John R Ebdon
@jrebdon.bsky.social
Semi-retired polymer scientist. Interested in science, politics, economics, film, TV drama, motor sport, gardens and gardening.
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John R Ebdon
@jrebdon.bsky.social
· Nov 29
John R Ebdon
Honorary Visiting Professor, Institute for Materials Research and Innovation, University of Bolton - Cited by 4,858 - Polymer science - Polymers - Fire retardance - Composites
scholar.google.com
Should anyone be interested in my science (and I'm not holding my breath!), some details can be found here: scholar.google.com/citations?us...
Just been catching up on the BBC's "Civilisations: Rise and Fall - Japan", only to hear Charles Moore stating that no society can afford to erect a wall around itself and take an isolationism stance if it is to survive. This from a supporter of Vote Leave, Brexit and an end to immigration!
December 8, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Just been catching up on the BBC's "Civilisations: Rise and Fall - Japan", only to hear Charles Moore stating that no society can afford to erect a wall around itself and take an isolationism stance if it is to survive. This from a supporter of Vote Leave, Brexit and an end to immigration!
Reposted by John R Ebdon
Breaking. Liz Truss wins this year's FIFA Prize for Economics.
December 6, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Breaking. Liz Truss wins this year's FIFA Prize for Economics.
Reposted by John R Ebdon
Once every 20 years or so, the director-general of the BBC is forced to resign for being insufficiently rightwing. Alastair Milne in 1987. Greg Dyke in 2004. Tim Davie in 2025. The great irony is that the BBC was in all cases profoundly biased towards established power. But just not biased enough …
November 10, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Once every 20 years or so, the director-general of the BBC is forced to resign for being insufficiently rightwing. Alastair Milne in 1987. Greg Dyke in 2004. Tim Davie in 2025. The great irony is that the BBC was in all cases profoundly biased towards established power. But just not biased enough …
Reposted by John R Ebdon
Reposted by John R Ebdon
If you want to see what Labour are delivering in your area pop your postcode in:
whathaskeirdone.co.uk
whathaskeirdone.co.uk
This is what Keir Starmer has done for you so far
The Tories presided over 14 years of decline, undermined our public services, and wrecked our economy. Keir Starmer's Labour Government is getting on with the job, fixing the foundations of our countr...
whathaskeirdone.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 8:17 AM
If you want to see what Labour are delivering in your area pop your postcode in:
whathaskeirdone.co.uk
whathaskeirdone.co.uk
Member of Transport Police on R4 this morning explaining why they couldn't be expected to review hours of CCTV footage to spot thefts of bicycles from railway stations. I can't believe that in this day and age they appear not to be aware of binary searching, which would reduce such tasks to minutes.
October 7, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Member of Transport Police on R4 this morning explaining why they couldn't be expected to review hours of CCTV footage to spot thefts of bicycles from railway stations. I can't believe that in this day and age they appear not to be aware of binary searching, which would reduce such tasks to minutes.
Reposted by John R Ebdon
The heat pump will take in waste heat from one of the site's steam crackers, and deliver 500,000 tonnes of steam per year to drive formic acid production.
BASF begins building huge industrial heat pump for low-carbon steam
When powered by renewable electricity, BASF says system will cut carbon emissions by up to 98%
www.chemistryworld.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:25 AM
The heat pump will take in waste heat from one of the site's steam crackers, and deliver 500,000 tonnes of steam per year to drive formic acid production.
Reposted by John R Ebdon
When speaking to Tommy Robinson at the far right demonstration in London today, Elon Musk wore a t-shirt saying "What would Orwell think?"
So let's dive in - what would George Orwell think about Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk? 🧵
So let's dive in - what would George Orwell think about Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk? 🧵
September 13, 2025 at 10:37 PM
When speaking to Tommy Robinson at the far right demonstration in London today, Elon Musk wore a t-shirt saying "What would Orwell think?"
So let's dive in - what would George Orwell think about Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk? 🧵
So let's dive in - what would George Orwell think about Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk? 🧵
Your chance to sample the vibrant West London arts scene this weekend and next:
Borough of Ealing Art Trail share.google/UUSs4GMhEAT8...
Borough of Ealing Art Trail share.google/UUSs4GMhEAT8...
Borough of Ealing Art Trail
We are Ealing’s first ever Art Trail. Our main event takes place over two consecutive weekends in September each year and enables the general public to see and buy some of the unique artwork being cre...
share.google
September 3, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Your chance to sample the vibrant West London arts scene this weekend and next:
Borough of Ealing Art Trail share.google/UUSs4GMhEAT8...
Borough of Ealing Art Trail share.google/UUSs4GMhEAT8...
Reposted by John R Ebdon
From black bins to green gains: how Leeds transforms waste
Leeds’ recycling and energy recovery facility turns black bin waste into electricity, heat and even roads – cutting landfill for good
By Dr Pam Jarvis
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
Leeds’ recycling and energy recovery facility turns black bin waste into electricity, heat and even roads – cutting landfill for good
By Dr Pam Jarvis
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
From black bins to green gains: how Leeds transforms waste
Leeds’ recycling and energy recovery facility turns black bin waste into electricity, heat and even roads – cutting landfill for good
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
September 3, 2025 at 11:10 AM
From black bins to green gains: how Leeds transforms waste
Leeds’ recycling and energy recovery facility turns black bin waste into electricity, heat and even roads – cutting landfill for good
By Dr Pam Jarvis
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
Leeds’ recycling and energy recovery facility turns black bin waste into electricity, heat and even roads – cutting landfill for good
By Dr Pam Jarvis
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
Reposted by John R Ebdon
What has London’s Bakerloo line got to do with the government’s ability to invest in the North?
Put simply, if we let London raise more money from high land values to pay for its infrastructure, this frees up more government spending for the rest of the country.
Read below to see detail 👇
Put simply, if we let London raise more money from high land values to pay for its infrastructure, this frees up more government spending for the rest of the country.
Read below to see detail 👇
This is how we pay for the Bakerloo Line extension FREE TO READ!)
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/bakerloo-e...
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/bakerloo-e...
This is how we pay for the Bakerloo Line extension
One weird trick can extend the Tube, level up the north and make the Treasury happy.
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
August 27, 2025 at 1:35 PM
What has London’s Bakerloo line got to do with the government’s ability to invest in the North?
Put simply, if we let London raise more money from high land values to pay for its infrastructure, this frees up more government spending for the rest of the country.
Read below to see detail 👇
Put simply, if we let London raise more money from high land values to pay for its infrastructure, this frees up more government spending for the rest of the country.
Read below to see detail 👇
Putin on his way? Following plane is "Russian Special Flight Squadron" too
August 14, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Putin on his way? Following plane is "Russian Special Flight Squadron" too
If a new west-east railway line can be this transformative for London, then it's high time we had similar lines in the Midlands and the North
Want to know what’s going right in Britain? Come to the capital, look at the Elizabeth line railway | Jonn Elledge www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Want to know what’s going right in Britain? Come to the capital, look at the Elizabeth line railway | Jonn Elledge www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Want to know what’s going right in Britain? Come to the capital, look at the Elizabeth line railway | Jonn Elledge
It’s a ‘can-do’ object lesson for the Treasury. And imagine what such ambition could do for the fortunes of Birmingham, Manchester or Leeds, says author Jonn Elledge
www.theguardian.com
August 11, 2025 at 10:44 AM
If a new west-east railway line can be this transformative for London, then it's high time we had similar lines in the Midlands and the North
Want to know what’s going right in Britain? Come to the capital, look at the Elizabeth line railway | Jonn Elledge www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Want to know what’s going right in Britain? Come to the capital, look at the Elizabeth line railway | Jonn Elledge www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Interesting and informative, but depressing:
August 11, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Interesting and informative, but depressing:
Reposted by John R Ebdon
Blackpool's rate of new business formation (5.6 per 1000 people/yr) exceeds Oxfordshire's (4.2 per 1000 people/yr)
It's that greater degree of entrepreneurial spirit that must account for the fact that Blackpool is famously more prosperous than Oxfordshire.
It's that greater degree of entrepreneurial spirit that must account for the fact that Blackpool is famously more prosperous than Oxfordshire.
"Britain needs to unleash the spirit of entrepreneurship", by Camilla Cavendish
Could have been written any time in the last 20 years, & would have been just as cliched and vacuous.
www.ft.com/content/9c32...
Could have been written any time in the last 20 years, & would have been just as cliched and vacuous.
www.ft.com/content/9c32...
Britain needs to unleash the spirit of entrepreneurship
We continue to put too many obstacles in the way of businesses that want to take risks and make things happen
www.ft.com
July 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Blackpool's rate of new business formation (5.6 per 1000 people/yr) exceeds Oxfordshire's (4.2 per 1000 people/yr)
It's that greater degree of entrepreneurial spirit that must account for the fact that Blackpool is famously more prosperous than Oxfordshire.
It's that greater degree of entrepreneurial spirit that must account for the fact that Blackpool is famously more prosperous than Oxfordshire.
Reposted by John R Ebdon
US climate scientists need all the help they can get. Including from foul-mouthed comedians! 🤡😱😱
Watch Emmy Award-Winning David Cross team up with Prof Michael Oppenheimer in the US launch of the hit series "Climate Science Translated".
#climate #arresteddevelopment #climatescience
Watch Emmy Award-Winning David Cross team up with Prof Michael Oppenheimer in the US launch of the hit series "Climate Science Translated".
#climate #arresteddevelopment #climatescience
June 2, 2025 at 11:55 AM
US climate scientists need all the help they can get. Including from foul-mouthed comedians! 🤡😱😱
Watch Emmy Award-Winning David Cross team up with Prof Michael Oppenheimer in the US launch of the hit series "Climate Science Translated".
#climate #arresteddevelopment #climatescience
Watch Emmy Award-Winning David Cross team up with Prof Michael Oppenheimer in the US launch of the hit series "Climate Science Translated".
#climate #arresteddevelopment #climatescience
Reposted by John R Ebdon
Project 2025 Tracker
Track the progress on Project 2025
www.project2025.observer
April 19, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Reposted by John R Ebdon
📣 New report 📣
In a volatile world, we need an economy that is firing on all cylinders - but regional imbalances are driving overheating and stagnation in different places.
www.labourtogether.uk/all-reports/...
In a volatile world, we need an economy that is firing on all cylinders - but regional imbalances are driving overheating and stagnation in different places.
www.labourtogether.uk/all-reports/...
Nation Rebalanced: How do we create a country that works for all places? — Labour Together
This report, by Labour Together’s Director of Devolution, JP Spencer, sets out a bold vision for how to rebalance the UK economy and create prosperity in every part of the country. It outlines four k...
www.labourtogether.uk
April 7, 2025 at 8:00 AM
📣 New report 📣
In a volatile world, we need an economy that is firing on all cylinders - but regional imbalances are driving overheating and stagnation in different places.
www.labourtogether.uk/all-reports/...
In a volatile world, we need an economy that is firing on all cylinders - but regional imbalances are driving overheating and stagnation in different places.
www.labourtogether.uk/all-reports/...
Reposted by John R Ebdon
The UK car industry contributes £22bn to the economy and employs c 35k people.
Universities contribute £265bn and employ nearly 400k, over 10x as much.
Yet he seems ok to let that sector implode.
Universities contribute £265bn and employ nearly 400k, over 10x as much.
Yet he seems ok to let that sector implode.
"My choice in these volatile times is backing British brilliance," says Keir Starmer, who promises to deliver "British cars for British workers"
April 9, 2025 at 9:30 AM
The UK car industry contributes £22bn to the economy and employs c 35k people.
Universities contribute £265bn and employ nearly 400k, over 10x as much.
Yet he seems ok to let that sector implode.
Universities contribute £265bn and employ nearly 400k, over 10x as much.
Yet he seems ok to let that sector implode.
I'm surprised that so many people seem to be taken aback by Trump's imposition of tariffs and the way in which the sizes of these tariffs have been calculated. But the pros and cons of tariffs and the effects of implementing them in various ways is all spelled out in Trump's script: Project 2025.
April 3, 2025 at 9:36 PM
I'm surprised that so many people seem to be taken aback by Trump's imposition of tariffs and the way in which the sizes of these tariffs have been calculated. But the pros and cons of tariffs and the effects of implementing them in various ways is all spelled out in Trump's script: Project 2025.
Euro up 1.2% against dollar this afternoon, and £ up 1.1%. Looks as though markets not too impressed by Trump's stated intentions so far.
January 20, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Euro up 1.2% against dollar this afternoon, and £ up 1.1%. Looks as though markets not too impressed by Trump's stated intentions so far.
Trump says the future will be golden. Well, it will certainly be orange, unfortunately.
January 20, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Trump says the future will be golden. Well, it will certainly be orange, unfortunately.