James Matthews
@jcmatthews.bsky.social
Researcher in environmental physics and meteorology.
I'd always assumed the Guardian offices were in Manchester.
December 28, 2025 at 2:49 PM
I'd always assumed the Guardian offices were in Manchester.
I have little problem with people describing how their faith (or lack of) influences their thinking, but I naturally take against people without a belief in God telling me what someone who does believe should think.
November 28, 2025 at 2:20 PM
I have little problem with people describing how their faith (or lack of) influences their thinking, but I naturally take against people without a belief in God telling me what someone who does believe should think.
Well that stomps all over my joke, but good to know!
November 26, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Well that stomps all over my joke, but good to know!
Great for Kemi Badenoch, who has more time now to not bother reading it or working on her response.
November 26, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Great for Kemi Badenoch, who has more time now to not bother reading it or working on her response.
It's simply transactional, heavier cars do more wear and tear to the road. There could be different pricing structures for EV and ICE.
I'll admit though, I want to disincentivise the madness of cars getting bigger and heavier, while roads, bridges and car parks are not getting bigger and stronger.
I'll admit though, I want to disincentivise the madness of cars getting bigger and heavier, while roads, bridges and car parks are not getting bigger and stronger.
November 6, 2025 at 1:37 PM
It's simply transactional, heavier cars do more wear and tear to the road. There could be different pricing structures for EV and ICE.
I'll admit though, I want to disincentivise the madness of cars getting bigger and heavier, while roads, bridges and car parks are not getting bigger and stronger.
I'll admit though, I want to disincentivise the madness of cars getting bigger and heavier, while roads, bridges and car parks are not getting bigger and stronger.
Personally, I'd want to make it a useage charge based on the weight of the car (EV or not) but that won't fly. You'd need exemptions for businesses, for a start.
November 6, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Personally, I'd want to make it a useage charge based on the weight of the car (EV or not) but that won't fly. You'd need exemptions for businesses, for a start.
It's not difficult to implement in practice, you do an MOT when your mileage is checked, then pay a tax per mile. It is difficult to implement in actuality, given the fuss every time fuel duty goes up.
November 6, 2025 at 1:22 PM
It's not difficult to implement in practice, you do an MOT when your mileage is checked, then pay a tax per mile. It is difficult to implement in actuality, given the fuss every time fuel duty goes up.
Same! I still remember how much joy I felt when I found 50p in a furniture shop as a child. I wouldn't get that much joy now so I leave it for someone else who would.
October 16, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Same! I still remember how much joy I felt when I found 50p in a furniture shop as a child. I wouldn't get that much joy now so I leave it for someone else who would.
As far as I'm concerned, people can study a subject they love for three years even if it gives them zero return. But the creative arts DO give a return to the country so it's a mad line to take.
I have a bigger issue with vocational type degrees that imply a career progression that doesn't exist.
I have a bigger issue with vocational type degrees that imply a career progression that doesn't exist.
October 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM
As far as I'm concerned, people can study a subject they love for three years even if it gives them zero return. But the creative arts DO give a return to the country so it's a mad line to take.
I have a bigger issue with vocational type degrees that imply a career progression that doesn't exist.
I have a bigger issue with vocational type degrees that imply a career progression that doesn't exist.
A post elsewhere pointed out that these are called 'Mickey Mouse' degrees to imply they are worthless, Disney is currently worth about $200 Bn.
October 8, 2025 at 10:14 AM
A post elsewhere pointed out that these are called 'Mickey Mouse' degrees to imply they are worthless, Disney is currently worth about $200 Bn.
Perhaps photography on schools should insist on film to ensure the pupils have to think about what they do.
October 5, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Perhaps photography on schools should insist on film to ensure the pupils have to think about what they do.
When I was doing the Physics and Music course in Cardiff, we did tape editing and worked on analogue synthesisers. Both close to obsolete then, and certainly redundant now, but taught us how to edit and build sounds well.
October 5, 2025 at 5:09 PM
When I was doing the Physics and Music course in Cardiff, we did tape editing and worked on analogue synthesisers. Both close to obsolete then, and certainly redundant now, but taught us how to edit and build sounds well.
The Greens were (iir) second to Labour in Bristol NE, Bristol NW, Bristol East and Bristol South. She, presumably, has a good idea of what worked and what didn't in that area.
September 27, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The Greens were (iir) second to Labour in Bristol NE, Bristol NW, Bristol East and Bristol South. She, presumably, has a good idea of what worked and what didn't in that area.
I know a document Labour MPs could share around, full of policies that I guarantee the 2024 Labour electoral coalition are in favour of.
September 27, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I know a document Labour MPs could share around, full of policies that I guarantee the 2024 Labour electoral coalition are in favour of.
"Shaken, not interred".
September 25, 2025 at 11:15 AM
"Shaken, not interred".
Timed to draw all the press coverage during the Lib Dem conference, of course.
September 22, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Timed to draw all the press coverage during the Lib Dem conference, of course.
Ah, that's not good.
September 20, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Ah, that's not good.
I love the way it looks (especially the end credit artwork), it rewards putting away the phone and watching.
September 20, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I love the way it looks (especially the end credit artwork), it rewards putting away the phone and watching.
Thanks, I'll stick with Mandalorian 3 for now, two episodes in and I'm enjoying it.
September 20, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Thanks, I'll stick with Mandalorian 3 for now, two episodes in and I'm enjoying it.
I gave up on Andor because it was too miserable. Maybe I'll give it another go.
September 20, 2025 at 5:03 PM
I gave up on Andor because it was too miserable. Maybe I'll give it another go.