Sonic Sloth Scientist
@slothlydad.bsky.social
Bikes, synths, maps, LCC, homegrown, homebrewed, G/green.
Croydon / S London mostly.
https://cycle.travel/by/angus_hewlett
Personal views. Actual contents may vary. May contain cats.
Croydon / S London mostly.
https://cycle.travel/by/angus_hewlett
Personal views. Actual contents may vary. May contain cats.
Goodness the EU is catastrophically dense sometimes.
I mean, not "leaving our trading bloc and peace partnership of the last 40 years because blue passports" catastrophically dense, but still.
I mean, not "leaving our trading bloc and peace partnership of the last 40 years because blue passports" catastrophically dense, but still.
European meat industry lobbying extends its footprint to the UK as terms like 'veggie burger' to be banned n order to protect meat sales
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Ban on veggie ‘burgers’: plant-based products may lose meaty names in UK under EU law
Exclusive: Trade agreement means UK is subject to some food labelling rules, with vote on vegetarian food terms this week
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Goodness the EU is catastrophically dense sometimes.
I mean, not "leaving our trading bloc and peace partnership of the last 40 years because blue passports" catastrophically dense, but still.
I mean, not "leaving our trading bloc and peace partnership of the last 40 years because blue passports" catastrophically dense, but still.
Looked out of my window to see what looked like an extremely close pass between two big jets on Heathrow approach.
I assume it was a trick of perspective due to low light levels and very clear skies, but oof.
About five minutes ago over Bromley, SE London, if anyone knows how to check...
I assume it was a trick of perspective due to low light levels and very clear skies, but oof.
About five minutes ago over Bromley, SE London, if anyone knows how to check...
November 20, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Looked out of my window to see what looked like an extremely close pass between two big jets on Heathrow approach.
I assume it was a trick of perspective due to low light levels and very clear skies, but oof.
About five minutes ago over Bromley, SE London, if anyone knows how to check...
I assume it was a trick of perspective due to low light levels and very clear skies, but oof.
About five minutes ago over Bromley, SE London, if anyone knows how to check...
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
We’re watching a shift where AI simulates the cohesion and reinforcement that used to require an entire online community. A single person can now build a complete parallel reality with nothing more than a prompt window. Which seems bad.
November 19, 2025 at 2:25 PM
We’re watching a shift where AI simulates the cohesion and reinforcement that used to require an entire online community. A single person can now build a complete parallel reality with nothing more than a prompt window. Which seems bad.
"A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in." - ancient Greek proverb.
Huge.
And I meet more and more over 50s too who will be voting for the Green Party as well!
Join.greenparty.org.uk
And I meet more and more over 50s too who will be voting for the Green Party as well!
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Under-50s Back Green Party as FIRST Choice in Latest YouGov Poll.
November 19, 2025 at 8:47 AM
"A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in." - ancient Greek proverb.
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
Look, for fuck’s sake, humans have been migrating continuously for our entire existence.
Every single human in the world is the product of migration.
It’s what humans do. There is nothing *more* human.
That’s never going to change.
Just grow up, get the fuck over it and plan accordingly.
Every single human in the world is the product of migration.
It’s what humans do. There is nothing *more* human.
That’s never going to change.
Just grow up, get the fuck over it and plan accordingly.
November 16, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Look, for fuck’s sake, humans have been migrating continuously for our entire existence.
Every single human in the world is the product of migration.
It’s what humans do. There is nothing *more* human.
That’s never going to change.
Just grow up, get the fuck over it and plan accordingly.
Every single human in the world is the product of migration.
It’s what humans do. There is nothing *more* human.
That’s never going to change.
Just grow up, get the fuck over it and plan accordingly.
This is why they're even worse than Reform. Farage may be a racist and a snake, but he is what he is, and there's not much to be done about it.
These are people that should know better. A whole lot better. But they go along with it anyway. Inexcusable.
These are people that should know better. A whole lot better. But they go along with it anyway. Inexcusable.
It's hard to find the words to react to Shabana Mahmood's policy on asylum seekers announced today. But thankfully this should show why her position isn't tenable: the world is as dangerous as it was when she was in opposition. Her change of position is career orientated.
bsky.app/profile/padd...
bsky.app/profile/padd...
What would 2015 Shabana think of 2025 Shabana?
November 16, 2025 at 8:56 PM
This is why they're even worse than Reform. Farage may be a racist and a snake, but he is what he is, and there's not much to be done about it.
These are people that should know better. A whole lot better. But they go along with it anyway. Inexcusable.
These are people that should know better. A whole lot better. But they go along with it anyway. Inexcusable.
Look, even serial killers know it's a no-go area. And now, to cap it all, they want honest, hard-working murderers to pay ULEZ charges. You can't dispose of a dead body on public transport or a poxy push-bike you know.
Must be that shakira law they keep going on about.
The murder rate in London is now the lowest in decades, perhaps centuries. (The Times)
November 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Look, even serial killers know it's a no-go area. And now, to cap it all, they want honest, hard-working murderers to pay ULEZ charges. You can't dispose of a dead body on public transport or a poxy push-bike you know.
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
This is the logical consequence of Labour’s appeasement of the far right - this is an arms race Labour should never seek to win
Not everyone is unhappy about the Government's descent into anti-refugee politics
November 16, 2025 at 10:27 AM
This is the logical consequence of Labour’s appeasement of the far right - this is an arms race Labour should never seek to win
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
Yes illegal immigration is causing potholes, low growth and long NHS waiting lists. The leaves don’t get swept up because of illegal immigration. Illegal immigrants also make the clocks go back and hair grow from my ears, both of which become more and more difficult to bear with every passing year.
November 16, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Yes illegal immigration is causing potholes, low growth and long NHS waiting lists. The leaves don’t get swept up because of illegal immigration. Illegal immigrants also make the clocks go back and hair grow from my ears, both of which become more and more difficult to bear with every passing year.
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
David Miliband's closing paragraphs in his Observer article today are quite ... striking.
November 16, 2025 at 8:39 AM
David Miliband's closing paragraphs in his Observer article today are quite ... striking.
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
This is as bad as anything proposed by Reform.
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 6:43 AM
This is as bad as anything proposed by Reform.
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
He's said shit like this before. London is, on the whole, safe. In fact London is safer than LITERALLY EVERY AMERICAN CITY. time.com/5266759/dona...
November 15, 2025 at 5:51 PM
He's said shit like this before. London is, on the whole, safe. In fact London is safer than LITERALLY EVERY AMERICAN CITY. time.com/5266759/dona...
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
![4-panel vertical comic. (1) 100 Years Ago [two people standing next to bicycle with small car nearby] PERSON 1: It’s too dangerous riding a bike with these cars around. I should get a car, too. (2) 50 Years Ago [two people between smaller car and bigger car] PERSON 2 with short hair: Small cars are less safe in collisions with larger vehicles, so I should get a bigger one. (3) Today [two people between big car and even bigger car] PERSON 1: Everyone has huge SUVs now. If I don’t get the biggest one, I’m putting my family at risk. (4) Soon [two people next to large armored car with spiked clubs attached] PERSON 2: If I don’t install more whirling spike clubs, I’ll be destroyed by all the other drivers who...](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreiby6can6k76yzfmv2czxs4pu2l7zie7bqbrpswi7h3ifmiadkuqvu@jpeg)
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
The Lower Thames Crossing is unaffordable.
If fully publicly financed, it would need £16 billion of taxpayers' money!
transportactionnetwork.org.uk/chancellor-u...
If fully publicly financed, it would need £16 billion of taxpayers' money!
transportactionnetwork.org.uk/chancellor-u...
Chancellor urged to scrap Lower Thames Crossing in favour of stronger growth-generating rail projects
Chancellor urged to scrap Lower Thames Crossing in favour of stronger growth-generating rail projects In its Budget submission to UK Chancellor of the Exchequer [1], Transport Action Network (TAN) has...
transportactionnetwork.org.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:58 AM
The Lower Thames Crossing is unaffordable.
If fully publicly financed, it would need £16 billion of taxpayers' money!
transportactionnetwork.org.uk/chancellor-u...
If fully publicly financed, it would need £16 billion of taxpayers' money!
transportactionnetwork.org.uk/chancellor-u...
The most galling thing about the end of salary sacrifice is that you just know they're going to spend the whole lot on mOaR bOrDeRs, or on inflated costs of delivering health and social care which have arisen due to mOaR bOrDeRs.
And all to appease people who contribute nothing.
And all to appease people who contribute nothing.
November 14, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The most galling thing about the end of salary sacrifice is that you just know they're going to spend the whole lot on mOaR bOrDeRs, or on inflated costs of delivering health and social care which have arisen due to mOaR bOrDeRs.
And all to appease people who contribute nothing.
And all to appease people who contribute nothing.
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
One important thing to understand about these policy support mechanisms (“benefits for middle class voters”) being scrapped or slashed is that they are *expressly designed* to incentivise people with money to spend it on clean technology, on basis that public spending can’t deliver transition on own
Hundreds of thousands to lose heat pump subsidies in Reeves’s budget plan
Exclusive: Supporters say grants largely going to middle-class households, but experts warn move will slow transition from gas boilers
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:50 PM
One important thing to understand about these policy support mechanisms (“benefits for middle class voters”) being scrapped or slashed is that they are *expressly designed* to incentivise people with money to spend it on clean technology, on basis that public spending can’t deliver transition on own
.. and if we're going to need higher taxes anyway (which is inevitable), might as well do that with some social liberalism, hope and maybe even a bit of actual *joy* in public life?
(If you've seen the @zackpolanski.bsky.social / Jordan Stephens chat or his stage appearance, you know.)
(If you've seen the @zackpolanski.bsky.social / Jordan Stephens chat or his stage appearance, you know.)
More business people should endorse the @greenparty.org.uk
Massive investment programmes (both public and private), more money in consumers pockets and a more stable economy are all great for business
A little extra tax for the rich is a small price to pay for that
Massive investment programmes (both public and private), more money in consumers pockets and a more stable economy are all great for business
A little extra tax for the rich is a small price to pay for that
BREAKING 🚨 BBC Dragon’s Den star businesswoman Deborah Meaden endorses Zack Polanski 💚 (Source: LBC)
November 14, 2025 at 7:39 AM
.. and if we're going to need higher taxes anyway (which is inevitable), might as well do that with some social liberalism, hope and maybe even a bit of actual *joy* in public life?
(If you've seen the @zackpolanski.bsky.social / Jordan Stephens chat or his stage appearance, you know.)
(If you've seen the @zackpolanski.bsky.social / Jordan Stephens chat or his stage appearance, you know.)
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
We are floating the removal of the ONLY tax break on cycles. (Yes, it’s imperfect, yes it misses out the chunk of population that don’t pay income tax).
We are definitely not going to restore the fuel tax on petrol to where it should be.
Remind me again why I voted for you?
We are definitely not going to restore the fuel tax on petrol to where it should be.
Remind me again why I voted for you?
November 13, 2025 at 9:17 AM
We are floating the removal of the ONLY tax break on cycles. (Yes, it’s imperfect, yes it misses out the chunk of population that don’t pay income tax).
We are definitely not going to restore the fuel tax on petrol to where it should be.
Remind me again why I voted for you?
We are definitely not going to restore the fuel tax on petrol to where it should be.
Remind me again why I voted for you?
It's hard to email one-handed while playing golf*.
* Curiously, if you estimate the number of such people who are said to be playing golf on any given day, and then count how many working-aged people are out playing at your region's golf courses, there appears to be a discrepancy.
* Curiously, if you estimate the number of such people who are said to be playing golf on any given day, and then count how many working-aged people are out playing at your region's golf courses, there appears to be a discrepancy.
Every office has an executive tier whose emails are like:
saw on news , , can we replce complianc dept with web 3
and a worker tier whose emails are like:
Dear Jim,
First of all, I *love* this idea! Unfortunately, I spoke with Legal and identified a few issues with this approach. For starters…
saw on news , , can we replce complianc dept with web 3
and a worker tier whose emails are like:
Dear Jim,
First of all, I *love* this idea! Unfortunately, I spoke with Legal and identified a few issues with this approach. For starters…
Well, it's a little clearer now why billionaires are so invested in technology that produces better written emails.
November 13, 2025 at 9:35 AM
It's hard to email one-handed while playing golf*.
* Curiously, if you estimate the number of such people who are said to be playing golf on any given day, and then count how many working-aged people are out playing at your region's golf courses, there appears to be a discrepancy.
* Curiously, if you estimate the number of such people who are said to be playing golf on any given day, and then count how many working-aged people are out playing at your region's golf courses, there appears to be a discrepancy.
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
Such concrete outcomes do not grow on trees.
Talk TV has sacked presenter Mike Graham over a racist FB post. He actually tried to blame “hackers”.
November 12, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Such concrete outcomes do not grow on trees.
The "infinite growth on a finite planet" consensus want to lecture Greens about maths?
GTFO.
GTFO.
And today it's the turn of The Times to try and patronise us all.
Every single day the right wing establishment tries to close ranks.
And every day we are growing.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Every single day the right wing establishment tries to close ranks.
And every day we are growing.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
November 12, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The "infinite growth on a finite planet" consensus want to lecture Greens about maths?
GTFO.
GTFO.
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
And today it's the turn of The Times to try and patronise us all.
Every single day the right wing establishment tries to close ranks.
And every day we are growing.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Every single day the right wing establishment tries to close ranks.
And every day we are growing.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
November 12, 2025 at 8:33 AM
And today it's the turn of The Times to try and patronise us all.
Every single day the right wing establishment tries to close ranks.
And every day we are growing.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Every single day the right wing establishment tries to close ranks.
And every day we are growing.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
The easiest way to make housing affordable immediately without new building is to hike property taxes, which reduces asset prices by the NPV of the perpetual liability. This also helps young people buy, as they have future income rather than current wealth. Naturally we’re doing the opposite.
i think it's cool how Republicans are independently converging on neo-feudalism
November 12, 2025 at 3:23 PM
The easiest way to make housing affordable immediately without new building is to hike property taxes, which reduces asset prices by the NPV of the perpetual liability. This also helps young people buy, as they have future income rather than current wealth. Naturally we’re doing the opposite.
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
Good morning to all those people who wasted the last decade saying, "there's no point tackling climate change in the UK, because China."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
China’s CO2 emissions have been flat or falling for past 18 months, analysis finds
World’s biggest polluter on track to hit peak emissions target early but miss goal for cutting carbon intensity
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Good morning to all those people who wasted the last decade saying, "there's no point tackling climate change in the UK, because China."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Sonic Sloth Scientist
The BBC is in crisis in the same way that GB News would be if you put Owen Jones on the board armed with a veto and plenty of coffee.
November 11, 2025 at 7:48 AM
The BBC is in crisis in the same way that GB News would be if you put Owen Jones on the board armed with a veto and plenty of coffee.