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garius.bsky.social
John Bull
@garius.bsky.social
29K followers 1.1K following 24K posts
He/Him. Author. Historian (inc of obscure Military Holy Orders). Strategy streamer. Tech/Transport Strategist. Editor of @lonrec. Orient fan. Business/Writing: [email protected]. Agent: @pastpreservers.bsky.social
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garius.bsky.social
John Bull @garius.bsky.social · Mar 10
The latest in my history of home computers is live. Covers the era of Commodore, Atari and Jack Tramiel.

He was a brutal manager. But also an Auschwitz survivor, and that shaped him, and his legit drive to build a better world.

This warning from him hit home, right now.

every.to/the-crazy-on...
One day in 1982, Michael Tomczyk, who had led the project to develop the Commodore 64, found himself sitting in Jack Tramiel’s office. Tomcyzk had just returned from a trade show in Hanover, Germany. During the course of their conversation, Tomczyk mentioned how impressed he’d been with the Autobahn highway network on the way there. "I built that road," Tramiel told him matter-of-factly. “Jack went on to explain that during World War II as a teenager he had been selected to work on the road gangs,” Tomczyk remembered. “He said that it was one way to survive, because they had to feed the people that did that kind of hard labor, or they wouldn't work. ‘We built good roads,’ he said.” Tramiel had never hidden the horrors in his past. He was proud that he had helped build a better future through Commodore and Atari. However, the longer he lived, the more concerned he became that people would forget what that future had cost. And that which is forgotten can be repeated. "You know," Tramiel said once, "it's hard to believe it really happened. But it can happen again. In America. Americans like to make rules, and that scares me. If you have too many rules you get locked in a system. It's the system that says this one dies and that one doesn't, not the people. That's why I don't hate the German people. Individuals, yes. Rules, yes. But not all Germans.
Reposted by John Bull
tokyosexwhale.bsky.social
You might be interested in a commission I've not long completed.
February 10, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Reposted by John Bull
jeradwalker.bsky.social
Oh
Summary. One of the promises of Al is that it can reduce workloads so employees can focus more on higher-value and more engaging tasks. But according to new research, Al tools don't reduce work, they consistently intensify it: In the study, employees worked at a faster pace, took on a broader scope of tasks, and extended work into more hours of the day, often without being asked to do so. That may sound like a win, but it's not quite so simple. These changes can be unsustainable, leading to workload creep, cognitive fatigue, burnout, and weakened decision-making. The productivity surge enjoyed at the beginning can give way to lower quality work, turnover, and other problems. To correct for this, companies need to adopt an "Al practice," or a set of norms and standards around Al use that can include intentional pauses, sequencing work, and adding more human grounding.
February 10, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by John Bull
snelsonus.bsky.social
If Bad Bunny can cover the history of Puerto Rico, colonialism, transatlantic slavery, hemispheric consciousness, as well as contemporary life and politics in under 14 minutes, you can do your 15- or 20-minute conference presentation with time to spare.
February 9, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Reposted by John Bull
milhistlee.bsky.social
Announcing our "pre-launch" phase of our Kickstarter to complete production of our video pod documentary on the making and meaning of Hogan's Heroes: Hogan's Heroes and Postwar America. Full launch is on Feb. 16, for a 40 day campaign to raise $15k
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lee...
Coming soon: Hogan's Heroes and Post War America
An 8-episode documentary video pod about the making of the show, the actors' lives, American history, and learning to laugh at Nazis
www.kickstarter.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Reposted by John Bull
manticore-aw.bsky.social
50...something of 78: Knight of Pentacles.
#tarot #minorarcana #tradart
Knight of Pentacles Tarot: A Knight in golden armour and a green cape heads south-westerly on horseback, his mount similarly adorned in gold plate/green finery. He carries a golden pentacle disc with a sword on his back, and shield strapped to the side of the horse. In the background, a field and bridge stretching across a small river.
February 10, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Reposted by John Bull
doctorallisona.bsky.social
#TheEmperorExpects
A warhammer mini—a space wolves grey hunter with a distinctly feminine head with dark skin and dreadlocks. She has the classic blue-grey armour of the space wolves, and is armed with a boltgun and power fist.
February 10, 2026 at 1:58 PM
garius.bsky.social
Fantastic news.
c20society.bsky.social C20 Society @c20society.bsky.social · 11h
BREAKING NEWS: We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that the Southbank Centre - the Hayward Gallery, Purcell Room, Queen Elizabeth Hall and skaters undercroft - has finally been Grade II listed by DCMS after a 35 year long campaign.

➡️ c20society.org.uk/news/southba...
The Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, Lambeth – London County Council (LCC) and Greater London Council (GLC) Architect’s Department, 1963-68 Image © Morley von Sternberg
February 10, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Reposted by John Bull
fandompost.com
Twenty Years Later: Paranoia Agent Anime Series
Twenty Years Later: Paranoia Agent Anime Series
I cannot speak more highly of this show. It came together under the same harrowing pressure it used as a catalyst in its story and came out smiling after the strike of the bat. Despite the chaotic circumstances under which the episodes were assembled, everything—the art, the script, the voice acting, the perfectly unnerving OP and equally unsettling ED—managed to come together to give the world a real good look at itself.
dlvr.it
February 10, 2026 at 1:20 PM
garius.bsky.social
You are in the kitchen at the party.

> LOOK

There is a man and a woman here. The woman is in a short skirt. The man is talking to her about quasars

> EXAMINE WOMAN

She looks at you pleadingly. "What's a quasar?!" She whispers, low and sexily at you.

> SMELL WOMAN

She smells nice.

etc. etc.
oldukprintads7890s.bsky.social Old UK Print Ads 70s/80s/90s @oldukprintads7890s.bsky.social · 5h
Feb 1970: The New English Encyclopedia ad from Purnell

«When the girl with the shortest skirt in the room says "What is a quasar?" do you speak up or shut up?»
This is an ad for The New English Encyclopedia, 12 volumes that builds up week by week. According to the ad, you will have something to say when the girl with the shortest skirt asks, “What is a quasar?” When the girl with the shortest skirt in the room says "What is a quasar?" do you speak up or shut up? You've finally got between her and some tall fellow who's saying how footling landing on the Moon is really and think of the Expanding Universe and then he's on to pulsars and quasars, and now she's looking at you. This is your chance. We understand your problem. And think we have the answer; It's called The New English Encyclopedia. It covers every subject you can think of, as well as some you can't. It's arranged alphabetically and is now in its Third Edition, revised 1970. Beyond that it's not much like an encyclopedia. For one thing, there are colour pictures on every page. For another, it's been written for reading and enjoying, by experts who know and love their subjects. You buy it as a weekly magazine, just the right amount to read at a time. Gradually it grows into 12 volumes each of which can be bound into rather elegant dark green covers, with gold lettering. You end up with a valuable reference library for you and your children and your children's children. The first part is now at your newsagents. Price 4/6d. A new improved method of binding-similar to the best hand-made books. We don't see why your encyclopedia should look like Grandfather's encyclopedia. Builds up week by week into a 12-volume library of learning with over 15,000 colour illustrations Published by Purnell Every Monday 4/6 Number 1 part For the man who likes to know.
February 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM
garius.bsky.social
😬😬
oldukprintads7890s.bsky.social Old UK Print Ads 70s/80s/90s @oldukprintads7890s.bsky.social · 5h
Feb 1970: The New English Encyclopedia ad from Purnell

«When the girl with the shortest skirt in the room says "What is a quasar?" do you speak up or shut up?»
This is an ad for The New English Encyclopedia, 12 volumes that builds up week by week. According to the ad, you will have something to say when the girl with the shortest skirt asks, “What is a quasar?” When the girl with the shortest skirt in the room says "What is a quasar?" do you speak up or shut up? You've finally got between her and some tall fellow who's saying how footling landing on the Moon is really and think of the Expanding Universe and then he's on to pulsars and quasars, and now she's looking at you. This is your chance. We understand your problem. And think we have the answer; It's called The New English Encyclopedia. It covers every subject you can think of, as well as some you can't. It's arranged alphabetically and is now in its Third Edition, revised 1970. Beyond that it's not much like an encyclopedia. For one thing, there are colour pictures on every page. For another, it's been written for reading and enjoying, by experts who know and love their subjects. You buy it as a weekly magazine, just the right amount to read at a time. Gradually it grows into 12 volumes each of which can be bound into rather elegant dark green covers, with gold lettering. You end up with a valuable reference library for you and your children and your children's children. The first part is now at your newsagents. Price 4/6d. A new improved method of binding-similar to the best hand-made books. We don't see why your encyclopedia should look like Grandfather's encyclopedia. Builds up week by week into a 12-volume library of learning with over 15,000 colour illustrations Published by Purnell Every Monday 4/6 Number 1 part For the man who likes to know.
February 10, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Reposted by John Bull
heldutson.bsky.social
Something compelled me to make this
A screenshot of a mocked-up Guardian headline, which reads: "Ignore the smears: I was never the one who ate a full tub of Lurpack off the kitchen counter." The byline is: "My dog." And there's a picture of my dog, posing with a serious expression, like a journalist. She is a black labrador type dog with brown eyes, grey muzzle and shiny, silky fur on her face, wearing a pink collar. Underneath the headline continues: "Listen, I'm a good girl. I don't know how butter stealers thrive in our political culture, but it's clear there was a failure of moral seriousness." There's then a link to another article, headlined: "Footage of Lola eating the butter, which cost her owners £300, was captured on a dog cam." It's a parody of this article from Wes Streeting in the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/09/peter-mandelson-wes-streeting-vetting-moral-seriousness
February 10, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Reposted by John Bull
garius.bsky.social
People are always scared of the unknown or unfamiliar. Bad faith actors like to abuse that fear.

"But what's going on in a trans person's brain/home?!" stops being a usable threat by TERFs etc, once people know the answer is nearly always just "Warhammer."
February 10, 2026 at 10:36 AM
garius.bsky.social
BTW creating all-women kill teams in Warhammer is both fun AND a non-obvious/preachy way to get teen boys to stop automatically gendering based on role.

The first time you hear them self-correct:

"Shooting at him... her... with my heavy bolter" is 👌

(The heavy bolter damage is less fun)
garius.bsky.social John Bull @garius.bsky.social · 20h
The final outcome of my quest for an easy blonde hair combo with citadel paints.

I now have a very Swedish-looking, all-women Navy Breachers Kill Team.

"För kejsaren!"
small warhammer mini of a blond-haired, armoured naval officer standing over an orc skull and checking a wrist computer.
February 10, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Reposted by John Bull
garius.bsky.social
The final outcome of my quest for an easy blonde hair combo with citadel paints.

I now have a very Swedish-looking, all-women Navy Breachers Kill Team.

"För kejsaren!"
small warhammer mini of a blond-haired, armoured naval officer standing over an orc skull and checking a wrist computer.
February 9, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Reposted by John Bull
garius.bsky.social
Castellax Bronze, very slightly thinned as a base.

Then a green wash with Poxwalker. That will feel wrong, but it's reflective of how bronze actually ages. Just stop it pooling too much (or retouch after).

Then wash with nuln oil to get green/black recesses on your bronze armour.

Looks natural.
February 10, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Reposted by John Bull
helenmccarthy51.bsky.social
Packing our pilgrim scrips to travel to Taunton with the word on Studio Ghibli. See you this evening, Taunton Ghibli fans, at the Somerset County Cricket Club - surely one of the most unusual #Ghibli venues ever!
February 10, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Reposted by John Bull
wargaymers.bsky.social
Wardens of Vengeance Space Marine Captain Buthus.

Used the Imperium part work magazine painting guide which is why his face is literally white with Reikland Fleshsade wash.

Huge thank you to all that suggested colours for the cloak!

#PaintingWarhammer #Nerdlings #Warhammer40k #SpaceMarines
A Space Marine Captain model from Games Workshop. His armour is bright orange, he wears a clock that is white on the inside and a rich green on the outside. He has a plasma pistol in his right hand and holds a sword above his head with his left hand.
February 9, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Reposted by John Bull
blissfit.bsky.social
You know when you see these two, the match is gonna be a banger
yurika oka and mio momono, the wrestling tag team bob bob momo banana
February 9, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Reposted by John Bull
simonscatofficial.bsky.social
Simon's Cat is in the mood for some lovin...
February 9, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Reposted by John Bull
guel-sen.bsky.social
Although in the 16th c. the corsairs were (to a certain extent) acting as agents of the state, in the 17th c. their wanton actions became a serious problem. Molly Greene's remarkable study (2010) is still a must-read.

#maritimehistory
The cover of the book: Catholic Pirates and Greek Merchants: A Maritime History of the Early Modern Mediterranean by Molly Greene. 2010, Series: Princeton Modern Greek Studies
February 9, 2026 at 5:24 PM
garius.bsky.social
The final outcome of my quest for an easy blonde hair combo with citadel paints.

I now have a very Swedish-looking, all-women Navy Breachers Kill Team.

"För kejsaren!"
small warhammer mini of a blond-haired, armoured naval officer standing over an orc skull and checking a wrist computer.
February 9, 2026 at 9:43 PM
garius.bsky.social
Love these so much
tabletoptinkering.bsky.social Tabletop Tinkering @tabletoptinkering.bsky.social · 1d
A new batch of Gelly Cube soaps is now on the shop and ready to ship!

You can grab one of these here tabletoptinkering.com/products/gel... or visit the site in general to browse our ttrpg accessories and earring selection

#smallbusiness #ttrpg #dicegoblin #dice #dnd #giftidea #dungeonsanddragons
A top down photo of several green translucent cubes with dice inside them
February 9, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Reposted by John Bull
tabletoptinkering.bsky.social
These soaps contain a random set of polyhedral dice, are SLS free, and contain dried lavender from my own garden. I designed the formula with sensitive skin in mind as its something very important to me.

We do free UK shipping over £30 so grab yourself some goodies at www.tabletoptinkering.com 🟩💚
tabletoptinkering.bsky.social Tabletop Tinkering @tabletoptinkering.bsky.social · 1d
A new batch of Gelly Cube soaps is now on the shop and ready to ship!

You can grab one of these here tabletoptinkering.com/products/gel... or visit the site in general to browse our ttrpg accessories and earring selection

#smallbusiness #ttrpg #dicegoblin #dice #dnd #giftidea #dungeonsanddragons
A top down photo of several green translucent cubes with dice inside them
February 9, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Reposted by John Bull
rhyskamjones.bsky.social
My desperate article in the Guardian raising a lot of questions already answered by my...
February 9, 2026 at 9:21 PM
garius.bsky.social
I WILL FUCKING CUT YOU DAMNIT
nytimes.com The New York Times @nytimes.com · Dec 10
Cafes across the U.S. are embracing the low- and no-caffeine lifestyle, with options that are a far cry from dusty tea bags and rewarmed decaf. nyti.ms/3XKlqoj
A photo shows someone pouring a drink. Headline: There’s Never Been a Better Time to Quit Caffeine
February 9, 2026 at 9:22 PM