Kieran Coughlan
@sortafriends.bsky.social
He/him. Engineer. Vegetarian. Animal lover. Husband. Believer in kindness. CoderDojo Mentor @coderdojoathenry.bsky.social
Reposted by Kieran Coughlan
Sign! For ECIs to be considered by the European Commission, each country must meet its threshold, for Ireland that's 10,080. We are currently at just under 6,000, approx 58%, so we need a big push! Belgium, Finland, France and Spain are there, let's get there too!
eci.ec.europa.eu/055/public/#...
eci.ec.europa.eu/055/public/#...
January 25, 2026 at 11:29 PM
Sign! For ECIs to be considered by the European Commission, each country must meet its threshold, for Ireland that's 10,080. We are currently at just under 6,000, approx 58%, so we need a big push! Belgium, Finland, France and Spain are there, let's get there too!
eci.ec.europa.eu/055/public/#...
eci.ec.europa.eu/055/public/#...
Reposted by Kieran Coughlan
This is an excellent analogy, because my recollection from grade school is that the pen on the right looks fun and exciting, and then you play with it for a few minutes and realize it's not actually useful for anything and in fact makes some tasks more cumbersome, and never think about it again.
yeah, just out of interest, how many people choose the pen on the right for real work or art? See a lot of them in professional workplaces, do you?
January 22, 2026 at 12:21 PM
This is an excellent analogy, because my recollection from grade school is that the pen on the right looks fun and exciting, and then you play with it for a few minutes and realize it's not actually useful for anything and in fact makes some tasks more cumbersome, and never think about it again.
Reposted by Kieran Coughlan
like this a lot, just adding alt for accessibility, text search and such
January 22, 2026 at 9:52 AM
like this a lot, just adding alt for accessibility, text search and such
Reposted by Kieran Coughlan
[AI bubble bursts] billionaire tech bro: the stupid consumer did not understand it
January 22, 2026 at 2:42 AM
[AI bubble bursts] billionaire tech bro: the stupid consumer did not understand it
The bickering between everyone is the clearest sign that people have really started to accept that we're in deep shit.
Take it easy on each other. Fear is driving our responses. Nobody who doesn't want this hates anyone else who doesn't want this.
Take it easy on each other. Fear is driving our responses. Nobody who doesn't want this hates anyone else who doesn't want this.
January 21, 2026 at 5:01 PM
The bickering between everyone is the clearest sign that people have really started to accept that we're in deep shit.
Take it easy on each other. Fear is driving our responses. Nobody who doesn't want this hates anyone else who doesn't want this.
Take it easy on each other. Fear is driving our responses. Nobody who doesn't want this hates anyone else who doesn't want this.
Bless all those talented people who have tried to steer between "giving the fans what they want" and "looking dated and a bit ridiculous" and found that there's no gap there to navigate.
January 15, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Bless all those talented people who have tried to steer between "giving the fans what they want" and "looking dated and a bit ridiculous" and found that there's no gap there to navigate.
Reposted by Kieran Coughlan
I can’t get over that split second when those shots were fired , all that rage , all that hate , and then men like him go onto X to undress Renee Good - and a convicted sexual abuser in the White House and powerful men who raped children still secure behind their money
January 9, 2026 at 9:23 PM
I can’t get over that split second when those shots were fired , all that rage , all that hate , and then men like him go onto X to undress Renee Good - and a convicted sexual abuser in the White House and powerful men who raped children still secure behind their money
Reposted by Kieran Coughlan
Few thoughts on the Greenland saga, summarized in a short thread. Some of these points have already sparked debate on X, but after Miller’s speech, I am even more convinced. 🧵Thread
1/ First and foremost, Denmark is not only a member of the EU, but also a founding member of NATO.
1/ First and foremost, Denmark is not only a member of the EU, but also a founding member of NATO.
January 6, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Few thoughts on the Greenland saga, summarized in a short thread. Some of these points have already sparked debate on X, but after Miller’s speech, I am even more convinced. 🧵Thread
1/ First and foremost, Denmark is not only a member of the EU, but also a founding member of NATO.
1/ First and foremost, Denmark is not only a member of the EU, but also a founding member of NATO.
We live in an age where European governments can't consider criticizing, let alone prosecuting, a company for distributing AI CSAM because to do so will invite retaliation from the US government.
January 5, 2026 at 6:09 PM
We live in an age where European governments can't consider criticizing, let alone prosecuting, a company for distributing AI CSAM because to do so will invite retaliation from the US government.
Reposted by Kieran Coughlan
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
January 5, 2026 at 6:50 AM
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
Reposted by Kieran Coughlan
Reposted by Kieran Coughlan
Coffee thoughts:
Ireland is a polity where you can go and visit a Minister in a constituency office on a weekend to ask for help filling in a form.
The distance to/from officeholders is effectively zero.
But the distance for most people from *power* can be (invisible to them) huge.
Ireland is a polity where you can go and visit a Minister in a constituency office on a weekend to ask for help filling in a form.
The distance to/from officeholders is effectively zero.
But the distance for most people from *power* can be (invisible to them) huge.
December 11, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Coffee thoughts:
Ireland is a polity where you can go and visit a Minister in a constituency office on a weekend to ask for help filling in a form.
The distance to/from officeholders is effectively zero.
But the distance for most people from *power* can be (invisible to them) huge.
Ireland is a polity where you can go and visit a Minister in a constituency office on a weekend to ask for help filling in a form.
The distance to/from officeholders is effectively zero.
But the distance for most people from *power* can be (invisible to them) huge.
Don't know exactly why this lifted my spirits as much as it did, but I'll take it.
“I am so bored by AI. One of the things I love about the theatre is AI can’t do it.”
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
December 10, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Don't know exactly why this lifted my spirits as much as it did, but I'll take it.
Reposted by Kieran Coughlan
Not in a million years could guess where this goes. And it's even hard to know what to feel at the end because... what??!
I can’t emphasize enough how much you need to watch this until the end
December 10, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Not in a million years could guess where this goes. And it's even hard to know what to feel at the end because... what??!
Reposted by Kieran Coughlan
It is becoming increasingly obvious that the oligarchs, backed by the scum in the Kremlin and the White House, want to carve up Europe between the USA and Russia.
December 8, 2025 at 9:53 AM
It is becoming increasingly obvious that the oligarchs, backed by the scum in the Kremlin and the White House, want to carve up Europe between the USA and Russia.
Make no mistake. Those who want to weaken the EU do so because they want to weaken Europe. It doesn't matter how they frame their arguments, this is an attack on every European.
December 8, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Make no mistake. Those who want to weaken the EU do so because they want to weaken Europe. It doesn't matter how they frame their arguments, this is an attack on every European.
Trailer for The Magic Faraway Tree has just dropped. I'm a little biased, for family-related reasons, but I really feel that Simon Farnaby, the writer, has captured that Paddington 2 magic again. So delighted for everyone involved.
The Magic Faraway Tree | Official Teaser Trailer
YouTube video by Entertainment Film Distributors
youtu.be
December 3, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Trailer for The Magic Faraway Tree has just dropped. I'm a little biased, for family-related reasons, but I really feel that Simon Farnaby, the writer, has captured that Paddington 2 magic again. So delighted for everyone involved.
Played a few short minutes of Promise Mascot Agency this morning and already charmed by it. When Michi spoke I was "I know that guy!" and indeed it was my old pal Kazuma Kiryu (Takaya Kuroda).
December 3, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Played a few short minutes of Promise Mascot Agency this morning and already charmed by it. When Michi spoke I was "I know that guy!" and indeed it was my old pal Kazuma Kiryu (Takaya Kuroda).
Reposted by Kieran Coughlan
Gabriela Michalczuk (Polish, b.2003)
"Final Exams," 2025
Oil on canvas
150 x 90 cm
#art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt
"Final Exams," 2025
Oil on canvas
150 x 90 cm
#art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt
December 2, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Gabriela Michalczuk (Polish, b.2003)
"Final Exams," 2025
Oil on canvas
150 x 90 cm
#art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt
"Final Exams," 2025
Oil on canvas
150 x 90 cm
#art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt
I finished The Outer Worlds 2 and I had a good time with it. I'm never really ready for an RPG to end.
I have to shout out to the animators. The hand animations for certain actions, like fixing a mechanical panel or operating a centrifuge, were so entertaining and joyful.
I have to shout out to the animators. The hand animations for certain actions, like fixing a mechanical panel or operating a centrifuge, were so entertaining and joyful.
December 2, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I finished The Outer Worlds 2 and I had a good time with it. I'm never really ready for an RPG to end.
I have to shout out to the animators. The hand animations for certain actions, like fixing a mechanical panel or operating a centrifuge, were so entertaining and joyful.
I have to shout out to the animators. The hand animations for certain actions, like fixing a mechanical panel or operating a centrifuge, were so entertaining and joyful.
Started Death by Lightning this evening and, two episodes in, it's so good. All the leads are absolutely magnetic in their roles, but especially Matthew MacFadyen. It's poignant and yet often comic. Highly recommend.
December 2, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Started Death by Lightning this evening and, two episodes in, it's so good. All the leads are absolutely magnetic in their roles, but especially Matthew MacFadyen. It's poignant and yet often comic. Highly recommend.
Reposted by Kieran Coughlan
chat are we cooked
November 29, 2025 at 3:42 PM
chat are we cooked
Reposted by Kieran Coughlan
i’m not crying you’re crying
xkcd: Fifteen Years
xkcd: Fifteen Years
Fifteen Years
xkcd.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 AM
i’m not crying you’re crying
xkcd: Fifteen Years
xkcd: Fifteen Years
Stuff like this is tragic for those involved in the development because so many, myself included, will see "Gen AI" and never give this game another look. It's toxic.
TiGames, the developer of rabbit-starring action game Zoopunk - one of the eye-catching trailers in Microsoft's Xbox Game Preview Event yesterday - has defended itself amid allegations of generative AI use. https://bit.ly/3LQskFH
November 21, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Stuff like this is tragic for those involved in the development because so many, myself included, will see "Gen AI" and never give this game another look. It's toxic.
Reposted by Kieran Coughlan
What we consider to be "ancient Egypt" had archeologists for THEIR ancient Egypt
Man, everything is so bleak, anyone got a fun fact or little bit of trivia they want to share
November 21, 2025 at 6:03 AM
What we consider to be "ancient Egypt" had archeologists for THEIR ancient Egypt