Dr Elen Shute
@lonerangifer.bsky.social
Palaeontologist | Conservation biologist | Cellist | Coveter of yarn | Puerile fun aunt
Pinned
Enigma: Elgar’s 125-year-old musical riddle solved (again)
In 1899, English composer Edward Elgar wrote a piece of music for orchestra that has kept musicians and audiences guessing for over a…
medium.com
Want in on a secret? Reckon I've cracked the 125-year-old mystery of what tune Elgar hid in his Enigma Variations - like once and for all solved it. This has been buzzing around in my brain for the last week, so I'm very happy to get the story out into the world! 🎼🎶🎻🎺
medium.com/@elen.shute/...
medium.com/@elen.shute/...
Gosh, sounds like another cracking title from Clinton Fernandez. I haven’t even got around to reading Sub-imperial Power yet!!
theconversation.com/hypocrisy-an...
theconversation.com/hypocrisy-an...
Hypocrisy and folly: why Australia’s subservience to Trump’s America is past its use-by date
In his latest book, Clinton Fernandes explains why the AUKUS deal is an all-too-predictable continuation of past follies.
theconversation.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Gosh, sounds like another cracking title from Clinton Fernandez. I haven’t even got around to reading Sub-imperial Power yet!!
theconversation.com/hypocrisy-an...
theconversation.com/hypocrisy-an...
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
A study of introductions of large herbivorous mammals outside their native range suggests they do more harm than good to local biodiversity. Only 1 in 5 impacts is positive. Positive effects on certain native species often come at a cost to other natives. #bioinvasions www.unifr.ch/news/en/3344...
Saving a species but at the expense of others?
The way to hell is paved with good intentions. In the hope of saving certain endangered species and ecosystems, some conservation projects propose the introduction of large plant-feeding mammals int...
www.unifr.ch
November 30, 2025 at 2:05 AM
A study of introductions of large herbivorous mammals outside their native range suggests they do more harm than good to local biodiversity. Only 1 in 5 impacts is positive. Positive effects on certain native species often come at a cost to other natives. #bioinvasions www.unifr.ch/news/en/3344...
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
well deserved profile of local wildlife and wildflower photographer
Lyn Alcock captures wild antics of Dryandra's numbat population over 20 years
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Lyn Alcock captures wild antics of Dryandra's numbat population over 20 years
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Two decades of capturing numbat antics on camera
Lyn Alcock is known as the 'Numbat whisperer', spending hours every day observing and photographing the tiny, endangered marsupials, recording behaviours that have never been seen before.
www.abc.net.au
November 30, 2025 at 5:40 AM
well deserved profile of local wildlife and wildflower photographer
Lyn Alcock captures wild antics of Dryandra's numbat population over 20 years
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Lyn Alcock captures wild antics of Dryandra's numbat population over 20 years
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
The #SundayShot is up! @roycerk2.bsky.social was just back from @cop30brazil.bsky.social and joined Lorena Allam for a great conversation...plus we talk to the director of @walkleys.bsky.social-winning YURLU COUNTRY on Australia's asbestos shame (yurlucountry.com).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBgU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBgU...
Saving Country - November 30 - Lorena Allam and Royce Kurmelovs
YouTube video by The Sunday Shot
www.youtube.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:38 AM
The #SundayShot is up! @roycerk2.bsky.social was just back from @cop30brazil.bsky.social and joined Lorena Allam for a great conversation...plus we talk to the director of @walkleys.bsky.social-winning YURLU COUNTRY on Australia's asbestos shame (yurlucountry.com).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBgU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBgU...
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
The looting of aid in Gaza by "humanitarian rights organisations-backed Hamas" was -of course- actually by Israel, because Israel lies, Western media just prints it, and now a year later the rectification is published after the Palestinians are dead already.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Convincing evidence Israel backed aid convoy looters in Gaza, historian says
Account of visit to Gaza by French professor describes Israeli military attacks on security personnel protecting convoys
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:51 PM
The looting of aid in Gaza by "humanitarian rights organisations-backed Hamas" was -of course- actually by Israel, because Israel lies, Western media just prints it, and now a year later the rectification is published after the Palestinians are dead already.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
🚨Nine Jewish groups are urging the Government to reject Jillian Segal's "Antisemitism Report", saying it's an attack on Australia's "democracy" and "freedoms" – benefitting the state of Israel.
Segal must be given zero powers, they warn. Explosive...
theklaxon.com.au/22ti
Segal must be given zero powers, they warn. Explosive...
theklaxon.com.au/22ti
Segal “threatening Australia’s freedoms and democracy”, Jewish groups warn - The Klaxon
A group of Jewish organisations has labelled Envoy Jillian Segal's "Antisemitism Report" an attack on Australia's “democracy” and “freedoms”, and say it must be rejected.
theklaxon.com.au
November 29, 2025 at 4:57 AM
🚨Nine Jewish groups are urging the Government to reject Jillian Segal's "Antisemitism Report", saying it's an attack on Australia's "democracy" and "freedoms" – benefitting the state of Israel.
Segal must be given zero powers, they warn. Explosive...
theklaxon.com.au/22ti
Segal must be given zero powers, they warn. Explosive...
theklaxon.com.au/22ti
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
A powerful and eloquent summary. The late Virginia Roberts "was not trafficked to a bunch of leaders. SHE is a leader who was trafficked to a bunch of cowards."
November 29, 2025 at 12:50 AM
A powerful and eloquent summary. The late Virginia Roberts "was not trafficked to a bunch of leaders. SHE is a leader who was trafficked to a bunch of cowards."
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
Mae un o’r llythyrau yma gan Farage wedi mynd trwy holl ddrysau Cymru. Mae amlen wedi cynnwys i chi allu ymateb gyda’ch sylwadau. Gwnewch yn siŵr eich bod yn anfon y llythyr yn ôl gyda’ch sylwadau - bydd pob un yn costio arian i Reform UK! Does dim lle i’r dde eithaf yng Nghymru!!
November 28, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Mae un o’r llythyrau yma gan Farage wedi mynd trwy holl ddrysau Cymru. Mae amlen wedi cynnwys i chi allu ymateb gyda’ch sylwadau. Gwnewch yn siŵr eich bod yn anfon y llythyr yn ôl gyda’ch sylwadau - bydd pob un yn costio arian i Reform UK! Does dim lle i’r dde eithaf yng Nghymru!!
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
My hot take is that in the era of easily-generated AI nonsense papers journals that want to ensure high quality will need to start hiring full-time professional editors and reviewers instead of relying on volunteer labor from overworked academics.
UPDATE: The publisher intends to retract the paper, but insists it went through two rounds of review from two independent peer reviewers: nobreakthroughs.substack.com/p/riding-the... by @jacksonwryan.com. No word on how they will make sure this sort of thing never happens again.
Riding the Autism Bicycle to Retraction Town
Does anyone *really* know their Factor Fexcectorn?
nobreakthroughs.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
My hot take is that in the era of easily-generated AI nonsense papers journals that want to ensure high quality will need to start hiring full-time professional editors and reviewers instead of relying on volunteer labor from overworked academics.
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
The rewriting of Australia’s nature laws come as a relief, yet I can’t help feel a sense of foreboding | Georgina Woods
The rewriting of Australia’s nature laws come as a relief, yet I can’t help feel a sense of foreboding | Georgina Woods
The minister says quick approvals can happen while protecting the environment, but my experience tells me that haste brings unintended consequences
*
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I got a text from a biodiversity advocate around midday on Thursday asking me: are you glad, or sad?
I wasn’t sure how to reply. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:46 AM
The rewriting of Australia’s nature laws come as a relief, yet I can’t help feel a sense of foreboding | Georgina Woods
1/3 In among some good news, #7 remains the real kicker:
The restoration contributions fund will "relax “like-for-like” rules that previously required offsets to deliver an environmental benefit for the same species or ecosystem affected by a development."
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
The restoration contributions fund will "relax “like-for-like” rules that previously required offsets to deliver an environmental benefit for the same species or ecosystem affected by a development."
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Seven ways Australia’s nature laws are changing after Labor’s deal with the Greens
Legislation to reform the EPBC Act runs to hundreds of pages – here are the main changes
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:07 AM
1/3 In among some good news, #7 remains the real kicker:
The restoration contributions fund will "relax “like-for-like” rules that previously required offsets to deliver an environmental benefit for the same species or ecosystem affected by a development."
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
The restoration contributions fund will "relax “like-for-like” rules that previously required offsets to deliver an environmental benefit for the same species or ecosystem affected by a development."
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
The bill which recognised the heritage value of wild horses in horses in Kosciuszko National Park but was widely criticised by conservation groups will be scrapped after a vote to repeal the law passed NSW parliament.
Controversial 'Brumby Bill' recognising horses' heritage value dumped
The bill which recognised the heritage value of wild horses in horses in Kosciuszko National Park but was widely criticised by conservation groups will be scrapped after a vote to repeal the law passed NSW parliament.
www.abc.net.au
November 27, 2025 at 9:48 PM
The bill which recognised the heritage value of wild horses in horses in Kosciuszko National Park but was widely criticised by conservation groups will be scrapped after a vote to repeal the law passed NSW parliament.
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
The Albanese Government is about to rush through a bill which, Australia Institute research shows, would fast-track 94 new fossil fuel projects.
This will undermine environmental protections and lock in emissions for decades.
#auspol
This will undermine environmental protections and lock in emissions for decades.
#auspol
November 26, 2025 at 12:52 AM
The Albanese Government is about to rush through a bill which, Australia Institute research shows, would fast-track 94 new fossil fuel projects.
This will undermine environmental protections and lock in emissions for decades.
#auspol
This will undermine environmental protections and lock in emissions for decades.
#auspol
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
Very pleased to see that @greens.org.au have won an inquiry into job cuts at CSIRO
Would be great to see attention brought to bear on restructuring (cuts?) at the Australian Research Council too
Why these attacks on science in the public interest in Australia❓ Who does this serve❓
Would be great to see attention brought to bear on restructuring (cuts?) at the Australian Research Council too
Why these attacks on science in the public interest in Australia❓ Who does this serve❓
November 26, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Very pleased to see that @greens.org.au have won an inquiry into job cuts at CSIRO
Would be great to see attention brought to bear on restructuring (cuts?) at the Australian Research Council too
Why these attacks on science in the public interest in Australia❓ Who does this serve❓
Would be great to see attention brought to bear on restructuring (cuts?) at the Australian Research Council too
Why these attacks on science in the public interest in Australia❓ Who does this serve❓
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
The Federal Government has been trying to rush through a change that would allow police and the Home Affairs Minister to cancel someone’s Centrelink payment if they are suspected of a serious crime.
Read the full story on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Read the full story on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
November 26, 2025 at 4:10 AM
The Federal Government has been trying to rush through a change that would allow police and the Home Affairs Minister to cancel someone’s Centrelink payment if they are suspected of a serious crime.
Read the full story on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Read the full story on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
Today @tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social succeeded in establishing new powers to cancel Centrelink payments before conviction.
Thanks @senatorthorpe.bsky.social @andrewwilkiemp.bsky.social @davidpocock.bsky.social @pennyallmanpayne.com for trying to stop this dangerous law.
Thanks @senatorthorpe.bsky.social @andrewwilkiemp.bsky.social @davidpocock.bsky.social @pennyallmanpayne.com for trying to stop this dangerous law.
Shame Labor shame: New powers to cancel Centrelink payments before conviction pass the senate
Welfare recipients have a right to be treated equally under the law, and should not be subject to punishment before having access to legal advice for any reason, ever.
apcentre.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Today @tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social succeeded in establishing new powers to cancel Centrelink payments before conviction.
Thanks @senatorthorpe.bsky.social @andrewwilkiemp.bsky.social @davidpocock.bsky.social @pennyallmanpayne.com for trying to stop this dangerous law.
Thanks @senatorthorpe.bsky.social @andrewwilkiemp.bsky.social @davidpocock.bsky.social @pennyallmanpayne.com for trying to stop this dangerous law.
Today I learnt about one of humanity's worst inventions: the clutch head screw - which you can put in but not take out. Very secure. Very, very inconvenient if you do need to remove it for non-stealing-things reasons. Thank goodness for YouTube DIY videos.
November 26, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Today I learnt about one of humanity's worst inventions: the clutch head screw - which you can put in but not take out. Very secure. Very, very inconvenient if you do need to remove it for non-stealing-things reasons. Thank goodness for YouTube DIY videos.
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
I've grown more conservative as I've grown older but the things I want to conserve are democracy and decency
November 23, 2025 at 11:14 AM
I've grown more conservative as I've grown older but the things I want to conserve are democracy and decency
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
Sunday Shot starts at 9am! We're joined by @eddyjokovich.bsky.social and @drdemography.com, & an interview with Sean Kelly. Join us for a chat about the PM, the UN's colonisation or "peace" plan for Gaza, and the further disintegration of Western politics.
Believe It or Not - November 23 - Liz Allen, Eddy Jokovich and Sean Kelly
YouTube video by The Sunday Shot
www.youtube.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Sunday Shot starts at 9am! We're joined by @eddyjokovich.bsky.social and @drdemography.com, & an interview with Sean Kelly. Join us for a chat about the PM, the UN's colonisation or "peace" plan for Gaza, and the further disintegration of Western politics.
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
New chart from Mike Males using MTF and Pew Research data finds that trends in teen social media and smartphone use are unrelated to teen loneliness (which hasn't changed much over the years anyway aside from an unexplained dip in the 2000s).
November 21, 2025 at 10:16 PM
New chart from Mike Males using MTF and Pew Research data finds that trends in teen social media and smartphone use are unrelated to teen loneliness (which hasn't changed much over the years anyway aside from an unexplained dip in the 2000s).
Reposted by Dr Elen Shute
You think LLM-based chatbots can help students learn? Think again.
Take a few minutes to listen to Dr. @drtanksley.bsky.social clear explanation why this is very bad, harmful idea, especially for Black students.
#Critical_AI_Literacy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...
Take a few minutes to listen to Dr. @drtanksley.bsky.social clear explanation why this is very bad, harmful idea, especially for Black students.
#Critical_AI_Literacy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...
Howard University AI Panel
YouTube video by Tiera Tanksley
www.youtube.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:56 PM
You think LLM-based chatbots can help students learn? Think again.
Take a few minutes to listen to Dr. @drtanksley.bsky.social clear explanation why this is very bad, harmful idea, especially for Black students.
#Critical_AI_Literacy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...
Take a few minutes to listen to Dr. @drtanksley.bsky.social clear explanation why this is very bad, harmful idea, especially for Black students.
#Critical_AI_Literacy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...