I have literally never wondered what's happening on Twitter now, because it's doubtless just raining racism and I don't need to check.

The answer does not necessarily imply a role for Government, but rather something that sounds cripplingly cringe: a Posters' Guild. Something that communicates standards through peer review and example, rather than central imposition. /fin

Regulation of social media and the internet more broadly is often answering the wrong question. The question is posed as, "What is the role of Government in managing online discourse?" when the question should be, "How do we improve the quality of online discourse?" /8

In an age when the State feels incapable of acting and is lost in an array of competing external standards, agencies and quangos, a pro-institutional case is hard. But where the case for institutions is pressing - in social media - there is remarkably little debate. /7

Stephen is correct that the BBC has forgot that its primary duty is as an institution that uplifts the discourse. In fairness to it, few are putting forward a pro-institution case. This is partly because institutions can also delay necessary change; not all institutions are good. /6

If we assume social cohesion is positive, then institutions that contribute towards that are positive. Human society is a permanently fragile thing, something that enemies of institutions often intentionally forget in their efforts to secure power. /5

Values-based discourse is inherently more polarising than an effort to determine facts, which means it is more corrosive to social cohesion, as John shows here. /4 bsky.app/profile/jbur...

In the absence of the BBC, one would expect to have a lower level of probity in discourse, especially with regard to evidence. The evidence for this statement is the USA. The BBC - and Ofcom - have made it harder for the kind of values-based discourse that prevails in the US to happen here. /3

This is, of course, code for a populist being prevented from acting how they choose by a particular institution. The BBC does act to suppress free speech by acting as an exemplar of higher standards in public discourse and thereby devaluing the output of those who do not hold those standards. /2

Gilets Lumineaux

If a latte and a pain au chocolat cost ten euros over the Channel France would be in flames. She should start pointedly nailing copies of the Communist Times to the cafe noticeboard.

I would love an Andor-style show that delves into what having a warrior caste with its own internal ethics essentially being in charge of security for what is otherwise a democracy would actually mean.

My favourite thing is that Anakin was a walking mess of creepy red flags even before the infanticide and we are asked to believe that the sophisticated politician Padme simply ignored all of these. Extremely incel fanfic vibes.

Rareified, not Harefield! What a peculiar autocorrect!

Video game chat is quite Harefield but there are developers and streamers on here - do follow @garius.bsky.social.

Gutted we left Newham before Labour had the opportunity to make me a paper millionaire. If only I'd known that was the end goal of socialism.