Related to tests and skills, What if we just didn’t mark students?, a short talk from a university course runner and educator in general.

It makes some points that are already familiar or easy to notice, but it’s also an interesting exploration of academia, tests and skills. I know some students who learn under that lecturer and what they’re taling about clearly comes through in the course structure. One notable part is that one tutorial class is responsible for making notes for each week of lectures, and the whole cohort is allowed to bring those collaborative notes into the exam, like a semi-open book test. I heard they just decided one class to have a lesson on rhetoric instead of cybersecurity because it’s a pretty nerdy industry and one involving invisible risks, and there’s no point being an expert if you can’t convince your boss to let you fix the problems.

That’s the problem, right? The people in power usually benefit from preserving the system that gives them power. Even the major Australian parties have been adding laws which make it harder for minor parties to receive as much funding.

Australia’s two-party system is consistently shrinking, possible in part due to the IRV ranked voting system removing the spoiler effect. They still get about a third each, so I don’t think you’re wrong that there’s a near-binary situation.

Yes, the Labor Party have demonstrated they’re inadequate to solve our ongoing crises. The Greens appear to have kept their strong crossbench position in the senate so I can’t be too disappointed.