@Rowena@mathstodon.xyz avatar

Rowena

@Rowena@mathstodon.xyz

Professor in mathematical sciences, with cross-disciplinary interests in all of the sciences. Leading new research and teaching program, 'Mathematics Without Borders'. Research and publications in applied mathematics, physical and mathematical chemistry, Indigenous and First Nations mathematics and sciences, the emergence of life, thermochemical instabilities, complex dynamical systems, railways, country pub lunches.

She/her, widowed, with 3 children and 3 grandchildren

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timrichards, to Trains
@timrichards@aus.social avatar

Lunch aboard the Spirit of the Outback. What would you choose?

cc @diningcar

image/jpeg

Rowena,
@Rowena@mathstodon.xyz avatar

@timrichards @diningcar

Oh, I dunno... I think I prefer the QR on-board menu from the 1950s

thomasfuchs, to random
@thomasfuchs@hachyderm.io avatar

Can we please stop calling it “AI art”?

  1. Art is created by humans.

  2. Hiring an artist and telling them what approximately you’d like isn’t art. (What the artist produces is art.)

  3. Machines aren’t human.

Therefore, generative algorithms categorically cannot produce art as a product, and a prompt isn’t art in itself.

Rowena,
@Rowena@mathstodon.xyz avatar

@thomasfuchs

Well, yes, quite.
What if we substitute 'mathematics' for 'art'?

Rowena, to art
@Rowena@mathstodon.xyz avatar

These geometric constructions were drawn and coloured by hand on graph paper by Eugene Andolsek (1921-2008), using only ruler, compasses, and home-made coloured inks. They are not computer generated!

https://visionfield.blogspot.com/2010/02/eugene-andolsek.html

timrichards, to random
@timrichards@aus.social avatar

Good piece from the Traveller editor, bemoaning the lack of rail investment which has led to the Sydney-Melbourne air route being one of the busiest in the world.

The Sydney-Melbourne route is one of the world’s busiest. It’s also hellish https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/travel-news/the-sydney-melbourne-route-is-one-of-the-world-s-busiest-it-s-also-hellish-20240101-p5eujr.html

Rowena,
@Rowena@mathstodon.xyz avatar

@timrichards
'It’s argued that a convincing business case for a VFT (Very Fast Train) doesn’t exist but even a QFT (Quite Fast Train) would suffice'

Well good luck with arguing even that humble case, given the the investment by Qantas in a new fleet of Airbus A320-300s. That may well bump off the remaining intercapital passenger trains, or at least keep them in their 19th century place.

But it's an ill wind. Since the intercapital (and some regional) railways must be maintained for freight, we are likely to see a continued boom in private special and heritage trains!

Rowena,
@Rowena@mathstodon.xyz avatar

@ajsadauskas @timrichards
Good idea, can we backdate its implementation exactly 40 years to 1984, when the first HSR proposal was put to the Hawke govt?
😎
Seriously though, deployment of the Airbus A320-300 by Qantas (no doubt to be followed by Virgin) is a gamechanger for just the type of intercapital air routes we have in Oz. I'm afraid there will be no more HSR plans in the foreseeable future, although we may realistically see rail corridor improvements as you suggest.

Rowena,
@Rowena@mathstodon.xyz avatar

@timrichards @ajsadauskas

I'm afraid HSR and intercapital aviation are connected - inversely, and politically. Perhaps I did not make this clear - underestimation of the influence on and reach into federal and state governments by Qantas et al. creates a bit of a blind spot for HSR advocates.

Does anyone really think that Qantas would just stand back graciously and allow HSR Syd-Mel to be built? Syd-Newcastle even? No, thin end of the wedge from Qantas et al's point of view.

timrichards, to Travel
@timrichards@aus.social avatar

In Traveller today, I and a bunch of colleagues list all the underrated/overrated things in the world of travel.

Gotta agree with the colleague who suggested the sugary hotel 'welcome drink' is well overrated (just let me get to my room!).

Find it in print in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald today. The items are not all online yet, but will share when they are.

Rowena,
@Rowena@mathstodon.xyz avatar

@timrichards
A much underrated travel experience is the Aussie country pub room. Some mean people might say it is not underrated enough. What would they know? I am a connoisseur of such establishments and the rooms are very stylish indeed - 1950s style, 1930s style and even 1900s. I'll admit that women guests do tend to avoid the corner washbasin in the room though...

image/jpeg

ColinTheMathmo, to random
@ColinTheMathmo@mathstodon.xyz avatar

Self-sufficiency is the greatest of all wealth. -- Epicurus

Rowena,
@Rowena@mathstodon.xyz avatar

@ColinTheMathmo
Fastest way to individual and societal poverty more likely. Humans are a social, interacting species, so are nations

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