LeithMotive
@leithmotive.bsky.social
Not Canadian.
New social media, same old personality.
An expert in some things. A colossal idiot in most others.
New social media, same old personality.
An expert in some things. A colossal idiot in most others.
Just got saved from a work fuck up by the process requiring somebody check what gets submitted to minimise the effects of human error. Wonder if there's a broad lesson here?
November 27, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Just got saved from a work fuck up by the process requiring somebody check what gets submitted to minimise the effects of human error. Wonder if there's a broad lesson here?
This post an exhibit in my argument for the return of paternalism by default. Comment shouldn't be free, opinions shouldn't be treated with respect. Only opinions backed by authority matter. And newspaper opinion sections should have a high barrier to entry.
November 27, 2025 at 1:29 PM
This post an exhibit in my argument for the return of paternalism by default. Comment shouldn't be free, opinions shouldn't be treated with respect. Only opinions backed by authority matter. And newspaper opinion sections should have a high barrier to entry.
Yes.
I wouldn’t say my views on tuition fees have *changed* but they have definitely moved from “I hate this proposal but I find some of the arguments for it difficult to rebut” to “this is an outrageous way of permitting age-differentiated taxation that we’d never accept in the other direction”.
I'm constantly shocked (but not surprised) by how little we discuss the additional financial burden placed on young people by the Clegg-Cameron student loan regime.
@rmcunliffe.bsky.social is one of the few journalists who brings it up continuously - once again in the wake of the budget 👇
@rmcunliffe.bsky.social is one of the few journalists who brings it up continuously - once again in the wake of the budget 👇
November 27, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Yes.
I know it probably isn't but in my head this is painted maroon.
Edinburgh, Scotland, 1860s. Stockbridge to Newington horse omnibus.
November 27, 2025 at 8:55 AM
I know it probably isn't but in my head this is painted maroon.
This is quite shockingly racist and I don't know why this is getting a pass from the media. If Goodwin were still gainfully employed in a proper workplace, this is the kind of shit that gets you hauled up in front of HR and issued with a formal warning.
Reflections on the budget from the head of Students4Reform
November 27, 2025 at 8:42 AM
This is quite shockingly racist and I don't know why this is getting a pass from the media. If Goodwin were still gainfully employed in a proper workplace, this is the kind of shit that gets you hauled up in front of HR and issued with a formal warning.
One of those nights where I slept soundly and awoke feeling more tired than I was when I went to bed.
November 27, 2025 at 7:10 AM
One of those nights where I slept soundly and awoke feeling more tired than I was when I went to bed.
Well, a big chunk of those dividend holders are contractors who lack any employment rights and have been whacked with a tax their rights protected PAYE colleagues don't. I'm not saying contracting doesn't pay well, but it's going to pay less well, and that's going to have implications.
November 26, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Well, a big chunk of those dividend holders are contractors who lack any employment rights and have been whacked with a tax their rights protected PAYE colleagues don't. I'm not saying contracting doesn't pay well, but it's going to pay less well, and that's going to have implications.
Charging less for plug in hybrid drivers than full fat EV drivers seems also bad. Why tax the more polluting vehicle less?
Keeping fuel duty at the same level for 15 years, while phasing in a cumbersome-to-implement tax on EV owners seems insane.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Electric vehicle owners to face pay-per-mile tax
Drivers of electric cars will pay a road charge of 3p per mile, while plug-in hybrid drivers will pay 1.5p per mile from April 2028.
www.bbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Charging less for plug in hybrid drivers than full fat EV drivers seems also bad. Why tax the more polluting vehicle less?
I know Hodges is a genuinely stupid man, but surely even he isn't dim enough to forget Truss's budget?
November 26, 2025 at 7:05 PM
I know Hodges is a genuinely stupid man, but surely even he isn't dim enough to forget Truss's budget?
Oh, just noticed the budget hits contractors/business owners harder than PAYE salaried people from a tax perspective. Hmmm.
November 26, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Oh, just noticed the budget hits contractors/business owners harder than PAYE salaried people from a tax perspective. Hmmm.
I have some scaffolders round putting up scaffolding and they're being so fucking loud about it so I apologise to the town for the clanging and the loud, guttural noises that anthropologists would struggle to categorise as a language even though it has a communicative purpose.
November 26, 2025 at 2:55 PM
I have some scaffolders round putting up scaffolding and they're being so fucking loud about it so I apologise to the town for the clanging and the loud, guttural noises that anthropologists would struggle to categorise as a language even though it has a communicative purpose.
In most walks of life withholding information to do someone a favour/maintain a relationship is considered to be a negative act. This really is one of the weirder journalism/publishing/politics things that doesn't apply anywhere else.
I cannot handle the incompetence at every level.
In newspapers, if you break an embargo (even a less serious one) you can end up in a disciplinary.
Why isn’t the government and its associated agencies taking the business of RUNNING THE COUNTRY more seriously than the work of bunch of hacks?
In newspapers, if you break an embargo (even a less serious one) you can end up in a disciplinary.
Why isn’t the government and its associated agencies taking the business of RUNNING THE COUNTRY more seriously than the work of bunch of hacks?
guys, guys, it's fine. the obr has taken the pdf offline. damage completely controlled
November 26, 2025 at 12:47 PM
In most walks of life withholding information to do someone a favour/maintain a relationship is considered to be a negative act. This really is one of the weirder journalism/publishing/politics things that doesn't apply anywhere else.
Excellent example of how clever clogs cryptography is not a good tool for most purposes www.bbc.com/news/article...
Cryptology firm cancels elections after losing encryption key
The International Association for Cryptologic Research - created to study secure communication - said it was an "honest human mistake."
www.bbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Excellent example of how clever clogs cryptography is not a good tool for most purposes www.bbc.com/news/article...
Lauren not a Limmy fan then?
November 26, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Lauren not a Limmy fan then?
Ahh, love an AI investment strategy which bangs on about science and tech when wider government policy is intended to reduce research capacity by punishing immigrants and underfunding HE and institutions.
Amidst all the Budget noise I didn't notice this coming out
www.gov.uk/government/n...
But thanks to the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk live blog, I didn't miss it ...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
But thanks to the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk live blog, I didn't miss it ...
AI to power national renewal as government announces billions of additional investment and new plans to boost UK businesses, jobs and innovation
A major package of new reforms and investment will put AI at heart of government’s mission to drive growth, create jobs and spread prosperity across the country.
www.gov.uk
November 26, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Ahh, love an AI investment strategy which bangs on about science and tech when wider government policy is intended to reduce research capacity by punishing immigrants and underfunding HE and institutions.
Because our sky broadband was down for most of last night the hot water didn't come on because the scheduler for the controller uses a remote server and this is fucking shit.
November 26, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Because our sky broadband was down for most of last night the hot water didn't come on because the scheduler for the controller uses a remote server and this is fucking shit.
Reposted by LeithMotive
Science lovers! Are you going to try and convince some child in your life that science is fun and worthwhile this Christmas? You could buy them one of dozens of commercially available "science kits" OR you could MAKE YOUR OWN to accompany a copy of "Mr Shaha's Recipes for Wonder":
Parents! Carers! Anyone thinking of buying a child a "science kit" for Christmas. For the same / less cost, buy a copy of "Recipes for Wonder" and put together a box of household "ingredients" which will let them do actual science and be a much more personal gift alomshaha.com/portfolio/mr...
November 25, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Science lovers! Are you going to try and convince some child in your life that science is fun and worthwhile this Christmas? You could buy them one of dozens of commercially available "science kits" OR you could MAKE YOUR OWN to accompany a copy of "Mr Shaha's Recipes for Wonder":
Amazing how much trouble you can cause at work for other people when you ask for a definition for a technical term. I love it.
November 25, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Amazing how much trouble you can cause at work for other people when you ask for a definition for a technical term. I love it.
Also, and quite importantly, this isnt about money, if it was they'd price cap it rather than base it on manufacturers. Vauxhall can cost more than BMW for example, it depends on the spec...
Don’t want to be too moralistic about this, but it is an active disgrace what people are doing to a profoundly liberational scheme that costs relatively piddling amounts on the basis of a couple of right wing shitposters misrepresenting it on Twitter.
November 25, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Also, and quite importantly, this isnt about money, if it was they'd price cap it rather than base it on manufacturers. Vauxhall can cost more than BMW for example, it depends on the spec...
Without discounting the experience of those men willing to talk about their experiences with prostate cancer, be very cynical about this push for general screening from the charities involved. There is not good evidence that the benefits offset the risks.
November 25, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Without discounting the experience of those men willing to talk about their experiences with prostate cancer, be very cynical about this push for general screening from the charities involved. There is not good evidence that the benefits offset the risks.
Reposted by LeithMotive
OMG. The Guardian have confused Kenneth Clark, presenter of the 1969 series 'Civilisation' with Tory ex-MP & former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke in their review of the new BBC series 'Civilisations:Rise & Fall'
November 25, 2025 at 12:29 AM
OMG. The Guardian have confused Kenneth Clark, presenter of the 1969 series 'Civilisation' with Tory ex-MP & former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke in their review of the new BBC series 'Civilisations:Rise & Fall'
This piece is as appallingly framed as every says. Kennedy is the end product of using the legal system to define scientific reality. Kennedy is an ambulance chasing lawyer and quack. Somebody who knows how to use the power of the courts rather than experimentation to insist science is wrong.
Over many interviews, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told Michael Scherer about how he plans to remake America’s public-health system. Can he lead the scientific establishment he’s spent much of his life crusading against?
Read more in our new cover story: theatln.tc/q9hXxlbM
Read more in our new cover story: theatln.tc/q9hXxlbM
November 24, 2025 at 5:01 PM
This piece is as appallingly framed as every says. Kennedy is the end product of using the legal system to define scientific reality. Kennedy is an ambulance chasing lawyer and quack. Somebody who knows how to use the power of the courts rather than experimentation to insist science is wrong.
Reposted by LeithMotive
Birmingham pals! Very proud that the launch event for The Cost of Trust is on 12th Feb, 7pm, Waterstones Bham. £6 entry or £23 with a hardback. Do come. www.waterstones.com/events/debor...
Deborah Douglas in Conversation with Tracy King | Events at Waterstones Bookshops | Waterstones
Events at Waterstones get you closer to the books and authors you admire most. Find information and tickets about Deborah Douglas in Conversation with Tracy King today.
www.waterstones.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Birmingham pals! Very proud that the launch event for The Cost of Trust is on 12th Feb, 7pm, Waterstones Bham. £6 entry or £23 with a hardback. Do come. www.waterstones.com/events/debor...
This is the jockeying for position for when He gets incapacitated, isn't it?
FWIW, RUMINT, but pretty reliable:
1. Vance key to US embrace of Russia plan on Ukraine, Rubio (and even Trump) out of the loop.
2. Vance-Rubio relations “awful.”
3. Rubio told the senators exactly what they said he told them.
4. Hegseth paranoid he’ll be shoved out, Driscoll will replace him.
1. Vance key to US embrace of Russia plan on Ukraine, Rubio (and even Trump) out of the loop.
2. Vance-Rubio relations “awful.”
3. Rubio told the senators exactly what they said he told them.
4. Hegseth paranoid he’ll be shoved out, Driscoll will replace him.
November 23, 2025 at 3:42 PM
This is the jockeying for position for when He gets incapacitated, isn't it?
Any Urdu readers out there who can tell me the source document of the prose in these illustrations?
November 23, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Any Urdu readers out there who can tell me the source document of the prose in these illustrations?