Fay Young
@fayyoung.bsky.social
Writer, editor, old style journalist and newish media collaborator. Woodland gardener, co-editor Sceptical Scot, podcaster Walking Heads. Enjoy music, poetry, food, good company
As the mother of entrepreneurs this strikes home: Entrepreneurship: "It is a social act, a cultural practice, and often an act of quiet defiance in forgotten towns." Sir Tom Hunter's The Entrepreneurs Manifesto: When Entrepreneurship Becomes a Private Club open.substack.com/pub/entrepre...
Sir Tom Hunter’s The Entrepreneurs Manifesto: When Entrepreneurship Becomes a Private Club
or Big on Scale, Light on People
open.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:52 PM
As the mother of entrepreneurs this strikes home: Entrepreneurship: "It is a social act, a cultural practice, and often an act of quiet defiance in forgotten towns." Sir Tom Hunter's The Entrepreneurs Manifesto: When Entrepreneurship Becomes a Private Club open.substack.com/pub/entrepre...
More than 20 years since swans first flew into our lives to rear their young on our pond. Climate change is disrupting old seasonal rhythms but this year's remarkably resourceful swan family is confronting storms with courage. fayyoung.org/living-and-l... #birds #swans #climatechange #PondCottage
Living and learning with swans
We are co-dependents, if you like. We don’t just want these beautiful birds to survive, we need them to. Symbols of nature’s resilience. Besides, the parents have shown imaginative skil…
fayyoung.org
February 4, 2026 at 7:16 PM
More than 20 years since swans first flew into our lives to rear their young on our pond. Climate change is disrupting old seasonal rhythms but this year's remarkably resourceful swan family is confronting storms with courage. fayyoung.org/living-and-l... #birds #swans #climatechange #PondCottage
Ai slop, social media, brain rot
AI 'slop' is transforming social media - and there's a backlash
Social media has been flooded with fake, AI-generated images and videos. But will the majority of users actually care?
www.bbc.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Ai slop, social media, brain rot
Reposted by Fay Young
In 1976, President Gerald Ford declared that February should be dedicated to highlighting the achievements of and challenges faced by Black Americans.
How well do you know Black history? Test your knowledge with our quiz.
How well do you know Black history? Test your knowledge with our quiz.
Can you pass this quiz on Black history?
As Americans celebrate Black History Month, museums and other institutions continue to face pushback from the Trump administration over DEI.
wapo.st
February 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM
In 1976, President Gerald Ford declared that February should be dedicated to highlighting the achievements of and challenges faced by Black Americans.
How well do you know Black history? Test your knowledge with our quiz.
How well do you know Black history? Test your knowledge with our quiz.
“It has been deeply depressing to see the poisonous rhetoric of Reform take hold in Scotland.” Ricky Ross (speaking for most of us?) in The Courier
Dundee music legend Ricky Ross slates 'poisonous' Reform UK for quoting song lyrics
The Deacon Blue frontman and his bandmates says the party’s beliefs are “completely at odds” with the core message in 1980s hit Dignity.
www.thecourier.co.uk
January 31, 2026 at 12:20 PM
“It has been deeply depressing to see the poisonous rhetoric of Reform take hold in Scotland.” Ricky Ross (speaking for most of us?) in The Courier
Reposted by Fay Young
ICE officers tried to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis but were turned away by consulate staff, Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry said — prompting the South American nation to file a formal diplomatic protest.
ICE agents blocked from entering Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis, ministry says
Law enforcement is generally prohibited from entering consulates or embassies without permission. Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry said it had filed a formal diplomatic protest.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:30 PM
ICE officers tried to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis but were turned away by consulate staff, Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry said — prompting the South American nation to file a formal diplomatic protest.
In troubled times it's good to read new thoughtful analysis of the state we are in. For @scepscot.bsky.social Charlie Ellis explores how the populist right exploits local grievances – with unintentional help from some progressive but binary campaigns #populism
sceptical.scot/2026/01/beyo...
sceptical.scot/2026/01/beyo...
Beyond the Binary: how progressives risk aping the radical right in Scotland - Sceptical Scot
‘The long-held belief that Scottish politics is relatively immune to these forces now looks dangerously complacent, especially in the context of Reform UK’s strong polling ahead of the Holyrood electi...
sceptical.scot
January 28, 2026 at 12:03 PM
In troubled times it's good to read new thoughtful analysis of the state we are in. For @scepscot.bsky.social Charlie Ellis explores how the populist right exploits local grievances – with unintentional help from some progressive but binary campaigns #populism
sceptical.scot/2026/01/beyo...
sceptical.scot/2026/01/beyo...
Young Scottish teachers in exile
(My daughter in law is one of many talented young primary school teachers trained in Scotland unable to find jobs here - she’s now in London making a difference to the life chances of the next generation)
(My daughter in law is one of many talented young primary school teachers trained in Scotland unable to find jobs here - she’s now in London making a difference to the life chances of the next generation)
Teachers on supply list for years or leaving country due to job shortages
Scottish government figures shows that most newly qualified teachers in Scotland are no longer getting permanent jobs, especially in primary schools.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Young Scottish teachers in exile
(My daughter in law is one of many talented young primary school teachers trained in Scotland unable to find jobs here - she’s now in London making a difference to the life chances of the next generation)
(My daughter in law is one of many talented young primary school teachers trained in Scotland unable to find jobs here - she’s now in London making a difference to the life chances of the next generation)
Thousands slaughtered yet, writes Jonathan Freedland, many who usually pride themselves on solidarity with the oppressed of Middle East have been oddly restrained …perhaps reluctant to be too hostile to a foe of US and Israel…fearing it weakens support for Palestinians to oppose enemy of Israel.
Latest column is on Iran: what happened, what can be done and how we talk about it www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thousands of Iranians have been killed protesting for their freedom. Why are so many silent on their plight? | Jonathan Freedland
US bombs are not the answer, but there’s much the outside world can do – starting with noticing the horror unfolding in Tehran, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Thousands slaughtered yet, writes Jonathan Freedland, many who usually pride themselves on solidarity with the oppressed of Middle East have been oddly restrained …perhaps reluctant to be too hostile to a foe of US and Israel…fearing it weakens support for Palestinians to oppose enemy of Israel.
Tiny satellites take Glasgow to the stars
‘Glasgow..builds more satellites than any other city in Europe, complemented by analytics companies in Edinburgh processing data retrieved from the more than 10,000 satellites’ giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Tiny satellites take Glasgow to the stars
‘Glasgow..builds more satellites than any other city in Europe, complemented by analytics companies in Edinburgh processing data retrieved from the more than 10,000 satellites’ giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Tiny satellites take Glasgow to the stars
Tiny satellites take Glasgow to the stars
Scotland’s space industry has become a leader in manufacturing small modular units
giftarticle.ft.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Tiny satellites take Glasgow to the stars
‘Glasgow..builds more satellites than any other city in Europe, complemented by analytics companies in Edinburgh processing data retrieved from the more than 10,000 satellites’ giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Tiny satellites take Glasgow to the stars
‘Glasgow..builds more satellites than any other city in Europe, complemented by analytics companies in Edinburgh processing data retrieved from the more than 10,000 satellites’ giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Tiny satellites take Glasgow to the stars
Where's winter gone? Even as the Trump-like Storm Goretti battered southern parts, some of us caught a comforting sense of an old school 'proper winter' season with Jack Frost #climatechange
fayyoung.org/jack-frost-w...
fayyoung.org/jack-frost-w...
Jack Frost welcomes proper winter to Pond Cottage
He’s at it again. That Jack Frost has turned another cold night into a glittery masterpiece on the bedroom window.
fayyoung.org
January 12, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Where's winter gone? Even as the Trump-like Storm Goretti battered southern parts, some of us caught a comforting sense of an old school 'proper winter' season with Jack Frost #climatechange
fayyoung.org/jack-frost-w...
fayyoung.org/jack-frost-w...
About sums it up
January 10, 2026 at 8:22 PM
About sums it up
“X users who are verified earn money based on the amount of engagement they generate. According to the register of MPs’ interests, Farage was paid just over £9,000 by X in 2025, while Lee Anderson and Richard Tice were each paid about £3,500.” Full story in @theguardian.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:12 PM
“X users who are verified earn money based on the amount of engagement they generate. According to the register of MPs’ interests, Farage was paid just over £9,000 by X in 2025, while Lee Anderson and Richard Tice were each paid about £3,500.” Full story in @theguardian.com
Power grid jobs boom as UK energy shifts away from fossil fuels
“Growth in hiring in networks comes as jobs are being rapidly shed in the UK’s offshore oil and gas sector, where employment has fallen by about one-third over the past decade”
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
“Growth in hiring in networks comes as jobs are being rapidly shed in the UK’s offshore oil and gas sector, where employment has fallen by about one-third over the past decade”
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Power grid jobs boom as UK energy shifts away from fossil fuels
Electricity network owners are hiring at fastest pace since 1950s
giftarticle.ft.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Power grid jobs boom as UK energy shifts away from fossil fuels
“Growth in hiring in networks comes as jobs are being rapidly shed in the UK’s offshore oil and gas sector, where employment has fallen by about one-third over the past decade”
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
“Growth in hiring in networks comes as jobs are being rapidly shed in the UK’s offshore oil and gas sector, where employment has fallen by about one-third over the past decade”
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Footprints in the snow
A single blackbird but red squirrels seem to be having a party
A single blackbird but red squirrels seem to be having a party
January 5, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Footprints in the snow
A single blackbird but red squirrels seem to be having a party
A single blackbird but red squirrels seem to be having a party
No machinery, just tools made by hand of wood, stone, bone wielded with human determination. Brawn, brain, and collaborative effort (or to quote my @ecosiasearch.bsky.social AI pal: “Teams of people, coordinated, pulling with ropes, sometimes aided by animals.”) fayyoung.org/solstice-sun...
Solstice sunrise, salute the turning of the year
I have my moments of despair, the doomster feeling that we’ve cooked ourselves a new dark ages. Yet, the sun is shining. After dreary days of relentless rain that alone would be worth getting…
fayyoung.org
December 29, 2025 at 11:28 PM
No machinery, just tools made by hand of wood, stone, bone wielded with human determination. Brawn, brain, and collaborative effort (or to quote my @ecosiasearch.bsky.social AI pal: “Teams of people, coordinated, pulling with ropes, sometimes aided by animals.”) fayyoung.org/solstice-sun...
I have my moments of despair, the doomster feeling that we've cooked ourselves a new dark ages. But the solstice surprised me with an unexpected sense of primeval excitement at the turning of the year
fayyoung.org/solstice-sun...
fayyoung.org/solstice-sun...
Solstice sunrise, salute the turning of the year
I have my moments of despair, the doomster feeling that we’ve cooked ourselves a new dark ages. Yet, the sun is shining. After dreary days of relentless rain that alone would be worth getting…
fayyoung.org
December 28, 2025 at 10:54 AM
I have my moments of despair, the doomster feeling that we've cooked ourselves a new dark ages. But the solstice surprised me with an unexpected sense of primeval excitement at the turning of the year
fayyoung.org/solstice-sun...
fayyoung.org/solstice-sun...
And climate change? Homo sapiens doesn’t care about tomorrow when they can take off for Christmas
Bumper Christmas for air travel as 300mn take to the skies
Bumper Christmas for air travel as 300mn take to the skies
Bumper Christmas for air travel as 300mn take to the skies
Airlines on track for the biggest holiday season getaway in history as industry braces for record demand
giftarticle.ft.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:39 AM
And climate change? Homo sapiens doesn’t care about tomorrow when they can take off for Christmas
Bumper Christmas for air travel as 300mn take to the skies
Bumper Christmas for air travel as 300mn take to the skies
#Bondi attacks show old hatreds are flourishing again
“…social media has become a fire hose of toxic, racist content, whipped up both by some domestic politicians for their own ends and by external forces.”
Stephen Bush @FT
“…social media has become a fire hose of toxic, racist content, whipped up both by some domestic politicians for their own ends and by external forces.”
Stephen Bush @FT
Bondi attacks show old hatreds are flourishing again
A permissive environment has been created in which Israel is conflated with all Jews, everywhere
giftarticle.ft.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM
#Bondi attacks show old hatreds are flourishing again
“…social media has become a fire hose of toxic, racist content, whipped up both by some domestic politicians for their own ends and by external forces.”
Stephen Bush @FT
“…social media has become a fire hose of toxic, racist content, whipped up both by some domestic politicians for their own ends and by external forces.”
Stephen Bush @FT
Reading December’s RHS magazine I’m thinking how much politicians could learn from a pragmatic, creative, uplifting approach to climate change adaptation.
Gardening shows a way to live well and within our means - and enjoy doing it too.
Hands up any gardening politicians?
#gardens #climatechange
Gardening shows a way to live well and within our means - and enjoy doing it too.
Hands up any gardening politicians?
#gardens #climatechange
December 15, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Reading December’s RHS magazine I’m thinking how much politicians could learn from a pragmatic, creative, uplifting approach to climate change adaptation.
Gardening shows a way to live well and within our means - and enjoy doing it too.
Hands up any gardening politicians?
#gardens #climatechange
Gardening shows a way to live well and within our means - and enjoy doing it too.
Hands up any gardening politicians?
#gardens #climatechange
Reposted by Fay Young
A result which both illustrates the magnitude of the Reform threat and the problems with Labour’s “Farage is right, don’t vote for him” response. 37 point Lab to Reform swing. Labour go from first to 4th as anti-Reform vote splits 3 ways. Combined Lab/LD/Grn vote larger than Reform vote.
Red Hall & Lingfield (Darlington) Council By-Election Result:
➡️ RFM: 37.7% (New)
🌳 CON: 17.3% (-22.5)
🔶 LDM: 17.3% (New)
🌹 LAB: 16.8% (-37.1)
🌍 GRN: 9.8% (+3.6)
🙋 Ind: 1.0% (New)
Reform GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2023.
➡️ RFM: 37.7% (New)
🌳 CON: 17.3% (-22.5)
🔶 LDM: 17.3% (New)
🌹 LAB: 16.8% (-37.1)
🌍 GRN: 9.8% (+3.6)
🙋 Ind: 1.0% (New)
Reform GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2023.
December 12, 2025 at 12:31 PM
A result which both illustrates the magnitude of the Reform threat and the problems with Labour’s “Farage is right, don’t vote for him” response. 37 point Lab to Reform swing. Labour go from first to 4th as anti-Reform vote splits 3 ways. Combined Lab/LD/Grn vote larger than Reform vote.
This old post just popped up
Raises some topical thoughts about political choices and budgets
Who pays, who benefits, what does it cost, could the money be better spent?
Raises some topical thoughts about political choices and budgets
Who pays, who benefits, what does it cost, could the money be better spent?
My Irish Baby Box, a vintage treasure with topical notes - Sceptical Scot
'It’s a post-war period piece, a personal memento from a different world and yet it echoes with the aims of the Finnish baby box.' Fay Young re-opens her forty-year-old Irish 'baby box' to find topica...
sceptical.scot
December 12, 2025 at 8:41 AM
This old post just popped up
Raises some topical thoughts about political choices and budgets
Who pays, who benefits, what does it cost, could the money be better spent?
Raises some topical thoughts about political choices and budgets
Who pays, who benefits, what does it cost, could the money be better spent?
“The SNP appears to have pulled off the political trick of staying in power even as it consistently fails to deliver – a combination mercilessly punished elsewhere.” John McLaren for @scepscot.bsky.social on government (and voters) reluctance to get real
#economy
#economy
UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed - Sceptical Scot
John McLaren explains in no uncertain terms why the UK Budget is such a disappointment, doing nothig when so much needs to be done, further eroding trust in mainstream politicians, pushing voters towa...
sceptical.scot
December 12, 2025 at 8:29 AM
“The SNP appears to have pulled off the political trick of staying in power even as it consistently fails to deliver – a combination mercilessly punished elsewhere.” John McLaren for @scepscot.bsky.social on government (and voters) reluctance to get real
#economy
#economy
Neither Keir Starmer nor Kemi Badenoch wants to reverse Brexit
But, says Stephen Bush, UK politicians will, sooner or later, catch up with the public and decide to move closer to the EU, even if neither Starmer nor Badenoch is trying to lead us there.
But, says Stephen Bush, UK politicians will, sooner or later, catch up with the public and decide to move closer to the EU, even if neither Starmer nor Badenoch is trying to lead us there.
Neither Keir Starmer nor Kemi Badenoch wants to reverse Brexit
Critical comments about leaving the EU do not mean they want to return, despite public support for rejoining
giftarticle.ft.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Neither Keir Starmer nor Kemi Badenoch wants to reverse Brexit
But, says Stephen Bush, UK politicians will, sooner or later, catch up with the public and decide to move closer to the EU, even if neither Starmer nor Badenoch is trying to lead us there.
But, says Stephen Bush, UK politicians will, sooner or later, catch up with the public and decide to move closer to the EU, even if neither Starmer nor Badenoch is trying to lead us there.
Gusts up to 50mph still - a ‘strong gale’ on the Beaufort Scale my weather app tells me (StormBram thinks so too)
From the window our trees are standing defiant, red squirrels foraging with ruffled tails, swans at the sluice hoping for a little extra something
#woodlandgarden
From the window our trees are standing defiant, red squirrels foraging with ruffled tails, swans at the sluice hoping for a little extra something
#woodlandgarden
December 10, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Gusts up to 50mph still - a ‘strong gale’ on the Beaufort Scale my weather app tells me (StormBram thinks so too)
From the window our trees are standing defiant, red squirrels foraging with ruffled tails, swans at the sluice hoping for a little extra something
#woodlandgarden
From the window our trees are standing defiant, red squirrels foraging with ruffled tails, swans at the sluice hoping for a little extra something
#woodlandgarden