Wonkish
@wonkish.bsky.social
Soft left(ie), former Labour staffer, now 🟢 member, and a tech/climate nerd who follows US politics a lot for a Brit. He/him + 🏳️🌈.
TiL that "Breeding Insights" is not just what you'd call the Sniffies magazine, but also a thing you can get from an internet-connected smart ear tag for your cows.
www.701x.com/xtpro-tag
www.701x.com/xtpro-tag
September 18, 2026 at 10:35 PM
TiL that "Breeding Insights" is not just what you'd call the Sniffies magazine, but also a thing you can get from an internet-connected smart ear tag for your cows.
www.701x.com/xtpro-tag
www.701x.com/xtpro-tag
Reposted by Wonkish
Reposted by Wonkish
"RNLI crew members had been forced to take their permits off their cars after their tyres have been repeatedly slashed. Most of them have been pilloried at the school gates or turned away from local pubs. One man who worked in search and rescue had been beaten unconscious and hospitalised"
I have spent weeks shadowing the RNLI and I can tell you, they do it out of nothing more than compassion.
Wrote about the heroes I've met over the years in this free-to-read post.
nicolakelly.substack.com/p/the-rnli-a...
Wrote about the heroes I've met over the years in this free-to-read post.
nicolakelly.substack.com/p/the-rnli-a...
The RNLI aren't traitors; they're heroes
I have spent weeks shadowing lifeboat crews. Here's what they do and what it's like.
nicolakelly.substack.com
September 18, 2026 at 6:45 AM
"RNLI crew members had been forced to take their permits off their cars after their tyres have been repeatedly slashed. Most of them have been pilloried at the school gates or turned away from local pubs. One man who worked in search and rescue had been beaten unconscious and hospitalised"
Reposted by Wonkish
Every day, the stories from the UK read like a dystopian novel.
September 17, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Every day, the stories from the UK read like a dystopian novel.
I'm choosing to watch this as a preview of President Ocasio-Cortez talking about her strategy to deal with Elon Musk.
September 17, 2026 at 12:08 AM
I'm choosing to watch this as a preview of President Ocasio-Cortez talking about her strategy to deal with Elon Musk.
While doing canvassing can be great in multiple ways (electoral impact, socially etc.), one of the reasons I wish more political nerds would do it is as it’s by far the most effective way to learn that the majority of voters are disinterested, ignorant, and hilariously ideologically inconsistent.
In the median Korean voter’s defence, I’m not sure any politically informed chimpanzees would be able to survive contact with median voters in other countries too,
we taught this chimpanzee to understand the median Korean voter and it hanged itself
September 16, 2026 at 9:48 PM
While doing canvassing can be great in multiple ways (electoral impact, socially etc.), one of the reasons I wish more political nerds would do it is as it’s by far the most effective way to learn that the majority of voters are disinterested, ignorant, and hilariously ideologically inconsistent.
In the median Korean voter’s defence, I’m not sure any politically informed chimpanzees would be able to survive contact with median voters in other countries too,
we taught this chimpanzee to understand the median Korean voter and it hanged itself
September 16, 2026 at 9:41 PM
In the median Korean voter’s defence, I’m not sure any politically informed chimpanzees would be able to survive contact with median voters in other countries too,
I'm sorry Randall, but the people yearn for the massive inflatable butt.
September 16, 2026 at 6:32 PM
I'm sorry Randall, but the people yearn for the massive inflatable butt.
I'm sure if a UK city did this explicitly as a way to try to opt out of Shabana Mahmood's new immigration laws, a government minister would *definitely* respond the same way, right?
September 16, 2026 at 8:16 AM
I'm sure if a UK city did this explicitly as a way to try to opt out of Shabana Mahmood's new immigration laws, a government minister would *definitely* respond the same way, right?
Bluesky™
Folks, I'm not sure your sense of what the normies will take seriously is well calibrated
September 16, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Bluesky™
Once again, there's always a CXG song:
Since we all hate Ed Sheerhan now please enjoy this parody of the "Thinking Out Loud" music video.
Let's Have Intercourse - feat. Scott Michael Foster - "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"
YouTube video by racheldoesstuff
youtu.be
September 15, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Once again, there's always a CXG song:
My "I am not complicit" T-shirt is raising a lot of questions already answered by the shirt.
Ed Sheeran has released a statement on Macklemore being removed from his tour for speaking up for Palestine:
“I am not complicit. […] Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have [my own opinions], and it doesn't mean I don't care.”
“I am not complicit. […] Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have [my own opinions], and it doesn't mean I don't care.”
September 15, 2026 at 5:03 PM
My "I am not complicit" T-shirt is raising a lot of questions already answered by the shirt.
This has such strong "hello there, I'm friend of your mother, and I like her very much" vibes, but with a very threatening and worrying energy that you can't quite logically explain, but you definitely do feel.
New correspondent Ross Douthat says "no story looms larger than the latest developments in artificial intelligence." The technology and its impacts will be a major focus of 60 Minutes reporting.
September 14, 2026 at 3:57 AM
This has such strong "hello there, I'm friend of your mother, and I like her very much" vibes, but with a very threatening and worrying energy that you can't quite logically explain, but you definitely do feel.
Reposted by Wonkish
If folks on here want to pretend that the only thing Talarico said was about sports, that's fine—it's also not true.
He would ban gender affirming care for 17 year olds. And I'm sure many of you haven't tried to figure out how to keep a trans kid from killing themselves, so you don't get it
He would ban gender affirming care for 17 year olds. And I'm sure many of you haven't tried to figure out how to keep a trans kid from killing themselves, so you don't get it
Talarico says he would vote in favor of a national ban for transgender surgeries for minors
September 14, 2026 at 3:10 AM
If folks on here want to pretend that the only thing Talarico said was about sports, that's fine—it's also not true.
He would ban gender affirming care for 17 year olds. And I'm sure many of you haven't tried to figure out how to keep a trans kid from killing themselves, so you don't get it
He would ban gender affirming care for 17 year olds. And I'm sure many of you haven't tried to figure out how to keep a trans kid from killing themselves, so you don't get it
Reposted by Wonkish
“No amount of public support in polling or public protest will influence how or when those in power drastically change Israel policy.” Fascinating, tell me more.
The former Special Assistant to President Joe Biden decided to throw a temper tantrum on Twitter, but I do think it is actually really good to have Biden alumna say this out loud.
September 13, 2026 at 5:42 PM
“No amount of public support in polling or public protest will influence how or when those in power drastically change Israel policy.” Fascinating, tell me more.
Reposted by Wonkish
If you think “some prominent trans activists” control enough votes to win or lose elections you should probably center them in your campaign strategy
September 13, 2026 at 5:16 PM
If you think “some prominent trans activists” control enough votes to win or lose elections you should probably center them in your campaign strategy
inb4 conspiracy theorists have a fucking field day with this.
The team embedded electrodes into live cockroaches, then outfitted them with cameras and injection devices to deliver medication via remote control.
These Cyborg Cockroaches Could Save Your Life
The team embedded electrodes into live cockroaches, then outfitted them with cameras and injection devices to deliver medication via remote control.
www.wired.com
September 12, 2026 at 10:48 PM
inb4 conspiracy theorists have a fucking field day with this.
Reposted by Wonkish
Eye-wateringly stupid defence from Rowling’s team here - ‘She does not support legal actions aimed at harming transgender people.’ - Really? So that £70,000 towards the bathroom ban was by accident? The JKR Women’s Fund was made by an impersonator? At least have the spine to admit you want us dead
J.K. Rowling’s rep responds to Lilly Wachowski’s accusation of ‘funding trans genocide’ (exclusive)
J.K. Rowling’s representative responded to Lilly Wachowski accusing the author of ‘funding trans genocide’: ‘She does not support legal actions aimed at harming transgender people.’
ew.com
September 12, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Eye-wateringly stupid defence from Rowling’s team here - ‘She does not support legal actions aimed at harming transgender people.’ - Really? So that £70,000 towards the bathroom ban was by accident? The JKR Women’s Fund was made by an impersonator? At least have the spine to admit you want us dead
Reposted by Wonkish
so the exact scenario all of us opposing this have warned about for the last 2 years
A trans man in the UK has been banned in the workplace restrooms after he was forced to use the women's restrooms to comply with the new EHRC guidance. The women complained because he is visibly male and so they told him he can't use any bathroom.
![A screenshot of a Reddit post from the r/LegalAdviceUK subreddit by user Dijstraanon, titled "FtM transgender facing two different issues at work? England."
The post text reads:
"Brother in law is trans FtM and presents fully as a man. He's now facing an impossible situation at work with his employer telling him that due to recent legislation he must use the toilet of his birth gender. BUT several female colleagues have raised a grievance about him using their gendered toilet.
His employer has told him that he cannot use the toilet while he is at work until they sort it out and cannot give him a timeframe to do so. They do [cut off] have disabled separate toilets.
In the mean time one of his female colleagues has accused him of sexual harassment because he was used their gendered toilet. His menstrual cycle meant he needed to use the toilet.
He's been with the employer for just over 5 years but only in this location for 18 months. The location is mainly male with just a handful of females, and his workshop only has male toilets.
I do not know how to support him and as he's not in a union there is no one to turn too right now."
The post has an orange "Comments Moderated" tag, 169 upvotes, and 134 comments.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:sefgphqp2xqwh2hawaixykwz/bafkreigy6jrfjxyegrf7h4wzz3yptwmzobhjrd3k5zjoxwd75r6ulxzsyq)
September 12, 2026 at 1:07 PM
so the exact scenario all of us opposing this have warned about for the last 2 years
Reposted by Wonkish
‘The Matrix’ creator Lilly Wachowski on J.K. Rowling and the new ‘Harry Potter’ series:
“She is funding trans genocide. J.K. Rowling funds trans genocide, full stop. So, if you support ‘Harry Potter,’ you’re supporting trans genocide.”
variety.com/2026/tv/feat...
“She is funding trans genocide. J.K. Rowling funds trans genocide, full stop. So, if you support ‘Harry Potter,’ you’re supporting trans genocide.”
variety.com/2026/tv/feat...
Lilly Wachowski on Her New Studio Anarchists United, the Black Power Origins of ‘The Matrix’ and How ‘Harry Potter’ Fans Are ‘Supporting Trans Genocide’
‘The Matrix’ filmmaker Lilly Wachowski opens up about her new studio for marginalized voices Anarchists United, J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk.
variety.com
September 11, 2026 at 2:50 PM
‘The Matrix’ creator Lilly Wachowski on J.K. Rowling and the new ‘Harry Potter’ series:
“She is funding trans genocide. J.K. Rowling funds trans genocide, full stop. So, if you support ‘Harry Potter,’ you’re supporting trans genocide.”
variety.com/2026/tv/feat...
“She is funding trans genocide. J.K. Rowling funds trans genocide, full stop. So, if you support ‘Harry Potter,’ you’re supporting trans genocide.”
variety.com/2026/tv/feat...
Reposted by Wonkish
Lindsay Ellis' 9/11 in pop culture retrospective from ten years ago is also still worth a watch.
Loose Canon: 9/11 - Part 1
YouTube video by Lindsay Ellis
youtu.be
September 11, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Lindsay Ellis' 9/11 in pop culture retrospective from ten years ago is also still worth a watch.
@erikaishii.bsky.social I mean, maybe it's a bad idea, but @hankgreen.bsky.social can't actually stop you..
(inb4 Maya Higa tackles you to the floor)
(inb4 Maya Higa tackles you to the floor)
September 11, 2026 at 5:43 PM
@erikaishii.bsky.social I mean, maybe it's a bad idea, but @hankgreen.bsky.social can't actually stop you..
(inb4 Maya Higa tackles you to the floor)
(inb4 Maya Higa tackles you to the floor)
Am in the middle of fixing my toilet and turns out the front plate for it is called "Visign for Life" (there’s also Visign for More etc.) and every time I see it/remember, my brain goes:
A VISIGN.. forrrrrrrr life, A VISIGN.. forrrrrrrr life, A VISIGN.. forrrrrrrr life, A Visign for life..
A VISIGN.. forrrrrrrr life, A VISIGN.. forrrrrrrr life, A VISIGN.. forrrrrrrr life, A Visign for life..
Manic Street Preachers - A Design for Life (Official Video)
YouTube video by ManicStPreachersVEVO
www.youtube.com
September 11, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Am in the middle of fixing my toilet and turns out the front plate for it is called "Visign for Life" (there’s also Visign for More etc.) and every time I see it/remember, my brain goes:
A VISIGN.. forrrrrrrr life, A VISIGN.. forrrrrrrr life, A VISIGN.. forrrrrrrr life, A Visign for life..
A VISIGN.. forrrrrrrr life, A VISIGN.. forrrrrrrr life, A VISIGN.. forrrrrrrr life, A Visign for life..
If I had silly money I think I'd see if I could commission @dropout.tv to make some special, free-to-watch seasons of @dimension20.dropout.tv with a cast of older famous people, specifically targeted at boomers, with content on how to run/arrange home games, as a deradicalisation strategy.
I mean, ideally they should be playing TTRPGs. That's a hobby that will grow to consume any available free time.
Fellow Millennials, there is nothing more dangerous than a retired parent who doesn't know what to do with themselves. Make sure your parents have time-consuming and expensive hobbies *before* they retire. Birding is good, it gets them out of the house. But quilting, or model trains works too.
September 11, 2026 at 9:59 AM
If I had silly money I think I'd see if I could commission @dropout.tv to make some special, free-to-watch seasons of @dimension20.dropout.tv with a cast of older famous people, specifically targeted at boomers, with content on how to run/arrange home games, as a deradicalisation strategy.
Reposted by Wonkish
Fellow Millennials, there is nothing more dangerous than a retired parent who doesn't know what to do with themselves. Make sure your parents have time-consuming and expensive hobbies *before* they retire. Birding is good, it gets them out of the house. But quilting, or model trains works too.
As the government bans social media for kids further evidence emerges that it's a minority of retired adults we should really be concerned about.
www.devonlive.com/news/devon-n...
www.devonlive.com/news/devon-n...
Pensioners attack traffic lights over wild 'deadly weapon' claims
An online movement say that the sensors on traffic lights can cause heart attacks, brain cancer, anxiety and even sudden death
www.devonlive.com
September 11, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Fellow Millennials, there is nothing more dangerous than a retired parent who doesn't know what to do with themselves. Make sure your parents have time-consuming and expensive hobbies *before* they retire. Birding is good, it gets them out of the house. But quilting, or model trains works too.