Cass M
@cassiemac.bsky.social
Cats, policy wonkery, intersectional feminism, Melbourne Demons, AFLW, books, knitting. Neurospicy. She/her. Living on unceded lands of the Kulin Nations. Opinions my own.
Formerly @cassiemcgannon on the other site
Formerly @cassiemcgannon on the other site
Reposted by Cass M
AI ‘author’ ‘at’ a writers’ festival?! AI is not work, not writing, not a person, not creative, not a partner. It doesn’t create beauty or meaning or tell stories. It doesn’t respect its readers or sign books. It’s a sociopathic word & image extruder using stolen work: it insults readers & writers.
August 17, 2025 at 12:17 AM
AI ‘author’ ‘at’ a writers’ festival?! AI is not work, not writing, not a person, not creative, not a partner. It doesn’t create beauty or meaning or tell stories. It doesn’t respect its readers or sign books. It’s a sociopathic word & image extruder using stolen work: it insults readers & writers.
First #AFLW fixturing rant from me this year - with Melbourne AFLM playing 415 at the MCG and AFLW playing 735 at Whitten Oval, it's literally impossible to get from one to the other by public transport unless you miss the start or end of one of the games
August 16, 2025 at 5:09 AM
First #AFLW fixturing rant from me this year - with Melbourne AFLM playing 415 at the MCG and AFLW playing 735 at Whitten Oval, it's literally impossible to get from one to the other by public transport unless you miss the start or end of one of the games
Reposted by Cass M
Meta stealing copyrighted books for its AI-training isn’t just criminal, it’s dangerous. Several of my older or out of print stolen titles have outdated medical info in them, now being fed into its maw to eventually poo out wrong AI info on critical women’s health, baby safety advice, etc.
March 23, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Meta stealing copyrighted books for its AI-training isn’t just criminal, it’s dangerous. Several of my older or out of print stolen titles have outdated medical info in them, now being fed into its maw to eventually poo out wrong AI info on critical women’s health, baby safety advice, etc.
Reposted by Cass M
They're called public records for a reason. Starting today, WIRED will *stop paywalling* articles that are primarily based on public records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, becoming the first publication to partner with @freedom.press to offer this for our new coverage.
Wired is dropping paywalls for FOIA-based reporting. Others should follow
As the administration does its best to hide public records from the public, Wired magazine is stepping up to help stem the secrecy
freedom.press
March 18, 2025 at 1:11 PM
They're called public records for a reason. Starting today, WIRED will *stop paywalling* articles that are primarily based on public records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, becoming the first publication to partner with @freedom.press to offer this for our new coverage.
Reposted by Cass M
Stop calling them "peace talks". Ukraine is not there and this is about Ukraine, so no, they're not peace talks. It's two rotten empires taking about their preferences for dominance and control of others. #Ukraine #PeaceTalks
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Ukraine war: Russian and US officials meet in Saudi Arabia for peace talks, without Kyiv – Europe live
European officials not part of discussions as Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns his country will not recognise peace deals made without Ukrainian participation
www.theguardian.com
February 18, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Stop calling them "peace talks". Ukraine is not there and this is about Ukraine, so no, they're not peace talks. It's two rotten empires taking about their preferences for dominance and control of others. #Ukraine #PeaceTalks
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Reposted by Cass M
There is a reason we have kept all this personal data about YOU compartmentalized, and run by extremely boring and fastidious bureaucrats who seek neither fame nor fortune. Because you are not going to enjoy the alternative.
Guys, they are not trying to hide their intentions here.
February 18, 2025 at 1:56 AM
There is a reason we have kept all this personal data about YOU compartmentalized, and run by extremely boring and fastidious bureaucrats who seek neither fame nor fortune. Because you are not going to enjoy the alternative.
Reposted by Cass M
Listen, Broligarchy is not some cute synonym for oligarchy. It's genuinely different & WAY more dangerous.
I'm a sociologist who's been studying the ultra-rich globally for 17 yrs, entering their world as an offshore wealth mgr. Published 2 books abt them.
🧵Broligarchs are distinct in 3 ways:
I'm a sociologist who's been studying the ultra-rich globally for 17 yrs, entering their world as an offshore wealth mgr. Published 2 books abt them.
🧵Broligarchs are distinct in 3 ways:
There’s a sort of Trump apologist, a relatively small but loud subset, who probably don’t realize or intend to be, but are so attached to a previous hyperbolic claim that they deny anything important changed.
-US was already an oligarchy
-US was already fascist
-Biden gave Israel a blank check
-Etc
-US was already an oligarchy
-US was already fascist
-Biden gave Israel a blank check
-Etc
November 15, 2024 at 9:01 PM
Listen, Broligarchy is not some cute synonym for oligarchy. It's genuinely different & WAY more dangerous.
I'm a sociologist who's been studying the ultra-rich globally for 17 yrs, entering their world as an offshore wealth mgr. Published 2 books abt them.
🧵Broligarchs are distinct in 3 ways:
I'm a sociologist who's been studying the ultra-rich globally for 17 yrs, entering their world as an offshore wealth mgr. Published 2 books abt them.
🧵Broligarchs are distinct in 3 ways:
Reposted by Cass M
Reposted by Cass M
In Australia the Finance Dept generally estimates future expenditure needs by mechanically plugging in population projections etc.
No assessment of unmet need across Govt!
Then we get nasty surprises like the rot in aged care revealed by a royal commission.
No assessment of unmet need across Govt!
Then we get nasty surprises like the rot in aged care revealed by a royal commission.
New post: Quantifying the continuing UK public spending squeeze mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/02/quan...
We need the total public spending ratio to be 3% of GDP higher in 2029/30 than current plans to replicate the level of public provision seen in the final years of the last Labour government.
We need the total public spending ratio to be 3% of GDP higher in 2029/30 than current plans to replicate the level of public provision seen in the final years of the last Labour government.
Quantifying the continuing UK public spending squeeze
In her October budget the Chancellor raised total government spending by 1.8% of GDP compared to the plans of her predecessors, which mean...
mainlymacro.blogspot.com
February 12, 2025 at 10:30 AM
In Australia the Finance Dept generally estimates future expenditure needs by mechanically plugging in population projections etc.
No assessment of unmet need across Govt!
Then we get nasty surprises like the rot in aged care revealed by a royal commission.
No assessment of unmet need across Govt!
Then we get nasty surprises like the rot in aged care revealed by a royal commission.
FYI for Australian pet people
(Not sure how much of Aussie cat Tw*tter has made it over here. I know @scruffkit.bsky.social is here, any others?)
(Not sure how much of Aussie cat Tw*tter has made it over here. I know @scruffkit.bsky.social is here, any others?)
HomesafeID - a pet microchip database - has stopped paying for its web hosting. Data may become unsearchable on its website shortly www.homesafeid.com
HomeSafeID - Home
www.homesafeid.com
February 11, 2025 at 5:32 AM
FYI for Australian pet people
(Not sure how much of Aussie cat Tw*tter has made it over here. I know @scruffkit.bsky.social is here, any others?)
(Not sure how much of Aussie cat Tw*tter has made it over here. I know @scruffkit.bsky.social is here, any others?)
Reposted by Cass M
Hell yeah. Hold the line. This is what we need people to do.
Slow things down, don’t comply in advance so the courts have time to stop them. It’s starting to work.
Slow things down, don’t comply in advance so the courts have time to stop them. It’s starting to work.
Received a letter from POTUS today purporting to remove me as Commissioner and Chair of the FEC. There's a legal way to replace FEC commissioners-this isn't it. I've been so fortunate to serve the American people and stir up some good trouble along the way. That's not changing anytime soon.
February 7, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Hell yeah. Hold the line. This is what we need people to do.
Slow things down, don’t comply in advance so the courts have time to stop them. It’s starting to work.
Slow things down, don’t comply in advance so the courts have time to stop them. It’s starting to work.
Reposted by Cass M
Received a letter from POTUS today purporting to remove me as Commissioner and Chair of the FEC. There's a legal way to replace FEC commissioners-this isn't it. I've been so fortunate to serve the American people and stir up some good trouble along the way. That's not changing anytime soon.
February 6, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Received a letter from POTUS today purporting to remove me as Commissioner and Chair of the FEC. There's a legal way to replace FEC commissioners-this isn't it. I've been so fortunate to serve the American people and stir up some good trouble along the way. That's not changing anytime soon.
Reposted by Cass M
Insane question and insane approach to “impartiality”, which Ferguson would never deploy on issues like gendered violence, for example.
Oh joy, watching the ABC's flagship current affairs show where Sarah Ferguson ask s"Is there any proportion of the Palestinian people in Gaza who would welcome the chance to be relocated?"
How about no, because there is no such thing an ok proportion of ethnic cleansing? #730
How about no, because there is no such thing an ok proportion of ethnic cleansing? #730
February 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Insane question and insane approach to “impartiality”, which Ferguson would never deploy on issues like gendered violence, for example.
Reposted by Cass M
Congratulations on reaching the point where crimes against humanity are now inside the Overton window.
Well done journalism. You really did your job well. So fearless. Sleep well. (I mean, you have been asleep for decades now so that won't be an issue).
Well done journalism. You really did your job well. So fearless. Sleep well. (I mean, you have been asleep for decades now so that won't be an issue).
Oh joy, watching the ABC's flagship current affairs show where Sarah Ferguson ask s"Is there any proportion of the Palestinian people in Gaza who would welcome the chance to be relocated?"
How about no, because there is no such thing an ok proportion of ethnic cleansing? #730
How about no, because there is no such thing an ok proportion of ethnic cleansing? #730
February 6, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Congratulations on reaching the point where crimes against humanity are now inside the Overton window.
Well done journalism. You really did your job well. So fearless. Sleep well. (I mean, you have been asleep for decades now so that won't be an issue).
Well done journalism. You really did your job well. So fearless. Sleep well. (I mean, you have been asleep for decades now so that won't be an issue).
Reposted by Cass M
Reposted by Cass M
The ongoing campaign of professional harassment delivers another scalp because Peter Lalor, a friend and former colleague, was concerned about a genocide in Gaza. www.theage.com.au/sport/cricke...
SEN Radio parts ways with cricket journalist over Palestine social media posts
Peter Lalor, whose X feed includes re-posts of news stories about Israeli attacks in Gaza, and about the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, was told he could not cover cricket for SE...
www.theage.com.au
February 3, 2025 at 10:51 AM
The ongoing campaign of professional harassment delivers another scalp because Peter Lalor, a friend and former colleague, was concerned about a genocide in Gaza. www.theage.com.au/sport/cricke...
Reposted by Cass M
Hey, while we're talking about erasing history:
In 1949 the US military held its first Aeriel Gunnery Competition, later known as "Top Gun."
The best of the best competed in dogfighting and other skills. The team that won, was the 332nd: The Tuskegee airmen.
So they refused to announce a winner🤡
In 1949 the US military held its first Aeriel Gunnery Competition, later known as "Top Gun."
The best of the best competed in dogfighting and other skills. The team that won, was the 332nd: The Tuskegee airmen.
So they refused to announce a winner🤡
January 27, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Hey, while we're talking about erasing history:
In 1949 the US military held its first Aeriel Gunnery Competition, later known as "Top Gun."
The best of the best competed in dogfighting and other skills. The team that won, was the 332nd: The Tuskegee airmen.
So they refused to announce a winner🤡
In 1949 the US military held its first Aeriel Gunnery Competition, later known as "Top Gun."
The best of the best competed in dogfighting and other skills. The team that won, was the 332nd: The Tuskegee airmen.
So they refused to announce a winner🤡
Reposted by Cass M
idk who told you this but you literally do not have the same number of hours in a day as Beyoncé. she has people who trade their own time for money, giving her more than 1300 hours of human-hours a day to help build her career/wealth.
you're not employing 170 people. she is. cut yourself some slack
you're not employing 170 people. she is. cut yourself some slack
January 25, 2025 at 4:59 AM
idk who told you this but you literally do not have the same number of hours in a day as Beyoncé. she has people who trade their own time for money, giving her more than 1300 hours of human-hours a day to help build her career/wealth.
you're not employing 170 people. she is. cut yourself some slack
you're not employing 170 people. she is. cut yourself some slack
Reposted by Cass M
Dis is the most under-reported story right now
If the Sub-Reddits ban the hellsite, that's a LOT of engagement lost for the Twitter Fuhrer.....and it could drive sports teams to Skies of Blue
It's a lot of ifs and it's, but y'all gotta follow the story
www.forbes.com/sites/esatde...
If the Sub-Reddits ban the hellsite, that's a LOT of engagement lost for the Twitter Fuhrer.....and it could drive sports teams to Skies of Blue
It's a lot of ifs and it's, but y'all gotta follow the story
www.forbes.com/sites/esatde...
X Ban Spreads Across Reddit As Communities React To Musk’s Gesture
Reddit communities with millions of subscribers lead charge as social media landscape faces period of unprecedented turbulence
www.forbes.com
January 24, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Dis is the most under-reported story right now
If the Sub-Reddits ban the hellsite, that's a LOT of engagement lost for the Twitter Fuhrer.....and it could drive sports teams to Skies of Blue
It's a lot of ifs and it's, but y'all gotta follow the story
www.forbes.com/sites/esatde...
If the Sub-Reddits ban the hellsite, that's a LOT of engagement lost for the Twitter Fuhrer.....and it could drive sports teams to Skies of Blue
It's a lot of ifs and it's, but y'all gotta follow the story
www.forbes.com/sites/esatde...
Reposted by Cass M
Great resource (maybe via threads?) penned by @itsjenniferwalter.bsky.social - thank you.
January 24, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Great resource (maybe via threads?) penned by @itsjenniferwalter.bsky.social - thank you.
Reposted by Cass M
It is really wild how the fossil fuel industry in Aus has managed to spread the false perception that the Aus economy relies on fossil fuel sector jobs + cash
www.industry.gov.au/publications...
australiainstitute.org.au/report/clima...
www.industry.gov.au/publications...
australiainstitute.org.au/report/clima...
January 23, 2025 at 9:18 AM
It is really wild how the fossil fuel industry in Aus has managed to spread the false perception that the Aus economy relies on fossil fuel sector jobs + cash
www.industry.gov.au/publications...
australiainstitute.org.au/report/clima...
www.industry.gov.au/publications...
australiainstitute.org.au/report/clima...
Reposted by Cass M
A bit of a personal note. I’m working on a paper on wage theft from staff at Australian universities at the moment.
The level of wrongdoing is nuts. We’re up to $265m in underpayments that have been admitted to by Australian public universities.
No university VCs have faced any consequences
The level of wrongdoing is nuts. We’re up to $265m in underpayments that have been admitted to by Australian public universities.
No university VCs have faced any consequences
January 23, 2025 at 8:34 AM
A bit of a personal note. I’m working on a paper on wage theft from staff at Australian universities at the moment.
The level of wrongdoing is nuts. We’re up to $265m in underpayments that have been admitted to by Australian public universities.
No university VCs have faced any consequences
The level of wrongdoing is nuts. We’re up to $265m in underpayments that have been admitted to by Australian public universities.
No university VCs have faced any consequences
Reposted by Cass M
How to be clear without getting sued:
p.p.s. I think I'll re-subscribe to @wired.com who aren't beating around any bushes.
www.wired.com/story/neo-na...
www.wired.com/story/neo-na...
Neo-Nazis Love the Nazi-Like Salutes Elon Musk Made at Trump's Inauguration
The far right is celebrating what it views as a clear signal from the X owner and Donald Trump associate, who made the gestures on stage Monday.
www.wired.com
January 21, 2025 at 1:26 AM
How to be clear without getting sued:
Reposted by Cass M
Absolute motherfuckers.
UM, I had NO idea facebook was tracking everything I did on the internet. EVERYTHING. I have diligently blocked and followed all ways to try to stop this messed up social media from taking from me, but this is the final straw… THESE JERKS! AGH! [screenshots on how to do it in the comments]
January 20, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Absolute motherfuckers.