Ben Wray
@benwray1989.bsky.social
Journalist & researcher: ben.wray@hotmail.co.uk | Co-author 'Scotland After Britain' (Verso, 2022) | co-ordinator of the Gig Economy Project newsletter braveneweurope.com/gig-economy-project
Reposted by Ben Wray
🚨 New #ETUIPodcast episode!
Counter-app: negotiating the algorithm 🤖
In this episode, @benwray1989.bsky.social breaks down what algorithmic management is, how it affects workers’ lives, and the data-driven tools and tactics workers are using to negotiate the algorithm.
👉 Listen now: etui.org/Z9L
Counter-app: negotiating the algorithm 🤖
In this episode, @benwray1989.bsky.social breaks down what algorithmic management is, how it affects workers’ lives, and the data-driven tools and tactics workers are using to negotiate the algorithm.
👉 Listen now: etui.org/Z9L
November 24, 2025 at 11:32 AM
🚨 New #ETUIPodcast episode!
Counter-app: negotiating the algorithm 🤖
In this episode, @benwray1989.bsky.social breaks down what algorithmic management is, how it affects workers’ lives, and the data-driven tools and tactics workers are using to negotiate the algorithm.
👉 Listen now: etui.org/Z9L
Counter-app: negotiating the algorithm 🤖
In this episode, @benwray1989.bsky.social breaks down what algorithmic management is, how it affects workers’ lives, and the data-driven tools and tactics workers are using to negotiate the algorithm.
👉 Listen now: etui.org/Z9L
"Caught between the hammer of US imperialism and the anvil of China’s industrial strength, Europe is being squeezed economically and politically."
Piece for @jacobinmag.bsky.socialabout the Nexperia humiliation, a case study in European weakness.
jacobin.com/2025/11/neth...
Piece for @jacobinmag.bsky.socialabout the Nexperia humiliation, a case study in European weakness.
jacobin.com/2025/11/neth...
November 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"Caught between the hammer of US imperialism and the anvil of China’s industrial strength, Europe is being squeezed economically and politically."
Piece for @jacobinmag.bsky.socialabout the Nexperia humiliation, a case study in European weakness.
jacobin.com/2025/11/neth...
Piece for @jacobinmag.bsky.socialabout the Nexperia humiliation, a case study in European weakness.
jacobin.com/2025/11/neth...
🔊🔊🔊
Counter-app is a series of podcasts on @etui.bsky.social based on my research on platform work for @etuc-ces.bsky.social.
The first Episode is on Negotiating the Algorithm.
Listen to those at the cutting edge of work to empower algorithmically-managed workers: open.spotify.com/episode/2HUf...
Counter-app is a series of podcasts on @etui.bsky.social based on my research on platform work for @etuc-ces.bsky.social.
The first Episode is on Negotiating the Algorithm.
Listen to those at the cutting edge of work to empower algorithmically-managed workers: open.spotify.com/episode/2HUf...
Counter-app (1/4): Negotiating the algorithm
open.spotify.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:58 AM
🔊🔊🔊
Counter-app is a series of podcasts on @etui.bsky.social based on my research on platform work for @etuc-ces.bsky.social.
The first Episode is on Negotiating the Algorithm.
Listen to those at the cutting edge of work to empower algorithmically-managed workers: open.spotify.com/episode/2HUf...
Counter-app is a series of podcasts on @etui.bsky.social based on my research on platform work for @etuc-ces.bsky.social.
The first Episode is on Negotiating the Algorithm.
Listen to those at the cutting edge of work to empower algorithmically-managed workers: open.spotify.com/episode/2HUf...
Souleymane's Story, available on some streaming platforms, is a great film revealing the reality of the food delivery industry in Europe, where black market exploitation of undocumented migrants is rampant.
eomail5.com/web-version?...
eomail5.com/web-version?...
Souleymane's Story
GEP Newsletter
eomail5.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Souleymane's Story, available on some streaming platforms, is a great film revealing the reality of the food delivery industry in Europe, where black market exploitation of undocumented migrants is rampant.
eomail5.com/web-version?...
eomail5.com/web-version?...
In 2026, Hearts are going to win the league, Scotland are going to win the world cup, and that will be football completed for me
November 18, 2025 at 9:56 PM
In 2026, Hearts are going to win the league, Scotland are going to win the world cup, and that will be football completed for me
Politicians like Mahmood are weather vanes; they tell us something about where the ideological winds are blowing from.
Her transformation is indicative of the collapse of liberal politics: the idea everyone living in the UK should have equal rights is suddenly anathema.
bsky.app/profile/adam...
Her transformation is indicative of the collapse of liberal politics: the idea everyone living in the UK should have equal rights is suddenly anathema.
bsky.app/profile/adam...
2015 Shabana Mahmood really needs to have a word with 2025 Shabana Mahmood
November 17, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Politicians like Mahmood are weather vanes; they tell us something about where the ideological winds are blowing from.
Her transformation is indicative of the collapse of liberal politics: the idea everyone living in the UK should have equal rights is suddenly anathema.
bsky.app/profile/adam...
Her transformation is indicative of the collapse of liberal politics: the idea everyone living in the UK should have equal rights is suddenly anathema.
bsky.app/profile/adam...
Reviewed Phillip Pilkington's The Collapse of Global Liberalism in @jacobinmag.bsky.social.
The left shouldn't be resuscitating liberalism. Instead, we should defend the Enlightenment-era ideas that uphold universal rights, & reject those designed to protect capitalism.
jacobin.com/2025/11/trum...
The left shouldn't be resuscitating liberalism. Instead, we should defend the Enlightenment-era ideas that uphold universal rights, & reject those designed to protect capitalism.
jacobin.com/2025/11/trum...
Liberalism Is Surrendering to the Hard-Right Challenge
As Donald Trump tramples over the norms of the postwar liberal order, centrist political leaders are only too keen to accommodate him. Global liberalism is collapsing, while the battle over what repla...
jacobin.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Reviewed Phillip Pilkington's The Collapse of Global Liberalism in @jacobinmag.bsky.social.
The left shouldn't be resuscitating liberalism. Instead, we should defend the Enlightenment-era ideas that uphold universal rights, & reject those designed to protect capitalism.
jacobin.com/2025/11/trum...
The left shouldn't be resuscitating liberalism. Instead, we should defend the Enlightenment-era ideas that uphold universal rights, & reject those designed to protect capitalism.
jacobin.com/2025/11/trum...
Nexperia is a case study in European decline: bullied by the US into doing something that was obviously against its economic interests, the Netherlands then had to back down when China retaliated and Europe quickly began to run-out of chips. Disastrous.
bsky.app/profile/wack...
bsky.app/profile/wack...
Europe will learn nothing from this. They will simply continue to do whatever the hegemon in Washington orders. The Netherlands will regret this for a long time to come. China will not invest there again, and all Arab and other countries have observed this very […]
[Original post on norden.social]
[Original post on norden.social]
November 17, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Nexperia is a case study in European decline: bullied by the US into doing something that was obviously against its economic interests, the Netherlands then had to back down when China retaliated and Europe quickly began to run-out of chips. Disastrous.
bsky.app/profile/wack...
bsky.app/profile/wack...
Reposted by Ben Wray
In the global electrification race China is marching ahead.
The US and Europe risk falling behind clinging on to yesterday's technologies.
The US and Europe risk falling behind clinging on to yesterday's technologies.
November 14, 2025 at 1:51 PM
In the global electrification race China is marching ahead.
The US and Europe risk falling behind clinging on to yesterday's technologies.
The US and Europe risk falling behind clinging on to yesterday's technologies.
Spain is a pioneer in regulating platform work, and plans to transpose the Platform Work Directive in a very ambitious way. There's signs this regulatory push is forcing platforms to employ workers, but whether this translates into improved conditions is still to be seen.
eomail5.com/web-version?...
eomail5.com/web-version?...
Spain: Still a pioneer in regulating platform work
GEP Newsletter
eomail5.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Spain is a pioneer in regulating platform work, and plans to transpose the Platform Work Directive in a very ambitious way. There's signs this regulatory push is forcing platforms to employ workers, but whether this translates into improved conditions is still to be seen.
eomail5.com/web-version?...
eomail5.com/web-version?...
Reposted by Ben Wray
The Scottish Government's plans for offshore wind expansion continue to fall apart as Shell cancels a 3GW floating wind project.
As @brettchristophers.bsky.social argues, even large-scale renewables development is seldom profitable enough for oil majors.
A public pathway is the only way forward.
As @brettchristophers.bsky.social argues, even large-scale renewables development is seldom profitable enough for oil majors.
A public pathway is the only way forward.
Shell quits giant floating projects in blow to ScotWind
Oil giant hands back lease for 3GW Campion Wind after swap deal with former partner Iberdrola
www.rechargenews.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:51 AM
The Scottish Government's plans for offshore wind expansion continue to fall apart as Shell cancels a 3GW floating wind project.
As @brettchristophers.bsky.social argues, even large-scale renewables development is seldom profitable enough for oil majors.
A public pathway is the only way forward.
As @brettchristophers.bsky.social argues, even large-scale renewables development is seldom profitable enough for oil majors.
A public pathway is the only way forward.
The world's only good news story: carbon emissions have flat-lined in China, the world's industrial powerhouse, for 18 months because all new electricity demand in the country is being met by the expansion of renewables, mainly solar.
November 11, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The world's only good news story: carbon emissions have flat-lined in China, the world's industrial powerhouse, for 18 months because all new electricity demand in the country is being met by the expansion of renewables, mainly solar.
"Revenge evictions" - elderly people being kicked-out of care homes because they've raised a complaint. I couldn't have imagined such a thing.
Putting residential elderly care in the hands of the private sector was and is a disgrace.
Putting residential elderly care in the hands of the private sector was and is a disgrace.
November 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
"Revenge evictions" - elderly people being kicked-out of care homes because they've raised a complaint. I couldn't have imagined such a thing.
Putting residential elderly care in the hands of the private sector was and is a disgrace.
Putting residential elderly care in the hands of the private sector was and is a disgrace.
There's a reason the City of London has an institutional lobbyist who gets a special seat in the House of Commons (called a 'Remembrancer'): the British state is designed to protect the interests of the financial elite, above all other concerns.
bsky.app/profile/fina...
bsky.app/profile/fina...
Reeves set to spare UK banks from Budget tax raid on.ft.com/4hOgA2q
Reeves set to spare UK banks from Budget tax raid
Chancellor acknowledges lenders already pay high levels of tax by international standards
on.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:47 PM
There's a reason the City of London has an institutional lobbyist who gets a special seat in the House of Commons (called a 'Remembrancer'): the British state is designed to protect the interests of the financial elite, above all other concerns.
bsky.app/profile/fina...
bsky.app/profile/fina...
This is probably surprising to nobody, but it should open our eyes to how algorithms can manipulate us more broadly. 79% of companies in Europe use at least one algorithmic management tool: it's ubiquitous. Algorithms should be audited and regulated.
bsky.app/profile/pete...
bsky.app/profile/pete...
"The X algorithm prioritises sending new users right-wing leaning content", a Sky News Data and Forensics investigation reveals
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:32 PM
This is probably surprising to nobody, but it should open our eyes to how algorithms can manipulate us more broadly. 79% of companies in Europe use at least one algorithmic management tool: it's ubiquitous. Algorithms should be audited and regulated.
bsky.app/profile/pete...
bsky.app/profile/pete...
I listened to a bunch of bankers ask soft-ball questions to Uber's CEO so you don't have to - here's 5 things about Uber's Q3 Earnings Call! 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 5:16 PM
I listened to a bunch of bankers ask soft-ball questions to Uber's CEO so you don't have to - here's 5 things about Uber's Q3 Earnings Call! 🧵
The billionaire class through a lot of $$$ at stopping this from happening and failed.
A boost for socialist politics internationally and a blueprint for what effective socialist electoral campaigning looks like in big cities.
bsky.app/profile/jaco...
A boost for socialist politics internationally and a blueprint for what effective socialist electoral campaigning looks like in big cities.
bsky.app/profile/jaco...
More than $8 million from Mike Bloomberg.
$3 million from Airbnb's co-founder.
$3 million from the Estée Lauder family.
$2 million from Bill Ackman.
$1 million from DoorDash.
$200K from Walmart's heiress.
Zohran didn't just beat Andrew Cuomo. He beat the elite.
$3 million from Airbnb's co-founder.
$3 million from the Estée Lauder family.
$2 million from Bill Ackman.
$1 million from DoorDash.
$200K from Walmart's heiress.
Zohran didn't just beat Andrew Cuomo. He beat the elite.
November 5, 2025 at 7:59 AM
The billionaire class through a lot of $$$ at stopping this from happening and failed.
A boost for socialist politics internationally and a blueprint for what effective socialist electoral campaigning looks like in big cities.
bsky.app/profile/jaco...
A boost for socialist politics internationally and a blueprint for what effective socialist electoral campaigning looks like in big cities.
bsky.app/profile/jaco...
Reposted by Ben Wray
Public money is funding spyware!
With 39 MEPs from 4 political groups, we are writing to the @ec.europa.eu to express deep concerns following @ftm.eu revelations that EU financed spyware companies!
This must stop! We call on full transparency and follow up on the PEGA committee recommendations!
With 39 MEPs from 4 political groups, we are writing to the @ec.europa.eu to express deep concerns following @ftm.eu revelations that EU financed spyware companies!
This must stop! We call on full transparency and follow up on the PEGA committee recommendations!
September 30, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Public money is funding spyware!
With 39 MEPs from 4 political groups, we are writing to the @ec.europa.eu to express deep concerns following @ftm.eu revelations that EU financed spyware companies!
This must stop! We call on full transparency and follow up on the PEGA committee recommendations!
With 39 MEPs from 4 political groups, we are writing to the @ec.europa.eu to express deep concerns following @ftm.eu revelations that EU financed spyware companies!
This must stop! We call on full transparency and follow up on the PEGA committee recommendations!
Estoy en el departamento del periodismo en la Universidad del Pais Vasco y puedo ver que hay mucho entusiasmo para la profesión aqui 😂
October 31, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Estoy en el departamento del periodismo en la Universidad del Pais Vasco y puedo ver que hay mucho entusiasmo para la profesión aqui 😂
Military Keynesianism in all its gory details.
In brief, Germany is going to buy lots & lots of Rheinmetall tanks and kit, while buying American jets & long-range missiles.
Merz said in February the arms-push was abut achieving "independence from the USA” - obvious bollocks then & proven so now.
In brief, Germany is going to buy lots & lots of Rheinmetall tanks and kit, while buying American jets & long-range missiles.
Merz said in February the arms-push was abut achieving "independence from the USA” - obvious bollocks then & proven so now.
October 27, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Military Keynesianism in all its gory details.
In brief, Germany is going to buy lots & lots of Rheinmetall tanks and kit, while buying American jets & long-range missiles.
Merz said in February the arms-push was abut achieving "independence from the USA” - obvious bollocks then & proven so now.
In brief, Germany is going to buy lots & lots of Rheinmetall tanks and kit, while buying American jets & long-range missiles.
Merz said in February the arms-push was abut achieving "independence from the USA” - obvious bollocks then & proven so now.
Important strike on Thursday in Berlin by Lieferando (Just Eat) riders. Lieferando's shift to sub-contractors is part of a plan across Germany to slash costs by using small firms that have no problem with illegal labour practices, but there is resistance!
eomail5.com/web-version?...
eomail5.com/web-version?...
Interview: 'Biggest Lieferando strike so far'
GEP Newsletter
eomail5.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Important strike on Thursday in Berlin by Lieferando (Just Eat) riders. Lieferando's shift to sub-contractors is part of a plan across Germany to slash costs by using small firms that have no problem with illegal labour practices, but there is resistance!
eomail5.com/web-version?...
eomail5.com/web-version?...
Massive demonstration in Oñati for the general strike for Gaza! #HuelgaGeneral15O #HuelgaPorGaza
October 15, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Massive demonstration in Oñati for the general strike for Gaza! #HuelgaGeneral15O #HuelgaPorGaza
Until now, I hadn't quite taken in the extent of the AI bubble:
"The AI investment 'bubble' (as measured as the stock price relative to the ‘book value’ of a company), is 17 times the size of the dot-com frenzy of 2000 — & 4 times the subprime mortgage bubble of 2007".
Yikes.
"The AI investment 'bubble' (as measured as the stock price relative to the ‘book value’ of a company), is 17 times the size of the dot-com frenzy of 2000 — & 4 times the subprime mortgage bubble of 2007".
Yikes.
October 14, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Until now, I hadn't quite taken in the extent of the AI bubble:
"The AI investment 'bubble' (as measured as the stock price relative to the ‘book value’ of a company), is 17 times the size of the dot-com frenzy of 2000 — & 4 times the subprime mortgage bubble of 2007".
Yikes.
"The AI investment 'bubble' (as measured as the stock price relative to the ‘book value’ of a company), is 17 times the size of the dot-com frenzy of 2000 — & 4 times the subprime mortgage bubble of 2007".
Yikes.
General strike in Spain tomorrow for Palestine! I'll be joining the strike rally in Oñati!
We'll keep taking action until we have peace, justice and freedom for the Palestinian people! 🇵🇸 ✊
#HuelgaPorPalestina #Huelga15O
bsky.app/profile/eldi...
We'll keep taking action until we have peace, justice and freedom for the Palestinian people! 🇵🇸 ✊
#HuelgaPorPalestina #Huelga15O
bsky.app/profile/eldi...
Huelga general del 15 de octubre y paros parciales contra el genocidio en Gaza: cuál es su objetivo, cuándo empieza y quiénes pueden participar
Huelga general del 15 de octubre y paros parciales contra el genocidio en Gaza: cuál es su objetivo, cuándo empieza y quiénes pueden participar
Este miércoles hay convocadas dos huelgas a nivel nacional: una de paros de dos horas en los tres turnos de trabajo (mañana, tarde y noche) y otra de huelga general de 24 horas. Ambas afectan a todo e...
www.eldiario.es
October 14, 2025 at 2:37 PM
General strike in Spain tomorrow for Palestine! I'll be joining the strike rally in Oñati!
We'll keep taking action until we have peace, justice and freedom for the Palestinian people! 🇵🇸 ✊
#HuelgaPorPalestina #Huelga15O
bsky.app/profile/eldi...
We'll keep taking action until we have peace, justice and freedom for the Palestinian people! 🇵🇸 ✊
#HuelgaPorPalestina #Huelga15O
bsky.app/profile/eldi...
The Commission is desperate for Autonomous Vehicles to come to Europe, but it will just be another case of Europe being dominated by American & Chinese big tech.
And has Von Der Leyen given a moment's thought to what robotaxis will mean for millions of European drivers?
eomail5.com/web-version?...
And has Von Der Leyen given a moment's thought to what robotaxis will mean for millions of European drivers?
eomail5.com/web-version?...
Robotaxis are coming to Europe
GEP Newsletter
eomail5.com
October 12, 2025 at 7:51 PM
The Commission is desperate for Autonomous Vehicles to come to Europe, but it will just be another case of Europe being dominated by American & Chinese big tech.
And has Von Der Leyen given a moment's thought to what robotaxis will mean for millions of European drivers?
eomail5.com/web-version?...
And has Von Der Leyen given a moment's thought to what robotaxis will mean for millions of European drivers?
eomail5.com/web-version?...