Johan Lidberg
@johanlidberg.bsky.social
Australian/Swedish educator, researcher and journalist. Views are my own. Sharing does not equal endorsement. Love the great outdoors.
This was lower than low, even for Trump. Is he loosing his grip on the media cycle?: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/19/trump-quiet-piggy?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
‘Unforgivable’: Trump’s ‘piggy’ insult is stoking more outrage than usual
The clip of the US president on Air Force One last Friday has taken off without much help from the media itself
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:29 AM
This was lower than low, even for Trump. Is he loosing his grip on the media cycle?: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/19/trump-quiet-piggy?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
How do these lobbyists sleep at night?: theconversation.com/brazil-is-tr...
Brazil is trying to stop fossil fuel interests derailing COP30 with one simple measure
More fossil fuel lobbyists are coming to global climate talks to try to get favourable outcomes. Now their role is in the spotlight.
theconversation.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:03 AM
How do these lobbyists sleep at night?: theconversation.com/brazil-is-tr...
A perfect example of what happens in the age of mis and disinformation: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/19/the-9tn-cost-to-australians-how-a-misrepresented-figure-on-net-zero-took-on-a-life-of-its-own?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
The $9tn cost to Australians: how a ‘misrepresented’ figure on net zero took on a life of its own
A network of climate academics called Net Zero Australia say the actual cost of building a low-carbon energy system to Australians would be about $300bn
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:26 PM
A perfect example of what happens in the age of mis and disinformation: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/19/the-9tn-cost-to-australians-how-a-misrepresented-figure-on-net-zero-took-on-a-life-of-its-own?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
It'll be super interesting to see how the monitoring goes. I hope the data collected will be publicly available (in anonymous form): www.crikey.com.au/2025/11/18/t...
Here's what the government is tracking to see if the teen social media ban is a success
With an independent review of the law due two years after the ban begins on December 10, the government is already collecting data to see how its social media minimum age policy affects young Australi...
www.crikey.com.au
November 19, 2025 at 4:34 AM
It'll be super interesting to see how the monitoring goes. I hope the data collected will be publicly available (in anonymous form): www.crikey.com.au/2025/11/18/t...
Australians are markedly more worried about US interference, still wary about China: new poll
theconversation.com/australians-...
theconversation.com/australians-...
Australians are markedly more worried about US interference, still wary about China: new poll
More than half of respondents in a new survey said they were concerned about US interference in Australia, a jump of nearly 20 points since 2021.
theconversation.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Australians are markedly more worried about US interference, still wary about China: new poll
theconversation.com/australians-...
theconversation.com/australians-...
Disgusting! No individual should have this much power and money. It illustrates how markets strive towards excess rather than balance: stories.theconversation.com/visualising-...
Visualising Elon Musk's record-breaking pay deal
Elon Musk's latest pay package has just been approved, which will make him the world's first trillionaire in the next 10 years. How can one person wield such tremendous wealth?
stories.theconversation.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Disgusting! No individual should have this much power and money. It illustrates how markets strive towards excess rather than balance: stories.theconversation.com/visualising-...
Reposted by Johan Lidberg
Instead of exporting American free speech and free press values as a cost of doing business with us, we’re importing the Saudi approach. Or maybe the Saudi way was really just our values all along.
Hosting a man who (per the CIA) ordered the murder of a journalist, Trump berates a journalist who dares to "embarrass our guest" by asking about it and later threatens to take away her network's license for asking about Epstein files.
November 18, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Instead of exporting American free speech and free press values as a cost of doing business with us, we’re importing the Saudi approach. Or maybe the Saudi way was really just our values all along.
Corruption, corruption, corruption: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11/18/world/trump-saudi-crown-prince-visit?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Trump Praises Saudi Prince and Dismisses Question About Killing of Khashoggi: Live Updates
Hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Trump brushed off the murder of Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents, saying, “Things happen.” Fighter jets and investment deals are on the leaders’ agenda today.
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Corruption, corruption, corruption: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11/18/world/trump-saudi-crown-prince-visit?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Grattan delivers, again. The next Liberal leader is "operating in an Australian electorate that is progressive, both now and for the foreseeable future.": theconversation.com/grattan-on-f...
Grattan on Friday: In dumping net zero, the Liberals have thumbed their noses at voters they need to win
This week the Liberals have scraped their commitment to net-zero in an effort to keep the Coaltion united.
theconversation.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Grattan delivers, again. The next Liberal leader is "operating in an Australian electorate that is progressive, both now and for the foreseeable future.": theconversation.com/grattan-on-f...
Another nuts, just nuts!: www.crikey.com.au/2025/11/17/t...
Tasmania’s Macquarie Point Stadium by the (ruinous) numbers
We've compiled the numbers to help you follow the coming — and supposedly final — stadium debate in the Tasmanian Legislative Council.
www.crikey.com.au
November 17, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Another nuts, just nuts!: www.crikey.com.au/2025/11/17/t...
Right, my bank. The problem is, most banks (at least the Big 4) are arseholes. But I'll keep this in mind next loan renegotiation: www.crikey.com.au/2025/11/17/a...
ANZ's culture of denial is still deeply entrenched — as it tries to sneak out the trash
ANZ has deeply entrenched cultural problems, a new report shows. And to demonstrate, the bank slipped the report out on a Friday afternoon.
www.crikey.com.au
November 17, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Right, my bank. The problem is, most banks (at least the Big 4) are arseholes. But I'll keep this in mind next loan renegotiation: www.crikey.com.au/2025/11/17/a...
There are no words to describe this bullshit climate change policy, although, Keane gives it a good shot: www.crikey.com.au/2025/11/17/l...
The Liberals' climate policy is so bad even denialists are shocked. What will moderates do?
The Liberals' surrender on climate is so abject even the Nationals think it has gone too far. But will Liberal moderates do anything? Hardly.
www.crikey.com.au
November 17, 2025 at 6:00 AM
There are no words to describe this bullshit climate change policy, although, Keane gives it a good shot: www.crikey.com.au/2025/11/17/l...
Interesting points: https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-competitiveness-industry-technology
Europe today looks like Renaissance Italy — and that’s a problem
Europeans can either wake up or resign themselves to becoming a continent of monuments and echoing memories.
www.politico.eu
November 17, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Interesting points: https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-competitiveness-industry-technology
The climate scientists are trying their best to focus on the few positive signs. Unfortunately, the negative signs are still overwhelming: theconversation.com/the-worlds-c...
The world’s carbon emissions continue to rise. But 35 countries show progress in cutting carbon
In 2025 the world has fallen short, again, of peaking and reducing its fossil fuel use. But there are many countries on a path to greener energy.
theconversation.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:01 AM
The climate scientists are trying their best to focus on the few positive signs. Unfortunately, the negative signs are still overwhelming: theconversation.com/the-worlds-c...
Regulators and MPs asleep at the wheel landed us in this nightmare: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/books/review/the-age-of-extraction-tim-wu.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
How Big Tech’s Unchecked Power Could Swallow Us All
Tim Wu’s “The Age of Extraction” is a dispiriting guide to the way Silicon Valley has warped our markets and our democracy.
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Regulators and MPs asleep at the wheel landed us in this nightmare: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/books/review/the-age-of-extraction-tim-wu.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Let’s call this bill for what it is - apartheid: https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/lawmakers-approve-bill-on-death-penalty-for-terrorists-in-its-first-reading/
Lawmakers approve bill on death penalty for terrorists in its first reading
* * *
www.timesofisrael.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Let’s call this bill for what it is - apartheid: https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/lawmakers-approve-bill-on-death-penalty-for-terrorists-in-its-first-reading/
Nuts! Just nuts: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/business/elon-musk-tesla-pay-vote.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Elon Musk Wins $1 Trillion Tesla Pay Package
Tesla shareholders approved a plan to grant Elon Musk shares worth nearly $1 trillion if he meets ambitious goals, including vastly expanding the company’s stock market valuation.
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:01 AM
The old truth holds: it’s easy to call for transparency from opposition, walking the talk in government is a different matter: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/05/labor-accused-burying-jobs-for-mates-report?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Labor accused of ‘burying’ controversial jobs for mates report after going to extraordinary lengths to keep secret
Secrecy around public release of 2023 review findings has angered crossbenchers in parliament, leading to Senate question time revolt
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:17 PM
The old truth holds: it’s easy to call for transparency from opposition, walking the talk in government is a different matter: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/05/labor-accused-burying-jobs-for-mates-report?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Dick Cheney is not a politician I'll miss: www.crikey.com.au/2025/11/05/d...
Dick Cheney shaped our world for the worse, and profited immensely from it
Former US vice president Dick Cheney, dead at 84, leaves a sordid legacy of war profiteering and torture advocacy.
www.crikey.com.au
November 5, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Dick Cheney is not a politician I'll miss: www.crikey.com.au/2025/11/05/d...
Grokipedia - that’s one platform I won’t use. It should be widely boycotted: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/04/trump-media-buddies-are-muddling-reality-whole-new-level?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Trump and his media buddies are taking the muddling of reality to a whole new level | Arwa Mahdawi
How scared should we be by Trump’s heavily edited appearance on a US news programme this weekend, and Elon Musk’s Grokipedia, asks Arwa Mahdawi
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Grokipedia - that’s one platform I won’t use. It should be widely boycotted: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/04/trump-media-buddies-are-muddling-reality-whole-new-level?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Disgusting! Makes it very hard to enjoy footy. But good on the teams that have divested: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-03/afl-football-pokies-machines-gambling/105953142?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=link
Each day, these football-owned poker machines rake in more than $300k
There are calls for football teams to distance themselves from poker machines after data found more than $110 million was lost at venues owned by football clubs and leagues in the last financial year.
www.abc.net.au
November 2, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Disgusting! Makes it very hard to enjoy footy. But good on the teams that have divested: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-03/afl-football-pokies-machines-gambling/105953142?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=link