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Helen McCarthy

@glider.bsky.social

3.1K followers 1.1K following 7.2K posts

Glider in the night, dancer in the dark, lover of lost rivers and paths in the woods and libraries and half-open doors. Moonlights as a writer. All images and poems mine unless credited elsewise. AI is only acceptable if it's consensual.

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Helen McCarthy @glider.bsky.social · Aug 26

I'm a writer, scholar, speaker, poet and frequent ranter. This is my personal account, so it features stuff outside my work. @helenmccarthy51.bsky.social is where you can find posts on my anime, manga, daily poems, talks and writing. Feel free to follow both. Website helenmccarthy.net

Introduction - Helen McCarthy

Helen McCarthy, writer, author, journalist, speaker, scholar, Manga, Anime, Japanese animation, Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki, Osamu Tezuka, haiku, UK - introduction

helenmccarthy.net

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Vintage Obscura Radio @vintageobscura.net · 35m

Polish Radio Orchestra - Bej-ge-le [Poland, Easy listening, Funk] (1976)
https://redd.it/1140f7t
https://youtu.be/-qUjq1QZNIo

Polish Radio Orchestra - Bej-ge-le [Poland, Easy listening, Funk] (1976)

youtu.be

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Carlo Bernhardi @crmbernhardi.bsky.social · 9h

Looking back at history for the Americas, and the United Sates, will be, or already is a luxury that U.S. cidedenns are missing, due to poor education, and the removal of books from libraries, and the removal of history from museums too!!

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Helen McCarthy @glider.bsky.social · 11h

America has beautiful ideas and dreams. But before it can make them real, it has to deal with the fact that it was founded by white people who believed God sent them to kill anyone different and take their land. Such actions have consequences and lock us into patterns of behaviour.

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Vintage Obscura Radio @vintageobscura.net · 11h

Ralph Buckley - Flight of The Witch [USA, Psyche, Folk] (1987): Lovely and atmospheric piece of psychedelic whimsy. It's delicate and etherial nature is made all the more surprising by the fact that the A-side is a horrendous
https://redd.it/q8uf5a
https://youtu.be/XgK5EO4C4LI

Ralph Buckley - Flight of The Witch [USA, Psyche, Folk] (1987): Lovely and atmospheric piece of psychedelic whimsy. It's delicate and etherial nature is made all the more surprising by the fact that the A-side is a horrendous, leaden and ultra-cringey novelty electro-rap number. Stick hard to the B.

youtu.be

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derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 14h

You gently run your hand through the rack. You can feel it—pure cotton, rich wool, Irish linen. The plump buttonholes are handsewn; the buttons attached with a firm shank. You flip the price tag over. It's affordable

You buy the jacket and go home, which is only 15 mins away. Your apt is $600/month

Headline reads: Altman says ChatGPT will soon allow erotic for adult users.

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UNITED24 Media @united24media.com · 21h

Ukrainian kids turned finger paints into defense.

A 52.5-meter “Canvas of Unity” made of 2,257 children’s handprints is helping raise funds for net launchers that shoot down Russian drones.

Ukrainian Team Reveals Nation’s Longest Canvas Supporting Anti-Drone Initiatives

A coalition of volunteers has created Ukraine's longest “Canvas of Unity,” a 52.5-meter banner showcasing children's heart-shaped handprints to support anti-drone efforts.

united24media.com

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Vintage Obscura Radio @vintageobscura.net · 11h

The Busy Signals - Headphoneworld [Minneapolis, MN USA, Indie Rock/Electronic] (2000)
https://redd.it/1hv4k98
https://youtu.be/UL9afxMDdGk

The Busy Signals - Headphoneworld [Minneapolis, MN USA, Indie Rock/Electronic] (2000)

youtu.be

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Helen McCarthy @glider.bsky.social · 11h

Until 23:59 on Friday 17 October you can pre-order The Manga Bible and other selected books from Waterstones online at 25% off. More info/T&Cs: helenmccarthy.net/25-off-the-m...

25% off The Manga Bible if you pre-order by 17 October! - Helen McCarthy

The Manga Bible is part of Waterstones’ new promotion on selected 2026 titles. If you pre-order any of the selected books on the Waterstones app or website between Tuesday 14 and Friday 17 October 202...

helenmccarthy.net

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Helen McCarthy @glider.bsky.social · 1d

I'm guessing this was proofread by AI, since most AI isn't trained so thoroughly on Japanese names and norms, but humans czn screw up too.

Helen McCarthy @glider.bsky.social · 1d

This sounds like an interesting book - but the curse of the missed typo sees Osamu Tezuka referred to in the "ABOUT" section of the promo as Osama Tezuka and Koji Morimoto as Kofi Morimoto. Happens to all of us, but c'mon, guys, put it right. @lostincult.co.uk @harpercollins.bsky.social

Lost In Cult @lostincult.co.uk · 1d

The Anime Archives 🏍️💨 Available NOW!

In partnership with @harpercollins.bsky.social, embark on a voyage through a chronological history of anime including the likes of Studio Ghibli & Demon Slayer 👹

harpercollins.co.uk/products/the...

The Anime Archives

Embark on a voyage through a chronological history of anime that explores both the marquee cinematic touchstones and enduring series that have shaped the medium. The Anime Archives celebrates it all,…

harpercollins.co.uk

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Musa Okwonga @okwonga.bsky.social · 1d

inews.co.uk/culture/book...

Child thinks he overestimated America’s capacity to outgrow its past. “I had always resisted saying this is just about the relationship between white Americans and black Americans, based on the guilt white people carry, first for slavery and then for Jim Crow. I spent decades saying, ‘Come on, it’s got to be more complex than this.’ But I think it’s not. I think that almost everything can be explained by this deep hatred that the majority of white Americans have for black Americans. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

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David Roberts @volts.wtf · 1d

"The richest man in the world and the owner of the most influential social media site in US politics is a nazi who openly supports and amplifies other nazis" would, on its face, seem to be rather newsworthy!

Will Stancil @whstancil.bsky.social · 1d

Hey news people: I know you like to pretend this doesn't exist, but you need to pay attention to the Nazi drama on Twitter. Basically, it seems as if Elon just restored two major neo-Nazi accounts that were banned by his product head, and might be about to fire the product head for banning them

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Mike here, hello @mikecornes.bsky.social · 1d

Can we see the results from Labour ministers taking the A-level English test they’re proposing for new visa requirements?

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NPR @npr.org · 1d

Gen Z protesters — from Indonesia and Nepal to Madagascar and Morocco — are rallying behind an unexpected banner: a grinning skull in a straw hat.

Why Gen Z protesters worldwide are flying an anime pirate flag

Gen Z protesters from Indonesia and Nepal to Madagascar and Morocco, are rallying behind an unexpected banner: a grinning skull in a straw hat.

n.pr

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Brian Woolfinder @brianwoolfinder.bsky.social · 2d

Zack Polanski hands Reform their arse on Question Time and Green membership surges. You'd imagine Labour might take note of this if they had a clue.

Grace Blakeley @graceblakeley.substack.com · 2d

😍 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Green party reaches 100,000 members for first time after Polanski becomes leader

Green party in England and Wales has had near-50% rise in membership since since Zack Polanski took over last month

www.theguardian.com

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Sean Gaffney @toukochan.bsky.social · 1d

I just want to say this is in the same episode as Babylon's Burning by The Ruts *and* the theme song to Grizzly Adams. This is why people still talk about Top of the Pops.

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Ashley Kuckelman @ashleyvotesblue.bsky.social · 1d

Good. Pay up, you deadbeat disgrace.

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Sarah J. Jackson @sjjphd.bsky.social · 1d

It’s almost like billionaires and strong vibrant institutions of civil society can’t coexist

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Patriciajaydee @patriciajaydee.bsky.social · 1d

The rikishi are taking-in the town and doing what we all do when in London.
Seeing the sights, admiring the parks, shopping on High Street, taking tea at Fortnum's, using the olde phonebox, eating Chinese, and having a terrific time.

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Helen McCarthy @glider.bsky.social · 1d

Did #Nandos sell out of chicken this week? There's your answer.

Jerome Mazandarani @theaccidentalotaku.bsky.social · 1d

The #Rikishi are in #London for a special #Sumo tournament at none other than #RoyalAlbertHall. @patriciajaydee.bsky.social has been documenting their sightseeing tour with some amazing photos.
Have they done #Nandos yet?

Patriciajaydee @patriciajaydee.bsky.social · 1d

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Cheryl Morgan @cherylmorgan.bsky.social · 1d

Re-posting this because it went out very early UK time so a bunch of you may have missed it

Wizard's Tower Press @wtpress.bsky.social · 1d

We have an early update today because Cheryl will be offline most of the day. She's at the Senedd, so today we are talking about the law code of Hywel Dda. www.kickstarter.com/...

The cover of They Are Still Here (Mae Nhw Yma O Hyd).

The image is of the sorceror, Gwydion, surrounded by wild animals (wolf, boar, deer) in a Celtic knotwork frame. Gwydion's hat is crowned with antlers. He carries an axe in his right hand and an oak twig in his left.

Art by Josh Arklin.

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God-Emperor Tsunami 💙 #FBPE #BLM #GTTO @tsunami65.bsky.social · 1d

He's not a journalist, he's a fascist thug in a suit.

Tommy Robinson refused to give police phone Pin to protect 'journalistic material'

The far-right activist was charged under the Terrorism Act over an incident at the Channel Tunnel in July 2024.

share.google

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Helen McCarthy @glider.bsky.social · 1d

Antifa means antifascist. Trying to make it sound like a South American revolutionary movement is so bogus. But here's the thing: you can't be anti-antifa and antifascist. You're either antifascist or pro-fascist and pro-Nazi. You get one choice. No pretending you didn't really mean it later.

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BOO-trous BOO-trous-Ghoulie @dlbowman76.com · 1d

I know a bit about him. He wrote a long series of novels called “A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight” between 1951 and 1969. At least one of the books is dedicated to Oswald Mosley.

Richard Smyth @rsmythfreelance.bsky.social · 1d

I think we all know about Henry Williamson by now. Countryman, war veteran, patriot, farmer, beloved creator of Tarka the Otter, Hitler devotee, enthusiastic member of the British Union of Fascists.

Title page of Tarka The Otter: His joyful water life and death in the Country of the Two Rivers.

Henry Williamson giving a Nazi salute. I haven't yet been able to fully trace the provenance of this picture.

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Helen McCarthy @helenmccarthy51.bsky.social · 1d

I know so many people who would never dream of putting their handle to an X account but are perfectly OK with Substack. Not judging, just puzzled. It's obviously a hugely popular and lucrative platform and has some great contributors who do amazing work. BUT ... it still enables Nazis and fascists.

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