Chiel G., a gentle cynic
@nevele.bsky.social
Music. Books. Boardgames. Politics. Cognac. Science. Travel. Ingress. Beer. Media. Urbanism.
I hold many opinions, yet wield no power whatsoever.
A Profession Is Not A Personality
I hold many opinions, yet wield no power whatsoever.
A Profession Is Not A Personality
I don't even know where to start on this one. It's so batshit cringy sad.
Everything about this might be the saddest thing I’ve ever seen
November 25, 2025 at 11:24 AM
I don't even know where to start on this one. It's so batshit cringy sad.
Good turnout at the Cross Faction Battle Beacon Event in Melbourne, Australia @ingress.com @nianticspatial.bsky.social
Over 50 agents, deploying over 600 beacons, battling hard and many personal badges achieved.
Over 50 agents, deploying over 600 beacons, battling hard and many personal badges achieved.
November 22, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Good turnout at the Cross Faction Battle Beacon Event in Melbourne, Australia @ingress.com @nianticspatial.bsky.social
Over 50 agents, deploying over 600 beacons, battling hard and many personal badges achieved.
Over 50 agents, deploying over 600 beacons, battling hard and many personal badges achieved.
Apparently Trump's first taste of presidency was a lot earlier than 2017
November 16, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Apparently Trump's first taste of presidency was a lot earlier than 2017
So first men are not allowed to read in public anymore because it's 'performative' and now celebrities can't start book clubs anymore and share their love for reading?
I think the bigger issue is all this gatekeeping coming from a particular demographic of readers.
I think the bigger issue is all this gatekeeping coming from a particular demographic of readers.
Celebrating literature is good – but I’m running out of patience with celebrity book clubs | Emma Brockes
Sarah Jessica Parker swept all before her at the Booker prize ceremony, but is fame the best way to encourage reading, asks Guardian columnist Emma Brockes
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:54 AM
So first men are not allowed to read in public anymore because it's 'performative' and now celebrities can't start book clubs anymore and share their love for reading?
I think the bigger issue is all this gatekeeping coming from a particular demographic of readers.
I think the bigger issue is all this gatekeeping coming from a particular demographic of readers.
Look, even IF it turns out the new A Feast For Crows Illustrated Edition was not AI generated, it might well as be. There's no intent, no detail, no understanding of character or lore. Every house colour, piece of clothing and design choice feels wrong. How did this make it past editors?
November 10, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Look, even IF it turns out the new A Feast For Crows Illustrated Edition was not AI generated, it might well as be. There's no intent, no detail, no understanding of character or lore. Every house colour, piece of clothing and design choice feels wrong. How did this make it past editors?
I'm glad they group the Dutch wishing deadly diseases upon one another under the term 'medical'
November 7, 2025 at 12:14 AM
I'm glad they group the Dutch wishing deadly diseases upon one another under the term 'medical'
Completely checks out 😂
November 6, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Completely checks out 😂
Random morning thought: is the red pulse on Pink Floyd’s Pulse CD still blinking away somewhere, three decades later?
October 15, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Random morning thought: is the red pulse on Pink Floyd’s Pulse CD still blinking away somewhere, three decades later?
Just heard Smells Like Teen Spirit playing in the supermarket.
I guess it’s official that the sounds of my teenage rebellion are now background music for the pasta aisle.
I guess it’s official that the sounds of my teenage rebellion are now background music for the pasta aisle.
October 6, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Just heard Smells Like Teen Spirit playing in the supermarket.
I guess it’s official that the sounds of my teenage rebellion are now background music for the pasta aisle.
I guess it’s official that the sounds of my teenage rebellion are now background music for the pasta aisle.
Alright, finally, my submission for ABC Radio's Top 100 Books Of The 21st Century. I clearly need to read more.
Vote now: bit.ly/45rGkgE
#RadioNational #Top100Books #booksky #books
Vote now: bit.ly/45rGkgE
#RadioNational #Top100Books #booksky #books
September 13, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Alright, finally, my submission for ABC Radio's Top 100 Books Of The 21st Century. I clearly need to read more.
Vote now: bit.ly/45rGkgE
#RadioNational #Top100Books #booksky #books
Vote now: bit.ly/45rGkgE
#RadioNational #Top100Books #booksky #books
Yearly Reminder
September 10, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Yearly Reminder
Vacant offices hit a 30-year high. Affordable rentals are at crisis point.
You’d think combining the two would be easy.
But it was never about space, or WFH, or a ‘dying CBD.’ It’s about money. And nothing else.
You’d think combining the two would be easy.
But it was never about space, or WFH, or a ‘dying CBD.’ It’s about money. And nothing else.
National office vacancy rate hits 30-year high - latest commercial property news - API Magazine
National office vacancy rate hits 30-year high With a deluge of new offices hitting the market and workers entrenched in their work from home arrangements, national vacancy rates continue to rise.
share.google
September 5, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Vacant offices hit a 30-year high. Affordable rentals are at crisis point.
You’d think combining the two would be easy.
But it was never about space, or WFH, or a ‘dying CBD.’ It’s about money. And nothing else.
You’d think combining the two would be easy.
But it was never about space, or WFH, or a ‘dying CBD.’ It’s about money. And nothing else.
You know what? I know a club who'd love to have you ... Come home, Erik, they need someone other than Oosting #fctwente
Erik ten Hag sacked by Bayer Leverkusen after just three matches
Bayer Leverkusen have sacked Erik ten Hag following a 3-3 draw with Werder Bremen which was one of just his three matches in charge
www.theguardian.com
September 1, 2025 at 10:35 AM
You know what? I know a club who'd love to have you ... Come home, Erik, they need someone other than Oosting #fctwente
The fact that my white ass, as a recent immigrant to Australia, has been told multiple times today that this ‘March For Australia’ isn’t about me or people like me… tells you everything you need to know.
They’re confusing racism with patriotism.
They’re confusing racism with patriotism.
August 31, 2025 at 7:55 AM
The fact that my white ass, as a recent immigrant to Australia, has been told multiple times today that this ‘March For Australia’ isn’t about me or people like me… tells you everything you need to know.
They’re confusing racism with patriotism.
They’re confusing racism with patriotism.
So in Melbourne several hundred anti-immigration protesters turned up for the March For Australia, among them open neo-Nazis and one speaker in a wannabe Gestapo trench coat.
And the police response was to pepper-spray the almost 10000 strong anti-fascist counter rally? Have I got that right?
And the police response was to pepper-spray the almost 10000 strong anti-fascist counter rally? Have I got that right?
August 31, 2025 at 5:05 AM
So in Melbourne several hundred anti-immigration protesters turned up for the March For Australia, among them open neo-Nazis and one speaker in a wannabe Gestapo trench coat.
And the police response was to pepper-spray the almost 10000 strong anti-fascist counter rally? Have I got that right?
And the police response was to pepper-spray the almost 10000 strong anti-fascist counter rally? Have I got that right?
Recent purchase. What a marvellous 2-player #boardgame is Paris: La Cité de la Lumière. It's a bit like an upgraded #patchwork. Quick game, about 30 minutes, with a lovely theme and great artwork. This one will be on the table more often.
August 30, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Recent purchase. What a marvellous 2-player #boardgame is Paris: La Cité de la Lumière. It's a bit like an upgraded #patchwork. Quick game, about 30 minutes, with a lovely theme and great artwork. This one will be on the table more often.
Someone who bulldozes the Rose Garden for a concrete patio, then slathers the Oval Office in gold, doesn’t do it unless they think they’ll be here another 10 years.
August 9, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Someone who bulldozes the Rose Garden for a concrete patio, then slathers the Oval Office in gold, doesn’t do it unless they think they’ll be here another 10 years.
Oslo Davis cartoon, August 9, 2025 www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/cart... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Oslo Davis cartoon, August 9, 2025
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
August 8, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Oslo Davis cartoon, August 9, 2025 www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/cart... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Ok, this terrible piece has made me angrier than I should be. It centers the voices of landlords over workers.
It treats the economy of a few city blocks as more important than modernising work. No word on urban decentralisation, work-life balance or productivity evidence from hybrid/remote models.
It treats the economy of a few city blocks as more important than modernising work. No word on urban decentralisation, work-life balance or productivity evidence from hybrid/remote models.
‘A stunt’: Fears work-from-home plan will empty Melbourne CBD
In a blistering attack on the state government’s new policy, a Property Council boss said it was designed to distract from Victoria’s mounting debt.
www.theage.com.au
August 7, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Ok, this terrible piece has made me angrier than I should be. It centers the voices of landlords over workers.
It treats the economy of a few city blocks as more important than modernising work. No word on urban decentralisation, work-life balance or productivity evidence from hybrid/remote models.
It treats the economy of a few city blocks as more important than modernising work. No word on urban decentralisation, work-life balance or productivity evidence from hybrid/remote models.
Bye Bye Google Nest Wifi. Bye Bye to mystery dropouts. Bye Bye to increasingly long buffering times.
And hello Orbi Mesh AX6000 RKB860
And hello Orbi Mesh AX6000 RKB860
July 31, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Bye Bye Google Nest Wifi. Bye Bye to mystery dropouts. Bye Bye to increasingly long buffering times.
And hello Orbi Mesh AX6000 RKB860
And hello Orbi Mesh AX6000 RKB860
After that first episode, I'm so glad South Park is still there for us. Holy shit, did I need this!
#SouthPark #S27
#SouthPark #S27
July 24, 2025 at 9:04 AM
After that first episode, I'm so glad South Park is still there for us. Holy shit, did I need this!
#SouthPark #S27
#SouthPark #S27
Is anyone actually using em-dashes more often now that ChatGPT showed them how to use them properly?
July 23, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Is anyone actually using em-dashes more often now that ChatGPT showed them how to use them properly?
Read More, Talk More, Make More Friends.
The Spotswood Chapter of Tough Guy Book Club meets at The Spotswood Hotel. Like every chapter, it's on the first Wednesday of the month at 7PM
Come have a chat. And don't worry if you haven't read the book.
#books #bookclub #toughguybookclub #tgbc
The Spotswood Chapter of Tough Guy Book Club meets at The Spotswood Hotel. Like every chapter, it's on the first Wednesday of the month at 7PM
Come have a chat. And don't worry if you haven't read the book.
#books #bookclub #toughguybookclub #tgbc
Australians, especially men, are reading less than ever before
Across the board, Australians are reading less, with young men reading the least and older women reading the most.
www.abc.net.au
July 15, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Read More, Talk More, Make More Friends.
The Spotswood Chapter of Tough Guy Book Club meets at The Spotswood Hotel. Like every chapter, it's on the first Wednesday of the month at 7PM
Come have a chat. And don't worry if you haven't read the book.
#books #bookclub #toughguybookclub #tgbc
The Spotswood Chapter of Tough Guy Book Club meets at The Spotswood Hotel. Like every chapter, it's on the first Wednesday of the month at 7PM
Come have a chat. And don't worry if you haven't read the book.
#books #bookclub #toughguybookclub #tgbc
Played some 2-player Ark Nova at Boardies in Fitzroy yesterday. About 1,5 hours of learning the rules of building zoos, and then 2,5 hours of playing. But a great experience and game. Very strategic, and we both loved it. Complex but very replayable. Will get a copy! #boardgames #arknova
July 13, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Played some 2-player Ark Nova at Boardies in Fitzroy yesterday. About 1,5 hours of learning the rules of building zoos, and then 2,5 hours of playing. But a great experience and game. Very strategic, and we both loved it. Complex but very replayable. Will get a copy! #boardgames #arknova