Matthew Bates
@thatmattbates.bsky.social
Actor/voiceover/audiobook narrator/ adoptive dad and doodle wrangler.
Scotland, London, Dudley. Brought up on LFC and narrow boats.
All views are personal.
https://on.soundcloud.com/zBEbgKRLwvyKEnwEA
https://app.spotlight.com/5650-9056-8846
Scotland, London, Dudley. Brought up on LFC and narrow boats.
All views are personal.
https://on.soundcloud.com/zBEbgKRLwvyKEnwEA
https://app.spotlight.com/5650-9056-8846
Pinned
Matthew Bates
@thatmattbates.bsky.social
· Nov 18
In case you wanted random non-contextual photos of me doing some acting and voiceover, fill your boots…!
Who decides what qualifies as ‘banter’?
It’s really simple…
The person on the receiving end.
Think about it.
Banter is inclusive, it’s teasing, play-fighting, give and take among friends.
What Farage is attempting here is to socialise racial bullying.
“I laughed, it was hilarious!”
It’s really simple…
The person on the receiving end.
Think about it.
Banter is inclusive, it’s teasing, play-fighting, give and take among friends.
What Farage is attempting here is to socialise racial bullying.
“I laughed, it was hilarious!”
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Who decides what qualifies as ‘banter’?
It’s really simple…
The person on the receiving end.
Think about it.
Banter is inclusive, it’s teasing, play-fighting, give and take among friends.
What Farage is attempting here is to socialise racial bullying.
“I laughed, it was hilarious!”
It’s really simple…
The person on the receiving end.
Think about it.
Banter is inclusive, it’s teasing, play-fighting, give and take among friends.
What Farage is attempting here is to socialise racial bullying.
“I laughed, it was hilarious!”
Farage tries to defuse this in 3 odd ways: 1) it was over 40 years ago (people change, I was a child)
2) it was playground banter (children are cruel and bully each other, but that’s ok)
3) it’s a politically motivated inaccurate account and never happened (he’s lying because I’m successful)
2) it was playground banter (children are cruel and bully each other, but that’s ok)
3) it’s a politically motivated inaccurate account and never happened (he’s lying because I’m successful)
Nigel Farage's racism denials are dishonest, says ex-classmate
Peter Ettedgui tells the BBC Nigel Farage targeted antisemitic abuse at him when they were teenagers.
www.bbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Farage tries to defuse this in 3 odd ways: 1) it was over 40 years ago (people change, I was a child)
2) it was playground banter (children are cruel and bully each other, but that’s ok)
3) it’s a politically motivated inaccurate account and never happened (he’s lying because I’m successful)
2) it was playground banter (children are cruel and bully each other, but that’s ok)
3) it’s a politically motivated inaccurate account and never happened (he’s lying because I’m successful)
If this were true, why do I hear so much griping about the “foreigners” who have a legal right to be here, have paid tax for years, but are somehow ‘destroying our national identity’?
Let’s call it what is- xenophobia has become fashionable again because we don’t learn from history.
Let’s call it what is- xenophobia has become fashionable again because we don’t learn from history.
Illegal migration tearing UK apart, Mahmood says
The home secretary is set to announce major policy reforms, including a 20-year wait before people granted asylum can apply to settle permanently.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 9:28 PM
If this were true, why do I hear so much griping about the “foreigners” who have a legal right to be here, have paid tax for years, but are somehow ‘destroying our national identity’?
Let’s call it what is- xenophobia has become fashionable again because we don’t learn from history.
Let’s call it what is- xenophobia has become fashionable again because we don’t learn from history.
LOVING this for him… there’s about to be so much gaslighting from POTUS he could save the fossil fuel industry singlehanded.
oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
oversightdemocrats.house.gov
November 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
LOVING this for him… there’s about to be so much gaslighting from POTUS he could save the fossil fuel industry singlehanded.
oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
oversightdemocrats.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
Reposted by Matthew Bates
A single shared source of truth is essential for a functioning democracy.
Without it you’re left with fragmentation, polarisation and a perpetual culture war where the discourse focuses on what divides us rather than what we have in common.
My column from last week: www.ft.com/content/5060...
Without it you’re left with fragmentation, polarisation and a perpetual culture war where the discourse focuses on what divides us rather than what we have in common.
My column from last week: www.ft.com/content/5060...
Why American-style polarisation is spreading across the west
New research shows how incentives in the modern media ecosystem help explain rising division and negativity
www.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
A single shared source of truth is essential for a functioning democracy.
Without it you’re left with fragmentation, polarisation and a perpetual culture war where the discourse focuses on what divides us rather than what we have in common.
My column from last week: www.ft.com/content/5060...
Without it you’re left with fragmentation, polarisation and a perpetual culture war where the discourse focuses on what divides us rather than what we have in common.
My column from last week: www.ft.com/content/5060...
An ex-fireplace salesman, deprived of his authority and prop spider, explaining the omnishambles that was the Education Dept on his watch during Covid.
So far, we’ve had the illuminating admission that he didn’t realise how big the implications would be of a pandemic.
🤦🏼♂️
So far, we’ve had the illuminating admission that he didn’t realise how big the implications would be of a pandemic.
🤦🏼♂️
October 14, 2025 at 10:06 AM
An ex-fireplace salesman, deprived of his authority and prop spider, explaining the omnishambles that was the Education Dept on his watch during Covid.
So far, we’ve had the illuminating admission that he didn’t realise how big the implications would be of a pandemic.
🤦🏼♂️
So far, we’ve had the illuminating admission that he didn’t realise how big the implications would be of a pandemic.
🤦🏼♂️
Reposted by Matthew Bates
Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.
buff.ly
October 8, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.
Astonishing to realise that the US is being kicked into a civil war by the Trump administration, and he is using a Supreme Court packed with his appointees to help him grab executive control and raze constitutional freedoms to the ground.
New Supreme Court term will reshape Trump's powers
Legal challenges have slowed Trump's attempts to expand presidential power. Now the highest US court is going to weigh in.
www.bbc.com
October 7, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Astonishing to realise that the US is being kicked into a civil war by the Trump administration, and he is using a Supreme Court packed with his appointees to help him grab executive control and raze constitutional freedoms to the ground.
The most important thing, when protesting starvation and genocide in another country, is not to upset or inconvenience anyone:
Police to get broader powers to restrict repeated protests www.bbc.com/news/article...
Police to get broader powers to restrict repeated protests www.bbc.com/news/article...
Police to get broader powers to crack down on repeated protests
The move is not a ban on protests but "about restrictions and conditions", Shabana Mahmood tells the BBC.
www.bbc.com
October 5, 2025 at 8:44 AM
The most important thing, when protesting starvation and genocide in another country, is not to upset or inconvenience anyone:
Police to get broader powers to restrict repeated protests www.bbc.com/news/article...
Police to get broader powers to restrict repeated protests www.bbc.com/news/article...
… for you, says star-spattered, novelty sock loafer dude & tattoo parlour regular, Pete Hegseth.
"no more superficial individual expression"
October 4, 2025 at 7:11 AM
… for you, says star-spattered, novelty sock loafer dude & tattoo parlour regular, Pete Hegseth.
My money’s on Mads Mikkelsen.
September 25, 2025 at 7:02 PM
My money’s on Mads Mikkelsen.
I’m not a doctor, but… misleading health advice should result in people being taken off the TV, right?
Trump makes unproven claims linking autism to Tylenol use by pregnant women
Some studies have suggested an association between the two, but experts say there is no causal relationship.
www.bbc.com
September 23, 2025 at 8:57 AM
I’m not a doctor, but… misleading health advice should result in people being taken off the TV, right?
As an English graduate, I don’t understand how the statement “the MAGA gang are trying to characterize the killer as anything other than one of them and score political points” is misleading.
It doesn’t say who the killer is affiliated with, but who MAGA are blaming pre-emptively.
It doesn’t say who the killer is affiliated with, but who MAGA are blaming pre-emptively.
September 23, 2025 at 6:38 AM
As an English graduate, I don’t understand how the statement “the MAGA gang are trying to characterize the killer as anything other than one of them and score political points” is misleading.
It doesn’t say who the killer is affiliated with, but who MAGA are blaming pre-emptively.
It doesn’t say who the killer is affiliated with, but who MAGA are blaming pre-emptively.
The House of Mouse $queaked? Looks like Nexstar can’t foresee more than 7 days ahead. 🫢
Disney reinstates Jimmy Kimmel after suspension over Charlie Kirk remarks
The late-night comic's show will return to air after Disney said it had "thoughtful coversations" with him.
www.bbc.com
September 23, 2025 at 5:47 AM
The House of Mouse $queaked? Looks like Nexstar can’t foresee more than 7 days ahead. 🫢
Insert literally any violent slander or demonstrable lie before this, and Leavitt would reach for the same answer.
Like his tangerine foundation, the lawlessness is baked in.
Like his tangerine foundation, the lawlessness is baked in.
Q: How does Trump saying "I hate my opponent and I don't want the best for them" square with bringing down the temperature of political violence?
LEAVITT: Look, the president is authentically himself. I think that's why millions of Americans across the country love him.
LEAVITT: Look, the president is authentically himself. I think that's why millions of Americans across the country love him.
September 22, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Insert literally any violent slander or demonstrable lie before this, and Leavitt would reach for the same answer.
Like his tangerine foundation, the lawlessness is baked in.
Like his tangerine foundation, the lawlessness is baked in.
September 18, 2025 at 5:02 PM
“Thoughts & Prayers”
When leaders fan the flames and demagogues become dictators for more than one day, we all hold our breath.
I apologise for not paying a
Human to make this image, but then they are rounding the humans up. Oh America, the bright day is done, and you are for the dark…
When leaders fan the flames and demagogues become dictators for more than one day, we all hold our breath.
I apologise for not paying a
Human to make this image, but then they are rounding the humans up. Oh America, the bright day is done, and you are for the dark…
September 17, 2025 at 7:46 PM
“Thoughts & Prayers”
When leaders fan the flames and demagogues become dictators for more than one day, we all hold our breath.
I apologise for not paying a
Human to make this image, but then they are rounding the humans up. Oh America, the bright day is done, and you are for the dark…
When leaders fan the flames and demagogues become dictators for more than one day, we all hold our breath.
I apologise for not paying a
Human to make this image, but then they are rounding the humans up. Oh America, the bright day is done, and you are for the dark…
AI is trained to do exactly what my kids do when they have no idea about something. Does this mean they’re going to take everyone’s jobs?
OpenAI says models are programmed to make stuff up instead of admitting ignorance
OpenAI says models are programmed to make stuff up instead of admitting ignorance
Even a wrong answer is right some of the time
AI models often produce false outputs, or "hallucinations." Now OpenAI has admitted they may result from fundamental mistakes it makes when training its models.…
dlvr.it
September 17, 2025 at 2:14 PM
AI is trained to do exactly what my kids do when they have no idea about something. Does this mean they’re going to take everyone’s jobs?
I don’t believe silencing people with a bullet is acceptable.
But I do think it’s ironic that US flags are flying half mast, not for schoolchildren killed in Colorado, but a man who believed that women are vessels for babies, and child gun deaths were acceptable to protect 2nd amendment.
🔫>👦🏽>👩🏼💼
But I do think it’s ironic that US flags are flying half mast, not for schoolchildren killed in Colorado, but a man who believed that women are vessels for babies, and child gun deaths were acceptable to protect 2nd amendment.
🔫>👦🏽>👩🏼💼
September 12, 2025 at 11:58 AM
I don’t believe silencing people with a bullet is acceptable.
But I do think it’s ironic that US flags are flying half mast, not for schoolchildren killed in Colorado, but a man who believed that women are vessels for babies, and child gun deaths were acceptable to protect 2nd amendment.
🔫>👦🏽>👩🏼💼
But I do think it’s ironic that US flags are flying half mast, not for schoolchildren killed in Colorado, but a man who believed that women are vessels for babies, and child gun deaths were acceptable to protect 2nd amendment.
🔫>👦🏽>👩🏼💼
I mean- aww, bless! The world’s most powerful dictators are trying to kid themselves, along with Diaper Donnie, that they can cling on past their 100th birthday.
They confidently stare down foreign armies and democratic protests, but the Grim Reaper is the final level Boss. And they’re 💩 it.
They confidently stare down foreign armies and democratic protests, but the Grim Reaper is the final level Boss. And they’re 💩 it.
Hot mic catches Xi and Putin discussing organ transplants and immortality
The Chinese and Russian leaders have been in power for 13 and 25 years respectively, with neither expressing any intention of stepping down.
www.bbc.com
September 3, 2025 at 8:39 PM
I mean- aww, bless! The world’s most powerful dictators are trying to kid themselves, along with Diaper Donnie, that they can cling on past their 100th birthday.
They confidently stare down foreign armies and democratic protests, but the Grim Reaper is the final level Boss. And they’re 💩 it.
They confidently stare down foreign armies and democratic protests, but the Grim Reaper is the final level Boss. And they’re 💩 it.
For ‘most parts of the UK…should have clear skies’ read ‘most parts of England.’
Come on BBC Weather, did you run this by Carol Kirkwood? 🏴
Come on BBC Weather, did you run this by Carol Kirkwood? 🏴
August 11, 2025 at 7:51 PM
For ‘most parts of the UK…should have clear skies’ read ‘most parts of England.’
Come on BBC Weather, did you run this by Carol Kirkwood? 🏴
Come on BBC Weather, did you run this by Carol Kirkwood? 🏴
Reposted by Matthew Bates
Me three months ago:
My prediction is that in that scenario, he blames the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which puts out employment data. Calls them corrupt, run by Democrats, out to get him. Fires people there, insists their numbers cannot be trusted, White House puts out its own fictitious data to make Trump look good
August 1, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Me three months ago:
Reposted by Matthew Bates
Scotland welcomes trump
July 25, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Scotland welcomes trump
Reposted by Matthew Bates
Scotland is getting ready to meet Trump.
July 25, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Scotland is getting ready to meet Trump.
Trump comes to Scotland, not in his capacity as US President, but to promote his golf courses and make himself $$$.
So presumably he will contribute to the enormous cost of policing the protection of a sitting US President who has come to grift?
So presumably he will contribute to the enormous cost of policing the protection of a sitting US President who has come to grift?
Police Scotland can deal with Donald Trump visit, says chief
Senior officer insists a visit from the US President would not come at the expense of communities, despite warnings from the Scottish Police Federation.
www.bbc.com
July 25, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Trump comes to Scotland, not in his capacity as US President, but to promote his golf courses and make himself $$$.
So presumably he will contribute to the enormous cost of policing the protection of a sitting US President who has come to grift?
So presumably he will contribute to the enormous cost of policing the protection of a sitting US President who has come to grift?