Ben Eltham
@beneltham.bsky.social
Writer, journalist, researcher, trade unionist
Pinned
Ben Eltham
@beneltham.bsky.social
· Sep 8
RALLY TO SAVE MEANJIN
Thursday 11 Sep 9am
Outside the Melbourne University Publishing office, 715 Swanston St, Carlton.
A number of Australian writers and editors will speak in support of this vital cultural institution
Thursday 11 Sep 9am
Outside the Melbourne University Publishing office, 715 Swanston St, Carlton.
A number of Australian writers and editors will speak in support of this vital cultural institution
Reposted by Ben Eltham
when NPR dropped twitter in 2023 they saw a drop in traffic of... 1%. niemanreports.org/npr-twitter-...
Six Months Ago NPR Left Twitter. The Effects Have Been Negligible - Nieman Reports
The numbers confirm what many of us have long suspected — that Twitter wasn’t worth the effort, at least in terms of traffic
niemanreports.org
January 7, 2026 at 11:58 AM
when NPR dropped twitter in 2023 they saw a drop in traffic of... 1%. niemanreports.org/npr-twitter-...
Reposted by Ben Eltham
“The industry is boasting about how things are different now, but fundamentals haven’t changed: #nuclear is expensive, plus risk of accidents, proliferation. You can’t wish these problems away. Trump’s so-called nuclear renaissance is built on a house of cards.”
www.ft.com/content/9f6c...
www.ft.com/content/9f6c...
The cost of America’s nuclear revival
Donald Trump has promised to build fleets of new reactors to help ‘win’ the AI race. But many think the goals are unrealistic
www.ft.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:15 PM
“The industry is boasting about how things are different now, but fundamentals haven’t changed: #nuclear is expensive, plus risk of accidents, proliferation. You can’t wish these problems away. Trump’s so-called nuclear renaissance is built on a house of cards.”
www.ft.com/content/9f6c...
www.ft.com/content/9f6c...
Reposted by Ben Eltham
some people love quoting "the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must." That was Athens saying that at the height of its empire. Few of those people seem to remember what happened to Athens the very next year.
January 6, 2026 at 5:14 PM
some people love quoting "the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must." That was Athens saying that at the height of its empire. Few of those people seem to remember what happened to Athens the very next year.
Reposted by Ben Eltham
Echoing this to say that $1 a month to a creator whose work you like is equivalent to easily a thousand ad-supported views on their videos. Even a little bit of support makes a hugely outsized difference - pick your favourites and support where you can.
Philosophy Tube is made by properly paid artists; no AI slop, no sussy sponsorships from mobile games and mattress companies. If you want there to still be a place for proper art on the internet then please support your friendly neighbourhood content creator, whether that’s me or someone else ❤️
January 6, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Echoing this to say that $1 a month to a creator whose work you like is equivalent to easily a thousand ad-supported views on their videos. Even a little bit of support makes a hugely outsized difference - pick your favourites and support where you can.
It appears that Sussan Ley has missed a few history lessons m.youtube.com/watch?v=B0hT...
‘Slip of the tongue’: Opposition Leader Sussan Ley makes USSR gaffe
YouTube video by Sky News Australia
m.youtube.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:13 AM
It appears that Sussan Ley has missed a few history lessons m.youtube.com/watch?v=B0hT...
Reposted by Ben Eltham
New research warns of the accelerating rate of tree death across Australia
New research warns of the accelerating rate of tree death across Australia
Across Australia, more trees are dying, and at a rate faster than they can be replaced by new growth. New research led by Western Sydney University found trees in all types of ecosystems, from tropical rainforests to eucalypt forests, are thinning as the climate warms.
www.sbs.com.au
January 7, 2026 at 8:28 AM
New research warns of the accelerating rate of tree death across Australia
Reposted by Ben Eltham
I guess Australian media/politics is just gonna pretend the grok stuff isn't happening huh. I guess actually reporting on it might invite awkward questions like "why the fuck are you pathetic engagement junkies still there"
January 7, 2026 at 8:05 AM
I guess Australian media/politics is just gonna pretend the grok stuff isn't happening huh. I guess actually reporting on it might invite awkward questions like "why the fuck are you pathetic engagement junkies still there"
Reposted by Ben Eltham
The news of the discovery of a carnyx in Norfolk by PCA archaeology is thrilling. The find will feature on #diggingforbritain - @profaliceroberts.bsky.social you kept that quiet!! www.theguardian.com/science/2026... #archaeology #celts
‘Extraordinary’ iron age war trumpet find in Britain may have Boudicca links
Bronze instrument or carnyx dug up in Norfolk in area inhabited by Celtic tribe led by warrior who fought Romans
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:46 AM
The news of the discovery of a carnyx in Norfolk by PCA archaeology is thrilling. The find will feature on #diggingforbritain - @profaliceroberts.bsky.social you kept that quiet!! www.theguardian.com/science/2026... #archaeology #celts
Reposted by Ben Eltham
Reposted by Ben Eltham
Protests grow as Iran’s government makes meager offer amid tanking economy https://aje.io/fz2vye
January 6, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Protests grow as Iran’s government makes meager offer amid tanking economy https://aje.io/fz2vye
Reposted by Ben Eltham
Just how bad is Grok's nonconsensual porn problem? Musk's AI chatbot is generating another sexualized image of someone without their permission every single minute:
Grok Is Generating About 'One Nonconsensual Sexualized Image Per Minute'
Elon Musk’s chatbot Grok keeps churning out nonconsenual images of women and minors in bikinis and lingerie, outraging users and regulators
www.rollingstone.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Just how bad is Grok's nonconsensual porn problem? Musk's AI chatbot is generating another sexualized image of someone without their permission every single minute:
Reposted by Ben Eltham
Joint statement on Greenland.
January 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Joint statement on Greenland.
Reposted by Ben Eltham
the best part of writing all night is wandering into the kitchen, wild eyed and disheveled, to ambush my husband as he’s making coffee half asleep and demanding that he endure a recitation of my draft. it’s a very special ritual that we both enjoy.
January 6, 2026 at 11:23 AM
the best part of writing all night is wandering into the kitchen, wild eyed and disheveled, to ambush my husband as he’s making coffee half asleep and demanding that he endure a recitation of my draft. it’s a very special ritual that we both enjoy.
Reposted by Ben Eltham
my 75yo mother told me last night that she’s planning to delete Instagram and Facebook because she’s sick of not being able to tell what’s AI and what’s not, and I genuinely don’t think tech companies have reckoned with this kind of move as an actual possibility
January 6, 2026 at 3:12 AM
my 75yo mother told me last night that she’s planning to delete Instagram and Facebook because she’s sick of not being able to tell what’s AI and what’s not, and I genuinely don’t think tech companies have reckoned with this kind of move as an actual possibility
Reposted by Ben Eltham
"did you try to bribe the president of the united states by giving him your nobel peace prize so he will declare that you are in charge of venezuela after abducting its leader by military force" is just a thing that someone can be asked in an interview now and we all have to deal with that
Hannity: Did you at any point offered to give him the Nobel peace prize?
Machado: It hasn’t happened yet. We want to give it to him. Share it with him.
Machado: It hasn’t happened yet. We want to give it to him. Share it with him.
January 6, 2026 at 5:54 AM
"did you try to bribe the president of the united states by giving him your nobel peace prize so he will declare that you are in charge of venezuela after abducting its leader by military force" is just a thing that someone can be asked in an interview now and we all have to deal with that
Reposted by Ben Eltham
Thinking idly about how there was a time in the past where the Grok CSAM scandal would lead to a huge exodus off X to Bluesky and elsewhere but how now everyone who cared about such things has already left
January 6, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Thinking idly about how there was a time in the past where the Grok CSAM scandal would lead to a huge exodus off X to Bluesky and elsewhere but how now everyone who cared about such things has already left
Reposted by Ben Eltham
Social media sites are fundamentally flawed social environments and as a result they need rules, moderation, and a shared culture of generosity, or they will degenerate into deeply unpleasant places. We apparently need to learn this lesson every single time
January 5, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Social media sites are fundamentally flawed social environments and as a result they need rules, moderation, and a shared culture of generosity, or they will degenerate into deeply unpleasant places. We apparently need to learn this lesson every single time
Reposted by Ben Eltham
I’m still amazed that the sub judice aspect has been ignored in the rolling media campaign for a Bondi royal commission.
In case you’ve not read about it (and why would you) I’ve written about it here:
open.substack.com/pub/nickfeik...
In case you’ve not read about it (and why would you) I’ve written about it here:
open.substack.com/pub/nickfeik...
January 5, 2026 at 4:44 AM
I’m still amazed that the sub judice aspect has been ignored in the rolling media campaign for a Bondi royal commission.
In case you’ve not read about it (and why would you) I’ve written about it here:
open.substack.com/pub/nickfeik...
In case you’ve not read about it (and why would you) I’ve written about it here:
open.substack.com/pub/nickfeik...
Back on my radio bullshit this morning. Playing some of my favourite 2025 tunes on 3RRR through til 12. Thanks to Dylan for letting my fill in. www.rrr.org.au
Triple R 102.7FM, Melbourne Independent Radio
Community media on 102.7FM, 3RRR Digital in Melbourne & worldwide via RRR Apps
www.rrr.org.au
January 4, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Back on my radio bullshit this morning. Playing some of my favourite 2025 tunes on 3RRR through til 12. Thanks to Dylan for letting my fill in. www.rrr.org.au
Reposted by Ben Eltham
New: Trump admin officials tell Zeteo that Trump is “very interested” in secret plans drawn up last year to send US Special Forces into Mexico.
One official even says Trump recently asked for updates on preparations for a possible operation.
One official even says Trump recently asked for updates on preparations for a possible operation.
After Trump’s Venezuela Invasion, Mexico Could Be Next
Officials tell Zeteo that Trump remains ‘very interested’ in the idea of sending US Special Forces into Mexico, as the president threatens Colombia and Cuba, too.
zeteo.com
January 4, 2026 at 4:53 PM
New: Trump admin officials tell Zeteo that Trump is “very interested” in secret plans drawn up last year to send US Special Forces into Mexico.
One official even says Trump recently asked for updates on preparations for a possible operation.
One official even says Trump recently asked for updates on preparations for a possible operation.
Reposted by Ben Eltham
Pisces: Against impossible odds, this year looks even worse for you.
January 4, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Pisces: Against impossible odds, this year looks even worse for you.
Reposted by Ben Eltham
those ancient dames moved about gaily, though in the jaws of the whale
January 4, 2026 at 1:47 PM
those ancient dames moved about gaily, though in the jaws of the whale
Reposted by Ben Eltham
I was a bookseller for thirty years. This is 100% true. I can guarantee you that you’ve never heard of the best books I’ve ever read.
When you've written ok books at a time when you're part of the media then written better books at a time when you've completely cut yourself off from the media, you get a unique insight into the workings of things. I don't think it's cynical to see it & refuse to go around pretending it's not real.
January 4, 2026 at 9:23 AM
I was a bookseller for thirty years. This is 100% true. I can guarantee you that you’ve never heard of the best books I’ve ever read.
Reposted by Ben Eltham
Laura Tingle with a bit of Australian understatement:
“It’s not really legal to nick someone else’s head of state.”
“It’s not really legal to nick someone else’s head of state.”
January 3, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Laura Tingle with a bit of Australian understatement:
“It’s not really legal to nick someone else’s head of state.”
“It’s not really legal to nick someone else’s head of state.”