Grumpy Philosopher
@stevecooke.org
Grumpy. Associate Professor of Political Philosophy. Animal rights, ethics of activism, political philosophy.
Homepage: https://stevecooke.org/
Homepage: https://stevecooke.org/
Pinned
Grumpy Philosopher
@stevecooke.org
· Dec 5
Steve Cooke – Adventures in Philosophy
stevecooke.org
I've built myself a website, which includes a list of journals for animal rights philosophers to submit to (organised by publisher), a couple of syllabi, my essay writing guide for political philosophy students, & articles that philosophers say have changed their minds: stevecooke.org
Oh, the gambling industry is cross about the budget. Suddenly, I feel somewhat more positive about it.
November 26, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Oh, the gambling industry is cross about the budget. Suddenly, I feel somewhat more positive about it.
One weird thing about working in a university is that a bunch of people who don’t teach, & don’t understand your subject area, have strong opinions about what & how you should teach, how you should assess, & the value of your courses. Same deal your research. Those people are in charge.
November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
One weird thing about working in a university is that a bunch of people who don’t teach, & don’t understand your subject area, have strong opinions about what & how you should teach, how you should assess, & the value of your courses. Same deal your research. Those people are in charge.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Handing back student work that’s been written by ChatGPT with a 0 followed by the comment “This essay will never stand in authentic wonder before the Beauty of God’s creation.”
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Handing back student work that’s been written by ChatGPT with a 0 followed by the comment “This essay will never stand in authentic wonder before the Beauty of God’s creation.”
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
I’ve just discovered that ITV+ has a series that ‘What if Outback Opal Hunters, but vampires and it’s a metaphor for colonialism?’ I am in so hard. This had better not be shit. Or at least, it had better not be shit in a bad way.
November 26, 2025 at 5:11 PM
I’ve just discovered that ITV+ has a series that ‘What if Outback Opal Hunters, but vampires and it’s a metaphor for colonialism?’ I am in so hard. This had better not be shit. Or at least, it had better not be shit in a bad way.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
How has support for political violence in America shifted over the past year and who has the highest levels of support?
My new piece at @brookings.edu provides answers by comparing data from #NoKings2.0 with a national survey fielded right after: www.brookings.edu/articles/wha...
My new piece at @brookings.edu provides answers by comparing data from #NoKings2.0 with a national survey fielded right after: www.brookings.edu/articles/wha...
What the No Kings Day protest reveals about support for political violence in America | Brookings
New survey data from the No Kings Day protests reveal shifting public attitudes toward political violence in the second Trump administration.
www.brookings.edu
November 26, 2025 at 12:54 PM
How has support for political violence in America shifted over the past year and who has the highest levels of support?
My new piece at @brookings.edu provides answers by comparing data from #NoKings2.0 with a national survey fielded right after: www.brookings.edu/articles/wha...
My new piece at @brookings.edu provides answers by comparing data from #NoKings2.0 with a national survey fielded right after: www.brookings.edu/articles/wha...
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Here is the Philjobs advert for IGVI's Senior Research Scholar position: philjobs.org/job/show/30378
Please share widely. 🙏
Please share widely. 🙏
November 26, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Here is the Philjobs advert for IGVI's Senior Research Scholar position: philjobs.org/job/show/30378
Please share widely. 🙏
Please share widely. 🙏
The only profitable part of university finances is overseas students. Overseas student fees current subsidise teaching of home students. This policy will reduce the number of overseas students coming here. In other words, it will reduce the amount of money spent on home students. Smoke & mirrors.
Universities in England will pay a flat fee of £925 per student for each year of study under the new international student levy, today’s budget has revealed.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
International levy to be flat fee of £925 per student - Research Professional News
Budget 2025: Government sets out details of international student fee levy, including 2028 start date
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The only profitable part of university finances is overseas students. Overseas student fees current subsidise teaching of home students. This policy will reduce the number of overseas students coming here. In other words, it will reduce the amount of money spent on home students. Smoke & mirrors.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.
bloom.bg
November 25, 2025 at 7:52 PM
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Trump envoy reportedly told Kremlin official that Ukraine must cede land for peace deal
Trump envoy reportedly told Kremlin official that Ukraine must cede land for peace deal
Steve Witkoff told Yuri Ushakov in October phone call that peace would require Russia gaining control of Donetsk
Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff told a senior Kremlin official last month that achieving peace in Ukraine would require Russia gaining control of Donetsk and potentially a separate territorial exchange, according to a recording of their conversation obtained by Bloomberg.
In the 14 October phone call with Yuri Ushakov, the top foreign policy aide to Russian president Vladimir Putin, Witkoff said he believed the land concessions were necessary all while advising Ushakov to congratulate Trump and frame discussions more optimistically. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Trump envoy reportedly told Kremlin official that Ukraine must cede land for peace deal
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Really great and interesting paper:
"Using British electoral panel data, it shows that greater open-mindedness, tolerance for uncertainty, and social distrust are associated with greater political attitudinal volatilty."
"Using British electoral panel data, it shows that greater open-mindedness, tolerance for uncertainty, and social distrust are associated with greater political attitudinal volatilty."
Thrilled to share my new article in Political Psychology: “The psychology of political attitudinal volatility.” In it, I attempt to answer why do some people change their political views more than others? Open access at: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
@ispp-pops.bsky.social
@ispp-pops.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Really great and interesting paper:
"Using British electoral panel data, it shows that greater open-mindedness, tolerance for uncertainty, and social distrust are associated with greater political attitudinal volatilty."
"Using British electoral panel data, it shows that greater open-mindedness, tolerance for uncertainty, and social distrust are associated with greater political attitudinal volatilty."
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
November 25, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
Reform are a disgrace & Zia Yusuf is as obnoxiously wrong about this as he is about everything. But, I don’t know how a Labour minister has the chutzpah to write this. You don’t get to deliberately wreck the sector & then claim you’re backing young people to go to university. Unbelievably galling.
Always the way, isn't it? Graduate from top uni says other people shouldn't aspire to go to university.
The Prime Minister's target – two thirds of young people getting a degree or an apprenticeship – is the right one. Only Labour backs our young people.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
The Prime Minister's target – two thirds of young people getting a degree or an apprenticeship – is the right one. Only Labour backs our young people.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Reform UK bigwig who went to top university says fewer others should do the same
Reform UK's former chairman calls for "fewer people going to university" after benefiting from a degree from one of the country's most prestigious ones himself
www.mirror.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Reform are a disgrace & Zia Yusuf is as obnoxiously wrong about this as he is about everything. But, I don’t know how a Labour minister has the chutzpah to write this. You don’t get to deliberately wreck the sector & then claim you’re backing young people to go to university. Unbelievably galling.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
can anyone who understands finance lingo tell me if this is a good or bad sign??
OpenAI needs to raise at least $207bn by 2030 so it can continue to lose money, HSBC estimates on.ft.com/4ij0yh8
OpenAI needs to raise at least $207bn by 2030 so it can continue to lose money, HSBC estimates
A burning platform
on.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:44 PM
can anyone who understands finance lingo tell me if this is a good or bad sign??
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Lovely review of Playing Possum by Travis Timmerman, published in Ethics. Above all I'm thrilled that the extremely silly word "jepperfication" (made up by @richardmoore.bsky.social to help me translate the also made up "jontrinfuncación") has made it into such a posh journal.
philpapers.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Lovely review of Playing Possum by Travis Timmerman, published in Ethics. Above all I'm thrilled that the extremely silly word "jepperfication" (made up by @richardmoore.bsky.social to help me translate the also made up "jontrinfuncación") has made it into such a posh journal.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
'higher education providers at risk of exiting market' 🤷♂️
I'm old enough to remember that higher education was seen as a public good.
I'm old enough to remember that higher education was seen as a public good.
November 25, 2025 at 7:06 PM
'higher education providers at risk of exiting market' 🤷♂️
I'm old enough to remember that higher education was seen as a public good.
I'm old enough to remember that higher education was seen as a public good.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
This excellent graduate conference is taking place tomorrow!
(Wednesday 26 November.)
(Wednesday 26 November.)
KCL PPE for Public Policy Graduate
Conference
📅Date: 26 Nov 2025
🏟️Place: KCL Waterloo Campus
🎤Keynote: Prof. Jonathan Wolff
📊Sessions: Interdisciplinary & Policy-oriented (see ⤵︎for details)
📝Register here:
kclppe4pp.github.io
Please come join us!!
#PPE #Econsky #Philsky
#Polisky #Policysky
Conference
📅Date: 26 Nov 2025
🏟️Place: KCL Waterloo Campus
🎤Keynote: Prof. Jonathan Wolff
📊Sessions: Interdisciplinary & Policy-oriented (see ⤵︎for details)
📝Register here:
kclppe4pp.github.io
Please come join us!!
#PPE #Econsky #Philsky
#Polisky #Policysky
November 25, 2025 at 6:56 PM
This excellent graduate conference is taking place tomorrow!
(Wednesday 26 November.)
(Wednesday 26 November.)
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
attempting to describe the vibes of the moment. have yet to do better than: "imagine watching a documentary reenacting the burning of the Library of Alexandria set to the soundtrack of 'Yakety Sax'"
February 6, 2025 at 3:59 AM
attempting to describe the vibes of the moment. have yet to do better than: "imagine watching a documentary reenacting the burning of the Library of Alexandria set to the soundtrack of 'Yakety Sax'"
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
I see we've entered the making-movies-for-the-strongman phase of democratic decline.
‘Rush Hour 4’ in the Works at Paramount at Trump’s Request
"Rush Hour 4" in the works at Paramount after prodding from president Trump.
variety.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:52 PM
I see we've entered the making-movies-for-the-strongman phase of democratic decline.
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
Yay, the the program I'm studying with has joined Bluesky!
Hello Bluesky! We're the official Bsky account for the online part-time MSc International Animal Welfare Ethics and Law at the University of Edinburgh. We're just getting our account up and running, but you can find out more about us here: vet.ed.ac.uk/education/po...
International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law | The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies | The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
A fully flexible postgraduate programme designed to address the demand for online animal welfare education suitable for working professionals and others with an interest in studying a range of animal ...
vet.ed.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Yay, the the program I'm studying with has joined Bluesky!
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
this is good
I’ve been running around asking tech execs and academics if language was the same as intelligence for over a year now - and, well, it isn’t. @benjaminjriley.bsky.social explains how the bubble is built on ignoring cutting-edge research into the science of thought www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
November 25, 2025 at 2:56 PM
this is good
Why not go the whole hog and just have the Home Secretary decide whether defendants are guilty or innocent?
Jury trials in England and Wales to be scrapped except for most serious cases on.ft.com/3LY1Ceq
Jury trials in England and Wales to be scrapped except for most serious cases
Proposed changes unlikely to apply for trials of serious offences such as rape and murder
on.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Why not go the whole hog and just have the Home Secretary decide whether defendants are guilty or innocent?
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
This was a long form interview about our new research by the fantastic @adamfleming.bsky.social where I tried to summarise the findings - and their political implications - as simply as possible in 'talking human, not academic' form:
🎙️ "Those economic worries are critical. They matter across the board, they matter in magnitude and they're having a number of indirect effects."
@profjanegreen.bsky.social discusses @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social latest report on Newscast last night. Starts at 23mins.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
@profjanegreen.bsky.social discusses @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social latest report on Newscast last night. Starts at 23mins.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Newscast - Another Trump Ukraine Peace Plan - BBC Sounds
Trump hints at 'big progress' in Ukraine talks.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 PM
This was a long form interview about our new research by the fantastic @adamfleming.bsky.social where I tried to summarise the findings - and their political implications - as simply as possible in 'talking human, not academic' form:
Reposted by Grumpy Philosopher
The idea that within a notoriously glacial system you can tinker - during the cycle no less - with a framework that rewards past performance, and hope that this leads to more strategic outcomes is... bold.
REF changes ‘to help deliver new UKRI objectives’, says Ian Chapman
National funding agency handed new targets tied to government priorities as part of R&D revamp
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
National funding agency handed new targets tied to government priorities as part of R&D revamp
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
REF changes ‘to help deliver new UKRI objectives’, says Chapman - Research Professional News
National funding agency handed new targets tied to government priorities as part of R&D revamp
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
The idea that within a notoriously glacial system you can tinker - during the cycle no less - with a framework that rewards past performance, and hope that this leads to more strategic outcomes is... bold.
A highly educated society is a better society. Everyone with the desire & ability should be able to go to university. Individuals & society benefit, whatever the subject, so education costs should be subsidised. Public research is a common good. That, apparently, is a controversial take.
November 25, 2025 at 11:34 AM
A highly educated society is a better society. Everyone with the desire & ability should be able to go to university. Individuals & society benefit, whatever the subject, so education costs should be subsidised. Public research is a common good. That, apparently, is a controversial take.