bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
mastodon
4.6.0-alpha.6
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead).
Occasional blog:
https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
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Joined November 01, 2022
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
·
3d ago
@firstdogonthemoon sorry about your Triffids origin story disappointment
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
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Apr 13, 2026
@prefec2 @petergleick I think they may have already done it
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
·
Apr 11, 2026
@Tooden @KatyElphinstone in one case I'm a bit too familiar with, aggressive, resentful and manipulative narcissistic behaviour combined.
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
·
Apr 06, 2026
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
·
Apr 06, 2026
@muddle @petergleick If you're into logic you should be able to recognize the argument you've just made as a straw figure falllacy (specifically, attributing to me statements I didn't actually make)
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
·
Apr 06, 2026
@petergleick he and his predecessor have been directly aiding & abetting war crimes for a number of years too
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
·
Apr 05, 2026
@vam103 @adamsteer @jimbob "you teach mathematics to a group of students who were told that they could study science with the lowest level of high school mathematics"
As a recent graduate, this resonates. The goal is throughput of students. Difficult subject matter is avoided so more students can pass. If you want to specialise, do postgrad. The level of workplace skills that used to require HSC or a TAFE certificate, equivalent to a skilled trade, now requires an undergraduate degree. Skilled workers have to jump through more and more hoops (and pay fees for each one) to enter the same work.
As a recent graduate, this resonates. The goal is throughput of students. Difficult subject matter is avoided so more students can pass. If you want to specialise, do postgrad. The level of workplace skills that used to require HSC or a TAFE certificate, equivalent to a skilled trade, now requires an undergraduate degree. Skilled workers have to jump through more and more hoops (and pay fees for each one) to enter the same work.
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
·
Apr 05, 2026
@n_dimension @jimbob @Su_G @andyjennings I have heard enough anecdotes from teachers and lecturers over the years to believe this could be quite widespread
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
·
Apr 04, 2026
@chestas probably US. But probably with less enthusiasm than in the past.
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
·
Apr 01, 2026
@xgranade
"AI is ethically wrong, and to a degree that completely overshadows practical concerns."
I agree, very much, at lleast re the current rash of commercial AI which I have boycotted from the start. Unfortunately many others are finding it useful, saving them time and effort. Managers are instructing workers to use it to speed up their work. I find a lot of humans aren't that interested in argument from facts and ethics, until their lived experience shows them they need to change. Or at least, when the negative consequences are felt in other places or times, action isn't a priority. Not sure how to get around that but certainly I'm not saying we should stop making the arguments and collecting the evidence against AI.
"AI is ethically wrong, and to a degree that completely overshadows practical concerns."
I agree, very much, at lleast re the current rash of commercial AI which I have boycotted from the start. Unfortunately many others are finding it useful, saving them time and effort. Managers are instructing workers to use it to speed up their work. I find a lot of humans aren't that interested in argument from facts and ethics, until their lived experience shows them they need to change. Or at least, when the negative consequences are felt in other places or times, action isn't a priority. Not sure how to get around that but certainly I'm not saying we should stop making the arguments and collecting the evidence against AI.
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
·
Mar 29, 2026
@Lesley4Nature thankyou. Solving life's mysteries for me!
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
·
Mar 29, 2026
@Lesley4Nature Do you know if they are "cow-slips" or "cow's lips"? I have only ever seen the written word, we don't have them here
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
·
Mar 20, 2026
@siftinsand wait til the birds eat them all, you will know they will be perfect for eating the very next day
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
·
Mar 17, 2026
@TheDonsieLass @fullfathomfive perhaps she wasn't writing about your particular situation?
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
·
Feb 26, 2026
"Judge Tran said she found there was likely to be a very strong association between the use of the words "all Zionists" and Jewish people in the minds of ordinary rally participants."
These legal morons are living in a carefully protected fantasy. Just talk to some of the many Jewish people who regularly attend Palestine rallies in support. Everyone else loves them for being there because we know they have to stand against mainstream (Zionist) opinion within the Jewish community to do so.
These legal morons are living in a carefully protected fantasy. Just talk to some of the many Jewish people who regularly attend Palestine rallies in support. Everyone else loves them for being there because we know they have to stand against mainstream (Zionist) opinion within the Jewish community to do so.
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bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
bencourtice
@bencourtice@aus.social
basalt plains bush regeneration. bolshie commentary. botany. banjo. books. bollocks. Bacchus Marshian. boy (he/him/hey dickhead). Occasional blog: https://astherivergoesby.wordpress.com
aus.social
@bencourtice@aus.social
·
Feb 20, 2026
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