Fay Young
@fayyoung.bsky.social
Writer, editor, old style journalist and newish media collaborator. Woodland gardener, co-editor Sceptical Scot, podcaster Walking Heads. Enjoy music, poetry, food, good company
Up with the larch. I wasn’t quick enough with the phone so please just believe me, I watched three squirrels chasing each other through the larch tree - a fantastic gravity-defying aerial display.
Can’t imitate leaping from branch to branch but it’s a good morning to go for a walk.
Can’t imitate leaping from branch to branch but it’s a good morning to go for a walk.
November 19, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Up with the larch. I wasn’t quick enough with the phone so please just believe me, I watched three squirrels chasing each other through the larch tree - a fantastic gravity-defying aerial display.
Can’t imitate leaping from branch to branch but it’s a good morning to go for a walk.
Can’t imitate leaping from branch to branch but it’s a good morning to go for a walk.
"Muscatelli will be well aware of the forces of conservatism bent on undermining any such radical change." John McLaren responds to @antonmuscatelli.bsky.social report. Could Scotland risk a radical plan to revitalise failing regional economies? (No spoilers!) sceptical.scot/2025/11/musc...
#MuscatelliReport: is Scotland ready for radical action on regional economic development? - Sceptical Scot
Carried out on behalf of the Scottish Labour Party but after the 2026 election the Muscatelli Report is likely to fall to an SNP Government – judging from past behaviour how successful would it be?
sceptical.scot
November 18, 2025 at 11:38 AM
"Muscatelli will be well aware of the forces of conservatism bent on undermining any such radical change." John McLaren responds to @antonmuscatelli.bsky.social report. Could Scotland risk a radical plan to revitalise failing regional economies? (No spoilers!) sceptical.scot/2025/11/musc...
“He was witty, challenging, irreverent and, above all, committed to making Scotland a better place.”
Very nice tributes to David Gow growing on Sceptical Scot from contributors to the journal, close friends and people who only met him once.
More to come sceptical.scot/2025/11/davi...
Very nice tributes to David Gow growing on Sceptical Scot from contributors to the journal, close friends and people who only met him once.
More to come sceptical.scot/2025/11/davi...
David Gow's legacy of friendship - Sceptical Scot
sceptical.scot
November 6, 2025 at 8:44 AM
“He was witty, challenging, irreverent and, above all, committed to making Scotland a better place.”
Very nice tributes to David Gow growing on Sceptical Scot from contributors to the journal, close friends and people who only met him once.
More to come sceptical.scot/2025/11/davi...
Very nice tributes to David Gow growing on Sceptical Scot from contributors to the journal, close friends and people who only met him once.
More to come sceptical.scot/2025/11/davi...
A tribute I never expected to write. David Gow, a dear friend, mentor and co-founder of @scepscot.bsky.social has died far too soon
#scotland #scottishpolitics #journalism
sceptical.scot/2025/11/davi...
#scotland #scottishpolitics #journalism
sceptical.scot/2025/11/davi...
David Gow's legacy of friendship - Sceptical Scot
sceptical.scot
November 3, 2025 at 11:06 PM
A tribute I never expected to write. David Gow, a dear friend, mentor and co-founder of @scepscot.bsky.social has died far too soon
#scotland #scottishpolitics #journalism
sceptical.scot/2025/11/davi...
#scotland #scottishpolitics #journalism
sceptical.scot/2025/11/davi...
Monetising inattention
“In other words, these technologies help create a sort of music that no one needs to listen to, and films no one needs to watch”
Spotify and Netflix perfected the business of distraction — and now we’re paying the price via @ftweekend.com
on.ft.com/3Jrzwr2
“In other words, these technologies help create a sort of music that no one needs to listen to, and films no one needs to watch”
Spotify and Netflix perfected the business of distraction — and now we’re paying the price via @ftweekend.com
on.ft.com/3Jrzwr2
Spotify and Netflix perfected the business of distraction — and now we’re paying the price
Music and film open us up to new ways of seeing the world — but the streaming giants offer lonely visions of culture
on.ft.com
November 1, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Monetising inattention
“In other words, these technologies help create a sort of music that no one needs to listen to, and films no one needs to watch”
Spotify and Netflix perfected the business of distraction — and now we’re paying the price via @ftweekend.com
on.ft.com/3Jrzwr2
“In other words, these technologies help create a sort of music that no one needs to listen to, and films no one needs to watch”
Spotify and Netflix perfected the business of distraction — and now we’re paying the price via @ftweekend.com
on.ft.com/3Jrzwr2
“We have shown…that it is possible to beat populist and extreme-right movements, and I am very eager to work with other parties to start a coalition as soon as possible”. The liberal D66 party is set to win parliamentary elections in the Netherlands, exit poll suggests
on.ft.com/49qV5Cs
on.ft.com/49qV5Cs
Liberal D66 party set to win Dutch parliamentary elections, exit poll suggests
The far-right Freedom party is pushed into second place, survey finds
on.ft.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:41 PM
“We have shown…that it is possible to beat populist and extreme-right movements, and I am very eager to work with other parties to start a coalition as soon as possible”. The liberal D66 party is set to win parliamentary elections in the Netherlands, exit poll suggests
on.ft.com/49qV5Cs
on.ft.com/49qV5Cs
Reposted by Fay Young
Reposted by Fay Young
Reform keep adding to their big pile of 30 per cent propositions, which both put them outside majority opinion but also don’t overlap that well. (The group most likely to get angry about adverts are mostly not into abortion restriction and/or anti-LGBT positioning)
On Reform's Danny Kruger's reported complaints about parties being 'LGBT-supporting', a Lib Dem source says it's "disgraceful and completely unacceptable."
"Farage's MPs clearly have views that are completely out of step with modern Britain." He "must confirm if he agrees with these comments."
"Farage's MPs clearly have views that are completely out of step with modern Britain." He "must confirm if he agrees with these comments."
October 28, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Reform keep adding to their big pile of 30 per cent propositions, which both put them outside majority opinion but also don’t overlap that well. (The group most likely to get angry about adverts are mostly not into abortion restriction and/or anti-LGBT positioning)
“The government has raised employer NICs in a manner that weighs particularly heavily on sectors such as retail and hospitality which typically employ lots of youngsters.”
Visible impact in hospitality!
on.ft.com/4qy6aYF Lessons from success: how job prospects improved for the young
Visible impact in hospitality!
on.ft.com/4qy6aYF Lessons from success: how job prospects improved for the young
Lessons from success: how job prospects improved for the young
Youth inactivity is a problem in the UK, but we can learn from our past — and the countries that are getting it right
on.ft.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:28 PM
“The government has raised employer NICs in a manner that weighs particularly heavily on sectors such as retail and hospitality which typically employ lots of youngsters.”
Visible impact in hospitality!
on.ft.com/4qy6aYF Lessons from success: how job prospects improved for the young
Visible impact in hospitality!
on.ft.com/4qy6aYF Lessons from success: how job prospects improved for the young
Starmer needs to get serious about governing — and quick
Stephen Bush FT columnist and associate editor. Writing with feeling and frustration. Hits home. So many crises gone to waste.
on.ft.com/3J52RaH Starmer needs to get serious about governing — and quick
Stephen Bush FT columnist and associate editor. Writing with feeling and frustration. Hits home. So many crises gone to waste.
on.ft.com/3J52RaH Starmer needs to get serious about governing — and quick
Starmer needs to get serious about governing — and quick
The prime minister has to change or his party will seek a change of its own
on.ft.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Starmer needs to get serious about governing — and quick
Stephen Bush FT columnist and associate editor. Writing with feeling and frustration. Hits home. So many crises gone to waste.
on.ft.com/3J52RaH Starmer needs to get serious about governing — and quick
Stephen Bush FT columnist and associate editor. Writing with feeling and frustration. Hits home. So many crises gone to waste.
on.ft.com/3J52RaH Starmer needs to get serious about governing — and quick
“This government’s instincts are to be cautious. But being radical is by now the least risky course, for itself and the country. It must dare to embrace radical, pro-growth tax reforms.” Martin Wolf
on.ft.com/3WZHcno The need to tighten UK fiscal policy is also an opportunity
on.ft.com/3WZHcno The need to tighten UK fiscal policy is also an opportunity
The need to tighten UK fiscal policy is also an opportunity
Keir Starmer’s government should seize the chance to make radical reforms
on.ft.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:39 PM
“This government’s instincts are to be cautious. But being radical is by now the least risky course, for itself and the country. It must dare to embrace radical, pro-growth tax reforms.” Martin Wolf
on.ft.com/3WZHcno The need to tighten UK fiscal policy is also an opportunity
on.ft.com/3WZHcno The need to tighten UK fiscal policy is also an opportunity
Starting the morning and the week with our swan family. The cygnets are fairly growing. If I’m lucky I’ll snap a moment of their regular flying lessons on the pond
Hope they put on a welcoming display for our garden visitors at tye weekend
#birds #swans #scotlandsgardensscheme
Hope they put on a welcoming display for our garden visitors at tye weekend
#birds #swans #scotlandsgardensscheme
October 27, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Starting the morning and the week with our swan family. The cygnets are fairly growing. If I’m lucky I’ll snap a moment of their regular flying lessons on the pond
Hope they put on a welcoming display for our garden visitors at tye weekend
#birds #swans #scotlandsgardensscheme
Hope they put on a welcoming display for our garden visitors at tye weekend
#birds #swans #scotlandsgardensscheme
Reposted by Fay Young
Read more, and become infuriated, at the link below. If you are someone who believes in defending planning regulations, you need to find ways to stop idiots abusing them to stop sensible development like this: www.kentcurrent.news/p/protecting...
Protecting imaginary countryside
Plus Reform suspends councillor in misconduct row, new hope for international rail in Ashford, news in brief, and more
www.kentcurrent.news
October 24, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Read more, and become infuriated, at the link below. If you are someone who believes in defending planning regulations, you need to find ways to stop idiots abusing them to stop sensible development like this: www.kentcurrent.news/p/protecting...
Why can’t I buy a small smartphone?
“In other words, women must now live in a world in which phone manufacturers think we have hands the size of bears and jeans manufacturers think we have hands the size of pixies”
on.ft.com/47hgVph Why can’t I buy a small smartphone?
“In other words, women must now live in a world in which phone manufacturers think we have hands the size of bears and jeans manufacturers think we have hands the size of pixies”
on.ft.com/47hgVph Why can’t I buy a small smartphone?
Why can’t I buy a small smartphone?
Capitalism is not giving me what I want, but I’m not behaving like a good free market consumer myself
on.ft.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Why can’t I buy a small smartphone?
“In other words, women must now live in a world in which phone manufacturers think we have hands the size of bears and jeans manufacturers think we have hands the size of pixies”
on.ft.com/47hgVph Why can’t I buy a small smartphone?
“In other words, women must now live in a world in which phone manufacturers think we have hands the size of bears and jeans manufacturers think we have hands the size of pixies”
on.ft.com/47hgVph Why can’t I buy a small smartphone?
‘Ultimately, whether “AI takes your job” isn’t up to AI. It’s just software. We need to take responsibility for actions and decisions made in the name of AI’
Confronting fears, obstacles and excuses
@dougalperman.bsky.social in 3-part series for @scepscot.bsky.social sceptical.scot/2025/10/ai-c...
Confronting fears, obstacles and excuses
@dougalperman.bsky.social in 3-part series for @scepscot.bsky.social sceptical.scot/2025/10/ai-c...
AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles - Sceptical Scot
"As a creative producer, my team and I are able to do more, better, faster; we’re expanding and experimenting with techniques we weren’t previously able to do. Ideas I’ve never had the time, headspace...
sceptical.scot
October 20, 2025 at 10:43 PM
‘Ultimately, whether “AI takes your job” isn’t up to AI. It’s just software. We need to take responsibility for actions and decisions made in the name of AI’
Confronting fears, obstacles and excuses
@dougalperman.bsky.social in 3-part series for @scepscot.bsky.social sceptical.scot/2025/10/ai-c...
Confronting fears, obstacles and excuses
@dougalperman.bsky.social in 3-part series for @scepscot.bsky.social sceptical.scot/2025/10/ai-c...
Reposted by Fay Young
President Trump has used the shutdown to lay off thousands of workers and cancel an estimated $27 billion in funding for projects in Democratic cities and congressional districts.
How is this shutdown different from other shutdowns?
President Donald Trump has used the shutdown to make unprecedented changes to the federal government.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
President Trump has used the shutdown to lay off thousands of workers and cancel an estimated $27 billion in funding for projects in Democratic cities and congressional districts.
Note Johnny 5's impeccable taste in journals! @scepscot.bsky.social @gowdav.bsky.social thanks to a little creative manipulation by @dougalperman.bsky.social
#AI #analysis #scrutiny
#AI #analysis #scrutiny
#AI what will its real impact be on the creative sector in Scotland and what are its benefits/risks to creatives: @dougalperman.bsky.social investigates in the first of a 3-part series - MUST READ!
sceptical.scot/2025/10/ai-c...
sceptical.scot/2025/10/ai-c...
AI, creativity and humanity (1) - Sceptical Scot
'“I resisted ChatGPT for so long because I felt it was wrong to use it. But then I caved in and now I can’t stop!” one arts organisation CEO told me. She’s hooked, having discovered the joy of draftin...
sceptical.scot
October 18, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Note Johnny 5's impeccable taste in journals! @scepscot.bsky.social @gowdav.bsky.social thanks to a little creative manipulation by @dougalperman.bsky.social
#AI #analysis #scrutiny
#AI #analysis #scrutiny
Reposted by Fay Young
Cutting through noise, fear, hype and ignorance, this 3part series by @dougalperman.bsky.social for @scepscot.bsky.social takes a cool look at #AI and why we must take control of the tools it offers if we are to protect our jobs, creativity and humanity
sceptical.scot/2025/10/ai-c...
sceptical.scot/2025/10/ai-c...
AI, creativity and humanity (2): Obstacles - Sceptical Scot
"As a creative producer, my team and I are able to do more, better, faster; we’re expanding and experimenting with techniques we weren’t previously able to do. Ideas I’ve never had the time, headspace...
sceptical.scot
October 17, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Cutting through noise, fear, hype and ignorance, this 3part series by @dougalperman.bsky.social for @scepscot.bsky.social takes a cool look at #AI and why we must take control of the tools it offers if we are to protect our jobs, creativity and humanity
sceptical.scot/2025/10/ai-c...
sceptical.scot/2025/10/ai-c...
Reposted by Fay Young
#AI what will its real impact be on the creative sector in Scotland and what are its benefits/risks to creatives: @dougalperman.bsky.social investigates in the first of a 3-part series - MUST READ!
sceptical.scot/2025/10/ai-c...
sceptical.scot/2025/10/ai-c...
AI, creativity and humanity (1) - Sceptical Scot
'“I resisted ChatGPT for so long because I felt it was wrong to use it. But then I caved in and now I can’t stop!” one arts organisation CEO told me. She’s hooked, having discovered the joy of draftin...
sceptical.scot
October 17, 2025 at 8:36 AM
#AI what will its real impact be on the creative sector in Scotland and what are its benefits/risks to creatives: @dougalperman.bsky.social investigates in the first of a 3-part series - MUST READ!
sceptical.scot/2025/10/ai-c...
sceptical.scot/2025/10/ai-c...
Reposted by Fay Young
On 30 October MSPs will debate the Natural Environment Bill - a vital opportunity to ensure that Scotland sets legally binding nature recovery targets.
Help inspire MSPs to support meaningful action for nature by sharing these 40 powerful messages: www.scotlandlovesnature.scot/dear-msp-nat...
Help inspire MSPs to support meaningful action for nature by sharing these 40 powerful messages: www.scotlandlovesnature.scot/dear-msp-nat...
October 8, 2025 at 9:14 AM
On 30 October MSPs will debate the Natural Environment Bill - a vital opportunity to ensure that Scotland sets legally binding nature recovery targets.
Help inspire MSPs to support meaningful action for nature by sharing these 40 powerful messages: www.scotlandlovesnature.scot/dear-msp-nat...
Help inspire MSPs to support meaningful action for nature by sharing these 40 powerful messages: www.scotlandlovesnature.scot/dear-msp-nat...
“Accept our apologies and this audiovisual library that illustrates the wondrous world that used to be.” In Bordeaux's wonderful Natural History Museum I think of EO Wilson's letter to the future, but there is hope in the clarity and courage of museum exhibitios
fayyoung.org/gathering-se...
fayyoung.org/gathering-se...
Gathering seeds of hope – on a train trip from Scotland to France
The ugly dark hulk has a daunting bulk. A grim legacy of the Nazi occupation. The old submarine base still occupies the Bacalan district of Bordeaux. So many tons of concrete – 600,000 cubic …
fayyoung.org
October 15, 2025 at 8:11 AM
“Accept our apologies and this audiovisual library that illustrates the wondrous world that used to be.” In Bordeaux's wonderful Natural History Museum I think of EO Wilson's letter to the future, but there is hope in the clarity and courage of museum exhibitios
fayyoung.org/gathering-se...
fayyoung.org/gathering-se...
Proud Mother time
Tommy Perman and Andrew Wasylyck are nominated for SayAward with Ash Grey and the Gull Glides On
Voting closes tomorrow midnight (Wed 15 October)
I’ve voted. It’s a great album on a great longlist, don’t envy judges on 6 Nov
#SayAward #Scottish #Music
www.sayaward.com
Tommy Perman and Andrew Wasylyck are nominated for SayAward with Ash Grey and the Gull Glides On
Voting closes tomorrow midnight (Wed 15 October)
I’ve voted. It’s a great album on a great longlist, don’t envy judges on 6 Nov
#SayAward #Scottish #Music
www.sayaward.com
The SAY (Scottish Album of the Year) Award | The SAY Award 2025
www.sayaward.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Proud Mother time
Tommy Perman and Andrew Wasylyck are nominated for SayAward with Ash Grey and the Gull Glides On
Voting closes tomorrow midnight (Wed 15 October)
I’ve voted. It’s a great album on a great longlist, don’t envy judges on 6 Nov
#SayAward #Scottish #Music
www.sayaward.com
Tommy Perman and Andrew Wasylyck are nominated for SayAward with Ash Grey and the Gull Glides On
Voting closes tomorrow midnight (Wed 15 October)
I’ve voted. It’s a great album on a great longlist, don’t envy judges on 6 Nov
#SayAward #Scottish #Music
www.sayaward.com
A holiday post from Bordeaux where, in the contemporary art gallery, artists from many nations respond to the crises of our time. They all strike a chord. This one with a special resonance
#Bordeaux #art #globalcrisis
#Bordeaux #art #globalcrisis
October 9, 2025 at 7:57 PM
A holiday post from Bordeaux where, in the contemporary art gallery, artists from many nations respond to the crises of our time. They all strike a chord. This one with a special resonance
#Bordeaux #art #globalcrisis
#Bordeaux #art #globalcrisis
Reposted by Fay Young
Calling all nature enthusiasts! 🐦 Sign up to our newsletter for #Birds in Greenspaces, our exciting new project that launches next Spring and focuses on publicly accessible greenspaces! 😀
Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates and resources ➡️ www.bto.org/get-involved... #Ornithology
Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates and resources ➡️ www.bto.org/get-involved... #Ornithology
September 22, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Calling all nature enthusiasts! 🐦 Sign up to our newsletter for #Birds in Greenspaces, our exciting new project that launches next Spring and focuses on publicly accessible greenspaces! 😀
Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates and resources ➡️ www.bto.org/get-involved... #Ornithology
Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates and resources ➡️ www.bto.org/get-involved... #Ornithology
The mutually assured destruction of kowtowing to climate-change denier Donald Trump on.ft.com/4nOrJSN The warped economics of insuring climate destruction via
The warped economics of insuring climate destruction
Industry is exposing itself to steepening losses on natural catastrophe cover
on.ft.com
September 22, 2025 at 10:31 AM
The mutually assured destruction of kowtowing to climate-change denier Donald Trump on.ft.com/4nOrJSN The warped economics of insuring climate destruction via