Fraser MacDonald

Some very interesting work here on the biodiversity impact of land abandonment during the Black Death. I'd love to see something similar on the Highland Clearances ... it would usefully inform re-wilding chat.

‘First as tragedy, then as farce’ – bombing a girls school followed by this grotesque UN panto.

It's a truly grim timeline, friends, but we hope and work for justice.

breathe easy Jason, not out til spring 29!

Ta!

cheers Nicholas!

Thanks Tariq, that means a lot

Spring 29, making compost is quicker than making a book about compost

hehe thanks Peter!

this particular track had somehow passed me by and I'm now ... mesmerised, thank you Lee!

I often say that composting is like making coffee – there are so many delicious ways to do it (confusing if you make compost USING coffee). Anyway, this is a variant of the Berkeley method. May your weekend bring the warmth of renewal!

thanks Leslie!

cheers Matt!

Thanks Tom, hoping so!

I'll do this for you Andy but there may be some wet wipe contamination 💩

hmm, maybe a microbial starter kit, Porty King of Compostᵀᴹ recipe? Or 10 worms with every book?

haha, you'll have to wait and see Charlie, you know I can't resist some intrigue

Thanks Hugh!

tbh I'm just excited to think that my compost chat can reach beyond Porty

thank you Dani!

Composting has a peculiar satisfaction for me and this extends to the writing too. I’m completely absorbed by it. And so, so pleased to be working with @canongate.co.uk and, as ever, with @jmlockhart.bsky.social

The book is a hopeful meditation on loss and decomposition, combining soil science and social history with a thread of philosophy and memoir.

I have some hot compost news

Solidarity Alice, why are senior managers like this, gaah ?

'chuckling disenchantment' is perfect here, look forward to reading this.

UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule Protest group’s co-founder wins legal challenge against decision to proscribe it under anti-terrorism laws

Wow!

Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.

This is a *big* legal win.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

The future of the university – AI getting high on its own supply

Ring?

Just don’t.

An analysis of systems – patriarchy, billionaire capitalism, violent borders – is rarely popular but exactly right.

I’m grateful that an MSP is willing to say this.

Hello, I have a new book out in the spring with Picador and I would love it if you could help me spread the word.

IF WE TOLERATE THIS draws on years of work, to help readers understand why British politics is hurtling rightwards and what to do about it.

Pre-orders: uk.bookshop.org/p/books/if-w...

MacKenzie’s terrific LRB pieces precede even Shapin’s – 1997 and 1998 respectively (& were among the reasons I became a subscriber!).