Peter Howitt
@peterhowitt.bsky.social
AI optimist (Iain M Banks / James Lovelock variety). Full time lawyer, part-time poet and fumbling philosopher - "That is not what I meant, at all.”
https://compossible.blog/
https://compossible.blog/
Pinned
European idiocy. Hundreds of billions spent on US weapons reward = US-Russian alliance:
"We show that Europe has substantially increased its purchases from the US defence industrial base during the last four years, deepening its dependence on US military equipment in the short to medium term."
"We show that Europe has substantially increased its purchases from the US defence industrial base during the last four years, deepening its dependence on US military equipment in the short to medium term."
Europe’s dependence on US foreign military sales and what to do about it
Europe’s reliance on US arms raises autonomy concerns, as security worsens and leaders aim to cut strategic and technological dependence
www.bruegel.org
🧵Hundreds of billions spent knowing Trump could get back in. It bought us a de facto Russian US alliance, a much stronger US military base (replenished with our money) and further geopolitical slavery... We are led by weak old fools living in the past. We must change our lives and that quickly.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
“The propagandist’s purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.”
Aldous Huxley.
Aldous Huxley.
November 27, 2025 at 12:56 PM
“The propagandist’s purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.”
Aldous Huxley.
Aldous Huxley.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
‘On the beach’, Times Square, New York City.
Bedrich Grunzweig, 1959.
Bedrich Grunzweig, 1959.
November 27, 2025 at 12:59 PM
‘On the beach’, Times Square, New York City.
Bedrich Grunzweig, 1959.
Bedrich Grunzweig, 1959.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
'This isn't an opinion. This is counting.'
- A 100,000 drop in net migration costs us £7bn
- Scrapping the two-child benefit cap costs us £3bn
What gets more attention?
James O’Brien says 'we have become a ludicrous country'.
- Scrapping the two-child benefit cap costs us £3bn
What gets more attention?
James O’Brien says 'we have become a ludicrous country'.
November 27, 2025 at 11:29 AM
'This isn't an opinion. This is counting.'
Reposted by Peter Howitt
"Europe thinks the unthinkable: Retaliating against Russia"
Europe thinks the unthinkable: Retaliating against Russia
Countries are looking at joint offensive cyber operations and surprise military drills as Moscow steps up its campaign to destabilize NATO allies.
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 11:46 AM
"Europe thinks the unthinkable: Retaliating against Russia"
🧵Hundreds of billions spent knowing Trump could get back in. It bought us a de facto Russian US alliance, a much stronger US military base (replenished with our money) and further geopolitical slavery... We are led by weak old fools living in the past. We must change our lives and that quickly.
European idiocy. Hundreds of billions spent on US weapons reward = US-Russian alliance:
"We show that Europe has substantially increased its purchases from the US defence industrial base during the last four years, deepening its dependence on US military equipment in the short to medium term."
"We show that Europe has substantially increased its purchases from the US defence industrial base during the last four years, deepening its dependence on US military equipment in the short to medium term."
Europe’s dependence on US foreign military sales and what to do about it
Europe’s reliance on US arms raises autonomy concerns, as security worsens and leaders aim to cut strategic and technological dependence
www.bruegel.org
November 27, 2025 at 10:27 AM
🧵Hundreds of billions spent knowing Trump could get back in. It bought us a de facto Russian US alliance, a much stronger US military base (replenished with our money) and further geopolitical slavery... We are led by weak old fools living in the past. We must change our lives and that quickly.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
European idiocy. Hundreds of billions spent on US weapons reward = US-Russian alliance:
"We show that Europe has substantially increased its purchases from the US defence industrial base during the last four years, deepening its dependence on US military equipment in the short to medium term."
"We show that Europe has substantially increased its purchases from the US defence industrial base during the last four years, deepening its dependence on US military equipment in the short to medium term."
Europe’s dependence on US foreign military sales and what to do about it
Europe’s reliance on US arms raises autonomy concerns, as security worsens and leaders aim to cut strategic and technological dependence
www.bruegel.org
November 27, 2025 at 10:08 AM
European idiocy. Hundreds of billions spent on US weapons reward = US-Russian alliance:
"We show that Europe has substantially increased its purchases from the US defence industrial base during the last four years, deepening its dependence on US military equipment in the short to medium term."
"We show that Europe has substantially increased its purchases from the US defence industrial base during the last four years, deepening its dependence on US military equipment in the short to medium term."
🧵Feeling thoughtful and calm today - a meditative bitter-sweet soundtrack for doing complex [legal] work:
The Theory of Everything: I. A Model of the Universe
Jóhann Jóhannsson ‧ 2014
The Theory of Everything: I. A Model of the Universe
Jóhann Jóhannsson ‧ 2014
A Model of the Universe
open.spotify.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:43 AM
🧵Feeling thoughtful and calm today - a meditative bitter-sweet soundtrack for doing complex [legal] work:
The Theory of Everything: I. A Model of the Universe
Jóhann Jóhannsson ‧ 2014
The Theory of Everything: I. A Model of the Universe
Jóhann Jóhannsson ‧ 2014
In times of crisis, capital flees to the "safest" jurisdiction. If Europe relies on the US for defence, global investors will still view the US (and the Dollar) as the ultimate safe haven. As Lagarde has acknowledged, a Global Euro relying on American defence is a non-starter.
ECB has new plan to boost Europe’s global influence
The attractiveness of alternative backstops is rising in a financial system that may be losing its anchor.
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 7:30 AM
In times of crisis, capital flees to the "safest" jurisdiction. If Europe relies on the US for defence, global investors will still view the US (and the Dollar) as the ultimate safe haven. As Lagarde has acknowledged, a Global Euro relying on American defence is a non-starter.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
This is like demanding that someone jump out of a plane before they’re given a parachute. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
US demands peace deal before security guarantees for Ukraine
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told European allies that President Donald Trump will negotiate long-term assurances for Ukraine’s safety.
www.politico.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:05 AM
This is like demanding that someone jump out of a plane before they’re given a parachute. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Peter Thiel, der Milliardär, von dem deutsche Politiker gerne den totalen Überwachungsstaat kaufen wollen, nennt Papst Leo den Antichristen der Apokalypse, auf dessen moralische Botschaften die Regierenden auf keinen Fall hören sollen.
Und Magas und Rechte merken wie immer nix. 🤷
Und Magas und Rechte merken wie immer nix. 🤷
NEW: JD Vance’s Top Donor Suggests Pope Leo XIV is Antichrist
In a leaked lecture, Peter Thiel says he’s urged Vance to ignore the pope on moral questions — and simply pray for him.
www.thelettersfromleo.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Peter Thiel, der Milliardär, von dem deutsche Politiker gerne den totalen Überwachungsstaat kaufen wollen, nennt Papst Leo den Antichristen der Apokalypse, auf dessen moralische Botschaften die Regierenden auf keinen Fall hören sollen.
Und Magas und Rechte merken wie immer nix. 🤷
Und Magas und Rechte merken wie immer nix. 🤷
Reposted by Peter Howitt
If you're in Glasgow this Friday afternoon, I'm giving a talk. It's free and all are welcome:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-talk-by-...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-talk-by-...
A talk by George Monbiot: Capitalism, Power and Environmental Justice
George Monbiot will discuss some surprising histories of exploitation, and explore what a new radical politics might look like.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM
If you're in Glasgow this Friday afternoon, I'm giving a talk. It's free and all are welcome:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-talk-by-...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-talk-by-...
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Jewish Anti-Zionist Punk song, one of the best in my opinion - WAY ahead of It's time 👇
Lyrics in the second post (1/6)
Lyrics in the second post (1/6)
נדפקת - גרמניה הנאצית
YouTube video by Nidfakta
www.youtube.com
October 7, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Jewish Anti-Zionist Punk song, one of the best in my opinion - WAY ahead of It's time 👇
Lyrics in the second post (1/6)
Lyrics in the second post (1/6)
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Here are the Royal Courts of Justice for the Palestine Action judicial review
November 26, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Here are the Royal Courts of Justice for the Palestine Action judicial review
Reposted by Peter Howitt
This is an insightful but deeply upsetting article about why everyone in the US feels poor, and why the current political situation emerges as a direct result.
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
Part 1: My Life Is a Lie
How a Broken Benchmark Quietly Broke America
www.yesigiveafig.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:42 AM
This is an insightful but deeply upsetting article about why everyone in the US feels poor, and why the current political situation emerges as a direct result.
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
Reposted by Peter Howitt
The entire job market is impacted due to AI
Unsurprisingly, Israel is one of the countries that was hit the hardest, 2 in 3 organizations in the country slowed down their hirings
This is a combination of war technologies, lack of natural resources and a skyrocketing cost of living
Unsurprisingly, Israel is one of the countries that was hit the hardest, 2 in 3 organizations in the country slowed down their hirings
This is a combination of war technologies, lack of natural resources and a skyrocketing cost of living
November 26, 2025 at 8:03 AM
The entire job market is impacted due to AI
Unsurprisingly, Israel is one of the countries that was hit the hardest, 2 in 3 organizations in the country slowed down their hirings
This is a combination of war technologies, lack of natural resources and a skyrocketing cost of living
Unsurprisingly, Israel is one of the countries that was hit the hardest, 2 in 3 organizations in the country slowed down their hirings
This is a combination of war technologies, lack of natural resources and a skyrocketing cost of living
Reposted by Peter Howitt
On the Prospect Podcast, investigative journalist Mark Wilding from @libertyhq.bsky.social explains how Peter Thiel’s tech giant Palantir has become embedded in the British state—and what it might mean for us in future: www.prospectmagazine...
November 26, 2025 at 7:02 AM
On the Prospect Podcast, investigative journalist Mark Wilding from @libertyhq.bsky.social explains how Peter Thiel’s tech giant Palantir has become embedded in the British state—and what it might mean for us in future: www.prospectmagazine...
Reposted by Peter Howitt
They make, with Absolution added, lovely holiday gifts. Almost look like ornaments. I make my living from book sales and your kindness as readers also allows periodic donations to environmental charities.
Just a reminder: The tenth anniversary editions of the original Southern Reach trilogy are still out in the wild, selling well. NYT bestsellers and on a lot of best-of-decade or this century lists. With new intros by Karen Joy Fowler, NK Jemisin, and Helen MacDonald. Buy from you favorite indie.
November 25, 2025 at 11:48 PM
They make, with Absolution added, lovely holiday gifts. Almost look like ornaments. I make my living from book sales and your kindness as readers also allows periodic donations to environmental charities.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
So surreal it feels extraterrestrial… but it’s all Madagascar.💙😎💙
November 25, 2025 at 11:01 PM
So surreal it feels extraterrestrial… but it’s all Madagascar.💙😎💙
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Holocaust Survivor: “I don’t talk with anyone who denies [Gaza’s genocide.]”
Stephen Kapos, a pro-Palestine activist & Holocaust survivor, sits down w/ Mehdi for a wide-ranging interview on Gaza, Israel, the rise of fascism, & his own story of surviving the Holocaust.
🔗: zeteo.com/p/holocaust-...
Stephen Kapos, a pro-Palestine activist & Holocaust survivor, sits down w/ Mehdi for a wide-ranging interview on Gaza, Israel, the rise of fascism, & his own story of surviving the Holocaust.
🔗: zeteo.com/p/holocaust-...
November 25, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Holocaust Survivor: “I don’t talk with anyone who denies [Gaza’s genocide.]”
Stephen Kapos, a pro-Palestine activist & Holocaust survivor, sits down w/ Mehdi for a wide-ranging interview on Gaza, Israel, the rise of fascism, & his own story of surviving the Holocaust.
🔗: zeteo.com/p/holocaust-...
Stephen Kapos, a pro-Palestine activist & Holocaust survivor, sits down w/ Mehdi for a wide-ranging interview on Gaza, Israel, the rise of fascism, & his own story of surviving the Holocaust.
🔗: zeteo.com/p/holocaust-...
Reposted by Peter Howitt
I think it’s time to put this one back out into the ether, friends
Come and learn about how the tropes undergirding anti-Jewish hatred and conspiracy theories as they exist today came to be…
Come and learn about how the tropes undergirding anti-Jewish hatred and conspiracy theories as they exist today came to be…
The Antisemitism Post (tm)
Gotta get the history to know where the tropes live in the discourse today.
www.lifeisasacredtext.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I think it’s time to put this one back out into the ether, friends
Come and learn about how the tropes undergirding anti-Jewish hatred and conspiracy theories as they exist today came to be…
Come and learn about how the tropes undergirding anti-Jewish hatred and conspiracy theories as they exist today came to be…
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Not good… @rutgerbregman.com’s lecture about the ‘paralysing cowardice’, by fx universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism is censored … out of fear for authoritarianism (and lawsuits)
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Reith lecturer accuses BBC of censoring his remarks on Trump
Dutch writer Rutger Bregman says claim that Trump was ‘most openly corrupt president in US history’ was removed
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Not good… @rutgerbregman.com’s lecture about the ‘paralysing cowardice’, by fx universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism is censored … out of fear for authoritarianism (and lawsuits)
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Honestly, I think some centre-left criticisms of Green policy are fair. But if Labour keeps alienating its natural supporters the Greens will become more viable, more progressive policy experts could start gravitating towards them, and their policy offer could gradually become more compelling.
tbh Polanski seems to have avoided most of the big MMT heffalump traps (allowing that "inflation doesn't go higher" was a misspeak), I'm relatively impressed at whoever's advising him.
November 25, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Honestly, I think some centre-left criticisms of Green policy are fair. But if Labour keeps alienating its natural supporters the Greens will become more viable, more progressive policy experts could start gravitating towards them, and their policy offer could gradually become more compelling.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
"...Let me take your hand, my father, O let me, and do not
Hold back from my embrace.” And as he spoke he wept.
Three times he tried to reach arms round that neck.
Three times the form, reached for in vain, escaped
Like a breeze between his hands, a dream on wings."
(Aeneid IV, Seamus Heaney)
Hold back from my embrace.” And as he spoke he wept.
Three times he tried to reach arms round that neck.
Three times the form, reached for in vain, escaped
Like a breeze between his hands, a dream on wings."
(Aeneid IV, Seamus Heaney)
Elsewhere Anchises
open.spotify.com
October 13, 2025 at 8:35 PM
"...Let me take your hand, my father, O let me, and do not
Hold back from my embrace.” And as he spoke he wept.
Three times he tried to reach arms round that neck.
Three times the form, reached for in vain, escaped
Like a breeze between his hands, a dream on wings."
(Aeneid IV, Seamus Heaney)
Hold back from my embrace.” And as he spoke he wept.
Three times he tried to reach arms round that neck.
Three times the form, reached for in vain, escaped
Like a breeze between his hands, a dream on wings."
(Aeneid IV, Seamus Heaney)
Reposted by Peter Howitt
‘You, Boy!
Go and racially abuse everybody you meet
…but not in a hurtful or insulting way!’
Go and racially abuse everybody you meet
…but not in a hurtful or insulting way!’
November 25, 2025 at 8:13 AM
‘You, Boy!
Go and racially abuse everybody you meet
…but not in a hurtful or insulting way!’
Go and racially abuse everybody you meet
…but not in a hurtful or insulting way!’