Dave T-W @davoloid@qoto.org

Interesting but unexpectedly exhausting day hearing candidates for new HoD. Not been involved in this process for the previous 3 in my time here, but was really great to hear from people who have identified the current and future challenges, bring fresh ideas and experience.

Biggest disappointment was the lack of academic staff who made it in person. Their loss as there were plenty of lunch leftovers.

@RuthMalan Is the image generated from the post content, or bear any relation to the post?

@Techaltar AI generated contact is still really obvious as it doesn't have the giveaway human quirks of speech, dialogue and movement. However, if content consumers and influencers have gotten used to presenting in a particular way, well that leaves them open to vulnerability. Same as we're now vulnerable to shitty clones of decent products on Amazon.
Real human contact, as ever, is crucial.

@darkufo Funnily enough, I knew the Dinosaur Jr cover before hearing the original, which led me into The Cure's other tracks. I believe they sometimes play the song in that grungy style as they loved it so much. [goes to search youtube]

@oldrawgabbit It's an absolutely bonkers system, so much money and energy wasted on this posturing, rather than real actions that can change people's lives. This is just a set of local elections to choose the *candidate*.

@leotanczt Busy month and a huge set of articles and resources there!

Tories:
"Extremism is damaging British society."
"Wait, not the *good* kind of extremism."
#UKPol

For the nth time in the last decade, Byng Place / Gordon Sq / Tavistock Sq being ripped up. How much is this costing each time? No wonder councils have no money when dodgy contractors and subcontractors are hoovering it all up.

@MAKS23 It's what happens when the government bypasses the law, demolishes democratic principles and builds a climate of fear. Even this Friday we had a lesson in gaslighting from our Prime Minister, just days after his predecessor was chilling out with the fascists and Putin apologists in the USA.

I figured he was going to refer to Liz Truss' appearance at a far-right conference, and her fascist comments, but seems not.

Nope, here comes the "critical race theory" dig, straight after we're "most successful multicultural nation in the world." I notice "patriotism" was the first quality that he claimed for Britain.

Ooh, our Prime Minister is worried about threats to democracy and is going to make a statement. Hopefully going to rescind voter ID requirement, stop his ministers circumventing UK and international law, clamp down on dodgy foreign donors. Right? Right?

@kevinrothrock Same here, that and the endless cycle of communities with barbaric leaders isolating themselves. (Maybe a bit too close to reality?) Am told the last series ends well so may skip to that.