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Today's Topics:
1. Re: How did pagers explode? (Narelle Clark)
2. New study reveals positive mood changes during video game
play (Stephen Loosley)
3. UK ends 142 years of coal-power as last plant shuts down
(Stephen Loosley)
4. Re: UK ends 142 years of coal-power as last plant shuts down
(Antony Barry)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2024 17:10:19 +1000
From: Narelle Clark <[email protected]>
To: Tom Worthington <[email protected]>
Cc: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [LINK] How did pagers explode?
Message-ID:
<cacrmd1htylhkpwu6zaam3cwgq0z7bapbjgztn0khrg0ub0h...@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
On Thu, 19 Sept 2024 at 08:54, Tom Worthington
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Yesterday SBS News asked me about exploding pagers. So propped my phone
> on a suitcase & was interviewed for the national news: "How did
> Hezbollah's pagers explode in Lebanon and Syria?".
> https://youtu.be/98u6VcDiNJ0?si=xbPMkrJLCAmNFIxN
And another good article on the whole thing is here:
https://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/2024/turning-everyday-gadgets-into-bombs-is-a-bad-idea/
--
Narelle
[email protected]
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2024 23:05:08 +0930
From: Stephen Loosley <[email protected]>
To: "link" <[email protected]>
Subject: [LINK] New study reveals positive mood changes during video
game play
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
New study reveals positive mood changes during video game play
The University of Oxford
https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2024-09-25-new-study-reveals-positive-mood-changes-during-video-game-play
Playing video games can be good for your mood, according to a new international
study from researchers at the Oxford Internet Institute, part of the University
of Oxford.
The study looks at player data from 67,328 gaming sessions from 8,695 players
in 39 countries, analysing their mood before and during gameplay
Across 162,325 in-game mood reports from players of the popular game PowerWash
Simulator (PWS), the average player reported a more positive mood during play
than at the start of each session
Researchers predict 72% of players experience this uplift in mood during the
play session based on statistical modelling of player data
The study analysed data from players in 39 countries, including the US, UK,
Canada and Germany and found that PWS players? moods rapidly increased during
gameplay. Players consistently reported a higher mood after the first fifteen
minutes of the play session compared to the start of each session.
The research team from the Oxford Internet Institute carried out the study to
understand more about the short-term effects of playing video games.
Lead author Assistant Professor Matti Vuorre, Tilburg University and Research
Associate at the Oxford Internet Institute said:
'At present short-term changes in video game players? moods are poorly
understood. Gameplay research frequently relies on artificial stimuli, with
games created or modified by academic researchers, typically played in a lab
environment rather than a natural context. Instead, we wanted to know how real
play in natural contexts might predict player mood on short timescales.'
The researchers collaborated with PWS?s developer, FuturLab, to develop a
research edition of the game that recorded gameplay events, game status
records, participant demographics and responses to psychological survey items.
This latest analysis is based on a dataset the team previously published in the
journal Scientific Data last year.
Commenting on the findings, second author Nick Ballou, Postdoctoral Researcher,
Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford said, 'By investigating player
experiences during natural play of a popular and commercially available game,
we found strong evidence for a small positive change in mood over the course of
a play session."
"Our current study corroborates what qualitative research and reports from
video game players around the world have long suggested: People feel good
playing video games.'
The researchers found that the average player?s mood increased by approximately
0.034 units (on a 0-1 scale), from the beginning of the session to during play
and the bulk of the improvement occurs for the average player after 15 minutes
of gameplay. This change is comparable with changes seen in other leisure
activities such as reading, shopping, or listening to music.
They also looked at differences in mood uplift between the population of
similar PWS players. The Oxford team statistically modelled between-person
differences in mood shifts in the population of PWS players. They found that
nearly three-quarters of players (72.1%) were likely to experience an uplift in
their mood during PWS play.
Unlike other studies in this field, the Oxford study is the first of its kind
to examine changes in mood during play sessions in a minute-by-minute
resolution. The research edition was nearly identical to the main game, with
the addition of in-game pop-ups asking players to report their mood, delivered
by a newly created character called ?The Researchers? making them part of the
game lore, ensuring minimal disruption to the player experience.
Senior author Professor Andrew Przybylski at the Oxford Internet Institute said:
'We believe our findings are most consistent with the notion that gaming ? for
most people ? is a recovery activity that helps to manage day-to-day stresses
and mood fluctuations, without necessarily having substantial long-term
impacts. The fact that we studied only one game ? and one that is not likely
representative of today?s most commonly played games ? suggests caution in
generalizing from our findings to other games. Future work should consider the
use of randomised controlled trials to evaluate the effect of playing PowerWash
Simulator or other games compared to other leisure activities or therapeutic
interventions.
Ultimately better understanding the multiverse of play, including temporal
patterns, social experiences, in-game behaviours and events, players?
personalities, its antecedents and consequences warrants continued research
efforts coordinated across and beyond academia.'
The paper ?Affective Uplift During Video Game Play: A Naturalistic Case Study?
by Matti Vuorre, Nick Ballou, Thomas Hakman, Kristoffer Magnusson and Andrew K.
Przybylski is published open access in the journal Games: Research and
Practice.
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3659464
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:54:22 +0930
From: Stephen Loosley <[email protected]>
To: "link" <[email protected]>
Subject: [LINK] UK ends 142 years of coal-power as last plant shuts
down
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
UK ends 142 years of coal power as last plant shuts after 57 years of service
The UK aims for a fully decarbonized power system by 2030, setting a powerful
example for other nations transitioning to greener energy.
By Sujita Sinha Sep 30, 2024
https://interestingengineering.com/energy/uks-last-coal-fired-power-plant-shuts
UK ends 142 years of coal power as last plant shuts after 57 years of service
The UK closed its last remaining coal power plant as the country marked a
definitive swing toward clean energy. Nottinghamshire?s Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power
Station, which had powered the nation for 57 years, officially stopped
generating electricity.
This event signals the end of Britain?s 142-year reliance on coal, dating back
to 1882 when the world?s first coal-fired power station opened in London. The
country will also become the first G7 nation to eliminate coal-fired power
production.
Phil MacDonald, managing director of global energy think tank Ember, captured
the significance of the moment, ?This is the final chapter of a remarkably
swift transition from the country that started the Industrial Revolution.?
The closure also aligns with the UK?s government policy to phase out coal, a
plan that was set in motion almost a decade ago.
The journey from coal to renewables
Coal was once the biggest contributor to the UK?s energy mix. Until 2012, it
accounted for close to 39% of the country?s electricity produced.
However, renewable sources of energy, besides policies implemented by the
government, have now reduced their share to very minimal levels.
Coal has a contribution of less than 2% since 2019, data from Ember has shown.
The UK?s transition away from coal was driven by a combination of factors.
Ember?s report, ?The UK?s Journey to a Coal Power Phase-Out,? highlights five
key factors behind the UK?s swift coal exit: early announcement of a 2025 coal
phase-out, carbon pricing, support for offshore wind, market reforms to boost
renewables and grid investment.
?The UK provided both the carrots and the sticks,? said MacDonald. ?It?s
important to signal that polluting sources have an end date, but also to
provide an enabling environment to build the new clean energy system.?
Wind and solar energy were the main replacements for coal, with the UK managing
to avoid a significant increase in reliance on natural gas.
Now, the country looks forward to a fully decarbonized power system by 2030 ? a
goal quite ambitious yet steadily propelling its clean energy agenda forward.
Massive impact on emissions and costs
The benefits of the UK?s rapid move away from coal are widespread. Carbon
emissions avoided since the start of the decline in coal use in 2012 amount to
880 million tonnes.
This exceeds double the total UK emissions in 2023, says Ember. Coal
replacement by wind and solar saved an estimated ?2.9 billion for the country.
Now, the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station is part of an increasingly long list
of countries phasing coal out entirely. In fact, already more than a third of
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations are
coal-free, and by 2030 three-quarters will be. So, these international climate
targets tie into a limit on the increase in global temperatures to 2.7?F
(1.5?C).
Globally, coal?s share of electricity generation in OECD countries has dropped
to 17%, down from a peak of 36% in 2007. The rapid expansion of solar and wind
power has driven 87% of the reduction in coal use during this period.
MacDonald emphasized the changing role of energy in economic development,
?Once, coal power was a byword for industrial growth. Now clean energy is
driving economies ? and not just in high-income countries, but throughout the
world.?
The future of clean energy
With its coal phase-out, the UK is setting a powerful example for other nations
aiming to transition to greener energy systems.
The journey from coal to renewables has been remarkably swift, aided by strong
government policies, a commitment to decarbonization, and the growth of wind
and solar power.
Meanwhile, the UK?s focus on achieving a fully decarbonized power system by
2030 positions the country as a global leader in clean energy.
The lessons learned from its coal phase-out will be crucial as other nations
work to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and move toward more sustainable
energy sources.
--
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2024 11:50:24 +1000
From: Antony Barry <[email protected]>
To: Stephen Loosley <[email protected]>
Cc: link <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [LINK] UK ends 142 years of coal-power as last plant
shuts down
Message-ID:
<caecotwz2r0gtpwr7bxloho7uajyyt4gmxtmbfqqf-cv6hev...@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Please Note: This email did not come from ANU, Be careful of any request to buy
gift cards or other items for senders outside of ANU. Learn why this is
important.
https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/email-scams#toc-warning-signs-it-might-be-a-scam
A summary of world wide progress compiled by Perplexity
<https://www.perplexity.ai/> -
Coal is being phased out worldwide through a combination of policy measures,
economic factors, and international commitments. Here's a summary of the global
coal phase-out efforts:
## Policy Measures
Many countries have adopted coal phase-out targets and policies:
- 21 countries have committed to phasing out coal between 2021 and 2040[5].
- The G7 committed in 2021 to end support for coal-fired power stations within
the year[2].
- Carbon pricing schemes and removal of fossil fuel subsidies are being
implemented to make coal less economically viable[6].
## Economic Factors
- Decreasing costs of renewable energy are making coal less competitive in many
markets[1][3].
- Financial institutions are increasingly reluctant to fund new coal
projects[4].
- High capital costs for coal plants compared to renewables are discouraging
new investments, especially in developing countries[7].
## International Efforts
- The Powering Past Coal Alliance includes countries committed to phasing out
coal[2].
- International organizations are supporting coal transitions through financing
mechanisms and technical assistance[4].
- The Glasgow Climate Pact, agreed at COP26, called for countries to "phase
down" unabated coal power[2].
## Regional Progress
- European countries like Greece, the UK, and Denmark have achieved rapid
reductions in coal power[3].
- The US has cut its coal power use in half between 2014 and 2022[3].
- China, the world's largest coal consumer, has pledged to end support for
building new coal plants abroad[4].
## Challenges
- Some developing countries still view coal as a cheap energy source for
economic growth[7].
- Managing the socioeconomic impacts on coal-dependent communities remains a
significant challenge[5].
- Ensuring energy security and grid stability during the transition is a key
concern for many countries[5].
While progress is being made, the pace of coal phase-out globally is not yet
aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement, and further acceleration of
efforts is needed[1][5].
Citations:
[1]
https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-what-we-learned-about-coal-phaseout-by-studying-15-countries/
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_phase-out
[3] https://www.wri.org/insights/countries-phasing-out-coal-power-fastest
[4] https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2021/phasing-out-coal
[5]
https://www.iea.org/reports/phasing-out-unabated-coal-current-status-and-three-case-studies/executive-summary
[6]
https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2020/12/08/blog-a-greener-future-begins-with-a-shift-to-coal-alternatives
[7] https://www.mcc-berlin.net/en/research/policy-briefs/coal.html
[8] https://unfccc.int/news/end-of-coal-in-sight-at-cop26
On Tue, Oct 1, 2024 at 1:30?AM Stephen Loosley
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
UK ends 142 years of coal power as last plant shuts after 57 years of service
The UK aims for a fully decarbonized power system by 2030, setting a powerful
example for other nations transitioning to greener energy.
By Sujita Sinha Sep 30, 2024
https://interestingengineering.com/energy/uks-last-coal-fired-power-plant-shuts
UK ends 142 years of coal power as last plant shuts after 57 years of service
The UK closed its last remaining coal power plant as the country marked a
definitive swing toward clean energy. Nottinghamshire?s Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power
Station, which had powered the nation for 57 years, officially stopped
generating electricity.
This event signals the end of Britain?s 142-year reliance on coal, dating back
to 1882 when the world?s first coal-fired power station opened in London. The
country will also become the first G7 nation to eliminate coal-fired power
production.
Phil MacDonald, managing director of global energy think tank Ember, captured
the significance of the moment, ?This is the final chapter of a remarkably
swift transition from the country that started the Industrial Revolution.?
The closure also aligns with the UK?s government policy to phase out coal, a
plan that was set in motion almost a decade ago.
The journey from coal to renewables
Coal was once the biggest contributor to the UK?s energy mix. Until 2012, it
accounted for close to 39% of the country?s electricity produced.
However, renewable sources of energy, besides policies implemented by the
government, have now reduced their share to very minimal levels.
Coal has a contribution of less than 2% since 2019, data from Ember has shown.
The UK?s transition away from coal was driven by a combination of factors.
Ember?s report, ?The UK?s Journey to a Coal Power Phase-Out,? highlights five
key factors behind the UK?s swift coal exit: early announcement of a 2025 coal
phase-out, carbon pricing, support for offshore wind, market reforms to boost
renewables and grid investment.
?The UK provided both the carrots and the sticks,? said MacDonald. ?It?s
important to signal that polluting sources have an end date, but also to
provide an enabling environment to build the new clean energy system.?
Wind and solar energy were the main replacements for coal, with the UK managing
to avoid a significant increase in reliance on natural gas.
Now, the country looks forward to a fully decarbonized power system by 2030 ? a
goal quite ambitious yet steadily propelling its clean energy agenda forward.
Massive impact on emissions and costs
The benefits of the UK?s rapid move away from coal are widespread. Carbon
emissions avoided since the start of the decline in coal use in 2012 amount to
880 million tonnes.
This exceeds double the total UK emissions in 2023, says Ember. Coal
replacement by wind and solar saved an estimated ?2.9 billion for the country.
Now, the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station is part of an increasingly long list
of countries phasing coal out entirely. In fact, already more than a third of
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations are
coal-free, and by 2030 three-quarters will be. So, these international climate
targets tie into a limit on the increase in global temperatures to 2.7?F
(1.5?C).
Globally, coal?s share of electricity generation in OECD countries has dropped
to 17%, down from a peak of 36% in 2007. The rapid expansion of solar and wind
power has driven 87% of the reduction in coal use during this period.
MacDonald emphasized the changing role of energy in economic development,
?Once, coal power was a byword for industrial growth. Now clean energy is
driving economies ? and not just in high-income countries, but throughout the
world.?
The future of clean energy
With its coal phase-out, the UK is setting a powerful example for other nations
aiming to transition to greener energy systems.
The journey from coal to renewables has been remarkably swift, aided by strong
government policies, a commitment to decarbonization, and the growth of wind
and solar power.
Meanwhile, the UK?s focus on achieving a fully decarbonized power system by
2030 positions the country as a global leader in clean energy.
The lessons learned from its coal phase-out will be crucial as other nations
work to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and move toward more sustainable
energy sources.
--
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[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
------------------------------
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------------------------------
End of Link Digest, Vol 383, Issue 1
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