Charles Macmillan
@cmacm.bsky.social
Text and data mining research at European Commission Joint Research Centre. Personal account, my own opinions.
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
Precisely, and it is surprising (?) and disappointing that this point is not made 24/7 at 100dB+ by European politicians and media who ostensibly support democracy. In the 1930s, ignorance of what is coming was an excuse. Today they cannot pretend not to know of what the fascists really want.
I wonder how many Dutch voters fully realize that what ICE is doing in Minnesota is *exactly* what Wilders (and van der Plas, Baudet, Eerdmans etc) would like to see happen here. It’s a free preview of what far right government actually looks like.
January 14, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Precisely, and it is surprising (?) and disappointing that this point is not made 24/7 at 100dB+ by European politicians and media who ostensibly support democracy. In the 1930s, ignorance of what is coming was an excuse. Today they cannot pretend not to know of what the fascists really want.
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
Looking for EU funding to support your next research idea?
€14 billion is available under the new #HorizonEU Work Programme for 2026-27.
Find out all the key dates and tips for applicants in our handy guide: link.europa.eu/v8pH3Q
🧪 #SciComm
€14 billion is available under the new #HorizonEU Work Programme for 2026-27.
Find out all the key dates and tips for applicants in our handy guide: link.europa.eu/v8pH3Q
🧪 #SciComm
January 12, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Looking for EU funding to support your next research idea?
€14 billion is available under the new #HorizonEU Work Programme for 2026-27.
Find out all the key dates and tips for applicants in our handy guide: link.europa.eu/v8pH3Q
🧪 #SciComm
€14 billion is available under the new #HorizonEU Work Programme for 2026-27.
Find out all the key dates and tips for applicants in our handy guide: link.europa.eu/v8pH3Q
🧪 #SciComm
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
"Online hate and disinformation do not have easy solutions. But the Trump administration’s lies are not about free speech. They are about power – [...] promoting its far-right allies in Europe, and protecting its partners in Big Tech." @davidakaye.bsky.social
www.techpolicy.press/the-trump-li...
www.techpolicy.press/the-trump-li...
The Trump Lie About Europe and Why it Matters | TechPolicy.Press
The Trump administration is promoting disinformation about European law and policy for reasons that go well beyond social media regulation, writes David Kaye.
www.techpolicy.press
January 11, 2026 at 6:50 PM
"Online hate and disinformation do not have easy solutions. But the Trump administration’s lies are not about free speech. They are about power – [...] promoting its far-right allies in Europe, and protecting its partners in Big Tech." @davidakaye.bsky.social
www.techpolicy.press/the-trump-li...
www.techpolicy.press/the-trump-li...
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
It does make a nice change when leaked whatsapp group messages show government MPs being privately better than they are in public; used to be very much the opposite.
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 7:00 PM
It does make a nice change when leaked whatsapp group messages show government MPs being privately better than they are in public; used to be very much the opposite.
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
Across hundreds of cases, intentional VRAs have a "signature." A purposeful approach line toward a person. Commitment to that line. Steering corrections that track a target. Acceleration and follow through. All of these are absent in the videos of the incident I have seen thus far. 5/7
January 8, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Across hundreds of cases, intentional VRAs have a "signature." A purposeful approach line toward a person. Commitment to that line. Steering corrections that track a target. Acceleration and follow through. All of these are absent in the videos of the incident I have seen thus far. 5/7
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
Section 5(1)(f) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 (as amended) makes it a criminal offence to knowingly facilitate the production or distribution of sexualised images of children. The problem here isn't the law - it's the political willingnesss to enforce it against X.
My word. (Again.)
Media Minister Patrick O'Donovan: "At the end of the day, it's the choice of a person to make these images... technology is moving so fast... even if the law is changed there's no doubt about... the advances are far faster than law is able to respond..."
Media Minister Patrick O'Donovan: "At the end of the day, it's the choice of a person to make these images... technology is moving so fast... even if the law is changed there's no doubt about... the advances are far faster than law is able to respond..."
January 8, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Section 5(1)(f) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 (as amended) makes it a criminal offence to knowingly facilitate the production or distribution of sexualised images of children. The problem here isn't the law - it's the political willingnesss to enforce it against X.
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
HIRING: The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission is recruiting researchers, laboratory technicians, legal and project officers for our laboratories in Italy and Belgium:
➡️ link.europa.eu/CJ6kwR
#AcademicSky #ScienceJobs #JRC
➡️ link.europa.eu/CJ6kwR
#AcademicSky #ScienceJobs #JRC
January 8, 2026 at 11:42 AM
HIRING: The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission is recruiting researchers, laboratory technicians, legal and project officers for our laboratories in Italy and Belgium:
➡️ link.europa.eu/CJ6kwR
#AcademicSky #ScienceJobs #JRC
➡️ link.europa.eu/CJ6kwR
#AcademicSky #ScienceJobs #JRC
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
If a website appeared overnight that gave hundreds of millions of users the opportunity to create CSAM you'd expect governments to shut it down quickly, so the question is why X gets a pass when it's done just that?
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
AI chatbot Grok used to create child sexual abuse imagery, watchdog says
Internet Watch Foundation warns Elon Musk-owned AI risks bringing sexualised imagery of children into the mainstream
www.theguardian.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:08 AM
If a website appeared overnight that gave hundreds of millions of users the opportunity to create CSAM you'd expect governments to shut it down quickly, so the question is why X gets a pass when it's done just that?
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
PLEASE SHARE
📣 Multi-position (PhD and postdoc) call for an interdisciplinary project on "AI in the News Ecosystem: Navigating Trust and Authenticity”
Project @ddc-sdu.bsky.social (Digital Democracy Centre (SDU)).
Multiple positions with different backgrounds and profiles.
Links in🧵
#commsky
📣 Multi-position (PhD and postdoc) call for an interdisciplinary project on "AI in the News Ecosystem: Navigating Trust and Authenticity”
Project @ddc-sdu.bsky.social (Digital Democracy Centre (SDU)).
Multiple positions with different backgrounds and profiles.
Links in🧵
#commsky
January 8, 2026 at 9:14 AM
PLEASE SHARE
📣 Multi-position (PhD and postdoc) call for an interdisciplinary project on "AI in the News Ecosystem: Navigating Trust and Authenticity”
Project @ddc-sdu.bsky.social (Digital Democracy Centre (SDU)).
Multiple positions with different backgrounds and profiles.
Links in🧵
#commsky
📣 Multi-position (PhD and postdoc) call for an interdisciplinary project on "AI in the News Ecosystem: Navigating Trust and Authenticity”
Project @ddc-sdu.bsky.social (Digital Democracy Centre (SDU)).
Multiple positions with different backgrounds and profiles.
Links in🧵
#commsky
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
Just heard an AI ethicist talk about how important it is that we say ‘MEN are using Grok to undress images of babies, children and women’ not ‘Grok is….’. Grok isn’t responsible for the action, the men enabling & using it for this repulsive purpose are. Small but important bit of linguistic accuracy
January 7, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Just heard an AI ethicist talk about how important it is that we say ‘MEN are using Grok to undress images of babies, children and women’ not ‘Grok is….’. Grok isn’t responsible for the action, the men enabling & using it for this repulsive purpose are. Small but important bit of linguistic accuracy
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
Nicolás Maduro Charged With Felony Oil Possession
January 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Nicolás Maduro Charged With Felony Oil Possession
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
I spoke with María Corina Machado today. I affirmed Canada’s support for a peaceful, Venezuelan-led transition of power — one that respects the democratic will of the Venezuelan people.
January 5, 2026 at 1:02 AM
I spoke with María Corina Machado today. I affirmed Canada’s support for a peaceful, Venezuelan-led transition of power — one that respects the democratic will of the Venezuelan people.
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
A fascinating thought through account of action trump could take in Mexico, Panama, Greenland and Canada.
🔎 From February 2025
Trump Isn't Joking About Lebensraum
Trump's plans for Greenland, the Panama Canal, Canada and Mexico aren't just idle talk. A senior US insider tells us what to expect
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/trump-isnt...
Trump Isn't Joking About Lebensraum
Trump's plans for Greenland, the Panama Canal, Canada and Mexico aren't just idle talk. A senior US insider tells us what to expect
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/trump-isnt...
Trump Isn't Joking About Lebensraum
Trump's plans for Greenland, the Panama Canal, Canada and Mexico aren't just idle talk. A senior US insider tells us what to expect
www.bylinesupplement.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:32 AM
A fascinating thought through account of action trump could take in Mexico, Panama, Greenland and Canada.
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
Good Morning and welcome to another episode of regime change by the USA. The US seems to be militarily trying to get rid of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro right now. There are reports of US ground forces in action. However, watch the Cubans too. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
The US Is Attempting Regime Change In Venezuela
Watch Cuba
open.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Good Morning and welcome to another episode of regime change by the USA. The US seems to be militarily trying to get rid of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro right now. There are reports of US ground forces in action. However, watch the Cubans too. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
Call it “mutual” and suddenly people get it.
‘Mutual free movement’ for UK and EU citizens supported by 84% of Brits, in stunning new poll
Omnisis poll suggests opposition to free movement was based on lack of awareness and the UK government failing to enforce the rules
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
December 28, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Call it “mutual” and suddenly people get it.
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
HIRING: The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission is looking for researchers, engineers, economists and lab technicians.
🔬Discover the 15+ open positions in our labs across Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands: recruitment.jrc.ec.europa.eu/vacancies
#AcademicSky #ScienceJobs #JRC
🔬Discover the 15+ open positions in our labs across Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands: recruitment.jrc.ec.europa.eu/vacancies
#AcademicSky #ScienceJobs #JRC
December 8, 2025 at 8:13 AM
HIRING: The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission is looking for researchers, engineers, economists and lab technicians.
🔬Discover the 15+ open positions in our labs across Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands: recruitment.jrc.ec.europa.eu/vacancies
#AcademicSky #ScienceJobs #JRC
🔬Discover the 15+ open positions in our labs across Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands: recruitment.jrc.ec.europa.eu/vacancies
#AcademicSky #ScienceJobs #JRC
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
After the little Musk-Sikorski spat this, and Musk's statement to abolish the EU (after the Commission fined X), let's ask ourselves simply:
HOW ARE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONERS USING X NOW?
In this 🧵 I'll document it, Commissioner by Commissioner. When did they last post? How often do they post?
HOW ARE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONERS USING X NOW?
In this 🧵 I'll document it, Commissioner by Commissioner. When did they last post? How often do they post?
December 7, 2025 at 8:18 PM
After the little Musk-Sikorski spat this, and Musk's statement to abolish the EU (after the Commission fined X), let's ask ourselves simply:
HOW ARE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONERS USING X NOW?
In this 🧵 I'll document it, Commissioner by Commissioner. When did they last post? How often do they post?
HOW ARE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONERS USING X NOW?
In this 🧵 I'll document it, Commissioner by Commissioner. When did they last post? How often do they post?
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
There is so much attention on Europe's military dependence on America but people forget there are two other pillars of dependence: economic and cultural.
Here, former 🇮🇹PM Enrico Letta outlines how to free Europe from its economic shackles. Are leaders listening?
Here, former 🇮🇹PM Enrico Letta outlines how to free Europe from its economic shackles. Are leaders listening?
Enrico Letta: ‘If we have 27 markets, we will be a colony of Wall Street’
The former Italian prime minister on how to make Europe a single financial market
www.ft.com
June 27, 2025 at 10:10 AM
There is so much attention on Europe's military dependence on America but people forget there are two other pillars of dependence: economic and cultural.
Here, former 🇮🇹PM Enrico Letta outlines how to free Europe from its economic shackles. Are leaders listening?
Here, former 🇮🇹PM Enrico Letta outlines how to free Europe from its economic shackles. Are leaders listening?
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
What do a 1963 Science letter, two “No” votes, & Sherlock Holmes have to do with academic writing?
More than you think.
New Respect the Marble post on moving from insight to understanding, from bricks to walls, & why it’s worth our effort.
🧵
catherineeunicedevries.substack.com/p/sherlock-a...
More than you think.
New Respect the Marble post on moving from insight to understanding, from bricks to walls, & why it’s worth our effort.
🧵
catherineeunicedevries.substack.com/p/sherlock-a...
Sherlock at the Brickyard: On Clues, Chaos, and Construction
What Two “No” Votes Taught Me about the Resilience and Rupture in International Cooperation
catherineeunicedevries.substack.com
June 10, 2025 at 8:44 AM
What do a 1963 Science letter, two “No” votes, & Sherlock Holmes have to do with academic writing?
More than you think.
New Respect the Marble post on moving from insight to understanding, from bricks to walls, & why it’s worth our effort.
🧵
catherineeunicedevries.substack.com/p/sherlock-a...
More than you think.
New Respect the Marble post on moving from insight to understanding, from bricks to walls, & why it’s worth our effort.
🧵
catherineeunicedevries.substack.com/p/sherlock-a...
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
UK is still well short of US levels of media polarisation (thanks mainly to the BBC 🙏), but the gap is narrowing and we’re already at a point where millions of people can be indignant about a massive scandal that’s all over the[ir] media, while millions of others are barely aware of its existence.
May 6, 2025 at 9:43 PM
UK is still well short of US levels of media polarisation (thanks mainly to the BBC 🙏), but the gap is narrowing and we’re already at a point where millions of people can be indignant about a massive scandal that’s all over the[ir] media, while millions of others are barely aware of its existence.
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
While claiming to seek peace, Russia launched a deadly airstrike on Kyiv.
This isn't a pursuit of peace, it’s a mockery of it.
The real obstacle is not Ukraine but Russia, whose war aims have not changed.
This isn't a pursuit of peace, it’s a mockery of it.
The real obstacle is not Ukraine but Russia, whose war aims have not changed.
April 24, 2025 at 9:51 AM
While claiming to seek peace, Russia launched a deadly airstrike on Kyiv.
This isn't a pursuit of peace, it’s a mockery of it.
The real obstacle is not Ukraine but Russia, whose war aims have not changed.
This isn't a pursuit of peace, it’s a mockery of it.
The real obstacle is not Ukraine but Russia, whose war aims have not changed.
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
INCREDIBLE opinion by Wilkinson refusing to stay Judge Xinis's orders in the Abrego Garcia case, condemning DOJ's arguments as "shocking not only to judges, but to the intuitive sense of liberty that Americans far removed from courthouses still hold dear."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
April 17, 2025 at 7:07 PM
INCREDIBLE opinion by Wilkinson refusing to stay Judge Xinis's orders in the Abrego Garcia case, condemning DOJ's arguments as "shocking not only to judges, but to the intuitive sense of liberty that Americans far removed from courthouses still hold dear."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Charles Macmillan
In economics, as in geopolitics, Trump fundamentally misunderstands the limits of American power. It is at the centre of everything he does. The markets, the only real impediment to him now, may be about to teach him how wrong he is.
New writing from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New writing from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
Again and again, Trump misunderstands the limits of American power.
And as a result is taking us to a global financial precipice.
open.substack.com
April 9, 2025 at 3:38 PM
In economics, as in geopolitics, Trump fundamentally misunderstands the limits of American power. It is at the centre of everything he does. The markets, the only real impediment to him now, may be about to teach him how wrong he is.
New writing from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New writing from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...