and more
Plans by the UK government to impose a per-mile tax on electric vehicles would exempt vans, leaks suggest. CC-licensed photo by Climate Group on Flickr. You can sign up to receive each day’s Start Up post by email. You’ll need to click a confirmation link, so no spam. A selection of 10 links for you. Charged up. I'm @charlesarthur…
theoverspill.blog
November 10, 2025 at 7:00 AM
In today’s @theoverspill: plans by the UK government to impose a per-mile tax on electric vehicles would exempt vans, leaks suggest.
In today's @theoverspill: an incredibly hubristic building project in Saudi Arabia has had to face reality.
Start Up No.2554: Meta earned about $16bn on scam ads in 2024, the no-follower world, Brazil’s emissions (and fires) drop, and more
An incredibly hubristic building project in Saudi Arabia has had to face reality. CC-licensed photo by Prachatai on Flickr. You can sign up to receive each day’s Start Up post by email. You’ll need to click a confirmation link, so no spam. Apologies for the lack of emailed Overspill on Thursday. Today's is a double helping as a result.
theoverspill.blog
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 AM
In today's @theoverspill: an incredibly hubristic building project in Saudi Arabia has had to face reality.
Start Up No.2553: the age of anti-social media begins, Internet Archive's next steps, TurboTax gets free rival killed, and more
Start Up No.2553: the age of anti-social media begins, Internet Archive’s next steps, TurboTax gets free rival killed, and more
The monk Gregor Mendel didn't just work on inheritance; he also recorded weather. But much of his work is lost. CC-licensed photo by Russell McNeil on Flickr. You can sign up to receive each day’s Start Up post by email. You’ll need to click a confirmation link, so no spam. A selection of 9 links for you. Papered over. I'm…
theoverspill.blog
November 6, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Start Up No.2553: the age of anti-social media begins, Internet Archive's next steps, TurboTax gets free rival killed, and more
Reposted by Charles Arthur
Have you been watching Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles?
We caught up with its presenter, Hamza Yassin, ahead of one of our Dig Deeper talks at the Museum, where he spoke about his love of nature and his work in the great outdoors.
Check out a preview of our chat with him 👇
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/ham...
We caught up with its presenter, Hamza Yassin, ahead of one of our Dig Deeper talks at the Museum, where he spoke about his love of nature and his work in the great outdoors.
Check out a preview of our chat with him 👇
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/ham...
Hamza Yassin discusses filming wildlife and inspiring the next generation | Natural History Museum
The wildlife cameraman and presenter discusses how understanding nature is crucial to his work.
www.nhm.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Have you been watching Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles?
We caught up with its presenter, Hamza Yassin, ahead of one of our Dig Deeper talks at the Museum, where he spoke about his love of nature and his work in the great outdoors.
Check out a preview of our chat with him 👇
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/ham...
We caught up with its presenter, Hamza Yassin, ahead of one of our Dig Deeper talks at the Museum, where he spoke about his love of nature and his work in the great outdoors.
Check out a preview of our chat with him 👇
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/ham...
Reposted by Charles Arthur
So it seems like perhaps LinkedIn is suppressing women's posts, which is absolutely fundamentally shitty of them. I've certainly noticed over the last couple of years my posts reached almost no one. Now I'm trying to build a new business, it's more of an issue.
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Sign Up | LinkedIn
500 million+ members | Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities.
www.linkedin.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM
So it seems like perhaps LinkedIn is suppressing women's posts, which is absolutely fundamentally shitty of them. I've certainly noticed over the last couple of years my posts reached almost no one. Now I'm trying to build a new business, it's more of an issue.
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
In today's @theoverspill: folding towels is a skill that humans find easy, but robots need to learn it. Guess who gets to teach them?
Start Up No.2552: Apple plans cheap laptop, life delivering parcels, crooked ransomware negotiators, uranium v RAM, and more
Folding towels is a skill that humans find easy, but robots need to learn it. Guess who gets to teach them? CC-licensed photo by arbyreed on Flickr. You can sign up to receive each day’s Start Up post by email. You’ll need to click a confirmation link, so no spam. A selection of 9 links for you. Turned out. I'm…
theoverspill.blog
November 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM
In today's @theoverspill: folding towels is a skill that humans find easy, but robots need to learn it. Guess who gets to teach them?
Reposted by Charles Arthur
I’ve just discovered that: “The term captcha—Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart—was coined by researchers in 2003.”
From @charlesarthur.bsky.social’s morning newsletter.
From @charlesarthur.bsky.social’s morning newsletter.
November 4, 2025 at 7:51 AM
I’ve just discovered that: “The term captcha—Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart—was coined by researchers in 2003.”
From @charlesarthur.bsky.social’s morning newsletter.
From @charlesarthur.bsky.social’s morning newsletter.
In today's @theoverspill: you might have noticed that there are fewer buses in squares and traffic lights in squares. Where are all the Captchas?
Start Up No.2551: Tesla sued over door handle fire deaths, Ukraine’s drone incentive, 23 hours of Drake a day?, and more
You might have noticed that there are fewer buses in squares and traffic lights in squares. Where are all the Captchas? CC-licensed photo by Becky Stern on Flickr. You can sign up to receive each day’s Start Up post by email. You’ll need to click a confirmation link, so no spam. A selection of 9 links for you. Not a robot.
theoverspill.blog
November 4, 2025 at 7:00 AM
In today's @theoverspill: you might have noticed that there are fewer buses in squares and traffic lights in squares. Where are all the Captchas?
In today's @theoverspill: charging stations in the UK will be hit by new business rates in April that could make their prices for electricity rocket.
Start Up No.2550: how the US AI bubble could deflate, AI musicians chart, media’s lost trust, phone thieves and flowerbeds, and more
Charging stations in the UK will be hit by new business rates in April that could make their prices for electricity rocket. CC-licensed photo by JCT 600 on Flickr. You can sign up to receive each day’s Start Up post by email. You’ll need to click a confirmation link, so no spam. A selection of 10 links for you. Discharged.
theoverspill.blog
November 3, 2025 at 7:00 AM
In today's @theoverspill: charging stations in the UK will be hit by new business rates in April that could make their prices for electricity rocket.
Honestly think that if Coco had her wrist and forearm closer to her head on serve she’d hit those second serves better. As it is there’s too much room for error in the upward swing.
Compare Rublev’s serve, where the forearm is really close.
Compare Rublev’s serve, where the forearm is really close.
Jessica Pegula wins 6-3, 6⁴-7⁷, 6-2 against Coco Gauff
We finally got a competitive match at this year's WTA Finals, Gauff fought hard but in the end too many forehand errors and double faults. 45 forehand errors along with 17 double faults from Gauff in this one.
📸 Jimmie48/WTA Tour
We finally got a competitive match at this year's WTA Finals, Gauff fought hard but in the end too many forehand errors and double faults. 45 forehand errors along with 17 double faults from Gauff in this one.
📸 Jimmie48/WTA Tour
November 2, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Honestly think that if Coco had her wrist and forearm closer to her head on serve she’d hit those second serves better. As it is there’s too much room for error in the upward swing.
Compare Rublev’s serve, where the forearm is really close.
Compare Rublev’s serve, where the forearm is really close.
Reposted by Charles Arthur
Hi Lisa Nandy! I’m a BAFTA winner from a small town. Instead of asinine questions like this, why not tell us how we can continue to make a living in the eviscerated creative sector over which you notionally preside?
October 31, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Hi Lisa Nandy! I’m a BAFTA winner from a small town. Instead of asinine questions like this, why not tell us how we can continue to make a living in the eviscerated creative sector over which you notionally preside?
Reposted by Charles Arthur
I guess someone heard from Tylenol’s lawyers.
October 31, 2025 at 4:22 AM
I guess someone heard from Tylenol’s lawyers.
I heard you wanted to be amazed, amused, terrified and horrified on your Friday. This, and the replies, will more than fulfill that.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done? I don’t mean “cheating on your partner” stupid, I mean stupid stupid. Like, once, I had this bubble bath which smelled absolutely delicious, so I took a big glug of it. That kind of stupid. (It did not taste delicious.)
October 31, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I heard you wanted to be amazed, amused, terrified and horrified on your Friday. This, and the replies, will more than fulfill that.
Reposted by Charles Arthur
I sat down with perhaps the most level-headed man in rock music, Jon Bon Jovi, to talk about Trump, tennis and his return to touring after an atrophying vocal chord put his career at risk.
this week's Lunch with the FT: www.ft.com/content/25f2...
this week's Lunch with the FT: www.ft.com/content/25f2...
Jon Bon Jovi: ‘Fame is a liar and a thief’
The rock legend on making peace with the critics, the business of running a band — and his history with Donald Trump
www.ft.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I sat down with perhaps the most level-headed man in rock music, Jon Bon Jovi, to talk about Trump, tennis and his return to touring after an atrophying vocal chord put his career at risk.
this week's Lunch with the FT: www.ft.com/content/25f2...
this week's Lunch with the FT: www.ft.com/content/25f2...
In today's @theoverspill: an experiment in Finland has shown that children benefit from lots of contact with mud pies.
Start Up No.2549: Israel’s peculiar cloud contract, a $1trn OpenAI float?, chimps can change their minds, and more
An experiment in Finland has shown that children benefit from lots of contact with mud pies. CC-licensed photo by JBColorado on Flickr. You can sign up to receive each day’s Start Up post by email. You’ll need to click a confirmation link, so no spam. A selection of 9 links for you. Well fed. I'm @charlesarthur on Twitter. On Threads: …
theoverspill.blog
October 31, 2025 at 7:00 AM
In today's @theoverspill: an experiment in Finland has shown that children benefit from lots of contact with mud pies.
In today's @theoverspill: obesity rates have declined in the US for the past three years after rising for years before that. Guess why.
Start Up No.2548: Nvidia value leaps on potential China deal, the podcast life, EU carmakers face chip stop, and more
Obesity rates have declined in the US for the past three years after rising for years before that. Guess why. CC-licensed photo by stuart anthony on Flickr. You can sign up to receive each day’s Start Up post by email. You’ll need to click a confirmation link, so no spam. A selection of 9 links for you. Slimline. I'm…
theoverspill.blog
October 30, 2025 at 7:00 AM
In today's @theoverspill: obesity rates have declined in the US for the past three years after rising for years before that. Guess why.
@aptshadow.bsky.social I feel like you imagined this eventuality
October 29, 2025 at 11:44 PM
@aptshadow.bsky.social I feel like you imagined this eventuality
Reposted by Charles Arthur
A 66-year-old competitive runner.
Six broken ribs.
He won’t be able to run his marathon anymore and all because ICE didn’t like how fast he moved his car.
This isn’t about “immigration enforcement” anymore.
It’s about unchecked power and the normalization of state violence.👇
Six broken ribs.
He won’t be able to run his marathon anymore and all because ICE didn’t like how fast he moved his car.
This isn’t about “immigration enforcement” anymore.
It’s about unchecked power and the normalization of state violence.👇
October 29, 2025 at 3:10 AM
A 66-year-old competitive runner.
Six broken ribs.
He won’t be able to run his marathon anymore and all because ICE didn’t like how fast he moved his car.
This isn’t about “immigration enforcement” anymore.
It’s about unchecked power and the normalization of state violence.👇
Six broken ribs.
He won’t be able to run his marathon anymore and all because ICE didn’t like how fast he moved his car.
This isn’t about “immigration enforcement” anymore.
It’s about unchecked power and the normalization of state violence.👇
Reposted by Charles Arthur
Lovely history of the decline in UK shipbuilding; like the car industry, it fell foul of chummy marketing, too-relaxed management, and over-zealous unions. TIL all those things had been *advantages* at one point. HT @charlesarthur.bsky.social's Overspill www.construction-physics.com/p/how-the-uk...
October 29, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Lovely history of the decline in UK shipbuilding; like the car industry, it fell foul of chummy marketing, too-relaxed management, and over-zealous unions. TIL all those things had been *advantages* at one point. HT @charlesarthur.bsky.social's Overspill www.construction-physics.com/p/how-the-uk...
In today's @theoverspill: an emerging use of AI is to fake images for expenses claims. Ambitious or stupid?
Start Up No.2547: 1X launches “humanoid robot” for the home, Nvidia invests in.. Nokia?, wind saved UK £104bn, and more
An emerging use of AI is to fake images for expenses claims. Ambitious or stupid? CC-licensed photo by Joe Loong on Flickr. You can sign up to receive each day’s Start Up post by email. You’ll need to click a confirmation link, so no spam. A selection of 9 links for you. Honestly. I'm @charlesarthur on Twitter. On Threads: …
theoverspill.blog
October 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM
In today's @theoverspill: an emerging use of AI is to fake images for expenses claims. Ambitious or stupid?
Reposted by Charles Arthur
Number of trans women actually "surveyed": 54. Number of trans men actually "surveyed: 65. Number of "NB, intersex or other" in survey: 338. 🤔
YouGov warns in the full data: "percentages calculated on bases fewer than 100 respondents... should not be used."
This survey is worthless.
YouGov warns in the full data: "percentages calculated on bases fewer than 100 respondents... should not be used."
This survey is worthless.
🗣️ 65% of trans adults reported verbal abuse in public spaces
👊 24% said they have suffered physical violence
A new YouGov poll reveals safety crisis for trans people in the UK:
https://goodlaw.social/u5y8
👊 24% said they have suffered physical violence
A new YouGov poll reveals safety crisis for trans people in the UK:
https://goodlaw.social/u5y8
‘Abject terror’: survey shows 84% of trans people feel Britain is unsafe
YouGov poll reveals safety crisis for trans people in the UK
goodlaw.social
October 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Number of trans women actually "surveyed": 54. Number of trans men actually "surveyed: 65. Number of "NB, intersex or other" in survey: 338. 🤔
YouGov warns in the full data: "percentages calculated on bases fewer than 100 respondents... should not be used."
This survey is worthless.
YouGov warns in the full data: "percentages calculated on bases fewer than 100 respondents... should not be used."
This survey is worthless.
Reposted by Charles Arthur
Wow, this looks AMAZING! It's a debut crime fiction series from an exciting new talent in mystery writing! I am going to pre-order it IMMEDIATELY. I highly recommend you do the same.
(Yes, I did write it)
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPXNPN5B
(Yes, I did write it)
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPXNPN5B
December 11, 2024 at 11:35 AM
Wow, this looks AMAZING! It's a debut crime fiction series from an exciting new talent in mystery writing! I am going to pre-order it IMMEDIATELY. I highly recommend you do the same.
(Yes, I did write it)
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPXNPN5B
(Yes, I did write it)
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPXNPN5B
In today's @theoverspill: iRobot, which makes the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner, says it may soon go bust unless it gets a bailout or buyer.
Start Up No.2546: Grokipedia launches (and crashes), immersive soccer for Apple?, AI coffee shops, Nike’s exoskeleton shoe, and more
iRobot, which makes the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner, says it may soon go bust unless it gets a bailout or buyer. CC-licensed photo by Patrick on Flickr. You can sign up to receive each day’s Start Up post by email. You’ll need to click a confirmation link, so no spam. A selection of 9 links for you. That sucks. I'm…
theoverspill.blog
October 28, 2025 at 7:00 AM
In today's @theoverspill: iRobot, which makes the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner, says it may soon go bust unless it gets a bailout or buyer.