William Simpson
@williamsimpson.bsky.social
Head of Content at Airship. We make podcasts like American Scandal and History Daily.
British but work with Americans so I've basically forgotten the way round dates go, which is unfortunate for someone writing about history all day.
British but work with Americans so I've basically forgotten the way round dates go, which is unfortunate for someone writing about history all day.
Reposted by William Simpson
If only someone had written a book about this www.panmacmillan.com/authors/agne...
November 14, 2025 at 9:49 AM
If only someone had written a book about this www.panmacmillan.com/authors/agne...
Increasingly clear the government has no idea what it wants to do and even less idea how to do it.
There really is no word that says "strategic clarity" more than "smorgasbord".
November 14, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Increasingly clear the government has no idea what it wants to do and even less idea how to do it.
It feels heroically naive to think that you can help foster an anti-immigrant environment as step one in a plan to introduce a more "sensible" position later.
And here’s what a source close to No10 had to say, arguing that the tough rhetoric on migration was about "earning permission to set out a sensible position" further down the line
November 13, 2025 at 3:26 PM
It feels heroically naive to think that you can help foster an anti-immigrant environment as step one in a plan to introduce a more "sensible" position later.
Kinda heart-breaking looking at this and comparing it to our miserable car-clogged streets. No real reason we couldn't have this in the UK, except that too few of our leaders at any level have the vision or bravery to champion it.
Bollards & one-way systems stop through traffic. Play signs tell drivers kids are in the street. Paving, build-outs & planting slow cars. People add benches, hang out, share drinks. The street becomes an extension of home - a social space, not a shortcut. This is what neighbourhoods should feel like
November 13, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Kinda heart-breaking looking at this and comparing it to our miserable car-clogged streets. No real reason we couldn't have this in the UK, except that too few of our leaders at any level have the vision or bravery to champion it.
Reposted by William Simpson
Noah Smith is paid in the high six-figures to write a blog read by Americans who believe themselves to be intelligent. Yet, he is both unable to read a sign and also for some reason chose to have a 90 minute layover for a flight that takes 90 minutes.
onemileatatime.com/news/economi...
onemileatatime.com/news/economi...
Economist Doesn't Follow Signs At Heathrow: Proof The UK Is Failing?
A economist had a bad experience connecting at Heathrow, suggesting it's reflective of bigger issues in the UK. There's only one issue...
onemileatatime.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Noah Smith is paid in the high six-figures to write a blog read by Americans who believe themselves to be intelligent. Yet, he is both unable to read a sign and also for some reason chose to have a 90 minute layover for a flight that takes 90 minutes.
onemileatatime.com/news/economi...
onemileatatime.com/news/economi...
A lot of people seem to say this guy is a breath of fresh air, but I don't know if supplementing the easy-answer simplism of the right with the easy-answer simplism of the left is a great improvement.
November 5, 2025 at 11:09 AM
A lot of people seem to say this guy is a breath of fresh air, but I don't know if supplementing the easy-answer simplism of the right with the easy-answer simplism of the left is a great improvement.
It's one of the unexpected "joys" of parenting. No more does "fall back" mean an extra hour in bed. It means the 2 year old is wide awake before 5 am and the day has *how* many hours left in it, you say?
Whoever came up with daylight savings time didn’t have small children did they 🙄
October 26, 2025 at 6:22 AM
It's one of the unexpected "joys" of parenting. No more does "fall back" mean an extra hour in bed. It means the 2 year old is wide awake before 5 am and the day has *how* many hours left in it, you say?
The ravens are leaving the Tower Ballroom
BREAKING - Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are to leave Strictly at the end of the current series.
October 23, 2025 at 9:27 AM
The ravens are leaving the Tower Ballroom
As far as I can tell, this policy would deport my Swedish wife (who has a well-paying job and pays thousands in tax each year, not that that should decide these things) because she "took" from society by going on maternity leave when our kids were born.
Tory policy is to revoke permanent residence (ILR) for everybody who does not earn £38k - deporting most nurses who have ILR
This is put in the video as "who is unlikely to contribute more than they cost"
NB: video does not say EU settled status is exempt
No govt since Idi Amin has done this
This is put in the video as "who is unlikely to contribute more than they cost"
NB: video does not say EU settled status is exempt
No govt since Idi Amin has done this
October 22, 2025 at 6:13 AM
As far as I can tell, this policy would deport my Swedish wife (who has a well-paying job and pays thousands in tax each year, not that that should decide these things) because she "took" from society by going on maternity leave when our kids were born.
It took them a day to come up with this tortured, insulting nonsense. I'm not sure which is more depressing - the thought that No. 10 really does hate immigrants as much as they imply, or whether they think the British public are just so awful they have to pretend.
“We welcome those who come to this country, legally, and give more than they take. We believe the right to stay here must not be automatic, but that those who play their part should be able to earn that right."
October 21, 2025 at 10:20 AM
It took them a day to come up with this tortured, insulting nonsense. I'm not sure which is more depressing - the thought that No. 10 really does hate immigrants as much as they imply, or whether they think the British public are just so awful they have to pretend.
Reposted by William Simpson
the Command & Conquer series is 30 years old today we so have an excuse to share this iconic moment with Tim Curry
September 26, 2025 at 5:05 PM
the Command & Conquer series is 30 years old today we so have an excuse to share this iconic moment with Tim Curry
Everyone, ever since the election
September 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Everyone, ever since the election
Reposted by William Simpson
Reposted by William Simpson
This remains one of my favourite anecdotes from the English Civil War.
July 30, 2025 at 9:44 AM
This remains one of my favourite anecdotes from the English Civil War.
Reposted by William Simpson
On the one hand, far fewer people are being killed. On the other, some people get to work two minutes later. So it's impossible to say whether it's good or not.
Journey times up, deaths down: Welsh 20mph speed limit still divisive two years on
Protests continue against default lower limit in urban areas that supporters say is working ‘exactly as intended’
www.theguardian.com
August 4, 2025 at 8:40 AM
On the one hand, far fewer people are being killed. On the other, some people get to work two minutes later. So it's impossible to say whether it's good or not.
Reposted by William Simpson
Just asked my eight year old daughter if she'd be inspired to play more football now, she looked at me witheringly and said no.
July 27, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Just asked my eight year old daughter if she'd be inspired to play more football now, she looked at me witheringly and said no.
Reposted by William Simpson
Not saying my 7yo son has been terminally tech-poisoned, but he's watching the English victory celebrations and has just said, in full seriousness, "look how many apps she has".
July 27, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Not saying my 7yo son has been terminally tech-poisoned, but he's watching the English victory celebrations and has just said, in full seriousness, "look how many apps she has".
Love a thread like this, so many recommendations to pick up!
Nearly summer holiday season so I’m once again on the market for reading recommendations. I’m partial to history (bigger the theme/book the better), thoughtful sci-fi (Iain M Banks, Neal Stephenson type stuff) politics (obvs) and generally good quality fiction/non-fiction. Any tips?
July 18, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Love a thread like this, so many recommendations to pick up!
This sorry makes me so angry and sad. He should face far longer in prison and never be allowed behind the wheel again. Sentences for driving offences in this country are an utter joke.
speeding uninsured driver kills a child crossing the road, gets 16 months(!) in prison and will be free to drive again within three years. there is simply no deterrent to doing whatever you want, killing whoever you want with a car
Cardiff driver jailed for 16 months for killing teenager
Christopher West hit Keely Morgan on 1 May 2023 and she died at the scene.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 17, 2025 at 5:42 PM
This sorry makes me so angry and sad. He should face far longer in prison and never be allowed behind the wheel again. Sentences for driving offences in this country are an utter joke.
This is insane. Who puts the space before the comma?
July 15, 2025 at 8:39 PM
This is insane. Who puts the space before the comma?
@samfr.bsky.social Another council in trouble. The usual mudslinging aside, the key sentence comes near the end: "CIPFA’s review highlights that spending on temporary accommodation, adult social care, and children’s services is driving the overspend." A familiar story...
“Work is already underway to respond to these findings. An Improvement Plan is being prepared, supported by external expertise..."
#Bedford #BedfordNews #CIPFA #Finances #Council #Budget #LocalGovernment #PublicSector
#Bedford #BedfordNews #CIPFA #Finances #Council #Budget #LocalGovernment #PublicSector
Exclusive: Bedford Borough Council told to tighten spending and boost income to avoid Section 114 notice - Bedford Independent
Bedford Borough Council warned it must tighten spending and boost income to avoid a Section 114 notice after CIPFA’s damning report...
www.bedfordindependent.co.uk
July 15, 2025 at 9:31 AM
@samfr.bsky.social Another council in trouble. The usual mudslinging aside, the key sentence comes near the end: "CIPFA’s review highlights that spending on temporary accommodation, adult social care, and children’s services is driving the overspend." A familiar story...
Reposted by William Simpson
Modern things that the Pride and Prejudice characters would LOVE. 🩷🩵 1/12
A little bit of silliness for Monday morning.
A little bit of silliness for Monday morning.
July 14, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Modern things that the Pride and Prejudice characters would LOVE. 🩷🩵 1/12
A little bit of silliness for Monday morning.
A little bit of silliness for Monday morning.
A wonderfully written essay on the pain yes but more importantly the wonderful everyday tiny joys of human connection. It's what makes it all worthwhile.
Now I'm going to follow Marie's advice and go tell someone their baby is lovely (it's my wife and our baby, but I think that counts right).
Now I'm going to follow Marie's advice and go tell someone their baby is lovely (it's my wife and our baby, but I think that counts right).
in this week's newsletter! one of my hideously personal essays, on my long journey towards loving people and why I'll never take human connection for granted, and I don't think you should either: youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/a-pro-huma... [free to read! and I'm running a subscription sale!]
July 11, 2025 at 7:49 PM
A wonderfully written essay on the pain yes but more importantly the wonderful everyday tiny joys of human connection. It's what makes it all worthwhile.
Now I'm going to follow Marie's advice and go tell someone their baby is lovely (it's my wife and our baby, but I think that counts right).
Now I'm going to follow Marie's advice and go tell someone their baby is lovely (it's my wife and our baby, but I think that counts right).