Daniel J
@danielj.uk
Grant Wrangler, erstwhile evolutionary biologist and bioinformatician. Tinkerer. Knows some stuff about old computers. Quite likes to take a photo from time to time. Dislikes cryptobores.
Gird your guts before embarking on this tour-de-force...
I wrote 4000 words about Nuzzi/Lizza/RFK, please read it before it gets taken down by HR
The Olivia Nuzzi and RFK Jr. Affair Is Messier Than We Ever Could Have Imagined
Inside the most important, and also least important, story of our time
www.theringer.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Gird your guts before embarking on this tour-de-force...
All the smarm, swagger and denial of every bully I've ever had the displeasure of encountering. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Don’t believe Nigel Farage’s denials. He targeted me for being Jewish – and it hurt | Peter Ettedgui
Now that my former classmate has finally spoken about the allegations of his behaviour at school, I feel compelled to address his points directly, says Peter Ettedgui, a film director and producer
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:23 PM
All the smarm, swagger and denial of every bully I've ever had the displeasure of encountering. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Daniel J
Reposted by Daniel J
![[Scene is a MEDIEVAL PLAGUE PIT with all the bodies inside it. On the edge of it is a young peasant woman, in a sack cloth dress, covered in boils. She is lounging glamorously next to the pit. Her boyfriend is standing a few feet away, photographing her with an anachronistic mobile phone]
GIRL:
OK so I'll sit here...
With my hair like this…
Rubbing my cyst with the corpse's hand.
[She produces a whithered severed hand and starts rubbing it on her face.]
[We are treated to a revolting close up of her rubbing the severed hand on her disgusting massive cyst.]
[Her boyfriend takes a photo of her.]
SNAP
GIRL:
OK, now write this:
"Hanging out at the burial pit, rubbing my sebaceous cyst with a severed corpse hand from
#BurtsGraverobbers…”
And then: #selfcare, #metime, #BurtsGraverobbers…
... nails emoji, heart emoji, cyst emoji.
BOYFRIEND:
Um...
Should we really be promoting this?
I mean… does rubbing a corpse's hand on a cyst actually work?
GIRL:
Look, Burt's done research, OK?
And he's paying us four groats.
BOYFRIEND:
Hmm.
[Boyfriend dutifully taps out the post on his phone]
TAP TAP TAP
BOYFRIEND:
Cyst emoji?
GIRL:
Just use a fried egg.
[Ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreifyvq2vzehtutrj7ild2dd7kkljmkbcby7yompicekbbpa2bqpluq@jpeg)
Reposted by Daniel J
This used to be career-ending stuff.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
It was years ago.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not in a hurtful way.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not with intent.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not genuine abuse.
😮🫣😬😱 ~AA
It was years ago.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not in a hurtful way.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not with intent.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not genuine abuse.
😮🫣😬😱 ~AA
November 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
This used to be career-ending stuff.
Reposted by Daniel J
Reposting my point-by-point debunking because Griffith apologists are on Bluesky too
DW Griffith directed BIRTH OF A NATION (1915), a virulently racist film (and neither his first nor his last one of those) that saw racist violence follow wherever it was screened.
So, naturally, there are film bros and gals who think we should "ignore the racism" and keep it in the canon.
Thread
So, naturally, there are film bros and gals who think we should "ignore the racism" and keep it in the canon.
Thread
November 21, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Reposting my point-by-point debunking because Griffith apologists are on Bluesky too
Reposted by Daniel J
I’m officially no longer a young columnist. Watch out for my new era in the British commentariat with pieces including, “why house prices are very reasonable, actually” and “keep your hands off my pension.”
November 21, 2025 at 1:38 PM
I’m officially no longer a young columnist. Watch out for my new era in the British commentariat with pieces including, “why house prices are very reasonable, actually” and “keep your hands off my pension.”
Reposted by Daniel J
Something lovely to start the week! 🐙🏺❤️
Ancient clay pots with octopus decoration, made by artisans from Bronze Age Crete some 3,500 years ago!
Heraklion Archaeological Museum 📷 by me
#Archaeology
Ancient clay pots with octopus decoration, made by artisans from Bronze Age Crete some 3,500 years ago!
Heraklion Archaeological Museum 📷 by me
#Archaeology
November 17, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Something lovely to start the week! 🐙🏺❤️
Ancient clay pots with octopus decoration, made by artisans from Bronze Age Crete some 3,500 years ago!
Heraklion Archaeological Museum 📷 by me
#Archaeology
Ancient clay pots with octopus decoration, made by artisans from Bronze Age Crete some 3,500 years ago!
Heraklion Archaeological Museum 📷 by me
#Archaeology
Reposted by Daniel J
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
emptycity.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
Reposted by Daniel J
It’s already started - the BBC allows Newsmax boss to opine about bias, suggest some of the Jan 6 mob were merely innocent tourists visiting Congress, without pushback
November 11, 2025 at 8:35 AM
It’s already started - the BBC allows Newsmax boss to opine about bias, suggest some of the Jan 6 mob were merely innocent tourists visiting Congress, without pushback
Reposted by Daniel J
For anyone still tempted to take Dominic Cummings at all seriously, he's now an advocate of Donald Trump-style open racism.
November 6, 2025 at 2:26 PM
For anyone still tempted to take Dominic Cummings at all seriously, he's now an advocate of Donald Trump-style open racism.
Really worth a watch. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... - all of the "Anywhere But Westminster"s are.
October 27, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Really worth a watch. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... - all of the "Anywhere But Westminster"s are.
Reposted by Daniel J
Reform aren't going to be able to win an FPTP election if 36% for "generally not racist" & 46% for "generally racist", however fair or unfair perceptions of racist/ not racist are
They did well to get 36% in Caerphilly but this is a big part of why they mobilise opponents (Plaid 47% Reform 36%)
They did well to get 36% in Caerphilly but this is a big part of why they mobilise opponents (Plaid 47% Reform 36%)
October 26, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Reform aren't going to be able to win an FPTP election if 36% for "generally not racist" & 46% for "generally racist", however fair or unfair perceptions of racist/ not racist are
They did well to get 36% in Caerphilly but this is a big part of why they mobilise opponents (Plaid 47% Reform 36%)
They did well to get 36% in Caerphilly but this is a big part of why they mobilise opponents (Plaid 47% Reform 36%)
Lobby gonna lobby... I dunno, you could - just spitballing here - accept lower profits for your shareholders... www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Supermarkets tell Reeves tax rises could push food prices higher
Households would ‘inevitably feel the impact’ of a surtax on business rates, say retailers in letter to chancellor
www.theguardian.com
October 26, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Lobby gonna lobby... I dunno, you could - just spitballing here - accept lower profits for your shareholders... www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Daniel J
![Cartoon by Stephen Collins for the Guardian.
[Scene is BBC BREAKFAST with two presenters and a guest on the sofa].
1
PRESENTER:
Now - some disturbing new research has shown
2
PRESENTER:
that as many as 10 non-Reform political parties may currently operating ‘under the radar’ across the UK.
[Show on screen logos for Greens, Lib Dems, Conservatives
3
PRESENTER:
In the studio to discuss this, Nigel Farage
[We see the guest on the sofa is indeed Nigel Farage]
4
PRESENTER:
Nigel, what’s your view?
FARAGE:
Well I think this very worrying.
5
FARAGE:
And just another reason why we should ban all immigration.
6
PRESENTER:
I won’t push back on that
FARAGE:
Absolutely!
7
PRESENTER:
Funnily enough, this is what your new show’s about, isn’t it?
FARAGE:
Oop - plug time!
PRESENTER:
Ha ha
8
FARAGE:
Yes it’s a 12-part BBC documentary called ‘In Search Of The Political Parties That Aren’t My One’.
9
[Show on the TV screen Farage presenting a documentary series titled In Search Of The Political Parties That Aren’t My One. He is wearing his farmer's getup and looking dreamily at the UK from hillsides, visiting pubs and chatting with the locals, etc]
FARAGE:
It’s a really emotional journey
10
FARAGE:
with lots of dreamy footage of me looking relatable...
11
FARAGE:
as I answer the question:
*Am I the only option for Britain?*
12
[Cut back to studio]
PRESENTER:
I won’t push back on that
FARAGE:
Absolutely!
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreidseyojvyqngmitl76iafvvbvgg4a3i7a26642c2c3gacoi7pwtbi@jpeg)
Reposted by Daniel J
This is 100% pure racism, inexcusably so, and no amount of “my phrasing was poor” can ever excuse this bile.
It also caps what was a very bad week for Reform UK - the mask is well and thoroughly slipping.
It also caps what was a very bad week for Reform UK - the mask is well and thoroughly slipping.
October 26, 2025 at 12:16 PM
This is 100% pure racism, inexcusably so, and no amount of “my phrasing was poor” can ever excuse this bile.
It also caps what was a very bad week for Reform UK - the mask is well and thoroughly slipping.
It also caps what was a very bad week for Reform UK - the mask is well and thoroughly slipping.
Reposted by Daniel J
Yay. Priceless. The right column at the right time. And a gleefully English two fingers to the haters.
October 25, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Yay. Priceless. The right column at the right time. And a gleefully English two fingers to the haters.
Reposted by Daniel J
It's not lost on me that the part of the White House we are destroying is the part that has to do with women's history in the White House.
NEW: NBC News confirms that the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, on the east side of the White House, has been destroyed as part of the demolition of the East Wing.
(📸 Getty Images)
(📸 Getty Images)
October 24, 2025 at 4:47 PM
It's not lost on me that the part of the White House we are destroying is the part that has to do with women's history in the White House.
Another excellent @davidallengreen.bsky.social summary and analysis, together with clear explanation. Thank you!
NEW
What the Chinese spying case witness statements reveal
The Crown Prosecution Service appears to have made at least one serious error, while the government's position now makes sense
By me
emptycity.substack.com/p/what-the-c...
What the Chinese spying case witness statements reveal
The Crown Prosecution Service appears to have made at least one serious error, while the government's position now makes sense
By me
emptycity.substack.com/p/what-the-c...
October 16, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Another excellent @davidallengreen.bsky.social summary and analysis, together with clear explanation. Thank you!
A bit of a must-read, perception buster...
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
October 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM
A bit of a must-read, perception buster...
Reposted by Daniel J
🚨Christian children were told they'd "be Muslim by year 6"!🚨
😱Sounds outrageous?
You know the drill…
If it sounds outrageous and designed to trigger you into being angry with “other” people, then you need to do some
1/25
🧵
😱Sounds outrageous?
You know the drill…
If it sounds outrageous and designed to trigger you into being angry with “other” people, then you need to do some
1/25
🧵
October 14, 2025 at 9:56 PM
🚨Christian children were told they'd "be Muslim by year 6"!🚨
😱Sounds outrageous?
You know the drill…
If it sounds outrageous and designed to trigger you into being angry with “other” people, then you need to do some
1/25
🧵
😱Sounds outrageous?
You know the drill…
If it sounds outrageous and designed to trigger you into being angry with “other” people, then you need to do some
1/25
🧵
Reposted by Daniel J
Excellent letter from the Bishop of Birmingham to Robert Jenrick.
At a time when so many other voices have been silent, the bishops have been admirably outspoken against attempts to stir up division.
The churches do a lot of community cohesion work & do not want to see this trashed for party gain.
At a time when so many other voices have been silent, the bishops have been admirably outspoken against attempts to stir up division.
The churches do a lot of community cohesion work & do not want to see this trashed for party gain.
The Bishop of Birmingham has written to the Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick about his comments about Handsworth
October 7, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Excellent letter from the Bishop of Birmingham to Robert Jenrick.
At a time when so many other voices have been silent, the bishops have been admirably outspoken against attempts to stir up division.
The churches do a lot of community cohesion work & do not want to see this trashed for party gain.
At a time when so many other voices have been silent, the bishops have been admirably outspoken against attempts to stir up division.
The churches do a lot of community cohesion work & do not want to see this trashed for party gain.
I am here with orl the popcorns. 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿
Baroness Mone hits out at Kemi Badenoch over PPE VIP lanes:
‘I acted no differently than Matt Hancock who referred 4 companies…
And let’s not forget Michael Gove & his referral of 4 contracts to his friend David Meller’
‘I acted no differently than Matt Hancock who referred 4 companies…
And let’s not forget Michael Gove & his referral of 4 contracts to his friend David Meller’
October 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
I am here with orl the popcorns. 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿
Reposted by Daniel J
You don’t actually have to both sides this. The Jewish community in the UK is not the Israeli government. You can just condemn the murder of two British Jews killed in their place of worship and you don’t have to say a single other thing.
October 2, 2025 at 11:36 AM
You don’t actually have to both sides this. The Jewish community in the UK is not the Israeli government. You can just condemn the murder of two British Jews killed in their place of worship and you don’t have to say a single other thing.
Reposted by Daniel J
The only possible thing that could make it better is if it were followed by “the Bible says”………
………AND IT IS.
………AND IT IS.
"What you fail to see Mr. Pope" is truly the most incredible assemblage of words I have seen coming out of X, the Everything App, in quite some time.
really enjoying all the people trying to explain the bible to the pope today
October 2, 2025 at 6:52 AM
The only possible thing that could make it better is if it were followed by “the Bible says”………
………AND IT IS.
………AND IT IS.