Ben Knights
@benknights.bsky.social
Learning landscapes, landscapes of learning.
Reposted by Ben Knights
Brilliant from Laura Spinney👏
It saddens me that not even such a heartbreaking loss of life, health, and livelihoods is enough for some folks to look out from behind their blinkers...
If H5N1 breaks, we're in serious trouble.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It saddens me that not even such a heartbreaking loss of life, health, and livelihoods is enough for some folks to look out from behind their blinkers...
If H5N1 breaks, we're in serious trouble.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Five years on from the pandemic, the right’s fake Covid narrative has been turbo-charged into the mainstream | Laura Spinney
Before the next outbreak, we need a serious conversation about how to cope, but first, the more strident, misguided voices must be muted, says author Laura Spinney
www.theguardian.com
March 9, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Brilliant from Laura Spinney👏
It saddens me that not even such a heartbreaking loss of life, health, and livelihoods is enough for some folks to look out from behind their blinkers...
If H5N1 breaks, we're in serious trouble.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It saddens me that not even such a heartbreaking loss of life, health, and livelihoods is enough for some folks to look out from behind their blinkers...
If H5N1 breaks, we're in serious trouble.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Ben Knights
New data shows all bad news for England's priority wildlife habitats.
❌big drop in monitoring: Natural England needs funds to keep up
❌fall in favourable management in & outside SSSIs
❌fall in SSSIs in good condition: better incentives & enforcement urgent.
🧵1/3
❌big drop in monitoring: Natural England needs funds to keep up
❌fall in favourable management in & outside SSSIs
❌fall in SSSIs in good condition: better incentives & enforcement urgent.
🧵1/3
February 21, 2025 at 9:52 AM
New data shows all bad news for England's priority wildlife habitats.
❌big drop in monitoring: Natural England needs funds to keep up
❌fall in favourable management in & outside SSSIs
❌fall in SSSIs in good condition: better incentives & enforcement urgent.
🧵1/3
❌big drop in monitoring: Natural England needs funds to keep up
❌fall in favourable management in & outside SSSIs
❌fall in SSSIs in good condition: better incentives & enforcement urgent.
🧵1/3
Reposted by Ben Knights
This Is Not Appeasement, It Is Worse
Comparisons to Neville Chamberlain and Appeasement are not fair to Chamberlain. Trump isn't trying to delay a war with Putin or give himself time to rearm. The US president is trying to help Putin @phillipspobrien.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Comparisons to Neville Chamberlain and Appeasement are not fair to Chamberlain. Trump isn't trying to delay a war with Putin or give himself time to rearm. The US president is trying to help Putin @phillipspobrien.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
This Is Not Appeasement, It Is Worse
Calling Donald Trump A New Neville Chamberlain Is Unfair To Chamberlain
open.substack.com
February 14, 2025 at 1:57 PM
This Is Not Appeasement, It Is Worse
Comparisons to Neville Chamberlain and Appeasement are not fair to Chamberlain. Trump isn't trying to delay a war with Putin or give himself time to rearm. The US president is trying to help Putin @phillipspobrien.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Comparisons to Neville Chamberlain and Appeasement are not fair to Chamberlain. Trump isn't trying to delay a war with Putin or give himself time to rearm. The US president is trying to help Putin @phillipspobrien.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Reposted by Ben Knights
At least six independent inspectors general fired by Trump all have one thing in common: their agencies investigated Elon Musk's corporations.
Musk's crusade against the government isn't about "waste" or "efficiency."
It's about shielding himself from accountability.
Musk's crusade against the government isn't about "waste" or "efficiency."
It's about shielding himself from accountability.
February 12, 2025 at 5:06 PM
At least six independent inspectors general fired by Trump all have one thing in common: their agencies investigated Elon Musk's corporations.
Musk's crusade against the government isn't about "waste" or "efficiency."
It's about shielding himself from accountability.
Musk's crusade against the government isn't about "waste" or "efficiency."
It's about shielding himself from accountability.
Reposted by Ben Knights
When Trump was sworn in, Elon Musk's corporations were under more than 32 investigations conducted by at least 11 federal agencies.
Most of the cases are now closed or likely to be closed soon, and the federal agencies are being defanged by DOGE.
Funny how that works, huh?
Most of the cases are now closed or likely to be closed soon, and the federal agencies are being defanged by DOGE.
Funny how that works, huh?
February 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM
When Trump was sworn in, Elon Musk's corporations were under more than 32 investigations conducted by at least 11 federal agencies.
Most of the cases are now closed or likely to be closed soon, and the federal agencies are being defanged by DOGE.
Funny how that works, huh?
Most of the cases are now closed or likely to be closed soon, and the federal agencies are being defanged by DOGE.
Funny how that works, huh?
Reposted by Ben Knights
A deep dive into the crackpot conspiracy theory about the Frankfurt School that unites neo Nazis with mainstream conservatives. I researched the hell out of this and the story is even weirder than I imagined. (Working link this time!)
New episode out – The Myth of Cultural Marxism. A conspiracy theory made famous by the mass murderer Anders Breivik and cited by the likes of Jordan Peterson and Suella Braverman. @dorianlynskey.bsky.social and @iandunt.bsky.social uncover its origins.
Listen ⬇️
linktr.ee/originstoryp...
Listen ⬇️
linktr.ee/originstoryp...
February 12, 2025 at 11:17 AM
A deep dive into the crackpot conspiracy theory about the Frankfurt School that unites neo Nazis with mainstream conservatives. I researched the hell out of this and the story is even weirder than I imagined. (Working link this time!)
Reposted by Ben Knights
A handy compilation of Labour’s negative achievements (so far). They had an opportunity — a big but shallow FPTP mandate. They blew it, & keep doing so a bit more every day, e.g. today’s creeping subservience to US tech. They’re beyond disappointing,
1. Here are just a few of the ways in which Starmer’s Labour Party seems determined to alienate its voters and lose the next election. As they pile up, you have to keep pinching yourself and asking, “what the hell is it playing at?” 🧵
February 11, 2025 at 4:24 PM
A handy compilation of Labour’s negative achievements (so far). They had an opportunity — a big but shallow FPTP mandate. They blew it, & keep doing so a bit more every day, e.g. today’s creeping subservience to US tech. They’re beyond disappointing,
Reposted by Ben Knights
🚨🚨 Timely statement from the American Bar Association on the looming Constitutional Crisis in the US: "The ABA supports the rule of law". Well worth to read the statement in full. 🧵
www.americanbar.org/news/abanews...
www.americanbar.org/news/abanews...
The ABA supports the rule of law
It has been three weeks since Inauguration Day. Most Americans recognize that newly elected leaders bring change. That is expected. But most Americans also expect that changes will take place in accor...
www.americanbar.org
February 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
🚨🚨 Timely statement from the American Bar Association on the looming Constitutional Crisis in the US: "The ABA supports the rule of law". Well worth to read the statement in full. 🧵
www.americanbar.org/news/abanews...
www.americanbar.org/news/abanews...
Reposted by Ben Knights
The speed of the implementation of Trump’s suppression of open enquiry and his reinforcement of prejudice can only indicate that business and agency leads are being pushed in a direction they are all too willing to go.
February 11, 2025 at 1:09 PM
The speed of the implementation of Trump’s suppression of open enquiry and his reinforcement of prejudice can only indicate that business and agency leads are being pushed in a direction they are all too willing to go.
Reposted by Ben Knights
I’m in Tallin airport+I’ve read all my books+ cleared as much work email as possible. In shop, had either read or didn’t want to read books. So I bought Pride and Prejudice (read last 1995?).Gosh. Ch 1. Such density. Also: Mr Bennett (quick, sarcastic, reserve, caprice) surely a bit Darcy like?
February 11, 2025 at 12:12 PM
I’m in Tallin airport+I’ve read all my books+ cleared as much work email as possible. In shop, had either read or didn’t want to read books. So I bought Pride and Prejudice (read last 1995?).Gosh. Ch 1. Such density. Also: Mr Bennett (quick, sarcastic, reserve, caprice) surely a bit Darcy like?
Reposted by Ben Knights
What can you do with English Studies? Anything! I am sharing @englishassociation.bsky.social Skills for the Future link again, with student stories about the skills they are learning, plus some amazing case studies from the world of work. See 🧵 englishassociation.ac.uk/skills-for-t...
Skills for the Future of English | The English Association
We support the teaching, learning, and enjoyment of English at all levels of education, from early years to further and higher education and beyond.
englishassociation.ac.uk
February 11, 2025 at 12:07 PM
What can you do with English Studies? Anything! I am sharing @englishassociation.bsky.social Skills for the Future link again, with student stories about the skills they are learning, plus some amazing case studies from the world of work. See 🧵 englishassociation.ac.uk/skills-for-t...
Reposted by Ben Knights
Saying ‘deep state’ over and over doesn’t count as deep thinking.
🚨 NEW: Kemi Badenoch backs UK version of Elon Musk’s DOGE efficiency drive
“We’re going to do lots of deep thinking about all of this. We have to do something like DOGE... We have to have a revolution on this”, she told the Daily T podcast
Full story 👇
www.politics.co.uk/news/2025/02...
“We’re going to do lots of deep thinking about all of this. We have to do something like DOGE... We have to have a revolution on this”, she told the Daily T podcast
Full story 👇
www.politics.co.uk/news/2025/02...
Kemi Badenoch backs UK version of Elon Musk’s DOGE efficiency drive - Politics.co.uk
Kemi Badenoch has backed a UK version of Elon Musk’s US government efficiency drive, DOGE, calling for a “revolution” in the public sector. The Conservative leader revealed she is “looking very closel...
www.politics.co.uk
February 11, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Saying ‘deep state’ over and over doesn’t count as deep thinking.
Reposted by Ben Knights
UK during Brexit just about survived because law and courts did work (much to the aggravation of right wing media and politicians)
February 11, 2025 at 11:23 AM
UK during Brexit just about survived because law and courts did work (much to the aggravation of right wing media and politicians)
Reposted by Ben Knights
This is what should be on every front page right now. What's happening in the US right now is an illegal power grab by a private citizen. IT'S A COUP.
It's a digital coup. It's Musk who's leading it. The consequences are terrifying. And it's coming for us next.
1/
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
It's a digital coup. It's Musk who's leading it. The consequences are terrifying. And it's coming for us next.
1/
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
IT IS A COUP
This is what should be on every front page in 150 point banner headlines. All I have is this Substack but I lay it beneath your feet and pray to a higher power that I'm wrong.
open.substack.com
February 10, 2025 at 1:49 PM
This is what should be on every front page right now. What's happening in the US right now is an illegal power grab by a private citizen. IT'S A COUP.
It's a digital coup. It's Musk who's leading it. The consequences are terrifying. And it's coming for us next.
1/
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
It's a digital coup. It's Musk who's leading it. The consequences are terrifying. And it's coming for us next.
1/
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Reposted by Ben Knights
As a big caveat, a core reasons the German railway system around DB fell apart over the late 2000s and 2010s was because of a disastrously cackhanded attempt to save on maintenance, personnel and infrastructure costs in order to boost short term profits and attract investors for a part-privatisation
"England" is indeed a standard warning in any liberalisation debate in Germany. And there is merit to it, a lot was done badly.
But Germany managed to run a fully integrated, state-owned train system to the wall, with the result that most English trains services are a lot better.
But Germany managed to run a fully integrated, state-owned train system to the wall, with the result that most English trains services are a lot better.
Finally some sharp insights from Scholz
February 10, 2025 at 12:33 PM
As a big caveat, a core reasons the German railway system around DB fell apart over the late 2000s and 2010s was because of a disastrously cackhanded attempt to save on maintenance, personnel and infrastructure costs in order to boost short term profits and attract investors for a part-privatisation
Reposted by Ben Knights
Why join us? Because 'we need to find ways to emphasise the collaborative nature of arts and humanities research, a fundamental aspect of what we do'. Please do read the excellent blog by @christophersmith.bsky.social on this very topic: anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2024/12/27/c...
Collaboration, civility and complexity
A time of rising darkness is a portentous phrase. But whilst the focus of 2024 has inevitably and rightly been on university financial sustainability, we have spent less time on another trend which…
anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com
February 10, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Why join us? Because 'we need to find ways to emphasise the collaborative nature of arts and humanities research, a fundamental aspect of what we do'. Please do read the excellent blog by @christophersmith.bsky.social on this very topic: anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2024/12/27/c...
Reposted by Ben Knights
When the State of New York finally has to secede from the Union, I hope the first statue they raise is to the inestimable Letitia James.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/n...
Judge Halts DOGE Access to Treasury Payment Systems
The order came in response to a lawsuit filed by 19 attorneys general accusing the president of failing to faithfully execute the nation’s laws when he let DOGE comb through federal computer systems.
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2025 at 11:30 AM
When the State of New York finally has to secede from the Union, I hope the first statue they raise is to the inestimable Letitia James.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/n...
Reposted by Ben Knights
Climate action globally is under threat. It’s hugely urgent to seize initiative from rightwing populists. We need to change tactics: start by building climate resilience in local communities where people can feel tangible benefits – we’re calling it climate popularism. @rupertread.bsky.social & me🧵
It’s time for climate populism
As politics turns against net zero, we need to mobilise a genuine mass movement against ecological catastrophe.
www.newstatesman.com
February 7, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Climate action globally is under threat. It’s hugely urgent to seize initiative from rightwing populists. We need to change tactics: start by building climate resilience in local communities where people can feel tangible benefits – we’re calling it climate popularism. @rupertread.bsky.social & me🧵
Reposted by Ben Knights
Naomi Smith, "When we think about the world of tech, over the last two decades, their mantra of move fast and break things, was rewarded"
"If you bring that approach into gov, politics, to the fabric of society, it won't work. And all it will seek to do is undermine the structures that protect us"
"If you bring that approach into gov, politics, to the fabric of society, it won't work. And all it will seek to do is undermine the structures that protect us"
February 7, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Naomi Smith, "When we think about the world of tech, over the last two decades, their mantra of move fast and break things, was rewarded"
"If you bring that approach into gov, politics, to the fabric of society, it won't work. And all it will seek to do is undermine the structures that protect us"
"If you bring that approach into gov, politics, to the fabric of society, it won't work. And all it will seek to do is undermine the structures that protect us"
Reposted by Ben Knights
Just spotted that the Musk White House has disbanded the legal effort to go after kleptocrats. It's beginning to feel a lot like the United States has just changed sides.
www.justice.gov/ag/media/138...
www.justice.gov/ag/media/138...
February 7, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Just spotted that the Musk White House has disbanded the legal effort to go after kleptocrats. It's beginning to feel a lot like the United States has just changed sides.
www.justice.gov/ag/media/138...
www.justice.gov/ag/media/138...
Reposted by Ben Knights
Reposted by Ben Knights
'Coming alongside President Trump’s plan for a US takeover of Gaza, the US administration’s resolve to shut down its international aid agency sends a clear message that the era when American leaders valued their soft power is coming to an end.'
Be clear about what Trump and Musk’s aid axe will do: people will face terror and starve, many will die | Gordon Brown
The decimation of USAid is already having a terrible effect in some of the poorest places on the planet. It damages America: it will harm us all, says Gordon Brown, the UN’s special envoy for global e...
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2025 at 7:24 AM
'Coming alongside President Trump’s plan for a US takeover of Gaza, the US administration’s resolve to shut down its international aid agency sends a clear message that the era when American leaders valued their soft power is coming to an end.'
Reposted by Ben Knights
And it's goodbye from the long-tailed tit
February 7, 2025 at 9:07 AM
And it's goodbye from the long-tailed tit
Reposted by Ben Knights
That long-tailed tit again
February 6, 2025 at 8:25 PM
That long-tailed tit again
Reposted by Ben Knights
Long-tailed tit in the trees
February 6, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Long-tailed tit in the trees