David Hendy
@davidhendy.bsky.social
Writer & broadcaster, Prof. Emeritus University of Sussex. The BBC: A People's History, Noise: A Human History, Radio 4.
Writer-in-residence 2026, Gladstone’s Library
Rep: United Agents
https://societyofauthors.org/soa-member/david-hendy/
Writer-in-residence 2026, Gladstone’s Library
Rep: United Agents
https://societyofauthors.org/soa-member/david-hendy/
Pinned
The BBC as the Nation's Clock
Or how a century of broadcasting has shaped the rhythms of our day
www.bbc.co.uk
A recent piece by me for the BBC:
The BBC as 'the nation's clock'. Or, how a century of broadcasting has shaped the rhythms of our day
As told through a whistle-stop tour of the TV and radio archives...
The BBC as 'the nation's clock'. Or, how a century of broadcasting has shaped the rhythms of our day
As told through a whistle-stop tour of the TV and radio archives...
Reposted by David Hendy
Reminder that "jaywalking" was literally made up by american car manufacturers to shift the blame for accidents from drivers to pedestrians. "Jay" was a slang term meaning "idiot" or "rube".
“Jaywalking is permitted in London. In 1966, the police tried to crack down on it, but gave up after three months.”
People walk and cycle on roads by right, people drive under licence.
Jaywalking is not a thing in English law and Waymo must not change that.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
People walk and cycle on roads by right, people drive under licence.
Jaywalking is not a thing in English law and Waymo must not change that.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Self-driving taxis are coming to London – should we be worried? | Jack Stilgoe
Waymo’s cars were first rolled out in San Francisco, but the English capital’s old roads, pelican crossings and jaywalkers may pose issues for AI, says science and technology professor Jack Stilgoe
www.theguardian.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:21 PM
Reminder that "jaywalking" was literally made up by american car manufacturers to shift the blame for accidents from drivers to pedestrians. "Jay" was a slang term meaning "idiot" or "rube".
I notice from this article that if any university wanted to employ me by Jan 2027, they could, if they wanted, include my January 2022 book, The BBC: A People's History, AND my forthcoming book on wartime propaganda, in their 2029 REF submission. Both monographs currently 'unaffiliated'
Any takers?
Any takers?
With December’s restart, what next for REF2029 and for History? | Historical Transactions
blog.royalhistsoc.org
February 2, 2026 at 10:20 AM
I notice from this article that if any university wanted to employ me by Jan 2027, they could, if they wanted, include my January 2022 book, The BBC: A People's History, AND my forthcoming book on wartime propaganda, in their 2029 REF submission. Both monographs currently 'unaffiliated'
Any takers?
Any takers?
Reposted by David Hendy
1/10. Tory peer Daniel Hannan has posted a potted history of slavery that demonstrates how historical understanding is being twisted by politicians. I’ll examine it in light of historians’ research.
January 31, 2026 at 12:13 PM
1/10. Tory peer Daniel Hannan has posted a potted history of slavery that demonstrates how historical understanding is being twisted by politicians. I’ll examine it in light of historians’ research.
Never mind jobs you had, tell me five classes you took at university
1. Moral Philosophy
2. Early Islamic History
3. The Age of Alfred
4. Introduction to Archaeology
5. English Villagers in the 14th Century
1. Moral Philosophy
2. Early Islamic History
3. The Age of Alfred
4. Introduction to Archaeology
5. English Villagers in the 14th Century
Never mind jobs you had, tell me five classes you took at university
1. Quantum Mechanics A
2. Quantum Mechanics B
3. Quantum Optics & Electronics
4. General Relativity
5. Astrophysics
1. Quantum Mechanics A
2. Quantum Mechanics B
3. Quantum Optics & Electronics
4. General Relativity
5. Astrophysics
Never mind jobs you had, tell me five (or rather: five of the) classes you took at university.
1. Viola performance
2. Western music history
3. Western music theory
4. probably something like Orchestra
5. I seem to recall we had to go to 50 concerts a year
1. Viola performance
2. Western music history
3. Western music theory
4. probably something like Orchestra
5. I seem to recall we had to go to 50 concerts a year
January 31, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Never mind jobs you had, tell me five classes you took at university
1. Moral Philosophy
2. Early Islamic History
3. The Age of Alfred
4. Introduction to Archaeology
5. English Villagers in the 14th Century
1. Moral Philosophy
2. Early Islamic History
3. The Age of Alfred
4. Introduction to Archaeology
5. English Villagers in the 14th Century
‘… one of those rare, unicorn films that doesn’t have a single redeeming quality.
I’m not even sure it qualifies as a documentary, exactly, so much as an elaborate piece of designer taxidermy, horribly overpriced and ice-cold to the touch…’
I’m not even sure it qualifies as a documentary, exactly, so much as an elaborate piece of designer taxidermy, horribly overpriced and ice-cold to the touch…’
Melania review – Trump film is a gilded trash remake of The Zone of Interest
Dispiriting, deadly and unrevealing – there is a decent documentary to be made about the former model from Slovenia, but this one is unredeemable
www.theguardian.com
January 31, 2026 at 12:19 AM
‘… one of those rare, unicorn films that doesn’t have a single redeeming quality.
I’m not even sure it qualifies as a documentary, exactly, so much as an elaborate piece of designer taxidermy, horribly overpriced and ice-cold to the touch…’
I’m not even sure it qualifies as a documentary, exactly, so much as an elaborate piece of designer taxidermy, horribly overpriced and ice-cold to the touch…’
Question Time is a disgrace to the BBC.
It dishonours those who established the organisation in 1922 - a generation shaped by the First World War and who were seeking to use the power of broadcasting to create greater understanding between and within nations.
It dishonours those who established the organisation in 1922 - a generation shaped by the First World War and who were seeking to use the power of broadcasting to create greater understanding between and within nations.
Given his appalling remarks about Sunak its absolutely shocking that Konstantin Kisin is anywhere near the mainstream let alone on #bbcqt
Konstantin Kisin straight up lying on #bbcqt
Douglas Alexander: “When Fraser Nelson put it to you that Rishi Sunak is absolutely english… you said “he’s a brown Hindu, how is he english?”
Kisin: “No, that’s not what I said...”
Douglas Alexander: “When Fraser Nelson put it to you that Rishi Sunak is absolutely english… you said “he’s a brown Hindu, how is he english?”
Kisin: “No, that’s not what I said...”
January 30, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Question Time is a disgrace to the BBC.
It dishonours those who established the organisation in 1922 - a generation shaped by the First World War and who were seeking to use the power of broadcasting to create greater understanding between and within nations.
It dishonours those who established the organisation in 1922 - a generation shaped by the First World War and who were seeking to use the power of broadcasting to create greater understanding between and within nations.
Reposted by David Hendy
my dad didn’t go to university and he was extremely happy to pay taxes for his four children to do so; and, indeed, for the doctors who treated him at Addenbrookes to have gone to university as well.
Rachel Reeves: "It is not right that people who don't go to university bear the cost for others to." I don't use local leisure centres and I don't drive, so will I be made exempt for taxation that pays for all that stuff? Or is it only education we'll be going after
January 29, 2026 at 10:22 PM
my dad didn’t go to university and he was extremely happy to pay taxes for his four children to do so; and, indeed, for the doctors who treated him at Addenbrookes to have gone to university as well.
Excellent thread - amusing and disturbing in equal measure. Worth reading to the end
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub
aiskillshub.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Excellent thread - amusing and disturbing in equal measure. Worth reading to the end
From Davie to Davies
BBC names Rhodri Talfan Davies as interim director general
BBC’s director of nations will take over Tim Davie’s role while corporation seeks permanent replacement
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:24 PM
From Davie to Davies
Reposted by David Hendy
The old test in moral philosophy ‘what if everyone did that?’ is coming back to haunt us. LLMs only work because the information they are sucking up was not generated by LLMs. But as they drive more and more real researchers out of business they are building layers and layers on their own quicksand.
January 28, 2026 at 8:22 AM
The old test in moral philosophy ‘what if everyone did that?’ is coming back to haunt us. LLMs only work because the information they are sucking up was not generated by LLMs. But as they drive more and more real researchers out of business they are building layers and layers on their own quicksand.
Important to point out that he's NOT an academic
The academic is aiming to become the party's ninth MP.
Reform Choose Right-Wing GB News Presenter Matt Goodwin To Stand In Crunch By-Election
The academic is aiming to become the party's ninth MP.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Important to point out that he's NOT an academic
Reposted by David Hendy
Out today: THE CROWN'S SILENCE
I'm delighted to share that my new book is officially out! It traces the British monarchy's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and colonial slavery over hundreds of years. Please buy a copy, tell your library, & spread the word. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
I'm delighted to share that my new book is officially out! It traces the British monarchy's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and colonial slavery over hundreds of years. Please buy a copy, tell your library, & spread the word. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
January 27, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Out today: THE CROWN'S SILENCE
I'm delighted to share that my new book is officially out! It traces the British monarchy's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and colonial slavery over hundreds of years. Please buy a copy, tell your library, & spread the word. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
I'm delighted to share that my new book is officially out! It traces the British monarchy's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and colonial slavery over hundreds of years. Please buy a copy, tell your library, & spread the word. bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
Reposted by David Hendy
Antiphospholipid syndrome is no joke. Don't ask me how I know.
#CovidIsNotOver #MaskUp #Vaccinate #CleanTheAir
#CovidIsNotOver #MaskUp #Vaccinate #CleanTheAir
97 MILLION people.
New meta-analysis: +49% risk of new-onset autoimmune disease after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Highest risks?
🧬 Vasculitis
🩸 Antiphospholipid syndrome
🧠 Connective tissue disease
🧫 Immune thrombocytopenia
Severe infection ↑ risk
Vaccine cuts risk~half
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41452424/
New meta-analysis: +49% risk of new-onset autoimmune disease after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Highest risks?
🧬 Vasculitis
🩸 Antiphospholipid syndrome
🧠 Connective tissue disease
🧫 Immune thrombocytopenia
Severe infection ↑ risk
Vaccine cuts risk~half
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41452424/
Association between COVID-19 and New-Onset Autoimmune Diseases: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 97 Million Individuals - PubMed
SARS-CoV-2 infection may induce long-term immune dysregulation; however, its contribution to the development of autoimmune disease remains disputed. We aim to quantify the relative risk of new-onset autoimmune diseases following COVID-19 and its modifiers through a systematic review and meta-analysi …
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
January 16, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Antiphospholipid syndrome is no joke. Don't ask me how I know.
#CovidIsNotOver #MaskUp #Vaccinate #CleanTheAir
#CovidIsNotOver #MaskUp #Vaccinate #CleanTheAir
Reposted by David Hendy
Thanks to the many who showed up to the first - the second on Thursday 29 January at 5pm in the Examination Schools is about 'Media' - how did people learn a language of social science and how do we know what they learned?
Prof @petermandler.bsky.social will give the James Ford Lectures 2026 @oxhistoryfaculty.bsky.social
Peter Mandler will chart the spread & use of the language of social science into everyday life in 20th-century Britain.
Thursdays, 5pm
Weeks 1-6 Hilary Term
🔗 www.history.ox.ac.uk/james-ford-l...
Peter Mandler will chart the spread & use of the language of social science into everyday life in 20th-century Britain.
Thursdays, 5pm
Weeks 1-6 Hilary Term
🔗 www.history.ox.ac.uk/james-ford-l...
The James Ford Lectures in British History
The Language of Social Science in Everyday Life - Peter Mandler (Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge)
www.history.ox.ac.uk
January 26, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Thanks to the many who showed up to the first - the second on Thursday 29 January at 5pm in the Examination Schools is about 'Media' - how did people learn a language of social science and how do we know what they learned?
In 2018, as part of our BBC oral history project at @sussex.ac.uk my colleague Alban Webb went to India to interview Mark Tully about his life and career.
And all 2 1/2 hours of it is free to watch here:
connectedhistoriesofthebbc.org/play/?id=413
And all 2 1/2 hours of it is free to watch here:
connectedhistoriesofthebbc.org/play/?id=413
January 27, 2026 at 11:05 AM
In 2018, as part of our BBC oral history project at @sussex.ac.uk my colleague Alban Webb went to India to interview Mark Tully about his life and career.
And all 2 1/2 hours of it is free to watch here:
connectedhistoriesofthebbc.org/play/?id=413
And all 2 1/2 hours of it is free to watch here:
connectedhistoriesofthebbc.org/play/?id=413
Reposted by David Hendy
Entries are absurdly unbalanced, to favour US govt false statements, in a scenario where "sharply contested" both sides reporting would be highly inadequate
BBC are here being a real time conduit of the misinformation that they say their mission is to verify+counter
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
BBC are here being a real time conduit of the misinformation that they say their mission is to verify+counter
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
Minneapolis live: Man, 37, shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis
The shooting follows days of protests in the city over the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operation.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 24, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Entries are absurdly unbalanced, to favour US govt false statements, in a scenario where "sharply contested" both sides reporting would be highly inadequate
BBC are here being a real time conduit of the misinformation that they say their mission is to verify+counter
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
BBC are here being a real time conduit of the misinformation that they say their mission is to verify+counter
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
The Guardian’s been consistently dismissive of this latest season of The Traitors. And they’ve published some very silly misreadings.
For what it’s worth, I thought there were some wonderful cast members and some great moments.
Maybe it’s just another example of click-baity backlash journalism?
For what it’s worth, I thought there were some wonderful cast members and some great moments.
Maybe it’s just another example of click-baity backlash journalism?
The Traitors finale review – unbelievably stressful and bloodthirsty … till the last second
Though the cracks are starting to show, the endgame was undeniably nail-biting. And honestly, thank God for Rachel – the terrifyingly ruthless saviour of this series
www.theguardian.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:43 PM
The Guardian’s been consistently dismissive of this latest season of The Traitors. And they’ve published some very silly misreadings.
For what it’s worth, I thought there were some wonderful cast members and some great moments.
Maybe it’s just another example of click-baity backlash journalism?
For what it’s worth, I thought there were some wonderful cast members and some great moments.
Maybe it’s just another example of click-baity backlash journalism?
Reposted by David Hendy
The exhibits about slavery at the President’s House in Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park have been removed amid pressure from the Trump admin www.inquirer.com/politics/nat...
January 23, 2026 at 1:56 AM
The exhibits about slavery at the President’s House in Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park have been removed amid pressure from the Trump admin www.inquirer.com/politics/nat...
'... Trump has demonstrated that the formal restraints designed to hold a US president in check are easily swept away. And if it can happen once, it can happen again. Which means it is not just Trump who is an unreliable ally. Sadly, it is the US itself.'
@jonathanfreedland.bsky.social
@jonathanfreedland.bsky.social
As the world finally punches back, was this the week Donald Trump went too far? | Jonathan Freedland
The US president took his bullying doctrine to Davos and hit a wall of opposition. If this creates a new western alliance against him, all to the good, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:06 PM
'... Trump has demonstrated that the formal restraints designed to hold a US president in check are easily swept away. And if it can happen once, it can happen again. Which means it is not just Trump who is an unreliable ally. Sadly, it is the US itself.'
@jonathanfreedland.bsky.social
@jonathanfreedland.bsky.social
Reposted by David Hendy
From NYT interview with FBI official on Patel. Utterly terrifying.
"His staff only cared about three things: what his meals were, when his workouts would be and what his entertainment would be. The biggest plan is how he's going to get his girlfriend to Windsor Castle."
(Source: archive.is/ZT5qx)
"His staff only cared about three things: what his meals were, when his workouts would be and what his entertainment would be. The biggest plan is how he's going to get his girlfriend to Windsor Castle."
(Source: archive.is/ZT5qx)
January 23, 2026 at 12:40 PM
From NYT interview with FBI official on Patel. Utterly terrifying.
"His staff only cared about three things: what his meals were, when his workouts would be and what his entertainment would be. The biggest plan is how he's going to get his girlfriend to Windsor Castle."
(Source: archive.is/ZT5qx)
"His staff only cared about three things: what his meals were, when his workouts would be and what his entertainment would be. The biggest plan is how he's going to get his girlfriend to Windsor Castle."
(Source: archive.is/ZT5qx)
Reposted by David Hendy
One small but notable sign of the rightward shift in UK politics in recent years is the use of “illegal migrants” for asylum seekers who arrive unofficially. It’s a dehumanising term which was popularised by the hard right and is now - as here - used repeatedly in Home Office press releases.
January 22, 2026 at 10:44 AM
One small but notable sign of the rightward shift in UK politics in recent years is the use of “illegal migrants” for asylum seekers who arrive unofficially. It’s a dehumanising term which was popularised by the hard right and is now - as here - used repeatedly in Home Office press releases.
Reposted by David Hendy
I still haven’t forgotten ‘let the bodies pile up’, ‘long covid is bollocks’, ‘willing to accept 50k deaths’.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
‘Farage effect is starting to wear off’: Readers say Reform slump is helping Badenoch
Our community saw Badenoch’s polling uptick as less a Tory comeback and more a sign that Farage’s appeal may be levelling out, with many arguing the numbers reflect protest fatigue rather than genuine...
www.independent.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 9:05 AM
I still haven’t forgotten ‘let the bodies pile up’, ‘long covid is bollocks’, ‘willing to accept 50k deaths’.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by David Hendy
24% of people who voted Labour at the last general election now plan to
vote Green or Lib Dem.
0% of those who voted Reform at the last election now plan to vote Labour.
vote Green or Lib Dem.
0% of those who voted Reform at the last election now plan to vote Labour.
January 21, 2026 at 10:05 PM
24% of people who voted Labour at the last general election now plan to
vote Green or Lib Dem.
0% of those who voted Reform at the last election now plan to vote Labour.
vote Green or Lib Dem.
0% of those who voted Reform at the last election now plan to vote Labour.
Reposted by David Hendy
I need at least 3 more folk to sign up for my Edinburgh Adult Education Programme archaeology classes at Craigentinny, or the course will be cancelled. If you know anyone who might be interested, please let them know. Thank you!
adulteducationedinburgh.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...
adulteducationedinburgh.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...
January 21, 2026 at 2:12 PM
I need at least 3 more folk to sign up for my Edinburgh Adult Education Programme archaeology classes at Craigentinny, or the course will be cancelled. If you know anyone who might be interested, please let them know. Thank you!
adulteducationedinburgh.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...
adulteducationedinburgh.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...