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Jeff Sparrow

@jeffsparrow1.bsky.social
3K followers 470 following 222 posts

Frightful hobgoblin

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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 8m
No but I love that book.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 11m
Bingo. (As in Bingo Little.)
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 22m
Name the author.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
One more plug for my Lesbia Harford book event at Readings Carlton on Monday with Yves Rees www.readings.com.au/events/somew...
readings.com.au
Somewhere Here the Future’s Hid by Jeff Sparrow
We are delighted to host the launch of Jeff Sparrow's latest work, Somewhere Here the Future’s Hid: The Extraordinary Life of Lesbia Harford. Barely known in her lifetime, Lesbia Harford is now celeb...
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Reposted by Jeff Sparrow
Giovanni Tiso @gtiso.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I do judge people on the basis of whether or not they support genocide.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Another word for ‘judging people on the basis of whether they agree with you’ is ‘politics’.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Nice review of the new book insidestory.org.au/lust-for-rad...
insidestory.org.au
Lust for radical life • Cathy Perkins
Melbourne poet Lesbia Harford opted for a life of political activism
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Probably not and no, unfortunately! But you could read the book!
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I don’t know how much consolation poetry provides in an era of barbarism but it’s more comforting than AI slop.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This passage from Anna Akhmatova during the Great Terror, in which she describes waiting outside a Stalinist prison alongside the desperate people seeking word of their relatives (most of whom were already dead).
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I’m in a bad mood from grading essays so take this with a grain of salt but I can’t stop thinking about AI replacing literary creativity just as we enter a period of intensified depravity and collapse.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I wrote for @crikey.com.au about President Slop www.crikey.com.au/2026/09/23/d...
crikey.com.au
Is Donald Trump hyping AI for the economy or the memes?
The US president wants to rename the technology "super intelligence" and establish an "AI czar". He knows he can't let the tech bubble burst, but he also just really loves the slop.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I’m doing an event for _Somewhere here the future’s hid_ at @ReadingsBooks with Yves Rees on Mon 5 October. Please come! www.readings.com.au/events/somew...
readings.com.au
Somewhere Here the Future’s Hid by Jeff Sparrow
We are delighted to host the launch of Jeff Sparrow's latest work, Somewhere Here the Future’s Hid: The Extraordinary Life of Lesbia Harford. Barely known in her lifetime, Lesbia Harford is now celeb...
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
This is nice catholicoutlook.org/fr-frank-bre...
catholicoutlook.org
Fr Frank Brennan's Homily for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2026 - Catholic Outlook
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads.  Today can be more than a commercial opportunity for the sale of lots of socks.  Let’s all recall our own fathers whether they be living or dead.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
theconversation.com/friday-essay...
theconversation.com
Friday essay: Jeff Sparrow on the radical hope of ‘forgotten’ Australian writer Lesbia Harford
Lesbia Harford knew she would die young but became a revolutionary all the same. She loved both women and men, capturing the dizzying confusion of a violent time.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
back on about social cohesion at @crikey.com.au www.crikey.com.au/2026/09/02/n...
crikey.com.au
Resisting climate desecration means rebuking 'social cohesion'
Division and polarisation are not, in and of themselves, problems. In the face of an unprecedented crisis, with no obvious solution in sight, the demand for 'cohesion' becomes both utopian and reactio...
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Martin Shaw @thebooksdesk.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Great stuff: David Marr chats here to @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social on his new biography of Lesbia Harford www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
abc.net.au
Lesbia Harford: Australia’s anti-war, socialist poet - ABC listen
Lesbia Harford was one of the first women to graduate as a lawyer from Melbourne University in the First World War, but followed her socialist ideals by working as a machinist in a factory. She went o...
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Briony Neilson @brionyneilson.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Solidarity with staff at the University of Sydney taking 24-hour industrial action today. High among the demands are job security, decasualisation, and stronger protections over AI use, transparency, and intellectual property. ✊
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I had a long discussion with David Marr about my biography of Lesbia Harford on Late Night Live www.abc.net.au/.../lesbia-h...
abc.net.au
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Real books now! In shops soon, I think.
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Nathan Tankus @nathantankus.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Ben Gvir posted this video on twitter today which shows fat and happy Palestinians on a conveyer built going through the Israeli "prison" (torture camp) system and coming out emaciated and maudlin. This is textbook genocidal content.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
I chatted with ABC radio about my new book www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
abc.net.au
Lesbia Harford: one of Australia's greatest poets. - ABC listen
She’s been called one of Australia’s greatest poets by Les Murray. Who is Lesbia Harford?
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Aww. I miss that gig too!
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Little vid x.com/Jeff_Sparrow...
x.com
Jeff Sparrow (@Jeff_Sparrow) on X
Little book vid
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Ignoring humans rights abuses in the Soviet Union: a famously successful policy for leftists
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Might be a good time to retweet my review essay on the book removed from the Waverley Library theconversation.com/friday-essay...
theconversation.com
Friday essay: How to Sell a Genocide exposes the double standards of reporting on Gaza
Almost all major human rights organisations agree the destruction of Gaza meets the legal definition of genocide. Yet liberal news outlets still do not use the word.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Yay! Hope you like it!
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Me on universities and Israel for @crikey.com.au www.crikey.com.au/2026/08/18/i...
crikey.com.au
Universities face increased scrutiny over working with certain foreign nations. Why isn't Israel one of them?
Under new changes, the foreign affairs minister would have expanded powers to intervene if a university collaborates with a country adversely affecting the 'national interest'. Israel is missing from ...
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Martyn @martynpedler.com · 03/08/2026
"The spike in media references to ‘social cohesion’ came in response, part of a concerted attempt by politicians and pundits to quell popular anger over Gaza. In that context, the anti-democratic connotations of the phrase could not be clearer."
deepcutnews.com
Why 'social cohesion' is a dangerous phrase in Australian politics – Jeff Sparrow
The establishment loves this phrase. But as Ed Husic found out, imposing consensus from the top isn't democracy – it's erasure.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
This might be of interest to some people here findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/opportunity/...
findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au
PhD opportunity: Schiavon Journalism Research Scholarship, long-form public interest journalism : Find an Expert : The University of Melbourne
<p> The Centre for Advancing Journalism invites applications from experienced journalists interested in undertaking a PhD that combines a book-length work of public interest journalism with a scholarly dissertation. </p> <p> <strong>About the opportunity</strong> </p> <p> The Schiavon Journalism Research Scholarship was established with a gift from May and Romeo Schiavon and is awarded to a graduate researcher commencing the Doctor of Philosophy - Arts (Journalism). It is intended to give an experienced journalist the time and resources to produce a high-quality piece of extended, book-length journalistic writing on an issue or topic of public importance, accompanied by a dissertation, that might not otherwise be possible. </p> <p> Candidates will develop their own project within this broad research area. The total project, that is, the journalistic output and the dissertation combined, should be approximately 80,000 to 100,000 words. The journalistic work and the scholarly dissertation should be conceived as complementary, mutually reinforcing parts of a single project. </p> <p> The successful candidate will be based at the Centre for Advancing Journalism and supervised by experienced Centre staff. Professor Andrew Dodd will be the lead supervisor. Further information about the centre can be found here: [https://go.unimelb.edu.au/98dr]. <br> <br> </p> <p> <strong>Who should apply</strong> </p> <p> The opportunity is open to domestic, international and Indigenous applicants. Candidates with industry experience are especially encouraged to apply. </p> <p> The successful candidate will have at least five years of journalistic experience, or an equivalent record sufficient to show they are capable of completing the proposed project. </p> <p> Applicants must also meet the standard entry requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy - Arts, including evidence of English language proficiency. Details of the course and its entry requirements are avaialble here: [https://go.unimelb.edu.au/jz76] </p> <p> <strong>How to apply</strong> </p> <p> Submit an expression of interest via the EOI button on this advertisement by 31 August 2026. Your expression of interest must include the following documents, uploaded to the categories indicated: </p> <ul> <li>Academic transcripts: transcripts for all completed and current tertiary study. </li> <li>Resume: a CV detailing your journalistic experience, awards, grants and other relevant information. At the end of your CV, please include a short statement outlining how your proposed project contributes to the public interest. </li> <li>Research proposal: an abstract of no more than 250 words outlining your project, together with a proposal of approximately 2,000 words providing context for the issue your project addresses, the methodology that will be employed and an overview of relevant literature. The proposal should explain how the journalistic work and the scholarly dissertation complement each other as mutually reinforcing parts of a single project. </li> </ul> <p> Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a formal application for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy - Arts. Being shortlisted and invited to apply does not guarantee admission to the course or the award of the scholarship. </p> <p> <strong>Contact</strong> </p> <p> For questions about the project or application process, contact Professor Andrew Dodd, Director, Centre for Advancing Journalism, at [adodd@unimelb.edu.au]. While Professor Dodd is on leave, please contact Dr Jeff Sparrow at [jeffrey.sparrow@unimelb.edu.au]. </p>
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Actual pages now!
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
A piece for @deepcutnews on social cohesion www.deepcutnews.com/p/why-social...
deepcutnews.com
Why 'social cohesion' is a dangerous phrase in Australian politics – Jeff Sparrow
The establishment loves this phrase. But as Ed Husic found out, imposing consensus from the top isn't democracy – it's erasure.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
She’s amazing
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Oh that’s great. It’s so rare to discover that any book made an actual difference!
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Thank you! It’s been a long time coming
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Here’s how I’ve been spending my time publishing.monash.edu/product/some...
publishing.monash.edu
Somewhere Here the Future’s Hid - Monash University Publishing
The first full-length biography of a daring Australian woman of letters Largely unknown during her lifetime, Lesbia Harford (1891–1927) is a major figure in Australian letters. Writing during the Grea...
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Higher education is systematically destroying its social licence
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Jessie L @jessielilley.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
“If you’ve ever had the experience of being attacked by The Australian it’s interesting because you don’t actually know that it’s happened until a few days down the track.” @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social Loved our chat this eve about reporting on Gaza. Listen back!
rrr.org.au
Programs: Spin Cycle – 11 June 2026, Spin Cycle — Triple R 102.7FM, Melbourne Independent Radio
An episode of Spin Cycle on 11 June 2026
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Which former PM would you judge as most likely to use AI to write a crappy oped?
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Briony Neilson @brionyneilson.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
This vitally important one-day symposium is taking place today (right now) at the University of Sydney on free speech on university campuses across the Global North and the struggle for justice for Palestinians. Live-stream available via this link: palestinespeech.my.canva.site
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Astonishing! www.theage.com.au/national/uni...
theage.com.au
Uni academic admits she used AI to write opinion piece in defence of AI
Western Sydney University has acknowledged that the opinion piece, published by this masthead, was AI-generated using the author’s previous work.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
reminder that this symposium is on Thursday this week. join in person or online. full program and rego link: palestinespeech.my.canva.si
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
This is quite a story by @gingerandhoney.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Improved massively by James’ editorial overhaul
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•Marns🌿🍉🐸 @marnshibski.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Thank dog for those whose need to tell the truth was stronger than the need to keep a comfortable job with an organisation that does not wish to do so. An incredible failure by legacy media. #auspol
we will likely see versions of Gaza play out in the coming decades across various peripheries […] And the model of deflection, dehumanization, and liberal excuse-making perfected during the Gaza genocide will be the template – the weapons, technological and rhetorical, having been sharpened over late 2023 into 2025.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
I have a long essay up at the Conversation looking at Adam Johnson's important book on the liberal media and the Gaza genocide
theconversation.com
Friday essay: How to Sell a Genocide exposes the double standards of reporting on Gaza
Almost all major human rights organisations agree the destruction of Gaza meets the legal definition of genocide. Yet liberal news outlets still do not use the word.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Kinda astonishing how corporations keep insisting we want algorithms running our lives. No normal person ever said, gosh, I wish my recipes were optimised by AI.
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
A piece on the ‘audit’ of higher education overland.org.au/2026/05/behi...
overland.org.au
Behind Craven’s audit - Overland literary journal
In November 2025, when antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal announced that Emeritus Professor Greg Craven would head what she called the “University Report Card Project”, the media referred to her plan as...
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Jeff Sparrow @jeffsparrow1.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
What can you even say?
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