Will Tattersdill
@tattersdill.bsky.social
Writer and teacher. Literature and science, dinosaurs, fantasy/sci-fi, alternate history, worldbuilding, periodicals, museums, etc. Fiction as W. J. Tattersdill. He/him.
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
If writing is so easy why do people argue that they can’t do it without the pablumatic verbiage extruder
And if it’s so difficult then why do people think it’s not labour and writers are not workers
And if it’s so difficult then why do people think it’s not labour and writers are not workers
November 27, 2025 at 4:10 AM
If writing is so easy why do people argue that they can’t do it without the pablumatic verbiage extruder
And if it’s so difficult then why do people think it’s not labour and writers are not workers
And if it’s so difficult then why do people think it’s not labour and writers are not workers
This unfortunately matches the sense I got from my (Lab) MP when I went to talk to him about this issue. A single enormous shrug. Baffling
I stopped here, I can't face listening to much more of this, it's morally, strategically, and just politically appalling how little care, thought, and effort has gone into higher education. They thoroughly do not care.
Asked about funding balance, Smith demonstrates how irrevocably we all live in George Osborne's world.
She just says its not their problem. "We might take a view."
I'm stopping now, this is simply the British state shrugging its shoulders about a profound aspect of our society. That's all it is.
She just says its not their problem. "We might take a view."
I'm stopping now, this is simply the British state shrugging its shoulders about a profound aspect of our society. That's all it is.
November 25, 2025 at 12:10 PM
This unfortunately matches the sense I got from my (Lab) MP when I went to talk to him about this issue. A single enormous shrug. Baffling
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
Asked about funding balance, Smith demonstrates how irrevocably we all live in George Osborne's world.
She just says its not their problem. "We might take a view."
I'm stopping now, this is simply the British state shrugging its shoulders about a profound aspect of our society. That's all it is.
She just says its not their problem. "We might take a view."
I'm stopping now, this is simply the British state shrugging its shoulders about a profound aspect of our society. That's all it is.
November 25, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Asked about funding balance, Smith demonstrates how irrevocably we all live in George Osborne's world.
She just says its not their problem. "We might take a view."
I'm stopping now, this is simply the British state shrugging its shoulders about a profound aspect of our society. That's all it is.
She just says its not their problem. "We might take a view."
I'm stopping now, this is simply the British state shrugging its shoulders about a profound aspect of our society. That's all it is.
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
"A system built on specialisation, efficiency", that right there is the death knell for the current university system in the UK, if (big if) government pushes it through. They actively don't want HE to grow, they will intervene, apparently, to help it shrink.
per this morning's education committee.
per this morning's education committee.
November 25, 2025 at 10:06 AM
"A system built on specialisation, efficiency", that right there is the death knell for the current university system in the UK, if (big if) government pushes it through. They actively don't want HE to grow, they will intervene, apparently, to help it shrink.
per this morning's education committee.
per this morning's education committee.
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
Oh. But, I guess, yay that UUK finally discovered they had a voice and could actually use it to mention, politely, in passing, the utter destruction of one of the UK's major industries. Decade too late but ho hum.
'Ahead of the autumn budget on 26 November, Universities UK (UUK) has calculated that funding per student for teaching in 2025-26 is at 64 per cent of the level it was in 2015-16.' 1/3
University teaching income ‘£6.4 billon less’ than 10 years ago
UUK says shortfall in teaching money is ‘baked in’ to higher education funding system as institutions brace for new tax in upcoming budget
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Oh. But, I guess, yay that UUK finally discovered they had a voice and could actually use it to mention, politely, in passing, the utter destruction of one of the UK's major industries. Decade too late but ho hum.
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
“JK Rowling may claim to be cancelled, but her book sales and platform would argue differently.”
This is a great dissection of the term “cancelled” 👍🏾
This is a great dissection of the term “cancelled” 👍🏾
It’s time to stop claiming people are ‘cancelled’ on.ft.com/4r6sBEy | opinion
It’s time to stop claiming people are ‘cancelled’
The phrase is permission not to think too closely
on.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:25 AM
“JK Rowling may claim to be cancelled, but her book sales and platform would argue differently.”
This is a great dissection of the term “cancelled” 👍🏾
This is a great dissection of the term “cancelled” 👍🏾
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
November 21, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
To “my students and to anyone who might listen, I say: Don’t surrender to AI your ability to read, write and think when others once risked their lives and died for the freedom to do so.”
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
I Set A Trap To Catch My Students Cheating With AI. The Results Were Shocking.
"Students are not just undermining their ability to learn, but to someday lead."
www.huffpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:22 AM
To “my students and to anyone who might listen, I say: Don’t surrender to AI your ability to read, write and think when others once risked their lives and died for the freedom to do so.”
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
If Britain had had this rule 12 years ago, my family would not live here. If you believe we contribute anything, the point is obvious. But you don't *even* have to believe that. I'm British by birth. This would have been effective exile for me
British citizens who marry foreigners will have to make sure their spouses have a minimum income of £12,500 for 3 to 5 years, or they won't get indefinite leave to remain, the UK government has proposed. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691edd...
November 21, 2025 at 9:57 AM
If Britain had had this rule 12 years ago, my family would not live here. If you believe we contribute anything, the point is obvious. But you don't *even* have to believe that. I'm British by birth. This would have been effective exile for me
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
It’s fun to think about the surgeon who will botch your surgery 20 years from now and what he’s doing at this moment. He just ran all his homework through ChatGPT. He just read that article about vaccines and autism at the CDC website. He just watched an Instagram video about the moon landing hoax.
November 21, 2025 at 4:27 AM
It’s fun to think about the surgeon who will botch your surgery 20 years from now and what he’s doing at this moment. He just ran all his homework through ChatGPT. He just read that article about vaccines and autism at the CDC website. He just watched an Instagram video about the moon landing hoax.
It would be amazing to be able even to pretend for a day that there will be consequences, but we all know - we always knew - that they'd walk away from it. Why even print the inquiry I wonder www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Covid report lays bare Boris Johnson’s complacency and lack of leadership
Damning analysis finds former PM failed to act with urgency and was disengaged in early stage of the pandemic
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:03 AM
It would be amazing to be able even to pretend for a day that there will be consequences, but we all know - we always knew - that they'd walk away from it. Why even print the inquiry I wonder www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
This week, I withdrew from a speaking engagement at a public university because they sent me a list of prohibited “words & concepts.” I will not humor this censorship. It does a disservice to the stories I’m discussing & the audience, who deserve unfettered access to information & conversation.
November 20, 2025 at 10:20 PM
This week, I withdrew from a speaking engagement at a public university because they sent me a list of prohibited “words & concepts.” I will not humor this censorship. It does a disservice to the stories I’m discussing & the audience, who deserve unfettered access to information & conversation.
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
I really hate it when scientists keep saying that “we need to rebuild trust in science,” because it implies that scientists are to blame for the mistrust rather than the millions of dollars of dark money that have funded political attacks on science in order to advance a far right agenda.
November 19, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I really hate it when scientists keep saying that “we need to rebuild trust in science,” because it implies that scientists are to blame for the mistrust rather than the millions of dollars of dark money that have funded political attacks on science in order to advance a far right agenda.
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
‘dear rax, the VP at my day job is an AI true believer and it fills me with despair — is hope lost?’
www.patreon.com/posts/143594...
www.patreon.com/posts/143594...
November 14, 2025 at 8:29 PM
‘dear rax, the VP at my day job is an AI true believer and it fills me with despair — is hope lost?’
www.patreon.com/posts/143594...
www.patreon.com/posts/143594...
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
The AI bubble may be about to bust.
Peter Thiel has sold all of his Nvidia stock.
We all need to say this very clearly:
NO BAILOUTS FOR THEFT-TECH!
Expropriate their asses instead.
They stole from all of us and fully plan to burn the planet.
They owe us - not the other way around. 1/3
Peter Thiel has sold all of his Nvidia stock.
We all need to say this very clearly:
NO BAILOUTS FOR THEFT-TECH!
Expropriate their asses instead.
They stole from all of us and fully plan to burn the planet.
They owe us - not the other way around. 1/3
November 17, 2025 at 6:37 AM
The AI bubble may be about to bust.
Peter Thiel has sold all of his Nvidia stock.
We all need to say this very clearly:
NO BAILOUTS FOR THEFT-TECH!
Expropriate their asses instead.
They stole from all of us and fully plan to burn the planet.
They owe us - not the other way around. 1/3
Peter Thiel has sold all of his Nvidia stock.
We all need to say this very clearly:
NO BAILOUTS FOR THEFT-TECH!
Expropriate their asses instead.
They stole from all of us and fully plan to burn the planet.
They owe us - not the other way around. 1/3
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
I'm on strike for the next three days in protest at my employer's refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies as part of their cost-cutting vision for a radically diminished university. My school makes a healthy profit, most of which goes back into central coffers, yet still we're told to save more.
November 17, 2025 at 10:58 AM
I'm on strike for the next three days in protest at my employer's refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies as part of their cost-cutting vision for a radically diminished university. My school makes a healthy profit, most of which goes back into central coffers, yet still we're told to save more.
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
steam is apparently allowing "this game had AI in it that it didn't disclose" as a valid return statement, so if you or anyone you know actually paid $70 for slop, get that money back
Insulting to the players, insulting to the IP, insulting to the medium, the developers. And the craft itself. Fuck you executives who pushed this garbage.
frvr.com/blog/call-of...
frvr.com/blog/call-of...
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is littered with AI art slop, because your $70 means nothing anymore
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is littered with AI generated artwork which makes the $70 feel like a complete rip-off.
frvr.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:10 AM
steam is apparently allowing "this game had AI in it that it didn't disclose" as a valid return statement, so if you or anyone you know actually paid $70 for slop, get that money back
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
Friends at Sheffield Hallam University are on strike, having lost over 1000 members of staff over the last 2 years
📢 Solidarity in Action: Day One Strike Highlights
Today was powerful! Our members showed incredible unity and resolve on the first day of strike action. We stood together, loud and proud, demonstrating our commitment to fighting in our dispute!!!
#SaveSheffieldHallam
Today was powerful! Our members showed incredible unity and resolve on the first day of strike action. We stood together, loud and proud, demonstrating our commitment to fighting in our dispute!!!
#SaveSheffieldHallam
November 13, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Friends at Sheffield Hallam University are on strike, having lost over 1000 members of staff over the last 2 years
A huge pleasure to work on the near-complete run of Fantasy Book Magazine (1981-87) with my periodical history students today!
November 12, 2025 at 8:31 PM
A huge pleasure to work on the near-complete run of Fantasy Book Magazine (1981-87) with my periodical history students today!
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
Reposted by Will Tattersdill
Did not expect pretty much the only British institution to respond to bad faith attacks from the right by telling them to 'do one' would be the National Trust.
Further did not expect the BBC and Labour Party to see the strategy work near perfectly and then decide to completely ignore it.
Further did not expect the BBC and Labour Party to see the strategy work near perfectly and then decide to completely ignore it.
November 11, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Did not expect pretty much the only British institution to respond to bad faith attacks from the right by telling them to 'do one' would be the National Trust.
Further did not expect the BBC and Labour Party to see the strategy work near perfectly and then decide to completely ignore it.
Further did not expect the BBC and Labour Party to see the strategy work near perfectly and then decide to completely ignore it.
First paragraph of this Zadie Smith piece on the BL is absolutely perfect www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Does Britain value culture any more? Ask the striking workers at the British Library | Zadie Smith
The dispute over pay at this great national institution gets to the heart of our misplaced priorities, says novelist Zadie Smith
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
First paragraph of this Zadie Smith piece on the BL is absolutely perfect www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I love Trollope and you'll never stop me loving Trollope
November 10, 2025 at 1:04 PM
I love Trollope and you'll never stop me loving Trollope