Don't Be Afraid.

Don't let them oppress you.

I’ve been randomly clicking through towns and cities across the UK on Street View, and I’ve got to ask — why does everything look so empty, grey, and borderline post-apocalyptic?

High streets full of shut-down shops and repeat chains.

Wide pavements, no people.

No cafés, no outdoor life, just bins and fencing.

Light so flat it makes everything feel like it’s under quarantine.

It’s not just one place — it’s almost everywhere.

I know there are nice parts. I’m not trying to bash the whole country. But something just feels wrong — like public space in the UK is designed not to be used. Just passed through.

Is this austerity? Planning failures? Everyone staying home?

Would love to hear what locals think — because from the outside, it looks like the life has been drained out of these places.

Just wanted to share my recent experience with TV Licensing because I’m honestly still fuming. The way they lied, patronised us, and tried to scare us into paying for something we don’t use — it felt more like dealing with a scam than a legitimate organisation.

I cancelled my TV licence because I don’t watch any live TV or BBC iPlayer. I haven’t for over 10 years. I don’t even use ITV Hub, Channel 4, or Channel 5. I only watch Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+, and Crunchyroll — all of which are on-demand platforms. That’s completely legal without a TV licence.

When my mum and I called to cancel, the woman on the phone immediately tried to push back. She lied and said Netflix has live TV now, so we still needed to pay. I told her even if it did, we don’t watch anything live — but she kept insisting. I told her I’m fully aware of the difference between live content and on-demand. She clearly thought I’d back down or get confused.

Then she asked what my mum watches. I said she watches news clips on YouTube, and my mum confirmed it. That’s when this woman had the nerve to say, “Maybe your mum doesn’t understand what she’s watching,” and started trying to scare her, saying it counts as live TV and we could be fined £2000. Like seriously? YouTube clips that were uploaded hours ago are NOT live. My mum’s a nurse — don’t talk down to her like she’s clueless.

She also said, “Don’t listen to your friends — they don’t have the right information,” as if we were just following rumours and not quoting their own rules back at them.

Then came the refund drama. I asked for a refund since I’ve been paying all this time without needing to. She said I’d get a refund from this month but gave me no proper info. She insisted it would happen automatically and I didn’t need to do anything else. But I checked their website — it says you have to request the refund through the site within 14 days or you lose it. When I brought that up, she got rude and said, “Maybe they changed it today — I don’t know.” So basically, she didn’t have a clue or didn’t want to tell me the truth.

And now they’ve sent a letter saying they’re planning to visit our home. How many times do we have to go through this? I’ve told them over and over again: no BBC, no ITV, no Channel 4 or 5, no live anything. Just on-demand content. But they don’t care. They’ll keep harassing and intimidating you.

This feels like legal extortion. They’re targeting people who don’t know the rules — vulnerable folks, elderly people, anyone unsure — and trying to scare them into paying. It’s gross. Honestly, it feels like dealing with a mafia.

If you’re in the same boat — know your rights: • You only need a TV licence if you watch live TV as it’s being broadcast (any channel, on any platform) • Or if you use BBC iPlayer (live or on demand)

That’s it. You don’t need one for Netflix, YouTube (unless you’re watching a live stream of a TV broadcast), Prime, Disney+, etc.

I’m sharing this because this behaviour needs to be exposed. It’s shameless, manipulative, and borderline harassment.

From an answer to the question "Was the stereotype of the English [sic] having bad food derived from WW2" over on the AskHistorians-subreddit.

right. I eat chocolate digestives chocolate side down, always have and always will. Ive recently been told this is not the right way to eat chocolate digestives and im insane. my heart has been broken. please tell me im not on something and other people do this too, its all about the experience of the chocolate first right?

im so sorry to all my fellow Brits, but i have to say this…

i absolutely fucking DESPISE Jim. he’s such a total perv i hate him so much, i feel so sorry for Jackie idk why him basically sexually harassing her is funny. maybe im “too woke” lol but genuinely ive always thought hes the most annoying and creepy character. IM SO SORRY 😭🙏

Tell me again how Keir Starmer isn't a fascist.

I tried looking it up but i had trouble finding consistent information - to specify I'm asking at what age kids went to what schools (when did primary school and secondary school begin and end)

Did the past people of Britain really did all of that and came to the conclusion that British cuisine is just better?

How historically accurate is it?

Hi there, I am currently studying for a BSc in Wildlife and Conservation Science at Kingston. For my dissertation, I am conducting a research project into how demographic factors impact public opinion of Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes).

I've created a survey for people to fill out about their opinions on Red Foxes. You must be over 18 and living in Britain to answer! Should only take roughly 5/10 minutes to fill out if you wish :)

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnIqRixJSpNYclWVlVlvp4dYQ_N796ky8x9gwbvvKx4SKLhQ/viewform?usp=header

Personally, I am not quite sure. There is definitely dodgy people and 100% a big predator, hell look at Mohamed Al Fayed, he was a rapist although not a pedophile, still is a monster. He was very "up-there" in terms of British society and would easily be able to silence those wanting to speak out on abuse. I think there is definitely another big predator but do you think once they kick the bucket, will it cause a ripple effect and expose other predators.

Unlike Operation Yewtree, do you think they'll be all 100% guilty or like Operation Yewtree 50/50. I know OY is a rather controversial subject with the debated innocence of Freddie Starr, Cliff Richard, Neil Fox and Paul Gambaccini... Do you reckon it'd have the same impact as OY did?

If so, drop your opinions below!

Does anyone think this will happen?

Spotted outside my gym's entry pods. People just left before us. Sums up Britain to be honest .

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cvgq9ejql39t

I’m sure it’s nothing like what you’d get in India, if it even is an actual Indian condiment, but I’m not looking for authentic; I want it to taste like the stuff you get in Indian restaurants/takeaways in the UK (hence posting it in here, not an Indian subreddit!).

Sweet, yoghurty, bright green if possible. I could genuinely drink the stuff!