The Optimist

Waiting at Reception – Sydney, February 2015

Peter Sahui — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 11:10:56 +0000

I found this visitor in the lobby of an office building.

Big ship, little ships – Sydney, March 2015

Peter Sahui — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 04:02:35 +0000

From ocean liners to harbour ferries, here are some of the vessels plying Sydney Harbour.

This Week I Learned

Peter Sahui — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 09:58:27 +0000

Aussie sea snails travel 5,000 miles to China’s dining tables.

An obituary of Darrell Winfield, Marlboro Man.

All Ships and Sizes – Sydney, January 2015

Peter Sahui — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 11:37:05 +0000

Cruise ships at Circular Quay, Sydney. I watched the red-and-white paddlewheel ship as it docked, loitered, and then backed away again (in the second photograph).

There is such a thing as robot pro wrestling

Peter Sahui — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 02:59:04 +0000

Learning something every day!

Robot Pro Wrestling at Dekinnoka 16

This Week I Learned

Peter Sahui — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 06:46:29 +0000

Driverless mining trucks in Western Australia.

A somewhat long-winded but nonetheless interesting article on passwords.

McDonalds in India: cultural and culinary exchange.

3D printing clothes at home.

This Week I Learned

Peter Sahui — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 10:41:31 +0000

Passing off McNuggets (successfully) as haute causine.
The signature skills of big cities, based on LinkedIn data. Some interesting highlights – did you know that entertainment pips finance in London?
Goldfish trivia.
Wildlife Photographers of the Year.

Vibrant Colour- Sydney, October 2014

Peter Sahui — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 09:00:15 +0000

It was a warm spring afternoon, halfway to summer, when I took this photo.

This Month I Learned

Peter Sahui — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 12:01:07 +0000

Breaking a drought of non-fiction reading, I’ve started on Francis’ Fukuyama’sÂ The Origins of Political Order : From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution (2011). This is part 1 of his history of the evolution of government – the second volume (released this year) extends his argument to the present day. So far, it’s readable and interesting: here is a summary of Fukuyama’s arguments, and here is a useful review.

In today’s links:

Around the world

Landline, a weekly TV programme produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, offers a regular, fascinating insight into rural Australia. This week is no exception. For example, this 84-year-old’s home-made mill incorporates parts from almost everything, from old bomber parts to a steam engine. MacGyver (and Mad Max) have nothing on him.
And speaking of which, these photos offer a striking look at outback Australia.
Trade between emerging nations doesn’t receive anywhere near the press that it probably should. Here is a piece on Chinese business in Ethiopia.

Technology, affecting our lives

Based on data, this consultant guarantees elite US tertiary admissions – for a fee.
What data miners know – and publish – about you.
And on a lighter note, computers and dating go back further than one might think.
For a different kind of relationship, this piece discusses how Siri has become a friend to the writer’s autistic son.

Earning a living

Here’s a great look at Amazon, which consistently reinvests its cash into growth.
And this article breaks down why food in a restaurant (in this case, a lobster) costs so much more than at the farm gate. Spoiler: running a restaurant is expensive.

And finally

A vet has removed a tumour from a goldfish. Dawww!

Bridging the Gap – Sydney, July 2014

Peter Sahui — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 05:49:00 +0000

Taken in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. The city’s skyline and the Harbour Bridge can be seen in the background, with the bridge almost appearing to link two buildings.