Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by GeorgeWeeks2014

Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 12h

Finally. Let’s start holding Farage to account for the relentless shitshow that is Brexit.
Because..
“What could be more elementary than asking voters to judge a candidate on their previous assurances? What more basic function of democracy could we ask for?”
liveapp.inews.co.uk/category/398...

Labour admits Brexit was terrible. Now it’s time to act

For years now, the economic situation facing this country has been buried in the small print

liveapp.inews.co.uk

20 160 560

Reposted by GeorgeWeeks2014

Darin K @darink.bsky.social · 2d

This is an AMAZING listen btw, so fun youtu.be/vFcD19SeWac?...

HOME ALONE (1990) - Commentary by Macaulay Culkin & Chris Columbus

YouTube video by M.B. Archives

youtu.be

2 3 30

Reposted by GeorgeWeeks2014

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 2d

Here's a joyful 45 minutes of BBC from 1994.

Sales reps zooming up and down Britain in their company Cavaliers, Astras, Fiestas and a Mercedes-Benz E-class (following promotion to management).

The nuanced anthropology of 90s UK car culture.

Recommended in @economist.com

youtu.be/Dh359S3Eg1U?...

1994: SECRETS of the COMPANY CAR MEN | From A to B: Tales of Modern Motoring | BBC Archive

YouTube video by BBC Archive

youtu.be

1 1

Reposted by GeorgeWeeks2014

Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 1d

I’m glad we can now talk about Brexit damage, says Wes Streeting

The Prime Minister is gearing up to blame Nigel Farage and Brexit for Britain’s expected downturn in productivity at the November Budget

It’s about time

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

I’m glad we can now talk about Brexit damage, says Wes Streeting

The prime minister is gearing up to blame Nigel Farage and Brexit for Britain’s expected downturn in productivity at the November Budget

www.independent.co.uk

140 390 1.5K

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 1d

YES! I feel the same about 'No Limit' by 2 Unlimited...and almost anything by Scooter 😁

Reposted by GeorgeWeeks2014

Reuters @reuters.com · 2d

BREAKING: Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt win the 2025 Nobel Prize in economics for having explained innovation-driven economic growth, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said reut.rs/4olW4bE

Mokyr, Aghion and Howitt win 2025 Nobel economics prize

Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt won the 2025 Nobel economics prize for "having explained innovation-driven economic growth", the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said on Monday.

reut.rs

1 21 45

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 2d

Here's a joyful 45 minutes of BBC from 1994.

Sales reps zooming up and down Britain in their company Cavaliers, Astras, Fiestas and a Mercedes-Benz E-class (following promotion to management).

The nuanced anthropology of 90s UK car culture.

Recommended in @economist.com

youtu.be/Dh359S3Eg1U?...

1994: SECRETS of the COMPANY CAR MEN | From A to B: Tales of Modern Motoring | BBC Archive

YouTube video by BBC Archive

youtu.be

1 1

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 2d

Last week I reached the semi-finals of New Zealand Raw Comedy, the national competition for new comedians.

This is absolutely not my full-time job; it's a hobby & a v. enjoyable one too.

The best bit? You can learn to tell jokes right here in Auckland: Give it a go!

www.nzcomedyschool.com/enroll

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

Karanga-a-Hape station has operational passenger information displays (PIDs). Suddenly City Rail Link looks very real.

Also good to see new public realm underway in Mercury Lane.

The original CRL plan reinstated southbound through-traffic right outside a 🚇 station entrance :(

This is better.#CRL

1 10

Reposted by GeorgeWeeks2014

Idiot/Savant @norightturnnz.bsky.social · 3d

Sounds like an excellent place to get react quotes to National's weakening of methane targets.

The Press @thepress.co.nz · 3d

Hundreds of scientists and global leaders are converging on Christchurch for the world's largest and most influential climate adaptation gathering.

Global leaders, scientists gather for NZ's largest ever climate event

Hundreds of scientists and global leaders are converging on Christchurch for the world's largest and most influential climate adaptation gathering.

dlvr.it

2 13 45

Reposted by GeorgeWeeks2014

Kirsty Johnston @kirstyjohnston.bsky.social · 3d

I thought I’d have a go at answering the question: what’s the flow on effect on emissions budgets from the methane cuts?

The answer was worse than I had anticipated

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Scientists fear weaker methane target signals wider retreat from climate action

After cutting methane targets, New Zealand has a choice: shoulder the burden at huge cost - or cause more warming to the planet.

www.rnz.co.nz

14 130 220

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

I shall!

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

If you like this post, please do listen to Bowie's fabbo song.

And...while you're there, listen to 'Sunmachine' by Dario G, which is I *also* thought was about a gigantic "Sound Machine".

open.spotify.com/album/0anIAS...

Imagine a vast ghetto blaster with a DJ booth where the tapedeck would be.

Sunmachine (25th Anniversary Edition)

open.spotify.com

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

The persistence of misheard lyrics is incredible.

For 20+ years, I thought that David Bowie sang (in 'Memories of a Free Festival'):

"The sound machine is coming down,
And we're gonna have a party" 🥳

I imagined a huge fluoro ghetto blaster descending into a park.

It's *actually* the SUN MACHINE🤦‍♂️

2 1 4

Reposted by GeorgeWeeks2014

Dustin Moskovitz @moskov.goodventures.org · 16d

This shouldn't need to be said, but coal is failing in the year 2025 because it is more expensive than alternative solutions. You can't polish this lump.

46 220 740

Reposted by GeorgeWeeks2014

Alan White @aljwhite.bsky.social · 3d

I ❤️ Viz

A letter to viz on why we should be removing British objects from people’s rectums, not foreign ones

15 520 1.7K

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

You're going to need a bigger glass.

1 8

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

Prof @ianwalker.bsky.social is a leading expert in sustainable transport and is credited with popularising the term 'motornormativity'.

I shall be signing up to his newsletter.

Prof. Ian Walker @ianwalker.bsky.social · 3d

On BlueSky I share thoughts about sustainable transport and environmental psychology, plus interesting links

I'm going to try a newsletter for when I want to explore ideas in more depth

Sign up? simple.ghost.io The first entry, to tell you what's going on, is at simple.ghost.io/the-simple-n...

The Simple Newsletter is coming soon

Because you can never have enough email

simple.ghost.io

1

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

Vehicular cycling is at best a survival strategy. At worst it's a cult.

2

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

So if you (or your child, neice, nephew, pupil, etc) are deciding what to study, please don't make the mistake that I did with maths A-level.

Do study things that you find engaging.

Don't pick your subjects based on fear of the dole.

If I had my time again I'd have done French & Spanish.

ENDS!

1

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

For me, geography and economics led me to university to study social sciences, town planning, real estate & sustainable urbanism. This has shaped my career & I feel lucky to have found such an engaging niche.

And the only way to find engaging niches is to pursue avenues of inherent interest. 7/n

1 2

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

Because...and this is really important...you're thinking about what you want to do for your career.

If the fundamental academic building blocks are neither engaging nor enjoyable, your career may not come with the satisfaction that you deserve.

And this is a waste of time.

6/n

1 3

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

The point is, it's extremely unhelpful when schools, vocational advisors, etc dole out generic advice that leads to teenagers making decisions based on fear.

If the brochure had said: "Do maths if you enjoy it, you're good at it and it makes you tick" then that would have been sensible advice. 5/n

1 3

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

Meanwhile, did maths (or lack thereof) keep the wolf from the door?

In an unscientific study, some ppl have done v. well helped by their aptitude in maths (eg trader at Goldman Sachs).

Other success (partner at law firm, social media entrepreneur, etc) came from ppl studying English & History 4/n

1 2

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

With a lot of hard work, extra classes and past papers, I emerged with a D grade in AS-level maths (including a U for P2) and ditched it for the last year of school, sticking with Economics, Geography and Physics (AAB).

I was a good pupil and *wanted* to do well but the maths just didn't stick.
3/n

1 3