Becky Mynett
@beckymynett.bsky.social
Church Musician, Translator (French to English, mostly academic history) & Copyeditor, Reader (LLM) and Member of CofE General Synod.
Reposted by Becky Mynett
You know, I'm not sure I ever really read the Pond Rules at our local nature preserve all that closely before
November 25, 2025 at 1:24 AM
You know, I'm not sure I ever really read the Pond Rules at our local nature preserve all that closely before
Reposted by Becky Mynett
OK - pie discourse - best pie story:
In 2016, we were living in Andover, in the UK. My wife was assigned as an exchange officer at the Army Air Corps base at Middle Wallop (yes, really).*
The US Army has a tradition: senior leaders, in dress uniform, serve junior troops Thanksgiving dinner.
/1
In 2016, we were living in Andover, in the UK. My wife was assigned as an exchange officer at the Army Air Corps base at Middle Wallop (yes, really).*
The US Army has a tradition: senior leaders, in dress uniform, serve junior troops Thanksgiving dinner.
/1
November 26, 2025 at 5:02 AM
OK - pie discourse - best pie story:
In 2016, we were living in Andover, in the UK. My wife was assigned as an exchange officer at the Army Air Corps base at Middle Wallop (yes, really).*
The US Army has a tradition: senior leaders, in dress uniform, serve junior troops Thanksgiving dinner.
/1
In 2016, we were living in Andover, in the UK. My wife was assigned as an exchange officer at the Army Air Corps base at Middle Wallop (yes, really).*
The US Army has a tradition: senior leaders, in dress uniform, serve junior troops Thanksgiving dinner.
/1
Reposted by Becky Mynett
People in multilingual countries were less likely to show signs of accelerated brain ageing.
Even better, the effect was strongest in people in their 70s and 80s.
theconversation.com/how-multilin...
Even better, the effect was strongest in people in their 70s and 80s.
theconversation.com/how-multilin...
How multilingualism can protect against brain ageing
A study of 86,000 older adults across Europe shows people who speak multiple languages tend to age more slowly than monolinguals.
theconversation.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:51 AM
People in multilingual countries were less likely to show signs of accelerated brain ageing.
Even better, the effect was strongest in people in their 70s and 80s.
theconversation.com/how-multilin...
Even better, the effect was strongest in people in their 70s and 80s.
theconversation.com/how-multilin...
Reposted by Becky Mynett
This is a late ancient (5-7th c.?) Greek account of the life of a rich woman who was raised Jewish, converted to Christianity when her parents died, lived for 20 years as a male monk named John, was discovered & made head of a woman's monastery, & was later martyred
well, what the heck. it's the tuesday before thanksgiving, and whoever is on here deserves a treat: the first new translation I've posted in a long while: the Life and Martyrdom of Susanna:
andrewjacobs.org/translations...
andrewjacobs.org/translations...
Life and Martyrdom of Susanna
andrewjacobs.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:27 PM
This is a late ancient (5-7th c.?) Greek account of the life of a rich woman who was raised Jewish, converted to Christianity when her parents died, lived for 20 years as a male monk named John, was discovered & made head of a woman's monastery, & was later martyred
Reposted by Becky Mynett
Sometimes wonder if what the UK needs is a thinktank that doesn't do any new research, it just repeats obviously true statements that people try to ignore because they're inconvenient.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
November 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Sometimes wonder if what the UK needs is a thinktank that doesn't do any new research, it just repeats obviously true statements that people try to ignore because they're inconvenient.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
Reposted by Becky Mynett
Reposted by Becky Mynett
Related to this: A favourite point of mine to make when I'm teaching source criticism to students is that we have had newspapers for the better part of five centuries, & this is a media technology that we as a society still do not properly understand.
Frankly, I'm not sure people have the brains to manage the technology they've got
- Hobbes, Calvin & Hobbes 28.12.89
- Hobbes, Calvin & Hobbes 28.12.89
November 25, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Related to this: A favourite point of mine to make when I'm teaching source criticism to students is that we have had newspapers for the better part of five centuries, & this is a media technology that we as a society still do not properly understand.
Reposted by Becky Mynett
Reposted by Becky Mynett
I haven't spotted letterpress print artists here in my friends list (as yet!), but if you know some — tell them that my Amalta is now available as a real wood type!
Mark McKellier will cut it in sets required.
UK
#font #woodtype #letterpress #typography
mckellier.com/products/ama...
Mark McKellier will cut it in sets required.
UK
#font #woodtype #letterpress #typography
mckellier.com/products/ama...
'Amalta' letterpress woodtype typeface
Introducing 'Amalta' - based on designer Vera Evstafieva's own calligraphic studies using a flat brush. Overlapping strokes and terminals are characteristic for Amalta. It features powerful black shap...
mckellier.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:05 PM
I haven't spotted letterpress print artists here in my friends list (as yet!), but if you know some — tell them that my Amalta is now available as a real wood type!
Mark McKellier will cut it in sets required.
UK
#font #woodtype #letterpress #typography
mckellier.com/products/ama...
Mark McKellier will cut it in sets required.
UK
#font #woodtype #letterpress #typography
mckellier.com/products/ama...
Reposted by Becky Mynett
THIS
It saves a tremendous amount of overhead (money) and time (money) and complications (people who are eligible dropping out because they can't prove they are), but mostly it forecloses an extremely common form of fiscal parental abuse.
It saves a tremendous amount of overhead (money) and time (money) and complications (people who are eligible dropping out because they can't prove they are), but mostly it forecloses an extremely common form of fiscal parental abuse.
Periodically I see people justifying means-testing to ensure The Rich don't get stuff for free when they can afford it.
I see the logic, but we can just tax them more.
Plus, the BIGGEST thing not means-testing solves is
*deep breath*
IT STOPS RICH PEOPLE FINANCIALLY-ABUSING THEIR KIDS ANYMORE.
I see the logic, but we can just tax them more.
Plus, the BIGGEST thing not means-testing solves is
*deep breath*
IT STOPS RICH PEOPLE FINANCIALLY-ABUSING THEIR KIDS ANYMORE.
November 24, 2025 at 7:19 AM
THIS
It saves a tremendous amount of overhead (money) and time (money) and complications (people who are eligible dropping out because they can't prove they are), but mostly it forecloses an extremely common form of fiscal parental abuse.
It saves a tremendous amount of overhead (money) and time (money) and complications (people who are eligible dropping out because they can't prove they are), but mostly it forecloses an extremely common form of fiscal parental abuse.
Nice to see an article about musicology in the Graun. Struck by: “If a doctor makes a mistake it’s not such a big deal. But as a musicologist, if I make an error it will sit in books in libraries for hundreds of years.”
‘An inner duty’: the 35-year quest to bring Bach’s lost organ works to light
Musicologist Peter Wollny chanced upon the manuscripts in 1992 and authenticating them took half of his lifetime
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Nice to see an article about musicology in the Graun. Struck by: “If a doctor makes a mistake it’s not such a big deal. But as a musicologist, if I make an error it will sit in books in libraries for hundreds of years.”
Reposted by Becky Mynett
A friend who teaches theology shared with me a post about CS Lewis's Mere Christianity, which discusses foundational Christian logic across denominations. It reminded me of Dale's tweet below, and I wanted to share some thoughts here regarding modesty and respectability, which are often hot topics.
November 23, 2025 at 7:35 PM
A friend who teaches theology shared with me a post about CS Lewis's Mere Christianity, which discusses foundational Christian logic across denominations. It reminded me of Dale's tweet below, and I wanted to share some thoughts here regarding modesty and respectability, which are often hot topics.
Reposted by Becky Mynett
It would be so helpful if you could RT my post above about my Etsy shop. I haven't been able to work for more than half the year due to severe depression/a breakdown. If you see this & could spare a few moments for a RT it would help me put my designs in front of a few more eyes. Thankyou so much🌿
November 23, 2025 at 12:07 PM
It would be so helpful if you could RT my post above about my Etsy shop. I haven't been able to work for more than half the year due to severe depression/a breakdown. If you see this & could spare a few moments for a RT it would help me put my designs in front of a few more eyes. Thankyou so much🌿
Reposted by Becky Mynett
So we need to talk about test statistics and trans bathroom bans
These are the way we measure how effective tests are in medicine
So we need to talk about:🧵
These are the way we measure how effective tests are in medicine
So we need to talk about:🧵
June 29, 2025 at 6:56 PM
So we need to talk about test statistics and trans bathroom bans
These are the way we measure how effective tests are in medicine
So we need to talk about:🧵
These are the way we measure how effective tests are in medicine
So we need to talk about:🧵
Reposted by Becky Mynett
"no matter how proficient AI translation becomes, it can never substitute the cultural understanding and personal rapport that learning a language offers."
Spot on. AI isn't sentient & doesn't understand people. Trade, diplomacy, communication are about people
www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-p...
Spot on. AI isn't sentient & doesn't understand people. Trade, diplomacy, communication are about people
www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-p...
In praise of learning German
The University of Nottingham has just announced that it is closing its languages department. This is a mistake.
www.spectator.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 8:59 AM
"no matter how proficient AI translation becomes, it can never substitute the cultural understanding and personal rapport that learning a language offers."
Spot on. AI isn't sentient & doesn't understand people. Trade, diplomacy, communication are about people
www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-p...
Spot on. AI isn't sentient & doesn't understand people. Trade, diplomacy, communication are about people
www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-p...
Reposted by Becky Mynett
Yes! This is so important! Machine Learning is doing wonderful things like mapping Martian craters and analyzing microbe genomes. LLMs are a very specific form & it’s them doing these huge amounts of harm. I also sometimes say “Gen AI”
when I mean both LLMs and art generators; I try to never say AI
when I mean both LLMs and art generators; I try to never say AI
Journalist challenge: Use “Machine Learning” when you mean machine learning and “LLM” when you mean LLM. Ditch “AI” as a catch-all term, it’s not useful for readers and it helps companies trying to confuse the public by obscuring the roles played by different technologies. 🧪
November 22, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Yes! This is so important! Machine Learning is doing wonderful things like mapping Martian craters and analyzing microbe genomes. LLMs are a very specific form & it’s them doing these huge amounts of harm. I also sometimes say “Gen AI”
when I mean both LLMs and art generators; I try to never say AI
when I mean both LLMs and art generators; I try to never say AI
Reposted by Becky Mynett
Prevalence rates are no guide as to whether a condition is 'real' or overdiagnosed. 1 in 8 men get diagnosed with prostate cancer. Incidence rates have risen 55% since 1990. We accept this is due to better awareness & screening, & people surviving other conditions, not a fad or medical overreach.
November 22, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Prevalence rates are no guide as to whether a condition is 'real' or overdiagnosed. 1 in 8 men get diagnosed with prostate cancer. Incidence rates have risen 55% since 1990. We accept this is due to better awareness & screening, & people surviving other conditions, not a fad or medical overreach.
#CofEPeeps Having long thought (Lay) Reader an opaque title (NB,I am one) and advocated for Licensed Lay Minister instead, I may be starting to feel glad we’ve stuck with Reader in our diocese.
LLMs have a tendency towards gaslighting & waste an awful lot of time and energy. Much the same as their enthusiasts.
November 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
#CofEPeeps Having long thought (Lay) Reader an opaque title (NB,I am one) and advocated for Licensed Lay Minister instead, I may be starting to feel glad we’ve stuck with Reader in our diocese.
Reposted by Becky Mynett
CALLING #ChurchOfEngland members: Deadline for signing #InclusiveChurch's open letter to the #HouseOfBishops calling for leadership, direction and clear support for #LGBTQ+ people is midnight THIS SUNDAY 23 November. Please sign & share: inclusive-church.org/llf-open-letter #LLF #PLF
November 21, 2025 at 5:02 PM
CALLING #ChurchOfEngland members: Deadline for signing #InclusiveChurch's open letter to the #HouseOfBishops calling for leadership, direction and clear support for #LGBTQ+ people is midnight THIS SUNDAY 23 November. Please sign & share: inclusive-church.org/llf-open-letter #LLF #PLF
Really interesting book review, highlighting issues of religion, among other things.
Trans Day of Remembrance was yesterday, when my review of this fascinating book on early #trans history was published by the Friends of #QueerHistory. Coming soon, there’ll be a Finnish translation (of the review, could you translate the whole book?) sateenkaarihistoria.fi/trans-histor...
Trans Historical: Gender Plurality before the Modern - Sateenkaarihistorian ystävät
Trans Historical is a fascinating exploration of gender-nonconforming lives lived before Enlightenment gender binaries.
sateenkaarihistoria.fi
November 21, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Really interesting book review, highlighting issues of religion, among other things.
These look amazing! (Whole thread is lovely.)
Minō in Ōsaka is famed for its deep fried momiji (もみじの天ぷら).
🍁Red leaves are too hard.
💛Yellow leaves are picked and pickled in brine (giving them flavour and preserving them for year-long use).
🔥Leaves are battered, fried with sesame oil, sugared, and left overnight.
🍁Red leaves are too hard.
💛Yellow leaves are picked and pickled in brine (giving them flavour and preserving them for year-long use).
🔥Leaves are battered, fried with sesame oil, sugared, and left overnight.
November 21, 2025 at 8:49 AM
These look amazing! (Whole thread is lovely.)
Reposted by Becky Mynett
This morning's discourse on how LLMs fuel misconceptions & strengthen people's delusions reminds me of a student of mine who, in the early days of ChatGPT, used it for an exam essay. The replies to his prompts caused him to delve into an irrelevant topic without even trying to make it relevant.(1/n)
November 21, 2025 at 8:07 AM
This morning's discourse on how LLMs fuel misconceptions & strengthen people's delusions reminds me of a student of mine who, in the early days of ChatGPT, used it for an exam essay. The replies to his prompts caused him to delve into an irrelevant topic without even trying to make it relevant.(1/n)
Reposted by Becky Mynett
A reminder: Many behaviors that get framed as 'oppositional' are actually happening because an autistic/ND person has trouble with motor programming. Per @deborahbuddingphd.blackskycomra.de, interviewed at TPGA:
thinkingautismguide.com/2023/06/on-p... #autism #neurodiversity #autistic
thinkingautismguide.com/2023/06/on-p... #autism #neurodiversity #autistic
Taking the Pathological Out of PDA: A Talk With Dr. Deb Budding
On PDA: There are a lot of reasons someone would resist doing something, and it's often more complex than it appears on the surface.
thinkingautismguide.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:29 AM
A reminder: Many behaviors that get framed as 'oppositional' are actually happening because an autistic/ND person has trouble with motor programming. Per @deborahbuddingphd.blackskycomra.de, interviewed at TPGA:
thinkingautismguide.com/2023/06/on-p... #autism #neurodiversity #autistic
thinkingautismguide.com/2023/06/on-p... #autism #neurodiversity #autistic
A cautionary tale…
I spent six months knitting a jumper for Tim. I finished it in time for his birthday in September. It fitted and he wore it for two months. Then, without thinking, he put it in an ordinary wash load… 1/2
I spent six months knitting a jumper for Tim. I finished it in time for his birthday in September. It fitted and he wore it for two months. Then, without thinking, he put it in an ordinary wash load… 1/2
November 20, 2025 at 8:07 PM
A cautionary tale…
I spent six months knitting a jumper for Tim. I finished it in time for his birthday in September. It fitted and he wore it for two months. Then, without thinking, he put it in an ordinary wash load… 1/2
I spent six months knitting a jumper for Tim. I finished it in time for his birthday in September. It fitted and he wore it for two months. Then, without thinking, he put it in an ordinary wash load… 1/2
Reposted by Becky Mynett
