Stephen Boyd
@stephenboydippr.bsky.social
š¤ 2084
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Director IPPR Scotland Views my own
reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Tony Yates
1 day ago
Before Twitter was taken over by a Nazi: Twitter is not Britain, you see. After Twitter became X, home of the Nazis: we have to stay on Twitter, because that's where Britain is.
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Boxing Day stroll up The Cobbler was quite glorious
8 days ago
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Stephen Boyd
Jo Michell
16 days ago
In response to the reappearance of MMT, I have, somewhat reluctantly, written up where the current crop of 'pop MMT' goes wrong. The short version: yes the central bank issues money; no this doesn't change anything.
criticalfinance.org/2025/12/19/w...
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Whatās wrong with MMT?
As Marc Lavoie and John Quiggin have noted, there are ātwo MMTsā. Scholars such as Randy Wray, Eric Tymoigne and Scott Fulwiler have contributed to debates on monetary economics, institā¦
https://criticalfinance.org/2025/12/19/whats-wrong-with-mmt/
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Chris Dillow
15 days ago
New substack: why so many people are content with economic stagnation:
chrisdillow.substack.com/p/wallowing-...
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Wallowing in poverty
Why we're not bothered about economic growth.
https://chrisdillow.substack.com/p/wallowing-in-poverty
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Stephen Boyd
Nye Cominetti
20 days ago
Have written a piece teeing up tomorrow's labour market stats, pointing out the sort-of obvious - that we currently have a problem with unemployment (i.e. demand) not just participation (i.e. supply).
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
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Labour Market Outlook Q4 2025 ⢠Resolution Foundation
Employment has fallen over the past two years and is substantially lower than it was before the pandemic. Perhaps surprisingly given its central place in policy debates, participation is essentially u...
https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications/labout-market-outlook-q4-2025/
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New labour market stats, 16-64yrs, Aug-Oct '25: Employment: Scotland 74.9%; UK 74.9% Unemployment: 3.9%; 5.2% Inactivity: 22%; 21% Change on year: Employment: Scotland +1.6%; UK 0% Unemployment: +0.2%; +0.8% Inactivity: -1.9%; -0.7%
19 days ago
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Stephen Boyd
Andy Wightman
19 days ago
BLOG - You can have this information but it will cost you £630. Following a previous blog highlighting how land sale prices are being concealed, Registers of Scotland, has refused an FoI request & will charge £630 for the info on the price paid for land.
andywightman.scot/2025/12/you-...
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You can have this Information but it will Cost You £630 - Land Matters
Regular readers will recall my blog of 21 November 2025 where I expose the growing practice of entering āImplementation of Missivesā as the consideration in deeds transferring ownership of land in Sco...
https://andywightman.scot/2025/12/you-can-have-this-information-but-it-will-cost-you-630/
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Might be delivered with an investment banker's unwavering confidence but the grim shallowness of Reform's diagnosis of and prescription for Scotland's ills is laid bare in this interview. And, no, being a bit skint at Uni doesn't give you any real insight into poverty
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
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Scotcast - Malcolm Offord interview
Martin Geissler speaks to Nigel Farageās latest Scottish recruit, Lord Malcolm Offord.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002ngl9/scotcast-malcolm-offord-interview
21 days ago
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On the face of it, the Scottish figures are remarkable. Anyone know of serious research currently taking place into Scotland's comparative performance on SEN?
www.ft.com/content/8252...
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How redefining special needs rocked education
Broadened criteria are benefiting the better-off, harming those facing greatest difficulty and straining the system
https://www.ft.com/content/8252a3bf-f3a5-4cbf-baeb-237a8d5b022b
22 days ago
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Stephen Boyd
Linda Yueh
22 days ago
President Trumpās executive orders ended collective bargaining rights for more than 1 million federal workers, which sparked widespread concerns about the future of worker protections. UK Employment Rights Bill promises to reverse many of the restrictions placed on unions
cepr.org/voxeu/column...
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The economic value of worker rights in union contracts
Collective bargaining agreements allocate rights and obligations beyond wages and benefits. This column analyses 30,000 Canadian agreements from 1986 to 2015 for non-wage worker rights. Unions secure a wide range of enforceable rights, including scheduling protections, grievance procedures, and dismissal safeguards. Such clauses increase when income tax rates rise or outside job opportunities improve, showing that worker rights have measurable economic value. The findings suggest that policy debates should consider the full legal content of contracts, not just pay.
https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/economic-value-worker-rights-union-contracts
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Stephen Boyd
Sarah O'Connor
25 days ago
Sure, we're the weak and decaying ones...
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Stephen Boyd
One Parent Families Scotland
26 days ago
Scrapping the #TwoChildLimit is a huge win. But child maintenance reform still leaves big gaps, and families deserve better. Weāre ready to help deliver real change. Full statement:
opfs.org.uk/get-involved...
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Stephen Boyd
Resolution Foundation
28 days ago
Most households subject to the two-child limit already have at least one adult in work. Of the minority of households that are not in work, more than nine-in-ten have a child under three or a disabled family member with additional care needs, making any return to the labour market challenging.
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'us v them' framing in all its guises is utterly poisonous to social democracy and therefore should be avoided like the plague by anyone interested in progressing anything that vaguely looks like social democracy
28 days ago
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Stephen Boyd
Simon Wren-Lewis
28 days ago
This was very informative for me, if also rather worrying
paulkrugman.substack.com/p/talking-wi...
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Talking With Paul Kedrosky
So, about this AI thing ...
https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/talking-with-paul-kedrosky
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Scotland has, quite understandably, something of an obsession with the Nordics. But if we're going to learn from them, let's try to do it properly. My piece from Thursday's
@heraldscotland.bsky.social
business supplement
29 days ago
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Quite seriously, this is the best song ever written about the destruction of social capital. Jeely Piece songwriter Adam McNaughtan dies aged 86 - BBC News
share.google/PZuS8dfwHD6j...
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Jeely Piece songwriter Adam McNaughtan dies aged 86
Adam McNaughtan wrote a host of songs including The Yellow on the Broom and Oor Hamlet.
https://share.google/PZuS8dfwHD6jotrpv
29 days ago
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Sukhada Tatke
30 days ago
I wrote a long essay on the myth of Scottish exceptionalism for
@inkstickmedia.com
, featuring Braveheart, anti-immigration protests in Falkirk, rise of the saltire flags, Thatcher in Scotland and so on. Thanks to
@patrickobrienstrickland.com
for giving this essay a lovely home šš¾
tinyurl.com/4n8u5tsu
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The Reality Behind the Myth that Scotland is Immune to Racism
A recent rise in anti-immigrant protests pulls back the veil on Scotland's reputation as a country where racism isn't a problem.
https://tinyurl.com/4n8u5tsu
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Duncan Weldon
about 1 month ago
Britainās largest long-term macro problem is a shortage of *private* investment. This is not new.
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beyond shocking to hear Krugman commit the 'Denmark has high a minimum wage' fallacy
www.ft.com/content/14c3...
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The Wolf-Krugman Exchange: Maga man and Mamdani
Martin Wolf and Paul Krugman on exploiting male rage ā and Americaās affordability crisis
https://www.ft.com/content/14c36f01-c4e6-4d6c-8357-099ff6370d44
about 1 month ago
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Stephen Boyd
Gavin Kelly
about 1 month ago
Something that is likely to be overlooked in all this: Richard helped broaden fiscal thinking on public investment, the wider balance sheet & the crucial implications of health/disability for growth, spending & revenues. Hope that thinking continues.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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OBR chair Richard Hughes resigns over Budget day publishing error
The government's official forecaster inadvertently published a crucial Budget document early.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd74v35p77jo
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All the 2 child limit did was to "increase poverty" explains
@ruthpatrick0.bsky.social
We didn't hear nearly enough this week about the 2CL being an abject failure on its own terms. A different kind of conversation about social security is badly needed
theconversation.com/the-two-chil...
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The two-child limit failed ā all it did was increase poverty
The controversial policy was a product of the UKās austerity period.
https://theconversation.com/the-two-child-limit-failed-all-it-did-was-increase-poverty-270841
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Ben Ansell
about 1 month ago
Absolutely disagree with stopping state pension for wealthiest and means-testing. Doesnāt cost much and would be the road to reducing year after year who is eligible. Keep universal benefits universal. No other wealthy country means tests state pensions.
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Carsten Jung
about 1 month ago
No, welfare spending is not 'out of control'. (There is an underlying rise in health-related benfits, but this needs sensible reform - not knee jerk cuts.)
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Been wearing this t-shirt for the last 15 years so it's nice to see the OBR (kinda) catch-up. Considering the productivity revision was of such importance to this budget the treatment of structural drivers/sectoral composition is worryingly flimsy. Not a single ref to Baumol in 60 pgs. Remarkable.
about 1 month ago
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Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland
about 1 month ago
Read
@stephenboydippr.bsky.social
's full response to the UK Budget š
www.ippr.org/media-office...
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Ending the two-child limit a milestone in ending child poverty but more needed on cost of living: IPPR Scotland reacts to UK Budget | IPPR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEEnding the two-child limit a milestone in ending child poverty but more needed on cost of livingThe Institute for Public Policy Resear
https://www.ippr.org/media-office/ending-the-two-child-limit-a-milestone-in-ending-child-poverty-but-more-needed-on-cost-of-living-ippr-scotland-reacts-to-uk-budget
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
IPPR Scotland
about 1 month ago
The UK government's decision to remove the two-child limit is a welcome one; it will lift around 20,000 children in Scotland out of poverty. āļø
@stephenboydippr.bsky.social
responds to the Budget ⤵ļø
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Emma Norris
about 1 month ago
Today the government is lifting the 2-child limit ā a major IPPR win that boosts incomes and improves opportunities for ~ 1.6m children. Extra income in low-income families boosts health and attainment. By the end of the parliament, 450,000 fewer children will live in poverty. A landmark moment.
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Institute for Public Policy Research
about 1 month ago
Ten children in every classroom are living in poverty ā in the sixth richest country in the world. The two-child limit has played a particularly damaging role in this. āļø
@ashwin-kumar.bsky.social
responds to the Budget š
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Removal of the 2 child limit is hugely welcome. This one measure will immediately lift 20,000 children in Scotland out of poverty. Props to those in Scotland - and elsewhere - who campaigned relentlessly for its removal.
#Budget
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Sam Alvis
about 1 month ago
ENERGY BILLS! Paying for the renewables obligation brings the UK in line with other countries. Early investments in renewables were innovation spending, strange and unfair to get consumers to pay for that.
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Stephen Boyd
Ashwin Kumar
about 1 month ago
Delighted to see the Chancellor has taken forward the recommendation from Gordon Brown,
@smfthinktank.bsky.social
and
@ippr.org
to increase taxes on gambling. We called for this hugely profitable industry to contribute to ending the two child limit for benefits
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7:15am and already bored/tired/frustrated by numerous 'black hole' references on BBC Radio Scotland. What was the point of the Dilnot Review? Were BBC presenters ever told of its findings?
share.google/RTxF7uhSsFfc...
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https://share.google/RTxF7uhSsFfcuzyTw
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Jo Michell
about 1 month ago
My pre-budget take for the LSE Politics blog is up: Labour are unable to articulate any vision or sense of purpose. Much of the left has convinced itself that government spending can be maintained without broad-based tax increases. Not a great budget backdrop.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
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Wealth tax and looser fiscal rules wonāt save the Budget | British Politics and Policy at LSE
The narrative on the left that a wealth tax and looser fiscal rules would solve the Chancellor's 2025 Budget headaches has got out of hand.
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/wealth-tax-and-looser-fiscal-rules-wont-save-the-budget/
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Seb Schmoller
about 1 month ago
"Much of the left appears to have convinced itself that wealth tax is all that is needed. This is incorrect ā and an incessant focus on wealth taxation is obscuring the need for broader tax increases." Clear and interesting piece by
@jomichell.bsky.social
:
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
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Wealth tax and looser fiscal rules wonāt save the Budget | British Politics and Policy at LSE
The narrative on the left that a wealth tax and looser fiscal rules would solve the Chancellor's 2025 Budget headaches has got out of hand.
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/wealth-tax-and-looser-fiscal-rules-wont-save-the-budget/
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Nye Cominetti
about 1 month ago
RF are pro MW, but we agree it's 2nd order to benefits in tackling poverty. Big fight with Osborne over that re tax credit cuts in 2015. One example: a 2-earner 3-kid family on MW wld have been *worse* off in 2024 than 2014 despite real earnings up 27%
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Trish Greenhalgh
about 1 month ago
Policymakers, if you want to base your decisions on AI slop, generate it yourselves instead of paying Deloitte through the nose to do it.
#healthpolicy
theindependent.ca/news/lji/maj...
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Major N.L. healthcare report contains errors likely generated by A.I. ā The Independent
$1.6 million Health Human Resources Plan from Deloitte cites research papers that donāt exist, making it the second major government policy paper called into question in as many months
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/major-n-l-healthcare-report-contains-errors-likely-generated-by-a-i/
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Scream it from the rooftops š§µ
on.ft.com/3XGBvuZ
via @FT
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Dmitry Grozoubinski
about 1 month ago
When someone tells you complex societal challenges have simple answers, they're either stupid or hoping you are. When they say those answers are more cruelty to a certain group, they're also evil and hoping you are.
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Prof Ruth Patrick
about 1 month ago
Delighted to publish this
@nuffieldfoundation.org
funded work as part of
@safety-nets.bsky.social
our major study examining the extent, nature and impacts of the devolution (and localisation) of social security within the UK. Vital new analysis from
@alexclegg.bsky.social
add a skeleton here at some point
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Stephen Boyd
Changing Realities
about 1 month ago
Recently, we attended
@ipprscotland.bsky.social
10 year anniversary event. CR participant James sat on a panel titled: 'Can Scotland meet its poverty targets' alongside CPAG and the Poverty Truth Community. He wrote a wonderful speech which can be read here:
changingrealities.org/writings/cha...
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Changing Realities is a project bringing together almost 200 parents and carers across the UK. The project documents what life is like for parents on a low income and, using lived experience, campaigns for the change we need to see.
https://changingrealities.org/writings/changing-realities-at-ippr-scotland-s-ten-year-anniversary-event
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What are the big problems facing Scotland today? Apparently it's that too few people are dressing like grouse beaters...
www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...
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'It's high time that Generation Scruff learned to polish their bloody shoes'
Individualism has become a curse within organisational workplaces as being your authentic self is deemed of greater importance than portraying aā¦
https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/viewpoint/25630415.high-time-generation-scruff-learned-polish-bloody-shoes/
about 2 months ago
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Stephen Boyd
Nick Bibby
about 2 months ago
@scotiet.bsky.social
, is a charity supporting young Scots to overcome financial obstacles in order to study overseas. I've just set up its Bluesky account and would really welcome some follows to get things moving. If you'd like to know more about us -
www.scottishinternationaleducationtrust.org/o
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SIET STORIES | Scottish International Education Trust
By far the best people to tell SIET's story are the extraordinary young people who we fund as fellows. The trust is lucky to be able to work with these changemakers, whose hard work and determination ...
https://www.scottishinternationaleducationtrust.org/o
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Noone will believe this but actually managed to watch the full game - completely uninterrupted - on Avanti West Coast wifi. Incredible stuff
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Mark Harris
about 2 months ago
Some inspiring words on cinema in the streaming era from the Pope. Yes, THAT Pope.
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Chris Dillow
about 2 months ago
New Substack:
chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-incompe...
Parts of the Labour party and BBC simply don't know what their jobs should be.
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On incompetence
Much of our political culture is fundamentally incompetent.
https://chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-incompetence
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Stephen Boyd
Centre for Public Policy
about 2 months ago
NEW Policy Insights: Next steps for city-region policy in Scotland š”š Where does policy need to go next and what opportunities are there to strengthen regional working?
@davidwglasgow.bsky.social
@graemeroy.bsky.social
@stuartgmcintyre.bsky.social
, Niall MacKenzie š
www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/...
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Giles Wilkes
about 2 months ago
"More young adults to leave UK because of low salaries and rising tax burden" -
on.ft.com/498VbP7
I really don't understand why the FT carries stories based largely on quotes from wealth managers. It's very thin stuff
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More young adults to leave UK because of low salaries and rising tax burden
Wealth managers issue warning as worries grow among people in their 20s over the economy and job prospects
https://on.ft.com/498VbP7
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reposted by
Stephen Boyd
Richard Jones
about 2 months ago
Manufacturing accounts for 8% of UK economy: should we try & increase this? Yes (imv), but it's important to distinguish some good arguments for this from bad ones (and recognise some uncertainties) my blogpost:
softmachines.org?p=3180
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Good reasons and bad reasons for supporting manufacturing (and some uncertainties) ā Soft Machines, by Richard Jones
https://softmachines.org/?p=3180
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travelling down this road, knowing the delights of An Teallach are only minutes away...bliss
bsky.app/profile/74fr...
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
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