Richard N Griffiths
@rng52.bsky.social
Beardy, lefty, aviatory... Retired university lecturer in computing. My likes do not necessarily signify unqualified - or even any - approval.
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
1. In 2009 I wrote this. I argued that Peter Mandelson's department “functions as a fifth column within government, working for corporations to undermine democracy and the public interest.”
This thread explains what I saw, and reaches a startling conclusion.🧵
www.monbiot.com/2009/05/04/m...
This thread explains what I saw, and reaches a startling conclusion.🧵
www.monbiot.com/2009/05/04/m...
Mandelson’s Fifth Column
The British government’s business department exists to undermine democracy.
www.monbiot.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:32 AM
1. In 2009 I wrote this. I argued that Peter Mandelson's department “functions as a fifth column within government, working for corporations to undermine democracy and the public interest.”
This thread explains what I saw, and reaches a startling conclusion.🧵
www.monbiot.com/2009/05/04/m...
This thread explains what I saw, and reaches a startling conclusion.🧵
www.monbiot.com/2009/05/04/m...
This is important.
NEW: What’s happening in the US is TECHNOFASCISM.
It’s fascism + surveillance technologies. Palantir is playing a central role. And the UK is next in line.
My latest for @thenerve.news
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/technofasc...
It’s fascism + surveillance technologies. Palantir is playing a central role. And the UK is next in line.
My latest for @thenerve.news
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/technofasc...
What’s happening in America is technofascism. It could happen here
Peter Thiel's data surveillance company Palantir is powering Trump's ICE operation in the US. Carole Cadwalladr argues that the UK will be next
www.thenerve.news
February 1, 2026 at 8:13 PM
This is important.
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
I’ve written this lengthy FT analysis overnight about the multiple multi-thousand pound Epstein payments to Mandelson’s husband
these particular paragraphs are worth reading slowly
www.ft.com/content/608a...
these particular paragraphs are worth reading slowly
www.ft.com/content/608a...
January 31, 2026 at 12:34 PM
I’ve written this lengthy FT analysis overnight about the multiple multi-thousand pound Epstein payments to Mandelson’s husband
these particular paragraphs are worth reading slowly
www.ft.com/content/608a...
these particular paragraphs are worth reading slowly
www.ft.com/content/608a...
If you want a precise snapshot of the current development of AI and its future prospects (both good and bad) spend 45 minutes listening to this: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m.... The conversation is a sparkling demonstration of the value interdisciplinarity including the arts.
BBC Radio 4 - Start the Week, Biology, technology and the future
Adam Rutherford asks what it might mean if we can build human bodies and minds.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 10:00 AM
If you want a precise snapshot of the current development of AI and its future prospects (both good and bad) spend 45 minutes listening to this: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m.... The conversation is a sparkling demonstration of the value interdisciplinarity including the arts.
America sneezes. We catch a cold.
And the UK is overexposed.
As long as foreign tech runs our digital infrastructure, our systems can be used as leverage or disrupted on Trump's say so.
Tell your MP to support the motion for #DigitalSovereignty ⬇️
action.openrightsgroup.org/tell-governm...
And the UK is overexposed.
As long as foreign tech runs our digital infrastructure, our systems can be used as leverage or disrupted on Trump's say so.
Tell your MP to support the motion for #DigitalSovereignty ⬇️
action.openrightsgroup.org/tell-governm...
Protect Britain’s Digital Backbone — Ask Your MP to Act
Take action! What’s the problem? The UK’s digital backbone. The cloud services, data systems, and platforms that underpin government, public services, and democratic processes is dangerously reliant…
action.openrightsgroup.org
January 22, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
The UK needs #DigitalSovereignty.
This means running our services and critical infrastructure on homegrown open source tech that's beyond the reach of foreign political interference, whether it's the US, China or Israel.
We urge you to support the Early Day Motion tabled by @sianberry.bsky.social.
This means running our services and critical infrastructure on homegrown open source tech that's beyond the reach of foreign political interference, whether it's the US, China or Israel.
We urge you to support the Early Day Motion tabled by @sianberry.bsky.social.
January 22, 2026 at 9:46 AM
The UK needs #DigitalSovereignty.
This means running our services and critical infrastructure on homegrown open source tech that's beyond the reach of foreign political interference, whether it's the US, China or Israel.
We urge you to support the Early Day Motion tabled by @sianberry.bsky.social.
This means running our services and critical infrastructure on homegrown open source tech that's beyond the reach of foreign political interference, whether it's the US, China or Israel.
We urge you to support the Early Day Motion tabled by @sianberry.bsky.social.
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
It is the source of so many of our evils: the astonishing concentration of wealth in the hands of a very few, and the immense political power that gives them. We cannot solve our problems until we tackle it.
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
At the root of all our problems stands one travesty: politicians’ surrender to the super-rich | George Monbiot
There are many excuses for failing to tax the ultra-wealthy. The truth is that governments don’t tackle the problem because they don’t want to, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:18 PM
It is the source of so many of our evils: the astonishing concentration of wealth in the hands of a very few, and the immense political power that gives them. We cannot solve our problems until we tackle it.
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
Palantir, which Wes Streeting is giving your health care records to, and which Labour has given a contract for military analytics to, is working with ICE in the United States to work out who to raid. www.404media.co/elite-the-pa...
‘ELITE’: The Palantir App ICE Uses to Find Neighborhoods to Raid
Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activit...
www.404media.co
January 16, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Palantir, which Wes Streeting is giving your health care records to, and which Labour has given a contract for military analytics to, is working with ICE in the United States to work out who to raid. www.404media.co/elite-the-pa...
This may come in useful:
European Alternatives
We help you find European alternatives for digital service and products, like cloud services and SaaS products.
european-alternatives.eu
January 15, 2026 at 10:30 AM
This may come in useful:
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
Funding NHS facilities with private finance a breach of manifesto, Labour MPs say.
Govt paid £6 for £1 PFI investment. Private equity profiteering from NHS contracts. Public money buys less.
Govt reviving PFI, handing NHS to private equity. Govt can borrow, create money, do QE, tax the rich.
Govt paid £6 for £1 PFI investment. Private equity profiteering from NHS contracts. Public money buys less.
Govt reviving PFI, handing NHS to private equity. Govt can borrow, create money, do QE, tax the rich.
Funding NHS facilities with private finance a breach of manifesto, Labour MPs say
The government is considering using taxpayer money and private finance to build new health centres.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Funding NHS facilities with private finance a breach of manifesto, Labour MPs say.
Govt paid £6 for £1 PFI investment. Private equity profiteering from NHS contracts. Public money buys less.
Govt reviving PFI, handing NHS to private equity. Govt can borrow, create money, do QE, tax the rich.
Govt paid £6 for £1 PFI investment. Private equity profiteering from NHS contracts. Public money buys less.
Govt reviving PFI, handing NHS to private equity. Govt can borrow, create money, do QE, tax the rich.
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
If you want to understand why the Ministry of Defence’s ‘strategic partnership’ with Palantir is so profoundly dangerous, please read my latest piece open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
January 13, 2026 at 7:26 PM
If you want to understand why the Ministry of Defence’s ‘strategic partnership’ with Palantir is so profoundly dangerous, please read my latest piece open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
NEW: The Palantirisation of the UK military is a national security disaster.
Peter Thiel is now the third wheel in the US-UK ‘special relationship’.
1/
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Peter Thiel is now the third wheel in the US-UK ‘special relationship’.
1/
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
January 11, 2026 at 11:29 PM
NEW: The Palantirisation of the UK military is a national security disaster.
Peter Thiel is now the third wheel in the US-UK ‘special relationship’.
1/
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Peter Thiel is now the third wheel in the US-UK ‘special relationship’.
1/
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
“I think the issue is that because I was a gay man in his circle, I was kept separate from what he was doing in the sexual side of his life.” I bet he doesn't sweat either.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/11/peter-mandelson-declines-to-apologise-for-association-with-jeffrey-epstein“I
January 11, 2026 at 4:30 PM
“I think the issue is that because I was a gay man in his circle, I was kept separate from what he was doing in the sexual side of his life.” I bet he doesn't sweat either.
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
Say NO to Palantir in the UK.
January 7, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Say NO to Palantir in the UK.
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
Yet another huge contract, awarded without any competitive bidding process, to Wes Streeting's favourite NHS supplier, the Hard Right US surveillance tech specialists Palantir, for military decision making capability.
Palantir lands biggest ever UK defense deal
The £240 million contract with the Ministry of Defence has renewed a debate about Britain’s dependence on American technology.
www.politico.eu
January 6, 2026 at 7:16 AM
Yet another huge contract, awarded without any competitive bidding process, to Wes Streeting's favourite NHS supplier, the Hard Right US surveillance tech specialists Palantir, for military decision making capability.
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
NEW: A mass propaganda event is about to engulf the US news cycle and what, if anything, survives it will be a lesson for our times.
But it’s what the rest of the world does now that’s key. When someone tells you who they are, believe them.
broligarchy.substack.com/p/the-threat...
But it’s what the rest of the world does now that’s key. When someone tells you who they are, believe them.
broligarchy.substack.com/p/the-threat...
January 3, 2026 at 2:20 PM
NEW: A mass propaganda event is about to engulf the US news cycle and what, if anything, survives it will be a lesson for our times.
But it’s what the rest of the world does now that’s key. When someone tells you who they are, believe them.
broligarchy.substack.com/p/the-threat...
But it’s what the rest of the world does now that’s key. When someone tells you who they are, believe them.
broligarchy.substack.com/p/the-threat...
To Glyndebourne for Handel's 'Messiah'. In the opening part: "Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned." Not a hope in hell...
December 6, 2025 at 8:11 PM
To Glyndebourne for Handel's 'Messiah'. In the opening part: "Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned." Not a hope in hell...
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
I’m not worried that the AI bubble will herald the end of capitalism as we know it - or even the end of the AI boom.
I'm worried that it will result in a massive upwards transfer of wealth - and further endanger our democracies in the process.
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/the-ai-cir...
I'm worried that it will result in a massive upwards transfer of wealth - and further endanger our democracies in the process.
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/the-ai-cir...
The AI Circular Economy
Big tech companies and wealthy investors are driving an AI bubble - but they won't be the ones feeling the pain when it bursts.
graceblakeley.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 AM
I’m not worried that the AI bubble will herald the end of capitalism as we know it - or even the end of the AI boom.
I'm worried that it will result in a massive upwards transfer of wealth - and further endanger our democracies in the process.
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/the-ai-cir...
I'm worried that it will result in a massive upwards transfer of wealth - and further endanger our democracies in the process.
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/the-ai-cir...
Gosh. Story has gone from 0 to 60 in the UK. Is leading BBC News this morning.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 18, 2025 at 10:32 PM
The sort of adolescent thinking reported here is difficult to take seriously - but we should! jacobin.com/2025/11/musk...
Tech Capitalists Don’t Care About Humans. Literally.
It’s not just a figure of speech to say tech titans are indifferent to humanity. From Peter Thiel to Elon Musk, many are adherents of a worldview that envisions humans being replaced by digital post-h...
jacobin.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:11 PM
The sort of adolescent thinking reported here is difficult to take seriously - but we should! jacobin.com/2025/11/musk...
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
Reminder - Deadline for the petition is 30th December 2025
Also, don't forget to check your Junk/Spam folder for the confirmation mail from the Government; otherwise, your signature won't be counted.
Also, don't forget to check your Junk/Spam folder for the confirmation mail from the Government; otherwise, your signature won't be counted.
November 7, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Reminder - Deadline for the petition is 30th December 2025
Also, don't forget to check your Junk/Spam folder for the confirmation mail from the Government; otherwise, your signature won't be counted.
Also, don't forget to check your Junk/Spam folder for the confirmation mail from the Government; otherwise, your signature won't be counted.
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
URGENT: 6 WEEKS LEFT - We're 743 signatures away from forcing a Government response
The UK Government is rolling out freeports and free zones nationwide with billions in taxpayer money, yet operates with an alarming lack of transparency. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
The UK Government is rolling out freeports and free zones nationwide with billions in taxpayer money, yet operates with an alarming lack of transparency. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
Petition: Transparency and Review of the free zones and ports impacts
To ensure full transparency by releasing data on governance, funding, and operations of free zones. Plus a public review to assess impacts, such as job displacement and value for taxpayers money
petition.parliament.uk
November 4, 2025 at 10:14 AM
URGENT: 6 WEEKS LEFT - We're 743 signatures away from forcing a Government response
The UK Government is rolling out freeports and free zones nationwide with billions in taxpayer money, yet operates with an alarming lack of transparency. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
The UK Government is rolling out freeports and free zones nationwide with billions in taxpayer money, yet operates with an alarming lack of transparency. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
Ask your family and friends if they’ve heard of Freeports, Special Economic Zones, or AI Growth Zones. Most will look at you like you have two heads.
That should worry you.
Please support my research❤️Thank you!
open.substack.com/pub/european...
That should worry you.
Please support my research❤️Thank you!
open.substack.com/pub/european...
Please Support My Research Into the Global Rollout of Free Zones
What Are Free Zones—And Why Hasn’t Anyone Told You About Them?
open.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Ask your family and friends if they’ve heard of Freeports, Special Economic Zones, or AI Growth Zones. Most will look at you like you have two heads.
That should worry you.
Please support my research❤️Thank you!
open.substack.com/pub/european...
That should worry you.
Please support my research❤️Thank you!
open.substack.com/pub/european...
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
Asylum seekers, housed in hotels in Manchester, are reaching out in their own words to address the concerns of the local community.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
October 27, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Asylum seekers, housed in hotels in Manchester, are reaching out in their own words to address the concerns of the local community.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
Reposted by Richard N Griffiths
The EU Prohibition: Why Rejoin is Impossible
From the EU Commission on State Aid:
"Parliament stresses that State aid should support ecological transformation and foster the development of services, knowledge, and infrastructure rather than providing support to specific companies."
1/5
From the EU Commission on State Aid:
"Parliament stresses that State aid should support ecological transformation and foster the development of services, knowledge, and infrastructure rather than providing support to specific companies."
1/5
October 18, 2025 at 12:59 PM
The EU Prohibition: Why Rejoin is Impossible
From the EU Commission on State Aid:
"Parliament stresses that State aid should support ecological transformation and foster the development of services, knowledge, and infrastructure rather than providing support to specific companies."
1/5
From the EU Commission on State Aid:
"Parliament stresses that State aid should support ecological transformation and foster the development of services, knowledge, and infrastructure rather than providing support to specific companies."
1/5