Does the media reporting of the opening of a new bulk-billing IVF clinic in Melbourne suggest that only those who can pay should have access to IVF treatment? If so, is that classist?
Science
Unhappy data retention day
This morning, Australia’s mandatory 2 year data retention regime began. Internet activity through Australian ISPs including mobile phone providers is now recorded.
Media Circus: The Mysteries of Brewing edition
So this week most of the mass media is purporting to believe that it is possible to produce alchohol from brewers yeast extract.
What’s piqued your media interests lately?
Media Circus: Vegemite Chocolate edition
The very idea is undoubtedly an Abomination unto Nuggan, and Ed Milliband would probably make a mess of eating any. Bill Shorten will say something graceless, and the teaser for the SBS documentary will be epic.
What’s piqued your media interests lately?
Media Circus: No Vaccination No Benefits edition
The Australian government has announced that it intends to stop welfare payments to parents who refuse to vaccinate their children.
I have some reservations about this policy.
ObEquinox: Happy Turn Of The Seasons To You
The March equinox happened a little over an hour ago here in Sydney, at 9:45am AEST. APOD, of course, has an informative image for us today, and a London headmaster showed us what not to do when a few voices complain about a school taking note of a once in a lifetime event.
Quick links: nothing to hide
Data retention is coming to Australia very soon. “[Data retained] includes your name, address and other identifying information, your contract details, billing and payment information…”
Happy Epic Pi Day
Only really works when one writes the date in that teeth-itch-making USian way, but today, 3.14.15 9:26:53 captures the first ten digits of pi – which happens once a century (according to David Brin on FB).
Fun with statistics and ‘splaining
When vos Savant politely responded to a reader’s inquiry on the Monty Hall Problem, a then-relatively-unknown probability puzzle, she never could’ve imagined what would unfold: though her answer was correct, she received over 10,000 letters, many from noted scholars and Ph.Ds, informing her that she was a hare-brained idiot.
Tick bites, Mammalian Meat Allergy and Acute Anaphylaxis
This week on Catalyst: most people remove ticks incorrectly, and by doing so they vastly increase their chances of developing life-threatening allergic reactions.
