Grumpy Philosopher
@stevecooke.org
Grumpy. Associate Professor of Political Philosophy. Animal rights, ethics of activism, political philosophy.
Homepage: https://stevecooke.org/
Homepage: https://stevecooke.org/
Pinned
Grumpy Philosopher
@stevecooke.org
· Dec 5
Steve Cooke – Adventures in Philosophy
stevecooke.org
I've built myself a website, which includes a list of journals for animal rights philosophers to submit to (organised by publisher), a couple of syllabi, my essay writing guide for political philosophy students, & articles that philosophers say have changed their minds: stevecooke.org
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
November 25, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
Watching the Marseille vs Newcastle match just in the hope that Mason Greenwood gets kicked in the balls and both squads are hit by a freak bullet ant swarm. I’m a Spurs fan, so I’m used to disappointment.
November 25, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Watching the Marseille vs Newcastle match just in the hope that Mason Greenwood gets kicked in the balls and both squads are hit by a freak bullet ant swarm. I’m a Spurs fan, so I’m used to disappointment.
Reform are a disgrace & Zia Yusuf is as obnoxiously wrong about this as he is about everything. But, I don’t know how a Labour minister has the chutzpah to write this. You don’t get to deliberately wreck the sector & then claim you’re backing young people to go to university. Unbelievably galling.
Always the way, isn't it? Graduate from top uni says other people shouldn't aspire to go to university.
The Prime Minister's target – two thirds of young people getting a degree or an apprenticeship – is the right one. Only Labour backs our young people.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
The Prime Minister's target – two thirds of young people getting a degree or an apprenticeship – is the right one. Only Labour backs our young people.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Reform UK bigwig who went to top university says fewer others should do the same
Reform UK's former chairman calls for "fewer people going to university" after benefiting from a degree from one of the country's most prestigious ones himself
www.mirror.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Reform are a disgrace & Zia Yusuf is as obnoxiously wrong about this as he is about everything. But, I don’t know how a Labour minister has the chutzpah to write this. You don’t get to deliberately wreck the sector & then claim you’re backing young people to go to university. Unbelievably galling.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
can anyone who understands finance lingo tell me if this is a good or bad sign??
OpenAI needs to raise at least $207bn by 2030 so it can continue to lose money, HSBC estimates on.ft.com/4ij0yh8
OpenAI needs to raise at least $207bn by 2030 so it can continue to lose money, HSBC estimates
A burning platform
on.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:44 PM
can anyone who understands finance lingo tell me if this is a good or bad sign??
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Lovely review of Playing Possum by Travis Timmerman, published in Ethics. Above all I'm thrilled that the extremely silly word "jepperfication" (made up by @richardmoore.bsky.social to help me translate the also made up "jontrinfuncación") has made it into such a posh journal.
philpapers.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Lovely review of Playing Possum by Travis Timmerman, published in Ethics. Above all I'm thrilled that the extremely silly word "jepperfication" (made up by @richardmoore.bsky.social to help me translate the also made up "jontrinfuncación") has made it into such a posh journal.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
'higher education providers at risk of exiting market' 🤷♂️
I'm old enough to remember that higher education was seen as a public good.
I'm old enough to remember that higher education was seen as a public good.
November 25, 2025 at 7:06 PM
'higher education providers at risk of exiting market' 🤷♂️
I'm old enough to remember that higher education was seen as a public good.
I'm old enough to remember that higher education was seen as a public good.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
This excellent graduate conference is taking place tomorrow!
(Wednesday 26 November.)
(Wednesday 26 November.)
KCL PPE for Public Policy Graduate
Conference
📅Date: 26 Nov 2025
🏟️Place: KCL Waterloo Campus
🎤Keynote: Prof. Jonathan Wolff
📊Sessions: Interdisciplinary & Policy-oriented (see ⤵︎for details)
📝Register here:
kclppe4pp.github.io
Please come join us!!
#PPE #Econsky #Philsky
#Polisky #Policysky
Conference
📅Date: 26 Nov 2025
🏟️Place: KCL Waterloo Campus
🎤Keynote: Prof. Jonathan Wolff
📊Sessions: Interdisciplinary & Policy-oriented (see ⤵︎for details)
📝Register here:
kclppe4pp.github.io
Please come join us!!
#PPE #Econsky #Philsky
#Polisky #Policysky
November 25, 2025 at 6:56 PM
This excellent graduate conference is taking place tomorrow!
(Wednesday 26 November.)
(Wednesday 26 November.)
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
attempting to describe the vibes of the moment. have yet to do better than: "imagine watching a documentary reenacting the burning of the Library of Alexandria set to the soundtrack of 'Yakety Sax'"
February 6, 2025 at 3:59 AM
attempting to describe the vibes of the moment. have yet to do better than: "imagine watching a documentary reenacting the burning of the Library of Alexandria set to the soundtrack of 'Yakety Sax'"
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
I see we've entered the making-movies-for-the-strongman phase of democratic decline.
‘Rush Hour 4’ in the Works at Paramount at Trump’s Request
"Rush Hour 4" in the works at Paramount after prodding from president Trump.
variety.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:52 PM
I see we've entered the making-movies-for-the-strongman phase of democratic decline.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Yay, the the program I'm studying with has joined Bluesky!
Hello Bluesky! We're the official Bsky account for the online part-time MSc International Animal Welfare Ethics and Law at the University of Edinburgh. We're just getting our account up and running, but you can find out more about us here: vet.ed.ac.uk/education/po...
International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law | The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies | The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
A fully flexible postgraduate programme designed to address the demand for online animal welfare education suitable for working professionals and others with an interest in studying a range of animal ...
vet.ed.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Yay, the the program I'm studying with has joined Bluesky!
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
this is good
I’ve been running around asking tech execs and academics if language was the same as intelligence for over a year now - and, well, it isn’t. @benjaminjriley.bsky.social explains how the bubble is built on ignoring cutting-edge research into the science of thought www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
November 25, 2025 at 2:56 PM
this is good
Why not go the whole hog and just have the Home Secretary decide whether defendants are guilty or innocent?
Jury trials in England and Wales to be scrapped except for most serious cases on.ft.com/3LY1Ceq
Jury trials in England and Wales to be scrapped except for most serious cases
Proposed changes unlikely to apply for trials of serious offences such as rape and murder
on.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Why not go the whole hog and just have the Home Secretary decide whether defendants are guilty or innocent?
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
This was a long form interview about our new research by the fantastic @adamfleming.bsky.social where I tried to summarise the findings - and their political implications - as simply as possible in 'talking human, not academic' form:
🎙️ "Those economic worries are critical. They matter across the board, they matter in magnitude and they're having a number of indirect effects."
@profjanegreen.bsky.social discusses @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social latest report on Newscast last night. Starts at 23mins.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
@profjanegreen.bsky.social discusses @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social latest report on Newscast last night. Starts at 23mins.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Newscast - Another Trump Ukraine Peace Plan - BBC Sounds
Trump hints at 'big progress' in Ukraine talks.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 PM
This was a long form interview about our new research by the fantastic @adamfleming.bsky.social where I tried to summarise the findings - and their political implications - as simply as possible in 'talking human, not academic' form:
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
The idea that within a notoriously glacial system you can tinker - during the cycle no less - with a framework that rewards past performance, and hope that this leads to more strategic outcomes is... bold.
REF changes ‘to help deliver new UKRI objectives’, says Ian Chapman
National funding agency handed new targets tied to government priorities as part of R&D revamp
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
National funding agency handed new targets tied to government priorities as part of R&D revamp
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF changes ‘to help deliver new UKRI objectives’, says Chapman - Research Professional News
National funding agency handed new targets tied to government priorities as part of R&D revamp
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
The idea that within a notoriously glacial system you can tinker - during the cycle no less - with a framework that rewards past performance, and hope that this leads to more strategic outcomes is... bold.
A highly educated society is a better society. Everyone with the desire & ability should be able to go to university. Individuals & society benefit, whatever the subject, so education costs should be subsidised. Public research is a common good. That, apparently, is a controversial take.
November 25, 2025 at 11:34 AM
A highly educated society is a better society. Everyone with the desire & ability should be able to go to university. Individuals & society benefit, whatever the subject, so education costs should be subsidised. Public research is a common good. That, apparently, is a controversial take.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
What would the government do if an HEI became insolvent? JS: We would not intervene solely in the interests of the provider, but would potentially intervene on behalf of students and research. [It's a good thing then that HEIs don't have any staff]. 3/n
November 25, 2025 at 10:38 AM
What would the government do if an HEI became insolvent? JS: We would not intervene solely in the interests of the provider, but would potentially intervene on behalf of students and research. [It's a good thing then that HEIs don't have any staff]. 3/n
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Excellent public service from Dave here - live-tweeting the Education Committee hearings on what to expect (nothing good) in the UK university sector.
"A system built on specialisation, efficiency", that right there is the death knell for the current university system in the UK, if (big if) government pushes it through. They actively don't want HE to grow, they will intervene, apparently, to help it shrink.
per this morning's education committee.
per this morning's education committee.
November 25, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Excellent public service from Dave here - live-tweeting the Education Committee hearings on what to expect (nothing good) in the UK university sector.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
This is great, Smith seems to think they can continue to "support research" in the middle of a compulsory rapid liquidation of a university. That is absolutely amazing levels of wishful thinking.
November 25, 2025 at 10:23 AM
This is great, Smith seems to think they can continue to "support research" in the middle of a compulsory rapid liquidation of a university. That is absolutely amazing levels of wishful thinking.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
here's your headline:
They (OfS) still expect 45% of ALL universities to report a deficit this academic year. They are not accounting for "significant variation" across the system (i.e. different types and sizes of institution).
They (OfS) still expect 45% of ALL universities to report a deficit this academic year. They are not accounting for "significant variation" across the system (i.e. different types and sizes of institution).
November 25, 2025 at 10:16 AM
here's your headline:
They (OfS) still expect 45% of ALL universities to report a deficit this academic year. They are not accounting for "significant variation" across the system (i.e. different types and sizes of institution).
They (OfS) still expect 45% of ALL universities to report a deficit this academic year. They are not accounting for "significant variation" across the system (i.e. different types and sizes of institution).
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
"A system built on specialisation, efficiency", that right there is the death knell for the current university system in the UK, if (big if) government pushes it through. They actively don't want HE to grow, they will intervene, apparently, to help it shrink.
per this morning's education committee.
per this morning's education committee.
November 25, 2025 at 10:06 AM
"A system built on specialisation, efficiency", that right there is the death knell for the current university system in the UK, if (big if) government pushes it through. They actively don't want HE to grow, they will intervene, apparently, to help it shrink.
per this morning's education committee.
per this morning's education committee.
A strange and anti-journalistic decision from the BBC given that the claim is objectively true and verifiable.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:49 AM
A strange and anti-journalistic decision from the BBC given that the claim is objectively true and verifiable.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Great to see some content now populating the JME Practical Bioethics website! An editorial, a correspondence ... and our first peer-reviewed article, an inside look at the recent revision of the Declaration of Helsinki ☺️ jmepb.bmj.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Great to see some content now populating the JME Practical Bioethics website! An editorial, a correspondence ... and our first peer-reviewed article, an inside look at the recent revision of the Declaration of Helsinki ☺️ jmepb.bmj.com
The news reports that US diplomats are due to meet with Russian negotiators in Doha to discuss Ukraine. Surely this could just be an email? Presumably both delegations will be taking the same flight from Moscow.
November 25, 2025 at 9:21 AM
The news reports that US diplomats are due to meet with Russian negotiators in Doha to discuss Ukraine. Surely this could just be an email? Presumably both delegations will be taking the same flight from Moscow.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
The top two posts on my Instagram feed are from two Labour cabinet ministers and are slightly different in tone, approach, and engagement.
November 25, 2025 at 9:04 AM
The top two posts on my Instagram feed are from two Labour cabinet ministers and are slightly different in tone, approach, and engagement.
I see that Star Wars Rankings is trending. Here’s my top 5:
1. The City on the Edge of Forever
2. The Best of Both Worlds
3. The Wrath of Khan
4. The Trouble with Tribbles
5. Remembrance of the Daleks
6. Kobol's Last Gleaming
1. The City on the Edge of Forever
2. The Best of Both Worlds
3. The Wrath of Khan
4. The Trouble with Tribbles
5. Remembrance of the Daleks
6. Kobol's Last Gleaming
November 25, 2025 at 9:07 AM
I see that Star Wars Rankings is trending. Here’s my top 5:
1. The City on the Edge of Forever
2. The Best of Both Worlds
3. The Wrath of Khan
4. The Trouble with Tribbles
5. Remembrance of the Daleks
6. Kobol's Last Gleaming
1. The City on the Edge of Forever
2. The Best of Both Worlds
3. The Wrath of Khan
4. The Trouble with Tribbles
5. Remembrance of the Daleks
6. Kobol's Last Gleaming