Simon Hawthorn
@simon.insanity.tube
Public transport major infrastructure sponsor (for my sins), mountain walker and lapsed archer, ex-charity director, Autistic & ADHD. Unreformed kayaker. Atypical podcaster. Democracy author. Might try and do some more travel soon! He/They 🏳️🌈
Reposted by Simon Hawthorn
What do these corporations have in common?
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
November 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
What do these corporations have in common?
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
Reposted by Simon Hawthorn
"We're just men, we're just innocent men"
November 28, 2025 at 8:28 PM
"We're just men, we're just innocent men"
Reposted by Simon Hawthorn
Reform UK Party Ltd are a company and yes, they ought to be investigated.
November 26, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Reform UK Party Ltd are a company and yes, they ought to be investigated.
Someone keeps asking me for dinner.
November 24, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Someone keeps asking me for dinner.
Reposted by Simon Hawthorn
Reposted by Simon Hawthorn
The public consultation on trans access rights at Highgate Ponds ends on the 25th Nov - so now's the time to give your thoughts if you were intending to! Link in QT
Really worth doing this - these are historically queer spaces and should be protected as such.
There are about 5 main questions (one for each "solution"), then a few basic "about you" questions
There are about 5 main questions (one for each "solution"), then a few basic "about you" questions
The Gender Critical have already inundated this survey with their disgusting views on banning trans people from using the ponds.
Would be a shame if we inundated with trans positive views on not banning trans people.
hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds.commonplace.is/en-GB/propos...
Would be a shame if we inundated with trans positive views on not banning trans people.
hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds.commonplace.is/en-GB/propos...
November 22, 2025 at 10:31 AM
The public consultation on trans access rights at Highgate Ponds ends on the 25th Nov - so now's the time to give your thoughts if you were intending to! Link in QT
Today marks 38 years since 31 people lost their lives in the Kings Cross Underground Station fire.
A couple of links from LFB & @timharford.ft.com that help contextualise the disaster and what was changed following that.
www.london-fire.gov.uk/museum/londo...
timharford.com/2023/02/caut...
A couple of links from LFB & @timharford.ft.com that help contextualise the disaster and what was changed following that.
www.london-fire.gov.uk/museum/londo...
timharford.com/2023/02/caut...
The King's Cross fire, 1987 – fires that changed history
On 18 November 1987, the worst fire in the history of the London Underground claimed the lives of 31 people, including a senior ranked firefighter, and seriously injured many more at King's Cross stat...
www.london-fire.gov.uk
November 18, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Today marks 38 years since 31 people lost their lives in the Kings Cross Underground Station fire.
A couple of links from LFB & @timharford.ft.com that help contextualise the disaster and what was changed following that.
www.london-fire.gov.uk/museum/londo...
timharford.com/2023/02/caut...
A couple of links from LFB & @timharford.ft.com that help contextualise the disaster and what was changed following that.
www.london-fire.gov.uk/museum/londo...
timharford.com/2023/02/caut...
A splash of colour and grey.
November 16, 2025 at 12:55 AM
A splash of colour and grey.
Why the ever flying fuck are people discussing "private finance" ?!
PFI/PPP was one of the greatest cons and most expensive mistakes this country has made! Why would we want to do it again?!
PFI/PPP was one of the greatest cons and most expensive mistakes this country has made! Why would we want to do it again?!
November 13, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Why the ever flying fuck are people discussing "private finance" ?!
PFI/PPP was one of the greatest cons and most expensive mistakes this country has made! Why would we want to do it again?!
PFI/PPP was one of the greatest cons and most expensive mistakes this country has made! Why would we want to do it again?!
Reposted by Simon Hawthorn
These fights are *normal* to get the help people need.
No one is getting diagnosed without similar horror stories.
So when I hear about over diagnosis?
These are the children I think of:
No one is getting diagnosed without similar horror stories.
So when I hear about over diagnosis?
These are the children I think of:
A family I know just got an autism diagnosis for their son. It came after a four year wait that itself came after years of fighting to even get on the list.
I don't know how the people in charge of this country sleep at night.
I don't know how the people in charge of this country sleep at night.
November 12, 2025 at 7:04 PM
These fights are *normal* to get the help people need.
No one is getting diagnosed without similar horror stories.
So when I hear about over diagnosis?
These are the children I think of:
No one is getting diagnosed without similar horror stories.
So when I hear about over diagnosis?
These are the children I think of:
I was part of a group of almost 20 amazing researchers, educators and representation leads from right across the continent and between us, lead by the wonderful Dr Andrea Laczik and Dr Søren Kristensen, we got out 8 chapters covering a lot of important aspects of democracy and vocational education!
www.coe.int/en/web/educa...
Good morning all you wonderful folks who like a bit of learner representation with a sprinkling of European flavour.
Come feast your eyes on what @simon.insanity.tube has written.
Good morning all you wonderful folks who like a bit of learner representation with a sprinkling of European flavour.
Come feast your eyes on what @simon.insanity.tube has written.
www.coe.int
November 12, 2025 at 11:10 AM
I was part of a group of almost 20 amazing researchers, educators and representation leads from right across the continent and between us, lead by the wonderful Dr Andrea Laczik and Dr Søren Kristensen, we got out 8 chapters covering a lot of important aspects of democracy and vocational education!
Reposted by Simon Hawthorn
🧵On our revelations today about the BBC Coup and the Prescott Dossier.
The leaked ‘BBC Bias’ memo Trump used to attack the BBC was authored by Michael Prescott — a Hanover lobbyist paid by US tech/media giants tied to Trump. Full story: bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b... 1/12
The leaked ‘BBC Bias’ memo Trump used to attack the BBC was authored by Michael Prescott — a Hanover lobbyist paid by US tech/media giants tied to Trump. Full story: bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b... 1/12
'BBC Bias' Memo Was Authored by Lobbyist Tied to Pro-Trump Tech Giants
The leaked memo that fuelled Trump’s attack on the BBC was written by a lobbyist at a firm paid by US tech giants tied to the President
bylinetimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:19 PM
🧵On our revelations today about the BBC Coup and the Prescott Dossier.
The leaked ‘BBC Bias’ memo Trump used to attack the BBC was authored by Michael Prescott — a Hanover lobbyist paid by US tech/media giants tied to Trump. Full story: bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b... 1/12
The leaked ‘BBC Bias’ memo Trump used to attack the BBC was authored by Michael Prescott — a Hanover lobbyist paid by US tech/media giants tied to Trump. Full story: bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b... 1/12
Reposted by Simon Hawthorn
It's sort of interesting to me that for a lot of British journalists, "success" largely means reducing people's access to essential services
Emily Maitlis admitting she worked at the bbc to try and get healthcare for trans people shut down
November 11, 2025 at 8:49 AM
It's sort of interesting to me that for a lot of British journalists, "success" largely means reducing people's access to essential services
Reposted by Simon Hawthorn
How many trans people have the BBC had on this week discussing the BBC's pro-trans bias?
Zero.
Zero.
November 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM
How many trans people have the BBC had on this week discussing the BBC's pro-trans bias?
Zero.
Zero.
Reposted by Simon Hawthorn
India: 67th poorest country in the world
UK: 160th poorest country in the world
India: 100% rail electrification is affordable, and we have achieved this in 2025
UK: anything more than 39% electrification is unaffordable, and we will never achieve 100%
UK: 160th poorest country in the world
India: 100% rail electrification is affordable, and we have achieved this in 2025
UK: anything more than 39% electrification is unaffordable, and we will never achieve 100%
Here is an embarrassing graph I have just made for a report. Fun fact:
in 2020/21 Indian Railways added the equivalent of the UK’s *entire electrified railway network* (over 6000 route kilometers!) to their own electrified network - and then did this again in 2021/22
…and AGAIN in 2022/23! 🤯
in 2020/21 Indian Railways added the equivalent of the UK’s *entire electrified railway network* (over 6000 route kilometers!) to their own electrified network - and then did this again in 2021/22
…and AGAIN in 2022/23! 🤯
November 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM
India: 67th poorest country in the world
UK: 160th poorest country in the world
India: 100% rail electrification is affordable, and we have achieved this in 2025
UK: anything more than 39% electrification is unaffordable, and we will never achieve 100%
UK: 160th poorest country in the world
India: 100% rail electrification is affordable, and we have achieved this in 2025
UK: anything more than 39% electrification is unaffordable, and we will never achieve 100%
[Paraphrasing] "Young people should work for free and do bullshit not in their contract for reasons"
Uhuh... Or, or you could pay people for those extra hours? Maybe we all ought to consider work/life balance more?
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
Uhuh... Or, or you could pay people for those extra hours? Maybe we all ought to consider work/life balance more?
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
My Gen Z team refuse to work overtime or go to events - it's holding them back
Half of workers in their 20s do not expect to work beyond their contracted hours - so is it worth it to go the extra mile, or just presenteeism?
inews.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:02 PM
[Paraphrasing] "Young people should work for free and do bullshit not in their contract for reasons"
Uhuh... Or, or you could pay people for those extra hours? Maybe we all ought to consider work/life balance more?
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
Uhuh... Or, or you could pay people for those extra hours? Maybe we all ought to consider work/life balance more?
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
Reposted by Simon Hawthorn
Man who started his career by promoting a zero tolerance stance on crime reaches the 'how it's going' part of his meme.
November 10, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Man who started his career by promoting a zero tolerance stance on crime reaches the 'how it's going' part of his meme.
Reposted by Simon Hawthorn
I like his mother too: “Art and museums are living spaces,” she said. “Life without art is not life.”
Also, "The fedora, angled just so, is his homage to French Resistance hero Jean Moulin." That's exactly the energy I needed. Especially from a 15-year-old French boy, in these uncertain times.
Also, "The fedora, angled just so, is his homage to French Resistance hero Jean Moulin." That's exactly the energy I needed. Especially from a 15-year-old French boy, in these uncertain times.
Loving today's news that the mysterious "fedora man" outside the Louvre heist was actually a 15-year-old museum visitor who dresses like a 1940s French detective all the time, just because. apnews.com/article/louv...
Fedora man unmasked: Meet the teen behind the Louvre mystery photo
Fifteen-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux has become an internet sensation after an Associated Press photo captured him outside the Louvre on the day of a crown jewels heist.
apnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:03 PM
I like his mother too: “Art and museums are living spaces,” she said. “Life without art is not life.”
Also, "The fedora, angled just so, is his homage to French Resistance hero Jean Moulin." That's exactly the energy I needed. Especially from a 15-year-old French boy, in these uncertain times.
Also, "The fedora, angled just so, is his homage to French Resistance hero Jean Moulin." That's exactly the energy I needed. Especially from a 15-year-old French boy, in these uncertain times.
A mountain shenanigan today. Pike of Blisco, Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Esk Pike and a long route down. Was in cloud until after midday, slipped on a rock and have a bruise on my hip that is painful AF. But a good day, a QMD in the bag and time with my best friend. In all, not bad. Now, beer time.
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 PM
A mountain shenanigan today. Pike of Blisco, Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Esk Pike and a long route down. Was in cloud until after midday, slipped on a rock and have a bruise on my hip that is painful AF. But a good day, a QMD in the bag and time with my best friend. In all, not bad. Now, beer time.
The more I see unskippable adverts on services I've already paid for, the more sympathy I have with pirates.
However, up side, I now know that Monday .com which I already had doubts about uses AI and as a qualified project professional just let me say. Avoid that at all costs! It will be dreadful.
However, up side, I now know that Monday .com which I already had doubts about uses AI and as a qualified project professional just let me say. Avoid that at all costs! It will be dreadful.
November 6, 2025 at 8:04 PM
The more I see unskippable adverts on services I've already paid for, the more sympathy I have with pirates.
However, up side, I now know that Monday .com which I already had doubts about uses AI and as a qualified project professional just let me say. Avoid that at all costs! It will be dreadful.
However, up side, I now know that Monday .com which I already had doubts about uses AI and as a qualified project professional just let me say. Avoid that at all costs! It will be dreadful.
Has she considered a wealth tax or maybe changing NI rules on LLP types perhaps? Maybe closing some loopholes on unearnt wealth? Just a thought, might be nice to have some progressive policies from the *checks notes* party of labour [Are we sure? Ed.]
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reeves' pre-Budget speech fails to rule out tax rises
The chancellor says she will make 'necessary choices' in an unusual pre-Budget speech.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Has she considered a wealth tax or maybe changing NI rules on LLP types perhaps? Maybe closing some loopholes on unearnt wealth? Just a thought, might be nice to have some progressive policies from the *checks notes* party of labour [Are we sure? Ed.]
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Simon Hawthorn
Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time – regardless of language or territory. www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time – regardless of language or territory
An intensive international study was coordinated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and led by the BBC
www.bbc.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time – regardless of language or territory. www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
Reposted by Simon Hawthorn
Thought-provoking final paragraph here on the social cost of carbon.
"From that perspective, the question is less, “Why are flights so cheap?” and more, “Who actually pays for them?” "
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"From that perspective, the question is less, “Why are flights so cheap?” and more, “Who actually pays for them?” "
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
When trains are pricier than planes, there’s a heavy social, financial and environmental cost
In this week’s newsletter: whether it’s a holiday or work trip, railway travellers find themselves burdened by astronomical prices
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Thought-provoking final paragraph here on the social cost of carbon.
"From that perspective, the question is less, “Why are flights so cheap?” and more, “Who actually pays for them?” "
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"From that perspective, the question is less, “Why are flights so cheap?” and more, “Who actually pays for them?” "
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Simon Hawthorn
Oh look, France has jailed one of their presidents.
Hint, hint.
Hint, hint.
🔴 Nicolas Sarkozy a quitté mardi matin son domicile, main dans la main avec sa femme Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, avant de se diriger vers la prison de la Santé pour y être incarcéré.
Suivez notre DIRECT : 🔗 https://go.france24.com/JyS
📸 Julie Dungelhoeff / France 24
Suivez notre DIRECT : 🔗 https://go.france24.com/JyS
📸 Julie Dungelhoeff / France 24
October 21, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Oh look, France has jailed one of their presidents.
Hint, hint.
Hint, hint.