Toby Martin
@toby-a-martin.bsky.social
Procrastinating writer. Long live Epicurus, except he said otherwise. I want to enjoy the internet before it gets worse. He/Him.
Reposted by Toby Martin
1. In the wake on Mamdani’s win, we’ll see a lot more far right anti-urban sentiment. Here’s a thread on its roots and evolution.
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 7:58 AM
1. In the wake on Mamdani’s win, we’ll see a lot more far right anti-urban sentiment. Here’s a thread on its roots and evolution.
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
Don't know how I missed this, but now I feel like I'm less impossible to buy for for Christmas.
Ever get the feeling you're being watched?
Publication day for the Illustrated Otherlands - get your own copy at all bookshops, or get your local library to order one and borrow it!
Publication day for the Illustrated Otherlands - get your own copy at all bookshops, or get your local library to order one and borrow it!
November 4, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Don't know how I missed this, but now I feel like I'm less impossible to buy for for Christmas.
Oh FFS. Do we really need our own version of Dr Brainworm given most of the UK right is already doing a tribute act?
Doctor uses Reform conference speech to link king’s cancer to Covid vaccine
Doctor uses Reform conference speech to link king’s cancer to Covid vaccine
Aseem Malhotra claimed ‘eminent oncologist’ said jab was ‘significant factor in the cancer of members of royal family’
A controversial doctor given top billing at the Reform party conference has used his main-stage speech to air a claim the Covid vaccine caused cancer in the royal family.
The speech by Aseem Malhotra, a British cardiologist who was appointed as a senior adviser to the US Health Secretary and vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy, drew sharp intakes of breath in the Birmingham auditorium where he was handed a prime speaking slot. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 6, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Oh FFS. Do we really need our own version of Dr Brainworm given most of the UK right is already doing a tribute act?
Some seem to think that everyone opposed to the Online Safety Act must have some nefarious motive, but in my case, I just want to be able to read my DMs without throwing my data everywhere.
August 3, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Some seem to think that everyone opposed to the Online Safety Act must have some nefarious motive, but in my case, I just want to be able to read my DMs without throwing my data everywhere.
Reposted by Toby Martin
Why the new disability benefits concessions don’t make sense, and why the Bill must still be opposed, explained in under 90 seconds:
June 27, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Why the new disability benefits concessions don’t make sense, and why the Bill must still be opposed, explained in under 90 seconds:
It would appear the current window of the time of day where I feel most motivated is between 1-2 am. This should probably change, but I'm currently powerless to facilitate that.
April 7, 2025 at 1:01 PM
It would appear the current window of the time of day where I feel most motivated is between 1-2 am. This should probably change, but I'm currently powerless to facilitate that.
I feel like there's got to be something in instead socialising boys to see women as viable role models as an antidote to the problems in the first place - cut out the middle men. Of course, this requires early childhood intervention, and I don't quite know what that looks like...
We need more male teachers so British boys have role models, says minister
We need more male teachers so British boys have role models, says minister
Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, says there are too few men working in schools as UK reflects on TV series Adolescence
The fate of boys “is a defining issue of our time”, according to the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, as she calls for more men to become teachers to combat “toxic” behaviours.
Speaking at a conference on Thursday, Phillipson will warn that boys and young men growing up in Britain need stronger role models to counteract the dangers they face, illustrated by the Netflix series Adolescence. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
April 2, 2025 at 11:33 PM
I feel like there's got to be something in instead socialising boys to see women as viable role models as an antidote to the problems in the first place - cut out the middle men. Of course, this requires early childhood intervention, and I don't quite know what that looks like...
Reposted by Toby Martin
BREAKING
After a debate in Parliament, the Government has accepted my Private Members’ Water Bill.
As of today:
• Above-inflation water bill hikes suspended
• Dividend payouts halted
• Citizens’ Assembly on water ownership confirmed
Democratic control of water is here!
After a debate in Parliament, the Government has accepted my Private Members’ Water Bill.
As of today:
• Above-inflation water bill hikes suspended
• Dividend payouts halted
• Citizens’ Assembly on water ownership confirmed
Democratic control of water is here!
April 1, 2025 at 10:51 AM
BREAKING
After a debate in Parliament, the Government has accepted my Private Members’ Water Bill.
As of today:
• Above-inflation water bill hikes suspended
• Dividend payouts halted
• Citizens’ Assembly on water ownership confirmed
Democratic control of water is here!
After a debate in Parliament, the Government has accepted my Private Members’ Water Bill.
As of today:
• Above-inflation water bill hikes suspended
• Dividend payouts halted
• Citizens’ Assembly on water ownership confirmed
Democratic control of water is here!
Reposted by Toby Martin
I'm in Bournemouth tomorrow to talk Ancient Sea Reptiles. Late notice but more info at .... bnss.org.uk/event/dinosa... #marinereptiles #plesiosaurs #ichthyosaurs
March 28, 2025 at 6:38 PM
I'm in Bournemouth tomorrow to talk Ancient Sea Reptiles. Late notice but more info at .... bnss.org.uk/event/dinosa... #marinereptiles #plesiosaurs #ichthyosaurs
Trumpists and the 'anti-woke' were never consistent on free speech on campus, but this is a whole other level of bleeding obvious hypocrisy.
Footage shows masked Ice agents detaining Tufts graduate student
Footage shows masked Ice agents detaining Tufts graduate student
Rumeysa Ozturk, Turkish national on a student visa, sent to Louisiana detention center over pro-Palestinian activism
www.theguardian.com
March 27, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Trumpists and the 'anti-woke' were never consistent on free speech on campus, but this is a whole other level of bleeding obvious hypocrisy.
Reposted by Toby Martin
Congratulations, America. You elected a mentally-deranged, criminally corrupt, incompetent idiot who is taking away your rights and earnings, and already cost us our economy and our status as world leaders. Welcome to the “find out” phase.
March 18, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Congratulations, America. You elected a mentally-deranged, criminally corrupt, incompetent idiot who is taking away your rights and earnings, and already cost us our economy and our status as world leaders. Welcome to the “find out” phase.
Reposted by Toby Martin
It's not true that all benefit claimants are unemployed: 37% receiving Universal Credit work.
But in any case, our party exists to serve the whole working class, including those out of work.
Cutting welfare would have disastrous consequences. We can tax extreme wealth instead.
But in any case, our party exists to serve the whole working class, including those out of work.
Cutting welfare would have disastrous consequences. We can tax extreme wealth instead.
March 7, 2025 at 11:14 AM
It's not true that all benefit claimants are unemployed: 37% receiving Universal Credit work.
But in any case, our party exists to serve the whole working class, including those out of work.
Cutting welfare would have disastrous consequences. We can tax extreme wealth instead.
But in any case, our party exists to serve the whole working class, including those out of work.
Cutting welfare would have disastrous consequences. We can tax extreme wealth instead.
Reposted by Toby Martin
‘Free speech’ latest.
NEW: Voice of America is in upheaval. Journalists are facing HR investigations for comments critical of Trump. One of VOA's highest-profile journalists was put on leave today after a Trump aide called him a traitor. And the White House bureau chief was reassigned. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/b...
Voice of America Journalists Face Investigations for Comments About Trump
The broadcaster placed a longtime journalist on leave amid growing concerns about its editorial independence.
www.nytimes.com
March 1, 2025 at 9:25 AM
‘Free speech’ latest.
Reposted by Toby Martin
It’s insane to think that the Trump administration was more welcoming this week to the Tate brothers than to the President of Ukraine.
March 1, 2025 at 10:08 AM
It’s insane to think that the Trump administration was more welcoming this week to the Tate brothers than to the President of Ukraine.
Reposted by Toby Martin
Three years ago today, Putin's tanks rolled into Ukraine, and Russian aircraft began bombing the country.
Trump is lying. Russia started the war, not Ukraine.
Putin is a dictator, not Zelensky.
Trump is lying. Russia started the war, not Ukraine.
Putin is a dictator, not Zelensky.
February 24, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Three years ago today, Putin's tanks rolled into Ukraine, and Russian aircraft began bombing the country.
Trump is lying. Russia started the war, not Ukraine.
Putin is a dictator, not Zelensky.
Trump is lying. Russia started the war, not Ukraine.
Putin is a dictator, not Zelensky.
Reposted by Toby Martin
Reposted by Toby Martin
There are 3 types of people since Oct 7th.
Those who condemn only the killing of Israeli kids.
Those who condemn only the killing of Palestinian kids.
And those of us who condemn the killing of both.
Don’t be in the first 2 groups - the 1st one dominates our politics & media.
Those who condemn only the killing of Israeli kids.
Those who condemn only the killing of Palestinian kids.
And those of us who condemn the killing of both.
Don’t be in the first 2 groups - the 1st one dominates our politics & media.
February 19, 2025 at 7:19 PM
There are 3 types of people since Oct 7th.
Those who condemn only the killing of Israeli kids.
Those who condemn only the killing of Palestinian kids.
And those of us who condemn the killing of both.
Don’t be in the first 2 groups - the 1st one dominates our politics & media.
Those who condemn only the killing of Israeli kids.
Those who condemn only the killing of Palestinian kids.
And those of us who condemn the killing of both.
Don’t be in the first 2 groups - the 1st one dominates our politics & media.
Reposted by Toby Martin
I regret to say there has been a lot of foolishness on some sections the left about #Ukraine, echoing Russian and far-right talking points. (Just as shamefully, the same people supported Assad in Syria). Now is the time to put that foolishness aside. We should all stand with Ukraine.
February 19, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I regret to say there has been a lot of foolishness on some sections the left about #Ukraine, echoing Russian and far-right talking points. (Just as shamefully, the same people supported Assad in Syria). Now is the time to put that foolishness aside. We should all stand with Ukraine.
Yeah, we don't need a lecture on democracy and free speech from an administration of robber barons, election denial, and getting government departments and scientific journals to censor words you don't like, thanks.
February 14, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Yeah, we don't need a lecture on democracy and free speech from an administration of robber barons, election denial, and getting government departments and scientific journals to censor words you don't like, thanks.
Today, I should endeavour to spend time with my true loves - books, coffee, and my cat.
February 14, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Today, I should endeavour to spend time with my true loves - books, coffee, and my cat.
Reposted by Toby Martin
It's weirdly difficult to remember that Trump's popular vote margin was /less/ than Hillary's in 2016. Biden got more votes in 2020 than Trump got in 2024 and Trump surrogates all under-performed in congressional races.
This is not a mandate, I don't get why it is being portrayed that way.
This is not a mandate, I don't get why it is being portrayed that way.
February 13, 2025 at 8:06 PM
It's weirdly difficult to remember that Trump's popular vote margin was /less/ than Hillary's in 2016. Biden got more votes in 2020 than Trump got in 2024 and Trump surrogates all under-performed in congressional races.
This is not a mandate, I don't get why it is being portrayed that way.
This is not a mandate, I don't get why it is being portrayed that way.
Reposted by Toby Martin
February 9, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Reposted by Toby Martin
Reposted by Toby Martin
Much respect for the bishop who stood up to Trump during his inauguration, but can we please stop pretending that there aren't Jesus quotes that can easily be used to support the right-wing Christian positions?
🧵 Some examples:
🧵 Some examples:
January 23, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Much respect for the bishop who stood up to Trump during his inauguration, but can we please stop pretending that there aren't Jesus quotes that can easily be used to support the right-wing Christian positions?
🧵 Some examples:
🧵 Some examples:
Satire is impossible because the world does a better job than all of us at taking the piss.
January 8, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Satire is impossible because the world does a better job than all of us at taking the piss.