Michael Cox
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mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox
@mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
400 followers 270 following 140 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%
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mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 5d
So I can read it later.
literaryhub.bsky.social Lit Hub @literaryhub.bsky.social · 5d
“Their understanding of use as essentially positive underwrote the casual ways they consented to being used, particularly intellectually, by one another.” On the intellectual, political, and artistic collaboration between Bertolt Brecht and Walter Benjamin.
How Bertolt Brecht and Walter Benjamin Pioneered a New Way of Creating
“I think in the heads of others,” Bertolt Brecht declared, capturing how he and the Mitarbeiter (an intimate group of collaborators) borrowed and lent their intellects and competencies to one anoth…
buff.ly

Reposted by Michael Cox

literaryhub.bsky.social
Lit Hub @literaryhub.bsky.social · 5d
“Their understanding of use as essentially positive underwrote the casual ways they consented to being used, particularly intellectually, by one another.” On the intellectual, political, and artistic collaboration between Bertolt Brecht and Walter Benjamin.
How Bertolt Brecht and Walter Benjamin Pioneered a New Way of Creating
“I think in the heads of others,” Bertolt Brecht declared, capturing how he and the Mitarbeiter (an intimate group of collaborators) borrowed and lent their intellects and competencies to one anoth…
buff.ly

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 7d
A very interesting read—and not just for writers.
littlemaddles.bsky.social Madeleine Brettingham @littlemaddles.bsky.social · 7d
“I didn’t have rich parents, a childhood bedroom to return to or an infatuated billionaire intent on marrying me. Either writing had to make me money or I couldn’t do it. “

I wrote about making a living from writing in the new economy.

substack.com/home/post/p-...
Please sir can I have some more
On making a living as a writer
substack.com

Reposted by Michael Cox

littlemaddles.bsky.social
Madeleine Brettingham @littlemaddles.bsky.social · 7d
“I didn’t have rich parents, a childhood bedroom to return to or an infatuated billionaire intent on marrying me. Either writing had to make me money or I couldn’t do it. “

I wrote about making a living from writing in the new economy.

substack.com/home/post/p-...
Please sir can I have some more
On making a living as a writer
substack.com

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 9d
If there’s a poll, I’d vote to keep it. Good fun.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 10d
Funny!

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 13d
Cruel but fair.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 15d
Oh wow! Haven’t thought of that in a while. The first video box that freaked me out. Rather harmless when you look back—and when you consider some of the fronts of 80s horror films.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 21d
There it is.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · 23d
No notes.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Jan 1
I know we’re supposed to nitpick and flag up every flaw, but I had a great time with Stranger Things. Just wanted more ties with the play, but that’s the theatre critic in me.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Dec 31
Roughly ten minutes ago, I wrote the final word of draft one: all 198,331 words. Yes, I will be working on a second draft to get that number down. And what will happen: nothing or fame and fortune? I'll take anything in between. But I am proud to say--I've bloody gone and written a novel! 😀❤

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Dec 31
Confession. For over half my life, I've had a novel in my head that I've threatened to write but never made good on. It's been there longer than I've known Christina (by two years!). I made a promise recently that, come hell or high water, I was going to write the sucker.

Reposted by Michael Cox, Jonathan M. Gilligan, Smith , and 5 more

bookjockeyalex.bsky.social
Alex Brown 🇵🇸 (they/them) @bookjockeyalex.bsky.social · Dec 27
"Academics literally cannot make genAI go away" we also can't make underage drinking go away and we're not advocating for installing bar carts in every classroom.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Dec 23
There it is.
jojofromjerz.bsky.social JoJoFromJerz @jojofromjerz.bsky.social · Dec 23
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 · Dec 23
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 · Dec 22
Might be why the BBC are broadcasting it this afternoon.

Reposted by Michael Cox

laurelk.bsky.social
Laurel Krause @laurelk.bsky.social · Dec 13
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 · Dec 13
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 · Dec 13
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 · Dec 13
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 · Dec 11
Some joker played that trailer before The Muppet Movie. I can still hear the screams.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Dec 9
Amen, brother. Amen.

mcoxinscotland.bsky.social
Michael Cox @mcoxinscotland.bsky.social · Dec 9
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 · Dec 6
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 · Nov 29
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! 🤣