Dr. Matt Loten
@intheinaka.bsky.social
Japanese Political Communication PhD | Working in Linguistic Validation by day; posting about politics on the internet by night
Just watch Inside Llewyn Davis. It was okay. Not the Coens' best.
November 28, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Just watch Inside Llewyn Davis. It was okay. Not the Coens' best.
Reposted by Dr. Matt Loten
And that becomes a problem if your party leader doesn't know his own mind (Miliband), is an empty vessel (Starmer), or is a sparksnotes ideologue (Badenoch)
You don't, imv, need to communicate your intellectual pathways, but you do need to have some rhyme, reason and mental road-test to what you do
You don't, imv, need to communicate your intellectual pathways, but you do need to have some rhyme, reason and mental road-test to what you do
November 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
And that becomes a problem if your party leader doesn't know his own mind (Miliband), is an empty vessel (Starmer), or is a sparksnotes ideologue (Badenoch)
You don't, imv, need to communicate your intellectual pathways, but you do need to have some rhyme, reason and mental road-test to what you do
You don't, imv, need to communicate your intellectual pathways, but you do need to have some rhyme, reason and mental road-test to what you do
A theological and intellectual titan here
November 28, 2025 at 3:52 PM
A theological and intellectual titan here
Working through company-mandated training for well-known project management software. Unable to focus on the introductory video because I'm so distracted by the painful and transparent attempt to shoehorn 'AI-powered' or 'AI-driven' into every sentence in the script.
November 27, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Working through company-mandated training for well-known project management software. Unable to focus on the introductory video because I'm so distracted by the painful and transparent attempt to shoehorn 'AI-powered' or 'AI-driven' into every sentence in the script.
Kemi Badenoch is just a bit weird and unlikeable isn't she?
November 26, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Kemi Badenoch is just a bit weird and unlikeable isn't she?
They're maybe not getting the uh, best press today, but at least the OBR can see through the AI revolution mirage.
The cut to productivity growth really is a big one
Now 1.5% in 2030, previously 1.8%
Trend productivity growth now only 1.0% down from 1.3%
And this *includes* expected gains from AI
Now 1.5% in 2030, previously 1.8%
Trend productivity growth now only 1.0% down from 1.3%
And this *includes* expected gains from AI
November 26, 2025 at 1:24 PM
They're maybe not getting the uh, best press today, but at least the OBR can see through the AI revolution mirage.
Reposted by Dr. Matt Loten
And honestly I don't give a fuck if it's popular or not. It's going to make a lot of kids' lives better. That's the point of government. Not an opinion poll.
November 26, 2025 at 1:12 PM
And honestly I don't give a fuck if it's popular or not. It's going to make a lot of kids' lives better. That's the point of government. Not an opinion poll.
The OBR: hold my beer
I don't think we should know even one thing about the Budget until the chancellor gets to the despatch box on the day, surprise us
November 26, 2025 at 12:07 PM
The OBR: hold my beer
So the two-child limit is officially gone? One small mercy finally delivered by this government.
November 26, 2025 at 12:06 PM
So the two-child limit is officially gone? One small mercy finally delivered by this government.
Reposted by Dr. Matt Loten
OBR_Economic_and_fiscal_outlook_November_2025_FINAL_FINAL_V9_DONOTPUBLISH_EMBARGO_USETHISONE.pdf
November 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
OBR_Economic_and_fiscal_outlook_November_2025_FINAL_FINAL_V9_DONOTPUBLISH_EMBARGO_USETHISONE.pdf
Reposted by Dr. Matt Loten
Oh fuck I used to be a political reporter, can't help myself. Here's the big tax policies from the leaked budget.
November 26, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Oh fuck I used to be a political reporter, can't help myself. Here's the big tax policies from the leaked budget.
Reposted by Dr. Matt Loten
The smorgasbord of tax increases has just acquired its smallest and feeblest contribution, as a bottle of Yakult is quietly added to the buffet.
(Am reliably told they excepted milk-based drinks because it looked silly taxing yogurt that advertised itself as healthy, silly though that is.)
(Am reliably told they excepted milk-based drinks because it looked silly taxing yogurt that advertised itself as healthy, silly though that is.)
UK GOVT WILL REMOVE THE CURRENT EXEMPTION FOR MILK-BASED DRINKS FROM ITS SUGAR TAX FROM 2028
November 25, 2025 at 11:53 AM
The smorgasbord of tax increases has just acquired its smallest and feeblest contribution, as a bottle of Yakult is quietly added to the buffet.
(Am reliably told they excepted milk-based drinks because it looked silly taxing yogurt that advertised itself as healthy, silly though that is.)
(Am reliably told they excepted milk-based drinks because it looked silly taxing yogurt that advertised itself as healthy, silly though that is.)
Reposted by Dr. Matt Loten
Why do people think England flags have been raised on lampposts?
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
November 21, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Why do people think England flags have been raised on lampposts?
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
Decent result for Scotland, this
November 18, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Decent result for Scotland, this
Photo taken shortly before he ate all the parmesan on the kitchen counter
November 18, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Photo taken shortly before he ate all the parmesan on the kitchen counter
Reposted by Dr. Matt Loten
"Keir, I'm sorry I've written your name down, I hope I'm wrong"
November 12, 2025 at 9:23 AM
"Keir, I'm sorry I've written your name down, I hope I'm wrong"
Reposted by Dr. Matt Loten
One of my favourite little things about working in a clinical trial-adjacent field is the lengths researchers will go to jerry-rig a good acronym.
A personal favourite is the understated yet very effective Sino-Nasal Outcome Test - 22 Item (SNOT-22).
A personal favourite is the understated yet very effective Sino-Nasal Outcome Test - 22 Item (SNOT-22).
November 10, 2025 at 12:50 PM
One of my favourite little things about working in a clinical trial-adjacent field is the lengths researchers will go to jerry-rig a good acronym.
A personal favourite is the understated yet very effective Sino-Nasal Outcome Test - 22 Item (SNOT-22).
A personal favourite is the understated yet very effective Sino-Nasal Outcome Test - 22 Item (SNOT-22).
Reposted by Dr. Matt Loten
If parties want credit for telling hard truths, they need to tell them when they're genuinely hard.
If Labour had told the truth about taxes & the costs of Brexit before the election, its majority would be smaller.
But it would have more real power & the public would put more faith in its judgment
If Labour had told the truth about taxes & the costs of Brexit before the election, its majority would be smaller.
But it would have more real power & the public would put more faith in its judgment
She is telling an accurate story of recent history - the triple punch of austerity, Brexit and covid. It's spot on. But it is terribly strange to say it now in government when you were not prepared to say it in opposition.
November 4, 2025 at 9:49 AM
If parties want credit for telling hard truths, they need to tell them when they're genuinely hard.
If Labour had told the truth about taxes & the costs of Brexit before the election, its majority would be smaller.
But it would have more real power & the public would put more faith in its judgment
If Labour had told the truth about taxes & the costs of Brexit before the election, its majority would be smaller.
But it would have more real power & the public would put more faith in its judgment
Reposted by Dr. Matt Loten
There should be a tax on ridiculously bloated road boats registered in urban areas, because (a) they cause obvious problems in such areas (b) they are bad for the environment (c) they are dangerous for children (d) they are awful, and driving them should be expensive and socially stigmatised.
Cars the U.K are up to 55% larger today than they were in the 1970s and there are twice the number of motors on our roads as there were 30 years ago, but anti-Low Traffic Neighbourhood and anti-cycle lane campaigners keep claiming they 'cause congestion'.
Okay.
Okay.
November 4, 2025 at 9:50 AM
There should be a tax on ridiculously bloated road boats registered in urban areas, because (a) they cause obvious problems in such areas (b) they are bad for the environment (c) they are dangerous for children (d) they are awful, and driving them should be expensive and socially stigmatised.
Reposted by Dr. Matt Loten
My AMA is live @askhistorians.bsky.social ! Ask away! www.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
October 29, 2025 at 1:03 PM
My AMA is live @askhistorians.bsky.social ! Ask away! www.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
Reposted by Dr. Matt Loten
If anyone needs a freelance researcher in London (or across the UK), I'm your person!
I've reasonable rates, lots of archive experience & great recommendations from academics globally. I'm only teaching 1 module this term, as the job market is what it is. Therefore, I'm open to all work. DM me!
I've reasonable rates, lots of archive experience & great recommendations from academics globally. I'm only teaching 1 module this term, as the job market is what it is. Therefore, I'm open to all work. DM me!
October 3, 2025 at 8:49 AM
If anyone needs a freelance researcher in London (or across the UK), I'm your person!
I've reasonable rates, lots of archive experience & great recommendations from academics globally. I'm only teaching 1 module this term, as the job market is what it is. Therefore, I'm open to all work. DM me!
I've reasonable rates, lots of archive experience & great recommendations from academics globally. I'm only teaching 1 module this term, as the job market is what it is. Therefore, I'm open to all work. DM me!
Reposted by Dr. Matt Loten
This new database will fix almost everything annoying about driving (FREE TO READ!)
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/fix-annoyi...
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/fix-annoyi...
This new database will fix almost everything annoying about driving
The government is quietly building something excellent
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 6:07 AM
This new database will fix almost everything annoying about driving (FREE TO READ!)
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/fix-annoyi...
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/fix-annoyi...
Reposted by Dr. Matt Loten
Conversely, plenty of non-UK-headquartered companies, such as Google, have thousands of highly paid employees in this country. What's the rational basis for the Government encouraging you to sell your shares in Google and buy Antofagasta?
October 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Conversely, plenty of non-UK-headquartered companies, such as Google, have thousands of highly paid employees in this country. What's the rational basis for the Government encouraging you to sell your shares in Google and buy Antofagasta?
I used to work at the Turf Tavern in central Oxford while I was an undergrad. We claimed to be the pub at which Bill Clinton 'did not inhale' and Bob Hawke knocked back a yard of ale in record time, and countless historical figures frequented. Let's just say the evidence was...sketchy, at best.
October 20, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I used to work at the Turf Tavern in central Oxford while I was an undergrad. We claimed to be the pub at which Bill Clinton 'did not inhale' and Bob Hawke knocked back a yard of ale in record time, and countless historical figures frequented. Let's just say the evidence was...sketchy, at best.