John Paddington
@padders123.bsky.social
Transport technology, Birmingham and some other stuff.
Occasional photos of Travel Basil to promote St Basils homeless charity that works with young people in Birmingham.
Occasional photos of Travel Basil to promote St Basils homeless charity that works with young people in Birmingham.
Pinned
John Paddington
@padders123.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Also: if you're wondering about my banner photo, it was taken in Kharkiv, Ukraine about ten years ago. It's a reminder of happier times and also the sadness that there is war there.
Reposted by John Paddington
Pope Leo absolutely cooking
November 16, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Pope Leo absolutely cooking
Classic train announcement: shutters broken at Olton station, so you can get off there but you can't leave the station (Hotel California style??)
But also no advice on what to do instead like will they put on a taxi from the next station?
But also no advice on what to do instead like will they put on a taxi from the next station?
November 16, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Classic train announcement: shutters broken at Olton station, so you can get off there but you can't leave the station (Hotel California style??)
But also no advice on what to do instead like will they put on a taxi from the next station?
But also no advice on what to do instead like will they put on a taxi from the next station?
Reposted by John Paddington
Said this a lot before, but there is no politician conveying any sense of what they think the country should look in 2040 or 2050, so no sense they are taking steps to get there.
Good test of how UK politics at least is failing, there isn't a single frontline politician with a convincing big picture view of the country. Nostalgia, simplism, and warm words will have to do instead.
November 16, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Said this a lot before, but there is no politician conveying any sense of what they think the country should look in 2040 or 2050, so no sense they are taking steps to get there.
I do like this idea for non critical applications but the big question is how physical and cyber secure is the data centre?
Incredible story!
And before anyone comments... N.b. the mini data centre in question is *not* running AI.
"they swapped their gas boiler for a HeatHub – a small data centre containing more than 500 computers."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
And before anyone comments... N.b. the mini data centre in question is *not* running AI.
"they swapped their gas boiler for a HeatHub – a small data centre containing more than 500 computers."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'I heat my Essex home with a data centre in the shed'
www.bbc.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 9:15 AM
I do like this idea for non critical applications but the big question is how physical and cyber secure is the data centre?
Forget immigration, this is one of the things that will decide the next election (as it's a symbol of national decline). Yet does it get any serious attention in the media or by politicians?
There really should not be "more stories like this".
November 15, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Forget immigration, this is one of the things that will decide the next election (as it's a symbol of national decline). Yet does it get any serious attention in the media or by politicians?
Remember LLMs only predict what to do based on what data they've been fed. The fact that it is will do this is symptomatic of our wider attitudes to ethics.
An Amazon-backed AI model tried to blackmail engineers who threatened to shut it down, a safety report revealed
In tests, Anthropic's Claude Opus 4 would resort to "extremely harmful actions" to preserve its own existence
In tests, Anthropic's Claude Opus 4 would resort to "extremely harmful actions" to preserve its own existence
Amazon-Backed AI Model Would Try To Blackmail Engineers Who Threatened To Take It Offline
In tests, Anthropic's Claude Opus 4 would resort to "extremely harmful actions" to preserve its own existence, a safety report revealed.
www.huffpost.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Remember LLMs only predict what to do based on what data they've been fed. The fact that it is will do this is symptomatic of our wider attitudes to ethics.
This poses a big question in the world of climate change resilience: how can we ensure bus services are accessible if the bus stop is flooded.
Bus travel to/from scenic Bournville Lane will involve additional complications this morning.
Bring wellies.
Bring wellies.
November 15, 2025 at 8:49 AM
This poses a big question in the world of climate change resilience: how can we ensure bus services are accessible if the bus stop is flooded.
Very long form article but really fascinating subject.
I think also relevant to more than games with the rise of chat bots. I did some market research this week on a business productivity app where suddenly it wants me to use a dialogue prompt with a chat bot to resolve my problem.
I think also relevant to more than games with the rise of chat bots. I did some market research this week on a business productivity app where suddenly it wants me to use a dialogue prompt with a chat bot to resolve my problem.
YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT! I HAVE WRITTEN A NEW ARTICLE!
this one's a bit weird; rather than doing my usual "trying to organize my thoughts and building a winding case that builds on itself," I decided to show you what my EARLY article creation process looks like:
docseuss.medium.com/some-loosely...
this one's a bit weird; rather than doing my usual "trying to organize my thoughts and building a winding case that builds on itself," I decided to show you what my EARLY article creation process looks like:
docseuss.medium.com/some-loosely...
some loosely organized thoughts about dialogue sysin games
think of this as me trying to find out what parts of dialogue choices are load bearing game design and what else can be done with dialogue.
docseuss.medium.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Very long form article but really fascinating subject.
I think also relevant to more than games with the rise of chat bots. I did some market research this week on a business productivity app where suddenly it wants me to use a dialogue prompt with a chat bot to resolve my problem.
I think also relevant to more than games with the rise of chat bots. I did some market research this week on a business productivity app where suddenly it wants me to use a dialogue prompt with a chat bot to resolve my problem.
Listening to this and it makes me despair how little ambition we have both nationally and locally.
Especially when it's comes to not even doing things that are already on the table such as the Mayoral Precept.
Especially when it's comes to not even doing things that are already on the table such as the Mayoral Precept.
I did a podcast episode seemingly. About the North South divide and its interaction with transport. With @freewheeling.info. So what better way for me to listen to it for the first time than on a slow train back to Leeds from Rotherham. Which is what I'll do right now.
November 14, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Listening to this and it makes me despair how little ambition we have both nationally and locally.
Especially when it's comes to not even doing things that are already on the table such as the Mayoral Precept.
Especially when it's comes to not even doing things that are already on the table such as the Mayoral Precept.
Reposted by John Paddington
1. Open borders, for real -- make it as easy to move between countries as it is to move between states
2. Make millionaires illegal -- 100% tax on income over $1 million.
3. Personhood for everything in the non-human world.
2. Make millionaires illegal -- 100% tax on income over $1 million.
3. Personhood for everything in the non-human world.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 12:43 PM
1. Open borders, for real -- make it as easy to move between countries as it is to move between states
2. Make millionaires illegal -- 100% tax on income over $1 million.
3. Personhood for everything in the non-human world.
2. Make millionaires illegal -- 100% tax on income over $1 million.
3. Personhood for everything in the non-human world.
This is not about middle class subsidy it's market building. Yes often early adopters are the ones that have the time and money to do it but it also means they help refine the solution before wider roll out.
One important thing to understand about these policy support mechanisms (“benefits for middle class voters”) being scrapped or slashed is that they are *expressly designed* to incentivise people with money to spend it on clean technology, on basis that public spending can’t deliver transition on own
Hundreds of thousands to lose heat pump subsidies in Reeves’s budget plan
Exclusive: Supporters say grants largely going to middle-class households, but experts warn move will slow transition from gas boilers
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:39 AM
This is not about middle class subsidy it's market building. Yes often early adopters are the ones that have the time and money to do it but it also means they help refine the solution before wider roll out.
There's a good argument for simplification here and not having a cliff edge for the childcare subsidy.
But the universal credit taper rate of 55% is far more of a problem as it affects people on low incomes not the top 1%....
But the universal credit taper rate of 55% is far more of a problem as it affects people on low incomes not the top 1%....
Here's a chart of the marginal tax rate for someone with two kids. They pay 53% tax on every £ they earn between £60k and £80k. 62% on every £ they earn between £100k and £125k.
9% more if they've a student loan
This is from our tax calculator: buff.ly/CFoExUX
9% more if they've a student loan
This is from our tax calculator: buff.ly/CFoExUX
November 13, 2025 at 6:05 PM
There's a good argument for simplification here and not having a cliff edge for the childcare subsidy.
But the universal credit taper rate of 55% is far more of a problem as it affects people on low incomes not the top 1%....
But the universal credit taper rate of 55% is far more of a problem as it affects people on low incomes not the top 1%....
Reposted by John Paddington
If you like Eurovision and back ends 😘there are some jobs available www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/43...
November 13, 2025 at 5:24 PM
If you like Eurovision and back ends 😘there are some jobs available www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/43...
This always reminds me of supermarket self service tills that ask to verify your age when paying by credit card (when the credit card itself is proof that you're an adult).
YouTube can’t figure out whether a popular VTuber it sends tax forms to is an adult… the enshittification of YouTube is beautiful
November 13, 2025 at 4:23 PM
This always reminds me of supermarket self service tills that ask to verify your age when paying by credit card (when the credit card itself is proof that you're an adult).
Reposted by John Paddington
⚡📮Nice work @royal-mail.bsky.social, who have just announced the launch of a new fleet of over 100 micro electric vehicles, replacing 52 vans.
Better for the climate and for deliveries. This is exactly the kind of move we need to see for cities free of diesel vans!
#ElectrifyLondon
Better for the climate and for deliveries. This is exactly the kind of move we need to see for cities free of diesel vans!
#ElectrifyLondon
November 13, 2025 at 12:22 PM
⚡📮Nice work @royal-mail.bsky.social, who have just announced the launch of a new fleet of over 100 micro electric vehicles, replacing 52 vans.
Better for the climate and for deliveries. This is exactly the kind of move we need to see for cities free of diesel vans!
#ElectrifyLondon
Better for the climate and for deliveries. This is exactly the kind of move we need to see for cities free of diesel vans!
#ElectrifyLondon
Reposted by John Paddington
Yay! Another Brexit benefit.
EU finance ministers agreed to abolish a rule allowing goods worth under €150 to enter the EU without customs duties being paid. With this change, relevant customs duties will apply to all goods entering the EU.
EU finance ministers agreed to abolish a rule allowing goods worth under €150 to enter the EU without customs duties being paid. With this change, relevant customs duties will apply to all goods entering the EU.
EU ministers agree to charge customs duties on small packages www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
Customs: Council takes action to tackle the influx of small parcels
The Council today took action to tackle the influx of goods entering the EU in small parcels - a problem which can lead to unfair competition for EU sellers and that raises environmental concerns.
www.consilium.europa.eu
November 13, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Yay! Another Brexit benefit.
EU finance ministers agreed to abolish a rule allowing goods worth under €150 to enter the EU without customs duties being paid. With this change, relevant customs duties will apply to all goods entering the EU.
EU finance ministers agreed to abolish a rule allowing goods worth under €150 to enter the EU without customs duties being paid. With this change, relevant customs duties will apply to all goods entering the EU.
Same here for me, although my Barber has a very retro design shop so it almost feels appropriate.
I go there to withdraw money to pay my barber, the only transaction for the entire month in cash.
November 13, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Same here for me, although my Barber has a very retro design shop so it almost feels appropriate.
Reposted by John Paddington
Added context on this story now. Only 6% of C2W sales are over £2,000, so IF the treasury's argument for lowering the cap is exploitation for high-end kit, well the maths rather fall apart. They'd not save much at all:
The Cycle to Work scheme may be up for reform at the Autumn Budget. I had heard whispers.
The chancellor would do well to take a measured approach here, because C2W is now 25% of all retail sales. A blunt force strike could easily do more harm than good.
www.cyclingelectric.com/news/cycle-t...
The chancellor would do well to take a measured approach here, because C2W is now 25% of all retail sales. A blunt force strike could easily do more harm than good.
www.cyclingelectric.com/news/cycle-t...
Cycle to work scheme ceiling could return at Autumn budget
Under pressure Chancellor Rachel Reeves is rumoured to be looking at reintroducing a cap to the cycle to work scheme
www.cyclingelectric.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Added context on this story now. Only 6% of C2W sales are over £2,000, so IF the treasury's argument for lowering the cap is exploitation for high-end kit, well the maths rather fall apart. They'd not save much at all:
Tend to agree with the scrapping of the Police and Crime Commissioners but this should be a decision locally not by Westminster. We need proper devolution where structures are decided locally.
November 13, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Tend to agree with the scrapping of the Police and Crime Commissioners but this should be a decision locally not by Westminster. We need proper devolution where structures are decided locally.
Getting people cycling is one of the best ways to improve health and reduce spend on the NHS, yet...
(And expensive eCargoBikes both allow them to be widely used and wider access for those who wouldn't use a pedal bike)
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
(And expensive eCargoBikes both allow them to be widely used and wider access for those who wouldn't use a pedal bike)
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Rachel Reeves to cut tax benefits for workers using salary sacrifice schemes to buy bikes
Chancellor expected to introduce new limit on how much can be spent on a bicycle through cycle to work scheme
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Getting people cycling is one of the best ways to improve health and reduce spend on the NHS, yet...
(And expensive eCargoBikes both allow them to be widely used and wider access for those who wouldn't use a pedal bike)
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
(And expensive eCargoBikes both allow them to be widely used and wider access for those who wouldn't use a pedal bike)
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Interesting, the one thing I would quite like to see is the UK rejoin the TEN-T network for transport, it's a bit silly that the network map excludes us and has ferry routes going from France to Ireland.
I did not have insider knowledge. I have just been around Brussels negotiations for a long time...
EU agrees a mandate for UK negotiations as I predicted. With the bonus that the future path becomes clearer - if you pay you can have more. www.politico.eu/article/uk-s...
EU agrees a mandate for UK negotiations as I predicted. With the bonus that the future path becomes clearer - if you pay you can have more. www.politico.eu/article/uk-s...
November 12, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Interesting, the one thing I would quite like to see is the UK rejoin the TEN-T network for transport, it's a bit silly that the network map excludes us and has ferry routes going from France to Ireland.
If you get rid of stamp duty without changing other taxes then all it will do is push up prices as people will put the saving onto house prices.
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
Property experts urge Rachel Reeves to abolish ‘sin tax’ of stamp duty in budget
Chancellor advised to replace levy with an annual property tax as Treasury considers overhaul of system
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:02 PM
If you get rid of stamp duty without changing other taxes then all it will do is push up prices as people will put the saving onto house prices.
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
Reposted by John Paddington
Interested in how to make cities more equitable and inclusive for women, girls, and gender-diverse people? ✨🌆
Here is a thread of some of my favourite and/or most viewed blogs that I've published via @womenurbanismca.bsky.social! 🧵
#FeministCities
Here is a thread of some of my favourite and/or most viewed blogs that I've published via @womenurbanismca.bsky.social! 🧵
#FeministCities
January 24, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Interested in how to make cities more equitable and inclusive for women, girls, and gender-diverse people? ✨🌆
Here is a thread of some of my favourite and/or most viewed blogs that I've published via @womenurbanismca.bsky.social! 🧵
#FeministCities
Here is a thread of some of my favourite and/or most viewed blogs that I've published via @womenurbanismca.bsky.social! 🧵
#FeministCities
Someone give Jon some money so he can get a fleet of carriages...
I'm so tired of these arguments about small pots of money (or not) for night train operations
YOU CANNOT FIX THIS UNTIL SOMEONE BUILDS MORE NIGHT TRAIN CARRIAGES
Because then we can start to run night trains that aren't with knackered carriages saved from the scrap heap, and have solid operations!
YOU CANNOT FIX THIS UNTIL SOMEONE BUILDS MORE NIGHT TRAIN CARRIAGES
Because then we can start to run night trains that aren't with knackered carriages saved from the scrap heap, and have solid operations!
November 12, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Someone give Jon some money so he can get a fleet of carriages...
Good quality Birmingham content here about why Kent County Council thinks it is bigger than our Council (which as always is true and not true)
This week: one weird trick to combat bias at the BBC! (Clue: it's can Robbie Gibb.)
Inform, Educate, Implode
This week: one weird trick to combat bias at the BBC! Also: what’s the largest local authority in England; and the ballad of Nim Chimpsky.
jonn.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Good quality Birmingham content here about why Kent County Council thinks it is bigger than our Council (which as always is true and not true)