Glass Wings Blog: January 2018

The Animals That Went Extinct in 2017

Mon, 1 Jan 2018 23:10:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.livingalongsidewildlife.com/2017/12/the-animals-that-went-extinct-in-2017.html>

"It's a tradition here at Living Alongside Wildlife to gather in one
place a summary of all the animals that went extinct in the previous year."

(More...)

We Fact-Checked 8 Animal Emojis—Here's What We Found

Mon, 1 Jan 2018 23:11:27 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/12/emojis-animals-science-anatomy/>

"For starters, caterpillars don't have antenna and zebra ears aren't pink."

Via Muse.  Happy New Year everyone!  Thanks for reading.

(More...)

What Will It Really Take to Avoid Collapse?

Tue, 2 Jan 2018 21:15:35 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.ecowatch.com/avoid-collapse-2520093367.html

"For a moment, the most important news in the entire world flashed
across the media like a shooting star in the night sky. Then it was gone."

(More...)

Compassionate Risks

Tue, 2 Jan 2018 21:16:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://katherinephelps.com/2017/12/compassionate-risks/

"We are all expected to function without safety nets. Our governments
have been bought and paid for to remove anything that might catch our
citizens when they lose work, become ill or disabled, or in any way need

(More...)

17 Years After Being Convicted of a Grisly Murder in Vegas, Kirstin Lobato Sees Her Charges Dismissed

Wed, 3 Jan 2018 21:48:05 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://theintercept.com/2017/12/29/las-vegas-murder-kirstin-lobato-wrongful-conviction/>

"Despite a crime scene rich with potential evidence, Las Vegas
detectives Thomas Thowsen and James LaRochelle ignored obvious leads and
instead focused their investigation on 18-year-old Lobato, based solely

(More...)

'It's shocking, it's horrendous': Ellen MacArthur's fight against plastic

Wed, 3 Jan 2018 21:49:12 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/30/ellen-macarthur-its-shocking-its-horrendous-fight-against-plastic>

"She broke the solo record for sailing round the world, but now she is
dedicating her life to an even greater challenge – saving it from the
destructive tide of plastic pollution"

(More...)

The 100-year capitalist experiment that keeps Appalachia poor, sick, and stuck on coal

Thu, 4 Jan 2018 21:21:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://qz.com/1167671/the-100-year-capitalist-experiment-that-keeps-appalachia-poor-sick-and-stuck-on-coal/>

"The destruction of central Appalachia’s economy, environment, social
fabric and, ultimately, its people’s health is, in a sense, hidden. But
they’re plain enough to see on a map."

(More...)

NBN protester's problem solved by police called to remove him from Telstra store

Thu, 4 Jan 2018 21:22:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.theage.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/police-called-to-remove-man-from-telstra-store-instead-solve-his-internet-crisis-20171231-h0btca.html>

"When Matt Dooley refused to leave a Telstra store after months of
battling with the telco, the last people he might have expected to fix
his problem were the police called to remove him from the store."

(More...)

Vintage Muse du Jour: The Queen of Mars

Fri, 5 Jan 2018 20:21:32 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.messynessychic.com/2017/12/07/vintage-muse-du-jour-the-queen-of-mars/>

"You know it was an good era for fashion and costume design when the
Queen of Mars was the ultimate style inspiration."

(More...)

A village in Kenya is quietly disproving the biggest myth about basic income

Fri, 5 Jan 2018 20:23:10 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://nordic.businessinsider.com/kenya-village-disproving-biggest-myth-about-basic-income-2017-12>

"A 12-year basic income experiment in Kenya is showing that people
typically spend free cash on necessities.  Contrary to prevailing myths,
people don't seem to work less or waste the money on vices like alcohol."

(More...)

Renewable interconnectors to “span the globe,” as costs fall, technology improves

Sun, 7 Jan 2018 17:57:39 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://reneweconomy.com.au/renewable-interconnectors-to-span-the-globe-as-costs-fall-technology-improves-53844/>

"The distribution of solar and wind energy from one side of a continent
to the other, and even between continents is now “eminently feasible”, a
leading energy researcher has claimed, thanks to rapid improvements in

(More...)

42 Geeky Resolutions You'll Actually Want To Keep

Sun, 7 Jan 2018 17:58:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.epbot.com/2018/01/42-geeky-resolutions-youll-actually.html

"I think we can all agree: New Year's Resolutions suck.  Even if you
manage to keep one, it's always something awful and tedious that no one
- NO ONE - wants to do, like eating more greens or learning how Snapchat

(More...)

At Least One Of These Posts Will Make You Laugh Even If You Don't Play D&D

Mon, 8 Jan 2018 23:53:59 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.buzzfeed.com/andyneuenschwander/16-posts-thatll-only-make-you-laugh-if-you-own-a-1>

"This one goes out to all the Dungeons & Dragons nerds out there."

D&D funnies!

(More...)

When a Medical “Cure” Makes Things Much, Much Worse

Mon, 8 Jan 2018 23:54:40 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/when-cure-is-cause-180967666/>

"In 1960s Japan, a bizarre outbreak of hairy green tongues failed to set
off alarms around the world"

(More...)

Scientists have beaten down the best climate denial argument

Tue, 9 Jan 2018 21:57:44 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2017/dec/18/scientists-have-beaten-down-the-best-climate-denial-argument>

"Climate deniers have come up with a lot of arguments about why we shouldn’t
worry about global warming – about 200 of them – but most are quite poor,
contradictory, and easily debunked by consulting the peer-reviewed scientific

(More...)

In the Tech World, It Really Helps When People Think You’re Male

Tue, 9 Jan 2018 22:00:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://spectrum.ieee.org/view-from-the-valley/at-work/tech-careers/in-the-tech-world-it-really-helps-when-people-think-youre-male>

"The cofounders of Witchsy, an online marketplace for dark or funny art that
wasn’t a good fit for other arts marketplaces, last year accidentally conducted
an experiment on sexism in tech."

(More...)

Earth Will Likely Be Much Warmer in 2100 Than We Anticipated, Scientists Warn

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 22:35:55 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/xwvx5q/earth-will-likely-be-much-warmer-in-2100-ipcc-projections>

"But there’s some good news, too. Countries are starting to move away
from fossil fuels."

(More...)

The American empire is crumbling

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 22:37:44 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://theweek.com/articles/745597/american-empire-crumbling

"America's power and global influence have plummeted like a stone during
the Trump presidency. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson recently claimed
otherwise in a New York Times op-ed, but he is obviously wrong."

(More...)

Dude, you broke the future!

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 22:52:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2018/01/dude-you-broke-the-future.html>

"In this talk, author Charles Stross will give a rambling, discursive,
and angry tour of what went wrong with the 21st century, why we didn't
see it coming, where we can expect it to go next, and a few suggestions

(More...)

Who Took the Legendary Earthrise Photo From Apollo 8?

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 22:54:11 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/who-took-legendary-earthrise-photo-apollo-8-180967505/>

"It’s arguably the most iconic photograph of the 20th century: the Earth
rising above the Moon’s bleached and desolate horizon, a breathtaking
jewel of color and life more than 230,000 miles away."

(More...)

Don't Be Evil

Fri, 12 Jan 2018 22:32:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://logicmag.io/03-dont-be-evil/

"Fred Turner is one of the world’s leading authorities on Silicon
Valley. A professor at Stanford and a former journalist, he has written
extensively on the politics and culture of tech. We sat down with him to

(More...)

Small business ombudsman says banks are ‘discriminating’ against the legal sex industry

Fri, 12 Jan 2018 22:33:26 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.news.com.au/finance/small-business/small-business-ombudsman-says-banks-are-discriminating-against-the-legal-sex-industry/news-story/b8a14d890ef02792a500cc44bbe9104a>

"Brothels and sex shops are being discriminated against by banks which
are in no position to rule on a business’ “morality”."

(More...)

How inequality persists

Sat, 13 Jan 2018 23:46:07 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://stumblingandmumbling.typepad.com/stumbling_and_mumbling/2018/01/how-inequality-persists.html>

"Increased inequality does not necessarily bring demands for
redistribution."

(More...)

In broadest view yet of world's low oxygen, scientists reveal dangers and solutions

Sat, 13 Jan 2018 23:47:23 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://phys.org/news/2018-01-broadest-view-world-oxygen-scientists.html

"In the past 50 years, the amount of water in the open ocean with zero
oxygen has gone up more than fourfold. In coastal water bodies,
including estuaries and seas, low-oxygen sites have increased more than

(More...)

DHS Documents Show Harassment And Intrusive Device Searches Are A Common Occurrence At US Borders

Sun, 14 Jan 2018 21:47:20 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20171223/10335338873/dhs-documents-show-harassment-intrusive-device-searches-are-common-occurrence-us-borders.shtml>

"There are nearly 100 pages of long, detailed complaints in the document
[PDF] turned over by the DHS in response to the Knight Institute's' FOIA
request. The incidents detailed are troubling, seemingly going beyond

(More...)

Fortunate Son

Sun, 14 Jan 2018 21:49:14 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
http://www.stonekettle.com/2018/01/fortunate-son.html

"I’m not going to lie about who I am. I’m not going to dismiss it, or
pretend that it doesn’t exist.  And so, the best I can do is to use
that privilege to help others."

(More...)

Australia's first electric passenger plane takes to the skies of Perth, with Rottnest in its sights

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 21:38:53 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-04/first-electric-plane-passenger-flights-in-australia-to-rottnest/9304424>

"Australia's first electric aircraft has begun test flights at Perth's
Jandakot Airport, amid hopes the plane will be flying to nearby Rottnest
Island within months."

(More...)

How Douglas Engelbart Invented the Future

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 21:41:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/douglas-engelbart-invented-future-180967498/>

"Two decades before the personal computer, a shy engineer unveiled the
tools that would drive the tech revolution"

(More...)

I’ve been homeless 3 times. The problem isn’t drugs or mental illness — it’s poverty.

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 21:11:21 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.vox.com/2016/3/8/11173304/homeless-in-america

"I was born into a middle-class family, but I've hovered near poverty level all
of my adult life because my line of work doesn't pay much."

(More...)

Valor Anthology: Volume 2

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 21:12:35 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1987386669/valor-anthology-volume-2

"Valor" is a comic anthology series that pays homage to the strength,
resourcefulness, and cunning of female heroines in fairy tales.

(More...)

The Dirt On Clothes: Why Washing Less Is More Sustainable

Wed, 17 Jan 2018 22:28:36 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.1millionwomen.com.au/blog/dirt-clothes-why-washing-less-more-sustainable/>

"It turns out that when you look at the whole life cycle of a piece of
clothing, everyday washing and drying damages our natural environment
the most."

(More...)

SQL Keys in Depth

Wed, 17 Jan 2018 22:29:19 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://begriffs.com/posts/2018-01-01-sql-keys-in-depth.html

"After wading through sixty-four articles, skimming sections in five
books, and asking questions on IRC and StackOverflow I think I’ve put
the pieces together and have a recommendation to harmonize the various

(More...)

Getting to 350: What It Will Take to Fix Global Warming

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 23:28:38 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/43144-getting-to-350-what-it-will-take-to-fix-global-warming>

"In 2017, scientists for the first time spelled out what it will take
for civilization to survive global warming. Simply ending the use of
fossil fuels isn't going to do it; we must also extract billions of tons

(More...)

How serious is Norway about climate change? So much that its streetlights self-dim

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 23:37:08 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://newsstand.google.com/articles/CAIiEPOVDECLqF1J9O1smyaTT8IqFggEKg4IACoGCAowiuQwMNHHBjDpmQw>

"Along a 5.5-mile stretch of road in Hole, Norway, smart streetlights
automatically dim when nobody's around—then come back to full power when
a car, pedestrian, or other object approaches."

(More...)

Doughnut economics: an economic model for the future

Fri, 19 Jan 2018 23:30:37 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://blog.p2pfoundation.net/doughnut-economics-an-economic-model-for-the-future/2018/01/08>

"The distributive concept of the 21st century is not about
redistribution, but about sharing the sources of wealth from the start.
An interview with Kate Raworth, by Triodos bank."

(More...)

The feared other: Peter Dutton's and Australia's pathology around race

Fri, 19 Jan 2018 23:31:51 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/07/the-feared-other-peter-duttons-and-australias-pathology-around-race>

"Dutton wants to persuade us that those who are most disempowered in our
society are our greatest threat. It widens the divide between us and them"

(More...)

What the President Doesn’t Get About Dogs

Sat, 20 Jan 2018 22:54:29 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/08/opinion/trump-dogs-wolff-book.html

"He might be the president, with Air Force One and a model wife and, if
you believe him, a desk equipped with a nuclear button that is bigger
than anyone else’s button. But if you’ve got a dog, you are rich in a

(More...)

A Supercut of Buster Keaton’s Most Amazing Stunts–and Keaton’s 5 Rules of Comic Storytelling

Sat, 20 Jan 2018 22:57:13 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.openculture.com/2018/01/a-supercut-of-buster-keatons-most-amazing-stunts.html>

"Joseph Frank Keaton was born into showbiz. His father was a comedian.
His mother, a soubrette. He emerged into the world during a one night
engagement in Kansas City. His father’s business partner, escape artist

(More...)

Why dolphins are deep thinkers

Sun, 21 Jan 2018 19:30:14 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2003/jul/03/research.science

"The more we study dolphins, the brighter they turn out to be, writes
Anuschka de Rohan"

(More...)

Mid-'80s Synth Pop / Italo Disco with DrumTraks & DW-8000

Sun, 21 Jan 2018 19:31:18 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVsJpKu4-bw

"[The full music mix starts at 2:40] Sooo many people ask me to do '80s
Synth Pop / Italo Disco, so here's a little ditty in that vein. I used
only one Sequential Circuits DrumTraks drum machine (1983), and one Korg

(More...)

The afterlife of broken art

Sun, 21 Jan 2018 19:32:15 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.1843magazine.com/culture/the-daily/the-afterlife-of-broken-art>

"A wayward child, a mistimed elbow, or an unnoticed water leak: there
are many ways that a piece of art can be ruined. It’s a thought that
strikes morbid fear into art collectors, a priceless painting being

(More...)

‘A tale of decay’: the Houses of Parliament are falling down

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 21:38:30 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/dec/01/a-tale-of-decay-the-houses-of-parliament-are-falling-down>

"As politicians dither over repairs, the risk of fire, flood or a deluge
of sewage only increases. But fixing the Palace of Westminster might
change British politics for good – which is the last thing many of its

(More...)

Amazon Is Thriving Thanks to Taxpayer Dollars

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 21:39:47 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://newrepublic.com/article/146540/amazon-thriving-thanks-taxpayer-dollars>

"The tech giant has received more than $1 billion in tax breaks. The
government is also funding food stamps for many of its workers."

(More...)

Wintergatan Soundtrack

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 21:42:02 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
Two lovely new tracks from Wintergatan!

MUSIC BOX, HARP & HACKBRETT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThYMEYtYC8o

(More...)

10th anniversary of the Guerilla Open Access Manifesto

Tue, 23 Jan 2018 21:35:12 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://thescienceofdestruction.wordpress.com/2011/08/07/the-guerilla-open-access-manifesto/>

"Information is power. But like all power, there are those who want to
keep it for themselves."

(More...)

Trump Exceptionalism Will Kill Every Last One Of Your Brain Cells

Tue, 23 Jan 2018 21:36:55 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.currentaffairs.org/2018/01/trump-exceptionalism-will-kill-every-last-one-of-your-brain-cells>

"It’s very important, then, to carefully scrutinize perspectives that
single out Donald Trump as a unique threat to something called
“democracy.” I do think Donald Trump is a more dangerous individual than

(More...)

This is how ignorant you have to be to call Haiti a ‘shithole’

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 23:21:17 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2018/01/12/this-is-how-ignorant-you-have-to-be-to-call-haiti-a-shithole/>

"President Trump's defenders don't know anything about Haiti's history —
or the United States's."

(More...)

The unlikely pioneers fighting climate change

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 23:22:33 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/theworldpost/wp/2018/01/12/climate-action/>

"The historian Arnold Toynbee famously argued that the well-being of a
civilization can be judged by its ability to respond to human and
environmental challenges."

(More...)

Should internet firms pay for the data users currently give away?

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 22:07:29 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21734390-and-new-paper-proposes-should-data-providers-unionise-should-internet>

"We are all digital labourers, helping make possible the fortunes
generated by firms like Google and Facebook, the authors argue. If the
economy is to function properly in the future—and if a crisis of

(More...)

How a mountain lion injured by CA wildfire shows that fish skin could help heal burn wounds

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 22:08:46 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://abcnews.go.com/US/mountain-lion-injured-ca-wildfire-shows-fish-skin/story?id=52233635>

"The wildfires that roared through California's arid landscape caused
devastation in terms of human life, property damage and wildlife, but
amid the destruction — an innovation. It's an experimental treatment

(More...)

Dr. Demento, comedic song hero and unsung punk rock legend, gets his due on new album

Fri, 26 Jan 2018 19:27:25 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-dr-demento-covered-punk-20180111-story.html>

"The album comprises 64 tracks spread over a pair of CDs, pulling
together new recordings of "mad music and crazy comedy" songs long
associated with the quirky radio emcee. Participants include Yankovic,

(More...)

Kazakhstan Cheers New Alphabet, Except for All Those Apostrophes

Fri, 26 Jan 2018 19:28:32 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/15/world/asia/kazakhstan-alphabet-nursultan-nazarbayev.html>

"The authoritarian leader’s talent for balancing divergent interests,
however, suddenly seems to have deserted him over an issue that, at
first glance, involves neither great power rivalry nor weighty matters

(More...)

The Least Racist People We’ve Ever Interviewed

Sat, 27 Jan 2018 20:45:43 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/01/the-least-racist-people-weve-ever-interviewed/550550/>

"Writers of The Atlantic reflect on President Donald Trump’s claim that
he is “the least racist” subject."

(More...)

The Vegas Pinball Hall of Fame astounds us with a huge, rare collection

Sat, 27 Jan 2018 20:46:49 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/01/the-vegas-pinball-hall-of-fame-astounds-us-with-a-huge-rare-collection/>

"Two-player pinball, ultra-rare machines, and Peppy the Clown are ready
to entertain you."

(More...)

Blue Planet II Is the Greatest Nature Series Of All Time

Sat, 27 Jan 2018 20:47:37 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/01/blue-planet-ii-is-the-greatest-nature-series-of-all-time/550583/>

"Seventeen years after the original Blue Planet, the BBC Natural History
Unit has perfected the art of the blockbuster documentary."

(More...)

Elephants are irreplaceable seed dispersers

Sun, 28 Jan 2018 21:16:49 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/elephants-are-irreplaceable-seed-dispersers/article22384390.ece>

"Wild animals play specific roles in the ecosystem, but what happens
when they disappear? Using a combination of field data and theoretical
modelling, scientists find that no herbivore can replace Indian

(More...)

This Rat-Free City Park Is a Paradise of Rare Birds

Sun, 28 Jan 2018 21:17:47 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/01/new-zealand-park-rats-predators-birds-environment/>

"Since a park in Wellington, New Zealand, fenced out rats, stoats, and
other predators, rare indigenous birds have returned to the city."

(More...)

Environment poses greatest risk to global prosperity, say experts

Sun, 28 Jan 2018 21:18:43 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.climateactionprogramme.org/news/environment-poses-greatest-risk-to-global-prosperity-say-experts>

"For the second year running, the environment has topped a report into
the risks posed to global well-being and security."

(More...)

We Can’t Talk Climate Change Without Talking Environmental Racism

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 21:30:32 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://theestablishment.co/we-cant-talk-climate-change-without-talking-environmental-racism-f987585e4cf6>

"Structural racism is deadly, and not just because of police shootings
of unarmed black youth. Environmental racism — disproportionate exposure
to pollution and toxicity — is a slower, more insidious form of violence

(More...)

Japanese spa offers the option of a back massage from a cat

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 21:31:38 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8FGBRUw46Y

"Apparently this spa in Japan has harnessed the natural kneading skills
of cats, to offer a back massage from a feline masseuse."

(More...)

Experience: I’m a record-breaking wing-walker

Tue, 30 Jan 2018 22:48:43 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jan/19/experience-record-breaking-wing-walker>

"You’re warned it’s potentially dangerous and things could go wrong. I
said: ‘Well, at 88 what does it matter?’"

(More...)

Are Aliens Plentiful, But We’re Just Missing Them?

Tue, 30 Jan 2018 22:49:32 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://medium.com/starts-with-a-bang/are-aliens-plentiful-but-were-just-missing-them-ca4c4b503b58>

"Are we looking for life in all the wrong ways, like SETI with smoke
signals?"

(More...)

An alternative measure to GDP is proof that the global economy isn’t what it seems

Wed, 31 Jan 2018 23:08:42 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://qz.com/1185054/world-economic-forum-is-the-inclusive-development-index-a-better-measure-of-progress-than-gdp/>

"Gross domestic product­—the sum of the goods and services produced by a
nation—is an insufficient measure of national economic performance,
according to a new report from the World Economic Forum (WEF), which is

(More...)

Cats: Life in the Great Indoors, by Gavin Ehringer

Wed, 31 Jan 2018 23:10:32 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<http://www.animals24-7.org/2018/01/22/cats-life-in-the-great-indoors-by-gavin-ehringer/>

"The domestication of animals changed the course of human history. But
what about the animals who abandoned their wild existence in exchange
for our care and protection?"

(More...)

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