Richard Brown
@richardbrown.bsky.social
Cities, urban economics, housing, puns, poetry and pop music. Views are mine.
This is very good and well-evidenced piece. Universities should play a vital role in ensuring that AI is used critically, humanely and ethically - but that will involve a rethink of the model, or at least a re-appraisal to value by-products (judgement, ethics, social skills) as much as knowledge.
NEW on Wonkhe: Jim Dickinson explores the growing evidence that AI isn't just changing what students produce – it's changing what their brains are ready to do, and asks whether HE can redesign itself around a question it has been avoiding for decades buff.ly/uHtisNU
February 9, 2026 at 10:06 AM
This is very good and well-evidenced piece. Universities should play a vital role in ensuring that AI is used critically, humanely and ethically - but that will involve a rethink of the model, or at least a re-appraisal to value by-products (judgement, ethics, social skills) as much as knowledge.
Enjoying this, rather belatedly, to the entirely inappropriate tune of 'Whiskey in the Jar-o'.
February 2, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Enjoying this, rather belatedly, to the entirely inappropriate tune of 'Whiskey in the Jar-o'.
Reposted by Richard Brown
Take me down to the Parallax city where the far moves slow and the near moves quickly
February 1, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Take me down to the Parallax city where the far moves slow and the near moves quickly
FT Weekend channelling a 1960s High Court Judge in the photo caption.
January 31, 2026 at 1:22 PM
FT Weekend channelling a 1960s High Court Judge in the photo caption.
"This graveyard holds a million secrets."
Been walking the dog in St Nicholas Churchyard, Brighton. Some graves.
First up: Martha Gunn, pioneer of women's bathing in early C19th. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_... 1/3
Been walking the dog in St Nicholas Churchyard, Brighton. Some graves.
First up: Martha Gunn, pioneer of women's bathing in early C19th. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_... 1/3
January 30, 2026 at 2:17 PM
"This graveyard holds a million secrets."
Been walking the dog in St Nicholas Churchyard, Brighton. Some graves.
First up: Martha Gunn, pioneer of women's bathing in early C19th. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_... 1/3
Been walking the dog in St Nicholas Churchyard, Brighton. Some graves.
First up: Martha Gunn, pioneer of women's bathing in early C19th. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_... 1/3
Reposted by Richard Brown
As the debate on #AI and #labour markets heats up, pleased to have contributed to this excellent and balanced big read by Anjli Raval in the FT: bit.ly/4rrtyH7. Demand is increasing for graduate jobs with more AI-exposure, indicating the need for AI-related skills. #dataisbeautiful
January 29, 2026 at 5:20 PM
As the debate on #AI and #labour markets heats up, pleased to have contributed to this excellent and balanced big read by Anjli Raval in the FT: bit.ly/4rrtyH7. Demand is increasing for graduate jobs with more AI-exposure, indicating the need for AI-related skills. #dataisbeautiful
Reposted by Richard Brown
About 6.8 million people – half of all those in poverty – were in very deep poverty, the highest number and proportion since records began three decades ago - @jrf-uk.bsky.social analysis
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Record number of people in UK live in ‘very deep poverty’, analysis shows
Joseph Rowntree Foundation finds problem is ‘deeper and more damaging than at any point in the last 30 years’
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:23 AM
About 6.8 million people – half of all those in poverty – were in very deep poverty, the highest number and proportion since records began three decades ago - @jrf-uk.bsky.social analysis
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Reposted by Richard Brown
Gods honest truth but when Freddie gets on this subject it’s astoundingly righteous writing
freddiedeboer.substack.com/p/its-mental...
freddiedeboer.substack.com/p/its-mental...
It's "Mental Illness Doesn't Do That" Season Once Again
wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen
freddiedeboer.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Gods honest truth but when Freddie gets on this subject it’s astoundingly righteous writing
freddiedeboer.substack.com/p/its-mental...
freddiedeboer.substack.com/p/its-mental...
Sly and Robbie bring so much crackle and pop to this Dylan song. open.spotify.com/track/32gtgx...
When the Night Comes Falling from the Sky - Alternate Take
open.spotify.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Sly and Robbie bring so much crackle and pop to this Dylan song. open.spotify.com/track/32gtgx...
Reposted by Richard Brown
Reposted by Richard Brown
Great first lines.
“Ever since childhood, when I lived within earshot of the Boston and Maine, I have seldom heard a train go by and not wished I was on it.”
“Ever since childhood, when I lived within earshot of the Boston and Maine, I have seldom heard a train go by and not wished I was on it.”
January 22, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Great first lines.
“Ever since childhood, when I lived within earshot of the Boston and Maine, I have seldom heard a train go by and not wished I was on it.”
“Ever since childhood, when I lived within earshot of the Boston and Maine, I have seldom heard a train go by and not wished I was on it.”
Property developers seem to have become the go-to villain for TV shows (n=2). Is it because shows like Narcos have made druglords too empathetic, or is it something to do with US politics? Either way, if a property developer crops up, they're going to be guilty of *something*.
January 24, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Property developers seem to have become the go-to villain for TV shows (n=2). Is it because shows like Narcos have made druglords too empathetic, or is it something to do with US politics? Either way, if a property developer crops up, they're going to be guilty of *something*.
This is fascinating from @yimbyalliance.org, though frustratingly only coded to show current psf, not change. Central London house prices roughly unchanged in real terms since 2010, while parts of Waltham Forest and other outer boroughs have increased by 60%+. maps.yimbyalliance.org/psqm-over-ti...
YIMBY Alliance Maps
Interactive maps from YIMBY Alliance
maps.yimbyalliance.org
January 22, 2026 at 8:08 AM
This is fascinating from @yimbyalliance.org, though frustratingly only coded to show current psf, not change. Central London house prices roughly unchanged in real terms since 2010, while parts of Waltham Forest and other outer boroughs have increased by 60%+. maps.yimbyalliance.org/psqm-over-ti...
Reposted by Richard Brown
The great graduate job drought - www.ft.com/content/c894... brilliant piece, somewhat terrifying for this father of three
The great graduate job drought
Economic uncertainty and the arrival of AI have brought a reduction in entry-level roles, with potentially disastrous consequences for young people
www.ft.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:04 AM
The great graduate job drought - www.ft.com/content/c894... brilliant piece, somewhat terrifying for this father of three
Reposted by Richard Brown
To break up the doom and chaos, here's an interview with the woman who designed London's newest public space about how it came together, the difficulties of reclaiming three acres from the Thames, and what to look out for on the Bazalgette Embankment. www.londoncentric.media/i/185186036/...
London's newest public space
Plus: Will someone rid London of these troublesome trees, London Standard to merge with the Independent, Lime bikes could have legally-mandated minimum safety and maintenance standards.
www.londoncentric.media
January 21, 2026 at 2:41 PM
To break up the doom and chaos, here's an interview with the woman who designed London's newest public space about how it came together, the difficulties of reclaiming three acres from the Thames, and what to look out for on the Bazalgette Embankment. www.londoncentric.media/i/185186036/...
Reposted by Richard Brown
AI could have a huge and disruptive impact on London's economy, but with the right backing from universities and other institutions, the capital could also be a centre of AI-enabled innovation, and of specialised and personalised professional services. www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow...
AI will be big in London. How can we make its growth good?
The Mayor has warned of the potential dangers of this powerful technology, raising big questions about who stands to benefit from it most
www.onlondon.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 1:49 PM
AI could have a huge and disruptive impact on London's economy, but with the right backing from universities and other institutions, the capital could also be a centre of AI-enabled innovation, and of specialised and personalised professional services. www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow...
I try to avoid using #Terminator memes for #AI stuff, but I couldn't resist a sly nod to this in my latest piece for OnLondon, about the 'colossal' impact of AI on employment in London and why it hasn't happened yet. www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow...
January 19, 2026 at 4:09 PM
I try to avoid using #Terminator memes for #AI stuff, but I couldn't resist a sly nod to this in my latest piece for OnLondon, about the 'colossal' impact of AI on employment in London and why it hasn't happened yet. www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow...
Reposted by Richard Brown
AI looks likely to have a big impact in #london. Will that be for better or worse in the long run? And what could or should be done to ensure better? Great piece for OnLondon by @richardbrown.bsky.social - www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow.... @ldn-pressoffice.bsky.social @howarddawber.bsky.social
AI will be big in London. How can we make its growth good?
The Mayor has warned of the potential dangers of this powerful technology, raising big questions about who stands to benefit from it most
www.onlondon.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 2:58 PM
AI looks likely to have a big impact in #london. Will that be for better or worse in the long run? And what could or should be done to ensure better? Great piece for OnLondon by @richardbrown.bsky.social - www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow.... @ldn-pressoffice.bsky.social @howarddawber.bsky.social
Will AI be a 'weapon of mass destruction of jobs' in London? And can we stop it? And should we? My latest for OnLondon, drawing on research for University of London.
www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow...
(Answers: maybe, possibly and probably not)
@davehillonlondon.bsky.social @ben-rog.bsky.social
www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow...
(Answers: maybe, possibly and probably not)
@davehillonlondon.bsky.social @ben-rog.bsky.social
AI will be big in London. How can we make its growth good?
The Mayor has warned of the potential dangers of this powerful technology, raising big questions about who stands to benefit from it most
www.onlondon.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Will AI be a 'weapon of mass destruction of jobs' in London? And can we stop it? And should we? My latest for OnLondon, drawing on research for University of London.
www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow...
(Answers: maybe, possibly and probably not)
@davehillonlondon.bsky.social @ben-rog.bsky.social
www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow...
(Answers: maybe, possibly and probably not)
@davehillonlondon.bsky.social @ben-rog.bsky.social
Robert Jenrick - father manufactured fireplaces.
Gavin Williamson - used to sell fireplaces.
Hmm. 🤔
Gavin Williamson - used to sell fireplaces.
Hmm. 🤔
January 18, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Robert Jenrick - father manufactured fireplaces.
Gavin Williamson - used to sell fireplaces.
Hmm. 🤔
Gavin Williamson - used to sell fireplaces.
Hmm. 🤔
Reposted by Richard Brown
Art Nouveau is when stuff looks like it was made by Elves.
Art Deco is when stuff looks like it was made by Dwarves.
Art Deco is when stuff looks like it was made by Dwarves.
October 9, 2024 at 12:10 AM
Art Nouveau is when stuff looks like it was made by Elves.
Art Deco is when stuff looks like it was made by Dwarves.
Art Deco is when stuff looks like it was made by Dwarves.