Thomas Duffy
@taesaveslives.bsky.social
Talks way too excitedly about niche topics, mostly agricultural, politics and environmental. Formerly a lot of things. Currently minding a robot who milks cows
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Isn’t it amazing that China leaves Europe in the dust on EVs yet the EU policy response is to be more lenient on regulating combustion engine car emissions?
December 13, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Isn’t it amazing that China leaves Europe in the dust on EVs yet the EU policy response is to be more lenient on regulating combustion engine car emissions?
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Europe’s auto industry faces a critical moment as the EU prepares to loosen emissions rules amid intense competition with China and other rivals – Bloomberg: ‘could result in the EU becoming a bastion for yesterday’s technology and doing little to bolster the sector’s flagging competitiveness.’
Europe Tries to Buy Time for Car Industry Stuck in the Present
Europe’s embattled automakers are set to get a breather as they struggle with the transition to emission-free driving, a critical moment that will shape the future of the continent’s transport sector ...
www.bloomberg.com
December 13, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Europe’s auto industry faces a critical moment as the EU prepares to loosen emissions rules amid intense competition with China and other rivals – Bloomberg: ‘could result in the EU becoming a bastion for yesterday’s technology and doing little to bolster the sector’s flagging competitiveness.’
Endless coverage of America is the norm in Ireland
Glorification of Irish emigrants to America is also the norm
So why have we heard so little about an Irish citizen in custody for four whole months? Surely this is a diplomatic incident by now?
#speirgorm
Glorification of Irish emigrants to America is also the norm
So why have we heard so little about an Irish citizen in custody for four whole months? Surely this is a diplomatic incident by now?
#speirgorm
Wow! And to think I was under the impression white people had a “get out of jail free card” when it came to the Trumpeleone regime. Obviously it’s still No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irsh in the good old USA. Still want World Cup tickets?
#irishdiaspora #speirghorm
www.rawstory.com/noem-2674391...
#irishdiaspora #speirghorm
www.rawstory.com/noem-2674391...
Kristi Noem forced to face combat veteran whose Irish wife has been jailed for four months
Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was put in the awkward position of apologizing to U.S. military veterans whose lives have been turned upside down, after a Democratic lawmaker who came arme...
www.rawstory.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Endless coverage of America is the norm in Ireland
Glorification of Irish emigrants to America is also the norm
So why have we heard so little about an Irish citizen in custody for four whole months? Surely this is a diplomatic incident by now?
#speirgorm
Glorification of Irish emigrants to America is also the norm
So why have we heard so little about an Irish citizen in custody for four whole months? Surely this is a diplomatic incident by now?
#speirgorm
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
🪧Current new build 2-bed apartment sales price in Europe
Dublin €600,000
Belfast £189,950 (€216,000)
🇬🇧Manchester £299,995 (€341,000)
🇫🇷Le Mans <hour from Paris
from €159,100
🇩🇪Essen <hour from Düsseldorf
Large 1-bed €265,500
🇵🇹Porto Large 1-bed €240,000
🇮🇹Turin Large 1-bed €190,000
links below
Dublin €600,000
Belfast £189,950 (€216,000)
🇬🇧Manchester £299,995 (€341,000)
🇫🇷Le Mans <hour from Paris
from €159,100
🇩🇪Essen <hour from Düsseldorf
Large 1-bed €265,500
🇵🇹Porto Large 1-bed €240,000
🇮🇹Turin Large 1-bed €190,000
links below
December 10, 2025 at 9:28 AM
🪧Current new build 2-bed apartment sales price in Europe
Dublin €600,000
Belfast £189,950 (€216,000)
🇬🇧Manchester £299,995 (€341,000)
🇫🇷Le Mans <hour from Paris
from €159,100
🇩🇪Essen <hour from Düsseldorf
Large 1-bed €265,500
🇵🇹Porto Large 1-bed €240,000
🇮🇹Turin Large 1-bed €190,000
links below
Dublin €600,000
Belfast £189,950 (€216,000)
🇬🇧Manchester £299,995 (€341,000)
🇫🇷Le Mans <hour from Paris
from €159,100
🇩🇪Essen <hour from Düsseldorf
Large 1-bed €265,500
🇵🇹Porto Large 1-bed €240,000
🇮🇹Turin Large 1-bed €190,000
links below
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
“Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Poland are listed as countries the U.S. should “work more with…with the goal of pulling them away from the [European Union].”“
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
‘Make Europe Great Again’ and more from a longer version of the National Security Strategy
A fuller version reviewed by Defense One outlines the Trump administration’s plans for shedding old relationships and creating new ones.
www.defenseone.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:54 AM
“Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Poland are listed as countries the U.S. should “work more with…with the goal of pulling them away from the [European Union].”“
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Wow, this meta analysis was entirely fictional. This thread reveals that it appears to be AI generated bullshit loaded with fake citations.
We are entering a very worrisome situation where AI can generate papers that look real at a glance—this one fooled me too.
We are entering a very worrisome situation where AI can generate papers that look real at a glance—this one fooled me too.
So...my undergrad thesis student is doing a quality analysis of studies found in meta-analyses. She identified a few and we contacted the authors to request their effect sizes and other variables for the studies in their papers.
Here's what happened:
scientiapsychiatrica.com/index.php/Sc...
Here's what happened:
scientiapsychiatrica.com/index.php/Sc...
The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health: A Meta-Analysis | Scientia Psychiatrica
Introduction: The proliferation of social media has raised significant concerns about its potential effects on the mental health of adolescents. This meta-analysis aims to provide a comprehensive asse...
scientiapsychiatrica.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Wow, this meta analysis was entirely fictional. This thread reveals that it appears to be AI generated bullshit loaded with fake citations.
We are entering a very worrisome situation where AI can generate papers that look real at a glance—this one fooled me too.
We are entering a very worrisome situation where AI can generate papers that look real at a glance—this one fooled me too.
Recent trip to Germany kinda shocked me. I'd heard from German friends that their country was stagnating. Talk of fax machines and card refusal.
But it was most obvious at the taxi rank outside the airport.
Trapped between superior engineering & cheaper production Germany is desperate #EU #Speirgorm
But it was most obvious at the taxi rank outside the airport.
Trapped between superior engineering & cheaper production Germany is desperate #EU #Speirgorm
Pressure from EU countries, lawmakers and the automotive industry is likely pushing the European Commission to delay the revision of the bloc's ban on diesel and petrol cars by 2035.
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/85pw
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/85pw
December 8, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Recent trip to Germany kinda shocked me. I'd heard from German friends that their country was stagnating. Talk of fax machines and card refusal.
But it was most obvious at the taxi rank outside the airport.
Trapped between superior engineering & cheaper production Germany is desperate #EU #Speirgorm
But it was most obvious at the taxi rank outside the airport.
Trapped between superior engineering & cheaper production Germany is desperate #EU #Speirgorm
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Farley:
"The current rules dictate a rapid shift to EVs. The elephant in the room is that European customers — both individuals and businesses — simply are not buying EVs in big numbers."
Reality:
"Electric cars are up 26%, with 2 million BEVs registered so far in 2025."
⚡️⚡️⚡️
#alwaysbecharging
"The current rules dictate a rapid shift to EVs. The elephant in the room is that European customers — both individuals and businesses — simply are not buying EVs in big numbers."
Reality:
"Electric cars are up 26%, with 2 million BEVs registered so far in 2025."
⚡️⚡️⚡️
#alwaysbecharging
December 8, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Farley:
"The current rules dictate a rapid shift to EVs. The elephant in the room is that European customers — both individuals and businesses — simply are not buying EVs in big numbers."
Reality:
"Electric cars are up 26%, with 2 million BEVs registered so far in 2025."
⚡️⚡️⚡️
#alwaysbecharging
"The current rules dictate a rapid shift to EVs. The elephant in the room is that European customers — both individuals and businesses — simply are not buying EVs in big numbers."
Reality:
"Electric cars are up 26%, with 2 million BEVs registered so far in 2025."
⚡️⚡️⚡️
#alwaysbecharging
Ironically the EU Commissioner from the country most closely tied to that hellish app is the only one to stop?
#speirgorm
#speirgorm
So what's the outcome?
2️⃣5️⃣ of the 27 Commissioners have posted in the last week
2️⃣4️⃣ of the 27 generally post every week (Albuquerque has never been on X, Ribera is sporadic, McGrath has somehow stopped)
0️⃣ have stopped as a result of what Twitter has become since the Musk takeover
2️⃣5️⃣ of the 27 Commissioners have posted in the last week
2️⃣4️⃣ of the 27 generally post every week (Albuquerque has never been on X, Ribera is sporadic, McGrath has somehow stopped)
0️⃣ have stopped as a result of what Twitter has become since the Musk takeover
December 7, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Ironically the EU Commissioner from the country most closely tied to that hellish app is the only one to stop?
#speirgorm
#speirgorm
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard Mode: No Star Wars, Marvel etc
#SpeirGorm
#SpeirGorm
December 7, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard Mode: No Star Wars, Marvel etc
#SpeirGorm
#SpeirGorm
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
The true scandal here is that the @ec.europa.eu has an advertising account on X. Why are our taxes used to finance Nazi propaganda?
www.politico.eu/article/x-ax...
www.politico.eu/article/x-ax...
X axes European Commission’s ad account after €120M EU fine
Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, accused the EU executive of trying to amplify its own social media post about the fine on X by trying “to take advantage of an exploit in our Ad Composer.”…
www.politico.eu
December 7, 2025 at 10:50 AM
The true scandal here is that the @ec.europa.eu has an advertising account on X. Why are our taxes used to finance Nazi propaganda?
www.politico.eu/article/x-ax...
www.politico.eu/article/x-ax...
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Most interesting quote in Macron post China interview in Les Echos is on ASML
He proposes "mutual dismantling of our aggressive policies, such as restrictions on the export of semiconductor machinery on European side and... rare earths on Chinese side"
He proposes "mutual dismantling of our aggressive policies, such as restrictions on the export of semiconductor machinery on European side and... rare earths on Chinese side"
« La Chine vient percuter le coeur du modèle industriel européen », prévient Emmanuel Macron | Les Echos
Dans un entretien accordé aux « Echos », le président de la République hausse le ton vis-à-vis des Chinois qu'il menace de droits de douane. Il invite les entreprises chinoises à investir sur le sol européen, avec des transferts de technologie. Le chef de l'Etat demande aussi un ajustement de la politique monétaire dans la zone euro.
www.lesechos.fr
December 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Most interesting quote in Macron post China interview in Les Echos is on ASML
He proposes "mutual dismantling of our aggressive policies, such as restrictions on the export of semiconductor machinery on European side and... rare earths on Chinese side"
He proposes "mutual dismantling of our aggressive policies, such as restrictions on the export of semiconductor machinery on European side and... rare earths on Chinese side"
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
The EU’s €120M fine on Musk’s X is a first step, yet the platform remains a vector for a broader US agenda steering Europe to the right, says Alexandra Geese, a Member of the European Parliament from Germany. Digital oversight must match the scale of the threat to Europe’s sovereignty, Geese argues.
Europe Fined X, But It's Still Avoiding the Real Threat to Democracy | TechPolicy.Press
The European Commission's enforcement action is not sufficient to address the systemic risks posed by X, says MEP Alexandra Geese.
www.techpolicy.press
December 6, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The EU’s €120M fine on Musk’s X is a first step, yet the platform remains a vector for a broader US agenda steering Europe to the right, says Alexandra Geese, a Member of the European Parliament from Germany. Digital oversight must match the scale of the threat to Europe’s sovereignty, Geese argues.
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Netherlands announce a new Vacant Home Tax
64k empty empty homes for 1 yr
0.7% of their housing stock
Compared to Ireland who has 72k-80k empty
3.3%-3.7% of Irish homes
#VacantIreland the gateway to #DerelictIreland
64k empty empty homes for 1 yr
0.7% of their housing stock
Compared to Ireland who has 72k-80k empty
3.3%-3.7% of Irish homes
#VacantIreland the gateway to #DerelictIreland
December 5, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Just saw an iPod classic on donedeal for €200 & a Walkman for €54.
Have I officially become so old my fav devices have turned into antiques.
Is this what watching antiques roadshow while elderly is like? Thinking 'I had one of those' about a whale boning tablet or something?
#speirgorm
Have I officially become so old my fav devices have turned into antiques.
Is this what watching antiques roadshow while elderly is like? Thinking 'I had one of those' about a whale boning tablet or something?
#speirgorm
December 5, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Just saw an iPod classic on donedeal for €200 & a Walkman for €54.
Have I officially become so old my fav devices have turned into antiques.
Is this what watching antiques roadshow while elderly is like? Thinking 'I had one of those' about a whale boning tablet or something?
#speirgorm
Have I officially become so old my fav devices have turned into antiques.
Is this what watching antiques roadshow while elderly is like? Thinking 'I had one of those' about a whale boning tablet or something?
#speirgorm
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Europeans are waking up this morning to find the new US National Security Strategy (quietly) released. And what it has to say on Europe could not be clearer. On the „stark prospect of civilizations erasure“ for example. 👇
December 5, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Europeans are waking up this morning to find the new US National Security Strategy (quietly) released. And what it has to say on Europe could not be clearer. On the „stark prospect of civilizations erasure“ for example. 👇
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
Sometimes people tell me that I exaggerate when I say that the US openly hostile towards Europe. The NSS speaks a very clear language though, and it is a hostile one.
Europeans are waking up this morning to find the new US National Security Strategy (quietly) released. And what it has to say on Europe could not be clearer. On the „stark prospect of civilizations erasure“ for example. 👇
December 5, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Sometimes people tell me that I exaggerate when I say that the US openly hostile towards Europe. The NSS speaks a very clear language though, and it is a hostile one.
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
The shift to EVs is happening—fast. Manufacturers can either embrace the long-term transition or chase short-term gains by clinging to petrol and diesel.
China is choosing the long view. Many in Europe aren’t. The risk? Ending up with cars no one wants, lost market share, and shuttered factories.
China is choosing the long view. Many in Europe aren’t. The risk? Ending up with cars no one wants, lost market share, and shuttered factories.
December 4, 2025 at 1:58 PM
The shift to EVs is happening—fast. Manufacturers can either embrace the long-term transition or chase short-term gains by clinging to petrol and diesel.
China is choosing the long view. Many in Europe aren’t. The risk? Ending up with cars no one wants, lost market share, and shuttered factories.
China is choosing the long view. Many in Europe aren’t. The risk? Ending up with cars no one wants, lost market share, and shuttered factories.
But wind turbines are an "eye sore", meanwhile we burn this shit
A human rights report commissioned by the Netherlands has laid out further evidence that Mozambican government soldiers in the pay of TotalEnergies were responsible for a 2021 massacre first revealed by POLITICO.
Dutch report confirms massacre at TotalEnergies’ Mozambique gas project
A government-funded investigation backs witness claims first reported by POLITICO.
www.politico.eu
December 4, 2025 at 8:56 AM
But wind turbines are an "eye sore", meanwhile we burn this shit
Reposted by Thomas Duffy
If Europe gives back the Russian frozen assets, it'll be pretty ironic when Russia uses that money to rebuild its military and attack Europe.
Can't get stupider than this.
SEIZE THE ASSETS NOW BEFORE ITS TOO LATE.
Can't get stupider than this.
SEIZE THE ASSETS NOW BEFORE ITS TOO LATE.
December 3, 2025 at 1:38 AM
If Europe gives back the Russian frozen assets, it'll be pretty ironic when Russia uses that money to rebuild its military and attack Europe.
Can't get stupider than this.
SEIZE THE ASSETS NOW BEFORE ITS TOO LATE.
Can't get stupider than this.
SEIZE THE ASSETS NOW BEFORE ITS TOO LATE.
Statically we only enjoy 10% of our cows. The rest is exported as food to places it would make less sense to produce it in.
Our cars and energy is however heavily dependent on importing fossil fuels.
Despite us having some of the vest renewable potential in the world #speirgorm
Our cars and energy is however heavily dependent on importing fossil fuels.
Despite us having some of the vest renewable potential in the world #speirgorm
We are soooo shite. We trade on the touristic image of our green fields and wild spaces. But we are frauds. Laggards. We expect the world to do all the heavy lifting whilst we enjoy our cows, cars and oil central heating.
Hypocrites. #Ireland #speirgorm
Hypocrites. #Ireland #speirgorm
Ireland second highest in EU for greenhouse gas emissions per person
December 3, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Statically we only enjoy 10% of our cows. The rest is exported as food to places it would make less sense to produce it in.
Our cars and energy is however heavily dependent on importing fossil fuels.
Despite us having some of the vest renewable potential in the world #speirgorm
Our cars and energy is however heavily dependent on importing fossil fuels.
Despite us having some of the vest renewable potential in the world #speirgorm
Funnel money tax payers money from food producers actually producing food to instead the tech bros in 'novel protein' aka stuff that's failing miserably in the market.
This is a weird mirror of the AI bubble, both are destructive to actual working people & environment #EU #CAP #speirgorm
This is a weird mirror of the AI bubble, both are destructive to actual working people & environment #EU #CAP #speirgorm
Is the EU’s new Common Agricultural Policy steering the bloc towards a more sustainable food system?
Associate Professor Jeroen Candel’s response is unequivocal: “No, it's not.”
He explains why at our #POLITICOSustainableSummit 👇
More on our live blog: www.politico.eu/article/sust...
Associate Professor Jeroen Candel’s response is unequivocal: “No, it's not.”
He explains why at our #POLITICOSustainableSummit 👇
More on our live blog: www.politico.eu/article/sust...
December 3, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Funnel money tax payers money from food producers actually producing food to instead the tech bros in 'novel protein' aka stuff that's failing miserably in the market.
This is a weird mirror of the AI bubble, both are destructive to actual working people & environment #EU #CAP #speirgorm
This is a weird mirror of the AI bubble, both are destructive to actual working people & environment #EU #CAP #speirgorm