Miraz Jordan

"Blame avoidance framework" — Why is NZ spending far more on responding to climate disasters than on reducing future risk? | RNZ

Researchers have developed a blame avoidance framework to explain how politicians weigh up visibility (how much attention an issue attracts) against avoidability (who will be blamed for failure) before deciding on a course of action.

I find it amusing that while they prepare the bog behind our house for a housing development, one minute they're scooping and pumping out water, and the next they're sprinkling water on the area they've been filling and compacting, presumably for a road.

In a country like Aotearoa the government should do what's needed to ensure no one is homeless. But given some are homeless, this is an excellent thing for Rotary to do — Watch: Shelter bags for homeless 'the starting block' to cope with frigid nights:

Rotary Clubs across the country have responded to increasing homelessness with a special fundraiser - they've imported a container of 1000 shelter bags for city missions and other charities to give out. …

The canvas bags have a mattress layer, are bigger than a sleeping bag, and roll up easily.

Some days I walk along the grass right beside the river. Other days I use the footpath beside the road. How lucky to have this so nearby.

Good to read a bit of clear science around biological sex — Biological sex is neither binary nor a spectrum – a biologist explains how it’s multidimensional:

Many people are more typically female in some biological traits, more typically male in others, and intermediate in still others. In such cases, people can’t be placed accurately at one location along a single biological sex spectrum because there are multiple traits that can vary, and an individual’s biological measurements can land in different locations along these different axes.

In other words, biological sex is multidimensional.

The fact that people are multidimensional in their sex-related biological traits means that the binary view of sex is fundamentally misleading. Biological sex has variations and nuances, just as gender does.

I'm interested to follow along on progress with this AI datacentre — Datagrid pledges less water, generator use at Southland AI factory | RNZ:

Datagrid has unveiled a smaller footprint for its $5 billion AI factory in Southland, as machines start work preparing the Makarewa site.

At a meeting in Invercargill on Tuesday, the company told business leaders it had slashed its planned water use by 70 percent and more than halved its backup generator requirements.

I have a goal to go to the beach at least a couple of times each week, but laziness and inertia almost defeated me this morning.

It was lovely though, as usual in spite of the chilly Southerly, and until the last few minutes I was completely alone.

For the Pacific Wave Appreciation Society. 🌊

Another thing I liked about The Scot Free Cozy Mysteries is that unlike almost every other book I've read recently that doesn't even mention Covid, this set had at least two that were right there in it, during and after lockdown. There were masks, sanitiser, social distancing, the works …

This 27 minute video is well worth your time — Holy Trouble: the New York Nuns taking on President Trump | Compass - YouTube:

From civil rights marches in 1965 Harlem, to arrests during the Vietnam War protests and being criticised for supporting men with AIDS, the sisters have a long a history of what they call ‘holy trouble.’

Such admirable women.

🤣 Merchandise out, cashbacks in: Westpac changes credit cards rewards | RNZ:

Westpac NZ managing director of product, sustainability and marketing Sarah Hearn said the bank had conducted research …

"We know from talking to customers that their habits and desires are changing. They want a relationship with their bank and their card providers that feels more rewarding, more personal and easier to engage with day to day," she said.

Yeah, I'm just busting for a closer relationship with my bank.

Actually, all I want is for them to get out of the way.

Today I did a 3.5 Km loop walk along the river to the bridge, past the college and back down Tamure Place.

I stopped to take a photo of a layered Manuka across the river.

Kiwis, check you're (still) enrolled to vote in November: Check your enrolment details - Electoral Commission:

Use this service to check your enrolment details and update them if they're not correct.

We called in at the Ruakākā racecourse for the last couple of races. That was fun. Deb won a few dollars.

I heard about this on the radio and plan to explore over the coming weeks — AI Education NZ:

Learn AI with Confidence — Free Courses for Everyone in Aotearoa

From beginners to professionals, gain the skills to understand and apply AI in your work and daily life.

It includes topics like: Introduction to Al: Current Trends and Future Impacts and Implementing Al: Risks and Ethics.

Glad to see this kind of thing freely available.

Want to take a minute to check out news? Make it good news with Hope Scroll | Climate and Conservation Solutions News:

Sharing stories of progress to inspire action.

Put together by people, no robots, algorithms or AI.