James Austin
@jamesdaustin.bsky.social
This again. Outdoors. Politics. Sport. Not always in that order. Labour. Trade Unionist. Trying to do community things. Views entirely my own
Im so glad to see him finally get recognisition for how good he is!
If he gets MVP + another ring this year... do you reckon that gets him into the HoF?
If he gets MVP + another ring this year... do you reckon that gets him into the HoF?
November 25, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Im so glad to see him finally get recognisition for how good he is!
If he gets MVP + another ring this year... do you reckon that gets him into the HoF?
If he gets MVP + another ring this year... do you reckon that gets him into the HoF?
Jonathan will know more on this - but yes, i dont think that really works at all from the Churches I know (and there is huge varience in each branch: my home parish was basically Luthrian while Kate's church now are hippys with a bit of god)
November 25, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Jonathan will know more on this - but yes, i dont think that really works at all from the Churches I know (and there is huge varience in each branch: my home parish was basically Luthrian while Kate's church now are hippys with a bit of god)
Supposedly Stroud - not that I'm any expert in the politics there!
November 25, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Supposedly Stroud - not that I'm any expert in the politics there!
Aye, it took the Lib Dems realising he was full of shit and rejecting him first
November 25, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Aye, it took the Lib Dems realising he was full of shit and rejecting him first
Basically they're lobbied hard on it (particularly Sheffield and Stroud) and the govt folded.
Means we're lumbered with a anti-democratic and ineffective governance system. All power to WECA I guess
Means we're lumbered with a anti-democratic and ineffective governance system. All power to WECA I guess
November 25, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Basically they're lobbied hard on it (particularly Sheffield and Stroud) and the govt folded.
Means we're lumbered with a anti-democratic and ineffective governance system. All power to WECA I guess
Means we're lumbered with a anti-democratic and ineffective governance system. All power to WECA I guess
Yes, and it only properly works in one of those (and, I suspect, will stop working as soon as you start getting Reform councillors in numbers)
November 25, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Yes, and it only properly works in one of those (and, I suspect, will stop working as soon as you start getting Reform councillors in numbers)
Because even if a party gets battered they will retain control of a number of key portfolios and decision making.
Anyways, looking forward to the 3 or 4 Reform committee chairs next time out. That'll be good. The whole thing will grind to a halt
Anyways, looking forward to the 3 or 4 Reform committee chairs next time out. That'll be good. The whole thing will grind to a halt
November 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Because even if a party gets battered they will retain control of a number of key portfolios and decision making.
Anyways, looking forward to the 3 or 4 Reform committee chairs next time out. That'll be good. The whole thing will grind to a halt
Anyways, looking forward to the 3 or 4 Reform committee chairs next time out. That'll be good. The whole thing will grind to a halt
I mean, one of the issues with the committee system is that it makes it far harder to vote in a different party
November 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I mean, one of the issues with the committee system is that it makes it far harder to vote in a different party
I think Burnham is very much onto something.
And yes, agreed with cycling clubs - see the same across the board. It's notable with the rugby clubs I'm involved with how the structures have changed: it used to be people would progress to vets sides and then volunteering and that... doesn't happen.
And yes, agreed with cycling clubs - see the same across the board. It's notable with the rugby clubs I'm involved with how the structures have changed: it used to be people would progress to vets sides and then volunteering and that... doesn't happen.
November 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I think Burnham is very much onto something.
And yes, agreed with cycling clubs - see the same across the board. It's notable with the rugby clubs I'm involved with how the structures have changed: it used to be people would progress to vets sides and then volunteering and that... doesn't happen.
And yes, agreed with cycling clubs - see the same across the board. It's notable with the rugby clubs I'm involved with how the structures have changed: it used to be people would progress to vets sides and then volunteering and that... doesn't happen.
Yes,but there is a major question about whether even meeting 'the near' online has the same social/connection/loneliness impact as actually being in person
November 25, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Yes,but there is a major question about whether even meeting 'the near' online has the same social/connection/loneliness impact as actually being in person
I've definitely got social value from here - and I value the interactions and discussions we all have. It's hugely enriched my mind.
But equally... I don't think it's a substitute for IRL social time (and yes, think Discord can be better)
But equally... I don't think it's a substitute for IRL social time (and yes, think Discord can be better)
November 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
I've definitely got social value from here - and I value the interactions and discussions we all have. It's hugely enriched my mind.
But equally... I don't think it's a substitute for IRL social time (and yes, think Discord can be better)
But equally... I don't think it's a substitute for IRL social time (and yes, think Discord can be better)
The stats around youth are fascinating and counter to my expectation - I'd love to see a data series on this...
November 25, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The stats around youth are fascinating and counter to my expectation - I'd love to see a data series on this...
TBH, I'd push back on this. Are we actually socialising? Connecting? Do we get the same social value from this place?
One of the things we found when I was working in the loneliness sector was the phenomina of 'connected, not connecting' and how online didn't replace in person social interaction
One of the things we found when I was working in the loneliness sector was the phenomina of 'connected, not connecting' and how online didn't replace in person social interaction
November 25, 2025 at 3:53 PM
TBH, I'd push back on this. Are we actually socialising? Connecting? Do we get the same social value from this place?
One of the things we found when I was working in the loneliness sector was the phenomina of 'connected, not connecting' and how online didn't replace in person social interaction
One of the things we found when I was working in the loneliness sector was the phenomina of 'connected, not connecting' and how online didn't replace in person social interaction
Of course - but I think you do need that common value system/belief set
November 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Of course - but I think you do need that common value system/belief set
I do wonder about this; I can't find any particularly modern or longer term data, but on average commutes only increased by 5 mins average between 2008 - 2018. I'm not sure us being more time poor explains it, or people move that much: most live within 20 miles of their birthplace
Most Britons live within 20 miles of where they were born — Future Parks Accelerator
Most Britons live within 20 miles of where they are born and are incredibly invested in the places they live. During Covid they have explored those places, played in the woods rode their bikes on empt...
www.futureparks.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I do wonder about this; I can't find any particularly modern or longer term data, but on average commutes only increased by 5 mins average between 2008 - 2018. I'm not sure us being more time poor explains it, or people move that much: most live within 20 miles of their birthplace
yeah, quite. My mum led cubs for years but when she stepped down the pack went because no one would step up - or not for any longer than their own kids were involved.
It very much viewed as 'buying' a service, not as a community endeavor
It very much viewed as 'buying' a service, not as a community endeavor
November 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
yeah, quite. My mum led cubs for years but when she stepped down the pack went because no one would step up - or not for any longer than their own kids were involved.
It very much viewed as 'buying' a service, not as a community endeavor
It very much viewed as 'buying' a service, not as a community endeavor
sadly doesn't suprise me, the centre cannot hold, things fall apart...
(But I think you lose those core of the community people who, it turns out, don't just do the church, but also cubs, the local cricket team, recruit for salsa classes... and nothing stands behind them)
(But I think you lose those core of the community people who, it turns out, don't just do the church, but also cubs, the local cricket team, recruit for salsa classes... and nothing stands behind them)
November 25, 2025 at 2:44 PM
sadly doesn't suprise me, the centre cannot hold, things fall apart...
(But I think you lose those core of the community people who, it turns out, don't just do the church, but also cubs, the local cricket team, recruit for salsa classes... and nothing stands behind them)
(But I think you lose those core of the community people who, it turns out, don't just do the church, but also cubs, the local cricket team, recruit for salsa classes... and nothing stands behind them)
Outgroup ingroup dynamics are undefeated. Question is how wide we can draw the ingroup
November 25, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Outgroup ingroup dynamics are undefeated. Question is how wide we can draw the ingroup
Think @frjonathanbish.bsky.social and I are having a good discussion on this lower down (basically: question of whether US evangelicals count as a church)
November 25, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Think @frjonathanbish.bsky.social and I are having a good discussion on this lower down (basically: question of whether US evangelicals count as a church)
Atomised evangelism and anti-bedtime left are mirrors of each other; signs of people looking for faith and identity, but that need only being met in a very individualised way that doesn't recognise their obligations to others. It's easier, but empty.
November 25, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Atomised evangelism and anti-bedtime left are mirrors of each other; signs of people looking for faith and identity, but that need only being met in a very individualised way that doesn't recognise their obligations to others. It's easier, but empty.
Yes, this would be my view and my great worry for society. Atomisation and the loss of ties that bind; wherever they come from.
Humans strive, IMO, for belief and community. We're social animals and it's inbuilt but those institutions are declining.
Humans strive, IMO, for belief and community. We're social animals and it's inbuilt but those institutions are declining.
November 25, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Yes, this would be my view and my great worry for society. Atomisation and the loss of ties that bind; wherever they come from.
Humans strive, IMO, for belief and community. We're social animals and it's inbuilt but those institutions are declining.
Humans strive, IMO, for belief and community. We're social animals and it's inbuilt but those institutions are declining.
Yes, that's quite telling isn't it? It's notable how during C18th that would have been viewed as broadly involiable because there was a recognisition of shared value and importance despite the horrific things we did to each other. But it's just not seen.
November 25, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Yes, that's quite telling isn't it? It's notable how during C18th that would have been viewed as broadly involiable because there was a recognisition of shared value and importance despite the horrific things we did to each other. But it's just not seen.
As someone who is not of faith, but admires (and is frankly jealous) of those who are it's that community which I think offers faith's real value - and IMO what we lack more broadly.
(side point: I think workplaces, Unions and socialism offered similar benefits at one point)
(side point: I think workplaces, Unions and socialism offered similar benefits at one point)
November 25, 2025 at 2:34 PM
As someone who is not of faith, but admires (and is frankly jealous) of those who are it's that community which I think offers faith's real value - and IMO what we lack more broadly.
(side point: I think workplaces, Unions and socialism offered similar benefits at one point)
(side point: I think workplaces, Unions and socialism offered similar benefits at one point)