Julian’s Scrawings
@scrawlings.bsky.social
music, art, writing • science, history, economics • SFF, TTRPGs • software and the human problem of how to make it • pluralism, solidarity, sustainability • living on Wurundjeri land • gen-x, he/him
I've just restrung a guitar and now a tiny 1cm long piece of hard fine wire is lost on my floor. I cannot find it. I will not be able to go barefoot around my desk until my animal brain lets go of the current sense of menace and fear from my floor attacking me and that makes me sad.
December 1, 2025 at 1:23 AM
I've just restrung a guitar and now a tiny 1cm long piece of hard fine wire is lost on my floor. I cannot find it. I will not be able to go barefoot around my desk until my animal brain lets go of the current sense of menace and fear from my floor attacking me and that makes me sad.
I've had, or I'm in, a period of substantial depression, a life long concern going through a bad patch, not at all helped by being recently unemployed. One victim has been music: I struggle to listen, I no longer dance, and today broke my longest stretch in 40+ years without playing.
November 30, 2025 at 9:42 AM
I've had, or I'm in, a period of substantial depression, a life long concern going through a bad patch, not at all helped by being recently unemployed. One victim has been music: I struggle to listen, I no longer dance, and today broke my longest stretch in 40+ years without playing.
No one better than an accounting expert to articulate how simple realistic changes to tax systems can be improved to eliminate poverty and serve the population as a whole. UK centric but universal lessons: taxingwealth.uk
Taxing Wealth Report 2024
The Taxing Wealth Report 2024 seeks to answer the question that every journalist loves to ask of every politician, which is ‘how are you going to pay for it?’, whatever 'it' might be.
What we know is...
taxingwealth.uk
November 30, 2025 at 8:50 AM
No one better than an accounting expert to articulate how simple realistic changes to tax systems can be improved to eliminate poverty and serve the population as a whole. UK centric but universal lessons: taxingwealth.uk
Surprising where new heroes come from. An accounting professor in his retirement whose educational YouTube videos are gradually becoming the most passionate and articulate expression of the goal (lofty? minimal?) that a functional democracy should make the population's lives substancially better.
Why does poverty still exist in one of the richest countries on earth? In this video, I explain how antisocial neoliberal economics deliberately creates poverty.
youtu.be/GfihKzPmRIg?...
youtu.be/GfihKzPmRIg?...
Why do we still have poverty in UK?
YouTube video by Richard J Murphy
youtu.be
November 30, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Surprising where new heroes come from. An accounting professor in his retirement whose educational YouTube videos are gradually becoming the most passionate and articulate expression of the goal (lofty? minimal?) that a functional democracy should make the population's lives substancially better.
One thing I hate about a sleepless night is anticipating the lack of energy tomorrow.
November 29, 2025 at 4:27 PM
One thing I hate about a sleepless night is anticipating the lack of energy tomorrow.
I barely let myself hope for the kind of hopefulness in this article: that we can see environmental integrity as foundational to social and economic progress and embed that reality in environmental protection and restoration laws.
November 29, 2025 at 12:05 AM
I barely let myself hope for the kind of hopefulness in this article: that we can see environmental integrity as foundational to social and economic progress and embed that reality in environmental protection and restoration laws.
Reposted by Julian’s Scrawings
Australia finally acknowledges environment underpins all else. That’s no small thing | Ken Henry
Australia finally acknowledges environment underpins all else. That’s no small thing | Ken Henry
In what are dangerous times for democracies around the world, parliament’s overhaul of nature laws in the EPBC Act shows ambitious reform remains possible
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The passage of long overdue reforms to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act demonstrates powerfully that democratic governance is alive and well in Australia.
The Australian parliament has done its job and passed 21st-century reforms that support a modern economy, enable the creation of new and sustainable jobs while promising not to destroy, but in fact improve, the health of the natural world.
Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Australia finally acknowledges environment underpins all else. That’s no small thing | Ken Henry
From property investment intending to profit from rent taking, to private equity Ponzi schemes, to get rich quick scams like crypto and most day trading, the dream of money for nothing is pervasive and distorts our values such that we end up being taught to despise hard work and those who do it.
November 28, 2025 at 10:36 PM
From property investment intending to profit from rent taking, to private equity Ponzi schemes, to get rich quick scams like crypto and most day trading, the dream of money for nothing is pervasive and distorts our values such that we end up being taught to despise hard work and those who do it.
I wish people would stop drawing the Laffer curve as gentle mound subtly implying there's a lot of imaginable tax levels that would reduce revenue. To the extent it's been studied it's much more like a rounded cliff but with sharp revenue drop off at rates way higher modern tax regimes in the West.
November 26, 2025 at 11:58 PM
I wish people would stop drawing the Laffer curve as gentle mound subtly implying there's a lot of imaginable tax levels that would reduce revenue. To the extent it's been studied it's much more like a rounded cliff but with sharp revenue drop off at rates way higher modern tax regimes in the West.
I bought a bag of apples this afternoon. They have no flavour. Nice enough texture, but nothing more. They're a little sweet, decently moist, pleasantly crisp. But not very sweet, no sourness, no aroma. I honestly can't taste them as apple...
November 26, 2025 at 7:42 AM
I bought a bag of apples this afternoon. They have no flavour. Nice enough texture, but nothing more. They're a little sweet, decently moist, pleasantly crisp. But not very sweet, no sourness, no aroma. I honestly can't taste them as apple...
When I'm not fretting about being unemployed again and the coming global financial crash, I have a list of Bluesky visual artists that I like to check in on. Mostly character illustration with a tendency toward fun and wholesome–it's my happy place: bsky.app/profile/did:...
November 25, 2025 at 11:00 PM
When I'm not fretting about being unemployed again and the coming global financial crash, I have a list of Bluesky visual artists that I like to check in on. Mostly character illustration with a tendency toward fun and wholesome–it's my happy place: bsky.app/profile/did:...
I'm inclined to try the train from Melbourne to Sydney rather than flying. It's the difference between half-a-day to fly and a whole-day for the train, (when you include check-in waiting and travel to the airport). And the train ends up about 60-70% cheaper when those extra costs are included.
November 25, 2025 at 4:36 AM
I'm inclined to try the train from Melbourne to Sydney rather than flying. It's the difference between half-a-day to fly and a whole-day for the train, (when you include check-in waiting and travel to the airport). And the train ends up about 60-70% cheaper when those extra costs are included.
Reposted by Julian’s Scrawings
116 legal and policy experts have now opposed Labor’s new powers for police to recommend cutting payments from people without them even having been convicted of a crime.
Cops shouldn’t be anywhere near welfare law and Labor should withdraw this amendment. www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/treat...
Cops shouldn’t be anywhere near welfare law and Labor should withdraw this amendment. www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/treat...
November 24, 2025 at 2:31 AM
116 legal and policy experts have now opposed Labor’s new powers for police to recommend cutting payments from people without them even having been convicted of a crime.
Cops shouldn’t be anywhere near welfare law and Labor should withdraw this amendment. www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/treat...
Cops shouldn’t be anywhere near welfare law and Labor should withdraw this amendment. www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/treat...
You can't call it a justice system, better to call it an injustice system, if children must defend themselves. These systems are hard to navigate for well informed adults, and even lawyers make mistakes that lose cases.
The Northern Territory has made widespread cuts to free legal representation, leaving children as young as 10 to represent themselves in court. Read more: satpa.pe/fVgZ6se
November 22, 2025 at 12:50 AM
You can't call it a justice system, better to call it an injustice system, if children must defend themselves. These systems are hard to navigate for well informed adults, and even lawyers make mistakes that lose cases.
Rare art post from me: solving a pet peeve, figure drawing books that don't show the real differences in skeletons that underpin what we see as male or female traits. This video covers a lot, (for artists I just wish it showed how the shape of pelvis affects the shape and position of the femur).
Key Differences Between Male and Female Skeletons | Human Skeletal Anatomy
YouTube video by The Bone Museum
youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Rare art post from me: solving a pet peeve, figure drawing books that don't show the real differences in skeletons that underpin what we see as male or female traits. This video covers a lot, (for artists I just wish it showed how the shape of pelvis affects the shape and position of the femur).
For a quick update on fake/bot streams of music, AI music uploads, and streaming service profit seeking, check out this shortish video. Yet another area where the current models are failing and perhaps some sort of crash is coming. youtu.be/Lgunrclsg_I?...
Spotify's Music Royalty COLLAPSE
YouTube video by Top Music Attorney
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 1:39 AM
For a quick update on fake/bot streams of music, AI music uploads, and streaming service profit seeking, check out this shortish video. Yet another area where the current models are failing and perhaps some sort of crash is coming. youtu.be/Lgunrclsg_I?...
We've reached the point where it matters to think about the reality of illegal orders and the obligation to not follow. This video needs to be watched widely: youtu.be/trIwNIDPALw?...
I've Disobeyed an Illegal Order. Trump is Wrong
YouTube video by Combat Veteran News
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 12:15 AM
We've reached the point where it matters to think about the reality of illegal orders and the obligation to not follow. This video needs to be watched widely: youtu.be/trIwNIDPALw?...
Offshore processing has stained and shamed Australia in so many ways. This obvious vulnerability to abuse of for-profit incarceration is just one. The hounding and punishment of whistleblowers is another profound weakness in our democracy.
On the appalling story of Derek Elias, who has spent four years trying to alert the government to the bad things happening at Home Affairs
Life as a Home Affairs whistleblower
Four years ago, Home Affairs assistant secretary Derek Elias attempted to report corruption in offshore contracts – the government's response has left him unwell and in financial turmoil.
nickfeik.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Offshore processing has stained and shamed Australia in so many ways. This obvious vulnerability to abuse of for-profit incarceration is just one. The hounding and punishment of whistleblowers is another profound weakness in our democracy.
With the coming market crash, can we please bail out people and not banks? Banks didn't redistribute through lending, so trying that again would be insane. If the goal is to keep people secure and the economy ticking over then things like Steve Keens jubilee make more sense.
November 19, 2025 at 10:13 PM
With the coming market crash, can we please bail out people and not banks? Banks didn't redistribute through lending, so trying that again would be insane. If the goal is to keep people secure and the economy ticking over then things like Steve Keens jubilee make more sense.
If your business plan depends on theft, it's not a business plan, it's a criminal scam.
When this merry-go-round finally stops it's going to be interesting to see where the money finally ends up.
When this merry-go-round finally stops it's going to be interesting to see where the money finally ends up.
AI advocates have warned that if every author in the class action filed a claim, it would "financially ruin" the entire industry.
Authors celebrate “historic” settlement coming soon in Anthropic class action
Advocates fear such settlements will “financially ruin” the AI industry.
arstechnica.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:50 AM
If your business plan depends on theft, it's not a business plan, it's a criminal scam.
When this merry-go-round finally stops it's going to be interesting to see where the money finally ends up.
When this merry-go-round finally stops it's going to be interesting to see where the money finally ends up.
Someone was wrong again on the internet. I laboured over a correcting response and then deleted it without sending it. Because deleting it made the internet a better place than sending it would have.
November 18, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Someone was wrong again on the internet. I laboured over a correcting response and then deleted it without sending it. Because deleting it made the internet a better place than sending it would have.
Bank boss: "We can't compensate vulnerable customers for excessive fees when they were eligible for better. They should know we're screwing them. Compensating them will offend our shareholders."
Regulate the hell out of them. Impose withering fines. Take away his right to work in finance.
Regulate the hell out of them. Impose withering fines. Take away his right to work in finance.
Australia news live: CBA boss says repaying excessive fees to low-income customers could be seen as taking shareholder property
Follow live
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Bank boss: "We can't compensate vulnerable customers for excessive fees when they were eligible for better. They should know we're screwing them. Compensating them will offend our shareholders."
Regulate the hell out of them. Impose withering fines. Take away his right to work in finance.
Regulate the hell out of them. Impose withering fines. Take away his right to work in finance.
Rewatching Andor, approaching the end. It’s still harrowing. And well bears repeated watching.
November 16, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Rewatching Andor, approaching the end. It’s still harrowing. And well bears repeated watching.
Reposted by Julian’s Scrawings
<rant> A periodic reminder that Sprints, Backlogs, Daily Scrums, Scrum Boards, Scrum Masters, Product Owners, Points, Velocity, PIs, etc., have NOTHING AT ALL to do with "Agile." Agility comes from working small, delivering frequently for feedback from actual customers, and adapting based on
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November 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM
<rant> A periodic reminder that Sprints, Backlogs, Daily Scrums, Scrum Boards, Scrum Masters, Product Owners, Points, Velocity, PIs, etc., have NOTHING AT ALL to do with "Agile." Agility comes from working small, delivering frequently for feedback from actual customers, and adapting based on
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Reposted by Julian’s Scrawings
Amazon announced 14,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $40M last year.
UPS announced 48,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $24M last year.
Intel announced 20,000 layoffs. Its new CEO's pay package is valued at nearly $69M.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.
UPS announced 48,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $24M last year.
Intel announced 20,000 layoffs. Its new CEO's pay package is valued at nearly $69M.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.
November 15, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Amazon announced 14,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $40M last year.
UPS announced 48,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $24M last year.
Intel announced 20,000 layoffs. Its new CEO's pay package is valued at nearly $69M.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.
UPS announced 48,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $24M last year.
Intel announced 20,000 layoffs. Its new CEO's pay package is valued at nearly $69M.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.