David Freedman
@freedmanhp4.bsky.social
The world’s softest grandpa and worst jazz trumpeter. Cricket, rugby, music, books, theatre, politics and - above all - family. You’d probably describe me as woke. And if you did, that’d be OK. I was (still am, for now) @freedmanhp4 in another place.
Vance Is Idling at the Edges of American Politics www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/o...
In case anyone thought that American fascism ends when (if) Trump leaves office. Worse still, if he leaves office prematurely and this man succeeds automatically without any election (such as that now is).
In case anyone thought that American fascism ends when (if) Trump leaves office. Worse still, if he leaves office prematurely and this man succeeds automatically without any election (such as that now is).
Opinion | JD Vance Is Idling at the Edges of American Politics
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Vance Is Idling at the Edges of American Politics www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/o...
In case anyone thought that American fascism ends when (if) Trump leaves office. Worse still, if he leaves office prematurely and this man succeeds automatically without any election (such as that now is).
In case anyone thought that American fascism ends when (if) Trump leaves office. Worse still, if he leaves office prematurely and this man succeeds automatically without any election (such as that now is).
Reposted by David Freedman
The “problem” with vaccines? They so effective at preventing deaths that they create generations of people that question whether disease was a problem in the first place because they have never experienced the horrors of a world without vaccines.
September 4, 2025 at 7:44 PM
The “problem” with vaccines? They so effective at preventing deaths that they create generations of people that question whether disease was a problem in the first place because they have never experienced the horrors of a world without vaccines.
I can’t pretend that this makes for very reassuring reading, but it sets out the position pretty clearly. I guess we all just have to make sure it doesn’t come to this.
open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils...
open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils...
Could the Civil Service Restrain a Populist, Anti-Democratic Government?
I recently recommended Ben Yong’s 16 October UCL lecture about the civil service’s constitutional foundations and how it might respond to a populist government.
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:16 AM
I can’t pretend that this makes for very reassuring reading, but it sets out the position pretty clearly. I guess we all just have to make sure it doesn’t come to this.
open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils...
open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils...
We didn’t have these confounded machines when Douglas Adams was around, but if we had, would there have been a Meaning Of Liff word for picking up your phone to do something necessary and specific but instead be rootling around in distracting social media and search engines 20 minutes later?
November 4, 2025 at 9:46 AM
We didn’t have these confounded machines when Douglas Adams was around, but if we had, would there have been a Meaning Of Liff word for picking up your phone to do something necessary and specific but instead be rootling around in distracting social media and search engines 20 minutes later?
Importantly, use the Quick Vote recommended 7 candidates to avoid splitting the anti-Farage, anti-Restore Trust vote. There are so many candidates that examining each individual’s credentials and spreading votes is risky.
Remember to vote in National Trust elections!
One vital reason to vote in the National Trust elections and for the NT endorsed candidates. We can't risk the Restore Trust candidates getting any influence on it.
October 31, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Importantly, use the Quick Vote recommended 7 candidates to avoid splitting the anti-Farage, anti-Restore Trust vote. There are so many candidates that examining each individual’s credentials and spreading votes is risky.
After a delightful fortnight in two glorious, historically interesting Italian cities, I’ve concluded that there is one ubiquitous interloper far worse and more disfiguring than McD, Starbucks, Hard Rock Cafe and the rest:
the bloody “Irish” Pub.
the bloody “Irish” Pub.
October 26, 2025 at 5:41 PM
After a delightful fortnight in two glorious, historically interesting Italian cities, I’ve concluded that there is one ubiquitous interloper far worse and more disfiguring than McD, Starbucks, Hard Rock Cafe and the rest:
the bloody “Irish” Pub.
the bloody “Irish” Pub.
Reposted by David Freedman
Sky News says police are "overwhelmed by the numbers". Met coped perfectly well with 2x as many at the pro-Gaza rally, 5x as many at the anti-Brexit march, and 15x as many at London Pride.
They're not overwhelmed by the numbers. They're overwhelmed by the ratio of violent thugs in those numbers.
They're not overwhelmed by the numbers. They're overwhelmed by the ratio of violent thugs in those numbers.
September 13, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Sky News says police are "overwhelmed by the numbers". Met coped perfectly well with 2x as many at the pro-Gaza rally, 5x as many at the anti-Brexit march, and 15x as many at London Pride.
They're not overwhelmed by the numbers. They're overwhelmed by the ratio of violent thugs in those numbers.
They're not overwhelmed by the numbers. They're overwhelmed by the ratio of violent thugs in those numbers.
The word “could” in the headline is doing quite a lot of heavy lifting here, in relation to the actual story. Still, some room here for hope that the counties will hold the line. Though they should be bolder and push for more, not fewer, Championship games, via a return to some 3-day games.
September 5, 2025 at 9:22 AM
The word “could” in the headline is doing quite a lot of heavy lifting here, in relation to the actual story. Still, some room here for hope that the counties will hold the line. Though they should be bolder and push for more, not fewer, Championship games, via a return to some 3-day games.
I feel I’ve let the side down a bit today. 7.45pm and only now am I about to eat my first bowl of stewed apple and blackberry of the day. Should have had five or six by now to keep up with supply.
#Autumn
#Autumn
September 1, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I feel I’ve let the side down a bit today. 7.45pm and only now am I about to eat my first bowl of stewed apple and blackberry of the day. Should have had five or six by now to keep up with supply.
#Autumn
#Autumn
Reposted by David Freedman
I mean this country has killed enough Kennedys, I guess it’s only fair one of them tries to return the favor
August 31, 2025 at 2:42 PM
I mean this country has killed enough Kennedys, I guess it’s only fair one of them tries to return the favor
Reposted by David Freedman
What this idiotic, xenophobic entity is too dumb to notice is that the family are standing in front of Wroxeter... a Roman city that was the very essence of multiculturalism ... established by Thracian legionnaires 2,000 years ago in modern day Shrewsbury
August 30, 2025 at 5:59 PM
What this idiotic, xenophobic entity is too dumb to notice is that the family are standing in front of Wroxeter... a Roman city that was the very essence of multiculturalism ... established by Thracian legionnaires 2,000 years ago in modern day Shrewsbury
Reposted by David Freedman
Anyone who demonstrates outside a fucked, old, ex-hotel, full of scared blokes who DEFINITELY dont want to be there, to: 'protect are kids', is a thick racist.
Fact.
Don't be bitter if it's you. You are.
Fact.
Don't be bitter if it's you. You are.
August 28, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Anyone who demonstrates outside a fucked, old, ex-hotel, full of scared blokes who DEFINITELY dont want to be there, to: 'protect are kids', is a thick racist.
Fact.
Don't be bitter if it's you. You are.
Fact.
Don't be bitter if it's you. You are.
A timely one for in 10 parts for @booksky.club www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Breaking Mississippi - 1. Divine Destiny - BBC Sounds
James Meredith's father tells his son he has a special responsibility in life.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 23, 2025 at 9:34 PM
A timely one for in 10 parts for @booksky.club www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by David Freedman
63% of people think net migration rose in the last 12 months
8% of people think it fell
Yet it fell by 400,000 in 2024 vs 2023
[It is falling further in 2025]
Public service broadcasters are doing a core part of their job on this topic badly if that 8% is not closer to 30% at least
8% of people think it fell
Yet it fell by 400,000 in 2024 vs 2023
[It is falling further in 2025]
Public service broadcasters are doing a core part of their job on this topic badly if that 8% is not closer to 30% at least
August 23, 2025 at 7:12 AM
63% of people think net migration rose in the last 12 months
8% of people think it fell
Yet it fell by 400,000 in 2024 vs 2023
[It is falling further in 2025]
Public service broadcasters are doing a core part of their job on this topic badly if that 8% is not closer to 30% at least
8% of people think it fell
Yet it fell by 400,000 in 2024 vs 2023
[It is falling further in 2025]
Public service broadcasters are doing a core part of their job on this topic badly if that 8% is not closer to 30% at least
An important and timely essay. One for @lordbonkers.bsky.social Joy of Six?
newrepublic.com/article/1992...
newrepublic.com/article/1992...
Liberals: Alas, the Time Has Come to Throw John Rawls Under the Bus
The greatest liberal philosopher of the twentieth century guided his creed toward neutrality. In the age of Trump, we can no longer afford that.
newrepublic.com
August 22, 2025 at 12:38 AM
An important and timely essay. One for @lordbonkers.bsky.social Joy of Six?
newrepublic.com/article/1992...
newrepublic.com/article/1992...
Reposted by David Freedman
my latest with @newrepublic.com
liberalism isn't the 'referee of politics'. it's a player, & it must win
newrepublic.com/article/1992...
liberalism isn't the 'referee of politics'. it's a player, & it must win
newrepublic.com/article/1992...
Liberals: Alas, the Time Has Come to Throw John Rawls Under the Bus
The greatest liberal philosopher of the twentieth century guided his creed toward neutrality. In the age of Trump, we can no longer afford that.
newrepublic.com
August 21, 2025 at 1:37 PM
my latest with @newrepublic.com
liberalism isn't the 'referee of politics'. it's a player, & it must win
newrepublic.com/article/1992...
liberalism isn't the 'referee of politics'. it's a player, & it must win
newrepublic.com/article/1992...
Reposted by David Freedman
We cannot maintain cancer and mRNA vaccine research but we can order a shitty cup of coffee to be delivered by a drone. That seems to make us great again.
The FAA will now let commercial drones fly beyond the operator’s line of sight.
The move will "unleash American drone dominance," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
As a result, Duffy said, " You may get a Starbucks cup of coffee from a drone."
The move will "unleash American drone dominance," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
As a result, Duffy said, " You may get a Starbucks cup of coffee from a drone."
August 6, 2025 at 3:47 PM
We cannot maintain cancer and mRNA vaccine research but we can order a shitty cup of coffee to be delivered by a drone. That seems to make us great again.
Yesterday I ate the first eating apple. Today I stewed the first cooking apple. Tomorrow is the (absurdly early) end of the Test match season. “And summer’s lease hath all too short a date” and all that.
August 3, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Yesterday I ate the first eating apple. Today I stewed the first cooking apple. Tomorrow is the (absurdly early) end of the Test match season. “And summer’s lease hath all too short a date” and all that.
What we learn from the past couple of days is how far above everyone else Anderson and Broad were. Not just in their skills, but in their thinking as well. #ENGvIND
August 2, 2025 at 2:11 PM
What we learn from the past couple of days is how far above everyone else Anderson and Broad were. Not just in their skills, but in their thinking as well. #ENGvIND
Reposted by David Freedman
“Once people get a taste for humiliating, they will fight very hard to be able to keep doing it. Like an addiction, the competitively powerful will often put this urge above all else and behave in profoundly self-destructive ways to chase it.” www.liberalcurrents.com/the-politi/
The Politics of Humiliation
The politics of humiliation has moved to the center of the reactionary project under Trump II.
www.liberalcurrents.com
July 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM
“Once people get a taste for humiliating, they will fight very hard to be able to keep doing it. Like an addiction, the competitively powerful will often put this urge above all else and behave in profoundly self-destructive ways to chase it.” www.liberalcurrents.com/the-politi/
Reposted by David Freedman
“MAGA is a movement of parasites seeking hosts.”
One of the most thorough examinations of political sadism I’ve read, outside of books. A lightning bolt of recognition.
One of the most thorough examinations of political sadism I’ve read, outside of books. A lightning bolt of recognition.
“Once people get a taste for humiliating, they will fight very hard to be able to keep doing it. Like an addiction, the competitively powerful will often put this urge above all else and behave in profoundly self-destructive ways to chase it.” www.liberalcurrents.com/the-politi/
The Politics of Humiliation
The politics of humiliation has moved to the center of the reactionary project under Trump II.
www.liberalcurrents.com
July 21, 2025 at 11:11 AM
“MAGA is a movement of parasites seeking hosts.”
One of the most thorough examinations of political sadism I’ve read, outside of books. A lightning bolt of recognition.
One of the most thorough examinations of political sadism I’ve read, outside of books. A lightning bolt of recognition.
Reposted by David Freedman
No, employers need to do their own training. It’s not educators’ job to make sure that school-leavers — or graduates — have the specific skills that each company needs. Employers need to invest in their workforce.
We need our children to leave school ready for life in the real world
To ensure that young people embarking on a career have the skills and mindset employers are looking for, education must be linked more closely to the workplace, writes David Blunkett.
To ensure that young people embarking on a career have the skills and mindset employers are looking for, education must be linked more closely to the workplace, writes David Blunkett.
‘We need our children to leave school ready for life in t...
To ensure that young people embarking on a career have the skills and mindset employers are looking for, education must be linked more closely to the wor...
bit.ly
June 2, 2025 at 3:52 PM
No, employers need to do their own training. It’s not educators’ job to make sure that school-leavers — or graduates — have the specific skills that each company needs. Employers need to invest in their workforce.
Reposted by David Freedman
People who either boast or inadvertently reveal that they don’t do their own thinking, research and writing face negative judgments about whether they do their own thinking, research and writing. We must guard vigilantly against this kind of accurate, yet stigmatizing, assessment of their competence
Employees who use AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini at work face negative judgments about their competence and motivation from colleagues and managers, according to a new study.
AI use damages professional reputation, study suggests
New Duke study says workers judge others for AI use—and hide its use, fearing stigma.
arstechnica.com
May 12, 2025 at 5:33 PM
People who either boast or inadvertently reveal that they don’t do their own thinking, research and writing face negative judgments about whether they do their own thinking, research and writing. We must guard vigilantly against this kind of accurate, yet stigmatizing, assessment of their competence