Tim Hunter
@heterarchist.bsky.social
Full-time material scientist.
Part-time science fiction fantasy enthusiast.
Some-time democratic anarchist.
Australian, living at home, among the gum-trees.
Part-time science fiction fantasy enthusiast.
Some-time democratic anarchist.
Australian, living at home, among the gum-trees.
Pinned
Tim Hunter
@heterarchist.bsky.social
· Aug 15
AVATAR: Male western bearded dragon on wood fence post. Head & upper body blend into bleached wood. Tall grass behind.
BANNER: Concrete microstructure false-colour map. Calcium/blue, potassium/green, silicon/red. Bottom: aggregate flecks. Middle: diffuse cracks, soft gel. Top: craggly, cement paste.
BANNER: Concrete microstructure false-colour map. Calcium/blue, potassium/green, silicon/red. Bottom: aggregate flecks. Middle: diffuse cracks, soft gel. Top: craggly, cement paste.
Reposted by Tim Hunter
Been rather dispiriting how much ink has been spilled by the gallery on MP expenses, while the report into mutual obligations has been pretty much ignored. @amyremeikis.bsky.social is on it #ThePoint (what is The Point? It’s not news, but it SHOULD be)
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
The welfare system isn’t just on fire, it’s burning out of control
The problem with having pattern recognition is that you can always see the fires before they start. Governments are a bit like that, too. It’s not that they don’t see the fire before the smoke, it’s...
thepoint.com.au
December 13, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Been rather dispiriting how much ink has been spilled by the gallery on MP expenses, while the report into mutual obligations has been pretty much ignored. @amyremeikis.bsky.social is on it #ThePoint (what is The Point? It’s not news, but it SHOULD be)
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Reposted by Tim Hunter
When people refer to old buildings as ‘like Hogwarts’, remember that in a sense, the project of built heritage conservation is also the conversion of memory (of experienced places) into formal values (of real estate, or public secular meaning), which can be a profoundly ideological, harmful, process
December 11, 2025 at 5:01 AM
When people refer to old buildings as ‘like Hogwarts’, remember that in a sense, the project of built heritage conservation is also the conversion of memory (of experienced places) into formal values (of real estate, or public secular meaning), which can be a profoundly ideological, harmful, process
We live live in the best of times of all known history. Today is better than last year, better than last decade, century, millenium, and so on.
This sort of absurd, ultra-bleak reading of the remarkable prosperity of modern societies is not only embarrassingly wrong - and I saw a historian retweet this sincerely (!!) - but also helps fuel not materialist, left-wing politics, but rather reactionary right-wing politics ('RETVRN-ism').
December 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
We live live in the best of times of all known history. Today is better than last year, better than last decade, century, millenium, and so on.
Reposted by Tim Hunter
This sort of absurd, ultra-bleak reading of the remarkable prosperity of modern societies is not only embarrassingly wrong - and I saw a historian retweet this sincerely (!!) - but also helps fuel not materialist, left-wing politics, but rather reactionary right-wing politics ('RETVRN-ism').
December 11, 2025 at 1:54 AM
This sort of absurd, ultra-bleak reading of the remarkable prosperity of modern societies is not only embarrassingly wrong - and I saw a historian retweet this sincerely (!!) - but also helps fuel not materialist, left-wing politics, but rather reactionary right-wing politics ('RETVRN-ism').
Reposted by Tim Hunter
Significant statement from the Ombudsman on payment suspensions - the system is unfairly and unlawfully punishing people who are "below the poverty line" and are "unlikely to find ongoing employment no matter how hard they try to comply with the requirements placed upon them"
December 9, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Significant statement from the Ombudsman on payment suspensions - the system is unfairly and unlawfully punishing people who are "below the poverty line" and are "unlikely to find ongoing employment no matter how hard they try to comply with the requirements placed upon them"
Reposted by Tim Hunter
#BREAKING: The Commonwealth Ombudsman has published their investigation into the Targeted Compliance Framework & Mutual Obligations system
Their findings on the Department's administration of many parts of the system are incredibly damning 👇
Their findings on the Department's administration of many parts of the system are incredibly damning 👇
December 8, 2025 at 10:44 PM
#BREAKING: The Commonwealth Ombudsman has published their investigation into the Targeted Compliance Framework & Mutual Obligations system
Their findings on the Department's administration of many parts of the system are incredibly damning 👇
Their findings on the Department's administration of many parts of the system are incredibly damning 👇
Reposted by Tim Hunter
More on the destruction of MqUni Arts. Every PoC in Sociology has been sacked or pushed into teaching only. Only 1 woman left in Politics & Intl Relations, & 1 in Sociology. At least 3/9 sacked academics are neurodiverse. Several successful researchers have been sacked or made teaching only. 2/2
December 6, 2025 at 12:43 AM
More on the destruction of MqUni Arts. Every PoC in Sociology has been sacked or pushed into teaching only. Only 1 woman left in Politics & Intl Relations, & 1 in Sociology. At least 3/9 sacked academics are neurodiverse. Several successful researchers have been sacked or made teaching only. 2/2
Reposted by Tim Hunter
every single goddamn time i see somebody mention N. K. Jemisin i think about her criticizing the story and then tweeting “well I didn’t read it but”
I Sexually Identify as an Attack Helicopter wasn't actually that intense. A lot of the "queer community" pilloried a trans woman and ran her out of society entirely and buried her literary future because they felt like it and they could taste blood in the water, and that's how all this works.
December 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM
every single goddamn time i see somebody mention N. K. Jemisin i think about her criticizing the story and then tweeting “well I didn’t read it but”
Reposted by Tim Hunter
Williams on the supply mythologies, their sources & dangers;
December 2, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Williams on the supply mythologies, their sources & dangers;
Reposted by Tim Hunter
Dear Lord. Centrelink says 144 different parts of its system have been operating unlawfully or erroneously.
This scandal of 44k overpaid debts is just ONE of the 144 issues they say they've identified.
The welfare system is in complete crisis & disarray
This scandal of 44k overpaid debts is just ONE of the 144 issues they say they've identified.
The welfare system is in complete crisis & disarray
December 3, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Dear Lord. Centrelink says 144 different parts of its system have been operating unlawfully or erroneously.
This scandal of 44k overpaid debts is just ONE of the 144 issues they say they've identified.
The welfare system is in complete crisis & disarray
This scandal of 44k overpaid debts is just ONE of the 144 issues they say they've identified.
The welfare system is in complete crisis & disarray
Reposted by Tim Hunter
Rewarding loyalty is not self-evidently a bad thing, and I can think of a lot of down sides to a political system where loyalty is consistently ignored
December 1, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Rewarding loyalty is not self-evidently a bad thing, and I can think of a lot of down sides to a political system where loyalty is consistently ignored
Reposted by Tim Hunter
While there’s obviously a problem with appointments processes, there’s a much bigger (and underdiscussed imo) problem with talent identification and recruitment.
At their most benign, political appts are a network effect that introduces you to candidates outside the risk-averse board careerists.
At their most benign, political appts are a network effect that introduces you to candidates outside the risk-averse board careerists.
Scathing ‘jobs for mates’ review finds appointments to government boards routinely abused
A report by Lynelle Briggs says placements ‘look like nepotism’ and are undermining confidence in government
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:55 PM
While there’s obviously a problem with appointments processes, there’s a much bigger (and underdiscussed imo) problem with talent identification and recruitment.
At their most benign, political appts are a network effect that introduces you to candidates outside the risk-averse board careerists.
At their most benign, political appts are a network effect that introduces you to candidates outside the risk-averse board careerists.
Reposted by Tim Hunter
yeah the harsh reality is that we do take a chance on small games no one's heard of a lot more often than anyone thinks we do. but literally no one reads the articles, which then reinforces to the powers that be that they're not worth doing. I don't know how to solve that problem!
I've been doing this all year but indie journalists have the same issues as indie games. Unless it's a big name, nobody cares.
November 2025 Indie Game Wrap-Up: The Best New Indie Releases and Demos You Can Play Now - MonsterVine
From gothic roguelites to rhythm adventures, November 2025’s indie lineup is packed with creativity. Discover 13 standout indie games and demos releasing this month.
monstervine.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:31 PM
yeah the harsh reality is that we do take a chance on small games no one's heard of a lot more often than anyone thinks we do. but literally no one reads the articles, which then reinforces to the powers that be that they're not worth doing. I don't know how to solve that problem!
Reposted by Tim Hunter
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
But Labor is set to eschew a series of recommendations from former public service commissioner Lynelle Briggs’ long-anticipated jobs for mates review.....
But Labor is set to eschew a series of recommendations from former public service commissioner Lynelle Briggs’ long-anticipated jobs for mates review.....
Scathing ‘jobs for mates’ review finds appointments to government boards routinely abused
A report by Lynelle Briggs says placements ‘look like nepotism’ and are undermining confidence in government
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:13 PM
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
But Labor is set to eschew a series of recommendations from former public service commissioner Lynelle Briggs’ long-anticipated jobs for mates review.....
But Labor is set to eschew a series of recommendations from former public service commissioner Lynelle Briggs’ long-anticipated jobs for mates review.....
Reposted by Tim Hunter
To be honest I think I'd be going with Ed Husic on this one...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Labor rejects standalone AI legislation with plan that offers to help ‘unlock’ public and private data
Roadmap focuses on technology’s ‘economic benefits’ and says existing laws will cover the fast-growing new technology
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:13 PM
To be honest I think I'd be going with Ed Husic on this one...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Tim Hunter
Scary, scary! Save us from nasty renewables, lovely coal!
I love that the word "blackout" appears just 2 times in AEMO's 154 page report, yet makes the SMH headline!
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
I love that the word "blackout" appears just 2 times in AEMO's 154 page report, yet makes the SMH headline!
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
December 1, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Scary, scary! Save us from nasty renewables, lovely coal!
I love that the word "blackout" appears just 2 times in AEMO's 154 page report, yet makes the SMH headline!
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
I love that the word "blackout" appears just 2 times in AEMO's 154 page report, yet makes the SMH headline!
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
Reposted by Tim Hunter
The Age and Sydney Morning Herald have scrubbed references to Gaza and Palestine from their version of a Walkleys speech given by Kerry O’Brien last week.
The Age and SMH removed Gaza references from Kerry O'Brien's Walkleys speech
www.crikey.com.au
December 1, 2025 at 3:01 AM
The Age and Sydney Morning Herald have scrubbed references to Gaza and Palestine from their version of a Walkleys speech given by Kerry O’Brien last week.
Reposted by Tim Hunter
Feral pigs are a massive issue across Australia. They can cause tremendous damage to environments, wildlife and cultural sites. And, like many invasive species, government funding of their control and eradication is grossly insufficient.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... By @donnadlu.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... By @donnadlu.bsky.social
Rainforests, rivers and sacred sites are being ‘ripped to shreds’ by feral pigs, Queensland traditional owners warn
Destruction wrought by swine-borne disease is thinning the canopy of bunya pine forests and the problem is getting worse, experts say
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Feral pigs are a massive issue across Australia. They can cause tremendous damage to environments, wildlife and cultural sites. And, like many invasive species, government funding of their control and eradication is grossly insufficient.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... By @donnadlu.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... By @donnadlu.bsky.social
Reposted by Tim Hunter
Political journalists are incapable of understanding climate example #290093 -> Jacob Greber from the ABC insisting that a new environmental law that ignores climate should provide 'solace' to 'doom-fed' young people
Patronising AF and representative of Australia's media class
archive.ph/EGLFU
Patronising AF and representative of Australia's media class
archive.ph/EGLFU
November 30, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Political journalists are incapable of understanding climate example #290093 -> Jacob Greber from the ABC insisting that a new environmental law that ignores climate should provide 'solace' to 'doom-fed' young people
Patronising AF and representative of Australia's media class
archive.ph/EGLFU
Patronising AF and representative of Australia's media class
archive.ph/EGLFU
Reposted by Tim Hunter
I still cannot believe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were dragged through a racist af referendum to try and get what Albanese just handed to Zionists.
Not Jewish people, Zionists. Israelies to be more exact. Not even Australian. They work for Israel.
Not Jewish people, Zionists. Israelies to be more exact. Not even Australian. They work for Israel.
November 27, 2025 at 4:08 AM
I still cannot believe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were dragged through a racist af referendum to try and get what Albanese just handed to Zionists.
Not Jewish people, Zionists. Israelies to be more exact. Not even Australian. They work for Israel.
Not Jewish people, Zionists. Israelies to be more exact. Not even Australian. They work for Israel.
Reposted by Tim Hunter
Online RPG commenters not seeing healthy emotional boundaries and behaviours as problematic challenge (impossible).
November 25, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Online RPG commenters not seeing healthy emotional boundaries and behaviours as problematic challenge (impossible).
Reposted by Tim Hunter
On the same day CSIRO announced it was cutting 350 jobs, the Australian newspaper ranked the country's top 250 researchers and institutes by field.
Don't mean to yuck yums but... Citations and metric ranking feels like a bad idea folks!!!!! 🧪
nobreakthroughs.substack.com/p/are-you-in...
Don't mean to yuck yums but... Citations and metric ranking feels like a bad idea folks!!!!! 🧪
nobreakthroughs.substack.com/p/are-you-in...
Are You in Australia's Top 250 Researchers? Who Cares!
(Yet) An(other) argument for science journalism in the newsroom.
nobreakthroughs.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
On the same day CSIRO announced it was cutting 350 jobs, the Australian newspaper ranked the country's top 250 researchers and institutes by field.
Don't mean to yuck yums but... Citations and metric ranking feels like a bad idea folks!!!!! 🧪
nobreakthroughs.substack.com/p/are-you-in...
Don't mean to yuck yums but... Citations and metric ranking feels like a bad idea folks!!!!! 🧪
nobreakthroughs.substack.com/p/are-you-in...
Reposted by Tim Hunter
Same punishment @mehreenfaruqi.bsky.social got for holding up a sign saying "Gaza is starving. Words won't feed them/ Sanction Israel"
the Senate has overwhelmingly voted to censure Pauline Hanson for her burqa stunt
Motion passed 55 to 5 - only One Nation and Ralph Babet voted against
Hanson will be barred from overseas parliamentary delegations
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Motion passed 55 to 5 - only One Nation and Ralph Babet voted against
Hanson will be barred from overseas parliamentary delegations
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
November 25, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Same punishment @mehreenfaruqi.bsky.social got for holding up a sign saying "Gaza is starving. Words won't feed them/ Sanction Israel"
Reposted by Tim Hunter
100's of jobs cut at CSIRO when it has never been more important for govts to invest in science & research. Why can Labor find $$ for AUKUS but not our nation’s premier science, industry & research org? The Greens implore the Albanese government to commit funding & prevent cuts.
November 19, 2025 at 3:37 AM
100's of jobs cut at CSIRO when it has never been more important for govts to invest in science & research. Why can Labor find $$ for AUKUS but not our nation’s premier science, industry & research org? The Greens implore the Albanese government to commit funding & prevent cuts.
Reposted by Tim Hunter
A government that can’t bring itself to tax fossil fuel, big tech or any wealth properly but defunds its critical institutions is not a good government, sorry
November 18, 2025 at 8:17 PM
A government that can’t bring itself to tax fossil fuel, big tech or any wealth properly but defunds its critical institutions is not a good government, sorry