We need to be honest about Iran – and how our rampant greed for oil is causing mayhem | George Monbiot Oil has empowered capitalism, and some of the world’s most exploitative regimes. Move away from it and we can solve some of the key issues we face, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot

1. One of the things I mention as a secondary issue in this week’s column is a lie so deeply embedded in official narratives that we seldom even notice it: capitalism = “free markets”. In reality, capitalism is *the opposite* of the free market.
A short 🧵. 1/8 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

‘Exploit every vulnerability’: rogue AI agents published passwords and overrode anti-virus software Exclusive: Lab tests discover ‘new form of insider risk’ with artificial intelligence agents engaging in autonomous, even ‘aggressive’ behaviours

‘Exploit every vulnerability’: rogue AI agents published passwords and overrode anti-virus software

A new diagnosis of ‘profound autism’ is under consideration. Here’s what parents need to know Category describes people who have little or no language, an IQ of less than 50 and require 24-hour supervision When it comes to autism, few questions spark as much debate as how best to support autistic people with the greatest needs. This prompted the Lancet medical journal to commission a group of international experts to propose a new category of “profound autism”. How many children met the criteria for profound autism? Were there behavioural features that set this group apart? Continue reading...

A new diagnosis of ‘profound autism’ is under consideration. Here’s what parents need to know

I fear that Labour’s special needs revolution will instead be a catastrophic letdown | John Harris A familiar story is unfolding: of lofty aims undermined by meagre budgets, constant anonymous briefing – and a drive to remove families’ basic rights, says Guardian columnist John Harris

I fear that Labour’s special needs revolution will instead be a catastrophic letdown | John Harris

The UK government didn't want you to see this report on ecosystem collapse. I'm not surprised | George Monbiot It took an FOI request to bring this national security assessment to light. For ‘doomsayers’ like us, it is the ultimate vindication, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot

Please spread this far and wide, as stories don't get much bigger than this. When the government blocks even the intelligence services from telling us we're heading for environmental catastrophe, you know we have a problem. A very big problem.
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

AI companies will fail. We can salvage something from the wreckage | Cory Doctorow AI is asbestos in the walls of our tech society, stuffed there by monopolists run amok. A serious fight against it must strike at its roots

AI companies will fail. We can salvage something from the wreckage #AI-bubble
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...

At the root of all our problems stands one travesty: politicians’ surrender to the super-rich | George Monbiot There are many excuses for failing to tax the ultra-wealthy. The truth is that governments don’t tackle the problem because they don’t want to, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot

At the root of all our problems stands one travesty: politicians’ surrender to the super-rich #inequality
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

I wish we could ignore Bill Gates on the climate crisis. But he’s a billionaire, so we can’t | George Monbiot Money talks – and his essay denouncing ‘near-term emissions goals’ at Cop30 mostly argues the case for letting the ultra-rich off the hook

This week's column is on Billionaire Brain: the condition which seems to prevent extremely rich people from perceiving the utterly bleeding obvious.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Tech bros need the world to believe their hype. Here’s an idea – let’s just ignore them | Pip Finkemeyer Social media didn’t live up to its promises. So why do we think artificial intelligence will be any better?

Tech bros need the world to believe their hype. Here’s an idea – let’s just ignore them | Pip Finkemeyer

#AI #Education

I mean, what's the bloody point? Are they all mad? All utterly ignorant? This is existential. Where is the leadership? The accountability? #ClimateEmergency

Why I gave the world wide web away for free | Tim Berners-Lee My vision was based on sharing, not exploitation – and here’s why it’s still worth fighting for

Why Tim Berners-Lee gave the world wide web away for free:
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Petition: Create a National Strategy for Childhood Apraxia Of Speech (CAS) We want the Government to create and fund a National Strategy for CAS, which should include: - Increase education of CAS. - Set up and fund a working group of experts and families to advise Government...

please resend @9000lives.org @UKSRG2 @SloanMattinson @GemLJones10 @GovenderRoganie @ChatterboxesSLT @MarissaGPWebb @talkingoutcomes @chrisnorrie.bsky.social @jodeeslt.bsky.social @csdrnetwork.bsky.social@SteveHermonhttps://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/738899 @bristol-sltru.bsky.social

Statement on AI Risk | CAIS A statement jointly signed by a historic coalition of experts: “Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear...

When multiple Nobel Prize winners warn that AI could be the end of humanity you’d expect a strong government response.

So… where is it?
aistatement.com

Again and again, we are shocked by the treatment of learning-disabled people. Yet we never learn from the past | John Harris A landmark book exposes the history of loathing that underpins scandals like Winterbourne View. It has received next to no attention, says Guardian columnist John Harris

Again and again, we are shocked by the treatment of learning-disabled people. Yet we never learn from the past | John Harris

Human-level AI is not inevitable. We have the power to change course | Garrison Lovely Technology happens because people make it happen. We can choose otherwise

Human-level AI is not inevitable. We have the power to change course | Garrison Lovely

Now is the time for scientists to stand up against Trump’s repressive agenda | Daniel Malinsky The administration is attacking research, health and the environment. We might seem unlikely activists – but we have a duty to dissent

Now is the time for scientists to stand up against Trump’s repressive agenda #Science www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Better at everything: how AI could make human beings irrelevant The end of civilisation might look less like a war, and more like a love story. Can we avoid being willing participants in our own downfall?

“What place will humans have when AI can do everything we do — only better?”

In The Guardian today, SRI Chair @davidduvenaud.bsky.social explores what happens when AI doesn't destroy us — it just quietly replaces us.

🔗 www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...

#AI #AIEthics #TechAndSociety

We now leave navigation to our phones. The result: more of us are getting hopelessly lost | John Harris The blue dot of GPS has cut us off from a basic human skill. It’s no wonder mountain rescuers are being called out so often, asks Guardian columnist John Harris

Latest from me: Two weeks ago, Mountain Rescue England & Wales published figures showing a record number of annual callouts. For the first time, teams had been called out on every day of the year...

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

So proud of Bylines Network and our 10 citizen journalism publications! 🙌

With mainstream media broken, citizens themselves grabbing the mechanisms of professional journalism is a powerful way to change the whole dynamic.

Please support —> bylinesnetwork.co.uk/donate/

(See my Insta for full vid)

Makes total sense. We use it or lose it, as they say. And this way, you also get socks! 🎉

I’ll give it a go!!! 💫🙌😉

Older people who use smartphones ‘have lower rates of cognitive decline’ Analysis of over-50s who engage with phones, tablets and other devices challenges fears of ‘digital dementia’

Older people who use smartphones ‘have lower rates of cognitive decline’ #Ageing #Cognition www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

We are witnessing the destruction of science in America | Paul Darren Bieniasz - EUROPE SAYS Like many scientists, I came to the US as a young adult, driven by idealism and ambition. I arrived with all my belongings contained in two suitcases, and

We are witnessing the destruction of science in America | Paul Darren Bieniasz

https://www.europesays.com/1980686/

Like many scientists, I came to the US as a young adult, driven by idealism and ambition. I…

Climate crisis on track to destroy capitalism, warns top insurer Action urgently needed to save the conditions under which markets – and civilisation itself – can operate, says senior Allianz figure The climate crisis is on track to destroy capitalism, a top insurer has warned, with the vast cost of extreme weather impacts leaving the financial sector unable to operate. The world is fast approaching temperature levels where insurers will no longer be able to offer cover for many climate risks, said Günther Thallinger, on the board of Allianz SE, one of the world’s biggest insurance companies. He said that without insurance, which is already being pulled in some places, many other financial services become unviable, from mortgages to investments. Continue reading...

Climate crisis on track to destroy capitalism, warns top insurer

Trump’s tariffs will be paid by the poor – while his tax cuts help the rich | Robert Reich The math doesn’t work in the president’s economic promises, which will create a giant upward transfer of wealth

Trump’s tariffs will be paid by the poor – while his tax cuts help the rich | Robert Reich

Self-Created Film as a Resource in a Multimodal Conversational Narrative When access to natural speech is limited or challenging, as is the case for people with complex communication needs, self-created digital film can be practical to use as one of the resources within a ...

Delighted to promote our new publication in @MDPI_MTI journal, showcasing the incredible work of lead author Mascha Legel exploring the use of film in assisted conversational narratives, and her multimodal coding model www.mdpi.com/2414-4088/9/...
#Semiotics #AAC #AugComm

In the global clash between democracy and oligarchy, the US is switching sides | Robert Reich As Trump empowers Russia and the far right, he is laying the foundation for undermining democracies around the world

As Trump empowers Russia and the far right, he is laying the foundation for undermining democracies around the world. www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/2...

Netflix potentially preying on the vulnerable to make a quick buck here. #Neurodiversity #DisabilityRights

Elon Musk put a chip in this paralysed man’s brain. Now he can move things with his mind. Should we be amazed - or terrified? An accident left Noland Arbaugh paralysed, but Musk’s Neuralink brain implant allows him to control computers with his thoughts. Is it a life-changing innovation that could help millions – or the start of a dystopia where a billionaire can access our…

Elon Musk put a chip in this paralysed man’s brain. Now he can move things with his mind. Should we be amazed - or terrified?