Phil Tinline
@philtinline.bsky.social
Author, THE DEATH OF CONSENSUS (The Times' Politics Book of 2022)
GHOSTS OF IRON MOUNTAIN ("riveting" - The New Yorker)
https://tinyurl.com/Ghosts-Iron-Mountain
Last on Radio 4: Societal Collapse https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002lppp
GHOSTS OF IRON MOUNTAIN ("riveting" - The New Yorker)
https://tinyurl.com/Ghosts-Iron-Mountain
Last on Radio 4: Societal Collapse https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002lppp
Well I never
No one leaving New York City because of Mamdani, say two top real estate CEOs
No one leaving New York City because of Mamdani, say two top real estate CEOs
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's democratic socialist views spark fears companies and capital will flee, but top real estate CEOs say it's not true.
cnb.cx
November 14, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Well I never
This is one reason wealthy men sneering about 'NPCs' is a red flashing warning light.
one of the underlying factors in all the Epstein stuff is that his correspondents - even the ones who likely did not participate in abuse themselves - are completely incapable of imagining his victims as people. he is real to them, the girls aren't.
I sometimes feel like they don’t want to end poverty or reduce inequality because they believe they’re entitled to a class of people they can prey upon
November 14, 2025 at 5:17 PM
This is one reason wealthy men sneering about 'NPCs' is a red flashing warning light.
This is true. In 1975, inflation was nosing 20%. Otoh, it was also the last time a chancellor put up the basic rate of inflation.
"What is certain, and felt instinctively by almost everybody, is that things cannot go on in their present way" – The Times, May 1975
“It is difficult to imagine a previous period when such an all-pervasive hopelessness was exhibited at all levels of British life” – Professor Stephen Haseler, 1975
“It is difficult to imagine a previous period when such an all-pervasive hopelessness was exhibited at all levels of British life” – Professor Stephen Haseler, 1975
November 14, 2025 at 9:51 AM
This is true. In 1975, inflation was nosing 20%. Otoh, it was also the last time a chancellor put up the basic rate of inflation.
Exactly! And stability is not the opposite of ideology - they can be mutually reinforcing. If people know what you want to achieve, and see you're determined to do it, officials and investors alike can make decisions with more confidence, and things move forwards.
Ultimately, politics is about making hard choices and leading.
Sure, easy for me to say, but you won’t get there by focusing only on just the one selective bit of public opinion you fear today.
Sure, easy for me to say, but you won’t get there by focusing only on just the one selective bit of public opinion you fear today.
November 14, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Exactly! And stability is not the opposite of ideology - they can be mutually reinforcing. If people know what you want to achieve, and see you're determined to do it, officials and investors alike can make decisions with more confidence, and things move forwards.
U-turning and u-turning in the widening gyre
November 14, 2025 at 8:16 AM
U-turning and u-turning in the widening gyre
(taps sign, points at the bit about decisiveness)
I've been thinking about this a lot in the last few days.
Another aspect of it is the tendency to hope that you can proceed slowly and cautiously and eventually make the right decision and the crisis will just go away. But decisiveness makes its own luck. And caution can be as risky as risk.
Another aspect of it is the tendency to hope that you can proceed slowly and cautiously and eventually make the right decision and the crisis will just go away. But decisiveness makes its own luck. And caution can be as risky as risk.
The BBC and Starmer’s Labour govt share much in common. They’re easily bullied and often afraid, as institutionalised too often are, of exercising their own power. They then appear weak and ineffectual. They’re judged against standards to which their critics would themselves would never adhere...
November 14, 2025 at 7:46 AM
(taps sign, points at the bit about decisiveness)
Reposted by Phil Tinline
Looking forward to discussing this excellent book next Tuesday. Tickets: 1000trades.org.uk/events/polit...
‘There would be many such dots to connect over the course of the book, and this is where Lost Boys excels. Bloodworth seamlessly links the loosely connected beliefs that comprise the right-wing value system.’ lareviewofbooks.org/article/only... @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social
Only by Being Terrible Do They Avoid Being Comic | Los Angeles Review of Books
Sarah AlKahly-Mills explores James Bloodworth’s “Lost Boys: A Personal Journey Through the Manosphere.”
lareviewofbooks.org
November 14, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Looking forward to discussing this excellent book next Tuesday. Tickets: 1000trades.org.uk/events/polit...
Reposted by Phil Tinline
Not the most important thing -- but fascinating look into how Epstein was throwing money around to try and rehabilitate his Google search results, and some of the strategies folks were using to get it done:
November 12, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Not the most important thing -- but fascinating look into how Epstein was throwing money around to try and rehabilitate his Google search results, and some of the strategies folks were using to get it done:
Reposted by Phil Tinline
People have memory-holed Heath's period as PM which included several policy U Turns (including abolishing and reinstating incomes policies), the 3 day week and the Barber Boom. The later, in combination with the later OPEC price shock, gave a substantial boost to inflation.
November 13, 2025 at 5:57 PM
People have memory-holed Heath's period as PM which included several policy U Turns (including abolishing and reinstating incomes policies), the 3 day week and the Barber Boom. The later, in combination with the later OPEC price shock, gave a substantial boost to inflation.
Let us hope that Michael Prescott's review of Michael Prescott's memo is every bit as critically rigorous as Michael Prescott's review of the edition of Panorama. Perhaps he could write another memo.
Two of the top bosses of the BBC resigned this week, after allegations in a dossier claimed Panorama had altered a Trump quote.
One problem: that dossier altered the Trump quote, too
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
One problem: that dossier altered the Trump quote, too
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
Exclusive: the error at the heart of Trump’s BBC attack
A report alleging Panorama broadcast misleading Trump quotes contains misleading quotes itself
www.thenewworld.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Let us hope that Michael Prescott's review of Michael Prescott's memo is every bit as critically rigorous as Michael Prescott's review of the edition of Panorama. Perhaps he could write another memo.
Reposted by Phil Tinline
Depressing @jburnmurdoch.ft.com and @sarahoconnorft.ft.com newsletter today - general use of AI in crafting job applications now makes it impossible to identify the best candidates. So a probable return to "it's not what you know, it's who you know" recruitment? Top work everyone!
November 13, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Depressing @jburnmurdoch.ft.com and @sarahoconnorft.ft.com newsletter today - general use of AI in crafting job applications now makes it impossible to identify the best candidates. So a probable return to "it's not what you know, it's who you know" recruitment? Top work everyone!
I've been thinking about this a lot in the last few days.
Another aspect of it is the tendency to hope that you can proceed slowly and cautiously and eventually make the right decision and the crisis will just go away. But decisiveness makes its own luck. And caution can be as risky as risk.
Another aspect of it is the tendency to hope that you can proceed slowly and cautiously and eventually make the right decision and the crisis will just go away. But decisiveness makes its own luck. And caution can be as risky as risk.
The BBC and Starmer’s Labour govt share much in common. They’re easily bullied and often afraid, as institutionalised too often are, of exercising their own power. They then appear weak and ineffectual. They’re judged against standards to which their critics would themselves would never adhere...
November 13, 2025 at 3:56 PM
I've been thinking about this a lot in the last few days.
Another aspect of it is the tendency to hope that you can proceed slowly and cautiously and eventually make the right decision and the crisis will just go away. But decisiveness makes its own luck. And caution can be as risky as risk.
Another aspect of it is the tendency to hope that you can proceed slowly and cautiously and eventually make the right decision and the crisis will just go away. But decisiveness makes its own luck. And caution can be as risky as risk.
Reposted by Phil Tinline
toy company CEOs: "at long last, we have created the Sinister Talking Doll Factory from the acclaimed movie 'Don't Create the Sinister Talking Doll Factory'"
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
AI-Powered Toys Caught Telling 5-Year-Olds How to Find Knives and Start Fires With Matches
AI-powered toys are flying off the shelves -- but they're engaging in horrifically inappropriate conversations with children.
futurism.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:42 PM
toy company CEOs: "at long last, we have created the Sinister Talking Doll Factory from the acclaimed movie 'Don't Create the Sinister Talking Doll Factory'"
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
Reposted by Phil Tinline
Reposted by Phil Tinline
Really proud of the whole team at @futuregovforum.bsky.social for being highly commended as 'One To Watch' at the inaugural @smartthinking.bsky.social awards last night. A real achievement less than two years after we launched.
And congrats to @britishprogress.org who took home the award!
And congrats to @britishprogress.org who took home the award!
November 13, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Really proud of the whole team at @futuregovforum.bsky.social for being highly commended as 'One To Watch' at the inaugural @smartthinking.bsky.social awards last night. A real achievement less than two years after we launched.
And congrats to @britishprogress.org who took home the award!
And congrats to @britishprogress.org who took home the award!
Reposted by Phil Tinline
Was a real-life genuine treat to talk to @mrjamesob.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk today about my book Ghosts of Iron Mountain - and what light the story of the hoax that won't let go sheds on the current crazy.
From 02:35:31 (but listen to the whole show):
www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/...
From 02:35:31 (but listen to the whole show):
www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/...
James O'Brien | Global Player
Listen to James O'Brien for free on Global Player.
www.globalplayer.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Was a real-life genuine treat to talk to @mrjamesob.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk today about my book Ghosts of Iron Mountain - and what light the story of the hoax that won't let go sheds on the current crazy.
From 02:35:31 (but listen to the whole show):
www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/...
From 02:35:31 (but listen to the whole show):
www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/...
Reposted by Phil Tinline
I don't want to jump to any hasty conclusions here, but this email exchange from 2011 between Jeff Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell about Donald Trump having spent hours alone with an underage girl does seem like it might be bad for him.
November 12, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I don't want to jump to any hasty conclusions here, but this email exchange from 2011 between Jeff Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell about Donald Trump having spent hours alone with an underage girl does seem like it might be bad for him.
This by @davidsonofaaron.bsky.social is very good on the editorial failings in Michael Prescott's memo.
Turns out maintaining impartiality when you have a view (as we all do) is hard. Who knew?
(BBC journalists, that's who.)
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Turns out maintaining impartiality when you have a view (as we all do) is hard. Who knew?
(BBC journalists, that's who.)
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
The Prescott memo flunks the impartiality test | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 2:37 PM
This by @davidsonofaaron.bsky.social is very good on the editorial failings in Michael Prescott's memo.
Turns out maintaining impartiality when you have a view (as we all do) is hard. Who knew?
(BBC journalists, that's who.)
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Turns out maintaining impartiality when you have a view (as we all do) is hard. Who knew?
(BBC journalists, that's who.)
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Phil Tinline
AI CONSTANTLY makes up fake quotes for the real books*, although you can explicitly tell it not to.
*Ask me how I know as I wade through a pile of papers to grade.
*Ask me how I know as I wade through a pile of papers to grade.
Am I tripping, or can AI make up fake quotes for real books?
Asking for a friend that wasted to much time tracking down ghost quotes.
Asking for a friend that wasted to much time tracking down ghost quotes.
November 12, 2025 at 2:30 PM
AI CONSTANTLY makes up fake quotes for the real books*, although you can explicitly tell it not to.
*Ask me how I know as I wade through a pile of papers to grade.
*Ask me how I know as I wade through a pile of papers to grade.
Reposted by Phil Tinline
Just in: Jeffrey Epstein said that Donald Trump 'spent hours at my house' with a woman later identified as a victim of sex trafficking, according to emails that raise fresh questions about the relationship between the late paedophile and the US president on.ft.com/3LXOdTm
November 12, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Just in: Jeffrey Epstein said that Donald Trump 'spent hours at my house' with a woman later identified as a victim of sex trafficking, according to emails that raise fresh questions about the relationship between the late paedophile and the US president on.ft.com/3LXOdTm
Reposted by Phil Tinline
It was explosively illuminating - can't wait to dive into your book (ADHD permitting though...)
November 12, 2025 at 1:53 PM
It was explosively illuminating - can't wait to dive into your book (ADHD permitting though...)
Reposted by Phil Tinline
You can catch up now on the essays we've published so far - there are some must-read pieces by the likes of @jamestplunkett.bsky.social @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @npjgarland.bsky.social - but there's more to come next week!
www.powertochange.org.uk/celebrating-...
www.powertochange.org.uk/celebrating-...
Celebrating ten years backing community business - Power to Change
Power to Change turns ten this year. To celebrate a decade backing community business, we are bringing you a programme of events, stories, and essays, celebrating the community business sector, reflec...
www.powertochange.org.uk
November 12, 2025 at 1:43 PM
You can catch up now on the essays we've published so far - there are some must-read pieces by the likes of @jamestplunkett.bsky.social @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @npjgarland.bsky.social - but there's more to come next week!
www.powertochange.org.uk/celebrating-...
www.powertochange.org.uk/celebrating-...
Reposted by Phil Tinline
On Tuesday we launch 'From the ground up: Community business and Britain's next decade' - an essay collection to celebrate 10 yrs of @powertochange.org.uk and look ahead into the future of our communities. Delighted we'll be joined by this excellent panel of guests to share their 2035 vision 👇
⏰ Join our essay collection launch in Westminster to hear leading voices on a decade of community business & what’s next. Chair: @anooshc.bsky.social Panel: @jamestplunkett.bsky.social, @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social, @hetanshah.bsky.social, @patrickhurley.bsky.social & Emily Bolton.✍️👉 buff.ly/pcSxdmp
November 12, 2025 at 1:38 PM
On Tuesday we launch 'From the ground up: Community business and Britain's next decade' - an essay collection to celebrate 10 yrs of @powertochange.org.uk and look ahead into the future of our communities. Delighted we'll be joined by this excellent panel of guests to share their 2035 vision 👇
Reposted by Phil Tinline
Just listened to this. Sounds like a fascinating read
November 12, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Just listened to this. Sounds like a fascinating read
Reposted by Phil Tinline
Defending the BBC! BBCFreeThinking spirited ep where @shahidhabari.bsky.social
talks to @lukekemp.bsky.social
Peter Hitchens, @nevillemorley.bsky.social
@philtinline.bsky.social @rhifirth.bsky.social
on Endings
Young Earthers lament the BBC’s absence of impartiality
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
talks to @lukekemp.bsky.social
Peter Hitchens, @nevillemorley.bsky.social
@philtinline.bsky.social @rhifirth.bsky.social
on Endings
Young Earthers lament the BBC’s absence of impartiality
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Free Thinking, The end of civilisations and societies
Peter Hitchens, Rhiannon Firth, Neville Morley, Phil Tinline, Luke Kemp join Shahidha Bari
www.bbc.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Defending the BBC! BBCFreeThinking spirited ep where @shahidhabari.bsky.social
talks to @lukekemp.bsky.social
Peter Hitchens, @nevillemorley.bsky.social
@philtinline.bsky.social @rhifirth.bsky.social
on Endings
Young Earthers lament the BBC’s absence of impartiality
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
talks to @lukekemp.bsky.social
Peter Hitchens, @nevillemorley.bsky.social
@philtinline.bsky.social @rhifirth.bsky.social
on Endings
Young Earthers lament the BBC’s absence of impartiality
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...