Steve Murdoch
@profmurdoch.bsky.social
Professor of History, Swedish Defence University
Research & Teaching:
- The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648)
- British Civil Wars (1639-1660)
- Maritime Warfare & Law (1513-1713)
- History of Military Thought, 500BC-2000AD
#Dyslexic in several languages.
Research & Teaching:
- The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648)
- British Civil Wars (1639-1660)
- Maritime Warfare & Law (1513-1713)
- History of Military Thought, 500BC-2000AD
#Dyslexic in several languages.
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
This is my new book (26/026). It's the 1st time in years that I'll be published as 'Shona' rather than 'S.G.'and I am very happy to be reclaiming my name. It's about a reading society formed in a northern Scottish town in the 1830s. Drama ensues. (My mother-in-law crocheted the shawl 🧶)
October 27, 2025 at 4:53 PM
This is my new book (26/026). It's the 1st time in years that I'll be published as 'Shona' rather than 'S.G.'and I am very happy to be reclaiming my name. It's about a reading society formed in a northern Scottish town in the 1830s. Drama ensues. (My mother-in-law crocheted the shawl 🧶)
Dear English language fascists. A newsflash in the appended picture. Who wrote that you ask?
Read it all about him and the subject here: bellacaledonia.org.uk/2016/02/24/s...
Caution, the rest of the article is in #Doric / #Scots but siccar youse'll manage
@bellacaledonia.bsky.social
Read it all about him and the subject here: bellacaledonia.org.uk/2016/02/24/s...
Caution, the rest of the article is in #Doric / #Scots but siccar youse'll manage
@bellacaledonia.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Dear English language fascists. A newsflash in the appended picture. Who wrote that you ask?
Read it all about him and the subject here: bellacaledonia.org.uk/2016/02/24/s...
Caution, the rest of the article is in #Doric / #Scots but siccar youse'll manage
@bellacaledonia.bsky.social
Read it all about him and the subject here: bellacaledonia.org.uk/2016/02/24/s...
Caution, the rest of the article is in #Doric / #Scots but siccar youse'll manage
@bellacaledonia.bsky.social
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
A former UK prime minister held responsible for tens of thousands of deaths while the US president calls for elected politicians to be hanged.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
November 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM
A former UK prime minister held responsible for tens of thousands of deaths while the US president calls for elected politicians to be hanged.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
A jolt of a reminder that law and policy are ultimately about life and death.
And politicians are often not up to dealing with such things.
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
So great Brexit worked. GDP down. Trade in goods down. Tax revenue down.
Still, v pleased we have a sovereign but poor govt now.
So smart for people to double down on their Brexit investment, vote REFUK & properly destroy the UK economy by getting rid of clever migrants. 👍💪
Still, v pleased we have a sovereign but poor govt now.
So smart for people to double down on their Brexit investment, vote REFUK & properly destroy the UK economy by getting rid of clever migrants. 👍💪
November 15, 2025 at 11:53 PM
So great Brexit worked. GDP down. Trade in goods down. Tax revenue down.
Still, v pleased we have a sovereign but poor govt now.
So smart for people to double down on their Brexit investment, vote REFUK & properly destroy the UK economy by getting rid of clever migrants. 👍💪
Still, v pleased we have a sovereign but poor govt now.
So smart for people to double down on their Brexit investment, vote REFUK & properly destroy the UK economy by getting rid of clever migrants. 👍💪
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
“While the AI industry claims its models can “think,” “reason,” and “learn,” their supposed achievements rest on marketing hype and stolen intellectual labor. In reality, AI erodes academic freedom, weakens critical reading, and subordinates the pursuit of knowledge to corporate interests.”
AI Is Hollowing Out Higher Education
Olivia Guest & Iris van Rooij urge teachers and scholars to reject tools that commodify learning, deskill students, and promote illiteracy.
www.project-syndicate.org
November 15, 2025 at 5:24 PM
“While the AI industry claims its models can “think,” “reason,” and “learn,” their supposed achievements rest on marketing hype and stolen intellectual labor. In reality, AI erodes academic freedom, weakens critical reading, and subordinates the pursuit of knowledge to corporate interests.”
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
Holy moly, what a piece from Audrey Watters on grief and AI.
"We grieve because we love. We grieve because we care. We grieve because we know that the machines do not, and that the community we try to foster -- on campus, in the classroom, in our scholarly works -- is threatened with erasure."
"We grieve because we love. We grieve because we care. We grieve because we know that the machines do not, and that the community we try to foster -- on campus, in the classroom, in our scholarly works -- is threatened with erasure."
AI Grief Observed
These remarks were delivered this evening at the Creatively Critical Tech Speaker Series at Illinois State University.
"There is no good way to say this."
These are the opening words of Yiyun Li’s l...
2ndbreakfast.audreywatters.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Holy moly, what a piece from Audrey Watters on grief and AI.
"We grieve because we love. We grieve because we care. We grieve because we know that the machines do not, and that the community we try to foster -- on campus, in the classroom, in our scholarly works -- is threatened with erasure."
"We grieve because we love. We grieve because we care. We grieve because we know that the machines do not, and that the community we try to foster -- on campus, in the classroom, in our scholarly works -- is threatened with erasure."
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
Today alone I have had 3 ludicrous AI-infused book "collaboration" opportunities. The prize surely goes to 'Sophia' though, with her review of my (not yet published) novel which, "moves ... with the precision of bagpipes at midnight." Only because the piper's been guttered a good 3 hours, Sophia.
November 13, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Today alone I have had 3 ludicrous AI-infused book "collaboration" opportunities. The prize surely goes to 'Sophia' though, with her review of my (not yet published) novel which, "moves ... with the precision of bagpipes at midnight." Only because the piper's been guttered a good 3 hours, Sophia.
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
Jeffrey Epstein alleged that Donald Trump knew about his crimes, newly released emails reveal – live updates
www.theguardian.com/us-news/live...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/live...
Jeffrey Epstein alleged that Donald Trump knew about his crimes, newly released emails reveal – live updates
In new batch of emails released by House Democrats, Jeffrey Epstein told Ghislaine Maxwell that Trump ‘spent hours’ at his house with one of his victims
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Jeffrey Epstein alleged that Donald Trump knew about his crimes, newly released emails reveal – live updates
www.theguardian.com/us-news/live...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/live...
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
BREAKING: President Trump has explained that he asked President Herzog to pardon Netanyahu because Netanyahu has the Epstein tapes so he had no choice really. Let's be honest, any self-respecting paedophile would do the same.
November 12, 2025 at 8:07 PM
BREAKING: President Trump has explained that he asked President Herzog to pardon Netanyahu because Netanyahu has the Epstein tapes so he had no choice really. Let's be honest, any self-respecting paedophile would do the same.
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
Friendly reminder that this will take place TODAY
On 12 Nov, Dr Daniel Stridh (DMF Postdoctoral Scholar, @forsvarshogskolan.bsky.social) will present his paper:
Conscription in the Periphery: Privileges, Distinctions, and Military Recruitment in the Swedish Lappmark, 1812-1853.
Date: 12 Nov
Time: 15:00CET
Location: RAAB or Zoom (DM for link)
Conscription in the Periphery: Privileges, Distinctions, and Military Recruitment in the Swedish Lappmark, 1812-1853.
Date: 12 Nov
Time: 15:00CET
Location: RAAB or Zoom (DM for link)
November 12, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Friendly reminder that this will take place TODAY
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
The U.S. Air Force Academy's academic accreditation is under review following a formal complaint that the institution no longer has sufficient Ph.D.-level faculty as the federal government reduces its civilian workforce // Story by @thenoellephillips.bsky.social
Air Force Academy’s accreditation under review after cuts to civilian faculty
Concerned alumni and former faculty told The Denver Post they believe the academy is losing too many civilian Ph.D.-level instructors without the ability to replace them with qualified military mem…
www.denverpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:56 PM
The U.S. Air Force Academy's academic accreditation is under review following a formal complaint that the institution no longer has sufficient Ph.D.-level faculty as the federal government reduces its civilian workforce // Story by @thenoellephillips.bsky.social
On this Rememberance Sunday.....
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
#LestWeForget #WWI #WWII #MilHist #Skystorians
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
#LestWeForget #WWI #WWII #MilHist #Skystorians
#rememberence #wwi #wwii | Steve Murdoch
On this rememberance Sunday, I remember (Gt) Uncle Alfred Mckenzie, d.1918. But also the survivors of the wars.
Grandfather Charles Murdoch (crippled for life. Back row right on group photo)
(Gt) Unc...
www.linkedin.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:02 PM
On this Rememberance Sunday.....
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
#LestWeForget #WWI #WWII #MilHist #Skystorians
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
#LestWeForget #WWI #WWII #MilHist #Skystorians
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
On 12 Nov, Dr Daniel Stridh (DMF Postdoctoral Scholar, @forsvarshogskolan.bsky.social) will present his paper:
Conscription in the Periphery: Privileges, Distinctions, and Military Recruitment in the Swedish Lappmark, 1812-1853.
Date: 12 Nov
Time: 15:00CET
Location: RAAB or Zoom (DM for link)
Conscription in the Periphery: Privileges, Distinctions, and Military Recruitment in the Swedish Lappmark, 1812-1853.
Date: 12 Nov
Time: 15:00CET
Location: RAAB or Zoom (DM for link)
November 8, 2025 at 2:20 PM
On 12 Nov, Dr Daniel Stridh (DMF Postdoctoral Scholar, @forsvarshogskolan.bsky.social) will present his paper:
Conscription in the Periphery: Privileges, Distinctions, and Military Recruitment in the Swedish Lappmark, 1812-1853.
Date: 12 Nov
Time: 15:00CET
Location: RAAB or Zoom (DM for link)
Conscription in the Periphery: Privileges, Distinctions, and Military Recruitment in the Swedish Lappmark, 1812-1853.
Date: 12 Nov
Time: 15:00CET
Location: RAAB or Zoom (DM for link)
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
#OtD 3 Nov 1956 the Israeli army massacred hundreds of Palestinians in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in Gaza during the Israeli-France-UK invasion of Egypt. They lined up men aged 16-50 and machine-gunned them. Between 275 and 1200 were killed stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/1245...
November 3, 2025 at 1:40 PM
#OtD 3 Nov 1956 the Israeli army massacred hundreds of Palestinians in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in Gaza during the Israeli-France-UK invasion of Egypt. They lined up men aged 16-50 and machine-gunned them. Between 275 and 1200 were killed stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/1245...
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
Every far-right riot and protest that was tolerated, every racist dog whistle from public reps, every bit of hate and misinformation allowed to spread by social media companies, all led to this moment in Drogheda last night where someone felt emboldened enough to try to burn children alive.
November 1, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Every far-right riot and protest that was tolerated, every racist dog whistle from public reps, every bit of hate and misinformation allowed to spread by social media companies, all led to this moment in Drogheda last night where someone felt emboldened enough to try to burn children alive.
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
Belgian AI scientists are advocating *against* the use of AI in academia. “If independent thinking is no longer encouraged at university, where would it?” apache.be/2025/10/24/b...
Belgian AI scientists resist the use of AI in academia
Several AI scientists have published an open letter calling for a ban on AI use by students.
apache.be
October 24, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Belgian AI scientists are advocating *against* the use of AI in academia. “If independent thinking is no longer encouraged at university, where would it?” apache.be/2025/10/24/b...
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
Prof Steve Murdoch (IMH) and Dr David Turns (Law) represented @forsvarshogskolan.bsky.social at the Baltic Military History Conference this week in Tartu. The theme focused on the codes and conduct of law / treatment of POWs
More info in the link
www.linkedin.com/posts/instit...
More info in the link
www.linkedin.com/posts/instit...
#baltmilhist25 #militaryhistory | Institute of Military History (IMH), Swedish Defence University (FHS)
Yesterday, Professor Steve Murdoch (IMH) spoke on the panel “Military Law Codification: Processes and Influencing Factors” at the Annual Baltic Military History Conference, hosted by the Baltic Defenc...
www.linkedin.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Prof Steve Murdoch (IMH) and Dr David Turns (Law) represented @forsvarshogskolan.bsky.social at the Baltic Military History Conference this week in Tartu. The theme focused on the codes and conduct of law / treatment of POWs
More info in the link
www.linkedin.com/posts/instit...
More info in the link
www.linkedin.com/posts/instit...
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
In 3 months, bluefin tuna will be migrating back into our waters, where they'll be met with a fleet of commercial and recreational* fishers. It's a horrible way to welcome these magnificent, charismatic creatures. Let's try to get this to 250,000 before they arrive.
www.change.org/p/protect-bl...
www.change.org/p/protect-bl...
Sign the Petition
Protect bluefin tuna in UK waters
www.change.org
May 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
In 3 months, bluefin tuna will be migrating back into our waters, where they'll be met with a fleet of commercial and recreational* fishers. It's a horrible way to welcome these magnificent, charismatic creatures. Let's try to get this to 250,000 before they arrive.
www.change.org/p/protect-bl...
www.change.org/p/protect-bl...
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
17th October. Battle of Lemgo. Well some folk like a bit of poetry (and fall for it). Others like a bit of archival endeavour.
Where do you stand?
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
#MilHist #17thCentury #EarlyModern #skystorians #ThirtyYearsWar #30YearsWar
Where do you stand?
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
#MilHist #17thCentury #EarlyModern #skystorians #ThirtyYearsWar #30YearsWar
On 17th October 1638, a combined Swedish- Palatinate- British army fought the Imperial army at the Battle of Lemgo ( Vlotho Bridge).
Generations of scholars bought into a self congratulatry account… ...
On 17th October 1638, a combined Swedish- Palatinate- British army fought the Imperial army at the Battle of Lemgo ( Vlotho Bridge).
Generations of scholars bought into a self congratulatry account o...
www.linkedin.com
October 18, 2025 at 1:24 PM
17th October. Battle of Lemgo. Well some folk like a bit of poetry (and fall for it). Others like a bit of archival endeavour.
Where do you stand?
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
#MilHist #17thCentury #EarlyModern #skystorians #ThirtyYearsWar #30YearsWar
Where do you stand?
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
#MilHist #17thCentury #EarlyModern #skystorians #ThirtyYearsWar #30YearsWar
17th October. Battle of Lemgo. Well some folk like a bit of poetry (and fall for it). Others like a bit of archival endeavour.
Where do you stand?
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
#MilHist #17thCentury #EarlyModern #skystorians #ThirtyYearsWar #30YearsWar
Where do you stand?
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
#MilHist #17thCentury #EarlyModern #skystorians #ThirtyYearsWar #30YearsWar
On 17th October 1638, a combined Swedish- Palatinate- British army fought the Imperial army at the Battle of Lemgo ( Vlotho Bridge).
Generations of scholars bought into a self congratulatry account… ...
On 17th October 1638, a combined Swedish- Palatinate- British army fought the Imperial army at the Battle of Lemgo ( Vlotho Bridge).
Generations of scholars bought into a self congratulatry account o...
www.linkedin.com
October 18, 2025 at 1:24 PM
17th October. Battle of Lemgo. Well some folk like a bit of poetry (and fall for it). Others like a bit of archival endeavour.
Where do you stand?
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
#MilHist #17thCentury #EarlyModern #skystorians #ThirtyYearsWar #30YearsWar
Where do you stand?
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
#MilHist #17thCentury #EarlyModern #skystorians #ThirtyYearsWar #30YearsWar
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
Friendly reminder that this is taking place tomorrow! DM us if you want the zoom link
On 15 October, IMH’s @ibenb.zirk.us.ap.brid.gy will be giving the paper
”Who is afraid of war? Memories and reflections on Danish service on the Cold War’s front line - the Stevnsfort case-study”
Details here: www.linkedin.com/posts/instit...
#skystorians #MilHist
@forsvarshogskolan.bsky.social
”Who is afraid of war? Memories and reflections on Danish service on the Cold War’s front line - the Stevnsfort case-study”
Details here: www.linkedin.com/posts/instit...
#skystorians #MilHist
@forsvarshogskolan.bsky.social
Dear friends,
We look forward to welcoming you our next IMH International Military History Seminar!
IMH's Dr Iben Bjørnsson will present a paper titled “Who’s afraid of War? Memories and… | Inst...
Dear friends,
We look forward to welcoming you our next IMH International Military History Seminar!
IMH's Dr Iben Bjørnsson will present a paper titled “Who’s afraid of War? Memories and reflections...
www.linkedin.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Friendly reminder that this is taking place tomorrow! DM us if you want the zoom link
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
"This is why Starmer could never win this fight: while he aids the radicalisation of public discourse by normalising xenophobia, he will always look like a watered-down Farage" well said, @guyfassler.bsky.social ! www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Labour won’t fend off Reform UK by just diluting Farage’s poison | Letters
Letters: The party must not offer a watered-down version of Reform’s policies, but instead tell the truth about immigrants, writes Guy Fassler. Plus letters from Doug Maughan, Sunil Bhopal and Dr Roge...
www.theguardian.com
September 30, 2025 at 5:35 PM
"This is why Starmer could never win this fight: while he aids the radicalisation of public discourse by normalising xenophobia, he will always look like a watered-down Farage" well said, @guyfassler.bsky.social ! www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
On 15 October, IMH’s @ibenb.zirk.us.ap.brid.gy will be giving the paper
”Who is afraid of war? Memories and reflections on Danish service on the Cold War’s front line - the Stevnsfort case-study”
Details here: www.linkedin.com/posts/instit...
#skystorians #MilHist
@forsvarshogskolan.bsky.social
”Who is afraid of war? Memories and reflections on Danish service on the Cold War’s front line - the Stevnsfort case-study”
Details here: www.linkedin.com/posts/instit...
#skystorians #MilHist
@forsvarshogskolan.bsky.social
Dear friends,
We look forward to welcoming you our next IMH International Military History Seminar!
IMH's Dr Iben Bjørnsson will present a paper titled “Who’s afraid of War? Memories and… | Inst...
Dear friends,
We look forward to welcoming you our next IMH International Military History Seminar!
IMH's Dr Iben Bjørnsson will present a paper titled “Who’s afraid of War? Memories and reflections...
www.linkedin.com
October 12, 2025 at 6:41 PM
On 15 October, IMH’s @ibenb.zirk.us.ap.brid.gy will be giving the paper
”Who is afraid of war? Memories and reflections on Danish service on the Cold War’s front line - the Stevnsfort case-study”
Details here: www.linkedin.com/posts/instit...
#skystorians #MilHist
@forsvarshogskolan.bsky.social
”Who is afraid of war? Memories and reflections on Danish service on the Cold War’s front line - the Stevnsfort case-study”
Details here: www.linkedin.com/posts/instit...
#skystorians #MilHist
@forsvarshogskolan.bsky.social
Reposted by Steve Murdoch
Eisenhower wanted a society made up of Americans who were citizens first and soldiers second, and of soldiers who can behave in polite society, effectively offering a counterargument to the “warrior ethos” Pete Hegseth keeps pushing.
As Eisenhower Knew, Hegseth’s ‘Warrior Ethos’ Isn’t What Wins Wars
The U.S. defense secretary’s emphasis on warfighting ignores the other important factors that make a military cohesive and effective.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
October 11, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Eisenhower wanted a society made up of Americans who were citizens first and soldiers second, and of soldiers who can behave in polite society, effectively offering a counterargument to the “warrior ethos” Pete Hegseth keeps pushing.
Ha! I'll get you those beers back @ollibackstrom.bsky.social 🍻
Went to the National Library in Helsinki and ended up reorganizing @profmurdoch.bsky.social books, because they had not been shelved correctly. (Having a drink coz it's thirsty work being Steve's librarian.)
October 10, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Ha! I'll get you those beers back @ollibackstrom.bsky.social 🍻