Ian Makgill
@imak.bsky.social
Running Spend Network
Running www.openopps.com
Lover of feedback loops
Running www.openopps.com
Lover of feedback loops
The Telegraph’s frothing rage at art will never not be funny to me.
September 19, 2024 at 3:30 PM
The Telegraph’s frothing rage at art will never not be funny to me.
Reposted by Ian Makgill
Betcha no one from OnlyFans has been invited to a "how can we use technology to unlock growth" roundtable at No 10.
Put another way, the British state raised more revenue in 2023 from corporation tax paid by OnlyFans' parent company (£118m) than it did from North Sea oil royalties and license fees (£69m)
OnlyFans:
$1.3bn revenue
$818m gross profit
$172m paid in tax, most of it to the UK Treasury
All thanks to a very horny Essex man and his City banker father for selling the business to a mysterious Ukrainian-American who decided to keep the business registered in London.
$1.3bn revenue
$818m gross profit
$172m paid in tax, most of it to the UK Treasury
All thanks to a very horny Essex man and his City banker father for selling the business to a mysterious Ukrainian-American who decided to keep the business registered in London.
September 6, 2024 at 11:10 PM
Betcha no one from OnlyFans has been invited to a "how can we use technology to unlock growth" roundtable at No 10.
Reposted by Ian Makgill
Old boxes. Ah, those were the days, when you'd form a band, make a noisy 7" record, ring up John Peel's producer, ask for a session, get a call back saying "yes, OK then," go to Maida Vale, spend the day recording ridiculous songs on extremely posh equipment and GET PAID £471.20 FOR THE PRIVILEGE.
September 7, 2024 at 11:20 AM
Old boxes. Ah, those were the days, when you'd form a band, make a noisy 7" record, ring up John Peel's producer, ask for a session, get a call back saying "yes, OK then," go to Maida Vale, spend the day recording ridiculous songs on extremely posh equipment and GET PAID £471.20 FOR THE PRIVILEGE.
Oh my. It’s almost as if there wasn’t a vivid history of terrible outcomes from industry lobbyists leaning heavily on regulators.
Well, this is very disappointing: people who lose money to scammers are often very vulnerable www.ft.com/content/6961...
UK regulator to slash maximum fraud losses banks are forced to cover
Proposed payout limit expected to be cut from £415,000 to £85,000 after industry lobbying
www.ft.com
September 3, 2024 at 8:41 PM
Oh my. It’s almost as if there wasn’t a vivid history of terrible outcomes from industry lobbyists leaning heavily on regulators.
This is like standing in a street and asking the nearest human to give you food, instead of finding a cafe, selecting from a menu and ordering what you want. If you want Ai to complete a task define a role, recommend an approach and specify an output.
The screenshot I show everyone who tells me they're using AI for anything
August 29, 2024 at 7:39 PM
This is like standing in a street and asking the nearest human to give you food, instead of finding a cafe, selecting from a menu and ordering what you want. If you want Ai to complete a task define a role, recommend an approach and specify an output.
Reddit continues to be the internet’s Wild West
August 29, 2024 at 7:31 PM
Reddit continues to be the internet’s Wild West
Reposted by Ian Makgill
Our generation has the chance to eradicate polio.
The key, writes my colleague @scientificdiscovery.dev, to achieving this goal are new polio vaccines.
Here is her article: ourworldindata.org/new-polio-va...
The key, writes my colleague @scientificdiscovery.dev, to achieving this goal are new polio vaccines.
Here is her article: ourworldindata.org/new-polio-va...
August 27, 2024 at 9:31 PM
Our generation has the chance to eradicate polio.
The key, writes my colleague @scientificdiscovery.dev, to achieving this goal are new polio vaccines.
Here is her article: ourworldindata.org/new-polio-va...
The key, writes my colleague @scientificdiscovery.dev, to achieving this goal are new polio vaccines.
Here is her article: ourworldindata.org/new-polio-va...
Time for another post on my favourite art pieces, today “Piss Flowers” by Helen Chadwick. Created by urinating in the snow in subzero temps before plastering & casting in bronze with an enamel finish. A balance of beauty and repulsion as well as a challenge to the representation of female bodies.
August 27, 2024 at 7:35 PM
Time for another post on my favourite art pieces, today “Piss Flowers” by Helen Chadwick. Created by urinating in the snow in subzero temps before plastering & casting in bronze with an enamel finish. A balance of beauty and repulsion as well as a challenge to the representation of female bodies.
Reposted by Ian Makgill
We’re offering up to £150k Global Innovation Fellowships to UK based humanities and social sciences scholars on the below themes in eligible countries. You’d work with a (non academic) partner organisation of your choice - eg community organisation www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/oda-...
August 27, 2024 at 7:00 PM
We’re offering up to £150k Global Innovation Fellowships to UK based humanities and social sciences scholars on the below themes in eligible countries. You’d work with a (non academic) partner organisation of your choice - eg community organisation www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/oda-...
Reposted by Ian Makgill
Good role at the Office for National Statistics. Would suit someone interested in the interface of data and policy. Includes being Head of the Policy profession in the ONS. £76k - £100k
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi...
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi...
Deputy Director of Strategy and Policy - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UKGOV.UK
Search and apply for jobs in the UK Civil Service
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk
August 20, 2024 at 12:35 PM
Good role at the Office for National Statistics. Would suit someone interested in the interface of data and policy. Includes being Head of the Policy profession in the ONS. £76k - £100k
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi...
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi...
It would be interesting to see the contract that oversaw the purchase of RM but I suspect that it was designed to prevent the PAF being easily transferred into public ownership again @jamesomalley.co.uk.
This is good from @jamesomalley.co.uk on why it's hard to create a database of UK addresses that's not the PAF. And it also is a reminder that if you want to do anything with data, the data has to be clean, formatted etc. That's a big problem for AI readiness takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/secret-paf...
This confidential government report proves that we need to liberate the Postcode Address File
This is the Pentagon Papers for the UK address database
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
August 26, 2024 at 8:08 AM
It would be interesting to see the contract that oversaw the purchase of RM but I suspect that it was designed to prevent the PAF being easily transferred into public ownership again @jamesomalley.co.uk.
Reposted by Ian Makgill
From Kherson. Hard to explain the grace and dignity of Ukrainians under fire. Their generosity to strangers (troops gave me a Kherson melon). The way they deal with grief, clear bomb damage, make playgrounds for their children, plant sunflowers in sandbags, sow hope in the soil of destruction
August 26, 2024 at 7:28 AM
From Kherson. Hard to explain the grace and dignity of Ukrainians under fire. Their generosity to strangers (troops gave me a Kherson melon). The way they deal with grief, clear bomb damage, make playgrounds for their children, plant sunflowers in sandbags, sow hope in the soil of destruction
To Falmouth where The Bean Hive (www.falmouth.co.uk/shopsandbusi...) provides an excellent lesson in marketing.
The Bean Hive by the sea - Falmouth Official
The home of unusual, funky and quirky gifts and cards for you and your home. Can be found on Arwenack Street in Falmouth...
www.falmouth.co.uk
August 24, 2024 at 7:25 PM
To Falmouth where The Bean Hive (www.falmouth.co.uk/shopsandbusi...) provides an excellent lesson in marketing.
Reposted by Ian Makgill
This confidential government report proves that we need to liberate the Postcode Address File (FREE TO READ!)
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/secret-paf...
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/secret-paf...
This confidential government report proves that we need to liberate the Postcode Address File
This is the Pentagon Papers for the UK address database
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
August 23, 2024 at 6:19 AM
This confidential government report proves that we need to liberate the Postcode Address File (FREE TO READ!)
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/secret-paf...
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/secret-paf...
Reposted by Ian Makgill
Last year I accidentally ended up in a cooking competition in France.
I live-tweeted it on the day... and the surprise outcome was: I won! (and the only person more surprised than me was the compère!)
Today there's some news, and I'll tell you all about it...
#food #cooking #france #UKinFrance
I live-tweeted it on the day... and the surprise outcome was: I won! (and the only person more surprised than me was the compère!)
Today there's some news, and I'll tell you all about it...
#food #cooking #france #UKinFrance
August 23, 2024 at 7:12 AM
Last year I accidentally ended up in a cooking competition in France.
I live-tweeted it on the day... and the surprise outcome was: I won! (and the only person more surprised than me was the compère!)
Today there's some news, and I'll tell you all about it...
#food #cooking #france #UKinFrance
I live-tweeted it on the day... and the surprise outcome was: I won! (and the only person more surprised than me was the compère!)
Today there's some news, and I'll tell you all about it...
#food #cooking #france #UKinFrance
Reposted by Ian Makgill
Bluesky hive mind!
Does anyone know of a decent, free or *very* cheap venue:
- In SW1 (Whitehall/Westminster)
- Fits c.40 people
- Either A/V or good wifi
(Idea is a monthly evening meet-up for people into public sector reform, UKGovCamp-y/OneTeamGov-y vibes, a couple of talks, chat, pizza etc)
Does anyone know of a decent, free or *very* cheap venue:
- In SW1 (Whitehall/Westminster)
- Fits c.40 people
- Either A/V or good wifi
(Idea is a monthly evening meet-up for people into public sector reform, UKGovCamp-y/OneTeamGov-y vibes, a couple of talks, chat, pizza etc)
August 22, 2024 at 4:18 PM
Bluesky hive mind!
Does anyone know of a decent, free or *very* cheap venue:
- In SW1 (Whitehall/Westminster)
- Fits c.40 people
- Either A/V or good wifi
(Idea is a monthly evening meet-up for people into public sector reform, UKGovCamp-y/OneTeamGov-y vibes, a couple of talks, chat, pizza etc)
Does anyone know of a decent, free or *very* cheap venue:
- In SW1 (Whitehall/Westminster)
- Fits c.40 people
- Either A/V or good wifi
(Idea is a monthly evening meet-up for people into public sector reform, UKGovCamp-y/OneTeamGov-y vibes, a couple of talks, chat, pizza etc)
Reposted by Ian Makgill
PwC braced for 6-month ban in China over Evergrande audit
https://www.ft.com/content/6e165676-30b1-4567-8cb1-647c15bb015d
https://www.ft.com/content/6e165676-30b1-4567-8cb1-647c15bb015d
PwC braced for 6-month ban in China over Evergrande audit
Expected punishment for work on failed property developer’s accounts would be toughest by Beijing against a Big Four firm
www.ft.com
August 21, 2024 at 8:00 PM
PwC braced for 6-month ban in China over Evergrande audit
https://www.ft.com/content/6e165676-30b1-4567-8cb1-647c15bb015d
https://www.ft.com/content/6e165676-30b1-4567-8cb1-647c15bb015d
Another favourite artwork post. Tonight is Chuck Close’s “Big Self Portrait” 1968. A stunning photorealistic piece that is 2.7m tall. Painted using a fine airbrush each hair, pore and crease is rendered creating a stunning visual effect.
August 21, 2024 at 8:13 PM
Another favourite artwork post. Tonight is Chuck Close’s “Big Self Portrait” 1968. A stunning photorealistic piece that is 2.7m tall. Painted using a fine airbrush each hair, pore and crease is rendered creating a stunning visual effect.
I’m 48 hours into my bluesky experience and @stephenkb.bsky.social appears to be part of every thread I read. I consider this to be a feature not a bug.
August 21, 2024 at 8:01 PM
I’m 48 hours into my bluesky experience and @stephenkb.bsky.social appears to be part of every thread I read. I consider this to be a feature not a bug.
This must be utterly bewildering for local government folk, in many cases the cost of delivering their statutory requirements is equivalent to their budgets. Hard to see where the money comes from.
Guardian reports that Reeves is planning to stick with current spending plans for 2025/26. That implies big cuts to unprotected areas of public spending like criminal justice and local govt. Will be socially and politically painful
www.theguardian.com/business/art...
www.theguardian.com/business/art...
August 20, 2024 at 9:14 PM
This must be utterly bewildering for local government folk, in many cases the cost of delivering their statutory requirements is equivalent to their budgets. Hard to see where the money comes from.
I’ve been thinking about some of the art I love. This is Cold Dark Matter by Cornelia Parker. Formed by blowing up a shed and then rehanging it as if she had caught the explosion in a moment in time.
August 20, 2024 at 8:37 PM
I’ve been thinking about some of the art I love. This is Cold Dark Matter by Cornelia Parker. Formed by blowing up a shed and then rehanging it as if she had caught the explosion in a moment in time.
A reminder that we can’t referender our way back into the EU. They have other things to worry about, we aren’t even item 12 on the agenda.
August 20, 2024 at 8:24 PM
A reminder that we can’t referender our way back into the EU. They have other things to worry about, we aren’t even item 12 on the agenda.
Reposted by Ian Makgill
If any Spads are wondering how to go about talking to ordinary people, especially those at the sharpest end of poverty and deprivation? We have a network of 1400 food bank centres, thousands of volunteers & brilliant lived experience partners. We can help arrange ad hoc & more sustained engagement.
New post just out:
"How To Be A Government Adviser"
My tips for the new Labour intake of SPADs and senior policy advisers.
Based on my own experiences, watching others do the job, and book interviews.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/h...
"How To Be A Government Adviser"
My tips for the new Labour intake of SPADs and senior policy advisers.
Based on my own experiences, watching others do the job, and book interviews.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/h...
How to be a Government Adviser
Tips for the new Labour intake
open.substack.com
August 19, 2024 at 2:33 PM
If any Spads are wondering how to go about talking to ordinary people, especially those at the sharpest end of poverty and deprivation? We have a network of 1400 food bank centres, thousands of volunteers & brilliant lived experience partners. We can help arrange ad hoc & more sustained engagement.