“Don’t make everything political”

The BBC has decided that certain current-events reporters should not be seen to attend or tweet about certain events/issues/movements lest their "impartiality" apparently be compromised. Let's see where this goes - hopefully swiftly to the bin once unions and lawyers are through with it - but also let's talk about what impartial really means when it comes to identity.

Bleachgate reaches the White House

Recent events necessitate this update. Trump is now part of #Bleachgate. This is not something I expected to be writing, honestly - although recently, others have seen it coming. Content warning for child abuse. I've been preparing to do a roundup of some COVID19 stuff because it's mostly what people are talking about and there's …

On gender-neutral language

Despite being a relatively small issue, this one's important to me. Hopefully I'll explain why and what you can do to address it too. An (imperfect) example that fellow nerds will be very familiar with is: To boldly go where no-one has gone before You'll recognise that as part of the Star Trek: The Next Generation opening …

Incels and taking online misogyny seriously

I am not happy to write this. Not a bit. There is absolutely no joy in "I told you so" when "These people are deadly" is again reality. It's sickening that having mentioned one murderer so recently, they've been invoked in the killing of another 10 innocent people. Another 10 families inverted as misogynistic hate groups congregate …

QEDcon 2017

My 7th QED in a row came around in October 2017. The usual mess of train snacks and a bit of celebratory boozing on the train up, a different (bizarre) hotel - thanks, The Britannia! - and straight into catching up with old friends. Volunteering last year was enjoyable, but there is always a great …