James Ball
@jamesrball.com
Political editor @ The New World
Opinion @ The i Paper
Fellow @ Tech Policy Press
Fellow @ Demos
PhD researcher @ UCL Laws
newsletter @ techtris
Latest book: The Other Pandemic – How QAnon Contaminated The World. 🏳️🌈
https://www.jamesrball.com/
Opinion @ The i Paper
Fellow @ Tech Policy Press
Fellow @ Demos
PhD researcher @ UCL Laws
newsletter @ techtris
Latest book: The Other Pandemic – How QAnon Contaminated The World. 🏳️🌈
https://www.jamesrball.com/
Pinned
James Ball
@jamesrball.com
· Aug 11
Techtris | James Ball | Substack
A weekly(ish) newsletter on technology, policy and society, from James Ball. Click to read Techtris, by James Ball, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
www.jamesrball.com
Enjoying my posts? (If not: sorry..?)
I have a newsletter here, plz do subscribe: www.jamesrball.com
Details of books I’ve written here: www.jamesrball.com/p/books
And all my writing for @thenewworldmag.bsky.social is here: www.thenewworld.co.uk/contributor/...
I often pop up elsewhere, too.
I have a newsletter here, plz do subscribe: www.jamesrball.com
Details of books I’ve written here: www.jamesrball.com/p/books
And all my writing for @thenewworldmag.bsky.social is here: www.thenewworld.co.uk/contributor/...
I often pop up elsewhere, too.
It *deserves* to do so. One way – maybe the only way – to stop campaigns stooping this low is to make it backfire so memorably that even the most despicable of candidates won't go for it in future.
That Vivek Ramaswamy ad might end up being the worst own goal we've seen in a major race.
Platforming the estranged mother of your opponent to attack her, only for everyone to discover that the mother protected the rapist of her 12-year-old daughter and stayed married to him, is beyond despicable.
Platforming the estranged mother of your opponent to attack her, only for everyone to discover that the mother protected the rapist of her 12-year-old daughter and stayed married to him, is beyond despicable.
October 20, 2026 at 5:15 PM
It *deserves* to do so. One way – maybe the only way – to stop campaigns stooping this low is to make it backfire so memorably that even the most despicable of candidates won't go for it in future.
Reposted by James Ball
🥄 We want YOUR questions for our next episode… Click below to find out how (free to read).
🥄 “It’s the question that brought you here…” 🥄 Time for BUT YOUR EMAILS | Oh God, What Now?
It’s a weird and unpredictable time in politics… so what do you want to ask our panel? Over the past few days we’ve talked about the Age of
www.patreon.com
October 20, 2026 at 3:54 PM
🥄 We want YOUR questions for our next episode… Click below to find out how (free to read).
Reposted by James Ball
TWO HOURS
Here's a reminder for my stream with Alex Gibney, happening this Tuesday at 9 am Pacific/Noon Eastern.
Add it to your calendar, and let's make this the biggest stream the AT Protocol has ever seen!
Add it to your calendar, and let's make this the biggest stream the AT Protocol has ever seen!
Alex Gibney, Director of "MUSK," live on the AT Protocol
Alex Gibney, Director of the new documentary "MUSK," appears on the Elon Take The Wheel Livestream to discuss his film, the battle against powerful forces who don't want it seen, the tenth anniversary of Tesla's infamous "Paint It Black" video, and more... including questions sourced from Bluesky. Only streaming live on the AT Protocol, in partnership with Bluesky.
atmo.rsvp
October 20, 2026 at 2:02 PM
TWO HOURS
Reposted by James Ball
A @wired.com investigation has found that election offices in 32 (!) states have received suspicious letters containing white powder, just weeks before the midterms.
"Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties."
"Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties."
Election Offices in at Least 32 States Have Received Suspicious Letters
WIRED contacted officials in all 50 states and Washington, DC, to uncover the extent of a harassment campaign ahead of the midterms.
www.wired.com
October 20, 2026 at 1:58 PM
A @wired.com investigation has found that election offices in 32 (!) states have received suspicious letters containing white powder, just weeks before the midterms.
"Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties."
"Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties."
Reposted by James Ball
"There is a big fishing fleet here in Portsmouth," Nigel Farage tells a Reform rally in Plymouth, which actually boos in response.
October 20, 2026 at 1:52 PM
"There is a big fishing fleet here in Portsmouth," Nigel Farage tells a Reform rally in Plymouth, which actually boos in response.
Reposted by James Ball
Aside from it being probably the most despicable thing I’ve seen in American politics so far, it’s also a pretty fucking bold move for a party already increasingly associated with paedophilia in the public consciousness…
Dr. Amy Acton's campaign is out with a statement:
October 20, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Aside from it being probably the most despicable thing I’ve seen in American politics so far, it’s also a pretty fucking bold move for a party already increasingly associated with paedophilia in the public consciousness…
Reposted by James Ball
See, I decided to write those all down because I had the thought: "are the cognitive tests randomized"? The Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (which has "name these three animals") apparently does NOT randomize. They use three animals as a standard; lion, rhinoceros, and camel.
Now playing: "My Evaluator Bought A Zoo"
October 20, 2026 at 1:30 PM
See, I decided to write those all down because I had the thought: "are the cognitive tests randomized"? The Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (which has "name these three animals") apparently does NOT randomize. They use three animals as a standard; lion, rhinoceros, and camel.
Reposted by James Ball
In the last two years Trump has now claimed the cognitive test he keeps taking has the following animals on it:
- Lion
- Bear
- Giraffe
- Snake
- Alligator
- Squirrel
- Shark
- Elephant
- Horse
- Tiger
- Whale
- Lion
- Bear
- Giraffe
- Snake
- Alligator
- Squirrel
- Shark
- Elephant
- Horse
- Tiger
- Whale
Trump: "The first one is they show you a lion, a bear, a snake, and a giraffe. And they say, 'Which one is the giraffe?' I got a perfect score."
October 20, 2026 at 1:25 PM
In the last two years Trump has now claimed the cognitive test he keeps taking has the following animals on it:
- Lion
- Bear
- Giraffe
- Snake
- Alligator
- Squirrel
- Shark
- Elephant
- Horse
- Tiger
- Whale
- Lion
- Bear
- Giraffe
- Snake
- Alligator
- Squirrel
- Shark
- Elephant
- Horse
- Tiger
- Whale
I spy discourse!
ok look (1) private health insurance comes out of your "disposable income"; (2) "luxury" here should be read as "unnecessary" not like, "something not many people could possibly hope to afford"
October 20, 2026 at 1:24 PM
I spy discourse!
Relaunching BBC Three as a linear channel was one the weirdest bits of BBC logic in years.
As an iplayer (or even better, off platform) brand for younger focused content, with a decent commissioning budget, you wonder if it could've done better...
As an iplayer (or even better, off platform) brand for younger focused content, with a decent commissioning budget, you wonder if it could've done better...
BBC Three, BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 4 Extra linear channels to go deadline.com/2026/10/bbc-...
BBC Confirms Network Closures; BBC Three Switched Off For Second Time
The BBC is pulling the plug on BBC Three for the second time after the broadcaster confirmed network closures as part of plans to save £500 million.
deadline.com
October 20, 2026 at 1:22 PM
Relaunching BBC Three as a linear channel was one the weirdest bits of BBC logic in years.
As an iplayer (or even better, off platform) brand for younger focused content, with a decent commissioning budget, you wonder if it could've done better...
As an iplayer (or even better, off platform) brand for younger focused content, with a decent commissioning budget, you wonder if it could've done better...
The guy just seems incredibly proud of the ignorant, racist drivel he pushed on national television. And too ignorant to know how badly he came across, apparently.
(obviously @rmcunliffe.bsky.social wasn't about to cry and this mainly exposed him as a utter prat who couldn't defend his own motion - and managed to outrage the former director of Liberty with his bullshit.
But it says something he's treating this as a positive. Very good, very progressive.)
But it says something he's treating this as a positive. Very good, very progressive.)
October 20, 2026 at 1:20 PM
The guy just seems incredibly proud of the ignorant, racist drivel he pushed on national television. And too ignorant to know how badly he came across, apparently.
Reposted by James Ball
If you’re an author who’s been receiving verbose AI scam emails on a daily basis, and you’re wondering how gullible and ego-driven people think you are, this article helps to explain them. Sadly, they are successful enough to have been built into a big business.
www.thedial.world/articles/new...
www.thedial.world/articles/new...
The Lucrative World of Literary Scams — The Dial
Why writers are the perfect target.
www.thedial.world
October 20, 2026 at 6:51 AM
If you’re an author who’s been receiving verbose AI scam emails on a daily basis, and you’re wondering how gullible and ego-driven people think you are, this article helps to explain them. Sadly, they are successful enough to have been built into a big business.
www.thedial.world/articles/new...
www.thedial.world/articles/new...
Love to specify the length of the book in the subtitle, very professional.
Two days before the Budget.
Best news Healey has had in ages.
Best news Healey has had in ages.
October 20, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Love to specify the length of the book in the subtitle, very professional.
"Time and again, Reform politicians tell ITV’s undercover reporters that they are convinced Reform would be far more radical in power, and is just playing at being more-or-less acceptable to get into power, in the manner of far-right parties through history."
The mask has slipped - now we can see the real, shameful face of Reform
ITV’s documentary reveals the party as a hotbed of racists baying for concentration camps and executions
www.thenewworld.co.uk
October 20, 2026 at 9:36 AM
"Time and again, Reform politicians tell ITV’s undercover reporters that they are convinced Reform would be far more radical in power, and is just playing at being more-or-less acceptable to get into power, in the manner of far-right parties through history."
"Without getting too bogged down in events from 25 years ago, the underlying dynamic is familiar: America doubts Europe’s ability to contribute militarily, while Europe gives America reasons to doubt it."
"We should stop working on the assumption that America will always protect us. In doing so, we may give the alliance its best chance of enduring — with Europe as a partner, not a patron."
My latest Substack post
lukemcgee.substack.com/p/the-transa...
My latest Substack post
lukemcgee.substack.com/p/the-transa...
The Transatlantic Myth
America was never the partner Europe imagined—nor should we want it to be.
lukemcgee.substack.com
October 20, 2026 at 9:04 AM
"Without getting too bogged down in events from 25 years ago, the underlying dynamic is familiar: America doubts Europe’s ability to contribute militarily, while Europe gives America reasons to doubt it."
Reposted by James Ball
Multiculturalism is *the* great British success story of the past 50 years.
While its far from perfect, that is something we should celebrate.
If nothing else - because positively, aggressively making the case for a multicultural UK sets norms and is a very effective way of fighting the far right
While its far from perfect, that is something we should celebrate.
If nothing else - because positively, aggressively making the case for a multicultural UK sets norms and is a very effective way of fighting the far right
Right, fine, this is true, but we should not act like there wasn't massive progress in the last 80 years on racial equality that we should be proud of, and defend, and push for further progress, instead of acting like it didn't exist at all
Don’t want to be a Debbie Downer, but this feels somewhat complacent, given that we arguably have at least three far right political parties, we’ve had two years of violent far right rioting and targeted attacks on minorities, and the largest far right march since before World War II was last year.
October 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Multiculturalism is *the* great British success story of the past 50 years.
While its far from perfect, that is something we should celebrate.
If nothing else - because positively, aggressively making the case for a multicultural UK sets norms and is a very effective way of fighting the far right
While its far from perfect, that is something we should celebrate.
If nothing else - because positively, aggressively making the case for a multicultural UK sets norms and is a very effective way of fighting the far right
Reposted by James Ball
"As the camera panned around as Trump spoke earlier this month, the upper tier was sparsely populated. Trump himself noticed from the podium, blustering to explain away the gaps like a schoolchild claiming they really did have a girlfriend, only she goes to another school. In Canada."
Trump’s tiny-crowd problem will hit him right in the ego
James Ball: The signs for the US President are bad – and they're even worse for the Maga movement
inews.co.uk
October 19, 2026 at 1:30 PM
"As the camera panned around as Trump spoke earlier this month, the upper tier was sparsely populated. Trump himself noticed from the podium, blustering to explain away the gaps like a schoolchild claiming they really did have a girlfriend, only she goes to another school. In Canada."
Reposted by James Ball
"Many elected officials within Reform believe the party is putting on an acceptable face to get elected, and then would install a British ICE, engage in mass deportations, or enact violent reprisals against civil servants, police officers, and others who it felt had betrayed Britain."
The mask has slipped - now we can see the real, shameful face of Reform
ITV’s documentary reveals the party as a hotbed of racists baying for concentration camps and executions
www.thenewworld.co.uk
October 19, 2026 at 12:29 PM
"Many elected officials within Reform believe the party is putting on an acceptable face to get elected, and then would install a British ICE, engage in mass deportations, or enact violent reprisals against civil servants, police officers, and others who it felt had betrayed Britain."
Also: if Putin gets all of the Donbas, there is very little between there and Kyiv. Putin is well aware of that. Ukraine is well aware of that.
Trump either doesn't know or doesn't care. It doesn't much matter which.
Trump either doesn't know or doesn't care. It doesn't much matter which.
Putin has never said that he will agree to a peace agreement if he gets the rest of Donbas. What Putin has said is that if Ukraine gives him he get the rest of Donbas, then he will be willing to begin negotiations about the rest of Russia's conditions for peace.
Rubio has lost his mind: The war in Ukraine is about one region, Donetsk. russia occupies all but about 11% of it.
October 19, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Also: if Putin gets all of the Donbas, there is very little between there and Kyiv. Putin is well aware of that. Ukraine is well aware of that.
Trump either doesn't know or doesn't care. It doesn't much matter which.
Trump either doesn't know or doesn't care. It doesn't much matter which.
Reposted by James Ball
Interview 🎤 The PM’s former advisor isn’t convinced by the bargain the AI companies are offering. They stand to make trillions: but what do we get in return?
✏️ Jay Elwes
✏️ Jay Elwes
Jim O’Neill on Burnham, the US and the dangers of following the AI herd
The PM’s former advisor isn’t convinced by the bargain the AI companies are offering. They stand to make trillions: but what do we get in return?
buff.ly
October 19, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Interview 🎤 The PM’s former advisor isn’t convinced by the bargain the AI companies are offering. They stand to make trillions: but what do we get in return?
✏️ Jay Elwes
✏️ Jay Elwes
Reposted by James Ball
I do get and agree with the idea that Labour shouldn’t be on X, but without it we wouldn’t have got this, so it is swings and roundabouts
October 19, 2026 at 5:54 PM
I do get and agree with the idea that Labour shouldn’t be on X, but without it we wouldn’t have got this, so it is swings and roundabouts
Reposted by James Ball
Donald Trump canceled his scheduled Oct. 16 deposition in his lawsuit against the BBC because of "matters of national importance."
The BBC alerts the judge that those matters were: a rally in Dalton, Ga. and a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.
The BBC alerts the judge that those matters were: a rally in Dalton, Ga. and a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.
October 19, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Donald Trump canceled his scheduled Oct. 16 deposition in his lawsuit against the BBC because of "matters of national importance."
The BBC alerts the judge that those matters were: a rally in Dalton, Ga. and a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.
The BBC alerts the judge that those matters were: a rally in Dalton, Ga. and a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.
What does she think Andy Burnham should be doing here? Organising a Dunkirk-style evacuation?
Because I'm not sure the PM organising a flotilla of small boats across the channel would be a vote winner either, right now.
Because I'm not sure the PM organising a flotilla of small boats across the channel would be a vote winner either, right now.
October 19, 2026 at 3:36 PM
What does she think Andy Burnham should be doing here? Organising a Dunkirk-style evacuation?
Because I'm not sure the PM organising a flotilla of small boats across the channel would be a vote winner either, right now.
Because I'm not sure the PM organising a flotilla of small boats across the channel would be a vote winner either, right now.
Reposted by James Ball
Wait, is this why the kids perceive the character as straight up problematic? Because we just don’t really have the type of dude it’s satirising anymore? God I’m old
Really fascinating case of a thoroughly orphaned cultural object. What living person is Ali G "satirising" in 2026? Like, Harry Enfield didn't scrap Loadsamoney due to political correctness, it's cos the Thatcherist parvenu (and the anxiety its emergence triggered within society) no longer exists.
It just feels weird doesn’t it. Like yer dad going ‘yeah baby’. I don’t get why he’s bothering.
October 19, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Wait, is this why the kids perceive the character as straight up problematic? Because we just don’t really have the type of dude it’s satirising anymore? God I’m old
Reposted by James Ball
Tim Bernard and I broke down 13 new complaints against OpenAI from last week: eight from state attorneys general and five from private plaintiffs, including a proposed class action over children’s data.
Another Week of Lawsuits Piling Up at OpenAI
Tim Bernard and Justin Hendrix break down eight complaints brought by state attorneys general and five by private plaintiffs.
www.techpolicy.press
October 19, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Tim Bernard and I broke down 13 new complaints against OpenAI from last week: eight from state attorneys general and five from private plaintiffs, including a proposed class action over children’s data.