Nik
@nikofirkin.bsky.social
RS and RPE teacher. Philosophy as a Way of Life. Pusher of philosophy to children. P4C. Socialist. Trade unionist. Junglist. Urban Foraging. Urban Whittling. Podding @requirespod
Pinned
Nik
@nikofirkin.bsky.social
· Nov 16
038// Solidarity at the Border - Care4Calais and Fortress Europe
Requires Improvement are back again, here to discuss co-hosts Lee and Anu's recent experiences of volunteering for Care4Calais on the English-French border. We conclude by taking a look at recent educ
on.soundcloud.com
Will sort out a proper account for the pod at some point but in the meantime follow me for the NEU organiser and socialist education podcast: Requires Improvement. on.soundcloud.com/c2nU7JemuzNC...
Reposted by Nik
BREAKING: Police have confirmed they shot two innocent people during the Manchester synagogue attack. Obviously, this means we have no choice but to ban people from protesting against the Gaza genocide x
October 3, 2025 at 5:09 PM
BREAKING: Police have confirmed they shot two innocent people during the Manchester synagogue attack. Obviously, this means we have no choice but to ban people from protesting against the Gaza genocide x
Reposted by Nik
The anti-genocide protests are not made against the Jewish community. They're not even made against Israel per se. They are primarily against *our own government*, and it's complicity in the genocide being carried out by the Israeli state. The home secretary's remarks should be seen in that context.
@zackpolanski.bsky.social is asked about the Home Secretarys comments that yesterdays protests about Israels actions were dishonourable (she also said they were unBritish).
Zack is spot on.
Zack is spot on.
October 3, 2025 at 10:32 AM
The anti-genocide protests are not made against the Jewish community. They're not even made against Israel per se. They are primarily against *our own government*, and it's complicity in the genocide being carried out by the Israeli state. The home secretary's remarks should be seen in that context.
Reposted by Nik
I feel like it's hard to get across to my English pals that if the Taoiseach **made a point of insisting to the press** that they put Irish flags all over their house, and made sure to 'always' sit by one in their office, then they would immediately, and forever, be tainted as a massive weird freak.
NEW: Keir Starmer has said he hangs the English flag in his home and 'always sits front of a Union Jack'
He told the BBC: 'I'm very encouraging of flags. I think they're patriotic and a great symbol of our nation.'
He told the BBC: 'I'm very encouraging of flags. I think they're patriotic and a great symbol of our nation.'
September 1, 2025 at 2:45 PM
I feel like it's hard to get across to my English pals that if the Taoiseach **made a point of insisting to the press** that they put Irish flags all over their house, and made sure to 'always' sit by one in their office, then they would immediately, and forever, be tainted as a massive weird freak.
Reposted by Nik
Even a trace, the merest suspicion of racism in public life is utterly unacceptable and must be ruthlessly why thank you, yes, and the canapés are delicious. Mr Farage’s speech was intriguing, I thought rooted out and utterly destroyed
September 1, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Even a trace, the merest suspicion of racism in public life is utterly unacceptable and must be ruthlessly why thank you, yes, and the canapés are delicious. Mr Farage’s speech was intriguing, I thought rooted out and utterly destroyed
Reposted by Nik
Are MPs supposed to conspire with media outlets to orchestrate wild hate Jihads against their own party, trying as hard as they can to ensure their own side loses elections? Are there any other examples of this happening in British history, and indeed in electoral history anywhere on earth.
August 24, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Are MPs supposed to conspire with media outlets to orchestrate wild hate Jihads against their own party, trying as hard as they can to ensure their own side loses elections? Are there any other examples of this happening in British history, and indeed in electoral history anywhere on earth.
Reposted by Nik
We're the Lesser Evil voting has to fucking die, because it's obviously not working and the Greater Evil is drinking your fucking blood by making you triangulate towards their miserable view of things because Things Aren't Allowed To Get Better is the underlying animus of most British politics.
July 3, 2025 at 10:19 PM
We're the Lesser Evil voting has to fucking die, because it's obviously not working and the Greater Evil is drinking your fucking blood by making you triangulate towards their miserable view of things because Things Aren't Allowed To Get Better is the underlying animus of most British politics.
Reposted by Nik
Difficult to express how I feel about those in our politics and media who are more concerned about what some rapper said at Glastonbury than fact that, as a matter of deliberate policy, the Israeli government is paying mercenaries to murder starving civilians for fun.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Gaza aid contractor tells BBC he saw colleagues fire on hungry Palestinians
The Israel- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has strongly denied the allegation.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 3, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Difficult to express how I feel about those in our politics and media who are more concerned about what some rapper said at Glastonbury than fact that, as a matter of deliberate policy, the Israeli government is paying mercenaries to murder starving civilians for fun.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Nik
Zarah Sultana to David Lammy: How do you sleep at night?
Lammy says Zarah Sultana is "keen on clickbait". What a way to describe genocide.
Lammy says Zarah Sultana is "keen on clickbait". What a way to describe genocide.
May 20, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Zarah Sultana to David Lammy: How do you sleep at night?
Lammy says Zarah Sultana is "keen on clickbait". What a way to describe genocide.
Lammy says Zarah Sultana is "keen on clickbait". What a way to describe genocide.
Reposted by Nik
By focusing on immigration and the Reform UK agenda, Labour effectively vindicate the belief that migrants are the reason they aren't better off, with better public services. They are creating more Reform UK voters.
It's morally wrong and politically suicidal.
It's morally wrong and politically suicidal.
May 4, 2025 at 8:20 AM
By focusing on immigration and the Reform UK agenda, Labour effectively vindicate the belief that migrants are the reason they aren't better off, with better public services. They are creating more Reform UK voters.
It's morally wrong and politically suicidal.
It's morally wrong and politically suicidal.
Reposted by Nik
Sure seems like offering a platform of "the Treasury Computer says your life must get infinitely worse but we promise to do horrible things to society's most vulnerable people" isn't a winning political strategy?
Latest YouGov government approval ratings, 3-5 May 2025
Approve: 15% (-1 from 26-28 Apr)
Disapprove: 67% (+4)
Net: -52 (-5)
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
Approve: 15% (-1 from 26-28 Apr)
Disapprove: 67% (+4)
Net: -52 (-5)
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
May 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Sure seems like offering a platform of "the Treasury Computer says your life must get infinitely worse but we promise to do horrible things to society's most vulnerable people" isn't a winning political strategy?
Reposted by Nik
I can’t help but think something has gone wrong in your life if you’re spending your morning off work holding a sign that says “Large Gametes”.
April 16, 2025 at 9:41 AM
I can’t help but think something has gone wrong in your life if you’re spending your morning off work holding a sign that says “Large Gametes”.
Reposted by Nik
At #NEU2025? Come and say hi at the @gftu.bsky.social stall and grab our latest #StrikeMap merch.
Every penny helps us put struggle on the map 📍
#StrikeMap
Every penny helps us put struggle on the map 📍
#StrikeMap
Our stall is open at #NEU2025. We have merchandise and books from @strikemap.bsky.social @organisenow.bsky.social @gftuet.bsky.social & #GFTU.
Help support striking workers, organise workers and fund independent trade union education for the whole movement.
#GFTU #GFTUET #StrikeMap #OrganiseNow
Help support striking workers, organise workers and fund independent trade union education for the whole movement.
#GFTU #GFTUET #StrikeMap #OrganiseNow
April 14, 2025 at 8:33 AM
At #NEU2025? Come and say hi at the @gftu.bsky.social stall and grab our latest #StrikeMap merch.
Every penny helps us put struggle on the map 📍
#StrikeMap
Every penny helps us put struggle on the map 📍
#StrikeMap
Useful TL:DR of the conference agenda. If anyone going knows us from the @requirespod podcast from twitter, give us a shout if you want to meet up.
The National Education Union will hold its annual conference in Harrogate next week
As well as hearing the results of its indicative pay ballot, members will debate workload, SATs, maternity pay and more
Here's your preview...
As well as hearing the results of its indicative pay ballot, members will debate workload, SATs, maternity pay and more
Here's your preview...
NEU conference preview: Strikes, maternity pay and SATs
Eight interesting motions that will set the agenda at the education union's conference next week
schoolsweek.co.uk
April 8, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Useful TL:DR of the conference agenda. If anyone going knows us from the @requirespod podcast from twitter, give us a shout if you want to meet up.
I sleep in a non-manogamy bed. Do you?
I sleep in a normal bed with my wife and girlfriend.
I sleep in a normal bed with my wife and girlfriend.
Behold, per inbox, "the first ever bed design[ed] for non-monogamy": first of all, I'd say all beds work for non-monogamy; second, good god look at it
March 26, 2025 at 6:40 PM
I sleep in a non-manogamy bed. Do you?
I sleep in a normal bed with my wife and girlfriend.
I sleep in a normal bed with my wife and girlfriend.
Reposted by Nik
Amazing things happening to language and meaning over at @theguardian.com
March 16, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Amazing things happening to language and meaning over at @theguardian.com
Reposted by Nik
Andrew Tate being allowed to come to the U.S. and avoid facing trial for sex trafficking in Romania is beyond stomach-churning. This man is a HUGE influencer and uses his platform/following to further abuse women who have accused him. Now he won’t face justice, reaffirming his lies to his followers
February 27, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Andrew Tate being allowed to come to the U.S. and avoid facing trial for sex trafficking in Romania is beyond stomach-churning. This man is a HUGE influencer and uses his platform/following to further abuse women who have accused him. Now he won’t face justice, reaffirming his lies to his followers
Reposted by Nik
They’re not even hiding it anymore.
(P.S. JFT97✊🏽)
(P.S. JFT97✊🏽)
February 26, 2025 at 1:44 PM
They’re not even hiding it anymore.
(P.S. JFT97✊🏽)
(P.S. JFT97✊🏽)
Yes but to Reform voters, he's still standing up for their perceived interests more than anyone else. This didn't work with Johnson, Trump whoever so it won't work here.
New billboard in Clacton, Farage’s constituency. He’s still the UK’s #1 grifter. No other MP takes more from second jobs while being employed to represent their constituents in Parliament
February 26, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Yes but to Reform voters, he's still standing up for their perceived interests more than anyone else. This didn't work with Johnson, Trump whoever so it won't work here.
Reposted by Nik
I’ve noticed with the Stormzy thing that in a lot of ways it’s the first time younger generations have engaged with the idea of “selling out” as a negative concept. Whereas before they didn’t seem to care about how any artist got their money, now when it has very clear political parallels they do
February 20, 2025 at 4:04 PM
I’ve noticed with the Stormzy thing that in a lot of ways it’s the first time younger generations have engaged with the idea of “selling out” as a negative concept. Whereas before they didn’t seem to care about how any artist got their money, now when it has very clear political parallels they do
"It is not clear why the union chose to do this."
🗳️ Teachers in 23 sixth form colleges who are members of the NASUWT union have voted for strike action – in a ballot that 'confusingly' included academised sixth forms
23 sixth form colleges vote to strike in NASUWT ballot
But the union has been criticised for also balloting teachers in academised sixth form colleges not involved in the dispute
buff.ly
February 11, 2025 at 5:51 PM
"It is not clear why the union chose to do this."
Reposted by Nik
Today, we at Google have a new product: what if you could could ask an app a question? Oh, we do that already? Well, what if we were a little bit worse at it? What if we also sometimes gave you egregiously wrong information? And what if it cost a billion dollars? Still not interested? It's mandatory
February 10, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Today, we at Google have a new product: what if you could could ask an app a question? Oh, we do that already? Well, what if we were a little bit worse at it? What if we also sometimes gave you egregiously wrong information? And what if it cost a billion dollars? Still not interested? It's mandatory
We should do a space mission to sort it out regardless so it 'brings the world together'
February 8, 2025 at 3:51 PM
We should do a space mission to sort it out regardless so it 'brings the world together'
Meaningless slop data
Who are the most popular kings and queens since 1066?
1. Elizabeth II: +74 net score
2. Victoria: +50
3. George VI: +40
4. Elizabeth I: +36
5. George V: +30
6. Richard the Lionheart: +29
7. Charles III: +27
8. Edward VII: +14
Full list in chart 👇
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
1. Elizabeth II: +74 net score
2. Victoria: +50
3. George VI: +40
4. Elizabeth I: +36
5. George V: +30
6. Richard the Lionheart: +29
7. Charles III: +27
8. Edward VII: +14
Full list in chart 👇
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
February 7, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Meaningless slop data
Reposted by Nik
Who are the most popular kings and queens since 1066?
1. Elizabeth II: +74 net score
2. Victoria: +50
3. George VI: +40
4. Elizabeth I: +36
5. George V: +30
6. Richard the Lionheart: +29
7. Charles III: +27
8. Edward VII: +14
Full list in chart 👇
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
1. Elizabeth II: +74 net score
2. Victoria: +50
3. George VI: +40
4. Elizabeth I: +36
5. George V: +30
6. Richard the Lionheart: +29
7. Charles III: +27
8. Edward VII: +14
Full list in chart 👇
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
February 7, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Who are the most popular kings and queens since 1066?
1. Elizabeth II: +74 net score
2. Victoria: +50
3. George VI: +40
4. Elizabeth I: +36
5. George V: +30
6. Richard the Lionheart: +29
7. Charles III: +27
8. Edward VII: +14
Full list in chart 👇
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
1. Elizabeth II: +74 net score
2. Victoria: +50
3. George VI: +40
4. Elizabeth I: +36
5. George V: +30
6. Richard the Lionheart: +29
7. Charles III: +27
8. Edward VII: +14
Full list in chart 👇
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
Reposted by Nik
Every new technology seems to be immediately horrifying or designed so that it can eventually be horrifying
youtu.be/32qlv6dKILQ?...
youtu.be/32qlv6dKILQ?...
Lab-Grown Human Brain Living in a Virtual World
YouTube video by Daniel Burger
youtu.be
February 6, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Every new technology seems to be immediately horrifying or designed so that it can eventually be horrifying
youtu.be/32qlv6dKILQ?...
youtu.be/32qlv6dKILQ?...