Tony Watts
@wattsburger.bsky.social
Twitter refugee. Expat wombat and coconut farmer. Recovering media type. Don't blame me for the kakistocracy - I don't get to vote.
Pinned
Tony Watts
@wattsburger.bsky.social
· Nov 4
Endlessly baffled by a country that will spend trillions on AI, but places almost zero value on actual human intelligence
Reposted by Tony Watts
Tech Billionaires Are Starting Private Cities to Escape the United States
“In October, former Coinbase chief technology officer Balaji Srinivasan shared his vision for the ‘ultimate exit’ by tech industry elites from the ‘failing’ United States.”
futurism.com/future-socie...
“In October, former Coinbase chief technology officer Balaji Srinivasan shared his vision for the ‘ultimate exit’ by tech industry elites from the ‘failing’ United States.”
futurism.com/future-socie...
Tech Billionaires Are Starting Private Cities to Escape the United States
As economic discontent grows, tech billionaires are pouring money into some 120 "startup societies" where they can reign supreme.
futurism.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Tech Billionaires Are Starting Private Cities to Escape the United States
“In October, former Coinbase chief technology officer Balaji Srinivasan shared his vision for the ‘ultimate exit’ by tech industry elites from the ‘failing’ United States.”
futurism.com/future-socie...
“In October, former Coinbase chief technology officer Balaji Srinivasan shared his vision for the ‘ultimate exit’ by tech industry elites from the ‘failing’ United States.”
futurism.com/future-socie...
Reposted by Tony Watts
Following Eurovision’s decision to allow Israel’s participation, Spanish public broadcaster RTVE has withdrawn from the contest. The announcement split the screen between Israel’s performance and scenes of bombardment and starving children in Gaza. #Spain #eurovision #genocide
December 7, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Following Eurovision’s decision to allow Israel’s participation, Spanish public broadcaster RTVE has withdrawn from the contest. The announcement split the screen between Israel’s performance and scenes of bombardment and starving children in Gaza. #Spain #eurovision #genocide
Reposted by Tony Watts
I can't stop thinking about the purported drug smugglers being murdered by the US military. The punishment for drug offenses isn't the death penalty. This is just bloodlust and men in suits playing with lives they don't care about. It's truly grotesque and gravely compromises this country.
December 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I can't stop thinking about the purported drug smugglers being murdered by the US military. The punishment for drug offenses isn't the death penalty. This is just bloodlust and men in suits playing with lives they don't care about. It's truly grotesque and gravely compromises this country.
Reposted by Tony Watts
i think the financial incentive to bait people into engaging with dogshit is a big part of how we got where we are.
Yes, we give you permission to hate-read 'American Canto'
Review: Yes, we give you permission to hate-read 'American Canto'
Political journalist Olivia Nuzzi has dazzled the media with scandals, but her prose is less sparkling. Her much-anticipated new memoir is rife with arrogance and thin on sourcing.
www.latimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:31 PM
i think the financial incentive to bait people into engaging with dogshit is a big part of how we got where we are.
Hardly an uplifting read (and the lede rather gives the whole plot away) but worthwhile. www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/m...
MAGA’s Death Wish
Stephen Holmes attributes the urge for destruction animating Donald Trump's supporters to the fury of frustrated nostalgia.
www.project-syndicate.org
December 3, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Hardly an uplifting read (and the lede rather gives the whole plot away) but worthwhile. www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/m...
JHFC. Whatever you do, do not update your iOS. Went to 18.7.2 half my apps disappeared...even Google maps. No fix. What an utter f&*ing debacle. Now trying the stupid new one.
If they could stop sucking up to Trump and go back to decent products that'd be great
If they could stop sucking up to Trump and go back to decent products that'd be great
December 2, 2025 at 12:33 PM
JHFC. Whatever you do, do not update your iOS. Went to 18.7.2 half my apps disappeared...even Google maps. No fix. What an utter f&*ing debacle. Now trying the stupid new one.
If they could stop sucking up to Trump and go back to decent products that'd be great
If they could stop sucking up to Trump and go back to decent products that'd be great
Reposted by Tony Watts
Bluesky doesn’t have a central algorithm that’s forced on everybody, and allows users to create their own feeds.
I think that is the *only* ethical model for social media going forward:
english.elpais.com/technology/2...
I think that is the *only* ethical model for social media going forward:
english.elpais.com/technology/2...
Algorithms do widen the divide: Social media feeds shape political polarization
A study shows that the order in which platforms like X display content to their users affects their animosity towards other ideological groups
english.elpais.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Bluesky doesn’t have a central algorithm that’s forced on everybody, and allows users to create their own feeds.
I think that is the *only* ethical model for social media going forward:
english.elpais.com/technology/2...
I think that is the *only* ethical model for social media going forward:
english.elpais.com/technology/2...
TL;DR? Social media is bad for society. On purpose. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Small changes to ‘for you’ feed on X can rapidly increase political polarisation
Study finds that a week of political content can bring about a shift in views that previously would have taken three years
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:25 AM
TL;DR? Social media is bad for society. On purpose. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Tony Watts
Democracy dies in dampness
At this point, the Washpost edit page is just trolling its readers.
This is today's actual house editorial.
This is today's actual house editorial.
November 25, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Democracy dies in dampness
Reposted by Tony Watts
@albomp.bsky.social, this is absurd. Every dollar spent on research pays back more, why are we being so short sighted?
#CancelAUKUS
#AusPol
#CancelAUKUS
#AusPol
CSIRO to cut up to 350 research jobs in major overhaul
After 440 positions were slashed last year, the CSIRO has announced more staff cuts across the country in a bid to remain financially viable.
www.abc.net.au
November 18, 2025 at 6:52 AM
@albomp.bsky.social, this is absurd. Every dollar spent on research pays back more, why are we being so short sighted?
#CancelAUKUS
#AusPol
#CancelAUKUS
#AusPol
Hey @theguardian.com can you explain how in *any way* this was a "Trump-brokered peace deal"? Come on. Do better.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Fatal clash on Thai-Cambodia border after Trump-brokered peace deal breaks down
The truce broke down this week after a Thai soldier lost a leg to a landmine blast, prompting Thailand’s PM to say the peace deal was ‘now over’
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Hey @theguardian.com can you explain how in *any way* this was a "Trump-brokered peace deal"? Come on. Do better.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
It's not much of a ceasefire when Israel keeps bombing civilians, hey?
At least 245 Palestinians killed in Gaza since start of ceasefire, according to enclave's Health Ministry.
Israel attacks Gaza’s south, north during ‘repeatedly violated’ truce
At least 245 Palestinians killed in Gaza since start of ceasefire, according to enclave's Health Ministry.
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 11:10 AM
It's not much of a ceasefire when Israel keeps bombing civilians, hey?
Sorry to pile on the pressure, but I'm relying on women to save the world. Blokes are *clearly* incapable of the same. Tried that. Failed.
PS I know. Maggie Thatcher didn't help much.
PS I know. Maggie Thatcher didn't help much.
November 5, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Sorry to pile on the pressure, but I'm relying on women to save the world. Blokes are *clearly* incapable of the same. Tried that. Failed.
PS I know. Maggie Thatcher didn't help much.
PS I know. Maggie Thatcher didn't help much.
Reposted by Tony Watts
“His main theme was that the country was fucked. Largely because of Brexit. Weirdly, he has no memory of being the main architect behind the Brexit vote. He seems to think it happened in a world in which he played no part.”
Farage - the foghorn of failure.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Farage - the foghorn of failure.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Nige is no longer laughing at himself as he ‘performs’ yet another big speech | John Crace
Reform leader is trying to make it as a mainstream politician – which involves contradicting himself and gaslighting voters
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:51 AM
“His main theme was that the country was fucked. Largely because of Brexit. Weirdly, he has no memory of being the main architect behind the Brexit vote. He seems to think it happened in a world in which he played no part.”
Farage - the foghorn of failure.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Farage - the foghorn of failure.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Tony Watts
In the genocidal rogue state of Israel:
- state-sanctioned torturers and rapists are heroes
- whistleblowers are persecuted and prosecuted
- the rule of law has broken down.
But still no sanctions, @albomp.bsky.social ? #GazaGenocide #auspol
- state-sanctioned torturers and rapists are heroes
- whistleblowers are persecuted and prosecuted
- the rule of law has broken down.
But still no sanctions, @albomp.bsky.social ? #GazaGenocide #auspol
Israel top military lawyer arrested after she admitted leaking video of soldiers’ abuse
Israel top military lawyer arrested after she admitted leaking video of soldiers’ abuse
Rightwing politicians and pundits have called the soldiers accused of attack on Palestinian detainee ‘heroes’ and military investigators traitors
Police in Israel have arrested and detained the military’s top legal officer after she admitted leaking footage of soldiers allegedly attacking a Palestinian detainee and then in effect lying about her actions to Israel’s high court.
The military advocate general, Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, said in a resignation letter last week that she had authorised publication of the video to defuse attacks on military investigators and prosecutors working on the case. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:02 AM
In the genocidal rogue state of Israel:
- state-sanctioned torturers and rapists are heroes
- whistleblowers are persecuted and prosecuted
- the rule of law has broken down.
But still no sanctions, @albomp.bsky.social ? #GazaGenocide #auspol
- state-sanctioned torturers and rapists are heroes
- whistleblowers are persecuted and prosecuted
- the rule of law has broken down.
But still no sanctions, @albomp.bsky.social ? #GazaGenocide #auspol
Endlessly baffled by a country that will spend trillions on AI, but places almost zero value on actual human intelligence
November 4, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Endlessly baffled by a country that will spend trillions on AI, but places almost zero value on actual human intelligence
Reposted by Tony Watts
The president of the United States thinks asylum-seekers come from mental asylums.
He says it in almost every interview where the topic of migration comes up.
How is this not 25th Amendment territory? How is he not an embarrassment to this entire country?
He says it in almost every interview where the topic of migration comes up.
How is this not 25th Amendment territory? How is he not an embarrassment to this entire country?
November 4, 2025 at 1:55 AM
The president of the United States thinks asylum-seekers come from mental asylums.
He says it in almost every interview where the topic of migration comes up.
How is this not 25th Amendment territory? How is he not an embarrassment to this entire country?
He says it in almost every interview where the topic of migration comes up.
How is this not 25th Amendment territory? How is he not an embarrassment to this entire country?
Reposted by Tony Watts
Incredibly, people still take this bloke seriously when he tells them he'll be terraforming Mars by easter. He's an inveterate liar, a child.
Elon Musk, "These lovely small towns in England, Scotland and Ireland, they've been living their lives quietly. They're like hobbits"
"And so one day, 1,000 people show up in your village of 500 and start raping the kids"
"This has now happened, God knows how many times in Britain"
"And so one day, 1,000 people show up in your village of 500 and start raping the kids"
"This has now happened, God knows how many times in Britain"
November 3, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Incredibly, people still take this bloke seriously when he tells them he'll be terraforming Mars by easter. He's an inveterate liar, a child.
Reposted by Tony Watts
📢 @climate200.bsky.social launches:
The Canavan Climate Trust
we're cataloguing the stupidest statements by climate denying Nats.
👇 all proceeds → airing ads highlighting Nats' unhinged comments in @liberalaus.bsky.social marginal seats next election!
www.climate200.com.au/campaign/the...
The Canavan Climate Trust
we're cataloguing the stupidest statements by climate denying Nats.
👇 all proceeds → airing ads highlighting Nats' unhinged comments in @liberalaus.bsky.social marginal seats next election!
www.climate200.com.au/campaign/the...
November 3, 2025 at 6:02 AM
📢 @climate200.bsky.social launches:
The Canavan Climate Trust
we're cataloguing the stupidest statements by climate denying Nats.
👇 all proceeds → airing ads highlighting Nats' unhinged comments in @liberalaus.bsky.social marginal seats next election!
www.climate200.com.au/campaign/the...
The Canavan Climate Trust
we're cataloguing the stupidest statements by climate denying Nats.
👇 all proceeds → airing ads highlighting Nats' unhinged comments in @liberalaus.bsky.social marginal seats next election!
www.climate200.com.au/campaign/the...
Reposted by Tony Watts
Once you see it, you can't unsee it.
November 3, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Once you see it, you can't unsee it.