Book Review: Quarterly Essay 102, 2026
When you take to reading a book you always have some levels of expectations. With this essay I thought the author would venture into thoughts and places to expand the thinking of AI – something I now use often. Continue reading The God We Made: The Threat and Promise of Artificial Intelligence
The world population in 1700 was 600 to 680 million. the European population around then was around 127 million. How many of these earthly beings were aware of the debates centred on the philosophies of the enlightenment?
One of the artists exhibiting 14th Feb – 25th April 2026 with the Centre for Contemporary Photography (Melbourne) is (Annie) Hsiao-Ching Wang with her wonderful exhibition My Son and I at the Same Height (2002–2024). The work involved taking portraits of herself and her son every year from 2002.
To say it upfront and clearly, Missing You a TV five part series from 2025 is a dud.
The Guardian gave it 3 stars out of 5 stars; far too generous.
The State Library of New South Wales has mounted an exhibition and produced a catalogue for an exhibition of photographs dating back to PIX magazine 1938 – 1972. Continue reading PIX: The Magazine that Changed Everything (1938–1972)
A couple of months ago I wandered into the local Coles supermarket to buy a bottle of a Coles own brand of honey (Coles Finest) that I had been enjoying for a few years. It came with four different versions. All were good and I would swap between them for variation. This brand was one of my more regular choices for honey.
Went for a wander up Rathdowne Street in Calton North and found a wonderful cafe for food, cakes and coffee and friendly service. this is a find!!
With the opening of National Gallery of Victoria’s photography exhibition, open till 3rd May 2026, comes this review. There are many other online articles but most are simply rehashing the media releases.
The National Gallery of Victoria’s photography exhibition, open till 3rd May 2026, is a highly recommended – must see – exhibition. We visited yesterday, Tuesday 9th December, and made our way through slowly. People were taking their time to take in images and to enjoy the experience.
We travelled down to Docklands to Magnet Galleries Melbourne to see the exhibition The Prahran Legacy: Beyond the Basement.
This book should be read by anyone who is concerned about the many nasty oligarchs that now influence so much of our lives.
A review of Dark Matter – click here.
This is an album I am playing a lot. My rating would be 5/5.
You would have heard many songs over the decades – but this is something new.
It has been a while since we have seen a ‘greatest hits’ by Lyle Lovett – and this collection is one to have.
Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band : is this the best popular music has to offer? Paul Townsend, flickr, CC BY
Do we have examples of good residential architecture in Canberra?
This is a follow up to a previous post back in 2016 – when I questioned some of the ‘innovations’ being offered in the new MacBook Pros.
Music Review: Rhiannon Giddens: Freedom Highway, February 2017My comments have nit changed much from my previous post on Rhiannon Giddens: This 2017 album features a woman with a strong and beautiful voice – singing folk songs of America – making very beautiful Americana music.
To link to a review of The National at the Art Gallery of NSW – click here.
Book Review: Girt: The Unauthorised History of Australia -David HuntMy knowledge of Australian history is patchy – I know the basics and much more. History interest me but usually most history books are far too dry. Then along comes this book with that title: GIRT.
Released February 2017. Rating 4/5 – highly recommended.
Review: Everywhere I Look, Helen GarnerHere’s a good read. Being a selection of essays and diary notes based on many events and sometimes those quite happenings that one observes.
I have not read any Helen Garner’s work but have a reasonable awareness of the topics she writes on. Other reviewers have related this work to previous writings – for me I had to take it all on face value.
One very nice recording just out by Suzanne Vega.
The Curious Story of Malcolm Turnbull, the Incredible Shrinking Man in the Top HatHere’s a book for anyone puzzled by the current loser who is Prime Minister. I am still reading it… click here or on the image. and here’s an article by the author about his dilemma–click here. Review to follow…..
Yes, there’s a new album out by our man, Leonard Cohen.
How does the weather affect us?
Here’s an album for the many Van Morrison fans. They will love it.
This essay by Don Watson, is totally recommended. If you are wondering what is going on with the USA and what is happening to democracy, then read this. It is not necessarily about Trump, but more about Don Watson’s observations of the American people and how they have ended up in this place – it is logical. This is in fact where the USA is today.
Beauty In This is a wonderful photography exhibition, by Maryanne Voyazis, on for a short time at Nishi Gallery, New Acton.
Continue reading Photography at Nishi Gallery – Beauty In This
More on the Australia’s contribution to the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale
Has Portland Lost its Way?