Bernard Zuel
@bernardzuel.bsky.social
Writer & critic (SMH, Guardian, Rhythms & everything found at bernardzuel.net) teacher (Sydney University), podcaster, host/facilitator (anywhere you want me), media trainer (you talk, I help). Opinions definitely are those of my employer - moi.
Oh look, it’s agoodsizejar. You always need agoodsizejar in the house. Put it with the other agoodsizejars.
February 8, 2026 at 4:45 AM
Oh look, it’s agoodsizejar. You always need agoodsizejar in the house. Put it with the other agoodsizejars.
I’m going to take you to my secret place. #morningpop #sundayvinyl #jonimitchell #chalkmarkinarainstorm
February 7, 2026 at 11:28 PM
I’m going to take you to my secret place. #morningpop #sundayvinyl #jonimitchell #chalkmarkinarainstorm
I’m in love with the world through the eyes of a girl who’s still around the morning after. #morningpop #warmer #warmest
February 7, 2026 at 10:05 PM
I’m in love with the world through the eyes of a girl who’s still around the morning after. #morningpop #warmer #warmest
Reposted by Bernard Zuel
Editorial: Tell me Australia, which is worse: signing bombs or making anti-bomb signs? preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webvi...
February 7, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Editorial: Tell me Australia, which is worse: signing bombs or making anti-bomb signs? preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webvi...
Reposted by Bernard Zuel
Let’s have a little clarity here.
Israel is committing a genocide against Palestinians. Multiple authorities confirm this.
And Israel’s president “declined to express the least reservation” about this genocide.
Of course folks will protest his visit here. Folks *including* Jewish Australians.
Israel is committing a genocide against Palestinians. Multiple authorities confirm this.
And Israel’s president “declined to express the least reservation” about this genocide.
Of course folks will protest his visit here. Folks *including* Jewish Australians.
archive.is
February 7, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Let’s have a little clarity here.
Israel is committing a genocide against Palestinians. Multiple authorities confirm this.
And Israel’s president “declined to express the least reservation” about this genocide.
Of course folks will protest his visit here. Folks *including* Jewish Australians.
Israel is committing a genocide against Palestinians. Multiple authorities confirm this.
And Israel’s president “declined to express the least reservation” about this genocide.
Of course folks will protest his visit here. Folks *including* Jewish Australians.
Now, I’m staying there just for a while. I can’t think, ‘cause I’m just way too tired. #morningpop #thestrokes #isthisit
February 6, 2026 at 11:37 PM
Now, I’m staying there just for a while. I can’t think, ‘cause I’m just way too tired. #morningpop #thestrokes #isthisit
And oh, I’m so tense, never tenser. Could all go a bit Frank Spencer. #morningpop #arcticmonkeys #whateverpeoplesayiamthatswhatimnot
February 6, 2026 at 10:52 PM
And oh, I’m so tense, never tenser. Could all go a bit Frank Spencer. #morningpop #arcticmonkeys #whateverpeoplesayiamthatswhatimnot
That moral centre of Noam Chomsky once paraded as the centre of intellectual resistance? Yeah, pretty much.
February 6, 2026 at 10:29 PM
That moral centre of Noam Chomsky once paraded as the centre of intellectual resistance? Yeah, pretty much.
Saturday read #3. This playlist is ready for you. From Phyllis Hyman & Curtis Mayfield to Morgan Nagler & Kneecap, from Notorious B.I.G & Squeeze to Harry Styles & Dry Cleaning, from Cliff & Bruce to Bic & Prince, from Sebadoh & Sault to Style Council & Arlo Parks.
open.spotify.com/playlist/5h4...
open.spotify.com/playlist/5h4...
February 6, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Saturday read #3. This playlist is ready for you. From Phyllis Hyman & Curtis Mayfield to Morgan Nagler & Kneecap, from Notorious B.I.G & Squeeze to Harry Styles & Dry Cleaning, from Cliff & Bruce to Bic & Prince, from Sebadoh & Sault to Style Council & Arlo Parks.
open.spotify.com/playlist/5h4...
open.spotify.com/playlist/5h4...
Saturday read #2. What they said. What we said. Years ago. WindBackWednesday, having heard a familiar lament, says to the "where are the young musicians with protest songs?" crowd, yes it is you. Always was.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/where-a...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/where-a...
WHERE ARE THE PROTEST SONGS? THEY’VE ALWAYS BEEN HERE SAYS WIND BACK WEDNESDAY
Like the idiots who declare there’s been no good music released since whenever it was that they were 20 – essentially revealing they haven’t listened to music outside their collection/classic hits rad...
www.bernardzuel.net
February 6, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Saturday read #2. What they said. What we said. Years ago. WindBackWednesday, having heard a familiar lament, says to the "where are the young musicians with protest songs?" crowd, yes it is you. Always was.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/where-a...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/where-a...
Saturday read #1. "Nothing sounds as wracked with memories, as buffeted by promises, as burdened with explanations, as the voice telling these stories. It cracks at the edges & warps in the centre.” New stories from old roots by Sam Shinazzi.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/sam-shi...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/sam-shi...
SAM SHINAZZI – ON A HIGHWAY SOMEWHERE: REVIEW
SAM SHINAZZIOn A Highway Somewhere (Stanley Records) BEFORE WE GET TO THE GOOD or bad, let’s establish the lay of the land, because your propensity for or resistance to a certain style, certain motifs...
www.bernardzuel.net
February 6, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Saturday read #1. "Nothing sounds as wracked with memories, as buffeted by promises, as burdened with explanations, as the voice telling these stories. It cracks at the edges & warps in the centre.” New stories from old roots by Sam Shinazzi.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/sam-shi...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/sam-shi...
Computer says ... you're a thief. Gonna keep happening, especially if you're not pearly white.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
‘Orwellian’: Sainsbury’s staff using facial recognition tech eject innocent shopper
Man misidentified by London supermarket using Facewatch system says: ‘I shouldn’t have to prove I am not a criminal’
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Computer says ... you're a thief. Gonna keep happening, especially if you're not pearly white.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
In the bumpf for a concert promising "the great Australian songbook", one of the headline singers is described as "Australia’s favourite son, Shannon Noll".
Can I have a DNA test on this please? Some of us are strongly denying parentage.
Can I have a DNA test on this please? Some of us are strongly denying parentage.
February 5, 2026 at 11:32 PM
In the bumpf for a concert promising "the great Australian songbook", one of the headline singers is described as "Australia’s favourite son, Shannon Noll".
Can I have a DNA test on this please? Some of us are strongly denying parentage.
Can I have a DNA test on this please? Some of us are strongly denying parentage.
A theatre figure with some, ahem, reputational issues, is touring an “intimate” show. A few weeks out ticket sales are, well, a bit of a horror.
February 5, 2026 at 8:48 PM
A theatre figure with some, ahem, reputational issues, is touring an “intimate” show. A few weeks out ticket sales are, well, a bit of a horror.
And they were all free. And they were all asking themselves the same question: what is behind that curtain. #morningpop #fridayvinyl #laurieanderson #bigscience
February 5, 2026 at 8:30 PM
And they were all free. And they were all asking themselves the same question: what is behind that curtain. #morningpop #fridayvinyl #laurieanderson #bigscience
Is Jillian Segal lackey & frontman for egregiously offensive university antisemitism report cards, Greg Craven, a case of nominative determinism?
February 5, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Is Jillian Segal lackey & frontman for egregiously offensive university antisemitism report cards, Greg Craven, a case of nominative determinism?
Reposted by Bernard Zuel
NSW government contacts Newcastle Writers Festival about Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah's inclusion
“It’s for social cohesion,” the minister says - as he beats her with a cudgel. #AusPol #NSWpol www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
“It’s for social cohesion,” the minister says - as he beats her with a cudgel. #AusPol #NSWpol www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Questions about Randa Abdel-Fattah inclusion in NSW writers festival
The NSW government makes contact with the board of next month's Newcastle Writers Festival about the inclusion of Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah, the ABC understands.
www.abc.net.au
February 5, 2026 at 7:09 AM
NSW government contacts Newcastle Writers Festival about Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah's inclusion
“It’s for social cohesion,” the minister says - as he beats her with a cudgel. #AusPol #NSWpol www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
“It’s for social cohesion,” the minister says - as he beats her with a cudgel. #AusPol #NSWpol www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
A new Sam Shinazzi album is populated by people more on the fringe than the comfortable centre, in songs off the main roads, sung as if well lived-in, with references like Kelly, Husker Du, Keyes & a certain New Jersey bloke.
Might be right up your alley.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/sam-shi...
Might be right up your alley.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/sam-shi...
SAM SHINAZZI – ON A HIGHWAY SOMEWHERE: REVIEW
SAM SHINAZZIOn A Highway Somewhere (Stanley Records) BEFORE WE GET TO THE GOOD or bad, let’s establish the lay of the land, because your propensity for or resistance to a certain style, certain motifs...
www.bernardzuel.net
February 5, 2026 at 2:29 AM
A new Sam Shinazzi album is populated by people more on the fringe than the comfortable centre, in songs off the main roads, sung as if well lived-in, with references like Kelly, Husker Du, Keyes & a certain New Jersey bloke.
Might be right up your alley.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/sam-shi...
Might be right up your alley.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/sam-shi...
Reposted by Bernard Zuel
well here's one news story about the thing I've been obsessively tweeting about for days (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
Epstein Helped Woody Allen’s Daughter Get Into College, Emails Show
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:50 PM
well here's one news story about the thing I've been obsessively tweeting about for days (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
Subject: Marty Sheargold breaks silence
Misread this email subject line as Marty Sheargold breaks wind, and after giving his career some thought i don’t know that I was wrong.
Misread this email subject line as Marty Sheargold breaks wind, and after giving his career some thought i don’t know that I was wrong.
February 5, 2026 at 1:53 AM
Subject: Marty Sheargold breaks silence
Misread this email subject line as Marty Sheargold breaks wind, and after giving his career some thought i don’t know that I was wrong.
Misread this email subject line as Marty Sheargold breaks wind, and after giving his career some thought i don’t know that I was wrong.
"fairground organs bowed but not broken; guitars that bend towards some crack in the dark or come rushing at you; basslines that come 3 beers in on a Sun afternoon or 2 lines up on a Fri night; drums which are always self-effacing, even when assertive".
www.bernardzuel.net/post/sam-shi...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/sam-shi...
SAM SHINAZZI – ON A HIGHWAY SOMEWHERE: REVIEW
SAM SHINAZZIOn A Highway Somewhere (Stanley Records) BEFORE WE GET TO THE GOOD or bad, let’s establish the lay of the land, because your propensity for or resistance to a certain style, certain motifs...
www.bernardzuel.net
February 4, 2026 at 8:20 PM
"fairground organs bowed but not broken; guitars that bend towards some crack in the dark or come rushing at you; basslines that come 3 beers in on a Sun afternoon or 2 lines up on a Fri night; drums which are always self-effacing, even when assertive".
www.bernardzuel.net/post/sam-shi...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/sam-shi...
Is it any wonder that we lost our way and never found the tack that was true. #morningpop #theelectorate #youdonthavetimetostaylost
February 4, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Is it any wonder that we lost our way and never found the tack that was true. #morningpop #theelectorate #youdonthavetimetostaylost
Both the paper and Laundry say 2GB is neutral with straight faces. Their comedy game is strong.
February 4, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Both the paper and Laundry say 2GB is neutral with straight faces. Their comedy game is strong.