Ben Smith
@binsmuth.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Smith
There was no state. Who does she think crucified him, an anarchist collective?
November 28, 2025 at 11:22 AM
There was no state. Who does she think crucified him, an anarchist collective?
Reposted by Ben Smith
#RoadToWRUin Day 10:
Today is apparently the deadline for bids to be submitted to buy Cardiff Rugby from the WRU.
This came as news to a lot of us.
The WRU have made a habit of issuing threats and deadlines without any rationale or proper notice.
Today is apparently the deadline for bids to be submitted to buy Cardiff Rugby from the WRU.
This came as news to a lot of us.
The WRU have made a habit of issuing threats and deadlines without any rationale or proper notice.
November 28, 2025 at 9:19 AM
#RoadToWRUin Day 10:
Today is apparently the deadline for bids to be submitted to buy Cardiff Rugby from the WRU.
This came as news to a lot of us.
The WRU have made a habit of issuing threats and deadlines without any rationale or proper notice.
Today is apparently the deadline for bids to be submitted to buy Cardiff Rugby from the WRU.
This came as news to a lot of us.
The WRU have made a habit of issuing threats and deadlines without any rationale or proper notice.
Reposted by Ben Smith
Pure far right demagoguery from Stephen Miller here
November 28, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Pure far right demagoguery from Stephen Miller here
Reposted by Ben Smith
we have to go back. to warn them.
November 28, 2025 at 2:49 AM
we have to go back. to warn them.
Reposted by Ben Smith
Absolutely unbelievable story of negligence and greed, with Barca signing a deal with a crypto firm that, while it may not be a fraud, it is so opaque that there's no way for fans to assure themselves that it's not.
www.ft.com/content/9fb4...
www.ft.com/content/9fb4...
FC Barcelona’s tie-up with Samoa-based crypto start-up sparks backlash
Heavily indebted club faces accusations of desperation over sponsorship deal with little-known firm Zero-Knowledge Proof
www.ft.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Absolutely unbelievable story of negligence and greed, with Barca signing a deal with a crypto firm that, while it may not be a fraud, it is so opaque that there's no way for fans to assure themselves that it's not.
www.ft.com/content/9fb4...
www.ft.com/content/9fb4...
Reposted by Ben Smith
It's part of the electionification of everything, which is why we as a country are failing to have a proper conversation about our actual problems. It's bad for the left *and* the right.
It's such a bizarre framing. Labour MPs think taking 450k kids out of poverty is putting the country first! That's why they wanted it to happen! It's not because they personally benefit.
Headline on The World at One just now:
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
November 27, 2025 at 10:17 PM
It's part of the electionification of everything, which is why we as a country are failing to have a proper conversation about our actual problems. It's bad for the left *and* the right.
Reposted by Ben Smith
"And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts
And I looked, and behold a pale horse
And his name that sat on him was death, and hell followed with him"
And I looked, and behold a pale horse
And his name that sat on him was death, and hell followed with him"
November 27, 2025 at 1:56 PM
"And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts
And I looked, and behold a pale horse
And his name that sat on him was death, and hell followed with him"
And I looked, and behold a pale horse
And his name that sat on him was death, and hell followed with him"
Reposted by Ben Smith
i mean not to prejudge this, but the cyber expert is likely to say 'yeah you hit publish, mate'
OBR calls in cyber expert over botched release of Budget analysis
OBR calls in cyber expert over botched release of Budget analysis
Rachel Reeves's statement was thrown into chaos after journalists were able to access the document early.
www.bbc.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:25 AM
i mean not to prejudge this, but the cyber expert is likely to say 'yeah you hit publish, mate'
Reposted by Ben Smith
And sack him for the podcasters, the real losers here, if nothing else. There is not a single phrase of new content left to say about Townsend's Scotland
November 27, 2025 at 8:38 AM
And sack him for the podcasters, the real losers here, if nothing else. There is not a single phrase of new content left to say about Townsend's Scotland
Reposted by Ben Smith
The government can stick to this plan, or the government can get re-elected. Unlikely it can do both. Therefore either the government has a death wish or the 27-29 figures are yet another budgetary fairy tale. Remember when this government promised to be serious and not to duck the hard choices?
The government’s spending plans are “25-27: spending increases, 27-29: paaaain” which, uh…the election is 2028-9!
November 26, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The government can stick to this plan, or the government can get re-elected. Unlikely it can do both. Therefore either the government has a death wish or the 27-29 figures are yet another budgetary fairy tale. Remember when this government promised to be serious and not to duck the hard choices?
Reposted by Ben Smith
Lib Dem leader Edward Davey calls for a national investigation into Russian political interference in British politics:
"Given Reform won't, he must. So will he know launch a national investigation into Russian infiltration into our politics?"
Starmer: "Reform is riddled with pro-Putin propaganda"
"Given Reform won't, he must. So will he know launch a national investigation into Russian infiltration into our politics?"
Starmer: "Reform is riddled with pro-Putin propaganda"
November 26, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Lib Dem leader Edward Davey calls for a national investigation into Russian political interference in British politics:
"Given Reform won't, he must. So will he know launch a national investigation into Russian infiltration into our politics?"
Starmer: "Reform is riddled with pro-Putin propaganda"
"Given Reform won't, he must. So will he know launch a national investigation into Russian infiltration into our politics?"
Starmer: "Reform is riddled with pro-Putin propaganda"
Reposted by Ben Smith
Sorry, no, Motability was not about 'helping the most vulnerable' - it was about providing people who need modified vehicles modified vehicles!
November 26, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Sorry, no, Motability was not about 'helping the most vulnerable' - it was about providing people who need modified vehicles modified vehicles!
Reposted by Ben Smith
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
Reposted by Ben Smith
OpenAI says they aren't liable for the suicide of a user their chat bot urged to kill himself because suicide is a violation of the TOS
Additionally, OpenAI argues its not liable because Raine, by using ChatGPT for self-harm, broke its terms of service
November 26, 2025 at 4:43 AM
OpenAI says they aren't liable for the suicide of a user their chat bot urged to kill himself because suicide is a violation of the TOS
Reposted by Ben Smith
#RoadToWRUin Day 8:
Not content with demanding UNLIMITED POWER over pro rugby in Wales, the Stalinist WRU politburo want to own your local semi-pro SRC club as well. Their record in this area isn’t great, so let’s hope this never comes to pass either.
Not content with demanding UNLIMITED POWER over pro rugby in Wales, the Stalinist WRU politburo want to own your local semi-pro SRC club as well. Their record in this area isn’t great, so let’s hope this never comes to pass either.
November 26, 2025 at 8:22 AM
#RoadToWRUin Day 8:
Not content with demanding UNLIMITED POWER over pro rugby in Wales, the Stalinist WRU politburo want to own your local semi-pro SRC club as well. Their record in this area isn’t great, so let’s hope this never comes to pass either.
Not content with demanding UNLIMITED POWER over pro rugby in Wales, the Stalinist WRU politburo want to own your local semi-pro SRC club as well. Their record in this area isn’t great, so let’s hope this never comes to pass either.
Reposted by Ben Smith
Also it adds a particular added degree of madness that this latest round of people frothing about “leaks and speculation” are frothing about…stories written off the back of government press releases, about popular measures.
Happy to discuss the many faults in the media, but I'm begging people who post this stuff to actually engage with the reality that the actual Chancellor of the exchequer held a press conference just a few weeks ago and hinted throughout that taxes were going up.
Political 'journalists' no longer report on the facts and truth.
They share gossip and speculation.
And when the facts are know they move on to the next round of speculation and gossip.
I can guarantee you before the end of today, many in the media will be speculating about the next Budget!
They share gossip and speculation.
And when the facts are know they move on to the next round of speculation and gossip.
I can guarantee you before the end of today, many in the media will be speculating about the next Budget!
November 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Also it adds a particular added degree of madness that this latest round of people frothing about “leaks and speculation” are frothing about…stories written off the back of government press releases, about popular measures.
Reposted by Ben Smith
stupid young people, stop buying a new phone every year if you don't want to be broke. wait no, not like that.
November 25, 2025 at 5:51 PM
stupid young people, stop buying a new phone every year if you don't want to be broke. wait no, not like that.
Reposted by Ben Smith
For anyone outside the UK who tried to pre-order- International shipping to most countries (Including USA & Canada) should be up and running now! Apologies for the delay.
So hey, I wrote a book!
So Rugby, What's That? is a grand adventure through all things rugby- From the great game's origins over a thousand years ago, to Ilona's USA and Siya's Springboks, stopping off at Jonah, Johnny, and the endless joy along the way!
Pre-Order NOW at sorugbywhatsthat.co.uk
So Rugby, What's That? is a grand adventure through all things rugby- From the great game's origins over a thousand years ago, to Ilona's USA and Siya's Springboks, stopping off at Jonah, Johnny, and the endless joy along the way!
Pre-Order NOW at sorugbywhatsthat.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM
For anyone outside the UK who tried to pre-order- International shipping to most countries (Including USA & Canada) should be up and running now! Apologies for the delay.
Reposted by Ben Smith
Sure. I'll stop this war and let all these psychopaths come home and make me look like I can't control Russia. Cos I won't be able to control Russia.
The point that isn't in the plan.
The point that isn't in the plan.
November 25, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Sure. I'll stop this war and let all these psychopaths come home and make me look like I can't control Russia. Cos I won't be able to control Russia.
The point that isn't in the plan.
The point that isn't in the plan.
Reposted by Ben Smith
ICE deported a woman who owned a home in the US for 30 years. A judge banned ICE from deporting her to Sierra Leone where she had been tortured, so it deported her to Ghana, which kidnapped her and sent her back Sierra Leone anyway. ICE is part of this illegal conspiracy.
November 25, 2025 at 4:40 PM
ICE deported a woman who owned a home in the US for 30 years. A judge banned ICE from deporting her to Sierra Leone where she had been tortured, so it deported her to Ghana, which kidnapped her and sent her back Sierra Leone anyway. ICE is part of this illegal conspiracy.
Reposted by Ben Smith
BREAKING: The Trump EPA is abandoning a rule that would strengthen limits on air pollution.
The EPA will no longer defend Biden-era limits on fine-particle pollution, which causes heart and lung disease.
Scientists say this move could lead to dirtier air and more deaths.
The EPA will no longer defend Biden-era limits on fine-particle pollution, which causes heart and lung disease.
Scientists say this move could lead to dirtier air and more deaths.
November 25, 2025 at 8:08 PM
BREAKING: The Trump EPA is abandoning a rule that would strengthen limits on air pollution.
The EPA will no longer defend Biden-era limits on fine-particle pollution, which causes heart and lung disease.
Scientists say this move could lead to dirtier air and more deaths.
The EPA will no longer defend Biden-era limits on fine-particle pollution, which causes heart and lung disease.
Scientists say this move could lead to dirtier air and more deaths.
Reposted by Ben Smith
So hey, I wrote a book!
So Rugby, What's That? is a grand adventure through all things rugby- From the great game's origins over a thousand years ago, to Ilona's USA and Siya's Springboks, stopping off at Jonah, Johnny, and the endless joy along the way!
Pre-Order NOW at sorugbywhatsthat.co.uk
So Rugby, What's That? is a grand adventure through all things rugby- From the great game's origins over a thousand years ago, to Ilona's USA and Siya's Springboks, stopping off at Jonah, Johnny, and the endless joy along the way!
Pre-Order NOW at sorugbywhatsthat.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM
So hey, I wrote a book!
So Rugby, What's That? is a grand adventure through all things rugby- From the great game's origins over a thousand years ago, to Ilona's USA and Siya's Springboks, stopping off at Jonah, Johnny, and the endless joy along the way!
Pre-Order NOW at sorugbywhatsthat.co.uk
So Rugby, What's That? is a grand adventure through all things rugby- From the great game's origins over a thousand years ago, to Ilona's USA and Siya's Springboks, stopping off at Jonah, Johnny, and the endless joy along the way!
Pre-Order NOW at sorugbywhatsthat.co.uk
Reposted by Ben Smith
SEN. KELLY : “They informed me of this in a tweet because this is not about the law. This is about the media cycle, and intimidation… We basically repeated the uniform code of military justice, and they're saying that's in violation of it. It's absurd. Comical.”
November 25, 2025 at 3:15 AM
SEN. KELLY : “They informed me of this in a tweet because this is not about the law. This is about the media cycle, and intimidation… We basically repeated the uniform code of military justice, and they're saying that's in violation of it. It's absurd. Comical.”
Reposted by Ben Smith
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Other
siepr.stanford.edu
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
Reposted by Ben Smith
I think it’s pretty clear at this point that one of the main impacts of LLMs is to disrupt thinking: to make it so that far too many people never properly learn how to do it, and then to control the output so there are thoughts that people never learn how to think.
November 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
I think it’s pretty clear at this point that one of the main impacts of LLMs is to disrupt thinking: to make it so that far too many people never properly learn how to do it, and then to control the output so there are thoughts that people never learn how to think.