Geoff Bennett: You say that poetry is not useful, and that's exactly why we need it. Why?

David Duchovny: "We want to get educated to be able to work, to have a job of some kind, which is great and it's necessary. But we've lost sight of educating a mind on how to think or a soul how to feel."

Innovation and Transformation: Supporting Ukraine's Recovery Journey In February 2025, Scottish Enterprise had the honour of hosting a remarkable cohort of Ukrainian leaders as part of the John Smith Trust Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Leadership Programme. This ...

It was an honour hosting fellows from the John Smith Trust exploring the recovery and rebuild of Ukraine. As geopolitics continue to move quickly, it is important to look at how we support Ukraine.

Innovation and Transformation: Supporting Ukraine's Recovery Journey
www.linkedin.com/pulse/innova...

It's time for my Christmas to begin. The annual watch of Rare Exports...

50 economists and experts skewer the HUGE flaw in Reeves' financial deregulation push Reeves is pushing for more risk taking in the financial sector and further deregulation. But experts warn of the flaws of finance growth

"What is needed is not simply more finance, but better finance."

More coverage of our open letter to Rachel Reeves on the dangers of deregulation 👇

Adjusting to life with the littlest addition to the Connolly household. A wee Romanian adoption we have called Clara.

One Election Takeaway: Voters Hate Temporary Safety Nets Announcement: I'm putting on an end of year sale. For just 55 dollars a year you can subscribe and receive premium pieces of Notes on the Crises. This also helps support the FOIA efforts I've been eng...

NEW: my very long election take is here. The key is to understand how beneficial the pandemic era programs were and how painful their expiration was
www.crisesnotes.com/one-election...

What was it that Johnson used to say? "World beating?"...

Counting the cost of bowling alone Malign neglect of social capital sowed the seeds of many of our largest problems

"from the epidemic in loneliness to the crumbling of communities, the erosion of social capital goes a long way to explaining some of our greatest scourges....If the UK could achieve Scandinavian levels of trust, this could add £100bn per year to our growth"

on.ft.com/3OHuDJx via @FT

Hope the internet can do it's thing. Spotted this on Helensburgh train (left Glasgow Queen Street at 6:47 last night) and no conductor to hand it to. I will hand this in to Dumbarton Central train station but if anyone knows Scott Grant could they reach out?

Some time on train, means an opportunity to continue reading current book "Others". It is in listening to the stories of those from different backgrounds that we have the chance to better find a middle ground.

My thanks to Vitalii Diakov for identifying this event and look forward to connecting with fellow members Ourania Varsou and Ben Kirley. Welcome the opportunity to present to attendees on the desired outcomes of this project and where there is value in learning how to communicate beyond our fields

An early start today as I head towards Dundee as part of my Young Academy of Scotland project Cross Pollinating Perspectives. Looking forward to engaging in a field of delivery completely new to me as I learn about Mediation.

On this day, when we raise a glass, just pass your thoughts to your fellow Scot. By blood or bagpipes, we're a' Jock Tamson's bairns.

When you are here, you are a Scot. What we can do together, will help us weather any cloud, but the rain which inevitably falls.

I'm no a man of few words, often known for a haver. Yet I'd ask you a favour.

Well, being from a place, with a well-kempt face, you may think I can't speak to your woes. I might look like your foes. Suited and booted. Yet I look around and I've found a nation that cares. Aye, a people that wears their hearts on their sleeves. Who'd roll them up to gie ya a hand.

The saltire flutters in the ever-present wind. A quest to do more. The prose which ignites. A Man's a Man for A' That. We look to the soul in the street. What they wear on their feet, dictating what they can eat. A fate, from bairn to burial, built on where you are born.

I head up the high road, trying to justify what I look to do. Yet I can't speak for you. A nation which set the pace. A chance to embrace that which has gone before. Yet the road ahead requires more. Every shore which surrounds the land brings a different message in the sand. Yet washed away.

Some words for #standrewsday:

I wander this dear green place, looking for the space to think. To contemplate. The fate of those to come. I was never much one to think to myself, parking those thoughts on the shelve. The weight of history sits heavy here, yet light as Highland mist on my shoulders.

The economics of the common good offers a framework for setting shared goals, sharing knowledge & distributing rewards fairly. I'll discuss how this can transform policy & practice at the IDS Annual Lecture.

Hybrid | 3 Dec | 16:00 UK | Register for online ➡️ www.ids.ac.uk/events/ids-a...

This govt announced what is called the biggest employment reforms in a generation. Struggling to get your head around it? Read on.🧵

1. We've been making the benefits system harsher for years, and it hasn't succeeded in forcing people back to work - @pollardtom.bsky.social on TalkTV.

Worth taking some time to review this report from @tom-clark.bsky.social around the concept of wealth. There are major repercussions around political outcomes as we continue to see individuals with a declining physical stake in society.

Very much enjoyed "How to do Nothing" and worthy of the read.

Old ruin viewed through a glass frame with the original outlines of the building etched onto the glass

An interesting way to help people visualize what a ruin used to be.

Denver gave people experiencing homelessness $1,000 a month. A year later, nearly half of participants said they had housing. Participants in Denver's basic-income program reported having more-secure housing, though results were similar in the trial and control groups.

Denver gave people experiencing homelessness $1k/month. A year later, nearly half had housing.

They also had fewer ER visits, nights spent in a hospital, and jail stays.

The report estimates that this reduction in public service use SAVED the city $589k.
www.businessinsider.com/denver-basic...

Agreed. I don't think any good comes from this until there is a viable alternative which can be relied upon to deliver change. Enough political upheaval on the horizon in Scotland.

@publicenterprise.bsky.social only stumbled across your work through Bluesky and really interesting output. Look forward to following you and seeing where can learn more.

If possible to be added to this list Neil be appreciated. Been working in this space across a few angles inc work with WEAll Scotland.

A great pack indeed Joe. Thanks for the share and really enjoying this aspect of Bluesky.

In the spirit of trying to "like" less and share more, I came across this post and it reminded me of a poem I had written a few years back. Sadly not much has changed as the storm continues to rage, yet I still honour the sentiment of being kind and helping where I can.