Oliver Mantell
@olivermantell.bsky.social
Cultural audience researcher.
Interested in everything, including poetry.
Director of Evidence & Insight at The Audience Agency; Board member at Grimm & Co and Sheaf Poetry. From Reading, living in Sheffield.
[Header from Tara Bergin’s Savage Tales]
Interested in everything, including poetry.
Director of Evidence & Insight at The Audience Agency; Board member at Grimm & Co and Sheaf Poetry. From Reading, living in Sheffield.
[Header from Tara Bergin’s Savage Tales]
My guess is it’s the skeletal remains of the patella from a troll-like creature, finally explaining the etymology of ‘Orkney’…
November 27, 2025 at 12:09 PM
My guess is it’s the skeletal remains of the patella from a troll-like creature, finally explaining the etymology of ‘Orkney’…
Any assessment of Budget impact on households which doesn’t include what tax is spent on* (as well as what tax is raised) seems pretty pointless to me.
(*and not just re benefits/tax credits etc).
(*and not just re benefits/tax credits etc).
November 27, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Any assessment of Budget impact on households which doesn’t include what tax is spent on* (as well as what tax is raised) seems pretty pointless to me.
(*and not just re benefits/tax credits etc).
(*and not just re benefits/tax credits etc).
Reposted by Oliver Mantell
Milne is in the spotlight thanks to some amazing reporting from The Sheffield Tribune: buff.ly/8ZTPmDL
A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the ‘very aggressive’ letters arrived
Exclusive: The Tribune can reveal that Andrew Milne has threatened leaseholders with high court action. It ‘broke my heart’ one woman says
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Milne is in the spotlight thanks to some amazing reporting from The Sheffield Tribune: buff.ly/8ZTPmDL
Reposted by Oliver Mantell
Finally got round to giving @benansell.bsky.social's latest. It's also one of his very best - especially if you want to understand the extent to which Reform voters (often talked of as 'the people' and, apparently therefore, representative of all UK voters) are real outliers, culturally-speaking.
Odd Ones Out
Mapping Britain's social values and the marginalisation of the 'anti-woke'
benansell.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Finally got round to giving @benansell.bsky.social's latest. It's also one of his very best - especially if you want to understand the extent to which Reform voters (often talked of as 'the people' and, apparently therefore, representative of all UK voters) are real outliers, culturally-speaking.
I thought this series was insightful and sensitively made, with some evocative anchoring images (and poetical in its approach as a result).
Well worth watching…
Well worth watching…
My new series - Empire With David Olusoga - starts 9pm on BBC Two. Whole series on @bbciplayer.bsky.social from tonight.
November 24, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I thought this series was insightful and sensitively made, with some evocative anchoring images (and poetical in its approach as a result).
Well worth watching…
Well worth watching…
Reposted by Oliver Mantell
Oh, and info enviroment really matters and you have to actively fight and do things to improve that.
November 21, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Oh, and info enviroment really matters and you have to actively fight and do things to improve that.
Reposted by Oliver Mantell
steve smith, you scored 17 on your specialist subject, "getting hit by jofra archer"
November 21, 2025 at 7:52 AM
steve smith, you scored 17 on your specialist subject, "getting hit by jofra archer"
Microsoft: “we have cutting edge smart technology that will transform how the world works”.
Also Microsoft: “We have no way of knowing whether a British person, based in Britain, using British English spelling is actually just consistently spelling American English wrong.”
Also Microsoft: “We have no way of knowing whether a British person, based in Britain, using British English spelling is actually just consistently spelling American English wrong.”
November 20, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Microsoft: “we have cutting edge smart technology that will transform how the world works”.
Also Microsoft: “We have no way of knowing whether a British person, based in Britain, using British English spelling is actually just consistently spelling American English wrong.”
Also Microsoft: “We have no way of knowing whether a British person, based in Britain, using British English spelling is actually just consistently spelling American English wrong.”
Usually I find it liberating not being followed on here by any family members, but… Yes: this, please.
(Sighs and adds it to the list to buy myself after Christmas).
(Sighs and adds it to the list to buy myself after Christmas).
November 20, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Usually I find it liberating not being followed on here by any family members, but… Yes: this, please.
(Sighs and adds it to the list to buy myself after Christmas).
(Sighs and adds it to the list to buy myself after Christmas).
Worth snapping up if there’s only a few left: would also make a good present for anyone who likes walking/the outdoors (or just really good poetry).
'It is the best anthology of new work that I’ve read in years; anyone with an interest in contemporary British poetry should read it.' - Billy Mills
Last few copies of 'The Footing': our first (and, to date, only) anthology (unlikely to be reprinted)
thefooting.wordpress.com
Last few copies of 'The Footing': our first (and, to date, only) anthology (unlikely to be reprinted)
thefooting.wordpress.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Worth snapping up if there’s only a few left: would also make a good present for anyone who likes walking/the outdoors (or just really good poetry).
Reading some Orwell essays for the first time in a while, and they feel strikingly topical. E.g.:
“Left governments almost invariably disappoint their supporters because, even when the prosperity which they have promised is achievable, there is always need of an uncomfortable transition period…
“Left governments almost invariably disappoint their supporters because, even when the prosperity which they have promised is achievable, there is always need of an uncomfortable transition period…
November 19, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Reading some Orwell essays for the first time in a while, and they feel strikingly topical. E.g.:
“Left governments almost invariably disappoint their supporters because, even when the prosperity which they have promised is achievable, there is always need of an uncomfortable transition period…
“Left governments almost invariably disappoint their supporters because, even when the prosperity which they have promised is achievable, there is always need of an uncomfortable transition period…
A couple of questions this research prompts for me:
How much do (and should?) the arts reflect /respond to / represent these ‘disillusioned men’?
What would a positive version of that engagement look like?
(Answering those is tackling cultural policy on hard mode, I suspect).
How much do (and should?) the arts reflect /respond to / represent these ‘disillusioned men’?
What would a positive version of that engagement look like?
(Answering those is tackling cultural policy on hard mode, I suspect).
You can read the full research on our web page, there’s lots more in there, particular thanks to @alistrathern.bsky.social, Co-chair of the new Labour men and boys group for his engagement with the work and providing the foreword. www.moreincommon.org.uk/our-work/res...
Out of reach? Men, masculinity and mainstream politics
New research lays bare the breadth of disillusionment across the British public, and identifies a key group of men who are increasingly disillusioned.
This research, drawing on polling of 3,000 Brito...
www.moreincommon.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 4:46 PM
A couple of questions this research prompts for me:
How much do (and should?) the arts reflect /respond to / represent these ‘disillusioned men’?
What would a positive version of that engagement look like?
(Answering those is tackling cultural policy on hard mode, I suspect).
How much do (and should?) the arts reflect /respond to / represent these ‘disillusioned men’?
What would a positive version of that engagement look like?
(Answering those is tackling cultural policy on hard mode, I suspect).
Reposted by Oliver Mantell
🧵 For International Men’s Day, @moreincommonuk.bsky.social has new research into a cohort of disillusioned men who have lost faith in the social contract & the idea that hard work will support a good life, don’t think politics respect them & who are turning away from mainstream politics
November 19, 2025 at 4:10 PM
🧵 For International Men’s Day, @moreincommonuk.bsky.social has new research into a cohort of disillusioned men who have lost faith in the social contract & the idea that hard work will support a good life, don’t think politics respect them & who are turning away from mainstream politics
The PEC analysis is consistently great: bravo @drdaveobrien.bsky.social @markrt.bsky.social et al.
New analysis released today in the State of the Nations series from @CreativePEC, highlights structural vulnerabilities, especially in retaining early and mid-career workers, and shows the need for improved workforce support.
pec.ac.uk/state_of_the...
pec.ac.uk/state_of_the...
November 19, 2025 at 1:02 PM
The PEC analysis is consistently great: bravo @drdaveobrien.bsky.social @markrt.bsky.social et al.
We’ve got these pegged to a string in our dining room and (when I remember!) the traveller moves from position 1-12 month by month through the year…
Endless journey cards by @tomgauld. Green version available here: laurencesternetrust.org.uk/shandy-hall-... A great postable #Christmaspresent for all ages. These 12 picture cards can be arranged to form 479,001,600 different landscapes! Inspired by the works of Laurence Sterne.
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
We’ve got these pegged to a string in our dining room and (when I remember!) the traveller moves from position 1-12 month by month through the year…
Reposted by Oliver Mantell
I think it's important to distinguish between "write for an audience" and "write for 'the market'." "The market" is a fickle, largely mindless construct by corporations based on what made money yesterday.
I write for an audience, not the market. For me writing has always been about communication.
I write for an audience, not the market. For me writing has always been about communication.
Been pondering the "write for yourself / no, write for an audience" convos I've seen going around. This obviously varies for everyone, but for me it's "write for myself, edit for an audience." I can't finish a project unless I retreat into a bubble and pretend nobody will ever read it--
November 18, 2025 at 9:56 PM
I think it's important to distinguish between "write for an audience" and "write for 'the market'." "The market" is a fickle, largely mindless construct by corporations based on what made money yesterday.
I write for an audience, not the market. For me writing has always been about communication.
I write for an audience, not the market. For me writing has always been about communication.
Reposted by Oliver Mantell
Been pondering the "write for yourself / no, write for an audience" convos I've seen going around. This obviously varies for everyone, but for me it's "write for myself, edit for an audience." I can't finish a project unless I retreat into a bubble and pretend nobody will ever read it--
November 18, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Been pondering the "write for yourself / no, write for an audience" convos I've seen going around. This obviously varies for everyone, but for me it's "write for myself, edit for an audience." I can't finish a project unless I retreat into a bubble and pretend nobody will ever read it--
At the risk of harping on the same issue (3 posts in 24hrs!):
If you’re seeking asylum b/c of your sexuality, coming from a country which doesn’t have equal marriage, any jewellery/love-token exchanged with your beloved is meant to be fair game for the Home Office to confiscate? Seriously?!
If you’re seeking asylum b/c of your sexuality, coming from a country which doesn’t have equal marriage, any jewellery/love-token exchanged with your beloved is meant to be fair game for the Home Office to confiscate? Seriously?!
November 18, 2025 at 10:39 AM
At the risk of harping on the same issue (3 posts in 24hrs!):
If you’re seeking asylum b/c of your sexuality, coming from a country which doesn’t have equal marriage, any jewellery/love-token exchanged with your beloved is meant to be fair game for the Home Office to confiscate? Seriously?!
If you’re seeking asylum b/c of your sexuality, coming from a country which doesn’t have equal marriage, any jewellery/love-token exchanged with your beloved is meant to be fair game for the Home Office to confiscate? Seriously?!
Yikes…
We can no longer trust that survey responses are coming from real people.”
A Researcher Made an AI That Completely Breaks the Online Surveys Scientists Rely On
We can no longer trust that survey responses are coming from real people.”
www.404media.co
November 18, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Yikes…
You know that heartbreaking scene where Oskar Schindler breaks down, saying “I could have saved more… I could have done more”, thinking how many more lives could have been saved by selling his rings and jewellery…?
I was reminded of that this morning.
I was reminded of that this morning.
November 17, 2025 at 9:41 AM
You know that heartbreaking scene where Oskar Schindler breaks down, saying “I could have saved more… I could have done more”, thinking how many more lives could have been saved by selling his rings and jewellery…?
I was reminded of that this morning.
I was reminded of that this morning.
‘First safe country’ is, effectively, ‘no refugees’.
With one exception: all our neighbours are in *and* have a land border with the EU, except the Republic of Ireland.
So: ‘no refugees unless there’s war or famine in Ireland’. Which, given our historic record, is… ironic.
With one exception: all our neighbours are in *and* have a land border with the EU, except the Republic of Ireland.
So: ‘no refugees unless there’s war or famine in Ireland’. Which, given our historic record, is… ironic.
November 17, 2025 at 9:15 AM
‘First safe country’ is, effectively, ‘no refugees’.
With one exception: all our neighbours are in *and* have a land border with the EU, except the Republic of Ireland.
So: ‘no refugees unless there’s war or famine in Ireland’. Which, given our historic record, is… ironic.
With one exception: all our neighbours are in *and* have a land border with the EU, except the Republic of Ireland.
So: ‘no refugees unless there’s war or famine in Ireland’. Which, given our historic record, is… ironic.
Reposted by Oliver Mantell
SATAN: So what makes you want to work here? Isn’t it a bit of a sideways move for you?
ME: Well, sideways and down, haha
SATAN: Haha
ME: But I’ve been working in the sector for a while, and I feel this is where the action is
SATAN: Your most recent role was…
ME: Cinema website designer
SATAN: Sweet
ME: Well, sideways and down, haha
SATAN: Haha
ME: But I’ve been working in the sector for a while, and I feel this is where the action is
SATAN: Your most recent role was…
ME: Cinema website designer
SATAN: Sweet
November 13, 2025 at 2:43 PM
SATAN: So what makes you want to work here? Isn’t it a bit of a sideways move for you?
ME: Well, sideways and down, haha
SATAN: Haha
ME: But I’ve been working in the sector for a while, and I feel this is where the action is
SATAN: Your most recent role was…
ME: Cinema website designer
SATAN: Sweet
ME: Well, sideways and down, haha
SATAN: Haha
ME: But I’ve been working in the sector for a while, and I feel this is where the action is
SATAN: Your most recent role was…
ME: Cinema website designer
SATAN: Sweet
Reposted by Oliver Mantell
Thanks to @awickenden.bsky.social's suggestion yesterday, I'm now going to be teaching The Waste Land all day while mentally rewriting it to the tune of Eleanor Rigby e.g.
Saint Mary Woolnoth
Keeping the hours with a thunk on the last stroke of nine
It's Stetson time
Saint Mary Woolnoth
Keeping the hours with a thunk on the last stroke of nine
It's Stetson time
Madame Sosostris / Had a bad cold and a Hanged Man that no-one could find
November 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Thanks to @awickenden.bsky.social's suggestion yesterday, I'm now going to be teaching The Waste Land all day while mentally rewriting it to the tune of Eleanor Rigby e.g.
Saint Mary Woolnoth
Keeping the hours with a thunk on the last stroke of nine
It's Stetson time
Saint Mary Woolnoth
Keeping the hours with a thunk on the last stroke of nine
It's Stetson time
Interesting attempt to design a mechanism for public funding of news organisations without creating bias or leverage
NEW on our website
@rasmuskleis.bsky.social chaired a commission tasked by the Danish gov to design a system of direct media subsidies. In this piece he explains how they conceived their proposal and what other countries could learn from it
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/taxes-n...
@rasmuskleis.bsky.social chaired a commission tasked by the Danish gov to design a system of direct media subsidies. In this piece he explains how they conceived their proposal and what other countries could learn from it
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/taxes-n...
From taxes to news: How Denmark is rethinking public funding for private publishers
The Nordic country is creating a model to decide which outlets should receive subsidies, how and on what basis. Rasmus Nielsen explains how it could work.
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk
November 13, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Interesting attempt to design a mechanism for public funding of news organisations without creating bias or leverage