Laura Jokisalo
@laurajokisalo.bsky.social
Writes. Interested in history, literature, films, data, statistics, red squirrels & hedgehogs, social policy, law, frauds & hoaxes, cybersecurity, brains & trivia. Everything about the UK & most things about Canada. And horror, especially horror.
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
If the last 5 years of your social media history doesn't get ban you from Trump's USA, then we can't be friends 🙅♀️💁♀️
December 12, 2025 at 10:10 AM
If the last 5 years of your social media history doesn't get ban you from Trump's USA, then we can't be friends 🙅♀️💁♀️
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
Paul Douglas Lockhart reviews 'Anglo-Swedish Commercial Connections and Diplomatic Relations in the Seventeenth Century', by Adam Grimshaw @adamgeorgie.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
@dgb-history.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
@dgb-history.bsky.social
Anglo-Swedish Commercial Connections and Diplomatic Relations in the Seventeenth Century, by Adam Grimshaw
The Baltic world and the Nordic region have never figured prominently in the historiography of medieval and early modern Europe. This imbalance—which tradi
academic.oup.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Paul Douglas Lockhart reviews 'Anglo-Swedish Commercial Connections and Diplomatic Relations in the Seventeenth Century', by Adam Grimshaw @adamgeorgie.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
@dgb-history.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
@dgb-history.bsky.social
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
Most discussions about “misinformation” treat the problem as if people simply don’t have good enough critical-thinking skills. It sounds intuitive, but it’s not entirely accurate. The problem isn’t just individual ignorance, it’s the structure of the information environment people are placed into.
Finland has emerged as a global leader in countering “fake news”. Here's how they've done it
Teaching when to trust
As fake news accelerates, we need to teach our children how to think critically. Finnish schools are leading the charge
newhumanist.org.uk
December 7, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Most discussions about “misinformation” treat the problem as if people simply don’t have good enough critical-thinking skills. It sounds intuitive, but it’s not entirely accurate. The problem isn’t just individual ignorance, it’s the structure of the information environment people are placed into.
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
The new US National Security Strategy, in its predictable and characteristic ugliness, is a good occasion for Europe to finally let go of the time-consuming transatlantic crisis management efforts and start focusing on a proper and proactive own strategy instead.
Europe Needs A New Strategy Too
The new US National Security Strategy helps - or forces - European leaders to let go of the consuming transatlantic crisis management efforts and to focus on an own strategy instead.
open.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The new US National Security Strategy, in its predictable and characteristic ugliness, is a good occasion for Europe to finally let go of the time-consuming transatlantic crisis management efforts and start focusing on a proper and proactive own strategy instead.
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
The New Cold War is against nationalist authoritarianism, and the US is on their side.
December 5, 2025 at 10:43 AM
The New Cold War is against nationalist authoritarianism, and the US is on their side.
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
🔴 Nigel Farage’s Reform is more reliant on super-rich backers than any major party in modern British political history
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
75% of Reform UK’s donations have come from just three rich men
Calls grow for donation caps as Democracy for Sale research reveals that three-quarters of Reform’s funding comes from a trio of wealthy donors
democracyforsale.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:55 AM
🔴 Nigel Farage’s Reform is more reliant on super-rich backers than any major party in modern British political history
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men
Is this what democracy looks like?
New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
A supposedly grassroots anti-migrant movement led by 'ordinary' women, which is backed by Reform and Conservative politicians and is regularly invited onto news channels to promote their views, is funded by a far-right group and has platformed a Neo-Nazi activist
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/05/t...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/05/t...
The 'Pink Ladies' Laundering Anti-Migrant Views Into the Mainstream
An anti-migrant movement backed by Reform and Conservative politicians and regularly invited onto news channels is funded by a far-right group and has platformed a Neo-Nazi activist
bylinetimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:44 AM
A supposedly grassroots anti-migrant movement led by 'ordinary' women, which is backed by Reform and Conservative politicians and is regularly invited onto news channels to promote their views, is funded by a far-right group and has platformed a Neo-Nazi activist
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/05/t...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/05/t...
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
All of the companies that make the software I use are increasing their prices, to account for an "investment" in AI.
I'm sat here imagining how my clients would feel if I added 30% to each invoice, because I "really got into gambling".
I'm sat here imagining how my clients would feel if I added 30% to each invoice, because I "really got into gambling".
December 4, 2025 at 8:41 AM
All of the companies that make the software I use are increasing their prices, to account for an "investment" in AI.
I'm sat here imagining how my clients would feel if I added 30% to each invoice, because I "really got into gambling".
I'm sat here imagining how my clients would feel if I added 30% to each invoice, because I "really got into gambling".
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
The most precious commodity you have is your attention. You don’t have to waste it on poor-faith debates or arguments with strangers if you don’t think they’ll be productive. You can prioritize the things that matter to you and make your life richer.
November 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The most precious commodity you have is your attention. You don’t have to waste it on poor-faith debates or arguments with strangers if you don’t think they’ll be productive. You can prioritize the things that matter to you and make your life richer.
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
Finally getting some theological clarity on the ethics of reclining in one’s plane seat
November 29, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Finally getting some theological clarity on the ethics of reclining in one’s plane seat
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
There was no state. Who does she think crucified him, an anarchist collective?
November 28, 2025 at 11:22 AM
There was no state. Who does she think crucified him, an anarchist collective?
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
The UK, where the day after a decision to take half a million children out of poverty, the media & political world has been full of sneering at those same children & their families, labelling them as ‘Benefits Street’, while the same people are moaning about a tax on £2m mansions. Shameful stuff.
November 27, 2025 at 8:22 PM
The UK, where the day after a decision to take half a million children out of poverty, the media & political world has been full of sneering at those same children & their families, labelling them as ‘Benefits Street’, while the same people are moaning about a tax on £2m mansions. Shameful stuff.
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
This is exactly what the recent Trump-BBC 'scandal' was designed to achieve. The BBC is now self-censoring criticisms of Trump in the name of "impartiality"
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 AM
This is exactly what the recent Trump-BBC 'scandal' was designed to achieve. The BBC is now self-censoring criticisms of Trump in the name of "impartiality"
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
I drew North London
November 23, 2025 at 6:23 PM
I drew North London
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
How should Ukraine respond?
And more details on the "peace plan"
samf.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
It is indisputable that Brexit has been an economic disaster, and notable that none of its political architects have paid any price.
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
Brexit Hit to UK Economy Double Official Estimate, Study Finds
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist.
bloom.bg
November 21, 2025 at 10:15 AM
It is indisputable that Brexit has been an economic disaster, and notable that none of its political architects have paid any price.
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
Well worth a read. It’s so sad what AI is doing to students’ ability to think for themselves👇
To “my students and to anyone who might listen, I say: Don’t surrender to AI your ability to read, write and think when others once risked their lives and died for the freedom to do so.”
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
I Set A Trap To Catch My Students Cheating With AI. The Results Were Shocking.
"Students are not just undermining their ability to learn, but to someday lead."
www.huffpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Well worth a read. It’s so sad what AI is doing to students’ ability to think for themselves👇
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
Some notable things in what's being called the "Trump peace plan" but which could not have been more clearly written in Moscow if it came with a 2 for 1 deal on tickets to the Bolshoi Ballet. 🧵
November 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Some notable things in what's being called the "Trump peace plan" but which could not have been more clearly written in Moscow if it came with a 2 for 1 deal on tickets to the Bolshoi Ballet. 🧵
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
I’m not sure how I would deal with being found to have been responsible for 23k deaths, but I think it would likely involve removing myself from public life and finding some way to help save lives.
November 21, 2025 at 8:51 AM
I’m not sure how I would deal with being found to have been responsible for 23k deaths, but I think it would likely involve removing myself from public life and finding some way to help save lives.
Reposted by Laura Jokisalo
Elon Musk > Shakespeare
November 20, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Elon Musk > Shakespeare