Ben Lever
@benleverau.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Lever
Well well well. I did not expect this.
New passenger train named 'The Mainlander' to link Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill in NZ'.
Very experimental just yet, limited travel dates and priced as an 'experience' rather than transport.
But, better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick.
New passenger train named 'The Mainlander' to link Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill in NZ'.
Very experimental just yet, limited travel dates and priced as an 'experience' rather than transport.
But, better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick.
November 28, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Well well well. I did not expect this.
New passenger train named 'The Mainlander' to link Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill in NZ'.
Very experimental just yet, limited travel dates and priced as an 'experience' rather than transport.
But, better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick.
New passenger train named 'The Mainlander' to link Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill in NZ'.
Very experimental just yet, limited travel dates and priced as an 'experience' rather than transport.
But, better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick.
Reposted by Ben Lever
Here's what Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie has to say about today's environment law reform.
Breaking down the good, the bad, and the please-can-we-actually-regulate-polluting-fossil fuel-projects?!
Learn more here climc.nl/EPBC 💚
Breaking down the good, the bad, and the please-can-we-actually-regulate-polluting-fossil fuel-projects?!
Learn more here climc.nl/EPBC 💚
November 27, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Here's what Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie has to say about today's environment law reform.
Breaking down the good, the bad, and the please-can-we-actually-regulate-polluting-fossil fuel-projects?!
Learn more here climc.nl/EPBC 💚
Breaking down the good, the bad, and the please-can-we-actually-regulate-polluting-fossil fuel-projects?!
Learn more here climc.nl/EPBC 💚
Reposted by Ben Lever
as a reminder, if you visit with a referrer from one of the major ai sites, you get this message. you can easily continue to the real article, if you read the text — it's just a link you click
November 27, 2025 at 12:14 AM
as a reminder, if you visit with a referrer from one of the major ai sites, you get this message. you can easily continue to the real article, if you read the text — it's just a link you click
Reposted by Ben Lever
In terms of Malcolm Turnbull's new official portrait...gotta say it looks kinda familiar.
That's the same pose as GOUGH WHITLAM'S.
That's the same pose as GOUGH WHITLAM'S.
November 27, 2025 at 1:21 AM
In terms of Malcolm Turnbull's new official portrait...gotta say it looks kinda familiar.
That's the same pose as GOUGH WHITLAM'S.
That's the same pose as GOUGH WHITLAM'S.
Reposted by Ben Lever
After years of campaigning, we finally have a new national environment law. Some important wins came through, but the law still fails the climate test.
Until emissions are fully accounted for and climate impacts properly weighed, our forests, our future, and our climate remain at risk.
Until emissions are fully accounted for and climate impacts properly weighed, our forests, our future, and our climate remain at risk.
November 27, 2025 at 1:12 AM
After years of campaigning, we finally have a new national environment law. Some important wins came through, but the law still fails the climate test.
Until emissions are fully accounted for and climate impacts properly weighed, our forests, our future, and our climate remain at risk.
Until emissions are fully accounted for and climate impacts properly weighed, our forests, our future, and our climate remain at risk.
Reposted by Ben Lever
Huge news from the UK today: after UN climate talks in which there was a massive fight over language on fossil fuels, the UK government today announced that it will in fact be keeping many millions of barrels of oil & gas in the ground. Deeds rather than just words for a change! 🧵
November 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Huge news from the UK today: after UN climate talks in which there was a massive fight over language on fossil fuels, the UK government today announced that it will in fact be keeping many millions of barrels of oil & gas in the ground. Deeds rather than just words for a change! 🧵
Reposted by Ben Lever
Today saw a landmark announcement from the UK Govt that it will end exploration for new oil & gas fields. 🛢️
People power has forced them to make this happen and it makes clear that we are on the path to ending fossil fuels. ✊
People power has forced them to make this happen and it makes clear that we are on the path to ending fossil fuels. ✊
November 26, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Today saw a landmark announcement from the UK Govt that it will end exploration for new oil & gas fields. 🛢️
People power has forced them to make this happen and it makes clear that we are on the path to ending fossil fuels. ✊
People power has forced them to make this happen and it makes clear that we are on the path to ending fossil fuels. ✊
Reposted by Ben Lever
The Federal Greens have secured significant improvements to Australia’s environment laws that will provide new protections for native forests, better regulate land clearing and stop Labor’s 30 day fast-track of coal and gas projects.
November 26, 2025 at 11:37 PM
The Federal Greens have secured significant improvements to Australia’s environment laws that will provide new protections for native forests, better regulate land clearing and stop Labor’s 30 day fast-track of coal and gas projects.
Reposted by Ben Lever
Lots of people sharing this clip because it's funny and cathartic but I also genuinely believe it's important.
We have to win the narrative battle between "I live in a corrupt society and that's just how it is" and "I live in a corrupt society and we are going to defeat and humiliate these ghouls."
We have to win the narrative battle between "I live in a corrupt society and that's just how it is" and "I live in a corrupt society and we are going to defeat and humiliate these ghouls."
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Lots of people sharing this clip because it's funny and cathartic but I also genuinely believe it's important.
We have to win the narrative battle between "I live in a corrupt society and that's just how it is" and "I live in a corrupt society and we are going to defeat and humiliate these ghouls."
We have to win the narrative battle between "I live in a corrupt society and that's just how it is" and "I live in a corrupt society and we are going to defeat and humiliate these ghouls."
Reposted by Ben Lever
Today is #WorldSustainableTransportDay!
The Greens have recently negotiated $150 million for walking and cycling infrastructure in five of Melbourne's most congested councils - which will give more people a clean, healthy and affordable way to get around!
The Greens have recently negotiated $150 million for walking and cycling infrastructure in five of Melbourne's most congested councils - which will give more people a clean, healthy and affordable way to get around!
November 26, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Today is #WorldSustainableTransportDay!
The Greens have recently negotiated $150 million for walking and cycling infrastructure in five of Melbourne's most congested councils - which will give more people a clean, healthy and affordable way to get around!
The Greens have recently negotiated $150 million for walking and cycling infrastructure in five of Melbourne's most congested councils - which will give more people a clean, healthy and affordable way to get around!
Reposted by Ben Lever
Today is World Sustainable Transport Day! Public transport can help reduce emissions, noise pollution, air pollution, and more. And the more the service is upgraded, the more people will use it.🚉🚌🚋🚆
November 26, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Today is World Sustainable Transport Day! Public transport can help reduce emissions, noise pollution, air pollution, and more. And the more the service is upgraded, the more people will use it.🚉🚌🚋🚆
Reposted by Ben Lever
Alt text: from ABC news, Zero cervical cancer cases diagnosed in Australian women aged under 25 in 2021 - the first time since records began in 1982. (Please use alt text, people.)
November 26, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Alt text: from ABC news, Zero cervical cancer cases diagnosed in Australian women aged under 25 in 2021 - the first time since records began in 1982. (Please use alt text, people.)
Reposted by Ben Lever
The State Library of Victoria’s ‘major’ proposed cuts include slashing the number of reference librarians and free computers for public access. Some staff are shocked.
Proposed cuts at State Library of Victoria go against its mission – and will hurt the disadvantaged
theconversation.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:40 AM
The State Library of Victoria’s ‘major’ proposed cuts include slashing the number of reference librarians and free computers for public access. Some staff are shocked.
Reposted by Ben Lever
Rental affordability is getting worse (or continuing at the same level of bad) in every part of Australia... except the ACT. The difference there? They introduced rent controls 4 years ago when the Greens were in government with Labor! Full article via @abcnewsbot.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Rental affordability is getting worse (or continuing at the same level of bad) in every part of Australia... except the ACT. The difference there? They introduced rent controls 4 years ago when the Greens were in government with Labor! Full article via @abcnewsbot.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Lever
With a mixed-results at COP30 - i.e. good intentions but no concrete plans for the “transition away from fossil fuels” - don’t give up.
Let’s remember the progress made since the Paris Agreement and the options ahead of us. That’s the message of the image below
Let’s remember the progress made since the Paris Agreement and the options ahead of us. That’s the message of the image below
November 23, 2025 at 5:58 PM
With a mixed-results at COP30 - i.e. good intentions but no concrete plans for the “transition away from fossil fuels” - don’t give up.
Let’s remember the progress made since the Paris Agreement and the options ahead of us. That’s the message of the image below
Let’s remember the progress made since the Paris Agreement and the options ahead of us. That’s the message of the image below
A movie that takes place where you're from
November 24, 2025 at 12:24 PM
A movie that takes place where you're from
Reposted by Ben Lever
"Any bomb dropped by these planes can only do so because the Australian government has written a blank cheque to Lockheed Martin, selling them Australian-made parts with no human rights restrictions or monitoring.”
Human rights fears over Australia’s role in F-35 parts after Trump’s decision to sell fighter jets to Saudi Arabia
Experts warn US deal on ‘lethal’ aircraft presents issues for Australia that ‘we’ve tried desperately to ignore with the Israelis’
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:17 PM
"Any bomb dropped by these planes can only do so because the Australian government has written a blank cheque to Lockheed Martin, selling them Australian-made parts with no human rights restrictions or monitoring.”
Reposted by Ben Lever
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
November 23, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
Reposted by Ben Lever
‘She’s a shrewd Green’: meet Alice Springs’ new mayor, determined to rewrite the story of her beloved home town
‘She’s a shrewd Green’: meet Alice Springs’ new mayor, determined to rewrite the story of her beloved home town
Criminal defence lawyer Asta Hill says she is putting human rights at the centre of her leadership – without shying away from addressing community safety
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When Asta Hill drives into Alice Springs after swimming in one of the waterholes that dot the red centre, she is still struck by the shades of blue and purple in the Macdonnell Ranges that wet the brushtrokes of Albert Namatjira.
“There is a reason that many of the most prolific artists in the world are from this Country – we have such an incredibly beautiful palette that they can work with,” Hill says.
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www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:02 PM
‘She’s a shrewd Green’: meet Alice Springs’ new mayor, determined to rewrite the story of her beloved home town
Reposted by Ben Lever
Any centrist uttering "don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good" is an absolute guaranteed pre-emptive alarm they're about to do something extremely bad
When @australianlabor.bsky.social trots out a warning to The Greens "not to "make the perfect the enemy of the good"" you can absolutely bet they're going to offer up crud & join forces with LNP to deploy media beat up strategies against people who want to prevent rubbishing of EPBC laws
Labor offers Greens forestry deal in exchange for support on environment laws
The ABC has been told the federal government is willing to ensure native forestry complies with tougher new standards within three years if the Greens back the reforms.
www.abc.net.au
November 23, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Any centrist uttering "don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good" is an absolute guaranteed pre-emptive alarm they're about to do something extremely bad
Reposted by Ben Lever
I once knew a Federal bank examiner, and one time someone asked him why we had to KEEP inspecting banks over and over. He basically said every new batch of business school grads invents bank fraud from first principles.
AirBnB CEO calling it “vibe revenue” just 👨🍳 😘
The underlying cause of every bubble - debt masquerading as financial innovation - depends on not just short financial memory & speculative neophytism, but reinventing jargon of finance, like how each generation of kids has new ways to say same things.
The underlying cause of every bubble - debt masquerading as financial innovation - depends on not just short financial memory & speculative neophytism, but reinventing jargon of finance, like how each generation of kids has new ways to say same things.
November 22, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I once knew a Federal bank examiner, and one time someone asked him why we had to KEEP inspecting banks over and over. He basically said every new batch of business school grads invents bank fraud from first principles.
Reposted by Ben Lever
since the "google is now training gemini on your email contents" thing keeps bumping around here: it's _not happening_. I say this not to defend google but because I know a lot of people that have broken their filtering and made their lives much more annoying from sheer misinformation.
The malwarebytes Google opting-your-emails-into-ai-training thing is not true. The post is based on one bad tweet.
I know anti-tech lamenting is a Bluesky core principle, but please use the same judgement you would for any other clickbait.
www.theverge.com/news/826902/...
I know anti-tech lamenting is a Bluesky core principle, but please use the same judgement you would for any other clickbait.
www.theverge.com/news/826902/...
Google denies ‘misleading’ reports of Gmail using your emails to train AI
Google says “we do not use your Gmail content for training our Gemini AI model.”
www.theverge.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:30 PM
since the "google is now training gemini on your email contents" thing keeps bumping around here: it's _not happening_. I say this not to defend google but because I know a lot of people that have broken their filtering and made their lives much more annoying from sheer misinformation.
Reposted by Ben Lever
Reposted by Ben Lever
I think entirely too much about how California’s climate plan explicitly says that converting to EVs is not nearly enough to meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets so we need to reduce VMT 25% by 2030, and then we do basically nothing to try to achieve that goal
November 22, 2025 at 2:48 AM
I think entirely too much about how California’s climate plan explicitly says that converting to EVs is not nearly enough to meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets so we need to reduce VMT 25% by 2030, and then we do basically nothing to try to achieve that goal
Reposted by Ben Lever
Today on the blog, I take a look at the latest V/Line passenger stats and see how they're recovering from the COVID era the-iron-road.blogspot.com/2025/11/vlin...
V/Line's COVID recovery
How are V/Line passenger numbers recovering post-COVID?
the-iron-road.blogspot.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Today on the blog, I take a look at the latest V/Line passenger stats and see how they're recovering from the COVID era the-iron-road.blogspot.com/2025/11/vlin...