Simon
@simonxix.com
📚cultural & critical studies 📽️film critic 🐧open source developer 🐦birder 😐he/him
🔗 https://simonxix.com
🔗 https://simonxix.com
Reposted by Simon
There weren't any trains in the bible, dumb dumb
November 27, 2025 at 4:32 PM
There weren't any trains in the bible, dumb dumb
Reposted by Simon
I went quite long on WAKE UP DEAD MAN, the new Knives Out film, because it really resonates with thoughts I've been having around the right's (mis)appropriation of Christianity and how neo-fascists are using the rhetoric of Christianity without any embeddedness in Christ's teachings.
"WAKE UP DEAD MAN may not bring anything novel for newcomers, but it’s a treat for KNIVES OUT fans, serves as a corrective for GLASS ONION's excesses, & imbues the story with meaningful resonance for contemporary Christian politics." - @simonxix.com @ GFT's satellite #LFF screening: buff.ly/e7zMeGP
Wake Up Dead Man | TAKE ONE | BFI London 2025 @ GFT
While WAKE UP DEAD MAN may not bring anything novel for newcomers to the series, it’s a treat for KNIVES OUT fans, serving as a corrective for the excesses of GLASS ONION and imbuing the story with…
takeonecinema.net
October 16, 2025 at 8:49 AM
I went quite long on WAKE UP DEAD MAN, the new Knives Out film, because it really resonates with thoughts I've been having around the right's (mis)appropriation of Christianity and how neo-fascists are using the rhetoric of Christianity without any embeddedness in Christ's teachings.
Reposted by Simon
www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mo...
I made a mod that replaces cliffracers with Thomas the Tank Engine. I am incapable of learning lessons whenever it involves corporations, because I fundamentally do not view toy company CEOs or media CEOs as people.
#morrowind #thomasthetankengine
I made a mod that replaces cliffracers with Thomas the Tank Engine. I am incapable of learning lessons whenever it involves corporations, because I fundamentally do not view toy company CEOs or media CEOs as people.
#morrowind #thomasthetankengine
November 24, 2025 at 8:52 PM
www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mo...
I made a mod that replaces cliffracers with Thomas the Tank Engine. I am incapable of learning lessons whenever it involves corporations, because I fundamentally do not view toy company CEOs or media CEOs as people.
#morrowind #thomasthetankengine
I made a mod that replaces cliffracers with Thomas the Tank Engine. I am incapable of learning lessons whenever it involves corporations, because I fundamentally do not view toy company CEOs or media CEOs as people.
#morrowind #thomasthetankengine
Reposted by Simon
The "don't have an extra kid if you can't afford it" brigade get awfully upset when you suggest they don't stay in their £2m house if they can't afford it, don't they?
November 27, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The "don't have an extra kid if you can't afford it" brigade get awfully upset when you suggest they don't stay in their £2m house if they can't afford it, don't they?
Reposted by Simon
As CEO of Mott’s Applesauce I really have to question your mental state if Applesauce isn’t on your plate, in your toilet, in the bedroom, really everywhere that Applesauce could help
November 27, 2025 at 1:00 AM
As CEO of Mott’s Applesauce I really have to question your mental state if Applesauce isn’t on your plate, in your toilet, in the bedroom, really everywhere that Applesauce could help
Reposted by Simon
"We can judge Farage not just by the words he, allegedly, shouted as a child, but by the words and actions he has chosen as an adult."
Zack Polanski on why Farage should be judged on his record as a politician which has seen him echo conspiracy and language of the far right.
Zack Polanski on why Farage should be judged on his record as a politician which has seen him echo conspiracy and language of the far right.
November 27, 2025 at 4:30 PM
"We can judge Farage not just by the words he, allegedly, shouted as a child, but by the words and actions he has chosen as an adult."
Zack Polanski on why Farage should be judged on his record as a politician which has seen him echo conspiracy and language of the far right.
Zack Polanski on why Farage should be judged on his record as a politician which has seen him echo conspiracy and language of the far right.
Reposted by Simon
Reposted by Simon
There’s one episode of The Impossipod left, but this is the last one focusing on a specific film: The Final Reckoning. I published a review at the time that made it clear I wasn’t a fan, but @simonxix.com and I go deep here. Listen below - Or iS tHaT WhAt ThE EnTITy WanTs You To do?!1?
We’re a day late shouting about it, but the final film-specific episode of the Impossipod is up! @simonxix.com & @jimgr.bsky.social on The Final Reckoning’s shoddy first half & the disconnect between apocalyptic exposition and what we’re actually shown on screen: takeonecinema.net/the-impossip...
The Impossipod | Podcasts | TAKE ONE | Episode 8: Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025)
Simon and Jim reach the end of the Mission: Impossible franchise with 2025’s MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING. They discuss the film’s shockingly shoddy first half, the disconnect between the...
takeonecinema.net
November 27, 2025 at 2:08 PM
There’s one episode of The Impossipod left, but this is the last one focusing on a specific film: The Final Reckoning. I published a review at the time that made it clear I wasn’t a fan, but @simonxix.com and I go deep here. Listen below - Or iS tHaT WhAt ThE EnTITy WanTs You To do?!1?
On this month's episode, we reach the end of the Mission: Impossible series with THE FINAL RECKONING, one of the worst hours of action blockbuster that I've seen in the cinema followed by a decent second half. MVPs Rolf Saxon and Lucy Tulugarjuk who actually bring some human emotion.
We’re a day late shouting about it, but the final film-specific episode of the Impossipod is up! @simonxix.com & @jimgr.bsky.social on The Final Reckoning’s shoddy first half & the disconnect between apocalyptic exposition and what we’re actually shown on screen: takeonecinema.net/the-impossip...
The Impossipod | Podcasts | TAKE ONE | Episode 8: Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025)
Simon and Jim reach the end of the Mission: Impossible franchise with 2025’s MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING. They discuss the film’s shockingly shoddy first half, the disconnect between the...
takeonecinema.net
November 27, 2025 at 1:29 PM
On this month's episode, we reach the end of the Mission: Impossible series with THE FINAL RECKONING, one of the worst hours of action blockbuster that I've seen in the cinema followed by a decent second half. MVPs Rolf Saxon and Lucy Tulugarjuk who actually bring some human emotion.
Reposted by Simon
We’re a day late shouting about it, but the final film-specific episode of the Impossipod is up! @simonxix.com & @jimgr.bsky.social on The Final Reckoning’s shoddy first half & the disconnect between apocalyptic exposition and what we’re actually shown on screen: takeonecinema.net/the-impossip...
The Impossipod | Podcasts | TAKE ONE | Episode 8: Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025)
Simon and Jim reach the end of the Mission: Impossible franchise with 2025’s MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING. They discuss the film’s shockingly shoddy first half, the disconnect between the...
takeonecinema.net
November 27, 2025 at 1:27 PM
We’re a day late shouting about it, but the final film-specific episode of the Impossipod is up! @simonxix.com & @jimgr.bsky.social on The Final Reckoning’s shoddy first half & the disconnect between apocalyptic exposition and what we’re actually shown on screen: takeonecinema.net/the-impossip...
I'll be at this event presenting remotely on the Experimental Publishing Compendium (compendium.copim.ac.uk).
November 27, 2025 at 11:57 AM
I'll be at this event presenting remotely on the Experimental Publishing Compendium (compendium.copim.ac.uk).
Reposted by Simon
Join our Experimental Publishing Group for a HYBRID WORKSHOP: Extending Knowledge and Publishing Infrastructures in and from Africa
📆 8–9 December 2025
📍 Nairobi, Kenya
Event includes 3 panels that are open to remote participants
More information, plus online registration 👉
📆 8–9 December 2025
📍 Nairobi, Kenya
Event includes 3 panels that are open to remote participants
More information, plus online registration 👉
Hybrid workshop: Extending Knowledge and Publishing Infrastructures in and from Africa - Copim
The Research Data Share (RDS) Collective, Copim’s Experimental Publishing Group, Platform for Experimental Collaborative Ethnography (PECE), and African Minds invite you to join us for a workshop and…
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Join our Experimental Publishing Group for a HYBRID WORKSHOP: Extending Knowledge and Publishing Infrastructures in and from Africa
📆 8–9 December 2025
📍 Nairobi, Kenya
Event includes 3 panels that are open to remote participants
More information, plus online registration 👉
📆 8–9 December 2025
📍 Nairobi, Kenya
Event includes 3 panels that are open to remote participants
More information, plus online registration 👉
Take note, Westminster: this is what it looks like for a government to actually be doing something – anything – about the UK HE crisis.
'The University of Dundee has been told it cannot make any compulsory redundancies until it has a three-year recovery strategy in place as part of conditions placed on its bailout from the Scottish government.' 1/3
Bailout conditions restrict compulsory redundancies at Dundee
University told to come up with a plan for financial recovery before it enforces more job losses
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Take note, Westminster: this is what it looks like for a government to actually be doing something – anything – about the UK HE crisis.
Reposted by Simon
Look kids! It’s Ask Jeeves! Over here Jeeves!
November 26, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Look kids! It’s Ask Jeeves! Over here Jeeves!
No. THE THING takes place in winter which in Antarctica is around June.
Should John Carpenter's THE THING be officially classified as a Christmas movie? Let your voice be heard!
Is John Carpenter’s THE THING A Christmas Movie? Have Your Say
Should John Carpenter's THE THING be officially classified as a Christmas movie? Let your voice be heard!
dlvr.it
November 26, 2025 at 6:42 PM
No. THE THING takes place in winter which in Antarctica is around June.
Reposted by Simon
the genAI bubble relies on you conflating the genuinely tremendous potential of using machine learning for e.g. image recognition in radiotherapy, protein folding, simulations in power systems etc with the child abuse image generators and schizophrenic delusions generators
People on BlueSky: AI is useless! A stochastic parrot!
Mathematicians/biologists/physicists: It is already helping us do frontier technical research and in some cases solve open problems arxiv.org/pdf/2511.16072
(There are of course, as always, many caveats, but the paper is genuinely remarkable)
Mathematicians/biologists/physicists: It is already helping us do frontier technical research and in some cases solve open problems arxiv.org/pdf/2511.16072
(There are of course, as always, many caveats, but the paper is genuinely remarkable)
arxiv.org
November 26, 2025 at 4:11 PM
the genAI bubble relies on you conflating the genuinely tremendous potential of using machine learning for e.g. image recognition in radiotherapy, protein folding, simulations in power systems etc with the child abuse image generators and schizophrenic delusions generators
Reposted by Simon
Handing back student work that’s been written by ChatGPT with a 0 followed by the comment “This essay will never stand in authentic wonder before the Beauty of God’s creation.”
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Handing back student work that’s been written by ChatGPT with a 0 followed by the comment “This essay will never stand in authentic wonder before the Beauty of God’s creation.”
Reposted by Simon
CHATGPT: I understand where you're coming from. You worked really hard to get here, and now it's time to enjoy the fruit of your labors.
ISILDUR: So I should keep it? Elrond says I shouldn't
CHATGPT: The ring is precious. Sometimes friends don't have your best interests at heart.
ISILDUR: true
ISILDUR: So I should keep it? Elrond says I shouldn't
CHATGPT: The ring is precious. Sometimes friends don't have your best interests at heart.
ISILDUR: true
October 6, 2025 at 1:58 PM
CHATGPT: I understand where you're coming from. You worked really hard to get here, and now it's time to enjoy the fruit of your labors.
ISILDUR: So I should keep it? Elrond says I shouldn't
CHATGPT: The ring is precious. Sometimes friends don't have your best interests at heart.
ISILDUR: true
ISILDUR: So I should keep it? Elrond says I shouldn't
CHATGPT: The ring is precious. Sometimes friends don't have your best interests at heart.
ISILDUR: true
Reposted by Simon
and when deciding what Scotland’s financial needs are did the Chancellor also engage with our elected Scottish Government or just her pal
November 26, 2025 at 1:03 PM
and when deciding what Scotland’s financial needs are did the Chancellor also engage with our elected Scottish Government or just her pal
Reposted by Simon
the entire budget has been leaked but not in the sense that all the main bits have been in the newspaper headlines for weeks but in a bad way this time
November 26, 2025 at 12:34 PM
the entire budget has been leaked but not in the sense that all the main bits have been in the newspaper headlines for weeks but in a bad way this time
Reposted by Simon
The very first thing the Prime Minister does is use the household budget metaphor.
A metaphor - this report into BBC coverage - said could be "easily misleading."
Why is the government trying to mislead the country?
A metaphor - this report into BBC coverage - said could be "easily misleading."
Why is the government trying to mislead the country?
November 26, 2025 at 12:05 PM
The very first thing the Prime Minister does is use the household budget metaphor.
A metaphor - this report into BBC coverage - said could be "easily misleading."
Why is the government trying to mislead the country?
A metaphor - this report into BBC coverage - said could be "easily misleading."
Why is the government trying to mislead the country?
Reposted by Simon
“Our mid-term goal should be the complete phase-out of Microsoft products, including the Windows operating system. It’s easier than it sounds.”
A cross-party group of lawmakers are pushing for the European Parliament to get off US tech, starting with Microsoft.
A cross-party group of lawmakers are pushing for the European Parliament to get off US tech, starting with Microsoft.
Get us off Microsoft! Lawmakers press EU Parliament to change in-house IT.
“We cannot afford this level of dependence on foreign tech,” lawmakers say in letter obtained by POLITICO.
www.politico.eu
November 25, 2025 at 6:08 PM
“Our mid-term goal should be the complete phase-out of Microsoft products, including the Windows operating system. It’s easier than it sounds.”
A cross-party group of lawmakers are pushing for the European Parliament to get off US tech, starting with Microsoft.
A cross-party group of lawmakers are pushing for the European Parliament to get off US tech, starting with Microsoft.
Reposted by Simon
The media really will treat LLMs as human before they give trans people the same courtesy
November 25, 2025 at 9:39 PM
The media really will treat LLMs as human before they give trans people the same courtesy
Reposted by Simon
The Guardian has a game where you play Chancellor and put in what you'd do for the budget. I basically taxed rich people a lot and ended up £56bn in the black, with a good poll rating and the markets like me.
Perhaps I should be Chancellor. I didn't even have to hurt any disabled people to do it.
Perhaps I should be Chancellor. I didn't even have to hurt any disabled people to do it.
November 25, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The Guardian has a game where you play Chancellor and put in what you'd do for the budget. I basically taxed rich people a lot and ended up £56bn in the black, with a good poll rating and the markets like me.
Perhaps I should be Chancellor. I didn't even have to hurt any disabled people to do it.
Perhaps I should be Chancellor. I didn't even have to hurt any disabled people to do it.
"exiting the market" is a fun euphemism for thousands of students left without a school, thousands of people put out of work, entire local economies destroyed, and priceless knowledge lost.
I never thought it would be possible to have a stupider university policy than the Tories, but Labour schooled me.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Fifty higher education providers at risk of exiting market in England, MPs told
Regulator says 24 are at more immediate risk and may have to stop degree courses within next 12 months
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:09 PM
"exiting the market" is a fun euphemism for thousands of students left without a school, thousands of people put out of work, entire local economies destroyed, and priceless knowledge lost.