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Liz Bourke

@hawkwinglb.bsky.social

2.9K followers 830 following 9.7K posts

Ph.D Classics. Reviews @ Reactor Magazine (ex. Tor.com) and Locus Magazine. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hawkwing_lb Wordpress: https://lizbourke.wordpress.com Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@hawkwing_lb

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Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · Nov 9

Hello, new followers! I write reviews of science fiction and fantasy novels for @locusmag.bsky.social and for @reactorsff.bsky.social. On my blog lizbourke.wordpress.com/news-and-upd..., I write about the nonfiction I've been reading lately, and the occasional deeper dive on some aspect of SFF.

κῆπος τῶν βιβλιοθηκῶν | a garden from the libraries

Liz Bourke: books, history, writing, and culture.

lizbourke.wordpress.com

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Kate Clancy @kateclancy.bsky.social · 2h

I am being asked to tell my department which pieces of lab equipment should be supported with backup power because they expect rolling blackouts and brownouts in 2026 due to increased energy demands from AI. In case you're wondering how my day is going.

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Sophia Babai @swingingstorm.bsky.social · 1h

So far TODAY Israel has:

- bombed Gaza City
- bombed Khan Younis
- shot and killed five Palestinians in Gaza City
- refused to open the Rafah border crossing
- announced they would once more block aid

This is what a "ceasefire" with Israel looks like. This is what it has always looked like.

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Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 56m

Mmm.

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Dieselbrain @dieselbrain.bsky.social · 21h

This is "debanking", and its a problem that has plagued sex workers for decades. It isnt right when its targetting sex workers and its not right when its targetting game devs and creators either.

Give paypros and your givt reps your grievances and demand that debanking of adult content stop

Ana Valens | 🔞 | Comms Open @acvalens.net · 21h

Per Reddit: Steam adult developer in the UK is sitting on a USD equivalent of six figures, can’t find a bank to take his money because the developer creates adult games

www.reddit.com/r/UKPersonal...

r/UKPersonalFinance
3 hr. ago
Previous-Camera1641

I develop adult video games on Steam. I can't find a bank that will actually let me withdraw my money from Steam. Can I get some advice?
Game has sold quite well on Steam. I've got almost £90,000 ready to withdraw after Steam's cut + VAT taken off.

However, it's been 2 months now and I can't find ANY bank in the UK who will let me withdraw my money from Steam.

I've been banned/refused/unable to get a business account with:

Wise
Revolut
Monzo
Monese
Chase
Starling
Nationwide
Halifax
Barclays
Lloyds
RBS

It always comes down to, "Where did you get this money from?"

"It's coming from games I sell on Steam."

"Can we see the store page?"

"Sure."

"I'm sorry, we can't do business with you at this time."

It keeps coming down to a commercial decision purely because I make adult content.

What the hell am I supposed to do? I've pretty much exhausted the whole banking system. I just want to be able to be paid for products I've sold.

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Ana Valens | 🔞 | Comms Open @acvalens.net · 21h

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Amanda Rutter @alrutter.bsky.social · 1h

We've only had to go and do a reprint of The Spear Cuts Through Water AGAIN. Thanks to every single person who continues to recommend this dream of a book ❤️

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PinkNews @pinknews.bsky.social · 6h

Trans Royal Mail worker wins sex discrimination payout after harassment from co-workers
https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/10/14/trans-royal-mail-worker-wins-sex-discrimination-payout-after-harassment-from-co-workers/?utm_content=1760434801&utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky

Trans Royal Mail worker wins payout after harassment from co-workers

A trans Royal Mail worker has won a harassment payout after being subjected to bullying, verbal abuse and physical assault.

www.thepinknews.com

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Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 1h

Right, I spot a few there I should get on!

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Kerstin Hall @kerstinhall.bsky.social · 1h

Hello, UK-people! Asunder is coming to your shores in January, and it would be very nice if you preordered it.

www.waterstones.com/book/asunder...

A infographic with details regarding the WATERSTONES 25% OFF:
On Upcoming Books sale.

Asunder is part of that.

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Dr Aisling Tierney @irishashyt.bsky.social · 1h

🧵 This is what I’ve been using my annual leave for recently, travelling to Devon to explore the rich archaeological heritage of Great Torrington.

I volunteer with Dig the Castle, a project started by Dig Director Emily Wapshott MCIfA.
@archsengage.bsky.social

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Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 1h

(Signed, a citizen of Ireland who has cordially loathed their government since reaching the age of majority, but is very attached to the office of the president.)

Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 1h

You have my sword!

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Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 1h

Most Big Symbol Person should not, crucially, be in charge of any part of actually governing, or things get terribly confused.

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Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 1h

It is useful to have a symbolic head of state for ribbon cutting, representing the national mood, showing up for the arts, talking to foreign delegations, awarding medals, being chairperson for important meetings, and performing limited legislative scrutiny.

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Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 1h

What *is* your stance on UBI?

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Jon Worth @jonworth.eu · 2h

Well sorry SNCF, you DID NOT WANT IT. You cannot not want it, and then prevent others wanting it.

And you present yourselves as a public service?

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Jon Worth @jonworth.eu · 2h

Or take the case of Nancy-Contrexeville. SNCF proposed to Région Grand Est it would be best to close it and run a bus.

The Région said no and tendered repairs of the lines and operations, and Transdev won, and SNCF was furious. How could SOMEONE ELSE run it!? 🤯

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Dr Charlie Gardner @charliejgardner.bsky.social · 6h

Just astonishing how much focus there is on planting trees to hopefully create new forests for the future

And all the while the plunder and destruction of our actual, existing forests just carries on worsening

This is horrific news

‘Dismal’ health of world’s forests is threat to humanity, report warns

Financial institutions pouring money into land clearance and undermining efforts to stop destruction, says Climate Focus

www.theguardian.com

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Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 2h

Let's see how confidently wrobg backfires on them.

Reposted by Liz Bourke

C. L. Polk @clpolk.blacksky.app · 2h

Whew, this is a deeply stupid move

Tech Policy Press @techpolicypress.bsky.social · 3h

Sweden is running a national experiment in AI, offering free access to AI tools at a population level in the hope of boosting its economy and tech literacy. @stokel.bsky.social reports from Stockholm on how the country's bold bid to democratize AI is unfolding.

What Happens When You Give Millions of People Free Access to AI? | TechPolicy.Press

Initiatives in Sweden and UAE to provide population-level access to AI tools could be just the beginning of a new AI revolution, reports Chris Stokel-Walker.

www.techpolicy.press

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Rebecca Solnit @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social · 2h

A huge landmark in journalism history seems to have come to pass a while ago: when @hcrichardson.bsky.social outstripped the Washington Post in online readership. An old world is dying, a new world is being born [Jeff Bezos is a monster].

karl rove knausgård @uhactually.bsky.social · 18h

Lmao WaPo has fewer than 100K circulation now. It turns out “alienate your liberal subscriber base” is not a good strategy when the Republicans also hate you. www.forbes.com/sites/andyme...

The Washington Post Is Running Out Of Readers Willing To Pay

Once a titan of American journalism, The Washington Post now struggles to reach even 100,000 print subscribers most days.

www.forbes.com

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Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 3h

Anyway the two lighthouse documentaries are great.

Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 4h

Weather, occasional drizzle. Visibility moderate to poor. The voice of giving good information so that all ships abroad on the ocean can make it safe to shore.

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Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 4h

The BBC narrator voice from 1920 to 1980 is somehow extremely comforting. Possibly because I associate it with the Shipping Forecast, and the Shipping Forecast with competence. The cadence of clarity, meant to be heard. Yes, it says, wind northwesterly three to five, slight or moderate seas.

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Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 4h

The BBC Archive is a bloody treasure. Spouse and I watched two lighthouse documentaries since the weekend: youtu.be/bc9qxyf_suI?...

1973: Life on the LAST LIGHTHOUSE | Tuesday Documentary | World of Work | BBC Archive

YouTube video by BBC Archive

youtu.be

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