One of my enduring regrets, thanks to the Cold War and neoliberalism, is that we gave up on space exploration to an extent, and are now at the whim of sociopathic billionaires. We could have landed on Mars already…

Merry Xmas folks

Every now and again it becomes clear that I've been added to a block list here that's astroturfing with the intent of getting progressive accounts blocked. It feels a little weird and sad.

Delighted to hear that The Invisible Doctrine, the film by @peterhutchison.bsky.social and @lucas-sabean.bsky.social, is being offered free to view on YouTube for the holiday season. It's all yours! youtu.be/gR4eSEetKP0

Just finished watching @georgemonbiot.bsky.social documentary The Invisible Doctrine: The secret history of Neoliberalism (www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR4e...) It makes for compelling viewing, and you might find it both frustrating, infuriating, and optimistic in turn. I highly recommend watching.

I see we've reached the stage of gun reform where we conflate the needs of farmers to eradicate feral and pest animals with recreational hunters, and fail to deal with the 'enthusiast' who owns hundreds of guns to no end other than fetishisation.

Adjusting my attendance plans for the Sydney Ashes Test at the SCG. Get in early, I think.

If higher operating costs are eating into your margins, raise your prices. Don't pretend customers are tipping your staff. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

"The news" is mostly made up of stories that neither impact you directly; over which you can exert no control; nor respond to in a meaningful way.

Have they started selling hot cross buns yet?

What is the global ocean overturning circulation, and why does it matter for you? Here’s a great short explainer by the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science. Did you know a slowing ocean overturning circulation could also affect your life? antarctic.org.au/new-aceas-ex...

I went for a 56km bike ride this morning in 30C heat. I reckon I’m sweating more now just sitting outside listening to the rain.

US will send missiles into Venezuela tonight to take attention away from a pedophile President. Or they’ll just defy Congress and not release the files.

Every new piece of public infrastructure should be designed to act as a shelter during severe heat and storms. Not just to survive them, but provide shelter to the general public.

Epstein files need to be released tomorrow (Friday, US time)

Outside now with fat drops of rain hitting the patio roof. It’s cooler, but not cool - still around 30C.

It was a little hot in the car today

We’re very close to Trump building a colosseum and pitting asylum seekers against exotic animals for a chance at citizenship edition.cnn.com/2025/12/18/p...

Conservative political parties around the world have shown the danger of a political class that is good at getting elected, but disinterested in governing. It's power for its own sake. The Coalition in Australia is absolutely guilty of this. US Republicans, too.

Trump’s behaviour would be considered an embarrassment in North Korea

As 2025 winds down, 2026 already includes writing a new book, some interesting project work, and a new tattoo for my next birthday!

A minute’s silence ahead of the BBL cricket in Melbourne (for the victims in Bondi) and some fuckwit played drums through the whole thing.

I remember a time when I could watch or listen to a sports broadcast and everything wasn’t brought to me by a sponsor.

I say this with feeling: fuck right off, Josh.

It’s not that Venezuela produces drugs; it’s that they compete with Honduras

Trump has 11 US warships in the Caribbean and is calling it the "largest armada ever assembled in the history of South America". The Spanish typically operated dozens of warships in the area, protecting its 'treasure fleets'. But then Trump doesn't care about reality or history.

And this is why we need to push ahead with the rollout www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

It is entirely likely that wood is more rare and precious in the universe than gold or diamonds

I saw a design for an airport earlier that's full of green spaces and trees. It looks amazing, but it feels like a recipe for bird strike disaster.

The deadline for releasing the Epstein files is this Saturday (Sunday here in Australia). Expect the US to attack Venezuela on Friday or for the DOJ to open a bunch of investigations so it can claim the files need to be protected. Coin toss as to which direction they go.

24 hours; zero 'thoughts & prayers'. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

I love that we keep learning new and interesting things about our history. Especially at a time when our present is such a fucking mess. www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

Not good www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

The thing to understand about supermarkets is that they're generally not a great way to meet our food needs. Once you factor in huge parking lots, the variety available from small retailers, and the local benefits to store owners, supermarkets are a poor option. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12... When I say “The ALP has disappointed on climate change”, this is the kind of thing I mean.

The way things are going for the Liberal party, the Coalition may end up as a three-way tug-of-war involving the Libs, Nats and PHON. And still not hold enough seats for government

If we keep fighting over and burning fossil fuels we’ll be able to segue straight into fighting over water and food.

Good job, Indiana.

If the Republicans are basing their gerrymandering efforts on the voting patterns for Trump in 2024, they’re in for a real shock.

A reminder that Tuesday the RBA held rates steady and started talking about raising them due to heat in the economy www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

I wish we had a Draft, but for graduating PhDs, with research institutes, government departments and private corporations vying for the best talent; and a trading window to go with it. Like the NFL draft, but for something that matters.

As a sign of its continued commitment to shared values with the USA, Australian naval vessels and border patrol carried out the boarding of a NZ fishing vessel in the Tasman Sea earlier this morning. Several tonnes of fish were seized; the crew are being held and questioned.

Who could have predicted any of this? Oh that’s right - anyone paying attention www.thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2025...

I think this is only my second formal 'academic' publication (books don't count); the other was in 2010. However, our paper in the proceedings of the 2025 World Design Congress has been published! (pg 146) wdo.org/wp-content/u...

It's wild that McKenzie chose these specific values to call out when that would exclude a good chunk of conservative voters... (read down) www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

I want you to imagine for a moment what would happen to you or I if we stole, say, $300,000 from an armoured car... Imagine if instead it was an indigenous youth in rural NT... And then there's this: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

I would have forgotten Reynolds already if she’d just stop suing people

Once again regretting not explicitly noting my use of sarcasm.

Federal Communications minister Anika Wells and Vic Premier Jacinta Allan have today announced an exemption for the new social media ban for kids serving adult time in prison. The leaders described the exemption as a ‘common sense’ compromise after the apparent contradiction was raised.

We should do religion next