Mike Sowden
@mikeachim.bsky.social
Writer (on science, travel & curiosity), Yorkshireman, tedious enthusiast, professional overthinker, Megathreader. Now: Scotland.
Writes Everything Is Amazing: https://everythingisamazing.substack.com/
Writes Everything Is Amazing: https://everythingisamazing.substack.com/
Pinned
OK, this is wild.
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
Okay, time for a much-requested thing: a THREAD OF THREADS. I've now written dozens of these sciencey threads now, and it's increasingly easy to lose them in the scrum of new stuff on here, so - here's a roundup.
First: the mystery of the BONG BONG BONG: bsky.app/profile/mike...
1/
First: the mystery of the BONG BONG BONG: bsky.app/profile/mike...
1/
At the gym. He came in again, full workout gear.
All the running machines were being used.
He walked a full lap of the gym, and left again. Sixty seconds.
WHAT IS IN THIS MAN'S BRAIN.
All the running machines were being used.
He walked a full lap of the gym, and left again. Sixty seconds.
WHAT IS IN THIS MAN'S BRAIN.
At the gym today, a guy enters - crew-cut, oiled beard, dramatically colourful skin-tight clothes - & strides up to the next running machine along from me.
He lifts his phone to start filming himself, dials the machine up to maybe 100mph, & sprints like the hounds of Hell are after him...
1/
He lifts his phone to start filming himself, dials the machine up to maybe 100mph, & sprints like the hounds of Hell are after him...
1/
December 1, 2025 at 3:42 PM
At the gym. He came in again, full workout gear.
All the running machines were being used.
He walked a full lap of the gym, and left again. Sixty seconds.
WHAT IS IN THIS MAN'S BRAIN.
All the running machines were being used.
He walked a full lap of the gym, and left again. Sixty seconds.
WHAT IS IN THIS MAN'S BRAIN.
I know it's fashionable to wish we lived in another era - but holy wow am I often grateful for being here today, because I'm 54, and lived in that pre-internet world where we were all tiny islands separated by geography and time with almost no ability to say hello.
Now look at us.
Also: hi there.
Now look at us.
Also: hi there.
November 30, 2025 at 2:12 PM
I know it's fashionable to wish we lived in another era - but holy wow am I often grateful for being here today, because I'm 54, and lived in that pre-internet world where we were all tiny islands separated by geography and time with almost no ability to say hello.
Now look at us.
Also: hi there.
Now look at us.
Also: hi there.
Reposted by Mike Sowden
Storytelling, it’s what archaeology is for. Telling stories about people, different ways of being, strangeness, the diversity of the human condition - that how we organise our world, our societies, our relationships with people, places, animals, plants, things, & time have not always been like this
New landmark research out today: We've just launched Trowel and Error, the most in-depth look in 25 years at how audiences want to engage with archaeology. The findings are clear: people want human, accessible, story-led archaeology.
Read the report here 👉 www.archaeologyuk.org/our-work/tro...
Read the report here 👉 www.archaeologyuk.org/our-work/tro...
November 29, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Storytelling, it’s what archaeology is for. Telling stories about people, different ways of being, strangeness, the diversity of the human condition - that how we organise our world, our societies, our relationships with people, places, animals, plants, things, & time have not always been like this
Reposted by Mike Sowden
Honestly "Don't Engage, Just Block" has transformed my social media experience so profoundly that it's hard for me to describe. It's just so much better to be online now.
i also liked the fact that most of us who had come from the other site had the mentality of not giving "bad actors" the benefit of the doubt on here , and told all to block, not mute, an move on
November 28, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Honestly "Don't Engage, Just Block" has transformed my social media experience so profoundly that it's hard for me to describe. It's just so much better to be online now.
Today, like most days, is a good day for recognising how much our attention is worth.
Rich people with vile ethics spend *HUGE* $$$$$ hoovering up our attention with "free" things - because it's a terrific investment for them.
Thwart them by promoting people & things that deserve the help.
Rich people with vile ethics spend *HUGE* $$$$$ hoovering up our attention with "free" things - because it's a terrific investment for them.
Thwart them by promoting people & things that deserve the help.
November 28, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Today, like most days, is a good day for recognising how much our attention is worth.
Rich people with vile ethics spend *HUGE* $$$$$ hoovering up our attention with "free" things - because it's a terrific investment for them.
Thwart them by promoting people & things that deserve the help.
Rich people with vile ethics spend *HUGE* $$$$$ hoovering up our attention with "free" things - because it's a terrific investment for them.
Thwart them by promoting people & things that deserve the help.
Reminder: as much as I'd love everyone to buy a paid subscription to my newsletter, "Black Friday" started as a synonym for financial disaster, particularly in 1869 in the US when a financial crisis (an engineered one!) saw a dramatic plunge in gold prices, ruining the lives of many.
Spend wisely.
Spend wisely.
November 28, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Reminder: as much as I'd love everyone to buy a paid subscription to my newsletter, "Black Friday" started as a synonym for financial disaster, particularly in 1869 in the US when a financial crisis (an engineered one!) saw a dramatic plunge in gold prices, ruining the lives of many.
Spend wisely.
Spend wisely.
Reposted by Mike Sowden
I recently wrote something about the science of pareidolia, the "you can't unsee this face in this inanimate thing" bias - and all the examples I found are delightful, ludicrous and worrying! (It's amazing how completely it hijacks our mind.)
I dare you to unsee the following examples.
1/
I dare you to unsee the following examples.
1/
November 11, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Reposted by Mike Sowden
It's almost like there really isn't a "problem" here.
Except for the actual problem of people from other countries increasingly not coming here because they feel they're not welcome - with our economy suffering as a result?
Except for the actual problem of people from other countries increasingly not coming here because they feel they're not welcome - with our economy suffering as a result?
November 27, 2025 at 10:28 AM
It's almost like there really isn't a "problem" here.
Except for the actual problem of people from other countries increasingly not coming here because they feel they're not welcome - with our economy suffering as a result?
Except for the actual problem of people from other countries increasingly not coming here because they feel they're not welcome - with our economy suffering as a result?
Reposted by Mike Sowden
🤯🥺😭
We are now further away from the theatrical release of Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 12, 1981) than it was from the year it takes place in (1936). We have reached the Indiana Jones event horizon.
November 27, 2025 at 11:49 AM
🤯🥺😭
Reposted by Mike Sowden
One of the most beautiful bits of english eccentricity and glorious design is coming back to Sotheby’s and should be bought by a musuem (or me) for THE NATION. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Jewelled golden hare that sparked national treasure hunt set for auction
Artist and author Kit Williams hid a golden hare with clues to its precise location given in his 1979 book
www.independent.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:18 AM
One of the most beautiful bits of english eccentricity and glorious design is coming back to Sotheby’s and should be bought by a musuem (or me) for THE NATION. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
It's almost like there really isn't a "problem" here.
Except for the actual problem of people from other countries increasingly not coming here because they feel they're not welcome - with our economy suffering as a result?
Except for the actual problem of people from other countries increasingly not coming here because they feel they're not welcome - with our economy suffering as a result?
November 27, 2025 at 10:28 AM
It's almost like there really isn't a "problem" here.
Except for the actual problem of people from other countries increasingly not coming here because they feel they're not welcome - with our economy suffering as a result?
Except for the actual problem of people from other countries increasingly not coming here because they feel they're not welcome - with our economy suffering as a result?
On reflection, I can point to the exact moment I knew we English were beyond saving, and it was when I heard the comment, “How would you like your tea - strong, weak or just right?”
November 27, 2025 at 10:23 AM
On reflection, I can point to the exact moment I knew we English were beyond saving, and it was when I heard the comment, “How would you like your tea - strong, weak or just right?”
Paul Graham famously suggested to new creators that they should “do things that don't scale”, to go that extra mile to win folk over.
I think the new version, in this era of easy but increasingly soulless AI automation, is “do things that look extra-human.”
I think the new version, in this era of easy but increasingly soulless AI automation, is “do things that look extra-human.”
November 27, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Paul Graham famously suggested to new creators that they should “do things that don't scale”, to go that extra mile to win folk over.
I think the new version, in this era of easy but increasingly soulless AI automation, is “do things that look extra-human.”
I think the new version, in this era of easy but increasingly soulless AI automation, is “do things that look extra-human.”
Reposted by Mike Sowden
![Comic: Typical Geologic core sample. [Cylindrical core sample with labels for difference sections from top to bottom] Topsoil, till, granite bedrock, bottomsoil, roof of subway car, floor of subway car, more granite, municipal water main [gouge in core sample], slightly different granite, piece of screaming spelunker’s forearm, cool crystals with no resale value, mangled fragments of drillbit from previous attempt, some boring intrusive rock that’s basically granite but has a name like “diorite” or “Andalite” that you always have to look up, netherrack, Balrog wing. [break between next chunk of core sample] Granite, topsoil, cement, floorboards, carpet, possessions of a confused and angry homeowner in the other hemisphere.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreicffnydtpbb2x24cfbblv2qtcwbr37zyw44vtqx47ocj2a26b2j2u@jpeg)
November 25, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Reposted by Mike Sowden
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 Mike Sowden
Welcome back for the second half of this trip along the world's longest mountain-chain!
This sea-mount is halfway down the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, but under *kilometres* (gulp) of water. Incredibly difficult to explore directly.
But there's a fantastically clever way scientists can "see" it...
1/
This sea-mount is halfway down the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, but under *kilometres* (gulp) of water. Incredibly difficult to explore directly.
But there's a fantastically clever way scientists can "see" it...
1/
The Atlantis Massif is around 16km across, and climbs 4.2km, to within 700 metres of the sea surface.
I know these are just numbers, so - it's about the size of Mount Rainier (Washington State).
To help you imagine this, here's a pic of Mount Rainier.
Now imagine that underwater.
9/
I know these are just numbers, so - it's about the size of Mount Rainier (Washington State).
To help you imagine this, here's a pic of Mount Rainier.
Now imagine that underwater.
9/
November 24, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Welcome back for the second half of this trip along the world's longest mountain-chain!
This sea-mount is halfway down the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, but under *kilometres* (gulp) of water. Incredibly difficult to explore directly.
But there's a fantastically clever way scientists can "see" it...
1/
This sea-mount is halfway down the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, but under *kilometres* (gulp) of water. Incredibly difficult to explore directly.
But there's a fantastically clever way scientists can "see" it...
1/
Welcome back for the second half of this trip along the world's longest mountain-chain!
This sea-mount is halfway down the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, but under *kilometres* (gulp) of water. Incredibly difficult to explore directly.
But there's a fantastically clever way scientists can "see" it...
1/
This sea-mount is halfway down the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, but under *kilometres* (gulp) of water. Incredibly difficult to explore directly.
But there's a fantastically clever way scientists can "see" it...
1/
The Atlantis Massif is around 16km across, and climbs 4.2km, to within 700 metres of the sea surface.
I know these are just numbers, so - it's about the size of Mount Rainier (Washington State).
To help you imagine this, here's a pic of Mount Rainier.
Now imagine that underwater.
9/
I know these are just numbers, so - it's about the size of Mount Rainier (Washington State).
To help you imagine this, here's a pic of Mount Rainier.
Now imagine that underwater.
9/
November 24, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Welcome back for the second half of this trip along the world's longest mountain-chain!
This sea-mount is halfway down the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, but under *kilometres* (gulp) of water. Incredibly difficult to explore directly.
But there's a fantastically clever way scientists can "see" it...
1/
This sea-mount is halfway down the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, but under *kilometres* (gulp) of water. Incredibly difficult to explore directly.
But there's a fantastically clever way scientists can "see" it...
1/
I'm certainly not helping in the least here, but this looks like the work of a movie-loving time traveller whose time machine broke down & trapped them in the past & they wanted something to remind them of their beloved DVD player they were missing just *so* much.
What? Yes, yes. I'll stop now.
What? Yes, yes. I'll stop now.
November 24, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I'm certainly not helping in the least here, but this looks like the work of a movie-loving time traveller whose time machine broke down & trapped them in the past & they wanted something to remind them of their beloved DVD player they were missing just *so* much.
What? Yes, yes. I'll stop now.
What? Yes, yes. I'll stop now.
Reposted by Mike Sowden
For more than a decade now the government’s answer to how to fund universities has been to make money from overseas students.
The last lot then tried to discourage students from coming here.
This lot just want the money back.
But then how do we fund ourselves?
Crazy.
The last lot then tried to discourage students from coming here.
This lot just want the money back.
But then how do we fund ourselves?
Crazy.
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 24, 2025 at 7:43 AM
For more than a decade now the government’s answer to how to fund universities has been to make money from overseas students.
The last lot then tried to discourage students from coming here.
This lot just want the money back.
But then how do we fund ourselves?
Crazy.
The last lot then tried to discourage students from coming here.
This lot just want the money back.
But then how do we fund ourselves?
Crazy.
At the gym today, a guy enters - crew-cut, oiled beard, dramatically colourful skin-tight clothes - & strides up to the next running machine along from me.
He lifts his phone to start filming himself, dials the machine up to maybe 100mph, & sprints like the hounds of Hell are after him...
1/
He lifts his phone to start filming himself, dials the machine up to maybe 100mph, & sprints like the hounds of Hell are after him...
1/
November 23, 2025 at 10:29 PM
At the gym today, a guy enters - crew-cut, oiled beard, dramatically colourful skin-tight clothes - & strides up to the next running machine along from me.
He lifts his phone to start filming himself, dials the machine up to maybe 100mph, & sprints like the hounds of Hell are after him...
1/
He lifts his phone to start filming himself, dials the machine up to maybe 100mph, & sprints like the hounds of Hell are after him...
1/
I haven't done a poll, because I'll never forget seeing the results of this one. (Poor Jamie.)
November 23, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I haven't done a poll, because I'll never forget seeing the results of this one. (Poor Jamie.)
I am currently cobbling together a plan for a NEW PODCAST.
Imagine my rambling sciencey threads, but in your ears. Or maybe listen to this - everythingisamazing.substack.com/p/why-kindne...
(Recorded years ago with no promo, & somehow racked up thousands of listens. A fun test!)
Interested?
Imagine my rambling sciencey threads, but in your ears. Or maybe listen to this - everythingisamazing.substack.com/p/why-kindne...
(Recorded years ago with no promo, & somehow racked up thousands of listens. A fun test!)
Interested?
Why Kindness Works
Givers, Takers, And Brown-Wrapping-Paperers
everythingisamazing.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:29 PM
I am currently cobbling together a plan for a NEW PODCAST.
Imagine my rambling sciencey threads, but in your ears. Or maybe listen to this - everythingisamazing.substack.com/p/why-kindne...
(Recorded years ago with no promo, & somehow racked up thousands of listens. A fun test!)
Interested?
Imagine my rambling sciencey threads, but in your ears. Or maybe listen to this - everythingisamazing.substack.com/p/why-kindne...
(Recorded years ago with no promo, & somehow racked up thousands of listens. A fun test!)
Interested?
This has been astounding to watch. I regular wonder if I even have a tiny fraction of a clue what I'm doing online, but ye gods, this makes me feel like I'm Neo at the end of The Matrix.
Holy shit. So Elon decides it would be nice to know what region of the world people are posting from. So they add that little feature.
2 hours later they figure out that many Trump supporters with millions of followers are posting from other countries. Surprise!
That "feature" is now gone.
2 hours later they figure out that many Trump supporters with millions of followers are posting from other countries. Surprise!
That "feature" is now gone.
November 23, 2025 at 4:41 PM
This has been astounding to watch. I regular wonder if I even have a tiny fraction of a clue what I'm doing online, but ye gods, this makes me feel like I'm Neo at the end of The Matrix.
Reposted by Mike Sowden
And while you wait - I have an ever-growing pile of these kinds of science-obsessed threads here:
bsky.app/profile/mike...
bsky.app/profile/mike...
Okay, time for a much-requested thing: a THREAD OF THREADS. I've now written dozens of these sciencey threads now, and it's increasingly easy to lose them in the scrum of new stuff on here, so - here's a roundup.
First: the mystery of the BONG BONG BONG: bsky.app/profile/mike...
1/
First: the mystery of the BONG BONG BONG: bsky.app/profile/mike...
1/
OK, this is wild.
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
November 22, 2025 at 9:03 PM
And while you wait - I have an ever-growing pile of these kinds of science-obsessed threads here:
bsky.app/profile/mike...
bsky.app/profile/mike...