socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Very different from those days - we were so desperate to get attention back then we were briefing any journo who would listen even before deals got serious. Amateur hour
Certified nerd - Liverpool FC #YNWA, books, telly, history, economics and politics
391 followers 227 following 3,161 posts
view profile on Bluesky socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Very different from those days - we were so desperate to get attention back then we were briefing any journo who would listen even before deals got serious. Amateur hour
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
The media is also complicit in how it frames things. That’s a leading as heck question that honestly is just right wing tabloid fodder rather than what sober journalism should be
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Well he did win the FA cup 🤌
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah but Semenyo and Elanga too? I guess they’re all really fast but I just thought Kerkez was up there Coz, absent that sort of pace, I felt a lot of what he did was last minute defending (eg throwing himself at the ball) rather than being able to shepherd balls to safety by reaching them first
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Great performance but one thing that surprised me was that he didn’t seem as quick as I thought he would be? Like I thought in the last 3 games the attacker on his side of the pitch outpaced him somewhat, which was unexpected to me
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah got a bit repetitive. Could’ve been like Burgess and made it a lot shorter, even if you wanted to use the device of an unreliable narrator The music reviews were actually the most sane parts of the novel 😂
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
And it’s even worse when you consider how much he’s spent over so many seasons only to come up with a slicker, more polyglot Tony Pulis team
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
One Alisson save aside I’m struggling to recall any Arse shot that had such high xGs. Weird
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
(2/2) Yet it was nevertheless prescient about how anyone worshiping Trump is a clear red flag and possible psycho
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
(1/2) This was much reminiscent of A Clockwork Orange - gory ultraviolence, vacuous gatherings with fellow Wall Streeters akin to droogs, who converse in an argot that echoed a Nadsat rooted in crass commercialism - but without the virtue of brevity 💙📚
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Hear me out - Wirtz and Konaté did a little song and dance with their ‘injuries’ in order to get out of national team duty and focus on the Mighty Reds 🤓🤌😄 #LFC (And also to get the JoGo transfer cancelled 😭)
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
When you take away set pieces they hardly posed any threat. It should be worrying for their fans tbh, waste of talent
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Watching the post game gabfest with Owen and company and I think they suggested Arse sign ANOTHER midfielder Goodness
TheCodeBlackDirective (@codeblackdirective.bsky.social) reposted
68% of Arsenal’s time of possession was Declan Rice walking to take corner kicks. [Opta] Via my whatsapp footy account. 😅 (Think it is from one of the bigger, sound lfc supporter accounts on X/twitter) #lfc #redsky
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
No idea, only Art prancing about haha I also just realised I may have mentally blocked out all the times Trent scored from a free kick 🤭
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
I just realised I may have mentally blocked out all the times Trent scored 🤭
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
I think if we had an in form Macca things might be quite different. He is just a fraction off the pace but Wirtz fed him in good positions. Wirtz unlucky not to score. Same for Salah - squandered quite a few promising buildups
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Lol Set Piece FC undone by a #LFC set piece 😂🤌🤭 The first free kick we’ve scored since Coutinho left as well 😎
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Macca’s off the pace but still worth more than any Arse MF haha 🤌🤭 #LFC
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Good one mate! 👏🤌
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Astonishing that no Arsenal players have been carded yet 🤦♂️ #LFC
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Tbh it’s pretty standard behaviour these days. We’ve had it happen to us plenty of times
PhillyRed (@philyred.bsky.social) reposted
There's no way someone commits to sleep deprivation for something they merely have a passing interest in. The level of commitment required to watch a game at 2am after a long day is immense. I know because I've had to do it anytime I travel to the far east. #LFC
PhillyRed (@philyred.bsky.social) reposted
When I watch YouTube videos of Asia based fans' reactions to our goals, it brings it home. You notice they're literally fighting hard to not wake neighbors & their families up when celebrating. Then you have Gerodies and some of our own fans calling them plastic cos they haven't been to Anfield #LFC
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Exactly, journalists think they are being impartial by coming up with all kinds of complicated rationalisations when it’s actually quite straightforward
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Well it’s also coz she’s a black woman, that’s blatantly obvious 😠
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
(3/3) … neoliberalism, making a solid pitch for tilting towards social democracy and widening codeterminism. Bentham - a prime advocate for workhouses - was particularly worsted with Prof Anderson deliciously dismissing his arguments for their benefits as akin to a con artist’s 🤭🤌
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
(2/3) … Baxter to Mill felt that jobs should allow workers to develop their capabilities fully, including those outside work. Certainly the former is more influential for modern econs, but Prof Anderson pointedly shoots down many of those arguments even on efficiency grounds in her chapter on …
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
(1/3) Interesting read from Prof Anderson, who traces the divergence in ideologies of the work ethic to the Industrial Revolution’s commodification of labour - conservatives undergirded this, viewing workers as fundamentally loafers who had to be disciplined and surveilled; progressives from … 💙📚
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Yeah let’s go JB!!! 🫡💪👏 newrepublic.com/post/199800/...
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Zach as a character really worked in this regard, good spot!
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Ah yes, the one where they take on the Nightwatch I was rewatching B5 late last year and was similarly amazed by the how much resonance the descent into authoritarianism (and the collusion of groups like big biz) had for our times
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Mindnumbingly stupid but then again rational in a way since the Supreme Court has largely ruled his way on everything
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Which episode is this?
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah that’s quite abject. Investment turning negative is a bad sign that’ll play out a few quarters down the road, the import figure is temporary and it’s incredible to see that it’s the one holding up the quarter’s GDP performance
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
It’s crazy that they prioritised two expensive attackers over addressing their weaknesses in literally every other part of the pitch 🤦♂️
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Cheers mate, updated my suggested #LFC starting formation 🤌👌🤭
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Such thugs! 😠
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
I’ve only read Kuang’s Babel and enjoyed it, though some points in this Slate review of her work (shallowly drawn characters, too on-the-nose messaging, YA level dialogue) ring true But IMO it pegs Kuang wrongly - she should be read as YA, not mature sci-fi/alt history 💙📚 slate.com/culture/2025...
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
💯 and they’re gonna keep recurring coz racism is built in to a significant degree It also conditions the baseline that non-right parties have to start from
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah it’s such a utilitarian, shallow take
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
NOW he’s worried about the Fed?!! Not when a fascist took the Rep nomination 18 months ago?
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
(2/2) Only quibble is saying voters “unwittingly” voted for this. Partly true coz most dunno much about econs, but that’s also due to media’s horrendous reporting on this subject But mostly IMO many voters went with their prejudices in voting for the avatar of racism and misogyny, economy be damned
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
(1/2) There really should be more of these types of articles in press, calling out who’s responsible and that it was done mostly out of spite and authoritarianism #Econsky newrepublic.com/article/1996...
Michael Emonds (@michaelje67.bsky.social) reposted
One of the best things about the goal yesterday is that every outfield player in the team took a touch in the build-up apart from one player: Dom & his contribution was the (second) most important of all. Such a beautiful goal. #lfc #liverpool
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah, more white people would’ve objected and that’s always decisive
Paul Krugman (@pkrugman.bsky.social) reposted
If you think the attack on the Fed's Lisa Cook has nothing to do with you, you're wrong — any one of us may be next paulkrugman.substack.com/p/we-are-all...
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
The long arc of American history shows that it depends on where you live and your skin colour. If anything we are seeing the nationalisation of something that was once confined to some localities
Arin Dube (@arindube.bsky.social) reposted
I think it's a mistake to think of the firing of Lisa Cook primarily in terms of Central Bank Independence, and its impact on the inflation rate. The most significant issue is also more basic: it's the rule of law.
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
That experience is etched in my mind - watching the build up with growing excitement …. then THAT dummy was the moment I leapt off my seat, and then that incredible first time curler confounding where the keeper thought he would aim at 😍🤌 #LFC
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Absolutely nerveless, first time curler. Holy smokes 😍🤌
David Phillips (@davidphillips.bsky.social) reposted
13 passes on the way to Rio scoring the winner. And who was it that closed down Pope and forced him to make the clearance that led to LFC regaining possession? Rio. #lfc
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Astonishingly, Salah had the assist for the winner 😎 We should’ve controlled the game better with the numerical advantage but instead ceded the initiative and played the game mostly on Newcastle’s terms. With Salah we could’ve stretch play more. Not sure what went wrong though
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
He should’ve defended the goal better in the sense that he should’ve tried to head it. By focusing on holding a player bigger than him h essentially gave him a free header But I do sympathise as he usually seems outnumbered. He should’ve had more midfield help
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Tbh how much of it is down to the nature of the game? Stop-start, attritional, etc Though we should’ve had more control when the numerical advantage but seems like we ceded the initiative a lot
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Unsure how I’m gonna survive the season when our approach seems to be to let opponents think they’re on the comeback before sucker punching them just before the game ends 🤭🤌 #SlotBall #LFC
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Who needs Isak when you’ve got Riooooooo?! 👌🤌🤣 #LFC
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
WHAT AN ASSIST FROM DOM!!! Yeah it was actually a dummy but I don’t care 😂 #LFC
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
MOTHERF***KER!!!!!!! 😍🤌 #LFC
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Tbf we’ve hardly gotten to play football except in those instances when we scored. Attritional football of the worst kind #LFC
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Amateurish almost
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Really don’t know what to make of that lol
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Gotta say that was poor defending there. Should’ve tried to jump and head the ball rather than just holding the player #LFC
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
If Wirtz had another Wirtz feeding him passes he might be scoring a lot. He makes tireless runs but nobody seems to want or is able to try to find him #LFC
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Lord of assists! Who’ve thought haha
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Lol Slot went for a pint and missed the goal coming back late for the restart 🤭 #LFC
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
I think you meant the exact opposite 😆
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
The whole half probably plays well into Newcastle’s persecution complex 😅 #LFC
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
The ref has generally been poor but I think this explanation system for decisions based on reviewing the VAR on field seems to be a good thing 🤌
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Effing hell Gordon is a wee prick isn’t he 😠
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Newcastle def gets booked. For a foul on Salah. Wow. Never thought I’d see the day 🙄
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
He’s being absolutely manhandled
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Oh Curtis! He actually had time to control it 🫣
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Absolute wanker 😖
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
(6/6) … for ridding us of the “sham” of meritocracy Still, Prof Markovits makes the cogent case that meritocracy is merely the next iteration of the iron law of oligarchy and that the elite and the middle class would both benefit from reforming it
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
(5/6) … opportunities through their networks to their kids. He rightly notes that meritocracy’s staying power is a lack of a resonant alternative, but banking on Rawls’ inert democratic equality is not quite a resounding call and the policy suggestions feel like tinkering than sufficient radicalism…
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
(4/6) … stresses that today’s elite have to rebuild their human capital with each generation in the form of intensive schooling (unlike aristocrats who passed on their land) by buying the best training money can offer but seems to neglect that, perhaps far more importantly, elites can provide …
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
(3/6) …makes the novel argument that elite one-percenters are just as harmed by the system, under pressure as they are through the relentless work ethic demanded of them and their heirs. This stands out in a literature than focuses more on lower wage groups losing out. One quibble is that he …
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
(2/6) … Dworkin, Parfit and Elizabeth Anderson - all giants of moral philosophy - whom he had studied under or consulted. His erudition shines through in a wide-ranging analysis - the induced innovations and just desert literatures respectively from economics and philosophy are cited - that …
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
(1/6) Difficult to recall someone else with this range of multidisciplinary training - Prof Markovits has a BA in math and JD from Yale, LSE MSc in mathematical econs, Oxford PhD in philosophy - taking on the subject of meritocracy. In his acknowledgements he cites Williams, Cohen, … 💙📚
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Reading Pynchon always feels like the literary equivalent of tripping balls, though in this case having a character - female, no less - named Oedipa somehow conjured extra weirdness 🤣🤌💙📚
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Lol so the law seems to be that it’s not wrong if Manure does it 🤭🤌
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
By absolute coincidence, I finished two books today by authors named Meredith (ok, one of them has it as his last name, but still…) 🤣 Kinda memorable! 💙📚🤌
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
I don’t think this should be taken at face value - one should look at the partisan breakdown for more context. Eg question of whether the economy is good or bad, a lot depends on how the narrative is pushed by various parties, and Reps have been disingenuously harsh on the Fed for not cutting rates
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah me too, thought he was much more self indulgent than usual, excessively so
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Good replacement for Wirtz, there 😆
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Agent Pep 🤭 #LFC
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Who would’ve thought a decade or so ago that so many Americans - even those of the ‘freedom loving’ right - would be fine with the military taking over blue states and cities for political reasons? newrepublic.com/post/199438/...
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
Yeah apparently one can do racism as long as it’s outside a stadium and not wearing a trademarked jersey while doing so 😒🙄
John D (@johnthechef7.bsky.social) reposted
Morning Reds - another absolute BANGER from #PaddyPower 🤣 🤣🤣🤣🤣🍻🍻🍻🍻
Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) reposted
That was one of the most batshit press conferences of Trump's public life. He brandished a photo of Putin and promised to deploy the US military to occupy Chicago, New York, and San Francisco. A sane country would be moving toward impeachment and removal right now.
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
(2/2) … of owners or editors who tend to be of a certain demographic. It has all happened before with the legitimisation of Jim Crow for decades by Southern press and now those strategies have gone national. Sadly, the press traditionally doesn’t seem to regard defending democracy as a core tenet
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
(1/2) Excellent episode of the podcast by Perry Bacon of The New Republic with UMass Amherst professor Kathy Forde. They focus on media, debunking the myth that it’s been anything but a political actor, its professed ‘objectivity’ a smokescreen to push the agenda … newrepublic.com/article/1994...
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social)
Nayler sketches a dystopia that is frightfully plausible - social credit scores generated through pervasive surveillance, governance given over to algos (reminiscent of Asimov), manipulation by AI. A sorta deus ex machina ending aside, this is a thought provoking read 💙📚💙🪐
Julie A. Su (@juliesulabor.bsky.social) reposted
A recap of the wild Jobs of August, a look behind the scenes of what Jobs Day was like when we didn’t fire people for telling the truth, and who it’s all really about – all in my latest Substack. #JobsReport #WarOnWorkers #dol
socrates80.bsky.social (@socrates80.bsky.social) reply parent
It’s a huge contrast from the Coutinho saga, where everybody at Barca from players to tea lady commented publicly about how he should go to Barca, amplified by the club’s links to Spanish media