Rick Simmonds

That might be how you pay back the student loan. But that’s not what education means or the benefit it gives. You’ve sort of made my point in a way.

Whether Badenoch drones on about this today or not, the point still stands. The purpose of university is not to be able to earn more money. Or at least, it shouldn’t be. It’s about critical thinking, the foundations of lifelong learning and becoming a richer person (of mind rather than income).

Today is my birthday. And one of my cards has a big Royal Mail warning sticker on it because it has a counterfeit stamp.

That’s going to be an awkward conversation.

Please know that people like me come to your work for comfort when we feel exactly that; when we feel abandoned by an increasingly cruel world. What you do reassures me there are people like me, through your top class writing/ performing. I’m sorry not everyone in your life plays by the same rules.

I have a blister on my hand from grinding coffee beans too much at the weekend.

Not a euphemism.

The Last Bookshop in Bristol for ease. Toppings in Bath for a bit more of a schlep. And 3 days in Edinburgh should do it. Good luck finding the magic elixir.

Robin Ince - Bibliomaniac with lots of post it notes marking pages

That’s Normally Weird & Weirdly Normal AND Bibliomaniac squared off in 2025. But every post it note is a link to another book or another shop. Damn. Hoping @robinince.bsky.social knows where I can purchase another lifetime.

You absolutely don’t! I think it might be when it’s done with an American accent that it really does me in. Just one man’s opinion so take it with the smallest grain of salt you can find.

Damn. You do use that phrase. Haha. Well at least in this case I hadn’t noticed!

To my ears, it creates a job title, puts the presenter on a stage, separated, ‘performing’ to you as part of their job rather than a (horrible phrase) ‘friend in your ear’. Probably says more about me to be honest, but it just sounds arrogant. (I’m sure if you do it, you do it delightfully :-)

Just for the record, if you start your podcast with the words “I’m your host”, I instantly dislike you.

Bluesky needs more than the heart emoticon in moments like these..

Oh I could talk at length about this. What annoys and satisfies me in equal measure is that I think this is only a temporary glitch. I cannot see any future where humans aren’t fully back at the helm. Unfortunately, damage will be done in the meantime.

I give AI every opportunity I can to impress me. I really try. Today’s response “you appear to have uploaded a list of tracks for broadcast on Friday 1st October 2025.

Today is Thursday 2nd October 2025.

Who are these people impressed by LLMs? My ‘whelm’ has never been more undered.

Big savings worth £10

I think we have different concepts of the word ‘big’

I’ll never feel sorry for Tr*mp but jeez, watching him having to look interested as about 9,000 horses are led past him in Windsor, whilst he stands under the kind of tent you’d put up for a small wedding reception, for no obvious purpose, gets me close.

Today is a “search for some ridiculously energetic, youthful 1980s stage performances from Thompson Twins on YouTube” kind of day.

JustPark email "Parking sorted for Lewis Capaldi?"

I dunno. Ask him yerself.

If people really loved this country they wouldn’t be flying flags off motorway gantrys. They’d know the only thing we fly off motorway bridges is bedsheets wishing nan/Julie a happy 60th

I needed that.

I have an occasional running buddy who says things I massively disagree with… very occasionally. Unfortunately he times it perfectly with the times I can either choose to breathe or speak.

Reader, I chose the former.

Call me when you’ve got two of them. I know how the magpie rules work. I’ll even hold out for 5 or 6.

Spent my holiday reading Bibliophile and your account of the Bridgwater visit (I was one of those behind held captive that day). In the wrong order ‘cause I’ve already read the Neurodiversity book. Delighted you’re down the road again. Burnham booked.

Blocked from watching Channel 4 on demand because I’ve left Nord VPN active. Switch off VPN. First pre roll advert Channel 4 shows… “get Nord VPN”.

Ahhh… that’s the soundtrack to sitting in the back seat of my dad’s car, that is.

Truth bombs from the RAC. They’re not wrong.

It’s also the only point in the day where you won’t pass out from heat exhaustion at the moment.

It appears I’m unique within my demographic on here but I’m f****ng loving the 1975’s set. Although I need to go to bed now.

Because I’m old.

But demonstrably less grumpy than many.

I am in love with the term ‘midwits’ and will regularly use it forthwith.

I’m not saying I’m tired but I’ve just spent the last 20 minutes searching the entire house for my half consumed cup of coffee.