Raph Metcalf
@raphmetcalf.bsky.social
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
Had an intriguing editorial discussion recently: how did people in the past talk about 'minutes' when they didn't have watches or standardised times? How does that affect your thinking?
Come down an Elizabethan/Jacobean rabbit hole with me.
1/
Come down an Elizabethan/Jacobean rabbit hole with me.
1/
January 17, 2026 at 10:34 AM
Had an intriguing editorial discussion recently: how did people in the past talk about 'minutes' when they didn't have watches or standardised times? How does that affect your thinking?
Come down an Elizabethan/Jacobean rabbit hole with me.
1/
Come down an Elizabethan/Jacobean rabbit hole with me.
1/
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
Reminder that in the UK an incoming radical, populist government would have immediate access to immense, unchecked executive power.
And the current government is doing nothing to protect us from that.
And the current government is doing nothing to protect us from that.
NEW
The UK constitution is even more vulnerable than the US constitution
In the face of an illiberal radical assault, what has happened politically in America could easily happen in the UK
By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The UK constitution is even more vulnerable than the US constitution
In the face of an illiberal radical assault, what has happened politically in America could easily happen in the UK
By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
January 15, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Reminder that in the UK an incoming radical, populist government would have immediate access to immense, unchecked executive power.
And the current government is doing nothing to protect us from that.
And the current government is doing nothing to protect us from that.
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
Do not be surprised if in the first days of an incoming populist radical government there is an entire raft of statutory instruments and other measures prepared and ready to go, exploiting every gap in our constitutional arrangements.
And worryingly, as you highlight, it would be extremely naive for us to assume the well funded right wing “think tanks” haven’t already worked out exactly how to dismantle what protections remain at blitzkrieg speed, should they gain power.
January 15, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Do not be surprised if in the first days of an incoming populist radical government there is an entire raft of statutory instruments and other measures prepared and ready to go, exploiting every gap in our constitutional arrangements.
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
One of those quiet, incremental, good news stories that contributes to the ultra-long-term trend of the human condition getting better. Note also that in 2025, the small-but-early flu wave didn't do much to offset the progress.
The CMI has released its analysis of 2025 mortality in England & Wales.
Death rates for 2025 were nearly 2% lower than 2024, the previous record low.
Death rates improved (i.e. fell) for both sexes and in all age groups between 2024 and 2025.
Death rates for 2025 were nearly 2% lower than 2024, the previous record low.
Death rates improved (i.e. fell) for both sexes and in all age groups between 2024 and 2025.
January 15, 2026 at 8:09 AM
One of those quiet, incremental, good news stories that contributes to the ultra-long-term trend of the human condition getting better. Note also that in 2025, the small-but-early flu wave didn't do much to offset the progress.
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
a reminder, again, that AltNPS is a grifter account run by people who have no affiliation with the National Park Service and indeed who never did have any affiliation with the National Park Service. They have no sources, they have no information, they are purely there to scam you.
"Receiving reports" my ass. AltNPS is not receiving reports of ICE raids in Saint Paul. They are seeing posts on social media like the rest of us.
I DO have loved ones in Saint Paul. ALL of my loved ones. They're terrified. Fuck you.
I DO have loved ones in Saint Paul. ALL of my loved ones. They're terrified. Fuck you.
January 12, 2026 at 3:30 AM
a reminder, again, that AltNPS is a grifter account run by people who have no affiliation with the National Park Service and indeed who never did have any affiliation with the National Park Service. They have no sources, they have no information, they are purely there to scam you.
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
Critically, we also need the public to support actions that enable older people to live great lives without having to drive for when they fail the eye tests. So the public need to get onboard with no pavement parking, pedestrian priority, denser housing, fewer out-of-town shopping centres, etc etc
90% of Britons support government proposals to require drivers over the age of 70 to have their vision checked every three years - including 89% of the over-65s
yougov.co.uk/topics/trave...
yougov.co.uk/topics/trave...
January 7, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Critically, we also need the public to support actions that enable older people to live great lives without having to drive for when they fail the eye tests. So the public need to get onboard with no pavement parking, pedestrian priority, denser housing, fewer out-of-town shopping centres, etc etc
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
My old friend Patrick Matthews slogged for years to build up a few small struggling cafes in London parks. Now they're a success, so the parks are rewarding him by giving the cafes to someone who offered them more money.
www.change.org/p/require-th...
veganconfidential.substack.com/p/the-park-c...
www.change.org/p/require-th...
veganconfidential.substack.com/p/the-park-c...
Sign the Petition
Require the City of London to retain current cafe operators
www.change.org
January 6, 2026 at 7:06 PM
My old friend Patrick Matthews slogged for years to build up a few small struggling cafes in London parks. Now they're a success, so the parks are rewarding him by giving the cafes to someone who offered them more money.
www.change.org/p/require-th...
veganconfidential.substack.com/p/the-park-c...
www.change.org/p/require-th...
veganconfidential.substack.com/p/the-park-c...
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
This finding of "hidden" public support for green policies strongly echoes our work on pluralistic ignorance when it comes to non-car travel: most people support non-car travel more than car travel, but at the same time they believe this is a minority view
January 6, 2026 at 8:46 AM
This finding of "hidden" public support for green policies strongly echoes our work on pluralistic ignorance when it comes to non-car travel: most people support non-car travel more than car travel, but at the same time they believe this is a minority view
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
We need to establish an acceptable proper timeline for the late 20th/early 21st C.
* 'Last year' = 2023-2025
* 'A couple of years ago' = after Lockdown
* 'A few years ago' = between 2004 and Lockdown
* 'About ten years ago' = 1994-2014
* 'Last year' = 2023-2025
* 'A couple of years ago' = after Lockdown
* 'A few years ago' = between 2004 and Lockdown
* 'About ten years ago' = 1994-2014
doing a quick lit review and wrote something along the lines of "this was published in 1994 so it is over 20 years old now" and then realised my maths error and did the oblig. crumble into dust.
January 5, 2026 at 2:11 PM
We need to establish an acceptable proper timeline for the late 20th/early 21st C.
* 'Last year' = 2023-2025
* 'A couple of years ago' = after Lockdown
* 'A few years ago' = between 2004 and Lockdown
* 'About ten years ago' = 1994-2014
* 'Last year' = 2023-2025
* 'A couple of years ago' = after Lockdown
* 'A few years ago' = between 2004 and Lockdown
* 'About ten years ago' = 1994-2014
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
The Liz Truss Show - Behind the Scenes
December 25, 2025 at 10:03 AM
The Liz Truss Show - Behind the Scenes
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
It's time for this year's installment of the Gingerbread Pubs of St Albans! This is the fourth year I've been recreating the iconic, historic pubs of St Albans, England in gingerbread, and giving them as a gift to the pubs. Read on for lots of pictures and details! 🧵 #stalbans #gingerbread
December 21, 2025 at 8:57 AM
It's time for this year's installment of the Gingerbread Pubs of St Albans! This is the fourth year I've been recreating the iconic, historic pubs of St Albans, England in gingerbread, and giving them as a gift to the pubs. Read on for lots of pictures and details! 🧵 #stalbans #gingerbread
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
OK, strap in….
Here is part 2 of the “Tesco/(insert other brand) are cancelling Christmas” claims!
🎄🎅🤶🎄
TL:DR? Christmas is alive and well everywhere you look.
And so too, sadly, is manufactured Christmas rage baiting.
Here is just 7 day’s worth of Daily Mail Christmas Rage bait
🧵
1/31
Here is part 2 of the “Tesco/(insert other brand) are cancelling Christmas” claims!
🎄🎅🤶🎄
TL:DR? Christmas is alive and well everywhere you look.
And so too, sadly, is manufactured Christmas rage baiting.
Here is just 7 day’s worth of Daily Mail Christmas Rage bait
🧵
1/31
December 13, 2025 at 12:41 PM
OK, strap in….
Here is part 2 of the “Tesco/(insert other brand) are cancelling Christmas” claims!
🎄🎅🤶🎄
TL:DR? Christmas is alive and well everywhere you look.
And so too, sadly, is manufactured Christmas rage baiting.
Here is just 7 day’s worth of Daily Mail Christmas Rage bait
🧵
1/31
Here is part 2 of the “Tesco/(insert other brand) are cancelling Christmas” claims!
🎄🎅🤶🎄
TL:DR? Christmas is alive and well everywhere you look.
And so too, sadly, is manufactured Christmas rage baiting.
Here is just 7 day’s worth of Daily Mail Christmas Rage bait
🧵
1/31
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
December 4, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
In a surprise to absolutely no one, the mum she’s describing is not claiming benefits as a “lifestyle choice”.
This paywalled article is full of “in my grandparents day, blah blah blah” and nasty sneery comments about latest iPhones for spoilt children🙄
🧵
1/9
This paywalled article is full of “in my grandparents day, blah blah blah” and nasty sneery comments about latest iPhones for spoilt children🙄
🧵
1/9
December 3, 2025 at 6:26 PM
In a surprise to absolutely no one, the mum she’s describing is not claiming benefits as a “lifestyle choice”.
This paywalled article is full of “in my grandparents day, blah blah blah” and nasty sneery comments about latest iPhones for spoilt children🙄
🧵
1/9
This paywalled article is full of “in my grandparents day, blah blah blah” and nasty sneery comments about latest iPhones for spoilt children🙄
🧵
1/9
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
Eleven years ago, I wrote to Tom Stoppard to ask about this coup de théâtre from 1949. It took me down an unexpected rabbit hole - in memory of Stoppard, here's what I found.
November 30, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Eleven years ago, I wrote to Tom Stoppard to ask about this coup de théâtre from 1949. It took me down an unexpected rabbit hole - in memory of Stoppard, here's what I found.
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
"The web page points out that autism rates have risen in recent decades and so has the number of infant vaccinations—an observation that might also be made about prestige TV shows and pumpkin-spice lattes"
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
The Undermining of the C.D.C.
The Department of Health and Human Services maintains that it is hewing to “gold standard, evidence-based science”—doublespeak that might unsettle Orwell.
www.newyorker.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:53 AM
"The web page points out that autism rates have risen in recent decades and so has the number of infant vaccinations—an observation that might also be made about prestige TV shows and pumpkin-spice lattes"
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
The US State Department classified state-funded abortion services, including NHS services, as 'human rights violations'. Make no mistake, this will embolden the UK's anti-choice Christian Nationalist movement, hell-bent on reversing women's rights. humanists.uk/2025/11/27/n...
New US policy designates NHS abortions as human rights breaches
The US State Department has classified state-funded abortion services, including those provided by the NHS, as human rights violations that it will report on in its annual Country Reports on Human Rig...
humanists.uk
November 27, 2025 at 12:22 PM
The US State Department classified state-funded abortion services, including NHS services, as 'human rights violations'. Make no mistake, this will embolden the UK's anti-choice Christian Nationalist movement, hell-bent on reversing women's rights. humanists.uk/2025/11/27/n...
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
This SUNDAY - COLCHESTER!!
A solo show for @samaritans.bsky.social
Tickets here
www.redlionbooks.co.uk/product/poet...
Tell your friends
A solo show for @samaritans.bsky.social
Tickets here
www.redlionbooks.co.uk/product/poet...
Tell your friends
November 22, 2025 at 10:48 AM
This SUNDAY - COLCHESTER!!
A solo show for @samaritans.bsky.social
Tickets here
www.redlionbooks.co.uk/product/poet...
Tell your friends
A solo show for @samaritans.bsky.social
Tickets here
www.redlionbooks.co.uk/product/poet...
Tell your friends
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
You're not asking trans people. You're asking all people. This affects us all. Anyone could be barred from services based on appearance. Since, surprisingly we all have a fecking appearance
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trans people could be barred from services based on appearance
The new code of practice on access to single-sex services cannot gain legal force until it gets sign-off from ministers.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 1:15 AM
You're not asking trans people. You're asking all people. This affects us all. Anyone could be barred from services based on appearance. Since, surprisingly we all have a fecking appearance
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
"It would mean more people could benefit from those frequent Central Line services. It is exactly what I hoped this Labour government might do.
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
The Weekly Howl
The British government just did something I agree with, and it feels almost gross to mention it. Also: who invented the week? And some Beeching-themed maps.
jonn.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:41 AM
"It would mean more people could benefit from those frequent Central Line services. It is exactly what I hoped this Labour government might do.
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
I am increasingly of the opinion that people who change menus and look and feel of computer software just so that you know it's a new version should be personally forced to play tech support to my mother for five months.
November 19, 2025 at 4:10 AM
I am increasingly of the opinion that people who change menus and look and feel of computer software just so that you know it's a new version should be personally forced to play tech support to my mother for five months.
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
November 18, 2025 at 9:05 AM
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
Your regular reminder that there is absolutely nothing "hard" or "tough" about targeting the poorest, most vulnerable, and least able to defend themselves groups of people on the entire planet
November 17, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Your regular reminder that there is absolutely nothing "hard" or "tough" about targeting the poorest, most vulnerable, and least able to defend themselves groups of people on the entire planet
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
I was tagged and asked to take a look at this claim - cos, well just look at it!🙄
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
November 16, 2025 at 11:38 AM
I was tagged and asked to take a look at this claim - cos, well just look at it!🙄
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
Scrolling through X so you don't have to
November 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Scrolling through X so you don't have to