The richest man on earth owns X. The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok. The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post. See the problem here?

After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like.

Spot on.

UPEND THE ESTABLISHMENT, by voting for a party composed entirely of rejects from the oldest party in the country that was in power for 14 years. 😂 Reform UK increasingly look like the Tories just ran off stage, then ran back on wearing a comedy glasses-nose-moustache disguise.

Trump on 19 Russian drones shot into Poland: "could've been a mistake..." Part 2 of our podcast for TRUMP & VANCE - W/ FRIENDS LIKE THESE WHO NEEDS ENEMIES? www.alteredstate.org.uk/podcast w/ Gen Sir Tim Radford Prof Ana Garcia Richard Graham ex MP & diplomat @digitalfutures.bsky.social #nato

'living in a drably anonymous corner of the United Kingdom (the film was shot in Bristol)' Harsh. www.theguardian.com/film/2025/se...

There are two kinds of people. There are those who see this statue and see a teddy bear reaching out to comfort someone in despair. And there are those who see a nightmare toy come to life, about to push him off the ledge... 😈

This was such a rewarding gig!

I have a rape case. Offence in April 2022. Reported within days. Charged Oct 2023. Trial listed July 2024. Put back to Oct 2024. No court available so put back to today. At court today, there's no court available AGAIN. FOURTH trial date now June 2026 - more than four years after the incident!!

A real treat to spend a weekend with good books by fine friends.

Reading through a 6-page explainer doc on how to navigate 8 website pages listing about 80 different links, so that I can check my teaching timetable for the coming year. I sure am optimistic about the next wave of tech freeing us up to do the 'high value' work because it's going so well so far...

Can't beat listening to one of my favourite tech ethics people on one of my favourite podcasts. Check out @drkatedevlin.bsky.social on @bunkerpod.bsky.social! pod.link/1496246490

14 years, I think you'll find! Some of them even pretty good ones. Srsly, it's a tremendous place and a great opportunity.

Brilliant talk last night about UK defence in the era of America First foreign policy Thanks to Gen Sir Tim Radford, Prof Ana Juncos Garcia, Richard Graham & host @digitalfutures.bsky.social Punches were not pulled Spades were called spades Blog & podcast to follow #alteredstate #bristoltalks

Those of you in London today: This is TONIGHT! Drinks at 6:15pm, panel at 7pm, free to attend but please do sign up via the link below. Trump is taking a stand against ‘woke’ in the US — but what’s happening in the UK? And does technology help or hinder it?

Fun times trying to persuade a law firm that I really don't, in 2025, need to print, sign and *post* all the docs. AI might eventually revolutionise the profession, but I'd be more convinced if they could get their heads around e-signatures and the fax machine ...

What are the consequences of the US's involvement in Israel's war w/ Iran? Iran are active in the war in Europe via their pact w/ Russia So is Britain A NATO general, a prof of EU politics & a former MP & diplomat talk this Tues 24th www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #bristoltalks #bristolevents

A thing I wrote. theconversation.com/the-assisted....

Not an original observation, but the debate around assisted dying, while certainly passionate, has mostly been serious and civil, both in parliament and in the media. Why was that possible in this case, while other 'social' questions descend immediately into hyper-polarised bun-fights? Any thoughts?

@kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social making the clear and obvious point that, under her Bill, far more safeguards will exist than for all the end-of-life decisions we currently allow.

CEO pay at UK’s top companies is 52 times that of typical worker, report finds

'Hillier's other amendment seeking to stop health professionals from raising assisted dying with any patient was defeated by 256 votes to 230 - a majority of 26.' Glad to see this. Probably well intentioned, but NZ had a similar rule and it didn't work well at all. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The excellent 'Strong Message Here' podcast asks what political catchphrases people would ban. I'd like 2, please. 1. 'You can't achieve anything from opposition.' Aside from the fact that it's invariably a precursor to doing something awful but popular, that must be news to Nigel Farage. 1/2

It’s not just that it’s clearly intentional, it’s that it’s clearly intentional knowing that he’s being recorded. They know they can do whatever they want with complete impunity.

Prof @digitalfutures.bsky.social is our host for TRUMP & VANCE - W FRIENDS LIKE THESE, WHO NEEDS ENEMIES? We talk about the implications of America First foreign policy on the UK June 24 Tickets headfirstbristol.co.uk/checkout/alt... #bristoltalks #bristolevents #whatsonbristol #talks #nato

I've been a panelist on a couple of these, but this will be my first time chairing. It looks like being a good one!

This seems so valuable. So many of the habits & rituals of 'academic writing' just seem designed to suck every molecule of joy from the business of reading, & even people who're great communicators in other media (like lectures) get drawn into it.

A heavyweight panel for a deadly serious subject that affects us all w/ @aejuncos.bsky.social @digitalfutures.bsky.social Coincides w/ the annual NATO summit Early bird tickets headfirstbristol.co.uk/checkout/alt... #defence #ukrainewar #nato #americafirst #putin #zeleskyy #trump #jdvance #talks

Really nice job with this, team. You've even made it sound as if I know what I'm talking about! 😉

That Labour strategy in full: Reform were right! Also, don't vote for Reform.

I do wish it was better understood by now—especially by folks in the media—that these "warnings" from large AI corporations in fact function as "advertisements" www.axios.com/2025/04/22/a...

In Liverpool for SLSA. First stop after hotel? Yeah, that'll be Specsavers.

This was lots of fun. Thanks fir having me back @alteredstatetalks.bsky.social . And such a pleasure to meet @caralavan.bsky.social and @mjgw.bsky.social

Did anyone else read this title all wrong: with "new research associates" as the subject and "butter" as the verb? Imagine my confusion ... 🤔

#ElonMusk is interfering in the UK Muted £80m to Reform Using X to bombard us w/ #misinformation Calling for regime change here We'll talk about what to do w/ @caralavan.bsky.social @mjgw.bsky.social & @digitalfutures.bsky.social Tix www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/checkout/alt... #bristoltalks

Next up...

I thoroughly enjoyed talking to @ruthfox.bsky.social and @darcyxtip.bsky.social about the New Zealand experience with assisted dying. An excellent discussion - but boy, do I talk fast! 🫢 podfollow.com/parliamentma...

Glorious return from @hamishhawk.bsky.social to Thekla last night. We made sure not to be stuck at the back this time!

I wasn't sure I could be more obsessed with Baldur's Gate 3, but now I discover the (wonderful) narrator is a University of Bristol grad! Chances of enticing her back to do something with @bdfi.bsky.social ... or just, y'know, narrate my lectures? 🤔

Anyone at a loose end on the afternoon of 26th Feb, do come along and talk to me about humanlike AI. @jgibristol.bsky.social @bdfi.bsky.social www.bristol.ac.uk/golding/turi...

UK Govt: "Unleash the AI, for it shall help us find the potholes!" Meanwhile in Scotland...

Hello Bluesky 👋 we have joined the movement! Like many others, here at BDFI we have chosen to leave X and seek pastures new. We look forward to interacting here in a more positive and constructive community 🌍

So is the current narrative really that the last Government was too cautious about AI, and not sufficiently pro-innovation? 🤔

The man in the automated message on the Manchester Civil Justice Centre phone number genuinely sounds unhinged. It only gets worse the longer you listen. Just wait for the bit about bailiffs. Who approved this???

What worries me is not government use of AI per se but the slightly credulous way that the government talk about it, which makes me suspect they will be taken for rubes by the tech companies selling their services. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

BBC News - PM plans to 'unleash AI' across UK to boost growth www.bbc.com/news/article... I'm certainly not ruling out that AI could have major benefits, but ... finding potholes? Isn't there a more obvious less 'solutionist' solution, where humans just, well ... report them? 🤷‍♂️

Happy new year, NZ buddies!

Dear BC Ferries, are we having a good festive season?

Celebrating Second Christmas in Vancouver. This time-travelling business is quite fun.