Rafael Behr
@rafaelbehr.bsky.social
Political columnist, The Guardian
Author, Politics, A Survivor's Guide
Website: https://rafaelbehr.com/
Author, Politics, A Survivor's Guide
Website: https://rafaelbehr.com/
Reposted by Rafael Behr
A quick reminder of who Nigel Farage was most concerned about when Putin's tanks first rolled into Ukraine
November 27, 2025 at 8:22 PM
A quick reminder of who Nigel Farage was most concerned about when Putin's tanks first rolled into Ukraine
@dkthomp.bsky.social very much enjoyed pod on cultural stagnation. It occurs to me that the phenomenon of Switzerland - neutral in war, prosperous, reliably uncool - very much supports your closing thesis.
November 28, 2025 at 8:16 AM
@dkthomp.bsky.social very much enjoyed pod on cultural stagnation. It occurs to me that the phenomenon of Switzerland - neutral in war, prosperous, reliably uncool - very much supports your closing thesis.
Reposted by Rafael Behr
Continues to be wild to me how few Labour MPs have absorbed that the Starmer-Reeves strategy is, and always has been “Plan A: Somehow the Major economy returned Plan B: Die”.
The tax rises in this Budget’s are backloaded.
They're largely kick in in what is likely to be a pre-election year, somewhat implausibly.
They're largely kick in in what is likely to be a pre-election year, somewhat implausibly.
November 27, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Continues to be wild to me how few Labour MPs have absorbed that the Starmer-Reeves strategy is, and always has been “Plan A: Somehow the Major economy returned Plan B: Die”.
Reposted by Rafael Behr
🚨ICYMI🚨 Cory Doctorow on the curse of Enshittification and how to fix it. Cory joins @nndroid.bsky.social and @rafaelbehr.bsky.social to discuss the ways we can stop it ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
#tech #technology #enshittification #corydoctorow #OGWN #podcast #techpodcast #digitaldecay #ai
#tech #technology #enshittification #corydoctorow #OGWN #podcast #techpodcast #digitaldecay #ai
November 27, 2025 at 7:00 AM
🚨ICYMI🚨 Cory Doctorow on the curse of Enshittification and how to fix it. Cory joins @nndroid.bsky.social and @rafaelbehr.bsky.social to discuss the ways we can stop it ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
#tech #technology #enshittification #corydoctorow #OGWN #podcast #techpodcast #digitaldecay #ai
#tech #technology #enshittification #corydoctorow #OGWN #podcast #techpodcast #digitaldecay #ai
Reposted by Rafael Behr
wish the BBC would lead on micro-economic aspects of budget rather than the politics and macro-economic sides. Overall tax takes are meaningless to most of us, and what's the point in asking Reform, Greens, Lib Dems, SNP and Conservatives unbiased opinion? I mean Kemi said it was worst one ever 🤨
November 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
wish the BBC would lead on micro-economic aspects of budget rather than the politics and macro-economic sides. Overall tax takes are meaningless to most of us, and what's the point in asking Reform, Greens, Lib Dems, SNP and Conservatives unbiased opinion? I mean Kemi said it was worst one ever 🤨
Reposted by Rafael Behr
Something that Trump’s hapless crew seem completely unable to understand.
We still need to get from a situation where Russia pretends to negotiate to a situation where they need to negotiate.
Extract from my press remarks following today’s informal Foreign Affairs Council ↓
Extract from my press remarks following today’s informal Foreign Affairs Council ↓
November 26, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Something that Trump’s hapless crew seem completely unable to understand.
Reposted by Rafael Behr
The fundamental political-economy for the government is that is objectively implementing a soft left economic policy on speed whilst being hated by lots of left leaning people because of its other policies and rhetoric.
November 26, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The fundamental political-economy for the government is that is objectively implementing a soft left economic policy on speed whilst being hated by lots of left leaning people because of its other policies and rhetoric.
Reposted by Rafael Behr
Rachel Reeves’ day so far
November 26, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Rachel Reeves’ day so far
Reposted by Rafael Behr
Was always VERY sceptical about this: dropping the idea of an income tax rise was a political, not an economic decision.
Minor point. But this is the OBR saying that the briefing about income tax being dropped because of improved forecasts is bollocks.
November 26, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Was always VERY sceptical about this: dropping the idea of an income tax rise was a political, not an economic decision.
On budget, Brexit and UK politics paddling in the shallow end of a problem that goes way deeper than just tax rises. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Rachel Reeves has many problems. She’s realising that her Brexit bind may be the biggest of all | Rafael Behr
Brutal economic realities are prompting a shift in Labour’s tone on Europe. But will it dare tell the whole truth about Britain’s predicament, asks Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:15 AM
On budget, Brexit and UK politics paddling in the shallow end of a problem that goes way deeper than just tax rises. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Rafael Behr
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 Why tech sucks. Cory Doctorow, who coined the term “Enshittification” joins @nndroid.bsky.social and @rafaelbehr.bsky.social to discuss how we can combat it ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
#tech #technology #enshittification #corydoctorow #OGWN #podcast #techpodcast
#tech #technology #enshittification #corydoctorow #OGWN #podcast #techpodcast
November 26, 2025 at 7:00 AM
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 Why tech sucks. Cory Doctorow, who coined the term “Enshittification” joins @nndroid.bsky.social and @rafaelbehr.bsky.social to discuss how we can combat it ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
#tech #technology #enshittification #corydoctorow #OGWN #podcast #techpodcast
#tech #technology #enshittification #corydoctorow #OGWN #podcast #techpodcast
Reposted by Rafael Behr
New: Three new ex-pupils come forward, on the record, to say Farage's racism as a teenager was targeted, persistent and nasty. Farage has denied targeting any individuals - but two of the men tell us they recall Farage abusing Peter Ettedgui.
w/ Dan Boffey, @drblacklock.bsky.social
w/ Dan Boffey, @drblacklock.bsky.social
Three more ex-pupils at school with Nigel Farage reject ‘banter’ claims
Exclusive: Dulwich college contemporaries ‘rubbish’ Reform UK leader’s suggestion alleged racist taunts not intended to hurt
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:17 PM
New: Three new ex-pupils come forward, on the record, to say Farage's racism as a teenager was targeted, persistent and nasty. Farage has denied targeting any individuals - but two of the men tell us they recall Farage abusing Peter Ettedgui.
w/ Dan Boffey, @drblacklock.bsky.social
w/ Dan Boffey, @drblacklock.bsky.social
Reposted by Rafael Behr
“Enshittification” is the word of the moment. It’s the reason Google is all ads and Amazon serves you crappy overpriced products. Cory Doctorow, who coined the term, joins @nndroid.bsky.social and @rafaelbehr.bsky.social to discuss how we can combat it ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
November 25, 2025 at 7:19 AM
“Enshittification” is the word of the moment. It’s the reason Google is all ads and Amazon serves you crappy overpriced products. Cory Doctorow, who coined the term, joins @nndroid.bsky.social and @rafaelbehr.bsky.social to discuss how we can combat it ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnowpod
Reposted by Rafael Behr
At my funeral I want the priest to read out a long bit about how much I loved darts. I don’t love darts but my family and friends will be like “wow we never really knew him”.
November 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
At my funeral I want the priest to read out a long bit about how much I loved darts. I don’t love darts but my family and friends will be like “wow we never really knew him”.
Recorded v early this morning. I think you can probably hear the caffeine kick in ~10mins in.
🚨Start Your Week🚨
It’s a big week for Starmer and Reeves as the Budget looms. How’s it going to go down? @rafaelbehr.bsky.social and @jacobjarvis.bsky.social discuss this and other news to look out for this week.
Spotify 🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/5LIz...
Apple 🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n...
It’s a big week for Starmer and Reeves as the Budget looms. How’s it going to go down? @rafaelbehr.bsky.social and @jacobjarvis.bsky.social discuss this and other news to look out for this week.
Spotify 🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/5LIz...
Apple 🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n...
November 24, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Recorded v early this morning. I think you can probably hear the caffeine kick in ~10mins in.
Reposted by Rafael Behr
It’s like Brewster’s Millions but for giving away votes
November 24, 2025 at 8:36 AM
It’s like Brewster’s Millions but for giving away votes
I have a limitless appetite for Beatles alt takes and outtakes anyway, but in era of AI-generated music I’m finding the new Anthology release especially poignant as reminder of how humans create things, collaboratively, iteratively, being silly, making mistakes …
November 23, 2025 at 7:46 PM
I have a limitless appetite for Beatles alt takes and outtakes anyway, but in era of AI-generated music I’m finding the new Anthology release especially poignant as reminder of how humans create things, collaboratively, iteratively, being silly, making mistakes …
Reposted by Rafael Behr
Compilations of 15 second Sora videos posted on accounts like this are already doing big numbers, along with Sora generated rage bait. Legislation should require AI detection tools to be an integral part of the posting process, and tag likely AI generated posts and lower their algorithmic ranking.
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
November 23, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Compilations of 15 second Sora videos posted on accounts like this are already doing big numbers, along with Sora generated rage bait. Legislation should require AI detection tools to be an integral part of the posting process, and tag likely AI generated posts and lower their algorithmic ranking.
Reposted by Rafael Behr
“Did Nathan Gill ever say anything you disagree with in return for his bribes from a Kremlin stooge?”
“Did you, in your roles as his boss, friend, mentor & party leader, ever question his full-throated support for an enemy of the UK and if not, why not?”
You can have those for nothing, lads.
“Did you, in your roles as his boss, friend, mentor & party leader, ever question his full-throated support for an enemy of the UK and if not, why not?”
You can have those for nothing, lads.
November 22, 2025 at 11:23 AM
“Did Nathan Gill ever say anything you disagree with in return for his bribes from a Kremlin stooge?”
“Did you, in your roles as his boss, friend, mentor & party leader, ever question his full-throated support for an enemy of the UK and if not, why not?”
You can have those for nothing, lads.
“Did you, in your roles as his boss, friend, mentor & party leader, ever question his full-throated support for an enemy of the UK and if not, why not?”
You can have those for nothing, lads.
Reposted by Rafael Behr
This (from: www.ft.com/content/75ce...) is something you can *feel* if you are in the UK, especially if you've experienced living abroad. But infuriatingly successive governments and our entire media are somehow absolutely committed to suggesting anyone who wants to change this is the devil...
November 21, 2025 at 7:38 AM
This (from: www.ft.com/content/75ce...) is something you can *feel* if you are in the UK, especially if you've experienced living abroad. But infuriatingly successive governments and our entire media are somehow absolutely committed to suggesting anyone who wants to change this is the devil...
Late equaliser for humanity in match against AI.
Looks like LLMs are *very* vulnerable to attack via poetic allusion: "curated poetic prompts yielded high attack-success rates (ASR), with some providers exceeding 90% ..."
https://arxiv.org/html/2511.15304v1
https://arxiv.org/html/2511.15304v1
November 21, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Late equaliser for humanity in match against AI.
6 music playing Stone Roses first album in its entirety this morning is not exactly helping this middle aged Gen Xer resist the aching undertow of nostalgia for late 20th Century.
November 21, 2025 at 8:10 AM
6 music playing Stone Roses first album in its entirety this morning is not exactly helping this middle aged Gen Xer resist the aching undertow of nostalgia for late 20th Century.
Reposted by Rafael Behr
The Covid inquiry’s findings are shocking but unsurprising now, so the main thing it left me thinking is that without a vaccine we wd’ve been utterly screwed. & if you worked round the clock to make a thing that saved millions of lives globally, to see that legacy trashed by anti-vaxxers…
November 20, 2025 at 5:50 PM
The Covid inquiry’s findings are shocking but unsurprising now, so the main thing it left me thinking is that without a vaccine we wd’ve been utterly screwed. & if you worked round the clock to make a thing that saved millions of lives globally, to see that legacy trashed by anti-vaxxers…
Reposted by Rafael Behr
🚨ICYMI🚨 Is Trump starting to lose? @mollyjongfast.bsky.social, @nndroid.bsky.social & @rafaelbehr.bsky.social discuss 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
#Trump #DonaldTrump #uspolitics #podcast
#Trump #DonaldTrump #uspolitics #podcast
November 20, 2025 at 7:00 AM
🚨ICYMI🚨 Is Trump starting to lose? @mollyjongfast.bsky.social, @nndroid.bsky.social & @rafaelbehr.bsky.social discuss 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
#Trump #DonaldTrump #uspolitics #podcast
#Trump #DonaldTrump #uspolitics #podcast
Reposted by Rafael Behr
On Labour MPs in a dark place. Featuring King Lear. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Starmer’s squandering of a historic election victory is a tragedy nearing its finale | Rafael Behr
The tactics that gave Labour its huge majority in 2024 were no preparation for government – and the prime minister has proved he has nothing more to offer, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:20 AM
On Labour MPs in a dark place. Featuring King Lear. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...