During my week of Monday 27 November to Sunday 3 December 2023 I sorted out the rest of my year with a successful crowdfunding campaign, and plans settling into place for podcasts and video livestreams. The stress levels have been reduced somewhat.
Crowdfunding Wrap
On Thursday night we wrapped up The 9pm Summer Series 2023 crowdfunder and we almost reached Target Three, so I’m calling that “Close enough”.
Thanks so much.
This means you’ll get six special-guest episodes of The 9pm Edict podcast over summer, as well as the Pubic House Forum episode you’re still owed. See below for how the plans are evolving.
There will also be two episodes of The 8pm Quiz video livestream, on Tuesday 19 and Thursday 28 December.
It also means I can survive over the holiday season — but let’s not get too dramatic.
If you missed the deadline but would still like to support my podcasts and lunch, please subscribe for special benefits or throw a few coins into the tip jar.
Podcasts
- The 9pm Hard Solo Pezzullo Schadenfreudefest, a very shouty solo episode — hah! — recorded and posted on Monday. This is the final episode in the spring series because summer started on Friday.
Articles
- Digital developments from Canberra 64. Mike Pezzullo was sacked, digital ID legislation was tabled, another Optus inquiry was launched, and all manner of reports were published. Parliament is tidying up the loose ends as Christmas looms.
You can read my previous writing at Authory, where you can also subscribe to an email compilation of any new stories each Sunday morning. I plan to be doing more writing in 2024.
Videos, Photos, Media Appearances, Corporate Largesse
None of these. You can subscribe to my YouTube channel to be notified when new videos appear and when livestreams are scheduled.
Recommendations
I’m not sure I can even be bothered with schadenfreude as Elon Musk descends into madness. It’s just pathetic, really.
- The end of Elon Musk. “SFGATE columnist Drew Magary consumed Musk’s entire erratic interview so you don’t have to.” Worth it for the following line alone: “Musk, who appeared both high and made of plywood, responded with a reality of his own.” Also, he told advertisers to go fuck themselves. That’s always a winning strategy.
- That said, you can watch the whole interview on YouTube. It goes for an hour and a half.
- X struggling to win advertisers back after Elon Musk’s profane outburst.
- Could X go bankrupt under Elon Musk?.
- Starting at $60,990, Tesla’s Cybertruck is priced 50% higher than initial estimate.
- “Elon Musk Tried To Sell Tesla To Apple — But CEO Tim Cook Refused To Even Meet With Him: ‘You Know, I’ve Never Spoken To Elon. I Don’t Remember It Being Like That. But He Said That He Did, And So I Assume That’s Correct.’”
- And finally something we kinda already knew, The world’s richest man remains desperate for our attention.
In other news:
- Top 5 Tanks | Lazerpig at The Tank Museum. Yes, in his first-ever on-screen appearance, the inimitable Lazerpig has been let loose in The Tank Museum, Bovington. He is much as I imagined him, only more so.
- New from Ze Frank, another of his excellent nature films, True Facts: The Science of Real-Life SuperPowers.
- A fascinating essay about the meaning of the word “human” in contemporary architecture.. A Google Architect Speaks for the Masses: The surprising populism of Thomas Heatherwick.
- Cited therein, an article from a year ago: Cited therein, How AI software will change architecture and design.
- My attention was drawn to an unaired Gerry Anderson pilot titled The Investigator, which can be seen on YouTube. It’s terrible.
The Week Ahead
Monday will be a day for catching up on work. No, really, it will be. Because…
Starting on Tuesday morning it’s a three-day two-night expedition to the Central Tablelands, a journey planned a couple months back in the knowledge that I wouldn’t be doing anything holiday-like during the actual holiday season.
For reasons which are not entirely clear, Snarky Platypus and I will be taking the train to Bathurst to see The Chaser’s end of year show, The War On 2023: Annual Comedy Gala, there rather than in Sydney. We’re then continuing on to Orange on Wednesday, returning to our respective starting points on Thursday.
It’s NSW TrainLink XPT trains all the way. I might even record some bits for a mini podcast.
Friday is reserved for whatever needs doing once I’m back at home base.
[Update 9 December 2023: We’re pushing back this podcast recording by a day or two because, well, the root cause is Tropical Cyclone Jasper approaching Trent’s home base in Cairns and he needs to leave earlier than planned for Certain Activities. So, new dates!]
On Sunday Monday or Tuesday next week I’m recording a podcast with infectious diseases physician Dr Trent Yarwood, who’s been on the pod before. We’ll include an update on all the infections you can expect to catch over the holiday season.
If you’re a supporter with TRIGGER WORDS or a CONVERSATION TOPIC, please get them to me by 6pm AEDT this Saturday 9 Sunday 10 December.
Further Ahead
- NEW: The 9pm Edict podcast recording with John Birmingham, 15 December 2023. If you’re a supporter with TRIGGER WORDS or a CONVERSATION TOPIC, please get them to me by midday AEDT on Friday 15 December.
- NEW: The 9pm Edict podcast recording with Dr Alice Gorman aka Dr Space Junk and Rami Mandow, 16 December 2023. It’s all about space! If you’re a supporter with TRIGGER WORDS or a CONVERSATION TOPIC, please get them to me by 8pm AEDT on Thursday 14 December.
- NEW: The 8pm Quiz of the Year 2023 Part 1, Tuesday 19 December 2023, 8pm AEDT.
- NEW: The 8pm Quiz of the Year 2023 Part 2, Thursday 28 December 2023, 8pm AEDT.
TwoSet Violin World Tour, Sydney Opera House, 22 January 2024. Sadly I don’t have the budget for this.
[Photo: A steak sandwich photographed at the Kings Cross Hotel, Sydney, on 1 December 2023. Yes, that’s two thick slices of toast, the steak, some fried onions and cheese and I think mayonnaise, plus “angel hair fries”, and a fried egg on top.]