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Stephen Bush

@stephenkb.bsky.social

73K followers 4.5K following 57K posts

Associate editor and columnist @financialtimes.com. Post too often about culture, public policy, management, politics, nerd stuff, Arsenal, wosoc. Try my UK politics newsletter for free here: www.ft.com/tryinsidepolitics

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · Feb 22

I sat through that so when my column gets factchecked I can say “yes, that line is accurate”. Such is the FT’s commitment to bringing you our best understanding of the truth. Subscribe here: subs.ft.com/products

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 6m

Yeah - there are visibly maybe…50…or so seats in the whole country that couldn’t go red OR yellow. But 2015 to 2024 and 2001 to 2019 does teach us that they rarely go direct. Just look at St Albans and Cornwall.

Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 19m

Damn you don’t get Bluesky like that anymore.

Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 2h

Sorry to read that and wishing the best for you.

Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 3h

Funniest recent example of this was someone suggesting that we privatise prisons and use them as anchor institutions.

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 3h

Completely agree with this - there is a lot of terrible policymaking where you can see the direct echo of “this guy played a lot of Civ as a child and teen”.

Duncan Weldon @duncanweldon.bsky.social · 4h

Genuinely think the concept of the tech tree has done a lot of damage.

Tech-Based Teaching @edutecheditor.bsky.social · 6h

“Since 1991, the video game Civilization, now in its seventh installment, has become one of the most successful game franchises ever. That means millions of kids have grown up with Civ as one of their formative ways of thinking about history.” (via @jstor.bsky.social) #AcademicSky

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 5h

“Was that [Macronism] a ten-year parenthesis, or will we have a political life that is split in three in the longterm?” Fantastic piece this:

Does French turmoil spell the end of Macronism?

Emmanuel Macron’s movement and legacy unravel as political gambles backfire

www.ft.com

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 5h

“Was that [Macronism] a ten-year parenthesis, or will we have a political life that is split in three in the longterm?” Fantastic piece this:

Does French turmoil spell the end of Macronism?

Emmanuel Macron’s movement and legacy unravel as political gambles backfire

www.ft.com

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 10h

Minthara also I think is maybe the best love interest for an evil playthrough in any game, in that she is a properly three dimensional character who is an active enthusiastic participant in your crimes.

Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 10h

Lae’zel grows on you if you take the time. (Also true of Gale as a character, but I repeat: he’s still not over his ex!)

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 11h

He, Astarion is also a bad guy, but you know, at least he doesn't come off like a creepy teacher.

Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 11h

She's not a war criminal and she doesn't hate Karlach, tho.

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 11h

The children are running away!

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 21h

Cleric of life rather than trickery. (I never let Astarion ascend on any other playthrough)

Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 21h

I meta-game it by respecing him as a sorceror, just as I always respect Shadowheart if her hair goes white.

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 21h

Panam should be bi because quite frankly she’s the only good love interest and is core to the plot. (I like how CDPR are so convinced no-one will actually romance the gay man that Phantom Liberty breaks the “no happy endings In Night City” rule if you romance Kerry.)

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 21h

A slightly better bite attack and gaseous form, which lacked a certain something.

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 21h

My one disagreement with this is that Astarion is such a fun way to do an evil playthrough. Bang Minthara, ascend, take over the world, it’s great fun.

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 21h

Yeah, completely agree. The really cool thing is that he is a rare warlock who is not just “a paladin with more offensive spells and less restrictive class features”.

Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 21h

Yeah but if you just politely talk to her about her issues then Lae’zel, the actually good love interest, propositions you.

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 21h

Hah! Yes, it does have that vibe.

Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 21h

He’s a creep who kills kids!

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 21h

River is boring but he at least tries to pursue you properly.

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Reposted by Stephen Bush

Sharon @sharonk.bsky.social · 21h

I mean, it could be worse. Could always be stuck with River in Cyberpunk 2077

Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 22h

Love how bad Baldur's Gate 3's male love interests are:

Wyll: hot - but obviously more into your friend than you
Gale: alright to look at I guess, but on a rebound
Astarion: hot - but a child murderer
Halsin: a child murderer - and not hot

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 21h

Come on, you deserve better than someone who is mooning over someone else!

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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 21h

“Oh I’m so worried about Wyll”, etc etc