Jon

Tweeting research, analysis & comment I find thought-provoking (but don't necessarily agree with). As usual retweets aren't endorsements.

[Marcin Piatkowski @mmpiatkowski]

Congratulations to Poland 🇵🇱on its Independence Day and its remarkable 🤩🤩🤩economic performance since 1990, which has helped it to become almost as rich as Spain or Japan👇(GDP pc PPP). Absolutely no one predicted this back in 1989.

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@Riggs_martin @vivamjm Their timeline doesn't work because the TCA was signed in December 2020, a year after Johnson had won his 80-seat majority. 2019-2024 was very definitely a Brexit parliament.

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@vivamjm @Riggs_martin I've often seen the same argument expressed more articulately - basically a twist on the old 'stab in the back' myth. The fact remains we got a Brexit deal negotiated by two Leavers, Johnson & Frost; they wanted maximum sovereignty and minimal EU market access, and they got it.

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@nick_lashmar @The_Ron_Manager @shoppingsophie1 The irony with Ron is that he keeps on posting replies with comments like "why are you still arguing!"

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@The_Ron_Manager @shoppingsophie1 @nick_lashmar It's historical fiction, as I said before - it involves real historical characters in a context of actual events. Sure, no one's forcing me to watch it, but that doesn't mean I
can't express an opinion.

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@The_Ron_Manager @shoppingsophie1 @nick_lashmar You're accusing me of racism simply because I prefer a historical drama to have an authentic approach to casting. You're the one raising the temperature here and throwing around insults.

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@The_Ron_Manager @shoppingsophie1 @nick_lashmar All I'm saying is that, when it comes to historical fiction, I prefer a certain level of authenticity in drama. I'm not interested in the culture wars. I mean, if verisimilitude is a non-issue, why even bother with historically accurate Tudor costumes and sets?

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@shoppingsophie1 @nick_lashmar @The_Ron_Manager If there are real-life black historical figures who could be depicted in the production, then I'm all in favour of including them and casting black actors to play those parts.

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@The_Ron_Manager @nick_lashmar That's not what I said.

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@The_Ron_Manager @nick_lashmar It's historical fiction, so the plot involves real historical figures and events. Obviously there's a balance to be struck in this genre between authenticity and dramatisation.

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@DrOwenEmmerson @The_Ron_Manager @nick_lashmar Well then, they should have the confidence to cast a more diverse set of actors in the leading roles, rather than just a handful of non-white extras along with the stereotypical red-haired Henry VIII.

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@The_Ron_Manager @nick_lashmar Bond is of course an entirely fictional character, whereas most of those in Wolf Hall are historical figures.

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@The_Ron_Manager @DrOwenEmmerson @nick_lashmar IMO they should either go for verisimilitude or dispense with it completely. They've chosen a halfway house with a Henry VIII who reasonably approximates the appearance of the actual historical figure, plus a few non-white extras who wouldn't be typical of the Tudor court.

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@The_Ron_Manager @nick_lashmar The question for me is whether historical verisimilitude is important in the production or not. If it isn't, why cast a red-haired actor as Henry VIII?

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@Jeffrey62093861 I don't buy this counsel of despair. Russia and its predecessor, the Soviet Union, were defeated several times in wars against much smaller opponents - famously Japan in 1905 and Afghanistan in the 80s. The First Chechen War was also a defeat for modern-day Russia in 1996.

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@MadridHack @nialloconghaile @KathyLo56824537 @PaulHig55170875 I was just reading the latest blog post from @chrisgreybrexit who argues that British politics and media is still suffused with 'Brexitism'.
https://t.co/nkHRPISazH

[Martin Prince-Parrott RIBA FRSA 🇬🇧 @MPrinParr]

UK fertility rate falling faster than any other G7 country.

Simply because it’s too expensive and bureaucratic to do anything, let alone raise a family.

🏠 Housing: MOST EXPENSIVE
⚡️ Energy: MOST EXPENSIVE
👶🏽 Childcare: MOST EXPENSIVE

[Paul Novosad @paulnovosad]

What kind of childhood makes a top scientist? Is it enough to have all the right traits (brilliance, grit, etc) or do you need the right family too?

And why should we care? A 🧵 on our paper on the Nobel Laureates.

A teaser: the income distribution of the laureates' fathers.1/N

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@yourhomie86 @Pataramesh Iran has the indigenous Bavar 373, which in its upgraded form they claim is on par with the S400. I wonder if the development of that system was supported by any technology transfer from Russia? https://t.co/JgFRtUZqX7

[Jon @WelshJontweets]

@GrayPostulate @MEL19001 @RifaxLeRetour @Pataramesh Well, it was one hangar damaged with unknown impact on what, if anything, was inside. Plus a drone outside the hangar damaged, possibly destroyed.