Absolutely. Storytelling has always been about communication between humans, AI pushers overlook fundamental human need for connection with other humans. A story hits home because it comes from another human’s mind and we feel seen and part of a broader human experience

The Anglosphere is not where I would be getting political inspiration and security from at this point, and yet after decades of pivoting to Asia we still seem to be ignorant of and disconnected from our neighbourhood

There is no moral line, only a realpolitik one. Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu cannot cross a government line that doesn’t exist. The realpolitik line will be crossed elsewhere and then cold calculation will force the government to act. The government is a moral void with no principles

The shift has been coming. Voters under 45 or so vote differently to their parents. It’s a changed landscape and if you don’t know what they’re thinking or what they care about, then you don’t know what’s happening. Now up to MSM if it also adjusts to this shift

“We found there’s this perfect one-to-one relationship. If a city increased its road capacity by 10% then driving in that city went up by 10%.” Still one of the best articles on why building bigger roads leads to more driving. Understanding #InducedDemand Via @wired.com

Looks like there has just been a big earthquake in Myanmar, and felt strongly in Bangkok

BKK during the earthquake

Just quietly I think HCMC is the best city in South East Asia for those who appreciate good urbanism

But seriously, can we have these?

Really annoyed at the total inertia on interstate trains from both
major parties. We are stuck with air duopoly because no government will do basic improvements to interstate rail. Not talking high-speed, just straighten the track and buy new trains! www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Very interesting towards the end - ABC news tilting to easy English-language sources (e.g. American politics) and to my mind resembling the “news” from social media more and more. What about news from Asia where most of our economic, strategic and cultural interests lie johnmenadue.com?p=407802

On here you are publishing to the world at large, in writing and permanently. So there is a larger reach than a private or small discussion, and the evidence of it is easily accessible. Think of it like letters to the editor published in a newspaper - that’s how it’s viewed legally

We knew the answer to today’s congestion issues in 1927…

I love how motornormativity and our terrible urban planning in Australia is finally getting questioned in front of a wider audience. After talking about it for years, I’m finding more and more “average” people are conscious of the issues and interested in change youtu.be/xQ4KVsnotSw?...

A reckoning is coming for decades of policies that tilted too far towards capital - the ALP can either hope to stay in govt by starting reforms to public services with profit-skimming middlemen & pro-capital tax arrangements, or keep the seat warm til local Trumpists ride resentment into govt

Sydney continues to do transport better than other big Australian cities, despite setbacks. A very interesting thread

South Asia-related titles are 30% off direct from UPitt Press. Including my book! upittpress.org/acsa-2024-co...

NEW: “Do bike lanes really cause more traffic congestion? Here's what the research says. Studies from around the world show bike lanes ease congestion, reduce emissions & are a boon to businesses.”

And removing them would cost a lot & make traffic worse.
www.cbc.ca/news/science...

I suspect the less engaged in politics feel that something is now being done about climate change just by Labor’s targets, without looking into policies or whether they will be met. There has also been a politically effective campaign by Dutton to link migration to house prices - facts don’t matter

Excellent move - one step towards better planning in Brisbane. Now Council needs to concentrate on improving the transport options in the inner city www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05...

There are still a lot of people without access to air conditioning. I honestly don’t know how they are managing to sleep

We have the privilege of a well-airconned apartment and spend most of the day inside. Our paediatrician advised keeping the baby inside this month. If we do leave she has a battery fan on her stroller and a cooling pad that you can put refrigerated gel packs in - it does affect life a lot

Life does go on, but I’d say people are more conscious this year that this heat can be life or death. E.g. my gym trainer was late yesterday because he felt sick from the heat while riding in on his motorbike and stopped for an aircon and drink break at a 7-Eleven

Over a month of this so far. I don’t expect many people know what it’s like to wake up to a humid “feels like” temperature of 41° at 7:30am like we did in Bangkok this morning, let alone week after week with no respite