Nico Heller
@nicoheller.bsky.social
Nico is a theatre director, dramaturge & artist, runs democracyschool.com and is a seasoned political educator, strategist & coach (he/him).
unruhe.eu/nicodemus ◌ youtube.com/@reboot2030 ◌ annotations.art
unruhe.eu/nicodemus ◌ youtube.com/@reboot2030 ◌ annotations.art
Luke Kemp at Cambridge University argues that a global collapse is almost inevitable unless 3 fundamental changes occur: introduction of radical democracy (incl citizen assemblies), a $10M wealth cap, and people refusing to work for big tech/arms/fossil fuel. Do you agree?
‘Self-termination is most likely’: the history and future of societal collapse
An epic analysis of 5,000 years of civilisation argues that a global collapse is coming unless inequality is vanquished
www.theguardian.com
August 2, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Luke Kemp at Cambridge University argues that a global collapse is almost inevitable unless 3 fundamental changes occur: introduction of radical democracy (incl citizen assemblies), a $10M wealth cap, and people refusing to work for big tech/arms/fossil fuel. Do you agree?
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) condemns the use of airdrops to deliver desperately needed aid to Gaza, calling the approach “futile” and “cynical”.
Famine now unfolding in Gaza, says UN-backed monitor – Middle East crisis live
Airdrops are not enough to avert the humanitarian catastrophe, says the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative
www.theguardian.com
July 29, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) condemns the use of airdrops to deliver desperately needed aid to Gaza, calling the approach “futile” and “cynical”.
Research-integrity analysts are warning that ‘journal snatchers’ — companies that acquire scholarly journals from reputable publishers — are turning legitimate titles into predatory, low-quality publications with questionable practices.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Invasion of the ‘journal snatchers’: the firms that buy science publications and turn them rogue
Study finds dozens of journals that have hiked their fees and started churning out papers after being acquired by small, recently formed companies.
www.nature.com
April 21, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Research-integrity analysts are warning that ‘journal snatchers’ — companies that acquire scholarly journals from reputable publishers — are turning legitimate titles into predatory, low-quality publications with questionable practices.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What a loss. Rest in peace, Fatima Hassouna.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
‘If I die, I want a loud death’: Gaza photojournalist killed by Israeli airstrike
Fatima Hassouna, who had been documenting war in Gaza for 18 months and was subject of new documentary, killed along with 10 members of her family
www.theguardian.com
April 19, 2025 at 9:10 AM
What a loss. Rest in peace, Fatima Hassouna.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Former French president calls for a ‘scientific refugee’ status
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Nearly 300 apply as French university offers US academics ‘scientific asylum’
Aix-Marseille University generates interest amid a US crackdown and calls for a ‘scientific refugee’ status
www.theguardian.com
April 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Former French president calls for a ‘scientific refugee’ status
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
The mantra going forward should be “whatever it takes” to fully replace fossil fuels with renewables – designed in Europe, built in Europe – so that it never spends $350bn to import gas from the US, Russia, or anywhere else.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The big lesson for Europe? Trump backed down under pressure | Alexander Hurst
The EU neither ‘kissed ass’ nor unleashed its most powerful trade weapon. Now it must provide the world with an alternative to US chaos
www.theguardian.com
April 11, 2025 at 11:55 AM
The mantra going forward should be “whatever it takes” to fully replace fossil fuels with renewables – designed in Europe, built in Europe – so that it never spends $350bn to import gas from the US, Russia, or anywhere else.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This so reminds me of the recent Romanian election where a far-right candidate landed a surprise win in the first round, only to be disqualified because of election interference by Russia. Did anyone do any social media analysis to establish what role US election interference might have played here?
Greenland election: opposition Democrat party wins surprise victory amid spectre of Trump
Centre-right party wins most votes ahead of the Naleraq party, with coalition talks expected to begin
www.theguardian.com
March 12, 2025 at 12:52 PM
This so reminds me of the recent Romanian election where a far-right candidate landed a surprise win in the first round, only to be disqualified because of election interference by Russia. Did anyone do any social media analysis to establish what role US election interference might have played here?
This will not end well for the United States of America. Shame really. It used to be such a nice country…
Europe will not be part of Ukraine-Russia peace talks, US envoy says
Keith Kellogg tells countries to offer concrete solutions and boost spending instead of complaining about talks role
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2025 at 7:51 PM
This will not end well for the United States of America. Shame really. It used to be such a nice country…
I think my last post needs following up with a very different kind of speech. If you have listened to J.D. Vance's, do yourself a favor and listen to this one too. PS: Europe welcomes you!
substack.com/@stuarth2o/n...
substack.com/@stuarth2o/n...
February 14, 2025 at 8:26 PM
I think my last post needs following up with a very different kind of speech. If you have listened to J.D. Vance's, do yourself a favor and listen to this one too. PS: Europe welcomes you!
substack.com/@stuarth2o/n...
substack.com/@stuarth2o/n...
"Unacceptable”, which is how Germany’s defence minister described it, doesn't even begin to describe what this attack on European values and democracy amounts to. Historians will look back at this speech as the point when the transatlantic partnership between Europe and the US ended.
Vice President JD Vance Delivers Remarks at the Munich Security Conference
YouTube video by The White House
youtube.com
February 14, 2025 at 7:11 PM
"Unacceptable”, which is how Germany’s defence minister described it, doesn't even begin to describe what this attack on European values and democracy amounts to. Historians will look back at this speech as the point when the transatlantic partnership between Europe and the US ended.
Someone on Substack just made an interesting point. As a convicted FELON, Donald Trump cannot own a firearm, yet he does have access to the nuclear codes!
January 27, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Someone on Substack just made an interesting point. As a convicted FELON, Donald Trump cannot own a firearm, yet he does have access to the nuclear codes!
Trump proposes that Palestinians leave the Gaza Strip so that "the territory" can be "cleaned out." If Israel were to follow Trump’s advice, how would a Merz-led German government react? Would it go along with, or even support, this under the guise of "Staatsräson"?
Trump suggests Palestinians leave Gaza and ‘we just clean out’ territory
US president says he wants people to move to neighbouring nations, after resuming shipments of 2,000lb bombs to Israel
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Trump proposes that Palestinians leave the Gaza Strip so that "the territory" can be "cleaned out." If Israel were to follow Trump’s advice, how would a Merz-led German government react? Would it go along with, or even support, this under the guise of "Staatsräson"?
Mit dieser Vorlage setzt Merz größtenteils die Asylpolitik der AfD direkt um – und legitimiert so ihre Politik weiter. Dass nicht einmal der “bürgerliche” Tagesspiegel dies thematisiert, zeigt, wie gesellschaftsfähig solche rechtsextremen Positionen inzwischen sind. So viel zum Thema “Nie wieder”.
Abstimmung mit der AfD?: Friedrich Merz schafft späte Klarheit
Die Unionsfraktion legt ihren Fünf-Punkte-Antrag für den Bundestag vor und greift darin AfD und Putin an. Diese Klarheit hätte man sich eher gewünscht.
www.tagesspiegel.de
January 26, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Mit dieser Vorlage setzt Merz größtenteils die Asylpolitik der AfD direkt um – und legitimiert so ihre Politik weiter. Dass nicht einmal der “bürgerliche” Tagesspiegel dies thematisiert, zeigt, wie gesellschaftsfähig solche rechtsextremen Positionen inzwischen sind. So viel zum Thema “Nie wieder”.
Soon those who've been able, fortunate/privileged enough to integrate AI into their lives productively will have a huge advantage over those who haven't. Digital literacy takes on a new quality with the emergence of AI. We need to ensure that no one is left behind.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/t...
When A.I. Passes This Test, Look Out
The creators of a new test called “Humanity’s Last Exam” argue we may soon lose the ability to create tests hard enough for A.I. models.
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Soon those who've been able, fortunate/privileged enough to integrate AI into their lives productively will have a huge advantage over those who haven't. Digital literacy takes on a new quality with the emergence of AI. We need to ensure that no one is left behind.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/t...
Given how many Palestinian activists and humanitarian groups used Facebook and/or Instagram to maintain a link to the outside world during the war, and raise awareness about its cost, this really stings.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Revealed: Microsoft deepened ties with Israeli military to provide tech support during Gaza war
Leaked documents shed light on how Israel integrated the US tech giant into its war effort to meet a growing demand for cloud and AI tools
www.theguardian.com
January 23, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Given how many Palestinian activists and humanitarian groups used Facebook and/or Instagram to maintain a link to the outside world during the war, and raise awareness about its cost, this really stings.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
I missed this. Do watch it, if you haven’t seen it. I hope many people in leadership positions across the world will follow this extraordunary example. www.linkedin.com/posts/katjad...
Katja Diehl on LinkedIn: #trump | 101 comments
This reverend should be a role model for us all.
The faces of the recipients say it all:
They are no longer used to being confronted with their actions in… | 101 comments on LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com
January 22, 2025 at 7:55 AM
I missed this. Do watch it, if you haven’t seen it. I hope many people in leadership positions across the world will follow this extraordunary example. www.linkedin.com/posts/katjad...
Brilliant must-read article from Carole Cadwalladr, a Pulitzer-nominated investigative journalist. open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Total information collapse
It's started. And it's only going to accelerate from here.
open.substack.com
January 20, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Brilliant must-read article from Carole Cadwalladr, a Pulitzer-nominated investigative journalist. open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
About time…
www.linkedin.com/pulse/18-for...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/18-for...
18 former EU leaders call: Break Up Google
The Club de Madrid, a forum of democratic former Presidents and Prime Ministers, has issued a remarkable statement signed by 18 former EU leaders, calling for Europe to break up Google. Everyone is, o...
www.linkedin.com
January 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM
About time…
www.linkedin.com/pulse/18-for...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/18-for...
In the last speech of his presidency, Joe Biden described the United States the way he usually only describes the nation’s adversaries: as an oligarchy.
- - -
It is too bad neither he nor his party did enough to fight it when they had their years in power.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
- - -
It is too bad neither he nor his party did enough to fight it when they had their years in power.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The tech bros have front-row seats at Trump’s inauguration, but what they want goes way beyond that | Quinn Slobodian
The convergence of money and politics isn’t new. What’s different is the Silicon Valley right’s hostility to the nation state, says author Quinn Slobodian
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2025 at 8:19 AM
In the last speech of his presidency, Joe Biden described the United States the way he usually only describes the nation’s adversaries: as an oligarchy.
- - -
It is too bad neither he nor his party did enough to fight it when they had their years in power.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
- - -
It is too bad neither he nor his party did enough to fight it when they had their years in power.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Not much in this article is really surprising. The reason I share it is because of the people who contributed to it - all highly reputable scholars from some of the UK’s most respected unis. The language they are using is also telling. It’s good to see that.
www.opendemocracy.net/en/bbc-impar...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/bbc-impar...
Can we trust the BBC on Israel-Gaza?
As many question BBC’s coverage, three academics tell openDemocracy why they don't think the broadcaster is impartial
www.opendemocracy.net
January 17, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Not much in this article is really surprising. The reason I share it is because of the people who contributed to it - all highly reputable scholars from some of the UK’s most respected unis. The language they are using is also telling. It’s good to see that.
www.opendemocracy.net/en/bbc-impar...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/bbc-impar...
Only in America (and now also apparently in Greenland)! You couldnt make this up… www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘Homeless people given free lunch’ to attend Trump Jr event in Greenland
People in Maga hats at meal last week did not know Donald Trump’s son and were invited off the street, hotel boss says
www.theguardian.com
January 17, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Only in America (and now also apparently in Greenland)! You couldnt make this up… www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Das ist zwar potenziell ein Anfang, aber in dieser Form – ohne eine Alternative anzubieten (Bluesky und/oder Mastodon zum Beispiel) – und zu diesem Zeitpunkt (kurz vor der Wahl) geht es dem Verteidigungsminister hier wohl mehr darum, kurzfristig Wähler einzufangen, als langfristig etwas zu bewirken.
Elon Musk und die Bundeswehr: Verteidigungsministerium lässt X-Kanäle ruhen
Die Onlineplattform X hat sich unter Elon Musk stark verändert. Nun legt das Verteidigungsministerium den eigenen und weitere Kanäle still. Dort sei »der sachliche Austausch von Argumenten zunehmend e...
www.spiegel.de
January 15, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Das ist zwar potenziell ein Anfang, aber in dieser Form – ohne eine Alternative anzubieten (Bluesky und/oder Mastodon zum Beispiel) – und zu diesem Zeitpunkt (kurz vor der Wahl) geht es dem Verteidigungsminister hier wohl mehr darum, kurzfristig Wähler einzufangen, als langfristig etwas zu bewirken.