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John Heyderman

@johnheyderman.bsky.social

Living in East Dulwich, working in a research library, wondering about philosophy and Judaism. https://philosophicalbibliotherapy.wordpress.com/

273 Followers  |  478 Following  |  1,278 Posts  |  Joined: 29.02.2024
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Posts by John Heyderman (@johnheyderman.bsky.social)

Correction : as any librarian will know, Dewey 420-429 covers the range of topics concerning the English language.

I was just testing.

28.02.2026 23:46 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

You're right and I apologise.

28.02.2026 23:05 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I feel obligated to point out that I just made this up. It may or may not have been in the mind of the writer or director.

28.02.2026 22:37 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I get the sense now, that Americans who are living in London are assumed to be political exiles and deserving of sympathy and solidarity.

28.02.2026 22:34 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Yes, I am just about old enough to remember that! I was also on the anti-war demonstration, which I think is still the largest ever to have to have tken place in the UK.

But, while there was a lot of anti-American feeling, I don't think there was feeling against Americans. I mean as individuals.

28.02.2026 22:32 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Aw shucks!

28.02.2026 22:28 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Sorry, now I read this I understand that you were suspected of being a Republican! To be honest, I think there's a vein of anti-Americanism in the UK that goes back to 1775.

28.02.2026 22:28 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Londoner here.

You're clearly not, nor have you ever been suspicious, let alone terrible. But I don't understand (a) what kind of accent you have that might cause suspicion and (b) why coming from NY would allay such unfounded and irrational suspicions. I mean, nothing against New Yorkers, but...

28.02.2026 22:25 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

One for all my cataloguer followers. Please respond in MARC 21.

28.02.2026 22:19 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1

400 covers all (non-English) languages so maybe the implication of the classification is that a gun is 'the only language they understand.'

28.02.2026 22:17 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 1
Ella Fitzgerald - I Got Rhythm
YouTube video by SY Lin Ella Fitzgerald - I Got Rhythm

youtu.be/fSTkz1BvrXY?...

25.02.2026 22:15 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I've just realised that if you can sing "algorithm" to the Gershwin classic "I Got Rhythm" and I don't know what to do with this amazing discovery.

25.02.2026 22:15 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

Reminds me of the scene in "Cabaret" where Brian says to a man describing an "international conspiracy of Jewish bankers and Communists."

"lt's also an established fact that there exists another well-organized group of which you're obviously a member: The lnternational Conspiracy of Horses' Asses"

25.02.2026 22:05 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

And all this could collapse due to a cyberattack, some future regime carrying out an Iran-style internet blackout or just some catastrophic failure.

I think we should be more worried about this (2/2)

25.02.2026 21:17 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Last night, due to a fault on my home landline, I had no internet access. Mobile reception inside my flat is very poor so I couldn't use tethering.

It's surprising how much I rely on the internet for so many things, from listening to the radio to ordering a library book to checking an address.

25.02.2026 21:17 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Decorated initial-word panel marks the beginning of Torah portion Tetsaveh (ΧͺΦ°ΦΌΧ¦Φ·Χ•ΦΆΦΌΧ”).
#ParashahPictures
BL Or 2696; Pentateuch with Rash's commentary; 14th century; Germany; f.161v

25.02.2026 20:38 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

They say that the other is in the Albert Hall.

25.02.2026 20:39 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Well yes, I've been bonkers since birth, and agreed, eccentricity is the most endearing quality of the English!

24.02.2026 11:01 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

But if not money, then what? Wondering how Epstein corrupted so many people who seemingly didn't really need his money. Was it his charm? Did he have a knack for manipulation, perhaps based on feeding people's egos?

I can't bring myself to believe these people had utruistic motivations.

23.02.2026 22:30 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Also a German Jew, it's almost impossible not to feel a deep, instinctive kinship with others.

When I was a child I came across a picture of my older brother holding up his hands as a German soldier pointed a rifle at him. Except it wasn't my brother at all, but one of the victims of the Shoah.

23.02.2026 21:08 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Is this a case of "orginal sin" vs. "yetzer hara?"

23.02.2026 20:42 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I've never read Moses and Monotheism but can it be coincidence that he was struck down dead shortly after writing it?

23.02.2026 20:23 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Is Pharoah buried under all of that?

23.02.2026 20:20 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Lucky indeed, not just one but five independent bookshops in the area...and good libraries too! It's a readers' paradise!

23.02.2026 20:18 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Printer - Jacky Fleming 'What do you mean printer could not be found? It's THERE you idiot machine THERE' Continue reading β†’

Credit : Jacky Fleming

www.jackyfleming.co.uk/product/prin...

23.02.2026 20:10 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Puts me in mind of this classic cartoon from the nineties, I think

23.02.2026 20:05 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

I'm coming to think that Reform, unlike other parties, actually want to bring in policies that are specifically UNpopular, so long as they are unpopular with the kind of liberal-minded, compassionate people they despise.

23.02.2026 20:02 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

That would be fun. I always take the same route up from one end of Peckham Rye Common, through the Park, then Homestall Road, Marmora Road, Brenchley Gardens, it's like climbing Everest.

23.02.2026 19:59 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Wonderful article about walking without a purpose, which makes me want to found a Loiterers Resistance Movement in South London.

23.02.2026 19:46 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

It's the only language they understand

23.02.2026 19:42 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0