@fullfathomfive@aus.social cover
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fullfathomfive

@[email protected]

Australian with a chronic illness. Sharing things that catch my fancy from across the web. Disability advocacy, film, music, queer history, audiobooks, animals. Back at uni after many years.

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@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

Happy lunar new year everyone

A graphic of an abstract globe from BBC News with closed captioning superimposed over it. The caption reads, "Welcome to the year of the whores. People around the globe celebrate".
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@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

Meme. A screenshot of the famous "how's the serenity" scene from the Castle, showing Darryl and Dale staring peacefully into a twilit evening. The caption reads: "How's the social cohesion? So much social cohesion."
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@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

An excellent primer on reactionary centrism.

https://www.volts.wtf/p/all-about-reactionary-centrism

fullfathomfive OP ,
@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar

'[Ignazio Silone's] line is: “Fascism is a counter-revolution against a revolution that never took place.” ...

Once you see that pattern, you start to notice that the way the far fascist right succeeds — and you’ve seen this run over and over again throughout the 20th and 21st century — is that the right convinces the center that the left is the biggest threat. The center spends its time fighting and yelling at the left while the right waltzes in and sets up fascism. That’s what happened in the 20th century over and over again.

This is not a new or novel thing. The idea of the right trying to convince people that the workers and the unions and the commies and the liberals and the professors and the queers and the deviants and the Jews are all colluding, all just about to take over — that is always the key way to prepare the ground for fascism. When we’re talking about this going on today, that is the context and it is playing out again like it was written into a script. It’s so clear, it’s just happening again.

The people we’re talking about, the reactionary centrists, are not just doing something that’s bad on a world historical scale. They’re taking part in a pattern that is very well established that leads to terrible places every time, and they are not self-aware enough, they do not have enough self-discipline, enough self-awareness to see what’s going on or to care — or maybe they do and don’t care, it varies.'

@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

“We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.”

— Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning

@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

Surprisingly good article about the resistance in Minnesota from The Atlantic.

https://archive.is/NWyPq

Minnesotans have found and loved one another in a world atomized by social media, where empty men have tried to fill their lonely soul with lies about their own inherent superiority. Minnesotans have preserved everything worthwhile about “Western civilization,” while armed brutes try to tear it down by force.

Minnesotans have found and loved one another in a world atomized by social media, where empty men have tried to fill their lonely soul with lies about their own inherent superiority. Minnesotans have preserved everything worthwhile about “Western civilization,” while armed brutes try to tear it down by force.
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@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

Feels weird that my life is going kind of okay (better than it has in a long time) while the world is in total chaos

@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

dunno why mum keeps sending me pictures of her fence

Two tawny frogmouths sitting on a fence, imitating tree branches. They are the same grey mottled colour as the fence and if it was a tree and not flat rectangular pieces of wood they'd blend in really well.
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@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

nothing to see here

an adult and baby tawny frogmouth trying (and failing) to blend into a fence
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@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

It's odd that so many billionaires want to be immortal but don't give a shit about climate change or a functional society. What kind of world do you want to live forever in?

@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

I was woken this morning by two kookaburras making a racket down the side passage. Turns out their beaks were stuck together (!)

While they scrambled and fought, trying to pull apart, a currawong sat on the fence commentating the life-or-death struggle.

After my sleepy brain had made sense of what the bloody hell was going on, I fetched some gloves and gently prised them apart. They both flew off in high dudgeon.

What a surreal start to the day.

Two kookaburras on the ground, with their beaks interlocked
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@404mediaco@mastodon.social avatar 404mediaco , to random

In a series of experiments, chimpanzees revised their beliefs based on new evidence, shedding light on the evolutionary origins of rational thought.

🔗 https://www.404media.co/chimps-are-capable-of-human-like-rational-thought-breakthrough-study-finds/

fullfathomfive ,
@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar

@404mediaco After a series of experiments spanning centuries, humans finally realise other animals are capable of rational thought, stunning the rest of the animal kingdom who thought they'd never figure it out

@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

What's happening on the other side of the ceasefire deal.

'The others also looked to be in bad shape. Their cheekbones jutted out, with some bearing the marks of recent beatings and a few unable to walk without being propped up by their relatives.

When asked about their treatment in the prisons, a prisoner apologised and said he could not answer, for fear that he would face repercussions from Israeli authorities, only saying that it was “horrible”...

Israel also forbade people from celebrating the release on Monday, firing teargas at family members and journalists waiting near Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank, where detainees were kept. A flyer distributed by the Israeli military warned people that “we are surveilling you everywhere” and threatening that if they supported “terrorist organisations” they could be arrested.

Six different relatives of prisoners all said they had been visited by Israeli security services in recent days.'

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/13/palestinian-prisoners-return-home

@nixCraft@mastodon.social avatar nixCraft , (edited ) to random

Which tech giant's personal desktop app would you abandon forever the first chance you get?

fullfathomfive ,
@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar

@nixCraft Have to use loathsome Microsoft for uni. Wish they would switch to Linux.

@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

somehow not The Onion

A headline from the Guardian reading "Gaza: US imposes sanctions on Palestinians for requesting war crimes investigation"
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@nixCraft@mastodon.social avatar nixCraft , to random

he is slowly realising the mess he has created 🤣

A screenshot of a tweet from Sam Altman's verified account. The tweet reads: "i never took the dead internet theory that seriously but it seems like there are really a lot of LLM-run twitter accounts now."
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fullfathomfive ,
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@EUCommission@ec.social-network.europa.eu avatar EUCommission , (edited ) to random

🎨 Design the future look of the euro!

The European Central Bank has launched a design contest for the new euro banknotes.

Open to graphic designers in the EU, submit your proposal for one of two themes:
🖼️ European culture
🌍 Rivers and birds

The designs – reflecting Europe’s shared cultural identity and natural heritage – will shape our currency for years to come!

🗓️ Apply by 18 August 2025, 12:00 CET

🔗 More info: https://europa.eu/!cWfmdT

A graphic showing a 20-euro banknote with the design area pixelated. Above the note, bold text reads: “What will the future euro look like?” A curved arrow points to the blurred area. Below the banknote, the message says: “Submit your design.” The European Union flag appears in the bottom right corner. The image is shown in a design software interface.
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fullfathomfive ,
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@EUCommission I see you've given up on the fake bridges

@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

the three genders

A photo of a frozen food packet which reads "Mini potato cakes/scallops/fritters". These are three different regional names for slices of potato that have been battered and fried. Arguing about the "true" name for this food is a popular Australian pastime.
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@publicdomainrev@mastodon.social avatar publicdomainrev , to random

Woodcut from F.M. van Helmont's Alphabet of Nature (1667), a book on the idea of a universal “natural” language, written in between torture sessions while Helmont was imprisoned by the Inquisition. Je Wilson explores: https://publicdomainreview.org/essay/francis-van-helmont-and-the-alphabet-of-nature

fullfathomfive ,
@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar

@publicdomainrev

I see attitudes to vegetarians haven't changed much.

"Years together, I also abstained from fleshes, like as also from Fishes, Wine, and Ale or Beer; and that so far, that I incurred the contempt and disdain of my kindred, who upbraided me as I conjecture, from a good zeal: What unwonted thing doth he again begin?"

fullfathomfive ,
@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar

@publicdomainrev This is an exceptional article about a fascinating dude. Thank you!

@nocontexttrek@mastodon.social avatar nocontexttrek , to random

Star Trek The Original Series scene. We're on the bridge of the original Enterprise, no bloody A, B, C, or D, and see Captain Kirk and Spock, famous workplace associates. Spock is bending over and slightly turning to look at Kirk, who is standing upright and looking up at something. For the record , they are both in uniform. Closed caption reads, "YOUR PROBES HAVE TOUCHED ME, MR. SPOCK."
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fullfathomfive ,
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@nocontexttrek
🎵 Ooh, I compare you to a kiss by a probe on the bridge 🎵

@kevinrothrock@infosec.exchange avatar kevinrothrock , to random

remember, kids: Israel warns, whereas Iran...

fullfathomfive ,
@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar

@kevinrothrock And Israel reports, Tehran says. One has authority and integrity, the other is just saying stuff.

@GetCarter@mastodonapp.uk avatar GetCarter , to random

Since their reintroduction here some years back, the Red Squirrel population has grown significantly, and as it spreads north along the coast using the 'motortway' of trees, we regularly see new ones (with different markings). Yesterday:

Red Squirrel on tree.
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fullfathomfive ,
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@GetCarter A dead ringer for Arthur

@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

Another day, another interview with a wildlife conservationist failing to mention that land clearing is the biggest extinction threat in Australia.

He's talking about re-wilding instead. Maybe if we pour enough water into the bath, it won't matter that there's no plug in the drain 🙂

@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

The media is so obsessed with who the new Liberal party leader will be. They've gone straight from one bit of horse race journalism to another.

Legacy media needs to listen to Australian voters. We DON'T CARE. We've said that for two elections now. We care about policies, we care about fair, transparent government, we care about climate change. Stop publishing this dreck. The political media complex needs as much reform as the major parties do.

@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar georgetakei , to random

A family tree where every branch is rotten.

A screenshot of a post on X by user Fernando Oliver, Esq. (@Fernand46357857 ). The post includes an image with the text "THREE GENERATIONS OF SCUM" at the top. Below are three sections labeled "GRANDPA," "FATHER," and "SON." Under "GRANDPA," the text reads: "FUGITIVE IMMIGRANT DRAFT DODGER PIMP." Under "FATHER," the text reads: "RACIST SLUMLORD TAX CHEAT." Under "SON," the text reads: "RACIST | SLUMLORD TAX CHEAT | GRIFTER DRAFT DODGER MONEY LAUNDERER TRAITOR."
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fullfathomfive ,
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@georgetakei His niece is alright

@lowqualityfacts@mstdn.social avatar lowqualityfacts , to random

For Christmas I asked my girlfriend's sister to make a painting of me riding my cat Fishy into battle. I didn't expect her to actually do it, but please take a look at this absolute masterpiece she created. Words cannot express how much I love it.

A painting of me in knight armor riding my tuxedo cat Fishy into battle, surrounded by other knights on horses under a glorious sky.
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fullfathomfive ,
@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar

@lowqualityfacts Damn, she's talented. Has she got a website or an insta I can follow?

@Daojoan@mastodon.social avatar Daojoan , to random

developing a new blockchain that runs entirely on the power of positive thinking and marginally illegal securities fraud

fullfathomfive ,
@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar

@Daojoan so just a regular blockchain then

@Daojoan@mastodon.social avatar Daojoan , to random

Rigged but it's pronounced like Rugged

fullfathomfive ,
@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar

@Daojoan So ... New Zealand?

@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar arstechnica , to random

Windows Recall demands an extraordinary level of trust that Microsoft hasn’t earned

Op-ed: The risks to Recall are way too high for security to be secondary.

https://arstechnica.com/ai/2024/06/windows-recall-demands-an-extraordinary-level-of-trust-that-microsoft-hasnt-earned/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

fullfathomfive ,
@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar

@arstechnica Great product name, Windows Recall. It's like they knew it would be recalled due to massive security risks so they got ahead of the game.

@nixCraft@mastodon.social avatar nixCraft , to random

this developer retired or resigned from software giant after 22 years 4 mos, and became a farmer. bro is living his dream. https://x.com/timokonkwo_/status/1785340149582143947

LinkedIn page of Microsoft employees showing their employment history includes working with the software giant for 22 years and four months. The latest update shows that employees working as farmer
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fullfathomfive ,
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@nixCraft Most of us just play Stardew Valley, bro is out here living it

@APoD@botsin.space avatar APoD Bot , to random

GK Per: Nova and Planetary Nebula

Image Credit & Copyright: Deep Sky Collective

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240430.html

A faint nebula runs vertically in the image. In the center is a red envelope surrounding diffuse blue emission. In the center is a bright multicolored nebula that is nearly circular.
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fullfathomfive ,
@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar

@APoD it looks like a brain

@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

'The Zionist myth that Israeli settlers "made the desert bloom" is as inaccurate as the one that Israel was a "land without a people for a people without a land".⁠

As we can see in Gaza and the West Bank, the process of stripping the land of its people, and reducing cultivated land to slashed and burned wasteland, requires extensive, brutal violence. Olive groves that have been propagated for centuries are torn down by Israeli settlers, water sources are filled with concrete, and farmers are driven from their homes.⁠

In the 1948 Nakba, at least half of the Arab population of Palestine, (700,000 people,) were driven from their homes, and forbidden from returning. Villages were razed, and archaeological sites destroyed. There has been a deliberate attempt by the Israeli state to make its claim of a "land without a people" a retrospective reality. As they will attempt to do with Gaza, after this Second Nakba.⁠

According to Decolonizing Palestine: "The vast majority of cultivated agricultural land in Israel today was already being cultivated by Palestinians before their ethnic cleansing... On the eve of the 1948 war, around 739,750 acres of land were being cultivated by Palestinians. These cultivated lands were so vast, that they were “greater than the physical area which was under cultivation in Israel almost thirty years later.” The agricultural core of the Israeli state consists of cultivated farmland that was stolen from Palestinian refugees after their ethnic cleansing."⁠

Colonial ideology has always needed to believe that conquered peoples were idle, ignorant and backwards, unable to manage their own resources, and always requiring Western intervention to improve and utilize the land beneath their feet. The more we learn about the civilisations that European colonialism has destroyed, the more we discover that we were simply importing our own ignorance into these nations, alongside our violence and disease. The people who lived there before we arrived knew all too well how to live in their own land.⁠

So no, Israel did not "make the desert bloom", like all European colonial projects, they did little more than pave paradise, and put up a parking lot.'

Words and image by Darren Cullen

https://www.spellingmistakescostlives.com/single-post/make-the-desert-bloom

@ajsadauskas@aus.social avatar ajsadauskas , to Fuck Cars

Sydney has opened up consultation on a strategy to reduce car traffic and make the city more walkable

"Driving in central Sydney will become harder under a plan to make the city more comfortable for pedestrians.

"The City of Sydney wants to narrow roads for wider footpaths and push for lower speed limits to discourage drivers from the CBD and transform Sydney into a walkable city.

"The council will also install more pedestrian crossings and prioritise people over cars... five times more pedestrians than motorists on the average street, yet just 40 per cent of road space is allocated to footpaths."

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/greener-safer-calmer-the-plan-to-discourage-drivers-from-central-sydney-20240312-p5fbr7.html

Some key points of the strategy are:

We will ensure that there is sufficient space for people to walk.

We will improve connectivity for people walking by ensuring there are frequent street crossings that give people priority and that align with people’s walking routes.

We will ensure that footpaths and crossings are accessible so that everyone can use them.

We will plan our city based on 10-minute neighbourhoods so that people are able to meet their daily needs easily by walking.

We will make it safer for people to walk by reducing vehicle speeds.

We will reduce traffic volumes on surface streets and manage through-traffic in residential neighbourhood streets to improve both safety and experience for people walking.

We will work to make all people feel safer while walking around our city.

We will work to improve compliance with road rules, especially the lesser-known rules that benefit people walking.

We will make our streets and public spaces comfortable and inviting by ensuring that they
are green and cool.

We will make sure that there are frequent opportunities for people to stop and rest, use the toilet or have a drink of water.

We will make our city more pleasant to walk in by reducing noise and air pollution from
traffic.

We will make all streets interesting to walk along by ensuring that built form has active, permeable frontages that invite engagement and curiosity.

We will use design, activations and installations to create neighbourhood-based community and encourage people to interact with their streets.

Full details here: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/policy-planning-changes/your-feedback-walking-strategy-action-plan#strategy

Unfortunately, the car-brained leader of the local business lobby isn't on board:

"Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou welcomed efforts to make the city pedestrian-friendly... But Nicolaou said it was difficult to see how making Sydney a predominantly walking city would benefit businesses such as retailers."

(Worth repeating that 80% of people on an average city street are pedestrians, so it already is a predominantly walking city.)

Anyway, if you think the plan's a good idea, make sure you let the Sydney City Council know by emailing [email protected]

fuck_cars@lemmy.ml icon Fuck Cars

fullfathomfive ,
@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar

@ajsadauskas fuck_cars@lemmy.ml icon Fuck Cars

Sounds awesome. I'm curious what accessibility measures they're going to include in the plan. The CBD is so inaccessible to disabled people it's virtually a no-go zone for a lot of us. I wouldn't want a pedestrian plan that further entrenches that inaccessibility.

fullfathomfive ,
@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar

@jedsetter @ajsadauskas fuck_cars@lemmy.ml icon Fuck Cars

Thanks! I ended up reading most of the council document. They're adding more kerb ramps, more tactile wayfinding and more disabled toilets, which is great!

Unfortunately it looks like some of the worst accessibility issues (inaccessible buildings, little accessible public transport to and around the CBD, no disability parking near the pedestrian malls, no carts or mobility scooters in the outdoor malls, etc) haven't been mentioned.

It will still be way more disability-friendly than before (just by reducing traffic and increasing walking space), but I wish they'd considered some of those things. I think a lot of folks will still be excluded.

@fullfathomfive@aus.social avatar fullfathomfive , to random

The Inaccessibility Cycle

An infographic showing The Inaccessibility Cycle. There is a circle of arrows, showing a cycle as follows: > Inaccessibility > Disabled people unable to participate > Disabled people not visible in public > Disabled people seen as outlier/rarity > "So there's little/no need to consider them." The last arrow points back to "Inaccessibility", completing the cycle. The original infographic is by Pacing Pixie, redesigned by Siuman.
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