Jerry_Atrick

Reminds me of some really great times I had at Bismarck, North Dakota.

If you plan it well enough, you will probablky get your electricity charge free. NRMA I think do free ones. https://electricvehiclehub.com.au/information-centre/who-pays-for-public-electric-vehicle-charging-stations/ (of course, if they are in expensive paid for parking, they gets their money.. )

Still going, and is the most boring thing to listen to on earth (IMHO). If you want, I am sure you can get it on a streaming service.

I meant mor about the integrity of it rather than the book itself.

Was in London when this came in.. Firstly, an agrarian society does not necessarily require cultivation in the sense of ploughing the land and plating seeds, for example. Even the word culltivation mean only really means preparing the land and not all forms of cultuvation mean digging. Permaculture, for example, is using natural habitats and the natural protections to provided by them, without ploughing (although planting of some seeds is required; others that germinate through scattering are scattereed). Secondly, regardless how "crude" efforts or techniques are, if they are harvesting and replenishing, they are engaged in some form of agriculture. By the way, I wasn't suggesting that Aboriginals were solely or pedominantly sustained through agriculture, but that not knowing it or using it was a myth. The adoption of different food production techniques based on the location of the mob/clan has been already discussed. So, I don't need to go there. The reality is Aboriginals were more hybrid than Europeans, although even in those days Europeans would have been hybrid as well. Fishing,hunting deer, wild berry, mushrooming, wild herbs, grains, etc, were all quite prevalent in those times in Europe and there is still a strong, albeit cult rather than mass movement still doing it today. I won't argue the validity of Bruce Pascoe's work, because I don't know it other than the Ted Talk and what is suggested here: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jul/18/dark-emu-story-bruce-pascoe-controversy-legacy-abc. As I am a few weeks behind in my course, I will have to wait to the end of year break and I will take a further look. But I noticed his book, at least on amazon.co.uk is published in 2018; and there are references at least to 2010 from Australian Science Magazine, a publication I would hope to have a decent modicum of integrity about it: https://rupertgerritsen.tripod.com/pdf/published/Evidence_for_Indigenous_Australian_Agriculture.pdf. There was an article in The Age (so I assume the SMH, too) that discussed Aboriginals agriculture in, I think it was North East Victoria. Buggered if I can find it, though. We also have to remember that it wasn't one big society of Aboriginals across Australia. There were over 240 differrent countries, each with different cultures, languages, and dare I say agricultural/sustainment methods. We should always remember that when talking about what Aboriginals historically did, because we are usually only referring to a subset of nations, or sterotypes..

I used to be an election day polling clerk in Australia - you don't even have to accept the ballot papers; once your name is marked off, it is job done. Nev, I feel it is an important distinction because I reeject the notion because you don't vote, you shouldn't complain. Since the Brecit referendum here, I have only cast my vote in the last national election, which is what - 6 years later. The reason is no suitable candidates (IMHO) have been put forward locally or the parties that they would have formed government with. It is my right not to give my seal of approval to anyone, but if we were actually required to vote, then we would be denied our democratic right to express our preferences. The other reason is you would be surprised at how many people think they have to cast a ballot - and then how many people think they have to vote (or at least try their best given some of the big ballots you get these days). As a polling clerk, I could only advise on how to fill out a ballot and not which people to fill out ballots for. You would be surprised at the amount of people that wanted to know how to fill it out properly only to tell me they wouldn;t vote for any if they had the chance. A good 50% of those who posed the question (which wasn't much - maybe 5% of the voters overall).. I don't know how many, if any visit these forums as guests - but it is always good to ensure those that we don't know who visit know what we mean when we say compulsory voting - especially our new friend. [Edit] I also recall as a young-an having a debate with a distant relative my age who was agruing that he had a democratic right not to vote and should not be forced to vote. I argued against it, but we were both under the misapprehension we had to vote.

Are you going to be navel grazing again?

I thought you would say that which is why I referenced a poll analysis rather than a pole. If you can point us to polls across Europe that support your assertion, it would give your argument a little more credibility.. That is very different to those who support Ukraine and support continuing supplying Ukraine with the hardware to give them a sporting chance Very different circumstances and very different drivers.. but I (and many) agree that (and others you mention below) was a complete travesty Agree.. but the same can be said about Rusdia, China and many others.. Although the end of the day it is the lesser of the two evils, and I would take as close to a true democracy over a further one any day Even benevolent dictators eventually are replaced with brutal ones and the only Windows I want to crash are those made by Microsoft When you can start providing data/references to support your assertions on public opinion and support or lack thereof for Ukraine, them I will engage, otherwise there's enough crap to point to trolling or Russian apologists

Ahh I do like a fellow poster who writes big. But one of the things I also like are assertions backed by facts or at least references that point to them. In the day of the interthingy it is not hard. Firstly, Trump pulled out of the nuclear treaty or JCPOA. You cand find recent info here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9870/. Sanctions remain and despite Trumos bellicose, sanctions had been and are still in place. In fact by tearing up the deal would have7 made the situation more unstable. Also it dies not affect other WMD. Whilst Biden has to accept blame for poor decision making on Afghanistan, the decision to withdraw started with Trump making a deal with the Taliban: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/30/us-afghanistan-war-military-pullout-report-biden-trump. Blunken pushed for it to redirect resources for countering China and terrorism - you know - as you say redirecting resources for better uses. If you think Trumps strong points are his fiscal management and reining in illegal migrants, guess again because the numbers don't back you up. If you can't be bothered reading the whole article, just check the conclusion where despite technical factors that should have seen him rein in debt, it blew out by over $3.9tn above projected core debt, while delivering tax cuts to the rich and is exemplary of poor fiscal management: https://manhattan.institute/article/trumps-fiscal-legacy-a-comprehensive-overview-of-spending-taxes-and-deficits On border crossings, Biden record is worse, but that doesn't tell the whole story such as Trump getting his puppets, er maga republicans to vote down a bioartisan bill in the house (check out the Washington Post- there's a good article on it) Europeans not In favour of supportive Ukraine? Where did you get that one from - The Russian Times? https://ukandeu.ac.uk/how-strong-is-public-support-for-ukraine-in-europe/ Are you seriously asserting the liss if cheap Russian oil and gas is the cause of the rise of the far right?https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/lseupr/2024/02/06/the-creeping-ascent-of-the-far-right-in-mainstream-european-politics-and-how-to-stop-it/ I live and work in London and travel through Europe for work. My anecdotal observations don't accord with anyone other than some Russian apologists I have met (except one on the Trump thing)

And two different methods. I can't go into much more than the logistics of it all..OME, on the other hands goes into the technical detail

I know.. I have had a couple of tech failures over the last couple if weeks so haven't taken any photos. Plus a mate who is the sparky has also had te h issues and things have slowed down a bit. Plumbers returned yesterday; I am in London today and tomorrow, so a full update on the weekend

Quote right. Look up Aboriginal kinship, moiety, and totems, and it will reveal an complex social structure taking into account even foods that were to be protected by one mob (what people refer to as tribes) but could be eaten by another mob to ensure balance. In many ways, it is, as a social construct, more advanced than European and Asian hierarchies and well suited to life and environment at the time. Arguably it could avoid the pitfalls of our modern society, too

This myth has been debunked many times. The methods were not European, but they actively promoted plant supply rather than purely relying on what mother nature did herself: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/stories/australian-agricultural-and-rural-life/life-land#:~:text=Indigenous methods of agriculture%2C horticulture,plants and to facilitate hunting.

Yeah - those older Ferraris are a pain to maintain

And the ill while they are being seen to.

And it never will.. Sort of - of course there is machine learning where the software adapts its output by learning responses it has received. The MS chatbot, Tay had to be shut down as it adapted its output to the inputs it received: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/microsoft-shuts-down-ai-chatbot-after-it-turned-into-racist-nazi/. However, yes, there has been biases found in AI systems. One I recall was that AI based credit checking in the US would deny black couple mortages but allow white couples with almost exactly the same credit metrics. In addition, there was some suspect profiling software in the US (not sure it was technically AI) that seemed biased against, you guessed it, black suspects. Absolutely true - we are already there isf you think about social media and the law only just starting to catch up well after the damage has been done. AI will exacerbate it. I have adopted an educative approach with the kids; sometimes quite firm in its application, but needing to emphaise the dangers of how perceptions can be formed when your environment is boimnarding you with the same messages and then the algorithm amplifies them, with little presentation of countering views or facts. We must rememebr AI is just that. As it increases, and processing/data storage poower increases (think quantum computing) and it wil be able to much better run the probability calcs that give it the answers.. and it will seem closer to having morality.. but it won't.

A lot of people do, as off peak, they are reasonable - can be £45 return from Taunton. Same run, same amount costs, etc. They just gouge and the government allows it. One of the thinks I am looking forward to when returning to Aus is that I am not intending to buy a car. Likely be Melbourne, but because the inter-city rail is cheap (something like $10 each way), it opens up a lot of options, too. I saw some YT vids on the trains and while they aren't quite as big or comfy as the ones here (yes, there are a lot fewer people using them in Vic), they are more than adequate and a) my work will be hybrid anyway, and b) as long as I can get wi fi or a signal, I can work on the train - so productive to boot. Can't do that in a car or a metro train.

I forgot to mention, it was literally a fllyer - from Exeter Airport to London City Airport in a Dash 8. Cheaper by air than trian, is bonkers, but that is what privatising the railways did. I recall that ic awarded Connex the metropolitan rail services in Melbgourne after their franchise here was pulled.. I am guessing the rail services went south after that.

It is very expensive because rail operators are privatised and have to try and make a profit here... even though they don't. I was using it as an example why they don't work here if profit is the definition of a rail system working. The trains are diesel on this service but are well appointed and comfortable. The first non-peak trains, where the price drops dramatically, are usually filled sardine cans.

By what criteria do you mean, "work"? If it is passenger services turning a profit, it is almost exclusively done so with subsidies... in other words, loss making. I guess the question is comparing the relative rate of loss. The odd service is profitable but by and large, without subsidies, they are loss making. Even with advance purchases and split ticketing, a return trip from Taunton to Paddington, arriving before 9:30am on a weekday (1:40 - 2 hrs) is a minimum of £180. Petrol is about £50. I can fly from Exeter to Munich for about £95 return. Sadly there is no service from Exeter to London City anymore.. it used to be about £125 return and I did use it occasionally

They are always sparring.. there are still UN military posts near the border between the north and south and there is a DMZ between them

Why are people consumed about public transport making a profit? It is a public service and the economic, social, and environmental benefits on reliable and well frequented public transport far outweigh the costs, https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/top-10-benefits-public-transportation/1063096/

OK, maybe Mr T is losing his mojo a bit

We have that here, too.. The passengers that need to get off at shorter platforms eaither eat themselves at, or move to the carriages that abutt the platform. It really isn't a big deal. Jeez, I dunno; they save a bit of dough by not making the platforms longer and people complain. If they spend the money to make the platforms longer, people complain. Depends on how you look at things, I guess.