Dr Ian McCormick
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wokestudies.bsky.social
Dr Ian McCormick
@wokestudies.bsky.social
19K followers 15K following 1.5K posts
English Language & Literature. PhD: Monstrosity. Queer history. Gothic. Antifa. Archaic English. NEW BOOK: Woke Shakespeare. Prof. d'Emeritus. https://linktr.ee/drianmccormick
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wokestudies.bsky.social
Dr Ian McCormick @wokestudies.bsky.social · Dec 30
NEW BOOK: Woke Shakespeare: Rethinking Shakespeare for a New Era
#drama #theatre #Shakespeare #performance #adaptation #appropriation #historicism #empire #culture #materialism #TeamEnglish #renaissance #bardolatry #postcolonial #woke #socialjustice #theory #queer
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DQYB2TS5
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
thebookerprizes.com
‘We had never read anything quite like it. It is, in many ways, a dark book but it is a joy to read’

We're delighted to announce Flesh by David Szalay as the winner of the #BookerPrize2025.
November 10, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
wokestudies.bsky.social
"because China is ruled by an ostensibly Marxist cadre, the country has an ability to restrict electronic opiates far beyond anything an American could imagine. In 2019, China limited under-eighteen-year-olds to ninety minutes of video games a day."
November 9, 2025 at 4:03 PM
wokestudies.bsky.social
Last tune of the day : Everly Brothers- "All I Have To Do Is Dream/Cathy's Clown" (1960)
youtu.be/lTYe9eDqxe8?...
Everly Brothers- "All I Have To Do Is Dream/Cathy's Clown" 1960 (Reelin' In The Years Archives)
YouTube video by ReelinInTheYears66
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
wokestudies.bsky.social
The Platters performing "The Great Pretender", released originally in 1959.
youtu.be/RBj2HN2uuNA?...
The Platters - The Great Pretender (1959) 4K
YouTube video by Classic Hits Studio
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 4:58 PM
wokestudies.bsky.social
Possibly first heard this in the pram when I was 12 months old.
youtu.be/08083BNaYcA?...
Gerry & The Pacemakers - Ferry Cross The Mersey (1965)
YouTube video by vinylsolution
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
wokestudies.bsky.social
Political wisdom of Adorno ?
#antifa #politics #history
All modern fascist movements, including the practices of contemporary American demagogues, have aimed at the ignorant; they have consciously manipulated the facts in a way that could lead to success only with those who were not acquainted with the facts. Ignorance with respect to the complexities of contemporary society makes for a state of general uncertainty and anxiety, which is the ideal breeding ground for the modern type of reactionary mass movement. Such movements are always ‘populist’ and maliciously anti-intellectual.
November 10, 2025 at 4:13 PM
wokestudies.bsky.social
"The 2025 AI Index Report states that only 34 percent of Americans are excited for the AI future. China is the most excited, with 80 percent."
thebaffler.com/salvos/we-us...
We Used to Read Things in This Country | Noah McCormack
Technology changes us—and it is currently changing us for the worse.
thebaffler.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
wokestudies.bsky.social
How many days in a week?
November 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
wokestudies.bsky.social
The easiest section in this Italian vocabulary list?
November 9, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
wokestudies.bsky.social
"A publicly accessible tool that invents false criminal allegations about a sitting US senator represents a catastrophic failure of oversight and ethical responsibility.”
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Experts find flaws in hundreds of tests that check AI safety and effectiveness
Scientists say almost all have weaknesses in at least one area that can ‘undermine validity of resulting claims’
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
wokestudies.bsky.social
Posters - Ferry the Human Frog (aka Ferry the Frog / The Mystery Man)
Contortionist, equilibrist. [aka William Ferry] "Considered one of the greatest contortionists to visit Australasia, Ferry the Frog toured the region three times (1899-1903, 1920-23, and 1945-46). Films of Ferry performing were also exhibited between ca. 1906 and 1911. Ferry’s act, which evolved over the years, was initially played out in a swamp setting and typically ran for about 15 minutes. Ferry first came to the region with McAdoo’s Minstrels and Cakewalkers in late 1899. The following year he began touring his own variety and bioscope company. Ferry’s Australasian engagements included leading vaudeville circuits (Harry Rickards, Percy Dix, and Fullers’ Theatres etc), circus and buckjumping troupes. He also featured in pantomime, burlesque and the occasional drama." https://ozvta.com/practitioners-f/ Contortionist, equilibrist. [aka William Ferry] "Considered one of the greatest contortionists to visit Australasia, Ferry the Frog toured the region three times (1899-1903, 1920-23, and 1945-46). Films of Ferry performing were also exhibited between ca. 1906 and 1911. Ferry’s act, which evolved over the years, was initially played out in a swamp setting and typically ran for about 15 minutes. Ferry first came to the region with McAdoo’s Minstrels and Cakewalkers in late 1899. The following year he began touring his own variety and bioscope company. Ferry’s Australasian engagements included leading vaudeville circuits (Harry Rickards, Percy Dix, and Fullers’ Theatres etc), circus and buckjumping troupes. He also featured in pantomime, burlesque and the occasional drama." https://ozvta.com/practitioners-f/
November 7, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
peterpaulrubens.bsky.social
Angel with a lute, by Melozzo da Forli in 1480. It's his day.
November 8, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
wokestudies.bsky.social
"Ferry, the Human Frog."
Manawatu Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7226, 27 June 1901, Page 2
Ferry, the Human Frog. The local theatre-going people have heard a great deal of late about Ferry, the contortionist, who is known as " the human frog," but last evening they had an opportunity of seeing his wonderful performance at the Theatre Royal. The fact that Ferry was to appear in the town naturally caused him to be talked about, and the large audience that assembled at the Theatre Royal last night was quite expected. When the curtain was raised it was found that the stage had undergone a complete transformation, being arranged in such a way as to give a capital representation of a swamp. Suddenly a large green frog made its appearance, coming, it seemed, from the bottom of a pool on the stage. This was Ferry, the human frog, his make up being as perfect as it could possibly be. After imitating the different movements of a frog, Ferry sprang to the top of a tree stump, about 5ft in height, where he executed some marvellously clever feats while balancing himself on a small piece of wood; The audience were exceedingly appreciative, and Ferry received quite a storm of applause. As a contortionist, his equal has certainly never been seen in this town, and so marvellously clever are his feats that many people are almost tempted to believe that he is a "boneless" man. " Little Barto". a clever juvenile, also appeared in patriotic and comic songs, and took part in the duet "Cynthia" with Mr Fitzgerald, in which an allusion to the recent presentation of members of the Borough Council to Royalty caused considerable amusement. The performance concluded with some bioscope pictures of the Passion Play and several miscellaneous subjects were also shown. Ferry and his company will give their final performance this evening. Behold Ferry the Human Frog – inimitable of inimitables. A performer from 1921. National Archives of Australia
November 7, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
wokestudies.bsky.social
"by offering music of such extraordinary intensity and fervour, Elgar helped explode the myth of Victorian emotional restraint"

-- Michael Downes, director of music (University of St Andrews)

#Wagner #Chorus #film #classical
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Amara Okereke in the Choral. Photograph: Nicola Dove
November 7, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
drawnandquartered.bsky.social
Meanwhile in the U.S.A.
November 6, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
markhamillofficial.bsky.social
The Sociopath-In-Chief couldn't be bothered to even turn his head in the direction of a man in the midst of a medical emergency who collapsed in his office. Completely incapable of empathy, the EPSTEIN Files can't be released soon enough.

25/47
November 7, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
politicalcartoon.bsky.social
Dave Brown’s #RoguesGallery after #NCWyeth on #ElonMusk #Tesla #MuskTrillions @Independent – political cartoon gallery in London original-political-cartoon.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
escapedexplorer.bsky.social
"World's first potential trillionaire has killed 600,000 people, including 400,000 children" is the only headline that anyone should ever read about Elon Musk
November 7, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
wokestudies.bsky.social
Michael Downes, author of Story of the Century: Wagner and the Creation of The Ring (Faber).
FILM: The Choral is in UK cinemas from 7 November.
#Elgar #classical
1916. As war rages on the Western Front, the Choral Society in Ramsden, Yorkshire has lost most of its men to the army. The ambitious committee decides to recruit young locals to swell their ranks and they must also engage a new chorus master. Despite their suspicions about him, their best bet seems to be the uncompromising Dr. Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes) who’s recently returned from a career in Germany. As conscription papers start to arrive, the community discovers that the best response to the chaos is to make music together. DIR: Nicholas Hytner | UK | USA | 2025 | 113’
November 7, 2025 at 11:18 AM
wokestudies.bsky.social
London's verdict on Elon Musk?
#Tesla #antifa
Imagine having a trillion dollars and still being the world's biggest loser.
November 8, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
wokestudies.bsky.social
"This is not a harmless hallucination. It is an act of defamation produced and distributed by a Google-owned AI model."
November 7, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
theliberalpage.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
poetrysociety.org.uk
The 2025-26 Keats-Shelley and Young Romantics Prizes are open! There are two competitions – poetry and essays – and two age groups: the Keats-Shelley Prize, which is open to all, and the Young Romantics Prize, aimed at anyone aged between 16-18.

For more information, visit bit.ly/3KdIurO
November 7, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
danmcquillan.bsky.social
University finances are precarious, but leading institutions are swallowing the pedagogic promises of Anthropic & OpenAI just at the moment when the AI bubble looks ready to burst. Beyond fees and the attrition of skilled staff, will AI trigger the collapse of the entire sector?
November 6, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Reposted by Dr Ian McCormick
barchart.com
Stock Market will correct up to 20% warns Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley
November 6, 2025 at 2:55 PM