Lev Lafayette

A follow-on from Guizhou, "Sichuan: Land of Abundance" tcpip.dreamwidth.org/414085.html

Guizhou is one of the most hauntingly beautiful places I have ever been to. It also has some amazing technological projects, like the world's largest and most sensitive single-aperture spherical radio telescope. This place is a hidden gem. tcpip.dreamwidth.org/413770.html

I am also giving a presentation to the Existentialist Society tomorrow: Saturday 4 Apr 2026 "The Decline of French Philosophy" Meeting ID: 839 1184 4109 - - Passcode: 079087 Meeting commences at 2pm AEST. us02web.zoom.us/j/83911844109?…

I've just been to the China International Alcoholic Drinks Expo in Luzhou, known as "Liquor City" for good reason. Over a thousand vendors, lots of baijiu, and incredible Sichuan food. tcpip.dreamwidth.org/413617.html

@ellymelly You've just described so-called FPTP. Victory to the biggest loser.

Preference voting means that the 'most popular loser' wins against the person who actually won.

My presentation to the Future Day conference on "Critical Issues for the Global Climate"; science, technology, and policy. Slidedeck tinyurl.com/4tj9pyd8 Transcript: tinyurl.com/bdhf3c4c It's still not looking good.

@Truth_matters20 Evolution is an observed fact. You can even produce in a laboratory setting. Look up Drosophila melanogaster evolution experiments and learn something.

Evolution is a belief system predicated on blind faith.

It seems that Hungary has just declared war on Ukraine.

@RichardAOB @TomCBallard @RandaltsRandal I recall that Sheridan had fond words for Suharto as well.

@TomCBallard @RandaltsRandal There a very few people in Australia, or the world for that matter, with as much expertise as Sheridan has at highly praising Bush, Blair and Howard.

Just in case you're seeing any expert commentary from Mr. G. Sheridan in this moment:

@DougCameron51 As always, Clinton Fernandes offers clarity through understanding the politics (and abuse) of power.

Prof Clinton Fernandez explains Trump’s strategy on Iran. It’s all about starving China of resources as part of his desperate attempt to maintain global hegemony. Clinton has written a number of great books explaining US/ UK imperialism and Australia as a sub imperial power.

Pronoia is the belief that people are secretly conspiring behind your back to help you. It might even be me who's doing it. Meanwhile, tonight I made, from my own fecund gustatory imagination, "Panko Gorgonzola Oysters Kilpatrick", which is fantastic. levlafayette.com/node/806

@eRtwngr @UNGeneva @antonioguterres @UN Literally two days ago. "UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the heads of UN agencies have condemned Saturday’s joint Israeli and US attacks on Iran and the Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel and the Gulf Regions." news.un.org/en/story/2026/…

"The United Nations Charter clearly prohibits 'the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.'" - @antonioguterres #Iran

@txind1836 @UNGeneva @antonioguterres @UN Actually, they do. It's part of the signed agreement by nations that join the UN to abide by its rules. It is the very reason that the UN was established. Do you know what a contract is?

@UNGeneva @antonioguterres @UN You don’t get to decide other countries military actions! NONE OF US ANSWER TO YOU!

Yesterday, I co-produced a concert for the Australia-China Friendship Society. It was a lovely success, and organising it reminded me a lot of project management. tcpip.dreamwidth.org/412658.html

@AlboMP Yes, the Iranian regime is bad. The Israeli and US regimes is arguably even worse. A destabilising force, through its ballistic and nuclear programs, etc. Why not stand upright, with principal and courage, and oppose all wars of aggression? Stop being such a weak Quisling.

Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression. For decades, the Iranian regime has been a destabilising force, through its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, support for armed proxies, and brutal acts of violence and intimidation. Iran directed at least two attacks on Australian soil in 2024. These appalling acts targeting Australia’s Jewish community were intended to create fear, divide our society and challenge our sovereignty. In response, Australia took the unprecedented steps of expelling Iran’s Ambassador, suspending operations at our embassy in Tehran, and listing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism. Our Government has sanctioned more than 200 Iranian-linked individuals, including more than 100 linked to the IRGC. With international partners, including the United States and the G7, we have called for the Iranian regime to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Iran’s citizens. These calls have gone unheeded. Instead, the regime has instigated a brutal crackdown on its own people leaving thousands of Iranian civilians dead. A regime that relies on the repression and murder of its own people to retain power is without legitimacy. It has long been recognised that Iran’s nuclear program is a threat to global peace and security. The international community has been clear that the Iranian regime can never beallowed to develop a nuclear weapon. The United Nations Security Council has reimposed sanctions on Iran for failing to comply with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and the International Atomic Energy Agency Board has formally declared Iran in non-compliance with its non-proliferation safeguards obligations. We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security. Australian officials are closely monitoring this evolving situation. We continue to advise Australians do not travel to Iran and leave Iran as soon as possible, if it is safe to do so. Our ability to provide consular assistance in Iran is extremely limited. Given our concerns around security in the region, we have also upgraded Australia’s travel advice for Israel and Lebanon to Do Not Travel. Australians should leave now if it is safe to do so. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has activated its Crisis Centre to provide consular support to Australians in the region. Australians requiring urgent consular assistance can contact the Consular Emergency Centre 24/7 on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 from outside Australia.

Israel has attacked Iran. Soon enough, we could expect the US, China, and Russia to be in the fray. If that happens, it was nice knowing you. abc.net.au/news/2026-02-2…

@tgamblin Job schedulers losing it because of a newline in a filename is pretty interesting, too.

too real

Six years ago, I co-initiated a campaign to remember the Bramble Cay Melomys, the first Australian mammal to be driven to extinction due to climate change.

@VK_Vpered "Damaged Goods" or "Anthrax"? Because either would be inappropriate.

They’re playing Gang of Four songs at the doctor’s office

If you have been silent in the face of these brutal war crimes or, even worse, supported the brutality, people will ask why you were complicit and accepting of such a monstrosity.