John Munro
@johnmunro.bsky.social
Pedestrian Historian.
Imperialism Syllabus: http://tinyurl.com/ev4psh98
The Anticolonial Front: http://tinyurl.com/33d3exca.
Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/ykp7r5a9.
Imperialism Syllabus: http://tinyurl.com/ev4psh98
The Anticolonial Front: http://tinyurl.com/33d3exca.
Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/ykp7r5a9.
Pinned
John Munro
@johnmunro.bsky.social
· Jan 5
In 2017 I started taking photos of books I've been reading: to keep a kind of record for myself and to celebrate books, authors, ideas, and pedestrian interaction with one's surroundings.
Reposted by John Munro
Since 2011 the fuel duty freeze has cost the Treasury £133 billion.
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Rachel Reeves will freeze fuel duty to dodge ‘political suicide’
The chancellor will also highlight a rise in the minimum wage and plans to cut energy bills as she tries to win over voters by focusing on cost of living
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Since 2011 the fuel duty freeze has cost the Treasury £133 billion.
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by John Munro
London is becoming a cycling city.
As we continue to expand London’s cycle network, the number of daily bike trips is soaring. Cycling has risen by more than 40% since 2019 to 1,500,000 trips every day.
As we continue to expand London’s cycle network, the number of daily bike trips is soaring. Cycling has risen by more than 40% since 2019 to 1,500,000 trips every day.
November 25, 2025 at 5:55 PM
London is becoming a cycling city.
As we continue to expand London’s cycle network, the number of daily bike trips is soaring. Cycling has risen by more than 40% since 2019 to 1,500,000 trips every day.
As we continue to expand London’s cycle network, the number of daily bike trips is soaring. Cycling has risen by more than 40% since 2019 to 1,500,000 trips every day.
Reposted by John Munro
Today in marine invertebrates and safe streets
when we say we want more streets to be pedestrianized, this is what we mean
November 25, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Today in marine invertebrates and safe streets
The killer in this case should never be allowed to drive again.
But why are the people who design our roads to keep producing this result never held to any account?
But why are the people who design our roads to keep producing this result never held to any account?
Driver jailed over Birmingham crash which killed woman and dog
Danielle Mitten is sentenced for causing the death of Lucy Atkins by dangerous driving.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:18 PM
The killer in this case should never be allowed to drive again.
But why are the people who design our roads to keep producing this result never held to any account?
But why are the people who design our roads to keep producing this result never held to any account?
Reposted by John Munro
🌟 New TAACS Webinar
📢 TAACS and IASA proudly announce an upcoming webinar on Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis with Prof. Emilio Amideo.
🗓️ Dec 5, 2025 — 6 PM (GMT+1)
A thought-provoking event not to miss.
🔗 Register now and secure your place: bit.ly/48y6UWD
📢 TAACS and IASA proudly announce an upcoming webinar on Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis with Prof. Emilio Amideo.
🗓️ Dec 5, 2025 — 6 PM (GMT+1)
A thought-provoking event not to miss.
🔗 Register now and secure your place: bit.ly/48y6UWD
November 24, 2025 at 7:26 PM
🌟 New TAACS Webinar
📢 TAACS and IASA proudly announce an upcoming webinar on Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis with Prof. Emilio Amideo.
🗓️ Dec 5, 2025 — 6 PM (GMT+1)
A thought-provoking event not to miss.
🔗 Register now and secure your place: bit.ly/48y6UWD
📢 TAACS and IASA proudly announce an upcoming webinar on Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis with Prof. Emilio Amideo.
🗓️ Dec 5, 2025 — 6 PM (GMT+1)
A thought-provoking event not to miss.
🔗 Register now and secure your place: bit.ly/48y6UWD
Lots of reasons to watch this, but I think my favorite bit is right near the end, when Rosie Wrighting says @zackpolanski.bsky.social has been lying to the people but can't back up the accusation.
An telling example of the substance of the status quo attack on a hopeful alternative.
An telling example of the substance of the status quo attack on a hopeful alternative.
Debate today with a Labour MP on the economy.
Also with a former advisor to George Osborne.
Very striking how much Labour & the Tories agree on our economic system.
Time for change. Let's make hope normal again. Enjoy! 🙌🏼👇🏼
youtu.be/1onr7pAEFRE?...
Also with a former advisor to George Osborne.
Very striking how much Labour & the Tories agree on our economic system.
Time for change. Let's make hope normal again. Enjoy! 🙌🏼👇🏼
youtu.be/1onr7pAEFRE?...
Is Labour being outflanked by Polanski and Farage? Reeves budget debate
YouTube video by Channel 4 News
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Lots of reasons to watch this, but I think my favorite bit is right near the end, when Rosie Wrighting says @zackpolanski.bsky.social has been lying to the people but can't back up the accusation.
An telling example of the substance of the status quo attack on a hopeful alternative.
An telling example of the substance of the status quo attack on a hopeful alternative.
Reposted by John Munro
Stunning...
It can be done.
It can be done.
November 24, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Stunning...
It can be done.
It can be done.
Reposted by John Munro
Breathtaking cruelty.
Breathtaking cost.
Entirely predictable craven politics from no one's favourite Labour Party.
Breathtaking cost.
Entirely predictable craven politics from no one's favourite Labour Party.
Labour's anti-asylum policies are already fundamentally inhumane and discriminatory. Applying them retrospectively is pure cruelty though. It serves absolutely no purpose. Meanwhile it will increase the costs and bureaucracy of an already dysfunctional Home Office.
www.thetimes.com/article/6f83...
www.thetimes.com/article/6f83...
November 24, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Breathtaking cruelty.
Breathtaking cost.
Entirely predictable craven politics from no one's favourite Labour Party.
Breathtaking cost.
Entirely predictable craven politics from no one's favourite Labour Party.
This confirms that converting lanes for car owners into lanes for everyone really is the solution to the problem of cars in public space.
If this solution didn't actually threaten the inequalities automobility represents, that system's beneficiaries wouldn't bother with legislation like this.
If this solution didn't actually threaten the inequalities automobility represents, that system's beneficiaries wouldn't bother with legislation like this.
November 24, 2025 at 7:15 PM
This confirms that converting lanes for car owners into lanes for everyone really is the solution to the problem of cars in public space.
If this solution didn't actually threaten the inequalities automobility represents, that system's beneficiaries wouldn't bother with legislation like this.
If this solution didn't actually threaten the inequalities automobility represents, that system's beneficiaries wouldn't bother with legislation like this.
Reposted by John Munro
HUGE NEWS: Our Senior Campaigner Leon Sealey-Huggins finally manages to track down Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband at the #COP30 climate talks to share our joint letter signed by 50+ orgs calling for a fair, just transition.
Read the full letter here: bit.ly/3JOuXax
Read the full letter here: bit.ly/3JOuXax
November 20, 2025 at 10:37 PM
HUGE NEWS: Our Senior Campaigner Leon Sealey-Huggins finally manages to track down Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband at the #COP30 climate talks to share our joint letter signed by 50+ orgs calling for a fair, just transition.
Read the full letter here: bit.ly/3JOuXax
Read the full letter here: bit.ly/3JOuXax
Imagine a government who believed education mattered more than vanity tanks.
November 24, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Imagine a government who believed education mattered more than vanity tanks.
Reposted by John Munro
I heard about these on the radio yesterday: (and yes, you’re right about car owners believing they have a right not to be inconvenienced over everybody else’s needs)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sponge_...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sponge_...
Sponge city - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:18 AM
I heard about these on the radio yesterday: (and yes, you’re right about car owners believing they have a right not to be inconvenienced over everybody else’s needs)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sponge_...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sponge_...
Reposted by John Munro
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
November 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
Reposted by John Munro
It should be noted that other cities are starting to get on with this job. This section of a street in Vancouver used to be for cars, but no longer, freeing up space for positive uses instead, such as absorbing rain water.
November 23, 2025 at 9:40 AM
It should be noted that other cities are starting to get on with this job. This section of a street in Vancouver used to be for cars, but no longer, freeing up space for positive uses instead, such as absorbing rain water.
I dunno, convert some of the endless paved space reserved for cars into green space that can absorb water, maybe?
Sorry, forget it. That could result in a car owner being inconvenienced, which would of course be far worse than the flooding of our cities and towns.
Sorry, forget it. That could result in a car owner being inconvenienced, which would of course be far worse than the flooding of our cities and towns.
Is there anything we can do to alleviate flash floods in the West Midlands
Experts say housebuilding and concrete drives are making floods worse, but that there are things we can do.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 9:22 AM
I dunno, convert some of the endless paved space reserved for cars into green space that can absorb water, maybe?
Sorry, forget it. That could result in a car owner being inconvenienced, which would of course be far worse than the flooding of our cities and towns.
Sorry, forget it. That could result in a car owner being inconvenienced, which would of course be far worse than the flooding of our cities and towns.
Reposted by John Munro
There's always money for more driving
Reeves to announce £1.5bn boost in EV subsidies amid pay-per-mile concerns
Reeves to announce £1.5bn boost in EV subsidies amid pay-per-mile concerns
Industry experts welcome extra incentives but fear a consultation on a mileage tax sends mixed messages
Drivers will be able to claim government subsidies to cut the cost of buying a new electric car until 2030 under plans to be announced by Rachel Reeves at next week’s budget.
The chancellor will unveil an extra £1.3bn for subsidies for new electric vehicles (EVs) and a further £200m for charging points, as she attempts to prevent the market for clean cars drying up amid concerns about a new pay-per-mile tax. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:07 AM
There's always money for more driving
Reposted by John Munro
"Reform would be worse" is both entirely correct and entirely irrelevant until polling day 2029. What matters right now is that Labour's approach is morally repugnant on its own terms, *and is empowering Reform*. As things stand today, its not Labour or Reform. Its Labour *then* Reform.
While it feels like I'm repeatedly slamming my head against a brick wall repeating this massively simple concept. Saying "Reform would be worse" doesn't make what Labour is doing better. Labour is now the most anti-immigration, anti-any marginalised group, government we have seen in decades. 1/
Very long thread: As with many of Labour's anti-immigration policies, this isn't new. British police have been stationed in other countries for this purpose for a long time
It does however show how Labour is pushing more on anti-immigration than previous governments. 1/
www.lbc.co.uk/article/shab...
It does however show how Labour is pushing more on anti-immigration than previous governments. 1/
www.lbc.co.uk/article/shab...
November 22, 2025 at 10:03 AM
"Reform would be worse" is both entirely correct and entirely irrelevant until polling day 2029. What matters right now is that Labour's approach is morally repugnant on its own terms, *and is empowering Reform*. As things stand today, its not Labour or Reform. Its Labour *then* Reform.
Reposted by John Munro
Great piece!
> I argue that skateboarding, too, is a pedagogical instrument…
> The playfulness skating allows is not about turning cities into playgrounds but turning individuals into people who can find playgrounds in cities.
> I argue that skateboarding, too, is a pedagogical instrument…
> The playfulness skating allows is not about turning cities into playgrounds but turning individuals into people who can find playgrounds in cities.
I wrote about skateboarding, Graeber, and Weizenbaum for Mediapolis' special issue on "Playable Cities". Had lots of fun with this one :)
www.mediapolisjournal.com/2025/11/seei...
www.mediapolisjournal.com/2025/11/seei...
Seeing Like a Skater: Skateboarding as Poetic Technology
Reflecting on her experiences of skateboarding in Cairo, New York and other cities as a form of ‘rolling ethnography’, Alia ElKattan positions ‘seeing like a skater’ as a new way to approach urban lan...
www.mediapolisjournal.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Great piece!
> I argue that skateboarding, too, is a pedagogical instrument…
> The playfulness skating allows is not about turning cities into playgrounds but turning individuals into people who can find playgrounds in cities.
> I argue that skateboarding, too, is a pedagogical instrument…
> The playfulness skating allows is not about turning cities into playgrounds but turning individuals into people who can find playgrounds in cities.
And the sight that greeted me right after this event….
November 22, 2025 at 3:48 PM
And the sight that greeted me right after this event….
Learning a lot at this excellent event.
November 22, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Learning a lot at this excellent event.
Reposted by John Munro
Glimmers of hope. If only the national news cycle reflected that.
Macclesfield Central (Cheshire East) Council By-Election Result:
🌍 GRN: 41.8% (+19.7)
🌹 LAB: 28.6% (-25.7)
➡️ RFM: 15.8% (New)
🌳 CON: 9.1% (-4.5)
⚖️ EQU: 2.5% (New)
🔶 LDM: 2.2% (-7.7)
Green GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2023.
🌍 GRN: 41.8% (+19.7)
🌹 LAB: 28.6% (-25.7)
➡️ RFM: 15.8% (New)
🌳 CON: 9.1% (-4.5)
⚖️ EQU: 2.5% (New)
🔶 LDM: 2.2% (-7.7)
Green GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2023.
November 21, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Glimmers of hope. If only the national news cycle reflected that.
We could change the design of our roads to address this crisis, like other cities are doing, but that might inconvenience car owners, so planners and politicians are choosing this option instead.
Families of road death victims in West Midlands safety campaign
Letters from families who lost their loved ones are on display for Road Safety Week.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 7:46 AM
We could change the design of our roads to address this crisis, like other cities are doing, but that might inconvenience car owners, so planners and politicians are choosing this option instead.
More of this, please!
Macclesfield Central (Cheshire East) Council By-Election Result:
🌍 GRN: 41.8% (+19.7)
🌹 LAB: 28.6% (-25.7)
➡️ RFM: 15.8% (New)
🌳 CON: 9.1% (-4.5)
⚖️ EQU: 2.5% (New)
🔶 LDM: 2.2% (-7.7)
Green GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2023.
🌍 GRN: 41.8% (+19.7)
🌹 LAB: 28.6% (-25.7)
➡️ RFM: 15.8% (New)
🌳 CON: 9.1% (-4.5)
⚖️ EQU: 2.5% (New)
🔶 LDM: 2.2% (-7.7)
Green GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2023.
November 21, 2025 at 7:10 AM
More of this, please!
Reposted by John Munro
Nobody wants this shit. Nobody.
The hostile reaction has been so pronounced, in fact, that it feels like a company announcing it would never force AI into its products would carve out a pretty good chunk of the market.
The hostile reaction has been so pronounced, in fact, that it feels like a company announcing it would never force AI into its products would carve out a pretty good chunk of the market.
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 20, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Nobody wants this shit. Nobody.
The hostile reaction has been so pronounced, in fact, that it feels like a company announcing it would never force AI into its products would carve out a pretty good chunk of the market.
The hostile reaction has been so pronounced, in fact, that it feels like a company announcing it would never force AI into its products would carve out a pretty good chunk of the market.