John Hartley
@johntonta.bsky.social
Non-linear aesthetics. Progressive rhythms in all things.
The ghouls are circling
I'm not sure if others have noticed this, but interesting that one of the Prescott criticisms of the BBC is based on those of the 'History Reclaimed' group, which is also associated with the 'Restore Trust' group's attacks on & so far unsuccessful attempts to take control of the National Trust. 1/3
November 12, 2025 at 9:26 AM
The ghouls are circling
Reposted by John Hartley
To be clear, what we are seeing here is an oscillation. This happens when robust networks break down as the point of equilibrium in phase space moves. There is no going backwards here. There will be fracturing, reorganisation, novelty injection & discovery of a new equilibrium👇
On a more serious note: British politics have been in crisis mode for ten years and this is a real problem whatever your politics. It undermines trust in government and democracy, fuels populism, and makes the UK an unstable partner at a time when the geopolitical situation is very dangerous.
The important story behind this story is that someone in Downing Street is having a breakdown:
November 12, 2025 at 7:44 AM
To be clear, what we are seeing here is an oscillation. This happens when robust networks break down as the point of equilibrium in phase space moves. There is no going backwards here. There will be fracturing, reorganisation, novelty injection & discovery of a new equilibrium👇
Reposted by John Hartley
Brilliant from @kevinclimate.bsky.social as always - making abundantly clear the inconvenient truth this Govt is forever trying to duck & dodge: expanding aviation capacity is fundamentally incompatible with the UK’s climate obligations
Gatwick expansion blows another huge hole in the UK Government's already perforated climate commitments.
New article on Gatwick expansion with my @tyndallcentre.bsky.social colleague Dr Lois Pennington @loispennington.bsky.social
climateuncensored.com/gatwick-expa...
New article on Gatwick expansion with my @tyndallcentre.bsky.social colleague Dr Lois Pennington @loispennington.bsky.social
climateuncensored.com/gatwick-expa...
Gatwick Expansion: A Direct Assault on Climate Commitments - Climate Uncensored
Comment on UK Government announcement of Gatwick Airport expansion by Professor Kevin Anderson and Dr. Lois Pennington, of Tyndall Centre, University of
climateuncensored.com
September 26, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Brilliant from @kevinclimate.bsky.social as always - making abundantly clear the inconvenient truth this Govt is forever trying to duck & dodge: expanding aviation capacity is fundamentally incompatible with the UK’s climate obligations
Reposted by John Hartley
Looking forward to being in conversation with the brilliant artist Liliane Lijn for EA Festival at the Minories, Colchester, Tuesday 30 September. Come and join us!
Info and bookings here: www.eafestival.com/lilianelijn
(Also I'm teaching @universityofessex.bsky.social this year – very exciting!)
Info and bookings here: www.eafestival.com/lilianelijn
(Also I'm teaching @universityofessex.bsky.social this year – very exciting!)
September 18, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Looking forward to being in conversation with the brilliant artist Liliane Lijn for EA Festival at the Minories, Colchester, Tuesday 30 September. Come and join us!
Info and bookings here: www.eafestival.com/lilianelijn
(Also I'm teaching @universityofessex.bsky.social this year – very exciting!)
Info and bookings here: www.eafestival.com/lilianelijn
(Also I'm teaching @universityofessex.bsky.social this year – very exciting!)
Go Lula!
Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, "If President Trump was living in Brazil and had done what he did at the capitol, he would be on trial here too"
"Because here the law applies to everyone"
"Because here the law applies to everyone"
September 12, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Go Lula!
Reposted by John Hartley
Nigel Farage looks uncomfortable as Jamie Raskin uses his opening statement to absolutely demolish him
September 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Nigel Farage looks uncomfortable as Jamie Raskin uses his opening statement to absolutely demolish him
Isn't there some Aesop fable that deals with asking for a bit more every time but never being satisfied? Probably involving a silly baker with a biscuit and a greedy weasel who ends up gnawing the idiot's head off.
Immigration and border control:
Why nothing is ever enough -
@nesrinemalik.bsky.social on constantly shifting goalposts
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Why nothing is ever enough -
@nesrinemalik.bsky.social on constantly shifting goalposts
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Voting for Brexit, stopping the small boats – none of it will ever appease those who wage war on immigration | Nesrine Malik
The facts and the numbers are irrelevant: Donald Trump and Nigel Farage just find new excuses and increase the toxicity, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
www.theguardian.com
September 1, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Isn't there some Aesop fable that deals with asking for a bit more every time but never being satisfied? Probably involving a silly baker with a biscuit and a greedy weasel who ends up gnawing the idiot's head off.
great listing! starts off as absurdity, then moves through the poetic before you realise that all along it's been political satire.
This is the best product listing copy I’ve ever read
August 21, 2025 at 10:17 AM
great listing! starts off as absurdity, then moves through the poetic before you realise that all along it's been political satire.
'Politics is downstream of culture' provocatively, it's Steve Bannon that provides the banner quote from this article on the power of stories and colouring in.
July 11, 2025 at 2:27 PM
'Politics is downstream of culture' provocatively, it's Steve Bannon that provides the banner quote from this article on the power of stories and colouring in.
Reposted by John Hartley
I met Murder on the way--
He had a mask like Castlereagh--
Very smooth he looked, yet grim;
Seven blood-hounds followed him:
He had a mask like Castlereagh--
Very smooth he looked, yet grim;
Seven blood-hounds followed him:
July 4, 2025 at 4:13 AM
I met Murder on the way--
He had a mask like Castlereagh--
Very smooth he looked, yet grim;
Seven blood-hounds followed him:
He had a mask like Castlereagh--
Very smooth he looked, yet grim;
Seven blood-hounds followed him:
Reposted by John Hartley
The UK tax paradox:
1️⃣ The tax burden is at a post-war high, and 52% of us say we're over-taxed.
2️⃣ Yet the average UK worker paid less tax on their wages in 2024 than any previous year. And less than peers in the other big European countries.
How can both be true?
🧵
1️⃣ The tax burden is at a post-war high, and 52% of us say we're over-taxed.
2️⃣ Yet the average UK worker paid less tax on their wages in 2024 than any previous year. And less than peers in the other big European countries.
How can both be true?
🧵
June 27, 2025 at 8:20 AM
The UK tax paradox:
1️⃣ The tax burden is at a post-war high, and 52% of us say we're over-taxed.
2️⃣ Yet the average UK worker paid less tax on their wages in 2024 than any previous year. And less than peers in the other big European countries.
How can both be true?
🧵
1️⃣ The tax burden is at a post-war high, and 52% of us say we're over-taxed.
2️⃣ Yet the average UK worker paid less tax on their wages in 2024 than any previous year. And less than peers in the other big European countries.
How can both be true?
🧵
there seems remarkable cognitive dissonance in this framing/focus on links between flying and climate change.
Column by Daniel Wolfe | Clear-air turbulence has increased since the 1970s. Researchers agree that the likelihood of severe turbulence will only increase in a warming world, putting passengers and crew at risk.
See how different plane routes could experience more turbulence:
See how different plane routes could experience more turbulence:
Column | See where your flights will experience this climate-fueled turbulence
Studies show that climate-driven turbulence is expected to increase further in the coming decades. See how major flight routes in the U.S. could be affected
www.washingtonpost.com
June 16, 2025 at 3:15 PM
there seems remarkable cognitive dissonance in this framing/focus on links between flying and climate change.
'we need political generals who will fight as if the choice were between liberty and death'. Sounds like a factory to churn out bad actors. And I mean people gaming political conditions in bad faith, not useless luvvies.
🔴JD Vance’s ‘British Sherpa’ Chairs Organisation Funded by Billionaires Urging a Second US Civil War
The man described as the Vice President’s “philosopher king” is linked to a series of right-wing billionaires who have condemned democracy and called for a “limited dictatorship” in the US
The man described as the Vice President’s “philosopher king” is linked to a series of right-wing billionaires who have condemned democracy and called for a “limited dictatorship” in the US
JD Vance's 'British Sherpa' Chairs Organisation Funded by Billionaires Urging a Second US Civil War
The man described as the Vice President's "philosopher king" is linked to a series of right-wing billionaires who have condemned democracy and called for a "limited dictatorship" in the US
bylinetimes.com
June 16, 2025 at 9:13 AM
'we need political generals who will fight as if the choice were between liberty and death'. Sounds like a factory to churn out bad actors. And I mean people gaming political conditions in bad faith, not useless luvvies.
Apparently it’s world swift day. Email angela.rayner.mp@parliament.uk saying PLEASE MANDATE SWIFT BRICKS and add that to the subject line too. You’ll get an automated response but if we all email it will have a trickle up effect that’s better than a petition. So ask at least one person to do it too
June 8, 2025 at 7:45 AM
fascinating story, but the hook (are you descended from 16thc rebel?) is misleading. 20 generations back you have over 4million 'great grandparents' - more than population of Tudor England. One for @adamrutherford.bsky.social and @englishheritage.bsky.social to discuss...
‘Tudor high drama’: English Heritage looks for descendants of abbey rebels
‘Tudor high drama’: English Heritage looks for descendants of abbey rebels
Organisation to mark 500 years since uprising against Cardinal Wolsey’s closure of Bayham Abbey
They included a brewer, a tailor and a shoemaker – a hardy bunch of craftspeople prepared to stand up to the might of the Tudor regime to try to save their local monastery.
Exactly five centuries on, English Heritage is appealing for people who think they may be descendants of those who took part in the uprising against Cardinal Thomas Wolsey’s closure of Bayham Abbey to come forward. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
June 4, 2025 at 9:56 AM
fascinating story, but the hook (are you descended from 16thc rebel?) is misleading. 20 generations back you have over 4million 'great grandparents' - more than population of Tudor England. One for @adamrutherford.bsky.social and @englishheritage.bsky.social to discuss...
Reposted by John Hartley
‘Tudor high drama’: English Heritage looks for descendants of abbey rebels
‘Tudor high drama’: English Heritage looks for descendants of abbey rebels
Organisation to mark 500 years since uprising against Cardinal Wolsey’s closure of Bayham Abbey
They included a brewer, a tailor and a shoemaker – a hardy bunch of craftspeople prepared to stand up to the might of the Tudor regime to try to save their local monastery.
Exactly five centuries on, English Heritage is appealing for people who think they may be descendants of those who took part in the uprising against Cardinal Thomas Wolsey’s closure of Bayham Abbey to come forward. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
June 4, 2025 at 6:38 AM
‘Tudor high drama’: English Heritage looks for descendants of abbey rebels
Reposted by John Hartley
Today marks the 40th anniversary of one of the darkest days in contemporary British history, when a convoy of 150 vehicles heading to the 1985 people’s free festival at Stonehenge was ambushed in a quiet corner of Wiltshire.
Remembering the Beanfield, 40 years on - Freedom News
The state targeted people living on the road because it was anarchy in action and it was working ~ Neil Goodwin ~ Today marks the 40th anniversary of one of the darkest days in contemporary British hi...
freedomnews.org.uk
June 2, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Today marks the 40th anniversary of one of the darkest days in contemporary British history, when a convoy of 150 vehicles heading to the 1985 people’s free festival at Stonehenge was ambushed in a quiet corner of Wiltshire.
Reposted by John Hartley
seconded + double-urged. @johntonta.bsky.social + i co-commissioned 'only expansion' when we headed up the arts + culture team at the university of exeter. it's a mighty fine piece of work + should not be missed at any cost, especially when there's less work around these days.
Recommended. More than recommended. Urged. If you’re in Bristol from the 23rd May to the 22nd June, make this part of your day.
(By @dspk.bsky.social. No other endorsement required)
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/1320...
(By @dspk.bsky.social. No other endorsement required)
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/1320...
Only Expansion
An award-winning audio walk that takes you out onto the streets from Pervasive Media Studio resident Duncan Speakman. Beautifully combining the sound of your surroundings with recordings of environmen...
www.watershed.co.uk
May 13, 2025 at 5:43 PM
seconded + double-urged. @johntonta.bsky.social + i co-commissioned 'only expansion' when we headed up the arts + culture team at the university of exeter. it's a mighty fine piece of work + should not be missed at any cost, especially when there's less work around these days.
Earth is ringing alarm bell about change
OK, this is wild.
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
May 13, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Earth is ringing alarm bell about change
Reposted by John Hartley
Really, really bad and unprofessional, plus the actual results are poor. I know this because I did Italian O Level in 1984. Try harder.
fairly sure BBC is using AI to do live translation of new Pope's speech.
May 8, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Really, really bad and unprofessional, plus the actual results are poor. I know this because I did Italian O Level in 1984. Try harder.
Reposted by John Hartley
Because it's been a shit week, here's some good news to cheer you up. A thread with 10 cool stories from around the world:
1. China now has more #wind and #solar than thermal generating capacity and is installing 1 million solar panels EVERY SINGLE DAY.
theprogressplaybook.com/2025/03/25/i...
1. China now has more #wind and #solar than thermal generating capacity and is installing 1 million solar panels EVERY SINGLE DAY.
theprogressplaybook.com/2025/03/25/i...
In numbers: China hits fresh milestones in its energy transition
Wind and solar have overtaken thermal plants (coal, gas, oil, and bioenergy) in terms of generating capacity.
theprogressplaybook.com
April 4, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Because it's been a shit week, here's some good news to cheer you up. A thread with 10 cool stories from around the world:
1. China now has more #wind and #solar than thermal generating capacity and is installing 1 million solar panels EVERY SINGLE DAY.
theprogressplaybook.com/2025/03/25/i...
1. China now has more #wind and #solar than thermal generating capacity and is installing 1 million solar panels EVERY SINGLE DAY.
theprogressplaybook.com/2025/03/25/i...
Reposted by John Hartley
Well... There's always a quote..
VIDEO. When Marine Le Pen called for "lifelong ineligibility" for elected officials convicted of "misappropriation of public funds"
www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/p...
VIDEO. When Marine Le Pen called for "lifelong ineligibility" for elected officials convicted of "misappropriation of public funds"
www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/p...
VIDEO. Quand Marine Le Pen demandait « l’inéligibilité à vie » pour les élus condamnés pour « détournement de fonds publics » - Public Sénat
Alors que Marine Le Pen vient d’être condamnée pour détournement de fonds publics à quatre ans de prison et à cinq ans d’inéligibilité, l’empêchant de se présenter en 2027, la même Marine Le Pen défen...
www.publicsenat.fr
April 1, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Well... There's always a quote..
VIDEO. When Marine Le Pen called for "lifelong ineligibility" for elected officials convicted of "misappropriation of public funds"
www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/p...
VIDEO. When Marine Le Pen called for "lifelong ineligibility" for elected officials convicted of "misappropriation of public funds"
www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/p...
Reposted by John Hartley
The thug Stalin ruled USSR 1924 - 1953. Lysenko was a New-Age style crackpot & Stalin's science czar; scientists who opposed him were fired, ruined, and sometimes murdered. Millions died as a consequence of Lysenko's nonsense.
RFJ Jr is our Lysenko. He's worse.
open.substack.com/pub/johnsund...
RFJ Jr is our Lysenko. He's worse.
open.substack.com/pub/johnsund...
Walking in Brooklyn with Paul Auster, Bishop Berkley, and the ghost of Trofim Lysenko
The temptations of 'this too shall pass'
open.substack.com
March 21, 2025 at 11:22 PM
The thug Stalin ruled USSR 1924 - 1953. Lysenko was a New-Age style crackpot & Stalin's science czar; scientists who opposed him were fired, ruined, and sometimes murdered. Millions died as a consequence of Lysenko's nonsense.
RFJ Jr is our Lysenko. He's worse.
open.substack.com/pub/johnsund...
RFJ Jr is our Lysenko. He's worse.
open.substack.com/pub/johnsund...
Equinox coming in 1hr 2 mins
March 20, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Equinox coming in 1hr 2 mins