Notices by Andrew Jennings (andyjennings@aus.social)

why are Victorian roads failing? Perhaps because we don’t charge large SUVs enough to cover the road damage they cause. It is at the fourth power of vehicle weight. So a vehicle double the weight causes 16 times the damage. At best the registration cost is linear in the weight. So the system is designed to fail https://eng.unimelb.edu.au/ingenium/drivers-of-suvs-and-pick-ups-should-pay-more-to-be-on-our-roads #auspol #victoria

I was doing my library volunteer thing and a woman came in to the desk holding a book. “I left the book out in the rain and ruined it, so I bought this new copy”. You won’t see a story about it anywhere, but people are good

Wow. Turns out Australians are ahead of me. #auspol https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/its-not-me-its-you-australians-ready-to-break-up-with-trumps-america/

I have been thinking all day about the Americans attacking and sinking a ship that was unarmed as it was attending a diplomatic ceremonial event. These are barbarians, and the sooner we sever ties the better. #auspol

where this leads is a real worry https://theshamblog.com/an-ai-agent-published-a-hit-piece-on-me/ #ai

you wouldn't give a 3 year old a loaded gun, so let me make it simple: do NOT give AI agents money #AI

The people noting that "AI is not displacing many jobs". You are looking in the wrong places. There are new companies appearing that are (almost all) AI based. It's not that the jobs get replaced, the whole existing company goes. #AI #business

walking the dog was passed by what looked like a 12 year old child on a 1.5kw ebike. He was travelling at about 60km/hr on the road and the footpath. This is not good.

it's a long time since i worked, so I am not an expert. But to me one of the biggest drains on productivity is the school drop off and pick up. That this has not rated a mention at the "productivity" summit tells me that it's not actually about that. #auspol

the way history echoes into the present shakes you to the core https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/warsaw-ghetto-uprising #gaza

Lots of people told me that AOC cannot possibly win the US presidency. But I think she can, and I am not alone. https://www.yahoo.com/news/why-aoc-run-president-2028-110807645.html #auspol

the flight of capital from the US is driven by more than this. Like medieval kings, Trump does not respect property rights. He could vanish your investment instantly. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-17/global-economy-safe-havens-america/105424052?utm_source=abc_news_web&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link #auspol

https://www.sustainability-times.com/energy/mini-nuclear-breakthrough-china-activates-worlds-first-compact-reactor-to-deliver-clean-energy-to-over-half-a-million-homesplant-set-to-power-over-half-a-million-homes-in-c/

honestly it's becoming a bit tiresome that every tv or movie villain looks exactly like Zuckerburg #fiction #tv #movies

this is really good about the reality of working in Japan. I learned how deeply Australian I am, and that long term it was impossible for me to stay. https://dmnews.com/con-i-lived-in-tokyo-for-a-year-heres-what-expats-never-admit-about-japanese-work-culture/ #japan

“The Albanese government is putting the Trump administration on notice that Australia has a bevy of alternative partners across Europe and Asia to help it develop critical minerals as exporters brace for a second-wave of US tariffs in April.” - yes, dumbass we really will sell the whole lot to China #auspol https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-14/australia-warns-it-has-other-buyers-for-critical-minerals/105049424?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

real estate journalism is a sub-branch of the fictional genre called "magic realism". The only reliable source of information on housing prices comes from the bureau of statistics: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/price-indexes-and-inflation/total-value-dwellings/latest-release #auspol #housing

the Taylor Swift timing and the signature (wow) is how you do it. Respect. #uspol

I think of all the wonderful international students I have taught. They deserve a lot better than this ridiculous debate. #auspol https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-24/migrants-integral-members-australian-society-not-economic-asset/103884272?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other