If a party talked about "educating the public" today, they'd be monstered as "elitist" and "patronising".
The language of education has been replaced with that of consumerism, in which "the customer is always right".
The "focus group" has replaced the "pulpit". It's not been a positive change. 2/2
It's going to be even worse the next time they appoint Peter Mandelson
Incoming Hungarian PM Péter Magyar calls for the UK to rejoin the European Union:
"I remember when I was a diplomat in Brussels... We were able to influence decisions. At the time, the Brits were also part of the EU. Let's hope they will rejoin."
Celebratory dance in Hungary
The result is huge. Vast in its consequences. Orban was the inspiration to all those who came after him. He served as Putin's puppet, undermining Europe from within and Ukraine from without. He funded a vast network of fascists around the world. It's all vulnerable now, or falling apart entirely.
Excellent piece by @ldfreedman.bsky.social on "The Causes and Consequences of Trump's Defeat".
The last sentence is the key: Trump's ignorance, venality & love of violence would matter less if the entire system of government had not subordinated itself to his will.
samf.substack.com/p/the-causes...
Your regular reminder that the US had a pain-stakingly negotiated and workable deal with Iran when Trump came to power, but he tore it up. He's now desperately trying to secure a deal much worse than the one he set aside.
I can't even find the words to express how spectacularly dumb and damaging this administration is, not just for US science and healthcare but for the world. Innovations like mRNA vaccines - for pathogens, cancer, autoimmune diseases etc - benefit all of humanity.
Wow, Mark Carney speaks on multiculturalism (what a contrast to island of strangers Starmer!)
Mark Carney, "Canada is a nation forged through accommodation, not assimilation"
"Through partnership, not domination"
"The founding insight of our country is that unity does not require uniformity"
What is not being done is any recourse to the one document that provides for situations where a president needs prompt removal from office: the constitution of the United States. The checks and balances are already there, ready to be used. But they are ignored, as if these provisions did not exist. The United States may as well not have a written constitution. For what is now happening is not because of any inherent strength of the presidency in the United States political system. It is happening because the legislative and judicial branches are letting it happen. The constitutional tools are there to fix this, but those who can use these tools are refusing to use them. And the international legal order offers no constraint. Although it is important in principle to recognise that what Trump is threatening is in breach of international laws, nobody expects these laws to make any practical difference. There will be no sanctions on Trump or the United States for the threat to destroy an entire civilisation. Many world leaders also are just waiting for the problem to somehow go away.
Why President Trump’s threat of genocide matters
He may avoid immediate constitutional and legal sanctions, but this threat should not be forgotten
New by me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
I Work Very Hard, And I Would Like To Try Cake By A Horse Hello. I am a horse. I work very hard at my job of being a horse. When humans say move the heavy thing, I move the heavy thing. When humans sit on top of me and pull on my head, I carry them where they want to go. The main food the humans give me is hay and oats. But I am thinking it would be nice to have a different food. I am thinking I would like to try cake. Yes, yes. Cake. I know all about it. When humans eat cake, it is in glad times. It is the food for a celebration, such as when a woman becomes 47. I have seen cake on the Fourth of July. When humans have a cake, they stand around it and clap hands and smile and say happy birthday at each other. Sometimes there are beautiful markings on a cake, such as balloons or a pink shape. Sometimes the top of a cake is on fire and a boy must blow on the fire with mouth wind. This is the scariest cake. I do not want this kind. But I will eat any other cake. Any cake that is not the fire cake that tries to kill the boy. Please understand: I do not get money for doing work. I do not get to go inside the house. All I am either doing my horse job or standing in my pen or eating food off the floor. I always do these things. But I have never once gotten cake and I would like it very much. I have noticed that human children get to eat cake. But I am bigger than the children. I am more helpful to the farm. Children do not move the heavy things like me or let anyone ride on them. And yet they get cake. Maybe the humans will realize this. Maybe they will say, "You know who deserves cake? That horse. That horse whose back we are always on." Every day I dream about what it will be like if I get to eat cake. Here is what will happen. First, I will walk to the cake and putt my nose at it like hrrfff to make and stomping my hooves to make sure it is not a snake. Then I will trot in a circle to show that I am a horse and I am large. After that, I will nuzzle the cake to …
The horse op-ed is an instant classic. I can't tell you how much joy this piece gives me.
It should be taught in every introductory writing class in no small part because the horse arguments are so compelling. "I have noticed that human children get to eat cake. But I am bigger than the children."
Agree with this.
A democracy needs people who want to serve it.
Which is an extremely intense and frequently unrewarding job.
Some may deserve all the criticism they tend to get, but most don‘t, and the general contempt directed against them is ruining democracy.
Would you run for Parliament?
Perhaps an unpopular take, but I hate it when MPs are described as out of touch. They meet a greater variety of different people than 99% of the population, often in order to hear their complaints. They think far harder about issues than ordinary voters do.
In the midst of horrific stupidity, violence, aggression and superficiality, 4 intellectually brilliant and unbelievably brave and selfless people have turned this into a good day after all, reminding millions of people how greatness can come from science, team work, curiosity& precision. Thank you.
A longer one today - bring coffee.
Labour has driven down migration dramatically - but it’s hitting care, the NHS, housing and the wider economy, while Reform voters remain unmoved and Labour voters become pissed off.
A losing strategy on every front.
"These events are caused by the madness of the emperor. But they are ultimately the result of populism and the dark, blood-dimmed lie it has told the public. They can be brought to a halt, once we call that lie out and commit to the values that our society is based on."
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (REUTERS)
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivered a brilliant and important speech today to mark the 75th anniversary of the German Federal Foreign Office.
Here are the best excerpts.
🧵
Nearly a millennium ago, astronomers witnessed a supernova so bright it was visible in daylight for weeks.
A quarter-century after its first observations of the expanding remnant, the Crab Nebula, Hubble goes back for a fresh look 👉 esahubble.org/news/heic2607/
🔭 🧪
"Our interests in Europe and the UK are the same. Our values in Europe and the UK are the same. We need a UK voice in Europe. We really miss you guys."
President Alexander Stubb of Finland offers his view on Brexit.
Watch the event ➡️ bit.ly/4lGe54k
This is outstanding by @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk on the weaponisation of irony and the need for radical sincerity
open.substack.com/pub/joxleywr...
This looks like an excellent tour and one I regret not doing while I lived in Switzerland. Presumably you can access the Cabane des Aiguilles-Rouges from the Arolla lift system, contouring round?
Former political prisoner Nasrin Parvaz reads a letter to Keir Starmer signed by more than 100 pro-democracy, pro-justice and anti-war British-Iranians, including other former Evin detainees Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Aras Amiri. Full list of signatories is at togetherforiran.org
"Top Trump officials acknowledged to lawmakers during recent classified briefings that they did not plan for the possibility of Iran closing the strait in response to strikes."
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
www.cnn.com/2026/03/12/p...
It is completely mad that the government is expelling high flying Sudanese students from British universities - from a scheme that is explicitly aimed at the future leaders of countries.
From FT comments
Zoom into a cosmic eye 👁️
This video takes you on a journey through space to one of the most visually intricate remnants of a dying star: the Cat’s Eye Nebula 🐈⬛ also known as NGC 6543. 🔭 🧪
Mer de Glace from Signal Forbes
1890 | 2013 | 2021 | 2024
Strong acceleration of the demise of the largest French glacier over last few years! 🧊🔥
Sarenne Glacier (Grandes Rousses, Alpe d'Huez)
1906 | 2025
Sarenne Glacier has gone few years ago (~2023)! ✝️
In July 1965, it was the 1st summer ski site in France! ⛷️
This is the future of all Alpine glaciers this century!
You can't say you didn't know...🧐
📷 G. Flusin/E. Thibert via PNE
