Wendy Harmer
@wendyharmer.bsky.social
Broadcaster, author, columnist,stand-up.
Memoir "Lies My Mirror Told Me" with all you need to know about me (and a lot you don’t) Living in Collaroy-Narrabeen. Northern Beaches. NSW. OZ
Memoir "Lies My Mirror Told Me" with all you need to know about me (and a lot you don’t) Living in Collaroy-Narrabeen. Northern Beaches. NSW. OZ
Reposted by Wendy Harmer
Evidence keeps accumulating that Donald Trump will always put commercial interests ahead of security. But we tell ourselves to believe otherwise, writes Bernard Keane.
Labor pulls us deeper and deeper in Trump's moral and strategic swamp
www.crikey.com.au
December 5, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Evidence keeps accumulating that Donald Trump will always put commercial interests ahead of security. But we tell ourselves to believe otherwise, writes Bernard Keane.
So that's the end of my glorious hydrangeas - well and truly fried!
To think that, one day, our children will look back and think of this time as a relatively cool-ish time.
Terrifying.
#climatechange
To think that, one day, our children will look back and think of this time as a relatively cool-ish time.
Terrifying.
#climatechange
December 5, 2025 at 3:40 AM
So that's the end of my glorious hydrangeas - well and truly fried!
To think that, one day, our children will look back and think of this time as a relatively cool-ish time.
Terrifying.
#climatechange
To think that, one day, our children will look back and think of this time as a relatively cool-ish time.
Terrifying.
#climatechange
Reposted by Wendy Harmer
Sydney Water has estimated up to 250 megalitres a day will be needed to service datacentres planned by 2035, more than Canberra's entire drinking water.
Second feature with @petrastock.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Second feature with @petrastock.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Thirsty work: how the rise of massive datacentres strains Australia’s drinking water supply
The demand for use in cooling in Sydney alone is expected to exceed the volume of Canberra’s total drinking water within the next decade
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Sydney Water has estimated up to 250 megalitres a day will be needed to service datacentres planned by 2035, more than Canberra's entire drinking water.
Second feature with @petrastock.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Second feature with @petrastock.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Wendy Harmer
(a) this really is a bloody great piece and
(b) it occurs to me that Data Centres In Space are very similar to Musk's Mars colonisation promise in that the obvious actual goal is to enable and excuse more harm on Earth today and tomorrow, rather than sincerely aim for the stated goal years from now
(b) it occurs to me that Data Centres In Space are very similar to Musk's Mars colonisation promise in that the obvious actual goal is to enable and excuse more harm on Earth today and tomorrow, rather than sincerely aim for the stated goal years from now
an important read for at least 2 reasons:
1. shows how big tech operates on intuitions and vibes and not rigorous research
2. this is a masterpiece in how to breakdown complex scientific concepts in simple language and elegant pros that captivate the lay reader
taranis.ie/datacenters-...
1. shows how big tech operates on intuitions and vibes and not rigorous research
2. this is a masterpiece in how to breakdown complex scientific concepts in simple language and elegant pros that captivate the lay reader
taranis.ie/datacenters-...
Datacenters in space are a terrible, horrible, no good idea.
There is a rush for AI companies to team up with space launch/satellite companies to build datacenters in space. TL;DR: It's not going to work.
taranis.ie
December 3, 2025 at 7:17 PM
(a) this really is a bloody great piece and
(b) it occurs to me that Data Centres In Space are very similar to Musk's Mars colonisation promise in that the obvious actual goal is to enable and excuse more harm on Earth today and tomorrow, rather than sincerely aim for the stated goal years from now
(b) it occurs to me that Data Centres In Space are very similar to Musk's Mars colonisation promise in that the obvious actual goal is to enable and excuse more harm on Earth today and tomorrow, rather than sincerely aim for the stated goal years from now
Reposted by Wendy Harmer
Mr Gideon Haigh on why the ongoing, incompetent and dull-witted enshittification of the State Library of Victoria is so heartbreaking, so stupid, and so dangerous. Please share. www.cricketetal.com/p/an-institu...
An Institution Betrayed
GH on the State Library's post-literate plans
www.cricketetal.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Mr Gideon Haigh on why the ongoing, incompetent and dull-witted enshittification of the State Library of Victoria is so heartbreaking, so stupid, and so dangerous. Please share. www.cricketetal.com/p/an-institu...
Reposted by Wendy Harmer
I think it's appalling to display an image of this man, Ben Roberts Smith, given everything we know about him, in the 'Hall of Valour' at the War Memorial.
The CEO of the War Memorial says he "stands by it".
The CEO of the War Memorial says he "stands by it".
December 3, 2025 at 3:04 AM
I think it's appalling to display an image of this man, Ben Roberts Smith, given everything we know about him, in the 'Hall of Valour' at the War Memorial.
The CEO of the War Memorial says he "stands by it".
The CEO of the War Memorial says he "stands by it".
Watching crumbling of the American Age in real time.
Asked academic friend on parallels in the fall of the Roman Empire?
"Because their perceived "Empire" learned everything Rome had to offer, did it better, and had no need for them any more. It happened incredibly quickly."
Sounds familiar, no?
Asked academic friend on parallels in the fall of the Roman Empire?
"Because their perceived "Empire" learned everything Rome had to offer, did it better, and had no need for them any more. It happened incredibly quickly."
Sounds familiar, no?
December 3, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Watching crumbling of the American Age in real time.
Asked academic friend on parallels in the fall of the Roman Empire?
"Because their perceived "Empire" learned everything Rome had to offer, did it better, and had no need for them any more. It happened incredibly quickly."
Sounds familiar, no?
Asked academic friend on parallels in the fall of the Roman Empire?
"Because their perceived "Empire" learned everything Rome had to offer, did it better, and had no need for them any more. It happened incredibly quickly."
Sounds familiar, no?
Reposted by Wendy Harmer
An important piece showing that we have known for a long time - more prescribed burns do not automatically make forests safer from #bushfire - a lesson that indigenous people learnt thousands of years ago 🧪
theconversation.com/in-1939-a-ro...
theconversation.com/in-1939-a-ro...
In 1939, a Royal Commission found burning forests leads to more bushfires. But this cycle of destruction can be stopped
After devastating fires in 1939, authorities began burning forests to reduce fuel load. But we now know this creates conditions for even worse fires.
theconversation.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:18 AM
An important piece showing that we have known for a long time - more prescribed burns do not automatically make forests safer from #bushfire - a lesson that indigenous people learnt thousands of years ago 🧪
theconversation.com/in-1939-a-ro...
theconversation.com/in-1939-a-ro...
It's "Giving Tuesday" - so chuck in a few $ for your fave charity.
@edolawyers.bsky.social are doubling donations today.
Making good trouble!
@edolawyers.bsky.social are doubling donations today.
Making good trouble!
December 2, 2025 at 1:41 AM
It's "Giving Tuesday" - so chuck in a few $ for your fave charity.
@edolawyers.bsky.social are doubling donations today.
Making good trouble!
@edolawyers.bsky.social are doubling donations today.
Making good trouble!
Watched "Chopper" again last night.
In the same vein as " Mr Inbetween", our distinctly Australian contribution to crime drama. Darkly comic.
You scold yourself for laughing and feeling sympathy... but when it turns... it's even more horrifying for that.
Both brilliant.
In the same vein as " Mr Inbetween", our distinctly Australian contribution to crime drama. Darkly comic.
You scold yourself for laughing and feeling sympathy... but when it turns... it's even more horrifying for that.
Both brilliant.
December 2, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Watched "Chopper" again last night.
In the same vein as " Mr Inbetween", our distinctly Australian contribution to crime drama. Darkly comic.
You scold yourself for laughing and feeling sympathy... but when it turns... it's even more horrifying for that.
Both brilliant.
In the same vein as " Mr Inbetween", our distinctly Australian contribution to crime drama. Darkly comic.
You scold yourself for laughing and feeling sympathy... but when it turns... it's even more horrifying for that.
Both brilliant.
Reposted by Wendy Harmer
Nesting offences.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
December 1, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Nesting offences.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
Hard to find this disaster on the front pages of the nation's online news ... our nearest neighbours.
Torrential rain has left Sri Lanka and parts of Indonesia's Sumatra, southern Thailand and northern Malaysia under water
Floods in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand leave close to 1,000 dead
Torrential rain has left Sri Lanka and parts of Indonesia's Sumatra, southern Thailand and northern Malaysia under water
bit.ly
December 1, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Hard to find this disaster on the front pages of the nation's online news ... our nearest neighbours.
Reposted by Wendy Harmer
Help! Sign & share the petition to save the State Library of Victoria from rolling crises, gallery closures, harassment/jettisoning of staff & new cuts to destroy services for children & adults. c.org/Hj9G9WSg2f. (Or change.org, search Save The State Library of Victoria.) #StateLibrary #librarians
Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?
Save the State Library of Victoria!
c.org
December 1, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Help! Sign & share the petition to save the State Library of Victoria from rolling crises, gallery closures, harassment/jettisoning of staff & new cuts to destroy services for children & adults. c.org/Hj9G9WSg2f. (Or change.org, search Save The State Library of Victoria.) #StateLibrary #librarians
Reposted by Wendy Harmer
"Even if it were possible, there’s not an age I’d choose to relive,” writes Wendy Harmer. “Every decade comes with its own singular, immutable character. Its achievements, joys, trials and tribulations.”
satpa.pe/hkvlMR7
satpa.pe/hkvlMR7
The comforts and conundrums of ageing
As the average life span extends ever closer to 100 years, and possibly more in the not too distant future, what are we to do with this extra time on Earth?
satpa.pe
November 30, 2025 at 8:09 AM
"Even if it were possible, there’s not an age I’d choose to relive,” writes Wendy Harmer. “Every decade comes with its own singular, immutable character. Its achievements, joys, trials and tribulations.”
satpa.pe/hkvlMR7
satpa.pe/hkvlMR7
A little something from me @thesaturdaypaper.com.au on ageing.
(Guaranteed zero advice)
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/life/2025/11...
(Guaranteed zero advice)
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/life/2025/11...
The comforts and conundrums of ageing
As the average life span extends ever closer to 100 years, and possibly more in the not too distant future, what are we to do with this extra time on Earth?
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
November 29, 2025 at 12:30 AM
A little something from me @thesaturdaypaper.com.au on ageing.
(Guaranteed zero advice)
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/life/2025/11...
(Guaranteed zero advice)
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/life/2025/11...
Phew - only three days until I can stop railing about Christmas decorations being up in November.
And I've got about four weeks until I start whingeing about Easter Eggs.
And I've got about four weeks until I start whingeing about Easter Eggs.
November 28, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Phew - only three days until I can stop railing about Christmas decorations being up in November.
And I've got about four weeks until I start whingeing about Easter Eggs.
And I've got about four weeks until I start whingeing about Easter Eggs.
Reposted by Wendy Harmer
Honestly, the great thing about AI is it’s going to free up so much spare time for us to be misinformed and out of work.
"Runctitiononal features"? "Medical fymblal"? "1 Tol Line storee"? This gets worse the longer you look at it. But it's got to be good, because it was published in Nature Scientific Reports last week: www.nature.com/articles/s41... h/t @asa.tsbalans.se
November 28, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Honestly, the great thing about AI is it’s going to free up so much spare time for us to be misinformed and out of work.
Reposted by Wendy Harmer
This is a very, strong column about recent planning changes in NSW by Elizabeth Farrelly. Strange that this legislation has not had more discussion…
Prohibiting the public interest
The new New South Wales Environmental Planning and Assessment (Planning System Reforms) Bill 2025, which slid through parliament in November with bipartisan support and little press coverage, is “trus...
architectureau.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:56 AM
This is a very, strong column about recent planning changes in NSW by Elizabeth Farrelly. Strange that this legislation has not had more discussion…
Reposted by Wendy Harmer
"...by 2050, Darwin residents can expect to swelter for over a third of the year with temperatures above 35°C, an increase of 92 days...Current climate and environmental policy in Australia is sacrificing the safety and survival of communities for corporate profits..."
I love Northern Australia, and it breaks my heart what's happening and is planned for this region. More people need to know why this place is so special and what's at risk, so I wrote about it. My first article for @australiainstitute.org.au's The Point. thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Northern Australia is extraordinary, and it’s under severe threat
Right now, this region, is under siege, in large part due to insatiable corporate and government desires to ‘develop’ the North.
thepoint.com.au
November 23, 2025 at 9:37 PM
"...by 2050, Darwin residents can expect to swelter for over a third of the year with temperatures above 35°C, an increase of 92 days...Current climate and environmental policy in Australia is sacrificing the safety and survival of communities for corporate profits..."
Reposted by Wendy Harmer
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
November 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
Reposted by Wendy Harmer
Yet another political crony-boy cannons into a funds-starved public cultural institution. Weapons lobbyist & previously-not-notably-arts-adjacent political pensioner Christopher Pyne appointed to our National Library Council.
What a brain-dead dumb, completely shite appointment. @tonyburkemp.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Yet another political crony-boy cannons into a funds-starved public cultural institution. Weapons lobbyist & previously-not-notably-arts-adjacent political pensioner Christopher Pyne appointed to our National Library Council.
Well, this is total garbage!
We need MORE R&D, not less, at this critical time... to be out front in innovation.
World leaders.
We have the smarts, the will and the energy.
WTF @albomp.bsky.social !!
We need MORE R&D, not less, at this critical time... to be out front in innovation.
World leaders.
We have the smarts, the will and the energy.
WTF @albomp.bsky.social !!
Who would think that at this point in Australia’s economic transition we should be spending more, not less, on research and development…
Imagine if we taxed the gas industry and pant more on R&D…crazy talk … #cliamte
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
Imagine if we taxed the gas industry and pant more on R&D…crazy talk … #cliamte
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
CSIRO 350 job cuts a damning indictment on Government priorities, misses 'golden opportunity' on research
The announcement this week that CSIRO are to cut 350 research jobs is another damning indictment on Australia’s ongoing failure to prioritise research and development.
thepoint.com.au
November 19, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Well, this is total garbage!
We need MORE R&D, not less, at this critical time... to be out front in innovation.
World leaders.
We have the smarts, the will and the energy.
WTF @albomp.bsky.social !!
We need MORE R&D, not less, at this critical time... to be out front in innovation.
World leaders.
We have the smarts, the will and the energy.
WTF @albomp.bsky.social !!
Reposted by Wendy Harmer
