I suspect that the political failures of Bidenomics (POLITICAL failures, mind you, not ECONOMIC) is pretty conclusive proof that in the 2020s, American voters regard themselves first and foremost as consumers, not as workers.

Includes me exposing the myth that Cambridge somehow earned its way into its leadership position in UK life sciences. It didn't. Leeds was in the lead, and then the Medical Research Council in London picked Cambridge and London as winners because it was their mates.

The fact is no presenter has ever had to leave the BBC for expressing conservative views, or even explicitly endorsing a right-wing party.

Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar

In terms of US politics, Bush v. Gore is the defining event of the century. It set the template: a ruthless right that instinctively seeks power & doesn't give a shit about rule of law...and a bunch of hapless, feckless octogenarian Dems worried about the good opinion of centrist opinion columnists.

Free speechwriting tip for the PM: www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...

it's that time of year when a bunch of people start pretending their personal distaste for the avatar franchise can bend reality in their favor against the inevitable tide of james "big jim" cameron's next guaranteed blockbuster smash hit. you can ignore them, they are fools

I have talked about this a number of times, politicians are trying to bring attention to the issue, but it's not getting attention from the media.

They spend too much time covering Reform opening an envelope.

youtu.be/0_UZQZsipoY

Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷

Amazing oversize book bursting with art, info & great design, all about being a Pict in 690CE. Is an academic text, an illustrated all-ages book & a TTRPG sourcebook all at once. (Hepped to me via @kierongillen.bsky.social's lap.) carvedinstone.scot

Breaking character: I am open to the idea the media's coverage of Biden's age and mental acuity was fair or perhaps not even tough enough. But the fact that it was so much tougher than the coverage of Trump's (more severe) mental decline is damning and I can't see how anyone could argue otherwise.

I'm not a politician – I don't have voters to keep happy. I'm not a journalistic commentator – I don't have a readership to keep happy.

I just make comments. That's it.

So here's another comment: on the basis of Peston's Lam interview, he should be fired and be made to clear his desk immediately.

How is this repeatedly made into a policy issue - by *all* parties - when the blunt fact of the matter is that grown adults who are obliged to pay for their own education, and relentlessly pursued to repay their loans, should be able to study whatever the fuck they want.

Equally though, if we ask ourselves what a centre-right pitch to the actual existing UK’s problems would be: tax reform, co-payment in the NHS, something like May’s dementia tax, scrap the new deal and renters rights bill, more money for local govt scrap the BSA…not sure people would vote for it?

The UK is looking like a comparatively safe place to undertake scientific research over the next few years, but will we take advantage of the opportunity?

Feels like the way this ends is with millions of Brits being heavily incentivised to shift their money into equities just as they top out. It’s the Sod’s Law outcome but also…the market has extremely 1929 energy right now, no?

ICYMI: Vibes for the economy and other things mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/01/vibe...
Why does the mainstream media, without being told to do so, often present a view of the world that departs from the view held be experts in the field, and why does this failure matter?

going to keep posting about this piece because I really think that everyone online should read it: www.wheresyoured.at/never-forgiv...