Jon Butterworth
@jonbutterworth.bsky.social
Physics prof @UCL, researcher @CERN, author
Reposted by Jon Butterworth
Anybody who had a vision to bring American levels of political, cultural and social polarisation to Britain - whether their motive was clicks or cash, ideology, boredom or anything else - would make it their top strategic priority to abolish the BBC, or to damage and diminish it at the very least
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Anybody who had a vision to bring American levels of political, cultural and social polarisation to Britain - whether their motive was clicks or cash, ideology, boredom or anything else - would make it their top strategic priority to abolish the BBC, or to damage and diminish it at the very least
Looking forward to @clareburrage.bsky.social's Franklin Lecture this evening!
royalsociety.org/science-even...
If you aren't in London/don't have a ticket and want to see it, there will be a live stream.
royalsociety.org/science-even...
If you aren't in London/don't have a ticket and want to see it, there will be a live stream.
Rosalind Franklin Award Lecture: Bright futures in a dark universe | Royal Society
Watch the Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Prize Lecture by Professor Clare Burrage.
royalsociety.org
October 21, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Looking forward to @clareburrage.bsky.social's Franklin Lecture this evening!
royalsociety.org/science-even...
If you aren't in London/don't have a ticket and want to see it, there will be a live stream.
royalsociety.org/science-even...
If you aren't in London/don't have a ticket and want to see it, there will be a live stream.
Reposted by Jon Butterworth
He is far from alone.
Do you know how many people I know, journalists, thinktankers, civil servants, politicians, who always excel at explaining to you why what is currently happening was always bound to happen, from which they conclude that it should happen?
Do you know how many people I know, journalists, thinktankers, civil servants, politicians, who always excel at explaining to you why what is currently happening was always bound to happen, from which they conclude that it should happen?
October 13, 2025 at 6:49 PM
He is far from alone.
Do you know how many people I know, journalists, thinktankers, civil servants, politicians, who always excel at explaining to you why what is currently happening was always bound to happen, from which they conclude that it should happen?
Do you know how many people I know, journalists, thinktankers, civil servants, politicians, who always excel at explaining to you why what is currently happening was always bound to happen, from which they conclude that it should happen?
Looking forward to talking at New Scientist Live next weekend. Come and say hello if you're going (and why would you not be? Lots of great speakers!)
live.newscientist.com/2025-talks-p...
live.newscientist.com/2025-talks-p...
New Scientist Live 2025 Talks Programme
We’ve got some of the best-loved names in science including Megan McCubbin, Chris Packham, Zoe Williams, Tom Crawford Anjana Khatwa, Marcus du Sautoy and Megan Rossi. Topics covered include psychedeli...
live.newscientist.com
October 11, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Looking forward to talking at New Scientist Live next weekend. Come and say hello if you're going (and why would you not be? Lots of great speakers!)
live.newscientist.com/2025-talks-p...
live.newscientist.com/2025-talks-p...
This made an outstanding martini. Many thanks @bravelittlemuon.bsky.social
October 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
This made an outstanding martini. Many thanks @bravelittlemuon.bsky.social
Reposted by Jon Butterworth
This is the judgment on the PPE/Medpro claim.
A cracking £122m win for the Government Legal Service
And is wonderful to see the government bringing a claim in contract against a shoddy supplier.
This does not happen often, and it should happen far more.
www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/u...
A cracking £122m win for the Government Legal Service
And is wonderful to see the government bringing a claim in contract against a shoddy supplier.
This does not happen often, and it should happen far more.
www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/u...
www.judiciary.uk
October 1, 2025 at 10:57 AM
This is the judgment on the PPE/Medpro claim.
A cracking £122m win for the Government Legal Service
And is wonderful to see the government bringing a claim in contract against a shoddy supplier.
This does not happen often, and it should happen far more.
www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/u...
A cracking £122m win for the Government Legal Service
And is wonderful to see the government bringing a claim in contract against a shoddy supplier.
This does not happen often, and it should happen far more.
www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/u...
On my way to Durham to help celebrate 25 years of the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology
conference.ippp.dur.ac.uk/event/1454/o...
conference.ippp.dur.ac.uk/event/1454/o...
IPPP 25th Anniversary
IPPP 25th Anniversary We are very happy to celebrate 25 years of the Institute of Particle Physics Phenomenology at the University of Durham. Venue and Schedule We will celebreate in the top floor (CL...
conference.ippp.dur.ac.uk
September 24, 2025 at 8:59 AM
On my way to Durham to help celebrate 25 years of the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology
conference.ippp.dur.ac.uk/event/1454/o...
conference.ippp.dur.ac.uk/event/1454/o...
Reposted by Jon Butterworth
23 September 1974: The BBC launched #Ceefax, the world's first teletext information service. #History #BBC #Television
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
BBC - History of the BBC, CEEFAX: world's first teletext service, 23 September 1974
CEEFAX started in 1974 and was the first teletext facility in the world.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 23, 2025 at 4:31 PM
23 September 1974: The BBC launched #Ceefax, the world's first teletext information service. #History #BBC #Television
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
Reposted by Jon Butterworth
The PM has written for the Sun on Sunday about the power of flags to unite - citing Euro 96 - and challenging the promotion of racism and violence by the far right
News report from Sun. I don't yet see a link online to the column.
www.thesun.co.uk/news/3678608...
News report from Sun. I don't yet see a link online to the column.
www.thesun.co.uk/news/3678608...
Don't use British flag to whip up violence, warns Starmer as he slams Musk
SIR Keir Starmer today slams populists who “exploit” the England flag to stir up violence, division and threats to our democracy. The PM says Britain is “at a crossroads” and must rejec…
www.thesun.co.uk
September 20, 2025 at 11:04 PM
The PM has written for the Sun on Sunday about the power of flags to unite - citing Euro 96 - and challenging the promotion of racism and violence by the far right
News report from Sun. I don't yet see a link online to the column.
www.thesun.co.uk/news/3678608...
News report from Sun. I don't yet see a link online to the column.
www.thesun.co.uk/news/3678608...
Reposted by Jon Butterworth
Starmer on 'vile lies' of Musk et al: “When populist politicians, convicted criminals + foreign billionaires take to the stage to encourage violence, make racist comments, and threaten our democracy, it casts a dark shadow of fear and violence across our society”
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
Starmer condemns populists who ‘exploit’ flag and ‘whip up hatred’
The Prime Minister hit out at Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk for ‘encouraging violence’ at last week’s protest.
www.standard.co.uk
September 20, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Starmer on 'vile lies' of Musk et al: “When populist politicians, convicted criminals + foreign billionaires take to the stage to encourage violence, make racist comments, and threaten our democracy, it casts a dark shadow of fear and violence across our society”
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...
I feel wikipedia buried the lede on how Bill Wyman became a Rolling Stone
"The four Stones went searching for a bassist and drummer, finally settling on Bill Wyman on bass because he had a spare VOX AC30 guitar amplifier and always had cigarettes, as well as a bass guitar that he had built himself"
"The four Stones went searching for a bassist and drummer, finally settling on Bill Wyman on bass because he had a spare VOX AC30 guitar amplifier and always had cigarettes, as well as a bass guitar that he had built himself"
September 5, 2025 at 8:08 PM
I feel wikipedia buried the lede on how Bill Wyman became a Rolling Stone
"The four Stones went searching for a bassist and drummer, finally settling on Bill Wyman on bass because he had a spare VOX AC30 guitar amplifier and always had cigarettes, as well as a bass guitar that he had built himself"
"The four Stones went searching for a bassist and drummer, finally settling on Bill Wyman on bass because he had a spare VOX AC30 guitar amplifier and always had cigarettes, as well as a bass guitar that he had built himself"
Reposted by Jon Butterworth
Sorry for the miserable post.
September 3, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Sorry for the miserable post.
JUNO neutrino detector switches on
www.theregister.com/2025/08/29/c...
www.theregister.com/2025/08/29/c...
China turns on giant neutrino detector
: 700 meters under a mountain, a 20,000-tonne detector and a giant sphere await elusive particles
www.theregister.com
August 30, 2025 at 6:27 PM
JUNO neutrino detector switches on
www.theregister.com/2025/08/29/c...
www.theregister.com/2025/08/29/c...
Reposted by Jon Butterworth
The best argument Nigel Farage can make is that he didn’t care enough to actually check the facts of the ruling before giving an inflammatory quote about it. The worst is that he checked it and said what he said anyway, *knowing* it wasn’t true. He should be asked which it is.
August 29, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The best argument Nigel Farage can make is that he didn’t care enough to actually check the facts of the ruling before giving an inflammatory quote about it. The worst is that he checked it and said what he said anyway, *knowing* it wasn’t true. He should be asked which it is.
Weird, I thought we'd had an election and a change of government at some point, but maybe not?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Weird, I thought we'd had an election and a change of government at some point, but maybe not?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
You know those days when they let you on the train in good time, and the seat reservation system and wifi just work like they should?
Nope, neither do I. #EastMidlands this time.
Nope, neither do I. #EastMidlands this time.
August 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM
You know those days when they let you on the train in good time, and the seat reservation system and wifi just work like they should?
Nope, neither do I. #EastMidlands this time.
Nope, neither do I. #EastMidlands this time.
Reposted by Jon Butterworth
The ever-eloquent @rafaelbehr.bsky.social pointedly refusing to mince his words on what Farage has done for us. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
August 27, 2025 at 7:44 AM
The ever-eloquent @rafaelbehr.bsky.social pointedly refusing to mince his words on what Farage has done for us. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Interesting thread.
The Express is taking a Waiting for Godot approach to the much anticipated mass protests today
August 24, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Interesting thread.
Very glad to have participated. Thanks for organising Simon, and Leif, Anita et al.
Thanks a lot everyone for contributing to the programme, this has been a great success @agbuckley.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy @jonbutterworth.bsky.social and many others
August 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Very glad to have participated. Thanks for organising Simon, and Leif, Anita et al.
Reposted by Jon Butterworth
Funny they don't seem so bothered by Jenrick's three homes (including a grade 1 listed manor) plus his forth home in his constituency rented at taxpayer expense.
Wonder why.
Wonder why.
Daily Telegraph today refers to A Rayner’s property “empire”. Whatever you think of her housing arrangements, I don’t think constituency house (bought for 375k in 2016), house in Hove, plus use of ministerial flat in London is an “empire”. Duke of Westminster wont fear a rival!
August 24, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Funny they don't seem so bothered by Jenrick's three homes (including a grade 1 listed manor) plus his forth home in his constituency rented at taxpayer expense.
Wonder why.
Wonder why.
Just put the Sloe Gin on for Xmas.
August 23, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Just put the Sloe Gin on for Xmas.
Worth watching this video.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Police arrest 532 people at London protest over Palestine Action ban
Met police say hundreds arrested at largest demonstration relating to Palestine Action since group was proscribed
www.theguardian.com
August 10, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Worth watching this video.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Jon Butterworth
📦 pip install contur or: gitlab.com/hepcedar/con...
Thanks to MIAPbP & our summer students! 🎉
#HEP #OpenScience #LHC #Rivet #Contur
Thanks to MIAPbP & our summer students! 🎉
#HEP #OpenScience #LHC #Rivet #Contur
August 10, 2025 at 3:40 PM
📦 pip install contur or: gitlab.com/hepcedar/con...
Thanks to MIAPbP & our summer students! 🎉
#HEP #OpenScience #LHC #Rivet #Contur
Thanks to MIAPbP & our summer students! 🎉
#HEP #OpenScience #LHC #Rivet #Contur
Reposted by Jon Butterworth
🚀 Contur 3.1.3 released!
Works with Rivet 4.1.1 & YODA 2.1.1. Highlights:
✔️ New Rivet analyses & SM predictions (ATLAS ttbb, CMS Z+jets, etc.)
✔️ Config file support
✔️ New plots for Spey stats
✔️ Faster batch runs & heatmap tools
✔️ Numpy2 compat, optional LaTeX
Works with Rivet 4.1.1 & YODA 2.1.1. Highlights:
✔️ New Rivet analyses & SM predictions (ATLAS ttbb, CMS Z+jets, etc.)
✔️ Config file support
✔️ New plots for Spey stats
✔️ Faster batch runs & heatmap tools
✔️ Numpy2 compat, optional LaTeX
August 10, 2025 at 3:40 PM
🚀 Contur 3.1.3 released!
Works with Rivet 4.1.1 & YODA 2.1.1. Highlights:
✔️ New Rivet analyses & SM predictions (ATLAS ttbb, CMS Z+jets, etc.)
✔️ Config file support
✔️ New plots for Spey stats
✔️ Faster batch runs & heatmap tools
✔️ Numpy2 compat, optional LaTeX
Works with Rivet 4.1.1 & YODA 2.1.1. Highlights:
✔️ New Rivet analyses & SM predictions (ATLAS ttbb, CMS Z+jets, etc.)
✔️ Config file support
✔️ New plots for Spey stats
✔️ Faster batch runs & heatmap tools
✔️ Numpy2 compat, optional LaTeX