Glass Wings Blog: January 2021
Taiwanese banned from all UNESCO events
Sat, 2 Jan 2021 07:26:58 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4071398
"A new UN rule now bans Taiwanese scientists from attending all UNESCO
events, according to the International Centre for Theoretical Physics
(ICTP), prompting many scholars, both Taiwanese and Western, to
(More...)
12 Trump Attacks on the Environment Since the Election
Sat, 2 Jan 2021 07:29:01 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.ecowatch.com/trump-attacks-environment-election-2649477513.html>
"In the aftermath of the Nov. 3 election, President Donald Trump has
tried every trick in the book to avoid facing the reality of his loss. A
barrage of lawsuits accompanied by disinformation campaigns has
(More...)
Wolfwalkers Demonstrates Why Cartoon Saloon is Studio Ghibli's True Successor
Sat, 2 Jan 2021 07:32:13 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/wolfwalkers-demonstrates-why-cartoon-saloon-is-studio-ghiblis-true-successor/>
"Studio Ghibli is arguably the most recognizable and beloved animated
studio outside of Disney/Pixar, one that has proven time and time again
that animation is more than just entertainment aimed at kids thanks to
(More...)
Meet Chimbu, the blue-eyed, bear-eared tree kangaroo. Your cuppa can help save his species
Sun, 3 Jan 2021 05:27:48 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://theconversation.com/meet-chimbu-the-blue-eyed-bear-eared-tree-kangaroo-your-cuppa-can-help-save-his-species-135033>
"Tree kangaroos are so unusual that when Europeans first encountered
them in Australia in 1872, they were sceptical. Who would believe a
kangaroo could climb a tree?
(More...)
An archivist’s night at the movies, part IV: Science fiction edition
Sun, 3 Jan 2021 05:29:36 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://peelarchivesblog.com/2020/09/10/an-archivists-night-at-the-movies-part-iv-science-fiction-edition/>
"As a lover of science fiction, I have decided to add another entry in
our Archivist Night at the Movies series, seeking to boldly explore how
creative teams involved with various science fiction movies or
(More...)
Portraits of Matriarchy: Where Grandmothers Are Still in Charge
Sun, 3 Jan 2021 05:32:00 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.yesmagazine.org/health-happiness/2020/11/09/china-himalayas-grandmothers-mosuo/>
"Life around Lugu Lake—high up in the Himalayas, straddling China’s
Yunnan and Sichuan provinces—has been changing rapidly. Until relatively
recently, the Mosuo, a Chinese ethnic minority of about 40,000 people,
(More...)
These photos prove a future with no waste is possible
Mon, 4 Jan 2021 06:21:34 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/end-of-waste-circular-economy
"Every year, the world adds 11.2 billion tonnes of solid waste to our
combined rubbish pile, according to UN figures – the decaying organic
parts of which contribute five per cent of global greenhouse gas
(More...)
Inside Australia’s Secret Rich List
Mon, 4 Jan 2021 06:23:28 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/inside-australias-secret-rich-list/
"It’s quite the cosy little arrangement that some of Australia’s “old
money” billionaires enjoy, courtesy of the federal government. It’s a
cosy arrangement afforded to no other Australians, and a number of the
(More...)
Rich countries are hoarding COVID-19 vaccines. Elsewhere, the pandemic may keep killing for years
Mon, 4 Jan 2021 06:24:47 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-12-22/rich-nations-snap-up-covid-19-vaccines-leaving-less-for-the-poor>
"MEXICO CITY — The race to vaccinate the world against a
once-in-a-century pandemic has begun in an all-too-familiar way: Every
country for itself.
(More...)
Say Goodbye To 2020 With The Year’s Top 10 Hubble Photos
Tue, 5 Jan 2021 05:30:26 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2021/12/28/say-goodbye-to-2020-with-the-years-top-10-hubble-photos/>
"Launched in 1990 and celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2020, the
Hubble Space Telescope continues to be humanity's most powerful optical
observatory from its perch above Earth's atmosphere. Although it will be
(More...)
The less equal we become, the less we trust science, and that’s a problem
Tue, 5 Jan 2021 05:33:25 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://theconversation.com/the-less-equal-we-become-the-less-we-trust-science-and-thats-a-problem-151691>
"On average, an increase of one percentage point in inequality is
associated with a decrease of 1.5 percentage points in listening to
scientists.
(More...)
Review : Utopia For Realists
Tue, 5 Jan 2021 05:36:35 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://decoherency.blogspot.com/2020/12/review-utopia-for-realists.html
"This is everything I wanted it to be. Unlike RCU, UFR focuses on the
goal, not the people seeking it. It's well-researched, comprehensive yet
succinct, immensely readable, highly persuasive, and - perhaps most
(More...)
The Forgotten Life of Einstein's First Wife
Wed, 6 Jan 2021 04:30:47 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/the-forgotten-life-of-einsteins-first-wife/>
"The decision to publish only under his name seems to have been taken
jointly. Why? Radmila Milentijević, a former history professor at City
College in New York, published in 2015 Mileva’s most comprehensive
(More...)
The Life in "The Simpsons" Is No Longer Attainable
Wed, 6 Jan 2021 04:32:13 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/12/life-simpsons-no-longer-attainable/617499/>
"The most famous dysfunctional family of 1990s television enjoyed, by
today’s standards, an almost dreamily secure existence that now seems
out of reach for all too many Americans. I refer, of course, to the
(More...)
When You Can't Innovate, You Litigate: Oracle Gleefully Takes Credit For Attacks On Section 230 And Google
Wed, 6 Jan 2021 04:35:49 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20201224/11072345946/when-you-cant-innovate-you-litigate-oracle-gleefully-takes-credit-attacks-section-230-google.shtml>
"A few weeks ago, Oracle announced that it was moving its headquarters
out of Redwood Shores, in the middle of Silicon Valley, to Austin,
Texas. The move is more symbolic than anything else. The company told
(More...)
Japanese Researchers Are Making Wooden Satellites Because We Have a Space Trash Problem
Thu, 7 Jan 2021 05:01:11 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://gizmodo.com/japanese-researchers-are-making-wooden-satellites-becau-1845967973>
"Floating around the Earth is a bunch of satellites. Cool for GPS,
monitoring weather patterns, and the internet—not so cool for space
junk. This is why Sumitomo Forestry and Kyoto University are teaming up
(More...)
From the outside, Biblioteca Vasconcelos seems uninviting. But wander in and you’ll surely be amazed.
Thu, 7 Jan 2021 05:02:21 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.thedailybeast.com/biblioteca-vasconcelos-is-one-of-the-worlds-most-beautiful-libraries>
"In the middle of a park in a neighborhood that (while historic) most
tourists to Mexico City would not explore one can find a phantasmagoric
gazebo. Painted in an array of colors, carved with elaborate textures
(More...)
'A real bad precedent': Australia criticised for Antarctica airport plan
Thu, 7 Jan 2021 05:03:47 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/31/a-real-bad-precedent-australia-criticised-for-antarctica-airport-plan>
"Australia is planning to build Antarctica’s biggest infrastructure
project: a new airport and runway that would increase the human
footprint in the world’s greatest wilderness by an estimated 40%.
(More...)
How the Ratatouille Musical Went From TikTok Sensation to All-Star Broadway Production
Fri, 8 Jan 2021 04:50:08 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://time.com/5925560/ratatouille-tiktok-musical/
"It started when Emily Jacobsen, a 26-year-old schoolteacher from
Hartsdale, N.Y., posted a squeaky-voiced
a capella ode to Pixar
character Remy the Rat to TikTok in October. The ballad, which Jacobsen
(More...)
How Covid has plunged Asia's captive elephants into fresh crisis
Fri, 8 Jan 2021 04:51:47 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/31/how-covid-has-plunged-asias-captive-elephants-into-fresh-crisis>
"It has been a tough year for many, and for the elephants at Elefanjoy
sanctuary in Jaipur, India, it has been no exception. As the pandemic
hit in March, the country imposed a strict nationwide lockdown, and the
(More...)
Plan emerges to rebuild collapsed Arecibo telescope, with early $8 million pledge from Puerto Rico
Fri, 8 Jan 2021 04:55:02 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/arecibo-telescope-rebuild-plan-8-million-funding-start>
"In the wake of the mishap that caused the sad (yet spectacular)
collapse of the Arecibo Observatory telescope earlier this month in
Puerto Rico, a plan appears to be emerging to reconstruct one of the
(More...)
Six Free Natural History Programs Streaming in January
Sat, 9 Jan 2021 04:57:15 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-of-natural-history/2020/12/28/six-free-natural-history-programs-streaming-january/>
"A virtual field trip to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation
Biology Institute; a guided, at-home scientific illustration activity
and a behind-the-scenes tour of the O. Orkin Insect Zoo; stream these
(More...)
The Mine at Oak Flat: A Timeline of Government Bad Faith
Sat, 9 Jan 2021 04:58:32 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://billmoyers.com/story/the-mine-at-oak-flat-a-timeline-of-a-government-bad-faith/>
"The [US] Department of Agriculture has pushed forward the release of an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Resolution Copper mine in
Oak Flat Arizona. The release of this document kickstarts a 60-Day
(More...)
Drone swarms illuminate Scottish skies as part of Hogmanay festival
Sat, 9 Jan 2021 04:59:40 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-zXvQqveME
"Videos taken near the remote Highland area of Spean Bridge and over
Edinburgh show drones taking off and forming stunning shapes, including
a leaping stag"
(More...)
Equitable Retreat: The Need for Fairness in Relocating Coastal Communities
Sun, 10 Jan 2021 05:36:41 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://e360.yale.edu/features/equitable-retreat-the-need-for-fairness-in-relocating-coastal-communities>
"As seas rise and coastal storms intensify, policymakers and low-lying
cities around the globe are increasingly wrestling with the reality of
needing to relocate entire communities to higher, safer ground.
(More...)
Nature is not healing
Sun, 10 Jan 2021 05:37:35 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theverge.com/22178714/2020-nature-heal-pollution-greenhouse-gases-emissions-dip-covid>
"Dolphins did not return to cleaner canals in Venice, Italy this year.
Nor was the critically endangered Malabar civet spotted on the streets
of Kerala, India. And, contrary to one meme, there definitely were not
(More...)
Animals and plants reclaim Scotland's abandoned spaces: photo essay
Sun, 10 Jan 2021 05:38:43 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/02/animals-ecology-reclaim-scotland-abandoned-landscapes-a-photo-essay>
"Since the idea of rewilding took hold, it has generally been seen as a
rural pursuit involving withdrawal from farmland so that animals and
vegetation can restore their own ecology.
(More...)
Octopus And Squid Evolution Is Officially Stranger Than We Could Have Ever Imagined
Mon, 11 Jan 2021 04:40:32 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.sciencealert.com/octopus-and-squid-evolution-is-weirder-than-we-could-have-ever-imagined>
"Just when we thought octopuses couldn't be any weirder, it turns out
that they and their cephalopod brethren evolve differently from nearly
every other organism on the planet.
(More...)
GENERATING POSITIVE ENERGY | Follow FULLY CHARGED for your daily dose of good news
Mon, 11 Jan 2021 04:41:50 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2U2iy0K5Y8
"Here's a little something uplifting for these dark times. It feels like
there's bad news everywhere right now. If you're in need of respite,
Fully Charged and Fully Charged PLUS offers 600+ episodes on Clean
(More...)
New year, new rant: Linus Torvalds rails at Intel for 'killing' the ECC industry
Mon, 11 Jan 2021 04:43:27 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.theregister.com/2021/01/04/linus_torvalds_intel_killed_ecc/
"Linux creator Linus Torvalds has accused Intel of preventing widespread
use of error-correcting memory and being "instrumental in killing the
whole ECC industry with its horribly bad market segmentation."
(More...)
The Year in Cheer 2020
Tue, 12 Jan 2021 05:22:28 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/the-year-in-cheer/
"You could be forgiven for thinking that 2020 was little more than a
slow-motion train wreck broken up into 365 individual units. But if
you’re a regular RTBC reader, you know that’s not true. Yes, it was a
(More...)
Seven Years Ago, CERN Gave Open Access A Huge Boost; Now It's Doing The Same For Open Data
Tue, 12 Jan 2021 05:23:44 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20201231/02234445977/seven-years-ago-cern-gave-open-access-huge-boost-now-doing-same-open-data.shtml>
"Techdirt readers will be very familiar with CERN, the European Council
for Nuclear Research (the acronym comes from the French version: Conseil
Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire). It's best known for two things:
(More...)
A 25-Year-Old Bet Comes Due: Has Tech Destroyed Society?
Tue, 12 Jan 2021 05:25:45 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.wired.com/story/a-25-year-old-bet-comes-due-has-tech-destroyed-society/>
"In 1995, a WIRED cofounder challenged a Luddite-loving doomsayer to a
prescient wager on tech and civilization’s fate. Now their judge weighs in."
(More...)
Study: Folklore structure reveals how conspiracy theories emerge, fall apart
Wed, 13 Jan 2021 04:48:38 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/01/study-folklore-structure-reveals-how-conspiracy-theories-emerge-fall-apart/>
"Mark Twain is often credited with the saying, “A lie can travel halfway
around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.” Twain
never actually said it; it appears to be a mutated version of something
(More...)
The 25 Best Feel-Good Not Always Right Stories Of 2020!
Wed, 13 Jan 2021 04:49:25 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://notalwaysright.com/the-25-best-feel-good-not-always-right-stories-of-2020/223386/>
"2020 is now a bad memory, but it contained many pockets of good! We’ve
rounded up the twenty-five most feel-good, most inspirational, and most
warm-and-fuzzy stories from 2020 to prove that it wasn’t all bad!"
(More...)
UK Music Rights Group Demands Payment From A Pub That Isn't Playing Any Music Because It's Closed Due To COVID
Wed, 13 Jan 2021 05:02:13 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20210105/16544846004/uk-music-rights-group-demands-payment-pub-that-isnt-playing-any-music-because-closed-due-to-covid.shtml>
"I know that many musicians rely on collection societies to earn money,
but these increasingly appear like traditional organized crime
operations, shaking down small businesses for cash."
(More...)
Insects in flight | 11 incredible species in SLOW MOTION
Thu, 14 Jan 2021 05:45:23 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbOzYMKROs8
"Takeoff and flight sequences of insects spanning 5 different taxonomic
orders captured at 3,200 fps!"
(More...)
Climate Change Is Turning Cities Into Ovens
Thu, 14 Jan 2021 05:46:26 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.wired.com/story/climate-change-is-turning-cities-into-ovens/
"To calculate how much city temperatures might rise, Zhao and his
colleagues from a number of institutions, including Princeton University
and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, built a statistical model for
(More...)
Global heating could stabilize if net zero emissions achieved, scientists say
Thu, 14 Jan 2021 05:48:14 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/07/global-heating-stabilize-net-zero-emissions>
"The world may be barreling towards climate disaster but rapidly
eliminating planet-heating emissions means global temperatures could
stabilize within just a couple of decades, scientists say.
(More...)
One Year After Declaring Climate Emergency, Scientists Say 'Massive-Scale Mobilization' Necessary
Fri, 15 Jan 2021 05:45:25 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/01/07/one-year-after-declaring-climate-emergency-scientists-say-massive-scale-mobilization>
"Aggressive, transformative change, framed against the backdrop of
social justice, can ignite an enormous deployment that will let us avert
the worst of the climate emergency."
(More...)
Australia sweltered through its 4th-hottest year in 2020
Fri, 15 Jan 2021 05:46:22 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-australia-el-nino-climate-fires-d5c2f9ea798a836cacc388d355942b80>
"Australia sweltered through its fourth-hottest year on record last year
despite the recent return of the usually cooling La Nina climate
pattern, the nation’s weather bureau said on Friday.
(More...)
What is Creator Endorsed?
Fri, 15 Jan 2021 05:47:36 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://player.vimeo.com/video/498550193
"This is a two-minute presentation of how the “Creator Endorsed”
business model works, contrasting it with the way that “Copyright
Monopoly” models work, and hopefully making it clear why CE is preferable."
(More...)
Trump and the Reverse Cargo Cult
Sat, 16 Jan 2021 06:22:10 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://hanshowe.org/2017/02/04/trump-and-the-reverse-cargo-cult/
"Trump administration lies constantly but doesn’t even attempt to make
it seem like they aren’t lying.
(More...)
There’s Nothing Virtuous About Finding Common Ground
Sat, 16 Jan 2021 06:24:16 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://time.com/5434381/tayari-jones-moral-middle-myth/
"The middle is a point equidistant from two poles. That’s it. There is
nothing inherently virtuous about being neither here nor there. Buried
in this is a false equivalency of ideas, what you might call the “good
(More...)
The US economy lost 140,000 jobs in December. All of them were held by women
Sat, 16 Jan 2021 06:26:42 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/08/economy/women-job-losses-pandemic/
"A year ago, a rare thing happened to American women.
For three months, they held more jobs than men in the US economy —
(More...)
The Top 1% of Americans Have Taken $50 Trillion From the Bottom 90%—And That's Made the U.S. Less Secure
Sun, 17 Jan 2021 05:43:08 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://time.com/5888024/50-trillion-income-inequality-america/
"Like many of the virus’s hardest hit victims, the United States went
into the COVID-19 pandemic wracked by preexisting conditions. A fraying
public health infrastructure, inadequate medical supplies, an
(More...)
With mass arrests, running for office in Hong Kong is now not only futile, it can be criminal
Sun, 17 Jan 2021 05:44:05 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://theconversation.com/with-mass-arrests-running-for-office-in-hong-kong-is-now-not-only-futile-it-can-be-criminal-152755>
"Nearly overshadowed by the chaos in the US this week was a dramatic
escalation of the crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong.
(More...)
From Japan to the world: my experience in the space field
Sun, 17 Jan 2021 05:45:20 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/space4youth/stories/mori/index.html>
"My first encounter with space happened when I went to the Kennedy Space
Center in Florida with my family while at elementary school. I remember
being so surprised and inspired by everything there: the complexity, the
(More...)
What Buddhism can do for AI ethics
Mon, 18 Jan 2021 05:14:54 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/01/06/1015779/what-buddhism-can-do-ai-ethics/>
"People both in the East and the West need to share their ideas and
consider those from others to enrich their own perspectives. Because the
development and use of AI spans the entire globe, the way we think about
(More...)
50 countries vow to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030
Mon, 18 Jan 2021 05:17:59 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://apnews.com/article/50-countries-protect-land-sea-climate-3450a3ef2bafb1149b7bb0931914eefc>
"The one-day summit focused on four major topics: protecting terrestrial
and marine ecosystems; promoting agroecology, a more sustainable way to
grow food; increasing funding to protect biodiversity; and identifying
(More...)
The Pyra Handheld Linux PC is Shipping
Mon, 18 Jan 2021 05:19:36 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://boilingsteam.com/the-pyra-handheld-linux-pc-is-shipping/
"The Dragonbox Pyra is finally shipping! This small handheld Linux PC
(that can be used for just about anything, including gaming) has been in
the works for 7 years or more. It was designed to be the successor of
(More...)
Twitter Bans Sci-Hub's Account Because Of 'Counterfeit Goods' Policy, As Indian Copyright Case Heats Up
Tue, 19 Jan 2021 05:10:29 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20210111/03114946029/twitter-bans-sci-hubs-account-because-counterfeit-goods-policy-as-indian-copyright-case-heats-up.shtml>
"A couple of weeks ago, Techdirt wrote about an important copyright case
in India, where a group of academic publishers is seeking a dynamic
injunction to block access to the "shadow libraries" Sci-Hub and Libgen.
(More...)
'Our souls are dead': how I survived a Chinese 're-education' camp for Uighurs
Tue, 19 Jan 2021 05:11:57 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/12/uighur-xinjiang-re-education-camp-china-gulbahar-haitiwaji>
"After 10 years living in France, I returned to China to sign some
papers and I was locked up. For the next two years, I was systematically
dehumanised, humiliated and brainwashed"
(More...)
Scientists decry death by 1,000 cuts for world’s insects
Tue, 19 Jan 2021 05:13:18 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Vancouver Gave Homeless People $5,800. It Changed Their Lives.
Wed, 20 Jan 2021 05:20:37 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/vancouver-gave-its-homeless-5800-it-changed-their-lives/>
"Typically, charitable and government efforts to help people like Ray
are conditional on certain behaviors, like getting medical or addictions
treatment, filing monthly reports, or spending on particular services.
(More...)
Don’t Toss It, Fix It! Europe Is Guaranteeing Citizens the “Right to Repair”
Wed, 20 Jan 2021 05:21:33 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/europe-guarantee-right-to-repair-ifixit/>
"Europe is one of the largest markets in the world, which means that new
EU design guidelines and right to repair mandates could force
manufacturers across the world to make more durable products. The shift
(More...)
China's treatment of Uighurs amounts to torture, says Dominic Raab
Wed, 20 Jan 2021 05:22:56 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/12/chinas-treatment-of-uighurs-amounts-to-torture-dominic-raab>
"China’s treatment of the Uighur people amounts to torture, the British
foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, has said as he set out measures
designed to ensure no companies allow the use of forced labour from
(More...)
The ‘Shared Psychosis’ of Donald Trump and His Loyalists
Thu, 21 Jan 2021 05:25:08 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-shared-psychosis-of-donald-trump-and-his-loyalists/>
"The violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol Building last week,
incited by President Donald Trump, serves as the grimmest moment in one
of the darkest chapters in the nation’s history. Yet the rioters’
(More...)
Over 4,500 manuscripts now online
Thu, 21 Jan 2021 05:26:00 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://blogs.bl.uk/digitisedmanuscripts/2021/01/over-4500-manuscripts-now-online.html>
"Long-term readers of our blog may know that we periodically publish
lists of our digitised manuscripts, the last of which was published in
July 2020. With the arrival of the New Year and the beginning of a new
(More...)
Peak Phosphorus May Be More Alarming Than Climate Change
Thu, 21 Jan 2021 05:26:49 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://medium.com/climate-conscious/peak-phosphorus-may-be-more-alarming-than-climate-change-c6fd0fc69414>
"Seven nations control 90% of the world’s phosphorous supply. Morocco
alone controls 75%, while the U.S., China, and a handful of other
nations each have considerable reserves. The price of phosphorous has
(More...)
Build Your Own Edible Chocolate Bonsai Tree
Fri, 22 Jan 2021 05:42:37 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://nerdist.com/article/edible-chocolate-bonsai-tree-diy-kit/
"Japan’s history with Bonsai trees goes back a thousand years, when they
were first introduced there from China. The miniature trees, available
in many forms, connect their owners to nature. But if you’re looking for
(More...)
Worried about Earth’s future? Well, the outlook is worse than even scientists can grasp
Fri, 22 Jan 2021 05:43:53 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://theconversation.com/worried-about-earths-future-well-the-outlook-is-worse-than-even-scientists-can-grasp-153091>
"Anyone with even a passing interest in the global environment knows all
is not well. But just how bad is the situation? Our new paper shows the
outlook for life on Earth is more dire than is generally understood.
(More...)
Make way for InvestEGGator, the decoy egg shedding light on the illegal trade of wildlife
Fri, 22 Jan 2021 05:45:14 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.snippetscience.com/make-way-for-the-investeggator-the-decoy-egg-shedding-light-on-the-illegal-trade-of-wildlife>
"“The insatiable human appetite for wildlife products drives species to
extinction, spreads disease and has negative consequences for the
economies of source countries.” Thus opens a recent article , published
(More...)
Eric Chien 2018 Fism Grand Prix Act -Ribbon-
Sat, 23 Jan 2021 05:54:52 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvzMqIQLiXE
"I am really excited to share my Fism Act with everyone, I know you guys
have been waiting for a while now.
(More...)
A museum let a group of penguins wander its empty rooms, and they couldn't take their eyes off the paintings
Sat, 23 Jan 2021 05:56:10 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.insider.com/penguins-visit-art-museum-for-the-day-2020-5
"As we continue to stay at home, penguins around the world are having a
blast. They're meeting whales in the aquarium, roaming the streets of
Cape Town, South Africa, and even getting their first art history lesson.
(More...)
What if the world was one country? A psychologist on why we need to think beyond borders
Sat, 23 Jan 2021 05:58:00 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://theconversation.com/what-if-the-world-was-one-country-a-psychologist-on-why-we-need-to-think-beyond-borders-152135>
"There are countless different species on the surface of this planet.
One of these is the human race, which has over seven billion members. In
one sense, there are no nations, just groups of humans inhabiting
(More...)
construction is completed
Sun, 24 Jan 2021 05:17:18 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4xCaiOIewQ
"Ladies and gentlemen. 2 years 3 months of construction. End result. I
still have to work on my computer desk and the bridge animations, but
the building part is completed. 😁"
(More...)
Animals interrupting wildlife photographers.
Sun, 24 Jan 2021 05:19:26 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Upgrade rage: why you may have to buy a new device whether you want to or not
Sun, 24 Jan 2021 05:20:41 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://theconversation.com/upgrade-rage-why-you-may-have-to-buy-a-new-device-whether-you-want-to-or-not-153105>
"We’ve probably all been there. We buy some new smart gadget and when we
plug it in for the first time it requires an update to work.
(More...)
Shift to renewable energy eases key environmental burdens, EU says
Mon, 25 Jan 2021 05:54:18 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-energy-eu-renewables-idUSKBN29N09W
"Europe’s shift from fossil fuel-based electricity to renewable sources
has reduced environmental problems while also cutting the greenhouse gas
emissions causing climate change, the European Environment Agency (EEA)
(More...)
The economy can’t guarantee a job. It can guarantee a liveable income for other work
Mon, 25 Jan 2021 05:56:03 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://theconversation.com/the-economy-cant-guarantee-a-job-it-can-guarantee-a-liveable-income-for-other-work-153444>
"When the coronavirus pandemic hit Australia in March 2020, the Morrison
government took bold and imaginative action.
(More...)
Second-Rate Democracy
Mon, 25 Jan 2021 05:57:46 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.secondratedemocracy.com/
"
Seventeen Ways America is Less Democratic than other Major Western
Countries and How We Can Do Better
(More...)
Free Access To Academic Papers For Everyone In India: Government Proposes 'One Nation, One Subscription' Approach As Part Of Major Shift To Openness
Tue, 26 Jan 2021 06:03:21 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20210114/08351346051/free-access-to-academic-papers-everyone-india-government-proposes-one-nation-one-subscription-approach-as-part-major-shift-to.shtml>
"All publicly funded scientific resources will be made shareable and
accessible nationally through digital platforms, including laboratories,
supercomputing and AI facilities. Publicly funded open educational
(More...)
More than 30 countries condemn Australia at UN over high rates of child incarceration
Tue, 26 Jan 2021 06:04:07 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/21/china-attacks-australia-at-un-over-baseless-charges-as-canberra-criticised-for-keeping-children-in-detention>
"Country after country raised concern about why Australia has delayed a
push to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years –
something that experts say is linked to Australia’s high rates of
(More...)
The subtle sophistication of Bluey’s soundtrack helped propel it to stardom
Tue, 26 Jan 2021 06:04:58 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://theconversation.com/the-subtle-sophistication-of-blueys-soundtrack-helped-propel-it-to-stardom-153102>
"Bluey is easily the most successful Australian television show of the
last decade. A record-breaking success for its local broadcaster the
ABC, as well as production partners BBC Studios and Screen Australia,
(More...)
From Chicago to Uganda, scientists track the wildlife diseases that could infect humans—or spark the next pandemic
Wed, 27 Jan 2021 05:47:45 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://thebulletin.org/2021/01/from-chicago-to-uganda-scientists-track-the-wildlife-diseases-that-could-infect-humans-or-spark-the-next-pandemic/>
"Many of the most threatening pandemics in history—including HIV/AIDS,
Ebola, and COVID-19, which is thought to be linked to bats—spilled over
from wildlife populations to humans. Over the last century, scientists
(More...)
Wetlands have saved Australia $27 billion in storm damage over the past five decades
Wed, 27 Jan 2021 05:48:34 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://theconversation.com/wetlands-have-saved-australia-27-billion-in-storm-damage-over-the-past-five-decades-153638>
"Australia is in the midst of tropical cyclone season. As we write, a
cyclone is forming off Western Australia’s Pilbara coast, and earlier in
the week Queenslanders were bracing for a cyclone in the state’s far
(More...)
Electric vehicles close to ‘tipping point’ of mass adoption
Wed, 27 Jan 2021 05:49:56 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/22/electric-vehicles-close-to-tipping-point-of-mass-adoption>
"Electric vehicles are close to the “tipping point” of rapid mass
adoption thanks to the plummeting cost of batteries, experts say.
(More...)
Save lives or save the economy? That's a false choice – and it's obscene
Thu, 28 Jan 2021 06:25:26 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/20/save-lives-or-save-the-economy-thats-a-false-choice-and-its-obscene>
"For the past year Australians have heard politicians, business leaders
and conservative commentators argue that we need to balance the benefits
of protecting Australians from Covid-19 with the costs of those
(More...)
25% of wild bee species have gone missing since the 1990s, study finds
Thu, 28 Jan 2021 06:26:29 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wild-bee-species-missing-since-1990s-extinction/>
"Bee species around the world are facing devastating declines, and
researchers are warning that we are running out of time to save them.
According to new research, up to 25% of known bee species haven't been
(More...)
Heatwaves may mean Sydney is too hot for people to live in 'within decades'
Thu, 28 Jan 2021 06:28:00 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2021-01-24/heatwaves-sydney-uninhabitable-climate-change-urban-planning/12993580>
"Parts of Victoria and NSW are sweating through an extreme heatwave that
started sweeping across Australia's southeast on Saturday.
(More...)
Famous first words: how celebrities made their way on to children's bookshelves
Fri, 29 Jan 2021 05:05:12 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/dec/12/famous-first-words-how-celebrities-made-their-way-on-to-childrens-bookshelves>
"What do David Walliams, Lil Nas X, Ricky Gervais, Dermot O’Leary, Geri
Halliwell, Bruce Springsteen, Miranda Hart, Greg James, Chris Hoy, Frank
Lampard, Clare Balding, Konnie Huq, Marie Kondo, Paul McCartney, Julian
(More...)
How creating wildlife crossings can help reindeer, bears – and even crabs
Fri, 29 Jan 2021 05:06:54 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/23/how-wildlife-crossings-are-helping-reindeer-bears-and-even-crabs-aoe>
"Every April, Sweden’s main highway comes to a periodic standstill.
Hundreds of reindeer overseen by indigenous Sami herders shuffle across
the asphalt on the E4 as they begin their journey west to the mountains
(More...)
The mystery of the blue flower: nature’s rare colour owes its existence to bee vision
Fri, 29 Jan 2021 05:07:56 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://theconversation.com/the-mystery-of-the-blue-flower-natures-rare-colour-owes-its-existence-to-bee-vision-153646>
"At a dinner party, or in the schoolyard, the question of favourite
colour frequently results in an answer of “blue”. Why is it that humans
are so fond of blue? And why does it seem to be so rare in the world of
(More...)
Finally, she can speak
Sat, 30 Jan 2021 04:49:16 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-12/grace-tame-speaks-about-abuse-from-schoolteacher/11393044>
"Her story has been told many times by many people, including the maths
teacher who groomed and molested her when she was just 15.
(More...)
Amsterdam Is Embracing a Radical New Economic Theory to Help Save the Environment. Could It Also Replace Capitalism?
Sat, 30 Jan 2021 04:50:38 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://time.com/5930093/amsterdam-doughnut-economics/
"In April 2020, during the first wave of COVID-19, Amsterdam’s city
government announced it would recover from the crisis, and avoid future
ones, by embracing the theory of “doughnut economics.” Laid out by
(More...)
Jewish leaders use Holocaust Day to decry persecution of Uighurs
Sat, 30 Jan 2021 04:53:33 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/24/jewish-leaders-use-holocaust-day-to-decry-persecution-of-uighurs>
"Leading figures in the UK Jewish community are using Holocaust Memorial
Day on 27 January to focus on the persecution of Uighur Muslims, saying
Jews have the “moral authority and moral duty” to speak out.
(More...)
Japan: Equality Act Before Tokyo Olympics
Sun, 31 Jan 2021 04:54:48 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://action.allout.org/en/a/japan-equality-act/
"In July 2021, the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games are set to begin
in Tokyo, Japan.
(More...)
'We see huge benefits': firms adopt four-day week in Covid crisis
Sun, 31 Jan 2021 04:56:03 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/05/four-day-week-covid-crisis>
"When Target Publishing cut staff pay after the first coronavirus
lockdown last year, the magazine group knew it had to make a positive
gesture to its employees. So it introduced a four-day week.
(More...)
German City Installs Sleep Pods for People Experiencing Homelessness
Sun, 31 Jan 2021 04:57:42 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://mymodernmet.com/sleep-pods-for-homeless-ulmernest/
"People who are experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable
right now. Sleeping outside during winter is unthinkable for many, never
mind during a pandemic. In Germany, there are around 860,000 people
(More...)
Davos 2021: to achieve a ‘great reset’, we can’t count on the same old globalists to lead the way
Mon, 1 Feb 2021 05:24:33 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://theconversation.com/davos-2021-to-achieve-a-great-reset-we-cant-count-on-the-same-old-globalists-to-lead-the-way-153508>
"The 51st World Economic Forum starts on January 25, but with a major
difference. Whereas this is famously the annual gathering at the Davos
ski resort in Switzerland of global leaders from business, government
(More...)
Incitement to violence is rarely explicit – here are some techniques people use to breed hate
Mon, 1 Feb 2021 05:25:35 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://theconversation.com/incitement-to-violence-is-rarely-explicit-here-are-some-techniques-people-use-to-breed-hate-153585>
"As senators plan for an impeachment trial in which former President
Donald Trump is accused of inciting his supporters to mount a deadly
insurrection at the Capitol, global concern is growing about threats of
(More...)
UN global climate poll: ‘The people’s voice is clear – they want action’
Mon, 1 Feb 2021 05:26:54 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/27/un-global-climate-poll-peoples-voice-is-clear-they-want-action>
"The biggest ever opinion poll on climate change has found two-thirds of
people think it is a “global emergency”.
(More...)
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