Glass Wings Blog

The Glass Wings mailing list and blog is for general idle chit-chat about things we find interesting, especially humor, animation or other subjects relevant to the Glass Wings web site at glasswings.com.au. Subscribe at https://glasswings.com.au/subscribe.html

Is Shaddap You Face Australia’s best ever novelty song, or a poor ethnic stereotype?

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:58:18 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/is-shaddap-you-face-australias-best-ever-novelty-song-or-a-poor-ethnic-stereotype-280352>

"American Australian performer Joe Dolce’s 1980 one-hit wonder Shaddap You
Face was recently inducted into the National Film and Sound Archive’s Sounds
of Australia collection, which also named it Australia’s best novelty song.

How debate about gender identity could undermine global efforts to protect victims of violence

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:57:25 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/how-debate-about-gender-identity-could-undermine-global-efforts-to-protect-victims-of-violence-267177>

"Aided by the Trump administration, debate over gender identity has gone from
being a touchstone of domestic culture wars to infiltrating the work of
international groups – including those designed to protect vulnerable

‘Nothing but tree skeletons’: record-breaking wildfires devastate US cattle country

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:56:32 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/14/wildfire-cattle-ranchers-american-great-plains>

"In a normal year, the vast grasslands that roll across the American Great
Plains would be starting to green. But at the center of the US, where most of
the nation’s beef producers graze their herds, this spring brought fire instead

From Early Nirvana To Phish, A Chicago Fan’s Secret Recordings Of 10,000 Shows Are Now Online

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:55:37 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/04/10/from-early-nirvana-to-phish-a-chicago-fans-secret-recordings-of-10000-shows-are-now-online/>

"HERMOSA — On July 8, 1989, a young music fan named Aadam Jacobs, with a
compact Sony cassette recorder in his pocket, went to see an up-and-coming rock
band from Washington for their debut show in Chicago.

Friendship, honey and the simple life: 100 years of Winnie‑the‑Pooh

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:53:55 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/friendship-honey-and-the-simple-life-100-years-of-winnie-the-pooh-276175>

Isn’t it funny
How a Bear likes honey
Buzz buzz

“Birds avoid turbines:” Two new studies suggest wind farms are not “killing machines” after all

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:51:35 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reneweconomy.com.au/birds-avoid-turbines-two-new-studies-suggest-wind-farms-are-not-killing-machines-after-all/>

"Two new studies on the impact of wind energy generation on avian populations
have demonstrated that wind turbines might not be the “bird killing machines”
they are sometimes accused of being – and that birds are better at adapting to

Viktor Orbán’s election loss shows the limits of his propaganda machine

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:46:57 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/viktor-orbans-election-loss-shows-the-limits-of-his-propaganda-machine-280439>

"Hungarian voters have overwhelmingly rejected the 16-year rule of
authoritarian strongman Viktor Orbán, electing his one-time political ally,
Péter Magyar, to replace him. Magyar’s Tisza party has secured a two-thirds

What does Péter Magyar’s win in Hungary mean for the EU and Ukraine?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:46:01 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/13/peter-magyar-election-win-hungary-eu-ukraine-russia>

"Péter Magyar’s resounding election victory brings an end to 16 years of
rightwing populist rule under Viktor Orbán. But the effects of that win are
likely to be felt well beyond Hungary’s borders, from Brussels to Moscow and

What Viktor Orbán’s election loss means for Putin, Trump and the rise of right‑wing populism

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:45:17 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/what-viktor-orbans-election-loss-means-for-putin-trump-and-the-rise-of-right-wing-populism-280447>

"Hungary’s most consequential election in decades has just delivered an
important victory for democracy and accountability.

EU relieved to see back of Orbán but Magyar’s Hungary may still present problems

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:44:22 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/13/why-peter-magyar-hungary-likely-become-normal-eu-member-state>

"In Brussels, the relief was palpable after the defeat of Viktor Orbán, the EU
leader who recently declared himself at Vladimir Putin’s service. For the EU,
Péter Magyar’s victory was all the sweeter, as voters decisively rejected