Frosty reception

Kate Emery wants us to love our neighbours. Laura Newell supports swearing as therapy.

Add family to the mix and smile at life.

I was jogging through a coastal suburb. A car drove up -- and drove straight onto a front lawn.

From the house, a strident woman's voice shouted, "Get your bloody car off the lawn or I'll call the cops and have you arrested." A woman climbed out of the car. Looked towards the house and called, "Hi Mum! we'll be right in."

27jul23: This was published in The West as For the love of family

I did have my doubts about my heading, A Frosty Reception but Emery's original article was inspired by Robert Frost's line about good fences making good neighbours.

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Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Also, there's lots of competition for handicapped parking. (Alfred E. Neuman)

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BingO-No

My Windows search is pushing the new AI-powered Bing. I gave it a try:

When is the Perth Trail Series Winter series? I asked.

The response was a few web addresses plus the very useful, "It starts on July 31 and ends on October 8".

Pity it's wrong.

My guess is that BingAI has found PTS sites -- from a previous year.

Because my query was prompted by an email pushing the first winter run -- this year -- on 6th August.

I've heard of other dubious AI responses:

... The Eagles with a strong chance to win the Premiership. In which dream year is that?!

... Jock of Masterchef is still alive and well... oops.

An AI search engine is only as good as the data it searches. Have you ever noticed that websites do not mention years? News, for example, is often, "Just 5 hours ago" -- which is fine. Until you realise that it is five hours ago from last year.

AI web search: Not working yet.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Also, there's lots of competition for handicapped parking. (Alfred E. Neuman)

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challenge accepted

Thank you to R Hull of Nedlands, as printed on the Letters page of The West Australian on 22nd July of this year, under the heading "Readability issues", which is a clear description of the topic of R Hull's letter, although a possibly more accurate heading would have been, to reflect R Hull's issue, "a complaint about non-readability however, newspapers must cater to the average reader rather than, as in this particular response to R Hull, taking the Gunning Fog (or Gunning Fox as one website named it, as a challenge where, with little effort a score (or index) of 46 is easily achieved.

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Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Also, there's lots of competition for handicapped parking. (Alfred E. Neuman)

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essential explanation

Thank goodness for Paul Murray.

A rail planning expert has written a report which slams the poor rail planning by the current government. Murray explains the report.

Murray includes brief quotes... which are incomprehensible.

The report appears to be written in public service waffle. The author has clearly mastered the jargon required for success. Even the short explanatory quotes are difficult to understand.

The general sentiment is -- as far as I can understand: sound. Politicians are ignorant, their advisors are motivated by political career aspirations, the public service has, or should have, experts who recommend good solutions... and who are listened to.

To take this a bit further: Politicians should take and consider advice from experts who have expertise rather than bias and favourite contractors.

For this to work... those public service experts must learn to write in clear English. In English which is  clear to a politician. Which does not require interpretation by a journalist.

Clear English.

As if.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Also, there's lots of competition for handicapped parking. (Alfred E. Neuman)

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KerrUnch

The West must be in panic mode.

For months there has been only one story of the FIFA women's cup: Sam Kerr.

One player. One team. With occasional mention of some other team that has been set against Sam and "us".

Now Sam Kerr is injured! Oh no :-(

Sports writers scrabble for a story. Describe the injury in detail. Guess about time to recover.

In journalists' pubs across the city: Does anyone know the names of any other teams? Players? Are there any foreign players with acceptable names and nationalities?

Will any of these foreign players talk to a journalist? I have my chequebook.

No more easy "local" stories.

Desperate times for lazy reporters.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Also, there's lots of competition for handicapped parking. (Alfred E. Neuman)

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what do they call a spade?

The Noongar people have developed an amazing language.

They have spent ten thousand years developing their own isolated culture and language. 

Once they had killed the last giant wombat, the largest animal in Noongar country would have been a kangaroo.

Yet, according to the Noongar word of the day, they already had a word for "horse" ("ngort", we're told.)

It's all very nice to preserve and use actual traditional names.

But why publish a word which is clearly a recent invention.

At least tell us who invented the word.

And why anyone would not call a horse a horse

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Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Also, there's lots of competition for handicapped parking. (Alfred E. Neuman)

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fashion forward

For years, children have been spending money so that their dolls can be dressed like "real" people.

Now children, and adults, are spending money so that they, real people, can dress like their dolls.

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printed in The West on 21jul23 (as Walking talking dolls)

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Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Also, there's lots of competition for handicapped parking. (Alfred E. Neuman)

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save it for the Solomons

Victoria will save billions by not hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Meanwhile, the Solomons are playing Australia against China to get more money for... supposedly... police.

We can use Games money to far better effect:

Send Australian coaches, and athletes, to improve sporting standards in SI. Bring SI teams and coaches to Australia, to raise SI sports standards. And to provide international competition in Australia.

Offer sports diplomacy rather than police force. Make friends at every level.

Then extend the sporting diplomacy to every Commonwealth country.

Build the level of sporting challenge. While building friendships with real people: athletes and their supporters.

Use the existing commonwealth ties to build a network of supportive friends.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Also, there's lots of competition for handicapped parking. (Alfred E. Neuman)

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lost Game purpose

The daily paper does its best to demonise the Vic. Premier. "dumps the 2026 Games". "Worst Premier".

All because he decided that his state, already "drowning in debt" cannot afford to spend billions on another "sporting extravaganza".

Sports management organisations are disappointed. Possibly outraged. They often cite these Games as good practice for the outright war of the Olympics.

Perhaps the paper should push to have the games in WA? Well. too late. Our own Premier does not want an "expensive sugar hit". Good call.

What we have lost -- many years ago -- is a sense of the purpose of the Commonwealth Games.

First, it should be about "games". That is, "sport and competition".

 Justification for hosting is based on money: how much will be spent by Games attendees.

Even sporting organisations look to the chance for "cheap" glory when the Games are in their home country.

Second: forget the extravaganza. Forget about audience size and TV rights. Provide sporting competition. A chance to meet with and compete against athletes from around the world. A more friendly rivalry than the death or glory of Olympics.

Because the final point of the Commonwealth Games is... common wealth. A chance to mix and meet without actual warfare. This attitude of joint effort has probably died with EIIR. Which is a pity. The world needs a gathering which does not end with losers being killed.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Also, there's lots of competition for handicapped parking. (Alfred E. Neuman)

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good luck Brittany

Brittany Higgins has announced her new job asan  intern in a UN group. A group examining discrimination against women.

Overseas, apparently. There is no way she could avoid public comment -- good and bad -- in any job in Australia.

As an intern she does not appear to be twisting her "fame" to gain advantage. It seems to be a completely new start. In a field where she may have a real interest.Putting the past both behind and far away.

I wish her good luck and hope that it is a great opportunity for her future success.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Also, there's lots of competition for handicapped parking. (Alfred E. Neuman)

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Work for a Unified Voice

Neil Holloway (Letters 12/7) offers a sensible suggestion: indigenous people could work together to form a Blak political party with a strong and coordinated voice.

Cannabis supporters have done just this. Now the Legalise Cannabis WA party has two representatives in parliament. This is how our democracy works.

... 

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Also, there's lots of competition for handicapped parking. (Alfred E. Neuman)

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blind faith

G Ebdon questions the motives of those who want the Voice explained before we vote.

It's a bit like the scientists in WW2 developing the Atom Bomb.

Just get it done. Then trust politicians to use it wisely.

... 

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Also, there's lots of competition for handicapped parking. (Alfred E. Neuman)

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chatbot two

In England, a young nutter wandered round palace gardens with a crossbow. He planned to assassinate the Queen.

He was not entirely alone. He discussed his plans with -- and gained support from -- a very supportive chatbot.

The chatbot was very reassuring: Yes, your plans are good. If you work hard, you will succeed. Yes, you deserve to succeed... and so on. All the positive reinforcement which encourages people to keep trying, to not give up.

Though it appears to have missed the cliche, "And how does that make you feel?"

The chatbot is set up to automate a psychologist's reassurance.

But do not think of it as AI. There is no sign of "intelligence".It completely ignored the nutter's comment, "I am going to assassinate the Queen". (And how does that make you feel?)

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If the chatbot were a man. And the nutter were a woman... This positive reinforcement could be construed as "grooming". And the whole woke world would be aghast.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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The stupid person says, "It's impossible". The smart person says, "It's possible, if we can get enough stupid people to do it." (Alfred E. Neuman)

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chatBot one

Today's paper has a puff piece about a crystal influencer. That is, a supposed interview with a woman who apparently makes and/or sells cheap jewellery. She's an influencer because she does it online.

It's a pity that no human checked what is probably a chatbot-generated article.

The chatbot asks, What piece of jewellery do you never take off? The generated answer is... My permanent bracelets. The accompanying photo clearly shows... no bracelet.

What else?

She never takes off..."all my other rings".

Except, of course, for a photo shoot. Where "all my other rings" is reduced to one solitary ring.

Okay. The article -- and this post -- are trivial nonsense.

But they are both good indicators of the level of rubbish that appears in a paper. And on a blog.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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The stupid person says, "It's impossible". The smart person says, "It's possible, if we can get enough stupid people to do it." (Alfred E. Neuman)

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Forget fair play

The West Editorial is absolutely correct. There is no point to sport except winning.

Our children need to be taught that a good lawyer is better than a good game. As with any business, there is money in loopholes. And money is, after all, the only reason to play sport.

Who would pay sponsorship millions to a cricketer who was simply a great player? Winners are the only grinners. Just ask any criminal lawyer.

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Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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The stupid person says, "It's impossible". The smart person says, "It's possible, if we can get enough stupid people to do it." (Alfred E. Neuman)

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gimme shelter

We have two separate problems with accommodation:

Lack of housing.

People who are homeless.

There is a huge cost of repairing public housing. This is because not everyone is able to live in a house. Yet they still need shelter.

Some people need a house in which to live.

Some only need shelter, from the elements and from other people.

Others need the comfort and security of a home.

All people need shelter. Not everyone needs a house. Not everyone can cope with a house.

Support for the homeless need not require a house.

We need to look for and accept alternate solutions.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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The stupid person says, "It's impossible". The smart person says, "It's possible, if we can get enough stupid people to do it." (Alfred E. Neuman)

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vote Yes for disappointment

The ABC stretched its meagre remaining resources and sent reporters to a Blak music festival in Broome.

While there, the reporters asked locals about the Voice referendum.

Might as well vote for it said one Blak woman. It can't be any worse than things are now.

Unfortunately she is wrong.

When the Voice is implemented, several truths will be revealed.

There is no easy solution to Blak problems. It requires a complete change in thinking. In attitude. And in action.

The change must be by both Whyt and Blak.

More cash handouts are not an answer.

When Yes is successful, Blak people will discover that they are just as easily ignored by their own self-appointed Blak representatives as they are by the entrenched Whyt power-players.

And then that Blak woman will suffer a final disappointment.

The problems will still exist. No-one will accept the harsh changes that are required.

And the Voice -- useless token that is is -- will exist. So You have your Voice, will be the cry. Now go away and use the Voice to solve all of your problems.

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Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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The stupid person says, "It's impossible". The smart person says, "It's possible, if we can get enough stupid people to do it." (Alfred E. Neuman)

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What are we missing

The paper is full of a story of a 13 year old girl who killed herself.

The father is understandably upset. He urges parents to watch their kids. To listen to their concerns. No matter how minor. Good so far.

A bandwagonning expert says, there are nearly always warning signs in this world. Our little people (good grief) are struggling. We need to check in with them. Another so-called expert adds that parents need to listen to their children's concerns.

The whole theme is, that modern society puts a lot of pressure on kids.

WTF?

Four days earlier, that girl had been bashed and robbed by a gang of strangers. Is that not enough to upset a child? 

Why are we blaming the pressure of society?

What are we doing to chase the thugs? And remove them from society. Before they damage the next child.

The experts want to develop their own theme of a complex high pressure society.

Are they so blind that they miss the obvious?

A young girl is physically attacked. This upsets her, to the point where she kills herself.

Now we need to remove the cowards who seem to be the direct cause of the tragedy.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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The stupid person says, "It's impossible". The smart person says, "It's possible, if we can get enough stupid people to do it." (Alfred E. Neuman)

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funeral fund

The government pays $10,000 towards the cost of a funeral for a murder victim.

This is good. Everyone needs to be buried, or burnt. If only to reduce the amount of bush dumping.

It would be even better if the government provided a no-questions-asked "pauper's" funeral. Once a body is cleared for disposal, the government will arrange the disposal. This takes the pressure off family. Family or friends can pay for extras. If they want to, if they can afford it.

And then -- most importantly -- for a murder -- the government will recover costs from the murderer.

The same process for manslaughter:

The government pays essential costs. The family grieves -- then carries on with life. Leaving the government to recover costs from the manslaughterer.

One less worry for the family of a victim.

And the funeral cost is carried by the person who caused the death.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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The stupid person says, "It's impossible". The smart person says, "It's possible, if we can get enough stupid people to do it." (Alfred E. Neuman)

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