Charles Beckett
@charlesbeckett.bsky.social
'These musings are as inadequately supported as they are gratuitous.'
(borrowed from: Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson, JJ.: Concurrence in Trump vs. Anderson, SCOTUS 23-719. March 4th, 2024.)
Londoner in Barcelona
(borrowed from: Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson, JJ.: Concurrence in Trump vs. Anderson, SCOTUS 23-719. March 4th, 2024.)
Londoner in Barcelona
Pinned
‘What could my mother be to yours?
What kin is my father to yours anyway?
And how did you and I meet ever?
But in love
Our hearts have mingled
Like red earth and pouring rain.’
What he said, from Kurontokai, trans. AK Ramanujan
What kin is my father to yours anyway?
And how did you and I meet ever?
But in love
Our hearts have mingled
Like red earth and pouring rain.’
What he said, from Kurontokai, trans. AK Ramanujan
I have three editions of Waiting for Godot - French, English and Catalan. It has only just struck me that the Catalan version of the title ‘Tot esperant Godot’ is closer to the French original ‘En attendant Godot’ than the English.
November 10, 2025 at 4:59 PM
I have three editions of Waiting for Godot - French, English and Catalan. It has only just struck me that the Catalan version of the title ‘Tot esperant Godot’ is closer to the French original ‘En attendant Godot’ than the English.
In his indispensable (at least to me) 2002 book, 'Truth and Truthfulness', Bernard Williams argues that two main constituents of truthfulness are: 'accuracy' and 'sincerity.'
I would never accuse the BBC or any other news organisation of being 100% sincere, but ...
I would never accuse the BBC or any other news organisation of being 100% sincere, but ...
November 10, 2025 at 3:56 PM
In his indispensable (at least to me) 2002 book, 'Truth and Truthfulness', Bernard Williams argues that two main constituents of truthfulness are: 'accuracy' and 'sincerity.'
I would never accuse the BBC or any other news organisation of being 100% sincere, but ...
I would never accuse the BBC or any other news organisation of being 100% sincere, but ...
You can read Trump's full remarks, as delivered to his supporters on Jan 6th, 2021, here: www.npr.org/2021/02/10/9...
In assessing whether or not the Panorama edit of his speech was unfair or untruthful, I would simply ask people to read the speech and think about the context in which it was given.
In assessing whether or not the Panorama edit of his speech was unfair or untruthful, I would simply ask people to read the speech and think about the context in which it was given.
Read Trump's Jan. 6 Speech, A Key Part Of Impeachment Trial
The former president's remarks are being used by Democrats hoping to convict him for incitement of insurrection — and are being defended by his lawyers in the Senate proceedings.
www.npr.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:56 PM
You can read Trump's full remarks, as delivered to his supporters on Jan 6th, 2021, here: www.npr.org/2021/02/10/9...
In assessing whether or not the Panorama edit of his speech was unfair or untruthful, I would simply ask people to read the speech and think about the context in which it was given.
In assessing whether or not the Panorama edit of his speech was unfair or untruthful, I would simply ask people to read the speech and think about the context in which it was given.
In many ways, this is not about the BBC. The BBC is symbolic - and symptomatic - in a much deeper and broader political battle. We must defend the BBC now in order not to lose that battle.
How you choose to reform the BBC to make it better in the long term is a separate question entirely.
How you choose to reform the BBC to make it better in the long term is a separate question entirely.
November 10, 2025 at 1:08 PM
In many ways, this is not about the BBC. The BBC is symbolic - and symptomatic - in a much deeper and broader political battle. We must defend the BBC now in order not to lose that battle.
How you choose to reform the BBC to make it better in the long term is a separate question entirely.
How you choose to reform the BBC to make it better in the long term is a separate question entirely.
'Words had to change their ordinary meaning and to take that which was now given them. Reckless audacity came to be considered the courage of a loyal ally; prudent hesitation, specious cowardice; moderation was held to be a cloak for unmanliness; ...'
Thucydides, Peloponnesian War. 3.82.4
Thucydides, Peloponnesian War. 3.82.4
November 10, 2025 at 9:01 AM
'Words had to change their ordinary meaning and to take that which was now given them. Reckless audacity came to be considered the courage of a loyal ally; prudent hesitation, specious cowardice; moderation was held to be a cloak for unmanliness; ...'
Thucydides, Peloponnesian War. 3.82.4
Thucydides, Peloponnesian War. 3.82.4
Reposted by Charles Beckett
inspired by this, I have done a free extract of this section of the book here. it is about understanding that *with all its problems* the BBC is as important for our intellectual health as the NHS is for our physical health:
naomialderman.substack.com/p/the-bbc-an...
naomialderman.substack.com/p/the-bbc-an...
November 10, 2025 at 7:52 AM
inspired by this, I have done a free extract of this section of the book here. it is about understanding that *with all its problems* the BBC is as important for our intellectual health as the NHS is for our physical health:
naomialderman.substack.com/p/the-bbc-an...
naomialderman.substack.com/p/the-bbc-an...
While I have never sought the office and have never had any ambition in that direction, in my country’s hour of need, if called upon to serve, I could not refuse to do my duty, and would, reluctantly, accept the invitation to become Director General.
November 9, 2025 at 8:42 PM
While I have never sought the office and have never had any ambition in that direction, in my country’s hour of need, if called upon to serve, I could not refuse to do my duty, and would, reluctantly, accept the invitation to become Director General.
I don't believe, in the end, the American people will forgive this obscenity, or the people who perpetrated it. There will be a reckoning, and there will be justice, but it may still be far ahead.
“I want you to understand what it is like to live in Chicago during this time.”
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 5:35 PM
I don't believe, in the end, the American people will forgive this obscenity, or the people who perpetrated it. There will be a reckoning, and there will be justice, but it may still be far ahead.
Autumn scene - river path from Martinet to Travesseres. Soft pastel on paper. WIP.
November 9, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Autumn scene - river path from Martinet to Travesseres. Soft pastel on paper. WIP.
There's a review of the Keanu Reeves/Alex Winter 'Waiting for Godot' in the latest NYRB with a lengthy introduction which seems to be aiming at 'Beckett for Dummies'. I have problems with almost every single word. Not impressed.
November 8, 2025 at 9:49 PM
There's a review of the Keanu Reeves/Alex Winter 'Waiting for Godot' in the latest NYRB with a lengthy introduction which seems to be aiming at 'Beckett for Dummies'. I have problems with almost every single word. Not impressed.
Climbed a hill. Made a fire. Moved some furniture around. Feel like Thoreau.
November 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Climbed a hill. Made a fire. Moved some furniture around. Feel like Thoreau.
Montellà (the town adjoining ours, and part of the same municipality, ‘Montellà i Martinet’) - with a grazing cow in the foreground.
November 7, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Montellà (the town adjoining ours, and part of the same municipality, ‘Montellà i Martinet’) - with a grazing cow in the foreground.
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning"
November 5, 2025 at 7:01 AM
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning"
Ha ha ha ha ha
OpenAI pirated large numbers of books and used them to train models.
OpenAI then deleted the dataset with the pirated books, and employees sent each other messages about doing so.
A lawsuit could now force the company to pay $150,000 per book, adding up to billions in damages.
OpenAI then deleted the dataset with the pirated books, and employees sent each other messages about doing so.
A lawsuit could now force the company to pay $150,000 per book, adding up to billions in damages.
November 4, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Ha ha ha ha ha
Arteta spent a lot of money in the summer, and I have to admit to feeling some scepticism about many of the new signings. But he knew what he was doing. We are looking very good and very hard to beat at the moment.
November 4, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Arteta spent a lot of money in the summer, and I have to admit to feeling some scepticism about many of the new signings. But he knew what he was doing. We are looking very good and very hard to beat at the moment.
Samir Zitouni. A hero. Extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice.
November 4, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Samir Zitouni. A hero. Extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice.
Reposted by Charles Beckett
Not enough posts for Jamaica on Bluesky: Here’s some information from the Black Music Movement. An open call for ways you can help and show up. This time last week, the Category 5 hurricane Melissa did her worse, I’ll keep sharing what I can find, let’s unite, Jamaica needs help 🇯🇲❤️
November 3, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Not enough posts for Jamaica on Bluesky: Here’s some information from the Black Music Movement. An open call for ways you can help and show up. This time last week, the Category 5 hurricane Melissa did her worse, I’ll keep sharing what I can find, let’s unite, Jamaica needs help 🇯🇲❤️
Mazón has gone, but Maribel Vilaplana, the journalist who was having a lunch meeting with him when DANA struck Valencia, has been giving testimony before a judge investigating the response to the disaster. And it is not good for Mazón.
November 3, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Mazón has gone, but Maribel Vilaplana, the journalist who was having a lunch meeting with him when DANA struck Valencia, has been giving testimony before a judge investigating the response to the disaster. And it is not good for Mazón.
I think some non-British observers overestimate the potential for unrest and violence in the UK. Most British people - the vast majority - disapprove of any such violence and won’t tolerate it in any way, shape or form.
November 3, 2025 at 9:31 AM
I think some non-British observers overestimate the potential for unrest and violence in the UK. Most British people - the vast majority - disapprove of any such violence and won’t tolerate it in any way, shape or form.
Leaving Barcelona today. Might be a while before I’m back. I’ve enjoyed living here; it’s a great city.
But it’s time for a new adventure. Adeu. Fins llavors.
But it’s time for a new adventure. Adeu. Fins llavors.
November 3, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Leaving Barcelona today. Might be a while before I’m back. I’ve enjoyed living here; it’s a great city.
But it’s time for a new adventure. Adeu. Fins llavors.
But it’s time for a new adventure. Adeu. Fins llavors.
I’m well aware that it’s a fallacy, but walking around Sevilla, the Alcázar, los jardines de Murillo, beside the Guadalquivir (Wadi al-Kabir), I can’t help feeling that it would have been fine to be a senior official serving in the court of Abd al-Rahman I, founder of the Umayyad Emirate of Córdoba.
November 2, 2025 at 8:25 PM
I’m well aware that it’s a fallacy, but walking around Sevilla, the Alcázar, los jardines de Murillo, beside the Guadalquivir (Wadi al-Kabir), I can’t help feeling that it would have been fine to be a senior official serving in the court of Abd al-Rahman I, founder of the Umayyad Emirate of Córdoba.
The liars and cheats and charlatans who brought you Brexit (and who unaccountably still have a public platform) are keen for you to know that, if you are not as racist as they are, you are not ‘arguing in good faith.’
November 2, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The liars and cheats and charlatans who brought you Brexit (and who unaccountably still have a public platform) are keen for you to know that, if you are not as racist as they are, you are not ‘arguing in good faith.’
Nerd alert (but important): most trading in UK gilts (debt) is on the basis of STIRT (short term interest rate trading) - that is swapping debt in one currency for another. This is a huge trade and it relies on a certain stability in short term interest rates.
November 2, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Nerd alert (but important): most trading in UK gilts (debt) is on the basis of STIRT (short term interest rate trading) - that is swapping debt in one currency for another. This is a huge trade and it relies on a certain stability in short term interest rates.
Vasily Kandinsky - Winter Landscape with Church (1910-11). Guggenheim NY.
October 31, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Vasily Kandinsky - Winter Landscape with Church (1910-11). Guggenheim NY.
Solo en Sevilla 🤣
October 31, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Solo en Sevilla 🤣