Michael Cox
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mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox
@mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
390 followers 270 following 130 posts

An academic, dramaturg, critic and editor who dabbles in creating. A cultural nerd and news junky. A Southern Californian expat at home in Scotland.

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Michael E. Cox is a British academic and international relations scholar. He is currently Emeritus Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics (LSE) and Director of LSE IDEAS. He also teaches for the TRIUM Global Executive MBA Program, an alliance of NYU Stern and the London School of Economics and HEC School of Management. .. more

Biology 83%
Medicine 13%
Posts Replies Media Videos

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 3d
There it is.
jojofromjerz.bsky.social JoJoFromJerz @jojofromjerz.bsky.social · 3d
It’s the year 2025 and Americans have to watch a bootlegged international version of a news program because it was censored here in our country to protect a criminal president.

Reposted by Michael Cox

jojofromjerz.bsky.social
JoJoFromJerz @jojofromjerz.bsky.social · 3d
It’s the year 2025 and Americans have to watch a bootlegged international version of a news program because it was censored here in our country to protect a criminal president.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 4d
Might be why the BBC are broadcasting it this afternoon.

Reposted by Michael Cox

laurelk.bsky.social
Laurel Krause @laurelk.bsky.social · 13d
On my Substack, I've written about the #LostFootage that recently made its way to the Internet. Please watch and learn from those who were there at the May 4, 1970 #KentState massacre. bit.ly/4iVgTsA.
Lost Footage: Kent State's Darkest Days
Witnesses React to the May 4, 1970 Kent State Massacre
bit.ly

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 13d
This is utter madness. And it’s those on the right who claim they’re being censored. The more I think about this, the more frightening it is.
robinince.bsky.social Robin Ince @robinince.bsky.social · 13d
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
This is the saddest day of my professional life. Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage. I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until | dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys. I resigned in September, after sixteen years of dedication to the show, A show that I named and helped develop over all those years. Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for sometime, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry. These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter In a recent meeting where BBC Studio executives again voiced problems with me, I realised my choices. Obedience and being quieter to remain making Monkey Cage, or 'Resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices'. • I chose the latter. It broke my heart. I love this show and I love the audience, and it is because of the audience in particular, that this decision was so difficult to make. I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer. I felt I couldn't pamper myself with the luxury of silence. One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career. I have thought a lot about my heroes, Sinead O Connor, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and so many more. I think of Sinead's words, "the job of an artist is to be themselves at any cost". James Baldwin said prejudice was really just a word for cowardice. Audre Lorde, viewing her life, wrote that her only regrets were her silences. I think of my father as I resign, he brought me up to believe in fairness , justice and kindness. Though my heart is broken, it is also full of fire. I apologise to our incredible listeners for my departure, your love of the show means a great deal. I am so sorry to let you down. I hope that you can understand my reasoning. I have to accept that I am not what the current BBC expects of their freelance presenters. Despite this I should add that I have always worked far more than my contracted hours to try and ensure the show was always the best it could be, as well as making myself accessible and responsive to the audience wherever and whenever I met them. Every night, we have recorded, I have been filled with determination to make the best show possible. This was not "just a job" I hope that with my departure I can be a better ally to the LGBTQ community, to the neurodivergent community, to activists fighting against those who aim to brutalise society, to those currently in prison on hunger strike, and to all those who fight for a more inclusive world. From many conversations, I know there are many Monkey Cage listeners who support these communities and activists too. The strawberry is dead. Long live the strawberry. B

Reposted by Michael Cox, Dorothy Bishop, Peter Thorne , and 24 more

robinince.bsky.social
Robin Ince @robinince.bsky.social · 13d
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
This is the saddest day of my professional life. Today is not only the final recording of the latest series of The Infinite Monkey Cage, it is my last ever Monkey Cage. I never thought that I would have to leave the show. I always imagined going on until | dropped dead under the studio lights due to a brain aneurysm caused by my final attempt to understand notions of quantum gravity or the shock of being told about fly maggot infestations in the sacks of macaque monkeys. I resigned in September, after sixteen years of dedication to the show, A show that I named and helped develop over all those years. Unfortunately, my opinions outside the BBC have been considered problematic for sometime, whether it has been voicing support for the trans community, criticism of Donald Trump, numerous other outlandish opinions, including once gently criticising Stephen Fry. These things were considered to conflict with being a freelance BBC science presenter In a recent meeting where BBC Studio executives again voiced problems with me, I realised my choices. Obedience and being quieter to remain making Monkey Cage, or 'Resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices'. • I chose the latter. It broke my heart. I love this show and I love the audience, and it is because of the audience in particular, that this decision was so difficult to make. I kept thinking about all the extremist voices promoting hate and division. They are being given so many platforms, while voices that represent kindness, open mindedness, empathy seem to be scarcer and scarcer. I felt I couldn't pamper myself with the luxury of silence. One of my many privileges is that I am able to resign and I can speak out even if it is to the detriment of my career. I have thought a lot about my heroes, Sinead O Connor, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and so many more. I think of Sinead's words, "the job of an artist is to be themselves at any cost". James Baldwin said prejudice was really just a word for cowardice. Audre Lorde, viewing her life, wrote that her only regrets were her silences. I think of my father as I resign, he brought me up to believe in fairness , justice and kindness. Though my heart is broken, it is also full of fire. I apologise to our incredible listeners for my departure, your love of the show means a great deal. I am so sorry to let you down. I hope that you can understand my reasoning. I have to accept that I am not what the current BBC expects of their freelance presenters. Despite this I should add that I have always worked far more than my contracted hours to try and ensure the show was always the best it could be, as well as making myself accessible and responsive to the audience wherever and whenever I met them. Every night, we have recorded, I have been filled with determination to make the best show possible. This was not "just a job" I hope that with my departure I can be a better ally to the LGBTQ community, to the neurodivergent community, to activists fighting against those who aim to brutalise society, to those currently in prison on hunger strike, and to all those who fight for a more inclusive world. From many conversations, I know there are many Monkey Cage listeners who support these communities and activists too. The strawberry is dead. Long live the strawberry. B

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 15d
Some joker played that trailer before The Muppet Movie. I can still hear the screams.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 16d
Amen, brother. Amen.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 16d
It is scary how badly my students just want to get a high grade and not necessarily learn anything. And I’m flying the bloody white flag—I need to surrender and get trained up on this damned thing.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 20d
With all the corruption we’ve seen over the years, football fans: explain to me like I’m a small child—why is all this junk with FIFA okay and not worthy of the boycotts called on other things?

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 27d
Actually managed to watch all of Stranger Things without any spoilers. Luck, behaved viewers or did the algorithm favour me? No idea, but I enjoyed it.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Nov 17
Sharing this to watch it all later—but some interesting ideas so far.
brendonbouzard.bsky.social Brendon @brendonbouzard.bsky.social · Nov 16
This is a really remarkable video essay on contemporary film and the theories of Laura Marks. It's making me think about movies in a new way.
Why Movies Just Don't Feel "Real" Anymore
YouTube video by Like Stories of Old
www.youtube.com

Reposted by Michael Cox, Peter Jacobsen, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

brendonbouzard.bsky.social
Brendon @brendonbouzard.bsky.social · Nov 16
This is a really remarkable video essay on contemporary film and the theories of Laura Marks. It's making me think about movies in a new way.
Why Movies Just Don't Feel "Real" Anymore
YouTube video by Like Stories of Old
www.youtube.com

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Nov 12
As an American living in the UK, the difference between what broke through here vs the US is crazy. Huge hits here which were nothing; massive anthems in America that are unheard of here. The two I always mention are Status Quo and Madness.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Nov 6
How lovely. Welcome news.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Oct 25
Come on! That’s actually masterclass trolling! 🤣

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Oct 20
San Diego is pretty right wing in places and proud of military presence throughout. I can see it being a way to impress idiots who get off on watching expensive artillery go ‘boom’ thinking they were owning the libs. Newsom was right to shut the freeway. Hope that all makes sense.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Oct 20
probably shooting over the freeway—into land that many illegals traverse when migrating north. In my time there I’d never known that to happen. The base for Top Gun is by the other freeway going north, and you had more distractions watching plane manoeuvres when driving that stretch. All that said,

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Oct 20
Californian from San Diego who lives in Scotland here. 😀 The picture is slightly misleading—that’s the 5 leaving the city, but the base is nearly 40 miles north. Pendleton is right up on the freeway—as you drive pass you see the high chain fence, and the other side is empty, which is why they were

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Oct 15
There is indeed hope with the next generation.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Oct 12
A) For a long time I thought I was the only one who saw this, B) If they bring the character back, can we also get the ice cream flavour again?

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Oct 11
I loved her in performance. I loved her in interviews. She always seemed like the smartest person in the room, and her line ‘Well la-di-da’ was a family inside joke. Oh, and if you need another reason to love her, there was also her contribution to this famous picture. RIP Diane Keaton.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Oct 8
When I did the 'meet the parents' thing back in 2000, my soon to be wife's father told me he wanted to turn 100 (he was a youthful 74 at the time--you would have sworn he was in his early sixties at worst). Today, he’s pulled it off. The sincerest 'Happy Birthday' to my father-in-law, Jack Brownlee.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Oct 5
Damn!
kojamf.bsky.social KOJAMF🤘🖤🤘 @kojamf.bsky.social · Oct 5
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.

Reposted by Anne Applebaum, Michael Cox, Anna O. Law , and 45 more

kojamf.bsky.social
KOJAMF🤘🖤🤘 @kojamf.bsky.social · Oct 5
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Oct 3
An interesting read—and much to unpack.
exeuntmagazine.bsky.social Exeunt Magazine @exeuntmagazine.bsky.social · Oct 3
Chris Goode's voice dominated the theatre blogging culture of the 2010s. @alicesaville.bsky.social reflects on how the abusive theatremaker used his writings to hide in plain sight

Alice points to the need for greater transparency in the theatre industry. In that spirit, this post is free to read
Chris Goode told the truth about who he was. How did we fail to see it?
Goode's voice dominated the theatre blogging culture of the 2010s. Alice Saville reflects on how the abusive theatremaker used his writings to hide in plain sight
exeuntmagazine.substack.com

Reposted by Michael Cox

exeuntmagazine.bsky.social
Exeunt Magazine @exeuntmagazine.bsky.social · Oct 3
Chris Goode's voice dominated the theatre blogging culture of the 2010s. @alicesaville.bsky.social reflects on how the abusive theatremaker used his writings to hide in plain sight

Alice points to the need for greater transparency in the theatre industry. In that spirit, this post is free to read
Chris Goode told the truth about who he was. How did we fail to see it?
Goode's voice dominated the theatre blogging culture of the 2010s. Alice Saville reflects on how the abusive theatremaker used his writings to hide in plain sight
exeuntmagazine.substack.com

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Oct 3
Indeed. Spoke with her as well, but an excellent point. And yes—you are sadly right, on all fronts. I’m an expat in Scotland and time and again have had to ‘explain’ the US time and again. I’m out of reasons and excuses.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Oct 2
Thank you. It’s a subject I’ve always been passionate and interested in. I was there in 95 to mark the 25th year of the shootings and spoke with parents and siblings of the four along with those who were there. Changed my life.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Oct 2
Forgive my ignorance: have you written or spoken about what you saw May 4th?