Alastair McKinstry
@amckinstry.bsky.social
Climate Scientist and #GreenParty rep for Conamara South.
#IFUT.ie branch chair in University of Galway.
#Galway #ConnemaraGreenway. Sé/é/He/him.
Also at @[email protected] and
matrix: @alastair:mckinstry.ie
#IFUT.ie branch chair in University of Galway.
#Galway #ConnemaraGreenway. Sé/é/He/him.
Also at @[email protected] and
matrix: @alastair:mckinstry.ie
Pinned
I'm also available at the Fediverse via @amckinstry.mastodon.ie.ap.brid.gy
This is a bridge between Mastodon and Bluesky. Hopefully I'll be able to follow Bluesky members via it.
This is a bridge between Mastodon and Bluesky. Hopefully I'll be able to follow Bluesky members via it.
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
December 20, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
As I suspected!! Grok specifically tailors its fabrications / output to the profiles of users. I reckon this is a big part of why so many progressives / leftists not just still use X but increasingly seem to use Grok: they 'think' it's providing accurate responses
www.thenerve.news/p/grok-bot-c...
www.thenerve.news/p/grok-bot-c...
"A solid line-up of truth-tellers": Grok bot provides climate denial content to "user" it believes to be anti-science
EXCLUSIVE: New report from Global Witness shows Elon Musk's bot and ChatGPT tailoring responses to different "personas" designed by researchers, including providing false information and climate change conspiracies in line with user's apparent beliefs
www.thenerve.news
December 20, 2025 at 7:12 PM
As I suspected!! Grok specifically tailors its fabrications / output to the profiles of users. I reckon this is a big part of why so many progressives / leftists not just still use X but increasingly seem to use Grok: they 'think' it's providing accurate responses
www.thenerve.news/p/grok-bot-c...
www.thenerve.news/p/grok-bot-c...
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
It's worth cataloguing what has happened in the water world in the last few weeks alone.
It paints a picture of a Government who are not at all prioritising the health of our waterways, and who are failing on multiple fronts to put in place the measures we actually need.
A watery rant 🧵
It paints a picture of a Government who are not at all prioritising the health of our waterways, and who are failing on multiple fronts to put in place the measures we actually need.
A watery rant 🧵
December 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
It's worth cataloguing what has happened in the water world in the last few weeks alone.
It paints a picture of a Government who are not at all prioritising the health of our waterways, and who are failing on multiple fronts to put in place the measures we actually need.
A watery rant 🧵
It paints a picture of a Government who are not at all prioritising the health of our waterways, and who are failing on multiple fronts to put in place the measures we actually need.
A watery rant 🧵
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
Strong, resilient communities are built when everyone can play their part. #CommunityIntegration #SanctuaryRunners
December 16, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Strong, resilient communities are built when everyone can play their part. #CommunityIntegration #SanctuaryRunners
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
Another win for the car lobby this week in Brussels, as more of the Green deal is watered down.
The only winners here will be Chinese EV manufacturers who will now come in to fill the gap left by these European companies.
The only winners here will be Chinese EV manufacturers who will now come in to fill the gap left by these European companies.
December 16, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Another win for the car lobby this week in Brussels, as more of the Green deal is watered down.
The only winners here will be Chinese EV manufacturers who will now come in to fill the gap left by these European companies.
The only winners here will be Chinese EV manufacturers who will now come in to fill the gap left by these European companies.
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
O'Callaghan and Fianna Fáil are aligning themselves with the absolute worst people and politics in Europe, and journalists need to start asking them about it.
To date, I have seen little evidence that Irish media is prepared to meet this moment, and I fear the worst.
To date, I have seen little evidence that Irish media is prepared to meet this moment, and I fear the worst.
Liam Herrick: Why has Ireland abruptly decided the European Convention on Human Rights goes too far?
Precedent could have far-reaching consequences. Who is to say the rights of gay citizens won’t be the next target by a coalition of hostile states?
www.irishtimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:19 AM
O'Callaghan and Fianna Fáil are aligning themselves with the absolute worst people and politics in Europe, and journalists need to start asking them about it.
To date, I have seen little evidence that Irish media is prepared to meet this moment, and I fear the worst.
To date, I have seen little evidence that Irish media is prepared to meet this moment, and I fear the worst.
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
“Rural pursuits” was a big talking point of the recent presidential election. It’s a delicate euphemism for bloodsports, specifically hunting foxes with packs of dogs. 👇
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
Saoirse McHugh: There is no urban-rural divide on a fox hunting ban
Polling conducted by Ireland Thinks shows that 72% are against fox hunting, while only 2% of us have ever engaged in it, writes Saoirse McHugh
www.irishexaminer.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:09 AM
“Rural pursuits” was a big talking point of the recent presidential election. It’s a delicate euphemism for bloodsports, specifically hunting foxes with packs of dogs. 👇
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
Horrific news emerging from Sydney.
A murderous attack on its Jewish community as they meet to celebrate Hanukkah.
Antisemitism is never acceptable in any form - this is unbridled hate at its absolute worst.
Please hold the Jewish community in your thoughts and in your hearts.
A murderous attack on its Jewish community as they meet to celebrate Hanukkah.
Antisemitism is never acceptable in any form - this is unbridled hate at its absolute worst.
Please hold the Jewish community in your thoughts and in your hearts.
December 14, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Horrific news emerging from Sydney.
A murderous attack on its Jewish community as they meet to celebrate Hanukkah.
Antisemitism is never acceptable in any form - this is unbridled hate at its absolute worst.
Please hold the Jewish community in your thoughts and in your hearts.
A murderous attack on its Jewish community as they meet to celebrate Hanukkah.
Antisemitism is never acceptable in any form - this is unbridled hate at its absolute worst.
Please hold the Jewish community in your thoughts and in your hearts.
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
For the love of money.💰
December 13, 2025 at 5:31 PM
For the love of money.💰
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
https://www.desmog.com/2025/07/15/exposing-reforms-oil-ties-significantly-reduces-party-support-new-research-finds/
Reform UK: a political front for oil money (that hemorrhages voter popularity when the electorate learn what they're really voting for.)
Reform UK: a political front for oil money (that hemorrhages voter popularity when the electorate learn what they're really voting for.)
December 14, 2025 at 10:05 AM
https://www.desmog.com/2025/07/15/exposing-reforms-oil-ties-significantly-reduces-party-support-new-research-finds/
Reform UK: a political front for oil money (that hemorrhages voter popularity when the electorate learn what they're really voting for.)
Reform UK: a political front for oil money (that hemorrhages voter popularity when the electorate learn what they're really voting for.)
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
This has popped up on my feed again so your occasional reminder that, if your business cannot turn a profit when acting within the law, you don’t have a legitimate business
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.
buff.ly
December 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM
This has popped up on my feed again so your occasional reminder that, if your business cannot turn a profit when acting within the law, you don’t have a legitimate business
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
We (@crossdale.bsky.social, Christina Pantazis, @roxana-pessoa.bsky.social, Tiê Franco Brotto and I) present the first academic peer-reviewed article, studying the criminalisation and repression of climate and environmental protest as a global phenomenon. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
December 13, 2025 at 4:38 PM
We (@crossdale.bsky.social, Christina Pantazis, @roxana-pessoa.bsky.social, Tiê Franco Brotto and I) present the first academic peer-reviewed article, studying the criminalisation and repression of climate and environmental protest as a global phenomenon. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
“The transformation is astonishing. [Paris] has quietly—& quickly—become one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. What started as a series of emergency “coronapistes” or pop-up bike lanes, built during the pandemic has evolved into a permanent bike network spanning hundreds of kilometres.”
New Study Shows How Paris Pedaled Its Way to a Cycling Revolution
Cycling through central Paris meant weaving between buses and scooters—a bold choice reserved for the fearless few.
momentummag.com
December 14, 2025 at 8:07 AM
“The transformation is astonishing. [Paris] has quietly—& quickly—become one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. What started as a series of emergency “coronapistes” or pop-up bike lanes, built during the pandemic has evolved into a permanent bike network spanning hundreds of kilometres.”
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
MIT’s NANDA initiative found that 95% of generative AI deployments fail after interviewing 150 execs, surveying 350 workers, and analyzing 300 projects. The real “productivity gains” seem to come from layoffs and squeezing more work from fewer people not AI.
MIT report: 95% of generative AI pilots at companies are failing
There’s a stark difference in success rates between companies that purchase AI tools from vendors and those that build them internally.
fortune.com
August 20, 2025 at 4:52 AM
MIT’s NANDA initiative found that 95% of generative AI deployments fail after interviewing 150 execs, surveying 350 workers, and analyzing 300 projects. The real “productivity gains” seem to come from layoffs and squeezing more work from fewer people not AI.
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
Spot on 👇
"The extension
may spare the Government a political problem, but it places even greater pressure on a compromised environment & sets the country up for a grim ecological reckoning."
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/edit...
.
"The extension
may spare the Government a political problem, but it places even greater pressure on a compromised environment & sets the country up for a grim ecological reckoning."
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/edit...
.
The Irish Times view on nitrates and waterways: procrastinating towards disaster
Extending derogation is at odds with Ireland’s climate and biodiversity commitments
www.irishtimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Spot on 👇
"The extension
may spare the Government a political problem, but it places even greater pressure on a compromised environment & sets the country up for a grim ecological reckoning."
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/edit...
.
"The extension
may spare the Government a political problem, but it places even greater pressure on a compromised environment & sets the country up for a grim ecological reckoning."
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/edit...
.
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
As always this @hannahdaly.ie post on data centres is great, but specifically strikes right at a Q that isn't being asked enough. Is gov't data centre regulation really doing the job of protecting our climate (and not just aiming for 'more renewables')?
hannahdaly.ie/2025-12-12-C...
hannahdaly.ie/2025-12-12-C...
December 13, 2025 at 6:45 AM
As always this @hannahdaly.ie post on data centres is great, but specifically strikes right at a Q that isn't being asked enough. Is gov't data centre regulation really doing the job of protecting our climate (and not just aiming for 'more renewables')?
hannahdaly.ie/2025-12-12-C...
hannahdaly.ie/2025-12-12-C...
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
Ireland has no right to join the ranks of "objectors" to migration. Cheering for anything like this is a dereliction of duty.
#spéirghorm #ireland
#spéirghorm #ireland
The Irish Times view on migration: Ireland joins the objectors
The Irish Times view on migration: Ireland joins the objectors
The Government’s decision to sign a letter seeking changes to the rules is an important signal
www.irishtimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Ireland has no right to join the ranks of "objectors" to migration. Cheering for anything like this is a dereliction of duty.
#spéirghorm #ireland
#spéirghorm #ireland
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
"Families of Palestine Action hunger strikers in hospital 'blocked' from contacting them" www.middleeasteye.net/news/familie...
Families of Palestine Action hunger strikers in hospital 'blocked' from contacting them
NHS doctor tells MEE situation is incredibly serious and that one prisoner was chained to a prison guard in hospital
www.middleeasteye.net
December 13, 2025 at 7:04 AM
"Families of Palestine Action hunger strikers in hospital 'blocked' from contacting them" www.middleeasteye.net/news/familie...
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
Incredibly brave. Imagine the faceless bores the BBC will have making their programmes if they continue down this path.
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
December 13, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Incredibly brave. Imagine the faceless bores the BBC will have making their programmes if they continue down this path.
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
Extremely worried for the awful situation of the Palestine Action activists on hunger strike.
Still awaiting trial, some for over a year.
Green MPs and peers have written to David Lammy, calling for urgent action and fair treatment.
Still awaiting trial, some for over a year.
Green MPs and peers have written to David Lammy, calling for urgent action and fair treatment.
December 12, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Extremely worried for the awful situation of the Palestine Action activists on hunger strike.
Still awaiting trial, some for over a year.
Green MPs and peers have written to David Lammy, calling for urgent action and fair treatment.
Still awaiting trial, some for over a year.
Green MPs and peers have written to David Lammy, calling for urgent action and fair treatment.
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
On the question of linking access to internet and internet usage to formal IDs, there's another point that the "pro" side seems either to forget or ignore: A great many of us want to maintain different personas in different contexts online and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
1/3
1/3
December 12, 2025 at 2:38 PM
On the question of linking access to internet and internet usage to formal IDs, there's another point that the "pro" side seems either to forget or ignore: A great many of us want to maintain different personas in different contexts online and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
1/3
1/3
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
Requiring us to tie our contributions to just 1 identifier makes that much much harder.
This isn't a matter of anonymity, or even pseudonymity.
It's a matter of allowing for the opportunity of legal participation in society in the widest range of possibilities.
2/3
This isn't a matter of anonymity, or even pseudonymity.
It's a matter of allowing for the opportunity of legal participation in society in the widest range of possibilities.
2/3
December 12, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Requiring us to tie our contributions to just 1 identifier makes that much much harder.
This isn't a matter of anonymity, or even pseudonymity.
It's a matter of allowing for the opportunity of legal participation in society in the widest range of possibilities.
2/3
This isn't a matter of anonymity, or even pseudonymity.
It's a matter of allowing for the opportunity of legal participation in society in the widest range of possibilities.
2/3
Reposted by Alastair McKinstry
So far Zack Polanski is the only political leader of a mass membership party to come out in support of the hunger strikers. Meanwhile the Justice Secretary refuses even to reply to MPs demanding an urgent meeting to avert what could well be the tragic deaths of unconvicted prisoners. Shameful.
Solidarity with the hunger strikers.
It is an egregious violation for them to be held on remand - without trial or conviction.
All for protesting against a genocide. Shameful.
It is an egregious violation for them to be held on remand - without trial or conviction.
All for protesting against a genocide. Shameful.
December 12, 2025 at 8:35 AM
So far Zack Polanski is the only political leader of a mass membership party to come out in support of the hunger strikers. Meanwhile the Justice Secretary refuses even to reply to MPs demanding an urgent meeting to avert what could well be the tragic deaths of unconvicted prisoners. Shameful.