Pinned
AE Snow
@demofuturist.bsky.social
· Aug 23
Thanks to Will Stancil for highlighting my piece in Renewal. If you’re interested I’ll be developing these themes further in my new Substack about democracy, technology and the future open.substack.com/pub/democrat...
This is one of the best essays I’ve read in a while
“If socialism is to answer capitalism on its own terrain, it needs a rival worldmaking vehicle—not simply the democratized administration of an economy whose creativity happens elsewhere.”
I couldn’t agree more. Some ideas on this so far…
“If socialism is to answer capitalism on its own terrain, it needs a rival worldmaking vehicle—not simply the democratized administration of an economy whose creativity happens elsewhere.”
I couldn’t agree more. Some ideas on this so far…
I've got a new major essay in The Ideas Letter - on the need to rethink socialism in the age of AI www.theideasletter.org/essay/social...
Socialism After AI - The Ideas Letter
Morozov argues that socialist attempts to harness AI have merely treated it like earlier tools of capitalist production—as a neutral instrument that can simply be redirected. In fact, he says,…
www.theideasletter.org
December 13, 2025 at 1:31 PM
This is one of the best essays I’ve read in a while
“If socialism is to answer capitalism on its own terrain, it needs a rival worldmaking vehicle—not simply the democratized administration of an economy whose creativity happens elsewhere.”
I couldn’t agree more. Some ideas on this so far…
“If socialism is to answer capitalism on its own terrain, it needs a rival worldmaking vehicle—not simply the democratized administration of an economy whose creativity happens elsewhere.”
I couldn’t agree more. Some ideas on this so far…
Getting round to reading this and I gravitate to the warmness, the gentle and even the silliness
What I think is missing though is a sense of history. Can we dodge that whilst constructing a patriotism?
And then I want to ask what of the future? Does it give us a sense of where we’re going?
What I think is missing though is a sense of history. Can we dodge that whilst constructing a patriotism?
And then I want to ask what of the future? Does it give us a sense of where we’re going?
"Most of us basically love our country, even if begrudgingly – not the version we’re told to, or even presented with, but the one we really see and live in every day. Silly Sausage Britain is the Britain most of us reside in, and love."
@sofiejenkinson.bsky.social on "Mr Blobby patriotism"
@sofiejenkinson.bsky.social on "Mr Blobby patriotism"
Mr Blobby patriotism
Over recent weeks I have found myself thinking about the country we live in, what it feels like and what I like, and love, about it.
I guess I found myself thinking about this because of the summer w...
renewal.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Getting round to reading this and I gravitate to the warmness, the gentle and even the silliness
What I think is missing though is a sense of history. Can we dodge that whilst constructing a patriotism?
And then I want to ask what of the future? Does it give us a sense of where we’re going?
What I think is missing though is a sense of history. Can we dodge that whilst constructing a patriotism?
And then I want to ask what of the future? Does it give us a sense of where we’re going?
Reposted by AE Snow
Really excellent piece on the dangers of trying to replace politics with automated negotiations
December 10, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Really excellent piece on the dangers of trying to replace politics with automated negotiations
Imagine waking up to find AI agents have negotiated hundreds of decisions for you overnight on noise rules, street layouts, local development.
That’s one emerging vision of AI governance. I argue from a social democratic perspective it is deeply flawed
open.substack.com/pub/democrat...
That’s one emerging vision of AI governance. I argue from a social democratic perspective it is deeply flawed
open.substack.com/pub/democrat...
Beyond Automated Politics: A Response to Seb Krier's AI Agent Economy
Why AI governance must begin with human deliberation (part 1)
open.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Imagine waking up to find AI agents have negotiated hundreds of decisions for you overnight on noise rules, street layouts, local development.
That’s one emerging vision of AI governance. I argue from a social democratic perspective it is deeply flawed
open.substack.com/pub/democrat...
That’s one emerging vision of AI governance. I argue from a social democratic perspective it is deeply flawed
open.substack.com/pub/democrat...
Thanks! While I think Labour would need to deploy it differently, you could’ve predicted Green’s recent success from the dynamics laid out here. They are very much capitalising on the attention economy.
Re-upping this excellent little essay @demofuturist.bsky.social wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social, which I continue to think is an extremely pithy and insightful bit of analysis on this topic:
December 5, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Thanks! While I think Labour would need to deploy it differently, you could’ve predicted Green’s recent success from the dynamics laid out here. They are very much capitalising on the attention economy.
The BBC is so much more than politics. The idea we should destroy a public institution and replace it with nothing ultimately advances the agenda of conservatives
November 12, 2025 at 12:46 PM
The BBC is so much more than politics. The idea we should destroy a public institution and replace it with nothing ultimately advances the agenda of conservatives
Reposted by AE Snow
Breaking the tax pledge is the right call...and politically sulphurous. Reeves must argue, far more forcefully, that taxes are *the* essential downpayment we all pay for a fairer society.
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
If Labour want a fairer society, they must argue for it
Labour must make the political argument: taxes are the critical downpayment we all pay to live in a fairer society.
It now seems all but certain that direct taxes will rise in the forthcoming Budget...
renewal.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Breaking the tax pledge is the right call...and politically sulphurous. Reeves must argue, far more forcefully, that taxes are *the* essential downpayment we all pay for a fairer society.
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
Patrick Diamond and I wrote for @renewaljournal.bsky.social. Key points in 🧵 👇
renewal.org.uk/blog/if-labo...
Reposted by AE Snow
A really interesting response to @demofuturist.bsky.social's essay in the latest edition of @renewaljournal.bsky.social
Today I write about the recent swirl of think tanks centred on growth and progress. And batshit authoritarians.
open.substack.com/pub/williamc...
open.substack.com/pub/williamc...
Growth, progress and batshit authoritarians
Claiming the future, part 1: The importance of nowism
open.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:54 AM
A really interesting response to @demofuturist.bsky.social's essay in the latest edition of @renewaljournal.bsky.social
Fantastically clear response on the negative feedback loops democracies can enter into and how things like compulsory voting can help.
Really looking forward to the full ep
Really looking forward to the full ep
Really enjoyed recording this discussion with David Runciman, covering threats to democracy, early 20thc theories of oligarchy, how algorithmic social media is changing politics, the problem with 19thc approaches to suffrage - and much, much more!
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s episode David & @dmk1793.bsky.social try to answer some of the hundreds of questions, comments and suggestions we have had about this series. How do we know if democracy is broken? Have we ever had a real democracy anyway?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In today’s episode David & @dmk1793.bsky.social try to answer some of the hundreds of questions, comments and suggestions we have had about this series. How do we know if democracy is broken? Have we ever had a real democracy anyway?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
October 26, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Fantastically clear response on the negative feedback loops democracies can enter into and how things like compulsory voting can help.
Really looking forward to the full ep
Really looking forward to the full ep
Reposted by AE Snow
If you want to know which way the wind is blowing in Labour at any given moment, Wes Streeting’s statements tend to be a good indicator- but this is also testament to the “liberal Blairite” resurgence reported on by @morganj0nes.bsky.social:
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
October 26, 2025 at 1:54 PM
If you want to know which way the wind is blowing in Labour at any given moment, Wes Streeting’s statements tend to be a good indicator- but this is also testament to the “liberal Blairite” resurgence reported on by @morganj0nes.bsky.social:
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Required reading for social democrats today:
A speculative alternative to ideologies of Silicon Valley and the need for such an alternative to contest the here and now open.substack.com/pub/democrat...
A speculative alternative to ideologies of Silicon Valley and the need for such an alternative to contest the here and now open.substack.com/pub/democrat...
October 25, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Required reading for social democrats today:
A speculative alternative to ideologies of Silicon Valley and the need for such an alternative to contest the here and now open.substack.com/pub/democrat...
A speculative alternative to ideologies of Silicon Valley and the need for such an alternative to contest the here and now open.substack.com/pub/democrat...
Reposted by AE Snow
This essay was prompted by an article in the latest issue of Renewal, which for anyone concerned by the threat of the far right in the UK, I would recommend reading from cover to cover. A brilliant issue @renewaljournal.bsky.social !
October 25, 2025 at 7:46 AM
This essay was prompted by an article in the latest issue of Renewal, which for anyone concerned by the threat of the far right in the UK, I would recommend reading from cover to cover. A brilliant issue @renewaljournal.bsky.social !
Fascinating response to my essay on social democratic futurism. William argues that we have to contest the deferral of hope into the future by asking more of science and technology in the here and now.
Today I write about the recent swirl of think tanks centred on growth and progress. And batshit authoritarians.
open.substack.com/pub/williamc...
open.substack.com/pub/williamc...
Growth, progress and batshit authoritarians
Claiming the future, part 1: The importance of nowism
open.substack.com
October 25, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Fascinating response to my essay on social democratic futurism. William argues that we have to contest the deferral of hope into the future by asking more of science and technology in the here and now.
British politics is now just anti-immigration and the wealth tax.
Interesting isn’t it that neither of those issues are ones Labour have had any agency framing. Even if they don’t adopt the latter what is their challenge to it? Just getting crushed by both sides
Interesting isn’t it that neither of those issues are ones Labour have had any agency framing. Even if they don’t adopt the latter what is their challenge to it? Just getting crushed by both sides
Labour are just all in on the "concede the basic framing to Reform, argue that they are preferable within that framework" approach and in addition to thinking it is bad on merits I also sincerely think it is going to get them absolutely mullered at the polls.
“We welcome those who come to this country, legally, and give more than they take. We believe the right to stay here must not be automatic, but that those who play their part should be able to earn that right."
October 21, 2025 at 6:24 PM
British politics is now just anti-immigration and the wealth tax.
Interesting isn’t it that neither of those issues are ones Labour have had any agency framing. Even if they don’t adopt the latter what is their challenge to it? Just getting crushed by both sides
Interesting isn’t it that neither of those issues are ones Labour have had any agency framing. Even if they don’t adopt the latter what is their challenge to it? Just getting crushed by both sides
A lot of people are convinced of the damage social media has done to the electorate. But I wonder if it is the politicians who have been most warped by it?
Every MP incentivised to be a little demagogue
Every MP incentivised to be a little demagogue
October 21, 2025 at 11:30 AM
A lot of people are convinced of the damage social media has done to the electorate. But I wonder if it is the politicians who have been most warped by it?
Every MP incentivised to be a little demagogue
Every MP incentivised to be a little demagogue
Reposted by AE Snow
Rigid, controlling, centralised institutions aren't going to cut it. We need dispersed power, ways of finding common ground and making the most of our disagreements.
Good piece on digital democracy.
Good piece on digital democracy.
October 21, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Rigid, controlling, centralised institutions aren't going to cut it. We need dispersed power, ways of finding common ground and making the most of our disagreements.
Good piece on digital democracy.
Good piece on digital democracy.
Reposted by AE Snow
Really enjoyed this - a useful counter-point my general techno-pessimism, offering a detailed example of how new technology can sometimes be used to improve rather than (as in most cases) wreck the democratic public sphere
New from me on what we can learn from the digital democracy of Taiwan. This is the story of how a civic movement of hackers and officials created the conditions for tech to serve democratic purposes. In an age where platforms drive us apart the best response is not only defensive but creative
The Taiwan Alternative: Democratic Renewal in the Digital Age
Why democracy's defenders should look beyond platform regulation
open.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Really enjoyed this - a useful counter-point my general techno-pessimism, offering a detailed example of how new technology can sometimes be used to improve rather than (as in most cases) wreck the democratic public sphere
Nice to see my piece for Renewal get a little shoutout. I also particularly enjoyed @morganj0nes.bsky.social musings on Andrea Dworkin and the value of “vulgar” feminism
What David said.
I read @sachahilhorst.bsky.social and @demofuturist.bsky.social's pieces on a recent flight, alongside the excellent conversation between Jack Jeffery and Alan Finlayson on why the left doesn't understand the internet.
These three pieces alone worth the sub.
I read @sachahilhorst.bsky.social and @demofuturist.bsky.social's pieces on a recent flight, alongside the excellent conversation between Jack Jeffery and Alan Finlayson on why the left doesn't understand the internet.
These three pieces alone worth the sub.
Patrick is absolutely right that Labour lacks a sufficient intellectual culture - but instead of reading race-war Whatsapp essays from anonymous crackheads, Labour MPs should subscribe to @renewaljournal.bsky.social for serious and informed strategic analysis and argument
October 20, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Nice to see my piece for Renewal get a little shoutout. I also particularly enjoyed @morganj0nes.bsky.social musings on Andrea Dworkin and the value of “vulgar” feminism
I think it’s clear now woke was pretty good for society in general. Willing to concede it was somewhat bad for art tho
October 20, 2025 at 5:37 PM
I think it’s clear now woke was pretty good for society in general. Willing to concede it was somewhat bad for art tho
New from me on what we can learn from the digital democracy of Taiwan. This is the story of how a civic movement of hackers and officials created the conditions for tech to serve democratic purposes. In an age where platforms drive us apart the best response is not only defensive but creative
The Taiwan Alternative: Democratic Renewal in the Digital Age
Why democracy's defenders should look beyond platform regulation
open.substack.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:23 AM
New from me on what we can learn from the digital democracy of Taiwan. This is the story of how a civic movement of hackers and officials created the conditions for tech to serve democratic purposes. In an age where platforms drive us apart the best response is not only defensive but creative
Reposted by AE Snow
I've spent *weeks* working on this special report for @thenewworldmag.bsky.social on GB News co-owner Paul Marshall – and the astonishing, unprecedented influence network he's built on the UK's right. There's never been anything like it before. www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-p...
Paul Marshall, the man who owns the right
The multimillionaire controls a network of news channels, publications and think tanks that the left could only dream of. If Reform or the Tories win the next election, he will become the country’s mo...
www.thenewworld.co.uk
October 15, 2025 at 8:03 AM
I've spent *weeks* working on this special report for @thenewworldmag.bsky.social on GB News co-owner Paul Marshall – and the astonishing, unprecedented influence network he's built on the UK's right. There's never been anything like it before. www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-p...
So the plan on week 1 of the Reform gov according to Cummings should be to trigger an immediate diplomatic, economic and security crisis by leaving the ECHR, breaching the Good Friday Agreement and the trade agreement with the EU.
This is their strategist dawg. Don’t tell me Reform can’t be beaten
This is their strategist dawg. Don’t tell me Reform can’t be beaten
October 14, 2025 at 2:47 PM
So the plan on week 1 of the Reform gov according to Cummings should be to trigger an immediate diplomatic, economic and security crisis by leaving the ECHR, breaching the Good Friday Agreement and the trade agreement with the EU.
This is their strategist dawg. Don’t tell me Reform can’t be beaten
This is their strategist dawg. Don’t tell me Reform can’t be beaten
Following in Clegg’s footsteps, it is dispiriting that “prime minister” is now a stepping stone to “functionary at an American corporation.”
Embarrassing and revealing of how fallen in stature and lacking in vision our political class is
Embarrassing and revealing of how fallen in stature and lacking in vision our political class is
October 11, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Following in Clegg’s footsteps, it is dispiriting that “prime minister” is now a stepping stone to “functionary at an American corporation.”
Embarrassing and revealing of how fallen in stature and lacking in vision our political class is
Embarrassing and revealing of how fallen in stature and lacking in vision our political class is
Great article - for communitarians I guess my questions are who is the enemy? What is the controversy?
Right now the dominant story on the left is wealth tax and that is going to squeeze out any other “left” issue
If you want to tell another story you will have to raise its salience by a lot
Right now the dominant story on the left is wealth tax and that is going to squeeze out any other “left” issue
If you want to tell another story you will have to raise its salience by a lot
In piece for @renewaljournal.bsky.social, I suggest Labour conference saw the emergence of two distinct approaches to practicing politics in a broken public sphere:
- YIMBYs and Growth Groupers pursue disruption
- "progressive communitarians" seek re-connection
- YIMBYs and Growth Groupers pursue disruption
- "progressive communitarians" seek re-connection
October 11, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Great article - for communitarians I guess my questions are who is the enemy? What is the controversy?
Right now the dominant story on the left is wealth tax and that is going to squeeze out any other “left” issue
If you want to tell another story you will have to raise its salience by a lot
Right now the dominant story on the left is wealth tax and that is going to squeeze out any other “left” issue
If you want to tell another story you will have to raise its salience by a lot
One of the great achievements of the post war settlement is to extend the arts, once the province of aristocrats, to most of us
But I’ve never been that convinced by the utilitarian argument that the arts make us better judges of morality
But I’ve never been that convinced by the utilitarian argument that the arts make us better judges of morality
The reason the Right are so invested in the myth that the arts have no value isn’t because the arts don’t generate wealth (they do); it’s that studying the arts teaches people to imagine better ways of judging the value of an idea than by counting how much money it makes…
October 8, 2025 at 4:04 PM
One of the great achievements of the post war settlement is to extend the arts, once the province of aristocrats, to most of us
But I’ve never been that convinced by the utilitarian argument that the arts make us better judges of morality
But I’ve never been that convinced by the utilitarian argument that the arts make us better judges of morality