Robin Schlinkert
@robinschlinkert.bsky.social
Physics, Product, and other random thoughts
No need to accuse me of "hanging out with Nazis" - do you "hang out with Nazis" by using Bluesky? Or are you confident there are no Nazis using it anywhere?
I'll check out ghost, but at first glance it looks like a CMS rather than a public forum?
I'll check out ghost, but at first glance it looks like a CMS rather than a public forum?
December 15, 2025 at 1:02 PM
No need to accuse me of "hanging out with Nazis" - do you "hang out with Nazis" by using Bluesky? Or are you confident there are no Nazis using it anywhere?
I'll check out ghost, but at first glance it looks like a CMS rather than a public forum?
I'll check out ghost, but at first glance it looks like a CMS rather than a public forum?
Do you know any place online that is entirely civil? I do not...
The substacks I follow and their comment sections are usually a model of sanity when compared to other spaces I know online.
If you have better recommendations, please let me know!
The substacks I follow and their comment sections are usually a model of sanity when compared to other spaces I know online.
If you have better recommendations, please let me know!
December 15, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Do you know any place online that is entirely civil? I do not...
The substacks I follow and their comment sections are usually a model of sanity when compared to other spaces I know online.
If you have better recommendations, please let me know!
The substacks I follow and their comment sections are usually a model of sanity when compared to other spaces I know online.
If you have better recommendations, please let me know!
Substack is about as civilised a place as you can find online, and most discussions are entirely civil - presumably that's why they tried it
But as soon as any politicians show their face, people seem to think it's ok to behave like absolute idiots...
But as soon as any politicians show their face, people seem to think it's ok to behave like absolute idiots...
December 14, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Substack is about as civilised a place as you can find online, and most discussions are entirely civil - presumably that's why they tried it
But as soon as any politicians show their face, people seem to think it's ok to behave like absolute idiots...
But as soon as any politicians show their face, people seem to think it's ok to behave like absolute idiots...
Much as I would like politicians to have more open dialogue, I understand why they don't
Whatever they say, it will be met with vile insults and abuse - mostly saying they do *too much* for the vulnerable
Starmer recently posted on Substack, and the comments were horrifying, and then disabled...
Whatever they say, it will be met with vile insults and abuse - mostly saying they do *too much* for the vulnerable
Starmer recently posted on Substack, and the comments were horrifying, and then disabled...
December 14, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Much as I would like politicians to have more open dialogue, I understand why they don't
Whatever they say, it will be met with vile insults and abuse - mostly saying they do *too much* for the vulnerable
Starmer recently posted on Substack, and the comments were horrifying, and then disabled...
Whatever they say, it will be met with vile insults and abuse - mostly saying they do *too much* for the vulnerable
Starmer recently posted on Substack, and the comments were horrifying, and then disabled...
It's not even true that more Poles are leaving now than before - people using FOM have always been coming and going.
The difference now is that *none are coming* anymore... Because we "took back control" to stop them.
The difference now is that *none are coming* anymore... Because we "took back control" to stop them.
December 13, 2025 at 11:44 AM
It's not even true that more Poles are leaving now than before - people using FOM have always been coming and going.
The difference now is that *none are coming* anymore... Because we "took back control" to stop them.
The difference now is that *none are coming* anymore... Because we "took back control" to stop them.
I don't know that there is a "right", everything is a trade-off..
But economically, property taxes are *less* distorting than most other taxes, and they are relatively easy to collect.
I think the UK under-uses them, *especially* for high value properties (the tax on low value properties is high)
But economically, property taxes are *less* distorting than most other taxes, and they are relatively easy to collect.
I think the UK under-uses them, *especially* for high value properties (the tax on low value properties is high)
November 28, 2025 at 9:08 PM
I don't know that there is a "right", everything is a trade-off..
But economically, property taxes are *less* distorting than most other taxes, and they are relatively easy to collect.
I think the UK under-uses them, *especially* for high value properties (the tax on low value properties is high)
But economically, property taxes are *less* distorting than most other taxes, and they are relatively easy to collect.
I think the UK under-uses them, *especially* for high value properties (the tax on low value properties is high)
Exactly, increase tax on property and you can reduce other taxes, in particular on income.
November 28, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Exactly, increase tax on property and you can reduce other taxes, in particular on income.
And a *tiny* tax on mansions at that.
It will take the council tax for a £2 million London home from around £2,000 to £4,500 - or ~0.22 % of its value.
For comparison, at Texas property tax rates, it would pay 1.8%, or £36,000(!!), in NYC it would be 1.7%, or £34,000
It will take the council tax for a £2 million London home from around £2,000 to £4,500 - or ~0.22 % of its value.
For comparison, at Texas property tax rates, it would pay 1.8%, or £36,000(!!), in NYC it would be 1.7%, or £34,000
November 27, 2025 at 10:44 PM
And a *tiny* tax on mansions at that.
It will take the council tax for a £2 million London home from around £2,000 to £4,500 - or ~0.22 % of its value.
For comparison, at Texas property tax rates, it would pay 1.8%, or £36,000(!!), in NYC it would be 1.7%, or £34,000
It will take the council tax for a £2 million London home from around £2,000 to £4,500 - or ~0.22 % of its value.
For comparison, at Texas property tax rates, it would pay 1.8%, or £36,000(!!), in NYC it would be 1.7%, or £34,000
Or invest £8,000 into a much better performing find in a stocks and shares ISA ...
People's reaction to these things are just weird.
People's reaction to these things are just weird.
November 27, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Or invest £8,000 into a much better performing find in a stocks and shares ISA ...
People's reaction to these things are just weird.
People's reaction to these things are just weird.
How many people could possibly pay more than £12,000 into a cash ISA per year??? For a couple that's £24,000.
If my intuition isn't completely off track, it must be a tiny minority that has that much spare income *and* wants to invest all of it in cash.
If my intuition isn't completely off track, it must be a tiny minority that has that much spare income *and* wants to invest all of it in cash.
November 27, 2025 at 8:31 PM
How many people could possibly pay more than £12,000 into a cash ISA per year??? For a couple that's £24,000.
If my intuition isn't completely off track, it must be a tiny minority that has that much spare income *and* wants to invest all of it in cash.
If my intuition isn't completely off track, it must be a tiny minority that has that much spare income *and* wants to invest all of it in cash.
The article claims profit margins of 20%... which is a lot, but I still don't understand how you can spend £250k per child, unless they are severely disabled and need 24h 1:1 care as well as specialised facilities
November 17, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The article claims profit margins of 20%... which is a lot, but I still don't understand how you can spend £250k per child, unless they are severely disabled and need 24h 1:1 care as well as specialised facilities
I saw recently that the average cost for a child in residential care is >£300k pa - that's a quite extraordinary amount of money.
Are these primarily children with disabilities and very high needs, or how else do these kinds of sums arise?
Are these primarily children with disabilities and very high needs, or how else do these kinds of sums arise?
November 17, 2025 at 12:43 PM
I saw recently that the average cost for a child in residential care is >£300k pa - that's a quite extraordinary amount of money.
Are these primarily children with disabilities and very high needs, or how else do these kinds of sums arise?
Are these primarily children with disabilities and very high needs, or how else do these kinds of sums arise?
You "need" an exit tax if you have a capital gains tax - which the UK does.
Currently, if you sell a business (or shares), you pay 24% on the profit you make
Alternatively, you move to Dubai, and then sell it, then you pay no tax at all
That's what the "exit tax" addresses
Currently, if you sell a business (or shares), you pay 24% on the profit you make
Alternatively, you move to Dubai, and then sell it, then you pay no tax at all
That's what the "exit tax" addresses
November 14, 2025 at 6:42 PM
You "need" an exit tax if you have a capital gains tax - which the UK does.
Currently, if you sell a business (or shares), you pay 24% on the profit you make
Alternatively, you move to Dubai, and then sell it, then you pay no tax at all
That's what the "exit tax" addresses
Currently, if you sell a business (or shares), you pay 24% on the profit you make
Alternatively, you move to Dubai, and then sell it, then you pay no tax at all
That's what the "exit tax" addresses
After more than 20 years in the UK, I still cannot tell you precisely, but "not poor" is neither necessary nor sufficient to be considered "middle class"...
Some 50+% consider themselves "working class", including any number in professional or managerial jobs, it's at least partially hereditary ...
Some 50+% consider themselves "working class", including any number in professional or managerial jobs, it's at least partially hereditary ...
November 10, 2025 at 10:50 PM
After more than 20 years in the UK, I still cannot tell you precisely, but "not poor" is neither necessary nor sufficient to be considered "middle class"...
Some 50+% consider themselves "working class", including any number in professional or managerial jobs, it's at least partially hereditary ...
Some 50+% consider themselves "working class", including any number in professional or managerial jobs, it's at least partially hereditary ...
Though this is obviously *not* a quick fix, but a very large system built up over many years...
October 2, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Though this is obviously *not* a quick fix, but a very large system built up over many years...
For a useful benchmark, the Germans call it "Berufsausbildung" these days, and it's very widely used (comparable to university entry)
The completion rates are around 85% (much better than German universities!!!), and there is a wide mix of jobs
The completion rates are around 85% (much better than German universities!!!), and there is a wide mix of jobs
October 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM
For a useful benchmark, the Germans call it "Berufsausbildung" these days, and it's very widely used (comparable to university entry)
The completion rates are around 85% (much better than German universities!!!), and there is a wide mix of jobs
The completion rates are around 85% (much better than German universities!!!), and there is a wide mix of jobs
Compared to other countries, it seems like the UK could raise substantially more from:
- annual property taxes, in particular on mid to higher value homes
- income taxes by substantially reducing pension tax relief
- VAT by removing many exemptions (would also hit low earners)
- annual property taxes, in particular on mid to higher value homes
- income taxes by substantially reducing pension tax relief
- VAT by removing many exemptions (would also hit low earners)
September 17, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Compared to other countries, it seems like the UK could raise substantially more from:
- annual property taxes, in particular on mid to higher value homes
- income taxes by substantially reducing pension tax relief
- VAT by removing many exemptions (would also hit low earners)
- annual property taxes, in particular on mid to higher value homes
- income taxes by substantially reducing pension tax relief
- VAT by removing many exemptions (would also hit low earners)
The most frustrating thing in this saga is that "stay in the single market" (eg via EFTA) would have been a perfectly fine solution for many people on both sides
And yet, even now with labour in charge, it's not even on the table
And yet, even now with labour in charge, it's not even on the table
February 1, 2025 at 9:12 AM
The most frustrating thing in this saga is that "stay in the single market" (eg via EFTA) would have been a perfectly fine solution for many people on both sides
And yet, even now with labour in charge, it's not even on the table
And yet, even now with labour in charge, it's not even on the table
Is there any decent replacement for the "personal connection"-network?
Seems like a pretty fundamental need..
Seems like a pretty fundamental need..
January 18, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Is there any decent replacement for the "personal connection"-network?
Seems like a pretty fundamental need..
Seems like a pretty fundamental need..
Yes, sorry if I didn't explain it clearly!
That's exactly the point, a single, transparent income account per tax-resident
What the person does with the money once taxes and pensions contributions are deducted would of course be entirely up to them
That's exactly the point, a single, transparent income account per tax-resident
What the person does with the money once taxes and pensions contributions are deducted would of course be entirely up to them
January 11, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Yes, sorry if I didn't explain it clearly!
That's exactly the point, a single, transparent income account per tax-resident
What the person does with the money once taxes and pensions contributions are deducted would of course be entirely up to them
That's exactly the point, a single, transparent income account per tax-resident
What the person does with the money once taxes and pensions contributions are deducted would of course be entirely up to them
Unfortunately many "philanthropists" make donations where they are least needed
Compare the average state school trying to raise £100s in a bake sale with the regular £millions of donations to Eton, Winchester and the like
To me, this always seems the weirdest kind of "charitable" giving!
Compare the average state school trying to raise £100s in a bake sale with the regular £millions of donations to Eton, Winchester and the like
To me, this always seems the weirdest kind of "charitable" giving!
January 11, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Unfortunately many "philanthropists" make donations where they are least needed
Compare the average state school trying to raise £100s in a bake sale with the regular £millions of donations to Eton, Winchester and the like
To me, this always seems the weirdest kind of "charitable" giving!
Compare the average state school trying to raise £100s in a bake sale with the regular £millions of donations to Eton, Winchester and the like
To me, this always seems the weirdest kind of "charitable" giving!
So in practice, the *only* function of payroll would be to pay the gross salary into a designated "income account"
Everything else is then administered by the bank, and decided by the individual (eg how much is allocated to pensions, which provider, whether it includes some insurance, etc)
Everything else is then administered by the bank, and decided by the individual (eg how much is allocated to pensions, which provider, whether it includes some insurance, etc)
January 11, 2025 at 11:14 AM
So in practice, the *only* function of payroll would be to pay the gross salary into a designated "income account"
Everything else is then administered by the bank, and decided by the individual (eg how much is allocated to pensions, which provider, whether it includes some insurance, etc)
Everything else is then administered by the bank, and decided by the individual (eg how much is allocated to pensions, which provider, whether it includes some insurance, etc)