Waiting at Reception – Sydney, February 2015

I found this visitor in the lobby of an office building.

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Big ship, little ships – Sydney, March 2015

From ocean liners to harbour ferries, here are some of the vessels plying Sydney Harbour.

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This Week I Learned

Aussie sea snails travel 5,000 miles to China’s dining tables.

An obituary of Darrell Winfield, Marlboro Man.

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All Ships and Sizes – Sydney, January 2015

Cruise ships at Circular Quay, Sydney. I watched the red-and-white paddlewheel ship as it docked, loitered, and then backed away again (in the second photograph).

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There is such a thing as robot pro wrestling

Learning something every day!

Robot Pro Wrestling at Dekinnoka 16

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This Week I Learned

Driverless mining trucks in Western Australia.

A somewhat long-winded but nonetheless interesting article on passwords.

McDonalds in India: cultural and culinary exchange.

3D printing clothes at home.

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This Week I Learned

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Vibrant Colour- Sydney, October 2014

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It was a warm spring afternoon, halfway to summer, when I took this photo.

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This Month I Learned

Breaking a drought of non-fiction reading, I’ve started on Francis’ Fukuyama’s The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution (2011). This is part 1 of his history of the evolution of government – the second volume (released this year) extends his argument to the present day. So far, it’s readable and interesting: here is a summary of Fukuyama’s arguments, and here is a useful review.

In today’s links:

Around the world

  • Landline, a weekly TV programme produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, offers a regular, fascinating insight into rural Australia. This week is no exception. For example, this 84-year-old’s home-made mill incorporates parts from almost everything, from old bomber parts to a steam engine. MacGyver (and Mad Max) have nothing on him.
  • And speaking of which, these photos offer a striking look at outback Australia.
  • Trade between emerging nations doesn’t receive anywhere near the press that it probably should. Here is a piece on Chinese business in Ethiopia.

Technology, affecting our lives

Earning a living

And finally

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Bridging the Gap – Sydney, July 2014

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Taken in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. The city’s skyline and the Harbour Bridge can be seen in the background, with the bridge almost appearing to link two buildings.

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