š Books 2026, 14: A Canticle for Leibowitz, by Walter M. M. Miller: devilgate.org
","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/08/15/books-a-canticle-for-leibowitz/","date_published":"2026-08-15T19:02:10+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-08-15 19:02","date_timestamp":1786820530,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mt5efhrr7l2s"]}},{"id":"95462838","content_html":"Wow, so many typos in todayās post, including Melvilleās surname! I hope no one saw it.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/08/09/wow-so-many-typos-in/","date_published":"2026-08-09T18:06:37+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-08-09 18:06","date_timestamp":1786298797,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mso6jb46bn2w"]}},{"id":"95451575","content_html":"š Books 2026, 18: Moby Dick, by Herman Melville: devilgate.org
","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/08/09/books-moby-dick-by-herman/","date_published":"2026-08-09T14:11:22+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-08-09 14:11","date_timestamp":1786284682,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3msnrepxlnv2d"]}},{"id":"95446241","content_html":"John Gruber may not be a mainstream journalist, in that heās an independent writer, not employed by a large publication; but this retraction of a recent article is an object lesson in how to behave when youāve published something incorrect. Even if, as in this case, youāve been misled.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/08/09/john-gruber-may-not-be/","date_published":"2026-08-09T11:47:21+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-08-09 11:47","date_timestamp":1786276041,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3msnjc5ujqt25"]}},{"id":"95445866","content_html":"![](\"https://micro.blog/books/9780785839781/cover.jpg\")
\nThis morning I finished reading Moby Dick by Herman Melville š
\nWow! More later.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/08/09/this-morning-i-finished-reading/","date_published":"2026-08-09T11:35:24+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-08-09 11:35","date_timestamp":1786275324,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3msniphuk6o25"]}},{"id":"95202265","content_html":"@sbisson Thanks for that. I couldnātāve told you the title, but the story really stuck with me. And the ribbon marker in my The Stories of Ray Bradbury was just after it.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/95202265","date_published":"2026-08-04T22:26:02+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-08-04 22:26","date_timestamp":1785882362,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"95141684","content_html":"@ReaderJohn Doesnāt bother me, Iām just pleased to have learned a new word!
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/95141684","date_published":"2026-08-03T20:46:41+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-08-03 20:46","date_timestamp":1785790001,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"95127532","content_html":"![](\"https://micro.blog/photos/100x/https%3A%2F%2Fimage.tmdb.org%2Ft%2Fp%2Fw154%2FiPOn6DinuVyLY17YM9mKuPofV08.jpg\")
\nWatched: Spider-Man: Brand New Day š„
\nThis was great! I think itās the best of the Tom Holland Spideys. Marvel movies seem to be back.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/08/03/watched-spiderman-brand-new-day/","date_published":"2026-08-03T15:34:03+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-08-03 15:34","date_timestamp":1785771243,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3ms6t55m6i22t"]}},{"id":"95127411","content_html":"@ReaderJohn
\n> āThere is one God, [fill in the blank],ā is not a Christian affirmation.
If you fill in the blank with āThe Father almightyā youāve essentially got the start of the RC (and CoE?) creed!
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/95127411","date_published":"2026-08-03T15:30:58+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-08-03 15:30","date_timestamp":1785771058,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"94923659","content_html":"@adders Itās also nice where they let you select text and paste a URL over it to create a link.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/94923659","date_published":"2026-07-30T17:05:59+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-30 17:05","date_timestamp":1785431159,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"94809884","content_html":"\n\nGetting rid of teachers because we all have chatbots is like getting rid of doctors because we all have the plague.
\n
Coryās latest is very good on good and bad uses of LLMs, and why discernment is key to using them well.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/07/28/getting-rid-of-teachers-because/","date_published":"2026-07-28T19:33:26+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-28 19:33","date_timestamp":1785267206,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mrq5pg2de52e"]}},{"id":"94807604","content_html":"@mmetcalfe Probably not.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/94807604","date_published":"2026-07-28T18:43:10+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-28 18:43","date_timestamp":1785264190,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"94805173","content_html":"I need to excise the word āthoughā from my vocabulary, like Iāve just had to excise several instances of it from this morningās post. It is clearly my most overused word.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/07/28/i-need-to-excise-the/","date_published":"2026-07-28T17:56:31+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-28 17:56","date_timestamp":1785261391,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mrpyc6uij32u"]}},{"id":"94786015","content_html":"@adoran2 I clicked your link in the Micro.blog Mac app, and what looks like a normal link (https://andrewdoran.uk/blog/2026/07/28/13913/) took me to a page of raw JSON.
š Books 2026, 17: The Three Eyes of Evil, by AE Van Vogt: devilgate.org
","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/07/28/books-the-three-eyes-of/","date_published":"2026-07-28T07:08:53+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-28 07:08","date_timestamp":1785222533,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mrou5ewhxg2r"]}},{"id":"94677524","content_html":"@JohnPhilpin I never noticed before that Paul is the only one not wearing a hat. An old Scouse sign of death, you know.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/94677524","date_published":"2026-07-26T09:26:40+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-26 09:26","date_timestamp":1785058000,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"94629759","content_html":"@manton The reply Iām replying to here has visible HTML tags, where I tried to wrap a title as a citation. Is there a way to get this kind of thing to render as expected? It works properly on posts, of course, just not replies.
\n\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/94629759","date_published":"2026-07-25T09:20:21+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-25 09:20","date_timestamp":1784971221,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"94627639","content_html":"@JohnPhilpin But could you, from memory, sketch out the positions of all four Beatlesā arms from the <cite>Help</cite> cover? I know I couldnāt, and like you, itās burned into my mind. Just not clearly enough to sketch.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/94627639","date_published":"2026-07-25T08:26:19+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-25 08:26","date_timestamp":1784967979,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"94627441","content_html":"![](\"https://micro.blog/photos/100x/https%3A%2F%2Fimage.tmdb.org%2Ft%2Fp%2Fw154%2FqlXLiFKf2kvJ4K2VDBC5Z048vm3.jpg\")
\nWatched: Babylon 5: The Road Home š„
\nThis animated sequel-of-sorts to the wonderful Babylon 5 TV series was released a few years ago, and I somehow missed out on the news. Heard about it a few months ago and was reminded again yesterday.
\nItās good enough, but mainly for the chance to spend some more time...
devilgate.org","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/07/25/watched-babylon-the-road-home/","date_published":"2026-07-25T08:15:52+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-25 08:15","date_timestamp":1784967352,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mrhghw6gsc2t"]}},{"id":"94565616","content_html":"Common, Wealthy: devilgate.org
","summary":"In which I watch an opening ceremony and way too many adverts.","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/07/24/common-wealthy/","date_published":"2026-07-24T07:03:32+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-24 07:03","date_timestamp":1784876612,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mrerxrxsly23"]}},{"id":"94542286","content_html":"It is undeniable that Wales has the worldās coolest flag.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/07/23/it-is-undeniable-that-wales/","date_published":"2026-07-23T20:09:46+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-23 20:09","date_timestamp":1784837386,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mrdnfy734n2t"]}},{"id":"94539124","content_html":"Itās not exactly Danny Boyleās 2012 masterpiece so far, is it?
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/07/23/its-not-exactly-danny-boyles/","date_published":"2026-07-23T19:07:46+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-23 19:07","date_timestamp":1784833666,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mrdjwuv3h327"]}},{"id":"94539008","content_html":"Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony is on Channel 5, but makes heavy use of Doctor Who? Weird.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/07/23/commonwealth-games-opening-ceremony-is/","date_published":"2026-07-23T19:05:00+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-23 19:05","date_timestamp":1784833500,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mrdjscv6is24"]}},{"id":"94520256","content_html":"@JohnPhilpin Aha, you have achieved both image and text!
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/94520256","date_published":"2026-07-23T12:52:55+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-23 12:52","date_timestamp":1784811175,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"94471959","content_html":"@manton I donāt know, man, Thompsonās suggestion smacks of mutually-assured destruction!
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/94471959","date_published":"2026-07-22T16:56:49+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-22 16:56","date_timestamp":1784739409,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"94378646","content_html":"@vazquez That would have to be <cite>Blade Runner</cite> for me.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/94378646","date_published":"2026-07-21T06:39:43+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-21 06:39","date_timestamp":1784615983,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"94361762","content_html":"The most intriguing thing for me about this alternative way of looking at The Great Wave is that I had never before realised there were boats in it!
\n\n\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/07/20/the-most-intriguing-thing-for/","date_published":"2026-07-20T22:15:27+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-20 22:15","date_timestamp":1784585727,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mr4d6g2p6q2u"]}},{"id":"94357630","content_html":"Here's the original (first photo) and flipped (second). The idea is that since Japanese is read right-to-left, English speakers accustomed to left-to-right reading should see how it looks flipped, where it looks more like the boats are heading into the intimidating waves.
\n\n\n\n\n
@JohnPhilpin I donāt see any selectable text in it, so I donāt think itās any different?
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/94357630","date_published":"2026-07-20T20:34:36+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-20 20:34","date_timestamp":1784579676,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"94340969","content_html":"![](\"https://micro.blog/photos/100x/https%3A%2F%2Fimage.tmdb.org%2Ft%2Fp%2Fw154%2FigCZbIKbYJijEhMVYwUD9MooApa.jpg\")
Watched: Billion Dollar Brain š„.
\nThe third Harry Palmer film, and considerably more bizarre and confusing than the the first or second. Also a Ken Russell film, so thatās probably why. A mad Texan oil billionaire with a private army tries to trigger a third world war, basically
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/07/20/watched-billion-dollar-brain-the/","date_published":"2026-07-20T18:16:43+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-20 18:16","date_timestamp":1784571403,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mr3vqqoveb2e"]}},{"id":"94340348","content_html":"@JohnPhilpin Yeah, quite likely! I donāt know about the Markdown accessibility thing. Would that be visible in Micro.blog? In NetNewsWire or similar? The reason being, if I want to link to something, Iād like to quote part of it, so Iād like to be able to copy & paste.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/94340348","date_published":"2026-07-20T18:03:07+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-20 18:03","date_timestamp":1784570587,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"94293318","content_html":"That BBC self-ad at half time of the World Cup Final was OK, but Mitch Benn did it better years ago with āIām Proud of the BBCā (YouTube link).
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/07/19/that-bbc-selfad-at-half/","date_published":"2026-07-19T20:47:11+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-19 20:47","date_timestamp":1784494031,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mqznn5ad3r2u"]}},{"id":"94267584","content_html":"@JohnPhilpin Yes! This, so much this. All too often forgotten.
\n(Itād be nice if it was text, not just an image.)
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/94267584","date_published":"2026-07-19T09:02:40+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-19 09:02","date_timestamp":1784451760,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"94237524","content_html":"š Books 2026, 16: Use of weapons, by Iain M Banks: devilgate.org
","summary":"In which I interrupt a major work to reread a favourite (again), this time inspired by a podcast.","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/07/18/finished-reading-use-of-weapons/","date_published":"2026-07-18T17:12:49+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-18 17:12","date_timestamp":1784394769,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mqwr7m4pmz27"]}},{"id":"93632802","content_html":"I have no idea how Dave Winer comes to this conclusion:
\n\n\nOne of the silver linings of AI use is that it makes you a better writer.
\n
Especially when one of the main things people (at least non-programmers) tout it for is doing your writing for you!
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/07/08/i-have-no-idea-how/","date_published":"2026-07-08T08:19:00+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-08 08:19","date_timestamp":1783498740,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mq4opcqoqp23"]}},{"id":"93511007","content_html":"![](\"https://micro.blog/photos/100x/https%3A%2F%2Fimage.tmdb.org%2Ft%2Fp%2Fw154%2FzDthRXkGnwFIWI0zWcJyS7h6lUl.jpg\")
Watched: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason š„.
\nI was sure I hadnāt seen it before, but I remembered some scenes as they happened. I have a vague memory of a DVD in a holiday house, perhaps. Partial falling asleep may have been involved.
\nItās daft but fun in places.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/07/06/watched-bridget-jones-the-edge/","date_published":"2026-07-06T06:20:19+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-06 06:20","date_timestamp":1783318819,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mpxioio7rt2q"]}},{"id":"93510852","content_html":"š Books 2026, 15: The Illuminatus! Trilogy, by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson: devilgate.org
","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/07/06/finished-reading-illuminatus-by-robert/","date_published":"2026-07-06T06:19:44+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-06 06:19","date_timestamp":1783318784,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mpxif4vcb72e"]}},{"id":"93109743","content_html":"@JohnPhilpin Also The White Album, but not Sgt Pepper or Revolver? Seems very surprising.
\nAnd Hootie and the Blowfish? I honestly donāt think Iāve ever heard them!
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/93109743","date_published":"2026-06-29T07:01:06+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-29 07:01","date_timestamp":1782716466,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92862217","content_html":"This from @JohnPhilpin sounds like reviews by John Clute in Interzone back in the day:
\n\n\nšļø That moment when you open a blog post and you need to look up 4 words just in the first sentence.
\n
Source: https://john.philpin.com/2026/06/25/that-moment-when-you-open.html
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/06/25/this-from-johnphilpin-sounds-like/","date_published":"2026-06-25T07:23:21+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-25 07:23","date_timestamp":1782372201,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mp3vls56xx2j"]}},{"id":"92846477","content_html":"Well that was a bloody waste of time! Donāt know why I stayed up for that.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/06/25/well-that-was-a-bloody/","date_published":"2026-06-25T00:20:11+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-25 00:20","date_timestamp":1782346811,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mp35veb3nk2f"]}},{"id":"92802038","content_html":"\n\nMinute Cryptic - 24 June, 2026\nāHermit perhaps returning alone, wandering cityā (9)\nš£š£š£š£š£š£š£š£š£š£š£š£\nš 0 hints ā 3 under the community par (81,255 solvers so far).\nwww.minutecryptic.com
\n
Tough one, this. My first instinct was right, but I made a wrong guess.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/06/24/minute-cryptic-june-hermit-perhaps/","date_published":"2026-06-24T12:29:05+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-24 12:29","date_timestamp":1782304145,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mozw5e4ik52a"]}},{"id":"92727267","content_html":"@thedimpause It was really hard at first! Until I ā¦ got it.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/92727267","date_published":"2026-06-23T12:13:20+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-23 12:13","date_timestamp":1782216800,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92726512","content_html":"@bugshaw.bsky.social Have you got lodgers A to Y? Are you running some sort of hostel?
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/92726512","date_published":"2026-06-23T11:58:57+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-23 11:58","date_timestamp":1782215937,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92663412","content_html":"@andrewhickey.500songs.com Ha. Valid points, for the most part. But I donāt think they would have been handled any differently under any mainstream politician. So I just donāt understand why Starmer gets quite as much criticism as he does. Did.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/92663412","date_published":"2026-06-22T14:21:48+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-22 14:21","date_timestamp":1782138108,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92657912","content_html":"@andrewhickey.500songs.com Iām trying to understand just why people have been so down on Starmer. He seemed competent, if dull, but thatās a lot better than the chaotic nonsense of Johnson, etc. What was your main problem with him?
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/92657912","date_published":"2026-06-22T12:51:30+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-22 12:51","date_timestamp":1782132690,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92616158","content_html":"@daveycraney All fair points except possibly one, which Iāll come back to in a minute.
\nThe thing with both the anti-protest laws and and the anti-privacy ones: I donāt think theyāll be different under another PM, of either party. I fear thatās just the way mainstream UK politics is going. I donāt like it, but I donāt see it changing under Burnham. We live in hope, though.
\nOn immigration and running from reform (or rather, towards them), yeah, hopefully those can change. Again, though, I do wonder how much the guy at the top is really in charge. We donāt have a presidential system after all, which is why they can change the guy at the top!
\nIām not sure what you mean about attacks on trans rights. If youāre thinking of the Supreme Court judgement as to the meaning of āwomanā in the Equality Act, that was a clarification of the existing law, not a policy matter.
\nAnyway, I guess weāll see what happens next.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/92616158","date_published":"2026-06-21T19:51:05+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-21 19:51","date_timestamp":1782071465,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92610591","content_html":"@daveycraney Iām interested to know what you find so bad about Starmer. I see so much of this, and yet he seems objectively (inasmuch as I can be objective) to have been fine. Not great, but fine, OK. Certainly infinitely more stable and capable than anyone in the Johnson/May/Truss/Sunak array.
\nSo why does Starmer get so much negativity?
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/92610591","date_published":"2026-06-21T16:56:40+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-21 16:56","date_timestamp":1782061000,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92610437","content_html":"@mmetcalfe In case your suitcase falls apart!
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/92610437","date_published":"2026-06-21T16:52:19+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-21 16:52","date_timestamp":1782060739,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92606687","content_html":"This is what weāre faced with as the year hinges into its second half. Astronomically, if not by the calendar.
\n![\"\"](\"https://eu.uploads.micro.blog/89068/2026/39927c6db2-m.jpg\")
\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/06/21/this-is-what-were-faced/","date_published":"2026-06-21T15:03:36+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-21 15:03","date_timestamp":1782054216,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:52p6ext57v3b2wc6xa5s4xui/post/3mosnf2sxkr2n"]}},{"id":"92448153","content_html":"@manton Thanks, will do.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/92448153","date_published":"2026-06-18T19:38:45+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-18 19:38","date_timestamp":1781811525,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92417932","content_html":"@manton I installed the latest version on my Mac and now I canāt run it. I also canāt post a photo in an @-reply, so hereās the generated alt-text of the screen grab:
\n> A notification indicates that the Micro.blog.app cannot be used with macOS 13.7.8 and requires macOS 14.0 or later to run.
\nIām on an old Mac, so I canāt go up to 14. No biggie, but it probably shouldnāt have let me install it.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/92417932","date_published":"2026-06-18T09:11:29+00:00","author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2022%2F424.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"devilgate"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-18 09:11","date_timestamp":1781773889,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}}]}![\"\"](\"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/1000x/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.micro.blog%2Fphotos%2F1000x%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Ffiles.mastodon.social%252Fmedia_attachments%252Ffiles%252F116%252F954%252F555%252F536%252F222%252F577%252Foriginal%252F9c0757c847f0d630.jpeg\")