Dr Elen Shute
@lonerangifer.bsky.social
Palaeontologist | Conservation biologist | Cellist | Coveter of yarn | Puerile fun aunt
Pinned
Enigma: Elgar’s 125-year-old musical riddle solved (again)
In 1899, English composer Edward Elgar wrote a piece of music for orchestra that has kept musicians and audiences guessing for over a…
medium.com
Want in on a secret? Reckon I've cracked the 125-year-old mystery of what tune Elgar hid in his Enigma Variations - like once and for all solved it. This has been buzzing around in my brain for the last week, so I'm very happy to get the story out into the world! 🎼🎶🎻🎺
medium.com/@elen.shute/...
medium.com/@elen.shute/...
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
Kate McClymont free from the threat of a defo suit is a wonderful thing www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
Long lunches, Swiss bank accounts and a kangaroo scrotum: My decades pursuing Graham Richardson
For a reporter whose career has been spent uncovering crime and corruption, the Labor senator was the one who got away.
www.smh.com.au
November 11, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Kate McClymont free from the threat of a defo suit is a wonderful thing www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
"Supporting net zero is a lot easier than defining it. The maths behind net zero is easy; in theory, if carbon removals from tree growth or carbon capture and storage match emissions, then net zero works.
But the problem isn’t the maths. It’s the biology, the economics and the bullshit." #auspol
But the problem isn’t the maths. It’s the biology, the economics and the bullshit." #auspol
Like ‘housing affordability’ ‘net zero’ has become one of those meaningless political sayings
Labors support for net zero hasn’t stopped them supporting new coal or gas or from spending billions on fossil fuel subsidies
My latest column on @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Labors support for net zero hasn’t stopped them supporting new coal or gas or from spending billions on fossil fuel subsidies
My latest column on @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Net Zero hides a truth the mining giants understand perfectly: nothing has to change
The point.com.au
thepoint.com.au
November 10, 2025 at 10:54 AM
"Supporting net zero is a lot easier than defining it. The maths behind net zero is easy; in theory, if carbon removals from tree growth or carbon capture and storage match emissions, then net zero works.
But the problem isn’t the maths. It’s the biology, the economics and the bullshit." #auspol
But the problem isn’t the maths. It’s the biology, the economics and the bullshit." #auspol
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
Very good read by @yelgeb.bsky.social on debate over Albo v Gough Whitlam #auspol
michaelwest.com.au/can-anthony-...
michaelwest.com.au/can-anthony-...
Can Anthony Albanese credibly claim to be a successor of Whitlam? - Michael West
From AUKUS to government secrecy, politics to policy, PM Anthony Albanese is closer to Liberal Scott Morrison than Gough Whitlam
michaelwest.com.au
November 9, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Very good read by @yelgeb.bsky.social on debate over Albo v Gough Whitlam #auspol
michaelwest.com.au/can-anthony-...
michaelwest.com.au/can-anthony-...
More from John Menadue. The role of the US's CIA and Britain's MI6 in overthrowing the Whitlam government.
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
The Dismissal, the role of the CIA, MI6 and Austral Americans
I was familiar with many of the events leading to the Dismissal on 11 November 1975. That knowledge was greatly increased by Professor Jenny Hocking with her long and successful campaign to have the P...
johnmenadue.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:23 AM
More from John Menadue. The role of the US's CIA and Britain's MI6 in overthrowing the Whitlam government.
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
This week's column is on Billionaire Brain: the condition which seems to prevent extremely rich people from perceiving the utterly bleeding obvious.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I wish we could ignore Bill Gates on the climate crisis. But he’s a billionaire, so we can’t | George Monbiot
Money talks – and his essay denouncing ‘near-term emissions goals’ at Cop30 mostly argues the case for letting the ultra-rich off the hook
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:19 AM
This week's column is on Billionaire Brain: the condition which seems to prevent extremely rich people from perceiving the utterly bleeding obvious.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
Retired Australian teacher discovers the oldest fossil of its kind in southern hemisphere – and a new species
Retired Australian teacher discovers the oldest fossil of its kind in southern hemisphere – and a new species
Robert Beattie, 82, has found specimens of a 151m-year-old midge that challenge what we know about how the insects evolved
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As a boy, holidaying with his family in the New South Wales coastal town of Gerringong, Robert Beattie found a shell in a rock. It turned out to be hundreds of millions of years old – a Permian fossil, common to the Sydney basin.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Beattie recalls. “I’ve been interested in fossils ever since.” That childhood discovery, made in 1948, sparked a lifelong passion for palaeontology, one that that has taken him to dig sites across Australia’s eastern states, seen him present his findings internationally – and discover a fossil that changes what we know about how insects evolved. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Retired Australian teacher discovers the oldest fossil of its kind in southern hemisphere – and a new species
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
When science is understandable, we all win. I've started a national petition calling on all institutions of higher education, and their accreditors, to require science communication and public engagement training for all STEM degrees. Share and sign today, it only takes a few seconds: bit.ly/3LbnfHB
November 8, 2025 at 5:31 PM
When science is understandable, we all win. I've started a national petition calling on all institutions of higher education, and their accreditors, to require science communication and public engagement training for all STEM degrees. Share and sign today, it only takes a few seconds: bit.ly/3LbnfHB
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
In case you're finding it hard to keep up, this court hearing was related to the allegation Lehrmann stole French submarine secrets in the days before his dismissal back in 2019
It's not about his current rape charges in QLD, or his car theft charges in Tas, or his 'defamation' appeal or . . . .
.
It's not about his current rape charges in QLD, or his car theft charges in Tas, or his 'defamation' appeal or . . . .
.
November 6, 2025 at 1:52 AM
In case you're finding it hard to keep up, this court hearing was related to the allegation Lehrmann stole French submarine secrets in the days before his dismissal back in 2019
It's not about his current rape charges in QLD, or his car theft charges in Tas, or his 'defamation' appeal or . . . .
.
It's not about his current rape charges in QLD, or his car theft charges in Tas, or his 'defamation' appeal or . . . .
.
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
“You’re basically saying you can trade koalas with a land snail in Tasmania or a small plant in north Queensland.” - Prof Brendan Wintle @biodivcouncil.bsky.social
What's wrong with @australianlabor.bsky.social's environmental law reforms 👉 www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... -@lisacox.bsky.social
What's wrong with @australianlabor.bsky.social's environmental law reforms 👉 www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... -@lisacox.bsky.social
Will Labor’s environment laws actually address Australia’s biodiversity crisis? Five reasons to be concerned
Experts say the proposed legislation is full of problems, including excessive ministerial discretion and relaxing like-for-like offset rules
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:10 PM
“You’re basically saying you can trade koalas with a land snail in Tasmania or a small plant in north Queensland.” - Prof Brendan Wintle @biodivcouncil.bsky.social
What's wrong with @australianlabor.bsky.social's environmental law reforms 👉 www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... -@lisacox.bsky.social
What's wrong with @australianlabor.bsky.social's environmental law reforms 👉 www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... -@lisacox.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
Graham Richardson, hard-nosed former Labor minister and numbers man – obituary
Graham Richardson, hard-nosed former Labor minister and numbers man – obituary
Renowned for wrangling factions in the Hawke government, and as an effective environment minister, the politician made ‘whatever it takes’ his mantra
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Branded the “minister for kneecaps” during his time as a Labor senator, Graham Richardson was a political powerbroker who exerted substantial influence over the party’s factions, and therefore its leadership.
A master of factional horse-trading, Richardson’s political career was peppered with controversy. Although dogged by various scandals, the gregarious, lunch-loving “Richo” , became one of Australia’s most skilful and well-connected political operators. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Graham Richardson, hard-nosed former Labor minister and numbers man – obituary
It's Whitlam season, enjoy.
(Additional context: article author John Menadue worked under both Gough Whitlam and Rupert Murdoch, so when he speaks... it pays to listen)
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
(Additional context: article author John Menadue worked under both Gough Whitlam and Rupert Murdoch, so when he speaks... it pays to listen)
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
Murdoch, the Dismissal and my job in Japan
Rupert Murdoch played a critical role in the Dismissal. He knew how to bring pressure on Kerr and provided strong support for Malcolm Fraser.
johnmenadue.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:02 PM
It's Whitlam season, enjoy.
(Additional context: article author John Menadue worked under both Gough Whitlam and Rupert Murdoch, so when he speaks... it pays to listen)
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
(Additional context: article author John Menadue worked under both Gough Whitlam and Rupert Murdoch, so when he speaks... it pays to listen)
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
HAPPY FOUR SEASONS TOTAL LANDSCAPING DAY TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE
November 7, 2025 at 6:44 PM
HAPPY FOUR SEASONS TOTAL LANDSCAPING DAY TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE
Just catching up on The Idea of Australia on SBS. Top notch, check it out.
I was struggling to think who the unblinking Paul Kelly reminded me of. Ahem, who remembers the "World Stareout Championship" slot on Big Train? One of the funniest sketches ever.
I was struggling to think who the unblinking Paul Kelly reminded me of. Ahem, who remembers the "World Stareout Championship" slot on Big Train? One of the funniest sketches ever.
November 7, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Just catching up on The Idea of Australia on SBS. Top notch, check it out.
I was struggling to think who the unblinking Paul Kelly reminded me of. Ahem, who remembers the "World Stareout Championship" slot on Big Train? One of the funniest sketches ever.
I was struggling to think who the unblinking Paul Kelly reminded me of. Ahem, who remembers the "World Stareout Championship" slot on Big Train? One of the funniest sketches ever.
Now having a crisis about whether 'nidifugous' (which I have only ever seen written down and never said out loud) should be pronounced 'ni-DIFF-you-gus' or 'niddy-FEW-gus'. Can someone who REALLY knows birds please put me out of my misery, it's Friday night.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Word of the year already? Huzzah! Here’s what the latest crop of 'young people' words mean | First Dog on the Moon
The main thing you need to know about ‘six seven’ is that you do not in fact need to know what it means
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Now having a crisis about whether 'nidifugous' (which I have only ever seen written down and never said out loud) should be pronounced 'ni-DIFF-you-gus' or 'niddy-FEW-gus'. Can someone who REALLY knows birds please put me out of my misery, it's Friday night.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I’m probably way too amused to read the same authors, writing about the same phenomenon in two different articles, describe it in one place as a ‘pillar‘ & in another as a ‘cornerstone’. Maybe don’t attempt any DIY, fellas. 🧱
November 7, 2025 at 1:50 AM
I’m probably way too amused to read the same authors, writing about the same phenomenon in two different articles, describe it in one place as a ‘pillar‘ & in another as a ‘cornerstone’. Maybe don’t attempt any DIY, fellas. 🧱
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
A magnificent piece of work. Comprehesive, revelatory & shocking. Journalism this good is always rare & precious but never moreso than at times like this. Latter day Lord Haw Haws being plumped, preened & delivered to your doorstep in plain sight by a Nazi-saluting goon
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:16 AM
A magnificent piece of work. Comprehesive, revelatory & shocking. Journalism this good is always rare & precious but never moreso than at times like this. Latter day Lord Haw Haws being plumped, preened & delivered to your doorstep in plain sight by a Nazi-saluting goon
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
The Welsh Government must take diaspora engagement seriously. The existing action plan is flawed and there has been a lack of Welsh Government attention to the issue since then ✍️Dr Huw Evans
Welsh Government found wanting on diaspora engagement
Dr Huw Evans Although there is an ‘action plan’, diaspora engagement by the Welsh Government has low priority. This is despite its own stated intentions and the accepted case that engagement can have ...
nation.cymru
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
The Welsh Government must take diaspora engagement seriously. The existing action plan is flawed and there has been a lack of Welsh Government attention to the issue since then ✍️Dr Huw Evans
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
"In total, the Gates Foundation (formerly known as the The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) has donated $3,519,491 to Lomborg’s think tank. The most recent tax filing on record includes a 2022 donation to the Copenhagen Consensus Center worth $1.25 million" - @rtakver.bsky.social, @desmog.com
Bill Gates Gave $3.5M to Think Tank Run by Climate Crisis Denier Bjorn Lomborg
Tax records reveal that the billionaire’s foundation has donated for years to Lomborg’s Copenhagen Consensus Center.
www.desmog.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:13 AM
"In total, the Gates Foundation (formerly known as the The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) has donated $3,519,491 to Lomborg’s think tank. The most recent tax filing on record includes a 2022 donation to the Copenhagen Consensus Center worth $1.25 million" - @rtakver.bsky.social, @desmog.com
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
uh i would say it's mildly alarming that the Trump administration is using its sanction powers to compel tech companies into taking its critics offline.
First, the ICC's chief investigator says he was blocked from his Microsoft-hosted email after US sanctions. Now, this
First, the ICC's chief investigator says he was blocked from his Microsoft-hosted email after US sanctions. Now, this
November 6, 2025 at 1:16 AM
uh i would say it's mildly alarming that the Trump administration is using its sanction powers to compel tech companies into taking its critics offline.
First, the ICC's chief investigator says he was blocked from his Microsoft-hosted email after US sanctions. Now, this
First, the ICC's chief investigator says he was blocked from his Microsoft-hosted email after US sanctions. Now, this
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
Prevalence of colour blindness around the world
November 5, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Prevalence of colour blindness around the world
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
I will never understand why the Australian media, especially the ABC, keep calling the new mayor of New York a radical leftist whilst referring to the far right weirdos in both America and Australia as merely “conservatives’.
November 5, 2025 at 10:11 AM
I will never understand why the Australian media, especially the ABC, keep calling the new mayor of New York a radical leftist whilst referring to the far right weirdos in both America and Australia as merely “conservatives’.
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
😂👏 Christmas sponsored by Reform UK
November 4, 2025 at 10:22 AM
😂👏 Christmas sponsored by Reform UK
Claiming “strong environmental laws hurt business is like claiming it’s bad for restaurants to have food safety standards. It might be easier in the short term to let your prawns bake in the sun all day, but poisoning your customers isn’t a sustainable business model.”
www.smh.com.au/national/our...
www.smh.com.au/national/our...
Our law to ‘save’ nature is a rubber stamp for species extinction
After decades of Australian governments standing by while native species perish, Labor’s new environment bill offers little hope.
www.smh.com.au
November 4, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Claiming “strong environmental laws hurt business is like claiming it’s bad for restaurants to have food safety standards. It might be easier in the short term to let your prawns bake in the sun all day, but poisoning your customers isn’t a sustainable business model.”
www.smh.com.au/national/our...
www.smh.com.au/national/our...