Mike Hook
michaelhook.bsky.social
Mike Hook
@michaelhook.bsky.social
Professional Software Engineer.
Distinctly amateur parent and triathlete.

https://bakingwebsites.co.uk
https://github.com/MikeHook
Reposted by Mike Hook
"These estimates suggest that by 2025 Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8%, with the impact accumulating gradually over time."

New NBER report is quietly devastating about the impact of Brexit on the UK economy.

We need to cut away the drag anchor of Brexit.

We need to rejoin the EU!
November 10, 2025 at 12:40 PM
It's like when you're running a marathon, the middle bit is tough. All enthusiasm from the first 10k has disappeared but the end seems unattainable. Nothing to do but knuckle down and push through until the end is end sight! www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Giving up would be a betrayal’: Miliband says 1.5C target still alive before Cop30
Exclusive: Environment secretary says global tipping points are possible as he rejects far-right climate ‘defeatism’
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Reposted by Mike Hook
“Average musician makes $12 a month on Spotify. The fact that they are not even able to sell a record and it’s taken from them by rich motherfuckers on streaming platforms who get paid royally by record labels,Ticketmaster, merch companies. They’re all fucking getting paid, except for the musician.”
Garbage’s Shirley Manson Speaks Out Against Music Industry Economics: “This Is An Alarm Call”
Just before they kicked off their current run of dates, the ’90s alt-rock greats Garbage announced that it would be their final North American headline tour. When the band played at Denver’s Mission B...
www.stereogum.com
October 19, 2025 at 1:19 PM
I thought Golf was an essentially dull game for old rich people, when did it get taken over by yobbish idiots!

I guess this is part of the Trump effect, bringing everything down to a base, polarized, 'us vs them' level. Can't wait for this guy to be history!
September 29, 2025 at 11:26 AM
A well spent evening with a great and wise man. It may not be rock and roll but democracy got plenty of cheers tonight!
September 24, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Found in our old car, what do you reckon, keep for the apocalypse times when no phones work or bin it off?
September 3, 2025 at 6:45 PM
While the world burns, our mega rich sporting heroes travel the globe playing exhibition games of football. All cheered on by fans who stand to lose the most from climate change. www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Taking flight: how Premier League clubs are racking up 175,000 summer air miles
All 20 teams are jetting around between league seasons, including for friendlies, training camps and the Club World Cup
www.theguardian.com
July 12, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Reposted by Mike Hook
Thanks for the reminder @janemunday.bsky.social. Every summer, I repost this article DROWNING DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DROWNING. To date, I know of FOUR kids who were saved after someone who'd clicked on the link learnt how to spot actual drowning. Take time to read and pass on.

slate.com/technology/2...
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect.
slate.com
June 19, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Jeez, what is it about getting older and not being able to sleep. In my mid forties now and some night sleep is pretty elusive. Granted, we were cooking in the mini heat wave last night but it seems like any little thing knocks my body out of sleep mode 😴
June 13, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Ok drivers I get it, having to wait an extra 30 seconds to pass a bike that is riding in the middle of the lane is annoying. But before you reach for that horn, there is probably a good reason they're there. Potholes and poor surfacing on the road edge may mean it's the only safe place to cycle!
June 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
They say "the development would also destroy vital habitats, fragment eco systems and increase flood risks."

Seems quite unlikely that some solar panels would do that, however extremely likely that climate change will have that effect!

www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/...
Angry residents in fight to stop huge solar farm being built in West Sussex village
Angry residents are putting up a fight to stop an ‘industrial scale’ solar farm from being built on land in a West Sussex village.
www.sussexexpress.co.uk
June 4, 2025 at 9:15 PM
With new generation battery tech EVs are truly going to dominate in the next few years. Lots of models coming out that will undercut petrol engined cars. This Toyota is China only but the new VW ID2 in Europe will be low cost as well.
www.ibtimes.co.uk/toyota-comes...
Toyota's bZ5 EV Shocks Tesla with £14,400 Price Tag
Toyota's new bZ5 crossover rivals the Tesla Model Y with double the range and half the price. Is this the Tesla killer we've been waiting for?
www.ibtimes.co.uk
May 28, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Not out.
May 9, 2025 at 10:42 PM
44
May 9, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Welcome to the AI age, where clients ask both me and Chat GPT how they can do something with a specific technology. I say it can't be done, Chat GPT makes up a code response that appears plausible but is in fact impossible.
Not exactly a productivity win as I wasted time refuting the AI claims!
May 8, 2025 at 9:26 AM
So, rich people are destroying the world. Makes sense given all the extra resources the rich consume from their massive houses, multiple cars and many air flights. The funny thing is most people in this bracket probably don't even consider themselves rich! www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Two-thirds of global heating caused by richest 10%, study suggests
Paper in Nature Climate Change journal reveals major role wealthy emitters play in driving climate extremes
www.theguardian.com
May 7, 2025 at 3:17 PM
After spending the day working on a patio project in the garden I'm looking forward to a rest tapping my thoughts and code into a keyboard next week! 😂
May 2, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Glad to see the UK govt are looking to bring British Steel back under their control. Nationalising everything is not the answer but for strategic resources like this it is essential. We mustn't lose all our capabilities to be self sufficient, especially with the US turning rogue.
April 11, 2025 at 4:48 PM
If you want to impress your 8 year old take them to see Minecraft at the 4dx cinema. Just prepare to endure several hours of being kicked in the back by your chair when you least expect it!
April 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Fed up with hearing stories and experiencing aggressive behaviour from badly trained dogs.

Yes, I have warned my children not to go near them but the dogs usually run up to the kids. It's a dog owner's responsibility to ensure the dogs behave and train them www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Worrying rise in dog attacks on children', says Sussex surgeon
The Queen Victoria Hospital says it is deploying more resources to treat children bitten by dogs.
www.bbc.co.uk
April 1, 2025 at 12:34 PM
The LibDems are the only mainstream party speaking common sense on economics at the moment. Increase taxes on those that can afford it - rich companies and individuals and improve trade with our biggest partner - the EU.
We’ve repeatedly said we should raise revenue in a fairer way—by going after companies making billions in profits, who can afford to pay a bit more to help restore our public services.

At the same time, we need to grow the economy and negotiate our EU trade deal.

Daisy Cooper MP #bbcqt
March 28, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Reposted by Mike Hook
"We’re deeply concerned the government is targeting disabled people and their carers, instead of taxing US billionaires and tech barons."

@libdemdaisy.bsky.social
March 27, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Inequality is out of control, we need to get a handle on this!
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
All UK families ‘to be worse off by 2030’ as poor bear the brunt, new data warns
Keir Starmer has been dealt a fresh blow to his living standards pledge in advance of the spring statement
www.theguardian.com
March 22, 2025 at 11:28 PM
This is gonna look amazing with wildflowers blooming. Either that or a mud bath for 12 months then re-grassed to avoid divorce 🤣
March 22, 2025 at 11:24 PM
The final solution for no more bank mowing 😁
March 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM