David Futyan
@davidfutyan.bsky.social
Former particle physicist. Mountain and weather enthusiast. Value tolerance, compassion, reason and truth.
Reposted by David Futyan
This is essential: a democracy *must* know who is paying its politicians and where that money is coming from.
Cryptocurrency is *designed* to make that impossible.
The whole point is to lift payments outside the scrutiny of the state.
Cryptocurrency is *designed* to make that impossible.
The whole point is to lift payments outside the scrutiny of the state.
Seven Select Committee Chairs have written jointly to the Prime Minister calling for an explicit ban on cryptocurrency donations in the forthcoming Elections Bill.
This is not an argument about digital assets. It is an argument about democratic integrity.
This is not an argument about digital assets. It is an argument about democratic integrity.
January 12, 2026 at 9:24 AM
This is essential: a democracy *must* know who is paying its politicians and where that money is coming from.
Cryptocurrency is *designed* to make that impossible.
The whole point is to lift payments outside the scrutiny of the state.
Cryptocurrency is *designed* to make that impossible.
The whole point is to lift payments outside the scrutiny of the state.
Reposted by David Futyan
If a shop was selling the material Grok has been producing, it would be prosecuted.
So the question is whether X is subject to the same laws as everyone else, or whether it can intimidate govts into exempting it.
Equality before the law is not "fascism". It's one of our best defences against it.
So the question is whether X is subject to the same laws as everyone else, or whether it can intimidate govts into exempting it.
Equality before the law is not "fascism". It's one of our best defences against it.
Musk calls the UK government "fascist" because it has said the Twitter platform shouldn't break the laws that apply to all platforms. It is important for the government to get across how extreme the unlawful content that X keeps protecting & even coproducing is
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Elon Musk calls UK government ‘fascist’ over touted X ban
The tech billionaire hits back at calls to boycott the platform because its Grok AI tool allows users to digitally undress women and girls
www.thetimes.com
January 11, 2026 at 10:41 PM
If a shop was selling the material Grok has been producing, it would be prosecuted.
So the question is whether X is subject to the same laws as everyone else, or whether it can intimidate govts into exempting it.
Equality before the law is not "fascism". It's one of our best defences against it.
So the question is whether X is subject to the same laws as everyone else, or whether it can intimidate govts into exempting it.
Equality before the law is not "fascism". It's one of our best defences against it.
Francis Fukuyama providing some hope for the US (and the world)
www.persuasion.community/p/dont-panic...
www.persuasion.community/p/dont-panic...
Don’t Panic, Trump Is Flagging
The president has done exceptional damage over the past year. Now he's losing steam.
www.persuasion.community
January 11, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Francis Fukuyama providing some hope for the US (and the world)
www.persuasion.community/p/dont-panic...
www.persuasion.community/p/dont-panic...
Reposted by David Futyan
Aiguilles de Chamonix plastered with snow tonight after huge recent snowfall (>1m at these elevations) 🏔️❄️
@lomdumtblanc.bsky.social
@lomdumtblanc.bsky.social
January 11, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Aiguilles de Chamonix plastered with snow tonight after huge recent snowfall (>1m at these elevations) 🏔️❄️
@lomdumtblanc.bsky.social
@lomdumtblanc.bsky.social
Reposted by David Futyan
Joint statement by 4 former officials in Democratic and Republican Administrations—including four NATO Ambassadors, 3 Assistant Secretaries of State for Europe, and 3 NSC Senior Directors.
Excellent opening in particular.
Excellent opening in particular.
America’s Strategic Alliance with Denmark and NATO
A statement by 14 former officials in Democratic and Republican Administrations—including four NATO Ambassadors, 3 Assistant Secretaries of State for Europe, and 3 NSC Senior Directors
newsletter.ivodaalder.com
January 11, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Joint statement by 4 former officials in Democratic and Republican Administrations—including four NATO Ambassadors, 3 Assistant Secretaries of State for Europe, and 3 NSC Senior Directors.
Excellent opening in particular.
Excellent opening in particular.
Reposted by David Futyan
Serious and compelling analysis from @philipstephens.bsky.social, which is consonant with @martinsandbu.ft.com's piece today: www.ft.com/content/1da0... (and FWVLIW with my latest blogpost). We Europeans (whether EU MS or not) are going to have to face up to this, and the sooner the better. 1/2
January 11, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Serious and compelling analysis from @philipstephens.bsky.social, which is consonant with @martinsandbu.ft.com's piece today: www.ft.com/content/1da0... (and FWVLIW with my latest blogpost). We Europeans (whether EU MS or not) are going to have to face up to this, and the sooner the better. 1/2
"Trump ... recognises only one constraint on his ability to act: “My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.” All the other official checks or balances are as nothing."
“Trump has given an honest account of how he sees himself: not so much a national president as a global emperor. Now those who oppose him have to be just as honest.” Latest column www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
From Caracas to Minneapolis, the threat is the same – an American president ruling like a global emperor | Jonathan Freedland
Trump’s admission that he recognises no constraint outside his own morality was a horrifying moment of truth, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:54 AM
"Trump ... recognises only one constraint on his ability to act: “My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.” All the other official checks or balances are as nothing."
Reposted by David Futyan
important point from @louisehaighmp.bsky.social ; MPs removing themselves from X isn't just registering disapproval of X, it's saying to constituents/NGOs/journalists/public generally: you don't have to be in this horrible place, and run the gauntlets that involves, to interact with us.
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.
January 8, 2026 at 7:26 PM
important point from @louisehaighmp.bsky.social ; MPs removing themselves from X isn't just registering disapproval of X, it's saying to constituents/NGOs/journalists/public generally: you don't have to be in this horrible place, and run the gauntlets that involves, to interact with us.
Reposted by David Futyan
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.
January 8, 2026 at 12:31 PM
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.
The glove compartment of Renee Good’s car. Her son is six years old.
January 8, 2026 at 10:04 AM
The glove compartment of Renee Good’s car. Her son is six years old.
Reposted by David Futyan
"we live in a world … that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power. These are the iron laws of the world". (Stephen Miller, White House deputy Chief of Staff).
This is what that world looks like.
The history of freedom is the struggle to constrain power by law
This is what that world looks like.
The history of freedom is the struggle to constrain power by law
👉 ICE Abusing Protesters After Murdering Driver 1/7/26
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnfi...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnfi...
January 8, 2026 at 9:09 AM
"we live in a world … that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power. These are the iron laws of the world". (Stephen Miller, White House deputy Chief of Staff).
This is what that world looks like.
The history of freedom is the struggle to constrain power by law
This is what that world looks like.
The history of freedom is the struggle to constrain power by law
Reposted by David Futyan
From a VF piece in *2017* that I cannot forget almost a decade later. At the time I thought Americans were too savvy to fall for it. 😶 “As the Kremlin has long known, once you've successfully swamped truth, you're no longer accountable for your actions.” www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/03...
![=
VANITY FAIR
At the heart of this mind-set is the idea that there is no such thing as objective truth or even facts, because everything is spun or disguised to reflect advantageously on one group or another. "The whole idea of values has been thoroughly debased [in Russia], to the extent that if you talk about Western values you'll just get a laugh," says Ben Nimmo, a research fellow at the Atlantic Council. This environment of toxic cynicism allows Putin's word to be as good as anyone else's, because according to Moscow's worldview everyone, including and especially westerners, is a self-righteous hypocrite and a liar. "There is definitely the approach by the Kremlin-funded media that everybody is equally bad; therefore there is no such thing as bad anymore," Nimmo says.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wjq4sy2q7efirropxrimfptf/bafkreia36mdghf3tplmpajpl5t6xgx25yu22i5eiz2vac32ltqxw2dmqiy@jpeg)
January 7, 2026 at 10:00 PM
From a VF piece in *2017* that I cannot forget almost a decade later. At the time I thought Americans were too savvy to fall for it. 😶 “As the Kremlin has long known, once you've successfully swamped truth, you're no longer accountable for your actions.” www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/03...
Reposted by David Futyan
This is what it looks like to live in a world, to quote Stephen Miller, "that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power".
The rule of law & constitutional govt exist to stop the strong doing what they want & killing who they want.
That ideal is under open attack
The rule of law & constitutional govt exist to stop the strong doing what they want & killing who they want.
That ideal is under open attack
There is video of the shooting of a woman by ICE in Minneapolis circulating that shows an ICE agent repeatedly shooting her at point blank range while she tries to drive off. There was no obvious threat to any ICE agent.
January 7, 2026 at 10:13 PM
This is what it looks like to live in a world, to quote Stephen Miller, "that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power".
The rule of law & constitutional govt exist to stop the strong doing what they want & killing who they want.
That ideal is under open attack
The rule of law & constitutional govt exist to stop the strong doing what they want & killing who they want.
That ideal is under open attack
Reposted by David Futyan
BREAKING: UK and France sign formal declaration of intent to put boots on ground in Ukraine in event of peace deal with Russia.
They would "operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine’s skies and seas and building an armed forces fit for the future".
They would "operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine’s skies and seas and building an armed forces fit for the future".
January 6, 2026 at 6:43 PM
BREAKING: UK and France sign formal declaration of intent to put boots on ground in Ukraine in event of peace deal with Russia.
They would "operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine’s skies and seas and building an armed forces fit for the future".
They would "operate on Ukrainian soil, securing Ukraine’s skies and seas and building an armed forces fit for the future".
Reposted by David Futyan
Absolutely fucking tremendous from the FT.
Who’s who at X, the deepfake porn site formerly known as Twitter
A look inside Elon Musk’s big tent
www.ft.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Absolutely fucking tremendous from the FT.
All of this is excellent, but especially the bit about Trump, and the closing remarks about Georgia.
iandunt.substack.com/p/the-comple...
iandunt.substack.com/p/the-comple...
The Complete Dunt Awards 2025
Welcome to the second annual celebration of all that is best and worst in our political culture.
iandunt.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:01 PM
All of this is excellent, but especially the bit about Trump, and the closing remarks about Georgia.
iandunt.substack.com/p/the-comple...
iandunt.substack.com/p/the-comple...
Reposted by David Futyan
I'm afraid there *is* an obvious answer: it can't.
January 6, 2026 at 7:10 AM
I'm afraid there *is* an obvious answer: it can't.
Reposted by David Futyan
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
January 5, 2026 at 6:50 AM
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
Reposted by David Futyan
Starmer: "Denmark is a close ally in Europe, it is a NATO ally. Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark are to decide the future of Greenland, and only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark."
From the coming midday pool clip, I suspect. ~AA
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
From the coming midday pool clip, I suspect. ~AA
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Starmer backs Danish PM in saying Trump has no right to any claim over Greenland – UK politics live
Keir Starmer says he ‘stands’ with Denmark after Donald Trump threatened to annex Greenland
www.theguardian.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Starmer: "Denmark is a close ally in Europe, it is a NATO ally. Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark are to decide the future of Greenland, and only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark."
From the coming midday pool clip, I suspect. ~AA
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
From the coming midday pool clip, I suspect. ~AA
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reposted by David Futyan
Imagine, given what is happening right now, being "afraid" of getting closer to the only power-centre that has not abandoned reason, democracy, and the rule of law. ~AA
January 5, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Imagine, given what is happening right now, being "afraid" of getting closer to the only power-centre that has not abandoned reason, democracy, and the rule of law. ~AA
Reposted by David Futyan
I had forgotten this, but it is consistent with Trump's efforts to pressure Zelenskyy into dangerous concessions to Putin. It should be (yet another) alarm signal to European leaders - Trump's goals in Ukraine may be the opposite of Europe's.
During Fiona Hill's testimony to Congress on Oct 14, 2019, she described how Trump and Putin discussed exchanging Ukraine for Venezuela. The quid pro quo was if Trump refuses to help Ukraine fight off a Russian invasion, Putin would not help Venezuela (a Russian ally) resist a US takeover.
January 4, 2026 at 11:22 AM
I had forgotten this, but it is consistent with Trump's efforts to pressure Zelenskyy into dangerous concessions to Putin. It should be (yet another) alarm signal to European leaders - Trump's goals in Ukraine may be the opposite of Europe's.
"If this sounds alarmist, then you’ve not been paying attention."
I've written an end of year substack post about tracking Trump, where we are ending the year and some implications for Europe and for me personally...
christinapagel.substack.com/p/personal-r...
christinapagel.substack.com/p/personal-r...
Personal reflections on a Trumpian 2025
The implications of a year in Trump's new America and why I started tracking Trump - and why I'm not stopping.
christinapagel.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 12:45 PM
"If this sounds alarmist, then you’ve not been paying attention."
A stunning set of images
Calendrier de l’Avent MétéoSuisse 2025 - MétéoSuisse
bit.ly
December 24, 2025 at 11:49 AM
A stunning set of images
Reposted by David Futyan
Pour conclure notre #calendrierdelAvent 2025, nous vous proposons cette magnifique photo de l'Engadine recouverte de givre et baignée de soleil : https://bit.ly/440ENgp
Photo : Samedan (GR), Monika Baumuller
Photo : Samedan (GR), Monika Baumuller
December 24, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Pour conclure notre #calendrierdelAvent 2025, nous vous proposons cette magnifique photo de l'Engadine recouverte de givre et baignée de soleil : https://bit.ly/440ENgp
Photo : Samedan (GR), Monika Baumuller
Photo : Samedan (GR), Monika Baumuller
Reposted by David Futyan
The bit that gets missed in the scandal around Farage's schooldays is that his school made him a prefect - despite warnings from staff about his conduct.
It's a recurring theme for Trump, Johnson, Farage & co. We can't be surprised at the way they behave, when their behavior is constantly rewarded.
It's a recurring theme for Trump, Johnson, Farage & co. We can't be surprised at the way they behave, when their behavior is constantly rewarded.
December 22, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The bit that gets missed in the scandal around Farage's schooldays is that his school made him a prefect - despite warnings from staff about his conduct.
It's a recurring theme for Trump, Johnson, Farage & co. We can't be surprised at the way they behave, when their behavior is constantly rewarded.
It's a recurring theme for Trump, Johnson, Farage & co. We can't be surprised at the way they behave, when their behavior is constantly rewarded.