Richard Irvine
@robotforaday.bsky.social
Anthropologist and on-call firefighter. Rousay, Orkney / St Andrews, Fife.
Author of _An Anthropology of Deep Time_ (Cambridge UP, 2020) and _The Vow of Stability_ (Scottish UP, 2025).
Counter-revolutionary.
Author of _An Anthropology of Deep Time_ (Cambridge UP, 2020) and _The Vow of Stability_ (Scottish UP, 2025).
Counter-revolutionary.
Pinned
Richard Irvine
@robotforaday.bsky.social
· May 20
"this continuity is not simply the comfort of familiarity; it is an unsettling of the ordinary and the everyday... Stability is a work of perseverance open to the unknown."
My new book, The Vow of Stability, now published open access with @scotunipress.bsky.social
books.sup.ac.uk/sup/catalog/...
My new book, The Vow of Stability, now published open access with @scotunipress.bsky.social
books.sup.ac.uk/sup/catalog/...
Reposted by Richard Irvine
god grant me a big stick to change the things that can be changed with a big stick
September 28, 2026 at 2:15 PM
god grant me a big stick to change the things that can be changed with a big stick
Reposted by Richard Irvine
"Saline giant, moving"
Very excited to receive the published copy of my pamphlet on Potassium today - part of the Errant Elements chapbook project edited by Marina Peterson and Gretchen Bakke
Very excited to receive the published copy of my pamphlet on Potassium today - part of the Errant Elements chapbook project edited by Marina Peterson and Gretchen Bakke
September 24, 2026 at 2:37 PM
"Saline giant, moving"
Very excited to receive the published copy of my pamphlet on Potassium today - part of the Errant Elements chapbook project edited by Marina Peterson and Gretchen Bakke
Very excited to receive the published copy of my pamphlet on Potassium today - part of the Errant Elements chapbook project edited by Marina Peterson and Gretchen Bakke
"Saline giant, moving"
Very excited to receive the published copy of my pamphlet on Potassium today - part of the Errant Elements chapbook project edited by Marina Peterson and Gretchen Bakke
Very excited to receive the published copy of my pamphlet on Potassium today - part of the Errant Elements chapbook project edited by Marina Peterson and Gretchen Bakke
September 24, 2026 at 2:37 PM
"Saline giant, moving"
Very excited to receive the published copy of my pamphlet on Potassium today - part of the Errant Elements chapbook project edited by Marina Peterson and Gretchen Bakke
Very excited to receive the published copy of my pamphlet on Potassium today - part of the Errant Elements chapbook project edited by Marina Peterson and Gretchen Bakke
Today is the feastday of St Eunan (St Adomnán of Iona) and a day to repost this poem by Eoin McNamee
September 23, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Today is the feastday of St Eunan (St Adomnán of Iona) and a day to repost this poem by Eoin McNamee
Everything about my life and career ultimately comes back to this one game.
We still play it as a family every Christmas.
We still play it as a family every Christmas.
September 21, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Everything about my life and career ultimately comes back to this one game.
We still play it as a family every Christmas.
We still play it as a family every Christmas.
Reposted by Richard Irvine
#WeRemember the 343 firefighters who lost their lives in the 9/11 terror attacks, 25 years ago today.
Many more firefighters have since suffered from diseases likely linked to toxic substances present at ground zero.
Many more firefighters have since suffered from diseases likely linked to toxic substances present at ground zero.
September 11, 2026 at 8:59 AM
#WeRemember the 343 firefighters who lost their lives in the 9/11 terror attacks, 25 years ago today.
Many more firefighters have since suffered from diseases likely linked to toxic substances present at ground zero.
Many more firefighters have since suffered from diseases likely linked to toxic substances present at ground zero.
¡Feliz Gibraltar National Day a todos!
National Day commemorates the 1967 referendum in which Gibraltar voted to remain British. This national day is the first celebration since the UK-EU agreement that opened the Gibraltar frontier. A day for Gibraltarians to celebrate their self-determination.
National Day commemorates the 1967 referendum in which Gibraltar voted to remain British. This national day is the first celebration since the UK-EU agreement that opened the Gibraltar frontier. A day for Gibraltarians to celebrate their self-determination.
September 10, 2026 at 12:39 PM
¡Feliz Gibraltar National Day a todos!
National Day commemorates the 1967 referendum in which Gibraltar voted to remain British. This national day is the first celebration since the UK-EU agreement that opened the Gibraltar frontier. A day for Gibraltarians to celebrate their self-determination.
National Day commemorates the 1967 referendum in which Gibraltar voted to remain British. This national day is the first celebration since the UK-EU agreement that opened the Gibraltar frontier. A day for Gibraltarians to celebrate their self-determination.
Invitation from my former college who are having a reunion and want to make a yearbook of us all 25 years after matriculation:
"upload a photo and let us know what you’re up to/what you’ve been up to since Cambridge. This isn’t a competition..."
OF COURSE IT'S A BLOODY COMPETITION!!
"upload a photo and let us know what you’re up to/what you’ve been up to since Cambridge. This isn’t a competition..."
OF COURSE IT'S A BLOODY COMPETITION!!
September 2, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Invitation from my former college who are having a reunion and want to make a yearbook of us all 25 years after matriculation:
"upload a photo and let us know what you’re up to/what you’ve been up to since Cambridge. This isn’t a competition..."
OF COURSE IT'S A BLOODY COMPETITION!!
"upload a photo and let us know what you’re up to/what you’ve been up to since Cambridge. This isn’t a competition..."
OF COURSE IT'S A BLOODY COMPETITION!!
What happened to the Pictish societies of Orkney and Shetland? To what extent did islanders have agency in a time of major social change?
An interesting perspective from Andrew Jennings that draws on pirate studies& island studies to rethink the "violent conquest or integration/intermarriage" debate
An interesting perspective from Andrew Jennings that draws on pirate studies& island studies to rethink the "violent conquest or integration/intermarriage" debate
Before the Northern Isles were Norse, were they Viking?
Vikings, Pirates, and the Making of Orkney and Shetland
www.vikingislands.co.uk
September 1, 2026 at 3:28 PM
What happened to the Pictish societies of Orkney and Shetland? To what extent did islanders have agency in a time of major social change?
An interesting perspective from Andrew Jennings that draws on pirate studies& island studies to rethink the "violent conquest or integration/intermarriage" debate
An interesting perspective from Andrew Jennings that draws on pirate studies& island studies to rethink the "violent conquest or integration/intermarriage" debate
RIP John Jamieson, Scottish firefighter who invented the Distress Signal Unit after a fire in Kilbirnie street, Glasgow in 1972 claimed the lives of 7 firefighters. His invention, which signals for help if firefighters become trapped, injured, or unresponsive, has undoubtedly saved many lives.
August 27, 2026 at 8:42 PM
RIP John Jamieson, Scottish firefighter who invented the Distress Signal Unit after a fire in Kilbirnie street, Glasgow in 1972 claimed the lives of 7 firefighters. His invention, which signals for help if firefighters become trapped, injured, or unresponsive, has undoubtedly saved many lives.
Deeply upsetting to read that the American Center for Mongolian Studies are considering deep cuts to their language programme, including making the world-respected language teacher Dr T. Tsermaa redundant. Please sign this petition calling on ACMS to reconsider. www.change.org/p/save-the-m...
Sign the Petition
Save the Mongolian Language Program at ACMS
www.change.org
August 27, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Deeply upsetting to read that the American Center for Mongolian Studies are considering deep cuts to their language programme, including making the world-respected language teacher Dr T. Tsermaa redundant. Please sign this petition calling on ACMS to reconsider. www.change.org/p/save-the-m...
Fascinating and important exhibition for COP17 on nomadic futures and the ethnoarchaeology of Mongolian and Italian pastoralism www.ethnoarchaeology.net/exhibition/m...
Mongolian and Italian Pastoralism - Mongolian Texts - Associazione Italiana di Etnoarcheologia
www.ethnoarchaeology.net
August 26, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Fascinating and important exhibition for COP17 on nomadic futures and the ethnoarchaeology of Mongolian and Italian pastoralism www.ethnoarchaeology.net/exhibition/m...
"9 to 5, yeah they got you where they want you
There's a better life, and you dream about it, don't you?
It's a rich man's game no matter what they call it
And you spend your life puttin' money in his wallet"
RIP Dolly Parton
There's a better life, and you dream about it, don't you?
It's a rich man's game no matter what they call it
And you spend your life puttin' money in his wallet"
RIP Dolly Parton
August 25, 2026 at 7:51 PM
"9 to 5, yeah they got you where they want you
There's a better life, and you dream about it, don't you?
It's a rich man's game no matter what they call it
And you spend your life puttin' money in his wallet"
RIP Dolly Parton
There's a better life, and you dream about it, don't you?
It's a rich man's game no matter what they call it
And you spend your life puttin' money in his wallet"
RIP Dolly Parton
Nice feature by Woo Ji-Won about Central Asia Street and "Mongol Town" in Seoul, a vivid account of migrant communities reshaping the urban sensorium. Also the pictures of food make me hungry. (h/t @michaelchesnut.bsky.social )
v.daum.net/v/2026071607...
v.daum.net/v/2026071607...
Gwanghui-dong's Central Asia Street: One neighborhood, many flavors
[About Town Global]: Gwanghui-dong's Central Asia Street Korea is no longer the homogeneous nation it once was. The country saw a record high 2.16 million foreign residents as of 2025, accounting
v.daum.net
August 25, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Nice feature by Woo Ji-Won about Central Asia Street and "Mongol Town" in Seoul, a vivid account of migrant communities reshaping the urban sensorium. Also the pictures of food make me hungry. (h/t @michaelchesnut.bsky.social )
v.daum.net/v/2026071607...
v.daum.net/v/2026071607...
@songsforhorses.com have you been following this angry discourse about the татах хүч sculpture at COP17? I have a feeling its right up your street!
August 21, 2026 at 5:26 PM
@songsforhorses.com have you been following this angry discourse about the татах хүч sculpture at COP17? I have a feeling its right up your street!
Been out in Mongolia, speaking about the poet Natsagdorj, but mostly circling ovoos in the Tolbor valley of Khutag Undur sum, Bulgan aimag
August 20, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Been out in Mongolia, speaking about the poet Natsagdorj, but mostly circling ovoos in the Tolbor valley of Khutag Undur sum, Bulgan aimag
Reposted by Richard Irvine
What’s on your reading list this week? 📖
If The vow of stability: An ethnography of monastic life isn’t on your list, now is your chance to add it.
Read now: https://books.sup.ac.uk/sup/catalog/book/sup-9781917341110
If The vow of stability: An ethnography of monastic life isn’t on your list, now is your chance to add it.
Read now: https://books.sup.ac.uk/sup/catalog/book/sup-9781917341110
August 20, 2026 at 1:30 PM
What’s on your reading list this week? 📖
If The vow of stability: An ethnography of monastic life isn’t on your list, now is your chance to add it.
Read now: https://books.sup.ac.uk/sup/catalog/book/sup-9781917341110
If The vow of stability: An ethnography of monastic life isn’t on your list, now is your chance to add it.
Read now: https://books.sup.ac.uk/sup/catalog/book/sup-9781917341110
@songsforhorses.com Heading back to Mongolia next week and I've bought a copy of your book for the journey, it just arrived in the post today. Looking forward to reading it!
July 25, 2026 at 11:16 AM
@songsforhorses.com Heading back to Mongolia next week and I've bought a copy of your book for the journey, it just arrived in the post today. Looking forward to reading it!
"I was far too scared to hit him but I would hit him in a heartbeat now"
July 21, 2026 at 11:12 PM
"I was far too scared to hit him but I would hit him in a heartbeat now"
Reposted by Richard Irvine
Gibraltarians and Falkland Islanders have overwhelmingly declared their intention to retain British sovereignty. To refuse to accept this is not anti-imperialism - it is quite the opposite.
July 19, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Gibraltarians and Falkland Islanders have overwhelmingly declared their intention to retain British sovereignty. To refuse to accept this is not anti-imperialism - it is quite the opposite.
Reposted by Richard Irvine
People who oppose the right to self-determination of the Falkland Islanders or the Gibraltarians are telling on themselves - they are the colonialists who disregard the democratic will of the population, they are the nationalists who believe in fictions of "territorial integrity" over human life.
World Cup final between two teams that believe very strongly in their home country's claims to various British-controlled rocks despite referendums revealing that 99% of citizens would like to remain British
July 19, 2026 at 9:21 AM
People who oppose the right to self-determination of the Falkland Islanders or the Gibraltarians are telling on themselves - they are the colonialists who disregard the democratic will of the population, they are the nationalists who believe in fictions of "territorial integrity" over human life.
People who oppose the right to self-determination of the Falkland Islanders or the Gibraltarians are telling on themselves - they are the colonialists who disregard the democratic will of the population, they are the nationalists who believe in fictions of "territorial integrity" over human life.
World Cup final between two teams that believe very strongly in their home country's claims to various British-controlled rocks despite referendums revealing that 99% of citizens would like to remain British
July 19, 2026 at 9:21 AM
People who oppose the right to self-determination of the Falkland Islanders or the Gibraltarians are telling on themselves - they are the colonialists who disregard the democratic will of the population, they are the nationalists who believe in fictions of "territorial integrity" over human life.
This is an absolute disaster of an interview. Rouse comes across as arrogant and, in places, ignorant. It's probably making people think the whole dumb "Report on the State of Scholarship in the Humanities" has a point.
New Q&A: Is anthropology hopelessly politicized, more than any other humanistic field? That's the charge that's been flying around this summer, so I wanted to hear from Carolyn Rouse, the president of the American Anthropological Association. She had a lot to say. www.chronicle.com/article/is-a...
Is Anthropology Hopelessly Politicized?
We asked Carolyn M. Rouse, head of the American Anthropological Association. She had a lot to say.
www.chronicle.com
July 18, 2026 at 1:23 PM
This is an absolute disaster of an interview. Rouse comes across as arrogant and, in places, ignorant. It's probably making people think the whole dumb "Report on the State of Scholarship in the Humanities" has a point.
Living in an island group that was Norse until 1472, and is the only part of the UK that celebrates Norwegian Constitution Day, I think it's a fair bet which side will be getting the most support in tonight's football match between England and Norway.
Annual celebration of Norwegian Constitution Day, Kirkwall, Orkney.
July 11, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Living in an island group that was Norse until 1472, and is the only part of the UK that celebrates Norwegian Constitution Day, I think it's a fair bet which side will be getting the most support in tonight's football match between England and Norway.
Reposted by Richard Irvine
Have you tested your smoke alarm lately?
We recommend testing them once a week and you should have one installed per floor of your home.
We recommend testing them once a week and you should have one installed per floor of your home.
July 11, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Have you tested your smoke alarm lately?
We recommend testing them once a week and you should have one installed per floor of your home.
We recommend testing them once a week and you should have one installed per floor of your home.