Tim Bell
@timb07.bsky.social
DOB: 329ppm CO₂ (http://CO2.earth). Banner pic: #WarmingStripes for Melbourne, Australia by @edhawkins.bsky.social
A.k.a. “timpoliti” on Xitter (and also “timb07” for Python/Django/tech stuff)
Naarm (Melbourne), Australia
A.k.a. “timpoliti” on Xitter (and also “timb07” for Python/Django/tech stuff)
Naarm (Melbourne), Australia
Pinned
Tim Bell
@timb07.bsky.social
· Nov 9
I’ll be hanging out on Bluesky more than the other place now.
I’ve switched over my profile pic so you can see I’m a real person (wearing a hat and standing on a NZ glacier).
To help people coming from the other place, this is what my profile pic looked like there:
I’ve switched over my profile pic so you can see I’m a real person (wearing a hat and standing on a NZ glacier).
To help people coming from the other place, this is what my profile pic looked like there:
Reposted by Tim Bell
My cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com books.
Lots more here: www.theguardian.com/books/series/tom-gauld-s-cultural-cartoons
Lots more here: www.theguardian.com/books/series/tom-gauld-s-cultural-cartoons
November 29, 2025 at 11:59 AM
My cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com books.
Lots more here: www.theguardian.com/books/series/tom-gauld-s-cultural-cartoons
Lots more here: www.theguardian.com/books/series/tom-gauld-s-cultural-cartoons
Reposted by Tim Bell
![Comic. Panels up to the 10-year point are grayed out. New panels since the Ten Years comic, which chronicles the first ten years of PERSON 1's journey with cancer: (1) [two people in bed] PERSON 1 (woman): One more chapter? PERSON 2 (man): Don’t we both have to get up early? PERSON 1: Nnnnnggggh PERSON 2: Sure, good point. (2) [many people wearing masks, walking while looking at graphs on their phones] (3) [birds landing on people] PERSON 2 in beanie and scarf: Hah! They like *my* seeds best. PERSON 1 in scarf holding phone with a bird sitting on it: Wait, how do I take a picture of this one? (4) [two people rowing boats with tree landscape] (5) [Person 1 carries overflowing stack of things to Person 2 in bed] PERSON 1: I brought you honey lemon tea, more pillows, a cinnamon roll, Tylenol, another blanket, a– PERSON 2: It was just Appendicitis, I’m really– PERSON 1: *It is my turn to take care of you and I am going to do it right!* (6) [Two people in car] (7) [still in car) PERSON 1: Oh my god. PERSON 2: Oh my god. (8) [car driving] PERSON 1: Pull over! PERSON 2: I am! (9) [both people get out of car] (10) [Large colored panel of aurora borealis over water with both people looking on] (11) [Person 1 sits against tree while Person 2 lies on the ground] PERSON 1: Fifteen years. No sign of the cancer. (12) I *am* having some weird symptoms. Joint pain. Fatigue. I think I’m losing my close-up vision. PERSON 2: Yeah. Me too. (13) PERSON 2: I think we’re getting old. (14) PERSON 1: I guess that’s okay. PERSON 2: It’s all I wanted.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreihwhjblp5lyiwp63ouar7ocfea7evmckytoeo7rkfuoo4gw5rnrra@jpeg)
November 26, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Reposted by Tim Bell
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Tim Bell
I don't understand why this isn't the only story and why he isn't giving his resignation.
I mean, I do. But still.
How can the president. THE PRESIDENT. Of the United States of America. The. President.
I mean, I do. But still.
How can the president. THE PRESIDENT. Of the United States of America. The. President.
Donald Trump Snaps at Female Reporter Who Asks About Epstein Files: 'Quiet Piggy'
Donald Trump Says 'Quiet Piggy' to Female Reporter Asking About Epstein Files
people.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:18 AM
I don't understand why this isn't the only story and why he isn't giving his resignation.
I mean, I do. But still.
How can the president. THE PRESIDENT. Of the United States of America. The. President.
I mean, I do. But still.
How can the president. THE PRESIDENT. Of the United States of America. The. President.
Reposted by Tim Bell
November 14, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Reposted by Tim Bell
Reposted by Tim Bell
Understaffed FAA Recommends Pilots Just Go With Their Gut https://theonion.com/understaffed-faa-recommends-pilots-just-go-with-their-gut/
November 7, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Understaffed FAA Recommends Pilots Just Go With Their Gut https://theonion.com/understaffed-faa-recommends-pilots-just-go-with-their-gut/
Reposted by Tim Bell
this is actually impressive, making up a brand new nobel peace prize replacement is a genuine innovation in bribery
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
November 6, 2025 at 1:16 AM
this is actually impressive, making up a brand new nobel peace prize replacement is a genuine innovation in bribery
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
Reposted by Tim Bell
Really looking forward to the Speaker of the House claiming to be unaware of the election results.
November 5, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Really looking forward to the Speaker of the House claiming to be unaware of the election results.
Reposted by Tim Bell
“.. for those of us who, in our younger years, revered America as a shining city upon a hill, .. this is quite a painful period.
“..’America has lost its moral bearings; as a result, it has also lost its moral standing in the world.”
@peter-wehner.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
“..’America has lost its moral bearings; as a result, it has also lost its moral standing in the world.”
@peter-wehner.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
October 31, 2025 at 6:19 PM
“.. for those of us who, in our younger years, revered America as a shining city upon a hill, .. this is quite a painful period.
“..’America has lost its moral bearings; as a result, it has also lost its moral standing in the world.”
@peter-wehner.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
“..’America has lost its moral bearings; as a result, it has also lost its moral standing in the world.”
@peter-wehner.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Reposted by Tim Bell
November 2, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by Tim Bell
2nd Nov. 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the ongoing human presence off-world.
That is, humans have continuously occupied the ISS for exactly 25 years today.
So if you're <= 24 years old, you've never lived in a world where humans were *only* terrestrial-based.
Image by HEO (from above!)
🔭🧪
That is, humans have continuously occupied the ISS for exactly 25 years today.
So if you're <= 24 years old, you've never lived in a world where humans were *only* terrestrial-based.
Image by HEO (from above!)
🔭🧪
November 2, 2025 at 4:35 AM
2nd Nov. 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the ongoing human presence off-world.
That is, humans have continuously occupied the ISS for exactly 25 years today.
So if you're <= 24 years old, you've never lived in a world where humans were *only* terrestrial-based.
Image by HEO (from above!)
🔭🧪
That is, humans have continuously occupied the ISS for exactly 25 years today.
So if you're <= 24 years old, you've never lived in a world where humans were *only* terrestrial-based.
Image by HEO (from above!)
🔭🧪
Reposted by Tim Bell
Six months ago I wrote this post about “the next terrorist attack.” I republish it now (lightly updated) because my fear of this scenario has recently grown much greater.
snyder.substack.com/p/the-next-t...
snyder.substack.com/p/the-next-t...
The Next Terrorist Attack
And What Comes After (Updated)
snyder.substack.com
November 1, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Six months ago I wrote this post about “the next terrorist attack.” I republish it now (lightly updated) because my fear of this scenario has recently grown much greater.
snyder.substack.com/p/the-next-t...
snyder.substack.com/p/the-next-t...
Reposted by Tim Bell
Peter Broelman in Canberra Times
October 26, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Peter Broelman in Canberra Times
Reposted by Tim Bell
Are we living in a golden age of stupidity?
Are we living in a golden age of stupidity?
From brain-rotting videos to AI creep, every technological advance seems to make it harder to work, remember, think and function independently …
www.theguardian.com
October 18, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Are we living in a golden age of stupidity?
Reposted by Tim Bell
A prophetic 1933 novel has found a surprising second life – it holds lessons for us all | Charlotte Higgins
A prophetic 1933 novel has found a surprising second life – it holds lessons for us all | Charlotte Higgins
Sally Carson’s Crooked Cross was written and set during the rise of nazism. It shows both how extremism takes hold, and the moral certainty needed to resist it, says the Guardian’s chief culture writer, Charlotte Higgins
www.theguardian.com
October 18, 2025 at 10:06 AM
A prophetic 1933 novel has found a surprising second life – it holds lessons for us all | Charlotte Higgins
Reposted by Tim Bell
The neurologist Oliver Sacks found that the social-media era resembles a neurological catastrophe on a gigantic scale.
The Machine Stops
The neurologist Oliver Sacks on steam engines, smartphones, and fearing the future.
www.newyorker.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:54 PM
The neurologist Oliver Sacks found that the social-media era resembles a neurological catastrophe on a gigantic scale.
Reposted by Tim Bell
Okay, for the folks who asked: here's the majority AI view, writing up the reasonable, thoughtful view on AI that the vast majority of people in tech hold, that gets overshadowed by the bluster and hype of the tycoons trying to shill their nonsense. anildash.com/2025/10/17/t... Please share!
The Majority AI View - Anil Dash
A blog about making culture. Since 1999.
anildash.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Okay, for the folks who asked: here's the majority AI view, writing up the reasonable, thoughtful view on AI that the vast majority of people in tech hold, that gets overshadowed by the bluster and hype of the tycoons trying to shill their nonsense. anildash.com/2025/10/17/t... Please share!
Reposted by Tim Bell
Albanese was first elected on a pledge to “end the climate wars” and in a strange way he succeeded.
Today’s media would prefer not to engage in the troublesome realities of the climate issue, and just regurgitate Albanese's PR.
Today’s media would prefer not to engage in the troublesome realities of the climate issue, and just regurgitate Albanese's PR.
No science required: how the media regurgitated Albanese’s climate PR
The Albanese government sailed through its week of climate announcements, courtesy of media coverage that obsessed over the political fallout instead of the actual policy.
nickfeik.substack.com
October 4, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Albanese was first elected on a pledge to “end the climate wars” and in a strange way he succeeded.
Today’s media would prefer not to engage in the troublesome realities of the climate issue, and just regurgitate Albanese's PR.
Today’s media would prefer not to engage in the troublesome realities of the climate issue, and just regurgitate Albanese's PR.
Reposted by Tim Bell
Every few months now I re-read this "Who Goes Nazi?" piece from 1941 and am blown away by how it captures the people we are dealing with 80 years later.
harpers.org/archive/1941...
harpers.org/archive/1941...
Who Goes Nazi?, by Dorothy Thompson
harpers.org
October 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Every few months now I re-read this "Who Goes Nazi?" piece from 1941 and am blown away by how it captures the people we are dealing with 80 years later.
harpers.org/archive/1941...
harpers.org/archive/1941...
Reposted by Tim Bell
My petty gripe: not only am I losing my livelihood to AI – now it’s stealing my em dashes too
My petty gripe: not only am I losing my livelihood to AI – now it’s stealing my em dashes too
The humble em dash is being used as a tell that something is written by a large language model. But it’s James Shackell’s favourite piece of punctuation, and he’s not ready to lose it
www.theguardian.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:56 AM
My petty gripe: not only am I losing my livelihood to AI – now it’s stealing my em dashes too
Reposted by Tim Bell
President Trump admits that he may have confused the movie Red Dawn which he recently watched with the current state of affairs in Portland: “Am I watching things on television that are different from what is happening?”
Trump seems to back off Portland military plan: 'Am I watching things on television that are different from what's happening?'
President Trump had said he will send troops to Portland to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which he said were "under attack."
www.kgw.com
September 28, 2025 at 8:13 PM
President Trump admits that he may have confused the movie Red Dawn which he recently watched with the current state of affairs in Portland: “Am I watching things on television that are different from what is happening?”
Reposted by Tim Bell
One thing I've learned from the Internet is that a lie needs 0% proof to be believed, but the truth requires thousands of pages of proof and still won't be believed.
September 28, 2025 at 5:36 AM
One thing I've learned from the Internet is that a lie needs 0% proof to be believed, but the truth requires thousands of pages of proof and still won't be believed.
Reposted by Tim Bell
Put together some thoughts here.
In an earlier time he would have been the kind of writer being paid $5 a word by magazines to go write about whatever he pleased. And no one would be pissed off or jealous about it either.
www.welcometohellworld.com/life-is-a-pr...
In an earlier time he would have been the kind of writer being paid $5 a word by magazines to go write about whatever he pleased. And no one would be pissed off or jealous about it either.
www.welcometohellworld.com/life-is-a-pr...
September 27, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Put together some thoughts here.
In an earlier time he would have been the kind of writer being paid $5 a word by magazines to go write about whatever he pleased. And no one would be pissed off or jealous about it either.
www.welcometohellworld.com/life-is-a-pr...
In an earlier time he would have been the kind of writer being paid $5 a word by magazines to go write about whatever he pleased. And no one would be pissed off or jealous about it either.
www.welcometohellworld.com/life-is-a-pr...
Reposted by Tim Bell
There's never been anything like that' — A cartoon by RJ Matson
'There's never been anything like that'
A cartoon by RJ Matson
contrarian.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 9:05 PM
There's never been anything like that' — A cartoon by RJ Matson