Aaron Aardvark
@laughinglemon.bsky.social
Likes budgies; reads too much Warhammer; dislikes nostalgia, which is not what it was; vaguely lefty; technical, but re-tyred
Pinned
While on the way home yesterday, I saw a crew installing something on the side of a building in the City. And using a massive crane to do it!
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
🚨BUDGET 2026
On the fundamental issues of who pays for the crisis and the investment required to back British industry, the wrong decisions are being made.
Millions of workers are being forced to live hand to mouth, surviving rather than living. 1/3 ⤵️
On the fundamental issues of who pays for the crisis and the investment required to back British industry, the wrong decisions are being made.
Millions of workers are being forced to live hand to mouth, surviving rather than living. 1/3 ⤵️
November 26, 2025 at 2:46 PM
🚨BUDGET 2026
On the fundamental issues of who pays for the crisis and the investment required to back British industry, the wrong decisions are being made.
Millions of workers are being forced to live hand to mouth, surviving rather than living. 1/3 ⤵️
On the fundamental issues of who pays for the crisis and the investment required to back British industry, the wrong decisions are being made.
Millions of workers are being forced to live hand to mouth, surviving rather than living. 1/3 ⤵️
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
Labour have a chance in this budget to rectify what they haven't done.
Labour be Labour. #Budget2026
Labour be Labour. #Budget2026
November 26, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Labour have a chance in this budget to rectify what they haven't done.
Labour be Labour. #Budget2026
Labour be Labour. #Budget2026
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
"Labour are happily - gleefully - building up the infrastructure an authoritarian regime would find useful. It's a good job a right wing extremist party isn't topping the polls and stands no chance of winning the next election."
Labour's Continued Attacks on Liberty
Here is a story that won't stick in the headlines for more than a day. David Lammy has unveiled plans to curtail the right to jury trial for...
averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:03 AM
"Labour are happily - gleefully - building up the infrastructure an authoritarian regime would find useful. It's a good job a right wing extremist party isn't topping the polls and stands no chance of winning the next election."
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
If you’re wondering who’s guiding our transition, it’s the best New Yorkers that money can’t buy.
November 25, 2025 at 10:39 PM
If you’re wondering who’s guiding our transition, it’s the best New Yorkers that money can’t buy.
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
![Comic: Typical Geologic core sample. [Cylindrical core sample with labels for difference sections from top to bottom] Topsoil, till, granite bedrock, bottomsoil, roof of subway car, floor of subway car, more granite, municipal water main [gouge in core sample], slightly different granite, piece of screaming spelunker’s forearm, cool crystals with no resale value, mangled fragments of drillbit from previous attempt, some boring intrusive rock that’s basically granite but has a name like “diorite” or “Andalite” that you always have to look up, netherrack, Balrog wing. [break between next chunk of core sample] Granite, topsoil, cement, floorboards, carpet, possessions of a confused and angry homeowner in the other hemisphere.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreicffnydtpbb2x24cfbblv2qtcwbr37zyw44vtqx47ocj2a26b2j2u@jpeg)
November 25, 2025 at 10:35 PM
David Cronenberg's "The Odd Couple"
Rob Zombie's "Tootsie"
Werner Herzog’s “Annie”.
November 25, 2025 at 11:48 PM
David Cronenberg's "The Odd Couple"
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
Almost 300,000 individuals and families are experiencing the worst forms of homelessness in England, according to new research from Crisis.
3 things Labour must do to help record-high number of homeless families
www.bigissue.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Almost 300,000 individuals and families are experiencing the worst forms of homelessness in England, according to new research from Crisis.
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
"Another way of looking at it, the socialist way, understands that tax isn't about balancing the books. It's a tool for remaking society."
"Another way of looking at it, the socialist way, understands that tax isn't about balancing the books. It's a tool for remaking society."
The Joy of Wealth Taxes
With the budget set to land on Wednesday, there's been a wealth of speculation and, of course, several leaks . Tax has frequently come up in...
averypublicsociologist.blogspot.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:16 PM
"Another way of looking at it, the socialist way, understands that tax isn't about balancing the books. It's a tool for remaking society."
"Another way of looking at it, the socialist way, understands that tax isn't about balancing the books. It's a tool for remaking society."
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
People are hurting, this budget needs to be there for working people and those with less.
We need to look at a #WealthTax.
We need to look at a #WealthTax.
November 25, 2025 at 3:46 PM
People are hurting, this budget needs to be there for working people and those with less.
We need to look at a #WealthTax.
We need to look at a #WealthTax.
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
😡 Fresh Birmingham agency bin worker bullying revealed
The public ranking of the drivers’ tachograph infringements is just another bullying tactic, along with blacklisting threats, to keep them in line.
The public ranking of the drivers’ tachograph infringements is just another bullying tactic, along with blacklisting threats, to keep them in line.
November 25, 2025 at 1:03 PM
😡 Fresh Birmingham agency bin worker bullying revealed
The public ranking of the drivers’ tachograph infringements is just another bullying tactic, along with blacklisting threats, to keep them in line.
The public ranking of the drivers’ tachograph infringements is just another bullying tactic, along with blacklisting threats, to keep them in line.
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
"More cuts, more negativity, without at least some semblance of the light at the end of the tunnel, and that's massively missing."
This week on THE CURVE, @meadwaj.bsky.social & @antoniajennings.bsky.social discuss Labour's looming budget.
Listen to the full episode at patreon.com/macrodose
This week on THE CURVE, @meadwaj.bsky.social & @antoniajennings.bsky.social discuss Labour's looming budget.
Listen to the full episode at patreon.com/macrodose
November 25, 2025 at 12:39 PM
"More cuts, more negativity, without at least some semblance of the light at the end of the tunnel, and that's massively missing."
This week on THE CURVE, @meadwaj.bsky.social & @antoniajennings.bsky.social discuss Labour's looming budget.
Listen to the full episode at patreon.com/macrodose
This week on THE CURVE, @meadwaj.bsky.social & @antoniajennings.bsky.social discuss Labour's looming budget.
Listen to the full episode at patreon.com/macrodose
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
The biggest question in tomorrow's budget is: 𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙮𝙨?
For too long, workers and communities have paid. This needs to change!
#Budget2026
For too long, workers and communities have paid. This needs to change!
#Budget2026
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 AM
The biggest question in tomorrow's budget is: 𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙮𝙨?
For too long, workers and communities have paid. This needs to change!
#Budget2026
For too long, workers and communities have paid. This needs to change!
#Budget2026
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
UK govt can save over £20bn a year by ending payment of interest on commercial banks’ central bank reserves.
Subsidy implemented after the 2007-08 crash. Banks are very profitable.
Since 2023, the EU stopped paying interest on central bank reserves.
UK can find better uses of £20bn+.
Subsidy implemented after the 2007-08 crash. Banks are very profitable.
Since 2023, the EU stopped paying interest on central bank reserves.
UK can find better uses of £20bn+.
This is how Rachel Reeves could deliver a progressive budget
The chancellor has an opportunity to boost the public purpose and deliver redistribution
leftfootforward.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:43 AM
UK govt can save over £20bn a year by ending payment of interest on commercial banks’ central bank reserves.
Subsidy implemented after the 2007-08 crash. Banks are very profitable.
Since 2023, the EU stopped paying interest on central bank reserves.
UK can find better uses of £20bn+.
Subsidy implemented after the 2007-08 crash. Banks are very profitable.
Since 2023, the EU stopped paying interest on central bank reserves.
UK can find better uses of £20bn+.
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
The Glasgow Wrap 🗞️ Tuesday 25 November 2025
open.substack.com/pub/theglasg...
open.substack.com/pub/theglasg...
The Glasgow Wrap 🗞️ Tuesday 25 November 2025
Dozens march for Whitehill Pool, Silverburn Glasgow 'best mall in the UK', tributes to Red Onion's John Quigley, Cathedral Square taped off, fresh skyscraper plans, + West End Christmas celebration
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:17 AM
The Glasgow Wrap 🗞️ Tuesday 25 November 2025
open.substack.com/pub/theglasg...
open.substack.com/pub/theglasg...
"It's a non-denial denial, Charlie Brown"
“Give me a ping, Charlie Brown. One ping only, please.”
Klaatu barada nikto Charlie Brown
November 24, 2025 at 10:20 PM
"It's a non-denial denial, Charlie Brown"
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
If 2023 was the year AI slop was embraced by spammers and social media influencers, and 2024 was the year the slop era began in earnest, 2025 was when slop became embedded in our cultural institutions and social spheres.
On the slop layer that we all must navigate now:
On the slop layer that we all must navigate now:
Lost in the slop layer
How AI has encrusted our culture and social sphere in a sedimentary layer of slop.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:48 PM
If 2023 was the year AI slop was embraced by spammers and social media influencers, and 2024 was the year the slop era began in earnest, 2025 was when slop became embedded in our cultural institutions and social spheres.
On the slop layer that we all must navigate now:
On the slop layer that we all must navigate now:
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI wield tremendous influence over our politics, but does this mean we are entering an era of technofeudalism?
In a wide-ranging discussion, Evgeny Morozov and Cedric Durand ask how we ought to understand contemporary capitalism.
In a wide-ranging discussion, Evgeny Morozov and Cedric Durand ask how we ought to understand contemporary capitalism.
How Big Tech Became Part of the State
Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI wield tremendous influence over our politics, but does this mean we are entering an era of technofeudalism? In a wide-ranging discussion, Evgeny Morozov and Cedric Durand ask how we ought to understand contemporary capitalism.
jacobin.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI wield tremendous influence over our politics, but does this mean we are entering an era of technofeudalism?
In a wide-ranging discussion, Evgeny Morozov and Cedric Durand ask how we ought to understand contemporary capitalism.
In a wide-ranging discussion, Evgeny Morozov and Cedric Durand ask how we ought to understand contemporary capitalism.
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
VIDEO! I went and rode the once-a-week Wednesday only Ghost Bus beween West Ealing and West Ruilsip ...
youtu.be/NSGPYl4Om1o
youtu.be/NSGPYl4Om1o
The Once a Week Wednesday Only Ghost Bus
YouTube video by Geoff Marshall
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 5:51 PM
VIDEO! I went and rode the once-a-week Wednesday only Ghost Bus beween West Ealing and West Ruilsip ...
youtu.be/NSGPYl4Om1o
youtu.be/NSGPYl4Om1o
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
The US economy has become one big bet on AI.
It’s not just that investment in AI has inflated a bubble – it’s that the bubble is driving wealth inequality, and billions of dollars of conspicuous consumption.
In other words, we’re living in a new gilded age.
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
It’s not just that investment in AI has inflated a bubble – it’s that the bubble is driving wealth inequality, and billions of dollars of conspicuous consumption.
In other words, we’re living in a new gilded age.
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
The AI Boom is Fueling a New Gilded Age
The AI bubble is making the rich richer - but when it bursts, ordinary Americans will have to pick up the tab.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
The US economy has become one big bet on AI.
It’s not just that investment in AI has inflated a bubble – it’s that the bubble is driving wealth inequality, and billions of dollars of conspicuous consumption.
In other words, we’re living in a new gilded age.
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
It’s not just that investment in AI has inflated a bubble – it’s that the bubble is driving wealth inequality, and billions of dollars of conspicuous consumption.
In other words, we’re living in a new gilded age.
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
I’m not worried that the AI bubble will herald the end of capitalism as we know it - or even the end of the AI boom.
I'm worried that it will result in a massive upwards transfer of wealth - and further endanger our democracies in the process.
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/the-ai-cir...
I'm worried that it will result in a massive upwards transfer of wealth - and further endanger our democracies in the process.
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/the-ai-cir...
The AI Circular Economy
Big tech companies and wealthy investors are driving an AI bubble - but they won't be the ones feeling the pain when it bursts.
graceblakeley.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 AM
I’m not worried that the AI bubble will herald the end of capitalism as we know it - or even the end of the AI boom.
I'm worried that it will result in a massive upwards transfer of wealth - and further endanger our democracies in the process.
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/the-ai-cir...
I'm worried that it will result in a massive upwards transfer of wealth - and further endanger our democracies in the process.
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/the-ai-cir...
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
"I really believe that you can’t understand the AI bubble without understanding how its linked to private credit, and we need to get to grips what’s going on in both if we want to predict how the whole thing might blow up."
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/what-i-rea...
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/what-i-rea...
What I read this week
The tech sell off, Saudi Arabia's oil lobbying machine, and why the left can't beat the far-right at its own game.
graceblakeley.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:36 AM
"I really believe that you can’t understand the AI bubble without understanding how its linked to private credit, and we need to get to grips what’s going on in both if we want to predict how the whole thing might blow up."
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/what-i-rea...
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/what-i-rea...
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
"We can build safe homes; we just choose not to.
The same firms that cut corners here build to higher standards abroad. Arconic, maker of the Grenfell cladding, targeted the UK precisely because of its weaker, “anything goes” regime."
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
The same firms that cut corners here build to higher standards abroad. Arconic, maker of the Grenfell cladding, targeted the UK precisely because of its weaker, “anything goes” regime."
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
Protecting Industry, Not People: The Great Building Safety Scandal
Developers are putting profits before safety, giving rise to an age of disposable homes, enduring liabilities, and unaccountable power.
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:38 AM
"We can build safe homes; we just choose not to.
The same firms that cut corners here build to higher standards abroad. Arconic, maker of the Grenfell cladding, targeted the UK precisely because of its weaker, “anything goes” regime."
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
The same firms that cut corners here build to higher standards abroad. Arconic, maker of the Grenfell cladding, targeted the UK precisely because of its weaker, “anything goes” regime."
open.substack.com/pub/gracebla...
Reposted by Aaron Aardvark
Fettered Development and Political Turmoil: 15 Years Since the Arab Spring
(University of Manchester, 19 November 2025)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY_H...
(University of Manchester, 19 November 2025)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY_H...
Lecture: Fettered Development and Political Turmoil: 15 Years Since the Arab Spring, Gilbert Achcar
YouTube video by Global Development Institute
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Fettered Development and Political Turmoil: 15 Years Since the Arab Spring
(University of Manchester, 19 November 2025)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY_H...
(University of Manchester, 19 November 2025)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY_H...