Jonathan Watson
@jrwatson.bsky.social
Writer/editor. Manufactures words and arranges them, nicely, on a page. Also books, films, music, usual blokey gubbins. Recovering academic (history). #AFC fan since 1978 but can't afford the Emirates so I watch #AFCW these days #COYG #COYD
Pinned
"La bêtise est quelque chose d'inébranlable, rien ne l'attaque sans se briser contre elle; elle est de la nature du granit, dure et résistante." - Flaubert
‘The new “mansion tax” announced by Rachel Reeves in last week’s budget is estimated to affect around 165,000 property owners, and on current trends the British media is forecast to have interviewed every single one of them by the end of the year.’ 😆
December 2, 2025 at 9:25 PM
‘The new “mansion tax” announced by Rachel Reeves in last week’s budget is estimated to affect around 165,000 property owners, and on current trends the British media is forecast to have interviewed every single one of them by the end of the year.’ 😆
“… the expanded World Cup draw – the 48 teams in this edition, up from 32 last time – means there is room for plucky teams with little chance of winning the trophy, such as Haiti, Curaçao, Cape Verde and England.” 😂 from @theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:18 AM
“… the expanded World Cup draw – the 48 teams in this edition, up from 32 last time – means there is room for plucky teams with little chance of winning the trophy, such as Haiti, Curaçao, Cape Verde and England.” 😂 from @theguardian.com
This is very interesting, but what about her aunt, brother-in-law and her second cousin twice removed? What do they think? WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW
‘It’s a disgrace’ — Rachel Reeves’s uncle gives budget verdict ⬇️
‘It’s a disgrace’ — Rachel Reeves’s uncle gives budget verdict
‘It’s a disgrace’ — Rachel Reeves’s uncle gives budget verdict
www.thetimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:07 PM
This is very interesting, but what about her aunt, brother-in-law and her second cousin twice removed? What do they think? WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW
"La bêtise est quelque chose d'inébranlable, rien ne l'attaque sans se briser contre elle; elle est de la nature du granit, dure et résistante." - Flaubert
November 27, 2025 at 12:09 PM
"La bêtise est quelque chose d'inébranlable, rien ne l'attaque sans se briser contre elle; elle est de la nature du granit, dure et résistante." - Flaubert
“The FCC inquiry is a fishing expedition in a desert — there’s nothing to catch.” What a waste of everyone’s time.
FCC probes BBC edit of Trump’s January 6 speech on.ft.com/4oReC4b
FCC probes BBC edit of Trump’s January 6 speech
Regulator asks UK broadcaster if misleading ‘Panorama’ clip was aired in US
on.ft.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:32 AM
“The FCC inquiry is a fishing expedition in a desert — there’s nothing to catch.” What a waste of everyone’s time.
‘Kingston’s AI Christmas display is one of the most provocative artworks the capital has seen in years.’ I imagine it won’t be long until the Mail takes an interest in this
It’s the exclusive everyone wanted, the story that will win next year’s Pulitzer…
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
London's giant AI artwork to be torn down
The bizarre story of why a much-talked-about creation is being torn down. Plus: Docklands Light Railway extension, giant laser stalks the night sky, and more tales of Android phone theft rejection.
www.londoncentric.media
November 20, 2025 at 9:21 AM
‘Kingston’s AI Christmas display is one of the most provocative artworks the capital has seen in years.’ I imagine it won’t be long until the Mail takes an interest in this
Heh. One for @fairpoliticsnow.bsky.social (via @privateeyenews.bsky.social (obvs))
November 11, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Heh. One for @fairpoliticsnow.bsky.social (via @privateeyenews.bsky.social (obvs))
In other news, a survey says the percentage of UK residents who think the BBC is ‘doing a good job’ has just risen to 100%
The US president has sent a letter to the corporation threatening legal action.
Donald Trump Preparing To Sue BBC Over Panorama Speech Row
The US president has sent a letter to the corporation threatening legal action.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 2:17 PM
In other news, a survey says the percentage of UK residents who think the BBC is ‘doing a good job’ has just risen to 100%
Reposted by Jonathan Watson
New York millionaires: threatening to flee the city since 2009
November 7, 2025 at 9:36 PM
New York millionaires: threatening to flee the city since 2009
😂
This sounds typically moronic, but recent research has shown that 1,000 years ago some peasants did live in anarcho-syndicalist communes, and would take it in turns to act as a sort of executive officer for the week.
Trump: "After last night's results the decision facing all Americans could not be more clear. We have a choice between communist and common sense. Does that make sense to you? Common sense. It's common sense or communism. Look back 1,000 years. It hasn't worked."
November 6, 2025 at 9:16 AM
😂
My Bluesky feed is much more cheerful than usual this morning.
November 5, 2025 at 9:43 AM
My Bluesky feed is much more cheerful than usual this morning.
I had a listen to some of the shortlisted albums this morning and was mostly unimpressed, apart from Emma-Jane Thackray, who seems pretty cool youtu.be/5-u5ADmI8xA?...
October 17, 2025 at 11:26 AM
I had a listen to some of the shortlisted albums this morning and was mostly unimpressed, apart from Emma-Jane Thackray, who seems pretty cool youtu.be/5-u5ADmI8xA?...
Great song...
Supergrass’ debut single, Caught by the Fuzz, was released 31 years ago today, which seems as good a reason as any to trot out lead singer Gaz Coombes’ anecdote about meeting Cliff Richard at a record label party in late 1994...
October 17, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Great song...
"No one is above the law," US Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement announcing the charges 😂😂😂 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
John Bolton: Former Trump national security adviser indicted
Bolton is the third of the US president's political opponents to face charges in recent weeks.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 8:55 AM
"No one is above the law," US Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement announcing the charges 😂😂😂 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Jonathan Watson
Er... why has BBC Sport decided that we should all be interested in the twilight years of Jonjo Shelvey's career? Could it be because his views on the capital coincide with those of far-right conspiracy theorists, perhaps? 'You can't have your phone out in London?' Come on, Jonjo. Get real.
October 16, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Er... why has BBC Sport decided that we should all be interested in the twilight years of Jonjo Shelvey's career? Could it be because his views on the capital coincide with those of far-right conspiracy theorists, perhaps? 'You can't have your phone out in London?' Come on, Jonjo. Get real.
Reposted by Jonathan Watson
Sunn O))) have signed to Sub Pop and released a new maxi-single via the label.
Listen to it here:
buff.ly/y5qYq5x
Listen to it here:
buff.ly/y5qYq5x
October 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Sunn O))) have signed to Sub Pop and released a new maxi-single via the label.
Listen to it here:
buff.ly/y5qYq5x
Listen to it here:
buff.ly/y5qYq5x
"One of the main reasons the young are drifting not just to the right, but to the radical or even far right, is its intellectual energy — a fresh fizz of ideas about the ways in which we organise society." Give me strength 🙄
October 13, 2025 at 12:01 PM
"One of the main reasons the young are drifting not just to the right, but to the radical or even far right, is its intellectual energy — a fresh fizz of ideas about the ways in which we organise society." Give me strength 🙄
In which Ian describes Badenoch & Jenrick as "pathetic and empty and cowardly and immoral and petty and useless and inept". I'm not sure he likes them very much
October 10, 2025 at 2:17 PM
In which Ian describes Badenoch & Jenrick as "pathetic and empty and cowardly and immoral and petty and useless and inept". I'm not sure he likes them very much
Moving to Switzerland just so you can send your child to a posh school slightly more cheaply than here? Bit much www.theguardian.com/education/20...
‘We’ve been inundated’: European private schools report surge in interest from wealthy British parents
VAT on school fees has led to a rise in overseas interest and even relocations as UK fees have jumped by as much as 22.6%
www.theguardian.com
October 4, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Moving to Switzerland just so you can send your child to a posh school slightly more cheaply than here? Bit much www.theguardian.com/education/20...
This is the secret of Farage's success - he always sounds 110% confident regardless of what he's saying
Why you’re hardwired to trust confident voices. Even when they’re wrong
www.sciencefocus.com...
You NEED to read this article. It will DEFINITELY change your life for the better!
#Confidence #Trust #Brains
www.sciencefocus.com...
You NEED to read this article. It will DEFINITELY change your life for the better!
#Confidence #Trust #Brains
Why you’re hardwired to trust confident voices. Even when they’re wrong - BBC Science Focus Magazine
Human evolution has led to us naturally believe statements delivered in a more assured manner.
www.sciencefocus.com
September 30, 2025 at 10:22 AM
This is the secret of Farage's success - he always sounds 110% confident regardless of what he's saying
Age yourself with a movie you saw as a kid
September 29, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Age yourself with a movie you saw as a kid
Jesus Christ.
(That Daily Mail leading article on the day of Nadine Dorries’s defection was indeed a thing of wonder) www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/artic...
September 25, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Jesus Christ.