Ben Hazell
@benhazell.bsky.social
Dad. Lead content designer on GOV.UK One Login at GDS
Reposted by Ben Hazell
Jew in Amsterdam here. Please use Anne Frank as a comparison point to explain how state persecution of scapegoats impacts children, that is the point of her example, thanks
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
Tim Walz condemned for comparing Minnesota children to Anne Frank
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
bit.ly
January 28, 2026 at 8:10 AM
Jew in Amsterdam here. Please use Anne Frank as a comparison point to explain how state persecution of scapegoats impacts children, that is the point of her example, thanks
Reposted by Ben Hazell
🚨This is the new TikTok Privacy Policy I found on Reddit. Read it & pass this on. Looks like they can pull from USER CONTENT race, religious beliefs, mental/physical health diagnosis, sex life, status as transgender, citizenship/immigration status & more personal info.
January 23, 2026 at 7:56 AM
🚨This is the new TikTok Privacy Policy I found on Reddit. Read it & pass this on. Looks like they can pull from USER CONTENT race, religious beliefs, mental/physical health diagnosis, sex life, status as transgender, citizenship/immigration status & more personal info.
Reposted by Ben Hazell
NATO did not "stay a little back, off the front lines."
Danish, British and Estonian troops served in Helmand, and Canadian forces in Kandahar - the two most dangerous Afghan provinces.
Denmark, UK, Estonia & Canada suffered amongst the highest per‑capita soldier death rates when defending the US.
Danish, British and Estonian troops served in Helmand, and Canadian forces in Kandahar - the two most dangerous Afghan provinces.
Denmark, UK, Estonia & Canada suffered amongst the highest per‑capita soldier death rates when defending the US.
Trump on NATO: "I've always said, will they be there if we ever needed them? That's really the ultimate test. I'm not sure of that. We've never needed them. They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan and this or that. And they did. They stayed a little back, off the front lines."
January 22, 2026 at 2:02 PM
NATO did not "stay a little back, off the front lines."
Danish, British and Estonian troops served in Helmand, and Canadian forces in Kandahar - the two most dangerous Afghan provinces.
Denmark, UK, Estonia & Canada suffered amongst the highest per‑capita soldier death rates when defending the US.
Danish, British and Estonian troops served in Helmand, and Canadian forces in Kandahar - the two most dangerous Afghan provinces.
Denmark, UK, Estonia & Canada suffered amongst the highest per‑capita soldier death rates when defending the US.
Reposted by Ben Hazell
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked WhatsApp messages show Labour MPs urging govt to leave X, arguing that it should "show direction to others in the UK"
The MPs said X owner Elon Musk is "fascist" and that the platform's AI tool, Grok, had put "children in harm's way"
The MPs said X owner Elon Musk is "fascist" and that the platform's AI tool, Grok, had put "children in harm's way"
January 9, 2026 at 2:20 PM
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked WhatsApp messages show Labour MPs urging govt to leave X, arguing that it should "show direction to others in the UK"
The MPs said X owner Elon Musk is "fascist" and that the platform's AI tool, Grok, had put "children in harm's way"
The MPs said X owner Elon Musk is "fascist" and that the platform's AI tool, Grok, had put "children in harm's way"
Reposted by Ben Hazell
The world's richest man runs a subscription-based automated service that removes clothing from photographs of children.
Now only paying subscribers can make violent non-consenual sexual imagery of women and children -
Grok turns off image generator for most users after outcry over sexualised AI imagery www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Grok turns off image generator for most users after outcry over sexualised AI imagery www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Grok turns off image generator for most users after outcry over sexualised AI imagery
X to limit editing function to paying subscribers after platform threatened with fines and regulatory action
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:58 AM
The world's richest man runs a subscription-based automated service that removes clothing from photographs of children.
Reposted by Ben Hazell
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.
January 8, 2026 at 12:31 PM
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.
Reposted by Ben Hazell
I understand the pressures on the BBC, but Radio 4's coverage of the Minneapolis shooting is an example of "bad balance".
It's all "the Trump regime says she was a terrorist, but Democrats say it was murder".
The BBC has the footage. It doesn't have to treat truth and falsehood as equally valid.
It's all "the Trump regime says she was a terrorist, but Democrats say it was murder".
The BBC has the footage. It doesn't have to treat truth and falsehood as equally valid.
January 8, 2026 at 8:38 AM
I understand the pressures on the BBC, but Radio 4's coverage of the Minneapolis shooting is an example of "bad balance".
It's all "the Trump regime says she was a terrorist, but Democrats say it was murder".
The BBC has the footage. It doesn't have to treat truth and falsehood as equally valid.
It's all "the Trump regime says she was a terrorist, but Democrats say it was murder".
The BBC has the footage. It doesn't have to treat truth and falsehood as equally valid.
Reposted by Ben Hazell
If you missed this question to Nigel Farage from The Critic's Rob Hutton – and it was over an hour into the press conference – then it was a particularly good one. The answer was... vague.
January 7, 2026 at 11:50 AM
If you missed this question to Nigel Farage from The Critic's Rob Hutton – and it was over an hour into the press conference – then it was a particularly good one. The answer was... vague.
Reposted by Ben Hazell
Ofcom, which enforces the UK's Online Safety Act, says it is aware of "serious concerns" about Grok undressing people including children on X
“We have made urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK," it says
“We have made urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK," it says
January 5, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Ofcom, which enforces the UK's Online Safety Act, says it is aware of "serious concerns" about Grok undressing people including children on X
“We have made urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK," it says
“We have made urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK," it says
Reposted by Ben Hazell
Went to check if this screenshot (posted by @aric.bsky.social) was real (it is) and then made the mistake of also scrolling through Grok's replies on X. Still constantly cranking out sexualised images of young girls. Beyond bleak.
January 5, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Went to check if this screenshot (posted by @aric.bsky.social) was real (it is) and then made the mistake of also scrolling through Grok's replies on X. Still constantly cranking out sexualised images of young girls. Beyond bleak.
Then - Team Fortress, the Half-Life mod.
With heavy sides of Dungeon Keeper, Total Annihilation, and Shogun: Total War
Now - All surpassed, but it's Dungeon Keeper I look back on most fondly.
With heavy sides of Dungeon Keeper, Total Annihilation, and Shogun: Total War
Now - All surpassed, but it's Dungeon Keeper I look back on most fondly.
Quote this with your favourite game from 2000 NOW, and what your favourite was THEN (if you had one)
Localisations count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
For a fuller refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
Localisations count, remasters/ports don't. Remakes depend.
Two-way ties count.
For a fuller refresher: backloggd.com/games/lib/po...
January 4, 2026 at 9:12 PM
Then - Team Fortress, the Half-Life mod.
With heavy sides of Dungeon Keeper, Total Annihilation, and Shogun: Total War
Now - All surpassed, but it's Dungeon Keeper I look back on most fondly.
With heavy sides of Dungeon Keeper, Total Annihilation, and Shogun: Total War
Now - All surpassed, but it's Dungeon Keeper I look back on most fondly.
Reposted by Ben Hazell
The government needs to shift to subsidising cooling heat pumps instead of only ones that heat. With warmer and more uncomfortable summers it’s a real benefit. Middle class much more likely to contribute more if their homes are cooled in the summer as well as heated in the winter.
December 30, 2025 at 3:23 PM
The government needs to shift to subsidising cooling heat pumps instead of only ones that heat. With warmer and more uncomfortable summers it’s a real benefit. Middle class much more likely to contribute more if their homes are cooled in the summer as well as heated in the winter.
Reposted by Ben Hazell
🐧🧊 Incredible underwater footage of penguin life, shot from the first person of one of them.
🇺🇦 This beauty was captured thanks to Ukrainian scientists from the Vernadsky Station in Antarctica, who put a GPS tracker and a tiny camera on the bird.
🇺🇦 This beauty was captured thanks to Ukrainian scientists from the Vernadsky Station in Antarctica, who put a GPS tracker and a tiny camera on the bird.
December 29, 2025 at 4:52 PM
🐧🧊 Incredible underwater footage of penguin life, shot from the first person of one of them.
🇺🇦 This beauty was captured thanks to Ukrainian scientists from the Vernadsky Station in Antarctica, who put a GPS tracker and a tiny camera on the bird.
🇺🇦 This beauty was captured thanks to Ukrainian scientists from the Vernadsky Station in Antarctica, who put a GPS tracker and a tiny camera on the bird.
Reposted by Ben Hazell
Rian Johnson is really good at morality plays
Knives out: the upper middle class are squabbling vicious children who do not deserve their inheritance
Glass onion: the new elite are the stupidest murderous cunts alive and deserve your scorn
Wake up dead man: those preaching anger as salvation are leading you to death, hope and kindness matter
Glass onion: the new elite are the stupidest murderous cunts alive and deserve your scorn
Wake up dead man: those preaching anger as salvation are leading you to death, hope and kindness matter
December 29, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Rian Johnson is really good at morality plays
Reposted by Ben Hazell
Sir Terry Pratchett is best understood as one of the most interesting, deeply ethical practical (I would say Pragmatist but I cede to actual experts) philosophers of the late 20th Century who just happened to work in deconstructed fantasy literature as his medium.
Discworld QOTD, from Hogfather
December 25, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Sir Terry Pratchett is best understood as one of the most interesting, deeply ethical practical (I would say Pragmatist but I cede to actual experts) philosophers of the late 20th Century who just happened to work in deconstructed fantasy literature as his medium.
Reposted by Ben Hazell
As you may know, I have stopped using Twitter, and have decided to reproduce some of my more memorable threads here for posterity. Here’s one I hold wrote after a particularly engaging swordfighting lesson.
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
a man reading a book to a young boy
Alt: a man reading a book to a young boy
media.tenor.com
June 5, 2025 at 11:20 AM
As you may know, I have stopped using Twitter, and have decided to reproduce some of my more memorable threads here for posterity. Here’s one I hold wrote after a particularly engaging swordfighting lesson.
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
Reposted by Ben Hazell
Good and important piece by @chrisgiles.ft.com. One implication: if you look at the revised figures for 2014-5, then frankly any talk that 2015 was a 'shock' win for David Cameron starts to look really silly and you just go 'oh yeah, figures': www.ft.com/content/5aff...
The UK economy is not nearly as bad as you’ve been told
A huge pessimistic bias in our national accounts leads us to doom and gloom which turns out to be nonsense
www.ft.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Good and important piece by @chrisgiles.ft.com. One implication: if you look at the revised figures for 2014-5, then frankly any talk that 2015 was a 'shock' win for David Cameron starts to look really silly and you just go 'oh yeah, figures': www.ft.com/content/5aff...
Reposted by Ben Hazell
can't stop watching this clip of a tesla Optimus teleoperator taking his headset off before properly logging out the robot
December 8, 2025 at 9:29 AM
can't stop watching this clip of a tesla Optimus teleoperator taking his headset off before properly logging out the robot
Reposted by Ben Hazell
What does the YouTube algorithm show pre-school kids when they know those kids are into Bluey & Peppa Pig?
A weird selection of blood, horror and AI slop.
What I discovered after spending a week on YouTube “being” a young kid…
A weird selection of blood, horror and AI slop.
What I discovered after spending a week on YouTube “being” a young kid…
December 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
What does the YouTube algorithm show pre-school kids when they know those kids are into Bluey & Peppa Pig?
A weird selection of blood, horror and AI slop.
What I discovered after spending a week on YouTube “being” a young kid…
A weird selection of blood, horror and AI slop.
What I discovered after spending a week on YouTube “being” a young kid…
Reposted by Ben Hazell
This should be in the V&A. It’s an essential artefact of UK late 20th century culture.
One of the most beautiful bits of english eccentricity and glorious design is coming back to Sotheby’s and should be bought by a musuem (or me) for THE NATION. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Jewelled golden hare that sparked national treasure hunt set for auction
Artist and author Kit Williams hid a golden hare with clues to its precise location given in his 1979 book
www.independent.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM
This should be in the V&A. It’s an essential artefact of UK late 20th century culture.
Reposted by Ben Hazell
To illustrate how disingenuous this campaign is
“85% have made payments to get better cars” does *not* mean “85% have bought Beamers”. Most people don’t lease Beamers with the scheme. The extra payments are adaptations to allow disabled people to use the cars, wheelchair hoists for eg
“85% have made payments to get better cars” does *not* mean “85% have bought Beamers”. Most people don’t lease Beamers with the scheme. The extra payments are adaptations to allow disabled people to use the cars, wheelchair hoists for eg
November 25, 2025 at 1:59 PM
To illustrate how disingenuous this campaign is
“85% have made payments to get better cars” does *not* mean “85% have bought Beamers”. Most people don’t lease Beamers with the scheme. The extra payments are adaptations to allow disabled people to use the cars, wheelchair hoists for eg
“85% have made payments to get better cars” does *not* mean “85% have bought Beamers”. Most people don’t lease Beamers with the scheme. The extra payments are adaptations to allow disabled people to use the cars, wheelchair hoists for eg
Reposted by Ben Hazell
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Other
siepr.stanford.edu
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
Reposted by Ben Hazell
this article from @colin-fraser.net really shaped how i think about chatbots. the underlying model is always essentially spawning characters whose dialogue is likely fit with the dialogue they're getting as input, and this is an "evil computer" character medium.com/@colin.frase...
Who are we talking to when we talk to these bots?
“” is published by Colin Fraser.
medium.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:34 AM
this article from @colin-fraser.net really shaped how i think about chatbots. the underlying model is always essentially spawning characters whose dialogue is likely fit with the dialogue they're getting as input, and this is an "evil computer" character medium.com/@colin.frase...
Reposted by Ben Hazell
Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round
November 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round
Reposted by Ben Hazell
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA