The Know Daily - Wednesday 22 January 2025

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Pine martens are on the rise, thanks to decade-long conservation efforts. After releasing populations of the animal across Wales and south west England, pine martens have now been spotted beyond their initial release sites, improving the UK’s forest biodiversity.

📱 Bluesky

X users have been flocking to social platform Bluesky in recent months. Here’s why. 

First things first - what’s Bluesky?
Bluesky started off as a project by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in 2019. He wanted to create a decentralised social platform, meaning the app isn’t controlled by a single organisation so developers and users can make improvements. 

How is it different from X?
Upon first glance, the two look similar. Both use hashtags and the @ symbol for addressing each other. Replies, quotes and reposts function the same way they do on X. However, Bluesky gives users more control over their algorithms and feeds. 

Although, some users have pointed out it’s still a work in progress with features continuously being rolled out, given that it’s still relatively new. Plus, in light of TikTok’s uncertain future in the US, Bluesky announced it’s launching a custom feed for vertical videos.  

Why’s it so popular?
Dissatisfaction with X – and Elon Musk, who’s owned the platform since 2022 – is a big factor. After X announced it would allow users to still see posts from accounts that had blocked them, 1.2m flocked to Bluesky. Following the US election, 1m new Bluesky accounts were made. The Guardian, who were part of the post-election exodus, said that X had become a “toxic media platform” and that “Musk has been able to use its influence to shape political discourse”. 

A big uptick in bots on the site, making it more difficult to navigate, is also a key reason for the migration. What’s more, there’s a “comforting resemblance” to the azure-blue Twitter, before Musk took over and made it the black and white platform it is today. 

Moreover, with Meta ditching its fact-checking programme, some users are switching over to BlueSky, reported NBC. As of 15 January, BlueSky has nearly 30m users.

📝 Virtual verification: Digital driving licences will be introduced in the UK this year.

• The bigger story: By moving driving licences onto a new smartphone app, the aim is to make using government services easier.

🎶 Vinyl hunting: These are the world’s greatest record stores, according to the Financial Times.

📱 Device design: Check out the design history of the iconic Nokia phone in this new online exhibition.

📺 Subscription cost: Netflix is set to raise prices across a number of countries.

🌱 Seaweed snack: This Icelandic start-up is growing algae for food using renewable electricity.

🎭 Break a leg: The Stage Awards 2025 – an annual award that recognises the best of British theatre – took place this week.

🛒 Recipe swap: Haggis isn’t available to buy in the US, but that could soon change.

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Trivia answer: A) The Take That singer is portrayed by a chimpanzee – here’s why. 

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