Conor Sewell
@ccsewell.bsky.social
Associate Director at Flint Global. Macro, financial services, digital assets. Views my own. Ex-BoE, Treasury. Labour member, big on sports, rugby referee. Bi and autistic.
Reposted by Conor Sewell
'inside the red-faced hawk is a dove, with an almost physical horror of violence'
'Trump is as close as a pacifist as we've seen in the White House'
Pure pundit brain from Ian Leslie in March 2025
'Trump is as close as a pacifist as we've seen in the White House'
Pure pundit brain from Ian Leslie in March 2025
December 17, 2025 at 1:54 AM
'inside the red-faced hawk is a dove, with an almost physical horror of violence'
'Trump is as close as a pacifist as we've seen in the White House'
Pure pundit brain from Ian Leslie in March 2025
'Trump is as close as a pacifist as we've seen in the White House'
Pure pundit brain from Ian Leslie in March 2025
Reposted by Conor Sewell
Add “AI is not a person” to all newspaper style guides asap
Media is starting to report the Grok child porn story but way too many are centering the bot's "apologies" and "admissions" without explaining that these are being generated in response to user requests and are not in anyway authentic or meaningful.
January 2, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Add “AI is not a person” to all newspaper style guides asap
When I, a person with a not particularly huge follower count, regularly get more engagement on here than a government department does on Twitter, the comms value of the latter activity is… hard to see
Lost amid the discussion of why the Government should get off X is its utter uselessness as an engagement tool and the fact departments are wasting vast sums making content for it. Take this:
January 2, 2026 at 11:48 PM
When I, a person with a not particularly huge follower count, regularly get more engagement on here than a government department does on Twitter, the comms value of the latter activity is… hard to see
Reposted by Conor Sewell
Lost amid the discussion of why the Government should get off X is its utter uselessness as an engagement tool and the fact departments are wasting vast sums making content for it. Take this:
January 2, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Lost amid the discussion of why the Government should get off X is its utter uselessness as an engagement tool and the fact departments are wasting vast sums making content for it. Take this:
I wrote a short piece on those at the top of Silicon Valley, AI, and the inevitability of mortality.
Featuring a title reference I've been desperate to squeeze in for ages!
medium.com/@conorsewell...
Featuring a title reference I've been desperate to squeeze in for ages!
medium.com/@conorsewell...
The World Ends With You
This post is inspired by Adam Becker’s excellent book More Everything Forever, as well as my recent graduation from a Masters in…
medium.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM
I wrote a short piece on those at the top of Silicon Valley, AI, and the inevitability of mortality.
Featuring a title reference I've been desperate to squeeze in for ages!
medium.com/@conorsewell...
Featuring a title reference I've been desperate to squeeze in for ages!
medium.com/@conorsewell...
Yep.
The conflation of LLMs and AI in general is going to lead to an awful lot of waste and disaster as people slowly discover that general purpose LLMs do not and cannot do all the things they want them to.
The conflation of LLMs and AI in general is going to lead to an awful lot of waste and disaster as people slowly discover that general purpose LLMs do not and cannot do all the things they want them to.
Ex-Meta chief AI scientist Yann LeCun has Lunch with the FT and in one of those instances so rare that you know he didn't sign an NDA, says exactly why as.ft.com/r/e503690d-8...
January 2, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Yep.
The conflation of LLMs and AI in general is going to lead to an awful lot of waste and disaster as people slowly discover that general purpose LLMs do not and cannot do all the things they want them to.
The conflation of LLMs and AI in general is going to lead to an awful lot of waste and disaster as people slowly discover that general purpose LLMs do not and cannot do all the things they want them to.
I’ve been looking back at my favourite songs/albums of the year, and honestly my biggest realisation is I slept way, way too much on Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties in 2024.
Go listen to Paying Bills at the End of the World, and if you like that all of In Lieu Of Flowers.
You won’t regret it.
Go listen to Paying Bills at the End of the World, and if you like that all of In Lieu Of Flowers.
You won’t regret it.
January 2, 2026 at 12:43 PM
I’ve been looking back at my favourite songs/albums of the year, and honestly my biggest realisation is I slept way, way too much on Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties in 2024.
Go listen to Paying Bills at the End of the World, and if you like that all of In Lieu Of Flowers.
You won’t regret it.
Go listen to Paying Bills at the End of the World, and if you like that all of In Lieu Of Flowers.
You won’t regret it.
Official government accounts should not be posting on Twitter, for the same reasons that they don’t post on 4chan or kiwifarms.
This does seem just a little bit bad! Idk the sort of thing you’d think politicians might distance themselves from or something!
January 2, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Official government accounts should not be posting on Twitter, for the same reasons that they don’t post on 4chan or kiwifarms.
Reposted by Conor Sewell
Grok + X now seems to be awash with images undressing women, without consent. It is an issue with the potential for a very very broad coalition - across political divides - to insist the Musk platform gets back within the law, on all fronts, not just this example.
www.cnbctv18.com/technology/g...
www.cnbctv18.com/technology/g...
Global outrage as X’s Grok morphs photos of women, children into explicit content - CNBC TV18
X is facing backlash after users exploited its Grok AI to morph photos of women and children into explicit images, sparking global concern over AI-driven sexual abuse and platform safety.
www.cnbctv18.com
January 1, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Grok + X now seems to be awash with images undressing women, without consent. It is an issue with the potential for a very very broad coalition - across political divides - to insist the Musk platform gets back within the law, on all fronts, not just this example.
www.cnbctv18.com/technology/g...
www.cnbctv18.com/technology/g...
Reposted by Conor Sewell
"What was your favourite game of 2025?"
Keir Starmer - *sincere answer about spending his limited time with his kids playing Mario Kart, delivered as if he just googled it*
Ed Davey - "I still love a bit of Wii Sports"
Kemi Badenoch - "My best friend was killed by a Sega Mega Drive"
Keir Starmer - *sincere answer about spending his limited time with his kids playing Mario Kart, delivered as if he just googled it*
Ed Davey - "I still love a bit of Wii Sports"
Kemi Badenoch - "My best friend was killed by a Sega Mega Drive"
December 31, 2025 at 8:37 PM
"What was your favourite game of 2025?"
Keir Starmer - *sincere answer about spending his limited time with his kids playing Mario Kart, delivered as if he just googled it*
Ed Davey - "I still love a bit of Wii Sports"
Kemi Badenoch - "My best friend was killed by a Sega Mega Drive"
Keir Starmer - *sincere answer about spending his limited time with his kids playing Mario Kart, delivered as if he just googled it*
Ed Davey - "I still love a bit of Wii Sports"
Kemi Badenoch - "My best friend was killed by a Sega Mega Drive"
Kuba isn’t kidding btw.
Fully a third of the word count of Starmer’s email to members is about getting rid of the two-child cap.
One would hope that this might prompt some reassessment of why they pursued a strategy so centred around *not* removing it for so long…
Fully a third of the word count of Starmer’s email to members is about getting rid of the two-child cap.
One would hope that this might prompt some reassessment of why they pursued a strategy so centred around *not* removing it for so long…
It is… notable, that the greatest achievement the Labour Party leader in Government talks about in the new year message is the one they spent all year briefing they opposed and were dragged to kicking and screaming
January 1, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Kuba isn’t kidding btw.
Fully a third of the word count of Starmer’s email to members is about getting rid of the two-child cap.
One would hope that this might prompt some reassessment of why they pursued a strategy so centred around *not* removing it for so long…
Fully a third of the word count of Starmer’s email to members is about getting rid of the two-child cap.
One would hope that this might prompt some reassessment of why they pursued a strategy so centred around *not* removing it for so long…
Why is Badenoch like this
Farage, Polanski and Corbyn's choices are all good, Davey's is a typical boring dad choice, and Badenoch's response is characteristically unhinged
December 31, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Why is Badenoch like this
Starmer’s, and thus Labour’s, strategy is not working.
The biggest issue is that he’s so fundamentally holed below the water line at this point that a necessary step one to turning things around is replacing him.
The biggest issue is that he’s so fundamentally holed below the water line at this point that a necessary step one to turning things around is replacing him.
I mean look at these graphs - 82% of 2024 Green voters disapprove of Starmer, 64% of LDs and 53% of the Labour voters *who explicitly voted for him less than two years ago.* That is not normal. I suspect it may be unprecedented.
December 31, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Starmer’s, and thus Labour’s, strategy is not working.
The biggest issue is that he’s so fundamentally holed below the water line at this point that a necessary step one to turning things around is replacing him.
The biggest issue is that he’s so fundamentally holed below the water line at this point that a necessary step one to turning things around is replacing him.
Reading One of the Boys by @dirtbagqueer.rocks and it’s SO GOD DAMN GOOD.
Cannot recommend it enough to anyone and everyone.
Cannot recommend it enough to anyone and everyone.
December 30, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Reading One of the Boys by @dirtbagqueer.rocks and it’s SO GOD DAMN GOOD.
Cannot recommend it enough to anyone and everyone.
Cannot recommend it enough to anyone and everyone.
Reposted by Conor Sewell
It’s worth mentioning, though it’s been said repeatedly: the Lizzie Line carries 1/6th of UK daily rail passengers (not including the Tube) and has already paid off its entire costs.
And if HS2 had been committed to, without plans being tweaked every 5 minutes, Phase 1 would be opening next year.
And if HS2 had been committed to, without plans being tweaked every 5 minutes, Phase 1 would be opening next year.
Worked example of the crippling effects or Treasury brain here
Elizabeth Line would ‘never’ be built, Michael Portillo wrote when urging cancellation
Former Treasury minister warned that Crossrail London link was too costly and unnecessary, newly released papers show
www.ft.com
December 30, 2025 at 12:17 PM
It’s worth mentioning, though it’s been said repeatedly: the Lizzie Line carries 1/6th of UK daily rail passengers (not including the Tube) and has already paid off its entire costs.
And if HS2 had been committed to, without plans being tweaked every 5 minutes, Phase 1 would be opening next year.
And if HS2 had been committed to, without plans being tweaked every 5 minutes, Phase 1 would be opening next year.
Reposted by Conor Sewell
"And I never say no"
We need to have a serious talk about the way "AI companion" apps not only prey on the vulnerable, but are priming their users to ignore consent and to conflate love with control.
We need AI regulations across so many sectors, but this area is particularly horrifying.
We need to have a serious talk about the way "AI companion" apps not only prey on the vulnerable, but are priming their users to ignore consent and to conflate love with control.
We need AI regulations across so many sectors, but this area is particularly horrifying.
December 28, 2025 at 6:20 PM
"And I never say no"
We need to have a serious talk about the way "AI companion" apps not only prey on the vulnerable, but are priming their users to ignore consent and to conflate love with control.
We need AI regulations across so many sectors, but this area is particularly horrifying.
We need to have a serious talk about the way "AI companion" apps not only prey on the vulnerable, but are priming their users to ignore consent and to conflate love with control.
We need AI regulations across so many sectors, but this area is particularly horrifying.
Incredible Raiders fact (given how much turnover we’ve had at Head Coach):
The last time we hired a first-time HC with any NFL offensive play calling experience was in 2011
The last time we hired a first-time HC with any NFL offensive play calling experience was in 2011
December 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Incredible Raiders fact (given how much turnover we’ve had at Head Coach):
The last time we hired a first-time HC with any NFL offensive play calling experience was in 2011
The last time we hired a first-time HC with any NFL offensive play calling experience was in 2011
Post-Christmas sales shopping has sadly meant being forced to listen to You’re the Inspiration by Chicago in full, an experience which has given me newfound sympathy for @shadowtodd.bsky.social and his views on Peter Cetera
December 29, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Post-Christmas sales shopping has sadly meant being forced to listen to You’re the Inspiration by Chicago in full, an experience which has given me newfound sympathy for @shadowtodd.bsky.social and his views on Peter Cetera
I grew up in one of the most Tory, countryside constituencies you’ll ever find and even then the number of people who give a shit about this is essentially a rounding error
Labour ‘alienating rural people’ with plan to ban trail hunting, says Countryside Alliance
Labour ‘alienating rural people’ with plan to ban trail hunting, says Countryside Alliance
Poll released by group as people gather for traditional Boxing Day hunts finds 76% of voters believe Labour prioritises urban issues over rural ones
Keir Starmer’s government has been told it has “alienated rural people” as traditional Boxing Day hunts gathered across the UK ahead of plans to ban trail hunting.
The warning came from the Countryside Alliance pressure group, which released a poll suggesting 65% of voters think the Labour administration unfairly neglects country communities. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 27, 2025 at 11:42 AM
I grew up in one of the most Tory, countryside constituencies you’ll ever find and even then the number of people who give a shit about this is essentially a rounding error
At this time, there’s a million different reviews of the year.
Squidge’s is one of the few that’s always worth watching in full!
Squidge’s is one of the few that’s always worth watching in full!
2025. An incredible year for rugby union. We count down every moment that made it special, silly, strange and so much more in our definitive celebration of the 288 Greatest Rugby Moments of 2025...
youtu.be/7hVloJg_FsE?...
youtu.be/7hVloJg_FsE?...
The 288 Greatest Rugby Moments of 2025
YouTube video by Squidge Rugby
youtu.be
December 24, 2025 at 9:40 AM
At this time, there’s a million different reviews of the year.
Squidge’s is one of the few that’s always worth watching in full!
Squidge’s is one of the few that’s always worth watching in full!
I refuse to believe this wasn’t intentional
the game league of legends has a role called “bottom lane” (or ADC) so they handed out a ✨BOTTOM OF THE YEAR✨ award 😭
December 23, 2025 at 2:53 PM
I refuse to believe this wasn’t intentional
Reposted by Conor Sewell
The UK will celebrate net emigration and depopulation come 2027.
And by 2028 it will start to realise, with an ageing society and low growth, what a really silly thing it has done.
The right will go "pro-natalist", the centre-left will be completely stuck.
And by 2028 it will start to realise, with an ageing society and low growth, what a really silly thing it has done.
The right will go "pro-natalist", the centre-left will be completely stuck.
December 22, 2025 at 7:28 AM
The UK will celebrate net emigration and depopulation come 2027.
And by 2028 it will start to realise, with an ageing society and low growth, what a really silly thing it has done.
The right will go "pro-natalist", the centre-left will be completely stuck.
And by 2028 it will start to realise, with an ageing society and low growth, what a really silly thing it has done.
The right will go "pro-natalist", the centre-left will be completely stuck.
If this is true, this is one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen from a Cabinet minister - a high bar!
One interesting nugget in this piece could explain the (otherwise baffling) appearance of Ramsay MacDonald in a 2024 Labour Party Election Broadcast
December 18, 2025 at 1:10 PM
If this is true, this is one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen from a Cabinet minister - a high bar!
Just one more anti-migrant announcement will fix this bro, I swear, please bro, just one more announcement
🧵/ How has political opinion changed over 2025?
In voting intention, Labour have made the biggest losses, while the Greens have gained most, and Reform UK have established a clear lead
Ref: 28% (+3 from 12-13 Jan)
Lab: 18% (-8)
Grn: 17% (+9)
Con: 17% (-5)
LD: 14% (=)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
In voting intention, Labour have made the biggest losses, while the Greens have gained most, and Reform UK have established a clear lead
Ref: 28% (+3 from 12-13 Jan)
Lab: 18% (-8)
Grn: 17% (+9)
Con: 17% (-5)
LD: 14% (=)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
December 18, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Just one more anti-migrant announcement will fix this bro, I swear, please bro, just one more announcement
Important life news: graduating today with distinction in my second Masters, this time in astrophysics.
Couldn’t have done it without the support of my fiancée and my family! 💖
Couldn’t have done it without the support of my fiancée and my family! 💖
December 17, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Important life news: graduating today with distinction in my second Masters, this time in astrophysics.
Couldn’t have done it without the support of my fiancée and my family! 💖
Couldn’t have done it without the support of my fiancée and my family! 💖