Simon Morden
@comrademorden.bsky.social
Author, scientist, maker, lefty.
Website: www.bookofmorden.co.uk
Website: www.bookofmorden.co.uk
This is absolutely terrific from Jonathan Cook, reporting on what Rajiv Menon KC said in court. It might be niche and nerdy, but it hits to the heart of the justice system: the right of a jury to acquit a defendant despite everything.
If you are baffled by why the jury refused to convict the Palestine Action defendants, it's because – unlike them – you didn't hear the actual evidence. You heard what the media wanted you to know.
Here, I explain what the jury learnt from the trial: jonathancook.substack.com/p/barristers...
Here, I explain what the jury learnt from the trial: jonathancook.substack.com/p/barristers...
Barrister's powerful speech at Filton Trial reminds jury of its right to defy judge
Starmer and the media need convictions to justify Palestine Action's proscription as a terrorist group. Rajiv Menon KC spells out to the jury why it is a vital last defence against government tyranny
jonathancook.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:37 AM
This is absolutely terrific from Jonathan Cook, reporting on what Rajiv Menon KC said in court. It might be niche and nerdy, but it hits to the heart of the justice system: the right of a jury to acquit a defendant despite everything.
Criticising Starmer for appointing Mandelson, I'm asked "Well who would you have as PM?" as if there's no alternative.
We're reaching the point where I say, "fuck it, I'll do it", and honestly no one needs that.
We're reaching the point where I say, "fuck it, I'll do it", and honestly no one needs that.
February 5, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Criticising Starmer for appointing Mandelson, I'm asked "Well who would you have as PM?" as if there's no alternative.
We're reaching the point where I say, "fuck it, I'll do it", and honestly no one needs that.
We're reaching the point where I say, "fuck it, I'll do it", and honestly no one needs that.
Is anyone else seeing a facehugger here?
F Scott Fitzgerald famously wrote, in The Last Tycoon, that there are no second acts in American Lives. If ever anyone proved that wrong, Patricia Hearst did – and, indeed, continues to. Obviously, you know the most prominent bit of her story, which began on this day in 1974... 🧵
February 4, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Is anyone else seeing a facehugger here?
Came back from running club. Bathroom flooded. Still not exactly certain of the chain of unlikely failures, but I've been out unblocking the drains wearing a headtorch.
I must admit, my usual equilibrium was momentarily perturbed and I deployed some choice swears and self-pity.
I must admit, my usual equilibrium was momentarily perturbed and I deployed some choice swears and self-pity.
February 3, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Came back from running club. Bathroom flooded. Still not exactly certain of the chain of unlikely failures, but I've been out unblocking the drains wearing a headtorch.
I must admit, my usual equilibrium was momentarily perturbed and I deployed some choice swears and self-pity.
I must admit, my usual equilibrium was momentarily perturbed and I deployed some choice swears and self-pity.
Reposted by Simon Morden
I do think CS Lewis was on to something when he wrote about the lure of being in the Inner Ring. (“Of all the passions, the passion for the Inner Ring is most skillful in making a man who is not yet a very bad man do very bad things”)
www.lewissociety.org/innerring/
www.lewissociety.org/innerring/
The Inner Ring - CS Lewis Society of California
www.lewissociety.org
February 2, 2026 at 11:39 AM
I do think CS Lewis was on to something when he wrote about the lure of being in the Inner Ring. (“Of all the passions, the passion for the Inner Ring is most skillful in making a man who is not yet a very bad man do very bad things”)
www.lewissociety.org/innerring/
www.lewissociety.org/innerring/
When one of my (former) friends was convicted of child porn offences, I felt shame, regret, and revulsionm
I have since learned that this is not a universal experience.
I have since learned that this is not a universal experience.
January 31, 2026 at 11:51 PM
When one of my (former) friends was convicted of child porn offences, I felt shame, regret, and revulsionm
I have since learned that this is not a universal experience.
I have since learned that this is not a universal experience.
Very very late to the party, but K-Pop Demon Hunters is honestly and unashamedly great.
January 31, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Very very late to the party, but K-Pop Demon Hunters is honestly and unashamedly great.
'Feels like a losing battle'.
It is a losing battle. Sea level rise and increased, intense rainfall will make most, if not all, buildings on the Levels uninsurable: The government have only promised to back insurance up to 2039.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
It is a losing battle. Sea level rise and increased, intense rainfall will make most, if not all, buildings on the Levels uninsurable: The government have only promised to back insurance up to 2039.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
‘Feels like a losing battle’: the fight against flooding in Somerset
Emergency pumps are deployed in attempt to stop water inundating homes around River Parrett
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:33 PM
'Feels like a losing battle'.
It is a losing battle. Sea level rise and increased, intense rainfall will make most, if not all, buildings on the Levels uninsurable: The government have only promised to back insurance up to 2039.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
It is a losing battle. Sea level rise and increased, intense rainfall will make most, if not all, buildings on the Levels uninsurable: The government have only promised to back insurance up to 2039.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
You know whose kids won't be getting 'AI tutors', don't you?
We want to make sure tutoring isn't the preserve of a lucky few, but accessible to every child who needs it.
AI can help us do that.
Safe, personalised, one-to-one learning support to help every child achieve and thrive.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
AI can help us do that.
Safe, personalised, one-to-one learning support to help every child achieve and thrive.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
Poorest pupils to be given AI tutors
Bridget Phillipson says tuition would no longer be the preserve of ‘the lucky few’
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 4:04 PM
You know whose kids won't be getting 'AI tutors', don't you?
This shouldn't be a minor story.
This was a minor story on London news this morning - but suspect is a real cautionary (and alarming) tale of an older man getting radicalised online.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sidcup man convicted aover explosive attack on Ulez camera
Kevin Rees's homemade bomb caused damage to vehicles and property including a child's bedroom.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 9:45 AM
This shouldn't be a minor story.
January 28, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Reposted by Simon Morden
Thinking about the underlying notion of truth this morning. 🧵
The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
January 25, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Thinking about the underlying notion of truth this morning. 🧵
If you want to disable your autoplay videos and gifs, it's:
Settings -> Content and Media -> uncheck the autoplay box
Settings -> Content and Media -> uncheck the autoplay box
January 24, 2026 at 9:10 PM
If you want to disable your autoplay videos and gifs, it's:
Settings -> Content and Media -> uncheck the autoplay box
Settings -> Content and Media -> uncheck the autoplay box
Reposted by Simon Morden
You don't need to watch the video of someone being killed to know that someone was killed.
On an emotional level, your amygdala can't really tell the difference between the video and being there.
Depending on your personal history, this could be mildly shocking or enduring trauma.
Why bother?
On an emotional level, your amygdala can't really tell the difference between the video and being there.
Depending on your personal history, this could be mildly shocking or enduring trauma.
Why bother?
January 24, 2026 at 7:52 PM
You don't need to watch the video of someone being killed to know that someone was killed.
On an emotional level, your amygdala can't really tell the difference between the video and being there.
Depending on your personal history, this could be mildly shocking or enduring trauma.
Why bother?
On an emotional level, your amygdala can't really tell the difference between the video and being there.
Depending on your personal history, this could be mildly shocking or enduring trauma.
Why bother?
If you work-for-hire, or are under contract, you breach your terms of service if you use AI.
Lmao the bubble is fit to burst, boys
This is a hysterical and insane choice, I hope they follow through!
This is a hysterical and insane choice, I hope they follow through!
January 23, 2026 at 1:57 PM
If you work-for-hire, or are under contract, you breach your terms of service if you use AI.
I had the pleasure of travelling on the Elizathbeth line yesterday (formerly Crossrail).
Bloody hell. Extraordinary engineering feat, and from my limited experience, clean, reliable, fast.
And then I compare it to public transport in the North East, and well: if only.
Bloody hell. Extraordinary engineering feat, and from my limited experience, clean, reliable, fast.
And then I compare it to public transport in the North East, and well: if only.
January 22, 2026 at 12:14 PM
I had the pleasure of travelling on the Elizathbeth line yesterday (formerly Crossrail).
Bloody hell. Extraordinary engineering feat, and from my limited experience, clean, reliable, fast.
And then I compare it to public transport in the North East, and well: if only.
Bloody hell. Extraordinary engineering feat, and from my limited experience, clean, reliable, fast.
And then I compare it to public transport in the North East, and well: if only.
"When there is no more room in Heaven, the dead will walk the earth."
January 20, 2026 at 10:07 AM
"When there is no more room in Heaven, the dead will walk the earth."
Arguably, a social media ban should be imposed for men, aged 40 and over. That's the demographic that causes most harm.
Brianna Ghey was targeted by classmates who knew her offline. Online, she made friends and a community, and was making content to help other trans kids like her.
This is a grieving mother pushing for legislation that would have further isolated her trans child, that is supported by transphobes.
This is a grieving mother pushing for legislation that would have further isolated her trans child, that is supported by transphobes.
Mother of murdered Brianna Ghey urges Starmer to ban social media for under-16s
January 19, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Arguably, a social media ban should be imposed for men, aged 40 and over. That's the demographic that causes most harm.
Right then.
Within experimental error, there was *no* difference. All the wicks caught, all saw signs of melting within 15-20s, and all held a steady flame after 30-40s.
Which is reasonable. A match flame burns at 1300C, a candle at 1000C (animal fats 100-200C lower). 1/
Within experimental error, there was *no* difference. All the wicks caught, all saw signs of melting within 15-20s, and all held a steady flame after 30-40s.
Which is reasonable. A match flame burns at 1300C, a candle at 1000C (animal fats 100-200C lower). 1/
Two in the fridge, two in the freezer. I'll have a control at room temperature as well. I'll give them a few hours.
January 17, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Right then.
Within experimental error, there was *no* difference. All the wicks caught, all saw signs of melting within 15-20s, and all held a steady flame after 30-40s.
Which is reasonable. A match flame burns at 1300C, a candle at 1000C (animal fats 100-200C lower). 1/
Within experimental error, there was *no* difference. All the wicks caught, all saw signs of melting within 15-20s, and all held a steady flame after 30-40s.
Which is reasonable. A match flame burns at 1300C, a candle at 1000C (animal fats 100-200C lower). 1/
This is so obviously wrapped up in nostalgia and formative experiences, it's almost a metaphor for itself.
But I listened to the first CD last night. Joy.
But I listened to the first CD last night. Joy.
January 16, 2026 at 9:55 AM
This is so obviously wrapped up in nostalgia and formative experiences, it's almost a metaphor for itself.
But I listened to the first CD last night. Joy.
But I listened to the first CD last night. Joy.
So, it begins...
January 15, 2026 at 10:19 PM
So, it begins...
Is it wrong of me to think that the West Midlands Chief Constable should resign chiefly because he endorsed an AI-written report?
January 14, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Is it wrong of me to think that the West Midlands Chief Constable should resign chiefly because he endorsed an AI-written report?
The Ring Cycle is something like 15 hours long, so that's only 3 times round, and I've never listened to it before.
Don't know if that qualifies, but for a million bucks, I'll take one for the team.
Don't know if that qualifies, but for a million bucks, I'll take one for the team.
If someone put $1,000,000 on the table and said you had to listen to one album on repeat for 48 hours straight…
what album are you risking your sanity for?
what album are you risking your sanity for?
a hand is holding a discman device in front of a table
ALT: a hand is holding a discman device in front of a table
media.tenor.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:33 PM
The Ring Cycle is something like 15 hours long, so that's only 3 times round, and I've never listened to it before.
Don't know if that qualifies, but for a million bucks, I'll take one for the team.
Don't know if that qualifies, but for a million bucks, I'll take one for the team.
See also "The USA kidnapped a sitting head of state" and "The USA engaged in piracy on the high seas with UK assistance".
The BBC should be "impartial", but that doesn't mean refusing to make judgments.
A jury or a football referee should be "impartial": they should not be "partial", or prejudiced, to one side or other.
But that doesn't excuse them from making decisions. It's why we trust them to do so.
A jury or a football referee should be "impartial": they should not be "partial", or prejudiced, to one side or other.
But that doesn't excuse them from making decisions. It's why we trust them to do so.
January 8, 2026 at 10:53 AM
See also "The USA kidnapped a sitting head of state" and "The USA engaged in piracy on the high seas with UK assistance".
Absolutely certain that my running commentary on Armageddon/The Martian/Sunshine/almost anything set in space is most welcome, however.
A daily reminder to my ex-prosecutor wife that #TheArchers is a drama, not a documentary that needs detailed criticism for procedural inaccuracies.
January 2, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Absolutely certain that my running commentary on Armageddon/The Martian/Sunshine/almost anything set in space is most welcome, however.