Steve Parks
@steveparks.me
Geeking out about writing, entrepreneurship, journalism, food, tech — or ideally a combination.
European, living/writing in France & running a business in UK.
https://www.steveparks.me
European, living/writing in France & running a business in UK.
https://www.steveparks.me
Pinned
Steve Parks
@steveparks.me
· May 7
I'm working on a Digital Detox.
It's a process of reviewing online services I use to prune out those with bad business practices, or who fund/support fascism and hate.
In this thread I'll collate my blog posts in which I document my findings.
Hopefully it can be useful to you too.
#DigitalDetox
It's a process of reviewing online services I use to prune out those with bad business practices, or who fund/support fascism and hate.
In this thread I'll collate my blog posts in which I document my findings.
Hopefully it can be useful to you too.
#DigitalDetox
So, we've had Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Now for the modern tradition of Inboxing Day. Gather round as a family, with phone or laptop, for the festive admin of unsubscribing from mass emails sent by all the online stores we bought one present from who now think we're best buddies.
Now for the modern tradition of Inboxing Day. Gather round as a family, with phone or laptop, for the festive admin of unsubscribing from mass emails sent by all the online stores we bought one present from who now think we're best buddies.
December 27, 2025 at 10:51 AM
So, we've had Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Now for the modern tradition of Inboxing Day. Gather round as a family, with phone or laptop, for the festive admin of unsubscribing from mass emails sent by all the online stores we bought one present from who now think we're best buddies.
Now for the modern tradition of Inboxing Day. Gather round as a family, with phone or laptop, for the festive admin of unsubscribing from mass emails sent by all the online stores we bought one present from who now think we're best buddies.
Again, a perfect example of why newsrooms should put these kinds of government announcements in their diary file, to follow up on anniversaries like this.
They gave the previous gov a tonne of Brexit-positive coverage for this announcement, so should also hold them to account for it.
They gave the previous gov a tonne of Brexit-positive coverage for this announcement, so should also hold them to account for it.
Happy second anniversary of the Tory government’s announcement that pints of wine could be stocked on Britain’s shelves for the first time ever thanks to Brexit.
December 27, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Again, a perfect example of why newsrooms should put these kinds of government announcements in their diary file, to follow up on anniversaries like this.
They gave the previous gov a tonne of Brexit-positive coverage for this announcement, so should also hold them to account for it.
They gave the previous gov a tonne of Brexit-positive coverage for this announcement, so should also hold them to account for it.
Reposted by Steve Parks
Fantastic!
Lovely to see international unity, such beautiful music, and a bit of joy.
Lovely to see international unity, such beautiful music, and a bit of joy.
The Embassy staff of Germany, France and the United Kingdom sing Schedryk in the Kyiv underground.
Wonderful!
Wonderful!
December 25, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Fantastic!
Lovely to see international unity, such beautiful music, and a bit of joy.
Lovely to see international unity, such beautiful music, and a bit of joy.
Merry Christmas everyone. Wishing you peace, love, and tasty dinners.
December 25, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Merry Christmas everyone. Wishing you peace, love, and tasty dinners.
Reposted by Steve Parks
it took me a minute to put together that she’s being homophobic, not making a genuinely helpful suggestion about birth control
December 23, 2025 at 10:59 PM
it took me a minute to put together that she’s being homophobic, not making a genuinely helpful suggestion about birth control
How are the GCHQ code breakers ever going to crack this one?
Email from "A" in "Balmoral" asked Ghislaine Maxwell for "inappropriate friends" 🤢
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c3...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c3...
Email by 'A' from 'Balmoral' asked Ghislaine Maxwell for 'inappropriate friends', Epstein files show - live updates
The emails do not indicate any wrongdoing. The BBC has contacted Mountbatten-Windsor's team for a response.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 1:57 PM
How are the GCHQ code breakers ever going to crack this one?
Heading to London with two Paddington bear fans, and it strikes me that the tourism options for very young kids are a bit crap. Ooh, walking tours, statues!
Or there’s a ridiculously expensive ‘experience’ which’d rack up £180 !!! (Which doesn’t even include a marmalade sandwich (£4.50pp extra) !)
Or there’s a ridiculously expensive ‘experience’ which’d rack up £180 !!! (Which doesn’t even include a marmalade sandwich (£4.50pp extra) !)
Paddington Bear things to do in London
Embark on a delightful Paddington Bear day out in London! Find locations from the Paddington Bear books and films with this family-friendly itinerary in London.
www.visitlondon.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Heading to London with two Paddington bear fans, and it strikes me that the tourism options for very young kids are a bit crap. Ooh, walking tours, statues!
Or there’s a ridiculously expensive ‘experience’ which’d rack up £180 !!! (Which doesn’t even include a marmalade sandwich (£4.50pp extra) !)
Or there’s a ridiculously expensive ‘experience’ which’d rack up £180 !!! (Which doesn’t even include a marmalade sandwich (£4.50pp extra) !)
Reposted by Steve Parks
Entertaining as this spat is, it contains not-a-flicker of recognition as to WHY this might be happening.
For 16 months, a tax-exile-oligarch-owned, mostly right-wing press, has abused the privilege of these exclusive private sessions, to misrepresent the gov't on every issue. This is the FO stage.
For 16 months, a tax-exile-oligarch-owned, mostly right-wing press, has abused the privilege of these exclusive private sessions, to misrepresent the gov't on every issue. This is the FO stage.
Broadcaster backs televised briefings shocker
See the Government followed @lewisgoodall.com advice.. 👍🏻
December 20, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Entertaining as this spat is, it contains not-a-flicker of recognition as to WHY this might be happening.
For 16 months, a tax-exile-oligarch-owned, mostly right-wing press, has abused the privilege of these exclusive private sessions, to misrepresent the gov't on every issue. This is the FO stage.
For 16 months, a tax-exile-oligarch-owned, mostly right-wing press, has abused the privilege of these exclusive private sessions, to misrepresent the gov't on every issue. This is the FO stage.
They do say it’s like passing a basketball, so…
From @theathletic.com: When Sydni Summers discovered she was almost six months pregnant, she thought her basketball career was over. Less than three months after giving birth, she'll make her debut playing for UNLV on Saturday. nyti.ms/4aYVqgy
December 20, 2025 at 3:55 PM
They do say it’s like passing a basketball, so…
That matches prior editorial decisions at The Sun.
Now, what similar conflicts of interest or corruption, led the Daily Mail editors to not run stories about Walliams over the same period?
Now, what similar conflicts of interest or corruption, led the Daily Mail editors to not run stories about Walliams over the same period?
On David Walliams: The Daily Mail reveals that “showbusiness reporters at The Sun were told to drop negative stories about Walliams because both that newspaper and HarperCollins are owned by Rupert Murdoch's NewsUK, even sharing offices near London Bridge.”
archive.ph/2025.12.20-0...
archive.ph/2025.12.20-0...
December 20, 2025 at 8:08 AM
That matches prior editorial decisions at The Sun.
Now, what similar conflicts of interest or corruption, led the Daily Mail editors to not run stories about Walliams over the same period?
Now, what similar conflicts of interest or corruption, led the Daily Mail editors to not run stories about Walliams over the same period?
Ok, so that’s the stress level forecast - how about the weather?
A change in time for Christmas! 🎄
Low pressure will gradually give way to high pressure as we move through next week ⤵️
Low pressure will gradually give way to high pressure as we move through next week ⤵️
December 19, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Ok, so that’s the stress level forecast - how about the weather?
Chris Morris’s new series is wild
Dr Oz: "The creation of a penis costs on average in America $150,000 per child ... if you add testicles, that's extra"
December 18, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Chris Morris’s new series is wild
This feels like the setup to a terrible accident
Trump Media, the parent company of Truth Social, agreed to merge with a nuclear fusion company in a deal worth $6 billion.
Truth Social Parent to Merge With Nuclear Fusion Firm in $6 Billion Deal
Trump Media & Technology Group, the social media and crypto company in which President Trump holds a large stake, said it would help develop a “utility-scale fusion power plant.”
nyti.ms
December 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM
This feels like the setup to a terrible accident
Reposted by Steve Parks
I used to work at a right-wing paper and something that concerns me is the decline in the quality of the actual reporting. It was always editorialised, sure, but there is a lot more “go and find stories to fit the line” now. The grounding in reality was always important as it tempered editorial
It’s exactly this kind of dismal, prejudiced bollox from the Daily Mail that’s got us into the ruinous Brexit mess we’re in. What a moronic response to us rejoining Erasmus and all the benefits that brings. If they’re really worried about cost, they should push to cancel Brexit altogether.
December 18, 2025 at 9:30 AM
I used to work at a right-wing paper and something that concerns me is the decline in the quality of the actual reporting. It was always editorialised, sure, but there is a lot more “go and find stories to fit the line” now. The grounding in reality was always important as it tempered editorial
Reposted by Steve Parks
❤️🎄🇵🇸
𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊: Buy “Lullaby” by Together for Palestine for £1.98 *right now* to make it the UK Christmas # 1. All profits go to Palestinian-led aid orgs. Together for Palestine are: Nai Barghouti, Brian Eno, Neneh Cherry, Celeste, Mabel & more. Please buy it & repost this! xx
linktr.ee/T4Plive
𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊: Buy “Lullaby” by Together for Palestine for £1.98 *right now* to make it the UK Christmas # 1. All profits go to Palestinian-led aid orgs. Together for Palestine are: Nai Barghouti, Brian Eno, Neneh Cherry, Celeste, Mabel & more. Please buy it & repost this! xx
linktr.ee/T4Plive
December 18, 2025 at 9:23 AM
❤️🎄🇵🇸
𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊: Buy “Lullaby” by Together for Palestine for £1.98 *right now* to make it the UK Christmas # 1. All profits go to Palestinian-led aid orgs. Together for Palestine are: Nai Barghouti, Brian Eno, Neneh Cherry, Celeste, Mabel & more. Please buy it & repost this! xx
linktr.ee/T4Plive
𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊: Buy “Lullaby” by Together for Palestine for £1.98 *right now* to make it the UK Christmas # 1. All profits go to Palestinian-led aid orgs. Together for Palestine are: Nai Barghouti, Brian Eno, Neneh Cherry, Celeste, Mabel & more. Please buy it & repost this! xx
linktr.ee/T4Plive
Reposted by Steve Parks
There is much to applaud in Labour's new inquiry into foreign interference in British politics
But it needs to go much further if it's to tackle how foreign influence really works - and properly protect British democracy
New by me on Democracy for Sale democracyforsale.substack.com/p/labours-fo...
But it needs to go much further if it's to tackle how foreign influence really works - and properly protect British democracy
New by me on Democracy for Sale democracyforsale.substack.com/p/labours-fo...
Labour’s foreign interference inquiry needs to go *much* further
Plus: Mark Galeotti on Russia’s foreign political influence, the war in Ukraine and how crime organises the world
democracyforsale.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:40 AM
There is much to applaud in Labour's new inquiry into foreign interference in British politics
But it needs to go much further if it's to tackle how foreign influence really works - and properly protect British democracy
New by me on Democracy for Sale democracyforsale.substack.com/p/labours-fo...
But it needs to go much further if it's to tackle how foreign influence really works - and properly protect British democracy
New by me on Democracy for Sale democracyforsale.substack.com/p/labours-fo...
Cruising on the motorway back to the UK for the festive season, with the radio on, and it brings to mind that classic Chris Rea song.
The Road To Hell
The Road To Hell
December 17, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Cruising on the motorway back to the UK for the festive season, with the radio on, and it brings to mind that classic Chris Rea song.
The Road To Hell
The Road To Hell
“We do not want to learn from times Russian interference was successful”
A welcome move but *not* including interference in Brexit referendum. Why not? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Minister orders probe into foreign financial interference in UK politics
Communities secretary says the country must learn lessons from the Nathan Gill bribery case.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 7:57 AM
“We do not want to learn from times Russian interference was successful”
Fantastic news!
I wish I had known about this when I was a student.
Such a great opportunity.
Well done to all who negotiated to bring it back after Brexiters binned it.
I wish I had known about this when I was a student.
Such a great opportunity.
Well done to all who negotiated to bring it back after Brexiters binned it.
December 16, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Fantastic news!
I wish I had known about this when I was a student.
Such a great opportunity.
Well done to all who negotiated to bring it back after Brexiters binned it.
I wish I had known about this when I was a student.
Such a great opportunity.
Well done to all who negotiated to bring it back after Brexiters binned it.
YES ! THIS !
Why are humans so so bad at acting on things we learn?
Why are humans so so bad at acting on things we learn?
@independentsage.bsky.social have consistently tried to counter the spread of infection and misinformation...great to work on this in @bmj.com with Steve Reicher (lead) and @martinmckee.bsky.social, we hope it's helpful...and thanks to
Jolie Neill for edits & guidance 🙏
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Jolie Neill for edits & guidance 🙏
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Vaccinate, isolate, ventilate: will we finally learn the lessons from covid this flu season?
With flu surging again, Stephen Reicher and colleagues draw on the experience of covid-19 to argue that predictable winter pressures demand more than individual responsibility, they also require syste...
www.bmj.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:41 PM
YES ! THIS !
Why are humans so so bad at acting on things we learn?
Why are humans so so bad at acting on things we learn?
The cycle of AI adoption:
1. Popular service announces amazing new AI tool, but is muddy on the details of what it will actually be useful for
2. Share price booms
3. User backlash
4. Company creates a setting to opt out
5. Everyone opts out
6. Company changes setting to make it harder
...
1. Popular service announces amazing new AI tool, but is muddy on the details of what it will actually be useful for
2. Share price booms
3. User backlash
4. Company creates a setting to opt out
5. Everyone opts out
6. Company changes setting to make it harder
...
December 16, 2025 at 7:59 PM
The cycle of AI adoption:
1. Popular service announces amazing new AI tool, but is muddy on the details of what it will actually be useful for
2. Share price booms
3. User backlash
4. Company creates a setting to opt out
5. Everyone opts out
6. Company changes setting to make it harder
...
1. Popular service announces amazing new AI tool, but is muddy on the details of what it will actually be useful for
2. Share price booms
3. User backlash
4. Company creates a setting to opt out
5. Everyone opts out
6. Company changes setting to make it harder
...
Reposted by Steve Parks
Interesting background on Paul Doyle, who drove his car into the Liverpool parade www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...
December 16, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Interesting background on Paul Doyle, who drove his car into the Liverpool parade www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...
Hey #Booksky, I'm looking for a holiday reading recommendation please...
- Crime (not too cosy)
- Main character not police or private eye
- Main character is working age
- Setting is part of the attraction
- Explores deeper themes
- Contemporary
- Great writing
Great example: Tuva Moodyson series
- Crime (not too cosy)
- Main character not police or private eye
- Main character is working age
- Setting is part of the attraction
- Explores deeper themes
- Contemporary
- Great writing
Great example: Tuva Moodyson series
December 16, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Hey #Booksky, I'm looking for a holiday reading recommendation please...
- Crime (not too cosy)
- Main character not police or private eye
- Main character is working age
- Setting is part of the attraction
- Explores deeper themes
- Contemporary
- Great writing
Great example: Tuva Moodyson series
- Crime (not too cosy)
- Main character not police or private eye
- Main character is working age
- Setting is part of the attraction
- Explores deeper themes
- Contemporary
- Great writing
Great example: Tuva Moodyson series