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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 2h

There are some quibbles here (to wit, solar economics looks a lot worse in polar regions that get not much sun for months on end that coincide with peak energy demand) but the basic point is sound - space solar power is a pipedream without radically lower launch costs.

Charlie Richmond (Gyro Gearloose) 311.3ppm @charlierichmond.bsky.social · 4h

Endless Sunlight, Endless Costs: The Economic Reality of Space Solar Power - CleanTechnica cleantechnica.com/2025/10/04/e...

Endless Sunlight, Endless Costs: The Economic Reality of Space Solar Power - CleanTechnica

From microwave beams to megaton rockets, China’s space solar project highlights the gap between imagination and economic gravity.

cleantechnica.com

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 2h

It's OK, I guess, but the drum sound is incredibly rough by modern standards.

But I'd argue that something like this is more typical of commercial recording standards of the 1950s www.youtube.com/watch?v=upFT...

Shout

YouTube video by Johnny O'Keefe - Topic

www.youtube.com

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 3h

60s, sure, but 50s surprises me. Are we talking jazz (which recorded OK) or rock and roll (which sounds like it was recorded in a cardboard box to modern ears)?

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 6h

I’m glad older women take action on climate, but Greg is 100% correct that 77-year-olds should not be in elected office. You do appreciate there’s a difference, right?

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 1d

But thanks so much for the offer.

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 1d

Don’t worry about it - I’ve checked and I can still get it as an ebook which is good enough for me.

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 1d

If he doesn’t want it, I’d be interested…

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 1d

This was great, and quite relevant to Australia.

My takeaway - the assumption that there is endless profitable demand for Australia's LNG over the medium term - may well be completely false.

Justin Mikulka @justinmikulka.bsky.social · 1d

Last month I did an interview at Redefining Energy. The title they chose was "The LNG Mirage."

They invited me on the show due to my various writing about the LNG industry at Powering the Planet.

199. The LNG Mirage - Oct25

Podcast Episode · Redefining Energy · 10/13/2025 · 28m

podcasts.apple.com

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 1d

He’s also nearly 80. Even absent a specific terminal illness he’s probably noticing increasing physical limitations in his daily life and putting two and two together.

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 2d

I’ve heard it put something like this: the least-informed American voters shifted to Trump because Biden didn’t push the yellow “make egg cheaper” button in the White House. Because such a button exists and just requires the President to push it.

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 3d

This was long, long before the sexual assault allegations against him, which is not what I am basing my opinion on.

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 3d

I knew his work long before he was famous, some acquaintances dealt with him even earlier. In both contexts he did himself absolutely no credit.

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 4d

I think a few NSW premiers might disagree with you on the lack of downside there.

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 5d

Modest proposal; a qualifying race for Bathurst like they do in NLS, but in Excels.

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 5d

Hmm. I don’t doubt there is a massive and likely unsustainable boom going on but the “40% of GDP” stat is flat wrong; the entire IT industry was 5.5% of GDP in 2024z

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 5d

Which button do I push to start from pit lane?

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 5d

Not an excuse but the governor of a state is paid $130,000? That’s stupidly low and practically invites this kind of petty corruption.

Reposted by Robert Merkel

Liam Hogan @liamhogan.id.au · 5d

The difference between David Pocock and the rest of the Cwth Parliament is that as a professional athlete he was required to appreciate interest conflicts and integrity risks (especially re. gambling).

In Australia the federal level is unique in not doing this: States and Councils must handle risk

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 5d

That’s not what motivates Assange.

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 5d

Beazley continues to disappoint post-politics as much as he did while in Parliament:

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 5d

The fact that the government hasn’t sacked the entire AWM board is first-order political cowardice.

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 5d

As a politician-adjacent person, do they realise how stuff like this looks to the rest of us who understand that the local pub isn’t being altruistic when it sponsors the local footy club?

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 5d

Flying into Canberra Airport and seeing the ads for the military-industrial complex is such a weird experience.

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 5d

See also: making a hero out of Julien Assange. Just because the US government is abusing its power against you, doesn’t make you a good person.

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Robert Merkel @rgmerk.bsky.social · 5d

Like I can understand the desire to just be a person occasionally, but if a club is going to take sponsorship, guess what, the personal becomes political.

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