Phil Burton-Cartledge
@philbc3.bsky.social
Does political sociology @DerbyUni | Blogger | Author: 'The Party's Over: The Rise and Fall of the Conservatives from Thatcher to Sunak' | Bylines @Tribune & @Jacobin | Bits of SF too | Writes things: http://averypublicsociologist.blogspot.co.uk
Trump is not mentally ill. Stop giving him get out clauses.
The President of the United States is very seriously mentally ill, and elected Republicans are so afraid of him that they won’t do or say anything about it.
December 26, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Trump is not mentally ill. Stop giving him get out clauses.
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
Merry Christmas! Here’s the gift you definitely didn’t ask for… the penultimate part of the 25 Worst Columns of 2025
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/the-25-wor...
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/the-25-wor...
The 25 Worst Columns of 2025, Part Four: An A-Bomb on Glastonbury, Mamdani derangement syndrome, and the least surprising Tory turn...
It's the Christmas gift that definitely wasn't on your list: The penultimate part of this year's countdown of catastrophic column writing.
brokenbottleboy.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Merry Christmas! Here’s the gift you definitely didn’t ask for… the penultimate part of the 25 Worst Columns of 2025
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/the-25-wor...
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/the-25-wor...
Agree with this. Avatar is a franchise that comes from nowhere, and disappears back into nothing. The least consequential cultural commodity of our time.
I don't think I've seen e.g. a single Instagram reel making a joke about it. Compare and contrast, say, just how many times I have seen 'Golden' in a reel this year.
Is there any franchise that's made more money and had less impact on wider culture than Avatar?
December 26, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Agree with this. Avatar is a franchise that comes from nowhere, and disappears back into nothing. The least consequential cultural commodity of our time.
Shout out to the tiny number of people who are spending a good chunk of their Boxing Day reading Baudrillard.
December 26, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Shout out to the tiny number of people who are spending a good chunk of their Boxing Day reading Baudrillard.
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
From the Archive: Paul Rekret, 'The Head, the Hand, and Matter: New Materialism and the Politics of Knowledge' - examines the political connotations of a ‘material turn’ in social and political theory. (2018) journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
The Head, the Hand, and Matter: New Materialism and the Politics of Knowledge - Paul Rekret, 2018
This article seeks to examine the political connotations of a recent ‘material turn’ in social and political theory and its implications for theorizations of po...
journals.sagepub.com
December 25, 2025 at 9:50 PM
From the Archive: Paul Rekret, 'The Head, the Hand, and Matter: New Materialism and the Politics of Knowledge' - examines the political connotations of a ‘material turn’ in social and political theory. (2018) journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
Foucault’s Christmas - "a Christmas day without writing, that was impossible! ... a day when, as he said, 'nothing has happened for several thousand years' " progressivegeographies.com/2024/12/25/f...
December 25, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Foucault’s Christmas - "a Christmas day without writing, that was impossible! ... a day when, as he said, 'nothing has happened for several thousand years' " progressivegeographies.com/2024/12/25/f...
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
Merry Christmas from Lottie and her people 😻
December 25, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Merry Christmas from Lottie and her people 😻
No comment necessary
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Look what A Very Public Sociologist melted into
averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com
December 25, 2025 at 10:21 AM
No comment necessary
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
I finished The Essence today and can confirm it's another stellar Dave Hutchinson joint. Had me wrongfooted throughout and always trying to pull the pieces together, ending up somewhere I never imagined.
So I started @hutchinsondave.bsky.social's The Essence feeling slightly aggrieved that it wasn't a Fractured Europe sequel, and now that I've finished it I want a sequel to The Essence—immediately.
If you loved Fractured Europe, you'll also love The Essence.
oikofuge.com/hutchinson-f...
If you loved Fractured Europe, you'll also love The Essence.
oikofuge.com/hutchinson-f...
Dave Hutchinson: The “Fractured Europe” Sequence
A review of the first three novels in Dave Hutchinson's "Fractured Europe" sequence
oikofuge.com
December 24, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I finished The Essence today and can confirm it's another stellar Dave Hutchinson joint. Had me wrongfooted throughout and always trying to pull the pieces together, ending up somewhere I never imagined.
I brought home some vintage paperbacks.
Science Fiction Book Haul #6
With Christmas around the corner, the discerning collector of vintage science fiction paperbacks can expect a few additions. Here are some c...
averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:24 PM
I brought home some vintage paperbacks.
A mystery no one saw coming.
A non-tin foil hat take on the death of Himmler.
A non-tin foil hat take on the death of Himmler.
The Death of Himmler - AI Investigation Bombshell (XMAS SPECIAL)
YouTube video by Mark Felton Productions
www.youtube.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:34 PM
A mystery no one saw coming.
A non-tin foil hat take on the death of Himmler.
A non-tin foil hat take on the death of Himmler.
Council by-elections: 2025 in summary
CON 18% (-25 cllrs)
LAB 17% (-90)
LDEM 20% (+18)
REF 25% (+98)
GRN 10% (+6)
CON 18% (-25 cllrs)
LAB 17% (-90)
LDEM 20% (+18)
REF 25% (+98)
GRN 10% (+6)
Local Council By-Elections: 2025 in Summary
In 2025, 678,122 votes were cast over 350 local authority contests. 197 council seats changed hands, and all percentages are rounded to the ...
averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Council by-elections: 2025 in summary
CON 18% (-25 cllrs)
LAB 17% (-90)
LDEM 20% (+18)
REF 25% (+98)
GRN 10% (+6)
CON 18% (-25 cllrs)
LAB 17% (-90)
LDEM 20% (+18)
REF 25% (+98)
GRN 10% (+6)
Council by-elections: 2025 in summary
CON 18% (-25 cllrs)
LAB 17% (-90)
LDEM 20% (+18)
REF 25% (+98)
GRN 10% (+6)
CON 18% (-25 cllrs)
LAB 17% (-90)
LDEM 20% (+18)
REF 25% (+98)
GRN 10% (+6)
Local Council By-Elections: 2025 in Summary
In 2025, 678,122 votes were cast over 350 local authority contests. 197 council seats changed hands, and all percentages are rounded to the ...
averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Council by-elections: 2025 in summary
CON 18% (-25 cllrs)
LAB 17% (-90)
LDEM 20% (+18)
REF 25% (+98)
GRN 10% (+6)
CON 18% (-25 cllrs)
LAB 17% (-90)
LDEM 20% (+18)
REF 25% (+98)
GRN 10% (+6)
Side note, I collect these projected political futures that are written by journalists, politicians, think tankers, academics, etc. If anyone sees one, please let me know!
Matthew Bowles works for the IEA.
Funded by the fossil fuel industry, gambling and tobacco.
Times up.
Merry Christmas!
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Funded by the fossil fuel industry, gambling and tobacco.
Times up.
Merry Christmas!
Join.greenparty.org.uk
December 23, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Side note, I collect these projected political futures that are written by journalists, politicians, think tankers, academics, etc. If anyone sees one, please let me know!
Q4 2025 Council by-elections summary
CON 17% (-12 cllrs)
LAB 11% (-14)
LDEM 21% (+10)
REF 29% (+25)
GRN 10% (-1)
CON 17% (-12 cllrs)
LAB 11% (-14)
LDEM 21% (+10)
REF 29% (+25)
GRN 10% (-1)
Quarter Four 2025 By-Elections Results
This quarter 151,522 votes were cast in 80 local authority contests. All percentages are rounded to the nearest single decimal place. 53(!) ...
averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Q4 2025 Council by-elections summary
CON 17% (-12 cllrs)
LAB 11% (-14)
LDEM 21% (+10)
REF 29% (+25)
GRN 10% (-1)
CON 17% (-12 cllrs)
LAB 11% (-14)
LDEM 21% (+10)
REF 29% (+25)
GRN 10% (-1)
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
December 19, 2025 at 12:24 PM
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
Also screw the BBC for its naked agenda. It refused to carry a hugely expensive first ever YouGov survey we commissioned showing how awful trans lives in the UK have become because it was "not strong enough" but there's no piece of anti-trans hatred too petty for it to platform.
Total gaslighting. Anti-trans activist; chooses to speak in person, provoking students who want to protect trans rights; they exercise their freedom of speech to tell her she isn't wanted; she gets to speak anyway; the BBC dutifully platforms her again; and now she threatens to sue everyone.
University threatened with legal action after protest at event
Prof Alice Sullivan says her talk at the University of Bristol became like a
www.bbc.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Also screw the BBC for its naked agenda. It refused to carry a hugely expensive first ever YouGov survey we commissioned showing how awful trans lives in the UK have become because it was "not strong enough" but there's no piece of anti-trans hatred too petty for it to platform.
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
This is it!
Falling for reactionary BS about "free speech" has led us to basic rights being actually threatened and removed
They never wanted debate or discussion, their point was always about putting the very humanity of marginalised communities back in the balance
Falling for reactionary BS about "free speech" has led us to basic rights being actually threatened and removed
They never wanted debate or discussion, their point was always about putting the very humanity of marginalised communities back in the balance
This kind of legal action against universities will chill the free speech of all who advocate for the rights of minoritised peoples. This was the bill’s intent. Lobbyists are already using it to shut down speech they don’t like.
Unless universities stand up strongly for ALL freedom of expression…
Unless universities stand up strongly for ALL freedom of expression…
Total gaslighting. Anti-trans activist; chooses to speak in person, provoking students who want to protect trans rights; they exercise their freedom of speech to tell her she isn't wanted; she gets to speak anyway; the BBC dutifully platforms her again; and now she threatens to sue everyone.
December 22, 2025 at 8:05 AM
This is it!
Falling for reactionary BS about "free speech" has led us to basic rights being actually threatened and removed
They never wanted debate or discussion, their point was always about putting the very humanity of marginalised communities back in the balance
Falling for reactionary BS about "free speech" has led us to basic rights being actually threatened and removed
They never wanted debate or discussion, their point was always about putting the very humanity of marginalised communities back in the balance
If the cost of living was prioritised at the beginning of Starmer's premiership, Labour would now be in a much better position. Can this belated shift save them?
Labour's Cost-of-Living Turn
We all like a happy Christmas, but it's unlikely Keir Starmer is in for much festive cheer. Polls are regularly pointing to less than a fift...
averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:14 AM
If the cost of living was prioritised at the beginning of Starmer's premiership, Labour would now be in a much better position. Can this belated shift save them?
If the cost of living was prioritised at the beginning of Starmer's premiership, Labour would now be in a much better position. Can this belated shift save them?
Labour's Cost-of-Living Turn
We all like a happy Christmas, but it's unlikely Keir Starmer is in for much festive cheer. Polls are regularly pointing to less than a fift...
averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:54 PM
If the cost of living was prioritised at the beginning of Starmer's premiership, Labour would now be in a much better position. Can this belated shift save them?
Incredible
urgent news: man at Stansted wearing a t-shirt with a picture of Keir Starmer in the style of that famous Obama poster (??)
December 20, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Incredible
Always find it weird that pollsters invent demographics rather than draw on decades of social research about stratification.
Interestingly Labour has actually *gained* votes share since the election among the more institutionalist/comfortable Established Liberals despite bleeding them elsewhere over the past 18 months.
December 20, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Always find it weird that pollsters invent demographics rather than draw on decades of social research about stratification.
Local council by-elections in December
CON 20% (-3 cllrs)
LAB 9% (-4)
LDEM 21% (+1)
REF 31% (+7)
GRN 8% (0)
CON 20% (-3 cllrs)
LAB 9% (-4)
LDEM 21% (+1)
REF 31% (+7)
GRN 8% (0)
Local Council By-Elections December 2025
This month saw 30,896 votes cast in 20 local authority contests. All percentages are rounded to the nearest single decimal place. 11 council...
averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com
December 20, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Local council by-elections in December
CON 20% (-3 cllrs)
LAB 9% (-4)
LDEM 21% (+1)
REF 31% (+7)
GRN 8% (0)
CON 20% (-3 cllrs)
LAB 9% (-4)
LDEM 21% (+1)
REF 31% (+7)
GRN 8% (0)
Reposted by Phil Burton-Cartledge
Lovely chat, this. Including tantalising idea for unwritten Culture novel (man has weapon with his own memories encoded in the ammo) 👇
Talking about _The Player of Games_ by Iain M. Banks.
www.newscientist.com/video/250912...
www.newscientist.com/video/250912...
Author Ken MacLeod on the life and work of the late Iain M. Banks
Sci-fi author Ken MacLeod shares stories about his friend, the late Iain M. Banks, author of the genre-redefining Culture series of science-fiction novels
www.newscientist.com
December 20, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Lovely chat, this. Including tantalising idea for unwritten Culture novel (man has weapon with his own memories encoded in the ammo) 👇