Mathew Abbott
@mathewabbott.bsky.social
Philosopher & NTEU Pres, FedUni.
New pubs:
Eco-Marxism & the Anthropocene: https://doi.org/10.1177/07255136251401907
Marx’s naturalism: https://doi.org/10.1080/0969725X.2025.2554130
Critique of posthumanism: https://doi.org/10.1177/07255136241256980
New pubs:
Eco-Marxism & the Anthropocene: https://doi.org/10.1177/07255136251401907
Marx’s naturalism: https://doi.org/10.1080/0969725X.2025.2554130
Critique of posthumanism: https://doi.org/10.1177/07255136241256980
Pinned
Mathew Abbott
@mathewabbott.bsky.social
· Sep 30
I’ve an article out in Angelaki this week. It reconstructs Marx’s notion of species-being in light of contemporary naturalism. It argues his thought differs from McDowell et al as he thinks achieving naturalism is a practical task requiring social revolution. It’s open access - link below!
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
Chart admirably demonstrating the climate trend
It's leading to record wildfires, floods, rising seas, extreme storms & typhoons, harvest failures
And whilst the tech is around to curtail the problem, humanity, right now, just isn't doing so
www.ft.com/content/e995...
It's leading to record wildfires, floods, rising seas, extreme storms & typhoons, harvest failures
And whilst the tech is around to curtail the problem, humanity, right now, just isn't doing so
www.ft.com/content/e995...
January 14, 2026 at 6:55 AM
Chart admirably demonstrating the climate trend
It's leading to record wildfires, floods, rising seas, extreme storms & typhoons, harvest failures
And whilst the tech is around to curtail the problem, humanity, right now, just isn't doing so
www.ft.com/content/e995...
It's leading to record wildfires, floods, rising seas, extreme storms & typhoons, harvest failures
And whilst the tech is around to curtail the problem, humanity, right now, just isn't doing so
www.ft.com/content/e995...
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
“one doesn’t have to be a student of history to know that art in the service of ‘social cohesion’ is propaganda” – Louise Adler
I cannot be party to silencing writers, which is why I am resigning as director of Adelaide Writers’ Week | Louise Adler
Cancelling the Australian Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah weakens freedom of speech and is the harbinger of a less free nation
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:10 PM
“one doesn’t have to be a student of history to know that art in the service of ‘social cohesion’ is propaganda” – Louise Adler
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
Have any Aus gov't politicians made the connection between these fires and the burning of fossil fuels? I've had a look around and can't seem to find any examples
More than 350 structures lost to Vic bushfires as locals assess damage
More than 350 structures have been destroyed by several bushfires burning across Victoria, authorities say, as residents return home to take stock of the devastation.
www.abc.net.au
January 12, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Have any Aus gov't politicians made the connection between these fires and the burning of fossil fuels? I've had a look around and can't seem to find any examples
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
Thanks to Tom Ballard for having me on his Serious Danger podcast. Full episode via seriousdanger.com.au
January 11, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Thanks to Tom Ballard for having me on his Serious Danger podcast. Full episode via seriousdanger.com.au
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
Our project 'Socialization in Theory and Practice: Democratizing Access to Land and Energy' now has its own website, including upcoming events, publications and resources on socialization and information about the project:
socializationproject.de
socializationproject.de
Socialization in Theory and Practice – Democratizing Access to Land and Energy
socializationproject.de
January 8, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Our project 'Socialization in Theory and Practice: Democratizing Access to Land and Energy' now has its own website, including upcoming events, publications and resources on socialization and information about the project:
socializationproject.de
socializationproject.de
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
Wen Stephenson, Thea Riofrancos, and Andreas Malm discuss the "deadly silence and denial" creating a veil around the climate crisis.
https://bit.ly/4seE6dE
https://bit.ly/4seE6dE
What Justice on a Burning Planet?
Andreas Malm and Thea Riofrancos joined The Nation’s Wen Stephenson in an urgent conversation about the left and the climate emergency.
bit.ly
January 5, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Wen Stephenson, Thea Riofrancos, and Andreas Malm discuss the "deadly silence and denial" creating a veil around the climate crisis.
https://bit.ly/4seE6dE
https://bit.ly/4seE6dE
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
MEAA stands against racism in the media, entertainment and arts industries and condemns Adelaide Festival’s decision to drop Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah.
meaa.io/45xUCM6
meaa.io/45xUCM6
MEAA condemns Adelaide Festival Board’s decision to cancel a scheduled appearance of Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah at Adelaide Writers’ Week.
MEAA condemns Adelaide Festival Board’s decision to cancel a scheduled appearance of Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah at Adelaide Writers’ Week.
www.meaa.org
January 9, 2026 at 12:07 AM
MEAA stands against racism in the media, entertainment and arts industries and condemns Adelaide Festival’s decision to drop Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah.
meaa.io/45xUCM6
meaa.io/45xUCM6
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
Heatwave engulfs south-eastern states as Victoria faces catastrophic fire conditions not seen since Black Summer
Heatwave engulfs south-eastern states as Victoria faces catastrophic fire conditions not seen since Black Summer
Melbourne mercury expected to hit 43C with higher temperatures inland and a total fire ban in place for all Victoria
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Dire bushfire conditions threatened south-eastern states on Friday as unrelenting heat bore down on large parts of Australia and Victorians prepared for catastrophic conditions not seen since 2019-20.
Catastrophic and extreme fire danger ratings were in place throughout Victoria, with the entire state under a total fire ban. Extreme conditions were expected across much of South Australia as well as the New South Wales Riverina.
Melbourne: Windy. Late cool change, possible storm, maximum 43C.
Canberra: sunny, maximum 39C.
Adelaide: mostly sunny, maximum 32C.
Sydney: sunny, maximum 33C.
Darwin: showers, storm, maximum 33C.
Perth: partly cloudy, maximum 29C.
Brisbane: possible shower, maximum 29C.
Hobart: shower or two, maximum 25C. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Heatwave engulfs south-eastern states as Victoria faces catastrophic fire conditions not seen since Black Summer
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
No Adelaide Writers Week for me. I can’t in any good conscience now appear at a festival seeking to mute a very necessary public conversation … Randa Abdel-Fattah is an important voice. Here’s something I published from her on, guess what, Palestinian marginalisation. meanjin.com.au/latest/the-g...
The Great Palestinian Silence
It seems everyone is tweeting about freedom of speech. So let me tell you a story about freedom of speech and the exceptional case of Palestine. In the days leading up to Israel’s proposed annexati…
meanjin.com.au
January 8, 2026 at 7:33 AM
No Adelaide Writers Week for me. I can’t in any good conscience now appear at a festival seeking to mute a very necessary public conversation … Randa Abdel-Fattah is an important voice. Here’s something I published from her on, guess what, Palestinian marginalisation. meanjin.com.au/latest/the-g...
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
I stand with Randa and everyone standing against hate, genocide, oppression and terror. In all its forms.
January 8, 2026 at 5:28 AM
I stand with Randa and everyone standing against hate, genocide, oppression and terror. In all its forms.
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
Randa Abdel-Fattah’s response:
January 8, 2026 at 6:10 AM
Randa Abdel-Fattah’s response:
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
What’s the point of writers’ festivals — or, for that matter, writers — if they can’t discuss issues that matter? Australian arts administrators would rather destroy the whole sector than allow Palestinians to speak about genocide. It’s beyond shameful.
January 8, 2026 at 4:57 AM
What’s the point of writers’ festivals — or, for that matter, writers — if they can’t discuss issues that matter? Australian arts administrators would rather destroy the whole sector than allow Palestinians to speak about genocide. It’s beyond shameful.
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
Boycott the racist Adelaide Festival. If you are presenting or performing, withdraw. If you are attending, ask for a refund.
If you proceed with your engagement with Adelaide Festival, you have to be taken to mean that you think Arabs should be cancelled for being
If you proceed with your engagement with Adelaide Festival, you have to be taken to mean that you think Arabs should be cancelled for being
January 8, 2026 at 2:57 AM
Boycott the racist Adelaide Festival. If you are presenting or performing, withdraw. If you are attending, ask for a refund.
If you proceed with your engagement with Adelaide Festival, you have to be taken to mean that you think Arabs should be cancelled for being
If you proceed with your engagement with Adelaide Festival, you have to be taken to mean that you think Arabs should be cancelled for being
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
BBC journalists have been banned from describing the kidnapped Venezuelan leader as having been kidnapped.
The BBC News Editor has sent this to BBC journalists.
The BBC News Editor has sent this to BBC journalists.
January 5, 2026 at 1:19 PM
BBC journalists have been banned from describing the kidnapped Venezuelan leader as having been kidnapped.
The BBC News Editor has sent this to BBC journalists.
The BBC News Editor has sent this to BBC journalists.
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
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...
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
Rallying to oppose the US attack on Venezuela at Flinders St Station this evening. ✊
January 4, 2026 at 9:04 AM
Rallying to oppose the US attack on Venezuela at Flinders St Station this evening. ✊
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
Imagine being the person brave enough to leak this in the hopes that media attention could stop it and then the media just……buries it.
NEW: Plans for secret U.S. raid to capture Maduro leaked to the Washington Post and New York Times before it happened, but both decided not to publish to protect U.S. troops - Semafor
January 4, 2026 at 4:36 AM
Imagine being the person brave enough to leak this in the hopes that media attention could stop it and then the media just……buries it.
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
"We urge all parties to support dialogue and diplomacy"? What kind of nonsense statement is this? The US just bombed them with no cause, kidnapped their president and his wife, and declared that they would be running the country in order to secure its oil for themselves.
January 3, 2026 at 11:20 PM
"We urge all parties to support dialogue and diplomacy"? What kind of nonsense statement is this? The US just bombed them with no cause, kidnapped their president and his wife, and declared that they would be running the country in order to secure its oil for themselves.
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
just so it's clear: this is the exact core function of genAI
Fascist government and climate deniers love it because it can produce the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth. It is automated denialism.
Shame on every climate scientist promoting its use (there are lots)
Fascist government and climate deniers love it because it can produce the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth. It is automated denialism.
Shame on every climate scientist promoting its use (there are lots)
Bob and I were among the hundreds of researchers that were supposed to conduct the 6th U.S. National Climate Assessment. Now it looks like they're gonna produce it with a few people and Grok? Communities need rigorous and accurate information about climate change. This will put communities at risk.
January 1, 2026 at 7:11 AM
just so it's clear: this is the exact core function of genAI
Fascist government and climate deniers love it because it can produce the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth. It is automated denialism.
Shame on every climate scientist promoting its use (there are lots)
Fascist government and climate deniers love it because it can produce the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth. It is automated denialism.
Shame on every climate scientist promoting its use (there are lots)
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
Happy new year to the Crown Melbourne workers taking industrial action x
January 1, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Happy new year to the Crown Melbourne workers taking industrial action x
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
Now reading. Best handbook yet for the AI hysteria era. Laser-focused on question of profitability and value capture instead of personality and projections, on enterprise instead of chatbots. www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?b...
December 31, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Now reading. Best handbook yet for the AI hysteria era. Laser-focused on question of profitability and value capture instead of personality and projections, on enterprise instead of chatbots. www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?b...
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
‘You may reasonably object to the orthodox Freudian picture of the unconscious. But can we doubt that there is more, much more, to our individual and collective lives than that of which we are consciously aware?’
Amia Srinivasan on developing a psychoanalytic politics:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Amia Srinivasan on developing a psychoanalytic politics:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Amia Srinivasan · The Impossible Patient: Return of the Unconscious
You may not wish to commit yourself ontologically to some thing called the ‘unconscious’, and you may reasonably...
www.lrb.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 1:03 PM
‘You may reasonably object to the orthodox Freudian picture of the unconscious. But can we doubt that there is more, much more, to our individual and collective lives than that of which we are consciously aware?’
Amia Srinivasan on developing a psychoanalytic politics:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Amia Srinivasan on developing a psychoanalytic politics:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
In an essay in the JHI Blog’s forum on political economy, Nate Holdren elaborates three levels of analytical abstraction at which intellectual historians invoke the term "political economy," turning our attention to the way that capitalism structurally conditions ignorance of the social totality.
Three Meanings of Political Economy: Reflections on Intellectual History, Marxism, and Capitalism’s Unthought
by Nate Holdren
This think piece is part of a JHI Blog forum, “The Return of Political Economy in Intellectual History.”
web.sas.upenn.edu
December 29, 2025 at 3:46 PM
In an essay in the JHI Blog’s forum on political economy, Nate Holdren elaborates three levels of analytical abstraction at which intellectual historians invoke the term "political economy," turning our attention to the way that capitalism structurally conditions ignorance of the social totality.
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
With every extinction, we lose not just a species but a treasure trove of knowledge
theconversation.com/with-every-e...
theconversation.com/with-every-e...
With every extinction, we lose not just a species but a treasure trove of knowledge
Every new extinction ripples out beyond the affected species, from ecosystems to human knowledge across culture, spirituality and science.
theconversation.com
December 28, 2025 at 10:34 PM
With every extinction, we lose not just a species but a treasure trove of knowledge
theconversation.com/with-every-e...
theconversation.com/with-every-e...
Reposted by Mathew Abbott
'Grief can be incredibly isolating. Once you see the tear in the fabric, the scribbling of the dieback on the tree trunk, the endless lines of grey dead trunks, there is no going back to being oblivious to the reality of the collapse happening around us'.
themountainjournal.com/2024/10/11/m...
themountainjournal.com/2024/10/11/m...
Managing the grief
For the last few years, Friends of the Earth has been hosting guided walks in the high country to show people areas at risk from logging. These have included Mt Stirling, the upper Little Dargo Riv…
themountainjournal.com
December 27, 2025 at 8:52 AM
'Grief can be incredibly isolating. Once you see the tear in the fabric, the scribbling of the dieback on the tree trunk, the endless lines of grey dead trunks, there is no going back to being oblivious to the reality of the collapse happening around us'.
themountainjournal.com/2024/10/11/m...
themountainjournal.com/2024/10/11/m...