Ewan Gibbs
@ewangibbs.bsky.social
Historian of work, energy, industry and protest. Author of Coal Country. Now writing An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class. Not getting that much more right wing as I get older.
Pinned
Ewan Gibbs
@ewangibbs.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Coal Country - University of London Press
The flooding and subsequent closure of Scotland’s last deep coal mine in 2002 brought a centuries long saga to an end. Villages and towns across the densely populated Central Belt owe their existence ...
uolpress.co.uk
My book, Coal Country: The Meaning and Memory of Deindustrialization in Postwar Scotland is the first book-length account of the end of coal mining in Scotland through the memories of miners and their families. It is available to download for free on this link, or you can also buy paper copies.
Good overview of why seizing Venezuelan oil might not be as easy or profitable as it sounds to Trump.
Trump views energy geopolitics “almost like the world is a Settlers of Catan board—you kidnap the president of Venezuela and, ipso facto, you now control all the oil,” @roryjohnston.bsky.social told me
i took a look at why Trump's plans to pump more Venezuelan oil are a lot harder than he thinks
i took a look at why Trump's plans to pump more Venezuelan oil are a lot harder than he thinks
Trump Wants Venezuela's Oil. Getting It Might Not Be So Simple
The administration has made it clear that Nicolás Maduro's capture was tied to Venezuela's vast oil reserves. Much less certain is how US companies will actually access them—or if they even want to.
www.wired.com
January 4, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Good overview of why seizing Venezuelan oil might not be as easy or profitable as it sounds to Trump.
‘Create more than you consume.’
Unexpected mercantilist slogan on the Clyde Walkway.
Unexpected mercantilist slogan on the Clyde Walkway.
January 4, 2026 at 1:22 PM
‘Create more than you consume.’
Unexpected mercantilist slogan on the Clyde Walkway.
Unexpected mercantilist slogan on the Clyde Walkway.
Reposted by Ewan Gibbs
Marxist Geographers have been writing about this for some time, particularly the late Neil Smith who wrote “American Empire” in 2003. Probably ignored due to the fashionable “end of history” stuff back then.
January 4, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Marxist Geographers have been writing about this for some time, particularly the late Neil Smith who wrote “American Empire” in 2003. Probably ignored due to the fashionable “end of history” stuff back then.
Responses to the US attack on Venezuela tend towards the view that it’s easy to get oil out the ground and refine and export it. They also assume oil and gas products are universally interchangeable when the chemical qualities of reserves are distinctive.
Helpful thread ⬇️
Helpful thread ⬇️
An immensely tired & uninformed take.
Canada currently:
- exports >4x Venezuelan crude shipments
- that supply is linked to American refineries by pipelines that travel one direction (south)
- no one is rushing into Venezuela to roll the dice *again* on whoever replaces Maduro
Canada currently:
- exports >4x Venezuelan crude shipments
- that supply is linked to American refineries by pipelines that travel one direction (south)
- no one is rushing into Venezuela to roll the dice *again* on whoever replaces Maduro
January 4, 2026 at 11:28 AM
Responses to the US attack on Venezuela tend towards the view that it’s easy to get oil out the ground and refine and export it. They also assume oil and gas products are universally interchangeable when the chemical qualities of reserves are distinctive.
Helpful thread ⬇️
Helpful thread ⬇️
In the recent past, discussing America as an imperial power was considered gauche and subject to snide by liberals at least as much as conservatives. That’s surely over as Trump boldly declares ‘we’re going to be taking a tremendous amount of wealth from the ground’ in Venezuela?
January 3, 2026 at 8:02 PM
In the recent past, discussing America as an imperial power was considered gauche and subject to snide by liberals at least as much as conservatives. That’s surely over as Trump boldly declares ‘we’re going to be taking a tremendous amount of wealth from the ground’ in Venezuela?
Reposted by Ewan Gibbs
Chevron out there saying, “We’re prepared to work constructively with the U.S. Government during this period, leveraging our experience and presence to strengthen U.S. energy security.” (Source: www.newsweek.com/chevron-reac...)
January 3, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Chevron out there saying, “We’re prepared to work constructively with the U.S. Government during this period, leveraging our experience and presence to strengthen U.S. energy security.” (Source: www.newsweek.com/chevron-reac...)
Reposted by Ewan Gibbs
Smart, careful political scientists: Actually, this isn't technically a regime change operation.
Donald Trump: Actually, it is!
Donald Trump: Actually, it is!
January 3, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Smart, careful political scientists: Actually, this isn't technically a regime change operation.
Donald Trump: Actually, it is!
Donald Trump: Actually, it is!
Last night I finished Oil! by Upton Sinclair. It culminates a century ago. Having brutally won a class war at home, US oil tycoons shift their sights from California and Texas to Venezuela and the Middle East backed by military power. Merely of literary and historical interest!
January 3, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Last night I finished Oil! by Upton Sinclair. It culminates a century ago. Having brutally won a class war at home, US oil tycoons shift their sights from California and Texas to Venezuela and the Middle East backed by military power. Merely of literary and historical interest!
First run of 2026. Good day for it 🏃♂️
January 3, 2026 at 11:30 AM
First run of 2026. Good day for it 🏃♂️
The US has begun an unprovoked and unjustified war for conquest and oil, as President Trump has himself made clear on several occasions. The Americans also now claim to have abducted a foreign leader in his own country. This imperialist aggression must be condemned.
January 3, 2026 at 10:08 AM
The US has begun an unprovoked and unjustified war for conquest and oil, as President Trump has himself made clear on several occasions. The Americans also now claim to have abducted a foreign leader in his own country. This imperialist aggression must be condemned.
Reposted by Ewan Gibbs
The bombing of Venezuela is an act of aggression: unprovoked, unjustified and unjustifiable.
January 3, 2026 at 9:25 AM
The bombing of Venezuela is an act of aggression: unprovoked, unjustified and unjustifiable.
The launch of @theskotia.bsky.social podcast has created a good platform for left-wing analysis of Scottish politics. It was one of the few bright spots of 2025. Well done to @mccailcoll.bsky.social and Rory Hamilton for all their work. Listen and subscribe for more in 2026!
Nest of Fearties #18: The Year in Review
open.spotify.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:42 AM
The launch of @theskotia.bsky.social podcast has created a good platform for left-wing analysis of Scottish politics. It was one of the few bright spots of 2025. Well done to @mccailcoll.bsky.social and Rory Hamilton for all their work. Listen and subscribe for more in 2026!
Necropolis New Year
January 1, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Necropolis New Year
Last run of 2025. Glad to have pushed onwards to 10k this year.
December 31, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Last run of 2025. Glad to have pushed onwards to 10k this year.
This year, I’ve written about Britain’s industrial crisis and the Labour government’s failure to deliver promises of a green manufacturing future. I wrote for @lrb.co.uk on the consequences of the end of a century of oil refining on the Forth at Grangemouth. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Ewan Gibbs · Goodbye to Grangemouth
Any form of ‘just transition’ – managing the move to a greener economy while also protecting workers and...
www.lrb.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 10:39 AM
This year, I’ve written about Britain’s industrial crisis and the Labour government’s failure to deliver promises of a green manufacturing future. I wrote for @lrb.co.uk on the consequences of the end of a century of oil refining on the Forth at Grangemouth. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Saw out a year of watching Hibs with the North Sea cold biting during a solid win against Aberdeen.
December 30, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Saw out a year of watching Hibs with the North Sea cold biting during a solid win against Aberdeen.
John Calder was the Cromarty radical who took the ideas of the French revolution to the fields, streets, courtrooms and gaols of the Highlands. Great article by Feargus Murray for @heckle.scot.
James Calder – A Highland Friend of the People
Feargus Murray fills a gap in Scottish republican history by recalling the life of Cromarty radical James Calder, among the Highlanders inspired by the French Revolution to fight for democracy in late...
heckle.scot
December 30, 2025 at 3:17 PM
John Calder was the Cromarty radical who took the ideas of the French revolution to the fields, streets, courtrooms and gaols of the Highlands. Great article by Feargus Murray for @heckle.scot.
Loved, lost and restored.
Hibs scarf, jacket and hat returned thanks to the kind staff at the Bongo Club!
The scarf’s seen cup final victories and defeats, promotion and relegation as well as European ties overseas. Delighted to have it back. A festive miracle!
Hibs scarf, jacket and hat returned thanks to the kind staff at the Bongo Club!
The scarf’s seen cup final victories and defeats, promotion and relegation as well as European ties overseas. Delighted to have it back. A festive miracle!
December 30, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Loved, lost and restored.
Hibs scarf, jacket and hat returned thanks to the kind staff at the Bongo Club!
The scarf’s seen cup final victories and defeats, promotion and relegation as well as European ties overseas. Delighted to have it back. A festive miracle!
Hibs scarf, jacket and hat returned thanks to the kind staff at the Bongo Club!
The scarf’s seen cup final victories and defeats, promotion and relegation as well as European ties overseas. Delighted to have it back. A festive miracle!
A chilly run 🏃♂️🥶
December 29, 2025 at 11:12 AM
A chilly run 🏃♂️🥶
Lost - my grey jacket, Hibs scarf and green hat as seen in this picture.
I’m pretty sure somebody accidentally picked up my jacket in Bongo Club last night. If anyone happens to have it or my scarf I’d really appreciate any help returning them. The scarf is more than 20 years old 😞
I’m pretty sure somebody accidentally picked up my jacket in Bongo Club last night. If anyone happens to have it or my scarf I’d really appreciate any help returning them. The scarf is more than 20 years old 😞
December 28, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Lost - my grey jacket, Hibs scarf and green hat as seen in this picture.
I’m pretty sure somebody accidentally picked up my jacket in Bongo Club last night. If anyone happens to have it or my scarf I’d really appreciate any help returning them. The scarf is more than 20 years old 😞
I’m pretty sure somebody accidentally picked up my jacket in Bongo Club last night. If anyone happens to have it or my scarf I’d really appreciate any help returning them. The scarf is more than 20 years old 😞
Hibernian 3 - Heart of Midlothian 2
December 27, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Hibernian 3 - Heart of Midlothian 2
A crisp Boxing Day run 🏃♂️
December 26, 2025 at 10:15 AM
A crisp Boxing Day run 🏃♂️
Christmas cake update.
The booze soaking and the hazel nut cutting really make it.
10 out of 10 will bake again.
The booze soaking and the hazel nut cutting really make it.
10 out of 10 will bake again.
December 25, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Christmas cake update.
The booze soaking and the hazel nut cutting really make it.
10 out of 10 will bake again.
The booze soaking and the hazel nut cutting really make it.
10 out of 10 will bake again.
Merry Christmas from a contended Izzy 🐈⬛ 🎄
December 24, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Merry Christmas from a contended Izzy 🐈⬛ 🎄