Mark Fabian
@markfabian.bsky.social
Ass-Prof of Public Policy at Warwick. Work mostly on wellbeing from an interdisciplinary perspective. Interested in *everything*. Run ePODstemology: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1763534/episodes
Pinned
Mark Fabian
@markfabian.bsky.social
· Feb 26
Beyond Happy: How to rethink happiness and find fulfilment
YouTube video by M. Fabian Education
www.youtube.com
Friends, foes, family:
I have a popular booking coming out on April 10 - Beyond Happy: How to rethink happiness and find fulfilment. It's the book I wish existed when I was 18. I couldn't find it in 20 years of searching, so I went and wrote it.
A video brief:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XPZ...
I have a popular booking coming out on April 10 - Beyond Happy: How to rethink happiness and find fulfilment. It's the book I wish existed when I was 18. I couldn't find it in 20 years of searching, so I went and wrote it.
A video brief:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XPZ...
Reposted by Mark Fabian
What a wonderful conversation about metrics - I specially enjoyed going through our shared fieldwork experiences on metrics co-production. Many open and challenging questions remain - what makes it all the more exciting fileld to explore. Thanks again for the invitation @markfabian.bsky.social!
New episode of ePODstemology!
@valeriaramirez.bsky.social from Cambridge is on to talk about meaningful and meaningless digital metrics.
If you're enthralled by the possibilities of passive data gathering through online platforms, this episode is for you!
www.buzzsprout.com/1763534/epis...
@valeriaramirez.bsky.social from Cambridge is on to talk about meaningful and meaningless digital metrics.
If you're enthralled by the possibilities of passive data gathering through online platforms, this episode is for you!
www.buzzsprout.com/1763534/epis...
Data data everywhere yet no meaning to be found - ePODstemology
It seems these days that we are awash in data. Indeed, in their recent book The Ordinal Society, Marion Foucard and Kieran Healy argue persuasively that the passive data collection facilitated by the ...
www.buzzsprout.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:38 PM
What a wonderful conversation about metrics - I specially enjoyed going through our shared fieldwork experiences on metrics co-production. Many open and challenging questions remain - what makes it all the more exciting fileld to explore. Thanks again for the invitation @markfabian.bsky.social!
This was a great read thank you. Helped me to parse some of the camps within critical theory. The more I work on prescriptive policy and try to make the world better in a practical and pragmatic way the less time I have for the nuances of theory. Political theory barely leaves the academy.
February 9, 2026 at 5:01 PM
This was a great read thank you. Helped me to parse some of the camps within critical theory. The more I work on prescriptive policy and try to make the world better in a practical and pragmatic way the less time I have for the nuances of theory. Political theory barely leaves the academy.
I again see critical theorists criticising the political left for not articulating a narrative/paradigm alternative to the right.
Isn't that your job as a left wing intellectual?
It might require a bit less critique and a bit more construction.
Maybe endless critique is why we fail?
Isn't that your job as a left wing intellectual?
It might require a bit less critique and a bit more construction.
Maybe endless critique is why we fail?
February 9, 2026 at 3:37 PM
I again see critical theorists criticising the political left for not articulating a narrative/paradigm alternative to the right.
Isn't that your job as a left wing intellectual?
It might require a bit less critique and a bit more construction.
Maybe endless critique is why we fail?
Isn't that your job as a left wing intellectual?
It might require a bit less critique and a bit more construction.
Maybe endless critique is why we fail?
New episode of ePODstemology!
@valeriaramirez.bsky.social from Cambridge is on to talk about meaningful and meaningless digital metrics.
If you're enthralled by the possibilities of passive data gathering through online platforms, this episode is for you!
www.buzzsprout.com/1763534/epis...
@valeriaramirez.bsky.social from Cambridge is on to talk about meaningful and meaningless digital metrics.
If you're enthralled by the possibilities of passive data gathering through online platforms, this episode is for you!
www.buzzsprout.com/1763534/epis...
Data data everywhere yet no meaning to be found - ePODstemology
It seems these days that we are awash in data. Indeed, in their recent book The Ordinal Society, Marion Foucard and Kieran Healy argue persuasively that the passive data collection facilitated by the ...
www.buzzsprout.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:46 PM
New episode of ePODstemology!
@valeriaramirez.bsky.social from Cambridge is on to talk about meaningful and meaningless digital metrics.
If you're enthralled by the possibilities of passive data gathering through online platforms, this episode is for you!
www.buzzsprout.com/1763534/epis...
@valeriaramirez.bsky.social from Cambridge is on to talk about meaningful and meaningless digital metrics.
If you're enthralled by the possibilities of passive data gathering through online platforms, this episode is for you!
www.buzzsprout.com/1763534/epis...
Reposted by Mark Fabian
Imagine if the average man cared about policy as much as they care about football. We'd live in the Star Trek universe by now.
Two blokes behind me on the train have been discussing a single red card decision for the last 20 minutes. They are *informed*. One of them is quoting the by-laws.
Two blokes behind me on the train have been discussing a single red card decision for the last 20 minutes. They are *informed*. One of them is quoting the by-laws.
February 9, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Imagine if the average man cared about policy as much as they care about football. We'd live in the Star Trek universe by now.
Two blokes behind me on the train have been discussing a single red card decision for the last 20 minutes. They are *informed*. One of them is quoting the by-laws.
Two blokes behind me on the train have been discussing a single red card decision for the last 20 minutes. They are *informed*. One of them is quoting the by-laws.
Reposted by Mark Fabian
Sigh. What could go wrong?
February 9, 2026 at 5:30 AM
Sigh. What could go wrong?
Reposted by Mark Fabian
I’ve said before that Adam Sandler‘s character in uncut gems is supposed to be a degenerate gambling addict because of the insane parlays he places, now that’s sold as a feature for everyone to enjoy
Remember watching Silver Linings Playbook where you learn a four-leg parlay is language exclusive to compulsive gambling addicts? And now it's just sold every 90 seconds on network television as the new national pastime?
February 9, 2026 at 2:15 AM
I’ve said before that Adam Sandler‘s character in uncut gems is supposed to be a degenerate gambling addict because of the insane parlays he places, now that’s sold as a feature for everyone to enjoy
They love this stuff because they don't need any technical skills or knowledge to comment. When the media need policy analysis or explanation the minions flee.
February 9, 2026 at 7:47 AM
They love this stuff because they don't need any technical skills or knowledge to comment. When the media need policy analysis or explanation the minions flee.
Reposted by Mark Fabian
Issues have come up as recently as last summer. It's difficult to adjudicate every single claim because Zara always has some excuse. But ask yourself: why has this company attracted so many claims for so long? IMO, the issue is structural: fast fashion is inherently exploitative.
February 9, 2026 at 6:52 AM
Issues have come up as recently as last summer. It's difficult to adjudicate every single claim because Zara always has some excuse. But ask yourself: why has this company attracted so many claims for so long? IMO, the issue is structural: fast fashion is inherently exploitative.
Reposted by Mark Fabian
Disappointed to learn Bad Bunny wore Zara, effectively promoting the brand to millions. Although Zara has made admirable strides to address labor conditions, fast fashion can never be ethical because it depends on rapid production and cheap prices, which results in worker exploitation.
February 9, 2026 at 6:52 AM
Disappointed to learn Bad Bunny wore Zara, effectively promoting the brand to millions. Although Zara has made admirable strides to address labor conditions, fast fashion can never be ethical because it depends on rapid production and cheap prices, which results in worker exploitation.
Just did a 10min search of the academic literature on this and found nothing. Tiny effects in hypergonadal men over 70, even tinier effects on depression.
Why are there so many grifts right now?
Men, Feeling fatigue? Try drinking less, sleeping more, cutting trans fats.
Why are there so many grifts right now?
Men, Feeling fatigue? Try drinking less, sleeping more, cutting trans fats.
February 9, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Just did a 10min search of the academic literature on this and found nothing. Tiny effects in hypergonadal men over 70, even tinier effects on depression.
Why are there so many grifts right now?
Men, Feeling fatigue? Try drinking less, sleeping more, cutting trans fats.
Why are there so many grifts right now?
Men, Feeling fatigue? Try drinking less, sleeping more, cutting trans fats.
Reposted by Mark Fabian
A Labour MP tells The House’s Sienna Rodgers McSweeney’s resignation will mean “full speed ahead to uber-woke, net-zeroist, rejoinerism”.
Which sounds good to me, but is also very telling of the beliefs of the faction McSweeney championed.
Which sounds good to me, but is also very telling of the beliefs of the faction McSweeney championed.
February 8, 2026 at 6:10 PM
A Labour MP tells The House’s Sienna Rodgers McSweeney’s resignation will mean “full speed ahead to uber-woke, net-zeroist, rejoinerism”.
Which sounds good to me, but is also very telling of the beliefs of the faction McSweeney championed.
Which sounds good to me, but is also very telling of the beliefs of the faction McSweeney championed.
Murmurs are one of the most beautiful, mystical things.
I often wonder if people lived less in cities and saw more big nature like this, or the night sky full of stars, whether they might get off the rat race and reconnect with fundamentals.
I often wonder if people lived less in cities and saw more big nature like this, or the night sky full of stars, whether they might get off the rat race and reconnect with fundamentals.
They were so fast my camera focus couldn't keep up with them.
February 8, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Murmurs are one of the most beautiful, mystical things.
I often wonder if people lived less in cities and saw more big nature like this, or the night sky full of stars, whether they might get off the rat race and reconnect with fundamentals.
I often wonder if people lived less in cities and saw more big nature like this, or the night sky full of stars, whether they might get off the rat race and reconnect with fundamentals.
Reposted by Mark Fabian
Today we’re bringing you this charming print by Ohara Koson.
Koson was a Japanese painter and woodblock print designer. He was famous as a master of bird-and-flower designs and was a prolific artist, creating around 500 print designs during his lifetime.
🦆 EA1957.81
Koson was a Japanese painter and woodblock print designer. He was famous as a master of bird-and-flower designs and was a prolific artist, creating around 500 print designs during his lifetime.
🦆 EA1957.81
February 7, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Today we’re bringing you this charming print by Ohara Koson.
Koson was a Japanese painter and woodblock print designer. He was famous as a master of bird-and-flower designs and was a prolific artist, creating around 500 print designs during his lifetime.
🦆 EA1957.81
Koson was a Japanese painter and woodblock print designer. He was famous as a master of bird-and-flower designs and was a prolific artist, creating around 500 print designs during his lifetime.
🦆 EA1957.81
Yeah it was bleak rereading it recently because its written just before BREXIT first derails government then eventually turns it into a circus. You can feel the hope and business as usual in the pieces while knowing that it's all about to go to shit.
February 6, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Yeah it was bleak rereading it recently because its written just before BREXIT first derails government then eventually turns it into a circus. You can feel the hope and business as usual in the pieces while knowing that it's all about to go to shit.
I did 14 reviews last year. I don't remember enjoying any of them but I think it's part of our job. Totally doable, as you say. Some of these weren't even really on my expertise, I just know how hard it is to find reviewers so I agree to relieve the editor.
February 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
I did 14 reviews last year. I don't remember enjoying any of them but I think it's part of our job. Totally doable, as you say. Some of these weren't even really on my expertise, I just know how hard it is to find reviewers so I agree to relieve the editor.
This is what my review request que looks like for every paper. 5 solicitations a week into the void. Always to people who've written on the exact topic, across the career stage spectrum. Not even an email back to say "no time".
After four months, the journal has not found a single reviewer for my PhD student's manuscript. The academic peer review system is broken.
I think we all should:
1. Review three papers for every one that we submit.
2. Promptly declined to review a paper when the request arrives.
#AcademicChatter
I think we all should:
1. Review three papers for every one that we submit.
2. Promptly declined to review a paper when the request arrives.
#AcademicChatter
February 6, 2026 at 2:31 PM
This is what my review request que looks like for every paper. 5 solicitations a week into the void. Always to people who've written on the exact topic, across the career stage spectrum. Not even an email back to say "no time".
Reposted by Mark Fabian
As a former editor: PLEASE do this!
A quick e-mail saying: "I don't have time, but try [A] or [B]" can speed up the review process by *weeks*. And it also helps the many junior scientists who need reviewing experience on their CVs, but struggle to get invited.
A quick e-mail saying: "I don't have time, but try [A] or [B]" can speed up the review process by *weeks*. And it also helps the many junior scientists who need reviewing experience on their CVs, but struggle to get invited.
3) When you decline, suggest at least one other reviewer, preferably a junior scientist who tends to do a great job and is likely not on the radar of the editor.
February 6, 2026 at 11:45 AM
As a former editor: PLEASE do this!
A quick e-mail saying: "I don't have time, but try [A] or [B]" can speed up the review process by *weeks*. And it also helps the many junior scientists who need reviewing experience on their CVs, but struggle to get invited.
A quick e-mail saying: "I don't have time, but try [A] or [B]" can speed up the review process by *weeks*. And it also helps the many junior scientists who need reviewing experience on their CVs, but struggle to get invited.
I'm also seeing this precise cracking to fall through that you're point to in this tweet.
I've got colleagues saying AI incompatible with qualitative research, which is INSANE - its revolutionary!
But then also vaporeware tech bros thinking it can replace politics.
I've got colleagues saying AI incompatible with qualitative research, which is INSANE - its revolutionary!
But then also vaporeware tech bros thinking it can replace politics.
February 6, 2026 at 1:44 PM
I'm also seeing this precise cracking to fall through that you're point to in this tweet.
I've got colleagues saying AI incompatible with qualitative research, which is INSANE - its revolutionary!
But then also vaporeware tech bros thinking it can replace politics.
I've got colleagues saying AI incompatible with qualitative research, which is INSANE - its revolutionary!
But then also vaporeware tech bros thinking it can replace politics.
A huge blind spot for AI enthusiasts who've seen its power from coding is that their job isn't *relational*.
But huge portions of the service economy are mostly relational, especially good management.
Engineering tends to have bad management because engineers are colloquially bad at relations.
But huge portions of the service economy are mostly relational, especially good management.
Engineering tends to have bad management because engineers are colloquially bad at relations.
February 6, 2026 at 1:44 PM
A huge blind spot for AI enthusiasts who've seen its power from coding is that their job isn't *relational*.
But huge portions of the service economy are mostly relational, especially good management.
Engineering tends to have bad management because engineers are colloquially bad at relations.
But huge portions of the service economy are mostly relational, especially good management.
Engineering tends to have bad management because engineers are colloquially bad at relations.
Reposted by Mark Fabian
Name them
shame them
shame them
February 5, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Name them
shame them
shame them
No I haven't but it looks interesting, thanks. I see similarities to the 5 Welsh Ways of Working, which seem to me to have been powerful for structurally changing admin and management there.
February 6, 2026 at 1:37 PM
No I haven't but it looks interesting, thanks. I see similarities to the 5 Welsh Ways of Working, which seem to me to have been powerful for structurally changing admin and management there.
Yes I think this is what Ian Elliot is concerned with in his strategic state.
I encountered his work wrt wellbeing frameworks. He said the Scottish one was originally much more of a values statement meant to coordinate across ministries.
Specific metrics worked against that - silos again.
I encountered his work wrt wellbeing frameworks. He said the Scottish one was originally much more of a values statement meant to coordinate across ministries.
Specific metrics worked against that - silos again.
February 6, 2026 at 9:39 AM
Yes I think this is what Ian Elliot is concerned with in his strategic state.
I encountered his work wrt wellbeing frameworks. He said the Scottish one was originally much more of a values statement meant to coordinate across ministries.
Specific metrics worked against that - silos again.
I encountered his work wrt wellbeing frameworks. He said the Scottish one was originally much more of a values statement meant to coordinate across ministries.
Specific metrics worked against that - silos again.
Yes! Ironically, we put people through a very stringent, multi-year education program at university get them to think linearly/mechanistically. It's powerful!
But our natural capacity to grasp complexity is atrophied by it. We need a more balanced curriculum.
But our natural capacity to grasp complexity is atrophied by it. We need a more balanced curriculum.
February 6, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Yes! Ironically, we put people through a very stringent, multi-year education program at university get them to think linearly/mechanistically. It's powerful!
But our natural capacity to grasp complexity is atrophied by it. We need a more balanced curriculum.
But our natural capacity to grasp complexity is atrophied by it. We need a more balanced curriculum.