George Billinge

When I said I would do anything for my family and my country I only meant stuff I already like doing, like shooting guns for instance. If I have to do something annoying like conserve resources then obviously I'm not willing to do that

This year has made me doubt the moral authority of “liberal democracies,” given how spineless our leaders have been in the face of Netanyahu’s extreme, bloodthirsty agenda. But journalists like Lewis - curious, decent, articulate - give me a little faith that there is something left to defend.

on “Wonderful Christmastime,” Sir Paul McCartney set out to make a timeless christmas classic and also to figure out what every button on his synthesizer did, and he absolutely succeeded at one of those things

There should be a version of Spotify wrapped which excludes songs you listen to exclusively in the gym. Deeply unfair behaviour from Spotify to include those.

What’s the business model? What are the design incentives? Etc etc

I find the fawning over Bluesky strange. Yes you have more
control over your experience (if you have the energy/tech literacy to tweak it), but its still just a platform. It’s not a social movement, and the apparent lack of Nazis doesn’t mean we shouldn’t scrutinise it.

This ep is a gd example of the question of whether every convo the “left” has should be for a strategic end, or is it okay to just talk for the sake of talking? Ultimately the latter is deeply human and helps us get over left/right divisions. Which imo is so needed!

That and the dinosaurs actually

The only good thing about west London is the Greggs in Victoria coach station

I lived in Bordeaux (pictured below) for a year, and when I mentioned it to my Aunty, who had been there in the 90s, she was shocked that I found it beautiful, liveable, etc. The transformation of Bordeaux - especially the riverbanks - should be studied!

Support for trans people in the UK is broken. My sister’s lovely partner Clara needs some support with her healthcare costs at the moment. If you’re able to, please support her by donating / sharing: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-clara

🏳️‍⚧️

My partner finally joined this app and is finding it horribly millennial. Photos of mushrooms, the andromeda galaxy, audiobook discourse.
If this app is going to attract Gen Z and prevent their slide into fascistic puritanism it needs more silly little posts about holding space I fear

Like be honest! You make your money making people feel sport (a lovely thing) can only feel meaningful if there is something at stake and manufacturing compulsive behaviours!

The only gambling “ads” allowed should be sobering infomercials on gambling-related harms, run by the NHS.

Maybe 80% of my YouTube ads are gambling ads, 100% of those are about gambling “responsibly.” They never depict the harm caused by gambling, it’s all sunshine and marathons. I feel like a parasitic industry constantly presenting itself as feel-good fun must do more harm than good.

I have begun to realise how much of the scrolling / emails / LinkedIn I did that I told myself was important to stay informed / to build my business etc was actually unnecessary information addiction. It was definitely inhibiting my ability to be in the real world.

And it’s pretty nice out here!

If you struggle with screen time: get BePresent!

It gamifies reducing your screen time (like Duolingo), lets you block specific apps during “focus sessions”, you can add friends for accountability etc.

Also, you have to pay (a small amount) - means you’re more likely to take it seriously imo

5/ …what a group of people can build when they come together. So my cynicism shifted into curiosity: if a group of hippies can create a fully-functioning festival on almost no budget, what else can be achieved? (Tbc as I find pockets of time in my day 😌)…

4/ …I relented. Watching a bunch of strangers come together to build an outdoor kitchen and cook huge meals with communally sourced food, watching friends performing Mozart on the flute and Norwegian rap (no comment) on a hand-built stage, it was hard not to be inspired by…

3/ …had withdrawn from society to engage in self-sufficient farming. At first, I couldn’t escape the feeling that these lifestyles are only made possible by having a certain amount of privilege. As someone who grew up without money, this irritated me a little, but then…

2/ Earlier this year, I spent some time at a pop-up commune / festival on a remote island in Norway. It took place on a farm owned by my friend’s cousin, and was full of strident anti-capitalists. At first, I admit I was a little cynical. Many attendees had participated in direct actions or…

Photo of the novel ‘Creation Lake’ by Rachel Kushner

Just finished the excellent Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner and it got me thinking about theories of change. A running theme in the book is the tension between radical direct action vs withdrawal from capitalism. With the collapse of progressive politics everywhere, what is the best path forward? 🧵

Feel a little apprehensive making my first post here, like showing up to a party not knowing the vibe. Pros so far: no army of ethno-nationalists masquerading as “cultural tutors”
Cons: the .bluesky.net handles are far too long for my liking
On balance probably a net +