James O'Malley
@jamesomalley.co.uk
@Psythor on Twitter. Freelance writer covering politics/tech/nerd stuff.
Read my content: takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
Yes, I inevitably have a podcast too: abundancepod.com
Free the Postcode Address File!
Read my content: takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
Yes, I inevitably have a podcast too: abundancepod.com
Free the Postcode Address File!
Reposted by James O'Malley
📣 Announcing our 'Union and civil society responses to public sector AI' panel.
Hear from @adamc-c.bsky.social, @kate-jones.bsky.social, Caroline Selman @publiclawproject.bsky.social and @jamesomalley.co.uk
📆 Fri 6 Mar
🕰️ 10:00 - 17:00
🏢 Manchester
🔗 connectedbydata.org/events/2026...
Hear from @adamc-c.bsky.social, @kate-jones.bsky.social, Caroline Selman @publiclawproject.bsky.social and @jamesomalley.co.uk
📆 Fri 6 Mar
🕰️ 10:00 - 17:00
🏢 Manchester
🔗 connectedbydata.org/events/2026...
February 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM
📣 Announcing our 'Union and civil society responses to public sector AI' panel.
Hear from @adamc-c.bsky.social, @kate-jones.bsky.social, Caroline Selman @publiclawproject.bsky.social and @jamesomalley.co.uk
📆 Fri 6 Mar
🕰️ 10:00 - 17:00
🏢 Manchester
🔗 connectedbydata.org/events/2026...
Hear from @adamc-c.bsky.social, @kate-jones.bsky.social, Caroline Selman @publiclawproject.bsky.social and @jamesomalley.co.uk
📆 Fri 6 Mar
🕰️ 10:00 - 17:00
🏢 Manchester
🔗 connectedbydata.org/events/2026...
ICYMI!
February 12, 2026 at 1:31 PM
ICYMI!
Reposted by James O'Malley
Can Reform be YIMBY? Why I'm doubtful that Reform can fix the housing crisis
OK boomer
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM
It's not just the MPs. The intellectual centre of gravity on the right is moving to Reform.
Read the rest:
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/can-reform...
Read the rest:
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/can-reform...
February 11, 2026 at 5:05 PM
It's not just the MPs. The intellectual centre of gravity on the right is moving to Reform.
Read the rest:
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/can-reform...
Read the rest:
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/can-reform...
Can Reform be YIMBY? Why I'm doubtful that Reform can fix the housing crisis
OK boomer
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Reposted by James O'Malley
FRANCE'S MACRON: THIS MEANS MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN ENERGY GRIDS, WE NEED TO BUILD AN INTEGRATED EUROPEAN GRID
February 11, 2026 at 3:46 PM
FRANCE'S MACRON: THIS MEANS MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN ENERGY GRIDS, WE NEED TO BUILD AN INTEGRATED EUROPEAN GRID
This idea is pretty obviously unworkable but I wish we could dream big like this! The question to ask should be how can we change the state to make a project like this feasible?
Absolutely tremendous work here, no notes.
(Apart from to say that this proposal is by the actual president of RIBA)
(Apart from to say that this proposal is by the actual president of RIBA)
February 11, 2026 at 1:27 PM
This idea is pretty obviously unworkable but I wish we could dream big like this! The question to ask should be how can we change the state to make a project like this feasible?
Reposted by James O'Malley
Bluesky AI haters: you need to know that it is coming and it cannot be stopped and you need to help. Ask anyone in coding and you’ll hear that AI is a freight train heading our way. You need to get past ‘it doesn’t work’ and ‘I hate Elon Musk’. I know it sticks in the craw. But please start thinking
February 8, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Bluesky AI haters: you need to know that it is coming and it cannot be stopped and you need to help. Ask anyone in coding and you’ll hear that AI is a freight train heading our way. You need to get past ‘it doesn’t work’ and ‘I hate Elon Musk’. I know it sticks in the craw. But please start thinking
Since i went out a couple of hours ago I’ve thought of maybe six different tasks I wish I could task an agent like OpenClaw with.
Still no way I’m installing it, but I’m looking forward to Apple somehow building a more secure, local version into MacOS.
Still no way I’m installing it, but I’m looking forward to Apple somehow building a more secure, local version into MacOS.
February 10, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Since i went out a couple of hours ago I’ve thought of maybe six different tasks I wish I could task an agent like OpenClaw with.
Still no way I’m installing it, but I’m looking forward to Apple somehow building a more secure, local version into MacOS.
Still no way I’m installing it, but I’m looking forward to Apple somehow building a more secure, local version into MacOS.
Always good to have a back up option in case the current job doesn’t work out.
February 10, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Always good to have a back up option in case the current job doesn’t work out.
I love Jon Stewart, but since his return his hit rate has definitely only been about ~50%.
www.theargumentmag.com/p/jon-stewar...
www.theargumentmag.com/p/jon-stewar...
Jon Stewart has become his own worst nightmare
Econ 101? In this economy?
www.theargumentmag.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM
I love Jon Stewart, but since his return his hit rate has definitely only been about ~50%.
www.theargumentmag.com/p/jon-stewar...
www.theargumentmag.com/p/jon-stewar...
February 9, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Reposted by James O'Malley
He's running
:: suggested govt had "no growth strategy at all" after Mandelson complained about econ philosophy.
:: agreed with M’s comment that “govt problems do not stem from comms”, inferring PM was issue.
:: said Israel was "committing war crimes before our eyes" & UK needed to recognise Palestinian state
:: agreed with M’s comment that “govt problems do not stem from comms”, inferring PM was issue.
:: said Israel was "committing war crimes before our eyes" & UK needed to recognise Palestinian state
February 9, 2026 at 6:18 PM
He's running
If only he'd liberated the Postcode Address File when he had a chance, this could all be playing out so very differently.
February 9, 2026 at 4:10 PM
If only he'd liberated the Postcode Address File when he had a chance, this could all be playing out so very differently.
In the future, everyone will be Prime Minister for 15 minutes.
February 9, 2026 at 3:10 PM
In the future, everyone will be Prime Minister for 15 minutes.
Ambitious cabinet minister hoping for a new job soon? Why not appear on YIMBY Pod and tell us where you're at on 'abundance' issues?
New YIMBY Pod!
🥴 @mjrobbins.com asks: Does AI make you stupid?
📗 Does the new Green Book make trains value for money now?
🤖 And we speak to @iosad.fyi and @eleniarzoglou.bsky.social on how to rebuild government for the AI era.
Listen/subscribe!
www.abundancepod.com/p/does-ai-ma...
🥴 @mjrobbins.com asks: Does AI make you stupid?
📗 Does the new Green Book make trains value for money now?
🤖 And we speak to @iosad.fyi and @eleniarzoglou.bsky.social on how to rebuild government for the AI era.
Listen/subscribe!
www.abundancepod.com/p/does-ai-ma...
Does AI make you stupid?
Plus why northern trains might be considered value for money now
www.abundancepod.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Ambitious cabinet minister hoping for a new job soon? Why not appear on YIMBY Pod and tell us where you're at on 'abundance' issues?
Having a great first day as the new Downing Street Chief of Staff. Have just got my emails sorted and completed the health and safety training.
Now before I begin work, it's time to take a big swig of water, and check the latest news.
Now before I begin work, it's time to take a big swig of water, and check the latest news.
February 9, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Having a great first day as the new Downing Street Chief of Staff. Have just got my emails sorted and completed the health and safety training.
Now before I begin work, it's time to take a big swig of water, and check the latest news.
Now before I begin work, it's time to take a big swig of water, and check the latest news.
ICYMI it on Friday:
February 9, 2026 at 12:47 PM
ICYMI it on Friday:
This week's pod is a good one!
New YIMBY Pod!
🥴 @mjrobbins.com asks: Does AI make you stupid?
📗 Does the new Green Book make trains value for money now?
🤖 And we speak to @iosad.fyi and @eleniarzoglou.bsky.social on how to rebuild government for the AI era.
Listen/subscribe!
www.abundancepod.com/p/does-ai-ma...
🥴 @mjrobbins.com asks: Does AI make you stupid?
📗 Does the new Green Book make trains value for money now?
🤖 And we speak to @iosad.fyi and @eleniarzoglou.bsky.social on how to rebuild government for the AI era.
Listen/subscribe!
www.abundancepod.com/p/does-ai-ma...
Does AI make you stupid?
Plus why northern trains might be considered value for money now
www.abundancepod.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:47 PM
This week's pod is a good one!
New YIMBY Pod!
🥴 @mjrobbins.com asks: Does AI make you stupid?
📗 Does the new Green Book make trains value for money now?
🤖 And we speak to @iosad.fyi and @eleniarzoglou.bsky.social on how to rebuild government for the AI era.
Listen/subscribe!
www.abundancepod.com/p/does-ai-ma...
🥴 @mjrobbins.com asks: Does AI make you stupid?
📗 Does the new Green Book make trains value for money now?
🤖 And we speak to @iosad.fyi and @eleniarzoglou.bsky.social on how to rebuild government for the AI era.
Listen/subscribe!
www.abundancepod.com/p/does-ai-ma...
Does AI make you stupid?
Plus why northern trains might be considered value for money now
www.abundancepod.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:17 AM
New YIMBY Pod!
🥴 @mjrobbins.com asks: Does AI make you stupid?
📗 Does the new Green Book make trains value for money now?
🤖 And we speak to @iosad.fyi and @eleniarzoglou.bsky.social on how to rebuild government for the AI era.
Listen/subscribe!
www.abundancepod.com/p/does-ai-ma...
🥴 @mjrobbins.com asks: Does AI make you stupid?
📗 Does the new Green Book make trains value for money now?
🤖 And we speak to @iosad.fyi and @eleniarzoglou.bsky.social on how to rebuild government for the AI era.
Listen/subscribe!
www.abundancepod.com/p/does-ai-ma...
It's that time of the year when I open up the Wikipedia page that explains the rules of American football.
February 8, 2026 at 11:42 PM
It's that time of the year when I open up the Wikipedia page that explains the rules of American football.
Just broke the news to Boudicca about Morgan McSweeney.
February 8, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Just broke the news to Boudicca about Morgan McSweeney.
Reposted by James O'Malley
To my mind it is not so dissimilar from the Blair/New Labour 1997 debate - Blair/Starmer weren’t responsible for the conditions of victory existing, but they played a role shaping the manner & magnitude of victory. And in what was done with each victory.
I don't disagree with this per-se (it wasn't just McSweeney!), but I do think it was pretty important that McSweeney and Starmer successfully repositioned Labour – with all of the pain that entailed – so they could capture as many seats as they did.
I do wonder about anyone who thinks McSweeney single-handedly won Labour its majority. They do realise they were up against a catastrophically unpopular government? The 2024 result was very much an underperformance against the fundamentals.
February 8, 2026 at 6:26 PM
To my mind it is not so dissimilar from the Blair/New Labour 1997 debate - Blair/Starmer weren’t responsible for the conditions of victory existing, but they played a role shaping the manner & magnitude of victory. And in what was done with each victory.
I don't disagree with this per-se (it wasn't just McSweeney!), but I do think it was pretty important that McSweeney and Starmer successfully repositioned Labour – with all of the pain that entailed – so they could capture as many seats as they did.
I do wonder about anyone who thinks McSweeney single-handedly won Labour its majority. They do realise they were up against a catastrophically unpopular government? The 2024 result was very much an underperformance against the fundamentals.
Not *all* Labour MPs wanted McSweeney out.
“Gutted about Morgan”, one texts.
“So many of us know he’s brilliant to work with, so exceptional at the bigger picture strategic thinking, relentlessly focused on the moving pieces… and credit him with winning the majority”.
“Gutted about Morgan”, one texts.
“So many of us know he’s brilliant to work with, so exceptional at the bigger picture strategic thinking, relentlessly focused on the moving pieces… and credit him with winning the majority”.
February 8, 2026 at 6:22 PM
I don't disagree with this per-se (it wasn't just McSweeney!), but I do think it was pretty important that McSweeney and Starmer successfully repositioned Labour – with all of the pain that entailed – so they could capture as many seats as they did.