Thomas Batchelor
@tobbinatorscw.bsky.social
Linguistics PhD, Sydney > Köln > 台北
Linguistics (Creoles, Australia, Asia-Pacific, morphosyntax, policy, endangerment), politics (Syria, Taiwan, Australia in particular ig), history and other ramblings
Anarchist at heart
@tobbinatorscw in most places
Linguistics (Creoles, Australia, Asia-Pacific, morphosyntax, policy, endangerment), politics (Syria, Taiwan, Australia in particular ig), history and other ramblings
Anarchist at heart
@tobbinatorscw in most places
Reposted by Thomas Batchelor
If you don’t understand why so many Hongkongers are not satisfied by a handful of arrests and do not feel like justice has been done or that the system is working — read this.
December 27, 2025 at 9:11 AM
If you don’t understand why so many Hongkongers are not satisfied by a handful of arrests and do not feel like justice has been done or that the system is working — read this.
anything but actually give people enough time off and better wages www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Investment account for children bill proposed - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 7:01 PM
anything but actually give people enough time off and better wages www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
It's great that our first official Constitution Day is being celebrated with the country's first constitutional crisis
December 25, 2025 at 6:30 AM
It's great that our first official Constitution Day is being celebrated with the country's first constitutional crisis
"it's important Israel remain part of Eurovision as leverage to protect freedom of speech and an independent press"
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Israel extends order allowing closure of foreign broadcasters
A bill passed by parliament expands temporary powers introduced during the Gaza war to shutter outlets seen as a security threat.
www.bbc.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:13 PM
"it's important Israel remain part of Eurovision as leverage to protect freedom of speech and an independent press"
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Proposing that any constitutional court rulings be put to referendum is frankly an insane assault on constitutional law and the idea of a constitution focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
Referendums rejecting Constitutional Court rulings 'unprecedented': DPP - Focus Taiwan
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucus said on Tuesday that there is "no precedent" in democratic countries for using referendums to overturn or reject Constitutional Court rulings.
focustaiwan.tw
December 23, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Proposing that any constitutional court rulings be put to referendum is frankly an insane assault on constitutional law and the idea of a constitution focustaiwan.tw/politics/202...
some 35mm shots what i did like from hanoi last week
December 23, 2025 at 2:21 PM
some 35mm shots what i did like from hanoi last week
i think it went pretty alright but now i'm going to overanalyse everything i said in anticipation of the rejection email
Actual job interview tomorrow and actually feeling positive about it and the potential position!!
December 23, 2025 at 1:19 PM
i think it went pretty alright but now i'm going to overanalyse everything i said in anticipation of the rejection email
Reposted by Thomas Batchelor
HKU denied the vigils as they knew the events would also demand justice and call for the government to act, which is a not something you can do now. But of course, any memorial that *don’t* confront the tragedy - and it’s impossible! - would be a show of disrespect for the victims of the Tai Po fire
December 23, 2025 at 8:21 AM
HKU denied the vigils as they knew the events would also demand justice and call for the government to act, which is a not something you can do now. But of course, any memorial that *don’t* confront the tragedy - and it’s impossible! - would be a show of disrespect for the victims of the Tai Po fire
Actual job interview tomorrow and actually feeling positive about it and the potential position!!
December 22, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Actual job interview tomorrow and actually feeling positive about it and the potential position!!
Reposted by Thomas Batchelor
Israel's Security Cabinet has approved 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank as Israel expands its illegal settlement program in the Palestinian territory. Will our AUS Govt say anything about this? #auspol #IsraeliTerrorism #EndTheOccupation #FreePalestine www.bbc.com/news/article...
December 21, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Israel's Security Cabinet has approved 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank as Israel expands its illegal settlement program in the Palestinian territory. Will our AUS Govt say anything about this? #auspol #IsraeliTerrorism #EndTheOccupation #FreePalestine www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Thomas Batchelor
Taiwan is home to four major language groups.
This map shows which language is most commonly used in everyday conversations in each district, reflecting dominant use, not exclusivity.
This map shows which language is most commonly used in everyday conversations in each district, reflecting dominant use, not exclusivity.
December 22, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Taiwan is home to four major language groups.
This map shows which language is most commonly used in everyday conversations in each district, reflecting dominant use, not exclusivity.
This map shows which language is most commonly used in everyday conversations in each district, reflecting dominant use, not exclusivity.
Game awards are not real because gaming as a medium and gamers as a fanbase have not matured enough to seriously discuss artistic merits
December 21, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Game awards are not real because gaming as a medium and gamers as a fanbase have not matured enough to seriously discuss artistic merits
"At the time, I searched desperately inside myself for any memories of happiness. Now, fifty years later, I’ve learned I was part of someone else’s happiness.
What a wonderful discovery"
(After Life, 1998)
What a wonderful discovery"
(After Life, 1998)
Name your fav film quote.
December 21, 2025 at 1:23 PM
"At the time, I searched desperately inside myself for any memories of happiness. Now, fifty years later, I’ve learned I was part of someone else’s happiness.
What a wonderful discovery"
(After Life, 1998)
What a wonderful discovery"
(After Life, 1998)
I think if you copy and paste a headline and/or lede on here you should really be posting a link to the article, otherwise it is pure clout chasing
December 21, 2025 at 9:41 AM
I think if you copy and paste a headline and/or lede on here you should really be posting a link to the article, otherwise it is pure clout chasing
Reposted by Thomas Batchelor
If there only was a word for a governing system in which one set of laws applied to people of a specific race, and a completely different and much harsher set of laws applied to those of another race...
www.cbc.ca/news/world/i...
www.cbc.ca/news/world/i...
December 21, 2025 at 3:23 AM
If there only was a word for a governing system in which one set of laws applied to people of a specific race, and a completely different and much harsher set of laws applied to those of another race...
www.cbc.ca/news/world/i...
www.cbc.ca/news/world/i...
Reposted by Thomas Batchelor
I don’t remember who it was, maybe @redderbeanpaste.bsky.social?, who pointed out all those “it’s so cheap and convenient!” you hear from expats is because there are a bunch of lowly paid workers who are ‘invisible’
1/11
WSJ: "The number of ride-hailing drivers in China tripled to 7.5 million in the four years to 2024, even though the number of rides grew only by about 60% during the same period, government data shows."
www.wsj.com/world/asia/1...
WSJ: "The number of ride-hailing drivers in China tripled to 7.5 million in the four years to 2024, even though the number of rides grew only by about 60% during the same period, government data shows."
www.wsj.com/world/asia/1...
14-Hour Shifts and $1 a Delivery—but China’s Army of Gig Workers Keeps Growing
In a country once known for its factory workforce, some 200 million people are turning to informal roles as job creation slows.
www.wsj.com
December 21, 2025 at 6:43 AM
I don’t remember who it was, maybe @redderbeanpaste.bsky.social?, who pointed out all those “it’s so cheap and convenient!” you hear from expats is because there are a bunch of lowly paid workers who are ‘invisible’
Reposted by Thomas Batchelor
The Russian Red Cross is providing military training to children, engaging in propaganda networks, and operating in occupied Ukraine. But the Red Cross’ international factions and the European Commission don’t seem phased, an investigation has found.
Russian Red Cross supports Kremlin war machine – while receiving millions from the West
The Russian Red Cross is providing military training to children, engaging in propaganda networks and operating in occupied Ukraine. But the Red Cross’ international factions and the European Commissi...
www.ftm.eu
December 19, 2025 at 10:03 PM
The Russian Red Cross is providing military training to children, engaging in propaganda networks, and operating in occupied Ukraine. But the Red Cross’ international factions and the European Commission don’t seem phased, an investigation has found.
Reposted by Thomas Batchelor
Closing out my year with a journal editor shocker 🧵
Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
December 19, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Closing out my year with a journal editor shocker 🧵
Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
Just in time for Constitution Day (or Christmas as it is known in much of the world)!
I wasn't expecting this move anymore.
The Constitutional Court on Friday struck down opposition-backed legislation that had effectively paralyzed the operations of the Taiwan's top court for nearly a year, clearing the way for it to resume hearings and rule on cases.
The Constitutional Court on Friday struck down opposition-backed legislation that had effectively paralyzed the operations of the Taiwan's top court for nearly a year, clearing the way for it to resume hearings and rule on cases.
Taiwan's Constitutional Court strikes down amended court procedure act - Focus Taiwan
The Constitutional Court on Friday struck down opposition-backed legislation that had effectively paralyzed the operations of the country's top court for nearly a year, clearing the way for it to resu...
focustaiwan.tw
December 20, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Just in time for Constitution Day (or Christmas as it is known in much of the world)!
What in racialisation www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
December 20, 2025 at 6:46 AM
What in racialisation www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
Reposted by Thomas Batchelor
"By the end of November this year, China Dissent Monitor, a protest-tracking project run by Freedom House, recorded 661 rural protests in China, a 70% increase on the whole of 2024. The startling rise in unrest reflects the increasing pressures in China’s economy, particularly on low-paid workers."
The situation for rural migrant workers in China is being described by some as the “three nos”: no jobs to find, no land to cultivate, no place to go. They’re protesting, far more than the CCP would like.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Dashed dreams and land grabs: The rise of rural protests in China
Exclusive: Clashes over rural plots are increasing, as people whose big-city plans have evaporated return home to face local governments groaning under huge debt
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:36 PM
"By the end of November this year, China Dissent Monitor, a protest-tracking project run by Freedom House, recorded 661 rural protests in China, a 70% increase on the whole of 2024. The startling rise in unrest reflects the increasing pressures in China’s economy, particularly on low-paid workers."
Reposted by Thomas Batchelor
Putin says "Russia will achieve liberating its historic lands militarily." He means Russia's 1914 imperial borders.
December 19, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Putin says "Russia will achieve liberating its historic lands militarily." He means Russia's 1914 imperial borders.
Reposted by Thomas Batchelor
Big news: after being frozen for a year, Constitutional Court states its freezing by the pan-Blue controlled legislature is unconstitutional
news.ltn.com.tw/news/society...
news.ltn.com.tw/news/society...
立法程序有重大瑕疵並違反權力分立原則 憲法法庭判決憲訴法修正案違憲 - 社會 - 自由時報電子報
憲法法庭繼任7位大法官人事案，兩度遭藍白立委杯葛，目前僅有8位大法官，因憲法訴訟法新制去年底三讀，規定參與評議、判決不得低於10人，至今憲法法庭逾1年未做出判決；憲法法庭今宣判，憲法訴訟法修正案立法程序有明顯重大瑕疵，違背憲法正當立法程序，且違反憲法權力分立原則，均牴觸憲法，應自本判決公告之日起失其效力。
news.ltn.com.tw
December 19, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Big news: after being frozen for a year, Constitutional Court states its freezing by the pan-Blue controlled legislature is unconstitutional
news.ltn.com.tw/news/society...
news.ltn.com.tw/news/society...
Reposted by Thomas Batchelor
"Satellite images show Israeli forces in Gaza have continued to demolish civilian buildings during the ceasefire in areas under their control, in breach of the truce deal."
youtube.com/shorts/qYd4G...
youtube.com/shorts/qYd4G...
Satellite images reveal Israeli demolitions in Gaza during ceasefire | AJ #shorts
YouTube video by Al Jazeera English
youtube.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:03 PM
"Satellite images show Israeli forces in Gaza have continued to demolish civilian buildings during the ceasefire in areas under their control, in breach of the truce deal."
youtube.com/shorts/qYd4G...
youtube.com/shorts/qYd4G...