Michael Cholbi
@thatwhichischolbi.bsky.social
'No true Scotsman': US-ish philosopher HQ'd in Edinburgh. Death & dying, work & labor, Kantian ethics, paternalism, etc.. Unapologetic coffee snob. More at https://michael.cholbi.com/ and https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/michael-cholbi
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
Scrapping REF should be “serious’ option”, says Manchester VC.
Duncan Ivison questions “usefulness” of “massive, bureaucratic” research assessment exercise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Duncan Ivison questions “usefulness” of “massive, bureaucratic” research assessment exercise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Scrapping REF should be ‘serious’ option, says Manchester VC - Research Professional News
Duncan Ivison questions “usefulness” of “massive, bureaucratic” research assessment exercise
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Scrapping REF should be “serious’ option”, says Manchester VC.
Duncan Ivison questions “usefulness” of “massive, bureaucratic” research assessment exercise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Duncan Ivison questions “usefulness” of “massive, bureaucratic” research assessment exercise.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
Any time I look to see what the Labour government is up to in the UK it turns out to be things like making posters that Alfonso Cuarón put in the background of the long tracking shot that opens “Children of Men”.
February 8, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Any time I look to see what the Labour government is up to in the UK it turns out to be things like making posters that Alfonso Cuarón put in the background of the long tracking shot that opens “Children of Men”.
Feeling pretty badass today, truth be told: Finished second in my category in a 5K race, 21st overall! 🏃
February 7, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Feeling pretty badass today, truth be told: Finished second in my category in a 5K race, 21st overall! 🏃
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
The US immigrant population generated more in taxes than they received in benefits from all levels of government every year from 1994 to 2023.
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
February 3, 2026 at 5:27 PM
The US immigrant population generated more in taxes than they received in benefits from all levels of government every year from 1994 to 2023.
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
In 1977 NASA launched the Voyager spacecraft, including a CD with the song Johnny B. Goode, on a mission to study the solar system & beyond.
The extraterrestrials who open it will get another CD every month from Columbia House at full price and be hounded for life by intergalactic debt collectors.
The extraterrestrials who open it will get another CD every month from Columbia House at full price and be hounded for life by intergalactic debt collectors.
February 3, 2026 at 2:25 AM
In 1977 NASA launched the Voyager spacecraft, including a CD with the song Johnny B. Goode, on a mission to study the solar system & beyond.
The extraterrestrials who open it will get another CD every month from Columbia House at full price and be hounded for life by intergalactic debt collectors.
The extraterrestrials who open it will get another CD every month from Columbia House at full price and be hounded for life by intergalactic debt collectors.
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
holy shit
In an interview with NPR, Melinda French Gates confirmed that she ended her marriage with Bill Gates because of allegations contained in the Epstein files.
February 3, 2026 at 6:52 PM
holy shit
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
I want to laugh at it but sadly it’s true.
February 3, 2026 at 11:41 AM
I want to laugh at it but sadly it’s true.
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
Great review, including one of the best media corrections ever! www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ja...
February 2, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Great review, including one of the best media corrections ever! www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ja...
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
"This is, in many ways, the dynamic that defines reactionary centrism: the right must be understood, but never blamed. The left can be blamed, but need not be understood." - @polphilpod.bsky.social
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/709...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/709...
What is a reactionary centrist, and does the UK have them?
A term favoured by US progressives can help us understand Britain’s drift to the right
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 4:03 PM
"This is, in many ways, the dynamic that defines reactionary centrism: the right must be understood, but never blamed. The left can be blamed, but need not be understood." - @polphilpod.bsky.social
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/709...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/709...
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
Opposition to universal basic income from the left tends to lean on "Why include the rich and not just target the poor?" Here's a table I made to help understand. Means-testing means both false negative and false positive errors. Universality means no more false negative errors, which can be fatal.
January 31, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Opposition to universal basic income from the left tends to lean on "Why include the rich and not just target the poor?" Here's a table I made to help understand. Means-testing means both false negative and false positive errors. Universality means no more false negative errors, which can be fatal.
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
DOJ has since killed this link. This is what was there:
January 30, 2026 at 6:28 PM
DOJ has since killed this link. This is what was there:
Satanists attack atheist shrine! www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Edinburgh tomb of philosopher David Hume vandalised with ‘satanic’ symbols
Tour guide reports drawing of naked woman pointing knife at baby and coded writing at Old Calton burial ground
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Satanists attack atheist shrine! www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Fellini on fascism and 'adolescence'
January 30, 2026 at 8:52 AM
Fellini on fascism and 'adolescence'
My latest death, dying, and the emotions: We worry about 'dying alone' -- but we should probably be worried about dying *lonely* instead. Dementia will often mean dying lonely, but surprisingly, we don't have reason to fear dying lonely while demented philpapers.org/rec/CHODAD-4
January 29, 2026 at 1:48 PM
My latest death, dying, and the emotions: We worry about 'dying alone' -- but we should probably be worried about dying *lonely* instead. Dementia will often mean dying lonely, but surprisingly, we don't have reason to fear dying lonely while demented philpapers.org/rec/CHODAD-4
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
A federal judge, in a published order, so very much on the record:
“ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.”
“ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.”
wooooow
January 28, 2026 at 10:56 PM
A federal judge, in a published order, so very much on the record:
“ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.”
“ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.”
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
Incredible slate of presentations planned for our biennial conference in Tokyo! A teaser: animal grief, posthumous privacy, Beauvoir on dying, consenting to cryonics, deathbed regrets. Registration info here - deadline to register May 22. www.philosophyofdeath.org/sixth-bienni...
Sixth biennial conference, Tokyo - Philosophy of Death
IAPDD will be holding its sixth biennial conference June 9-11, 2026 at Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan. Program presenters and titles Kiki Berk, Resisting Death: Beauvoir’s Philosophy of Dying Adam Bu...
www.philosophyofdeath.org
January 28, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Incredible slate of presentations planned for our biennial conference in Tokyo! A teaser: animal grief, posthumous privacy, Beauvoir on dying, consenting to cryonics, deathbed regrets. Registration info here - deadline to register May 22. www.philosophyofdeath.org/sixth-bienni...
Amazon Web Services really cutting me down to size
January 28, 2026 at 8:19 AM
Amazon Web Services really cutting me down to size
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
If only university leaders worked as hard as the pub lobby: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Pubs to get support package after business rates backlash
Treasury Minister Dan Tomlinson says the three-year aid is worth £1,650 for the average pub in 2026/27.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 6:24 PM
If only university leaders worked as hard as the pub lobby: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
Three new king penguins have arrived at @edinburghzoo.bsky.social - Constance, Maude and Alma
January 27, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Three new king penguins have arrived at @edinburghzoo.bsky.social - Constance, Maude and Alma
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
Today, on Holocaust Memorial Day, we remember the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered in the Holocaust, and the millions of others killed under Nazi persecution.
We honour survivors and renew our commitment to a country where all can live, worship and gather in safety.
We honour survivors and renew our commitment to a country where all can live, worship and gather in safety.
January 27, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Today, on Holocaust Memorial Day, we remember the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered in the Holocaust, and the millions of others killed under Nazi persecution.
We honour survivors and renew our commitment to a country where all can live, worship and gather in safety.
We honour survivors and renew our commitment to a country where all can live, worship and gather in safety.
How Minneapolis gave the lie to MAGA assumptions about American virtue: "The secret fear of the morally depraved is that virtue is actually common, and that they’re the ones who are alone." archive.is/IE7Dv
archive.is
January 27, 2026 at 8:06 AM
How Minneapolis gave the lie to MAGA assumptions about American virtue: "The secret fear of the morally depraved is that virtue is actually common, and that they’re the ones who are alone." archive.is/IE7Dv
Reposted by Michael Cholbi
Protesters in Los Angeles projected an anti-ICE video onto the Twin Towers, an ICE-linked detention facility where the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department actively collaborates with ICE for deportation screenings.
January 25, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Protesters in Los Angeles projected an anti-ICE video onto the Twin Towers, an ICE-linked detention facility where the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department actively collaborates with ICE for deportation screenings.