Frank Norman
@franknorman.bsky.social
Retired librarian. Interested in science (mainly biomedical), choral music, running, countryside, libraries (of course), literature, the Philippines, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergence.
Reposted by Frank Norman
I wrote about the dirty, demeaning, absolutely booming business of turning something like a shitty bigoted college essay into a shitty public career as a bigot, and also estimated how old Marine Todd would be today. defector.com/the-conserva...
The Conservative Grievance Business Is Always Hiring | Defector
Given his age when he first came to the world’s attention and assuming continued good health in the intervening decade and change, Marine Todd would be in his late 30s today. That would be if he was a...
defector.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I wrote about the dirty, demeaning, absolutely booming business of turning something like a shitty bigoted college essay into a shitty public career as a bigot, and also estimated how old Marine Todd would be today. defector.com/the-conserva...
This is a great example of art inspiring science.
December 2, 2025 at 12:02 PM
This is a great example of art inspiring science.
Reposted by Frank Norman
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
I must must must get to the three choirs in 2026.
Advent Calendar | Day 2️⃣ | Walton's exquisite 'Belshazzar's Feast' closes the first evening concert of Gloucester 2026! This piece is a Festival Chorus favourite and will once again grace the stage of the Three Choirs for the first time since 2013!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSP9...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSP9...
Belshazzar's Feast: I. Thus spake Isaiah
YouTube video by Philharmonia Orchestra - Topic
www.youtube.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:26 AM
I must must must get to the three choirs in 2026.
Reposted by Frank Norman
This poem is dedicated to anyone making a start on their advent calendar today.
December 1, 2025 at 8:05 AM
This poem is dedicated to anyone making a start on their advent calendar today.
Reposted by Frank Norman
I used to point students at this, though lately it's felt somewhat pointless as they're almost fully alienated from their work and most cannot imagine being any part of its maintenance and dissemination.
The Plain Person’s Guide to Plain Text Social Science
The Plain Person’s Guide to Plain Text Social Science
plain-text.co
November 28, 2025 at 10:07 PM
I used to point students at this, though lately it's felt somewhat pointless as they're almost fully alienated from their work and most cannot imagine being any part of its maintenance and dissemination.
Reposted by Frank Norman
RIP Tom Stoppard. With the Russians returning Europe to the barbarism of the Cold War here is his Professional Foul, a great play on the need to confront tyranny honestly
Play of the Week - Professional Foul (1977) by Tom Stoppard & Michael Lindsay-Hogg
YouTube video by Play For Forever
youtube.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:40 PM
RIP Tom Stoppard. With the Russians returning Europe to the barbarism of the Cold War here is his Professional Foul, a great play on the need to confront tyranny honestly
Reposted by Frank Norman
RIP Tom Stoppard, a short tribute to a great playwright
RIP Tom Stoppard: England’s great (Jewish) playwright
Tom Stoppard died today aged 88 – which, as a lover of cricket, he would be the first to say was a decent innings.
open.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:04 PM
RIP Tom Stoppard, a short tribute to a great playwright
Reposted by Frank Norman
The most prestigious international event in the calendar of library and information professionals is coming home to London in 2027.
As President of @cilip.bsky.social I am delighted to share the news of @ifla.org World Library and Information Congress.
www.stationers.org/news/industr...
As President of @cilip.bsky.social I am delighted to share the news of @ifla.org World Library and Information Congress.
www.stationers.org/news/industr...
The World Library and Information Congress is coming to London for the first time in 25 years
The most prestigious international event in the calendar of library and information professionals is coming home to London in 2027. Freeman Sue Lacey Bryant who
www.stationers.org
November 30, 2025 at 11:25 AM
The most prestigious international event in the calendar of library and information professionals is coming home to London in 2027.
As President of @cilip.bsky.social I am delighted to share the news of @ifla.org World Library and Information Congress.
www.stationers.org/news/industr...
As President of @cilip.bsky.social I am delighted to share the news of @ifla.org World Library and Information Congress.
www.stationers.org/news/industr...
Reposted by Frank Norman
@wikipathways still has a good number (200 to 250) pathways that do not have a single reference (which does not mean no references were used): https://www.wikipathways.org/wikipathways-collection/index2#at-least-one-reference
I think we need some gamification here... a few tools that take the […]
I think we need some gamification here... a few tools that take the […]
Original post on social.edu.nl
social.edu.nl
November 30, 2025 at 8:35 AM
@wikipathways still has a good number (200 to 250) pathways that do not have a single reference (which does not mean no references were used): https://www.wikipathways.org/wikipathways-collection/index2#at-least-one-reference
I think we need some gamification here... a few tools that take the […]
I think we need some gamification here... a few tools that take the […]
Reposted by Frank Norman
The FDA is claiming without sharing their evidence or analysis that 10 deaths of children are linked to COVID-19 vaccinations.
1/2
1/2
Big change: FDA to impose strict new vaccine requirements under RFK Jr ally
Vinay Prasad signaled changes to annual flu shots, concurrent vaccines + more
Prasad said his team found link between covid-19 shots and kids' deaths, necessitating a new approach overall
with @rachelroubein.bsky.social
Vinay Prasad signaled changes to annual flu shots, concurrent vaccines + more
Prasad said his team found link between covid-19 shots and kids' deaths, necessitating a new approach overall
with @rachelroubein.bsky.social
FDA to impose strict new vaccine requirements, claiming child covid shot deaths
Vinay Prasad, the nation’s top vaccine regulator, said his team concluded that coronavirus shots were linked to children’s deaths, necessitating a new approach.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The FDA is claiming without sharing their evidence or analysis that 10 deaths of children are linked to COVID-19 vaccinations.
1/2
1/2
Reposted by Frank Norman
More nonsense from Scientific Reports
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This article may be many things, but scientific it ain’t
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This article may be many things, but scientific it ain’t
www.nature.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:22 PM
More nonsense from Scientific Reports
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This article may be many things, but scientific it ain’t
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This article may be many things, but scientific it ain’t
I’m disappointed that my choice: ’Lefty McLeftyFace’ didn’t make it to the shortlist.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s Your Party reveals shortlist for official name
Leftwing party asks members to pick between Your Party, Our Party, Popular Alliance and For The Many
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I’m disappointed that my choice: ’Lefty McLeftyFace’ didn’t make it to the shortlist.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Erm, isn’t that all of them?
November 29, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Erm, isn’t that all of them?
Reposted by Frank Norman
Device hoarding, car hoarding, house hoarding--why not talk about money hoarding billionaires who have a far more deleterious effect on the economy than somebody using an iPhone 6?
November 27, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Device hoarding, car hoarding, house hoarding--why not talk about money hoarding billionaires who have a far more deleterious effect on the economy than somebody using an iPhone 6?
Reposted by Frank Norman
Trump attacked New York Times reporter Katie Rogers, calling her 'ugly,' because he's mad about her story: "Shorter Days, Signs of Fatigue: Trump Faces Realities of Aging in Office"
bsky.app/profile/just...
bsky.app/profile/just...
Now we have the president calling a female New York Times reporter ugly because he's mad about a story she wrote.
November 27, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Trump attacked New York Times reporter Katie Rogers, calling her 'ugly,' because he's mad about her story: "Shorter Days, Signs of Fatigue: Trump Faces Realities of Aging in Office"
bsky.app/profile/just...
bsky.app/profile/just...
Reposted by Frank Norman
You'd think the BBC would be aware of the Streisand Effect.
Either they aren't, or someone at the BBC is *very* aware of it and deliberately exploiting it.
The line in question is @rutgerbregman.com calling Trump "the most openly corrupt President in American history" in case you hadn't heard yet.
Either they aren't, or someone at the BBC is *very* aware of it and deliberately exploiting it.
The line in question is @rutgerbregman.com calling Trump "the most openly corrupt President in American history" in case you hadn't heard yet.
The important bit about this story - in reality the only important bit because nothing here is new - is that it delivers to an audience previously unaware of it a truth about the BBC's relationship to power: craven. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC tells staff they cannot quote Trump line removed from Reith Lecture
Journalists not allowed to repeat Rutger Bregman’s corruption claims against US president in coverage of edit
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:27 PM
You'd think the BBC would be aware of the Streisand Effect.
Either they aren't, or someone at the BBC is *very* aware of it and deliberately exploiting it.
The line in question is @rutgerbregman.com calling Trump "the most openly corrupt President in American history" in case you hadn't heard yet.
Either they aren't, or someone at the BBC is *very* aware of it and deliberately exploiting it.
The line in question is @rutgerbregman.com calling Trump "the most openly corrupt President in American history" in case you hadn't heard yet.
Oh dear. Another #peerreview #fail
The figure is obviously bullshit and it's in keeping with the rest of the paper... www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Uhh,,, Figure 1 shows you... what exactly? Trying to understand Medical fryrmbial, runctitional features and mum's legs going through concrete.
This whole article is a bit of a disaster. And it's very difficult to find other published work for the author. Strange! 🧪
(via @smutclyde.bsky.social)
This whole article is a bit of a disaster. And it's very difficult to find other published work for the author. Strange! 🧪
(via @smutclyde.bsky.social)
November 27, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Oh dear. Another #peerreview #fail
It’s a great event.
We are at LIS Bibliometrics 2025 in Leicester today.
@mcintold.bsky.social is currently presenting on detecting fraud and impostors in the age of Open Science.
@mcintold.bsky.social is currently presenting on detecting fraud and impostors in the age of Open Science.
November 26, 2025 at 9:42 AM
It’s a great event.
Reposted by Frank Norman
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Reposted by Frank Norman
Interesting discussion on the positions taken by some regarding lockdowns and how some rewrite history to excuse their actions 🧵
The shameful attacks on the Covid inquiry prove it: the right is lost in anti-science delusion | Polly Toynbee
There is nothing wrong with questioning the mighty cost of the lockdowns, but we can’t let hardline libertarians rewrite Britain’s pandemic history, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Interesting discussion on the positions taken by some regarding lockdowns and how some rewrite history to excuse their actions 🧵
Reposted by Frank Norman
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
www.reuters.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:10 AM
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
I think I need to rewrite my LinkedIn profile and adopt this bro-coding. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Bro boost: women say their LinkedIn traffic increases if they pretend to be men
Collective experiment found switching profile to ‘male’ and ‘bro-coding’ text led to big increase in reach, though site denies favouring posts by men
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:51 AM
I think I need to rewrite my LinkedIn profile and adopt this bro-coding. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Frank Norman
A great intro to academic conferencing.
Not sure how I missed this one.
scienceforeveryone.science/getting-the-...
Not sure how I missed this one.
scienceforeveryone.science/getting-the-...
Getting the most of out a scientific conference
A slightly unconventional guide to your first time
scienceforeveryone.science
November 26, 2025 at 4:47 AM
A great intro to academic conferencing.
Not sure how I missed this one.
scienceforeveryone.science/getting-the-...
Not sure how I missed this one.
scienceforeveryone.science/getting-the-...
Reposted by Frank Norman
Over the next week (what thanksgiving break? lol) I have to read my book again and finalize it before it goes to *print* and I’m literally paying attention to details like colon vs comma and I’m sure most authors are like this and that’s one reason why you should buy our books. We really care.
The Edge of Space-Time by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein: 9780593701683 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
A fresh, charming, socially conscious tour of the mysteries of space-time, from the award-winning author of The Disordered Cosmos In her highly acclaimed debut, distinguished cosmologist and particle...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Over the next week (what thanksgiving break? lol) I have to read my book again and finalize it before it goes to *print* and I’m literally paying attention to details like colon vs comma and I’m sure most authors are like this and that’s one reason why you should buy our books. We really care.