"In each case there was an astonishing increase in a narrow measure of productivity, but the overall effect was to distract from the real task at hand, to create a bloated pile of busywork" timharford.com/2026/04/what...

A short post about my connected, albeit reductive, model for everything that's happening in the world right now.

This is the best explainer I’ve seen on Ratcliffe’s motives for his racist outburst. We shouldn’t enter into any ‘debate’ on immigration on these terms. It’s a deeply dishonest and dangerous call to arms by cynical people who prioritise profit over everything else www.theguardian.com/football/202...

An absolutely key first principle when using AI is that you, the human, are responsible for its outputs, and that you must *check* everything it churns out. Blaming Copilot doesn't wash.

I stood directly behind the great JPR Williams in a Post Office queue in Teddington, and spent 10 minutes deciding not to trouble him by asking him for his autograph.

Must listen to this again. I remember it being really interesting.

Definitely my kind of chap.

I think David Allen Green's substack is good value, especially if you like words such as flapdoodle.

The BBC person who decided to remove that comment on Trump from the Reith lecture of @rutgerbregman.com clearly hadn't read this.

🧵 Is it a super flu year? Who knows, but I think the current reporting is stupid. A pissed off thread using data. Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10

I'm 4 days late, but Ruth's Advent(ure) in System Seeing is a brilliant exploration of systems thinking for beginners or experts, and you can catch up easily.

My letter to the Guardian about the risks of a bonfire of regulations has been published! Always good to mention @george-lakoff.com. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

I'm looking forward to this.

I'm quite shocked that the BBC News item on his death didn't mention Arcadia. The only play I've seen 3 times at the theatre.

A classic binary dilemma. I'd like to find a more creative 3rd way that is people-friendly and not just arguments about infrastructure and rules.

A personally addressed postcard from Nicola Horlick landed on my mat today. She's competing to be the LibDem PPC for Runnymede and Weybridge and there's a hustings tomorrow. But why the pictures of cactuses?

I'm not sure if others have noticed this, but interesting that one of the Prescott criticisms of the BBC is based on those of the 'History Reclaimed' group, which is also associated with the 'Restore Trust' group's attacks on & so far unsuccessful attempts to take control of the National Trust. 1/3

Good News.

What he said: 💯 🎯

Today is the last day to vote. Massive number of candidates on the council ballot but the recommended list looks fine to me and makes it quick and easy to do.

"The problems that face us in advancing AI are not just making the machines smarter but figuring out how to integrate them with existing systems." Indeed. There will always be jobs for people who understand how to bring together human systems, information systems, and technologies.

RIP Bill Torbert stream.syscoi.com/2025/10/24/r...

Excellent Guardian piece on Aadhar, India's digital ID system, that captures the dilemma extremely well. Digital-by-default methods create huge convenience for some, double-down on social exclusion for others, and it is easy for their scope to rapidly expand www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

I love Venn diagrams.

We saw it on Friday. There's a great intro with all the actors being interviewed.

My last post about digital ID today, but reading this Independent piece (in which I'm quoted) and what is this quote from Morgan Wild at Labour Together? Using the NHS app doesn't mean "your data is online". If this is the level of digital understanding of people writing digital policy, god help us

He once lived just a few minutes walk away from where I live now, but sadly the house has been demolished. Campaign to save home fails - Surrey Live share.google/cK9LKvnGfwg0...

Looking forward to this!

Exposition of liberalism by Cass Sunstein. Nothing to do with left v right. www.nytimes.com/2023/11/20/o...

What dastardly schemes will this evil council conjure up next in its mission to.... checks notes... stop people getting killed by bad drivers

Monday morning dystopia.

"In our current moment of polarized certainties, von Foerster reminds us that we are not spectators of the world, but co-creators of it."

Tremendous thread!

Tom Lehrer made all of his music 100% public domain so if seeing people sad about his death makes you want to check them out… it’s free. he wanted you to share them. tomlehrersongs.com

"He added it was “disappointing” that the arresting police officers did not appear to have heard of Private Eye. “That’s really depressing, isn’t it? That’s probably the most appalling thing,” he joked." www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

I hated doing this quiz, some questions meaningless out of context (everyone will interpret 'system' differently) some stupidly binary (who wants to prefer their children to be curious OR good-mannered). I'm a member of the tribe that doesn't like being labelled.

Interesting experiment on what AI does to students' brains observer.co.uk/news/science...

Raye's guitarist is a Keir look-a-like.

Perfect for Brexit Day

While this is funny, it's also a vivid example of how too many people are still unready for a so-called 'digital-first' world.

One of these men - Chancellor Merz - sounds much clearer than the other about which side they would be on in 1941-45

"But for every social benefit AI brings, there is a company desperate to be top of their game and damn the consequences."

Fabulous anecdotal thread.

Wish Starmer's people would read this. They are getting communication so wrong.

"As the discussion unfolded, it became clear that what we often label as “slowness” or “waste” might actually be where our best work happens"

Hilarious replies to these observations on our ex-PM comedy troupe.

Today we have marches to celebrate VE day... while people standing up against fascism in our former ally are treated like this.

Hooray

Hope I get back in time to watch this talk by @ianwalker.bsky.social . Here's a great example of Motonormativity just around the corner from my house, prioritising keeping the road clear for drivers over keeping the pavements clear for pedestrians. Why isn't pavement parking illegal in Surrey?

Reading the new Observer.. nice illustration of how Musk misread the HHGTTG, proving he's not as smart as he thinks. observer.co.uk/news/interna...