Alex Dean
@alexdean94.bsky.social
Writing and editing at The Economist Group. Formerly managing editor of Prospect magazine. Views own
"Platforms built as public town squares for self-expression and connecting with others are now more like private property, where the loudest voices belong to those with power, or those with views that align with the views of people who control the algorithm."
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
How the world's richest man is boosting the British right
How the world's richest man is boosting the British right
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:18 PM
"Platforms built as public town squares for self-expression and connecting with others are now more like private property, where the loudest voices belong to those with power, or those with views that align with the views of people who control the algorithm."
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Alex Dean
I've been getting back into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series after many years, and the most relatable part is how everyday objects like doors and elevators have been imbued with artificial intelligence and it just makes them obnoxious and frustrating to use and everyone hates it.
November 1, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I've been getting back into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series after many years, and the most relatable part is how everyday objects like doors and elevators have been imbued with artificial intelligence and it just makes them obnoxious and frustrating to use and everyone hates it.
Reposted by Alex Dean
When Disney temporarily suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last month, about three million Disney+ customers and more than four million Hulu customers canceled their subscriptions, according to new data.
Disney+ Cancellations Jump After Kimmel Suspension
Roughly three million Americans canceled the streaming service in the month that it temporarily suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s show. About 4.1 million people canceled Disney-owned Hulu.
nyti.ms
October 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM
When Disney temporarily suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last month, about three million Disney+ customers and more than four million Hulu customers canceled their subscriptions, according to new data.
Reposted by Alex Dean
I was looking at Reform's policy again the other day. They're proposing a £60k salary for people on ILR keeping their visa. Which means pretty much every nurse on ILR would be a risk. It's insane.
Apropos of nothing, I really do think UK journalists and politicians need some reminding that mass deportation of LEGAL immigrants, particularly those with permanent status, is far more extreme than even Trump's America and would basically place Britain completely on its own among democracies.
October 19, 2025 at 12:03 PM
I was looking at Reform's policy again the other day. They're proposing a £60k salary for people on ILR keeping their visa. Which means pretty much every nurse on ILR would be a risk. It's insane.
I enjoyed David Edmonds' new book on Peter Singer and his influential thought experiment, the "shallow pond". Here's my review, for the TLS
www.the-tls.com/philosophy/c...
www.the-tls.com/philosophy/c...
October 13, 2025 at 7:47 PM
I enjoyed David Edmonds' new book on Peter Singer and his influential thought experiment, the "shallow pond". Here's my review, for the TLS
www.the-tls.com/philosophy/c...
www.the-tls.com/philosophy/c...
Reposted by Alex Dean
In her lunch with the FT the OnlyFans CEO says her company pays more tax than the entire British fishing industry. Quite a stat.
October 4, 2025 at 9:09 AM
In her lunch with the FT the OnlyFans CEO says her company pays more tax than the entire British fishing industry. Quite a stat.
Reposted by Alex Dean
The same changes in America’s media industry that have given Donald Trump more influence are also making it harder for him—or anyone—to control it
Can Donald Trump muzzle America’s press?
He has bullied some outlets, but intimidating them all is a daunting task
econ.st
September 28, 2025 at 11:40 AM
The same changes in America’s media industry that have given Donald Trump more influence are also making it harder for him—or anyone—to control it
Reposted by Alex Dean
💯. Progressives have to stop franchising out their consciences to the courts.
Politics is about moral choices.
The problem with Reform's proposal isn't that "the courts won't allow it".
It's that it's grotesque and inhuman.
If we're democrats, we must believe that this argument can be won.
Politics is about moral choices.
The problem with Reform's proposal isn't that "the courts won't allow it".
It's that it's grotesque and inhuman.
If we're democrats, we must believe that this argument can be won.
Retrospectively removing indefinite leave to remain would be immoral and economically damaging. It would tear families apart.
Attacking it as ‘potentially illegal’ is completely beside the point.
Argue with the (awful) idea. Don’t try ’well, actually you can’t do that’.
Attacking it as ‘potentially illegal’ is completely beside the point.
Argue with the (awful) idea. Don’t try ’well, actually you can’t do that’.
September 22, 2025 at 7:38 AM
💯. Progressives have to stop franchising out their consciences to the courts.
Politics is about moral choices.
The problem with Reform's proposal isn't that "the courts won't allow it".
It's that it's grotesque and inhuman.
If we're democrats, we must believe that this argument can be won.
Politics is about moral choices.
The problem with Reform's proposal isn't that "the courts won't allow it".
It's that it's grotesque and inhuman.
If we're democrats, we must believe that this argument can be won.
One of the world's finest editors is moving on. It was a privilege to work with Alan at Prospect.
I can't wait to see what Philip Collins, another brilliant journalist, does with the title.
Quality, independent journalism has never been more important.
I can't wait to see what Philip Collins, another brilliant journalist, does with the title.
Quality, independent journalism has never been more important.
I promised to do 3 years at @prospectmagazine.co.uk . That's stretched into more than 4 & I'm delighted that Phillip Collins will be taking over in the new year. It's been a blast. Phil inherits a brilliant team. And now for new adventures.... www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/press-room/7...
Acclaimed journalist Philip Collins to become editor of Prospect
Alan Rusbridger steps down following record circulation growth
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
September 18, 2025 at 2:06 PM
One of the world's finest editors is moving on. It was a privilege to work with Alan at Prospect.
I can't wait to see what Philip Collins, another brilliant journalist, does with the title.
Quality, independent journalism has never been more important.
I can't wait to see what Philip Collins, another brilliant journalist, does with the title.
Quality, independent journalism has never been more important.
I reviewed Brenda Hale's new book for today's Financial Times. The former president of the UK Supreme Court travels to courts around the country to examine how they work - and don't.
www.ft.com/content/4c85...
www.ft.com/content/4c85...
With the Law on Our Side — Lady Brenda Hale examines how Britain’s courts do and don’t work
A powerful account from the former Supreme Court president who describes complicated proceedings in clear prose to give an overview of the justice system
www.ft.com
September 18, 2025 at 7:04 AM
I reviewed Brenda Hale's new book for today's Financial Times. The former president of the UK Supreme Court travels to courts around the country to examine how they work - and don't.
www.ft.com/content/4c85...
www.ft.com/content/4c85...
Reposted by Alex Dean
LINK ROT: 38% webpages that existed in 2013 were no longer available 10 years later.
Even among pages that existed in 2021, 22% no longer accessible just two years later. This is often because individual page was deleted or removed on otherwise functional website.
Many implications for knowledge 🧪
Even among pages that existed in 2021, 22% no longer accessible just two years later. This is often because individual page was deleted or removed on otherwise functional website.
Many implications for knowledge 🧪
September 14, 2025 at 11:19 PM
LINK ROT: 38% webpages that existed in 2013 were no longer available 10 years later.
Even among pages that existed in 2021, 22% no longer accessible just two years later. This is often because individual page was deleted or removed on otherwise functional website.
Many implications for knowledge 🧪
Even among pages that existed in 2021, 22% no longer accessible just two years later. This is often because individual page was deleted or removed on otherwise functional website.
Many implications for knowledge 🧪
Reposted by Alex Dean
This is moving in exactly the wrong direction! Education & meaningful activity in prison is crucial to reducing violence and improving outcomes
September 14, 2025 at 8:13 PM
This is moving in exactly the wrong direction! Education & meaningful activity in prison is crucial to reducing violence and improving outcomes
Really good piece, this
The desire to read seems to have declined. Some blame the high cost of books and closing of libraries—but books have never been cheaper
Is the decline of reading making politics dumber?
As people read less they think less clearly, scholars fear
econ.st
September 7, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Really good piece, this
This is an excellent piece
Meme cases and the failure of public legal information
The discussions around cases such as Lucy Connolly and the Epping asylum hotel show ready access to accurate and reliable material is not enough
My latest, for @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The discussions around cases such as Lucy Connolly and the Epping asylum hotel show ready access to accurate and reliable material is not enough
My latest, for @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
September 6, 2025 at 11:47 AM
This is an excellent piece
Hansard's reporters record every word spoken publicly in parliament. How do they deal with sarcasm, heckles or semi-naked protesters? For this week's Economist I wrote a short piece about the nation's notetakers:
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Hansard shows what it takes to put democracy on the record
Even in an age of artificial intelligence, it’s harder than you might think
www.economist.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Hansard's reporters record every word spoken publicly in parliament. How do they deal with sarcasm, heckles or semi-naked protesters? For this week's Economist I wrote a short piece about the nation's notetakers:
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Reposted by Alex Dean
Reform council’s Nottingham Post ban a ‘massive attack on local democracy’
Reform council’s Nottingham Post ban a ‘massive attack on local democracy’
Nottinghamshire council’s administration says it will no longer deal with local paper, in unprecedented move
A Reform council leader’s decision to ban his councillors from engaging with a prominent local newspaper is a “massive attack on local democracy” and a sign of things to come should the party form the next government, the outlet’s editor has warned.
In an unprecedented move, Nottinghamshire county council’s four-month-old Reform administration has said it will no longer deal with the Nottingham Post, its online edition and a team of BBC-funded local democracy journalists that it manages. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
August 28, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Reform council’s Nottingham Post ban a ‘massive attack on local democracy’
Reposted by Alex Dean
'PoliticsHome analysis of Hansard shows that the phrase “I rise to speak…” has been used 601 times across the Commons and the Lords so far this year – compared to only 131 in the first eight months of 2024...' www.politicshome.com/news/article...
From “ChatGPT Bingo” To AI MPs: Parliament’s Split Over Artificial Intelligence
MPs are divided over whether artificial intelligence (AI) can help ease the pressures of parliamentary workloads, with some hailing it as an effici...
www.politicshome.com
August 27, 2025 at 5:22 PM
'PoliticsHome analysis of Hansard shows that the phrase “I rise to speak…” has been used 601 times across the Commons and the Lords so far this year – compared to only 131 in the first eight months of 2024...' www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Alex Dean
📣 We're hiring for a Principal Economist 👀
This is a unique opportunity for an individual who can conduct economic and policy analysis independently at an advanced level.
Full details here ⤵️ buff.ly/5pBKLDx
This is a unique opportunity for an individual who can conduct economic and policy analysis independently at an advanced level.
Full details here ⤵️ buff.ly/5pBKLDx
August 23, 2025 at 11:30 AM
📣 We're hiring for a Principal Economist 👀
This is a unique opportunity for an individual who can conduct economic and policy analysis independently at an advanced level.
Full details here ⤵️ buff.ly/5pBKLDx
This is a unique opportunity for an individual who can conduct economic and policy analysis independently at an advanced level.
Full details here ⤵️ buff.ly/5pBKLDx
Reposted by Alex Dean
Letter of the day (in the Times)
August 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Letter of the day (in the Times)
!
Introducing the first AI prototype of a British MP🇬🇧🤖
When constituent and local business owner, Jeremy Smith, approached me with this idea, I was very excited to work with him. The AI revolution is happening and we must embrace it to see how it can be useful, in all sectors.
When constituent and local business owner, Jeremy Smith, approached me with this idea, I was very excited to work with him. The AI revolution is happening and we must embrace it to see how it can be useful, in all sectors.
Speak to Mark Sewards 24/7
Connect with Mark Sewards, your AI assistant, anytime.
www.neural-voice.ai
August 5, 2025 at 6:55 PM
!
Reposted by Alex Dean
America has lost 116k manufacturing jobs over the last year—that's the fastest pace of job loss since the early COVID era and worse than any period from 2011-2019.
Big drops in the transportation (-49k) & electronics (-32k) industries drive most of the decline
Big drops in the transportation (-49k) & electronics (-32k) industries drive most of the decline
August 2, 2025 at 6:47 PM
America has lost 116k manufacturing jobs over the last year—that's the fastest pace of job loss since the early COVID era and worse than any period from 2011-2019.
Big drops in the transportation (-49k) & electronics (-32k) industries drive most of the decline
Big drops in the transportation (-49k) & electronics (-32k) industries drive most of the decline
Reposted by Alex Dean
Good news for tractor production.
August 1, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Good news for tractor production.
"The inadequate provision of aid to civilians on terrain that is, in effect, under occupation is a war crime."
The Economist's leader on Gaza this week. The print headline is simply "Enough".
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
The Economist's leader on Gaza this week. The print headline is simply "Enough".
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
The continuation of the war in Gaza disgraces Israel
It no longer has a military justification
www.economist.com
July 25, 2025 at 7:12 PM
"The inadequate provision of aid to civilians on terrain that is, in effect, under occupation is a war crime."
The Economist's leader on Gaza this week. The print headline is simply "Enough".
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
The Economist's leader on Gaza this week. The print headline is simply "Enough".
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
Reposted by Alex Dean
So now we know what the government's Ethics and Integrity Commission will do!
I've had a look for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk - lots of positives here, but it's only one step along the way...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...
I've had a look for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk - lots of positives here, but it's only one step along the way...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...
Labour’s Ethics and Integrity Commission starts the process of rebuilding standards in public life | Institute for Government
The system of upholding standards in public life remains an ongoing process.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
July 21, 2025 at 4:33 PM
So now we know what the government's Ethics and Integrity Commission will do!
I've had a look for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk - lots of positives here, but it's only one step along the way...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...
I've had a look for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk - lots of positives here, but it's only one step along the way...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...
Reposted by Alex Dean
In England and Wales using technology better is a priority. More hearings could be virtual; creaking back-office IT should be upgraded
How to solve the backlog in England’s courts
Start with a proper look at what caused the problem
econ.st
July 19, 2025 at 6:20 AM
In England and Wales using technology better is a priority. More hearings could be virtual; creaking back-office IT should be upgraded