I’ve seen several references to ‘explosive diarrhoea’ in the press recently, and that’s just one word more than I ever need to know.

This one takes you deep, so deep, if you let it, that it's almost unbearable. Like @markabowles.bsky.social previous novel, All My Precious Madness, the narrator's story feels too personal. Not his person, his past, his thinking, but my own.

It’s not surprising that LLMs can produce stories that some people like, as they churn, rehash and regurgitate centuries of other writing. But aggregation always tends to mediocrity and that will accelerate as they feed more and more on their own outputs. www.newscientist.com/article/2583...

Most people prefer AI-written stories – and can't tell when they are made by humans | New Scientist

People appear to prefer short stories created by AI over those written by humans. They are also no better than chance at telling which is which

newscientist.com

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark.

Sathnam Sanghera@sathnam.bsky.social · 2d ago

If you met someone who had fallen out of love with reading, and you had one shot at getting them back into it, what book would you give them? For a thing.

Two stunning paintings by Roger Wagner in the Bishop's Palace at Bishop Auckland: The Road to Damascus and the Road to Emmaeus. Spot the biblical figures...

Most punk bands were end-of-the-pier novelty acts. Including the Sex Pistols.

lil miss big boy@lighter.bsky.social · 5d ago

Post your hottest music take. Mine is New Order is better than Joy Division.

Maybe he should have actually looked at it before he paid £11K for it. #angrypeopleinlocalnews

I was just a bit sirprised to see my book, The Gift, in the special glass display case in Jesmond Library today. I wonder what it means.

Back for a stint in the Oxfam bookshop and this morning's soundtrack is Charli xcx.

Sprayed edges on books. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Sanjay Srivastava@sanjaysrivastava.com · 7d ago

What is an extremely nerdy/obscure/specific thing you hate with a white-hot wrath?

Yay, live-streamed video is back tomorrow on Argyle tv for the pre-season friendly against Bristol City. Gusto is very excited.

I see Gunther von Hagens has died. Whatever controversy followed him, I found his Bodyworks exhibition absolutely fascinating when I saw it in Brick Lane all those years ago. In the end, demystification (of anatomy or anything else) is never a bad thing.

Ex-Argyle striker Laurent Tolaj scored a cracker for Bristol City in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United this week. This boy's going to go far and quickly.

In Stockton on Tees they knocked down a shopping centre and built an urban waterfront park. More of this kind of thing, please.

The two guys on the table next to me in Wetherspoons in Consett are drinking alcohol-free Guiness. I have seen the future and it's sober...

Good news all round for the new season

Chris Errington@chriserrington1.bsky.social · last wk.

Argyle will have to adapt to three new measures being brought into the EFL this season to reduce time-wasting during games, including a goalkeeper injury trial. #pafc

Post a perfect album from the '90s that isn't Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, or Alice In Chains.

@errantfrequency.bsky.social · last wk.

Post a perfect album from the '90s that isn't Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, or Alice In Chains

Hey, this new lp by Charli xcx is pretty good. I love surprises…

I was so excited when Burnham became PM that I went out and spent hundreds if pounds I didn't have on stuff I don't need. How about you? www.theguardian.com/business/202...

‘Burnham bounce’ and World Cup lift mood in July, says data firm

‘Wave of optimism’ is sparked by prospect of new prime minister, England football team’s progress and hot weather

theguardian.com

I've been to Edinburgh and was reminded again that looking at any number of reproductions (even on a gallery shop tea-towel) is nothing like seeing the original painting.

It's Oxfam shop day and I'm in charge of the music! Today we start with Two Sevens Clash by Culture.

David Byrne in Edinburgh. Just about the best show I've ever seen. A lifetime's worth of classic songs, brilliant staging and choreography, perfect sound and stunning projections. Couldn't have asked for more.

It’s good to see that bus fares will be capped at £2, but wouldn’t it better if they were free? There would be so many benefits from a truly progressive transport policy.

Being annoyed at people calling every song they like a 'banger', even if its a mawky ballad

Black Aziz Anansi@blackazizanansi.blacksky.app · 2w ago

What's your old person trait?

A lot of love for Kevin Keegan in Newcastle today

A side story from the the World Cup final on Facebook this morning

I’ve had enough of football. Completely done with it. Oh, but wait a minute, Argyle are playing Torquay in a pre-season friendly tomorrow. I wonder if there’s a live stream…

Half time then. Plenty of time to have a bath, wash the car, iron six shirts and take Gusto for his last walk of the day.

Oh, god Shearer again. ITV it is then.

A big box is being brought out. Are they having a raffle?