Glass Wings Blog: September 2020

How the shadow of slavery still hangs over global finance

Wed, 2 Sep 2020 06:53:03 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/how-the-shadow-of-slavery-still-hangs-over-global-finance-144826>

"The obscene novelty of the slavers’ banking system was that this
financial value was secured on human bodies. The same practices
continued on the plantations, where the bodies of slaves were used as

(More...)

Virtual Reconstruction Of Ancient Temple Destroyed By ISIS Is Another Reason To Put Your Holiday Photos Into The Public Domain

Wed, 2 Sep 2020 06:54:25 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20200824/09410545167/virtual-reconstruction-ancient-temple-destroyed-isis-is-another-reason-to-put-your-holiday-photos-into-public-domain.shtml>

"The Syrian civil war has led to great human suffering, with hundreds of
thousands killed, and millions displaced. Another victim has been the
region's rich archaeological heritage. Many of the most important sites

(More...)

Cat Hangs Around A Hospital For A Year, Ends Up Getting Hired As A Security Cat

Wed, 2 Sep 2020 06:55:14 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.boredpanda.com/elwood-cat-hospital-id-job-staff-badge/

"No matter how boring or daunting your job may be, you gotta
admit—coworkers make the work experience much less of a hassle. There’s
always that one person who is able to relate, to joke around, and be a

(More...)

Chris Hedges: How Corporate Tyranny Works

Thu, 3 Sep 2020 07:29:01 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://consortiumnews.com/2020/08/25/chris-hedges-how-corporate-tyranny-works/>

"The persecution of the attorney Steven Donziger is a grim illustration
of what happens when we confront the real centers of power, masked and
unacknowledged by the divisive cant from the Trump White House or the

(More...)

Melbourne Ska Orchestra - Get Smart (Official FULL Version)

Thu, 3 Sep 2020 07:29:46 +1000

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

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

"The lead single from the ARIA nominated Melbourne Ska Orchestra
self-titled album (2013)."

(More...)

Watch Ancient Wonders Get Digitally Restored to Their Original Glory

Fri, 4 Sep 2020 06:09:19 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2020/08/watch-ancient-wonders-get-digitally-restored-to-their-original-glory/>

"One of the most interesting parts of travel is getting to see
human-built structures or natural wonders that have been around for
hundreds or thousands of years (or at least what’s left of them). The

(More...)

After Discovering a 120-Year-Old Time Capsule, Photographer Develops Two Cyanotypes of Cats

Fri, 4 Sep 2020 06:12:27 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2020/08/mathieu-stern-cyanotype-cats/

"Earlier this year, photographer Mathieu Stern discovered a time capsule
dating back to the early 1900s in his family home. The 120-year-old box
held a little girl’s cherished possessions, including a paper doll,

(More...)

Aldi, Brewdog Brand War Ends In The Best Possible Way: Collaboration

Fri, 4 Sep 2020 06:13:39 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20200827/12334845196/aldi-brewdog-brand-war-ends-best-possible-way-collaboration.shtml>

"The world may well feel like a terrible place to you right now. A
pandemic is sweeping much of the world, with leaders from many countries
playing the ostrich, or else treating the victims as though they were

(More...)

Media’s Grim Addiction to Perseverance Porn

Sat, 5 Sep 2020 05:25:58 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://fair.org/home/medias-grim-addiction-to-perseverance-porn/

"These stories are typically shared for the purposes of poor-shaming,
typically under the guise of inspirational life advice. “This man is
proof we all just need to keep walking, no matter what life throws at

(More...)

Change starts here: how collaborative journalism can help save the Amazon

Sat, 5 Sep 2020 05:27:18 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/blog/2020-08-28/change-starts-here-how-collaborative-journalism-can-help-save-the-amazon>

"Tuesday’s announcement by the government that it plans to clamp down on
illegal deforestation in the supply chains of British businesses is
being hailed as a welcome step in the right direction for saving the

(More...)

CEO Who Took $1M Paycut To Give All Employees $70K Minimum Salary In 2015 Explains How It Affected The Company

Sat, 5 Sep 2020 05:29:13 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.boredpanda.com/ceo-gravity-payments-ceo-message-dan-price/

"The belief is that when employees are not preoccupied with the problem
of how to make ends meet, they are more focused on their jobs, and
happier because they work for a company that recognizes their value. And

(More...)

FabBRICK

Sun, 6 Sep 2020 03:26:43 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
http://www.faireparis.com/en/projets/faire-2017/fabbrick-1280.html

"So as to lessen the increasing lack in natural resources for
construction, FabBRICK suggests using our waste. Annually and on a
global level, waste represents 4 000 billion tons. This potential new

(More...)

What It’s Like to Be a Library Cat During the Pandemic

Sun, 6 Sep 2020 03:28:14 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<http://www.ilovelibraries.org/article/what-it%E2%80%99s-be-library-cat-during-pandemic>

"Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, libraries across the country have closed
their doors to the public—but what has that meant for the cats who call
America’s libraries home?

(More...)

A university is offering scholarships for you to do absolutely nothing

Sun, 6 Sep 2020 03:29:38 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/29/europe/university-scholarships-for-doing-nothing-trnd/index.html>

"The submission questionnaire asks applicants to think about an activity
they do not want to do, how long they don't want to do it for, why it is
important to not do the specific thing in question, and why they are the

(More...)

Look Out to Your Neighbour, Look Up to Something Better

Mon, 7 Sep 2020 04:39:33 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://katherinephelps.com/2020/08/look-out-to-your-neighbour-look-up-to-something-better/>

"We are all scared and we are all being fed toxic stories and images
through our media. We need to start looking out and looking up."

(More...)

Time to get real: amid the hydrogen hype, let’s talk about what will actually work

Mon, 7 Sep 2020 04:40:27 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/time-to-get-real-amid-the-hydrogen-hype-lets-talk-about-what-will-actually-work-144579>

"For 50 years hydrogen has been championed as a clean-burning gas that
could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The idea of a “hydrogen
economy” is now enjoying a new wave of enthusiasm — but it is not a

(More...)

Stop the Amazon from burning

Mon, 7 Sep 2020 04:42:53 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/shield_the_amazon_01a/

"The lungs of the planet are burning! But now we have a chance to force
the Brazilian government into action, by conditioning a
multi-million-dollar trade deal with the European Union until the Amazon

(More...)

Redecentralize Digest — August 2020

Tue, 8 Sep 2020 04:58:31 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://redecentralize.org/redigest/2020/08

"Unlike the typical economic development goal of ‘connecting people to
the Internet’, community networks aim for people to be connecting
instead of being connected; for a community to be in control of the

(More...)

In Thailand, student protesters take a leaf out of Harry Potter and Hunger Games books

Tue, 8 Sep 2020 04:59:55 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://observers.france24.com/en/20200827-thailand-student-protestor-harry-potter-hunger-games>

"Since mid-July, students in Thailand have taken to the streets in a
pro-democracy movement that is the most powerful series of protests
since the 2014 military coup. This generation is capitalising on their

(More...)

Sea level rise from ice sheets track worst-case climate change scenario

Tue, 8 Sep 2020 05:01:34 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://phys.org/news/2020-08-sea-ice-sheets-track-worst-case.html

"Ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica whose melting rates are rapidly
increasing have raised the global sea level by 1.8cm since the 1990s,
and are matching the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's

(More...)

Awesome climate solutions that no one seems to be talking about

Wed, 9 Sep 2020 03:51:38 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://medium.com/@phuonghatrannguyen00/the-most-awesome-climate-solutions-that-no-one-is-talking-about-743bb22aa232>

"aka Why we should be hopeful about the future.

When we heard of climate change solutions, common things come up: Wind,

(More...)

Attacks on the People’s Press

Wed, 9 Sep 2020 03:53:04 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://buzzmachine.com/2020/09/01/attacks-on-the-peoples-press/

"Donald Trump’s war on TikTok in U.S. and Rupert Murdoch’s on Facebook
in Australia are not being seen for their true import: as government
attacks on the people’s press, on freedom of expression, on human rights.

(More...)

It’s not ‘fair’ and it won’t work: an argument against the ACCC forcing Google and Facebook to pay for news

Wed, 9 Sep 2020 03:58:38 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/its-not-fair-and-it-wont-work-an-argument-against-the-accc-forcing-google-and-facebook-to-pay-for-news-145391>

"It’s true regulation has a role in addressing the anti-competitive
aspects of the digital advertising industry, but I have doubts about the
ACCC’s code. It would allow commercial news businesses to bargain with

(More...)

Project Drawdown

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 06:08:33 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.drawdown.org/

"Our mission is to help the world reach “Drawdown”— the point in the
future when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing
and start to steadily decline, thereby stopping catastrophic climate

(More...)

The appallingly bad neoclassical economics of climate change

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 06:10:00 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14747731.2020.1807856

"Forecasts by economists of the economic damage from climate change have
been notably sanguine, compared to warnings by scientists about damage
to the biosphere. This is because economists made their own predictions

(More...)

David Graeber, anthropologist and author of Bullshit Jobs, dies aged 59

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 06:12:40 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/sep/03/david-graeber-anthropologist-and-author-of-bullshit-jobs-dies-aged-59>

"David Graeber, anthropologist and anarchist author of bestselling books
on bureaucracy and economics including Bullshit Jobs: A Theory and
Debt: The First 5,000 Years, has died aged 59.

(More...)

How a Wandering Cat Became a Work of Art

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 05:48:35 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.thebigidea.nz/stories/how-a-wandering-cat-became-a-work-of-art>

"I need to get this clear, right off the bat. I’m not a cat person.
Controversial, I know.

(More...)

Digital gardens let you cultivate your own little bit of the internet

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 05:50:20 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/09/03/1007716/digital-gardens-let-you-cultivate-your-own-little-bit-of-the-internet/>

"A growing number of people are creating individualized, creative sites
that eschew the one-size-fits-all look and feel of social media"

(More...)

'War on plastic' could strand oil industry's £300bn investment

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 05:52:18 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/04/war-on-plastic-could-strand-oil-industrys-300bn-investment>

"The war on plastic waste could scupper the oil industry’s multi-billion
dollar bet that the world will continue to need more fossil fuels to
help make the petrochemicals used in plastics, according to a new report.

(More...)

The Avalanches - Wherever You Go (Live In Lockdown With The International Space Orchestra)

Sat, 12 Sep 2020 05:42:04 +1000

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

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

"During the global lockdown of 2020, The Avalanches teamed up with a
team of intrepid scientists, astronauts and engineers from the SETI
Institute and NASA for a musical performance like no other.

(More...)

Finnish town offers locals cake (and other rewards) for cutting CO2 emissions

Sat, 12 Sep 2020 05:43:14 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/27/finnish-town-offers-locals-cake-and-other-rewards-for-cutting-co2-emissions>

"A town in Finland is offering cake, free transport tickets and other
rewards to locals who cut their carbon emissions.

(More...)

Jack Rickard, local entrepreneur, dies at 65

Sat, 12 Sep 2020 05:45:03 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.semissourian.com/story/2831878.html

"Jack Rickard Jr., engineer and entrepreneur, died Monday morning at his
home in downtown Cape Girardeau following a brief illness. He was 65
years old."

(More...)

A very English theft: how the countryside was taken from the public, using profits from slavery

Sun, 13 Sep 2020 06:03:41 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/non-fiction/english-theft-countryside-taken-public-using-profits-slavery/>

"Here’s a radical idea: racism is more alive today than it ever was in
the slavery era. In the words of Eric Williams, the first prime minister
of Trinidad and Tobago, and author of the 1944 book Capitalism and

(More...)

Sunday Sweets Is Blinding Me With SCIENCE

Sun, 13 Sep 2020 06:04:22 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2020/9/6/sunday-sweets-is-blinding-me-with-science>

"Anyone else have fond memories of your school's lab? The eye-wash
stations against the back wall, the shelves of beakers and bunson
burners, that funky burnt smell that never quite went away?

(More...)

Girl Genius - Adventures In Castle Heterodyne

Sun, 13 Sep 2020 06:05:52 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ggadventures/girl-genius-adventures-in-castle-heterodyne>

"Greetings fellow adventurers, and welcome to our Kickstarter campaign!
We are Rain Games, indie game developer based in Bergen, Norway. We’re
so happy to have the opportunity to create a videogame in the Girl

(More...)

Can Our Common Humanity Unite Us?

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 04:55:30 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2020/04/can-our-common-humanity-unite-us/>

"One of the most dispiriting questions I have encountered in my research
is whether the affinity people have for their own groups — whether those
groups are defined by some attribute (nationality, ethnicity, or

(More...)

Cory Doctorow: IP

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 04:56:26 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://locusmag.com/2020/09/cory-doctorow-ip/

"Interoperability – the thing Facebook uses to slurp stuff in from the
open web – is the key to self-determination. Leaving Facebook in the
21st century is like my grandmother leaving the USSR in the 40s: you can

(More...)

Research reveals shocking detail on how Australia’s environmental scientists are being silenced

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 04:57:22 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/research-reveals-shocking-detail-on-how-australias-environmental-scientists-are-being-silenced-140026>

"Ecologists and conservation experts in government, industry and
universities are routinely constrained in communicating scientific
evidence on threatened species, mining, logging and other threats to the

(More...)

Lyrical lyrebird also an ecosystem engineer

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 06:16:37 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/birds/lyrical-lyrebird-also-an-ecosystem-engineer/>

"The superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) is known for its
impressive mimicry of other birds’ songs and even camera clicks.

(More...)

New Order Unveil New Song “Be a Rebel”: Stream

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 06:18:19 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/09/new-order-be-a-rebel-stream/

"Since dropping their excellent album Music Complete in 2015, New
Order have been zoned in on special reissues like their upcoming Power,
Corruption, & Lies
 box set instead of recording new music. But that

(More...)

Michael Pascoe: China’s leader takes a turn for the particularly stupid… and ours is no better

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 06:19:45 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2020/09/09/governments-acting-stupid-michael-pascoe/>

"It’s a dark time for journalism on any number of fronts, a dark time
for trust in institutions, for promoting an informed polity.

(More...)

Earth may temporarily pass dangerous 1.5℃ warming limit by 2024, major new report says

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 06:01:11 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/earth-may-temporarily-pass-dangerous-1-5-warming-limit-by-2024-major-new-report-says-145450>

"The Paris climate agreement seeks to limit global warming to 1.5℃ this
century. A new report by the World Meteorological Organisation warns
this limit may be exceeded by 2024 – and the risk is growing.

(More...)

Up to 48 species saved from extinction by conservation efforts, study finds

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 06:02:22 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/10/up-to-48-species-saved-from-extinction-by-conservation-efforts-study-finds-aoe>

"Up to 48 bird and mammal extinctions have been prevented by
conservation efforts since a global agreement to protect biodiversity,
according to a new study.

(More...)

Hokusai: More than 100 lost works by non-western world’s most famous artist rediscovered

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 06:03:41 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/hokusai-lost-artwork-found-paris-british-museum-b404960.html>

"One of the world's most important collections of art has re-emerged
after having been lost for more than 70 years.

(More...)

Aware Super: Our approach to climate change

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 05:08:35 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://aware.com.au/member/investments-and-performance/our-approach-to-climate-change>

Here’s what my superannuation fund is doing about climate change:

"As one of Australia’s largest super funds, our primary purpose is to

(More...)

These Aussie teens have launched a landmark climate case against the government. Win or lose, it’ll make a difference

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 05:10:27 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/these-aussie-teens-have-launched-a-landmark-climate-case-against-the-government-win-or-lose-itll-make-a-difference-145830>

"On Tuesday, eight young Australians aged 13-17 filed a class action
seeking an injunction to prevent federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley
approving a new coal project expansion.

(More...)

How Big Oil Misled The Public Into Believing Plastic Would Be Recycled

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 05:13:26 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.npr.org/2020/09/11/897692090/how-big-oil-misled-the-public-into-believing-plastic-would-be-recycled>

"NPR and PBS Frontline spent months digging into internal industry
documents and interviewing top former officials. We found that the
industry sold the public on an idea it knew wouldn't work — that the

(More...)

He was licked by a mountain lion, and instead of getting scared, he was fascinated

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 04:53:27 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6ogItNMPMs

"For 14 years, David Neils has worked to educate people on mountain
lions in Colorado through trail cam photography."

(More...)

Diversity take to the stage with POWERFUL Black Lives Matter performance | Semi-Finals | BGT 2020

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 04:55:09 +1000

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

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

"You can't help but watch in awe as Diversity command the stage with a
performance that will be talked about for years to come."

(More...)

Tens of thousands of fires are pushing the Amazon to a tipping point

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 04:56:27 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/10/americas/brazil-amazon-fires-carlos-nobre-intl/index.html>

"Fires continue to rage at high levels through the Amazon in Brazil for
the second consecutive year, raising concerns among scientists that the
rainforest's destruction could eventually reach a point of no return.

(More...)

Comedy wildlife photo finalists are every bit as glorious as you'd expect

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 03:32:02 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://mashable.com/article/comedy-wildlife-photography-awards-2020/

"Earlier this month we got a glimpse of some highly commended entries
from the Wildlife Photography Awards 2020, but there's another
like-minded competition that's a little cheekier: the Comedy Wildlife

(More...)

Publishers Are Taking the Internet to Court

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 03:33:37 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.thenation.com/article/society/publishers-are-taking-the-internet-to-court/>

"The Internet is 31 years old, and in those three short decades the
virtual world we’ve come to depend on has slowly eroded the idea of
private ownership—literally, your right to call your belongings your

(More...)

Crossing Bridges

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 03:34:58 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmw-YZCdqQw

"This video is dedicated to the late Member of Congress John Lewis!  We
learn what people often experience when campaigning for social or
environmental change and how that can be expressed through story."

(More...)

‘Air is cleaner than before the Industrial Revolution’: a best case scenario for the climate in 2050

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 06:18:21 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/15/best-case-scenario-2050-climate-crisis-future-we-choose-christiana-figueres-tom-rivett-carnac>

"It is 2050. We have been successful at halving emissions every decade
since 2020. We are heading for a world that will be no more than 1.5C
warmer by 2100

(More...)

Bridging America’s divides requires a willingness to work together without becoming friends first

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 06:19:30 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/bridging-americas-divides-requires-a-willingness-to-work-together-without-becoming-friends-first-143648>

"Amid two crises – the pandemic and the national reckoning sparked by
the killing of George Floyd – there have been anguished calls for
Americans to come together across lines of race and partisanship. Change

(More...)

Utrecht restores historic canal made into motorway in 1970s

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 06:20:26 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/14/utrecht-restores-historic-canal-made-into-motorway-in-1970s>

"It is being viewed as the correction of a historic mistake. More than
40 years after parts of the canal that encircled Utrecht’s old town were
concreted over to accommodate a 12-lane motorway, the Dutch city is

(More...)

QAnon is a Nazi Cult, Rebranded

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 04:11:15 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.justsecurity.org/72339/qanon-is-a-nazi-cult-rebranded/

"A secret cabal is taking over the world. They kidnap children,
slaughter, and eat them to gain power from their blood. They control
high positions in government, banks, international finance, the news

(More...)

TOTALLY UNDER CONTROL

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 04:24:57 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
'TOTALLY UNDER CONTROL': A comic book about how Trump ignored science,
planning, and his own team when the virus struck. And how 194,000
Americans paid the ultimate price.
<https://www.insider.com/comic-how-united-states-lost-control-of-coronavirus-pandemic-2020-9>

(More...)

Disney’s Mulan tells women to know their place

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 04:27:30 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/disneys-mulan-tells-women-to-know-their-place-146017>

"Criticisms of the movie include its historical and geographical
inaccuracies, an undertone of Islamophobia, and a misrepresentation of
qi (life force).

(More...)

How to reverse global wildlife declines by 2050

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 06:40:17 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/how-to-reverse-global-wildlife-declines-by-2050-146041>

"Species are going extinct at an unprecedented rate. Wildlife
populations have fallen by more than two-thirds over the last 50 years,
according to a new report from the World Wildlife Fund. The sharpest

(More...)

Copyright Companies Want Memes That Are Legal In The EU Blocked Because They Now Admit Upload Filters Are 'Practically Unworkable'

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 06:41:31 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20200915/02154245308/copyright-companies-want-memes-that-are-legal-eu-blocked-because-they-now-admit-upload-filters-are-practically-unworkable.shtml>

"The passage of the EU Copyright Directive last year represented one of
the most disgraceful examples of successful lobbying and lying by the
publishing, music, and film industries. In order to convince MEPs to

(More...)

‘Garbage’ and ‘cash cows’: temporary migrants describe anguish of exclusion and racism during COVID-19

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 06:42:30 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/garbage-and-cash-cows-temporary-migrants-describe-anguish-of-exclusion-and-racism-during-covid-19-146098>

"In early April, Prime Minister Scott Morrison sent a clear message to
temporary visa holders that if they were no longer financially solvent
to ride out the pandemic, they were not welcome in Australia.

(More...)

‘The warning lights are flashing.’ Report finds nations failing to protect biodiversity

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 05:46:58 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/09/warning-lights-are-flashing-report-finds-nations-failing-protect-biodiversity>

"A major report card on the state of biodiversity gives failing grades
to the world’s nations. The United Nations’s Global Biodiversity Outlook
5, released this week, concludes that the world has not met ambitious

(More...)

New research shows trolls don’t just enjoy hurting others, they also feel good about themselves

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 05:49:01 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/new-research-shows-trolls-dont-just-enjoy-hurting-others-they-also-feel-good-about-themselves-145931>

"There is an urgent need to understand why people troll.

Recent Australian estimates show about one in three internet users have

(More...)

The megafires and pandemic expose the lies that frustrate action on climate change

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 05:50:22 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/sep/17/the-megafires-and-pandemic-expose-the-lies-that-frustrate-action-on-climate-change>

"I was in Melbourne in late January, watching as more and more people
donned face masks to protect themselves against the bushfire smoke that
had thickened the air for weeks and that was causing hundreds of deaths.

(More...)

Enya Is Everywhere

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 05:56:25 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://pitchfork.com/features/article/enya-is-everywhere/

How the unlikely star became a phenomenon hidden in pop-cultural plain
sight, influencing a generation of groundbreaking artists.

(More...)

New Zealand will make big banks, insurers and firms disclose their climate risk. It’s time other countries did too

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 05:57:03 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/new-zealand-will-make-big-banks-insurers-and-firms-disclose-their-climate-risk-its-time-other-countries-did-too-146392>

"This week’s announcement of mandatory disclosures of climate-related
risks for companies and financial institutions is arguably the New
Zealand government’s most significant climate policy — even more so than

(More...)

How the Right Wing Convinces Itself That Liberals Are Evil

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 05:55:42 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/july-august-2018/how-the-right-wing-convinces-itself-that-liberals-are-evil/>

"If you spend any time consuming right-wing media in America, you
quickly learn the following: Liberals are responsible for racism,
slavery, and the Ku Klux Klan. They admire Mussolini and Hitler, and

(More...)

Gas Companies Are Abandoning Their Wells, Leaving Them to Leak Methane Forever

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 05:58:54 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-09-17/abandoned-gas-wells-are-left-to-spew-methane-for-eternity>

"In the past five years, 207 oil and gas businesses have failed. As
natural gas prices crater, the fiscal burden on states forced to plug
wells could skyrocket; according to Rystad Energy AS, an industry

(More...)

Former World Leaders Urge Ratification of Nuclear Arms Ban Treaty

Sat, 26 Sep 2020 06:21:16 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/20/world/treaty-nuclear-arms-united-nations.html>

"Fifty-six former prime ministers, presidents, foreign ministers and
defense ministers from 20 NATO countries, plus Japan and South Korea,
released an open letter Sunday imploring their current leaders to join

(More...)

Unemployment support will be slashed by $300 this week. This won’t help people find work

Sat, 26 Sep 2020 06:22:32 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/unemployment-support-will-be-slashed-by-300-this-week-this-wont-help-people-find-work-146289>

"Our analysis shows there is considerable scope to increase JobSeeker
payments before they might hinder people’s motivation to find paid work."

(More...)

Introducing Precursor

Sun, 27 Sep 2020 05:40:59 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?p=5921

"Precursor is a mobile, open source electronics platform. Similar to
how a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino can be transformed into an IoT gadget
with the addition of a couple breakout boards, some solder, and a bit of

(More...)

I Scanned the Websites I Visit with Blacklight, and It’s Horrifying. Now What?

Sun, 27 Sep 2020 05:42:20 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://themarkup.org/ask-the-markup/2020/09/22/i-scanned-the-websites-i-visit-with-blacklight-and-its-horrifying-now-what>

"The Markup recently launched Blacklight, a free, instant
privacy-inspection tool. Enter any website, and it reveals how you may
be tracked when you visit the site, names the companies receiving your

(More...)

David Olusoga: 'TV industry left me crushed'

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 04:56:51 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-53889437

"TV presenter David Olusoga has told the Edinburgh TV Festival his
career had sometimes left him feeling "crushed, isolated," and
"disempowered".

(More...)

If we realised the true cost of homelessness, we’d fix it overnight

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 05:01:51 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/if-we-realised-the-true-cost-of-homelessness-wed-fix-it-overnight-143998>

"Australia’s six-month moratorium on evictions is due to end soon. Some
states have extended the moratorium, but when it ends that’s likely to
force even more Australians into housing insecurity and outright

(More...)

The case for ... truly taking back control – by reversing the privatisation of our cities

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 04:42:32 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2020/jan/16/the-case-for-truly-taking-back-control-by-reversing-the-privatisation-of-our-cities>

"In 2015, a strident editorial appeared in Global Water Intelligence, a
trade magazine for the water industry, under the title: Exorcising the
“R” word. “It would be a travesty,” the writer declared, to let “the

(More...)

The Overwhelming Racism Of COVID Coverage

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 04:44:36 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://medium.com/indica/the-overwhelming-racism-of-covid-coverage-78e37e4ce6e8>

"Thailand worked hard and fought back COVID-19 with public health.
Instead of seeing that, however, the NYTimes asked if it was something
in their blood. We’re talking about oriental blood magic, in 2020. I’m

(More...)

Studio Ghibli Releases 400 Images from Its Iconic Movies for Free

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 04:42:38 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
https://nerdist.com/article/studio-ghibli-400-images-from-movies-free/

"The folks at Studio Ghibli have long had a reputation of being fiercely
protective of their library of films. But lately, they’ve lessened their
tight grip somewhat. For starters, this year they released nearly their

(More...)

Editorial: We need UBI because we all need money, power, and trust

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 04:44:07 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://basicincometoday.com/editorial-we-need-ubi-because-we-all-need-money-power-and-trust/>

"I’ve written before about how besides just being a good idea with a lot
of evidence-based reasons to support it, unconditional basic income is a
human right, because it is.

(More...)

Airport parking garage becomes drive-through art gallery

Thu, 1 Oct 2020 06:22:14 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2020/06/08/Airport-parking-garage-becomes-drive-through-art-gallery/6471591640531/>

"June 8 (UPI) — An airport parking garage in Germany has been converted
into a drive-through art gallery, displaying about 300 works in a way
that complies with coronavirus-inspired social distancing guidelines.

(More...)

Trump administration pushes anti-LGBTQ “religious freedom” at the UN as European countries boycott

Thu, 1 Oct 2020 06:24:15 +1000

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

Andrew Pam
<https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/09/trump-administration-pushes-anti-lgbtq-religious-freedom-un-european-countries-boycott/>

"The Trump administration brought its proposal to redefine international
human rights – and de-emphasize LGBTQ rights in favor of “religious
freedom” – to the United Nations this week and released a list of 57

(More...)

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