AUSTRALIA’S consumer agency, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), has examined hotel booking website Trivago and found that it is misleading in that it doesn’t always give the lowest prices. (https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/trivago-misled-consumers-about-hotel-room-rates)
There are a number of websites comparing hotel prices as well as a great range of other services and products although most of them state in small writing that they don’t cover all available options.
These sites are valuable for the lazy traveller and a useful start for the more experienced one. They list and map a number of accommodation options, but they should only be a starting guide.
I always do a general look and then go direct to the hotel’s own website and book directly and usually for a better price. The hotels appreciate the direct booking as they are getting all of the money.
A Google map check will show the general area as there can be lovely hotels in odd locations, distant from transport and tourist locations and it is best to do the extra work and check things.
Basically the message is one for the modern world – don’t trust everything you see on the internet and don’t be lazy when spending large amounts of money.
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A story on the Reuters website tells how a survivor of the Auschwitz death camp is working to tell the story. With the passing of time, less people are able to tell it firsthand as a participant from any viewpoint. The stories are now becoming chapters in history textbooks and they are usually told from the winner’s point of view.
The passing of time is just one of the problems of accurately remembering what has happened so that the wrongs that have occurred are not repeated. History is usually seen as a collection of facts and dates but with the increased use of the internet as a source of information there are so many mistakes and straight out lies. The spread of lies, including Holocaust deniers, shows that so many don’t know the difference.
The stories of the elders must be kept alive and retold, even when they are gone. Recording what has happened is important but so is denying the falsehoods that others are spreading.
Be proud to know the truth and to spread the truth.
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The original Yellow Wiggle, Greg Page, had a heart attack, was basically dead, had treatment using a defibrillator, and is still in hospital. This has been a very good event for himself and many others.
Obviously, a heart attack isn’t what anyone really wants but this time it occurred where there was medical support, a defibrillator fortunately and transport to a hospital where a stent was inserted, and he is well on the way to recovery. His medical condition was treatable, and he was “lucky” to find out when it could be treated.
For others the benefit will be the call for more defibrillators at public and private venues which will probably save a number of lives. It has surprised people how few venues actually have this equipment available.
The availability of emergency medical equipment should be a universal constant, but it isn’t. The provision of basic medical care should also fit into this category, available as needed but there is still a long way to go.
The next time you see a rainbow let the yellow band remind you of what still needs to be done in the world.
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Most people believe in, and will support, the individual’s right to freedom of expression although two recent examples from Australia could cast doubt on this idea.
A Nazi flag has been flown in the small country town of Beulah despite the outcry of the town’s other citizens. This flag is without doubt one of the most offensive symbols on the world but surprisingly it is not illegal to fly it. This is likely to change very soon.
A horse racing event was disturbed when an individual, maybe drunk, maybe mentally disturbed, maybe just an idiot, ran onto the racetrack near the oncoming horses. Whatever he was trying to do or say was unclear as he was quickly tackled by a security office although he was able to escape. He could have easily been killed or caused an accident involving a number of horses and jockeys.
Freedom must be earned and respected and there are sometimes when it should be curtailed for the benefit and especially safety of the majority.
Value your freedom and use it wisely.
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An Australian developer has produced an app that allows people to upload a photo of someone else and match it with other photos of people and their location. Police in America have already tested and successfully used it to arrest one person.
The introduction of cameras on mobile phones has led to millions of photos being taken and far too many being put online for me to ignore. The Instagrammers and influencers may not realize that by default the location is embedded into their photos. They might be pleased as this would confirm that they actually were there although the photos of their home and children also show where they are.
The technology that allows facial recognition is under attack from privacy advocates but why? If you have done nothing wrong, then you have nothing to hide although the reality is that some people err in their life choices.
The concern of people being recognized in photos has gone too far with Google Mps and Street View blurring number plates on cars and people’s faces. The silliness of this was demonstrated when a family saw the Google camera car approaching and stood to attention out the front. Their faces were blurred but so was the dog’s face.
People should be happy to be known and seen although not obsessively. Live a good life and be seen doing it.
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It looks like there are some attempts to hide the truth in America although the most puzzling one is the new model uniforms of the US Space Force, basically Army camouflage uniforms with new labels stuck over them.
The concept of camouflage space uniforms is puzzling as there are very few trees up there and I thought the aliens were either green or grey.
The truth might be out there, but it seems to be well camouflaged. (dfitzger@melbpc.org.au/PN)
