Simon Duffy
@simonduffy.bsky.social
Philosopher and social activist with interest in self-directed support, basic income, neighbourhood democracy, neighbourhood care and anything else that helps create a world where everyone matters (and chippy Northerner). https://citizen-network.org
Pinned
Simon Duffy
@simonduffy.bsky.social
· Sep 15
Today is International Democracy Day - and we need a real democracy more than ever.
Today @citizennetwork.bsky.social @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social @compassoffice.bsky.social @henrytam.bsky.social shared our 8 step plan for rebuilding a renewed UK democracy.
citizen-network.org/library/demo...
Today @citizennetwork.bsky.social @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social @compassoffice.bsky.social @henrytam.bsky.social shared our 8 step plan for rebuilding a renewed UK democracy.
citizen-network.org/library/demo...
As @scottsantens.com observes it is frustrating that people, many of whom claim allegiance to the values of liberalism or conservatism, seem to abandon their own principles when it comes to making policy for those they believe ‘beneath’ them.
It is the same for personal budgets and disabled people.
It is the same for personal budgets and disabled people.
Spoiler: They used the money just as wisely as anyone else would, and it's so frustrating that this still isn't a common sense assumption to make.
December 30, 2025 at 6:54 PM
As @scottsantens.com observes it is frustrating that people, many of whom claim allegiance to the values of liberalism or conservatism, seem to abandon their own principles when it comes to making policy for those they believe ‘beneath’ them.
It is the same for personal budgets and disabled people.
It is the same for personal budgets and disabled people.
Reposted by Simon Duffy
Appropriated from the pagan feast of Saturnalia the original 12 day holiday fell inevitability to 3.
Like David Graeber explained...work began to be seen as good in and of itself.
Like David Graeber explained...work began to be seen as good in and of itself.
December 28, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Appropriated from the pagan feast of Saturnalia the original 12 day holiday fell inevitability to 3.
Like David Graeber explained...work began to be seen as good in and of itself.
Like David Graeber explained...work began to be seen as good in and of itself.
Reposted by Simon Duffy
"The question is whether political leaders are brave enough to speak the truth?
Immigration is good for this country and that we have a clear, moral responsibility to protect those failed by global injustice and political neglect."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Immigration is good for this country and that we have a clear, moral responsibility to protect those failed by global injustice and political neglect."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Calais exposes our moral failure on migration. We can and...
A visit to the French town’s makeshift migrant encampments made it clear that we need a new vision for the new year
observer.co.uk
December 26, 2025 at 11:15 AM
"The question is whether political leaders are brave enough to speak the truth?
Immigration is good for this country and that we have a clear, moral responsibility to protect those failed by global injustice and political neglect."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Immigration is good for this country and that we have a clear, moral responsibility to protect those failed by global injustice and political neglect."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Simon Duffy
Loudly singing through winter, the robin is a festive favourite. Both genders have the iconic red breast, singing to defend territories. In folklore, a kind robin fans the fire for Mary, catching an ember that turns its chest red. This bright bird symbolizes winter and Christmas. 🎄🐦 📸 Edwyn Anderton
December 24, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Loudly singing through winter, the robin is a festive favourite. Both genders have the iconic red breast, singing to defend territories. In folklore, a kind robin fans the fire for Mary, catching an ember that turns its chest red. This bright bird symbolizes winter and Christmas. 🎄🐦 📸 Edwyn Anderton
Reposted by Simon Duffy
Supermarkets - the problem at the heart of our broken food system
#Farming #Food #FoodSecurity #PublicHealth #Agroecology
#Farming #Food #FoodSecurity #PublicHealth #Agroecology
December 21, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Supermarkets - the problem at the heart of our broken food system
#Farming #Food #FoodSecurity #PublicHealth #Agroecology
#Farming #Food #FoodSecurity #PublicHealth #Agroecology
Reposted by Simon Duffy
This is another reason for universal basic income.
This is another reason for universal basic income.
This is another reason for universal basic income.
This is another reason for universal basic income.
This is another reason for universal basic income.
You do not know if someone is able-bodied by looking at them.
You do not know if someone is able-bodied by looking at them.
You do not know if someone is able-bodied by looking at them.
You do not know if someone is able-bodied by looking at them.
You do not know if someone is able-bodied by looking at them.
Travelers bemoan a rise of able-bodied passengers who game the system to skip the lines. on.wsj.com/3N6apva
December 19, 2025 at 3:23 AM
This is another reason for universal basic income.
This is another reason for universal basic income.
This is another reason for universal basic income.
This is another reason for universal basic income.
This is another reason for universal basic income.
Reposted by Simon Duffy
This is why people say our economy is rigged. Watch.
December 19, 2025 at 6:31 PM
This is why people say our economy is rigged. Watch.
Reposted by Simon Duffy
With a group of individuals, we have people.
With people who cooperate & support each other, we have citizens.
Explore the opportunities for cooperation with Citizen Network: citizen-network.org/news/what-do... @simonduffy.bsky.social
With people who cooperate & support each other, we have citizens.
Explore the opportunities for cooperation with Citizen Network: citizen-network.org/news/what-do... @simonduffy.bsky.social
What does Citizen Network believe?
The Citizenship Manifesto was published in Bratislava on 7th October.
citizen-network.org
December 18, 2025 at 1:22 PM
With a group of individuals, we have people.
With people who cooperate & support each other, we have citizens.
Explore the opportunities for cooperation with Citizen Network: citizen-network.org/news/what-do... @simonduffy.bsky.social
With people who cooperate & support each other, we have citizens.
Explore the opportunities for cooperation with Citizen Network: citizen-network.org/news/what-do... @simonduffy.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Duffy
Foreign influence on UK politics - let's think about US cash, as well as Russian and Chinese
December 16, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Foreign influence on UK politics - let's think about US cash, as well as Russian and Chinese
Reposted by Simon Duffy
More than 50 MPs and Peers have joined me in urging David Lammy to immediately meet with the lawyers of those on hunger strike.
The government needs to wake up, take responsibility, and show some humanity before it is too late.
The government needs to wake up, take responsibility, and show some humanity before it is too late.
December 16, 2025 at 12:05 PM
More than 50 MPs and Peers have joined me in urging David Lammy to immediately meet with the lawyers of those on hunger strike.
The government needs to wake up, take responsibility, and show some humanity before it is too late.
The government needs to wake up, take responsibility, and show some humanity before it is too late.
Reposted by Simon Duffy
Friends! I have one more story about heat pumps to share with you in 2025.
It's a biggie! About some real biggies!
Behold: the biggest heat pumps in the world
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's a biggie! About some real biggies!
Behold: the biggest heat pumps in the world
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The giant heat pumps designed to warm whole districts
Across Europe huge heat pumps are being installed that can heat tens of thousands of homes.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Friends! I have one more story about heat pumps to share with you in 2025.
It's a biggie! About some real biggies!
Behold: the biggest heat pumps in the world
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's a biggie! About some real biggies!
Behold: the biggest heat pumps in the world
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
@birg84.bsky.social cool handle choice from the oldest basic income organisation in the world - give us a Follow. @scottsantens.com @ubilabnetwork.bsky.social @plancommonsense.bsky.social @basicincomeearth.bsky.social @weareopus.bsky.social @compassoffice.bsky.social @citizennetwork.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 10:08 PM
@birg84.bsky.social cool handle choice from the oldest basic income organisation in the world - give us a Follow. @scottsantens.com @ubilabnetwork.bsky.social @plancommonsense.bsky.social @basicincomeearth.bsky.social @weareopus.bsky.social @compassoffice.bsky.social @citizennetwork.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Duffy
Lovely stat!
“Dutch people cycle an average of 2.6km each per day. If this pattern was replicated worldwide, annual carbon emissions would drop by 686 million tonnes.
This mammoth figure exceeds the entire carbon footprint of most countries, including the UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Australia.” @euronews.com
This mammoth figure exceeds the entire carbon footprint of most countries, including the UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Australia.” @euronews.com
Cycling like the Dutch would slash the world’s carbon footprint
If everybody cycled like the Dutch, we could offset the UK or Australia’s entire carbon footprint.
www.euronews.com
December 14, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Lovely stat!
Reposted by Simon Duffy
The world's richest 0.001% now control 3x as much wealth as the entire bottom half of humanity combined.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
Just 0.001% hold three times the wealth of poorest half of humanity, report finds
Data from World Inequality Report also showed top 10% of income-earners earn more than the other 90%
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The world's richest 0.001% now control 3x as much wealth as the entire bottom half of humanity combined.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
56,000 wealthy individuals have more than roughly 4 billion people.
Read that back.
Reposted by Simon Duffy
Basic income puts the choice in your hands.
It's leverage on your end.
It's the power to say no.
It's full freedom.
It's leverage on your end.
It's the power to say no.
It's full freedom.
December 11, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Basic income puts the choice in your hands.
It's leverage on your end.
It's the power to say no.
It's full freedom.
It's leverage on your end.
It's the power to say no.
It's full freedom.
Reposted by Simon Duffy
ICYMI — “I identified myself as a U.S. citizen and a veteran, but that didn't matter. ICE Agents smashed my window, sprayed tear gas and pepper spray into my car, dragged me out… this experience violated the very principles I fought to defend.”
December 11, 2025 at 4:16 AM
ICYMI — “I identified myself as a U.S. citizen and a veteran, but that didn't matter. ICE Agents smashed my window, sprayed tear gas and pepper spray into my car, dragged me out… this experience violated the very principles I fought to defend.”
Reposted by Simon Duffy
"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed."
-Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953
-Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953
December 11, 2025 at 5:01 PM
"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed."
-Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953
-Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953
Reposted by Simon Duffy
"Region imported 438,000 tons of pesticides and herbicides in 2020, two-thirds more than in 2018. More than half of such chemicals used in Nigeria are highly hazardous, at least 40% of those can’t be sold in Europe"
#Pesticide colonialism
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
#Pesticide colonialism
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Europe’s Banned Pesticides Are Poisoning Nigeria
Chemicals barred by the EU are widely available across Africa, threatening food and water supplies.
www.bloomberg.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:34 PM
"Region imported 438,000 tons of pesticides and herbicides in 2020, two-thirds more than in 2018. More than half of such chemicals used in Nigeria are highly hazardous, at least 40% of those can’t be sold in Europe"
#Pesticide colonialism
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
#Pesticide colonialism
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Simon Duffy
One more account of horror from Sudan. But world must not look away: so many more are in danger
news.sky.com/story/63-chi...
news.sky.com/story/63-chi...
63 children killed in attacks on Sudan kindergarten and hospital, WHO says
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) also said today it had taken control of the strategic Heglig oilfield.
news.sky.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:59 PM
One more account of horror from Sudan. But world must not look away: so many more are in danger
news.sky.com/story/63-chi...
news.sky.com/story/63-chi...
Reposted by Simon Duffy
Oligarchy (noun):
A government of and by a few at the top, who exercise power for their own benefit. Their power and wealth increase as they make laws that favor themselves, manipulate financial markets, and create monopolies that put more wealth into their pockets.
A government of and by a few at the top, who exercise power for their own benefit. Their power and wealth increase as they make laws that favor themselves, manipulate financial markets, and create monopolies that put more wealth into their pockets.
December 8, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Oligarchy (noun):
A government of and by a few at the top, who exercise power for their own benefit. Their power and wealth increase as they make laws that favor themselves, manipulate financial markets, and create monopolies that put more wealth into their pockets.
A government of and by a few at the top, who exercise power for their own benefit. Their power and wealth increase as they make laws that favor themselves, manipulate financial markets, and create monopolies that put more wealth into their pockets.
Reposted by Simon Duffy
They're using the confinement box, one of the most horrific methods of CIA torture in the post-9/11 black sites, against migrants now. This is the direct result of the lack of consequences for the architects of the torture program. Either there will be criminal penalties for this or it will expand.
Torture Techniques from CIA Black Sites Were Used at Alligator Alcatraz
Amnesty International, interviewing migrant detainees, identifies use of the confinement box. There can be no denying it is a torture prison
www.forever-wars.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:40 PM
They're using the confinement box, one of the most horrific methods of CIA torture in the post-9/11 black sites, against migrants now. This is the direct result of the lack of consequences for the architects of the torture program. Either there will be criminal penalties for this or it will expand.
Reposted by Simon Duffy
Reposted by Simon Duffy
A few words on Anarchism,
From David Graeber's 'Are You An Anarchist? The Answer May Surprise You!'
davidgraeber.org/articles/are...
From David Graeber's 'Are You An Anarchist? The Answer May Surprise You!'
davidgraeber.org/articles/are...
December 7, 2025 at 3:06 PM
A few words on Anarchism,
From David Graeber's 'Are You An Anarchist? The Answer May Surprise You!'
davidgraeber.org/articles/are...
From David Graeber's 'Are You An Anarchist? The Answer May Surprise You!'
davidgraeber.org/articles/are...
Reposted by Simon Duffy
Know your rights. Protect your neighbors.
New York is — and always will be — a city for all immigrants.
New York is — and always will be — a city for all immigrants.
December 7, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Know your rights. Protect your neighbors.
New York is — and always will be — a city for all immigrants.
New York is — and always will be — a city for all immigrants.
It strikes me that in terms of global political order the classic 3 choices stand before us:
Monarchy - the US empire seeks to advance global wellbeing
Democracy - countries respect the UN and International Law
Oligarchy - the BRICS nations build a new world order
Which seems more likely?
Monarchy - the US empire seeks to advance global wellbeing
Democracy - countries respect the UN and International Law
Oligarchy - the BRICS nations build a new world order
Which seems more likely?
a picture of the earth from space with a hurricane in the distance
ALT: a picture of the earth from space with a hurricane in the distance
media.tenor.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:41 PM
It strikes me that in terms of global political order the classic 3 choices stand before us:
Monarchy - the US empire seeks to advance global wellbeing
Democracy - countries respect the UN and International Law
Oligarchy - the BRICS nations build a new world order
Which seems more likely?
Monarchy - the US empire seeks to advance global wellbeing
Democracy - countries respect the UN and International Law
Oligarchy - the BRICS nations build a new world order
Which seems more likely?