Brooks Smith

@[email protected]
112 Followers
179 Following
302 Posts

Grew up in the northeast USA, now an Aussie citizen in #Naarm (#Melbourne) #Australia, and proud parent of a toddler.

My career is as a #structuralengineer, currently developing structural design software, largely in #python, including maintaining some #foss packages on github.

My interests:
#scifi #fantasy #startrek #cosmere #commonwealthsaga #boardgames
#outdoors #biking #hiking (#appalachiantrail '14)
#woodworking #gardening #foodpreserves
#activism #climatechange #humanrights

LocationWurrundjuri land / Melbourne, Australia
InterestsScifi, fantasy, board games, hiking, biking, woodworking, activism, climate change, human rights, structural engineering
PronounsHe/him
Brooks Smith1d ago
Preston von Gabbleduck3d ago
If there was any lesson we failed to learn from cartoons growing up, it came from Scooby Doo, where they tried to warn us that the villain is always a rich old white guy who wants to illegally and unethically acquire more money than he needs.
Brooks Smith4d ago
clarity flowers4d ago
Your regular reminder that "the rich" aren't people who earn large paychecks. They are people with capital that generates returns: investments, property, company shares. "High income earners" are not an intrinsic enemy of "the working class" – many of them are a member of it!
Brooks Smith4d ago
usama from gaza 🇵🇸🍉5d ago

In every day I try to appear strong in front of my family… but the truth is that life has become harder than I can describe.
There is no home to protect us like before, and no job to return to at the end of the day.
All I want now is to provide water, food, and medicine for my family.
I write these words because sharing my story might reach someone who can lend a helping hand.
Sometimes a word, a share, or a small act of help can change the life of an entire family.🙏💔

https://gofund.me/edee2aeb

Brooks Smith6d ago
Lilly Hunter6d ago

His comment sums things up pretty well, IMO.

https://www.ft.com/content/7cab4ec7-4712-4137-b602-119a44f771de

Brooks SmithMar 11
The EuropeansMar 1

This video is gold. The Norwegian Consumer Council entertainingly satirising the crappy tech that is making things increasingly shitty.

https://vimeo.com/1168468796

The Ensh*ttificator

Vimeo
Brooks SmithMar 11
PyCon AUMar 11

Melbourne Python folks, this one’s for you 👋

The Melbourne Python Meetup is back on Thursday 19 March, and we'll will be there for a special talk writing workshop.

If you’ve ever thought about giving a talk (at a meetup, at PyCon AU, or anywhere) this session with Katie McLaughlin will help you turn an idea into a real talk proposal. Bring your laptop and a rough idea, or just curiosity.

More details: https://www.meetup.com/en-au/melbourne-python-user-group/events/313646012/

#Python #PyConAU #MelbournePython

Brooks SmithMar 3
Just Tom... 🐁Mar 3
I hate wars. Old men sending the young to die when they themselves haven't the patience, intelligence or character for careful diplomacy.
Brooks SmithMar 3
Stephen CollinsMar 3

If you've not yet watched the fabulous SBS series The First Inventors that looks at Australian Aboriginal technology, culture, and invention covering everything from navigation to family and kinship ties, now is the time to do it. You will spend the 3 hours it runs amazed, fascinated, and probably annoyed like I am at the ignorant attitude colonialists brought to their interaction with our First Nations. I wish this was the learning I did at school in the 80s.

https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-series/the-first-inventors

Watch The First Inventors

Watch The First Inventors for free with SBS On Demand, your ultimate destination for diverse entertainment. Stream now!

Brooks SmithFeb 28

So the US and Israel have launched what looks to be a full-scale war with Iran, with Trump claiming that it's because Iran had attempted to rebuild its nuclear program.

Let's remember that Iran HAD curtailed their nuclear program under the JCPOA ... until the USA _violated_ that agreement. (Pet peeve: the media generally said that the US "withdrew" from the JCPOA. There was no withdrawal clause. The agreement was Iran curtailing nuclear program in exchange for the US and Europe curtailing sanctions. Trump unilaterally reinstated all sanctions - that's blatantly violating the agreement.)

Trump has since repeatedly demanded that Iran make an agreement with him about ending their nuclear program. I'm not at all surprised that they didn't. Why would they ever trust that the US would hold up its end of any agreement ever again?

Now, to be clear, the Iranian leadership is brutal, evil, and the prospect of them having a functioning nuclear arsenal is truly terrifying. But the US and Israel sure as hell ensured that war would be the only possible way forward.

Brooks SmithFeb 17
Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPtFeb 17
URGENT! Let's stay focused on Gaza, and the rest of occupied Palestine.▶️Israeli soldiers-including European citizens/double nationals-continue to slaughter Palestinian civilians. Politicians should use their leverage to stop 🇮🇱 crimes instead of trying to silence the critiques.