GeorgeWeeks2014
@georgeweeks2014.bsky.social
🇪🇺British/New Zealand urban planner & university teaching fellow living and working in Auckland. Twitter refugee. Interested in most things, esp. architecture, energy, accessibility, sustainability, comedy and health. My views are my own.
On reflection, my bicycle bell needs to be repaired.
November 14, 2025 at 8:58 PM
On reflection, my bicycle bell needs to be repaired.
I recently flew @qantas-official.bsky.social from Australia to New Zealand. The plane had seat-back screens but you couldn't watch films on them.
You had to use a QR code to download Qantas Entertainment app.
*Then* watch it on your phone via the aeroplane wi-fi.
Why?!? There is already a screen!
You had to use a QR code to download Qantas Entertainment app.
*Then* watch it on your phone via the aeroplane wi-fi.
Why?!? There is already a screen!
November 14, 2025 at 7:39 PM
I recently flew @qantas-official.bsky.social from Australia to New Zealand. The plane had seat-back screens but you couldn't watch films on them.
You had to use a QR code to download Qantas Entertainment app.
*Then* watch it on your phone via the aeroplane wi-fi.
Why?!? There is already a screen!
You had to use a QR code to download Qantas Entertainment app.
*Then* watch it on your phone via the aeroplane wi-fi.
Why?!? There is already a screen!
This is covered very well in the Cigarette Century. Have a read.
November 14, 2025 at 11:01 AM
This is covered very well in the Cigarette Century. Have a read.
That said, I think Lord Foster's favourite futuristic car is Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion Car, so it would be a glorious little Easter egg to see one of these inserted into an architectural model.
More info on the Foster Dymaxion Car here:
archive.normanfosterfoundation.org/dymaxion_car...
More info on the Foster Dymaxion Car here:
archive.normanfosterfoundation.org/dymaxion_car...
November 11, 2025 at 8:04 AM
That said, I think Lord Foster's favourite futuristic car is Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion Car, so it would be a glorious little Easter egg to see one of these inserted into an architectural model.
More info on the Foster Dymaxion Car here:
archive.normanfosterfoundation.org/dymaxion_car...
More info on the Foster Dymaxion Car here:
archive.normanfosterfoundation.org/dymaxion_car...
For anyone in Australia interested in #Architecture and #Urbanism, you must visit the Civic Vision exhibition in Parkline Place #Sydney by @fosterandpartners.bsky.social
It contains exquisite original models of some of the most influential modern buildings ever created.
#NormanFoster #Vision
It contains exquisite original models of some of the most influential modern buildings ever created.
#NormanFoster #Vision
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 AM
For anyone in Australia interested in #Architecture and #Urbanism, you must visit the Civic Vision exhibition in Parkline Place #Sydney by @fosterandpartners.bsky.social
It contains exquisite original models of some of the most influential modern buildings ever created.
#NormanFoster #Vision
It contains exquisite original models of some of the most influential modern buildings ever created.
#NormanFoster #Vision
Precisely. Here in New Zealand, there is a refrain (joyfully co-opted by car dealers) that: "Kiwis need utes (pick-ups) for our outdoor lifestyle."
NZers have been climbing/surfing/hunting/riding for decades. These activities were not "miraculously enabled" by the Ford Ranger etc.
It's just image.
NZers have been climbing/surfing/hunting/riding for decades. These activities were not "miraculously enabled" by the Ford Ranger etc.
It's just image.
November 10, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Precisely. Here in New Zealand, there is a refrain (joyfully co-opted by car dealers) that: "Kiwis need utes (pick-ups) for our outdoor lifestyle."
NZers have been climbing/surfing/hunting/riding for decades. These activities were not "miraculously enabled" by the Ford Ranger etc.
It's just image.
NZers have been climbing/surfing/hunting/riding for decades. These activities were not "miraculously enabled" by the Ford Ranger etc.
It's just image.
Yes absolutely.
November 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Yes absolutely.
In the past week I have seen two architectural models from the 1980s, both of which feature an NSU RO-80 driving along outside.
Did architecture modellers have a particular affection for its style? They *are* good-looking cars.
▪︎HSBC tower in Hong Kong🇭🇰
▪︎ASB tower in Auckland🇳🇿
#Carspotting #NSU
Did architecture modellers have a particular affection for its style? They *are* good-looking cars.
▪︎HSBC tower in Hong Kong🇭🇰
▪︎ASB tower in Auckland🇳🇿
#Carspotting #NSU
November 6, 2025 at 9:15 PM
In the past week I have seen two architectural models from the 1980s, both of which feature an NSU RO-80 driving along outside.
Did architecture modellers have a particular affection for its style? They *are* good-looking cars.
▪︎HSBC tower in Hong Kong🇭🇰
▪︎ASB tower in Auckland🇳🇿
#Carspotting #NSU
Did architecture modellers have a particular affection for its style? They *are* good-looking cars.
▪︎HSBC tower in Hong Kong🇭🇰
▪︎ASB tower in Auckland🇳🇿
#Carspotting #NSU
Let me guess: The negative comments come from people who think that everyone should drive a huge diesel-fuelled pick-up truck because anything else is "unpatriotic".
November 6, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Let me guess: The negative comments come from people who think that everyone should drive a huge diesel-fuelled pick-up truck because anything else is "unpatriotic".
You mean like Krang in Turtles?
November 4, 2025 at 7:26 PM
You mean like Krang in Turtles?
Soon everyone will drive an extra-manly man-mobile for added manliness. Vroom vroom.
November 4, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Soon everyone will drive an extra-manly man-mobile for added manliness. Vroom vroom.
How about it New Zealand? Too many oversized cars chasing too few parking spots.
November 4, 2025 at 9:28 AM
How about it New Zealand? Too many oversized cars chasing too few parking spots.
"Thanks to renewables, the wholesale energy price was 40% lower in 2024 than it the energy matrix had remained as it was I 2019, according to a study by the Bank of Spain."
@economist.com explains how Spain is making use of its abundant sunshine...but still plans to close nuclear plants & buy gas.
@economist.com explains how Spain is making use of its abundant sunshine...but still plans to close nuclear plants & buy gas.
November 3, 2025 at 7:29 PM
"Thanks to renewables, the wholesale energy price was 40% lower in 2024 than it the energy matrix had remained as it was I 2019, according to a study by the Bank of Spain."
@economist.com explains how Spain is making use of its abundant sunshine...but still plans to close nuclear plants & buy gas.
@economist.com explains how Spain is making use of its abundant sunshine...but still plans to close nuclear plants & buy gas.
Both books have an American focus but "a political history" points out that where America led, Britain soon followed.
Wills Tobacco of Bristol was the first big UK cigarette maker.
The University of Bristol has lots of "Tobacco Gothic" buildings - an Arts & Crafts style favoured by Wills.
Wills Tobacco of Bristol was the first big UK cigarette maker.
The University of Bristol has lots of "Tobacco Gothic" buildings - an Arts & Crafts style favoured by Wills.
November 3, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Both books have an American focus but "a political history" points out that where America led, Britain soon followed.
Wills Tobacco of Bristol was the first big UK cigarette maker.
The University of Bristol has lots of "Tobacco Gothic" buildings - an Arts & Crafts style favoured by Wills.
Wills Tobacco of Bristol was the first big UK cigarette maker.
The University of Bristol has lots of "Tobacco Gothic" buildings - an Arts & Crafts style favoured by Wills.
I recently read a couple of books about the tobacco industry and public policy.
"Century" is more industry-centric; "A Political History" is more about public health & litigation.
Having grown up in Bristol, the first UK city to mass produce cigarettes 🚬 the Britsh perspective is interesting. 🧵
"Century" is more industry-centric; "A Political History" is more about public health & litigation.
Having grown up in Bristol, the first UK city to mass produce cigarettes 🚬 the Britsh perspective is interesting. 🧵
November 3, 2025 at 8:49 AM
I recently read a couple of books about the tobacco industry and public policy.
"Century" is more industry-centric; "A Political History" is more about public health & litigation.
Having grown up in Bristol, the first UK city to mass produce cigarettes 🚬 the Britsh perspective is interesting. 🧵
"Century" is more industry-centric; "A Political History" is more about public health & litigation.
Having grown up in Bristol, the first UK city to mass produce cigarettes 🚬 the Britsh perspective is interesting. 🧵
If any business, organisation, or proprietor of any mailing list wishes to lose my subscription permanently, all they need do is e-mail me with the heading "BLACK FRIDAY" and I will click the Unsubscribe button before you can say "consumerism"
It's a horrid gimmick. Like "Love Day" in The Simpsons.
It's a horrid gimmick. Like "Love Day" in The Simpsons.
November 3, 2025 at 6:26 AM
If any business, organisation, or proprietor of any mailing list wishes to lose my subscription permanently, all they need do is e-mail me with the heading "BLACK FRIDAY" and I will click the Unsubscribe button before you can say "consumerism"
It's a horrid gimmick. Like "Love Day" in The Simpsons.
It's a horrid gimmick. Like "Love Day" in The Simpsons.
E-bikes are the best.
I bought one and instantly almost every urban journey became bikeable.
This meant that I sold my motorcycle; it was fun but I was hardly ever riding it.
My car died 15 months ago and I haven't needed to replace it.
E-bikes enable access and can save you a fortune. Hurrah!
I bought one and instantly almost every urban journey became bikeable.
This meant that I sold my motorcycle; it was fun but I was hardly ever riding it.
My car died 15 months ago and I haven't needed to replace it.
E-bikes enable access and can save you a fortune. Hurrah!
November 2, 2025 at 6:49 PM
E-bikes are the best.
I bought one and instantly almost every urban journey became bikeable.
This meant that I sold my motorcycle; it was fun but I was hardly ever riding it.
My car died 15 months ago and I haven't needed to replace it.
E-bikes enable access and can save you a fortune. Hurrah!
I bought one and instantly almost every urban journey became bikeable.
This meant that I sold my motorcycle; it was fun but I was hardly ever riding it.
My car died 15 months ago and I haven't needed to replace it.
E-bikes enable access and can save you a fortune. Hurrah!
Prunella Scales has died at the age of 93. Farewell to a brilliant comic, forever immortalised as Sybil Fawlty.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#FawltyTowers
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#FawltyTowers
October 28, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Prunella Scales has died at the age of 93. Farewell to a brilliant comic, forever immortalised as Sybil Fawlty.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#FawltyTowers
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#FawltyTowers
It is never "relaxing" to place an order with a QR code. In fact it is bloody tedious, stressful and an impetus to find a café where a real human will take your order.
#Hospo #Tech #Enshittification
#Hospo #Tech #Enshittification
October 26, 2025 at 9:24 PM
It is never "relaxing" to place an order with a QR code. In fact it is bloody tedious, stressful and an impetus to find a café where a real human will take your order.
#Hospo #Tech #Enshittification
#Hospo #Tech #Enshittification
Great to see @connorsharp.bsky.social contributing to the Herald
Best line: "when we are vocal with our dreams...we have the power to shape our city for the better."
In other words, have aspirations and work hard to make sure they happen.
@nzherald.bsky.social
@greaterauckland.bsky.social
Best line: "when we are vocal with our dreams...we have the power to shape our city for the better."
In other words, have aspirations and work hard to make sure they happen.
@nzherald.bsky.social
@greaterauckland.bsky.social
October 26, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Great to see @connorsharp.bsky.social contributing to the Herald
Best line: "when we are vocal with our dreams...we have the power to shape our city for the better."
In other words, have aspirations and work hard to make sure they happen.
@nzherald.bsky.social
@greaterauckland.bsky.social
Best line: "when we are vocal with our dreams...we have the power to shape our city for the better."
In other words, have aspirations and work hard to make sure they happen.
@nzherald.bsky.social
@greaterauckland.bsky.social
▪︎ Monty Python's Flying Circus
▪︎ Monkey Dust
▪︎ The League of Gentlemen.
Dark surrealism at its finest.
▪︎ Monkey Dust
▪︎ The League of Gentlemen.
Dark surrealism at its finest.
October 26, 2025 at 8:51 AM
▪︎ Monty Python's Flying Circus
▪︎ Monkey Dust
▪︎ The League of Gentlemen.
Dark surrealism at its finest.
▪︎ Monkey Dust
▪︎ The League of Gentlemen.
Dark surrealism at its finest.
I tend to think of 'The Black Island' (which is also excellent) as post-war.
My view is incorrect; it was written in the 1930s but completely redrawn in the 1960s when it was published in Britain.
The cars are quintessential 1960s Britain; nice couple in a Triumph Herald; crooks in a Jaguar MK10.
My view is incorrect; it was written in the 1930s but completely redrawn in the 1960s when it was published in Britain.
The cars are quintessential 1960s Britain; nice couple in a Triumph Herald; crooks in a Jaguar MK10.
October 26, 2025 at 6:13 AM
I tend to think of 'The Black Island' (which is also excellent) as post-war.
My view is incorrect; it was written in the 1930s but completely redrawn in the 1960s when it was published in Britain.
The cars are quintessential 1960s Britain; nice couple in a Triumph Herald; crooks in a Jaguar MK10.
My view is incorrect; it was written in the 1930s but completely redrawn in the 1960s when it was published in Britain.
The cars are quintessential 1960s Britain; nice couple in a Triumph Herald; crooks in a Jaguar MK10.
The late 1940s and early 1950s was definitely a happy time for American corporate corruption.
See also:
United Fruit and the Guatemalan military coup
Tobacco companies binding together to lie about cigarettes being carcinogenic.
Both happened in 1953.
See also:
United Fruit and the Guatemalan military coup
Tobacco companies binding together to lie about cigarettes being carcinogenic.
Both happened in 1953.
October 26, 2025 at 3:41 AM
The late 1940s and early 1950s was definitely a happy time for American corporate corruption.
See also:
United Fruit and the Guatemalan military coup
Tobacco companies binding together to lie about cigarettes being carcinogenic.
Both happened in 1953.
See also:
United Fruit and the Guatemalan military coup
Tobacco companies binding together to lie about cigarettes being carcinogenic.
Both happened in 1953.
King Ottokar's Sceptre is probably my favourite pre-war Tintin book.
It has the fast-paced dashing about of early Tintin, but introduces many of the mainstays of subsequent stories, eg. Syldavia, Borduria & Bianca Castafiore🎶
Hergé also added himself to a couple of court scenes! #Cameo #EasterEgg
It has the fast-paced dashing about of early Tintin, but introduces many of the mainstays of subsequent stories, eg. Syldavia, Borduria & Bianca Castafiore🎶
Hergé also added himself to a couple of court scenes! #Cameo #EasterEgg
October 26, 2025 at 1:15 AM
King Ottokar's Sceptre is probably my favourite pre-war Tintin book.
It has the fast-paced dashing about of early Tintin, but introduces many of the mainstays of subsequent stories, eg. Syldavia, Borduria & Bianca Castafiore🎶
Hergé also added himself to a couple of court scenes! #Cameo #EasterEgg
It has the fast-paced dashing about of early Tintin, but introduces many of the mainstays of subsequent stories, eg. Syldavia, Borduria & Bianca Castafiore🎶
Hergé also added himself to a couple of court scenes! #Cameo #EasterEgg
This is classic "fair and balance" both-sides-ism, used to sow doubt by counteracting science with industry-funded opinions.
The tobacco industry used this approach for decades: "We're not sure if smoking causes cancer so we need to take the time to do more research."
See: The Cigarette Century🚬
The tobacco industry used this approach for decades: "We're not sure if smoking causes cancer so we need to take the time to do more research."
See: The Cigarette Century🚬
October 26, 2025 at 12:21 AM
This is classic "fair and balance" both-sides-ism, used to sow doubt by counteracting science with industry-funded opinions.
The tobacco industry used this approach for decades: "We're not sure if smoking causes cancer so we need to take the time to do more research."
See: The Cigarette Century🚬
The tobacco industry used this approach for decades: "We're not sure if smoking causes cancer so we need to take the time to do more research."
See: The Cigarette Century🚬