John Simkin
johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
John Simkin
@johnsimkin1945.bsky.social
Taught history and sociology in several secondary state schools since 1977. Published textbook writer since 1980. Publisher of online teaching materials at Spartacus Educational since 1997.

http://spartacus-educational.com

Reposted by John Simkin
Clement Attlee said: “Charity is a cold grey loveless thing. If a rich man wants to help the poor, he should pay his taxes gladly, not dole out money at a whim.”

spartacus-educational.com/TUattlee.htm

@mrfletcher1308.bsky.social
@lindygrz.bsky.social
@lindygrz.bsky.social
Clement Attlee
A detailed biography of Clement Attlee that includes includes images, quotations and the main facts of his life. GCSE Modern World History. First World War. Second World War. A-level. Last updated: 4t...
spartacus-educational.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Reposted by John Simkin
Michael Parenti "Imperialism, Drugs and Social Control"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FNO...
October 15, 2025 at 1:48 PM
When Henry Ford’s grandson gave labour union leader Walter Reuther a tour of the company’s new, automated factory, he jokingly asked, “Walter, how are you going to get those robots to pay your union dues? Reuther answered, “Henry, how are you going to get them to buy your cars?”
January 14, 2026 at 4:54 PM
I disagree. Keynes was wrong because he believed that governments would make sure that companies would share the profits of technology with the workers.
I prefer Economic Power Games to the term Capitalism.

Many things change often without the players knowing or being able to predict the effects. Keynes never saw a television commercial for an automobile. Is it because of Planned Obsolescence that we don't have a 15-hour workweek?
January 13, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Reposted by John Simkin
I prefer Economic Power Games to the term Capitalism.

Many things change often without the players knowing or being able to predict the effects. Keynes never saw a television commercial for an automobile. Is it because of Planned Obsolescence that we don't have a 15-hour workweek?
January 13, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Reposted by John Simkin
The Tyranny of Words (1938) by Stuart Chase

George Orwell mentioned Chase in an essay on politics. Chase published the book, A New Deal shortly before FDR's famous speech. He was a member of FDR's brain trust.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=I_qM...

Written as Hitler was still alive.
A Study In Semantics | The Tyranny Of Words (Stuart Chase) BOOK REVIEW
YouTube video by Mere Mortals Book Reviews
m.youtube.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Clement Attlee said: “Charity is a cold grey loveless thing. If a rich man wants to help the poor, he should pay his taxes gladly, not dole out money at a whim.”

spartacus-educational.com/TUattlee.htm

@mrfletcher1308.bsky.social
@lindygrz.bsky.social
@lindygrz.bsky.social
Clement Attlee
A detailed biography of Clement Attlee that includes includes images, quotations and the main facts of his life. GCSE Modern World History. First World War. Second World War. A-level. Last updated: 4t...
spartacus-educational.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:32 PM
You can read my article on using AI in the history classroom.

www.history.org.uk/publications...

@mrfletcher1308.bsky.social
@lindygrz.bsky.social
@lindygrz.bsky.social
@umbrarchist.bsky.social
@timetunnellers.bsky.social
‪@countessemilia.bsky.social‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬
@1972shp.bsky.social‬‬‬
Into the unknown: changing technology and the history classroom
www.history.org.uk
January 13, 2026 at 6:24 PM
James Lardner, the last American to enlist in the International Brigades, was the last to be killed in 1938.

spartacus-educational.com/James_Lardne...

@mrfletcher1308.bsky.social
@lindygrz.bsky.social
@lindygrz.bsky.social
@umbrarchist.bsky.social
@counsellc.bsky.social
January 13, 2026 at 6:20 PM
When Henry Ford’s grandson gave labour union leader Walter Reuther a tour of the company’s new, automated factory, he jokingly asked, “Walter, how are you going to get those robots to pay your union dues? Reuther answered, “Henry, how are you going to get them to buy your cars?”
Interesting. Have you listened to the Radio 4 programme on digital futures? Naomi makes a good argument for the new technological age having similar overtures to the introduction of the printing press on the perception of information.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Start the Week - Digital Futures and Information Crises - BBC Sounds
Cory Doctorow, Naomi Alderman and Oliver Moody with Tom Sutcliffe.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 6:09 PM
When Henry Ford’s grandson gave labour union leader Walter Reuther a tour of the company’s new, automated factory, in 1960s he jokingly asked, “Walter, how are you going to get those robots to pay your union dues? Reuther answered, “Henry, how are you going to get them to buy your cars?”
Ask an AI when PhD economists should have figured out Planned Obsolescence in automobiles?

An AI does not have a career, or ego, or reputation among colleagues to maintain. Ask an economist and do a comparison.

How many Automobiles does the United States trash each year?
January 13, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Reposted by John Simkin
Starmer never intended to change society. He was the staus quo candidate. Why would the Murdoch press support Starmer if they knew he would change society?

spartacus-educational.com/spartacus-bl...
December 2, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Reposted by John Simkin
I don't know how correct this is but it might be, and should be thought about @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social
As set out in this thread, the causes of the court backlog are chronic lack of funding and absurd inefficiency.

The government has made no proposals to address either. Their answer is to remove juries.

Rather than fix the leaking roof, their solution is to burn the house down.
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
December 2, 2025 at 9:44 AM
You might be interested in reading Technofeudalism: Is AI going to destroy Capitalism and Democracy?

spartacus-educational.com/spartacus-bl...
December 2, 2025 at 6:37 PM
You might be interested in reading about Technofeudalism.

spartacus-educational.com/spartacus-bl...
December 2, 2025 at 6:33 PM