Simon Harries
@simonharries.bsky.social
Born in Africa, Cambridge history graduate, life largely spent as writer on complex technologies and their impact on society. Strong supporter of Somaliland recognition, former Lib Dem councillor and constant writer of probably unpublishable fiction
Judging by experience of other societies, I think there is a tendency for many people in most places to consider themselves if not superior then at least the benchmark by which others must be judged.
The English are not unique in this but they are resented by their neighbours more than most. Irish-
The English are not unique in this but they are resented by their neighbours more than most. Irish-
For "mutual respect" to happen,the English (many/most of them ofc,not all) would first have to learn to consider other peoples (w/ an s) as equal & themselves not superior to "others".After ca. 30y living here, and in particular after the last 10 yrs,this is not going to happen in the next 10 years.
November 22, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Judging by experience of other societies, I think there is a tendency for many people in most places to consider themselves if not superior then at least the benchmark by which others must be judged.
The English are not unique in this but they are resented by their neighbours more than most. Irish-
The English are not unique in this but they are resented by their neighbours more than most. Irish-
I expect this in the next 10 years. Once we have two neighbours linked by mutual respect, we might have the friendly, positive and creative relationship we all long for.
The final step in this process? A united Ireland, firstly, allowing a "normal" post-postcolonial economy, among many other things.
A UK inside the European single market, and trade resuming.
And warm relations between Ireland and the UK again.
16
A UK inside the European single market, and trade resuming.
And warm relations between Ireland and the UK again.
16
November 22, 2025 at 12:10 AM
I expect this in the next 10 years. Once we have two neighbours linked by mutual respect, we might have the friendly, positive and creative relationship we all long for.
Good politicians know how to put bad journalists in their place- without descending to Trump levels.
Who the f%*k is Chris Mason? Just watched his dreadful interview with Starmer. Who the hell does this weaselly third rate journalist think he is, presuming to grotesquely insult and trivialize the British PM? Starmer may have some challenges, but he shd not have to put up with this uninformed crap!
November 22, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Good politicians know how to put bad journalists in their place- without descending to Trump levels.
Strongly agree. That picture of the NATO leaders sitting like naughty schoolchildren while teacher harangues them? It chills my blood to think of it.
I understand the need to be realistic about who has power but the point comes when you have to stand up and take responsibility. Now would be good.
I understand the need to be realistic about who has power but the point comes when you have to stand up and take responsibility. Now would be good.
Completely agree.
The fates of Ukraine and Europe are linked.
European security system will be destroyed without Ukraine.
The fates of Ukraine and Europe are linked.
European security system will be destroyed without Ukraine.
November 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Strongly agree. That picture of the NATO leaders sitting like naughty schoolchildren while teacher harangues them? It chills my blood to think of it.
I understand the need to be realistic about who has power but the point comes when you have to stand up and take responsibility. Now would be good.
I understand the need to be realistic about who has power but the point comes when you have to stand up and take responsibility. Now would be good.
We will have to quarantine the US, won't we? If they won't vaccinate?
This does feel like a major crossing of the Rubicon – the world's best-funded and in many ways most powerful public health agency is now actively pushing disinformation.
I know there's a *lot* going on to care about at the moment, but this one really is significant, and matters well beyond the US.
I know there's a *lot* going on to care about at the moment, but this one really is significant, and matters well beyond the US.
The CDC website now disseminates disinformation about vaccines, claiming erroneously that infant vaccines might cause autism, when we know conclusively that they do not. It is difficult to overstate just how dangerous this is. www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
November 20, 2025 at 2:32 PM
We will have to quarantine the US, won't we? If they won't vaccinate?
Reposted by Simon Harries
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:27 AM
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
Could not bear to watch as I thought disappointment certain. Bad decision by me. So happy for Steve Clarke- one of the best in the game.
The BBC Scotland commentary for Kenny McLean’s halfway line goal is glorious. Stuff of dreams. 🔥
Congratulations #Scotland, see you at the World Cup.
Congratulations #Scotland, see you at the World Cup.
November 18, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Could not bear to watch as I thought disappointment certain. Bad decision by me. So happy for Steve Clarke- one of the best in the game.
Hail Cthulu! At last the end times are here!
This mural has gone up in Kingston, ostensibly for Christmas but AI has ensured it's actually to celebrate the return of our dark lord Cthulhu
November 18, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Hail Cthulu! At last the end times are here!
Reposted by Simon Harries
The Danish Social Democrats are currently on course for their worst election result since at least the Second World War, despite their brand of far-right accommodationism being touted as a blueprint for other centre-left parties.
November 18, 2025 at 11:58 AM
The Danish Social Democrats are currently on course for their worst election result since at least the Second World War, despite their brand of far-right accommodationism being touted as a blueprint for other centre-left parties.
Sorry but who are these people? Any of them? Literally no clue.
this is so embarrassing I feel physically uncomfortable
Uh. I don't think that Nuzzi piece is "ironic" guys
November 16, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Sorry but who are these people? Any of them? Literally no clue.
This is not just cruel but makes no practical sense. The Kuensberg question is fair and the answer is as close to insane denial as anything I've heard this year. It won't/can't work. It is simply crazy. Forget the morality of it- this creates continuous anxiety and conflict that cannot be resolved.
“Is it possible that you could have a life here, a job here, maybe kids going to school, a family here, then after 19 years if your country is then considered safe you get booted out and sent home?”
November 16, 2025 at 9:59 AM
This is not just cruel but makes no practical sense. The Kuensberg question is fair and the answer is as close to insane denial as anything I've heard this year. It won't/can't work. It is simply crazy. Forget the morality of it- this creates continuous anxiety and conflict that cannot be resolved.
To see a female, Muslim politician talking like this? Reminds me of when another Muslim Home Secretary illegally made Shamima Begum stateless- just to show the child of immigrants can be as cruel as anyone.
Political death and moral disgrace.
Political death and moral disgrace.
Shabana Mahmood on the BBC this morning talking about desperate people fleeing war and persecution as being given a "golden ticket" and "handouts" and saying she's got a "moral mission" to take them away from them
Indistinguishable from the rhetoric of Reform www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/shabana-ma...
Indistinguishable from the rhetoric of Reform www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/shabana-ma...
Shabana Mahmood and the Politics of Extortion
Labour's strategy of telling its supporters to back Reform-style policies, or get a Reform Government, is the politics of the protection racket and it is not going to work
www.adambienkov.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 9:55 AM
To see a female, Muslim politician talking like this? Reminds me of when another Muslim Home Secretary illegally made Shamima Begum stateless- just to show the child of immigrants can be as cruel as anyone.
Political death and moral disgrace.
Political death and moral disgrace.
No. The case will not go ahead in London. If he sues in Florida, the BBC can say they have no presence there so the court has no jurisdiction.
Also, they can ask for the Epstein files. Why? Because his case hinges on whether the programme damaged his reputation. Let's examine his reputation, then.
Also, they can ask for the Epstein files. Why? Because his case hinges on whether the programme damaged his reputation. Let's examine his reputation, then.
Must we pay off the criminal in the White House? The most corrupt US president in history can still force the BBC to give him our money.
Piece from me on Trump’s shakedown of British taxpayers
Piece from me on Trump’s shakedown of British taxpayers
Must we pay off the criminal in the White House?
Trump and the BBC: A question of malice
open.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:35 PM
No. The case will not go ahead in London. If he sues in Florida, the BBC can say they have no presence there so the court has no jurisdiction.
Also, they can ask for the Epstein files. Why? Because his case hinges on whether the programme damaged his reputation. Let's examine his reputation, then.
Also, they can ask for the Epstein files. Why? Because his case hinges on whether the programme damaged his reputation. Let's examine his reputation, then.
As a Brit I sometimes feel that people in the EU are enjoying kicking the Brits a bit more than is good for any of us.
BUT-
Right now, we are outside the club. We must decide if we want to be back inside. If so, we must accept the current rules. Once inside, we can contribute to and influence-
BUT-
Right now, we are outside the club. We must decide if we want to be back inside. If so, we must accept the current rules. Once inside, we can contribute to and influence-
I must say I’ve been watching David become more and more British exceptionalist lately. Unwilling to acknowledge that Britain is the supplicant, that it is not a country to be trusted, and that the EU doesn’t need us more than we need them.
November 12, 2025 at 7:25 PM
As a Brit I sometimes feel that people in the EU are enjoying kicking the Brits a bit more than is good for any of us.
BUT-
Right now, we are outside the club. We must decide if we want to be back inside. If so, we must accept the current rules. Once inside, we can contribute to and influence-
BUT-
Right now, we are outside the club. We must decide if we want to be back inside. If so, we must accept the current rules. Once inside, we can contribute to and influence-
This is true but- as someone now working on risk mitigation for EU companies working in China, I have to say this is a lesson the EU has not yet learned itself. They are facing the same problems vs US/China as the UK is vs the EU.
I don't mind the mockery but be careful of hubris, eh?
I don't mind the mockery but be careful of hubris, eh?
As I’ve said before, the Labour govt seems to think nice words and feelz after Tory arrogance will do the job. It fails to see that quitting the EU’s supranational structures exposes it to the cut and thrust of international relations, where leverage and power imbalances are ruthlessly deployed.
November 11, 2025 at 7:45 PM
This is true but- as someone now working on risk mitigation for EU companies working in China, I have to say this is a lesson the EU has not yet learned itself. They are facing the same problems vs US/China as the UK is vs the EU.
I don't mind the mockery but be careful of hubris, eh?
I don't mind the mockery but be careful of hubris, eh?
No, also the man. He it was who refused to allow the BBC to become a propaganda vehicle in the Falklands war, when the news regularly said: according to the British... And then According to Argentina... Driving Thatcher to paroxysms (allegedly)
It's in the top five names of British 20th century politics. Which is a high bar when you consider all the Bunnies.
Let us just take a moment to celebrate the name "Marmaduke Hussey". Not the man; just the name.
November 10, 2025 at 10:05 PM
No, also the man. He it was who refused to allow the BBC to become a propaganda vehicle in the Falklands war, when the news regularly said: according to the British... And then According to Argentina... Driving Thatcher to paroxysms (allegedly)
Michael's less famous brother(?- or was it cousin?)- he did exist though- I remember him. I am that old.
Dingle Foot?!
Personal favourites:
* Smedley Crooke, MP for Birmingham Deritend
* Seymour Cocks, MP for Broxtowe
* Waldron Smithers, MP for Chislehurst
* Dingle Foot, MP for Dundee and Ipswich
* Bartle Bull, MP for Enfield
* Isidore Salmon, MP for Harrow
* Smedley Crooke, MP for Birmingham Deritend
* Seymour Cocks, MP for Broxtowe
* Waldron Smithers, MP for Chislehurst
* Dingle Foot, MP for Dundee and Ipswich
* Bartle Bull, MP for Enfield
* Isidore Salmon, MP for Harrow
November 10, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Michael's less famous brother(?- or was it cousin?)- he did exist though- I remember him. I am that old.
I feel the same way. I come from an army background with 5 representatives in my immediate family who served throughout the war (and one who was an Old Contemptible).
I never thought about it- of course I wore a poppy. Now I cross the road to avoid the British Legion and will stay indoors on Sunday.
I never thought about it- of course I wore a poppy. Now I cross the road to avoid the British Legion and will stay indoors on Sunday.
‘The poppy has been hijacked by the far-right. I can no longer wear it’
I’ve always worn a poppy to commemorate my family who fought and died defending democracy against Nazism. Not anymore now Nazis claim the symbol
My column in @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
I’ve always worn a poppy to commemorate my family who fought and died defending democracy against Nazism. Not anymore now Nazis claim the symbol
My column in @heraldscotland.bsky.social
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
'The poppy has been hijacked – why I won’t wear it'
As Remembrance Day approaches, Neil Mackay reflects on a lifelong ritual disrupted by the far-right’s hijacking of the poppy — and the moral…
www.heraldscotland.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:34 AM
I feel the same way. I come from an army background with 5 representatives in my immediate family who served throughout the war (and one who was an Old Contemptible).
I never thought about it- of course I wore a poppy. Now I cross the road to avoid the British Legion and will stay indoors on Sunday.
I never thought about it- of course I wore a poppy. Now I cross the road to avoid the British Legion and will stay indoors on Sunday.
This article is well worth reading: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... It was hard to figure out what happened here but the sequence appears to be:
1. Abuse.
2. Suspected perpetrators arrested.
3. Backlash from the right, saying the abuse never happened.
4. Head of legal releases video of abuse to-
1. Abuse.
2. Suspected perpetrators arrested.
3. Backlash from the right, saying the abuse never happened.
4. Head of legal releases video of abuse to-
Israeli military's ex-top lawyer arrested as scandal over video leak deepens
Maj Gen Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned on Friday, admitting leaking a video allegedly showing abuse of a Palestinian detainee.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 3:19 PM
This article is well worth reading: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... It was hard to figure out what happened here but the sequence appears to be:
1. Abuse.
2. Suspected perpetrators arrested.
3. Backlash from the right, saying the abuse never happened.
4. Head of legal releases video of abuse to-
1. Abuse.
2. Suspected perpetrators arrested.
3. Backlash from the right, saying the abuse never happened.
4. Head of legal releases video of abuse to-
When you abuse a giant, you reveal to the world just how small you are.
A great man and wonderful artist? I don't think Prof Soyinka needs the US half as much as the US needs him.
A great man and wonderful artist? I don't think Prof Soyinka needs the US half as much as the US needs him.
Wow... clearly a joke too
The US has revoked the visa of a Nobel Prize winner in literature after the author called President Trump "Idi Amin in whiteface." Nigerian Wole Soyinka, 91, said the US consulate told him to bring in his passport so it could be canceled in person. www.bbc.com/news/article...
October 29, 2025 at 2:24 PM
When you abuse a giant, you reveal to the world just how small you are.
A great man and wonderful artist? I don't think Prof Soyinka needs the US half as much as the US needs him.
A great man and wonderful artist? I don't think Prof Soyinka needs the US half as much as the US needs him.
Read the work of Ismael Kadare, notably the Palace of Dreams. It's all in there.
Also Rama is a noted practical joker but you can't say that to his face as he is 6ft 8 and powerful.
Also Rama is a noted practical joker but you can't say that to his face as he is 6ft 8 and powerful.
October 28, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Read the work of Ismael Kadare, notably the Palace of Dreams. It's all in there.
Also Rama is a noted practical joker but you can't say that to his face as he is 6ft 8 and powerful.
Also Rama is a noted practical joker but you can't say that to his face as he is 6ft 8 and powerful.
Am posting in this all the time on Linked In. AI as theology, eschatology, metaphysical speculation? AI as satan in the Book of Job, always whispering lies into your helpless ears? AI as the most political issue of all (what to do with surplus people)? No end to it, No End. Sense? In short supply.
I cannot tell you how many tech journalists at prominent media organizations do not understand this
Chatbots — LLMs — do not know facts and are not designed to be able to accurately answer factual questions. They are designed to find and mimic patterns of words, probabilistically. When they’re “right” it’s because correct things are often written down, so those patterns are frequent. That’s all.
October 27, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Am posting in this all the time on Linked In. AI as theology, eschatology, metaphysical speculation? AI as satan in the Book of Job, always whispering lies into your helpless ears? AI as the most political issue of all (what to do with surplus people)? No end to it, No End. Sense? In short supply.
It has been Lib Dem policy since forever and still is. Happy to stay with the original Liberal, Democratic, European, Internationalist, Pro-Fairness, Environmental party.
The original and still the best (and most trustworthy).
The original and still the best (and most trustworthy).
See how easy that is...
Greens : "We're going to rejoin the EU"
Me : "Ok, you have my vote".
Greens : "We're going to rejoin the EU"
Me : "Ok, you have my vote".
Mehdi Hasan, "Is rejoining the EU a Green Party aim"
Zack Polanski, "Yes it is"
And just like that, the Green Party have leapfrogged the LibDems
Zack Polanski, "Yes it is"
And just like that, the Green Party have leapfrogged the LibDems
October 25, 2025 at 4:43 PM
It has been Lib Dem policy since forever and still is. Happy to stay with the original Liberal, Democratic, European, Internationalist, Pro-Fairness, Environmental party.
The original and still the best (and most trustworthy).
The original and still the best (and most trustworthy).
One caveat. I don't think Farage wants to DO anything. The disaster would be to have actual power.
Trump is a mafioso whose MO is to cause chaos, then shake people down.
Farage is one of his faithful followers, making money from the scraps Trump leaves.
Scare people- make them pay. That's the idea.
Trump is a mafioso whose MO is to cause chaos, then shake people down.
Farage is one of his faithful followers, making money from the scraps Trump leaves.
Scare people- make them pay. That's the idea.
There is ample room to indicate support for the purpose of Trump's ICE insanity without cheering the needless, obscene, performative cruelty of its implementation.
He's simply choosing not to use that room because he likes the cruelty, and wants to replicate it on British streets.
He's simply choosing not to use that room because he likes the cruelty, and wants to replicate it on British streets.
October 25, 2025 at 10:31 AM
One caveat. I don't think Farage wants to DO anything. The disaster would be to have actual power.
Trump is a mafioso whose MO is to cause chaos, then shake people down.
Farage is one of his faithful followers, making money from the scraps Trump leaves.
Scare people- make them pay. That's the idea.
Trump is a mafioso whose MO is to cause chaos, then shake people down.
Farage is one of his faithful followers, making money from the scraps Trump leaves.
Scare people- make them pay. That's the idea.
Scone. But is there good jam? And is there cream for the pie? I mean, you cast a vote, making a difficult decision and then- three kinds of treat? Another terrible choice to be made? Oh the humanity! Are you allowed just a taste of all three?
In America, I hear the trumps want lines of cocaine laid out at polling booths - before people vote - at the next elections.
The home of the O'Donovan family is being used as a polling station in Coolmoyne, Co Tipperary. Around 250 people are eligible to vote at the house and after they cast their ballot, they will be treated to a cup of tea, a slice of apple or rhubarb tart, or a scone | More: rte.ie/b/1540324
October 24, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Scone. But is there good jam? And is there cream for the pie? I mean, you cast a vote, making a difficult decision and then- three kinds of treat? Another terrible choice to be made? Oh the humanity! Are you allowed just a taste of all three?