Chris Jones
@drcgjones.bsky.social
Lecturer in applied engineering at SM TAFE WA. Retired president of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association. Interested in transport, energy, motorbikes, environment and biodiversity. Living on Whadjuk country, born on Ghitabul country.
Unfortunately lower fuel prices means a slower shift away from ICE cars for transport, but watching them go broke would be nice too.
November 16, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Unfortunately lower fuel prices means a slower shift away from ICE cars for transport, but watching them go broke would be nice too.
Brisbane is worse. The sulphur crested cockatoos make a racket!
November 15, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Brisbane is worse. The sulphur crested cockatoos make a racket!
We'll have to see who's EV conversion will be the first to get licensed this summer...
November 12, 2025 at 4:35 AM
We'll have to see who's EV conversion will be the first to get licensed this summer...
I think the science centre I worked at prioritised entertainment ahead of understanding, and the huge proportion of Comms majors (and dearth of scientists) was part of it. We even had a graphic on the wall lending merit to the Mpemba effect! (which actually reminds us to 'ask better questions').
November 10, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I think the science centre I worked at prioritised entertainment ahead of understanding, and the huge proportion of Comms majors (and dearth of scientists) was part of it. We even had a graphic on the wall lending merit to the Mpemba effect! (which actually reminds us to 'ask better questions').
I was a plant scientist from 2003 to 2013, and worked at a science centre as a guide in 2015. I often feel that 'science communication' shouldn't need to exist, but because we go so deep we forget that context for everyone else. Rather than dumb it down, we can raise community understanding.
November 10, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I was a plant scientist from 2003 to 2013, and worked at a science centre as a guide in 2015. I often feel that 'science communication' shouldn't need to exist, but because we go so deep we forget that context for everyone else. Rather than dumb it down, we can raise community understanding.
I feel like in any form of racing there needs to be a rider's championship to demonstrate skills on uniform machinery, and an engineers championship, to demonstrate innovations in machinery. At least the Energica Ego was a bike you could purchase. Doubt we'll ever see a V21L for sale.
November 10, 2025 at 1:56 AM
I feel like in any form of racing there needs to be a rider's championship to demonstrate skills on uniform machinery, and an engineers championship, to demonstrate innovations in machinery. At least the Energica Ego was a bike you could purchase. Doubt we'll ever see a V21L for sale.
It needs to be mass multiplied for it to properly compensate for wear and tear. Eventually it will be the only way to cost motoring.
November 9, 2025 at 1:50 PM
It needs to be mass multiplied for it to properly compensate for wear and tear. Eventually it will be the only way to cost motoring.
I've heard people compare ChatGPT to spreadsheets too! Excel still works when you pull the LAN cable out...
November 9, 2025 at 12:44 PM
I've heard people compare ChatGPT to spreadsheets too! Excel still works when you pull the LAN cable out...
People still look at me with surprise when I explain that public expressions of dissent were effectively outlawed in Queensland until the early 90s. Governments keep trying though.
November 9, 2025 at 12:40 PM
People still look at me with surprise when I explain that public expressions of dissent were effectively outlawed in Queensland until the early 90s. Governments keep trying though.
When I would compare genes or proteins using a Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, it was prettymuch an iterative loop done on a laptop. Hugely powerful tool. I guess it's AI now.
November 9, 2025 at 12:36 PM
When I would compare genes or proteins using a Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, it was prettymuch an iterative loop done on a laptop. Hugely powerful tool. I guess it's AI now.
I assume that business class is more emissions intensive because they occupy more space and get a larger baggage allowance / in-flight meals with beef?
November 9, 2025 at 11:17 AM
I assume that business class is more emissions intensive because they occupy more space and get a larger baggage allowance / in-flight meals with beef?
Umm, motorcycles don't have genetic material in their somatic cells. Nor do they have cells. Except electric bikes, they have battery cells... 😋
a cartoon of a man with glasses and the words ackchyually
ALT: a cartoon of a man with glasses and the words ackchyually
media.tenor.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Umm, motorcycles don't have genetic material in their somatic cells. Nor do they have cells. Except electric bikes, they have battery cells... 😋
We needed 35 kW electric motorbikes under $10k 10 years ago. As amazing as the 'halo' bikes are, there's just no business in selling $50k electric bikes which compete with $20k gas bikes.
November 9, 2025 at 3:23 AM
We needed 35 kW electric motorbikes under $10k 10 years ago. As amazing as the 'halo' bikes are, there's just no business in selling $50k electric bikes which compete with $20k gas bikes.
I just hope that Baggers is the flop I expect it to be, and we can go back to advancing electric motorcycles.
November 9, 2025 at 3:20 AM
I just hope that Baggers is the flop I expect it to be, and we can go back to advancing electric motorcycles.
I'm a teacher at a technical college. If students aren't meeting the minimum competency, we don't have the resources or mentors to put effort into developing better resources; we just lower the bar.
November 8, 2025 at 1:10 PM
I'm a teacher at a technical college. If students aren't meeting the minimum competency, we don't have the resources or mentors to put effort into developing better resources; we just lower the bar.
I have the same feelings as when we were racing electric bikes in the Formula Xtreme series. They just don't want to accept any change. The riders loved it, and the engineering challenge of building a competitive machine is obvious. But to replace MotoE with Baggers is Idiocracy...
November 8, 2025 at 12:46 PM
I have the same feelings as when we were racing electric bikes in the Formula Xtreme series. They just don't want to accept any change. The riders loved it, and the engineering challenge of building a competitive machine is obvious. But to replace MotoE with Baggers is Idiocracy...
Not only is it the name it's had for millennia, it translates to 'paradise' which is perfect.
But, rednecks gonna redneck.
But, rednecks gonna redneck.
November 8, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Not only is it the name it's had for millennia, it translates to 'paradise' which is perfect.
But, rednecks gonna redneck.
But, rednecks gonna redneck.
As far as direct cash support to buy EVs goes, Australia's states set aside about $650 million for purchase rebates, all of which have been used up. That's about $32 per adult, or a working week of bus tickets. Good public transit needs tens of billions (and worth every cent).
November 8, 2025 at 4:45 AM
As far as direct cash support to buy EVs goes, Australia's states set aside about $650 million for purchase rebates, all of which have been used up. That's about $32 per adult, or a working week of bus tickets. Good public transit needs tens of billions (and worth every cent).
Electric motorcycles, obviously.
November 8, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Electric motorcycles, obviously.