Chris Doonan
@rabbits91.bsky.social
Yeah, he's clearly concerned about being outflanked, but (and I'm prepared to be disappointed here) I think it's going to really damage his brand as the thinking man's racist.
December 5, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Yeah, he's clearly concerned about being outflanked, but (and I'm prepared to be disappointed here) I think it's going to really damage his brand as the thinking man's racist.
One of Farage's qualities as a politician has always his ability to deflect and sound superficially reasonable when being questioned. To see that skill desert him had been... Eye opening.
December 5, 2025 at 9:03 AM
One of Farage's qualities as a politician has always his ability to deflect and sound superficially reasonable when being questioned. To see that skill desert him had been... Eye opening.
Could never understand why my dad worked with patterns. Patents. It was patents.
December 4, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Could never understand why my dad worked with patterns. Patents. It was patents.
Would really like someone to do a deep-dive into the protein phenomenon. Why can't I just have a yoghurt?
December 3, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Would really like someone to do a deep-dive into the protein phenomenon. Why can't I just have a yoghurt?
It's maddening. Somebody - can't remember who - once posted a graph of infant mortality with the invention of formula milk marked on it, and it was rather eye-opening.
December 3, 2025 at 8:54 PM
It's maddening. Somebody - can't remember who - once posted a graph of infant mortality with the invention of formula milk marked on it, and it was rather eye-opening.
So I'm tangentially involved in this as part of the day job and yeah, the rules are *really* stringent. Basically no promotion of formula milk at all (you can do offers on follow on milk). It's stricter than alcohol which feels backwards.
December 3, 2025 at 8:54 PM
So I'm tangentially involved in this as part of the day job and yeah, the rules are *really* stringent. Basically no promotion of formula milk at all (you can do offers on follow on milk). It's stricter than alcohol which feels backwards.
Yeah, I think there's a very simple issue of misinterpreting inflation down = prices down.
December 2, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Yeah, I think there's a very simple issue of misinterpreting inflation down = prices down.
I've sometimes wondered what the reaction would be if tax rises were sold as a subscription instead - "you get all this public service for a mere £30 a month extra. You're rich, you can get our gold package for a mere £15 extra" (T&C's apply. Subscriptions are compulsory)
December 1, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I've sometimes wondered what the reaction would be if tax rises were sold as a subscription instead - "you get all this public service for a mere £30 a month extra. You're rich, you can get our gold package for a mere £15 extra" (T&C's apply. Subscriptions are compulsory)
Wonder if this a a government issue rather than a Labour issue - as in, they're confusing "hold the govt to account" with "always and only criticise the govt"
December 1, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Wonder if this a a government issue rather than a Labour issue - as in, they're confusing "hold the govt to account" with "always and only criticise the govt"
It's fascinating, isn't it? Did you reach any solid conclusions? My partner is a teacher so definitely a vested interest here!
November 29, 2025 at 9:20 AM
It's fascinating, isn't it? Did you reach any solid conclusions? My partner is a teacher so definitely a vested interest here!
I wouldn't recommend a 90 year old invests for the long term, for eg! But if you're the sort who's anywhere near at risk of bumping up against even the £12k limit, chances are you're in a position where you can shove it in a tracker.
November 29, 2025 at 9:16 AM
I wouldn't recommend a 90 year old invests for the long term, for eg! But if you're the sort who's anywhere near at risk of bumping up against even the £12k limit, chances are you're in a position where you can shove it in a tracker.
Absolutely - I say all this as someone who is incredibly risk averse. Took me about 2 years of hovering over the button to buy a tracker. Obviously I have no idea about your finances - and it's easy to think of scenarios where cash savings make sense.
November 29, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Absolutely - I say all this as someone who is incredibly risk averse. Took me about 2 years of hovering over the button to buy a tracker. Obviously I have no idea about your finances - and it's easy to think of scenarios where cash savings make sense.
And finally - because I've blathered on far too long - sorry if my inflation comment was patronising, wasn't my intention. I've spoken to people about this before who haven't understood it!
November 29, 2025 at 9:03 AM
And finally - because I've blathered on far too long - sorry if my inflation comment was patronising, wasn't my intention. I've spoken to people about this before who haven't understood it!
There's loads of fascinating psychology around all this, if that's your bag - I'm in no sense an expert but essentially we feel losses far more than gains, so investing is definitely going against the psychological grain!
November 29, 2025 at 9:03 AM
There's loads of fascinating psychology around all this, if that's your bag - I'm in no sense an expert but essentially we feel losses far more than gains, so investing is definitely going against the psychological grain!
I don't think the GFC has helped with this by the way - can't prove it but wouldn't surprise me if investing has reduced since then. And yes, if you looked every day (don't!) you might see it fall from one day to the next, but over time the trend will be up
November 29, 2025 at 9:03 AM
I don't think the GFC has helped with this by the way - can't prove it but wouldn't surprise me if investing has reduced since then. And yes, if you looked every day (don't!) you might see it fall from one day to the next, but over time the trend will be up
And I disagree on the education issue - investing is viewed as complicated and scary, and if people knew the basics it would demystify it. Bluntly there are a lot of people who would like to keep it that way, so they can charge you lots of money to do it all for you.
November 29, 2025 at 9:03 AM
And I disagree on the education issue - investing is viewed as complicated and scary, and if people knew the basics it would demystify it. Bluntly there are a lot of people who would like to keep it that way, so they can charge you lots of money to do it all for you.
Because it suggests that cash *is* guaranteed. No one is suggesting all your savings should be invested (would be a right faff if you had to divest stocks every time you weren't shopping!) but you'd be far better off if some of your long term savings were invested.
November 29, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Because it suggests that cash *is* guaranteed. No one is suggesting all your savings should be invested (would be a right faff if you had to divest stocks every time you weren't shopping!) but you'd be far better off if some of your long term savings were invested.
Reposted by Chris Doonan
Here’s a great piece on the under appreciated risk of cash investments
www.schroders.com/en-us/us/ind...
www.schroders.com/en-us/us/ind...
www.schroders.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Here’s a great piece on the under appreciated risk of cash investments
www.schroders.com/en-us/us/ind...
www.schroders.com/en-us/us/ind...
Always interesting when people say investing "isn't guaranteed" but cash is - they're right, in the sense that inflation means it's more or less guaranteed to lose value.Agreed that it'll be a common feeling, but I think the issue there is lack of financial education, rather than investing per se.
November 29, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Always interesting when people say investing "isn't guaranteed" but cash is - they're right, in the sense that inflation means it's more or less guaranteed to lose value.Agreed that it'll be a common feeling, but I think the issue there is lack of financial education, rather than investing per se.
If the last decade has taught me anything, it's that Things Can Only Get Better
November 27, 2025 at 1:58 PM
If the last decade has taught me anything, it's that Things Can Only Get Better
Okay thanks, appreciate the explanation - good to have your assumptions challenged sometimes!
November 19, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Okay thanks, appreciate the explanation - good to have your assumptions challenged sometimes!
Sorry, I've never really understood the logic of this one but maybe I've got it wrong.. is the idea of a lower minimum wage for 16 year olds that it incentivises employers to hire more of them? And... Is there any evidence that's worked?
November 19, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Sorry, I've never really understood the logic of this one but maybe I've got it wrong.. is the idea of a lower minimum wage for 16 year olds that it incentivises employers to hire more of them? And... Is there any evidence that's worked?