Michael Murphy
@michaelmurphy.bsky.social
Professional astrophysicist, amateur human.
Science fan, renewables groupie, political malcontent.
Professor at Swinburne University of Technology. Opinions my own.
Science fan, renewables groupie, political malcontent.
Professor at Swinburne University of Technology. Opinions my own.
Reposted by Michael Murphy
For those unfamiliar, this involves:
- Cutting down trees that have sucked up carbon as they grew
- Burning them for energy
- Capturing the carbon that results from burning
- Transporting the carbon
- Injecting it underground
- Guarding it for the next few thousand years at least
- Cutting down trees that have sucked up carbon as they grew
- Burning them for energy
- Capturing the carbon that results from burning
- Transporting the carbon
- Injecting it underground
- Guarding it for the next few thousand years at least
NEW | A single carbon removal project at a biomass power station In the UK could cost £30 BILLION in government subsidies.
This would cost more than the UK government plans on spending for carbon capture programmes over 25 years.
https://loom.ly/XibxT4k
This would cost more than the UK government plans on spending for carbon capture programmes over 25 years.
https://loom.ly/XibxT4k
November 27, 2025 at 10:48 AM
For those unfamiliar, this involves:
- Cutting down trees that have sucked up carbon as they grew
- Burning them for energy
- Capturing the carbon that results from burning
- Transporting the carbon
- Injecting it underground
- Guarding it for the next few thousand years at least
- Cutting down trees that have sucked up carbon as they grew
- Burning them for energy
- Capturing the carbon that results from burning
- Transporting the carbon
- Injecting it underground
- Guarding it for the next few thousand years at least
Reposted by Michael Murphy
Nice things are possible.
Rush hour traffic in Utrecht.
Sound on 🔊 if you want to experience that rush hour IS possible without the constant, deafening noise of cars overpowering people talking.
Sound on 🔊 if you want to experience that rush hour IS possible without the constant, deafening noise of cars overpowering people talking.
November 26, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Nice things are possible.
Reposted by Michael Murphy
And still not a single mea culpa from the architects, many of whom continue to be regarded as sages by much of the press.
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Other
siepr.stanford.edu
November 25, 2025 at 7:04 AM
And still not a single mea culpa from the architects, many of whom continue to be regarded as sages by much of the press.
Reposted by Michael Murphy
How can a website cost $96 MILLION?! 🤯
Yes the BOM website is complex, but this seems like is a waste of taxpayers dollars that we need see some accountability for so it doesn’t happen again.
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
Yes the BOM website is complex, but this seems like is a waste of taxpayers dollars that we need see some accountability for so it doesn’t happen again.
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
Total bill for BoM’s new website came in at $96 million
In his first interview, new Bureau of Meteorology chief Stuart Minchin has revealed the eye-watering true cost of its lambasted new website.
www.smh.com.au
November 23, 2025 at 6:41 AM
How can a website cost $96 MILLION?! 🤯
Yes the BOM website is complex, but this seems like is a waste of taxpayers dollars that we need see some accountability for so it doesn’t happen again.
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
Yes the BOM website is complex, but this seems like is a waste of taxpayers dollars that we need see some accountability for so it doesn’t happen again.
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
Reposted by Michael Murphy
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
Reposted by Michael Murphy
I helped Professor Dave lay out exactly how Avi Loeb has manufactured doubt and pushed a false narrative about 3I/ATLAS, which is still an interstellar comet. Please enjoy the video and please repost this to share the word.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf9o...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf9o...
Avi Loeb is a Fraud Part 2: 3I/ATLAS Shrugged
YouTube video by Professor Dave Explains
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:13 PM
I helped Professor Dave lay out exactly how Avi Loeb has manufactured doubt and pushed a false narrative about 3I/ATLAS, which is still an interstellar comet. Please enjoy the video and please repost this to share the word.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf9o...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf9o...
Reposted by Michael Murphy
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
November 20, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
Reposted by Michael Murphy
I seriously cannot get over how stupid it is to be cutting back on research right now #ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
CSIRO 350 job cuts a damning indictment on Government priorities, misses 'golden opportunity' on research
The announcement this week that CSIRO are to cut 350 research jobs is another damning indictment on Australia’s ongoing failure to prioritise research and development.
thepoint.com.au
November 19, 2025 at 10:37 PM
I seriously cannot get over how stupid it is to be cutting back on research right now #ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
Reposted by Michael Murphy
Most people don’t read beyond headlines. This isn’t responsible, ABC News
"decades of research — including a large study published today in the US — conclude that consuming fluoride at recommended levels in drinking water has no adverse effects"
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
www.abc.net.au/news/science...
Can fluoride in water affect kids' brains? Here's what research tells us
Large studies conclude there is no evidence to back up community concerns that fluoride in water at recommended levels may affect the cognition or IQ of children.
www.abc.net.au
November 20, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Most people don’t read beyond headlines. This isn’t responsible, ABC News
Reposted by Michael Murphy
David Pope in Canberra Times
November 19, 2025 at 9:52 AM
David Pope in Canberra Times
Reposted by Michael Murphy
"CSIRO 350 job cuts a damning indictment on Government priorities, misses 'golden opportunity' on research" my column on the CSIRO research cuts #ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
CSIRO 350 job cuts a damning indictment on Government priorities, misses 'golden opportunity' on research
The announcement this week that CSIRO are to cut 350 research jobs is another damning indictment on Australia’s ongoing failure to prioritise research and development.
thepoint.com.au
November 19, 2025 at 12:26 AM
"CSIRO 350 job cuts a damning indictment on Government priorities, misses 'golden opportunity' on research" my column on the CSIRO research cuts #ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
Reposted by Michael Murphy
“CSIRO has announced it will slash up to 350 jobs as the national science agency grapples with long-term financial challenges … with current funding failing to keep pace with the rising costs of running a modern science agency.”
Not “challenges”. They’re choices. 😡
Not “challenges”. They’re choices. 😡
CSIRO to cut up to 350 research jobs in major overhaul
After 440 positions were slashed last year, the CSIRO has announced more staff cuts across the country in a bid to remain financially viable.
www.abc.net.au
November 18, 2025 at 6:15 AM
“CSIRO has announced it will slash up to 350 jobs as the national science agency grapples with long-term financial challenges … with current funding failing to keep pace with the rising costs of running a modern science agency.”
Not “challenges”. They’re choices. 😡
Not “challenges”. They’re choices. 😡
Reposted by Michael Murphy
That's more than 1,100 jobs lost at the CSIRO over the last two years.
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
CSIRO to slash hundreds of jobs in cost-saving drive
The staff association at the nation’s leading scientific research organisation says the latest round of cuts marks “a sad day for publicly funded science”.
www.smh.com.au
November 18, 2025 at 4:53 AM
That's more than 1,100 jobs lost at the CSIRO over the last two years.
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
Reposted by Michael Murphy
🙃🙃🙃 cannot believe how short sighted this government is, honestly. Now is the time to be POURING money into research, not cutting it.
This is obscene.
The challenges facing the nation means we should be scaling up CSIRO, not cutting it to shreds.
While we are sending billions to the US for nuclear shipyards, our science and industrial base at home is falling apart for lack of funds and direction.
The challenges facing the nation means we should be scaling up CSIRO, not cutting it to shreds.
While we are sending billions to the US for nuclear shipyards, our science and industrial base at home is falling apart for lack of funds and direction.
‘Sad day for publicly funded science’: up to 350 more jobs to go at CSIRO
Australia’s national scientific agency announces more research job losses as it looks for budgetary savings
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:39 AM
🙃🙃🙃 cannot believe how short sighted this government is, honestly. Now is the time to be POURING money into research, not cutting it.
When I was a kid and the windshield & windows in our family car would fog up, my father would say:
“Everyone stop breathing for a few minutes”.
It was a joke, of course. Just like this is
“Everyone stop breathing for a few minutes”.
It was a joke, of course. Just like this is
'Beyond belief': PM tells states to spend less on hospitals
Health ministers are furious with a letter from the prime minister demanding they rein in spending if they want a public hospital funding deal honoured.
www.abc.net.au
November 17, 2025 at 7:27 AM
When I was a kid and the windshield & windows in our family car would fog up, my father would say:
“Everyone stop breathing for a few minutes”.
It was a joke, of course. Just like this is
“Everyone stop breathing for a few minutes”.
It was a joke, of course. Just like this is
So the Liberal party now have no climate policy.
Narrator: They never really did*
(*Except for the ones to make climate change worse)
Narrator: They never really did*
(*Except for the ones to make climate change worse)
November 13, 2025 at 3:21 AM
So the Liberal party now have no climate policy.
Narrator: They never really did*
(*Except for the ones to make climate change worse)
Narrator: They never really did*
(*Except for the ones to make climate change worse)
Reposted by Michael Murphy
In an Australia first, I used FOI to get the AI chat logs of Australia's top national security bureaucrat.
They show how he used Microsoft Copilot to ghostwrite speeches and messages to colleagues.
This comes as the government looks to push AI use in the public service.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
They show how he used Microsoft Copilot to ghostwrite speeches and messages to colleagues.
This comes as the government looks to push AI use in the public service.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
November 12, 2025 at 2:01 AM
In an Australia first, I used FOI to get the AI chat logs of Australia's top national security bureaucrat.
They show how he used Microsoft Copilot to ghostwrite speeches and messages to colleagues.
This comes as the government looks to push AI use in the public service.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
They show how he used Microsoft Copilot to ghostwrite speeches and messages to colleagues.
This comes as the government looks to push AI use in the public service.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
Reposted by Michael Murphy
I'll entertain technical arguments about the Summary Offences Act (NSW) when someone can explain how Police can kettle and move on small groups protesting climate issues but somehow this out front of state parliament renders them powerless. www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
What we just witnessed was state-sanctioned Nazism
What on earth did the NSW Police think a rally organised by the National Socialist Network would be about?
www.smh.com.au
November 11, 2025 at 4:59 AM
I'll entertain technical arguments about the Summary Offences Act (NSW) when someone can explain how Police can kettle and move on small groups protesting climate issues but somehow this out front of state parliament renders them powerless. www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
Reposted by Michael Murphy
"Acquiring the Karger journals will provide OUP with many more downstream transfer destinations, helping OUP to publish more of the articles that get rejected by their higher impact journals."
Depressing assessment of the commercial strategy guiding academic publishing.
Depressing assessment of the commercial strategy guiding academic publishing.
OUP acquires Karger's long tail
Hello fellow journalologists,
newsletter.journalology.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:48 AM
"Acquiring the Karger journals will provide OUP with many more downstream transfer destinations, helping OUP to publish more of the articles that get rejected by their higher impact journals."
Depressing assessment of the commercial strategy guiding academic publishing.
Depressing assessment of the commercial strategy guiding academic publishing.
Reposted by Michael Murphy
still mulling Musk's fellowship @royalsociety.org❓
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 12:07 PM
still mulling Musk's fellowship @royalsociety.org❓
Just, not amongst them
AI pioneers claim human-level general intelligence is already here on.ft.com/3JERVRg
AI pioneers claim human-level general intelligence is already here
Tech leaders say systems now rival human intelligence in key tasks, further fuelling the superintelligence debate
on.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Just, not amongst them
Reposted by Michael Murphy
Gaming regulator announces temporary halt on accepting bribes www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Gambling regulator stops accepting gifts from betting companies, for now
The announcement comes six months after the ABC first reported the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission chair had accepted corporate hospitality from bookmakers.
www.abc.net.au
November 6, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Gaming regulator announces temporary halt on accepting bribes www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Reposted by Michael Murphy
Yikes. The UCs have benefited tremendously from the President's Postdoctoral Fellowship program. It is an outstanding recruitment tool for talented faculty; this is a major loss.
UC to Stop Funding Systemwide Postdoc Program
Established in 1984 to encourage women and minority Ph.D.s to pursue academia, the program has attracted right-wing criticism for prioritizing diverse candidates. https://bit.ly/3WFBSpb
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
Established in 1984 to encourage women and minority Ph.D.s to pursue academia, the program has attracted right-wing criticism for prioritizing diverse candidates. https://bit.ly/3WFBSpb
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
November 5, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Yikes. The UCs have benefited tremendously from the President's Postdoctoral Fellowship program. It is an outstanding recruitment tool for talented faculty; this is a major loss.
You've heard of democracy, but have you heard of an ostracon?
I hadn't. This is from a kids book about ancient Greece.
Maybe we should bring back the ostracon?
I hadn't. This is from a kids book about ancient Greece.
Maybe we should bring back the ostracon?
November 5, 2025 at 5:48 AM
You've heard of democracy, but have you heard of an ostracon?
I hadn't. This is from a kids book about ancient Greece.
Maybe we should bring back the ostracon?
I hadn't. This is from a kids book about ancient Greece.
Maybe we should bring back the ostracon?
Reposted by Michael Murphy
“Quick, we need interviews with property investors, banks, real estate agents, landlords and young people with rich parents who are buying them a house.” chaser.com.au/general-news...
November 5, 2025 at 3:47 AM
“Quick, we need interviews with property investors, banks, real estate agents, landlords and young people with rich parents who are buying them a house.” chaser.com.au/general-news...