Jack Kessler
@jackkessler.bsky.social
8.3K followers 1.9K following 2.3K posts
I write the newsletter, Lines To Take, bringing you one big story of the day, every day. Sign up for free: https://www.linestotake.com/ I like human rights and French cuisine.
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jackkessler.bsky.social
What it's like to go horribly, horribly viral.

That time I incurred the wrath of a continent (and the Daily Mail).

My new newsletter, Lines To Take, out now.
What it's like to go horribly, horribly viral
I incurred the wrath of a continent (and the Daily Mail)
www.linestotake.com
jackkessler.bsky.social
The funniest part is that Nato is 1. a *defensive* alliance and 2. comprised largely of nations who, given the choice, would spend virtually nothing on defence!
Reposted by Jack Kessler
jackkessler.bsky.social
My newsletter, Lines To Take, is changing.

Here’s what’s next — and why I hope you’ll join me.

✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/this-newsl...
Music was blaring, lights strobing, bodies gyrating. There was glitter everywhere. Welcome to Daybreaker, an early morning dance movement based in 33 cities around the world, where people come to “sweat, dance and connect with ourselves and each other”. It is also how I ended up in a nightclub at seven in the morning, sober and alone, approaching strangers to ask if they were having a good time.

I suppose I should consider myself lucky. My editor at the time had initially (and a little too cheerily, I felt) suggested I go walking with wolves somewhere in the Lake District. Back in 2019, Daybreaker was a noisy example of what seemed like a striking shift in our consumption habits. The so-called “experience economy” was booming then and — following the Covid-19 interruption — has come back with a vengeance

“The history of economic progress,” Joseph Pine II, who helped coin the term “experience economy” told me (and many others, I suspect, given the rhyme), “is paying a fee for what used to be free.” 

Can you see where I’m going with this?
jackkessler.bsky.social
In a similar vein, did pre-June 2016 Brexit uncertainty drag much on the UK economy, or was the presumption of a Remain victory enough to dispel it?
jackkessler.bsky.social
Step 1. These tax rises are Farage's fault because of Brexit. Which we still won't say is bad because good grief we don't want to alienate Leave voters!

Step 2. Large tax rises

Step 3. ???

Step 4. Re-election
jackkessler.bsky.social
I don't scare easily on this stuff. For context, I watch air crash investigation videos to relax/fall asleep.
jackkessler.bsky.social
And of course by the early 2020s Tory election night defensive lines included: look, it’s just really tough to win in places like Putney.
jackkessler.bsky.social
And interest rates were nil! But it didn't fit with Northern Powerhouse and as far as the political project went, they concluded 0.7% of GNI on aid was sufficient to keep the liberals onside.
jackkessler.bsky.social
Fair! I suppose I'm fascinated by the *intensity* of reaction Ganesh engenders.
jackkessler.bsky.social
What with Pickles strangling onshore wind, the Coalition had a really strange relationship with low-carbon generation.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
robertshrimsley.bsky.social
Thatcher once said her greatest achievement was Tony Blair and New Labour, because she forced her opponents onto her agenda. Today's new right begs to differ.

www.ft.com/content/49ec...
The battle to dismantle Blair’s Britain
Conservatives’ biggest mistake was the adoption of the liberal agenda, the new right believes
www.ft.com
jackkessler.bsky.social
All I know about CCS is Osborne canceling a £1bn grant in 2015. Did this matter? Can I finally relinquish this insane bit of trivia?
Reposted by Jack Kessler
timdurrant.bsky.social
This is one of my favourite morning reads (come for the insightful political analysis and commentary, stay for the delightful family stories and personal anecdotes, take your pick on the aviation obsession)

Check it out if you haven't already:
jackkessler.bsky.social
My newsletter, Lines To Take, is changing.

Here’s what’s next — and why I hope you’ll join me.

✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/this-newsl...
Music was blaring, lights strobing, bodies gyrating. There was glitter everywhere. Welcome to Daybreaker, an early morning dance movement based in 33 cities around the world, where people come to “sweat, dance and connect with ourselves and each other”. It is also how I ended up in a nightclub at seven in the morning, sober and alone, approaching strangers to ask if they were having a good time.

I suppose I should consider myself lucky. My editor at the time had initially (and a little too cheerily, I felt) suggested I go walking with wolves somewhere in the Lake District. Back in 2019, Daybreaker was a noisy example of what seemed like a striking shift in our consumption habits. The so-called “experience economy” was booming then and — following the Covid-19 interruption — has come back with a vengeance

“The history of economic progress,” Joseph Pine II, who helped coin the term “experience economy” told me (and many others, I suspect, given the rhyme), “is paying a fee for what used to be free.” 

Can you see where I’m going with this?
jackkessler.bsky.social
I actually think the most post ever received was the week Barry Gardiner was running for chair of the Environmental Audit Committee.
jackkessler.bsky.social
Imagine the numbers when the 'save the bees' campaign comes round again.
jackkessler.bsky.social
2025: The Seven Wars' Year
thetimes.com
Which ‘seven wars’ did Trump end? His claims fact-checked.

He may have missed out on the Nobel peace prize, but the US president claims to have solved multiple conflicts ⬇️
Which ‘seven wars’ did Trump end? His claims fact-checked
Has Trump ended seven wars? Which wars did Donald Trump end?
www.thetimes.com
jackkessler.bsky.social
I mean, I had to read that like six times and I'm still basically nodding and smiling.
Reposted by Jack Kessler
gabrielmilland.bsky.social
"Ganesh is self-evidently witty, erudite and always interesting. Lots of people seem to resent the fact that he appears entirely at ease with that characterisation."

Janan grinds peoples' gears because he is an unashamed boulevardier and people mistake that for being a flâneur.
jackkessler.bsky.social
Nor my obsession with *other people's* sometimes lively reactions to the FT's Janan Ganesh, who I think is great btw
What is it about Janan Ganesh?
I'm a Janan fan — but the FT columnist sure divides opinion
www.linestotake.com
Reposted by Jack Kessler
emmavj.bsky.social
While it pains me to pay for someone’s hard work - you should deffo think about doing so
jackkessler.bsky.social
My newsletter, Lines To Take, is changing.

Here’s what’s next — and why I hope you’ll join me.

✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/this-newsl...
Music was blaring, lights strobing, bodies gyrating. There was glitter everywhere. Welcome to Daybreaker, an early morning dance movement based in 33 cities around the world, where people come to “sweat, dance and connect with ourselves and each other”. It is also how I ended up in a nightclub at seven in the morning, sober and alone, approaching strangers to ask if they were having a good time.

I suppose I should consider myself lucky. My editor at the time had initially (and a little too cheerily, I felt) suggested I go walking with wolves somewhere in the Lake District. Back in 2019, Daybreaker was a noisy example of what seemed like a striking shift in our consumption habits. The so-called “experience economy” was booming then and — following the Covid-19 interruption — has come back with a vengeance

“The history of economic progress,” Joseph Pine II, who helped coin the term “experience economy” told me (and many others, I suspect, given the rhyme), “is paying a fee for what used to be free.” 

Can you see where I’m going with this?
Reposted by Jack Kessler
duncanrobinson.bsky.social
Good on Ganesh derangement
jackkessler.bsky.social
Nor my obsession with *other people's* sometimes lively reactions to the FT's Janan Ganesh, who I think is great btw
What is it about Janan Ganesh?
I'm a Janan fan — but the FT columnist sure divides opinion
www.linestotake.com
Reposted by Jack Kessler
benansell.bsky.social
Jack has one of the must read Substacks and if anyone can keep up a daily memo that’s always interesting and varied it’s him. Look forward to seeing how this progresses.
jackkessler.bsky.social
My newsletter, Lines To Take, is changing.

Here’s what’s next — and why I hope you’ll join me.

✍️ www.linestotake.com/p/this-newsl...
Music was blaring, lights strobing, bodies gyrating. There was glitter everywhere. Welcome to Daybreaker, an early morning dance movement based in 33 cities around the world, where people come to “sweat, dance and connect with ourselves and each other”. It is also how I ended up in a nightclub at seven in the morning, sober and alone, approaching strangers to ask if they were having a good time.

I suppose I should consider myself lucky. My editor at the time had initially (and a little too cheerily, I felt) suggested I go walking with wolves somewhere in the Lake District. Back in 2019, Daybreaker was a noisy example of what seemed like a striking shift in our consumption habits. The so-called “experience economy” was booming then and — following the Covid-19 interruption — has come back with a vengeance

“The history of economic progress,” Joseph Pine II, who helped coin the term “experience economy” told me (and many others, I suspect, given the rhyme), “is paying a fee for what used to be free.” 

Can you see where I’m going with this?