Where spirits dare
Witnessing a ‘spiritualist medium’ in action as a sceptic
V.H. Belvadi writes at the intersection of science, technology and society.
He is a Trinity–Cambridge Researcher at the University of Cambridge doing his PhD on climate models, and a member of Gonville & Caius College. He is also a researcher with Cambridge ThinkLab exploring credibility across AI models.
In his spare time he enjoys cycling, debating and photography.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1h ago
@plug72.bsky.social
It's hardly top story on the Guardian, are they right wing too?
No but you can’t deny it’s worth questioning the imbalance in reporting similar marches on either side of the spectrum.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 3h ago
@plug72.bsky.social
I found it on the main news page not the local London news page.
Agreed but I think the argument before this article came out was that they hadn’t covered it on the television news/as video. I don’t think they’ve done since either.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 9h ago
Den of Scholes@denofscholes.bsky.social
The nutters would tear them down anyway.
What if we added a tiny flag next to each sign?
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 10h ago
Brilliant interview with @president.ecb.europa.eu by @zannymb.economist.com of @economist.com ~ www.economist.com/insider/the-...
Christine Lagarde on crisis-fighting in a Trumpian world | The Economist Insider
Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank (ECB), is no stranger to crisis. She’s steered some of the world’s most powerful institutions through the eurozone’s debt troubles, a global p...
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1d ago
feminist next door@emrazz.bsky.social
What if all the European leaders just got together and bought him a big trophy like You did it! Congratulations you are the strongest boy! I feel like that could work
It’d have to be made of gold.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 2d ago
Carsten Timmermann@ctimmermann.bsky.social
I started to lose my hair when I was still in my teens. It was very unsettling then, but now I don’t think I want it back.
When I tell people this they don’t seem to understand. They assume I’m ‘coping’.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1w ago
Carsten Timmermann@ctimmermann.bsky.social
Is this real? The abstract alone is a bit nauseating.
How would they like to be inoculated? With vaccines perhaps?
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1w ago
Chaucer Doth Tweet@levostregc.bsky.social
The US Postal Servyce will indeed lose moneye because it ys a service. Not everythinge ys a ponzi scheme, consultantbrains.
Eloquently put.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1w ago
Real Gaz on a proper bike: gazza_d@toot.bike@gazza-d.bsky.social
Rear camera. Any driver who thinks this is an acceptable pass of a cyclist is a psychopath and needs their licence burning.
So I guess I need to get a camera for my helmet now.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1w ago
V.H. Belvadi@vhbelvadi.com
Pretty sure Twitter in its early days too was where BlueSky now is, not all that global. That was much later, say after 2010 when media support arrived and with the Arab Spring, about five years after launch. BlueSky has been around, publicly, for about two years now and in a more divided world.
I think also that the reach Twitter has through questionable reasoning is just greater in more vulnerable societies, and that’s definitely worth thinking about.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1w ago
Ketan Joshi@ketanjoshi.co
This is not wrong and for eg true of the Indian community too - but the question that follows is more important: are we happy with this being How It Is Now?
Or can we take some action to change it? Is it worth it? What happens when X gets worse, in unimaginably more severe ways?
Pretty sure Twitter in its early days too was where BlueSky now is, not all that global. That was much later, say after 2010 when media support arrived and with the Arab Spring, about five years after launch. BlueSky has been around, publicly, for about two years now and in a more divided world.
vhbelvadi.com
Amra Watson @amrawatson.bsky.social · 1w ago
Not enough that Reform has a 24/7 cheerleading channel (GB News)—they also get 37 mins live on the BBC, while the Greens' press conf. don’t even get a mention.
Is Ofcom asleep, or selectively awake?
And the BBC?Are they failing to do their jobs, or doing exactly what they’ve decided their job is?
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1w ago
Nate O@nateo.bsky.social
A single journalist asking the follow-up question, ‘so how is it fair when the state unilaterally changes the rules, harming millions, and then introduces a complex, multi-tiered system that penalises migrants working in some sectors and not others?’, a single journalist is all I ask!
When you think about it, these are just words, but carefully plucked keywords that make it sound like he’s addressing an ‘issue’.
vhbelvadi.com
Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 1w ago
VICTORY! Government to open up the Land Registry - bringing to an end a thousand years of secrecy shrouding who owns England.
I’ve been campaigning for this for ten years: the new Land Use Framework, published later today, makes it government policy. 1/
Government to lift paywall from large parts of the Land Registry
Exclusive: finding out who owns land will become simpler under plans to make the best use of green spaces and hit net zero targets
vhbelvadi.com
Chaucer Doth Tweet @levostregc.bsky.social · 1w ago
Readinge complex textes not for ynformacioun but for understandinge, writinge nuanced argumentes, reasoninge criticallye and also beinge critical of reasoninge when needid -- these are the vital technologyes taught by humanityes disciplines lyke literarye studyes, historye, and philosophye.
vhbelvadi.com
Stop Funding Hate @stopfundinghate.bsky.social · 1w ago
A few weeks ago Ofcom was grilled in Parliament by a cross-party group of MPs over its failure to deal with climate misinformation. When questioned, the communications regulator repeatedly struggled to give clear and credible answers.
vhbelvadi.com
Jon Burke🌍 @jonburkeuk.bsky.social · 1w ago
Britain’s electricity is currently 72% zero carbon.
We’re defeating the oil barons, petro-state dictators, paid fossil fuel lobbyists, and every right wing grifter on the internet one wind turbine at a time.
Cool Britannia is back, baby…🇬🇧⚡️♻️🔋😎
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1w ago
Kubobukata@kubobukata.bsky.social
I don't think he's admitting anything; he isn't capable of that. He definitely thinks everyone else is equally surprised.
Spot on.
vhbelvadi.com
Reform Party UK Exposed @reformexposed.bsky.social · 2w ago
As Farage whines about YouGov, support for Reform falls in FIVE other polls
As Farage whines about YouGov, support for Reform falls in FIVE other polls
Look away, Nigel Farage! One pollster has Reform dipping by five points, another by four, and another mirroring the data from YouGov.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 2w ago
www.cam.ac.uk/stories/univ...
Cambridge receives University of Sanctuary accreditation
The University of Cambridge is very proud to be awarded University of Sanctuary status.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 3w ago
Annika@annihowls.bsky.social
Finally watched In the Mood for Love after meaning to for decades. Holy shit it’s utterly gorgeous. Every frame is stunning. Her dresses! Her eyeliner! Oh my god everything is so beautiful.
And the music.
vhbelvadi.com
East Anglia Bylines @eastangliabylines.co.uk · 3w ago
A new analysis of 95 posts by BBC political editor Chris Mason suggests the issue may not be accuracy – but framing.
No single headline is inaccurate. Impartiality rules appear unbroken. But repeated talk of “predicament”, “backlash” & “U-turn” frames a misleading story of permanent crisis..
Is the BBC biased against Keir Starmer?
Polls suggest that people think that this government, and Keir Starmer, are in permanent crisis. Is that because the BBC told us this?
vhbelvadi.com
Zoë Crowther @zoecrowther.bsky.social · 1 month ago
A Green Party source tells @siennarodgers.bsky.social :
“Starmer is clearly coming to the end of his premiership, one that he has barely been clinging to. He has learnt nothing from the Greens’ stunning victory and once again he is tone deaf...
(1/2)
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
Máirtín Ó Loċlainn@mr--mo.bsky.social
How much was McSweeny and how much was Starmer? how to burn a huge majority for what?
Very good question. Until now Starmer had the benefit of the doubt. No longer.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
Peter Coles 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ 🇮🇪@telescoper.bsky.social
Today's Physics seminar is by climate scientist Prof. Peter Thorne of ICARUS here at Maynooth University on "How well can we quantify when 1.5C of global warming has been exceeded?"
I’m curious if this will be streamed online publicly. It’s a very interesting topic.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
Ketan Joshi@ketanjoshi.co
Heatmap found a 26 point (!!!!!!) drop in public support for data centre development and the right-wing think-tanker they interviewed put it down to "a fear of bigness"
🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
What, doesn’t anybody check for bigness under their beds before going to sleep anymore?
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
Interesting new icon for @glass.photo and an equally interesting write-up by @tmwtsn.com — I had no idea the original letter mark was by Jessica Hische!
On first glance the icon reminded me of The Guardian for some reason. On second glance they’re very different. Yet… ~ glass.photo/highlights/a...
A New Mark for Glass — Glass
A geometric glyph with a human touch.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
Carsten Timmermann@ctimmermann.bsky.social
Idiot.
I think he’s in the denial phase. What’s the next one?
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
Carsten Timmermann@ctimmermann.bsky.social
Well done, Gorton & Denton!
Can’t believe they left MRLP out of these stats.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
Gareth Oakland 🇫🇷🏏🏉@goakl.bsky.social
“raped a child”. Come on @theguardian.com you’re better than this.
This is probably the one-hundredth time I’m saying this, but a newspaper is the one place euphemisms should be used sparingly.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
Very good. ~ www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cp...
Green Party takes Gorton and Denton from Labour in first ever Westminster by-election win
The Greens' Hannah Spencer wins the Manchester seat, ahead of Reform UK in second and Labour in third.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
Gareth Oakland 🇫🇷🏏🏉@goakl.bsky.social
What a terrifying new game.
Allister Heath headline generator.
Can’t believe I fell for it.
vhbelvadi.com
Carsten Timmermann @ctimmermann.bsky.social · 1 month ago
Useful stuff
Leave big tech behind! How to replace Amazon, Google, X, Meta, Apple – and more
A handful of companies monopolise the web, with unprecedented access to our data. But there are many more ethical – and often distinctively European – alternatives
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
Carsten Timmermann@ctimmermann.bsky.social
Useful stuff
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Actually useful. It goes beyond the usual alternatives that get thrown about.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
Reminder to people voting in the Gorton and Denton by-election today: although it may be enticing to vote for Sir Oink A-lot of The Official Monster Raving Looney Party, maybe don’t.
However, if your other choice is Reform, do give Sir Oink A-Lot a chance. ~ www.manchester.gov.uk/directory_re...
Election results - Parliamentary Gorton and Denton by-election - 26 February 2026 | Manchester City Council
Results for local and parliament elections and referendums in Manchester
vhbelvadi.com
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 1 month ago
Scrubs review – daft gags and volcanic fury bring the medical sitcom back from the dead
Scrubs review – daft gags and volcanic fury bring the medical sitcom back from the dead
Fans of the hit noughties series will be delighted to see the original cast back at Sacred Heart hospital. But this reboot isn’t afraid to move with the times
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
@calvinkclark.bsky.social
This is literally the plot of 70% of dystopian science fiction.
The people who voted for this government probably don’t read too closely.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
James Barham@nowthenthee.bsky.social
For all the hand wringing this scourge still taints football. The answer is simple, clubs lose points and the team whose players were abuse get all 3 points. Fans actions should have consequences. Lifetime bans for supporters and consequences for the clubs that do nothing.
Agreed. For such unacceptable behaviour no warnings are necessary either. Social pressure is a great tool in this, and having to face people as the (frankly stupid) reason why your team lost 3 points should be enough to put them off being racist … at least in this context.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
Jo Wolff@jowolff.bsky.social
Farage adrift in the ocean? Long may it last.
Wait, did he go to the wrong island by accident?
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
Very good statement. There continue to be moment after moment when I’m so pleased to have been a Bayern fan for years now. ~ www.bavarianfootballworks.com/bayern-munic...
‘His reaction cannot be faked’ — Vincent Kompany issues powerful statement on Vinicius Jr. racism incident, condemns José Mourinho (full transcript)
The FC Bayern coach had a powerful message to share
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
Miss Machete, 🖤She-Slash-Her🔪@miss-machete.bsky.social
Thinking about Them! again. A perfect marriage of Atomic Horror meets the fear of the Specter of Communism.
The allegory works well as it is subtle (more subtle than Invasion of the Body Snatchers) and is based on a fun creature feature script. Classic Americana, even if I am an Ant in disguise.
Fascinating how similar to modern-day YouTube posters this film poster is, complete with speech bubbles, yellow expository text and what not.
V.H. Belvadi @vhbelvadi.com · 1 month ago
Jennifer Ouellette@jenlucpiquant.bsky.social
FWIW I am not an AOC cheerleader. But the double standard is just so f-ing obvious and I'm really, really tired of it.
Though she acquitted herself well … one stumble stood out—demonstrating she hasn’t yet fully conceived a foreign-policy vision … It’s vital to approach certain foreign-policy and national-security issues … in a more sophisticated manner.
| | |
In a ‘more sophisticated manner’ like… Trump maybe?
Are you quite sure?
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Discussion: A method of confirming others in their errors.
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