One Finite Planet

Explorations of Topics That Shape The Future.

September 1, 2020

Environment: Journey to grok One Finite Planet.

While throughout history there have been people who realised the Earth was finite, too few have stopped to fully contemplate grok the concept. Grok that the area of the Earth is finite, that the resources of the Earth are finite, and the time the Earth will exist is finite. It was not until the 1700s that a significant number of people in different countries could even accurately picture the planet entire planet and appreciate the surface was finite, and not until the 1900s that the term 'sustainability' attracted significant attention, and people started to appreciate how resources are finite. This missing piece in this picture is still time, with most people still having a time horizon that allows time for our planet can be considered infinite, even though finite, and there is less than 2% of time remaining for life on Earth.

Finite Planet

One Finite Planet: Both problem and mission.

One, because given it took 4 billion years before life could exist on the surface of this planet, it is going to take a long time to ever find another. Finite, because no matter how obvious it is the planet is finite, it is large enough for us to mistakenly overlook that the planet being finite impacts everything from the environment to the economy.

Science, Philosophy and Perception.

Society: Distribution of finite wealth and resources.

Technology

Vaccines

Severity

Economic Activity: An Obsession With An Illusion Of Prosperity.

Commenced: October 20, 2021 Updated: August 21st, 2022

2022 August 21: Added Japanese youth alcohol example.

Its the economy stupid. Voters want the best economic outcome, but by measuring the economy using 'Economic Activity', governments can effectively cheat the public. In many western societies, instead of maximum prosperity, governments often pursue maximum economic activity, which benefits big business and governments, but can result in an economy which in theory is going well, while at the same time individuals so no benefits. This is the kind of economic policy makes frustrated voters turn to Trump and Brexit.

Surprise, Shortest day ever recorded: Not just the solstice, but climate change?

Commenced: August 12, 2022 Updated: August 12th, 2022

2022 August 12: Just typo fixes.

This page is more under the heading of 'fun facts'. The first 'fun fact' is that while everyone knows how the length of daytime and nigh time vary throughout the year, it may come as a surprise to realise the length of the entire day, also varies. Partly because, second fun fact, the a day is a longer than one rotation of the Earth, which lead to the third fun fact: we just had the shortest total day ever recorded.

Next steps for mankind don’t include the Sci-Fi dream of a new home planet.

Commenced: May 31, 2016 Updated: July 26th, 2022

2022 July 26: Rewrite to update on progress of colonising the solar system.

There is a dream, often explored in science fiction, where humanity inhabits not just one planet, but many. While the dream is still centuries away, as is 'Earth 2.0', the reality, working towards small outposts on Mars or the Moon or even beyond is overwhelming compelling and can provide many rewards. Humanity may get back up outposts, but for centuries, will have no real second home, and over 99% of us will still need to live on our one finite planet.

The Challenges of Earth 2.0. (Kepler 452b?)

Commenced: July 26, 2015 Updated: July 24th, 2022

2022 July 24: Rewrite, updated to fully clarify why 'no alternate home'. I learnt a lot in 7 years.

Sadly, no, the existence of many "Earth 2.0" planets does not mean there are planets out there we could colonize. From the obvious to the surprising, reasons include: It would take 10,000 years for us to send even 10 people to a planet of another star.It took plants billions of years to build this O2 atmosphere.Even on a planet identical to Earth, odds are we still can't survive there!

Hydrogen Future: Often Scams, Even If Not Intended, So Always Ask “Where does the hydrogen come from?”

Commenced: October 24, 2021

In the race to stop CO2, there are many scams involving hydrogen, but are the public or the backers being scammed? There are many myths, and in the end, Hydrogen is a light, but inefficient battery solution. This is an exploration of where Hydrogen may be a solution, and where it just does not add up.

A Timeline of Our Solar System.

Commenced: May 11, 2021

I feel this a useful reference. It is just collation of data from a variety of resources, as in the table below, and then mapped onto one year, to give perspective of ‘how long through the year’ various events are. The timeline is based on the life of the Sun from formation through the inevitable […]

EV Range & Economy: Decoding the Numbers.

Commenced: May 1, 2021 Updated: May 24th, 2022

2022 May 24: added link to article on WLTP range is really calculated.

The key specification for EVs so far has been 'range'. But how are the numbers measured, will range specific match reality, and can the number even be compared? It turns out there are even 3 different standards for measuring range, and they give very different answers! Further, why have we moved from 'economy' to 'range'? Is there still even economy with EVs?

Mobile Phones – Fold 3 vs Note, Fold S-Pen Fail?, Watch and History.

Commenced: August 15, 2021

This page focuses on a topical question, can the Samsung Z Fold 3 be a viable option for someone who has previously owner Samsung Note phones? Having owned 4 notes dating back to the original, I add my review, and links and selected quotes of other opinions. The page includes my review from the perspective […]

WordPress.com to the Next Level: Plugins, Elementor, CoBlocks?

Commenced: January 8, 2022 Updated: April 2nd, 2022

2022 April 2 and then July 31:no date to be seen here help on tablepress and table-chart.

Something completely different. A discussion on how this site is hosted: on wordpress.com. Anyone who has started a "blog" or other site on wordpress.com, may get to wonder, what are the options for upgrading the website? What is the value of the free, personal or premium plans and beyond? What real world benefits are there, and, alternatively, what would you lose and/or gain from moving away from wordpress.com. This is a page discussing being in that situation. If you are not considering having a website, it may be of little interest.

Covid-19 Immunity: Layers, immunity from vaccination vs infection, and the good news.

Commenced: December 5, 2021

Shrek: No. Layers. Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. Onions have layers. You get it? We both have layers.Shrek Instead of a single immune response, the human immune system can be though of as having several layers of immune response, that all fade at different rates. Immunity is a complex set of different layers all subject to change over time at varying rates, making comparison between immunity following vaccination or infection highly time dependant.

Headphones, Earphones Revolution, plus B&O Beoplay H95, H9i, H9, Apple AirPods Max ETC.

Commenced: March 6, 2021

Augmented reality was seen as potentially the way of the future when introduced in 2013. So far, augmented reality through sight has never delivered and people wearing augmented reality glasses are not a common sight. In contrast, people wearing headphones and earphones are everywhere. Augmented sound reality is here (or hear?) and if anything, is growing in significance. This page looks at the topic overall but also includes some specific reviews.

Vaccines are an Experiment: With People As Guinea Pigs?

Commenced: October 10, 2021

Someone recently suggested to me that vaccines represent an experiment, and people are the guinea pigs. It is a very valid point that vaccinating an entire population is an experiment, and there are risks. The real questions becomes, what are those risks, does the “payback” justify the risks, and are steps to minimise risks adequate. […]

Carbon Capture and Storage: When it works, and why it doesn’t for work ‘blue hydrogen’.

Commenced: February 20, 2022

There are both vocal supporters and vocal opponents of carbon capture and storage, and there are arguments for both sides. This page goes beyond reporting on how carbon capture and storage fails to make current 'blue hydrogen' projects sustainable, and looks at the underlying principle that dictates why carbon capture and storage, despite having genuine valuable applications, can never enable 'blue hydrogen' to be environmentally sustainable, but is so popular politically.

Hydrogen: Facts vs Myths, blue vs green.

Commenced: April 13, 2021

There is much talk of a 'hydrogen economy', but what is the substance behind it all? There are many myths but hydrogen can be : 'green' hydrogen, not a source of energy, but a less efficient storage stepping stone on the path to battery power.or blue/grey hydrogen, the fossil fuel industries' hope for greenwashing emissions. This exploration provides looks at the reality, and the myths about hydrogen, and provides background for other pages such as: Electric or Hydrogen Cars and Hydrogen Scams.

My Body My Choice: Polarization and Outrage, But Who Is Pulling The Strings?

Commenced: November 29, 2021

The whole “my body my choice” is perfect for polarisation, as you can be outraged because: People are being forced into medical choices for their own bodies. or People are making selfish choices that can cause harm to can harm others. Whatever you believe, “my body my choice” drives polarisation. I will look into each […]

Omicron Variant: For Better or For Worse?

Commenced: November 29, 2021

You would think a new variant of concern could not be a good thing, but it fact it is possible. The update (Dec 5th) is that while is is clear a variant could help, that variant may not be Omicron. Although this page will record data on omicron over time, given how long the virus […]

Covid-19 & Vaccination Deaths: Statistically, Coincidences will distort reported deaths.

Commenced: January 23, 2022

I read recently about reasonable people protesting over post vaccination deaths in South Korea, echoing stories from around the globe about the underreporting of deaths following vaccination. Can most of these deaths be just coincidences? This question has me seeking the real story on what is happening, not just with deaths following vaccination, but also with deaths from the virus. Almost one year after my initial exploration of vaccine efficacy and safety, now there is data, not just projections, so it is time for a review, and this question needs answering for any such a review.

Vaccine Safety & Efficacy: As claimed?

Commenced: February 14, 2021

Are Covid-19 vaccines safe, or is there a risk of long-term side effects, or even changes to our DNA? Which vaccine is the most effective, and are the statistics from trials real? Someone asked me if am I worried about long term side effects from vaccines, prompting me explore what I could discover.

Covid-19 Aug 2021: Almost over, or still a serious threat?

Commenced: August 17, 2021

This is a follow up to “mid 2021, can we live with Covid-19”, as significant further information has become available. Currently updated as at August 22nd. Will Vaccines end the Covid-19 problem, or is it an ongoing threat? Risks vs Optimism: A range of futures is possible. Looking on the bright side. The Worst That […]

Coronavirus: Facts, Myths and Surprises (March 20th 2020)

Commenced: March 20, 2020

(go here for link to latest update) This is a collection of facts on the ‘novel’ coronavirus, together with some discussion on myths and surprises such as: how quickly it could all end we do not know the mortality rate how the world will probably forever changed the debunking and fact exploring on topic of […]

Covid-19 Cases Numbers: Not what we are told

Commenced: March 28, 2020

Media reports, and government data, repeatedly presents ‘numbers of Covid-19 cases‘. However, the data presented is not the number true count of all cases numbers, but some fraction of cases that have been confirmed by testing. It is typically not even governments best guess of case numbers – it is the smaller number: ‘confirmed cases‘. […]

Ignore Covid-19 Fake News: Conscience Is The Main Reason To Avoid Infection.

Commenced: August 13, 2020

The media paints a very misleading picture as to the main threat presented by Covid-19. The risk for society overall that forces governments to adopt lockdowns is the risk of overloading hospitals. For most individuals, the greatest threat is not to their own health, but the fear that they getting infected, it could trigger a chain of infections and if a parent or grandparent of a friend dies in the outbreak, then that could have resulted from their infection.

Djokovic: Rescued from PR Disaster By Australian Leader “Scotty from Marketing” Morrison!

Commenced: January 10, 2022

Overview. There are No Heroes: Morrison – Djokovic. The Timeline. Overview. Novak Djokovic had committed a nightmare public relations mistake, appearing to gloat at having managed an exemption from the vaccination requirements for the Australian Open tennis tournament. Not necessarily a crowd favourite to begin with, Djokovic’s public announcement of the exemption that he had […]

Covid-19 is NOT ‘binary’: Severity is as Variable as with a Car Crash.

Commenced: August 7, 2020

The severity of Covid-19, is as variable as the severity of a car crash, because just as with car crashes, infections range from so mild they are inconsequential, to severe.

Revolution?: HDMI ARC, eARC and S/PDIF

Commenced: March 21, 2019

The move from S/PDIF to HDMI ARC failed in bringing even a small revolution, but the introduction of eARC in HDMI 2.1 may now actually allow a major revolution. Contents: S/PDIF: History Audio Return and Directional Audio/Video Cables Pre ARC (before HDMI 1.4, 2009 ) HDMI 1.4 with ARC (Audio Return Channel) Sonos Beam – […]

Digital Cameras: Crop vs ‘Full Frame’

Commenced: December 27, 2017

There are cases where the rapid evolution of technology means that terms can lose connection with their original meaning. ‘Crop’ and full frame are clear examples. Should we go back to the original meaning, or embrace using the original term in ways that evolve further and further from that original meaning? History/Background Film Cameras Pre […]

Apple Evolution: Which premium market next?

Commenced: December 15, 2017

This is the excerpt for your very first post.

Will Apple One Day Ditch the Mac/MacBook?

Commenced: December 10, 2017

John C Dvorak of suggests in this article that Apple is ready to ditch the Mac. Is this realistic? The idea that the Mac is a problem for Apple is something I have suggested in conversation on several occasions, so there are a least two observers, and from different perspectives, seeing that Mac products no […]

Australia in the Pandemic: Eye of the storm?

Commenced: March 24, 2021

This is a snapshot of the pandemic as of March 2021, looking at what life is like in Sydney Australia, and looking out at the world. The most recent case of a person infected in NSW , the state with Sydney as its capital, outside of quarantine was on March 17th and was a person […]

ARMs Race Risc: Episode 1, Apple and Microsoft

Commenced: March 15, 2021

Right now could be a bad time to invest in technology and buy a new computer. I suggest that, right now, all Apple laptops are in a state of flux, and no Microsoft Surface tablets or laptops make sense. This is all due to the ‘ARMs race to new computer architecture, as an upheaval in […]

ARMs Race Risc: Episode 2, Why Microsoft needs RISC!

Commenced: March 16, 2021

Episode 1 stated now could be a bad time to invest in technology and buy a new computer. Apple has announced they are moving to ARM CPUS, which will mean replacing their products, and this episode explores why it is so critical to Microsoft that they also move to ARM, and what the multiple technology […]

All Free? The Tech Industry is so dumb!

Commenced: March 4, 2021

Initially, it seems the tech industry is just dumb. You could think: “So they get me to watch adds, and they collect my data. It is not like letting them collect my data is going to cost me anything! It is not like Facebook, Google, Instagram, WhatsApp etc have some way of getting their hands […]

Relativity Simple: Understanding Einstein’s Theory.

Commenced: June 13, 2021

Understanding relativity provides a completely different perspective in looking at everything in the world around us. Although, some the maths and other details are complex, those maths and details are not required to grasp fundamental concepts, that change the view of the world around us forever. The biggest challenge is that if you have thought […]

Will An Actual Vaccination Conspiracy In Australia Backfire Internationally?

Commenced: September 27, 2021

Secret Covid-19 Future: The Truth From a politician? It seems in Australia we have a genuine conspiracy to deceive the public. This is a conspiracy in two steps, with many conspirators only committed to the more benign step one, but likely being drawn into the more worrying step2. The Two Step Conspiracy: The People Don’t […]

Images, Making Animated GIFs & Solving colour problems.

Commenced: January 1, 2022 Updated: January 1st, 2022

2022 Jan 1st: Initial version.

This is part of series of pages I will be adding on things I have learnt as part of building this website, and I will soon try and enable following by topic (when I get this page working), so people can separately select notification on building websites and/or population or other issues, without being notified of things outside their interest. Standby for that update. Meanwhile this page provides general help on making an animated GIF for a series of images, specific help on a challenge with animated GIFs, and a list of sites with free images as a resource for those building images.

Vaccines: yes, some stories are too good to be true.

Commenced: March 17, 2021

I have been following Covid-19 since January 2020 I felt the world too complacent, through to today March 17 2021, when I now fear there may be too much faith in vaccines. Israel has been at the forefront of vaccination, and should provide an early indicator of what to expect. So today I thought I […]

Mid 2021: Eliminate it? Or ‘Live With’ Covid-19 and what follows?

Commenced: July 16, 2021

So far around 75% of countries who have lived with Covid19, most often not by choice, and around 25% of countries have lived in the shadow of Covid-19, but through elimination, mostly without Covid-19. Vaccinations may allow living with Covid-19 to be more palatable, but they also provide an opportunity for more countries to eliminate […]

Why Car Makers are Lying about the storm.

Commenced: September 10, 2021

If you follow car industry publications, there both facts and well recognised predictions that combined, signal a storm for the car industry. Reality: Why Makers Are Lying. The Lies and The Sad Truth: Industry Combined Revenues Will Plummet. The Predictions of Doom: Both Right and Wrong. Bankruptcy, Pivot, Or Downsize. The Industry Future: Robotics? Reality: […]

The Curve: The basics of a Pandemic

Commenced: March 29, 2020

Covid-19 has made many phrases like ‘flattening the curve’ become part of News broadcasts, political announcements, and even everyday conversations. But, what is the curve? Why is there a curve to flatten? This post explores, the ‘curve’ and finds how herd immunity is the sole factor that produces the ‘bell curve’ resembling shape. Creating Your […]

Vaccinations and Spread: The Dangerous Myth That Vaccinated People Don’t Spread Covid-19

Commenced: July 30, 2021

October 2021 Update: Provax vs antivax. The Real Impact of Vaccines is a score, not binary. Spread With Delta Variant (6.5). The score on spread reduction: 2x? 3x? The score on death prevention: 10x reduction? Vaccine passports: Good and Bad! Original Content: July 2021 Confirmation of reality: Extensive spread even when vaccinated. We Know Elimination […]

The Electric Vehicle Road Trip Problem.

Commenced: September 14, 2021

The Problem: Road Trip ‘Fast’ Recharge Sucks. The Counter Point: Local Trip ‘Sleep’ recharge doesn’t. In fact it is an improvement Solutions For Road Trips. Conclusion and Where Next.

What the F is 5G? What is new, and what are the risks?

Commenced: September 2, 2020

Now for something not Covid-19, which is a rarity lately! A different topic for this blog, but 5G came up in a recent conversation, and what I thought I ‘knew’ about 5G was: significantly higher mobile data rates were possible (true) 5G is based on higher frequency radio than 4G etc (false) 5G works for […]

Our Home Robot Future and the Deebot T9+: Toys or Valuable Tools?

Commenced: August 8, 2021

The Robot Revolution. Early Steps. Coming Soon: Flexible Home Robots. Robot Vacuums: Useful Yet? How useful is any robot vacuum? Tests: Determining Usefulness. Spills and Spot cleaning, Steps, Stairs and Multi-Level Homes Progress: From Trilobite (1996), Samsung 9350 to T9+ Electrolux Trilobite (1996). Samsung 9350 (2016) Ecovacs Deebot T9+ Review Of the Ecovacs Deebot T9+ […]

July 2021: Vaccines or Not, Its Not Over Yet.

Commenced: July 8, 2021

June/July 2021: Covid-19 may seem to be under control- but we are not there yet. The World Picture: Snapshots Of Instability. Australia: The Great Delta Experiment. Vaccination Chaos, Politics. India: First Impact Site of Delta, and a dramatic recovery? UK: Reopening, seriously? US: A mystery to the decline in cases? Israel: 80% immunity and still […]

The Limitations of Perception

Commenced: December 15, 2020

What humans can perceive is not reality in full, but our own picture of reality, constructed by our brains from clues to reality collected by our senses. Science allows us to understand far more, and provides instruments to extend our perception, allowing continual improvement of our picture of reality, but know we do not yet […]

Covid-19 Endgames & Exiting Lockdowns

Commenced: April 7, 2020

At this time (7th April), there is much talk of ‘peaks’ and ‘flattened curves’. There are suggestions that ‘the worst may be over’. Talk about lockdowns being relaxed or even removed. An outbreak running from start to end is a journey. With Coivd-19 that journey may include trials worthy of a journey in a Lord […]

China Virus, or USA Virus?

Commenced: September 3, 2020

No, I am not saying we anyone should be calling Sars-Cov2 the US virus. What I am saying, is that there is a real risk unless there is some caution, some people could start pointing the finger at the US, for new outbreaks of Covid-19 as time progresses. Consider, the US is currently the largest […]

Wet Market? Weapon? Laboratory? Where and When DID Covid-19 start?

Commenced: June 2, 2020

The question of how the outbreak of Covid-19 started could end up changing the balance of world politics. It is that big. This page reviews the various origin stories, and I will update this page if more comes to light. No, it did not start in a wet market in December. When were the Earliest […]

WTF? UFOs are Real? (OK, UAPs or Unidentified Aerial Phenomena)

Commenced: June 1, 2021

The US military is, for the first time, sharing that they really do have UFO/UAP sightings that they cannot explain. It is easy to underestimate the significance of this revelation. There is even at least the appearance of deliberate efforts to downplay the significance. But this revelation, at some level changes our understanding of the […]

Dark Stuff: Dark Matter, Dark Energy and Antigravity.

Commenced: May 16, 2021

This is an overview of ‘dark matter’ and ‘dark energy’, that was started back in 2016 but published until I was recently asked again. The TLDR; is that no-one knows what dark matter or dark energy are, and it is not even absolutely certain that either exists. In fact, my addition to the official version, […]

Babel: Electricity, Measurement, Video and Phones around the world.

Commenced: March 2, 2021 Updated: May 20th, 2021

2021 May 20: Moved EV charging to a dedicated page.

A page on different standards in use around the world, including measurement, electrical, and others.

Relativity for dummies. Part 1 – How fast can you travel?

Commenced: May 4, 2015

How fast? How long does it take the light to get from the Sun to the Earth? A: No time all. You will hear the answer ‘8 and a half minutes’ but that is from our perspective on Earth. From the perspective of the light, it takes no time at all! So it takes the […]

EV Charging Systems: Reference

Commenced: May 20, 2021 Updated: May 10th, 2021

*2022 September 7: Added Ac charging current control for CCS

I have been exploring electric vehicles. What is needed to make them affordable, and what it is like to live with them. When exploring charging, the charging systems became so complex that I have extracted what I found as its own exploration, which I plan to keep updated as a reference. It currently does need an update for wireless charging, but some information can be found on my exploration of the logistics of charging.

Our Sun: Big, White and a Yellow Dwarf?

Commenced: April 4, 2021 Updated: April 1st, 2021

2021 April 6: Reformat

Our Sun is our very definition of white in colour, as can be seen in photos from space, and larger than most stars. Despite this, our Sun is a yellow dwarf! The page explores a few facts and myths about our star, the Sun.

Covid-19 in 2021: Threat of Dangerous Assumptions.

Commenced: January 2, 2021

2020 is regarded by many as ‘anus horribilis’. Enter 2021 and the hope for better, however dangerous assumptions, including that with a vaccines and a new year all will be fine, create a very real threat that 2021 may be no better than 2020. We come into 2021 armed with vaccines, but with Covid-19 case […]

Covid-19 Vaccine Myths

Commenced: December 6, 2020

There are many many myths about vaccines. Ranging from they are all part of some conspiracy, through to they are a miracle solution to Covid-19. Myths that place too much faith in vaccines can cause ‘Covid-19 complacency’, which could make things even worse in 2021 than even 2020. This post focuses on myths that place […]

Camera System Sizes: Phones vs Nikon 1 vs 4/3 vs APSc vs 35mm vs Medium

Commenced: April 3, 2018

Introduction History The system sizes- who and what size camera phones Nikon M1 Micro 4/3 APS-C Canon EF-S – EF-M Fuji X, Nikon, Pentax,Sony 35mm Medium Format X1D H1D 645 Large Format Conclusions No system size is inherently ‘best’ No One system is likely to ‘rule them all‘ any time soon Introduction Different cameras all […]

5G, Wi-Fi (WiFi), Bluetooth & UWB: Why do we need them, and how do they all fit?

Commenced: January 5, 2021

I recently researched 5G, in order to understand what it was all about, and the reality of any possible new health risks. I came to the conclusions that 1) health risk claims are groundless, and 2) there is no logical reason to upgrade devices at this time to get 5G. But that research led to […]

Vaccines: Another Covid-19 Mistake, plus > 5,000 deaths

Commenced: January 20, 2021

It is already January 20 here, but in the US, it is still very early in the morning, and the inauguration of President Biden awaits. So does the release of Covid-19 statistics for the day, and although numbers may be delayed until tomorrow, the US will likely record a tragic daily record of over 5,000 […]

Sport and the Precarious Australian Open

Commenced: December 20, 2020

Current Australia is one of places in the world where you are least likely to become infected with Covid-19. Keeping it that way, is extremely difficult when a significant percentage of international arrivals can bring the virus into a country only enduring cursory changes to lifestyle in the face of the pandemic. The fragile freedom […]

‘99 Percent’ of Virus Cases Are ‘Totally Harmless’?

Commenced: July 7, 2020

Aside from the fact that society does not normally accept harming 1% of the population as an ‘acceptable risk’ (e.g. we ban toys that present a choking hazard even though 99% of children would not choke on them), which is the main reason people object to the statement, what is the actual basis for the […]

Covid-19 has a unique ability to bypass Vaccines?

Commenced: August 10, 2020

This post started out examining the research suggesting approximately 50% of the population were already naturally immune to Covid-19 from the outset. I review this research in this post, as well as what I think is the even more significant question: how could Covid-19 spread as it has, if 50% of people were already immune? […]

Coivd-19 Lessons from New Zealand

Commenced: August 18, 2020

“The places they were using to hold up, they are having a big surge. I don’t want that. I don’t want that. They were holding up names of countries, and now they are saying ‘whoops’,” Trump said. “Even New Zealand, you see what is going on in New Zealand. They beat it, they beat it. […]

From Masks, Parties and Isolation to Vaccines: Compliance, Coercion, Enforcement, Screw Ups + Sabotage

Commenced: August 26, 2020

In a world of conspiracy theories, complacency and ‘Coronavirus fatigue’, will people simply follow guidelines because you ask them, or do you need to coerce or even enforce compliance? Various authorities have also been sending signals, or even creating rules, that discourage compliance. Sometimes this is deliberate sabotage from outside, but more often the sabotage […]

Vaccines, Reality, and Russia

Commenced: August 18, 2020

Russia has announced it now leads the world by being first with a tested, safe and effective vaccine against Covid-19. Jokes (and there have been a few) aside, how real is this? Could this vaccine, or any other, be ready, tested, safe and effective anytime soon. Russia, The Jokes, The Reality Is a phase 3 […]

Covid-19 Complacency: Why?

Commenced: August 16, 2020

This post is on ‘the reasons for complacency’, I will cover the impact of complacency in another post. Despite governments either advising, or even requiring, adherence to a set of guidelines, people do not always comply. In the end non-compliance stems from a personal judgement that any negative outcomes from non-compliance are either overstated, or […]

Track & Trace App: Government Folly?

Commenced: May 17, 2020

In 2020, it should be possible to use technology to significantly aid with track and trace capability. However, it seems government attempts to apply technology all too often become entangled in a power struggle that results in design compromises and ultimately an inferior solution. Does government have to be this compromised? The Power Struggle: Big […]

Herd Immunity vs Eradication Vs Containment Vs Suppression

Commenced: July 7, 2020

I have previously posted how every version strategy for dealing with Covid-19 can be considered a form containment strategy. The only variation between strategies is the boundaries of containment. The following rules apply for all strategies: too many cases: increase restrictions few enough cases: reduce distancing restrictions What changes with strategy is what is considered […]

Covid-19 & Australia: Lucky Country?

Commenced: June 30, 2020

Currently (at time of writing) in Australia, life is relatively ‘covid free’. Restaurants and shops are open, sports are being played, and even without limits on crowd numbers in some states. Yes, just over 100 people have died, but the last death now seems a long time ago. Not quite the success of a star […]

Covid Australia II: Luck Running out ?

Commenced: July 25, 2020

The Virus Strikes Back. Around 4 weeks ago Australia ‘the lucky ‘country’ had almost stumbled to eradication of Covid-19, but and I had the feeling that the luck was in danger or running out. Now, 4 weeks later, the situation has deteriorated. That deterioration calls into question the the official ‘suppression not eradication’ strategy. This […]

Covid-19 Goals: What level of Containment?

Commenced: May 12, 2020

The response of every state or country to to Covid-19 amounts to containment governed by: A ‘too high‘ level when cases are too high, triggering increased lockdown measures and social distancing restrictions A ‘low enough‘ level where it is considered safe to then relax lockdowns and/or social distancing restrictions What obscures that fact that all […]

Curve Confusion: 1918 ‘flu’ to cause deaths in 2020?

Commenced: May 13, 2020

The most popular phrase in addressing Covid-19 quickly became ‘flattening the curve’. I suggest the unintended consequence of this phrase has been a dangerous misunderstanding of the nature the pandemic. With containment measures often dictated by politics, this misunderstanding may lead to a huge number of unnecessary deaths. In the US, this confusion is already […]

Remdesivir: how does it change things?

Commenced: May 1, 2020

“The data shows that remdesivir has a clear-cut, significant, positive effect in diminishing the time to recovery,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said at the White House during a meeting with President Donald Trump. CNN: April 29th It this time remdesivir is not yet FDA approved, but it will be ‘fast-tracked’. The announcement came in a letter […]

the mobile pressure is on apple and samsung, and the importance of Tizen

Commenced: November 18, 2014

The mobile space is dominated by two brands: Apple and Samsung. Each has reached such a large market that continuing to increase market share basically requires the other company to falter. Both have ‘hit the wall’ in terms of market share in the mobile space, with further grown thin market share a real challenge. For […]

Opinion and Review: The Samsung Note Edge.

Commenced: March 30, 2015

I moved from a Samsung Note 3, to a Samsung Note Edge (note 4 variant). The move was not because I chose to make the move, but because I received the note edge as a gift. A key advocate of my receiving the note edge as a gift was set to inherit the Note 3 […]

Broken: Educating Girls in Technology

Commenced: June 15, 2016

Statistics show secondary schools in developed countries are failing to interest girls in technology. I recently attended a forum on this topic and I was able to hear from those making breakthroughs towards fixing the problem. The reality is secondary schools are having difficulties teaching technology in general, and even include woodwork, metalwork, fabrics, sewing […]

Microsoft Phones: Dead, or a real opportunity?

Commenced: June 19, 2016

There are rumours that Microsoft will introduce a Surface Phone. There are other rumours that Microsoft will exit the phone software platform business completely and admit defeat. Now consider, what if Windows could run any Android applications along side current Windows and in addition to Windows programs, would you then consider a Surface Phone? This […]

iPhone 7: misguided headphone fuss

Commenced: September 14, 2016

I suggested the fuss about the headphone jack on the iPhone 7 is misguided. Misguided because the fuss is focused on resisting change, not focused on ensuring the right change. Wireless only limits quality, is not always convenient for charging which means a cable system is still required. Changing from 3.5mm audio to a digital […]

Surface Pro update: Canary for the problems in journalism?

Commenced: October 9, 2016

Ok, so this post is about what is happening with updates for the Surface Pro and the Surface Book, but is also about the problems in technology reporting, which themselves are symptoms of a wider problem. Firstly, to the Surface Pro/Book. There are lots of rumours of an update, and rumours there being rumours is […]

The Canary: part II

Commenced: October 18, 2016

My previous post was a diversion for the usual, and this post is a continuation of the diversion, but normal topics are set to return! For now, a little more the episode of the early warning of failing journalism. In the previous ‘canary post’ I outlined reasons why the almost universally reported ‘Microsoft will not […]

No new Surface ‘Pro 5’ after all?

Commenced: February 11, 2017

Lots of others ‘crystal ball gaze’ into the future of Microsoft’s ‘Surface’ products. Here is another perspective. A lighter tone than the usual post, here is a look at both what Microsoft are likely to do, and what they should do. 🙂 Ok, it is largely crystal ball gazing, but so it seems is every other […]

New York, Sweden and the case for herd immunity.

Date: April 28, 2020

This post examines the idea that achieving herd immunity from an outbreak of Coiv-19 just might be a solid strategy. Not ‘let it rip’ herd immunity, which I will also review, but managed and optimised herd immunity where death and serious illness is kept to the lowest level possible. Two locations with that may have […]

Electric Cars 2025: ‘adding up’ will create a revolution. Who wins, who loses? China? Japan?

Date: May 4, 2021

I recently explored how in 2021, the numbers for EVs don’t really add up yet. One of the key discoveries, was that many sensible people are projecting EVs will reach ‘price parity’ by 2024-5. If this happens consider the trend: 2021: Numbers don’t add up 2024-5: Price parity 2026 & beyond: Price Leadership Looking deeper, […]

Electric Cars: 2021, It Just Doesn’t add up (yet).

Date: April 19, 2021

Right now, without subsidies, buying an electric car does not add up. Currently there is a price premium, and as a result the cars only appeal to those happy to pay a premium to indulge a passion. Buyers are prepared to pay a premium for the environment or the acceleration, but right now, buying is […]

Omicron Alert, Or Already Time For Alarm?

Date: December 6, 2021

I first looked at Omicron just under one week ago. The data since that time has already been sufficient to rethink my origin viewpoint. Recap: Previously. What Has Changed? S. Africa Cases! The Norway Party. The Big Hope: Less Dangerous Than Delta? Revised Summary. Conclusions(2 weeks later): Scary, But Not Earth Shattering.

Omicron Doom, But Australia Parties & Experiments: December 2021 snapshot.

Date: December 16, 2021

It is mid December 2021. The Covid-19 responses are as divided as ever, but in new ways: In Australia, almost all remaining Covid-19 restrictions are being removed on the same day as record case numbers. In Europe, UK and many other locations, restrictions are increasing. Who has it wrong, and why do I have this […]

From Covid-Zero to Worlds Worst Outbreak? Tracking Omicron, and The Australian ‘Pandemic-Over’ Experiment.

Date: January 4, 2022

On December 16th, I wrote on how, despite the world facing a looming Omicron surge, Australia and one state in particular in Australia (NSW), opened up as others introduced restrictions. The result is case numbers effectively an experiment, moving to “The Pandemic Is Over” and we can “live with the virus” position, and no longer […]

Topics and Subtopics.

Photons: What is electromagnetic radiation?

September 1, 2020 January 3, 2021

Radio waves, microwaves, millimetre waves, infra-red, visible light, ultra violet, x-rays, gamma rays… …… can seem so different, yet they are all electromagnetic radiation. All