Current Affairs

Recently someone complained to me online that he could never consider Christianity because computer modelling had shown that without the Church’s interference, science would be 400 years further advanced than it is. There is no evidence…

I have been thinking lately about kindness. It is more than just being nice to people you like, or who share your views. Kindness means caring for people whether or not they care for you, wanting…

It seems we cannot get past Australia Day now without seeing multiple claims that national celebrations on January 26th commemorate the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 which came into effect on January 26, 1949. The first…

Freedom of speech simply means that except in a very few, very limited cases (immediate calls for violence, for example, or state secrets during war time), the government will not interfere in what you think or…

Dark? Yes, maybe. A symphonic goth rock song based on Christina Rosetti’s Poem Goblin Market. Lyrics below. Goblin Market Verse 1 Beneath the trees at twilight’s edge, Whispers rise with market’s pledge, Golden apples, berries red,…

I have mixed feelings about the age restrictions on social media, which become law in Australia as from today. 80% of 8-16 year olds in Australia use social media, usually starting at ages 10-12. Proponents of…

St Nicholas, born in 270AD, was Bishop of Myra, then part of the Roman Empire. The city no longer exists, having been destroyed in Arab invasions in the 8th Century. Paul visited Myra on his way…

Si fractus illabatur orbis, impavidum ferient ruinae. Horace Odes Book 3, Ode 3. A sonnet based on Horace. Though Mountains Break Though mountains break and thunder rends the air Though stars grow dim, and sun forgets…

RFK Jr’s appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services was always going to be a mess. He has no knowledge of health and science, and no understanding of how research works. Recent decision decisions by…

There is a lot of talk about the use of AI in music, and in art in general. Multiple reports suggest people cannot tell the difference between AI generated content, and art, literature or music that…

A group of three world-leading nano-technology experts have just published the results of a two year study conducted independently across three separate university laboratories. The results are alarming. “Self-assembling Nanobots: An Unexpected (?) Inclusion in mRNA…

Some of you may have seen a meme or an article from SlayNews being passed around claiming Korean researchers have found a link between COVID-19 vaccination and vastly increased (141% higher) rates of Acute Transverse Myelitis…

Masks, lock-downs, and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic were about reducing risk. Research comparing locations where these measures were introduced and where there were high levels of compliance with locations where they were not, shows…

Here’s a hint: they don’t have any. It is impossible to keep up with the endless stream of malicious medical misinformation that is posted and reposted on social media. Malicious because giving people false medical advice,…

I purchased a new Baumr-AG snipper brushcutter. It would not start. I did eventually get it working, with no help from the seller. Review below, with some hints on what to check. These are cheap, poor…