William Cullerne Bown
@williamcb.bsky.social
Technology and politics.
Newsletter https://bit.ly/3AELZDu
Foundations of AI https://bit.ly/3WiYJab
Law https://bit.ly/40YL1fU
Research Fortnight https://bit.ly/4i0
https://signal.me/#eu/xNzjw2P7XIGjBfdQicHbMp0V5SuVpgCQOeUZNpDRqH-mkt2Tan9G6Y0ZitEKsVkN
Newsletter https://bit.ly/3AELZDu
Foundations of AI https://bit.ly/3WiYJab
Law https://bit.ly/40YL1fU
Research Fortnight https://bit.ly/4i0
https://signal.me/#eu/xNzjw2P7XIGjBfdQicHbMp0V5SuVpgCQOeUZNpDRqH-mkt2Tan9G6Y0ZitEKsVkN
Pinned
Trump, Starmer and the populist tide
Old concepts such as left vs right, trust and class aren't enough to explain the trouble we're in
open.substack.com
Today I argue Keir Starmer can only be understood in the context of deep shifts in the character of our politics that are still hard to grasp
open.substack.com/pub/williamc...
open.substack.com/pub/williamc...
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
A really thoughtful piece from Adam Briggle on how STS ideas help us think about care for trans people issues.org/scientific-n...
The Heart Is Not Neutral
The debate over gender-affirming health care shows why the pursuit of “scientific neutrality” often fails to bring about social consensus.
issues.org
December 26, 2025 at 5:34 PM
A really thoughtful piece from Adam Briggle on how STS ideas help us think about care for trans people issues.org/scientific-n...
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
"Greedy sociopaths" - sounds like it, yeah www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
UK campaigner targeted by Trump accuses tech giants of ‘sociopathic greed’
Exclusive: Imran Ahmed says US companies are ‘corrupting the system’ of politics by seeking to avoid accountability
www.theguardian.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:35 PM
"Greedy sociopaths" - sounds like it, yeah www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
"tell me we didn't just fire a dozen $500,000 missiles at a $200 camel"
"sir, no evidence of any camel present, sir!"
"sir, no evidence of any camel present, sir!"
December 26, 2025 at 7:17 PM
"tell me we didn't just fire a dozen $500,000 missiles at a $200 camel"
"sir, no evidence of any camel present, sir!"
"sir, no evidence of any camel present, sir!"
Interesting technological line of attack here for countries wanting to respond to Trump’s tariffs. I would be interested to see a fuller run-down of non tit-for-tat options, everything from selling Treasuries up.
Just wow. @pluralistic.net.web.brid.gy came out swinging in this article. He's right though and that's the coolest part.
December 26, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Interesting technological line of attack here for countries wanting to respond to Trump’s tariffs. I would be interested to see a fuller run-down of non tit-for-tat options, everything from selling Treasuries up.
The argumentativeness of this thread points up an important problem for me. Everyone involved is anti-Trump and sees him as a threat to democracy. And yet we are stuck at the stage of discussing him, and Musk etc, rather than having an agreed sense of how we come together to oppose him.
The replies to this post really illustrate how unpleasant this place is for someone who doesn’t toe the party line.
It’s happened to me a number of times on different issues in response to mild posts.
Maybe if you want to contribute to moving the conversation here from X, don’t do this.
It’s happened to me a number of times on different issues in response to mild posts.
Maybe if you want to contribute to moving the conversation here from X, don’t do this.
I saw someone ask why anyone would still use X when Bluesky is available.
I think the explanation is:
1 Experience on a platform depends far more on who you interact with there than on the platform overall.
2 The experience you get on academic adjacent Bluesky is not a good fit for everyone.
I think the explanation is:
1 Experience on a platform depends far more on who you interact with there than on the platform overall.
2 The experience you get on academic adjacent Bluesky is not a good fit for everyone.
December 26, 2025 at 12:28 PM
The argumentativeness of this thread points up an important problem for me. Everyone involved is anti-Trump and sees him as a threat to democracy. And yet we are stuck at the stage of discussing him, and Musk etc, rather than having an agreed sense of how we come together to oppose him.
This topic really needs more discussion.
I never had the RW turning on the King on my bingo card. There again Charles has alway had ideas about climate change and regeneration and that must seem quite threatening. Wonder whether William is any less progressive than his father on these issues?
December 26, 2025 at 11:27 AM
This topic really needs more discussion.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
I never had the RW turning on the King on my bingo card. There again Charles has alway had ideas about climate change and regeneration and that must seem quite threatening. Wonder whether William is any less progressive than his father on these issues?
December 26, 2025 at 10:11 AM
I never had the RW turning on the King on my bingo card. There again Charles has alway had ideas about climate change and regeneration and that must seem quite threatening. Wonder whether William is any less progressive than his father on these issues?
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
NATO fighter jets were scrambled after Putin ordered Tu-95MS strategic bombers on a Christmas sortie toward northern Britain, according to the Mirror. The aircraft flew over the Norwegian Sea, prompting an air policing response amid concerns over a deliberate show of force near UK airspace.
December 25, 2025 at 3:27 PM
NATO fighter jets were scrambled after Putin ordered Tu-95MS strategic bombers on a Christmas sortie toward northern Britain, according to the Mirror. The aircraft flew over the Norwegian Sea, prompting an air policing response amid concerns over a deliberate show of force near UK airspace.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
“Advisers advise, minsters decide.” That was Margaret Thatcher’s view. The fact that Trump now wants to control advice of any kind, including from British NGOs, is what makes the new right different from the old. For the new authoritarians, Thatcher was just too, well, laissez faire.
December 24, 2025 at 11:50 AM
“Advisers advise, minsters decide.” That was Margaret Thatcher’s view. The fact that Trump now wants to control advice of any kind, including from British NGOs, is what makes the new right different from the old. For the new authoritarians, Thatcher was just too, well, laissez faire.
The attitude of Labour MPs to X reported here favours tactics over strategy.
Use of X legitimises its algorithm and the extreme right voices it promotes. Stop using it and every constituent gets the message that it is 1-sided.
To reach constituents, use Facebook. Or BlueSky. Or anything else.
Use of X legitimises its algorithm and the extreme right voices it promotes. Stop using it and every constituent gets the message that it is 1-sided.
To reach constituents, use Facebook. Or BlueSky. Or anything else.
‘A stream of negativity and abuse’: why are Labour MPs still sticking with X?
Despite concerns, politicians continue to use Elon Musk’s platform in search of a ‘civilised debate’ with constituents
giftarticle.ft.com
December 25, 2025 at 6:52 PM
The attitude of Labour MPs to X reported here favours tactics over strategy.
Use of X legitimises its algorithm and the extreme right voices it promotes. Stop using it and every constituent gets the message that it is 1-sided.
To reach constituents, use Facebook. Or BlueSky. Or anything else.
Use of X legitimises its algorithm and the extreme right voices it promotes. Stop using it and every constituent gets the message that it is 1-sided.
To reach constituents, use Facebook. Or BlueSky. Or anything else.
Unity in diversity
Ukrainian choir
It couldn’t be any clearer. Charles is sending a message across the Atlantic.
Ukrainian choir
It couldn’t be any clearer. Charles is sending a message across the Atlantic.
king charles 🤝 @zackpolanski.bsky.social
being kind to migrants
being kind to migrants
Britain's King Charles lauds unity in diversity in his Christmas message reut.rs/3L2dhsw
December 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Unity in diversity
Ukrainian choir
It couldn’t be any clearer. Charles is sending a message across the Atlantic.
Ukrainian choir
It couldn’t be any clearer. Charles is sending a message across the Atlantic.
Santa is on BlueSky.
I'm 50 years old, enjoy the gym, eat healthily and look after myself. A week ago I tripped over an uneven paving slab, fell forward and landed heavily jarring my shoulder that still hurts now. First time I've felt old.
December 25, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Santa is on BlueSky.
Honestly, if the bullet I have to take to bring American Big Tech to heel is a US visa ban, just tell me where to sign.
It’s the truth!
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, and the European Union have accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the US imposed a visa ban on five prominent European figures who have been at heart of the campaign to introduce laws regulating American tech giants.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, and the European Union have accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the US imposed a visa ban on five prominent European figures who have been at heart of the campaign to introduce laws regulating American tech giants.
Macron and EU condemn US visa bans as row over ‘censorship’ escalates
Washington accused of ‘coercion and intimidation’ after five Europeans behind campaign to regulate US tech giants targeted
www.theguardian.com
December 25, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Honestly, if the bullet I have to take to bring American Big Tech to heel is a US visa ban, just tell me where to sign.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
If you look deeper into the departments the rot started much earlier depending on who was in charge. May’s own grammar schools schtick was the most anti-evidence ‘I feel it therefore it must be’ nonsense I’d seen in over a decade (then) in the field.
December 24, 2025 at 3:06 PM
If you look deeper into the departments the rot started much earlier depending on who was in charge. May’s own grammar schools schtick was the most anti-evidence ‘I feel it therefore it must be’ nonsense I’d seen in over a decade (then) in the field.
Honestly feel the role of the CIA now is under-discussed.
This is going to end with Ed Davey on the run from a CIA hit squad
Former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton has been sanctioned by the United States for threatening Twitter with consequences for possible inaction on removal of illegal content and disinformation requirements. #Image(s) #EuropeanUnion
https://i.redd.it/eir5vtgu019g1.png
https://i.redd.it/eir5vtgu019g1.png
December 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Honestly feel the role of the CIA now is under-discussed.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Anyone who thinks Trump is any less of a dictator than Maduro has been asleep for the last 11 months.
December 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Anyone who thinks Trump is any less of a dictator than Maduro has been asleep for the last 11 months.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
When it was clear that Bush II lied about why the U.S. invaded Iraq, he said it was the right thing to do anyway because the dictator was toppled. Trump is setting up the same scenario in Venezuela: Pretend it's about drugs when it's about oil and conquest, then brag about overthrowing a dictator.
U.S. Is Adding to Its Military Buildup in the Caribbean
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
When it was clear that Bush II lied about why the U.S. invaded Iraq, he said it was the right thing to do anyway because the dictator was toppled. Trump is setting up the same scenario in Venezuela: Pretend it's about drugs when it's about oil and conquest, then brag about overthrowing a dictator.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
This so true, but the act of writing crap in the first place is what made the not-crap work
December 24, 2025 at 3:53 AM
This so true, but the act of writing crap in the first place is what made the not-crap work
The correct response to a powerful state seeking to undermine the democracies from the inside, now as in the 30s.
Popular fronts, re-armament, and an anti-fascist military and diplomatic alliance encompassing as many states as possible
December 24, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The correct response to a powerful state seeking to undermine the democracies from the inside, now as in the 30s.
“Advisers advise, minsters decide.” That was Margaret Thatcher’s view. The fact that Trump now wants to control advice of any kind, including from British NGOs, is what makes the new right different from the old. For the new authoritarians, Thatcher was just too, well, laissez faire.
December 24, 2025 at 11:50 AM
“Advisers advise, minsters decide.” That was Margaret Thatcher’s view. The fact that Trump now wants to control advice of any kind, including from British NGOs, is what makes the new right different from the old. For the new authoritarians, Thatcher was just too, well, laissez faire.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
If what we know is this bad, can you imagine what we don’t?
December 22, 2025 at 3:33 AM
If what we know is this bad, can you imagine what we don’t?
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
to Bari (verb): To attempt to bury a damaging political story—only to amplify it massively by drawing attention to the act of censorship itself.
Example:
“They tried to Bari the segment, but it got Streisanded and everyone watched it twice.”
Example:
“They tried to Bari the segment, but it got Streisanded and everyone watched it twice.”
December 23, 2025 at 11:40 AM
to Bari (verb): To attempt to bury a damaging political story—only to amplify it massively by drawing attention to the act of censorship itself.
Example:
“They tried to Bari the segment, but it got Streisanded and everyone watched it twice.”
Example:
“They tried to Bari the segment, but it got Streisanded and everyone watched it twice.”
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
The implosion of the Heritage Foundation is a sign that Trump-curious legal conservatives have lost faith in Donald Trump and sense his demise, and will taken by courts as a signal to resist more.
December 23, 2025 at 9:42 PM
The implosion of the Heritage Foundation is a sign that Trump-curious legal conservatives have lost faith in Donald Trump and sense his demise, and will taken by courts as a signal to resist more.
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
"The Donald J Trump Sewage Outflow Pipe".
December 22, 2025 at 11:09 PM
"The Donald J Trump Sewage Outflow Pipe".
Reposted by William Cullerne Bown
Just thinking how the story fits the government perfectly. Cabinet Minister says something slightly different to the Prime Minister which is made out to be a big deal even though the idea is in effect undeliverable.
December 22, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Just thinking how the story fits the government perfectly. Cabinet Minister says something slightly different to the Prime Minister which is made out to be a big deal even though the idea is in effect undeliverable.