Superstates and spheres of influence | Brief letters

Interesting article by Brendan Simms of Cambridge University on spheres of influence in the world (Has a Nazi theorist’s vision of a world divided into ‘great spaces’ found a new advocate in Trump?, 16 January). Is anyone else reminded of the three superstates in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four (Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia)?
Carol Kewley
Port Glasgow, Inverclyde

The government should not stop under-16s using social media. The government should stop social media using under‑16s (More than 60 Labour MPs urge Starmer to back under-16s social media ban, 18 January).
Dr Charles Smith
Bridgend

Years ago we were told that computers would replace white‑collar workers and now, it seems, robots will replace repetitive work (AI will transform the ‘human job’ and enhance skills, says science minister, 16 January). Can we look forward to something that could replace politicians?
David Prothero
Harlington, Bedfordshire

Regarding your letters about swedes v turnips (16 January), on Sunday evening we members of The Howff Club, based at the Globe Inn, Dumfries, Robert Burns’ “favourite howff”, will be dining on “haggis, neeps and tatties”. No contest!
David Johnson
Senior vice-president, The Howff Club

North, south (Letters, 18 January)? Here in Cornwall, everywhere beyond the Tamar is “up-country”.
John Branfield
Mingoose, Cornwall