Prof Col Macpherson
@colinmacpherson.bsky.social
Rock ̵e̵t̵ ̵ scientist @durhamearthsci.bsky.social 🧪⚒️
Husband, dad, typographical errer
Husband, dad, typographical errer
Wait. This can’t be right. What is this strange, joyous feeling? 🏴💙💪
Back at the World Cup after 28 years.
Back at the World Cup after 28 years.
November 18, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Wait. This can’t be right. What is this strange, joyous feeling? 🏴💙💪
Back at the World Cup after 28 years.
Back at the World Cup after 28 years.
Nope. It would appear there is not. 🤦♂️
November 16, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Nope. It would appear there is not. 🤦♂️
Good grief, is there no end to the ways Scotland make themselves agonising to support 🏴
November 15, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Good grief, is there no end to the ways Scotland make themselves agonising to support 🏴
... following this logic my dog must be hydroponic.
November 13, 2025 at 1:30 PM
... following this logic my dog must be hydroponic.
OTD in 1988 Steve Archibald's iconic clincher for @thehibees.bsky.social against Hearts. First Edinburgh derby match I had missed in years. I was sat in A&E having just ruptured two knee ligaments playing in goal for @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social AFC. #GGTTH 💚⚽
November 12, 2025 at 5:18 PM
OTD in 1988 Steve Archibald's iconic clincher for @thehibees.bsky.social against Hearts. First Edinburgh derby match I had missed in years. I was sat in A&E having just ruptured two knee ligaments playing in goal for @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social AFC. #GGTTH 💚⚽
The Stranglers, Newcastle City Hall, 21 October 2025 🖤🐀
November 7, 2025 at 11:07 AM
The Stranglers, Newcastle City Hall, 21 October 2025 🖤🐀
Taken five years ago when I went to do a little rock herding in the vicinity. The strontian granodiorite (which does not contain the mineral strontianite) is one of the most beautiful rocks anywhere.⚒️🧪
October 31, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Taken five years ago when I went to do a little rock herding in the vicinity. The strontian granodiorite (which does not contain the mineral strontianite) is one of the most beautiful rocks anywhere.⚒️🧪
Happy World Lemur Day!
October 31, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Happy World Lemur Day!
To identify birefringence use SEQUENCES of interference colours. Olivine phenocrysts in this Rio Grande alkali basalt demonstrate this for 4th order green. Magentas near top of orders are particularly useful for this. 🧪⚒️🌋 🧵1/2 #ThinSectionThursday
October 30, 2025 at 1:31 PM
To identify birefringence use SEQUENCES of interference colours. Olivine phenocrysts in this Rio Grande alkali basalt demonstrate this for 4th order green. Magentas near top of orders are particularly useful for this. 🧪⚒️🌋 🧵1/2 #ThinSectionThursday
Imaginative ways to say "I doubt that very much" #37. PJ Wyllie, 1984. 🧪⚒️🌋 #ScienceWriting #scicomm
October 24, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Imaginative ways to say "I doubt that very much" #37. PJ Wyllie, 1984. 🧪⚒️🌋 #ScienceWriting #scicomm
Etendeka alkaline dolerite for #ThinSectionThursday. XPL view showing vibrant, equant olivine crystals (mid-right), and classic ophitic texture of plagioclase laths (black and white) surrounded by very large clinopyroxenes. 🧪⚒️
October 23, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Etendeka alkaline dolerite for #ThinSectionThursday. XPL view showing vibrant, equant olivine crystals (mid-right), and classic ophitic texture of plagioclase laths (black and white) surrounded by very large clinopyroxenes. 🧪⚒️
The Stranglers at City Hall Newcastle 21 October 2025 playing Duchess, first of their song I ever heard (many moons ago). Brilliant set. 🖤🐀
October 22, 2025 at 10:12 AM
The Stranglers at City Hall Newcastle 21 October 2025 playing Duchess, first of their song I ever heard (many moons ago). Brilliant set. 🖤🐀
Evening Shelob 👋
October 10, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Evening Shelob 👋
Well that’s just marvellous
October 3, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Well that’s just marvellous
Oh Jay, have I got a book for you …
October 2, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Oh Jay, have I got a book for you …
Spectacular concentric zoning and twinning of large titanaugite in essexite (nepheline monzogabbro) from Lennoxtown, Scotland. Plagioclase inclusions within the phenocryst align with zoning just as proximal groundmass plagioclase align with its edge. #ThinSectionThursday 🧪⚒️
October 2, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Spectacular concentric zoning and twinning of large titanaugite in essexite (nepheline monzogabbro) from Lennoxtown, Scotland. Plagioclase inclusions within the phenocryst align with zoning just as proximal groundmass plagioclase align with its edge. #ThinSectionThursday 🧪⚒️
"that smells good"
October 2, 2025 at 11:17 AM
"that smells good"
Co-pilot does not disagree
![Picture of Co-Pilot output with prompt: "Is co-pilot going to be the death of us all?" and response:
"Not unless you're planning to challenge me to a game of chess and bet your life on it [laughing emoji]
Seriously though, the idea that AI like Copilot could be dangerous is a valid concern—but it's not a foregone conclusion. Like any powerful technology, it depends on how it's used, who's using it, and what safeguards are in place. Copilot is designed to be helpful, transparent, and safe. I don’t make decisions for people, I don’t act independently, and I don’t have access to anything unless you give it to me.
That said, there are broader debates about AI’s role in society—ranging from job displacement and misinformation to ethical dilemmas and long-term risks. Some thinkers, like Nick Bostrom and Eliezer Yudkowsky, warn about existential threats if AI becomes superintelligent without proper alignment. Others argue that the real danger is overhyping AI and ignoring more immediate issues like bias, surveillance, or economic inequality.
If you're curious, I can walk you through the most compelling arguments on both sides. Want to explore the optimistic view or the cautionary one first?"](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xnqkhmlakhl2b6rfuxf62f6n/bafkreicgecrgnlv5gwutvtq2d2havzc6wdcetzajuloruytygdk46jdege@jpeg)
September 25, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Co-pilot does not disagree
Sodalite-rich portion of lajuvrite from Ilimaussaq, Greenland. Large, euhedral (isometric) sodalite crystals are black in XPL. Interstitial aegirine augite shows green masking over strong interference colours. Collected by the late Henry Emeleus #ThinSectionThursday 🧪⚒️
September 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Sodalite-rich portion of lajuvrite from Ilimaussaq, Greenland. Large, euhedral (isometric) sodalite crystals are black in XPL. Interstitial aegirine augite shows green masking over strong interference colours. Collected by the late Henry Emeleus #ThinSectionThursday 🧪⚒️
It is skinnier and has less of a bell end.
September 12, 2025 at 12:59 PM
It is skinnier and has less of a bell end.
In 2019 @durhamearthsci.bsky.social welcomed Holmes's granddaughter (Mary, in scarf) and great granddaughter (Tahareh, plaid skirt) to the Arthur Holmes Building. Picture includes me (tallest) and Prof Jon Gluyas holding his copy of "Holmes". ⚒️🧪🧵1/2
September 11, 2025 at 4:10 PM
In 2019 @durhamearthsci.bsky.social welcomed Holmes's granddaughter (Mary, in scarf) and great granddaughter (Tahareh, plaid skirt) to the Arthur Holmes Building. Picture includes me (tallest) and Prof Jon Gluyas holding his copy of "Holmes". ⚒️🧪🧵1/2