Reposted by Stephen Kirk
This example – reflecting on the mistakes you have made as an analyst over the past year – is worth emulating.
Hi All, Its the annual column of ritual humiliation, where I dissect, with quotes, the biggest mistakes I made in the past year. There are some great ones where I was wrong. This year, to make the column more helpful, I have even included a lessons learned analysis. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Annual Review 2025: What I Got Wrong
Complete with quotes!
open.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:53 AM
This example – reflecting on the mistakes you have made as an analyst over the past year – is worth emulating.
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
Ukrainian defenders conducted a successful strike with Storm Shadow missiles on the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Rostov region on the territory of the Russian fascist invaders. Numerous explosions were recorded. The target was hit.
–General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
–General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
December 25, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Ukrainian defenders conducted a successful strike with Storm Shadow missiles on the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Rostov region on the territory of the Russian fascist invaders. Numerous explosions were recorded. The target was hit.
–General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
–General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
can't they even give this woke nonsense a rest at Christmas? www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Pope Leo calls for kindness to strangers and the poor in Christmas message
Refusing to help those in need is tantamount to rejecting God himself, says pontiff during Christmas Eve mass
www.theguardian.com
December 25, 2025 at 8:32 AM
can't they even give this woke nonsense a rest at Christmas? www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
When research in #Sustainability partners with gaming, an award winning video game is born. Pecking Orders earned an innovation award from Playing for the Planet.
Computer game developed in partnership with Smith School and Oxford Saïd researchers wins UNEP award
A video game designed to help players make more sustainable food choices earned an innovation award from the Playing for the Planet alliance. The award was received by Sony Interactive Entertainment in recognition of the collaborative work carried out with Oxford Smith School and Said Business School researchers on the game Pecking Orders.
www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk
December 23, 2025 at 11:31 AM
When research in #Sustainability partners with gaming, an award winning video game is born. Pecking Orders earned an innovation award from Playing for the Planet.
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
.
13 ways to save the Earth from Climate Change
1. used goods are good
5 season your fruit
7. eat vegetables
9 walk it out
bit.ly/13climateactions
#ClimateAction 🌎🌍🌏
13 ways to save the Earth from Climate Change
1. used goods are good
5 season your fruit
7. eat vegetables
9 walk it out
bit.ly/13climateactions
#ClimateAction 🌎🌍🌏
13 ways to save the Earth from climate change
Easy ways to help
kids.nationalgeographic.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM
.
13 ways to save the Earth from Climate Change
1. used goods are good
5 season your fruit
7. eat vegetables
9 walk it out
bit.ly/13climateactions
#ClimateAction 🌎🌍🌏
13 ways to save the Earth from Climate Change
1. used goods are good
5 season your fruit
7. eat vegetables
9 walk it out
bit.ly/13climateactions
#ClimateAction 🌎🌍🌏
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
The UK is suffering from economic gloom and stagflation at once
This morning has brought more disappointing news for the UK economy. UK real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have increased by an unrevised 0.1% in Quarter 3 (July to Sept), compared with growth of 0.2% in Quarter 2 (Apr…
This morning has brought more disappointing news for the UK economy. UK real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have increased by an unrevised 0.1% in Quarter 3 (July to Sept), compared with growth of 0.2% in Quarter 2 (Apr…
The UK is suffering from economic gloom and stagflation at once
This morning has brought more disappointing news for the UK economy. UK real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have increased by an unrevised 0.1% in Quarter 3 (July to Sept), compared with growth of 0.2% in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2025. At first there is some relief that the third quarter was not revised lower. But then one spots that the second quarter of 2025 was.
notayesmanseconomics.wordpress.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:04 AM
The UK is suffering from economic gloom and stagflation at once
This morning has brought more disappointing news for the UK economy. UK real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have increased by an unrevised 0.1% in Quarter 3 (July to Sept), compared with growth of 0.2% in Quarter 2 (Apr…
This morning has brought more disappointing news for the UK economy. UK real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have increased by an unrevised 0.1% in Quarter 3 (July to Sept), compared with growth of 0.2% in Quarter 2 (Apr…
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
The single most important scientific advancement for the future of our species and planet. #ClimateCrisis
Science has named the seemingly unstoppable growth of renewable energy worldwide as the 2025 Breakthrough of the Year.
Learn more about this year's #BOTY and other big advances in science: https://scim.ag/493Tpgx
Learn more about this year's #BOTY and other big advances in science: https://scim.ag/493Tpgx
December 19, 2025 at 8:13 AM
The single most important scientific advancement for the future of our species and planet. #ClimateCrisis
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
"The US is the new frontier for the AI debate, but its ramifications - as demonstrated by the proposed US-funded data centre in Blyth - flow far deeper" | Jay Robinson
Brave New World: AI, oligarchy, and the opportunity of resistance
"The US is the new frontier for the AI debate, but its ramifications - as demonstrated by the proposed US-funded data centre in Blyth - flow far deeper"
northeastbylines.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 10:42 AM
"The US is the new frontier for the AI debate, but its ramifications - as demonstrated by the proposed US-funded data centre in Blyth - flow far deeper" | Jay Robinson
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
As some EU leaders lose sight of the big picture in Russia’s war of aggression, reminder of 2 of my pieces: this on consequences if Ukraine loses: www.cer.eu/publications... ; & this on what Europe must do to ensure it doesn't: www.cer.eu/publications.... Only change: funding UA is now more urgent.
Does it matter if Ukraine loses?
Ukraine is retreating and Russia is advancing, militarily and politically. Western leaders seem to underestimate both the impact of Ukraine’s defeat and the West’s ability to prevent it.
www.cer.eu
December 18, 2025 at 10:16 AM
As some EU leaders lose sight of the big picture in Russia’s war of aggression, reminder of 2 of my pieces: this on consequences if Ukraine loses: www.cer.eu/publications... ; & this on what Europe must do to ensure it doesn't: www.cer.eu/publications.... Only change: funding UA is now more urgent.
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
Apparently there are new government comms directors, huge teams of press officers, and scores of comms Spads for ministers.
So what are they doing? How can they apparently have issued virtually nothing about the value of Erasmus?
Or are there those in Number 10 who don't want more EU reset?
So what are they doing? How can they apparently have issued virtually nothing about the value of Erasmus?
Or are there those in Number 10 who don't want more EU reset?
On which note (UK government effort) - pretty dismal in terms of pushback against costs of Erasmus plus. Potentially forgotten if other negotiations deliver in a year's time. But a reminder that far better government comms over EU ties are needed in both London and Brussels.
December 18, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Apparently there are new government comms directors, huge teams of press officers, and scores of comms Spads for ministers.
So what are they doing? How can they apparently have issued virtually nothing about the value of Erasmus?
Or are there those in Number 10 who don't want more EU reset?
So what are they doing? How can they apparently have issued virtually nothing about the value of Erasmus?
Or are there those in Number 10 who don't want more EU reset?
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
“The Winner is Not the One Who Invented the Technology, But the One Who Scales and Applies It in the Long Run”. A good piece from @militarnyi about developments in UGVs and land operations.
militarnyi.com/en/articles/...
militarnyi.com/en/articles/...
“The Winner is Not the One Who Invented the Technology, But the One Who Scales and Applies It in the Long Run” - Interview with the Commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade's Strike UGV Company - Militarn...
The battlefield is increasingly saturated with ground robotic systems, and over the past year they have actively taken over the logistics of the front line. But these are not all their possible niches...
militarnyi.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:32 PM
“The Winner is Not the One Who Invented the Technology, But the One Who Scales and Applies It in the Long Run”. A good piece from @militarnyi about developments in UGVs and land operations.
militarnyi.com/en/articles/...
militarnyi.com/en/articles/...
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
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A secret weapon for fighting climate change comes surging back
seagrasses store 10% of the world’s oceans carbon
We need to take urgent #ClimateAction right now to avoid the worst of Climate Change!
Read on: ktvz.com/stacker-science/20...
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A secret weapon for fighting climate change comes surging back
seagrasses store 10% of the world’s oceans carbon
We need to take urgent #ClimateAction right now to avoid the worst of Climate Change!
Read on: ktvz.com/stacker-science/20...
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A secret weapon for fighting climate change comes surging back
Reasons to be Cheerful reports that eelgrass, a vital carbon-storing seagrass, is declining globally, yet restoration efforts show promise.
ktvz.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:00 PM
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A secret weapon for fighting climate change comes surging back
seagrasses store 10% of the world’s oceans carbon
We need to take urgent #ClimateAction right now to avoid the worst of Climate Change!
Read on: ktvz.com/stacker-science/20...
.
A secret weapon for fighting climate change comes surging back
seagrasses store 10% of the world’s oceans carbon
We need to take urgent #ClimateAction right now to avoid the worst of Climate Change!
Read on: ktvz.com/stacker-science/20...
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Reposted by Stephen Kirk
Do read this thread in full if you care at all about migration. 👇🏻
Few thoughts on the "Polish exodus" from the UK.
1. It's not an 'exodus', it's a slow drip. We're fine, thanks.
2. Migration is really complicated.
3. The absolute cheek of the very same media attacking Poles for years lamenting their departure.
4. What you can do?
THREAD 🧵
1. It's not an 'exodus', it's a slow drip. We're fine, thanks.
2. Migration is really complicated.
3. The absolute cheek of the very same media attacking Poles for years lamenting their departure.
4. What you can do?
THREAD 🧵
December 14, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Do read this thread in full if you care at all about migration. 👇🏻
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
“Solar is no longer just cheap daytime electricity, now it’s anytime dispatchable electricity,” said Rangelova. “This is a game-changer for countries with fast-growing demand and strong solar resources.”
This is incredible (good news too): “After a 40% fall in 2024 in battery equipment costs, it’s clear we’re on track for another major fall in 2025…The economics for batteries are unrecognizable, & the industry is only just getting to grips with this new paradigm”
www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/12/b...
www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/12/b...
Batteries now cheap enough to make dispatchable solar economically feasible
Energy think tank Ember says utility-scale battery costs have fallen to $65/MWh outside China and the United States, enabling solar power to be delivered when needed.
www.pv-magazine.com
December 14, 2025 at 8:25 PM
“Solar is no longer just cheap daytime electricity, now it’s anytime dispatchable electricity,” said Rangelova. “This is a game-changer for countries with fast-growing demand and strong solar resources.”
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
Feeling overwhelmed by the onslaught of invasive age-verification mandates? You’re not alone. We built a resource hub to break down how these laws work, who they harm, what’s at stake, and how to protect yourself. Join the fight at EFF.org/Age.
Age Verification and Age Gating: Resource Hub
Age verification (or age-gating) laws generally require online services to check, estimate, or verify all users’ ages—often through invasive tools like ID checks, biometric scans, or other dubious
www.eff.org
December 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Feeling overwhelmed by the onslaught of invasive age-verification mandates? You’re not alone. We built a resource hub to break down how these laws work, who they harm, what’s at stake, and how to protect yourself. Join the fight at EFF.org/Age.
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
In the midst of the darkest of times, a hero stands up for what is right. The brutal, deliberate attack against Jewish Australians celebrating Hanukkah at #Bondi Beach today is an abomination. For those murdered while celebrating the 1st day of the Festival of Lights, may their memory be a blessing.
This guy disarming the terrorist at Bondi Beach, Australia, can only be described as hero.
December 14, 2025 at 10:15 AM
In the midst of the darkest of times, a hero stands up for what is right. The brutal, deliberate attack against Jewish Australians celebrating Hanukkah at #Bondi Beach today is an abomination. For those murdered while celebrating the 1st day of the Festival of Lights, may their memory be a blessing.
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
"The AI infrastructure build-out is so gigantic that in the past 6 months, it contributed more to the growth of the U.S. economy than /all of consumer spending/" - @mims.bsky.social
My takeway is that The US has gone ALL IN BET OF THE 21st Century on AI, while China has gone all in on green tech
My takeway is that The US has gone ALL IN BET OF THE 21st Century on AI, while China has gone all in on green tech
Original draft of syllabus is here - www.programmablemutter.com/p/the-politi... - still in need of a summary piece on the role of capital in shaping the AI economy
The Political Economy of AI: A Syllabus
As I’ve noted occasionally before, one of the most potentially useful things that academics do is preparing syllabi, and hence organizing information about the world.
www.programmablemutter.com
August 1, 2025 at 7:03 PM
"The AI infrastructure build-out is so gigantic that in the past 6 months, it contributed more to the growth of the U.S. economy than /all of consumer spending/" - @mims.bsky.social
My takeway is that The US has gone ALL IN BET OF THE 21st Century on AI, while China has gone all in on green tech
My takeway is that The US has gone ALL IN BET OF THE 21st Century on AI, while China has gone all in on green tech
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
Why have we seen such repression of climate activists around the world?
Because activists were so successful in changing the narrative around fossil fuels
Because activists were so successful in changing the narrative around fossil fuels
We (@crossdale.bsky.social, Christina Pantazis, @roxana-pessoa.bsky.social, Tiê Franco Brotto and I) present the first academic peer-reviewed article, studying the criminalisation and repression of climate and environmental protest as a global phenomenon. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
December 14, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Why have we seen such repression of climate activists around the world?
Because activists were so successful in changing the narrative around fossil fuels
Because activists were so successful in changing the narrative around fossil fuels
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
There has been a strong reaction to the antisemitism allegations levelled at Nigel Farage - except from those you might have expected to condemn it most loudly. My piece for @jewishnews.bsky.social on a strange silence
www.jewishnews.co.uk/jonathan-fre...
www.jewishnews.co.uk/jonathan-fre...
JONATHAN FREEDLAND: Why Britain’s Jewish leaders are silent on Farage’s schoolyard antisemitism
While the Reform UK leader and his allies smear accusers as liars, the Board, JLC and HET remain mute, fearing the wrath of a rising politician
www.jewishnews.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 1:41 PM
There has been a strong reaction to the antisemitism allegations levelled at Nigel Farage - except from those you might have expected to condemn it most loudly. My piece for @jewishnews.bsky.social on a strange silence
www.jewishnews.co.uk/jonathan-fre...
www.jewishnews.co.uk/jonathan-fre...
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
In line with my experience. We've heated our 1870s house in upstate NY w/ ground-sourced heat pump for past 12 yrs. House is reasonably insulated, but hard to make any old house really tight. "Experts" said we had to insulate more, at a cost of $40K, before heat pump would work. They were wrong.
December 13, 2025 at 8:49 PM
In line with my experience. We've heated our 1870s house in upstate NY w/ ground-sourced heat pump for past 12 yrs. House is reasonably insulated, but hard to make any old house really tight. "Experts" said we had to insulate more, at a cost of $40K, before heat pump would work. They were wrong.
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
No surprise: new analysis shows that heat pumps can deliver excellent performance even in older buildings with no meaningful correlation between building age & heat pump efficiency.
This is in line with my own experience of having a heat pump in a 1880 Victorian home with only modest insulation.
This is in line with my own experience of having a heat pump in a 1880 Victorian home with only modest insulation.
December 13, 2025 at 10:21 AM
No surprise: new analysis shows that heat pumps can deliver excellent performance even in older buildings with no meaningful correlation between building age & heat pump efficiency.
This is in line with my own experience of having a heat pump in a 1880 Victorian home with only modest insulation.
This is in line with my own experience of having a heat pump in a 1880 Victorian home with only modest insulation.
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
New ideas about chronic illness could revolutionize treatment if we take the research seriously.
Scientists Thought Parkinson’s Was in Our Genes. It Might Be in the Water
New ideas about chronic illness could revolutionize treatment, if we take the research seriously.
wrd.cm
December 13, 2025 at 5:05 PM
New ideas about chronic illness could revolutionize treatment if we take the research seriously.
Reposted by Stephen Kirk
Every 1/10th degree of warming that we can still prevent is an essential gift we can give our children and grandchildren.
Every 1/10th degree of warming we fail to prevent is a profound burden on—if not a crime against—our children and grandchildren.
Every 1/10th degree of warming we fail to prevent is a profound burden on—if not a crime against—our children and grandchildren.
December 12, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Every 1/10th degree of warming that we can still prevent is an essential gift we can give our children and grandchildren.
Every 1/10th degree of warming we fail to prevent is a profound burden on—if not a crime against—our children and grandchildren.
Every 1/10th degree of warming we fail to prevent is a profound burden on—if not a crime against—our children and grandchildren.