Andy MacRae
@andymacrae.bsky.social
Reposted by Andy MacRae
Getting snow where you are? Did you know that there are 121 categories of snowflake? ❄️
This graphic is an old favourite which gives an overview of the 39 intermediate categories: www.compoundchem.com/2014/12/10/s... 🧪
This graphic is an old favourite which gives an overview of the 39 intermediate categories: www.compoundchem.com/2014/12/10/s... 🧪
January 8, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Getting snow where you are? Did you know that there are 121 categories of snowflake? ❄️
This graphic is an old favourite which gives an overview of the 39 intermediate categories: www.compoundchem.com/2014/12/10/s... 🧪
This graphic is an old favourite which gives an overview of the 39 intermediate categories: www.compoundchem.com/2014/12/10/s... 🧪
Reposted by Andy MacRae
🧵/ 18 months since GE2024, and four before this May's crucial elections, Labour have lost around 60% of their 2024 coalition.
Over 2025, they lost around 1.5m further voters in net, with by far the clearest increase being to the Greens (+0.8m to 1.3m), now Labour's largest source of partisan loss.
Over 2025, they lost around 1.5m further voters in net, with by far the clearest increase being to the Greens (+0.8m to 1.3m), now Labour's largest source of partisan loss.
January 4, 2026 at 11:40 AM
🧵/ 18 months since GE2024, and four before this May's crucial elections, Labour have lost around 60% of their 2024 coalition.
Over 2025, they lost around 1.5m further voters in net, with by far the clearest increase being to the Greens (+0.8m to 1.3m), now Labour's largest source of partisan loss.
Over 2025, they lost around 1.5m further voters in net, with by far the clearest increase being to the Greens (+0.8m to 1.3m), now Labour's largest source of partisan loss.
Reposted by Andy MacRae
Our @yougov.co.uk data journalism extraordinaire Matt Smith has compiled all news tracker results from 2025 into this stunning graphic
This tells us so much about what 'cuts through', how news cycles evolve, and what grabs attention re: flash moments vs ongoing stories
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
This tells us so much about what 'cuts through', how news cycles evolve, and what grabs attention re: flash moments vs ongoing stories
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
December 31, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Our @yougov.co.uk data journalism extraordinaire Matt Smith has compiled all news tracker results from 2025 into this stunning graphic
This tells us so much about what 'cuts through', how news cycles evolve, and what grabs attention re: flash moments vs ongoing stories
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
This tells us so much about what 'cuts through', how news cycles evolve, and what grabs attention re: flash moments vs ongoing stories
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Reposted by Andy MacRae
✨ A few years back I stood outside Wells Cathedral for a full day and photographed the impact of the light on the front facade. I was amazed at the outcome - at how a single entity could morph and change under the changing light. 🌅 #thread
November 28, 2025 at 7:13 AM
✨ A few years back I stood outside Wells Cathedral for a full day and photographed the impact of the light on the front facade. I was amazed at the outcome - at how a single entity could morph and change under the changing light. 🌅 #thread
Reposted by Andy MacRae
A cracking sunset this evening looking out towards the Wallace Monument
November 29, 2025 at 5:29 PM
A cracking sunset this evening looking out towards the Wallace Monument
Reposted by Andy MacRae
So my daughter is back from Cambridge just for Sunday lunch. She wants a proper roast dinner with roast spuds and Yorkshires. Takes a bit of work on the timing but no problem, we will have a lovely chill time.
I thought. /1
I thought. /1
October 26, 2025 at 3:53 PM
So my daughter is back from Cambridge just for Sunday lunch. She wants a proper roast dinner with roast spuds and Yorkshires. Takes a bit of work on the timing but no problem, we will have a lovely chill time.
I thought. /1
I thought. /1
Reposted by Andy MacRae
July has been a warm month, sunnier than average and a bit drier than average. Summer is continuing the warm trend from Spring. Here is a climate/weather summary for the past year. #dataviz #climatchange #globalwarming
August 5, 2025 at 8:47 AM
July has been a warm month, sunnier than average and a bit drier than average. Summer is continuing the warm trend from Spring. Here is a climate/weather summary for the past year. #dataviz #climatchange #globalwarming
Reposted by Andy MacRae
As the hosepipe ban kicks in over parts of Reading we look at how this summer so far compares to the UK’s infamous hot, dry summer of 1976 in this week’s @unirdg-met.bsky.social blog:
blogs.reading.ac.uk/weather-and-...
blogs.reading.ac.uk/weather-and-...
How does the UK summer so far compare to the extreme hot, dry summer of 1976?
By Dr Laura Baker Senior NCAS Scientist in the Department of Meteorology As we come to the end of the third heatwave of 2025, and a third English water board has announced a hosepipe ban, more an…
blogs.reading.ac.uk
July 22, 2025 at 8:10 AM
As the hosepipe ban kicks in over parts of Reading we look at how this summer so far compares to the UK’s infamous hot, dry summer of 1976 in this week’s @unirdg-met.bsky.social blog:
blogs.reading.ac.uk/weather-and-...
blogs.reading.ac.uk/weather-and-...
Reposted by Andy MacRae
This is the tale of a little frog who could. That frog's name was Rosie the Ribeter. And she could jump over 2 metres. And the problem was, according to science, she shouldn't have. In a minor way, Rosie changed science. In a major way, she showed what science was about.
1/x
1/x
July 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
This is the tale of a little frog who could. That frog's name was Rosie the Ribeter. And she could jump over 2 metres. And the problem was, according to science, she shouldn't have. In a minor way, Rosie changed science. In a major way, she showed what science was about.
1/x
1/x
Reposted by Andy MacRae
This is so sensible - and about time too. theconversation.com/automatic-vo...
Automatic voter registration: a huge step forward for democracy – and a chance to bring missing millions into elections
As part of a raft of new measures, people will no longer need to register themselves to vote.
theconversation.com
July 21, 2025 at 6:17 AM
This is so sensible - and about time too. theconversation.com/automatic-vo...
Reposted by Andy MacRae
The Scottish study suggesting that reducing the voting age increases turnout into the 20s is here cc @philipjcowley.bsky.social impact.ed.ac.uk/opinion/vote...
Vote earlier in life, vote more often - Edinburgh Impact
Supporters of reducing voting ages to 16 say it helps embed the habit of visiting the ballot box earlier in life. New evidence from Scotland suggests they may have a case.
impact.ed.ac.uk
July 20, 2025 at 9:57 AM
The Scottish study suggesting that reducing the voting age increases turnout into the 20s is here cc @philipjcowley.bsky.social impact.ed.ac.uk/opinion/vote...
Reposted by Andy MacRae
Intricate patterning, contrast and subtle tints on this common frog resting by the edge of an Alpine stream
July 8, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Intricate patterning, contrast and subtle tints on this common frog resting by the edge of an Alpine stream
Reposted by Andy MacRae
Jokes on the Street in Shaftesbury - Part 1
July 1, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Jokes on the Street in Shaftesbury - Part 1
Reposted by Andy MacRae
I wrote this about how to read and why.
Books remain the best technology ever invented to understand life and the world. There is no alternative.
Every book you read helps you build a richer picture of the entire world.
jmarriott.substack.com/p/how-i-read
Books remain the best technology ever invented to understand life and the world. There is no alternative.
Every book you read helps you build a richer picture of the entire world.
jmarriott.substack.com/p/how-i-read
How to read and why
I love reading and I love advice about how to read.
jmarriott.substack.com
June 7, 2025 at 9:20 AM
I wrote this about how to read and why.
Books remain the best technology ever invented to understand life and the world. There is no alternative.
Every book you read helps you build a richer picture of the entire world.
jmarriott.substack.com/p/how-i-read
Books remain the best technology ever invented to understand life and the world. There is no alternative.
Every book you read helps you build a richer picture of the entire world.
jmarriott.substack.com/p/how-i-read
Reposted by Andy MacRae
I think the word "important" is overused when it comes to the publication of words. It should be used sparingly.
This new piece of research from @teraallas.bsky.social and co-author Dimitri Zenghellis *is important*.
www.productivity.ac.uk/news/mind-th...
It explains weak UK productivity. 1/
This new piece of research from @teraallas.bsky.social and co-author Dimitri Zenghellis *is important*.
www.productivity.ac.uk/news/mind-th...
It explains weak UK productivity. 1/
Mind the capital gap: British citizens are poorer because UK workers are denied capital - The Productivity Institute
British workers are operating with a third less capital per hour worked than their counterparts abroad, finds new research by Tera Allas and Dimitri Zenghelis.
www.productivity.ac.uk
June 4, 2025 at 11:32 AM
I think the word "important" is overused when it comes to the publication of words. It should be used sparingly.
This new piece of research from @teraallas.bsky.social and co-author Dimitri Zenghellis *is important*.
www.productivity.ac.uk/news/mind-th...
It explains weak UK productivity. 1/
This new piece of research from @teraallas.bsky.social and co-author Dimitri Zenghellis *is important*.
www.productivity.ac.uk/news/mind-th...
It explains weak UK productivity. 1/
Reposted by Andy MacRae
These Arisaig sunsets just keep on giving - looking towards An Sgurr on Eigg
April 5, 2025 at 7:38 PM
These Arisaig sunsets just keep on giving - looking towards An Sgurr on Eigg
Reposted by Andy MacRae
These Arisaig sunsets are mind blowing – Eigg and Rum, plus crystal clear seas abounding with life. Perfect in every way imaginable
April 7, 2025 at 8:44 PM
These Arisaig sunsets are mind blowing – Eigg and Rum, plus crystal clear seas abounding with life. Perfect in every way imaginable
Reposted by Andy MacRae
A thread of notes I've made in my notebook about my dad:
1. The Swimming Pool.
1. The Swimming Pool.
April 15, 2025 at 7:19 AM
A thread of notes I've made in my notebook about my dad:
1. The Swimming Pool.
1. The Swimming Pool.
Reposted by Andy MacRae
this isn’t a new photo - I took it a few years ago - but wanted to share it regardless
November 17, 2024 at 11:38 AM
this isn’t a new photo - I took it a few years ago - but wanted to share it regardless
Reposted by Andy MacRae
Dishwashers are good, actually: https://www.popsci.com/environment/science-of-using-dishwasher-vs-handwashing/
The science of why you should use your dishwasher
Skip washing your dishes by hand and toss your gross plates in the dishwasher.
www.popsci.com
May 12, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Dishwashers are good, actually: https://www.popsci.com/environment/science-of-using-dishwasher-vs-handwashing/
Reposted by Andy MacRae
OK, this is wild.
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
May 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
OK, this is wild.
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
Reposted by Andy MacRae
Remarkably hot end to #MayDay in the south, and the contrast in temperature N to S is striking too..note though that 11 or 12C is actually near average for early evening in the N this time of year!
May 1, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Remarkably hot end to #MayDay in the south, and the contrast in temperature N to S is striking too..note though that 11 or 12C is actually near average for early evening in the N this time of year!
Reposted by Andy MacRae
People who understand international macro better than I do (ie all of you) explain me where I'm wrong here:
- the stupid tariff policy of the USA is inflationary for them. Negative supply shock
- if Europe doesn't react, it could be a mildly*deflationary* shock here. Cheaper gas...1/
- the stupid tariff policy of the USA is inflationary for them. Negative supply shock
- if Europe doesn't react, it could be a mildly*deflationary* shock here. Cheaper gas...1/
April 18, 2025 at 8:04 AM
People who understand international macro better than I do (ie all of you) explain me where I'm wrong here:
- the stupid tariff policy of the USA is inflationary for them. Negative supply shock
- if Europe doesn't react, it could be a mildly*deflationary* shock here. Cheaper gas...1/
- the stupid tariff policy of the USA is inflationary for them. Negative supply shock
- if Europe doesn't react, it could be a mildly*deflationary* shock here. Cheaper gas...1/
Reposted by Andy MacRae
It's a week into the school holidays, and, as I'm already running out of ideas, we we went on an Easter hunt - for a tree.
April 13, 2025 at 10:47 AM
It's a week into the school holidays, and, as I'm already running out of ideas, we we went on an Easter hunt - for a tree.