Andrew Starr
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ajsta.bsky.social
Andrew Starr
@ajsta.bsky.social
240 followers 570 following 680 posts
Melbournian with interests in Infosec, Climate, Finance, and a bit of sport..
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I wonder if this is why tech bros have an unrealistic view of AI's benefit, because it is quite useful in tech related tasks (eg. for me regex/spunk queries/sql/basic code) and they're extrapolating this level of utility to other domains?

The diff for me is that testing is part of tech workflow..
And finally Ketan with his depth of knowledge of the historical context..

bsky.app/profile/keta...
notes on gatesnotes, in a thread

"A new way to look at the problem" - er, no, he's been running this line for DECADES

On the headline: you can absolutely guarantee anyone presenting themselves as telling tough, hard truths is about to deliver some self-aggrandising nonsense
And some really good points in this one

bsky.app/profile/weat...
I wanted to offer some thoughts on the Gates climate memo that has been circulating this week. While I can't directly speak for others, I can say that my own response is one of dismay & deep frustration (and that this view is shared by many climate/Earth scientists). [1/n]
Since I posted, there's quite a few very smart people on here who have read and analysed the piece. Here's a sample..

bsky.app/profile/kath...
If you take the time to read the whole Gates memo (which I did), the bulk of the content was mostly solid and encouraging. Really!

It was the FRAME that was off--very off, from the first line.

And when your framing is off, then how you make decisions and set priorities is off. THAT'S the problem.
Also, to see hour by hour forecast for tomorrow and the next few days where would you go?

That's right, make sure you click Today!!
Pretty amazing* that the mean is within 0.01 between groups for multiple indicators (age, BMI) and close for still quite close for height!

*Probably fraudulent
I didn't get that vibe from his article (eg. See below extract about how every 0.1°C matters), but haven't viewed all his interviews etc.

But I agree with your other post that AI slop (especially video) is bad for climate
Seems like a "Por qué no los dos", where he's advocating addressing climate change and addressing health/agricultural issues in developing countries..

He's a bit techno-optimist for my liking, but that's a mild critique..
Given a portion of my timeline seems to be people bagging out Bill Gates, I looked up his piece that caused the stir.

I'm not sure I get the bluesky outrage?

www.gatesnotes.com/home/home-pa...
After 2 days I found them. Current Observations are cleverly* found under Past or Places. Haven't found the map version though..

*Not cleverly

www.bom.gov.au/location/aus...
www.bom.gov.au
Some of the Waubra turbines in question, from the top of Mount Bolton nearby.

Hopefully in a couple of years will be able to face the other way and see the proposed Nyaninyuk Wind Farm come to fruition too - interesting seeing the community comments page for that one (nothing new under the sun etc)
The headline in the actual article is much better, it's like they've got AI to come up with the most clickbait headline for the digital front page?

"Bullying, harassment, intimidation: Shocking backlash for farming families who welcome renewables"
Weird that this is the headline, my takeaway was the guy aiming a rifle at a helicopter inspecting power lines, and the potential for sov cit like violence..

Btw, the phone call was talking about Transmission lines across Bruce's land (with significant compensation)..
#SavedYouAClick
A progressive Wealth Tax (that can be deferred for x years for illiquid assets)

A progressive Capital Gains Tax which would apply at disposal of shares
Not quite as good in the colder parts of Oz. Would need to 3.5x my 6.4kW system here in Melbourne to meet our winter demand - and that's without an EV - highlighting the need for more wind, good interconnectors, and Snowy pumped hydro to come online.
Think that's a write off
"In good faith I gave you brick and wheat for two ore, but then you turned around and stabbed me in the back by declaring an ore monopoly! How can I ever trust you again?"
Reposted by Andrew Starr
Time for 2025 updates to my annual “opinions about solar” thread. If you like these, you might like the second edition of my book, Solar Power Finance Without The Jargon. A 30% discount code WSQ0437 is valid on publisher website until end of November 2025.

www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
Solar Power Finance Without the Jargon
www.worldscientific.com
Politicians can't cut a ribbon or do a social media post on a maintenance plan..
I don't remember much from high school physics but one thing I do remember is:

Force = Mass x acceleration

That Mass thing seems pretty key to how much damage you'd do...