Robin and Wisteria (_Erithacus rubecula_ and _Wisteria sp_), Watercolour on Bockingford, 97 mm square.
Joumana Medlej
@majnouna.com
Artist-scholar, specialised in early Arabic (Kufi) scripts & historical/natural materials. Interest in material culture & things real. Beirut émigré in Oxford. Earth lover, plastic-free. Contemplative. Whovian/Gallifrey… Links: https://linktr.ee/Majnouna
This is low key one of the most important popular studies that supports the societal importance of art history. So much so that I am doing everyone here a solid by not allowing the article preview to show, the images of which will haunt you for life. english.elpais.com/health/2026-...
If "Death of the Author" means interpreting a text need not conform to the creator's intent, this might be "Death of the Audience," where there is no interpretation to do at all. A reader is not expected (nor encouraged) to find meaning. Consumerist Non-Being, like an anti-zen breathing exercise.
Emperor Abby (the first pope)@arobertswrites.com · 3h agoDon't yall get tired of this? Don't yall enjoy the puzzle of figuring out what a story means?
Vital journalism from the Oxford Clarion once again. Highlighting the 38 gender neutral toilets across the City.
Oxford Clarion@oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 8h agoAs the EHRC Code of Practice comes into force, we’ve compiled a new Oxford toilet guide highlighting unisex/gender-neutral provision. 38 facilities across the city for when you need to go. Read it here: oxfordclarion.uk/oxford-publi...
Quoting s'thing @cnygren.bsky.social & I are publishing soon: "the literacy argument is being made in advance of its necessity...it presumes a state in which those who are “AI illiterate” are disempowered, precisely in order to make an argument in favor of compulsory indoctrination in its use."
Hypervisible @hypervisible.blacksky.app · 7h ago“If it's this embedded in the world, then it needs to be embedded in the learning and in the coursework…”
Absolutely amazing the level of brain rot. Habibi I pick berries and paint with mud.
Ayo@darrylayo.bsky.social · 24h agoGuys like this don’t realize that they are the freak
'You'll choke too' - an aerial embroidery landscape inspired by all the wildfires happening right now... I'm upset every time I smell smoke outside and somehow we have people starting them maliciously too! But we all breathe the same air so they'll choke too (1/2 - see thread for close-ups)
if any of you know anyone who still thinks that the flagshaggers are 'just proud of their country', i want you to sit down with them and read these court documents together
Oxford Clarion@oxfordclarion.bsky.social · yesterdayLeaders of flag-raising group Raise the Colours Oxfordshire placed trackers on highway workers’ cars to find out their home addresses, the High Court has heard. RTC then attempted to intimidate the highway staff into no longer removing flags by repeating their addresses to them.
I’ve been rereading a lot of Bradbury recently & noticed the date of There Will Come Soft Rains was coming up. It tells the story of an automated house that continues to make breakfast & clean, long after its inhabitants have succumbed to nuclear fallout I’d not seen this adaptation before! 👇
Erika Hall@erikahall.bsky.social · yesterdayThere Will Come Soft Rains The most upsetting interpretation. Enjoy! www.youtube.com/watch?v=OumN...
I've been consumed by these tutorial videos! Other than evening knitting and feeding myself, I've done nothing else for days. But I'm done—just need some verdigris to grow so I can finish the last one. Aside from the original backers, these'll also be shared with my paid patreon/substack supporters.
What a lovely display of The Wild Ones in Oxford Waterstones. The cover artwork by @johannatarkela.com is so beautiful. I feel very lucky.
If you're able to, please help @ainemccaul.bsky.social's fundraiser
AineMcCaul ✍🏼@ainemccaul.bsky.social · yesterdayI've set up a fundraiser to help stock my kid's school with new library books. These aren't text books but books the children can read for pleasure. Maybe you aren't in a position to donate right now but, if not, could you please help by sharing? Thank you! #speirgorm #BookSky gofund.me/55e46e8ca
When we say that the Israeli gov is cruel at its core, and that it in fact finds joy in its cruelty, we are talking about things like wishing to surround Palestinian prisoners with literal crocodiles. There is no end to this if Israel itself never faces political and economic consequences.
Megaphone News@megaphone.news · 2d agoItamar Ben Gvir attacked an Israeli court and accused it of “siding with terrorists” after it ruled on Sunday to freeze a plan to dig moats around prisons and fill them with crocodiles to terrorize Palestinian prisoners.
Qawawis is a Palestinian village in the West Bank. Since the Oslo Accords, it falls into "Area C," which makes up ~60% of the WB and is run solely by the Israeli military. Israel is actively settling this area, and one might think Israeli children could use this school, but the cruelty is the point.
Josep Goded (Backup Account But Still Active)@josepgoded2.bsky.social · yesterdayIsraeli occupation forces demolish a school in Qawawis, leaving local Palestinians devastated.
The UK government is destroying the things the UK actually does well in the hope of becoming 'world leaders' in AI, which won't happen anyway, and wouldn't be a good thing if it did. Thanks Labour, once more
Dr Beth@drbeth.bsky.social · 2d agoIf we spend money supporting research, education and practice in areas we're actually good at, there might not be enough money to throw at the long shot of being 'world leaders" in AI.
Re: the cringeworthy claims I shared last week, I have 2 things for you: 1.For a proper & THOROUGH study of the development of the round scripts including the Ibn Muqla myth, you can do no better than Sheila Blair's Islamic Calligraphy, specifically the chapter "Adoption of the Round Scripts". Also–
Joumana Medlej@majnouna.com · last wk.Nearly having a stroke seeing this crossover of fairytale and propaganda presented as history for the purpose of clout-chasing. Particularly as I gave an in-depth talk for the benefit of these people last year. Never again… If you can bear gilded horseshit, it's here www.instagram.com/p/DbQpAv6twm6/
I wasn’t expecting to still find plums but I was happily surprised! These are so ripe and simply divine. I’m making ice cream (plum-rum-cardamom) with those I’m not just gobbling up. #foraging
Lebanon marks six years since the Beirut blast with renewed hopes an indictment will finally pave the way for justice and accountability:
Beirut port blast families hope justice is finally within reach
Lebanon marks six years since the Beirut blast with renewed hopes an indictment will finally pave the way for justice and accountability.
newarab.com
i'm mad about the inane and senseless destruction of a 900 year old archaeological site, yes, very mad i'm even more mad about the genocide those same destroyers have been committing against actual humans because people matter more than archaeology, to be clear but i'm also mad about the castle
I’ve never seen the original context for this all-timer of a tweet and honestly it’s incredible on multiple levels
Alistair Coleman@alistaircoleman.bsky.social · 3d agoWorth posting in context as it is bang on topic.
Women Translation Month: 11 New & Notable Books by Women August is Women in Translation Month (#WiTMonth), a month to focus on women's writing in translation.... https://arablit.org/2026/08/03/women-translation-month-11-new-notable-books-by-women/
Women Translation Month: 11 New & Notable Books by Women
August is Women in Translation Month (#WiTMonth), a month to focus on women's writing in translation.
arablit.org
Turns out this sleeve that was abandoned half-done nearly two years ago (🙈) only needed four Poirot episodes to be done. Let’s see what the second sleeve will take…
