Nostr notes by John Quiggin

Tesla Cybertruck finally dead. Robotaxis going nowhere. Optimus, ...

2026-11-06T18:47:29Z

Tesla Cybertruck finally dead. Robotaxis going nowhere. Optimus, Mars missions are vaporware. X a money sink, and echo chamber for the losing side in US poltics. #Musk owns a car company with a shrinking product range and a satellite company most of its customers hate.

I would like to announce that President Putin has withdrawn all ...

2026-10-12T06:37:42Z

I would like to announce that President Putin has withdrawn all Russian troops from Ukraine and is now flying to The Hague to turn himself in. I can’t make this happen, but I can announce it. So, I’m in the same position as Donald Trump, routinely described as the most powerful man in the world.

Australia has long punched above its weight in the world of dodgy ...

2026-10-10T01:01:43Z

Australia has long punched above its weight in the world of dodgy finance (Alan Bond, Lex Greensill) and it looks like we may now be ringing the bell for the data centre bubble, with the failed float of Firmus. A former bitcoin mining business, turning to data centre cooling, and run by an ex-con, Firmus was supposedly worth $60 billion. As usual in such matters, circular financing from Nvidia was part of the deal. It looks as if the whole thing will unravel quicly. First of many?

A coast guard is good value, a navy not so much ...

2026-08-31T01:11:27Z

A coast guard is good value, a navy not so much

https://substack.com/@jquiggin/p-213374887

Nate Silver discovers the educated poor ...

2026-07-25T10:53:12Z

Nate Silver discovers the educated poor

https://johnquigginblog.substack.com/p/nate-silver-discovers-the-educated

Social media apparently infested with bots. What I want to know ...

2026-07-03T20:02:06Z

Social media apparently infested with bots. What I want to know is, are these bots over 16, as required by Australian law?

💯 It's time to fix media in general, and banning ...

2026-05-29T00:43:30Z

💯 It's time to fix media in general, and banning advertising is the radical solution we need.
https://theconversation.com/advertising-is-obsolete-heres-why-its-time-to-end-it-101639

This seems like a big deal. Still reliant on US permission, which ...

2026-05-27T08:48:11Z

This seems like a big deal. Still reliant on US permission, which might be revoked, but no longer dependent on US supplies. And must help build base for a European alternative.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/us-gives-provisional-approval-poland-121400785.html

Trump has avoided the Thucydides Trap by engineering a US decline ...

2026-05-17T00:49:30Z

Trump has avoided the Thucydides Trap by engineering a US decline so rapid and obvious that China doesn’t need a war to establish its status as the #1 superpower.

@nprofile…l2f6 We can make ammonia (and therefore all N-based ...

2026-05-06T10:13:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…nwqw
_________________________

nprofile1qy2hwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnyd968gmewwp6kyqpq43zwu5kcnfj7kezc4xyqjeq9rzpk065pmm8ew3pn7vpxs429erlqycl2f6 (nprofile…l2f6) We can make ammonia (and therefore all N-based fertilisers) using green hydrogen. Cost is higher but not huge.

Israelis get to decide what Australians can say about Israel. ...

2026-05-05T08:43:02Z

Israelis get to decide what Australians can say about Israel. Palestinians are erased.

"The only fight about what intifada means is what it means to Jewish people or Israeli people in Australia. The other side of the history and this conflict is entirely irrelevant."

https://www.smh.com.au/national/defining-the-intifada-and-testing-australia-s-racial-hate-laws-20260505-p5ztww.html

Britain finally moves into 19th century, with a fully appointed ...

2026-05-03T06:35:43Z

Britain finally moves into 19th century, with a fully appointed upper house, like that of Australian states before we decided democracy was better Next, time to think about ranked-choice voting, just 100 years old here. Also, what's with Bench of Bishops? #ukpol #auspol

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgp5j5gpplo

The fundamental problem with the NDIS is that it was designed by ...

2026-04-22T07:40:16Z

The fundamental problem with the NDIS is that it was designed by Productivity Commission with its characteristic focus on competition and choice, rather than on service provision by committed professionals. This invariably opens the way to fraud. criminality and inefficiency - see FEE-HELP #auspol

Blasphemy is far too mild a term to describe Trump's tweet ...

2026-04-14T08:53:40Z

Blasphemy is far too mild a term to describe Trump's tweet presenting himself as God. As I read 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Trump is literally the Antichrist. All who follow him are doomed to burn in hell forever. Harsh, I know, but I didn't make the rules.

A podcast on my book Economics in Two Lessons. YouTube: ...

2026-04-14T06:40:06Z

A podcast on my book Economics in Two Lessons.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/m8CsLc_7odQ
Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/SODHK
Amazon Music: https://shorturl.at/wks0m
Audible: https://shorturl.at/o6VvA
SoundCloud: https://shorturl.at/fraG4
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/o5paY
Direct Access: https://businesstalkwithdeepakbhatt.com/#/podcasts

Mark Blyth is very good on this, and I say a bit in my Zombie ...

2026-04-13T18:53:22Z

Mark Blyth is very good on this, and I say a bit in my Zombie Economics books.
But I'm hopeful that when the current bubble implodes things will be different. Tech bros and Wall Street are now fully aligned with Trump, and will all go down together

quoting
nevent1q…ssld
Today's threads (a thread)

Inside: Austerity creates fascism; and more!

Archived at: https://pluralistic.net/2026/04/13/always-great/

#Pluralistic

1/

"Orban will win again and the Leftist chatterati just ...

2026-04-13T06:01:28Z

"Orban will win again and the Leftist chatterati just doesn’t get why"

Looks like there are lots of leftist chatterati all over Hungary. Who knew?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/09/orban-will-win-leftist-chatterati-doesnt-get-why/

TUSNACO: The US Navy Always Chickens Out ...

2026-02-09T19:32:18Z

TUSNACO: The US Navy Always Chickens Out https://johnquigginblog.substack.com/p/tusnaco

Using someone's fingerprint or face to forcibly bypass ...

2026-02-02T00:41:38Z

Using someone's fingerprint or face to forcibly bypass biometric controls used to be the stuff of thrillers and horror movies. Not any more #uspol https://theintercept.com/2026/01/30/washington-post-hannah-natanson-fbi-biometrics-unlock-phone/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=The%20Intercept%20Newsletter

Not the last word on teens and social media, but massively more ...

2026-01-28T02:58:00Z

Not the last word on teens and social media, but massively more rigorous than the sloppy work Jonathan Haidt has peddled. No one should ever listen to him on anything, let alone base legislation on his claims.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/14/social-media-time-does-not-increase-teenagers-mental-health-problems-study?ref=platformer.news

What to do about university governance ...

2025-12-13T01:35:52Z

What to do about university governance https://johnquigginblog.substack.com/p/what-to-do-about-university-governance

Radley Balko on how civil forfeiture (championed by Joe Biden, ...

2025-12-04T18:12:01Z

Radley Balko on how civil forfeiture (championed by Joe Biden, among others) turns police into armed robbers

https://theintercept.com/2025/12/03/collateral-damage-episode-eight-legalized-takings/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=The%20Intercept%20Newsletter

Lots of useful advice here, mitigating the disruption to young ...

2025-11-21T21:39:35Z

Lots of useful advice here, mitigating the disruption to young people;s lives that will be caused by this poorly thought-out measure.

https://theconversation.com/australia-is-about-to-ban-under-16s-from-social-media-heres-what-kids-can-do-right-now-to-prepare-270295

This will create lots of sovereign risk, which is a good thing. ...

2025-11-19T22:17:50Z

This will create lots of sovereign risk, which is a good thing. Corporations can't buy one government and expect the next to honour the deal, any more than they will keep the previous governments promises to voters, if they disagree with them #nzpol

https://www.greens.org.nz/greens_pledge_to_revoke_most_destructive_fast_track_mining_consents

Looking at the news around the world, it's clear we need more ...

2025-11-16T07:56:03Z

Looking at the news around the world, it's clear we need more "woke cancel culture", not less. "Woke" means, quite literally, aware of what;s going on. And cancel culture is the polar opposite of impunity culture. It may not always be pretty, but it's more necessary than ever.

One small step in the necessary and painful process of breaking ...

2025-11-12T08:29:28Z

One small step in the necessary and painful process of breaking with the US.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/11/uk-suspends-intelligence-sharing-with-us-amid-airstikes-in-the-caribbean

Solar PV is still being underestimated, as it has been for ...

2025-11-12T06:33:18Z

Solar PV is still being underestimated, as it has been for decades

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/11/the-future-arrived-early-why-our-energy-cost-forecasts-need-to-catch-up/

As usual, no response from our expensive anti-semitism envoy ...

2025-11-09T00:42:39Z

As usual, no response from our expensive anti-semitism envoy Jillian Segal. The neo-Nazis weren't criticising Israel, so not a problem for her.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-08/police-allowed-neo-nazi-protest-outside-nsw-parliament/105987780

This is the kind of outcome the National Electricity Market, ...

2025-11-06T00:44:10Z

This is the kind of outcome the National Electricity Market, combined with smart meters and retail competition, was supposed to deliver. Instead, the government has had to impose it. Yet another patch on a failed system #auspol

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-03/energy-retailers-offer-free-power-three-hours-dmo/105965472

So, Bureau of Meteorology simultaneously and without warning * ...

2025-10-27T22:29:27Z

So, Bureau of Meteorology simultaneously and without warning
* Did a radical overhaul of their site
* Partially migrated their information
* Changed the radar display making it harder to detect severe storms

https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/weather/2025/10/27/bom-site-storms
1/2

Not placing too much reliance on a single report, but it seems ...

2025-10-11T07:33:55Z

Not placing too much reliance on a single report, but it seems likely that #Russia's vast stockpile of tanks, fighting vehicles and artillery has mostly been exhausted. Navy and air force also depleted, and pre-war army mostly wiped out. 1/2

https://united24media.com/latest-news/from-7342-to-92-satellite-analysis-shows-russias-depot-armor-is-nearly-spent-12298
1/2

Generally best to avoid visiting dictatorships. They can change ...

2025-07-25T21:09:43Z

Generally best to avoid visiting dictatorships. They can change the rules on you at any time #uspol https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/travel-news/i-ve-travelled-to-the-us-for-35-years-my-esta-was-revoked-without-warning-20250723-p5mha5.html

But, as Ley implies, this will almost certainly mean the end of ...

2025-07-06T22:18:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…m27s
_________________________

But, as Ley implies, this will almost certainly mean the end of #AUKUS. Unless Australia commits to automatically joining any US war with China, any submarines the US sells us will represent a deduction from their own fleet.
2/3

We can't hope for much in domestic policy from Albanese. But ...

2025-07-06T22:18:31Z

We can't hope for much in domestic policy from Albanese. But if he can extricate us from our subservience to the US, comparisons to Curtin will be justified. #auspol

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-australia-first-words-that-sussan-ley-says-are-a-threat-to-the-us-relationship-20250706-p5mcve.html
1/3

Me on "cost of living relief". The whole idea of finding ...

2025-06-28T22:21:30Z

Me on "cost of living relief". The whole idea of finding prices that people are complaining about and then throwing money at it is a terrible way of addressing our economic problems."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-25/queensland-budget-reactions-cost-of-living-regions-cities/105454240

Given the demographics of his supporters, Abbott shows good ...

2025-06-26T00:39:02Z

Given the demographics of his supporters, Abbott shows good judgement in focusing on bequests rather than donations. #auspol

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/26/rightwing-lobby-group-advance-launches-advance-generations-donations-offshoot-deceased-estates

I conclude that Trump will not willingly give up the presidency ...

2025-06-07T18:54:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…g0yp
_________________________

I conclude that Trump will not willingly give up the presidency except to a trusted family member and that this will continue indefinitely.
3/3

The US Presidency is now a source of essentially unlimited wealth ...

2025-06-07T18:54:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…gr7m
_________________________

The US Presidency is now a source of essentially unlimited wealth for its holder.
Conversely, being a domestic enemy of the US President (in particular, a hostile ex-president) now risks financial ruin and possibly much worse.
2/3

Thinking about the chance of a return to democracy in the US, I ...

2025-06-07T18:54:48Z

Thinking about the chance of a return to democracy in the US, I have stopped thinking in terms of Republicans vs Democrats. The Trump-Musk brawl and the beginning of “investigations” into Biden has crystallised two thoughts for me
1/3

The train I'm in just crossed the border from Spain into ...

2025-06-02T08:03:26Z

The train I'm in just crossed the border from Spain into France. No announcement and I expect no one else noticed the moment. Freedom to disregard borders is a huge boon to those who have it. Many don't and many more are losing it.

I've been planning a post with this very title, but Cory beat ...

2025-05-28T20:35:23Z

I've been planning a post with this very title, but Cory
beat me to it.

Pluralistic: America is a scam (28 May 2025) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow https://pluralistic.net/2025/05/28/cheaters-ever-prosper/

Where is my tiny violin? ...

2025-05-28T03:58:19Z

Where is my tiny violin?

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/28/spacex-starship-rocket-launch-9th-test-flight-lost-contact

Trump's threat to Harvard is a genie that can't be ...

2025-05-23T03:24:31Z

Trump's threat to Harvard is a genie that can't be rebottled. Anyone in the US on a student of H1-B visa can lose it because the regime doesn't like your school or employer. Deportation or indefinite detention, maybe extraordinary rendition. If you have an offer from a US uni, reject it now. #uspol

Wrote most of this before the split was announced. Some last ...

2025-05-20T04:00:31Z

Wrote most of this before the split was announced. Some last minute adjustments needed !

https://theconversation.com/david-littleproud-cites-nuclear-energy-disagreement-as-major-factor-in-coalition-split-256904

The central point is buried half way down. The US is threatening ...

2025-05-19T05:52:48Z

The central point is buried half way down. The US is threatening an actual default under the Miran plan, and there's no reason to think this threat won't be carried out when repayment gets hard. US Treasury bonds should be rated as junk (BB or lower), not as just under AAA

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/the-economy/the-world-does-not-owe-trumps-america-a-living-20250516-p5lzoc.html

Start from the recognition that the US is an adversary, not an ...

2025-05-19T02:21:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…8n6v
_________________________

Start from the recognition that the US is an adversary, not an ally, and that this won't change any time soon

Art of tne No Deal. This woan't be the end Once rest of the ...

2025-05-19T02:21:45Z

Art of tne No Deal.

This woan't be the end Once rest of the world retaliates, Trump will be back at the table.

Lesson from China: hot back as hard as you can, and be prepared to wear some pain now, or you'll be screwed even worse next time.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/16/trump-us-tariff-rates-trading-partners

The LLMentalist Effect: how chat-based Large Language Models ...

2025-05-05T10:30:23Z

The LLMentalist Effect: how chat-based Large Language Models replicate the mechanisms of a psychic’s con

https://softwarecrisis.dev/letters/llmentalist/

From 2022 (joking not-joking) Metropolitan Australians are sick ...

2025-05-04T03:48:48Z

From 2022 (joking not-joking)

Metropolitan Australians are sick of being scorned and derided for everything from their coffee preferences to their over-education. #auspol

https://www.crikey.com.au/2022/05/25/contempt-for-metropolitan-australians-foolish/

Israel is still killing Gaza. ...

2025-05-04T01:09:06Z

Israel is still killing Gaza. https://abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/israel-is-still-killing-gaza/?ref=abuaardvarkghost-newsletter

Tail attempting to wag the dog. Trump imagines that the US ...

2025-04-04T01:27:43Z

Tail attempting to wag the dog. Trump imagines that the US dominates the global economy and can dictate terms. Actually, US accounts for about 9 per cent of global trade in goods (10-11 % in goods + services). World can do without US if necessary. #worldpol

https://www.forbes.com/sites/katharinabuchholz/2023/08/31/us-dollar-defends-role-as-global-currency-infographic/

FAFO again Musk ...

2025-04-01T22:03:23Z

FAFO again Musk https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/03/31/tesla-powerwall-demand-declines-on-negative-sentiment-toward-musk/?

Asymmetric trade warfare. Former US allies should not limit ...

2025-03-28T06:34:30Z

Asymmetric trade warfare. Former US allies should not limit themselves to retaliatory tariffs. Time to tax US services of all kinds - financial institutions, web services, consulting firms #worldpol

Aust governments need to reaffirm support for DEI, ban dealings ...

2025-03-17T03:45:01Z

Aust governments need to reaffirm support for DEI, ban dealings with global companies that endorse racism and misogyny - Tesla, Starlink, government accounts on X and Facebook, Citibank, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte many others

What do Republican voters want? Fascism ...

2025-03-16T22:21:41Z

What do Republican voters want? Fascism https://substack.com/profile/129542333-john-quiggin/note/c-101031332?

Trump has folded on tariffs: pulling back in return for the most ...

2025-02-03T23:40:52Z

Trump has folded on tariffs: pulling back in return for the most minimal face-saving "concessions". But the issue comes back in 30 days, by which time neighbours will be better prepared. And he's still promising tariffs for EU and UK.

If there is a strategy here, I'm not seeing it.

My comment on Dutton's proposal to revive the tax-deductible ...

2025-01-22T00:36:13Z

My comment on Dutton's proposal to revive the tax-deductible business lunch https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/22/dutton-may-think-voters-no-longer-care-about-good-government-but-theres-no-such-thing-as-a-free-lunch

“I feel liberated,” said a top banker. “We can say ...

2025-01-15T02:22:11Z

“I feel liberated,” said a top banker. “We can say ‘retard’ and ‘pussy’ without the fear of getting cancelled . . . it’s a new dawn.”

So why did this "top banker" demand anonymity, and why did the FT allow it ?

https://www.ft.com/content/cf876b19-8c69-498b-95f5-d018618d99ec

Another 25GW in November and likely 20GW more in December for ...

2024-12-29T06:15:23Z

Another 25GW in November and likely 20GW more in December for total of 230. Exports look to be over 300GW, for total sales of ~550GW, with plenty of unused capacity. Only China can save the planet now https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202412/24/WS676a1acaa310f1265a1d4975.html

@nprofile…plfp No reason #CBDC should use blockchain. It's ...

2024-12-29T06:14:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…ghnq
_________________________

nprofile1qy2hwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnddaehgu3wwp6kyqpqgn53v4qscdcdx8vkd86sq0d2q2ks4dzlusqz2ldu90j92k2zf07sn4plfp (nprofile…plfp)

No reason #CBDC should use blockchain. It's potentially an alterantive to blockchain-based crypto, not an imitation.

In 2020, Australia apparently had a blockchain roadmap. But it ...

2024-12-28T07:24:12Z

In 2020, Australia apparently had a blockchain roadmap. But it seems to have run out of road. Link now goes to a catch-all technology page with no mention of blockchain. Why am I not surprised?

https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/trade-and-investment/business-envoy-april-2021-digital-trade-edition/australias-blockchain-roadmap

US well on the way to dictatorship, before Trump is inaugurated. ...

2024-12-19T03:19:01Z

US well on the way to dictatorship, before Trump is inaugurated. Media under control, FBI an arm of the regime, Supreme Court corrupt, political opponents facing criminal charges and defamation claims. Purge of disloyal officials and presidency for life already flagged.

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/after-investigating-jan-6-house-gop-sides-with-trump-and-goes-after-liz-cheney/63218792

Why does the US have any standing here? It's one of many ...

2024-12-18T02:45:00Z

Why does the US have any standing here? It's one of many countries that have aided Ukraine, and Trump has indicated that aid will stop https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/12/16/ukraine-russia-negotiations-war-keep-out-trump-united-states

More coal and gas, less renewables: what a nuclear power plan for ...

2024-12-16T04:25:50Z

More coal and gas, less renewables: what a nuclear power plan for Australia would really mean https://theconversation.com/more-coal-and-gas-less-renewables-what-a-nuclear-power-plan-for-australia-would-really-mean-245948

We should stop describing CCS as "commercially unproven" ...

2024-12-11T21:08:02Z

We should stop describing CCS as "commercially unproven" . It's been proved unworkable and commercially non-viable https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-10/coal-hydrogen-hesc-latrobe-valley-japan-kawasaki/104375024? (via Coalwire)

Market capitalisation of crypto $4 trillion, more than all major ...

2024-12-11T09:45:02Z

Market capitalisation of crypto $4 trillion, more than all major US financial corps combined. Value of crypto services, legal and illlegal, a few billion per year. Crash will bring down entire financial system.

Via Adam Tooze, evidence that Russian inflation is understated, ...

2024-12-05T19:28:48Z

Via Adam Tooze, evidence that Russian inflation is understated, and real GDP correspondingly overstated. Key point in support of this: a central bank interest rate of 21% would be untenable with inflation below 10.

https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/russias-economic-war-propaganda?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
1/2

I'm sending this routinely from now on in response to emails ...

2024-12-04T01:00:20Z

I'm sending this routinely from now on in response to emails that encourage sharing on social media

"Dear Progressive org

Your email offers an option of sharing on X, but not on Bluesky, Mastodon or as a note on Substack. All of these are preferable to engaging with Musk.

In solidarity

#repost

I'm sending this routinely from now on in response to emails ...

2024-12-02T01:00:17Z

I'm sending this routinely from now on in response to emails ...

2024-12-01T01:00:15Z

The world seems like one big grift right now. Trump, Bitcoin, AI, ...

2024-11-27T09:34:38Z

The world seems like one big grift right now. Trump, Bitcoin, AI, Xitter and so much more

Enshittified is not just word of the year, but word of the ...

2024-11-27T07:39:45Z

Enshittified is not just word of the year, but word of the century so far nprofile1qy2hwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnddaehgu3wwp6kyqpqhykucplphuhelaxutcw4jw3vuu7gcg42czhqmk7jhchs8vdga4fswlqz4x (nprofile…qz4x) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-26/macquarie-dictionary-word-of-the-year-2024/104648884

More to the point, will he leave us in the lurch if we actually ...

2024-11-26T22:14:09Z

More to the point, will he leave us in the lurch if we actually need help from the US? A long track record of cheated customers and bitter ex-employees says "Yes".

https://theconversation.com/will-donald-trump-renegotiate-the-aukus-treaty-or-walk-away-thats-the-368-billion-question-243450?

"58% of people keep their tops for two years or less. Only 4% ...

2024-11-26T21:30:01Z

"58% of people keep their tops for two years or less. Only 4% kept their T-shirts for 10 years."

Can this be true? More than 4% of population are middle-aged/old men like me. I wear T-shirts until they wear out. Am I unusual among my cohort?

https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/before-you-buy-that-t-shirt-would-you-pay-2-to-recycle-it-20241119-p5krph.html

Lead buried here: WFH is a working condition equivalent to a ...

2024-09-03T22:00:55Z

Lead buried here: WFH is a working condition equivalent to a significant wage premium for most workers. Return to Office is a vague wish for which employers aren't prepared to pay anything

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/09/australian-employers-want-staff-in-the-office-but-for-many-workers-home-is-where-the-heart-is

Return to office justified by handwringing about CBD cafes. But ...

2024-08-30T04:16:57Z

Return to office justified by handwringing about CBD cafes. But total number of cafres and restaurants is up 20 % on pre-pandemic levels. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1244323/australia-number-cafes-and-restaurants-in-operation/ #repost

I'm not a military expert, but is there a reason ...

2024-08-29T23:59:13Z

I'm not a military expert, but is there a reason Ukraine's new frontline inside Russia should be harder to defend than the old one at the international border?

#repost

Always amused to see Carbon Capture and Storage described as ...

2024-08-25T06:07:09Z

Always amused to see Carbon Capture and Storage described as "new and untested". It's been around for ages and has been throroughly tested, just like alchemy and perpetual motion machines.

Complete the Indooroopilly Bikeway ...

2024-08-19T04:09:36Z

Complete the Indooroopilly Bikeway https://www.michaelberkman.com.au/indrobikeway

Depressing set of essays which present a Trump return to power as ...

2024-08-18T03:48:23Z

Depressing set of essays which present a Trump return to power as an ordinary shift in foreign policy. The end of US democracy will matter a lot more than whether Trump pulls the rug on current allies of the US,. The fact is that a Trumpian US will be an enemy, not an ally.

https://interactives.lowyinstitute.org/features/trump-redux/#msdynttrid=VpoJCy7x479jR-SsnFya4dsDWh36SAPlPWV0GSGsEhY

Young men vote for the left ... ...

2024-08-17T23:31:30Z

Young men vote for the left ... https://johnquigginblog.substack.com/p/young-men-vote-for-the-left?utm_source=activity_item

"the centuries-old era of sea power via conventional sea ...

2024-08-14T04:36:10Z

"the centuries-old era of sea power via conventional sea surface naval ships may be over and Australia’s high cost frigates may be being built for an era that has passed."

This has actually been true for decades, obscured by the absence of any real naval warfare

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/australia-should-heed-high-tech-drone-lessons-from-ukraine-and-russia-war/news-story/39ead0f2fb399c9db9222d2aadfbab78

Czech nuclear deal shows CSIRO GenCost is too optimistic, and new ...

2024-07-21T01:58:06Z

Czech nuclear deal shows CSIRO GenCost is too optimistic, and new nukes are hopelessly uneconomic

My first article in RenewEconomy

https://reneweconomy.com.au/czech-nuclear-deal-shows-csiro-gencost-is-too-optimistic-and-new-nukes-are-hopelessly-uneconomic/

It’s part of the broader disillusionment with the two-party ...

2024-07-07T00:32:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…scv3
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It’s part of the broader disillusionment with the two-party system we are seeing in Australia and also in the recent UK election. https://substack.com/home/post/p-146352342?source=queue
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Sex, lies and Videotape I spoke yesterday at a panel discussion ...

2024-07-07T00:32:30Z

Sex, lies and Videotape

I spoke yesterday at a panel discussion on Navigating Lies, Deepfakes & Fake News, organised by McPherson Independent. This a group promoting the idea of an independent community candidate in the (LNP held) electorate of McPherson.
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Achieving net zero with renewables or nuclear means rebuilding ...

2024-06-27T00:41:19Z

Achieving net zero with renewables or nuclear means rebuilding the hollowed-out public service after decades of cuts (My latest in The Conversation) https://theconversation.com/achieving-net-zero-with-renewables-or-nuclear-means-rebuilding-the-hollowed-out-public-service-after-decades-of-cuts-233107

The "house take" (commissions, fraud, pump-and-dump etc) ...

2024-06-23T23:26:44Z

The "house take" (commissions, fraud, pump-and-dump etc) is substantial, but much less than that for lotteries and pokies.

Almost no one uses Bitcoin as currency, new data proves. It’s actually more like gambling https://theconversation.com/almost-no-one-uses-bitcoin-as-currency-new-data-proves-its-actually-more-like-gambling-207909

Macron govt started planning for 6 new reactors in 2019. Aims to ...

2024-06-23T19:46:44Z

Macron govt started planning for 6 new reactors in 2019. Aims to have first reactor online in 2035. Dutton's going to give France a headstart of 6+ years and match this. France has state-owned nuclear firm EDF, plenty of existing nuclear sites, decades of experience.

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220210-announcing-new-reactors-macron-puts-nuclear-power-at-heart-of-carbon-neutral-push

Stop Icelandic whaling They take 2 hours to die ...

2024-06-23T05:20:19Z

Stop Icelandic whaling

They take 2 hours to die https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/iceland_whaling_al_en/thanks.html

@npub1xr8…3q0g You posted recently about a tool for ...

2024-06-12T22:33:15Z

npub1xr8gd35szene0r2yvfafr29tjwdedgwd89lnfpmh3pylnygnvd4qmf3q0g (npub1xr8…3q0g) You posted recently about a tool for crossposting to multiple sites, but I can't find it now. Can you help?

No evidence, including scientific evidence is perfectly ...

2024-06-09T06:56:40Z

No evidence, including scientific evidence is perfectly conclusive. With DNA, there is always the possibility of accidental contamination, or even fraud. But DNA and fingerprints are much more reliable than, for example, eyewitnesses or confessions. By contrast, bite mark analysis and lie detectors are absolutely worthless, and should simply be excluded, like hearsay.

https://theconversation.com/junk-science-is-being-used-in-australian-courtrooms-and-wrongful-convictions-are-at-stake-231480?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1717582433

Personalised pricing is exploitative. It's also inefficient, ...

2024-06-05T23:53:07Z

Personalised pricing is exploitative. It's also inefficient, with resources wasted on both sides. Historically, it's the difference between posted prices in a store and haggling in a market square. There are good reasons why people prefer stores most of the time npub1hykucplphuhelaxutcw4jw3vuu7gcg42czhqmk7jhchs8vdga4fsj73p33 (npub1hyk…3p33) https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/05/your-price-named/

Why you should never fill in the backstory from @npub1hyk…3p33 ...

2024-05-29T08:17:18Z

Why you should never fill in the backstory from npub1hykucplphuhelaxutcw4jw3vuu7gcg42czhqmk7jhchs8vdga4fsj73p33 (npub1hyk…3p33) The best case for me was when the Doctor Who writers finally succumbed to the temptation to show the Time Lords on Gallifrey, who turned out to be about as exciting as the UK House of Lords

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/27/cmon-do-it-again/

I was going to write this, but Ross Gittins got there first. ...

2024-05-21T03:23:48Z

I was going to write this, but Ross Gittins got there first. Budget commentary on the $300 handout totally lacking any sense of the relative magnitudes. It's about 0.1 per cent of GDP

https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/how-the-budget-was-hijacked-by-a-300-cherry-on-the-top-20240518-p5jeoc.html

@npub1hyk…3p33 When I was a schoolkid, Honeywell had a stand at ...

2024-05-16T07:03:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…a2ej
_________________________

npub1hykucplphuhelaxutcw4jw3vuu7gcg42czhqmk7jhchs8vdga4fsj73p33 (npub1hyk…3p33) When I was a schoolkid, Honeywell had a stand at the local show/fair with a female appearing robot (actually a woman in a shiny bodysuit). The imposture was revealed after the show was over. Plus ca change

Boundary Dam in Canada is the only long-running example of ...

2024-05-04T00:45:40Z

Boundary Dam in Canada is the only long-running example of "clean coal" , that is, CCS retrofitted to a coal-fired power station. It's been a failure

https://ieefa.org/resources/carbon-capture-boundary-dam-3-still-underperforming-failure

Via @npub1hyk…3p33 a story about the process by which Google ...

2024-04-25T06:54:25Z

Via npub1hykucplphuhelaxutcw4jw3vuu7gcg42czhqmk7jhchs8vdga4fsj73p33 (npub1hyk…3p33) a story about the process by which Google ensh*ttified its search. I agree with the analysis, but I don't think the process can be blamed entirely on someone hired in 2012. I was writing about the process of decline as early as 2004

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/24/naming-names/#prabhakar-raghavan

I'm seeing lots of handwringing articles about the form of ...

2024-04-25T06:10:42Z

I'm seeing lots of handwringing articles about the form of students protests over Gaza (too loud, too disruptive etc). But everyone knows that the protests are being suppressed because of what is being said, and not how.

Get the entire Cory Doctorow @npub1hyk…3p33 bundle (except his ...

2024-03-03T18:35:31Z

Get the entire Cory Doctorow npub1hykucplphuhelaxutcw4jw3vuu7gcg42czhqmk7jhchs8vdga4fsj73p33 (npub1hyk…3p33) bundle (except his latest, The Bezzle, which you should buy straight away) and name your price, as little as $1 a book https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/03/humbly-bundled/

Wind overtakes coal for electricity generation in Europe ...

2024-01-10T23:12:41Z

Wind overtakes coal for electricity generation in Europe https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/wind-overtakes-coal-electricity-generation-europe-2024-01-09/