Sue Nelson

Science journalist Boffin Media. Wrote @WallyFunksSpace Writing book on autism & empathy. Host @SpaceBoffins Former BBC science correspondent. Views own.

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

Ok. It’s out there. Yes. I am that old. Autism: I was diagnosed at 60 - BBC Future https://t.co/IAwB6I91P3

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

I’ve been in Germany supporting my son Matthew Hollingham on his epic Arctic to Africa triathlon for charity this last week but saw some lovely contributions for #wildflowerhour

[Space University @ISUnet]

https://t.co/guO1wUoriZ

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

@mgtmccartney Depressing but I’m glad you spoke out and sorry it came to this.

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

Discussing exactly this quality the other day as - from personal experience - have also seen it apply to broadcasters, journalists, actors and comedians.

[Alyssa Matesic @AlyssaMatesic]

I've edited hundreds of novels, including bestsellers, and here's something that might surprise you...

Some of the most talented writers I've ever met are still unpublished.

Because they let imposter syndrome paralyze them.

Because they gave up after 30 rejections.

Because they got constructive feedback and heard "this isn't good enough."

And it's so heartbreaking to see. I want to shake these writers and tell them to just keep going — that their "yes" could literally be one query away.

Whenever doubt creeps in, remember that the difference between an aspiring author and a published one often isn't raw talent. It's simply persistence.

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

https://t.co/OEHfy9DjTa

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

After a swim across the Arctic and 37 daily marathons, my son Matthew Hollingham is now doing a daily cycle of around 100 miles in a punishing heatwave to raise money for charity in honour of his late fiancee Lovisa. Give him some support via choice of children’s charities below.

[Mark Hammond @MarkHam80780803]

Breaking:Count Binface to lodge a complaint with the Independent Press Standards Organisation after pictures of his children are published in a national newspaper.

[Bernie @Artemisfornow]

Dear Adam,

I have taken time to think about your apology. Mostly because, having made a mistake publicly before, I was keen to accept yours. It hurts when people don’t understand that you are sorry for messing up. I get that, probably more than most.

But here’s the thing… I’m not sure you understand what you did wrong. And so you don’t really understand what you are apologising for or why. With that in mind, I want to help you.

I didn’t know Ann, except as a powerhouse in politics and that so many people have spoken of her friendship and great loyalty. How lovely, I wish I had known her.

I am utterly disinterested in her sexual prowess or the state of her virginity. But I would have enjoyed hearing you speak of her great accomplishments. Not as a woman, but simply as a human being.

Here’s a list.

She served in the House of Commons for 23 years and won five general elections.

She served as a government minister in Social Security, Employment and the Home Office, where she was Minister of State for Prisons.

She rose to become Shadow Health Secretary and then Shadow Home Secretary.

She was appointed to the Privy Council.

After leaving Westminster, she built an entirely new career as an author, broadcaster, documentary-maker, stage performer and television personality.

Then, at the age of 71, she returned to elected politics and became a Member of the European Parliament.

She was a longstanding advocate for Britain leaving the European Union and, when the political establishment failed to deliver the referendum result, she left the Conservative Party after more than 50 years and stood for the Brexit Party.

She was elected as an MEP and took the argument for British independence directly into the European Parliament.

She was also an unapologetic defender of free speech. She continued to speak openly on difficult and unfashionable subjects when others chose silence, it was easier to do that, she accepted the criticism and hostility that came with it rather than surrendering her convictions.

Her Catholic faith was central to her life. She converted to Catholicism, met Pope John Paul II in Rome and was later made a Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict XVI for her service to politics and public life.

She remained a powerful public voice well into her late seventies, defending her beliefs despite decades of ridicule and hostility.

That is an extraordinary life of public service, courage and reinvention.

Yet, when asked to speak about her after her sudden and violent death, you chose to tell the country that she was a “spinster”, an “old maid” and a virgin. You discussed a failed relationship and suggested that afterwards she simply dedicated herself to other activities.

Do you understand the reduction involved in that?

You took the life of a highly accomplished woman and assessed it according to whether she had married, whether she had sex and whether a man had wanted her.

That is what was wrong. That is what you should have known.

It wasn’t simply that your words were poorly chosen or badly timed. It was the instinct to view a woman’s entire life through her relationship with men, even when her achievements should have rendered that completely irrelevant.

Nobody discussing the death of an accomplished male politician would think it necessary to tell viewers whether he was a virgin, speculate about his sex life or describe him as an ageing bachelor whose romance had failed.

I don’t want you cancelled. I don’t believe that people should be denied forgiveness when they make mistakes.

But a meaningful apology has to identify the actual wrong.

Ann was murdered after a lifetime of public service. At the moment her achievements should have been remembered, you diminished her to an unmarried woman who apparently hadn’t had sex.

She deserved better than that. And I’m still not sure you get it. But every woman who watched you speak of her and then read your apology does.

Bernie.

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

@sorcererpds @jojo_durrant @AttheflicksPod @Jeff78159968 @Cybergit @moviesinfocus @FilmStroud @DavidBflower @CoreyBrotherson The remake of Body Snatchers was a travesty! Agree re The Thing though. I’d love to see a remake of This Island Earth (great film) and - if we’re talking TV series - the Battlestar Galactica remake outshines every remake ever as an act of brilliance and improvement.

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

I made this a few years ago after Wally Funk’s flight and just found it. Aim high my darling.

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

@CJBrake It is but I’m so glad she finally made it into space.

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

Just heard that my friend and traveller through a crazy part of my life Wally Funk had died. RIP you amazing woman.

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

@paul_lomas Thank you Paul. Wally will be greatly missed by me and so many others.

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

In the Name of Love | PennStater Magazine. This is what it’s like from a mother’s point of view when your son decides to honour the death of his 25 year old fiancee with a 3,500 mile triathlon from the Arctic to Africa. https://t.co/Bwhg4V0M1g

[Global Lyme Alliance @LymeAlliance]

It's not “all in your head.” And it never was.

A GLA-funded study in Denmark found that people diagnosed with Lyme disease had a 28% higher risk of developing mental disorders compared to those without Lyme disease.

Learn more: https://t.co/8oyRbiJOI4

#lymedisease #lyme

[Sophie8C @Sophaller8C]

I have been expecting this 🫵🏼🤣

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

My son has just ran his 30th daily marathon today for charity. 7 more to go and then the cycle!

He’s doing a great job for charity so do sponsor if you can. https://t.co/OEHfy9DjTa

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

My son ran his 28th marathon today for charity. In a heatwave. And he’s got 9 more to go. Before the cycling starts! If you can spare anything to help keep his spirits up! https://t.co/hdafeTznbY

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

@save_children US youth charity links here https://t.co/toqFuBh6pN

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

Former NFL player @LaVarArrington is incredible. A live Ins**m feed with my son Matthew Hollingham right now about his Arctic to Africa challenge. Both have @penn_state in common and LaVar is supporting Matthew’s fundraising in honour of his late fiancee, PSU grad student Lovisa Arnesson-Cronhamre.

Respect!

Links to donate below.

Thank you!

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

Yes Matthew is having a massage. International @save_children link below. Local youth charities in PA next… https://t.co/OEHfy9DjTa

[Sue Nelson @ScienceNelson]

@save_children I meant this https://t.co/hdafeTznbY