Viv Smythe
@vivsmythe.bsky.social
ex-blogger & current #GuardianAus minion (views my own) - signal-boosting, socialising, snark
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Avatar: cockatoo headshot, sulphur crest raised.
Banner: sunrise above low hills and a lake, large trees in the foreground, puffy clouds up high.
Alt text -
Avatar: cockatoo headshot, sulphur crest raised.
Banner: sunrise above low hills and a lake, large trees in the foreground, puffy clouds up high.
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Viv Smythe
@vivsmythe.bsky.social
· Dec 4
After years of busy blogging as a hobby, and now my job is reading other people's words, I don't have much oomph left for composing opening posts, so mostly signal-boost. I enjoy responding to other people's thoughts however. If you want to grok me check my Replies tab.
Reposted by Viv Smythe
Rony Abou-Khalil www.abc.net.au/news/health/...
Controversial apple cider vinegar weight-loss study retracted
A scientific journal has retracted a study that claimed apple cider vinegar rivalled Ozempic as a weight-loss agent.
www.abc.net.au
September 24, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Rony Abou-Khalil www.abc.net.au/news/health/...
Reposted by Viv Smythe
I don't know why this lad is building a subterranean city for cats, but I'm all for it.
August 16, 2025 at 11:12 PM
I don't know why this lad is building a subterranean city for cats, but I'm all for it.
Reposted by Viv Smythe
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... Sent a warning by Israeli intelligence to stop reporting. When he refused, his father was killed in an airstrike. Dahdouh told its a dangerous job, no one would fault him for returning to his wife &child. He refused, & was decapitated in a targeted strike.
Gaza’s journalists are talented, professional and dignified. That’s why Israel targets them | Nesrine Malik
Recent killings have dazed the world and provoked condemnation. But little is said about the calibre of Palestinian journalism, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
www.theguardian.com
August 18, 2025 at 12:31 PM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... Sent a warning by Israeli intelligence to stop reporting. When he refused, his father was killed in an airstrike. Dahdouh told its a dangerous job, no one would fault him for returning to his wife &child. He refused, & was decapitated in a targeted strike.
Reposted by Viv Smythe
Gone.
Brandner Glacier from Schesaplana (2964 m, Rätikon)
2000 (17 Aug.) | 2025 (05 Aug.)
A symbolic farewell to Brandner Gl. was held on 8th July 2023 ✝️
We are losing much more than 'pretty landscapes'! 🔥
📷 Sources
www.flickr.com/photos/m-klu...
www.hikr.org/gallery/phot...
🙏 @jojoski2.bsky.social
2000 (17 Aug.) | 2025 (05 Aug.)
A symbolic farewell to Brandner Gl. was held on 8th July 2023 ✝️
We are losing much more than 'pretty landscapes'! 🔥
📷 Sources
www.flickr.com/photos/m-klu...
www.hikr.org/gallery/phot...
🙏 @jojoski2.bsky.social
August 18, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Gone.
Reposted by Viv Smythe
This amazing woman has gifted millions of children with a book to start them off on a lifelong exploration of new worlds, histories,cultures, ideas & entertainment.
August 5, 2025 at 3:41 PM
This amazing woman has gifted millions of children with a book to start them off on a lifelong exploration of new worlds, histories,cultures, ideas & entertainment.
Reposted by Viv Smythe
A very good article and worth reading.
The key line for me was the question on relying on US support, where Evans questions whether we ever really could. The answer is no. The alliance was always one sided, and there is reasonable evidence to suggest that the U.S. denied assistance in the past. 🧵
The key line for me was the question on relying on US support, where Evans questions whether we ever really could. The answer is no. The alliance was always one sided, and there is reasonable evidence to suggest that the U.S. denied assistance in the past. 🧵
I don't know, Gareth. A smarter country could and would certainly abandon its confected "fears" over China, but can Australia ever abandon its racism? I think not. Not in my lifetime, anyway. #auspol
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/07...
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/07...
Abandoning our fears: how Australia should respond to US-China regional confrontation
A presentation by Professor Gareth Evans, former Australian foreign minister, to the University of Melbourne Australian Peace and Security Forum Webinar Abandoning our Fears: Finding Peace and Securit...
johnmenadue.com
July 12, 2025 at 9:11 PM
A very good article and worth reading.
The key line for me was the question on relying on US support, where Evans questions whether we ever really could. The answer is no. The alliance was always one sided, and there is reasonable evidence to suggest that the U.S. denied assistance in the past. 🧵
The key line for me was the question on relying on US support, where Evans questions whether we ever really could. The answer is no. The alliance was always one sided, and there is reasonable evidence to suggest that the U.S. denied assistance in the past. 🧵
Reposted by Viv Smythe
Born today- the great Eva Marie Saint, still alive at 101(!) and Bill Withers, who passed in 2020
July 4, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Born today- the great Eva Marie Saint, still alive at 101(!) and Bill Withers, who passed in 2020
Reposted by Viv Smythe
Outerborough New Yorker of a certain age who grew up in the real estate business damn well knows what it means, meant what he said, and relishes the reaction.
July 4, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Outerborough New Yorker of a certain age who grew up in the real estate business damn well knows what it means, meant what he said, and relishes the reaction.
Reposted by Viv Smythe
This, of course, is why the Project 2025 architects are systematically dismantling anything that provides for the common good in any way.
They are hoping scared, desperate people will be too busy fighting over scraps to mount a resistance.
On the Fourth of July, I’d love to see them proven wrong.
They are hoping scared, desperate people will be too busy fighting over scraps to mount a resistance.
On the Fourth of July, I’d love to see them proven wrong.
McMorrow: What Trump has done is weaponize us against each other, when everybody needs hospitals, good schools, and health care.
It has become this battle for scarcity, when we’re the wealthiest country in the world. We should not be fighting each other for our basic needs.
It has become this battle for scarcity, when we’re the wealthiest country in the world. We should not be fighting each other for our basic needs.
July 4, 2025 at 9:14 PM
This, of course, is why the Project 2025 architects are systematically dismantling anything that provides for the common good in any way.
They are hoping scared, desperate people will be too busy fighting over scraps to mount a resistance.
On the Fourth of July, I’d love to see them proven wrong.
They are hoping scared, desperate people will be too busy fighting over scraps to mount a resistance.
On the Fourth of July, I’d love to see them proven wrong.
Reposted by Viv Smythe
This 🧵.
For US corporate media, the only thing worse than a Muslim politician is
a principled, disciplined, truth-telling, popular, courageous Muslim politician.
For US corporate media, the only thing worse than a Muslim politician is
a principled, disciplined, truth-telling, popular, courageous Muslim politician.
July 4, 2025 at 9:24 PM
This 🧵.
For US corporate media, the only thing worse than a Muslim politician is
a principled, disciplined, truth-telling, popular, courageous Muslim politician.
For US corporate media, the only thing worse than a Muslim politician is
a principled, disciplined, truth-telling, popular, courageous Muslim politician.
Reposted by Viv Smythe
All too familiar.
Hopefully the Murdochs have the same 'success' in their campaigning for fellow billionaires as they did in the Australian election.
Hopefully the Murdochs have the same 'success' in their campaigning for fellow billionaires as they did in the Australian election.
You know, Europe has lots of Democratic Socialists in their parliaments. Oh and free national healthcare.
June 26, 2025 at 9:57 PM
All too familiar.
Hopefully the Murdochs have the same 'success' in their campaigning for fellow billionaires as they did in the Australian election.
Hopefully the Murdochs have the same 'success' in their campaigning for fellow billionaires as they did in the Australian election.
Reposted by Viv Smythe
Cuomo had the endorsements, the money, and the party machine behind him. But Zohran Mamdani had a coalition that cut across age, race, and boroughs—and it carried him to victory in NYC's mayoral primary. Now, Democrats are asking: is Mamdani’s win a one-off or a model for the party’s future?
Zohran Mamdani: Cautionary Tale Or Model For Democratic Success?
After Mamdani's surprise victory, Democrats should be taking notes
thinkbigpicture.substack.com
June 26, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Cuomo had the endorsements, the money, and the party machine behind him. But Zohran Mamdani had a coalition that cut across age, race, and boroughs—and it carried him to victory in NYC's mayoral primary. Now, Democrats are asking: is Mamdani’s win a one-off or a model for the party’s future?
Reposted by Viv Smythe
"A survey by Oxfam found that 86% of people supported paying for public services by 'closing loopholes' that allow wealthy individuals and large corporations to use tax havens."
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ju...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ju...
Billionaires’ wealth surged $6.5tn over past decade, Oxfam reports
Real-terms gains of $33.9tn for world’s richest 1% ‘enough to end annual global poverty 22 times over’, charity says
www.theguardian.com
June 26, 2025 at 10:18 PM
"A survey by Oxfam found that 86% of people supported paying for public services by 'closing loopholes' that allow wealthy individuals and large corporations to use tax havens."
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ju...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ju...
Reposted by Viv Smythe
“It’s gaslighting, because you have to actually reduce emissions or climate change will just run away"
OK, there is a difference between the Coalition and Labor on climate policy:
The LNP has no interest in carbon reduction.
The Albanese govt just pretends to.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
OK, there is a difference between the Coalition and Labor on climate policy:
The LNP has no interest in carbon reduction.
The Albanese govt just pretends to.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Labor accused of ‘gaslighting’ Australians on climate crisis as fossil fuel projects keep getting approved
‘They offer sympathy and then just go and approve massive fossil fuel projects anyway,’ one advocate says
www.theguardian.com
June 5, 2025 at 9:08 PM
“It’s gaslighting, because you have to actually reduce emissions or climate change will just run away"
OK, there is a difference between the Coalition and Labor on climate policy:
The LNP has no interest in carbon reduction.
The Albanese govt just pretends to.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
OK, there is a difference between the Coalition and Labor on climate policy:
The LNP has no interest in carbon reduction.
The Albanese govt just pretends to.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Viv Smythe
once again I must tap my own sign
June 5, 2025 at 9:13 PM
once again I must tap my own sign
Well well well: who could have foreseen this meeting of egos turning so sour?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Musk calls for Trump to be impeached as extraordinary feud escalates
Former adviser taunts president over links to Epstein while Trump threatens to cancel contracts for Musk companies
www.theguardian.com
June 5, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Well well well: who could have foreseen this meeting of egos turning so sour?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Viv Smythe
As winter is upon us - We are in breeding season 2025: Pewter the Powerful Owl upon-clean-creek with ringtail prey dinner for his mate Sheba in the hollow #birds
May 27, 2025 at 5:34 AM
As winter is upon us - We are in breeding season 2025: Pewter the Powerful Owl upon-clean-creek with ringtail prey dinner for his mate Sheba in the hollow #birds
Reposted by Viv Smythe
The problem is that Twitter really was the last big critical mass of people who were on a social media platform that was difficult to monetise. Facebook and insta have become completely enshittified, blogsites died with the pivot to video.
Twitter was the last major non-commodified community space.
Twitter was the last major non-commodified community space.
Bluesky won’t recreate peak Twitter. Twitter won’t recreate peak Twitter. Instagram isn’t going to go back to good Instagram. All this handwringing seems to yearning for a moment in social media history that isn’t ever coming back. Get used to it, figure out new things, build real community.
May 27, 2025 at 1:39 AM
The problem is that Twitter really was the last big critical mass of people who were on a social media platform that was difficult to monetise. Facebook and insta have become completely enshittified, blogsites died with the pivot to video.
Twitter was the last major non-commodified community space.
Twitter was the last major non-commodified community space.
Reposted by Viv Smythe
Other countries tax their oil and gas industries. Australia subsidies ours.
Our research found while gas prices boomed in 2022, LNG companies made windfall gains of up to $40 billion. PRRT take increased by less than $1 billion.
It's time to fix the tax loopholes that Big Gas exploits. #auspol
Our research found while gas prices boomed in 2022, LNG companies made windfall gains of up to $40 billion. PRRT take increased by less than $1 billion.
It's time to fix the tax loopholes that Big Gas exploits. #auspol
May 27, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Other countries tax their oil and gas industries. Australia subsidies ours.
Our research found while gas prices boomed in 2022, LNG companies made windfall gains of up to $40 billion. PRRT take increased by less than $1 billion.
It's time to fix the tax loopholes that Big Gas exploits. #auspol
Our research found while gas prices boomed in 2022, LNG companies made windfall gains of up to $40 billion. PRRT take increased by less than $1 billion.
It's time to fix the tax loopholes that Big Gas exploits. #auspol
Reposted by Viv Smythe
May 27, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Reposted by Viv Smythe
Just in case your #cyber threat landscape wasn’t busy enough self replicating #AI is here 😱
https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.12140
https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.12140
May 27, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Just in case your #cyber threat landscape wasn’t busy enough self replicating #AI is here 😱
https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.12140
https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.12140
Reposted by Viv Smythe
This government approving the further destruction of Murujuga will devastate rock art over 50000 years old and add momentum to climate collapse for every future generation.
They’re pulling off the most epoch spanning crime in human history.
So congrats I guess.
They’re pulling off the most epoch spanning crime in human history.
So congrats I guess.
May 22, 2025 at 10:01 AM
This government approving the further destruction of Murujuga will devastate rock art over 50000 years old and add momentum to climate collapse for every future generation.
They’re pulling off the most epoch spanning crime in human history.
So congrats I guess.
They’re pulling off the most epoch spanning crime in human history.
So congrats I guess.
Pussycat likes scritches
May 22, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Pussycat likes scritches
Reposted by Viv Smythe
Wow.
There really is no bottom, is there?
There really is no bottom, is there?
Un-Fucking-believable
Trump Justice Department appointee suggests criminal charges for Jill Biden www.rawstory.com/trump-justic...
Trump Justice Department appointee suggests criminal charges for Jill Biden www.rawstory.com/trump-justic...
Trump Justice Department appointee suggests criminal charges for Jill Biden
As the country grapples with the news that former President Joe Biden has stage four prostate cancer, the right wing made jokes and attacks that extended beyond the president. One of those came from a...
www.rawstory.com
May 19, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Wow.
There really is no bottom, is there?
There really is no bottom, is there?
Reposted by Viv Smythe
"Norway's (Equinor's) oil and gas extraction has caused climate damage of over 2000 billion kroner according to a new study. It is difficult to find words to describe the actions of the oil state, they know that they are causing death and suffering, but the pursuit of money controls everything."
Den norska statens (Equinor) olje- och gasutvinning har medfört klimatskador på över 2000 miljarder kr enligt ny studie. Det är svårt att finna ord för att beskriva oljestatens agerande, de vet att de orsakar död och lidande, men pengajakten styr allt. www.nrk.no/klima/forske...
Forskere mener Equinors olje og gass har ført til 2261 milliarder kroner i klimaskader
For første gang har forskere sett på hva enkelte selskapers virksomhet har ført til av kostnader på grunn av en varmere verden. Ikke konstruktivt, mener Equinor.
www.nrk.no
May 16, 2025 at 8:36 AM
"Norway's (Equinor's) oil and gas extraction has caused climate damage of over 2000 billion kroner according to a new study. It is difficult to find words to describe the actions of the oil state, they know that they are causing death and suffering, but the pursuit of money controls everything."