John Nurick
@jmnurick.bsky.social
Retired, King George Sound. Makes things including photographs, furniture, recipes, software, coffee. Not enough time for reading.
Reposted by John Nurick
New Blog Post 📝
Etymology in science usually stops at just photosynthesis, but I use it almost every single lesson.
Here are a few stories of some of my lessons and the impact teaching etymology has made on pupil understanding and literacy.
inquestion.co.uk/2025/11/28/e...
Etymology in science usually stops at just photosynthesis, but I use it almost every single lesson.
Here are a few stories of some of my lessons and the impact teaching etymology has made on pupil understanding and literacy.
inquestion.co.uk/2025/11/28/e...
Chlorine is Green, Zoos Have Life and Kings are Killed: Using Etymology in Science
It started with a happy accident. I had finished a lesson with my Year 8s and, surprisingly, we had powered through the material with 15 minutes to spare. My plan for the next lesson was to introdu…
inquestion.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 7:00 AM
New Blog Post 📝
Etymology in science usually stops at just photosynthesis, but I use it almost every single lesson.
Here are a few stories of some of my lessons and the impact teaching etymology has made on pupil understanding and literacy.
inquestion.co.uk/2025/11/28/e...
Etymology in science usually stops at just photosynthesis, but I use it almost every single lesson.
Here are a few stories of some of my lessons and the impact teaching etymology has made on pupil understanding and literacy.
inquestion.co.uk/2025/11/28/e...
Reposted by John Nurick
star at 3 billion years old: i have so much light and warmth to share
star at 12 billion years old: when i finally get to die im taking all of you with me
star at 12 billion years old: when i finally get to die im taking all of you with me
November 29, 2025 at 10:14 PM
star at 3 billion years old: i have so much light and warmth to share
star at 12 billion years old: when i finally get to die im taking all of you with me
star at 12 billion years old: when i finally get to die im taking all of you with me
Reposted by John Nurick
What Australian outlets edited out of the opening of Kerry O'Brien's Walkley Awards speech on press freedom:
(The full speech is here: www.walkleys.com/dont-kid-you...)
(The full speech is here: www.walkleys.com/dont-kid-you...)
November 29, 2025 at 8:50 PM
What Australian outlets edited out of the opening of Kerry O'Brien's Walkley Awards speech on press freedom:
(The full speech is here: www.walkleys.com/dont-kid-you...)
(The full speech is here: www.walkleys.com/dont-kid-you...)
Reposted by John Nurick
. @rebeccasear.bsky.social is on a mission to get all studies using a database linking #IQ and race retracted. I spoke to her for @retractionwatch.com to find out more: retractionwatch.com/2025/11/25/m...
Meet the researcher aiming to halt use of ‘fundamentally flawed’ database linking IQ and nationality
Rebecca Sear Rebecca Sear is on a mission to convince publishers to retract articles that use a database that purports to rank countries based on intelligence. To maintain the integrity of scientif…
retractionwatch.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:06 PM
. @rebeccasear.bsky.social is on a mission to get all studies using a database linking #IQ and race retracted. I spoke to her for @retractionwatch.com to find out more: retractionwatch.com/2025/11/25/m...
Amazing self-discipline here by @meghanbartels.bsky.social, passing up dozens of opportunities for luscious @secondmentions.bsky.social.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
The Incredible, Unlikely Story of How Cats Became Our Pets
Two new studies dig into the long, curving path that cats took toward domestication
www.scientificamerican.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Amazing self-discipline here by @meghanbartels.bsky.social, passing up dozens of opportunities for luscious @secondmentions.bsky.social.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
Reposted by John Nurick
I just would not title a book this.
November 28, 2025 at 7:18 AM
I just would not title a book this.
Reposted by John Nurick
Huge props to @jenlucpiquant.bsky.social for including some fantastic films that don't get enough love, including The Company of Wolves, which should be better known that it is.
Also very happy to see Rutger Hauer and the Hawk.
arstechnica.com/culture/2025...
Also very happy to see Rutger Hauer and the Hawk.
arstechnica.com/culture/2025...
Blast from the past: 15 movie gems of 1985
Beyond the blockbusters: This watch list has something for everyone over the long holiday weekend.
arstechnica.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Huge props to @jenlucpiquant.bsky.social for including some fantastic films that don't get enough love, including The Company of Wolves, which should be better known that it is.
Also very happy to see Rutger Hauer and the Hawk.
arstechnica.com/culture/2025...
Also very happy to see Rutger Hauer and the Hawk.
arstechnica.com/culture/2025...
Reposted by John Nurick
When Sir Tim Berners-Lee created the World Wide Web, he introduced simple numeric codes to describe what was happening with each request. You might be familiar with:
200 “OK”
404 “Not Found”
Among those early web codes was 402, “Payment Required”
200 “OK”
404 “Not Found”
Among those early web codes was 402, “Payment Required”
November 27, 2025 at 1:12 PM
When Sir Tim Berners-Lee created the World Wide Web, he introduced simple numeric codes to describe what was happening with each request. You might be familiar with:
200 “OK”
404 “Not Found”
Among those early web codes was 402, “Payment Required”
200 “OK”
404 “Not Found”
Among those early web codes was 402, “Payment Required”
Reposted by John Nurick
Reposted by John Nurick
Breaking down #Excel powerful GroupBy() function — what it does, how it works and why you’ll love it.
#ExcelHack in #Microsoft365 and #Office2024
office-watch.com/2025/excel-g...
#ExcelHack in #Microsoft365 and #Office2024
office-watch.com/2025/excel-g...
November 25, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Breaking down #Excel powerful GroupBy() function — what it does, how it works and why you’ll love it.
#ExcelHack in #Microsoft365 and #Office2024
office-watch.com/2025/excel-g...
#ExcelHack in #Microsoft365 and #Office2024
office-watch.com/2025/excel-g...
Reposted by John Nurick
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by John Nurick
Do we still have a pillory somewhere? The people who told us to skip avocado toast are now complaining that we're not buying a new phone and car every year.
November 25, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Do we still have a pillory somewhere? The people who told us to skip avocado toast are now complaining that we're not buying a new phone and car every year.
Reposted by John Nurick
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
November 25, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
Reposted by John Nurick
xAI's data centres are one of the few sites in the world where we actually know why they exist and the outputs they produce.
So everyone local life shortened by the choking air pollution from the fossil fuelled power plant built to run this site: we know it's for shit like this
So everyone local life shortened by the choking air pollution from the fossil fuelled power plant built to run this site: we know it's for shit like this
Everything about this might be the saddest thing I’ve ever seen
November 24, 2025 at 7:46 PM
xAI's data centres are one of the few sites in the world where we actually know why they exist and the outputs they produce.
So everyone local life shortened by the choking air pollution from the fossil fuelled power plant built to run this site: we know it's for shit like this
So everyone local life shortened by the choking air pollution from the fossil fuelled power plant built to run this site: we know it's for shit like this
Reposted by John Nurick
longer have the war to eat up what they’ve been producing? If they cut back even by half without losses in five years they’ll have a huge pile of drones and missiles and manpower to try something. It’s why we have to break their economy before the war ends.
November 23, 2025 at 6:52 AM
longer have the war to eat up what they’ve been producing? If they cut back even by half without losses in five years they’ll have a huge pile of drones and missiles and manpower to try something. It’s why we have to break their economy before the war ends.
Very good piece on how the Labor government has suppressed the Labor Party.
www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/politic...
www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/politic...
Power for its own sake, and no courage – Labor loses its way
Having tasted long-term power, this Labor Party seems guided only by the possession of power as an end to itself.
www.thenewdaily.com.au
November 22, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Very good piece on how the Labor government has suppressed the Labor Party.
www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/politic...
www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/politic...
Reposted by John Nurick
NEW: It’s takes a moment for this to really sink in.
Guardian reporting that key parts of Trump’s peace plan was drafted IN RUSSIAN first.
Guardian reporting that key parts of Trump’s peace plan was drafted IN RUSSIAN first.
November 21, 2025 at 3:45 PM
NEW: It’s takes a moment for this to really sink in.
Guardian reporting that key parts of Trump’s peace plan was drafted IN RUSSIAN first.
Guardian reporting that key parts of Trump’s peace plan was drafted IN RUSSIAN first.
Reposted by John Nurick
Relationship counseling but just blind texting each other your semiotic and power analysis of Mamdani and Trump meeting to see if you’re compatible.
November 22, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Relationship counseling but just blind texting each other your semiotic and power analysis of Mamdani and Trump meeting to see if you’re compatible.
Reposted by John Nurick
Clearly ate too much cheese last night
November 22, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Clearly ate too much cheese last night
Reposted by John Nurick
It's 'no accident that the Paris Agreement emerged in the statements of Oppn leader Ley & shadow energy minister Tehan in the Liberals’ net zero backdown last week. Conservative networks are eager consumers & also producers of these political ploys, & Australians are central to them.'
How an Australian coal lobbyist honed fossil fuel messaging
An Australian lobbyist now leading the world’s key coal body addressed the National Press Club this week, demonstrating a sophisticated pivot in global fossil fuel messaging.
bit.ly
November 22, 2025 at 4:45 AM
It's 'no accident that the Paris Agreement emerged in the statements of Oppn leader Ley & shadow energy minister Tehan in the Liberals’ net zero backdown last week. Conservative networks are eager consumers & also producers of these political ploys, & Australians are central to them.'
Reposted by John Nurick
Word of the day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet politician whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.
November 21, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Word of the day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet politician whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.
Reposted by John Nurick
Russia's ambassador to the UK, Yakovenko, boasted about Brexit to another diplomat:
“We have crushed the British to the ground. They are on their knees and will not rise for a very long time”
Today, Farage’s close ally, leader of Reform in Wales, was sentenced to 10yrs for taking bribes from Russia.
“We have crushed the British to the ground. They are on their knees and will not rise for a very long time”
Today, Farage’s close ally, leader of Reform in Wales, was sentenced to 10yrs for taking bribes from Russia.
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
Brexit Hit to UK Economy Double Official Estimate, Study Finds
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist.
bloom.bg
November 21, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Russia's ambassador to the UK, Yakovenko, boasted about Brexit to another diplomat:
“We have crushed the British to the ground. They are on their knees and will not rise for a very long time”
Today, Farage’s close ally, leader of Reform in Wales, was sentenced to 10yrs for taking bribes from Russia.
“We have crushed the British to the ground. They are on their knees and will not rise for a very long time”
Today, Farage’s close ally, leader of Reform in Wales, was sentenced to 10yrs for taking bribes from Russia.
Reposted by John Nurick
All those journalists - led by Kuenssberg and Peston - who cheer-led Boris Johnson into Number 10 should be hanging their heads in shame today, and retiring tomorrow.
November 21, 2025 at 12:03 PM
All those journalists - led by Kuenssberg and Peston - who cheer-led Boris Johnson into Number 10 should be hanging their heads in shame today, and retiring tomorrow.
Reposted by John Nurick
A theme of the Hallett report is that decisionmakers routinely underestimated the ability of the public to deal with complexity & accept hard trade-offs.
It's a problem that continues to plague our politics. One lesson of the pandemic is surely that we can have more honest conversations with voters
It's a problem that continues to plague our politics. One lesson of the pandemic is surely that we can have more honest conversations with voters
November 20, 2025 at 10:31 PM
A theme of the Hallett report is that decisionmakers routinely underestimated the ability of the public to deal with complexity & accept hard trade-offs.
It's a problem that continues to plague our politics. One lesson of the pandemic is surely that we can have more honest conversations with voters
It's a problem that continues to plague our politics. One lesson of the pandemic is surely that we can have more honest conversations with voters
Reposted by John Nurick
I skimmed the study that is cited, and it gave a different impression to the one I took from that sentence above.
The meta-study evaluated 33 studies (after eliminating more than 1,700). Of those 33:
1/ Only 19 attempted to evaluate effectiveness (others were eg engagement, attrition)
The meta-study evaluated 33 studies (after eliminating more than 1,700). Of those 33:
1/ Only 19 attempted to evaluate effectiveness (others were eg engagement, attrition)
November 20, 2025 at 10:28 PM
I skimmed the study that is cited, and it gave a different impression to the one I took from that sentence above.
The meta-study evaluated 33 studies (after eliminating more than 1,700). Of those 33:
1/ Only 19 attempted to evaluate effectiveness (others were eg engagement, attrition)
The meta-study evaluated 33 studies (after eliminating more than 1,700). Of those 33:
1/ Only 19 attempted to evaluate effectiveness (others were eg engagement, attrition)