Glass Wings Blog: April 2019
7 sci-fi stories that imagine a better world
Mon, 1 Apr 2019 23:07:57 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://grist.org/article/7-sci-fi-stories-that-imagine-a-better-world/
"But we gravitated toward the weirder, harder-to-find suggestions
(shocking, right?), like a podcast full of space pirates, a hilarious
book about a glam-rock band, and a total Hollywood flop. None of it is
(More...)
#Trashtag is Trending and It’s Actually Awesome, Let’s Keep It Going!
Mon, 1 Apr 2019 23:09:00 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://twistedsifter.com/2019/03/what-is-trashtag-and-why-is-it-trending/>
"From beaches and parks to sidewalks and streets, people around the
globe are proving that even a single person can make a difference."
(More...)
Toddler Best Friends With Giant Rabbit
Mon, 1 Apr 2019 23:10:25 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MowqVnjYrE
"And they called it bunny love! This little girl is best friends with a
huge rabbit."
(More...)
11 Neon Cakes For Our Inner 90s Kids
Mon, 1 Apr 2019 23:11:14 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2019/3/31/11-neon-cakes-for-our-inner-90s-kids.html>
"If you love Lisa Frank, know what slap bracelets are, and have ever in
your life worn neon paint-splattered clothing, then my friends, this is
your safe space."
(More...)
When trees make rain: Could restoring forests help ease drought in Australia?
Wed, 3 Apr 2019 05:00:07 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2018-09-15/trees-make-rain-ease-drought/10236572>
"Although people have guessed that forests could help make rain, it's
always been a chicken-or-egg scenario: do forests make rain or do areas
with high rainfall grow forests?"
(More...)
Killer Rabbits in Medieval Manuscripts: Why So Many Drawings in the Margins Depict Bunnies Going Bad
Wed, 3 Apr 2019 05:01:19 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.openculture.com/2019/03/killer-rabbits-in-medieval-manuscripts-why-so-many-drawings-in-the-margins-depict-bunnies-going-bad.html>
"In all the kingdom of nature, does any creature threaten us less than
the gentle rabbit? Though the question may sound entirely rhetorical
today, our medieval ancestors took it more seriously — especially if
(More...)
Bleaching has struck the southernmost coral reef in the world
Wed, 3 Apr 2019 05:02:19 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://theconversation.com/bleaching-has-struck-the-southernmost-coral-reef-in-the-world-114433>
"This month corals in Lord Howe Island Marine Park began showing signs
of bleaching. The 145,000 hectare marine park contains the most
southerly coral reef in the world, in one of the most isolated
(More...)
Vale Vonda N. McIntyre
Wed, 3 Apr 2019 05:03:50 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/vondanmcintyre/journal/view/id/5ca2c4daec1003a73e3fc8bd>
"Vonda N. McIntyre died at 6:25 pm, Pacific Time, in no pain and
surrounded by friends."
(More...)
Global warming is unstoppable while capitalism blocks prevention
Wed, 3 Apr 2019 22:49:27 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/rabblecas-staff-blog/2019/02/global-warming-unstoppable-while-capitalism-blocks>
"The tenacious refusal of the world’s business and political leaders to
heed the warnings of climate scientists about global warming raises the
stark possibility that it may already be too late. The tipping point
(More...)
Norway's Insanely Efficient Scheme Recycles 97% of All Plastic Bottles They Use
Wed, 3 Apr 2019 22:50:34 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.sciencealert.com/norway-s-recycling-scheme-is-so-effective-92-percent-of-plastic-bottles-can-be-reused>
"When it comes to recycling plastic waste, Norway is ahead the pack. In
fact, the Scandinavian nation has virtually lapped the rest of the world."
(More...)
Silly walks: Python fans get into their stride in Budapest
Wed, 3 Apr 2019 22:51:16 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.dw.com/en/silly-walks-python-fans-get-into-their-stride-in-budapest/a-48157053>
"Hundreds made their way through the streets of Budapest in a somewhat
surreal fashion, trying out "silly walks" similar to those that appeared
in a famous 1970s sketch by the comedy group Monty Python."
(More...)
2019 Hugo Award Finalists Announced
Thu, 4 Apr 2019 22:15:54 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.tor.com/2019/04/02/2019-hugo-award-finalists-announced/
"The finalists for the 2019 Hugo Awards, John W. Campbell Award for Best
New Writer, the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS) Award for Best
Young Adult Book, and the 1944 Retrospective Hugo Awards have been
(More...)
Japanese Illustrator Imagines A World Where Humans Live Among Giant Animals (30 Pics)
Thu, 4 Apr 2019 22:17:16 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.boredpanda.com/giant-animal-illustration-ariduka55/
"This mysterious Japanese artist, who goes by the pseudonym of
Ariduka55, or Monokubo, on social media channels, creates otherwordly
illustrations that breathe life into a completely new fantasy world
(More...)
Firevase is a vase that doubles as a fire extinguisher
Fri, 5 Apr 2019 23:05:41 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.dezeen.com/2019/02/25/vase-fire-extinguisher/
"Created by subsidiaries of the Samsung corporation and distributed
across South Korea, this unassuming flower vase doubles up as a
throwable fire extinguisher."
(More...)
Renewables ‘have won the race’ against coal and are starting to beat natural gas
Fri, 5 Apr 2019 23:07:19 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://thinkprogress.org/renewable-energy-coal-natural-gas-a3828fd843cb/>
"The rapidly dropping cost of renewable energy has upended energy
economics in recent years, with new solar and wind plants now
significantly cheaper than coal power."
(More...)
Old, Online, And Fed On Lies: How An Aging Population Will Reshape The Internet
Fri, 5 Apr 2019 23:08:31 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/old-and-online-fake-news-aging-population>
"Older people play an outsized role in civic life. They also are more
likely to be online targets for misinformation and hyperpartisan rhetoric."
(More...)
How My Instagram Hacker Changed My Life
Sat, 6 Apr 2019 22:40:10 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
"Lesley Carhart on Twitter: “This is the professor who is helping that
young hacker who is trying to escape a bad / abusive situation in Iran.
Given the US is pretty impossible, does anyone have thoughts for
training / work options for him? Or just words of encouragement she can
relay? Do read the article!"
(More...)
Fire Sprinklers in Kayabuki-no-Sato, Kyoto are Camouflaged as Huts
Sat, 6 Apr 2019 22:41:23 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.spoon-tamago.com/2018/12/02/the-fire-sprinklers-of-kayabuki-no-sato-in-kyoto/>
"Kayabuki no Sato, a small hamlet in Kyoto, is known for their
traditional farmhouses with thatched roofing. Not quite as well known is
the unique and innovative method they use to protect their important
(More...)
Lion Sees His Adoptive Dad After 7 Years - Truly Heart-warming
Sun, 7 Apr 2019 22:23:55 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlXjoPtTGT8
"Animals seeing their owner after years of time."
If you like big cats, be sure to check out Big Cat Rescue and Dolph C. Volker:
(More...)
The natural world can help save us from climate catastrophe
Sun, 7 Apr 2019 22:25:09 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/03/natural-world-climate-catastrophe-rewilding>
"Ecological restoration can be a powerful means of protecting the
atmosphere – we need to rewild on a massive scale"
(More...)
Scientist ‘Photographs’ Sounds By Using ‘Simple’ Cymatics Technique And The Results Are Out Of This World
Sun, 7 Apr 2019 22:26:10 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.boredpanda.com/water-blasted-sound-photos-linden-gledhill/
"Most of us are used to experiencing sound as an exclusively auditory
experience. But scientist and photography enthusiast Linden Gledhill
isn’t most of us. He sees it. And he’s happy to show how."
(More...)
Spring
Mon, 8 Apr 2019 22:44:55 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhWc3b3KhnY
The latest Blender Open Movie is here! This one is really beautiful, and
as always it’s released under a Creative Commons license and all the
software and production assets are available for reuse.
(More...)
Weird Al Yankovic visits Japan, takes hilarious travel pics around the country 【Photos】
Mon, 8 Apr 2019 22:50:16 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://soranews24.com/2019/04/06/weird-al-yankovic-visits-japan-takes-hilarious-travel-pics-around-the-country-%e3%80%90photos%e3%80%91/>
"The comedian makes us laugh at famous tourist spots from Tokyo to Kyoto."
We have those potato spirals here in Hurstbridge as well, under the name
(More...)
Iconic consoles of the IBM System/360 mainframes, 55 years old
Mon, 8 Apr 2019 23:16:47 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.righto.com/2019/04/iconic-consoles-of-ibm-system360.html
'The IBM System/360 was a groundbreaking family of mainframe computers
announced on April 7, 1964. Designing the System/360 was an extremely
risky "bet-the-company" project for IBM, costing over $5 billion.
(More...)
The Sky Is Rising: The Entertainment Industry Is Thriving, Almost Entirely Because Of The Internet
Tue, 9 Apr 2019 22:44:31 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Orcas Are Swimming Towards Extinction
Tue, 9 Apr 2019 22:45:19 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://thenib.com/orcas-are-swimming-towards-extinction
"Overfishing, pollution, and urban development are causing the Resident
Orca population in the Pacific Northwest to plummet."
(More...)
eksoka - Mimosa
Tue, 9 Apr 2019 22:48:11 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjRsm1T9ZKg
"It is the beginning of a new season. (Congratulations on starting the
final season of FiM) Balmy weather of spring invite us to dance."
(More...)
(Why) the Green New Deal is Awesome, Urgent, and Necessary
Thu, 11 Apr 2019 02:37:07 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://eand.co/why-the-green-new-deal-is-awesome-urgent-and-necessary-518c01e031d>
"It shouldn’t be radical politics to want to save the planet, the
economy, democracy, and us. It should be what it is: common sense."
(More...)
To save the monarch butterfly, Mexican scientists are moving a forest 1,000 feet up a mountain
Thu, 11 Apr 2019 02:38:30 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-col1-mexico-monarch-butterfly-20190409-htmlstory.html>
"In a dramatic last-ditch effort to save the monarch butterfly,
scientists in Mexico want to relocate an entire forest 1,000 feet up a
mountain."
(More...)
UK Now Proposes Ridiculous Plan To Fine Internet Companies For Vaguely Defined 'Harmful Content'
Thu, 11 Apr 2019 02:39:24 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190408/18014841954/uk-now-proposes-ridiculous-plan-to-fine-internet-companies-vaguely-defined-harmful-content.shtml>
"Last week Australia rushed through a ridiculous bill to fine internet
companies if they happen to host any “abhorrent content.” It appears the
UK took one look at that nonsense and decided it wanted some too."
(More...)
Why Archive of Our Own’s Surprise Hugo Nomination Is Such a Big Deal
Thu, 11 Apr 2019 23:17:46 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://slate.com/technology/2019/04/archive-of-our-own-fan-fiction-2019-hugo-nomination.html>
"The fan fiction site—built, run, and written primarily by and for
women—deserves your respect."
(More...)
93% of Paint Splatters are Valid Perl Programs
Thu, 11 Apr 2019 23:19:21 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
Here’s a great April Fools paper I only just encountered:
http://colinm.org/sigbovik/
Via Linux Weekly News Development quotes of the week:
https://lwn.net/Articles/784980/
(More...)
Four Reasons Why Digital Transformation Matters for the Community Services Sector
Thu, 11 Apr 2019 23:20:24 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2019/02/four-reasons-digital-transformation-matters-community-services-sector/>
"Technology is not inherently good or evil, but the outcomes may be,
writes Dr Greg Ogle, in this article which calls on the not-for-profit
sector to get in front of the issues."
(More...)
Civil rights 'under serious attack' across the globe
Sat, 13 Apr 2019 02:44:49 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/nov/27/civil-rights-under-serious-attack-across-the-globe>
"Nearly six in 10 countries are seriously restricting people’s freedoms,
according to a new report that warns of a growing repression around the
world."
(More...)
Journey to Antarctica: What Scientists Think of Trump’s Latest Climate Tweet
Sat, 13 Apr 2019 02:45:28 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://medium.com/rollingstone/journey-to-antarctica-what-scientists-think-of-trumps-latest-climate-tweet-1f664552564d>
"I showed Trump’s tweet to Larter on my iPhone. As he read it, he smiled
slightly and shook his head. “It’s crazy talk,” said Larter, who is
British. “Do any Americans really believe that stuff?”"
(More...)
Don’t let rising seas drown the Marshall Islands
Sat, 13 Apr 2019 02:46:25 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/04/10/dont-let-rising-seas-drown-marshall-islands/>
"The Marshall Islands and other atoll countries in the Pacific will be
the first nations to face extinction as a result of global warming.
Rising sea levels could wipe them off the map in a matter of decades.
(More...)
Ekaterina Lukasheva, Origami artist
Sun, 14 Apr 2019 23:03:21 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.instagram.com/ekaterina.lukasheva/
"Paper magician and designer."
Via Muse, who wrote: "Click the art that has movie camera symbols on it
(More...)
14 MPs turn up to discuss UN report on 14 million people living in poverty
Sun, 14 Apr 2019 23:06:41 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/14-mps-turn-up-to-discuss-un-report-on-14-million-people-living-in-poverty/08/01/>
"Although such debates are rarely well attended the Labour MPs who
turned up lamented the government for the disdain it had shown towards
the report, with Liz McInnes saying the United States Government showed
(More...)
Whatever Trump Is Playing, It Isn’t Golf
Sun, 14 Apr 2019 23:10:17 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/04/donald-trump-made-golf-gross-again/586633/>
"More than to any wife, more than to any party, more than to any
opinion, President Donald Trump has remained fiercely loyal to golf. But
I’ve played golf my entire life. Years ago, I even played with Trump
(More...)
The Chinafication of the internet continues as the UK proposes blocking any service that hosts "illegal" or "harmful" material
Mon, 15 Apr 2019 23:33:53 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://boingboing.net/2019/04/09/constitutional-monarchs-r-us.html
"We are witnessing the realtime, high-speed Chinafication of the western
internet, at a pace that can only be described as “shock and awe.” There
has never been a moment at which the motto “hard cases make bad law” was
(More...)
The Next Reckoning: Capitalism and Climate Change
Mon, 15 Apr 2019 23:35:53 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/09/magazine/climate-change-capitalism.html>
"Fixing the planet is going to be expensive. Can we stomach the bill
for human survival?"
(More...)
The Pinkertons' plan for climate change: a mercenary army that guards one-percenters as the seas rise
Mon, 15 Apr 2019 23:36:36 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://boingboing.net/2019/04/12/guillotine-prevention-squad.html
"The Pinkertons rose to notoriety as a vicious army of mercenary
strikebreakers who beat and murdered working people who stood up to
robber barons like Andrew Carnegie; now they are a division of
(More...)
700 Years of Persian Manuscripts Now Digitized and Available Online
Wed, 17 Apr 2019 04:02:21 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.openculture.com/2019/04/persian-manuscripts-spanning-700-years-now-digitized-and-available-online.html>
"Too often those in power lump thousands of years of Middle Eastern
religion and culture into monolithic entities to be feared or
persecuted. But at least one government institution is doing exactly the
(More...)
Sino-English neologisms
Wed, 17 Apr 2019 04:03:15 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=42421
"As I've mentioned before, Chinese feel that they have every right to
experiment with English, make up their own English words, and compose
their own locutions which have never before existed in the
(More...)
Left behind: the Australians neither political party wants to discuss
Wed, 17 Apr 2019 04:04:42 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/apr/15/left-behind-the-australians-neither-political-party-wants-to-discuss>
"But there is a group of Australians whose desperate situation neither
major party really wants to discuss. This moral issue of pressing
national importance sits outside the major parties’ carefully tested
(More...)
The Good Country
Thu, 18 Apr 2019 04:37:42 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.goodcountry.org/
"Most of the world’s problems are really just symptoms of a bigger,
underlying problem: that we haven’t yet worked out how to organise
ourselves as a single species inhabiting a single planet. This can change."
(More...)
Radical climate action 'critical' to Great Barrier Reef's survival, government body says
Thu, 18 Apr 2019 04:38:19 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/radical-climate-action-critical-to-great-barrier-reef-s-survival-government-body-says-20190413-p51dul.html>
"Australia's top Great Barrier Reef officials warn the natural wonder
will virtually collapse if the planet becomes 1.5 degrees hotter – a
threshold that scientists say requires shutting down coal within three
(More...)
Our Living World Constitution: Charter for Human and Environmental Rights
Thu, 18 Apr 2019 04:40:39 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://katherinephelps.com/2019/04/our-living-world-constitution/
"Whereas our well-being relies upon the collective well-being of all
humanity, all living beings, and our greater home: the planet Earth, and
that securing this well-being is critical to human survival, we deem it
(More...)
In Memoriam Author and Grand Master Gene Wolfe, 1931-2019
Fri, 19 Apr 2019 05:55:31 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.tor.com/2019/04/15/gene-wolfe-in-memoriam-1931-2019/
"The science fiction and fantasy community has lost a beloved icon. We
are extremely sad to report that author and SFWA Grand Master Gene Wolfe
passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2019 after his long battle with heart
(More...)
Save the world like Notre-Dame, says Swedish activist Thunberg
Fri, 19 Apr 2019 05:57:03 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-notredame-thunberg/save-the-world-like-notre-dame-says-swedish-activist-thunberg-idUSKCN1RS1TK>
"STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) - Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, who has
inspired a movement of children against global warming, urged leaders on
Tuesday to act to save the planet in the same way they are pledging to
(More...)
The wonderful sea bunny has (almost) equally wonderful friends
Fri, 19 Apr 2019 05:58:07 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
The best beatbox you'll ever hear
Fri, 19 Apr 2019 23:35:43 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gHgXmMXvAg
Via Muse, who wrote: "ZOMG!!! WOW! Beatboxing par excellence!"
(More...)
What an Olympic medalist, homeless in Seattle, wants you to know
Fri, 19 Apr 2019 23:36:46 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/olympic-medal-winning-cyclist-rebecca-twigg-is-homeless-in-seattle/>
"The Seattle-raised athlete went on to become one of the most famous
American cyclists in the ’80s and ’90s, winning six world championships
and medaling in two Olympics. She appeared on cycling magazine covers,
(More...)
In African Villages, These Phones Become Ultrasound Scanners
Fri, 19 Apr 2019 23:38:03 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/15/health/medical-scans-butterfly-iq.html>
"The Butterfly is about the size of an electric shaver. It is
battery-powered and contains microchips rather than piezoelectric
crystals, so it usually won’t break if dropped. (That was accidentally
(More...)
EU Parliamentarians buckle under ExxonMobil lobby pressure
Sun, 21 Apr 2019 04:05:08 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.corporateeurope.org/en/2019/04/eu-parliamentarians-buckle-under-exxonmobil-lobby-pressure>
"Weeks before the European elections, Members of the the European
Parliament (MEPs) missed a golden opportunity to show the public its
determination to protect EU climate policy-making from the dirty
(More...)
The meaning of Morrison's mantra about getting a fair go is clear. It's conditional
Sun, 21 Apr 2019 04:06:38 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
‘When the Glaciers Disappear, Those Species Will Go Extinct’
Sun, 21 Apr 2019 04:07:45 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/16/climate/glaciers-melting-alaska-washington.html>
"Henry Fountain, a New York Times climate reporter, and Max Whittaker, a
photographer, traveled to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska to see how
glacial melting is affecting the natural world. Map by Jeremy White."
(More...)
My friend, the robot
Mon, 22 Apr 2019 04:22:30 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.hpe.com/us/en/insights/articles/the-future-of-robots-from-science-fiction-to-present-day-predictions-1804.html>
"Hugo- and Nebula-winning science fiction author David Gerrold was
spot-on in his 1999 predictions about smartphones. Now he predicts
computing’s future…again."
(More...)
Only rebellion will prevent an ecological apocalypse
Mon, 22 Apr 2019 04:23:23 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Jonathan Pie: The Extinction Rebellion
Mon, 22 Apr 2019 04:24:52 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obFNcN0Zc7k
"Pie joins the Extinction Rebellion protest that is helping save the
planet whilst annoying commuters."
(More...)
Glass Wings Diaspora*
Mon, 22 Apr 2019 16:26:57 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
If any of our subscribers to the Glass Wings mailing list or visitors to
the Glass Wings Blog are interested in social networking, we are now
running a Diaspora* pod at
https://diaspora.glasswings.com/
You can follow our posts at:
(More...)
Cat Sleeps Comfortably Over Piano as Owner Plays a Lively Tune
Mon, 22 Apr 2019 23:20:10 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUretn3n0qo
Via Muse, who wrote: "STAHP! You is messin’ with me! (happy Caturday!)"
(More...)
Living room conservation: Gaming & virtual reality for insect and ecosystem conservation
Mon, 22 Apr 2019 23:21:24 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-04/pp-lrc041819.php
"Butterfly World 1.0 is an adventure game designed to engage its users
in simulated exploration and education. Set in the subtropical dry
forest of the Florida Keys (an archipelago situated off the southern
(More...)
Kickstarter: Just the Beginning Episode 7
Mon, 22 Apr 2019 23:22:51 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://medium.com/kickstarter/just-the-beginning-episode-7-593d94dcdfbc
"In this episode, we’ll be looking at creative new approaches to
reporting the news.
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WORLD ORDER "WE ARE ALL ONE"
Tue, 23 Apr 2019 23:17:38 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdYuf7s7KJQ
A beautiful new World Order video! I think this may be their best yet.
(More...)
While Australians talk of a 'fair go', Americans are trialling Universal Basic Income
Tue, 23 Apr 2019 23:19:17 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/americans-are-already-trialling-universal-basic-income/11030920>
"Andrew Yang is not your typical candidate: in a field dominated by
Democratic party veterans like Bernie Sanders, the 44-year-old son of
Taiwanese immigrants has never run for elected office before."
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Extinction Rebellion and Attenborough put climate in spotlight
Tue, 23 Apr 2019 23:20:46 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/19/extinction-rebellion-and-attenborough-put-climate-in-spotlight>
"With Extinction Rebellion making headlines and Sir David Attenborough
broadcasting
The Facts on BBC One, climate change has gone mainstream
this Easter. A nation has been watching protesters glue themselves to
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Sci-Fi Writers Are Imagining a Path Back to Normality
Wed, 24 Apr 2019 22:49:25 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.wired.com/2019/03/geeks-guide-sci-fi-future/
"In recent months the science fiction world has grown increasingly
political, with dozens of writers contributing stories to anthologies
such as
Resist: Tales From a Future Worth Fighting Against and
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Don't Regulate The Internet Like Every Company Is The Same
Wed, 24 Apr 2019 22:51:23 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190413/18133242004/dont-regulate-internet-like-every-company-is-same.shtml>
"This year seems to be the year in which governments all over the globe
really, really want to regulate the internet. And they're doing a
ridiculously dumb job of it."
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Three on Climate Change
Thu, 25 Apr 2019 23:05:24 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
Ending climate change requires the end of capitalism. Have we got the
stomach for it?
<
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/18/ending-climate-change-end-capitalism>
Our leaders are ignoring global warming to the point of criminal
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Scott Santens: Basic Income Might Be The Answer To Society's Productivity Crisis
Thu, 25 Apr 2019 23:07:11 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUKdy84Tn3c
"Back in September of 2016, I did an interview for Forbes about a fully
universal unconditional basic income and to this day I think it remains
one of my better summaries of UBI for those new to the idea, and even
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Memories of disaster fade fast
Thu, 25 Apr 2019 23:09:21 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2019/04/20/memories-of-disaster-fade-fast>
"Collective memory for past calamities is of more than just academic
interest, precisely because resilience to future calamities is thought
to depend on it. Most research on the subject has been conducted by
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Wow!!! te reo Māori rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody
Fri, 26 Apr 2019 23:23:53 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKCrrTuYnmU
Via Muse, who wrote: "ZOMG!!! It doesn’t get KEWLER than THIS!!"
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Earth from Space: the eye-popping series that zooms in on our planet
Fri, 26 Apr 2019 23:24:48 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/apr/17/earth-from-space-the-eye-popping-series-that-zooms-in-on-our-planet>
"Using high-tech satellites, this breakthrough show captures every
corner of the globe in unprecedented detail, giving our planet a health
check – and its findings are spectacular"
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To solve climate change and biodiversity loss, we need a Global Deal for Nature
Fri, 26 Apr 2019 23:25:33 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://theconversation.com/to-solve-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-we-need-a-global-deal-for-nature-115557>
"We chart a course for immediately protecting at least 30% of Earth’s
surface to put the brakes on rapid biodiversity loss, and then add
another 20% comprising ecosystems that can suck disproportionately large
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Cloud forests risk drying out by 2060
Sat, 27 Apr 2019 23:37:43 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://climatenewsnetwork.net/cloud-forests-risk-drying-out-by-2060/
"For the world’s cloud forests, the future is overcast. Some face
fiercer storm and flood: they could even lose their unique clouds."
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A voice for Nature
Sat, 27 Apr 2019 23:38:43 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/2019/04/maori-river-in-new-zealand-is-a-legal-person/>
"The Whanganui River in New Zealand is a legal person. A nearby forest
is too. Soon, the government will grant a mountain legal personhood as
well. Here's how it happened, and what it may mean."
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Emilio Estevez Uses Some Public Domain Footage In Film, So Universal Studios Forces Original Public Domain Footage Offline
Sat, 27 Apr 2019 23:40:07 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190420/23485242053/emilio-estevez-uses-some-public-domain-footage-film-so-universal-studios-forces-original-public-domain-footage-offline.shtml>
'Once again, this is why expecting automated filters to work is a real
problem — and it's doubly obnoxious that companies like Universal
Pictures (and the MPAA that represents it) have been among the leading
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Ruskin and Morris: The Arts and Crafts Idealists
Sun, 28 Apr 2019 23:01:43 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://blog.fabrics-store.com/2019/04/19/ruskin-and-morris-the-arts-and-crafts-idealists/>
"The naturalistic, floral patterns of the Arts and Crafts movement are
such a firm favourite with the British establishment that it is easy to
forget the idealistic, rebellious roots of the style revolution. Angered
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New studies highlight challenge of meeting Paris Agreement climate goals
Sun, 28 Apr 2019 23:02:23 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-04/agu-nsh042319.php
"WASHINGTON-- New research highlights the "incredible challenge" of
reaching the Paris Agreement without intense action and details the
extreme temperatures parts of the planet will suffer if countries fail
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Greta Thunberg condemns UK's climate stance in speech to MPs
Sun, 28 Apr 2019 23:03:28 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
World's First Solar Train - Byron Bay Railroad Company | Fully Charged
Mon, 29 Apr 2019 23:20:56 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SafVI7vKs4
"The Byron Bay solar powered train is, as far as I can discover, the
first and only 100% electric, 100% solar powered train. Early days but
clearly something that's worth developing."
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The sustainability of open source for the long term
Mon, 29 Apr 2019 23:23:55 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://lwn.net/SubscriberLink/786304/24e9d241a1aac012/
"There has been some talk about a few projects that are making a few
thousand dollars per month on Patreon, but the maintainer of a key
JavaScript library had a different perspective. They have spent half
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Apologizing Figurines of Japanese Giant Monsters
Mon, 29 Apr 2019 23:25:15 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.neatorama.com/2019/04/23/Apologizing-Figurines-of-Japanese-Giant-Monsters/>
"The art of the apology – it’s an integral part of Japanese culture that
helps maintain balance and harmony in society. Combining that with kaiju
figurines is this brilliant little set of toys that feature the likes of
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Puerto Rico’s LGBT Community is Ready to Kick the Door Down
Tue, 30 Apr 2019 23:28:36 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://medium.com/@thenib/puerto-ricos-lgbt-community-is-ready-to-kick-the-door-down-b884e862cddc>
"In the late 1980’s, a TV show was ahead of the curve on gay acceptance.
But that’s not enough."
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Meet Your iPhone’s Grandparent
Tue, 30 Apr 2019 23:29:24 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://howwegettonext.com/meet-your-iphones-grandparent-3673a1a0e92d
"How the humble pocket calculator morphed into the smartphone"
I have seen and used most of these. A real trip down memory lane!
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The Rise and Fall of Internet Art Communities
Tue, 30 Apr 2019 23:30:50 +1000
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-rise-fall-internet-art-communities>
"Before big tech shepherded the vast number of online users onto a
handful of sleek websites, there was a scrappier internet—where offbeat
chat rooms and eccentric niche websites reigned, and carefully crafted
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