Conor Sewell
@ccsewell.bsky.social
Associate Director at Flint Global. Macro, financial services, digital assets. Views my own. Ex-BoE, Treasury. Labour member, big on sports, rugby referee. Bi and autistic.
Reposted by Conor Sewell
The paper argues that *power* costs could soon be similar.
Even assuming that that’s true (which I would say is unlikely), the costs of building, assembling and maintaining a space-based data centre are not going to be similar to a terrestrial one!
Even assuming that that’s true (which I would say is unlikely), the costs of building, assembling and maintaining a space-based data centre are not going to be similar to a terrestrial one!
February 10, 2026 at 2:29 PM
The paper argues that *power* costs could soon be similar.
Even assuming that that’s true (which I would say is unlikely), the costs of building, assembling and maintaining a space-based data centre are not going to be similar to a terrestrial one!
Even assuming that that’s true (which I would say is unlikely), the costs of building, assembling and maintaining a space-based data centre are not going to be similar to a terrestrial one!
I know the article cites a source saying this is not the case.
I would politely but very, very firmly disagree with that analysis (and note that not even the paper itself seriously claims that total costs will be comparable any time soon).
I would politely but very, very firmly disagree with that analysis (and note that not even the paper itself seriously claims that total costs will be comparable any time soon).
February 10, 2026 at 2:25 PM
I know the article cites a source saying this is not the case.
I would politely but very, very firmly disagree with that analysis (and note that not even the paper itself seriously claims that total costs will be comparable any time soon).
I would politely but very, very firmly disagree with that analysis (and note that not even the paper itself seriously claims that total costs will be comparable any time soon).
Data centres in space will not happen.
Leaving aside technical and physics problems, there’s a fundamental barrier: building a data centre in space will be hugely more expensive than doing the same on Earth.
Unless we literally run out of space (unlikely), there is zero reason not to build it here
Leaving aside technical and physics problems, there’s a fundamental barrier: building a data centre in space will be hugely more expensive than doing the same on Earth.
Unless we literally run out of space (unlikely), there is zero reason not to build it here
Fascinating read.
Can well imagine, in a couple of decades’ time, “do you remember that bit when they wanted to put data centres in space by the late 2020s?” being the kind of anecdote people tell about AI capex mania.
www.ft.com/content/a5cf...
Can well imagine, in a couple of decades’ time, “do you remember that bit when they wanted to put data centres in space by the late 2020s?” being the kind of anecdote people tell about AI capex mania.
www.ft.com/content/a5cf...
‘The race is on’: will Elon Musk be the first to put a data centre in space?
Tech billionaire’s desire to put computer infrastructure into orbit is central to $1.25tn plan to merge SpaceX with xAI
www.ft.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Data centres in space will not happen.
Leaving aside technical and physics problems, there’s a fundamental barrier: building a data centre in space will be hugely more expensive than doing the same on Earth.
Unless we literally run out of space (unlikely), there is zero reason not to build it here
Leaving aside technical and physics problems, there’s a fundamental barrier: building a data centre in space will be hugely more expensive than doing the same on Earth.
Unless we literally run out of space (unlikely), there is zero reason not to build it here
This is not a hypothetical.
For countries with age-gating already in place (such as the UK), there are already many cases of queer servers being hit with an adults-only rating solely for containing queer content.
For countries with age-gating already in place (such as the UK), there are already many cases of queer servers being hit with an adults-only rating solely for containing queer content.
February 10, 2026 at 8:55 AM
This is not a hypothetical.
For countries with age-gating already in place (such as the UK), there are already many cases of queer servers being hit with an adults-only rating solely for containing queer content.
For countries with age-gating already in place (such as the UK), there are already many cases of queer servers being hit with an adults-only rating solely for containing queer content.
The Discord news is why I oppose age-gating content on social media.
By doing so, you leave it to platforms to decide what kids can see - American platforms who take their lead from the US government.
Meaning that right now, age gates are being used to prevent access to any queer-related content.
By doing so, you leave it to platforms to decide what kids can see - American platforms who take their lead from the US government.
Meaning that right now, age gates are being used to prevent access to any queer-related content.
February 10, 2026 at 8:55 AM
The Discord news is why I oppose age-gating content on social media.
By doing so, you leave it to platforms to decide what kids can see - American platforms who take their lead from the US government.
Meaning that right now, age gates are being used to prevent access to any queer-related content.
By doing so, you leave it to platforms to decide what kids can see - American platforms who take their lead from the US government.
Meaning that right now, age gates are being used to prevent access to any queer-related content.
Reposted by Conor Sewell
Look all I'm saying is we've tried chaos *without* Ed Miliband
February 9, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Look all I'm saying is we've tried chaos *without* Ed Miliband
A reminder of one of the most important rules of life: never forget the Celts…
Am told Eluned Morgan, First Minister of Wales, is going to follow Anas Sarwar in calling for the PM to stand down;
Also that there will be "Scottish MP ministerial resignations" afterwards
Ministers saying it's the end game...
Also that there will be "Scottish MP ministerial resignations" afterwards
Ministers saying it's the end game...
February 9, 2026 at 2:09 PM
A reminder of one of the most important rules of life: never forget the Celts…
This is incredibly mangled but the core point is basically right:
If you get rid of a comms director, you had a bad comms director.
If you lose four comms directors in two years, you have a garbage in garbage out problem.
If you get rid of a comms director, you had a bad comms director.
If you lose four comms directors in two years, you have a garbage in garbage out problem.
“A communications professional is only as good as the communications that they are communicating.”
Thanks Chris.
Thanks Chris.
February 9, 2026 at 11:21 AM
This is incredibly mangled but the core point is basically right:
If you get rid of a comms director, you had a bad comms director.
If you lose four comms directors in two years, you have a garbage in garbage out problem.
If you get rid of a comms director, you had a bad comms director.
If you lose four comms directors in two years, you have a garbage in garbage out problem.
This is a truly excellent question which I don’t have a good answer for
February 8, 2026 at 9:22 PM
This is a truly excellent question which I don’t have a good answer for
Leaving aside procedure, because she doesn’t know how much she owes - HMRC need to finish their investigation in order for the final amount to be determined (including whether there will be a penalty on top/how much it will be)
February 8, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Leaving aside procedure, because she doesn’t know how much she owes - HMRC need to finish their investigation in order for the final amount to be determined (including whether there will be a penalty on top/how much it will be)
Reposted by Conor Sewell
Japan is a typical, developed democracy. Elections take place in an environment where the general public have a range of political parties to choose from, operating in a pluralistic media landscape, with totally free, secret ballots, after which the LDP win.
February 8, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Japan is a typical, developed democracy. Elections take place in an environment where the general public have a range of political parties to choose from, operating in a pluralistic media landscape, with totally free, secret ballots, after which the LDP win.
Reposted by Conor Sewell
Right, but just to clarify, you did not appoint Peter Mandelson, because you were not Prime Minister.
NEW: PM’s Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney resigns
“After careful reflection, I have decided to resign from the government. The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself.”
“After careful reflection, I have decided to resign from the government. The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself.”
February 8, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Right, but just to clarify, you did not appoint Peter Mandelson, because you were not Prime Minister.
Also, McSweeney’s statement says he takes full responsibility for Mandelson but that he didn’t oversee the process.
Which begs the question: who did and why aren’t they resigning too?
Which begs the question: who did and why aren’t they resigning too?
February 8, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Also, McSweeney’s statement says he takes full responsibility for Mandelson but that he didn’t oversee the process.
Which begs the question: who did and why aren’t they resigning too?
Which begs the question: who did and why aren’t they resigning too?
Reposted by Conor Sewell
Right that the prime minister has resigned. His successor, Keir Starmer, has a very difficult inheritance.
Morgan McSweeney resigns as Downing Street chief of staff
Exit of Mandelson protégé comes as Sir Keir Starmer seeks to stave off leadership speculation
www.ft.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Right that the prime minister has resigned. His successor, Keir Starmer, has a very difficult inheritance.
In keeping with Keir Starmer Thought, this comes three days too late to be of any political value or appease anyone
BREAKING: Morgan McSweeney quits as Keir Starmer's chief of staff amid fall-out from the Mandelson scandal
February 8, 2026 at 2:19 PM
In keeping with Keir Starmer Thought, this comes three days too late to be of any political value or appease anyone
Okay, British bluesky folks:
Who else is staying up for the Super Bowl?
Who else is staying up for the Super Bowl?
February 8, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Okay, British bluesky folks:
Who else is staying up for the Super Bowl?
Who else is staying up for the Super Bowl?
Reposted by Conor Sewell
I agree. And I hope that within the EU we might mitigate this by legislation. Here is how: www.digitalemigration.eu/digital-sove...
How to Build Democratic Resilience in the Age of Platform Algorithms
How recommendation algorithms amplify lawful political content at scale, and why the Digital Services Act only partially constrains that effect.
www.digitalemigration.eu
February 8, 2026 at 10:10 AM
I agree. And I hope that within the EU we might mitigate this by legislation. Here is how: www.digitalemigration.eu/digital-sove...
The big difference between this and previous generations is that platforms remove accountability.
If you ran a Nazi newspaper, it was harder to monetise because you’d have to find advertisers willing to associate with you.
Now, platforms will pay you directly and intermediate with advertisers.
If you ran a Nazi newspaper, it was harder to monetise because you’d have to find advertisers willing to associate with you.
Now, platforms will pay you directly and intermediate with advertisers.
February 8, 2026 at 10:10 AM
The big difference between this and previous generations is that platforms remove accountability.
If you ran a Nazi newspaper, it was harder to monetise because you’d have to find advertisers willing to associate with you.
Now, platforms will pay you directly and intermediate with advertisers.
If you ran a Nazi newspaper, it was harder to monetise because you’d have to find advertisers willing to associate with you.
Now, platforms will pay you directly and intermediate with advertisers.
This.
Unfortunately, one of the most societally damaging aspects of social media is also one of the simplest: the fact that you can directly monetise your activity means that grifters are incentivised to spam whatever will maximise attention, regardless of truth, ethics or anything else.
Unfortunately, one of the most societally damaging aspects of social media is also one of the simplest: the fact that you can directly monetise your activity means that grifters are incentivised to spam whatever will maximise attention, regardless of truth, ethics or anything else.
People often jump to saying online propaganda is either the work of radicalised actors, or else Russia.
In practice, it’s amazing how often the answer is much simpler – someone is chasing either (a) clout, (b) money, or (c) both.
In practice, it’s amazing how often the answer is much simpler – someone is chasing either (a) clout, (b) money, or (c) both.
Hate-filled fake videos about London are everywhere. We've obtained a recording of a TikToker confessing to secretly filming Londoners in their homes for clicks.
He says it's not political. He just wants to make money from far-right anger.
Read what he says: www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tik...
He says it's not political. He just wants to make money from far-right anger.
Read what he says: www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tik...
February 8, 2026 at 10:04 AM
This.
Unfortunately, one of the most societally damaging aspects of social media is also one of the simplest: the fact that you can directly monetise your activity means that grifters are incentivised to spam whatever will maximise attention, regardless of truth, ethics or anything else.
Unfortunately, one of the most societally damaging aspects of social media is also one of the simplest: the fact that you can directly monetise your activity means that grifters are incentivised to spam whatever will maximise attention, regardless of truth, ethics or anything else.
This is what I meant when I said a few days ago that this will be a drip drip drip story.
Between the FT and others pursuing existing lines of inquiry, and almost guaranteed new revelations from the ISC releases, this won’t go away no matter how much Starmer hopes it will.
Between the FT and others pursuing existing lines of inquiry, and almost guaranteed new revelations from the ISC releases, this won’t go away no matter how much Starmer hopes it will.
New on FT website:
Downing Street has refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer knew Palantir was a client of Peter Mandelson’s lobbying firm when they both visited the company in Washington last February — ahead of it winning a £240mn UK government contract.
www.ft.com/content/5bba...
Downing Street has refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer knew Palantir was a client of Peter Mandelson’s lobbying firm when they both visited the company in Washington last February — ahead of it winning a £240mn UK government contract.
www.ft.com/content/5bba...
Starmer faces questions over visit to Palantir office alongside Mandelson
Former ambassador was also shareholder in lobbying group that counted US tech firm as a client
www.ft.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:03 AM
This is what I meant when I said a few days ago that this will be a drip drip drip story.
Between the FT and others pursuing existing lines of inquiry, and almost guaranteed new revelations from the ISC releases, this won’t go away no matter how much Starmer hopes it will.
Between the FT and others pursuing existing lines of inquiry, and almost guaranteed new revelations from the ISC releases, this won’t go away no matter how much Starmer hopes it will.
Reposted by Conor Sewell
Everyone has their breaking point, I guess!
(A rather spectacular goof from The Spectator...)
(A rather spectacular goof from The Spectator...)
February 6, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Everyone has their breaking point, I guess!
(A rather spectacular goof from The Spectator...)
(A rather spectacular goof from The Spectator...)
Reposted by Conor Sewell
this is who we think it is yeah?
*UK POLICE SAY CARRYING OUT SEARCHES IN WILTSHIRE, CAMDEN
*UK POLICE CARRYING OUT SEARCH WARRANTS OVER 72-YEAR-OLD MAN
*UK POLICE SEARCH RELATED TO PROBE INTO PUBLIC OFFICE MISCONDUCT
*UK POLICE SAY NO ARREST, ENQUIRIES ONGOING
*UK POLICE SAY CARRYING OUT SEARCHES IN WILTSHIRE, CAMDEN
*UK POLICE CARRYING OUT SEARCH WARRANTS OVER 72-YEAR-OLD MAN
*UK POLICE SEARCH RELATED TO PROBE INTO PUBLIC OFFICE MISCONDUCT
*UK POLICE SAY NO ARREST, ENQUIRIES ONGOING
February 6, 2026 at 3:46 PM
this is who we think it is yeah?
*UK POLICE SAY CARRYING OUT SEARCHES IN WILTSHIRE, CAMDEN
*UK POLICE CARRYING OUT SEARCH WARRANTS OVER 72-YEAR-OLD MAN
*UK POLICE SEARCH RELATED TO PROBE INTO PUBLIC OFFICE MISCONDUCT
*UK POLICE SAY NO ARREST, ENQUIRIES ONGOING
*UK POLICE SAY CARRYING OUT SEARCHES IN WILTSHIRE, CAMDEN
*UK POLICE CARRYING OUT SEARCH WARRANTS OVER 72-YEAR-OLD MAN
*UK POLICE SEARCH RELATED TO PROBE INTO PUBLIC OFFICE MISCONDUCT
*UK POLICE SAY NO ARREST, ENQUIRIES ONGOING
I have no doubt Mandelson lied.
But, given what was already known and in the public domain when he was appointed, limiting scrutiny to these three specific questions is a completely failure of judgement and responsibility.
But, given what was already known and in the public domain when he was appointed, limiting scrutiny to these three specific questions is a completely failure of judgement and responsibility.
February 6, 2026 at 3:30 PM
I have no doubt Mandelson lied.
But, given what was already known and in the public domain when he was appointed, limiting scrutiny to these three specific questions is a completely failure of judgement and responsibility.
But, given what was already known and in the public domain when he was appointed, limiting scrutiny to these three specific questions is a completely failure of judgement and responsibility.