{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Micro.blog - Martin McCallion","home_page_url":"https://micro.blog","feed_url":"https://micro.blog/posts/devilgate","_microblog":{"about":"https://micro.blog/about/api","id":"424","username":"devilgate","bio":"Writer. Software developer.","pronouns":"","is_following":false,"is_you":false,"following_count":263,"discover_count":0},"author":{"name":"Martin McCallion","url":"https://devilgate.org/","avatar":"https://avatars.micro.blog/avatars/2022/424.jpg"},"items":[{"id":"94923659","content_html":"

@adders It’s 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

Getting rid of teachers because we all have chatbots is like getting rid of doctors because we all have the plague.

\n
\n

Cory’s 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 ‘though’ from my vocabulary, like I’ve just had to excise several instances of it from this morning’s 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.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/94786015","date_published":"2026-07-28T11:26:21+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":"2026-07-28 11:26","date_timestamp":1785237981,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"94775081","content_html":"

📚 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 I’m 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

@devilgate

\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 Beatles’ arms from the <cite>Help</cite> cover? I know I couldn’t, and like you, it’s 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":"\n

Watched: Babylon 5: The Road Home 🎥

\n

This 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.

\n

It’s 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 world’s 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":"

It’s not exactly Danny Boyle’s 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 don’t know, man, Thompson’s 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

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
\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":"

@JohnPhilpin I don’t see any selectable text in it, so I don’t think it’s 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":"

Watched: Billion Dollar Brain 🎥.

\n

The third Harry Palmer film, and considerably more bizarre and confusing than the the first or second. Also a Ken Russell film, so that’s 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 don’t 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, I’d like to quote part of it, so I’d 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 ‘I’m Proud of the BBC’ (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

(It’d 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":"

📚 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

One of the silver linings of AI use is that it makes you a better writer.

\n
\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":"

Watched: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason 🎥.

\n

I was sure I hadn’t 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.

\n

It’s 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":"

📚 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.

\n

And Hootie and the Blowfish? I honestly don’t think I’ve 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

👁️ That moment when you open a blog post and you need to look up 4 words just in the first sentence.

\n
\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! Don’t 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

Minute Cryptic - 24 June, 2026\n“Hermit perhaps returning alone, wandering city” (9)\n🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣\n🏆 0 hints – 3 under the community par (81,255 solvers so far).\nwww.minutecryptic.com

\n
\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 … 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 don’t think they would have been handled any differently under any mainstream politician. So I just don’t 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 I’m trying to understand just why people have been so down on Starmer. He seemed competent, if dull, but that’s 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 I’ll come back to in a minute.

\n

The thing with both the anti-protest laws and and the anti-privacy ones: I don’t think they’ll be different under another PM, of either party. I fear that’s just the way mainstream UK politics is going. I don’t like it, but I don’t see it changing under Burnham. We live in hope, though.

\n

On 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 don’t have a presidential system after all, which is why they can change the guy at the top!

\n

I’m not sure what you mean about attacks on trans rights. If you’re thinking of the Supreme Court judgement as to the meaning of ‘woman’ in the Equality Act, that was a clarification of the existing law, not a policy matter.

\n

Anyway, I guess we’ll 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 I’m 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.

\n

So 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 we’re faced with as the year hinges into its second half. Astronomically, if not by the calendar.

\n\"\"\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":"92597755","content_html":"\n

Just realised I hadn’t added Moby Dick to my C\n‘currently reading’ list. I’m only about a third in, totally loving it, and wondering why people think it’s hard. 📚

\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/06/21/just-realised-i-hadnt-added/","date_published":"2026-06-21T11:14:56+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 11:14","date_timestamp":1782040496,"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/3mosam42cop2t"]}},{"id":"92515519","content_html":"

God, there are a lot of Scots in Boston! Listen to that!

\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/06/19/god-there-are-a-lot/","date_published":"2026-06-19T21:54:57+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":"2026-06-19 21:54","date_timestamp":1781906097,"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/3moodh7oeds26"]}},{"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 can’t run it. I also can’t post a photo in an @-reply, so here’s 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.

\n

I’m on an old Mac, so I can’t go up to 14. No biggie, but it probably shouldn’t 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}},{"id":"92412420","content_html":"

Selfish Genetics but No AI \"\" : devilgate.org

","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/06/18/selfish-genetics-but-no-ai/","date_published":"2026-06-18T06:52:45+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 06:52","date_timestamp":1781765565,"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/3mokb5ipxfw2q"]}},{"id":"92380488","content_html":"

@alexwolfe What fun! I look forward to Ada’s further adventures.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/92380488","date_published":"2026-06-17T19:37:42+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":"2026-06-17 19:37","date_timestamp":1781725062,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92354679","content_html":"

Going to see Richard Dawkins at the Barbican tonight. The title of his talk is ‘Genes & the Meaning of Life’. It’ll be interesting to see — among other things — if his beliefs about the aliveness of ‘AI’ have changed.

\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/06/17/going-to-see-richard-dawkins/","date_published":"2026-06-17T12:29:52+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":"2026-06-17 12:29","date_timestamp":1781699392,"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/3moicwfkmfc2k"]}},{"id":"92271000","content_html":"

@JohnPhilpin LiveJournal had that distinction two decades ago. Other sites too, probably. Slashdot? Maybe. It’s a good one.

\n

PS: You’re welcome. You are.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/92271000","date_published":"2026-06-16T07:50:25+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":"2026-06-16 07:50","date_timestamp":1781596225,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"91747127","content_html":"

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb 🎥 is a lot funnier and also more compact than I remembered.

\n

More compact, because in my memory the business of trying to decode ‘POE’/‘OPE’ etc, went on for much longer than the few seconds it actually takes. And trying to get through to...

devilgate.org","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/06/03/watched-dr-strangelove-or-how/","date_published":"2026-06-08T10:22:06+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":"2026-06-08 10:22","date_timestamp":1780914126,"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/3mnrhpi2hpy2d"]}},{"id":"91596132","content_html":"

Sad to read of the death of Anthony Head (or Anthony Stewart Head, as he always used to be credited).

\n","summary":"","url":"https://devilgate.org/2026/06/05/sad-to-read-of-the/","date_published":"2026-06-05T17:56:22+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":"2026-06-05 17:56","date_timestamp":1780682182,"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/3mnkplla7ok2j"]}},{"id":"91348066","content_html":"

@manton Ah, yes, I should have thought of that:

\n

> Bluesky: Error refreshing token.

\n

I’ll try removing and re-adding. Thanks.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/devilgate/91348066","date_published":"2026-06-01T19:34:05+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":"2026-06-01 19:34","date_timestamp":1780342445,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}}]}