Matthew Smith 🇦🇺
@mattinsydney.bsky.social
Sydney person. Quite into old films, reading, music, animals, veg food, and weekend walks.
👬🐶🎥🎵📚🌿🇦🇺
👬🐶🎥🎵📚🌿🇦🇺
Pinned
Made a starter pack for Australians new to Bluesky looking for local progressive/centrist news, politicians, satire etc accounts to follow. But these things automatically include yourself in the list, even if you’re a nobody, so just ignore me (unless you know me!).
go.bsky.app/7qQMnC6
go.bsky.app/7qQMnC6
What do you call it when a foreigner incites violence and calls for an overthrow of your government based on extremist ideology?
If this was anyone other than an American oligarch, everyone would be able to name it without thinking twice.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
If this was anyone other than an American oligarch, everyone would be able to name it without thinking twice.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Elon Musk calls for dissolution of parliament at far-right rally in London
US-based tech boss was addressing the ‘unite the kingdom’ protest organised by Tommy Robinson via video link
www.theguardian.com
September 14, 2025 at 6:07 AM
What do you call it when a foreigner incites violence and calls for an overthrow of your government based on extremist ideology?
If this was anyone other than an American oligarch, everyone would be able to name it without thinking twice.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
If this was anyone other than an American oligarch, everyone would be able to name it without thinking twice.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
One thing I noticed yesterday from the nervous way many moderate to left straight white commentators covered the Kirk murder, is that even if they’ve been horrified by Trump’s fascism, they expected it’d only threaten minority groups.
They’ve been oblivious.
In a fascist state, everyone is unsafe.
They’ve been oblivious.
In a fascist state, everyone is unsafe.
September 13, 2025 at 9:36 AM
One thing I noticed yesterday from the nervous way many moderate to left straight white commentators covered the Kirk murder, is that even if they’ve been horrified by Trump’s fascism, they expected it’d only threaten minority groups.
They’ve been oblivious.
In a fascist state, everyone is unsafe.
They’ve been oblivious.
In a fascist state, everyone is unsafe.
Fixing this would be an easy way to reduce the Aust housing crisis. Change the rules and build apartments people can live in. Instead, we get tiny ones for singles (because they’re the easiest to sell to investors), and a few larger units at luxury prices. #auspol
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
In Paris it’s normal to raise a family in a three-bedroom apartment. Why aren’t we building more in Australia?
Family-friendly apartments are in fierce demand given skyrocketing house prices. Some councils think mandates might deliver larger units
www.theguardian.com
September 13, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Fixing this would be an easy way to reduce the Aust housing crisis. Change the rules and build apartments people can live in. Instead, we get tiny ones for singles (because they’re the easiest to sell to investors), and a few larger units at luxury prices. #auspol
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Murdoch’s Sky News Australia is so eager to be part of US MAGA that they’ve posted almost 100 Youtube videos regarding Kirk in the last 24hrs. Some are straight news, others idolising him or blaming ‘the left’ even before anyone knows who the culprit was. Why do we let them operate tax free here?
September 12, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Murdoch’s Sky News Australia is so eager to be part of US MAGA that they’ve posted almost 100 Youtube videos regarding Kirk in the last 24hrs. Some are straight news, others idolising him or blaming ‘the left’ even before anyone knows who the culprit was. Why do we let them operate tax free here?
Question for Australian readers. If you’ve read any of UQP’s First Nations Classics series, which would you recommend as ‘good reads’ (based on story and quality of writing). It looks like an interesting series, but I don’t know much about most of the titles. #books
www.uqp.com.au/books/%7E/ta...
www.uqp.com.au/books/%7E/ta...
Tagged / First Nations Classics
University of Queensland Press is an Australian publishing house. Founded as a traditional university press, UQP has since branched into publishing books for general readers in the areas of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, Indigenous writing and youth literature.
www.uqp.com.au
July 11, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Question for Australian readers. If you’ve read any of UQP’s First Nations Classics series, which would you recommend as ‘good reads’ (based on story and quality of writing). It looks like an interesting series, but I don’t know much about most of the titles. #books
www.uqp.com.au/books/%7E/ta...
www.uqp.com.au/books/%7E/ta...
Enjoyed this year’s Sydney Film Festival. Brazil’s The Secret Agent, and Iran’s It Was Just An Accident were great. And there was Jodie Foster in the French mystery Vie Privee, Ethan Hawke as Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon, Twinless, and the 1985 anime Angel’s Egg. #film
@sydfilmfest.bsky.social
@sydfilmfest.bsky.social
June 14, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Enjoyed this year’s Sydney Film Festival. Brazil’s The Secret Agent, and Iran’s It Was Just An Accident were great. And there was Jodie Foster in the French mystery Vie Privee, Ethan Hawke as Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon, Twinless, and the 1985 anime Angel’s Egg. #film
@sydfilmfest.bsky.social
@sydfilmfest.bsky.social
My part of Sydney has so many cafes & parks & bookshops that it probably doesn’t need a silent book club too, but I like the idea of them. If I lived somewhere that didnt have so many reading options I think I’d like having a silent book club nearby. #reading www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...
Silence please: how book clubs without the chat help focus the mind
A Silent Book Club is growing in popularity in Melbourne as an antidote to the social pressure of group discussions
www.theguardian.com
May 30, 2025 at 3:15 AM
My part of Sydney has so many cafes & parks & bookshops that it probably doesn’t need a silent book club too, but I like the idea of them. If I lived somewhere that didnt have so many reading options I think I’d like having a silent book club nearby. #reading www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...
The US tech oligarchs designed their algorithms to boost antagonistic arguments to drive engagement, then gave their AI chatboxes an agreeableness bias. They know people like to complain and attack each other, and to be told they’re right, so they’re using humans for one thing and AI for the other.
May 11, 2025 at 1:20 PM
The US tech oligarchs designed their algorithms to boost antagonistic arguments to drive engagement, then gave their AI chatboxes an agreeableness bias. They know people like to complain and attack each other, and to be told they’re right, so they’re using humans for one thing and AI for the other.
Egads!
I’ve never heard anyone say it, it feels like a word you only see in old books. But in Mrs Miniver (1942), the family’s son says it, though the actor failed to make it seem like natural dialogue.
Makes me wonder - did English people of the 40’s really go around saying egads?
I’ve never heard anyone say it, it feels like a word you only see in old books. But in Mrs Miniver (1942), the family’s son says it, though the actor failed to make it seem like natural dialogue.
Makes me wonder - did English people of the 40’s really go around saying egads?
May 11, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Egads!
I’ve never heard anyone say it, it feels like a word you only see in old books. But in Mrs Miniver (1942), the family’s son says it, though the actor failed to make it seem like natural dialogue.
Makes me wonder - did English people of the 40’s really go around saying egads?
I’ve never heard anyone say it, it feels like a word you only see in old books. But in Mrs Miniver (1942), the family’s son says it, though the actor failed to make it seem like natural dialogue.
Makes me wonder - did English people of the 40’s really go around saying egads?
Facebook today is showing me ads for flights to the US. I realise it might be a bargain, potentially with free lifetime accommodation in El Salvador thrown in, but no thanks, it’s creepy that they’re even trying to get us to go, like some kind of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang childcatcher waving lollies.
April 16, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Facebook today is showing me ads for flights to the US. I realise it might be a bargain, potentially with free lifetime accommodation in El Salvador thrown in, but no thanks, it’s creepy that they’re even trying to get us to go, like some kind of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang childcatcher waving lollies.
Being middle aged a lot of my favourite Australian/NZ #music is last century, but this century has been good too. So here’s an appreciation post for Cut Copy, Gotye, Empire of the Sun, Budjerah, The Preatures, Faker, Pnau, Tame Impala, Van She, Boy & Bear, Cloud Control, Confidence Man, Vance Joy…
April 12, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Being middle aged a lot of my favourite Australian/NZ #music is last century, but this century has been good too. So here’s an appreciation post for Cut Copy, Gotye, Empire of the Sun, Budjerah, The Preatures, Faker, Pnau, Tame Impala, Van She, Boy & Bear, Cloud Control, Confidence Man, Vance Joy…
This recent survey result from Essential was startling. Young Australian men (many of them stuck in US-based social media bubbles) are far less likely to be concerned about Trump’s govt than everyone else, even older men (who are usually more conservative). #auspol essentialreport.com.au
March 22, 2025 at 5:17 AM
This recent survey result from Essential was startling. Young Australian men (many of them stuck in US-based social media bubbles) are far less likely to be concerned about Trump’s govt than everyone else, even older men (who are usually more conservative). #auspol essentialreport.com.au
A whole lot of US industries are starting to ask Trump to put pressure on Australia the same way they’re doing with everyone else. They want to continue taking their huge profits, without paying our taxes or following our laws. It’s time for us to detach from US companies as much as we can. #auspol
The Consumer Technology Association, which counts Sony, Microsoft, Dell, Adobe and Samsung among its members, lodged the submission
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The US consumer technology industry has…
* Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
* Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
The US consumer technology industry has…
US consumer tech joins winemakers, film studios and drug companies in urging Trump to target Australia
The Consumer Technology Association, which counts Sony, Microsoft, Dell, Adobe and Samsung among its members, lodged the submission
* Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
* Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
The US consumer technology industry has Australia in its sights after it encouraged Donald Trump to retaliate against “harmful” foreign tax rules it claims is hampering innovation and trade in the US.
Peak body the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) is the latest US group to point the finger at Australia as part of a review that will inform Trump’s looming wave of retaliatory tariffs.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
March 21, 2025 at 7:31 AM
A whole lot of US industries are starting to ask Trump to put pressure on Australia the same way they’re doing with everyone else. They want to continue taking their huge profits, without paying our taxes or following our laws. It’s time for us to detach from US companies as much as we can. #auspol
ABC, Press Club, and the rest that are still treating News Corp as if it’s simply rightwing need to acknowledge it’s run by a US based oligarch tax cheat who’s heavily promoting an anti-democracy pro-corruption fascism. They’re foreign fascist agents. #auspol
March 15, 2025 at 9:14 PM
ABC, Press Club, and the rest that are still treating News Corp as if it’s simply rightwing need to acknowledge it’s run by a US based oligarch tax cheat who’s heavily promoting an anti-democracy pro-corruption fascism. They’re foreign fascist agents. #auspol
When the US puts tariffs on everyone (increasing US inflation and reducing standards of living, because they’re nuts) the target countries suffer, but not by much if they all boycott US products and increase buying off each other instead. Americans don’t seem to have grasped that part yet.
March 15, 2025 at 5:32 AM
When the US puts tariffs on everyone (increasing US inflation and reducing standards of living, because they’re nuts) the target countries suffer, but not by much if they all boycott US products and increase buying off each other instead. Americans don’t seem to have grasped that part yet.
This WP article contains a frightening summary of Trump’s despicable media team and their tactics, which helps explain why some Americans still think everything is going great.
"After years of working to undermine mainstream outlets and neutralize critical reporting, Trump’s allies are now pushing a parallel information universe of social media feeds and right-wing firebrands" to sell his agenda. @drewharwell.com @sarahellison.bsky.social washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Inside the White House’s new media strategy to promote Trump as ‘KING’
The Trump administration has transformed its traditional press shop into a rapid-response influencer operation, and “they’re all offense, all the time.”
www.washingtonpost.com
March 7, 2025 at 1:12 PM
This WP article contains a frightening summary of Trump’s despicable media team and their tactics, which helps explain why some Americans still think everything is going great.
Reposted by Matthew Smith 🇦🇺
How would a random Russian news agency reporter sneak into the White House?
February 28, 2025 at 5:32 PM
How would a random Russian news agency reporter sneak into the White House?
This cute #gecko has been visiting our kitchen recently to snack on bugs. I’d never seen geckos in #Sydney before, they always used to stay further up north. Have they recently moved south? Slowly gotten used to Sydney the way the ibis, lorikeets and bats did? Or it could just be an escaped pet!
February 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Here’s a good example of Murdoch’s social media propaganda tactics. Sky News Australia’s YouTube page publishing multiple versions of the same anti-Labor story at the same time today, hoping one will take off. #auspol
February 21, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Here’s a good example of Murdoch’s social media propaganda tactics. Sky News Australia’s YouTube page publishing multiple versions of the same anti-Labor story at the same time today, hoping one will take off. #auspol
This would have to be a good time for Australians to follow more Canadians. The US dominates so much of what we hear from North America that it can leave us a bit in the dark on Canada, which is unfortunate at a time like this when the US is going off the deep end. Time to show more ❤️ to 🇨🇦!
#Canada
#Canada
February 18, 2025 at 8:35 AM
This would have to be a good time for Australians to follow more Canadians. The US dominates so much of what we hear from North America that it can leave us a bit in the dark on Canada, which is unfortunate at a time like this when the US is going off the deep end. Time to show more ❤️ to 🇨🇦!
#Canada
#Canada
Reposted by Matthew Smith 🇦🇺
The community note 🤌😘
February 15, 2025 at 10:33 PM
The community note 🤌😘
When Murdoch’s Aust outlets do something heinous, a few people declare they’d never read his papers and sign petitions. But wouldn’t it be more effective to boycott his profitable businesses instead? Eg his Realestate website? His papers are just his political arm, like Twitter is for Musk. #auspol
February 15, 2025 at 4:40 AM
When Murdoch’s Aust outlets do something heinous, a few people declare they’d never read his papers and sign petitions. But wouldn’t it be more effective to boycott his profitable businesses instead? Eg his Realestate website? His papers are just his political arm, like Twitter is for Musk. #auspol
Reposted by Matthew Smith 🇦🇺
Elon Musk to reporter: “We post our actions to the DOGE website. All of our actions are maximally transparent. I don’t know of a case where an organization has been more transparent than the DOGE organization.”
Here’s the doge.gov website IN ITS ENTIRETY. It’s literally a blank page!
Here’s the doge.gov website IN ITS ENTIRETY. It’s literally a blank page!
February 11, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Elon Musk to reporter: “We post our actions to the DOGE website. All of our actions are maximally transparent. I don’t know of a case where an organization has been more transparent than the DOGE organization.”
Here’s the doge.gov website IN ITS ENTIRETY. It’s literally a blank page!
Here’s the doge.gov website IN ITS ENTIRETY. It’s literally a blank page!
If Google maps are going to rename things just to keep an American idiot happy, can we play along by renaming American places please?
We could call the US ‘South Canada’ (the unfortunate southern cousin of ‘Canada’ Canada), and Texas could revert to Tejas!
We could call the US ‘South Canada’ (the unfortunate southern cousin of ‘Canada’ Canada), and Texas could revert to Tejas!
February 12, 2025 at 8:45 AM
If Google maps are going to rename things just to keep an American idiot happy, can we play along by renaming American places please?
We could call the US ‘South Canada’ (the unfortunate southern cousin of ‘Canada’ Canada), and Texas could revert to Tejas!
We could call the US ‘South Canada’ (the unfortunate southern cousin of ‘Canada’ Canada), and Texas could revert to Tejas!
Reposted by Matthew Smith 🇦🇺
We’re done here. Right?
February 11, 2025 at 10:05 PM
We’re done here. Right?