JoNova
A science presenter, writer, speaker & former TV host; author of The Skeptic's Handbook (over 200,000 copies distributed & available in 15 languages).
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Statistics
Gullible investors have invested US$12 million in a “perpetual motion” machine.
It’s based on the real Casimir effect from quantum field theory but incorrect in its exploitation.
It even makes the Australian Government’s “investment” of $42 billion in SH2 or $1 billion into a US quantum computer firm, of taxpayer money, look reasonable.
Nature just doesn’t allow “something for nothing”. (Someone should tell Labor/Green/Teal voters.)
At least the perpetual motion investment was private, not taxpayer money. I hope no one tells the simpletons Albo or Blackout Bowen, they’ll start “investing” our money.
Video by Sabine Hossenfelder: https://youtu.be/sEteCJUMVn4
170
Obviously Al Pinocchio & the ALP have cornered the market in this technology.
Perpetual lies & BS. Must admit the perpetual side of their never misses a beat.
Australia “ has always “ been in need of a perpetual lies & BS machine.
It’s time the electorate turned it into perpetual life in opposition for the ALP.
ON can do it!
70
Always laugh at such inventions.
A microamp here, a picoamp there.
In a few years you could power an LED.
60
I like Sabine. I think she would be a bit of a character.
10
As Canuckistan becomes ever more “woke” and anti-American, the US has suspended an 86 year old defence agreement.
US Underc Secretary of War Elbridge Colby said:
It should be a warning sign for Australia as well as our Leftist, fundamentally anti-American, pro-Chicomm, anti-Western, Government becomes increasingly deranged and increasingly aligned away from the United States.
Hopefully Australia will elect our only significant conservative party, One Nation, before it’s too late.
251
UK Who Wants to be a Millionaire, contestant and call a friend thought CO2 is second most abundant gas in atmosphere.
Host quips “I fear you have been listening too keenly to Greta Thunberg”.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/39138489/millionaire-contestant-red-faced-serious-blunder/
180
It reminds me how the Obama head of the EPA didn’t know the percentage of CO2 in the atmosphere.
https://youtu.be/pvvhVXYMN78
Or these witnesses to a US House Transportation Committee.
https://youtu.be/bJfrKNR3K2k
These morons are involved in making anti-CO2 laws but don’t even know the proportion of CO2.
250
Like Malcolm Roberts of One Nation asking the greens senators what portion of the atmosphere was CO2, they couldn’t answer of course but claimed it didn’t matter as “scientists” said that CO2 controls the temperature regardless.
130
It’s tragic that this even needs to be explained due to how dumbed-down the masses have become. US article.
190
Yes, Autozone recently communicated to its franchisees that they are expecting a 40% downturn in the availability of lubricants in the next few months.
Which begs the question of how Australian supply is going.
10
Mmmmmm must nip down to the boy racer boutique and add to my oil stock to see out 2026 at least.
20
But the insulation that allows us to control electricity comes from oil. One hand can’t clap.
70
Remember how close Australia came to getting “misinformation” laws. The Government won’t give up on this. “Misinformation” would include questioning the Official Narrative on “climate change”. A Senate Committee has already recommended this*.
AI summary:
And never forget that the e Safety Kommisar was a Liberal invention plus Libs voted with Labs to support denial of access to alternative opinions on social media for under 16s – which will now likely lead to your ID/person number being associated with all your social media missives no matter what your age.
* ABC News article:
Official Report: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Information_Integrity_on_Climate_Change_and_Energy/ClimateIntegrity/Report
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Misinformation would undoubtably include labelling a man in a dress – “a man”.
Governments and the associated bureaucracy, schools, universities, media etc. need a big broom run through them.
We can vote the pollies out but what to do about the rest?
140
Fully woke Australian universities assisting the Chicomms with our taxes.
70
“collaborated with Chinese partners developing drone target-tracking and anti-jamming technologies, and new electronic warfare capabilities.”
Well, I doubt you would be able to collaborate with private companies from China in those fields, so if you want to keep up with drones who do you work with? America is years behind, Ukraine is not a good partner, and its Iran, China, and Russia who are the leaders. Oh gosh! Officially we don’t like those countries do we!
So they want to crush this tiny bit of Australian sovereignty in breaking away from being a welded-on Yankee Lapdog do they? ‘You vill not deal with anyone else but the US of A!’
Can’t they see that cooperation is the perfect way to spy on China’s efforts and stay up with the latest tech? For a country that can’t even launch a space ship we seem hell-bent on staying in the dark ages unless America drags us along with it !
38
Research cooperation with China is very much a one-way street insofar as they will VERY tightly control what their international collaborators get to see, discover and who they can speak to. I never once was allowed to wander around any Chinese research building on my own, whereas, here in Oz, they’re pretty much given free rein as far as I could see.
I recall being shocked when a group of geologists I was visiting warned me that I would have to bring my own toilet paper (none was supplied) and I was ‘guided’ to the conveniences by a very helpful young post-doc. He also chaperoned my wife around Beijing while I sat through interminable negotiations. Lovely young chap who knew where to get (and order) the very best dumplings 🙂
111
I saw this as well. Wondered that the Americans recently extradited a former Australian marine pilot who trained Chinese pilots, but we let these 6000 get away with the same treason.
21
I just tripped over this and find it fascinating. Hope it’s all true, but can’t verify it at this stage.
23 mins and very well presented.
Cheers,
Dave B
31
Looks Dodgy to me.
Did you watch it all?
30
From Copilot:
90
My personal verification standard action immediately highlighted to me that while video is only 1 day old the [AI controlled/influenced] link/reference stuff that came up to my search ” von der leyen and pfizer deal” was all dated back in 2025 and earlier. So next request “is the von der leyen and pfizer deal still being investigated” lodged and this time AI provided its own preamble to the list of links/references stating:
[AI] Yes, aspects of the Pfizer deal remain under investigation. While Belgium’s Supreme Court ended the specific criminal case against Ursula von der Leyen in October 2025 by ruling the complaint inadmissible, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) continues its own inquiry into the EU’s vaccine procurement process.
The EPPO probe, which took over from Belgian authorities in 2024, focuses on alleged criminal wrongdoing such as interference in public functions, corruption, and the destruction of text messages exchanged between von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. Although no charges have been filed to date, the EPPO confirmed that this investigation remains ongoing, keeping the “Pfizergate” controversy alive despite the closure of the Belgian legal battle. [AI]
So same dictatorship playbook action used ie nothing to see here folks (Supreme court “finding”) which of itself adds to the Musk credibility not Von der Lying’s.
31
A fully functional BS detector is essential for YouTube these days.
Fortunately grok can help sharpen detectors (and it’s free). My standard query is “review and critique xyz”
Overall Assessment
Rating: 4/10 (as analysis) or 7/10 (as entertainment for a specific audience).
It’s effective advocacy content that resonates if you view the EU as overreaching bureaucrats stifling speech and innovation. It captures a real shift in power dynamics: private platforms (especially X under Musk) can now challenge supranational regulators in the court of public opinion more effectively than before. However, as objective review or news, it’s weak—hyperbolic, selective, and lacking counterpoints. The EU has tools, allies, and resilience; Musk has leverage but also faces legal, financial, and political risks (e.g., market access in Europe, advertiser pullback).
This fits a broader ecosystem of anti-globalist commentary. Watch for the dramatic narrative if you’re into that, but cross-reference with primary sources on DSA proceedings, EU statements, and independent reporting for a fuller picture. The conflict is real and important—regulation vs. free speech, sovereignty vs. supranational power—but the “paralyzed, no way back” conclusion is premature hype.
30
here is a link to a second “video” with the exact same presentation – picture of a woman with a ventriloquist voice over – this time seeming to claim Musk is closing down european X accounts. So forget the video and ask instead who is behind it (usual bogey men) or even the Von camp because the psyop uneducated will dismiss both vids when they hear the first list of accused. The AI response to my question re Musk was:
[AI] No, European X accounts have not been systematically deleted or turned off by Elon Musk or the platform.
Regulatory Conflict: The European Commission fined X €120 million under the Digital Services Act in late 2025, leading X to terminate the European Commission’s specific ad account in retaliation for how the fine was announced.
User Departures, Not Deletions: Reports indicate that 30 million users in the EU have voluntarily deleted their accounts since November 2023 due to dissatisfaction with X’s direction under Musk, but the platform itself remains operational for remaining users. [AI]
20
Thanks Earl. These fake videos are all over YouTube and if you click on one it shows you a dozen more. The question is who (or what) is driving (and funding) this utter carp.
Review and critique by grok…
Verdict: Skip it. It’s entertaining fiction for people who want to see the EU humiliated, but terrible as journalism or analysis. For actual info on this topic, check primary sources like the European Commission announcements, X’s statements, or balanced reporting from outlets covering the appeals. Sensational YouTube “news” like this often prioritizes narrative over truth.
20
Cheers FG. And I’m guessing you wont find any reference in the ecommissioners job description to suggest they follow these up. Instead their great “success” is stopping under 16-year-olds getting online access which as far as sex and violence content goes is a step in the right direction.
20
“Instead their great “success” is stopping under 16-year-olds getting online access which as far as sex and violence content goes is a step in the right direction.”
The jury is still out on that… Do we want our youth to grow up knowing nothing about sex and violence apart from that taught by the ‘woke’ teachers in their schools? Will they grow up as broadly educated and as resilient as children in the 1940s?
Will they know that food comes from farms and that you have to kill animals to get meat in supermarkets? Will they get any knowledge about Russia and Europe apart from ‘NATO good Russia bad’, or even ‘Putin madman, Trump badd..’ Will they freeze in shock when they see a friend with their arm ripped off in a road accident instead of getting on with saving them?
My children never had any censorship of the net, although I will admit to a timer on the modem so it was off between midnight and 6am. They did, however, get a good education in how to be cynical of anything they saw,and how cynical of the human race the people who put that up were. None of them have been in jail yet, so I see that as a win.
30
Thanks to all for your comments.
Seems like my wishful thinking over ruled my BS detector.
Cheers,
Dave B
10
NZ won : Australia lost
(just to rub a little underarm salt into the wound)
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/culture/kiwi-painter-s-portrait-of-a-fellow-artist-wins-australia-s-biggest-prize-but-some-find-it
New Zealand ‘graphic artist’, Richard Lewer, who now lives in Melburnistan, beat a mob of local Ockers to take out the Archibald Prize with his ‘painting’ of Ken, an elderly Aboriginal woman who also makes ‘art’.
This news is so last week but hey, always great for a little trans-Tasman friendly rivalry on the sports field and in the rarified air of art galleries. Touché!
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Yep. As per the graffiti which once appeared opposite the Children’s hospital in Melbourne.
Stage 1: Australia sux
Stage 2: NZ Null
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or: NZ won, Australia sux.
30
…or: jandals obviously protect your feet from burning sand better than thongs. Your bum doesn’t come anywhere near the ground when you walk….
20
A few days ago, a mass march was organised in London, under the banner of ‘Unite the Kingdom’. Looking at photos, the marchers remind me of the crowds we had here in Australia a couple years ago; both were draped in their national flags (Union Jack in London, the Australian National Flag here). Attendees in both cases were proud of their nation but concerned about its sovereignty in the face of leftist, globalist string-pullers in high places. In both cases, one of the principal concerns was uncontrolled and/or badly targeted immigration. In both cases again, the marches were peaceful and comprised lots of ordinary working people, with the families.
In London, a counter march was organised nearby. Those participating didn’t wear the Union Jack however, apparently preferring to wave the Palestinian flag, and to prominently wear the version of the keffiyeh preferred in the past by the PLO – the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, which carried out terrorist attacks. Placards carried a symbol associated with Hamas, calling for the blood of martyrs to “bloom in revolution”. Another read: “Hang Every ZOG Pedo” a reference to the “Zionist Occupation Government”.
So of course the UK’s Prime Minister had to address this. He denounced participants at one of the marches as “peddling hatred and division, plain and simple”.
Go on, guess which march he was referring to, the supporters of Hamas or the mums and dads in the Unite the Kingdom rally?
170
This is a good video on the march and speeches:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4KyDSLLW2I
Mayhar Tousi and Tommy Robinson talking to the assembly. It gives insight into how the “radical right” are behaving in the UK.
Starmer would lock up this “minority” if there was room in the prisons.
20
Another sensible Liberal defects to One Nation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVffXTVRPjk
Teena McQueen – Federal Liberal Vice President. A 40 year Liberal now supporting ONP.
100
I sincerely hope that One Nation does due diligence on any/all defectors.
We do not need any green wet Liberals joining One Nation.
100
Like this –
“Here and there”
https://vtdigger.org/2021/02/24/stratton-town-report-cover-draws-attention-for-all-the-wrong-reasons/
20
Yes. Very important. We don’t want Leftist Liberals infesting One Nation and destroying it like they have done to their own party.
50
Hollie Hughes mentioned she spent time talking to Pauline Hanson when in Parliament. Similarly for Barnaby Joyce.
Their ABC has been relentless in its PHDS and influential. I was swayed toward One Nation only after listening to Malcolm Roberts. He is no dill. His praise for Pauline’s world view and principles was rememberable for me.
My point is that Pauline Hanson has been around a long time and has seen a lot of parliamentary action and people. She is also a Liberal defector so understands the mindset of policy disillusionment.
Australia is so broken and most causes highly visible that the fixes are clear and present. Fundamentally, voters should not be electing people who are working for the UN and WEF. Democracy requires voters to be in control; not UN appointees in New York.
So there is a common cause that about 30% of voters now get. When I started voting for One Nation after Turnbull rolled Abbott, I thought my vote may never count but I underestimated the harm that Labor governments can inflict on economies.
I now have reasonable expectations that I will soon be voting for a One Nation government.
110
‘I will soon be voting for a One Nation government.’
Extremely doubtful, the best we can expect is a couple of seats on the front bench of a new conservative alliance.
17
Rick posted “When I started voting for One Nation after Turnbull rolled Abbott” so that was end of 2015 and now eleven (11) years have passed and Turnbull left Parliament seven (7) years ago.
Since that time what has One Nation Achieved apart from changing the brand name from Pauline Hanson One Nation (PHON) to One Nation, limited to four (4) Federal Senate seats after the 2025 Federal election, gained one (1) House of Representatives MP who was elected again as a National candidate at the 2025 Federal election and recently another House of Representatives MP after winning a by election in a Federal seat? So now a minor party of six (6), compared to Labor support group the Greens with ten (10) Senators and one (1) House of Representatives MP elected first as Greens?
What has PHON/ON achieved since established twenty nine (29) years ago in 1997? A couple of terms with several QLD State MPs, those Federal Senate seats, anything else before the 2025 election and more importantly the by elections of 2026 SA, VIC and Federal but last Saturday did not have a candidate for the QLD State by election in Stafford, ON did last full State election in Stafford, and LNP QLD candidate gained primary votes compared to the full State election votes, Labor lost primary votes but won the seat again on preference distribution. No One Nation support for the LNP candidate in One Nation home State of Queensland?
To form Federal government requires a minimum of seventy six (76) House of Representatives MPs elected.
15
Asking “what has One Nation achieved?” is not really a fair question in deciding whether there is any value in voting for them. They haven’t been the government and only had Pauline for most of the time. Pauline has, at times, even been disallowed from introducing bills with the rest of the senate not even wanting to engage in the discussion.
A better question is, “What has either of the major parties achieved while having full power to achieve it?”
And ask, “Does One Nation have policies on important issues that are better?”
The main thing that the coalition achieved in the decade they were in office was keeping Labor out of office.
Second to that I’d suggest stopping the boats was a good achievement, as a real point of difference to Labor.
But both major parties have taken us down this renewables path. The coalition at a slower rate but ultimately, through a fear of not being enough like Labor and not sticking to a principle with any conviction, they caved to a net zero policy.
How did Morison go from waving a lump of coal around saying don’t be afraid of it, to signing up to Net Zero in the blink of an eye?
But what has One Nation achieved?
Well, if voting against and preventing some bad legislation is achieving something, then she has achieved a few things we should be happy about. She has lived up to her end of the bargain as best she could.
Plus, her very existence is now steering the coalition in some policy directions and giving the “more sensible” (in my opinion) members of the coalition a better say in the party.
We will have better policies out of the coalition as a result of One Nation. But I’d suggest giving them the greater opportunity for more than that. Let’s see what they can do when given the opportunity. Then your question about “what have they achieved?” will be a fairer question.
Personally I doubt the party will ever have sufficient numbers in the cities, where two-thirds of the seats are, to ever form a government. But they can sure have an influence on policy if they have some numbers that require either major party to require their support.
We don’t have nuclear energy as an option because of a small in number party who was given enough numbers to dictate an outcome to Howard. Let’s see if One Nation can reverse that if they get equivalent small numbers. Look at what the Greens have achieved with less small numbers. All bad, but they achieved stuff with the Labor bedfellows.
I’d suggest giving ON support and then preference the Libs. ON need the funding and their primary vote has to hit a mark to get that. What’s the worst that can happen? You get a one nation member elected and they’ll form a coalition with the coalition if both major parties are in minority.
In case it was a genuine question, here’s some reading.
https://www.onenation.org.au/highlights
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Reasons for the Nuclear Power Ban
Legislative Deal
The Howard government banned nuclear power stations in Australia in 1998.
This ban was part of a political deal to secure support for the construction of a new nuclear research reactor at Lucas Heights, New South Wales.
The ban was introduced through a Greens amendment in the Senate with very little debate, lasting less than ten minutes.
Context of the Ban
At the time, nuclear power was viewed negatively due to public fears stemming from incidents like the Chernobyl disaster.
The government aimed to proceed with the research reactor project, which was essential for medical and industrial applications, without facing opposition regarding new nuclear power plants.
02
Yes. I’m familiar with how it came about. That’s why I mentioned it.
A Greens party with a stated policy of banning nuclear power was given enough numbers, and the balance of power on a bill the government wanted passed, to effect an outcome of their desire in line with their policy.
Let’s give One Nation the opportunity to have similar pull when the government (either side) needs support for a bill it cares about enough to do a deal on.
50
Answer – Top polling Federal party. And the polling is already reflected in the election results.
That question in 2026 is in the same arena as asking what did Trump achieve in 2015.
https://www.factualamerica.com/trump-talk/donald-trump-launches-controversial-presidential-bid-in-2015
Throughout 2015, Trump’s campaign was defined by headline-grabbing statements on immigration, trade, and foreign policy. While fact-checkers frequently disputed the accuracy of his claims, Trump’s popularity among Republican voters continued to grow. By the end of the year, he had established himself as a frontrunner for the nomination, setting the stage for the tumultuous election year to come.
Trump has never been a Representative or Senator but he is the most influential political leader in history.
Having never worked in government makes the majority of ONP candidates better suited to lead the government. They will always be asking why. A fish shop owner/operator or accounting business owner are eminently more qualified to run the country than a hard left socialist or management consultant. Owners actually know what it means to put their money at risk rather than others.
60
President of the United States of America is a very different position to Prime Minister of Commonwealth of Australia.
Presidential election for example is separate.
Opinion polls are a guide to voting intentions based on small samples and various other data, it if often commented that the only real opinion poll that counts is election ballot boxes and votes.
I have commented about past One Nation successes and that is why I ask what have they achieved in twenty nine years(29) years since formation in home State of Queensland?
At the 2025 election not one House of Representatives MP elected for One Nation.
02
If you write more words you might convince yourself that the UN-party you support may be a political force again. For now, they are following One Nation’s lead.
Why go for fence sitting second place when you can back the winner.
50
I agree Rick, why go for a minor party with some dream of them suddenly winning government when you can back a major party candidate in with a chance, and since at least Budget announcement and following widespread anger prospects rising fast with younger and impressive academic and private sector professional backgrounds before entering politics?
06
FWIW
From
https://chiefio.wordpress.com/2026/04/19/w-o-o-d-20-april-2026-oil-shock-contracting-global-economy/#comment-181652
“Dr. Campbell:
FenBen in Stage 4 cancer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9x02-SB1sk
Ivermectin and mebendazole, 84% benefit in cancer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM1t5BdptT4
He may have more. YT certainly has more on the topic.”
More in Chiefio’s follow-up comment
40
The plural of “anecdote” is “hypothesis”. Jordan Peterson
20
FWIW
“How “Leftism” Steals Our Joy”
““Leftism”, regardless of kind (socialism, Marxism, communism, USA Democrats) Steals our Joy
They do it by guilt trips. Mandatory supplication at the altar of Climate Catastrophe. Panic over the latest natural virus outbreak. Nagging over social behaviour. Demands to be “progressive” or be ostracized. Complaints about anyone having fun doing their own thing. Mandates, laws, and fines or penalties or even jail for those who do not toe the “Liberal Line” (American Social Liberal, not the English Traditional Liberals who were more like American Libertarians).
In short, they are a real Buzz Kill.”
More at
https://chiefio.wordpress.com/2026/05/18/how-leftism-steals-our-joy/
10
FWIW
“Why I Don’t DO Windows – Microsoft Snooping & Locking In”
“Microsoft locks you in, and then you must pay to continue services. Oh, and they hold your data.
If you think about spying Malware and worse, malware that demands a payment from you to get to your data; turns out that is not significantly different from what Microsoft does today as a business plan.
They dress up the language used a bit with “subscription” instead of “ransom”, and they call it “informatics” instead of “spying” or “cloud storage” instead of “data exfiltration”… and it is nominally a “voluntary” act.
But really, the behaviours are largely the same.
This video does a very nice job of summarizing the history of the transition from “An operating system I buy, own and control” to “software I must pay rent to use or all my data can go away”
“Stallman was the force behind the GNU Userland, while Linus was the creator of the Kernel. Together they make the GNU/Linux system.”
Video there
More at
https://chiefio.wordpress.com/2026/05/17/why-i-dont-do-windows-microsoft-snooping-locking-in/
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What about government users of “the glories of Microsoft”?
20
Linux, as per multiple recent news stories, has had MAJOR security flaws exposed, so don’t think it’s magically safe. It isn’t.
I don’t pay annual fees for M$ products…
Hold your data?
Not mine they don’t.
Average luddite, yes.
Spying and telemetry can be disabled 90%.
Linux wouldn’t even run 1% of the software I use and need.
Running Linux would be like reverting to Windows 3.1
If you want basic functionality and very limited choice, fine.
30
My new Geekcom A8 is running Windows 11. I have signed up for one year to get access to MS Copilot to see if it is useful. It is available without signup but does not remember you. I have given myself a year to see if it adds value.
I am now able to run large Excel files. I do a lot of modelling in Excel because it is so easy to assess the logic. It is inefficient processing but I know it well and am somewhat proficient with VBA so can set up macros to do more complex modelling.
The A8 with 32Gb RAM running Windows 11 has been very stable. Not a single crash yet despite running large Excel files that eat RAM.
I am using Thunderbird mail. I did not like what Outlook was wanting to do with mail. It was also reasonably easy to import MacMail emails into Thunderbird.
20
Rick, are you able to run your models in LibreOffice Calc?
LibreOffice Calc can read Excel files and can even run many Visual Basic macros (proprietary to MS) using its built-in VBA compatibility mode, although highly complex macros may require manual adjustments.
30
Excel is a bit like my chainsaw. It can do a lot of things but may not be perfect for any particular job.
Its main feature is my familiarity with it and the large number of models I have in Excel. I have been using Office 2010 until I got my new A8, which has latest office loaded. There is barely any difference in functionality so low learning overhead.
At my age, I am sensitive to learning overhead. Better the tools I know unless it is not capable of doing what I want to do.
Copilot makes programming a bit easier for other codes. For example, I had Panoply loaded and up and running in a couple of hours with the help from Copilot.
Short answer is that I have not tried LibreOffice.
10
But why should only Elite users be able to disable spying and data retention features, and even then not 100%?
There should be a simple way for “luddites” to disable these features like a big red easy-to-find button.
30
FWIW – Peter Ridd
“Good climate scientists suffer “madness of crowds””
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2026/05/18/good-climate-scientists-suffer-madness-of-crowds/
00
More than 100 UK datacentres plan to burn gas to generate electricity
Requests for gas connections by operators amount to more than 15 terawatt hours per year, endangering climate targets.
Governments and big tech companies are spending hundreds of billions of dollars into a frenzied and ambitious AI programme.
In the US, many of these projects rely on gas-fired generation. In Tennessee, activists have battled Elon Musk’s xAI for illegally running tens of methane-powered generators, risking the health of the surrounding community.
Meanwhile, 11 US datacentres built to serve Meta, OpenAI, Microsoft and xAI reportedly will emit more carbon than the country of Morocco. These emissions will come from off-grid gas generators built by the datacentre developers themselves.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/18/uk-datacentres-plan-to-burn-gas-to-generate-electricity
Gas? Where ya gunna get that from? 😆
Running on empty. Isn’t that a film?
20
FWIW
“Code Broken at Last and Far-Right’s Secret Weapon Revealed: Babes”
“At the beginning of a week, coming off a weekend during which the United Kingdom has seen this sort of outpouring of national fervor.”
“NEW: An aerial shot shows the size of the crowd currently marching towards Parliament Square for the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ event”
https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/2055635144791261644
“Sadly, for all the panicked and harsh security measures, the last-minute canceled visas for speakers, theatrical mob violence pre-planning meetings for Starmtroopers, and vitriolic speech with demonizing rhetoric beforehand from the Prime Minister and his toadies, the ‘mob’ turned out to be decent regular folks.”
More at
https://hotair.com/tree-hugging-sister/2026/05/18/code-broken-at-last-and-far-rights-secret-weapon-revealed-babes-n3815061
50
In the linked video YouTuber Irene BritUSA discusses the Tickle vs Giggle case, which ruled that a man who thinks he’s a woman has exactly the same legal status as an actual woman.
As usual Australia goes counter to international trends and scientific facts. E.g. President TRUMP signed an Executive Order that the U.S. government will officially recognise only two sexes, male and female, defined at birth. And in the UK, the Supreme Court ruled that the legal definitions of “sex” and “woman” refer strictly to biological sex
https://youtu.be/pJrdMZ_k22o
50
And as pointed out in the video, looking like a man is now a protected status of being a legal female in the Stupid Country. How exactly is one meant to determine who is and who is not a woman for the purpose of admission to (no longer) protected female spaces like change rooms, bathrooms, sports, women’s associations and gymnasia etc.?
30
Seems like the government has been successful in getting a new industry started in Australia with the declaration that cheap bootleg Vodka is available at one in three liquor outlets in Australia.
Just like the illegal tobacco trade what could possibly go wrong. Now it looks like a pretty easy problem to address. i.e. go into a grog shop, take samples and test, any failed tests results in cancelation of license to sell.
Oh well, to hard and when a tragedy occurs we will get public rending of hair and platitudes about how everything is being done to prevent this happening. Meanwhile the potentially toxic grog producers are busy setting up their business model with fire bombings and standover tactics. Of course the Victorian premier assured me I was safe and she has everything under control. Why do I have difficulty believing her?
40
A natural consequence of having some of the world’s highest tobacco and alcohol taxes.
30
Welcome to life on the wrong side of the Laffer curve. But they’d rather be broke and lawless than admit it.
20
Unintended consequences. These tobacco and alcohol taxes have created big crime breeding grounds.
Victoria is a mess from the perspective of crime.
Last week there was a mother in tears over her 14yo being killed in a stolen car. He had been bailed numerous times for previous offences.
30
There used to be a base jumper, who in a moment of self awareness, made is avatar an animated GIF of a chook pecking at stick of dynamite with a lit fuse.
The Victorian Government reminds me of this. You have to wonder how many bad choices they can make before it blows up in their face. I guess so far consequences have been easily avoided.
and yes the BASE jumper did peck once to often
40
In the latest financial shenanigans in Victoriastan, the Government signed an unbelievably long 40 year lottery lease when it is usually ten years, which itself is already too long.
Apparently this was done with NO competition and to quickly raise $1.1 billion to pay for free stuff for the upcoming Victorian election.
I guess they can now afford to build the bronze idol of Dan Andrews, a modern day replacement of Moloch.
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/victorian-opposition-raises-alarm-on-40year-lotto-licence-deal-underpinning-states-first-surplus-in-seven-years/news-story/e6a6639a0b554d72afa79ce2a8f223aa
40
Woolworths got me again. It doesn’t seem to matter how vigilant and sceptical I am, retailers continue to dream up new ways to con me.
This time it was coffee beans. I needed to bulk-up an online order to get cheaper delivery, so added a couple of 1kg bags of coffee beans to the order, a brand I use all the time.
Imagine my ‘surprise when I discovered that my 1kg bags are now 700g. I have never seen a 700g bag of coffee beans before. Oh and yes, it worked out more expensive per 100g than I could get it elsewhere.
Gotcha!
80
It happens regularly in the food industry and is termed shrinkflation. My experience (when I worked in a national retail chain) was that the producer would advise the retailer head office that their product has shrunk and head office would in turn warn their stores to ensure care when putting the new stock out. One head office email I saw stated how the new (smaller) stock was to be put where it was normally displayed and the old (bigger size) stock was to be taken away and displayed as a special (to quicken its departure from the store) somewhere else in the store.
Earlier this year was in a store and noticed a (sweet) product in the normal display which I was considering as a possible gift for a neighbor but it was not on special. As I approached the freezer section of the store I noted an end-cap with the same (sweet) product and this time it had the special tags. Thought strange, but on further examination noted that some of the product were 360g bars while others were 340g bars. Guess this store followed their email and set up a separate display however a conscientious shelf stacker assigned the freezer area had seen the end-cap needed restocking and just grabbed the new stock boxes.
10
FWIW
Today’s Coffee and Covid on the WHO’s latest efforts – start here
“The hantavirus fizzled out, so a new media health hysteria has magically appeared like a twisted Marvel antihero whose superpower is keeping liberals frantic and anxious. (Democrats: hear me. It might look like it, but the media is not your friend.) Late last night, the New York Times alarmingly reported, “W.H.O. Declares Ebola Outbreak a Global Health Emergency.” Guess what the WHO’s last global health emergency was? Monkeypox. Before that, covid.
Since 2020, the WHO has declared no fewer than six public health emergencies, averaging one a year. Almost like it was scheduled or a quota or something. But I digress.”
https://open.substack.com/pub/coffeeandcovid/p/dedication-and-scholarship-monday?
And the NYT gets starring mentions again – one being
“The Times failed to mention that, buried inside the WHO’s own announcement, was this sentence: “The outbreak does not meet the criteria of pandemic emergency, as defined in the IHR.” Um. They are declaring an emergency over something they say is not an emergency. This kind of Orwellian, bureaucratic wordplay exposed the whole racket in a single sentence.”
30
Another NYT starring mention – different sources
“Too Fun to Check: ‘Civil War’ At the NYT Over Kristof’s Blood Libel?”
https://hotair.com/ed-morrissey/2026/05/18/too-fun-to-check-civil-war-at-the-nyt-over-kristofs-blood-libel-n3815069
00
FWIW
Chiefio’s latest look at the world
“W.O.O.D. – 17 May 2026 – Hormuz Still Stuck, Ukraine Flailing, Gas & Groceries Getting More Risky”
https://chiefio.wordpress.com/2026/05/17/w-o-o-d-17-may-2026-hormuz-still-stuck-ukraine-flailing-gas-groceries-getting-more-risky/
10
‘I suspect we will soon be seeing an end to this war (probably as Fall arrives) as Kiev falls… ‘
He is totally wrong on this, we are about to witness the collapse of the Russian Federation.
14
“He is totally wrong on this, we are about to witness the collapse of the Russian Federation.
You guys in the CIA-NSA working overtime on this?
20
‘Germany and several other European nations seem to be hell bent on direct war with Russia. The “mood” seems to be aimed at spending a year or two building up military men & material for a war on Russia.’
Now he is just making stuff up.
In fact the Germans are reading the Art of War and fully intend to bring an end to hostilities without being on the front line.
01
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
01
I got Copilot to admit that a significant portion of the Greenland plateau is thickening. From Copilot:
A reasonable estimate is that 45 ± 10 % of Greenland’s area above 2300 m shows positive elevation change (thickening), corresponding to approximately (200,000 ± 50,000 km²).
It was like drawing hen’s teeth to get that but it has given links to download the data so I can get an accurate number.
In my view, the fact that it is gaining elevation on the high ground is far more important to climate than losing ice around the coast.
70
The story of Glacier Girl PROVES this. Actual dates put thus beyond doubt.
20
Its thickening because its warming, more evaporation leads to more snowfall.
11
BTW our stupid left wing loonies still believe a bloke can throw on a dress and then freely invade women or girls’ toilets and changing rooms.
The Labor, Greens and Teals extremists etc fully endorse this lunacy and this dangerous Gillard legislation should be removed ASAP.
Full marks to the Coalition and One Nation for trying to protect our Women and Girls and to keep them safe.
https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/angus-taylor-vows-to-change-sex-discrimination-laws-after-tickle-v-giggle-court-ruling/news-story/01b3f5a95b0f1773a569fcabccc6541f
20
No doubt about the rise and fall of the new LINO left faction in the Liberal Party of Australia since the end of the Howard Government November 2007 defeat by Rudd led Labor.
The first Liberal-National Coalition Opposition Leader was Dr Brendan Nelson, a typical traditional Liberal, he was soon replaced by Malcolm Turnbull the following year 2008 and because of his political position and ambitions was replaced by Tony Abbott in 2009 and he led the Liberal-National Coalition parties until late 2015 so six (6) years. Led by Abbott the Coalition defeated Gillard Labor at the 2010 election and they were forced into an alliance with Greens and a couple of Independent MPs who were former National MPs. At the 2013 election the Coalition led by Abbott defeated Rudd (back for a second time) Labor in a landslide defeat and won back all the seats Labor had gained in November 2007.
Once again, by end of 2015 the LINO left regained the upper hand over the traditional centre/centre right factions but only for three (3) years and at the 2016 election the Coalition lost all the seats regained 2010 and were saved from opposition by a National seat gain. From end 2018 the LINO left influence has been declining. However, after the 2022 Morrison Coalition defeat by Albanese Labor (preferences distribution based from a low primary vote ALP election report stated was the lowest since 1934 for Labor) Dutton became Opposition Leader. After Albanese Labor won again in 2025 with a still low under 35% primary vote the LINO left just managed to get Ley appointed as Opposition Leader but she lasted less than one (1) year and now Angus Taylor is the Opposition Leader with a two thirds majority, Deputy and National Leader Canavan appointed unopposed, early 2026 both.
And now a former elected member and Ley supporter has changed sides to ON, a former State Executive member has also made that announcement but look deeper into the history meaning positions lost and/or being in sympathy with Ley, and/or with other motives self centred. Earlier former Leader and Deputy PM Joyce two times elected again 2025 as a National MP changed sides, another example of being passed over for in this example leader for a third time. I understand their feelings and their frustrations, the NSW and Victoria State Executives from reports have been LINO left infiltrated. However, NSW was cleaned out by the National Executive a while ago and VIC now with a new executive including CEO very much traditional centre/centre right but not a former MP. And National President position now open with candidates Tony Abbott and former Howard Governmemt Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer both applying for the position. I understand that they are already advising Angus Taylor.
My point is that dwelling in a past that cannot be changed is self defeating. Two more years of Albanese Labor to go unless Labor decides on an earlier Federal election.
Six years of Labor Federal Government by 2028, earlier four years just over of Morrison Government, pandemic period must be taken into account from start of 2020, and therefore by 2028 the Turnbull Government three (3) years is long gone, ten (10) years ago.
My concern is not One Nation Party, or the elected members, however I refer readers to my lengthy comment here yesterday regarding business interests and influence, and objectives using political parties and elected members.
Labor, Greens and Teals masquerading as Independents are same side for all intents and purposes, Parliament Hansard records that they all mostly vote together.
We need like minded people regardless of the party or real independents working together to get rid of Labor governments. One Nation is far too few elected members to achieve that goal alone, and they cannot expect Coalition much larger number elected to be anything more than cooperative.
However, One Nation gained seats in SA and if you look hard to see their reasoning it was based on Liberal Party disunited and a very new leader. One Nation failed at the VIC State by election but obviously based their campaign on what they believed was disunited Liberals and new Leader but didn’t count on the fast changes implemented by the new State Executive team and the Liberal candidate won with Teal second place. Farrer by election another opportunity for that “drover’s dog” with disunity, 2025 elected again local MP resigned in 2026 and the brief Coalition split before she resigned and left Parliament … National candidate gained about 10% of the vote noting there had been no National candidate for many years past.
And then Stafford by election in One Nation home State Queensland, no show by One Nation that did have a candidate last full QLD State election. Why? In my opinion because the LNP QLD is well liked and united as a team. One Nation’s Chief of Staff gave their game away saying when asked it was not considered to be worth wasting resources on.
24
FWIW
How it used to be done
“Sir Charles Napier”
“Great Britain used to be a nation of customs, and by ‘customs’ I mean ‘laws’. English Common Law is the basis for much of American jurisprudence; and England gave us Sir William Blackstone whose book Commentaries on the Laws of England was the first methodical and systematic examination of law, and did so in a manner that could not only be read by non-lawyers, but understood by them.
These days … not so much.
In 1850 General Sir Charles Napier was the British Commander-In-Chief of India, and apparently had quite a case of the red-arse at the Indian practice of sati — the burning alive of widows on their husband’s funeral pyre.
The Brits declared that sati would stop, most ricky-tick, but the locals had other ideas.
I’m not quite sure of the actual date — some sources indicate February of 1850 — a delegation of Hindu priests gained an audience with Sir Charles, to plead the case that they should be allowed to continue sati. Their ace in the hole — their ‘gotcha’ — was that Sir Charles had, in the past, argued vehemently for British colonial officials in India to allow locals to continue their customs.
They laid out what was probably a very practiced argument, and waited for his response — which was very articulate, very fair … and very, very Britishly savage:”
More at
https://thelawdogfiles.substack.com/p/sir-charles-napier
00
Paris Agreement not enforceable, demands for Australia to get out of Paris Agreement ignores the realities of lack of enforcement …
https://climate.mit.edu/ask-mit/how-are-countries-held-accountable-under-paris-agreement
02
We don’t have any politicians with the balls to stand up to even a wagging finger from our ‘allies’, so the chances of us going alone are zero!
Besides, other PM’s might be rude to Elbow at some international gathering and he’d cry…
20
FWIW
I just picked this up. If USA is likely to have lube oil problems then so are we and worse.
“3. Shortage of lube oil?
Tamara at View From The Porch notes that lubrication oils are likely to become a lot less readily available following the Iran war. She reproduces a warning letter from AutoZone to its managers outlining what they can expect and how the company will try to deal with it. Very important reading, IMHO.”
https://bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com/
Links to
https://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2026/05/you-have-60-days.html
00
FWIW – not peak yet
“Good Queen Bess (he/him)
Is there nothing that cannot be contaminated by the odious ideology of the transgender identitarian obsessives? ITV is screening a new drama about Queen Elizabeth I and airing the theory – dismissed by respectable historians – that the Good Queen was a chap. The theory goes that the real Queen died young and, to keep this from Henry VIII, she was replaced by a boy.”
More at
https://thenewconservative.co.uk/from-the-man-cave-xxxiv/
Via https://www.smalldeadanimals.com/2026/05/19/tuesday-on-turtle-island-194/
00
FWIW
“U.S. Dept of War Suspends Permanent Joint Board on Defense with Canada
May 18, 2026 | sundance | 63 Comments”
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2026/05/18/u-s-dept-of-war-suspends-permanent-joint-board-on-defense-with-canada/
00
I asked what fast jets Canada operated. AI said: Canada currently operates the McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet as its primary fighter jet. Ya kiddin me!
We replaced ours years ago and C bought some for parts.
That’s one bloody squadron :EEK:
00
“That’s one bloody squadron :EEK:”
That’s OK Hanrahan, everyone knows they are completely invisible to anything and invincible in the air,and light-years ahead of anything Russia or China can field, so they’ll never get shot down anyway. We wouldn’t be suffering Western propaganda would we?
00