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Pietro Spanu

@pietrospanu.bsky.social

father of 3, nature lover, sailor, Homo faber. Prof at Imperial College London, for a little while yet.

763 Posts503 Follower599 Folgt
Isabel Rogers@isabelrogers.bsky.social · 6d ago

Can't be the first to say this, but (and yay UEFA - brilliant) this works equally well if you swap out "football" for maybe "water" or "a stable climate". Look at me being the revolutionary socialist. "No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation."

The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure. From that moment onwards, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on competition formats and every decision shaping the future of football is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders. This model has no place in world football. Football's future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain. Europe's position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.
Paul Bernal@paulbernal.bsky.social · 6d ago

I still find it hard to take any government seriously in their pronouncements about the economy whilst their higher education policy is effectively destroying one of the most productive - and regionally diversified - parts of the economy, just to placate racists.

Pietro Spanu@pietrospanu.bsky.social · last wk.

I find it fascinating that it was ever thus. The Imperial Romans did the same. See Virgil's Aeneid. It's a human trait to invent myths of our past, and fantasize about descending from imaginary gods.

Paul Bernal@paulbernal.bsky.social · last wk.

We Brits and Yanks think *we’re* the heirs to the Greeks and Romans, and hence that the Odyssey is ‘ours’. That’s why we care so much about how it is interpreted and what it means at a deeper level. (My dad had a lot to say about this)

Kirstie Best@kirstiebest.bsky.social · 2w ago

Yes. A good example is the financial havoc this Government & the previous Tory Government is inflicting on the university sector through restricting international student numbers.

Pietro Spanu@pietrospanu.bsky.social · 3w ago

Another option is for USA academics to finally accept that 5-7 year PhDs are simply a way to exploit ECRs on something that is essentially akin to scientific indentured labour. Most advanced academic regimes make do with 3-4 years. After that, you are are essentially an underpaid postdoc.

David Ho@davidho.bsky.social · 3w ago

Another idiotic move from the Trump regime: Capping foreign student visas at 4 years is a massive mistake. Most PhD programs take 5 to 7 years to complete. This will force top global talent into constant bureaucratic extension loops, or drive them away entirely.

Pietro Spanu@pietrospanu.bsky.social · 3w ago

A network of National Universities across the UK. Come on Burnham: if you did it, I might even vote for you next time round. (Only if you add on affordable fees for students living in the UK... as per 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 example)

Plashing Vole@plashingvole.bsky.social · 3w ago

Congratulations to the government on saving 2700 jobs by nationalising British Steel. Now, about the 18,000 university jobs lost in the last 18 months, with more coming…

Pietro Spanu@pietrospanu.bsky.social · 3w ago

My first visit to this part of the world was a few (lots)years ago for a mycology conference. Now I am here for a personal visit... And find out that #ICOM2026 starts today. What a funny coincidence. I may even bump into some colleagues as I go off snorkeling on the GBR tomorrow

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Pietro Spanu@pietrospanu.bsky.social · 3mo ago

One of the best articles I have read in a long time. David Attenborough is not just a national treasure: he is also the most radical person on TV | Jonathan Liew www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

David Attenborough is not just a national treasure: he is also the most radical person on TV | Jonathan Liew

The naturalist is venerated as a cuddly Paddington Bear, but he’s more than that. Don’t let the superficial backslaps obscure the political critique he makes, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Liew

theguardian.com

The Tattooed Professor@schwessinger.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Also they shot and killed folks in broad daylight and detain folks in detention camps without any legal support for months. So this should come as no surprise.

Science Magazine@science.org · 3mo ago

Breaking news: Indiana University plant microbiologist Roger Innes has been locked out of his laboratory by the school in response to a request by one of his federal funders. The move comes after Innes complained about the government’s prosecution of Chinese postdocs. https://scim.ag/4tsDqRr