Glass Wings Blog: April 2018
The Assassination of Human Rights Activist Marielle Franco Was a Huge Loss for Brazil — and the World
Sun, 1 Apr 2018 22:32:01 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://theintercept.com/2018/03/16/marielle-franco-assassination-brazil-police-brutality/>
"I often like to say that it’s hard to know and understand the gravity
and importance of a moment in history while you are in it. We are in a
moment that I need you to understand."
(More...)
Universal Basic Income Cryptocurrencies Like Manna are Pioneering the Way Towards Decentralized Targeting
Sun, 1 Apr 2018 22:35:56 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.scottsantens.com/manna-universal-basic-income-blockchain-cryptocurrency-decentralized-targeting>
"Because cryptocurrency can be thought of simultaneously as both an
asset and a currency, and because UBI goes to everyone, rich or poor,
UBI cryptocurrencies represent an entirely new way of determining need
(More...)
Appeals Court Says It's Okay To Copyright An Entire Style Of Music
Sun, 1 Apr 2018 22:36:51 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180321/11202439470/appeals-court-says-okay-to-copyright-entire-style-music.shtml>
"Oh boy. We had hoped that the 9th Circuit might bring some sanity back
to the music copyright world by overturning the awful "Blurred Lines"
ruling that has already created a massive chilling effect among
(More...)
Book Towns Are Made for Book Lovers
Mon, 2 Apr 2018 20:06:30 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-a-book-town
"Around the world, tiny towns have made bookstores their speciality."
Via Kam-Yung Soh.
(More...)
Finland's homeless crisis nearly solved. How? By giving homes to all who need.
Mon, 2 Apr 2018 20:08:01 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2018/0321/Finland-s-homeless-crisis-nearly-solved.-How-By-giving-homes-to-all-who-need>
"After many years of limited success against long-term homelessness,
Finland decided to adopt the US 'Housing First' model on a national
scale. And despite a significant up front investment, the program has
(More...)
Prohibition-era murals discovered during renovations of former Louisa Hotel
Tue, 3 Apr 2018 23:05:31 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/visual-arts/prohibition-era-murals-discovered-during-renovations-of-former-louisa-hotel/>
"It was the Hudson Hotel and then the Louisa. It held Chinatown’s first
bakery. It was the site of the Wah Mee Massacre in 1983 and a fire in
2013. Now, during renovations of the building, a new slice of history
(More...)
Storybook Whale Fail
Tue, 3 Apr 2018 23:09:51 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.hakaimagazine.com/features/storybook-whale-fail/
"Does it matter if children’s books deliver inaccurate science?"
Via Kam-Yung Soh, who added: "Misconceptions learned from childhood are
(More...)
If I Fits, I Sits: 20 Cats That Prove There Is No Space Too Tight… (PICS)
Tue, 3 Apr 2018 23:10:49 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://pulptastic.com/cats-in-tight-spaces/
"One of the great mysteries of life is the obsession cats seem to have
with fitting themselves into the smallest of spaces. From boxes to shoes
to various other household items, these cute and funny pictures will
(More...)
We underestimated the size of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch—by 16 times
Wed, 4 Apr 2018 22:36:59 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://qz.com/1234953/we-underestimated-the-size-of-the-great-pacific-garbage-patch-by-16-times/>
"Less than a year ago, the scientific community thought the Great
Pacific Garbage Patch was about the size of France. As tends to be the
case with bad news about plastic pollution, the reality is worse than we
(More...)
Can a Waste Plant Become Copenhagen’s Biggest Tourism Attraction?
Wed, 4 Apr 2018 22:37:57 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Both Sides Can Laugh by Garfunkel and Oates
Wed, 4 Apr 2018 22:38:51 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWXi_c7Zmko
Garfunkel and Oates are always on point!
Via Ryan Hayle and Karin Curran.
(More...)
Seasteading meets the shock doctrine in Puerto Rico, where ethnic cleansing precedes Going Galt
Thu, 5 Apr 2018 22:57:52 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://boingboing.net/2018/03/23/from-maria-to-puertopia.html
"Naomi Klein's l(ooooo)ongread in The Intercept about the state of play
in Puerto Rico is the comprehensive summary of the post-Maria fuckery
and hope that has gripped America's colonial laboratory, the place where
(More...)
Stormy Daniels, Porn Star Suing Trump, Is Known for Her Ambition: ‘She’s the Boss’
Thu, 5 Apr 2018 23:00:58 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/24/style/stormy-daniels.html
"By now, the public knows both too much about Ms. Clifford, who goes by
Stormy Daniels, and almost nothing at all."
(More...)
New Type of Optical Disk Can Store Data for More Than 600 Years
Thu, 5 Apr 2018 23:01:49 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://interestingengineering.com/new-type-of-optical-disk-can-store-data-for-more-than-600-years>
"Scientists used gold and nanomaterials for the next-gen optical disk
having 10TB storage capacity and six-century lifespan."
(More...)
I Tried to Befriend Nikolas Cruz. He Still Killed My Friends.
Fri, 6 Apr 2018 23:44:19 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/27/opinion/nikolas-cruz-shooting-florida.html>
"I am not writing this piece to malign Nikolas Cruz any more than he
already has been. I have faith that history will condemn him for his
crimes. I am writing this because of the disturbing number of comments
(More...)
Beyond the Lecture: Keith David Watenpaugh
Fri, 6 Apr 2018 23:45:29 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://soundcloud.com/american-academy-berlin/beyond-the-lecture-keith-david-watenpaugh>
"On February 27, 2018, Watenpaugh was at the American Academy as a
Richard von Weizsaecker Distinguished Visitor, to deliver a talk about
the marriage of his academic work, as a renowned historian of the Middle
(More...)
Costume and lighting changes
Fri, 6 Apr 2018 23:47:12 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Insanity Wins As Appeals Court Overturns Google's Fair Use Victory For Java APIs
Sat, 7 Apr 2018 21:50:33 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180327/10431439512/insanity-wins-as-appeals-court-overturns-googles-fair-use-victory-java-apis.shtml>
"Oh, CAFC. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has spent
decades fucking up patent law, and now they're doing their damndest to
fuck up copyright law as well."
(More...)
Japan’s Eiko Kadono, author of ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service,’ wins Hans Christian Andersen Award
Sat, 7 Apr 2018 21:52:00 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
PC Building Simulator is (most of) the fun of building a PC—without pricey GPUs
Sat, 7 Apr 2018 21:58:15 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/03/pc-building-simulator-is-most-of-the-fun-of-building-a-pc-without-pricey-gpus/>
"After a few hours of testing, we were surprised at how fun it actually
is, even though it's quite basic. And in this time of crypto-inflated
GPU prices holding upgrade plans back, it might just fill a hole in some
(More...)
Festo's New Bionic Robots Include Rolling Spider, Flying Fox
Sun, 8 Apr 2018 22:19:59 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/robotics-hardware/festo-bionic-learning-network-rolling-spider-flying-fox>
"We love Festo because every year they invest an entirely appropriate
amount of time and money into bio-inspired robots that are totally cool
and very functional but have limited usefulness."
(More...)
Wil Wheaton and Amber Benson on depicting gender in John Scalzi’s next audiobook
Sun, 8 Apr 2018 22:21:12 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/29/17175904/audible-john-scalzi-head-on-wil-wheaton-amber-benson-science-fiction-gender>
"Next month, Audible will release the recorded version of John Scalzi’s
upcoming novel Head On, a sequel to his 2014 thriller Lock In. Like Lock
In — but unlike most audio editions — this release will come in two
(More...)
Learning to Speak Raven
Sun, 8 Apr 2018 22:22:26 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://urbannature.blog/2018/03/29/learning-to-speak-raven/
"How I’d love to stumble across and old English/Raven dictionary in a
thrift shop."
(More...)
Are we witnessing a 'new scramble for Africa'?
Mon, 9 Apr 2018 22:51:30 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/witnessing-scramble-africa-180324124416405.html>
'The world's most powerful nations are once again competing for the
control of the abundant natural resources of the African continent. Some
analysts describe this phenomenon as a "new scramble for Africa" in
(More...)
The Paradox of Universal Basic Income
Mon, 9 Apr 2018 22:57:15 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.wired.com/story/the-paradox-of-universal-basic-income/
"Clearly income disparity is ripping the nation apart, and none of the
efforts or programs seeking to address it seems to be working. I myself
have been, for the past couple of years, engaged in a broad discussion
(More...)
[Electro Swing] Peggy Suave - Braxel Brobots
Mon, 9 Apr 2018 22:59:14 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQylqZn8PQk
"While some of the Braxel brothers might not get along too well Axel
makes sure that they all have some good old family time from time to
time. Hero and Mumu seem to work all the time while Tilt does who knows
(More...)
Spirit Island review: Finally, an anti-colonialist board game
Tue, 10 Apr 2018 23:35:23 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/03/spirit-island-review-finally-an-anti-colonialist-board-game/>
"Instead of playing as settlers building out villages and roads in a new
land, you and your friends take on the role of god-like elemental
spirits charged with protecting the island's various landscapes from
(More...)
I’m a female chef. Here’s how my restaurant dealt with harassment from customers.
Tue, 10 Apr 2018 23:36:45 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/how-my-restaurant-successfully-dealt-with-harassment-from-customers/2018/03/29/3d9d00b8-221a-11e8-badd-7c9f29a55815_story.html>
"What’s needed is a conversation about women — not as victims, but as
revolutionaries. I am an overtly feminist restaurateur, and harassment
still happened at my restaurant. This is my story, my solution and my
(More...)
Slow Mo 4K Kittens
Tue, 10 Apr 2018 23:38:51 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHdOh90kGHQ
"Cuteness alert! Gav films a group of kittens frolicking in 4K, in the
most adorable slow-mo footage ever captured.
(More...)
Destruction of nature as dangerous as climate change, scientists warn
Wed, 11 Apr 2018 23:52:55 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/23/destruction-of-nature-as-dangerous-as-climate-change-scientists-warn>
"Unsustainable exploitation of the natural world threatens food and
water security of billions of people, major UN-backed biodiversity study
reveals"
(More...)
Why Did Sterile Salt Water Become The IV Fluid Of Choice?
Wed, 11 Apr 2018 23:54:00 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/31/597666140/why-did-sterile-salt-water-become-the-iv-fluid-of-choice>
"For such a ubiquitous treatment, you'd probably expect that saline has
been thoroughly studied and refined. As it turns out, that was never
really the case at all. Now there's a rethinking about whether saline is
(More...)
Our obsession with GDP will lead to madness—but there are alternatives
Wed, 11 Apr 2018 23:55:09 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://qz.com/1235255/our-obsession-with-gdp-will-lead-to-madness-but-there-are-alternatives/>
"We’ve come to measure the progress of nations by a number that tries to
count the production of goods and services in a given period, but fails
to properly track living standards, sustainability, technological
(More...)
I'm a college philosophy professor. Jordan Peterson is making my job impossible.
Thu, 12 Apr 2018 23:54:50 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.reddit.com/r/enoughpetersonspam/comments/86tnz7/im_a_college_philosophy_professor_jordan_peterson/>
"It's not the
disagreement. That I'm used to dealing with; it's the
bread and butter of philosophy. No, it's the
anger, hostility and
complete fabrications."
(More...)
No, Growing Inequality Won’t Solve Itself
Thu, 12 Apr 2018 23:55:51 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/03/29/no-growing-inequality-wont-solve-itself>
"A society that fails to invest in its children, to protect its land and
water, or to build a future is courting collapse."
(More...)
Artists transformed a Trump hotel suite into an art exhibit with rats
Thu, 12 Apr 2018 23:56:49 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.salon.com/2018/03/31/anonymous-artists-transformed-a-trump-hotel-suite-into-an-anti-trump-exhibit/>
"A collective of anti-Trump artists pulled off a powerful and clever art
exhibit, called "The People's Prison," which featured live rats crawling
on a President Donald Trump impersonator imprisoned in golden
(More...)
Musical Theatre: changing the world one song at a time
Fri, 13 Apr 2018 13:12:50 +1000
Katherine Phelps <muse [at] glasswings.com.au>
I'm currently putting up a new and original production entitled--Share:
the youth issues musical. This musical deals with the issues of youth
unemployment and homelessness, and is based on people and events that
occurred in Melbourne 2017.
(More...)
More Than 75 Percent of Earth’s Land Areas Are ‘Broken,’ Major Report Finds
Fri, 13 Apr 2018 23:43:05 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Can Social Media Be Saved?
Fri, 13 Apr 2018 23:44:19 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/28/technology/social-media-privacy.html
"The primary problem with today’s social networks is that they’re
already too big, and are trapped inside a market-based system that
forces them to keep growing. Facebook can’t stop monetizing our personal
(More...)
Long-lost film that predicted rise of anti-Semitism has ominous message for today’s world
Fri, 13 Apr 2018 23:46:03 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/03/30/long-lost-film-that-warned-of-rise-of-anti-semitism-has-ominous-message-for-todays-world/>
"Austria’s national film archive has worked for over a year to carefully
restore “The City Without Jews,” a pre-World War II silent film that
served as a warning against the scapegoating of Jews at the time. The
(More...)
How journalists are using Spotify to circumvent press censorship
Sat, 14 Apr 2018 22:18:46 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://medium.com/mediamonks/how-journalists-are-using-spotify-to-circumvent-press-censorship-f2dfbc1eba8f>
"For World Day Against Cyber Censorship, Reporters Without Borders
Germany harness the power of music to tell stories in censored regimes
with ‘The Uncensored Playlist’."
(More...)
A ball that inverts and changes color when it is midair, and the scientific literature that explains it
Sat, 14 Apr 2018 22:20:01 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://boingboing.net/2018/04/02/dual-polyhedron.html
"The Hoberman Switch Pitch Throwing Ball is a $12 toy that instantiates
a dual polyhedron: every time you throw it, it turns inside-out; there's
a wealth of scientific literature that explains how this works,
(More...)
Jaber DJ – Search For You (Vocal) [Italo-Disco 2018]
Sat, 14 Apr 2018 22:24:01 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA-Y6NvQa-o
Every musical style will live on as long as there are still people who
love to create it.
(More...)
How Not to Order Water from a Robot Waiter
Sun, 15 Apr 2018 22:54:16 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Conservationists use astronomy software to save species
Sun, 15 Apr 2018 22:58:26 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43546429
"Researchers are using astronomical techniques used to study distant
stars to survey endangered species."
(More...)
Not Everything Needs Copyright: Lawyers Flip Out That Photos Taken By AI May Be Public Domain
Sun, 15 Apr 2018 23:01:07 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180325/00424039493/not-everything-needs-copyright-lawyers-flip-out-that-photos-taken-ai-may-be-public-domain.shtml>
"It's perfectly fine to have new works enter the public domain. So much
of the confusion over the whole monkey selfie thing is that so many
people have this weird belief that every new piece of content simply
(More...)
Making institutional free software successful
Mon, 16 Apr 2018 23:05:37 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://lwn.net/Articles/750781/
"Many large institutions, especially government agencies, would like to
distribute their software—including the software of the vendors with
whom they contract—as free software. They have a variety of reasons,
(More...)
A radical proposal to keep your personal data safe
Mon, 16 Apr 2018 23:06:42 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/03/facebook-abusing-data-law-privacy-big-tech-surveillance>
"The surveillance imposed on us today is worse than in the Soviet Union.
We need laws to stop this data being collected in the first place."
(More...)
Hey, Garth McVicar, we reject your insulting ‘congratulations’ at a fatal shooting
Mon, 16 Apr 2018 23:08:03 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/04-04-2018/hey-garth-mcvicar-we-reject-your-insulting-congratulations-at-a-fatal-shooting/>
"The Sensible Sentence Trust founder thinks the death of a man is a
cause for celebration. The sentiment is reprehensible – we are not, and
will never be, executioners, writes a long-serving NZ police officer."
(More...)
Great News for Elephants: UK to Introduce Legislation Banning Its Ivory Market
Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:43:05 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.ecowatch.com/ivory-market-ban-uk-2555897615.html
"This is great, much-needed news for elephants, whose populations
continue to decline."
(More...)
The ISIS Files
Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:47:58 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/04/04/world/middleeast/isis-documents-mosul-iraq.html>
"We unearthed thousands of internal documents that help explain how the
Islamic State stayed in power so long."
(More...)
Like human societies, whales value culture and family ties
Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:56:34 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-04/fau-lhs040418.php
"It might seem like a "whale of tale," but groundbreaking research from
Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute is
the first to demonstrate that just like human societies, beluga whales
(More...)
The demise of the nation state
Wed, 18 Apr 2018 22:19:38 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/apr/05/demise-of-the-nation-state-rana-dasgupta>
"After decades of globalisation, our political system has become
obsolete – and spasms of resurgent nationalism are a sign of its
irreversible decline."
(More...)
Little Free Libraries Are Turning Into Ground Zero for Religious Proselytizing
Wed, 18 Apr 2018 22:21:21 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2018/04/05/little-free-libraries-are-turning-into-ground-zero-for-religious-proselytizing/>
"Little Free Libraries (LFLs) began in 2009 when Hudson, Wisconsin
resident Todd Bol constructed one as a tribute to his later mother, a
schoolteacher who loved books. They are, exactly as their name implies,
(More...)
Takahata Textbook
Wed, 18 Apr 2018 22:23:24 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.kotaku.com.au/2018/04/grave-of-the-firefliesdirector-isao-takahata-dies-at-82/>
One of my favourite directors.
Pom Poko is still my favourite Ghibli
film. Here's a decent restrospective of Takahata's work:
(More...)
6 Amazing Acts of Resistance You Weren’t Taught About in US History Class
Thu, 19 Apr 2018 22:35:25 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://everydayfeminism.com/2017/04/resistance-acts-not-taught-class/
"When we’re not taught about these acts of resistance, we’re deprived of
revolutionary moments in history, elders to aid us in today’s struggles,
and important lessons about liberation."
(More...)
The new Firefox lets you stop websites from asking to send you notifications
Thu, 19 Apr 2018 22:36:54 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
'We know we may be killed': the rangers risking their lives for Virunga's gorillas
Thu, 19 Apr 2018 22:37:55 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/06/we-know-we-may-be-killed-the-rangers-risking-their-lives-for-virungas-gorillas>
"The huge national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo is one of
the most dangerous conservation projects in the world. But thanks to the
efforts of a committed force of rangers, populations of endangered
(More...)
A Bad Mashup - Pomplamoose
Fri, 20 Apr 2018 23:56:29 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBW7BkBXxo4
'This is our mashup of Michael Jackson's "Bad," Taylor Swift's "Bad
Blood," Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance," and Inner Circle's "Bad Boys." BOOM
POW. We give you..."A Bad Mashup."'
(More...)
The Queen and Sir David Attenborough team up to protect forests in new documentary film
Fri, 20 Apr 2018 23:57:41 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/the-queen-david-attenborough-itv-the-queens-green-planet-documentary-a8291546.html>
"Focusing on the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy and highlighting her
little-known love of trees, the film, titled The Queen’s Green Planet,
will have at its heart a conversation between the Queen and beloved
(More...)
Why Scientists Are Starting to Care About Cultures That Talk to Whales
Fri, 20 Apr 2018 23:58:29 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science/talking-to-whales-180968698/
"Arctic people have been communicating with cetaceans for centuries. The
rest of the world is finally listening in"
(More...)
Professor of Fire: safety laws 'absurd'
Sat, 21 Apr 2018 23:19:55 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/10393435/Professor-of-Fire-safety-laws-absurd.html>
"Professor of Fire Luke Bisby discusses Edinburgh nightclubs, exploding
concrete and how a catastrophe involving a French illusionist, a lion
and the British national anthem dictates the layout of your office"
(More...)
On the Loss and Preservation of Knowledge
Sat, 21 Apr 2018 23:23:10 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/nnNdz7XQrd5bWTgoP/on-the-loss-and-preservation-of-knowledge>
"Let’s say you are designing a research program, and you’re realizing
that the topic you’re hoping to understand is too big to cover in your
lifetime. How do you make sure that people continue your work after
(More...)
Joi Ito: My comments at the John Perry Barlow Memorial Symposium
Sun, 22 Apr 2018 02:17:08 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://joi.ito.com/weblog/2018/04/08/my-comments-at-.html
"It really felt like Barlow was in the room - he was the energy that
united us. It also reminded me of the roots of the Internet and how
different the culture of many of the founders was from the Silicon
(More...)
Mind-bending new screen technology uses ‘magic pixel’ to display different content to multiple people
Sun, 22 Apr 2018 22:45:16 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.geekwire.com/2018/breakthrough-parallel-reality-display-technology-promises-personalize-world-without-goggles/>
"It works with the naked eye, no bulky headset or high-tech goggles
required. And no need to bury your head in a smartphone for personalized
information."
(More...)
The Scientific Paper Is Obsolete
Sun, 22 Apr 2018 22:46:45 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/04/the-scientific-paper-is-obsolete/556676/>
"The more sophisticated science becomes, the harder it is to communicate
results. Papers today are longer than ever and full of jargon and
symbols. They depend on chains of computer programs that generate data,
(More...)
Dolphin Embassy
Sun, 22 Apr 2018 22:49:28 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://plus.google.com/+davidbrin1/posts/1rskPvnFfcn
https://www.dolphinembassy.org/
"Ever more, in our efforts to expand horizons of inclusion, we are
pondering the very nature of “personhood.” Most (feudal) societies
(More...)
MPAA Report Shows How The Internet Is Saving The Film Industry, Not Destroying It
Tue, 24 Apr 2018 03:44:21 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180409/06194039591/mpaa-report-shows-how-internet-is-saving-film-industry-not-destroying-it.shtml>
"The MPAA has long found itself in the odd position of cheerleading its
own industry's never-attained demise. One of the core functions of the
organization has been to demonize the internet with incessent
(More...)
Facebook Derangement Syndrome: The Company Has Problems, But Must We Read The Worst Into Absolutely Everything?
Tue, 24 Apr 2018 22:26:56 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180408/22400539590/facebook-derangement-syndrome-company-has-problems-must-we-read-worst-into-absolutely-everything.shtml>
"Since the whole Facebook/Cambridge Analytica thing broke, we've been
pointing out that there are many, many valid concerns about things
Facebook has done, but people seem to be freaking out about things it
(More...)
Tanzania takes historic step to save dwindling elephant population
Tue, 24 Apr 2018 22:28:31 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/tanzania-takes-historic-step-to-save-dwindling-elephant-population/ar-AAvKAgW>
"The rangers will be able to track and identify Selous' elephants, and
respond in real-time when they are under threat. Satellite collaring is
an established method of tracking wildlife and bolstering efforts to
(More...)
How healthy is the Internet?
Tue, 24 Apr 2018 22:29:42 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://internethealthreport.org/2018/
"Our 2018 compilation of research explains what’s helping and what’s
hurting the Internet across five issues, from personal experience to
global concerns."
(More...)
The Terminal: This Syrian Refugee Has Been Marooned in an Airport for a Month, With No End in Sight
Fri, 27 Apr 2018 01:37:14 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://theintercept.com/2018/04/13/syrian-refugees-malaysia/
"Hassan Al Kontar is bored out of his mind. For more than a month, the
36-year-old Syrian national has been pacing the transit terminal of
Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia, unable to enter the
(More...)
The Hopscotch Experiment | Dirty Data | Cut
Fri, 27 Apr 2018 01:38:23 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P-PNa0bxQg
Via Muse, who wrote: "This had me smiling!"
(More...)
Using cute animals in pop culture makes public think they're not endangered – study
Fri, 27 Apr 2018 01:40:12 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/13/using-cute-animals-in-pop-culture-makes-public-think-theyre-not-endangered-study>
"Animals such as elephants, tigers, lions and panda bears are everywhere
in movies, books and toy stores. But their wide pop culture presence
skews public perception of how endangered these animals really are,
(More...)
The long, incredibly tortuous, and fascinating process of creating a Chinese font
Sat, 28 Apr 2018 22:47:56 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Blockchain is not only crappy technology but a bad vision for the future
Sat, 28 Apr 2018 22:48:40 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://medium.com/@kaistinchcombe/decentralized-and-trustless-crypto-paradise-is-actually-a-medieval-hellhole-c1ca122efdec>
"Blockchain is not only crappy technology but a bad vision for the
future. Its failure to achieve adoption to date is because systems built
on trust, norms, and institutions inherently function better than the
(More...)
Canadian Music Industry Confirms Once More That For Copyright Companies, Enough Is Never Enough
Sat, 28 Apr 2018 22:49:23 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180412/07461039611/canadian-music-industry-confirms-once-more-that-copyright-companies-enough-is-never-enough.shtml>
"One of the striking features of copyright is how over three centuries,
it always seems to become longer, broader and stronger. Just as a matter
of probabilities, you might expect copyright to become a little shorter
(More...)
What “Isle of Dogs” Gets Right About Japan
Sat, 28 Apr 2018 22:50:42 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/what-isle-of-dogs-gets-right-about-japan>
"To say that the Wes Anderson film dehumanizes the Japanese is to assume
the primacy of an English-speaking audience."
(More...)
How We Are Losing The Battle To Keep Carbon In The Ground
Sun, 29 Apr 2018 23:50:21 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.brooklyntherapist.net/blog/2018/1/4/how-we-are-losing-the-battle-to-keep-carbon-in-the-ground>
"The burning of fossil fuels, including, oil, gas, and coal, has been
the world's primary energy source since the Industrial Revolution. But
that same action has created the world's greatest existential crisis:
(More...)
The children of Windrush: 'I’m here legally, but they’re asking me to prove I’m British'
Sun, 29 Apr 2018 23:52:46 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/15/why-the-children-of-windrush-demand-an-immigration-amnesty>
"Eight people tell of the harrowing experience of having to prove their
status despite having been in the UK legally for half a century"
(More...)
'Plastic is literally everywhere': the epidemic attacking Australia's oceans
Sun, 29 Apr 2018 23:54:37 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Long-lived civilisation may be a dream
Sun, 29 Apr 2018 23:55:40 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://climatenewsnetwork.net/long-lived-civilisation-may-be-a-dream/
"Astrobiology, the search for alien life, has a lesson for us here on
Earth: our hope for a long-lived civilisation may not be sustainable."
(More...)
What is the most unusual party you have ever been to?
Mon, 30 Apr 2018 23:35:51 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Influential Comic Book Artist Mystery Solved
Mon, 30 Apr 2018 23:36:37 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://cbldf.org/2018/04/34231/
"Last weekend, artist and comics journalist James Romberger discovered
Sy Barry was the identity of the artist behind Martin Luther King and
The Montgomery Story, a civil rights comic that not only changed the
(More...)
Australians are more generous than their government
Mon, 30 Apr 2018 23:40:16 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/australians-are-more-generous-than-their-government-20180420-p4zasd.html>
"When Fierravanti-Wells talks about aid, she talks about how we can get
something out of it. But research shows Australians think the primary
reason we should give aid is to help the poor, rather than advance our
(More...)
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