John Shields
@avochie.bsky.social
Practical, evidence-informed conservation in the UK and Zambia, and calcium carbonates without the carbon @longcliffe. Fan of German wirehaired pointers, unlike Kristi Noem.
"Let's listen to this brilliant electric car manufacturer about aid programmes!"
"Let's listen to this brilliant comedian about conservation science!"
"Let's listen to this brilliant musician about immunology and vaccines!"
"Let's listen to this brilliant comedian about conservation science!"
"Let's listen to this brilliant musician about immunology and vaccines!"
November 21, 2025 at 5:40 AM
"Let's listen to this brilliant electric car manufacturer about aid programmes!"
"Let's listen to this brilliant comedian about conservation science!"
"Let's listen to this brilliant musician about immunology and vaccines!"
"Let's listen to this brilliant comedian about conservation science!"
"Let's listen to this brilliant musician about immunology and vaccines!"
At a very basic level, this is a very good demonstration of the sheer extent to which an expert in one field can be a complete moron the moment he leaves it. There's a lesson there for how our society treats - and often unquestioningly idolises - many prominent figures.
November 21, 2025 at 5:35 AM
At a very basic level, this is a very good demonstration of the sheer extent to which an expert in one field can be a complete moron the moment he leaves it. There's a lesson there for how our society treats - and often unquestioningly idolises - many prominent figures.
No! We won't have those pesky EU rules enforcing bendiness. We will end up being the *wrong* kind of constitutional banana monarchy.
November 20, 2025 at 5:07 AM
No! We won't have those pesky EU rules enforcing bendiness. We will end up being the *wrong* kind of constitutional banana monarchy.
I know, I know...
a man with curly hair says i 'm pathetic in front of a microphone
ALT: a man with curly hair says i 'm pathetic in front of a microphone
media.tenor.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I know, I know...
Names like 'Farage', presumably.
November 18, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Names like 'Farage', presumably.
I got Zesca a rug in my tartan last year, which being mainly reds and oranges she presumably can't even see; and once bought the late Boatswain a painting. I think it's probably a bit like humans: the less capable they are of appreciating it, the funnier it gets.
November 18, 2025 at 7:45 PM
I got Zesca a rug in my tartan last year, which being mainly reds and oranges she presumably can't even see; and once bought the late Boatswain a painting. I think it's probably a bit like humans: the less capable they are of appreciating it, the funnier it gets.
"Fair but deeply unwise"
There's quite a lot in there for the far left to digest.
There's quite a lot in there for the far left to digest.
November 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
"Fair but deeply unwise"
There's quite a lot in there for the far left to digest.
There's quite a lot in there for the far left to digest.
Knew him at university. He's bright for sure, but he knows it and parades it. And - absent legion other considerations ofc - there's something quite pleasing in seeing someone be so floridly wrong. He's very much the Bishop James Ussher of current politics.
November 17, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Knew him at university. He's bright for sure, but he knows it and parades it. And - absent legion other considerations ofc - there's something quite pleasing in seeing someone be so floridly wrong. He's very much the Bishop James Ussher of current politics.
Something tells me that this lot don't have great mastery of the English language
November 15, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Something tells me that this lot don't have great mastery of the English language
I got blocked of course. Nothing like a bit of cold reality to get people angry!
November 15, 2025 at 9:51 AM
I got blocked of course. Nothing like a bit of cold reality to get people angry!
Because sooner or later the authoritarians out there start to have a point. Starmer must not let it get to that stage. Reality hurts, but it hurts even more if one gives up one's own agency into the bargain.
November 14, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Because sooner or later the authoritarians out there start to have a point. Starmer must not let it get to that stage. Reality hurts, but it hurts even more if one gives up one's own agency into the bargain.
We want shiny free stuff but none of the boring paying for it; we lose our shit when the cold reality stares back at us. Medicine is needed, and a PM with the political cojones to shove it down our throats - and the parliamentary majority to do so democratically. Clock ticking on a number of counts.
November 14, 2025 at 3:45 PM
We want shiny free stuff but none of the boring paying for it; we lose our shit when the cold reality stares back at us. Medicine is needed, and a PM with the political cojones to shove it down our throats - and the parliamentary majority to do so democratically. Clock ticking on a number of counts.
"But I'm not talking about taxing the business - only the owners," I hear you say. And there is the issue: the owners' wealth *is* their business; the money only comes from there.
November 14, 2025 at 2:17 PM
"But I'm not talking about taxing the business - only the owners," I hear you say. And there is the issue: the owners' wealth *is* their business; the money only comes from there.
You can rage against reality all you like - and even lash out with childish name-calling - but businesses are by definition financial beasts; choking their cash flow won't magically make them work harder.
November 14, 2025 at 2:14 PM
You can rage against reality all you like - and even lash out with childish name-calling - but businesses are by definition financial beasts; choking their cash flow won't magically make them work harder.
As for taxing goodwill, that is fairly mad if you think about it.
November 14, 2025 at 2:06 PM
As for taxing goodwill, that is fairly mad if you think about it.
Do you think those supermarkets are worth something without a functioning supermarket inside them?
No, business assets - which as I say comprise the absolute vast majority of most UHNWs' assets - are only worth what they produce, plus goodwill. Tax production, and it will be worth and/or do less.
No, business assets - which as I say comprise the absolute vast majority of most UHNWs' assets - are only worth what they produce, plus goodwill. Tax production, and it will be worth and/or do less.
November 14, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Do you think those supermarkets are worth something without a functioning supermarket inside them?
No, business assets - which as I say comprise the absolute vast majority of most UHNWs' assets - are only worth what they produce, plus goodwill. Tax production, and it will be worth and/or do less.
No, business assets - which as I say comprise the absolute vast majority of most UHNWs' assets - are only worth what they produce, plus goodwill. Tax production, and it will be worth and/or do less.
You can see from the bond market's' reaction to this, which has, incidentally, shoved up her cost of borrowing.
Starmer's team looked competent enough - at least serious - but it turns out they're uninspiring and entirely lacking in political bottle. They're toast if they continue like this.
Starmer's team looked competent enough - at least serious - but it turns out they're uninspiring and entirely lacking in political bottle. They're toast if they continue like this.
November 14, 2025 at 1:29 PM
You can see from the bond market's' reaction to this, which has, incidentally, shoved up her cost of borrowing.
Starmer's team looked competent enough - at least serious - but it turns out they're uninspiring and entirely lacking in political bottle. They're toast if they continue like this.
Starmer's team looked competent enough - at least serious - but it turns out they're uninspiring and entirely lacking in political bottle. They're toast if they continue like this.
It's also foolish - and looks foolish to markets - for the government somehow to pretend they won't raise major taxes like income tax. We all know there's a hole to fill; they need to get filling it, whatever was said in the manifesto.
November 14, 2025 at 1:27 PM
It's also foolish - and looks foolish to markets - for the government somehow to pretend they won't raise major taxes like income tax. We all know there's a hole to fill; they need to get filling it, whatever was said in the manifesto.
Rich people - and importantly the businesses that comprise their wealth - are v sensitive to taxes on capital (which is why these tend to have more of a Laffer curve, and generally around world fail to raise money). Income is a different matter.
November 14, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Rich people - and importantly the businesses that comprise their wealth - are v sensitive to taxes on capital (which is why these tend to have more of a Laffer curve, and generally around world fail to raise money). Income is a different matter.
Is there any way out of them U-turning on the U-turn? How on earth are they going to get the numbers to stack up?
November 14, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Is there any way out of them U-turning on the U-turn? How on earth are they going to get the numbers to stack up?
The news isn't just one thing
November 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The news isn't just one thing
The paralysis this endless indecision is causing in business comes at staggering cost to the economy. The construction world has come almost to a standstill
November 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The paralysis this endless indecision is causing in business comes at staggering cost to the economy. The construction world has come almost to a standstill
So where is the money going to come from? They're treating the electorate like idiots
November 14, 2025 at 3:54 AM
So where is the money going to come from? They're treating the electorate like idiots
Nothing better says "relax"
November 13, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Nothing better says "relax"