We need to regulate algorithmic injection of dopamine hits into our children. However, playing mapgames until 4 in the morning is perfectly acceptable adult behaviour that we shouldn't scrutinise too much.

Blair putting on full display what is in many ways his special ability - to lay out a political argument grounded in his own view of global trends (globalisation in the 2000s, tech in the 2020s). But… institute.global/insights/pol...

I absolutely love these. 2000 year old religious doctrine, conveyed through NGO-infographic - and thus rendered indistinguishable from your average mandatory GDPR compliance presentation.

Many a true word ... Tongue in cheek advice for think tanks and others from @gilesyb.bsky.social .

I am extremely pro more people being able to have children, because being a parent is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done and everyone should get a chance to do it. Rachel's point here is spot on. The only thing that matters is that parent(s) want the best for their child, nothing else.

I would encourage the countries that voted against this measure to relocate their populations to Mars, where the GHG they wish to emit would at least have value.

This is a fascinating little vignette that absolutely reveals the social divide in Britain: between people who think there should be standards in public life and people who think that feeling something a lot gives you licence to be a boor. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

A good step forward, but I find it hard to see how middle class rural dwellers will stop complaining about views for £250/year. Mind you, the JR changes make it much less likely they'll be able to do anything about it.

"Shall we tell motorists that they might have to drive slightly slower to conserve fuel, fellow Minister?" "Nah, let's betray democracy instead." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

IRL version of the meme

I can practically hear every economist in HMT sobbing into their keyboard.

As a contribution to the Discourse I have chosen to ask the question, "What happens if we apply Burnham's Bees framework to the energy sector?" Tl;dr: a surprising degree of revolution. open.substack.com/pub/unbalanc...

I mean, on one level, the whole argument for central bank independence is that they are staffed by psychopaths who will do this. Whereas politicians “can’t be trusted to” because people don’t like it. So inflation is higher.

This is spot on from a great thread. Debates about the use of AI in academia need to take into account that scholarship means the scholar needs to engage with the texts, not get a machine to do it for them.

You should hire philosophy grads so they can explain to over-excited executives that AI is just a special case of the Chinese Room problem and isn't alive in any meaningful sense.

Public First conducted new public attitudes research ahead of yesterdsy's marches. Tommy Robinson had 17% approval and 47% approval. He is barred from the Reform Party, as a former BNP member, but its supporters are split 35% approve & 31% disapprove

EUROVISION IS SAVED!

Okay Moldova is just tremendous fun. #eurovision

Was enjoying Czechia until the lyrics "vicious spider web." Spiders are vicious; webs are furniture.

The tonal whiplash from Delta Gudren to Angry Men In The Rain is why I watch #eurovision

Can't believe that in all the years Theresa May was in power we never thought to do a Eurovision entry centred around her. Unlike Albania.

Belgium continues its fine tradition of neutrality by entering a song that is neither good or bad. #eurovision

Just patriots who want to show their love for country latest. If communities want to fly the flag great but it shouldn't be down to far right thugs whether they do. Those who vandalise community property and threaten and harm people should be arrested. Basics. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

This is essential reading for all parents of SEND children.

1/4 Govt needs to get ahead of upcoming fuel crisis in UK & elsewhere Climate & transport groups are calling for ban on private jets, a frequent flyer levy and ban on main short haul routes where direct train exists Would save nearly 1 M tonnes jet fuel per yr www.theguardian.com/environment/...

I rather think the obvious rejoinder ro Burnham is to ask whether he would resign as Prime Minister if it was necessary to do so to become the President of the EU. It feels rather gauche to tell his electorate that he's just too important for them.

Great to see an MP provide an actual answer on what to do about high streets.

In fairness to financial analysts - words I will rarely say - it is reasonable to take the past as a guide to the future. To be fairer to their clients, if you don't present a downside scenario in your advice you are a poor analyst indeed.

Going to take an extremely centrist position here by being bang behind locking people up for attacking munitions during a proxy conflict while simultaneously outraged that they are being badged as terrorists without being convicted of it.

Giles coming out swinging for continental philosophers everywhere.

It is arguably poor form to have a pop at a politician's personal choices as long as they don't impact the electorate. But this is just too funny. I would love to be a fly on the wall when this guy meets the cottagecore hippies he now shares a party with. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

I genuinely wonder how many trades now have a political component - people taking positions on the grounds of what they would ideologically prefer to be true. Thankfully, unlike social media, markets do not reward vibes when the final option is called.

Really enjoyed (????ok not enjoyed that would be weird but you know what I mean) this and related convos. I don’t know whos right but it’s the sort of thing that should be happening in more ‘offical’ media spaces without it becoming a ‘two sides , Only one can be right, fight!’ presentation

I would fully devolve social care policies to LAs and let local elections be fought over whether to kick grannies out onto the street. Giving a body responsibility for delivery without giving the relevant voters authority is straightforwardly poor governance.

Can't prove this but maybe the reason for Attenborough's longevity is that whenever Paddington arrives to shepherd his soul on, he fends him off with his powers of nature narration. "The perplexed ursine psychopomp withdraws, his hunt unsuccessful. Perhaps a 1970s bass player will make easier prey."

An interesting debate prompted by @adrianhiel.bsky.social on how we should measure progress towards electrification of the economy.

BYKER'S GONE GREEN, DUNC

Happy Birthday Sir David Attenborough! I'm sure you are thrilled that the British public are celebrating your life and works by *checks notes* voting en masse for a party of Earth-hating fascists.

Brunch at home on a working day is one of life's greatest pleasures and I now identify as a proud member of The Rot.

Clearly all this polymarket insider trading activity is driven by careless whispers.

The work that Re:state is doing on this agenda is very impressive and absolutely vital.

85 years ago this week, one of the worst single disasters of the Blitz took place. A year before, the cellar of W.A. Wilkinson’s Lemonade Factory in North Shields, North Tyneside, had been designated a public air raid shelter.

Tony Blair Institute is once again issuing press releases attacking climate policy in support of a report that seems to be mainly calling for more better managed grids and faster electrification.

Good stack. open.substack.com/pub/ftav/p/p...

Slightly diminish a book: The Life Peer of the Rings

Wuthering Shallows

David's thread on the vibe-based complaints of the disaffected voter is worth your time. But I must pull him up here, as my solution is simple and has instant benefits: eliminate national insurance and cut income tax by 20% by levying an annual 3% land value tax.

Littering Walden

A Tale of One City.

This throws up a bunch of questions, not least why an innovation agency is doing classic DSIT training gubbins rather than funding, you know innovations. I also don't recall DARPA funding non-US projects.