Odds and Ends of History

Odds and Ends of History

Have I Got Fake News For You (Odds and Ends #79)

A jaw-dropping screw-up on prime time BBC One – and more!

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James O'Malley
Oct 03, 2025
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POD! On The Abundance Agenda this week, we get mad about a government-published ‘NIMBY charter’, and we speak to the excellent YouTuber CityEd about urban design, placemaking, and how to build cities that are actually nice places to live. Listen/subscribe here - or on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.


Hello! It’s time for Odds and Ends, your semi-regular round-up of the most interesting links I’ve seen, plus a few extra bits and pieces from me.

A slightly shorter than usual round-up this week, as I’ve currently got two roasting hot takes, both about two-thirds complete in my drafts, and I’m hoping to drop both next week.

Anyway, this week I’m featuring:

  • How the BBC’s top satirical news show amplified a mad online conspiracy theory

  • Why London’s roads this time next year could look very different

  • Research that confirms all of my existing prejudices about journalists

  • And a fascinating look at how post-Assad Syria is using technology to rebuild

Now let’s get started!

HIGNFY spectacularly screws up

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