Axel Bruns
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Axel Bruns
@snurb.info
11K followers 2.1K following 3.1K posts

Australian Laureate Fellow and Professor at @qutdmrc, researching news, politics, partisanship, polarisation in digital and social media.

He/his | Progressive Rock | Hannover 96 🖤🤍💚 | 🇦🇺🇩🇪🇪🇺

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Axel Bruns is a German-Australian media scholar. He is a Professor of Communication and Media Studies at QUT Digital Media Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia, and a Chief Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society. .. more

Communication & Media Studies 59%
Political science 14%
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snurb.info
Axel Bruns @snurb.info · Apr 25
💡 NEW ARTICLE ALERT 💡

My article with @qutdmrc.bsky.social colleagues @kkasianenko.bsky.social, @vishneww.bsky.social, @essideh.com, and @voddenlaura.bsky.social is now out in Social Media + Society.

We introduce a new analytics method: #PracticeMapping.

journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Untangling the Furball: A Practice Mapping Approach to the Analysis of Multimodal Interactions in Social Networks - Axel Bruns, Kateryna Kasianenko, Vish Padinjaredath Suresh, Ehsan Dehghan, Laura Vod...
This article introduces the analytical approach of practice mapping, using vector embeddings of network actions and interactions to map commonalities and disjun...
journals.sagepub.com

Reposted by Axel Bruns

casmudde.bsky.social
Cas Ⓜ️udde @casmudde.bsky.social · 17h
The BBC will also find out that they will never be far right enough for its critics.
Tim Davie resigns as BBC director general after accusations of ‘serious and systemic’ bias in coverage
Davie says departure is ‘my own decision’, while head of news also quits. Insiders say it ‘feels like a coup’ by broadcaster’s enemies
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, Axel Bruns

eduardosuarez.bsky.social
Eduardo Suárez @eduardosuarez.bsky.social · 17h
We've just updated this piece on what academic research says about the BBC's role in the UK

So many datapoints relevant to this week's discussions. Perhaps of interest @benansell.bsky.social @stephenkb.bsky.social @michaelsavage.bsky.social
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/bbc-und...
The BBC is under scrutiny. Here’s what research tells about its role in the UK
The BBC is the most widely used source of news in the UK. It has lower reach among the young and the less formally educated.
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk

Reposted by Axel Bruns

caadcoalition.bsky.social
CAAD_Coalition @caadcoalition.bsky.social · 17h
🚨 Our new report, Deny, Deceive, Delay: Demystified, is out now. 🚨

The report explores how Big Carbon and Big Tech use disinformation to sabotage climate action and why, despite 89% of people worldwide demanding stronger action, progress gets derailed.
buff.ly

snurb.info
Axel Bruns @snurb.info · 20h
All these deaths of truly terrible people recently provide an excellent opportunity for journalists to learn and internalise the difference between a eulogy and an obituary. ⚰️

Sadly, though, they also show that many journalists are notoriously resistant to learning. 🙅

snurb.info
Axel Bruns @snurb.info · 20h
This, but with an Amiga 1000 form factor (including the keyboard garage and dog paw print on the inside of the top cover), plus a preloaded version of Geoff Crammond’s Formula One Grand Prix, and I would be severely tempted. 😍
rocketpilot.xyz Rocketpilot 🇵🇸 @rocketpilot.xyz · 20h
If you are exactly the same kind of nerd that I am, this is fairly exciting www.gamesmen.com.au/thea1200-con...
THEA1200 Console
The Legendary ’90s Home Computer is Back. Step into a time when floppy disks ruled, pixels popped and imagination had no limits. THEA1200 brings back the spirit of the early ’90s as an astonishingly accurate, full-sized recreation of one of the most loved home computers of its era, beautifully reimagined with HDMI and USB connectivity for a modern age. Just plug it in and power it on to be transported back to a golden age of gaming. Relive the thrill of classics like Beneath a Steel Sky, Lure of the Temptress, Ruff ’n’ Tumble, Defender of the Crown I & II, the Turrican trilogy and The Settlers II, all pre-loaded and ready to play. Everything you remember and more is here, with a working keyboard, classic mouse and retro-style gamepad, it puts authentic control at your fingertips. Whether you’re replaying old favourites or sharing them with a new generation, THEA1200 makes every session feel like 1992 again. And with the Workbench desktop and USB stick support, you can explore, create and customize just like you used to. THEA1200 isn’t just a computer. It’s a time machine. Relive the joy. Rediscover the magic. Reboot the memories.
www.gamesmen.com.au

Reposted by Axel Bruns

rocketpilot.xyz
Rocketpilot 🇵🇸 @rocketpilot.xyz · 20h
If you are exactly the same kind of nerd that I am, this is fairly exciting www.gamesmen.com.au/thea1200-con...
THEA1200 Console
The Legendary ’90s Home Computer is Back. Step into a time when floppy disks ruled, pixels popped and imagination had no limits. THEA1200 brings back the spirit of the early ’90s as an astonishingly accurate, full-sized recreation of one of the most loved home computers of its era, beautifully reimagined with HDMI and USB connectivity for a modern age. Just plug it in and power it on to be transported back to a golden age of gaming. Relive the thrill of classics like Beneath a Steel Sky, Lure of the Temptress, Ruff ’n’ Tumble, Defender of the Crown I & II, the Turrican trilogy and The Settlers II, all pre-loaded and ready to play. Everything you remember and more is here, with a working keyboard, classic mouse and retro-style gamepad, it puts authentic control at your fingertips. Whether you’re replaying old favourites or sharing them with a new generation, THEA1200 makes every session feel like 1992 again. And with the Workbench desktop and USB stick support, you can explore, create and customize just like you used to. THEA1200 isn’t just a computer. It’s a time machine. Relive the joy. Rediscover the magic. Reboot the memories.
www.gamesmen.com.au

Reposted by Axel Bruns

paulbernal.bsky.social
Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 20h
Tim Davie leaves the BBC with his mission almost accomplished.

That mission, of course, was to destroy the BBC.

snurb.info
Axel Bruns @snurb.info · 21h
Nawww.
'Fedora man' pictured at Louvre heist scene unmasked as 15-year-old teenager
A 15-year-old is unmasked as the "Fedora man" in a viral image taken outside the Louvre on the day of the crown jewels heist.
www.abc.net.au

snurb.info
Axel Bruns @snurb.info · 22h
It’s not just me, is it ? For some reason Google has changed the colour of unclicked links on its search results pages to a lighter, horrible-looking almost baby blue colour recently, right ?

Frankly this annoys me more than the intrusive AI Overviews.
A Google search result, illustrating the terrible new colour choice.

Reposted by Axel Bruns

tamaleaver.bsky.social
Tama Leaver @tamaleaver.bsky.social · 1d
What do young Australians think about the 'Social Media Ban'?

Join young people and researchers online to find out what the upcoming changes mean for 12-15 year olds from around Australia.

🗓 Mon, 1 Dec 2025
⏰ 9:00am Perth ⏰ 11:00am Bris ⏰ 12:00pm Syd/Melb

👉 www.eventbrite.com.au/e/webinar-am...

Reposted by Steven Heydemann, Axel Bruns, Rosemary A. Joyce , and 3 more

gregsargent.bsky.social
Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 1d
This is really good to see: Miki Sherrill just put out a statement sharply criticizing the Senate Dems' pending cave in the government shutdown, ripping it as "malpractice" and a betrayal of the people who are "counting on us to fight for them." Sherrill knows what drove her victory. Wake up, Dems.

Reposted by Axel Bruns, Will Jennings, David R. Miller , and 1 more

seandehrlich.bsky.social
Sean Ehrlich @seandehrlich.bsky.social · 1d
I’m not sure the benefits outweigh the costs, but this is a reasonable case that there are benefits to ending the shutdown.
guygrossman.bsky.social Guy Grossman @guygrossman.bsky.social · 1d
I will probably get excommunicated from Bsky for saying that, but I can see a case for ending the shutdown now.

- Millions of civil servants did not get a salary for over a month, and millions are losing SNAP going into the holiday season.

- But, just as important...

Reposted by Axel Bruns

qutdmrc.bsky.social
QUT Digital Media Research Centre @qutdmrc.bsky.social · 1d
Another AoIR presentation from last month in Brazil! Dr Sebastian Svegaard presented "Mapping Fandom Ruptures: A Case Study of Taylor Swift Fandom Practices on Reddit". Sebastian co-authored this work w/ Sam Vilkins, Axel Bruns, Vish Padinjaredath Suresh and Kate FitzGerald
Mapping Fandom Ruptures: A Case Study Of Taylor Swift Fandom Practices On Reddit
A study of the fracturing of Swift-related subreddits over 1 year, using the practice mapping method. - Download as a PPTX, PDF or view online for free
www.slideshare.net

Reposted by Axel Bruns

bobbychernev.bsky.social
Bobby Chernev @bobbychernev.bsky.social · 1d
@actualnames.bsky.social General Ambrose Burnside and his sideburns.
Ambrose Burnside - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org

Reposted by Axel Bruns

elisethomas.bsky.social
Elise Thomas @elisethomas.bsky.social · 1d
Amazing that the list of dodgy things about Home Affairs' offshore detention contracts is so extensive that this quite long article couldn't even fit in that time we paid $432 million in taxpayer money to a company registered to a shack on Kangaroo Island www.theage.com.au/national/pou...
‘Pouring money into a trough’: Senior public servant blows whistle on allegedly ‘corrupt’ millions
The former Home Affairs assistant secretary claims money was spent on overinflated contracts or for services that were never provided.
www.theage.com.au

Reposted by Axel Bruns

abusch.bsky.social
Andreas Busch @abusch.bsky.social · 1d
Ein komplexes Datum, der 9. November: Erinnern, Scham und Hoffnung mischen sich aus deutscher Perspektive:

1918 - Waffenstillstand / armistice
1938 - Pogrom
1989 - Mauerfall / fall of the wall

The 9th of November is a complex mix of remembrance, shame, and hope from a German perspective.

snurb.info
Axel Bruns @snurb.info · 1d
Ah yes, we occasionally flirt with maturity, but have so far decided not to get too serious about it…

Reposted by Axel Bruns

earleyedition.bsky.social
Dave Earley @earleyedition.bsky.social · 1d
NSW police have gone to great lengths to stop any and every pro-Palestine anti-genocide protest. They didn't even oppose the neo-Nazi rally that was held on the steps of NSW state parliament on Saturday. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
NSW police accused of ‘sickening’ double standard over neo-Nazi rally as Jewish groups demand answers
Pro-Palestine and climate activists join Jewish voices criticising ‘entirely inconsistent police responses’ and ‘unfathomable approval’
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Axel Bruns

marquelawyers.com.au
marque lawyers @marquelawyers.com.au · 2d
There were ample laws to prevent this or shut it down. The NSW Police just didn’t want to.

Reposted by Axel Bruns

henrybelot.bsky.social
Henry Belot @henrybelot.bsky.social · 2d
Hannah Thomas required surgery after police allegedly struck her at a pro-Palestine protest. She was charged with three offences. She's "sickened" to see the force approve a neo-Nazi rally on the steps of parliament, arguing it exposes "a clear double standard".

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
NSW police accused of ‘sickening’ double standard over neo-Nazi rally as Jewish groups demand answers
Pro-Palestine and climate activists join Jewish voices criticising ‘entirely inconsistent police responses’ and ‘unfathomable approval’
www.theguardian.com

snurb.info
Axel Bruns @snurb.info · 2d
Oh gods, I see Lolley is persisting with his horrible “Sergeant Major in the Boer War”-style pencil moustache for yet another A-League season… #SYDvMAC

Reposted by Axel Bruns

jeremylittau.com
Jeremy Littau @jeremylittau.com · 2d
Every so often I think about how this sign was out front of houses all over my town a year ago.
Trump: Low Prices / Kamala: High Prices

snurb.info
Axel Bruns @snurb.info · 2d
OK, that seals it – he’s got my vote.
Fake Mamdani slogan: OXFORD COMMAS FOR YOU, YOU, AND YOU (Generated with https://homes.luddy.indiana.edu/ccshan/for/for.html.)

snurb.info
Axel Bruns @snurb.info · 2d
Ah yes, our weirdo tree is putting its flowers in all the wrong places again.
Picture of a tree in spring, flowering directly from its branches.

snurb.info
Axel Bruns @snurb.info · 2d
But perhaps she makes all the, um, difference ?

snurb.info
Axel Bruns @snurb.info · 2d
🗳️ OK, I’m not … always … a fan of Annabel Crabb’s work, but this is a useful primer on why Australia’s electoral system is the way it is. 🌭

(Of course we could just pretend to be a grown-up country and move to proportional representation, but that’s another matter…)
The story behind Australia's incredible democratic system
Behind the quirks of Australia's incredible democratic system are a series of complex human backstories.
www.abc.net.au

Reposted by Axel Bruns

digiphile.bsky.social
Alexander Howard @digiphile.bsky.social · 2d
“Most of the days the federal government has ever been shut down, Donald Trump was the president.”— @howtoreadthisch.art
www.howtoreadthisch.art/red-versus-b...
Pie Chart: Distribution of shutdown days since 1980 As of Nov. 8, 2025. Reagan G.H.W. Bush Trump (second term) Clinton Obama Trump (first term) Wikipedia

Reposted by Axel Bruns, Simon Lester

parkermolloy.com
Parker Molloy @parkermolloy.com · 2d
The funny thing is that on the WaPo site, if you click on the comments section, it gives you an AI-generated summary of people's responses that is basically like "They all disagree with the paper's right-wing turn"
Highlights Summary The conversation explores a strong reaction to the Washington Post's editorial on Zohran Mamdani, with many participants criticizing the piece for its tone and language. Several comments express disbelief and disappointment at the use of terms like "Generalissimo" to describe Mamdani, suggesting that the editorial board's portrayal is exaggerated and biased. Some readers argue that the editorial reflects a rightward shift in the Post's perspective, aligning more with corporate interests and the wealthy elite, rather than providing a balanced view. Others defend Mamdani's focus on addressing economic inequality and supporting working people, contrasting it with the editorial's negative framing. Overall, the discussion highlights a divide between the editorial's portrayal and the readers' perception of Mamdani's priorities and worldview. Show less i This summary is Al-generated.

Reposted by Axel Bruns, Juan Cole, Brian Keegan

dreamweasel.bsky.social
Dreamweasel @dreamweasel.bsky.social · 2d
CNN: The guy worth half a trillion dollars has just been awarded a trillion-dollar bonus

NYT: The president took a break from building a giant golden White House ballroom to eliminate SNAP benefits

CBS: It remains baffling that so many voters are willing to consider socialism

Reposted by Axel Bruns

pauleric70.bsky.social
Paul Eric Scannell @pauleric70.bsky.social · 2d
Remember when Donald Trump said there would be people standing in bread lines trying to get food if Kamala Harris won?

People are standing in line for food in Cleveland because of Donald Trump.

It’s always pure projection.