Exploring Melaleuca Wetland Forests in New South Wales, Australia
Image Credit: Luke Jeffrey / Southern Cross University
The bark of a single tree can host trillions of bacteria, which may have a crucial yet underappreciated role in regulating greenhouse gases in our atmosphere.
Globally, the total surface area of tree bark is estimated to be around 143 million square kilometers, roughly equivalent to the Earth’s total land area. This extensive area represents a vast microbial environment known as the ashosphere, yet the microorganisms residing there have largely been overlooked by researchers. Learn more.
“It may seem obvious, but we’ve historically ignored tree bark,” states Bob Leung, a researcher from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. “I had never considered that microbes existed in tree bark, but it makes perfect sense. Bacteria thrive everywhere, so it’s reasonable to expect them in the bark as well.”
Leung and his team initiated their research on a common wetland species known as paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia). Their findings revealed that over 6 trillion bacteria inhabit every square meter of tree bark, a density comparable to that found in soil.
Genetic testing of 114 bacterial species indicated that most belong to three primary bacterial families: Acidobacteriaceae, Mycobacteriaceae, and Acetobacteriaceae; intriguing as they remain entirely unclassified by science.
A fascinating characteristic of these microorganisms is their ability to metabolize hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane for energy. While hydrogen (H2) itself isn’t a greenhouse gas, it can enhance the warming effect of the atmosphere by reacting with other gases.
Researchers extended their study to include seven additional Australian tree species from diverse habitats, such as Casuarina, rubber trees, and banksias, and assessed their bark’s ability to absorb or emit greenhouse gases both in natural settings and laboratory experiments.
Under aerobic conditions, where oxygen is present, all bark types were found to consume hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane. However, when the trees were submerged in water—typical in wetland areas—the microbes adapted by producing these same gases.
Melaleuca quinquenervia trees in an Australian forest”
data-credit=”Luke Jeffrey / Southern Cross University”/>
The Canopy of Melaleuca quinquenervia
Image Credit: Luke Jeffrey / Southern Cross University
According to researchers, the collective amount of hydrogen absorbed by bark microorganisms worldwide is estimated to be between 600 million and 1.6 billion kilograms annually, which represents about 2% of the total hydrogen removed from the atmosphere.
This groundbreaking study marks the first effort to evaluate the role of tree bark in atmospheric hydrogen cycling, notes Luke Jeffrey at Southern Cross University in Lismore, Australia.
“Recognizing the hidden contributions of trees, beyond their role in carbon dioxide absorption, is crucial,” emphasizes Jeffrey. “Trees actively engage with other greenhouse gases, which is significant as H2 interacts with atmospheric methane and could help mitigate the increasing methane dilemma.”
However, the global landscape remains uncertain since the team evaluated only eight tree species from eastern Australia. “Significant research is needed across diverse forest types, tree varieties, microbial communities, and environmental conditions,” says Jeffrey.
Brett Somerelle of the Sydney Botanic Gardens asserts that this research underscores the gaps in our understanding of microbial diversity, composition, and functionality within tree bark ecosystems. “It will be fascinating to observe how these factors change across a broader spectrum of tree species, particularly in arid environments like savannahs and woodlands,” notes Summerell.
Understanding the relationships between fungi and bacteria in tree bark is equally critical, he adds.
The Book Club explores The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks.
Colin McPherson/Corbis via Getty Images
The New Scientist Book Club has transitioned from Grace Chan’s dystopian near-future in Every Version of You to the utopian distant future depicted by Iain M. Banks in The Player of Games. This December’s book garnered positive feedback from our members.
Set within a vast galactic civilization, The Player of Games follows Gurgeh, a master gamer thrust into a conflict against the barbaric Azad Empire. This intricate game is so pivotal in Azad culture that the victor ascends to emperor. Though Gurgeh is a novice, can he rise to the challenge? What secrets lie between the Culture and Azad? This overview encapsulates member insights on the book, complete with spoilers. Proceed only if you’ve finished!
Remarkably, this wasn’t the first reading for many of us. Thirty-six percent of the group, including myself, acknowledged previous familiarity with this Banks classic. Many expressed nostalgia for Banks, lamenting the absence of new works from this literary giant. “I miss Ian. I haven’t yet delved into his final book, The Quarry. After this, there will be nothing new to experience!” lamented Paul Oldroyd in our Facebook group. “Similarly, I’m yet to complete The Hydrogen Sonata!” chimed in Emma Weisblatt.
While I consider myself knowledgeable about Banks’ works, The Player of Games felt refreshed in my memory. I found it immensely engaging; Banks’ subtle brilliance is captivating. For instance, I was intrigued by the Stigrian counting creature, which counts everything it encounters—starting with people, then transitioning to furniture.
There’s much to contemplate, from the essence of existence in a utopia devoid of challenges to the meaning of humanity in a realm governed by a vast intellect. The plot itself is thrilling! When Gurgeh faced temptation to cheat in a game against Mawhirin-Skel, I could hardly contain myself. The Azad games entirely captivated me. As a post-Christmas indulgence, I plan to reread more of Iain M. Banks’ works.
An exceptional aspect of the book was Banks’ portrayal of the game Gurgeh plays. Crafting a futuristic game and rendering it believable is no small feat. Banks excels here, providing enough detail about Azad to enhance realism without overwhelming the reader. Members also found this intriguing; Elaine Lee remarked, “The game of Azad is an expression of empire and serves as a critique of Cold War politics.”
Judith Lazell was less convinced, stating, “I viewed it simply at face value.” Nile Leighton aptly noted the deeper implications within the gameplay. “Critically, it’s a game where Gurgeh acts as a pawn under the narrator’s influence, lacking clear rules and enduring for decades, with unknowable outcomes.” Indeed!
As a footnote, during a chat with Banks’ friend and fellow sci-fi author Ken MacLeod, I learned he suggested the final title of the book. Banks initially titled it Game Player, which I believe is a more fitting title!
Now, let’s discuss the character of Gurgeh. “Gurgeh might not be likable without his cultural background. He is somewhat unsettling and self-absorbed. I hope he learns from his journey,” stated Matthew Campbell via email. I’m unsure if we’re meant to root for him—he’s an arrogant con artist—but my support grew as the story unfolded.
In contrast, Steve Swann found himself disengaged with the narrative. He “set the book aside” stating, “Intelligent individuals, particularly those who assume they are, can make serious blunders.” Steve felt Gurgeh’s arrogance and desires influenced his decision-making. What’s that saying? He had to make his bed and lie in it—no sympathy there!
Niall has a different view on Gurgeh’s choices. He perceives Gurgeh as manipulated by external forces, with Maurin-Skel tampering with his mind. “I interpret Gurgeh’s decisions as not entirely his own but a result of manipulation,” Niall explained. “To me, Gurgeh is not the master player; he is the one being played.” While I agree, I saw Gurgeh’s choice to cheat as a distinctly human reaction to seduction, sparking fascinating discussion.
Paul Jonas remarked that Gurgeh, as a character, lacked the compelling nature of the mercenaries in Consider Phlebas or Use of Weapons. “It’s part of the protagonist’s reluctance to embrace adventure,” he noted—after all, why would Gurgeh forsake comfort without motivation?
Our science fiction columnist, Emily H. Wilson, pointed out that The Player of Games serves as an excellent introduction to Iain M. Banks’ universe. The narrative reveals the Culture through subtle details about drones, spacecraft, and their orbits.
We gradually discover the workings of a post-scarcity society, where almost anything is achievable. I especially appreciated the exchange between Gurgeh and Azad elder Hamin about crime and societal norms. Hamin struggles to comprehend the lack of crime in the Culture, even as slap drones are designed for enforcement. “We will ensure you don’t repeat it,” Gurgeh assures. “Is that all? What more can you ask?” Hamin inquires. “Simply social death—no invitations to parties,” Gurgeh replies.
Paul Jonas was already familiar with the Culture’s utopian elements when he started The Player of Games. “[The book] subtly builds this world through Gurgeh’s ennui and lack of challenges. Anyone can secure a home atop a rainy mountain; the drones possess distinct personalities.” He adds, “The narrative also reintroduces Contact, an institutional service managing interspecies engagements, military affairs, and intelligence—an inherently humanistic approach to utopia.” Adam Roberts highlights that writing utopias becomes increasingly complex when the characters experience ennui, as Gurgeh does.
Some members reflected on the implications of living in such a utopia. “Gurgeh is an individual navigating an individualistic utopia dominated by minds, drones, and sentient ships,” Paul theorizes. “He seems disconnected from collaboration with fellow humans.”
Niall noted that while Gurgeh may come off as “unpleasant,” he embodies the consequences of the anarchist society he inhabits and that Banks delves into the nuances of individualistic and collectivist perspectives. “Gurgeh exemplifies individualism. I critique it, as it often excuses behavior akin to Gurgeh’s,” Niall states. It’s worth noting that while this book predates Octavia Butler’s emphasis on change within utopias, the conversation has existed since H.G. Wells.
Matthew Campbell identified Azad’s cultural ambassador, Shokhobohaum Za, as the only character “truly alive and reveling in life.” “In contrast, Gurgeh and the Azadians remain trapped within their isolated worlds,” he reflects. The rivalry between Emperor Nicosar and Gurgeh encapsulates contemporary political dilemmas—one figure exuding passion for his empire but constrained by a narrow worldview, while the other lacks belief and conviction, failing to defend his utopia.
The insights on culture and the ethos of The Player of Games are boundless. To further engage in this discussion, feel free to join us on Facebook.
Meanwhile, we look forward to our first reading of 2026. Our January selection, Anniebot by Sierra Greer, has already won the 2025 Arthur C. Clarke Science Fiction Award. Narrated from the perspective of a sex robot, Annie, who is kept by a not-so-nice man, this novel ventures into darker territories. Andrew Butler, chair of the Clarke Prize jury, described it as a “tightly focused first-person account of a robot designed to be the perfect companion struggling for independence.” You can check out an excerpt here. Additionally, Sierra Greer’s article detailing the experience of writing from a sex robot’s viewpoint is available here. Not to mention, Emily H. Wilson praised it in her review—she found it captivating!
This narrative follows a man who journeyed far and wide solely for the purpose of playing games. Known as “Gurgeh,” his story begins with a conflict that isn’t truly a battle and culminates in a game that transcends a mere game.
As for myself? I’ll share more about my story later. Let’s delve into the beginning.
Dust kicked up with every step he took. He limped across the desert, trailing the figure ahead, clad in a suit. His gun remained silent in his grasp. They would arrive soon. The sound of distant waves resonated through his helmet. Approaching a tall dune, he would soon catch a glimpse of the coast. Somehow, he had survived, which was unexpected.
Outside, it was bright, hot, and dry, but within the suit, he found solace from the sun and the searing air. It was a comfortable respite. One edge of the helmet’s visor was charred from impact; his right leg was awkwardly bent, injured and limp. Yet, other than that, he considered himself fortunate. The last attack had come up short, just a kilometer away, and now was nearly out of range.
The missile soared in a shimmering arc over the nearest ridge. His broken visor delayed his discovery of them; he mistakenly thought the missile had already launched, when it was merely sunlight reflecting off its sleek surface. The aircraft dove like a flock of birds and trembled simultaneously.
When firing commenced, it was marked by a pulsing red light. He lifted his weapon in defense. Others in the group clad in suits had already begun firing; some dove to the sandy ground, while others dropped to one knee. He remained the only one standing.
The missiles altered course yet again, veering off and splitting into different paths. Dust swirled around his feet as projectiles closed in. He attempted to target one of the small machines, but they darted surprisingly quickly, and the gun felt cumbersome in his grip. Echoes of gunfire and the cries of others surrounded him. A light blinked within his helmet, indicating damage. His suit trembled violently, and soon his right leg was numb.
“Wake up, Gurgeh!” Yay laughed beside him. As two small missiles suddenly veered towards their section, she knelt, anticipating it as a vulnerability. Gurgeh noticed the approaching machine, but the gun seemed to thud in his hand, struggling to aim where the missile had been launched. Two machines rushed between him and Yay. One missile exploded with a flash, drawing Yay’s joyful exclamation. The second missile swung dangerously close. She tried to kick out but Gurgeh awkwardly turned to shoot, inadvertently spraying fire onto Yay’s suit. He heard her yell and swear, and as she stumbled back, she raised her gun. Just as the second missile circled again, dust erupted around it, its red pulse reflecting on his suit and drowning his visor in darkness. He felt paralyzed from the neck down and crouched on the ground, plunging into darkness and eerie silence.
“You are dead,” a crisp, small voice informed him.
Lying concealed on the desert floor, he picked up muffled sounds in the distance, along with vibrations from the ground. His heartbeat thudded in his ears as he struggled to control his breath.
His nose itched, yet it was unreachable. What am I doing here? he mused.
Gradually, his senses returned. Voices flickered around him, and he gazed through his visor at the flattened desert beneath him. Before he could react, someone yanked him up by an arm.
He unclipped his helmet. Melistinu stood nearby, her head bare, observing him while shaking her head. Hands on her hips, she swung her gun from one wrist. “You were terrible,” she remarked, yet not unkindly. Despite her youthful beauty, her deep, deliberate voice carried an understanding far beyond her years.
Others sat among the rocks and dust, chatting as some players returned to the clubhouse. Yei retrieved Gurgeh’s weapon and offered it to him. He scratched his nose then shook his head, declining to reclaim his gun.
“Well, this is meant for children,” he stated.
She paused, slinging her gun over one shoulder, its muzzle shimmering in the sunlight as it caught his attention. Dazed, he witnessed the line of missiles heading their way again.
“So?” she questioned. “It’s not dull. You called it tedious, but I thought you might find filming enjoyable.”
He brushed off the dust, making his way back towards the clubhouse. Yay ambled beside him, a recovery drone whirling past to collect debris from the destroyed machine.
“This is childish, Yay. Why waste your time on such nonsense?”
They paused atop the dune. The low clubhouse lay a hundred meters ahead, nestled between them and the golden sand and white waves. Under the blazing sun, the sea sparkled brightly.
“Don’t be so bossy,” she replied, her short brown hair dancing in the same breeze that curled the surf’s crest and sent sprays back into the ocean. She bent to scoop up fragments of a shattered missile, brushing sand from its glossy surface and examining the pieces in her hands. “I’m having fun,” she stated. “I enjoy games like you do, but…I also enjoy this.” Puzzled, she added, “This is a game. Don’t you understand? Are you not enjoying this?“
“No. Eventually, you won’t either.”
She shrugged casually. “Until then,” she handed him the broken fragment of machinery. He observed a group of young men en route to the shooting range as they passed.
“Mr. Gurgeh?” One of the young men halted, eyes questioning. The flicker of annoyance crossed Gurgeh’s old visage but was swiftly replaced by a tolerant grin familiar to Yay. “Gernow, morat Gurgeh?” inquired the young man, still failing to grasp the name.
“Guilty,” Gurgeh replied with a graceful smile, straightening up slightly. The young man’s face lit up as he executed a hasty, formal bow. Gurgeh exchanged a glance with Yay.
“Anne honor ‘Nice to meet you, Mr. Gurgeh,’ the young man beamed. “… I follow all of your matches. I’ve collected a complete set of your theoretical studies.”
Gurgeh nodded. “What an inclusive individual you are!”
“Whenever you are here, I’d be thrilled if you would play against me… Deploy is perhaps my forte. I play three points, but—”
“Sadly, my limitation is time,” Gurgeh interrupted. “But absolutely, should the chance arise, I would be delighted to compete against you.” He offered a nod. “Pleasure to meet you.”
The young man flushed and took a step back with a beaming smile. “The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Gurgeh. … Farewell… Farewell.” Awkwardly smiling, he turned to rejoin his friends.
Gurgeh observed him depart. “You truly enjoy all that, don’t you, Gurgeh?” she smiled.
“Not at all,” he replied curtly. “It’s bothersome.”
Yay continued watching the young man until he disappeared, footsteps crunching in the sand. With a sigh, she turned to Gurgeh. “And what about you? Are you enjoying…this destruction?”
“It hardly counts as destruction,” Yay replied. “Instead of being obliterated, the missiles are disassembled explosively. One can be reassembled in under thirty minutes.”
“So that’s a lie.”
“What isn’t?”
“Intellectual achievement. Skill application. Human emotion.”
Yay rolled her eyes. “It appears we have quite a distance before mutual understanding, Gurgeh.”
“Then allow me to assist you.”
“Will I become your pupil?”
“Yes.”
Yay gazed away toward where the roller had landed on the beach, then back to him. As the wind rustled and waves crashed, she slowly pulled the helmet back over her head and clicked it into place. He remained transfixed, observing her reflection in the visor as she brushed a strand of black hair away.
With her visor raised, she said, “See you again, Gurgeh. Chumris and I will visit you the day after tomorrow, thought?”
“If you’d like.”
“I want to.” She winked at him and began down the sandy incline. She relinquished her weapon just as a recovery drone flew by, laden with metallic shards.
Gurgeh stood there momentarily, holding the remnants of the destroyed machine before letting them fall onto the barren sand.
This excerpt is from a book by Iain M. Banks. Culture novel Game Player(Orbit), New Scientist Book Club’s December 2025 reading. Join us here to read together..
I
I started playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) about 10 years ago when I was 7 years old. My older brother Marco had already been playing with my father for years. At first, the three of us were playing at home. For me, Pokemon TCG is a family activity that keeps us close. I think that’s important, especially today when everyone is using a cell phone.
I’m from Iquique, a city in northern Chile. There’s a strong Pokémon community here, and several local shops host tournaments. This game is for two players, each person preparing a deck of 60 cards. Each card represents one Pokémon with different abilities and powers. Then use your cards to battle your opponent. The person with the more powerful card combination is the winner.
Throughout Chile, Japanese culture is ingrained within our own, and anime, Pokemon, and manga are very popular here. When I was a child, there were many Japanese programs on TV. I watched Naruto, Dragon Ball, and of course Pokemon.
When I was 10 years old, I went to Santiago for my first tournament and made it to the finals. Before I started playing Pokemon TCG, I hadn’t traveled much. Currently, I have participated in tournaments in Sao Paulo, New Orleans, Buenos Aires, and most recently in Hawaii, where the 2024 World Championships were held.
We started saving for Hawaii a year before the competition. My brother won the tournament in Brazil and won the prize money, as well as the funds to go to the World Championships as one of the top players in Latin America.
My father Marco and I left for Hawaii last August. It was the furthest place we have ever traveled. On the first day, there was a three-hour wait to register for the tournament, and then we lined up again at the Pokemon Center where merchandise was sold. I got stuffed animals such as a scuba diving Pikachu that is exclusive to Hawaii. Then we watched the matches and focused on developing strategies against our opponents.
Marco is a better player than me and one of the best players in the world. But the game also involves luck. I didn’t get too emotional during the three-day championship, I just had a lot of fun. My father taught me not to worry about winning or losing, but to focus on playing well and sharing great experiences with my opponents.
I participated in 15 games throughout the tournament. Each game can last up to 50 minutes. In the final, I didn’t have a very good deck, so I didn’t expect to win. But my opponent made a mistake, so I gave it my all and it worked out. My father would say I’m too humble.
I didn’t have time to celebrate my victory because I had a flight to catch. I received the trophy and immediately headed to the airport. But when we returned to Chile, we arranged a barbecue, invited about 30 friends over to our house, and of course played Pokemon. A few weeks later we received an invitation to the presidential palace. Athletes, even those in niche sports, are invited to meet with the president.
I wasn’t really interested in it, but I saw it as an opportunity to encourage younger kids to play. I was the first Chilean to win the Pokémon Championship. We are such a small country that we cannot win many things.
When my father and I arrived at the palace, we were told that Chilean President Gabriel Boric had to attend an emergency meeting and would not be able to attend. Instead, we spoke to the Secretary General, the Foreign Minister, and the Japanese Ambassador who were interested in the social impact of this game.
Suddenly the door opened and Borrick came in and said, “Hello, Kabros (everyone), how are you doing?” He asked to see some of my cards and offered to take a few selfies. It didn’t feel like I was talking to the president, I was just playing with another card player. He plays the Magic the Gathering card game, which has a similar format to the Pokémon TCG.
I’m not interested in defending my title. No one has ever won the title back-to-back. I just play for fun. Anyone can win with a little luck. Even if you have a good deck and that day comes, who’s to say you can’t become the next Pokemon champion?
As told by Caris McGowan
Do you have an experience to share? Email experience@theguardian.com
IOver Easter weekend, Catholics like me spend hours in church listening to editors’ expanded versions of stories whose endings we already know. As I sat there recently for my millionth Passion performance, I started thinking about how few religious video game characters I’ve ever come across. In a world where so many people’s lives are dictated by their religious beliefs, it’s interesting to see such a lack of religion in games. That is, you could also argue that all The game is a homage to Jesus with respawns and extra lives, but even I admit that’s a stretch.
The Peggys in Far Cry 5 are a violent mind-controlling cult. The founders of BioShock Infinite use religion to heighten and justify hatred of foreigners. In Fallout, there are some eccentric people who worship the atomic bomb. Religion is used almost exclusively as a tool for leaders to get their minions to do bad things. (Sure, they might be on to something here.) With so many video games structured to place players as lone protagonists facing off against immense forces, I think it’s clear that religion is the go-to villain.
Altered Beast (Arcade version), 1988. Photo: Sega
For me, the scariest religious happening in a video game has always been in Altered Beast. A Roman centurion who has lived a life of horrific violence, pain, suffering, and marching down a straight path is rudely awakened from the dead and forced to further his efforts by Zeus (the game has a mix of that mythology) It has been). The poor guy probably wants to sleep forever. Instead, he is forced to punch and kick all sorts of beasts and shiny orbs. He has no choice. He can’t go back now. This is possible with horizontal scrolling.
My eldest daughter, a Zeldamaniac, tells me that religion in these games is “nothing but a problem, except for nature-worshipping religions.” Again, she’s a vegan who works at a veterinary hospital. There’s a heated debate on the internet about how John Marsten, a Catholic, acted in Red Dead Redemption, and that Doomguy was similarly persuasive, and that’s a fact. I found “evidence” as to why he took pleasure in hunting demons in The Exorcist of Upper Space.
My own relationship with religion is complicated. When the world is beyond a shadow of a doubt in the toilet, it becomes increasingly difficult to believe in an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God. The excuse that “all bad things happen because of the free will God gave us” seems like the religious equivalent of the infinite life cheat in video games. It’s a bit of a hack. To be honest, tomorrow I would give up my free will. As it stands, I have had to make too many decisions in my life. When I was young, I much preferred being told what to do and being cared for. To be honest, if I could get eight hours of sleep a night, I’d be a happy automaton.
What if, as some people believe, we were characters in a giant computer simulation? I feel that there is meaning in that. This is one of his theories that is accurate and at the same time supported by facts. please think about it. If this world were part of a video game, played by really shitty players, wouldn’t it all make sense? As someone in charge of a video game, how often do we make poor decisions? How many cities have you completely ruined and abandoned in SimCity? Have you ever seen world leadership this cruel and unethical outside of your Civilization playthrough?
The answer is obvious. God is not a very capable player. Don’t tell me it’s a coincidence that the end credits of Altered Beast reveal that it was all just a simulation.
Remember 2001’s “Black and White”? This video game allowed you to play as God and more. everytime I made a mistake? Yeah. Photo: Bullfrog/EA
There is one positive point to the simulation argument. It means criticism becomes less painful. There’s always this selfish fear that I’ll write something that people won’t like. In the days before online comments, when I spent a decade as the Daily Star’s only Liberal columnist, none of this mattered, but the toe-curling handwritten letter I could show them, but if I didn’t bathe them, I would then bury them in lime with holy water.
The great thing about simulation theory is that you can write anything you want and if people don’t like it, that’s okay. I’m not even the one writing that. In The Adventures of a Newspaper Columnist 5 there is a supreme being controlling me. Poor supreme being. This will be the most boring game they’ve played since Euro Truck Simulator.
Decentralized social network Bluesky roll out New in-app video and music player for links and new ‘hide post’ feature. New additions bring Bluesky user experience closer to X (Twitter).
The new video and music player works with YouTube, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Twitch embeds. Unlike X, where video autoplay is the default setting, Bluesky’s in-app player does not autoplay content. When users tune in to see or hear content, they must tap to trigger the content.
As for the new “Hide Post” feature, you can click it if you see something you don’t want to see again. The post will be removed from your feed and “if you access it directly, it will be placed behind a mask,” Bruski said.
In addition to these new features, Bluesky has fixed a bug that caused the list of muted and blocked accounts to appear as empty. This social network has also fixed his bug that caused an empty home screen and crashes that sometimes occurred while interacting with threads.
Today’s announcement comes just days after Bluesky finally allowed users to view posts on the platform without logging in. You still need an invitation to create an account and start posting, but you can read posts through a link. The move will allow publishers to link to Bluesky’s posts and embed them in their blogs. Additionally, users can now share her Bluesky posts in their individual or group chats.
Bluesky released iOS and Android apps in February and reached 2 million users last month. Bluesky is currently the only instance on the AT protocol, but is aiming for federation “early next year.” This means that it will ultimately function as a more open social network like Mastodon, where users can choose which servers they join and navigate to. You can freely operate your account.
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