Rik M
@spetsdad.bsky.social
He/him (for want of anything better). Business Analyst. Ex-programmer. Archer (resting). Knitter. Sometime leathercrafter. Husband and father.
Reposted by Rik M
My brain is freaking out, would you mind reblogging this to make sure people know you can download a free baby dragon?
.........gotta make a "You would download a dragon" meme.
.........gotta make a "You would download a dragon" meme.
Right! Links to preorder, should you need them! And as the book comes out in March, if you want to give a gift for Christmas, we are also giving away FREE printable Molly files!
December 14, 2025 at 10:16 PM
My brain is freaking out, would you mind reblogging this to make sure people know you can download a free baby dragon?
.........gotta make a "You would download a dragon" meme.
.........gotta make a "You would download a dragon" meme.
The first 4 words here (before the hyphen) sound like a modern horror story....
Reform risk reviving Thatcher-style 'industrial destruction' in Wales, warns TUC
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Reform risk reviving Thatcher-style 'industrial destruction' in Wales, warns TUC
Ahead of crunch Senedd elections next year, analysis for the TUC found Nigel Farage's party poses the biggest threat to Welsh industry - risking thousands of jobs
www.mirror.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The first 4 words here (before the hyphen) sound like a modern horror story....
Reposted by Rik M
Shocked by the awful death of Rob Reiner. I spoke with him for over an hour last night. We talked about his work and his plans for the future. I always enjoyed his company. We met at his Dad's in 1975. Last thing he said to me was "See you next year.." Such a terrible end. Such a sweet man.
December 15, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Shocked by the awful death of Rob Reiner. I spoke with him for over an hour last night. We talked about his work and his plans for the future. I always enjoyed his company. We met at his Dad's in 1975. Last thing he said to me was "See you next year.." Such a terrible end. Such a sweet man.
Reposted by Rik M
Sussex.
You know, where they are forcibly detransitioning trans kids...
You know, where they are forcibly detransitioning trans kids...
NHS units investigated for historical child abuse in Sussex
NHS units investigated for historical child abuse in Sussex
Probe into historical abuse at former units in Sussex could lead to more alleged victims coming forward.
www.bbc.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Sussex.
You know, where they are forcibly detransitioning trans kids...
You know, where they are forcibly detransitioning trans kids...
Reposted by Rik M
From top AI coding user globally to completely stop using it because it's so much harder to review AI code than write it myself. And they say all software developers jobs will be replaced by LLM. Life comes fast at you. 🤣
December 13, 2025 at 1:01 PM
From top AI coding user globally to completely stop using it because it's so much harder to review AI code than write it myself. And they say all software developers jobs will be replaced by LLM. Life comes fast at you. 🤣
Reposted by Rik M
I was concerned that Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson might try and be smarter about transphobia than her predecessors and leave trans people in a shit place than was harder to rectify because it wasn’t so obvious.
Today dispelled those worries.
Labour have appointed a second raving bigot to run the EHRC.
Today dispelled those worries.
Labour have appointed a second raving bigot to run the EHRC.
December 14, 2025 at 10:08 AM
I was concerned that Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson might try and be smarter about transphobia than her predecessors and leave trans people in a shit place than was harder to rectify because it wasn’t so obvious.
Today dispelled those worries.
Labour have appointed a second raving bigot to run the EHRC.
Today dispelled those worries.
Labour have appointed a second raving bigot to run the EHRC.
Reposted by Rik M
AI is not here to stay. Not in its current form which adds no value and is essentially a pyramid scheme.
There are viable AI technologies which can be developed but ChatGPT is not it.
Generative AI is not it.
We have to fight against this narrative that AI is inevitable/ permanent. It is not.
There are viable AI technologies which can be developed but ChatGPT is not it.
Generative AI is not it.
We have to fight against this narrative that AI is inevitable/ permanent. It is not.
December 12, 2025 at 6:31 PM
AI is not here to stay. Not in its current form which adds no value and is essentially a pyramid scheme.
There are viable AI technologies which can be developed but ChatGPT is not it.
Generative AI is not it.
We have to fight against this narrative that AI is inevitable/ permanent. It is not.
There are viable AI technologies which can be developed but ChatGPT is not it.
Generative AI is not it.
We have to fight against this narrative that AI is inevitable/ permanent. It is not.
Nearly time to dig out the angel for the tree...
(Pic from previous years)
(Pic from previous years)
December 12, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Nearly time to dig out the angel for the tree...
(Pic from previous years)
(Pic from previous years)
Reposted by Rik M
Does Wes Streeting get that any failures in the NHS reflects poorly on him?
That he’s the health secretary running it into the ground?
I’m not getting that from his weasel words.
That he’s the health secretary running it into the ground?
I’m not getting that from his weasel words.
December 12, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Does Wes Streeting get that any failures in the NHS reflects poorly on him?
That he’s the health secretary running it into the ground?
I’m not getting that from his weasel words.
That he’s the health secretary running it into the ground?
I’m not getting that from his weasel words.
Reposted by Rik M
So, to those who say "masks don't work", cite the flawed Cochrane report, insist upon an unfeasible RCT, accuse folks of panic, and undermine public health on social and mainstream media during a flu/RSV epidemic...
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
December 12, 2025 at 11:07 AM
So, to those who say "masks don't work", cite the flawed Cochrane report, insist upon an unfeasible RCT, accuse folks of panic, and undermine public health on social and mainstream media during a flu/RSV epidemic...
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
1. Seasonal viruses may be "normal", but they do immense harm.
Reposted by Rik M
Would you really like to live in a society where you have no responsibility and no freedom, no choice, only the false option of obedience to the law, or disobedience followed by punishment? Would you really want to go live in a prison?
December 12, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Would you really like to live in a society where you have no responsibility and no freedom, no choice, only the false option of obedience to the law, or disobedience followed by punishment? Would you really want to go live in a prison?
Reposted by Rik M
'Let it Snow' with all the positive lines removed
December 11, 2025 at 9:33 PM
'Let it Snow' with all the positive lines removed
Reposted by Rik M
This is a year-by-year comparison of hospital admissions with flu using the latest data up to 30 Nov.
Yes, this year’s flu season started a few weeks earlier than normal. But otherwise, its pattern looks very similar to 2022/23 and 2024/25. 3/10
Yes, this year’s flu season started a few weeks earlier than normal. But otherwise, its pattern looks very similar to 2022/23 and 2024/25. 3/10
December 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
This is a year-by-year comparison of hospital admissions with flu using the latest data up to 30 Nov.
Yes, this year’s flu season started a few weeks earlier than normal. But otherwise, its pattern looks very similar to 2022/23 and 2024/25. 3/10
Yes, this year’s flu season started a few weeks earlier than normal. But otherwise, its pattern looks very similar to 2022/23 and 2024/25. 3/10
Reposted by Rik M
the biggest lie told by those in power is that you have to sacrifice someone else to get the rights you deserve. it’s not true! this is not a zero sum game! you’ve just been duped by those who want you under their boot!
December 11, 2025 at 12:21 PM
the biggest lie told by those in power is that you have to sacrifice someone else to get the rights you deserve. it’s not true! this is not a zero sum game! you’ve just been duped by those who want you under their boot!
Reposted by Rik M
If you make a billion dollars — or $500 million or even $100 million dollars — and you keep trying to make more, then there is something seriously wrong with you. It's a mental illness akin to hoarding or drug addiction.
December 11, 2025 at 4:44 AM
If you make a billion dollars — or $500 million or even $100 million dollars — and you keep trying to make more, then there is something seriously wrong with you. It's a mental illness akin to hoarding or drug addiction.
Reposted by Rik M
I see this tweet pop up every so often, and it's so funny!
November 5, 2024 at 8:27 AM
I see this tweet pop up every so often, and it's so funny!
<Necromancer looks a little shifty>
"Has someone... Been saying something...?"
"Has someone... Been saying something...?"
IN DEPTH | If you could speak to your dead grandmother forever, would you?
If you could speak to your dead grandmother forever, would you?
www.independent.co.uk
December 10, 2025 at 9:25 PM
<Necromancer looks a little shifty>
"Has someone... Been saying something...?"
"Has someone... Been saying something...?"
I've posted about this, before: I thought I'd have a try at something like this but British and came up with...
Make the UK Really Quite Good Again, Though We Don't Usually Talk About That Sort Of Thing.
(MURQGATWDUTATSOT).
I'm not sure I like it though. The acronym looks kind of "diabolical"...
Make the UK Really Quite Good Again, Though We Don't Usually Talk About That Sort Of Thing.
(MURQGATWDUTATSOT).
I'm not sure I like it though. The acronym looks kind of "diabolical"...
Wondering about the editorial process that concluded that ironic Trumpian framing was a good idea. Pitching your tent in these fields never ends well.
December 10, 2025 at 7:33 PM
I've posted about this, before: I thought I'd have a try at something like this but British and came up with...
Make the UK Really Quite Good Again, Though We Don't Usually Talk About That Sort Of Thing.
(MURQGATWDUTATSOT).
I'm not sure I like it though. The acronym looks kind of "diabolical"...
Make the UK Really Quite Good Again, Though We Don't Usually Talk About That Sort Of Thing.
(MURQGATWDUTATSOT).
I'm not sure I like it though. The acronym looks kind of "diabolical"...
Reposted by Rik M
"In the end, I feel more traumatised by the police than by the assault. Which is ridiculous. Everything they did, they did wrong.”
Revealed: scale of rape cases resulting in no further action
Revealed: Majority of rape allegations in England and Wales are closed due to lack of ‘evidence’ or ‘public interest’
www.opendemocracy.net
December 10, 2025 at 11:59 AM
"In the end, I feel more traumatised by the police than by the assault. Which is ridiculous. Everything they did, they did wrong.”
Reposted by Rik M
Of course they put this behind a pay wall.
“There are moments when I catch myself wishing she would just discover she wants to live as a boy,” says Ruby’s mum, “not because I doubt her identity but because I fear for her future in the UK."
Please share.
archive.is/newest/https...
“There are moments when I catch myself wishing she would just discover she wants to live as a boy,” says Ruby’s mum, “not because I doubt her identity but because I fear for her future in the UK."
Please share.
archive.is/newest/https...
archive.is
December 9, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Of course they put this behind a pay wall.
“There are moments when I catch myself wishing she would just discover she wants to live as a boy,” says Ruby’s mum, “not because I doubt her identity but because I fear for her future in the UK."
Please share.
archive.is/newest/https...
“There are moments when I catch myself wishing she would just discover she wants to live as a boy,” says Ruby’s mum, “not because I doubt her identity but because I fear for her future in the UK."
Please share.
archive.is/newest/https...
Reposted by Rik M
If you’re tired of explaining yourself and the misreporting of the Peggie tribunal to your lazy and ignorant friends save your energy and send them this.
open.substack.com/pub/ajustsoc...
open.substack.com/pub/ajustsoc...
When the Law Said No: How Gender Critical Arguments Failed in Court
A plain English guide to what the Peggie judgment actually decided
open.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:12 PM
If you’re tired of explaining yourself and the misreporting of the Peggie tribunal to your lazy and ignorant friends save your energy and send them this.
open.substack.com/pub/ajustsoc...
open.substack.com/pub/ajustsoc...
Reposted by Rik M
'After two years of being subject to relentless criticism which saw her attacked on the front pages of leading newspapers and talked about incessantly on social media, Dr. Beth Upton has been cleared on all counts.'
bylines.scot/society/beth...
bylines.scot/society/beth...
Beth Upton exonerated, NHS Fife found guilty of harassment
Two years of misery for two women show the damage done when moral panic overwhelms common sense in workplace matters
bylines.scot
December 9, 2025 at 12:22 PM
'After two years of being subject to relentless criticism which saw her attacked on the front pages of leading newspapers and talked about incessantly on social media, Dr. Beth Upton has been cleared on all counts.'
bylines.scot/society/beth...
bylines.scot/society/beth...
Reposted by Rik M
The longer a man stays in a form not his own, the greater this peril.
December 9, 2025 at 12:25 PM
The longer a man stays in a form not his own, the greater this peril.
Reposted by Rik M
The Thing (1982, John Carpenter)
December 9, 2025 at 2:27 AM
The Thing (1982, John Carpenter)
Reposted by Rik M
My thread earlier focused on the discussion re. FWS - but I just want to draw this out really explicitly:
The press absolutely monstered Dr Beth Upton in the most appalling way – only for the Tribunal to find that Beth had done nothing wrong, but that Sandie Peggie had harassed her.
The press absolutely monstered Dr Beth Upton in the most appalling way – only for the Tribunal to find that Beth had done nothing wrong, but that Sandie Peggie had harassed her.
Also worth noting, the Tribunal found that Sandie Peggie had harassed Dr Beth Upton in a "hate incident".
December 8, 2025 at 7:02 PM
My thread earlier focused on the discussion re. FWS - but I just want to draw this out really explicitly:
The press absolutely monstered Dr Beth Upton in the most appalling way – only for the Tribunal to find that Beth had done nothing wrong, but that Sandie Peggie had harassed her.
The press absolutely monstered Dr Beth Upton in the most appalling way – only for the Tribunal to find that Beth had done nothing wrong, but that Sandie Peggie had harassed her.