Matt Fitzpatrick
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kilderbenhauser.bsky.social
Matt Fitzpatrick
@kilderbenhauser.bsky.social
4K followers 1.4K following 350 posts
Historian, particularly of Germany, empires, colonialism, mass expulsions, global royals and ideas. Occasionally complaint rock and other nonsense. Living and working on Kaurna yarta.
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kilderbenhauser.bsky.social
Matt Fitzpatrick @kilderbenhauser.bsky.social · Jun 19
Official release day for my newie 'A Pacific Power: Liberal Imperialism in German Samoa'. And I have copies!! Would love to see this in a few libraries. You can order it here: global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
kreienbaumj.bsky.social
How can European history be integrated into global history? This is the question at the heart of „Globalizing Europe“ edited by @davidmotadel.bsky.social. Here is my review.
hsozkult.bsky.social H-Soz-Kult @hsozkult.bsky.social · 2d
Rez: D. Motadel (Hrsg.): Globalizing Europe

https://www.hsozkult.de/publicationreview/id/reb-152277

D. Motadel (Hrsg.): Globalizing Europe
www.hsozkult.de
November 19, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
colonial-memories.bsky.social
Dekolonial Erinnern in Deutschland: Neues Heft von Geo-Epoche „Die deutschen Kolonien“, parallel zum Dezember-Heft von GEO mit Interview zum deutschen Kolonialismus. Mit DVD Film „Das leere Grab“.

@sharondoduaotoo.bsky.social @kilderbenhauser.bsky.social @he-mel.bsky.social @goldmatt.bsky.social
Titelseite von GEO-Epoche „Die deutschen Kolonien“, Nr. 135 Editorial von Jens-Rainer Berg: „Kolonialismus war ein Verbrechen. Wie sonst soll man es nennen, wenn die Vertreter eines Landes ungefragt in die Heimat fremder Gemeinschaften eindringen, dort Herrschaften, Stützpunkte und Siedlungen errichten, Gewalt ausüben, ausbeuten, unter-drücken, morden in hunderttausendfacher Zahl. So wie es die Deutschen in den Jahren zwischen 1884 und 1919 auf drei Erdteilen getan haben. Der Kolonialismus war eine verwerfliche Tat - und er hatte Täter und Opfer. Täter waren in diesem Fall die Deutschen (und ihre Kollaborateure), Opfer die Einheimischen. Das zu benennen und zu schildern, die Schuld zu verdeutlichen und das vielfältige Leid, ist wichtig. Und doch birgt dieses Unterfangen eine Gefahr: dass man die Einheimischen auch nachträglich nur zur Passivität der Leidtragenden verdammt, ihnen ihre Fähigkeit zu handeln und ihre Version der Ereignisse abspricht. Es ist eine Einseitigkeit, die sich ebenso in den Bildern aus der Kolonialzeit wiederfin-det. Denn nahezu alle Fotografien, die aus jenen Jahren überliefert sind, stammen aus der Hand der Kolonialherren, die Kulturen gegenüber-standen, die keine Kameras kannten. Die Aufnahmen gehorchen daher fast immer dem, was die Wissenschaft den „kolonialen Blick" nennt. Einer Sicht, die ganz der europäischen Perspektive der damaligen Zeit entspricht: Die Kolonisatoren erscheinen da in der Regel als stolze, selbstverständliche Oberherren, die Einheimi- GEO EPOCHE KOLONIALISMUS schen dagegen als Unterworfene, als Angehörige vermeintlich unterentwickelter „Rassen", als Kuriositäten - bestenfalls exotische Attraktionen, schlimmstenfalls verachtete angeblich Minderwertige. Für die Bebilderung dieser Ausgabe gab es dennoch keine Alternative zu diesen harten, trotzdem wichtigen Zeitzeug-nissen, zu denen auch Zeichnungen und Grafiken zählen. Wir haben allerdings bei der Auswahl versucht, allzu krasse sowie rassistische Darstellungen zu vermeiden, es sei denn sie sollten genau das: den oft tief verankert… Inhaltsverzeichnis: „BILDESSAY Ein Imperium in der Fremde 1884-1919 Die Deutschen errichten das drittgrößte Kolonialreich der Erde 6 KARTE Weltmacht ohne Plan Weit verstreut liegen Berlins Besitzungen in Übersee 22 • CARL PETERS Blutige Landnahme 1884 Ein Pfarrerssohn agiert in Ostafrika als brutaler Pionier_ 24 • MISSIONARE In Gottes Auftrag in die Südsee 1886 Kaiser-Wilhelmsland wird zum Ziel von Geistlichen 44 • SIEDLERALLTAG Das andere Deurschland 1893 Dünkelhaft geht es zu in Deutsch-Südwestafrika 48 HERERO UND NAMA Krieg der Vernichtung Deutsche Truppen begehen einen Völkermord 59 ZEITLEISTE Daten und Fakten 67 • KOLONIAL-AUSSTELLUNG Ein Ort zum Gaffen 1896 Mit einer »Völkerschau« wirbt Berlin für das imperiale Projekt 80 EXPANSION NACH CHINA Heimathafen in Fernost 1897 Das »Pachtgebiet« Kiautschou soll als Musterkolonie dienen _ 94 • DEUTSCH-SAMOA Der Südseckönig 1900 Gouverneur Wilhelm Solf offenbart kulturelles Verständnis_ 9s • MAJI-MAJI-KRIEG Kampf für die Freiheit 1905-1908 In Ostafrika sterben Hunderttausende im Widerstand 1T2 • KUNSTLERISCHE REAKTION Der Blick der Anderen am 1900 Einheimische erschaffen entlarvende Bildnisse der Europäer 132 ENDE Der geplatzte Traum 1919 Mit dem Ersten Weltkrieg verliert das Reich alle Kolonien 146 INTERVIEW »Die Traumata sind vicischichrig-Eine tansanische Historikerin über das Erbe der Kolonialzeit 152
November 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
kilderbenhauser.bsky.social
In the archives some days not much emerges. But sometimes an entire journal article falls into place with about an hour's reading. Today was the latter. 🤓
November 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
arc-tracker.bsky.social
“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. 😡
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
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
vukusiciva.bsky.social
Imagine coming to a country after fleeing war, miserable and impoverished, possibly traumatised. All you have is some family jewellery, maybe your dead mother's necklace. And then they take it away. Cruelty beyond belief. What is the UK doing?!?!
benstanley.eu Ben Stanley @benstanley.eu · 2d
Imagine having a thumping majority in parliament and deciding to use it for something as squalid as this.
November 17, 2025 at 9:40 AM
kilderbenhauser.bsky.social
I'm giving a talk on Monday in Berlin for those around.
**** Global History Colloquium: Matt Fitzpatrick (Flinders University) on "The Diplomacy of Colonial Cruelty: German Samoa and the Treatment of Chinese Labourers" *** share.google/s7sxXYD6xJmm...
Global History Colloquium: Matt Fitzpatrick (Flinders University) on
share.google
November 15, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
ptrckflmm.bsky.social
Why low-flying German military planes are in New Zealand skies:

“The joint exercise- Tūhono Rangi - involves German military aircraft doing formation and low-altitude flights and deploying parachutists and cargo around the country.”
Why low-flying German military planes are in New Zealand skies
If you looked up in certain parts of the country this week, you may have seen planes you didn't recognise.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 14, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
jhaentzschel.bsky.social
Mein Kommentar zum Kolonialismus-Rollback von Wolfram Weimer
www.sueddeutsche.de/meinung/deut...
Deutschland war in der Erinnerungskultur schon mal weiter
Kulturstaatsminister Wolfram Weimer streicht das Geld zusammen, das die Erinnerung an deutsche Kolonialverbrechen ermöglichen soll. Was für ein Fehler
www.sueddeutsche.de
September 25, 2025 at 7:26 PM
kilderbenhauser.bsky.social
I was just sounding off about psychohistory the other day, and here we are. Remember that terrible book "The Psychopathic God"? It's back, only stupider.
manwithoutatan.bsky.social Bodie A. Ashton @manwithoutatan.bsky.social · 6d
We do not need yet more post facto diagnoses of Adolf Hitler. Such things have been happening since the 1940s and historians — real ones, not the ones who write Father’s Day pulp — put no stock in them, because as explanatory devices they tell us, in the technical jargon of my discipline, fuck all.
November 13, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
roofjoke.netzpolitik.org
Was für eine Schande für Europa. Die kürzlich erst beschlossene Lieferkettenrichtlinie sollte Konzerne zur Verantwortung ziehen für Menschenrechtsverletzungen und Umweltschäden im Ausland. Um die Regeln zu verwässern, wie Friedrich Merz es gefordert hatte, stimmen Konservative mit Rechtsextremen.
spiegel.de DER SPIEGEL @spiegel.de · 6d
Europa-Parlament: Konservative kooperieren mit extremen Rechten: Die europäischen Konservativen brechen ein Tabu. Im Europaparlament lassen sie es auf eine Mehrheit mit Rechtsextremen ankommen, um das Lieferkettengesetz zu lockern. Die Schuld geben sie den Sozialdemokraten.
Europa-Parlament: Konservative kooperieren mit extremen Rechten
Die europäischen Konservativen brechen ein Tabu. Im Europaparlament lassen sie es auf eine Mehrheit mit Rechtsextremen ankommen, um das Lieferkettengesetz zu lockern. Die Schuld geben sie den Sozialdemokraten.
www.spiegel.de
November 13, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
he-mel.bsky.social
Kolonien hießen "Deutsch Südwestafrika" und "Deutsch Ostafrika", und die "Hottentottenwahl" war zum Reichstag. Eine offizielle Forderung der "Heim ins Reich" Ideologie war betitelt mit "Auch hier liegt deutsches Land". Vielleicht sollte der Kulturstaatsminister deutsche Geschichte besser kennen?
November 13, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
museumsfernsehen.de
Wie sich die Deutsche Erinnerungspolitik selbst "dekolonisiert" @jhaentzschel.bsky.social in der SZ (Abo oder Onleihe) www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/wolfr...
Weimers Erinnerungspolitik: Kolonialismus kommt nicht vor
Im neuen Gedenkstättenkonzept von Kulturstaatsminister Wolfram Weimer kommt der Kolonialismus nicht vor.
www.sueddeutsche.de
November 13, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
saschaharnisch.bsky.social
Looking forward to having you with us tonight!
For anyone interested in joining Matt's talk via WebEx, just send a quick email (sascha.harnisch@uni-erfurt.de) or DM to me, and I'll forward the link. We'll start at 12:15pm EST/ 3:45am ACDT (sorry Australia).
kilderbenhauser.bsky.social Matt Fitzpatrick @kilderbenhauser.bsky.social · 9d
If you happen to be in Erfurt tomorrow, I will be there too, speaking at the university about the Germans in Siam before WWI.
And if you're in Berlin, I'll be at the FU discussing the fate of Chinese contract labourers in German Samoa.
November 11, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
miketqub.bsky.social
More evidence for the coming reckoning on the Gaza genocide
November 10, 2025 at 8:41 AM
kilderbenhauser.bsky.social
If you happen to be in Erfurt tomorrow, I will be there too, speaking at the university about the Germans in Siam before WWI.
And if you're in Berlin, I'll be at the FU discussing the fate of Chinese contract labourers in German Samoa.
November 10, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
martinawinkle14.bsky.social
Sie hat so viel Wichtiges geleistet. Möge sie nun in Frieden ruhen. Gisela Bock, 1942-2025.
November 10, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
theonion.com
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
dropsitenews.com
Italian journalist Gabriele Nunziati was fired after asking the European Commission whether Israel should pay to rebuild Gaza, just as the EU says Russia must rebuild Ukraine. His outlet, Agenzia Nova, dismissed him weeks later, calling the question “out of place.”

Today, Euronews’ Vincenzo...
Italian journalist Gabriele Nunziati was fired after asking the European Commission whether Israel should pay to rebuild Gaza, just as the EU says Russia must rebuild Ukraine. His outlet, Agenzia Nova, dismissed him weeks later, calling the question “out of place.” Today, Euronews’ Vincenzo Genovese raised the issue directly with the Commission—asking for comment on the firing and repeating the same question about Israel’s responsibility for Gaza’s destruction. Brussels said it reaffirmed the EU’s “commitment to press freedom,” without commenting on the firing or the question itself.
November 9, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
robshum.bsky.social
“The fedora, angled just so, is his homage to French Resistance hero Jean Moulin.”
November 9, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
marquelawyers.com.au
There were ample laws to prevent this or shut it down. The NSW Police just didn’t want to.
November 9, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
peterjelinek.bsky.social
"Das Problem war doch nicht etwa, was unsere Feinde taten, sondern was unsere Freunde taten."
November 9, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
ketanjoshi.co
Something I've really noticed among institutional "responses" to generative technologies is that "DO NOT USE THIS TOOL, IT'S COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE" is fudamentally erased from any possibility of ever being an option

Often paired with fatalist stuff like "this isn't going away"
View Steve Little’s graphic link Steve LittleSteve Little • 2ndPremium • 2nd AI Program Director, National Genealogical Society; Founder/Owner: AI Genealogy Insights; United Methodist ClergyAI Program Director, National Genealogical Society; Founder/Owner: AI Genealogy Insights; United Methodist Clergy 1d • 1 day ago • Visible to anyone on or off LinkedIn Follow This spring, genealogists discovered a problem: new AI "photo restoration" tools and techniques using GPT-4o and Nano Banana don't actually "restore" historical images—they generate plausible new images that can permanently corrupt our historical record. The image below shows the issue. One is a historical photograph. The other is an AI-generated face based on that photograph—convincing, but completely fabricated. The man on the left is my grandfather; the man on the right is not. By August, when Google's Nano Banana made this technology instantly accessible to millions, unlabeled AI "restorations" began appearing throughout online family trees. Many were being treated as authentic historical photographs. Expert genealogists responded. The Coalition for Responsible AI in Genealogy—led by genealogists who deeply understand evidential standards and the Genealogical Proof Standard—developed practical guidelines to address this challenge. Today they released their statement: "Protecting Trust in Historical Images." Three core recommendations: 1. Always label modified images 2. Always cite the original source 3. Use as illustration, not evidence These aren't restrictive rules—they're practices that let us explore what these technologies offer while protecting the integrity of our shared historical record. As a technical advisor to the Coalition, I'm grateful to the expert genealogists who led this work and to our broader community for taking these challenges seriously. Read the full story of how the genealogy community identified and addressed this challenge: https://lnkd.in/eTgZtTW4 I’ve been privileged to serve as a technical advisor to the Coalition, but the real work here was done by genealogists who deeply understand evidential standards and the Genealogical Proof Standard. This statement reflects their expertise. The Coalition’s three core recommendations are simple and practical: Always Label modified images. Always Cite the original source. Use as Illustration, Not Evidence. For detailed guidance on implementing these recommendations, see the educational articles linked at the bottom of the statement. When we use AI tools—and many of us will—we're accountable for accuracy, transparency, and ethical practice. Our Responsibility These tools aren’t going away. As genealogists, our responsibility is clear: we must be the “humans in the loop.” When we use AI tools—and many of us will—we’re accountable for accuracy, transparency, and ethical practice. The Coalition’s guidelines help us meet that responsibility. They protect the integrity of our shared historical record while allowing us to explore what these technologies might offer.
November 8, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
evansmithhist.bsky.social
My annual post about how the Morning Star reported the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989

hatfulofhistory.com/2014/11/07/h...
November 9, 2025 at 9:02 AM
kilderbenhauser.bsky.social
Watched a BBC debate about misinformation and AI yesterday and a view emerged that if only an unbiased ur-source for AI's information could be created, its problems of misinformation would be solved. Found myself giving the implacable TV a rather loud "all knowledge is positioned" tutorial.
November 9, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Reposted by Matt Fitzpatrick
brittanytrang.com
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.

Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."

Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM