Chris Dickenson
@cpdickenson.bsky.social
Ancient historian/archaeologist. British. Live in the Netherlands. Hobbies: reading (obviously!), writing fiction, music (pop/Classical), painting miniatures. Tentatively getting back into blogging: https://thefourthsophistic.wordpress.com
Pinned
Chris Dickenson
@cpdickenson.bsky.social
· Oct 14
Political polarization is an unhelpful myth. Only one side is becoming more extreme. There is nothing extreme in standing firm in opposing rightwing extremism.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
the only thing Rachel Reeves needs to do for more favourable coverage on BBC News is threaten to sue them for £1 billion
December 1, 2025 at 2:42 PM
the only thing Rachel Reeves needs to do for more favourable coverage on BBC News is threaten to sue them for £1 billion
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Trumpism is fundamentally opposed to everything academia is about - critical thinking, reasoned debate, advancement and sharing of knowledge. Universities can’t reach accommodation with Trumpism without sacrificing everything that makes them universities. The only option is to push back.
December 1, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Trumpism is fundamentally opposed to everything academia is about - critical thinking, reasoned debate, advancement and sharing of knowledge. Universities can’t reach accommodation with Trumpism without sacrificing everything that makes them universities. The only option is to push back.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
November 30, 2025 at 9:57 AM
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Look around. The case for more, not less, liberal arts education - actual, real education in reading, writing, thinking, arguing, analyzing, & synthesizing by doing the actual hard work for which there is no substitute - is stronger than it’s ever been at any point in human history.
November 30, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Mason declares that in his judgement we have been misled by Rachel Reeves.
It feels unprecedented that the BBC has made a "call" on a story, and is something that was absent throughout the terms of notorious liars such as Johnson.
There were certainly no "calls" about Brexit lies.
#r4today
It feels unprecedented that the BBC has made a "call" on a story, and is something that was absent throughout the terms of notorious liars such as Johnson.
There were certainly no "calls" about Brexit lies.
#r4today
December 1, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Mason declares that in his judgement we have been misled by Rachel Reeves.
It feels unprecedented that the BBC has made a "call" on a story, and is something that was absent throughout the terms of notorious liars such as Johnson.
There were certainly no "calls" about Brexit lies.
#r4today
It feels unprecedented that the BBC has made a "call" on a story, and is something that was absent throughout the terms of notorious liars such as Johnson.
There were certainly no "calls" about Brexit lies.
#r4today
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
To achieve Elon Musk's wealth, a person on an average salary would have to work for 8 MILLION YEARS!
They just don't want to. Lazy bastards!
They just don't want to. Lazy bastards!
November 29, 2025 at 9:25 AM
To achieve Elon Musk's wealth, a person on an average salary would have to work for 8 MILLION YEARS!
They just don't want to. Lazy bastards!
They just don't want to. Lazy bastards!
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Reporters should ask Donald Trump, “Are you a stupid person?”
November 29, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Reporters should ask Donald Trump, “Are you a stupid person?”
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Responsible journalism in the UK wouldn’t be scaremongering about immigration or Labour budgets. It would scrutinize these issues but give far more attention to the far more serious problem of the far right threat to democracy. Which the party currently leading in the polls is fully signed up to.
November 29, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Responsible journalism in the UK wouldn’t be scaremongering about immigration or Labour budgets. It would scrutinize these issues but give far more attention to the far more serious problem of the far right threat to democracy. Which the party currently leading in the polls is fully signed up to.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
I’d have preferred if the headline had omitted the last 6 words
Trump’s approval rating has fallen among multiple polls as he nears the end of his second term’s first year.
Donald Trump’s Approval Rating Slips 5% To New Second-Term Low After End Of Historic Government Shutdown
Trump’s approval rating has fallen among multiple polls as he nears the end of his second term’s first year.
www.forbes.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I’d have preferred if the headline had omitted the last 6 words
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
In the last week, Donald Trump has called for the murder of Congressional Democrats and threatened to unilaterally declare an invasion of Venezuela.
If Congressional Republicans followed the Constitution, both of these would be removable offenses. But, they’re loyal to Trump, not the constitution.
If Congressional Republicans followed the Constitution, both of these would be removable offenses. But, they’re loyal to Trump, not the constitution.
November 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
In the last week, Donald Trump has called for the murder of Congressional Democrats and threatened to unilaterally declare an invasion of Venezuela.
If Congressional Republicans followed the Constitution, both of these would be removable offenses. But, they’re loyal to Trump, not the constitution.
If Congressional Republicans followed the Constitution, both of these would be removable offenses. But, they’re loyal to Trump, not the constitution.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Impeach and remove. Indict and convict.
November 29, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Impeach and remove. Indict and convict.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Takes a few seconds and this is definitely needed so please do your bit.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 28, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Takes a few seconds and this is definitely needed so please do your bit.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Responsible journalism in the UK wouldn’t be scaremongering about immigration or Labour budgets. It would scrutinize these issues but give far more attention to the far more serious problem of the far right threat to democracy. Which the party currently leading in the polls is fully signed up to.
November 29, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Responsible journalism in the UK wouldn’t be scaremongering about immigration or Labour budgets. It would scrutinize these issues but give far more attention to the far more serious problem of the far right threat to democracy. Which the party currently leading in the polls is fully signed up to.
After 15 years of rightwing government—which became increasingly rightwing after Brexit—the idea that Britain’s woes are all because it currently has a Labour government and would be solved if the even more rightwing Reform were in power is beyond stupid. Those pushing that agenda are charlatans.
November 29, 2025 at 10:16 AM
After 15 years of rightwing government—which became increasingly rightwing after Brexit—the idea that Britain’s woes are all because it currently has a Labour government and would be solved if the even more rightwing Reform were in power is beyond stupid. Those pushing that agenda are charlatans.
The rise of the far right IS the problem—the biggest problem. It’s not a response to a problem.
November 29, 2025 at 10:12 AM
The rise of the far right IS the problem—the biggest problem. It’s not a response to a problem.
The UK’s Conservative government didn’t get half the negative media attention Labour currently is and they deserved it far more for their mendacity and incompetence. Labour’s fall will mean a corrupt Trumpist Reform government. Shame on every “journalist” who’s working to make that happen.
November 29, 2025 at 7:49 AM
The UK’s Conservative government didn’t get half the negative media attention Labour currently is and they deserved it far more for their mendacity and incompetence. Labour’s fall will mean a corrupt Trumpist Reform government. Shame on every “journalist” who’s working to make that happen.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
This is the most corrupt, lawless administration in the history of the United States and there’s no close second.
November 29, 2025 at 5:03 AM
This is the most corrupt, lawless administration in the history of the United States and there’s no close second.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Being President of the United States should not be a job that is annoyingly keeping you from your shitty golf game.
It should also not be what is keeping you out of prison for a laundry list of horrible crimes.
#RemoveTrump #EpsteinFiles
It should also not be what is keeping you out of prison for a laundry list of horrible crimes.
#RemoveTrump #EpsteinFiles
November 28, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Being President of the United States should not be a job that is annoyingly keeping you from your shitty golf game.
It should also not be what is keeping you out of prison for a laundry list of horrible crimes.
#RemoveTrump #EpsteinFiles
It should also not be what is keeping you out of prison for a laundry list of horrible crimes.
#RemoveTrump #EpsteinFiles
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Everything Trumpiggy does starts from the premise: how do we avoid the law/rule. He should be rotting in a cell for all the crimes he has committed and the criminal behavior he has fostered.
November 28, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Everything Trumpiggy does starts from the premise: how do we avoid the law/rule. He should be rotting in a cell for all the crimes he has committed and the criminal behavior he has fostered.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Wow, this is a load of bullshit.
November 27, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Wow, this is a load of bullshit.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Blatant fucking corruption under rule of law
A Georgia prosecutor announced Wednesday he was dropping state charges against President Donald Trump stemming from his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, ending what was once considered the strongest criminal case against Trump.
A Georgia prosecutor announced Wednesday he was dropping state charges against President Donald Trump stemming from his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, ending what was once considered the strongest criminal case against Trump.
November 27, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Blatant fucking corruption under rule of law
A Georgia prosecutor announced Wednesday he was dropping state charges against President Donald Trump stemming from his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, ending what was once considered the strongest criminal case against Trump.
A Georgia prosecutor announced Wednesday he was dropping state charges against President Donald Trump stemming from his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, ending what was once considered the strongest criminal case against Trump.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
November 27, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Ancient historian here. Yes this is right
The only problems with the theory that southern Italy is poor because of mass migration from Syria in Roman times are that Roman southern Italy was rich, Roman Syria was rich, and there was no mass migration from one to the other. Otherwise, great theory
November 27, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Ancient historian here. Yes this is right
Roman amphitheatre older than Colosseum gets accessible facelift for Winter Paralympics www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...
Roman amphitheatre older than Colosseum gets accessible facelift for Winter Paralympics
The conversion of the Arena di Verona, which will host the Paralympics opening ceremony, includes the addition of a lift and toilets to a structure older than the Colosseum
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Roman amphitheatre older than Colosseum gets accessible facelift for Winter Paralympics www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
In case you missed this, the BBC edited a historian's speech about Trump to remove the claim that he's "the most openly corrupt president in US history." This came after Trump had threatened a $1 billion lawsuit.
Elite capitulation continues.
Read all about it here:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Elite capitulation continues.
Read all about it here:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Trump Angrily Threatened to Sue BBC. Then Things Took a Darker Turn.
First, British Broadcasting Corporation execs resigned after Trump complained about a segment. Now the BBC edited out a line from a historian that was critical of Trump. Where does this end?
newrepublic.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:30 PM
In case you missed this, the BBC edited a historian's speech about Trump to remove the claim that he's "the most openly corrupt president in US history." This came after Trump had threatened a $1 billion lawsuit.
Elite capitulation continues.
Read all about it here:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Elite capitulation continues.
Read all about it here:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...