Glass Wings Blog: May 2019

All the ways recycling is broken—and how to fix them

Wed, 1 May 2019 23:16:06 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.fastcompany.com/90321566/all-the-ways-recycling-is-broken-and-how-to-fix-them>

"You may throw a plastic container in the recycling bin and assume it’s
going to easily become a new item. But every step of our recycling
system—from product design to collection to sorting—has major flaws.

(More...)

The Twilight of Combustion Comes for Germany's Empire of Engines

Wed, 1 May 2019 23:17:11 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2019-bmw-electric-car-german-engines/>

"The nation that invented the heart of the car at the dawn of the 20th
century might struggle to adapt to the coming electric era."

(More...)

Hand dryers v paper towels: the surprisingly dirty fight for the right to dry your hands

Wed, 1 May 2019 23:18:08 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/apr/25/hand-dryers-paper-towels-hygiene-dyson-airblade>

"For a century, the humble paper towel has dominated public toilets. But
a new generation of hand dryers has sparked a war for loo supremacy"

(More...)

Natural landscapes? Scientists call for a paradigm shift in restoration projects

Wed, 1 May 2019 23:19:39 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://phys.org/news/2019-04-natural-landscapes-scientists-paradigm-shift.html>

"Regardless of whether we are dealing with a floodplain landscape or an
entire national park, the success of a restoration project depends on
more than just the reintroduction of individual plant or animal species

(More...)

“Sea of Plastic” Discovered in the Caribbean Stretches for Miles

Fri, 3 May 2019 00:26:46 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://returntonow.net/2019/04/25/sea-of-plastic-discovered-in-the-caribbean-stretches-for-miles/>

"An underwater photographer recently stumbled across a scene that
shocked and “devastated” her — a blanket of plastic waste several miles
wide floating off the coast of her previously pristine island home."

(More...)

The Extinction Rebellion scorecard: what did it achieve?

Fri, 3 May 2019 00:27:37 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/25/extinction-rebellion-assessing-the-impact>

"Organisers of the climate protests that have seen peaceful mass civil
disobedience across London over the past two weeks have said the first
stage of the “rebellion” is drawing to a close. How much of an impact

(More...)

'Outrage is justified': David Attenborough backs school climate strikers

Fri, 3 May 2019 00:29:06 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/26/david-attenborough-backs-school-climate-strikes-outrage-greta-thunberg>

"The outrage of the students striking from school over climate change
inaction is “certainly justified”, according to Sir David Attenborough,
who said older generations had done terrible damage to the planet."

(More...)

Behind The Scenes Look At How Facebook Dealt With Christchurch Shooting Demonstrates The Impossible Task Of Content Moderation

Fri, 3 May 2019 00:29:49 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190425/15315242087/behind-scenes-look-how-facebook-dealt-with-christchurch-shooting-demonstrates-impossible-task-content-moderation.shtml>

"We've been saying for ages now that content moderation at scale is
literally impossible to do well. It's not "difficult." It's impossible.
That does not mean that companies shouldn't try to get better at it.

(More...)

Fighting climate change by tackling food waste

Sat, 4 May 2019 03:45:03 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.dw.com/en/fighting-climate-change-by-tackling-food-waste/a-48384916>

"One-third of all food worldwide ends up in the garbage, with
industrialized countries contributing the most. A new foodsharing
platform wants to help tackle the impact this has on our climate."

(More...)

There’s an Amazingly Simple, Beautiful Way to Fix Midwestern Farmlands

Sat, 4 May 2019 03:46:06 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2019/04/theres-an-amazingly-simple-beautiful-way-to-fix-midwestern-farmlands/>

"A new study from Michigan State University researchers points to a
shockingly simple way farmers could help fix this pollution problem. And
the strategy could improve their profits, which have declined sharply in

(More...)

See the world’s oldest trees by starlight

Sat, 4 May 2019 03:46:55 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/04/diamond-nights_beth-moon/>

"A self-taught photographer with a fine art background, Moon has been
photographing trees for 20 years. She spent much of that time shooting
on film and then processing her images using a 19th-century

(More...)

Running Out of Children, a South Korea School Enrolls Illiterate Grandmothers

Sat, 4 May 2019 03:47:43 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/27/world/asia/south-korea-school-grandmothers.html>

"As the birthrate plummets in South Korea, rural schools are emptying.
To fill its classrooms, one school opened its doors to women who have
for decades dreamed of learning to read."

(More...)

Plastic production is the problem, and not plastic waste

Sun, 5 May 2019 01:35:15 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/views/analysis/plastic-production-is-the-problem-and-not-plastic-waste-910047.html>

"We have long known that plastic in landfills and oceans is a growing
environmental risk. More recently, we have come to understand that
plastic is an urgent — even deadly — threat to public health, too.

(More...)

Environmental Catastrophe is Coming. The Rich Will Be Just Fine.

Sun, 5 May 2019 01:36:58 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://medium.com/@thenib/environmental-catastrophe-is-coming-the-rich-will-be-just-fine-64a08db9110d>

"They’ve got private protection from ever-more-frequent natural
disasters. But who will pay the price?"

(More...)

Thousands of seaweed pods will replace single-use plastics at the London Marathon

Sun, 5 May 2019 01:37:55 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.cbsnews.com/news/london-marathon-thousands-of-seaweed-pods-will-replace-single-use-plastics/>

"Typically, the aftermath of a marathon is a sea of plastic waste. But
in an effort to make the event more sustainable, the London Marathon
will replace thousands of plastic water bottles with edible seaweed

(More...)

Join the Million Cool Roofs Challenge

Sun, 5 May 2019 01:39:28 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.coolroofschallenge.org/

"The Million Cool Roofs Challenge is a $2 million global competition to
rapidly scale up the deployment of highly solar-reflective “cool” roofs
in developing countries suffering heat stress and lacking widespread

(More...)

Costa Rica unveils plan to achieve zero emissions by 2050 in climate change fight

Sun, 5 May 2019 22:33:54 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/25/costa-rica-plan-decarbonize-2050-climate-change-fight>

"Costa Rica has launched an economy-wide plan to “decarbonize” the
country by 2050, as the Central American nation aims to show other
nations what is possible to address climate change."

(More...)

Japan Has a New Emperor. Now It Needs a Software Update.

Sun, 5 May 2019 22:40:30 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/23/business/japan-reiwa-calendar.html

"Japan is scrambling to update software, revise forms and print new
calendars before May 1, when the world’s third-largest economy begins a
new imperial era. For most of the rest of the world, it will remain the

(More...)

Announcing: The Public Domain Song Anthology

Sun, 5 May 2019 22:41:56 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190425/17334842089/announcing-public-domain-song-anthology.shtml>

"You realize something needs to be done and you are the only one crazy
enough to do it. This happened when my law and music worlds collided: A
D.C. restaurant stopped booking live music due to license demands from a

(More...)

Ten is just the beginning.

Sun, 5 May 2019 22:42:49 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.kickstarter.com/10

"More than 160,000 creative projects have come to life on Kickstarter
over the past decade, with support from over 16,000,000 backers. That
work has challenged us, brought joy into our lives, and given us

(More...)

One Chinese company now controls most of the metal needed to make the world’s advanced batteries

Mon, 6 May 2019 22:42:38 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://qz.com/1292202/china-now-effectively-controls-half-the-worlds-lithium-production/>

"Tianqi Lithium, a Chinese company, recently paid more than $4 billion
to become the second-largest shareholder in Sociedad Química y Minera
(SQM), a Chilean mining company. The deal gives the company effective

(More...)

Big oil is set to spend $5 trillion on fossil fuels we can’t afford to burn

Mon, 6 May 2019 22:44:03 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.globalwitness.org/en-gb/blog/big-oil-set-to-spend-5-trillion/>

"The oil and gas industry is busy telling the world that we will need
their fossil fuels for years to come, and that continuing to use oil and
gas won’t wreck our chances of curbing climate change. So we took a look

(More...)

Automation in Everyday Life

Mon, 6 May 2019 22:45:20 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnfpTlhVq8y-eYY_3SZVhOD6fkcphLM4e

Via UBIvisuals, who wrote: "Uploaded a bunch of videos filmed via mobile
of automation in everyday life. Very interesting. Nice tool to wake
people to this fact."

(More...)

Authority calls for new court to help crush lucrative NT wildlife poaching trade

Mon, 6 May 2019 22:46:09 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-01/poacher-crackdown-nt-authority-calls-for-more-court-resources/11057372>

"The Northern Territory's snakes and lizards have become prized trophies
for international wildlife collectors, fuelling a booming illegal trade
and keeping authorities on the constant watch for poachers."

(More...)

For Trump, the cruelty is the point. But it’s actually worse than that.

Wed, 8 May 2019 03:22:15 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/04/09/trump-cruelty-is-point-its-actually-worse-than-that/>

"President Trump, egged on by immigration adviser Stephen Miller, is
currently undertaking a purge of top homeland security officials who are
seen as suspect, in part because they are not willing to flout the law

(More...)

Impossible Content Moderation Dilemmas: Talking About Racism Blocked As Hate Speech

Wed, 8 May 2019 04:44:01 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190426/00092142092/impossible-content-moderation-dilemmas-talking-about-racism-blocked-as-hate-speech.shtml>

"Rules against hate speech are used to suppress the oppressed talking
out about oppressors. Rules against terrorist content are used to erase
evidence of war crimes. Over and over again when you demand that

(More...)

Japanese Emperor Naruhito: The man taking Japan into a new era

Wed, 8 May 2019 04:47:05 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48029890

"Japan officially began a new era on 1 May when Crown Prince Naruhito
ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne as the new emperor.

(More...)

Content Moderation is Broken. Let Us Count the Ways.

Wed, 8 May 2019 04:47:52 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190429/15332242111/content-moderation-is-broken-let-us-count-ways.shtml>

"Social media platforms regularly engage in “content moderation”—the
depublication, downranking, and sometimes outright censorship of
information and/or user accounts from social media and other digital

(More...)

Tesla driver clocks 908km in one day in Australian outback

Wed, 8 May 2019 23:32:21 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://thedriven.io/2019/04/24/tesla-driver-clocks-908km-in-one-day-in-australian-outback/>

"A Tesla driver doing a round-Australia trip in an electric car has
clocked almost 1,000km in one day driving to Perth, Western Australia.

(More...)

After Extinction Rebellion, Australian politicians are on notice – change is coming

Wed, 8 May 2019 23:33:51 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/02/after-extinction-rebellion-australian-politicians-are-on-notice-change-is-coming>

"Spurred by global movements to fight climate change, the federal
election shows that if major parties won’t change, voter habits will"

(More...)

Biodiversity crisis is about to put humanity at risk, UN scientists to warn

Wed, 8 May 2019 23:35:10 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/03/climate-crisis-is-about-to-put-humanity-at-risk-un-scientists-warn>

"The world’s leading scientists will warn the planet’s life-support
systems are approaching a danger zone for humanity when they release the
results of the most comprehensive study of life on Earth ever undertaken.

(More...)

How to fix Nature and avoid human misery: UN report

Thu, 9 May 2019 23:49:11 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://phys.org/news/2019-05-lost-world-nature-death-door.html

"Revamping global food production, retooling the financial sector,
moving beyond GDP as a measure of progress and other "transformative
changes" are needed to save Nature and ourselves, a major UN

(More...)

It's Like You're Always On My Mind | Pomplamoose Original

Thu, 9 May 2019 23:50:05 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6insKmGBjKo

Pomplamoose always has fun lyrics!

(More...)

Human society under urgent threat from loss of Earth's natural life

Thu, 9 May 2019 23:50:47 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/06/human-society-under-urgent-threat-loss-earth-natural-life-un-report>

"Human society is in jeopardy from the accelerating decline of the
Earth’s natural life-support systems, the world’s leading scientists
have warned, as they announced the results of the most thorough

(More...)

UN report: Humans accelerating extinction of other species

Sat, 11 May 2019 04:23:02 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://phys.org/news/2019-05-humans-extinction-species.html

"People are putting nature in more trouble now than at any other time in
human history, with extinction looming over 1 million species of plants
and animals, scientists said Monday.

(More...)

The Human Cost Of FOSTA

Sat, 11 May 2019 04:24:20 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190503/13180842135/human-cost-fosta.shtml>

"And yet, FOSTA has created tremendous real world damage. A bunch of
sites and individuals have been silenced out of fear that it might be
used against them, creating massive chilling effects — including

(More...)

AI SpaceFactory Wins NASA's 3D-Printed Extraterrestrial Habitats Challenge

Sat, 11 May 2019 04:25:38 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/aerospace/space-flight/3d-printers-could-build-future-homes-on-mars>

"AI SpaceFactory bests Penn State in a one-of-a-kind competition to see
whose innovative building techniques could someday allow humans to live
on Mars or the moon"

(More...)

'Extraordinary' 500-year-old library catalogue reveals books lost to time

Sat, 11 May 2019 23:51:29 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/apr/10/extraordinary-500-year-old-library-catalogue-reveals-books-lost-to-time-libro-de-los-epitomes>

"It sounds like something from Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s The Shadow of the
Wind and his The Cemetery of Forgotten Books: a huge volume containing
thousands of summaries of books from 500 years ago, many of which no

(More...)

Of course rich people think inequality doesn’t matter. They don’t see it

Sat, 11 May 2019 23:53:59 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/may/02/of-course-rich-people-think-inequality-doesnt-matter-they-dont-see-it>

"It often seems hard for those on higher incomes to recognise growing
inequality and its consequences. As inequality has grown, it has become
ever easier for those people to cocoon themselves away from the less

(More...)

The Queen of the Hurricanes

Sat, 11 May 2019 23:56:06 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://hackaday.com/2019/05/07/the-queen-of-the-hurricanes/

"Engineering isn’t just about inventing new things. Sometimes, it is all
about doing things better, cheaper and faster. That was what Elsie
MacGill did for the “Hurricane” fighter plane in World War II, earning

(More...)

High Hopes - DRUM TAO (Panic! At The Disco Cover) Japanese Traditional Drums "太鼓" feat. HIDEHARU

Sun, 12 May 2019 22:15:04 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-l2f0v8j2g

I love cultural crossovers!

(More...)

You're not mine but I'm fine _ Piano meowssage (My composition)

Sun, 12 May 2019 22:18:48 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRlWUF6NfIE

"Jazzzzz time !! And sleep time"

(More...)

US climate objections sink Arctic Council accord in Finland

Sun, 12 May 2019 22:19:33 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48185793

"US objections to wording on climate change prevented Arctic nations
signing a joint statement at a summit in Finland, delegates said.

(More...)

WORLD ORDER ”CHANGE YOUR LIFE” in Nagoya Blue Note HD

Sun, 12 May 2019 22:21:31 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lQmvmJt3MA

"2019年5月6日 名古屋ブルーノートでの公演より 左から→木村圭佑、内山隼
人、森澤祐介、掛札拓郎、高橋昭博、静永紘介、富田竜太

(More...)

CC Search is out of beta with 300M images and easier attribution

Tue, 14 May 2019 00:47:29 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://creativecommons.org/2019/04/30/cc-search-images/

"Today CC Search comes out of beta, with over 300 million images indexed
from multiple collections, a major redesign, and faster, more relevant
search. It’s the result of a huge amount of work from the engineering

(More...)

Humans are driving one million species to extinction

Tue, 14 May 2019 00:48:26 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01448-4

"Up to one million plant and animal species face extinction, many within
decades, because of human activities, says the most comprehensive report
yet on the state of global ecosystems."

(More...)

The Medieval Town Generator

Tue, 14 May 2019 00:49:15 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://kottke.org/19/05/the-medieval-town-generator

"Oh my, this medieval town generator tool is super fun to play around
with. By adjusting parameters like size, color palette, building styles,
and which features to include (rivers, coastline, temples), you can make

(More...)

We Need to Save What Made Linux and FOSS Possible

Tue, 14 May 2019 00:50:12 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.linuxjournal.com/content/we-need-save-what-made-linux-and-foss-possible>

"If we take freedom and openness for granted, we'll lose both. That's
already happening, and we need to fight back. The question is how."

(More...)

Mexico Wants to Decriminalize All Drugs and Negotiate With the U.S. to Do the Same

Tue, 14 May 2019 22:58:05 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.newsweek.com/mexico-decriminalize-drugs-negotiate-us-1421395

"The plan put forward by the administration of President Andrés Manuel
López Obrador, often referred to by his initials as AMLO, calls for
decriminalizing illegal drugs and transferring funding for combating the

(More...)

'I like to operate': Bhutan's PM spends weekends as a surgeon

Tue, 14 May 2019 22:59:08 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/10/i-like-to-operate-bhutans-pm-spends-weekends-as-a-surgeon>

"Dr Lotay Tshering was one of Bhutan’s most highly regarded doctors
before he entered politics last year, and while his prime ministerial
duties occupy him during the week, on weekends he returns to the

(More...)

World-first brain surgery performed on endangered kākāpō parrot

Tue, 14 May 2019 23:00:03 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/10/bird-brain-world-first-surgery-performed-on-endangered-kakapo-parrot>

"Vets in New Zealand have performed world-first brain surgery on a
critically endangered New Zealand bird, as efforts intensify to save the
vulnerable kākāpō population."

(More...)

Nearly all countries agree to stem flow of plastic waste into poor nations

Tue, 14 May 2019 23:01:07 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/10/nearly-all-the-worlds-countries-sign-plastic-waste-deal-except-us>

"Almost all the world’s countries have agreed on a deal aimed at
restricting shipments of hard-to-recycle plastic waste to poorer
countries, the United Nations announced on Friday."

(More...)

Orkestra Obsolete play Blue Monday using 1930s instruments - BBC Arts

Wed, 15 May 2019 23:56:55 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHLbaOLWjpc

"New Order's Blue Monday was released on 7 March 1983, and its
cutting-edge electronic groove changed pop music forever. But what would
it have sounded like if it had been made 50 years earlier? In a special

(More...)

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk reveals radical Starlink redesign for 60-satellite launch

Wed, 15 May 2019 23:58:54 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starlink-satellites-tease-revolutionary-design/>

"SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has published the first official photo of the
company’s near-final Starlink design and confirmed that Falcon 9 will
launch a staggering 60 satellites on May 15th."

(More...)

Save lives in Puerto Rico. Fully fund disaster relief and rebuilding.

Wed, 15 May 2019 23:59:50 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://act.credoaction.com/sign/puerto-rico-disaster-relief-bill

"After Hurricane Maria crushed Puerto Rico, killed more than 3,000
Americans, and left millions more without electricity and reliable
access to food and water, Donald Trump floated the idea of never

(More...)

NASA Space Educators' Handbook

Fri, 17 May 2019 00:12:21 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://er.jsc.nasa.gov/seh/seh.html

"The SPACE EDUCATORS' HANDBOOK site features more than 5,000 files."

Developed over the period 1990-2013 and now frozen in time!

(More...)

Ulie - Great Horned Owl

Fri, 17 May 2019 00:13:26 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/1256174524

"This is the heart-warming story of Ulie, a great horned owl. As
pictured (first above), Ulie is a female estimated at over 20 years old.
A number of years ago, Ulie injured and lost a wing. She was rescued,

(More...)

How an Academic Journal Censored My Review on Xinjiang

Fri, 17 May 2019 00:14:34 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://chinachannel.org/2019/05/13/oil-water/

"On digging deeper, I came to believe that this was not an “honest
mistake” (they chased up the review several times, after all) but that
the journal would not allow my review to criticize the Chinese Communist

(More...)

Weighing up trade-offs between food security and climate mitigation

Fri, 17 May 2019 00:16:52 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-05/iifa-wut050919.php

"IIASA researchers collaborated with colleagues in Japan to clarify the
impacts of stringent climate mitigation policies on food security. The
team identified smart and inclusive climate policy designs where the

(More...)

100% Electric Ferry Crossing | Fully Charged 4k

Sat, 18 May 2019 00:23:21 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE_M1n-ClOA

"On our recent Tesla Model 3 test drive we crossed from Denmark to
Sweden on a 100% battery electric ferry. The 4 kilometre crossing
between Helsingborg in Sweden and Helsingør in Denmark doesn't seem that

(More...)

It's not just fish, plastic pollution harms the bacteria that help us breathe

Sat, 18 May 2019 00:24:51 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-05/mu-inj051219.php

"Ten per cent of the oxygen we breathe comes from just one kind of
bacteria in the ocean. Now laboratory tests have shown that these
bacteria are susceptible to plastic pollution, according to a study

(More...)

Adobe Warns Users Someone Else Might Sue Them For Using Old Versions Of Photoshop

Sat, 18 May 2019 00:25:29 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190514/10033542208/adobe-warns-users-someone-else-might-sue-them-using-old-versions-photoshop.shtml>

"For years we've noted repeatedly how in the modern era you no longer
truly own the things you buy. From game consoles that magically lose
important functionality post purchase, to digital purchases that just up

(More...)

Grumpy Cat dies aged seven: 'Some days are grumpier than others'

Sat, 18 May 2019 00:29:06 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/may/17/grumpy-cat-dies-seven-internet-meme-gif>

"Grumpy Cat – the most famous cat on the internet, whose downturned
mouth and unimpressed expression was the universal digital shorthand for
displeasure – has died."

(More...)

Nausicaa

Sat, 18 May 2019 08:43:19 +0900

yoshida yukihiko <yukihikoyo [at] gmail.com>

yoshida yukihiko
Here is Nausicaa from Brasil.

https://kai-you.net/article/64464?fbclid=IwAR3WMN_22uCl8hAHkNqZvM1b8FBfVxqqaOCqKU6RnY2qSYKVHfk08zH4WBs

(More...)

Jared Diamond: There’s a 49 Percent Chance the World As We Know It Will End by 2050

Sat, 18 May 2019 23:40:09 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/05/jared-diamond-on-his-new-book-upheaval.html>

"Jared Diamond’s new book, Upheaval, addresses itself to a world very
obviously in crisis, and tries to lift some lessons for what do about it
from the distant past."

(More...)

Memoirs from a Japanese internet cafe

Sat, 18 May 2019 23:41:23 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2019/05/12/voices/memoirs-japanese-internet-cafe/>

"I’m thinking of places like the netto kafe (internet cafe), which,
for those under the age of 25, was a place that, before the advent of
smartphones 10 years ago, people used to drop into to check their email

(More...)

Silicon Valley makes everything worse: Four industries that Big Tech has ruined

Sat, 18 May 2019 23:43:11 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.salon.com/2019/05/12/silicon-valley-makes-everything-worse-four-industries-that-big-tech-has-ruined/>

"The tech industry sells itself as improving our lives. So why does it
seem to always do the opposite?"

(More...)

Ban Bottom Trawling on Seamounts

Mon, 20 May 2019 00:18:28 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/act/protect-the-oceans/ban-bottom-trawling-on-seamounts/>

"At home and far out to sea, our oceans are being plundered for profit
by the fishing industry.

(More...)

DefunctTV: The History of the Muppet Show

Mon, 20 May 2019 00:21:29 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5jJQ2IeDvE

So many happy memories!

(More...)

Koral

Mon, 20 May 2019 00:22:58 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://store.steampowered.com/app/896750/Koral/

"In Koral the player will dive into the beautiful underwater world as a
sea current. Solve puzzles to bring back to life coral reefs and spread
the beauty of the oceans in 15 different sea ecosystems. Flow anywhere

(More...)

The Curious Career of Living as a Real-Life Garden Gnome

Tue, 21 May 2019 00:59:19 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.messynessychic.com/2019/05/14/the-curious-career-of-living-as-a-real-life-garden-gnome/>

"If you were out of a job in 19th century England and seeking new
employment, there was a chance you might find a peculiar advertisement
in the newspaper that read something like: “WANTED! Ornamental garden

(More...)

Baltic cod walloped as stocks crash

Tue, 21 May 2019 00:59:57 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.dw.com/en/baltic-cod-walloped-as-stocks-crash/a-48301308

"NGOs are calling on the fisheries ministers of all EU Baltic member
states to immediately end fishing in the Eastern Baltic. This follows a
report by scientists showing cod stocks at a critically low level."

(More...)

Research brief: Protecting rare species can benefit human life

Tue, 21 May 2019 01:00:44 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-05/uom-rbp051619.php

"Researchers are aiming to merge conventional wisdom with a new way of
thinking: arguing the public needs to better understand how rare species
benefit people outside of their existence value"

(More...)

Scientists propose rethinking 'endangered species' definition to save slow-breeding giants

Tue, 21 May 2019 01:01:25 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-05/f-spr051519.php

"Researchers at the Smithsonian Institute have proposed a 'demographic
safe space' for Asian elephants, to improve conservation of these and
other large, slow-breeding animals"

(More...)

WIND PRINCESS - OFFICIAL TRAILER (NAUSICAÄ TRIBUTE)

Wed, 22 May 2019 02:48:45 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJWB01bt9x8

"This is not an official licensed product. This independent non-profit
short film is entirely self-funded and was made in Brazil as a tribute
to the great artist Hayao Miyazaki, who has always been an inspiration

(More...)

The 1968 sci-fi that spookily predicted today

Wed, 22 May 2019 02:51:09 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20190509-the-1968-sci-fi-that-spookily-predicted-today>

"In the first of BBC Culture’s new series on fiction that predicted the
future, Hephzibah Anderson looks at the work of John Brunner, whose
vision of 2010 was eerily accurate."

(More...)

A woman took a picture of three Irish men in Times Square. It took Twitter only an hour to track the lads down.

Wed, 22 May 2019 02:52:39 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/17/us/irishmen-times-square-photo-twitter-trnd/index.html>

"In less than an hour, Irish Twitter came up with the men's identities,
and the picture was sent to those Times Square dreamers. The photo was
retweeted 5,700 times."

(More...)

Toward an Information Operations Kill Chain

Wed, 22 May 2019 23:35:14 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.lawfareblog.com/toward-information-operations-kill-chain

"Information attacks against democracies, whether they’re attempts to
polarize political processes or to increase mistrust in social
institutions, also involve a series of steps. And enumerating those

(More...)

NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter just hit an absolutely crazy milestone

Wed, 22 May 2019 23:36:12 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://bgr.com/2019/05/17/mars-reconnaissance-orbiter-age-lifespan-milestone/>

"The spacecraft’s primary mission was expected to last just two years,
but it’s already spent a whopping 13 years in orbit around Mars, and it
looks to continue that impressive streak far into the future. In a new

(More...)

Why the Guardian is changing the language it uses about the environment

Wed, 22 May 2019 23:37:14 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/17/why-the-guardian-is-changing-the-language-it-uses-about-the-environment>

“We want to ensure that we are being scientifically precise, while also
communicating clearly with readers on this very important issue,” said
the editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner. “The phrase ‘climate change’, for

(More...)

People Over 40 Should Only Work Three Days a Week, Study Concludes

Thu, 23 May 2019 23:16:47 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://theheartysoul.com/three-day-workweek/

"If you had the choice of working anything less than a Monday-to-Friday
workweek, would you take it? More than likely you’re answer is yes,
absolutely, in a heartbeat, no question. Lucky for you, there is a

(More...)

Japan’s Only Mascot School Teaches the Art of Cuddly Cuteness

Thu, 23 May 2019 23:17:37 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/japanese-mascot-school

"Choko Group Mascot Actor’s School, the school founded by teacher Choko
Ohira in 2005, is located in a small alleyway in the western suburbs of
Tokyo. The school is part of the namesake Choko Group, which acts both

(More...)

The Definition of a Kilogram Just Changed Worldwide

Thu, 23 May 2019 23:19:42 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ywybvx/the-definition-of-a-kilogram-just-changed-worldwide>

"The kilogram is the last unit of measurement to be untethered from an
artificial object."

(More...)

Employee-owned companies perform better, but are resisted by banks, lawyers and governments

Fri, 24 May 2019 22:18:54 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/employee-owned-companies-perform-better-but-are-resisted-by-banks-lawyers-and-governments-117154>

"If research over the years has found that employee ownership is a
successful corporate model, this raises the question of why, if this
makes companies more successful, it is not more widely adopted."

(More...)

This is how Republics die

Fri, 24 May 2019 22:19:46 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.nationofchange.org/2019/05/21/this-is-how-republics-die/

"America will not 'bounce back' from the Trump presidency when it ends,
and may lose all ability to recover at all if that presidency lasts six
rather than two more years."

(More...)

Wilder world can slow climate change

Fri, 24 May 2019 22:20:39 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://climatenewsnetwork.net/wilder-world-can-slow-climate-change/

"If you want to tackle climate change and restore once-familiar animals
at the same time, a wilder world can help − naturally."

(More...)

Kiwix lets you access free knowledge – even offline

Sun, 26 May 2019 23:27:33 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.kiwix.org/en/

"KIWIX is an offline reader for online content like Wikipedia, Project
Gutenberg, or TED Talks. It makes knowledge available to people with no
or limited internet access. The software as well as the content is free

(More...)

Kazakhstan Cops Protect Citizens' Free Speech Rights By Arresting A Protester Holding A Blank Sign

Sun, 26 May 2019 23:29:24 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190511/11225442186/kazakhstan-cops-protect-citizens-free-speech-rights-arresting-protester-holding-blank-sign.shtml>

The root of all protest:

To test the limits of his right to peacefully demonstrate in

(More...)

Huge New Study Finds Almost No Evidence That Social Media Makes Kids Unhappy

Sun, 26 May 2019 23:30:07 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190509/22411042176/huge-new-study-finds-almost-no-evidence-that-social-media-makes-kids-unhappy.shtml>

"Among the many narratives making the rounds these days about how
terrible the internet and social media apparently are, one popular trope
is the idea that using social media makes people depressed. Just last

(More...)

Woman Shares 28 Things She’s Learned About The General Public While Working At The Library And People Love Her Insights

Sun, 26 May 2019 23:31:19 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.boredpanda.com/21st-century-library-problems/

"There’s something almost magical about libraries. Maybe it’s the
silence or the incredible amount of knowledge, but the place certainly
has a special vibe. And most of us spend too little time there to get to

(More...)

Feeling helpless about climate change? This doco is the uplifting call to arms you need right now

Mon, 27 May 2019 22:54:17 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/2040-film-climate-change-damon-gameau/11135038>

"While sinking into misery might feel like the easiest way to process it
all – in some ways it’s more cathartic to be furious rather than hopeful
– a new Australian documentary wants to lift those feeling crippled by

(More...)

Kebu - Le Carnaval des Étoiles (Radio Edit from Live in Oslo)

Tue, 28 May 2019 03:15:47 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8x9SM8ZBao

'Taken from my live concert album "Live in Oslo", out now on ZYX Music.'

(More...)

Six Politicians Walk Into A Bar

Tue, 28 May 2019 03:17:48 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://thenib.com/six-politicians-walk-into-a-bar

"A secret recording of parliament members in Iceland revealed who they really
were. What else are we not hearing from our representatives?"

(More...)

‘Securing native title gives people authority’ – the Kimberley set to be 93.5% determined

Tue, 28 May 2019 03:19:47 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://nit.com.au/securing-native-title-gives-people-authority-the-kimberley-set-to-be-93-5-determined/>

"For the first time, Western Australia’s Kimberley region will see
multiple native title claims determined on country within three days.

(More...)

My Modern Met

Tue, 28 May 2019 23:57:54 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
Three from My Modern Met:

90-Year-Old Grandma in the Czech Republic Passes Time By Artistically
Painting Houses

https://mymodernmet.com/grandma-paints-houses-louka/

(More...)

Announcing GitHub Sponsors: a new way to contribute to open source

Tue, 28 May 2019 23:58:56 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://github.blog/2019-05-23-announcing-github-sponsors-a-new-way-to-contribute-to-open-source/>

"We’re thrilled to announce the beta of GitHub Sponsors, a new way to
financially support the developers who build the open source software
you use every day. Open source developers build tools for the rest of

(More...)

Climate change: Answers to your most asked questions

Wed, 29 May 2019 00:00:18 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-48213808

"During the last worldwide school strikes in March, BBC News asked for
your questions on climate change.

(More...)

Hague climate change judgement could inspire a global civil movement

Wed, 29 May 2019 22:42:18 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/24/hague-climate-change-judgement-could-inspire-a-global-civil-movement>

"Dutch ruling could trigger similar cases worldwide with citizens taking
their governments to courts to make them act on climate promises"

(More...)

Caravan Palace - About You feat. Charles X (official audio)

Wed, 29 May 2019 22:44:43 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74ekU02fxAQ

A new Caravan Palace track!

(More...)

Europe's surging, far-right, "anti-establishment" parties: funded by billionaires, voting for billionaire-friendly policies, lining their own pockets

Wed, 29 May 2019 22:45:59 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://boingboing.net/2019/05/25/turkeys-vote-for-christmas.html

"Even as these parties are campaigning as insurgent anti-establishment
forces, they have been largely funded by massive cash infusions,
sometimes laundered through financial secrecy havens like Switzerland,

(More...)

VULFPECK /// Birds of a Feather, We Rock Together (feat. Antwaun Stanley)

Thu, 30 May 2019 22:46:30 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQm4R0LM2mE

One from the Vulfpeck playlist demonstrating how to play flapjacks.

(More...)

The Politics of Going to the Bathroom

Thu, 30 May 2019 22:48:11 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.thenation.com/article/toilet-urination-disability-access/

"Access to adequate restrooms is a fundamental necessity for everyone,
but it’s harder to come by the less structural power you have."

(More...)

Climate change: ‘We’ve created a civilisation hell bent on destroying itself – I’m terrified’, writes Earth scientist

Thu, 30 May 2019 22:48:49 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/climate-change-weve-created-a-civilisation-hell-bent-on-destroying-itself-im-terrified-writes-earth-scientist-113055>

"There is another way of looking at how we have been responding to
climate change and other environmental challenges. It’s both
exhilarating and terrifying. Exhilarating because it offers a new

(More...)

'Elusive and cryptic' lizard may be first Australian mainland reptile declared extinct

Thu, 30 May 2019 22:49:47 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/24/elusive-and-cryptic-lizard-hunt-on-in-melbourne-for-endangered-grassland-earless-dragon>

"A newly reclassified species of lizard that is native to areas now
paved by Melbourne’s suburbs could become the first reptile on mainland
Australia to be declared extinct.

(More...)

Aurora - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)

Fri, 31 May 2019 23:02:16 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
I just discovered Aurora:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_XguuxLo10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWa68W9sUC4

(More...)

Making Eye Contact with Homeless People Is Important

Fri, 31 May 2019 23:03:43 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://invisiblepeople.tv/making-eye-contact-with-homeless-people-is-important>

"Making eye contact with homeless people instead of ignoring them is
safe, easy, and costs absolutely nothing. Once you get good, you can
even throw in a smile, nod, or friendly wave."

(More...)

10 Dragon Sweets For Everyone Missing Game Of Thrones

Fri, 31 May 2019 23:05:01 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2019/5/26/10-dragon-sweets-for-everyone-missing-game-of-thrones>

"Now, I don't know what most fans' problems are with the finale per se,
but I can already guess:  Not enough dragons."

(More...)

Trump Administration Hardens Its Attack on Climate Science

Fri, 31 May 2019 23:06:01 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/27/us/politics/trump-climate-science.html>

"In the next few months, the White House will complete the rollback of
the most significant federal effort to curb greenhouse-gas emissions,
initiated during the Obama administration. It will expand its efforts to

(More...)

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