M A Spiers
@maspiers.bsky.social
#Hills and #rivers and #maps and #sewers, not necessarily in that order.
Mostly in Sheffield, except when I'm not.
Mostly in Sheffield, except when I'm not.
Reposted by M A Spiers
Enjoying a hoof around #GlenFinglas, scoping locations where we can encourage visitors to pause and take a breath. #Mindfulness can help us connect with our bodies and the world around us and in turn boost our wellbeing 🎉
More on the benefits of mindfulness buff.ly/OVCUCN6
#DontRush
More on the benefits of mindfulness buff.ly/OVCUCN6
#DontRush
February 8, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Enjoying a hoof around #GlenFinglas, scoping locations where we can encourage visitors to pause and take a breath. #Mindfulness can help us connect with our bodies and the world around us and in turn boost our wellbeing 🎉
More on the benefits of mindfulness buff.ly/OVCUCN6
#DontRush
More on the benefits of mindfulness buff.ly/OVCUCN6
#DontRush
Reposted by M A Spiers
Along with our democracy sausage sizzles, Australia's preferential voting system tops all others.
theconversation.com/why-preferen...
theconversation.com/why-preferen...
Why preferential voting is superior to first past the post
Australia has long had preferential voting, and it is the best system for safeguarding our democracy.
theconversation.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:01 AM
Along with our democracy sausage sizzles, Australia's preferential voting system tops all others.
theconversation.com/why-preferen...
theconversation.com/why-preferen...
Reposted by M A Spiers
Early stroll. The breeze’s deep breathing. Grey bins, full of the reforgotten. I pause to briefly become Rodin’s The Shoelace Tier. Old footprints in old concrete. The tiny poem of a ROAD CLOSED AHEAD sign.
February 5, 2026 at 6:16 AM
Early stroll. The breeze’s deep breathing. Grey bins, full of the reforgotten. I pause to briefly become Rodin’s The Shoelace Tier. Old footprints in old concrete. The tiny poem of a ROAD CLOSED AHEAD sign.
Reposted by M A Spiers
“It’s his own fault, shouldn’t have been carrying a weapon!”
From the new Private Eye, in shops now.
From the new Private Eye, in shops now.
February 4, 2026 at 12:47 PM
“It’s his own fault, shouldn’t have been carrying a weapon!”
From the new Private Eye, in shops now.
From the new Private Eye, in shops now.
Reposted by M A Spiers
There's so much "Look over there!" going on in politics that the people who most need help (Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan) are being pushed out of the headlines and there isn't enough focus on changing their situation.
Kyiv is in total blackout,
as are many parts of Ukraine.
No water, no heating, no electricity.
Severe frost outside.
This is the result of constant russian attacks.
Thank you to those few who still care.
as are many parts of Ukraine.
No water, no heating, no electricity.
Severe frost outside.
This is the result of constant russian attacks.
Thank you to those few who still care.
January 31, 2026 at 11:47 AM
There's so much "Look over there!" going on in politics that the people who most need help (Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan) are being pushed out of the headlines and there isn't enough focus on changing their situation.
Reposted by M A Spiers
It's all happening again isn't it, and just like 2016 there's not a thing anyone can say or do about it. You have to let people walk on the coals themselves. You can't tell them.
January 31, 2026 at 11:17 AM
It's all happening again isn't it, and just like 2016 there's not a thing anyone can say or do about it. You have to let people walk on the coals themselves. You can't tell them.
Reposted by M A Spiers
@churchcat.bsky.social Was thinking about the importance of songwriters and musicians over the centuries for leading and recording the history of protest and solidarity by and for ordinary people. Always been somewhat taken aback when asked "what's the point of Folk Music". :)
“We’ll take our stand for this land And the stranger in our midst.” Never doubt the strength & power of the protest song, or art, to bring us together, to remember, to stand in solidarity. That’s why they hate us. As the Greenham Women sang, ‘You can’t kill the spirit.’
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
January 29, 2026 at 2:00 PM
@churchcat.bsky.social Was thinking about the importance of songwriters and musicians over the centuries for leading and recording the history of protest and solidarity by and for ordinary people. Always been somewhat taken aback when asked "what's the point of Folk Music". :)
Reposted by M A Spiers
History shows a pattern here.
When governments begin criminalizing the observation of dissent—using technical oversteps as justification—it’s often a warning sign. We’ve seen similar patterns precede press crackdowns in countries like Turkey, Russia, and Myanmar.
When governments begin criminalizing the observation of dissent—using technical oversteps as justification—it’s often a warning sign. We’ve seen similar patterns precede press crackdowns in countries like Turkey, Russia, and Myanmar.
January 31, 2026 at 4:38 AM
History shows a pattern here.
When governments begin criminalizing the observation of dissent—using technical oversteps as justification—it’s often a warning sign. We’ve seen similar patterns precede press crackdowns in countries like Turkey, Russia, and Myanmar.
When governments begin criminalizing the observation of dissent—using technical oversteps as justification—it’s often a warning sign. We’ve seen similar patterns precede press crackdowns in countries like Turkey, Russia, and Myanmar.
Reposted by M A Spiers
January 31, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Reposted by M A Spiers
Centuries of resilience and every twist and turn in full view, there's just something beautiful about trees laid bare in winter.
Photo: Rob Coleman at Felbrigg
Photo: Rob Coleman at Felbrigg
January 31, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Centuries of resilience and every twist and turn in full view, there's just something beautiful about trees laid bare in winter.
Photo: Rob Coleman at Felbrigg
Photo: Rob Coleman at Felbrigg
Reposted by M A Spiers
Scotland's largest Passivhaus school slashes energy bills by £430k.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2579882...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2579882...
Scotland's largest Passivhaus school slashes energy bills by £430k
“These figures prove without doubt that Passivhaus works at scale."
www.heraldscotland.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Scotland's largest Passivhaus school slashes energy bills by £430k.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2579882...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2579882...
Reposted by M A Spiers
Ban on them unless you can prove you need it for work, and even then, ban on them & SUVs being over a certain size too. They're a fucking menace.
Dangerous, grotesque and unnecessary. Get them out of our cities and towns. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Number of US-style ‘battering ram’ pickup trucks on UK roads has nearly doubled in a decade
Exclusive: Campaigners say ‘menacing vehicles’ are putting children at risk owing to their large front blind zones
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Ban on them unless you can prove you need it for work, and even then, ban on them & SUVs being over a certain size too. They're a fucking menace.
Reposted by M A Spiers
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
January 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
Reposted by M A Spiers
"We have to deny this, for form’s sake, for domestic audiences and to reduce the chance of reprisals," the logic goes. "But we nonetheless want you to understand we did it, and that we would do it again." The purpose of a deterrent is to deter.
Why they can't even bother to come up with good lies.
Why they can't even bother to come up with good lies.
The Lies They Told
Sometimes, the implausibility is the point. Also this week: the even truer-size map; and some extremely late but mercifully-brief film reviews.
jonn.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:44 PM
"We have to deny this, for form’s sake, for domestic audiences and to reduce the chance of reprisals," the logic goes. "But we nonetheless want you to understand we did it, and that we would do it again." The purpose of a deterrent is to deter.
Why they can't even bother to come up with good lies.
Why they can't even bother to come up with good lies.
Reposted by M A Spiers
FUTURE HISTORIANS
The ice melted
And we found bodies in it.
The ice melted
And we found bodies in it.
January 25, 2026 at 10:35 AM
FUTURE HISTORIANS
The ice melted
And we found bodies in it.
The ice melted
And we found bodies in it.
Reposted by M A Spiers
They know what they say is untrue, they do not care it is untrue.
The media know that what they repeat is untrue, they do not care it is untrue.
Their supporters know what they are told is untrue, they do not care it is untrue.
Telling the truth is not enough, unless people care about the truth.
The media know that what they repeat is untrue, they do not care it is untrue.
Their supporters know what they are told is untrue, they do not care it is untrue.
Telling the truth is not enough, unless people care about the truth.
January 24, 2026 at 11:25 PM
They know what they say is untrue, they do not care it is untrue.
The media know that what they repeat is untrue, they do not care it is untrue.
Their supporters know what they are told is untrue, they do not care it is untrue.
Telling the truth is not enough, unless people care about the truth.
The media know that what they repeat is untrue, they do not care it is untrue.
Their supporters know what they are told is untrue, they do not care it is untrue.
Telling the truth is not enough, unless people care about the truth.
Reposted by M A Spiers
This can have consequences for how agents see themselves. If they put on clothes designed for war, they are more likely to see cities as hostile terrain and citizens as enemy combatants, which can increase the chance of violence. Link to the story here:
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
The Problem With Greg Bovino’s Overcoat Isn’t What You Think
The head of Border Patrol isn’t referencing the Nazis — but he is sending a message.
www.politico.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:21 PM
This can have consequences for how agents see themselves. If they put on clothes designed for war, they are more likely to see cities as hostile terrain and citizens as enemy combatants, which can increase the chance of violence. Link to the story here:
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Reposted by M A Spiers
Appears this is also true for fascism.
January 24, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Appears this is also true for fascism.
Reposted by M A Spiers
I just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning. Minnesota has had it. This is sickening.
The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.
The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.
January 24, 2026 at 4:04 PM
I just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning. Minnesota has had it. This is sickening.
The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.
The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.
Reposted by M A Spiers
Reposted by M A Spiers
This poem from Whatever You Do, Just Don't is for anybody who's had to clear a house, who's found objects that must have had significance for someone no longer here to tell their story....
October 28, 2025 at 6:48 PM
This poem from Whatever You Do, Just Don't is for anybody who's had to clear a house, who's found objects that must have had significance for someone no longer here to tell their story....
Reposted by M A Spiers
Incredible story
This is one of the strangest and most screwed-up stories I’ve worked on. www.londoncentric.media/p/tiktok-lon...
Who's secretly filming fake TikToks inside Londoners' homes?
We tracked down the viral video account invading people's houses to spread false claims about immigrants.
www.londoncentric.media
January 24, 2026 at 11:06 AM
Incredible story
Reposted by M A Spiers
And on personal blog/Substack
Trump - neither rhyme nor reason
emptycity.substack.com/p/neither-rh...
davidallengreen.com/2026/01/neit...
UK's own valiant conquest of a north Atlantic island...
...Rockall
emptycity.substack.com/p/when-the-u...
davidallengreen.com/2026/01/when...
Trump - neither rhyme nor reason
emptycity.substack.com/p/neither-rh...
davidallengreen.com/2026/01/neit...
UK's own valiant conquest of a north Atlantic island...
...Rockall
emptycity.substack.com/p/when-the-u...
davidallengreen.com/2026/01/when...
When the United Kingdom annexed a north Atlantic island
The 1955 story of what has been described as the last expansion of the British Empire.
emptycity.substack.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:34 AM
And on personal blog/Substack
Trump - neither rhyme nor reason
emptycity.substack.com/p/neither-rh...
davidallengreen.com/2026/01/neit...
UK's own valiant conquest of a north Atlantic island...
...Rockall
emptycity.substack.com/p/when-the-u...
davidallengreen.com/2026/01/when...
Trump - neither rhyme nor reason
emptycity.substack.com/p/neither-rh...
davidallengreen.com/2026/01/neit...
UK's own valiant conquest of a north Atlantic island...
...Rockall
emptycity.substack.com/p/when-the-u...
davidallengreen.com/2026/01/when...
Reposted by M A Spiers
My posts this week
The new ICE Age (Prospect) www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Why Trump has not yet invoked Insurrection Act (NS)
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
Why Hillsborough law families are right (Prospect)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
>
The new ICE Age (Prospect) www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Why Trump has not yet invoked Insurrection Act (NS)
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
Why Hillsborough law families are right (Prospect)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
>
January 24, 2026 at 9:32 AM
My posts this week
The new ICE Age (Prospect) www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Why Trump has not yet invoked Insurrection Act (NS)
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
Why Hillsborough law families are right (Prospect)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
>
The new ICE Age (Prospect) www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Why Trump has not yet invoked Insurrection Act (NS)
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
Why Hillsborough law families are right (Prospect)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
>
Reposted by M A Spiers
I know it's not within the hundred most awful things here, but... the nearest penguins to Greenland are in the Galapagos, five thousand fucking miles away
January 24, 2026 at 11:19 AM
I know it's not within the hundred most awful things here, but... the nearest penguins to Greenland are in the Galapagos, five thousand fucking miles away