Australia - you're standing in it

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Sheepdog started the topic in Friday, 18 Sep 2020 at 11:51am

The "I can't believe it's not politics" thread.

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andy-mac Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 12:44pm
velocityjohnno wrote:

Very astute article. Worth providing here in full, and the use of an inverted Maslow pyramid to describe today is very interesting. The Australia of my childhood is gone and the change is just so sad to see - the simple stuff like your parents getting a 1/4 acre block for you to play in for 80k in a city. I feel for the younger generations the most, the boomers kids and those that follow: it was so, so different here once.

https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2024/03/australias-brave-new-world/

"Australia’s Brave New World

The Australian political economy is transformed…into a mental illness.

From the hopes of personal freedom, fulfilment, and liberalism of the 1980s Boomer generation, we have shifted into a structurally disenfranchised Generation Y with zero prospect of upward mobility.

Wages are low. House prices are impossible. Rents are a moon rocket.

This baleful class warfare cuts across all forms of participation in society.

Whether it is work, politics, or recreation, everything is now an advanced form of gaslighting to protect the psychopathic system.

A society that once privileged egalitarianism has been replaced with an artificial projection of community behind which power collects all the gains.

In politics, Labor stands for capital. Liberals stand for Gangsterism. Greens stand for environmental destruction in league with capital. Independents stand for nothing. Policy process is non-existent.

At work, the economy is layer upon layer of bullshit jobs, stalked by a perpetual supply shock from offshore immigration that crushes wage growth.

Multiple jobs and more hours are the only way to prevent living standards from sliding faster.

In recreation, even sport is not immune. Once iconic national sports are disintegrating as waves of ascorbic multiculturalism wash them away. Commercialism warps rules. Teams and clubs are gladiator cults.

The rise of women’s sports is no better. Clogging airwaves with substandard spectacle yoked to a top-down enforced loyalty that leaches the undertaking of meaning.

That is, if they are women at all. Even sexuality is unsafe. Men are women. Women are men. Pronouns get you sacked. Awkwardness is a felony, even if a pneumatic drag queen serves you advice about concrete at Bunnings.

In the collective forums of discussion about these issues, violent censorship reigns. A mind-controlling autocratic virtue signal radiates from the propaganda towers of the fake left and fake right press in equal measure. It demands loyalty to narrow culture wars over reason and debate.

The only agreement in the fake media binary is that it will not challenge the forces of production driving the entire sickness: the refusal to tackle vested interests on behalf of consumers, the refusal to tackle immigration for affordable accommodation and wages, and the refusal to tackle the extractive firms that gut the earth and government alike.

This seamless convergence of power and capital has robbed younger generations of hope and the individuating urge to rebel.

They seek meaning instead by inverting Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, abandoning their fundamental rights to home and fair pay for the phony self-actualisations broadcast by the system:

But Maslow’s pyramid is a pyramid for a reason. The base is wider because it is the most important. Invert it, and you get what we have today: a generation of psychological dominos that turns rage inwards in pursuit of the infinitesimal.

And what does the psychopathic system do with this angst, anxiety, and rage manifest in losing generations?

It generously labels them “victim” and uses it against them. They are the sick ones, it says, diagnosing millions with behavioural conditions like “neurodivergence” and “ADHD” and prescribing them uppers to cope with homelessness and economic insecurity!

Or, for the genuinely insightful kids who recognise their position is hopeless and slump into righteous depression, the psychopathic system gives them medical marijuana to bomb them out of the way.

All of which is subsidised by your friendly government, which cares about mental health, don’t you know?

And perhaps it is into something.

No sane person can cope sober with the mentally ill system that is Australia’s Brave New World."

Discuss if you feel like it. All opinions welcome.

Yep, sad state of affairs.

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zenagain Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 12:57pm

That was really really well written.

Bleak, but well said.

SJY could have written this.

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braudulio Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 1:05pm

Thanks VJ. I am both glad that I read that and wish that I hadn't

Craig's picture
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Craig Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 1:16pm

Yeah, heavy.

flollo's picture
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flollo Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 1:43pm

Oh dear. I understand the sentiment but honestly...

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sypkan Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 1:47pm

'that's progress'

said a 'progressive'

before being pelted with not non bpa plastic bottles...

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Optimist Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 2:04pm

Nothing wrong with the truth ….except facing it hurts…..but it can also set you free.

AlfredWallace's picture
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AlfredWallace Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 2:14pm
Optimist wrote:

Nothing wrong with the truth ….except facing it hurts…..but it can also set you free.

Optimist. Hope ya well.

I’ll always agree with your last statement, ‘telling the truth will set you free’.
Hope you’re getting a wave, there’s been a plenty. AW

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AlfredWallace Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 2:22pm

VelocityJohnno. Well articulated and written. Now there’s the truth.

As I stated recently, the USA model to a tee.

And we wonder why people like myself and others in these forums want nothing to do with that type of system, especially the way it’s being applied to us now.

The land of ‘Milk and Honey’, my arse. AW

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basesix Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 3:05pm

If the future is getting you down, tell your kids a) to slog away through the shit, we raised them well, they'll get there in the end, b) to go overseas and build confidence in themselves and a nest egg to return with, or c) to hit the sticks and find a bush-block near a regional center and live simply and blissfully, bow out of the hype, do some good, smile at every sunset, and build a life on their own terms. We are lucky we live in a big country. (Go West brave young pioneers! We'll visit, we promise.)

flollo's picture
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flollo Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 3:10pm

AW The US is a great country with an incredible amount of opportunities. Yeah, it's got its challenges and I wrote about them on these forums. But a lot of online 'commentators' trashing California for example are talking nonsense. California is one of the strongest economies in the world with an incredible amount of wealth. Yes, the distribution of it is not the greatest but overall, the place is booming with opportunities. When I was there last time I saw a lot of issues but I also witnessed a thriving, motivated population willing to get stuff done. A lot is happening there and they are lightyears ahead of us in many areas.

My next trip is to Nashville, Tennessee. A very different part of the country, and it will be interesting to see.

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Pop Down Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 3:24pm

VJ

Like 6'y others will say :) look at our children .

I can't argue with anything U wrote BUT , most Australian kids , are Great !

My daughters and their Gazillion friends , are ALL good kids .

They DON'T do Drugs , much at all , really .

They are all ambitious and Independent .

No one on the Dole !

How does the State of Affairs , a World Wide problem , U described so well , produce such treasures .

They all work hard ( and party hard ( not as hard as I fn did ) .

They Study , travel and work .

Melbourne IS a fn BIG community , look at our Football Games , or listen 2 1 of our Community Radio Stations ( PBS 106.7 FM ) .

Go run The Tan or walk in our Botanical Gardens or C The Dawn Service at the Shrine , community stuff everywhere .

U should C how we Fire Up for a Fund Raising Charity Day OR support a Needy Cause anywhere .

I have nieces at ANU , just like the kids in Melbourne .

Australia has GREAT Foundations !

Lots of the Stuff U mentioned , is Just very Bad fn Noise , that we have 2 put up with .

It can and WILL B changed .

Sometimes it drives People Crazy down here , 2 .

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flollo Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 3:11pm
basesix wrote:

If the future is getting you down, tell your kids a) to slog away through the shit, we raised them well, they'll get there in the end, b) to go overseas and build confidence in themselves and a nest egg to return with, or c) to hit the sticks and find a bush-block near a regional center and live simply and blissfully, bow out of the hype, do some good, smile at every sunset, and build a life on their own terms. We are lucky we live in a big country. (Go West brave young pioneers! We'll visit, we promise.)

As a millennial with 3 young kids, I am not concerned.

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AndyM Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 3:43pm

This is a message from my manager, send out to all staff (maybe 30)
about two weeks ago.
It's edited but what is below is reproduced verbatim from the message.

"As you know our hours have been cut in the last rosters.
These cuts means the same amount of work but with less bodies. So we need to be working a little harder or more efficient [sic] to make sure all jobs are getting completed.
...letting you know that [CCTV] footage has been watched over multiple days to accumulate the information for roster cuts."

So basically, you're part of a multi-million dollar operation that is expanding rapidly and making your boss obscenely rich but you need to
- work harder
- receive less hours
- be aware that you are being watched on camera and you will have your shifts cut if you do not perform

Mind you, a lot of these employees are in the 15-25 age bracket.

What does this say to all these young people who are entering the workforce?

It's a fucking disgrace.

I tell them to work at a reasonable pace, don't stress, and if you can't finish your work in the allotted time then you leave a note for your manager and go home.
Management need to figure this shit out.
There are quite a few staff who work up to a half hour of unpaid overtime every shift to finish work because they're afraid of being just phased off the roster.

Talk about a "structurally disenfranchised Generation Y with zero prospect of upward mobility."

Bullying and wage theft, all masked with talk of staff being "legends" if they comply with being squeezed tighter and tighter.

This is the modern business model.

Something's got to give but at the moment it looks like it's the mental and financial wellbeing of the working poor.

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flollo Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 3:52pm

That is ridiculous. I would sack those managers instantly.

Pop Down's picture
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Pop Down Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:01pm

Andy

Not sure where U live , but tell the hard working 15-25 year olds 2 move 2 Sydney or the Goldy . Anywhere , if possible .

Unemployment is at record low rates and they should be mobile and find a new job .

A few of your best workers leaving , might get the bosses , 2 think straight .

Getting the sack from your place , might B a blessing in disguise .

Most jobs require U 2 log on , off ( Management supervision yes , Camera's No FN Way , unless in a Bank ) and Do a certain amount of REAL work ( should be realistic ) .

Most companies I know down here are sensible ( lol my old boss would have Loved to have me Filmed :) .

Fair Work should be contacted and your No 1 boss , reported

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AndyM Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:03pm

I would love to take it to the Fairwork Ombudsman but it would unleash the most unholy shitstorm and make it totally untenable to work there.
Everyone (at least the casuals) would need to have an exit plan.

Similarly, if there was a sniff of union involvement anywhere, there would be an almighty purge.

And you're right Pop, it's actually a great incentive to get something else happening.
After that, I'll use the info gained from Legal Aid to get things move with Fairwork.

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monkeyboy Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:01pm

Is it really different to 30 years ago ? or is it just amplified because of Social Media ? It sounds the same to me, not to say its easy, no way. But 60 years ago it was bloody hard too according to my parents. Just get out there and work hard and if its not this country then go to another and earn more if thats what you want to do. I've met plenty of under 30s earning a pile here and doing very well.

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velocityjohnno Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:04pm

Just to clarify Pops, I didn't write that article but found it interesting enough - and sufficiently agreeable - to link it up. Andy what do you reckon of the approach of one of the leading supermarkets using AI to analyse their data to streamline their business (paraphrasing - check their press releases for their exact approach) looking for productivity improvements?

Long gone are the days, the days before the cameras, where you could bowl a rockmelon at your mate in the drinks aisle on nightfill

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AndyM Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:05pm
flollo wrote:

That is ridiculous. I would sack those managers instantly.

The directives are coming straight from the top. It's very ugly.

Pop Down's picture
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Pop Down Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:06pm

Andy

U can duo it anon .

Work Places like yours do exist , unfortunately .

Fair Work caters for this type of situation , as it IS a fn problem .

It costs only about $100 to Lodge a complaint form , once Filled out & Sent .

John Doe , is a good name .

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flollo Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:07pm

Monkeyboy I agree, it was always a shitshow, especially with smaller companies. I would say it was worse than now. At least decent companies now have a big range of benefits and support systems. When I was starting there was none of that.

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AndyM Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:12pm
velocityjohnno wrote:

Just to clarify Pops, I didn't write that article but found it interesting enough - and sufficiently agreeable - to link it up. Andy what do you reckon of the approach of one of the leading supermarkets using AI to analyse their data to streamline their business (paraphrasing - check their press releases for their exact approach) looking for productivity improvements?

Long gone are the days, the days before the cameras, where you could bowl a rockmelon at your mate in the drinks aisle on nightfill

Yeah I know what're you're referring to VJ, clearly it's going to be a thing that all the big companies will try at some stage as they look to maintain or increase profits. Amazon, Coles, they're going to do it if it's legal.
It's the modern realisation of the panopticon.
I think you can guess what I think of it.

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flollo Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:15pm
velocityjohnno wrote:

Just to clarify Pops, I didn't write that article but found it interesting enough - and sufficiently agreeable - to link it up. Andy what do you reckon of the approach of one of the leading supermarkets using AI to analyse their data to streamline their business (paraphrasing - check their press releases for their exact approach) looking for productivity improvements?

Long gone are the days, the days before the cameras, where you could bowl a rockmelon at your mate in the drinks aisle on nightfill

That is an interesting one. This was in the context of Palantir which we use at my work but not for this kinda purpose, it's something else. AI is spreading like crazy, I saw an application today that blew my mind away. Huge productivity gains. I'm not scared of it, to be honest, I see it as a good thing. There will be a price to be paid but I don't think Australia will be impacted as much as people think. And it's because we offshored much work that AI will replace. So basically, offshore will get impacted while the companies increase control and productivity domestically. We need to get on this bandwagon straight away.

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AlfredWallace Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:25pm
flollo wrote:

AW The US is a great country with an incredible amount of opportunities. Yeah, it's got its challenges and I wrote about them on these forums. But a lot of online 'commentators' trashing California for example are talking nonsense. California is one of the strongest economies in the world with an incredible amount of wealth. Yes, the distribution of it is not the greatest but overall, the place is booming with opportunities. When I was there last time I saw a lot of issues but I also witnessed a thriving, motivated population willing to get stuff done. A lot is happening there and they are lightyears ahead of us in many areas.

My next trip is to Nashville, Tennessee. A very different part of the country, and it will be interesting to see.

Follo. Thanks, good reading.

Incredible amount of opportunity you say. For who ? One of the worst health systems on the planet, where Health Insurance is a business not a service, our health system leaves theirs for dead (excuse the pun).

No social security support, got no job and you’re sick, you’re fucked.

I’d never before seen a country where the evidence of being such great producers, engineers, scientists, builders, manufacturers have had such a profound affect on its environment . Anything for a buck.

Alas, I do understand why it’s like this, gotta feed 330 million people, that’s always going to be a big impost on the environment.

Water quality from a tap is poor in so many places.

Water quality especially on the west coast where I surfed was nowhere near the quality of our water. How could it be, 40million people alone live in California and that’s without adding, Oregon State as well.

Superannuation is a dream for most.

My angle is as you know, always from a biological perspective, I’ve travelled extensively in that country and I’ve never seen a place more degraded in areas of once majestic beauty.
Population expansion into areas that should never be built on, contrived existences are widespread, carting water thousands of kilometres to wet a desert. I liked the people, they are very friendly, unfortunately most conversations with them was about money, in particular how much I or others earnt per annum.

Annual holidays, generally two weeks per annum.

They are a country of worker ants, they need to be because wages are low for most.
I could write about this all day.

My concern is, evidence backs this, we are following the same trend, where a small minority in both Australia and the US hold and control most of the wealth and it’s just fucking bad luck for the rest of us.

Why is it that many who live there want to come here ? May I suggest they’ve seen here, small population, not really a gun culture
a good health system, superannuation, social security etc,

It ain’t no land of Milk and Honey, Sunny Jim, its more like Sour Cream and Aspartame.
Good to chat AW

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flollo Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:21pm

Yes to all of that, not disputing any of it but I'm always trying to find positives wherever I am. And I did see plenty of them in the US.

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andy-mac Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:36pm
AndyM wrote:
flollo wrote:

That is ridiculous. I would sack those managers instantly.

The directives are coming straight from the top. It's very ugly.

What industry?
That's disgusting behaviour.

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velocityjohnno Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:41pm
AndyM wrote:

Yeah I know what're you're referring to VJ, clearly it's going to be a thing that all the big companies will try at some stage as they look to maintain or increase profits. Amazon, Coles, they're going to do it if it's legal.
It's the modern realisation of the panopticon.
I think you can guess what I think of it.

I like to entertain that the AI discovers that Barry the bludger at the Betoota store is doing no work, and recommends promoting him to assistant manager at the store way out at Beyond - where his bludging becomes harmless; and this butterfly-wings-flapping action unleashes a chain of productivity improvements that add 400Mn to the bottom line.

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AlfredWallace Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:41pm
flollo wrote:

Yes to all of that, not disputing any of it but I'm always trying to find positives wherever I am. And I did see plenty of them in the US.

Follo. I also saw some positives, small scale regional manufacturing with an eye on quality goods, made locally, low impact on the environment etc.

They’ve always been great inventors and engineers.

And, what’s left of their environment that’s in the right hands is nothing short of spectacular.
Their National Park System is an exemplar for all to copy, ours is left in their dust.
They allocate billions to their spectacular parks to preserve what’s left. They value what they have and understand the ecotourism element is a big part of why many go to the US on a holiday. AW

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velocityjohnno Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:44pm
flollo wrote:
velocityjohnno wrote:

Just to clarify Pops, I didn't write that article but found it interesting enough - and sufficiently agreeable - to link it up. Andy what do you reckon of the approach of one of the leading supermarkets using AI to analyse their data to streamline their business (paraphrasing - check their press releases for their exact approach) looking for productivity improvements?

Long gone are the days, the days before the cameras, where you could bowl a rockmelon at your mate in the drinks aisle on nightfill

That is an interesting one. This was in the context of Palantir which we use at my work but not for this kinda purpose, it's something else. AI is spreading like crazy, I saw an application today that blew my mind away. Huge productivity gains. I'm not scared of it, to be honest, I see it as a good thing. There will be a price to be paid but I don't think Australia will be impacted as much as people think. And it's because we offshored much work that AI will replace. So basically, offshore will get impacted while the companies increase control and productivity domestically. We need to get on this bandwagon straight away.

Yeah totally, if you have independent control of your means of production, this will perhaps amplify the things you can achieve 50 or 100 or 1000 fold. Stuff that takes me 300 hours to design, I wonder if it could do it within a few seconds?

And if it would actually be good?

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velocityjohnno Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 4:48pm

AW agree, our health system is a gem and if ever your life is on the line you are in good hands whether you can afford it or not.

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AlfredWallace Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 5:13pm
velocityjohnno wrote:

AW agree, our health system is a gem and if ever your life is on the line you are in good hands whether you can afford it or not.

VJ. It’s one of the best, many complain about it, just don’t realise how lucky we are, inadvertently we pay for it through taxation, but geez, it’s worth it’s weight in gold.

Here, you get seriously injured of your self doing or others fault, you walk in the door at emergency and it’s patients health first, let’s do paperwork later.

In the US, I know this, our son when 4 years old, needed serious attention, first instance it was all about the paperwork and who is paying. Got turned away at first visit, didn’t want a bar of us, too hard.
Second place, in Phoenix, lucky to find a clinician who’d worked in Oz and she was very sympathetic, pulled strings, sent us to places she should not have, put her job on the line and got attention that was only mildly more expensive than here at that time.
This is why Health is a major discussion point between employer and potential employee when applying for a job over there, it comprises a major part of your pay package. Shouldn’t be like that.AW

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adam12 Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 5:21pm



flollo's picture
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flollo Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 5:45pm

There is no way we are top 3 in the world for homelessness. That’s nonsense. Based on what parameters and how did they select candidates for that list?

EDIT I found it.

https://www.launchhousing.org.au/a-tale-of-10-cities#

It’s not the world, it’s only amongst these cities:

‘The Capital Cities Homelessness Index compares homelessness in: Auckland, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Dublin, London, New York, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Toronto.’

And the situation in Adelaide is nowhere near as bad as in San Francisco. That is complete nonsense.

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basesix Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 5:47pm

https://www.oecd.org/els/family/HC3-1-Homeless-population.pdf
you'll dig this @flollo, here's one where they explain their methodology. Table on page 5

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AlfredWallace Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 5:54pm
adam12 wrote:

https://twitter.com/ChiefDisrupter/status/1768393392323768581
https://twitter.com/TridentsNot/status/1768404094564401515
https://twitter.com/JonesHowdareyou/status/1768406693443236036

Adam12. Hey, hey, it’s Friday, retina reattached and eyeing off some weak limpets meandering across their substrate.

Good to have you back.

How is the eye or eyes going ? AW

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monkeyboy Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 6:00pm

Here is a real world practical example of how AI is being implemented to reduce costs and provide better customer service...this is whats immediately ahead and it's exciting I think: https://www.klarna.com/international/press/klarna-ai-assistant-handles-t...

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AlfredWallace Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 6:39pm
monkeyboy wrote:

Here is a real world practical example of how AI is being implemented to reduce costs and provide better customer service...this is whats immediately ahead and it's exciting I think: https://www.klarna.com/international/press/klarna-ai-assistant-handles-t...

Monkeyboy. Hi mate. Does reduced costs mean less people employed ? AW

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flollo Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 6:53pm

AW - In that example, absolutely. That was one of my previous comments; AI will replace offshoring. That will be the first visible impact.

Let me EDIT this - it will also create enormous opportunities for many people.

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AlfredWallace Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 6:59pm
flollo wrote:

AW - In that example, absolutely. That was one of my previous comments; AI will replace offshoring. That will be the first visible impact.

Follo. Shit mate, sorry, I didn’t read hard enough.
I’m not a fan already, months ago I said it will be good for a minority, those who have developed the technology and those who implement it.
I just don’t go for this mantra of where everytime something new is devised, we are stooged through clever and manipulative marketing to think it will make our lives better. Look at mobile phones, ruination of young students educational years.

A functioning workplace with contributions from many, social aspect positives, this elimination of workers is a joke.
It’s like Pratt the twat who is deceased now, VISY recycling guy, he hated employees, he told me one day when I met him at a glass recycling plant, he loved mechanisation and cameras to sort and pack everything, there’s millions out there like him.
I was in UniQlo, that Japanese conglomerate before Xmas with my son, we walked out the door, the money already sucked out of my account and I didn’t touch my card. It’s fucked, my opinion.

Edit it will create opportunities for some, but what’s next after AI. Marketing is the gift that keeps on giving, if you fall for it. AW

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adam12 Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 7:20pm

@AW, retina still detached, driving me nuts, keep seeing mice in my house that aren't there, had work and other commitments so have had to put off getting the specialist to do the final diagnosis, have to go up to Melb. for that next week. Best case scenario according to the Opto is they won't have to operate, just inject a gas into my eyeball (sounds like fun!) to fix it and wear an eyepatch for a month or so, then it takes another month or so and should get full vision back, 95% success rate he reckons. He recommended I stay off the screens so I have and really enjoyed that tbh. No TV, no internet, no loud noise in my head from all the bullshit. Surf checks from the lookout and not the cams. have scored some great uncrowded sessions too lately, two of them all timers. Broke the screen fast last night to watch the Tigers go down by a kick to the Blues and today logged online to catch up on things here and elsewhere but will be off again as a couple of hours on screen has given me a massive headache atm, don't know if it's my bung eye or reading thru some of old mate @PopDown's recent posts.(just joking Hutchy).
I see you are bush camping up in God's country with the endless east swells so am sure you are loving life right now. Wish I was there. Thanks for your post.
I will be back again here in the near future hopefully, talking shit with you guys, dressed like a pirate, but 'till then, don't go changing, beware the Ides of March and remember, Cows make shit flatmates...
https://twitter.com/Yoda4ever/status/1767995238654816633

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AndyM Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 7:44pm

Detached retina driving you nuts Adam, funny, I had a similar experience the other day.

I was walking down the street just minding my own business and I looked down and there was a steering wheel attached to the front of my pants.

A fucking steering wheel!

It was driving me nuts.

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Roadkill Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 9:05pm

You had a detached retina a few days ago and continued to work? And are going to see an ophthalmologist next week to get a final diagnosis?

And you think treatment is some gas and an eyepatch and full vision is the outcome?

Retinal detachment?

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blackers Friday, 15 Mar 2024 at 9:14pm

Yes beware, my dad had the same issue, now no vision in that eye. Get straight onto it. It doesn't take long before the damage is irreversible.

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monkeyboy Saturday, 16 Mar 2024 at 6:37am
AlfredWallace][quote=monkeyboy wrote:

Here is a real world practical example of how AI is being implemented to reduce costs and provide better customer service...this is whats immediately ahead and it's exciting I think: https://www.klarna.com/international/press/klarna-ai-assistant-handles-t...

Monkeyboy. Hi mate. Does reduced costs mean less people employed ? AW

Alas, as generally people employed are the largest cost to a company then yes it does mean that. However, over my lifetime of seeing technology in the workplace I'd suggest that technology innovation creates new industries and jobs as well as social opportunity/benefit (eg. micro banking in Africa). Also much of AI at the moment still has humans building the thing (and these are well paid jobs and there are a lot of them in the USA). Like the software engineers that have proliferated with the Internet and Mobile app growth.

Wait 'til this stuff gets bundled with your mobile phone, siri assistant.

AlfredWallace's picture
AlfredWallace's picture
AlfredWallace Saturday, 16 Mar 2024 at 7:43am
monkeyboy][quote=AlfredWallace wrote:
monkeyboy wrote:

Here is a real world practical example of how AI is being implemented to reduce costs and provide better customer service...this is whats immediately ahead and it's exciting I think: https://www.klarna.com/international/press/klarna-ai-assistant-handles-t...

Monkeyboy. Hi mate. Does reduced costs mean less people employed ? AW

Alas, as generally people employed are the largest cost to a company then yes it does mean that. However, over my lifetime of seeing technology in the workplace I'd suggest that technology innovation creates new industries and jobs as well as social opportunity/benefit (eg. micro banking in Africa). Also much of AI at the moment still has humans building the thing (and these are well paid jobs and there are a lot of them in the USA). Like the software engineers that have proliferated with the Internet and Mobile app growth.

Wait 'til this stuff gets bundled with your mobile phone, siri assistant.

Monkeyboy. Agree with that.

You could use the biological world as an analogy . One niche lost or species extinct, niche then filled by another. It’s just me, bit old school.

Scares me a little, I don’t want that level of connectivity or surveillance more to the point.
I was self employed for 33 years, only had a phone because I had to.
I’d be happier to not have one like our brethren Basesix. Good stuff .AW

Pop Down's picture
Pop Down's picture
Pop Down Saturday, 16 Mar 2024 at 8:17am

AW

What also scares ME , is that Trust in OUR media is SO low , since Covid .

PRAVDA , when Government and Media were aligned together in Russia , like .

The Pew Research Centre in the US , believes 51% of people in the US Trusted their Media in 2016 .

In 2022 , it dropped to 38% .

40% is a bloody Crucial Number .

If a Countries Trust , in it's Government System falls below 40% , the People usually bring Down the System .

The US Media System ( including FOX ) IS now Collapsing ( maybe AI will take it over ? ) .

I wonder what percentage of Australians , Trust our Media for the Right messages ?

I don't .

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monkeyboy Saturday, 16 Mar 2024 at 12:58pm
AlfredWallace][quote=monkeyboy wrote:
AlfredWallace wrote:
monkeyboy wrote:

Here is a real world practical example of how AI is being implemented to reduce costs and provide better customer service...this is whats immediately ahead and it's exciting I think: https://www.klarna.com/international/press/klarna-ai-assistant-handles-t...

Monkeyboy. Hi mate. Does reduced costs mean less people employed ? AW

Alas, as generally people employed are the largest cost to a company then yes it does mean that. However, over my lifetime of seeing technology in the workplace I'd suggest that technology innovation creates new industries and jobs as well as social opportunity/benefit (eg. micro banking in Africa). Also much of AI at the moment still has humans building the thing (and these are well paid jobs and there are a lot of them in the USA). Like the software engineers that have proliferated with the Internet and Mobile app growth.

Wait 'til this stuff gets bundled with your mobile phone, siri assistant.

Monkeyboy. Agree with that.

You could use the biological world as an analogy . One niche lost or species extinct, niche then filled by another. It’s just me, bit old school.

Scares me a little, I don’t want that level of connectivity or surveillance more to the point.
I was self employed for 33 years, only had a phone because I had to.
I’d be happier to not have one like our brethren Basesix. Good stuff .AW

At heart, I'm with you AW. I get v pissed off when people ring me. Hate the things.

I believe though that you can still remain private in today's world; you just have to try and take as many precautions as you can because no one, not even the government, really has your interests at heart here. (Revealing my trust level as a self employed individual of 30 years :)

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flollo's picture
flollo Saturday, 16 Mar 2024 at 3:53pm
basesix wrote:

https://www.oecd.org/els/family/HC3-1-Homeless-population.pdf
you'll dig this @flollo, here's one where they explain their methodology. Table on page 5

Very good, thanks for sharing. It shows how messy it all is. Comparisons between countries are sometimes impossible or at least quite difficult. It also shows how someone takes a snippet, shares it on Twitter with random, untrue commentary but that becomes the ‘new truth.’ What a bizzare world we live in. They make it sound like Adelaide for example is some shithole but that is completely untrue. Place is immaculate, you can lick from the floor in the city. Beautiful, organised modern city. 5 stars.

Jeez, even the below kinda shocked me:

‘Sixteen countries include people living temporarily with family and friends due to lack of housing. ‘

According to that definition I was homeless on many occasions. I spent quite a few nights on friends/family’s couches, kids beds, garages etc. But never in my life did I consider myself homeless. Same with many people who stayed at my place. According to the data Brazil with its ~215m people has less homeless people than Australia. Really? Does anyone actually believe that? It’s an obvious statistical inconsistency.