John Rentoul has posted that it is the tenth anniversary of the publication of one of his favourite "Top Ten lists - compound names in which every word is untrue. Other nominations made included the following:  " The life and death of Colonel Blimp " on the basis that the central character doesn't hold the rank of Colonel, is never referred to as "Blimp in the film" and is still alive at the end. (" Dorset Eagle ") Clapham Junction is, I am told, neither a junction nor is it in Clapham. ( Tom Harris ) The Old Grey Whistle Test was neither old nor grey, nor did it feature whistles, nor was it an evaluation of any sort. ( Anthony's Bar and Grill )

The real novel "The never-ending sacrifice" by Una McCormack, published on Earth in 2009, is named after a Star Trek universe classic Cardassian book with the same title from the  society in the "Deep Space Nine" star trek series. It fills in more of the backstory of the Cardassian people and specifically of characters from the 25th episode of Deep Space Nine, " Cardassians " (Season two, episode five). (Image posted to X by ACR fan account 24th June 2026:    Arc ᯓ★ on X: "Yeah I read some pretty niche literature https://t.co/D78t9v9Rz2" / X ) In "Cardassians," the character Elim Garak, (who is a former Cardassian spy now very loosely allied to the Federation) sees a Cardassian boy on DS9 and decides to introduce himself, but the boy, who has been raised as a Bajoran and encouraged to hate and fear members of his own biological race, is terrified and bites Garak on the hand. Without wanting to spoil either story, let's just say it t...

  I suspect the particular version of Windows mentioned may be an indication of how old this joke is ...

It took a moment to process this joke on X with some alternative dialogue from "Revenge of the Sith:" (And yes, Count Dooku, Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker all did like Qui-Gon Jinn)

The latest space caption competition on X has a picture of the "Star Trek, The Next Generation" cast in "Star Trek, the motion picture" uniforms. Retro Toys and Cartoons on X: "Caption this …… 😎 https://t.co/rQhQcWLJJF" / X No really great suggestions on X yet: anyone care to make some in the comments here?

We in the Grand Admiral's office are extremely excited by the forthcoming release of the latest book by arguable the world's greatest living science fiction writer, Larry Niven, and one of his long-standing co-authors, Stephen Barnes.  "Ice Vegas" is being released as an ebook and audiobook on 14th July.  The pro-publication blurb reads as follows: " Packed with Niven and Barnes’s trademark excitement and science-based extrapolation, this thrilling novel introduces readers to Ice Vegas, an extraordinary city of the future powered by nuclear fusion. Carver Reeves is head of security for BALDR, the massive nuclear facility that powers half of Europe, and by extension Ice Vegas, the glittering architectural fantasia of a domed city that has grown up beside it. It’s Carver’s last week on the job, and he can’t wait to clock out for the last time. He’s spending Christmas with his estranged daughter and meeting his grandson for the first time. Prime time for a disaster....