Sometimes, the best motorcycle journeys aren’t just about riding, as fun as this is. They’re about contrasts, surprises, and moments that stick with you long after the engine has cooled down. My recent four-day trip from Melbourne’s Fitzroy to Kosciuszko National Park ticks these boxes. I began the first leg of my journey with a dose of culture at the La Trobe Regional Art Gallery in Morwell, where an exhibition curated by my friend Ash was on display. It showcased photographs of the valley, taken from Melbourne residents’ perspectives. One image of a KTM motorcycle particularly resonated with ..read more

“The Road to Patagonia” is a travel documentary that follows Melbourne dude Matty Hannon on his journey by motorbike and horse to surf the west coast of the Americas. The film explores themes of love, life, and environmental consciousness as Hannon’s journey intersects with the life of Heather Hillier, a permaculture farmer who becomes his partner in love and travel. At the beginning of the documentary, Hannon is at a crossroads, having lost everything and considering giving up on his journey. At this moment of vulnerability, he meets Hillier, who embodies boldness and adventure. She sells he ..read more

The thrum of my Suzuki V-Strom 1000 was a familiar sound as I pulled out of Fitzroy, Melbourne, ready for adventure. Marysville was the first stop, easing me into the journey with its charm and hint of the tougher terrain to come. But even here, the air carried a sense of change, of leaving the known world behind for a wilder Victoria. The transformation became stark as I climbed towards Lake Mountain and Woods Point. The road narrowed, the asphalt giving way to dirt. Woods Point materialised like a relic from another era – isolated, rugged, a haven for hunters and fishers. Accessible only by ..read more

Today, I attended an excellent, uplifting and informative conference. The Night Falls in the Evening Lands, The Assange Epic conference, held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, focused on the plight of Julian Assange and issues related to human rights, freedom of the press, and international law. The main topics covered at the conference included: The extradition case against Julian Assange and threats to press freedom Human rights concerns around Assange’s treatment and potential extradition to the U.S. The role of WikiLeaks in exposing government wrongdo ..read more

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significant political implications, which can be categorised into key aspects: AI + politics. Generated with Copilot designer 1: AI and Democracy: AI has the potential to reshape democratic processes. For instance, AI tools can generate political campaign contributions autonomously, and AI-generated opinions could influence political preferences. However, there are concerns about the impact of AI on democratic values, such as respect for human rights and the dangers of automating and amplifying biases 2: AI and Government Policy: Governments are increasingly i ..read more

The Christmas season in Australia is marked by scorching sun and long drives on roads that cut through hillbilly towns and sun-kissed vistas. This is a time to explore, recharge and experience the great nothingness that Australia offers in abundance. The Aussie Road trip is a sacred ritual that celebrates the spirit of exploration and adventure. It’s a time to reconnect and experience Christmas in a uniquely Australian way, where the open road leads a journey that is just as important as the destination. A time to drive! Day 1 (23rd December) Melbourne to Blanket Bay Campground Day 2 (24th De ..read more

Last Friday, December 8th, I had the privilege of experiencing a transformative musical event in Melbourne’s heart. The Melbourne tennis centre, typically a hub for the conventional, morphed into a sanctuary of electronic music, its corridors teeming with ardent followers eagerly awaiting their revered masters: Kraftwerk. The atmosphere was electric. Kraftwerk, the electronic music trailblasers and creators of the synth-pop sound, have been moulding the musical landscape for over half a century. Their influence permeates far beyond their genre, impacting artists as diverse as David Bowie and D ..read more

It is interesting to compare the historical developments in two research fields that may seem unrelated – Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD). Both fields have had a long and tumultuous history, going through periods of intense interest followed by neglect and controversy. However, as of now, both fields are experiencing a resurgence. It is worth exploring their similarities, the factors that have shaped their evolution, and what the future holds for them. Wikipedia Contributors. (2023, December 1). History of lysergic acid diethylamide. Wikipedia; Wikimedia ..read more

Recently, I embarked on a three-day whirlwind trip to Berlin, a city that has been a constant in my life since the fall of the Berlin Wall. I watched the wall crumble from my hotel room in London, a young backpacker eager to witness history. A few months later, I was in Berlin, chipping off a piece of the wall, a graffiti-covered fragment that now resides in a box in my Fitzroy apartment. Berlin Wall, August 1990 Berlin, the city that once stood divided, now thrives on its unique blend of history and modernity. It’s a city that has reinvented itself from its dark past, now a playground of free ..read more

In the concrete veins of Melbourne, I found myself ensnared by the seductive allure of modernity: an electric beast known as the Cupra Born. Oh, what a blast! Its acceleration was a raw, undiluted shot to the system, nearly mimicking the ferocity of my Suzuki VStrom motorcycle, a steed I thought unmatched in its visceral punch. So there I was, astride this silent beast, feeling the rush and the electricity tingling through my veins. But like all trips, the high wore off when faced with a most mundane yet unnerving question: “How do I refuel this metallic demon?” Guided by the digital whispers ..read more