Alan
@alanwhelan.bsky.social
Dad, husband, book lover, green social democrat radical liberal egalitarian sort. Irish.
Reposted by Alan
Nothing captures the pathologies of mainstream media quite so clearly as the intimate relationship between the New York Times and far-right activist Christopher Rufo - who relies on the NYT to launder his disingenuous crusades, has said so himself publicly, and yet they keep obliging.
Great thread:
Great thread:
Rufo would "like to see that prototype [what's happened at Columbia and elsewhere] industrialized and applied to all of the universities as a sector" and that he would like "to reduce the size of the [higher education] sector itself."
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/p...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/p...
The Conservative Activist Pushing Trump to Attack U.S. Colleges
Christopher Rufo has helped inspire Republican messaging and bills on hot-button issues.
www.nytimes.com
April 11, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Nothing captures the pathologies of mainstream media quite so clearly as the intimate relationship between the New York Times and far-right activist Christopher Rufo - who relies on the NYT to launder his disingenuous crusades, has said so himself publicly, and yet they keep obliging.
Great thread:
Great thread:
Reposted by Alan
Universities
Geopolitical alliances
Soft power
The rule of law and democracy
Health and medicine
These deranged morons are eviscerating every single institution the US economic prosperity is built on top of
Geopolitical alliances
Soft power
The rule of law and democracy
Health and medicine
These deranged morons are eviscerating every single institution the US economic prosperity is built on top of
NEW: Everyone knew RFK Jr. wanted to upend the health care system. They didn’t think he’d go this far, this fast.
Now HHS employees, industry execs, public health officials and Trump aides are grappling with the repercussions.
A 360 view of the fallout: www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
Now HHS employees, industry execs, public health officials and Trump aides are grappling with the repercussions.
A 360 view of the fallout: www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
‘It's a mess’: Inside the RFK Jr. revamp tanking HHS morale and worrying industry
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s drastic overhaul has reshaped the U.S. health apparatus in a matter of weeks.
www.politico.com
April 9, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Universities
Geopolitical alliances
Soft power
The rule of law and democracy
Health and medicine
These deranged morons are eviscerating every single institution the US economic prosperity is built on top of
Geopolitical alliances
Soft power
The rule of law and democracy
Health and medicine
These deranged morons are eviscerating every single institution the US economic prosperity is built on top of
Reposted by Alan
Reposted by Alan
The anti-Musk poster campaign in London: a growing backlash
London's public transport network has become a canvas for unauthorised posters targeting Elon Musk
@stephenking.bsky.social @everyonehateselon.bsky.social @gemmagould.bsky.social
London's public transport network has become a canvas for unauthorised posters targeting Elon Musk
@stephenking.bsky.social @everyonehateselon.bsky.social @gemmagould.bsky.social
The anti-Musk poster campaign in London: a growing backlash
London's public transport network has become a canvas for unauthorised posters targeting Elon Musk
centralbylines.co.uk
March 21, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The anti-Musk poster campaign in London: a growing backlash
London's public transport network has become a canvas for unauthorised posters targeting Elon Musk
@stephenking.bsky.social @everyonehateselon.bsky.social @gemmagould.bsky.social
London's public transport network has become a canvas for unauthorised posters targeting Elon Musk
@stephenking.bsky.social @everyonehateselon.bsky.social @gemmagould.bsky.social
Reposted by Alan
Good morning to everyone except Mark Zuckerberg
March 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Good morning to everyone except Mark Zuckerberg
Reposted by Alan
UK food and drink exports to the EU down 34% since Brexit www.theguardian.com/business/202...
UK food and drink exports to the EU down 34% since Brexit
Food and Drink Federation say businesses are struggling to deal with added ‘complexity and bureaucracy’
www.theguardian.com
March 14, 2025 at 8:24 AM
UK food and drink exports to the EU down 34% since Brexit www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Alan
Tesla owners in the U.S. and overseas are selling their vehicles because of Elon Musk's politics, intensifying a backlash against the company. “Two weeks ago, I was called a Nazi,” one owner said
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/b...
Tesla for Sale: Buyer’s Remorse Sinks In for Elon Musk’s E.V.-Owning Critics
The backlash against the electric vehicle company has intensified as the billionaire ally of President Trump exerts his power over the federal government.
www.nytimes.com
March 4, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Tesla owners in the U.S. and overseas are selling their vehicles because of Elon Musk's politics, intensifying a backlash against the company. “Two weeks ago, I was called a Nazi,” one owner said
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/b...
Reposted by Alan
In this week's column, I explore what I see as a very real prospect of systemic collapse, caused by Trump's actions, and suggest we start preparing.
I try to explain how complex systems fail, and suggest some of the failure paths we could be on.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I try to explain how complex systems fail, and suggest some of the failure paths we could be on.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
There are many ways Trump could trigger a global collapse. Here’s how to survive if that happens | George Monbiot
It could be wildfires, a pandemic or a financial crisis. The super-rich will flee to their bunkers – the rest of us will have to fend for ourselves, writes columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
February 18, 2025 at 8:07 AM
In this week's column, I explore what I see as a very real prospect of systemic collapse, caused by Trump's actions, and suggest we start preparing.
I try to explain how complex systems fail, and suggest some of the failure paths we could be on.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I try to explain how complex systems fail, and suggest some of the failure paths we could be on.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Alan
Wait a minute. You mean to say that we don’t need to blanket the earth with data centers and coal & gas plants to maybe arrive at a future where we can wave a magical AGI wand to make all of the consequences of that go away?
Yes. This is a false trade off. Let that sink in. 16/
Yes. This is a false trade off. Let that sink in. 16/
January 27, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Wait a minute. You mean to say that we don’t need to blanket the earth with data centers and coal & gas plants to maybe arrive at a future where we can wave a magical AGI wand to make all of the consequences of that go away?
Yes. This is a false trade off. Let that sink in. 16/
Yes. This is a false trade off. Let that sink in. 16/
Reposted by Alan
Kapadia won an Oscar for Amy, his heartbreaking film about Amy Winehouse. This is emotional too, a sci fi thriller set in the future made of fragments of the present. I tell the story of how I accidentally ended up in the film. But it’s so much more than that.
youtu.be/YDE97KrYDuU?...
youtu.be/YDE97KrYDuU?...
2073 - Official Trailer
YouTube video by NEON
youtu.be
December 15, 2024 at 9:47 AM
Kapadia won an Oscar for Amy, his heartbreaking film about Amy Winehouse. This is emotional too, a sci fi thriller set in the future made of fragments of the present. I tell the story of how I accidentally ended up in the film. But it’s so much more than that.
youtu.be/YDE97KrYDuU?...
youtu.be/YDE97KrYDuU?...
Absolutely beautiful cover version this.
Kean Kavanagh covers local song ‘The Portlaoise Queen’ and announces Irish Christmas dates
nialler9.com/kean-kavanag...
nialler9.com/kean-kavanag...
Kean Kavanagh covers local song ‘The Portlaoise Queen’ and announces Irish Christmas dates | Nialler9
Soft Boy Records' Kean Kavanagh drops a new single and announces The Three Gigs of Christmas. 'The Portlaoise Queen’ has a more traditional Irish Celtic
nialler9.com
December 4, 2024 at 12:07 PM
Absolutely beautiful cover version this.
Reposted by Alan
I'm going to keep repeating it until the Irish media pays attention - the far right aren't democrats and don't care about not getting votes.
They want to be seen and heard, and are delighted that you all made immigration a #GE24 issue on their behalf.
You're feeling smug, but being played.
They want to be seen and heard, and are delighted that you all made immigration a #GE24 issue on their behalf.
You're feeling smug, but being played.
December 2, 2024 at 8:53 PM
I'm going to keep repeating it until the Irish media pays attention - the far right aren't democrats and don't care about not getting votes.
They want to be seen and heard, and are delighted that you all made immigration a #GE24 issue on their behalf.
You're feeling smug, but being played.
They want to be seen and heard, and are delighted that you all made immigration a #GE24 issue on their behalf.
You're feeling smug, but being played.
Reposted by Alan
That's an awful lot of people voting to maintain the rife societal and social inequalities in Ireland
Stasis on homelessness, healthcare, housing shortages, climate action...
FF/FG have shown their stripes for decades. We have so much proof - but people have voted for them anyway
#GE24 #Election24
Stasis on homelessness, healthcare, housing shortages, climate action...
FF/FG have shown their stripes for decades. We have so much proof - but people have voted for them anyway
#GE24 #Election24
December 2, 2024 at 10:27 PM
That's an awful lot of people voting to maintain the rife societal and social inequalities in Ireland
Stasis on homelessness, healthcare, housing shortages, climate action...
FF/FG have shown their stripes for decades. We have so much proof - but people have voted for them anyway
#GE24 #Election24
Stasis on homelessness, healthcare, housing shortages, climate action...
FF/FG have shown their stripes for decades. We have so much proof - but people have voted for them anyway
#GE24 #Election24
Reposted by Alan
“Where criminality and controversy, racism and sexism, ableism and homophobia, are simply part of the irresistible lore”
www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/n...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/n...
Why was Conor McGregor’s sinister cult of content lauded and rewarded for so long? | Jonathan Liew
It took defeat in civil case against a woman who accused him of rape for brands and fans to disown UFC fighter
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2024 at 9:26 PM
“Where criminality and controversy, racism and sexism, ableism and homophobia, are simply part of the irresistible lore”
www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/n...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/n...
Reposted by Alan
Climate-impacting emissions are being released from Irish data centres using off-grid generators.
Some planned data centres also intend to be powered by natural gas due to challenges connecting to the grid, threatening Ireland's climate commitments
Read: jrnl.ie/6554698t
Some planned data centres also intend to be powered by natural gas due to challenges connecting to the grid, threatening Ireland's climate commitments
Read: jrnl.ie/6554698t
Ireland's data centres turning to fossil fuels after maxing out country's electricity grid
Climate-impacting emissions are being released from data centres using off-grid generators.
jrnl.ie
November 28, 2024 at 9:10 AM
Climate-impacting emissions are being released from Irish data centres using off-grid generators.
Some planned data centres also intend to be powered by natural gas due to challenges connecting to the grid, threatening Ireland's climate commitments
Read: jrnl.ie/6554698t
Some planned data centres also intend to be powered by natural gas due to challenges connecting to the grid, threatening Ireland's climate commitments
Read: jrnl.ie/6554698t
Reposted by Alan
Netenyahu: Part Two. How one man worked to stall the peace process, and then suffocate it.
🚨 New episode out 🚨 @iandunt.bsky.social and @dorianlynskey.bsky.social bring the story of Netanyahu, Israel's most divisive leader, up to the present day. What can his personal history tell us about the nightmarish situation the region is currently in? Listen ⬇️
listen.podmasters.uk/os241127neta...
listen.podmasters.uk/os241127neta...
November 27, 2024 at 10:06 AM
Netenyahu: Part Two. How one man worked to stall the peace process, and then suffocate it.
Reposted by Alan
Must read! Devastating post about the catastrophe facing the Guardian, one of the best and last truly independent papers. We can't afford to lose the Guardian. Read Carole Cadwalladr's account here: broligarchy.substack.com/p/how-to-spe...
How to Speak Truth to Power
...when that power is your own news organisation? I don't know. And I wish it was a question I didn't have to ask.
broligarchy.substack.com
November 24, 2024 at 6:44 PM
Must read! Devastating post about the catastrophe facing the Guardian, one of the best and last truly independent papers. We can't afford to lose the Guardian. Read Carole Cadwalladr's account here: broligarchy.substack.com/p/how-to-spe...
Reposted by Alan
So here’s the update. The billionaire owner of the Guardian preparing to get rid of a core part of the news org + 100 journalists.
If you’re a Guardian or Observer reader, please share this. The need for a strong, free & independent press couldn’t be greater. Yet, here it is.
If you’re a Guardian or Observer reader, please share this. The need for a strong, free & independent press couldn’t be greater. Yet, here it is.
November 25, 2024 at 10:30 PM
So here’s the update. The billionaire owner of the Guardian preparing to get rid of a core part of the news org + 100 journalists.
If you’re a Guardian or Observer reader, please share this. The need for a strong, free & independent press couldn’t be greater. Yet, here it is.
If you’re a Guardian or Observer reader, please share this. The need for a strong, free & independent press couldn’t be greater. Yet, here it is.
Reposted by Alan
1. I’m thinking aloud here, as I really don’t have the answers. This is a thread about the political challenge of the very large numbers of young men now supporting the far right. I’m writing it without blame or derision. I’m just trying to find a way through. 🧵
November 24, 2024 at 7:50 PM
1. I’m thinking aloud here, as I really don’t have the answers. This is a thread about the political challenge of the very large numbers of young men now supporting the far right. I’m writing it without blame or derision. I’m just trying to find a way through. 🧵
Reposted by Alan
Pearse Doherty of Sinn Fein making a compelling case on @news.rte.ie just now why nobody should trust them on #climate in #ge24, given SF’s populist pitch on opposing carbon taxes & lobbying for lower taxes on petrol & diesel.
November 24, 2024 at 1:21 PM
Pearse Doherty of Sinn Fein making a compelling case on @news.rte.ie just now why nobody should trust them on #climate in #ge24, given SF’s populist pitch on opposing carbon taxes & lobbying for lower taxes on petrol & diesel.
Reposted by Alan
Governments of rich countries need to understand that investing money in climate action today will cost much less over time than waiting for the bill that Nature will send us if we continue to mistreat her.
COP30 in Bélem will need to deliver much more.
COP30 in Bélem will need to deliver much more.
November 24, 2024 at 12:20 PM
Governments of rich countries need to understand that investing money in climate action today will cost much less over time than waiting for the bill that Nature will send us if we continue to mistreat her.
COP30 in Bélem will need to deliver much more.
COP30 in Bélem will need to deliver much more.
Reposted by Alan
‘I lost my six year old son when flash floods inundated Nova Scotia’
This is Tera’s story, from Canada
#climatebreakdown #COP29
1/13
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
This is Tera’s story, from Canada
#climatebreakdown #COP29
1/13
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘I lost my six year old son when flash floods inundated Nova Scotia’ – This is climate breakdown
Before the floods I was always with my boys. Always. This is Tera’s story
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2024 at 6:17 PM
‘I lost my six year old son when flash floods inundated Nova Scotia’
This is Tera’s story, from Canada
#climatebreakdown #COP29
1/13
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
This is Tera’s story, from Canada
#climatebreakdown #COP29
1/13
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Alan
"In a truly free market society, pervasive private power of the kind wielded by Blackrock should not exist."
As Keir Starmer meets Blackrock head Larry Fink, I've published an excerpt from Vulture Capitalism on the rise of Blackrock, and Fink, on my Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
As Keir Starmer meets Blackrock head Larry Fink, I've published an excerpt from Vulture Capitalism on the rise of Blackrock, and Fink, on my Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
November 23, 2024 at 9:58 AM
"In a truly free market society, pervasive private power of the kind wielded by Blackrock should not exist."
As Keir Starmer meets Blackrock head Larry Fink, I've published an excerpt from Vulture Capitalism on the rise of Blackrock, and Fink, on my Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
As Keir Starmer meets Blackrock head Larry Fink, I've published an excerpt from Vulture Capitalism on the rise of Blackrock, and Fink, on my Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
Reposted by Alan
Please remember, the climate COP meetings are DESIGNED to fail. It is not a bug, but a feature.
Here's how they could be designed to succeed.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Here's how they could be designed to succeed.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Cop28 is a farce rigged to fail, but there are other ways we can try to save the planet | George Monbiot
Inaction and self-interest are built into climate summits. Instead, we need a voting system that can’t be subverted by fossil fuel producers, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2024 at 11:20 AM
Please remember, the climate COP meetings are DESIGNED to fail. It is not a bug, but a feature.
Here's how they could be designed to succeed.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Here's how they could be designed to succeed.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Alan
✈️ Whilst #COP29 is happening , it's worth noting the use of private jets and super yachts is soaring.
🤑 The über-wealthy are disproportionately responsible for the #ClimateCrisis.
🪙 Taxing wealth would raise £billions. Let's make the super wealthy pay to fund climate action and fight #inequality.
🤑 The über-wealthy are disproportionately responsible for the #ClimateCrisis.
🪙 Taxing wealth would raise £billions. Let's make the super wealthy pay to fund climate action and fight #inequality.
Superyacht and private jet tax could raise £2bn a year, say campaigners
Oxfam says ‘commonsense solution’ would reduce emissions and raise urgently needed climate finance
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2024 at 7:50 AM
✈️ Whilst #COP29 is happening , it's worth noting the use of private jets and super yachts is soaring.
🤑 The über-wealthy are disproportionately responsible for the #ClimateCrisis.
🪙 Taxing wealth would raise £billions. Let's make the super wealthy pay to fund climate action and fight #inequality.
🤑 The über-wealthy are disproportionately responsible for the #ClimateCrisis.
🪙 Taxing wealth would raise £billions. Let's make the super wealthy pay to fund climate action and fight #inequality.