Glass Wings Blog: October 2019

The rise and fall of Flash, the annoying plugin that shaped the modern web

Wed, 2 Oct 2019 05:31:37 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/history-of-macromedia-flash

"Before 1996, the web was a static, dull place. But the accidental
creation of Flash turned it into a cacophony of noise, colour, and
controversy, presaging the modern web"

(More...)

There’s evidence that climate activism could be swaying public opinion in the US

Wed, 2 Oct 2019 05:33:57 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/theres-evidence-that-climate-activism-could-be-swaying-public-opinion-in-the-us-123740>

"I’m a scholar of environmental communication who examines how people
become engaged with solving dilemmas such as climate change, and how
activism motivates others to take action. A new study I worked on

(More...)

Chinese Authorities Call For Internet Companies To Add Bias To AI Algorithms -- In Order To 'Promote Mainstream Values'

Wed, 2 Oct 2019 05:35:36 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190912/08571442974/chinese-authorities-call-internet-companies-to-add-bias-to-ai-algorithms-order-to-promote-mainstream-values.shtml>

"As is increasingly the case, China is in the vanguard of digital
culture here. The rest of the world is beginning to wake up to the
serious threat of bias as AI-powered algorithms are deployed more

(More...)

New Steam Powered Giraffe songs

Thu, 3 Oct 2019 05:36:55 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
The first two tracks from their forthcoming album:

Steam Powered Giraffe - Shattered Stars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0MHcS9a7jc

(More...)

Sir David Attenborough | A message to world leaders

Thu, 3 Oct 2019 05:37:34 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyYpExl8AJU

"Watch Sir David Attenborough’s message to World Leaders at WWF’s
Leaders for Nature and People event, at the UN Climate Action Summit,
part of the 74th UN General Assembly."

(More...)

Beautiful electronic easy listening music from the USSR (1960)

Thu, 3 Oct 2019 05:38:58 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://boingboing.net/2019/09/27/beautiful-electronic-easy-list.html

"Theremin virtuoso Konstanin Kovalsky (1890-1976) performs with
Vyacheslav Mescherin's Orchestra of Electronic Instruments, USSR, 1960."

(More...)

How did CEO pay get to 500 times the wages of ordinary workers?

Thu, 3 Oct 2019 05:39:56 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-28/how-did-ceo-pay-get-to-500-times-the-wages-of-ordinary-workers/11556394>

"Companies keep lavishing astronomical amounts of money on chief
executives, despite repeated studies which show huge pay doesn't equal
huge performance.

(More...)

Figure Nausicaa

Thu, 3 Oct 2019 08:16:49 +0900

yoshida yukihiko <yukihikoyo [at] gmail.com>

yoshida yukihiko
Here is figure from Nausicaa.
https://mag.japaaan.com/archives/105939

(More...)

Picked up our electric car today

Fri, 4 Oct 2019 22:09:17 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
Our new 2014 Nissan LEAF:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/FHcqz4CV8vfHKoMG9

Had a lovely drive home despite the cold and wet weather, and plugged
the car into the power point on the porch to recharge! No more petrol.

(More...)

The 2019 Ig Nobel Prize Winners

Sat, 5 Oct 2019 05:48:50 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.improbable.com/ig-about/winners/

MEDICINE PRIZE [ITALY, THE NETHERLANDS]
Silvano Gallus, for collecting evidence that pizza might protect against
illness and death, if the pizza is made and eaten in Italy.

(More...)

A #NatureNow message from Greta Thunberg.

Sat, 5 Oct 2019 05:49:42 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0B6AxeVNY8

"#NatureNow, a new short film narrated by Greta Thunberg and political
journalist, author and activist George Monbiot, serves as a call to
action to protect, restore and fund #NaturalClimateSolutions."

(More...)

The Moment of Truth for Brexit and Trump

Sat, 5 Oct 2019 05:51:45 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/09/andrew-sullivan-the-moment-of-truth-for-brexit-and-trump.html>

"The year 2016 was a watershed in Anglo-American politics. Brexit
narrowly passed; Trump, while losing the popular vote, still
legitimately won the U.S. presidency. Both countries were deeply and

(More...)

Elon Musk, Man of Steel, reveals his stainless Starship

Sat, 5 Oct 2019 05:52:55 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://arstechnica.com/features/2019/09/after-starship-unveiling-mars-seems-a-little-closer/>

"Mere hours after a team of SpaceX engineers, technicians, and
contractors completed assembly of a prototype of the Starship vehicle,
Musk revealed it to the world. He did so in an open-air shipyard by the

(More...)

The mysterious origins of an uncrackable video game

Sun, 6 Oct 2019 03:45:36 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20190919-the-maze-puzzle-hidden-within-an-early-video-game>

"Released in 1982, Entombed was far from a best-seller and today it’s
largely forgotten. But recently, a computer scientist and a digital
archaeologist decided to pull apart the game’s source code to

(More...)

Not just Greta: These are the other times teenagers have influenced world politics

Sun, 6 Oct 2019 03:46:48 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.sbs.com.au/news/not-just-greta-these-are-the-other-times-teenagers-have-influenced-world-politics>

'Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared "kids should be kids"
just days after 16-year-old Greta Thunberg called on world leaders to
act on climate change. But, here are some examples of young people

(More...)

Top Oracle Lawyer Attempting To Gaslight Entire Software Community: Insists APIs Are Executable

Sun, 6 Oct 2019 03:50:11 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190929/23221543096/top-oracle-lawyer-attempting-to-gaslight-entire-software-community-insists-apis-are-executable.shtml>

"Last week, the Solicitor General of the White House weighed in on
Google's request for the Supreme Court to overturn the Federal Circuit's
ridiculously confused ruling in the Oracle/Google case concerning the

(More...)

Bad ancestors: does the climate crisis violate the rights of those yet to be born?

Sun, 6 Oct 2019 03:53:34 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/01/bad-ancestors-climate-crisis-democracy>

"What if climate breakdown is a violation of the rights of those yet to
be born? Finally, this urgent question seems to be getting the attention
it deserves. Last month an astonishing 7 million people from nearly 200

(More...)

Thousands of ships fitted with ‘cheat devices’ to divert poisonous pollution into sea

Mon, 7 Oct 2019 05:08:06 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/shipping-pollution-sea-open-loop-scrubber-carbon-dioxide-environment-a9123181.html>

"Global shipping companies have spent billions rigging vessels with
“cheat devices” that circumvent new environmental legislation by dumping
pollution into the sea instead of the air, The Independent can reveal.

(More...)

Secretive Seattle startup Picnic unveils pizza-making robot — here’s how it delivers 300 pies/hour

Mon, 7 Oct 2019 05:11:36 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.geekwire.com/2019/secretive-seattle-startup-picnic-unveils-pizza-making-robot-heres-delivers-300-pies-hour/>

"After three years of quietly toiling away on a robotic food system,
Seattle startup Picnic has emerged from stealth mode with a system that
assembles custom pizzas with little human intervention."

(More...)

Telcos And Rupert Murdoch Pushing Nonsense Story That Google Helping Keep Your Internet Activity More Private Is An Antitrust Violation

Mon, 7 Oct 2019 05:13:28 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190929/16484543093/telcos-rupert-murdoch-pushing-nonsense-story-that-google-helping-keep-your-internet-activity-more-private-is-antitrust-violation.shtml>

"There are all sorts of reasons and ways to hate on big internet
companies these days, but as we've warned, some of them are in conflict
with one another — though that doesn't seem to stop those who keep

(More...)

Climate explained: what each of us can do to reduce our carbon footprint

Mon, 7 Oct 2019 05:18:38 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/climate-explained-what-each-of-us-can-do-to-reduce-our-carbon-footprint-123851>

"Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff
and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about
climate change."

(More...)

Nodosaur Dinosaur ‘Mummy’ Unveiled With Skin And Guts Intact

Tue, 8 Oct 2019 04:59:50 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://allthatsinteresting.com/nodosaur-dinosaur-mummy

"You can’t even see its bones, yet scientists are hailing it as perhaps
the best-preserved dinosaur specimen ever unearthed. That’s because, 110
million years later, those bones remain covered by the creature’s intact

(More...)

Climate breakdown is knocking the natural world out of sync – and we should all be worried

Tue, 8 Oct 2019 05:02:08 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/climate-breakdown-is-knocking-the-natural-world-out-of-sync-and-we-should-all-be-worried-123892>

"Just like us, the natural world dances to the rhythms of its seasonal
cycles. We all enjoy the first suggestions of spring as trees come into
leaf, migrant birds arrive, bees and butterflies emerge, and men in

(More...)

Australia’s vast carbon sink releasing millions of tonnes of CO2 back into atmosphere

Tue, 8 Oct 2019 05:03:22 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/01/australias-vast-carbon-sink-releasing-millions-of-tonnes-of-co2-back-into-atmosphere>

"Australia’s mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrass meadows are absorbing
about 20m tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, according to a major new
study that is the first to measure in detail the climate benefits of the

(More...)

Humans Are Disturbing Earth's Carbon Cycle More Than the Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid Did

Tue, 8 Oct 2019 05:09:05 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.livescience.com/anthropogenic-warming-like-dinosaur-killing-asteroid.html>

"Since 1750, humans have disrupted Earth's carbon cycle more severely
than have some of the most cataclysmic asteroid impacts in history —
and, new research suggests, the long-term effects on our planet (see:

(More...)

"SEAGULLS! (Stop It Now)" -- A Bad Lip Reading of The Empire Strikes Back

Wed, 9 Oct 2019 04:46:43 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9t-slLl30E

"Yoda is not fond of seagulls."

Via Muse, who wrote "My life has been incomplete until NOW! This is

(More...)

I study collapsed civilizations. Here’s my advice for a climate change apocalypse.

Wed, 9 Oct 2019 04:47:59 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article235384162.html

"I am an archaeologist and a wilderness survival instructor. Because I
study societies that have collapsed, and since I teach basic outdoor
skills, people ask me about what to do in a natural disaster, social

(More...)

Income inequality in America is the highest it’s been since Census Bureau started tracking it, data shows

Wed, 9 Oct 2019 04:50:54 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/09/26/income-inequality-america-highest-its-been-since-census-started-tracking-it-data-show/>

"Income inequality in the United States has hit its highest level since
the Census Bureau started tracking it more than five decades ago,
according to data released Thursday, even as the nation’s poverty and

(More...)

Australian State's Proposed Ag-Gag Law Threatens General Right To Protest, Critics Warn

Wed, 9 Oct 2019 04:51:51 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190927/07544343075/australian-states-proposed-ag-gag-law-threatens-general-right-to-protest-critics-warn.shtml>

"Ag-gag laws usually claim to be about protecting farmers from animal
activists. But trespass laws already do that quite effectively. In
reality, ag-gag laws are mostly about preventing activists from

(More...)

Japan’s Rent-a-Family Industry

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 05:18:03 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/30/japans-rent-a-family-industry>

"People who are short on relatives can hire a husband, a mother, a
grandson. The resulting relationships can be more real than you’d expect."

(More...)

1 in 3 young adults is lonely – and it affects their mental health

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 05:21:15 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/1-in-3-young-adults-is-lonely-and-it-affects-their-mental-health-124267>

"When lonely people do socialise, they are more likely to engage in
self-defeating actions, such as being less cooperative, and show more
negative emotions and body language. This is done in an (often

(More...)

DOJ Using The FOSTA Playbook To Attack Encryption

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 05:23:03 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20191002/23130843110/doj-using-fosta-playbook-to-attack-encryption.shtml>

"Barr is speaking, as is Wray. So is Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey
Rosen, who also spent the summer trashing encryption. There are also two
foreign speakers. There’s Peter Dutton, the Home Affairs Minister from

(More...)

It’s not just Greta Thunberg: why are we ignoring the developing world’s inspiring activists?

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 05:24:48 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/05/greta-thunberg-developing-world-activists>

"Young people in the global south have been tackling the climate crisis
for years. They should be celebrated too"

(More...)

Why don't doctors trust women? Because they don't know much about us

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 06:59:28 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/sep/02/why-dont-doctors-trust-women-because-they-dont-know-much-about-us>

"The medical community have known for a century that women are living in
constant pain. They’ve done nothing about it"

(More...)

DOJ Boss Joins UK, Australian Gov't In Asking Facebook To Ditch Its End-To-End Encryption Plan

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 07:00:10 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20191003/20514643121/doj-boss-joins-uk-australian-govt-asking-facebook-to-ditch-end-to-end-encryption-plan.shtml>

"This isn’t standard government bullshit. This is heinous, dangerous
bullshit. This is a conglomerate of Western governments, on the eve of
the deployment of a mysterious “data-sharing” agreement, portraying the

(More...)

Falling felines: Keeping cats in high-rise flats safe

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 07:01:40 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.bbc.com/news/av/business-49922716/falling-felines-keeping-cats-in-high-rise-flats-safe>

"Singaporean cat owners are grappling with high-rise syndrome - the
phenomenon of cats falling from a height and sustaining severe injuries.
It’s a growing problem in fast urbanising Asia as more people live in

(More...)

India’s elephant-friendly tea garden 🐘☕️🌱

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 07:02:51 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B3M44oNFdxJ/

"An Indian tea farm is the first in the world to embrace elephant
conservation practices. Meet the farmer saving elephants one cup of tea
at a time. 🍵"

(More...)

Event held in Japan to increase Wikipedia articles on women

Sat, 12 Oct 2019 05:24:29 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20190930/p2g/00m/0fe/064000c

"According to the embassy, only 17 percent of individuals given
Wikipedia entries were women across all its sites in some 300 languages.
The ratio was 22 percent for the Japanese version.

(More...)

World Leaders Once Made Miracles, and Can Again

Sat, 12 Oct 2019 05:25:53 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/05/opinion/sunday/america-aid-global-health.html>

"We need a little uplift, a reminder that although world leaders today
from Washington to London to Beijing may be dishonest vandals, it
doesn’t have to be that way.

(More...)

We Just Got More Evidence That Great Apes Possess 'Theory of Mind'

Sat, 12 Oct 2019 05:27:00 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.sciencealert.com/here-s-one-more-reason-to-think-great-apes-can-tell-what-s-on-your-mind>

"Like most people, something called a theory of mind allows me to
mentally step into another's shoes and imagine their thoughts. But
whether we share this talent with other primates is still a matter of

(More...)

Orangutans can play the kazoo – here’s what this tells us about speech evolution

Sat, 12 Oct 2019 05:28:24 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://thenextweb.com/syndication/2019/10/05/orangutans-can-play-the-kazoo-heres-what-this-tells-us-about-speech-evolution/>

"A kazoo might seem a world away from the spoken word. But our ability
to produce its buzzing, Donald Duck-like sound at will was key in us
ever developing the ability to speak at all. And while our capacity for

(More...)

Client Liaison - The Beat Supreme (Official Music Video)

Sun, 13 Oct 2019 06:50:17 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T2wkNq9Q4I

Via Muse, who wrote "Client Liason have another new video out! Great
beats! Silly video! Ultra-Australian LOLZ!"

(More...)

‘Incredibly worrying’: legal fight looms around Australia over clampdown on protest

Sun, 13 Oct 2019 06:52:39 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/06/incredibly-worrying-legal-fight-looms-around-australia-over-clampdown-on-protest>

"Peaceful protest, the Queensland government says, is only acceptable if
it does not disrupt people going about their ordinary business.

(More...)

10 Wedding Cakes For Book Lovers

Sun, 13 Oct 2019 06:53:48 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2019/10/6/11-wedding-cakes-for-book-lovers>

"What happens when literature lovers marry?  Beautifully bookish wedding
cakes, that's what!"

(More...)

The World Could Soon Run Out of a Crucial Resource And Nobody Is Talking About It

Sun, 13 Oct 2019 06:54:59 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.sciencealert.com/the-world-could-soon-run-out-of-a-crucial-resource-and-very-little-is-being-done-about-it>

"The world is dealing with a lot right now. The climate is rapidly
warming, the oceans are growing dangerously acidic, a sixth extinction
is officially unfolding, and all the while the threat of nuclear war

(More...)

The Real Causes Of Depression Have Been Discovered, And They’re Not What You Think

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 05:34:46 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.huffpost.com/entry/opinion-hari-depression-causes_n_5a6a144de4b0ddb658c46a21>

Punchline: "When people are behaving in apparently self-destructive
ways, “it’s time to stop asking what’s wrong with them,” he said, “and
time to start asking what happened to them.”"

(More...)

Cocoa’s child laborers

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 05:35:58 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/business/hershey-nestle-mars-chocolate-child-labor-west-africa/>

"Mars, Nestlé and Hershey pledged nearly two decades ago to stop using
cocoa harvested by children. Yet much of the chocolate you buy still
starts with child labor."

(More...)

Jacinda Ardern Says Economic Growth Is Pointless If People Aren't Thriving

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 05:37:46 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/jacinda-ardern-goalkeepers-unga-2019/>

'She said the global obsession with economic growth as the ultimate
measure of success intensified in the 1980s, when countries around the
world began to cut social safety nets and promote privatization. As a

(More...)

Climate explained: why some people still think climate change isn’t real

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 05:38:53 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/climate-explained-why-some-people-still-think-climate-change-isnt-real-124763>

"At its heart, climate change denial is a conflict between facts and
values. People deny the climate crisis because, to them, it just feels
wrong.

(More...)

These redesigned airplane amenities could change how we fly

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 04:10:13 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.fastcompany.com/90409925/this-redesigned-in-flight-meal-service-could-change-how-we-fly>

"The studio, which has been designing for airlines like Lufthansa and
aerospace companies like Embraer for over two decades, reimagined
typical meal trays, water bottles, and other cabin materials as part of

(More...)

The Hong Kong Protests: A Quick (and by no means complete) Summary

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 04:11:55 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://kyliechan.com/the-hong-kong-protests-a-quick-and-by-no-means-complete-summary/>

"The Hong Kong protesters are fighting for their free speech and the
right to vote for their own government. They’re still out in force
because the CCP can’t arrest everybody."

(More...)

'A masterpiece': Norwich council houses win Stirling architecture prize

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 04:13:03 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/oct/08/stirling-prize-architecture-goldsmith-street-norwich-council-houses>

"Goldsmith Street in Norwich represents what has become a rare breed:
streets of terraced homes built directly by the council, rented with
secure tenancies at fixed social rents. And it’s an architectural

(More...)

'Absurd' bail conditions prevent Extinction Rebellion protesters 'going near' other members

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 04:14:08 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/09/absurd-bail-conditions-prevent-extinction-rebellion-protesters-going-near-other-members>

"Climate change protesters arrested for obstructing traffic have been
given “absurd” bail conditions that ban them from “going near” or
contacting members of Extinction Rebellion, which civil liberties groups

(More...)

Gamers spend hours customising characters, but don't you dare mention fashion

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 13:28:44 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/games/2019/oct/09/gamers-spend-hours-customising-characters-but-dont-you-dare-mention-fashion>

"Millions of people play video games globally every day, and how they
dress in those games matters. So why haven’t we talked about fashion in
games more? Games have long been used to explore different facets of

(More...)

Four on climate change

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 13:36:00 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
Revealed: the 20 firms behind a third of all carbon emissions
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/09/revealed-20-firms-third-carbon-emissions>

"The Guardian today reveals the 20 fossil fuel companies whose
relentless exploitation of the world’s oil, gas and coal reserves can be

(More...)

Maths tackles an eternal question: where to park?

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 13:38:02 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02903-y

"Two strategies for choosing a parking spot save far more time than a
third, according to researchers’ estimates."

(More...)

Solar panels cast shade on agriculture in a good way

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 13:40:08 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
Isaac Kuo wrote:

"This upside-down tree is a powerful demonstration of how combined solar
power and agriculture (agrivoltaic systems) can work. This tree grows
downward in order to avoid direct sunlight. It relies upon light

(More...)

Extinction Rebellion: Labor members say 'chilling' mass arrests have echoes of Bjelke-Petersen era

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 03:04:28 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/oct/10/extinction-rebellion-labor-members-say-chilling-mass-arrests-have-echoes-of-bjelke-petersen-era>

"People in Queensland, and in Queensland Labor, have been fighting
corruption in our institutions since it became entrenched during the
Bjelke-Petersen government. During those times, we were willing to

(More...)

Chorus: An Adventure Musical

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 03:07:58 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.fig.co/campaigns/chorus-an-adventure-musical

"Inspired by musicals like Buffy: Once More With Feeling, Dear Evan
Hansen, Hadestown and Wicked, as well as videogames like the Dragon Age
series, Life is Strange, and Dream Daddy, CHORUS is the first

(More...)

Japan ninja student gets top marks for writing essay in invisible ink

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 03:09:57 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-49996166

"A Japanese student of ninja history who handed in a blank paper was
given top marks - after her professor realised the essay was written in
invisible ink.

(More...)

Jeff Bezos’s Master Plan

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 03:12:27 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/11/what-jeff-bezos-wants/598363/>

"At 55, Bezos has never dominated a major market as thoroughly as any of
these forebears, and while he is presently the richest man on the
planet, he has less wealth than Gates did at his zenith. Yet Rockefeller

(More...)

The New Deal and the Green New Deal

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 03:30:12 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.foe.org.au/the_new_deal_and_the_green_new_deal

"The New Deal was a response to the Great Depression; the tremendous
economic downturn that began right after the US stock market crash of
1929. The circumstances of the time sound eerily similar to our current

(More...)

It's Time For The Academic World To See The Positive Side Of Negative Results

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 03:31:57 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20191008/08273743144/time-academic-world-to-see-positive-side-negative-results.shtml>

"Techdirt has written many times about the need to move from traditional
academic publishing to open access. There are many benefits, including
increasing the reach and impact of research, and allowing members of the

(More...)

Walter Chandoha, pioneer of the cat meme

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 03:33:26 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.1843magazine.com/culture/look-closer/walter-chandoha-pioneer-of-the-cat-meme>

"The 20th century’s most prolific cat photographer died earlier this
year. A new book celebrates his achievements"

(More...)

Reasons to be Cheerful

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 03:35:06 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/about/

"Reasons to be Cheerful is a non-profit editorial project that is tonic
for tumultuous times.

(More...)

Bird populations are collapsing, and it's a sign of a bigger problem

Sat, 19 Oct 2019 04:09:24 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2019-09-20/birds-collapse-us-bees-ecology-environment/11520008>

"There are now 2.9 billion — about 29 per cent — fewer birds in North
America than in 1970, according to research published on Friday in the
journal Science.

(More...)

IMF Says Carbon Tax Is Most Powerful Way to Fight Climate Crisis

Sat, 19 Oct 2019 06:23:55 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.ecowatch.com/carbon-tax-imf-2640931703.html

"The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released a report that says
action is needed urgently to tackle the climate crisis. It said that
countries around the world need to drastically reduce their carbon

(More...)

Parliamentarians deserve our wrath for 30 years of inaction, not climate protesters

Sat, 19 Oct 2019 06:26:24 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2019/oct/12/parliamentarians-deserve-our-wrath-for-30-years-of-inaction-not-climate-protesters>

"Look I get it – it is annoying to have your day disrupted. But don’t
come at me with arguments that amount to basically doing what has been
done for 30 years and expecting anything real to happen.

(More...)

When GoFundMe Gets Ugly

Sat, 19 Oct 2019 06:35:50 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/11/gofundme-nation/598369/>

"Part of the allure of GoFundMe is that it’s a meritocratic way to
allocate resources—the wisdom of the crowd can identify and reward those
who most need help. But researchers analyzing medical crowdfunding have

(More...)

The velvet monkey wrench

Sun, 20 Oct 2019 06:18:17 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://archive.org/details/velvetmonkeywren00muir

“Are you ready for a radical yet practical way for humankind to live in
balance, sensibly using what the Earth and human enterprise have to
offer? Here are detailed plans for a truly consensual society! From

(More...)

15 incredible images from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition

Sun, 20 Oct 2019 06:20:53 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/09/09/15-incredible-images-wildlife-photographer-year-competition/2262632001/>

"The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition released a limited
selection of their 'highly commended' images from the 2019 contest.

(More...)

Chief Standing Bear, Who Fought for Native American Freedoms, Is Honored With a Statue in the Capitol

Sun, 20 Oct 2019 06:22:12 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/chief-standing-bear-who-fought-native-american-freedoms-honored-statue-capitol-180973208/>

"In the late 19th century, the Ponca people were forced off their last
remaining sliver of land in Nebraska to Indian Territory in Oklahoma. No
food or shelter had been provided for them there, and many of the Ponca

(More...)

I'm Bringing Skeksis Back: 10 Dark Crystal Sweets!

Sun, 20 Oct 2019 06:23:23 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2019/10/13/im-bringing-skeksis-back-10-dark-crystal-sweets>

"I just watched the making-of special for the new Dark Crystal series
last night, so you know what that means!

(More...)

Kurdish women’s experience of state violence in Turkey

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 03:01:38 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/north-africa-west-asia/kurdish-womens-experience-of-state-violence-in-turkey/>

"An Interview with the Migration Monitoring Association (GÖÇİZDER) that
illuminates the invisible aspects of the war and uncovers what happened
through women’s eyes."

(More...)

Lesson for Australia. Make it hard for people to get benefits, and they’ll stop, but they mightn’t get jobs

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 03:03:26 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/lesson-for-australia-make-it-hard-for-people-to-get-benefits-and-theyll-stop-but-they-mightnt-get-jobs-124170>

"Australia, like the United States, makes it hard for people who get
benefits to stay on them.

(More...)

Rise of renewables may see off oil firms decades earlier than they think

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 03:05:11 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/14/rise-renewables-oil-firms-decades-earlier-think>

"The world’s rising reliance on fossil fuels may come to an end decades
earlier than the most polluting companies predict, offering early signs
of hope in the global battle to tackle the climate crisis.

(More...)

'Insect Armageddon': Europe reacts to alarming findings about decline in insects

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 03:07:05 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-15/insect-armageddon-europe-reacts-to-alarming-insect-decline/11593538>

"For nearly 30 years, a group of entomologists has been collecting and
counting bugs from German nature reserves. Their shock findings threaten
to change farming practices across Europe."

(More...)

1491

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 04:49:23 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2002/03/1491/302445/

"Before it became the New World, the Western Hemisphere was vastly more
populous and sophisticated than has been thought—an altogether more
salubrious place to live at the time than, say, Europe. New evidence of

(More...)

They’re the refugees that Trump tried to stop. But now they’re here, and they’re ‘becoming Americans.’

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 04:50:24 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/theyre-the-refugees-that-trump-tried-to-stop-but-now-theyre-here-and-theyre-becoming-americans/2019/10/12/7dd7a00e-e6d4-11e9-b7da-053c79b03db8_story.html>

"The newcomers from Nauru and Manus have had little apparent trouble
finding jobs. Jenny Leahy, an Australian aid worker who lived on Nauru,
visited dozens of them in the United States last month — from San Diego

(More...)

UC Davis Expert Assesses Impact Of US Troop Withdrawal From Syria

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 04:52:15 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
http://www.capradio.org/139959

Via Muse, who wrote "My cousin Dr Keith David Watenpaugh speaking about
the Kurdish situation. Both our parents from the Watenpaugh side of the
family actually spent time with the Kurdish people when they were

(More...)

Protect sacred Native sites. Don't raise the Shasta Dam.

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 04:53:40 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://act.credoaction.com/sign/shasta-interior

"It's yet another shady deal by a corrupt Trump administration official
to benefit corporate interests.

(More...)

Australia spends billions planting trees – then wipes out carbon gains by bulldozing them

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 05:00:41 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/17/australia-spends-billions-planting-trees-then-wipes-out-carbon-gains-by-bulldozing-them>

"Since 2015 the Australian government has committed more than $1.5bn of
taxpayer funds to climate change projects that plant or protect native
habitat. Over a slightly longer period it has also spent nearly $62m on

(More...)

Adobe Announces Plan To Essentially Steal Money From Venezuelans Because It 'Has To' Due To US Sanctions

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 05:02:26 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20191009/09333243162/adobe-announces-plan-to-essentially-steal-money-venezuelans-because-it-has-to-due-to-us-sanctions.shtml>

"Adobe has long had a history of questionable behavior, when it comes to
the rights of its customers, and how the public is informed on all
things Adobe. With the constant hammering on the concept that software

(More...)

New study pinpoints the places most at risk on a warming planet

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 05:03:39 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://grist.org/article/new-study-pinpoints-the-places-most-at-risk-on-a-warming-planet/>

"As many as five billion people will face hunger and a lack of clean
water by 2050 as the warming climate disrupts pollination, freshwater,
and coastal habitats, according to new research published last week in

(More...)

Coming Out in Uganda Was a Death Sentence. The U.S. Border Was a Trap

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 05:04:37 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/asylum-lgbt-border-africa-uganda-mexico-juarez-trump-898702/>

"U.S. officials had determined that, despite being a lesbian from a
country in which it is illegal to be one, and despite having already
suffered beatings and a rape, Margaret had no “credible fear” or any way

(More...)

CSIRO/AEMO study says wind, solar and storage clearly cheaper than coal

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 06:17:19 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://reneweconomy.com.au/csiro-aemo-study-says-wind-solar-and-storage-clearly-cheaper-than-coal-45724/>

"Australia’s leading scientific research group and the country’s energy
market operator have released a benchmark study that shows the cost of
new wind and solar – even with hours of storage – is “unequivocally”

(More...)

Games blamed for moral decline and addiction throughout history

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 06:18:25 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/games-blamed-for-moral-decline-and-addiction-throughout-history-123900>

"Video games are often blamed for unemployment, violence in society and
addiction – including by partisan politicians raising moral concerns.

(More...)

Donald Trump’s sanity is not the question. The real issue is how he got into office

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 06:19:16 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/18/donald-trump-sanity-free-market-white-supremacist-nationalism>

"To reduce his presidency to a frail mind is to ignore the fact he’s an
emblem of free-market, white supremacist nationalism"

(More...)

All plastic waste could become new, high-quality plastic through advanced steam cracking

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 06:20:45 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://phys.org/news/2019-10-plastic-high-quality-advanced-steam.html

"A research group at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, has
developed an efficient process for breaking down any plastic waste to a
molecular level. The resulting gases can then be transformed back into

(More...)

How to make use of all of a tree

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 07:29:48 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2019/10/17/how-to-make-use-of-all-of-a-tree>

"Metsä is ultimately controlled by a co-operative belonging to more than
100,000 families who have each owned large chunks of the forest for
generations. For every tree harvested, four saplings are planted. These

(More...)

This mum perfectly summed up the case for a second Brexit referendum in 45 seconds

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 07:31:14 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/sky-news-rachel-on-peoples-vote-1-6331995>

'Appearing on Sky News with her child, Rachel was asked if it was right
to have another vote because the Remain side "had lost".

(More...)

The Trump presidency should not be shocking. It’s a symptom of our cultural malaise

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 07:32:50 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/the-trump-presidency-should-not-be-shocking-its-a-symptom-of-our-cultural-malaise-125054>

"In other words, we were constantly told that Trump was too offensive,
ignorant and dangerous to be chosen to lead the US. But this political
interpretation tended to miss how American popular culture had created

(More...)

Media unites to rally for press freedom, taking campaign to front pages and airwaves

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 07:34:08 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-21/media-unites-to-rally-for-press-freedom/11621806>

"The nation's media companies have redacted their front pages to
highlight the constraints on media organisations under strict national
security legislation.

(More...)

Sesame Street’s Number 3 Ball Film

Sat, 26 Oct 2019 03:48:54 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/rollercoaster-1-2-3-ball-sesame-street>

"Sometimes called Rollercoaster 1,2,3 or Rolling Ball Number 3, Red Ball Number
3 is a classic Sesame Street video featuring “an electronic, carnival-like
soundtrack that follows a small, red ball as it rolls throughout a toy roller

(More...)

Kinga Głyk - Joy Joy

Sat, 26 Oct 2019 03:50:55 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS5qogyTJag

Via Muse, who wrote "Great funk! Silly 80s style video!"

(More...)

Climate scientist: our profession is letting down humanity – we must change the way we approach the climate crisis

Sat, 26 Oct 2019 03:52:28 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://theconversation.com/climate-scientist-our-profession-is-letting-down-humanity-we-must-change-the-way-we-approach-the-climate-crisis-122479>

"As a climate scientist of more than 25 years, I’m proud of the work my
profession has done in recent decades to alert humanity to the unfolding
climate crisis. But as the emergency becomes ever more acute, we scientists

(More...)

The best microscope photos of the year reveal a strange and hidden universe in astonishing detail

Sat, 26 Oct 2019 03:57:04 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.businessinsider.com.au/best-microscope-pictures-nikon-small-world-photography-contest-2019-10>

 * The Nikon Small World contest highlights the best microscope images
   taken each year.
 * The 2019 contest attracted more than 2,000 entries from nearly 100

(More...)

Protests around the world in pictures

Sun, 27 Oct 2019 02:46:07 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-50123823

"In cities around the world, people are taking to the streets.

Here's a look at seven places that are seeing varying levels of demonstrations

(More...)

Can we have fair capitalism?

Sun, 27 Oct 2019 02:49:01 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.nationofchange.org/2019/10/23/can-we-have-fair-capitalism/>

"What are the services which should be publically operated and where a two-tier
system should be avoided?  Roads, highways and bridges; education; healthcare;
utilities (electricity, gas, water, garbage, recycling); the military; police;

(More...)

Australia denies Cameroonian journalist visa over suspicion she would illegally overstay

Sun, 27 Oct 2019 02:51:04 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australia-denies-cameroonian-journalist-visa-over-suspicion-she-would-illegally-overstay>

"Ms Mefo was due to give a keynote address at Griffith University's Integrity
20 conference on Friday.

(More...)

Mr. Blue Sky | Electric Light Orchestra | Pomplamoose

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 01:05:23 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyUNDr0EcAk

Via Muse, who wrote "Pomplamoose’s cover of Mr Blue Sky is unutterably
AWESOME!"

(More...)

Rats taught to drive tiny cars to lower their stress levels

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 01:07:27 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50167812

"Researchers at the University of Richmond in the US taught a group of 17 rats
how to drive little plastic cars, in exchange for bits of cereal.

(More...)

What if we measured the thing that matters most: “carbon productivity”

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 01:19:13 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/what-if-we-measured-the-thing-that-matters-most-carbon-productivity-124902>

"Labour productivity is notoriously hard to measure; measuring changes in it is
harder still.

(More...)

The real reason some scientists downplay the risks of climate change

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 01:22:20 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/25/the-real-reason-some-scientists-downplay-the-risks-of-climate-change>

"While climate skeptics and deniers often accuse scientists of exaggerating the
threats associated with the climate crisis, the available evidence suggests the
opposite. By and large, scientists have either been right in their assessments,

(More...)

Why neoliberal policies have no justification

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 04:10:51 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-neoliberal-policies-have-justification-hanns-j%C3%BCrgen-hodann/>

"Proponents of neoliberal policies would hardly agree that inequality,
falling or stagnant living standards for the middle class and for most
workers, a reduction in the accessibility and quality of services, etc.

(More...)

A Striking Photo of a Very Rare Black Serval Cat

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 04:11:43 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://laughingsquid.com/rare-black-serval-cat/

"While shooting from the Asilia Namiri Plains Camp in Tanzania, British
wildlife photographer George Turner captured a striking photo of an
incredibly rare serval who was completely covered in black fur.

(More...)

'A Breath of Fresh Air': Offshore Wind Power Could Produce More Electricity Than World Uses

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 04:13:45 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/25/breath-fresh-air-offshore-wind-power-could-produce-more-electricity-world-uses>

'It would take a major infrastructural commitment to develop wind power
to the point that the renewable energy resource could take over the
majority of global energy needs, but it's not impossible. As The

(More...)

Meet Adrenaline, Asterix's first heroine

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 04:16:57 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/meet-adrenaline-asterix-s-first-heroine

"Makers of the Asterix comic book are introducing a new female heroine:
Adrenaline, the teenage daughter of famous Gaulish king Vercingetorix."

(More...)

Jobactive workers speak out: 'How the hell did I end up doing this to these people?'

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 05:56:33 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/oct/24/jobactive-workers-speak-out-how-the-hell-did-i-end-up-doing-this-to-these-people>

"About 400,000 unemployed Australians are obliged to engage with
Jobactive, the government’s main employment services program, in order
to keep their social security payment.

(More...)

The Observer view on Boris Johnson undermining British politics

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 05:57:40 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/27/the-observer-view-on-boris-johnson>

"All the laws, rules and procedures that govern our politics cannot
disguise a simple truth. Democracy can’t simply be enforced by the
courts, imposed with ballot boxes, fulfilled by the marking of a cross.

(More...)

Morrison’s claim of an Australian gold in per capita renewables is not true

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 05:58:53 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://reneweconomy.com.au/morrisons-claim-of-an-australian-gold-in-per-capita-renewables-is-not-true-23451/>

"The PM’s renewable energy claim is false, even on his own sources."

Standard tactics - just lie brazenly.

(More...)

The world’s top economists just made the case for why we still need English majors

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 04:10:17 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/10/19/worlds-top-economists-just-made-case-why-we-still-need-english-majors/>

"Ask any college student or professor why this big shift from studying
Chaucer to studying coding is happening and they will probably tell you
it’s about jobs. As students feared for their job prospects, they — and

(More...)

What was It Actually Like to Be a Court Jester in Medieval Times?

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 04:11:44 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2019/10/what-was-it-actually-like-to-be-a-court-jester-in-medieval-times/>

"LegitMarmalade asks: Is it true medieval jesters could insult the King
in any way they wanted without risk of getting executed?"

(More...)

An All-Electric Plane Takes To The Skies

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 04:13:00 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://hackaday.com/2019/10/27/an-all-electric-plane-takes-to-the-skies/>

"The Slovenian-based Pipistrel ALPHA Electro is one of the leading
electric planes today, with bragging rights as the world’s first
mass-produced electric aircraft. While NASA may have announced their

(More...)

One Page Dungeon by watabou

Fri, 1 Nov 2019 06:42:07 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
https://watabou.itch.io/one-page-dungeon

"Created for /r/proceduralgeneration's monthly challenge.

You can use images created by the generator as you like: copy, modify,

(More...)

Do David Attenborough documentaries help the natural world? New research gives cause for hope

Fri, 1 Nov 2019 06:43:51 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/do-david-attenborough-documentaries-help-the-natural-world-new-research-gives-cause-for-hope-125077>

"Our research, published in Conservation Letters, analysed data from
Twitter and Wikipedia to understand how people behave after watching
nature documentaries.

(More...)

YouTubers band together to plant 20 million trees to fight climate change

Fri, 1 Nov 2019 06:45:51 +1100

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

Andrew Pam
<https://mashable.com/article/team-trees-mr-beast-mark-rober-20-million-youtube/>

"With a combined 650 million subscribers — nearly double the population
of the United States — a coalition of YouTubers wants to tackle the
climate crisis by raising $20 million to plant 20 million trees.

(More...)

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