William Lane
@williamjtlane.bsky.social
Policy, Public Affairs and Electoral Analysis
'Political Analyst' - Aaron H. Ellis
Views my own
Writes at https://thepartyanimal.substack.com/
'Political Analyst' - Aaron H. Ellis
Views my own
Writes at https://thepartyanimal.substack.com/
I do think we over-fixate on 1945 as the start of modern history.
I get why nobody likes to talk about the interwar period (outside of Weimar Germany). It was a bleak time that led to some of the worst catastrophes in world history.
But the 1920s and 30s have much to teach us about modern society.
I get why nobody likes to talk about the interwar period (outside of Weimar Germany). It was a bleak time that led to some of the worst catastrophes in world history.
But the 1920s and 30s have much to teach us about modern society.
November 13, 2025 at 4:03 PM
I do think we over-fixate on 1945 as the start of modern history.
I get why nobody likes to talk about the interwar period (outside of Weimar Germany). It was a bleak time that led to some of the worst catastrophes in world history.
But the 1920s and 30s have much to teach us about modern society.
I get why nobody likes to talk about the interwar period (outside of Weimar Germany). It was a bleak time that led to some of the worst catastrophes in world history.
But the 1920s and 30s have much to teach us about modern society.
Again this isn't to say that social media has not had an effect, but the level of public bile, dehumanisation, racism, and extreme nationalism we're seeing now is still leagues behind what you'd find in any random European country in the 1920s.
Seriously, just check out the newspaper archives.
Seriously, just check out the newspaper archives.
November 13, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Again this isn't to say that social media has not had an effect, but the level of public bile, dehumanisation, racism, and extreme nationalism we're seeing now is still leagues behind what you'd find in any random European country in the 1920s.
Seriously, just check out the newspaper archives.
Seriously, just check out the newspaper archives.
(tbc I'm not blanketly opposed to governments taking a stake in private businesses, but this a great example of how it can lead to a blending of political and business interests).
November 13, 2025 at 3:52 PM
(tbc I'm not blanketly opposed to governments taking a stake in private businesses, but this a great example of how it can lead to a blending of political and business interests).
@sophiepilbeam.bsky.social @stradiwhovius.bsky.social in case you haven't seen the new Neightreign DLC trailer.
November 13, 2025 at 1:23 PM
@sophiepilbeam.bsky.social @stradiwhovius.bsky.social in case you haven't seen the new Neightreign DLC trailer.
On the one hand it's important to recognise that people in the past did think differently to us in many ways, and did have a perspective on the world we would see as alien.
On the other hand they were also human, and it's not as if their lives or thought patters would be unfathomable to us.
On the other hand they were also human, and it's not as if their lives or thought patters would be unfathomable to us.
November 13, 2025 at 12:54 PM
On the one hand it's important to recognise that people in the past did think differently to us in many ways, and did have a perspective on the world we would see as alien.
On the other hand they were also human, and it's not as if their lives or thought patters would be unfathomable to us.
On the other hand they were also human, and it's not as if their lives or thought patters would be unfathomable to us.
Yeah they're my go-to for taking the temperature of the UK for this reason.
They're very good, and (crucially) consistently good.
They're very good, and (crucially) consistently good.
November 13, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Yeah they're my go-to for taking the temperature of the UK for this reason.
They're very good, and (crucially) consistently good.
They're very good, and (crucially) consistently good.
I'm extremely comfortable with a level of unpolished gameplay if the raw ideas are compelling, which is why Hand of Fate, Sunless Sea and Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin are among my favourite games of all time
November 11, 2025 at 10:24 PM
I'm extremely comfortable with a level of unpolished gameplay if the raw ideas are compelling, which is why Hand of Fate, Sunless Sea and Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin are among my favourite games of all time
This was the impetus behind that terrible 'objective game criticism trend of the 2010s.
A bunch of people stating thier own opinons as factual analysis and justifying it because it was the majority opinion of whatever fandom they were a part of.
A bunch of people stating thier own opinons as factual analysis and justifying it because it was the majority opinion of whatever fandom they were a part of.
November 11, 2025 at 10:23 PM
This was the impetus behind that terrible 'objective game criticism trend of the 2010s.
A bunch of people stating thier own opinons as factual analysis and justifying it because it was the majority opinion of whatever fandom they were a part of.
A bunch of people stating thier own opinons as factual analysis and justifying it because it was the majority opinion of whatever fandom they were a part of.
As fun as a Doctor Who/James Bond crossover would be, I don't think anyone would argue that it should be done by *making* James Bond into The Doctor.
WE KNOW IT'S DIFFERENT ACTORS AND, ESSENTIALLY, A DIFFERENT CHARACTER EACH TIME. OTHERWISE HE'S A WEIRD GOD FIGURE WHO CHANGES HIS FACE EVERY FEW YEARS AND HAS DISCOVERED THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
YOU DON'T NEED TO EXPLAIN THIS
YOU DON'T NEED TO EXPLAIN THIS
November 11, 2025 at 2:23 PM
'upper class' tends to refer only to the old aristocracy, 'elite' is a lot more general and is often used to refer to politicians and the ultra-wealthy regardless of their background.
'upper-middle class' is what you'd normally call people in the top 15ish% of earners.
'upper-middle class' is what you'd normally call people in the top 15ish% of earners.
November 10, 2025 at 10:15 PM
'upper class' tends to refer only to the old aristocracy, 'elite' is a lot more general and is often used to refer to politicians and the ultra-wealthy regardless of their background.
'upper-middle class' is what you'd normally call people in the top 15ish% of earners.
'upper-middle class' is what you'd normally call people in the top 15ish% of earners.
America has a lot to answer for
November 10, 2025 at 10:09 PM
America has a lot to answer for
That's really interesting, is that data public?
And has there been any equivalent shift in the Lib Dem vote?
And has there been any equivalent shift in the Lib Dem vote?
November 9, 2025 at 7:27 PM
That's really interesting, is that data public?
And has there been any equivalent shift in the Lib Dem vote?
And has there been any equivalent shift in the Lib Dem vote?
So they clearly do have an appeal to less well off voters, but so far it's quite geographically limited.
At the same time its worth noting that Labour also tend to do better with better off voters now, the centre-left coalition in general is a lot wealthier than it was even 20 years ago.
At the same time its worth noting that Labour also tend to do better with better off voters now, the centre-left coalition in general is a lot wealthier than it was even 20 years ago.
November 9, 2025 at 7:10 PM
So they clearly do have an appeal to less well off voters, but so far it's quite geographically limited.
At the same time its worth noting that Labour also tend to do better with better off voters now, the centre-left coalition in general is a lot wealthier than it was even 20 years ago.
At the same time its worth noting that Labour also tend to do better with better off voters now, the centre-left coalition in general is a lot wealthier than it was even 20 years ago.
Aside from the SW, maybe the Highlands?
What's really interesting about the Lib Dem vote in 2024 is that LD voters tend to be wealthier than average, but that switches up as you get to areas like Cornwall and North Devon, and suddenly the LDs are winning the poorerst voters in those areas.
What's really interesting about the Lib Dem vote in 2024 is that LD voters tend to be wealthier than average, but that switches up as you get to areas like Cornwall and North Devon, and suddenly the LDs are winning the poorerst voters in those areas.
November 9, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Aside from the SW, maybe the Highlands?
What's really interesting about the Lib Dem vote in 2024 is that LD voters tend to be wealthier than average, but that switches up as you get to areas like Cornwall and North Devon, and suddenly the LDs are winning the poorerst voters in those areas.
What's really interesting about the Lib Dem vote in 2024 is that LD voters tend to be wealthier than average, but that switches up as you get to areas like Cornwall and North Devon, and suddenly the LDs are winning the poorerst voters in those areas.