ProfAFinlayson
@profafinlayson.bsky.social
Prof of Political & Social Theory @ UEA: regularly a political theorist, often a political analyst, always a rhetorician. Sometimes I teach people how to make political speeches; usually they are happy about it. Mostly I study Reactionary Digital Politics.
By standards in U.K./US politics right now, coming across as a pretty nice guy really does make you Ciceronian. And look what happened to him.
February 6, 2026 at 11:11 AM
By standards in U.K./US politics right now, coming across as a pretty nice guy really does make you Ciceronian. And look what happened to him.
Ah, yes. Good shout. Maybe that should be compulsory reading for the new cabinet to be formed shortly.
February 5, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Ah, yes. Good shout. Maybe that should be compulsory reading for the new cabinet to be formed shortly.
Don’t forget ‘uptight’. It’s fundamental. The Epstein papers show an entire class neurotically incapable of just chilling out for a bit.
February 3, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Don’t forget ‘uptight’. It’s fundamental. The Epstein papers show an entire class neurotically incapable of just chilling out for a bit.
Yes, there was also the scent of violence about him (a professional wrestler and bully). I’m sure you are right that they are attracted to that. But also scared by it and want to make sure it is on their side.
February 1, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Yes, there was also the scent of violence about him (a professional wrestler and bully). I’m sure you are right that they are attracted to that. But also scared by it and want to make sure it is on their side.
In turn they flattered him and took his gifts which they imagined to be proof of how much he loved & admired them (rather than the bribes they transparently were), remaining pathetically desperate to stay inside the charmed circle while brokering entry for others.
February 1, 2026 at 4:16 PM
In turn they flattered him and took his gifts which they imagined to be proof of how much he loved & admired them (rather than the bribes they transparently were), remaining pathetically desperate to stay inside the charmed circle while brokering entry for others.
I think you want classical & renaissance concept attuned to the life at court they were all living: not charisma but flattery. The charismatic makes people feel better than they think they are. The flatterer makes people think they are as great as they imagine. He played to their vanity.
February 1, 2026 at 4:16 PM
I think you want classical & renaissance concept attuned to the life at court they were all living: not charisma but flattery. The charismatic makes people feel better than they think they are. The flatterer makes people think they are as great as they imagine. He played to their vanity.
I also figured that must be it. But, surely, unfair to blame the original for the fevered dreams of him in the mind of a faux medievalist.
January 31, 2026 at 11:51 AM
I also figured that must be it. But, surely, unfair to blame the original for the fevered dreams of him in the mind of a faux medievalist.
Reposted by ProfAFinlayson
Reposted by ProfAFinlayson
Here is my second blogpost on ICE protest songs and chants, from the Minnesota general strike and after Alex Pretti’s killing, with a large section on singing at protests and more songs about ICE. medium.com/@norikomanab...
ICE protest songs and chants, Minnesota general strike (January 23) and beyond
Transcriptions of songs and chants at ICE protests. Songs about ICE’s masculinity issues and other issues connected with ICE.
medium.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Here is my second blogpost on ICE protest songs and chants, from the Minnesota general strike and after Alex Pretti’s killing, with a large section on singing at protests and more songs about ICE. medium.com/@norikomanab...
These transcriptions are the fabulous work of @nmanabe.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 6:27 PM
These transcriptions are the fabulous work of @nmanabe.bsky.social