BEFORE the 20th Century there was no age for retirement. There existed a leisured class who through birth or industry could choose what work they did – if and when. But, even they didn’t retire. Retirement, like unemployment, can potentially … [Read more...] about Don’t Retire: Start a PhD in Paradise
News
Fewer Deaths from Heat Events, But Reasons Obscured
MORE people died in Australia from extreme heat events in 1896 than in any other year, with 450 dead nationally. The second worst year was 2009 with 432 dead, followed by 1939 with 420. Considering these numbers in terms of total population, then … [Read more...] about Fewer Deaths from Heat Events, But Reasons Obscured
Ray the Moderator
THIS blog now has a moderator. In time we might even have some rules. Ray grew up on a farm along the Tweed River in New South Wales. He started, but never completed, a degree in earth and biological sciences at the University of New England, … [Read more...] about Ray the Moderator
Palmer Gored: A Win for Mandated Carbon “Markets”
A new alliance between Al Gore and Clive Palmer is likely to result in the repeal of the carbon tax, but the big winner is probably the global warming industry, not the ordinary Australian. Indeed if you think your electricity bill is about to … [Read more...] about Palmer Gored: A Win for Mandated Carbon “Markets”
Solar Cycle Could Point to Mega-Drought
THROUGH the Millennium drought of 2001 to 2009, I was optimistic that it would rain again, that the drought would end and probably with flooding rains. The drought did break, and the aggregated average annual rainfall for the Murray Darling … [Read more...] about Solar Cycle Could Point to Mega-Drought
March Against Democracy
JULIA Gillard promised, if she was elected, that there would be no carbon tax. Tony Abbot promised, if he was elected, that he would scrap the carbon tax. But the learned ignorant promote mass action to get their way, all the while claiming … [Read more...] about March Against Democracy