Dr Simon Ubsdell
@simonubsdell.bsky.social
Still raging about the abject moral abomination of Brexitism. Things I rage about less: Herodotus/5thc Athens, mograph/VFX, music.
LLMs simply have no idea what's going on in the world right now but they are utterly confident that they are more on top of things that you are.
They are literally and definitionally ”stuck in the past”.
open.substack.com/pub/garymarc...
They are literally and definitionally ”stuck in the past”.
open.substack.com/pub/garymarc...
Why ChatGPT can’t be trusted with breaking news
A new case in point
open.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 5:48 PM
LLMs simply have no idea what's going on in the world right now but they are utterly confident that they are more on top of things that you are.
They are literally and definitionally ”stuck in the past”.
open.substack.com/pub/garymarc...
They are literally and definitionally ”stuck in the past”.
open.substack.com/pub/garymarc...
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
This makes my lawyer brain hurt.
How does launching air strikes and a commando raid fall under the remit of self defense for an arrest operation
January 3, 2026 at 1:25 PM
This makes my lawyer brain hurt.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
French Foreign Ministry: “The removal of Maduro from power and the violation of sovereignty constitute a serious act of aggression against the dignity of the Venezuelan people and their right to determine their own future.
January 3, 2026 at 3:02 PM
French Foreign Ministry: “The removal of Maduro from power and the violation of sovereignty constitute a serious act of aggression against the dignity of the Venezuelan people and their right to determine their own future.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
My heart ❤️ is broken for the people of Ukraine 🇺🇦
And I have nothing but disgust for those who try to portray these families as warmongers and Putin as a man of peace.
And I have nothing but disgust for those who try to portray these families as warmongers and Putin as a man of peace.
Under the rubble in Kharkiv, where a Russian missile struck, the body of a 3-year-old boy was found. His name was Maksym.
Mayor Terekhov reported that the child’s mother is considered missing, as she was with him at the time. She is still being searched for.
Mayor Terekhov reported that the child’s mother is considered missing, as she was with him at the time. She is still being searched for.
January 3, 2026 at 5:02 AM
My heart ❤️ is broken for the people of Ukraine 🇺🇦
And I have nothing but disgust for those who try to portray these families as warmongers and Putin as a man of peace.
And I have nothing but disgust for those who try to portray these families as warmongers and Putin as a man of peace.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
🔥 This is huge 🔥
NEW YouGov poll: British are now MORE pro-EU than France or Italy.
👉 50% would vote to be in the EU
👉 Only 31% want to stay out
👉 Strip away don’t knows 👉62–38 in favour of EU membership.
🔥 Brexit is no more and Parliament must catch up!
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
NEW YouGov poll: British are now MORE pro-EU than France or Italy.
👉 50% would vote to be in the EU
👉 Only 31% want to stay out
👉 Strip away don’t knows 👉62–38 in favour of EU membership.
🔥 Brexit is no more and Parliament must catch up!
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
British voters want to be part of EU more than French and Italians, poll reveals
Exclusive: Campaigners said Labour had to ‘catch up with public opinion’ as PM faces calls for closer ties to the EU after Brexit
www.independent.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 8:27 AM
🔥 This is huge 🔥
NEW YouGov poll: British are now MORE pro-EU than France or Italy.
👉 50% would vote to be in the EU
👉 Only 31% want to stay out
👉 Strip away don’t knows 👉62–38 in favour of EU membership.
🔥 Brexit is no more and Parliament must catch up!
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
NEW YouGov poll: British are now MORE pro-EU than France or Italy.
👉 50% would vote to be in the EU
👉 Only 31% want to stay out
👉 Strip away don’t knows 👉62–38 in favour of EU membership.
🔥 Brexit is no more and Parliament must catch up!
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Major airport suspends
'disaster' post-Brexit checks as Britons face six-hour delays
Travellers report 'horrific' queues due to EES checks in Spain, with Portugal postponing the system after severe delays at Lisbon
inews.co.uk/news/airport...
'disaster' post-Brexit checks as Britons face six-hour delays
Travellers report 'horrific' queues due to EES checks in Spain, with Portugal postponing the system after severe delays at Lisbon
inews.co.uk/news/airport...
Major airport suspends ‘disaster’ post-Brexit checks as Britons face six-hour delays
Travellers report ‘horrific’ queues due to EES checks in Spain, with Portugal postponing the system after severe delays at Lisbon
inews.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 7:44 AM
Major airport suspends
'disaster' post-Brexit checks as Britons face six-hour delays
Travellers report 'horrific' queues due to EES checks in Spain, with Portugal postponing the system after severe delays at Lisbon
inews.co.uk/news/airport...
'disaster' post-Brexit checks as Britons face six-hour delays
Travellers report 'horrific' queues due to EES checks in Spain, with Portugal postponing the system after severe delays at Lisbon
inews.co.uk/news/airport...
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
BREAKING: Venezuela’s government has accused the US of launching attacks on civilian and military installations across several states, rejecting what it described as a "military aggression," according to an official statement.
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/p3fqh2
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/p3fqh2
January 3, 2026 at 7:56 AM
BREAKING: Venezuela’s government has accused the US of launching attacks on civilian and military installations across several states, rejecting what it described as a "military aggression," according to an official statement.
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/p3fqh2
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/p3fqh2
The candidates who would be better Chairs of Ofcom outnumber the current Chair of Ofcom by 20 million to one.
In case you’re feeling a bit tasty, recruitment is open for the new Chair of Ofcom apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/8842
Appointment details – Ofcom - Chair – Apply for a public appointment – GOV.UK
apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk
January 2, 2026 at 7:51 PM
The candidates who would be better Chairs of Ofcom outnumber the current Chair of Ofcom by 20 million to one.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
I mean, what did you expect an AI run by and for a misogynistic racist psychopath would do?
January 2, 2026 at 7:46 PM
I mean, what did you expect an AI run by and for a misogynistic racist psychopath would do?
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Mamdani: "While only action can change minds, I promise you this: If you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor. Regardless of whether we agree I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn along side you, and not for a second hide from you."
January 1, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Mamdani: "While only action can change minds, I promise you this: If you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor. Regardless of whether we agree I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn along side you, and not for a second hide from you."
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
This thread by Rob Ford is well worth perusing
If you are a Starmerite you might want to read it and have a better understanding why some of us are quite critical of this Labour Administration
From our knowledge and experience we can see very clear fault lines in the approach being taken
If you are a Starmerite you might want to read it and have a better understanding why some of us are quite critical of this Labour Administration
From our knowledge and experience we can see very clear fault lines in the approach being taken
This is what Brendan Nyhan has called the “Green Lantern” theory of government- the idea that leaders, like the DC comic book heroes, can in fact do anything if they try hard enough so any failure is a failure of will rather than due to complexity/institutional constraints/competing interest etc
Its also a perpetual fantasy that you are one Superman away from fixing everyone, and invariably they are that Superman - which just totally fails to understand how complex governing and government is.
January 2, 2026 at 10:53 AM
This thread by Rob Ford is well worth perusing
If you are a Starmerite you might want to read it and have a better understanding why some of us are quite critical of this Labour Administration
From our knowledge and experience we can see very clear fault lines in the approach being taken
If you are a Starmerite you might want to read it and have a better understanding why some of us are quite critical of this Labour Administration
From our knowledge and experience we can see very clear fault lines in the approach being taken
Does he really not know or is he pretending not to know?
And if he is pretending what can we infer from the charade?
And if he is pretending what can we infer from the charade?
But can anyone tell me what this bit means? “For too long, those fluent in the good grammar of civility have deployed decorum to mask agendas of cruelty.”
January 2, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Does he really not know or is he pretending not to know?
And if he is pretending what can we infer from the charade?
And if he is pretending what can we infer from the charade?
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Farage confirms he’s glad his (schoolboy) racism has been exposed, that he’s enjoying the electoral kickback it’s given him amongst his racist supporters and expresses absolutely no shame or guilt about it at all.
Racist man. Racist party. Racist voters.
(iPaper)
Racist man. Racist party. Racist voters.
(iPaper)
January 2, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Farage confirms he’s glad his (schoolboy) racism has been exposed, that he’s enjoying the electoral kickback it’s given him amongst his racist supporters and expresses absolutely no shame or guilt about it at all.
Racist man. Racist party. Racist voters.
(iPaper)
Racist man. Racist party. Racist voters.
(iPaper)
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Mamdani: I have been told that this is the occasion to reset expectations, that I should use this opportunity to encourage the people of New York to ask for little and expect even less. I will do no such thing. The only expectation I seek to reset is that of small expectations.
January 1, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Mamdani: I have been told that this is the occasion to reset expectations, that I should use this opportunity to encourage the people of New York to ask for little and expect even less. I will do no such thing. The only expectation I seek to reset is that of small expectations.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Anyone in the West who thinks that pressuring Ukraine into an unfavourable “peace deal” will draw a line under the war is in for a nasty surprise.
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Anyone in the West who thinks that pressuring Ukraine into an unfavourable “peace deal” will draw a line under the war is in for a nasty surprise.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Ugh ffs. I mean yes. I agree. But ffs. They’re responsible for infantilising the electorate. Feeding them shit and then putting on their innocent faces at the inevitable horrorshow this creates.
Just look at the state of us coming up to 10 yrs post Brexit. It’s embarrassing.
Just look at the state of us coming up to 10 yrs post Brexit. It’s embarrassing.
January 1, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Ugh ffs. I mean yes. I agree. But ffs. They’re responsible for infantilising the electorate. Feeding them shit and then putting on their innocent faces at the inevitable horrorshow this creates.
Just look at the state of us coming up to 10 yrs post Brexit. It’s embarrassing.
Just look at the state of us coming up to 10 yrs post Brexit. It’s embarrassing.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
"An aide to Farage when he was an MEP, tells Crick that his boss hated policy meetings. “He was totally out of his bloody depth. Intelligent people – he was scared of them. He has an inferiority complex about education and highly qualified people.”
www.theguardian.com/books/2022/f....
www.theguardian.com/books/2022/f....
One Party After Another: The Disruptive Life of Nigel Farage review – the man who broke Britain
Michael Crick’s gripping and vivid study of Mr Brexit is full of revelatory stories, but pulls its punches at the end
www.theguardian.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:47 PM
"An aide to Farage when he was an MEP, tells Crick that his boss hated policy meetings. “He was totally out of his bloody depth. Intelligent people – he was scared of them. He has an inferiority complex about education and highly qualified people.”
www.theguardian.com/books/2022/f....
www.theguardian.com/books/2022/f....
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
No kidding. Farage has got bitter inadequacy written all over him. Which is why it’s deeply irresponsible that our media avoids challenging him. He can’t cope with it.
Anyone wanting the kind of power he’s grubbing for, needs to be able to withstand scrutiny. Not have a massive strop and huff off.
Anyone wanting the kind of power he’s grubbing for, needs to be able to withstand scrutiny. Not have a massive strop and huff off.
January 1, 2026 at 7:03 PM
No kidding. Farage has got bitter inadequacy written all over him. Which is why it’s deeply irresponsible that our media avoids challenging him. He can’t cope with it.
Anyone wanting the kind of power he’s grubbing for, needs to be able to withstand scrutiny. Not have a massive strop and huff off.
Anyone wanting the kind of power he’s grubbing for, needs to be able to withstand scrutiny. Not have a massive strop and huff off.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
Ladies and gentlemen, the brilliant mind who’s been called the “philosopher behind JD Vance”
January 1, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, the brilliant mind who’s been called the “philosopher behind JD Vance”
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
‘Their first instinct was to loot’: how Trump’s acolytes are plundering the Kennedy Center
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
‘Their first instinct was to loot’: how Trump’s acolytes are plundering the Kennedy Center
Sheldon Whitehouse, an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board, remains undeterred and determined to press on with his investigation
www.theguardian.com
January 1, 2026 at 4:36 PM
‘Their first instinct was to loot’: how Trump’s acolytes are plundering the Kennedy Center
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
unvarnished gutter racism and Nazism from the president. a disgrace to our country.
December 31, 2025 at 4:32 PM
unvarnished gutter racism and Nazism from the president. a disgrace to our country.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
🚨 “Can I tell you how many times in the last 45 years the European Court of Human Rights has ruled against the UK when it comes to deporting people from this country - only 13 times - in 45 years”
Please remember this in 2026 when Nigel Farage tells you we must leave the ECHR to control our borders
Please remember this in 2026 when Nigel Farage tells you we must leave the ECHR to control our borders
Human rights are universal - politicians may not always find them politically convenient but it shouldn’t fall to any government to say who those rights should & should not apply to. Because none of us then has rights, just privileges that can be taken away by those in power
youtu.be/bl0Lm7v_T18?...
youtu.be/bl0Lm7v_T18?...
The government won’t achieve ‘decency’ over ‘division’ by trying to be Reform Lite
YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 5:52 PM
🚨 “Can I tell you how many times in the last 45 years the European Court of Human Rights has ruled against the UK when it comes to deporting people from this country - only 13 times - in 45 years”
Please remember this in 2026 when Nigel Farage tells you we must leave the ECHR to control our borders
Please remember this in 2026 when Nigel Farage tells you we must leave the ECHR to control our borders
Magnificent madness.
The Telegraph's big book of woke things reaches Zulu (1964)
December 31, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Magnificent madness.
Reposted by Dr Simon Ubsdell
This is entirely on Keir Starmer and UKG.
This deal could have been done in early 2025.
It didn't happen because Labour:
-Kept demanding special treatment
-Failed to communicate positively about 🇪🇺 to public
-Hated letting 🇪🇺 youth come to the UK
1
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
This deal could have been done in early 2025.
It didn't happen because Labour:
-Kept demanding special treatment
-Failed to communicate positively about 🇪🇺 to public
-Hated letting 🇪🇺 youth come to the UK
1
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Delay to post-Brexit deal costs UK £100m a week, analysis shows
Labour government hits out at critics, denouncing it as a ‘shame’ that they are not supporting its progress in forging closer ties with the EU
www.independent.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 9:10 AM
This is entirely on Keir Starmer and UKG.
This deal could have been done in early 2025.
It didn't happen because Labour:
-Kept demanding special treatment
-Failed to communicate positively about 🇪🇺 to public
-Hated letting 🇪🇺 youth come to the UK
1
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
This deal could have been done in early 2025.
It didn't happen because Labour:
-Kept demanding special treatment
-Failed to communicate positively about 🇪🇺 to public
-Hated letting 🇪🇺 youth come to the UK
1
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...