Colm Mac Donnchadha
@pureronin.bsky.social
Coder with a day job.
All communications are my own.
All communications are my own.
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
Attacking a data center like it’s The Bastille, everyone fleeing with a bushels of RAM to desolder and resolder the chips. One peasant coded guy with a wheelbarrow of SFP+ modules. Manifesting this for 2026.
January 1, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Attacking a data center like it’s The Bastille, everyone fleeing with a bushels of RAM to desolder and resolder the chips. One peasant coded guy with a wheelbarrow of SFP+ modules. Manifesting this for 2026.
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
Right, I am off work (yes some of us "soldiered" on during Christmas), so got some time to put down coherent thoughts on a range of events. First of all, the Trumpian battleship. Which as part of Trump's "Golden Fleet" even got its (her) own website. 🧵
www.goldenfleet.navy.mil
www.goldenfleet.navy.mil
December 27, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Right, I am off work (yes some of us "soldiered" on during Christmas), so got some time to put down coherent thoughts on a range of events. First of all, the Trumpian battleship. Which as part of Trump's "Golden Fleet" even got its (her) own website. 🧵
www.goldenfleet.navy.mil
www.goldenfleet.navy.mil
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
itcouldbesaid.substack.com/p/it-could-b... ICYMI write about why trying to reduce immigration actually exacerbates the problems it claims to cure. Sometimes the electorate doesn't know what it wants!
It Could Be Said #81 How I Lost Faith In Immigration Restrictionism
Will writes about his strange new respect for mass immigration
itcouldbesaid.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:39 AM
itcouldbesaid.substack.com/p/it-could-b... ICYMI write about why trying to reduce immigration actually exacerbates the problems it claims to cure. Sometimes the electorate doesn't know what it wants!
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
They remain the only government in my lifetime without a theory of how economic growth happens and a determination that it definitely not be through universities, immigration, high skilled services, tax simplification, trade relations etc
November 24, 2025 at 8:34 AM
They remain the only government in my lifetime without a theory of how economic growth happens and a determination that it definitely not be through universities, immigration, high skilled services, tax simplification, trade relations etc
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
Yes I think this is the thing. People think that because the public services got worse there must have been tax cuts for the rich, but no! There were huge tax rises on the top decile and business and tax cuts for average earners alongside the shrinking of important parts of the state.
November 15, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Yes I think this is the thing. People think that because the public services got worse there must have been tax cuts for the rich, but no! There were huge tax rises on the top decile and business and tax cuts for average earners alongside the shrinking of important parts of the state.
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
Imagine have an historic, unassailable majority and a five year runway and doing this?
November 14, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Imagine have an historic, unassailable majority and a five year runway and doing this?
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
The theory of change thus far has been: push systems harder and they will deliver. The problem is numerous public systems are fundamentally broken:
- Criminal justice
- Local Government
- Housing/planning
- Tax
- Trade relations
- HE
- Childcare
- Some benefits
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
- Criminal justice
- Local Government
- Housing/planning
- Tax
- Trade relations
- HE
- Childcare
- Some benefits
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Flashing Red
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list"
open.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:44 AM
The theory of change thus far has been: push systems harder and they will deliver. The problem is numerous public systems are fundamentally broken:
- Criminal justice
- Local Government
- Housing/planning
- Tax
- Trade relations
- HE
- Childcare
- Some benefits
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
- Criminal justice
- Local Government
- Housing/planning
- Tax
- Trade relations
- HE
- Childcare
- Some benefits
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
It wasn't deep. It didn't have much to say. But Xiao Xiao inspired millions to try Flash animation for themselves.
A Beijing artist made this series -- and turned stick fights into a phenomenon. We're exploring why and how he did it:
animationobsessive.substack.com/p/when-stick...
A Beijing artist made this series -- and turned stick fights into a phenomenon. We're exploring why and how he did it:
animationobsessive.substack.com/p/when-stick...
November 3, 2025 at 7:27 PM
It wasn't deep. It didn't have much to say. But Xiao Xiao inspired millions to try Flash animation for themselves.
A Beijing artist made this series -- and turned stick fights into a phenomenon. We're exploring why and how he did it:
animationobsessive.substack.com/p/when-stick...
A Beijing artist made this series -- and turned stick fights into a phenomenon. We're exploring why and how he did it:
animationobsessive.substack.com/p/when-stick...
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
Been too long since I did a big silly ancient history 🧵so let's bring an old one back over from the Bad Place:
It's time for ::air horn:: Publius Ventidius Bassus, the coolest Roman you have never heard of and the only person to walk in a triumph first as captive, then as triumphing general. 1/
It's time for ::air horn:: Publius Ventidius Bassus, the coolest Roman you have never heard of and the only person to walk in a triumph first as captive, then as triumphing general. 1/
October 23, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Been too long since I did a big silly ancient history 🧵so let's bring an old one back over from the Bad Place:
It's time for ::air horn:: Publius Ventidius Bassus, the coolest Roman you have never heard of and the only person to walk in a triumph first as captive, then as triumphing general. 1/
It's time for ::air horn:: Publius Ventidius Bassus, the coolest Roman you have never heard of and the only person to walk in a triumph first as captive, then as triumphing general. 1/
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
Start the week with Part Two of of my chat with Leah Downey on her book, Our Money: Monetary Policy As If Democracy Matters, and all the stuff that has gone on since the summer...
player.captivate.fm/episode/7654...
player.captivate.fm/episode/7654...
Independent from who exactly? Central banks and democracy (part two)
Quickly and easily listen to The Rhodes Center Podcast with Mark Blyth for free!
player.captivate.fm
September 28, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Start the week with Part Two of of my chat with Leah Downey on her book, Our Money: Monetary Policy As If Democracy Matters, and all the stuff that has gone on since the summer...
player.captivate.fm/episode/7654...
player.captivate.fm/episode/7654...
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
"The tax system gets worse and worse over time."
@danneidle.bsky.social makes the case for big-picture tax reform.
@danneidle.bsky.social makes the case for big-picture tax reform.
September 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM
"The tax system gets worse and worse over time."
@danneidle.bsky.social makes the case for big-picture tax reform.
@danneidle.bsky.social makes the case for big-picture tax reform.
I really like this conversation between @mkblyth.bsky.social and Leah Downey on Central Bank independence. Very interesting especially in the context in giving politicians useful control over the monetary system.
open.spotify.com/episode/3zDg...
open.spotify.com/episode/3zDg...
Independent from who exactly? Central banks and democracy (part 1)
open.spotify.com
September 24, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I really like this conversation between @mkblyth.bsky.social and Leah Downey on Central Bank independence. Very interesting especially in the context in giving politicians useful control over the monetary system.
open.spotify.com/episode/3zDg...
open.spotify.com/episode/3zDg...
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
Call of Duty: Ghosts – Power, Paranoia, and Orbital Tungsten Rods
youtu.be/eKPM7cZORTE
youtu.be/eKPM7cZORTE
Call of Duty: Ghosts – Power, Paranoia, and Orbital Tungsten Rods
YouTube video by Folding Ideas
youtu.be
August 30, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Call of Duty: Ghosts – Power, Paranoia, and Orbital Tungsten Rods
youtu.be/eKPM7cZORTE
youtu.be/eKPM7cZORTE
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
🔴The Founding Myth of Morgan McSweeney
Why reports of Keir Starmer's chief adviser's supposed campaigning genius do not appear to match up with the facts
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-foundi...
Why reports of Keir Starmer's chief adviser's supposed campaigning genius do not appear to match up with the facts
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-foundi...
The Founding Myth of Morgan McSweeney
Reports of Keir Starmer's chief adviser's supposed campaigning genius do not appear to match up with the facts
www.adambienkov.co.uk
May 17, 2025 at 8:39 AM
🔴The Founding Myth of Morgan McSweeney
Why reports of Keir Starmer's chief adviser's supposed campaigning genius do not appear to match up with the facts
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-foundi...
Why reports of Keir Starmer's chief adviser's supposed campaigning genius do not appear to match up with the facts
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-foundi...
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
I CAN’T BELIEVE I HAVE TO GO INTO A MEETING IN TEN MINUTES
White smoke but no Claire Willett!! @clairewillett.bsky.social, where are you?!?!?!
May 8, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I CAN’T BELIEVE I HAVE TO GO INTO A MEETING IN TEN MINUTES
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
New post from me about the elections of the last week, where the 'peak populism' hypothesis stands, and what lessons the Labour Party should be drawing. 1/n
benansell.substack.com/p/labour-is-...
benansell.substack.com/p/labour-is-...
Labour is Learning the Wrong Lessons
Centre-left incumbents are staying in power by aggressively pushing back on populists, not by aping them
benansell.substack.com
May 5, 2025 at 7:34 AM
New post from me about the elections of the last week, where the 'peak populism' hypothesis stands, and what lessons the Labour Party should be drawing. 1/n
benansell.substack.com/p/labour-is-...
benansell.substack.com/p/labour-is-...
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
Labour's biggest issue is neither being too socially conserative or not socially conservative enough. It's cuts. People have had enough.
make people’s lives worse, lose seats
May 2, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Labour's biggest issue is neither being too socially conserative or not socially conservative enough. It's cuts. People have had enough.
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
🌹NEW BLOGPOST🌹
This isn't a Tory-lite government but they are making familiar mistakes - strategic drift, mishandling immigration, annoying their supporters, failing to sell their wins
It has a familiar ring for those who watched the Conservative collapse unfold.
open.substack.com/pub/joxleywr...
This isn't a Tory-lite government but they are making familiar mistakes - strategic drift, mishandling immigration, annoying their supporters, failing to sell their wins
It has a familiar ring for those who watched the Conservative collapse unfold.
open.substack.com/pub/joxleywr...
They are just like the Tories
Different policies, same sense of misjudgement
open.substack.com
May 1, 2025 at 7:07 AM
🌹NEW BLOGPOST🌹
This isn't a Tory-lite government but they are making familiar mistakes - strategic drift, mishandling immigration, annoying their supporters, failing to sell their wins
It has a familiar ring for those who watched the Conservative collapse unfold.
open.substack.com/pub/joxleywr...
This isn't a Tory-lite government but they are making familiar mistakes - strategic drift, mishandling immigration, annoying their supporters, failing to sell their wins
It has a familiar ring for those who watched the Conservative collapse unfold.
open.substack.com/pub/joxleywr...
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
Alright, @sarahebond.bsky.social in her cruelty has made me aware of this remarkably incompetent talk Malcolm Gladwell gave and so I am going to inflict it on all of you by going through all of the mistakes he makes here in the hope that none of you will ever take him seriously again. 1/
April 28, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Alright, @sarahebond.bsky.social in her cruelty has made me aware of this remarkably incompetent talk Malcolm Gladwell gave and so I am going to inflict it on all of you by going through all of the mistakes he makes here in the hope that none of you will ever take him seriously again. 1/
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
I once found some microwave cookbooks in my grandmother's basement--people TRULY thought they would revolutionize cooking! And then they didn't and now we use them for a few easy tasks. Generative AI is going through the same. Higher ed shouldn't become a place that churns out microwave cookbooks.
April 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I once found some microwave cookbooks in my grandmother's basement--people TRULY thought they would revolutionize cooking! And then they didn't and now we use them for a few easy tasks. Generative AI is going through the same. Higher ed shouldn't become a place that churns out microwave cookbooks.
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
🧵NOT BY ME, this is a post from someone who wants to remain anonymous but works extensively with trans people pre-transition. They were asked by someone “why do you think that’s so much [coverage of trans people] in the news at the moment?”
This was their response:
This was their response:
April 20, 2025 at 7:54 AM
🧵NOT BY ME, this is a post from someone who wants to remain anonymous but works extensively with trans people pre-transition. They were asked by someone “why do you think that’s so much [coverage of trans people] in the news at the moment?”
This was their response:
This was their response:
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
Agree people don’t know what councils do etc. But I also think the public is reasonable enough to question why the local area looks dirty/declining etc while council tax bills have gone up and up and up and up and up. Politically it’s therefore currently ripe for undeliverable promises
April 17, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Agree people don’t know what councils do etc. But I also think the public is reasonable enough to question why the local area looks dirty/declining etc while council tax bills have gone up and up and up and up and up. Politically it’s therefore currently ripe for undeliverable promises
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
On the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, we thought we'd answer a question that's often asked,
"If they raised the Mary Rose, why not raise the Titanic?"
Allow our scaled diagram to explain...
"If they raised the Mary Rose, why not raise the Titanic?"
Allow our scaled diagram to explain...
April 15, 2025 at 8:21 AM
On the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, we thought we'd answer a question that's often asked,
"If they raised the Mary Rose, why not raise the Titanic?"
Allow our scaled diagram to explain...
"If they raised the Mary Rose, why not raise the Titanic?"
Allow our scaled diagram to explain...
Reposted by Colm Mac Donnchadha
Okay, this is my newest very very favorite meme.
March 21, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Okay, this is my newest very very favorite meme.