Robert Merkel
@rgmerk.bsky.social
code monkey, former SE academic. Obsessed with renewable energy.
The serious answer is likely “he gives good quotes and is plausibly an expert in something”, which is all a journalist on a deadline usually needs.
Excuse me why is anyone asking Mike Pezzullo anything?
December 21, 2025 at 11:13 PM
The serious answer is likely “he gives good quotes and is plausibly an expert in something”, which is all a journalist on a deadline usually needs.
Reposted by Robert Merkel
Eternally this
Excuse me why is anyone asking Mike Pezzullo anything?
December 19, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Eternally this
Reposted by Robert Merkel
This entire opinion piece by Chip le Grand does not mention ISIS a single time. Not once. Instead it repeatedly suggests that the cause of the Bondi attack was Labor's failure to crack down harder on Gaza protests and related antisemitism. www.smh.com.au/national/lab...
December 20, 2025 at 9:08 PM
This entire opinion piece by Chip le Grand does not mention ISIS a single time. Not once. Instead it repeatedly suggests that the cause of the Bondi attack was Labor's failure to crack down harder on Gaza protests and related antisemitism. www.smh.com.au/national/lab...
Reposted by Robert Merkel
not that the present economic picture is rosy, but i do think that popular culture — and specifically nostalgia bait television — is a big part of the reason that our public memory of the 1970s, 1980s and even 1990s seems to miss the real economic pain that marked each of those decades.
December 20, 2025 at 2:44 PM
not that the present economic picture is rosy, but i do think that popular culture — and specifically nostalgia bait television — is a big part of the reason that our public memory of the 1970s, 1980s and even 1990s seems to miss the real economic pain that marked each of those decades.
Inevitable, bad, and why requiring porn sites to collect personal information about their users is a bad idea.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Hackers access Pornhub’s premium users’ viewing habits and search history
ShinyHunters group reportedly behind the hack affecting data of 200m users thought to be from before 2021
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Inevitable, bad, and why requiring porn sites to collect personal information about their users is a bad idea.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Robert Merkel
Good. Now do inner Melbourne. These trees are a menace in all respects. (Including for hay fever.) There must be better shade tree options!
Twenty-five London plane trees are set to be removed from Hamilton after they were found to be causing problems with local infrastructure.
London plane trees to be cut down in main street of Victorian city
Twenty-five London plane trees are set to be removed from Hamilton after they were found to be causing problems with local infrastructure.
www.abc.net.au
December 15, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Good. Now do inner Melbourne. These trees are a menace in all respects. (Including for hay fever.) There must be better shade tree options!
Lots of discussion about gun laws today, understandably.
One basic point I'd like to make is that you wouldn't want people running around hunting rabbits with deer rifles, which might be an unintended consequence of a blanket one-gun-per-adult policy.
One basic point I'd like to make is that you wouldn't want people running around hunting rabbits with deer rifles, which might be an unintended consequence of a blanket one-gun-per-adult policy.
December 15, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Lots of discussion about gun laws today, understandably.
One basic point I'd like to make is that you wouldn't want people running around hunting rabbits with deer rifles, which might be an unintended consequence of a blanket one-gun-per-adult policy.
One basic point I'd like to make is that you wouldn't want people running around hunting rabbits with deer rifles, which might be an unintended consequence of a blanket one-gun-per-adult policy.
Reposted by Robert Merkel
December 9, 2025 at 10:51 AM
WTAF?
December 7, 2025 at 7:53 PM
WTAF?
This thing is a gimmick: It runs a few times a day on a 3km route.
December 6, 2025 at 3:29 AM
This thing is a gimmick: It runs a few times a day on a 3km route.
Examples of these trucks were at the recent Melbourne EV show.
We can electrify heavy transport if we want to, though the trucking industry, particularly owner drivers, will probably have to be dragged kicking and screaming.
We can electrify heavy transport if we want to, though the trucking industry, particularly owner drivers, will probably have to be dragged kicking and screaming.
Gavin Mooney: "China is electrifying its trucking fleet so fast that it’s now reshaping global diesel demand.
This has not been widely covered by the mainstream media."
#battchat #alwaysbecharging
www.linkedin.com/posts/gavinm...
This has not been widely covered by the mainstream media."
#battchat #alwaysbecharging
www.linkedin.com/posts/gavinm...
December 3, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Examples of these trucks were at the recent Melbourne EV show.
We can electrify heavy transport if we want to, though the trucking industry, particularly owner drivers, will probably have to be dragged kicking and screaming.
We can electrify heavy transport if we want to, though the trucking industry, particularly owner drivers, will probably have to be dragged kicking and screaming.
While there is nuance in the details, ultimately, this appears to be a "computer says no" system, designed on the basis that human assessors are too susceptible to sympathetic applications.
EXCLUSIVE: Funding and support plans for national disability insurance scheme participants will be generated by a computer program and staff will have no discretion to amend them, under a major overhaul of the NDIS to be rolled out next year, @australia.theguardian.com can reveal.
December 3, 2025 at 5:22 AM
While there is nuance in the details, ultimately, this appears to be a "computer says no" system, designed on the basis that human assessors are too susceptible to sympathetic applications.
Reposted by Robert Merkel
EXCLUSIVE: Funding and support plans for national disability insurance scheme participants will be generated by a computer program and staff will have no discretion to amend them, under a major overhaul of the NDIS to be rolled out next year, @australia.theguardian.com can reveal.
December 3, 2025 at 12:34 AM
EXCLUSIVE: Funding and support plans for national disability insurance scheme participants will be generated by a computer program and staff will have no discretion to amend them, under a major overhaul of the NDIS to be rolled out next year, @australia.theguardian.com can reveal.
Brought to you by the letters I, B, and M.
my "not a blacklist" shirt has a lot of people asking questions already answered by my shirt
November 25, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Brought to you by the letters I, B, and M.
With grant success rates this low it is essentially impossible for young researchers to make their way - and if it’s this bad for DECRAs, imagine what it’s like for people in the post-DECRA valley of death.
DECRA success rate is the lowest in 14 years, since 2012 (1st year the scheme ran).
What a pathetic system we have for supporting new ideas, new people…
DE26: 13.1%
25: 17.9
24: 19.6
23: 15.0
22: 19.7
21: 17.1
20: 16.0
19: 17.2
18: 16.3
17: 16.7
16: 16.4
15: 14.3
14: 13.6
13: 15.6
12: 12.8
What a pathetic system we have for supporting new ideas, new people…
DE26: 13.1%
25: 17.9
24: 19.6
23: 15.0
22: 19.7
21: 17.1
20: 16.0
19: 17.2
18: 16.3
17: 16.7
16: 16.4
15: 14.3
14: 13.6
13: 15.6
12: 12.8
🚨 #DECRA #DE26 announcement:
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
November 25, 2025 at 12:54 AM
With grant success rates this low it is essentially impossible for young researchers to make their way - and if it’s this bad for DECRAs, imagine what it’s like for people in the post-DECRA valley of death.
Betteridge's Law strikes again. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Onboard the world’s largest sailing cargo ship: is this the future of travel and transport?
The Neoliner Origin set off on its inaugural two-week voyage from France to the US with the aim of revolutionising the notoriously dirty shipping industry
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Betteridge's Law strikes again. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
This is…not great.
There might be a (kinda) national gas market but the ability to move gas around the nation is constrained by available pipeline capacity, and there is also limits to the ability to store gas to meet peak demand in winter - which is where the risk of shortages comes from.
There might be a (kinda) national gas market but the ability to move gas around the nation is constrained by available pipeline capacity, and there is also limits to the ability to store gas to meet peak demand in winter - which is where the risk of shortages comes from.
Victoria produces more gas than it uses, so how is the state on the verge of a gas shortfall?
Is Victoria really facing a gas shortfall?
Victoria produces more gas than it uses, so how is the state on the verge of a gas shortfall?
www.abc.net.au
November 18, 2025 at 9:06 PM
This is…not great.
There might be a (kinda) national gas market but the ability to move gas around the nation is constrained by available pipeline capacity, and there is also limits to the ability to store gas to meet peak demand in winter - which is where the risk of shortages comes from.
There might be a (kinda) national gas market but the ability to move gas around the nation is constrained by available pipeline capacity, and there is also limits to the ability to store gas to meet peak demand in winter - which is where the risk of shortages comes from.
Whenever anyone mentions merit ever, ever again, I’ll just point to the opening paragraphs of this essay and the fact that the writer has been repeatedly hired by the best-funded and most prestigious outlets on the planet:
Look, I know people are saying don't read this, it's the most awful writing, and she's awful, and it's especially awful that she got hired to write even after her grossly unethical history.
But... it's so joyously bad. I wouldn't bet against it being a parody.
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/o...
But... it's so joyously bad. I wouldn't bet against it being a parody.
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/o...
Olivia Nuzzi's 'American Canto': Read the Exclusive Excerpt
She flamed out and she faded away. 'Vanity Fair'’s West Coast Editor returns to the written word to survey scorched earth.
www.vanityfair.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Whenever anyone mentions merit ever, ever again, I’ll just point to the opening paragraphs of this essay and the fact that the writer has been repeatedly hired by the best-funded and most prestigious outlets on the planet:
What possible justification is there for CSIRO to be shrinking, FFS?
November 18, 2025 at 7:03 AM
What possible justification is there for CSIRO to be shrinking, FFS?
This discourse annoys me quite a bit.
It would be more productive to think a little harder about why SUV marketing - and actual SUVs - hit a chord with so many buyers who are prepared to pay more for what are, in many ways, inferior vehicles for their owners well as for society.
It would be more productive to think a little harder about why SUV marketing - and actual SUVs - hit a chord with so many buyers who are prepared to pay more for what are, in many ways, inferior vehicles for their owners well as for society.
“Automobile industry analysts say that manufacturers are attracted to high profit margins from SUVs: they can make more money from SUVs even tho they make fewer vehicles.”
"If ranked among countries, the global fleet of SUVs would be the world's 5th largest emitter of CO2…”
We all pay the costs.
"If ranked among countries, the global fleet of SUVs would be the world's 5th largest emitter of CO2…”
We all pay the costs.
November 18, 2025 at 2:06 AM
This discourse annoys me quite a bit.
It would be more productive to think a little harder about why SUV marketing - and actual SUVs - hit a chord with so many buyers who are prepared to pay more for what are, in many ways, inferior vehicles for their owners well as for society.
It would be more productive to think a little harder about why SUV marketing - and actual SUVs - hit a chord with so many buyers who are prepared to pay more for what are, in many ways, inferior vehicles for their owners well as for society.
Spotted near work. The driver (who uses it for work) was very eager to talk about it and loves it - says he wouldn’t go back to a petrol version.
While I do not love full-size American pickups on our roads, it’s interesting that given the opportunity to try it, ute drivers don’t mind an EV.
While I do not love full-size American pickups on our roads, it’s interesting that given the opportunity to try it, ute drivers don’t mind an EV.
November 18, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Spotted near work. The driver (who uses it for work) was very eager to talk about it and loves it - says he wouldn’t go back to a petrol version.
While I do not love full-size American pickups on our roads, it’s interesting that given the opportunity to try it, ute drivers don’t mind an EV.
While I do not love full-size American pickups on our roads, it’s interesting that given the opportunity to try it, ute drivers don’t mind an EV.
This kid is going to be in Formula One sooner or later.
🇲🇴 Prema's Freddie Slater nailed the start to take the lead of the #MacauGP qualification race, which he then dominated ahead of two rapid KCMG Pinnacle Motorsport drivers.
Report and results:
formulascout.com/slater-nails...
Report and results:
formulascout.com/slater-nails...
Slater nails start to set up dominant Macau GP qualification race display - Formula Scout
Freddie Slater dominated the Macau Grand Prix's qualification race, wining by over five seconds thanks to a great start.
formulascout.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:50 AM
This kid is going to be in Formula One sooner or later.
Reposted by Robert Merkel
This is a good lesson for Australia. If you can't do anything in a 3 year term, you can't do it in 4, or apparently 5. The problem is not the term length, the problem is the culture and incompetence of the politics of the people who rise to the top in our parties.
November 12, 2025 at 10:50 AM
This is a good lesson for Australia. If you can't do anything in a 3 year term, you can't do it in 4, or apparently 5. The problem is not the term length, the problem is the culture and incompetence of the politics of the people who rise to the top in our parties.
Reposted by Robert Merkel
The UK is the perfect example of too many profoundly stupid, lazy people in politics. They have 5 year terms, and the political class complain that they need 6 to do anything. They have 4 years remaining before an election and they're already shitting the bed about leadership
November 12, 2025 at 10:47 AM
The UK is the perfect example of too many profoundly stupid, lazy people in politics. They have 5 year terms, and the political class complain that they need 6 to do anything. They have 4 years remaining before an election and they're already shitting the bed about leadership
Wonder if this will make Sky News and the Oz...
🇨🇳 📰 NEW | Analysis: #China’s #CO2 #emissions have now been flat or falling for 18 months
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chinas-co2-emissions-have-now-been-flat-or-falling-for-18-months/
@laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social w/ @carbonbrief.org
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chinas-co2-emissions-have-now-been-flat-or-falling-for-18-months/
@laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social w/ @carbonbrief.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Wonder if this will make Sky News and the Oz...