Alia Parker
@aliaparker.bsky.social
Writer & Freelance Journalist. Author of mindflexing.com.au and the Mind Flexing Sound Bites podcast. Living on Dhudhuroa land in the foothills of Australia's snow country.
Reposted by Alia Parker
"How Australian democracy has changed since 1975, in six charts" @browne90.bsky.social #OffTheCharts #ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
How Australian democracy has changed since 1975, in six charts
50 years on from the Dismissal, how has Australian democracy changed? Here are six ways that Australian politics looks very different to when Gough Whitlam was PM in November 1975.
thepoint.com.au
November 9, 2025 at 11:55 PM
"How Australian democracy has changed since 1975, in six charts" @browne90.bsky.social #OffTheCharts #ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
This short story is based on true events. There's a 'little surprise' at the end...
open.substack.com/pub/mindflex...
#shortstory #autofiction #essay #writers #substack #story #goodreads #booksky
open.substack.com/pub/mindflex...
#shortstory #autofiction #essay #writers #substack #story #goodreads #booksky
November 9, 2025 at 2:12 AM
This short story is based on true events. There's a 'little surprise' at the end...
open.substack.com/pub/mindflex...
#shortstory #autofiction #essay #writers #substack #story #goodreads #booksky
open.substack.com/pub/mindflex...
#shortstory #autofiction #essay #writers #substack #story #goodreads #booksky
What an interesting list! I would find it impossible to make a list in order. It would constantly change, and I'm sure Bowie's did too.
November 6, 2025 at 1:20 AM
What an interesting list! I would find it impossible to make a list in order. It would constantly change, and I'm sure Bowie's did too.
This👇 absolutely. And also 'news' organisations (like Southern Cross Austereo) stealing the same work to churn out AI news to avoid hiring journalist. Additionally, AI constantly stuffs up and hallucinates, so the spread of misinformation is increasingly a threat to people trusting anything.
Journalists, writers and reporters are very concerned about AI companies stealing their work without consent or compensation and then churning it into content that doesn't serve the public interest, can't be trusted and can be used to create misinformation. #PayUp!
November 6, 2025 at 1:13 AM
This👇 absolutely. And also 'news' organisations (like Southern Cross Austereo) stealing the same work to churn out AI news to avoid hiring journalist. Additionally, AI constantly stuffs up and hallucinates, so the spread of misinformation is increasingly a threat to people trusting anything.
A little scene I painted to illustrate this month's essay. It's of a pod of Orcas that came in close to us while on a beach in the north of New Zealand.
Story here: www.mindflexing.com.au/p/orcas-in-t...
#whales #ocas #pod #newzealand #wildlife #nature #art #painting
Story here: www.mindflexing.com.au/p/orcas-in-t...
#whales #ocas #pod #newzealand #wildlife #nature #art #painting
November 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM
A little scene I painted to illustrate this month's essay. It's of a pod of Orcas that came in close to us while on a beach in the north of New Zealand.
Story here: www.mindflexing.com.au/p/orcas-in-t...
#whales #ocas #pod #newzealand #wildlife #nature #art #painting
Story here: www.mindflexing.com.au/p/orcas-in-t...
#whales #ocas #pod #newzealand #wildlife #nature #art #painting
Hello Bluesky flyers. Just wondering... if you had an entire pod of orcas at your toes, would you see them? Would you really? This little story is based on true events.
www.mindflexing.com.au/p/orcas-in-t...
#shortstory #truestory #autofiction #writer #orcas #killerwhales #newzealand
www.mindflexing.com.au/p/orcas-in-t...
#shortstory #truestory #autofiction #writer #orcas #killerwhales #newzealand
Orcas in the bay
#65—A little autofiction about a time I looked straight at something remarkable and didn't truly see it.
www.mindflexing.com.au
November 5, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Hello Bluesky flyers. Just wondering... if you had an entire pod of orcas at your toes, would you see them? Would you really? This little story is based on true events.
www.mindflexing.com.au/p/orcas-in-t...
#shortstory #truestory #autofiction #writer #orcas #killerwhales #newzealand
www.mindflexing.com.au/p/orcas-in-t...
#shortstory #truestory #autofiction #writer #orcas #killerwhales #newzealand
I just heard from a high school teacher that the poem option given to students in yesterday's VCE English exam was not actually one of the 10 poems listed to study. Anyone else heard this?
#vce #vceenglish #exam #examstuffup #victoria
#vce #vceenglish #exam #examstuffup #victoria
October 28, 2025 at 11:49 PM
I just heard from a high school teacher that the poem option given to students in yesterday's VCE English exam was not actually one of the 10 poems listed to study. Anyone else heard this?
#vce #vceenglish #exam #examstuffup #victoria
#vce #vceenglish #exam #examstuffup #victoria
These AI mistakes are just scary. It's frightening how businesses have jumped to adopt AI when the info it often provides is really subpar if you take the time to fact check it.
www.theage.com.au/national/how...
#AI #AImistakes #AIhallucinations #theage #news #fakenews
www.theage.com.au/national/how...
#AI #AImistakes #AIhallucinations #theage #news #fakenews
How Google AI falsely named an innocent journalist as a notorious child murderer
A politician named the man who allegedly confessed to the murder of a three-year-old girl. Then AI identified the wrong guy.
www.theage.com.au
October 27, 2025 at 4:43 AM
These AI mistakes are just scary. It's frightening how businesses have jumped to adopt AI when the info it often provides is really subpar if you take the time to fact check it.
www.theage.com.au/national/how...
#AI #AImistakes #AIhallucinations #theage #news #fakenews
www.theage.com.au/national/how...
#AI #AImistakes #AIhallucinations #theage #news #fakenews
Spring blooms move in procession through my yard. Today, it's the turn of the pink dogwood, cornus florida. Always one of my favourites.
#spring #flowers #inbloom #dogwood #gardening #inspiration
#spring #flowers #inbloom #dogwood #gardening #inspiration
October 27, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Spring blooms move in procession through my yard. Today, it's the turn of the pink dogwood, cornus florida. Always one of my favourites.
#spring #flowers #inbloom #dogwood #gardening #inspiration
#spring #flowers #inbloom #dogwood #gardening #inspiration
Reposted by Alia Parker
Disappearing jewels. Today’s Age cartoon
October 25, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Disappearing jewels. Today’s Age cartoon
So many great literature projects to support on this inaugural AusArt Day. All donations through the platform are tax deductible.
creative.gov.au/ausartday?ar...
#ausartday #literature #australia
creative.gov.au/ausartday?ar...
#ausartday #literature #australia
2025 AusArt Day Participant Gallery
Thursday 23 October 2025 is national AusArt Day.
creative.gov.au
October 22, 2025 at 10:26 PM
So many great literature projects to support on this inaugural AusArt Day. All donations through the platform are tax deductible.
creative.gov.au/ausartday?ar...
#ausartday #literature #australia
creative.gov.au/ausartday?ar...
#ausartday #literature #australia
Reposted by Alia Parker
Lots of worthy arts orgs to support today - @asauthors.bsky.social is one of them! Help us fight AI theft and stand up for writers’ rights ✊🏼
www.asauthors.org.au/news/back-bo...
www.asauthors.org.au/news/back-bo...
Back book creators and support Australian stories on AusArt Day - Australian Society of Authors
The ASA is participating in the inaugural AusArt Day, a national day of giving to the arts being held on Thursday 23 October 2025.
www.asauthors.org.au
October 22, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Lots of worthy arts orgs to support today - @asauthors.bsky.social is one of them! Help us fight AI theft and stand up for writers’ rights ✊🏼
www.asauthors.org.au/news/back-bo...
www.asauthors.org.au/news/back-bo...
Ultimo Press has opened submissions for short works of fiction and narrative non-fiction between 30,000 and 40,000 words. What a great length!
www.linkedin.com/posts/ultimo...
#submissions #ultimopress #publishing #writers #authors
www.linkedin.com/posts/ultimo...
#submissions #ultimopress #publishing #writers #authors
📢 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS 📢
Ultimo Press are now inviting submissions of fiction and narrative non-fiction between 30,000 and 40,000 words.
We are looking for bold storytelling: work with a clear… | Ult...
📢 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS 📢
Ultimo Press are now inviting submissions of fiction and narrative non-fiction between 30,000 and 40,000 words.
We are looking for bold storytelling: work with a clear beginn...
www.linkedin.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Ultimo Press has opened submissions for short works of fiction and narrative non-fiction between 30,000 and 40,000 words. What a great length!
www.linkedin.com/posts/ultimo...
#submissions #ultimopress #publishing #writers #authors
www.linkedin.com/posts/ultimo...
#submissions #ultimopress #publishing #writers #authors
Trent Dalton's Boy Swallow's Universe has topped the list of Australia's Top 100 books!
www.abc.net.au/about/media-...
#booksky #australianbooks #readers #writers #authors
www.abc.net.au/about/media-...
#booksky #australianbooks #readers #writers #authors
Trent Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe wins the inaugural ABC Radio National Top 100 Books countdown - About the ABC
The verdict is in! Booklovers across Australia have crowned Brisbane author Trent Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe as number one in the inaugural ABC Radio National Top 100 Books of the 21st Century cou...
www.abc.net.au
October 20, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Trent Dalton's Boy Swallow's Universe has topped the list of Australia's Top 100 books!
www.abc.net.au/about/media-...
#booksky #australianbooks #readers #writers #authors
www.abc.net.au/about/media-...
#booksky #australianbooks #readers #writers #authors
Reposted by Alia Parker
Today the NSW government launched a nation-leading literature strategy which puts authors at the heart of investment. The Stories Matter strategy is the state's first writing and literature strategy, and promises a $3.2m commitment to the sector.
‘We want our stories to be told’: NSW Labor pledges $3.2m to support writing and literature amid AI onslaught
Stories Matter strategy responds to urgent pressures such as declining reading rates and growing impact of digital media on publishing, minister says
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Today the NSW government launched a nation-leading literature strategy which puts authors at the heart of investment. The Stories Matter strategy is the state's first writing and literature strategy, and promises a $3.2m commitment to the sector.
It’s a tie! This year’s $100,000 Historical Novel Prize has been split down the middle by Robbie Arnott’s Dusk and Tasma Walton’s I am Nannertgarrook. 👏
hnsa.org.au/news-updates...
#hnsa #prize #booksky #authors #writers #australia
hnsa.org.au/news-updates...
#hnsa #prize #booksky #authors #writers #australia
Announcing the ARA Historical Novel Prize Winners — HNSA - Historical Novel Society Australasia
The Historical Novel Society Australasia (HNSA), in conjunction with its generous sponsor ARA Group, is delighted to announce the winners of the richest individual literary prize in Australasia with p...
hnsa.org.au
October 17, 2025 at 2:34 AM
It’s a tie! This year’s $100,000 Historical Novel Prize has been split down the middle by Robbie Arnott’s Dusk and Tasma Walton’s I am Nannertgarrook. 👏
hnsa.org.au/news-updates...
#hnsa #prize #booksky #authors #writers #australia
hnsa.org.au/news-updates...
#hnsa #prize #booksky #authors #writers #australia
Today marks 50 years since the Balibo Five were murdered by Indonesian armed forces in East Timor. Reflecting on this story now it strikes me how young they were. Five journalists just trying to show the world the truth of what was going on. It's a story that remains as politically fraught as ever.
October 15, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Today marks 50 years since the Balibo Five were murdered by Indonesian armed forces in East Timor. Reflecting on this story now it strikes me how young they were. Five journalists just trying to show the world the truth of what was going on. It's a story that remains as politically fraught as ever.
This article in The Age today explores the depressive and vulnerable slump many authors enter when their book goes out into the world. I dare say these emotions extend to writers of smaller works as well.
www.theage.com.au/culture/book...
#writerlife #writers #author #booksky
www.theage.com.au/culture/book...
#writerlife #writers #author #booksky
Your new book is out! (And now you feel like a ‘first-class numpty’)
The long-awaited moment of publication can bring emptiness, anxiety and a surprising lack of fanfare.
www.theage.com.au
October 15, 2025 at 10:37 PM
This article in The Age today explores the depressive and vulnerable slump many authors enter when their book goes out into the world. I dare say these emotions extend to writers of smaller works as well.
www.theage.com.au/culture/book...
#writerlife #writers #author #booksky
www.theage.com.au/culture/book...
#writerlife #writers #author #booksky
Reposted by Alia Parker
Okay, for all you quiz junkies, I made a just-for-fun version (results aren't recorded) that shows you 6 samples:
jlp-experiment.github.io/ai-detection...
jlp-experiment.github.io/ai-detection...
October 15, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Okay, for all you quiz junkies, I made a just-for-fun version (results aren't recorded) that shows you 6 samples:
jlp-experiment.github.io/ai-detection...
jlp-experiment.github.io/ai-detection...
Reposted by Alia Parker
📚 Without Diversity Arts Australia…
Writer and broadcaster @mrbenjaminlaw.bsky.social adds his voice to our Giving Day campaign, sharing why the work of DARTS matters
🧡 Donate now: bit.ly/without-dive...
#WithoutDiversityArtsAu #AusArtDay
Writer and broadcaster @mrbenjaminlaw.bsky.social adds his voice to our Giving Day campaign, sharing why the work of DARTS matters
🧡 Donate now: bit.ly/without-dive...
#WithoutDiversityArtsAu #AusArtDay
October 9, 2025 at 5:01 AM
📚 Without Diversity Arts Australia…
Writer and broadcaster @mrbenjaminlaw.bsky.social adds his voice to our Giving Day campaign, sharing why the work of DARTS matters
🧡 Donate now: bit.ly/without-dive...
#WithoutDiversityArtsAu #AusArtDay
Writer and broadcaster @mrbenjaminlaw.bsky.social adds his voice to our Giving Day campaign, sharing why the work of DARTS matters
🧡 Donate now: bit.ly/without-dive...
#WithoutDiversityArtsAu #AusArtDay
Thursday 23 Oct is AusArt Day, a new initiative by Creative Australia that encourages us to make tax-deductible donations to participating creative organisations, like @asauthors.bsky.social (ASA).
You can donate to ASA here:
www.asauthors.org.au/news/back-bo...
#ausartday #creativeaustralia
You can donate to ASA here:
www.asauthors.org.au/news/back-bo...
#ausartday #creativeaustralia
October 15, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Thursday 23 Oct is AusArt Day, a new initiative by Creative Australia that encourages us to make tax-deductible donations to participating creative organisations, like @asauthors.bsky.social (ASA).
You can donate to ASA here:
www.asauthors.org.au/news/back-bo...
#ausartday #creativeaustralia
You can donate to ASA here:
www.asauthors.org.au/news/back-bo...
#ausartday #creativeaustralia
Reposted by Alia Parker
When exactly did we decide to get dressed?
(WARNING this post contains an extraordinary fact about lice.)
#essay #podcast #evolution #clothing #writer #history #humans #fashion
(WARNING this post contains an extraordinary fact about lice.)
#essay #podcast #evolution #clothing #writer #history #humans #fashion
We were naked for a long time, and then...
When exactly did we decide to get dressed? Writer Alia Parker explores the origins and evolution of clothing.
www.mindflexing.com.au
October 13, 2025 at 2:06 AM
"Rainbows are visions, but only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide."
- Kermit the Frog
Here's a little song by a puppet to brighten your day. Such wonderful lyrics. I sing them to my daughters all the time.
#themuppets #lyrics #rainbows #poetry #song
youtu.be/jS5fTzMP_mg?...
And rainbows have nothing to hide."
- Kermit the Frog
Here's a little song by a puppet to brighten your day. Such wonderful lyrics. I sing them to my daughters all the time.
#themuppets #lyrics #rainbows #poetry #song
youtu.be/jS5fTzMP_mg?...
A Special Performance of "Rainbow Connection" from Kermit the Frog | The Muppets
YouTube video by The Muppets
youtu.be
October 14, 2025 at 11:49 PM
"Rainbows are visions, but only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide."
- Kermit the Frog
Here's a little song by a puppet to brighten your day. Such wonderful lyrics. I sing them to my daughters all the time.
#themuppets #lyrics #rainbows #poetry #song
youtu.be/jS5fTzMP_mg?...
And rainbows have nothing to hide."
- Kermit the Frog
Here's a little song by a puppet to brighten your day. Such wonderful lyrics. I sing them to my daughters all the time.
#themuppets #lyrics #rainbows #poetry #song
youtu.be/jS5fTzMP_mg?...
When exactly did we decide to get dressed?
(WARNING this post contains an extraordinary fact about lice.)
#essay #podcast #evolution #clothing #writer #history #humans #fashion
(WARNING this post contains an extraordinary fact about lice.)
#essay #podcast #evolution #clothing #writer #history #humans #fashion
We were naked for a long time, and then...
When exactly did we decide to get dressed? Writer Alia Parker explores the origins and evolution of clothing.
www.mindflexing.com.au
October 13, 2025 at 2:06 AM