Ross Patterson

Interviewer. Copywriter. Optimist.

Check out my long-form interviews on my YouTube channel.

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

I sat down with Ash Regan MSP (@AshReganMSP) to discuss the Unbuyable Bill, which aims to change prostitution laws in Scotland.

Here are some of the key points.

1. "Those that are exploited in prostitution... are some of the most marginalised and vulnerable people you will ever meet."

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

@Annemarieward Really enjoyed this Annemarie.

I’d be interested to interview you about Scotland’s addiction crisis.

I host a podcast based in Edinburgh - clips are on my profile.

If this is something you’d be open for let me know.

Ross

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

“People are incentivised to narrate themselves perpetually through damage.

Pain becomes identity.

Identity becomes status.

Status becomes funding.

And all the while, actual outcomes deteriorate.”

[Annemarie Ward 💜 @Annemarieward]

1/2
Scotland has become extraordinarily skilled at narrating suffering while growing strangely incapable of describing what human flourishing actually looks like.
A remarkable new academic paper by Monteux, Smith, MacLeod & Fenton asks a deeply uncomfortable question about “lived experience”, trauma culture, and the permanent management of suffering.

My latest piece explores why recovery culture still believes something many modern institutions seem embarrassed to say aloud:

People can recover.

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

"How much is a loaf of bread."

Elections are a good time to get a gist of what people care about.

There is always lots of talk about stuff like QUANGOS.

But people care about the basics, like how much a loaf of bread costs.

Or the potholes in the road.

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

@Dr_W_E_Bulmer Agreed. It's a transparent, accessible and trustworthy system.

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

Democracy might be the best idea humans have ever conceived.

It creates the most stable, equitable, and prosperous societies.

And today is election day in Scotland.

I skimmed the manifestos, and was surprised by how similar they were.

From Green to Reform, there wasn't a massive spread of ideas.

The parties seem aligned on the same principles and values, but differ on how to implement them.

It was refreshing.

Sometimes it's worth remembering we're all on the same team.

One thing I hope improves is how politicians speak to each other.

You'd be sacked in any other professional context if you communicated in the way they do.

Personal attacks, mocking and point-scoring isn't acceptable anywhere outside of Holyrood.

Plus, I hope they realise it loses them votes.

Democracy is flawed.

Everyone taking part is only human.

But it's the best we have.

And to vote is a privilege.

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

I used to have short showers and was veggie for a bit. Graphs like this changed my mind. I have no bearing on any of it. Might as well enjoy the fruits of modernity.

[Based Jessica @RealJessica]

Thank you Germany 🇩🇪and Britain 🇬🇧 for sacrificing your economies to save the planet.

China appreciates you exporting your manufacturing to provide jobs for their citizens.

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

The repercussions of this will echo throughout all of our lifetimes.

[Tamer Nahed @Tamer_Alnoaizy]

One of the most brutal scenes in human history has been leaked.

An Israeli soldier filmed this clip using a drone camera while proudly boasting about the destruction of all homes in Gaza.

A moment the world must never forget.

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

@afneil How does this compare to historical deployment? How much more firepower has the UK had at sea in the past?

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

The theme I’ve noticed throughout this Scottish election has been indifference.

A friend called me the other day. He ranted about the leaflets he’d had through the door.

The Tories said nothing about what they were going to do - just how bad the SNP are.

Labour have been useless in Westminster.

He already pays a massive percentage of his wages in tax - so he’s suspicious of the Greens.

And he thinks Farage is corrupt - so Reform is out of the question.

I don’t think he’s an anomaly.

I’ve seen a lot of shrugs, sighs and “don’t knows”.

Maybe it’s because we have a devolved parliament.

Maybe it’s because the SNP look as if they’re going to win, again.

Or maybe it’s the complete lack of respect and professional courtesy politicians treat each other with.

Hard to say.

What do you think?

Curious to hear people’s perspectives.

Leave a reply if you have one.

Ross

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

And more productive.

[Vittoria @vitt2tsnoc]

I genuinely think if we all moved to a 4 day working week it would change the course of society. People would be happier, healthier, less angry, more present, I really think it would change the world.

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

@georgegalloway @yvonneridley I’d be interested to interview you about this George. If you’re in Edinburgh I’d be keen to hear your story.

Ross

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

Journalism is a skill.

[Andrew Neil @afneil]

At The Sunday Times I inherited a journalist training course for graduates. I kept that. And added a journalist training course for non-graduates. They became just as good journalists. We’re not a profession. We’re a trade. The best learning is by doing under experienced supervision.

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

This rhetoric has no place in Scotland. Threatening people if they don’t vote for your party? Shocking strategy.

[Thomas Kerr MSP @ThomasKerrMSP]

Ross Greer and his merry band of crackpots believe in open borders, mass migration and abolishing prisons.

Vote Green? Then live with the consequences.

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

@SirTomHunter The kind of costs that make it impossible to operate. Kill growth. Choke the economy.

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

@patrickc If you’re in Edinburgh I would fucking love to interview you 😂

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

@nntaleb What do you think would happen if the UK raised its minimum wage to £15 per hour?

[horse @horsetwting]

fuck you

[Simon Kuestenmacher @simongerman600]

This chart might look political, but it’s really about data science. The UK can rank great or poorly depending on the KPIs you choose. Our choice of data decides how we view reality.

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

Britain is a construct, not a nation, according to Tommy Sheridan (@citizentommy).

[Ross Patterson @rossreporting]

Coming out of prison, (@citizentommy) didn't feel welcome in the YES campaign.

Here's why he thinks they failed 👇