Hi Dominic. I'm the founder of a UK-based edtech company and keen to potentially get involved in this. Happy to talk more via email. I can be reached at chris (at) massolit (dot) io.
Have never worked in politics, my background is tech & startups.
But the mechanics of electing anyone under FPTP effectively mean convincing ~50k people per constituency.
Surely it's easier to:
1) Win a council/mayoral election where turnout is low or full of corrupt duds (i.e. Liverpool, Nottingham, new NE or East Midland regions)
2) Drive hard on progress (fix planning, fund independent GPs who actually see people rather than Ukraine flag poles, etc)
3) Have a record to demonstrate good governance and then take it to the country at a GE in '28/29.
Unprepared and risky candidates could easily get swallowed in the national. Putting people first in off-years where London media aren't paying attention seems a clearer path?
Concern with 24 would be, FPTP means you need to convince a majority you are a better bet than the tories - 12-18 months doesn’t seem like a long enough time to do that.
Getting wiped out in constituencies you stand in would put the party in the Lib Dem type box in the mind of voters and be a self fulfilling prophecy for 28
Though maybe you could do something interesting like stand in a small number of eminently winnable seats - or only stand where there is local backing .
Hi- I probably should be taking my time to craft the perfect audience-targeted comment due to the top five incentive, but I also just wanted to quickly express an interest in getting involved, if at all helpful.
I have an academic background in politics with some campaigning/events experience. Among other things, I also have work experience in a politics-related nonprofit, am currently under consideration for a role at an organisation specialising in AI alignment research and have discussed contributing research to Balsa Research (in a conversation with its founder), if any of this is relevant/of interest.
Either way, the best of luck with the mid-September decision!
I don't think we give a monkeys about the covid stuff unless it is pertinent to this TSP discussion. As for takeoff see what Vivek is doing-doubling favourability in 3 days is astounding. So many clever hooks and messages.
Aug 11, 2023·edited Aug 11, 2023Liked by Dominic Cummings
Note to fellow readers: If you like Barbie, remember to scroll down to the end of this comment for why it's relevant to this.
Hello Dominic Cummings,
I sent you an email with my CV before. I'm not prepared to share my details on a public forum until I GET the job. But I am a 30 year old former public servant (pubserv?) and prize winning economic historian with a background in Quality Assurance. Whilst I may not be an entrepreneur (read many articles about various failed businesses and it puts me off), I am young enough to learn.
But that's not my greatest strength. I can tell you the demographic profile, primary economic industry and voting history of every constituency. I can name the leader of every county in the world in order of when they came to power plus facts about their policies and background. I know the demographic profiles of all countries and how and why their policies differ. I've also read EVERY book in your reading list and am currently reading Sesardic.
I agree with all policy platforms you mention except on Taiwan. The post-1987 generation of Taiwanese by and large do NOT consider themselves Chinese but Taiwanese. As this group has driven reforms to make Taiwan increasingly one of the more progressive nations in Asia, it would be a shame to turn on them and shackle them to the corrupt and inept PRC. Also, I believe China WILL attack Taiwan before 2050. This will be done under stealth when North Korea attacks South Korea (because they will before 2050) and China will take Taiwan whilst everyone is distracted (DPRK can go toe to toe with both South Korea and the USA for at least two years). China could then join the fight against North Korea and gain power whilst "rebuilding" unified Korea. Be alert.
Also whilst I support more technology, I also see that many of the websites and apps and programs that exist (INCLUDING ChatGPT) are NOT backwards compatible with older devices and browsers when there's no reason they SHOULDN'T be. Someone made a ChatGPT client on java 8 that works in Windows 2000. I see no reason why ChatGPT can't let users of iOS 12 LOG IN or why the deployment target for the app is iOS 16. Other platforms (including Substack) are also bad at this and it causes a resource bloat which needs fixing.
I believe TSP SHOULD stand in 2024. History dictates that when a new party comes into power like yours, especially in a parliamentary system, they usually have seats (even if it's 5% of the total) in the Previous Parliament. Getting 20-50 seats would provide credibility (also I'm based in what I believe to be a key target seat and next to THE seat where we have the best chance, so the serpent of self-interest exists too).
But the more important reason TSP should stand is in Vue Cinema. I spoke in your first Substack on the Start-Up about how the ten highest grossing films of 2015 were all pro-leave and this helped. What is the highest grossing film of 2023 in the UK? BARBIE.
You speak of an online culture which programs emotions. This culture is usually born in the worst parts of American Intellectual Schools of Thought. In Barbie, "Beach Ken" goes to America where he learns ideas about "the patriarchy". He returns back to Barbie-Land spreading his ideas. And the Barbie's immediately give up their medical, legal, and political goals and transform into girlfriends who support the Kens, quickly forgetting their old official lines. Policy capture at its worst. It is only outsiders and misfits like "Weird Barbie", "Video Camera Barbie", "Sugar Daddy Ken" and "Allan" who can resist. That is TSP. In particular is how are the Kens defeated? The Misfit Barbies (after they revert key Barbie's away from "Patriarchy") trick the Kens into being jealous of each other, thus making them fight each other and forget to vote in the referendum that would have turned Barbie-Land into Kendom-Land thus making the pro-Patriarchy campaign work hard for the anti-Patriarchy campaign every day. MANY lessons to filter back to the public using the TSP model.
Hey There Barbie, Let's Go, Party if you will.
Also Oppenheimer is tracking to be the second highest grossing film in the UK, and TSP is based on the principles of Colonel Boyd.
Hope to have a video call (or better phone call) with you Mr Cummings and to take part in this Project! Can the Substack Readers help me get the call?
I enjoyed this article : I have time and energy, I’m a retired engineer/manager with alot of experience in offshore construction/renewal energy and telecommunications. I am unsure how I could help as I am not a natural political activist however, I have a clear recognition that our political institutions are broken, the civil service requires reform and would be willing to help in any way I could to make things happen. ATB
Aug 11, 2023·edited Aug 11, 2023Liked by Dominic Cummings
Hi Dominic- I’m a Stanford PhD student with a focus on causal ML.
TSP (and its seeds in your other blogs) have been the most exciting project I’ve yet to come across. I’m intensely frustrated by the direction of the country, and want to do whatever I can to set things right.
Of course, I’d love to video chat directly and see where I can leverage resources in the Valley/SF to aid TSP. Even if not, I would be excited to do whatever else needs doing, such as building the technical engine required.
I’ll send an email to you directly, but I can also be reached at namang@stanford.edu
Hi Dominic. I'm the founder of a UK-based edtech company and keen to potentially get involved in this. Happy to talk more via email. I can be reached at chris (at) massolit (dot) io.
Have never worked in politics, my background is tech & startups.
But the mechanics of electing anyone under FPTP effectively mean convincing ~50k people per constituency.
Surely it's easier to:
1) Win a council/mayoral election where turnout is low or full of corrupt duds (i.e. Liverpool, Nottingham, new NE or East Midland regions)
2) Drive hard on progress (fix planning, fund independent GPs who actually see people rather than Ukraine flag poles, etc)
3) Have a record to demonstrate good governance and then take it to the country at a GE in '28/29.
Unprepared and risky candidates could easily get swallowed in the national. Putting people first in off-years where London media aren't paying attention seems a clearer path?
78 minute read....might need to settle in for the long haul on this one. Great stuff
Thoughts on Jamie Driscoll?
Concern with 24 would be, FPTP means you need to convince a majority you are a better bet than the tories - 12-18 months doesn’t seem like a long enough time to do that.
Getting wiped out in constituencies you stand in would put the party in the Lib Dem type box in the mind of voters and be a self fulfilling prophecy for 28
Though maybe you could do something interesting like stand in a small number of eminently winnable seats - or only stand where there is local backing .
What about calling it “The Liberal Party”? I honestly can’t think of anything better
Hi- I probably should be taking my time to craft the perfect audience-targeted comment due to the top five incentive, but I also just wanted to quickly express an interest in getting involved, if at all helpful.
I have an academic background in politics with some campaigning/events experience. Among other things, I also have work experience in a politics-related nonprofit, am currently under consideration for a role at an organisation specialising in AI alignment research and have discussed contributing research to Balsa Research (in a conversation with its founder), if any of this is relevant/of interest.
Either way, the best of luck with the mid-September decision!
I don't think we give a monkeys about the covid stuff unless it is pertinent to this TSP discussion. As for takeoff see what Vivek is doing-doubling favourability in 3 days is astounding. So many clever hooks and messages.
Note to fellow readers: If you like Barbie, remember to scroll down to the end of this comment for why it's relevant to this.
Hello Dominic Cummings,
I sent you an email with my CV before. I'm not prepared to share my details on a public forum until I GET the job. But I am a 30 year old former public servant (pubserv?) and prize winning economic historian with a background in Quality Assurance. Whilst I may not be an entrepreneur (read many articles about various failed businesses and it puts me off), I am young enough to learn.
But that's not my greatest strength. I can tell you the demographic profile, primary economic industry and voting history of every constituency. I can name the leader of every county in the world in order of when they came to power plus facts about their policies and background. I know the demographic profiles of all countries and how and why their policies differ. I've also read EVERY book in your reading list and am currently reading Sesardic.
I agree with all policy platforms you mention except on Taiwan. The post-1987 generation of Taiwanese by and large do NOT consider themselves Chinese but Taiwanese. As this group has driven reforms to make Taiwan increasingly one of the more progressive nations in Asia, it would be a shame to turn on them and shackle them to the corrupt and inept PRC. Also, I believe China WILL attack Taiwan before 2050. This will be done under stealth when North Korea attacks South Korea (because they will before 2050) and China will take Taiwan whilst everyone is distracted (DPRK can go toe to toe with both South Korea and the USA for at least two years). China could then join the fight against North Korea and gain power whilst "rebuilding" unified Korea. Be alert.
Also whilst I support more technology, I also see that many of the websites and apps and programs that exist (INCLUDING ChatGPT) are NOT backwards compatible with older devices and browsers when there's no reason they SHOULDN'T be. Someone made a ChatGPT client on java 8 that works in Windows 2000. I see no reason why ChatGPT can't let users of iOS 12 LOG IN or why the deployment target for the app is iOS 16. Other platforms (including Substack) are also bad at this and it causes a resource bloat which needs fixing.
I believe TSP SHOULD stand in 2024. History dictates that when a new party comes into power like yours, especially in a parliamentary system, they usually have seats (even if it's 5% of the total) in the Previous Parliament. Getting 20-50 seats would provide credibility (also I'm based in what I believe to be a key target seat and next to THE seat where we have the best chance, so the serpent of self-interest exists too).
But the more important reason TSP should stand is in Vue Cinema. I spoke in your first Substack on the Start-Up about how the ten highest grossing films of 2015 were all pro-leave and this helped. What is the highest grossing film of 2023 in the UK? BARBIE.
You speak of an online culture which programs emotions. This culture is usually born in the worst parts of American Intellectual Schools of Thought. In Barbie, "Beach Ken" goes to America where he learns ideas about "the patriarchy". He returns back to Barbie-Land spreading his ideas. And the Barbie's immediately give up their medical, legal, and political goals and transform into girlfriends who support the Kens, quickly forgetting their old official lines. Policy capture at its worst. It is only outsiders and misfits like "Weird Barbie", "Video Camera Barbie", "Sugar Daddy Ken" and "Allan" who can resist. That is TSP. In particular is how are the Kens defeated? The Misfit Barbies (after they revert key Barbie's away from "Patriarchy") trick the Kens into being jealous of each other, thus making them fight each other and forget to vote in the referendum that would have turned Barbie-Land into Kendom-Land thus making the pro-Patriarchy campaign work hard for the anti-Patriarchy campaign every day. MANY lessons to filter back to the public using the TSP model.
Hey There Barbie, Let's Go, Party if you will.
Also Oppenheimer is tracking to be the second highest grossing film in the UK, and TSP is based on the principles of Colonel Boyd.
Hope to have a video call (or better phone call) with you Mr Cummings and to take part in this Project! Can the Substack Readers help me get the call?
I enjoyed this article : I have time and energy, I’m a retired engineer/manager with alot of experience in offshore construction/renewal energy and telecommunications. I am unsure how I could help as I am not a natural political activist however, I have a clear recognition that our political institutions are broken, the civil service requires reform and would be willing to help in any way I could to make things happen. ATB
pubserv: was a Tory parly researcher until a year ago, dabbled in journalism; both are mad and mostly useless, looking to help this as I can
Hi Dominic- I’m a Stanford PhD student with a focus on causal ML.
TSP (and its seeds in your other blogs) have been the most exciting project I’ve yet to come across. I’m intensely frustrated by the direction of the country, and want to do whatever I can to set things right.
Of course, I’d love to video chat directly and see where I can leverage resources in the Valley/SF to aid TSP. Even if not, I would be excited to do whatever else needs doing, such as building the technical engine required.
I’ll send an email to you directly, but I can also be reached at namang@stanford.edu